The Rise of Private Equity in Canadian Residential Real Estate: Challenges and Solutions

Canada plans to limit private-equity purchases of housing to curb soaring rents and protect affordability. Lawmakers cite testimony that large investors—REITs, private-equity firms, and asset managers—already own about 20 % of Canada’s multi-unit rentals (≈350 000 suites). Inspired by U.S. trends where corporate ownership of homes has surged, the move targets rising institutional influence and rent hikes, though limited data make the scale and impact in Canada uncertain.