EDITORIAL
REAL ESTATE FORUMS | INFORMA CONNECT
Opportunity before confidence: Conditions for a new cycle
Roelof van Dijk Deputy Managing Director | Real Estate - Global Finance | Informa Connect
Creating asset strength and long-term value
As we progress through 2026, the commercial real estate industry continues to navigate a landscape shaped by prolonged uncertainty. The past year has demanded patience and discipline from investors, lenders, and developers alike. But the foundations of a new cycle are beginning to emerge—well before confidence has fully returned. Across Canada, the economic picture remains complex. In this edition, we distill nine key lessons from the Canadian economy so far this year—insights that reveal both the resilience and the fragility of the current moment. Labour market shifts, productivity challenges, and the recalibration of interest rate and inflation expectations continue to influence investment decisions. Despite these pressures, the underlying fundamentals of many markets remain stronger than the headlines suggest. Our Executive Insights feature brings forward a thoughtful Q&A with the Co Chairs of the Vancouver Real Estate Forum. Their perspectives reflect the pragmatism that has defined Western Canada’s approach: cautious optimism, a renewed focus on asset quality, and a recognition that disciplined capital deployment will shape the winners of the next cycle. Regional dynamics remain a critical lens for understanding opportunity. This issue examines how Canada can advance rental housing solutions by optimizing existing supply—an increasingly urgent priority as affordability challenges persist. In Markets in Focus, we turn to Montréal, where the gap between headline noise and on the ground reality has rarely been wider. We explore where investment opportunities remain compelling, even as sentiment fluctuates, we look at office market dynamics, where
early indicators suggest that some long running negative trends are beginning to reverse, and we examine why hotels continue to outperform other asset classes—supported by strong travel demand. Finally, we also highlight an economic report on Edmonton, which surfaces several unexpected findings about the city’s momentum, diversification, and long term growth trajectory. Edmonton’s evolution continues to defy outdated assumptions. Our feature on greenfield versus infill development in Edmonton addresses one of the most pressing strategic questions facing growing cities: how to balance expansion with sustainability, infrastructure capacity, and long term economic resilience. The choices made today will shape the region’s competitiveness for decades. Across all these themes, one message is clear: while uncertainty is rampant and confidence has not yet returned, opportunity is already taking shape. Bid ask spreads are narrowing, and transaction activity is gradually re emerging. Those who engage deeply with the data, challenge assumptions, and remain agile will be best positioned to lead as the next cycle unfolds. On behalf of the Real Estate Forums team, thank you for your continued support. We remain committed to supporting your success as the industry moves toward a more stable and opportunity rich future, and we look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming events throughout 2026.
All the best, Roelof van Dijk
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Canadian Real Estate Forums / Spring 2026 2
Canadian Real Estate Forums / Spring 2026 3
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