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According to the CMHC Symposium data, the job market in St. Catharines–Niagara remains soft. On page 12, October 2025 unemployment sits at 7.2%, with declines in both labour force participation and employment levels since February 2024.
This labour softness affects the real estate market in two ways:
- Slower household formation, as buyers delay entering the market.
- More cautious investor sentiment, especially regarding rent growth.
Page 7 shows advertised rents trending downward across several Ontario cities, including St. Catharines–Niagara, where average listed rent decreased 4.9% year-over-year.
Meanwhile, on page 16, months of inventory remain elevated:
• Semi-detached: 10.6 months
• Townhomes: 6.8 months
• Single-detached: 6.9 months
This indicates a buyer’s market across all dwelling types.
Taken together, the region is experiencing softer employment, easing rent pressures, and increased supply. For buyers, this creates opportunity. For sellers, strategic pricing and condition remain important.
