The BC Real Estate Association (BCREA) is aware of the recent announcement that the Musqueam Indian Band and the Government of Canada have signed three landmark agreements recognizing Musqueam’s Aboriginal rights, and strengthening Musqueam’s roles in fisheries, stewardship, and marine emergency management. We remain attentive to the evolving landscape of Aboriginal title in BC through policy, legal, and practice lenses.

We recognize the significant efforts made to advance negotiated agreements outside of the courts. Negotiated solutions contribute to clarity and shared understanding of governance structures, particularly in a province where the history of land, title, and jurisdiction is complex and evolving.

It is important to underscore that agreements of this nature do not invalidate fee-simple title. Aboriginal title and fee-simple title are distinct legal concepts, each with its own characteristics and scope. Continued education and thoughtful dialogue are essential to ensuring confidence in BC’s property ownership system.

BCREA will continue to monitor developments as additional details become available, provide analysis, and communicate updates as appropriate. You can find these updates and other related resources on our “Trust as the Foundation of Property Ownership” web page here.*

Canadian real GDP rose by 0.2 per cent in December, after remaining mostly flat in November. Both goods-producing and service-producing sectors grew by 0.2 per cent, respectively. Sectoral growth was led by manufacturing (1.2 per cent), wholesale trade (1.7 per cent), and transportation/warehousing (0.7 per cent). The biggest detractor to growth came from mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (-0.9 per cent). Output for the offices of real-estate agents and brokers fell by 3.6 per cent month-over-month. Preliminary estimates suggest that real GDP by industry was essentially unchanged in January.
     
Real GDP decreased by 0.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025, registering an annualized growth rate of -0.6 per cent. Contraction was driven by declines in non-farm business inventories, led by the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors. Overall trade picked up in the final quarter, with exports and imports increasing by 1.5 per cent and 0.3 per cent, respectively. Nonetheless, trade declined in 2025, with exports falling by 1.7 per cent and imports dropping by 0.4 per cent. Household spending rose 0.4 per cent in Q4, driven by higher expenditures on rent and financial services which offset an overall decline in goods-expenditures. Total capital investment increased 0.8 per cent, largely driven by government investments in weapons systems. Meanwhile, business investment declined by 0.1 per cent, as both residential and non-residential investment fell. However, business investment increased by 0.3 per cent overall in 2025. The household savings rate fell 0.8 points to 4.4 per cent, as disposable income growth was outpaced by nominal spending. Overall, the Canadian economy grew by 1.7 per cent in 2025. 

Canada’s economic performance comes as an unwelcomed surprise, with annualized growth in the fourth quarter underperforming the Bank’s updated projection of flat (0 per cent) growth. Behind the headline number, increases in exports, household spending and government investment contributed to growth in the final quarter. However, 2025 marks the third consecutive year of government capital investment outpacing business capital expenditures with respect to GDP growth, suggesting ongoing weakness in private sector investment. A broad-based drawdown in trade for the year was the biggest detractor to growth in spite of further recovery during the final quarter, with export volumes to the US failing to recover from the sharp declines seen in the second quarter as tariffs began permeating into the economy. Taken together, while the headline number may spook readers, we expect the underlying resilience in the Canadian economy found in this report to keep the Bank of Canada on course for another rate hold in March.

For more information regarding British Columbia's GDP growth, please visit our Nowcast for an estimate of economic activity throughout the province:

BCREA Nowcast - British Columbia Real Estate Association

About BCREA’s Housing Monitor Dashboard

The BCREA Economics team has created the Housing Monitor Dashboard to help REALTORS^® monitor BC’s housing market. This dashboard, which is updated monthly, provides up-to-date data on key variables for public education and use. Focuses include:

• Resale Home Market
• Construction
• Rental Market
• Borrowing Costs
• Other BCREA Data

In the dashboard, the image and data are available for download under each chart, where possible.

The staff, directors, and members of the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) have been deeply saddened by news of the unspeakable tragedy that occurred in Tumbler Ridge, BC, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and everyone else affected in the Tumbler Ridge area and beyond.

In partnership and collaboration with our colleagues at the Canadian Real Estate Association, REALTORS Care^®, and BC’s eight regional real estate boards and associations, BCREA is launching a fundraising campaign in support of the Canadian Red Cross’s Tumbler Ridge Tragedy Appeal. Donations will be used to respond to the immediate and emerging needs of impacted individuals and families, and to support the recovery and resiliency of the community. 

DONATE NOW

Canadian prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose 2.3 per cent on a year-over-year basis in January, following the 2.4 per cent increase in December. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, the CPI was up 0.1 per cent in January, equivalent to a 0.7 per cent increase on an annualized basis. The CPI ex-gasoline increased by 3.0 per cent in January, matching the previous month. Additionally, food prices increased by 7.3 per cent year-over-year, driven by base-year effects from last year’s GST holiday break on restaurant meals. In BC, consumer prices rose 2.0 per cent year-over-year in January, up 0.3 points from December. The Bank of Canada's preferred measures of median and trimmed inflation, which strip out volatile components, fell to 2.5 and 2.4 per cent year-over-year, respectively. 
 
Sharper falls in gasoline prices partially counteracted upward pressure on many sub-aggregates that were affected by last year’s GST holiday, leaving headline inflation in a fairly similar place compared to December. However, 3-month annualized core inflation cooled further to about 1.2 per cent, levels not seen since the early pandemic era. Looking ahead, we expect the Bank of Canada to remain on hold in 2026, but next week’s GDP release should provide an early indication of the direction of the Canadian economy this year.

Vancouver, BC – February 11, 2026. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that 3,314 residential unit sales were recorded in Multiple Listing Service^® (MLS^®) Systems in January 2026, down 22.9 per cent from January 2025. The average MLS^® residential price in BC in January 2026 was down 1.9 per cent at $924,239 compared to $942,384 in January 2025.

Total MLS^® residential sales dollar volume was $3.06 billion, down 24.4 per cent from the same time the previous year. BC MLS^® unit sales were 30.97 per cent lower than the ten-year average for the month of January.

“British Columbia’s housing market kicked off 2026 with its second weakest January since 2016, with sales in almost every region falling short of historical averages,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “Despite a slow start, we expect stable rates and improved affordability conditions to release pent-up demand with sales picking up over the course of 2026.”

Active listings in January 2026 climbed to 32,626 units, a 5.6 per cent increase from the same month last year. Weak sales activity over the past several quarters have led to an accumulation of inventory, which should accommodate demand pressures in the short term. However, dampening sentiments concerning new home construction in BC leave the housing market vulnerable to long-term demand growth, a pattern which will be monitored over the next few years.

Vancouver, BC – February 9, 2026. The Association of Interior REALTORS^® (AOIR) and the BC Real Estate Association (BCREA) are asking the BC Government for a full legislative review of the Strata Property Act and increased education for strata councils.

As demand for smaller, more affordable housing grows, the prevalence of strata-titled properties has increased significantly. Current estimates put the number of people living in strata housing across British Columbia at over 1.5 million. This means that, with ever greater frequency, real estate deals require parties to a transaction to obtain and understand a number of important strata-related documents. 

Despite the increased prevalence of these documents in transactions, the legislation that governs stratas and the rules around strata document delivery remain unchanged and are unable to keep up with the evolving needs of consumers. Issues with obtaining these documents – including disputes on cost, long wait times, and incomplete packages – have become increasingly normal.

“Meaningful reform must begin with a full review of the Strata Property Act,” said Seth Scott, AOIR Director of Government Relations and Communications. “REALTORS^® work with strata corporations and documents every day, and modernizing the legislation is essential to ensuring buyers are able to continue having accurate, reliable, and accessible information.”

In a joint letter to the BC Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, AOIR and BCREA delivered six policy recommendations regarding the Strata Property Act, ranging from Form B costs, delivery timelines, and mandatory strata council education. The organizations also highlighted the operational challenges associated with obtaining strata documents prior to listing, emphasizing the need for change.

The Strata Property Act has not undergone a comprehensive legislative review since its inception over a quarter century ago. As a result, REALTORS^®, strata management, and consumers are working with outdated requirements created before the widespread use of digital technology, which do not reflect the modern realities of strata governance, record keeping, and buyer expectations.

“The legislation requires significant updates to ensure that document delivery timelines are manageable, and that rush fees are fair and transparent across the province,” added Scott.

As part of the larger call to government, BCREA has created a proposal entitled, Mandatory Strata Training Program: Driving Excellence in Strata Property Management. Modeled on Ontario’s Director Training but tailored to BC, the proposal aims to create a training system to empower strata council members to make informed financial decisions, maintain buildings proactively, and resolve disputes with fairness and consistency.

By introducing mandatory training and raising the standard of council education, this initiative could lead to safer, better-maintained properties, fewer surprise special levies, and a more harmonious living environment.

“Civil Rights Tribunal decisions in BC repeatedly surface preventable governance failures with uneven bylaw enforcement, deferred maintenance, and misuse of insurance,” said Jasroop Gosal, BCREA Government Relations Manager. “It’s time to fix this with mandatory, no‑cost, multilingual strata council training that sets clear competencies and publicly registers certified council members. Backed by continuing education and government oversight, this evidence‑based approach will stabilize reserve planning and rebuild trust in strata governance.”

AOIR and BCREA are urging the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs to conduct a full legislative review of the Strata Property Act before considering or proceeding with additional strata regulations.

Learn More:

To read AOIR and BCREA’s full letter to the BC Government, click here.

To read BCREA’s mandatory strata training proposal, click here.

As we step into a new year, many of us feel the pull to reset, simplify, and create a home that feels lighter and more peaceful. To support you in starting 2026 with clarity and intention, I’m excited to share a resource I put together for you:

Access Your Guide Here

Inside, you’ll find 20 simple, practical steps to help you refresh your home: from quick 5-minute wins to mindful habits that reduce clutter and create breathing room in your everyday spaces. Whether you want to clear your countertops, streamline your wardrobe, simplify your kitchen zones, or carve out a “calm zone,” this guide makes it easy to take small steps that add up to big impact.

It’s not about owning less for the sake of it; it’s about making room for what matters most to you.

As always, I’m here as a resource for anything home-related. If simplifying leads you to consider updates, maintenance projects, organizing help, or even a move in 2026, I have trusted local pros I can recommend and would be happy to talk through any plans or questions you have.

Wishing you a year filled with clarity, calm, and beautiful spaces.

Warmly,

Gino Pezzani

There’s a little heartthrob stealing the spotlight at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Kansas. Meet Mars, the chubby-cheeked pygmy hippo calf who’s melting hearts with every splash and snuggle. His playful dives, curious glances, and sweet bond with his mom have quickly made him a fan favorite both at the park and online.

Not long ago, Moo Deng, the lively baby hippo from Thailand, became a global sensation for her adorable antics. While her viral fame has quieted, Mars is now carrying the cuteness crown, charming everyone who meets him with his gentle spirit and joyful personality.

Beyond all the “awws,” Mars has an important role to play. With fewer than 3,000 pygmy hippos left in the wild, he serves as a tiny ambassador for his rare species. His presence helps raise awareness and reminds us how love and care can protect even the smallest creatures.

This February, as love takes center stage, Mars reminds us that sometimes the biggest hearts come in the smallest, squishiest packages.

Pet ownership has surged in recent years, with more cats and dogs being adopted from shelters. This rise has inspired Barkitecture, a home design trend focused on making spaces more pet friendly.

For Cats:

Catios, or cat patios, range from simple cardboard play boxes to elaborate screened enclosures with ramps, shelves, and scratching posts for climbing and lounging.

For Dogs:

Popular features include built-in showers, recessed feeding stations, cozy pet furniture, and small backyard pools. Some homeowners even design dog houses under their beds.

Barkitecture adds comfort and style, but a pet’s favorite feature will always be your love and attention.

Celebrate your mistakes. Everyone slips up sometimes, but mistakes are not failures. They are feedback. Instead of beating yourself up, take a moment to breathe, learn, and move forward stronger and wiser than before.

Set your intentions each day. Start your morning with a few quiet minutes to ask yourself what you want out of the day. What do you hope to feel, achieve, or experience? A clear intention can turn even an ordinary day into something purposeful and fulfilling.

Take a walk, preferably outside. Step away from your desk and get some fresh air. Even a quick walk can clear your head, spark creativity, and boost your mood. A change of scenery is sometimes all it takes to reset your energy.

Wake up early and own your morning. Give yourself the gift of time before the day begins. Enjoy a quiet cup of coffee, stretch, read, or simply breathe. When you start the morning intentionally instead of rushing, you set the tone for calm confidence all day long.

Ask for feedback. Reach out to someone you trust and ask for their thoughts on your work, goals, or progress. Honest insights from others can open new perspectives and help you grow faster than you could on your own.

Recognize your own worth every single day. You bring something unique to the world, and it is worth celebrating. Focus on your strengths, the things you have accomplished, and the qualities others admire in you. On tough days, that self-respect will keep you steady and strong.

Keep building, keep growing. Self-improvement is not about one big breakthrough but the small, steady steps you take each day. Continue to challenge yourself, stay curious, and keep becoming a better version of who you already are. Growth is not a season; it is a lifelong mindset.