Oshawa Rents Drop 10.8 Percent as Tariff Exposure Deepens
Rentals.ca data shows average asking rents fell 4.8 percent nationally, with highest drops in tariff-exposed regions like Oshawa.
Key points
- Oshawa rents fell 10.8 percent annually, exceeding the national average drop of 4.8 percent.
- Steel fabrication costs rose 2.1 percent quarterly due to 50 percent U.S. tariffs and Canadian retaliation.
- Calgary, Windsor, and Oshawa rank among the most tariff-exposed cities, facing steeper rent declines.
Average asking rents in Oshawa, Ontario, declined by 10.8 percent over the past year. This drop significantly outpaces the national average decrease of 4.8 percent reported by Rentals.ca.
A new analysis links these lower prices to rising tariff exposure in specific Canadian regions. The report indicates that local labor and construction costs are beginning to reflect trade friction.
Regional impacts vary widely across Canada
Cities with heavy reliance on auto and steel sectors face the steepest rent declines. Windsor, Hamilton, and Brantford all show significant downward pressure despite differing supply levels.
Calgary ranks highest on the tariff exposure index due to energy export dependencies. Meanwhile, coastal cities like Vancouver and Victoria remain among the least exposed areas.
Construction costs rise with steel tariffs
The United States imposed a 50 percent tariff on imported steel products. Canada retaliated with matching duties, causing metal fabrication costs to rise by 2.1 percent quarterly.
Structural steel prices have increased by 7.2 percent since early 2025. These inflationary pressures disproportionately affect high-rise construction in Toronto and Vancouver.
Supply constraints limit new rental projects
Developers are canceling or shelving projects due to higher material costs and falling rents. The trade war uncertainty is also driving job cuts in exposed manufacturing industries.
Property owners respond to this economic pressure by offering lower rents or lease concessions. CP24 reports that these measures aim to maintain occupancy in a slowing market.
