Real Estate Investment Trusts in Canada - Industry Market Research Report

Financing the future: An aging population will keep industry demand afloat

The Real Estate Investment Trusts industry in Canada has declined in recent years, as solid operational efficiency and a low interest rate environment, which had laid the foundation for growth, have been undermined by the COVID-19 pandemic and interest rate hikes. Prior to 2020, the industry benefited from a low level of revenue volatility backed by a steady stream of income from rentals amid stable economic growth. Long-term rent contracts in commercial segments and the rise of rental rates in the residential product segment enabled the industry to maintain stable growth rates. Overall, industry revenue is expected to have declined at a CAGR of 5.6% to reach an estimated $8.2 billion in 2023, when revenue is expected to decline 8.1%. Continued decline in 2023 can be attributed to rising interest rates, which have inhabited operators from making investments and have dampened demand for property sold by REITs.

This industry comprises legal entities that are categorized as real estate investment trusts (REITs). REITs, similar to mutual funds, use the pooled capital of many investors to directly invest in income-yielding properties. To qualify as an REIT, a company or trust must annually distribute all of its taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends. Income is largely generated from rent, interest and capital gains.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.