Nova Scotia’s Rent Burden Surges to Highest in Canada, Report Warns

UPDATE: Nova Scotia faces the most severe rent pressure in Canada, according to alarming new findings from real estate firm Turner Drake & Partners. Their just-released Residential Market Pressure Index reveals that the province’s rental affordability crisis is unmatched across the nation, prompting urgent calls for action.

This month, the firm introduced its new tool that scores Canadian provinces on a scale of 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating increased pressure on housing markets. Nova Scotia topped the list for rental burden, highlighting an escalating crisis that demands immediate attention.

Turner Drake’s report, which analyzed data from the second quarter of 2025, indicates that while Nova Scotia ranks second overall for housing pressure, it maintains the highest rental burden. In the subsequent third-quarter analysis, British Columbia emerged at the top overall, with Nova Scotia slipping to third place, yet still leading in rental challenges.

Jigme Choerab, manager of Turner Drake’s economic intelligence unit, emphasized the need for a comprehensive understanding of housing markets. “The index provides a whole picture of the entire market,” he stated. The index evaluates four critical factors: rental pressure, ownership pressure, supply efficiency, and demand pressure, offering a stark overview of the housing landscape.

The emotional toll of unaffordable housing is clear. Families and individuals are struggling to secure suitable accommodations as prices rise and options dwindle. Chrissy Matheson, spokesperson for the Department of Growth and Development, acknowledged the findings, stating, “This is why the department has been working so hard to increase housing supply in this province.” Recent initiatives include increased housing starts and rent supplements aimed at alleviating some of the burden.

However, experts like Ren Thomas, associate professor at Dalhousie University, argue that merely increasing supply may not resolve the crisis. “The proposition that more supply is the ultimate solution is being disproved,” she noted, pointing out that the focus must shift toward the types of housing being constructed. Non-market housing options, which have proven effective in other provinces, are essential for addressing the affordability crisis.

Nova Scotia’s commitment to public housing and support for non-profit initiatives is a step in the right direction, but experts warn that real change may take years to materialize. As the province grapples with this pressing issue, the urgency for innovative solutions has never been clearer.

As the struggles of renters intensify, the community’s resilience is tested. The findings of the Turner Drake report serve as a clarion call for policymakers, stakeholders, and residents alike to confront the housing affordability crisis head-on.

Residents are urged to stay informed about upcoming initiatives and potential housing solutions that could ease this growing burden. The housing crisis in Nova Scotia is not just a statistic; it’s a daily reality for countless individuals and families who are navigating the challenges of finding a home they can afford.

With the index highlighting the pressing need for effective action, the hope is that collaborative efforts will soon emerge to restore balance in the housing market.