Last Thursday, Greybrook hosted its 2025 Perspectives & Insights event, bringing together investors for an evening dedicated to unpacking critical economic trends and their implications for real estate and investment strategies. Doug Porter, Chief Economist at BMO Financial Group, served as our keynote speaker, offering expert insights drawn from his decades of experience interpreting Canadian and global economic trends. Recognized for his forecasting accuracy, he has led BMO’s economics department to earn a strong reputation for insightful and reliable economic outlooks. The event featured a presentation by Porter, followed by an engaging fireside chat with Sasha Cucuz, CEO of Greybrook Securities.
Porter’s presentation delved into the current economic landscape, with particular focus on real estate-related factors. He explored the aftermath of the Canadian federal election, evolving global trade dynamics, and broader macroeconomic trends, presenting data visualizations that illustrated critical trends in interest rates, home prices, and the strength of the Canadian dollar. His insights offered context around emerging patterns and the potential implications for the real estate sector.
Following the presentation, Sasha joined Porter for a fireside chat. This conversational format allowed for a deeper exploration of the nuanced implications of the economic trends discussed, particularly as they relate to investment decisions in today’s market.
During the chat, the discussion turned to practical implications for investors. On the global front, they examined the impact of the trade war, with Porter offering his perspective that we may be past its peak influence. A significant portion of the chat also focused on the challenges facing developers in the current environment. They discussed the impact of municipal policies, development charges, and the proposed creation of a government agency to oversee home-building, exploring how these and other factors contribute to the complexities developers face in effectively delivering new housing supply.
Attendees left the event with a more robust understanding of how macroeconomic trends intersect with real estate investment decisions. The 2025 Perspectives & Insights event provided a valuable opportunity for investors to gain expert perspectives, equipping them with crucial insights to help navigate the complexities of today’s market and anticipate future shifts effectively. At Greybrook, we believe that informed investors are better positioned to make strategic investment decisions, and events like these are part of our commitment to providing valuable market intelligence.