North Peace dominates at Canadian Death Race

Todd Buck Reporter/Photographer

The Canadian Death Race was held in Grande Cache, Alberta on August 5 and was a 118km race with five legs varying by 20 to 36 km.

According to officials, it’s more of a soloist event with around 250 individuals attempting the challenge, and around 100 teams competing each year.

Over the last few years, Wendy Giesbrecht has been entering teams and competing in these ‘ultra’ races, however this was the first time entering with the all-female team, Nanny Goats.

The Nanny Goats finished the female relay first with a time of 16 hours and 20 minutes, and consisted of Wendy Giesbrecht, Amanda Kermosta, Teresa Loeseken, Melissa Fitzpatrick, and Kristen Guys.

Results for the top five in the female relay were as follows, Nanny Goats with a time of 16:12:23

The Sweat Box 3 with a time of 18:06:58

Record high for rents in Canada

Todd Buck Reporter/Photographer with National Rent Report

The National Rent Report charts and analyzes monthly, quarterly, and annual rates and trends in the rental market on a national, provincial, and municipal level.

Vancouver once again tops the list of 35 cities for average monthly rent. In July average monthly rent in the city for a one-bedroom home was $3,013, and average monthly rent for a two-bedroom was $3,918.

Year over year, average monthly rent in July for a onebedroom in Vancouver was up 16.2 per cent and up 15.7 per cent for a two-bedroom. Month over month, average rent in July for a one-bedroom home in Vancouver was up 2.3 per cent and rose 1.4 per cent for a two-bedroom.

Burnaby finished third on the list of 35 cities for average monthly rent in July for a onebedroom home at $2,541 and for average rent for a two-bedroom home at $3,372.

Year over year, average monthly rent in July for a onebedroom in Burnaby was up 19.6 per cent and up 17.5 per cent for a two-bedroom.

Victoria came in 11th on the list for average monthly rent in July for a one-bedroom at $2,054 and $2,753 for a two-bedroom.

Surrey finished 15th on the list of 35 cities for average monthly rent in July for a one-bedroom at $1,951 and for average rent for a two-bedroom at $2,556.

Year over year, average monthly rent in July for a onebedroom in Surrey was up 9.7 per cent and up 14.7 per cent for a two-bedroom.

Kelowna came in 16th on the list for average monthly rent in July for a one-bedroom home at $1,947 and sixth for aver- age rent for a two-bedroom home at $2,790.

Year over year, average monthly rent in July for a onebedroom in Kelowna was up 2.1 per cent and down 8.7 per cent for a two-bedroom.

Average asking rent in Canada reached a new high of $2,078 in July. according to the rentals.ca and Urbanization latest National Rent Report.

This represents a 8.9% annual increase, marking the fastest pace of growth over the past three months. A 1.8% hike in average asking rents compared to June represented the most rapid month-overmonth increase in the last eight months.

Compared to July 2021, average asking rents in Canada have increased by 21%, translating to an additional $354 per month on average. Several factors have contributed to this rise, including a surge in post-secondary students signing leases before the fall term, population growth at an unprecedented level, and home-buyers temporarily sidelined by the Bank of Canada’s latest interest rate increase to a 22-year high.

“Canada’s rental market is currently facing a perfect storm of factors driving rents to new highs” said Shaun Hildebrand, president of Urbanation. “These include the peak season for lease activity, an open border policy for new residents, quickly rising incomes, and the worst ever home ownership affordability conditions.”

For the first time, average asking rents for purpose-built condominiums and apartments rose above $2,000 in July, reaching $2,008. One-bedroom apartments lead the way, posting a 13% annual increase and a monthly rise of 2.5%. Regarding specific unit types, one-bedroom rents averaged $1,850, followed by twobedroom units at $2,191, and three-bedroom units at $2,413. Among the more affordable options, studios averaged rents of $1,445.

Calgary’s rental market retained its distinction of having the fastest rent growth among Canada’s largest markets, with annual asking rents for purpose-built and condominium apartments up by 16.1% to $2,036, although it moderated from its 18.4% pace in June.

Meanwhile, Montreal surged ahead with a significant acceleration from 11.2% to 15.3% in July, establishing an average asking rent of $1,987.

The remainder of Canada’s largest markets witnessed a slower rate of annual rent growth in July. Toronto experienced an 11.5% increase in average asking rents (compared to 15.7% in June) to reach $2,849. Vancouver maintained the highest average asking rent among the largest markets at $3,340, reflecting a 12.2% annual rise and a 2.9% monthly increase.

Greater Montreal emerged among the top five for fastestrising rents in mid-sized mar-