Rapid growth in the north has contributed to a housing shortage.
The economy in northern Canada is multi-faceted and is enjoying significant growth.
Northwest Territories
The economy in the Northwest Territories is driven by oil and gas exploration and production, diamond and gold mining, government administration, transportation and tourism.
The Northwest Territories has the highest per capita GDP in Canada. GDP grew 8.8% in 2000 and by 20% in 2001.
Nunavut
Nunavuts economy is predominantly driven by government administration.
Nunavuts per capita GDP is higher than the Canadian average at $33,593, and is forecast to grow by more than 4% per annum from 2000-2004 and by 3.3% from 2005 to 2009.
Rapid economic and population growth have contributed to a serious shortage of housing in Canadas north.
The Governments of both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have identified the shortage of affordable housing as a serious concern and a top government priority.
The real estate market in northern Canada is characterized by low vacancy rates, housing shortages and high rental rates as a result of increasing industrial development and economic activity throughout the region.
Shortage of housing has resulted in government and large corporations leasing rental accommodations and sub-letting to its employees in order to secure adequate housing for its employees.
As a result, the majority of NPRs leases are to government and large corporations. These dynamics provide a stable, high quality tenant base with high lease renewal rates.