Canadian Rental Association Forecasts 3.4 Percent Growth for 2025
The Canadian Rental Association announces its Q1 2025 forecast, highlighting continued growth in the equipment rental industry despite broader economic challenges and shifting trade dynamics.
Canadian equipment rental revenue is projected to rise 3.4 percent in 2025, reaching $8.5 billion for the year, the CRA said. Momentum is expected to carry into 2026, with a 4.6-percent increase in revenue, indicating a resilient industry outlook. By 2029, the Canadian rental market is forecast to expand to $10.5 billion.
“Despite uncertainty in the broader economic landscape, the rental industry remains a dependable and growing sector,” said Melanie Misener, executive director of the Canadian Rental Association. “Our members continue to play a vital role in supporting key construction, industrial, and infrastructure projects across the country.”
Key sector highlights include:
· Construction and industrial equipment rental: Anticipated to grow 4.0 percent in 2025 to $6.6 billion, supported by non-residential construction activity and increased oil sands investment. The segment is expected to reach $8.2 billion by 2029.
· General tool rental: Growth is expected to moderate to 0.9 percent in 2025, with a recovery in 2026 leading to 3.7 percent growth. Longer-term growth remains solid, with revenues projected to reach $1.8 billion by 2029.
· Tent and event rentals: Slated to grow 2.5 percent in 2025, with stronger growth of 5.5 percent expected in 2026. The segment is forecast to reach $461 million by 2029.
While trade policies and inflationary pressures are creating uncertainty across multiple sectors, the Canadian rental industry is well-positioned to navigate these changes. Growth in non-residential building and strategic infrastructure spending continues to drive demand for rental equipment.
The CRA remains committed to supporting its members through advocacy, market intelligence, and professional development as the industry adapts to evolving economic conditions.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.