The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the pace of rent growth cooled significantly this year amid Canada's largest gain of purpose-built rental supply in over three decades.

The Jasper wildfires came in second place, while tensions between Canada and India received the third greatest number of votes for news story of the year.

Crews from Kodiak Tree Services have already begun removing trees between Highway 400 and Simcoe County Road 4.

The financial accountability officer's report estimated that about 37 per cent of schools in the province are below a state of good repair, and 32 schools should be replaced entirely.

His announcement comes as Chrystia Freeland also announced she is leaving her cabinet post as finance minister.