Canada is expected to have an influx of real estate investment in the next year, according to a recent report by Ernst and Young, which surveyed 117 senior executives from real estate, hospitality and construction companies around the world.

Though emerging markets – India, China, Qatar and Chile – are seen as the leading countries poised for real estate investment, real estate industry executives ranked Canada in the fifth spot.

“Confidence is returning to the sector as credit availability and strong industry fundamentals create a more stable foundation for deal-making,” says Ernst and Young’s national real estate leader, Krista Blaikie. “Companies that were focused on maintaining stability and operational efficiency are now shifting gears and looking ahead at new investment opportunities.”

Eighty-five per cent of survey respondents said they believe the global economy is either stabilizing or improving, up from 53 per cent last year.

“Investors are looking beyond the developed world – with the exception of Canada – and focusing their investment strategies in emerging markets with immense growth potential,” says Blaikie. “Canada, on the other hand, continues to attract the attention of investors searching for a stable political and economic environment not found in the Eurozone.”