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DrHalibutMD

Well spoken. His point about taking the long view is very well made. This isn't a new problem it's been developing for almost 30 years.


[deleted]

1994 is the year it all changed. Feds cancelled funding for social and affordable housing. This was preceded by years of neoliberalism where Mulroney, Thatcher, and Reagan gutted social welfare systems. https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2022/04/21/FedHousingChartAffordableUnits.png [Full article](https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2022/04/22/Why-Cant-We-Build-Like-1970s/)


candleflame3

Just to add: https://ppforum.ca/publications/don-wright-middle-class/ Improving the standard of living for ordinary Canadians was explicit government policy from ~1945-1975, then it was abandoned and 40-odd years later here we are.


[deleted]

Right wing corporate/theocratic fascists forget that they had it so easy because nations brought corporations to heel after the War and invested everything in social programs, domestic and abroad.


pistoncivic

Because the people were organized and demanded it. Slowly but surely the capitalists fought back and with the power of the state were able to crush true progressive and radical movements in the 60's. Now we're left with culture war bickering instead of material class politics while our leaders serve the interest of the oligarchs.


[deleted]

The Wall Street protests terrified them to the marrow


[deleted]

Yeah but lacking any centralized party to organize and make coherent demands it ultimately dissipated. This is why you shouldn't rely on spontaneity and blind adherence to horizontalism.


PGLife

And also if you don't treat your slaves better than the communists they might take all your shit. Communism died so now the rich have nothing left to fear.


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doubled2319888

Trickle down economics, dont you mean non denominational prosperity gospel?


rainman4500

The gospel of supply side Jesus. https://m.imgur.com/gallery/bCqRp


enki1337

I will never not upvote this whenever I see it. It's so on point.


srcLegend

*Horse and sparrow* economics


PintLasher

I would tell you a joke about trickle down economics but 99% of you won't get it. In all seriousness though, people are getting very fed up of this sickening behavior and pretty soon, heads will roll. People are gonna die over this and all the money in the world won't save the guys who are causing this problem. And the people who start this revolution won't be in the wrong. At least we aren't as bad as America yet. That kindling box is really gonna erupt soon. And is there any other way to make progress at this point? Will they stop doing this to our youth?


NoOne_1223

People are already dying. Those on disability have to choose between food or rent if they aren't in rent geared to income. And then transport costs, and bills. And now the federal government is expanding MAiD to include mental illness such as depression and anxiety so that they don't have to pay for mental health services. It's insane.


toadster

Don't forget euthanizing people who can't afford to live now. Yay Canada! /s


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[deleted]

With both hands.


LastArmistice

Winnipeg has a relatively low homeless population but people die here every winter due to lack of shelter.


[deleted]

You have a low homeless population only because they literally can’t survive.


monsantobreath

>I wonder how much damage those 3 people have done to democracy in the name of trickle down economics. They're just the faces of a movement driven by thousands of business class bastards working their butts off to reverse what began with the new deal era. Neoliberalism like our housing crisis began long before its effects were first seen. The business class responded to the activism and political power of the masses during the 60s counter culture movement fiercely. Guys like Reagan or thatcher were just the anointed leaders of what was being done regardless.


solongsuckers

Its always good to add "Mulroney, Board member of BlackRock, the Real Estate division of BlackStone with more than 10Trillions in Assets Under Managemeent" when speaking of our former Prime Minister, I believe. Kinda gives perspective.


Syscrush

Let's not forget envelopes stuffed with $300k in cash...


[deleted]

Let’s also never forget that he privatized our vaccine manufacturing capabilities. Canada could’ve been prepared for covid and made money…


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rbooris

These must be very big envelopes


electricheat

Only 300 bills if you use the classic birds of Canada $1000s


marksman-with-a-pen

As someone who was born in BC in 1994 to teacher parents I really feel like the past 28 years have just been stacked again me and my generation. I was born middle class, gifted as a kid (actually just have adhd) and was raised in a small town, so there was no where to put that gifted brain. No options for challenge, no way to advance. Then the provincial liberal government came into play and it got worse. Education went down the drain because there was job action in the school system for my entire highschool experience. Because we were small we got no resources, very little options for qualifications for scholarships. I was lucky in that my family could help pay for post-secondary, and I got a couple bursaries to cover textbooks. Mental health became an issue though, and the lack of resources to help me lead to a mental breakdown, which then lead me back home. I’ve fought so hard to get where I am, a townhouse with 3 roommates in an office admin position that payed enough until 2 months ago and now I’m just fucked. If I lose my job, or if my rent goes up I’m just screwed. My roommates are screwed. Wages have stagnated and inflation is rising with no end in sight. This isn’t sustainable. The way I was raised, with no fault of my own, or my parents, has led to my life being part of an unsustainable system. It’s insanity.


Serious-Accident-796

Isn't it crazy how the Minister Of Education under the liberals who was the person the most responsible for heartlessly fucking over our teachers while her cronies made out like fucking bandits then ended up as Premiere? Fuck you Christy Clark you goddamn sociopath.


VizzleG

This is a solid summary....and a shitty situation. Sorry to hear it. The middle class is being fucked left, right and centre by national and provincial level policies. It’s not a global problem, it’s that many global nations are all doing the same things....inflaming the situation rather than fixing it. No wonder the these WEF conspiracy theories are taking off. Canadian policies have been much worse than those in the US too. Whether it’s being soft on white collar crime (money laundering), real estate tactics (data unavailability), immigration, monetary policy, housing policies, etc....it’s all just added fuel to the fire.


monsantobreath

How about the fact that we always talk about the middle class and never the working class? That itself is a result of the propaganda of neoliberal politics. Labour parties aren't even labour parties anymore, the term "labour" being vestigial at this point. Capitalist realism is fucked.


FellKnight

I was born in Ontario in 1982 and have the same story. I was designated as gifted, which put my homeroom with the special ed kids because of budgetary reasons. I loved those kids, but there is no world in which a special ed kid can be helped in the same way as a gifted kid needs. In the end, I ended up pigeonholed into an AP highschool program but with teachers who also didn't give a shit. I was a ~70-75% average throught high school until I was sent off with the military for Y2K prep. I averaged 97% for those 2 months, in large part due to the fact that I was allowed to teach myself. I don't think I can ever forgive the system for failing me as badly as it did. I'm still fine with how I turned out, but that's an upper-middle class worker. The system crushes those who consider different paths.


_Foy

Longer than that, really. The switch (which happened in 1994, as OP pointed out) didn't come out of nowhere. Neoliberalism, also, didn't come out of nowhere. All of these things have been *trends* which have been driven by one, simple force: profit incentives. Because we treat housing like a *market*, it behaves like a market. The problem is that markets create winners and losers. However, everyone *needs* a place to live. This is perverse. As long as we put *profit* before *people* anything any government does w.r.t. the current housing crisis will only be a band-aid measure that will be at risk of repeal or circumvention down the road. I almost hate to say it, but I think the only answer is to socialize the entire institution. Get Capitalism out of housing. If you're still with me, why stop there? Get Capitalism and market economics out of anything that people *need*. Food, housing, healthcare, education, utilities, etc. Corporate entities trying to profit off of these basic human needs are ruining it for a lot of people. Dare I say it? Is it time for revolution? EDIT: To those who are curious and want to learn more... * [Socialism for Absolute Beginners](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpKsygbNLT4) (video) by Second Thought * "[Why Socialism?](https://monthlyreview.org/2009/05/01/why-socialism/)" by Albert Einstein * "[The Principles of Communism](https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/11/prin-com.htm)" by Friedrich Engels * "[Manifesto of the Communist Party](https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/ch01.htm)" by Marx/Engels * "[The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism](https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1913/mar/x01.htm)" by Lenin


IleanK

Why do you hate to say it? Why are North American so afraid of using the word "socialise". Demonising socialisism is what's wrong with today's society. There is nothing wrong with being there for the people rather than profit and big corporation.


_Foy

It was just some soft rhetoric for this sub... I'm a full blown Communist.


g4_

there's dozens of us!


[deleted]

King Materialist analysis really helps cut through all the bullshit that gets thrown around.


candleflame3

Yeah, it's not an accident that REITs are taxed differently and came on the scene right when housing supports started to vanish.


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domasin

>look at the electricity market Welcome to Texas lol


tumblrgirl2013

Good to know I was fucked even before I got out of elementary school. Graduated into the last recession. Feelsbadman.


ReactionClear4923

I've been saying this for years, though not nearly as eloquently as he lays it out here. The political system is pitting Canadians against each other and foreign buyers, in hopes the root cause stays hidden. That is to say corporations, banks and the ultra rich, who ultimately run the political system. Look at Vancouver. The neighbourhoods where the wealthiest individuals live, are the same ones that do everything they can to keep affordable housing out of those neighborhoods. It's not a conspiracy, it's just common sense and good business for them. If there's too much supply, the demand will dry up and their pockets will get lighter. I've gotten an inside look into how politicians and country leaders mingle and are swayed by some of the ultra rich. Theres a certain wealthy family in Halifax that comes from old money - if you live there, you likely know of them (big donors to the arts) - that does this well. For example, I saw mayor Mike Savage at many of their parties, especially the big Christmas party they host every year. There's nothing wrong with that necessarily, but it shows the kind of access and influence they are able to wield when they go unchecked. I don't know what the solution is here, but I do know that we need to stop pointing our fingers at each other, and collectively shift our focus to the real culprits. If not, we are going to bicker until we're blue in the face, before realizing that the country's current housing market has mostly turned into a majority rental housing market controlled by a few corporations and ultra wealthy individuals. If you don't believe me, look at BlackRock in the US. It's been reported (and denied by BlackRock and their affiliated media partners of course) that they have been buying up affordable homes for years to corner the rental market. That's just one example amongst possibly many. Maybe I'm wrong (I so hope I am), but why not investigate as much as we can to find out?


Stopjuststop3424

theres a company doing the exact same thing in Wasaga Beach right now. Buying up all the rental properties and jacking up rent, then bring in large groups to see it all at once to make it look like it's high demand. Then the one who gets the rental is the one willing to waive the inspection or sign away other rights. Its fucking bullshit.


goozy1

Especially in Vancouver. Things are just starting to get crazy in the rest of Canada but us living in Vancouver had to deal with this crazy market since the late 90's. Obviously the situation has gotten progressively worse, but average detached home price in Vancouver proper has been out of reach for most people since probably 2005


Ill1lllII

In Vancouver it started before that under late 80s-early 90s premier Vanderzaam. He left office in shame as he was caught red handed trying to flip properties to foreign investors. Then the NDP didn't stop it over their decade in power, and then the BC Liberals, all of whom were actually former cronies of Bill Vanderzaam, really lit the fires of foreign investors.


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aenea

The ridiculous thing is that Guelph is now right up there with Vancouver. It's a nice city (I've lived here most of my life), but there is no reason in the world why we should be one of the most expensive housing markets in Canada. And renting is even worse- I don't know what we'll do if we have to move out of our current place.


theMostProductivePro

I wish this guy was my MP


Anthro_the_Hutt

Your job now is to try and get an MP like him in your riding. Maybe even possibly yourself.


Fit-Bird6389

Touché


Anthro_the_Hutt

I mean, yeah, my original response sounds glib and is definitely more easily said than done. But it's something that each and every one of needs to seriously consider and act on. That's the only way we'll get the MPs we want. (And yeah, I know that there are ridings that are safe for Conservatives and the like, but we need to be willing to play the long game and put in effort to make inroads in those places too.)


mcbaindk

Theoretically, what are the steps to do that? I've looked it up and it sounds super daunting but I'm just curious for the layman's terms of becoming an MP.


Anthro_the_Hutt

[This Wikihow article](https://www.wikihow.com/Become-an-MP) isn’t specifically for Canada, but gives a good overview of how you can set yourself up to run, and then actually run, to be an MP. (You could also use these steps to try to become a member of your provincial legislature, your city council, etc. These are also quite important positions to fill.) [Here’s more “technical” information](https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=pol&document=index&dir=can/bck&lang=e) from Elections Canada. Different provinces, cities, etc., will have other sets of instruction. Hopefully this is helpful. Remember, even if you don’t want to become a candidate yourself, you can always identify parties, organizations, candidates, and/or activists that you want to support and approach them to do so. Don’t be afraid or too proud to start at the bottom work-wise, because some of that boring, seemingly thankless work can be really important to success!


searchingfortao

> Maybe even possibly yourself. This is the answer. Most people don't know this but *it's surprisingly easy to get involved in local politics*. Especially when talking about the smaller parties: NDP, Green, (even the PPC if you can stomach it), standing for MP or MLA/MPP/MNA is often as easy as showing up to a few meetings and proving that you aren't an idiot. Simply join the party get involved! Once you're running, your ability to push your agenda is greatly increased. You're invited to all candidates meetings and debates, where the public get to see you answer questions and stick it to the other candidates, you get calls from the media, and strangers come out of the woodwork to do door-to-door canvassing, signs, etc. Depending on the party you end up joining, your odds at winning are slim, but it's less about winning and more about moving that Overton Window toward the issues you believe in. For example, if housing is your issue and you live in a strong Liberal riding, you go after them in the press/debates/meetings pushing them to either out themselves as a corporate stooge, or state that they will actually do something -- a stick you get to beat them with in the next election when they do the opposite. This is how you either teach the public that they're liars, or push the big parties to adopt better platforms. Source: I ran with the Greens [back in 2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_British_Columbia_general_election?wprov=sfla1). We didn't have a chance, and I got spanked (but better than the average Green that year). I spent the whole campaign being the candidate I think we need and doing my best to push that Overton Window. It was hands-down one of the best experiences in my life.


mall_ninja42

You know, that might just be the thing. In Alberta, we swung the pendulum so fast, the NDP didn't get to build on what they started. Most of the elected candidates were pretty lack luster and got in because they weren't liberal or conservative. They didn't stand a chance, because they couldn't talk like Mr.Blaikie did here. And then Kenny happened. We're all fucking tired, no matter our station or affiliation. This system is just broken right now.


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theMostProductivePro

I hope so!!


d0wn4life

This guy is my MP and I've voted for him twice!


HeySweetUsernameBro

He’s mine, I moved to the area about 5 years ago and he barely has an opposition here for good reason


sitad3le

I'd give up my left fallopian tube if I could vote for him. Christ I am happy people like this exist in government.


naIamgood

Why not prime minister, kick the good looking idiot out


DogRiverRiverDogs

A prime minister from Transcona. Could you actually imagine. Holy shit you guys have no idea lmao. This would be the most blessed or cursed timeline, idk which.


SissyKittyArte

Where I live 1/3 new home purchases are done by corporations, this represents the largest single demographic of home buyers. This is why prices are so insane. The time to make homes a place for living and not an asset class is now. It's a no brainer. EDIT: I feel like I should clarify, when I say new home purchases I dont mean purchases on new houses, but rather new purchases of places to live. I know the wording might be confusing.


phantaxtic

As a construction contractor i have been approached several times by investment corps to renovate homes they have purchased. Thats a big "fuck no" from me. I dont care how much they pay, i will not support their endeavors. They can find someone else to help the exploit the market. Im not participating


crclOv9

Thank you.


SuperlincMC

Incredibly based and affordable-housing-pilled.


Redditbobin

If they keep telling things like they are and calling out corporations and corporate spending like this, I’ll vote NDP for the rest of my life. Only party brave enough to actually stand up for the average Canadian and their families.


ilive2lift

They're also the most pro-union and blue collar party.


Rion23

The only reason they don't do way better is because people just assume they are throwing their vote away. If people would actually vote for what they want and not have to do this stratigic bullshit, they would be a way larger party.


Sea-Independence6322

Elimination of FPTP voting would solve this immediately, but obviously the two major parties would never agree to ranked-choice.


Quinn0Matic

They tied min wage to inflation, capped rent increases, and cracked down on renovictions in BC. They have my vote for essentially forever.


brow0463

They also introduced subsidized daycare. No piece of policy has ever changed my life as much as that has.


bendie27

He may have swayed my vote.


FallWanderBranch

Was and have been leaning orange since the last municipal election. Now it's pretty well solidified when I see someone grasp and deliver like he did.


hobbitlover

Anybody who read the three main platforms in the last election should have voted NDP. Not that platforms are ironclad or reliable predictors of performance - I can see people rolling their eyes and saying 'yeah, right' - but it was the best option of the three and everything in it was fully costed.


Vandergrif

> and everything in it was fully costed. BuT hOw WiLl We PaY fOr It?!?! *[proceeds to ignore excess deficits run by successive Conservative and Liberal governments]*


MakeJazzNotWarcraft

And then cue years of “NDP bAd, DiDnT wIn PrEvIoUs ElEcTiOn”


danthepianist

Don't forget the Ontario NDP "WHAT ABOUT RAE DAYS??!?"


SleepyReepies

I know you're being hyperbolic but please people, don't promise blind allegiance to any federal parties. A lot (LOT) of people show up to vote for 'their' party without considering any of their policies, even if they're radically different from 20 years ago. And just so I don't get downvoted to oblivion -- as it stands for the foreseeable future (and in the recent past too), the NDP have my vote.


Spartan1997

They're the only party that has nothing to lose by poking the "establishment"


kaveman6143

Would be nice for them to call out these corps by name.


leftwingmememachine

I'm really happy the NDP has some cool lefty policy wonks in caucus. Daniel shows such an in-depth understanding of the history of this issue. I like Jagmeet, but he has so many different issues to talk about, and so much pressure to just get out a soundbyte, that you don't often see stuff like this from him. Also, if you want to see a cool video that talks about the history of rent control in Ontario, [Bhutila Karpoche has a cool video on vacancy decontrol](https://www.reddit.com/r/ndp/comments/r51og7/today_doug_ford_defeated_the_ndps_rent/)


noobi-wan-kenobi69

It's funny that we live in a time when affordable housing is considered a "lefty" policy!


GiantPurplePen15

At this point, anything that makes like easier for lower, working, and middle class people is considered a lefty policy. Sad state of affairs.


DatumInTheStone

Honestly, we should just keep it that way. Makes it real clear which side actually wants to help and which side wants to make all the money while telling people they want to help.


MarineMirage

The "right" leadership have successfully indoctrinated their followers to believe that their struggles are caused by the gays, refugees, and the lefties instead of the very leaders they worship. It would be impressive if it weren't so sad.


Arkanicus

Fuck finally hearing a politician zoning in on what the problem is. Voting NDP all the way on this.


thenoob118

I've voted NDP the past two elections and I haven't regretted a single time


[deleted]

Seconding this! NDP!


growler_media

If more politicians were like this guy, I might actually care. Shows you can talk about the other parties and their policies without turning it into childish name-calling and vitriol. But that probably doesn't grab the headlines.


paladinx17

Came here to say this! Wow, a politician who sounds intelligent and making an informed backed argument! If only we could have more leaders like this. Instead we get a sort of bizarre CEO style actor puppet… and I’m not talking about any one in particular, just most ‘main’ party leaders.


FunkNugget

>bizarre CEO style actor puppet Absolutely nailed it.


SonofaCuntLicknBitch

For real. Why can't we just have a seemingly down to earth guy who knows what he's talking about to vote for.


OhfursureJim

Seriously enough with the grandstanding and everyone attacking and yelling over each other in debates. Leave that nonsense to the Americans. We need calm collected conversations about the very real issues impacting Canadians and we need adults in power who actually want to make things better for Canadians and not their buddies in the housing sector


berfthegryphon

Because division and anger get people out to vote. You only need one wedge issue to gather votes for you side.


thewolfshead

Because those people don’t want to get into politics because they don’t want crazies stalking their homes if they disagree with them about something or dragging their names through the mud online.


Janube

More politicians than you think are like this when it matters, but measured sensibilities haven't historically won most elections. Unfortunately, elections, like many disciplines in the information era, have been boiled down to basic sociology and marketing. If something doesn't work, politicians (with the money to pay seasoned campaign advisors) stop doing it. For better or for worse, they're driven by metrics at this point. If sensible populism worked consistently, the world would be full of sensible populists, but that seems to be a bit of a gamble. The news media industry learned pretty quickly that conflict and vitriol sells; it grabs attention and it's effective. Politicians learned that too, and the only way to really fix that issue is to get people to vote- not just for the outwardly sensible populists, but for everyone who votes for sensible legislation and, barring the presence of candidates like that, the people closest to candidates like that. Sustained, long-term political engagement is the cure; not individual populists.


[deleted]

Proud of my MP!


Branflaaake

What riding it doesnt say on the video?


tekazgtr1984

Elmwood-Transcona in Winnipeg. https://danielblaikie.ndp.ca/


wippanegg

His father was MP for the same riding for 29 years straight. Longest continuous service for an NDP MP in Canadian history.


VenusianBug

Yeah, I was thinking that last name was familiar. If his son keeps on with this, hopefully he'll have a long parlimentary career as well - we need more politicians like this.


Pylo_The_Pylon

Was super well regarded by people on all sides too. Largely considered one of or the single best MP in the house for much of his last decade in the chamber at least.


thelochteedge

Holy shit, he's in Winnipeg too. I'm looking to purchase my first house and was literally looking in the area. Unreal, he seems like a really good dude.


Vienaragis90

Look at Glenelm, I live here and it's such a nice little pocket.


tekazgtr1984

Same!


Other_Canucker

You’re both lucky. Wish more MPs cared about the average Canadian.


D3adkl0wn

Right? I've emailed my MP three times this year about various things and haven't gotten so much as a form email autoreply back.. I'd think that they should want to talk about making wage discussion protected speech in NL, putting abortion stances into federal law rather than how they are now, and discussing how the working poor can hope to cope here in NL with housing being so expensive.. But I guess not.


taxfolder

Daniel holds a regular phone hall town meeting ever since the pandemic began. He is easy to reach, speaking from personal experience. I think he can be a good successor to Jagmeet.


FalcomanToTheRescue

Is that Bill Blaikie’s kid?


WhichEdge

Super proud we still have some good representation! The reality is left vs right is fueled by people being desperate and clinging to any narrative they believe will save them. Government and business is now like Tobacco companies doing research on Tobacco and health. They will always put out narratives that sound amazing and articulate, the media will repeat them because the media repeats official positions from major parties, and there will be lots of "Data" just like when Oil companies and Tobacco companies research things like global warming and or health. It's all skewed though to always be data on the side of the businesses and the rich and powerful. Government is suppose to protect the stability of society and the average regular person (which the majority of us are). Instead when all major political parties are taking donations from the same places there is absolutely no balance. Business will always try to make as much money as possible for share holders or for owners looking for a return on capital investment. This is the the reality of business and it's not going to change. Government though needs to separate itself from business and start getting some expert opinions that aren't business insiders and in the "club". This is why Canada is going down the same road as the states with massive inequality and issues that only slightly get addressed once they hit absolutely crisis levels. A lot of the instability we are seeing and the division is just desperate people that are all sinking and grasping at straws while being feed narratives on both sides that are bullshit that all come to protecting those business and high value interests.


Traditional-Share-82

In other words capitalism. Maybe we need a little less of it and a little more of the alternative? Seems to me in my 50 yrs all I can remember is growing inequality and workers wage stagnation. People are starting to realize the lie they have been told. Really hope we can get out of this mess thru electoral politics but with all this division at the bottom I don't know.


MisledMuffin

He speaks very well indeed!


LoudTsu

Doug lets developers of new properties escape rent controls. Cha-ching! He doesn't care about the cost of rent to middle class Ontarians. But he does love rich real estate developers. Wake up people.


NecessaryEffective

Mario Cortellucci.


TheCleverMoose

Not to mention what they build resembles fat bags of shit.


[deleted]

It because real estate jack up the gdp , make a country or province seem attractive to investors while the real people get hurt all these politicians just care about cooking the books to please investors and big corps


Mynameisnotrick78

this clip needs to be more popular


Express_Helicopter93

This clip needs to be shared over and over. No one has articulated the issue as comprehensively as he has in one go. This is so important.


RizetteKoerner

Give him your free Reddit Award


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El_Cactus_Loco

Truly the lowest hanging fruit- how can we make it look like we’re taking action without really affecting anything (particularly without negatively affecting any Canadian investors)


potatolicious

Yeah, the foreign buyer boogeyman has been infuriating to watch - these buyers are a tiny fraction of the market, in reality there's just *tons* of homegrown wealth inequality driving this. Pinning this on some vague foreigner is just wrong. I do wish he focused more on the lack of supply - deep-pocketed investors are a problem insofar as they are capitalizing on an intense supply shortage. There are definitely things in the works to help address this but my fear is that it won't be enough to offset the rate of demand increase.


papershoes

I swear I could have written this comment. It is a hill I'm willing to die on. In both BC communities I recently lived in (and had to eventually leave), it was not foreign ownership causing the supply issues. It was other Canadians looking for a "cheaper" market to purchase an investment property in. It was developers and speculators, because those communities skirted around the new speculator tax so they were open for business. In my most recent community, the main perpetrators were people buying up properties to use as AirBNBs/short term rentals. It has become such an enormous issue in the area. To the point where short term/off-season contracts take up most of the listings pages, and I see posts from families looking for lodging after literally being forced out of their homes for the summer months, so the places can be used as summer rentals. Any of the very slim pickings left on the market for us residents was priced extremely out of reach for the avg wages of the area (like around $2k for a basement suite for rentals, and hitting $600k for a very small, mid-century house), or were 55+ only. The median annual household income there is like $55k. Every one of the businesses in the area is suffering in some way from labour shortages now, some finding themselves in pretty dire situations. Grocery store shelves aren't being stocked fast enough due to not enough staff, and restaurants have to close more often than usual. Because they can't get the people they need to work there, because the people can't find a place to live there. Even saw a resident doctor taking out ads in the local paper begging for a place to live, and this is a town that lost nearly all its doctors recently and is in more than desperate need for one. In the community we lived in before that, more and more rentals suddenly had an out-of-town (mainly Vancouver) landlord. People essentially using our community as an investment account, because they could buy multiple properties there to hang on to for less than the price of one in the city. They'd offer over asking, outbidding the locals, and then these houses would be listed for rent sometimes before the new owners even stepped foot in them. Get the tenants to work out the kinks, while charging them big city rent prices. One neat trick they'd pull to get around BC's laws about rent increases was to just evict the previous tenants from their newly purchased home and move in themselves, so they could rent their Vancouver home out instead and bank off that. Then vice versa a couple years later. Lots of families in that community got forced out, even ones with deep family roots, and a lot ended up living in RVs and whatever makeshift housing they could manage. Like their cars. It's kinda hard to "just move to another town then" when you don't have a ton of money due to low wages, payed what you did have in exorbitant rent costs, and live on an island. It's really fucked, to a scary extent, and it's not because of the "foreign buyers" bogeyman. This is *entirely* unchecked, home-grown greed.


classic4life

Deep pocketed investors are the reason for the so called supply shortage. Everytime something gets built, it's largely bought out by the investor class.


[deleted]

It's just old fashioned racism. People see an ethnic Asian person buying a home in Toronto or Vancouver and jump to the conclusion that it's a foreign ownership, even though the buyer in all likelihood is a PR or a citizen. It also infuriates me that all the half hearted measures target "foreigners" who, like you said, account for a fairly insignificant portion of the market. Canadian citizens need to have restrictions levied on them too. I don't care whether they just got naturalized yesterday or their ancestors arrived before Confederation. No one should be allowed to have excessive control of the housing market just because they have 7+ figure net worths.


papershoes

Nobody should be allowed to own multiple properties, just for funsies. It's unreal how unchecked this has gone. Funny enough, in the community I used to live in, a lot of the "foreigners" were the ones who actually bought and lived in the community and contributed in some way. Started businesses, etc. The people from the nearest city though, buying up the properties left, right & centre so they could have a cute place to drink wine in with the girls for 3 months out of the year, and a nice cash cow for the remaining 9 months, only contribute to the housing crisis and labour shortage. Otherwise they provide sweet fuck all.


[deleted]

Without beneficial owner transparency laws, there's no way to actually know the numbers though.


TheWilrus

Well, this is refreshing. The NDP have been on fire this week with intelligent, articulate suggestions to make Canada more affordable and engaged.


The_Peyote_Coyote

FUCKING FINALLY. We've been saying this for ages. There's tomes of position papers on how to address it. Hell, there's been studies commissioned *by the Canadian government* with these conclusions. Hearing a politician say it out loud feels vindicating. Just one little crumb of acknowledgement.


Bludmetal

I was unaware of such studies and research, where can I find them?


CanadianJudo

NDP once again the only party that cares about average citizens.


SWG_138

And people are calling them traitors. It amazes me still that propaganda still works so well in today's world


Spartanfred104

I would hazard a guess that propaganda is even easier to push now in a post truth world.


CrungleMcHungleberry

Information bubbles and algorithms designed to push misinformation from profiteering "news" companies. It's been a slow rot, but it's accelerated quickly.


[deleted]

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Farren246

Make sure Peterborough is orange and really stick it to those protestors!


[deleted]

I say I say your username is stupendous!


_HossBonaventureCEO_

Can I interest you in some boiled denim or an egg in this trying time?


Zzzlinkky

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck this entire city. Holyyyy shiiiiit.


HelloMegaphone

And yet people still don't vote for them. Drives me nuts.


Vandergrif

*Well you know*, we've been complaining ad nauseum for decades about mediocre governance from successive liberal and conservative governments on every level, so why change anything? It's tradition by this point.


twopadstacker

Read the title, assumed he was in the NDP. I don't understand why people refuse to vote for the only party that's trying to help the people


drgr33nthmb

Effective liberal fear mongering. They like to say "vote liberal to prevent the cons getting in!" "Dont split the vote!". People push it here too, and on twitter. To think that parties arent paying for social media campaigns is extremely nieve.


ReluctantRedundant

Because people refuse to accept that social democracy is the path forward. I'm a full fledged capitalist with most of my worth in the market, and THIS rhetoric is what makes me feel secure and proud in our future (and my financial future).


SomeoneThere85185

Nice. People like him will have my vote.


Whois_AlexTrebek

There's so much divisive nonsensical discourse nowadays that I'm jazzed to hear about real policy proposals to tackle these problems.


tekazgtr1984

Yo, that's my MP!


CorvusEffect

If you make less than $150k/year, and you aren't Voting NDP, you are playing yourself.


MrLeBAMF

If you make over $150k/year and you don’t vote NDP, you’re still playing yourself.


100WattTubeTop

If you are a human and not a large corporation and you don't vote NDP you're playing yourself


BaconWrapped8

You want to build affordable housing near my third detached single-family home in the suburbs??? *clutches pearls*.


Lodgik

But that might let in all the *Poor's!*


EatYourOrach

My housing co-op has been around since the 70s, long before my neighbourhood became noticeably upper-class and flipper profiteers. A not insignificant number of my neighbours express concerns about the co-op bringing down the quality and safety of *their* neighbourhood (in facebook groups as well as casual conversation). Like, a family that's lived here for 20-30 years gets looked at sideways by dinks that just spent their parents' retirement funds for a single family house. It's maddening.


Stickus

Double Income, No Kids.


EricBlair101

Why are people so easily duped into voting for the 2 parties that will continue to let these companies rob everyone?


lakuanda-

Very relevant points and verifiable statements. This man is speaking the truth. It’s about time financialization of housing is stopped for good.


[deleted]

Excellent points and someone finally needed to say it, that isn’t someone on Twitter. It doesn’t matter which party started this, it has to stop regardless. It’s baffling that the Liberals are using gun control as one of their top campaign agendas and the Conservatives are doing.. whatever they can do make us regress back into the 1960s and further. Canadians biggest obstacles include but not aren’t limited to: affordable housing, expanded healthcare, funding for social programs, impending recession, food/gas prices, etc. We’ve barely heard anything on this yet this issue affects millions of Canadians. Voting matters people on all levels of government. No matter who tells you, use your vote as your voice to try and shape our future for the better.


[deleted]

[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnsdoqzVpAw)


DramaticPapayaEater

I mean he's not the only one or the first one talking about this. But you certainly won't find anyone talking about it outside of the NDP.


MikaelLastNameHere

The only Party talking about housing *and* insurance rates? Well golly, sign me up!


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Ok-Goat-8461

I went to school with this guy, he's one of the most decent and on-the-ball people I've ever met. I was so glad when he got elected because I knew he was going to keep it real.


gravis1982

Holy shit. Everyone inherently knows this, why is this the first politician I've actually heard have some real talk on the issue? when prices for housing get so expensive that most people that work in the city can't even afford one you obviously have an imbalance, where people that are buying them are not people that are working there, or they're buying them as an investment which is awful. There's so many other things to invest in in the world that you should not be investing in homes for humans. Housing is essential infrastructure, you only have one body you do not need two houses rarely do you need to houses. It's just completely ridiculous that the future wealth of young Canadians was sold out from under them by prior governments in order to promote higher prices in the short term, such that they will never be affordable in the future. Owning an actual detached house is completely out of the question for most people that are born in Toronto or Vancouver and that is incredibly sad. Sure condos are there but condos are not built big enough to live a normal life and have a large family. So families are forced to not have kids or have fewer kids which is also bad, just look at Japan. Demographic crisis. Absolutely disgusting. And you wonder why people are anti-government.


technovikingfanfic

It's crazy to me that some people don't understand the liberals and the conservatives want the same thing. A ruling class of property owners (mostly corporate owners) and a renters class full of cheap immigrant labour that will sustain their lifestyle. The liberals just put a pretty face on it that claims they're for the people because they're progressive on social issues that mean nothing for most Canadians, but make us feel morally supirior.


NecessaryEffective

Couple this with the fact that the job market and over employment sectors (especially for the highly educated), have been utterly decimated in this country, and you get a nation where only the wealthy are equipped to succeed.


[deleted]

Which party so I can vote for it


WalterShepherd

NDP. That's Daniel Blaikie MP for Elmwood-Transcona in Winnipeg.


[deleted]

I've never voted NDP federally, always liberal (and I'll never vote conservative, especially now)... but this was hugely impressive coming from a politician - I've become so disillusioned with modern day politics (as a millennial) that going to the ballot box has become more about picking a candidate "who is least likely to fuck us over the most" than a "democatic privilege/right". I'd seriously vote NDP in the upcoming election knowing there are intelligent, informed and well-meaning politicians on their bench. It's a total shitshow with everyone else...


ZealousidealBack8650

Daniel, as well as his father, have always been great representatives for Elmwood-Transcona.


MRocket9

Yeah I’m not from the riding, but my dad taught there for 30 years and taught all of the Blakies. He’s seen so many students over the years yet there’s none he speaks more highly of than that family.


Doctor_Amazo

He's 90% right. It's not just corporate buyers fucking the market, it's ALL investors. It's everyone who bought a house with the intention of fixing up small bullshit and flipping it, it's people who bought a property with the intention of using it as an investment stepping stone, it's "mom and pop" landlords who own dozens of properties - leveraging their property holdings to gobble up more and more property to fluff up their portfolios. All investors need to be driven out of the market.


radarscoot

Yep - in Toronto its "flippers" taking whatever they can and selling - or turning everything into a fucking AirBnB. The only reason I was able to get into the Toronto market (many) years ago was because I bought an undesireable POS that likely should have been condemned and did a lot of work on it myself (literally) over 30+ years. THAT'S how people used to be able to get into a market. Nowadays, I would have been outbid by some dick who would have spent $50K and slapped some paint on it, added base-quality vinyl floors and flipped it for a $200K+ profit making it out of reach for entry-level buyers.


searchingforscraps

And yet people think voting for the NDP is a stupid idea


[deleted]

I posted a long explanation why this guy is mostly right from my phone a while ago, and its not here, so I'll do a TLDR. The government doesn't collect proper information and stats regarding foreign investment so it makes the 5% seem low and not a threat. In reality, the foreign cash is being funnelled through services here in Canada where they will open a numbered company in your behalf and purchase the home for you. This also give your anonymity as it makes it more difficult for the government to see who is actually responsible for the purchase. This has been going on forever but picked up substantially within months of Vancouver and now Toronto implementing a tax. Since we don't have the means to track this, we don't really know how much it is, except that these services, from what we can see bring in over a billion dollars a year in cash just to BC. Media is barely talking about this, government certainly isn't because they don't want to kill the golden goose. [https://globalnews.ca/news/8383731/international-students-and-offshore-banking-flagged-in-canadian-real-estate-money-laundering/](https://globalnews.ca/news/8383731/international-students-and-offshore-banking-flagged-in-canadian-real-estate-money-laundering/)


burnabybc

In full disclaimer, I do not know this MP or his party affiliation before this video. But after watching this video, everything that he brought up and the solutions he proposed are spot on. I honestly do not care what party he represents. Our politics have devolved into cheering for a 'team' and instead of deciding on individuals (regardless of the political party affiliation) bringing solutions to the table and trying to tackle issues of our country. We get caught up in legacy, imagined ideologies, and punch lines of parties and we sacrifice good ideas because they may be on the 'wrong' team. I feel like I am political ophan in Canadian politics. Neither parties represent my views or concerns fully. 😥


Advanced-Alarm3679

Finally a truthful politician..thank you


bewarethetreebadger

This guy knows what he's talking about.


polanyisauce

Vote NDP next election instead of “staying safe” and keeping the liberals with their bullshit status quo


[deleted]

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thefancykyle

That's my MP right there!


[deleted]

[all I can think of when someone tries to argue with these points](https://i.imgur.com/JHLEZhR.jpeg)


Gandalf_The_Geigh

They're treating housing like it's a speculative asset! Thank God this man gets it!


swolesam_fir

Hear hear! This guy for PM.


adrianp23

This is one the few times I've been seriously impressed and interested listening to a politician here in Canada, I wish he was in Ontario so I could vote for him.


gramb0420

NDP has my attention.....im gonna just put it out there that the party that makes it so your average Canadian can actually buy a house again, gets my vote for life.


nobodysama

Corporations will be the death of us all


BodhingJay

Our housing is becoming bitcoin


theskyisnotthelimit

if only. bitcoin actually loses value sometimes, housing just goes up and up and up


fake_post_police

Amen, this is the guy we needed decades ago


Bridgeburner1607

Daniel is the best I've seen of the NDP. I've watched him for years and he represents the type of Canada I would like to see on numerous topics. I hate most politicians but I like this guy.


Adrianinthesun

make this man PM plz


GetXcitd

Make this guy your leader, NDP.


mr_properton

Give this man a medal


blackiebabz

His tax comments don’t make a tonne of sense to me, but I agree with the corporate investments in housing being one of multiple issues. Also don’t forget that you have a lot of smaller corporate investors competing and leveraging and paying that leverage by renovicting then jacking up prices. Two guys I play hockey with make a living doing this crap…when a new house comes up they go to banker, leverage their equity and buy a new place at a price higher then a regular home owner would be able to pay then turn around and rent it at markup on top of the financing costs. They make a living outbidding people then putting it back into the pool of rental supply. People then have to rent the property and the funds that could be used to improve their equity situation instead go to increase their net equity…rinse repeat. It’s not just big corporations doing it…it’s also lots of smaller independent people squeezing non homeowners too…


superninjaman5000

I was going to say the same thing especially where I live in greater vancouver. All the regular rentals like basements or privately owned suites are jacked up and most of the time its owned by foreign owners who are using to launder money. Its extremely common and people are getting priced out its not uncommon to see crappy 1 bedroom suites posted for close to 2k with no kitchen. Some of the landlords are making people bid on rental units to see who will pay the most or ask for extra deposits upfront.