Editor:
I have watched with dismay the cost of real-estate continuing its upward climb. It has already reached insane levels, leaving all but the very rich and those fortunate enough to already own property, completely out of the market.
I saw tonight on TV the sad face of the young man with his wife and child wondering where he was going to live. His rental home had been sold to developers – a typical story. This is all to make people who are not Canadians, nor propose to be, who in fact, do not even reside here, very rich.
I see our country being turned into one vast piece of real-estate. Our very sovereignty is at risk.
Presiding over this scenario with heartless arrogance are all three levels of government. Where is their compassion? Our prime minister and premier both go home to their cosy houses with gardens and trees. What about the young ones who were born and educated here and haven’t a hope of owning a little house to raise their children in; a place of peace and refuge to return to after a hard day’s work?
The cold indifference on the faces of our politicians when questioned as to why we were not bringing in speculation taxes and other means used by Australia and New Zealand, plus other countries besieged like us by off-shore money, made me sick. They are stubborn and intransigent. Every country but Canada has brought in measures to counteract this devastating problem.
I am myself, to quote former president Jimmy Carter, “One of the privileged.” I took it as my right to have full-time employment with benefits, and the ability to save up my money and buy a little house one day.
Such is not the case today.
My heart aches for the young ones and the impossible barriers being thrown in their paths by our cruel and complacent politicians. I am disgusted by the greed I see all about me which welcomes this sky-rocketing real estate to the grave disadvantage of the young.
Please, let us remember that the prime purpose of a home is first and foremost to provide peace and refuge for the dweller, a place to raise his children, and not an opportunity to make a few people rich.
Sybil Rowe, Surrey