The problem of housing is…

The problem of housing is indeed a very severe one and a massive problem for the next generations in specific. There is no doubt something needs to be done. But this plan does not actually address anyone's concerns. The problem in Ontario is not a lack of quantity of houses, but rather the speculation of foreign and local capital which is driving up the prices beyond affordability. There are literally millions of homes across Canada which sit dormant. So, what will happen to these new homes? Will they not simply end up in the same hands, those who are, at present, negatively effecting the well-being of the people? I think it is quite injudicious to believe selling more homes, i.e. an increase in supply, will solve the issue when we already have an oversaturation of vacant homes. This plan will only benefit the land speculators.

And, moreover, ploughing over the environmentally protected lands is not in the best interests of the social and natural environment in Niagara and Ontario at large. Have the people who make up the region been asked what their stance is directly? They have not. Have there at least been forums or meetings convened where they can express their opinions? Not to my knowledge. This is a matter of extreme concern to them, and they are being left out of the deal between the government and business. This unilateral imposition will not make life better, it will only enrich those who are already profiting off the backs of desperate people.

People themselves need to decide what their future will look like. And I have complete confidence that the vast majority share the same concern as I on this issue. It is time for government at every level to hold up their end of the deal when they signed international declarations guaranteeing a right to housing in this country decades ago, and this isn't done by dishing out contracts to the profiteers and running roughshod over environmental zones. As a society, we urgently need a pro-social direction.