Category Archives: Housing

Manitoba Aims to Expedite Subdivision Approvals

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Steve Lafleur

Finally, what appears to be some good news out of Manitoba. Winnipeg in particular needs to accommodate population growth for the first time in a long time. Modernizing the approval process for subdivisions could help meet that demand. Additionally, it should hopefully help take some pressure off of the rental market in Winnipeg, which has a vacancy rate of less than one percent. Continue reading →

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Is Saskatchewan’s First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit undermining housing affordability?

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Steve Lafleur

On its face, the First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit seems like it would increase housing affordability. After all, aspiring home owners often have difficulty scraping together enough money for a deposit. But tax credits are the wrong tool. I pointed out during the last provincial election that evidence from the US suggests that the tax credit would, in fact, reduce housing affordability. Continue reading →

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Cutting Red Tape

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Amanda Achtman

This week the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is hosting its fourth annual Red Tape Awareness Week™ 2013. In the spirit of the “Red Tape Revolution” here is a poem about red tape reduction initiatives. Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta, Calgary, Education, Healthcare, Housing, Immigration, Labour, Local Government, Manitoba, Regulation, Role of Government, Saskatchewan, Taxation, Technology, Trade, Unsorted | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

Is Vancouver Really the Third Most Liveable City on Earth?

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Steve Lafleur

The Economist recently ranked Vancouver the third most liveable city on earth. While it certainly is a lovely city with many nearby amenities, it is also the second least affordable city in the English speaking world (surpassed only by Hong Kong). Vancouver is a very liveable city–if you’re wealthy. But for the middle class, it is a completely different story. Continue reading →

Posted in Housing | 1 Comment

Incentivizing home maintenance on isolated indigenous communities

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Joseph Quesnel

This is interesting. Municipal authorities offered six Nunavik communities in northern Quebec a contest aimed at increasing pride and improving homes. Prizes included a VIP trip to Montreal to see a Canadiens game, six months free rent, an Xbox. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Aboriginal, Housing, Poverty, Property Rights | 1 Comment

Social Enterprise News

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Les Routledge

An interesting concept of establishing an investment market for social enterprises is being established in Singapore. This should be a welcome development for people who like small government.  It is somewhat comparable to Cameron’s concept of Big Society in the … Continue reading →

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Measuring Canada’s Housing Affordability Against the World

Posted on January 22, 2012 by David Seymour

The Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey is the widest measure of global housing affordability. It reveals the affordability of housing in 35 Canadian markets as well as 290 other markets in six other countries. Continue reading →

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Calgary, Occupied Territory!

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

Calgarians jumped on the “Occupy” bandwagon on October 15th. Check out this video to hear what they had to say! Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta, Calgary, Education, Energy, Environment, Healthcare, Housing, Labour, Local Government, Poverty, Trade | Comments Off

Vancouver housing strategy misses the mark

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Steve Lafleur

A new housing and homelessness strategy came before Vancouver City Council July 26th. Its stated goal is no less than to eradicate homelessness by 2015. Aside from the impossibility of the goal, lumping general housing affordability and homelessness together into … Continue reading →

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Young Kiwis Value Space

Posted on April 27, 2011 by David Seymour

Young Kiwis share Canadians’ preference for the suburbs. Continue reading →

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Livable Communities

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Les Routledge

High prices demonstrate the severe shortage of supply, leading to significant pent-up demand. Continue reading →

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Breaking News: Rent Control Still Bad Policy

Posted on March 10, 2011 by David Seymour

A Frontier Centre Op-ed in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix explains why rent control fails. Continue reading →

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