Today's letters: Of course affordable housing is in tough shape

Thursday, Dec. 14: Property is a financial investment an owners expect a return on it, a reader points out. You can write to us too at [email protected]

Published Dec 14, 2023 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 1 minute read

New homes under construction in Ottawa in the summer of 2023. Affordability continues to be a challenge. Photo by Sean Kilpatrick /The Canadian Press

Property is a big financial investment

Why is anyone surprised by the poor state of affordable housing in this country? Yes, we claim to believe that everyone has the right to live in a safe, warm home. But in our system, property is a major financial investment, and like all investments, owners expect a decent return after paying expenses (property tax, insurance, etc).

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How many investors in general would willingly sink their money into long-term investments like GICs knowing they were guaranteed to deliver returns far below market rates? Any wonder so few rental property owners are willing to accept the same?

Jim Lyons, Orléans

MPs unconnected from real life

Re: MPs knit, watch Netflix and sign their holiday cards, Dec. 9.

I read with amazement how our elected MPs “worked all day and all night” during those votes. Really, how can this be called working? Many were not even in their seats for what the Official Opposition deemed was an essential vote. Maybe they should spend one shift working alongside first responders, health workers, or taxi drivers trying to make ends meet, where signing cards, knitting, and watching TV would never happen.

I was shocked at the leader of the Opposition coming in from a trip to Montreal, again during this “essential vote,” carrying bags of fast food. I am on a pension so dining out is a luxury. When I do eat in a restaurant I donate the same amount to our local food bank. I wonder if the Opposition leader and other leaders donated to a food bank?

I extend my thanks to the clerks, assistants and others who work behind the scenes to make our Parliament function, as they too, stayed up but probably didn’t get the time to do personal stuff on the taxpayers’ dime.

Kevin McCarthy, Nepean