HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM RHB!
May the new year bless you with health, wealth and happiness. Wishing you the best for 2025!
read moreCANADA NEEDS LEADERSHIP, NOT CHEAPER POTATO CHIPS
There is never a good time for the federal government to be wracked by political instability because of the snap resignation of a finance minister. But seven weeks before an economic crisis hits the country is undoubtedly the worst time. Chrystia Freeland’s departure from cabinet was dramatic, complete with a resignation letter that catalogued the shortcomings of the Trudeau government. But Monday’s turmoil is not what should concern Canadians. No, the bigger worry by far is the Liberals’...
read moreFINANCE MINISTER CHRYSTIA FREELAND RESIGNS FROM CABINET
Ottawa was gripped by political drama on Monday after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stunningly resigned from cabinet, hours before she was scheduled to table the Trudeau government’s Fall Economic Statement. “On Friday, you told me you no longer want me to serve as your Finance Minister and offered me another position in cabinet,” Freeland wrote in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which she shared on the social media site X. “Upon reflection, I have concluded that the...
read moreTRUDEAU’S IMMIGRATION PLAN HINGES ON MILLIONS OF PEOPLE LEAVING
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s plan to fix immigration in Canada depends on the biggest exodus of people since at least the 1940s — one that many economists doubt is feasible. Slamming the brakes on record-setting population growth requires 2.4 million non-permanent residents to leave or change status over the next two years, according to the government’s forecasts, which also see 1.5 million new temporary arrivals during that time. That projected net loss of about 900,000 international...
read moreCONSERVATIVE PARTY WINS SECOND STRAIGHT MAJORITY IN NOVA SCOTIA ELECTION
Nova Scotians have reelected the Progressive Conservative Party with a large majority in a victory for a political platform that includes trying to make home buying easier for some residents. As the final counting of votes occurred Wednesday, members of Premier Tim Houston’s PC Party won outright or were leading in 43 electoral districts. The NDP captured nine seats and the Liberal Party only two. An independent candidate is poised to hold one of the 55 seats in the Nova Scotia...
read moreONTARIO EYES GIVING CREDIT BUREAUS ACCESS TO LTB ORDERS FOR RENTERS WITH HISTORY OF ARREARS
A proposal to make Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) orders accessible to consumer credit bureaus for tenants with a history of rent arrears would make it easier to weed out bad prospective renters, London, Ont., landlords say. Renters’ advocacy groups worry it could hurt low-income tenants who fall behind by damaging their credit scores and unfairly penalize tenants who withheld rent for negligent maintenance or other issues. The Ford government revealed the plan in a media backgrounder...
read moreIS IT A TENANT’S RIGHT TO CHARGE AN EV AT THEIR RENTAL?
An Ottawa man feels it’s his right to charge his car overnight at his apartment building since electricity is included in his rent, but his landlord disagrees. Joel Mac Neil says he has been charging his electric vehicle (EV) at his apartment building, the Park West, with no issues for three years, until now. “I should be allowed to do this and I don’t have to hide,” Joel Mac Neil said. “I have every right to do this and charge here.” On Oct. 7, he says the...
read moreTORONTO REPORT RECOMMENDS FEE REDUCTIONS, OTHER STEPS TO CREATE NEW RENTALS
Of that total, the city would commit to build 7,000 rental homes through its own resources. The staff report is titled Build More Homes: Expanding Incentives for Purpose-Built Rental Housing. Among the recommendations, the city is proposing a new purpose-built rental homes incentive to move rentals through the pipeline and into construction. The program, developed in partnership with all orders of government, will advance the city’s own targets of 41,000 affordable rental homes, targets under...
read moreEDMONTON LEADS IN HOUSING METRICS
In an earlier blog this year, I discussed the Edmonton Region’s rapid and unprecedented population growth. Since writing that post, it looks like growth has accelerated and is set to surpass 2023 levels in 2024. While this influx adds pressure to services like infrastructure and education, the Edmonton Region appears to be responding effectively in one crucial area: housing. Housing Affordability As explored in another one of my past blogs, Edmonton continues to rank among Canada’s most...
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