Who will buy these houses?
Re: New study finds Hamilton-Burlington third-least affordable region in Canada for housing (April 15)
Really no surprise, especially if you’re looking to buy. Given the data in the article, one has to wonder why there is such a mania to get building housing when there are questions about affordability. If average houses/condos are around the $1-million-plus mark and single apartments start around $1,700 monthly, are we sure the average buyer will be able to pay these prices? What we need are sensible policies that might level the market values of these and an end to the unbridled greed.
Robert Panchyson, Burlington
A highway to oblivion
So, now with the help of the federal government, Premier Doug Ford and his wealthy associates are “plowing ahead” to build Highway 413. Maybe the expression should be “plowing under” since they will be destroying so much valuable farm land and much-needed green space.
It seems the priority of this government is not to provide food and fresh air for the citizens of Ontario taxpayers, but instead to repay their wealthy supporters who have already bought up all the land that this highway will be built on.
I am hoping that some day we will find out the names of Mr. Ford’s friends who will be making a fortune with our hard-earned taxpayer dollars, but I doubt that the truth will ever be revealed.
In the future when this debacle is finally completed, the only results will be that the Ontario taxpayers will be out billions of dollars, vast expanses of fertile land will have been obliterated, and we will end up with underused highways.
Pete Wignall, Burlington
No rant against gas companies?
Where is the rant of MP Pierre Poilievre over gas prices now? In the past few weeks I have paid 132.9 cents per litre and now 176.9 at the more competitive stations. The carbon tax may have increased that 44-cent hike by perhaps three cents. What is his proposal to address the cost of living, other than his negative commentary?
Gary Caldwell, Lynden
Wishing to be ignored
Some of us would have loved to have been ignored when the budget came out. The increase in the federal capital gains tax from 50 per cent to 67 per cent will affect more than 0.1 per cent of Canadians. People looking to sell a cottage to fund retirement will find smaller net proceeds after this change. Yet with the increased tax income, the deficits grow. For many taxpayers, being ignored in the federal budget would truly be a blessing.
Rick Jefferson, Ancaster
Ordinary taxpayer will be hit
The government has characterized the budget change to the taxation rate on capital gains as a tax on the wealthiest Canadians affecting less than one per cent of Canadians. I believe this to be inaccurate. This change will adversely affect ordinary Canadians in a few lifetime situations where the capital gains cannot be spread out over several years. Two occasions come to mind. One is the sale of a secondary residence or other capital asset. The other is the deemed disposition of unregistered assets upon death which will reduce the inherited portion of the estate. Even modest estates could cross the $250,000 threshold. To paraphrase one of the banks, it seems the CRA thinks you’re richer than you think.
Paul Tavares, Hamilton
Warfare has changed dramatically
Re: Why Canada needs nuclear-powered submarines (April 17)
How many nuclear submarines does Canada need to control our northern regions? One? Three? Five hundred? The answer is none.
Russia outnumbers Ukraine overwhelmingly in military jets, naval craft and tanks. Yet, Ukraine has kept Russia to a standstill. Why? Warfare has changed. Missiles, drones, defensive systems and strategy have made costly weapons like ships, planes and tanks sitting-duck anachronisms in today’s wars.
Canada is spending needlessly if we use our money to buy fancy toys that are overpriced and will be sitting ducks. And is the nuclear deterrent a viable option? Not really, unless the destruction of mankind is the goal. The U.S. has plenty of those kind of weapons.
What Canada requires is an increase of ships and planes that are cost efficient and practical in acting as an efficient coast guard to assist northern communities and provide a presence. The rest of our defence needs to concentrate on defending against an attack. Yes, missile systems, drones and a highly trained military. That’s it. Stop the needless contributions to the industrial military complex.
Bob Macoritti, Ancaster
