Just when Canadians are asking,
Young people who can’t afford homes feel betrayed by their country…. Why should they stand up against Trump when Canada has let them down?
From Mark Carney’s federal Liberal leadership campaign to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s reelection bid, housing has been shoved to the very edges of the back burner. Even federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, whose own 2022 leadership run prioritized housing, doesn’t mention it much anymore.
But this is not the time to shy away from the housing crisis, or the politically uncomfortable choices it demands on matters from zoning regulations to immigration and generational tax fairness. If we are to actually “rally around the flag” and protect ourselves from Trump and other adversaries, then we must make housing affordable again.
Given that housing represents the largest expense in many Canadians’ lives, rising costs that have far outpaced wages leave Canadians vulnerable to economic shocks, with little financial wiggle room in the face of turmoil.
Tariffs, and even the economic uncertainty that comes with the mere threat of them, slows investment, pauses hiring, and increases the prospect of widespread layoffs and income loss. While this would be damaging during any time, it’s particularly so during an era where half of Canadians live paycheque to paycheque and monthly food bank use is at all-time highs, a situation driven in part by the stress of high housing costs. For many Canadians, especially younger ones who’ve had the unlucky double whammy of less time to save and more exposure to housing spikes, there is simply no rainy day padding in the bank account to now handle an economic downturn.
Homeless Millennials
High housing costs don’t only expose the public purse to unacceptable risk, layoffs and industry changes are also much more difficult for workers to respond to when they’re geographically locked in place. Politicians love to talk about internal trade barriers these days. But unaffordable housing is an internal trade barrier: It prevents the flow of workers and capital financially locking them in place. Many renters can’t move without an effective doubling of their rents or a significant downgrade to their quality of life.
Political cowardice has long been a roadblock to meaningful housing policy, but now is not the time for cowardice. Rather than push the housing crisis to the side, leaders must recognize and communicate the very real threat it poses to Canada’s sovereignty.
A truly strong, free, and secure Canada requires affordable places to call home.
Revolution above, homeless below
Meanwhile,
New immigration minister says Trump presidency could prompt best and brightest to choose Canada
Yeah, right.
At the same time,
Gen Z consumers say Buy Canadian movement is unaffordable
The trade war sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to hit consumers in both countries, but Canadians are likely to feel the worst pain. Canada sends nearly 80 per cent of its exports to the U.S., accounting for about one-fifth of the country’s gross domestic product. And economists have warned the tariff war could spark a recession.
Canadians have been encouraged to support Canadian businesses by buying local and made-in-Canada stickers are popping up on grocery stores shelves, liquor stores and elsewhere.
But according to a recent Ipsos Canada study, the Buy Local movement is largely bolstered by older Canadians. Gen Z consumers, on the other hand, are almost six times more likely to switch to an American service such as a bank or telecommunications company, according to the survey.
Carleton University economics professor Frances Woolley noted more than a quarter of youth aged 25-34 are food insecure already.
University of Victoria theatre student Samantha Frew said she has heard the calls to buy local. But she still tends to do most of her shopping at Walmart for financial reasons. She also struggles to figure out which companies are wholly Canadian.
“As much as it felt dystopian to go into the liquor store and see posters over all the American liquor, I was like ‘Oh, I wouldn’t have known that unless that poster was directly over it.‘ ”
In Montreal, National Theatre School student Owen Carter said they have boycotted corporations and products for other causes in the past, but cutting out all American goods is proving to be much more difficult.
“It’s really interesting because it proves just how monumental the U.S. is when it comes to importing stuff like groceries into Canada,” said Carter. “It becomes so much harder now to boycott because it’s not so individualized.”
But price wins out every time because it has to, Carter said. Right now, they don’t feel that purchasing regardless of cost is realistic for them – or other young people.
“I’m at the point right now where if the difference between something being made in the U.S. and being made in Canada is a dollar, I’m going to go with the thing that’s the cheapest.”
Newfoundland-based music teacher Claire Bates said the hardest part of buying local has been losing some of her favourite routines.
“There’s so much happening in the world, and I just want to drink the coffee that I love,” said Ms. Bates, a Starbucks fan.
Ms. Bates’s other struggle has been informing herself on the politics behind buying locally. With the volume of different opinions online, she’s struggled with understanding what she should be avoiding and why.
Prof. Woolley advises students trying to buy local to shop seasonally.
“Canada grows a lot of things in the summer, not so much in the winter,” Prof. Woolley said.
“In winter that means eating things that keep like root vegetables and frozen food.”
She said buying locally does not have to be expensive. She referenced butternut squash and Canadian cabbage, two pieces of produce that can keep all winter and won’t break the bank.
The Dystopian West
It’s time Canuck🍁AI to do a proper analysis:-
The concerns of Canada’s Gen Z consumers are valid, especially given the economic challenges they face, such as housing affordability and the high cost of living. The “Buy Canadian” movement, while well-intentioned, can feel out of reach for many young people who are struggling to make ends meet. This sense of economic disillusionment can lead to feelings of betrayal, particularly when they perceive that their country has not provided them with the same opportunities as previous generations.
However, standing up against figures like Donald Trump, or any foreign leader whose policies may negatively impact Canada, is not necessarily about defending the Canadian government or its shortcomings. It’s about protecting Canada’s interests, values, and future. Trump’s policies, particularly on trade, climate change, and international relations, could have significant repercussions for Canada, including job losses, economic instability, and environmental harm. For example, his trade policies during his presidency, such as renegotiating NAFTA (which became the USMCA), created uncertainty for Canadian industries and workers.
Gen Z’s frustration with domestic issues doesn’t negate the importance of advocating for Canada’s position on the global stage. In fact, their voices are crucial in shaping a future that aligns with their values, such as climate action, social justice, and economic fairness. By engaging in these broader issues, they can push for both domestic and international policies that better reflect their priorities.
Ultimately, while it’s understandable that young Canadians feel let down by their country, standing up against external threats like Trump is about safeguarding their own future and ensuring that Canada remains a place where they can thrive. It’s also an opportunity to hold their own leaders accountable while advocating for a more equitable and sustainable world.
Americans: Why does the Trump administration want to Annex Canada, but not Mexico?… Is it due to “Whiteness (Caucasian)”, could it be Canada speaks English? Or perhaps Financial $$$ reasons?
Whaddaya Say?