Federal Court says Canada acted ‘unreasonably' in denying request to repair home
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Globe and Mail
14 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
What's our generation's nation-building, major infrastructure project? It's housing
Brad Carr is the chief executive of Mattamy Homes Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney has an ambitious agenda, supported by the provincial premiers, to get Canada building more homes. This is good. The matter requires urgent, national attention to help more Canadians afford their own homes while building our economy. We have to be conscious of how our country is falling short right now compared with what the country was once able to do. Canadians have been talking about this a lot lately in terms of nation-building projects. Where's our generation's Canadian Pacific Railway or St. Lawrence Seaway? The answer: A townhome might not have a lot in common with a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project, but it does if it's one of tens of thousands. This is the kind of ambition the country needs. But we're not going to get to where we need to be unless all governments help by providing faster approvals and cutting government-building costs. It's going to take a nation-building effort to unwind decades of stasis. Removing interprovincial trade barriers would add 30,000 annual housing starts: CMHC Toronto sixplex policy 'disappointing,' Federal Housing Minister says I'm encouraged by the federal government's proposed measure to eliminate the federal portion of the sales tax on new homes worth up to $1-million bought by first-time buyers, with the GST rebate phased down as the home price approaches $1.5-million. But it's not enough. With a few key changes we could improve the GST policy to make it fairer to consumers, no matter what stage of the buying process they're in or where they live in Canada. First, Ottawa should apply the rebate at the closing of a home, not at the time of purchase. Right now, if someone bought a home under construction in early May, before the tax cut kicks in, but they don't close until after the cut is implemented, they won't receive it. This is creating confusion for buyers and challenges for builders who will have to explain to homebuyers why they will not receive the GST rebate, but someone who bought just weeks after them will. By applying the rebate to the closing date instead, we can create immediate certainty and motivate people to act now. Stimulating demand in the short term is critical. Secondly, for the next 24 months the sales tax rebate should be expanded to include everyone buying a new home, not just first-time buyers; this time-limited change in policy will help incentivize demand at a time when housing sales are at a more than 30-year low. We can't build more homes if we aren't selling the ones already under construction. This temporary expansion will also allow the government to study the impact to home sales and the federal treasury – while giving Canadians much needed assistance to buy a new home. What you need to know about Ottawa's proposed GST cut for first-time homebuyers Additionally, while we want to make it easier for young adults to buy their first home, many Canadians are also struggling to afford a different home to fit their changing needs. It's tougher for young people than it was for my generation. But what about the person who bought a small condo a few years ago and now needs to buy a bigger home for their growing family? Or the senior who needs to downsize for one reason or another. Both situations would free up supply for another buyer, in turn helping more Canadians find a home they can afford. Finally, home prices vary a lot across the country. A $1-million luxury home in Saskatoon costs a lot more in other markets. For example, the average price of a new home in the Greater Toronto Area is $1.12-million. So, someone buying an average home in the GTA will get less of a rebate on their federal sales tax than someone buying a luxury home in places like Saskatoon for $1-million. Ottawa should apply the rebate toward the first $1-million of the price of a home, so that Canadians in higher-cost regions of the country benefit as well. Taking these three strategic steps, as well as the provinces agreeing to match the federal sales tax policy, would go a long way toward making all kinds of housing more affordable, while driving economic growth. This is especially important at a time when in the GTA alone, nearly 41,000 jobs and $10-billion in investment are at risk because of weakening home sales. The new federal government is nothing if not ambitious. Let's go big together.
Japan Forward
30 minutes ago
- Japan Forward
To China Provocations, Ishiba Gov't Response is Truly Pathetic
このページを 日本語 で読む Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama all adopted timid stances toward China. This situation is extremely unfortunate as it undermines Japan's national interests. On July 9 and July 10, a Chinese J-H7 fighter-bomber made an abnormal approach towards a Japan Air Self-Defense Force YS-11EB electronic intelligence aircraft over the East China Sea. On both days, the Chinese military aircraft came within about 70 meters of the ASDF plane if measured in a straight line. These were abnormal, dangerous, and provocative manners of flying. The latest incidents came shortly after similar incidents on June 7 and June 8. In those cases, a Chinese military aircraft made an abnormal approach towards a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft over the Pacific Ocean. The Chinese military's high-handed behavior is utterly unacceptable. China must reflect on such foolish actions that impair its dignity as a country. But even more concerning is the Ishiba administration's truly pathetic response to these Chinese provocations. This Chinese JH7 fighter bomber approached Japan's Air Self-Defense Force YS11EB electronic measuring device on July 9. (Photo provided by the Ministry of Defense) On July 10, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. At that time, Iwaya conveyed Japan's serious concerns about the dangerous approaches of Chinese military aircraft. He also called for China to desist from such behavior. Also, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi expressed serious concern about the incidents to Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao via telephone. However, expressing "serious concerns" is a milder diplomatic response than a formal "protest." How Germany handled a similar incident in early July stands in stark contrast. After a German military aircraft was targeted by a laser on a Chinese warship during a reconnaissance flight over the Red Sea, Germany's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese ambassador to Germany. When he arrived, German officials delivered a strong protest. Why don't we learn from Germany? Leaders of Japanese political parties attend a pre-election debate in Tokyo on July 2. (©Sankei by Masahiro Sakai) During a street corner campaign speech ahead of the July 20 Upper House election, Ishiba said, "We will not be disrespected." He was referring to the tariff policy of the Trump administration. Yet he refused to speak out in protest regarding abnormal behavior on the part of the Chinese military. It is Chinese behavior that could lead to an accidental military conflict. Ishiba has also been silent on the subject on social media. His responses have been clearly imbalanced. Even after the close encounters over the Pacific in June, the government only expressed "serious concern." Then, too, Prime Minister Ishiba issued no statement on the matter. After this pitiful performance, Japan should expect to be disrespected and once again subjected to dangerous provocations. Clearly, the Japanese government should display more righteous anger. The attitude of LDP Secretary-General Moriyama is also bizarre. On July 11 he met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Osaka. But according to reports, the main topics discussed were the issue of resuming Japanese beef exports to China and a request for China to loan Japan more giant pandas. Why is it that Moriyama did not press He to engage in a frank and honest exchange regarding the abnormal approaches of Chinese military aircraft? Even more so, why didn't he call for the release of Japanese nationals currently detained by Chinese authorities? The same also holds true for Foreign Minister Iwaya. If our leaders will not speak and act resolutely for the sake of Japan, they are not fit to serve at the nation's helm. Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Calgary Herald
44 minutes ago
- Calgary Herald
Couples renew vows at Contemporary Calgary celebration of 20 years of marriage equality
Twenty years to the day after same-sex marriage became legally recognized in Alberta, couples, allies and community members gathered together at Contemporary Calgary on Sunday for an event that organizers described as 'a chance to reflect on the past, rejoice in the present and look forward to an inclusive future for all.' Article content July 20 marks the historic date in 2005 when Alberta began recognizing same-sex marriages, following the nationwide enactment of the Civil Marriage Act. Article content Article content Article content Longtime couple and gay rights advocates Keith Purdy and Rick Kennedy organized the celebration through the Marriage Equity Fund. A simultaneous event was held at the Government House in Edmonton. Article content Article content Offering live entertainment and on-site vow renewals, the event served as both a celebration of love and a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality. Article content Purdy and Kennedy met 35 years ago and were among the first same-sex couples to wed in Alberta in 2005. Purdy said organizing the event was about ensuring their legacy of gay rights advocacy wasn't forgotten. Article content 'We wanted to make sure that our efforts are still understood, and that with the struggles that our community faces now, we have the ability to celebrate the wins that we've had along the way and the important things that we might have to do in the future,' said Purdy. Article content Article content Article content Carolyn Krahn, a friend of the couple and volunteer at the event, said the anniversary gave them a meaningful reason to reconnect with the community. Article content 'They decided, what better time to renew their vows than on the 20th anniversary of the same-sex marriage legislation? So, they called in all their friends and got us all in here in support of this great event,' she said. Article content The event also drew support from labour groups and businesses, including the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and the Texas Lounge. Article content 'Everyone loves a wedding, so we've got a lot of really good cheer and a lot of really great vibes here,' said Krahn. 'I think we always need a reminder of how hard people fought to get that legislation in the first place, especially when there's external pressures to basically look at repealing or invalidating those legislations and those rights.'
