Three stories in the newspapers really stuck in my craw this week, and while each is not enough to necessitate an entire blog post, I figure the three together can.
The Bank of Canada announced they would not follow the “lead” of the Federal Reserve when it comes to raising interest rates, Toronto city council is going ahead full steam with the “Manhattanization” of the downtown core, and the Liberals are forcing us into a pension plan we didn’t ask for.
Okay, so the last story was described with my own bias and opinion in tact.
But that’s the point of today’s blog post: let’s discuss the pros and cons of each, as I’m dying to see where people stand on these subjects…
“Bank of Canada Won’t Follow Fed’s Lead On Interest Rates, Poloz Says”
This might be the most boring story of the week, but I find it the most interesting.
Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz suggested this week that when the United States’ Federal Reserve starts to raise interest rates, the BOC might not follow suit.
While America and Canada may be two completely separate entities, they have always been tied together when it comes to monetary policy. We are very different countries with drastically different ideals, but when it comes to something as simple as the overnight lending rate, Canada has almost always followed the United States.
From the Globe:
Mark Carney, conceded in 2010 that there “are limits to the divergence that there can be between Canada and the United States.” Mr. Poloz acknowledged that while “theoretically” the gap between Canadian and U.S. policy rates “could be anything,” the Bank of Canada “never will be 100 per cent independent” because the Canadian and U.S. economies are so closely intertwined.
So why now?
Why is now the time to diverge?
What scares me in this story is that it signals Canada might not be doing as well as the United States when it comes to the economic recovery from the drop-off in 2008.
From the Globe:
The U.S. has considerable forward momentum, while Canada still is waiting on a revival in exports and business investment.
Canada’s job growth this year is almost entirely driven by part-time positions, while U.S. employers are adding jobs at one of the most impressive rates on record.
Mr. Poloz reminded people that Canada’s rate is already at 1%, and much of the world is at zero, so perhaps it’s time to sit back while the rest of the world catches up.
But personally, I see perhaps the rest of the world is gaining momentum, and are in a position to raise the cost of borrowing, whereas our central bank is worried about the impact of higher rates on our economy, and the day-to-day life of the average Canadian.
“City Undergoing A ‘Manhattanization'”
This story hits a little closer to home than interest rates for most readers, as the Globe ran a story this week about the “Manhattanization” of our downtown core.
I’ve been using that term for years, and I’ve also suggested that change is happening with increasing speed.
But the Globe article made three points clear, all of which I find troublesome:
1) The city’s downtown core is growing at a rate four times faster than the rest of Toronto
2) Projects are being fast-tracked because this is the last city council meeting before the election
3) We need more infrastructure to support the development
Sigh.
The only conclusion I draw here: Toronto will be a mess in a decade.
From the Globe:
…..with city council approving 755 storeys in new development this week, including three new office towers – a trend that underlines the increasing density in the downtown core and the need to plan transit and infrastructure to support it, says the city’s chief planner.
Toronto city council is meeting for the last time before the fall election – a fact that had developers rushing to get approvals before the months-long break.
Toronto’s chief planner, Jennifer Keesmaat, said the volume is, in part, a result of work by her office to move projects through the approval process more quickly.
Perfect. So we’re setting records for development, and not only that – we’re doing it quicker than ever before, because there’s an election coming up, and there won’t be another city council meeting for a month.
Aren’t these the kind of decisions that shouldn’t be rushed?
Referring to the $21 Billion in development that was approved, councillor Joe Mihevc said, “We did all that today, and yesterday, and the day before. It’s unbelievable.”
Wait……is he proud of that?
Is he suggesting that 56 monkeys throwing feces in a room is anything different than the average city council meeting?
If you gave me a rubber stamp, I bet I could fly through those applications faster than anybody!
“What’s that, Mr. Mirvish? You want to build three towers of 90++ storeys in an area where there are no buildings even HALF that high?”
STAMP STAMP STAMP
Wow. City council has reached a new low point: bragging about rushing important decisions that will impact our city forever.
Congrats.
And what plans does city council have to support all the changes? What are their thoughts on the matter?
From the Globe:
“We’re experiencing the Manhattanization of the downtown core,” Mr. Mihevc said after the vote. “This is going to be a very different city in 20 years when these developments all get built out.”
Says Jennifer Keesmat: “The downtown relief line is critical and absolutely necessary for a key reason, which is that the Yonge line is at capacity and we have to find ways to divert some of the pressure off that line,” she said.
Sigh. Again….
So basically, the city is approving projects that will provide massive revenue in the form of development fees, building permits, and eventually property taxes, but all the while, they’re aware that there is no infrastructure to support it.
I’ve got news for you, folks: a simple LRT across Eglinton, or an extension of the Scarborough line, or a downtown relief line – these are NOT what we need.
We need all of them and more.
We need to quadruple the existing underground subway system, or our city is going to implode. No, I’m not exaggerating, when I say “quadruple.” I don’t mean double, and I don’t mean triple. I really, truly, in my heart of heart, mean quadruple.
1954, folks.
It was 1954 when the Yonge Street subway line opened, from Union Station to Eglinton Station, and in 1974, it was extended to Finch.
It’s been FIFTY YEARS since that subway was built, and according to my sleuthing on Wikipedia, the population of Metro Toronto has increased about 500% in that time.
City council hasn’t accomplished anything in the last four years with Rob Ford, or the previous eight years with David Miller, when it comes to public transit.
The downtown core continues to build skyscrapers, and city council continues to sit on its hands.
Oh well. At least the latest polls have Rob Ford gaining momentum…
“Wynne Set To Urge Provinces To Take Lead On Pension Reform”
Okay folks, I may be way off base on this one. So if you disagree, let me have it.
My very best friend and I got in a spirited debate about this topic when we drove up to play golf a couple months ago.
He works in government, and whether that influences his opinions or not, he feels that Wynne’s mandatory pension is a good thing.
I feel it’s socialism at it’s finest, and it infringes upon my simple right to invest and save for MY future, however I please.
I work hard, I really do.
I work seven days per week when the market is busy, and I’ve been working since I was making shish-kebabs at Bruno’s Fine Foods when I was 13-years-old.
I know how to have a good time, but I’m stingy, frugal, and good with my money. I know how to save, and I know how to invest, and I make plans, goals, and set benchmarks.
I live in today, but I see tomorrow, and plan for next year, and beyond.
I’m capable, responsible, and in control of my own life.
But that’s just me.
Many people, it would seem, are not.
And such is the plight of Kathleen Wynne, who has decided that Canadians aren’t saving enough, and/or don’t know how to save for their retirement.
So as a result, the Liberals are forcing us into a Provincial pension plan, and it’s not opt-in, opt-out.
If some people don’t save enough for their retirement, then I have a simple solution:
1) Don’t retire. It’s a privilege, not a right.
2) Borrow Doc Brown’s Delorian, get it up to 88 miles-per-hour, and go back in time and work longer and harder
I know, I know, many of you will suggest that option #2 isn’t possible, and by that I’m not referring to time travel, but rather the idea of working “longer and harder.” Many of you will suggest that some people just can’t work enough to save for retirement.
That may be true, but what about the millions of people who take vacations each year while others put that money into their RRSP? What about people who buy a can of coke from a vending machine for $1.50 rather than buying a 12-pack for $2.99 when it’s on sale at Loblaws?
Do you see what I’m getting at?
How we spend our money and live our lives is up to us!
At the risk of sounding like a Tea Party member here, I really wish the government would get out of my way, get out of my pocket, and get out of my personal finances.
From the Globe:
69 per cent of Canadians believe the federal government should take the lead in ensuring “Canadians can retire – either through savings programs or income supports.”
HOLY SH!@*$
We really are socialists, aren’t we?
If 69% of Canadians rely on the government to ensure they can retire, then these folks really do expect life to be handed to them.
This story makes me even more sick than the “Manhattanization” piece.
It’s one thing to live in a city that’s cannibalizing itself as its “leaders” stare blankly like primates in the opening scene of “2001: A Space Odyssey,” but it’s another thing to know that 69% of Canadians are leaving their lives and futures in the hands of somebody other than themselves.
That’s scary stuff.
–
Tell me if I’m wrong, on any of these points. I welcome your thoughts.
Or maybe this is just way too deep for a Friday before a long weekend.
Either way, I hope you enjoyed the read, and I hope you all have an awesome long weekend.
On Tuesday morning, it’s back to school. Not actually back to school, but we all know what that back to school “feeling” is like. It’s always 4-degrees cooler, there’s moisture in the air, there’s dew on the neighbour’s lawn, and your stomach is in knots as you approach the school…..er…….office…
I expect the real estate market to absolutely explode after Labour Day, so if you’re an active buyer – don’t worry, your day is coming soon…
AndrewB
at 8:03 am
Its rage-inducing how inept our city is at getting absolutely anything done at all. For a city trying to claim it’s “world class”, it surely doesn’t plan like it.
Geoff
at 8:51 am
I think the alternative to a forced retirement savings plan is worse for those who save on their own: dramatically increased taxes to pay for those grasshoppers who didn’t save for winter. So begrudgingly, I think it’s ok. But really the big financial companies are going to fight hard as hell to avoid a low fee pension plan, so I wouldn’t worry.
Chroscklh
at 9:02 am
Geoff makes the sense
Boris
at 9:16 am
This is all socialist nonsense. Wynne should be tarred and feathered. Makes me sick.
Kyle
at 10:28 am
Boris, you make lemmings look free-thinkers. As i said below if you don’t actually have anything of substance to say why don’t you STFU and try listening or better yet fuck off and die. Your contributions have and always will be worthless.
Kyle
at 9:28 am
Sorry David, your arguments do sound very Tea Party-ish, you’ve even thrown in some nice use of ‘us vs them’ language for good measure: “Socialism at it’s finest” and “Liberals are forcing”. We can debate till we’re blue in the face about why people left to their own devices can’t save enough to retire on (Having experienced both ends of the income distribution i can tell you it isn’t always due to bad choices, sometimes it’s due to lack of choices – i.e. food vs retirement savings). The FACT is a lot of people will not be prepared and there will be far worse Economic consequences. Geoff is bang on here. To appeal to your Capitalist side, i’ll re-frame the argument – it isn’t about whether it’s good or bad to…GASP!…potentially pay more into something than you directly get back in service thereby…God forbid…subsidize someone else. It’s about whether it’s good or bad for everyone to contribute to a pool, and stave off the Economic disaster of having a huge segment of our population unable to support themselves and having to rely on the Government to live off. Which is the current reality looming on all of our collective horizons.
David
at 1:39 pm
There’s nothing Tea Party-ish about what David is saying. We don’t need yet another way to allow our government to take our hard earned money from us. It’s just another tax in disguise and they’re going to waste most of it like they do with everything else.
I agree 100% with David. Besides that, don’t we already have a federally managed CPP, old age pension plans and a welfare system that have been in place for decades? Enough already!!!!! It won’t be long before the City of Toronto starts collecting it’s own income tax and that still won’t be enough to satisfy anyone.
When will you silly socialist fools wake up and see that this sort of thing never ends well. Just look at what’s happening in Greece, France, Spain, etc… They can’t fund their welfare programs anymore. We’re not that far behind. One day Ontario is going to default on it’s debt and the whole country is going to be screwed, all because the government has a spending problem and they won’t stop.
Kyle
at 1:55 pm
Please do yourself and the rest of the world a favour:
– Put down the Toronto Sun
– Read this: http://www.amazon.ca/The-Third-Rail-Confronting-Failures/dp/0771046634
– Get a clue
– Then come back to us, when you can actually grasp the substance, instead of dismissing it as being a Socialist scheme to steal your hard earned money
Thanks in advance.
David Fleming
at 3:17 pm
@ Kyle
FYI – that wasn’t me posting. It’s another David. Mine shows up as “David Fleming.”
Kyle
at 4:13 pm
Not to worry, i realized that.
Kyle
at 6:35 pm
Got to love it when the brainwashed stupids, who are only capable of seeing left = liberal = evil, feel the need to join a conversation that they can’t comprehend. Is that all you’ve got? If that’s it, then fuck you very much for coming out. Try actually including some substance next time, you ignorant brainwashed asshole.
Boris
at 10:08 am
Kyle, once again, fuck you.
Regards,
Margaret Thatcher.
Kyle
at 10:22 am
Here we go again with another brain-washed stupid up to bat. Wow! Boris did you spend all day coming up with that zinger all by yourself, or did you give up half way and ask for help from a friend. You guys are like brain-dead zombies that have been programmed to attack anything that you deem to be from the left. Never mind actually thinking or considering a matter at hand, no of course not that would involve brain cells. Instead you only ever look at it things as left vs right. And your weak minds have been programmed to attack it no matter how ill- equipped you are for that task. Debating with you is like, debating with a fruit fly, so instead i will let you rot in your own ignorance, if you ever actually get enough brain cells to have an intelligent conversation feel free to come back otherwise you can go fuck yourself too, nimrod.
Appraiser
at 8:59 am
Three comments. (1) Eventually city council must gather the courage to raise property taxes in order to provide the revenue required to build sufficient infrastructure and transit. (2) The Mirvish condo project has been substanially modified from the original proposal. (3) Tossing the word “socialist” around like a swear word or a Fox News anchor, betrays a distinct lack of depth and understanding of societal well-being.
Boris
at 9:29 am
Ill toss you around by your neck, appraiser bitch!
ScottyP
at 10:33 pm
I agree with Appraiser on all three points.
Yowzers.
Chroscklh
at 9:08 am
Regard first article – Canadian economy lever to export, Poloz has job to talk down currency. Is working. Export take time to pick-up. Market believe US raise the rate early in 2015, Canada first hike later in 2015. The bond yield so low right now – for to two reasons – geopolitical tension near my home country & EU bond yield SO low that Canada & US yield still look attractive. Lower last longer but not forever. I hear Toronto council vote on the literal ‘Manhattanization’ of downtown – going to cut giant motes around Young & University subway line, fill with water for to make island like Manhattan. Also vote to pay ‘Naked Cowboy’ $1mm to relocated to the Dundas Square.
Jackie
at 9:15 am
I’ve read some articles saying that the ORPP would cover only half of Ontario’s workers. I wondered how they would achieve any economies of scale running this program but also read that this new pension manager would manage other pension boards funds. Sounds like to me a back door plan to reduce and merge overhead expenses of entities like HOOP and OMERS and smaller public pension plan boards. I’m sure OTPP has enough political clout to remain as is but anything is possible with this provinces debt.
Joe Q.
at 9:19 am
I read Mihevc’s comments as coming from incredulity, rather than any “pride” at what is happening.
As for David’s comment that “city council hasn’t accomplished anything in the last four years with Rob Ford, or the previous eight years with David Miller, when it comes to public transit.” — I don’t think this is a fair statement. I can think of a number of improvements:
— the Eglinton Crosstown under construction (planned and started under Miller’s watch)
— the Vaughan subway extension on the YUS line — though this is more of an Ontario government thing
— Toronto Rocket trains on the YUS line (which help with “throughput”)
— upgrading the signalling system on the YUS line to permit trains to run more frequently
— purchase of new high-capacity low-floor streetcars
— purchase of new articulated buses
Unfortunately a lot of other potential improvements have become stranded in dithering and ineptitude.
jeff316
at 1:34 pm
Exactly.
You don’t have to pay attention, it’s not mandatory, but if you’re going to blog about it, it helps.
ScottyP
at 10:44 pm
Ouch.
I think what David meant to say was “city council hasn’t accomplished anything in the last four years with Rob Ford, or the previous eight years with David Miller, when it comes to *expanding* public transit.”
Eglinton Crosstown is nice, yes, but that’s pretty much it. (And no, St. Clair doesn’t count.)
The Vaughan subway extension is *entirely* an Ontario government thing. Sorry City Council, you don’t get boo for that one.
The new subways, despite some hiccups, are a huge positive. But while they allow for more riders on the YUS line, they have nothing to do with expanding the line(s) itself. Same goes for the new streetcars (which look lovely by the way) and buses (ditto).
In short, the TTC has made some improvements. Some improvements, like finally getting Presto into more than a handful of stations, are taking far too long. But I like Byford, and things appear to be moving in the right direction. But our subway map is just as pitiful as it was when I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I think that’s what David was trying to say.
Joe Q.
at 3:23 pm
I can’t disagree with you on the above points, but I think that “lines on the map” are only part of the issue. Many of the most pressing concerns facing the TTC have to do with the ability of the existing system to handle its passenger loads. If the passenger load issue can’t be addressed, extending the lines, or adding new feeder lines, will backfire. This in fact (as I understand it) is one of the major arguments against extending the Yonge line to Steeles, and eventually into Thornhill. Why add more passengers to a line that is already at capacity?
In this regard, the YUS rockets, signal upgrades, etc. although not as “sexy” as extending a line, are part of the necessary preliminary work required for system expansion.
I also like Byford, but think he is up against some major institutional issues both at the TTC and City Hall (not to mention Queens Park and Ottawa). But he is responsive and has the commuter’s experience at heart, which is important.
Ultimately, what the city really needs is the DRL. But it will be fantastically expensive and will serve the city core, both of which are major strikes against it in the current political climate. Hopefully the next mayor can make some headway.
ScottyP
at 12:23 am
Can’t disagree with any of that, Joe Q. But I still think it’s fair for people such as David to decry the overall lack of progress in the transit file over the past four decades or so.
If Harris hadn’t cancelled the Eglinton subway, and if the sole subway line built since the 70s hadn’t turned out to be a purple stub to nowhere, and if some forward-thinkers at City Hall had actually pushed a DRL + eastward extension in 2001 instead of 2011, then our transit system would be a lot better off now.
Nuts and bolts are indeed more practical than sexy subway lines, but I for one prefer both. And, in the interest of consistency, I am willing to see my property taxes raised in order to help pay for both. (While continually doing my small part to pressure the provincial and federal governments to start paying their freakin’ share.)
Leadership is crucial. And neither Ford nor Miller provided satisfactory leadership with regard to transit, IMO. This is an argument that’s pretty hard to deny, no matter how much “Transit City” might have floated one’s boat.
jeff316
at 10:21 am
That’s fine, but that’s not what he posted. I think David’s great, I can’t imagine blogging this consistently for this long, but too frequently he posts about non-RE topics with a level of dismissive simplicity that is eerily similar to the silly real estate assumptions and assertions that he regularly pokes holes through on this site.
The fact is, there has been more transit progress in the last three administrations than there was in the previous 3. Whether one likes Miller, or likes Transit City, or likes streetcars, that administration got us a full-service Toronto-wide transit plan that was fully paid by another level of government.
If that’s not an achievement, then nothing will be. And that’s the problem – it isn’t city council that’s the impediment, it is us. We all want different things, we’re not willing to compromise, and we criticize regardless of what the outcome is and we’re really not willing to pay for any of it, unless it meets our individualized specifications.
We want a New York City transit system for a city that is realistically only 20 percent New York, and is 30 percent Cleveland and 50 percent Minneapolis.
(ps – The number of daily rides per station – NY 11000 to Tor 15000.
jeff316
at 10:31 am
Oops, posting went weird there.
That’s fine, but that’s not what he posted. I think David’s great, I can’t imagine blogging this consistently for this long, but too frequently he posts about non-RE topics with a level of dismissive simplicity that is eerily similar to the silly real estate assumptions and assertions that he regularly pokes holes through on this site.
The fact is, there has been more transit progress in the last three administrations than there was in the previous 3. Whether one likes Ford, he’s almost gotten a subway through. Whether one likes Miller, or likes Transit City, or likes streetcars, that administration got us a full-service Toronto-wide transit plan that was fully paid by another level of government.
If that’s not an achievement, then nothing will be. And that’s the problem – it isn’t city council that’s the impediment, it is us. We all want different things, we’re not willing to compromise, and we criticize regardless of what the outcome is and we’re really not willing to pay for any of it, unless it meets our individualized specifications.
Now, Transit City may have been flawed but it was a means to an end – knock off transit in the outer burbs and you have a much clearer mandate for a downtown relief line. Today, what are we talking about? We have one mayoral candidate talking about cancelling the subway extension, another that’s dropped the DRL in favour of a crazy train to Markham, and a third that is Rob Ford.
We want a New York City transit system for a city that is realistically only 20 percent New York, and is 30 percent Cleveland and 50 percent Minneapolis. That’s the root of our problem. City council reflects that.
JB
at 10:23 am
I’ll be honest that I’m not fully familiar with the details of the new Ontario pension proposal, but shouldn’t there still be a net benefit to those who will still be able to afford their own personal retirement savings?
Since the ORPP is not tied linked to any individual, it effectively has an investment time horizon of infinity. This would allow it to invest in riskier assets which *should* provide higher returns in the long run.
For the individual, the expected payments from ORPP can be used to reduce exposure to low-risk assets (bonds, GICs, etc) as retirement date approaches, and keep a higher proportion of personal investments in equities.
Over the long-term – on an aggregate basis – everyone should be better off (except for those selling high-fee mutual funds to the Average Joe)
Patty
at 10:59 am
Business leaders (those guys who provide jobs) have been very clear that they do not/can’t afford another payroll tax. They are funding CPP and that is enough. If Wynne forces this pension plan, Ontario will not attract new business and will loose many jobs as others move to more attractive economic climates.
Cliff
at 11:24 am
The decision makers in this city are really doing the citizens a disservice. It’s like there’s no thought that goes into anything. More condos! More Buildings! Worry about infrastructure later. It takes me 1/2 an hour to 45 minutes to get from King and Peter to King and Sherbourne on most days. And yet they want to add MORE CONDOS with no transit relief in sight. But hey lets add bigger streetcars to clog up our 1 way streets!!! More BUILDINGS! MORE PEOPLE!
The city sees $$$$$$$. That’s all it is. And it’s a damn shame. We had the chance to right a lot of wrongs and have fallen flat on our faces. Too many idiots making major decisions in this city.
Cliff
at 11:29 am
Also, if job creation continues to be stagnant in Canada and especially Toronto, we’re going to have some huge problems. That needs to get cleaned up. Full-time job creation.
Libertarian
at 1:31 pm
I’m not an expert in monetary policy, so I won’t comment on that.
With all of the new development happening, I believe the invisible hand will cause the downtown core to become essentially a “car-free zone.” There will be so many pedestrians, cyclists, streetcars, and taxis (I know that a taxi is a car), that the average person trying to drive around will find it so painful that people won’t bother trying to drive downtown. It will be impossible to make a right turn, let alone a left one. Maybe even taxis will give up.
I agree with David about the pension. One thing that I question about the plan is – if Wynne is worried about individuals saving for retirement, why is she calling for employers to make matching contributions for employees? It’s the employee’s responsibility to save if he/she chooses, so why drag the employer into the equation? So it would seem to me that this is Wynne’s attempt to force employers to increase overall compensation. Of course that won’t work because employers will adapt by lowering salaries or leaving the province.
On a side note, I know that most people on this blog hate Garth Turner, but maybe he’s right when he says that people shouldn’t be putting all of their income into a house. Buy a smaller place (or maybe even rent) so that you have money to put away for retirement. Then again, maybe David will have a very successful future because people will have to sell their homes to unlock the equity. (Come up with a new business strategy David!) I think that’s why people want the pension – they want to keep their houses in retirement. They want to have their cake and it eat it too. So I agree with David that we are socialist, or more accurately, selfish and greedy. Canadians love debt – both in terms of mortgages and government finances. But eventually, somebody has to pay the bill.
jeff316
at 1:35 pm
Government do something!
Do it fast!
But not too fast!
And do it right!
And cheap!
And perfect!
And my way!
But get out of my way!
ScottyP
at 10:51 pm
And do it for low or no tax!
I don’t need the help!
Why should I pay for someone else’s problems?
Get out of my way!
Wait a second!
I do need kinda the help after all!
I’m in real trouble here!
Help me, government, I take it back!
Alex
at 4:22 pm
I’m actually pretty excited about all the development going on in Toronto. The city is changing drastically and it’s going to be pretty cool being a part of that, maybe I’ll start a board games, bridge, or euchre club in my apartment or condo. The more people we have the more possibilities we have. Sure, it’s going to mean some inconvenience getting around and more competition for jobs but bring it on.
Practically though, what else could city council have done? Built a wall around Toronto and said “No one else is allowed in!”? Rejected all the proposals they thought were too dense so that we could waste time and money at the OMB fighting something they’re just going to rubber stamp anyway?
I haven’t done enough research on the pension plan to give a very informed opinion, but overall I like it. It’s basically a response by the government to all the companies that have begun reducing or simply removing pension plans. My company used to have defined benefit, then they moved to match (but only up to 4% of your salary) and I think now they’re moving to something even worse. So I don’t think of it as a new tax, more like just adding back in something that used to be there but was then taken away. Plus, my understanding of the CPP is that they have very good returns and are run fairly well, so if you can replicate that at the Ontario one then it would be even better than most company plans.
It partially relates to your first article about the interest rates. Almost all the jobs created were apparently part-time, which are the kind of jobs that pay just enough for you to survive. If we’re only going to create jobs that don’t allow a person to save then we better build something for them, otherwise we’ll have a ton of seniors with no support who will just cost us a ton more in health care, policing, and social support costs.
George
at 7:54 pm
So City Hall is stamping some high density R’s all over the map and skimping on the roads/tracks to support it. It’s as if they have never played SimCity. At least there are going to be a good chunk of C’s to complement the R demand. I still hope to see more parks and recreational areas established to ensure residents of and visitors to Toronto will have something to do besides work, sleep, and listen to construction.
jeff316
at 9:29 am
Maybe its prescient or maybe I just sucked at it, but in SimCity I was never able to achieve the density required to make a subway feasible.