Canada is in a moment of crisis in its history. Most people are beginning to see the extent and implications of the continuous economic fallout. Meanwhile, our Prime Minister is conspicuously absent from Ottawa, reportedly travelling around the world to drum up business and promote Canada.
The problem is that this is why trade emissaries and embassy staff are hired. Showing up for a photo op claiming success when, in fact, the actual paper states a non-binding agreement, and that the only deal is to keep talking, is not a result. It is, in fact, a waste of taxpayers' money so our Prime Minister can look the part on a global stage. Great theatre, but not what Canadians were at all expecting from an “Elbows Up” Mark Carney.
Two vital statistics came forward while our Prime Minister tap danced his way across Europe, achieving nothing but smiles and handshakes.
Statistics Canada indicated that the unemployment rate among Canadians aged thirty and under is approximately twenty per cent. It is worth noting that this figure does not account for individuals who are no longer actively seeking employment or receiving social assistance, suggesting that the actual rate may be higher.
The second crisis stems directly from the Parliamentary Budget Office, regarding the actual number of new housing projects that need to be built. It projects an average of 227,000 new homes need to be completed each year for the next decade, but says an additional 65,000 per year will need to be built to close the housing gap.
This situation presents two significant challenges for Carney. The first concerns the financial implications of this initiative, as a substantial proportion of these homes will need to be designated as supportive housing or geared toward income-based projects.
In most Canadian cities, market-rate housing is inaccessible to many first-time homebuyers. It is increasingly being acquired by corporations, which exacerbates issues such as substandard living conditions and homelessness among a growing number of Canadians.
The second significant challenge concerns the pronounced shortage of skilled trades professionals required to support ongoing development needs. Canada lacks a sufficient number of qualified tradespeople to meet the projected housing construction demands outlined by the Parliamentary Budget Office.
Additionally, funding for provinces to initiate training for these essential workers at both the provincial and federal levels has not been allocated or considered, and it appears unlikely that this matter has been formally addressed.
One suggestion, which was met with an immediate reaction from Pierre Poilievre, was that we hire skilled people as Temporary Foreign Workers. One problem is, where are these people going to stay, with already so many Canadians homeless or living in substandard or overly priced living conditions?
Poilievre, instantly seeing an opening to jump in, dove in with both feet, blaming the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) for the problems facing us today. Sadly, he is hoping that most Canadians forget that the TFWP was initiated by Jason Kenney as Minister of immigration in the Harper Government, with Poilievre's full support and defence.
What Poilievre has done is leave the door open for a vicious racialized response by the public, putting those of ethnic origin in harm's way.
Canada's domestic economy is experiencing challenges, independently of the current tensions with the Trump administration. The country is facing a persistent downward economic trend.
Our political leaders are maintaining existing practices and continuing to employ established rhetorical approaches and public appearances that have contributed to the current situation.
Mark Carney is dealing with a situation out of control, and it appears he is not prepared to stick around to help Canadians who have been ignored for so long back up on their feet and into meaningful productive careers with a decent and affordable roof over their head.
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