We just can’t handle all that immigration

We are responding to the “housing crisis” as if it’s a natural disaster beyond our control, like an earthquake, a massive flood or a hurricane. And the federal government seems to have successfully recruited most provincial politicians to their delusion, the premiers running the hamster wheel to generate more housing in dramatic fashion.

If we were to pause long enough to do the math, it would be obvious that our politicians will wear out their sneakers long before the wheel spins near fast enough.

Statistics Canada reports that the population grew by 1,271,872 people (3.2%) in 2023, 97.6% of which were immigrants.

To what end the federal government is targeting this kind of growth is unclear, certainly unexplained. Regardless, the housing industry, working near flat out, produced 240,000 homes last year.

Yet the federal government continues to target 500,000 permanent residents annually.

The equation is way out of balance: as long as we allow our population to increase faster than our ability to build, we will have a scarce supply of houses and, consequently, high prices.

Ironically, in spite of the pressing need, exorbitant prices are impeding new construction.

Our governments, federal and provincial, need to rein in the stampede. Step off the wheel, plan immigration to meet our ability to properly prepare and build for the kind of communities we want.

Finally, many mayors are now pushing back, asking the upper levels of government to show more common sense in their approach to housing.

Iain Donaldson Parksville