Is Canada Becoming a Ghetto?
By J. Michael Dennis
Sept. 26, 2024
This question reflects a growing concern about housing affordability in Canada. For individuals earning less than $50 an hour, homeownership or even renting is becoming increasingly out of reach. This figure starkly highlights a gap between wage growth and the skyrocketing costs of living, particularly in housing markets across Canada’s largest cities such as Toronto and Vancouver.
This issue speaks to a larger, systemic problem in Canadian socio-economic policy, where housing markets have been driven by foreign investment, speculation, and a limited supply of affordable housing options. The claim implies that these factors are contributing to growing economic inequality, with the middle class shrinking and lower-income individuals being pushed out of urban centers. The metaphorical use of “ghetto” in this context paints a picture of urban segregation, where those unable to afford housing are either forced into home/rent sharing, displaced or forced into less desirable living conditions, far from the economic opportunities provided by the city.
Critique of Trudeau’s Leadership
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, current Canadian governmental policies addressing the issue of housing affordability are perceived as ineffective or inadequate. Many Canadians residents and newcomers, expressing their frustration with the current state of Canada's global standing and its domestic and international policies, are now considering Canada as an “Insignificant Country governed by an Insignificant Prime Minister”. For a majority of Canadians, Trudeau’s policies have failed to meaningfully address critical issues such as housing affordability, and as a result, Canada is losing relevance both on the global stage and in terms of domestic governance. This criticism might stem from a perception that Canada’s current policies are more symbolic than substantive, focusing on international appearances or progressive rhetoric without producing tangible results for citizens grappling with basic needs such as housing, affordability, and income security. For those who feel disenfranchised or left behind by rising living costs, Trudeau's government may be seen as disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Canadians.
Economic Disparity
There is a stark economic disparity growing within Canadian society. As housing costs escalate faster than wage growth, many Canadians feel that their quality of life is deteriorating. For a growing number of people, especially those earning less than $50 an hour, this reality seems increasingly harsh. These individuals may find themselves excluded from homeownership or pushed into precarious housing situations, such as long commutes from suburban or rural areas, renting without security, forced into home/rent sharing or living in substandard conditions. There is a deep dissatisfaction with Canada's current socio-economic climate, particularly regarding housing affordability and perceived governmental ineffectiveness. While Trudeau did survive the September 25 no-confidence motion, Justin Trudeau faces more challenges ahead as his popularity plummets amid soaring costs of living and a deepening housing crisis.
J. Michael Dennis
About the Author
Michel Ouellette JMD ll.l., ll.m.
Michel Ouellette, also known as J. Michael Dennis, is a graduate of the University of Ottawa, where he specialized in Commercial and Business Law. His focus areas included Institutional Regulatory Compliance, Corporate and Public Officers' Liability, Collective Agreement Negotiations, and the Impact of Corporate Fiscal Legislation on Business Decision-Making.
Following the Bhopal disaster of December 2-3, 1984, involving Union Carbide, and after a decade serving as the National Canadian SCMS Coordinator for Union Carbide Corporation, Ouellette transitioned to specialize in Public Affairs and Corporate Communications. His consulting expertise spans Personal and Organizational Planning, Change and Knowledge Management, Operational Issues, Conflict Resolution, Regulatory Compliance, Strategic Planning, and Crisis and Reputation Management.
Today, Ouellette focuses on emerging trends and developments that are shaping how we live and conduct business. As an expert in Regulatory Compliance, Strategic Planning, and Crisis Management, he provides valuable insights to business owners, corporate officers, managers, and the public. His analysis covers a broad spectrum of future trends, technological advancements, lifestyle changes, and global issues that will impact the way we live and do business in the years ahead.