On this edition of Journal, we take a look at one of the hot issues in our current municipal elections: housing.

Part of the controversy comes from the push for more and more density. Top-down planning, not neighbourhood-up.

The provincial government has certainly embraced this argument by forcing individual cities to build imposed numbers of housing. But as one mayor told me, “One size does not fit all.”

I know. There are experts who believe supply is the answer to everything: affordability, social housing, the missing middle, and seniors’ homes.

But is it? If it were, why do we have 5000 newly-built condos lying empty in Vancouver? Why do we tear down good moderate-cost 6-story older apartments, only to replace them with unaffordable high rises which very often can’t accommodate families?

And more top-down planning, this time from some municipalities. Like Vancouver. It drives me crazy: prezoned condo towers imposed across large swaths of our established neighbourhoods where they absolutely do not fit? No consultation, no public hearings.

So how did we get here? And is it too late to save the liveability of our cities?

That is an absolutely legitimate question for our politicians to address during this election.

It is one that Larry Beasley, former Vancouver city planner and author of a book that Douglas Todd has called an “influential text in the world of urban planning” has joined with a group of like-minded experts demanding a “housing reset.” It’s time for neighbourhoods to demand a voice at the table. It’s time for top-down planning to stop. It isn’t working.

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Carole Taylor's Journal is a public affairs dialogue that digs deep into the most pressing issues of our times. For more, see our website at http://www.caroletaylorsjournal.ca.

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On this edition of Journal, I’d like to ask if any of these following scenarios sound familiar – and these are just a few of the stories included in a report by British Columbia’s Seniors Advocate called “Reframing Ageing: British Columbians’ Thoughts on Ageism.” Over 9000 individuals participated with over 80% believing ageism is an issue in BC, with more than half saying they had been personally impacted.

Here are a few quotes, from real people:

“As a 70 year-old woman, I am sadly aware how invisible I feel and I am often ignored by the general public. We live in a youth-driven culture. Younger generations aren’t interested in talking to us or hearing what we have to say.”

Or…

A gentleman said: “I recently went to the bank and the teller treated me as if I didn’t understand how the banking system worked. The person spoke slowly and said it was complicated… I may have white hair, but I can still think and look after my finances.”

Or…

“In the media, I shake my head when a ‘victim’ is described as an elderly person… and then the age is revealed as 60!

Another said:

“I am in my mid-70s. I volunteer at a local food bank and museum and am very physically active. I don’t look my age and my current health is good.” Therefore, she goes on to say, she was “gobsmacked” when asked by her doctor if she knew what MAID was.

This collection of real-life stories covers ageism in the workplace, healthcare, social interactions, and safety. Joining me to discuss this work is BC’s Seniors Advocate, Dan Levitt.

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Carole Taylor's Journal is a public affairs dialogue that digs deep into the most pressing issues of our times. For more, see our website at http://www.caroletaylorsjournal.ca.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this edition of Journal, I would like to invite you to play a game. It’s called British Columbia Politics.

First of all, we had two dominant political parties: the NDP, under David Eby; and the other party, the Conservatives, were under John Rustad’s leadership – until they weren’t. Thinking he wasn’t right-wing enough, Rustad was forced out, resulting in a leadership race which Kerry-Lynne Findlay barely won last spring.

So, once again: two leaders: Eby and, this time, Findlay – vying for the hearts and minds of British Columbians. Except – and it turns out to be a BIG “except” – it turns out that Findlay focused her negative energies and arrows on her own party, turfing out long-time staffers, alienating sitting MLAs, and ignoring rather than welcoming anyone who didn’t pass a purity test.

Lo and behold, Conservative caucus members started quitting the Kerry-Lynne party. 13 left during her short tenure and 9 of these “independent” MLAs formed a new party with Peter Milobar as leader. But then, Findlay resigned, and the newly named “interim” Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson welcomed these independents back into the fold.

Only in BC.

So that leaves David Eby with a big smile on his face, watching the utter disarray of the Conservatives. What better time to call an election? It’s legal, but is it ethical?

Perhaps he hopes people won’t remember his dismal record in government in the midst of all this chaos – or maybe they will.

To help us understand this highly volatile situation is Stewart Prest, political scientist at UBC and frequent commentator on BC politics.

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Carole Taylor's Journal is a public affairs dialogue that digs deep into the most pressing issues of our times. For more, see our website at http://www.caroletaylorsjournal.ca.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.