Sam is Pete’s pal at work, a Brit who recently emigrated from the UK to Victoria. S and his family have been in Canada now for about five months, love it, want to stay forever. Pete implies they’re the kind of people the country could use – skilled, employed, determined. “But despite my advice to read your blog and shun real estate, they made an offer on a townhouse a few weeks ago – in the burbs, no less, for over $400k!”
So far, unremarkable. Just another family wanting to nest, despite the odds.
“The insanity of buying a property about 45mins outside Vic (1.5hrs in traffic) is baffling. At least he put some conditions on the offer; inspection, and financing,” Pete continues.
“Anyways inspection was fine, bank approved his mortgage. He lifted the conditions and then got a lawyer to write up the contracts. Two days later his new lawyer asked him how he planned to pay the new 20% foreign buyers tax?
Sam: Hmm? Come again?
Neither his real estate agent, the sellers agent, his mortgage broker, house inspector, none of them told him about the crippling tax he is now on the hook to pay. And they all know he has only been in the country for a few months. Well.. he can’t pay it and is now stuck with a contract he can’t close. What can Sam do? He’s feebly trying to find someone to buy his contract – I’m sure at a massive discount. The place was on the market for over 50 days before his single and only offer. Good thing his agent told him to move fast and put in a high offer cuz the place wouldn’t last! Baloney!”
So, Sam and his family – because they’re ‘foreigners’ despite moving here, working here, being financed here and buying a home here – are expected to pay 20% more than anyone else. The $80,000 being stolen from them by the government means financial ruin. The buyers can’t close. The sellers are left stranded. The bankers wasted their time. The real estate agents involved get nothing. No land transfer tax will be paid. No commission. No fees. No financing. No sale.
And how does that benefit BC, or make housing in Victoria, Vancouver or the LM any more affordable?
So far in June, 570 properties have changed hands in Victoria. Sales are therefore running a full 30% behind last year. Inventory, meanwhile (as in Vancouver) keeps piling higher – there are 28.4% more properties for sale than at this time last year. The city’s housing market is headed for a big thud.
But this is not about Victoria. It’s about the crowd of people now leading us. In BC the Dipper government and lefty city councils have birthed laws based on lies. That the speculation tax, the property surtax, the empty house tax or the foreign buyers tax will make homes affordable or decrease rents is, so far, false and lame. They won’t. Taxing stuff doesn’t make it cost less, and these are no different than every other tax – intended to extract money. It’s astonishing both the government and its tax-tax policies enjoy such overwhelming public support. Democracy is a tough room.
Moreover, real estate doesn’t need a push. It’s falling over all on its own.
The trade war exacerbated this week as the American president dissed Canada and pushed China. He stands alone in his nationalism and protectionism. Dangerously, it is combined with the vilification of non-citizens – the kind of alt-right tribalism that makes Americans want a border wall just as it leads Italians to refuse a shipload of desperate migrants. The world has not seen this kind of action from advanced, western, wealthy societies since the 1930s.
Predictably, the disruptor-in-chief is causing grief. Stock markets have swooned again, commodity prices have fallen, consumer confidence in Canada has dropped and, yes, people are thinking twice about buying houses. If NAFTA fails or the White House brings forth tariffs on maple-made cars, then one in five Ontario manufacturing jobs will be gone. Those big car plants, by the way, are located in places where lost jobs will hit hard – Brampton-Mississauga, Oakville-Milton, Oshawa-Whitby.
To date our leaders have been feckless and voiceless against the odious America-first plague, or the populist political movement that is heating up a racial war in Europe. Weekly the world is becoming a more dangerous place of us-vs-them, walls, barriers, shields and trade wars nobody will ever win. And we’re part of it.
Sam just got the door slammed in his face. I’m not proud of that.
241 comments ↓
F I R S T !!!!!
Garth, wait another 7-8 years of crazy liberal control. Your already getting sick of it. I’ll read and wait quietly.
And not far behind!
way to go Karl.
“Neither his real estate agent, the sellers agent, his mortgage broker, house inspector, none of them told him about the crippling tax he is now on the hook to pay. ”
___ ___ ___ ___
Another sad indication of how useless most realtor’s have become.
Did the English accent not give away the possibility that this buyer may not have been a Canadian citizen? Therefore a foreign-buyer?
What are the obligations of a realtor?
I wonder if the realtor’s (E&O) Errors & Omissions insurance floater would cover such situations.
Someones error and omission insurance is covering that. It is either the RE Agent or the mortgage brokers
The deal is contingent on financing, so my guess is that it is the mortgage broker who stepped off the ledge.
https://g.redditmedia.com/gwCHPXKiyxd70lVgR_sQb-XH6hDi4Fy_51n4sSj3D1w.gif?w=728&fm=mp4&mp4-fragmented=false&s=e3b1be35756df8a6d74f6da16b41126a
I wouldn’t blame the dippers, the Green Party calls the shots in BC because without their support there would be a Liberal Gov’t. I hope things settle out in BC, because we need the pipeline income and real estate income and not protectionist agendas that keep good people and quality business away.
Obviously this is a terrible situation for Sam, but he shouldn’t have put himself in this mess. It just isn’t a good idea to move halfway around the world and in a matter of months put your life savings and then some into a property. If he had done the sensible thing and signed a 1 year lease and get to know the area a little bit he would have saved himself a whole lot of hurt. After a year, the lease is up, his first BC tax return is filed and voila, he can throw is money down the toilet at the same rate as the born and breds.
OUCH! Reading the punchline of this story (the moment he discovers the tax, after signing) was painful. I’m still wondering if this can be real but sadly it probably is. Partly on him for not doing the research or getting good advice. It’s getting scary is it cash-in-a-mattress time yet?
A dose of reality for Sam.
He should consider himself and his family lucky with this early warning; arguably the best decision he can really make is pack up and leave. His loss in long run could turn out to be money well spent.
Most like him try to go with the flow and somehow ‘make it’ while their basement dwelling offspring pay the price for their parents ‘success’ 30 years later.
Except that now there is no flow anymore. Except out.
=======================
There is no racial war in Europe, not sure where this came from, probably some parallel universe.
=======================
odious America-first plague
The best strategy to ensure the orange guy’s continuous success is to pay attention to him from political correctness perspective.
The guy who is arguably not the brightest, is just smart enough to realize that people are sick of political correctness and capitalizes on that.
The more people spit on him, the stronger he becomes, the ‘Teflon Don’.
Psychology 101.
And still from what I heard he was pretty well positioned to compromise with Canada, very sympathetic and it seems it is entirely the drama teacher’s fault on screwing that up big time.
Is T2 capable of single-handily killing NAFTA, screwing us all, in order to ensure support in the reelection selling the lie that he protects Canada’s interests?
Absolutely.
Will the sheeple fall for it?
100 %.
Combine that with a potential promised UN seat and you will get the picture of what is coming for us in the near future.
It’s a sad tale…and yet, how much of it is on his own shoulders? I don’t know how you’d miss such a thing, coming into the country and doing your research and hearing/seeing the news about these new taxes. They’re almost inescapable. I think you’d have to be blind and deaf to not know about the foreign buyer’s tax.
When I buy a car, I research it ten ways past Sunday. When I buy a house, I look at everything – zoning, development plans, restrictions, taxes, fees, future plans, neighbours, etc. I think it’s somewhat silly to blame anyone except Sam.
The realtor should have discussed this with them (with EVERY buyer, in my opinion), just in case the tax applied to them, so there may be an out there (someone mentioned E&O insurance).
Still, in the end, you pay for the house so it’s up to you to ensure every detail is considered and approved. Due diligence is not only on the realtor or the lawyer or the appraiser or the inspector…
Just had to post this, even thought it’s technically not related to the article:
http://business.financialpost.com/transportation/autos/words-fail-me-its-insanity-loved-by-musk-mocked-by-critics-teslas-giant-model-3-production-tent-gets-put-to-the-test
Yes, your new model 3 is now going to be built entirely by hand, in a tent in the Tesla parking lot.
You cannot make this stuff up. If you tried, it would not be as funny as what is actually happening.
The company with a market capitalization higher than Ford, GM and BMW, builds its mass market vehicle, by hand, in an un-airconditioned tent in its parking lot.
Well, the assembly line in the factory was not working. So they grabbed some spare parts off the factory floor, and headed out to the parking lot to build an assembly line by hand.
OK, so now, is it finally OK to short Tesla?
Trump is not against immigration; just ILLEGAL immigration.
It’s obvious that the leftist -squishy furball expectorating tree-loving Weaver/Horgan bro-fest is vastly more xenopohic and immigrant hating than Trump. Why? They are passing and enacting laws against immigrants. Trump just wants people to obey laws that have been on the books for decades.
What a screwed up world; Progressives and leftists resent, blame and hate everybody but Trump gets the grief.
Canada’s housing market goes from boom to bust
http://www.investmentwatchblog.com/canadas-housing-market-goes-from-boom-to-bust/
The Beast tweeted two gals today who were Maxine Waters and Nancy Pelosi, “Be careful what you wish for.” Why? They have called for harm against those who associate with the Beast. Now all the aides and officials working for the Beast are urged to get a gun because there are not enough cops in D.C. or Virginia to protect them all. The preferred permit recommended is for a concealed weapon, but this takes longer. You just can’t make this up, and the panic is on.
MAKE ONTARIO GREAT AGAIN
Whoa Whoa Whoa Garth – the culprit here is the Realtor (Big Surprise) – who failed in his fiduciary duty to inform the buyer of the new tax that has been in place for well over a year – thanks to the Liberals – NOT THE NDP.
And, if you are going to blame the governments, then blame the Conservatives federally for goosing housing with 40 year amort’s and blame the Provincial Liberals in BC for allowing global capital flows for 30 years which have absolutely destroyed the real estate system in the province. Or, if you really want to get real then blame the central banks for pushing interest rates to zero for ten years while they watched asset prices skyrocket – to the benefit of every boomer who owns stocks and real estate in the western world. Young people have been absolutely devastated by this nonsense, there are countless people cheering on the NDP for doing what’s ‘HARD’ but ‘NECESSARY’ – the primary task is smoking out the dirty money that has infested our economy in BC. Come out and visit Garth – I have an air bnb in my house that we rent (yes I have a business license) – we’ll host you for free and do a little tour around the neighborhood. We can play my favorite game called “THE LAND ROVER” game – we count the number between one place and another as we drive through the city. You’ll come to grips with the nature of the economy out here as WE know it. You’ve got a grasp of many a things, but your ivory tower in Toronto and your new little gem out on the East Coast are a long long way from HONGCOUVER. Anything to turn this tide around and get this disgusting ROT to go away is a-ok in my books. So, please – message me if you want to visit – we have great coffee and our place is in the heart of Kitsilano!!
Normally I tend to post upbeat comments but today we need to face reality.
The reality in Canada as Trump says is that “you are all going to become poorer”.
Those folks who purchased houses in the last 2 years will likely never recover. The correction will be catastrophic for a great number of people.
The health care system in Canada is unsustainable. People refuse to take proper care of themselves and insist on trying to eat themselves to death. Doctors can’t even converse with their patients as people refer to the doctor as prejudiced if he/she refers to obesity.
Wealth taxes are inevitable. In order to sustain our current system the government needs to find new arenas of taxation.
The latest trend in society is a push towards free psychological counselling, the cost to be added to the health care system.
Criminal activity is likely to rise as poverty levels increase as jobs repatriate to the USA.
The west is in decline.
The optimism here in the last decade has been artificially propped up by western quantitative easing. People ignorant of this fact have been living foolishly and expect to be bailed out as that is how they have all been raised.
Finally the day of reckoning has come.
So the party mentioned here does not have permanent residency? Why would you buy/establish a life without securing that first? If you are a perm resident the tax does not apply. Something is not right in this story Garth. Plays to your agenda however.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/property-taxes/help-centre/glossary#foreign-national
Listen, realtors don’t even want to show up to show the listing.
They say, don’t you have a buyer agent? I don’t want to drive out and show it! Cost me gas money. Don’t contact me unless you have a written offer that you need me to sign. I have some shopping to do. Need to chill with some friends. I am a realtor.
That is how cocky and complacent BC realtors who get listings are.
Technology is already here to replace you. It is just the adoption lag and demographic until the shift actually happens.
“Predictably, the disruptor-in-chief is causing grief. Stock markets have swooned again, commodity prices have fallen, consumer confidence in Canada has dropped and, yes, people are thinking twice about buying houses.” – GT
********************************
There you go again! When the markets tank, it’s Trumps fault; when they rebound it’s just ‘normal’ market action.
Believe me, I’m NO Trump fan (or any politician), but this is as close to ‘false news’ as we get (sorry, but I hold you to a higher standard.)
TCC
The worst thing about the foreign buyers tax is that every province may end up doing it. And it’s very seldom you see a tax of this amount gotten rid of. Kinda reminds me of when “Joe six-pack” thought the TFSA raised allowance was a gift to the privileged. What are we doing?
Canadian dollar will continue to crumble and foreign money will pour into Canadian real estate again – with or without the foreign buyer tax.
Well Sam you’re a shmuck for playing by the rules.
Why didn’t your wife go to one of the dozens (so far) of baby houses in the LM? See that way your child would be given a canadian passport, house in their name, avoid the tax.
Sorry you got caught in the crossfire Sam, I feel for you, we got our own problems here. At least you won’t go to jail for having butter knives.
This is just ridiculous! I assume that since he is employed, Sam is what in my day was called a “landed immigrant” – maybe still is. Are we to believe that landed immigrants, legally resident in BC and contributing to the economy, are not to be allowed to buy a house in that province without paying the 20% “foreigners tax”? No doubt he might be thing twice about putting down roots on the west coast. If I understand his dilemma correctly, his only other alternative would be to try to accelerate a citizenship application. Good luck with that. Do those zany pols in BC give any thought to the implications of the crazy laws they promulgate?
Daily Mail will do a piece about Gareth or Mick or who ever he is and Brits won’t emigrate to Brit Columbia, unless to rent. Prices will drop a wee tad, making real estate more in the direction of more affordable for the next generation.
Nasty business for sure, but so are the prices of open to the entire world market to the highest bidder with no strings attached for the most temperate land in Canada, which is a small coastal zone of an Island consumed by difficult terrain. Small zone. Big demand.
Sympathy for the boomer grandchild generation is in order for the Canada I love and live in. I have no successors, but I have more empathy for for these people than someone parachuting in on the very best we do have from overseas.
Must be the parameters of the spirit of said law, Garth.
——————————–
I also agree with Willy, comment #4. What are those realtors supposed to be doing for their clients to earn those big commissions. Screwing them royally?
There has to be a way to hold the real estate agent accountable in this scenario. No? If not, what service a do they really provide?
And how does that benefit BC, or make housing in Victoria, Vancouver or the LM any more affordable?
This benefits BC by saying if you live and work here and pay taxes on the lame wage you make in this province we are going to put you first instead of some foreigner pre-selected with wealth to come in and buy up property from underneath real BCers who work to make the province a community, but can’t compete with foreign wealth.
Vancouver is already lost, time to push back harder.
Ban foreigners all together from any ownership rights.
Also, give jobs to BCers before foreigners. And if the locals are not skilled, train them!
Time to start taking care of our own backyard and people struggling in it.
Trumpy bear has total control over Canada….lets see now …interest rates… up up and away…..see ya canada !!! he has the power to put us in recession with 3 quick rate hikes…. time to pull up mr. socks and make a nafta deal and get a smaller piece of hopefully a bigger u.s. pie…..way to go justin…..have a puff on us!
It’s sad, the US bombs and destroys countries and the EU has to pick up the pieces. Mr.T is shaping up to be quite the economic growth destroyer. His policies are not friendly to global growth. Dont forget to mention Windsor as one of the potential casualties of the NAFTA battle, my former home.
So the realtor is negligent, and Sam didn’t do his diligence. $80k wasn’t “stolen,” Garth – especially since it was never paid. I’m ok with people in his situation having to commit here by gaining permanent resident status prior to being exempt from such a tax. This situation was completely avoidable, and absurd quite frankly.
That $80k on loan will be over $100k with interest should he have closed. Who can afford to toss that much extra???
The answer is countless of prople would pay any extra charges provided the market keeps going up like it did for a decade. Many millionaires were made that did much much better then investing in a balanced portfolio.
But now everything has changed, there is no avoiding the pain if your leveraged in Real Estate. Timing is everything providing your also a little Lucky.
“Moreover, real estate doesn’t need a push. It’s falling over all on its own.” – GT
———–
Agree, but Ditto for the general markets – they don’t ‘need’ Trump, but he may just exaggerate the situation.
TCC
The polarization is getting stronger, the left vs right. It’s sucking every reasonable opinion in the middle to one side or another.
Getting Dangerous for me. Time to stop drinking and posting the truth. Time to sobar up, lie a bit and try to stay in the middle. I’ll be a big fish in a small pond.
The report coming this week has been has been delayed for months because of you know who in the previous B.C. Liberal government – officials and departments – that have been named in its pages.
BC Real Estate is collateral damage.
Doug is rapidly preparing the GTA real estate for the diversion of ill-gotten money flows now bypassing BC as the NDP spotlight shines bright on BC.
We here in BC want a public inquiry into why this happened and we want the names redacted in the report to be made public. This completely reeks of fraud on the highest scale that BC has ever experienced.
This ties directly into the great BC real estate write-down currently underway and hopefully people never forget about this scam that so far carries no punishment for the individuals involved who profited nicely.
Another classic example of government intervention intended to “fix” something making it worse. When they were constructing the foreign buyers tax did they not consider that some residents are not yet citizens?
And I can’t make heads nor tails of this crazy hysteria over illegal immigration in the US and Europe. What part of “illegal” don’t people understand? The policy that leads to the separation of children from their parents is not of Trump’s design, it’s been in place for years and years. It’s simple basically, when you go to jail for doing something illegal you don’t get to take your kids with you. So, that means if you try to enter the US illegally with your kids and you get detained, suddenly the US government has to care for your kids. One can argue indefinitely what level of care should be provided and whether that care was sufficient but given that 2 in 5 children in NYC live in poverty I would hazard to guess the are fairing at least as well as many legal US citizens whom the US government does not care of. The whole thing is just political grandstanding.
So the issue comes up and Trump sends Melania on a PR campaign to the border and changes the rules so that if you get detained at the US border for crossing illegally you can take your child to jail with you. I don’t know if that’s better, but it’s what the lefties wanted.
Actually the whole thing is a distraction from what they really want, which is no border controls whatsoever. I suppose you can do down the rabbit hole and debate whether such a thing as a “universal human right to reside” exists and if not whether it should, but then you also have to ask whether a nation has a “right” to control its borders. As we have seen in Europe, modern western nations aren’t equipped to handle unrestricted mass migration. They don’t have jobs for the waves of people that are coming and the social systems are being overwhelmed. Crime is rising and no-go zones are sprouting up all over Europe, where even the police fear to tread and aren’t wanted anyway because the migrants are enforcing their own rule of law. So why would the US want that for itself? Would we want it here?
I am in no way arguing against immigration, legal immigration that is. But the legal framework that exists around immigration must be enforced and any changes proposed to that framework must take into account the good of the country and its legal citizens as a first priority and the good of immigrants second. If you don’t do that you can ask the native Americans how it will work out for you. And they tried. The were at war with the American settlers pretty much nonstop for almost 400 years. But eventually they were over run.
A rich country like the US will always look like an attractive destination for most of the 7 billion people on the planet. But could even a rich country like the US with only 300 million people survive if say even 1 billion people from around the world just decided to come to the US? Most of the places in the US where they might go seem pretty full to me already, and although there are vast areas of the US that are sparsely populated there also isn’t any good reason to live there, no matter where you are coming from. The vast mountain ranges of Colorado and deserts of Nevada are deserted for a reason. The vast farmlands of Kentucky can’t support much more of an economy than the farmers that are already there. The US is full. The mass migrations from Europe that continued until the 70’s are over. Immigration now needs to be tied to demographics and economic needs. It’s a matter of necessity not conscience.
And one also has to consider who is ultimately responsible when a parent tries to bring their child into the US illegally and they get detained. The parent must have been aware of the risk unless they were badly misinformed. But they took the risk anyway, probably confident that the child would fair no worse in US custody than they did back home. At least they get 3 square meals a day and a place to sleep. And television if I understand the situation correctly.
So the whole thing is more “fake news”. All we have to do is look at what’s happening in Europe and extrapolate that out a few more years to see what happens when you experiment with open boarders. It causes a systemic failure. And unfortunately that is the way it is despite the fact that it seems to go against morality. But one poorly understood part of morality that underlies the whole thing is that you have to look after your own basic needs first before you can go about helping others. The folks who volunteer at the homeless shelters serving soup need to eat first. Donating to charity is a noble thing to do, but not to the point that you can’t pay your mortgage and your children end up homeless.
It is not the fault of the US or European citizens that so much of the world has become an undesirable place to live. Therefore they don’t ultimately bear any responsibility to the people living in those places, however harsh that may seem. It would be nice if we could help, but there are limits to what can be done. Free birth control would be a great place to start, but even in places where Bill Gates has tried that the people aren’t interested. It doesn’t coincide with their personal interests or beliefs, despite the fact that it is pretty universal in western nations, the very same nations they all want to immigrate to.
So Sam has been living in BC for 5 months which would have been during the time the foreign buyers and speculation tax were introduced under massive media spotlight in Victoria which lasted for months. I assume he doesn’t read newspapers or turn the TV or computer on.
#17 Reality is stark on 06.25.18 at 5:29 pm
“Normally I tend to post upbeat comments but today we need to face reality.”
-I like the sarcasm.
“The health care system in Canada is unsustainable. People refuse to take proper care of themselves and insist on trying to eat themselves to death. Doctors can’t even converse with their patients as people refer to the doctor as prejudiced if he/she refers to obesity.”
-Have you ever been to the US? Who do you think is fitter as a whole?
“The west is in decline.”
-We have been hearing that since the 1960’s.
“The optimism here in the last decade has been artificially propped up by western quantitative easing. ”
-The optimism of the east has been propped up by fake statistics for decades.
—>The point: many countries are screwed. Lol at anyone who thinks this is only a western issue.
MF
I’m not proud of Sam’s situation either but where is the realtors responsibility to inform in this discussion? I’m guessing he or she would have known about the foreign buyers tax?
And to answer the question posed about how this and other taxes may help the average homeowner is to have prices drop eventually because the place didn’t sell. That seems like a very highly plausible result of Mr. Market behaviour in this scenario.
We Torontonians like the complain about our RE market, sure.
But man, the BC’ers/Vancouverites that post here and other forums i visit appear to be some of the weirdest, most troubled, most paranoid, and fearful of anyone.
I’ve never been to BC so I cannot really comment, but there must be some serious social issues bubbling below the surface there to make people act like this.
MF
They are absolutely f…ng hard wight the sheeple and the sheeple is stupid enough to accept the verbal diarrhea coming out from CMHC:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/the-market/article-decline-in-ontario-home-prices-unlikely-to-persist-cmhc/
The recent easing of home prices in Ontario isn’t expected to last long, thanks to solid economic growth projections and rising interest rates.
The province will see “moderate” increases in home prices driven by the state of the province’s economy, the lack of ownership affordability and the balance between supply and demand, predicted the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. in a report on Ontario’s housing released Thursday.
That’s right folks, this is the crown agency whose role is to ‘regulate’ markets, assess and price risk and in reality is to lie and deceive consumers, a market pumping real estate pimp.
Note: rising rates will cause houses to cost more! According to CHMC….
Ah, I forgot, they call 2 million dollar homes ‘affordable housing’.
Solid growth projections at times when NAFTA is disintegrating.
The first thing is simply do the homework, and become well informed no matter where you move to. Next if your unsure don’t panic buy, but rent for a longer time period because bargains will always come up. The key to any purchase will always be location, so determine the defined locations ahead of time to be watched.
So if they’ve immigrated legally they are permanent residents and should not be subjected to the tax . So why are they ? Are they getting bad legal advice ? Or is there a time period that one must have lived in Canada first before buying property to be exempt from the tax ? The minute one immigrates legally , you are no longer a foreigner . This is all so stupid .
#24 CanMex on 06.25.18 at 5:37 pm
This is just ridiculous! I assume that since he is employed, Sam is what in my day was called a “landed immigrant” – maybe still is. Are we to believe that landed immigrants, legally resident in BC and contributing to the economy, are not to be allowed to buy a house in that province without paying the 20% “foreigners tax”? No doubt he might be thing twice about putting down roots on the west coast. If I understand his dilemma correctly, his only other alternative would be to try to accelerate a citizenship application. Good luck with that. Do those zany pols in BC give any thought to the implications of the crazy laws they promulgate?
– – –
OK, so here’s the thing: the Foreign Buyers Tax only applies to: “A person who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, including a stateless person.” So ir you’re a PR, you’re exempt. Has this Brit not filed the appropriate paperwork?
And Garth, for years you have railed that Canadian real estate is overvalued, particularly in Vancouver. So if the NDP policy is causing inventory to pile-up, you should be rejoicing. As basic economics tells us, when supply goes up, prices go down.
Trump stands alone in his nationalism? Uh NO-country after country is rejecting global control by unelected criminals-not just the USA.
Let’s not forget the innocent kids (and babies) caught in this anti immigration mess. No not proud. Scared for them.
Real estate is the best investment. This realtor says so:
https://remaxcondosplus.com/Blog/2018/06/26/Why-Real-Estate-is-a-Better-Investment-than-RRSPs
Just do what the realtor tells you. He is a professional.
RE: #12 Ex-Cowtown on 06.25.18 at 5:22 pm
Trump is not against immigration; just ILLEGAL immigration.
===========================
So called “right” wingers need to read the actual law before spouting off:
http://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-asylum/asylum/obtaining-asylum-united-states
I know it’s of topic, but… How come #PermitPatty was not mentioned not even once yesterday.
Person that sells weed for dogs with no permit to do so, calls police on a girl who sell cold bottleed water on sidewalk because she didn’t apply for 500$ sidewalk sale permit.
What is going on with this comment section lately???
I own a construction business whose contracts include working with the developers for the tallest condo tower currently under construction in Toronto (One Bloor).
Can you support my cause in telling Premier Doug Ford in eliminating the Foreign Buyers Tax in Ontario, exempt 100% capital gains on real estate, and also provide a 40% rebate for developers who construct condo towers higher than 50 floors in Toronto?
Doug Ford can offset the lost revenues by:
> Cutting welfare rates by 65%
> Closing down 50% of government controlled housing
> Find efficiencies by cutting $10 Billion a year from the healthcare budget
> Turn all OSAP grants into loans that are repayable with at least 21% interest.
> Close down homeless shelters in downtown Toronto such as Evergreen, United Way, Salvation Army, YWCA and other miscreants, and provide us developers a 50% discount on the land.
Ontario is a growing economy and we must construct more condos, high-rises and towers to accompany this growth.
Garth i missed asking the question on your bitcoin blog from yesterday – ive seen at pubs bitcoin like ATM machines, so businesses have been accepting bitcoin, are these part of the scam? They go to extremes making crypos look like the real deal.
#26 Obvious Question:- In some cases its a maybe, but in this case we might be looking at common knowledge within the Province. I doubt the agent can be held responsible for this factor.
Special taxes on Foreigners? Aliens?
Not nice.
B.C. has outdone itself by labeling out of province Canadians who own property in B.C. as essentially domestic foreigners.
It’s all rather disgusting.
BRING ON THE TARIFFS!!!
Let it happen. Enough of the tough talk.
Hawaii volcanoe cant and wont be stopped. It will eventually fill everyone square inch on the planet.
Were all DOOMED anyways.
Actually, Canadians
(1) cannot buy in Beijing until they have been permanent residents for five years
(2) no foreigner can buy land – only strata in China. So – no worries about Canadians returning the favor in China!
If Sam’s job skills are in high demand in BC, he may qualify for the BC Provincial Nominee Program which would also exempt him from paying the extra tax.
“it leads Italians to refuse
“a shipload” – Can we get the stats on how many have not been refused? What about a figure on what the upper limit should be? Unlimited?
“of desperate migrants” – Can we get some evidence that they’re more desperate than the other billions of people on earth whose economic situation would improve with a move to Italy?
20% surtax to non-canadians should be tax deductible towards “employment income”. If they contribute to our society by working, consuming, paying “income tax” then they should get a credit. We need this type of Canadian! What we dont need is the non-canadian with bags of illegal cash pumping our real estate market and breaking the law by doing 200km/hr in their lambos… who never worked a day in their life. We need to be more surgical to remove this cancer that is in our society. This 20% hurts good, honest people more than the bad, dishonest ones who couldn’t care less if they had to pay 50% surtax since its dirty money anyway
I think Sam is getting some bad information IF he is really buying 45 minutes north of Victoria. The 20% tax is only applicable in the CRD (Capital Region District). 45 minutes north of Victoria puts him in the Cowichan valley and the foreign buyers tax is not applicable here because we are not in the CRD. You have to go all the way to Nanaimo before the tax is applied.
How can the bankers not know Sam could not afford the 20% tax? Is this not taken into consideration in the newly introduced stress test?
Now if Sam bought in Langford, Colwood, View Royal or Sooke they are in the CRD and the tax applies to foreigners. But the Liberals changed the rules before they went out of power that holders of a work permit would not pay the tax. So SAM may be off the hook. Please let him know Garth. https://www.rew.ca/news/foreign-buyer-tax-premier-exempts-bc-residents-with-work-permits-1.9581841
All I know is I’m seeing tons of price reductions in Vancouver detached right now. I’m always going to support the FBT. For too long there were too many people coming from other countries (mostly China, but others too) and using foreign money to distort our market.
There has to be some benefit for a citizen in their own country. Maybe I will actually be able to afford a house one day now that prices are starting to correct a bit.
“but Trump gets the grief.” – Ex-Cowtown
He is due for more grief.
Harley Davidson moving some production over to Europe to avoid the EU tariffs. This is not a one off. Expect more of this.
China is buying a whole bunch more Soya off Russia. American farmers now waking up to what their President has done to them. No way Canada will open up their markets to American farm produce now this has started.
Trump 2020 = Sound of WW 2 plane crashing into the sea.
Just curious, was Sam represented by a RE agent? If so, He should sue the hell out of that agent and brokerage. How about know-your-client form? He should have been made aware of the Foreign Tax by the agent. On top, as much as I know, today, banks are extremely tough on docs before they approve you for any mortgage. Bank should have known better.
The lawyer who drew up the contract in the first place had the legal responsibility to review everything in the best interests of his client, but obviously he didn’t if I understand this correctly. The purchaser might have an action against this lawyer in terms of an error or omission because he is not only regulated but must carry insurance for negligence.
You know why? If BC came clean on the political corruption under the BC Liberals people would be rioting on the street.
It would be civil unrest. Don’t poke the bear.
Realtors Error and Omission Insurance will not cover the realtor. Realtor failed to protect his client the buyer since there is no condition for the buyer offering protection from foreign buyer tax. Realtor will pay out of pocket if there is a court case. Brokerage not responsible for the actions of unprofessional realtors under his employment
Everything goes back to money laundering.
Real Estate and Bitcoin.
Lurks in the shadows.
13 billion spent by Chinese investors in Vancouver real estate…Bring on the tax!
Sam is British. – Garth
None of those people–the bank, the lawyer(s), realtor, even his “friend” Pete–said a word about the 20% tax?
Outrageous! And for the realtor to have omitted this little gem borders on fraud.
Or could it be they thought it only applied to “Asian” buyers?
Awwww…that dog photo is so sad.
Looking forlorn behind that rusted gate, despite the tennis ball at his paw.
Ergo…I can’t imagine he has a full bucket of fresh water, nutritious kibbles in a clean bowl beside a nice cushy bed on a shaded porch.
The FBT is working just as intended. If the house he purchased had been on the market for 50 days already then price reductions would be just around the corner improving affordability.
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident could have bought it for a ‘more affordable’ price which was the whole idea in the first place.
And still from what I heard he was pretty well positioned to compromise with Canada, very sympathetic and it seems it is entirely the drama teacher’s fault on screwing that up big time.
He wont’ even make a deal with his own party. Any ‘deal’ with him is subject to immediate reneging. Eeryone knows that. Hence, no one, anywhere will ‘deal’ with him. It is a waste of time. He is a chicken shit who won’t finalize anything.
Trump is not against immigration; just ILLEGAL immigration.
Uh, no he is against ALL current forms of immigration, both legal and illegal. He wants to shut down the same system he got his wifes family here with. After all they are here, so they don’t need the system anymore. He hates any immigrant that isn’t white, he just hates kids who were carried across the border as infants a lot more than he hates the rest. He also hates Aslyum seekers, which are not illegal immigrants, but hey who cares, they don’t speakada english so we hate ’em.
on topic:
Sorry, but Sam is a fool for not doing his homework. I’ve done the expat thing. You *always* rent first, and never buy anything you can’t pay down with your current visa limit. I didn’t buy in the US until the TN moved to 3years. With extra stability came a little more freedom. I didn’t by in China at all because foreigners can’t own property there (easily, anyway, and technically locals cant either…it’s complicated). His townhouse didnt’ sell and his was the only offer? Guess what, the price WILL come down. Policy is working, working just fine….
@ #11 Ace Goodhart
“OK, so now, is it finally OK to short Tesla?”
Nope. Never bet against Elon.
What a pal that Pete. Sure Sam should have researched what fees and taxes he was on the hook for. Sure the agents and brokers should have told him. Sure Sam should have watched the news or read blogs. But what about that pal Pete. Now that’s a guy that was hoping for a failure deal for his work pal because he is a jealous type of sit on the fence and don’t jump into real estate cause he is so utterly confused by all the useless info on the internet about how to invest money. So he ‘neglects’ to tell Sam that crucial tax info. What a dick.
” He stands alone in his nationalism and protectionism ”
Never mind the fact that we undervalue the Loonie by what…approx 30%? But Trump is somehow painted as the bad guy and Canadians are pure as the driven snow by Garth etc. I’m not buying it. Meanwhile I get sticker shock while converting my currency so exporters can take home their profit!
BC market is slowly cooling YoY, doing exactly what the new government promised. Voter satisfaction is high.
And you just sit there a poo-poo because you hate left-wing politics. Get real.
The world population has doubled in fifty years, but I suppose the number of people with most of the wealth has shrunk by a much larger percentage. There is a ratchet effect on how much of Canada, most Canadians can no longer afford.
Those with, see that as just how it “has to” be, in order to be as it is for themselves. Those with out couldn’t be much worse off, moving to Brazil to cut sugar cane by hand than trying to cope with the playing field we have developed and are grooming here.
I am pretty lefty with the empathy, but I know the sense of desperation is out there, more than ever.
Meantime, I believe T-rumps plan is to encourage double digit inflation to wash his personal and the Federal debt away, just like the way it worked in the seventies for his developer Daddy. So there is hope for the 99% of over extended consumers yet. Stuff worth more, yes, and payments represent less earning time, maybe. Or not!
And how does that benefit BC, or make housing in Victoria, Vancouver or the LM any more affordable?
——
As your correspondent said, “He’s feebly trying to find someone to buy his contract – I’m sure at a massive discount.”
So, there is that. It also gete the general idea that BC real estate is toxic out there. Prices won’t come down until the enchantment wears off and the enchantment won’t wear off until tens of thousands of people have been burned.
Do you remember that movie from the 70s, Scared Straight? Same basic principle.
It might not be nice, but it certainly makes things more affordable. And Sam, and everyone else, could avoid it by doing a tiny bit of research before laying down a half a million dollars. I feel bad for Sam, but in the same sort of way I feel bad for BASE jumpers who get hurt.
I’m an immigrant from 22 years ago, and know several others. People come for a better life, and if they feel further immigration will affect their new prosperity they will vote to shut the barn door pretty fast (speaking anecdotally for my circle and people they know anyway). Ironically, the immigration problem may be solved by the ‘problem’.
I had a mess were I did all the work myself, and just needed them to sent out a letter to a Trust Company at that time for a confirmation of my banking account balance. A month later got this bogus billing from the accounting firm for hundreds of dollars. I hit the phone and said guess what, I owe you nothing now because your all a bunch of crooks. They demanded payment and said am taking you to the Toronto Tribunal for a hearing, and will file my complaint there tomorrow. The head guy called me back saying no don’t do that because we are wrong – you owe us nothing ok.
#39 MF on 06.25.18 at 6:15 pm
We Torontonians like the complain about our RE market, sure.
But man, the BC’ers/Vancouverites that post here and other forums i visit appear to be some of the weirdest, most troubled, most paranoid, and fearful of anyone.
I’ve never been to BC so I cannot really comment, but there must be some serious social issues bubbling below the surface there to make people act like this.
MF
————————————————————–
I’ve never been to Ontario … but out here we figger it’s either something in the water or BC bud.
See this is exactly why RE needs to be completely unregulated or enforced to letter – nothing unclear as now.
Here for less than half a year, but NEED AND MUST purchase a shack. Why? Yes even if there’s a flipper owner’s tax, friggin wait, man what’s your problem?
The UK especially London proper has a identical property bubble and FOMO just as ours. Hang on you stupid cow.
Boohoo. Learn the RE tax implications of the country you’re moving to. And I guess they aren’t even permanent residents since I thought PRs were exempt from the FBT?
Canada should emulate Thailand : Only citizens can own land, while condos are open to foreigners.
#66 Sam:- The narrative stated he went to a lawyer to draw up the contract, and then went to another lawyer who informed him of the problem. I know all about the agent’s responsibility because his license is issued by the Provincial Authority according to specified rules and regulations which the agent must abide by.
Such an obvious fabrication. So many holes in this fictitious anecdote, it’s pretty sad to see this posted in order to move buttress an agenda.
If it’s so bad then why make things up to fit a narrative, it destroys credibility
I wish I had time to fabricate letters. Or read blogs. – Garth
Garth
Don’t you wonder how quickly the generations forget about the One Million Irish who had to leave Ireland for other countries and the other One Million who left this earth ….in the 1850s.
Obviously Dumbo kidnapping Trump has.
We will have to wait another year before we see what happens in Ontario to housing prices and real estate secrets as the Conservatives and Doug Ford will surely need to payback those who forked out loads of money for the election.
As they say power does not come for free…..but power is a secret amongst the real controllers in Ontario now.
The big developers are back
San should have done his due diligence. To me, there is also likely liability with his realtor. I’d say a 50:50 apportionment is about right.
“….President Donald Trump’s trade war with the European Union is undermining Harley-Davidson Inc., a manufacturer he embraced soon after taking office, by costing the company as much as US$100 million a year and spurring a shift in motorcycle production out of the U.S……”
Is America great yet?
Inquiring minds need to know….
Nonplused here, sorry for the click bait title but like him or not Jordan Peterson sums up the problem of politics quite nicely here in just 6 minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCquaKfq3cE
Most important take away is that if a system is working pretty good, improving it a little bit is hard but destroying it entirely is easy, and since we aren’t as smart as we think we are, guess which one is more likely?
This really is a must watch video. Although Peterson doesn’t address things like the foreign buyers tax, you can see how what he says applies in spades.
I think an important take away, this is me talking here and you won’t find it in the video, is that the reason western culture has been so successful was more of a process of evolution, not foresight. All our so-called foresight does is introduce a sort of “genetic variance” or call them mutations if you will which natural selection then goes to work on. Those that are better succeed. Those that aren’t fail, but unfortunately they can kill the whole organism.
I was wondering who could be found to be Canada’s next Prime Minister. I think I’ve found the candidate.
With PM Peterson, Garth you might be back in Parliament. Maybe even finance minister. I know there is little reason you’d consider leaving your current pursuits, but the country needs you! And you have the capacity.
Reminds of those TV commercials where a nice couple buys a house then discovers it was previously owned by a drug gang or that a heavy-metal music festival is held in their backyard. Punchline: You didn’t use a professional REALTOR(tm)? Ohhhhh.
You might then think after checking for drug gang and heavy-metal festivals, the REALTOR(tm) would mention the FBT. You used a “professional” REALTOR(tm)? Ohhhhh. Probably won’t see that in a TV commercial anytime soon.
I am finding your article unclear in that it states that the Brit emigrated to Canada which implies that he has landed immigrant status. The foreign buyers tax does not apply to landed immigrants. Alternatively, if this man does not have proper immigration status he is a bit of an arrogant idiot for buying property in a country were he is without status without making all sorts of legal inquiries first. Perhaps because the facts are misstated there is something about this story that does not read right.
Sue that realtor tm, perhaps?
Threaten to put realtor and agency in national press.
So Canadians know who not to hire for RE deal.
“The $80,000 being stolen from them by the government…”
How exactly has the government stolen it?…
Or is it that S. is a half-wit who didn’t bother to get informed before buying?
“And how does that benefit BC, or make housing in Victoria, Vancouver or the LM any more affordable?”
Well, S. won’t buy anymore, the house will spend some more time on the market, the owner will relist at a lower price, another (hopefully smarter) buyer will offer even less than asked price…
That’s how prices drop.
“Sam just got the door slammed in his face.”
The door was already closed, Sam just didn’t notice and now he has a nose bleed.
I’m hating this blog tonight. – Garth
Having gone through the PR process myself lately, it takes about a year for it to be processed. Your work permit is generally finished far before that. So yeah, if he has only been working for a few months he wouldn’t be a PR yet.
I dunno Garth. You feel embarrassed for a Brit that didn’t do his homework but you regularly tear the millennial Canadians a new one for lesser sins. I don’t get it.
What’s not to get? Taxing people based on where they were born or emigrated from is the essence of discrimination and creates two classes of Canadians. We, a wealthy and generous nation, should be ashamed. – Garth
Re: #27 NDP all the way. Sounds like something Trump would do. MBCGA
APOLOGIES FOR DELAYED POSTING…
To quote Mr. Turner, ” Sam just got the door slammed in his face. I’m not proud of that.”
Sigh, agreed…much to be ashamed of in society these days. Much to be questioned about the economic times of the 1930’s, and how people then and now are being played for fools.
It all starts at the “Top”, no? # Him Too! Or is different for Him . Nope….
https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/228363/Trudeau-groping-allegation
APOLOGIES FOR DELAYED POSTING…
Uruguay crushes the Russians 3-0 to own their group and move on to the next stage!
Did you know that Uruguay produced almost 95% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2015?
If you want to visit the beaches, here are a couple of suggestions. If you are under 35 and want the party scene, I would suggest to visit during January/February and hang out in Punta Del Este (PDE). Personally (I am older than 35), I prefer the shoulder times of late November-Xmas or March to visit. Similar weather but fewer people to contend with. If you go, check out the beaches up the coast. I would visit La Barra, Jose Ignacio and Punta del Diablo.
Definition of a fair Tax
What were we saying the other day about a fair tax being one that someone else pays?
“The world has not seen this kind of action from advanced, western, wealthy societies since the 1930s.”
Are you referring of millions of people crossing the border illegally? It didn’t happen in the 1930s – actually ever in the history of advanced, wealthy societies.
I’m hating this blog tonight. – Garth
—————————————————————-
I’m loving this Garth tonight. – JTEpic
A property tale of our time (or you can’t make this stuff up).
In the Melbourne bayside suburb of Brighton – one of the four most popular/expensive suburbs of a city of close on 5 million, a bloke decided he wanted his house back that he had sold 2/3 years ago. He offered $14m which was excepted.
It was the best house (supposedly) in Brighton and before he even settled, an overseas buyer came along and offered him $20 m, which has been accepted.
IMHO, a sign of peak housing prices and in fact the last 2/3 months have seen a pullback in housing prices in Australia.
There will be much tearing of hair & gnashing of teeth before this is over.
Garth, I thought you were more informed than that.
Trump is fighting ILLEGAL immigration. There’s nothing wrong with that and the vast majority of Americans support it.
Italy denied the boat of migrants because they have been flooded with migrants over the last 3 years and its citizens have had enough and voted in a populist government (i.e. anti-Globalist) to stop it.
If you care about the economy, you need to care about strong borders. Immigration needs to be controlled. There is nothing evil or racist about it.
Everybody here came through immigration, save the first nations. Shame on such an ignorant comment. – Garth
Who would have guessed that The Donald could learn a thing or two about screwing non-citizens from the NDP! Apparently, “Sam” is a non citizen, and is prohibited for buying property in BC because of that status (and the fact that he is not flush with excess cash to pay the “foreign” tax). Compare this to Trump, who only wants to prevent non-citizens from entering the country, but once they do so LEGALLY, allow them to buy an apartment in e.g., Trump Towers, with no issue at all. It sounds to me as if Canada is more regressive than the evil USA, an irony that you seem to capture.
Everybody here came through immigration, save the first nations. Shame on such an ignorant comment. – Garth
Not that the first nations were ever asked about this – not even today. That’s the real shameful ignorance.
More on what #60 Roger said. If Sam the brit is a confirmed B.C. Provincial Nominee, he can claim an exemption from having to pay the additional 20% tax. There are several ways to qualify, one of which is to have brought with him a needed skill. If he found immediate employment he can certainly claim that he did.
Re: #102
I have no shame for my comment. I am not against immigration, but I am against open borders. If people want to immigrate to a country — any country— they need to follow and respect that country’s laws and go through the proper procedure.
Are we throwing out our laws now so we can virtue signal? I think that is ignorant.
I see no laws being thrown out. Just intolerance and baser human instincts – tribalism – now legitimized by the American president. It emboldens people like thou. – Garth
It isnt creating two classes of Canadians Garth. If he waited a few more months when he gets his PR papers it is a non issue. Duh
This is when you realize those experts you’re paying thousands to are really just salespeople.
The RE industry makes me sick.
all taxation is stealing, garth.
I’m hating this blog tonight. – Garth
////////////////////////
#97 waiting on the westcoast on 06.25.18 at 8:16 pm
APOLOGIES FOR DELAYED POSTING…
Uruguay crushes the Russians 3-0 to own their group and move on to the next stage!
Did you know that Uruguay produced almost 95% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2015?
///////////////////////////
Thanks Waiting,don’t feel obligated to do it anymore.
Here I was thinking we could have some fun for a month and try and find out about what makes each other tick and what makes us different from one another.
My soccer pool had as much to do with sport as the World Cup has to do with soccer.
For FIFA it is just a way to make more money.
They don’t care about the players.
I made a mistake when I picked the 32 people in the Greaterfool soccer pool.
I deliberately picked a lot more introverted posters than I did in 2016 for the Euros ,trying to draw the out and show some personality.
Fail.
I wrote Garth a few weeks ago and told him after repeatedly being challenged to get off this blog because I was interfering with the Trump/Trudeau stabfest that I had started my own blog, and thought it was better to post my negative news ironically in a more positive environment.
Less Trumpified.
He talked me off the ledge and we agreed to put the Pink Posts up simultaneously on each blog.
Don’t get me wrong I still love this blog but I believe it was better before it became Trumpified and I believe the boss of this blog is being taken advantage of by a lot of people.
There has always been people coming here to argue with someone else and talk down to someone but it seems to be getting worse each year.
It shouldn’t be poster versus poster all the time.
We don’t have to agree on everything ,but in a way we are all on the same team and we should be messengers in our families and our communities by passing on the useful information that is delivered everyday.
Of the four years I have been on this blog, I believe 2016 had the best mix of people overall camaraderie wise ,while still challenging each other to think differently or at least respect the other persons point of view.
Therefore it is possible that this blog peaked in 2016.
That means Mark believes it peaked in 2013…
M44BC
#96 Spectacle – I saw that the other day, and have a pic of T2 from BC with date unknown dressed up at a gay affair wearing a cowboy suit in shorts with guns holstered on each hip laughing. He wasn’t married at this time.
Maxine Waters calls for mobs to attack Trump officials. Trump tells his officials to buy guns. Lock and Load.
This is getting interesting. Choose a side pick, puck a team then go nuts.
“#87 MSM-Free Zone on 06.25.18 at 7:55 pm
“….President Donald Trump’s trade war with the European Union is undermining Harley-Davidson Inc., a manufacturer he embraced soon after taking office, by costing the company as much as US$100 million a year and spurring a shift in motorcycle production out of the U.S……”
Is America great yet?
Inquiring minds need to know….”
He’s blaming Harley Davidson, of course. Nothing is EVER his fault:
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2018-06-25/trump-says-harley-first-to-wave-white-flag-in-his-eu-trade-war
Since this is a financial forum-lets talk dollars and cents-a great many people make a great deal of money off immigration, legal or illegal. Naturally they grandstand and pretend to be morally superior to those that don’t make a penny off immigration-in fact have to pay increased taxes to support it-but that is human nature.
I don’t doubt someone sent you the email, that you choose to swallow it hook, line and sinker is the crux. Don’t you think you should ascertain the veracity of the story in some respect?
“Such an obvious fabrication. So many holes in this fictitious anecdote, it’s pretty sad to see this posted in order to move buttress an agenda.
If it’s so bad then why make things up to fit a narrative, it destroys credibility
I wish I had time to fabricate letters. Or read blogs. – Garth”
barb on 06.25.18 at 8:30 pm
Garth, I thought you were more informed than that.
Trump is fighting ILLEGAL immigration. There’s nothing wrong with that and the vast majority of Americans support it.
Italy denied the boat of migrants because they have been flooded with migrants over the last 3 years and its citizens have had enough and voted in a populist government (i.e. anti-Globalist) to stop it.
If you care about the economy, you need to care about strong borders. Immigration needs to be controlled. There is nothing evil or racist about it.
Everybody here came through immigration, save the first nations. Shame on such an ignorant comment. – Garth
_____
I WAS BORN HERE you ANTI-White RACIST. Soon….you will get called out publicly.
I see you are still caught in your zipper. – Garth
Garth, if the first nations held a referendum and they voted that they don’t want here anyone who they didn’t invited or allowed to live here – which would be entirely understandable after what they had gone through – would you do the morally right thing, pack and go away?
Started biking to work instead of driving because commuting in from a suburb of Victoria takes as long as biking 17 km anyway…also still renting.
I have to admit it’s entertaining watching people scramble to “own” their family home. Renters have so many rights now it’s not even risky to rent so that fallacy can be done away with. I have to be given 2 months notice to vacate and if I leave early I get a pay out. Considering most people running income properties are losing money or barely cash flow positive I feel worse for local landlords these days. My landlord has 8 rentals and she complains CONSTANTLY. Meanwhile my portfolio is averaging an 8.25% rate of return and I don’t have to lift a finger.
> So, Sam and his family – because they’re ‘foreigners’ despite moving here, working here, being financed here and buying a home here – are expected to pay 20% more than anyone else. The $80,000 being stolen from them by the government means financial ruin.
What? They have to put down 20% deposit, this isn’t taken from them. It’s more restrictive (good) but not robbery.
Factfulness – 10 reasons we’re wrong about the world. Hand Rosling.
Great book. Get it. Read it. Act on it.
Let’s all stop the drama and focus on the most important challenges. Pls send it to Trump for Christmas. Facts. Not the same as opinions.
I’m in Quebec and went to have a preliminary conversation about mortgages with TD. The moment you give them your SIN and it starts with a ‘9’ they told me all of this. I believe that this could happen however it’s still pretty shocking that they went through so many people. The mortgage lender should have covered this.
CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) is under threat. The Italian Minister of Agriculture is choked about food rules and my understanding is Canada’s supply management is the irritant. CETA allows tariff free trade between Canada and the European Union.
Canada’s supply management system was permitted to keep current tariffs in place. I guess Freeland was able to convince the Europeans that Canada would not be exporting cheese, poultry or eggs to them so it should not be an issue. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/italy-ceta-canada-food-1.4705622
Seems the Italians want “copyright” protection on food items much like only Greece can sell “feta” cheese in Europe. Everybody else can sell goat cheese.
As an Albertan, I think of equalization, supply management, carbon taxes, pipeline protests and non-resident taxes as expropriation of my time and money – doors slammed in our faces. Still, I am more concerned with Me First Trump as he can lay a world of pain on Canada for now. The tariffs on lumber, aluminum and steel don’t worry me much. We are the low cost producer of these items so let Me First Trump produce them behind his walls at higher cost. I know in the future I will be able to ask – “so how is it working out Trump”. A lower Cdn dollar and the competitive advantage we have will ensure future lumber and aluminum exports but steel is in for a rougher ride because of its tariff rate.
I am expecting the Bank of Canada to increase interest rates by ¼% this July then try to hold interest rates until 2019. It should be interesting as I am sure the US Fed is committed to 3 more ¼% increases in 2018. I am seriously considering rebalancing into US treasuries through an ETF in early 2019, maybe sooner.
To date our leaders have been feckless and voiceless against the odious America-first plague, or the populist political movement that is heating up a racial war in Europe. Weekly the world is becoming a more dangerous place of us-vs-them, walls, barriers, shields and trade wars nobody will ever win. And we’re part of it.
_—————————————————————
Surely you must recognize Garth that the leaders of the world have been complicit and actively involved in this backlash.
America First is a direct response to the globalist nightmare that has done nothing for the American middle class. That and the Democratic position that fully open borders are a great thing for all countries, or that sending jobs overseas for the Faustian bargain of cheap goods.
I mean seriously, you think that allowing millions of economic migrants, with totally different cultures religions and behaviors, into strongly homogeneous countries with thousands of years of history, would not result in a pushback by a countries population?
Christian and Moslem empires have been battling for land and control for thousands of years for the supremely of their cultures and religions.
In what sane world, did anyone think that importing uncontrolled millions of migrants, would somehow result in some sort of Mr Roger’s neighborhood.
You are wrong to blame the populist movement. It is a logical and expected response to the stupid policies of the current leaders of the world.
Had this leadership actually listened to the population, and managed the immigration or globalism issue in such a way as to not disrupt domestic cultures and economies, this pushback would not be so vociferous.
However the socialist cultural, economic and political elite, who are never impacted by these decisions anyways, decided that only their ideas of globalism and open borders for all should prevail.
They paid no mind to the impacts of such sureminded arrogance.
Time to stop blaming those who disagree and who have had their concerns marginalized and ignored by their leaders and are using the only means they have to fight back.
Through democracy and the vote.
Something that socialist, globalist, open borders, political and economic elites cannot take away.
I agree completely with #16 and somewhat with #27.
It is indeed unfortunate that Sam was not informed by his realtor or his Bank about the tax, as I am sure he would have simply waited for a year or so to purchase until his PR status was granted. Simple fix, and it would have given him more time to perhaps find a home in a neighbourhood closer to work. I am not convinced that this is not a bogus story anyway, as there are just a few gaping holes that strongly test its authenticity (Sam does not read the news?… nobody at his workplace informed him of the tax?… etc…). However, this story does fit the narrative of this blog that BC NDP is awful, no regulations on foreign ownership is needed, etc…
For balance, how about doing a story on someone purchasing a house in YVR from overseas, with no intention on working here… one family member then obtains PR status eventually, and the family claiming a yearly income of 20K per year (hence no income taxes to be paid), as all the yearly income is hidden overseas from the primary wage-earner…. and the kids go to the good local schools for free, free healthcare, language training… In fact, this second scenario is much more like what my street looks like on the west side now….
For every Sam that unfortunately gets caught in this vice (by not getting good advice or learning the ropes) I am sure that there are MANY MORE stories of this second kind…
The NDP was elected to curtail this behavior, and based on their popularity in YVR many people are delighted that they are at last (after 15 years of Liberal free-for-alls) trying to make a more level-playing field for the local wage-earning people in this city….
Sorry, Sam. It is unfortunate. However, the problem is MUCH bigger in scope.
So the man didn’t do his due diligence, got house horny – like everybody else -and got dinged with an extra cost. How is this not his fault? Why didn’t he rent? Why did he buy in what he admits is a crazy market? How in the world can someone make a half a million dollar purchase without knowing such an important detail? It has been all over the news!
In a nonsensical market like this one, everybody is out there to make a buck. Realtors lie, lawyers lie, marketing lies. Everybody is looking after themselves. Welcome to Canada. I know JT and company sell a pretty picture, but Life is ruthless here too, especially in the lower mainland.
Anyways inspection was fine, bank approved his mortgage. He lifted the conditions and then got a lawyer to write up the contracts.
===
two conditions that were not in writing??? in other words a ‘conditional’ verbal ‘contract’. Followed by a lawyer drafted written contract. unheard of.
Conditions must indicate who’s benefit the condition is
for and have an expiry date.
Recent sale report/ Realtor assistance needed.
Well after several requests to spend more time on attached listings,ask and I shall deliver.
This townhome in Burnaby sold 13 days ago.
They paid 1.09 in June 2016 and at the time of sale the were asking that exact number.
Assessment comes in slightly higher at 1.13.
Someone tell me the result as I am getting tired of running around and around the Mulberry bush…
M44BC
33 – 7465 Mulberry Place, Burnaby.paid 1.09 June 2016 ass 1.13
Now asking 1.09
2018-05-11 : $1,099,000
2018-05-03 : $1,199,000
https://www.zolo.ca/burnaby-real-estate/7465-mulberry-place/33
https://www.bcassessment.ca/Property/Info/QTAwMDAzWDRBOA==
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Feel free to make a donation.
Flop For Fox Fund…
http://www.terryfox.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/
“desperate migrants”
Yeah. The meme of our times. Anyone that can make it to your border claiming refugee status is desperate and should be allowed in regardless of the massive cost to the resident population. And so what if these “desperate migrants” have monetarily supported odious, callous criminals that shipped them out on rickety leaking boats. The desperate migrants take the risk because they know that they will be embraced and rewarded with welfare if and when they arrive. Then news spreads of their good fortune and others are encouraged to soon follow. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the coast guard, some boats capsize and sink. That’s great!
Exactly how long is this insanity supposed to go on for?
MY HOW FASHIONS CHANGE!
The media is in a feeding frenzy, devoting virtually all network news coverage to Trump enforcing existing laws, 176 minutes over several days. Now it’s cool for the media to be critical of immigration enforcement. Two years ago, in July 2016, the New York Times dipped it’s toes into the waters of criticism with an editorial concerned about children caged in the Obama detention centers. The rest of the media, however didn’t think it was cool to blast the sitting president and only devoted 6 minutes of coverage. Media outrage, out of style in the Obama era, now back at the height of fashion during the Trump presidency. It wasn’t always this way.
A president acting tough on immigration was fashionable two years ago. ABC News cheerily ran an article in August 2016″ Obama has deported more people than any other president”.
Even Hillary Clinton was at one time tough on immigration, with no media outrage. In 2014, she believed that illegal child immigrants” should be sent back. Not so much today as she happily piles on Trump for doing exactly what she recommended.
An interesting aside, Obama used the same cages to detain illegal crossers as Trump is using now. The media believes it wasn’t really a cage when Obama did it, more like a suite at the Four Seasons. But fashion changes last years hotel suites are this years animal cages. You can trust me as the teller of truth in the land of gypsies, tramps, and thieves.
For some people, there is no distinction between illegal immigration and legal immigration.
For some people there, should be no “real” controls on immigration.
I personally don’t get it.
Thanks for the great Blog Garth. You practice great balance and restraint.
There are a lot of sad angry people out here. I hope that they will find peace in their advanced age.
The first nations also migrated to North and South America thousands of years ago. Maybe they were preceded by the Clovis people.
Everybody here came through immigration, save the first nations. Shame on such an ignorant comment. – Garth
Yes-immigrated- not crawled under the fence from a safe country. The straw man has reared his head tonight!
Sad yes – but we are in a worldwide shift that will result in momentous changes – I fear for my sons generation because it won’t be pretty
RATM
Just found out the nice neighbour house that I mentioned here a few weeks ago going for $260k sold to another downsizer from Kitchener. At least some people know how to get affordable housing without destroying their financial future.
117 akashic record on 06.25.18 at 9:15 pm
Garth, if the first nations held a referendum and they voted that they don’t want here anyone who they didn’t invited or allowed to live here – which would be entirely understandable after what they had gone through – would you do the morally right thing, pack and go away?
————————————————————–
If all non-first Nations people packed up and left, who would do all the work? Time marches forward, my friend! Impossible to undo the wrongs of the distant past – and this kind of thinking is unproductinve (or even dangerous).
TCC
#123 AB Boxster on 06.25.18 at 9:41
You are confusing legal immigrants, with open borders and “migrants” (which I assume you mean illegal immigrants).
The Illegal immigrants flooding across our border from the most prosperous country on earth is definitely an issue, but to lump legal immigrants who risk everything to come here through the proper legal channels (often waiting years to be reunited with their families) with the migrants is an inaccurate and unfair comparison.
I’ve grown up and worked alongside tons of new immigrants in the GTA my whole life. I’ve seen the struggles and the successes, and there are many more successes. The second generation is always 100% Canadianized as well. For what it’s worth, the GTA is as good example of the “Mr Rogers Neighbourhood” you mentioned that there is.
MF
@#123 ABC
“Through democracy and the vote.
Something that socialist, globalist, open borders, political and economic elites cannot take away…..”
+++++++
Yet…..
Hahaha… Sam was tariffed by Canada by 20%. Nice job Canada!
Not that poor old Sam is like this fella, who by the way is a Canadian citizen!!
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/investigations/article-how-canada-became-a-money-laundering-haven-for-one-of-gadhafis-inner/
“Mr. Dabaiba’s Canadian properties, businesses and investments are at the centre of a criminal investigation in Libya, where he is suspected of embezzling public funds, money laundering, abuse of an official position and making illegitimate payments and illicit profit”………
He “exploited a now-discredited immigration program to gain a Canadian passport. Though there’s no evidence he has ever worked in Canada, he appears to still use his citizenship when convenient – as recently as 2016 he cited it when trying to acquire control of a Scottish company.” G&M
Garth this is the sort of stuff that makes us ‘dawgs ‘ furious………Sam’s just getting caught up in the net.
To #37 MF.
You are a dunce.
“The optimism of the east is propped up by statistics”.
On balance the people of the east are seeing monstrous gains in their standard of living from 20 years ago.
If they see their disposable income go from $500 per year to $5000 per year that may mean nothing to you but it is life changing to them.
World GDP continues to rise but we are getting poorer in the west.
Canadian healthcare is unsustainable because it is social medicine, the money eventually runs out.
In the USA they have to pay so by definition it is sustainable.
Your arguments rarely make any sense.
@#111 Floppie
“Therefore it is possible that this blog peaked in 2016.
That means Mark believes it peaked in 2013…”
++++
Good one. On both counts. :)
Heeyyy! Wheres Happy Housing Crash? He’s missing out a doozer folks!!
@#35 Nonplused – I have a few responses:
What part of “illegal” don’t people understand?
Respectfully, legality is the last thing that should be argued in an ethical and social quandary. Arguments about the legality of an action usually don’t shed much light on a complex social situation, or what should be done about it. It was also “illegal” to leave the Soviet Union under communism, but we applauded those who did. Legal arguments are simplistic and no substitute for ethical and intelligent discussion.
The whole thing is a distraction from what they really want, which is no border controls whatsoever.
You lost me here. Who is “they” exactly? Which organizations? Which people? Be specific, and then we can talk.
I have never heard anyone deny that nations should control their borders. I think people differ about how to control the borders, which is a perfectly reasonable debate.
But the legal framework that exists around immigration must be enforced and any changes proposed to that framework must take into account the good of the country and its legal citizens as a first priority and the good of immigrants second.
That’s a reasonable position, and I’m inclined to agree in a general way. l also think that we may also agree about constitutes a “good” – again in a general way. Cultural integration and economic growth both come to mind as goods.
The difficulty comes when we get down to details – for example how much priority to place on skilled immigration, refugee claimants, and so on. If you want to debate immigration policies, this is what we should be talking about. Not “they want open borders”.
It is not the fault of the US or European citizens that so much of the world has become an undesirable place to live. Therefore they don’t ultimately bear any responsibility to the people living in those places
That’s arguably inaccurate. Take central America for example. From 1900 to 2000, the US government has intervened successfully to change governments in Latin America literally dozens of times. Why? The United States never faced a significant military threat from Latin America.
See here:
https://revista.drclas.harvard.edu/book/united-states-interventions
My point being: If you don’t want your neighbor sleeping at your place when it rains, maybe stop making holes in his roof. You might not need such a tall fence then, either.
@#117 akashic re-record
“they voted that they don’t want here anyone who they didn’t invited or allowed to live here….”
+++++
That mutilation of grammar and prose reminded me of a “Get Well” card I gave to a friend in the hospital who was recovering from an injury caused by their own stupidity.
When the card was opened it had a mirror and the catch phrase, “Are me how stupid I are”
#136 tccontrarian on 06.25.18 at 10:32 pm
117 akashic record on 06.25.18 at 9:15 pm
Garth, if the first nations held a referendum and they voted that they don’t want here anyone who they didn’t invited or allowed to live here – which would be entirely understandable after what they had gone through – would you do the morally right thing, pack and go away?
————————————————————–
If all non-first Nations people packed up and left, who would do all the work? Time marches forward, my friend! Impossible to undo the wrongs of the distant past – and this kind of thinking is unproductinve (or even dangerous).
—
First-nation people lived here quite OK, doing quite well “all the work”.
They would be perfectly OK without us.
Garth, as you know most major markets around the world have taxes in place for foreign buyers including the UK. Seems fair to me that bc has adopted it. BC was just a little behind the eight ball.
It’s wrong to slam the door in the faces of
immigrants but no big deal to do it to your own people????
What you should have said like you told me and many others on this blog… You don’t like the prices then move away somewhere more affordable.
It is unfortunate the shyster realtor didn’t bring that up. But that’s a whole other issue isn’t it….
#35 nonplussedIt is not the fault of the US or European citizens that so much of the world has become an undesirable place to live. Therefore they don’t ultimately bear any responsibility to the people living in those places, however harsh that may seem.
———-
The Anglos have pretty much exploited most of the poorer 60% of the world for the last 2 centuries.
So you blame the slaves for their misfortunes.
Shame on you.
Trump would be proud of you.
That the speculation tax, the property surtax, the empty house tax or the foreign buyers tax will make housing cheaper in the long run. No doubt about it!
Without the 20% foreign buyers tax prices would easily be 20% higher. That means foreigners pay the same and locals get a discount. Sounds fair to me.
I am surprised Trump didn’t think of this first.
GALLOP POLL: Donald Trump’s approval ratings going up baby!
http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-poll-numbers-approval-rating-up-2018-6?share=ddbdbd9b
Donald Trump is the CHANGE that Obama promised!
And he delivered!
#MAGA
@- #39 MF
“I’ve never been to BC so I cannot really comment, but there must be some serious social issues bubbling below the surface there to make people act like this.
MF”
Yes. Much much worse than you can imagine of this total toxic province.
Vancouver is now a land of contrasts. Even though I got lucky with the housing lottery here, I really do feel sad for my two boys and their peers who still live around here. The cost of living, housing, etc. had really skyrocketed, does not matter anymore if you are a professional or not. You simply cannot compete with an owner of a business in China or Dubai who pays almost no tax and is able to save most of his income. I was driving around Hastings and Main yesterday, the whole situation is very sad indeed: crowds of addicts and homeless bypassed by lamborginis and maseratis who have L or N stickers with passengers inside tossing buds at the unfortunate homeless. We are all still humans, aren’t we? It’s just shameful.
Re: #22 The Kitsilano Kid on 06.25.18 at 5:36 pm
Money flows into real estate where the currency is appreciating (U.S. dollar vs. Yuan) not depreciating such as in Canada (Canadian dollar vs. Yuan). You’ve been brainwashed by the media. The opposite as I state has always been true and will always be true. An extreme example would be foreigners buying real estate in Venezuela a year ago. Their real estate today one year later would be worthless.
Re: #130 What can I say about that? on 06.25.18 at 9:58 pm
Illegal immigrants most assuredly are penniless and bring down the standard of living in the country they emigrate to. Home prices shot up in the GTA and Vancouver area when Trump stated he wanted to kick all the illegal immigrants out of America. That was shortly after Trump won the election race.
The inventory is staying the same. Must be that a lot of people have pulled their houses off the market
Greater Vancouver Stats from realtor Paul Boenisch
June 23 New 231 Sold 103 TI: 12,755
June 22 New 160 Sold 93 TI: 12,755
June 21 New 202 Sold 119 TI: 12,758
June 20 New 224 Sold 119 TI: 12,744
June 19 New 268 Sold 152 TI: 12,715
June 18 New 285 Sold 149 TI: 12,699
June 15 New 179 Sold 140 TI: 12,637
June 14 New 306 Sold 104 TI: 12,679
June 13 New 278 Sold 134 TI: 12,533
June 12 New 318 Sold 106 TI: 12,477
June 11 New 372 Sold 131 TI: 12,368
June 8 New 202 Sold 108 TI: 12,271
June 7 New 232 Sold 117 TI: 12,226
June 6 New 295 Sold 156 TI: 12,154
June 5 New 359 Sold 101 TI: 12,105
June 4 New 376 Sold 117 TI: 11,942
June 1 New 224 Sold 105 TI: 11,817
Inventory at the end of:
May- 11,975
April- 10,459
March- 9,032
Feb- 8,211
To the Brit:
Caveat emptor. Inform yourself.
All else is minutiae.
_______________________
Another fine example of this is the investigation of syndicated mortgage investments by Fortress Mortgage, the broker BDMC, et. al. and that investors lost money [and of course, are not happy about this].
Milton Friedman’s Doctrine extended to company ownership in essence helping themselves to the proceeds of profit, well to be more precise, investments by others in this case.
FSCO asleep at the wheel many claim – recent fines attempt to show otherwise?
RCMP getting involved now as well but are mum on the subject.
You would think Class Action lawsuits against the protagonists a while ago would have alerted watchdogs that something was amiss [dismissed in court due to no investigations showing otherwise].
What a tentacled mess this will become.
Some very good investigative journalism/chronicling about this by Shecter at the Financial Post.
Garth,
a canadian citizen would not be treated much better if buying a property in UK – a friend of mine had just sold a long time townhouse he had in London citing a growing sentiment towards foreigners, new foreigner owners taxes, foreign ownership restrictions in the pipeline…
If Sam is a landed immigrant he is not a foreign national and the tax does not apply.
All I can say is that being out that money is the least of his troubles. The FBT has been in the news since Sam arrived in B.C. Apparently Sam cannot read.
Foolish Brit hahaha!
Perhaps the real greater fools are those who took the bait and voted in governments like the Liberals in Ottawa and the coalition of clowns we have here in B.C.
Of course these fools support these policies as they feel entitled, the government owes them a home and besides these governments said everything was free, someone else was going to pay.
I’m left wondering who they will blame when the economy tanks and they lose their jobs. Of course, then they will demand that the government support them too.
Focusing on the positives, Trudeau will be gone in 2019 with Notley and I suspect Horgan will be finished after the Nanaimo election in the fall. That will be the end of the NDP for another generation.
Then we can get back to using common sense again.
Tax Sam fair and square. Yes, he could argue the RE agent was negligent, but so was he, as googling “real estate Victoria” would have given an indication. This country needs people that can google…
This is foreign buyers tax, and having a job for a couple months should not be a loophole, as I’m sure other foreign buyers could just have a relative draft up employment documents or pay some shady firm for faked employment records to circumvent the tax.
What’s not to get? Taxing people based on where they were born or emigrated from is the essence of discrimination and creates two classes of Canadians. We, a wealthy and generous nation, should be ashamed. – Garth
——–
But nobody is doing that. The tax is based on immigration status. There is no tax in Canada based on where people are born or emigrated from.
Garth,
You are using one highly specific and unusual case study to criticize something that is generally and overwhelmingly a good idea –a 20% tax on foreign purchases of homes in B.C.
What’s not to get? Taxing people based on where they were born or emigrated from is the essence of discrimination and creates two classes of Canadians. We, a wealthy and generous nation, should be ashamed. – Garth
=====================
Canada always has been a class system.
-The rich and connected, the empire club, the owners of the place
– unionized and government workers – the system of controls
– and the rest, poor workers who had it relatively good for a while due to NAFTA and got screwed by their elite.
‘a wealthy and generous nation’?
That was funny. People who can’t afford housing or retirement and are up to their eyeballs in debt are not wealthy.
Ashamed? In today’s Canada?
That was really funny.
“#99 akashic record on 06.25.18 at 8:23 pm
“The world has not seen this kind of action from advanced, western, wealthy societies since the 1930s.”
Are you referring of millions of people crossing the border illegally? It didn’t happen in the 1930s – actually ever in the history of advanced, wealthy societies.”
I remember during the 30ies many many (a very serious hundreds of thousands) Germans illegally crossed the border into Poland and Czechoslovakia.
Then, in the 40ies, many millions Russians entered East Europe.
Then, during the Roman Empire (a very wealthy, advanced society), millions of barbarians illegally crossed the border.
….
Immigration done on a calculated basis benefits our country , contributing positively to our growth. Open borders will easily overwhelm our already strained health care , education , housing systems. It must be carefully controlled for numbers.
I mean seriously, you think that allowing millions of economic migrants, with totally different cultures religions and behaviors, into strongly homogeneous countries with thousands of years of history, would not result in a pushback by a countries population?
Sounds like the early history of America in a nutshell.
Living in southern Italy for part of each year means that I can comment on this Italian refusal to take any more illegal migrants that ships with German, Dutch and other flags wish to automatically dump on them. Note that none of these migrant rescue boats have Italian registration. The Italian Coast Guard returns them to the Libyan Coast Guard, they do not leave them to perish at sea so the people smugglers always try to call for ships with more generous flags. The Italians have had enough. They have 600,000 such African migrants already and their fellow EU members won’t touch the migrants as they are not refugees so Italy is stuck with the problem.
Every town and village is now hosting them. My own little town, population 4000, has a permanent base of 55 migrants who have taken over the local hotel.
Locals have told me that the Italian govt, as in Italian taxpayers, have to pay the hotel 940 euros a month to keep them there and yet the Italian state pension after a life time of work is about 500 euros. You cannot imagine how angry this makes the locals. They were originally welcoming but this has all gone now as the situation gets worse and worse.
I go longer go to IKEA in Bari, Italy without a strong man as when you come out the migrants start fighting to help you load your car and they give you no choice you have to let them help and pay them as they are intimidating.
My little town voted for the anti-immigration Five Stars Movement and cheered when that first migrant boat was refused. Garth you live a wonderful life a long way from this situation. You should walk the traditional mile in the moccasins before you criticize these little Italian villages for their new harder attitudes.
The world has not seen this kind of action from advanced, western, wealthy societies since the 1930s.
You’re comparing people leaving Honduras because they’re tired of living without air conditioning to people fleeing death camps in Nazi-occupied Europe?
#117 akashic record on 06.25.18 at 9:15 pm
Garth, if the first nations held a referendum and they voted that they don’t want here anyone who they didn’t invited or allowed to live here – which would be entirely understandable after what they had gone through – would you do the morally right thing, pack and go away?
————————————–
Unfortunately the original inhabitants of North America can’t do the same since they don’t exist anymore.
You do realize that the groups we now call First Nations weren’t the first humans on the continent, right?
We now live in a world of nation-states with borders. If progressives want open borders why don’t they cut the crap and just say so, and pitch that to voters.
I am unaware of anyone who credibly argues for open borders. That is as unreasonable a position as closed ones. Extremes bring extreme results. – Garth
I have a quick observation. No political motive here, just an observation.
Not so long ago, everyone protested against globalization. This view was shared by an overwhelming majority (left and right). Boomers were just starting to lose factory jobs to plants in Mexico. Fear of a “New World Order” was whispered by all. You would see the G8 summits protested furiously by regular folk (and of course the sideshow punks crashed the party as well). In a nutshell, globalization was seen as evil.
In a seemingly quick reversal, people began clamoring for MORE globalization, open borders and centralized governments.
Then suddenly we are now seeing a divide where there are those who want to go back to the anti-globalization camp and those who want to plow forward with globalization.
I was never one for conspiracy theories, but I can’t shake the feeling we are always being directed. By whom? No idea. For what? No idea. Even those of us that think we are too smart or too enlightened for that type of manipulation are not immune and it does not matter which “side” you identify with.
I’m tired of seeing us go at each other like this.
#145 crowdedelevatorfartz on 06.25.18 at 10:58 pm
@#117 akashic re-record
“they voted that they don’t want here anyone who they didn’t invited or allowed to live here….”
+++++
That mutilation of grammar and prose reminded me of a “Get Well” card I gave to a friend in the hospital who was recovering from an injury caused by their own stupidity.
When the card was opened it had a mirror and the catch phrase, “Are me how stupid I are”
—
You are absolutely right, it was a murder of grammar and prose.
I am not asking for mercy for my stupidity, blaming my old, dyslexic brain that from time to time it gets weird results when not dealing with my mother tongue, or the language that is not my second, or third. I also admit I rush to hit the submit button too fast.
I am grateful for the smart people who overcome the huge hurdle and successfully unwrap the meaning behind the mutilated grammar and for the generous people, who don’t use it as an excuse to dismiss the content altogether.
I also understand those who can’t do that. I won’t blame them for my own mistake.
#147 Bk on 06.25.18 at 11:11 pm
What you should have said like you told me and many others on this blog… You don’t like the prices then move away somewhere more affordable.
——————————————-
Good point.
Seems only Canadian citizens are obligated to quit complaining and move somewhere affordable.
For foreigners we are to roll out the red carpet and allow them to waltz in with none of the checks and balances that other countries put in their way. And if it’s raining we are obligated to lay our coats over the puddles for them to step on.
The most ignorant statement posted here in hours. And that is quite an accomplishment. – Garth
Much of this crap would never have happened were it not for the dropping of interest rates since Greenspan did his thing starting in the early 90s.
Legions of people who could not afford the carrot of housing borrowed money they couldn’t pay back, those with money bought multiple properties and “creative” financial products were designed to tap the greed of the investor class based upon the “rock solid” mortgage market which eventually caused the global economy to very nearly go belly up a decade and a half later.
The principal measure of QE taken in 2008-09 which cheapened money even further and crippled the real economy globally to the point where it has never since recovered.
The spread of dough around the planet is now concentrated in far too few hands, the rest are surviving to a greater or lesser extent on credit and the economy and job markets have not become kinder and gentler. Plus, corporate deregulation has gone totally nuts.
This hornet’s nest does not make for a happy citizenry and its malleability at the polls is now epic. Voting has become largely reactionary.
Not so long ago, money was spread more equitably, ordinary folk were able to live reasonably well and populations were generally more relaxed. Nowhere near perfect, but certainly happier.
Today, not so much. We now have taxes, surtaxes and fees up to the eyeballs because even governments’ finances suck.
But not quite enough not to pay 7.5 grand (allegedly) for a swing set for Mr. Socks, whilst half the population of Ontario struggles to pay for electricity – forcing some to decide whether to heat or eat….or, do laundry at 2am.
This is the sort of thing that people remember come voting day.
#47 KommyKim on 06.25.18 at 6:27 pm
RE: #12 Ex-Cowtown on 06.25.18 at 5:22 pm
Trump is not against immigration; just ILLEGAL immigration.
===========================
So called “right” wingers need to read the actual law before spouting off:
http://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-asylum/asylum/obtaining-asylum-united-states
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I think you need to read the legislation. A refugee is something totally different from an ILLEGAL immigrant.
#62 conan on 06.25.18 at 7:00 pm
“but Trump gets the grief.” – Ex-Cowtown
He is due for more grief.
Harley Davidson moving some production over to Europe to avoid the EU tariffs. This is not a one off. Expect more of this.
China is buying a whole bunch more Soya off Russia. American farmers now waking up to what their President has done to them. No way Canada will open up their markets to American farm produce now this has started.
Trump 2020 = Sound of WW 2 plane crashing into the sea.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Textbook example of cognitive dissonance. Can’t argue against what I said about ILLEGAL immigration so you change the topic.
Easy win for Ex-Cowtown!
Funny, I always thought it was a Chinese Dudes tax.
Go figure.
#29 Nick
Please consider European colonialism/political interference and the theaters of operation the US military is operating within. You’ll see that for the most part, most of America’s military is involved in regions of the world that were initially invaded and pillaged by the old European colonial powers. If I were America I’d pull out and tell NATO they can handle it on their own. I’m sure the Russians (by proxy) would love that.
Sweden has been at the forefront of the “all immigration is great” mentality-so much so that the formerly fiscally sound nation in now in financial trouble (and this is from globalist cheerleader Bloomberg) https://www.bloombergquint.com/politics/2018/06/26/now-even-swedes-are-questioning-the-welfare-state
I think Sweden has a bigger problem. Socialism. – Garth
Good morning Garth,
Another tough day at the office dealing with “insightful” and “valuable” comments? I don’t know how you do it but hang in there mon ami and one day, you too will be able to retire.
BTW, small typo, the official title is Disruptor-In-Chief-King.
I read an excellent column in NYT “White Extinction Anxiety” https://nyti.ms/2IpotZP which explains a lot of the angst from the trumpers and the (barely hidden) racist commentators on this blog. It boils down to certain group of people protecting their undeserved privilege. Follow the money – as they say. Tribalism like Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.
Speaking of going/coming, which shadow group might be funding a poor family of four from across the world in a poor county to get to their airport and fly to USA? Then to travel on to Canada and pay for that trip too? An easy $10,000 trip. Ask this.
I already know people waiting 10 months + for a minor surgical procedure appointment. Boomers don’t stand chance. 50 years of paying for health care and you will get squat.
I’m in shock.
http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/toronto-faces-having-to-close-community-centres-cancel-programs-to-house-migrant-tide-from-u-s
Sam’s real estate agent had a duty of care to inform him about this foreign tax. Sam should sue the estate agent for the 20% tax money if he is not able to cancel the purchase of the property.
Here we go again, just the beginning for them and then for us. Trump has created some of the first casualties of a trade war in Poplar Bluff Missouri. So how do those who voted for Trump feel?
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/markets/the-first-layoffs-from-trump%e2%80%99s-tariffs-are-here/ar-AAzbxEF?li=AAggNb9
#184 Baloney Sandwich
I read an excellent column in NYT “White Extinction Anxiety” https://nyti.ms/2IpotZP which explains a lot of the angst from the trumpers and the (barely hidden) racist commentators on this blog. It boils down to certain group of people protecting their undeserved privilege. Follow the money – as they say. Tribalism like Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.
Im surprised you can actually read. Garth why do you let people post this kind of trash? Its funny the people who call everyone racist end up being the biggest racists themselves. Self awareness 0/10.
185 TurnerNation on 06.26.18 at 8:37 am
——————————————-
Meniscus tear in may..told surgery would “likely” be oct/nov.. and thats after I paid $800 for my own MRI.
Its a total joke.
#137 MF on 06.25.18 at 10:34 pm
You are confusing legal immigrants, with open borders and “migrants” (which I assume you mean illegal immigrants).
———————————–
No I am not.
Do you seriously think that the issues that Europe is experiencing, and the Americans at the south border have anything to do with’ legal’ immigration?
Are the issues that Canada have at the border, and that Toronto is having with housing, have anything to do with ‘legal’ immigration?
Either you are truly misinformed on the issue, or you are trying to conflate the two.
The majority of Europeans, Americans, Canadians have no problem with controlled and legal immigration.
They do have problems with massive numbers of economic migrants who claim to be refugees, and show up at another countries border, and expect to be welcomed with open arms.
The left likes to try to confuse the issue.
They love spread the narrative that those who have no problems with ‘legal and controlled immigration’ are xenophobic and racist, and anti-immigrant because they do have real concerns about ‘illegal and uncontrolled’ immigration that is overwhelming many countries in Europe and is starting to overwhelm resources in Canadian cities.
http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/toronto-faces-having-to-close-community-centres-cancel-programs-to-house-migrant-tide-from-u-s
Donald Trump has suggested that the ‘legal immigration’ system in the US should be more based upon the immigration systems used in Canada and Australia.
You know, managed immigration, selecting immigrants based upon a points system.
Seems to work in Canada and in many other countries of the world.
Because of this the left has deemed him racist, xenophobic and anti immigrant.
Therefore, Canada, Australia and every other country with controlled legal immigration systems must also be criticized as racist, xenophobic and anti immigrant.
Right?
If you can present a valid argument about he benefits of massive, uncontrolled and illegal immigration then you should do so.
But to present argument on the benefits of legal immigration is ridiculous, because no one really disagrees with you, and it misses the point of the problem.
The agent is issued a license subject to the Provincial Authority in BC. This authority documents the rules and regulations that the agent must follow when dealing with the public relating to a real estate transaction. The agent is guilty of nothing, unless it can be proven he violated the Act in dealing with the client in this transaction. I doubt very much if a Provincial tax that should have been common knowledge would be the responsibility of the agent. In any profession there are the good, bad, and the ugly, and in Sam’s case the agent was bad. A good agent might have gone out of his way to review all.
Can he sue his lawyers for negligence? They clearly didn’t provide him with the legal advice he should have reasonably expected…
CEOs deserve every cent they make.
What a world we live in now. Holly shit.
You’re elevator video screen message.
Diversity Inclusion Fairness.
Right off the bat, you are going to lose 1/2 your market.
You put up, Individualism, capitalism has lifted more people from poverty than any other system known to man kind. You’re losing 1/2 your market.
You want it all boys and girl CEOs.. Just say Aliens are real, you get the entire market.
It’s all in my book that should have sales in the millions. Marketing is not my forte. Dosen’t change the fact that I rock and liking one of my postes on linked In will get you fired if you work for a globalist teet sucking corp.
Revenge in the voting booth. Good bye Trudeau next year. Did he ever fk up Nafta.
Migdet from France eged him on when Trump was weak and said. Screw the sun set clause..
Lets deal.
Midget says in french , can you now feel what its like be a man for once In your life Justin. Do it.
Why I never get an invite to Davos is beyond me. Obviously, the world is run by people who don’t understand the power of the Herd.
I’m the only one in the world that has a self-appointed Ph.D. in Herdonomics.
Next book I guess. Just keep trying is what I do.
I’m a capitalist. Deal with it.
So if the market is collapsing and we don’t need to reduce demand… WHY ARE PRICES SO EFFING INSANE????
123 AB Boxster on 06.25.18 at 9:41 pm
Powerful writing.
“Through democracy and the vote.
Something that socialist, globalist, open borders, political and economic elites cannot take away.”
Perhaps consider one step further. Bob Marley and the Wailers “There will never be no love”
Soul’s guide to getting the best life out of your human:
To Be Human, J Krishnamurti.
Can’t argue against what I said about ILLEGAL immigration so you change the topic. – E Cowtown
I am not against cracking down on illegal immigration. I just want certain rules and procedures in play. I want the illegals , already living in America, to think that they have a fair shot at being allowed to stay. Instead they are fleeing to Canada.
I don’t agree with the policy of removing children from parents. I can see it being necessary some times, but as a policy? That’s cruel and stupid.
Trump’s government is stupid, and that it is the core of the problem. There is too much stupid in the USA’s recent past.
Bush Junior was stupid, he invaded Iraq.
Obama was stupid, he invaded Libya.
All of the immigration problems can be traced to climate change and the invasion of those two countries.
Iraq kept the violent extremists at bay, the removal of Saddam, led to the rise of ISIS.
Libya did the same thing, they also patrolled the Mediterranean, and kept the human smugglers in check.
Most of the people fleeing from Syria? It is because of desertification of once fertile areas. ISIS also played a role, and so did the Syrian civil war. But, that’s all on stupid USA policies.
The UN in Mali? They are there because of water shortages, and the rise of extremism. Libya is no longer keeping that problem in check.
Again, stupid USA policy.
Now the USA wants to abandon the fight against climate change……just fricken great.
You want to stop the main source of mass migration? Rejoin the Paris accord. We are going to have millions of people fleeing areas that no longer get enough water, and millions of people fleeing areas that are getting too much water.
This is not a war between the left and the right. It is a war against stupid.
Most of the problems between Democrats and Republicans go back to Bush junior’s decision to invade Iraq.
There were millions of Americans demonstrating in the major cities demanding that their government listen to them, and not invade Iraq.
They could foresee the problems, but not the Republicans….doh! The same jerks who wanted to invade Iraq also convinced Obama to topple Qaddafi….doh!
Iraq and Libya, not perfect, but they kept ISIS in check. Libya also patrolled the Mediterranean and kept the immigration problem in check .
#196 conan on 06.26.18 at 11:12 am
Trump’s government is stupid, and that it is the core of the problem. There is too much stupid in the USA’s recent past.
—
No they are not stupid, plan is to scare them not to attempt crossing and who ever is left plan is to send them them north of the north border. There you have it. Only problem what i see with trupm admin. is that, they are beehaveing like they can write off deficit that they are creating…
For the file time folks, most of the people crossing the border in the US are asylum seekers, which makes them LEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
– You have to be on US soil to apply
– You can cross the border outside of legal checkpoints as long as you are an asylum seeker
Kids are getting ripped from their parents at the border regardless if they come through legal checkpoints, have ID, etc.
Then the kids get labeled “unaccompanied minors” and get sent to private prisons and shady adoption agencies for a lot of government money. It’s the butterbox babies all over again.
Example:
“The government has made this argument before, in one of the first family separation cases to go to court. Last November, a Congolese woman known in court filings as Ms. L and her then 6-year-old daughter arrived at a port of entry near San Diego, presented themselves to border agents and asked for asylum. Officers separated them – according to a lawsuit, Ms. L could hear her daughter in the next room, screaming – and the girl was sent to Chicago while her mother was held in California.
When the A.C.L.U. sued on Ms. L’s behalf, officials claimed they’d taken the girl because Ms. L couldn’t prove she was her parent. The judge in the case ordered a DNA test, which quickly demonstrated Ms. L’s relationship to her daughter. In March, they were finally reunited.”
In the case above, the women entered via a legal checkpoint and did everything right, but got her kid ripped from her for months.
The CBP didn’t bother with ordering a DNA test because it wasn’t about justice it’s about the private prisons need their government money. They get $800/child a day in these places.
#188 Flyboy
it isn’t lack of self-awareness.
it is sociopathy.
Swedes at the vanguard…. of the new world order
Micro-chipped!
http://nationalpost.com/news/world/thousands-of-swedes-are-inserting-microchips-into-themselves-heres-why
So, Garth, do you feel you’re getting anywhere in changing hearts and minds? (Sorry, but I just couldn’t resist.)
110 For those about to flop… on 06.25.18 at 8:53 pm
I’m hating this blog tonight. – Garth
———
…He talked me off the ledge and we agreed to put the Pink Posts up simultaneously on each blog.
There has always been people coming here to argue with someone else and talk down to someone but it seems to be getting worse each year
M44BC
—————————
Floppy, you are a key player on this team. You chose to expose yourself, I believe because you do not have fear and seek the truth. And you clearly have compassion. Call that what you want, but it’s big.
Don’t mind what happens.
M54BC
RE: #178 Ex-Cowtown on 06.26.18 at 7:55 am
I think you need to read the legislation. A refugee is something totally different from an ILLEGAL immigrant.
===============================
Those currently crossing the border are not illegal because they 1st have to be processed, and denied refugee status BEFORE they can be considered as ILLEGAL immigrants. It’s the LAW and Trump will be breaking that LAW if he sends people back without due process.
It appears to me the one who typed up the contract or the agreement of purchase and sale was not a lawyer at all. In any real estate office there is a point person who handles all the offers with perfection. This in turn was presented to the vendor for acceptance with the conditional clauses. The client then arranged for an inspection, and went to the bank for a mortgage. Once done the offer becomes firm to go. He then went to his closing lawyer with the completed offer, and at this time was told the bad news.
@190 – AB Boxter
Donald Trump has suggested that the ‘legal immigration’ system in the US should be more based upon the immigration systems used in Canada and Australia.
You know, managed immigration, selecting immigrants based upon a points system.
Seems to work in Canada and in many other countries of the world.
Because of this the left has deemed him racist, xenophobic and anti immigrant.
Actually, no. He has been labeled racist, xenophobic and anti immigrant because of his numerous public statements that are easily found online and beneath my dignity to type. I don’t think it’s acceptable to whitewash his hateful political rhetoric.
Although I do agree with parts of your argument above — not conflating economic migrants with refugees, for example. That important distinction is often lost in all of the hyperbole. Also, managed immigration is an important principle to uphold. But we also should recognize that we have a complex situation our hands, and simplistic policies won’t help resolve it.
If you can present a valid argument about he benefits of massive, uncontrolled and illegal immigration then you should do so.
I don’t think that’s an appropriate request. In the same way that some people don’t distinguish appropriately between economic migrants and refugees, you don’t seem to be distinguishing between reasonable compassion and uncontrolled borders.
We can reasonably debate how much compassion, and what kinds of compassion, and what our treaty obligations are, and what’s politically and economically feasible, and so on.
Respectfully, we need careful policies that respond to a complex situation, not knee-jerk rhetoric – from either side.
Only problem what i see with trupm admin. is that, they are beehaveing like they can write off deficit that they are creating…
—
ops, that sentence came out wrong, i see many problems!
But Conan: You had to support the Troops for Bush, anything else was unpatriotic! And bombing Libya made Peter MacKay feel so manly/worldly!
Just like our current; just left for Mali warriors?
Go team?
#193 Smoking Man on 06.26.18 at 10:46 am
CEOs deserve every cent they make.
What a world we live in now. Holly shit.
You’re elevator video screen message.
Diversity Inclusion Fairness.
Right off the bat, you are going to lose 1/2 your market.
You put up, Individualism, capitalism has lifted more people from poverty than any other system known to man kind. You’re losing 1/2 your market.
You want it all boys and girl CEOs.. Just say Aliens are real, you get the entire market.
It’s all in my book that should have sales in the millions. Marketing is not my forte. Dosen’t change the fact that I rock and liking one of my postes on linked In will get you fired if you work for a globalist teet sucking corp.
Revenge in the voting booth. Good bye Trudeau next year. Did he ever fk up Nafta.
Migdet from France eged him on when Trump was weak and said. Screw the sun set clause..
Lets deal.
Midget says in french , can you now feel what its like be a man for once In your life Justin. Do it.
Why I never get an invite to Davos is beyond me. Obviously, the world is run by people who don’t understand the power of the Herd.
I’m the only one in the world that has a self-appointed Ph.D. in Herdonomics.
Next book I guess. Just keep trying is what I do.
I’m a capitalist. Deal with it.
……………………………………………………………………
Je suis le seul au monde à avoir un doctorat autoproclamé. en étant un trou du cul.
Just to confirm that “first nations people” also came to North America as immigrants by walking across the Bering sea more than 1000 years ago. We are all immigrants to a land except Lucy and even then… 3.2 millions years ago.
Nobody should be denied entry to a land, maybe the social services money should be curbed.
BOO. HOO.
#203 kommykim on 06.26.18 at 12:17 pm
RE: #178 Ex-Cowtown on 06.26.18 at 7:55 am
I think you need to read the legislation. A refugee is something totally different from an ILLEGAL immigrant.
===============================
Those currently crossing the border are not illegal because they 1st have to be processed, and denied refugee status BEFORE they can be considered as ILLEGAL immigrants. It’s the LAW and Trump will be breaking that LAW if he sends people back without due process.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
That’s not how it works and you know it. The mere act of crossing the border without permission is illegal. Some may later be delared refugees, but they start off ILLEGAL. Contrast that with someone who fills out the paperwork, stays in their own country and ONLY crosses the border when they have the appropriate approvals.
And on top of that you still didn’t address what I said to start with.
Kommy Kim: Another excellent case of word salad thinking and cognitive dissonance. Ex-Cowtown for the win…. again…. I might get tired of winning.
In the closing of a Real Estate transaction there is an option, and all too often its recommended using the vendor’s lawyer to close in order to save money. We don’t know if Sam hired his own lawyer to protect his rights on closing who dances with the other lawyer to finalize the closing. I recommend to never ever use the vendor’s lawyer because this might involve a conflict of interest. In this case, it doesn’t matter either way involving the disclosure of the additional Provincial Taxation. Sam is out of luck.
#200 Micro-Canadians should be honest with themselves-without the USA and its huge influence over Canada (including Trump’s influence) we would be Sweden 2.0-we would have huge no go zones for the police, micro chipping, you name it. Sweden is a very soft country/society (except for the invaders who are not weak or soft) and compared to the USA (and our proud history) Canada has grown very soft and weak. Our forefathers who fought in WW1 and WW2 would be ashamed of what has happened to this country.
As far as I know, BC foreign property tax does not apply to people on a work permit anymore. In fact, in 2017 they issued refunds to those who were on a work permit and had payed the tax. I doubt the 20% would also apply.
If Sam moved here with his family and works here then he would be under a work permit or immigrated already as a PR. Hence, the tax most likely won’t apply. Please, let him know this.
#198 Shortymac who paid for these poor/economic migrant’s passage to USA?
USA and Canada are democracies. Same same.
Difference? We have free health care for them.
Ding ding ding. Winner.
And they will get free hotel housing, stipend, benefits. And free post secondary education for kids.
Ding ding. Winner.
I’m sure many are briefed on the same hard luck tale for the hearing.
This is all planned out . Prove me wrong.
193 Smoking Man on 06.26.18 at 10:46 am
CEOs deserve every cent they make.
What a world we live in now. Holly shit.
You’re elevator video screen message.
Diversity Inclusion Fairness.
Right off the bat, you are going to lose 1/2 your market.
You put up, Individualism, capitalism has lifted more people from poverty than any other system known to man kind. You’re losing 1/2 your market.
You want it all boys and girl CEOs.. Just say Aliens are real, you get the entire market.
It’s all in my book that should have sales in the millions. Marketing is not my forte. Dosen’t change the fact that I rock and liking one of my postes on linked In will get you fired if you work for a globalist teet sucking corp.
Revenge in the voting booth. Good bye Trudeau next year. Did he ever fk up Nafta.
Migdet from France eged him on when Trump was weak and said. Screw the sun set clause..
Lets deal.
Midget says in french , can you now feel what its like be a man for once In your life Justin. Do it.
Why I never get an invite to Davos is beyond me. Obviously, the world is run by people who don’t understand the power of the Herd.
I’m the only one in the world that has a self-appointed Ph.D. in Herdonomics.
Next book I guess. Just keep trying is what I do.
I’m a capitalist. Deal with it.
…
What’s there to deal with…. you’re pointless .. ah the book that never sold.. like no kidding….autobiography .. the talking dickhead.
Michael J. “Crocodile” Dundee (a character from the 1986 Australian comedy film Crocodile Dundee): “Well, you see, Aborigines don’t own the land. They belong to it. It’s like their mother. See those rocks? Been standing there for 600 million years. Still be there when you and I are gone. So arguing over who owns them is like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog they live on.”
That one’s for you, Floppy! Hope you liked it! :)
#184 Baloney Sandwich
I read an excellent column in NYT “White Extinction Anxiety” https://nyti.ms/2IpotZP which explains a lot of the angst from the trumpers and the (barely hidden) racist commentators on this blog. It boils down to certain group of people protecting their undeserved privilege. Follow the money – as they say. Tribalism like Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.
_________
That article made me laugh out loud. Why? Because there is only 1 SINGLE REASON why these demographic changes are happening, and it ain’t immigration policy. The reason is (obviously) the multi-decade sub-replacement fertility rates in the West. DECADES before big immigration and Trump were “things”, we had sub replacement fertility rates in the West. This was, and is; the original and current problem.
It’s no secret that where there is wealth and security, fertility rates drop., and where there is famine, war, disease, and starvation, fertility rates increase. There are a lot of varying reasons for this scenario, but immigration policy is not one of them.
The article is correct in its future predictions however. The current born in the USA/Canada Millennials are doubling down on the trend by taking much more of an interest in travelling, education, and career than any generation before them. Family is many times not even in the long term plans.
The problem has nothing to do with colour, it’s got to do with where you live. If you move to Canada, and marry here, you will have less kids than if you set up shop in some African country. That’s just the way it goes.
The non-white, born Westerners are just as guilty of not reproducing as the whites.
Now as far as angst goes, well that’s got more to do with selling an opinion piece than reporting any kind of fact.
Immigration is here so that our huge government can survive, and continue being funded. Population loss is the death knell for any 1st world economy (too late even, by that point). New Immigrants work harder, longer, complain less, and take quite a while to understand their rights, and figure out when they’re getting hooped. Just what the government wants working for them.
I still haven’t hung my hat on the exact reason for the population increase requirement, but it is one of two things:
1. Brought on by the government for the increase in economic activity, which then benefits all of society.
2. Brought on by the government for the enrichment and preservation of government.
I suppose it could ostensibly be both. One underlying truth covered by a palatable version floated for public consumption.
#213 Big Kahuna on 06.26.18 at 1:02 pm
we would have huge no go zones for the police…
_______________
There is no such thing in Sweden and there are many areas in big U.S. cities that are much worse:
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/sweden-crime-no-go-zone-police/
You’ve got to turn off Fox news buddy.
“To date our leaders have been feckless and voiceless against the odious America-first plague, or the populist political movement that is heating up a racial war in Europe”
Wait ’till YOU become a visible minority in Caledon… it’s coming, and you’ll “welcome” it all, in a chest thumping displace of virtue signalling… until it really happens.
I can no longer live in the city I was born in 68 years ago… left and will never return. Thank you Mr Global, and the media/political minions at your beck and call!
Canada is 84% white, which I presume you are. Get a grip, old man. – Garth
Increase the cost of borrowing money is the only solution. But when every govt institution on the planet is crippled in debt, who or how will that ever be implemented.
Either way, the poor guy gets to look forward to falling RE and rising inflation for everything else.
Financial collapse is coming much like ’08. It will start with Germany and Japan and spread out …
Rubbish. – Garth
#205 cultural elitist on 06.26.18 at 12:22 pm
I don’t think that’s an appropriate request. In the same way that some people don’t distinguish appropriately between economic migrants and refugees, you don’t seem to be distinguishing between reasonable compassion and uncontrolled borders.
————————————————–
I disagree.
The question really is, Is there a limit to our compassion? And what is reasonable?
Canada takes is about 300,000 immigrants and about 50,000 refugees.
Immigrants are welcomed through a controlled system, and refugees are welcomed in a different manner, but it is controlled. (Except for the recent influx at the US border)
Both are allowed access through managed processes.
These numbers are decided based upon multiple criteria, but certainly one of them is the countries ability to absorb new peoples.
The problem in Europe is that there is no control over this migration and it is causing huge social and economic problems.
So, Canada is willing to put a number and limit on our compassion. Otherwise we we would be encouraging all refugees from everywhere to come, and we would welcome them all.
Is Canada’s compassion reasonable?
Would Canada be a more compassionate country by allowing 2 million economic immigrants through no immigration or refugee process of any kind?
Perhaps. But our social programs such as welfare and health care would be fully crushed.
So, much like I would love personally to fund every charity group, or good cause in the the world, it would bankrupt me and my family. So, while I may have compassion for all these causes, there is a limit to my resources.
Is there a limit to your compassion and your resources?
There are hundreds of millions of economic migrants that would like to enter Europe.
So my question to you then is , what should Europe’s compassion number be?
Unlimited?
If it is unlimited then leaders should make this case to the people.
Limited?
It is is limited, then the leaders need to make this case to the people.
None?
If there is no compassion, then the leaders need to make this case to the people.
People are pushing back because there is no discussion on this. Current leaders have so far decided that there is no limit to their countries compassion or resources to support it.
But, much of their citizenry is starting to disagree.
#200 Micro-chipped swedes on 06.26.18 at 12:00 pm
that just scares the hell out of me. It opens up the door for identity theft to a whole new level. One simple database adjustment and you are someone else … I’ll take your money, life and your wife in exchange for my rap sheet
Demonizing immigrant is just a symptom of the angst white middle age trumpers are feeling as they get out-competed in the marketplace. Face it – the immigrants work harder and are smarter and better educated than these losers.
What’s not to get? Taxing people based on where they were born or emigrated from is the essence of discrimination and creates two classes of Canadians. We, a wealthy and generous nation, should be ashamed. – Garth
_ _ _
Maybe we should be more ashamed of not taking care of those made homeless by the housing crisis,as the UK’s Guardian points out:
“..It is not surprising that a permanently homeless man would feel as though he could blend into this Vancouver branch of Tim Hortons, a 24-hour donut and coffee shop, at all hours. This is where Ted came every day for 10 years. Staff members and regulars alike knew his rolling suitcase, his handlebar mustache and his scowling disposition. It was not unusual to find him sleeping in the restaurant.
But when another homeless friend found Ted slumped over a table at 3am on the last day of May this year, he thought the way Ted’s head rested askew on the edge of the table did not look right. The friend noticed a bad smell, saw black bile pooling on the table and touched Ted’s hands: they were cold…
…As the story made headlines in Canada and internationally – that a man living in a coffee shop for 10 years had died in it, too – more details emerged about Ted’s life. He was in 70s, had terminal cancer, and although he had been homeless for a decade he had also worked most of his life in low-wage jobs. Since retiring he received a government pension, but it was not enough for him to afford housing – so he lived at the Tim Hortons,…”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/26/vancouver-tim-hortons-homeless-man-dies-housing-crisis
Can there be a more tragically Canadian story, dying alone and homeless in a Tim Hortons? If taxing foreigners allows us to build more social housing then so be it.
Many people were in a position to help this man. They did not. So don’t come here and throw his death at us as justification for your being prejudiced. – Garth
#203 kommykim
DHS enforcement policy is pretty straight forward on the removal of illegals–if you are convicted of any criminal offence, charged with any criminal offence that has not been resolved, have committed acts which constitute a chargeable criminal offence, have engaged in fraud or willful misrepresentation in connection with any official matter before a governmental agency, have abused any program related to receipt of public benifits, are subject to a final order of removal but have failed to comply with their legal obligation to exit the US, in the judgement of an immigration officer pose a risk to public safety or national security.
The fiscal year end for the US Border patrol was Sept. 30/17 they detained 303,916 people trying to enter the southern border alone. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported 81,603 that was up by 37% over the prior year.
#227 whiplash
Trump announced his preferred solution on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1010900865602019329
“We cannot allow all of these people to invade our Country. When somebody comes in, we must immediately, with no Judges or Court Cases, bring them back from where they came. Our system is a mockery to good immigration policy and Law and Order. Most children come without parents . . . ”
Translation: no judges, no courts, no due process. Please. And pay no attention to those children torn away from their families.
#208 Vous:- I cannot stop laughing for your kind words about the Smoking Man. He must be happy with his new Fan. Next time tell us what you really think of this Trump supporter. Merci Beaucoup!
Many people were in a position to help this man. They did not. So don’t come here and throw his death at us as justification for your being prejudiced. – Garth
————————-
How about the f..ng government doing its job to help people in needs instead of incentivising the biggest credit orgy in order to impoverish it’s people for benefits of the oligarchy and the FIRE sector?
Don’t tell me in a rich wealthy country terminal ill cancer patient can be homeless and left do die on the street while greedy and stupid politicians with fancy socks attend gay parades, invent stupid taxes and kill small business for benefits of their private businesses.
And what happened after that guy’s death?
Absolutely nothing. Apparently that is normal as it is normal for elderly old aged people to beg on the streets
and search garbage cans for food to eat.
This place is morally corrupt and doomed.
You disrepect this sad guy by politicizing his death. Shame on you. – Garth
Sounds harsh but I can’t help asking the same questions as a few others here. It says that Sam emigrated to Canada, but if he had PR status then the tax wouldn’t apply to him. If he doesn’t have PR status then that’s another good reason not to be buying a house just yet. When we moved here from the UK years ago our realtor suggested putting an offer in on property here before we had even sold in the UK. We politely declined and waited until we were sold, liquid and legally resident. Sam might have to shoulder some responsibility for his decisions here…
Q. How do we know when Armageddon is not too far off?
A. We know this when the people of the Earth cry out to their governments for protection against the Militant Vegans…
http://nationalpost.com/news/world/butchers-plead-for-police-protection-following-attacks-by-frances-militant-vegans#comments-area
Re: #222 collapse on 06.26.18 at 2:16 pm
Harry Dent hints at the same thing because of the low birthrate in Germany.
You disrepect this sad guy by politicizing his death. Shame on you. – Garth
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No. Don’t kill the messenger, I am just the doctor diagnosing a terminal ill immoral society.
Shame on the politicians, municipal and federal, on the health care system that allow for terminal ill cancer patient to be left to die on the street,
And on the media, where is the investigative journalism
that finds out whose fault it is that left this guy on the street?
Oh sorry, they were busy promoting real estate adds.
And of course there is no guilt found in statistics Canada and BoC who trough their blatant lies and theft diminished this guy pension (indexed with CPI of 1-2 % with cost of living increasing by 8 + %).
We should expect such stories to become daily reality, unfortunately.
You did it again. Put the energy into helping the next guy. – Garth
#203 kommykim on 06.26.18 at 12:17 pm
Those currently crossing the border are not illegal because they 1st have to be processed, and denied refugee status BEFORE they can be considered as ILLEGAL immigrants. It’s the LAW and Trump will be breaking that LAW if he sends people back without due process.
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So if a guy crosses the border, and just skips the processing part; he’s legal because he was never denied refugee status?
I SERIOUSLY doubt it.
You did it again. Put the energy into helping the next guy. – Garth
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I did far more than what is justly due with taxes and charity donations. Maybe for far too long/and way too much/which is my own fault.
Then you realize you are supporting an unjust society.
I am not the one to judge it, I am just the messenger.
Let the god/allah/buda judge it.
Forgive, but do not forget.
TurnerNation on 06.26.18 at 1:24 pm
#198 Shortymac who paid for these poor/economic migrant’s passage to USA?
USA and Canada are democracies. Same same.
Difference? We have free health care for them.
Ding ding ding. Winner.
And they will get free hotel housing, stipend, benefits. And free post secondary education for kids.
Ding ding. Winner.
I’m sure many are briefed on the same hard luck tale for the hearing.
This is all planned out . Prove me wrong.
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Oh yes the classic dance with you guys:
“Oh they are all illegals!”
– Points out that since the housing crisis most crossers have been asylum seekers fleeing violence
“Oh they must all be lying then!”
– Funny, she passed the credible fear test, meaning immigration officials believe she has a strong asylum case and would face death or persecution if returned to her home country.
“Who paid for them to travel!”
– The asylum seekers themselves or charity groups
But the facts don’t matter to you, you fear those “other people” and blame them for all your troubles. Remember, the common denominator in all your troubles is you.
Immigration ain’t easy, hell I married a Canadian and it cost about $6,000 total between all the fees, documentation costs, printing, pictures, traveling, lawyer, etc. My husband and I had to write love letters to each other to prove to some bureaucrat we where a real couple. Suffering through the bureaucracy and the strike that happened. Ugh.
What did I do to make you hate me and people like me so?
Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder if the globe is careening off towards some big SHTF reset after which things will return to “normal”.
Seriously, start adding up the BS going on in the world. You won’t even be able to update it on pace with all the new garbage hitting the headlines.
Sometime, somewhere, someone is going to snap and set off a chain of events that no one can stop. Borders will be unable to defend.
Flop # 110,
“We don’t have to agree on everything ,but in a way we are all on the same team and we should be messengers in our families and our communities by passing on the useful information that is delivered everyday.”
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Flop,
I appreciate your positive sentiment towards the blog and the family shout out, but have to disagree with your thinking that “we are all on the same team”
Why?
For you and I this is a RE blog, first and foremost, as displayed by the content in a very high % of your reports. Sure, we both partake in meaningful banter, but the numbers don’t lie.
You currently do not own, RE in Vancouver (what you’ve said) and you spend a lot of energy trying, (succeeding?) to show the Vancouver RE prices are declining on the blog with said pink snow reports.
I currently do own, RE in Vancouver (mentioned before) but am just to lazy to expend the energy (no gunpowder?) you do, in attempt to support Van RE on the blog, so I for the most part, am just along for the ride.
So, what am I saying?
We have diametrically opposed financial interests when it comes to cost of Van RE. I want prices to stay / be up for my retirement years, you want prices to come down for the benefit of your family’s potential home ownership.
But lets be honest here.
Neither one of us is behaving, altruistically.
It just means we are both are seeking, what’s in our own families, financial best interest and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. So keep up your reports as many here seem to like them.
No need to respond, just making an observation…
Shortymac my trouble is maxed out city services my city I’ve paid for. My trouble is people not following the laws I’ve agreed to by my economic participation. Any suggestions on how I can game the system next time the border officer is grilling me with contempt as I try and visit USA and back?
Ps you could have saved $6000 by simply walking across.
Sure which charity is behind this movement?
And all