Note to readers: If you come here to leave a comment trying to influence the US election, ah, go away. I warned weeks ago that mindlessly partisan posts would be deleted. You know who you are. The social media world is polluted, corrupted, invaded, twisted and polarized enough without that swill slopping over our gunwales.
None of us know the outcome of November 3rd nor the extent of the ensuing chaos. There’s likely no good outcome. The focus of this blog is not the next American president, but the impact on the economy, taxes, central banks, rates, housing, jobs, assets and financial markets. If you think in black-and-white, you’re part of the problem. Take a hike. Come back in January.
Got it? Good.
Now, about tonight. The debate in Cleveland. Many think it will be the political spectacle of a generation. Despite that, Mr. Market has been chugging along after a recent correction from record levels. In the face of all the crap 2020 has bestowed upon us – millions out of work, a recession and lots of crippled industries – investors who are (a) balanced and (b) have ignored everything, retained that 15% gain they enjoyed last year. And now with 2021 looming, with a vaccine inching closer and that damn election soon to be in the rear view, no need to change course – regardless of what happens between now and Christmas (if they let us have it).
“This is the most crucial debate ever,” analyst Ed Pennock wrote yesterday. “Unlikely there’s a clear winner. Certainly could be a clear loser. Markets like certainty.”
Exactly. It will come. What you think of the orange monster or the drooling guy is irrelevant. That big, hairy (and manly) delete finger is ready. Make my day.
Arnie’s pain: ‘You really stung me’
Days ago we eviscerated a dude we called Arnie who wrote asking if he and his mat-leave wife (three month-old in arms) should blow their $80,000 in savings on a $800,000 semi in the distant burbs. You may recall they earn a collective two hundred grand and now rent in the city for $2,500.
Why buy in the midst of a real estate boom, a recession and a global pandemic, we gently asked? Are you just all hopped up on baby hormones and house lust? Owning would suck away liquid wealth, increase housing costs by over 70%, create $745,000 in debt and you’d still only own half a house a long commute away from work. Why do it?
In fairness, here is his subsequent lament:
“I saw you featured my email on your blog today. I must say I laughed when you did this to others, but it really stung when you did it to me.
“We don’t have just 80k in assets. We have a bit more, but this is what we’re prepared to spend on a down payment, because we want a reserve fund and would like to try and be balanced.
“We don’t have a balanced portfolio yet, but we’re immigrants and moved to this country just 3 years ago. And yes, FOMO and kid are the reasons we want to buy. When you put it that way, it sucks.
“Anyway, I’d like to ask you to be nicer to people who email you, but your incisive comments are the reason we’re drawn to reading your blog. By the way, you didn’t answer my question. Do you think prices of 800k houses will be lower than 650k in a few years? Let me know.
“Like I mentioned, it looks like the government is prepared to sell the country in order to keep RE prices up. Every single financial analyst who predicted the crash is right about the fundamentals, but wrong about the lengths to which the system will go to decouple values from fundamentals. I haven’t decided whether I’m going to buy or not, but I was hoping for perspective on how low the crash may go, and how long it will stay down.”
Arnie’s big mistake: trying to justify risky personal actions based on macroeconomics. The question is not where house prices or government policy are going, but if an action is correct based on personal circumstances. How is that not a simple and clear criterion?
If you need a home (a baby doesn’t cut it) and can afford one (increasing living costs by 70% is plain unwise) without draining your net worth (sorry, Arnie, the RESP and a nestegg come first) then go ahead and buy. But not now.
Ever been to Huntsville? Take warm undies.
Blog dog Joe has come across a weird situation. Actually it’s Joe’s brother-in-law which has been left shaking his head, wondering what the blazes is goin’ on down there in the GTA.
Hi Garth. My brother-in-law in Huntsville and he had his 3 year renter leave when the renter bought his own house. He put an advertisement on Kijiji for a 2 bedroom apartment to rent in Huntsville and received 344 applications for this.
It took awhile to go through everyone as he wanted the best applicant. It was quite the shock to receive so many for this place which is about two hours North of Toronto.
So I responded, asking J where all these apps were coming from. People in the area, maybe, whose igloos had melted over the summer or wanted to move into some kind of habitable shelter before the six months of darkness and roaming bears began? That would make sense.
“No, he said. “None of the applications were local. The Huntsville population is tiny and the Kijiji advertisement went provincial. It was just a surprise to have that many applications for this one apartment.”
And this is the topic for today’s comment section: what the heck?
184 comments ↓
you are awesome Garth, well said
Same in the Collingwood area. Lots of rentals being snapped up in a hurry by out of towners. Hopefully the people moving up here know what kind of winters we get. Invest in a snow blower.
There is little to no work in Huntsville in the winter.
To survive the winter, people generally cater to the cottagers and tourists during the summer, save up, and then use that money to see them through the slow period.
However, it is very cold, very fresh, very clean, extremely under populated and if you don’t mind wild deer walking down the road with you (you will see a lot) and the occasional bear, and if you don’t mind very very cold weather, then the only thing in your way is money.
Perhaps a large group of CERBians, confident in continuing to collect free pogey from the Feds forever, and having decided to never work again, are now headed up north to enjoy a life of solitude, freedom, lack of social distancing (not enough people to distance) and a virus free life style?
Huntsville a renting mecca?
Weird is right.
Sudbury beckons….
if you don’t want people to react don’t provoke. Otherwise stop whining about it
Garth,
MSM and the brainwashed masses will not be able to sustain the STAIN that is the US prez. My two loonies!
Cheers
“The social media world is polluted, corrupted, invaded, twisted and polarized.”
No $hit eh!?? I hate all social media equally…Its the worst thing that ever come to humanity. It bringing everything down and kids…they should be ban till 20… This is my only SM platform
Spent many summers cottaging in Huntsville as a kid before it was trendy and invaded by those with ‘summer homes’. It’s beautiful. Back in June restrictions lifted:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/june-4-coronavirus-updates-toronto-news
Same was reported in Muskoka and Kawartha areas incl cottagers doing renos to live in full time. There’s an incr in new ‘luxury’ rentals by big developers in Peterborough. Not sure what it all says but def a trend.
TRUMP WILL SAVE YOUR SOUL!
(testing, testing, testing…)
DELETED
Demand in Huntsville defies all fundamentals. It’s in the sticks, alright. Google maps shows the town covered in snow and ice.
Re-Elect Trudeau!
And this is the topic for today’s comment section: what the heck?
………………….
Turn on, tune in, drop out.
Up and coming AirBnB moguls?
I wonder how many people wanting to rent that place in Huntsville might try to Air BnB it for a profit, rather than live in it?
People might be expecting, second lockdowns and big social unrests in big cities, and trying to get out of the dodge for a couple of years, while things settle down?
Anecdotally, friends who just rented a house, had hard time finding the place then Huntsville, but it was in North Van, which is more understandable, regardless the demand is still strong. Also, now they are having hard time buying furniture, apparently, even in IKEA it is all sold out?!
What the heck, is right. I gave up trying to apply logic , everything seems upside down.
“…before the six months of darkness and roaming bears began?”
THAT was classic.
At the risk of having written dung come my way, living in Italia my response would be:
Well Canada, that’s what living in Canada is all about, enjoy and DON’T forget the Vitamin D supplements, apparently it’s helpful for you know what.
——————–
Well, they probably thought it was for Huntsville, ALABAMA…you know:
‘Outta here.
#12 Simon on 09.29.20 at 3:19 pm
Have you not been reading? He’s a socialist, a walking conflict of interest, a liar, and has no idea how to run a bubble gum machine never mind a country.
I guess that’s why I’m wealthy and MANY are up to their butt in hawk. A free cheque anyone?! Move over Venezuela.
“….whose igloos had melted over the summer or wanted to move into some kind of habitable shelter before the six months of darkness and roaming bears began”
Garth is exactly right.
Huntsville and cottage country is not for any of you inbred southern hillbillies. Plus it’s dark with lots of wild animals and mosquitoes all summer.
You won’t like it here, so forget a cottage and…
Just.
Stay.
Home.
“We don’t have a balanced portfolio yet, but we’re immigrants and moved to this country just 3 years ago.
———
Yeah, and so? What’s your point Arnie? There are lots of immigrants to this country, both rich and poor. There are lots of native born Canadians, both rich and poor. Are you saying that all immigrants are all poor sops? I think not.
Grow a thicker skin. It will help you in the long run.
“The question is not where house prices or government policy are going, but if an action is correct based on personal circumstances. ”
As always, the best advice found here. So wise!
I have been to Huntsville many times on business and the people are friendly and the place is quiet. It must be the proximity to North Bay / Sudbury (sarcasm, although I enjoy both North Bay & Sudbury if only for their proximity to Timmins & the Soo).
Or, having read enough TurnerNation posts, when something seems odd, always ask yourself, how do Soros, Gates or They benefit from this and you will find your answer.
Lastly, Let’s Go Blue Jays!
Maybe it’s the towns motto.
Current Motto: Touch the Past, Embrace the Future
New Motto: Forget the Past, Embrace the Future – Work from home
The statement Arnie made in his reply could not be more true!!!
“Every single financial analyst who predicted the crash is right about the fundamentals, but wrong about the lengths to which the system will go to decouple values from fundamentals.”
The system has two (2) components:
1. Government,
2. Central Banks.
#1 Politico’s i can understand…
#2 Central Bankers??? (Independent,… educated, knowledgeable self thinkers not related to politics)…I don’t understand them.
#2 = Political puppets!
Arnie, don’t e-mail Garth unless you want the honest truth. You should know that already if you read this blog. The world is a tough place, so grow some thick skin or it will eat you alive.
————————————————–
I live downtown Toronto and the mass exodus is real. People are fleeing in droves. If anyone downtown is smart, they won’t feed into the doom and gloom mentality and take this as a opportunity for setting up long term roots in Toronto. Toronto will repopulate and grow again. People will come back to the core. Will you win or lose in this situation? Be emotional or rational? If you look long term, the smart path is evident. Don’t flee to Huntsville in fear. This will be over one day and you’ll have missed a huge money making opportunity.
“Many think it will be the political spectacle of a generation”
That’s an understatement. Where else will we get to see two senile old habitual liars duke it out? Too bad there won’t be a studio audience.
Am I allowed to try to sway the BC vote?
Well why not Huntsville, a town with no major employers of any size, a few nice bits of lake and a couple of decent restaurants? I prefer somewhere a bit wilder myself a little further North. But the winters can be long, lots of blue sky snow and deer but not much else, so that is the time to travel, oh Wait….
‘You really stung me’
70% increase in living costs. Single income for now. High leverage. Buying something overvalued in unprecedented times.
TRUTH a better pill to swallow than false praise.
Canadians really do have a virus more fatal that COVID-19 and it’s called:
RE FOMO.
———————–
COVID-19 now in 17th place in the List of Epidemics, Death Toll (estimates) category.
Too bad they don’t have another ranking category named:
Financial Cost
…I bet it’d make Top 3 on that.
I can’t explain the sheer volume of applicants, but younger people (I will assume none of them watched Seinfeld) are drawn to more serene natural settings.
I see this in a bunch of colleagues at work and in my younger cousins. Anecdotal of course, but I think it a misnomer to believe the city has the same magnetism it once did; covid or no.
What the has gone through in the past 250 years is astonishing.
America in particular – WW1 and 2, civil war, vietnam war, cold war, middle east wars, planes flying in towers, depressions, recessions, and all through it all 45 different Presidents.
Meanwhile what has the DOW done through it all??
Up and down then up higher then down a little then up and up and up.
Doesnt mean a damn thing who’s president of the U.S.
As long as Americans have the right to bare arms the White House and Congress have a job to do.
“Take care of the citizens you were hired to protect and serve”
Geez Arnie, the blog and advice are free! Garth seasons with just enough cynicism and depricating humour to make it worth reading for the rest of us. Go hire an analyst why don’t ya?
#20 Stone
Better yet, don’t bring your feelings to this blog, or work for that matter…
Trump or Biden?
Canada’s insatiable desire for home ownership?
Govt telling us what to wear, whom to meet, where to go…
Are we barking up the wrong tree? Humans can split an atom and perform miracles unheard of in the past, and yet we bicker about trivialities.
Time to get back to work on my interstellar warp drive.
Does the calculated inflation rate of approx 2% have any real connection to average Canadian? When I look at housing, car, food, clothes – its far far beyond 2%.
Arnie’s been here for 3 years and expects the houses to continue to climb forever? Wow. He really needs to revisit some older posts. Seems like he missed a few important ones.
Hormonal decisions + greed are what got us to this place. People who can’t control their hormones should get the most blunt replies. A proverbial slap in the face sounds about right.
What the heck, indeed! People think it’s great since WFH is forever and less Covid germs up in Huntsville. I pity the ones who then have to commute back to GTA once the coronavirus germs settle into retirement….
Also, Sir Garth, most people who write to you probably already have their minds made up one way or another in regards to real estate, but since you are like, an uber-genius, who wouldn’t want confirmation from the bearded one? I doubly pity the fools who think you will agree with poor financial choices!
Arnie’s still using his logic of “I’ll spend $100k on rent over three years, so house prices have to come down by $150k in order for it to be financially worth it to keep renting.”
Dear Dog, I hope his $200k household income isn’t based on his ability to reason logically or do math.
Arnie: Do you really believe, even after all the comments two days ago, that all your home ownership payments go towards equity? Have you at least priced out what the total monthly costs of owning will be, compared to renting? Don’t forget to include any difference in transportation costs and time.
I’m relieved that I won’t have to deal with the stress that Arnie’s about to heap onto himself, as he’s clearly already decided what he’s going to do.
So does this $500 a week just keep coming? I wake up and bam.. amother 500
#192 Stone on 09.29.20 at 3:01 pm
#187 Sail Away on 09.29.20 at 2:33 pm
Wow! You’re quoting something from about 9 months ago. You know, I though you were a psycho before..
____
What – is 330% in 9 months not good enough? Sounds pretty sweet to me.
#169 MF on 09.29.20 at 12:33 pm
Jake on 09.29.20 at 9:25
I didn’t miss anything. All I see is someone green with envy comparing and complaining about the path he took.
MF
*************************
I know you get your knickers in a twist anytime someone suggest that your teacher parents have a gravy job, but here’s the thing:
They are public servants. It’s perfectly acceptable IMO for tax payers to question the compensation of politicians, teachers, police, garbage men and anyone else on the payroll.
From 1968 to 1969 the H3N2 flu pandemic killed over a million people. Today, we are about there with the COVID 19 virus. Back then it wasn’t big news, no lock downs, masks or social distancing. It’s likely that Laura Glass’s parents probably hadn’t even met. In spite of the pandemic, Woodstock happened in 1969.
What’s different this time – technology and maybe too much of it. Technology has created RT-PCR gene sequencing tests, computer models, tracing apps, and massive bandwidth for working from home and home schooling. There are now people in charge that are trying to command the tides.
Johan Giesecke used the word ‘Tsunami’ to describe how a virus rolls into a population. Premier Doug Ford has now latched on to the T word, which makes zero suppression irrelevant.
My concern is why crater the economy over the COVID virus? The cure is now more deadly than the disease. And now we’re out of ammo should the virus tarry or a new potentially more deadly flu virus spread in the coming years.
In 1969 a people landed on the moon. Today, we are in cancelled weenie world forever.
#17 Dolce Vita on 09.29.20 at 3:25 pm
…and DON’T forget the Vitamin D supplements, apparently it’s helpful for you know what.
————
Rickets?
Arnie’s big mistake: trying to justify risky personal actions based on macroeconomics. The question is not where house prices or government policy are going, but if an action is correct based on personal circumstances. How is that not a simple and clear criterion?
Yes. It is so true. When I read her email, I thought it is not fair asking Garth about the future house price. It is really about how do you position yourself. Can you really take the risk. If you can, just go ahead.
A good one from Campbell.
Inter provincial trade barriers…never talked about by these bone head politicians. Its a head shaker.
https://globalnews.ca/bc/program/money-talks-cknw/?gref=cknw
As Canadians, even us displaced ones, should endeavour to be Canadians and not be obsessed with South of the Border.
That is not who we are or ever will be, nor can we vote in their elections.
I care only about financial and export ties and their policy as for the rest their country, do as they please (within their borders without spill over to Canada).
—————————-
ON being Canadian some here love to Comment about the great Swedish COVID-19 Miracle and how Canada should emulate them.
I have kept my tongue (below video) but you know they are a bit of a SERIOUS joke here in Europe.
I am not the only one that thinks so and you will learn from listening for 20 seconds from the UK’s Doctor John Campbell what I have known for a long time.
A VERY good reason why Canada SHOULD NEVER emulate the great Swedish COVID-19 miracle…we are much better than this (recall in PQ the outrage in Care Home elderly care where Canada sent in the Army to fix matters):
https://youtu.be/WyNg2ECu16Q?list=PLXB8ayGD8KsPvvfkJn5Z89Z0AqK2GfTdI&t=1270
(time stamped video url, takes time to load)
Oh, Doctor Sweden that posted here a week or so ago, care to comment?
Better to be Canadian for all our foibles, we are not that heartless.
#181 Tater on 09.29.20 at 2:02 pm
#168 SoggyShorts on 09.29.20 at 12:29 pm
#147 Tater on 09.29.20 at 10:09 am
#132 Jake on 09.29.20 at 9:25 am
#101 MF, #102 Ponzius Pilatus
Ok, then run as a sole prop and don’t complain about not having sick days. You (the royal you) had choices about how to structure your company and could weigh the costs and benefits. You also had the choice to seek employment rather than have your own company.
**************************
I agree, I just wanted to point out that in general partnerships are not a great thing.
I would never use a comparison to myself to complain about someone else’s benefits. Entrepreneurism and anything else are worlds apart.
I do, however, believe I have the right to scrutinize any recipient of my tax dollars in any situation.
#18 Bill on 09.29.20 at 3:26 pm
#12 Simon on 09.29.20 at 3:19 pm
Have you not been reading? He’s a socialist, a walking conflict of interest, a liar, and has no idea how to run a bubble gum machine never mind a country.
I guess that’s why I’m wealthy and MANY are up to their butt in hawk. A free cheque anyone?! Move over Venezuela.
————————————————————————
Your boy Trump is a socialist by your own definition. He too sent free cheques. Not sure why you have Venezuela in your mind.
Do you want to move there?
“This is the most crucial debate ever,”
The LEAST crucial debate ever. 26% of the US population watched (at least part of) the first Clinton-Trump debate, which sounds impressive until you find out that Carter-Reagan was 35.6%.
The partisan divide between the parties has widened and set into concrete. There’s probably only 2,000 undecideds left in the country. 2/3 of them won’t vote, 12 of them will vote for Jorgenson, 7 for Hawkins, 20 will write in Kanye and five will eat their ballots.
And there’s playoff baseball on.
This debate will only be a turning point if a stage light falls on someone.
#20 Stone on 09.29.20 at 3:29 pm
“We don’t have a balanced portfolio yet, but we’re immigrants and moved to this country just 3 years ago.
———
Yeah, and so? What’s your point Arnie? There are lots of immigrants to this country, both rich and poor. There are lots of native born Canadians, both rich and poor. Are you saying that all immigrants are all poor sops? I think not.
Grow a thicker skin. It will help you in the long run.
***********************
I believe that the implication was that they haven’t been making 200K until recently.
Man you can be a dick sometimes.
Serious question: who can feel comfortable being a landlord anymore?
Current policy in BC imposes a punitive tax on unoccupied residential property — supposedly to encourage more rentals and maybe lower rental price pressure. So, owners are punished if they do not want tenants.
Then along comes COVID and boom! No penalty for non-payment of rent and no evictions allowed. There wasn’t even a means test to ensure hardship was the reason for non-payment of rent.
How is that not legalized/government sanctioned theft?
It disturbs me greatly that government can blithely pick winners and losers and invalidate contracts. But only in one direction. (Count the votes!)
Owners run all the risk. Renters are told they have many, many unbreakable rights — and no responsibilities.
Short-sighted policies often create lasting consequences. As Garth says, markets like predictability.
These policies have helped some. But they also harmed real, flesh & blood people. Who also have rights.
Of course some, who have posted on this blog, have implied that all renters are fully human, worthy of sympathy and relief, but….landlords! Sheesh, they are basically evil, blood-suckers.
(Not sure what “Keep your rent” types value, but someday I could almost hope government would commit some seizure of their stuff, just to see how they would howl.)
I prefer to assert that _all_ citizens have rights and responsibilities which should be respected and arbitrated in a neutral manner.
But hey, I’m just not into special victim classifications.
I guess even asking about equitable treatment is just more incorrect thought on my part.
Winters up north will drive many totally insane.The “Shining” and Jack chasing his bride with an axe will become the new Saturday night entertainment.Do your homework.
Long haul mainline pilot chimes in on debate about teachers’ hours, pay, and benefits. No irony detectable.
I come here for the humour.
#41 John Schaefer on 09.29.20 at 4:04 pm
In 1969 a people landed on the moon. Today, we are in cancelled weenie world forever.
——————————————————————-
Technology does not make people smarter. People still believe in ghosts, astrology and the Old Testament.
Hell, today, some people believe a mask is an act of submission and it will prevent them from getting oxygen.
Know it all
As long as Americans have the right to bare arms the White House and Congress have a job to do.
————————————————
We will NEVER give up the right to wear short-sleeve shirts!
#53 Joseph R. on 09.29.20 at 4:22 pm
Hell, today, some people believe a mask is an act of submission and it will prevent them from getting oxygen.
————
Ha! Fools! As if!
Ok, ok, I’ll wear the stupid thing
Snap, snap….. … … ….
……………
…….
That was a correction?
And there hasn’t been a mr market since 2008.
What would happen if they stopped buying billions of dollars of bonds/week?
Then the “real” mr market would show up, and he’s been locked in the basement, fed a steady diet of unhealthy stimulus for years, and has been bribed with cheap promises he knows are fairy dust. He’s healthy or happy.
MF
*not happy.
As in pissed off.
MF
#53 Joseph R. on 09.29.20 at 4:22 pm
#41 John Schaefer on 09.29.20 at 4:04 pm
In 1969 a people landed on the moon. Today, we are in cancelled weenie world forever.
………………………..
I blame us. We raised our kids to be a bunch of weenies.
My generation was raised by survivors of the Great Depression and WW2. Tough people. Most of us had a bit of toughness pounded into us by them. We made it easy on our kids and they made it easier for their kids. Now we have weenies. Buch of socialist gimme free stuff weenies. We are in such deep kimchi. Woe is us.
Arnie came here for the same reason 99.9% of us come here… to have his opinion/decision validated by the mob. When that didn’t happen, butthurt ensued.
See now Dougie is smart. He never wanted to agree to the COVID nonsense locking down children and toddlers, but he got put under pressure and had to do it.
Schools closed, kids at home developing mental health issues due to being kept in their rooms 24/7. Hiding from a virus that won’t do anything to them.
Now, we finally get some logic and common sense, as our Premier is allowed to deal with things his way:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-reports-554-new-covid-19-cases-four-additional-deaths/
Protect the people who actually die of COVID. The LTCH residents.
This makes so much more sense than the lock downs that are happening right now in Quebec.
Intelligence and common sense rules Ontario.
maybe they thought it was Huntsville Alabama?
People who can afford to do so are fleeing cities.
#49 SoggyShorts on 09.29.20 at 4:15 pm
#20 Stone on 09.29.20 at 3:29 pm
“We don’t have a balanced portfolio yet, but we’re immigrants and moved to this country just 3 years ago.
———
Yeah, and so? What’s your point Arnie? There are lots of immigrants to this country, both rich and poor. There are lots of native born Canadians, both rich and poor. Are you saying that all immigrants are all poor sops? I think not.
Grow a thicker skin. It will help you in the long run.
***********************
I believe that the implication was that they haven’t been making 200K until recently.
Man you can be a dick sometimes.
———
Only sometimes? That’s so sweet of you to say.
Huntsville (and northern Ontario in general) suffer from two major problems: too many bugs, too few jobs. I agree with the theory that these people are just looking for a cheap place to ride out the storm.
#41 John Schaefer on 09.29.20 at 4:04 pm
From 1968 to 1969 the H3N2 flu pandemic killed over a million people. Today, we are about there with the COVID 19 virus. Back then it wasn’t big news, no lock downs, masks or social distancing………..
—————————
Whereas Covid has killed that many WITH lockdowns, masks and social distancing, and it’s not done yet…so your point was?
There is no place in the entire ontario expanse that would match a prairie winter. People rent in Winnipeg for goodness sakes.
It should not be a great surprise, we have a FOMO pandemic happening.
My latest blog post on increasing poverty with charts:
http://www.chpc.biz/history-readings/normalized-poverty
A snippet from the post:
“A 2019 study by David Macdonald for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, titled Unaccommodating: Rental Wages in Canada, put the affordability crisis into a context everyone can understand. Macdonald set out to determine the minimum hourly wage a person would have to make in order to comfortably afford to rent (using no more than 30% of their income) a one- or two-bedroom apartment in nearly 800 neighbourhoods within Canada’s major cities. The answer: $22.40 an hour for a two-bedroom apartment and just over $20 an hour for an average one-bedroom unit.
These “rental wages” are at least $5 an hour more than the highest provincial minimum wage in Canada ($15 in Alberta). In most Canadian cities, including Canada’s largest metropolitan areas of Toronto and Vancouver, Macdonald found there are no neighbourhoods where it is possible to afford a one- or two-bedroom unit on a single minimum wage, and even people earning much more than that will struggle to find a home they can afford.
#54 Phil on 09.29.20 at 4:27 pm
Know it all
As long as Americans have the right to bare arms the White House and Congress have a job to do.
————————————————
We will NEVER give up the right to wear short-sleeve shirts!
and show off the GUNS….Al Bundy style. lol
How much was the rent on the Hunstville crib? Don’t tell me that the floodgates are open with bidding wars :-/
Can you get there from here?
Huntsville?? But thanks to local accounts from other blog dogs.
Airbnb setup or most likely leaving town for flu season. Or perhaps a new industry is coming to town…WE charity headquarters?
Huntsville – it’s just peeps prepping their bug-out locations for wave 2.
The prepper channels on YouTube have been raking it in since March, maybe they are more popular than we think… :D
#33 Guelph Guru on 09.29.20 at 3:48 pm
“Time to get back to work on my interstellar warp drive.”
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That explain the power cuts. I thought it was the 200K “elite” at hydroone or OPG. Silly me.
#voteforpedro
#defundthecra
lol
What the heck ?!!!
Is a question on my mind a lot lately . More confused as of late than anything. I have more questions than answers .
Miss “Smoking Man” and his witty remarks .
To Arnie it doesn’t really matter what happens to the housing market, whether an $800k house today will be worth $650k or $950K in future. Financial independence is always better!
It is a bad idea to buy and give up his financial freedom. Now he has no debt! Earning $200k and renting for $30k a year, they could be saving up to $100k a year! HIND (High Income, No Debt) and building financial assets is better than owing a large amount of mortgage debt to a bank.
#58 Yukon Elvis on 09.29.20 at 4:53 pm
#53 Joseph R. on 09.29.20 at 4:22 pm
#41 John Schaefer on 09.29.20 at 4:04 pm
In 1969 a people landed on the moon. Today, we are in cancelled weenie world forever.
………………………..
I blame us. We raised our kids to be a bunch of weenies.
My generation was raised by survivors of the Great Depression and WW2. Tough people. Most of us had a bit of toughness pounded into us by them. We made it easy on our kids and they made it easier for their kids. Now we have weenies. Buch of socialist gimme free stuff weenies. We are in such deep kimchi. Woe is us.
—————————–
This easily offends you?
Will the debate even happen with the hearing device check condition in place?
https://thehill.com/campaign-issues/518736-trump-campaign-wants-to-examine-bidens-ears-for-electronic-device-during
@ #60 Ace Goodheart on 09.29.20 at 5:02 pm-
Your post is a 100% totally dropped in the street big stinky steaming load.
Dougie is tightening LTC and retirement home restrictions. He is not loosening them for the rest of us. Especially in schools.
Think of the children!
Dougie is no conservative. He has lost his way.
#67 Brian Ripley on 09.29.20 at 5:21 pm
… In most Canadian cities, including Canada’s largest metropolitan areas of Toronto and Vancouver, Macdonald found there are no neighbourhoods where it is possible to afford a one- or two-bedroom unit on a single minimum wage, and even people earning much more than that will struggle to find a home they can afford.
***********************
How is this new? In the late ’90s a 1 or 2 bedder was cheaper, but at $5/h * 30% * 160h =$240 you weren’t renting an apartment either.
Fast forward to the early-mid ’00s and I was renting a $600 dump.
Min wage was $7/h *30% *160h = $336
Minimum wage = mom’s basement or roommates.
Has it ever been different? Should it?
#47 Joseph R. on 09.29.20 at 4:11 pm
#18 Bill on 09.29.20 at 3:26 pm
#12 Simon on 09.29.20 at 3:19 pm
Have you not been reading? He’s a socialist, a walking conflict of interest, a liar, and has no idea how to run a bubble gum machine never mind a country.
I guess that’s why I’m wealthy and MANY are up to their butt in hawk. A free cheque anyone?! Move over Venezuela.
————————————————————————
Your boy Trump is a socialist by your own definition. He too sent free cheques. Not sure why you have Venezuela in your mind.
Do you want to move there?
——————-
Sailo used to live in Venezuela.
Ask him.
I say pop the housing bubble by increasing interest rates. This will allow new home buyers an affordable entry point and allow for a decent risk-free return on ones money. Too many seniors are going to be forced to tap into their capital to live without higher rates.
The rabble at our bank were told the return to the office is likely to be early summer next year. This has been constantly getting pushed out with the first round saying we would be back in May 2020.
I have been thinking about wintering at a cottage and it seems I’m not alone. As long as it has internet, I’m golden. It might cost 6 months rent but the change of scenery might save my sanity. I imagine this is even more true for the millions looking to escape their 400sqft box.
Arnie,
If you wanna know why not to buy a house, you’ve come to the right blog.
If you wanna know why you absolutely have to buy a house, your friendly neighborhood realtor is your man.
Make sure you add his commission to the price of the house.
Just wondering what The Bookies odds are on the election and what they might be.
#59 Bytor the Snow Dog on 09.29.20 at 4:53 pm
Arnie came here for the same reason 99.9% of us come here… to have his opinion/decision validated by the mob. When that didn’t happen, butthurt ensued.
————–
Oh, sorry Doggie.
It was not my intention to ever hurt you.
You just seemed so strong and manly.
>How’s this for a delete, Garth? By the way, look up Biden and 180 years. I feel a Smoking-Man style delete coming on.
—
Zoolander 3 script update.
In the back-halls of Parliament Hill.
Prime Minister Zoolander, begging on his knees: “Please, Mr. Sing. I’ll do anything if you approve my Throne Speech! Please, there’ll be a non-confidence vote!”
Socialist Sing: “Then dance for me, Zoolander! Dance! Bhangra! In public!”
PM Zoolander, smiling with great relief: “Thank you, Mr Sing! Thank you! I’ll even get a nice outfit!” (or two or three…)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OJAwRgeRJQ
Arnold 3 days in a row…
Here it is audio on youtube on beginning first 3min, i have a book somewhere but this will do for our house buying arnie. Arnie this is what you have to do from Arnold him self after his first movi went flop. Create a vision and have at it, make a vision sole purpose home ownership, and before you know it dreem becomse a realty. In a few yrs you can come here and be Sail Away light, imagine that. Im looking ford seeing that.
https://youtu.be/CwuXXON7iIc
noneed to thank me.
—
As for election this will be interesting to watch, working stiff on both sufers from recency bias, perpetual job losses, outsourcing and going bunkrupt by beeing unable to afford to get sick. That pretty much covers concern on both sides. Foreign policy is just accelerated policy from before that doesn’t change much.
There was an write up that i read few days ago about wally street preparing for incumbent victory. Now i wonder how that will affect voting pattern of those on fringes.
#68 DON on 09.29.20 at 5:22 pm
#54 Phil on 09.29.20 at 4:27 pm
Know it all
As long as Americans have the right to bare arms the White House and Congress have a job to do.
————————————————
We will NEVER give up the right to wear short-sleeve shirts!
and show off the GUNS….Al Bundy style. lol
————-
So funny.
The right to bare arms.
Which amendment is that again?
The Huntsville rental – maybe the ad rang the chimes of many fleeing the Big Smoke, or maybe the applicants misunderstood exactly where Huntsville is located. Is there a suburb or area within the GTA with a similar name?
Mortgage rates: how low can they go? Is this some kind of rate war between lenders looking to grab market share? Or is this simply because of current economic circumstances & will become a footnote in some learned tome later on?
Trudeau is at it again pledging 400 million to countries willing to play along with his pre-pandemic “Reset”
https://tnc.news/2020/09/29/trudeau-pledges-400-million-in-international-aid-despite-growing-debt/
Oh yeah…debate is tonight!
Hmmm…should I finish The Last Dance on Netflix?
Hi Garth. My brother-in-law in Huntsville and he had his 3 year renter leave when the renter bought his own house. He put an advertisement on Kijiji for a 2 bedroom apartment to rent in Huntsville and received 344 applications for this.
Huntsville, 2 hours and 17 minutes from 215 Huron Street, Toronto ( where I worked at U of T ). 2 hours to the airport. It would be okay once a week. Good internet. The OPP close Highway 11 once a year for weather. An accident on the 400 will stop traffic for hours. It’s definitely out of Toronto.
There’s a Walmart in Huntsville. There’s a Costco in Orillia.
It ties in with what I’ve been hearing about rent in Ottawa. People are paying a lot to rent.
People are taking this work-from-home thing way too seriously. Once this Covid-19 ends, people will find they’ve run themselves out of the play. On-the-other-hand if they’re renting, they could easily move back to Toronto. Worse case scenario, they stay in Huntsville for a year.
Don’t crap on Huntsville!
I haven’t been since I dumped my bike years back but there is…well, 3-4 months of good riding up there if you have a real bike, not some sluggish straight line only Harley with tassels. There was a ever appreciated Shell station. There was a restaurant by the river that had killer quesadillas, and Kawathra ice cream is made there, right? Or is that Haliburton? After you ride you have 8 months to work on your diabetes and cavities.
Oh…elephant lake road…I remember you and your 180km/hr curves! You truly are a 10! See…this is why I know I should not have a motorcycle.
Expats. Tons of expats coming home. Yes, there’s 3 or 4 hundred k Hong Kongers & 50 k Lebanese with Canadian passports. But there’s also 3 millions of canuckleheads in the far east with their younger gf’s, workers making good low tax dough in the states ,middle east, Russia & the Stans, Euroweenie & English don’t wanna be anymore wanna bees, pensioners,etc. Time to come home to the nest. Boring can be better than the alternative if your safe. Safe in the bosom of mama lil potato with her free warm potato milk.
Nobody can influence the result of the upcoming US presidential election now. No doubt, it has already been determined and cannot be altered by mere mortals. The polluted social media world and fake news on television can only make helpless background noise at this point.
This is one of those extremely rare times in history when one can actually know for sure the outcome of a future event. Fortunately, the outcome will be good again, except for the criminal types who will have trouble accepting it yet again. The impact on the US economy, taxes, central banks, rates, housing, jobs, assets and financial markets will be good and YUGE. This is far beyond merely black and white. There is so much more contrast than that.
#19 Cottagers STAY THE HELL AWAY!
Be careful what you wish for. The majority of your infrastructure and jobs is paid for and supported by your so-called “inbred southern hillbillies”.
#7 Bill on 09.29.20 at 3:13 pm
“The social media world is polluted, corrupted, invaded, twisted and polarized.”
This is my only SM platform
—–
Ditto… As a personal laugh to myself I always replace the “i” in twitter with an “a”
#86 Long-Time Lurker on 09.29.20 at 6:37 pm
>How’s this for a delete, Garth? By the way, look up Biden and 180 years. I feel a Smoking-Man style delete coming on.
—
Zoolander 3 script update.
In the back-halls of Parliament Hill.
Prime Minister Zoolander, begging on his knees: “Please, Mr. Sing. I’ll do anything if you approve my Throne Speech! Please, there’ll be a non-confidence vote!”
Socialist Sing: “Then dance for me, Zoolander! Dance! Bhangra! In public!”
PM Zoolander, smiling with great relief: “Thank you, Mr Sing! Thank you! I’ll even get a nice outfit!” (or two or three…)
—————————————————————-
Sing as more to lose than Trudeau from a fall election.
As far as your scenario goes, I don’t think you should use this board as your own personal erotica site.
@#62 Petulant on 09.29.20 at 5:06 pm
People who can afford to do so are fleeing cities.
–
more likely just buying 2nd/3rd homes in the country to visit on weekends
Why not live rent free in Huntsville on your CERB payments for the winter? There is no way I’d rent out a place right now because you aren’t going to get paid. May as well leave it empty so there is less damage to fix once evictions resume.
——————————-
As for Arnie, I thought the advice given was pretty much the same thing Garth has been saying since 2006.
But I sympathize with Anrie, the early 30’s is when most people want to jump on the ownership bandwagon. And the problem is that for most people who came before them it has worked. It is hard not to extrapolate. You know, the usual life cycle that they sell us; “the dream”.
“The dream” goes like this: Go to school, get a trade, party until you are 30, then get married and settle down, buy a house and have some kids, then work for 35 more years and pay everything off and maybe save for retirement. Then if you are lucky you can spend 10 years driving around in an RV before the health issues show up.
And your mother is highly invested in you following “the dream”. After all why did she put so much effort into raising you if there aren’t any grandchildren coming along? Waste of time and money that would be.
Sometimes I think the ones who bucked that plan and said “no thanks” to “the dream” were the smart ones. You know who I am talking about. The ones who spend their weekends riding around on Harleys and hanging out in pubs because they never married. They seem happy enough to me. I don’t think they worry about whether to rent or own, only whether they have beer money. It must be so liberating. No money for rent? Oh well let’s head to Sturgis on the hog. Let the landlord worry about all the trash furniture you left behind because it wasn’t worth anything anyway.
*PS. I used 2006 rather than 2008 because I bought and read “Greater Fool”. I sold my house partially as a result (also partially because I needed something bigger so it was time to dump the bachelor pad) and rented for several years, but net-net I think I ended up no further ahead or behind. If I had just stayed a bachelor in the bachelor pad I would be comfortably retired years ago. And it is not like the women were not coming by! But eventually one came by that wouldn’t leave.
So, 344 applications from people who don’t mind spending a never-ending winter stuck in an apartment, who have no commitment to a workplace, who may not be leaving much behind, and don’t seem to have the luxury to plan ahead too much? Easy. That’s 344 snowbirds who can’t escape this winter, and aren’t able to live in their RV for the duration of the winter. I’d think about moving to Huntsville if I had nothing better to do.
#2 Alex Jackson on 09.29.20 at 3:06 pm
Same in the Collingwood area. Lots of rentals being snapped up in a hurry by out of towners. Hopefully the people moving up here know what kind of winters we get. Invest in a snow blower.
————————————-
I am sure Trudeau will come up with a “snowblower” plan shortly. More unionized government workers.
@#94 fishman
“Safe in the bosom of mama lil potato with her free warm potato milk.”
++++
ahahahaha.
Is the potato milk served in a bowl to be lapped up or in a bottle with a nipple?
#101 One Cent Inflated on 09.29.20 at 7:21 pm
So, 344 applications from people who don’t mind spending a never-ending winter stuck in an apartment, who have no commitment to a workplace, who may not be leaving much behind, and don’t seem to have the luxury to plan ahead too much? Easy. That’s 344 snowbirds who can’t escape this winter, and aren’t able to live in their RV for the duration of the winter. I’d think about moving to Huntsville if I had nothing better to do.
—————————————
Interesting take. I read something somewhere and if my memory is correct (too lazy to Google right now), something like 150,000 Canadians live full time in their RV’s. They almost all over-winter in the southern US. Now that is not a really huge number, but my guess is when planning for a winter without travel they will be looking for cheap places to rent that have central heating. Well, RV’s have central heating too, but they aren’t really made for a Canadian winter. At -30 nothing works. Propane and electric consumption is off the charts, the water freezes, the sewer won’t flow, and the windows frost up. The only thing that works is the fridge.
#40
I know you get your knickers in a twist anytime someone suggest that your teacher parents have a gravy job, but here’s the thing:
They are public servants. It’s perfectly acceptable IMO for tax payers to question the compensation of politicians, teachers, police, garbage men and anyone else on the payroll.
—————————————————–
Likewise, it is perfectly acceptable for those who do not cheat on their taxes to question why the Gov’t is not clamping down hard on KPMG clients and those corporations who offshore their $$ earned in Canada to avoid paying taxes and those media companies who pay essentially nil to Canada. Going after this lot to make sure they pay their fare share is what all those honest tax-payers should be questioning. How many of the uber wealthy in Canada have a tax profile like Trump? This is a good question in my view.
#19 Cottagers STAY THE HELL AWAY! on 09.29.20 at 3:28 pm
Just
Go
Away.
#4 crowdedelevatorfartz on 09.29.20 at 3:09 pm
Huntsville a renting mecca?
Weird is right.
Sudbury beckons….
_ _ _
Ah, Sudbury, the St.Moritz of Northern Ontario…
Re Huntsville rental…out of towner applications. What the heck? Not really what the heck… it’s people listening to your advice not to blow their brains out on buying a property hours upon hours away. I think that people looking to test out rural living are smart to rent and see how they like it. Renting would be the equivalent to testing the waters for a year, and to be honest, if you can survive and thrive in the winter, the spring, summer, and autumns are amazing so anyone renting would likely buy after that. Good move imo.
It’s a reality TV show for most, unless your life is affected, then it matters a lot.
The market, in the short run, is more interested in CB policy than anything the govt’s are doing, which is why the election won’t move the market. But the long run difference is stark.
Everything from the price of energy to the cost of doing business and dealing with the armies of bureaucrats that either hassle you or leave you alone.
Obviously safety on the streets is a big issue if it’s your street.
Given that every war hawk in DC has lined up behind Biden, future wars, especially in the middle east could be an issue if you live there or are being sent there.
Despite Covid, there was enough of a buffer built up in the US to be able to print money and keep people happy or content, without consequences of the huge debt. If that changes and interest rates rise, then the party will be over and the unrest will come.
When that happens, I’d rather the boss be in favor of law and order and allowing self defense
#88 Ponzius Pilatus on 09.29.20 at 6:47 pm
#68 DON on 09.29.20 at 5:22 pm
#54 Phil on 09.29.20 at 4:27 pm
Know it all
As long as Americans have the right to bare arms the White House and Congress have a job to do.
————————————————
We will NEVER give up the right to wear short-sleeve shirts!
and show off the GUNS….Al Bundy style. lol
————-
So funny.
The right to bare arms.
Which amendment is that again?
—————————————————————–
********************************************
The Second Amendment (Amendment II) to the United States Constitution protects the individual[1] right to keep and bear arms.
“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
********************************************
#85 Ponzius Pilatius on 09.29.20 at 6:36 pm sniffles:
“#59 Bytor the Snow Dog on 09.29.20 at 4:53 pm
Arnie came here for the same reason 99.9% of us come here… to have his opinion/decision validated by the mob. When that didn’t happen, butthurt ensued.
————–
Oh, sorry Doggie.
It was not my intention to ever hurt you.
You just seemed so strong and manly.”
————————————————-
First time I’ve ever read one of your posts.
You think you’re different? LOL.
remote work for renters
#77 n1tro on 09.29.20 at 6:11 pm
Will the debate even happen with the hearing device check condition in place?
https://thehill.com/campaign-issues/518736-trump-campaign-wants-to-examine-bidens-ears-for-electronic-device-during
————————————-
Trump’s “drug test” and now “electronic devices” won’t matter because the whole debate is going to be about tax returns. Joe won’t have to answer a single question, just stay standing for 90 minutes. Interesting that the New York Times finally managed to get all the unproven uncollaborated damning evidence just days before the debate after years of trying.
Oh crap we aren’t supposed to talk about the US election today.
Anyway, I’ll have my popcorn ready it is now 56 minutes away, and I will watch until I barf. I put the over-under at 7 minutes.
The wife and I spend many a night in Huntsville during the off season as it breaks up the trip from Timmins to the movie set for the “walking dead”. Great atmosphere, food, and the craft beer is one of the best in Ontario.
#58 Yukon Elvis
I’m so sick and tired of this talking point. I know millennial Cops and Paramedics doing jobs that would make you pee your pants. Enough.
I will wade into this quagmire of US politics.
Many Americans voted for Trump, because they were tired of the Bush dynasty. They lastly wanted a Clinton dynasty.
You can be darn sure they don’t want a Trump dynasty. The nepotistic and narcissistic Trump will go down in the biggest presidential defeat ever.
The world should take it’s lead from Amerika.
“No work in Huntsville?”
Funny more people don’t want to move there…
But I guess with the Covid handouts, ya don’t have to work anywhere in Canada.
There’s a bit of ‘tone’ in Arnie’s comments. I don’t like it. His second email is reasonably well written so he appears educated and well able to make his own decisions. Stop washing them up on Garth’s beach and just admit it’s your other half that is putting the squeeze on you about being a ‘homeowner’ cause a kid is ‘on the scene now’. How the hell is anybody able to know what house prices will be three years down the road? The fallout from Covid is still a big unknown. Tread carefully is the best advice anyone can hope for right now. Man up and make your own decision, Arnie.
The ‘rush to the exits’ to places like Huntsville is interesting. One hopes people have carefully weighed the plus and minuses and reduced amenities offered, with solid insight into their personal habits and future desires.
Probably not. Self awareness isn’t a quality in great evidence these days. Elvis had a hit with ‘Fools Rush In’. It’s an epidemic these days.
Note to Sail Away: I’m giving your joke a 5 on a scale of 10.
Note to BillyBob: There are three groups. Social Workers are #1. Terrible with finances and totally unrealistic about life in general. Teachers are #2. O.K. (some) with finances, but they have the ‘know better syndrome’ in spades. They also marry other teachers and often choose not to have children. What’s that all about you might ask….. #3 is a certain type of Engineer. Not all, but the ones with the mechanical pencil in their shirt pocket, poindexter haircut and nerdy glasses can be insufferable. They’re really smart but often miss the forest while they gaze intently on the tree details.
Time to tune in to the ‘Race of the Century’. No not tonights debate. I’ll just watch a re-run of Sea Biscuit and Man O War. It’ll be more inspiring.
#105 yvr_lurker on 09.29.20 at 7:45 pm
#40
I know you get your knickers in a twist anytime someone suggest that your teacher parents have a gravy job, but here’s the thing:
They are public servants. It’s perfectly acceptable IMO for tax payers to question the compensation of politicians, teachers, police, garbage men and anyone else on the payroll.
——————————
As I said yesterday, long term the “invisible hand” corrects these problems. Look at what unreasonable union demands did to the United Auto Workers. Most of them are unemployed now and unless you drive a truck chances are your car was made by a Japanese or South Korean company. Unless you are rich in which case it could be German. Even if you drive a truck it probably came from Mexico. Good work unions!
@#118 The jag
“I’ll just watch a re-run of Sea Biscuit and Man O War. It’ll be more inspiring.”
++++
I believe you just described the contestants in tonight’s debate………
Reasons I can think of:
1. The perspective of a second lockdown. One can tolerate it much better when living in a remote/smaller town. It’s just easier to social distance…
2. The rent is significantly cheaper in Huntsville, Ontario compared to GTA.
3. The working from home will continue well into 2021, for at least another 9 months. You can work from anywhere (including Huntsville).
4. Vaccines will be available early next year but prioritize to front line workers. Their effectiveness will be underwhelming measured against inherent risks associated with any rushed new vaccine. Most likely any resemblance with herd immunity will be reached by the end of next year in large cities, not earlier. Signing a 1-year lease in Huntsville while saving some bucks seems like a not such a bad idea.
Re #104 by Nonplused
Well, RV’s have central heating too, but they aren’t really made for a Canadian winter. At -30 nothing works. Propane and electric consumption is off the charts, the water freezes, the sewer won’t flow, and the windows frost up. The only thing that works is the fridge.
—————————————————————-
I have first-hand knowledge on this topic as I do live in a large RV year round in Alberta. It is my seventh year doing so this month. It depends on the quality of the RV and how you prep it. My coach is a 40 ft Monaco Siganature Series diesel pusher. It has dual-pane windows and the water and waste tanks are in heated bays. It is critical to skirt an RV for winter living. It is also important to have multiple heat sources. I have two fireplaces (one small one inside and a large one outside with heat exchange ducting) two electric oil-filled free standing radiator heaters, a third small electric heater, and the coach has a diesel-fired boiler system with liquid heating and five different heat zones. Although my coach is technically a three season coach it does very well through even the coldest winters. I have seen -41 and been nice and warm in shorts and a t-shirt. By the way, when it gets below -35 or so I switch the refrigerator from electric to propane as an RV fridge on electric will not keep food frozen or cold in extreme cold temperatures. I was just skirting my coach today as a matter of fact.
#118 the Jaguar on 09.29.20 at 8:20 pm
Note to Sail Away: I’m giving your joke a 5 on a scale of 10.
—————–
Judge not, lest…
And this is the topic for today’s comment section: what the heck?
———–
Many people are working from home, most will work from home until at least early March 2021 and probably won’t be in the office full-time until Fall 2021.
My office was going to start going back one day every 2 weeks later in the fall with people who chose to keep their kids in school virtually or have elderly or at risk family member being allowed to work from home as long as needed. But with the increase in numbers in GTA the plan to have workers come back to the office was put on hold to be reassessed in a few weeks.
Until there is a vaccine people trust and are willing to take to stop the spread of covid19, those who can work from home indefinitely choose to be far away from people. The less people you see, the less likely you will ruin your lungs and immune system forever with long hauler symptoms from covid19.
The work from home folks only need good internet connection, a few big shopping chains in town and access to Amazon to survive.
#105 yvr_lurker on 09.29.20 at 7:45 pm
…it is perfectly acceptable for those who do not cheat on their taxes to question why the Gov’t is not clamping down hard on KPMG clients and those corporations who offshore their $$ earned in Canada to avoid paying taxes
————
Let’s see if I can help out here… how to explain… hmmm…
Oh yeah: because the corps are doing nothing illegal. Better?
110 KNOW IT ALL on 09.29.20 at 7:59 pm
#88 Ponzius Pilatus on 09.29.20 at 6:47 pm
#68 DON on 09.29.20 at 5:22 pm
#54 Phil on 09.29.20 at 4:27 pm
Know it all
As long as Americans have the right to bare arms the White House and Congress have a job to do.
————————————————
We will NEVER give up the right to wear short-sleeve shirts!
and show off the GUNS….Al Bundy style. lol
————-
So funny.
The right to bare arms.
Which amendment is that again?
—————————————————————–
********************************************
The Second Amendment (Amendment II) to the United States Constitution protects the individual[1] right to keep and bear arms.
“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
********************************************
See Ponzi…if you ask a question sooner or later a know it all comes to your rescue.
Out of my limit for tonight…but Huntsville and snow birds also make sense as posted earlier.
Huntsville
You dogs! You all talk about this town, in which I have lived and had good times like its on the moon!!!
Get over yourselves!
Huntsville is only 2 hrs up hwy 11 from fricking hell!
Thats why that hwy is packed every Friday from May to September including last weekend…
Jobs, most jobs in gta are min wage, (malls, restaurants, etc).
Same min wage in huntsville, same poggy too.
Cops, OPP make same wage as their city peers, doctors likely same.
Difference? You can live like a king on 60000/yr!
I have been living in the city for 13 years because I love my wife, but I know the difference in living standards and they are the opposite of what you guys might think…
The focus of this blog is not the next American president, but the impact on the economy, taxes, central banks, rates, housing, jobs, assets and financial markets.
…
You left the dogs out?
I think Biden is winning the debate. I am surprised. But…. It is rare for the candidate who wins the first debate to win the race. And it is mostly slander on both sides.
A man walks into a bar. Ouch!
(Yes, my nephew is a little jokester.)
I kind of expected the debate would be about tax returns but so far it is about covid. I guess I should’ve taken the over as I haven’t puked yet.
Oh boy I puked out. Biden just called Trump a “clown”. Yikes!
Afew years ago.
There were two foreign hunters in northern BC attacked by a number of Grizzlies.
One hunter was a German and his friend was a Czech.
The attack resulted in the death of one of the men and the other hunter was terribly mauled.
BC Forestry were called in to find the bears and kill them.
Eventually they tracked the bears down and shot them.
When the news media gathered for a statement…..
The reporters asked if the officials had found any remains in any of the bears.
The forestry official replied, “The Czech was in the male”
This debate is difficult to watch. Never understood why the moderator does not have the ability to mute a candidate’s microphone if needed.
BB
Joe looking ok, getting rebuttal notes on his ipad while Trump speaks.
What the heck is right!
But markets can stay irrational longer than you (prudent people) can stay solvent…
My WTF moment is noticing that fairly-priced Aston Martins are selling within days of listing. Yes, in the middle of a pandemic, folks are snapping $50-100k plus cars like there is no tomorrow.
Someone else said it earlier here, the true pandemic right now is one of fear, whether FOMO, or others, simple as that.
Fear makes people irrational, ergo all the nonsense we see happening.
OR, it might be that people have been listening to the Apocalypse guy and decided to get the heck out of dodge…
“PREPARE”
LOL
A new low for presidential debates from right out of CNN …disgraceful – horrific – shit show…
No clear winner but a clear loss for the American people.
Personally I thought it was hilarious if anything as sad as it all is.
TO: #126 DON on 09.29.20 at 9:11 pm
110 KNOW IT ALL on 09.29.20 at 7:59 pm
#88 Ponzius Pilatus on 09.29.20 at 6:47 pm
#68 DON on 09.29.20 at 5:22 pm
#54 Phil on 09.29.20 at 4:27 pm
Know it all
As long as Americans have the right to bare arms the White House and Congress have a job to do.
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We will NEVER give up the right to wear short-sleeve shirts!
and show off the GUNS….Al Bundy style. lol
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So funny.
The right to bare arms.
Which amendment is that again?
—————————————————————–
********************************************
The Second Amendment (Amendment II) to the United States Constitution protects the individual[1] right to keep and bear arms.
“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
********************************************
See Ponzi…if you ask a question sooner or later a know it all comes to your rescue.
Out of my limit for tonight…but Huntsville and snow birds also make sense as posted earlier.
********************************************
KEEP YAPPING, MAN!!
Trump just sealed his coffin.
Good reading folks who felt Trump did well. Lets me know more about the authors of the posts.
Everybody who watched that WHOLE debate because they thought it would be crucial or a spectacle… My condolences.
Sleepy Joe was had.
My goodness, he looked like a puppet and was slow and dull. I am the Democratic Party! Trump looked good, Joe looked pasty ghostlike and poorly lit to boot.
Biden Green Deal…”will pay for itself.” I had a Déjà Vu!
#125
Let’s see if I can help out here… how to explain… hmmm…
Oh yeah: because the corps are doing nothing illegal. Better?
—————————
Nice to hear from you. Back from your exile in Siberia? Build any roads through the tundra?
Many corps I am sure occupy the fuzzy gray middle where armies of well-paid minions (accountants and lawyers) are enlisted whose job it is to obfuscate and aggressively avoid taxes and then offshore wealth. Same mindset as the Trumpster, who had to forgoe a a haircut as a result of his whopping 750.00 tax bill. The few extra rookies hired by the CRA to pursue collections are not in the same league and much does not get investigated let alone challenged. Hopefully, when the Covid bill becomes due, the Gov’ts will collectively seek to eliminate loopholes and offshoring. No time to debate this now as we need to watch Joel Balkan’s sequel (who we know well from dog walking in our neighbourhood) at the online VIFF to his 2005 hit. Here is the synopsis
https://www.straight.com/movies/viff-review-new-corporation-concludes-were-all-pretty-much-screwed
Don’t think this would appeal to you though…
Masks have ruined beards.
Each time I see a beard I’m like “is that dude wearing his mask on his chin?”
Plus…beards don’t work with those masks that protect you (wink wink).
SHAVE’EM!
I’m calling it – beards are OVER!
Elevator Farts,
The Czech wouldn’t have been mauled to death if we had more respect for the right to arm bears! LOL
Ok here is my wrap up note now that I am finished barfing. That was a total disgrace, but the highlight was when Joe called the leader of the free world a “clown” on national TV. That will be his “basket of deplorables” moment. Still hard to say who will win because I don’t know that either of them did anything better than awful.
Alberta, Canada and Trudeau.
https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/canada/why-alberta-better-exit-canada-fast/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=RSS
The DOW futures didn’t like the debate.
#134 binky barnes on 09.29.20 at 10:10 pm
This debate is difficult to watch. Never understood why the moderator does not have the ability to mute a candidate’s microphone if needed.
BB
***********************
100% this.
I guess it’s just the maury povich/ jerry springer thing?
better ratings?
I like Huntsville. It’s got more character than the average small town in Ontario. Obviously you’ve got to be an outdoorsy person for it to make sense but it’s got a few nice restaurants, some decent pubs, even a theatre! In the work-from-home era (yes it’s here to stay, deniers!) I could see a lot of city people moving there. Great value for money. Won’t stay that way for long.
My cousin and his wife own a small engineering company in an upmarket town in the UK. They advertised for an office junior on min wage and cut off the applications at 400! Lesson they took out of this is that their own three teenagers need to have a trade or in-demand skill. No general university degree for them! Better a roofer than a BA in History. The also constantly moan about the job attitudes of today’s 20 year olds. They say the kids want constant praise and no-overtime regardless of how important the client is to the company. What have we bred?
Epic.
Just step aside oldtimers….yer time is up.
https://youtu.be/8tRZywqvM8w
The Huntsville applications are from teachers who have 3 months off a year. They can head up north on their excessive time off to complain to the locals about how hard they work and how unfair life is.
“I’ve done more in 47 months than you’ve done in 47 years”
“You and Obama created these tax laws so rich people like me wouldn’t have to pay taxes”
All a result of career politicians playing on the same roller coaster all their lives and not being held accountable for their inactions.
@#124 Jane24
“My cousin and his wife own a small engineering company in an upmarket town in the UK”
+++++
Please define an “upmarket town in the UK” for the low brow amongst us….
Then ask yourself,.
If Prime Minister Boris Johnson rips up the Brexit Trade agreement on Dec31st ….will your English cottage (in an upmarket town) be worthless?”
#149 Balmuto on 09.30.20 at 12:59 am
I like Huntsville. It’s got more character than the average small town in Ontario. Obviously you’ve got to be an outdoorsy person for it to make sense but it’s got a few nice restaurants, some decent pubs, even a theatre! In the work-from-home era (yes it’s here to stay, deniers!) I could see a lot of city people moving there. Great value for money. Won’t stay that way for long.
___
Well if Picton can turn into a place GTA folks will pay a mil for a fancy waterfront condo, then so could Huntsville. I do wonder wtf is going on though. Some are Air BnB’ers, some are retirees, some just want a place they can call their own outside of the GTA for weekends. It’s hard to believe too many folks are living in the sticks and driving to the GTA for work.
Then again, Ms. IH works with a guy who lives in Brampton and drives out here to work on Monday, camps out in a hotel all week, goes home Friday. Guy is married with 2 kids… Maybe he hates his family or something. I worked with two guys years ago that did the same – GTA to Hicksville for work. 1 neighbour of mine drives to Bowmanville and back every day.
There have always been long range commuters out here in the sticks, but 30 years ago, that meant commuting to an outstanding job like GM/OPG, and it wouldn’t have been much more than an hour commute to the East end back then. Today the commute would be hell – complete with a personal escort by Satan himself on Friday’s.
Maybe things are getting so bad/expensive for living in the GTA desperation is setting in?
#139 steve on 09.29.20 at 11:09 pm
Trump just sealed his coffin.
Good reading folks who felt Trump did well. Lets me know more about the authors of the posts.
—————-
Trump did as expected. By now this shouldn’t have surprised anyone.
I don’t think the debate changed anybody’s mind either way.
#25 SunShowers on 09.29.20 at 3:40 pm
“Many think it will be the political spectacle of a generation”
That’s an understatement. Where else will we get to see two senile old habitual liars duke it out?
==================================
I definitely won’t say, “On this blog.”
That would get me into too much trouble.
ahahahahahaha!
Besides… there are way more than two.
Shock collars for dogs? NEVER. But for the 2 representatives of the ‘free world’ on stage last night… you betcha. Much more effective than a moderator mute button.
Millions upon millions of jobs lost. Lives are in turmoil, people are scared and looking for guidance. And what do we get? Two codgers on stage fighting it out over the crumbs in the cookie jar. How reassuring.
If there is ANY doubt in your mind that the political class holds ‘we the people’ in utter contempt then you didn’t watch last night’s debate. Those two guys on stage? Meet the REAL deplorables!
#127 Cto on 09.29.20 at 9:18 pm
Difference? You can live like a king on 60000/yr!
I have been living in the city for 13 years because I love my wife, but I know the difference in living standards and they are the opposite of what you guys might think…
—
I don’t think too many see the GTA as the pinnacle of living standards – I see it as the opposite also. All we ever hear about is how no one can afford a house or even rent. Crap wages considering living conditions for most. The household incomes suck compared to what houses are going for. The GTA is for high earning DINK’s, 1%’ers, and “economic households”. Regular folks get to rent 600sf for life in a crammed condo tower.
The pinnacle for a great standard of living is where you can afford to live really well – and you are right – that definitely ain’t the GTA!
I interrupted my binge watch of Deadwood to watch the debate.
Now THAT was a waste of time!
The Trump vs Biden debate.
It, of course, had nothing to do with what was actually said, but what was pre-ordained was that the “winner” would be determined by who attained:
– the most screen time (face on the TV);
– the most, loudest voice (audio in the listeners ears)
What was actually said did not matter.
Trump’s a master at it (as a TV “personaliy”, Biden was trying his best to get some of the share.
Changed days from intellectual debates of decades/centuries past. Oh well!
Biden by a hair.
50.5% to 49.5%
It was close though.
MF
The more you obsess over ‘cases’ the more you give up your freedoms. We’re coming up to 8 months now. Then 10, then 12. I’d posted in April this will last well into 2021.
Why? This is the global lockdown to rollout the global UN agenda. Every elected rep is on board. Not a peep you will hear. The agenda means control over our feeding, breeding and movements.
It’s going really well, credit our elites. Every government and NGO and foundation has been stacked with supporters. Planned for decades, rolled a winter night in March. I
Cases Cases Cases. Don your sodden Freedom Masks and hunker down; freedoms ain’t coming back. Did they after Sept 11th? No.
The BEST way to stay healthy is by shuttering every small business and locking people in their homes. Their health will FLOURISH! I cannot wait. I’m feeling healthier already
……
“Globe says SIR Royalty, others face bleak COVID winter
The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that the hospitality industry has hit another rough patch as bookings tumble and virus cases surge in several cities, signalling a rough winter ahead for many of the companies hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Globe’s Matt Lundy writes that during the week of Sept. 13 to 19, occupancy at Canadian hotels dropped 53 per cent from a year ago, the worst reading since late July. In tandem, the aviation sector is suffering again. From Sept. 5 to 11, the number of domestic flights was 21 per cent lower than just four weeks earlier. New restrictions on the restaurant industry will bite as well. The Quebec government on Monday ordered bars and restaurants in Montreal and Quebec City to close for most of October as the province tries to fight back a second wave of COVID-19 cases, limiting those establishments to delivery and takeout orders. Ontario is also restricting bar hours, but faces mounting calls to take more decisive action over a surge of virus cases in Toronto and Ottawa. All told, it appears that momentum has evaporated in Canada’s hospitality industry, after a period of steady improvement during much of the crucial summer season.
© 2020 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.
“
You want to know how deep this programming runs? I’d heard that the Urban Dictionary website (for looking up slang and unsavoury words) was a ‘project’.
In that if you control the language you control the people right?
Twice this week I’d punched that web site name into Google. The search results are returned and include a single word.
BOTH times it was a different, new term for ‘[email protected]’. What are the chances. That both times this week the google result was for new made up words of that type.
Today’s search result per google:
urbandictionary.com
Urban Dictionary, September 28: steezy
A person who refuses to wear a mask, or take any of the basic precautions to help society prevent an air born illness during an epidemic. ( In reference to the …
My suggestion for the 2nd debate:
A ring, boxing gloves and a ref with a whistle.
That “event” last night was a total gongshow!
#161 Dharma Bum on 09.30.20 at 8:58 am
I interrupted my binge watch of Deadwood to watch the debate.
Now THAT was a waste of time!
///////////////////////
Oh, there was some deadwood up on stage, don’t worry about that.
After an hour, I switched over to the fishing show Deadliest Catch.
At least those guys admit they have crabs…
M46BC
Major lay-offs coming… but “STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES” is still all the government screams as these actions result in more lay-offs:
Disney – 28,000
BP – 10,000
Shell – 10,000
#166 Uncle Charlie on 09.30.20 at 10:36 am
My suggestion for the 2nd debate:
A ring, boxing gloves and a ref with a whistle.
That “event” last night was a total gongshow!
————————————————————
Couldn’t agree more. Embarrassing.
“Man, would you shut up!”
Best comment in a Presidential debate, ever.
Around UoT Mississauga Campus there’s an ocean of vacancy. 1+den walkout that would have gone for 2,100-2,200 last fall. Went to see Friday offering 1,800. Bid 1,500, landlord accepted yesterday. Includes 2 parking, wifi, utilities, laundry, use of backyard and garage for my hockey equipment. Huge score. Guess it’s better for the landlord than a vacant winter. Hi
#119 Nonplused
Look at what unreasonable union demands did to the United Auto Workers.
———————————————————————————————
Ok private sector unions and government sector unions are completely different beasts.
There is no level of unreasonable demands for government unions. Every government union has a strangle hold on a portion of the citizenry. They can hold that portion of people hostage until their demands are met.
If Ford employees strike then the factories stop producing Fords. Generally speaking nobody cares beyond the executives and shareholders at Ford.
If the teachers union strikes it affects the citizenry on multiple levels. Employees can’t go to work because they must look after their children. This causes a loss of income for employees and employers alike. It affects people and businesses on multiple levels, across all demographics.
It’s true for all government unions. How we decided it would be ok for public workers to unionize is beyond me and proof we are collectively probably too stupid to survive much longer.
Hi Garth,
All this talk about taxes south of the border got me thinking about taxation in Canada. The vast majority of us pay our fair share. My question: do you know how much tax evasion takes place here? Just wondering.
#172 Sunnyways on 09.30.20 at 11:41 am
#119 Nonplused
Look at what unreasonable union demands did to the United Auto Workers.
———————————————————————————————
…It’s true for all government unions. How we decided it would be ok for public workers to unionize is beyond me and proof we are collectively probably too stupid to survive much longer.
_______
Yep, case in point:
https://www.sunshineliststats.com/PersonByName/9/2020/?n=Ontario%20Power%20Generation&orderby=salary
RE: #165 TurnerNation on 09.30.20 at 10:25 am
—
It’s kinda cute when utter tools think themselves revolutionary.
4 IHCTD9 on 09.30.20 at 12:24
Lol as shown here before most government workers (like teachers) earn 30k-50k/year and deserve it.
What you should be more worried about the multi million dollar golden parachute bailouts the car industry ceo’s got in 2008 as a reward for their failures.
Your argument is stuck in 1975.
MF
McDonalds covid circus
https://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/5682
Speaking of Huntsville I recall back-in-the-day whenthe MTO tendered their grass-cutting contracts I was awarded the Huntsville for a couple years. It was cool driving my new Belarus 570 with its 2-metre disc mower down Huntsvilles Main drag.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPIGSzg07E5996hFDLMtl66tlOhUIHf5oAQFFrc/photo/AF1QipM7_n_y4HSPmr_8wjxMIl8VX5QqegZ-j4ZthseG
Please note IHCTD9 that I was a diehard IHC man until their sale to Tennaco in 1985.
I approve this message.
Re bears, I’ve lived in the woods for 25 years and never owned a gun. The best thing for scaring off 4 legged predators is a big, flapping tarp. Bears are creatures of habit, so just stay off their trail in rush hour. They will hunker down for the winter soon and are currently heading up the creeks to fish. Weasels, lynx, and pikas cause more mayhem.
Re the cold, there is an old story that starts with the line, “if your dog won’t go outside, then you don’t go outside.”
Dress in layers, eat plenty of butter, and find a pair of Canadian made snowshoes (Faber). It can be nasty cold—but you get used to it. A bonus, the cold is useful if you like solitude. Our weather is better than a gate. Clearing brush today, have fun.
Here is comes, the real reasons for this take over. The spoils are land.
Cheap and accessible golf courses? No fun allowed in the New System comrade – only work.
The total destruction of our way of life is the goal in this New System rolled out in March. We are 9 months into it, no let up yet. ALL Culture in the Old System has been banned- due to bans on assembly. Yep the Crown Virus did that.
– This Nov 11th if you’re going to carry a flag at least let it be the UN flag. Support the real victors!
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/09/28/environmental-groups-urge-toronto-to-turn-city-golf-courses-into-parks-urban-farms-and-housing.html
— Kids, stay home and play video games. Else You MiGhT gEt SiCk!!! Too dangerous
https://www.680news.com/2020/09/30/two-gta-junior-hockey-organizations-back-out-of-season-amid-second-wave-covid-19/
#143
I guess you will be enforcing the beard ban on the large population of Canadians Sikhs, 90% of my coworkers are Sikh and I doubt they will comply but you can try.
Look up fit testing and you will laugh at the majority of people who are wearing their masks wrong.
I wear a respirator at work that I had to get fit tested for and have to be clean shaven every time I put it on for it to seal properly.
I see people wearing masks in public and then getting into their vehicles and removing their masks without sanitizing their hands first. Everything that they touch is now been wiped around their face as they remove the mask thereby rendering the mask less effective.
RE: #180 TurnerNation on 09.30.20 at 2:01 pm
– This Nov 11th if you’re going to carry a flag at least let it be the UN flag. Support the real victors!
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/09/28/environmental-groups-urge-toronto-to-turn-city-golf-courses-into-parks-urban-farms-and-housing.html
////////////////////////////
Are these the same golf courses that the City stole from farmers, by expropriation, without compensation, following Hurricane Hazel, on the grounds that it was too dangerous for people to live/farm in those areas?
@ 138 know it all
It was a joke…grab a sense of humour.
And you came along at the right time…We all know what amendment it is. Wasn’t a slag on you or Ponzius just perfect timing.
Huntsville is great May to September. No so much the rest of the year.
No real great hospital around either. They are only renting so it’s for a limited time.
Lockdown protest in London. More people attending all the time.
https://youtu.be/DhZeRjlCwwE