Canada to lead world in affordable housing

The Globe & Mail informs us this morning that “Ukrainian newcomers face housing challenges.” I’m shocked! Who could have seen that coming? If the white, blonde, and Christian Ukrainians are having difficulties, what of the Somalis, Nigerians, Guatemalans etc. wandering across the border at Roxham Road? And this is before we welcome any of the million new immigrants scheduled to arrive over the next three years. Clearly, our political elite are fashioning a housing crisis of epic proportions. It’s not that the politicians are unaware. There’s not an election cycle goes by at the local, provincial or federal level that leadership candidates don’t regale us with their plans to address the housing crisis. The problem is that our political class conflates talking about problems with solving them. We’ve been refitting our frigate fleet for over ten years. No new frigates on the horizon yet. Ditto fighter aircraft, military helicopters, the government payroll system, and on and on. Talk is cheap; doing stuff costs money. (Although I did learn in today’s paper that MPs are keen to spend $250 millions on a parliamentary tunnel system that will allow them to escape the pitchfork-wielding mobs they expect will visit Ottawa with increasing frequency going forward.) Point is, we can’t live in a politician’s promise. It’s time for action! And what better place to start than that over-looked housing option already favored by many thousands of Canadians; the dumpster. You’ve no doubt passed many of them without even realizing that, especially after dark, these rubbish bins also serve as accommodations. But first we’ll have to destigmatize dumpster living. What self-respecting refugee wants to move to Canada to live in a trash bin? To that end, I’m working on a proto-type 20 yard bin that will have all the comforts of home; fridge, microwave, wi-fi, and composting toilet. What else does anyone need? Once folks see how cozy and economical dumpster living can be, Canada could become a world leader in affordable housing!