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7KH UDWH RI LQÀDWLRQ LV KXUWLQJ DOO RI XV LQ the pocketbook.

,I WKDW SHU FHQW LQÀDWLRQ RI -XO\ continued, prices would double in about 12 years - what a gruesome thought.

Almost one-quarter of the 8.1 per cent came from increased gasoline prices. These prices have since fallen some.

*RYHUQPHQWV VWUXJJOH WR ¿QG PHDVXUHV WKDW UHGXFH LQÀDWLRQ ZLWK VRPH MXVW handing out cash to voters.

One method would cut deeply into JDV SULFH LQÀDWLRQ GHYHORS D WZR SULFH system. The market price would apply to crude oil exports with a lower price for crude oil used in Canada.

The precedent was set in 1971 when the federal government set up a two-price system on wheat for years.

A two-price system has advantages of reducing prices for all consumers, saving farmers and industry considerable cost. With a reduced price the need for extra fuel surcharges in the freight business ZRXOG EH HOLPLQDWHG WKXV FXWWLQJ LQÀDWLRQ across the board.

To stop wasteful use of fuel, the system would need rationing based on previous year’s use by individuals.

The two-price system would eat into RLO FRPSDQ\ SUR¿WV EXW ZRXOG OLNHO\ EH OHVV WKDQ D VXUWD[ RQ H[FHVV SUR¿WV

Such a pricing mechanism would be diametrically opposed by Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre as it cuts into the freedom of enterprise and poses an obstacle to his oil industry supporters.

Unless some action like a two-price system is taken Canada will be at the PHUF\ RI RLO SULFH LQÀDWLRQ FDXVHG E\ the war in Ukraine and the sanctions on Russia. It could take years to wind these down.

Some people like the NDP want rent controls to stop sharp increases in some cities

Rent controls aren’t a viable alternative.

Controlling rent increases takes away the incentive for developers to build new units.

Once rent controls are imposed landlords skirt the rules by evicting tenants then jacking up the rent after renovations.

7KH PDLQ LVVXH ZLWK KRXVLQJ LQÀDtion comes from a shortage of land for building.

The situation is so critical that developers are lobbying hard to build on green VSDFHV ² SDUNV WUDLOV DQG RQ WKH VLGHV of ravines.

Allowing those locations to develop threatens the quality of life in cities, most of which have too little green space now.

One way to alleviate the housing shortage is the announced return of the MURB program from the 1970s. It offered depreciation incentives for building apartments.

The program was dovetailed with grants for down payments on new houses. Then the down payments were around

² IDU IURP WKH WR of today.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net