On housing and faster internet
Tory, NDP and Liberal leaders answer experts’ questions,
The Star asked some of Canada’s top business leaders what they want to know from the candidates vying to be the country’s next prime minister. In the second instalment of this ongoing series, three business luminaries posed questions to the leaders. The Star received answers from the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic party leaders.
Question from Zita Cobb, businesswoman and social entrepreneur who launched Shorefast with her brothers and is innkeeper at the Fogo Island Inn:
Canada has a tyranny of assets and riches. We are fortunate that our centres of finance and commerce have strong economies. Yet there are thousands of other communities outside these financial centres that are not yet mobilized as economic engines for the benefit of their residents and the benefit of the national economy.
What policies would you put in place to facilitate the creation of strong local community economies in the places we live? How would you ensure all communities have high-speed internet and access to capital and supports?
Question from Ed Sonshine, founder and CEO of RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust:
Affordable housing has been a big issue for many years. Are any of the leaders prepared to acknowledge that government itself is the biggest blockage to prices coming down? Barriers range from the difficulty and length of time needed to get approvals (municipal and provincial jurisdiction), to the various fees, levies and contributions imposed on all new construction.
While we hear promises of producing enormous numbers of affordable housing units, how will each party actually achieve those goals?
Question from Prem Watsa, founder, chair and CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings:
As a poor immigrant to Canada 48 years ago, I could not believe the opportunity in Canada. Having built Fairfax over the past 35 years and being fortunate to travel all over the world, I found that business-friendly countries have done well while business-unfriendly countries have done poorly. My sense, studying Canada’s economic history, is that we are a G7 country mainly because of our business success.
Do you agree with this statement and what have you done or will you do to make Canada more business-friendly?