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The ministers, for their ineptness in dealing with the housing crisis, have found a scapegoat — foreign students. The students are a perfect target to take the blame. Students just do not show up at the border. It takes years of planning on their part and colleges, universities and embassies are part of this process. Sudden stoppage will be a great hardship on the students and their families.
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Foreign students are the least likely cause of the housing shortage. Generally, they rent accommodations at the bottom end for lodgings, some basement suites. They share the accommodation with others, sometimes up to eight in two bedrooms.
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Foreign students program is far from benevolence. It is part of the long-term immigration strategy. Bring in the students, let them pay for the survival of colleges with hefty fees; the students will willingly take the least desirable jobs at minimum wages. When they get a work permit, again they would take the entry-level job, and be thankful. After three to five years, they will earn the status of permanent residents.
With an aging population, Canada needs more younger immigrants. The immigrants who are educated on their own cost have Canadian job experience and of Canadian life. Many Western countries are vigorously following this strategy.
Kuldip S. Riar, Edmonton
How to help kids buy a home
Re. “Canadians split on who’s to blame for housing crisis,” Aug. 24
Let’s blame the parents. If your kids can’t move out because they don’t have the down payment for their own home, here’s a tip. We knew our children would eventually want to buy a house, so how to help?
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When they still lived at home and had their first job we charged them rent. When I told them I was charging them rent to stay in what they regarded as their bedroom they had grumpy long faces but they paid up. They stayed with us for a few years before they decided to take the plunge to home ownership. They had saved some money for a deposit but were pleasantly surprised when I returned their rental money to put with their deposit.
They had one comment, “Mom, why didn’t you charge us more!”
Maureen Elhatton, Edmonton
Green energy ban hinders business
Could someone please explain to me what the C in UCP stands for? I always thought one of the most basic conservative principles was to enable, not interfere, with free enterprise. Isn’t this how businesses and entrepreneurs are most efficient, responsive and innovative to best serve us consumers, who vote with our hard-earned dollars?
Now, the UCP has cast uncertainty on the rapidly emerging and innovative renewable energy industry in Alberta. How will that promote our energy future? I wish my provincial government would divert from the rearview mirror for a second and glance at the future. It’s not the 20th century anymore. It’s not even 2013 anymore. Bad things happen when governments meddle in free enterprise.
United Conservative? Unco-operative Cynics or Utterly Confused is more like it.
Bruce Smith, Edmonton
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