Canada’s population boom hits housing, health care

Canada’s national population punched through the 40 million level last week, and while that may help fuel economic growth, a rising population also brings some serious challenges with it.

When so many more people are residing in Canada, our public health-care system sags under the increased weight placed upon it, and our housing affordability problem stubbornly shows no signs of abating as the rising population fuels demand

Last week, for example, Central 1 Credit Union’s economic briefing for May showed average house prices in B.C. rose by 5.1 per cent over the previous month, pushing the average price of a home to slightly more than $1 million (the average price in MetroVancouver is now $1 28 million)

So even rising interest rates and a significant increase in the cost of living are not bringing down housing prices, or sales either Central 1’s report also showed a 5.8 per cent increase in sales last month

Surely, the steady increase in our population is outweighing any effect on the housing market brought by the two factors of interest rates and inflation

How else to explain a seven per cent increase in housing prices in places like the FraserValley, where the population is growing at a rapid clip?

B C government statistics forecast that the Fraser Health region’s population alone will increase by 35 per cent between 2018 and 2038, adding almost 700,000 new residents over that time span.

Provincewide, the population is expect- ed to rise by 27 per cent, reaching about 6 5 million people by 2038

Not only will that population explosion likely keep sustained pressure on the housing market, but it will also put enormous pressure on the health-care system, particularly because the number of people over the age of 64 is forecast to skyrocket in number

Across B C , the senior population is expected to increase by 71 per cent in that time period, but in Fraser Health the increase is forecast to be about 95 per cent.

B.C.’s population grew by about 150,000 last year, and that is almost all international migration.We currently sit at about 5 4 million residents, up from 5 1 million in less than four years

TheTrudeau government decided a few years back to greatly increase the an- nual level of immigration, ostensibly to nullify a growing worker shortage

Last year, across the country almost a half million people achieved permanent resident status, and the federal government hopes to keep that number rising through 2025 and beyond

The fact that more than one million more people are expected to come to B C over the next 15 years underscores the need for innovation and planning in many areas of public policy

And with the federal government playing such a key role in our phenomenal population growth, look for the provinces to demand more from it to meet these rising challenges, particularly when it comes to health care and housing

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC

Editor: Nonewbikelanes,nonewcondos,no updatedColumbiaSquare,nonewdaycares, nonewEVchargers,nonewschools,no 15-minutecity…I’msensingapatternin recentletterstotheeditorandgeneralsocial mediacommentary.

Whatdopeoplethinkthecitywillbecome ifwedon’tadaptandevolve?

I’veseenargumentsthatweshouldfocus onbeingquaintandhomeylikeFortLangley withcolourfulwoodenstorefrontsandsingle-familyhomesdottedthroughoutpleasant greenery ThesmallproblemisthatFort Langleyhasapopulationof3,500andNew Westhasnearly71,000 Sowe’renotgoing tobethenextChemainusorRevelstokeor FortLangley.Weshouldbeproudthatwe’re aiminginsteadtobeanaccessible,thriving, inclusivecityallourown.

Thereisahousingcrisisinthisprovince Thereisachild-carecrisisinthisprovince Thereisaschoolcrisisinthisprovince.And we’renotgoingtosolveanyofthesethings byprioritizingourneedforhomeystorefronts overpeople’sbasicnecessities

Tothatend,IwanttoextendmassivecongratulationstotheÉcoleGlenbrookGriffins whopresentedtheir15-minutecityproposal tocitycouncillastweek.

Becausewhileit’seasytogetgrumpyover ahandfulofdetractors,it’sunbelievably inspiringandencouragingtoseethenext generationstandingupandbeingheardand seeingthatprogressandaccessibilityarethe wayforward.

Sarah Arboleda

Come on,NewWest,we need a personality

Editor: Iamwritingtoexpressmydisappointmentthatthereisn’tanyentertainment inthisbeautifulcity

Wherearethebuskersplayingmusicon ColumbiaStreet,NewWestandColumbia stationsorinColumbiaSquaremall?How aboutalittlemusicatQuaymarketandthe parkletonSixthStreet?(Bytheway,who madethedecisiontopainttheparkletfloor thoseuglycolours?Givemeabreak!)

Wealsoneedpeoplewhocanjuggleand performothercircuslikeentertainment What aboutstupidpettricks?Whathappenedto theFrontStreetFridaynightsocial?

Comeon,NewWestminster Weneeda personality!Justbehappyandsmilealittle bit,eh?

Ken Bocker

Editor’s note: The Fridays on Front series returns Friday, July 7

NewWest needs more diverse family fun

Editor: Absolutelyweneedmorecultural/ entertainment/socialoutingsinNewWest. Beingayoungfamilyofmixedimmigrants andseeingsuchabeautifuldiversityhere,we shouldcelebrateitandhaveasmanyevents aspossible Andpleasenotjustinsummer It getssoboringinfall/winter.

Weneedtohaveeventsforpeopletoget outthereandsocialize Iseesomanypeople beingstuckanddepressedintheirapart- ments,caughtupintheratrace

Yes,lifehasbecomeveryexpensive,and evenmoresoweneedtogoandmeetupwith people,makefriends,rest,vent,havefunand getabithappier.

Musicfestivals,danceparties,multicultural events,familyhangouts,kids’parties,art exhibitionsetc Iwouldlovetoseeallthisin

NewWest

Tatyana Escobar

Want a happy city? Get out and‘just do it’

Editor: Re:‘Utterlyboring’ NewWestresidentswantmorefun(New West Record letters online,June19)

Thisendeavourdoesn’tjusthappen,andit willtakealotofmoneytosupport“happy”

ThecityhasdoneitspartthroughAnvil

Centre,MasseyTheatre,privateandpublicart galleriesandlotsofpublicparkspaces.

Ithinkthetrueissuehereis:nowitisupto themembersofthepublicto“justdoit.”

Douglas McSavaney

Community Group Storage Rental

In the ongoing commitment to supporting local sport clubs and anticipating future need, additional storage space has been installed at Queen's Park East Artificial Turf Field. Two secure, climate-controlled 8' x 10' bays are now available for rent to qualifying groups. Learn more: newwestcity.ca/parkstorage

Notice Respecting Zoning Amendment Bylaw

Under sections 464(2) and 467 of the Local Government Act

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2023 AT 6:00 PM Meeting held electronically and open to public attendance in Council Chamber, City Hall

ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 8398, 2023 FOR 422 SIXTH STREET

A rezoning application has been received from the Lower Mainland Purpose Society to convert the top two floors of the existing fourstorey commercial building at 422 Sixth Street to supportive housing This would include up to 30 beds intended for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and incorporate 24/7 staff support and catering services.

While the site’s existing zoning permits housing units above the ground floor, the proposed supportive housing units as defined within the City’s zoning bylaw are not permitted within the current zone. As such, the site is being rezoned from Community Commercial Districts (High Rise) (C-3) (C-3A) zoning to a Comprehensive Development (CD) zoning district to permit supportive housing units above the ground floor, in addition to the uses permitted in the existing C-3 and C-3A zones. The rezoning application is consistent with the Official Community Plan, and in accordance with sections 464(2) and 467 of the Local Government Act, the Corporation of the City of New Westminster will not hold a public hearing on Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 8398, 2023.

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?

From June 15 to June 26, 2023, the proposed bylaw and related material are available for inspection at Legislative Services, City Hall 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday, and online at: newwestcity.ca/publicnotices

HOW CAN I BE HEARD?

Submissions to Council are welcome and encouraged, including written submissions by email, post, or by dropping off at the mailbox on the north side of City Hall.

Phone: 604-527-4523 Legislative Services Department, Email: clerks@newwestcityca 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3L 1H9

City Council will consider giving first, second and third readings to Bylaw No 8398, 2023 at its meeting on June 26, 2023. The meeting will be open to public attendance and broadcast live on the City’s website It can be viewed by going to newwestcity ca/council and clicking on either the meeting ID or the Council meeting in the calendar

Peter DeJong, Corporate Officer