THE GOOD: A

So the federal government brought down a budget on April 16, right. Before anyone gets nervous, this mark does not apply to the entire budget. For example, I am not 100 per cent thrilled with the increase in capital gains tax. That will not just affect the rich. Think the sale of a small family cottage, or that of shares in a small business. So that policy gets a D from me, and it needs to be adjusted. That said, the Trudeau group has finally weighed in on the housing crisis facing Canada, and yes, it is a crisis, which is also developing in Saskatoon. For example, to the end of March, there were 732 total homes in inventory. The 10-year average is 1,416. Almost 15,000 more souls have moved to Saskatoon in the last year (October numbers), so that obviously does not math out. To be clear, housing is not in federal jurisdiction, so the Libs have had to seek ways to work with provinces and municipalities. One of these ways is the $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund, to which cities have had to apply, and Saskatoon is among the 179 that have. Not everyone loves this approach, but I expect that higher-density housing near transportation will become a necessity, even here. If it isn’t already. Now, Ottawa has also announced $15 billion for a fund supporting apartment building and $1 billion for new homebuilding technologies. In addition, $1.5 billion went to a fund that will help non-profits acquire and rent affordable homes. Empty buildings on government property will also be renovated into apartments. Yes

THE BAD (ISH): C

Where the housing announcements went into questionable territory was in the policy adjustments for first-time home buyers. They will now be able to remove $60,000 from RRSPs (up from $35,000) for down payments, which must be repaid within 15 years. They can also sign up for 30-year amortizations on new-build homes (this applies those who do not have 20 per cent down payments and therefore require home insurance.) Well, two things. First of all, if you’re, say, 30 or under, do you HAVE $60K in your RRSP account? Maybe. I kind of doubt that’s a common thing, especially in these difficult postCOVID inflationary times. Secondly, this policy sort of pushes financial stress into the later years of life. How much are you saving if you have a huge 30-year mortgage, even if it reduces the payments on your home? Mitigating that, of course, is that owning property is (under normal conditions) a bulwark against financial stress or even ruin. A home is somewhere to live, but also something to borrow against when the rains fall and something to sell in later life. Hence, the C grade.

THE UGLY: F

Charlie Angus, the NDP Member of Parliament for Timmins-James Bay in Ontario, announced his retirement in early April. “After seven elections, 20 years of service, and the privilege of being the longest-serving MP in Timmins history, it is time to pass the baton,” Angus said in a statement announcing his departure. So for those few unfamiliar with Mr. Angus, he has long spoken on the environment, social justice, Indigenous issues and more. He worked hard. He kept his nose, largely, clean. One could definitely argue he has served his country. Here is what Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre had to say in a statement about Angus’s departure. “Charlie Angus jumps ship rather than face voters after he voted to hike the carbon tax and ban the hunting rifles of Northern Ontarians.” Conservative MP (Calgary-Midnapore) Stephanie Kusie was likewise very kind. “I’d like to thank the member for Timmins-James Bay for relieving us of our misery and announcing his resignation,” she said. In the House of Commons, no less. “You know, we’re all gonna really miss him on this side of the House. Not.” No well wishes. No respectful adieus. Not even silence.

THE DISGUSTING: F

This grade goes to Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan Minister of Education. Taya Thomas lost her first child, Mayelle, at age 13 late last year. Recently, she met with Cockrill to describe the issues her daughter had faced in school, and to advocate for better conditions for disabled children. When the conversation turned to the messed-up and endless labour dispute, focused on better classrooms, between the Saskatchewan government and the province’s teachers, Cockrill delivered this comment to Thomas. “What do they want me to do? Give up my first-born child?” Thomas said he asked her. Cockrill apologized after the NDP raised the comment in Question Period. He said it was a “poor choice of words” and suggested he was “only human.” I might beg to differ. He also said he apologized to Thomas, but she disputed that the apology was direct. “I was hoping maybe when he apologized, he might look at me in the eye,” she said, as reported in the province’s Postmedia papers. “He didn’t.” What happened to wanting “parents engaged in their children’s education?” That mantra has justified (to some) the Sask. Party’s abhorrent pronoun law, enshrined after going so far as to invoking the Notwithstanding Clause. A bereaved mother advocates for better school conditions for OTHER children, clearly engaged in education even after losing her daughter, and bravely meets with the education minister. And he responds with a dagger to her heart.

-Joanne Paulson