Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

But you'll get one May 12th? :)

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

If only income raised at the same rate everything else does. Annual rate increases take effect today in BC.

https://globalnews.ca/news/5118316/b...qBapVGycljpUnU

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Apparently Canada is warming up twice as fast as the rest of the world and its not reversible, at least according to one report.

https://globalnews.ca/news/5119325/c...UHOoVuQ34E_Ey4

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

We might be doomed. Good thing we didn't have kids.


I had 2 molars removed years ago one on each side of the bottom back, they caused pain and I could afford to fix it with root canals so they were yanked, that made room for the wisdom teeth that came in a short time later, the wisdom teeth never caused any issues, until now that is. The bottom right is causing pain, very mild but each week it gets a little worse, so I think it will need to be pulled at some point soonish.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

"The City of Vancouver met zero per cent of its target for purpose-built rentals for households making between $30,000 and $50,000 in 2018, and just 39 per cent for those making between $50,000 and $80,000."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...orms-1.5081363

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Why didn't you also quote that the city is also very close to its target of providing rentals for the homeless, and that they were depending on DEVELOPERS to build the rentals for low and medium income people ............... and developers don't like that type of housing because they don't make enough money.

Developers are in it to make money, not to help people. Building low and medium-income rental units requires money ............... there used to be a relatively good partnership between city/provincial/federal governments, all across the country, that led to the building of social housing.

The Conservatives stopped that federal funding, and the previous BC Liberal Government stopped funding provincially. That's the main reason in BC that social housing as well as low and medium unit starts have been almost non-existent for 20-30 years, and probably elsewhere in the country as well.

Do you vote in the municipal election? Do you know how much money is to be spent on city facilities (sewers, etc; sidewalks; libraries, community centres and parks) and needs over the next 4 years, and voted on as capital plan borrowing at those elections?.

Last year, voters agreed to the city spending $300 million over the next 4 years, including borrowing needed money. It may not seem a lot ................ but it increases a homeowner's city tax by around 4.5% to 4.9%. Business tax increases by more than that ............ and that includes for owners of rental apartment buildings.

You're a renter and anxious to have cheaper housing, like so many people.

I don't deny the need for low and medium income rentals (or houses). Vancouver desperately needs them.

But there is an inclination to blame the city for it all. Yet, where is the money to come from that will allow the city to spend what is needed?

I'm a homeowner and most of the money that is spent by the city on facilities including housing comes from the city's taxpayers, mainly the homeowners and business owners.

I don't grudge paying my taxes, but I will when it reaches the point that they are taking all of my money instead of just about half, especially as my income is now dropping with each year!

You could say that I am lucky to have my house, bought 47 years ago, and no mortgage ............... however, we still have to pay for the upkeep of the house, our city/provincial/federal personal and property taxes, our food/heating/etc, and still provide for our future costs in care. Or else we become a burden on society.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

We rent, still have heat, food, insurance and etc to pay for just like you. Rent alone takes up 76.1% of our current income and we have tried on several occasions to move to a lower price place, but we never get approved so thus far we are stuck here. We have tried on several occasions to relocate to lower rent places $300-$400 less vs our current rent, but we just don't get approved, only so much a person with limited income can do, we find places, apply, but don't get approved, we do all we can from our end.

We are also on the BC Housing registry, unlikely to ever get a unit (couples without kids are low priority) and have been on the registry for 4 years roughly but there are people who have been on the list far longer, 4 years really isn't a long time in the big picture.

And no I do not vote, permanent residents are not permitted to.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

I had my power bill the other day. The 'settlement' one for where the equalised payments come up short.
Normally I have to pay the regular payment plus around 25% extra.

This time it was more than double the regular amount :ohmy: It was a cold (but not so snowy) winter.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Shortly I shalt go hither & thither to clean out Woobie's little pond & to feed him squashy tomatoes. Thereafter I shall source a couple of new decoy ducks for him. He has rather destroyed his last one.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Housing in Vancouver is a huge conundrum ........... based largely on the fact that there literally is no way that the city can expand outside the current boundaries due to the geographical location. Any new development has to be done on the land within the city. It may well be that 50 years from now, there will be no single family detached houses within the city.

The current St Paul's Hospital is now up for sale ................ 6.6 acres in the centre of the downtown peninsula. Assessed value almost $800 million, but sources suggest that it could go for over $1 billion. It might sell now, but nothing can happen to the site (ie demolition and building) until after the new St Paul's Hospital is up and running on the new site ......... unoccupied land near the railway tracks ......... expected about 2026.

There will be some restrictions on the site, if current bylaws are not sidestepped .......... some heritage features to be retained, lower high rises(20 or so storeys instead of 50 or 60) because of view corridors, etc. The city can try to get developers to build a mix of market owned, market rent, assisted rent, and low and middle income rent ............... but it all depends on what the developers want to get back on their $1 billion spending.

I think the point I am trying to make is that everyone, all the advocates for cheaper housing, low rents, more rental units, etc all go after the city for not doing more ......... when they are only 1 leg of what should be 3 legs of funding, no matter where that is in the country. All most developers want is more profit ....... and that's easy to see when you read their responses in the media!

Of course, that also means that there will be increased taxing from all 3 levels. It's almost insoluble, unfortunately.



Bristol ......... we do our equalization payment on both gas (heat & hot water) and electricity (light and some heat) bills in June. Every other year my monthly payments go up for the next year. At the next settlement, my payments drop because we've paid in too much!

I'm hoping our gas payments will drop as we were very careful on using gas during that period of several months when we had a restricted gas flow to the Lower Mainland. It was however extremely cold for Vancouver in February, so maybe I'm hoping in vain.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

Ouch. Hate those kind of surprises.

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

I have finished cleaning Woobie drake's accomodation.
It has new floor covering. Nice shiny mirrors and the pool facility is now pristine.

Quack!

Re: Random stuff - the anything else thread
 

:thumbup: