Of course people could believe that intensification will lower their property values, but from what I’ve read it usually increases the value of properties. When I hear these guys talk, however, I think it isn’t about the money–it’s just they are afraid of change. I can understand that, as there’s no ‘do over’ once the developers start building. I agree, however, that it ultimately comes down to the provinces—even though toads like Poilievre will go to great lengths to blame it all on the federal Liberals.

As for equity financing, I suppose boomers know it as a ‘reverse mortgage’–from the television adverts. It strikes me this only happens because of the weird situation we currently find ourselves in because zoning won’t allow cities (if they wanted) to build enough housing. Without the lack of supply, houses would cost less, so there’s less incentive to loam money to owners. It’s true the provinces have the last word, but I’ve had some weird conversations with ‘progressive NDP’ council members in the city where I used to live who refused to even consider allowing having enough housing for everyone as one of the city’s official plan criteria. I also have read that councils often move heaven-and-earth to get around reforms that were supposed to increase density–effectively sabotaging the province when it tries to do something right.

Frankly, the housing issue has made me somewhat bitter about the so-called ‘progressives’ I meet.