Dear Editor,
I watched, on television, the premier of B.C. (David Eby) and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau make a massive housing announcement. Premier Eby donated $2 billion of my money – I pay taxes – and the federal government donated $2 billion of my money – I pay taxes – to build 10,000 plus rental homes for the middle class.
When is the B.C. provincial government, and the federal government going to donate $4 billion so 10,000 plus rental homes can be built for low-income people? Moreover, the middle-class are only going to have to pay 30 per cent of their income for rent. When are all low-income people only going to have to pay 30 per cent of their income and/or pension for rent?
By building 10,000 plus homes for the middle-class and not doing likewise for low-income people allegedly violates section 15 (equality) of the Charter pertaining to low-income seniors, low-income physically disabled people, and low-income mentally disabled people. All of the prior groups of low-income people are protected by section 15 of the Charter. No disrespect intended, but the government(s) should not bother invoking section 15 (2) of the Charter because it does not apply to middle-class people, as the middle-class do not belong to a disadvantaged group of people.
The only way the B.C. provincial government, and the federal government can, perhaps, withstand a constitutional challenge is by invoking section 33 (the notwithstanding clause) of the Charter, which cancels section 15 (equality) of the Charter, but that is no easy feat. Finally, some elections are on the horizon, therefore, it would be unwise, for government(s), to use the notwithstanding clause to opt out of the Charter, and cancel some of people’s Charter rights.
Linda Meyer, Maple Ridge
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