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Monday, July 7, 2025

Study finds housing starts not catching up with mass immigration

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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Source: Flickr

A new study by the Fraser Institute reveals that immigration is a major driver of Canada’s housing gap, as the number of new homes built fails to keep up with the number of new people arriving in the country. 

Analysts found that Canada’s population growth has outstripped the number of housing completions by a wide margin in the last five years, leading to high housing costs and affordability challenges for many Canadians.

The research compares the annual population growth and housing completions in Canada from 1972 to 2022, using the latest available data. It finds that from 2018 to 2022, Canada added an average of 553,568 people per year, of which 321,065 were immigrants. 

This means that immigrants accounted for 58% of Canada’s population growth in this period. However, only an average of 205,762 new homes were completed per year in Canada, resulting in a ratio of 2.7 new people per new home. 

A much higher ratio than in the early 1970s, when population growth and housing completions were almost equal. For instance, from 1972 to 1976, Canada added an average of 299,843 people per year, of which 121,418 were immigrants. 

“Until policymakers help close the gap between supply and demand, affordable housing will remain out of reach to an ever-greater share of Canada’s population,” said Fraser Institute senior fellow Josef Filipowicz in a press release. 

Several prominent economists have come out in recent months warning the government that current immigration levels are unsustainable and negatively affecting the housing crisis. 

Immigrants accounted for 41% of Canada’s population growth in this period. Moreover, an average of 237,853 new homes were completed per year in Canada, resulting in a ratio of 1.3 new people per new home.

The study also shows that the housing gap varies across provinces, with Ontario having the largest gap and Quebec having the smallest gap. From 2018 to 2022, Ontario added an average of 239,915 people per year, of which 153,065 were immigrants.

Immigrants accounted for 64% of Ontario’s population growth in this period. However, only an average of 70,828 new homes were completed per year in Ontario, resulting in a ratio of 3.4 new people per new home. 

On the other hand, Quebec added an average of 83,905 people per year, of which 31,065 were immigrants. This means that immigrants accounted for 37% of Quebec’s population growth in this period. Additionally, an average of 30,000 new homes were completed per year in Quebec, resulting in a ratio of 2.8 new people per new home.

LAWTON: How Covid theatre destroyed public trust in science

By
Andrew Lawton
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Throughout the pandemic, Canadians were constantly reminded to follow public health orders, and reassured that government officials were following “the science.” Fraser Institute senior fellow Dr. Kenneth Green joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to discuss the impacts of blindly enforcing measures without critical examination, and how it permanently damaged the public’s trust in science.

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U.S. workers earn 46% more than Canadian counterparts, study reveals

By
Isaac Lamoureux
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Source: Flickr

A new study finds that U.S. tech employees earn a staggering 46% more on average than their Canadian counterparts.

The research, released by The Dais public policy institute at Toronto Metropolitan University, highlights the substantial income gap that tech workers in the two countries face. The average annual salary in the Canadian tech sector is $83,700, while tech professionals in the United States command significantly larger incomes, averaging $122,600. 

“Despite being among the top countries in the world for producing tech talent (with four universities ranked in the global top 100 universities for engineering and technology), a recurrent narrative of lower wages for tech workers in Canada persists,” says the study authored by Vivian Li, Mahmehr Hamza, and Anusha Arif.

The study concludes with two clear calls for action to address the tech wage gap. The first being to boost growth in the tech ecosystem, and the second to develop fair, equitable and competitive distribution. 

To achieve their results, researchers combined data on tech pay in both countries adjusted for purchasing power, cost of living, and compositional components. The study’s findings clearly show tech workers are much better compensated in the U.S. 

Intriguingly, the study reveals that Canadian tech workers, whether in tech hubs like Toronto or Kitchener-Waterloo or not, were paid similarly. In contrast, tech workers in U.S. tech hubs received a notable pay premium, indicating that the U.S. tech sector may have more geographic disparities in pay.

“Tech hubs in the US such as Silicon Valley and Seattle pay the average tech worker nearly twice as much as the average tech worker in Toronto,” says the study.

Furthermore, the study points to non-wage compensation as a noteworthy factor. Non-wage compensation, particularly equity value from stock compensation, for tech work in Canada is sometimes valued at half of what it is in the United States. 

Neglecting to address this pay gap could result in further talent drain to the United States, exacerbating the phenomenon known as “brain drain” or the mass emigration of highly skilled Canadians to the U.S., which has disproportionately affected Canada’s tech sector. 

Annual surveys published by the University of Waterloo show that some graduating classes in programs involved in the tech sector have as many as 85% of alumni who plan to work or accept a full-time offer in the U.S. after graduation.

The research unveiled wage discrepancies and scrutinized gender and racial disparities within the tech industry. 

“The distribution of tech wages in the US by racial identity is much larger than Canada,” says the study, while presenting the following statistics. 

In the U.S., tech workers of South Asian, Chinese, or Japanese descent earned on average 60% more than their counterparts from the lowest-earning racial groups, Black, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. Meanwhile, in Canada, tech professionals of South Asian, Chinese, or Japanese descent earned approximately 8% more than those from the lowest-earning racial groups, those who identify as Black, Arab, or Filipino. A gender wage gap is evident in both countries, with female tech workers making less than their male counterparts by around 26% in the U.S. and 17% in Canada.

Vast majority of Canadians worried about growing auto thefts, survey finds

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-

A majority of Canadians are deeply worried about the increasing number of vehicle thefts, a recent survey found.

According to a report by the Équité Association covering the period from January to June 2023, the persistently high levels of auto theft were a concern for 84% of Canadians.

The statistics for the first half of 2023 were alarming, with most Canadian provinces witnessing a surge in private passenger vehicle thefts year-over-year. The trend builds on record-breaking numbers reported in 2022. 

“The majority of Canadians are clearly worried about how this alarming increase in auto theft will impact the crime rate in their communities, and they are especially concerned for their personal safety and the safety of their families,” said Équité Association CEO Terri O’Brien. 

A total of 34,861 vehicles were stolen during this period, with Ontario leading the pack at 15,044 reported thefts, marking a substantial 31% increase compared to the same period in 2022. 

Quebec followed closely behind, with 7,831 thefts, reflecting a 17% year-over-year increase.

Despite a national vehicle recovery rate of 57%, recoveries in Quebec and Ontario remain below average, at 38% and 46%, respectively. Meanwhile, Atlantic Canada boasts a notably higher recovery rate of 70%.

The data reveals a concerning pattern, as the majority of stolen vehicles in Ontario and Quebec are models from 2019 or newer. In 2022 Ontario experienced a whopping 48% year-over-year increase, and Quebec saw a 50% year-over-year surge in auto thefts.

The Équité Association’s found that organized crime is a large driver of auto theft. Stolen vehicles often find their way overseas through the Port of Montreal or are re-VINed for domestic resale. The attraction of high-profit margins and the low risk of consequences continue to lure criminals into the auto black market.

Criminal activity poses a significant threat to public safety, as auto theft incidents can escalate into violent carjackings. Furthermore, the profits generated from auto theft and insurance fraud are known to fund other illicit activities, including drug trafficking, arms dealing, and even terrorism.

Notably, the primary focus of organized crime rings in Canada is to steal new and luxury vehicles. 

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has been disproportionately affected by the auto theft crisis. Toronto alone witnessed a 34.3% year-over-year increase in auto thefts during the first half of 2023. 

Data from York Regional Police services showed a staggering 82% increase in auto thefts when comparing the first half of 2023 to 2022.

LAWTON: Could vaccine mandates return for air travel? (ft. Eva Chipiuk)

By
Andrew Lawton
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Earlier this week, the Federal Court of Appeal convened to determine the validity of deeming Brian Peckford’s and Maxime Bernier’s legal challenge against the air travel vaccine mandate as “moot.” Lawyer Eva Chipiuk joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to discuss the government’s reasoning behind the initial decision, and why she disagrees with it.

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NDP members to debate coalition with Liberals at convention

By
Quinn Patrick
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NDP members will get a chance to give the party their thoughts and opinions on the confidence-and-supply agreement that they share with the Liberals during their three-day convention in Hamilton on Friday. 

The Liberal-NDP coalition has been in place since 2022 and Friday’s gathering will mark the first time members will get to share their views on it since it was first signed. 

Trudeau’s Liberals only hold a minority government, meaning that the NDP can alter the balance of power regarding legislation being passed through their formal agreement. 

The NDP favours key Liberal legislation and in exchange, the Liberals help the NDP to advance some of their party’s priority policies. 

Numerous polls reveal that the majority of NDP party members seem indifferent on the current pact their party shares with the Liberals, however some do have concerns as to how the agreement will ultimately play out. 

Among those concerned is NDP Indigenous People’s Commission head Trudy Spiller, who said she plans to push for more Indigenous rights issues at the convention. 

Additionally, Spiller wants to see the establishment of a Red Dress alert system to provide better protection for Indigenous women, girls and members of the LGBTQ community who go missing. 

While Spiller can acknowledge certain party wins under the agreement, like government-subsidized dental care, she also believes it’s time for the NDP to terminate their pact with the Liberals.   

“I think after this convention, [the deal] has served its purpose. It’s time to get out and be on our own as New Democrats,” Spiller told CBC News.

While there aren’t any NDP prioritized resolutions that can’t happen under the current agreement, the party still expects that it will be a burgeoning talking point at the convention.

“Absolutely, I’m sure that people are going to want to talk about the supply and confidence agreement, and we’re going to have those open discussions with those folks,” said Dhananjai Kohli, the party’s outgoing president.

“I think, if anything, folks want us to be able to do more,” Kohli said. “And that’s totally fair.”

The B.C. NDP representative for women, Kristine Wickner, said she is disappointed that by this point in time the pact hasn’t yet led to a wealth tax or policies to create more affordable housing. 

She feels that if anything, this agreement has given the NDP party an ambiguous identity.  

“I think a lot of us are looking for the party at the federal level to occupy a truly left space. And I think Canadians want that, too,” said Wickner.

“When I talk to my friends who are not super partisan … they don’t really understand, at a fundamental level, the difference between the Liberal Party and the NDP. They don’t see why they would vote for the NDP.

“They’ll say things like Liberal 2.0 or Liberal light or Orange Liberals. And so, I think that’s presenting a pretty big challenge to us. It’s almost an identity crisis, it feels like.”

However, Wickner said she isn’t blaming party leadership in particular with her comments. “There’s a tendency to be hard on people in politics … we need to be softer on people and harder on systems, and talk about how we create a different system,” she said.

Despite that, a review of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will surely be underway at the convention over the weekend. 

Should 51% or more of NDP delegates vote in favour of leadership review, then a leadership convention will have to be called within a year of the vote, according to the NDP constitution.  

Singh has had overwhelming majority support from party delegates since 2018 however, and during the last leadership convention in 2021, 87% of delegates voted against a leadership convention. 

Two Toronto cops under investigation for hateful pro-Hamas posts

By
Quinn Patrick
-

The Toronto Police Service is investigating two of its officers for their online posts about Hamas’ attacks on Israel.

“We are aware of the posts and Professional Standards are investigating,” said TPS spokesperson Stephanie Sayer on Thursday.

One of the two officers being investigated is a Toronto Police constable at 23 Division and the other is a special constable with the Community Safety Unit and Toronto Community Housing, according to the Toronto Sun. 

Const. Shumail Mian allegedly posted on his Instagram a cartoon of media cameras focusing on an Israeli man in a blue shirt wearing a Star of David necklace while in the backdrop there are pools of blood with decapitated heads and severed bodies on the other side of the border in Gaza. Beneath the cartoon was the hashtag #freepalestine.

The other post in question, allegedly from Special Const. Mustafa Rahmanzadeh, was a meme depicting a portrait of Adolph Hitler morphing into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu across several panels. 

It is accompanied by a headline that reads, “How can you inflict the same torture that your own people suffered?” The caption was followed by the words “may Allah swt (sic) destroy the oppressors.”

Hamas began its unprecedented attack on Israel Saturday, so far resulting in 1,400 dead and more than 100 kidnapped.

No charges have been laid against the officers and neither of them have commented publicly on the investigation or the posts. 

“There is no confidence from the community that these officers would properly protect them and because of that they should immediately be removed from duty,” said deputy Conservative leader Melissa Lantsman, who represents the Thornhill riding. “There is no place for the glorification of terror, kidnapping, murder and rape and there should be consequences.”

B’nai Brith Canada spokesperson Richard Robertson said it is “incredibly concerning and disheartening to know that several peace officers allegedly have engaged in sharing antisemitic content.”

“Toronto’s Jews must be assured that the city’s police force remains committed to serving and protecting all its citizens” because “those officers do not instill such confidence,” Robertson added.

TPS said it is committed to its mission of public safety while protecting free speech and the right to protest.

The Toronto Police Association, the union representing TPS members, is refraining from weighing in on the matter until the investigation has concluded. 

“The Toronto Police Service has stated that any comment which is perceived to jeopardize the integrity and reputation of the organization will be investigated by Professional Standards,” said TPA president Jon Reid. “Given these cases are now subject to possible discipline, we will not be commenting further.”

A similar incident occurred earlier this week when an Air Canada pilot posted a photo of himself donning Palestinian colours and several memes which were deemed to be inappropriate by the airline, resulting in him being taken “out of service.” 

LAWTON: CBC deliberately whitewashes Hamas terrorism

By
Andrew Lawton
-

Earlier this week, a CBC memo was circulated in which the public broadaster instructed journalists not to refer to Hamas as terrorists in their coverage of the recent attacks on Israel. Honest Reporting executive director Mike Fegelman joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to discuss the clear anti-Israel bias being displayed in the Canadian media, and the importance of fair and balanced reporting.

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Jewish groups call for an end to Palestinian aid from Ottawa

By
Quinn Patrick
-

Canada gives the Palestinian territories tens of millions of dollars in aid on an annual basis, however, some Jewish groups are concerned that some of that money winds up in the hands of terrorist groups like Hamas and that such funding should be put under review following its attack on Israel.

On Saturday, over a thousand Hamas terrorists attacked southern Israel, using rockets and other explosives. The border was breached along the Gaza Strip and many Israeli people were taken hostage. 

As of Thursday, over 1,200 people have been killed in the attack. 

Over $50 million in funding is given per year from Ottawa to aid programs in Gaza and the West Bank, including as much as $25 million annually to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). 

Ottawa also funds separate individual programs devoted to promoting women in business to help reduce domestic violence. 

Palestinian security forces in the West Bank also receive training from the Canadian Armed Forces along with several other Western nations.

Although Canada does not provide direct funding to the Palestinian government, certain non-government organizations that do receive federal money may have ties to terrorist organizations, according to David Cooper, vice president of government relations with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. 

“The challenge with that is about who they partner with. We’ve expressed in the past concerns about some of the NGOs and who they (the Canadians) partner with on the Palestinian side,” said Cooper. “There have been cases where they partnered with NGOs that have associations with individuals that have been tied to terrorist organizations.”

While Cooper acknowledged the justification of humanitarian and emergency aid, he asserts that the government must ensure that the money must ultimately arrive at the right place.

Funding to the UNRWA has previously been denounced by another Jewish group, B’nai Brith. 

The group has made calls for the government to stop aiding the agency, citing some of the educational material used by the UN as antisemitic and defamatory of Israel. 

“In light of Hamas’ unprecedented atrocities against Israeli civilians, this is a key time for Canada to re-examine its humanitarian aid to Gaza,” said Michael Mostyn, CEO for  B’nai Brith 

“B’nai Brith Canada has long raised our concerns about the misappropriation of funds in Hamas-controlled Gaza, particularly in light of antisemitic and inciteful teaching materials funded by UNWRA, subsidized by Canadian tax dollars.”

Alex Tétreault, a spokesperson for International Minister Ahmed Hussen, said that while the government condemns the actions of Hamas unequivocally, Gazans still require aid now more than ever since the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel. 

“We will continue to support civilians with life-saving humanitarian aid, while ensuring that no money goes into the hands of Hamas,” wrote Tétreault in an email to the National Post.

“Canada has a no-contact policy with listed terrorist organization Hamas. Moreover, no Canadian assistance is provided directly to the Palestinian Authority,” he continued.

A yearly average of $55 million is given from the Canadian government to support Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, according to Tétreault.

“The department exercises enhanced due diligence and uses anti-terrorism clauses in partner agreements to prevent funds being diverted to terrorist groups,” he said. “These efforts are continuously reviewed to adapt to changing times and rapidly evolving situations.”

Uber reviews legal options to fight Toronto’s motion to cap rideshare drivers

By
Quinn Patrick
-
Credit: BeyondDC

Uber Canada will be “reviewing all legal options,” following a motion approved by the City of Toronto to put a cap on the amount of rideshare drivers allowed to operate in the city. 

The amendment fell under a motion that requires all taxicabs and rideshares to operate zero-emissions vehicles by 2031. 

The number of licenced drivers may not surpass the amount currently in operation as of October 2023 “in order to manage current levels of greenhouse gas emissions in vehicle-for-hire industry,” reads the motion.

Uber said it will oppose the measure, saying it would increase wait time and make transportation less affordable.

“This will increase wait times and the cost of a safe and reliable transportation option for so many while important transit projects are delayed and the cost of purchasing a vehicle has increased almost 50 per cent in four years,” said Uber spokesperson Keerthana Rang.

Staff have until the fourth quarter of 2024 to provide a report on the “comprehensive framework, including emissions, congestion and transit impacts,” according to CTV News. 

On Wednesday, Uber Canada released a statement, arguing that this motion will “ultimately hurt the diverse group of Torontonians who rely on rideshare as part of their transportation mix and those who drive rideshare for additional income, especially in a time of rising costs.”

The rideshare company claims there was “no procedural fairness on the council floor,” and said they will be looking into all possible legal options. 

Uber also said they are not in support of Toronto’s transition to a zero-emissions platform by 2030. 

RideFairTO, a coalition of taxi and various other ride-hailing driving services said that they are in favour of the city’s motion because they feel it will restore ridership on the TTC and reduce emissions as well as reduce the amount of time that they “spend driving empty.”

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