Letters: Trump’s plan for immigrants is the real crisis

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Good thing we’re boosting our border

A shame that U.S. President Donald Trump has issues with basic economics. That being said, my fear is with his plan for the expulsion of immigrants. Thank God he insisted on us upgrading our border system. I just hope it will be robust enough.

D.J. Brayley, Gatineau

Why can’t the military secure the border?

Donald Trump has complained repeatedly that Canada is not properly controlling its border with the United States. In response, the feds and provinces have undertaken or proposed a number of small initiatives.

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It is the job of the armed forces to protect Canada’s borders. There are tens of thousands of them, and they have a budget of billions. They often help with floods and forest fires. Why are they not doing the job?

Ed Whitcomb, Ottawa

Chrystia Freeland sounded much like Kamala Harris

Re: Chrystia Freeland’s Liberal leadership campaign launch, Jan. 19.

I watched the launch of Chyrstia Freelands campaign for the Liberal Party leadership. She sounded like Kamala Harris last year in the United States in her bid for president: more like a cheerleader than anything else. More style than substance.

Someone should remind her that Harris lost.

Robert Lamont, Ottawa

Here’s a way to stop renovictions

Re: Ottawa planning committee asks for review of potential renoviction bylaw, Jan. 15.

I believe a renoviction bylaw could be of significant use. But perhaps there are other solutions that could be even more advantageous.

We all know that the renoviction is just an excuse. Renovating kitchens and bathrooms, replacing windows and doors does not require anyone to move out. Homeowners regularly do this type of work without having to leave their residence.

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What seems to be a common theme in at least a couple of well-publicized renovictions is that the buildings were under new ownership. I can understand why new owners would want to find a way to increase rents over provincial guidelines. They have likely just invested a lot of money and have a big mortgage. It is only natural that they would like to see their capital working better.

So when multi-unit buildings come up for sale, why don’t we assist residents in acquiring their own buildings through the mechanism of a housing cooperative? Better yet, don’t wait for the building to come up for sale; approach the current owners at any time. Typically, the existing residents have all been responsible tenants, paying their rent, forming their own local community. All they lack is the capital needed for ownership. A housing cooperative could be an effective means of giving them that ownership and thereby providing them control over their housing destiny. Housing cooperatives are an excellent solution to affordable housing problems.

The city or the province would need to step in with a down payment and/or mortgage guarantee but surely that would be no more expensive than supporting displaced residents. The new co-op members would need some initial education and support and existing rent disparities would have to be gradually resolved. However, in the long run, the residents would likely end up managing their co-op quite well without the threat of someone else removing them.

Nancy Dahl, Ottawa

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