Canadian Muslim Forum & the Quebec Election 2014

Lately, I've gotten the political bug back. As many of you know my education is in public policy and international relations. I think I've been more inspired lately because of the upcoming charged Quebec election. We all have responsibility to vote and voice an opinion. 

Last Sunday I spent the evening with the Canadian Muslim Forum (CMF) in Laval. The CMF hosted an excellent town hall format meeting attended by many Provincial parties (Liberal, Green, Coalition Avenir Québec and Québec Solidaire). The candidates spoke to the community and answered many questions. I'm not surprised that the PQ did not send any candidates to speak. The CMF organizers posed various predetermined questions about: future hopes for Quebec, Quebec identity and the economy.

Canadian Muslim Forum event @ Chateau Royal in Laval

Clearly the room was frustrated with the Charter and politics of division in this province. The common theme discussed was: job creation, access to education and a strong anti-charter sentiment. The best strongest reply from the night came from Rita Da Santis, current elected Liberal Member of National Assembly for Bourassa-Sauve riding, "...an uneducated person is not free," highlighting how important it is to create a neutral government that tolerates all religions and peoples.

Alex Tyrell (Leader of Green Party in Quebec) addressing the public

Second, Rita's quote also relates to creating accessible education in Quebec. Society is not created equal, she stated, however access to education is critical. Rita pointed out that this creates a society of confident citizens but also confident society that attracts investment.

One question addressed to all candidates was about job creation. I liked Alex Tyrell's, leader of the Green Party in Quebec, comments about eco-jobs. This is something that needs to be explored further in our province. A knowledge and eco-based economy may be one of the remaining areas that have not seen much political action. How does that related to mortgages? Simple. We need better quality jobs and better paying jobs in Montreal and the rest of Quebec. Job creation and job innovation feels flat in Quebec. Our Province has many untapped talents. Creating jobs in manufacturing is passe. We need innovation and job creation in knowledge and eco-based industries.

Conference Board of Canada says no to housing crash

Lately, I've focused a lot of energy the past few blog entries about real estate market prices. This month the Conference Board of Canada released a report entitled, "Housing Briefing: Bubble Fears Overblown." The Conference Board (CBOC) is an Ottawa based think thank that is comprised by the heads of the largest public and private organizations in Canada. The CBOC provides analytical services to the public and private sectors. In the report, the CBOC states that Canadian real estate market is not over-built and overvalued (apart from Toronto being overbuilt). They argue that the market the past tree years is in line with the 20 year average. 

I do agree that I don't foresee a crash either but I still do think that the average Canadian is financially stretched. Yes, I agree with the CBOC report that defaults still remain relatively low but in Canada the homeowner or real estate investors has a few options at their disposal in refinancing and transferring properties that may skew default stats. If people are stretched now then perhaps we haven't fully seen the pricing adjustment? Just a thought...

The CBOC states that Montreal is "Flirting with buyer's market conditions with sales and average prices having dropped somewhat last year." We shall see how 2014 continues to evolve especially post-Quebec election. Stay tuned folks. 

Reviewing the Real Life Ratio

Lately, I’ve been keeping an eye on the Globe & Mail. I am glad to see more good articles written about house-hold debt. In the past I've written about this topic, buying what’s reasonable versus maximum.

Rob Carrick from the Globe & Mail wrote two excellent pieces on 6 March 2014 and 19 March 2014. In the March 6th piece, entitled “Can you really afford that mortgage? Know your Real Life Ratio”, Rob makes a bold outright statement when he says, "Someone ought to explain the facts of life to the nation’s bankers....Never take a lender’s word for it that you can afford a house." Rob highlights what he calls the real life ratio which accounts for the basic costs of home ownership but also the real world expenses such as education, insurance, and long-term home maintenance. The real life ratio (see attached link, excel sheet) also shifts depending on what stage you are in life including your kids.

In Rob’s second article, entitled “West Coaster making $86,000 can barely afford his modest life,” Rob shares the life of Hamish Telford.Hamish is separated from his wife, has a 7 year old son and a professor of political science who is considered upper middle class living in Abbotsford, BC. Hamish spends over 50% of his net income towards household expenses.  Hamish is hanging and “isn’t looking for sympathy, just some understanding of how hard it is to get by even for a member of the upper middle class.” He is more worried about others, “I can only imagine how stressed the other 95 per cent of the population must feel."

The point of the article was that Hamish had car trouble and needed to spend approximately $1500-$2000 to fix his car and he sadly had trouble doing so. People should think about the Real Life Ratio when considering the home they wish to purchase.

Priory School Heritage Fair

Today, I am going to focus my blog on a local community matter. Yes debt and mortgages are all important but sometimes it good to shift attention to things that build a sense of community and belonging. Often times building a sense of community is lost in today's hustle and bustle.

I can say with great pride that I am a Priory School Alum. Yes it was my primary and I attended there many many years ago but I have such vivid memories from the Priory. I remember the sense of belonging including attention and care given by faculty and staff.

Last week, for the second year in a row I was asked to be a judge in the Annual Heritage Fair. The Heritage Fair is the equivalent of a science fair. Every year Grades 4, 5 and 6 create individual or group projects. The children research their topics, type up a report and bibliography, and create a visual presentation to show off to the judges. The projects go up on display in the new Priory gym. Each judge is given 5-6 students to evaluate. Why I love the Heritage Fair is the amount of effort that the children give in creating their projects. Mom and Dad seem to stay away as much as possible from helping, haha. I am always shocked at the level of comprehension and depth shown by the students.

After all the projects are evaluated the excited kids quietly and anxiously await the results as they sit in front of the podium and panel of judges. Tim Peters, school Principal, announces one by one the names of the winners. What's great is that there are no first, second or third awards rather the children get a medal of recognition. I think in an age of competition this is a great approach.

The Priory students sitting patiently for the recognition awards ceremony
(picture posted on The Priory School website)

I am glad to see that the Priory School still shares and promotes a sense of  community and enrichment. I am so impressed by the teachers and staff. That is why I continue to give back to my primary school.