Conservative MP Scott Aitchison (Parry Sound-Muskoka, ON) said Calgary city council’s plans on housing are well intentioned but doomed to fail. .“If you truly want to make it easier and faster to build the homes people need, you must make it legal to build them,” said Aitchison in a Tuesday letter to Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Calgary city council. .Aitchison started off by saying the housing crisis “has highlighted a growing divide in Canada.” This divide is between people who have a home, a good job, and a secure retirement and those without. .In the coming days, he said Gondek and her colleagues have an opportunity to close the divide. .Calgary’s Housing and Affordability Task Force presented recommendations for the urgent action that is required..These recommendations included removing minimum parking requirements and reducing zoning requirements across Calgary to make dense housing options legal. .He said they cannot close the divide with half measures. They will not get there with another pilot project. .More than three-fifths of Calgary is restricted to single-detached housing. He asked how can they build for the future when restrictive zoning makes it illegal to grow. .Aitchison called a place for people to live “the promise of Canada for multiple generations.” .He added they should think of those denied that promise. They should think of Calgarians and the people who want to live in it. .Aitchison concluded by saying Gondek and Calgary city council should be bold. .“Show the rest of Canada what happens when you simply legalize more homebuilding,” he said. .“Just imagine what you can accomplish.” .Calgary Coun. Courtney Walcott said on August 29 city council needs to respond now to skyrocketing rent prices. .READ MORE: Calgary city councillor demands action on housing crisis.“Five thousand three hundred families on Calgary Housing Company's waitlist,” said Walcott. .“Our affordability is eroding quickly.”
