The revelation this week of a new catalogue of pre-approved housing models in British Columbia raises questions about when a promised federal equivalent will be available. As the cost of living and unemployment rates continue to weigh on society, advocates say it’s time to accelerate the federal government’s promise to do everything it can to build more housing, quickly, and try to make it easier to build manufactured homes. “For a factory to produce housing, you have to guarantee a certain number of orders. And that’s very difficult to do when you’re working with multiple different jurisdictions, all of which have different rules about what’s allowed and what’s not,” said Carolyn Whitzman, a senior housing researcher at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities. Prefabricated housing or prefabricated construction is a method of construction where the bulk of the construction takes place off-site, often in a facility such as a factory. The story continues below the advertisement A fully constructed modular home or portions of a home are then shipped to the site, where they are assembled and connected to utilities. That potential has become a growing topic of conversation as provinces and the federal government explore ways to standardize and speed up home construction. Having standardized designs means developers can eliminate paperwork and start building quickly. Whitzman said this is demonstrated by the city of Kelowna, B.C., which introduced standardized designs in 2022, well before the rest of the province. “Kelowna can get these pre-approved projects approved in 10 days. Whereas in the Greater Toronto Area, for example, it could easily take 18 months to get an infill project approved,” she said. Whitzman said a federal catalog was a necessity of the moment. “Whatever level of government can do it, they should do it. It’s much less effective to have 750 municipalities and over 5,000 people do a whole bunch of changes than it is to have 10 provinces and three territories do it. And it’s more effective to have national standards,” she said. What does the BC catalog contain? The story continues below the advertisement The British Columbia government announced Wednesday has released a free catalog of duplex, triplex, quadplex and townhouse models that are compatible with the 2024 British Columbia Building Code. Get the latest national news For news that impacts Canada and the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts directly when it happens. These designs can be customized for different lot sizes and configurations for use throughout British Columbia. A spokesperson for AccommodationInfrastructure and Communities Canada told Global News the plan will support federal efforts, but did not answer a question about when exactly the federal catalogue will be available beyond “late 2024.” “B.C.’s standardized design project is a great example of how provinces and territories can support our shared housing construction priorities, and discussions with provinces and territories will continue as needed to ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place at all levels of government to support the adoption of catalogue designs,” the statement said. Budget 2024 provided $11.6 million in 2024-25 to support the development of the housing design catalogue for up to 50 models. The catalogue is currently in the request for proposals (RFP) phase, with the housing minister seeking design services “for the development of low-rise designs under the initiative”. So-called “strawberry box” or “victory houses” were built for Second World War veterans and still stand in many Canadian neighbourhoods. On Tuesday, the federal government announced it was reviving the policy. Library and Archives Canada The story continues below the advertisement 1:57 Atlantic housing ministers say manufactured homes are the way forward Current trend Canada-wide arrest warrant issued for woman wanted for murder in Toronto Linkin Park’s new singer faces accusations of ties to Scientology and Danny Masterson Whitzman says Canada’s approach to housing has been very “piecemeal,” with each municipality having its own variation of building codes, design requirements and zoning regulations. “It is impossible to build housing quickly and also to build infill housing in a standardised manner,” she said. “Kelowna has been a leader in design. British Columbia is now a leader in design. And I hope the federal government will lead the way in design…the more we can move decision-making up to the next level of government, the better.” 2:33 Activists react to Montreal modular housing pilot project The story continues below the advertisement Singh said the pre-approved designs will not only help speed up the construction process but also reduce construction costs and avoid delays. While Singh called for action at the federal level, she said more provinces also need to do their part as Canadians continue to face housing and financial challenges. Singh said some provinces, like her home province of Ontario, do not agree with Ottawa. “Given the often politicized nature of the relationship between the Ford government and the Trudeau government, I worry that this is going to end up in the pile of good ideas never done,” she said of implementing the housing catalogue. Learn more about Canada More videos She noted that Mississauga, Ont., now has two pre-approved templates that can be downloaded from the city’s website. “This shows us that municipalities want pre-approved designs and would benefit from the province adopting a national catalogue,” Singh said. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canada will need nearly 3.5 million additional new homes by 2030. A federal catalogue of designs would not be new to Canada. When thousands of veterans returned to Canada after the Second World War, the country was facing a housing crisis. To cut red tape and speed up the construction and approval process, Ottawa published a catalogue of pre-approved home designs that builders could begin building immediately. Hundreds of thousands of new homes were built across Canada in a short period of time. The story continues below the advertisement In December, Housing Minister Sean Fraser announced the Liberals were scrapping the nearly 80-year-old program and revamping it. © 2024 Global News, a division of…

Republican Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance faces anger from Democrats after decrying school shootings as a “fact of life” and advocating for increased security over stricter gun control. “If these psychopaths come after our children, we have to be prepared,” Vance said at a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, just a day after a terrorist attack. Georgia school shooting leaves four dead. “We don’t have to like the reality we live in, but it is the reality we live in. We have to deal with it.” Asked by a reporter what steps should be taken to stop school shootings, the Ohio senator dismissed Democrats’ argument for tougher gun laws, saying shootings happen in states with both lax and strict laws. Instead, he said it makes more sense to give schools more money for security. The story continues below the advertisement “I don’t like that this is a reality,” Vance said. “But if you’re a psychopath and you want to make headlines, you know our schools are easy targets. And we need to have more security in our schools. We need to have more security so that if a psychopath wants to walk through the front door and kill a bunch of kids, he can’t do it.” 3:26 Georgia shooting: At least 4 dead, several injured after shots fired at Winder High School Vance said he doesn’t like the idea of ​​his own children going to a school with heightened security, “but that’s increasingly the reality we live in.” His comments were immediately picked up by Kamala Harris presidential campaign team. “It doesn’t have to be this way. We can and will take action to protect our children,” read a message sent to X by the Democratic presidential candidate, along with an excerpt of Vance’s comments. The story continues below the advertisement School shootings aren’t just a fact of life. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can and will take action to protect our children. https://t.co/Oi8s9MfgvU — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 6, 2024 Harris’ running mate, Governor Tim Walzalso weighed in, posting: “This is pathetic. We can’t abandon our children, they deserve better.” This is pathetic. We cannot abandon our children: they deserve better. https://t.co/ozYdvpDJ4u — Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) September 6, 2024 The story continues below the advertisement The Democratic National Committee also criticized Vance in a statementwriting: “Let’s be clear: No matter what Donald Trump and JD Vance say, tragedies like this do not have to be a “fact of life,” and we do not simply have to “get over it” when Americans, including young children, are violently murdered.” Get the latest national news For news that impacts Canada and the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts directly when it happens. But Vance has doubled down on his efforts to speak out on Phoenix, posting on X: “Kamala wants to take away security from our schools instead of protecting our children. Instead of addressing her own failures, she lies about what I said. More desperation from the biggest fraud in American politics.” Kamala wants to dismantle safety in our schools instead of protecting our children. Instead of facing her own failures, she lies about what I said. More despair from the biggest fraud in American politics. https://t.co/KNOwOtpcLx — JD Vance (@JDVance) September 6, 2024 Current trend Tim Walz’s Close Family Clarifies Situation Regarding Viral ‘Walz’s for Trump’ Photo 70-year-old man dies after Florida surgeon removes liver instead of spleen, attorney says He called the Georgia shootings a “terrible tragedy” and said the families needed prayers and sympathy. The story continues below the advertisement Vance spokesman William Martin also defended the politician’s comments, criticizing the Associated Press for a headline that said did not include full context of Vance’s statement, telling Fox News, “This is yet another case of fake news media “to lie brazenly about a Republican politician.” The Associated Press later corrected his initial title — “JD Vance Says School Shootings Are ‘Fact of Life,’ Calls for Better Safety,” — read “JD Vance Says He Laments School Shootings Are ‘Fact of Life,’” and wrote on X that they updated their filing “to add context to Vance’s partial quote.” This article replaces a previous article that was deleted to add context to Vance’s partial quote. — The Associated Press (@AP) September 6, 2024 The father of the 14-year-old suspect accused of killing four people at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, has been arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder. The story continues below the advertisement State authorities announced the charges against Colin Gray, 54, on Thursday. He was also charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter and eight counts of cruelty to children. Authorities said Thursday that the charges were filed because the father “knowingly” allowed his son, 14-year-old Colt Gray, to possess the military-style rifle used in the shooting. 2:14 Father of Georgia school shooting suspect charged with murder “His charges are directly related to the actions of his son,” Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said at Thursday night’s news conference. If convicted on all counts, Colin faces a maximum prison sentence of 180 years. More about the world More videos © 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link

As Canada canola producers Prepare for potential impact Since New anti-dumping investigation in China in Canadian canola imports, a new report from an international credit rating agency suggests the move could result in a “billion-dollar hit” to the country and its supply chain. Morningstar DBRS said in a report published Thursday that the investigation into China’s canola seed imports could result in tariffs being imposed on the crop, which would have a “significant impact on global canola trade flows” and on Canadian grain handlers. The investigation announcement Tuesday comes after Ottawa decided to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, following the lead of the United States and the European Union. The 100 per cent tariff was imposed on imports of Chinese electric vehicles, as well as a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imported from China. The story continues below the advertisement The federal government says the tariffs are meant to protect Canadian jobs, but the agriculture sector has said it could pay a price. Farmer John McKee told Global News earlier this week that the market price of canola in southern Alberta dropped nearly a dollar after the announcement. Ian Boxall, president of the Saskatchewan Agricultural Producers, told Global News that farmers will be hit hardest. “It’s the one that farmers grow and that brings in the most money, it’s sought after all over the world, the demand is high,” he said. Get the latest national news For news that impacts Canada and the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts directly when it happens. “Even though the price of canola has gone down, consumers are not going to see a reduction in margarine in the grocery stores… only farmers are going to suffer… China, for the third or fourth time, has gone after canola because they know it’s a close call with their interests.” 2:02 China attacks Canada with anti-dumping probe into canola after electric vehicle tariffs In 2023, the report notes that Canada exported nearly $5 billion worth of canola products to China, citing Chinese customs data showing that more than 90 per cent of the country’s canola product imports last year came from Canada. The story continues below the advertisement The rating agency said in its report that it is not yet clear whether the tariffs would be imposed or how long they might last, but the impact on the economy could be similar to a trade action taken by China in 2019 that saw shipments of canola seed blocked by two major Canadian companies. Current trend Georgia school shooting suspect questioned by police over 2023 online threats 70-year-old man dies after Florida surgeon removes liver instead of spleen, attorney says The dispute follows Canada’s detention of Huawei CEO Meng Wanzhou at the request of the United States, and the subsequent detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. Learn more about Canada Related Videos The Canola Council of Canada estimates the dispute cost the industry between $1.54 billion and $2.35 billion between March 2019 and August 2020 through lost sales and lower prices. Canada launched a challenge at the World Trade Organization in 2020, but the review was suspended two years later, three months after China restored shipments. China’s current investigation into Canadian canola imports echoes its recent probe into European Union brandy, launched in the wake of EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. In this case, China announced last week that it would not impose provisional tariffs on the product, but Morningstar notes that similar investigations into dairy and pork have yet to be concluded. The agency adds that the current geopolitical context, including the upcoming U.S. presidential election, means that “a wide range of outcomes is possible regarding the current investigation into Canadian canola seed.” The story continues below the advertisement However, despite the concerns, the report offers potential solutions, noting that during the 2019 standoff, the quantities of canola that should have gone to China were actually absorbed by other parts of the world – with Europe being a major importer, receiving 1.3 million and 2.5 million tonnes in 2019 and 2020 respectively, compared to 0.4 million tonnes in the previous five years. While the investigation is being launched by China, industry officials said they would support it if necessary but would not speculate on its outcome. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay wrote on social media Tuesday that China’s decision was “deeply concerning” and that he was working with colleagues in government and industry to “closely monitor the evolving situation.” — with files from Reuters © 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link

The federal government The New Democrats withdrew their support for the supply and confidence agreement with the Liberal government. This decision puts the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau The minority risks falling at any time in the coming weeks or months if it loses confidence votes, which could trigger early elections as early as this fall. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said in a video released by the NDP on Wednesday that the Liberals “have failed people” and failed to tackle “corporate greed.” He also presented the NDP as the only party capable of preventing a growing Conservative Party from winning the next election, saying the Liberals are “too weak, too selfish and too beholden to corporate interests to fight for people.” “Today I informed the Prime Minister that I have torn up the supply and confidence agreement,” Singh said. The story continues below the advertisement “Big business and wealthy CEOs have had their government. It’s the people’s time.” 1:44 Is Canada headed for an election? What happens after the NDP-Liberal deal breaks down? The House of Commons is expected to resume after summer recess on September 16, after which the NDP will vote on government bills “on a case-by-case basis,” a party official told Global News. The NDP official told Global News the video was shot some time ago and the decision to pull out of the deal had been in the works for months. The official added that a key reason the two parties decided to act now was a “fundamental difference in values ​​on corporate greed” between the two parties. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations about the decision. No NDP members were available to speak to media Wednesday. The story continues below the advertisement Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who urged Singh to withdraw from the deal, called Wednesday’s announcement a “media stunt” and criticized the NDP leader for not committing to a vote of no confidence. “My message to Sellout Singh is this: If you are serious about ending your costly carbon tax coalition with Trudeau, then commit today to voting for a ‘carbon tax election’ in the first confidence vote in the House of Commons,” Poilievre told reporters in Nanaimo, B.C. 2:32 Poilievre calls for ‘traitor Singh’ to trigger ‘carbon tax election’ after NDP withdraws support for Liberals Several bills are still pending in the House and are expected to be passed by the NDP or another party. These include the Online Harms Act and legislation regarding rail and port security, airport standards, expanded advance voting and changes to the military justice system and how it handles cases of sexual misconduct. Get the latest national news For news that impacts Canada and the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts directly when it happens. The fall economic statement, usually delivered in October or November, could be a likely candidate for a confidence vote. The opposition can also propose a confidence vote by declaring its lack of confidence in the government or by invoking the government’s prerogative, which can designate any issue it chooses as a confidence question. The story continues below the advertisement Poilievre indicated Wednesday that the Conservatives were prepared to present a confidence motion as soon as possible. Trudeau: “I’m not focused on politics” At an announcement in Newfoundland and Labrador on Wednesday, Trudeau would not say whether an election was imminent, telling reporters that a vote “would happen next year, hopefully not before next fall.” “I’m not focused on politics,” he said, highlighting steps the government has taken to try to reduce costs for Canadians. “I really hope that the NDP will continue to focus on how we can meet the needs of Canadians, as we have done over the last few years, rather than focusing on politics.” Trudeau would not say what conversations he had with Singh before Wednesday’s announcement, but said he hoped to continue working with the NDP on the legislation. The story continues below the advertisement 4:35 ‘Not focused on politics’: Trudeau responds to NDP withdrawal from supply and confidence deal with Liberals The NDP reached a credit and confidence agreement with the Liberals in 2022, months after voters returned the Liberals to government with another minority in late 2021. Supply and confidence agreements are different from coalition governments, in which members of several parties sit together in the cabinet and govern jointly. Under the terms of the deal, the NDP would ensure the Liberals remain in power until the next mandatory election in 2025, in exchange for the government’s support for key NDP priorities. Current trend LGBTQ2 activists call on Trudeau to resign to prevent Poilievre from leading This Canadian Couple Just Won $50 Million. ‘It Won’t Change Them,’ They Hope The deal handed the NDP legislative victories on pharmacare and dental care, two of the biggest pillars of the party’s platform. But Singh and his caucus have criticized the Liberals for not doing more to address rising corporate and executive profits amid the cost of living crisis. Calls to tax those excess profits and raise corporate taxes have failed to produce concrete action from the government. The story continues below the advertisement The NDP has sharply criticized the government’s intervention in the labour dispute that shut down the rail network last month, accusing the Liberals of undermining union negotiations.