You may have heard the expression, “there is only one taxpayer.”
Politicians from all parts of the spectrum say it to remind ourselves that there is a limit to what we can do. There is a point that is too far. As a result, aspects of our society break.
This is our story, British Columbia in 2019.
Think about the healthcare system and your access to a family doctor. Or, what about the housing crisis?
Over the last decade construction has been a major driver of the British Columbia economy.
Yet, at the same time, housing reached crisis proportions with many British Columbians not able to find adequate housing they can afford.
The housing crisis in British Columbia is well-documented.
“Housing units” are a commodity. “Homes” provide stability and security for people and families.
Governments and developers focus on “housing units.” The often-repeated solution is to increase supply to meet the demand.
“Let’s build our way out!”
The mantra is recited. “It’s a supply problem. Let’s build our way out!”
Nothing changes.
More buildings go up, increasing expectation that affordability will soon follow.
But, it is a building boom. And, the situation remains dire.
People share with a me their sense of hopelessness and sadness. They don’t see where their home is. They are nervous, uncertain and feeling let down.
So, rather than building communities, regions and a province where people feel they belong, we fuel our proud economic narrative on randomly supplying demand unsustainably.
Is “there is only one planet” synonymous with “there is only one taxpayer?”
How much is too much?
Can we have that conversation?
Because when you bring it up, a cold chill falls over the room.
Did he just say that? (Whispers and murmurs.)
New housing units have been built everywhere around us. Did that bring the price down? No. Did it provide suitable, affordable houses for our children? No.
Thoughtlessly growing…
Endless growth is not possible because we live in a finite world. Thoughtless growth is dangerous and irresponsible.
We know in our deep down hearts, that it does not end well. It’s not just our yet-to-be-born descendants, generations of the faceless single taxpayer. It’s here, and now. It is the 20 and 30-something’s that work in my office, who we have left behind.
It’s also my GenX peers whose kids are jammed into over-crowded schools. And, add our Boomer parents to the mix as we look for a family doctor.
So when representatives of the development community drop into my office to discuss the perpetual growth machine and demand answers to where the growth is going to happen next, it brings me to a long pause, a deep breath, and a desire to share my reality.
There are more than 12,000 people on the Saanich Peninsula without a family doctor. And, that is just the most acute of the problems. Throw on top of that the next-to-impossible task of chasing population growth with brand new schools.
But, there is a limit. The “only one taxpayer” has “only one planet.” And, we have to be willing to have this difficult discussion or we do ourselves and our faceless, nameless descendants a great disservice.
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