Busy day? Here are five stories to help you catch up.
Warning (again): Canada’s housing market overvalued
The International Monetary Fund is sounding fresh alarms over the state of Canada’s housing market.
The organization says Ottawa’s moves in recent years to tighten mortgage lending standards and boost oversight haven’t gone far enough, Tamsin McMahon reports.
Its warnings include:
• Household debt levels remain above those in other Western countries
• The cost of a home has jumped 60 per cent in the past 15 years
• Home prices remain overvalued from 7 per cent to 20 per cent
The IMF also reiterated its call for Canada to collect more housing data.
Trudeau slams Tories for terror rhetoric
Justin Trudeau is accusing the Conservative government of adopting immigration policies toward Muslims akin to the Second World War policies restricting Jews’ entry into Canada.
“So we should all shudder to hear the same rhetoric that led to a ‘none is too many’ immigration policy toward Jews in the ’30s and ’40s being used today, to raise fears against Muslims today,” he said in a speech.
Mr. Trudeau’s harsh criticism forms part of his attack on the federal Conservatives for distorting the rights and freedoms of Canadians, Jane Taber reports.
The remarks come as hearings on the Conservatives’ new anti-terror legislation, Bill C-51, are set to start this week.
Tampon tax is sexist and illogical
An eight-pack of Pizza Pockets isn`t taxed, but a 10-pack of tampons is. Does that make sense to you?
It’s probably the only example of sex-based taxation of a necessary – not luxury – good, Andre Picard argues.
And while it may seem like a marginal issue in the multibillion-dollar tax collection business, it’s not. Women use 9,600 tampons during a lifetime – and they aren’t cheap.
Take a ride on the new Union Pearson Express
Toronto’s airport express train, which will run between Pearson airport and Union station, is slated to be up and running this spring.
What to expect:
• Adult fare costs $27.50 one-way
• First-year ridership is expected to be 5,000 passengers a day
• Will travel at speeds of 80-90 km/h
Should kids have homework?
A New York City elementary school has done away with homework.
Evidence suggests its benefits are negligible at best - leaving kids frustrated, exhausted, and having to spend recess finishing last night’s work, Dave McGinn writes.
So instead of working on assignments at home, students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade are encouraged to read and spend time with their families.
But some parents are so upset they are threatening to pull their kids from the school.
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