Relaxing some of these absurd rules around development would do a lot more to expand housing supply than taxing and regulating Airbnb hosts. That's the path city governments should pursue
Slapping new taxes and regulations on AirBnB won't cure cities' housing woes
This column first ran in CBC Opinion and is now free to reprint.
We all know that many cities across Canada are grappling with out-of-control housing prices. In the Greater Toronto Area, young families can't afford the cost of million-dollar "starter" homes, and young professionals are struggling with monthly rents averaging $1,800. Vancouver has the most expensive housing in the country, and though activity there slowed for a while, the market returned to near-record levels in May.
Enter city politicians who claim they will cure our housing woes with ... new taxes and regulations?
