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NAFTA and new mortgage rules highlighted as concerns during round-table discussion

Apr 18, 2017 | 3:39 PM

LETHBRIDGE – A number of representatives from local businesses and organizations – especially those involved in the housing industry – gathered at the Lethbridge Lodge Tuesday (Apr. 18), to discuss the current economic climate with Lethbridge MP Rachael Harder, and how it’s impacting our city.

The round-table discussion was put on by the Canadian Home Builders Association-Lethbridge. Leading into the event, CEO Angela Zuba, noted that it’s always important to stay connected with local political officials.

“We just want to make sure that the local voice is heard in Ottawa,” stated Zuba. “Often times, smaller centres get overshadowed by the Calgarys and Edmontons and Torontos of the world, but our issues here are just as real as in any other centre, so we want to make sure that message is being taken to Ottawa.”

She explained that two of the major issues the industry is focused on right now, centre around the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and changes to mortgage rules.

In speaking with Harder, she identified the same concerns, acknowledging the potential issues around mortgages.

“Mortgage rules definitely impact home builders, realtors, mortgage brokers, home owners, they’re all impacted by the new mortgage rules,” said Harder. “The price of houses is going to come down, so [does] a person’s property value. In terms of just being a home buyer, you qualify for fewer dollars, which of course impacts first time home buyers.”

Harder also touched on NAFTA, saying it’s a concern she’s hearing about both locally and across the country.

“The number one thing that I hear from industry stakeholders with regards to NAFTA, is they want to make sure [Prime Minister] Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government is going to the table on the offence, rather than the defence. So, in other words, they want the government to show up at the table knowing what we as Canada want from these negotiations, rather than letting the U.S. bully us.”

After gathering information at the session, Harder says she intends to use it to influence the questions she asks during Question Period and the conversations she will have with ministers in Ottawa. She also plans on discussing what she learned with members of the Conservative caucus, who will then have the opportunity to take that information to the U.S. when they meet with congressmen and other stakeholders. 

“It really just empowers us as a team to effectively be a voice on behalf of Canadians,” she concluded.