CMHC Exec bonuses are shameful

   This week, I want to present a few different annoying points, the kind that should make it no surprise to governments that the public doesn’t trust them very much.
   Canadian Taxpayers Association reports the following"
“The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is the federal housing agency that has repeatedly claimed its goal is “housing affordability for all.”
   Despite its CEO admitting housing supply and affordability “remained one of Canada’s greatest challenges,” the CMHC handed out $31.7 million in taxpayer-funded bonuses last year. 
   CMHC executives took $3.5 million in bonuses in 2025-26. That works out to an average bonus of $44,800 for each executive. Non-executive staff collected another $28.2 million in bonuses. Even the CMHC’s own data shows its failing on housing affordability. The average Canadian spends more than half of their income on housing – up from 39 per cent in 2019, according to CMHC data.”
   Government wasting taxpayers money is not a new problem but for that very reason, we should not have to still tolerate such waste. The level of entitlement is unbelievable and should not be encouraged or even tolerated.
   CTF also points out that  Rideau Hall (The governor general’s residence) finally recognizing your concerns about the governor general’s lavish clothing allowance.
   Government policy allows governors general to expense up to $130,000 in clothing purchases over their five-year mandate. 
   Newly appointed Governor General Louise Arbour notified MPs that her office “revised its guidelines for clothing,” according to Blacklock’s Reporter. Arbour didn’t specify how much that will save taxpayers. 
   It’s good to see the new governor general won’t be wasting as much money on clothes. 
   But small tweaks to the governor general’s wardrobe budget barely scratches the surface and taxpayers need the government to drastically shrink the platinum pay and perks at Rideau Hall.
   The governor general still takes automatic pay raises every year. The governor general’s current salary is $393,800. 
   Last week, I noted  that the Federal and B.C. governments plan  to use up to $3 billion to buy vacant condo units and turn them into affordable housing and that there were 4,376 completed condos sitting empty in Metro Vancouver, a 76 per cent increase from the year before. This past week, Prime Minister Carney said the Feds and BC will split the down payment costs and encourage financial institutions to step in with money to make the deals happen.
   In my experience, if something isn’t selling, you drop the price.
   Apparently that doesn’t apply to Vancouver developers.

   • And readers may remember that a few weeks ago, I strongly suggested (asked) that Premier Wab Kinew and Opposition leader Obby Khan meet with me as they certainly need to smarten up as to how they treat each other. There is way too little respect being shown to each other and in turn to Manitobans of all political beliefs. I am saddened, but not surprised to report that except for the usual automatic “thank you for your email”, I have had no response from either man. I wasn’t asking for much and I got less. Maybe this time they will respond.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the writer’s personal views and are not to be taken as being the view of the Banner & Press staff.