That has become a favorite standby of the rich. Waiting is extremely lucrative considering the number of opportunities it leaves open.

And too bad there’s no retroactive aspect to applying conscience.

I think your summary is more or less the way the tenants saw it, yes.

Tenancy brings with it certain risks and few for sures at any time, but I am not in favour of displacing people in a situation where there are simply no good options for them. I completely agree with the premise that we have a very bad situation on our hands, and I’ve said before that council could have easily justified not approving this one. That’s where the pressure needs to be and it has to come from citizens, not the courts.

That said, these tenants have the better part of two years to move and circumstances could change enough in that time to seriously bite someone in the ass. Maybe they’ll be begging these folks to stay before these units ever hit the market. Maybe the building will be stigmatized because of what’s happened there.

I can see it now: Little plaques on each door. “This is the former home of Eunice Smith, 97, who lived here for 16 years. Eunice is now spending the remainder of her golden years on a cot at the YWCA Crisis Shelter. Good luck Eunice!”

Our focus going forward should be pressuring council to get to work promoting the creation of new housing opportunities, starting with projects targeted towards low income citizens.

I guess I understand what you’re saying, but City Council has proved ignorant and ineffective, time after time after time. They’ve heel-dragged on serious matters, and made a bad situation worse by their sheer ineptitude. I’ve said this many times, but you cannot allow the vacancy rate in a small university town like Saskatoon get so low. They should have known better. They have no excuse.

City Council’s decisions have been so inept lately, that they need judicial intervention. This goes beyond the rental situation–I’m also talking about fiscal affairs that they have botched lately, too. It’s as though we live in Bizarro world, and they’re striving to make all the wrong moves, and make all the wrong decisions om purpose. Quite frankly, their antics as of late baffle and astound me.

When it comes to the unfair (and avoidable) displacement of Saskatoon’s citizens, one cannot help but feel that waiting for the “system of accountability” to run its course will prove too late for most in this town.

I must profess that I don’t know the full details of this Milroy challenge, but is the summarized version not this: the city went ahead and allowed the conversion of the Milroy building to go ahead, despite the fact that the vacancy rate was so low? Thus, the decision should never have been made in the first place.

Thanks for the comment. As saddened as I am over the fate of the Milroy, I can’t help but think that Justice Dovell made the right decision. One can only imagine the chaos which would (could) ensue if all of council’s decisions were subject to challenge in the courts. It would be bad for the city and for the court system.

The best course of action is to leave these decisions to council and know that there is a system of accountabilty in the democratic system.

Regina had the common-sense to have a fair conversion policy in place. What’s wrong with the people who run this city? Is it something in the water here that spawns a lack of common sense?

This is a really sad day for renters in this city. I can’t help but feel sometimes that this entire city has lost its way. Even The Court of Queen’s Bench cannot distinguish between right and wrong.

It’s that old “throwing stones in glass houses” thing and who could blame his enemies for seeking revenge.

I’m not sure why, but it still amazes me when someone so brilliant risks so much destruction for so little.

J.

No worries. Appreciate you watching out for me.

Johny,

Tough words man!

Larry,

Lol.

with the price of RE going up the way it is in Sask. a $2000/hr escort is not far away. .)

J.

Yeah. I caught your “amenities” comment with a second read of your reply, and got the gist of it. That, and your “man of your means” comment.

Feeling pretty foolish. Need to read much more closely next time!

; )

Read about it? I can’t seem to escape it.

I did catch that and was just playing along. The unavailable “amenities” I referred to was $2,000 an hour prostitutes.

(Foolish, foolish me)

I think that “E. Spritzer” is pulling your leg.

(This week, Eliot Spitzer, Governor of New York, resigned from his position for reasons I’ll let you read about. I think your “E. Spritzer” is a big E. Fake. And an incorrect speller, too!)

Good point!

How lucky for me!

You note that your wife and children “will be making a move” and then you state, “I would like…” Would I take this to mean that you are actually moving with them?

I’m sure that you would enjoy the Saskatoon area though I seriously doubt that we have all of the amenities which you’ve come to enjoy in the fine state of New York. Of course, a man of your means can easily import whatever can’t be found here.

Never say never – certain liquids always float to the top.

I am a fan of your Blog. I have been following the market for quite sometime now from New York State.

It appears my wife and 3 children will be making a move. Saskatoon seems to be a vibrant community. Keep up the good work with the Blog!

I will let you know when I’m ready for the move. Ideally I would like to have a gated home on a Golf Course.

Thanks

Eliot

I read your article on the Sophia. That is quite the story. I take it this will be that builder’s last project.

I am probably contemptable in some circles.

I know everybody is busy but, you would think someone saw this bus coming down the road. After all it is the prairie and you can see for miles right? I just hate to see a lot of people left out in your cold while this is being considered. BTW, having taken into consideration your sage wisdom, I’ve ordered my new striped suit. .>)

Oh yes, out here they just told the folks that it will cost them an extra $85,000 to keep what they bought 2 years ago. How contemptable is that?

Judges always have to reserve decisions like this. A responsible judge “gets the facts” in the courtroom and then they reflect and consider, and then finally hand down an unbiased decision.

At least I think so.

Get the facts, learn, reflect, consider, consult and hand down a fair unbiased decesion.

Sheesh!