08-16-2015, 01:46 PM
(08-16-2015, 10:02 AM)numberguy Wrote: Maybe a growing economy can happen again. I am pessimistic of that, however. In the 80s, Canadians still had kids > 2.1 per couple and population was growing. Right now, our demographic growth resembles Europe and Japan more. Without young people, its difficult to grow one's economy, as Abe is finding out.
There is one key difference between Canada and Japan: immigration. Unless we were to stop immigration, our economy will indeed continue to grow as the population grows. Our population growth has been steady at more than 1% per year for at least the last 15 years, while the Japanese population is actually shrinking.
(08-16-2015, 10:02 AM)numberguy Wrote: I don't see the intermodal hub proceeding quickly, given the state of the Province's economy and the fact that the Region is currently engaged in a major P3 (ION) already. Having said that, perhaps the right major development player can come along if they see enough value add proposition for them. The Municipal Act precludes direct incentives, but perhaps some creative means can be found.
There are many ways to do it without violating the Municipal Act. I believe that the transit centre is critical for the success of the transit initiative, and we will find a way to do it. But let's see whether an RFP is actually issued, and we can then argue more on this.