MONDAY'S federal election sent a very clear message from coast to coast to coast.
Canadians elected a Conservative majority government, one that will lead the country for at least the next four years without threats of non-confidence votes and repeated elections.
Stephen Harper was definitely given a mandate to lead Canada.
However, Canadians also supported Jack Layton's NDP agenda -- to previously unfathomable proportions -- sending a message to Ottawa about what Canadians expect in terms of social responsibility.
What might the impact of the election be on housing? How will it impact the residential construction industry, an industry that employs many more 20,000 Manitobans and many more thousands across Canada? Without a working crystal ball, we'll just have to speculate.
Hopefully, a majority government translates into continued financial stability and economic recovery. Canada, and especially Manitoba, weathered the recent recession better than most parts of the world, particularly the United States. We didn't attempt to buy our way out of the situation, but rather preached and practised responsible spending and saving.
Steady-as-she-goes would seem to be a logical approach. We are fortunate to have the best banking system in the world, so now is not the time to be greatly increasing mortgage rates or tightening access to capital.
Canadians value the opportunity to purchase their own home and we need to make it possible for them to do so. The banks have a strong checks-and-balance system to determine the level of credit for which one is qualified.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. is there to assist Canadians in realizing their dream -- but within their financial capacity.
Again, this is not the time to over-regulate or drastically change a process that has been working. Housing affordability is something that we value in Canada and Manitoba.
Affordable housing will certainly be discussed and promoted in the House for the next four years. The social agenda will undoubtedly come to the forefront and access to adequate living conditions is important to all.
What some don't realize is that the ability to move up from social housing to rental housing, to home ownership, is also the engine that drives new construction. A strong Canadian economy will benefit all aspects of housing.
The mandate has been clearly given and all Canadians look forward to continued and enhanced prosperity for Canada.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
