Cheap Houses Rule

This letter is in response to an opinion piece published in yesterday's Free Press. Here's a link to the original.

It is short-sighted of Dave Angus (Build it, and they may stay, Apr. 22) to state that the generation of teens he is currently consulting has a value set is so much different than the generations who came before. The adolescent idealism of previous eras has shown as much of an interest in ecology, social justice, novel forms of entertainment and the chance to earn more money in a thrilling career as the current one.

In the case of making Winnipeg a more attractive destination given these youthful desires let’s be clear. We are nowhere near being a world city on the level of Shanghai, Toronto or Vancouver. Career options, exciting as some may be in Winnipeg, will never be what they are in these places, and the night-life will always compare poorly. So how can we be the city that inspires our youth to stay and/or return? Precisely by encouraging them to see Winnipeg in the way that Mr. Angus seems dismissive of.

Our often stubborn frugality is seen by many as a terrible failing. A world that prompts us at every turn to consume, consume, consume is unlikely to celebrate an achievement so grand as constructing a city that gears itself towards measured sustainability. And yet if we want to build a dream that is fit for our children, something that will give them good reason to stay here, nothing could be more inspiring than to promote and practice a life that is founded on thriftiness and respecting the planet and it’s future. As a city that loves a deal I think Winnipeg has a natural advantage in this respect.