Dear Editor:
As a resident of North Vancouver I'd like to voice my support for the proposed grain terminal expansion. Benefits will include more local jobs, increased local spending on maintenance projects and increased taxes for North Vancouver. Also, in the midst of the Canadian fossil fuel boom, the growth of a sustainable industry such as Canadian agriculture should be welcomed.
There's been news recently of disgruntled homeowners lobbying the city against the proposal, complaining about a potential loss of property value. I find these complaints hard to swallow.
Homeowners in North Vancouver have been extremely fortunate in the last 10 to 15 years. Land values have skyrocketed even as salaries have stagnated. Is a dip in housing values really justification for complaint? Are the potential losses even noticeable given the appreciation of the last 15 years? In fact, a dip in land value could be seen as an additional benefit. If housing costs aren't restricted in some way, how will young families afford to live here?
Cameron Shook North Vancouver
