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Delta candidate spotlight: Tony Bennett

Independent candidate Tony Bennett believes there’s a simple solution to the housing crisis, if only the federal government is willing to think a little outside the box.
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Tony Bennett is an independent Delta candidate running in the 2019 federal election.

Independent candidate Tony Bennett believes there’s a simple solution to the housing crisis, if only the federal government is willing to think a little outside the box.

During the federal election campaign in Delta, Bennett has championed what he calls the CHAPS program (Canada’s Housing Affordability Planned Strategy), which he maintains is a self-sustaining national strategy for home ownership.

It involves government creating land banks that would allow people from all demographics to join and pay off their houses, not the land.

“CHAPS is just another way to tie your shoes when it comes to mortgages, land valuation and, more importantly, providing shelter options for our friends, neighbours, children and grandchildren in Delta and Canada at large. CHAPS is the next evolution of the CMHC and all the good work they have done to date. Similar to my environment strategy, CHAPS generates more money than it costs,” his website explains.

A national strategy to integrate existing affordable housing initiatives into one common program with current funding levels would address generational poverty as well as reestablish the financial security of young adults and families with home ownership, he said.

A longtime Delta resident who works in construction management, Bennett told the Optimist he entered the race because CHAPS needs federal attention, adding versions of the program are already in place in nations around the world.

“I think one of the problems in society, really, is the consumerism and the waste. The environment, employment, housing, all these things just seem to come together in this CHAPS philosophy. I think a lot of people would like to contribute to help the nation and we have a major crisis you can see in the housing, but also all kinds of things that have gone sideways,” he explained.

As far as other issues that have people talking, Bennett noted among them is the Liberal government’s open door policy on refugees that he contends is seeing criminals flood into the country.

“Now people aren’t getting vetted. The good people aren’t getting in and, again, housing is out of control with criminals parking their money in our housing stock. Vancouver had 3,800 vacant homes last year and Delta had at least 100, that’s roughly 16,000 fewer beds for people to sleep in. All these things tie together,” he said.

Noting the justice system can’t even afford to prosecute the criminals that are caught, Bennett suggested the private legal system should provide that service in exchange for being able to write off a portion of their fees. 

As far as some of the other issues facing the country, Bennett said he’s willing to work with anybody who has good ideas, regardless of their political affiliations.