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Farmers Bring Their Demands to Athens as Costs Surge

Greek farmers with their tractors rally in front of the Greek parliament, over unsolved issues after weeks of blockades. Greek farmers converged on Athens in a powerful display of frustration over rising production costs that they say are pushing them to the brink. Driving tractors, carrying banners, and gathering in Syntagma Square, they demanded stronger government support to keep their farms viable. The protesters argue that soaring fuel prices, higher electricity bills, and increased costs for animal feed and fertilizers have made it nearly impossible to sustain their livelihoods. Many also want long‑term structural reforms, including better access to water resources and more predictable subsidies. Government officials have acknowledged the pressure on the agricultural sector and signaled willingness to negotiate, but farmers insist that previous promises have not been enough. Their message in the capital was clear: without meaningful relief, Greece risks losing a vital part of ...
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Preserving Affordable Housing: The Role of Rental-Protection Funds


Colleen Frank, a 74-year-old resident, stood in front of the rental apartment she had called home for over two decades. The two-bedroom condo in Chilliwack, B.C., where she had served as the unofficial superintendent, was no longer hers. Evicted at 72, she faced homelessness in a rapidly rising rental market. Colleen’s story is not unique; many low-income Canadians struggle to find affordable housing as rents soar.

Across Canada, lower-cost rental properties are disappearing due to renovictions, tenant turnover, and demolitions. While new buildings receive attention, the existing stock dwindles. It’s akin to filling a bucket with a hole at the bottom—new development won’t suffice if we lose existing units.

Canada is now taking a crucial step to address this crisis. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced the creation of a $1.5-billion rental protection fund. This fund aims to preserve affordable housing by helping non-profits purchase rental apartments when they come up for sale.

How It Works

  1. Loans and Grants: The program offers $1 billion in loans and $470 million in grants. Non-profits can access these funds to buy affordable rental properties.
  2. Cost-Effective Preservation: Research shows that preserving existing affordable housing is 50-70% cheaper than new construction. Non-profit operators keep rents lower for the long term.
  3. Swift Action: Private real estate sales move quickly, making it challenging for non-profits to compete. The rental-protection fund bridges this gap.

British Columbia’s Rental Protection Fund has already made a difference. It provides one-time capital grants to non-profit housing organizations, allowing them to purchase rental buildings and co-operatives listed for sale. By safeguarding existing units, this fund protects renters and ensures long-term affordability.

As the housing market escalates, rental-protection funds become essential tools. By preserving what we have, we can stem the vanishing supply of affordable units and provide stability for vulnerable Canadians. 

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