Canada’s housing crisis stirs revealing flights of fiction and fantasy
Canada’s housing crisis, particularly in Vancouver, Victoria, and Toronto, has been a topic of extensive discussion in various forms of media. From news articles to scholarly analyses, the impact of foreign capital, construction costs, zoning laws, and government policies on housing affordability has been thoroughly explored. However, a new trend is emerging in the exploration of this complex issue – through fiction.
A group of talented fiction writers based in Vancouver are using their creative skills to shed light on the harsh realities of the housing crisis through genres such as crime, satire, gothic horror, futurism, and utopianism. By weaving imaginative narratives, these authors are bringing attention to the challenges faced by residents in these high-priced real estate markets.
Property Values by Charles Demers
Comedian Charles Demers kickstarted this fictional exploration with his novel Property Values. The story follows a young man’s desperate attempts to hold onto his family home in Metro Vancouver amidst a backdrop of ethnic gangs and escalating real estate prices. Through humor and drama, Demers delves into the psychological significance of home and belonging.
Broadway Corridor: The Great Social Divide by John D’Eathe
Author John D’Eathe, with his background in real estate development, explores the influx of offshore capital into Canadian real estate in his novel Broadway Corridor. Set in a future where social disparities are heightened by unaffordable housing, the story paints a vivid picture of a divided society along Vancouver’s Broadway corridor.
Jack in Pemberland by Herschel Hardin
Herschel Hardin’s novel Jack in Pemberland offers a utopian vision of a fictional city in British Columbia where housing is remarkably affordable. Through the lens of this hidden paradise, Hardin explores themes of growth, migration, and the limitations of paradise.
Ultraviolet Night by Jesse Ramon Ferreras
Journalist Jesse Ramon Ferreras ventures into the realm of gothic fiction with his short story Ultraviolet Night. Set in a decaying city overrun by supernatural forces, the story follows a vampire grappling with the dark consequences of unaffordable housing and gentrification.
Through their imaginative storytelling, these Vancouver-based authors are shedding light on the societal and psychological impacts of the housing crisis in ways that traditional forms of literature cannot. Their unique perspectives offer readers a fresh outlook on a pressing issue that continues to affect communities across Canada.
If you would like to contact the author of this article, please email dtodd@postmedia.com.
