Mr. Speaker, last spring a young couple purchased a lot in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., and then bought a trailer to put on it. After it had been installed on the property, Shirley and Don were notified that a mistake had been made and they did not qualify for a CMHC mortgage unless they put another 20% down. They simply did not have the money.
They are now out $20,000, renting, and their dreams of owning their home are shattered. CMHC has designated Tumbler Ridge a special risk community, which means anyone working for the local coal mine needs at least 25% down before CMHC will even look at a mortgage.
This is ludicrous. If the mine ever shut down they could move the trailer to a new location. Where is the risk for CMHC? You can work in a corner store and buy a house in Tumbler Ridge, but you cannot if you work in the mine.
This is discrimination at its worse. On behalf of all Canadians living in resource based towns, I call on the federal government to review and amend CMHC special risk policy.