Property rights is something I talk about when I bring new shooters to the range, that at any moment if the government deems my legally purchased guns prohibited that I have no choice but to turn them in for destruction or face jail time for possession of a prohibited weapon. It’s happened before in the past and can happen again in the future if gun owners are not vigilant but most people simply don’t understand that the lack of property rights extends to everything we have.
There’s a story in The Star where a bunch of Scarborough home owners are upset that they’ve received notices that their homes may be seized for a possible upcoming public transit expansion…
Residents on a quiet Scarborough street, some who have lived there for four decades, have received letters from the TTC warning them their houses might be expropriated to make room for the new subway extension.
“I’m not going, they’re going to kill me to take me out of here,” Scott Cole said Monday, after receiving a letter on May 25 from the “Toronto Transit Commission” informing him that the bungalow he’s lived in on Stanwell Dr. for 26 years might be subject to a “Property Acquisition Process.”
There has been no official approval of the subway alignment — running north-south under McCowan Rd., which the homes back onto — that would affect these homeowners, but they’re now convinced it’s a done deal.
Source: The Star
Yes they’ll be paid “fair market value” for the homes but what if someone doesn’t want to sell, well it doesn’t matter because they don’t have a choice. At least they get compensated, in my case I wouldn’t but this should be a wake up to all Canadians that you have no rights to the property that you legally acquired. It can be taken away on through a process that cannot be appealed and that’s absolutely terrible.
It is always an emotional battle to choose between the rights of an individual versus the rights of a society. If indeed this subway line route is the best option, and it means that some homes have to be destroyed, so be it as long as the owners are fairly and fully compensated. I do understand that owners can be attached to their current home and no amount of money can buy that feeling. Building subways in a built-up urban area will always mean that some buildings are sure to be in the way. I do not mean to sound heartless but I’m not sure what else to do if the city is to enjoy mass transit.
By the way, did you sell those Norinco “replicas” and get some real made guns yet! Save local jobs!
Hi Tim.
I understand yes there is a societal use for eminent domain and I agree as much as it sucks, these owners may need to move but I think it goes to a more fundamental issue with property rights. With my guns for example, my lawful property can be declared illegal at any time and I have to turn it in for destruction. Individuals need better protection so the things we own are really ours.
Haha no I haven’t but I do plan on buying a nice wheel gun soon. 😉 Eyeing the S&W 686, mmm those things are awesome.