A city divided by political philosophies - Residential development in a bi-provincial city in Canada

This paper examines the impact of two distinct political ideologies on the development of residential dwellings, particularly single-family residences , in Lloydminster, a bi-provincial city in Canada. Lloydminster is a city o f about 22,000 which straddles the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. T he two provinces are recognized for the dissimilarities in their political orientations. These dissimilarities are reflected in different taxation pol icies, different Medicare and health insurance policies and different auto insurance policies, which have given rise to a quantitative and qualitative split in the market for single-family residences in Lloydminster, This dua lity of the housing market is manifested in Saskatchewan's "affordability" and Alberta's "desirability." Alberta's tax policies have attracted "place entrepreneurs" to build upscale residences on its side for homeowners in hi gh income brackets, who benefit from its tax policies. Saskatchewan's healt h care and auto insurance advantages have attracted those with such priorit ies and with moderate incomes. It is contended here that while distinct pol icies may have contributed to an uneven bi-provincial housing market, the d isparity between the markets has been sustained and reinforced by all playe rs who construct the housing reality through myths and perceptions as well as interpretations of policies and their underlying ideologies.