As a card-carrying member of Gen X, I grew up at a time when life was affordable in Canada. No matter where you were on the socio-economic spectrum the basic necessities of food and shelter were attainable even if you just made minimum wage. If you needed transportation, you could always find a beat-up old car for a nominal price and if you aspired to be a homeowner that too was affordable. For perspective, my first apartment in London, Ontario, was $250 per month for a bachelor apartment in...