Mailing in the keys in non-recourse Alberta

Jingle mail rears its ugly head in Alberta again Why is this ugly? The banks entered willing into a contract that said, hey you don't feel like paying that mortgage, fine, we'll take the house in lieu of further payment. This is the way it is supposed to work. The banks (presumably, one hopes) have much better information than the consumer. If the handful of large banks' army of accountants and actuaries can't do their jobs and assess risk properly, then that isn't the fault of the consumer.

If you walk away, you lose your home, but otherwise have no personal liability. Elsewhere in Canada, your lender can take you to court and seize other assets, such as RRSPs, vehicles, and even garnishee your wages.

You know what really destroys an economy where employment is driven by services? Killing consumer spending. What a great idea in the teeth of a downturn.