We have consistently been  able to make a decision on an application from the prior steps of our screening process i.e running a credit check wouldn't influence our decision.

You can have higher standards, you also have market influences to deal with and your standards must be consistent and fair.There are really good Sec 8 and PHA tenants, not all are down and out trouble makers, that is where your experience and knowledge come into play, nothing says you must accept a Sec 8 tenant, it says they get the same chance to lease as everyone else....and that is if your property meets requirements too.

Investors place themselves in a position of influencing and controlling basic aspects of human needs in society, the need for shelter.

Rather than deny the application, the landlord offers to rent the apartment, requiring a security deposit that is double the normal amount.The applicant is entitled to an adverse action notice because the credit report influenced the landlord's decision to require a higher security deposit from the applicant.I don't make the rules, I just try and save people from annoying lawsuits :/

A buyer can borrow more or less money at different rates and terms to influence the payment amount, PMI and ROIC.Here is now what I do for my area.  

Any landlord operating in an environment where Fair Housing laws apply should acclimate to the fact that whatever they feel in their gut should count for nothing and (unless they want to be on the wrong end of a discrimination lawsuit) should  have demonstrably zero influence on how rigorously an application is vetted. 

It depends on how good you think you are at finding good tenants with your own resources and it will be influenced by the financial pressures you face.

Utilities is always a tough question, as how you handle them can make big difference in your bottom line, & is influenced by local laws & what the market will support. 

I don't expect all  Canadians would operate the same just that operating in Canada will influence your perspective somewhat. 

Depending on what you are trying to accomplish, that really will influence what you do with your property.