Episodes

  • In this episode of the missing Middle podcast conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the current state of immigration in Canada. Together they examine a Bank of Canada report that focuses on the implications of temporary foreign workers on wages. Mike and Sabrina talk about the challenges faced by new permanent residents, and the ambitious goals set by the Century Initiative for population growth. They explore how these factors intertwine with the housing crisis and the overall economic landscape, emphasizing the need for coherent immigration policies that align with infrastructure and social cohesion.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    00:52 Bank of Canada report on wages and immigration

    02:49 The mix of newcomers is different

    05:33 New immigrants earn less and country of origin impacts wages

    07:21 This is only becoming more pronounced

    09:11 The wage gap is shrinking for Permanent Residence

    10:08 But it’s a good news, bad news story

    11:00 The role of wage suppression

    13:56 How does this impact social cohesion

    15:25 The Century Initiative and population growth goals



    Research:

    The Shift in Canadian Immigration Composition and its Effect on Wages

    Canada's population needs to be 100 million by 2100

    Canada on track for 100 million population but public support can’t be taken for granted: Century Initiative CEO

    The 'Century Initiative' is the talk of the campaign, but what is it?

    You Can't Grow a Country Just On Temporary Immigration

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this episode of the Missing Middle podcast, mortgage broker Ron Butler sits down with conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt to discuss the current crisis in the Toronto condo market. Ron outlines the vast scope of the problem stemming from pre-construction purchases made during a speculative boom. He explains how investors are facing significant losses as property values decline, while also addressing the broader implications of poor development choices and the lack of low-rise housing options. The conversation explores the role of government in addressing these issues and the potential for positive change in the housing market.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction Ron Butler

    01:06 Outlining the Toronto condo market crisis

    04:07 How much of this story is a Toronto and Vancouver story?

    05:22 Never go cash-flow negative?

    07:01 How do we have a glut of condos during a housing shortage?

    09:51 How condo developers contributed to the crash

    12:13 Who is Most Affected by the Crisis?

    14:00 Financing challenges and future outlook

    15:33 The perfect storm - purpose-built rentals

    17:18 Government subsidized rentals

    18:13 The greenbelt and Downview Airport land

    19:39 Is this the Toronto bubble burst? Is it The One?

    20:23 Low-rise homes in Toronto - a brief history of artificial scarcity

    23:05 What about family sized condos?

    25:08 What’s the best non-terrible case scenario here?

    27:32 The role of government in housing solutions

    29:08 It wouldn’t be an MM podcast without Mike talking about development charges

    30:25 Sabrina wants the government to get out of the way

    Research and links:

    The Angry Mortgage podcast

    How low will rents go?

    416 Condo Crash

    Chart Storm: Five graphs on Toronto’s historic condo market collapse

    Guest: Ron Butler, https://x.com/ronmortgageguy

    https://www.butlermortgage.ca/

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

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  • In this episode, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the potential of factory built homes as a solution to the housing crisis. They explore the promises made by politicians regarding prefabricated housing, the spectrum of factory built homes, and the claims of reduced construction times, costs, and emissions. The conversation delves into the current challenges faced in North America, including regulatory barriers and municipal approvals.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Factory Built Homes (FBH)

    01:34 Innovation in homebuilding

    03:25 Understanding the spectrum of factory built homes

    05:22 Claims of speed, cost, and emissions

    07:45 Current challenges in North America

    09:33 Where do the reductions in emissions come from?

    10:18 Perceptions of FBH among younger generations

    13:30 Regulatory barriers to adoption

    15:41 Municipal approvals and their impact

    17:40 Where would the election promise money go?

    19:19 The potential benefits for traditional builders

    20:12 Optimism for the future of FBH




    Research/Links:

    Scott Aitchison

    Building More, Building Faster

    Caivan

    Why is it So Hard to Mass-Produce Housing?

    Eight Pieces of Housing Advice to the Prime Minister

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this episode of The Missing Middle podcast, hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the impossible trinity that broke Canadian housing. They explore the implications of stagnant neighborhoods, population growth, and government policies that hinder housing affordability. The conversation delves into the complexities of urban planning, the impact of NIMBYism, and the need for realistic solutions to address the housing crisis.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    01:06 Gregor Robertson’s rough start as Minister of Housing

    03:51 Increased government housing would impact home prices

    05:06 Understanding the Impossible Trinity that broke housing

    07:37 Examples of cities doing two of three

    10:03 Not allowed to grow up or out equals spiking prices

    11:21 The illusion of legalized fourplexes

    14:15 Ottawa’s zoning reform and stupid two-story height limit

    17:33 Toronto’s wealthiest areas are the least dense

    18:20 Proposed solutions for housing affordability



    Research links:

    The Impossible Trinity that Broke Canadian Housing

    Can Homes Become Affordable Without Prices Going Down?

    Toronto Star fourplex piece

    How Community Consultation is Ruining Democracy

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    01:13 Job market statistics

    02:10 Why the job market is so bad right now

    04:27 Different ways to measure the job market

    07:02 Things are particularly bad in Ontario

    09:02 High unemployment fractures the social fabric

    11:25 The impact of a slow job market on lifetime earning

    13:32 How youth unemployment shapes political priorities

    14:58 Will the soft job market result in increased school enrollment?

    17:40 Is an improved credential worth the cost?

    20:41 Job searching lasting over six months

    22:08 Solutions and policy recommendations



    Research/links

    Canadian Labour Market Update Q1 2025: Jobs in Purgatory

    Ontario’s unemployment rate jumps to 7% even as ‘moderate’ job creation continues

    Alex Usher blog - Opportunity and Talent

    Something Alarming Is Happening to the Job Market

    Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson review – make America build again

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • He's got 215,000 YouTube subscribers and millions of views. The urban planner and YouTube creator Uytae Lee sits down with Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt to have a fun and wide-ranging conversation about housing and the systemic hurdles to building more of it. Uytae shares insights on creating engaging content about housing, urban planning, design and the realities of YouTube monetization. The discussion also touches on the challenges of prefabricated housing, the need for innovation and some free advice for the new prime minister of Canada.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    01:14 Understanding the B.C. housing situation and housing taxes

    04:12 Getting lucky with single egress video

    05:41 The impact of building codes on housing

    08:49 Creating engaging YouTube content

    12:55 The reality of YouTube monetization

    14:34 How long it takes to make an About Here video

    15:41 Are you hopeful about housing?

    17:44 Political discourse on housing

    18:15 Caution around factory built homes as a panacea

    21:30 Uytae’s favourite form of housing

    23:35 Good governance could mean good housing policy

    25:17 Immigration, housing and the backlash

    27:24 Start with what you want to create and work backwards

    Research/Links

    Uytae Lee’s YouTube page:

    The Housing Tax Crisis

    Why North America Can't Build Nice Apartments (because of one rule)

    How Breaking Rules Could Create Better Apartments

    Why is it So Hard to Mass-Produce Housing?

    How a SoftBank-Backed Construction Startup Burned Through $3 Billion

    How Elevator Rules Cost Us Homes: An Interview with Market Urbanism

    Eight Pieces of Housing Advice to the Prime Minister



    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this episode, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the significant decline in the construction of three-bedroom homes in Ontario, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). They explore the implications of the 'baby bust' phenomenon, where fewer families are able to afford suitable housing, leading to a decrease in birth rates. The conversation delves into the regulatory barriers and economic conditions that have contributed to the housing crisis, emphasizing the need for policy changes to address the missing middle in housing options. The episode highlights the challenges faced by young families in navigating the current housing market and the importance of providing both rental and ownership opportunities.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    00:51 The baby bust and housing trends

    03:08 Why aren’t more 3-bedrooms being built?

    05:3 Home ownership is falling in parts of Ontario

    08:28 The Missing Middle’s North Star

    09:00 Renting or owning, it should be a choice

    12:30 Housing and fertility

    18:14 Should the government step in?

    19:35 Mike reminisces about Lawn Darts

    21:00 Urban growth boundaries have consequences

    Research/Links

    Poilievre catches heat from opponents for talk of 'biological clocks'

    The Baby Bust and the Death of the Three-Bedroom Ownership Home

    Hard evidence on the link between housing and fertility.

    https://x.com/mikalskuterud/status/1907114728108773444

    https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5046571

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this episode of The Missing Middle, hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Michael Moffatt discuss the housing platforms of Canada's major federal parties as they approach the April 28 election. They analyze the promises made by the Liberals, Conservatives, and NDP regarding housing starts, affordability, and the implications of these policies on young Canadians. The conversation delves into the commonalities and differences in party platforms, the impact of municipal incentives and rent control, and critiques of the math behind the promises. They also explore the sociological implications of housing policies and the relationship between immigration and housing supply.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction
    01:29 Examining the housing start pledges
    03:53 Housing platform commonalities
    04:39 Municipal incentives
    06:55 NDP’s rent control promise examined
    10:47 Eliminating the GST on New Housing
    13:27 Math is hard for both Liberals and Conservatives and the PBO
    20:33 Not particularly bold housing ideas
    24:14 Immigration targets and housing


    Links:
    Liberal Platform

    Conservative Platform

    NDP Platform

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this conversation, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt are joined by co-host of the Prof G Markets podcast with Scott Galloway, and host the First Time Founders podcast Ed Elson to discuss the economic challenges faced by Gen Z, including their financial struggles, housing affordability, and the rising costs of education. Ed highlights the generational wealth gap, the impact of debt, and the political engagement of Gen Z, emphasizing the need for action beyond social media advocacy. Together they delve into the disconnect between wealth and economic outcomes, particularly focusing on the impact of tariffs and taxation on different socioeconomic classes. They discuss the need for wealth redistribution through new tax policies and the challenges faced by younger generations in navigating financial landscapes. The conversation also touches on the importance of civic engagement and voting, as well as the growing epidemic of loneliness in society.

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction

    01:49 Understanding Gen Z's economic struggles

    06:22 Comparative analysis of the US, UK, and Canada

    08:34 Factoring in the housing affordability crisis

    13:29 The debt dilemma: Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

    17:26 The rising cost of education in America

    21:35 Gen Z's political engagement and activism

    25:17 Tariffs, stocks, assets and wealth inequality

    27:38 Taxation and wealth redistribution

    31:23 The disconnect between wealth and economic outcomes

    34:08 Investing in stocks and not in crypto

    38:04 Seeing an opportunity in A.I.

    41:44 The power of voting and civic engagement

    44:33 Addressing loneliness and societal trends

    46:36 The time to turn it around is now

    Research/Links:

    Can Homes Become Affordable Without Prices Going Down?

    Trade War Chaos Drives Massive Volatility — ft. Gary Stevenson | Prof G Markets

    Why Tariffs Could Crush Canada’s Economy — ft. Mike Moffatt | Prof G Markets

    Average Age Stat of a Home Buyer in America:

    AI vs. Gen Z: The Hiring War Has Begun

    Extended Cut: A$AP Rocky Gets Smoooth | Klarna

    The whole E.S.G. thing



    Guest:

    Ed Elson https://x.com/edels0n

    https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/host/ed-elson

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this episode, conservative pundit Sabrina and economist Mike Moffatt speak with David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, to explore the evolving landscape of Canadian election polling. They discuss the impact of recent policy changes, particularly the carbon tax, on voter sentiment and the shifting dynamics of affordability issues. The conversation delves into the trends among young voters, particularly young men, and the gender dynamics influencing voting behavior. The discussion also highlights the scarcity mindset surrounding housing and the rising favorability of Mark Carney as a political figure.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction, David Coletto

    01:12 Who gets credit for axing the tax?

    04:34 What happened to the affordability issue?

    07:20 Young voters, trends and influences

    11:41 Gender dynamics in voting behavior

    13:25 Scarcity mindset and housing concerns

    16:11 Rise of Liberals or collapse of the NDP?

    17:28 Canadian national unity

    18:50 Mark Carney's rising favorability

    22:02 Expectations and the bandwagon effect

    24:17 Reflections on a pivotal election



    Three numbers tell the story of the election this week, and none of them looks good for Poilievre

    Why Are Young Men Shifting Right? A Trend I’ve Been Tracking for a While

    "Carbon Tax Carney" gets the credit for axing the tax

    ‘It’s not over’: Two pollsters explain how Mark Carney pulled ahead — and why he shouldn’t get too comfortable

    Abacus Data Poll: Liberals lead by 4

    Polymarket



    Guest:

    David Coletto

    https://abacusdata.ca/team/david-coletto/

    https://davidcoletto.substack.com/

    Hosts:

    Sabrina Maddeaux https://x.com/SabrinaMaddeaux

    Mike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt https://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.social

    Producer: Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin https://bsky.app/profile/meredithmartin.bsky.social, https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-martin-21108165/

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

    Brought to you by the Missing Middle Initiative https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/




    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this episode, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist mike Moffatt sit down with housing advocate Eric Lombardi to discuss the epic shortcomings of the community consultation processes in Toronto. Lombardi argues that they often fail to represent the diverse voices and interests of the community. He emphasizes the need for a more proactive approach to community engagement that considers the broader needs of neighborhoods rather than reacting to individual developments. The conversation also touches on the implications of property rights, the role of advocacy groups, and the responsibilities of provincial and federal governments in addressing the housing crisis. Lombardi calls for reforms that would streamline the consultation process and make it more democratic, ultimately advocating for a system that empowers citizens and promotes growth.



    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    01:16 Community consultation

    05:30 Flaws with the current consultation processes

    09:21 The anti-democratic nature of current consultations

    11:23 Consultation as indirect political corruption

    13:30 The role of community advocacy

    14:58 The Tindale example

    17:20 Property rights and freedoms vs stagnation

    21:17 Reforming the consultation process

    23:44 Pitching Doug Ford - the province should set the standard

    29:07 Provincial responsibilities in housing policy

    31:59 Development changes - Mike’s favourite topic

    33:01 Federal housing policy and political capital



    Research and links

    More Neighbours

    Trevor Tombe: The ‘Great Canadian Slump’ is back

    Growth comes to an urban backwater

    Plain English with Derek Thompson

    Abundance! With Ezra Klein

    How Elevator Rules Cost Us Homes: An Interview with Market Urbanism

    Some examples of public consultations in the news:

    Vancouver’s public consultation process is being abused, critics say

    Why blanket rezoning has become Calgary's biggest housing controversy

    Judge sides with city in ruling to uphold blanket rezoning

    'Neighbourhoods are going to change' — Angry reactions as Windsor speeds up home builds

    Guest:

    Eric Lombardi, https://x.com/EricDLombardi

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Michael Moffatt discuss the critical intersection of the housing crisis and national security in Canada. They explore how the inability to afford housing not only affects individuals but also poses systemic risks to the Canadian economy and society. The conversation delves into the implications of economic vulnerability, the talent exodus to the U.S., and the growing disconnection among younger generations. They emphasize the urgent need for a cohesive housing policy that addresses these interconnected issues to ensure a stable and resilient future for Canada. (This episode was recorded on Friday March 28th before the Liberals dropped their housing platform.)

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    01:00A hidden national security threat

    04:13 High rents are an internal trade barrier

    07:08 Talent exodus and economic resilience

    12:14 Disconnection and generational frustration

    14:31 World happiness index data doesn't bode well for Canada

    19:29 Path forward: housing as a national priority

    22:15 Sabrina points out we have an episode regarding our last episode on immigration and housing

    21:41 A few policy ideas and a call to action

    Links for reference:

    Young people who can’t afford homes feel betrayed by their country. Why should they stand up against Trump when Canada has let them down?

    Canada drops to 18th in 2025 World Happiness Report rank, among the 'largest losers'

    Managers Have Won the War on Remote Work. But Where Does Everyone Sit?

    Who Will Swing The Hammer?

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this conversation Conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt delve into the recent changes in Canada's immigration policies and their implications for the housing market and population growth. Sabrina and Mike discuss the significant reduction in immigration targets, the impact on housing prices and rents, and the skepticism surrounding the government's ability to meet these new targets. They also explore the methodologies used by various levels of government to determine housing needs and the political ramifications of adjusting housing targets in response to changing population dynamics.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction
    01:18 Changes to Canada’s immigration policy
    03:30 Impact on the housing market and rents
    05:16 Skepticism towards immigration targets
    07:15 What if some migrants refuse to leave?
    09:25 Is Ontario giving up on its housing targets?
    12:00 How does Mike Moffatt’s forecasting work?
    13:13 Should housing targets go down?
    15:50 Revising the housing targets
    17:37 Political risks to backing of home building targets


    Links:

    Canada Needs to Build 3 Million Homes in 10 Years to Solve the Housing Crisis

    'Highly unlikely': Trudeau's immigration plan hinges on millions of people leaving

    Baby Needs a New Home: Projecting Ontario’s Growing Number of Families and their Housing Needs

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this conversation, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the evolving landscape of political polling with David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data. They explore the significant shifts in voter sentiment influenced by key events such as Justin Trudeau's exit, Mark Carney's rise, and the impact of Donald Trump. The discussion delves into demographic changes, the emergence of a precarity mindset among voters, and the implications for the Liberal Party and the NDP. The conversation also touches on regional dynamics, particularly in Quebec, and the challenges of predicting voter turnout in the upcoming federal election.

    00:00 Introduction

    01:24 Shifting Political Landscape in Canada

    04:08 Is this temporary or permanent?

    05:13 The demographic shift in people’s attitudes towards the Liberals

    06:52 Understanding the precarity mindset

    09:40 Why Mark Carney has an advantage

    12:19 The collapse of the NDP vote?

    15:50 How do projection models work?

    17:51 The incumbency factor

    20:33 Regional dynamics in the Quebec factor

    23:20 Undecided voters and voter turnout

    25:05 Election call predictions

    26:36 Remembering Gordon Brown

    Links

    "Ok, Boomer" - Why Baby Boomers might be the Liberal Party's saviours

    Gordon Brown

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this episode, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt explore the growing wage gap between American and Canadian workers, discussing the implications for young Canadians and the factors contributing to this disparity. They delve into the data on emigration, the impact of housing costs, and the need for policy changes to boost productivity and wages in Canada. The conversation also touches on the potential for brain drain and the importance of attracting talent to maintain economic growth. (Full transparency, we recorded this episode before the most recent round of Trump tariffs were imposed on Canada. The content would not have changed in any way although the tone of the discussion around tariffs, emigration and the demographics of Canadian patriotism may have been expressed more emphatically if we had recorded it this week.)

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    01:51 Have you ever lived in the USA?

    02:54 How many Canadians move to the US every year?

    06:05 Understanding the wage gap: Canada vs. USA

    08:17 Yes Canada should be concerned about the gap

    09:15 The productivity gap

    10:39 Is the cost of living a factor?

    12:50 The role of remote work

    13:35 Mike is a two handed economist

    15:20 Sabrina is worried about losing talent to theUS

    17:25 Increasing productivity and future solutions

    20:02 Addressing the Brain Drain and Future Solutions



    Links:

    Median wages and salaries lower in every Canadian province than in every U.S. state

    In 2005, There Were 41 Communities Where a Middle-Class Family Could Afford to Buy a Home. Today, There's Only Nine

    CHIPS and Science Act

    Here’s how Canadian tech salaries compare to the U.S.

    As a Canadian, you are earning far less than your American counterpart

    Canada is getting poorer when compared to its wealthy peers, data shows

    The Economic Mistake the Left Is Finally Confronting

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this episode of The Missing Middle, hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Michael Moffatt discuss the recent announcement of a high-speed rail project in Canada with transit expert Reece Martin. They explore the details of the proposed rail line, the political motivations behind it, and the challenges Canada faces in implementing effective transit solutions compared to other countries. The conversation highlights the need for a shift in approach to infrastructure projects, emphasizing the importance of political will, investment, and learning from international best practices.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    01:16 High-speed rail announcement outlined

    02:31Why doesn't the route go further south?

    04:20 Canada studies high-speed rail a lot

    06:49 Why is Europe so much better at rail?

    08:50 Comparing Canada’s ability to build HSR to other countries

    11:13 Why is it so much more expensive to build in Canada?

    13:34 Reese becomes Canada’s HSR Czar

    16:05 A vision for high-speed rail in Canada

    18:20 Examining the California rail debacle

    21:00 How do you convince drivers that rail is good for everyone?

    24:20 Reese’s analysis of the Canada’s political landscape



    Links:

    Reese Martin on the Missing Middle

    High-speed rail line with 300 km/h trains will run between Toronto and Quebec City, Trudeau announces

    High Speed Rail Canada

    Eglinton Crosstown will open no earlier than mid-2025, TTC chair says

    California watchdog says high-speed rail on track to blow more deadlines

    Why Passenger Trains Suck in Canada - VIA Rail

    North America Will Never Be the Netherlands - Interview with Not Just Bikes

    Guest:

    Reece Martin https://reecemartin.ca/about/

    https://www.youtube.com/@RMTransit

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this conversation, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux, economist Mike Moffatt and producer Meredith Martin discuss the Ontario election, focusing on predictions regarding Doug Ford's (potential) majority win and the lack of competition from opposition parties. They delve into the housing crisis, exploring why it hasn't resonated with voters and the barriers preventing Millennials from engaging in politics. The discussion highlights the impact of economic challenges on political participation and the need for addressing housing issues to foster broader political engagement.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    00:51 Ontario Election Predictions

    02:06 Why the housing crisis isn’t resonating with voters

    05:23 Millennial political participation

    09:25 High rent as a barrier to political engagement

    10:01 Political salaries aren’t rising with inflation

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

  • In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the federal Liberal leadership race, focusing on how the top contenders are addressing Canada's housing crisis. They analyze the candidates' policies, including Mark Carney's vague housing promises, Chrystia Freeland's tax cuts for first-time homebuyers, and Karina Gould's approach to generational change. The conversation highlights the candidates' proposals and the need for a vision that resonates with younger Canadians. They also provide advice for the candidates and make predictions about the outcome of the race. (This episode was recorded on Friday February 21st at 10am and later that day Ruby Dhalla was disqualified from the race.)



    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    01:59 The candidates

    02:25 Housing has taken a back seat to Trump

    06:54 Platform analysis - Mark Carney

    10:21 Platform analysis - Chrystia Freeland

    19:48 Platform analysis - Karina Gould

    24:20 Where’s the vision?

    27:00 Unaddressed issues in the leadership race

    28:59 Advice for Liberal leadership candidates

    30:34 Ranked ballot system - vote your ideals

    31:39 Predictions for the leadership race outcome



    Links:

    Mark Carney - Canada Not Interested in Trump’s Offer & Liberal Leadership Prospects

    Blueprint For More And Better Housing

    Like Poilievre, Freeland is pitching a housing plan that would limit immigration

    Ending Homelessness and Building an Affordable Future

    Mark Carney to boost construction of new homes

    Candidates

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.


  • In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the complexities of development charges in Ontario, highlighting how municipalities have accumulated over $10 billion in unspent infrastructure funds. They explore the implications of these taxes on housing affordability, the political dynamics influencing their increase, and the growing public awareness of the housing crisis.

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction

    01:28 Understanding development charges

    02:10 The accumulation $10 Billion in unspent infrastructure funds

    04:28 Cities are sitting on huge piles of cash but it’s totally above board

    06:30 The impact of development charges on housing affordability

    08:11 The economy doesn’t care about your intent

    09:30 Mike gets in a fight with a city councillor over dev charges

    11:20 How a pile of cash improves bond ratings

    13:00 Public awareness and pressure for change

    15:00 Why Conservatives okay with such high D.C.s

    17:07 Shout out to Burlington, Vaughn and Mississauga



    Links:

    Are Development Charges Fair to Millennials and Gen Z?

    Development Charges: 10 Things You Need to Know About Housing Taxes in Ontario

    Response from the CBC on my Complaints to the Ombudsman

    More Neighbours

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.


  • In this episode of the Missing Middle podcast, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the phenomenon of the 'relationship recession,' exploring its causes, implications for society, and the economic challenges it presents. They delve into how changing social dynamics, economic pressures, and technological advancements are reshaping relationships and family structures, particularly among younger generations. The conversation highlights the impact of these trends on the middle class and the need for policy solutions that address the root causes of declining relationship formation.

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction

    01:31 Understanding the relationship recession

    04:40 Scott Galloway’s theory of men

    06:28 The role of technology

    09:05 How much of this is a choice?

    11:06 Incentives versus structural barriers

    13:09 Economic implications of relationship trends

    14:40 The role of unaffordable rents on relationships

    17:00 the expansion and retraction of personal choice

    Links:

    The relationship recession is going global

    A Few(er) Good Men

    Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

    Loneliness in Canada

    Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

    Produced by Meredith Martin

    This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.