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.