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.

In this conversation, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the challenges and failures of Ontario's housing market, contrasting it with Alberta's more successful approach. They explore the vision of affordable housing presented by Premier Doug Ford, the current state of housing supply, and the political dynamics affecting housing policies. The discussion highlights the implications for millennials and Gen Z, who are increasingly considering moving to provinces like Alberta due to affordability issues. Ultimately, Sabrina and Mike each assign a letter grade to the Ontario government's performance in addressing the housing crisis. Spoiler alert: Ford gets F, but from which host? You’ll have to watch to find out!  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction 

01:06  Outlining a tangible vision of home ownership

07:08 Single, detached family homes for under $500?

08:28 Current state of housing supply

10:49 Apartment units are the only bright light

11:45 Alberta is doing it right

14:22 Ontario’s brain drain to Alberta

15:08 Development charges, approval times and land use policy

17:37 Housing has become politicised  

19:43 The grade reveal

Links:

Housing Shortages Grow Fastest in Smaller Ontario Metros

Development Charges have Helped Price Out the Middle Class

Canada needed to add 500,000 homes last year to keep up with population growth. It failed to hit even half of that.

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.