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PODCAST

The Missing Middle Podcast

Cara Stern, Mike Moffatt, and Meredith Martin

Welcome to the Missing Middle, a podcast about why the middle class in Canada is disappearing. We hope to help you understand why life is becoming unaffordable for so many in this country, and what can be done to reverse course.

news news commentary

All Episodes

18:09

Boomer Wealth Won't Save Millennials

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/12/11

The conversation explores the implications of the massive wealth transfer from baby boomers to millennials in Canada, discussing the potential for economic inequality, the concept of "invisible inheritances", and the changing dynamics of the middle class. It highlights the challenges faced by younger generations in accessing wealth and opportunities, and the resulting shifts in political views and social contracts.Links:Boomers’ Inheritance Plans Up in the ‘Heir’ The next wave of trickle-down...

en-ca

28:04

We Can't Afford a GST Holiday

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/12/04

Mike and Cara discuss the recent stimulus plans introduced by the Canadian and Ontario governments, which include rebate checks and a GST holiday. They explore the economic context behind these initiatives, the disconnect between economic indicators and the lived experiences of Canadians, particularly young people, and critique the effectiveness of these policies. The conversation highlights the need for sustainable solutions to address the underlying issues of inflation, housing, and th...

en-ca

20:48

Ontario Sucks at Building Homes

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/11/27

Ontario is by far the province with the biggest population, and is growing fast, but it’s the second worst when it comes to building homes. In this conversation, journalist Cara Stern and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the severe housing crisis in Ontario, highlighting the province's poor performance in building new homes relative to its population growth. They analyze the types of homes being constructed, the impact of homelessness, and the responses from municipal leaders. The discussi...

en-ca

27:20

Real Ways Politicians Could Solve the Housing Crisis

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/11/20

In this episode, Cara and Mike discuss the ongoing housing crisis and its political implications, emphasizing the need for effective solutions to enhance affordability. They unpack the four key pathways to housing affordability, including the integration of transportation costs, the impact of utility bills, and the challenges of homeowners insurance. The conversation highlights the importance of deregulation and innovative policies to create more affordable housing options while addressing th...

en-ca

22:46

Mass Timber Can Get Homes Built Faster

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/11/13

This conversation explores the potential of mass timber as a sustainable building material, its role in the housing construction sector, and the skills needed for young people to thrive in this emerging industry. The discussion highlights the growth of mass timber, the educational requirements for entering the field, the challenges faced in its adoption, and the broader opportunities in decarbonizing industries.Links:Canada's Green Skills TransitionGuest: Nicholas Renzetti Hosted by Mike Moff...

en-ca

12:30

The Housing Crisis Helped Trump Win

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/11/08

It doesn't matter how many times politicians say the economy is doing great. If someone can't afford a home, they're not going to believe you.Cara and Mike discuss the significant impact of the housing crisis on Donald Trump's election victory, exploring how inflation and economic concerns shifted political views. They analyze migration patterns affecting electoral college votes and suggest that building more homes could help retain political power in progressive cities.Links:America Hires a ...

en-ca

33:37

Tearing Out Bike Lanes is a Bad Idea

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/11/06

Many cities in North America have been adding bike lanes in the past few years, especially as demand for outdoor activities spiked during the pandemic. Those lanes have been crucial at keeping cyclists safe, but seeing the road lose a lane has upset drivers, especially those who rely on their cars. Enter Doug Ford, in Ontario. The premier has introduced legislation that will require municipalities to obtain approval from the province for new bike lanes, as well as removing bike lanes that are...

en-ca

25:55

Canada Has a Soft Corruption Problem - Eric Lombardi...

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/10/30

Over and over again, we see the same problems come up when building anything physical in this country, such as a house or a train. Costs start to balloon and every project seems to end up over budget – or at least costs us more than it would cost to build in other countries.More Neighbours Toronto’s founder Eric Lombardi attributes this largely to a system of soft corruption.In this conversation, he highlights how convoluted processes and lack of transparency lead to inflated costs and dimini...

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25:24

North America Will Never Be the Netherlands -...

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/10/23

A lot of people get into advocacy for better cities and urbanism by watching what’s perhaps YouTube’s biggest urbanism channel, @NotJustBikes . But that leads many to think that with enough advocacy, their hometowns could one day also look like a city in the Netherlands. Not Just Bikes’ Jason Slaughter says it’s not that simple.In this conversation, journalist Cara Stern and economist Mike Moffatt talk to Jason about what North American cities can learn from the Netherlands. They explor...

en-ca

18:10

Let’s Not Give More Handouts to Wealthy Seniors

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/10/16

In this episode of the Missing Middle, Cara Stern is mad. A majority of MPs recently voted to increase Old Age Security for seniors aged 65-74, regardless of whether they actually need more money.She and Mike Moffatt explore the structure of Canada's pension programs, the purpose of OAS, and the financial burden it places on the federal budget – and younger workers, many of whom are struggling to pay their housing bills.They cover the disparities in income among seniors, the challenges of tar...

en-ca

13:39

NIMBYs will Fight Even the Gentlest of Density

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/10/09

In this episode of Missing Middle, journalist Cara Stern is mad. A street in her neighbourhood in Toronto is trying to get an exemption to the city-wide garden suites rules. Cara and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the ongoing challenges of NIMBYism in Toronto, still supported by local city councillors, even when it's about the gentlest of gentle density.Links:How garden suites are dividing these Toronto neighbours (thestar.com)East-end residents worry they may lose garden suite zoning | CBC N...

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31:45

Why You Can’t Build Cheap Homes Anymore

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/10/02

When Mike bought his first home, it cost him $168,000. That number barely covers a downpayment in much of Ontario these days – and even if a developer wanted to, it could not offer that price (even indexed to inflation) because the costs to build are just so high.Mike and Cara break down the costs associated with home-building, including land prices, development charges, construction costs, and taxes, while also examining the impact of these factors on housing affordability. Links:Eric L...

en-ca

28:54

Why are North American Suburbs So Bad? - with Not...

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/09/25

@NotJustBikes is many people's gateway into urbanism, and an understanding into how much better our cities and towns can be, if we just make some policy changes.In this conversation, journalist Cara Stern, economist Mike Moffatt, Not Just Bikes creator Jason Slaughter discuss the challenges and implications of car-dependent suburbs in North America. They explore personal experiences, historical context, and the impact of legislation on urban design. The discussion also delves into econ...

en-ca

22:03

Will Canadian Workers be Hurt by the AI Revolution?

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/09/20

The conversation explores the impact of the AI revolution on workers and the potential for mass unemployment. The hosts discuss past technological revolutions and the winners and losers they created. They also consider the role of AI in job creation and the potential for increased inequality. The conversation touches on the importance of skills and creativity in navigating the changing job market.Links:Vass Bednar @regstorichesDavid Bowie predicted in 1999 the impact of the Internet in BBCDil...

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20:53

It’s Now Easier to Pay More for Housing!

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/09/18

This week, the federal government announced some big changes to mortgage policies in Canada. Specifically, it’s expanding 30-year mortgage amortizations to anyone buying a new build, or to all first-time homebuyers. It’s also raising the insured mortgage cap from $1 million to $1.5 million.In this conversation journalist Cara Stern and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the changes and the implications for first-time homebuyers, investors, and the overall housing market, while also addressing con...

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20:47

Why is Falling Rent Framed as Bad News?

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/09/11

Rents are down in some college towns, and some are crediting the government's international student reforms. In news stories about rents falling, the media often frame price reductions as a bad thing, even though it’s a huge relief for students. Mike and Cara discuss the price drops and why the media tend to ignore the positive side of the story.Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart P...

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14:18

You Can't Grow a Country Just On Temporary Immigration

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/09/06

Economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss Canada's record levels of population growth -- and how the majority of it came from record levels of temporary immigration.Since these numbers became known, due to backlash from the public, the federal government has announced it would implement policies it hopes will reduce the number of non-permanent residents, particularly international students, through attrition. The increase in population growth has put pressure on housing, h...

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17:16

Why Don't Vacant Home Taxes Work?

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/09/04

Cities across Canada are implementing vacant home taxes to address the issue of homes sitting empty. These taxes aim to encourage owners to sell or rent out their vacant properties. Economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the challenges in implementation of these taxes including issues with reporting and enforcement. Studies have shown that these taxes have had a small but positive impact in getting homes back on the market, without slowing down housing construction. Hos...

en-ca

3:03

The Challenges of Multiplex Construction: Ryan...

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/08/30

On May 23, professionals who work in the industry to develop missing middle housing, as well as those interested in building them, gathered at the Toronto Reference Library for a one-day conference.The Missing Middle podcast team spoke to the presenters and will be sharing those interviews with you each week on Fridays throughout the next month.Ryan Valente is a project manager for Highcroft Homes, where he works on custom home development in Toronto. He talks about what it's like building in...

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22:00

Can Millennials Afford to Have Kids?

The Missing Middle Podcast ·

2024/08/28

In this conversation, Cara and Mike discuss the financial considerations of having children. They touch on topics such as housing costs, childcare expenses, and the impact on income during parental leave. They also explore the limitations of the government's childcare program and the need for increased availability of affordable childcare options. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by younger generations in affording housing and starting a family, and the potential consequences ...

en-ca

145 results

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