Shows / The Missing Middle Podcast
The Missing Middle Podcast
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.
Episodes
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Reece Martin has a Vision for Canada’s High Speed Rail Future
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Ontario Election Predictions
In this conversation, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux, economist Mike Moffatt and producer Meredith Martin discuss the Ontario election, focusing on…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Examining Liberal Leadership Housing Promises
In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the federal Liberal leadership race, focusing on how the top contenders are addressing Canada's…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Why Ontario Cities Are Sitting on 10 Billion in Cash
In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the complexities of development charges in Ontario, highlighting how municipalities have accumulated…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Are We in a Relationship Recession?
In this episode of the Missing Middle podcast, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the phenomenon of the 'relationship recession,' exploring its causes…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Ford Fails Ontario on Housing
In this conversation, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the challenges and failures of Ontario's housing market…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Alex Usher: How Canada is Paying for Ontario’s Higher Education Debacle
After the federal government capped the number of international students it let into Canada many colleges and universities saw a drastic decrease in…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
How Trump's Tariffs Will Hurt the Middle-class
Political pundit Sabrina Meadow and economist Mike Moffatt delve into the complexities of tariffs, particularly in the context of the impending policies under…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Reviewing Trudeau’s Record on the Middle Class
In this episode, Conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt analyze Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's policy record. How well did his…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
How Corporate Consolidation is Ruining Everything: Discussion with Denise Hearn and Vass Bednar
Many of Canada’s problems can be traced back to its tolerance of corporate consolidation, leading to higher prices and lower wages, say Denise Hearn and Vass…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
You Asked, We Answered: New Year’s Mail Bag
In this special New Years Day episode of the Missing Middle Podcast, Mike Moffatt, Cara Stern and Meredith Martin respond to viewer questions which have been…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
You Asked, We Answered: Holiday Mail Bag
In this special holiday episode of the Missing Middle Podcast, hosts Cara Stern, Meredith Martin, and Mike Moffatt answer listener questions about the housing…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
How to Argue About Housing at Your Holiday Dinner
Do you have a family dinner planned over the holidays where you expect to run into a family member who is out of touch with the economic head winds facing…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Boomer Wealth Won't Save Millennials
The conversation explores the implications of the massive wealth transfer from baby boomers to millennials in Canada, discussing the potential for economic…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
We Can't Afford a GST Holiday
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 Missing Middle Podcast
Ontario Sucks at Building Homes
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Real Ways Politicians Could Solve the Housing Crisis
In this episode, Cara and Mike discuss the ongoing housing crisis and its political implications, emphasizing the need for effective solutions to enhance…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Mass Timber Can Get Homes Built Faster
This conversation explores the potential of mass timber as a sustainable building material, its role in the housing construction sector, and the skills needed…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
The Housing Crisis Helped Trump Win
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Tearing Out Bike Lanes is a Bad Idea
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Canada Has a Soft Corruption Problem - Eric Lombardi of More Neighbours Toronto
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
North America Will Never Be the Netherlands - Interview with Not Just Bikes
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Let’s Not Give More Handouts to Wealthy Seniors
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
NIMBYs will Fight Even the Gentlest of Density
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Why You Can’t Build Cheap Homes Anymore
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Why are North American Suburbs So Bad? - with Not Just Bikes
@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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Will Canadian Workers be Hurt by the AI Revolution?
The conversation explores the impact of the AI revolution on workers and the potential for mass unemployment. The hosts discuss past technological revolutions…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
It’s Now Easier to Pay More for Housing!
This week, the federal government announced some big changes to mortgage policies in Canada. Specifically, it’s expanding 30-year mortgage amortizations to…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Why is Falling Rent Framed as Bad News?
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
You Can't Grow a Country Just On Temporary Immigration
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Why Don't Vacant Home Taxes Work?
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…
The Missing Middle PodcastThe Challenges of Multiplex Construction: Ryan Valente at the Missing Middle Summit 2024
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Can Millennials Afford to Have Kids?
In this conversation, Cara and Mike discuss the financial considerations of having children. They touch on topics such as housing costs, childcare expenses…
The Missing Middle PodcastUpzoning Toronto's Major Streets: Naama Blonder at the Missing Middle Summit 2024
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
The High-Wage TFW Program Has Some Problems Too
There's been a lot of news lately about the low-wage stream of the temporary foreign worker program -- but the high-wage stream has similar problems.In this…
The Missing Middle PodcastBuilding Multiplexes Under Toronto's Newest Bylaws: Blair Scorgie at the Missing Middle Summit 2024
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
How the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Suppresses Wages
Canada has seen a significant increase in the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers, raising concerns about the impact on the job market. The low-wage…
The Missing Middle PodcastFinancing Missing Middle Apartment Buildings: Max Goyzman at the Missing Middle Summit 2024
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Why are Young Families Leaving Big Cities?
Back in 2021, Mike Moffatt wrote: "The top-10 most common ages to leave Toronto are the ten between the ages of 31–35 and 0–4. The single most common age is…
The Missing Middle PodcastWhy Loosening Elevator Policy Means More Homes: Stephen Smith @MarketUrbanism at the Missing Middle Summit 2024
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Should Cities Require Density, or Encourage It?
This conversation explores the intersection of the Yes In My Backyard movement and urbanism, focusing on the question of whether the end goal is to legalize or…
The Missing Middle PodcastWhat It Takes to Scale Up Urban Infill: Shea Gallagher at the Missing Middle Summer 2024
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Why Mike Moffatt Doesn’t Love Land Value Taxes
Recently, economist Mike Moffatt got into a bit of a Twitter argument with housing advocates who think a land value tax can solve the housing crisis. He…
The Missing Middle PodcastDesigning and Building Infill Homes: Evan Saskin at the Missing Middle Summit 2024
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…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Is the System Rigged Against Millennials and Gen Z?
A recent Leger poll examined how young Canadians feel about their economic situation, and whether they're getting enough support from the government.Mike…
The Missing Middle PodcastWhy We Need Missing Middle Homes: Eric Lombardi at the Missing Middle Summit 2024
Part of the Missing Middle Summit SeriesOn May 23, professionals who work in the industry to develop missing middle housing, as well as those interested in…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Canada’s Addiction to Temporary Foreign Workers
The number of temporary foreign workers in Canada has been increasing, and that has led to all sorts of concerns. There’s low youth employment levels, stagnant…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Why Single Stairways are Heaven for Homebuilding - Interview with Conrad Speckert
If you get deep enough into the conversation about the housing crisis, you're inevitably going to hear the words "single egress". A lot of people, especially…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Should Politicians Encourage a Return to the Office?
In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss return-to-office plans and the role of politicians in…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Should Landlords Get Tax Breaks to Sell to their Tenants?
In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the idea of a tax break for landlords in the UK who…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
How Elevator Rules Cost Us Homes
In this discussion, Mike and Cara talk to Stephen Smith, executive director of the non-profit Center for Building in North America about how elevators and…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Are Landlords Greedier Than They Used to Be?
Here at the Missing Middle, we get a lot of great listener questions. In this episode, we answer one about whether landlords' expectations play a role in…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Could Trudeau Crash the Housing Market?
Recently, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented that home prices couldn't drop because so many people rely on their home's value for their retirement. But…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Does Owning a House Secure Your Retirement?
In this conversation Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to certified financial planner and founder of the New…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Could More Supply Crash the Housing Market?
In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern read a viewer email from Atanas Georgiev of…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
If Condo Sales are Down, Why Aren’t Prices?
Housing starts in Canada are falling, particularly in Ontario, and the situation is even worse than predicted. The non-condo ownership market has seen a…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Is Raising the Capital Gains Tax a Good Idea?
In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern are joined by tax lawyer Bhuvana Rai with Mors Tribute and…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Could a Renter's Bill of Rights Actually Help?
The federal government of Canada is exploring ways to help renters, such as through the introduction of a Renter’s Bill of Rights. This conversation examines…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
How Automatic Tax Filing Could Make Your Life Easier
In this discussion, Mike and Cara are joined by the executive director of Canadians for Tax Fairness Katrina Miller to discuss the benefits of automatic tax…
- The Missing Middle Podcast
Grading the Federal Budget: Housing Policy and Capital Gains Tax
In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the federal budget and its impact on housing. They…