Why aren’t we seeing more multiplexes in Canadian cities—even after zoning reforms? In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt dig into the surprising roadblocks holding back infill housing. From bizarre bedroom caps to height limits that make 10-plexes impossible, they unpack how cities say "yes" to housing... and then quietly say "no." They call out the red tape, NIMBY politics, and why it might be time for provinces to take the wheel. If you're wondering why the housing crisis isn’t getting better, this one’s for you. (Full disclosure: This episode was recorded on Friday June 18th, before the Toronto city council watered down sixplex legalization, but the conversation remains entirely relevant.)Chapters00:00 Introduction01:51 Push-back to multi-unit buildings03:46 Bedroom limits06:07 Ron Butler episode06:34 The rooming-house factor08:14 Height restrictions and Ottawa story10:40 Restrictions make good architecture difficult12:13 Infil is always harder so restrictions make that even worse14:02 Solutionsresearch/links:Edmonton Zoning Bylaw RenewalCity staff recommend permitting sixplexes in residential areasCity staff recommend allowing sixplexes across all Toronto neighbourhoodsReddit discussion on the above 👆 Toronto city council waters down proposed sixplex legalization, limiting changes to certain neighbourhoodsToronto wrangles with a simple question: What is a multiplex?We recommend you read the City Hall Watcher Substack by Matt ElliottHosted 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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16:29
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16:29
Canada’s GST Rebate is Based On 1991 Home Prices-WTF!?!
In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt tackle how GST rebates are affecting new homebuyers, tracing the history of these incentives and how inflation has quietly eroded their value. With fresh rebate structures now on the table—especially for first-time buyers—they examine what’s working, what’s not, and what’s politically possible. And, of course they have some suggestions on how policy could be shaped to benefit everyone. Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:52 A new home in the GTHA for under $450k - impossible02:23 Understanding GST rebates, their history and impact04:17 Why are the rebates so small?06:56 Bill c-4’s first-time-homebuyer rebate08:09 What the proposed GST rebate misses - seniors downsizing10:45 Proposed changes to GST rebates13:00 Will governments make these proposed changes?14:30 Sabrina’s take15:37 Concerns about inflation and housing demandResearch/Links:Is Ontario Ready to Spend $895M to Jumpstart Homebuilding?The PBOs Math Is Clear: We Need an Expanded GST Housing RebateHosted 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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18:21
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18:21
Politicians vs. Millennials: The Battle for Housing Affordability
In this episode of the Missing Middle podcast Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the lack of clear housing goals from political parties, including the Liberals' national housing strategy's focus on low-income earners and the NDP's ineffective communication with younger voters. The conversation highlights the struggle of middle-class individuals to afford housing, the disconnect between political messaging and the lived experiences of young Canadians, and the potential political time bomb ticking as a result of these housing frustrations. Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:01 The missing middle-class housing strategy 02:11 Housing as a human right can’t be the only strategy03:00 There is no vision for middle-class housing04:15 Some politicians have a vision but not the Liberals05:19 The Big Lebowski reference06:31 NDP's struggles with housing communication09:20 The unconscious bias towards social housing11:43 A misunderstanding of what middle class means15:12 Where are the policies that target market housing?16:20 Mike outlines 3 buckets of housing18:57 The rightward shift of young people21:15 The future of home ownership for young Canadians23:20 Saving for retirement without a home26:25 Cost of delivery crisis27:09 Policy solutionsResearch:The Homeownership Journey Is Broken. Policymakers Need to Repair It.Big Lebowski - NihilistsWhy is the NDP doing so badly, even with progressives? Just take a look at their awful housing Housing affordability for Millennials and Gen ZHow Taxes, and Taxes-on-Taxes Add Over $250K to a Vancouver CondoHosted 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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31:33
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31:33
From 40 to 100 million: How will immigration impact Canadian wages?
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.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:52 Bank of Canada report on wages and immigration02:49 The mix of newcomers is different05:33 New immigrants earn less and country of origin impacts wages07:21 This is only becoming more pronounced09:11 The wage gap is shrinking for Permanent Residence 10:08 But it’s a good news, bad news story11:00 The role of wage suppression13:56 How does this impact social cohesion 15:25 The Century Initiative and population growth goalsResearch:The Shift in Canadian Immigration Composition and its Effect on WagesCanada's population needs to be 100 million by 2100Canada on track for 100 million population but public support can’t be taken for granted: Century Initiative CEOThe 'Century Initiative' is the talk of the campaign, but what is it?You Can't Grow a Country Just On Temporary ImmigrationHosted 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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19:42
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19:42
Ron Butler: Condo Crash Meets Housing Crisis
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.Chapters00:00 Introduction Ron Butler01:06 Outlining the Toronto condo market crisis04:07 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 crash12:13 Who is Most Affected by the Crisis?14:00 Financing challenges and future outlook15:33 The perfect storm - purpose-built rentals17:18 Government subsidized rentals18:13 The greenbelt and Downview Airport land19:39 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 solutions29:08 It wouldn’t be an MM podcast without Mike talking about development charges30:25 Sabrina wants the government to get out of the wayResearch and links:The Angry Mortgage podcastHow low will rents go?416 Condo CrashChart Storm: Five graphs on Toronto’s historic condo market collapseGuest: Ron Butler, https://x.com/ronmortgageguyhttps://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.
About The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux
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.
Canada - english