The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux
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 ...
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.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:51 Ontario Election Predictions02:06 Why the housing crisis isn’t resonating with voters05:23 Millennial political participation09:25 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.
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12:04
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 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.)Chapters00:00 Introduction01:59 The candidates 02:25 Housing has taken a back seat to Trump06:54 Platform analysis - Mark Carney10:21 Platform analysis - Chrystia Freeland19:48 Platform analysis - Karina Gould24:20 Where’s the vision?27:00 Unaddressed issues in the leadership race28:59 Advice for Liberal leadership candidates30:34 Ranked ballot system - vote your ideals31:39 Predictions for the leadership race outcomeLinks:Mark Carney - Canada Not Interested in Trump’s Offer & Liberal Leadership ProspectsBlueprint For More And Better HousingLike Poilievre, Freeland is pitching a housing plan that would limit immigrationEnding Homelessness and Building an Affordable FutureMark Carney to boost construction of new homesCandidatesHosted 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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34:51
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 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 Introduction01:28 Understanding development charges02:10 The accumulation $10 Billion in unspent infrastructure funds04:28 Cities are sitting on huge piles of cash but it’s totally above board06:30 The impact of development charges on housing affordability08:11 The economy doesn’t care about your intent09:30 Mike gets in a fight with a city councillor over dev charges11:20 How a pile of cash improves bond ratings13:00 Public awareness and pressure for change15:00 Why Conservatives okay with such high D.C.s17:07 Shout out to Burlington, Vaughn and MississaugaLinks:Are Development Charges Fair to Millennials and Gen Z?Development Charges: 10 Things You Need to Know About Housing Taxes in OntarioResponse from the CBC on my Complaints to the OmbudsmanMore NeighboursHosted 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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19:01
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, 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 Introduction01:31 Understanding the relationship recession04:40 Scott Galloway’s theory of men06:28 The role of technology09:05 How much of this is a choice?11:06 Incentives versus structural barriers13:09 Economic implications of relationship trends14:40 The role of unaffordable rents on relationships17:00 the expansion and retraction of personal choiceLinks:The relationship recession is going globalA Few(er) Good MenWhy Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging OutLoneliness in CanadaHosted 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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19:37
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, 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! Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:06 Outlining a tangible vision of home ownership07:08 Single, detached family homes for under $500?08:28 Current state of housing supply10:49 Apartment units are the only bright light11:45 Alberta is doing it right14:22 Ontario’s brain drain to Alberta15:08 Development charges, approval times and land use policy17:37 Housing has become politicised 19:43 The grade revealLinks:Housing Shortages Grow Fastest in Smaller Ontario MetrosDevelopment Charges have Helped Price Out the Middle ClassCanada 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.
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