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. 

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.

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 Toronto these days, and what still needs to change.

Links:
Highcroft Homes https://www.highcrofthomes.ca/

Producers: 
Cara Stern https://twitter.com/carastern
Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin
Ruth Tecle

Technical production by Mike Greene https://www.instagram.com/mikegreenemedia/

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.

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 require dense, walkable neighborhoods. 

Mike and Cara discuss the benefits of walkable neighborhoods, the challenges of legalizing density, and the impact of taxation and development charges. They also consider the future of cities if these barriers to density were removed, including the potential for more low-rise and missing middle homes. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the role of private backyards and the trade-offs between density and suburban living.

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.

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.

Shea Gallagher, a principal with architecture firm Superkül, discusses a project he's working on along the Danforth in Toronto. He used it to demonstrate the challenges with building missing middle housing, in particular how servicing standards impact their ability to build within financial constraints.

Links:
Superkül https://www.superkul.ca/



Producers: 
Cara Stern https://twitter.com/carastern
Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin
Ruth Tecle

Technical production by Mike Greene https://www.instagram.com/mikegreenemedia/

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
Brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute https://institute.smartprosperity.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.

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 doesn’t think so. 

This conversation explores the idea of a land value tax as a solution to the housing crisis. The hosts discuss the concept of a land value tax, which involves increasing the tax on the land portion of property and using the revenue for other purposes. They debate the effectiveness of this approach and its potential impact on housing development. 

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:31 Defining a Land Value Tax
03:15 The Functioning of the Current Property Tax System
04:30 The Concept of Taxing Land Value
06:00 Taxing Land and Structure Components
07:10 What are the advocates advocating for?
08:20 Different Proposals for a Land Value Tax
09:45 The City of Toronto's Approach to Housing Development
11:30 Is a Land Value Tax the Way To Go?
13:00 Increasing efficiency of a property?
14:44 Consequences of a Land Value Tax for Homeowners
16:11 Do we want to Live the plot of Happy Gilmore?
17:45 Picking a Political Fight We Don’t Need to Pick
20:00 Encouraging Advocacy for Fairness and Solutions
21:15 When to Dip Your Shirt In Lemon Juice


Links:
How To Remove Ballpoint Pen Ink Stains From Your Clothing
https://www.sourcecollections.com/pages/stain-guides-ball-point-ink-stains#:~:text=For%20felt%20pen%20stains%2C%20lemon,stain%20and%20let%20it%20dry.&text=Next%2C%20scrub%20the%20stain%20using,your%20fingers%2C%20with%20cold%20water.

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.

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.

Evan Saskin, an architect and builder, discusses his company Blue Lion Building and their focus on multi-unit urban infill residential buildings. They specialize in subdividing single-family housing lots to create multiple residential units.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Blue Lion Building
02:18 Designing Sustainable and High-Quality Housing
03:34 The Process of Building Infill Properties
06:23 Navigating Bureaucratic Challenges in Housing Development

Links:
Blue Lion Building https://www.bluelionbuilding.com/

Producers: 
Cara Stern https://twitter.com/carastern
Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin
Ruth Tecle

Technical production by Mike Greene https://www.instagram.com/mikegreenemedia/

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
Brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute https://institute.smartprosperity.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.

A recent Leger poll examined how young Canadians feel about their economic situation, and whether they're getting enough support from the government.

Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern discuss the results, which found that millennials and Gen Z feel they are worse off than their parents. They also touch on the perception that politicians prioritize the interests of older generations over younger ones. The conversation highlights the need for more government support and better allocation of resources to address the struggles faced by millennials. Cara and Mike express concerns about the future and the impact of high taxes and debt on younger generations.

The conversation explores the challenges faced by millennials in Canada, focusing on topics such as housing affordability, education, career prospects, and government spending. 

Links:
Opinions and Perspectives of Young Canadians: https://leger360.com/opinions-and-perspectives-of-young-canadians/#:~:text=More%20than%20two%2Dthirds%20of,it%20was%20for%20their%20parents.

War on the Young: 
https://www.profgalloway.com/war-on-the-young/ 

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.

Part of the Missing Middle Summit Series

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 for the next eight weeks.

First up is Eric Lombardi, founder of the YIMBY group More Neighbours Toronto, who talked about why missing middle homes are so important to build.

Production by Cara Stern, Meredith Martin, and Ruth Tecle
Technical production by Mike Greene

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.

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 wages, and industries that rely entirely on low-wage temporary workers to keep prices low.

In this discussion, economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk about the different types of temporary residents, the support they receive from the government, and the impact they have on the economy and labour market.


Links:

Temporary residents in Canada rise to 2.8 million ahead of government restrictions

A snapshot of employment among youth in Canada

National Bank of Canada Hot Charts

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.

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 in Canada, think that the country is too strict with its stairwell rules, which require multiple exits for almost every multi-storey apartment building.

Conrad Speckert, intern architect at LGA Architectural Partners, thinks this needs to change, and tells Mike and Cara why.

Links:
This site is a guide for converting single family homes to multi-unit housing.

https://rehousing.ca/

Guest: Conrad Speckert https://x.com/conrad_speckert

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 discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss return-to-office plans and the role of politicians in helping local business districts survive. It explores the controversy surrounding the mayor of Toronto's push to get workers back to the office and the potential negative impacts on workers, the environment, and affordability. The idea of converting unused office space into apartments is also discussed as a potential solution. 

More reading:

Olivia Chow wants to bring Toronto’s downtown back to life — and she’s meeting bank CEOs about increasing office days to do it

Is working from home killing downtown cores?

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 discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the idea of a tax break for landlords in the UK who sell their homes to their tenants. They explore the potential impact of this policy and whether it could be applicable in Canada. They also discuss the broader housing crisis and the importance of choice between renting and owning a home. 

More reading:

Tories’ capital gains tax break stands to save landlords over £21,000 on average

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, 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 of these challenges on population growth and societal cohesion.

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 discussion, Mike and Cara talk to Stephen Smith, executive director of the non-profit Center for Building in North America about how elevators and building codes have contributed to the housing crisis. 

Stephen describes how elevators in North America are much more expensive than in Europe due to size requirements, technical codes and standards, and labour issues. He suggests adopting a global standard for elevators  to improve housing options.

Guest:  Stephen Smith 

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.

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 unaffordable rental prices.

The conversation discusses the challenges faced by millennials and younger generations in Canada when it comes to homeownership and starting a family. It explores the increasing cost of housing, the shift in market behavior by investors, and the impact of policy changes on the rental market. The conversation also touches on the cultural shift in expectations of landlords and the difficulty of affording a down payment. 

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.

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 could a prime minister stop a housing crash if he wanted to?

In this discussion, Mike and Cara discuss the idea of how much control the federal government has over home prices. They examine the impact of policies on affordability, and the challenges of balancing the interests of different stakeholders. It delves into the complexities of housing markets and the role of government in preventing price crashes and maintaining affordability.

More Reading:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-trudeau-house-prices-affordability/

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 Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to certified financial planner and founder of the New School of Finance Shannon Lee Simmons,  about saving for retirement.

Canada’s National Institute for Aging recently did a survey of 6,000 older Canadians to find out how they feel about the prospect of retirement. The results were definitive. Most survey respondents, all of whom are 50 or older, do not feel that they are financially secure enough to be able to retire when they want to. 44 percent of them had not put away any money for retirement in the last year and another 44 per cent of the 55-65 age cohort  had less than $5,000 in savings. 

Cara, Mike and Shannon dive into why that is, what role home ownership plays in saving for retirement.

More reading:

New School of Finance

Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada: The 2023 NIA Ageing
in Canada Survey

The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) commissioned Abacus Data to conduct its fifth Canadian Retirement Survey in the spring of 2023.

An American perspective

Shannon Lee Simmons’ books

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 discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern read a viewer email from Atanas Georgiev of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, who is wondering about potential negative side effects of a deflationary housing market if there is a drastic increase in housing supply. They explore the definition of affordability and the various pathways to achieving it, including reducing expenses, lowering interest rates, and increasing wages. They also discuss the possibility of building more supply in walkable neighborhoods and the potential impact on home prices.

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.

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 massive decline over the last 20 years, with high land prices and development charges making it unaffordable for buyers. Yet prices aren’t coming down. Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern discuss this challenge and its effect on getting supply in both the rental and ownership markets.

More reading:

We need more than big promises to solve our housing crisis

https://thehub.ca/2024-05-09/mike-moffatt-we-need-more-than-promises-to-solve-our-housing-crisis/?utm_medium=paid+social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=boost

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 discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern are joined by tax lawyer Bhuvana Rai with Mors Tribute and estate lawyer Birute Luksenaite with Portfolio Estate Law. 

They talk about the  increase to the capital gains tax introduced by the government in the federal budget on April 16, 2024. They explain what capital gains are and how they are currently taxed. They also explore the arguments for and against the increase in the inclusion rate, including the potential impact on investment, fairness, and the ability of individuals to pass on assets to their children. 

The conversation highlights the complexity and competing opinions surrounding this tax policy change. The conversation explores the potential impact of the proposed changes to the capital gains tax in Canada. The guests discuss the challenges and concerns surrounding the new legislation, including the short timeline for implementation and the lack of opportunity for feedback. They also delve into the specific implications for different groups, such as doctors and small business owners, who may be disproportionately affected by the changes. 

Guests: Bhuvana Rai Tax Lawyer with Mors Tribute https://www.morstribute.ca/
Birute Luksenaite an Estate lawyer with Portfolio Estate Law https://portfoliolaw.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.

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 government’s promises, and covers what impact they might have on renters and rental prices. It explores how price transparency affects the rental market and whether the government is doing enough. The rental market in Ontario is broken, but what are the limitations of the federal government's jurisdiction? 

Technical Producer: Mike Greene https://instagram.com/mikegreenemedia

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 discussion, Mike and Cara are joined by the executive director of Canadians for Tax Fairness Katrina Miller to discuss the benefits of automatic tax filing and how it can save people money. The conversation explores the concept of automatic tax filing, the groups that would benefit from it, the current status of its implementation in Canada, and the opposition it faces from tax accountants and software firms. 

The conversation also touches on the potential implementation of automatic tax filing in Canada, citing examples from the UK and New Zealand. It concludes with a discussion on the likelihood of the system being implemented nationwide and the importance of raising awareness about its benefits.

Related links:

How the tax industry is keeping automatic filing out of reach:

https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/how-the-tax-industry-is-keeping-automatic-filing-out-of-reach

Authored by https://twitter.com/ericashiner

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 discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the federal budget and its impact on housing. They cover new initiatives, such as opening up federal land for development and the deductibility of interest for tax reasons. They also discuss the government's commitment to building 2 million homes and the challenges of labor shortages and productivity in the housing sector. The hosts grade the government's success in addressing housing issues and discuss the change to the capital gains tax. They analyze the significance of the change and its impact on wealth inequality. Overall, they give the budget an A grade but note the lack of details and the need for more clarity on certain policies.

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.

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 this month.

Naama Blonder is an architect and urban planner with Smart Density, which she co-founded. She spoke to us on the day Toronto City Council was about to approve an expansion to what's allowed to be built on its major streets -- which previously had been much more limited than you'd think!

Links:
Smart Density https://smartdensity.com/
Naama Blonder https://x.com/naama_blonder

Producers: 
Cara Stern https://twitter.com/carastern
Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin
Ruth Tecle

Technical production by Mike Greene https://www.instagram.com/mikegreenemedia/

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.

Guest:  Alex Beheshti, Senior Consultant with Altus Group Economic Consulting specializing in urban planning policy analysis, municipal fee reviews, and fiscal impacts of development.

In this conversation, Cara, Mike, and Alex discuss the latest housing bill from the Ontario PC government. They grade the bill and discuss its impact on housing supply and affordability. They also delve into the streamlining of third-party appeals, the exemption for universities from the Planning Act, the use it or lose it policy for subdivision and condominium approvals, and the potential for single staircases in multi-unit homes. The conversation highlights the lack of boldness in the bill and the Ontario Progressive Conservative government's shift in tone regarding housing supply.

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, economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the federal government's new plan to help first-time homebuyers by extending amortization periods on new homes. The conversation explores the reasons behind this decision and the potential impact on housing starts and prices, as well as why this is similar to a policy Mike and Cara suggested in an article in the Hub. The hosts also discuss the importance of helping the middle class achieve homeownership and the need for a balanced approach that addresses both demand and supply.

Read the article with their suggestions: https://thehub.ca/2024-03-19/mike-moffatt-and-cara-stern-the-dream-of-homeownership-is-dying/

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 discussion, economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern about the great housing paradox: everyone wants landlords but no one wants landlords.

Cara and Mike also discuss the different perspectives on who should own rental properties, including small-time landlords, big corporations, and government housing. The conversation also touches on the role of conflict of interest rules for politicians who own properties and the need for affordable ownership and rental options for all. The ultimate goal is to create a housing system with enough supply that is affordable and accessible to everyone.

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 discussion, Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern discuss how heritage designation negatively impacts housing supply in Toronto. During this wide ranging conversation  with Globe and Mail's architecture critic, Alex Bozikovic, they touch on the history of urban planning and how it intersects with heritage planning and urban design in unexpected ways. They explore the difference between listed and designated heritage buildings, the growing number of heritage properties in Toronto, and its effect of heritage preservation on density and climate action. Various neighborhoods in Toronto are discussed including the Danforth, Yonge and Eglinton, Rosedale and Little Jamaica. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the role of local and provincial governments in shaping heritage policies.

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 discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the recent revelation by Ontario Premier Doug Ford that he will be caving to NIMBY objections, and won’t be forcing municipalities to legalize fourplexes across the province.

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 discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada, Marc Miller. Included in this wide ranging conversation is the recent announcement of new targets for temporary immigration, the need for a decrease in temporary residents, the reasons behind the delay in taking action and the impact of temporary residents on housing affordability. 

The discussion also covers the financial insecurity faced by universities and colleges due to the two-year cap on international student visas. 

The Minister addresses the increase in use of the temporary foreign workers program under his government and admits there is a problem with some fraud in the labor market impact assessment system. 

The conversation concludes with a discussion about the Canadian consensus on immigration and the Minister is asked if his government is responsible for breaking that consensus.

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 discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to Pollster David Coletto about  the shifting priorities of millennials and the generational divides in financial stability and housing. He explains that younger Canadians are less likely to prioritize climate change compared to older Canadians. The conversation explores the factors influencing these priorities, including the cost of living crisis, housing affordability, the impact of financial insecurity and the appeal of the Conservative Party to younger Canadians. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by political parties in attracting millennial voters and the relationship between political behaviour and life stage. The discussion concludes with an examination of the blame and responsibility for the housing crisis and the consequences of perceived institutional failure.

If you stick around to the end you’ll get to witness Mike and Cara’s first recorded disagreement and the personal story of how David ended up becoming a pollster. Spoiler alert: it involves baseball.

Links:

https://thehub.ca/2024-03-19/mike-moffatt-and-cara-stern-the-dream-of-homeownership-is-dying/

https://davidcoletto.substack.com/p/the-millennial-makeover-of-canadian

https://abacusdata.ca/

https://abacusdata.ca/building-a-better-future-for-canadians-policy-imperatives/

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 discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss why parking minimums often require developers to allocate a fixed amount of land for parking, regardless of the actual demand for parking in a particular area. This can result in inefficient land use, with valuable urban space being underutilized for parking purposes rather than for housing, commercial, or recreational activities.

Cara and Mike explore the origins of parking minimums and the concerns that led to their regulation. They also delve into the use of parking minimums as a negotiating tool for cities and the potential for scaling back these regulations. The conversation highlights the arguments for and against parking minimums, including their impact on housing affordability. They also discuss the role of the federal government in potentially banning parking minimums nationwide and the challenges associated with public perception and political dynamics.

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 discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to Cherise Burda, Director of City Building Research and Innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University and a co-author with Mike of the Blueprint for More and Better Housing: How Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments can Ensure We Build 5.8 Million Homes that are Affordable, Low-Carbon and Resilient. 

In this conversation, Cara, Mike, and Cherise discuss the blueprint and they highlight the importance of a full systems approach to address climate, resiliency, and housing. They also discuss the need for density and the elimination of unit maximums on residential buildings. The conversation emphasizes the importance of data collection and the adoption of the highest tiers of the national model building codes. The guests express hope that the recommendations will be implemented by governments across the country.

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 22-minute discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to Scott Cameron, an economist formerly with the Parliamentary Budget Officer in Ottawa and now working in government in the Channel Islands.

This conversation explores economic forecasting models and the Bank of Canada's transition to a new model. The chapters cover the purpose of economic forecasting, the current method of capturing and measuring the Canadian economy, criticism of existing models, the importance of theory and data in economic modeling, the Bank of Canada's motivation for change and addressing model gaps, a comparison of the Canadian model with other countries, the influence of the Federal Reserve on Canadian monetary policy, accountability and decision-making in monetary policy, and the alignment of Canadian and US monetary policy.

Takeaways:
Economic forecasting models are essential for conducting monetary policy and determining the appropriate policy interest rate.
The Bank of Canada currently uses two models, one focused on empirical performance and the other on theoretical rigor.
There has been criticism of the existing models, particularly regarding their ability to accurately predict real-world economic behavior.
The Bank of Canada is transitioning to a new model that aims to blend theory and empirical performance.
The new model will address gaps in the previous models, such as the representation of the financial sector and the housing market.
The Bank of Canada's monetary policy is influenced by the Federal Reserve, and the two countries tend to move in the same direction.
The ultimate decision-making in monetary policy lies with the governing council, who consider a range of factors beyond the models.

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.

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 episode, Cara and Mike explore the types of jobs that are being filled through this stream, and whether the wages offered are truly competitive. They worry about the impact of bringing in foreign tech workers on the wages and opportunities for domestic tech workers, many of who end up leaving Canada in pursuit of better opportunities. 

They suggest reforms to the program, such as making it harder to prove a shortage of local workers and increasing wage transparency.

Links:
Reddit thread: "I made a map of every employer who had a LMIA accepted because they couldn't find Canadian workers (2023-Present)"
https://www.reddit.com/r/torontoJobs/comments/1ehrmuw/i_made_a_map_of_every_employer_who_had_a_lmia/?rdt=62928

Link to gov data:
https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/90fed587-1364-4f33-a9ee-208181dc0b97

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, Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern discuss inflation and the Bank of Canada's approach to managing it. They explore the factors that contribute to inflation, such as supply-side disruptions and demand-side spending. They also discuss the challenges of predicting and controlling inflation, as well as the potential impact of inflation on different sectors of the economy. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the Bank of Canada's upcoming decision on interest rates and its influence on the markets.

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.

Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to transit expert Reece Martin about the challenges and issues surrounding transit development in Canada. He highlights the decline in the ability to deliver transit projects effectively, the high costs of building subways in Toronto and the impact of NIMBYism on transit development are also discussed. Reece emphasizes the need for transparency, accountability, and integration between transit and land use. He expresses optimism for the future of transit in Canada and the potential for building high-speed rail. Overall, the conversation sheds light on the importance of improving transit project delivery and creating a more efficient and affordable transit system in Canada.

Smart Prosperity Institute: https://institute.smartprosperity.ca/

Reece Martin: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf4iKXL_SJQ5d0qsKkboRRQ

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.

Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to Armine Yalnizyan, economist and Atkinson Fellow On The Future Of Workers, about what role the Bank of Canada has played in the housing crisis. In this wide-ranging discussion, they discuss how wages have lagged significantly behind housing prices and how the Canadian Central Bank’s decision to quickly raise interest rates has affected mortgage holders. 

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.

Because it’s a short week, instead of a full episode, we've got a short extra segment from our conversation with economist Armine Yalnizyan on whether GDP per capita is a good indicator of individual well-being.

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 journalist Cara Stern welcomes Shaista, a long-time Toronto and 905 real estate observer who provides wonderful insights on everything from the state of Ontario’s tribunal system to the plight of international students.

In this wide ranging conversation, Cara Stern and Shaishta - better known by her twitter handle, Justice Queen  - discuss various topics related to Toronto real estate, including the changing market, the impact on landlords & tenants, and the challenges faced by international students. Shaishta shares her personal journey into real estate and highlights the importance of understanding both the landlord and tenant perspectives. She emphasizes the need for education and better enforcement of rules to improve the landlord-tenant relationship. The conversation sheds light on the ethical issues in the recruitment of international students and the mental health challenges they face.

Overall, the discussion provides valuable insights into the complexities of the Toronto housing market. The conversation explores the challenges faced by international students in Canada, particularly regarding housing. It highlights the labour market assessments that employers should be conducting and the high costs associated with it. The discussion emphasizes the need for the international students' experiences to change with a specific focus on addressing the housing crisis in Canada. The role of schools and bad actors in providing adequate housing is also discussed. The conversation concludes with a focus on the government's failure to implement housing policies and the importance of zoning and addressing the shortage of construction workers.

Guest: Shaista, AKA Justice Queen

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.

A lot of people have been challenging the notion that GDP is a good measure of the economy. Instead, they suggest, we should look at GDP per capita to determine whether life is getting better for individuals, rather than the country as a whole.

But is GDP per capita an economic triumph or a "garbage metric"? 

In this 23-minute discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute https://institute.smartprosperity.ca/ economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to Armine Yalnizyan, Economist and Atkinson Fellow On The Future Of Workers, explore the limitations of GDP per capita as a measure of economic health and well-being. 

The conversation highlights the issues of income distribution, the influence of tax havens and oil-producing countries on GDP per capita rankings, and the need to consider factors such as productivity and demographic changes. The discussion also touches on the challenges of measuring the digital revolution's impact on GDP and the importance of collecting real-time data.

Guest: Armine Yalnizyan https://twitter.com/ArmineYalnizyan
This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

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.

Last week the federal government introduced a cap on international student visas. Going forward they will be distributed to the provinces on a per-capita basis. That got us thinking about Canada’s immigration policies in general. Canada’s openness to immigrants has always been one of Canada's great strengths. Our temporary immigration programs have some unique problems that are really tough to solve, but what about Canada’s permanent immigration system? How does it work? And do we have the right targets for Canada’s success?

In this 15-minute episode of the Missing Middle Podcast, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern about the permanent and temporary streams of Canadian immigration, providing a lens through which to view the broader impact of the Trudeau government's targets on Canada's future growth and diversity.

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.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) released its annual Rental Market Report last week. With the national vacancy rate hitting a historic low and rent prices on a relentless climb, renters across the nation are feeling the squeeze. In bustling urban centers like Toronto and Vancouver, the role of condominiums as makeshift rental units reveals a housing landscape in flux, with implications that touch everyone from anxious first-time homebuyers to investors looking to capitalize on the market.

In this 23-minute discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss vacancy rates, rent averages and what the numbers really tell us.


Other reading:
Rental Market Report - January 2024 (cmhc-schl.gc.ca)
https://www.bankofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/mpr-2024-01-24.pdf
https://rentals.ca/
https://www.homelesshub.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/Whitzman-Human_Rights_Based_Supply_Report-EN_1.pdf

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.

The Canadian federal government announced a 2-year cap on international student permits making for some big headlines last week. This will severely limit the number of international students attending campuses in Ontario and British Columbia where the number of international students have been climbing in recent years. The existence of Public Private Partnerships (or PPPs) between public and private colleges is something not many citizens of ever consider, but it’s been a significant factor in the Canadian housing crisis. 

In this 33-minute discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to Alex Usher, President of the consulting firm Higher Education Strategy Associates, about Public Private Partnerships or PPPs and International students. 

Other reading:

https://higheredstrategy.com/a-short-explainer-of-public-private-partnerships-in-ontario-colleges/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-international-student-visa-cap-miller-immigration/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/miller-cap-international-students-1.7090779

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.

Sabrina Maddeaux is a journalist and political commentator who announced that she’s seeking the Conservative nomination for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill. 

In this 22-minute discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to Maddeaux about the housing and affordability crisis and what role that played in her decision to run for political office.

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern 

Produced by Meredith Martin 

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation 

Other reading:

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/sabrina-maddeaux-im-running-for-the-conservatives-because-trudeau-abandoned-my-generation

https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/pierre-poilievre-is-putting-a-new-face-on-the-conservative-party-here-are-some-of/article_e8fc60cc-b48e-11ee-9981-f3967deccee2.html

https://www.instagram.com/sabrinamaddeaux/?hl=en

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.

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.

Blair Scorgie is a planner and urban designer, as well as an instructor at Toronto Metropolitan University. He talks about Toronto's newest multiplex bylaws, and what it could mean for building affordable, missing middle housing.

Chapters:
00:00 Introducing Blair Scorgie
02:29 Creating a New Market for Development
04:08 The Need for Incentives for Affordable Housing
05:35 Recommendations for Further Changes to the Bylaws

Links:
https://x.com/BlairScorgie

Producers: 
Cara Stern https://twitter.com/carastern
Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin
Ruth Tecle

Technical production by Mike Greene https://www.instagram.com/mikegreenemedia/

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.

Politicians, policy makers, and journalists all talk about the middle class and how well they are doing economically speaking. Middle-class voters make up the bulk of the voting population so it makes political sense to court them. But what exactly does middle class mean today? Who is considered middle class and what makes them middle class?

In this 23-minute discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss three buckets of economic citizens: renters, homeowners with no mortgage, and homeowners with large mortgages - and how different their economic lives really are.

Hosted by Mike Moffatt  & Cara Stern
Produced by Meredith Martin
This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation 

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.

The city of Toronto is currently contemplating a significant property tax hike as part of its proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The move is generating widespread discussion and debate among residents, businesses, and policymakers. 

In this 23-minute discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute  economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the proposed tax increase and the possible implications for the highest property tax increase since Toronto was amalgamated more than 25 years ago.

Hosted by Mike Moffatt  & Cara Stern

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation 

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.

Canada’s place in the global world order is shifting and according to the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD) Canada will be the worst-performing advanced economy over the next decade

John Rapley is a political economist specializing in global development, the world economy, and economic history. He was born and raised in Ottawa and is a political economist at the University of Cambridge. He has written five books, the latest of which is titled Why Empires Fall: Rome, America, And The Future Of The West 

In this 35-minute interview, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to him about his latest book, why he thinks Western countries are in economic decline compared to developing economies, pensions, the housing crisis, and what Canada's economic advantages are. 

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern

Produced by Meredith Martin

Thank you to the PLACE Centre. This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation.


Extra Reading:

The Globe and Mail: Canada benefits from a world order that empires built. As the latest one declines, so does our economy John Rapley, Aug 25, 2023

Foreign Affairs: The New Middle Ages by John Rapley, May 1, 2006

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.

Yesterday was the first time Mike or Cara ever heard Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signalling that his government would work to cap the number of international students allowed in the country, tying the numbers to available housing. Mike and Cara discuss what this development means and how it could even work.

Hosted by Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern.

Thank you to the PLACE Centre. This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation.

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.