The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux Can Tax Reform Help Young Canadians Afford Homes?
Aug 13, 2025
Young Canadians are feeling the weight of taxes while grappling with soaring housing costs. The hosts propose bold tax reforms to create a fairer system and tackle wealth inequality. They discuss the pressing need for innovative solutions that make homeownership attainable for the next generation. Through insightful humor and deep analysis, they reveal the disconnect between generations regarding wealth and offer empathetic approaches to housing policies. This conversation is not just about the challenges but also about actionable reforms for a sustainable future.
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Wage Growth vs Housing Costs Disconnect
- Young Canadians often earn decent salaries but face exploding costs, especially housing, making saving and rent unaffordable.
- Combined provincial and federal taxes push many into marginal rates historically seen for the wealthy, worsening the disconnect.
Fix Housing Supply, Not Only Taxes
- Target root causes of high housing costs rather than layering boutique tax credits that complicate the tax system.
- Reform zoning, index GST rebates for inflation, and cut excessive development charges to lower prices long-term.
Targeted Tax Relief For Life Milestones
- Consider targeted tax measures that relieve immediate pain like rent write-offs, expanded RRSP/TFSA room, or temporary income splitting for new couples.
- Make maternity/paternity benefits non-taxable and remove sales tax on baby items to ease family formation costs.