Hub Podcasts Canada can no longer afford to be governed by luxury beliefs
May 28, 2025
Eric Lombardi, President and founder of More Neighbours Toronto, discusses the concept of 'luxury beliefs' and their detrimental impact on Canada’s policy-making. He addresses the housing crisis, emphasizing how unrealistic expectations hinder effective governance. Lombardi critiques how these beliefs shape public policies, leading to trade-offs like land monopolies and housing shortages. He also highlights the generational divide in political discourse, urging for policies that address the needs of younger citizens, while advocating for a focus on pragmatic solutions over mediocrity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Impact of Luxury Beliefs
- Canada has made policy trade-offs based on "luxury beliefs" that seem good but are impractical.
- These beliefs hinder effective policy outcomes and contribute to developmental decline.
Tertiary Goals Hamper Projects
- Environmental and infrastructure policies now emphasize tertiary goals, losing sight of primary objectives.
- This delays projects and reduces the effectiveness of outcomes, harming national development.
Green Belt's Housing Trade-off
- Ontario's Green Belt restricts housing development, creating scarcity and unaffordability near Toronto.
- This policy trade-off harms middle-class access to housing despite good intentions to prevent sprawl.