The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux

In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down Ontario’s new return-to-office mandate and the big banks’ similar policies, asking what they really mean for younger workers and families already facing high housing costs, long commutes, and stagnant wages. They explore the trade-offs between productivity, commuting, and control, while producer Meredith Martin joins to share her perspective as a former union leader on mentorship, collaboration, and what might be lost if remote work fully takes over.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:15 Return to office mandates: An overview04:22 What Premier Ford’s RTO mandate is trying to achieve05:15 Impact on younger workers and families06:55 Disconnect between RTO mandates and ESG targets09:26 Meredith thinks humans should see each other IRL12:43 The role of mentorship and social interaction at work15:20 Debating how much office culture has changedresearch/links:Productivity During and Since the PandemicThe Post-Pandemic Workplace: The Experiment ContinuesNumber of Canadian commuters increases for fourth straight year in 2025Romance in the work place:Esther Perel on How Technology Is Changing Love and Work | Prof G ConversationsNew SHRM Survey: Workplace Romance 2023Mixing work with pleasure: Two-thirds of Brits have been romantically involved with a colleagueReturn to the Office:Amazon Tells Corporate Workers to Be Back in the Office 5 Days a WeekExecutives and Research Disagree About Hybrid Work. Why?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.

Dive into the chaos of Canada's condo market crash and what it means for aspiring homeowners. Explore the perplexing issue of housing shrinkflation, where smaller living spaces come at a high cost. The discussion highlights the struggles of middle-class families faced with declining affordability, despite falling prices. Frustrations mount over government policies that prioritize rentals instead of supporting homeownership. Is Canada on a path to becoming a nation of perpetual renters? Tune in for insights and thought-provoking analysis.

Ever wonder what people at think tanks actually do all day? In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt pull back the curtain on the mysterious world of think tanks. From how they’re structured and funded, to the challenges of staying independent, they explore what really goes on behind the scenes. You’ll also hear about career opportunities for young professionals, why U.S. think tanks dwarf their Canadian counterparts, and how think tanks influence policies that affect our everyday lives—from housing to poverty reduction. If you’ve ever been curious about the brains behind public policy, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 Introduction03:00 Understanding think tanks04:38 The structure and function of academic think tanks07:53 Funding models: how think tanks sustain themselves09:34 Misconceptions about think tank funding11:58 Maintaining independence: challenges and strategies16:13 Career opportunities in think tanks18:09 Comparing Canadian and American think tanksHosted 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.

Why do some infill housing projects spark outrage while others fly under the radar? In this episode of The Missing Middle, host Sabrina Matto sits down with former London City Councillor and researcher Jesse Helmer to unpack 15 years of planning committee decisions. They explore why certain housing proposals face fierce opposition, what factors reduce pushback, and how cities can actually build more homes with community support. From surprising success stories to lessons learned in local politics, this conversation sheds light on the politics of infill housing—and why it matters for solving Canada’s housing crisis.If you’re interested in urban planning, housing affordability, or how communities can embrace smarter growth, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:00 Infill development research with Jesse Helmer02:40 Factors influencing opposition to housing proposals05:30 Research methodology and analysis08:23 Following up with residents after a project is built11:15 Jesse’s personal journey as a London city councillor14:08 Optimism for housing solutions16:28  Personal reflections about Jesse’s time on London city councilResearch:https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/the-politics-of-infill-housing-whatGuest: Jesse Helmer:  https://x.com/jesse_helmerHosted 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.

Canadian cities are facing a creative crisis. Rising housing costs are driving artists, musicians, designers, and other innovators out — and it’s not just culture that’s at risk. In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down how losing the “creative class” hurts local economies, tourism, and even a city’s ability to attract tech and finance talent. From the ripple effects on nightlife and small businesses to the loss of vital cultural spaces, we explore why cities can’t afford to price out their creative heartbeat — and what policies could help keep them.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:13 Defining the creative class exodus02:57 How housing costs impacts creative workers05:54 The economic consequences of pricing out creatives08:45 The ripple effect of losing creative spaces to the housing crisis11:16 You can’t simply trade artists for tech workers 12:50 How this impacts the tourism economy14:50 Policy solutions for retaining creativesResearch/Links:Richard FloridaToronto Arts Council economic impact studyCBC Arts article on artist couples leaving TorontoRichard Florida's work on creative cities and economic developmentBusiness Parks Suck (but they don't have to)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.

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.

The hosts dive into a quirky comparison between cheesy Jean-Claude Van Damme movies and Canada's rental housing crisis. They discuss the 1970s tax strategy, MURBs, as a possible solution to skyrocketing rents. The conversation touches on the challenges small investors face and the psychological misconceptions about the housing market as a guaranteed money-maker. They also explore the implications of reintroducing the MERB tax provision to boost rental stock, while examining the financial perks of operating rental apartments.

​​In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux unpack the controversy around REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) and their role in Canada’s housing crisis. Are REITs really blocking affordable housing, or is the real issue deeper than greedy landlords? Mike and Sabrina break down how REITs work, why they’ve become political scapegoats, and what actually needs to change to build more truly affordable homes. If you’ve ever wondered who should be our landlords — mom-and-pops, corporations, or governments — this is the conversation you need to hear.Subscribe for weekly deep dives on housing, urban planning, and Canada’s affordability crisis.Drop your thoughts below: Who do YOU think should be Canada’s landlords?Chapters00:00 Introduction01:55 Who should our landlords be?03:44 Real Estate Investment Trusts 04:45 Mutual fund trust05:45 Canada has an undeveloped REIT system06:53 REIT push back on affordable housing09:12 Who is to blame for affordable housing not getting built?10:30 All of the other things that make it expensive to build12:09 Should the government build more affordable housing?12:37 Someone has to pay so who should it be? 16:11 What do we mean by affordable units?Research/links:Ford government scrapped Toronto affordable housing requirements after pushback from three REITs, documents showReddit threadEveryone Wants Rentals, but No One Wants LandlordsREIT dataHosted 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, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down the massive wave of federal public service job cuts and how they’re slamming young Canadians the hardest. From thousands of lost student and contract jobs to long-term impacts on housing, wages, and health, they reveal how a shrinking government workforce could shut an entire generation out of shaping Canada’s future. They also dive into what this means for unions, the economy, and why real public service reform must include young voices. If you care about youth employment and the future of Canada’s workforce, you don’t want to miss this!Chapters00:00 Introduction01:00 Federal public service job cuts explained02:54 Our Video03:46 The cohort effect and some historical context05:12 The lack of young public sector workers in shaping policy07:15 Mike’s experience in the federal public service09:26 The talent vacuum10:30 The effects of graduating in a recession12:26 Ripple effects in the broader economy13:45 Graduating in a recession can impact your health16:30 Job hoarding and the role of unions20:24 Future perspectivesResearch/links:Federal public service job cuts fall heavily on young workersSabrina Maddeaux: Striking union should ditch anti-millennial contract demandHow Colleges Broke Canadian ImmigrationThe Short- and Long-Term Career Effects of Graduating in a RecessionLife-Cycle Impacts of Graduating in a RecessionHosted 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.

Toronto's housing market is facing a crisis, with new condo sales plummeting 97% since 2021. This decline could cost $6.6 billion in lost tax revenue and lead to significant job losses in the construction industry. The hosts discuss the need for tax cuts, like eliminating the GST on new homes, to boost construction without increasing prices. They also debate the role of foreign buyers and international students in the recovery process, highlighting the delicate balance between investment and affordability.