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The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux

Latest episodes

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May 7, 2025 • 30min

The Humble Genius of Uytae Lee: The Creator of About Here

Uytae Lee, an urban planner and YouTube creator from Vancouver, dives into the complexities of housing and urban design. He discusses the critical impact of development fees and building codes on housing accessibility. Uytae shares his creative approach to storytelling on YouTube, balancing entertainment with serious topics. The conversation also touches on the political dynamics surrounding the housing crisis and the need for innovative solutions and better governance in housing policy. Tune in for insights and some candid advice for Canada’s new prime minister!
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Apr 30, 2025 • 24min

Baby Bust: Where Have All the 3-Bedroom Homes Gone?

Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt tackle the alarming drop in three-bedroom home construction in Ontario, especially in the GTA. They link this trend to the 'baby bust,' where soaring housing costs deter families from expanding. The dialogue reveals the regulatory hurdles complicating the housing market and stresses the need for policy changes. With a focus on both rental and ownership opportunities, they explore how these dynamics impact young families and contribute to declining birth rates.
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Apr 25, 2025 • 29min

Can Any Party Actually Fix Housing? - Election 2025

In this episode of The Missing Middle, hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Michael Moffatt discuss the housing platforms of Canada's major federal parties as they approach the April 28 election. They analyze the promises made by the Liberals, Conservatives, and NDP regarding housing starts, affordability, and the implications of these policies on young Canadians. The conversation delves into the commonalities and differences in party platforms, the impact of municipal incentives and rent control, and critiques of the math behind the promises. They also explore the sociological implications of housing policies and the relationship between immigration and housing supply.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:29 Examining the housing start pledges03:53 Housing platform commonalities04:39 Municipal incentives06:55 NDP’s rent control promise examined10:47 Eliminating the GST on New Housing13:27 Math is hard for both Liberals and Conservatives and the PBO20:33 Not particularly bold housing ideas24:14 Immigration targets and housingLinks:Liberal PlatformConservative PlatformNDP PlatformHosted 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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Apr 23, 2025 • 49min

Ed Elson: Is Gen Z Doomed?

In this conversation, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt are joined by co-host of the Prof G Markets podcast with Scott Galloway, and host the First Time Founders podcast Ed Elson to discuss the economic challenges faced by Gen Z, including their financial struggles, housing affordability, and the rising costs of education. Ed highlights the generational wealth gap, the impact of debt, and the political engagement of Gen Z, emphasizing the need for action beyond social media advocacy. Together they delve into the disconnect between wealth and economic outcomes, particularly focusing on the impact of tariffs and taxation on different socioeconomic classes. They discuss the need for wealth redistribution through new tax policies and the challenges faced by younger generations in navigating financial landscapes. The conversation also touches on the importance of civic engagement and voting, as well as the growing epidemic of loneliness in society. Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:49 Understanding Gen Z's economic struggles06:22 Comparative analysis of the US, UK, and Canada08:34 Factoring in the housing affordability crisis13:29 The debt dilemma: Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)17:26 The rising cost of education in America21:35 Gen Z's political engagement and activism25:17 Tariffs, stocks, assets and wealth inequality27:38 Taxation and wealth redistribution31:23 The disconnect between wealth and economic outcomes34:08 Investing in stocks and not in crypto38:04 Seeing an opportunity in A.I.41:44 The power of voting and civic engagement44:33 Addressing loneliness and societal trends46:36 The time to turn it around is nowResearch/Links:Can Homes Become Affordable Without Prices Going Down?Trade War Chaos Drives Massive Volatility — ft. Gary Stevenson | Prof G MarketsWhy Tariffs Could Crush Canada’s Economy — ft. Mike Moffatt | Prof G MarketsAverage Age Stat of a Home Buyer in America:AI vs. Gen Z: The Hiring War Has BegunExtended Cut: A$AP Rocky Gets Smoooth | KlarnaThe whole E.S.G. thingGuest:Ed Elson https://x.com/edels0nhttps://podcasts.voxmedia.com/host/ed-elsonHosted 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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Apr 16, 2025 • 27min

David Coletto: Gas Prices, Trump and Angry Young Men - Inside Canada’s Wild 2025 Election

In this episode, conservative pundit Sabrina and economist Mike Moffatt speak with David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, to explore the evolving landscape of Canadian election polling. They discuss the impact of recent policy changes, particularly the carbon tax, on voter sentiment and the shifting dynamics of affordability issues. The conversation delves into the trends among young voters, particularly young men, and the gender dynamics influencing voting behavior. The discussion also highlights the scarcity mindset surrounding housing and the rising favorability of Mark Carney as a political figure. Chapters00:00 Introduction, David Coletto01:12 Who gets credit for axing the tax?04:34 What happened to the affordability issue?07:20 Young voters, trends and influences11:41 Gender dynamics in voting behavior13:25 Scarcity mindset and housing concerns16:11 Rise of Liberals or collapse of the NDP?17:28 Canadian national unity18:50 Mark Carney's rising favorability22:02 Expectations and the bandwagon effect24:17 Reflections on a pivotal electionThree numbers tell the story of the election this week, and none of them looks good for PoilievreWhy Are Young Men Shifting Right? A Trend I’ve Been Tracking for a While"Carbon Tax Carney" gets the credit for axing the tax‘It’s not over’: Two pollsters explain how Mark Carney pulled ahead — and why he shouldn’t get too comfortableAbacus Data Poll: Liberals lead by 4PolymarketGuest:David Colettohttps://abacusdata.ca/team/david-coletto/https://davidcoletto.substack.com/Hosts: Sabrina Maddeaux https://x.com/SabrinaMaddeaux Mike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt https://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.socialProducer: Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin https://bsky.app/profile/meredithmartin.bsky.social, https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-martin-21108165/This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/Brought to you by the Missing Middle Initiative https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.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.
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Apr 9, 2025 • 37min

How Community Consultation is Ruining Democracy

Housing advocate Eric Lombardi, founder of More Neighbors Toronto, shares his insights on the flawed community consultation processes in Toronto. He argues that these practices often exclude diverse voices, favoring affluent homeowners. Lombardi highlights the need for more proactive engagement and calls for reforms to streamline consultations to empower all citizens. Topics include the implications of property rights, bureaucratic obstacles in housing development, and the role of provincial and federal governments in addressing the housing crisis.
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Apr 2, 2025 • 25min

Are Young People Giving Up on Canada?

The podcast dives into the housing crisis in Canada, revealing its hidden implications for national security. It highlights how soaring rents stifle economic mobility and drive talent away to the U.S. Young Canadians express deep discontent, feeling abandoned by their country amidst rising living costs and declining happiness. The conversation urges a revamp of housing policies, emphasizing the need for a strategic approach that can secure a brighter future for the younger generation.
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Mar 26, 2025 • 20min

Will Reduced Immigration Solve the Housing Crisis?

A gripping discussion unfolds around Canada's new immigration policies and their surprising effects on the housing market. The hosts tackle how reduced immigration targets may worsen housing prices and rents. They express skepticism about the government's ability to achieve these targets, especially with the complexities of regional housing demands. Insights into forecasting housing needs reveal alarming gaps, while political implications surface as young voters voice concerns over affordable homes. It's a heated exploration of immigration, housing, and the politics that bind them.
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12 snips
Mar 19, 2025 • 32min

David Coletto: The Precarity Mindset and the 2025 Election

In a dynamic discussion, the evolving Canadian political polling landscape takes center stage, influenced by pivotal events like Trudeau's exit and Trump's legacy. Demographic shifts reveal a surprising rise in support for the Liberal Party among older voters, while the NDP faces significant challenges. The concept of a precarity mindset emerges as a key theme, reflecting voters' desires for stability. Lastly, the complexities of regional politics in Quebec and predictions for voter turnout set the backdrop for the upcoming federal election.
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8 snips
Mar 12, 2025 • 22min

Unpacking the Growing Wage Gap Between American and Canadian Workers

A deep dive into the widening wage gap between American and Canadian workers reveals alarming trends for young Canadians. The hosts discuss the surge in emigration, particularly among tech talent, and analyze how high housing costs impact wages. They highlight the role of productivity and propose policy changes to address these economic imbalances. Concerns about brain drain are discussed, with a focus on attracting skilled professionals to ensure future growth. Remote work's influence on salary trends also makes for an intriguing conversation.

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