The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux

Ron Butler, a prominent mortgage broker and host of the Angry Mortgage Podcast, joins the discussion with Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt to dissect the Toronto condo market crisis. He reveals how pre-construction purchases during a speculative boom are leading to significant losses for investors. They explore the ironic housing shortage amid a glut of poorly designed condos and the government's role in potential solutions. The conversation raises critical questions about low-rise housing scarcity and the urgent need for innovative, affordable options for families.

Join a riveting discussion on how factory-built homes might tackle the housing crisis. The speakers highlight the innovative aspects of prefabricated housing, including claims of lower costs, faster construction, and reduced emissions. They tackle the hurdles of regulatory approval and municipal regulations that slow down progress. Interesting perspectives emerge on the appeal of these homes to younger generations, prioritizing affordability and style over sustainability. Could these modern homes be the answer North America needs?

In this episode of The Missing Middle podcast, hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the impossible trinity that broke Canadian housing. They explore the implications of stagnant neighborhoods, population growth, and government policies that hinder housing affordability. The conversation delves into the complexities of urban planning, the impact of NIMBYism, and the need for realistic solutions to address the housing crisis.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:06 Gregor Robertson’s rough start as Minister of Housing03:51 Increased government housing would impact home prices05:06 Understanding the Impossible Trinity that broke housing07:37 Examples of cities doing two of three10:03 Not allowed to grow up or out equals spiking prices11:21 The illusion of legalized fourplexes14:15 Ottawa’s zoning reform and stupid two-story height limit17:33 Toronto’s wealthiest areas are the least dense18:20 Proposed solutions for housing affordabilityResearch links:The Impossible Trinity that Broke Canadian HousingCan Homes Become Affordable Without Prices Going Down?Toronto Star fourplex pieceHow Community Consultation is Ruining DemocracyHosted 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 discussion dives into the troubling job market for young Canadians, especially new graduates struggling with rising unemployment. It examines the limitations of traditional unemployment metrics, shedding light on the often-overlooked realities faced by those aged 15 to 29. The crisis in Ontario is particularly alarming, with social and political implications for youth engagement. Finally, the conversation highlights the relationship between higher education choices and economic stability, proposing solutions to combat youth unemployment.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.