

Cost of Living
CBC
Money talks. We translate. Every Friday, Paul Haavardsrud looks at the way money shapes our lives in ways big, small, obvious, and unseen. From Big Macs to Big Banks, the Cost of Living connects the dots between the economy and everyday life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

6 snips
Jun 21, 2025 • 28min
Why your SIN is gold for cyberthieves
Blair Sanderson, a contributor to a notable podcast, dives into the world of social insurance numbers (SINs) and their alarming allure for cyberthieves. He explains how these unique identifiers can lead to identity theft and financial ruin when mishandled. The conversation raises crucial questions about why we continually share such sensitive information. Blair also touches on emerging solutions like digital IDs while advocating for the necessity of safeguarding personal data. This insightful discussion highlights the impact of digital vulnerabilities on our everyday lives.

Jun 13, 2025 • 28min
Why 'build, baby build' won't be enough to fix housing
John Pasalis says building more housing isn't the only solution to high home prices. It ignores an even bigger problem: investors. He explains how decades of low interest rates and tax policy have turned us into a nation of real estate speculators — and until we fix that, prices aren't going anywhere.

Jun 7, 2025 • 28min
Wait. What!? Canada had a car company?
Back in the mid-2000s, a group of entrepreneurs rolled out a made-in-Canada electric car called Zenn. Based on the European micro-car, it became a darling on the venture exchange. But Canadian regulators were less enamoured of its low speeds and the company hit a roadblock. So what happened? And did we miss out on our piece of the EV revolution?

May 30, 2025 • 28min
Is Canada recession ready?
Growing unemployment, tariffs and flatlining GDP all point in the same concerning direction. Canada may be headed for a recession. Paul Haavarsrud talks to economist Armine Yalnizyan about the economic road ahead.

May 23, 2025 • 28min
Is it time for a Canuck-mobile?
Germany has Volkswagen. Japan has Toyota. So why doesn't Canada have a car? We explore what it would take to build an all-Canadian automobile.

May 17, 2025 • 28min
A manufactured economy
Trump tariffs are supposed to "Make Manufacturing Great Again." Only, robots are a thing now. So why is he scrambling up the global economy when the factory jobs he talks about are stuck in the 1970s?

May 10, 2025 • 28min
Can we make houses like we make cars?
Prefab housing is getting a lot of attention as a way to solve the housing crisis. But so far, it hasn't caught on in a big way. So what would it take to transform housing construction into something closer to the auto industry?

12 snips
May 3, 2025 • 26min
Build, baby, build
Canadian leaders are in a heated debate about mega infrastructure projects like pipelines and highways. There's a struggle to prioritize amidst a skilled labor shortage and rising costs. Small-town businesses face significant challenges as aging owners look for buyers. Local tourism is experiencing a renaissance, with families exploring nearby attractions. Additionally, the importance of community hubs like bookstores is highlighted, showcasing their role in fostering connections and supporting local culture. The podcast navigates complex economic dynamics and community impacts.

Apr 25, 2025 • 28min
Breaking up Big Tech
Sure, the internet belongs to everyone. But a handful of big companies exert a tremendous amount of control over it. Now two of them, Meta and Google, face antitrust charges in the United States. So what does this mean for the future of our online experience?

Apr 18, 2025 • 28min
Is the best economic offence, more spending on defence?
With Canada under pressure to meet its NATO commitments, the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP are making promises to increase military spending. So, could we leverage that money to spur innovation and boost the Canadian economy?