Cost of Living

A world powered by solar energy has been on the horizon for years. But with costs dropping at a rapid pace, the renewable may be about to have its moment in the sun. So what could we achieve with all that cheap, unlimited energy?

Massive population growth in the last few years put pressure on housing and healthcare. But all those people have also been pouring money into the economy and, by some accounts, keeping us out of a recession. So does a plan for negative population growth risk steering us into the economic ditch?

Darian Woods, co-host of NPR's The Indicator, dives into the personal and economic impacts of Trump's tariffs on the U.S.-Canada relationship. He reveals how Americans perceive Canada amidst trade disputes and the broader effects on consumer confidence. The conversation touches on historical economic disparities and anecdotes that showcase the camaraderie between the two nations. Woods also discusses Canada's military spending commitments to NATO, weighing its implications for the economy and the necessity of effective government intervention.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.