The Missing Middle Podcast

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 fut...

Toronto’s housing market is in free fall — new condo sales have plunged 97% since 2021, costing governments $6.6 billion in lost tax revenue every year. In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down shocking new data on record-low home sales, how this impacts construction jobs, and why the crisis could get worse before it gets better. They explain how cutting taxes like the GST cou...

In this episode of The Missing Middle , Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt are joined by urban planner Alex Beheshti for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked barriers to solving Canada’s housing crisis: zoning data. Alex makes the case for a Canadian Zoning Atlas—an ambitious but essential tool to bring clarity, consistency, and transparency to the country’s fragmented planning systems. They...

Why aren’t we seeing more multiplexes in Canadian cities—even after zoning reforms? In this episode of The Missing Middle , Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt dig into the surprising roadblocks holding back infill housing. From bizarre bedroom caps to height limits that make 10-plexes impossible, they unpack how cities say "yes" to housing... and then quietly say "no." They call...

In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt tackle how GST rebates are affecting new homebuyers, tracing the history of these incentives and how inflation has quietly eroded their value. With fresh rebate structures now on the table—especially for first-time buyers—they examine what’s working, what’s not, and what’s politically possible. And, of course they have some suggestions on how poli...

In this episode of the Missing Middle podcast Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the lack of clear housing goals from political parties, including the Liberals' national housing strategy's focus on low-income earners and the NDP's ineffective communication with younger voters. The conversation highlights the struggle of middle-class individuals to afford housing, the disconne...

In this episode of the missing Middle podcast conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the current state of immigration in Canada. Together they examine a Bank of Canada report that focuses on the implications of temporary foreign workers on wages.  Mike and Sabrina talk about the challenges faced by new permanent residents, and the ambitious goals set by the Century...

In this episode of the Missing Middle podcast, mortgage broker Ron Butler sits down with conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt to discuss the current crisis in the Toronto condo market. Ron outlines the vast scope of the problem stemming from pre-construction purchases made during a speculative boom. He explains how investors are facing significant losses as property valu...

In this episode, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the potential of factory built homes as a solution to the housing crisis. They explore the promises made by politicians regarding prefabricated housing, the spectrum of factory built homes, and the claims of reduced construction times, costs, and emissions. The conversation delves into the current challenges f...

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 so...

Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:13 Job market statistics  02:10 Why the job market is so bad right now 04:27 Different ways to measure the job market 07:02 Things are particularly bad in Ontario 09:02 High unemployment fractures the social fabric 11:25 The impact of a slow job market on lifetime earning 13:32 How youth unemployment shapes political priorities 14:58 Will the soft job market result i...

He's got 215,000 YouTube subscribers and millions of views. The urban planner and YouTube creator Uytae Lee sits down with Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt to have a fun and wide-ranging conversation about housing and the systemic hurdles to building more of it. Uytae shares insights on creating engaging content about housing, urban planning, design and the realities of YouTube monetization....

In this episode, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the significant decline in the construction of three-bedroom homes in Ontario, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). They explore the implications of the 'baby bust' phenomenon, where fewer families are able to afford suitable housing, leading to a decrease in birth rates. The conversation...

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 commo...

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 poli...

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, particula...

In this episode, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist mike Moffatt sit down with housing advocate Eric Lombardi to discuss the epic shortcomings of the community consultation processes in Toronto. Lombardi argues that they often fail to represent the diverse voices and interests of the community. He emphasizes the need for a more proactive approach to community engagement that consid...

In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Michael Moffatt discuss the critical intersection of the housing crisis and national security in Canada. They explore how the inability to afford housing not only affects individuals but also poses systemic risks to the Canadian economy and society. The conversation delves into the implications of economic vulnerability, the talent exodus to the U.S., and the...

In this conversation Conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt delve into the recent changes in Canada's immigration policies and their implications for the housing market and population growth. Sabrina and Mike discuss the significant reduction in immigration targets, the impact on housing prices and rents, and the skepticism surrounding the government's ability to...

In this conversation, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the evolving landscape of political polling with David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data. They explore the significant shifts in voter sentiment influenced by key events such as Justin Trudeau's exit, Mark Carney's rise, and the impact of Donald Trump. The discussion delves into demographic changes, t...

In this episode, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt explore the growing wage gap between American and Canadian workers, discussing the implications for young Canadians and the factors contributing to this disparity. They delve into the data on emigration, the impact of housing costs, and the need for policy changes to boost productivity and wages in Canada. The convers...

In this episode of The Missing Middle, hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Michael Moffatt discuss the recent announcement of a high-speed rail project in Canada with transit expert Reece Martin. They explore the details of the proposed rail line, the political motivations behind it, and the challenges Canada faces in implementing effective transit solutions compared to other countries. The conversation hi...

In this conversation, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux, economist Mike Moffatt and producer Meredith Martin discuss the Ontario election, focusing on predictions regarding Doug Ford's (potential) majority win and the lack of competition from opposition parties. They delve into the housing crisis, exploring why it hasn't resonated with voters and the barriers preventing Millennials fr...

In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the federal Liberal leadership race, focusing on how the top contenders are addressing Canada's housing crisis. They analyze the candidates' policies, including Mark Carney's vague housing promises, Chrystia Freeland's tax cuts for first-time homebuyers, and Karina Gould's approach to generational change. The conve...

In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the complexities of development charges in Ontario, highlighting how municipalities have accumulated over $10 billion in unspent infrastructure funds. They explore the implications of these taxes on housing affordability, the political dynamics influencing their increase, and the growing public awareness of the housing crisis.  Chapters: 0...