The Missing Middle Podcast

Politicians, policy makers, and journalists all talk about the middle class and how well they are doing economically speaking. Middle-class voters make up the bulk of the voting population so it makes political sense to court them. But what exactly does middle class mean today? Who is considered middle class and what makes them middle class?In this 23-minute discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss three buckets of economic citizens: renters, homeowners with no mortgage, and homeowners with large mortgages - and how different their economic lives really are.Hosted by Mike Moffatt  & Cara SternProduced by Meredith MartinThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

The city of Toronto is currently contemplating a significant property tax hike as part of its proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The move is generating widespread discussion and debate among residents, businesses, and policymakers. In this 23-minute discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute  economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the proposed tax increase and the possible implications for the highest property tax increase since Toronto was amalgamated more than 25 years ago.Hosted by Mike Moffatt  & Cara SternProduced by Meredith MartinThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

The podcast explores Canada's economic decline compared to developing economies, debt dynamics over time, origins of debt creation, social contract implications, youth entrepreneurship challenges, and Canada's immigration advantage for future growth.

Yesterday was the first time Mike or Cara ever heard Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signalling that his government would work to cap the number of international students allowed in the country, tying the numbers to available housing. Mike and Cara discuss what this development means and how it could even work.Hosted by Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern.Thank you to the PLACE Centre. This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation.Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

In a throwback to the post-war era, Trudeau's federal government is looking into creating a catalogue of pre-approved home designs that they hope will speed up housing development. But why do they even matter, and where can they go wrong?Hosted by Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern, and produced by Meredith Martin.Thank you to the PLACE Centre. This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation.Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Canadian bond yields have been fairly volatile in recent weeks...but what does that even mean, and why does it matter to anyone outside of the finance world?Mike gives a primer on what bond yields are, and why the middle class should understand and care about them.Hosted by Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern, and produced by Meredith Martin.Thank you to the PLACE Centre. This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation.Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

British Columbia's Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon joins Mike and Cara to talk about the big plans his government has to make it easier for developers to build homes. We cover everything from zoning, to immigration, and building with timber.Hosted by Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern, and produced by Meredith Martin.Thank you to the PLACE Centre. This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation.Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Justin Trudeau's government released its Fall Economic Statement this week, introducing what Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland called meaty measures...and what Mike Moffatt grades at a C-. He explains why, and what they could have offered instead.Hosted by Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern, and produced by Meredith Martin.Thank you to the PLACE Centre. This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation.Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner joined Mike and Cara to talk about his two private member's bills that aim to increase housing supply, as well as how he hopes to represent young people who have been priced out of the market.Hosted by Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern, and produced by Meredith Martin.Thank you to the PLACE Centre. This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation.Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

The provincial government has set the target of 1.5 million homes in the province over a 10-year period. That involves major increases in the rate of construction, beyond anything we've seen in decades. To incentivize municipalities, the federal and provincial governments are tying infrastructure funding to  these targets. But are these goals realistic? And what does a "new housing unit" mean?Hosted by Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern, and produced by Meredith Martin.Thank you to the PLACE Centre. This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation.Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.