The Missing Middle Podcast

Jason Slaughter, creator of the influential YouTube channel Not Just Bikes, dives into the complexities of urban planning in this engaging conversation. He emphasizes that replicating Dutch cities in North America isn’t straightforward due to unique local challenges. Topics include the importance of holistic urban design over fragmented approaches, the detrimental effects of urban sprawl, and recent advancements in Toronto’s cycling infrastructure. Slaughter shares insights on integrating various transportation modes for healthier, more inviting urban spaces.

In this episode of the Missing Middle, Cara Stern is mad. A majority of MPs recently voted to increase Old Age Security for seniors aged 65-74, regardless of whether they actually need more money.She and Mike Moffatt explore the structure of Canada's pension programs, the purpose of OAS, and the financial burden it places on the federal budget – and younger workers, many of whom are struggling to pay their housing bills.They cover the disparities in income among seniors, the challenges of targeting benefits, and the political dynamics surrounding OAS proposals.Also, we need a co-host to fill in while Cara is on mat leave! If you're interested, send us a resume with one-minute video of why you'd be good for this role to missingmiddlepodcast@gmail.com  Links:Canadian Museum of HistoryOld Age Security pension recovery taxDisaggregated trends in poverty from the 2021 Census of PopulationJennifer Robson https://carleton.ca/politicalmanagement/people/jennifer-robson/Shooting a fly with an elephant gun: The Bloc’s ultimatum on seniors’ benefitsMost Canadians support or somewhat support extending Old Age Security benefits increase to seniors 65 to 74.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 dives into the heated world of NIMBYism in Toronto, spotlighting a community's fierce push against gentle garden suites. Cara expresses her frustration over local councilors siding with residents who resist change to preserve neighborhood identity. The conversation also tackles the urgent need for affordable housing versus the desires of long-time residents. With a humorous comparison of public complaints to toddler tantrums, the hosts emphasize the importance of civic engagement in shaping urban planning and advocating for housing solutions.

When Mike bought his first home, it cost him $168,000. That number barely covers a downpayment in much of Ontario these days – and even if a developer wanted to, it could not offer that price (even indexed to inflation) because the costs to build are just so high.Mike and Cara break down the costs associated with home-building, including land prices, development charges, construction costs, and taxes, while also examining the impact of these factors on housing affordability. Links:Eric LombardiGreater Toronto Area Municipal Benchmarking StudyHosted 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.

 @NotJustBikes is many people's gateway into urbanism, and an understanding into how much better our cities and towns can be, if we just make some policy changes.In this conversation, journalist Cara Stern, economist Mike Moffatt, Not Just Bikes creator Jason Slaughter discuss the challenges and implications of car-dependent suburbs in North America. They explore personal experiences, historical context, and the impact of legislation on urban design. The discussion also delves into economic factors influencing suburban living, the potential for transformation, and cultural attitudes towards housing.Links:Not Just Bikeshttps://www.youtube.com/c/notjustbikesSuburbs that don’t suck:Suburbs that don't Suck - Streetcar Suburbs (Riverdale, Toronto) (youtube.com)Wortley Villagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wortley_VillageStrong Towns:https://www.strongtowns.org/The Sprawl Repair Manual https://sprawlrepair.com/home/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 conversation explores the impact of the AI revolution on workers and the potential for mass unemployment. The hosts discuss past technological revolutions and the winners and losers they created. They also consider the role of AI in job creation and the potential for increased inequality. The conversation touches on the importance of skills and creativity in navigating the changing job market.Links:Vass Bednar @regstorichesDavid Bowie predicted in 1999 the impact of the Internet in BBCDilbert Blog: Career AdviceHosted 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.

This week, the federal government announced some big changes to mortgage policies in Canada. Specifically, it’s expanding 30-year mortgage amortizations to anyone buying a new build, or to all first-time homebuyers. It’s also raising the insured mortgage cap from $1 million to $1.5 million.In this conversation journalist Cara Stern and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the changes and the implications for first-time homebuyers, investors, and the overall housing market, while also addressing concerns about increased debt and the long-term effects on housing prices. Links:Insurable versus Uninsured MortgagesHosted 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.

Rents are down in some college towns, and some are crediting the government's international student reforms. In news stories about rents falling, the media often frame price reductions as a bad thing, even though it’s a huge relief for students. Mike and Cara discuss the price drops and why the media tend to ignore the positive side of the story.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.

Economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss Canada's record levels of population growth -- and how the majority of it came from record levels of temporary immigration.Since these numbers became known, due to backlash from the public, the federal government has announced it would implement policies it hopes will reduce the number of non-permanent residents, particularly international students, through attrition. The increase in population growth has put pressure on housing, healthcare, and education. International students often face exploitation and are blamed for various issues. The rental market has been heavily impacted, but it remains to be seen if there will be a decrease in prices. The lack of affordable housing options limits opportunities for students to live near their universities.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.

Cities across Canada are implementing vacant home taxes to address the issue of homes sitting empty. These taxes aim to encourage owners to sell or rent out their vacant properties. Economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the challenges in implementation of these taxes including issues with reporting and enforcement. Studies have shown that these taxes have had a small but positive impact in getting homes back on the market, without slowing down housing construction. 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.