Cost of Living

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.

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? 

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?

Leaders in Canada are talking about building a lot of stuff right now: pipelines, ports, railways and highways. As one expert puts it, "We can build anything. But we can't build everything." So what should go ahead? And how much will it cost?

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?

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? 

It's not a trivial question. In fact, how people are feeling about their finances can be a key economic indicator. And right now, that indicator is flashing red. So we thought we'd fan out across the country and ask people — how's it going?

Thirty years ago, the U.S. helped create the World Trade Organization, a group of countries linked by a common set of free trade agreements. But then, starting with the Obama administration, the country turned against the WTO. This leaves a void where there should be a referee to settle trade disputes between countries. On this episode of NPR's The Indicator from Planet Money, how American grievances paralyzed the WTO's dispute settlement system and what happens when the U.S. no longer wants to play by the rules it once agreed to.More episodes of The Indicator are available at: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510325/the-indicator-from-planet-money

Economist Justin Wolfers says Trump's tariffs are "madness" and — on behalf of America — wants to apologize. He tells us why the U.S. president's zero sum view of economics fails to understand the benefits of global trade.

Toronto and Vancouver can't build housing fast enough to keep up with demand. So what if Canada invested billions to turn a smaller city into their superstar rival? Could it create balance in the housing universe?

When people are nervous about the future of the economy, they often hold back. Maybe they don't buy that new fridge or take that new job in a different province. It all adds up to a potential stall in our economy. And that just makes people even more uncertain. But is there a way to break the cycle?

Back when North American free trade was still just an idea, Liberal leader John Turner opposed it. He warned that handing over the "economic levers" could lead to a loss of Canada's political independence. Brian Mulroney won the election and free trade brought Canada all kinds of prosperity. But now? Well, we explore why Turner's ideas are having an "I told you so" moment. 

Some believe there's a silver lining to our neighbour to the south suddenly turning hostile. Paul Haavardsrud talks to a couple of experts who say it's time to put the pedal to the medal — and get the economy back on track.

The U.S. wants to eat our economic lunch — to lure jobs, companies and head offices to America. The thing is, Canadian capital has been moving south for years. Can we stem the tide?

If U.S President Donald Trump goes ahead with his plan to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian exports, Canada will retaliate with its own tariffs. Trouble is, the U.S. isn't nearly as dependent on exports as we are. 

The former governor of the Bank of Canada Stephen Poloz has helped guide Canada through some uncertain times. But right now, he says his worry meter is "pretty far up there."

We've known for a long time that being too dependent on the U.S. makes us vulnerable. They're our largest trading partner, but they're not the only country in the world. So is it finally time for Canada to make more friends?

Both countries have just been given a 30-day reprieve from Trump's tariffs. So, can we work together to fend off the looming trade war with the U.S.? Paul Haavardsrud speaks with the former vice minister of trade for Mexico, Juan Carlos Baker, about what happens now. 

In a historic act of economic aggression, President Trump has made good on his promise and imposed across-the-board tariffs. And Canada has hit back.

Some of us might forget a $20 in a pocket, but what about thousands of dollars? Believe it or not, it happens! Canadians contribute to a pension then, maybe switch jobs and just forget about it. We'll explain why it's so hard to track people down and what they're missing out on. 

A U.S. economics podcast called us wanting to know how Trump's tariff threats are playing out in Canada. Paul Haavardsrud chats with NPR's The Indicator about how we're feeling, what's at stake, and how Canada could respond if tariffs happen. 

The question of "will he or won't he" hit us with tariffs is already getting old. But, if they do come, does Canada actually have a Trump card? Four million barrels a day of oil says — we just might.

After the surging population put pressure on housing and healthcare, the feds are drastically reducing immigration targets. But millions of new people have also been pouring money into the economy and, by some accounts, keeping us out of a recession. Does a plan for negative population growth risk steering us into the economic ditch? 

A couple of business insiders debate the seriousness of Trump's tariff threats and how political uncertainty in Ottawa could hurt Canada's economy. Oh, and they even give us some reasons to hope.

Are duty free shops really a bargain? Why do we have crown corporations anyway? You had questions and we take a crack at answering them!

From the hard sell to the limited time offer, companies have turned the art of the sale into a science. We look at four different marketing tactics, and explain how they encourage us to turn off our brains and open our wallets. (Originally aired October 13, 2024)

Need to buy a gift for your mom or your dog? What about your esoteric boyfriend? There's a gift guide for that! But, why? It's holiday baking season and some Canadians are paying big bucks to get their hands on French butter. Plus — we'll tell you why some economists think — if you really love someone, you'll give the gift of cold, hard cash this Christmas.

TD just pled guilty to money laundering $670-million in the US. So why were so many bank employees LOL-ing it up while it was happening under their noses? Also, why it's never a straight line to the checkout aisle and why it's so hard for young people to land a job these days. 

The makers of chat gpt call it scraping. Canadian media companies call it copying. Now, some are suing OpenAI, alleging it uses their work to train its AI models. But is it too late? Find out who's turning the Canada Post strike into a lucrative side hustle. Plus — why wait to retire when you can take mini-retirements along the way? 

Older generations accumulated all the trappings of a good life. Now, as they downsize or pass away -- what happens to all of it? We have good news for new Canadians who need a credit history. And - is now the right time to bet big on carbon capture and storage? 

Some are calling it "the year of the flop". But movie ticket sales have been sliding for two decades. Does Hollywood have a third act? We explain why weather forecasting is now a multi-billion dollar industry around the world. And, is the free trade era over? Former deputy PM, John Manley weighs in. 

They've all inspired thousands of Fan Fiction stories. But what used to be dismissed as amateur writing has now become major fodder for publishers and Hollywood. Also, how breaking up with your boo can lead to breaking up with your favourite grocery store. Plus, why Canadians are drinking less booze. 

Tim Hortons, Westjet, the Bay — over the last 15 years, private equity firms have been on a buying spree. But what is it, exactly? Also, how a new rule south of the border could make canceling that pesky streaming subscription easier and we talk Trump, tariffs and Canadian oil.

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump has promised to impose 10 - 20% tariffs on anything coming into the U.S. It's part of a seismic shift in Republican economic thinking — to put the American worker first. But would it work? And what would it mean for us? (Originally aired September 6, 2024)

Remember when you could find vintage designer stuff at Goodwill? These days, you're more likely to find piles of fast fashion. So what happened? Also, we explore why North America is swooning over Asian beauty products and the promise of "glass skin." Plus, what a warming Arctic means for business in Canada's great white north. 

We explore how the Honeycrisp sparked a revolution in choice, and why we're willing to pay the price. Also, what it takes to make sure Fido is well taken care of when you're gone. Also, tiny condos used to be no-brainer investments but — not anymore. Thousands of them are now sitting on the market in Toronto. So, could this mean the return of livable spaces?

Canadians pay more for the same stuff as Americans, but earn less. We explore why the gap is widening and what it means for our future. Also, table for one? More people are dining alone and restaurants are welcoming them with open arms. Plus, why big companies are a fact of life in Canada. 

From the hard sell to the limited time offer, companies have turned the art of the sale into a science. So why not put it under the microscope? We look at four different marketing tactics, and explain how they encourage us to turn off our brains and open our wallets. 

To win back guests lost to short-term rentals, hotels are stealing some of their competitors' best ideas. Also, why it's so wicked expensive to rent a car right now and — do middle managers deserve more love and respect than they're getting?

Sabbatical, adult gap year, micro-retirement — Why more workers are taking breaks throughout their career instead of waiting till they're 65. Also, is the mortgage stress test too stressful? Plus, the legacy of Tupperware and the woman who turned it into a party. 

A world charged by solar energy has been on the horizon forever. Now it's closer than ever. What all that cheap power can mean for us. Also, impulse buying can add up and bring you down. We bring you some tips on how to resist yet another pair of black loafers. Plus, we'll meet one family who's leaving the country to find an affordable home.