Podcast appearances and mentions of sabrina maddeaux

Toronto's housing crisis is no longer just about buying a home, it's reshaping who can afford to build a future in the city at all. In this special live taping of The Missing Middle Podcast, Sabrina Maddeaux, Mike Moffatt, Cara Stern, and special guest Ron Butler unpack why young families are leaving Toronto, how policy failures created a city of “dog crate” condos and unaffordable homes, and what needs to change before affordability gets even worse.Topics covered include:• Why young families are leaving Toronto and the GTA• The rise of tiny “dog crate” condos• Why missing middle housing is so difficult to build• Zoning delays, development charges, and housing red tape• The future of rentals, condos, and home prices• The Greenbelt debate and urban sprawl• Whether Toronto can still work for middle-class families• Why more young Canadians are leaving Ontario and Canada• Non-market housing, affordability, and the politics shaping the city's futureSubscribe for more conversations on housing, affordability, and the future of Canada's middle class.Chapters:0:00 – Live From Toronto: The Housing Crisis Debate Begins1:42 – Why Young Families Are Leaving Toronto5:08 – The Reality of Buying a Home in the GTA8:11 – Why Toronto Only Builds Mansions or Tiny Condos11:24 – Are “Dog Crate” Condos Doomed?14:37 – Missing Middle Housing & Zoning Failures18:02 – The Greenbelt, Sprawl, and Housing Politics21:10 – Renting for Life in Toronto24:02 – Should Young Buyers Wait to Purchase?26:12 – Non-Market Housing vs Market Housing29:04 – Predictions for Toronto's Housing FutureResearch:‘It's not like we're sitting on our hands.' Toronto's biggest landlord sees 7 more complexes fall into critical disrepairhttps://www.thestar.com/news/gta/it-s-not-like-we-re-sitting-on-our-hands-torontos-biggest-landlord-sees-7/article_dc443926-e4b8-11ef-ab56-6f7d86f12c53.htmlDrug deals in doorways and a stranger in the living room: Why Toronto Community Housing residents say its $38M security force is failing themhttps://www.thestar.com/news/gta/drug-deals-in-doorways-and-a-stranger-in-the-living-room-why-toronto-community-housing/article_2b7633ac-d86b-4fde-9e4e-5e308f4dff5a.htmlHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

Why are young Canadians leaving cities? Why are seniors staying in homes that are too big for them? And can Canada lower housing costs without cutting quality of life even further?In this listener Q&A episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Cara Stern answer audience questions on housing affordability, immigration, downsizing, social isolation, wage stagnation, the Greenbelt, and why building more “missing middle” housing has become so difficult in Canada.Topics covered:Why seniors aren't downsizingThe shortage of family-sized homesHousing prices vs stagnant wagesSocial isolation and unaffordable citiesImmigration and housing demandThe Greenbelt debateWhat young Canadians can do politicallyIf you enjoy the episode, subscribe and leave a comment with your own question for a future mailbag episode.Eamon Seniors are lonely, rich, and live in houses that are too big, often in desirable neighbourhoods. Young people are desperate for housing, poor, and looking for roommates. Why not create a tax incentive for seniors to free up rooms in their houses for young people? I think a vacancy tax is punitive, but a tax incentive could unlock housing in a win-win (rather than zero sum) way for willing participants. Thoughts? KateIn your second-time homebuyer article you mention that various government initiatives could lower newly built housing costs by up to 15% which would free up more family sized homes "making it easier for seniors to downsize". How would lowering the cost of newly built homes by 15% make it easier for seniors to downsize? In my view, the more significant factor facing senior downsizers is not the cost of new housing but the scarcity of appealing post-move options for them. Mary (edited for length) I am a boomer with two millennial children who haven't yet reached middle-class milestones like stable employment or homeownership. I believe factors other than parental status are at play: 1) Are houses more expensive, or are incomes simply failing to keep up with declining purchasing power? 2) Given the rise in single-person households, why is there so much social isolation, and how does the difficulty of making connections in urban environments impact the ability for young people to save and enter the housing market?Chris Jeanneret and came from the comments section of our Greenbelt episode: Is the Greenbelt even practical for "affordable" housing, or does it only provide more land for luxury country estates? @canucklhead Isn't the obvious solution here to keep immigration low for the next few years to keep pressuring rents lower? Wouldn't this be the easiest solution to help affordability for everyone? Emily writes: I see what is happening to those under 25 and it is awful. How can I get involved? What steps can I take that will make the most difference? Do you know of a group in Edmonton organizing that is making a real difference especially in the "missing middle". Chapters: 00:00Mailbag Special: Your Housing Questions Answered00:23Should Seniors Rent Out Empty Bedrooms?02:57Will Cheaper New Homes Help Seniors Downsize?05:07Why Millennials Are Falling Behind06:00Social Isolation, Third Places & Housing Costs08:05How Housing Affordability Breaks Friendships and Communities10:54Can the Greenbelt Deliver Affordable Housing?12:43Is Lower Immigration the Fastest Path to Affordability?14:16What Canadians Can Do to Push for ChangeResearch/links:The Disappearing "Third Place": Why Making Friends Is Getting Harderhttps://youtu.be/WYFTsrvwr0o?si=IIGS4jllTN2dKT5hGrow Together Edmontonhttps://www.growtogetheryeg.com/Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

Why are so many young Canadians leaving and why are some people suggesting they should be punished for it?In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux break down the growing “brain drain” from Canada to the United States and the shocking proposal that young people who leave should pay a $500,000 exit fee.They dig into what's really driving this trend: unaffordable housing, stagnant wages, limited career opportunities, and policy decisions that increasingly favour older, wealthier generations.This isn't about loyalty. It's about survival and a country that may no longer offer young people a path to the life their parents had.

Canada's international student program is under fire and the numbers are hard to ignore.In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down a shocking Auditor General report that uncovered major enforcement failures inside Canada's immigration system. With over 153,000 potentially non-compliant students flagged and little follow-up from authorities, this isn't just a bureaucratic slip-up. It raises serious questions about oversight, accountability, and trust.Is this really about growing too fast, or did the government fail to enforce its own rules?We dive into:The difference between a capacity problem vs. an enforcement problemWhy thousands of fraud cases were never investigatedHow approval rates hit 98% in high-risk streamsThe impact on housing affordability and job marketsWhat this means for public trust in Canada's institutionsAnd whether cutting immigration targets actually solves anythingThis conversation unpacks how policy decisions ripple across the economy, and why fixing the system may require more than just lowering the numbers.Chapters:00:00 – Intro: Auditor General Report: The Big Findings00:45 – Enforcement Failure01:47 – “Deliberate and Scandalous” Fraud Handling03:42 – What the Program Was Supposed to Do04:34 – What It Became: Wage Suppression & Exploitation05:24 – Housing Crisis Impact07:45 – Only 40% Confirmed They Leave Canada09:32 – The Case for Retroactive Enforcement11:02 – Why Cutting Immigration Isn't EnoughRESEARCH LINKS:Auditor General Report on International Student Program (March 2025): https://www.canada.ca/en/auditor-general/our-work/audit-reports/auditor-general-report-2026-international-student-program-reforms.htmlHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

Rents are finally falling across Canada. But will it last? In this episode of Classonomics, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down new data from the CMHC showing rising vacancy rates, record rental supply, and the first meaningful relief for tenants in years. They explore why an influx of new housing and slower population growth are pushing rents down, and what that reveals about how housing markets actually work.But the conversation goes deeper: from the real impact of immigration on housing demand, to the heated debate over rent control and new policy changes in Manitoba that could reshape the market. Will government intervention protect renters, or make the housing shortage worse? And what happens next as Canada's population growth slows and hundreds of thousands of new units come online? 00:40–01:38: Introduction: Rent Control in Manitoba and the Risk to New Housing Supply01:38–02:58: CMHC Report Findings and the Impact of Supply on Decreased Rents02:58–03:46: The Link Between Immigration Policy and Housing Scarcity03:46–04:27: Future Rental Market Forecast: Supply-Demand Mismatch04:27–05:38: Developers' Investment Decisions Based on Future Immigration Targets05:38–09:24: The Core Debate: Personal Experience, Stability, and Rent Control's Impact on Supply09:24–10:26: Detailed Breakdown of Manitoba's Bill 13 Rent Control Expansion10:26–12:36: Controversy Over Above Guideline Increases (AGI) and Renters' Need for Stability12:36–15:14: Concerns Over Sustainability, Discouraging Investment, and Who Should Cover Landlord Costs15:14–16:17: Final Thoughts on Bill 13 and Conversation ConclusionResearch/Links:NDP plan to expand Manitoba rent control protectionshttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-residential-tenancies-changes-renters-9.7125916Big rent hikes — a made-in-Manitoba problemhttps://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/big-rent-hikes-a-made-in-manitoba-problem/Rent control killing jobs: landlordshttps://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/04/07/rent-control-killing-jobs-landlordsBill 13 - THE RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES AMENDMENT ACThttps://web2.gov.mb.ca/bills/43-3/b013e.phpHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

Are provincial governments raising your taxes in secret? Economist Mike Moffatt and columnist Sabrina Maddeaux expose the hidden mechanism of bracket creep, a stealth tax increase impacting millions of Canadians.Because fixed-tax brackets in provinces like B.C., Manitoba, and Ontario fail to adjust for inflation, middle-class workers are automatically pushed into higher tax tiers, forcing them to pay taxes as though they are wealthy even though their purchasing power remains flat.We dive into why this particularly clobbers income-dependent younger Canadians (Millennials and Gen Z) and how Ontario's outdated surtax thresholds, which can be triggered by an income of less than $110,000, are punishing effort and driving out-migration. More than just money, this quiet revenue tool lacks democratic accountability, eroding trust in institutions and revealing a tax code desperately in need of a full rethink.Key Topics: Bracket Creep, Stealth Taxes, Tax Policy, Inflation, Middle Class, Ontario Surtax, Mike Moffatt, Sabrina Maddeaux, Canadian Politics, Economic Inequality, Tax Reform.Chapters:00:00 Bracket Creep and its Impact on Purchasing Power02:32 The Accountability Issue: Why Stealth Tax Increases Matter04:06 How Bracket Creep Hits Income Earners and the Generational Divide06:17 The Problem with Ontario's Outdated Surtax Thresholds08:36 Political Ramifications and the Erosion of Trust in Institutions10:10 The Need for a Tax Code RethinkResearch/links:Sabrina's National Post column (source document): Sabrina Maddeaux: Provinces are profiting from your inflationary pain | National PostCanadian Taxpayers Federation report on Manitoba bracket freeze: NewsroomKelowna Capital News on BC bracket freeze revenue projections: Detailing B.C.'s tax changes in Budget 2026, including income tax increases | Kelowna Capital NewsHosted 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.

You built equity, planned ahead, and did everything right, so why is the next step on the housing ladder completely out of reach?Canada's housing crisis is usually framed around first-time buyers struggling to get into the market. But a growing number of Canadians already made that leap and are now stuck. Couples who bought small condos with the expectation of eventually upgrading are discovering that the path forward has quietly disappeared.In this episode, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux unpack the rise of the “trapped” second-time homebuyer; households in their late 20s to early 40s who did everything right, built equity, and planned ahead, only to find that larger, family-sized homes are further out of reach than ever. With prices outpacing incomes, policy focused on first-time buyers, and a shortage of suitable homes, the traditional housing ladder no longer works.What happens when an entire generation can't move up, even after getting in? And what does it mean for family formation, economic mobility, and the future of Canada's housing system?Chapters:00:00 The "Broken Ladder": Canada's Second-Time Homebuyer Crisis00:58 Trapped in the Starter Home:The Condo Squeeze03:01 The Over-Focus on Shoebox Condos vs. Family Homes04:13 How the Housing Dream Changed05:44 Is the “Condo-to-Detached” Model a Ponzi Scheme?06:39 The “Goldilocks” Scenario for Sustainable Housing Gains08:16 Polling Data: What Ontarians Actually Care About10:17 The Case for Extending HST Rebates Beyond First-Time Buyers11:11 Policy Dorks vs. The Public: Finding Common Ground14:00 Property Taxes: The "Political Third Rail"15:45 Should Housing Rules Be Handled by the Province?16:35 Why Down Payment Support Might Be Hurting More Than Helping18:43 Renters' Rights & The Future of Canadian HousingResearch Links:New OREA survey finds Ontarians support change and transparency in housing costs and policiesHousing in Ontario: Perceptions, Impacts, And SolutionsUnlocking Homeownership: What Canadians Want from Housing PolicyA Blueprint to Restore Homeownership for Young CanadiansIs Ontario Ready to Spend $895M to Jumpstart Homebuilding?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.

Is the Canadian dream officially broken? A recent headline claiming Canada is now poorer than Alabama sparked outrage and pearl-clutching from coast to coast. But beyond the headlines, what does the data actually say about our quality of life?In this episode of Classonomics, hosts Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux strip away the “economic hubris” and look at the cold, hard numbers. They explore why Canadians are so obsessed with “dunking on Americans” that we've ignored a decade of stagnation, a plummeting Human Development Index, and a housing crisis that has created two different Canadas.In this episode, we discuss:The Alabama Comparison: Is GDP per capita the right metric, or just a wake-up call?The Happiness Gap: Why Canadian seniors are some of the happiest in the world while young people (under 30) have plummeted to 58th globally.The Generational Wealth Divide: How the “floor” is falling out for Millennials and Gen Z while older homeowners remain insulated.The Resource Curse: Why Canada has the complacency of a resource-rich nation without actually reaping the wealth.The “Not-American” Trap: Why comparing ourselves only to the U.S. is holding our policy-makers back from real solutions found in countries like Denmark and New Zealand.“The inequality here isn't rich versus poor. It's old versus young.”Chapters:00:00 Is Canada Poorer Than Alabama? The Headline That Stung01:03 - Defining GDP per Capita02:54  Canada's Decline in Global Well-Being Rankings04:11 The Happiness Gap: Seniors vs. Gen Z & Millennials04:57 The “Household Wealth Irony: Why High Home Prices Are Deceptive05:34 A Tale of Two Countries: The Generational Wealth Split07:21 The "Floor" Argument: Why Alabama is More Stable for Youth09:47 The Stark Reality: Seniors are 9x Richer Than Their Grandchildren10:47 The Resource Curse: Complacency Without the Riches12:23 Canada's Biggest Problem: The “At Least We're Not American” Mindset15:24 Patriotism Through Criticism: Why We Must Admit There's a ProblemResearch:Sabrina Maddeaux: Canada didn't become poorer than Alabama 'out of nowherehttps://nationalpost.com/opinion/canada-didnt-become-poorer-than-alabama-out-of-nowhereCanada's global performance rankings are in freefallhttps://thehub.ca/2026/02/26/canadas-global-performance-rankings-are-in-freefall/How Canada became poorer than Alabamahttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-out-of-nowhere-canada-became-poorer-than-alabama-how-is-that-possible/World Happiness Report 2025https://www.worldhappiness.report/ed/2025/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.

If Canada isn't in a recession, why does it feel like one for so many Canadians?In this episode of Classonomics from The Missing Middle, hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt dig into one of the biggest contradictions in today's economy. On paper, everything looks great. GDP is growing. Corporate profits are strong. Stock markets are hitting record highs. Yet, for millions of Canadians, life feels harder than ever. Food bank usage has doubled since 2019. Young people can't afford homes in cities where their parents once bought starter houses. And even full-time workers are struggling to make ends meet.Sabrina and Mike break down what's really happening beneath those rosy headlines through the lens of the K-shaped economy, where wealthier Canadians continue to thrive while everyone else falls further behind. The top 20 percent are seeing record financial gains from stocks and investments, while the bottom 40 percent are sinking under housing costs, stagnant wages, and shrinking purchasing power.They explore how this divide is reshaping not only people's bank accounts but also their trust in institutions, politics, and the very idea of upward mobility. When the data says the economy is strong but your grocery bill says otherwise, frustration and hopelessness grow, and faith in the system fades fast.Does Canada's economy feel strong to you, or are you feeling left behind? Join the discussion in the comments.Chapters:00:00 – Intro01:32 – What is a “K-Shaped Economy”? (The Two-Way Split)02:54 – Why Younger Canadians Feel Locked Out of Growth04:10 – The Record-Breaking Income Gap in Canada05:18 – How the Richest Stay Ahead06:48 – The Parental Wealth trap08:24 – Hard Work vs. Inheritance09:56 – Shocking Stats on Food Bank Users11:47 – Why Canadians Feel Gaslit by GDP data15:21 – Restoring the Link Between Work and RewardRESEARCH LINKS:Statistics Canada - Distributions of household economic accounts, third quarter 2025The Hub - Canada's growing wealth gap in 7 chartsFood Banks Canada - HungerCount 2025Statistics Canada - Income and wealth gaps increased in 3rd quarter of 2025TD Economics - The Days Of Our Lives (K-shaped economy analysis)Parliamentary Budget Officer - Estimating the top tail of the family wealth distribution in CanadaHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Greg Brady spoke to Sabrina Maddeaux, political columnist and Director of Strategic Communications at Global Public Affairs about her article: The Tumbler Ridge murders were preventable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The unemployment rate says everything is fine. So why does finding a job feel impossible?Canada has added nearly 200,000 jobs and unemployment sits around 6.5%. On paper, that's a “normal” economy. But talk to young workers, or anyone trying to switch jobs, and you'll hear a very different story: hundreds of applications, zero callbacks, and months of silence.In this episode of Classonomics, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down the hidden story behind the headlines. They explain why low unemployment can mask a frozen job market — one with fewer layoffs, fewer hires, and far fewer opportunities for people trying to get in.If you're a recent grad, stuck in your career, or wondering why the economy feels worse than the data suggests, this episode is for you.Tell us in the comments: How long has your job search taken? Has it been harder than expected?Chapters:00:00 – Why Finding a Job in Canada Feels Impossible Right Now01:57 – Beyond Unemployment: The Hidden Labour Market Indicators05:28 – Why Employers Have the Upper Hand Right Now06:12 – Global Uncertainty, Trade Tensions & Hiring Freezes07:26 – The "Low-Hire, Low-Fire" Equilibrium Explained10:21 – How Over-Regulation Stifles Economic Growth13:06 – The Systemic Impact of Locking Out a Generation14:20 – The Housing Theory of EverythingResearch:Consulting the Magic 8 Ball of Canada's Job MarketThe Job Market Is Frozen:Unemployment is low, but workers aren't quitting and businesses aren't hiring. What's going on?Canada's shifting labour market: Recalibrating ‘breakeven employment'Glassdoor Worklife Trends 2025Employment by industry, monthly, seasonally adjusted and unadjusted, and trend-cycle, last 5 months (x 1,000) 1, 2, 3, 4Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Greg Brady spoke to Sabrina Maddeaux, political columnist and Director of Strategic Communications at Global Public Affairs about her article: The Tumbler Ridge murders were preventable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your 20s: risky bets, crypto hype, and meme stocks.

Canada's housing ladder is broken. In this episode of Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt explain why the starter home no longer works and how an entire generation has been locked out of moving up.They compare buying a detached home in 2004 for $168,000 with today's reality, where condos fail as a first step and buyers are trapped with no clear path forward. The conversation explores how this breakdown affects family formation, careers, ambition, and Canada's economic future.=If homeownership feels impossible, this episode explains why and why it matters.Do you still believe the starter home works, or has the housing ladder completely collapsed where you live?Chapters:00:00 — What “Buying Your First Home” Used to Look Like00:40 — Mike's First House: A Brand-New Detached Home… as a “Starter”01:47 — Why That Dream Is Gone for Today's Buyers02:29 — What “Starter Home” Means Now vs. Then05:23 — “Aging Out” of the Starter Home07:03 — Trapped in a Condo09:58 — The “Second-Time Buyer Problem” Explained11:09 — Housing, Birth Rates, and Canada's Demographic Crisis13:37 — Careers Limited by Real Estate, Not Talent18:45 — Why Politicians Are Getting This WrongResearch links:Teranet Market Insights Q1 2025National Bank Housing Affordability MonitorCMHC Housing Market Outlook 2025CMHC Housing Supply Report 2025Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market ForecastStatistics Canada - Homeownership and Mortgage Debt of Tax FilersCIBC Economics - Housing Affordability ReportsHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux dig into why homeownership for Canadians under 40 has fallen off a cliff. Spoiler: it's not just zoning, NIMBYs, or avocado toast. The federal government plays a much bigger role in today's housing mess than it likes to admit.They break down how rapid population growth collided with a massive slowdown in building family-sized homes, why “dog-crate condos” became the default housing plan, and how taxes, development charges, and investors quietly push prices even higher. They also ask the uncomfortable question: do first-time buyer programs actually help young people — or just lock in high prices?From down payments that feel impossible, to policies that accidentally reward investors over families, this episode gets into what's broken, who benefits, and what Ottawa could actually do if it wanted to bring the dream of homeownership back to life.If you've ever wondered how Canada managed to make buying a home feel impossible — this one's for you.00:00 – Intro: Is the dream of homeownership dead?01:08 – The Federal Role: Debunking the "Provincial Responsibility" trope01:58 – How Federal immigration and monetary policy impact housing04:12 – A Blueprint to Restore Homeownership: The 4 big hurdles06:30 – Not All Units are Equal10:22 – How Population Growth Affects Supply and Demand12:06 – Time to Reduce Taxes on Homes14:05 – Making It Easier for First-Time Buyers16:14 – Will these Policies just Drive Prices Up?17:59 – The "Second-Time Buyer" crisis and downsizing seniors21:09 – Incentivizing Seniors to Downsize22:00 - Getting investors out of single-family homes: The MURB planResearch/LinksA Blueprint to Restore Homeownership for Young Canadianshttps://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/a-blueprint-to-restore-homeownershipThe Quiet Death of the Investor Condo? MURBs May Change the Gamehttps://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/the-quiet-death-of-the-investor-condoHow to get single family homes out of the hands of investorshttps://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/this-is-how-the-government-can-get-single-family-homes-out-of-the-hands-of/article_0f92b0f4-e67e-4a84-aa62-2c9316492363.htmlHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

From breath mints and car break-ins to bouncers at the Rogers store, urban life is starting to feel a lot more “on alert.” In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux examine the rise of crime and disorder in our cities, as well as the disturbing data behind transit violence. However, this isn't just about safety; it's about the future of our neighbourhoods. If people don't feel safe on the streetcar or the sidewalk, can we ever truly build the dense, walkable, “missing middle” communities Canada so desperately needs?This surge in disorder acts as a "hidden tax" on urban living, forcing residents to choose between the convenience of the city and the perceived security of the suburbs. By analyzing these shifts, we uncover how a lack of safety might be the biggest hurdle yet to solving our housing goals.Chapters:00:00 Introduction: Crime, Disorder, and the Future of Cities00:50 Car Break-ins and Security Measures04:23 Personal Experiences on the Streetcar05:02 By the Numbers: Rising Assaults on Canadian Transit07:07 Why Density Requires Public Trust09:00 Why Spouting Stats Doesn't Change Minds13:58 The Political Disconnect on Urban Safety16:49 Finding Solutions: Justice Reform and Mental Health18:10 Why "visible progress" matters more than spreadsheetsResearch links:Transit violence rising across Canada — in some cities by nearly 300%Chris Arnande tweetThe Slow-Motion Exodus: How GTA Outmigration Became Ontario's Defining TrendThe Politics of Safety: Why Bail Reform Is Striking a Chord with CanadiansSabrina Maddeaux: Canada's suburban crime surge is exposing years of national security neglectIt's Time to Talk About America's Disorder ProblemRelated reading/listening:OFF THE RAILS: Data exposes crime, mental illness at TTC's track levelMore than 70 per cent of Ontarians feel less safe on transit than a year ago, survey suggestsHomelessness, Social Disorder and Public Transit in Calgary, Canada: Examining perspectives from law enforcement through the lens of critical social theoryHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Ontario's Greenbelt is often treated as untouchable — but is it actually making the housing crisis worse?In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux tackle the question viewers keep asking: can Ontario build enough family-friendly homes without touching the Greenbelt — and what happens if it doesn't? They unpack how the Greenbelt was sold as a social contract, why governments never delivered the missing middle housing they promised, and how policies meant to stop sprawl may have actually pushed families farther away.The conversation breaks down four realistic paths forward: doing nothing, finally legalizing family-sized infill housing, cutting immigration to ease demand, or partially opening the Greenbelt — and why every option is politically fraught. Along the way, they explain leapfrog sprawl, why condos aren't working for families, and how decades of policy avoidance have left young Canadians priced out and disillusioned.If you care about housing affordability, family-friendly neighborhoods, or the future of Ontario's cities, this episode lays out the uncomfortable trade-offs politicians keep avoiding.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction00:47 – The Most Common Audience Question01:50 – Is the Greenbelt Politically Untouchable Now?05:23 – The Greenbelt's Broken Social Contract10:05 – What Families Actually Need in a Home11:35 – How the Greenbelt Makes Sprawl Worse14:00 – Has Anyone Studied Greenbelt Sprawl?15:00 – Four Options for Housing vs the Greenbelt15:53 - Option 1: Do Nothing18:31 – Option 2: Fix Housing Without Expansion23:48 – Option 3: Cutting Immigration27:15 – Option 4: Opening the Greenbelt29:55 – What's Most Likely to Happen Next?Research/links:Mike's tweethttps://x.com/MikePMoffatt/status/1991593178085142851?s=20London's Garden Belt:https://x.com/JenMTreadwell/status/2001256081188905271?s=20The Welfare Effects of Greenbelt Policy: Evidence from Englandhttps://academic.oup.com/ej/article/134/657/363/7276598Green Belts: Past; present; future?https://www.routledge.com/Green-Belts-Past-present-future/Sturzaker-Mell/p/book/9781138339392Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Is Canada's life sciences and health tech sector heading toward a code red? In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt unpack how outdated and fragmented privacy laws are slowing innovation, and why aligning too closely with European regulations could make things even worse. They explore the “Brussels effect,” where the EU's regulatory power shapes rules far beyond Europe, and how Canada may already be feeling its impact.The conversation dives into why modern health innovation depends on large-scale data, how Canada's patchwork of federal and provincial rules creates costly barriers, and what lessons we could learn from countries like Japan and Singapore instead.Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:44 The Brussels Effect explained03:17 Outdated health-data and privacy rules04:13 Accessing lifescience data06:00 Safety vs innovation07:40 Europe lacks tech innovation08:55 We're already adopting EU rules09:28 Asia leads the way in healthtech data regulationResearch:Health Innovation Doesn't Have to Be This Hardhttps://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/health-innovation-doesnt-have-to?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=webThe Draghi report on EU competitivenesshttps://commission.europa.eu/topics/competitiveness/draghi-report_enHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

In this episode of the Missing Middle Podcast, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down a major shift in Canada's income trends: men over retirement age are now earning more than men aged 25–34. They explain how seniors' incomes have increased through pensions, investments, and government supports, while younger workers face slow wage growth, higher living costs, and inflation.The discussion explores key issues affecting younger generations in Canada, including housing affordability, childcare costs, wage stagnation, and intergenerational inequality. Sabrina and Mike talk about why young men are struggling in today's economy, what this means for Canada's workforce, and how policy changes could help.Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:42 New report shows young men earn less than senior men02:00 Senior men incomes have doubled since 1970s02:24 Young men's incomes are down since the 1970s03:21 Where is the extra senior income coming from?05:53 The role of government transfers and entitlements07:30 Breaking down younger men's incomes09:44 Housing have increased far faster than inflation since 197711:11 Why have wages gone down for young men?13:31 social taboos around talking about young men17:09 Concluding thoughtsResearch Links:What Happened to the Young Middle-Class Man?https://substack.com/home/post/p-181132084?source=queueHow Do Young Men See the World? We Asked Them.https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a63613007/young-men-america-2025/Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Canada is moving toward regulating dollar-backed stablecoins, and in this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down what that means. They explain how stablecoins work, why Canada has been behind other G7 countries, and the potential benefits for payments and innovation.Mike and Sabrina also discuss the balance between protecting Canadians and encouraging competition, and why clear rules could help Canadian fintechs thrive. A small step with big implications for the future of digital payments in Canada.Chapters: 00:00 Introduction00:49 Federal budget: Stablecoin announcement 02:44 What is a stablecoin?04:40 Advantages of stablecoins over traditional payment methods07:08 Canada's missing stablecoin regulatory framework10:11 Canada should set its own stablecoin rules11:42 Was skepticism about stablecoin regulation warranted?12:47 Promoting healthy competition, innovation, and productivity13:34 ConclusionResearch/links:Regulatory Delays, Dollar-Backed Stablecoins, and Affordability for Canadianshttps://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/dollar-backed-stablecoins-and-affordabilityFederal budget 2025: Plan for stablecoin rules to usher in Canada's ‘digital dollar era,' advocates sayhttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-federal-budget-2025-stablecoin-legislation/Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

This week on The Missing Middle Podcast, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux bust some myths and take a hard look at Canada's place in the global housing landscape. Drawing on new OECD data, they reveal why Canada's housing affordability crisis is among the worst in the developed world—with home prices having risen more than twice as fast as incomes since 1999. They compare Canada's record to other OECD countries (spoiler: it's not flattering) and highlight where affordability has been successfully maintained (hint: not here). Sabrina offers a theory on why both Canada and Australia are failing so badly at keeping homes affordable, and together, she and Mike make the case for dropping the excuse that this is just a “global trend.”Chapters:00:00 Introduction 01:30 Game:React to the Boomer Comment02:40 Young people don't want responsibility?03:59 Global trend or Canadian crisis?05:12 Missing Middle study on the global housing landscape07:35 Home prices vs incomes09:33 It's worse in Canada, it's us, we're the problem12:30 Which countries are better at affordability?15:00  Possible reasons Canada and Australia are struggling with affordability?Housing report card:https://jhelmer.quarto.pub/rescon-state-of-the-sector-quarterly-reports/12-report-card-brantford.htmlDerek Thompson Sunstack  - Chart 10https://www.derekthompson.org/p/the-25-most-interesting-ideas-ive?utm_source=www.profgmarkets.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=nvidia-to-invest-5-billion-in-intelCanada vs. the World: The Worst Record on Housing Affordability Since 2004https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/canada-vs-the-world-the-worst-recordOECD Affordable Housing Database:https://www.oecd.org/en/data/datasets/oecd-affordable-housing-database.htmlHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Rents are finally dropping in many Canadian cities, yet finding an affordable, decent apartment still feels impossible. What's going on with the rental market?In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux sits down with Max Steinman, CEO of RentSync and Rentals.ca, to unpack what's driving the recent rent declines, how rent control policies backfired, and why “financialization” isn't the villain it's made out to be.We dive into how younger Canadians are coping with record-high housing costs, what renters should know about purpose-built rentals vs. condos, and how government policies might actually be making things worse.Tell us your rental horror stories or questions at missingmiddlepodcast@gmail.comCheck out current rent data at Rentals.caSubscribe for more honest conversations about the housing crisis, policy failures, and creative solutions for the Missing Middle of Canada's cities.Chapters00:00 Intro: Why Economists Hate Rent Control00:15 Why rents are falling even as it feels harder than ever to find a place01:00 The “perfect storm” behind today's rental slowdown03:45 How low churn rates and stagnant mobility worsen the crunch05:10 Why Canada's rental experience feels broken07:00 How rent control backfired (and why landlords aren't upgrading units)09:45 Purpose-built rentals vs. condos: What renters need to know13:00 Why vacancy control sounds good but hurts renters long-term16:00 The myth of “financialization” in housing19:00 Why REITs get so much hate, and what people get wrong21:40 How Rentals.ca and RentSync are trying to modernize the rental experience23:10 Closing thoughts and where to find Canada's latest rent dataLinks/Research:The Missing Middle: REITs, Rent & Rage: Canada's Housing Tug-of-War https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7_vF7vodwsRentals.ca National Rent Report – The data behind Canada's rent trends, published monthly by Max's team.https://www.rentals.ca/national-rent-reportCan Homes Become Affordable Without Prices Going Down? – Missing Middle Initiative (April 2025) https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/can-homes-become-affordable-againSolving the Housing Supply Crunch: A 10-Step Plan for Federal Action – Missing Middle Initiative (August 2025) https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/solving-the-housing-supply-crunchFrom 40 to 100 Million: How Will Immigration Impact Canadian Housing? – Missing Middle Initiative https://substack.com/home/post/p-165627719Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Ontario's family housing crisis is spreading fast, and it's not just a GTA problem anymore. In this episode of The Missing Middle podcast, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt delve into a new report that reveals how the shortage of family-friendly homes in the GTA is driving young families east and south, reshaping entire regions from Peterborough to Ottawa. Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:55 Understanding ground-oriented ownership homes04:00 The ripple effect of GTA's housing shortage06:40 Population growth and its impact on housing09:00 Drive-until-you-qualify: migration patterns13:29 Future projections for housing needs16:08 How eastern Ontario should prepare for population growth18:30 You can't expect families to change their preferences19:58 Would Sabrina ever move east?Research/links:Read our report herehttps://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/families-on-the-move-670000-moreWho Really Wins with Return-to-Office Mandates?https://youtu.be/208zVYQWfh4?si=Gg3hdhPRr_iJItjYHosts: Sabrina Maddeaux https://x.com/SabrinaMaddeaux Mike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt https://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.socialProducer: Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin @meredithmartin.bsky.socialEditor: Sean Foreman@seanegertonforeman@seanforeman.bsky.socialCoop Student: Djeima Alicia RamosThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/Brought to you by the Missing Middle Initiative https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux dig into the rise of shrinkflation, from grocery store products like cereal and Kraft Dinner to Canada's shrinking condos, and reveal how companies, developers, and government policies are quietly giving Canadians less for more. From deceptive packaging and behavioral economics tricks to the rise of shoebox condos and poor layouts, we explore how rising costs, investor-driven development, and flawed housing policies are reshaping everyday life. If you've ever wondered why your groceries don't stretch as far or why today's apartments feel more like closets than homes, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:08 Understanding shrinkflation02:54 Sabrina's a KD fangirl - who knew?05:12 The economics behind shrinkflation07:22 Price anchoring explained08:25 The shrinking size of living spaces11:52 Why are units getting so much smaller?15:39 What's driving bad design?18:02 Generational perspectives on housing preferences19:22 Constrained optimization explained21:26 Is the investor condo market dead?23:30 Policy changes to combat shrinkflationresearch/links:Working paper Mike refers to: Shrinkflation∗https://drive.google.com/file/d/15tpbhBziggFL-RvjlVgjqBQcNXzcIrWh/viewCondo size datahttps://www.mpac.ca/en/News/PressRelease/spacioushomescompactcondosMPACdatarevealsshiftinghousingtrendsacrossOntario The condo crash won't fix our housing problem. In fact, it just might make it worsehttps://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/the-condo-crash-wont-fix-our-housing-problem-in-fact-it-just-might-make-it/article_7c44519f-cdbe-4978-b575-ffc1ef9a76bd.htmlHosts: Sabrina Maddeaux https://x.com/SabrinaMaddeaux Mike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt https://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.socialProducer: Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin @meredithmartin.bsky.socialEditor: Sean Foreman@seanegertonforeman@seanforeman.bsky.socialCoop Student: Djeima Alicia RamosThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/Brought to you by the Missing Middle Initiative https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Ontario's housing market is in crisis, and it's not just condos in downtown Toronto. In this episode of The Missing Middle Podcast, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux break down a bleak new report on housing starts and sales across 34 municipalities. From plummeting pre-construction sales and stalled ground-oriented homes, to the looming loss of 21,000 jobs, we explore why affordability is worse than ever, why government housing targets are falling short, and what it all means for buyers, renters, and the economy.Chapters00:00 Introduction and overview of the housing crisis 01:59 Insights from the residential construction report card03:19 Falling housing starts and rising unemployment04:10 Understanding housing starts and sales dynamics06:01 What is a housing start?08:00 1.5 million homes by 2032 is unachievable 09:19 Any good news?10:02  Political accountability and the housing crisisResearch/Links:Failing Grades, Falling Starts: Ontario Housing's Bleak Mid-Year CheckupCondo Crashes, Shrinkflation, & The Death of Homeownership?Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down Ontario's new return-to-office mandate and the big banks' similar policies, asking what they really mean for younger workers and families already facing high housing costs, long commutes, and stagnant wages. They explore the trade-offs between productivity, commuting, and control, while producer Meredith Martin joins to share her perspective as a former union leader on mentorship, collaboration, and what might be lost if remote work fully takes over.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:15 Return to office mandates: An overview04:22 What Premier Ford's RTO mandate is trying to achieve05:15 Impact on younger workers and families06:55 Disconnect between RTO mandates and ESG targets09:26 Meredith thinks humans should see each other IRL12:43 The role of mentorship and social interaction at work15:20 Debating how much office culture has changedresearch/links:Productivity During and Since the PandemicThe Post-Pandemic Workplace: The Experiment ContinuesNumber of Canadian commuters increases for fourth straight year in 2025Romance in the work place:Esther Perel on How Technology Is Changing Love and Work | Prof G ConversationsNew SHRM Survey: Workplace Romance 2023Mixing work with pleasure: Two-thirds of Brits have been romantically involved with a colleagueReturn to the Office:Amazon Tells Corporate Workers to Be Back in the Office 5 Days a WeekExecutives and Research Disagree About Hybrid Work. Why?Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt dig into Canada's condo market crash, the rise of “housing shrinkflation,” and what it all means for young Canadians chasing the dream of homeownership. They unpack why falling condo prices aren't actually fixing the housing crisis, how developers and government policies have fueled the problem, and why middle-class buyers are being left behind. If you've been wondering whether Canada is headed for a nation of “forever renters,” this is a conversation you don't want to miss.Chapters00:00 Introduction02:02 The condo market collapse: an overview04:03  The impact of shrinkflation on housing04:54 Ron Butler pop up07:48 Government policies and middle-class homeownership11:56 The future of homeownership in canadaResearch/linksSabrina's Toronto Star column https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/the-condo-crash-wont-fix-our-housing-problem-in-fact-it-just-might-make-it/article_7c44519f-cdbe-4978-b575-ffc1ef9a76bd.htmlNew Condo Sales in GTA Hit 3rd-Highest Level on Record in 2019: Reporthttps://storeys.com/new-condo-sales-gta-2019/Homeownership rate for City of Toronto:https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/fogs-spg/alternative.cfm?topic=7&lang=E&dguid=2021A00033520&objectId=7 Toronto condo market is in ‘free fall,' federal housing minister sayshttps://www.thestar.com/real-estate/toronto-condo-market-is-in-free-fall-federal-housing-minister-says/article_66c26722-1f22-4b28-bf95-3e98f2e02159.htmlRon Butler: Condo Crash Meets Housing Crisishttps://youtu.be/9xD5veEsB3U?si=-9A-N2jecO8u63N8Hosts: Sabrina Maddeaux https://x.com/SabrinaMaddeaux Mike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt https://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.socialProducer: Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin @meredithmartin.bsky.socialEditor: Sean Foreman@seanegertonforeman@seanforeman.bsky.socialThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/Brought to you by the Missing Middle Initiative https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Guests: Sabrina Maddeaux, Director of Communications at Global Public Affairs & Columnist, and Ariella Kimmel, Executive Director of ABC Toronto and President of Winston Wilmot Strategies Alex is joined by Sabrina Maddeaux and Ariella Kimmel to unpack three major stories making headlines: "Comply with the Thugs?" York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween faces backlash after telling the public to comply during home invasions—days after a father was killed in front of his kids. Is this leadership, or surrender? Poilievre vs. Temporary Foreign Workers: Pierre Poilievre calls for an end to the TFW program, but critics accuse him of dog-whistle politics. Is this bold policy or political pandering? Doug Ford's Crown Royal Stunt: The Premier pours out whiskey in protest of job losses—but the plant isn't closing yet, and production continues elsewhere. Is this effective messaging or a political misfire? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder what people at think tanks actually do all day? In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt pull back the curtain on the mysterious world of think tanks. From how they're structured and funded, to the challenges of staying independent, they explore what really goes on behind the scenes. You'll also hear about career opportunities for young professionals, why U.S. think tanks dwarf their Canadian counterparts, and how think tanks influence policies that affect our everyday lives—from housing to poverty reduction. If you've ever been curious about the brains behind public policy, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 Introduction03:00 Understanding think tanks04:38 The structure and function of academic think tanks07:53 Funding models: how think tanks sustain themselves09:34 Misconceptions about think tank funding11:58 Maintaining independence: challenges and strategies16:13 Career opportunities in think tanks18:09 Comparing Canadian and American think tanksHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Canadian cities are facing a creative crisis. Rising housing costs are driving artists, musicians, designers, and other innovators out — and it's not just culture that's at risk. In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down how losing the “creative class” hurts local economies, tourism, and even a city's ability to attract tech and finance talent. From the ripple effects on nightlife and small businesses to the loss of vital cultural spaces, we explore why cities can't afford to price out their creative heartbeat — and what policies could help keep them.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:13 Defining the creative class exodus02:57 How housing costs impacts creative workers05:54 The economic consequences of pricing out creatives08:45 The ripple effect of losing creative spaces to the housing crisis11:16 You can't simply trade artists for tech workers 12:50 How this impacts the tourism economy14:50 Policy solutions for retaining creativesResearch/Links:Richard FloridaToronto Arts Council economic impact studyCBC Arts article on artist couples leaving TorontoRichard Florida's work on creative cities and economic developmentBusiness Parks Suck (but they don't have to)Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Are young Canadians being taxed like millionaires while living like broke students? Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt dive into the jaw-dropping disconnect between salaries, taxes, and the insane cost of housing. From bold tax reform ideas to creative fixes for rent, down payments, and wealth inequality, they tackle the policies (and politics) holding the next generation back. Expect sharp insights, a few laughs, and fresh solutions that could actually make life affordable again.Chapters00:00 The Tax Burden on Young Canadians11:24 Proposed Tax Reforms and Their Implications23:17 Wealth Inequality and Asset Inflation34:55 Finding Solutions for Young CanadiansResearch/Links:To fix housing, we must rethink what wealth means in CanadaCIBC chief calls for tax changes to help young Canadians struggling to save moneyCanada housing affordability and market trendsWealthsimpleHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best commentaries and analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go.   1:32 - Young Canadians deserve far better than they're getting, by Sabrina Maddeaux   7:02 - Drop the gloves: The fight is on in Alberta, by Falice Chin   This program is narrated by automated voices. To receive the full-length edition of this commentary and of Hub Headlines, subscribe now and become a Hub Hero to get access to all of The Hub's paid podcasts and our website www.thehub.ca.   The Hub's podcast channel is sponsored this month by Airbnb. To learn more about how Airbnb is helping, not hurting Canada's economy, visit Airbnb.ca/closerlook.   Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content: https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple) https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify) Watch The Hub on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanada Get a FREE 3-month trial membership for our premium podcast content: https://thehub.ca/free-trial/ The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=en     CREDITS: Alisha Rao  – Producer & Sound Editor   To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, email support@thehub.ca

What do cheesy Jean-Claude Van Damme movies and Canada's rental housing crisis have in common? Apparently, more than you'd think! In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt hop in their imaginary time machine to explore how a long-forgotten 1970s tax trick—MURBs—might make a comeback to boost rental housing today. Will this retro loophole help fix our sky-high rents, or just mess with the condo market even more? Grab your popcorn and find out how investors, multiplexes, and a bit of tax magic could change the housing game all over again.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:51 Investing in housing: a time travel scenario03:46 Why building apartments wasn't a great investment 04:47 History of creating rental stock06:07 Understanding the MERB08:32 MURB tax deferrals 10:24 How MURB impacts condo construction11:53 MURB now vs 1970s13:19 The historical context of MERB and its implicationsResearch/links:Time Cop trailerThe Quiet Death of the Investor Condo? MURBs May Change the Game     Hosts: Sabrina Maddeaux https://x.com/SabrinaMaddeaux Mike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt https://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.socialProducer: Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin @meredithmartin.bsky.socialEditor: Sean Foreman@seanegertonforeman@seanforeman.bsky.socialThis podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/Brought to you by the Missing Middle Initiative https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

​​In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux unpack the controversy around REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) and their role in Canada's housing crisis. Are REITs really blocking affordable housing, or is the real issue deeper than greedy landlords? Mike and Sabrina break down how REITs work, why they've become political scapegoats, and what actually needs to change to build more truly affordable homes. If you've ever wondered who should be our landlords — mom-and-pops, corporations, or governments — this is the conversation you need to hear.Subscribe for weekly deep dives on housing, urban planning, and Canada's affordability crisis.Drop your thoughts below: Who do YOU think should be Canada's landlords?Chapters00:00 Introduction01:55 Who should our landlords be?03:44 Real Estate Investment Trusts 04:45 Mutual fund trust05:45 Canada has an undeveloped REIT system06:53 REIT push back on affordable housing09:12 Who is to blame for affordable housing not getting built?10:30 All of the other things that make it expensive to build12:09 Should the government build more affordable housing?12:37 Someone has to pay so who should it be? 16:11 What do we mean by affordable units?Research/links:Ford government scrapped Toronto affordable housing requirements after pushback from three REITs, documents showReddit threadEveryone Wants Rentals, but No One Wants LandlordsREIT dataHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

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 future. They also dive into what this means for unions, the economy, and why real public service reform must include young voices. If you care about youth employment and the future of Canada's workforce, you don't want to miss this!Chapters00:00 Introduction01:00 Federal public service job cuts explained02:54 Our Video03:46 The cohort effect and some historical context05:12 The lack of young public sector workers in shaping policy07:15 Mike's experience in the federal public service09:26 The talent vacuum10:30 The effects of graduating in a recession12:26 Ripple effects in the broader economy13:45 Graduating in a recession can impact your health16:30 Job hoarding and the role of unions20:24 Future perspectivesResearch/links:Federal public service job cuts fall heavily on young workersSabrina Maddeaux: Striking union should ditch anti-millennial contract demandHow Colleges Broke Canadian ImmigrationThe Short- and Long-Term Career Effects of Graduating in a RecessionLife-Cycle Impacts of Graduating in a RecessionHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

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 could revive housing starts without sacrificing affordability, and debate whether foreign buyers and international students should play a role in the market recovery. Don't miss this deep dive into the numbers and policy ideas that could reshape Canada's housing future.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:39 Understanding the GTA housing market crash02:28 Video Link - Where Did All the Jobs Go?03:01 Governments could lose $6.6 Billion06:20 Bad housing starts numbers explained08:42 Contraction in the construction industry means 41000 jobs lost10:40 How cutting the GST on new homes makes sense14:00 We need high home construction and affordability15:09 Foreign Investment and housing supply16:40 Conclusion and future considerationsResearch:Toronto's Housing Collapse Will Cost Governments $6.6 Billion a YearWhere DID All the Jobs Go? The Mystery of Rising UnemploymentAltus group reports: https://www.bildgta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/6.18.25-Job-Risk-Housing-Pipeline-GTA-Altus-Group.pdfhttps://www.bildgta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Altus-Data-Solutions-media-backgrounder_May-2025.pdfToronto New Home Sales Fall To Record Low, Just 42 Condos Sold In The CityThe Next Shoe to DropHow Vaughan is Cutting Housing Costs | The AgendaHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

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 explore why zoning laws are so confusing, how the lack of machine-readable data cripples good policy, and what Canada can learn from international best practices. If we can map census data, why not zoning? From obscure codes to wedding vows about development charges (really!) this is a conversation about why better data might just be the key to better housing.Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:00 Canada needs a housing crisis map01:29 Alex shares his wedding vows02:48 Previous Alex B episode02:53 Mike's philosophy of experimentation and failure04:05 Understanding zoning: definitions and complexities07:01 The need for centralized zoning data09:19 The massive gap in urban planning data10:30 Envisioning a Canadian zoning atlas12:16 Canada should emulate the US and Australia13:49 Future planning tools for CanadaResearch/links:Canada's Housing Crisis Needs a MapGuest:  Alex Beheshti https://twitter.com/beheshtialexHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

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 out the red tape, NIMBY politics, and why it might be time for provinces to take the wheel. If you're wondering why the housing crisis isn't getting better, this one's for you. (Full disclosure: This episode was recorded on Friday June 18th, before the Toronto city council watered down sixplex legalization, but the conversation remains entirely relevant.)Chapters00:00 Introduction01:51 Push-back to multi-unit buildings03:46 Bedroom limits06:07 Ron Butler episode06:34 The rooming-house factor08:14 Height restrictions and Ottawa story10:40 Restrictions make good architecture difficult12:13 Infil is always harder so restrictions make that even worse14:02 Solutionsresearch/links:Edmonton Zoning Bylaw RenewalCity staff recommend permitting sixplexes in residential areasCity staff recommend allowing sixplexes across all Toronto neighbourhoodsReddit discussion on the above

Smoking in elevators, movie theatres, or airplanes. Goaltenders playing hockey in the NHL without a mask. Burning tons of coal to generate electricity. Today, we look back at these practices and wonder, how did we ever allow that to happen? Because today, of course, we know better. But what about the future? What do we do today that future generations will shake their heads at? And how do we chart a different path to ensure we make better decisions going forward? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 policy could be shaped to benefit everyone. Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:52 A new home in the GTHA for under $450k - impossible02:23 Understanding GST rebates, their history and impact04:17 Why are the rebates so small?06:56 Bill c-4's first-time-homebuyer rebate08:09 What the proposed GST rebate misses - seniors downsizing10:45 Proposed changes to GST rebates13:00 Will governments make these proposed changes?14:30 Sabrina's take15:37 Concerns about inflation and housing demandResearch/Links:Is Ontario Ready to Spend $895M to Jumpstart Homebuilding?The PBOs Math Is Clear: We Need an Expanded GST Housing RebateHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

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 disconnect between political messaging and the lived experiences of young Canadians, and the potential political time bomb ticking as a result of  these housing frustrations. Chapters00:00 Introduction  01:01 The missing middle-class housing strategy 02:11 Housing as a human right can't be the only strategy03:00 There is no vision for middle-class housing04:15 Some politicians have a vision but not the Liberals05:19 The Big Lebowski reference06:31 NDP's struggles with housing communication09:20 The unconscious bias towards social housing11:43 A misunderstanding of what middle class means15:12 Where are the policies that target market housing?16:20 Mike outlines 3 buckets of housing18:57 The rightward shift of young people21:15 The future of home ownership for young Canadians23:20 Saving for retirement without a home26:25 Cost of delivery crisis27:09 Policy solutionsResearch:The Homeownership Journey Is Broken. Policymakers Need to Repair It.Big Lebowski - NihilistsWhy is the NDP doing so badly, even with progressives? Just take a look at their awful housing Housing affordability for Millennials and Gen ZHow Taxes, and Taxes-on-Taxes Add Over $250K to a Vancouver CondoHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

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 Initiative for population growth. They explore how these factors intertwine with the housing crisis and the overall economic landscape, emphasizing the need for coherent immigration policies that align with infrastructure and social cohesion.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:52 Bank of Canada report on wages and immigration02:49 The mix of newcomers is different05:33 New immigrants earn less and country of origin impacts wages07:21 This is only becoming more pronounced09:11 The wage gap is shrinking for Permanent Residence 10:08 But it's a good news, bad news story11:00 The role of wage suppression13:56 How does this impact social cohesion  15:25 The Century Initiative and population growth goalsResearch:The Shift in Canadian Immigration Composition and its Effect on WagesCanada's population needs to be 100 million by 2100Canada on track for 100 million population but public support can't be taken for granted: Century Initiative CEOThe 'Century Initiative' is the talk of the campaign, but what is it?You Can't Grow a Country Just On Temporary ImmigrationHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best commentaries and analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go.    0:19 - The U.K. Labour Party is finally doing something on immigration. Why can't Canada?, by Sabrina Maddeaux   6:24 - We can't just sell each other condos forever: Why real estate's growing share of the economy should worry us, by Alicia Planincic   This program is narrated by automated voices.        Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content:   https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple)   https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify)   Watch The Hub on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanada   Get a FREE 3-month trial membership for our premium podcast content: https://thehub.ca/free-trial/   The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=en       CREDITS:   Alisha Rao  – Producer & Editor   Ashiqul – Sound Editor   To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, email support@thehub.ca  

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 values decline, while also addressing the broader implications of poor development choices and the lack of low-rise housing options. The conversation explores the role of government in addressing these issues and the potential for positive change in the housing market.Chapters00:00 Introduction Ron Butler01:06 Outlining the Toronto condo market crisis04:07 How much of this story is a Toronto and Vancouver story?05:22 Never go cash-flow negative?07:01 How do we have a glut of condos during a housing shortage?09:51 How condo developers contributed to the crash12:13 Who is Most Affected by the Crisis?14:00 Financing challenges and future outlook15:33 The perfect storm - purpose-built rentals17:18 Government subsidized rentals18:13 The greenbelt and Downview Airport land19:39 Is this the Toronto bubble burst? Is it The One?20:23 Low-rise homes in Toronto - a brief history of artificial scarcity 23:05 What about family sized condos?25:08 What's the best non-terrible case scenario here?27:32 The role of government in housing solutions29:08 It wouldn't be an MM podcast without Mike talking about development charges30:25 Sabrina wants the government to get out of the wayResearch and links:The Angry Mortgage podcastHow low will rents go?416 Condo CrashChart Storm: Five graphs on Toronto's historic condo market collapseGuest: Ron Butler, https://x.com/ronmortgageguyhttps://www.butlermortgage.ca/Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

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 faced in North America, including regulatory barriers and municipal approvals.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Factory Built Homes (FBH)01:34 Innovation in homebuilding03:25 Understanding the spectrum of factory built homes05:22  Claims of speed, cost, and emissions07:45 Current challenges in North America09:33 Where do the reductions in emissions come from?10:18 Perceptions of FBH among younger generations13:30 Regulatory barriers to adoption15:41 Municipal approvals and their impact17:40 Where would the election promise money go?19:19 The potential benefits for traditional builders20:12 Optimism for the future of FBHResearch/Links:Scott AitchisonBuilding More, Building FasterCaivanWhy is it So Hard to Mass-Produce Housing?Eight Pieces of Housing Advice to the Prime MinisterHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

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 solutions to address the housing crisis.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:06 Gregor Robertson's rough start as Minister of Housing03:51 Increased government housing would impact home prices05:06 Understanding the Impossible Trinity that broke housing07:37 Examples of cities doing two of three10:03 Not allowed to grow up or out equals spiking prices11:21 The illusion of legalized fourplexes14:15 Ottawa's zoning reform and stupid two-story height limit17:33 Toronto's wealthiest areas are the least dense18:20 Proposed solutions for housing affordabilityResearch links:The Impossible Trinity that Broke Canadian HousingCan Homes Become Affordable Without Prices Going Down?Toronto Star fourplex pieceHow Community Consultation is Ruining DemocracyHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

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. The discussion also touches on the challenges of prefabricated housing, the need for innovation and some free advice for the new prime minister of Canada.Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:14 Understanding the B.C. housing situation and housing taxes04:12 Getting lucky with single egress video05:41 The impact of building codes on housing08:49 Creating engaging YouTube content12:55 The reality of YouTube monetization14:34 How long it takes to make an About Here video15:41 Are you hopeful about housing?17:44 Political discourse on housing 18:15 Caution around factory built homes as a panacea  21:30 Uytae's favourite form of housing23:35 Good governance could mean good housing policy25:17 Immigration, housing and the backlash 27:24 Start with what you want to create and work backwardsResearch/LinksUytae Lee's YouTube page:The Housing Tax CrisisWhy North America Can't Build Nice Apartments (because of one rule)How Breaking Rules Could Create Better ApartmentsWhy is it So Hard to Mass-Produce Housing?How a SoftBank-Backed Construction Startup Burned Through $3 BillionHow Elevator Rules Cost Us Homes: An Interview with Market UrbanismEight Pieces of Housing Advice to the Prime MinisterHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

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 delves into the regulatory barriers and economic conditions that have contributed to the housing crisis, emphasizing the need for policy changes to address the missing middle in housing options. The episode highlights the challenges faced by young families in navigating the current housing market and the importance of providing both rental and ownership opportunities.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:51 The baby bust and housing trends03:08 Why aren't more 3-bedrooms being built?05:3 Home ownership is falling in parts of Ontario08:28 The Missing Middle's North Star09:00 Renting or owning, it should be a choice12:30 Housing and fertility18:14 Should the government step in?19:35 Mike reminisces about Lawn Darts21:00 Urban growth boundaries have consequencesResearch/LinksPoilievre catches heat from opponents for talk of 'biological clocks'The Baby Bust and the Death of the Three-Bedroom Ownership HomeHard evidence on the link between housing and fertility.https://x.com/mikalskuterud/status/1907114728108773444https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5046571Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

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 commonalities and differences in party platforms, the impact of municipal incentives and rent control, and critiques of the math behind the promises. They also explore the sociological implications of housing policies and the relationship between immigration and housing supply.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:29 Examining the housing start pledges03:53 Housing platform commonalities04:39 Municipal incentives06:55 NDP's rent control promise examined10:47 Eliminating the GST on New Housing13:27 Math is hard for both Liberals and Conservatives and the PBO20:33 Not particularly bold housing ideas24:14 Immigration targets and housingLinks:Liberal PlatformConservative PlatformNDP PlatformHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Election day is coming!Who else would we have on to remind everyone that we can strive for a better Canada in our future than Sabrina Maddeaux!https://canadastrongandfree.network/speakers/sabrina-maddeaux/SABRINAS IG:https://www.instagram.com/sabrinamaddeaux/?hl=enX: https://x.com/sabrinamaddeaux?lang=enLATEST STORIES: https://nationalpost.com/author/sabrinamaddeaux/CONNECT WITH SHANTELLE:INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shantellebisson/NEWSLETTER: https://shantellebisson.com/pages/book-shantelleBUNDLES: https://shantellebisson.com/collectionsWEBSITE: https://shantellebisson.com/