The Missing Middle Podcast
Welcome to the Missing Middle, a podcast about why the middle class in Canada is disappearing. We hope to help you understand why life is becoming unaffordable for so many in this country, and what can be done to reverse course.
Episodes
200 episodes
Why Are Young People Paying for Wealthy Seniors?
Canada’s growing debt isn’t just a problem for governments; it could shape the future for younger generations.Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt explore how government debt, Old Age Security (OAS), and spending choices shift wealth betwee...
Is Outdated Parental Leave to Blame for Canada's Fertility Crisis?
Canada’s parental leave system was built for a workforce that no longer exists. As work and family life have changed, the policy hasn’t, leaving more parents without the support they need.In this episode of Classonomics, Sabrina Maddeau...
Why Suburbs Will Stay in High Demand for Decades
Many people assume Canada’s suburbs are destined to decline as Baby Boomers age and younger generations embrace urban living. But does the data actually support that?In this episode of DemograFix, Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt examine new...
The Surprising Way Greenbelts Can Increase Urban Sprawl
Canada has spent decades trying to curb urban sprawl through policies like greenbelts, urban growth boundaries, and higher development charges, but what if those policies are having the opposite effect?In this episode, Mike Moffatt and ...
Three Kids Are the New Status Symbol
Has having three kids become a status symbol in Canada?In this episode of DemograFix, Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt explore why having three children has become a luxury for many middle-class Canadian families. From the cost of family-size...
Is Chasing Too Many New Homes Canada’s Next Big Failure?
Is 500,000 new homes a year really what Canada needs to solve the housing crisis?In this episode of the Missing Middle’s Classonomics Podcast, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux examine whether Canada's headline housing targets still make...
Is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Hurting Young People?
When a business faces a labour shortage, the free market says they should raise wages. So why is Canada’s government stepping in to make labour cheaper instead?In this episode of The Missing Middle, Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt dive into ...
Why Return-to-Office Didn't Bring Canadians Back to Big Cities
Why are so many young Canadian families leaving Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal? Even after return-to-office mandates, the exodus from Canada's largest cities continues.In this episode of Classonomics, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux ...
From EI to Daycare: Navigating Parental Leave in Canada
Thinking about taking parental leave in Canada?In this episode of DemograFix Cara Stern talks with Jasmine Steffler (from Walkable Parenthood and Oh The Urbanity!) about her experience navigating parental leave. From understan...
What We Love About Canada | Canada Day Special 2026
Happy Canada Day!In this special Canada Day episode of The Missing Middle Podcast, the team takes a break from focusing on Canada's challenges to share what makes them optimistic about the country's future. From housing reforms ...
Why Canada Stopped Building Homes for Families
For years, Canada's housing strategy focused on increasing the number of housing units built. But even during periods of record apartment construction, family-sized homes became increasingly scarce.In this episode of the Demografix, Mike...
FIFA Gets the Profits. Canadians Get the Bill.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally here and Canada is on a roll! But as the excitement builds on the pitch, we're asking the tough questions: will this massive event actually deliver the economic win that was promised?In this episode, Mi...
"Wait Until 2060": Canada's Housing Plan for Young People
Canada's Federal Housing Advocate says it could take until 2060 for all Canadians to have access to an affordable home. Is that just a realistic target? And is it reasonable to ask an entire generation to give up on their homeownership dreams f...
This Court Ruling Could Change Property Ownership in Canada: Steve Saretsky
Canada’s housing market is entering a major shift. In this episode, Mike Moffatt sits down with Vancouver realtor and Loonie Hour host Steve Saretsky to break down the growing cracks in Canada’s real estate market — from falling condo prices an...
Will Baby Boomers Leave Behind a Housing Glut?
Many Canadians believe that when Baby Boomers leave their homes, a flood of houses will hit the market and solve the housing crisis. In this episode, Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern explore why that outcome is far from certain, examining the roles ...
Toronto’s Housing Crisis Explained with Ron Butler | Live Event
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 speci...
Why Strong Communities Don’t Happen by Accident
Why does modern life feel so disconnected? In this episode, Cara Stern sits down with journalist and Scout leader Harrison Lowman to talk about the decline of community in Canada, and what it takes to rebuild it.From scouting and volunte...
Answering Your Biggest Questions About Canada’s Housing Crisis
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, S...
The Story Behind Canada’s Collapsing Fertility Rate
Canada’s fertility rate has fallen to just 1.25 children per woman, one of the lowest in the developed world. But what’s actually driving the decline? Are fewer Canadians having children, or are the ones having kids simply choosing to have fewe...
Why Canada Will NEVER Tax Your Home Profits
Why are Canadians allowed to sell their homes tax-free while profits from stocks and investments get taxed? And is that policy making Canada’s housing crisis even worse?In this episode of Classonomics Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt br...
The Hidden Algorithm Deciding What You Pay
What if companies could figure out the exact maximum you’re willing to pay, and charge you exactly that?That’s the promise of surveillance pricing: using your personal data, purchase history, location, online behavior, and even financia...
Why Mark Carney Wants Canada’s Own “Norway Fund”
Canada is launching a new sovereign wealth fund, but what exactly is it, and why is Prime Minister Mark Carney betting big on it?In this episode of Classonomics, Mike Moffatt and Meredith Martin break down the proposed Canada Strong Fund...
Development Charges Are Finally Being Cut. What Happens Next?
Ontario has started cutting development charges. But is this the breakthrough Ontario’s housing market needs, or just the first step?In this episode of The Missing Middle Podcast, Mike Moffatt sits down with Kim Fairley, President of
Canada vs. U.S.: Why Young Workers Are Choosing to Leave
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 ...
The Hidden Wealth Transfer from Young to Old - Explained
Why does it feel like young Canadians can’t get ahead anymore?In this episode, Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt break down the growing generational divide in Canada, and why Millennials and Gen Z are being squeezed from both sides. From skyro...
