In this episode of the Missing Middle podcast, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the phenomenon of the 'relationship recession,' exploring its causes, implications for society, and the economic challenges it presents. They delve into how changing social dynamics, economic pressures, and technological advancements are reshaping relationships and family structures, particularly among younger generations. The conversation highlights the impact of these trends on the middle class and the need for policy solutions that address the root causes of declining relationship formation.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:31 Understanding the relationship recession

04:40 Scott Galloway’s theory of men

06:28 The role of technology

09:05 How much of this is a choice?

11:06 Incentives versus structural barriers

13:09 Economic implications of relationship trends

14:40 The role of unaffordable rents on relationships

17:00 the expansion and retraction of personal choice

Links:

The relationship recession is going global

A Few(er) Good Men

Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

Loneliness in Canada

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 conversation, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the challenges and failures of Ontario's housing market, contrasting it with Alberta's more successful approach. They explore the vision of affordable housing presented by Premier Doug Ford, the current state of housing supply, and the political dynamics affecting housing policies. The discussion highlights the implications for millennials and Gen Z, who are increasingly considering moving to provinces like Alberta due to affordability issues. Ultimately, Sabrina and Mike each assign a letter grade to the Ontario government's performance in addressing the housing crisis. Spoiler alert: Ford gets F, but from which host? You’ll have to watch to find out!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:06 Outlining a tangible vision of home ownership

07:08 Single, detached family homes for under $500?

08:28 Current state of housing supply

10:49 Apartment units are the only bright light

11:45 Alberta is doing it right

14:22 Ontario’s brain drain to Alberta

15:08 Development charges, approval times and land use policy

17:37 Housing has become politicised

19:43 The grade reveal

Links:

Housing Shortages Grow Fastest in Smaller Ontario Metros

Development Charges have Helped Price Out the Middle Class

Canada needed to add 500,000 homes last year to keep up with population growth. It failed to hit even half of that.

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.

After the federal government capped the number of international students it let into Canada many colleges and universities saw a drastic decrease in enrollment. As a result colleges are slashing programs while universities struggle to balance their books. Why is this happening and who is responsible? Alex Usher, a sector expert and higher education consultant, joins Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux in this week’s episode of the Missing Middle podcast. They discuss the impact of international students on the housing crisis, the financial challenges faced by colleges and universities and the implications of recent policy changes particularly in trades programs and apprenticeships.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:35 Summary higher education policy changes

04:23 Decreasing rents in southern Ontario

05:26 How Canada pays for Ontario’s mismanagement

06:36 The disproportionate impact on northern and rural colleges

08:16 Are trades programs at risk?

12:13 Why should we care about the college sector?

14:21Universites have unique challenges

16:40 Why has the Ford government escaped security?

17:49 Feel richer now policies

19:17 Higher education focused policy ideas

18:47 Long-term solutions for higher education challenges

Links

How Colleges Broke Canadian Immigration

Credits

Guest: Alex Usher https://higheredstrategy.com/about/alex-usher-7/

https://x.com/alexusherhesa?lang=en

https://bsky.app/profile/alexusherhesa.bsky.social

Hosts:

Sabrina Maddeaux https://x.com/SabrinaMaddeaux

Mike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt https://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.social

Producer: Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin https://bsky.app/profile/meredithmartin.bsky.social, https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-martin-21108165/

This 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.