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.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:52 A new home in the GTHA for under $450k - impossible

02:23 Understanding GST rebates, their history and impact

04:17 Why are the rebates so small?

06:56 Bill c-4’s first-time-homebuyer rebate

08:09 What the proposed GST rebate misses - seniors downsizing

10:45 Proposed changes to GST rebates

13:00 Will governments make these proposed changes?

14:30 Sabrina’s take

15:37 Concerns about inflation and housing demand

Research/Links:

Is Ontario Ready to Spend $895M to Jumpstart Homebuilding?

The PBOs Math Is Clear: We Need an Expanded GST Housing Rebate

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 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.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:01 The missing middle-class housing strategy

02:11 Housing as a human right can’t be the only strategy

03:00 There is no vision for middle-class housing

04:15 Some politicians have a vision but not the Liberals

05:19 The Big Lebowski reference

06:31 NDP's struggles with housing communication

09:20 The unconscious bias towards social housing

11:43 A misunderstanding of what middle class means

15:12 Where are the policies that target market housing?

16:20 Mike outlines 3 buckets of housing

18:57 The rightward shift of young people

21:15 The future of home ownership for young Canadians

23:20 Saving for retirement without a home

26:25 Cost of delivery crisis

27:09 Policy solutions

Research:

The Homeownership Journey Is Broken. Policymakers Need to Repair It.

Big Lebowski - Nihilists

Why is the NDP doing so badly, even with progressives? Just take a look at their awful housing

Housing affordability for Millennials and Gen Z

How Taxes, and Taxes-on-Taxes Add Over $250K to a Vancouver Condo

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 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.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Bank of Canada report on wages and immigration

02:49 The mix of newcomers is different

05:33 New immigrants earn less and country of origin impacts wages

07:21 This is only becoming more pronounced

09:11 The wage gap is shrinking for Permanent Residence

10:08 But it’s a good news, bad news story

11:00 The role of wage suppression

13:56 How does this impact social cohesion

15:25 The Century Initiative and population growth goals

Research:

The Shift in Canadian Immigration Composition and its Effect on Wages

Canada's population needs to be 100 million by 2100

Canada on track for 100 million population but public support can’t be taken for granted: Century Initiative CEO

The 'Century Initiative' is the talk of the campaign, but what is it?

You Can't Grow a Country Just On Temporary Immigration

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.