The Missing Middle Podcast

Hosted by Cara Stern, Mike Moffatt, and Meredith Martin

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Episodes

204

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-CA

About the show

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.

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60 recent

September 9, 2026Episode 20526 min

Canada Could Build Better Homes AND Make Them Cheaper

Why is Canadian housing so expensive and why are we getting so little for our money? In this episode of the Missing Middle Podcast, Mike Moffatt talks with Adam Mongrain of More and Better Housing about how Canada can build more affordable, better-quality homes while also tackling climate change and housing affordability. They dig into why Canada struggles to build the “missing middle” housing that exists in cities around the world, and how zoning rules, building codes, construction costs and a lack of standardization are making it harder and more expensive to build the homes Canadians actually want. Adam explains why legalizing density isn’t about deregulation, how European-style housing could help lower costs, why Canadian elevators can cost four times as much as comparable ones in Switzerland, and how modern construction methods could transform the housing market. They also discuss climate-resilient housing, the need for millions more social and not-for-profit homes, and the five “game changers” that More and Better Housing believes could help Canada build more and build better. Chapters: 00:00 — Why Is Missing Middle Housing Missing? 02:27 — What Does “More and Better Housing” Mean? 04:51 — Can Better Housing Also Be More Affordable? 07:43 — Why New Housing Isn’t Worth the Price 11:23 — What Does “Legalizing Density” Actually Mean? 15:37 — How Building Codes Drive Up Housing Costs 19:14 — Why Factory-Built Housing Needs New Standards 21:57 — Building Housing for a Changing Climate 23:27 — Can Canada Afford Millions of Nonprofit Homes? Research/links: More and Better Housing Canada website: https://www.moreandbetterhousing.ca/ This is how we could fix a problem Canada has been overlooking for decadeshttps://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/this-is-how-we-could-fix-a-problem-canada-has-been-overlooking-for-decades/article_6970b764-8d33-4d7d-87d6-be8efea8038c.html Blueprint for More and Better Housing: https://housingandclimate.ca/blueprint/ Four Pathways to Housing Affordability report: https://housingandclimate.ca/2024/11/19/fourpathways/ Credits Mike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt https://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.social Sabrina Maddeaux https://x.com/SabrinaMaddeaux Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin https://bsky.app/profile/meredithmartin.bsky.social Sean Foreman @seanegertonforeman https://bsky.app/profile/seanforeman.bsky.social Cara Stern https://x.com/carastern https://bsky.app/profile/carastern.bsky.social University Of Ottawa Co-op Student: Kelly Hoban 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 Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

September 4, 2026Episode 20423 min

Should Parents Get the Right to Vote for Their Kids?

Are Canadian elections actually fair if 7 million citizens are completely excluded from the process? In this episode of The Missing Middle, Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt unpack the hidden flaw in Canada’s electoral system: the complete disenfranchisement of children and young people. As Canada’s population ages, politicians are incentivized to cater to older voters while ignoring the long-term economic interests of younger generations. We explore a radical yet historical solution: proxy voting. What if parents could cast ballots on behalf of their children? Could giving every citizen a voice from birth fix our policy incentives? And is it an impossible reform? Chapters: 00:00 - Should Children Have a Vote in Canada? 03:34 - How Demographic Voting Shapes Economic Policy 05:48 - The Issue With Relying on Youth Voter Turnout to Solve Things 08:13 - What Is Proxy Voting for Parents? 10:22 - Would Proxy Voting Lead to Family-Friendly Policy? 12:17 - Can We Trust Parents to Vote in Their Child's Interest? 14:49 - Early Civic Engagement and Primary Caregiver Voting Rules 17:52 - Is Electoral Reform Truly Realistic in Canada? 22:52 - Why Power Disincentivizes Democratic Change Research/Links: Vlandas study: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/980470 Tobi Lutke’s idea that pensioners be excluded from voting is offensive. The concern behind it isn’t https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/article-tobi-lutke-shopify-tech-pensioners-vote/ How to give children the vote https://milescorak.com/2012/04/20/how-to-give-children-the-vote/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Citizenship as a privilege or as a right: should children be given the vote? https://milescorak.com/2013/03/28/citizenship-as-a-privilege-or-as-a-right-should-children-be-given-the-vote/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Should Children be Given the Vote?: Miles Corak at TEDxWaterloo 2013 https://youtu.be/anYFFlOtZKo?si=PYrUE7U_0RFuK2-y Should children vote? I argue that there are reasonable ways to give children the vote in an interview with CBC radio https://milescorak.com/2014/12/14/should-children-vote-i-argue-that-there-are-reasonable-ways-to-give-children-the-vote-in-an-interview-with-cbc-radio/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Why we should give children the vote ⁠ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/why-we-should-give-children-the-vote/article4101391/ Do Husbands and Wives Pool Their Resources? Evidence from the United Kingdom Child Benefit https://www.jstor.org/stable/146179?origin=crossref&seq=1 Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

September 2, 2026Episode 20312 min

We Want 1.5 Million New Homes. But Can We Power Them?

Ontario has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031, but can our power grid actually handle the demand? In this episode of Classonomics , Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down the $100B–$120B "last mile" infrastructure crisis quietly halting major housing projects across the province, including thousands of stalled homes in Brooklin, Whitby, and Ajax. From the historical legacy of Sir Adam Beck’s publicly owned hydro model to modern electrification demands like EVs and heat pumps, we discuss why developers are being pushed to fund local grid expansions and what policy fixes, such as tax-exempt utility bonds and reforming the tax code’s 90/10 rule, can keep Ontario’s housing goals alive. Topics Covered: Can Ontario’s Grid Handle 1.5 Million New Homes? Mega Transmission Lines vs. The Real Grid Bottleneck What is the "Last Mile" in Power Distribution? Case Study: Why 10,000 Homes Stalled in Brooklin, ON Skyrocketing Household Load: Heat Pumps & EV Chargers History Lesson: Sir Adam Beck & Ontario’s Original Power Vision "Build Ahead" vs. "Pay to Play": The Shift in Infrastructure Financing The Role of Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) Two Policy Fixes: Tax-Exempt Utility Bonds & Reforming the 90/10 Rule #OntarioHousing #CanadianPolitics #HousingCrisis #EnergyGrid #Infrastructure #TheMissingMiddle #SabrinaMaddeaux #MikeMoffatt Chapters: 00:00 Can Ontario's Grid Power 1.5 Million Homes? 01:43 The "Last Mile" Bottleneck & Stalled Developments 04:00 EV Demand & Ontario's Electrification History 05:29 Public Utilities vs. "Pay for Growth" 07:14 Local Distribution Companies & Funding Friction 10:11 Two Policy Solutions to Fix Grid Financing 12:07 Final Thoughts & Outro Research/links: North America’s electricity grid is ready to grow. Manufacturers needed to build it are placing their bets https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-north-americas-electricity-grid-is-ready-to-grow-manufacturers-needed/ Electrical Load map: https://oeb.planview.ca/Ontario-capacity-map/ Debt/Deficit MissingMiddle Episode referred to in video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2zza3GwZ7E Why a multibillion-dollar electricity infrastructure gap is threatening Ontario’s housing goals https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-ontario-cant-build-homes-without-rebuilding-power-grid/ Tracking housing supply progress https://www.ontario.ca/page/tracking-housing-supply-progress#section-0 Ontario Launches Expert Panel to Strengthen Local Electricity Distribution https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1006663/ontario-launches-expert-panel-to-strengthen-local-electricity-distribution?utm_source=chatgpt.com 2025 Ontario Economic - Outlook and Fiscal Review https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oTK_RueWPjD1Oc1YXVlT8nslnx9Ue_w6/view Forward Guidance: Canada’s Energy Future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bySyMcg-p_4 Adam Beck https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sir-adam-beck Build Faster Fund https://opencouncil.ca/program/building-faster-fund/ An early history of hydroelectric power in Niagara Falls https://nflibrary.ca/articles/an-early-history-of-hydroelectric-power-in-niagara-falls Ontario’s electric history https://thevarsity.ca/2026/02/03/ontarios-electric-history/ To Build More Homes, Ontario Launching Building Faster Fund and Expanding Strong Mayor Powers https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1003397/to-build-more-homes-ontario-launching-building-faster-fund-and-expanding-strong-mayor-powers Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

August 28, 2026Episode 20246 min

Trump, Tariffs and Canada’s Next Move

Canada’s trade relationship with the United States is facing major challenges. In this replay of a live episode recorded on Friday August 28, Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern break down Canada’s trade war with the U.S., the impact of tariffs, and what it all means for the Canadian economy. They explore how tariffs and trade tensions could affect Canadian jobs, businesses, inflation, housing, taxation, financial markets, and economic stability while answering questions directly from the live audience. Whether you’re a policymaker, investor, business owner, or simply trying to understand what’s happening to Canada’s economy, this conversation offers context and analysis on some of the biggest economic issues facing Canadians today. In this episode: Canada’s trade war and economic relationship with the U.S. The impact of tariffs on the Canadian economy How trade uncertainty could affect housing and affordability Taxation and government policy Financial markets and economic stability What tariffs could mean for Canadian businesses and consumers Live audience questions and answers What Canadians should be watching as trade tensions evolve Watch the full conversation for an in-depth discussion of Canada’s economic outlook and the challenges ahead. #Canada #CanadianEconomy #Tariffs #TradeWar #USCanada #CanadianPolitics #Housing #Economy #Inflation #MikeMoffatt #CaraStern Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Trade Dispute 02:12 Tariffs and the New NAFTA 04:23 Labeling, Language, and Trade Strategy 06:40 Canada's Trade Diversification Challenges 08:36 Taxing the Wealthy and Intergenerational Equity 12:30 Interprovincial Trade Barriers and Alcohol 16:38 Impacts on Housing and Construction 23:57 US Bonds and Canadian Investment 36:12 Bank of Canada and Interest Rate Policy 42:17 Government Support for Small Housing 44:37 Development Charges and Urban Planning 46:21 Closing Remarks and Next Steps Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

August 26, 2026Episode 20119 min

Why Developers Only Seem to Build McMansions

Ever wonder why it's nearly impossible to find a brand-new, modest starter home? In this episode of Classonomics, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down the real-world housing economics driving the extinction of small detached homes across Canada and why developers are practically forced to build McMansions instead. From flat municipal fees to setback regulations and astronomical land costs, we run through the numbers we explain why smaller homes no longer make financial sense for builders, and what policy changes could actually fix it. The disappearance of homes under 1,500 square feet Serviced land pricing and lot width economics How flat municipal development fees penalize small builds Setback rules and wasted building space Construction economies of scale Fixed overhead and pre-construction costs Policy solutions to bring back missing middle housing Chapters: 00:00 Small Detached Homes Are Disappearing 02:02 Why Developers Don’t Build Smaller Homes 03:01 The Real Cost of Building a Small Home 05:27 Why Land Costs Favour Bigger Houses 07:43 How Lot Rules Make Small Homes Harder to Build 09:33 How to Bring Down the Cost of Land 10:12 Development Charges Favour Bigger Homes 13:39 Why Bigger Homes Have Lower Construction Costs 16:15 The Costs That Don’t Shrink With the House 17:47 Why a $600K Home Costs So Much Research: https://pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=311483 Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

August 21, 2026Episode 20014 min

Why Fertility Treatment Usage Is Exploding in Canada

Fertility treatment is becoming increasingly common in Canada. But why? On this episode of DemograFix, Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt dig into the dramatic rise of IVF and fertility treatment in Canada, and what it tells us about how Canadians are building families. IVF births in Ontario have nearly doubled as a share of all live births since 2014, while the average age of patients starting IVF has climbed past 35. As Canadians spend longer in school, establish careers later, face higher housing and living costs, and delay parenthood, more people are turning to fertility treatment to help build the families they want. But access to fertility care can depend heavily on where you live. Cara and Mike look at the geographic lottery of fertility treatment, differences in provincial funding, long waitlists, workplace benefits, and the often-overlooked costs of IVF, including time away from work and travel for treatment. The bigger question is what happens when more Canadians are trying to have children later in life. Is Canada's fertility system prepared for growing demand? And should policymakers be looking beyond IVF to the housing, career and economic pressures that are pushing parenthood later? #IVF #Fertility #Canada #Demographics #FertilityTreatment #Ontario Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:42 The Economic Reality of Delayed Parenthood 01:28 Why is Fertility Treatment Usage Up? 02:44 Biology and Success Rates 03:08 Analyzing the Data Surge 04:16 The Geographic Lottery of Fertility Access 05:22 The Biological Realities 06:41 The Myth of Fertility Control 07:44 Rising Complications in Younger Patients 08:27 Male Factor Infertility 08:42 The High Cost of Treatment and Waitlists 10:03 The Hidden Costs (Time & Travel) 11:34 Workplace Benefits and Trends 12:01 Recap and Future Outlook 13:01 Policy Responses and Root Causes Research/links: Publicly funded in-vitro fertilization (IVF) program - Province of British Columbia Canadian assisted reproductive technologies registry CARTR PLUs annual report CARTR Reports - Canadian Fertility & Andrology Society Provincial coverage | Fertility Matters Canada https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1007375/ontario-connecting-more-families-to-fertility-supports https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/in-vitro-fertilization-market Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

August 19, 2026Episode 19922 min

Are Young and Old People Voting for Different Futures?

Are Canada’s politics becoming less about left versus right and more about young versus old? In this episode of Classonomics, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux explore the growing generational divide in Canadian politics and what it means for the economy, housing, and the future of democracy. They examine why older voters may prioritize inflation, pensions, and asset prices, while younger Canadians increasingly feel shut out of homeownership, economic growth, and traditional institutions. Topics covered: The growing age divide in Canadian politics Why seniors and younger voters have different economic priorities “Pocketbook” versus “sociotropic” voting Economic growth and the distribution of wealth Old Age Security and the politics of an aging population Housing prices, homeownership, and generational inequality Why young Canadians feel increasingly disconnected from the economy Populism, political radicalization, and distrust in institutions Brexit and the backlash against economic elites Why making the economy work for younger Canadians matters for the future #Canada #CanadianPolitics #HousingCrisis #GenerationalDivide #Economy #Politics #HousingAffordability #Millennials #GenZ #MissingMiddle Chapters: 00:00 — Is Age Breaking Our Politics? 03:26 — The Generational Divide Is Reshaping Politics 06:22 — Why Voters Are Choosing Their Own Wallets Over Growth 10:14 — Why Older and Younger Voters Want Different Things 13:17 — Why Politicians Want to Keep Home Prices High 16:08 — Why Young People Are Losing Faith in the System 17:26 — How Economic Frustration Fuels Populism 20:33 — Why Young Voters Are Turning to Extremes 21:03 — How to Make the Economy Work for Young People Research: Beer question: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_question Vlandas study: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/980470 German research: https://www.kielinstitut.de/publications/kiel-focus/the-economic-consequences-of-populism/ Tobi Lutke’s idea that pensioners be excluded from voting is offensive. The concern behind it isn’t https://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/mike-moffatt/ Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

August 14, 2026Episode 19825 min

The Secret to Building Family-Friendly Housing in Existing Neighbourhoods

Canada needs more housing, but building in existing neighbourhoods often faces strong local opposition. Could gentle density be a solution? In this episode of DemograFix, Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt discuss how infill housing, form-based zoning, and streamlined regulations could help Canada build more family-friendly homes while balancing concerns about neighbourhood character, infrastructure, parking, and density. They also examine multiplex debates in Toronto and Calgary, and whether zoning reform and condo rules are limiting new homeownership opportunities. Topics covered: What is gentle density? Why Canada needs more family-friendly housing The fight over multiplexes and infill housing Toronto's sixplex debate Calgary's citywide upzoning rollback Form-based zoning explained Zoning vs. building code How standardized zoning could reduce red tape Parking, infrastructure, and neighbourhood concerns Creating more homeownership opportunities through gentle density Condo regulations and small-scale housing British Columbia's small-scale, multi-unit housing approach What Oregon is doing differently Should gentle density start with greenfield development? Can gentle density overcome NIMBY and YIMBY opposition? Chapters: 00:00 – Canada’s Housing Problem and the Case for Gentle Density 01:25 – The Three Ways Cities Can Build More Housing 03:00 – Why Multiplexes Face Local Opposition 04:35 – Toronto’s Controversial Station Road Eightplex 06:15 – Calgary’s Upzoning Rollback 07:30 – What Is Gentle Density? 08:20 – Objection #1: Buildings Are Too Tall 09:35 – Form-Based Zoning Explained 11:05 – Zoning vs. Building Codes 12:15 – Objection #2: Buildings Are Too Large 13:05 – Objection #3: Parking and Infrastructure 14:25 – Can Gentle Density Benefit Existing Homeowners? 16:10 – Tiny Homes and Pocket Neighbourhoods 17:25 – Does Density Mean More Rental Housing? 19:00 – Making Small-Scale Homeownership Easier 20:25 – What Canada Can Learn From B.C. and Oregon 21:45 – Where Should Gentle Density Start? 23:00 – Can Gentle Density Actually Get Political Support? 24:15 – NIMBYs vs. YIMBYs: Is Gentle Density Too Mild? 25:00 – Moving Beyond Arbitrary Unit Counts Research/links: MMI Gentle Density Report: https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/from-policy-gridlock-to-housing-growth NIMBYs will Fight Even the Gentlest of Density https://youtu.be/6WavljFV7fM?si=geir1FhAbhdgliv_ Nightmare on Craven Road: When Local Politics Derail Citywide Housing Goals https://youtu.be/qVQ4gQRnOss?si=RFywNBKZedLERiuj 2025 Statcan Study: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28-0001/2025005/article/00003-eng.htm 2026 Statcan Study: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/46-28-0001/2026001/article/00002-eng.htm Toronto: https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/04/22/etobicoke-eightplex-site-mimico-residents-developer-toronto/ Calgary: https://calgary.citynews.ca/2026/04/22/calgary-federal-housing-funds/ Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

August 12, 2026Episode 19717 min

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 between generations. They discuss whether wealthy seniors should receive full OAS benefits and how younger Canadians may be paying more through higher taxes, housing costs, and rising debt. While not all debt is harmful, borrowing for long-term investments like infrastructure, transit, housing, and energy can be beneficial, borrowing to sustain costly programs is more controversial and raises questions about long-term fiscal sustainability. The key question: Is Canada placing too much of the financial burden on younger generations? Topics covered: • Canada’s rising public debt and interest costs • Old Age Security (OAS) and wealthy seniors • Intergenerational wealth transfers • Why government debt is rarely fully “paid off” • Infrastructure investment vs. program spending • The Gordie Howe Bridge and public investment • Inflation, money creation, and debt • Housing, taxes, and affordability for younger Canadians • OAS reform and fiscal trade-offs Chapters: 01:28 OAS: The $100 Billion Problem Hiding in the Budget 02:09 Why Wealthy Seniors Still Get Old Age Security 03:28 When Government Debt Is Actually a Good Thing 05:29 Who Should Pay for Infrastructure That Lasts 100 Years? 06:00 The Gordie Howe Bridge and the Case for Government Debt 06:53 The Truth About How Government Debt Gets Paid Off 08:49 Why Canada’s Growing Debt Still Matters 09:16 How Government Debt Can Fuel Inflation 10:18 What Happens When Governments Can’t Borrow? 11:38 Why Deficits Are Especially Dangerous for OAS 12:08 Should Canada Cut Old Age Security? 13:10 Are Younger Canadians Giving Up on Canada? 13:58 There’s No Easy Way to Fix the Intergenerational Wealth Gap 14:55 Why Younger Canadians Want Lower Taxes 16:20 Why Tax Cuts Aren’t Fixing the Generational Divide 16:46 When Government Debt Makes Sense—and When It Doesn’t Research/Links: As Canada faces crippling debt, it must do the unpopular thing and cut elderly benefits https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-canada-debt-cut-elderly-benefits/ Scott Gallowy Short: https://youtube.com/shorts/PAAbLq1bJY0?si=9-Z06rW1H8tiQW-k Canadian taxpayers face up to $3,348 each in government debt interest https://www.wealthprofessional.ca/news/industry-news/canadian-taxpayers-face-up-to-3348-each-in-government-debt-interest/392762 The Burdens of borrowing: Government debt and intergenerational fairness https://www.if.org.uk/2025/01/28/the-burdens-of-borrowing-government-debt-and-intergenerational-fairness/ G7 debt is now a pressure point for anxious markets https://www.reuters.com/world/china/g7-debt-is-now-pressure-point-anxious-markets-2025-06-03/ The evolution of federal debt interest costs in Canada https://www.fraserinstitute.org/commentary/evolution-federal-debt-interest-costs-canada Canada’s combined federal-provincial government debt estimated to surpass $2.4 trillion in 2025/26 https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/growing-debt-burden-canadians-2026-edition Intergenerational Injustice in Canadian Public Finance https://www.gensqueeze.ca/intergenerational_injustice_in_canadian_public_finance Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

August 5, 2026Episode 19620 min

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 Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt examine why Canada's parental leave system is increasingly out of step with today's workforce. They discuss how rising housing costs, stagnant income replacement, contract work, and outdated Employment Insurance rules are making it harder for Canadians to start or grow their families. The conversation explores why many parents, especially freelancers, self-employed workers, and those in the gig economy, struggle to qualify for benefits, how employer parental leave top-ups are disappearing, and what Canada can learn from Quebec's parental insurance plan and Finland's family-friendly reforms. Topics covered: Why Canada's fertility rate has reached a record low How EI parental leave actually works Why one-third of Canadian mothers don't qualify for paid parental leave The financial reality of taking parental leave today Housing costs and the affordability of raising children Why freelancers, contractors, and gig workers are left behind The decline of employer parental leave top-ups Quebec's parental leave model and its impact on fertility Finland's parental leave reforms and shared parenting Policy reforms that could make it easier for Canadians to have the families they want Chapters: 00:00 Why Canada's fertility rate hit a record low 00:49 How Canada's parental leave system actually works 02:42 Why Young Canadians Are Delaying Having Kids 04:18 The Hidden Financial Penalty of Parental Leave 06:32 Why 1 in 3 Mothers Can't Access Paid Leave 08:08 The Self-Employment Trap 10:02 Why Employer Parental Leave Benefits Are Shrinking 12:37 What Quebec Gets Right About Parental Leave 14:34 Finland's Family Policy Is Changing Fatherhood 16:28 How Canada Could Fix Parental Leave Research links: Statistics Canada -- Canada's total fertility rate reaches a new low in 2024: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/9140-canadas-total-fertility-rate-reaches-new-low-2024 Statistics Canada -- The Daily: Fertility and baby names, 2024: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250924/dq250924d-eng.htm The Hub / Cardus -- Stop dismissing falling fertility rates as a choice (2.2 children wanted stat): https://thehub.ca/2026/04/14/with-a-record-low-1-25-children-per-canadian-woman-stop-dismissing-falling-fertility-rates-as-a-choice/ Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives -- Support for parents in a post-pandemic world (EI reform; replacement rate, eligibility threshold proposals): https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/support-for-parents-in-a-post-pandemic-world-options-for-enhancing-federal-maternity-and-parental-leave/ Policy Options / IRPP -- Parental leave benefits need to be more practical and equitable (1 in 4 self-employed stat; top-up decline): https://policyoptions.irpp.org/2024/05/parental-leave-equity/ PMC -- Policy and Fertility: A Case Study of the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (peer-reviewed; fertility lift estimates): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11070327/ Yle News / Helsinki Times -- More fathers taking parental leave since Finland's 2022 law change: https://yle.fi/a/74-20162964 Fast Company -- Deloitte and Zoom cut parental leave and other benefits: https://www.fastcompany.com/91530300/deloitte-and-zoom-cut-parental-leave-and-other-benefits PMC -- Reconceptualizing Parental Leave Benefits in COVID-19 Canada: From Employment Policy to Care Policy (EI vs QPIP comparison; self-employed eligibility history): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8229861/ Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

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