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 Price11:23 — What Does “Legalizing Density” Actually Mean?15:37 — How Building Codes Drive Up Housing Costs19:14 — Why Factory-Built Housing Needs New Standards21:57 — Building Housing for a Changing Climate23:27 — 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/CreditsMike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatthttps://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.socialSabrina Maddeaux https://x.com/SabrinaMaddeauxMeredith Martin  https://twitter.com/meredithmartinhttps://bsky.app/profile/meredithmartin.bsky.socialSean Foreman @seanegertonforemanhttps://bsky.app/profile/seanforeman.bsky.socialCara Stern https://x.com/carasternhttps://bsky.app/profile/carastern.bsky.socialUniversity Of Ottawa Co-op Student:Kelly HobanFunded 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 MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

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 Policy05:48 - The Issue With Relying on Youth Voter Turnout to Solve Things08:13 - 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 Rules17:52 - 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’thttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/article-tobi-lutke-shopify-tech-pensioners-vote/How to give children the votehttps://milescorak.com/2012/04/20/how-to-give-children-the-vote/?utm_source=chatgpt.comCitizenship 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.comShould Children be Given the Vote?: Miles Corak at TEDxWaterloo 2013https://youtu.be/anYFFlOtZKo?si=PYrUE7U_0RFuK2-yShould children vote? I argue that there are reasonable ways to give children the vote in an interview with CBC radiohttps://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.comWhy we should give children the vote⁠https://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 Benefithttps://www.jstor.org/stable/146179?origin=crossref&seq=1Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

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 BottleneckWhat is the "Last Mile" in Power Distribution?Case Study: Why 10,000 Homes Stalled in Brooklin, ONSkyrocketing Household Load: Heat Pumps & EV ChargersHistory Lesson: Sir Adam Beck & Ontario’s Original Power Vision"Build Ahead" vs. "Pay to Play": The Shift in Infrastructure FinancingThe 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 #MikeMoffattChapters:00:00 Can Ontario's Grid Power 1.5 Million Homes?01:43 The "Last Mile" Bottleneck & Stalled Developments04:00 EV Demand & Ontario's Electrification History05:29 Public Utilities vs. "Pay for Growth"07:14 Local Distribution Companies & Funding Friction10:11 Two Policy Solutions to Fix Grid Financing12:07 Final Thoughts & OutroResearch/links:North America’s electricity grid is ready to grow. Manufacturers needed to build it are placing their betshttps://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=H2zza3GwZ7EWhy a multibillion-dollar electricity infrastructure gap is threatening Ontario’s housing goalshttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-ontario-cant-build-homes-without-rebuilding-power-grid/Tracking housing supply progresshttps://www.ontario.ca/page/tracking-housing-supply-progress#section-0Ontario Launches Expert Panel to Strengthen Local Electricity Distributionhttps://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1006663/ontario-launches-expert-panel-to-strengthen-local-electricity-distribution?utm_source=chatgpt.com2025 Ontario Economic - Outlook and Fiscal Reviewhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1oTK_RueWPjD1Oc1YXVlT8nslnx9Ue_w6/viewForward Guidance: Canada’s Energy Future.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bySyMcg-p_4Adam Beckhttps://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sir-adam-beckBuild Faster Fundhttps://opencouncil.ca/program/building-faster-fund/An early history of hydroelectric power in Niagara Fallshttps://nflibrary.ca/articles/an-early-history-of-hydroelectric-power-in-niagara-fallsOntario’s electric historyhttps://thevarsity.ca/2026/02/03/ontarios-electric-history/To Build More Homes, Ontario Launching Building Faster Fund and Expanding Strong Mayor Powershttps://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1003397/to-build-more-homes-ontario-launching-building-faster-fund-and-expanding-strong-mayor-powersHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

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 economyHow trade uncertainty could affect housing and affordabilityTaxation and government policyFinancial markets and economic stabilityWhat tariffs could mean for Canadian businesses and consumersLive audience questions and answersWhat Canadians should be watching as trade tensions evolveWatch 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 #CaraSternChapters:00:00 Introduction to the Trade Dispute02:12 Tariffs and the New NAFTA04:23 Labeling, Language, and Trade Strategy06:40 Canada's Trade Diversification Challenges08:36 Taxing the Wealthy and Intergenerational Equity12:30 Interprovincial Trade Barriers and Alcohol16:38 Impacts on Housing and Construction23:57 US Bonds and Canadian Investment36:12 Bank of Canada and Interest Rate Policy42:17 Government Support for Small Housing44:37 Development Charges and Urban Planning46:21 Closing Remarks and Next StepsHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

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 feetServiced land pricing and lot width economicsHow flat municipal development fees penalize small buildsSetback rules and wasted building spaceConstruction economies of scaleFixed overhead and pre-construction costsPolicy solutions to bring back missing middle housingChapters:00:00 Small Detached Homes Are Disappearing02:02 Why Developers Don’t Build Smaller Homes03:01 The Real Cost of Building a Small Home05:27 Why Land Costs Favour Bigger Houses07:43 How Lot Rules Make Small Homes Harder to Build09:33 How to Bring Down the Cost of Land10:12 Development Charges Favour Bigger Homes13:39 Why Bigger Homes Have Lower Construction Costs16:15 The Costs That Don’t Shrink With the House17:47 Why a $600K Home Costs So MuchResearch:https://pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=311483 Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

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 #OntarioChapters:00:00 Introduction00:42 The Economic Reality of Delayed Parenthood01:28 Why is Fertility Treatment Usage Up?02:44 Biology and Success Rates03:08 Analyzing the Data Surge04:16 The Geographic Lottery of Fertility Access05:22 The Biological Realities06:41 The Myth of Fertility Control07:44 Rising Complications in Younger Patients08:27 Male Factor Infertility08:42 The High Cost of Treatment and Waitlists10:03 The Hidden Costs (Time & Travel)11:34 Workplace Benefits and Trends12:01 Recap and Future Outlook13:01 Policy Responses and Root CausesResearch/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-supportshttps://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/in-vitro-fertilization-marketHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

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 politicsWhy seniors and younger voters have different economic priorities“Pocketbook” versus “sociotropic” votingEconomic growth and the distribution of wealthOld Age Security and the politics of an aging populationHousing prices, homeownership, and generational inequalityWhy young Canadians feel increasingly disconnected from the economyPopulism, political radicalization, and distrust in institutionsBrexit and the backlash against economic elitesWhy making the economy work for younger Canadians matters for the future#Canada #CanadianPolitics #HousingCrisis #GenerationalDivide #Economy #Politics #HousingAffordability #Millennials #GenZ #MissingMiddleChapters:00:00 — Is Age Breaking Our Politics?03:26 — The Generational Divide Is Reshaping Politics06:22 — Why Voters Are Choosing Their Own Wallets Over Growth10:14 — Why Older and Younger Voters Want Different Things13:17 — Why Politicians Want to Keep Home Prices High16:08 — Why Young People Are Losing Faith in the System17:26 — How Economic Frustration Fuels Populism20:33 — Why Young Voters Are Turning to Extremes21:03 — How to Make the Economy Work for Young PeopleResearch: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’thttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/mike-moffatt/ Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

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 housingThe fight over multiplexes and infill housingToronto's sixplex debateCalgary's citywide upzoning rollbackForm-based zoning explainedZoning vs. building codeHow standardized zoning could reduce red tapeParking, infrastructure, and neighbourhood concernsCreating more homeownership opportunities through gentle densityCondo regulations and small-scale housingBritish Columbia's small-scale, multi-unit housing approachWhat Oregon is doing differentlyShould 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 Density01:25 – The Three Ways Cities Can Build More Housing03:00 – Why Multiplexes Face Local Opposition04:35 – Toronto’s Controversial Station Road Eightplex06:15 – Calgary’s Upzoning Rollback07:30 – What Is Gentle Density?08:20 – Objection #1: Buildings Are Too Tall09:35 – Form-Based Zoning Explained11:05 – Zoning vs. Building Codes12:15 – Objection #2: Buildings Are Too Large13:05 – Objection #3: Parking and Infrastructure14:25 – Can Gentle Density Benefit Existing Homeowners?16:10 – Tiny Homes and Pocket Neighbourhoods17:25 – Does Density Mean More Rental Housing?19:00 – Making Small-Scale Homeownership Easier20:25 – What Canada Can Learn From B.C. and Oregon21:45 – 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 CountsResearch/links:MMI Gentle Density Report: https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/from-policy-gridlock-to-housing-growth NIMBYs will Fight Even the Gentlest of Densityhttps://youtu.be/6WavljFV7fM?si=geir1FhAbhdgliv_Nightmare on Craven Road: When Local Politics Derail Citywide Housing Goalshttps://youtu.be/qVQ4gQRnOss?si=RFywNBKZedLERiuj2025 Statcan Study: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28-0001/2025005/article/00003-eng.htm2026 Statcan Study: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/46-28-0001/2026001/article/00002-eng.htmToronto: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 MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

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-offsChapters:01:28 OAS: The $100 Billion Problem Hiding in the Budget02:09 Why Wealthy Seniors Still Get Old Age Security03:28 When Government Debt Is Actually a Good Thing05:29 Who Should Pay for Infrastructure That Lasts 100 Years?06:00 The Gordie Howe Bridge and the Case for Government Debt06:53 The Truth About How Government Debt Gets Paid Off08:49 Why Canada’s Growing Debt Still Matters09:16 How Government Debt Can Fuel Inflation10:18 What Happens When Governments Can’t Borrow?11:38 Why Deficits Are Especially Dangerous for OAS12:08 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 Gap14:55 Why Younger Canadians Want Lower Taxes16:20 Why Tax Cuts Aren’t Fixing the Generational Divide16:46 When Government Debt Makes Sense—and When It Doesn’tResearch/Links:As Canada faces crippling debt, it must do the unpopular thing and cut elderly benefitshttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-canada-debt-cut-elderly-benefits/Scott Gallowy Short:https://youtube.com/shorts/PAAbLq1bJY0?si=9-Z06rW1H8tiQW-kCanadian taxpayers face up to $3,348 each in government debt interesthttps://www.wealthprofessional.ca/news/industry-news/canadian-taxpayers-face-up-to-3348-each-in-government-debt-interest/392762The Burdens of borrowing: Government debt and intergenerational fairnesshttps://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 marketshttps://www.reuters.com/world/china/g7-debt-is-now-pressure-point-anxious-markets-2025-06-03/The evolution of federal debt interest costs in Canadahttps://www.fraserinstitute.org/commentary/evolution-federal-debt-interest-costs-canadaCanada’s combined federal-provincial government debt estimated to surpass $2.4 trillion in 2025/26https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/growing-debt-burden-canadians-2026-editionIntergenerational Injustice in Canadian Public Financehttps://www.gensqueeze.ca/intergenerational_injustice_in_canadian_public_financeHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

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 lowHow EI parental leave actually worksWhy one-third of Canadian mothers don't qualify for paid parental leaveThe financial reality of taking parental leave todayHousing costs and the affordability of raising childrenWhy freelancers, contractors, and gig workers are left behindThe decline of employer parental leave top-upsQuebec's parental leave model and its impact on fertilityFinland's parental leave reforms and shared parentingPolicy reforms that could make it easier for Canadians to have the families they wantChapters:00:00 Why Canada's fertility rate hit a record low00:49 How Canada's parental leave system actually works02:42 Why Young Canadians Are Delaying Having Kids04:18 The Hidden Financial Penalty of Parental Leave06:32 Why 1 in 3 Mothers Can't Access Paid Leave08:08 The Self-Employment Trap10:02 Why Employer Parental Leave Benefits Are Shrinking12:37 What Quebec Gets Right About Parental Leave14:34 Finland's Family Policy Is Changing Fatherhood16:28 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-2024Statistics Canada -- The Daily: Fertility and baby names, 2024:https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250924/dq250924d-eng.htmThe 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/74-20162964Fast Company -- Deloitte and Zoom cut parental leave and other benefits:https://www.fastcompany.com/91530300/deloitte-and-zoom-cut-parental-leave-and-other-benefitsPMC -- 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 MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/