The Secret Life of Think Tanks: Funding, Influence & Careers

In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt dig into Canada’s condo market crash, the rise of “housing shrinkflation,” and what it all means for young Canadians chasing the dream of homeownership. They unpack why falling condo prices aren’t actually fixing the housing crisis, how developers and government policies have fueled the problem, and why middle-class buyers are being left behind. If you’ve been wondering whether Canada is headed for a nation of “forever renters,” this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.Chapters00:00 Introduction02:02 The condo market collapse: an overview04:03  The impact of shrinkflation on housing04:54 Ron Butler pop up07:48 Government policies and middle-class homeownership11:56 The future of homeownership in canadaResearch/linksSabrina’s Toronto Star column https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/the-condo-crash-wont-fix-our-housing-problem-in-fact-it-just-might-make-it/article_7c44519f-cdbe-4978-b575-ffc1ef9a76bd.htmlNew Condo Sales in GTA Hit 3rd-Highest Level on Record in 2019: Reporthttps://storeys.com/new-condo-sales-gta-2019/Homeownership rate for City of Toronto:https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/fogs-spg/alternative.cfm?topic=7&lang=E&dguid=2021A00033520&objectId=7 Toronto condo market is in ‘free fall,’ federal housing minister sayshttps://www.thestar.com/real-estate/toronto-condo-market-is-in-free-fall-federal-housing-minister-says/article_66c26722-1f22-4b28-bf95-3e98f2e02159.htmlRon Butler: Condo Crash Meets Housing Crisishttps://youtu.be/9xD5veEsB3U?si=-9A-N2jecO8u63N8Hosts: Sabrina Maddeaux https://x.com/SabrinaMaddeaux Mike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt https://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.socialProducer: Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin @meredithmartin.bsky.socialEditor: Sean Foreman@[email protected] 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.

Ever wonder what people at think tanks actually do all day? In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt pull back the curtain on the mysterious world of think tanks. From how they’re structured and funded, to the challenges of staying independent, they explore what really goes on behind the scenes. You’ll also hear about career opportunities for young professionals, why U.S. think tanks dwarf their Canadian counterparts, and how think tanks influence policies that affect our everyday lives—from housing to poverty reduction. If you’ve ever been curious about the brains behind public policy, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 Introduction03:00 Understanding think tanks04:38 The structure and function of academic think tanks07:53 Funding models: how think tanks sustain themselves09:34 Misconceptions about think tank funding11:58 Maintaining independence: challenges and strategies16:13 Career opportunities in think tanks18:09 Comparing Canadian and American think tanksHosted 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.

Why do some infill housing projects spark outrage while others fly under the radar? In this episode of The Missing Middle, host Sabrina Matto sits down with former London City Councillor and researcher Jesse Helmer to unpack 15 years of planning committee decisions. They explore why certain housing proposals face fierce opposition, what factors reduce pushback, and how cities can actually build more homes with community support. From surprising success stories to lessons learned in local politics, this conversation sheds light on the politics of infill housing—and why it matters for solving Canada’s housing crisis.If you’re interested in urban planning, housing affordability, or how communities can embrace smarter growth, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:00 Infill development research with Jesse Helmer02:40 Factors influencing opposition to housing proposals05:30 Research methodology and analysis08:23 Following up with residents after a project is built11:15 Jesse’s personal journey as a London city councillor14:08 Optimism for housing solutions16:28  Personal reflections about Jesse’s time on London city councilResearch:https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/the-politics-of-infill-housing-whatGuest: Jesse Helmer:  https://x.com/jesse_helmerHosted 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.

Canadian cities are facing a creative crisis. Rising housing costs are driving artists, musicians, designers, and other innovators out — and it’s not just culture that’s at risk. In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down how losing the “creative class” hurts local economies, tourism, and even a city’s ability to attract tech and finance talent. From the ripple effects on nightlife and small businesses to the loss of vital cultural spaces, we explore why cities can’t afford to price out their creative heartbeat — and what policies could help keep them.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:13 Defining the creative class exodus02:57 How housing costs impacts creative workers05:54 The economic consequences of pricing out creatives08:45 The ripple effect of losing creative spaces to the housing crisis11:16 You can’t simply trade artists for tech workers 12:50 How this impacts the tourism economy14:50 Policy solutions for retaining creativesResearch/Links:Richard FloridaToronto Arts Council economic impact studyCBC Arts article on artist couples leaving TorontoRichard Florida's work on creative cities and economic developmentBusiness Parks Suck (but they don't have to)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.

Are young Canadians being taxed like millionaires while living like broke students? Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt dive into the jaw-dropping disconnect between salaries, taxes, and the insane cost of housing. From bold tax reform ideas to creative fixes for rent, down payments, and wealth inequality, they tackle the policies (and politics) holding the next generation back. Expect sharp insights, a few laughs, and fresh solutions that could actually make life affordable again.Chapters00:00 The Tax Burden on Young Canadians11:24 Proposed Tax Reforms and Their Implications23:17 Wealth Inequality and Asset Inflation34:55 Finding Solutions for Young CanadiansResearch/Links:To fix housing, we must rethink what wealth means in CanadaCIBC chief calls for tax changes to help young Canadians struggling to save moneyCanada housing affordability and market trendsWealthsimpleHosted 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.

What do cheesy Jean-Claude Van Damme movies and Canada’s rental housing crisis have in common? Apparently, more than you’d think! In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt hop in their imaginary time machine to explore how a long-forgotten 1970s tax trick—MURBs—might make a comeback to boost rental housing today. Will this retro loophole help fix our sky-high rents, or just mess with the condo market even more? Grab your popcorn and find out how investors, multiplexes, and a bit of tax magic could change the housing game all over again.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:51 Investing in housing: a time travel scenario03:46 Why building apartments wasn’t a great investment 04:47 History of creating rental stock06:07 Understanding the MERB08:32 MURB tax deferrals 10:24 How MURB impacts condo construction11:53 MURB now vs 1970s13:19 The historical context of MERB and its implicationsResearch/links:Time Cop trailerThe Quiet Death of the Investor Condo? MURBs May Change the Game     Hosts: Sabrina Maddeaux https://x.com/SabrinaMaddeaux Mike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt https://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.socialProducer: Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin @meredithmartin.bsky.socialEditor: Sean Foreman@[email protected] 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.

​​In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux unpack the controversy around REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) and their role in Canada’s housing crisis. Are REITs really blocking affordable housing, or is the real issue deeper than greedy landlords? Mike and Sabrina break down how REITs work, why they’ve become political scapegoats, and what actually needs to change to build more truly affordable homes. If you’ve ever wondered who should be our landlords — mom-and-pops, corporations, or governments — this is the conversation you need to hear.Subscribe for weekly deep dives on housing, urban planning, and Canada’s affordability crisis.Drop your thoughts below: Who do YOU think should be Canada’s landlords?Chapters00:00 Introduction01:55 Who should our landlords be?03:44 Real Estate Investment Trusts 04:45 Mutual fund trust05:45 Canada has an undeveloped REIT system06:53 REIT push back on affordable housing09:12 Who is to blame for affordable housing not getting built?10:30 All of the other things that make it expensive to build12:09 Should the government build more affordable housing?12:37 Someone has to pay so who should it be? 16:11 What do we mean by affordable units?Research/links:Ford government scrapped Toronto affordable housing requirements after pushback from three REITs, documents showReddit threadEveryone Wants Rentals, but No One Wants LandlordsREIT dataHosted 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, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down the massive wave of federal public service job cuts and how they’re slamming young Canadians the hardest. From thousands of lost student and contract jobs to long-term impacts on housing, wages, and health, they reveal how a shrinking government workforce could shut an entire generation out of shaping Canada’s future. They also dive into what this means for unions, the economy, and why real public service reform must include young voices. If you care about youth employment and the future of Canada’s workforce, you don’t want to miss this!Chapters00:00 Introduction01:00 Federal public service job cuts explained02:54 Our Video03:46 The cohort effect and some historical context05:12 The lack of young public sector workers in shaping policy07:15 Mike’s experience in the federal public service09:26 The talent vacuum10:30 The effects of graduating in a recession12:26 Ripple effects in the broader economy13:45 Graduating in a recession can impact your health16:30 Job hoarding and the role of unions20:24 Future perspectivesResearch/links:Federal public service job cuts fall heavily on young workersSabrina Maddeaux: Striking union should ditch anti-millennial contract demandHow Colleges Broke Canadian ImmigrationThe Short- and Long-Term Career Effects of Graduating in a RecessionLife-Cycle Impacts of Graduating in a RecessionHosted 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.

Toronto’s housing market is in free fall — new condo sales have plunged 97% since 2021, costing governments $6.6 billion in lost tax revenue every year. In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down shocking new data on record-low home sales, how this impacts construction jobs, and why the crisis could get worse before it gets better. They explain how cutting taxes like the GST could revive housing starts without sacrificing affordability, and debate whether foreign buyers and international students should play a role in the market recovery. Don’t miss this deep dive into the numbers and policy ideas that could reshape Canada’s housing future.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:39 Understanding the GTA housing market crash02:28 Video Link - Where Did All the Jobs Go?03:01 Governments could lose $6.6 Billion06:20 Bad housing starts numbers explained08:42 Contraction in the construction industry means 41000 jobs lost10:40 How cutting the GST on new homes makes sense14:00 We need high home construction and affordability15:09 Foreign Investment and housing supply16:40 Conclusion and future considerationsResearch:Toronto’s Housing Collapse Will Cost Governments $6.6 Billion a YearWhere DID All the Jobs Go? The Mystery of Rising UnemploymentAltus group reports: https://www.bildgta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/6.18.25-Job-Risk-Housing-Pipeline-GTA-Altus-Group.pdfhttps://www.bildgta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Altus-Data-Solutions-media-backgrounder_May-2025.pdfToronto New Home Sales Fall To Record Low, Just 42 Condos Sold In The CityThe Next Shoe to DropHow Vaughan is Cutting Housing Costs | The AgendaHosted 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, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt are joined by urban planner Alex Beheshti for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked barriers to solving Canada’s housing crisis: zoning data. Alex makes the case for a Canadian Zoning Atlas—an ambitious but essential tool to bring clarity, consistency, and transparency to the country’s fragmented planning systems. They explore why zoning laws are so confusing, how the lack of machine-readable data cripples good policy, and what Canada can learn from international best practices. If we can map census data, why not zoning? From obscure codes to wedding vows about development charges (really!) this is a conversation about why better data might just be the key to better housing.Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:00 Canada needs a housing crisis map01:29 Alex shares his wedding vows02:48 Previous Alex B episode02:53 Mike’s philosophy of experimentation and failure04:05 Understanding zoning: definitions and complexities07:01 The need for centralized zoning data09:19 The massive gap in urban planning data10:30 Envisioning a Canadian zoning atlas12:16 Canada should emulate the US and Australia13:49 Future planning tools for CanadaResearch/links:Canada’s Housing Crisis Needs a MapGuest:  Alex Beheshti https://twitter.com/beheshtialexHosted 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.