Dr. Mike P. Moffatt
@mikepmoffatt.bsky.social
Co-Host, "Missing Middle". Husband. Father. Brother. Son. Economist. Housing guy. I used to do other stuff.
Our episode looking back on the predictions the 1996 book Boom, Bust, Echo made about 2026 has hit 3000+ views, and 150+ comments on YouTube (and 1700+ listens on Apple Podcast/Spotify). Seems to be resonating with folks!
Watch here: youtu.be/j3VT7x1lrBs
Watch here: youtu.be/j3VT7x1lrBs
February 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Our episode looking back on the predictions the 1996 book Boom, Bust, Echo made about 2026 has hit 3000+ views, and 150+ comments on YouTube (and 1700+ listens on Apple Podcast/Spotify). Seems to be resonating with folks!
Watch here: youtu.be/j3VT7x1lrBs
Watch here: youtu.be/j3VT7x1lrBs
Every Saturday morning at Food Basics.
Cashier: "How would you like to pay today?"
Me: "Reluctantly."
Cashier: "How would you like to pay today?"
Me: "Reluctantly."
January 31, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Every Saturday morning at Food Basics.
Cashier: "How would you like to pay today?"
Me: "Reluctantly."
Cashier: "How would you like to pay today?"
Me: "Reluctantly."
New epsiode! Canada’s housing crisis. Youth unemployment. Immigration debates. A broken healthcare system.
What if we told you a book published in 1996 predicted almost all of it?
Watch here:
What if we told you a book published in 1996 predicted almost all of it?
Watch here:
They Predicted Canada’s Housing Crisis in 1996 — Why Didn’t We Listen?
Canada’s housing crisis. Youth unemployment. Immigration debates. A broken healthcare system.
What if we told you a book published in 1996 predicted almost all of it?
In this episode of The Missing Middle, Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt revisit the Canadian classic Boom, Bust & Echo to explore how de
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:42 PM
New epsiode! Canada’s housing crisis. Youth unemployment. Immigration debates. A broken healthcare system.
What if we told you a book published in 1996 predicted almost all of it?
Watch here:
What if we told you a book published in 1996 predicted almost all of it?
Watch here:
New piece! Canada measures a new building as having started construction much later than peer countries, which results in a poor understanding of the state of our housing market and ineffective public policy.
"When a Start Isn't a Start"
Read here: www.missingmiddleini...
"When a Start Isn't a Start"
Read here: www.missingmiddleini...
January 29, 2026 at 1:05 PM
New piece! Canada measures a new building as having started construction much later than peer countries, which results in a poor understanding of the state of our housing market and ineffective public policy.
"When a Start Isn't a Start"
Read here: www.missingmiddleini...
"When a Start Isn't a Start"
Read here: www.missingmiddleini...
Really delighted to see the housing report we released yesterday got some love in federal Question Period today. By my count, three different MPs referenced it.
I tried posting the video, but it's 4.5 minutes long, and apparently there's a 2 minute limit on Bluesky.
I tried posting the video, but it's 4.5 minutes long, and apparently there's a 2 minute limit on Bluesky.
January 28, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Really delighted to see the housing report we released yesterday got some love in federal Question Period today. By my count, three different MPs referenced it.
I tried posting the video, but it's 4.5 minutes long, and apparently there's a 2 minute limit on Bluesky.
I tried posting the video, but it's 4.5 minutes long, and apparently there's a 2 minute limit on Bluesky.
New episode! We dig into why homeownership for Canadians under 40 has fallen off a cliff, and discuss how the federal government can fix it.
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watc...
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watc...
January 28, 2026 at 2:38 PM
New episode! We dig into why homeownership for Canadians under 40 has fallen off a cliff, and discuss how the federal government can fix it.
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watc...
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watc...
Spoiler for an upcoming piece. How Canada measures housing starts is... odd. And it's harming our ability to understand what's going on with new housing construction and demand.
January 28, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Spoiler for an upcoming piece. How Canada measures housing starts is... odd. And it's harming our ability to understand what's going on with new housing construction and demand.
Thread time on homeownership in Canada - how it's dying and how the federal government can bring it back to life.
Let's begin!
Let's begin!
January 27, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Thread time on homeownership in Canada - how it's dying and how the federal government can bring it back to life.
Let's begin!
Let's begin!
New report! In "A Blueprint to Restore Homeownership for Young Canadians" we highlight the rapid drop in homeownership since 2011 and provide 10 actionable recommendations to the federal government on how to fix the problem.
Read here: www.missingmiddleini...
Read here: www.missingmiddleini...
January 27, 2026 at 1:30 PM
New report! In "A Blueprint to Restore Homeownership for Young Canadians" we highlight the rapid drop in homeownership since 2011 and provide 10 actionable recommendations to the federal government on how to fix the problem.
Read here: www.missingmiddleini...
Read here: www.missingmiddleini...
Spoiler! Tomorrow morning, with the support of the Canadian Real Estate Association, we'll be releasing our Blueprint to Restore Homeownership for Young Canadians, which provides 10 recommendations on how the federal government can restore the dream of homeownership.
January 26, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Spoiler! Tomorrow morning, with the support of the Canadian Real Estate Association, we'll be releasing our Blueprint to Restore Homeownership for Young Canadians, which provides 10 recommendations on how the federal government can restore the dream of homeownership.
For the "homes used to be places to live but now they're investments" crowd: An ad from 1911 showing the investment potential and "surest speculation" of buying land in the Glebe.
(Given how much land prices have gone up here... they're not wrong.
(Given how much land prices have gone up here... they're not wrong.
January 25, 2026 at 6:15 PM
For the "homes used to be places to live but now they're investments" crowd: An ad from 1911 showing the investment potential and "surest speculation" of buying land in the Glebe.
(Given how much land prices have gone up here... they're not wrong.
(Given how much land prices have gone up here... they're not wrong.
Over the past 12 months, Canadian governments, investors, pension funds, corporations, etc. have increased US bond holdings by 27%, or 100B USD.
Why are we increasing our financing of US government debt at a time when the US government is so antagonistic towards Canada?
Why are we increasing our financing of US government debt at a time when the US government is so antagonistic towards Canada?
January 24, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Over the past 12 months, Canadian governments, investors, pension funds, corporations, etc. have increased US bond holdings by 27%, or 100B USD.
Why are we increasing our financing of US government debt at a time when the US government is so antagonistic towards Canada?
Why are we increasing our financing of US government debt at a time when the US government is so antagonistic towards Canada?
New episode! We explore how ownership is quietly disappearing from everyday life, and what that means for consumers, younger generations, and the economy as a whole.
Watch "You’ll Own Nothing and Be Happy: Is That Our Future?" here:
www.youtube.com/watc...
Watch "You’ll Own Nothing and Be Happy: Is That Our Future?" here:
www.youtube.com/watc...
January 23, 2026 at 2:37 PM
New episode! We explore how ownership is quietly disappearing from everyday life, and what that means for consumers, younger generations, and the economy as a whole.
Watch "You’ll Own Nothing and Be Happy: Is That Our Future?" here:
www.youtube.com/watc...
Watch "You’ll Own Nothing and Be Happy: Is That Our Future?" here:
www.youtube.com/watc...
In the 45 years in which data exists, 2025 had by far the lowest number of new home sales for the GTA.
Read here:
Read here:
Record low December new home sales in the GTA capped off 2025 as the worst year on record - BILDgta
Greater Toronto Area, January 22, 2026 – December sales capped off 2025 as the worst year on record for new home sales in the GTA, the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) said today, raising...Read More from Record low December new home sales in the GTA capped off 2025 as the worst year on record
www.bildgta.ca
January 22, 2026 at 3:56 PM
In the 45 years in which data exists, 2025 had by far the lowest number of new home sales for the GTA.
Read here:
Read here:
This is a really great response-thread RE: perceptions of crime and disorder.
Perception is reality indeed. Stats show continued decrease in actual crime (does not include non-reported crimes).
www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/t...
www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/t...
Crime severity index and weighted clearance rates, Canada, provinces, territories and Census Metropolitan Areas
Crime severity index (violent, non-violent, youth) and weighted clearance rates (violent, non-violent), Canada, provinces, territories and Census Metropolitan Areas, 1998 to 2024.
www150.statcan.gc.ca
January 21, 2026 at 4:23 PM
This is a really great response-thread RE: perceptions of crime and disorder.
Reposted by Dr. Mike P. Moffatt
The perception of crime is more important than the actual crime data when it comes to living in a high-trust country like Canada. Today on the pod @SabrinaMaddeaux & @MikepMoffatt discuss the rise of transit crime and disorder in our cities and how it impacts public perception.
January 21, 2026 at 3:30 PM
The perception of crime is more important than the actual crime data when it comes to living in a high-trust country like Canada. Today on the pod @SabrinaMaddeaux & @MikepMoffatt discuss the rise of transit crime and disorder in our cities and how it impacts public perception.
New episode! We reference a thoughtful comment from Chris Arnade (@chris_arnade) on how dense, walkable urban communities require "zero tolerance for disorder", and how perceptions of crime contribute to sprawl.
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watc...
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watc...
January 21, 2026 at 2:29 PM
New episode! We reference a thoughtful comment from Chris Arnade (@chris_arnade) on how dense, walkable urban communities require "zero tolerance for disorder", and how perceptions of crime contribute to sprawl.
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watc...
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watc...
The Canadian Senate just released their report on housing, with 12 recommendations. Overall it's... quite good! Includes recommendations expanding GST rebates and ending development charge tax-on-tax.
Report here:
Report here:
BANC - Out of Reach: Unlocking Canada’s housing affordability crisis
Many Canadian housing markets face a troubling paradox: homes remain unaffordable for buyers even as construction and land costs have receded, leaving many — especially younger Canadians — feeling that homeownership is out of reach.
sencanada.ca
January 20, 2026 at 8:08 PM
The Canadian Senate just released their report on housing, with 12 recommendations. Overall it's... quite good! Includes recommendations expanding GST rebates and ending development charge tax-on-tax.
Report here:
Report here:
Spoiler for an upcoming piece. With the federal government's rollback of immigration and non-permanent residents, both annual housing construction and net new demographic demand are both in the range of 225-250K units a year, but there is a substantial unit-type mismatch.
January 20, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Spoiler for an upcoming piece. With the federal government's rollback of immigration and non-permanent residents, both annual housing construction and net new demographic demand are both in the range of 225-250K units a year, but there is a substantial unit-type mismatch.
The City of Toronto failed to meet key commitments that they agreed to under the Housing Accelerator Fund. As a result, their funding was reduced from $471 million to... $461 million.
Why bother meeting commitments when the penalties are so weak?
Why bother meeting commitments when the penalties are so weak?
Update on the Housing Accelerator Fund Agreements for Red Deer, Toronto, Vaughan | CMHC
Updates on the Housing Accelerator Fund agreements.
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca
January 16, 2026 at 9:08 PM
The City of Toronto failed to meet key commitments that they agreed to under the Housing Accelerator Fund. As a result, their funding was reduced from $471 million to... $461 million.
Why bother meeting commitments when the penalties are so weak?
Why bother meeting commitments when the penalties are so weak?
First episode of our new show, DemograFix. Today we ask, "Are generations really a thing? Does your birth year actually matter? Or is it just a way to sell more blue jeans."
Watch here:
Watch here:
How Birth Year Shapes Your Economic Future
From avocado toast jokes to accusations of entitlement, every generation seems to get its turn in the stereotype spotlight. In this episode of The Missing Middle, economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern dig into where these labels come from — and, more importantly, whether generations reall
www.youtube.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:34 PM
First episode of our new show, DemograFix. Today we ask, "Are generations really a thing? Does your birth year actually matter? Or is it just a way to sell more blue jeans."
Watch here:
Watch here:
Reposted by Dr. Mike P. Moffatt
Every prediction the development industry made 20 years ago about the Greenbelt and what would happen to land/home prices has happened. And every prediction the McGuinty government made was wrong. @SabrinaMaddeaux & @MikepMoffatt get into it on today's episode of Classonomics.
January 14, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Every prediction the development industry made 20 years ago about the Greenbelt and what would happen to land/home prices has happened. And every prediction the McGuinty government made was wrong. @SabrinaMaddeaux & @MikepMoffatt get into it on today's episode of Classonomics.
Reposted by Dr. Mike P. Moffatt
In this episode of Classonomics /The Missing Middle, @MikePMoffatt and @SabrinaMaddeaux tackle the question viewers keep asking: can Ontario build enough family-friendly homes without touching the Greenbelt — and what happens if it doesn’t?
Did the Greenbelt Break Ontario’s Housing System?
Ontario’s Greenbelt is often treated as untouchable — but is it actually making the housing crisis worse?
In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux tackle the question viewers keep asking: can Ontario build enough family-friendly homes without touching the Greenbelt —
youtu.be
January 14, 2026 at 5:01 PM
In this episode of Classonomics /The Missing Middle, @MikePMoffatt and @SabrinaMaddeaux tackle the question viewers keep asking: can Ontario build enough family-friendly homes without touching the Greenbelt — and what happens if it doesn’t?
The first episode of our new show Classonomics doesn't mess around. We tackle the most common question I was asked from viewers last year: "Did the Greenbelt Break Ontario’s Housing System?"
Watch here:
Watch here:
Did the Greenbelt Break Ontario’s Housing System?
Ontario’s Greenbelt is often treated as untouchable — but is it actually making the housing crisis worse?
In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux tackle the question viewers keep asking: can Ontario build enough family-friendly homes without touching the Greenbelt —
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:26 PM
The first episode of our new show Classonomics doesn't mess around. We tackle the most common question I was asked from viewers last year: "Did the Greenbelt Break Ontario’s Housing System?"
Watch here:
Watch here: