Canada’s housing market is entering a major shift. In this episode, Mike Moffatt sits down with Vancouver realtor and Loonie Hour host Steve Saretsky to break down the growing cracks in Canada’s real estate market — from falling condo prices and rising vacancy rates to investor selloffs, rent control, and the political fallout surrounding B.C.’s controversial Cowichan land title ruling. They also compare the housing markets in Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary, and discuss what’s next for affordability, development, immigration-driven demand, and the future of housing policy in Canada.

Topics covered:
• The Cowichan land title ruling and B.C. real estate uncertainty
• Vancouver vs. Toronto housing market slowdown
• Falling condo prices and investor selloffs
• Rising vacancy rates and declining rents
• The collapse of Canada’s condo pre-sale market
• Purpose-built rentals and developer pullback
• B.C.’s rent control policies
• Calgary’s zoning and density debate
• Immigration, population growth, and housing demand
• The future of housing affordability in Canada

Chapters:

0:00 Canada’s Housing Market Is Shifting Fast
1:12 Introducing Steve Saretsky & B.C. Housing Challenges
2:18 The Cowichan Land Title Ruling Explained
5:20 Why Banks and Buyers Are Nervous About B.C. Real Estate
8:14 Political Fallout in British Columbia
11:02 Vancouver’s Housing Market Slowdown
13:40 Condo Investors Are Exiting the Market
16:28 Rising Vacancy Rates & Falling Rents
19:11 The Collapse of Canada’s Pre-Construction Condo Market
22:05 Why Developers Are Pulling Back on New Projects
24:37 B.C. Rent Control and Its Market Impact
27:02 Calgary’s Zoning Backlash and Density Debate
30:01 Immigration, Rental Demand & Housing Pressure
32:18 The Future of Family-Friendly Housing in Canada
33:40 Final Thoughts on Canada’s Housing Future

Research links:

The Cowichan ruling isn’t a threat to private property

https://policyoptions.irpp.org/2025/12/cowichan-land-ruling-explained/

To recognize aboriginal title is not to abolish property rights, but to uphold them

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-cowichan-aboriginal-first-nation-indigenous-property-rights/

What the Musqueam rights recognition agreement means and what it doesn’t

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/musqueam-rights-recognition-agreement-explained-9.7128504

Real-estate firm bulk buys $30 million of downtown Toronto condos: ‘They’re sitting empty’

https://www.thestar.com/real-estate/real-estate-firm-bulk-buys-30-million-of-downtown-toronto-condos-theyre-sitting-empty/article_899ba81b-b385-43ad-9370-86178d487187.html

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

Produced by Meredith Martin

Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

Many Canadians believe that when Baby Boomers leave their homes, a flood of houses will hit the market and solve the housing crisis. In this episode, Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern explore why that outcome is far from certain, examining the roles of immigration, population growth, housing supply, and changing housing preferences in shaping Canada's future.

Topics Covered:
• Baby Boomers and the housing market
• Immigration and housing demand
• Canada’s aging population
• Family-sized housing shortages
• Suburban vs. urban living
• Housing affordability
• Population growth and the economy
• The future of Canadian housing policy

#HousingCrisis #CanadaHousing #RealEstate #HousingAffordability #Immigration #HousingMarket #CanadianEconomy #MissingMiddlePodcast

Chapters:

00:00 Will Baby Boomers Solve the Housing Crisis?
01:28 The Theory: A Coming Flood of Family Homes
03:35 Why Demographics Alone Don't Tell the Full Story
05:55 Immigration and Canada's Population Growth
08:22 Will Canada Be Able to Attract Future Immigrants?
10:30 The Missing Supply of Family-Sized Homes
13:12 Why Suburban Living Isn't Going Away
15:40 Are Planners Misreading Housing Demand?
18:05 What Could Actually Cause a Housing Glut?
20:45 Regional Winners and Losers in Canada's Housing Market
22:15 Team Affordability vs. Team Housing Shortage

Research/links:

Mike’s piece at the Globe: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/article-housing-baby-boomers-suburban-homes-young-families/

Statcan population projections: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/cv.action?pid=1710005801

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

Produced by Meredith Martin

Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

Toronto’s housing crisis is no longer just about buying a home, it’s reshaping who can afford to build a future in the city at all. In this special live taping of The Missing Middle Podcast, Sabrina Maddeaux, Mike Moffatt, Cara Stern, and special guest Ron Butler unpack why young families are leaving Toronto, how policy failures created a city of “dog crate” condos and unaffordable homes, and what needs to change before affordability gets even worse.

Topics covered include:
• Why young families are leaving Toronto and the GTA
• The rise of tiny “dog crate” condos
• Why missing middle housing is so difficult to build
• Zoning delays, development charges, and housing red tape
• The future of rentals, condos, and home prices
• The Greenbelt debate and urban sprawl
• Whether Toronto can still work for middle-class families
• Why more young Canadians are leaving Ontario and Canada
• Non-market housing, affordability, and the politics shaping the city’s future

Subscribe for more conversations on housing, affordability, and the future of Canada’s middle class.

Chapters:

0:00 – Live From Toronto: The Housing Crisis Debate Begins
1:42 – Why Young Families Are Leaving Toronto
5:08 – The Reality of Buying a Home in the GTA
8:11 – Why Toronto Only Builds Mansions or Tiny Condos
11:24 – Are “Dog Crate” Condos Doomed?
14:37 – Missing Middle Housing & Zoning Failures
18:02 – The Greenbelt, Sprawl, and Housing Politics
21:10 – Renting for Life in Toronto
24:02 – Should Young Buyers Wait to Purchase?
26:12 – Non-Market Housing vs Market Housing
29:04 – Predictions for Toronto’s Housing Future

Research:

‘It’s not like we’re sitting on our hands.’ Toronto’s biggest landlord sees 7 more complexes fall into critical disrepair

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/it-s-not-like-we-re-sitting-on-our-hands-torontos-biggest-landlord-sees-7/article_dc443926-e4b8-11ef-ab56-6f7d86f12c53.html

Drug deals in doorways and a stranger in the living room: Why Toronto Community Housing residents say its $38M security force is failing them

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/drug-deals-in-doorways-and-a-stranger-in-the-living-room-why-toronto-community-housing/article_2b7633ac-d86b-4fde-9e4e-5e308f4dff5a.html

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

Produced by Meredith Martin

Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/