Published by Cara Stern, Mike Moffatt, and Meredith Martin
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.
Listen on Apple PodcastsCanada’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 They discuss how rising housing costs, stagnant income replacement, contract work, and outdated Employment Insurance rules are making it harder for Canadians to start or grow their families.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/
Many people assume Canada’s suburbs are destined to decline as Baby Boomers age and younger generations embrace urban living. But does the data actually support that? In this episode of DemograFix, Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt examine new Statistics Canada research on how immigrants’ housing choices evolve over time. While most newcomers begin as renters in urban centres, the data shows many transition into homeownership, including family-sized homes in the suburbs, as they build their lives in Canada. They also test this prediction against several scenarios that could prove it wrong, including lower immigration, more family-sized housing in cities, rising emigration, and changing housing preferences. Chapters: 00:00 Why Everyone Got the Future of the Suburbs Wrong 00:27 Do Immigrants Actually Want Suburban Homes? 01:54 Why Newcomers Rent First—Then Buy Houses 04:33 Are Immigrants Buying Condos or Single-Family Homes? 06:56 Why Immigration Policy Shapes Housing Demand 08:03 Will Baby Boomers Flood the Market With Homes? 09:13 What Could Kill Demand for the Canadian Suburb? 10:28 Could Better Cities Replace the Suburbs? 12:04 Will Young Canadians Leave Instead of Buying Homes? 13:09 Is the Dream of a House With a Backyard Dying? 14:21 Does Canada's Housing Market Still Attract Immigrants? 17:54 Why People Buy Homes Even When It's a Bad Investment 19:15 The Housing Lesson Policymakers Keep Missing Research/links: Housing use of immigrants and non-permanent residents in ownership and rental markets https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28-0001/2025005/article/00003-eng.htm The homeownership trajectories of recent immigrants https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/46-28-0001/2026001/article/00002-eng.htm Credits: Mike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt https://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.social Cara Stern https://x.com/carastern https://bsky.app/profile/carastern.bsky.social Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin https://bsky.app/profile/meredithmartin.bsky.social Sean Foreman @seanegertonforeman https://bsky.app/profile/seanforeman.bsky.social Co-op Student Kelly Hoban Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
Canada has spent decades trying to curb urban sprawl through policies like greenbelts, urban growth boundaries, and higher development charges, but what if those policies are having the opposite effect? In this episode, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux examine the rise of "leapfrog development," where families priced out of cities move beyond growth boundaries into neighbouring communities, leading to longer commutes, higher infrastructure costs, and even more sprawl. They explore real-world examples from Ottawa, London, and the Greater Toronto Area, discuss the research behind these trends, and ask whether it's time to rethink how Canadian cities grow. Topics covered: Why urban growth boundaries were created What leapfrog development is and why it matters How greenbelts and development charges affect housing affordability Why more families are moving outside city limits The Ottawa and Carleton Place case study Statistics Canada's commuting data and metro boundaries The relationship between housing costs, commuting, and emissions Why regional planning may work better than local planning Can cities reduce sprawl without pricing families out? Subscribe for more conversations on housing, affordability, economics, and public policy in Canada. #Housing #Canada #UrbanPlanning #HousingCrisis #RealEstate #Affordability #Greenbelt #UrbanSprawl #PublicPolicy #MissingMiddle Chapters: 00:00 Is the Greenbelt Actually Causing More Sprawl? 01:33 The "Strange Pattern" of Ontario's Development 03:11 How StatsCan Defines Metro Boundaries 05:07 The Rise of the "Commuter Village" 07:59 What is "Leapfrog Development" & Why Boundaries Fail 11:02 Why the Environmental Movement Refuses to Change Its Mind 12:51 Anti-Sprawl Politics: Virtue Signaling vs. Real Outcomes Research: Did Development Charges Cause Metro Ottawa to Grow by Over 1000km in Size? https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/did-development-charges-cause-metro Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
Has having three kids become a status symbol in Canada? In this episode of DemograFix, Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt explore why having three children has become a luxury for many middle-class Canadian families. From the cost of family-sized housing to childcare, career sacrifices, transportation, and the changing expectations placed on parents, they break down why so many families stop at two, even when they wanted more. The conversation also looks at Canadian and international research on fertility, Quebec's childcare experiment, why family-sized homes have almost disappeared from our cities, and what governments would actually need to change if they want Canadians to have the families they hope for. If you've ever wondered why three kids now feels like a status symbol, this episode explains the economics behind it. Topics covered: Why Canada's fertility rate has reached record lows Is a third child becoming a luxury good? How housing shortages shape family size Why family-sized homes are disappearing The hidden career costs of having children Does affordable childcare actually increase birth rates? Why cities are losing young families What policies could make raising larger families affordable again Chapters: 00:00 Why 3 Kids Are Becoming a Rich Person's Luxury 00:58 When Families Become Status Symbols 03:03 The Housing Crisis is Eliminating the Third Child 05:09 Canada Stopped Building Family Homes 06:28 The Big Childcare Problem 07:55 Does Cheap Childcare Actually Boost Birth Rates? 12:15 The Real Cost of a Third Baby 15:07 Families Are Being Forced Out of Cities 17:20 How Canada Could Make Three Kids Affordable Again Research/links: More Crowding, Fewer Babies: The Effects of Housing Density on Fertility | Institute for Family Studies https://ifstudies.org/blog/more-crowding-fewer-babies-the-effects-of-housing-density-on-fertility The ultimate status symbol? A big family https://www.ft.com/content/a4025e93-7552-4f8f-8ce2-e785a7d950a4?syn-25a6b1a6=1 Opinion | Three Kids? You Showoffs. - The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/2008/04/06/three-kids-you-showoffs/6b7952ed-4547-4f9b-ae9b-cd9d2f1d8aa0/ Why are some families with children leaving the inner city and other staying? https://www.scup.com/doi/10.18261/njus.2.1.2 Home Alone | Cardus https://www.cardus.ca/research/family/reports/home-alone/ Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
Is 500,000 new homes a year really what Canada needs to solve the housing crisis? In this episode of the Missing Middle’s Classonomics Podcast, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux examine whether Canada's headline housing targets still make sense now that immigration has slowed and population growth has changed. They discuss why housing starts can be a misleading metric, why the type of housing being built matters just as much as the number of homes, and what governments should actually measure if the goal is restoring affordability. Topics covered: Why the 500,000-home target may no longer be necessary How immigration affects housing demand Why housing starts don't tell the full story The shortage of family-sized homes High-rise condos vs. townhomes and detached homes The hidden costs preventing more housing from being built What metrics governments should focus on instead of housing starts Can Canada restore middle-class housing affordability within a decade? Subscribe for more conversations on housing, affordability, economics, and public policy. Chapters: 00:00 - Does Canada Really Need 500,000 Homes a Year? 01:40 - Where Did the 500k Housing Starts Target Come From? 02:47 - The Metrics Governments Should Focus On Instead 04:11 - Balancing Housing Supply with Immigration Demand 05:21 - The Population Math: Why 500k is Overkill 06:40 - How Developers Bet on Future Immigration Policy 08:39 - Why the Type of Housing Matters (High-Rises vs. Townhomes) 10:12 - How Many Homes We Actually Need to Build 11:08 - Solving the Crisis by Lowering Construction Costs 13:04 - Will Baby Boomers Free Up Suburban Housing? Research/links The Impossible Trinity that Broke Canadian Housing https://open.substack.com/pub/missingmiddleinitiative/p/the-impossible-trinity-that-broke?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web The Housing Trilemma: Why You Can't Afford a Home https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/the-housing-trilemma-why-you-cant Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
When a business faces a labour shortage, the free market says they should raise wages. So why is Canada’s government stepping in to make labour cheaper instead? In this episode of The Missing Middle, Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt dive into how Canada's low-wage Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program and the explosion of international student work caps have completely disrupted the laws of supply and demand. As Canadian youth face historic unemployment rates, we break down how corporate lobbying and government policy created a cheat code that insulates businesses from capitalism, while pushing young workers off the first rung of the career ladder. From the housing crisis in Alberta's mountain tourist towns to Tim Hortons' recent PR scramble, we expose the loop of corporate reliance on exploitable temporary labor and ask: how do we let the market actually fix itself? Topics covered: Canada's rising youth unemployment rate The Temporary Foreign Worker Program explained How international student work rules affect the job market Why labour shortages don't always mean there aren't enough workers Seasonal jobs, tourism, and staff housing The economics of wages, supply, and demand Tim Hortons and the TFW controversy Policy solutions to improve opportunities for young Canadians #Canada #YouthUnemployment #TemporaryForeignWorkers #Jobs #CanadianEconomy #LabourMarket #Economics #Immigration #PublicPolicy #MissingMiddle Chapters: 00:00 - The Free Market Myth in Canada 01:24 - Gen Z vs. Gen X: The Youth Unemployment Crisis 02:12 - Why Student Jobs Suddenly Vanished 03:32 - How the TFW Program Ballooned Over 50 Years 05:39 - The Corporate Lobbying Flipping Immigration Rules 07:11 - Debunking the Alberta "Labour Shortage" 09:47 - Why Canada Insulates Businesses From Capitalism 11:11 - What "Dirty Dancing" Teaches Us About Seasonal Housing 14:06 - The Dark Side of Temporary Work Regulations 16:02 - Exposing Tim Hortons' "Local Hiring" PR Spin 18:57 - How to Break the TFW Doom Loop Research/links: Tourist towns ‘desperate’ for workers in Alberta https://www.cp24.com/news/2026/03/28/i-have-to-find-at-least-35-people-before-june-1-worker-shortages-in-albertas-tourist-towns/ Tim Hortons says it will hire locals, scale back temporary foreign workers https://globalnews.ca/news/11863474/tim-hortons-temporary-foreign-workers/ Tim Hortons is Committed to Local Hiring Launching National Campaign to Hire 10,000 Local Team Members https://www.news.timhortons.ca/en/articles/tim-hortons-is-committed-to-local-hiring-launching-national-camp Youth unemployment in Canada jumped 57% in 3 years, hitting levels previously unseen outside a recession https://thehub.ca/2026/05/07/canadas-youth-unemployment-jumped-57-in-3-years-hit-unprecedented-jobless-levels-outside-recession-by-2025/ Youth unemployment in Canada near record highs since 2022; unprecedented levels outside of a recession https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/extraordinary-increase-youth-unemployment-canada https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/extraordinary-increase-of-youth-unemployment-in-canada.pdf Temporary ForeignWorkers in Canada:Are They Really Filling Labour Shortages? https://cdhowe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/commentary_407.pdf StatsCan: Drayton Valley statistical area sees lowest unemployment in Alberta at 4.9 per cent https://www.bigwestcountry.ca/2026/06/05/statscan-drayton-valley-statistical-area-sees-lowest-unemployment-in-alberta-at-4-9-per-cent/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20latest%20Labour,5.3%20per%20cent%20in%20April Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Programs - The Canadian Encyclopedia https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadas-temporary-foreign-worker-programs Businesses face new limits on temporary foreign worker program https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/tfw-program-new-limits-1.7333777 3 problems with the temporary foreign worker program and 3 possible fixes, according to experts https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/temporary-foreign-worker-program-fixes-1.7633045 Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
Why are so many young Canadian families leaving Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal? Even after return-to-office mandates, the exodus from Canada's largest cities continues. In this episode of Classonomics, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux explore the data behind Canada's urban migration trends and debate why affordability isn't the only factor driving people away. They discuss housing costs, crime and public safety, mental health, community, urban planning, and whether government policies are making sprawl even worse. Topics covered: Why Canadians are leaving the GTA, Metro Vancouver, and Montreal Why return-to-office hasn't reversed the trend Housing affordability and the shortage of family-sized homes Crime, public safety, and quality of life in big cities Mental health, community, and life satisfaction Urban growth boundaries, the Greenbelt, and sprawl Why smaller cities are attracting young families What policymakers are getting wrong about housing and urban planning Subscribe for more conversations on housing, economics, public policy, and the future of Canada. Chapters: 00:00 The Great Canadian Family Exodus 01:05 Mike's Biggest Prediction Miss 03:05 Why Millennials Are Leaving Cities 04:17 Is Toronto Becoming Too Chaotic? 06:22 Does Crime Make Families Move? 09:44 Are Small Towns Better for Mental Health? 11:57 Why Community Matters More Than Ever 14:32 It All Comes Back to Housing 15:35 The Greenbelt's Unintended Consequences 17:29 When Good Environmental Policy Goes Wrong 18:40 The Case for Evidence-Based Policy Research/links: Housing is a large part of the story. The OECD has examined this: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2025/05/oecd-economic-surveys-canada-2025_ee18a269/full-report/improving-housing-affordability_3d430d2e.html As has Statistics Canada: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/241119/dq241119b-eng.htm Remote Work and Employment Dynamics under COVID-19: Evidence from Canada https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7971424/ Upjohn Institute: https://www.upjohn.org/remote-works-quiet-impact-rural-communities C.D. Howe: https://cdhowe.org/publication/settling-new-normal-working-home-across-canada/ Social ties and quality of life, including lower rates of depression: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2025002/article/00003-eng.htm https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20376426/ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-design/article-why-some-people-are-choosing-country-life-over-the-city/ Though evidence is nuanced: https://www.cmaj.ca/content/184/17/E889 Crime and disorder: https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/urban-violent-crime-report-comparing-crime-across-canadian-cities-volume-2/ https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2025001/article/00005-eng.htm McDonald-Laurier Report: https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Urban-Violent-Crime-Report_Final.pdf Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
Thinking about taking parental leave in Canada? In this episode of DemograFix Cara Stern talks with Jasmine Steffler (from Walkable Parenthood and Oh The Urbanity!) about her experience navigating parental leave. From understanding benefits and income replacement to finding childcare, building community, and adjusting to life with a new baby, Cara and Jasmine know what it takes to grow a family in Canada. If you're expecting a child or planning a family, this conversation covers many of the practical questions parents have before taking leave: ✅ How parental leave and EI benefits work in Canada ✅ The difference between 12- and 18-month leave options ✅ Why Quebec's parental leave system is different ✅ How much income you can expect while on leave ✅ Finding daycare and understanding childcare costs ✅ Building community and avoiding isolation during leave ✅ Life with a baby in a walkable city without owning a car ✅ What we wish we knew before taking leave Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Canadian Parental Leave 00:48 Understanding Parental Leave Policies 02:29 Choosing the Length of Leave 02:51 The Quebec Parental Insurance Plan vs. Other Provinces 05:08 Navigating the Childcare System 06:15 Financial Challenges and Income Replacement 07:50 Walking and Cycling Without a Car 10:19 Finding Community During Parental Leave 12:50 Lessons Learned and Future Considerations 15:55 Traveling with a Young Child 16:49 Conclusion and Outro Research/links: The effect of leave policies on increasing fertility: a systematic review | Humanities and Social Sciences Communications https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-022-01270-w (PDF) Does Parental Leave Affect Fertility and Return-to-Work? Evidence from a "True Natural Experiment" https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5135837_Does_Parental_Leave_Affect_Fertility_and_Return-to-Work_Evidence_from_a_True_Natural_Experiment The Daily — Fertility and baby names, 2024 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250924/dq250924d-eng.htm Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
Happy Canada Day! In this special Canada Day episode of The Missing Middle Podcast , the team takes a break from focusing on Canada's challenges to share what makes them optimistic about the country's future. From housing reforms and immigration to education, community, nature, and Canadian values, each member reflects on what they love most about Canada and why they remain hopeful. Topics covered: Housing reform and recent progress on zoning and development charges Canada's sense of community and belonging Education affordability and student experiences Immigration and Canada's multicultural identity Nature, cities, and public spaces Canadian humour, humility, and culture Canadian values, civic engagement, and democracy Why constructive criticism is a form of patriotism What gives Canadians reason for optimism heading into the future What makes you optimistic about Canada? Let us know in the comments below. #CanadaDay #Canada #TheMissingMiddle #CanadaHousing #CanadianEconomy #CanadianValues Chapters: YouTube Chapters (8:52) 00:00 Why We're Talking About Optimism This Canada Day 00:40 Cara Stern: Summers, Housing & Reasons for Optimism 01:43 Sean Foreman: Canada's Secret Weapon is Humour 02:57 Kelly Hoban: An American's Perspective on Canada 03:52 Meredith Martin: Nature, Immigration & Hope 05:36 Sabrina Maddeaux: Canadian Values, Kindness & Common Sense 07:48 Mike Moffatt: Why Criticism Is Patriotism Research/Links: A History of Tommy Thompson Park https://trca.ca/news/tommy-thompson-park-history/ Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
For years, Canada's housing strategy focused on increasing the number of housing units built. But even during periods of record apartment construction, family-sized homes became increasingly scarce. In this episode of the Demografix, Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern unpack a major problem hidden inside Canada's housing statistics: the country is building fewer family-sized homes than it did 20 years ago. Why are three-bedroom homes becoming so difficult to find? Why are developers building more small condos instead of homes for families? And how do zoning rules, development charges, land shortages, and housing policies shape what gets built? The conversation explores: • Why housing "units" and housing "homes" are not the same thing • The dramatic decline in single-detached homes, semis, and townhouses • Why family-sized condos remain rare and expensive • How rising land costs and government policies affect housing supply • The connection between housing affordability and Canada's falling birth rate • Why many young families are leaving major cities • Policy solutions that could help create more family-friendly housing If Canada wants cities that work for young families, workers, and future generations, we need to start measuring success by more than just the number of housing units built. Chapters: 00:55 What Families Actually Need In A Home 02:00 Why Three-Bedroom Apartments Are So Rare 04:09 Why Condos Stop Making Sense For Families 05:00 Canada Is Building Fewer Family-Sized Homes 07:06 The Problem With Counting “Units” Instead Of Homes 09:03 Who Shoebox Condos Actually Work For 10:07 If Demand Is Strong, Why Aren’t Builders Responding? 12:14 Why The GTA Builds Fewer Family Homes 14:02 Urban Boundaries, Sprawl, And Long Commutes 15:16 Taxes And Fees That Favor McMansions 16:52 Why Developers Don’t Build Family-Sized Apartments 18:28 Housing Costs, Birth Rates, And Families Leaving Cities 22:05 How Canada Could Fix Family Housing Research/links: From Policy Gridlock to Housing Growth: A Roadmap for Gentle Density https://www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/from-policy-gridlock-to-housing-growth Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally here and Canada is on a roll! But as the excitement builds on the pitch, we're asking the tough questions: will this massive event actually deliver the economic win that was promised? In this episode, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux dive into the real costs of hosting the world's biggest party. They break down the billion-dollar price tags, FIFA's business model, and whether taxpayers are getting stuck with the bill while others reap the rewards. (Producer note: This episode was recorded on June 5th, 2026.) Topics covered: The economics of hosting the FIFA World Cup Why economists question projected economic benefits Public spending on stadiums, security, and infrastructure Tourism displacement and local business impacts Housing, short-term rentals, and affordability concerns FIFA's revenue model and tax treatment Transit, traffic, and quality-of-life effects for residents Lessons from previous World Cup host countries Dynamic ticket pricing and the changing fan experience If you enjoy thoughtful discussions on housing, infrastructure, public policy, and the economic issues affecting Canada's middle class, subscribe for more episodes from The Missing Middle. Chapters: 00:00 The World Cup's Economic Myth 00:49 The Benefits Nobody Talks About 03:32 Can Hosting the World Cup Actually Lose Money? 05:11 Why More Tourists Doesn't Mean More Growth 07:00 Who's Really Paying the $1 Billion Bill? 08:23 FIFA's Billion-Dollar Business Model 09:19 Cities Pay, FIFA Profits 10:39 The Tax Breaks You Didn't Know About 12:27 The Hidden Costs for Residents 15:21 What Past World Cups Teach Us 17:07 Are These Games Worth the Price? 17:49 Why World Cup Tickets Are Exploding in Cost 19:22 The People's Game or a VIP Experience? Research: BMO Capital Markets -- Canada World Cup GDP boost (up to $6.5B): https://www.wealthprofessional.ca/news/industry-news/bmo-world-cup-2026-set-to-deliver-up-to-c65-billion-economic-boost-for-canada/392593 The World Cup is expensive, but it’s our turn to pick up the tab https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-the-world-cup-is-expensive-but-its-our-turn-to-pick-up-the-tab/ ProPublica -- 'You do, you pay, we take': how FIFA's host city deals work: https://www.propublica.org/article/world-cup-2026-host-cities-revenue-houston CBC -- FIFA/Deloitte economic impact assessment for Canada ($3.8B figure): https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/world-cup-2026-canada-fifa-economic-benefits-1.7406435 BNN Bloomberg -- Why economic impact on Vancouver and Toronto may never be known: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/economics/2026/05/11/blind-side-why-world-cup-economic-impact-on-vancouver-and-toronto-may-never-be-known/ Bloomberg Tax -- FIFA 2026 World Cup tax demands on host countries: https://news.bloombergtax.com/tax-management-international/fifa-2026-world-cup-blows-the-whistle-on-complex-tax-risks CP24 -- Toronto holds transit fares steady; NJ Transit $48M bill; Boston $80 game-day fare: https://www.cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/04/16/toronto-will-not-hike-cost-of-transit-during-world-cup-as-other-host-cities-announce-big-fare-increases-to-venues/ ESPN -- World Cup ticket sticker shock and dynamic pricing: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48947095/2026-fifa-world-cup-sticker-shock-ugly-cost-beautiful-game-grand-event Victor Matheson / Holy Cross -- The Economics of the World Cup (academic; stadium white elephants, tourism overestimates): https://hcapps.holycross.edu/hcs/RePEc/hcx/HC1805-Matheson_WorldCup.pdf Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
Canada's Federal Housing Advocate says it could take until 2060 for all Canadians to have access to an affordable home. Is that just a realistic target? And is it reasonable to ask an entire generation to give up on their homeownership dreams for the next 3.5 decades? This week on DemograFix, Mike and Cara dive into the idea of “housing triage”: should governments focus on ending homelessness first, then tackle affordable housing for low-income Canadians, and only later address the middle-class housing crisis? Or is that a false choice? They discuss: -Why some advocates think housing should be solved in stages. -Whether building more market-rate homes actually helps reduce homelessness. -What a 2060 affordability target means for young Canadians trying to build a life. -The politics of falling home prices—and why governments avoid the conversation. -Whether Canada can solve the housing crisis without asking a generation to wait decades for a home. Can we afford to prioritize one housing crisis over another? Or does solving the housing shortage mean tackling them all at once? #Housing #CanadaHousing #HousingCrisis #RealEstate #AffordableHousing #Homeownership #CanadianPolitics #HousingPolicy #MissingMiddlePodcast Chapters: 00:00 Housing Triage: Who Should Be Helped First? 00:01 What Is the Federal Housing Advocate? 00:03 Why the Report Says Housing Won't Be Affordable Until 2060 00:05 Should Young Canadians Accept a Lifetime of Unaffordability? 00:07 The Flaw in Treating Housing Like a Zero-Sum Game 00:09 Why Building More Homes Helps Reduce Homelessness 00:11 Can Canada Solve the Housing Crisis Within a Decade? 00:13 Why Governments Keep Missing Housing Targets 00:14 The Politics of Lower Home Prices 00:17 What Happens If Young Canadians Give Up on Canada? Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
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/
Why does modern life feel so disconnected? In this episode, Cara Stern sits down with journalist and Scout leader Harrison Lowman to talk about the decline of community in Canada, and what it takes to rebuild it. From scouting and volunteering to neighbourhood pubs, churches, and “third spaces,” they explore why strong communities don’t happen automatically, how urban design shapes social connection, and why so many people feel isolated despite living closer together than ever before. They also discuss parenting, trust, loneliness, suburban life, condo living, and the importance of showing up for your neighbours. Topics covered: Why people feel more isolated today The decline of volunteering in Canada How urban design affects community Why “third spaces” matter Parenting, support systems, and “the village” High-trust vs low-trust societies How scouting builds community and leadership What it takes to know your neighbours again Subscribe for more conversations on housing, cities, policy, and the future of Canada. Chapters: 00:00 Why Community Is More Than Good Urban Design 02:22 Scouts, Service, and Teaching Kids to Contribute 04:04 Why Modern Life Makes Community Harder to Build 07:47 Third Places, Neighbours, and High-Trust Communities 11:55 A Surprise Pie and the Power of Trust 14:55 Finding Community Through Volunteering and Shared Purpose 17:17 You Have to Be a Villager to Have a Village 19:34 Can We Design Communities That Bring People Together? Research/links: » Volunteer wellbeing: what works and who benefits? https://whatworkswellbeing.org/resources/volunteer-wellbeing-what-works-and-who-benefits/ Exploring the Effects of Volunteering on the Social, Mental, and Physical Health and Well-being of Volunteers: An Umbrella Review - PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10159229/ Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
Why are young Canadians leaving cities? Why are seniors staying in homes that are too big for them? And can Canada lower housing costs without cutting quality of life even further? In this listener Q&A episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Cara Stern answer audience questions on housing affordability, immigration, downsizing, social isolation, wage stagnation, the Greenbelt, and why building more “missing middle” housing has become so difficult in Canada. Topics covered: Why seniors aren’t downsizing The shortage of family-sized homes Housing prices vs stagnant wages Social isolation and unaffordable cities Immigration and housing demand The Greenbelt debate What young Canadians can do politically If you enjoy the episode, subscribe and leave a comment with your own question for a future mailbag episode. Eamon Seniors are lonely, rich, and live in houses that are too big, often in desirable neighbourhoods. Young people are desperate for housing, poor, and looking for roommates. Why not create a tax incentive for seniors to free up rooms in their houses for young people? I think a vacancy tax is punitive, but a tax incentive could unlock housing in a win-win (rather than zero sum) way for willing participants. Thoughts? Kate In your second-time homebuyer article you mention that various government initiatives could lower newly built housing costs by up to 15% which would free up more family sized homes "making it easier for seniors to downsize". How would lowering the cost of newly built homes by 15% make it easier for seniors to downsize? In my view, the more significant factor facing senior downsizers is not the cost of new housing but the scarcity of appealing post-move options for them. Mary (edited for length) I am a boomer with two millennial children who haven't yet reached middle-class milestones like stable employment or homeownership. I believe factors other than parental status are at play: 1) Are houses more expensive, or are incomes simply failing to keep up with declining purchasing power? 2) Given the rise in single-person households, why is there so much social isolation, and how does the difficulty of making connections in urban environments impact the ability for young people to save and enter the housing market? Chris Jeanneret and came from the comments section of our Greenbelt episode: Is the Greenbelt even practical for "affordable" housing, or does it only provide more land for luxury country estates? @canucklhead Isn't the obvious solution here to keep immigration low for the next few years to keep pressuring rents lower? Wouldn't this be the easiest solution to help affordability for everyone? Emily writes: I see what is happening to those under 25 and it is awful. How can I get involved? What steps can I take that will make the most difference? Do you know of a group in Edmonton organizing that is making a real difference especially in the "missing middle". Chapters: 00:00Mailbag Special: Your Housing Questions Answered 00:23Should Seniors Rent Out Empty Bedrooms? 02:57Will Cheaper New Homes Help Seniors Downsize? 05:07Why Millennials Are Falling Behind 06:00Social Isolation, Third Places & Housing Costs 08:05How Housing Affordability Breaks Friendships and Communities 10:54Can the Greenbelt Deliver Affordable Housing? 12:43Is Lower Immigration the Fastest Path to Affordability? 14:16What Canadians Can Do to Push for Change Research/links: The Disappearing "Third Place": Why Making Friends Is Getting Harder https://youtu.be/WYFTsrvwr0o?si=IIGS4jllTN2dKT5h Grow Together Edmonton https://www.growtogetheryeg.com/ Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
Canada’s fertility rate has fallen to just 1.25 children per woman, one of the lowest in the developed world. But what’s actually driving the decline? Are fewer Canadians having children, or are the ones having kids simply choosing to have fewer of them? In this episode of DemograFix, Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern break down the data behind Canada’s collapsing birth rate. They explore why more women are remaining childless, why one-child families have become the norm, and how housing costs, delayed parenthood, childcare, culture, and changing lifestyles are reshaping family formation across the country. Topics discussed: Why Vancouver and Victoria have some of the world’s lowest fertility rates The surprising link between housing affordability and birth rates Why millennials and Gen Z still say they want kids How family sizes changed from the 1980s to today Whether education actually reduces fertility Why cities are losing young families The growing gap between the number of children Canadians want and the number they actually have If Canada wants higher birth rates, what would it actually take to make raising children affordable again? #Canada #HousingCrisis #FertilityRate #BirthRate #Millennials #GenZ #Economy #Housing #Population #Parenting #Childcare #CanadianPolitics #Demographics #TheMissingMiddle Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Canada’s Ultra-Low Fertility Rate 01:08 What Fertility Rates Measure — And Why Canada Is Different 01:59 Housing Costs, Cities, and Why Young Families Are Leaving 03:49 Are Fewer Women Having Children? 04:32 Delayed Parenthood and The Rise In Childlessness 06:01 Marriage, Religion, Immigration, and Fertility Trends 08:03 Does Higher Education Actually Reduce Birth Rates? 10:24 From Three-Child Families To One-Child Households 12:26 Housing Costs, Bedrooms, and Raising Kids In Canada 14:22 Canadians Still Want More Children 17:28 From Overpopulation Fears To Population Collapse 19:44 The Growing Gap Between Family Goals and Reality 20:05 What Governments Could Do To Make Raising Kids Easier Research/links: Proportion of women aged 20 to 49 without children, by age group and selected sociodemographic characteristics, 2024 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/260126/t001a-eng.htm ‘One and Done’ is the new norm: inside Canada’s growing one-child family trend https://www.babycenter.ca/a25053886/one-and-done-is-the-new-norm-inside-Canadas-growing-one-child-family-trend Living arrangements of children in Canada: A century of change https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2014/statcan/75-006-x/75-006-2014001-4-eng.pdf Fertility in Canada, 1921 to 2022 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/91f0015m/91f0015m2024001-eng.htm Credits: Mike Moffatt https://twitter.com/MikePMoffatt https://bsky.app/profile/mikepmoffatt.bsky.social Cara Stern https://x.com/carastern https://bsky.app/profile/carastern.bsky.social Meredith Martin https://twitter.com/meredithmartin https://bsky.app/profile/meredithmartin.bsky.social Sean Foreman @seanegertonforeman https://bsky.app/profile/seanforeman.bsky.social University of Ottawa Co-op Student, Kelly Hoban 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/
Why are Canadians allowed to sell their homes tax-free while profits from stocks and investments get taxed? And is that policy making Canada’s housing crisis even worse? In this episode of Classonomics Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down Canada’s capital gains exemption on primary residences, why it exists, why politicians are terrified to touch it, and whether it’s contributing to skyrocketing home prices and inequality between homeowners and renters. They explore the history of the tax exemption, why attempts to change it spark political outrage, how other countries handle housing taxes, and whether taxing home profits would actually make housing more affordable. Plus, they discuss property taxes, downsizing, investor advantages, generational inequality, and why even “common sense” housing reforms have become politically impossible in Canada. Topics covered: Canada’s capital gains exemption on homes Housing affordability and inequality Why homeowners are politically powerful How other countries tax housing wealth Property taxes and downsizing Investors vs families in the housing market The politics of housing reform in Canada Why fixing housing has become so difficult #Canada #HousingCrisis #RealEstate #Taxes #HousingMarket #CanadianPolitics #Economics #TheMissingMiddle Chapters: 00:00 Why Canada Doesn’t Tax Gains on Your Primary Home 01:17 Why Politicians Won’t Touch the Primary Residence Exemption 04:06 The History of Canada’s Capital Gains Exemption 05:28 How Other Countries Handle Housing Capital Gains 07:25 Does the Exemption Actually Worsen the Housing Crisis? 10:39 The Case Against Taxing Primary Residences 13:26 Better Alternatives: Tax Fairness Without Capital Gains Reform 16:06 Why Even Good Housing Policy Can Be Politically Impossible Research: Canada should look to Australia on eliminating barriers to downsizing for seniors https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/article-housing-baby-boomers-suburban-homes-young-families/ CBC article from a few years ago: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/the-conservatives-misleading-claims-about-a-secret-liberal-housing-tax-1.5312873 26 of 40: https://view.asiae.co.kr/en/article/2022032109551988175 History of cap gains taxes: https://www.ctf.ca/EN/EN/Newsletters/Perspectives/2021/3/210304.aspx Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
What if companies could figure out the exact maximum you’re willing to pay, and charge you exactly that? That’s the promise of surveillance pricing: using your personal data, purchase history, location, online behavior, and even financial information to tailor prices specifically to you. In this episode, Cara Stern talks with Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian Shield Institute and author of The Big Fix, about why this issue is suddenly on the political agenda in Canada, and what it means for consumers. They discuss: What surveillance pricing is, and how it differs from ordinary dynamic pricing How companies use your data to predict your “willingness to pay” Why two people could see different prices for the exact same product The real-world examples already happening with apps, airlines, and delivery platforms Why 83% of Canadians say this practice should be banned or regulated What governments can actually do to stop it Chapters: Research/links: Everything Costs More Because the Algorithm Says So | The Walrus https://thewalrus.ca/everything-costs-more-because-the-algorithm-says-so/ How Corporate Consolidation is Ruining Everything: Discussion with Denise Hearn and Vass Bednar https://youtu.be/Uz5DkpZPH2k?si=M_c-2GX4dS7wKF9l Canadians Are Skeptical of Algorithmic Pricing - Abacus Data https://abacusdata.ca/canadians-are-deeply-skeptical-of-algorithmic-pricing-and-want-governments-to-intervene/ AI-Driven Pricing May Be the Next Shock to Canadian Grocery Shoppers https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2025/12/ai-driven-pricing-may-be-the-next-shock-to-canadian-grocery-shoppers/ Algorithms are raising prices for everything. This must stop - The Globe and Mail https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-algorithms-are-raising-prices-for-everything-this-must-stop/ Avi Lewis is smart to shed light on surveillance pricing | Canada's National Observer: Climate News https://www.nationalobserver.com/2026/04/24/news/avi-lewis-ndp-surveillance-pricing Algorithmic pricing: Poll finds half of Canadians against https://www.cp24.com/news/canada/2026/03/18/most-canadians-want-to-ban-or-regulate-algorithmic-pricing-poll-shows/?lid=8z3lanxo654a Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux Produced by Meredith Martin Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/