The Loonie Hour

Steve Saretsky

The Loonie Hour is a Canadian based macro economic podcast covering newsworthy events across the globe and how they will impact Canadians.

  1. 1d ago

    How Europe Strangled Its Own Economy with Daniel Lacalle | The Loonie Hour Episode 267

    Is Europe's sovereign debt bubble finally bursting, and could Canada be heading down the same economic path? Today, we're joined by economist and fund manager Daniel Lacalle to discuss the growing risks in global sovereign debt markets, Europe's economic stagnation, the consequences of central bank policies, and the striking similarities between Europe's economic challenges and Canada's. We also explore EU-Canada trade relations, energy policy, and the political shifts unfolding across Europe. Is the so-called "Everything Bubble" finally beginning to burst? Start an investment portfolio that's built to perform with Neighbourhood Holdings! For Mortgage Brokers: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour-brokers For Investors and Advisors: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour Schedule an exploration call with IceCap Asset Management: https://icecapassetmanagement.com/contact/ ✉️ Media & Real Estate Inquiries: steve@stevesaretsky.com Stay up to date with our information - 📫 My Real Estate Substack: https://stevesaretsky.substack.com 📫 The Loonie Hour Substack: https://looniehour.substack.com/about 📊➡️ Loonie Hour Socials: https://linktr.ee/looniehour 🎙️ Listen to the Podcast on Your Preferred Platform: https://linktr.ee/looniehour Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 06:38 BC's $1 Million-a-Day Tunnel Controversy 08:56 US Elections & This Week's Topics 11:23 Daniel Lacalle Joins the Show 11:43 The Everything Bubble Is Bursting 14:36 Europe's Sovereign Debt Crisis 16:58 Is the ECB Making a Massive Mistake? 20:37 Spain's Housing Affordability Crisis 26:49 Can Europe Grow Out of Its Debt Problem? 30:16 Europe's Economic Policy Failures 30:48 Canada and the European Union 32:23 Bureaucracy & Barriers to Trade 35:11 Europe's Hidden Trade Barriers 40:50 Carbon Border Taxes & Energy Costs 43:00 Political Change Across Europe 46:49 Canada's Similarities to Europe 49:21 Poland, France & Political Unrest 53:32 Immigration, Wages & Government Dependency 56:39 Is There Hope for Europe's Future? 58:16 Europe's Russian Energy Contradiction 01:03:09 EU's Economic Outlook & Canada's Opportunities 01:05:03 US Election Results & Energy Policy 01:09:02 AI, Cybersecurity & Global Risks 01:12:14 Bank of Canada & GDP Data 01:15:51 Are Government Bonds Attractive Again? 01:18:56 Canada's Upcoming Budget Disclaimer: The information within our content is not intended to be or construed as investment advice. Please consult a professional advisor before putting a "loonie" into any of these financial markets. #LoonieHour #macroeconomics #europe

    How Europe Strangled Its Own Economy with Daniel Lacalle | The Loonie Hour Episode 267
  2. Oct 30

    The Fed Will Have to Print: Chris Whalen on the AI Bubble & Government Bonds

    Is the AI boom turning into the next financial bubble? Today, we're joined by financial analyst Chris Whalen to discuss the massive spending behind artificial intelligence, the risks facing financial markets, and the growing disconnect between the Federal Reserve and the bond market. We also explore private credit, government debt, Canada's changing political landscape, and the Bank of Canada's latest interest rate decision as affordability pressures continue to weigh on the economy. Start an investment portfolio that's built to perform with Neighbourhood Holdings! For Mortgage Brokers: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour-brokers For Investors and Advisors: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour Schedule an exploration call with IceCap Asset Management: https://icecapassetmanagement.com/contact/ ✉️ Media & Real Estate Inquiries: steve@stevesaretsky.com Stay up to date with our information - 📫 My Real Estate Substack: https://stevesaretsky.substack.com 📫 The Loonie Hour Substack: https://looniehour.substack.com/about 📊➡️ Loonie Hour Socials: https://linktr.ee/looniehour 🎙️ Listen to the Podcast on Your Preferred Platform: https://linktr.ee/looniehour Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:29 Introducing Chris Whalen 04:44 Is AI Becoming a Financial Bubble? 08:22 The Risks of AI Vendor Financing 12:12 The Global AI Arms Race 15:42 Data Centers and the Infrastructure Problem 20:31 The Federal Reserve and Kevin Warsh 23:51 Bank Reserves and Market Liquidity 27:35 Is Monetary Policy Losing Its Effectiveness? 31:51 The Bond Market and Government Debt 34:10 Household Credit and Private Credit Risks 36:33 Trouble in Private Equity 40:11 Could the Fed Return to Quantitative Easing? 42:01 Final Thoughts from Chris Whalen 43:06 Canada's Political Shake-Up 46:08 What Political Change Could Mean for BC 49:03 Investment and Economic Policy 52:16 The Bank of Canada's Rate Decision 55:15 Inflation and the Cost of Living 59:41 The Bank of Canada's Economic Outlook 01:02:28 Inflation Forecasts for 2027 01:06:20 Canada's Federal Budget and Deficit 01:10:49 The Problem with Net Debt 01:13:39 Canada's Federal and Provincial Debt Disclaimer: The information within our content is not intended to be or construed as investment advice. Please consult a professional advisor before putting a "loonie" into any of these financial markets. #LoonieHour #macroeconomics #federalreserve

    The Fed Will Have to Print: Chris Whalen on the AI Bubble & Government Bonds
  3. Oct 23

    Oil Boom, Condo Bust Canada’s Two Speed Economy | The Loonie Hour Episode 265

    Today, we'll unpack Canada's growing economic challenges. From Alberta's surprising fiscal surplus and Toronto's struggling condo market to renewed immigration debates and Canada's uncertain trade relationship with the United States, we'll examine the policies shaping the country's trajectory. We'll also discuss Europe's political and fiscal instability and what it could mean for global markets, including a plan for Canada to pursue an "associate-member" status with the European Union. Start an investment portfolio that's built to perform with Neighbourhood Holdings! For Mortgage Brokers: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour-brokers For Investors and Advisors: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour Schedule an exploration call with IceCap Asset Management: https://icecapassetmanagement.com/contact/ ✉️ Media & Real Estate Inquiries: steve@stevesaretsky.com Stay up to date with our information - 📫 My Real Estate Substack: https://stevesaretsky.substack.com 📫 The Loonie Hour Substack: https://looniehour.substack.com/about 📊➡️ Loonie Hour Socials: https://linktr.ee/looniehour 🎙️ Listen to the Podcast on Your Preferred Platform: https://linktr.ee/looniehour Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:40 Alberta's Referendum Results 07:01 Alberta's Policy and Immigration Demands 11:35 Alberta's Economic Challenges 13:08 Oil Royalties and Alberta's Fiscal Surplus 15:29 Toronto's Condo Market Crisis 19:02 Government Incentives for Condo Developers 24:02 Distressed Condos and Market Opportunities 27:06 Foreign Buyers and Immigration Policy 29:18 Canada's Immigration Policy Debate 33:40 Immigration's Impact on Wages and Housing 36:15 Immigration and Economic Consequences 40:14 Bank of Canada Warnings on Immigration 44:30 Canada–U.S. Trade Negotiations 47:44 Canada's Proposed EU Trade Alignment 49:13 Europe's Growing Political Instability 50:40 France's Fiscal Crisis 55:59 European Politics and Economic Unrest 01:00:24 Economic Inequality and Public Frustration 01:03:10 Canada's U.S. Treasury Holdings Disclaimer: The information within our content is not intended to be or construed as investment advice. Please consult a professional advisor before putting a "loonie" into any of these financial markets. #LoonieHour #macroeconomics #canada

    Oil Boom, Condo Bust Canada’s Two Speed Economy | The Loonie Hour Episode 265
  4. Oct 16

    Big Six vs Big Crypto: The Fight for Your Deposits | The Loonie Hour Episode 264

    Today, we're joined by Fraser Matthews, CEO of Netcoins, to discuss the rise of stablecoins, their impact on the banking system, and the future of digital payments. Are stablecoins an existential threat to traditional banks or the railways and bridges connecting traditional finance and the on-chain economy? We also tackle Canada's struggling housing market, stubborn inflation, rising bond yields, and the growing risks facing financial markets. Start an investment portfolio that's built to perform with Neighbourhood Holdings! For Mortgage Brokers: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour-brokers For Investors and Advisors: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour Schedule an exploration call with IceCap Asset Management: https://icecapassetmanagement.com/contact/ ✉️ Media & Real Estate Inquiries: steve@stevesaretsky.com Stay up to date with our information - 📫 My Real Estate Substack: https://stevesaretsky.substack.com 📫 The Loonie Hour Substack: https://looniehour.substack.com/about 📊➡️ Loonie Hour Socials: https://linktr.ee/looniehour 🎙️ Listen to the Podcast on Your Preferred Platform: https://linktr.ee/looniehour Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:02 Canada's Housing Market Outlook 11:49 Introducing the Future of Finance 12:48 Fraser Matthews Joins The Show 20:44 Stablecoin Regulation and Adoption 21:44 What Are Stablecoins? 23:13 Why Stablecoins Matter 24:53 Are Stablecoins a Threat to Banks? 29:57 Stablecoins and US Treasury Demand 32:58 Crypto and Money Laundering Concerns 44:13 The Battle for Bank Deposits 47:13 The Future of Stablecoins 52:41 Canadian Stablecoin Developments 55:30 Tokenized Stocks and Financial Markets 56:49 AI Agents and Programmable Money 01:04:10 The Growing Threat to Commercial Banks 01:06:50 Inflation Surprises to the Upside 01:09:21 Bond Market Risks 01:11:11 Could Bonds Stage a Rally? Disclaimer: The information within our content is not intended to be or construed as investment advice. Please consult a professional advisor before putting a "loonie" into any of these financial markets. #LoonieHour #macroeconomics #crypto

    Big Six vs Big Crypto: The Fight for Your Deposits | The Loonie Hour Episode 264
  5. Oct 9

    Can BC Be Saved? Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson on BC’s $13.8B Deficit

    British Columbia is facing a record $13.8 billion budget deficit, mounting tax pressures, and a struggling housing market. With the October 24 election approaching, we sit down with B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson to discuss the province's fiscal challenges, the NDP's tax policies, housing affordability, stalled development, the rampant crime and drug use, and the future of investment in British Columbia. We also examine the political shakeup in Quebec, rising global bond yields, mounting concerns over government debt, and the Canadian dollar's weakness against the U.S. dollar. Could higher long-term interest rates put even more pressure on Canada's economy and housing market? Join Us for The Loonie Hour Investor Series — Live in Ottawa with Ben Rabidoux on October 13th, and Live in Montreal on October 15th! Get Your Tickets Here: Ottawa - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-loonie-hour-investor-series-with-ben-rabidoux-october-13th-tickets-2000313438341 Montreal - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/montreal-the-loonie-hour-investor-series-october-15th-tickets-2000498679402 Start an investment portfolio that's built to perform with Neighbourhood Holdings! For Mortgage Brokers: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour-brokers For Investors and Advisors: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour Schedule an exploration call with IceCap Asset Management: https://icecapassetmanagement.com/contact/ ✉️ Media & Real Estate Inquiries: steve@stevesaretsky.com Stay up to date with our information - 📫 My Real Estate Substack: https://stevesaretsky.substack.com 📫 The Loonie Hour Substack: https://looniehour.substack.com/about 📊➡️ Loonie Hour Socials: https://linktr.ee/looniehour 🎙️ Listen to the Podcast on Your Preferred Platform: https://linktr.ee/looniehour Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 07:17 British Columbia's Political and Economic Outlook 13:29 Lorne Doerkson Joins The Show 22:48 B.C.'s Record Deficit and Tax Policies 24:49 Infrastructure Spending and Government Priorities 26:37 Unsold Condos and B.C.'s Housing Crisis 30:39 Construction Costs and Housing Affordability 35:07 Natural Resources and Investment in B.C. 40:46 Crime, Drugs, and Public Safety 47:10 B.C. Election Takeaways 48:30 Quebec's Political Shakeup 53:10 Population Growth and Immigration 54:58 The Loonie Hour Live Events 57:10 Global Bond Yields Continue to Rise 01:03:41 Government Debt and Rising Borrowing Costs 01:07:37 Canadian Dollar Under Pressure 01:14:02 Market Volatility and Investor Positioning 01:18:12 Closing Remarks Disclaimer: The information within our content is not intended to be or construed as investment advice. Please consult a professional advisor before putting a "loonie" into any of these financial markets. #LoonieHour #macroeconomics #britishcolumbia

    Can BC Be Saved? Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson on BC’s $13.8B Deficit
  6. Oct 2

    Are we Reaching Capitulation in the Bond Market?

    Bond markets are deteriorating rapidly as yields rise and credit spreads begin to widen across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan. We discuss what tightening financial conditions could mean for housing, equities, the broader economy, as well as the possibility that a short-term recovery in bonds could ultimately prove to be a bear trap. Meanwhile, B.C.’s condo market continues to struggle with thousands of completed and unsold units as developers face mounting pressure. We also discuss Canada’s debt maturity schedule, Saskatchewan's push toward nuclear power, taxes and talent retention, and the renewed debate over immigration and temporary foreign workers. Join Us for The Loonie Hour Investor Series — Live in Ottawa with Ben Rabidoux on October 13th, and Live in Montreal on October 15th! Get Your Tickets Here: Ottawa - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-loonie-hour-investor-series-with-ben-rabidoux-october-13th-tickets-2000313438341 Montreal - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/montreal-the-loonie-hour-investor-series-october-15th-tickets-2000498679402 Start an investment portfolio that's built to perform with Neighbourhood Holdings! For Mortgage Brokers: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour-brokers For Investors and Advisors: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour Schedule an exploration call with IceCap Asset Management: https://icecapassetmanagement.com/contact/ ✉️ Media & Real Estate Inquiries: steve@stevesaretsky.com Stay up to date with our information - 📫 My Real Estate Substack: https://stevesaretsky.substack.com 📫 The Loonie Hour Substack: https://looniehour.substack.com/about 📊➡️ Loonie Hour Socials: https://linktr.ee/looniehour 🎙️ Listen to the Podcast on Your Preferred Platform: https://linktr.ee/looniehour Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:28 Loonie Hour Investor Series 07:26 B.C. Election & David Eby’s Condo Tax 10:40 Taxing Unsold New Condos 12:31 B.C.’s Growing Condo Inventory 14:39 Developers Cutting Prices & Raising Commissions 16:19 Why Developers Can’t Simply Slash Prices 18:02 Bond Stress Meets the Housing Market 19:49 Loonie Hour Investor Series 21:39 The Global Bond Selloff 23:08 High-Yield Credit Spreads Are Moving 26:12 Is a Bond Market Recovery a Bear Trap? 27:52 Tightening Financial Conditions 30:42 Bond Market Warning Signals 33:55 U.S. Economy Complicates the Rate Outlook 36:59 Canada’s Coming Debt Maturity Wall 38:29 Canada Reshapes Its Debt Profile 40:17 Why U.S. and Canadian Bond Yields Differ 45:22 Canada Still Doesn’t Have a Budget 46:58 Saskatchewan Pushes Nuclear Power 50:04 Canada’s Changing Energy Policy 51:25 High Taxes & Canadian NHL Teams 53:45 Canada’s Talent Retention Problem 54:25 Property Tax Freeze for Seniors 56:00 Generational Inequality in Canada 56:22 Canada’s Immigration Debate Returns 01:01:18 Ottawa & Montreal Events Disclaimer: The information within our content is not intended to be or construed as investment advice. Please consult a professional advisor before putting a "loonie" into any of these financial markets. #LoonieHour #macroeconomics #bondmarket

    Are we Reaching Capitulation in the Bond Market?
  7. Sep 25

    McDonald's CEO: Food Inflation Is Here to Stay

    Today, we'll break down the renewed surge in global bond yields and what it could mean for interest rates, mortgages, housing, and the broader economy. Long-term yields are climbing across central banks globally, putting renewered pressure on borrowing costs just as households and businesses faces further challenges. We also discuss Canada's slowing population growth and rental market, mounting stress in US housing and multifamily real estate, weakness beneath the surface of the US consumer, and why companies like McDonald's are warning that sticky, elevated food inflation and flat customer traffic are the "new normal". Join Us for The Loonie Hour Investor Series — Live in Ottawa with Ben Rabidoux on October 13th, and Live in Montreal on October 15th! Get Your Tickets Here: Ottawa - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-loonie-hour-investor-series-with-ben-rabidoux-october-13th-tickets-2000313438341 Montreal - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/montreal-the-loonie-hour-investor-series-october-15th-tickets-2000498679402 Start an investment portfolio that's built to perform with Neighbourhood Holdings! For Mortgage Brokers: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour-brokers For Investors and Advisors: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour Check Out True North Mortgage's 40-Year Amortization Plan: Visit https://www.truenorthmortgage.ca/ today! Schedule an exploration call with IceCap Asset Management: https://icecapassetmanagement.com/contact/ ✉️ Media & Real Estate Inquiries: steve@stevesaretsky.com Stay up to date with our information - 📫 My Real Estate Substack: https://stevesaretsky.substack.com 📫 The Loonie Hour Substack: https://looniehour.substack.com/about 📊➡️ Loonie Hour Socials: https://linktr.ee/looniehour 🎙️ Listen to the Podcast on Your Preferred Platform: https://linktr.ee/looniehour Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 07:09 BC Election & Canadian Politics 18:18 Canada’s Population Growth Slows 24:44 Canada’s Rental Market & Long-Term Interest Rates 25:05 Global Bond Yields Surge 29:34 Bond Market & Mortgage Rates 35:09 Canadian Mortgage Rates Move Higher 36:23 US Housing Market Problems 37:17 US Multifamily Debt Crisis 40:20 Loonie Hour Investor Series 43:31 Bank of Canada Rate Hikes 49:11 Mortgage Renewals & Higher Rates 51:05 Energy Prices Are Getting Worse 53:59 US Diesel Export Ban 58:06 Stock Market Warning Signs 01:01:00 McDonald’s, Inflation & Consumer Weakness 01:03:14 US Consumer Confidence Plunges 01:06:03 The Big Mac Index & Inflation Disclaimer: The information within our content is not intended to be or construed as investment advice. Please consult a professional advisor before putting a "loonie" into any of these financial markets. #LoonieHour #macroeconomics #inflation

    McDonald's CEO: Food Inflation Is Here to Stay
  8. Sep 18

    Central Banks Commit to Raising Rates into an Energy Crisis

    Central banks are turning increasingly hawkish as an escalating global energy crisis keeps inflation under pressure. We'll break down why policymakers are committing to higher interest rates even as the underlying inflation problem is increasingly driven by energy supply. They discuss the latest moves from the Fed and European central banks, rising global bond yields, surging oil and fuel costs, and what it could mean for Canadian mortgage rates. Meanwhile, Canada’s housing market remains frozen, with national home sales falling to their lowest year-to-date level since 2003. Join Us For The Loonie Hour Investor Series - With Ben Rabidoux, Live In Ottawa on October 13th! Get Your Tickets Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-loonie-hour-investor-series-with-ben-rabidoux-october-13th-tickets-2000313438341 Start an investment portfolio that's built to perform with Neighbourhood Holdings! For Mortgage Brokers: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour-brokers For Investors and Advisors: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour Check Out True North Mortgage's 40-Year Amortization Plan: Visit https://www.truenorthmortgage.ca/ today! Schedule an exploration call with IceCap Asset Management: https://icecapassetmanagement.com/contact/ ✉️ Media & Real Estate Inquiries: steve@stevesaretsky.com Stay up to date with our information - 📫 My Real Estate Substack: https://stevesaretsky.substack.com 📫 The Loonie Hour Substack: https://looniehour.substack.com/about 📊➡️ Loonie Hour Socials: https://linktr.ee/looniehour 🎙️ Listen to the Podcast on Your Preferred Platform: https://linktr.ee/looniehour Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 06:52 Canada Housing Hits a 23-Year Low 09:34 Housing Inventory & Cancelled Listings 11:11 Housing Starts Keep Falling 13:18 What Happened to the 500,000 Homes? 14:03 Should Canada Keep the Foreign Buyer Ban? 18:38 Canada’s Massive Investment Push 20:16 Canada Cuts Investment Taxes 22:55 Breaking Down the $500B Investment Commitment 24:53 Where Are the Foreign Investors? 27:13 Canada’s Biggest New Investment Projects 30:27 Did Trump Force Canada to Change Course? 34:24 Canada Embraces Energy Again 38:04 Why Investment Will Take Years to Materialize 42:26 Central Banks Turn Hawkish 46:22 Could the Bank of Canada Raise Rates? 48:02 Higher Rates Won’t Fix Energy Inflation 51:00 Global Bond Markets Under Pressure 56:12 The Global Energy Crisis Deepens 58:43 The World Is Running Out of Energy Capacity 01:01:07 Oil Tanker Costs Explode 01:02:19 Canadian Mortgage Rates Under Pressure 01:05:06 Mortgage Arrears Hit a Decade High 01:06:18 Canada & the European Union 01:09:49 Canada Already Has an EU Trade Deal 01:11:03 Europe’s Sovereign Debt Risks 01:12:28 Would Canadians Actually Move to Europe? Disclaimer: The information within our content is not intended to be or construed as investment advice. Please consult a professional advisor before putting a "loonie" into any of these financial markets. #LoonieHour #macroeconomics #centralbank

    Central Banks Commit to Raising Rates into an Energy Crisis
5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

The Loonie Hour is a Canadian based macro economic podcast covering newsworthy events across the globe and how they will impact Canadians.

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