The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern Cara Stern, Mike Moffatt, and Meredith Martin

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern are joined by tax lawyer Bhuvana Rai with Mors Tribute and estate lawyer Birute Luksenaite with Portfolio Estate Law. 

They talk about the  increase to the capital gains tax introduced by the government in the federal budget on April 16, 2024. They explain what capital gains are and how they are currently taxed. They also explore the arguments for and against the increase in the inclusion rate, including the potential impact on investment, fairness, and the ability of individuals to pass on assets to their children. 

The conversation highlights the complexity and competing opinions surrounding this tax policy change. The conversation explores the potential impact of the proposed changes to the capital gains tax in Canada. The guests discuss the challenges and concerns surrounding the new legislation, including the short timeline for implementation and the lack of opportunity for feedback. They also delve into the specific implications for different groups, such as doctors and small business owners, who may be disproportionately affected by the changes. 

Guests: Bhuvana Rai Tax Lawyer with Mors Tribute https://www.morstribute.ca/
Birute Luksenaite an Estate lawyer with Portfolio Estate Law https://portfoliolaw.ca/
Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern
Produced by Meredith Martin
This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

The federal government of Canada is exploring ways to help renters, such as through the introduction of a Renter’s Bill of Rights. This conversation examines the government’s promises, and covers what impact they might have on renters and rental prices. It explores how price transparency affects the rental market and whether the government is doing enough. The rental market in Ontario is broken, but what are the limitations of the federal government's jurisdiction? 

Technical Producer: Mike Greene https://instagram.com/mikegreenemedia
Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern
Produced by Meredith Martin
This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

In this discussion, Mike and Cara are joined by the executive director of Canadians for Tax Fairness Katrina Miller to discuss the benefits of automatic tax filing and how it can save people money. The conversation explores the concept of automatic tax filing, the groups that would benefit from it, the current status of its implementation in Canada, and the opposition it faces from tax accountants and software firms. 
The conversation also touches on the potential implementation of automatic tax filing in Canada, citing examples from the UK and New Zealand. It concludes with a discussion on the likelihood of the system being implemented nationwide and the importance of raising awareness about its benefits.
Related links:
How the tax industry is keeping automatic filing out of reach:
https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/how-the-tax-industry-is-keeping-automatic-filing-out-of-reach
Authored by https://twitter.com/ericashiner
Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern
Produced by Meredith Martin
This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the federal budget and its impact on housing. They cover new initiatives, such as opening up federal land for development and the deductibility of interest for tax reasons. They also discuss the government's commitment to building 2 million homes and the challenges of labor shortages and productivity in the housing sector. The hosts grade the government's success in addressing housing issues and discuss the change to the capital gains tax. They analyze the significance of the change and its impact on wealth inequality. Overall, they give the budget an A grade but note the lack of details and the need for more clarity on certain policies.
Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern
Produced by Meredith Martin
This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Guest:  Alex Beheshti, Senior Consultant with Altus Group Economic Consulting specializing in urban planning policy analysis, municipal fee reviews, and fiscal impacts of development.

In this conversation, Cara, Mike, and Alex discuss the latest housing bill from the Ontario PC government. They grade the bill and discuss its impact on housing supply and affordability. They also delve into the streamlining of third-party appeals, the exemption for universities from the Planning Act, the use it or lose it policy for subdivision and condominium approvals, and the potential for single staircases in multi-unit homes. The conversation highlights the lack of boldness in the bill and the Ontario Progressive Conservative government's shift in tone regarding housing supply.



Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern
Produced by Meredith Martin
This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

In this conversation, economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the federal government's new plan to help first-time homebuyers by extending amortization periods on new homes. The conversation explores the reasons behind this decision and the potential impact on housing starts and prices, as well as why this is similar to a policy Mike and Cara suggested in an article in the Hub. The hosts also discuss the importance of helping the middle class achieve homeownership and the need for a balanced approach that addresses both demand and supply.

Read the article with their suggestions: https://thehub.ca/2024-03-19/mike-moffatt-and-cara-stern-the-dream-of-homeownership-is-dying/
Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern
Produced by Meredith Martin
This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.