North Of Fair

Once you see it, you can’t unsee it: U.S. brands have shaped our grocery aisles, but there’s a whole world of Canadian alternatives hiding in plain sight. This episode walks through that moment of noticing and why it matters beyond nostalgia — from branding and shelf placement to profits and who makes the decisions.

We dig into the practical upside of choosing domestic: fresher products, shorter supply chains, cle...

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is finished and paid for by Canada, yet remains closed amid a U.S. delay that officials haven’t clearly explained. This episode unpacks who legally controls the crossing, why a unilateral Canadian opening is possible, and the political and practical consequences of either waiting or acting.

We explain how tolls, ownership, and customs control shape the dispute, why the delay looks like pol...

This episode peels back the script of NIMBYism—how fears about safety, character, and property values are used to block affordable housing—and shows the evidence that new housing often stabilizes and even raises nearby values.

It makes the case for a YIMBY approach: treating housing as a shared public good, asking how to build well instead of how to stop projects, and considering who we exclude when we protect stability...

This episode unpacks why opposition to affordable housing often feels normal and rational—status anxiety, misunderstood economics, scarcity mindset, zoning as a gate, and moral exceptionalism—rather than simple cruelty.

It argues that solutions must target systems (zoning reform, steady homebuilding, better info, and narratives that value inclusive neighborhoods) so cities stop relying on special approvals and start mak...

This episode unpacks renewed Canada–U.S. trade tensions through a surprisingly visible flashpoint: alcohol. It explains how provincial control of liquor distribution becomes a tool of leverage, why bans are often symbolic, and how small, public moves can escalate broader disputes.

We also walk through realistic U.S. concessions—clarity, exemptions, timelines, and processes—and what to watch next: the tone leaders ...

This episode untangles the evidence and arguments around supervised consumption sites, contrasting public-health and clinical perspectives with skeptical columnists and provincial politics.

We explain what closures actually do on the ground—displacement, increased overdose risk, and strained services—and why outcomes depend on whether replacements and community supports exist.

Renting used to be messy, local, and human — references, conversations, and reputations mattered. Over time, lenders’ tools — credit bureaus, scores, eviction databases, and algorithmic screening — migrated into the rental market and turned tenants into borrowers to be underwritten.

That shift created a power imbalance: landlords became risk managers, applicants faced blunt rules (minimum scores, income mult...

This episode breaks down how NIMBYism—“Not In My Back Yard”—turns reasonable worries into barriers that keep people unhoused. We unpack the emotional fears, the common myths about who becomes homeless, and the structural causes like housing costs, low wages, healthcare gaps, and criminal-legal barriers.

Then we shift to solutions: more deeply affordable housing, prevention and emergency assistance, supportiv...

Welcome back to the North of Fair podcast on Podbean Live.

This episode explains why “standing still” isn’t neutral: keeping the same rules and housing patterns pushes prices up and pushes people out. We define deeply affordable housing, show how single‑family zoning limits supply and access, and explain how modest zoning changes (duplexes, triplexes, backyard homes) can stabilize neighborhoods without erasing cha...

Today’s episode breaks down non-market housing—co‑ops, social and non‑profit units, and rent‑geared‑to‑income homes—and explains why Canada’s existing stock (roughly 600,000–700,000 units) still leaves a gap of about 250,000 deeply affordable homes.

We connect the numbers to real lives: people on ODSP, OW, OAS/GIS, and low‑wage workers face housing instability that market supply alone won’t fix. ...