Cost of Living

Money talks. We translate. Every Friday, Paul Haavardsrud looks at the way money shapes our lives in ways big, small, obvious, and unseen. From Big Macs to Big Banks, the Cost of Living connects the dots between the economy and everyday life.

Website : https://www.cbc.ca/radio/costofliving

RSS Feed : https://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/includes/costofliving.xml  

Last Episode : March 22, 2025 1:10am

Last Scanned : 48 minutes ago

Episodes

Episodes currently hosted on IPFS.

2
The only certainty is uncertainty
When people are nervous about the future of the economy, they often hold back. Maybe they don’t buy that new fridge or take that new job in a different province. It all adds up to a potential stall in our economy. And that just makes people even more uncertain. But is there a way to break the cycle?
Published Saturday
2
Now's the time to give'r, Canada
Some believe there's a silver lining to our neighbour to the south suddenly turning hostile. Paul Haavardsrud talks to a couple of experts who say it's time to put the pedal to the metal — and get the economy back on track.
Published 03/08
2
Trump wants Canadian jobs. Can we stop him?
The U.S. wants to eat our economic lunch — to lure jobs, companies and head offices to America. The thing is, Canadian capital has been moving south for years. Can we stem the tide?
Published 03/01
2
Tariff tit for tat
If U.S President Donald Trump goes ahead with his plan to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian exports, Canada will retaliate with its own tariffs. Trouble is, the U.S. isn't nearly as dependent on exports as we are. 
Published 02/22
2
Is this year over yet?
The former governor of the Bank of Canada Stephen Poloz has helped guide Canada through some uncertain times. But right now, he says his worry meter is "pretty far up there."
Published 02/15
2
Who are Canada's new trade BFF's?
We’ve known for a long time that being too dependent on the U.S. makes us vulnerable. They are our largest trading partner, but they aren't the only country in the world. Is it finally time for Canada to make more friends?
Published 02/08
2
BONUS! Did Canada and Mexico just become best friends?
Both countries have just been given a 30-day reprieve from Trump's tariffs. So, can we work together to fend off the looming trade war with the U.S.? Paul Haavardsrud speaks with the former vice minister of trade for Mexico, Juan Carlos Baker, about what happens now. 
Published 02/04
2
BONUS! Well, he did it
In a historic act of economic aggression, President Trump has made good on his promise and imposed across-the-board tariffs. And Canada has hit back.
Published 02/02
2
It's 10 p.m. Do you know where your retirement savings are?
Some of us might forget a $20 in a pocket, but what about thousands of dollars? Believe it or not, it happens! Canadians contribute to a pension then, maybe switch jobs and just forget about it. We'll explain why it's so hard to track people down and what they're missing out on. 
Published 02/01
2
BONUS! Talkin' tariffs to Americans (on The Indicator from Planet Money)
A U.S. economics podcast called us wanting to know how Trump's tariff threats are playing out in Canada. Paul Haavardsrud chats with NPR's The Indicator about how we're feeling, what's at stake, and how Canada could respond if tariffs happen. 
Published 01/30
2
Oil is our Trump card. Will we play it?
The question of "will he or won't he" hit us with tariffs is already getting old. But, if they do come, does Canada actually have a Trump card? Four million barrels a day of oil says — we just might.
Published 01/25
2
Population mis-calculation?
After the surging population put pressure on housing and healthcare, the feds are drastically reducing immigration targets. But millions of new people have also been pouring money into the economy and, by some accounts, keeping us out of a recession. Does a plan for negative population growth risk steering us into the economic ditch? 
Published 01/18