In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss return-to-office plans and the role of politicians in helping local business districts survive. It explores the controversy surrounding the mayor of Toronto's push to get workers back to the office and the potential negative impacts on workers, the environment, and affordability. The idea of converting unused office space into apartments is also discussed as a potential solution.

00:00 Introduction
01:15 Air pollution as a result of gridlock
03:17 Controversy of Getting Workers Back to the Office
05:50 Negative Impacts on Workers and Real Wages
07:13 City revenue and expense decline
08:29 viewer question about converting office space into apartments
13:53 Encouraging People to Visit the Financial District
15:26 Employers: Use Incentives, Not Mandates, to Bring Workers Back

Links:
Olivia Chow wants to bring Toronto’s downtown back to life — and she’s meeting bank CEOs about increasing office days to do it
https://www.thestar.com/business/oliv...

Is working from home killing downtown cores?
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/checkup/cbc-...

Hosts: Mike Moffatt   / mikepmoffatt   & Cara Stern   / carastern  
Producer: Meredith Martin   / meredithmartin  

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/
Brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute https://institute.smartprosperity.ca/