Couple Casuals Podcast

EP75: The Politics Behind Canada’s Housing Collapse

Welcome back to another episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast! Today, Stefano sits down with Daniel Foch — real estate analyst, investor, and co-host of The Canadian Real Estate Investor — for one of the most eye-opening breakdowns of Canada’s housing and economic crisis. Over the last few years, Canada created the “perfect storm”: explosive population growth, record-low interest rates, pandemic money, and massive speculation. Now, Canadians are waking up in the hangover — soaring debt, falling prices, cancelled pre-construction projects, and the harsh reality that affordability has collapsed. In this conversation, Stefano and Daniel dig into: • why buyers are waiting, sellers are stressed, and patience is being rewarded • how Canadian households became the most indebted in the world • why pre-constructions are failing at alarming rates • how politics, immigration, and zoning shaped today’s crisis • what the data says about 2026 — and why a slow grind downward is more likely than a crash They also explore personal finance, investor mistakes, the rise of financial illiteracy, and the massive gap between what Canadians earn and what they’re expected to afford. This episode is straightforward, data-backed, and brutally honest — a must-hear for anyone trying to navigate Canada’s housing market right now. Grab a casual, lock in, and let’s get into it. Host: Stefano (stefo) Instagram: @drstefo https://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs... Guest: Daniel Foch YouTube: @d ⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielfoch/ Podcast: The Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast This episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada’s best home fortification. Visit https://canadafirst.com/ to learn more. CHAPTERS 0:00 — Intro + Sponsor 0:36 — Meet Daniel Foch 1:00 — ’90s Market Déjà Vu 1:34 — Data vs. Old Narratives 2:24 — Daniel’s Background 3:07 — Why Realtors Lost Trust 4:15 — AI Changing Real Estate 5:52 — Shift to Rentals 6:57 — Agents Leaving Industry 7:52 — Canada’s Affordability Crisis 8:49 — How We Got Here 10:19 — Pandemic Money Fallout 11:09 — Mortgage Shock Coming 12:03 — Record Consumer Debt 13:24 — Are We in a Recession? 14:59 — Prices vs. Rates Reality 15:54 — Why New Builds Struggle 17:01 — Buyer Patience Pays 18:15 — Should Sellers Wait? 19:42 — Emotional Pricing Problem 21:07 — Financial Literacy Crisis 22:54 — Explaining the Condo Crash 24:47 — Pre-Con Investors Burned 26:12 — 22% Closing Failure Rate 27:28 — Supply Flooding Market 28:34 — When Prices Finally Bottom 29:51 — 2026 Market Outlook 31:32 — Politics & Housing Meet 33:14 — Government Spending Debate 34:47 — Housing Policy Breakdown 36:20 — Why Builders Are Pausing 37:45 — Zoning & Red Tape Issues 39:15 — Who Should Fix Housing? 40:31 — Modular Housing Concerns 42:02 — Social Housing Explained 43:48 — Taxation on Housing 45:26 — Cities Blocking Development 46:41 — Why Multiplexes Boom 48:32 — Small Developers Return 50:14 — Advice for First-Time Buyers 52:12 — Should You Rent or Buy? 53:48 — Stefano’s Condo Debate 55:03 — Why It’s Not Selling 56:24 — Future Buyer Behaviour 57:59 — Deflation Mindset 59:21 — Final Thoughts 1:00:11 — New York’s Future 1:01:14 — Closing Remarks

CCP - EP74: Are You Proud To Be Canadian?

Welcome back to another full episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast! In this raw, honest, and wide-open conversation, your host Stefano sits down once again with Lee Baxter — entrepreneur, boxing promoter, and the man behind one of your most viral clips ever. Last time Lee was on, you asked him a simple question: “Are you proud to be Canadian?” His answer shook the internet… sparking millions of views, debates, arguments, and a national conversation. So today, the two of you go way deeper. Lee opens up about what happened after that viral moment — the messages from strangers, the backlash, the support, and how that single clip exposed something bigger happening across the country. Together, you break down why Canadians are more divided, frustrated, and politically charged than ever before… and why a question as simple as national pride hits such a nerve in 2025. This episode unpacks the real concerns Canadians are feeling today: • how politics has infiltrated everything, from family to sports to culture • why honest conversations instantly turn into arguments • how Canada lost that shared, unified identity we grew up with • why opportunity, community, and cultural connection feel weaker than ever • and what it actually means to “be Canadian” in a divided era Along the way, you and Lee dive into powerful, unexpected territory — from the decline of community culture and trades, to the social-media takeover of boxing, to Toronto’s political circus, to the moments that still do unite us: sports, pride, and truly Canadian experiences. This conversation is real, unfiltered, and taps directly into something Canadians everywhere are feeling right now. Grab a casual, lock in, and let’s get into it. Host: Stefano (stefo) Instagram: @drstefo https://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs... Guest: Lee Baxter Instagram: @leebaxtermgt https://www.instagram.com/leebaxtermgt/?hl=en This episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada’s best home fortification. Visit https://canadafirst.com/ to learn more. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro & Sponsor 1:30 Viral Question Recap 4:10 Reaction & Blowback 7:10 Canada’s Divide 10:40 Social Media Shift 15:20 Boxing’s New Era 20:10 Real Competition 24:30 Toronto’s Identity 29:40 Bandwagon Culture 34:25 What Is Canadian? 37:40 Lost Shared Values 42:10 Community Decline 47:20 Opportunity Drop 52:10 Culture & Belonging 56:00 Finding Unity 59:25 The Salute

CCP - EP73: Is Canada Falling? The Unfiltered TRUTH

Welcome back to another full episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast! In this raw and unfiltered conversation, your host Stefano sits down with Elliot, fellow Canadian podcaster and host of The Right Call Podcast, who travelled all the way from Montreal to Toronto for this thought-provoking episode. Together, they break down the cultural, political, and economic divide between Canada’s two biggest cities — exploring why Toronto has lost its soul, how Montreal still preserves its joie de vivre, and what these contrasts reveal about the future of Canada. Elliot reflects on his time living in Toronto years ago and how dramatically it has changed — from rampant homelessness and violent-crime spikes (up 55%) to a bureaucratic nightmare of housing costs and red tape. He contrasts that with Montreal’s deep sense of community and social cohesion, explaining how Toronto’s extreme multiculturalism has created a city of isolated tribes rather than a unified people . The two dive into hard-hitting national themes: - the collapse of Canada’s housing market, - the immigration surge that’s overwhelmed infrastructure, - and the growing voter apathy that’s left everyday Canadians feeling unheard. Elliot doesn’t hold back in criticizing Olivia Chow’s leadership and the Liberal government’s mass-immigration policies, arguing that decades of reckless decision-making have left Toronto on the brink. With nearly half of Toronto’s population foreign-born and over 56% identifying as minorities, he asks a critical question: Has multiculturalism gone too far to unite the country? They also examine how policy failures at every level — federal, provincial, and municipal — have eroded Canada’s middle class, crippled youth opportunity, and divided Canadians into tribal echo chambers. This episode dives deep into: - Why Toronto feels “soulless” compared to Montreal’s community energy - How unchecked immigration is overwhelming Canada’s systems - The cultural costs of political correctness and identity politics - The reality of corruption, bureaucracy, and government overreach - Why Canadians must re-embrace patriotism, faith, and common sense Grab a casual, lock in, and let’s get into it. Host: Stefano (stefo) Instagram: @drstefo https://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs... Guest: Elliot Diagneault Instagram: @hrh_elliot https://www.instagram.com/hrh_elliot/?hl=en Podcast: The Right Call Podcast Instagram: ‬https://www.instagram.com/rightcallpodcast/ YouTube: ⁠ This episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada’s best home fortification. Visit https://canadafirst.com/ to learn more. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro & Sponsor 3:10 Meet Elliot 6:20 Toronto First Impr. 9:21 Montreal vs Toronto 12:34 City Vibes & Energy 15:51 Homelessness 19:01 Crime & Safety 22:03 Construction Chaos 25:03 Red Tape & Bureaucracy 28:16 Cost of Living 31:31 Cultural Divide 34:43 Immigration Surge 37:54 Values & Identity 41:06 Leadership & Policy 44:06 Housing Crisis 47:11 Visa Mills 50:11 Youth Unemployment 53:29 Student Protests 57:02 Public Sentiment 1:00:07 Political Corruption 1:03:34 National Pride 1:06:10 Israel & Global Conflicts 1:09:56 Wrap-Up

CCP - EP72: The Fight To Restore Canada & What It Means To Be Conservative

Welcome back to another full episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast! In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, your host Stefano sits down with Jamil Jivani — Conservative MP for Bowmanville–North Oshawa — to discuss what it truly means to be conservative in today’s Canada and how his mission to “Restore the North” is resonating with a new generation of Canadians. Jivani opens up about his rise from humble beginnings to Parliament Hill, his fight against woke ideology, and why common sense conservatism is the antidote to Canada’s political and cultural decline. Together, they dive deep into the country’s most urgent challenges — from the broken immigration system and youth unemployment crisis to the explosion of violent crime and government overreach. This episode exposes how Liberal policies have weakened our justice system, flooded our cities with unchecked immigration, and left Canadians paying the price. Jivani doesn’t hold back as he calls out Bill C-75, Bill C-21, and the Temporary Foreign Workers Program — revealing how each one fails everyday Canadians. And beyond politics, Jivani opens up about his faith, redemption, and resilience — sharing the story of surviving stage-4 cancer and how it deepened his calling to serve and lead with conviction. This episode dives deep into: - What it truly means to be conservative in modern Canada - How the Temporary Foreign Workers Program is hurting Canadian youth - Why crime is exploding under Liberal “catch and release” policies - The government’s dangerous overreach with Bill C-21 and censorship laws - How faith and purpose can guide Canada’s next generation Jamil Jivani isn’t just talking politics — he’s giving Canadians a blueprint to restore integrity, strength, and belief in the country again. Grab a casual, lock in, and let’s get into it. Host: Stefano (stefo) Instagram: @drstefo https://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs... Guest: Jamil Jivani Instagram: @jamiljivani https://www.instagram.com/jamiljivani/ Youtube: ⁠ Support the movement and RESTORE THE NORTH https://restorethenorth.ca This episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada’s best home fortification. Visit https://canadafirst.com/ to learn more. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Jamil Jivani joins the show 03:00 – Global politics & Gaza ceasefire 06:00 – Authenticity in politics 08:00 – Jamil’s early life story 10:00 – From anger to purpose 12:00 – Why he chose conservatism 14:00 – The fatherless crisis 17:00 – Common sense values 19:00 – What it means to be conservative 21:00 – State of the Conservative Party 24:00 – Ontario politics & Doug Ford 27:00 – The Mark Carney government 29:00 – Immigration system collapse 32:00 – Why immigration went wrong 35:00 – Fear of being called racist 37:00 – Canada’s confidence problem 38:00 – Temporary Foreign Workers 41:00 – Why crime is skyrocketing 43:00 – Weak justice system 45:00 – Bill C-75 & Liberal failure 47:00 – Bill 242 explained 49:00 – Ignoring police voices 50:00 – Bill C-21 gun grab 53:00 – Government overreach 55:00 – Restore the North mission 57:00 – Message to young men 58:00 – Jamil’s faith journey 01:00:00 – Finding God through pain 01:02:00 – Final reflections 01:03:00 – Closing thoughts & outro

CCP - EP71: Canada's Truth On Mass Immigration, Crime & Government Overreach

Welcome back to another full episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast! In this explosive and unfiltered conversation, your host, Stefano sits down with Maxime Bernier — the founder and leader of the People’s Party of Canada — to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing Canadians today: mass immigration, rising crime, and government overreach. Bernier brings real data, real metrics, and unfiltered truth to the table as he breaks down how Canada’s immigration system has collapsed under Liberal mismanagement, why violent crime is surging, and how excessive bureaucracy and political cowardice are eroding freedom across the country. Together, they unpack the inner workings of the Canadian establishment, the flaws of the parliamentary voting system, and how mainstream politics and media collusion are keeping Canadians in the dark. The conversation also touches on the tragic Charlie Kirk situation — and how political labels and cancel culture have turned violent in the West. This episode dives deep into: - The dangers of mass immigration and multiculturalism - Why crime and home invasions are spiking nationwide - How the Liberal government’s big-state agenda is crippling the middle class - The urgent need for strong self-defence laws under the Castle Doctrine - Why Canadians must reclaim their culture, faith, and freedom Bernier also exposes the hypocrisy of a justice system that jails peaceful protesters while releasing repeat offenders — and explains why Canadians are demanding leaders with conviction, not career politicians. This isn’t just politics — it’s a reality check on the future of Canada. Grab a casual, lock in, and let’s get into it. Host: Stefano (stefo) Instagram: @drstefo https://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs... Guest: Maxime Bernier Instagram: @hon.maximebernier https://www.instagram.com/hon.maximebernier/ This episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada’s best home fortification. Visit https://canadafirst.com/ to learn more. CHAPTERS 00 Preview/Teaser 0:20 Intro & Sponsor 2:42 Toronto: Impressions 3:27 Why Crime is Spiking 4:10 Home Fortification 5:01 Castle Doctrine 6:05 Rally & Mass Immigration 8:00 Separatist Sentiment 8:50 Polling Strategy 9:54 Labels & Cancel Culture 12:35 Charlie Kirk Reaction 16:01 Justice Hypocrisy 16:34 Electoral Reform 18:15 Housing & Bureaucracy 18:59 Point System Failures 19:53 Foreign Students Issue 20:46 Temp Foreign Workers 23:24 Population Growth 25:12 Mark Carney & Deficit 46:03 Freedom Convoy Legacy 51:19 Bill C-75 Effects 53:10 Arrest Anecdote 54:03 Self-Defence Laws 55:06 Bill C-21 & Gun Laws 1:07:40 Closing / Sign-off