The War Over Upzoning Just Escalated

The War Over Upzoning Just Escalated

From The Missing Middle Podcast by Cara Stern, Mike Moffatt, and Meredith Martin

May 1, 2026 · 17 min · Season 1 · Episode 172

About this episode

The episode discusses the recent pushback against upzoning in Canadian cities and its implications for housing reform.

Cities across Canada are backing away from upzoning. After agreeing to allow fourplexes and other missing middle housing, municipalities like Calgary, Toronto, Markham, and Windsor are scaling back — or reversing — reforms altogether. What’s behind the pushback, and are YIMBYs losing the as-of-right fight? In this segment, we break down: Why cities are rejecting upzoning after agreeing to it What Calgary’s reversal means for housing reform Why Edmonton is succeeding where others aren’t T...

People in this episode

Hosts: Cara Stern, Mike Moffatt, Meredith Martin

Topics covered

  • upzoning
  • housing reform
  • municipal policy
  • YIMBY movement
  • urban development

Keywords

  • upzoning
  • housing
  • Canada
  • municipalities
  • YIMBY
  • Calgary
  • Toronto
  • reform

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Canada, Calgary, Toronto, Markham, Windsor, Edmonton

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