Episode 96: Understanding Why Housing Prices and Cost of Living in Canada Feels so High with Paul Musson

Synopsis

Episode 96. For the current generation of young workers in Canada, the feeling that housing and everything else is a little more expensive than the prior generation is present. Why?

In this episode of the Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Paul Musson, a Canadian investor with a 25-year career at Mackenzie Investments. They discuss Paul's journey from his early days in Montreal to his retirement from mutual funds and his current endeavors, including his blog, podcast, and newly released book, Capital Offense: Why Some Benefit At Your Expense.

The conversation delves into Paul's belief that the current economic system is broken, the impact of central bank policies on housing and asset prices, and the invisible financial strains faced by the younger generation. Paul shares insights on the real versus fake wealth effect, the role of central banks, and the importance of understanding the true concept of money and capital.

He offers advice for young people navigating today's challenging economic landscape and highlights the necessity of economic reforms to ensure a fairer system for future generations.

  • 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

  • 01:12 Meet Paul Musson: From Wales to Canada

  • 01:32 Paul's Early Career Struggles and Successes

  • 03:53 Journey into the Financial World

  • 06:03 Reflections on a Career in Investing

  • 09:01 The Philosophy Behind Paul's Book

  • 14:15 Understanding the Monetary System

  • 18:39 The Impact of Central Bank Policies

  • 23:11 Housing Market and Capital Redistribution

  • 25:59 Housing Market Crisis: A Generational Divide

  • 26:07 The Impact of Immigration on Housing

  • 26:38 Government Policies and Their Consequences

  • 31:00 Advice for the Younger Generation

  • 34:30 Understanding Economic Policies

  • 42:43 Global Economic Comparisons

  • 43:20 The Role of Tariffs and Trade Policies

  • 46:14 Canada's Economic Challenges

  • 49:26 Promoting the Book and Final Thoughts


Background and Key Links

  • Paul Musson is one of Canada’s most respected value investors. As Head of the Mackenzie Ivy Team, he managed over $15 billion in assets and built a reputation for disciplined, long-term global investing.

  • He’s known for his clear, principled approach to quality investing. Paul has been a frequent commentator in the media and a strong advocate for patience, capital preservation, and global diversification.

  • Paul is a CFA charterholder and Commerce graduate. He spent more than two decades helping Canadians grow wealth through thoughtful, risk-aware equity investing.

  • Connect with Paul on LinkedIn or check out his blog, website and recent book

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Episode 95: Beating Up Hockey Players and the Beat-Up of Entrepreneurship with Dave Burnett