How Community Consultation is Ruining Democracy

In this episode, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist mike Moffatt sit down with housing advocate Eric Lombardi to discuss the epic shortcomings of the community consultation processes in Toronto. Lombardi argues that they often fail to represent the diverse voices and interests of the community. He emphasizes the need for a more proactive approach to community engagement that considers the broader needs of neighborhoods rather than reacting to individual developments. The conversation also touches on the implications of property rights, the role of advocacy groups, and the responsibilities of provincial and federal governments in addressing the housing crisis. Lombardi calls for reforms that would streamline the consultation process and make it more democratic, ultimately advocating for a system that empowers citizens and promotes growth.Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:16 Community consultation 05:30 Flaws with the current consultation processes09:21 The anti-democratic nature of current consultations11:23 Consultation as indirect political corruption13:30  The role of community advocacy14:58 The Tindale example17:20 Property rights and freedoms vs stagnation21:17 Reforming the consultation process23:44 Pitching Doug Ford - the province should set the standard29:07 Provincial responsibilities in housing policy31:59 Development changes - Mike’s favourite topic33:01 Federal housing policy and political capitalResearch and linksMore NeighboursTrevor Tombe: The ‘Great Canadian Slump’ is backGrowth comes to an urban backwaterPlain English with Derek ThompsonAbundance! With Ezra KleinHow Elevator Rules Cost Us Homes: An Interview with Market UrbanismSome examples of public consultations in the news:Vancouver’s public consultation process is being abused, critics sayWhy blanket rezoning has become Calgary's biggest housing controversyJudge sides with city in ruling to uphold blanket rezoning'Neighbourhoods are going to change' — Angry reactions as Windsor speeds up home buildsGuest: Eric Lombardi, https://x.com/EricDLombardiHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/