Published by CBC
Your connection to the issues and stories shaping life in Metro Vancouver. Hosted by Stephen Quinn, with new episodes every Tuesday and Wednesday, plus a Thursday dive into city politics with Justin McElroy.
Listen on Apple Podcasts37 min
Metro Vancouver wants a smaller board after years of criticism. But Surrey wants no part of it. Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy look at why Surrey opposes the plan, whether the changes will fix the regional government and how the dispute could shape October’s local elections. They also cover the latest developments at Vancouver City Hall and the city’s push for a major league baseball team.
28 min
Vancouver council has rejected a plan to bring more housing to neighbourhoods dominated by detached homes. Stephen Quinn speaks with former councillor Gordon Price and OneCity councillor Lucy Maloney about what happened and what comes next.
38 min
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim faces six main challengers in the upcoming municipal election. In this episode, Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy hear from Kareem Allam, Rebecca Bligh and Colleen Hardwick. They discuss their visions for Vancouver and their positions on the big issues facing residents.
29 min
Former Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum is running again and his bold election promise is to take the City of Surrey out of Metro Vancouver. Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy give the latest on the state of the election in Surrey.
42 min
For five weeks, the World Cup brought a new energy to downtown Vancouver. But now the crowds are gone, and questions are mounting about what it all meant. What was the public cost for hosting seven games? What does the future of Granville Street look like? And which stories flew under the radar? We discuss that and more in this episode of This Is Vancouver.
45 min
With less than three months before local elections the race is opening up. Perfect time for Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy to stir the pot. This episode is the first of two exclusive candidate mini-forums. Stephen and Justin interview the three main progressive candidates running for the city’s top job: Pete Fry, Stephanie Allen and William Azaroff.
46 min
The province has changed how new housing is approved in cities — but public hearings are still sometimes required and regularly tense. Justin McElroy and Stephen Quinn talk about Vancouver's most recent public hearing, and how they've evolved.
42 min
Vancouver council has just weeks to vote on major housing plans, a new downtown tower and other key issues before the election campaign begins. Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy break down the biggest decisions ahead and the latest twist in the fight over the Vancouver Park Board.
37 min
The cost to keep the Granville strip car-free through Labour Day weekend breaks down to about $700,000 per week. Justin McElroy and Liam Britten break down the why of those numbers with Stephen Quinn.
21 min
Lawrence Bishnoi, the leader of the Bishnoi gang, has been charged along with dozens of others, while 24 suspects linked to two other India-based criminal organizations have been arrested, across Canada, the U.S. and Europe in connection with Operation Hard Ball.
34 min
Vancouver council approved a six week extension of the popular car-free Granville strip last week — but will it work when the World Cup is over? Justin McElroy and Stephen Quinn break down the big debate it's caused.
38 min
Local politicians are acting like influencers, doing short-form videos and talking to strangers with tiny mics. But why? Justin McElroy breaks down the latest trends in politicial comms with Stephen Quinn.
29 min
Vancouver City Hall has lost several senior, non-partisan staff in recent months. Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy look at what we know, what we don’t, and why some councillors say the departures should alarm the public.
26 min
Critics say a new plan for the province and federal governments to work together to acquire and convert empty condos amounts to nothing more than a bailout for developers. In this episode, we ask developers what they think. And B.C.'s Housing Minister Christine Boyle defends the plan.
13 min
Canadian soccer fans are getting behind their team. One way that pride is showing? Jerseys. So much so that merchandise retailers are getting behind in their own right. But how could that be, given the advance notice the city's had about the World Cup? CBC's Laurence Watt speaks with sellers to find out why jerseys are so hard to find right now.
34 min
Billions of federal dollars are going to housing in British Columbia. But the new money isn't for social or rental housing. It's for converting empty condo units owned by developers that aren't selling. And to provide tax breaks to future developer projects. Critics are calling it a bailout. Why has the federal government taken this strategy?
21 min
More data released this month shows a growing number of young people going to the hospital because of e-scooter injuries. But why has the government been studying the issue for four years without making any permanent laws?
27 min
The B.C. NDP says the $4.15-billion George Massey Tunnel replacement project is still on track... even though this week Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth announced they are terminating their deal with the design-build consortium the government had selected to do the bulk of the work. So where does that leave the project? And what will it mean for the tens of thousands of people waiting for a fix?
31 min
After months of questions and debate, Vancouver’s first weekend as a men's World Cup host has seen big public energy with few problems. Stephen Quinn talks with CBC's Justin McElroy, Dan Burritt and Laurence Watt about what worked, what still needs fixing, and whether Granville Street’s car-free zone could last beyond the tournament.
39 min
Mayor Ken Sim has been a major booster of the World Cup coming to Vancouver. But new Angus Reid polling shows that not all residents are fully on-board. The mayor sits down with Stephen Quinn to make his case for what he's calling the biggest sports event, ever. And municipal affairs reporter Justin McElroy discusses the costs, economic impact and disruptions associated with the event.