BC Today from CBC Radio British Columbia

B.C.'s minimum wage now sits at $17.85 per hour after the province mandated an increase of 45 cents. Marc Lee, a senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Cory Redekop, the CEO of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, discuss the impact of the increase as we ask viewers if it is enough.

After 355 years in business, Hudson's Bay has closed its department store doors for good. We hear from nostalgic shoppers as we ask viewers what the closure of the Bay means to them and what they think should replace the former locations. Retail analyst Bruce Winder joins the show.

BC Today gardening columnist Brian Minter joins us to answer your gardening questions.

Graduation season is underway. UBC president Benoit Antoine-Bacon joins the show as we ask viewers what advice they have for new grads turning over a new chapter in their lives.

The City of Williams Lake is looking into imposing a state of local emergency over an increase in street disorder and violence. Coun. Scott Nelson put forward the motion, citing increased threats to public safety. He joins the show to explain, as we ask viewers if such a measure is warranted.

The Filipino community is still reeling from the Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy more than a month later. BC Today host Michelle Eliot met up with Christi-Ann Watkins, a DJ who was injured at the festival to get her story.

Vancouver city council unanimously approved a motion to look at finding locations and funding for accessible public washrooms. Locations would be at high traffic areas, including near public transit. Vancouver Green Party Coun. Pete Fry joins the show to explain the motion.

Nicotine vaping continues to be common among teens and young adults. Christopher Lam, the president and CEO of the B.C. Lung Association, joins the show to discuss health risks.

Environment Canada is warning of a daylong hotspell in much of B.C., with projected temperatures between 5 C and 12 C above normal for many areas. ACORN Canada national representative Nichola Taylor joins the show to discuss how the organization is advocating for hot weather protections for low and moderate income renters.

King Charles's throne speech outlined the Liberal government's agenda and highlighted Canada's diversity and identity. We ask viewers for their takeaways as University of the Fraser Valley professor Hamish Telford discusses how the government goes forward with the policies it laid out.

As summer rolls in, allergies can make it tough for people to enjoy the season. Clinical immunologist and allergist Dr. Ryan Lo discusses the health impacts while CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe explains how climate change can cause allergy seasons to worsen.

Thom Armstrong, executive officer of the Co-operative Housing Federation of B.C., joins the show to discuss challenges facing co-op housing.

UBC assistant professor in the department of history Brad Miller explains the context behind this visit.

Paul Adams is the executive director of the B.C. Rural Health Network. Jennifer Kim is the owner of Nooroongji Books. Sirish Rao is an artist, writer, and an interim co-CEO of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Summer job hunting has kicked off amid tariffs and economic uncertainty. We ask viewers to call in with questions and advice as a panel of experts joins the show — David Lee, the director of employment, language and social enterprise with MOSAIC B.C., and Emily McNamara, the senior recruitment consultant with McNeill-Nakamoto Recruitment Group.

An alleged sexual assault in a Stanley Park change room is once again raising concerns over public safety and repeat violent offenders, with the accused in the case previously convicted of similar crimes. University of the Fraser Valley criminologist Amanda McCormick joins the discussion as we ask viewers about what needs to change in the justice system to prevent repeat offences.

Amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., many are turning to their local farmers' markets to do shopping. Laura Smit, the executive director of Vancouver Farmers Markets, discusses the boom in market shoppers and what can be done to expand them.

Vancouver police say a man has been arrested and charged with multiple offences after a woman was attacked and sexually assaulted by a stranger in a Stanley Park washroom. Angela Marie MacDougall, the executive director of the Battered Women's Support Services Society in Vancouver, joins the show to discuss ways to best support victims.

Canada Post says it has received a strike notice from the union representing 55,000 postal workers, with workers planning a walkout on Friday. David MacDonald from the Centre for Policy Alternatives joins the show to discuss what this means for the Canadian economy as we ask viewers what can be done to avert the strike.

Swimming can be a crucial life skill but lessons can be hard to come by. Kimiko Hirakida from the Lifesaving Society of BC joins the show to discuss the importance of swimming skills and the demand for access to lessons.

BC Today gardening columnist Brian Minter joins us to answer your gardening questions.

The Victoria Day long weekend signals B.C.'s unofficial start to the summer. We ask viewers about their long weekend plans and if they plan to stay local. The Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair kicks off this weekend with 70,000 people expected to attend. Exhibition vice-president Rick Hugh previews the festivities. Then, Whistler mayor Jack Crompton joins the show to discuss what he expects from visitors this weekend and how the city is planning for the summer ahead.

CBC's Karin Larsen breaks down the findings from a coroner's inquest into the fentanyl overdose death of University of Victoria student Sidney McIntyre-Starko in January of 2024.

The market for condominium sales is experiencing major downturns as inventories soar with few buyers. Former Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart and Realtor Hasan Juma join the show to discuss the impacts of the slowdown on housing policy.

BC Ferries outlines its challenges ahead of what is likely to be a busy summer travel season. The corporation says it is ready for high passenger traffic. Silas White, the mayor of Gibsons, discusses the demand for ferry services in coastal communities as we ask viewers if BC Ferries meets their needs.

Shoppers have turned to thrift stores in order to cut spending on essentials like clothing and furniture. Ashleen Montgomery, finance and operations manager at Society Promoting Environmental Conservation, and Karla Ahlqvist, president of Wildlife Thrift Store, join the show to discuss the current popularity of thrift stores.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's new cabinet unveils a major overhaul with 24 new faces appointed, including five MPs from B.C. Among them is former Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson as housing minister. Vancouver city councillor Rebecca Bligh and Globe and Mail reporter Frances Bula join the show to discuss Robertson's portfolio.

Canada's Got Talent finalist, Vancouver's Carsim Birmingham, tells us about his singing journey as he gets ready for the finale

The U.S. and China agree to roll back tariffs for 90 days as they continue trade talks, while Prime Minister Mark Carney continues to promise trade re-negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump. Douglas College political scientist Jovian Radheshwar joins the show to discuss where recent trade war developments leave Canada.

Children and teens face pressure from school, friends and social media, with added risks from intergenerational trauma. We ask viewers about how to support young people's mental health with a panel of experts — Coast Mental Health senior director Margaret Flynn, Indigenous physician Dr. Evan Adams and Kids Help Phone counsellor Joe Adetuyi.

We ask you to call in and send us your messages to mom for Mother's Day.

The decline in Canadians travelling to the U.S. does not bode well for tonight's baseball game in Seattle between the Blue Jays and the Mariners, with ticket prices dropping to below $30 each. Kim Malcolm, host of the NPR affiliate radio program All Things Considered, joins the show to talk about what's happening. Retail analyst and author Bruce Winder discusses the U.S. boycott movement's impact on Canadian consumers and businesses.

We mark the election of the Catholic Church's first American pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV. University of Alberta law professor Eric Adams joins our conversation about Alberta separatism. David Chalke, a recipient of this year's Courage to Come Back Awards, joins the show as we ask our audience to share their stories about how they overcame challenges in life.

Last month's federal election saw one of the highest voter turnouts since 1993 at more than 68 per cent. Cole Reinbold from the B.C. Federation of Students and financial counsellor Jessica Moorhouse discuss what the election results mean for younger voters.

India has fired missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, killing dozens. Pakistan's leader calls it an "act of war." Reeta Tremblay, a political scientist at the University of Victoria, joins the show to explain the ongoing tensions between the two countries.

The Surrey Teachers' Association and District Parent Advisory Council have launched a campaign to lobby MLAs to increase education funding, as strapped school budgets put jobs and programs at risk. Surrey DPAC president Anne Whitmore joins the show to discuss the state of funding as we ask viewers what cuts they're seeing in their school districts.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he has started a process to hit films not produced in the U.S. with a 100 per cent tariff, just as Prime Minister Mark Carney is on his way to Washington to meet with him to reset the relationship between Canada and the U.S. UBC political science professor Terri Givens joins the show to talk about the latest tariff developments and the possible impact on B.C.'s film industry.

This week is Privacy Week, which raises awareness about how to protect your personal information. B.C.'s privacy commissioner joins us as we ask our viewers their worries about their online data.

BC Today gardening columnist Brian Minter joins us to answer your gardening questions.

B.C. is commemorating victims and the communities affected by the April 16 Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy by marking a provincial day of mourning. CBC reporters Chad Pawson and Pinki Wong tell us about how the community is grieving and marking the day. The tragedy took place near two schools. Vancouver School Board superintendent Helen McGregor joins the show to discuss supports available for students. Communities outside of B.C. have joined in solidarity to support the victims of the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy, with donations and vigils. Hannah Sabit of Migrante Canada joins us from Toronto to discuss how the grief from Saturday's events rippled across the country.

We get reaction from members of the Filipino community after reviews were announced in the wake of the alleged car attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver over the weekend.B.C. is ending its zero-emission vehicle rebate program, which comes after a similar federal program was paused in January when it ran out of funds. We ask Bob Porter, president of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association, how this could affect demand for EVs.

Quebec will impose a full ban on cell phones and other electronic devices in schools. Brandon Laur, CEO and instructor at The White Hatter, joins the show to discuss as we ask viewers if cell phones should be outright banned in schools.