Hotel Pacifico

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, BCGEU, BC Dairy and Port of Vancouver.This week, Geoff and Mike welcome Tamara Vrooman, CEO of YVR, Chancellor of SFU, and former Deputy Minister of BC's Finance Ministry. Together, they discuss YVR's role in trade, the increasing role of air cargo, and what BC needs to do to attract investment and get on track.    In the Strategy Suite, Mike and Geoff analyze the latest polling on BC politics, dig into letters of warning from the Mayor of Richmond to landowners about the Cowichan decision, review the mass resignation of ob-gyns in Kamloops, and discuss Vince Ready coming to the rescue in the BCGEU negotiations. There's also a visit from a surprise guest who is launching a new BC-based publication.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, BCGEU, BC Dairy and Port of Vancouver.This week, things are a little different at Hotel Pacifico. Mike and Geoff kick off with Cheryl Oates and Erika Barootes of Alberta's “The Discourse” pod to unpack the escalating pipeline battle between Danielle Smith and David Eby, bringing perspectives from either side of the Rockies. Later, Geoff and Mike welcome George Abbott, longtime cabinet minister and current BC Treaty Commissioner, to discuss his new book “Unceded.” Together, they explore the unique historical context of Indigenous relations in BC and how it has shaped modern reconciliation efforts, including modern treaties and the recent Cowichan decision. To wrap it up, Geoff and Mike give an update on the BCGEU strike, which is now in week 7.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and BCGEU.This week, Geoff and Mike welcome veteran journalist and author Rod Mickleburgh, co-author of “John Horgan: In His Own Words”, which was formally launched this week. Together, they reflect on Premier Horgan's career and legacy, as well as the candid thoughts he shared while working on the memoir in his final year.   In the Strategy Suite, Mike and Geoff are joined by Maria Dobrinskaya, former BC director of the Broadbent Institute, for a lively discussion on the week in BC politics: Premier Eby in the hot seat with developers, whether there are too many “czars”, and the brewing mutiny in the Conservative caucus. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and BCGEU.Geoff and Mike welcome back Fran Yanor of Northern Beat for an extended Strategy Suite. Together, they analyze the key moments from last week's UBCM: mayors taking the government to task on street disorder, the Green Party's newly elected leader, and … ostriches? Plus, they discuss Premier Danielle Smith's controversial plan to build a new pipeline to BC's West Coast. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and BCGEU.This week, polling expert and political strategist Dimitri Pantazopoulos returns to the Hotel Pacifico for a debrief on the Conservative leadership review. Along with Mike and Geoff, they discuss John Rustad's future as leader of the Conservative Party and recap Elenore Sturko's sudden departure from caucus. In the Strategy Suite, Mike and Geoff discuss the topics taking centre stage at UBCM, including the Heritage Conservation Act, challenges facing the forestry sector, and how smaller communities are dealing with street disorder. They also cover the latest candidates in Vancouver's mayoral race and provide updates on the races in New Westminster, Richmond, and Surrey. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from FortisBC.In a special episode, Mike welcomes back frequent guest Global News reporter Richard Zussman to discuss the upcoming Union of BC Municipalities Convention and why it matters. They discuss the hot topics for mayors and councillors such as the Cowichan decision, Heritage Conservation Act, street disorder, and the natural resource economy. Mike and Richard squeeze in a few minutes on the ongoing B.C. Conservative leadership review with results expected shortly. Plus, the final days of the Green leadership battle.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and BCGEU.This week, Geoff welcomes Judy Darcy, feminist, union leader and then cabinet minister, who got her start in politics infiltrating a beauty contest on behalf of the women's movement. She went on to lead CUPE, Canada's largest public sector union, negotiated with Premiers in most provinces, and headed BC's biggest health care union before moving into BC politics where she confronted the fentanyl crisis and COVID. It's all in her new autobiography, Leading from the Heart.In Strategy Suite, Geoff, Kate, and Mike take a look at BC's dismal finances and consider the turmoil inside all three parties in the Legislature.  The hosts review David Eby's supposed $450,000 contract with a comedian and Mike brings a Top 10 list of Eby jokes. Kate has an important announcement. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and BCGEU.Mike & Geoff welcome Don Wright back to Hotel Pacifico.  The former head of BC's public service has unleashed his views on his substack, Blindingly Obvious.  The hosts discuss Wright's hot takes on how Canada's immigration levels have come at a cost to the economy, jobs, and the housing market; how we can have our own values, but can't have our own arithmetic; and how energy illiteracy could kill us.  In the Strategy Suite, Mike & Geoff discuss the latest Angus Reid numbers on Premier Eby's approval rating, the Teck Anglo mining merger, Premier Eby's pending trip to Ottawa, BCGEU labour action, and reverberations from the Cowichan decision. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and BCGEU.Pollster and veteran campaigner Dimitri Pantazopoulos joins Mike for a rare 1:1 interview. He shares his perspective based on over three decades in national and provincial politics, including playing key roles in major political victories for Christy Clark, Stephen Harper, Jason Kenney, Andrew Wilkinson, and Doug Ford. Mike and Dimitri discuss how polling has changed over the past few decades, what it will take for the Conservatives to win federally, and what the BC Conservatives must do now to take their near win to a majority government in the next provincial election. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.BREAKING NEWS: Join Mike and Geoff for a special "Emergency Cabinet Shuffle Reaction" episode.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, the Health Sciences Association of BC, and the British Columbia School Trustees Association.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, the Health Sciences Association of BC, and the British Columbia School Trustees Association.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC and the Health Sciences Association of BC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC and the Health Sciences Association of BC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from BC Dairy, and the NFP.SPECIAL POD:

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from BC Dairy, and the NFP.SPECIAL POD:

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from BC Dairy, and the NFP.SPECIAL POD:

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from BC Dairy, and the NFP.SPECIAL POD:

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from BC Dairy. SPECIAL POD:

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC. 🏨🌄  This week Hotel Pacifico goes all in the Ragin' Cajun's maxim: "it's the economy stupid" as we explore ... the economy ... with Business Council of British Columbia president and CEO, Laura Jones!In the Strategy Suite, our hosts discuss how Premier Eby is positioning himself in the Trump trade war. Plus the ragin' debate on community safety.Join Mike McDonald, Kate Hammer, and Geoff Meggs for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC and Airbnb.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC and Airbnb.