Hotel Pacifico

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.

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.

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

Listeners, today is a difficult day.It is with a heavy heart that today we learned of the passing of a true public servant, the 36th premier of British Columbia, the Honourable John Horgan.On behalf of Air Quotes Media, our condolences go out to the Horgan family, and to all Canadians and British Columbians touched by his public service.Hotel Pacifico cannot exist without our generous sponsors supporting public discourse on the podcast and today's episode, beginning in a few moments, will be a full, uninterrupted reflection on the life and legacy of John Horgan.Our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC and Airbnb, wish to extend their sincere condolences to Mr. Horgan's family and friends, and acknowledge his lifelong dedication to public service and the people of British Columbia. His contributions will be remembered with gratitude.Joining Mike and Geoff to remember Mr. Horgan are special guests Don Wright & Maeghan Dewar. Don worked for the Government of British Columbia from 2017 to 2020, where he was deputy minister to Premier Horgan, cabinet secretary and head of the public service. Maeghan, Partner in FGS Longview's Vancouver office, was a senior advisor to Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and was a key part of Jack Layton's team during the 2011 federal breakthrough.Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.