Podcasts about metro vancouver

THIS EPISODE: Indigenous-led Housing What does Indigenous housing look like? Are there special forms of housing needed by Indigenous communities in particular to address specific health and community needs? And what kind of housing can be built when Indigenous people in charge of the plans? In this episode, we try to address each of these questions. First we speak to Maggie Low, assistant professor at the School of Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia. She's been studying how municipal governments respond to Indigenous housing needs. Next, we speak to Alexandra Flynn, associate professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law, UBC, about Indigenous zoning and housing developments in Metro Vancouver. Finally, we speak with Bailey Waukey, a youth policy analyst with the Aboriginal Housing Management Association, about the different housing models Indigenous youth have asked for themselves through a special engagement process. What does housing by Indigenous people, for Indigenous people look like in an increasingly urbanized world?

With only six weeks left before the market shuts down for the holidays, Metro Vancouver sellers face a critical decision - list now or wait until spring? Adam & Matt tackle the tough fall reality this week, where active listings sit 36% above the ten-year average, sales are down 20% & “shadow” inventory adds thousands more properties to your competition. From pricing strategies that work in a 10% sales ratio environment to understanding why patience isn't your friend anymore, this episode delivers the course correction sellers need right now. Should you push through the fall or wait for spring when inventory pressures could be even worse? How do you stand out when buyers have endless choices? And with sales ratios hovering around 10%, what does it actually take to be the one property that sells? Tune in for the strategies that work when kicking the can down the road is no longer an option.

New West Mayor Patrick Johnstone joins us to break down the state of the races across Metro Vancouver

The rennie podcast is about the real estate market and the people connected by it. Tune in for monthly discussions making sense of the latest market data.EPISODE #80: REBALANCING ACT: HOW CANADA'S ECONOMY, DEBT, AND HOUSING MARKET ARE FINDING THEIR FOOTING | VANCOUVER LANDSCAPE FALL 2025Join Ryan Berlin (Head Economist and VP Intelligence) and Ryan Wyse (Market Intelligence Manager & Lead Analyst) as they unpack the latest Fall 2025 rennie landscape—our semi-annual report on the factors shaping Canada's economy and housing markets. From easing interest rates and rising household debt to a softening job market and record rental construction, the Ryans explore how stability is slowly returning after years of volatility, and what it could mean for buyers, renters, and investors in the months ahead.Featured guests:Ryan Berlin, Head Economist and Vice President of IntelligenceRyan Wyse, Lead Analyst and Market Intelligence ManagerFall 2025 rennie landscapeAbout the rennie landscapeThe rennie intelligence division has just released its semi-annual publication, the rennie landscape, which provides thoughtful, contemporary analysis of the myriad factors impacting the housing markets of Metro Vancouver, Seattle, the Central Okanagan, and Greater Victoria. The commentary in the rennie landscape is lively, and the insights are objective and data-driven. Key stakeholders in the real estate industry—including developers, realtors, commercial brokers, and institutional investors—rely on the rennie landscape for its succinct review of the latest trends that matter to our market.We'd love to answer your real estate questions. Email us at intel@rennie.com or leave a voicemail, and we'll try to respond in future episodes.

New Westminster city councillor and mayoral candidate Daniel Fontaine was invited in to the studios at CONNECT FM 91.5 to talk about vape shops and Metro Vancouver. Fontaine discusses the challenges that local municipalities have to restrict vape shops and whether the Province of BC should step in with provincial regulations. Popular host Vijay Saini also asks about Metro Vancouver and what more can be done to further control spending. Is an elected Board of Directors the answer - or not?Saini told his listening audience "...I find you [Fontaine] to be one of those councillors who focuses not just simply on your city in which you are a council member. Your ideas and your commentary has a wide-ranging impact on the region itself."

Some of Metro Vancouver's board members have received tens of thousands in compensation. The question is whether that is necessary given the current economic climate.   Read the full article here: https://www.coastalfront.ca/read/metro-vancouver-board-payouts-reach-tens-of-thousands-analysis-shows   PODCAST INFO:

Big news for Vancouver residents — you could soon get to decide the future of the city's Park Board! Canada's most wanted man could be hiding right here in Metro Vancouver! British Columbia is taking a firmer stance on vaping — particularly the marketing practices that may mislead young people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this message, we look at Jesus’ parable on the rich farmer in Luke 12:13-34. He invites his followers to forget about building bigger barns and instead choose to be generous to those in need. Cascades Church is a church in the heart of Metro Vancouver longing to see our city renewed as we follow […]

Guest: Daniel Fontaine, New Westminster City councillor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About 2,500 newly built condos are sitting unsold and empty in Metro Vancouver, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. It says the number is double what it was last year. Brendon Ogmundson, chief economist for the B.C. Real Estate Association, discusses the state of B.C.'s condo market.

For years, landowners near the Metro Vancouver incinerator in Burnaby have reported substantial deposits accumulating on their properties, requiring annual cleaning. Finally, independent testing has revealed dangerous levels of dioxins, furans, and heavy metals in this dust. We speak with Sue Maxwell, chair of Zero Waste BC.

In 1 Corinthians 9, the Apostle Paul compares the Christian life to a marathon. In order to win the race, you have to know where you’re heading, keep focus, and train, so that at the end of life, we can obtain the prize. Cascades Church is a church in the heart of Metro Vancouver longing […]

Sept. 25, 2025: Guest host Robin Gill in for Jas Johal Canada Post workers back on strike (0:00) Guest: Jennifer Savage, CUPW's National Director for the Pacific Region (Canadian Union of Postal Workers) Canada Post to make sweeping changes, ending door-to-door delivery (7:13) Guest: Marvin Ryder, Associate professor at McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business John Rustad plans to change Metro Vancouver…can he deliver? (15:14) Guest: Daniel Fontaine, New Westminster City councillor New Patullo Bridge completed by Christmas 2025; what took so long? (22:21) Guest: Chris Gardner, President and CEO of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association From more closures to layoffs: Is Starbucks losing its appeal? (31:22) Guest: David Ian Gray, Instructor of Retail Studies at the Capilano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Homeless population in Metro Vancouver has grown 141% since 2005, and evictions are the leading cause! Guest: Lorraine Copas - Chair of the Greater Metro Vancouver Community Advisory Board for Reaching Home Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   Justin divides this episode into three segments. He first interviews Eddie Tettevi, Sandbox Mutual Insurance CRO and RIMS Canada Council Chair — DEI and Comms, about his risk career and his service on the RIMS Canada Council. In the second segment, Justin interviews Janiece Savien-Brown, Metro Vancouver, and Shaun Sinclair, BCIT, about the C2C Challenge and the winning student team. The third segment is a recording of "Intentional Mentorship," an improvised session from the DEI Studio, featuring Dionne Bowers, Co-Founder & Chair of the Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals (CABIP), Ray Chaaya, Head of talent for Zurich Canada, and Natalia Szubbocsev, Executive Vice President at Appraisals International Inc.   Listen to learn about some exciting events of the RIMS Canada Conference 2025.   Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:17] About this episode of RIMScast. This episode was recorded live on September 15th, 16th, and 17th at the RIMS Canada Conference 2025, at the Telus Convention Center in Calgary. We had a blast! We will relive the glory of the RIMS Canada Conference in just a moment, but first: [:50] RIMS Virtual Workshops! RIMS has launched a new course, “Intro to ERM for Senior Leaders.” It will be held again on November 4th and 5th and will be led by Elise Farnham. [1:07] On November 11th and 12th, my good friend Chris Hansen will lead “Fundamentals of Insurance”. It features everything you've always wanted to know about insurance but were afraid to ask. Fear not; ask Chris Hansen! RIMS members enjoy deep discounts on virtual workshops! [1:26] The full schedule of virtual workshops can be found on the RIMS.org/education and RIMS.org/education/online-learning pages. A link is also in this episode's notes. [1:37] Several RIMS Webinars are being hosted this Fall. On October 9th, Global Risk Consultants returns to deliver “Natural Hazards: A Data-Driven Guide to Improving Resilience and Risk Financing Outcomes”. [1:50] On October 16th, Zurich returns to deliver “Jury Dynamics: How Juries Shape Today's Legal Landscape”. On October 30th, Swiss Re will present “Parametric Insurance: Providing Financial Certainty in Uncertain Times”. [2:07] On November 6th, Hub will present “Geopolitical Whiplash — Building Resilient Global Risk Programs in an Unstable World”. Register at RIMS.org/Webinars. [2:20] On with the show! It was such a pleasure to attend the RIMS Canada Conference 2025 in Calgary. There's always electricity in the air at RIMS Canada, and I wanted to capture some of it!  [2:33] We've got two interviews, and then an improvised session I recorded at the DE&I Studio. The sound came out great, and I used it here with the panelists' permission. [2:49] We've got excellent education and insight for you today on RIMScast! My first guest is Eddie Tettevi. He is the Chief Risk Officer at Sandbox Mutual. He's a very active member of the Saskatchewan RIMS Chapter and a member of the RIMS Canada Council. [3:11] We're going to talk about his risk management career, his RIMS involvement, and how his insights from one of his RIMS DE&I sessions led to this discussion. [3:24] First Interview! Eddie Tettevi, welcome to RIMScast! [3:38] Eddie is the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at Sandbox Mutual Insurance. He's also the Corporate Secretary, which means he helps the organization navigate strategic initiatives within the boundaries of risk appetite and regulatory compliance. [4:12] Eddie has been at Sandbox for approximately two years. When he joined the company, Sandbox was going through a period of rapid growth and taking the right risks. That was something Eddie looked forward to being involved in. [4:54] The CRO role was not an independent role at Sandbox before Eddie started. It was held by the Chief Financial Officer. The CCO role was held by HR. The Corporate Secretary role was held by the CEO. Eddie fills the three roles in his new position. His background fits all three roles. [6:06] Eddie normally leads a risk group of three. Eddie was previously in cyber for 13 or 14 years. His background is in electrical engineering and computer science. He helped organizations secure their software and network. [7:02] Eddie doesn't think risk management is any different. He's helping organizations make the right decisions. The difference is that the portfolio is much larger. Cybersecurity is one aspect of Eddie's risk management work. [7:33] Eddie says cyber attacks are growing. Individuals who may not be skilled are using AI tools to perpetrate cyber attacks. The attacks are increasing exponentially in skill and sophistication. [8:09] Eddie co-hosted a session in the DE&I Studio with Aaron Lukoni and Tara Lessard-Webb, focused on understanding how mental health plays a part in risk management and how organizations should think about mental health as part of a risk management framework. [8:31] The session was “Building Resilient Workplaces, the Role of Mental Health in Risk Management.” In it, Eddie revealed he is skilled in multiple languages, but an expert in none, including English. He grew up with influences from English, French, Malay, and Creole Patois. [9:38] Eddie loves learning about new cultures. That has influenced his accent. In every language he speaks, he has an accent, which makes it interesting. He has worked in French and English organizations. He learns languages in six months. He picks them up quickly. [10:50] Eddie, Aaron, and Tara emphasized making sure we are thinking about and embedding mental health in our risk framework. [11:02] When designing any strategies and initiatives, risk professionals should consider what's happening in the organization. An organization going through a lot of change is already a stressed organization. You have to consider that as you introduce more change. [11:40] Eddie says the award-winning Saskatchewan RIMS Chapter is exciting. It's great to work with people who are interested, dedicated, and committed. He says the chapter is doing some incredible things, such as introducing risk courses into the universities in the province.  [12:15] Eddie was a RIMS member before joining Sandbox. You can be a RIMS member without joining a chapter. Moving to Saskatoon created the opportunity for Eddie to join the Saskatchewan RIMS Chapter, which he had been looking forward to, to connect with people. [12:36] Justin gives shoutouts to various Saskatchewan Chapter members. [13:03] Eddie serves on the RIMS Canada Council as Chair of the Communications, External Affairs, and DEI Committee. [13:22] The committee is responsible for making sure that all RIMS communications have a DEI lens and advocate for the risk community, partnering with other advocacy groups around Canada. [13:52] Justin says it's been such a pleasure to meet you and hang out with you! I look forward to seeing you at more RIMS Canada and RIMS events. [14:02] Our next guests organized the 2025 C2C Coast to Coast Challenge. This is a competition for risk management students based in Canada. We'll learn about the case studies and what it took to produce their presentations, and also have a chance to acknowledge the winners. [14:19] We will hear from Shaun Sinclair, the Program Head of General Insurance and the Risk Management Program at British Columbia Institute of Technology, and Janiece Savien-Brown, the Manager for Risk and Claims Management at Metro Vancouver. [14:35] We're going to learn about their various roles, as well. Let's get to it! [14:39] Second Interview! Shaun Sinclair and Janiece Savien-Brown, welcome to RIMScast!  [14:47] Janiece Savien-Brown is the Manager of Risk and Claims Services with Metro Vancouver by day. She has been involved with BCRIMA for 17 or 18 years. BCRIMA started the Coast 2 Coast Legacy Challenge three years ago. Last year was its first year in Vancouver. [15:07] Shaun Sinclair is the Program Head of the General Insurance and Risk Management Program at BCIT, an institute of technology in Vancouver and Burnaby, B.C. [15:17] They teach students insurance and risk management courses. Students graduate with a CRM and a Chartered Insurance Professional designation. [15:26] Shaun is also the President of BCRIMA this year. He has been a BCRIMA member for a long time. This C2C Legacy Challenge was awesome for Shaun because two teams from BCIT got into the finals. Shaun had to recuse himself.  [15:51] Janiece says the RIMS Canada Conference 2025 was fantastic! Shaun was there with seven students, and it was awesome to see what they were learning. The students told Shaun they loved everything about it. [16:45] The two finalist teams were The Deductibles and Insure and Conquer. This year's submissions were highly creative and impactful. [17:10] Shaun has been involved in Risk Management Challenges for years and has been to the nationals several times with groups. Shaun stays pretty hands-off. The students get the challenge, and Shaun discusses it with them. He figures out what they need from him to do it. [17:42] In this case, a root cause analysis wasn't needed. They learned how to do a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), a heat map, and gather general knowledge. Then he let them go. They came up with the 10-page report. He didn't watch their presentation until they went live. [18:14] Their champion for the challenge was Ken Letander. The challenge was a procurement question. If your organization's ownership is 51% Indigenous, and you keep your staff 33% Indigenous, money comes your way for contracts. [18:48] When the contract is over and it's time to get the money, but the organization refuses to give that information, how do you make sure they have the 33% Indigenous staff and 51% Indigenous ownership? Do you need pictures, or can you use Elders to say it's enough? [19:12] The students had to read a lot about risk and the rules and regulations regarding this question. They had to read the Canadian government's language on what the rules are. It was an interesting case. [19:38] Janiece didn't envy them at all. The students came up with some solutions for Ken Letander, and he was thrilled with what came from all of the reports. [20:33] Janiece says the presentations were phenomenal from both teams, as well as the written submissions. The collaboration came through and showed they owned the essence of the project. You could see the desire of the top team to make it work. [21:12] Shaun says the cases used in C2C are pretty much real cases. Janiece says last year's case competition had to come up with an equitable access tool to use in the system. After Janiece had surgery, she was given a survey, and she recognized it from the case study. [22:26] Justin says it's great that the students collaborate. You need teamwork. [22:54] Shaun says you hear a lot about isolation. He says BCIT is sometimes called “Being Crammed Into Teams.” Shaun and the other teachers assign projects where students are forced to work with at least three or four people. [23:13] After two years of group projects, collaboration is relatively easy. Shaun also makes the students hand-write their exams. They learn how to think through a problem and put it down on paper. Afterward, they go outside and talk about what they did. [24:52] Shaun's advice to academics and students entering a C2C challenge is to follow the rules. If they say 8-point font, 10-page maximum, don't send 14 pages. The instructor should help students understand the material and then step back. Let the students do it. It's on them. [25:42] Janiece says it is key to engage at the conference. While the Challenge is the key feature, the experience at the RIMS Canada Conference is a large part of it. Be present. Don't be on your phones the whole time. Attend sessions. Come to the events, have fun, and network. [26:07] Janiece was at an event, and five people came up to her and asked if she had brought the BCIT students (Shaun had). [26:22] People were absolutely amazed at how engaging the students were, willing to put themselves out there, and setting meetings with people in BC for opportunities when they come back. That's part of the experience. [26:40] Shaun points out that a couple of the students are quite shy and have come out of their shells because they've had to talk to people. The more you do it, the better you get at it. [27:01] Janiece reports that at one of the events, the students who were in Vancouver from Calgary came out and met with her students. RIMS, RIMS Canada, and the local chapter promote engagement. [27:31] The 2025 C2C Challenge Calgary winner is The Deductibles, 1.95 points ahead of Insure and Conquer. Insure and Conquer did an awesome job as well. [28:11] The Deductibles team is: Rabia Thind, Triston Nelson, and Ryan Qiu. [28:32] Parting advice for risk students as they step into their careers: Shaun says, if you're going to be an accountant or finance student, think about insurance risk management. Amazing career opportunities in fields that cover everything are all within your grasp. Put it on your radar. [29:26] Janiece says she is living proof of that. She was going to be an accountant. After a car accident, she switched to insurance and risk. It's a lifestyle. She has gained many friends, colleagues, and mentors. She started as an adjustor and after 31 years, she's still in the industry. [29:54] Shaun says you can swap jobs from broker to underwriter, to claims, to risk manager, to education, and not start again at the bottom. It's an amazing career. [30:26] Justin says Thank you so much, it's been such a pleasure to reconnect with you here at the Telus Convention Center in Calgary, for RIMS Canada Conference 2025. Shaun and Janiece are already thinking about the C2C Challenge in 2026. We'll see you there! [30:51] As I said at the top, we're going to close things out with an improvised session called “Intentional Mentorship,” which was produced at the DE&I Studio. [31:19] Improvised Session, “Intentional Mentorship,” at the DE&I Studio! With the insights of Dionne Bowers, the Cofounder and Chair of CABIP, Ray Chaaya, the Head of Talent at Zurich Canada, and Natalia Szubbocsev of Appraisals, International. Please enjoy! [31:40] Natalia Szubbocsev introduces the panel. Natalia is the Executive Vice President at Appraisals, International, an insurance appraisal company, global but small, with a diverse, inclusive team. Natalia has been a mentee and a mentor and is glad to contribute her insights. [32:38] Dionne Bowers is the Co-founder and Chair of the Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals, a nonprofit organization, and has recently joined Markel Canada as one of their business development Colleagues. [32:57] Ray Chaaya is head of talent for Zurich Canada. Ray oversees talent acquisition, talent development, and talent management, as well as the culture portfolio for the company, DEIB, and community impact. [33:15] Natalia asks What does mentorship, particularly inclusive or intentional mentorship, mean for you? Dionne says that it is a strong commitment by both the mentor and the mentee to work together for growth opportunities. [33:38] Intentional mentorship is the dedication that each party has to bring to the table, and fulfilling any sort of mandates that have been asked by both. Depending on the program, it's making sure that everyone is on the same page in terms of what they want from each other. [34:04] Ray agrees with Dionne. There has to be a mutual benefit. Ray has been a mentee and a mentor, and finds that the most valuable mentorship relationships are where the mentor and the mentee walk away feeling like they're learning something every day, having a conversation. [34:30] Ray says it's a two-way street and a relationship that can often last for years, because it is a relationship where the value is long-term. Ray talks to young people, and they ask, You're my mentor, what do I do? It doesn't work that way. It's a long-term investment. [34:56] Natalia says that traditional mentorship, besides being one of the best ways of professional development, is also to transfer knowledge from someone who has the experience to someone junior in his or her role. What other purpose does mentorship serve? [35:19] Dionne says it's also recognizing that it's an opportunity for learning from one another. A mentor is a seasoned insurance professional who is working with someone who is a new entrant to the industry. [35:37] It's recognizing that a mentor and a mentee are learning from each other. Strength in development is making sure that you are taking away something from each other, each time you meet, connecting and learning trends and thoughts, and diversity of thought. [36:10] Dionne asks, How can we do things differently? She has learned a lot from young people. Dionne thought she was cool, but apparently, she's not. And she's just taking away a lot of that into her own world, professionally and personally. [36:23] Natalia says her experiences are not just intergenerational, but in Canada and beyond, intercultural. She says what needs to be respected and adapted to, both by the mentor and the mentee, is that you're coming from different backgrounds. [36:45] In a global setting, that will affect communication, that will affect the thought processes, that will affect everything; the way we do things. Because Natalia leads a global team, she has to be adaptable, sensible, and respectful of the cultural nuances. [37:07] At the same time, she asks her mentees or team to do the same for her, because she comes from a very specific background. She has an Eastern European background. It doesn't matter that she's lived in Canada for 25 years. [37:25] Her background defines the way she communicates, thinks, and handles things. Every culture communicates differently. That's an overall mutual understanding, knowing that we all come from different backgrounds. [37:47] Dionne says there has to be a willingness to learn. There's no point in having a mentor-mentee relationship where it's just going to be closed off, and this is what we're going to talk about. There has to be a willingness to learn. [38:07] Ray says there's a learning agility piece. You have to be flexible in how the relationship is going to go. Every mentorship relationship is different, too. There are no steps on how to be a good mentor or a good mentee. [38:25] It's the chemistry between the two, the value that you bring to each other, and the conversations. The maturity of a mentorship can also go into sponsorship. [38:37] When Ray has a conversation with somebody, and they get to know each other, and feel what they want to get out of this, he can be a voice for that person. It goes back to the conversation of lifting others when you can. [38:54] When Ray thinks back to his mentors who stick out in his mind. He has a lot of respect for them. They are the people who spoke about him when he was not in the room, and had his back in that room when he was not there. [39:15] Those are the people, as Ray matures in his career, he doesn't know that he would be here today if it weren't for those mentors. And that is what he hopes he can bring to somebody else as a mentor. [39:29] Natalia says, in a global setting where she works, boosting confidence is very important. In a multicultural global setting, it's important to encourage someone in a different country, who communicates differently, that it doesn't matter, they can do it. [39:50] We are working on a common goal. That's part of the sponsorship/mentorship/training. [40:08] Ray says you have to be honest as a mentor. The toughest times for Ray were when he realized he was trying to make this work for a person, but to be honest with himself, as a mentor, he should be encouraging this person to look somewhere else, at what their passions are. [40:33] He went into it thinking he wanted this person to be the best they could be at this job. And he realized that's not his job as a mentor. [40:43] His job is to understand what they want out of their career, where they bring value, where their passion is, and guide them to make sure that they ultimately are happy with their career, and they're bringing value to society, and they're contributing to the community. [41:06] One specific person Ray was mentoring, he was desperate to fit them into the insurance industry, because that's how he was programmed. He was thinking, Why is this not working? And he realized it's not working because they don't want to do this. [41:25] And as a mentor, Ray's job now is to say, What do you want to do, and let's help you get there. And when he made that mind shift, it just clicked. That was a little bit of a learning opportunity. Now he's a better mentor for learning that. [41:42] Dionne agrees with that. She had one mentor who told her, If you plan to give back as a mentor, don't have any expectations, or you're setting yourself up for failure. [42:05] A lot of mentors have a similar approach, because we don't know. We want it so badly. We want to be able to say, I did that. I helped them get to wherever. If you have a mentee who is not in the mindset, and you're not sure that this is for them, have that conversation. [42:38] It's important to recognize that you're going to impact their lives differently. Even though you have that mentor-mentee relationship, you may be asking them to reconsider dipping their foot into the industry. [42:55] Natalia says not making assumptions about the other person and having that curiosity, openness, and mutual communication is very important. [43:05] How do you build in mentorship or inclusive or intentional mentorship into your organization? Ray says mentorship programs should be part of any industry, any corporation, or any organization. If you expect people to learn and grow, they need mentors. [43:30] Ray says Zurich has baked in mentorship programs into a lot of its development programs. Your development means you get a mentor, and you learn from that mentor. They bake it into the development strategy that's already there, and don't make it an off-site thing. [43:57] It shouldn't be another thing; it should just be part of your growth and development. And so, whenever they can bake it in, that's what Zurich does. [44:04] Zurich also has amazing employee resource groups that champion a lot of its programs, and the Zurich African and Caribbean Alliance, ZACA, which has worked with KBIP, is a massive champion of its mentorship program. [44:19] Just two or three months ago, Zurich held a mentorship day and increased the mentors on its mentorship platform by 48%. It was just another thing that was out there that nobody was talking about, and another thing people had to sign up for. [44:39] Zurich's employee resource group put a spotlight on it, and they showed the value, and they made it part of the ERG's culture to participate in mentorship. Then all of those ERG participants signed up to be mentors, and now are actively mentoring. [45:00] You really need to look at it from a strategy perspective. It can't just be an extracurricular activity that you add on. [45:08] Dionne agrees. KBIP works with organizations like Zurich, and with the ZACA program and the team, but also does the work for organizations that are not there yet or not willing to put the extra effort in to embed it into the DNA of the organization. [45:33] Part of KBIP's mandate is to create a mentorship program specific to Black insurance professionals. It doesn't matter where you're from, international or domestic student, or anyone who wants to be part of the organization and get extra support to build on their career trajectory. [46:02] What do mentors get out of mentorship? Dionne says as a mentor, she gets satisfaction from seeing someone excel, not necessarily from start to finish. You could be at the tail end of their journey, you could be at the beginning, or you could be in the middle. [46:36] If there is a desired outcome for both parties, and there's success, when someone calls you or texts you and says, You know what, I got that job, or I was recognized for doing XYZ, that is satisfaction. That is success. [47:00] Ray says his passion is helping people grow and develop. He started his HR career in learning and development, because he used to be intrinsically rewarded when he saw somebody learn something he taught them, or he trained them on. That felt like a superpower. [47:21] When Ray can do that with the programs Zurich runs, and he interviews people and watches their growth, and they are so grateful; to Ray, that is worth it all. You don't even have to pay him for that. He will volunteer and do that his entire life because of what he gets out of it. [47:47] Natalia agrees. There are obvious advantages from an organizational point of view, but from an individual point of view, Natalia feels that she has arrived at a point where there's no ego anymore. She wants to transfer her knowledge to someone. [48:04] Natalia wants to tell someone that they can do it. Because she did it, they can do it as well. And that's a very important aspect of mentorship. [48:15] How do you make mentorship intentional and inclusive? Ray says it means they have to see the value. It has to be part of the business strategy. Anything that is not intentional, people think, Why do I have to do this, on top of everything else that I need to do? [48:36] The second we are making it intentional, it has to make sense. This is why I'm doing this, because it's going to benefit me, it's going to benefit the company, and it's going to benefit the people I'm impacting. [48:47] They have to see the strategic business value, and with mentorship, it's easy. Because there's massive value for the organization, there is a massive competitive edge if you're doing it properly, and there is massive learning and development for your workforce. [49:05] You just need to sit down with professionals like KBIP, with people who have thought through it, and understand how to help you bake it into the strategy. Just do the work. Anything intentional has to make sense. If it does not make sense, it can't really be that intentional. [49:28] Dionne says that in every organization, when you are constructing your missions and your value statements, it's sitting down as an executive team, and asking, How can we execute on this? What does that mean? Mentorship is something that bleeds into your brand. [49:57] The brand recognition from a competitive edge standpoint is huge. Dionne says she can walk into a school for outreach programs and say, Zurich is a market of choice. You would want to work with Zurich because of this, this, and this. [50:14] If you can tell them that they're going to be supported along the way with their career, that's added value. That is something that will definitely differentiate Zurich in the marketplace. [50:26] Dionne adds that being intentional is huge because when you are not, people can see right through that. That is where you create toxic cultures. [50:39] It's not in a company's best interest to ignore the opportunities that stem from mentorship programs. [50:47] Natalia says she's not an HR professional, but she imagines that mentorship has a great role in not just attracting the right talent, but in retention as well. [50:58] Ray affirms, 100%. It's part of your growth and development. Sure, you can use it as a competitive edge to attract people, but if you're not doing it right, then they're not going to develop and grow, and that competitive edge is really just smoke and mirrors. It's not real. [51:15] So, if you're going to do it right, you have to develop people and grow people through your mentorship programs, and you have to show the results for it. [51:26] Dionne adds, That speaks to the inclusivity part of diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you can build a strategy that equates to inclusion, it equates to retention. It's not rocket science.  [51:49] Ray says Zurich is really good at that. [51:52] Final thoughts on intentional mentorship. Dionne says, “Just do it. I'm a Nike gal. Just do it.” [51:59] Ray says, “I wouldn't be where I am in my career if it weren't for my mentors and my sponsors. And so, if you see potential, mentor the heck out of that potential, because they will thrive.” [52:15] Dionne says, “And acknowledge it. I think that's a big part of that strategy.” [52:21] Natalia thanks Ray, Dionne, and the RIMS DE&I Studio for picking up this topic, a very important topic, and she hopes you enjoyed the session. [52:38] Justin says special thanks again to all of our guests here at the RIMS Canada Conference 2025. Be sure to mark your calendars for October 18th through the 21st, 2026, for RIMS Canada, which will be held in Quebec City. [52:55] Shout out to the RIMS Canada Council for producing another fantastic conference and to the RIMS Events Team and all my RIMS colleagues who worked tirelessly to make the last three days so smooth. It's such a pleasure to work with you all. I look forward to seeing you next year. [53:14] Plug Time! You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in the show notes. [53:43] RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [54:02] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [54:19] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [54:35] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [54:50] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. Please remember to subscribe to RIMScast on your favorite podcasting app. You can email us at Content@RIMS.org. [55:02] Practice good risk management, stay safe, and thank you again for your continuous support!   Links: From RIMS Canada: “RIMS Ontario Chapter Honours Bombardier's Daniel Desjardins with the 2025 Donald M. Stuart Award” RIMS ERM Conference 2025 — Nov. 17‒18 Spencer Internship Program — Registration Open Through Oct. 15. RIMS Western Regional — Oct 1‒3 | Bay Area, California | Registration open! RISKWORLD 2026 — Members-only early registration through Sept 30! RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) The Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRO Certificate in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management — Featuring Instructor James Lam! Next bi-weekly course begins Oct 9. RIMS Diversity Equity Inclusion Council RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy | RIMS Legislative Summit SAVE THE DATE — March 18‒19, 2026 RIMS Risk Management magazine | Contribute RIMS Now RIMSCanadaConference.ca RIMS Webinars: RIMS.org/Webinars “Natural Hazards: A Data-Driven Guide to Improving Resilience and Risk Financing Outcomes” | Oct. 9 | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants “Jury Dynamics: How Juries Shape Today's Legal Landscape” | Oct. 16, 2025 | Sponsored by Zurich “Parametric Insurance: Providing Financial Certainty in Uncertain Times” | Oct. 30, 2025 | Sponsored by Swiss Re “Geopolitical Whiplash — Building Resilient Global Risk Programs in an Unstable World” | Nov. 6 | Sponsored by Hub   Upcoming RIMS-CRMP Prep Virtual Workshops: RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep Virtual Workshop — November 11‒12 Full RIMS-CRMP Prep Course Schedule Risk Appetite Management | Oct 22‒23 | Instructor: Ken Baker “Intro to ERM for Senior Leaders” | Nov. 4‒5 | Instructor: Elise Farnham “Fundamentals of Insurance” | Nov. 11‒12 | Instructor: Chris Hansen “Leveraging Data and Analytics for Continuous Risk Management (Part I)” | Dec 4. See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops RIMS-CRMP Prep Workshops   Related RIMScast Episodes with 2025 RIMS Canada keynotes: “Distilling Risk and Resilience with Manjit K. Minhas” “On Resilience with Amanda Lindhout” “Thoughts and IDEAs on Inclusivity with Michael Bach”   Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: “The New Reality of Risk Engineering: From Code Compliance to Resilience” | Sponsored by AXA XL (New!) “Change Management: AI's Role in Loss Control and Property Insurance” | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company “Demystifying Multinational Fronting Insurance Programs” | Sponsored by Zurich “Understanding Third-Party Litigation Funding” | Sponsored by Zurich “What Risk Managers Can Learn From School Shootings” | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog “Simplifying the Challenges of OSHA Recordkeeping” | Sponsored by Medcor “Risk Management in a Changing World: A Deep Dive into AXA's 2024 Future Risks Report” | Sponsored by AXA XL “How Insurance Builds Resilience Against An Active Assailant Attack” | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog “Third-Party and Cyber Risk Management Tips” | Sponsored by Alliant “RMIS Innovation with Archer” | Sponsored by Archer “Navigating Commercial Property Risks with Captives” | Sponsored by Zurich “Breaking Down Silos: AXA XL's New Approach to Casualty Insurance” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Weathering Today's Property Claims Management Challenges” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Storm Prep 2024: The Growing Impact of Convective Storms and Hail” | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company “Partnering Against Cyberrisk” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Harnessing the Power of Data and Analytics for Effective Risk Management” | Sponsored by Marsh “Accident Prevention — The Winning Formula For Construction and Insurance” | Sponsored by Otoos “Platinum Protection: Underwriting and Risk Engineering's Role in Protecting Commercial Properties” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Elevating RMIS — The Archer Way” | Sponsored by Archer   RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — Featuring RIMS President Kristen Peed!   RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model®   Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information.   Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org.   Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.   About our guests: Eddie Tettevi, Sandbox Mutual Insurance CRO RIMS Canada Council Chair — DEI and Comms Janiece Savien-Brown, Metro Vancouver Shaun Sinclair, BCIT "Intentional Mentorship" improvised session from the DE&I Studio, featuring: Dionne Bowers, Co-Founder & Chair of the Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals (CABIP); Ray Chaaya, Head of talent for Zurich Canada; Natalia Szubbocsev, Executive Vice President at Appraisals International Inc.    Production and engineering provided by Podfly.  

The 2025 Cowichan Tribes v. Canada ruling is shaking Metro Vancouver. Chief Aaron Pete explains its challenge to the Land Title Act, the impact on Aboriginal title, property rights, homeowners and governments, and the path to balancing justice with stability.Send us a textThe Dom Sub Living BDSM and Kink PodcastCurious about Dominance & submission? Real stories, real fun, really kinky.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the shownuancedmedia.ca

Premier Eby urges Ottawa to “look west” for major projects to invest in. The Week That Was in Politics with Keith Baldrey! The Wrap - Are we seeing the death of late night TV? Should every Metro Vancouver home have water meters installed? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yesterday, both the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada cut interest rates by a quarter point. On paper it may sound small, but in reality it was a major signal. Central banks rarely move in tandem unless the global economy is flashing warning signs. In this case, the cuts were not acts of strength, but indications of a weakening economy. The Fed acted on the back of softening labour and inflation data. The Bank of Canada responded to one of the worst employment reports the country has seen since the financial crisis, alongside a GDP contraction and a decade-long stagnation in productivity.Canada has shed 106,000 jobs in just two months, the steepest decline since 2009 outside of the pandemic years. The unemployment rate sits at 7.1%, though the reality is worse given the growing number of discouraged workers who are no longer counted in the labour force. GDP shrank 1.6% on an annualized basis in the second quarter, far worse than expected (0.6%), and per capita GDP has not grown since 2016. Productivity has declined in 15 of the past 18 quarters, leaving Canada stuck while the United States continues to pull ahead. Against that backdrop, rate cuts were inevitable. They are not preemptive adjustments - rather it feels like recession management.What holds the system together in moments like these is confidence. Confidence in the housing market, confidence in the stock market, confidence in government. Yet for many Canadians, that confidence has already been shaken. Housing prices have surged far faster than wages, eroding real purchasing power year after year. Families increasingly feel that elected officials have failed them, and the erosion of trust has become a slow leak. Rate cuts might offer a momentary reprieve for borrowers, but they cannot restore confidence on their own.Vancouver, by contrast, is experiencing a rental paradox. Sales ticked up slightly in August, but remain nearly 60% below peak levels. The sales-to-new listings ratio has fallen below 40%, a threshold that historically precedes price declines. Inventory continues to rise, months of supply sit at their highest since 2012, and the price index slipped again last month. At the same time, rental construction is surging. Metro Vancouver will see a 17% increase in rental supply over the next two years, while Kelowna is on track for a staggering 33% increase. With population growth slowing, this supply wave will inevitably push vacancies higher, something Vancouver has not experienced in years. Renters will see relief in the short term, but single-family permits are at record lows, which points to severe shortages by the late 2020s and a return to undersupply by the 2030s for both asset classes.The central bank cuts will ease borrowing costs slightly, and some buyers will return to the market. But rate cuts cannot create demand where none exists, nor can they resolve structural oversupply. In fact, by keeping weak projects alive longer, they may extend the correction rather than shorten it. What truly matters is confidence. Rate cuts feel like gifts, but they are really warning signals. They tell us that fragility is here, not ahead. The question is whether we treat this fragility as a chance to reset and rebuild trust, or whether we allow confidence to erode further. Because when confidence is restored—in our homes, in our markets, and in our leaders—the system doesn't just hold. It thrives. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metro Vancouver wants more water metering! Guest: Linda Parkinson, Metro Vancouver's director for policy, planning and analysis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 554 - Real Estate Reality Guest: Ryan Berlin, rennie & associates By Stuart McNish   Metro Vancouver's housing market is dramatically different that it was 12 months ago, when the provincial government stepped in to ensure affordable and ample housing. In a “Conversations Live” panel in March of 2025, Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley indicated that it didn't work. In fact, the housing market is now upside down.   What happened? Why is the market behaving this way? And what can we expect to come next? Perhaps central to understanding what is happening to the real estate market in Metro Vancouver is a sense of uncertainty – the ongoing trade uncertainty with the United States, the uncertainty associated with a new federal government, and uncertainty over the way in which provincial regulations are affecting the market.   Ryan Berlin of rennie & associates has been examining the broader forces at work in the market and why it is moving in such unexpected and uncertain ways. “The factors at work include the economy, interest rates, rising household credit, demographics, government immigration policy and a reformation of the construction sector,” says Berlin.   We invited Ryan Berlin to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the uncertainties and what rennie & associates has identified about the Metro Vancouver housing market.    You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/   Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

We begin the show talking about the need for more pay transparency from our politicians. Are there more unsold condos in Metro Vancouver than we think? Speaking of condos, multiple city residents are speaking out against the Broadway construction plan that's going ahead WITHOUT public input! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GUEST: Kyle Grant, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Regency Fireplaces Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GUEST: Michael Geller, President of The Geller Group, Architect, Planner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Changes to immigration law in Canada? Guest: Daniel Kingwell, Immigration lawyer Will Stanley Park bike lanes enrage the public? Guest: Tom Digby, park board commissioner Why are recycling rates so much lower in condos than houses? Guest: Karen Storry, a senior engineer with Metro Vancouver and an expert in zero waste policies. How are younger Canadians feeling about our role in Ukraine and Gaza? Guest Dr. Jack Jedwab, President of the Association for Canadian Studies Interest rate news Guest: Andrew Grantham, Executive Director and Senior Economist, CIBC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 540 - Rental Development: Risky Business Beau Jarvis & Kerri Jackson By Stuart McNish   The rental vacancy rate in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley is tight – less than one per cent, year over year. “That, on its own, puts pressure on the market driving up rental rates,” says Kerri Jackson of Concert Properties. Building new supply is a long and challenging process in a remarkably complex municipal landscape made up of 21 different jurisdictions.    Add in factors such as a decades-long shift away from purpose built rental in favour of condo developments that once sold to investors became rental properties. Beau Jarvis of Wesgroup says, “Recently, purpose-built rental housing has resurfaced as a way of easing the tight supply – a good idea, but one that developers are hard-pressed to jump onside with minimal uptake from developers.”   As of October 2024, there are minimal purpose-built rental properties throughout the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley region. Those properties are a step in the right direction; however, they do not come close to the volume of new projects that are required to meet demand.   We invited Kerri Jackson of Concert Properties and Beau Jarvis of Wesgroup to join us for Conversation That Matters about the value of purpose-built rentals and why it's a risky business.   You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/   Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Ep 546 - Demolition Crisis Guest: Glyn Lewis    By Stuart McNish   With the British Columbia provincial government's mandate to increase density by allowing the building of fourplexes on single family lots, we're going to experience a demolition crisis, says Glyn Lewis of Renewal Development. “From an environmental and economic perspective, demolition is not a wise choice.”    Currently, 2,700 homes are demolished each year across Metro Vancouver to make room for higher density development. Most go to landfill sites. Lewis says, “Every day, we come across a home slated for demolition that is in perfectly good condition – homes that can be saved and repurposed.”   The average 1,500-square-foot home sent to a landfill contains 100 tons of raw materials that have substantial market value. “Wood, drywall, plastics, carpets, insulation, roofing materials all with aftermarket value,” says Lewis.   We invited Glyn Lewis of Renewal Development to join us for a Conversation That Matters about relocation alternatives to demolition that protect the environment and provide new housing for growing urban areas.   You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/   Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Why are recycling rates so much lower in condos than houses? Guest: Karen Storry, a senior engineer with Metro Vancouver and an expert in zero waste policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vape stores have grown in number around urban centres in Metro Vancouver, and New Westminster city councillor Daniel Fontaine is calling for tighter rules around the density of the shops. Stacey White, owner of Thunderbird Vapes, provides insight on how governments currently regulate stores. Also, Angelene Prakash, executive director of the New Westminster Business Improvement Association, and Christopher Lam, president of the B.C. Lung Foundation, join the show as we ask viewers whether they think more restrictions should be placed on vape shops in their community.

In Matthew 18, Jesus give his disciples a way to work through the conflict that will arise when people learning to embrace the Way of Jesus come together. Cascades Church is a church in the heart of Metro Vancouver longing to see our city renewed as we follow Jesus. If you’d like to learn more […]

Vancouver's rental market is undergoing substantial rental correction. For years, the story was one of relentless increases: month after month of record-high rents, bidding wars for apartments, and vacancy rates scraping along the bottom. But the tide has shifted. In fact, Vancouver has just recorded the sharpest annual drop in average asking rents among Canada's major markets. According to Rentals.ca, apartment listings in Vancouver fell nearly 10% year over year to around $2,820. One-bedroom units led the way down, declining more than 8% to an average of $2,515, while two-bedrooms also softened. The notable exception is three-bedroom units, which remain in scarce supply and saw rents climb more than 6% year over year.But while headline rents on newly listed apartments are retreating, the broader picture is more complicated. CMHC data shows that rents across the existing purpose-built rental stock in Vancouver continue to rise, up about 5.5% year over year, even as the vacancy rate nudged higher to 1.6%. That is the highest vacancy rate the region has seen in a decade, aside from the pandemic period, yet it is still well below what most economists would consider a balanced rental market. The discrepancy between falling asking rents and rising average stock rents highlights a fundamental dynamic: newcomers to the market may be finding more leverage, while existing tenants continue to see increases when they renew or adjust their leases.Another major factor reshaping the market is supply. For years, Vancouver was criticized for under-building purpose-built rental housing. That has changed. Metro Vancouver added roughly 2,467 new rental units in 2024 alone, with the City of Vancouver accounting for more than 500 of them. In fact, Vancouver represented nearly half of the region's new rental housing starts. Developers, facing more difficult financing conditions and slower condo absorption, are increasingly pivoting away from strata sales and delivering rental product instead. The result is a short-term bulge in completions that is giving renters more choice, while also forcing landlords of new projects to offer incentives like free months of rent or reduced parking fees to fill units.The question, then, is where does this market go next? The outlook is nuanced. On one hand, more supply is coming, immigration is expected to moderate, and the labour market is showing signs of strain. All of these factors point toward softer rent growth and potentially more incentives in the short term, especially in smaller, premium units that already face price resistance. On the other hand, family-sized rentals remain undersupplied, and demand for two- and three-bedroom units remains resilient. In this episode, we sit down with Keaton Bessy, owner of GVTPM, to break down what's really happening on the ground. We look at the contradictions in the data, the impact of new purpose-built supply, and the growing divide between small apartments and larger family homes. We also discuss the potential influence of interest rate cuts, the tactics landlords can use to stay competitive in a cooling market, and the kinds of concessions renters are now beginning to ask for. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Fall 2025 represents a critical inflection point for Vancouver real estate after a brutal first half of the year marked by tariff uncertainty and sluggish sales. This week, British Columbia Real Estate Association Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson sits down with Adam & Matt to unpack whether now is the time we climb out of what he calls "the pit of despair" to return to normal activity levels. From analyzing why Metro Vancouver lags behind rebounding markets like Toronto to exploring the complex relationship between potential Bank of Canada rate cuts and sticky bond yields, this conversation examines the forces shaping the critical fall selling season. What role will the 20,000 units of total inventory play in shaping prices over the coming months? Why isn't fading economic uncertainty translating to increased sales volumes like in other regions around the country? And will September rate cuts provide the stimulus needed or is Vancouver's recovery getting pushed into 2026? Don't miss this essential market outlook for fall 2025!

"Home Rule" Hosts: Darren Weeks, Vicky Davis Website for the show: https://governamerica.com Vicky's website: https://thetechnocratictyranny.com COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AND CREDITS AT: https://governamerica.com/radio/radio-archives/22631-govern-america-august-23-2025-home-rule Listen LIVE every Saturday at 11AM Eastern or 8AM Pacific at http://governamerica.net or on your favorite app. Is the federal takeover of the D.C. policing a part of a much bigger plan? Techno-surveillance on the rise. FBI raids home and office of John Bolton. Metro Vancouver residents being required to register their fireplaces and wood stoves. Gaza famine worsens as the West piddles, and more.

What's really happening on the streets of Metro Vancouver and Victoria? In this powerful episode of Ending Poverty Together, Shelaine sits down with Nick Wells, Media Relations Specialist at Union Gospel Mission (UGM), to pull back the curtain on what's happening—and what's being done to spark change.With over a decade in journalism, Nick shares gripping stories and raw insights from UGM's frontlines, where poverty, homelessness, addiction, and a growing affordability crisis are colliding like never before. He unpacks UGM's philosophy of meeting people where they're at—through practical compassion and deep-rooted care. From mobile outreach to recovery programs and the surge in food insecurity, Nick paints a vivid picture of both the challenges and the hope.Together, he and Shelaine explore the long road out of poverty—how housing stability, trauma-informed care, peer connection, and community can break generational cycles of hardship and transform lives.This episode is both a sobering look at urgent realities and a hopeful invitation to be part of lasting, community-driven change.

Ever wonder why some Vancouver properties sit on the market while similar homes sell quickly? Adam & Matt dive into the latest research revealing the eight critical mistakes that are silently killing real estate deals across Metro Vancouver before buyers even consider making offers. From the surprising factor that trumps price and location in buyer decision-making to how many listings oversell on marketing and then underdeliver, this conversation uncovers which deal-killing mistakes you can fix as a seller and what to avoid as a buyer looking for a smooth exit in the future. Which of these eight factors can you control to maximize your sale price? How can savvy buyers spot these red flags and use them to negotiate better deals or avoid costly mistakes? And what's the real psychology behind why buyers reject properties within seconds of arrival? Don't miss these critical insights that could save or cost you thousands in your next Vancouver real estate transaction.

Community groups are calling for an independent public inquiry into Metro Vancouver's North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project. Guest: Daniel Anderson - Spokesperson, North Shore Neighborhoods Alliance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite high expectations, Okanagan's tourism season is falling flat. What's causing this? A secret dog study at a Ontario hospital is drawing public outrage. Unpacking the African Descent Festival cancellation. Shift in Canada–U.S. Travel Patterns Air Canada is cancelling some flights today due to an impending labour dispute. A Wahnapitae man is urging MNR not to kill his hybrid wolves. Community groups are calling for an independent public inquiry into Metro Vancouver's North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metro Vancouver and much of southern B.C. is now under heat warning for the next two days, when temperatures could reach as high as 35 C in some regions. The CBC's Chad Pawson brings the latest on the heat advisories.Also, Fraser Health medical health officer Dr. Carolyn Wonneck joins the show as we ask viewers about their strategies to stay cool amid extreme heat.

Guest: Catherine Pope, District of North Vancouver councillor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was the pandemic suburban boom a permanent shift - or just a blip on the urban timeline? The outgoing President of the Planning Institute of British Columbia Emilie K. Adin sits down with Adam & Matt this week to explore this important question as well as the ways that Metro Vancouver's unique planning approach positions the region for whatever comes next. From the agricultural land reserve's formative impact on urban containment to the challenges of making growth pay for growth, this conversation examines Vancouver through both its glory and growing pains. What are the telltale signs that planners look for to know if a community is thriving? What essential ingredients transform a development into a bona fide neighborhood? And how will the rapid technological disruptions underway reshape the future of the region? A unique perspective on our unique city. Don't miss this one!

As summer kicks into high gear, officials are urging caution and preparedness for droughts in B.C. Linda Parkinson, the director of policy, planning and analysis for Metro Vancouver's water services, joins the show to discuss drought awareness.

Metro Vancouver real estate isn't being built on empty lots—it's rising from the parking lots of suburban shopping malls beside SkyTrain hubs. Shape Properties Executive VP and Founding Partner Darren Kwiatkowski sits down with Adam & Matt this week to unpack how his company has transformed aging retail centers like Brentwood and Lougheed into thriving mixed-use communities that have become regional energy hubs. From buying Brentwood Mall during the 2008 financial crisis to building multiple 60-storey towers at the same time, this conversation details the vision & the execution required to take on projects that require commitments measured in decades not years. What makes one SkyTrain station "lakefront property" while another lags? How can investors spot the difference? And what can you learn from a company that blocks out the noise to think in terms of generational change? Don't miss this insider's perspective on the future of Metro Vancouver's urban landscape.

Can Richmond City Council get Mayor Brodie to cap his own salary? (0:36) Guest: Kash Heed, Richmond City Councillor City of Victoria commits $10 million into public safety (12:03) Guest: Marianne Alto, Mayor of Victoria Vancouver City Councillor aims to drastically reduce traffic fatalities with ambitious plan (24:02) Guest: Lucy Maloney, OneCity Vancouver City Councillor The Wrap - Should Canada tariff hot vacation spots for Americans (36:09) Plus, should Metro Vancouver be reducing speeds down to 30km/h on minor streets? Guests: Sarah Daniels, real estate agent in South Surrey; author and broadcaster Leah Holiove, TV Reporter and Radio Host Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canada is entering a new and unfamiliar chapter—one defined not by explosive population growth, but by a dramatic slowdown that could rewrite the country's real estate narrative. In fact, Canada just recorded one of the lowest levels of population growth seen in over 70 years. Only two other quarters in modern history have posted weaker numbers: the height of pandemic lockdowns in 2020 and the global energy downturn of 2015. But now, for the first time outside of a crisis, population growth is grinding to a near halt—and the implications for housing are massive.Ontario and British Columbia—two provinces that have long driven real estate demand—actually saw population declines in Q1 2025, with Ontario contracting by 5,700 people and B.C. by 2,400. That's virtually uncharted territory for regions that typically lead the country in net migration and property price acceleration. The federal government's 2024 decision to scale back immigration targets—both temporary and permanent—has now triggered six consecutive quarters of slowing growth. Meanwhile, non-permanent resident totals dropped by over 61,000, even as deaths outpaced births by more than 5,600. What we're witnessing is a foundational demographic shift—one that's sending ripples through every corner of the housing market.This episode of The Vancouver Life Podcast dives deep into what this demographic reversal means for real estate prices, rental demand, construction starts, and investor sentiment. With record-breaking levels of purpose-built rentals under construction and fewer people arriving to occupy them, we expect continued downward pressure on rental rates. In fact, Metro Vancouver rents have dropped $114 over the past year, including $52 in the last month alone, bringing average monthly rent to $2,223. Even furnished units now offer only marginal premiums, making furniture investments for landlords a poor ROI.As demand slows, so do housing prices. Canada's national benchmark price fell for the sixth consecutive month in May, landing at $690,900—the same level we saw in May 2021 and nearly 18% below the 2022 peak. Inventory is rising, with more than 200,000 listings on the market nationwide, yet buyer sentiment remains fragile. Though sales inched up in May, they are still down over 4% year-over-year. And the only provinces seeing real price gains are smaller markets like Manitoba and Newfoundland—while the heavyweights of B.C. and Ontario drag the national average down.Housing starts are falling too. In B.C., starts dropped 29% from April to May alone. Multi-family builds fell even harder—down 33% month-over-month and 19% compared to last year. The six-month moving average for starts has dropped 30% since its peak in 2023, and that trend is expected to continue. Cities like Nanaimo and Kelowna have seen construction plummet by as much as 75% and 45%, respectively. The result? The pipeline of new housing is drying up—just as rental supply is peaking and demand is waning. _________________________________ Dan's New Channel:  www.youtube.com/@VancouversTopRealtor Ryan's New Channel: www.youtube.com/@ryan_thevancouverlife  _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation: