Podcasts about metro vancouver

Canada's housing market is entering another pivotal phase as slowing construction, rising financial stress, and government intervention increasingly shape the future of real estate. While the Bank of Canada has provided borrowers with welcome stability by holding interest rates steady for a sixth consecutive meeting, mounting evidence suggests the country's housing shortage could worsen before it improves. Housing starts are falling sharply, residential building permits continue to decline, and developers across Canada are struggling to secure financing, even for fully approved projects.Two years after British Columbia introduced mandatory municipal housing targets, the results are mixed. Several municipalities have exceeded their provincial obligations, while others remain significantly behind schedule. West Vancouver has completed just 37% of its required housing, raising the possibility that the Province could eventually exercise its authority to override local zoning decisions and approve developments directly. Such intervention would represent one of the most significant shifts in municipal planning authority in decades.Canada's lending environment is showing signs of greater stability, with the Bank of Canada maintaining its policy rate at 2.25%. Economic growth has begun to recover following a sluggish period, giving buyers and sellers more confidence around borrowing costs. However, inflation remains elevated, fuelled largely by food and energy prices, leaving policymakers cautious. Most economists expect rates to remain unchanged for the remainder of the year, although the possibility of another increase has not been ruled out should inflation accelerate again.Financial pressures within the development industry continue to intensify. Another major condominium project, this time a 310-unit waterfront development in Burlington, Ontario, has entered receivership after the developer failed to secure construction financing. The project had approvals, a desirable location, and planned housing supply, yet financing challenges ultimately brought construction to a halt. Similar stories are becoming increasingly common as higher interest rates, cautious lenders, and elevated construction costs reshape Canada's development landscape.Vancouver is simultaneously introducing sweeping changes to how new development will be funded. The City's proposed Amenity Cost Charge program replaces years of negotiated community contributions with standardized fees designed to create greater transparency and predictability. Officials estimate the program will generate hundreds of millions of dollars for future community amenities, although questions remain about whether additional development costs will further challenge an industry already grappling with shrinking margins and rising insolvencies.Technology is also beginning to transform housing approvals. Burnaby has become one of the first municipalities in Canada to deploy artificial intelligence to review residential building plans before permit submission. By automatically checking projects against zoning regulations, the City hopes to significantly reduce approval timelines and accelerate housing construction without replacing human plan reviewers. If successful, the initiative could become a model adopted across Metro Vancouver.Mortgage renewals are entering their most financially challenging period as homeowners who secured historically low rates during 2021 and 2022 begin refinancing at substantially higher borrowing costs. Monthly mortgage payments are increasing by roughly 24% for many households, contributing to rising consumer insolvencies and the highest level of homeowner bankruptcies seen in a decade. At the same time, Canada's total liabilities associated with insolvency filings have more than doubled over the past ten years, highlighting growing financial strain among households.Meanwhile, the pipeline of future housing continues to weaken. Residential building permits and housing starts have both posted significant year-over-year declines, reflecting reduced developer confidence and fewer new projects entering construction. Detached home construction in British Columbia has fallen to a fraction of historical levels, while asking rents continue to decline as record numbers of purpose-built rental units enter the market amid slowing population growth. Together, these trends illustrate a housing market undergoing significant structural change, with affordability gradually improving for some buyers even as long-term supply concerns continue to mount.Metro Vancouver's market remains subdued, with sales activity tracking below last year's already historically weak levels and home prices continuing to soften. Despite improving economic stability, the combination of constrained affordability, cautious buyers, and slowing development suggests Canada's housing market remains in a period of transition—one that will likely shape real estate conditions for years to come._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Why are so many young Canadian families leaving Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal? Even after return-to-office mandates, the exodus from Canada's largest cities continues.In this episode of Classonomics, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux explore the data behind Canada's urban migration trends and debate why affordability isn't the only factor driving people away. They discuss housing costs, crime and public safety, mental health, community, urban planning, and whether government policies are making sprawl even worse.Topics covered:Why Canadians are leaving the GTA, Metro Vancouver, and MontrealWhy return-to-office hasn't reversed the trendHousing affordability and the shortage of family-sized homesCrime, public safety, and quality of life in big citiesMental health, community, and life satisfactionUrban growth boundaries, the Greenbelt, and sprawlWhy smaller cities are attracting young familiesWhat policymakers are getting wrong about housing and urban planningSubscribe for more conversations on housing, economics, public policy, and the future of Canada.Chapters: 00:00 The Great Canadian Family Exodus01:05 Mike's Biggest Prediction Miss03:05 Why Millennials Are Leaving Cities04:17 Is Toronto Becoming Too Chaotic?06:22 Does Crime Make Families Move?09:44 Are Small Towns Better for Mental Health?11:57 Why Community Matters More Than Ever14:32 It All Comes Back to Housing15:35 The Greenbelt's Unintended Consequences17:29 When Good Environmental Policy Goes Wrong18:40 The Case for Evidence-Based PolicyResearch/links:Housing is a large part of the story. The OECD has examined this:https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2025/05/oecd-economic-surveys-canada-2025_ee18a269/full-report/improving-housing-affordability_3d430d2e.htmlAs has Statistics Canada: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/241119/dq241119b-eng.htm Remote Work and Employment Dynamics under COVID-19: Evidence from Canada https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7971424/Upjohn Institute: https://www.upjohn.org/remote-works-quiet-impact-rural-communitiesC.D. Howe: https://cdhowe.org/publication/settling-new-normal-working-home-across-canada/ Social ties and quality of life, including lower rates of depression: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2025002/article/00003-eng.htm https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20376426/ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-design/article-why-some-people-are-choosing-country-life-over-the-city/ Though evidence is nuanced: https://www.cmaj.ca/content/184/17/E889 Crime and disorder:https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/urban-violent-crime-report-comparing-crime-across-canadian-cities-volume-2/https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2025001/article/00005-eng.htm McDonald-Laurier Report: https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Urban-Violent-Crime-Report_Final.pdf Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/

PM Carney and Premier Eby recently announced plans to buy unsold condos and convert them into affordable rent-to-own housing. Supporters think it's a great idea, but critics call it a taxpayer-funded bailout for developers. The BC Review Board has released their reasons for granting 3x child killer Allan Schoenborn a conditional discharge on June 1. Expert arborists are saying that watering restrictions are a threat to Metro Vancouver's trees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a food scientist and a hairstylist-turned-entrepreneur team up to reinvent cottage cheese? You get Fromage Protein Pops — a frozen treat that started with a $90 thrifted cart, 170+ recipe iterations, and a whole lot of sister chemistry. In this episode, Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci sit down with co-founders Nuala and Fiona to talk about:

E-bikes, e-scooters, electric cargo bikes, one-wheels and other battery-powered devices are becoming increasingly common, but so are concerns about speed, safety and confusion over where they're allowed to operate. West Vancouver council is reluctantly moving forward on the province's housing density changes. Even though Point Roberts is part of Washington State, its drinking water comes from Metro Vancouver. And now, as our region deals with drought concerns and Stage 3 watering restrictions, Point Roberts has voluntarily agreed to follow those same conservation rules. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canada's housing market is entering one of the most unusual periods in its modern history. Governments are stepping in to absorb thousands of unsold condominiums, developers continue to face mounting insolvencies, population growth has reversed for the first time in generations, and yet housing activity is quietly showing signs of stabilization.At the center of the debate is a controversial new condo conversion initiative announced by the federal and British Columbia governments. The program aims to acquire and repurpose more than 2,200 vacant condominium units into affordable housing through a combination of public funding and financing programs. The policy arrives at a time when Canada is facing a record 20,000 completed and unsold condominiums, including more than 4,300 vacant units in Metro Vancouver alone. Many of these homes were conceived during the height of the pandemic housing boom, when investor demand appeared limitless and pre-sale activity reached historic highs. Today, the landscape looks dramatically different.Supporters view the initiative as a practical solution that can quickly deliver housing supply while preventing further disruption to the development industry. Critics argue it represents an unprecedented intervention into the market, socializing risk after years of private-sector profits. Regardless of perspective, the program signals a growing willingness by governments to support a housing sector facing increasing financial strain.Those challenges are becoming impossible to ignore. Another Vancouver development project has entered foreclosure proceedings, highlighting the growing gap between approving housing and actually delivering it. The project, a 146-unit rental development near Marine Gateway, had received all necessary approvals and represented exactly the type of housing policymakers have been encouraging. Yet rising financing costs, weaker market conditions, and prolonged timelines pushed the project into distress. The amount owed now exceeds the assessed value of the underlying land, illustrating how quickly carrying costs can overwhelm even well-positioned developments.The broader economic backdrop is equally significant. Canada's population declined by approximately 55,000 people during the first quarter, marking a third consecutive quarterly decline and a dramatic departure from decades of uninterrupted growth. The primary driver is a sharp reduction in non-permanent residents, including international students and temporary workers. More than half a million non-permanent residents have left Canada over the past year, a trend expected to continue as federal immigration targets are reduced.The implications for housing are profound. Non-permanent residents disproportionately occupy rental housing, helping explain why rental rates are falling across many markets, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario. At the same time, Canada continues to add housing supply at a pace that now exceeds population growth. More than 260,000 housing starts were recorded over the past year while the population contracted, creating a supply-and-demand dynamic rarely seen in modern Canadian history.Inflation remains another critical variable. Headline inflation accelerated to 3.2% in May, driven largely by higher gasoline prices. Beneath the surface, however, inflationary pressures appear to be easing. Shelter costs remain elevated but are gradually moderating as mortgage rates stabilize and rental markets soften. Financial markets increasingly expect the Bank of Canada to remain on hold for the remainder of the year, with rate stability replacing the uncertainty that dominated previous cycles.Signs of life are beginning to emerge in some segments of the market. Toronto's new-home sector recently posted a sharp increase in sales activity, with transactions nearly tripling compared to last year. Yet context remains important. Activity is recovering from historically weak levels rather than surging into a new boom. Inventory remains elevated, project launches remain scarce, and demand remains well below the levels needed to absorb existing supply.Taken together, these developments paint a picture of a housing market caught between two realities. On one side are rising insolvencies, government intervention, declining population growth, and weakening rental markets. On the other are stabilizing prices, improving sales activity, lower borrowing costs, and renewed buyer confidence.The result is a market that appears to be finding a floor, but not yet a clear direction. The extraordinary boom-and-bust conditions of recent years are giving way to a more complex environment where policy decisions, demographic shifts, development economics, and affordability concerns are colliding in ways that will shape the future of Canadian housing for years to come._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

We bring on a Vancouver realtor to get his thoughts on the Metro-Vancouver condo bailout. A Vancouver resident is possibly out $11,000 after trying to buy world cup tickets on StubHub. We're hearing from multiple emergency room doctors about the growing number of e-scooter injuries they've been seeing. Is it time to bring in more enforcement? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metro Vancouver is urging residents to conserve water as the region faces an unusually dry start to summer, dwindling snowpack and concerns about drought conditions in the months ahead. Guest: Mike Hurley - Chair, Metro Vancouver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

History was made as Canada secured its first World Cup win and moved closer to a spot in the next round; Canadian businessman Frank Stronach was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women and acquitted on other charges; Ottawa plans to convert vacant Metro Vancouver condos into affordable housing as part of new measures to ease housing pressures in B.C.

An ongoing strike, and another potential one, put Vancouver in a tricky spot while hosting the world's largest sporting event.   Read the full article here: https://www.coastalfront.ca/p/strikes-and-mandates-in-metro-vancouver   PODCAST INFO:

Why do B.C. residents in the Interior drink more than those in Metro Vancouver? Guest host Charis Hogg talks to Andrew Neuner, Executive Director of the Canadian Alcohol Use Disorder Society Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 #89: THE FINE PRINT IN METRO VANCOUVER'S BUYERS' MARKET Join Ryan Berlin (Chief Economist and Vice President of Intelligence) and Ryan Wyse (Market Intelligence Manager and Lead Analyst) as they are joined by top-performing rennie advisor Danny Chow to discuss the latest resale and new home market trends. They explore the fine print behind Metro Vancouver's buyers' market, including why conditions are beginning to tighten, where sellers still hold the advantage, and why local market knowledge matters more than broad regional headlines. The conversation also examines record-low new home sales, changing buyer behaviour, and what the latest inflation data means for interest rates and housing. Featured guests:Ryan Berlin, Head Economist and Vice President of IntelligenceRyan Wyse, Lead Analyst and Market Intelligence ManagerDanny Chow, rennie advisorWe'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.

Kamloops MP Frank Caputo's "Bailey's Law" is one step away from becoming federal law. Named after Kelowna mother Bailey McCourt, who was killed by her former partner in 2025, the legislation would strengthen Canada's response to intimate partner violence. It has been more than a decade of shifting plans, cancelled designs, and political back-and-forth over how to replace one of Metro Vancouver's most important river crossings... The Massey Tunnel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new report shows that Metro Vancouver's rental pipeline is the largest on record. Is there such a thing as TOO much rental housing? Why do wait times keep growing for specialists in BC? Imagine shopping online and discovering that you're being charged a different price than someone else for the exact same product. This is called surveillance pricing, and it's already being heavily used by businesses to maximize their profits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Cheng, Director of Project Delivery for the Coquitlam Water Supply Project and Coquitlam Water Main Project at Metro Vancouver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should water and sewer no longer be managed by Metro Vancouver? Brad West, chair of the Metro Vancouver Water Committee, and mayor of Port Coquitlam Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Local business forced to close during FIFA World Cup match days (0:45) Kreig LeBlanc, co-owner and manager of Aquariums West Auto industry group wants feds to scrap Chinese EV deal and focus on U.S market (11:16) Brian Kingston, President and CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association Should water and sewer no longer be managed by Metro Vancouver? (20:49) Brad West, chair of the Metro Vancouver Water Committee, and mayor of Port Coquitlam Average rent prices in B.C. drop, but remain among the highest in Canada (32:24) Brendon Ogmundson, Chief Economist for the B.C Real Estate Association Metro Vancouver's Stage 3 water restrictions (39:56) Daniel Fontaine, New Westminster City councillor and mayoral candidate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Fontaine, New Westminster City councillor and mayoral candidate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metro Vancouver enters Stage 3 water restrictions for the first time in more than a decade. Chair of the B.C. Watershed Security Coalition Coree Tull joins the program and we ask how B.C. can plan for future water shortages.

The RCMP is piloting an AI program called Draft One (by Axon) in Alberta and BC detachments to automatically write police reports from body camera audio, covering everything except major crimes like murder. The FIFA World Cup is now only a couple days away from taking over Vancouver. What can people expect to see? Metro Vancouver implemented Stage 3 water restrictions today due to hot/dry weather, a major supply pipe being offline for repairs, low snowpack, and higher-than-normal water usage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We take a look at Quadra Island raising $50,000 to hire a recruiter to find new doctors. BC Residents are stuck with a $200m bill from non-residents' healthcare. And water cuts across Metro Vancouver and Vernon have started up - the BC Fruit Growers' Association is calling for an emergency plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canada's housing market may finally be showing early signs of stabilization — but is this the beginning of a long-awaited recovery, or merely a pause before another downturn? In this week's episode of The Vancouver Life Podcast, we unpack the latest housing data, economic signals, and market shifts that could reshape real estate in Vancouver and across Canada.After more than three years of declining prices, sluggish sales, and buyers remaining firmly on the sidelines, several indicators are beginning to point toward something different. Listings are easing, prices are flattening, buyer sentiment is quietly improving, and institutional investors are once again making bold bets on housing. While uncertainty remains, the data is beginning to tell a more nuanced story than the headlines suggest.One of the most notable developments comes from Berkshire Hathaway, the investment giant built by Warren Buffett and now led by Greg Abel, which has made a stunning $6.8 billion all-cash acquisition of U.S. homebuilder Taylor Morrison. While the story is south of the border, the implications may reach far beyond the United States. Berkshire is famous for making long-term investments during periods of uncertainty — not when optimism is already priced in. The move raises an important question: does one of the world's smartest capital allocators believe housing weakness is temporary and that long-term demand fundamentals remain intact?There is another major shift poised to transform real estate: artificial intelligence in mortgage lending. TD Bank has introduced agentic AI into mortgage and HELOC underwriting, reducing application review times from approximately 15 hours to under three minutes. The implications are substantial. Faster approvals could reduce financing friction, speed up transactions, and ultimately change how buyers experience one of the largest purchases of their lives. While human oversight remains in place, this episode explores how AI is rapidly moving from novelty to necessity in housing finance.Closer to home, Metro Vancouver's presale condo market is sending what may be one of the strongest warning signals in years. In a stunning statistic, zero concrete high-rise presale projects launched in Q1 2026 — an almost complete freeze in one of the region's most important housing categories. Developers are struggling to secure financing as investor demand weakens, affordability deteriorates, and nearly 4,000 completed condos remain unsold. Yet paradoxically, today's slowdown could plant the seeds for tomorrow's supply shortage, potentially creating renewed upward pressure on pricing by 2028 and beyond.The latest market statistics for Metro Vancouver and reveals a market caught between weakness and resilience. Sales remain historically low — with May 2026 ranking effectively as the weakest May on record outside of the COVID lockdown period — yet prices are no longer falling meaningfully. Benchmark pricing rose modestly again in May, marking the second increase in three months, while median prices have climbed for five consecutive months and now sit just 2.5% below all-time highs.At the same time, inventory levels are beginning to ease, new listings have declined year-over-year for three straight months, and expectations for further Bank of Canada tightening have softened considerably. Markets are now pricing in an overwhelming likelihood of a rate hold, adding another layer of potential stability.The overarching question explored throughout the episode is simple, yet critically important: Are we witnessing the early formation of a housing market bottom — or simply a temporary stabilization before another leg lower?For buyers, sellers, developers, and investors alike, this episode offers a data-driven look at the signals that matter most — and what they could mean for the future of Canadian real estate._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Episode 120 of For the Record features Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas reviewing key decisions and debates from the June 8 New Westminster City Council meeting, along with the latest developments at Metro Vancouver and growing concerns about affordability in the city.The episode begins with a detailed discussion of the City's remaining $3.5 million Growing Communities Fund allocation. Fontaine and Minhas explain why they support a proposal that would dedicate $1 million toward immediate local sport and recreation priorities while reserving $2.5 million for the future redevelopment of the Grimston Park lacrosse box and multi-sport facility. The hosts argue that community sports organizations have been waiting years for investments and that funding should benefit residents across the city as soon as possible.The conversation then turns to Fontaine's motion honouring legendary New Westminster Bruins coach Ernie “Punch” McLean. Fontaine provides an update on efforts to recognize McLean's contributions to the city and discusses the growing support for a permanent tribute celebrating one of New Westminster's most iconic sports figures.Recreation infrastructure remains a major focus throughout the episode, including discussions about the future expansion of Queen's Park Arena, upgrades to local lacrosse facilities, and ways to improve recreational opportunities for families. The hosts also review a motion from Councillor Tasha Henderson aimed at providing free swimming lessons for children. While supporting the goal of expanding access, Fontaine and Minhas discuss concerns that simply increasing waitlists without creating additional capacity may not solve the underlying problem, drawing comparisons to a similar debate currently taking place in Vancouver.The hosts also examine a report outlining an automatic retroactive 2.2 per cent pay increase for elected officials that took effect on January 1 under existing council policy. While emphasizing that the increase is automatic and not the result of a council vote, Fontaine and Minhas question the timing given that New Westminster property taxes have increased by roughly 30 per cent over the past four years.Infrastructure and neighbourhood improvements are also discussed, including calls to accelerate road paving projects in the West End and ongoing efforts to ensure the təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre remains welcoming and accessible for families.Listeners will also hear highlights from Daniel Fontaine's appearance on The Mike Smyth Show, where he discussed ongoing concerns surrounding Metro Vancouver governance, spending, and accountability. The hosts review the latest regional issues and what they could mean for taxpayers across the Lower Mainland.The episode concludes with a discussion about property tax increases and the feedback council members continue to receive from residents struggling with affordability challenges. Fontaine and Minhas share concerns they have heard from homeowners, seniors, and families facing rising costs.The podcast wraps up with recognition of Pride Month and National Indigenous History Month, while also celebrating the completion of the New West Progressives election team, with 13 candidates now confirmed for the upcoming civic election.It's another wide-ranging episode covering local government, sports and recreation, taxpayer accountability, infrastructure priorities, and the issues shaping New Westminster's future.

Surrey police transition mired in local politics (0:50) Former Vancouver Canucks player hits the studio with new country hit (13:29) Aaron Volpatti, former Vancouver Canucks player Our Energy Future: Can the electricity grid keep up? (24:32) Mark Jaccard, Chair and CEO of the B.C. Utilities Commission Brown Lawns, Dry Times: Metro Vancouver water restrictions reach Stage 3 (44:03) Linda Parkinson, Metro Vancouver's director of policy, planning and analysis for water services Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brown Lawns, Dry Times: Metro Vancouver water restrictions reach Stage 3 Linda Parkinson, Metro Vancouver's director of policy, planning and analysis for water services Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chief Norm Lipinski has been ousted as chief of the Surrey Police Force. What happened? The recent criticisms of Metro Vancouver over a four-minute committee meeting is missing a much larger issue... Last but not least, Christopher Gaze joins us to talk how he ended up in Vancouver to fulfill a dream of starting his own theatre company (Bard on the Beach!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metro Vancouver transit workers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, with 99 per cent backing a strike mandate after contract talks with Coast Mountain Bus Company broke down. Guest: Gavin McGarrigle - Unifor Western Regional Director Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this message, we explore how, because of Jesus, we have access to God through the Holy Spirit. When we pray, we are taking hold of this gift, entering into the throne room of God. Cascades Church is a church in the heart of Metro Vancouver longing to see our city renewed as we follow […]

This week: Ottawa and Alberta just signed a landmark energy deal -- a pipeline to the Pacific, a timeline for construction starting as early as 2027. B.C. is the destination and BC wasn't at the table. Keith Baldrey breaks it down (1:17) Electric, LNG, and a new pipeline: The future of Canada's energy sector. Tim Hodgson, federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, stops by to discuss (17:07) Metro Vancouver and Acciona settle lawsuits over the Northshore Wastwater treatment plant. Will it make any difference for taxpayers? (28:31) B.C. announces four new wind farms, as provincial energy minister Adrian Dix says Site C may not be the last big dam built in B.C. (38:16) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metro Vancouver goes ahead with independent North Shore Sewage Plant review Daniel Fontaine, New Westminster City councillor and mayoral candidate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metro Vancouver has settled with Acciona for $235 million, some of it coming from taxpayers. Another DRIPA legal action: BC Hydro is being challenged over shortchanging Indigenous power producers. Guest: Vaughn Palmer - Vancouver Sun Columnist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Dominato, Chair of the Governance Committee at Metro Vancouver, and Vancouver City councillor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The federal government announced $1.5 billion in relief for Canadian steel, aluminum, and copper industries hit by U.S. tariffs of 50%. Metro Vancouver is rolling back development fees that builders have been pushing back on for years. How are developers reacting to this? Richmond parents are pushing back against the school district's decision to make elementary track-and-field events gender-neutral and remove ribbon/award prizes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some communities in the province have started to implement water use restrictions. Metro Vancouver has already moved into Stage 2. CBC's Johanna Wagstaffe joined the show for more.

In this episode, UBC's Associate Vice-President, Campus and Community Planning, Michael White, joins Carol and Jeevan to break down the SkyTrain to UBC project—the planned Millennium Line extension to UBC. Michael explains why the Broadway Subway Project is insufficient, how the Arbutus station will already be over capacity on day one, and why completing the line to UBC is the only real solution. He outlines the project's sweeping benefits: thousands of new housing units, major greenhouse gas reductions, and billions in economic opportunity. He also shares what it takes to align governments, nations, and communities around a shared vision—and why your voice matters.Links for this episodeTranscriptSkyTrain to UBC websiteLearn more about the UBCx planAbout Michael WhiteMario Canseco: Three in four Metro Vancouverites want SkyTrain extended to UBC, poll findsOpinion: UBC SkyTrain must be Metro Vancouver's next public transit priorityContact CarolContact JeevanFrom Here ForwardPodium Podcast Company (00:00) - Introduction (01:39) - Meet Michael White (02:02) - What is UBCx, why is it needed, and it's potential benefits (06:50) - Current project status & stakeholder groups (11:12) - The economic case for UBCx (12:33) - Addressing concerns (14:28) - The importance of effective up-front engagement (16:39) - Making planning personal (18:14) - What urban planners really do (19:40) - Work-life sustainability (20:44) - A listener call-to-action (22:05) - Conclusion

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In a market defined by hesitation, policy is beginning to take center stage—and in this episode, the conversation cuts straight to the core of what may become one of the most consequential turning points in Canadian real estate: the era of housing bailouts.Across both Vancouver and Toronto, governments are no longer operating on the sidelines. They are stepping in—decisively—to stabilize a development sector under mounting pressure. As outlined, Metro Vancouver is now actively considering meaningful reductions to Development Cost Charges (DCCs).  The implications are significant. Whether through rolling back rates or freezing future increases, the goal is clear: restore feasibility, revive construction, and ultimately bring relief to buyers through lower end prices.But policy alone does not emerge in a vacuum—it responds to stress. And that stress is becoming increasingly visible.The episode highlights a growing wave of project insolvencies, including two major developments in the Fraser Valley totaling 680 homes that will now never be built. Behind those numbers lies a deeper economic ripple: approximately 1,500 jobs erased, millions of labor hours lost, and an estimated $75 million in wages removed from the local economy. This is not just a housing story—it's a full-scale economic contraction unfolding in real time, affecting everyone from tradespeople and architects to future homeowners and investors.And yet, amid the disruption, there are early signs that intervention may be working.Ontario's recent HST rebate—offering up to $130,000 in savings on new homes—has triggered an immediate surge in demand. Builders report sales volumes increasing as much as tenfold in some cases, with projects that once struggled now regaining momentum almost overnight. The critical question, however, is whether this represents a sustainable recovery or simply a short-term spike fueled by incentive-driven urgency.This hesitation is mirrored in the commercial real estate sector, where transaction volumes and dollar values have both declined significantly, with land sales—often the clearest indicator of future development confidence—falling nearly 50%.Meanwhile, national housing data paints a picture of stagnation. Sales remain flat, prices are trending downward, and inventory—while slightly elevated—is still below long-term averages. In British Columbia specifically, sales volumes sit 35% below the 10-year average, reinforcing just how subdued this market has become.Yet within this complexity lies opportunity.For buyers and investors willing to act strategically, this environment presents a rare alignment: soft pricing, rising incentives, and increasing government support. The advice is clear—focus on projects with strong completion certainty, layer developer incentives with government rebates, and position ahead of further policy shifts that may drive the next wave of demand.Because while the headlines focus on slowdown, the underlying story is far more nuanced.This is not simply a downturn—it is a recalibration. A market being reshaped by policy, constrained by economics, and ultimately setting the stage for those who can read between the lines and move before the momentum returns._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Canada's rental market—often the earliest signal of stress or recovery in real estate—is undergoing a meaningful and potentially structural shift. In this episode, insights from frontline operator Keaton Bessey reveal a market that is not simply cooling, but recalibrating under the weight of supply, policy, and changing demand dynamics.After more than two years of consecutive rent declines in Metro Vancouver, the data points to a clear trend: this is no short-term correction. Rents began falling in early 2024 and have continued to slide, with expectations of further year-over-year declines through 2026. While this may appear to improve affordability on the surface, the reality is more complex. Lower rents are not being driven by rising incomes or increased prosperity, but rather by weakening demand, population stagnation, and a surge of new supply entering the market. As Bessey aptly frames it, affordability is improving “for all the wrong reasons.”At the core of this shift is an unprecedented wave of construction. Nearly 16% of Metro Vancouver's existing rental stock is currently under development, with tens of thousands of purpose-built rental units and investor-owned condos set to complete over the next several years. This influx is already reshaping landlord and tenant behavior. Investors—once a dominant force—have largely stepped back, while existing owners are being forced to accept market rents that often fall short of their financial expectations.For many landlords, the decision is no longer about maximizing returns, but minimizing losses. Some are holding properties with negative cash flow, unwilling or unable to sell at current prices. Others are exiting the rental market altogether, particularly owners of lower-quality or “accidental” rental units such as basement suites, which are increasingly becoming economically unviable. The result is a subtle but important transformation: while supply is rising, the overall quality of rental stock is improving as weaker assets are removed from circulation.Institutional players, meanwhile, are facing a different set of challenges. Highly leveraged purpose-built rental projects—many financed under aggressive lending programs—are struggling to achieve lease-up targets. Incentives like free rent have become widespread, but often fail to solve the underlying issue: rents are simply too high relative to market demand. In some cases, even newly completed buildings are facing distress, with low occupancy and insufficient income to service debt.Looking ahead, the trajectory of the rental market will hinge on two critical forces: population growth and supply absorption. With immigration currently subdued and construction pipelines still active, downward pressure on rents is likely to persist in the near term. However, Vancouver's enduring global appeal—its geography, lifestyle, and economic positioning—continues to act as a long-term stabilizer.The conclusion is clear: Vancouver's rental market is not collapsing, but evolving. What emerges on the other side will likely be a more professionalized, quality-driven, and institutionally influenced landscape—one that reflects not just the realities of today's market, but the foundations of tomorrow's recovery._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

B.C. Ferries' rocky long weekend - from aging fleets to funding issues, who is responsible? (0:47) Richard Zussman, Western Canada Vice President of Public Affairs at Burson The latest on the Iran/U.S. conflict (12:02) Reggie Cecchini, Global News Washington Correspondent on the latest updates on Iran/U.S conflict Summer squeeze: Low snowpack thins out Metro Vancouver's water use limits (19:41) Mark Sager, Vice Chair of the Metro Vancouver Water Committee, and the Mayor of the District of West Vancouver Spinning into the future: are young people driving the comeback of vinyl records (29:13) Ben Frith, owner of Neptoon Records How is Canada navigating the complex international climate? Anita Anand, Canada's Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs joins us (36:02) Anita Anand, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metro Vancouver sees worst increase in distracted driving in B.C. Guest host Robin Gill talks to Grant Gottgetreu, Former traffic officer, now a forensic criminal and traffic consultant at Forensic-traffic-pro.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pipelines are back on the table: is Canada ready to build, or still stuck in debate? Two court rulings put DRIPA under pressure: clarification or quiet rollback? GUEST: Richard Zussman, Western Canada Vice President of Public Affairs at Burson Driving the Future: GM Canada's New Boss charts a new course for the automaker GUEST: Jack Uppal, President and Managing Director of General Motors Canada A billion-dollar infrastructure failure and rising homeowner costs — is Metro Vancouver's utility plan accountability, or a power grab?GUEST: Iain Black, B.C Conservative leadership candidate, and former B.C Minister of Labour B.C.'s farmland watchdog cuts staff as pressure builds — what does that mean for farmers on the ground? GUEST: Ian Paton, B.C Conservative MLA for Delta South, and Agriculture and Food critic for the Official Opposition Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A billion-dollar infrastructure failure and rising homeowner costs — is Metro Vancouver's utility plan accountability, or a power grab? Guest: Iain Black, B.C Conservative leadership candidate, and former B.C Minister of Labour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deadly collision at LaGuardia — two Canadian pilots killed despite alarms and urgent warnings. How did the system fail? A billion-dollar infrastructure failure and rising homeowner costs — is Metro Vancouver's utility plan accountability, or a power grab? The Agenda: Trump pushes for allied action as NATO hesitates — should Canada be drawn into a conflict it didn't start? B.C.'s farmland watchdog cuts staff as pressure builds — what does that mean for farmers on the ground? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in B.C. were caught by surprise when, in August 2025, a Supreme Court declared Aboriginal title on some privately held land, not far outside Metro Vancouver. Incredibly, most of the people that live inside the claim area weren't told about the unprecedented case, until the decision came out. In this documentary, the CBC's Georgie Smyth tells the stories of the Canadians tangled together by history, who now find themselves fighting for the same thing.

Canada lost 84,000 jobs in February, far worse than analyst expectations of a 10,000-job gain. A Metro Vancouver developer recently received a property appraisal containing an unusual "limiting condition" disclaimer, stating the valuation assumes the land is not subject to any Indigenous land claim. This type of clause is now becoming standard practice among B.C. appraisers, driven by recent legal developments PM Carney recently announced that Canada will spend nearly $35 billion to upgrade military installations in the North. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think you know the Vancouver real estate market? In this special all-trivia episode, Adam and Matt go head-to-head on the data defining Metro Vancouver in 2026, and the numbers will genuinely surprise you. From surprising sales trends by property type, to a jaw-dropping 10-year return stat that will make you rethink where wealth has actually been created in this region, to an inventory shift that could signal a turning point, this episode packs real insight into a fast-moving, play-along format whether you are looking to sell, buy, or just follow the market. Which property type is bucking the trend right now? Which market has quietly outperformed everywhere else over the last decade? And what does a dramatic drop in one key segment's inventory mean for buyers and sellers this spring? Don't miss this one!

This week: North Shore mayors want a public inquiry and a review of Metro Vancouver's board after the North Shore Wastewater treatment plant boondoggle. (1:15) Not so fast, says Langley Mayor Eric Woodward. It's time north leadership looked in the mirror. (12:19) A false allegation. A rushed apology. And growing questions about judgment at Vancouver City Hall. Can Mayor Ken Sim recover — or has this controversy changed the political landscape ahead of the next election? (24:12) James Horncastle joins us to break down how the war in Iran is evolving — and what Canada's role could be if tensions continue to escalate.(35:59) Keith Baldrey drops by to talk B.C. politics (53:04) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recent developments around Indigenous land rights have quickly become one of the most consequential—and least understood—policy discussions unfolding in British Columbia today. At the center of the debate is a newly announced “Rights Recognition” agreement between the federal government and the Musqueam Nation, a framework that signals a shift in how Canada acknowledges Indigenous authority within traditional territories across the Lower Mainland.For decades, governments typically treated Indigenous claims as unresolved legal disputes to be negotiated or settled through treaties. This agreement marks a notable evolution. Instead of simply acknowledging that claims exist, the federal government is formally recognizing that the Musqueam possess Aboriginal title within their traditional territory—an area that includes large portions of Metro Vancouver. While the agreement does not immediately alter land titles or the land registry, it establishes a framework for what officials describe as “incremental implementation,” meaning changes could unfold gradually through policy, negotiations, and future legal interpretations.For many residents, the implications are difficult to interpret. Nearly two million homeowners live within the broader area referenced in Musqueam traditional territory, and questions have emerged about how this recognition might intersect with long-standing concepts of private property ownership. Legal experts emphasize that the agreement is not a treaty and does not directly override existing property rights. However, it acknowledges a legal “burden” on Crown sovereignty—essentially recognizing an underlying Indigenous interest in the land that could shape future governance, land management, and resource decisions.Adding to the complexity is the broader legal context. Canada's commitment to aligning policy with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) establishes new standards for how governments consult and collaborate with Indigenous nations. To explore the issue in greater depth, this episode features Dallas Brodie, MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena and interim leader of OneBC. A former defence lawyer and broadcaster, Brodie has been one of the most outspoken political figures commenting on the implications of Indigenous rights frameworks and land-title recognition. Her perspective reflects a growing conversation taking place across the province about how reconciliation, economic development, and private property rights intersect in the years ahead.Throughout the discussion, we examine the legal mechanics of the Musqueam agreement, the role of federal and provincial governments, and how emerging court decisions recognizing Aboriginal title may influence future policy. We also explore questions surrounding transparency, the relationship between reconciliation initiatives and economic investment, and how governments can provide clarity for residents navigating these complex developments.As British Columbia continues to evolve its approach to Indigenous relations and land governance, one thing is clear: the conversation around land rights, shared authority, and reconciliation is entering a new and pivotal phase. Understanding the legal, economic, and political dimensions of these changes will be essential for policymakers, homeowners, and investors alike. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

An unprecedented judgment declared Aboriginal title over privately held land, not far from the Metro Vancouver area. It has stirred a divisive debate in British Columbia around reconciliation and legal commitments to First Nations.

Vancouver just posted its worst sales year of the 21st Century. This century. Let that sink in. And now listen up because Chief Economists Ryan Berlin from Rennie and Brendon Ogmundson from BCREA sit down together with Adam & Matt this week to discuss where we go from here. From concrete towers sitting unsold to rental oversupply colliding with plummeting immigration, the forces reshaping Metro Vancouver reveal a market searching for a new identity. Are we just witnessing the depths of a regular market cycle or has something about Vancouver real estate fundamentally changed? Will sales volumes continue to bounce along the historic bottom in 2026? And where should buyers be looking for opportunities in this reshuffled market? Don't miss our 500th episode!