Podcasts about metro vancouver

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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 […]

The union representing hundreds of outside workers in Metro-Vancouver says its members have begun job action. What happened? Guest: Bill Tieleman - Spokesperson for the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees Union representing over 700 outside workers in Metro Vancouver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

A recent Metro Vancouver board meeting lasted three minutes and 40 seconds, but Global News learned that their payday was much bigger than anyone could expect. Guest: Rebecca Bligh - Vancouver City Councillor and Vancouver Mayoral Candidate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metro Vancouver is facing renewed criticism after directors received more than $500 stipends for attending a committee meeting that lasted less than four minutes. According to Global News, 13 members of the Regional Planning Committee were paid roughly $557 each for the three-minute-and-40-second meeting, costing taxpayers more than $7,200. Guest: Dylan Kruger - Delta City Councillor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matthew 24 is a highly disputed text which has produced any number of end-times predictions, especially in the past 200 years. Is that what it’s about? Or is there another message about faithfulness and witness that we should be taking from Jesus’ teaching? Cascades Church is a church in the heart of Metro Vancouver longing […]

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

Prime Minister Mark Carney has selected Jonathan Wilkinson to serve as Canada's next ambassador to the European Union. The average price per litre of gas in Metro Vancouver rose by nearly a dime in the last week, but experts say it's a small jump compared with the rest of the country. Will the US accept Iran's proposal to end the war? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 118 of For the Record features Councillor Paul Minhas alongside guest co-host Ray Porcellato, NWP candidate for City Council, filling in for regular co-host Daniel Fontaine.The episode opens with a compelling presentation from lacrosse advocate Dylan Jones, who addressed City Council about the deteriorating condition of the outdoor lacrosse box at Moody Park. Jones highlighted the real impact that aging and underfunded infrastructure is having on young athletes and the broader lacrosse community. While over $300,000 had previously been allocated for interim improvements, those funds have yet to be utilized, with the project now tied to a larger future redevelopment plan.The discussion then shifts to regional politics, featuring commentary on Councillor Daniel Fontaine's recent appearance on The Mike Smith Show (AM 730). Fontaine spoke critically about Metro Vancouver's ongoing investigation into alleged information leaks, characterizing it as an unnecessary expense with little expected value for taxpayers.Attention then turns to Simcoe Park, where Paula Naylor, President of the New Westminster Community Gardens Society, raised concerns about a proposed asphalt pathway that could negatively affect community garden space. As an active member of the cycling community, Naylor emphasized the need to balance accessibility improvements with preservation of green space.A key policy discussion follows on what Councillor Fontaine has described as “density without dollars.” Using the Royal City Towers proposal as a case study, the episode examines how over 1,000 new housing units could bring significant population growth - without corresponding investment in public amenities. The panel discusses how the City's decision to prioritize provincial responsibilities like affordable housing and tenant relocation has come at the expense of securing approximately $11.6 million in potential community amenity contributions.The episode wraps with a look ahead at recent and upcoming community events, including a lookback at the April 30 NW City Matters forum focused on local schools, along with additional NWP outreach activities.A wide-ranging episode covering infrastructure, regional governance, land use, and community advocacy in New Westminster.

Parking rates around Metro Vancouver - can we agree on one approach? A well-known developer is eyeing the iconic Hudson Bay building in Downtown Vancouver. We hear the story of how one of music's biggest names, Peter Gabriel, was saved by a Vancouver lifeguard , a lasting lesson on the importance of lifeguards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Interim Leader Trevor Halford on the growing debate in British Columbia over how far the province should go in implementing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act—known as DRIPA. Metro Vancouver is often called a regional government, but the way it's governed is starting to raise some serious questions. The future of Vancouver's MLS club is suddenly looking anything but certain. Behind the scenes, league officials have reportedly discussed potential relocation options for the Whitecaps, with Las Vegas emerging as a leading candidate if a local ownership and stadium solution can't be found. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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:

The Federal government enters into a rights agreement with the Musqueam First Nations covering most of Metro Vancouver. What are the implications? We discuss with expert lawyer Tom Isaac. We also discuss the ongoing housing slump, the war in Iran, energy and fertilizer prices. Join Us For The Loonie Hour Investor Series - With Ben Rabidoux, Live In Calgary on March 23rd, and Vancouver on March 25th!Get Your Tickets Here!Calgary - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/loonie-hour-investor-series-with-ben-rabidoux-calgary-tickets-1984582823649?aff=oddtdtcreatorVancouver - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/loonie-hour-investor-series-with-ben-rabidoux-vancouver-tickets-1984583594956?aff=oddtdtcreatorStart an investment portfolio that's built to perform with Neighbourhood Holdings! For Investors and Advisors: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehourFor Mortgage Brokers:https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour-brokers

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.

Guest: Wendy Waters, real estate expert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Air Canada halts service to Cuba due to jet fuel shortage (0:00) Guest host Robin Gill talks to John Gradek, Faculty lecturer and academic coordinator for Supply Networks and Aviation Management at McGill University, and former Director at Air Canada Cuban jet fuel shortage: How is the U.S. at play? (4:53) Guest host Robin Gill talks to Tamanisha John, Assistant Professor at York University's Department of Politics B.C. sees fallout with Greens, amidst an “unsustainable” deficit (12:37) Guest host Robin Gill talks to Keith Baldrey, Global B.C. Legislative Bureau Chief Is it time to regulate LED headlights? (26:24) Guest host Robin Gill talks to Daniel Stern, Chief Editor of Driving Vision News, and a vehicle lighting and regulation expert based in Vancouver The state of Metro Vancouver's housing market (37:18) Guest host Robin Gill talks to Wendy Waters, real estate expert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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!

Metro Vancouver's development cost charges are set to rise by about 250% in just three years (0:43) Guest: Jairo Yunis, Business Council of British Columbia's Director of Policy Carney speaks at the Liberal cabinet retreat in Quebec City (11:48) Guest: Mackenzie Gray, Global News Correspondent in Ottawa Residential development on Industrial Land (26:05) Guest: Michael Geller, President of The Geller Group, Architect, Planner and Real Estate Consultant 98th Oscar nominations announced this morning (42:58) Guest: Rick Forchuk, TV Week Magazine columnist and CKNW contributor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices