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Your connection to the issues and stories shaping life in Metro Vancouver. Hosted by Stephen Quinn, with new episodes every Tuesday and Wednesday, plus a Thursday dive into city politics with Justin McElroy.
231 Episodes
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Why is a push to repurpose the Pattullo Bridge gaining buzz? And will Vancouver’s left-leaning parties join forces to challenge Mayor Ken Sim in the next election? Those are two questions about very different local topics. Stephen Quinn talks with Justin McElroy about the viral campaign to keep the Pattullo open, and the political push to unite parties on the left in Vancouver.
The province just released its new budget. Finance minister Brenda Bailey says it’s about "stepping back from many of the things we’d like to do and focussing on what we have to do.” To that end, the budget has sparked a lot of debate. But what does it mean for communities in the Lower Mainland? Stephen Quinn loks at what's set to change and why it matters.
The Pattullo Bridge is being town down after nearly 90 years. We look at why it closed, what it meant to locals, and what the new Stalewasem Bridge brings instead.
A school promised for Olympic Village is close to approval after decades of delays, yet some residents still oppose it. Justin McElroy breaks down why it’s taken so long and what the fight is about. We also look at a big result in the OneCity mayoral race and what it means for local politics.
Vancouver will host seven matches at the FIFA World Cup, but politics are creeping into the picture. City councillors want clarity on whether U.S. immigration agents could be present, while some fans worry about travel rules and rising tensions south of the border. We break down the odds, the unknowns, and what it all means for the tournament here at home.
Forty years after Expo ’86, a large stretch of False Creek waterfront remains undeveloped. We look at Concord Pacific’s housing proposal, the rising cost of removing the viaducts, and why those delays matter for housing, Hogan’s Alley, and Chinatown. Later in the pod, the audit of 16 land sales by the City of Vancouver has found the City could not demonstrate that it got the best price from those transactions. The report also raises significant questions about whether Councillors were properly informed by staff about these high-value deals. We speak with the city of Vancouver's auditor general Mike MacDonnell, and former Vancouver City Councillor Geoff Meggs.
After a catastrophic flood in 2021, the federal government promised to help protect Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie. But years later, Ottawa was accused of inaction and failing to prevent a similar disaster. And now, local politicians are travelling to Ottawa to find out what happened and call for more support.
Three men have arrested in connection with an extortion-related shooting in Surrey have now been charged. Meanwhile, concerned residents are holding protests to raise awareness about the rise in extortion-related incidents. Some are calling on the federal government to do more to tackle the violence. Jodi Martinson hears from residents and local politicians about what should happen next.
Vancouver councillor Pete Fry has entered the mayoral race. In this bonus episode, host Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy look at why he’s running, his priorities for the city, and the risks of a split vote.
With the 2026 Vancouver election approaching, Mayor Ken Sim is beginning to frame his case to voters. This episode looks at his stated priorities, recent polling, and the themes likely to dominate the campaign.
A four-month closure on East Broadway is adding new pressure to businesses already strained by years of subway construction. Restaurant owners say they are losing revenue, but the provincial government say direct compensation is not on the table. So how did we get here? What are the potential solutions? What might happen next? We hear from restaurant owners, residents, the Mount Pleasant BIA and the provincial government.
Extortion threats and shootings continue to shake Surrey, with dozens of cases reported in January alone. Stephen Quinn hears from residents, a criminal defence lawyer, an MLA, and Mayor Brenda Locke about calls for tougher laws, why city council wants federal emergency powers, and what it will take to stop the violence.
TransLink is planning its next big transit project. It wants to create dedicated bus-only lanes for corridors around the region. But can this plan succeed where other transit ideas have failed? Stephen Quinn looks into that question and more with Justin McElroy.
Development fees just went up across Metro Vancouver, and builders say the timing could not be worse. We hear from developers who warn the higher costs may slow housing starts, then from Metro Vancouver on why the increases happened.
As complaints about street cleanliness grow, Vancouver city council is debating a new plan to make public washrooms easier to find and keep open. We look at why access to toilets has become such a big issue and whether the city’s strategy will bring about change.
With Vancouver’s 2026 municipal election approaching, two candidates are competing to become OneCity Vancouver’s mayoral nominee. Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy host a debate between Amanda Burrows and William Azaroff.
UBC students are rallying at City Hall, marking 18 years since Gordon Campbell's government first committed to building a SkyTrain to campus.
Fake news isn’t new — but AI has made it much more difficult to spot. We talk to educators about what is being done in Metro Vancouver schools to teach kids about misinformation.
The data suggests Vancouver is seeing declines in crime, rental costs, and toxic drug deaths. So why aren't more people celebrating? What is the data missing? Justin McElroy breaks down what’s actually changed and what it says about the city.
An idea has been proposed to give Surrey police round-the-clock access to the city’s 500 traffic cameras to help respond faster to crime. But critics are warning about privacy and surveillance creep. We break down what’s being proposed and what other options the city could consider.
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