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BC Today

CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand

BC Today is where British Columbians connect on issues facing their lives and their community. Every week day at noon PT and 1pm MT, BC Today host Michelle Eliot delves into the top story for the province.

Location:

Vancouver, BC

Description:

BC Today is where British Columbians connect on issues facing their lives and their community. Every week day at noon PT and 1pm MT, BC Today host Michelle Eliot delves into the top story for the province.

Twitter:

@bcalmanac

Language:

English

Contact:

B.C. Almanac, Box 4600 Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 4A2 (604) 669-3733


Episodes
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Trans Mountain pipeline sale | Rural homelessness in B.C.

4/18/2024
The long-promised sale of the troubled TMX pipeline project could prove difficult for Ottawa. We get a report from CBC business reporter Kyle Bakx, and hear from our audience on the project and its $34 billion price tag. Then we hear about a new 3-year study looking at the impact of homelessness in Castlegar, Trail and Nelson from project manager and researcher Jayme Jones, Selkirk Innovates, Selkirk College.

Duration:00:52:47

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Reaction to budget housing plan | Funding for national disability benefit

4/17/2024
We hear reaction to the federal housing plan, and the government's budget pledge to "unlock" 3.9 million homes by 2031. We speak with Alexandra Flynn, associate professor, UBC Peter A. Allard School of Law. And, Tuesday's federal budget laid the groundwork for a national disability benefit, but the funding falls well short of what advocates were seeking. We hear from Michelle Hewitt, chair of Disability Without Poverty.

Duration:00:52:47

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'Generational fairness' in the federal budget | Resiliency for teens

4/16/2024
As the federal government prepares for this afternoon's budget, we discuss 'generational fairness' with Sanjay Jeram, senior lecturer in political science at Simon Fraser University. And, ahead of a UBC event on the topic, we speak to pediatrician Dr. Dzung Vo about how teens can develop resiliency and cope with the stressors of the modern world.

Duration:00:52:47

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Sombre 8th anniversary of poisoned drug crisis | TED Talks' 10th anniversary

4/15/2024
It's been 8 years since the province declared a public health emergency on the toxic drug supply, and more than 14,000 people have died in the province since it was declared in 2016. We hear from you about how the crisis has impacted you, your loved ones and community. Then, we hear from CBC reporter Chad Pawson from the site of the 10th annniversary TED Talks, and UBC psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn on her massively-viewed TED Talk "Helping others makes us happier--but it matters how we do it."

Duration:00:52:47

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Killer whale rescue underway | Pet adoption in B.C.

4/12/2024
The Ehattesaht First Nation says the rescue of a trapped killer whale calf is underway near Zeballos. We get the latest updates on the operation from CBC reporter , and we hear from Donna Sandstrom, executive director, The Whale Trail; and "Orca Rescue!" author, and Eric Pelkey, heriditary chief of the Tsawout of the WSANEC Nation; and Community Engagement Coordinator with their Leadership Council. We hear how pet adoptions — including so-called foster fails — are a part of life for many families in B.C., with Pamela Saddler, founder of Broken Promises Rescue and Adrienne McBride, Senior Director, Community Animal Centres, BC SPCA.

Duration:00:52:47

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Alleged drug use at hospitals | Being single in B.C.

4/11/2024
B.C. United is alleging open drug use and dealing at a Vancouver hospital. But a physician at St. Paul's says that's a "false narrative." Adriane Gear, B.C. Nurses Union president shares her perspective. As the number of single people grows in Canada, Our guests Yuthike Girme, SFU, Associate Professor of Psychology and CBC News TikTok Producer, Ashley Fraser discuss what it's like being single in B.C. with our callers weighing in on the pros and cons.

Duration:00:52:47

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Surrey rejects $250M for police transition | Eid al-Fitr | Online gambling

4/10/2024
As Surrey rejects $250 million from the province to aid the city's police transition, we ask viewers for their advice for Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth and get analysis from Hamish Telford, Associate Professor, Political Science, University of the Fraser Valley. The celebration of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, draws Vancouver's Muslim community to B.C. Place Stadium. And our guests Bryce Taylor, recovering gambling addict, and Adrienne Cossom, Registered Clinical Social Worker with Gambling Support BC, and host of the Fold Em podcast talk about the growth of online gambling — and discuss when a hobby turns into an addiction--and what to do about it.

Duration:00:52:47

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Stricter rules for tent cities | Civil discourse and polarization

4/9/2024
Stricter rules on homeless encampments were passed by the Vancouver Park Board on Monday, despite concerns from advocates. We hear from Vancouver park board commissioner Angela Haer, and hear from callers on how encampments are being handled in their parts of the province. Then 51 prominent Canadians have written an open letter asking political leaders to "address urgently the rise of incivility." Our guests Aftab Erfan, executive director, Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue, and Jennie Barron, executive director at the Mir Centre for Peace discuss ways to improve civil discourse.

Duration:00:52:47

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The solar eclipse and live coverage of the moment of totality in Canada

4/8/2024
We watch the total solar eclipse unfold live as it tracks across parts of Canada on this special edition of BC Today. Our guests are Aaron and Julian Falkin, father-son duo watching the eclipse in Cleveland, OH, and Joanna Woo, Lecturer, SFU Dept of Physics.

Duration:00:52:47

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Why do people choose to leave B.C.? | Brian Minter takes your gardening questions

4/5/2024
68,000 people left B.C. for other provinces last year, with most of them moving to Alberta. Our viewers share why they think that's happening. And, our gardening columnist Brian Minter answers your gardening questions

Duration:00:52:47

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Calls for Quesnel mayor to step down | What is B.C.'s best bird?

4/4/2024
Calls are growing louder for the mayor of Quesnel to step down after his wife handed out copies of this controversial book. CBC reporter Betsy Trumpener brings us the latest, and our guest Sean Carleton, Assistant Professor, History and Indigenous Studies at the University of Manitoba, gives us insight into the diffreence between critical dialogue and denialism. Then, we talk about a contest to decide B.C.'s best bird with wildlife conservationist and filmmaker Connel Bradwell and hear our callers' favourites.

Duration:00:52:47

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Taiwan earthquake | Meeting B.C.'s growing energy need | Addiction recovery homes

4/3/2024
We speak with Honn Kao, a Victoria-based seismologist who studied in Taiwan shares his perspective and insight into the deadly earthquake that struck the island. And, we get an insider's perspective of a B.C. Hydro announcement about increasing energy supply in the province, our guest is Colleen Giroux-Schmidt, Clean Energy BC's board chair, and VP, Corporate Relations with clean energy company Innergex. Then, Cheryl Diebel, Director, New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Centre, shares how they're helping people accessing addiction treatment in B.C.

Duration:00:52:44

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Province proposes new rental protections | Novel explores life of child with ADHD

4/2/2024
The province says new proposals will support renters and landlords who play by the rules. Our CBC provincial affairs reporter Meera Bains gives us an update, and we hear our viewers' experiences. Then, B.C. author Chris Read debuts her new novel, "Queen Jean is in Trouble Again". Set in West Vancouver, the novel explores the life of a fifth grader with ADHD. She is joined by Dr. Gurdeep Parhar, Clinical Professor, UBC Faculty of Medicine and Medical Director of the Adult ADHD Centre to talk about childhood and adult diagnoses.

Duration:00:52:47

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Ottawa's 'renters’ bill of rights' | Ask an astronaut your space questions

3/28/2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Vancouver this week, and he’s promising a ‘renters’ bill of rights.’ We dig into the housing measures and how they will help people in B.C. with guest Rebecca Love, volunteer of Vancouver Tenants Union, and your calls. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen joins us ahead of his 2025 trip to the moon to talk about life as an astronaut and to answer your questions about space.

Duration:00:52:47

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Be 'bear aware' this year | Is there a health-care worker you'd like to thank?

3/27/2024
Bears are starting to emerge from their dens as we move into spring. We hear your bear stories, and talk with Gabriela De Romeri, WildSafe BC communications coordinator to give us some tips on co-existing with our bear neighbours. And, we bring you the heart-warming story of Erica Staving from Kelowna, who recently underwent emergency surgery. She wrote to CBC about how she wants to thank her neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Tso, and other Kelowna General Hospital staff so we reunited them on the program. And we received an overwhelming number of calls and e-mails from people wanting to thank their doctors, nurses and health care staff. Thank you for sharing your stories with us.

Duration:00:52:47

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Baltimore bridge collapse | What are the struggles and successes of B.C. youth?

3/26/2024
Baltimore's Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore, we get the latest update. The B.C. Adolescent Health Survey has been conducted every five years for the last three decades. The 2023 report was released, we discuss with McCreary Centre Society's executive director Annie Smith, and with clinical counsellor Lawrence Sheppard, regular mental health columnist with The Early Edition.

Duration:00:52:45

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CRAB Park update | 2024 Junos | Call in with your best 'fun facts'

3/25/2024
Our CBC reporter Jon Hernandez reports on the Vancouver Park Board's attempt today to temporarily move CRAB Park residents. Then, after the 2024 Junos last night, we talk about the best moments with Vancouver's Snotty Nose Rez Kids' Darren "Young D" Metz and singer-songwriter Dan Mangan. And, CBC's Climate and Science Specialist Darius Mahdavi shares fun facts from the animal, science and astronomy world.

Duration:00:52:46

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On World Water Day, what does water access mean to you? | Travelling with pets

3/22/2024
It's World Water Day. As we hear about threats to our water systems from climate change, Dave Zehnder, Kootenay-area rancher and Kat Hartwig, Living Lakes Canada Executive Director. In our regular pet segment, we're joined by Sarah Shapiro-Ward, professional dog trainer with When Hounds Fly to talk about travelling with your pet.

Duration:00:53:19

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Are pensions keeping up with the cost of living? | World Down Syndrome Day

3/21/2024
Seniors are rallying in several communities across B.C. to bring attention to what they call 'shrinking' pensions that are not keeping pace with inflation and the rising cost of living. CBC reporter Michelle Gomez reports from the rally in White Rock, and we heard from Ramona Kaptyn, BC's chief advocacy and communications officer for the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP). And, on U.N.'s World Down Syndrome Day, Canadian actress Madison Tevlin talks about starring in the international campaign challenging stereotypes that create barriers. We were also joined by Tamara Taggart, president of Down Syndrome B.C. to talk about the significance of this day and the work needed to recognize the abilities of people with Down Syndrome.

Duration:00:51:19

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More EV charging stations | World Happiness Report | Decluttering and heirlooms

3/20/2024
B.C. aims to add 500 public charging stations to the province's electric highway. Margareta Dovgal, energy and climate analyst breaks it down with us. The 2024 World Happiness Report is out, and happiness is trending down in the West — especially for young people. The report's co-editor, John Helliwell, professor emeritus, UBC's Vancouver School of Economics joins us to discuss this year's report. And, Linda Chu, professional organizer, Out of Chaos, discusses spring cleaning and family heirlooms.

Duration:00:52:31