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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BC Today, March. 19: Preparing for drought and wildfire season | Favourite spots on Vancouver Island

3/19/2024
It's the first day of spring, and while some people are enjoying the sunshine, government officials are already planning for the upcoming drought and wildfire season. Our guests are Kai Chen, UBC professor with the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, and Andréanne Doyon, associate professor and director of SFU's Resource and Environmental Management Planning Program. CBC's new podcast, This is Vancouver Island, is all about the joys, quirks and frustrations of Island life. Host Kathryn Marlow joins us to talk about all things Vancouver Island.

Duration:00:52:47

Top issues in B.C. this election year | Online video-game safety

3/18/2024
The B.C. NDP is still the top choice ahead of the provincial election in October, despite some heavy criticism, according to a new Angus Reid Institute poll. Shachi Kurl, Angus Reid Institute's president, joins us to discuss. And, following recent provincial legislation that aims to protect young people from online harms, we discuss the risks involved in online video games with guest Tiana Sharifi; CEO, Exploitation Education Institute, and talk about their new educational platform: https://www.thepreventionproject.ca/.

Duration:00:52:47

Your favourite spring break memories | Spring gardening with Brian Minter

3/15/2024
Students across B.C. are celebrating two weeks of spring break. We want to know what your plans are and what your favourite spring break memories are. Margaret Gallagher, host of CBC's North by Northwest, joins us from Powell River as she takes her show on the road for a special broadcast. Next, BC Today gardening columnist Brian Minter joins us to talk about spring planting ahead of the warm weather and answers your questions.

Duration:00:52:47

Backlogs in breast cancer screening | Varying views on short-term rental rules

3/14/2024
CBC Reporter Michell Ghoussoub brings us the latest on B.C.'s breast cancer screening system challenges. Our guest Dr. Paula Gordon, Clinical professor, UBC Radiology department; and Dense Breasts Canada Medical Advisor, talks about the systemic issues causing delays. And, as cities and towns contemplate their response to new provincial short-term rental rules, we speak with short-term rental owner Julia Payne, and Doug King, Together Against Poverty Society executive director.

Duration:00:52:47

Should B.C. keep gifted-student programs? | First steps in pharmacare plan

3/13/2024
Parents in Vancouver are protesting the suspension of an early entry university program for gifted students. We speak with a graduate of the program, Rachel Lin, who is now a PhD candidate with UBC's department of educational and counselling psychology, and Paul Shaker, SFU professor emeritus and former dean of Education. Our callers make the arguments that these programs are important in B.C. schools. Then, our guests Diabetes B.C. Medical Director Dr. Tom Elliott, and Michelle Hewitt, Chair, of Disability without Poverty discuss Ottawa's first steps in a national pharmacare program would cover contraception and diabetes.

Duration:00:52:47

How have recent temperatures affected you? | U.S. considers another TikTok ban

3/12/2024
From ski hills to Okanagan fruit farms, people have been feeling the effects of this winter's unseasonably warm climate. Sukhpaul Bal, B.C. Cherry Association president, and Brian Thomas, B.C. Cattlemen's Association president, give guest host Dan Burritt an overview of how producers are doing as we transition to spring. Then, the U.S. is considering another TikTok ban. Jesse Miller, founder of Mediated Reality, breaks down the controversy and how it may impact Canadians.

Duration:00:52:47

Safer supply and the drug trade | Why do we still have daylight time?

3/11/2024
Safe supply is under criticism after police in Prince George make a major drug bust that included unknown quantities of safe supply. We speak with Juls Budau, former frontline worker and OPS manager in Prince George, and B.C. United MLA Elenore Sturko, shadow critic Mental Health and Addictions. And, it's the first workday after the switch to daylight savings time. We're joined by CBC journalist Nicole Oud, and Adela Tsuen, owner of sleepy baby coach about the impacts.

Duration:00:52:48

On International Women's Day, what does feminism mean to you?; What's your all-time favourite Oscar-winning movie?

3/8/2024
It's International Women's Day across the globe, we ask what being a feminist means to you, and what work we still need to do in B.C. to achieve gender equity. Next, it's Oscar weekend! We hear about the current favourites to win, and take your calls on the best Oscar winning or nominated flims of all time.

Duration:00:49:13

Selina Robinson on why she's leaving the NDP caucus; The push to get more women in the trades

3/7/2024
Selina Robinson has left the B.C. NDP, citing antisemitism among some of its members. The former cabinet minister says she felt unsupported as a Jewish woman in the governing party. She joins us to explain her experience. And we talk with a political scientist about the role of international events in local politics. Next, ahead of International Women's Day we hear about the pusyh get get more women in the trades.

Duration:00:49:44

Outrage follows revalations over affordable housing program abuse;

3/6/2024
People and politicians across B.C. are expressing outrage following revelations Tuesday that at least 13 people allegedly lied to access below-market price units in Victoria. We hear your reactions to this story and ask how the province can avoid this situation in the future. Next, another local council in B.C. has been mired in public divisiveness. Why do we seem to keep seeing this at a local level?

Duration:00:49:29

It's Super Tuesday, a critical day in U.S. politics; Has the province made enough progress on $10-a-day childcare?

3/5/2024
It's Super Tuesday, a critical day in U.S. politics. And the election in November is shaping up to be a Biden-Trump rematch. How are you feeling about politics south of the border? How will the election impact Canadians? Next, the provincial government is facing criticism over a lack of progress on $10-a-day childcare, should this be an election issue?

Duration:00:49:08

Some municipalities push back against short-term rental rules; Would you split the cost of a home with friends or family?

3/4/2024
The principal residence requirement for short-term rentals comes into effect May 1, limiting them to homeowner's principal residence plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit. But some municipalities say the new rules won't work for their cities. Next, we talk about alternative ways to own a home, including splitting the cost with friends or family. Is this a good option?

Duration:00:51:05

Your memories of Brian Mulroney; Brian Minter Friday

3/1/2024
Brian Mulroney, one of Canda's most consequential prime ministers, has died at the age of 84. We hear your memories of the political icon, including one listener who received an unexpected letter. Next, Brian Minter joins us to take your gardening questions.

Duration:00:49:40