This is Vancouver Island

British Columbians will head to the polls twice this fall. NDP leader David Eby visited Government House in Victoria this week to launch the election. Our weekly political panel takes on the parties and the issues. Adam Olsen is a former Green Party MLA, and a member of the Tsartlip Nation, Andrew Reeve is a former press secretary and deputy director of communications with the BC Liberal and BC United parties and Elizabeth Cull is a former NDP cabinet minister.

British Columbians are heading to the polls next month for a snap election, and Elections BC has just weeks to pull it off. We'll hear from the Chief Electoral Officer on organizing a province-wide vote on such a short notice.

School District #61 is moving to a ward system for electing school trustees. Some say it will lead to increased representation from all communities in the district.

We hear from Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins and former school trustee and Michael McEvoy.

Less than two years after the last provincial election, there's speculation we're heading to the polls again.

Former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull join CBC host Gregor Craigie.

Can Kerry-Lynne Finlay keep the remaining BC Conservatives inside her cabinet? And did BC's premier strike the right tone with new border signs that tell American drivers we'll never be the 51st state? Former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull weigh in on the week's top political stories with CBC host Gregor Craigie.

After months of looking into the case surrounding Canada's most prolific voyeur, our reporter Emily Fagan shares what she's learned about the toll this has taken on victims.

Have you ever found out your sailing has been cancelled due to bad weather, despite it not seeming that bad where you are? There’s more science behind it than you think. In this repeat episode, CBC meteorologist and science reporter Johanna Wagstaffe tells us about her visit to the B.C. Ferries ‘command room’, where she met the people who make those calls and found out how they’re made. 

B.C.'s political landscape is shifting as at least a half dozen MLAs have quit the B.C. Conservative caucus, with two saying they'll form a new party. We ask Camosun College political scientist Daniel Reeve how significant the change is - and how many parties might be on our ballots in the next election.

Tariff news has been hitting the island like a tsunami, and it's still not clear exactly which goods will cost more when they cross the border - in either direction. So we check in with Island Timber Frame, a specalized timber company based in Cumberland, and Luna Collective, a store in Victoria, to hear how they're digesting the news and handling the uncertainty.  

We've reconvened our political panel to discuss Peter Milobar deciding to sit as an independent, David Eby's initial response to news of a trade deal between Canada and the United States, and concerns over the province taking down its online staff directory.

Our political panel is former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull. 

For more than 40 years, there has been a ban on farming potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant in Central Saanich - but not anymore. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says it has finally eradicated the golden nematode, a parasite so pesky they had to ban some crops to get rid of it. This week, we learn more about the nematode, why it was so hard to eradicate, and why potatoes are making a comeback.

We're down to two contenders for best roadside attraction on Vancouver Island: the goats on the roof at Old Country Market in Coombs, or Cathedral Grove. The winner will stay alive in CBC British Columbia's search for the best roadside attraction in B.C. We talk to CBC reporter Justin McElroy, who is running the competition, about what makes a good roadside attraction, why he thinks summer competitions like this are silly fun but also an interesting way to interpret our province, and why places along highway 4 seem to get a lot of votes in CBC's annual summer bracket competitions. 

Learn more about the competition, and how to vote, here.

A plan to redevelop the Capital Irons lands, at the north end of downtown Victoria, got an important vote of confidence from city council. It means that hundreds of units of housing will likely be built, as well as a new home for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and a place where a local fish company can dock its boats, and process and sell its stock. We get the details.

This episode originally aired January 15, 2026.

But is it enough to address drought concerns? We hear from Environment Canada, a watershed watcher, and a farmer about how we’re getting more rain than meteorologists had predicted, whether it’s helping low-running streams where salmon live, and what it means for some crops.

It’s not just Greater Victoria’s big municipalities that are building new kinds of housing - some of the mid-sized ones, like Esquimalt, are too. On this week’s episode hear mayor Barb Desjardins talk about the range of housing styles; how the Department of National Defence is adding housing; and about a planned co-housing project where residents would share some common rooms with their neighbours.

Local officials are trying to get a safe, secondary road connecting the west coast to the rest of the island, after wildfires blocked the main routes in 2023 and 2025. But which route is best? And what will it take to make it happen? We hear from John Jack with Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Bob Beckett from the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, and Judi Thomas of the Ditidaht First Nation about the work they’re doing - and how it will support communities like Bamfield, Tofino/Ucluelet, and Port Alberni. 

Check out this article to see a map of the possible routes, and listen to this previous episode to hear why wildfires can wreak such havoc on roads.

It's been a busy July so far in B.C. politics. This week, the attorney general said the province is preparing to sue OpenAI over the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge. And last week, B.C. and Ottawa signed a deal that will send billions of dollars of infrastructure funding westward, and also paved the way for a new pipeline to the south coast. Plus, Independent (and former B.C. Conservative) MLA Amelia Boutlbee joined the NDP caucus. 

So we pulled our political panel back from summer hiatus to get their takes on it all. Elizabeth Cull is a former NDP cabinet minister, Andrew Reeve is a former BC Liberal Deputy Director of Communications and Senior Consultant at Earnscliffe, and Adam Olsen is a former Green Party MLA and member of the Tsartlip Nation.

Are you an ocean, lake, or river swimmer? This week we share one of our favourite summer episodes, where we took a break from the news to celebrate some of the many outdoor swimming spots on the Island - in all types of water. Alex McKeen, co-author of “Swimming Holes and Beaches of Southwestern British Columbia,” shares her love of swimming as a way to explore a new place and talks about some of the 50+ island spots listed in her book. They include the Koksilah River Holes, Cameron Lake, Inland Lake, and Banfield Park.

This episide originally aired July 10, 2025.

We're taking a short break as we shift into summer, but we'll be back soon. Make sure you're following us in the podcast app of your choice, so our next new episode automatically shows up in your feed.

An amalgamation question will go to people in both municipalities in the upcoming fall elections.

But the question will be non-binding after a decision from the province that more work needs to be done.

In this week’s episode Gregor Craigie hears from politicians in both communities, Premier David Eby and a bit about what people on the street had to say about the issue.

How you get on and off the ferry can make a big difference in your experience. This week, we'll hear from a BC Ferries terminal attendant on what goes into guiding your car onto each vessel, as well as what Swartz Bay foot passengers think could make the walk-on experience better.

It’s getting more and more common for families to live in multi-unit housing - think apartment or condo buildings, or townhouse complexes. It doesn’t just mean adjustments to their lifestyle, it also means cities and even school districts are making changes. This week we hear from a family living in a one-bedroom apartment in Victoria’s James Bay neighbourhood, a councillor in Langford where they’re changing their parks strategy to benefit multi-unit housing, and the superintendent of the Sooke school district where they’re had to change how they calculate student enrollment, and how they design schools, because more and more kids are coming from multi-unit housing.

The BC Conservatives finally have their new leader, so our political panel discusses what they expect from Kerry-Lynne Findlay. They also talk about what MLAs will be up to this summer (hint: it likely involves BBQs), and just how much money the World Cup will end up costing the province. 

Our political panel is former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull, former Green Party MLA and a member of the Tsartlip Nation Adam Olsen and former BC Liberal Deputy Director of Communications and Senior Consultant at Earnscliffe Andrew Reeve.

Note: the political panel will be on hiatus for the summer, but will return in September (or earlier if there are big political stories to discuss). This is Vancouver Island will still be here on Thursdays.

As Macaulay Point Park’s climbing wall in Esquimalt celebrates a 30 year milestone, we'll hear how the climbing community fought to keep the wall available, and how a new group is building community by and for racialized climbers in Greater Victoria. Plus, some tips on hot island climbing spots to check out.

There was a lot of news this week about David Eby's meeting with the western premiers, especially Alberta's Danielle Smith. But it was also the last week of the spring B.C. legislative session - so we ask our political panel to share their highs and lows of the session, plus weigh in on the latest interactions between Eby and Smith and the upcoming leadership transition at the B.C. Conservative Party. 

Our political panel is former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull, in conversation with CBC host Gregor Craigie. 

The Ministry of Education has re-instated the School District 61 trustees who were fired a year and a half ago. In this episode, we’ll look at the background of the case and what it means. We’ll also speak to Nicole Duncan, one of the reinstated trustees, about where the board goes from here.

Prime Minister Mark Carney made a quick trip to B.C. this week, after several substantial meetings - and MOU signings - with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. On today's episode, our political panel discusses where David Eby and B.C. fit into the pipeline discussion, how likely two MLA recall campaigns are likely to succeed, and why the Site C dam is now named after John Horgan - who once fought against it. 

The panel is: Elizabeth Cull (former NDP cabinet minister), Andrew Reeve (former press secretary and deputy director of communications with the BC Liberal and BC United parties), and Adam Olsen (former Green Party MLA and member of the Tsartlip Nation), in conversation with CBC host Gregor Craigie. 

A new Langford bylaw limits construction noise and debris. CBC Victoria’s Roszan Holman tells us why. Plus, City Councillors Colby Harder and Kimberly Guiry share what they hope the bylaw accomplishes, and Rachael Sansom from the WestShore Developers Association gives her take on what this could mean for growth in the region.

Have you ever found out your sailing has been cancelled due to bad weather, despite the perfectly calm conditions right outside your window? There’s more science behind it than you think. CBC meteorologist and science reporter Johanna Wagstaffe joins to tell us about her visit to the B.C. Ferries ‘command room’, where she met the people who make those calls and found out how they’re made. 

Our political episode is a few days early this week due to scheduling issues. In it, we get reaction to news that B.C. Nurses’ Union members have voted overwhelmingly (98.2%) in favour of taking job action. We also talk about the provincial costs of the upcoming World Cup matches in Vancouver, and whether B.C. Ferries can handle what’s set to be another busy summer. 

Our political panel is Andrew Reeve (former press secretary and deputy director of communications with the BC Liberal and BC United parties), Adam Olsen (former Green Party MLA and member of the Tsartlip Nation), and Elizabeth Cull (former NDP cabinet minister), in discussion with CBC's Gregor Craigie.

MLAs were burning the midnight oil this week, as the NDP's proposed changes to Freedom of Information (FOI) laws continue to gather criticism. Bill 9 wasn't the only thing on the parliamentary plate this week: Kennedy Stewart, a former Vancouver mayor and former NDP MP, made allegations of foreign interference, and there were changes to the B.C. Prosecution Service's Victims of Crime policy.

Our political panel discusses it all with CBC's Gregor Craigie. The panel is former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull.

This weekend’s Buccaneer Days in Esquimalt will go ahead without its signature parade, days after Oak Bay Tea Party announced they’d also forgo theirs. So why are local parades struggling? We’ll hear from event organizers on how new safety regulations, a lack of consistent funding, and a dip in volunteers could be factors. 

Our political panel weighs in on the current state of the health care file given concerns over a drop in federal funding, and a possibly looming nurse's strike. Plus, they discuss tension over overlapping treaty claims and whether the province should try to keep the Vancouver Whitecaps in B.C. 

The panel is: Elizabeth Cull (former NDP cabinet minister), Andrew Reeve (former press secretary and deputy director of communications with the BC Liberal and BC United parties), and Adam Olsen (former Green Party MLA and member of the Tsartlip Nation), in conversation with CBC host Gregor Craigie. 

There’s been nearly a dozen wildfires on the island so far this year and, after a dramatic few seasons, communities across the island are getting ready for the one ahead. In this episode, Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council president Judith Sayers and Dashwood Fire Chief Nick Acciavatti consider how last year’s Mount Underwood and Wesley Ridge fires should inform this summer’s response. Plus, Darius Mahdavi has a weather forecast for the island’s summer, and Erika Berg from the B.C. Wildfire Service gives an update on this summer’s firefighter staffing. 

The ongoing, and ever-changing, provincial plans on DRIPA (the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act) may have actually come to a short-term pause this week. Our political panel discusses that, as well as pushback to proposed changes to B.C.'s Freedom of Information rules, and whether U.S. alcohol may return to B.C. liquor stores. 

Our political panel is Andrew Reeve (former press secretary and deputy director of communications with the BC Liberal and BC United parties), Adam Olsen (former Green Party MLA and member of the Tsartlip Nation), and Elizabeth Cull (former NDP cabinet minister), in discussion with CBC's Gregor Craigie. 

Pacific FC scored the world’s first "daylight" offside goal this weekend- with the eyes of the soccer world watching. The rule is being trialed in the Canadian Premier League (or CPL) for potential use in leagues around the world. We’ll hear from Pacific FC’s first assistant coach, and the president of the club’s supporter group, on what this means for the Island’s own team and the future of the sport.

Every week this month, B.C. Premier David Eby has announced a new version of his plan to amend, or pause, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Our political panel discusses his latest announcement, plus the 10-year anniversary of the toxic drug crisis becoming a public health emergency, and the announcement of a new task force to look at the impact of the Iran war on B.C.

Our political panel is: former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull, speaking with CBC's Gregor Craigie. 

If you want to hear Gregor's interview with a doctor that's referenced in the panel, you can find it here.

April 14th marks ten years since the province of B.C. declared a public health emergency for the toxic drug crisis. We’ll hear from islanders mourning their loved ones through shared art, First Nations leaders creating culturally safe responses, and service providers reflecting on what has changed… and whether it’s enough.

This week Premier David Eby gave more details on his new plan to pause some sections of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, or DRIPA. Plus, federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre went to Richmond to weigh in on the private property rights discussion connected to the Cowichan decision. And: B.C.'s credit rating was dropped again. 

Our political panel discusses it all: Andrew Reeve (former press secretary and deputy director of communications with the BC Liberal and BC United parties), Adam Olsen (former Green Party MLA and member of the Tsartlip Nation), and Elizabeth Cull (former NDP cabinet minister), speak with CBC host Gregor Craigie. 

The Hollywood comedy star and Islander Zach Galifianakis has a new Netflix show… and it’s all about the gardeners of Vancouver Island. In this episode, we hear from Galifianakis and Arzeena Hamir, one of the farmers profiled on "This is a Gardening Show".

Provincial NDP leaders have mixed reviews on Avi Lewis as the new leader of the federal party. We ask our B.C. politics panelists, of all party stripes, what they think he means for our province. Plus, they weigh in on a B.C. Conservative leadership candidate's plan to cooperate with OneBC. 

Our political panel is: former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull.

The District of North Saanich is dismantling its pickleball courts, which have sat empty since they were closed due to neighbourhood complaints. In this episode, we hear why they made that final decision, what’s happening next, and why the sport draws both lovers and and haters across the island.

This week, our political panel covers: the discussions between First Nations and the provincial government about changing the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act to give the province more clarity, the province's quiet elimination of a climate action agency, and the job cuts coming to the Agricultural Land Commission. 

Former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull discuss with CBC host Liz McArthur.

The Hub, a temporary winter shelter and drop-in centre in Nanaimo, is closing at the end of March. The social service organizations that run it have a plan to move to a new permanent location— they just need the funding from B.C. Housing. We’ll hear about the plan, why they want the City’s support, and why not everyone is on board.

This week our political panel discusses: David Eby's response to the federal government's plan to expand the temporary foreign workers program for rural employers, the province's plan to change the rules for FOI (freedom of information) requests, and the news that B.C. has hired more than 400 health care workers from the U.S. over the past year. 

Former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull discuss with CBC host Liz McArthur.

Ninety-seven American healthcare workers have accepted jobs on Vancouver Island since the province began recruiting across the border last spring. That includes a nurse practitioner from Kentucky, who was inspired by Nanaimo content creator Tod Maffin to make the move. We’ll hear from them both, as well as B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne on what’s needed to address the systemic issues still plaguing the island’s health staffing shortages.

This week on our B.C. politics episode, the panel tackles Premier David Eby's concerns about sluggish housing starts, a plan to create bubble zones around places of worship, and the fact that the province's post-secondary institutions are struggling financially. 

Our political panel is Andrew Reeve (former press secretary and deputy director of communications with the BC Liberal and BC United parties), Adam Olsen (former Green Party MLA and member of the Tsartlip Nation), and Elizabeth Cull (former NDP cabinet minister.)

The Canadian government is currently deciding between two bids to both renew, and expand, the country’s submarine fleet - a project that will cost more than $20 billion. While both bids are from international companies, the economic development arm of the Songhees Nation is involved in one of them. In this episode, we learn how the Songhees Development Corporation hopes the submarine deal could help both its members, and the region as a whole.

This week our political panel looks at how the provincial government fumbled news of an Aboriginal title agreement between the federal government and the Musqueam Indian Band; new legislation to help organizations that run supportive housing; and why B.C. chose now to change our time zone. Our panel is Adam Olsen (former Green Party MLA and a member of the Tsartlip Nation), Andrew Reeve (former press secretary and deputy director of communications with the BC Liberal and BC United parties) and Elizabeth Cull (former NDP cabinet minister).

Want to hear that inteview they refererred to, about the supportive housing changes? Listen here.

We went to Quw’utsun Secondary in North Cowichan to talk to three First Nations students about storytelling. They shared traditional stories from their communities (plus a new one about a raven who mountain bikes!) and talked about why it's so important to them to share stories and the lessons that can be learned from them. 

This was part of a bigger CBC Victoria project looking at the role of storytelling in community. Listen to a live recording of our afternoon radio show, All Points West, from the Cowichan library here. 

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar got endorsements from five of his colleagues this week in the race to replace John Rustad as leader of the B.C. Conservatives. The decision will be made in May - but does this make him the front runner? Our political panel discusses the state of the leadership race, concerns about ChatGPT and the Tumbler Ridge shooter, and business community frustrations about the expansion of the PST. 

There is global demand for critical minerals, and those can be found right here on the island. This week, we hear about two proposals to mine critical minerals, including one that uses a process called “re-mining”. This is where gold and copper would be extracted from the waste piles of an old mine at the same time as hazardous materials are removed. That’s at the old Mount Sicker site in the Cowichan Valley. Plus, we’ll hear about the proposed Northisle copper and gold mine near Port Hardy.

The B.C. government is facing a record-setting deficit, but didn’t announce drastic cuts in this week's budget. While there are some job cuts and tax increases, there’s also spending on health care and education. Our three political insiders have different takes on whether they made the right moves. 

Former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull discuss with CBC host Gregor Craigie.

The province recently announced new funding to support families of children with disabilities. It means some children who live with conditions such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and fetal alcohol syndrome will get support they’ve never had before - but it also means some families of children with autism will lose that funding. We’ll hear from two Vancouver Island parents with two different perspectives on the news. 

Here’s the province’s website with information about the new program, and the transition away from the autism funding.

From Victoria to the Peace, the entire province is mourning the events and loss in Tumbler Ridge. The Province revamped its Throne Speech and start of the session, to support the community.

Former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull weigh in on the week's top political stories with CBC host Gregor Craigie.

An independent forestry panel released its report to the B.C. government this week, saying massive change is required to fix the industry in this province. We ask our political panel what they make of the recommendations, plus the latest political moves to deal with the ongoing extortion crisis in Surrey and beyond and just how austere they think the B.C. budget will be when it's released on February 17. Former Green Party MLA and Tsartlip First Nation member Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull weigh in on the week's top political stories with CBC host Gregor Craigie.

Sport fishers in B.C. are raising concerns about proposed changes to the salmon allocation policy for B.C. - which Fisheries and Oceans Canada (aka DFO) uses to determine which who gets priority access to different types of Pacific salmon. A court ruling in 2018 said the federal government had to add First Nations' commercial rights to the list, and the ministry has been working with First Nations, sport, and commercial fishers to review the overall policy - which is nearly 30 years old. Sport fishers say a new discussion paper shows their rights are at risk - but First Nations say that's not the case. We walk you through it. 

B.C. Premier David Eby, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, met with the prime minister this week in Ottawa. Eby called the conversations "borderline friendly" - but he also used the word "treason" in response to Alberta separatists earlier this week. Our political panelists have thoughts about the word treason, and the current state of B.C./Alberta/Canada relations. Plus, they weigh in on the growing list of candidates in the race for B.C. Conservative leader. Hear political insiders Andrew Reeve (former press secretary and deputy director of communications with the BC Liberal and BC United parties), Elizabeth Cull (a former NDP cabinet minister), and Adam Olsen (former Green Party MLA, and a member of the Tsartlip Nation) speak with CBC host Gregor Craigie. 

This week a group of Parksville-Qualicum residents presented a petition to their MLA, calling for more respite for caregivers who look after their aging loved ones. It came as B.C.’s seniors advocate pointed out there are nowhere near enough publicly-funded long term care beds to match the growing number of seniors in the province. Some island communities have the highest populations of seniors in Canada, so on today’s episode we hear from folks in Parksville-Qualicum and the Comox Valley about how some people are struggling to look after their aging spouses, with few opportunities for a break. We’ll also speak with the head of an island hospice society about how non-profits like hers are trying to support people, and their loved ones, and the end of their lives.

The whole world is talking about that speech the Prime Minister made at Davos this week - including our B.C. politics panel. They also weigh in on Premier Eby's confirmation that his government will amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) this spring. Hear from our political insiders Elizabeth Cull (a former NDP cabinet minister), Adam Olsen (former Green Party MLA, and a member of the Tsartlip Nation), and Andrew Reeve (former press secretary and deputy director of communications with the BC Liberal and BC United parties).

This week Lighthouse Brewing in Esquimalt announced it’s shutting down operations and selling its brand - saying it costs more to brew beer than they can bring in by selling it. On this week’s episode we hear from co-owner Ben Thomas about the difficult decision, and how the BCGEU strike was the breaking point. Plus, we talk to Chris Bjerrisgaard of Sidney’s Small Gods Brewing about how they’re managing to stay afloat as beer sales decline across the country. 

While you’re here, check out this previous episode of This is Vancouver Island, about how two local breweries are expanding into non-alcoholic drinks to adapt. 

Welcome to a new edition of This is Vancouver Island! Starting today, we'll bring you a weekly dose of B.C. politics with our political insiders. Hear former Green Party MLA Adam Olsen, former BC Liberal and BC United staffer Andrew Reeve, and former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull weigh in on the week's top stories with CBC host Gregor Craigie. This week: the end of decriminalization, Prime Minister Carney's meeting in Prince Rupert with Coastal First Nations, and post-secondary institutions (like North Island College) worry about further cuts. 

A plan to redevelop the Capital Irons lands, at the north end of downtown Victoria, got an important vote of confidence from city council this month. It means that hundreds of units of housing will likely be built, as well as a new home for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and a place where a local fish company can dock its boats, and process and sell its stock. We get the details on this week's episode.

Whether you commute by bike, bus, or car, you’ve likely encountered detours and delays in Greater Victoria lately…and that’s not going to change in the short term. A number of construction projects have lanes closed and/or detours in place. On this week’s episode: are construction closures becoming more common? And what could ease traffic? We ask Susan Brice, a current Saanich councillor and Capital Regional district director, and longtime local politician who’s also worn many other hats.

BTW, if you want info on the BC Hydro-related road closures we mention in the episode, check them out here. Get updates on the Galloping Goose closure here. The city of Victoria also has some upcoming work on both Blanshard and Bay, details should be posted here.

Every once in a while, frustrated ferry users bring up the idea of a “fixed link” - a bridge or tunnel that would permanently connect Vancouver Island to the rest of B.C. It happened this week when stormy weather led to nearly a hundred sailing cancellations just before Christmas. It also came up this summer, as discussions dragged on about the new ships that B.C. Ferries ordered from a shipyard in China. So this week, a repeat of our July 17 episode: do we need a bridge or tunnel? What it take to build one?

The provincial government is trying to get more housing built, and more quickly. But some local developers who are trying to build missing middle housing in Greater Victoria (ie duplex, triplexes, and townhouses), say they’re still facing roadblocks. Meanwhile, some local governments are ramping up their fights against the bill. CBC Victoria’s Rohit Joseph has been looking into it all, and joins us to share what he heard.

Leonard Sylvester, a 38-year-old Penelakut man, died in hospital last month -- less than three weeks after a routine medical procedure. Throughout his hospitalization, his wife Boedaya Sylvester says she was not properly communicated with, and she says they were treated differently because they’re Indigenous. In this episode we hear from Boedaya and from Island Health, which has promised to review what happened.

The community of Crofton got devastating news this week, with Domtar announcing it’s closing its mill there, putting 350 people out of work. In this episode we hear about why, and what’s next. We’ll also check in on a retraining program in Port Alberni, for laidoff mill workers there.

Downtown Victoria business owners say they’re seeing a positive impact, four months after the city launched the first phase of its community safety and wellbeing plan. City staff say they’ve completed 2 of their 11 priorities, with the other 9 underway. Folks on Pandora have mixed reviews. We take a look at it all in this week’s episode.

Want to learn more about the plan? Check out our episode from when it was first launched.

You can also read the whole thing on the city's website.

We know communities across the island region are struggling with housing. That challenge can be especially acute on smaller islands, with even more limited space: what are you supposed to do if you have a job, but nowhere to live? Or if you can’t hire people, because they can’t find housing? On Salt Spring Island, the Country Grocer has solved that problem by creating housing for its staff. CBC reporter Emily Fagan went to the island to learn more, and tells us about it on this week’s episode.

Wild deer are a common sight in greater Victoria, as we humans keep building our homes in their habitat - but the immuno-contraceptive experiment in Oak Bay seems to have worked at managing the population. On this episode we check in with one of the founders of the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society (UWSS), which came up with the plan to give birth control to urban deer. Kristy Kilpatrick also talks about how she’s seen attitudes towards deer change in the decade since UWSS started its work.

Even though it’s been three months since a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled that Quw’utsun Nation (Cowichan Tribes, Stz’uminus First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, Halalt First Nation and Lyackson First Nation) hold Aboriginal title over some land in Richmond - the news is still making headlines, especially on the mainland. That’s because the land includes some private property. But does the decision threaten private property rights in B.C.? An island leader explains why he doesn’t think so. 

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) has been trying to find a way to install shore power at Ogden Point, so that some of the cruise ships that stop there can plug in and use electricity - instead of relying on fossil fuels to keep the lights and other ship services going while the vessels are in port. But now, the GVHA has abandoned the plan. It says even with $31.5 million dollars promised by provincial and federal governments, it would need at least another $61 million dollars to do all the work needed - and it just doesn’t have the money. So what happens now?

There are unhoused people living in communities across Vancouver Island, but not every community has a place for them to go on nights when winter weather is so bad that it’s dangerous. The province provides funding for winter shelter, so why doesn’t everyone apply for it? Host Kathryn Marlow and CBC reporter Maryse Zeidler look at three areas with three different levels of support: Campbell River, Sidney, and the Cowichan Valley.

Every time the earth shakes on the island, we flock to social media to see who else felt the tremor. But did you know you can also report your experience to Earthquakes Canada, to help with future research? Seismologist John Cassidy explains how researchers like him rely on such information. Plus: the latest on the earthquake warning system. This episode originally aired October 1, 2024. 

Thousands of union members rallied at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria this week, as the BCGEU and PEA strike entered its sixth week. So what’s keeping the two unions and their employer - the provincial government - apart? And is there any sign of them reaching an agreement? In this episode, we hear from union members, the premier, and more. 

The Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM), which is located on the 900-block of Pandora, is getting ready to fully reopen the Alix Goolden Performance Hall. It’s been partially closed since the pandemic, meaning the Conservatory can’t host big concerts. But CEO Nathan Medd says once the city has done its work improving safety on the block, the VCM will be ready to open its Pandora doors, and help build a future for the neighbourhood with a focus on music and art. We hear from him, and artist Francis Dick. She recently contributed a mural to the VCM, and is excited to collaborate more to add vibrancy to downtown.

Tiny homes on wheels are technically not allowed as permanent housing - but that hasn’t stopped some people in rural B.C. communities from living in them, because they’re affordable and don’t leave a big footprint. Now, local government officials in several island communities say they’ve found a way to make them legal. On this week’s episode, we hear about the solution that representatives from Islands Trust and the Regional District of Nanaimo recently shared with local governments from across B.C. 

Some islanders are upset that a U.S. non-profit that does adventure tourism wants to renew and expand its access to crown land along the B.C. coast. National Outdoor Leadership School says its sea kayakers will use the land to camp while travelling from Washington to Alaska. But social media posts opposing the application have gone viral in island communities. On this episode we hear from the applicants themselves, and a First Nations leader who has concerns.

Public sector workers in the BCGEU (BC General Employees' Union) and PEA (Professional Employees Association) escalated job action this week. About 14,500 of those workers are islanders. On this episode we hear why the strike is happening - and when it might be resolved.

This is the second school year since the provincial restrictions on cell phone use in schools came into effect. But what exactly are the rules? And how are they put into practice? As you’ll hear in this episode, that’s not exactly clear. Island teachers and administrators talk about how they’re interpreting and creating the rules.

The road to Bamfield, and the Huu-ay-aht and Ditidaht First Nations, is closed for the foreseeable future due to damage by the Mount Underwood fire. A similar thing happened to highway 4 east of Port Alberni in the summer of 2023. The issue is slope instability - but what exactly is that? And how do you repair it?

The Wesley Ridge and Mount Underwood fires had the province’s attention this summer - an unusual situation for the island. But the people who study fire and climate aren’t surprised, and say it will only become more common. On this week’s episode we hear about the changing history of wildfire on Vancouver Island, and about one of the mitigation projects underway to try and prepare. Hear about how what’s growing in our forests may change, and ways you can help with mitigation. 

This week, we bring you one of our most popular episodes from last year: a discussion with three islanders about what they love about summer at home. Get staycation tips from residents of Victoria, Parksville, and Campbell River. This episode was originally published July 2, 2024.

For 12 hours this week, islanders and coastal B.C. residents were watching for news of a tsunami. It didn’t arrive, but it did give us a chance to figure out the difference between a “watch,” an “advisory,” and a “warning,” and whether we even get notifications. This week’s episode catches up on what we learned - including that drones can help spread the news to remote areas.

Killer whales and humans have more than a few things in common, even if our habitat is different - and recent research has added even more similarities to the list. In this episode we hear about orcas giving gifts to humans, and using tools to exfoliate.

Every once in a while, frustrated ferry users bring up the idea of a “fixed link” - a bridge or tunnel that would permanently connect Vancouver Island to the rest of B.C. It came up this week as discussions drag on about the new ships that BC Ferries has ordered from a shipyard in China. So on this week’s episode: what would it take to build a bridge or tunnel?

Are you an ocean, lake, or river swimmer? On this week’s episode we take a break from the news to celebrate some of the many outdoor swimming spots on the Island - in all types of water. Alex McKeen, co-author of “Swimming Holes and Beaches of Southwestern British Columbia,” shares her love of swimming as a way to explore a new place and talks about some of the 50+ island spots listed in her book. They include the Koksilah River Holes, Cameron Lake, Inland Lake, and Banfield Park.

P.S. Are you looking for more ideas of stuff to do on the island in the summer? Go back in time to the July 2, 2024 episode titled "The best (and worst) of summer on the Island."

The city of Victoria released a plan to take $10 million from its budget, and reallocate it to public safety initiatives. The money will be used for bylaw and police officers, street repair and more, and will be focused on Pandora Avenue, Princess Avenue, and downtown overall. On this week's episode we hear from mayor Marianne Alto, Victoria police chief Del Manak, and the province's Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services, Terry Yung. 

Bus service has long been a problem on the island, and it’s even more challenging now. We catch you up on the strike at Cowichan Valley Transit, and the cancellation of a bus route from Ucluelet and Tofino to Port Alberni. Plus, we try to find out if - or when - things might improve.

There is a new-to-B.C. ferry that two companies are testing here: it’s an all-electric passenger ship that could sail on commuter routes, or even between the island and the mainland. CBC Victoria’s Gregor Craigie got to ride on one, and he joins us to tell us how it works, how likely it is that it will enter regular service here - and why they call it a flying ferry.

We need more nurses and doctors, and they could be on their way. In this episode we hear from a doctor who is quitting his practice in Colorado to start at a new clinic in Colwood, and a nurse in Texas who is considering a move to Nanaimo. We’ll ask what’s enticing them to come north, and hear about some of the ways the provincial government is trying to encourage health care workers to move here to B.C.

Langford is upset it’s on the province's latest housing targets list, calling it “unfair.” But on the other side, the housing minister says it’s just about making sure everyone is on the same page - even the places that are already building a lot of new homes. On this episode, we hear from mayor Scott Goodmanson and minister Ravi Kahlon about what being on the list does, and doesn’t get you - and how the province picks the communities and sets the targets. Plus, their takes on where the infrastructure to support the housing should come from.

What do baseball games, river floats, parades, and Schitt’s Creek trivia have in common? They’re all things you can do to celebrate pride on the island this summer! On this episode we talk about what pride is like in island communities, and about celebrating queer joy, honouring history, and fighting for future freedoms. 

The first of nearly 20 pride festivals on the island start this weekend -- with events in Cowichan, Port Alberni, and Victoria. The final events will be in the Comox Valley in August. This episode's guests are organizers Cristin Elle (Cowichan Pride), Crysta Stubbs (Alberni Valley Pride), Nick Luney (Victoria Pride) and meika johnson (Queer Centre Comox Valley).

There are also pride events this summer in Ladysmith, Parksville, Nanaimo, Langford, Saanich, Gabriola, Sidney, Tofino, Campbell River, the North Island, Qathet, Denman, Pender, and the Discovery Islands.

Check out this handy list to learn about events in your community.

We love Tofino, but it’s not the only part of the island that’s worth a vacation! If you’re planning to stay local this summer, why not check out a less famous place - like the north island? In this episode, Indigenous tourism operator Mike Willie makes the case for his home territory. He talks about what you can see when you head out from Port McNeill or Port Hardy.

People who use handyDART in Greater Victoria say it’s getting harder and harder to book the rides they need, and they were hearing from staff it was because of service reductions. BC Transit says there have been no cuts - but users are still hitting roadblocks. We try to figure out why. HandyDART is public transit for people who can’t use the conventional bus due to disability.

For the past decade islanders have only elected NDP and Green members of parliament. But in the next federal government, the island will be represented by 3 Conservative MPs, 2 Liberals, 1 NDP and 1 Green. On this episode we look at what’s behind the shift, and hear from some of the election winners: Tamara Kronis, Aaron Gunn, Will Greaves, Stephanie McLean, Gord Johns and Elizabeth May. They talk about tariffs, affordability, housing, public safety, the opioid crisis, support for the resource sector and military members, and cross-party cooperation.

You’re likely getting used to seeing alternatives to plastic: cloth bags, paper straws, wooden utensils. But in this week’s episode we’ll hear about a B.C. group looking to make plastic out of seaweed, for use in the agriculture industry.

Want to hear more about the emerging seaweed industry on the island? Check out another column from Imaginative Scientist Moronke Harris.

The federal election is less than two weeks away, but many voters on the island are struggling to decide how to vote. For some it’s down to Liberal versus Conservative, for others NDP versus Liberal, for some it’s still a total toss up. We’ll hear from folks in Esquimalt, Campbell River, Ucluelet, and more about what issues have them stuck.