Adam Stirling: The Podcast

CTV’s Rob Buffam sits in for Adam Stirling. Dr. Jennifer Lush, Victoria Family Physician joins the program to speak about doctor shortage crisis and a World Family Doctor Day rally planned for tomorrow outside of Legislature. Dr. Lush notes that without a complete system overhaul, we may continue to see doctors changing practices or leaving B.C. Additionally, Dr. Lush acknowledges that privatizing health care is not likely the solution but rather a hybrid model could be more effective.

CTV’s Rob Buffam sits in for Adam Stirling. Mayco Noël, mayor of Ucluelet joins the program to chat with Rob about illegal camping in the Tofino/Ucluelet area as well as Ucluelet’s health care services. Mayor Noël notes that illegal campers have been leaving significant amounts of garbage and trash that is left for the local community members to clean up. Mayor Noël also talks about the current state of Ucluelet’s healthcare facility as the business model for the clinic has been detrimental. 

CTV’s Rob Buffam sits in for Adam Stirling. Curtis Pelletier, Victoria Harbourcats General Manager provides an update on the HarbourCats season opener on May 31st and notes that they are looking to hire several new staff members. Then, Ann Chabert, Canadian Blood Services, Local Territory Manager speaks with Rob about how Canadian Blood Services are seeking more donations of all kinds of blood. Chabert also answers various questions from listeners about the process of donating blood.

CTV’s Rob Buffam sits in for Adam Stirling. Dr. Elizabeth Saewyc, UBC School of Nursing & Director of the Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Centre (SARAVYC) joins the program to speak with Rob about International Day Against Homophobia. Dr. Saewyc notes that today aims to combat homophobia, transphobia and biphobia, which people, especially youth, in B.C. are still the subject of. Additionally, Dr. Saewyc stresses that youth experiencing discrimination have higher rates of depression and thoughts of suicide and are more likely to face substance use problems. Next, Rory Kulmala, president of Vancouver Island Construction Association chats with Rob about development projects throughout the Greater Victoria Area. Kulmala acknowledges that the number of building permits value has gone up about 65% from last year. Kulmala notes that most of the new developments will be residential and commercial spaces will follow.

CTV’s Rob Buffam sits in for Adam Stirling. Armel Castellan, meteorologist, Environment and Climate Change Canada joins the program to chat with Rob about the unusual weather we have been experiencing on Vancouver Island. Castellan notes that the weather we have been experiencing during May is unprecedented  and we are likely to get more cold days before it starts warming up. Afterwards, Dr. Bella Hughan, North Vancouver Family Physician speaks with Rob about the doctor shortage crisis in B.C. Dr. Hughan notes that if governments funded primary care more effectively then ultimately, the government will save funding on secondary care. Dr. Hughan also acknowledges that a solution to addressing doctor shortages is to compensate physicians for their time spent with patients compared to flat rates per patients.

CTV’s Rob Buffam sits in for Adam Stirling. Kris Sims, BC Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation joins the program to speak to Rob about the rising gas prices and the new plan to rebuild of the Royal B.C Museum. Sims notes that B.C currently has two carbon gases and combined add up to approximately $0.28 per liter of gasoline and even more for deiseal. Sims hopes that the province will scrap certain taxes to help relieve the stress on British Columbians. Afterwards, Jeff Bray, executive director, Downtown Victoria Business Association chats with Rob about the recent incidents in downtown Victoria as large groups of youth have been causing mayhem. Bray stresses that a big contributing factor is the fact that, unfortunately, parents are unaware of what their children may be doing until they come home in the “back of a squad car”.

CTV’s Rob Buffam sits in for Adam Stirling. Armel Castellan, meteorologist, Environment and Climate Change Canada joins the program to chat with Rob about the unusual weather we have been experiencing on Vancouver Island. Castellan notes that the weather we have been experiencing during May is unprecedented  and we are likely to get more cold days before it starts warming up. 

CTV’s Rob Buffam sits in for Adam Stirling. Jeff Bray, executive director, Downtown Victoria Business Association chats with Rob about the recent incidents in downtown Victoria as large groups of youth have been causing mayhem. Bray stresses that a big contributing factor is the fact that, unfortunately, parents are unaware of what their children may be doing until they come home in the “back of a squad car”. 

CTV’s Rob Buffam sits in for Adam Stirling. Dr. Elizabeth Saewyc, UBC School of Nursing & Director of the Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Centre (SARAVYC) joins the program to speak with Rob about International Day Against Homophobia. Dr. Saewyc notes that today aims to combat homophobia, transphobia and biphobia, which people, especially youth, in B.C. are still the subject of. Additionally, Dr. Saewyc stresses that youth experiencing discrimination have higher rates of depression and thoughts of suicide and are more likely to face substance use problems. 

CTV’s Rob Buffam sits in for Adam Stirling. Rory Kulmala, president of Vancouver Island Construction Association chats with Rob about development projects throughout the Greater Victoria Area. Kulmala acknowledges that the number of building permits value has gone up about 65% from last year. Kulmala notes that most of the new developments will be residential and commercial spaces will follow.