BC Today

By CBC

What's BC Today about?

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.

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BC Today episodes:

04.18.2024
Trans Mountain pipeline sale | Rural homelessness in B.C.
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...
04.17.2024
Reaction to budget housing plan | Funding for national disability benefit
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...
04.16.2024
'Generational fairness' in the federal budget | Resiliency for teens
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...
04.15.2024
Sombre 8th anniversary of poisoned drug crisis | TED Talks' 10th anniversary
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...
04.12.2024
Killer whale rescue underway | Pet adoption in B.C.
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;...
04.11.2024
Alleged drug use at hospitals | Being single in B.C.
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...
04.10.2024
Surrey rejects $250M for police transition | Eid al-Fitr | Online gambling
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...
04.09.2024
Stricter rules for tent cities | Civil discourse and polarization
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...
04.08.2024
The solar eclipse and live coverage of the moment of totality in Canada
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,...
04.05.2024
Why do people choose to leave B.C.? | Brian Minter takes your gardening questions
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
04.04.2024
Calls for Quesnel mayor to step down | What is B.C.'s best bird?
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...
04.03.2024
Taiwan earthquake | Meeting B.C.'s growing energy need | Addiction recovery homes
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...
04.02.2024
Province proposes new rental protections | Novel explores life of child with ADHD
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...
03.28.2024
Ottawa's 'renters’ bill of rights' | Ask an astronaut your space questions
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,...
03.27.2024
Be 'bear aware' this year | Is there a health-care worker you'd like to thank?
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,...
03.26.2024
Baltimore bridge collapse | What are the struggles and successes of B.C. youth?
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...
03.25.2024
CRAB Park update | 2024 Junos | Call in with your best 'fun facts'
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...
03.22.2024
On World Water Day, what does water access mean to you? | Travelling with pets
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...
03.21.2024
Are pensions keeping up with the cost of living? | World Down Syndrome Day
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...
03.20.2024
More EV charging stations | World Happiness Report | Decluttering and heirlooms
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 —...
03.19.2024
BC Today, March. 19: Preparing for drought and wildfire season | Favourite spots on Vancouver Island
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...
03.18.2024
Top issues in B.C. this election year | Online video-game safety
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...
03.15.2024
Your favourite spring break memories | Spring gardening with Brian Minter
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...
03.14.2024
Backlogs in breast cancer screening | Varying views on short-term rental rules
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...
03.13.2024
Should B.C. keep gifted-student programs? | First steps in pharmacare plan
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,...
03.12.2024
How have recent temperatures affected you? | U.S. considers another TikTok ban
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...
03.11.2024
Safer supply and the drug trade | Why do we still have daylight time?
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...
03.08.2024
On International Women's Day, what does feminism mean to you?; What's your all-time favourite Oscar-winning movie?
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...
03.07.2024
Selina Robinson on why she's leaving the NDP caucus; The push to get more women in the trades
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...
03.06.2024
Outrage follows revalations over affordable housing program abuse;
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...
03.05.2024
It's Super Tuesday, a critical day in U.S. politics; Has the province made enough progress on $10-a-day childcare?
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...
03.04.2024
Some municipalities push back against short-term rental rules; Would you split the cost of a home with friends or family?
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...
03.01.2024
Your memories of Brian Mulroney; Brian Minter Friday
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...
02.29.2024
Ottawa unveils national pharmacare plan; IVF coverage coming to B.C.
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland has released the long-awaited details for a national pharmacare plan. We talk to a family physician who thinks the legislation doesn't go far enough. Next, amid an increase in demand for IVF treatment, the province...
02.28.2024
Impact of comedy show's mocking of victims of Robert Pickton
The fallout continues after Alberta comedy act Danger Cats took their Robert Pickton t-shirts off their sales website and cancelled their upcoming appearances in Alberta, Texas and in New Westminster at Rick Bronson's House of Comedy BC. The t-shirt mocked...
02.27.2024
Vancouver report warns 4,700 could be homeless | Protecting kids from online harm
A new report by the Carnegie Housing Project says up to 1,500 more shelter beds are needed in Vancouver to address shortfalls and prevent the number of homeless people from increasing. Carnegie Housing Project manager Devin O'Leary tells us more...
02.26.2024
Flipping-tax legislation coming in spring | Child poverty rate increasing: report
Province says home-flipping tax legislation will be introduced this spring. Our guests Brendon Ogmundson, Chief Economist, BC Real Estate Association, and David Hutniak, CEO, Landlord BC, talk about the impact this may have on creating more affordable housing. Child...
02.23.2024
How costly is it to travel within Canada? | Dealing with the price of pet care
Budget airline Lynx Air is ceasing operations. With few long-distance alternatives to flying, how costly is it to travel within Canada? Our guest Mckenzie McMillan, The Travel Group travel consultant, walks us through why Canada is so challenging for budget...
02.22.2024
Budget day special: province projects record-high $7.9 billion deficit
An extended edition of BC Today will bring you full coverage of the 2024 provincial budget announcement in Victoria. Join host Michelle Eliot as we hear from stakeholders and callers from across the province on what their priorities are. After...
02.21.2024
Is B.C.'s wine industry in trouble? | For Better or For Worse author's new book
Uncorking the B.C.-Alberta wine wars: Okanagan Wine Club manager Lindsay Kaisaris joins us to discuss how smaller wineries are caught in the middle between the provinces' latest skirmishes. In our second half, we speak with ground-breaking cartoonist and writer Lynn...
02.20.2024
Renters report lower quality of life, report finds | Budgeting as a couple
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier David Eby announced new federal funding of $2 billion for new housing in B.C. We hear from Thom Armstrong, CEO, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC about the announcement. Then, we have Murray Baker; Financial...
02.16.2024
Police officer's role dooms charges in $30M drug bust | Brian Minter Friday
A massive drug case in Victoria has collapsed, with a B.C. Supreme Court judgement claiming Victoria police officers misled prosecutors and defence lawyers. Our guest Wade Deisman, criminology professor, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, walks us through the fallout, and how this...
02.15.2024
BC Today, Feb. 15: New funding to address family violence | Celebrating Black-owned businesses
B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma joins us to announce new funding of $29.1 million over 3 years to expand access to legal aid services for people experiencing family violence. We also talk with Kim Hawkins, executive director of Rise Women's...
02.14.2024
Richmond drug consumption site | Making Valentine's dinner
Richmond city council motion over a supervised consumption site causes confusion and commotion. Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie joins us for an update. Chef Dez gives us tips for preparing a romantic Valentine's Day dinner.
02.13.2024
Plan to build more rental homes for middle-income residents | Men's mental health
The province has unveiled its latest plan under the B.C. Builds program, which will see hundreds of rental homes built and provided to middle-income earners. Our guest Stephanie Allen, principal with Adinkra Strategies, and housing and community development consultant, gives...
02.12.2024
$733M agreement for seniors' care | Teaching young athletes about consent
B.C.Health Minister Adrian Dix and federal Health Minister Mark Holland announced a $733 million agreement for seniors health are. We review the agreement with Isobel Mackenzie, B.C.'s seniors' advocate. We get an update from CBC news reporter Chad Pawson on...
02.09.2024
Sparse snowpack fuels drought fears | Lunar New Year | The role of assistance dogs
Sparse snowpack levels across B.C. are raising fears of severe drought this year. We speak with B.C.'s Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen, Regional Chief Terry Teegee, B.C. Assembly of First Nations, and Erica Gies, author of...
02.08.2024
Premier slams Bell Media cuts | Low snowpacks | CBC pottery series debuts
- Premier David Eby has criticized Bell Media's parent company after another round of layoffs, the sale of 45 radio stations and planned cuts to CTV News and Bloomberg. We speak with Barry Link, chair of Langara's journalism program about...
02.07.2024
BC Today, Feb. 7: How to talk to kids about online safety | Celebrating Black Canadian authors
After charges were laid against a man in Nigeria over the death of a Surrey teenager in a case of sextortion, we discuss the disturbing trend and how to protect children online with our guests Jesse Miller, founder of Mediated...
02.06.2024
Reaction to Selina Robinson stepping down | How romance scammers trick victims
Our guests Ezra Shanken, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Vancouver, and Rabbi Dan Moscovitz, Senior Rabbi of Temple Sholom in Vancouver share their views on NDP MLA Selina Robinson stepping down as B.C. cabinet minister over comments on the...

What's BC Today about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

BC Today episodes:

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

Reaction to budget housing plan | Funding for national disability benefit

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

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

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

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

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

Stricter rules for tent cities | Civil discourse and polarization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your favourite spring break memories | Spring gardening with Brian Minter

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

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

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

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

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

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

Outrage follows revalations over affordable housing program abuse;

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

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

Your memories of Brian Mulroney; Brian Minter Friday

Ottawa unveils national pharmacare plan; IVF coverage coming to B.C.

Impact of comedy show's mocking of victims of Robert Pickton

Vancouver report warns 4,700 could be homeless | Protecting kids from online harm

Flipping-tax legislation coming in spring | Child poverty rate increasing: report

How costly is it to travel within Canada? | Dealing with the price of pet care

Budget day special: province projects record-high $7.9 billion deficit

Is B.C.'s wine industry in trouble? | For Better or For Worse author's new book

Renters report lower quality of life, report finds | Budgeting as a couple

Police officer's role dooms charges in $30M drug bust | Brian Minter Friday

BC Today, Feb. 15: New funding to address family violence | Celebrating Black-owned businesses

Richmond drug consumption site | Making Valentine's dinner

Plan to build more rental homes for middle-income residents | Men's mental health

$733M agreement for seniors' care | Teaching young athletes about consent

Sparse snowpack fuels drought fears | Lunar New Year | The role of assistance dogs

Premier slams Bell Media cuts | Low snowpacks | CBC pottery series debuts

BC Today, Feb. 7: How to talk to kids about online safety | Celebrating Black Canadian authors

Reaction to Selina Robinson stepping down | How romance scammers trick victims