Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Mike, Geoff… and Kate(!) preside over the Hotel Pacifico Holiday Extravaganza.  Political observers Justin McElroy and Richard Zussman look back on the main political stories of the year and politicians to watch.  Former BC Premier Mike Harcourt drops in to talk about the year that was and looks ahead to 2026.  Hot on his heels is former BC Premier Christy Clark who discusses the state of ‘free enterprise’ in BC and the upcoming BC Conservative leadership race.  Then Vancouver-Kingsway MP and national interim leader of the NDP, Don Davies, visits Hotel Pacifico as part of his national comedy tour (okay, now we are joking) following his highly praised address to the annual Ottawa Press Gallery Dinner (and we have clips).  Davies talks about the state of the NDP and how it’s time to refocus on the needs and concerns of working people.  

The co-hosts retire to the mini-bar for final thoughts on an exciting year in politics in BC and Canada.  All the best to our listeners for the holidays and the new year. Ho Ho Ho.

🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.

Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.

Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Mike & Geoff are joined by press gallery legend Vaughn Palmer to review the BC politics landscape.  Topics include the Cowichan ruling, transparency and secrecy, the issues to watch in 2026, and a tour of BC’s political parties and their prospects.  

In Strategy Suite, Geoff and Mike unveil the “12 Substacks of Christmas”.  Given that they don’t do math good, Geoff and Mike actually provide more than 12.  Substack pics include: The Real Story with Terry Glavin, Vanity & Learning by Allan Gregg, Northern Beat edited by Fran Yanor, Blindingly Obvious by Don Wright, Charlie Don’t Tweet by Charlie Demers, Law for Breakfast by Prof. Dwight Newman, Without Diminishment co-founded by Caroline Elliott, Writings from Lulu Island by Jane Gallo, Khelsilem’s substack, AdamOlsen.ca, Claire Rattee’s substack, Just and Reasonable by Richard Mason, The Breaker with Bob Mackin, The Bureau with Sam Cooper, Relay with Kyla Ronellenfitsch, and the Pollara substack feat. Matt Smith, Dan Arnold, and Andre Turcotte.  And don’t forget, Lotusland by Geoff Meggs! 

🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.

Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.

Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and Port of Vancouver.

Mike & Geoff conduct an "exit interview" with former BC Conservative leader John Rustad.  Fresh from his decision to step down last week, Rustad reflects on the meteoric rise of his party, almost taking power in 2024, and the rocky road he has traveled since then.  He makes it clear he has more to say and do as MLA and discusses his stand on DRIPA and private property rights.

In the Strategy Suite, the hosts are joined by veteran campaigner Gurpreet Vinning.  They chew over the Canada/Alberta MOU, the recent Court decision concerning DRIPA and how a legislative debate on the topic will unfold, and BC Conservative leadership dynamics with the chatter at full speed but no candidates in the starting blocks… yet. 

🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.

Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.

Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

This week, Mike and Geoff welcome Alberta’s 19th Premier, the Honourable Danielle Smith, to Hotel Pacifico. Premier Smith makes her case for a bitumen pipeline to the West Coast. She outlines the MOU she signed with Prime Minister Carney,  Alberta-BC relations, how Alberta plans to work with BC First Nations, and her vision for how a sovereign Alberta can exist within a united Canada.

In the Strategy Suite, Geoff and Mike welcome back polling expert and Conservative strategist Dimitri Pantazopoulos to unpack the frenetic events leading up to John Rustad’s resignation as leader of the BC Conservatives. The trio speculates on who will throw their hats into the ring for leadership and aspects of the leadership process.

🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.

Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.

Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and Port of Vancouver.

Mike & Geoff interview BC business leader Ryan Beedie (CEO, Beedie) to discuss the state of BC’s economy, views on the real estate market, mining, BC politics, and his Beedie Luminaries initiative that provides scholarships to BC students. 

In the Strategy Suite, Mike & Geoff dish it out on the BC-Alberta-Canada oil pipeline debate, discuss the outlook for BC Conservatives, and the NDP’s Look West economic strategy.

🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.

Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.

Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and Port of Vancouver.

Mike and Geoff welcome back Global BC’s outgoing legislative correspondent Richard Zussman as he sets sail for new horizons. Richard reflects on his time at the Legislature covering the major stories of the past decade and answers some short snappers on the personalities that stood out.

In the Strategy Suite, Mike and Geoff welcome former BC Liberal comms director Carlie Pochynok for a discussion on the federal budget vote, major projects, Looking West, and the recent BC NDP Convention.

🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.

Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.

Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, BC Dairy and Port of Vancouver.

With Mike away, Geoff will play. And with the B.C. NDP’s convention coming up this weekend, Geoff welcomes NDP veteran Raj Sihota for a deep dive. Leadership review coming? Snap election?

Then two sharp-eyed Leg reporters , CBC’s Katie Derosa and CP’s Wolfgang Depner, join Geoff to tell us what they’re seeing in the strife-torn Opposition, with demands for John Rustad’s resignation, a new Green leader finding her feet and much more.

🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.

Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.

Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, BC Dairy and Port of Vancouver.

This week, Mike and Geoff leave no Stone unturned - Todd Stone, that is. The CEO of  the Association for Mineral Exploration (AMEBC) and former BC Liberal/United MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson checks into Hotel Pacifico for a one-year “wellness check” since leaving politics. The three dig into modern mineral exploration in BC, what it’s like lobbying the provincial government from the outside, and his advice for those considering a future in politics.  Stone serves up some nuggets. 

In the Strategy Suite, Geoff and Mike welcome back public affairs consultant and political commentator Maeghan Dewar. Together, they discuss the possibility of a snap election in BC, Premier Eby’s U-turn on his  ad campaign targeting US decision-makers, and what the latest Angus Reid poll reveals about public opinion on reconciliation. Also, they consider whether the Green Party’s new strategy to raise taxes on the rich will lead to electoral fortunes.

🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.

Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.

Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, BCGEU, BC Dairy and Port of Vancouver.

This week, a special guest returns to the hotel – the 37th Premier of British Columbia, Hon. David Eby. Geoff and Mike talk with the Premier about the year that was and what’s changed since the 2024 election. They discuss challenges with the deficit and resourcing in healthcare, how BC is following Ontario’s lead with a new ad campaign targeting President Trump’s tariffs, and what landowners can expect from the government following the Cowichan Decision. 

In the Strategy Suite, Mike and Geoff are joined by hotel regular and Conservative political advisor Kory Teneycke. The trio chew over the Trump Trade War, the impact of Ontario’s ad on both sides of the border, and whether all Conservative parties are doomed to succumb to infighting.

🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.

Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.

Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, BCGEU, BC Dairy and Port of Vancouver.

This week, Geoff and Mike welcome Tamara Vrooman, CEO of YVR, Chancellor of SFU, and former Deputy Minister of BC’s Finance Ministry. Together, they discuss YVR’s role in trade, the increasing role of air cargo, and what BC needs to do to attract investment and get on track.    

In the Strategy Suite, Mike and Geoff analyze the latest polling on BC politics, dig into letters of warning from the Mayor of Richmond to landowners about the Cowichan decision, review the mass resignation of ob-gyns in Kamloops, and discuss Vince Ready coming to the rescue in the BCGEU negotiations. There’s also a visit from a surprise guest who is launching a new BC-based publication.

🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.

Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.

Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.