Skyrocketing costs this year have led to an increase in B.C.'s Living Wage to cover the high costs of rent, food and other essentials, Our guest is Anastasia French, Living Wage for Families BC provincial manager and co-author of the 2023 Living Wage report. In our second half, we discuss the use of artificial intelligence in the arts, including the new Beatles' song "Now and Then". Our guests are University of British Columbia PhD student Guanzhong Du, and Arne Eigenfeldt, Professor and Associate Dean of Simon Fraser University's Music and Sound program.

Living wage for 2023 and the use of artificial intelligence in the arts

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.

News

Donald Trump is angrily denouncing his guilty verdicts as a 'disgrace' and tells reporters he is an 'innocent man'. Our guest Christopher J. Galdieri, political science professor at Saint Anselm College, and our callers weigh in on the situation. Then, we brought you live coverage of the Vancouver police news conference on an arson investigation at Vancouver's Scahra Tzedeck Synagogue. Then In our Road to Recovery series, we have heard many questions about what the provincial government is doing to support people with addiction. We put some of those questions to B.C. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside.

Trump's guilty verdict | Synagogue arson investigation | Road to Recovery series

A national task force is advising against routine breast screenings starting at age 40. We ask viewers if they agree with the advice, and hear analysis from Dr. Paula Gordon, clinical professor in UBC's department of radiology. And, The City of Vancouver is considering selling naming rights to public parks and other city-owned assets to generate money. Mayor Ken Sim says talks with interested parties could happen this fall. The CBC's Chad Pawson joins us to explain the story, and we hear from viewers about corporate names for public spaces.

Breast cancer screening guidelines | Selling naming rights to public spaces

Federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser joins us to take your questions about housing policy. And, a new report from the B.C. coroner shows an increasing number of children and youth are dying due to toxic drugs. Guest Danya Fast, research scientist at the BC Centre on Substance Use and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia joins us to discuss what's behind the numbers, how to talk to your kids, and what supports we need in place to protect children and youth.

Federal housing minister takes your calls | Youth drug deaths increasing

The emergency department at Chetwynd Hospital has closed again, due to what Northern Health describes as "ongoing physician coverage challenges". Many other rural emergency rooms in B.C. have faced similar closures in recent years. Dr. Gord McInnis, emergency doctor and president of the Section of Emergency Medicine of Doctors of B.C. joined us and took your calls. And, Season 2 of a documentary series showcasing the work of the North Shore Rescue team premieres tonight on the Knowledge Network. Mike Danks, North Shore Rescue Team Leader, and Behzad Saffari, North Shore Rescue team member.

Rural ER closures | North Shore Rescue docu-series

Fort Nelson, B.C., residents return home as evacuation order is lifted. We hear from returning evacuees, and the region's mayor, Rob Fraser. And, the completion dates for the Broadway Subway and Pattullo Bridge projects have both been delayed for another year. Our guest Neil Wyles, Mount Pleasant BIA executive director, discusses the latest information and relays how the Broadway Subway project delay impacts residents and businesses.

Living wage for 2023 and the use of artificial intelligence in the arts

Download our free app to listen on your phone