In Episode 8, we sit down and have a chat with long-serving MLA Nicholas Simons, representing the riding of Powell River-Sunshine Coast. Having served as MLA for 19 years in both opposition and government, he's currently serving as the NDP caucus chair, and has also spent time as the Minister for Social Development and Poverty Reduction. We talk about a few of the things he's most proud of over the years, as well as several of the issues that local government and the Province share together.

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In Episode 7, we discuss the annual Union of BC Municipalities conference that occurred back in September. It's a lot of hustle and bustle between meetings and sessions, but we still found time to record an interview with Cindy Solda, a Councillor with the city of Port Alberni. We also introduce a friend of the podcast, Justine Gabias, the rural Director for Halfmoon Bay, and discuss how we plan to move forward as a new team of three on podcast production.

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In Episode 6, we continue our exploration of communications with Aidan Buckley, the Manager of Communications and Engagement at the Sunshine Coast Regional District. We chat about the effect that meaningful engagement can have for residents, but more than just meaningful engagement, what are some of the ways that local government staff and officials can go wrong when it comes to social media? And does local government have a place on a platform like Tik Tok?

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In Episode 5 of Locally Speaking, we chat with Donna McMahon, Area E Director and Vice-Chair of the Sunshine Coast Regional District about the Regional District model, what kinds of services Regional Districts find themselves taking on (including "Health Services"), and how the model differs from municipalities. We'll also talk about generational equity, and discuss ways of furthering engagement with residents. Donna does a great job of communicating out to residents, and you can see examples of that on her website, https://everythingelphinstone.ca.

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In this Episode, Brenda and Alton talk a little bit about our holidays coming up, what we've been up to, and where we're looking to go in 2023 with Locally Speaking. See you in January 2023, and Happy Holidays to you and yours!

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In this Episode, we make an attempt to talk through transparency. The word is often bandied about during election campaigns, and everyone -wants- improved transparency, but is it even possible? How can a municipality be all things to all people and still get any work done? We also talk through some basic points out of a research paper that was done in the US regarding transparency in municipalities. By the time we finish our conversation in this episode, it's quite clear to us that there will be a Part 2 to this conversation at some point.

The report referenced during our conversation on this episode can be found at shorturl.at/ntFS1

We had to take a small gap due to our regular duties in Local Government. Don't worry, we're in this for the long haul! Join the conversation on our Facebook Page, or send us an email at [email protected]

In Episode Three, Brenda and Alton chat with Sarah Fowler, a Councillor for the Village of Tahsis on Vancouver Island, about some of the challenges of living and governing in a small town. It's not just challenges though, because we also talk about the sense of community that people in small towns develop, and some of the ways BC's municipalities and Regional Districts band together to advocate for change with the Province, through associations like AVICC and UBCM. 

Sarah also hosts her own podcast, #waterfowl, and we encourage you to check it out as well.

In Episode Two, Brenda and Alton chat with CAO Dean McKinley of the Sunshine Coast Regional District about what post-election transitions look like across British Columbia. Find out how an aspiring music teacher decided to make the switch into local government, learn a bit more about how locally elected Councils and Boards can work better with their peers, what does it take for a Council or Board to truly lose the training wheels when it comes time to making decisions, and how does all of this affect the staff who keep our communities moving smoothly?