Mornings with Simi

Mayor Sim toured Naomi Place - a well-run supportive housing unit in Vancouver. This is ahead of the Mayor’s no-net-new supportive housing motion that is coming to council on February 26th.

Guest: Ken Sim - Mayor of Vancouver

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Vaughn begins the segment reacting to the recent high-speed rail announcement. Why can't we seem to get it right?

But the big topic of the day: Breaking down yesterday's throne speech!

Plus a quick discussion on the cultural impact of sunglasses.

Guest: Vaughn Palmer - Vancouver Sun Columnist

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Sunglasses, an everyday accessory often taken for granted, have a fascinating history that spans centuries.

From their earliest forms—Inuit snow goggles designed to prevent snow blindness—to medieval Chinese quartz lenses used to conceal facial expressions, sunglasses have evolved significantly over time.

Guest: Vanessa Brown - Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University and author of “Cool Shades: The History and Meaning of Sunglasses”

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Seg 1: Is the US positioned for another 9/11?

Seg 2: What’s behind the surge in plane crashes this month?

Seg 3: What did ancient mummies smell like?

Seg 4: How interprovincial barriers are impacting the wine industry.

Seg 5: Why are more Canadians travelling to Newfoundland?

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As tensions rise between Canada and the U.S. over a potential trade war, Newfoundland and Labrador sees an opportunity to attract travelers who would typically head south.

With U.S. President Trump threatening tariffs and annexation, some Canadians are reconsidering vacations to the U.S.

Destination St. John’s CEO Paul Buggé highlights the province’s welcoming culture, safety, and unique attractions, which make it an appealing destination for both Canadian and American tourists.

Guest: Paul Buggé - CEO of Destination St. John’s

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Between January 29 and February 17, 2025, North America has experienced six major aviation disasters, resulting in a total of 85 fatalities.

These incidents mark the deadliest period in US aviation in over a decade, as there had been no fatal commercial airline crashes in the country since 2009.

Guest: Dr. David Woods - Professor of Cognitive Systems Engineering and Human Systems Integration at Ohio State University

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B.C.’s Singletree Winery, near Abbotsford airport, attracts Ontario visitors but cannot ship wine directly to them due to interprovincial trade barriers.

While a new agreement allows B.C. wineries to sell directly to Alberta consumers, other provinces, including Ontario, still require purchases through government-controlled liquor boards, leading to high markups.

Guest: Debbie Etsell - Owner of Singletree Winery in Abbotsford

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Former Canadian intelligence official Dan Stanton warns that recent cuts to U.S. intelligence agencies under the Trump administration could make the country vulnerable to another 9/11-style attack, with implications for Canada as well.

Guest: Dan Stanton - Director of the National Security Program at the University of Ottawa and Former Executive Director of CSIS

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The BC legislature are finally meeting after a 9-month hiatus. What can we expect to be discussed in this long-awaited session?

Guest: Vaughn Palmer - Vancouver Sun Columnist

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The field of sensory heritage focuses on how we engage with heritage objects through senses beyond vision, such as smell, which is often overlooked in museum conservation.

Researchers are developing methods to preserve culturally significant smells, with projects like recreating the scent of St. Paul’s Cathedral’s library and the “Odeuropa” project, which explored the smells of 17th-century Europe.

A recent project involved studying mummified bodies from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and Slovenia’s national museum.

Guest: Dr. Cecilia Bembibre - Lecturer in Sustainable Heritage at University College London

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