Conversations That Matter

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Synopsis

Beyond the Headlines, an in-depth, one on one conversation on the issues shaping our future.

Episodes

  • Ep 475 -  Rent Control: A Blunt Tool Guest: David Hutniak

    09/12/2023 Duration: 26min

    Ep 475 -  Rent Control: A Blunt Tool Guest: David Hutniak By Stuart McNish   Housing affordability is a North American-wide issue. In the U.S., only seven states and Washington, D.C. have imposed rent controls as a measure to address housing affordability. Only seven states – largely because it is believed they don't work. In a poll conducted by the American Economic Association, 93% of its members agreed that a ceiling on rent controls reduces the quality and quantity of housing.   David Hutniak, the CEO of Landlord B.C., in a recent letter to Premier Eby, said, “Rent control is a flagship political tool and a promise that is far more complex than it first appears. It is not the comprehensive form of tenant protection it is billed to be. It is commonly accepted that rent controls benefit current tenants. It does so at the expense of future ones.”   Hutniak further pointed out that rent control is a blunt tool that continually delivers negative blows to the British Columbian rental housing market. Tenants and

  • Ep 474 -  How Markets Shape Cities Guest: Alain Bertaud

    09/12/2023 Duration: 34min

    Ep 474 -  How Markets Shape Cities Guest: Alain Bertaud By Stuart McNish   What is a city and why does it exist? That may seem like a simple question but according to Alain Bertaud, the author of “Order Without Design: How Markets Shape Cities,” the answer is “not merely to house people but rather accommodate labour markets.” He goes on to acknowledge, “People are the most important part. They are the main attraction.”   The challenge for city planners, argues Bertaud, is that “they run into the interdependence between state and markets and the tension that results when allocating resources.” When facilitating the needs of markets, Bertaud contends that “planners are focused on building codes and architecture and not the needs of markets.” He says that planners need to work with urban economists.   We invited Alain Bertaud, the author of “Order Without Design: How Markets Shape Cities,” to join us for a Conversation That Matters about how markets shape our cities.    Learn More about our guests career at care

  • Ep 473 - The Looming Great Relocation Guest: Laura Alfaro

    09/12/2023 Duration: 24min

    Ep 473 - The Looming Great Relocation Guest: Laura Alfaro By Stuart McNish   “Nearshoring, friendshoring and onshoring” are terms that are becoming common in reference to moves within the United States to address a number of issues associated with global value chains. According to co-author Laura Alfaro of a paper that was prepared for the Jackson Hole Symposium in 2023, there is a, “Looming Great Relocation” on the horizon.   Alfaro says, “The evidence is clear – the US reliance on China peaked in 2017. The introduction of tariffs by President Trump, the continued application of those tariffs by President Biden, and the ongoing power play between the two countries has brought about changes to distribution channels.”    According to Alfaro, “Vietnam and Mexico have and [will] continue to rise in prominence as preferred trading partners. And while Canada has slipped over the past 30 years, it still remains a strong trading partner.”   We invited Laura Alfaro of the Harvard Business School to join us for a Conv

  • Ep 472 - The Importance of Workplace Accessibility Guest: Joel Dembe

    09/12/2023 Duration: 24min

    Ep 472 - The Importance of Workplace Accessibility Guest: Joel Dembe By Stuart McNish   “Accessibility” is a word that you hear more of, and for good reason. Canadian Paralympian Joel Dembe says, “Being accessible is essential when creating a strong and inclusive workplace and society. And it's good business. It’s good business in so many ways – namely it’s good for the bottom line.”     According to Jason Keck, the CEO and Co-Founder of Broker Buddha, “Diverse and inclusive companies are 35% more likely to surpass their competitors.” Joel Dembe adds, “Companies with diverse workplaces are six times more likely to be innovative and anticipate choppy headwaters and then adapt to meet new opportunities.”   According to the Web Accessibility Platform, AudioEye, “more than 1.3 billion people, that’s one in six people who live with some type of a disability.” Joel Dembe points out, “ I often tell business leaders we have to see disability as an economic opportunity.”   We invited tennis and accessibility champion

  • Ep 471 - The Great Remobilization Guest: Olaf Groth

    09/12/2023 Duration: 25min

    Ep 471 - The Great Remobilization Guest: Olaf Groth By Stuart McNish   “In August 2022, when central bankers from around the world gathered for their annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a consensus emerged that the current methods for managing business cycles are woefully insufficient for managing today’s current economic and societal crises.” says Olaf Groth, one of the authors of a new book, “The Great Remobilization.”    “We have the energy crisis. We have the food crisis,” continues Groth. “We have the supply chain crisis and we have the war in Ukraine, all of which have profound implications for the economic performance of the world.”    The book goes on to say the limited abilities of bankers and governments to address large-scale issues demand a new way of addressing challenges. Groth says, “The stakes have never been higher. Incremental changes won’t work. We need step-change redesigns of our global frameworks.”   We invited Olaf Groth, one of the co-authors of “The Great Remobilization,” to join

  • Ep 470 - The Reasonableness of Being Unreasonable Guest: Bob Stamnes

    09/12/2023 Duration: 24min

    Ep 470 - The Reasonableness of Being Unreasonable Guest: Bob Stamnes By Stuart McNish   “The logic of being unreasonable sounds like an oxymoron,” says Bob Stamnes, one of Canada’s most creative ad Execs. “Unless, of course, you know exactly why you are being unreasonable.” According to the Oxford Dictionary, logic is “reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity.”    Stamnes says, “Unreasonable logic is when you stick to the facts and make sensible conclusions where others leap to emotionally safe decisions. Reasonable people will always come up with reasons why new or different approaches can’t be done because, after all, no one else has done it that way. Those people are doomed to live in the age of average.”   Stamnes says, “To lift yourself out of average and become unreasonable, you need to commit to being creative, funny, seductive, outrageous or outraged.” Stamnes says to reshape your thinking by “changing what’s cool, what’s normal, and change what people aspire to do.” 

  • Ep 469 - Boosting scientific innovations in British Columbia

    15/10/2023 Duration: 25min

    Ep 469 - Boosting scientific innovations in British Columbia Guest: Brenda Bailey By Stuart McNish   In April of 2023, the government of British Columbia announced a new life sciences and biomedical strategy. The objective is to position BC as a global hub in these sectors. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey says, “We’re boosting our world-class talent, innovators, entrepreneurs and anchor companies to create high-quality jobs.”   The Minister’s claim about world-class talent is backed up by the fact that almost every COVID-19 vaccine candidate that reached late-stage development was either initiated, developed or manufactured by a BC company or scientist. Minister Bailey says, “We are focused on building on these made-in-BC accomplishments.”   We invited Minister Bailey to join us for a Conversation That Matters about BC’s strategy to build a vibrant life sciences, biomedical and high-tech base that will help to reshape our future. Learn More about our guests career at car

  • Ep 468 - The electric helicopter revolution

    15/10/2023 Duration: 23min

    Ep 468 - The electric helicopter revolution Guest: Danny Sitnam By Stuart McNish   Can we achieve liftoff of electric helicopter passenger service? Danny Sitnam, the President and Founder of Helijet says, "Yes we can! But…"   The “but…” Sitnam refers to is, in fact, many “yes, but”s. Yes, helicopters can be powered by electricity – but the power plant for helicopters still needs to be built. Yes, batteries can carry enough of a charge to fly from Vancouver to Victoria – but the weight will eliminate a number of seats. Yes “we can” – but regulations need to change.   Sitnam says, "These are challenges that we can address and overcome. No – WILL overcome." It may still be years before you’ll be able to hop onto an electric helicopter for a quieter and a low carbon intense flight to Victoria, but those flights will be arriving.     We invited Danny Sitnam of Helijet to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the process of flying in electric vertical-takeoff and -landing aircraft.   Learn More about our gu

  • Ep 473 - The Looming Great Relocation

    15/10/2023 Duration: 24min

    Ep 473 - The Looming Great Relocation Guest: Laura Alfaro By Stuart McNish   “Nearshoring, friendshoring and onshoring” are terms that are becoming common in reference to moves within the United States to address a number of issues associated with global value chains. According to co-author Laura Alfaro of a paper that was prepared for the Jackson Hole Symposium in 2023, there is a, “Looming Great Relocation” on the horizon.   Alfaro says, “The evidence is clear – the US reliance on China peaked in 2017. The introduction of tariffs by President Trump, the continued application of those tariffs by President Biden, and the ongoing power play between the two countries has brought about changes to distribution channels.”    According to Alfaro, “Vietnam and Mexico have and [will] continue to rise in prominence as preferred trading partners. And while Canada has slipped over the past 30 years, it still remains a strong trading partner.”   We invited Laura Alfaro of the Harvard Business School to join us for a Conv

  • Ep 472 - The Importance of Workplace Accessibility

    15/10/2023 Duration: 24min

    Ep 472 - The Importance of Workplace Accessibility Guest: Joel Dembe By Stuart McNish   “Accessibility” is a word that you hear more of, and for good reason. Canadian Paralympian Joel Dembe says, “Being accessible is essential when creating a strong and inclusive workplace and society. And it's good business. It’s good business in so many ways – namely it’s good for the bottom line.”     According to Jason Keck, the CEO and Co-Founder of Broker Buddha, “Diverse and inclusive companies are 35% more likely to surpass their competitors.” Joel Dembe adds, “Companies with diverse workplaces are six times more likely to be innovative and anticipate choppy headwaters and then adapt to meet new opportunities.”   According to the Web Accessibility Platform, AudioEye, “more than 1.3 billion people, that’s one in six people who live with some type of a disability.” Joel Dembe points out, “ I often tell business leaders we have to see disability as an economic opportunity.”   We invited tennis and accessibility champion

  • Ep 471 - The Great Remobilization

    15/10/2023 Duration: 25min

    Ep 471 - The Great Remobilization Guest: Olaf Groth By Stuart McNish   “In August 2022, when central bankers from around the world gathered for their annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a consensus emerged that the current methods for managing business cycles are woefully insufficient for managing today’s current economic and societal crises.” says Olaf Groth, one of the authors of a new book, “The Great Remobilization.”    “We have the energy crisis. We have the food crisis,” continues Groth. “We have the supply chain crisis and we have the war in Ukraine, all of which have profound implications for the economic performance of the world.”    The book goes on to say the limited abilities of bankers and governments to address large-scale issues demand a new way of addressing challenges. Groth says, “The stakes have never been higher. Incremental changes won’t work. We need step-change redesigns of our global frameworks.”   We invited Olaf Groth, one of the co-authors of “The Great Remobilization,” to join

  • Ep 470 - The Reasonableness of Being Unreasonable

    15/10/2023 Duration: 24min

    Ep 470 - The Reasonableness of Being Unreasonable Guest: Bob Stamnes By Stuart McNish   “The logic of being unreasonable sounds like an oxymoron,” says Bob Stamnes, one of Canada’s most creative ad Execs. “Unless, of course, you know exactly why you are being unreasonable.” According to the Oxford Dictionary, logic is “reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity.”    Stamnes says, “Unreasonable logic is when you stick to the facts and make sensible conclusions where others leap to emotionally safe decisions. Reasonable people will always come up with reasons why new or different approaches can’t be done because, after all, no one else has done it that way. Those people are doomed to live in the age of average.”   Stamnes says, “To lift yourself out of average and become unreasonable, you need to commit to being creative, funny, seductive, outrageous or outraged.” Stamnes says to reshape your thinking by “changing what’s cool, what’s normal, and change what people aspire to do.” 

  • Ep 469 - Boosting scientific innovations in British Columbia

    15/10/2023 Duration: 25min

    Ep 469 - Boosting scientific innovations in British Columbia Guest: Brenda Bailey By Stuart McNish   In April of 2023, the government of British Columbia announced a new life sciences and biomedical strategy. The objective is to position BC as a global hub in these sectors. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey says, “We’re boosting our world-class talent, innovators, entrepreneurs and anchor companies to create high-quality jobs.”   The Minister’s claim about world-class talent is backed up by the fact that almost every COVID-19 vaccine candidate that reached late-stage development was either initiated, developed or manufactured by a BC company or scientist. Minister Bailey says, “We are focused on building on these made-in-BC accomplishments.”   We invited Minister Bailey to join us for a Conversation That Matters about BC’s strategy to build a vibrant life sciences, biomedical and high-tech base that will help to reshape our future. Learn More about our guests career at car

  • Ep 468 - The electric helicopter revolution

    15/10/2023 Duration: 23min

    Ep 468 - The electric helicopter revolution Guest: Danny Sitnam By Stuart McNish   Can we achieve liftoff of electric helicopter passenger service? Danny Sitnam, the President and Founder of Helijet says, "Yes we can! But…"   The “but…” Sitnam refers to is, in fact, many “yes, but”s. Yes, helicopters can be powered by electricity – but the power plant for helicopters still needs to be built. Yes, batteries can carry enough of a charge to fly from Vancouver to Victoria – but the weight will eliminate a number of seats. Yes “we can” – but regulations need to change.   Sitnam says, "These are challenges that we can address and overcome. No – WILL overcome." It may still be years before you’ll be able to hop onto an electric helicopter for a quieter and a low carbon intense flight to Victoria, but those flights will be arriving.     We invited Danny Sitnam of Helijet to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the process of flying in electric vertical-takeoff and -landing aircraft.   Learn More about our gu

  • Ep 467 - Is Canada Sinking?

    15/10/2023 Duration: 28min

    Ep 467 - Is Canada Sinking? Guest: Chris Gardner By Stuart McNish   “We’re in trouble!” says Chris Gardner. “Big trouble and it's going to get worse, much worse.” The President of the Independent Contractors of British Columbia says, “The Prime Minister and Minister of Finance work in a building 4,427 kilometres from Surrey.” He says, “They’re even further away than that from understanding the challenges facing construction contractors, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and everyday Canadians.”   Gardner makes four compelling arguments: “First - health care is a disaster. Second – our rail, port and road infrastructure has failed to keep pace with growth. Third – we are in the middle of an unprecedented housing affordability challenge. And finally – public safety is at an all-time low and sinking.” His assertions are on the heels of projections from the OECD, which states that Canada is ranked dead last among 38 advanced economies.   Gardner contends, “For Canadians looking to Ottawa to unleash the potent

  • Ep 466 - Ozempic and Weight Loss

    15/10/2023 Duration: 24min

    Ep 466 - Ozempic and Weight Loss Guest: Dr Devyn Parsons By Stuart McNish   It has been called a wonder drug for its unintended benefits to anyone wrestling with obesity. Ozempic does for obese people what their bodies can no longer do – shedding weight. Dr. Devyn Parsons, an obesity specialist, says, “Your body locks onto what it believes is your ideal weight – that, being the highest weight of your life. And it doesn’t want to let go.”   According to a study published by the American Journal of Public Health, “the odds of returning to normal weight for a man with obesity is one in 210 and, for women, one in 124. The odds worsen as weight increases.” Dr Parsons adds, “For those who do lose weight, keeping it off is an even more difficult battle. That’s because your body reprograms itself to believe that your highest weight will ward off starvation.”   We invited obesity specialist Dr. Devyn Parsons to join us for a Conversation That Matters about obesity and Ozempic.   Learn More about our guests career at c

  • Ep 465 - Seeing Street Kids’ Potential

    15/10/2023 Duration: 29min

    Ep 465 - Seeing Street Kids’ Potential Guest: Krista Thompson By Stuart McNish   “The reasons why children end up on the streets are complex. Often, their arrival represents an active decision on their part in response to serious rights violations at home,” says Moses Ogutu in “Under The Bridge: The Invisible Lives of Street Children.” Ogutu was a child of the street for five years. Today, he is an international business and trade lecturer at the African Leadership University and a 2017 Mandela Rhodes Scholar.   Ogutu’s life journey is proof that children who end up on the streets can and do rise above the challenges they face. Ogutu points out that homelessness among youth is a global problem and in each jurisdiction, the reason a child arrives on the street is individual and globally similar.   Krista Thompson, the past CEO of Vancouver’s Covenant House, agrees. “There are many successful intervention strategies that work to help young people who clearly have smarts and grit and problem-solving abilities to

  • Ep 464 - Addressing Renewable Energy’s Weak Link Guest: Matt Harper

    30/08/2023 Duration: 22min

    Ep 464 - Addressing Renewable Energy’s Weak Link Guest: Matt Harper By Stuart McNish   Will vanadium redox flow batteries address an issue that has been the Achilles’ heel of renewable energy production – how to store the power generated by wind and solar power generation? The sector has challenges, such as the inability of renewable energy sources to produce consistent on-demand power needed to supply an ever-fluctuating need.    Matt Harper of Vancouver-based Invinity Energy Systems, a leader in battery storage systems says, “Yes. And in doing so, we will be filling a significant need in jurisdictions where there is a huge increase in the amount of renewable power being generated – power that needs a home until it is required for use: places like California, Australia and Alberta.”   We invited Matt Harper to join us for a Conversation That Matters about harnessing, storing, discharging and recharging renewable energy to meet the electricity needs of the future.   Learn More about our guests career at caree

  • Ep 463 - Working Towards Ending Genocide Guest: Dr James Smith

    30/08/2023 Duration: 26min

    Ep 463 - Working Towards Ending Genocide Guest: Dr James Smith By Stuart McNish “More than 60% of the population of Rwanda was born after the genocide in 1994. They feel its effects, but have little knowledge of what caused it to happen,” says Dr. James Smith of Aegis Trust.  The ravages of genocide tear familes, communities and societies apart. Smith adds, “It takes decades of reconciliation, peace-building and support to repair the damage done, and constant vigilance to ensure it does not happen again.” Central to ensuring it doesn’t happen again is the need to help people who have no concept of peace or how to plan to start to envision a future. Dr. Smith says, “The victims of genocide spent years focused on the minutes ahead of them, relying on their wits to stay alive. Tomorrow, next week, next month never existed, so there was no need to plan or work toward a better future.” Since 2008, Aegis’ peace-building education program has reached  thousands of young Rwandans – a “Peace Education” program that

  • Ep 461 - Life in Canada after fleeing Syria Guest: Nour Suliman

    30/08/2023 Duration: 23min

    Ep 461 - Life in Canada after fleeing Syria Guest: Nour Suliman By Stuart McNish   It’s been eight years since 25,000 Syrian refugees were resettled in Canada. Our country, in keeping with our commitment to the United Nations Commission for Refugees, is “obliged to protect refugees and treat them according to international standards.” Nour Suliman and her family fled to Canada after dodging bullets, landmines and barrel bombs in Syria.    Nour and her family were some of the 13 million Syrians forced from their homes. Some moved within their country; others fled fearing for their lives. In an earlier Conversations That Matter interview, Nour said, “17 of us would pack into my father’s car at a moment's notice. My grandparents, parents, aunt and uncle and my cousins all squeezed into the car to escape numerous deadly threats.”   It has now been  7 years since Nour and her family arrived in Canada. We invited Nour Suliman to join us for a Conversation That Matters to share how life in her new home is unfolding.

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