Coastal Front

Childcare Crisis in BC

According to a UNICEF report, Canada has one of the best educational systems in the world... for kids over five. For kids under five, we have one of the worst systems in the developed world in terms of quality and availability.

But the childcare crisis is nothing new. Early childhood education has been unaffordable and inaccessible for decades. It's one of the biggest causes of stress for parents of young children, with long waitlists and many households going into debt so they can afford it.

Karin Kirkpatrick, MLA for West Vancouver - Capilano, and Pamela Wallberg, CEO of Alderwood House School, join Coastal Front to enlighten us on the childcare crisis in BC.

The recent budget suggests the NDP is pinning its hopes on the federal government to deliver on promise of $10-a-day daycare. But is the intention to cap fees having a negative effect? Pamela explains how operators are closing spaces because of staffing shortages or delaying plans to create more spots because it is no longer financially feasible to do so. Meanwhile, Karin estimates the fee cap could cause BC to lose 4,000 future child care spaces.

 

Private Healthcare in Canada, Yay or N’eh? With Dr. Brian Day

As the President of the Cambie Surgeries Corporation, Dr. Brian Day has worked with some of the top surgeons in the world.

 

In this week’s episode Dr. Day brings a wealth of knowledge on the medical field to Coastal Front to explore the current state of Canada’s healthcare system and how it is unlike any other in the world.

 

Renee Merrifield | 2021-2022 BC Liberal Leadership Series

On today’s episode, we are joined by the MLA for Kelowna Mission and candidate for
the leadership of the BC Liberal Party, Renee Merrifield. Renee is an accomplished
businesswoman whose migration into politics has gone quite smoothly. Now she
looks to further her political career by running for the leadership of the BC Liberal
Party. Join us as we explore her views on infrastructure and the environment, the
healthcare system, as well as the unemployment rate.

The Growing Appetite for Meal Kits with Dhruv Sood, Fresh Prep

You’ve probably seen their delivery bags outside your neighbours’ doors. Fresh Prep is a Vancouver based service that is thriving in the meal-kit industry.

Today we welcome Fresh Prep Co-CEO, Dhruv Sood. We discuss the emergence of the meal-kit industry, sustainability, and what separates Fresh Prep from its competitors. Tune in so you never have to ask, "what's for dinner?" again.

How Lithium is Powering the Electric Revolution

We’re very excited to have President and CEO of Lithium Americas, Jon Evans on the show today. Jon shares his in-depth knowledge on how lithium is embedded in our everyday lives. We tackle topics on the increased demand for lithium, the environmental aspects, and concerns, as well as what the future has in store for the lithium industry. Tune in to today’s episode to learn more about the element that is revolutionizing the tech world.

How Credit Unions Compete with the Big Banks

We’re thrilled to welcome Co-CEOs Bill Kiss, Jeff Shewfelt, and President Gus Hartl of G&F Financial, on the show today. The trio have decades of experience in the credit union space and bring that wealth of knowledge to the Coastal Front studio. We discuss their recent merger, regulatory collaboration, and the differences between banks and credit unions.

 

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How to Recruit and Retain Women in the Workforce

Empowering women to achieve economic independence is a top goal for our newest guest, Amy Robichaud, Executive Director at Dress for Success Vancouver. We explore how the organization goes beyond the suit and what is truly required to add more women into the force and actively retaining them moving forward.

Past Breaking Point with Ambulance Paramedics of BC

It’s been a stressful seventeen months in our Province. With over 4500 paramedics and 270 medical dispatchers working around the clock to keep our communities healthy and safe, we forget about the sacrifices they make. Troy Clifford, President of Ambulance Paramedics of BC and Shelby Weber a full-time paramedic in Surrey join us to discuss the challenges of the job, top issues, and solutions on how to make the industry safer.

How BC Gov F*cked Up Selling Cannabis

Prime Minister Trudeau tweeted on October 17th, 2018 that cannabis was legal in Canada. Everyone celebrated and Girl Guides stood outside the first legal cannabis storefronts to boost cookie sales. Fast-forward to 2021 and British Columbia is struggling to stop illegal operators, while also failing to allow legal retailers to flourish. Tune in as we welcome Jaclynn Pehota, Executive Director of ACCRES and Matthew Greenwood, co-owner of Up In Smoke, to discuss the unforeseen difficulties and mounting expense incurred to operate and serve the BC market.

 

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Permit Backlog at City of Vancouver

Vancouver is growing, and we need a Mayor and Council that can reach consensuses on key issues. Luckily, we have independent thinkers on council who are looking to provide key services by cutting through the red tape. This week, we discuss the widespread success of the patio program, how discretionary spending applies to Mayor and Council, and why permit backlog is the worst it’s ever been.

 

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