On this edition of Journal: a look at the state of our provincial economy with Chris Gardner, President and CEO of ICBA (Independent Contractors and Business Association).

With the municipal elections finally behind us – an election that some analysts have dubbed the “earthquake election” due to the number of leaders who were turfed from elected office – we can now turn our attention to the provincial economic story: just how bad is it?

Well… it’s not good.

In September job losses topped 20,000. Our economy is flat. Inflation has been running at about 3%. But at the same time, the deficit has been growing to $7.7 billion in 2022 and then to a historic high of $13.8 billion this year.

I know, I know. That’s a lot of numbers. But the essential point is former Premier John Horgan left a budget with a SURPLUS to Premier David Eby when he took over and now it is a DEFICIT of $13.8 billion. Surplus to deficit, just like that.

Where did that money go? Housing starts are down, not up. Our forestry industry is being hammered with 21 lumber mills and 4 pulp mills closing. And heavens knows we have ERs closing all over the province, all the time.

…And so it goes.

So how are people feeling about living in BC? And why are families concerned that their kids will not be able to make a life in this wonderful province?

For Chris Gardner and all of us, the question is: We have dug this financial hole; what public policies will make it worse? And what policies could make the situation better?

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Carole Taylor's Journal is a public affairs dialogue that digs deep into the most pressing issues of our times. For more, see our website at http://www.caroletaylorsjournal.ca.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this edition of Journal, we take a look at one of the hot issues in our current municipal elections: housing.

Part of the controversy comes from the push for more and more density. Top-down planning, not neighbourhood-up.

The provincial government has certainly embraced this argument by forcing individual cities to build imposed numbers of housing. But as one mayor told me, “One size does not fit all.”

I know. There are experts who believe supply is the answer to everything: affordability, social housing, the missing middle, and seniors’ homes.

But is it? If it were, why do we have 5000 newly-built condos lying empty in Vancouver? Why do we tear down good moderate-cost 6-story older apartments, only to replace them with unaffordable high rises which very often can’t accommodate families?

And more top-down planning, this time from some municipalities. Like Vancouver. It drives me crazy: prezoned condo towers imposed across large swaths of our established neighbourhoods where they absolutely do not fit? No consultation, no public hearings.

So how did we get here? And is it too late to save the liveability of our cities?

That is an absolutely legitimate question for our politicians to address during this election.

It is one that Larry Beasley, former Vancouver city planner and author of a book that Douglas Todd has called an “influential text in the world of urban planning” has joined with a group of like-minded experts demanding a “housing reset.” It’s time for neighbourhoods to demand a voice at the table. It’s time for top-down planning to stop. It isn’t working.

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Carole Taylor's Journal is a public affairs dialogue that digs deep into the most pressing issues of our times. For more, see our website at http://www.caroletaylorsjournal.ca.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this edition of Journal, I’d like to ask if any of these following scenarios sound familiar – and these are just a few of the stories included in a report by British Columbia’s Seniors Advocate called “Reframing Ageing: British Columbians’ Thoughts on Ageism.” Over 9000 individuals participated with over 80% believing ageism is an issue in BC, with more than half saying they had been personally impacted.

Here are a few quotes, from real people:

“As a 70 year-old woman, I am sadly aware how invisible I feel and I am often ignored by the general public. We live in a youth-driven culture. Younger generations aren’t interested in talking to us or hearing what we have to say.”

Or…

A gentleman said: “I recently went to the bank and the teller treated me as if I didn’t understand how the banking system worked. The person spoke slowly and said it was complicated… I may have white hair, but I can still think and look after my finances.”

Or…

“In the media, I shake my head when a ‘victim’ is described as an elderly person… and then the age is revealed as 60!

Another said:

“I am in my mid-70s. I volunteer at a local food bank and museum and am very physically active. I don’t look my age and my current health is good.” Therefore, she goes on to say, she was “gobsmacked” when asked by her doctor if she knew what MAID was.

This collection of real-life stories covers ageism in the workplace, healthcare, social interactions, and safety. Joining me to discuss this work is BC’s Seniors Advocate, Dan Levitt.

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Carole Taylor's Journal is a public affairs dialogue that digs deep into the most pressing issues of our times. For more, see our website at http://www.caroletaylorsjournal.ca.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.