Many Vancouverites are joining a North American movement to defund the police.But in what ways will defunding the police make life safer for Black, Indigenous and other marginalized folks in Vancouver? And can in be done? In this episode of Seeking Office, we get perspective from Lama Mugabo of the Hogan's Alley Society, Meenakshi Mannoe of PIVOT Legal Society, Vancouver City Councillor Pete Fry and University of Winnipeg professor Kevin Walby.If you want to donate to Black Lives Matter Vancouver, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/blmvanIf you want to donate to The Hogan's Alley Society, go to https://www.hogansalleysociety.org/donations/696/

Seeking Office

Defunding the VPD

This is a spotlight episode via CiTR's newest podcast, the "Vancouver COVID-19 Update." If you like it, please subscribe and rate. *****This Tuesday, the Parks Board closed down roads in Stanley Park, home to the largest urban Pacific Great Blue Heron colony in North America. As Vancouverites adapt to this ongoing public health crisis, Dr. Rudy Reimer/Yumks thinks there's something we can learn from these incredible birds.In this episode of the Vancouver COVID-19 Update, Rudy, a member of the Squamish Nation and a professor of Indigenous Studies and Archeology at Simon Fraser University, shares the Squamish creation story of heron and what it can teach people about behaving with good heart and mind.

Lessons of the Great Blue Heron

Canada's Department of Health (Health Canada) was created in 1919, in response to the Spanish Flu and WWI. Now, a century later, will Canada's new influenza pandemic again be a catalyst for stronger, more equitable health care and human rights?

Canada Now and Then: A Look at Two Influenza Pandemics

On January 24th, The Globe & Mail published a story highlighting a study done by Evan Mast of the Upjohn Institute. This study found that the addition of market-rate housing in low-income neighborhoods caused rent to go down in those neighborhoods. Local data analyst Jens Von Bergmann did a simplified version of this study and found that the results hold true in Vancouver. But UBC professor, Patrick Condon, disagrees with the premise of both studies. In this episode, Condon explains why he takes issue with these studies and Von Bergmann unpacks his findings and what they mean for Vancouver. **Correction: Condon argues development taxes, not property taxes should be raised.**

Does the New Upjohn Institute Study Apply to Vancouver?

Sitting Councillor Rebecca Bligh recently resigned from the Non-Partisan Association (NPA). This came after several social conservatives were elected to the NPA's board of directors. In this interview, Charlie Smith, editor and civic affairs reporter for the Georgia Straight, unpacks what this rightward shift means for Vancouver and the NPA caucus.

Charlie Smith on the NPA Snafu

Westbank Corp. recently commissioned a 4.8 million dollar public art project known as the "Spinning Chandelier." Whether you love it or hate it, the piece brings up important questions about the value of public art and whether it matters who's paying for it. In this episode Eric Fredericksen, the City of Vancouver's Public Art Program Manager, breaks down how developer-commissioned public art is given the green light.

The Case of the Spinning Chandelier

If you get renovicted or demovicted, what are your rights? According to the updated Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy or TRPP, developers must provide tenants with three housing options that best meet their priorities. They are also required to assist low income tenants in securing affordable housing. But are developers doing that? And what are the consequences if they don't?

Does the TRPP Have Teeth?

From CiTR's News Collective, this is season two of Seeking Office—At-Large. Bringing you innovative storytelling from Metro Vancouver. This week, a motion tabled by NPA Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung requested council adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of Antisemitism. The motion didn't pass and was referred to a committee, but in it, stats on hate crimes directed at the Jewish community left us wondering how hate crimes are defined in Canada and Vancouver and which communities feel safe reporting them.

Defining Antisemitism in Vancouver

From CiTR's News Collective, this is season two of Seeking Office—At-Large. Bringing you innovative storytelling from Metro Vancouver. On June 25th, council voted down a townhouse re-development application at 4575 Granville Street. In the wake of council's decision, the applicant has indicated that they plan to build a large house on the lot instead of the 21 units of rent housing they had initially applied to build. In this episode, Councillor Jean Swanson discusses why she voted against the application and whether she would do it again.

A Mansion Vs. Expensive Rental

From CiTR's News Collective, this is season two of Seeking Office—At-Large. Bringing you innovative storytelling from Metro Vancouver. On Tuesday June 11th, Vancouver City Council unanimously passed several measures designed to improve renter protections. In a tweet that same day, Mayor Kennedy Stewart described the measures as, “Canada's broadest and most comprehensive series of protections for renters.” But is that statement accurate? Star Vancouver City Hall reporter Jen St. Denis unpacks the details of this newly approved report and explains crucial differences in how renters who are "demovicted" versus renters who are "renovicted," are protected.

Increase in Renter Protections, Sort of

From CiTR's News Collective, this is season two of Seeking Office—At-Large. Bringing you innovative storytelling from Metro Vancouver. The Bloedel Conservatory turns 50 this year. Perched at the highest point in Vancouver, this triodetic dome is home to hundreds of tropical birds and plants. In this special episode of Seeking Office, a woman named Lina and a cockatoo named Charlie find refuge both in Bloedel's little paradise, and one another.

Charlie & Lina

From CiTR's News Collective, this is season two of Seeking Office—At-Large. Bringing you innovative storytelling from Metro Vancouver. On Monday, April 29th, Vancouver City Council narrowly voted to shift 2% of the tax burden from businesses to residential property owners. Green Councillor Pete Fry was vocal about his uncertainty over whether or not to support the tax shift. In the end, he chose to support it for largely symbolic reasons.

Pete Fry on the 2% Property Tax Shift

From CiTR's News Collective, this is season two of Seeking Office—At-Large. Bringing you innovative storytelling from Metro Vancouver. After an SFU housing panel on Tuesday, April 23rd, B.C.'s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Selina Robinson, speaks with CiTR reporter Alex de Boer about how her government is attempting to de-commodify housing.

Selina Robinson on B.C. Housing

From CiTR's News Collective, this is season two of Seeking Office—At-Large. Bringing you innovative storytelling from Metro Vancouver. In Kitsilano, residents are fiercely protective of neighborhood character. Many say a five-storey apartment set to be built at 1805 Larch Street threatens that character. The project is being proposed under the City's MIRHPP rental incentive program, which ensures 20% of suites are rented at below-market rates to people with an annual income of $30,000 - $80,000. CiTR's News Collective speaks with people for and against this project outside a town hall at the Kitsilano Neighborhood House on April 10th.

1805 Larch Street

From CiTR's News Collective, this is season two of Seeking Office—At-Large. Bringing you innovative storytelling from Metro Vancouver. Do city councillors or city staff run Vancouver? This episode examines recent tensions between councillors and the City Manager, and looks into how much, if any bias guides staff when advising council.

We Run the City

On October 20th, 2018, Vancouverites will vote in a new mayor, city council, park board and school board. This is a change election, in the midst of Vancouver’s worst housing crisis. With a fractured right and a divided left, CiTR’s News Collective brings you unique coverage of the issues and individuals seeking office. Seeking Office is available for download on iTunes, Stitcher or where ever you get your podcasts..

hubhopper

Seeking Office

hubhopper