Biv Today

Peter German was the author of two provincial reports on money laundering before the Cullen commission was launched. He discusses the Cullen report findings and implications with BIV publisher and editor in chief Kirk LaPointe.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business advisor Anna Plut and business and wealth manager Andy Wu of Blueshore Financial discuss how the pandemic has affected the commercial real estate sector and investment in the sector, the challenges of inflation and interest rates, and how to successfully navigate them. They are in conversation with BIV publisher and editor-in-chief Kirk LaPointe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amar Doman assumed ownership of the BC Lions midway last season. He talks about his priorities for the business and where his experienced hand will focus. He is in conversation with Kirk LaPointe, BIV publisher and editor-in-chief. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate change and geopolitical uncertainty has alarm bells ringing the world over when it comes to the state of food security, even in a country as resource rich as Canada. But there are B.C. players offering remedies to address how to make farming more sustainable. Lucent BioSciences CEO Michael Riedijk joins BIV Today to discuss a new $19-million project his company in involved with, aimed at helping farmers across the country. Tyler Orton hosts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Ryan, Australian High Commissioner to Canada, discusses bilateral economic and political relations and his early impressions of this country. He is in conversation with BIV publisher and editor in chief Kirk LaPointe.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tech sector has been on a tear in recent years. And as unicorn after unicorn has emerged with billion-dollar valuations, the labour market is getting increasingly tight. So how does the sector manage that growth? Communitech CEO Chris Albinson, whose technology hub is best known for supporting startups when it comes from everything from to tapping capital to tapping talent, joins BIV Today to discuss everything from securing talent to maintaining growth. Tyler Orton hosts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week kicks off the first phase of the Whistler Film Festival’s producers lab, which sees a cohort of Canadian producers fine-tune their skills when it comes to developing scripted features  The goal here is for producers to be able to deliver projects that will garner investor interest to get cameras rolling.  One of this year’s participants is B.C.-based producer Kate Green, whose career in the industry stretches back two decades  Most recently, her sci-fi web series NarcoLeap, which she created and directed, can be see on Telus Optik, the CBC Gem app and other services. She joins BIV Today to dive into this push to develop creative talent in a domestic film and TV industry often associated with foreign production work. Tyler Orton hosts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next month marks the official opening of the first permanent home for Vancouver's Ethos Lab. The academy aims to create more opportunities for young people – with a specific focus on underrepresented groups such as girls and Black youths – seeking opportunities within STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Ethos Lab founder Anthonia Ogundele joins BIV Today talk about the significance exposing underrepresented young people to STEAM. Tyler Orton hosts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conservative leadership candidate Jean Charest discusses regional and national issues with Glacier Media journalists from across western Canada.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

B.C. is known for having perhaps the most diversified economy among all the province, stretching from energy and lumber exports to its high-growth tech and entertainment sectors. Ken Peacock, chief economist at the Business Council of B.C., joins BIV Today for a deep dive on what’s driving exports in the province and strategies ahead for boosting growth. Tyler Orton hosts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Among the sweeping changes brought on by the pandemic was the wave of businesses that had little choice but to go digital, whether it meant launching online sales for the first time or figuring out how to operate remotely. A new report from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) dives into the implications for the businesses that conquer this digital divide vs. those that are keeping things analogue. Pierre Cleroux, chief economist of the BDC, joins BIV Today to discuss the report. Tyler Orton hosts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lynn Mueller, the CEO of SHARC Energy, discusses his firm’s technology that draws energy from wastewater. He is in conversation with Kirk LaPointe, BIV publisher and editor in chief. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the pandemic upending workplaces across the globe, business leaders are facing an unprecedented era when it comes to collaborating with employees remotely while cultivating a great corporate culture. Mike Watson and Ali Grovue of Vancouver’s Ignite Management Services are the authors of Rise Up, a new book out this week that delves into the habits leaders must adopt to be effective. They join BIV Today to talk about bridging the gaps that exist between leaders and workers. Tyler Orton hosts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Influencers – those social media elites with large followings who help big brands connect with consumers – have taken on a whole new importance amid the pandemic after many folks found themselves at home much of the time, checking their iPhones rather than shopping at stores. Last week we saw Vancouver-based Later.com acquired after its new parent company Mavrck, known for specializing in the online influencer space, raised more than US$250 million over the past few months. Victoria’s own Justin Tse, CEO of Feature Media, has amassed more than 750,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel for his takes on technology. He joins BIV Today for a deep dive on how the industry works. Tyler Orton hosts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jean Charest, former party leader and former Quebec premier, acknowledges he’s the underdog in the Conservative leadership campaign. But he’s comfortable in his skin as he tours the country seeking support. He is in conversation with BIV publisher and editor-in-chief Kirk LaPointe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada and its neighbour to the south have had some bumps in the road in recent years when it comes to trade relations. Everything from steel tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration to U.S. President Joe Biden’s “Buy American” push have left many businesses concerned. And on Canada’s part, trucker blockades at the border haven’t helped much either. The fact is, though, is that Canada is a relatively small market on a global scale but it has the benefit of living right next door to the world’s largest market. So what does this mean for Canadian companies looking to expand globally? Nathan Donohue, U.S. Commercial Service Attaché to Canada, joins BIV Today to fill us in on the country’s biggest trading partner. Tyler Orton hosts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many folks might have some anxiety about automation and whether their own jobs could become redundant as technology takes over many more of roles in the workplace, be it bookkeeping or manufacturing. But are those worries really justified? Are robots really coming for our jobs? Jim Stanford is a labour economist and director at the Centre for Future Work. His new report – Where are the Robots? – looks at how Canada actually needs to accelerate its adoption of technology in order to produce better, higher-paying jobs. He joins BIV’s Tyler Orton for a discussion on whether fears over robots are overblown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Bromley, CEO of the donor-advised fund Charitable Impact that recently surpassed the $1 billion mark in funds, discusses the decline in Canadian giving and how donors are responding to opportunities to better manage their funds. He is in conversation with BIV publisher and editor-in-chief Kirk LaPointe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Megan Conway, the CEO and President of Volunteer Canada, talks about the opportunities for business and policy to support volunteerism. This is National Volunteer Week. She is in conversation with BIV publisher and editor in chief Kirk LaPointe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable (MARR) has helped British Columbians safely recycle their large appliances and has made British Columbia a leader in fashioning national standards to keep these items out of landfill. Michael Zarbl, MARR's executive director, discusses the challenges and achievements of the roundtable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.