Biv Today

On BIV Today... Vancouver-based electric vehicle-maker Electra Meccanica debuted on the Nasdaq this week in a bid to raise US$10 million. CEO Jerry Kroll (1:30) joins BIV Today to discuss plans to produce thousands of these single-passenger vehicles for the global market. See more at https://biv.com/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today… Two BC NDP ministers join the show to talk trade and tech. Bruce Ralston, minister of jobs, trade and technology, and Minister of State for Trade George Chow (1:09) discuss softwood lumber and newsprint tariffs, B.C.’s international trade strategy and the province's economic performance amid Canada-U.S. trade challenges. Tyler Orton and Hayley Woodin host, see more at https://biv.com/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today… Vancouver’s RYU apparel chain goes global, Purolator introduces Canada’s first mobile quick-stop and Canadian Tire is partnering with Petco. Craig Patterson, editor-in-chief of Retail Insider, discusses the latest retail news. Tantalus Labs founder Dan Sutton explores entertainment and tourism opportunities post-cannabis legalization. Plus: with 70 days until Oct. 17, how ready are B.C. and Vancouver for recreational cannabis? Hayley Woodin hosts, see more content at https://biv.com/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today… BIV’s weekly tech panel (1:04) looks at Apple’s trillion-dollar success, Facebook’s request for financial data and Airbnb’s value proposition for business travellers. Progressa CEO Ali Pourdad and Gluu Technology Society founder and CEO Linda Fawcus discuss. Amid trade tensions, cannabis and real estate deals have helped bolster Canadian merger and acquisition activity. PwC Canada’s B.C. deals leader Jim McGuigan (11:17) lends insight into the biggest deals brokered, where and why activity has slowed and how B.C. deal activity has fared. Hayley Woodin hosts, see more content at https://biv.com/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today... After capping a $62-million financing round this week, Telus Ventures managing director Rich Osborn (17:27) joins the show to discuss his corporate VS fund’s strategy why he’s turning his attention to health-tech and IoT startups. Then, the C.D. Howe Institute’s Daniel Schwanen (1:50) breaks down a new report examining Canada’s lacklustre record attracting foreign direct investment and how Ottawa can remove barriers to attract more investment. See move Business in Vancouver content at https://biv.com/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today…  The Port of Vancouver has handled record container traffic so far this year. Robin Silvester (1:18), president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, examines the challenges facing the port as it looks to expand its capacity. He also touches on protests regarding the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, his concerns about disappearing industrial land and the uncertainty around Canada’s changing environmental review process. The Osoyoos Indian Band is among Canada’s most successful and entrepreneurial indigenous communities. Chief Clarence Louie (16:19) discusses some of the factors that have contributed to the community’s success, and argues that nations need to get back on the economic horse in order to drive important social changes. Kirk LaPointe and Hayley Woodin host, see more at https://biv.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today... Retail Insider editor-in-chief Craig Patterson (1:42) breaks down Lululemon’s decision to hire Calvin McDonald, the former head of Sears Canada, as its new CEO. Later, he discusses how the redevelopment of the Canada Post building on Georgia Street is set to transform downtown, the premiers’ efforts to loosen liquor restrictions between provinces and why some businesses are crossing the line to generate publicity through controversy.   Then, Tantalus Labs CEO Dan Sutton (18:16) delves into U.S. border guards targeting Canadian cannabis executives, the Americans’ increasing appetite for Canadian pot stocks and the growing interest in cannabis-based beverages. See more Business in Vancouver at https://biv.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today's special episode... Last week marks the one-year anniversary since the BC NDP formed government through an alliance with the BC Greens. BIV Today is taking a look at the most significant developments for the province since last summer. B.C. Housing Minister Selina Robinson (0:46) talks about her government’s most notable decisions since last summer, from its opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion to how it’s tackling the province’s housing crisis. Later, BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson (13:29) shares his thoughts on where the province’s economy stands right now under the current premier. Finally, BC Green Party leader Andrew Weaver (29:42) discusses his decision to align with the BC NDP, where he stands on the government’s designs on the LNG industry and whether he’s willing to let the government collapse before any decisions are made on proportional representative. See more content at https://biv.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today… UBC economics professor Kevin Milligan (1:31) analyzes federal fiscal policy changes that could help Canada attract investments that benefit the economy, without racing to the bottom against U.S. corporate tax cuts. BIV’s weekly tech panel (13:09) discusses Venmo’s privacy gaff, the future of the World Wide Web and B.C.’s ride-hailing delays. Ali Pourdad, CEO of Progressa, shares his thoughts on why ride-hailing may never make it to B.C. Amielle Lake, entrepreneur-in-residence at e@UBC, examines Solid – a radical concept for a new web, as imagined by the web’s original founder. Kirk LaPointe, Tyler Orton and Hayley Woodin host, see more of their work at https://biv.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today... Research Co. president Mario Canseco (2:10) offers insight into who is leading the polls in Vancouver’s multi-mayoral election. Later, Relentless Venture Fund’s Brenda Irwin (14:43) discusses landing Vancity as an institutional partner this month and why her organization is pursuing investments in businesses focused on medical technology. See more content at https://biv.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today… British Columbians will be waiting at least one more year until Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing services can operate on B.C. roads. Dan Hara (1:24), owner of Hara Associates and author of the province's new taxi modernization report, discusses his findings. Deepak Anand (10:21), vice-president of government relations at Cannabis Compliance, analyzes the B.C. government’s cannabis marketing licence, and its emerging regulatory framework for recreational marijuana. Hayley Woodin and Tyler Orton host, see more at https://biv.com/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today... This week marks the one-year anniversary since the BC NDP formed government through an alliance with the BC Greens. B.C. Housing Minister Selina Robinson (1:39) talks about her government’s most notable decisions since last summer, from its opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion to how it’s tackling the province’s housing crisis. Later, BC Green Party leader Andrew Weaver (14:26) discusses his decision to align with the BC NDP, where he stands on the government’s designs on the LNG industry and whether he’s willing to let the government collapse before any decisions are made on proportional representative. Kirk LaPointe and Tyler Orton host, see more at https://biv.com/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today… CPA Canada’s latest survey shows that more than two-thirds of Canadian business leaders believe Canada is less competitive than the U.S. as a place to invest and do business, compared with a year ago. The organization’s chief economist Francis Fong (1:22) examines the business monitor’s results. Putting a price on environmental risk makes disasters like Lac-Mégantic and Mount Polley less likely. Jason Dion (14:40), the lead researcher with Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission, discusses the economics of disasters, and how national and provincial policy changes can reduce our chances of seeing them. Kirk LaPointe and Hayley Woodin host, see more at https://biv.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today... This week marks the one-year anniversary since the BC NDP formed government through an alliance with the Greens. Throughout the week BIV Today is taking a look at the most significant developments for the province since last summer. On the latest show, BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson (1:49) shares his thoughts on where the province’s economy stands right now under the current premier. Later, the BIV tech panel (18:09) discusses the glitches plaguing Amazon Prime Day as well as how competitors have tried to match the e-commerce giant on this annual sales day. Later, the panel takes a look at how Elon Musk’s social media conduct is eroding investor confidence. Kirk LaPointe and Tyler Orton host, see more of their work at https://biv.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today… Former GE executive Vishal Agarwal (1:41), now chairman and CEO of Full Circle Africa, reveals the real way leaders rise to the top of multinational companies – the focus of his new book, Give to Get. Destination BC CEO Marsha Walden (16:19) discusses how the organization got to map remote B.C. destinations with Google street-view technology, and how they are capitalizing on the Canada-China year of tourism. Hayley Woodin and Tyler Orton host, see more of their work at https://biv.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today... As the legalization date of recreational cannabis creeps closer, Tantalus Labs CEO Dan Sutton (2:01) discusses the prospect of B.C. falling behind other jurisdictions. The province has just unveiled new rules offering clarity on marketing but questions still remain over supply, timing and the black market. Tyler Orton and Hayley Woodin host, see more of their work at https://biv.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today…  Is it the best of times or the worst of times? Business Council of BC economist Ken Peacock reports on B.C.’s second-quarter economic performance, and looks ahead to what’s coming. From reasonably good growth prospects to concerns on a number of fronts – rising interest rates and a maxed out labour among them – Peacock examines what happened this spring and what it means for British Columbians. Hayley Woodin and Tyler Orton host, see more of their work at https://biv.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today... Retail Insider’s Craig Patterson (2:08) has been examining the ongoing resurgence of the retail scene along Granville Street in downtown Vancouver. The stretch used to be sprinkled with questionable clubs, adult shops and and cheap retailers. But it has on the move to upscale in recent years, while bars and clubs have been rethinking how they operate. His latest feature story explains how the downtown entertainment district is managing this ongoing facelift. And later, do businesses need to rethink how they address customers? Should customer service reps emphasize the word “I” instead of “we” when assisting? SFU marketing professor Brent McFerran (15:31) breaks down a recently published study examining how businesses should really be engaging with their clients. Hayley Woodin and Tyler Orton host, see more of their work at https://biv.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today… Greater Vancouver condo prices rose by double digits in the second quarter of this year. Royal LePage CEO Phil Soper breaks down the firm’s latest House Price Survey, with insight into the Greater Vancouver market. In advance of the Bank of Canada’s rate decision on Wednesday, DBRS executive Maria-Gabriella Khoury – vice-president of the Global Financial Institutions Group – discusses just how leveraged Canadian households are. Hayley Woodin and Tyler Orton host, see more of their work at https://biv.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On BIV Today... The Indian economy is poised to overtake the U.K., Germany and more in the coming years. HSBC’s Stephen Kam (1:54) explains why Canada can’t afford to miss out on the economic opportunities emerging form the high-growth country. Meanwhile, the notoriously cyclical mining industry appears to be on the upswing. Later on the show, PwC’s Liam Fitzgerald (14:10) takes a look at everything from the macroeconomic factors to new breakthroughs in technology that are helping the sector, as detailed in his firm’s 2018 mining report. See more Business in Vancouver at https://biv.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.