Democracy Watch: Recent Episodes
CiTR & Discorder Magazine
Arman and Akhil speak with Gracy Buckholtz of CUPE 2278 on the OrganizeUBC campaign which is looking to organize research workers and academic assistants at UBC.
In December 2019 we spoke to Globe and Mail Journalist Kerry Gold, on recent policy developments on real estate in Vancouver + the tragic story of a mishandled whistleblower complaint in the BC Ministry of Health: https://thewalrus.ca/the-whistle-blower-who-got-it-wrong/
In this live episode Kai and Nash of Sulong UBC share their personal experiences and the historical context of the apparent return of fascism to the Philippines. We discuss what "red-tagging" means and Nash's first-hand experience being "red-tagged". We also unpack why the murder of the journalist Percy Lapid has become a flashpoint in the struggle for press freedom and human rights in the Philippines.
You can learn more about Sulong here:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sulong.ubc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sulong.ubc
Website: https://sulong.ca/join/
To wrap our coverage of the 2022 City Elections, Arman and Alex spoke with political consultant and TEAM for a Livable Vancouver candidate, Bill Tieleman, on the history of TEAM of the 70s, rezoning, climate policy, and policing.
The Vancouver City Elections are this week! Continuing on our 2022 City Elections coverage, we spoke to climate scientist and Green Party candidate Dr. Devyani Singh on climate policy, housing, and the immigrant experience in Vancouver.
The Vancouver City Elections are around the corner! We spoke to musician health economist and One City candidate Ian Cromwell about policing, climate policy and the cultural changes he hopes to bring on council.
Ahead of the 2021 federal election we spoke with 2019 Vancouver Granville NDP Candidate and climate activist Yvonne Hanson on her experiences running and the climate agenda of each party.
We talk to Eris Nyx of Drug User Liberation Front about what real Safe Supply looks like for people who use drugs + discussion about COVID19 and random street checks, and Chinatown YVR seniors saved from the brink of eviction.
We talk to Quin Lawrence about the Disability Filibuster and how they’re trying to Kill Bill C7. We also discuss #COVID19BC and the #NDP21 resolution to #CancelStudentDebt. Tune in at 101.9 FM or http://citr.ca
Interview w Mel Woods about the layoffs @HuffPostCanada & the importance of valuing your work as a journalist in Canada. We also talk about COVID19 and the escalating situation in the third wave of the pandemic. Tune in!
We talk to Matthew Ramsey from UBC Media Relations and Tanysha Klassen from the BC Federation of Students about campuses reopening this fall, the challenges involved in opening universities for the next academic year, and the excitement they are hearing from students to return to campus. We also talk the folks over at the Sliced Mango Collective about their concerns around displacement of Filipino businesses due to development in Joyce-Collingwood. To close, this week's episode features a discussion on the rise of anti-Asian sentiment.
We talk to members of the newly formed CACBNBC (Coalition of African, Caribbean and Black Nurses in British Columbia) about anti-Black discrimination in BC healthcare. + a discussion about donations to the VPD foundation, and will the NDP stop renovictions? Tune in!
We talk to Pearl Low about Black History Month and YVR council’s record of celebrating black life through architecture. We also talk to
Kendra Milne, Executive Director of Health Justice, about the B.C. Mental Health Act. Plus: is BC the Florida of Canada? Discuss
Featuring a discussion about Lunar New Year traditions in the Vietnamese, Korean, and Cantonese diasporas, as well as a discussion about housing in Vancouver. Tune in!
We speak to Mark Haden of MAPS Canada on psychedelics as a potential treatment for PTSD and Namjeet, a volunteer at the Indian Farmers Protests that occurred at the end of last month on the issues sparking the protests. Tune in!
Episode includes: DTES organizer Fiona York on the vaccine strategy for homeless folks in #YVR, Meenakshi Mannoe of Pivot Legal on increased policing during #COVID19, and Dr. Linc Kesler of UBC CIS discusses how we teach Indigenous content. Tune in!
We have an interview with Jens von Bergmann about his analysis of the December 23rd COVID modelling presentation slides, and the lack of data made available to the public, as well as an interview with Jessica Magonet from the B.C. Civil Liberties Association regarding the use of solitary confinement in Canadian prisons.
We hear from Matt Westphal President of the Surrey Teachers Association about COVID19 in schools, Ali Omelaniec of the Downtown Eastside Women's centre about how shelters are prepping for winter and the Canadian Memorial United Church about how Christmas will be celebrated this year.
We hear from Harsha Walia about how #YVR Council’s move to freeze the 2021 policing budget may not help the case to #DefundVPD. The collective also discusses COVID19 & how Dr. Bonnie Henry’s image has changed.
We have Teri Mooring from BCTF talking about bced’s reactions to the new COVID19 restrictions. We also talk to Stephen D’Souza from the Homelessness Services Association of BC about what a ‘household’ means for people experiencing homelessness.
We have Teri Mooring from BCTF talking about bced’s reactions to the new COVID19 restrictions. We also talk to Stephen D’Souza from
the Homelessness Services Association of BC about what a ‘household’ means for homeless people.
This week's episode featured Sara Sagaii talking about why BC needs an Eviction Ban and why a Rent Freeze might not be enough. We also talk about Vancouver's move to decriminalize possession of drugs + #COVID19 in schools within #YVR.
We talk about Vancouver’s Climate Emergency plan with Alex Boston and discuss how far it goes. There’s also chat about votes being counted from the #BCElxn and about a potential YVR Olympics bid + COVID19. Tune in!
We’ve got an interview with Fiona York, an administrator and coordinator with the Carnegie Community Action Project in the Downtown Eastside, and an interview with Greg Mansfield, the author of Ghosts of Vancouver. To close, the collective discusses the fireworks ban, as well as the results of the provincial election.
We talk to Melanee Thomas about sexism and racism in #cdnpoli and Sherly Lightfoot about how Indigenous people have been talked about during #BCElxn2020. Plus: anti-maskers, the Yaletown OPS, & final hot election takes. Tune in!
Includes an interview with drug policy advisor Karen Ward about the proposed overdose prevention site in Yaletown, plus audio from this week’s council meeting about it. After that we discuss everything going on w/ the BC Liberals, including the leaked sexist comments and other fun scandals.
Interviews with Scott Berstein on drug policy and Brenda Locke on policing, a discussion about the upcoming election to close.
Interview with Vancouver-Langara NDP candidate Tesicca Truong and a discussion between the collective members on housing, the upcoming provincial election & health policy.
On this episode of CiTR News Live, Arman and Isa You interview UFCW 1518 treasurer Patrick Johnson on the importance of sufficient childcare provisions for grocery workers and other concerns held by the union in the time of the pandemic.
News collective member Isaac interviews Gabby Doebeli and Ishmam Bhuiyan from the UBC Social Justice Centre on the local community's response to the pandemic.
We discuss the WHO declaration of coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic as well as the United States' ban on travel to over two dozen European countries. In addition to that, we talk about how coronavirus is already affecting major events here at UBC and in Vancouver. Lastly, we learn about how fellow vancouverites are feeling about their beloved city. If you have any questions about the coronavirus, info can be found on the CDC page (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html).
On our special episode of CiTR News Live, Isa You and Arman Raina speak to Mariam Abdelaziz and Gabby Doebeli of Social Justice Center at UBC about the motion by Jean Swanson declaring a homelessness emergency, as well as the Canadian volunteers for Bernie Sanders,
On today's show, we listen to info on the AMS elections as well as the voices and sounds of the Wet'suwet'en walkout and blockade of the intersection of Wesbrook Mall and University Blvd organized by UBCC350. We also discuss numerous topics including: the merits of that walkout and blockade as well as oil pipelines, and whether or not a BC tax on sugary drinks will help or hurt the Vancouver community.
We look back to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Memorial March two weeks ago, a piece about food justice, a quick headline about how 2019 saw a decrease in overdose-related deaths in Vancouver and a discussion about fraternities.
Today's show features a piece about the protests at the Indian Consulate and a ghost hunter story. In addition to this, we have headlines about the newly implemented riding hailing apps, Uber and Lyft; as well as protests involving UBCC350 and a PSA about the Coronavirus.
The upcoming protests at the Indian Consulate, the Muslim Students' Association here at UBC, the funeral industry,
and some local Chinese Canadian history
It's 2020 and the News Collective has a new weekly show: On the Point! On the Point is the new iteration of Democracy Watch, led by Isa You and Zachary Tharpe. In this episode, the News Collective reviews and discussed locals headlines, including: the Georgia Straight acquisition by MediaCentral, Translink's new rapid buses and UBC's Extinction Rebellion hunger strike.
We first speak to Rory Mills, one of the coordinators of the regenerative culture branch at Extinction Rebellion Vancouver about plans to hunger strike if UBC does not commit to divesting. We then have a conversation with Nandita Ratan, an Instagram artist whose political art, 'India is Burning', went viral recently. She discusses her transition towards more political art and recent protests in India with the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Checkout here art on https://www.instagram.com/nanditaratan/. We also discuss the city budget, and the fallout from the departure of car2go.
We kick-off the show with an interview with Charlie Smith, editor and civic affairs reporter for the Georgia Straight. 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 unpacks what this rightward shift means for Vancouver and the NPA caucus. He also makes the case for electoral reform in Vancouver.
We then speak with Alex Hemingway from the Canadian Centre of Policy Alternatives. He discusses the recent 8.3% property city tax hike proposed by staff that has city councillors scrambling for savings. He argues in favour of progressive property taxes to invest in public housing.
We start by continuing our conversation on developments on Hong Kong protests in Vancouver with News Collective comrade Serena Zhang. We then dig into the UBC's decision to partially divest with UBCC350 member Kate Hodgson. After that we hear from Translink spokesperson Ben Murphy on the implications on the new deal between Unifor and the Coast Mountain Bus Company. We also hear from students on their reaction to the cancellation of the transit system shut down due to this deal. Finally, News Collective Comrade Akshay Kulkarni wraps up the show with a teaser on his piece in the Thunderbird 'Body Disposal Not a Burning Issue for BC'.
Democracy Watch starts with local headlines, then moves into a live interview with Hong Kong exchange student, Davin Wong. Wong is the current spokesman for Enlightenment of Hong Kong (EHK) at UBC and the former president of Hong Kong University Students' Union. After that, the collective digs into the intensifying transit strike. We hear from campus commuters, as well as Gavin McGarrigle—the Western Regional Director of Unifor. Yesterday McGarrigle declared a full system shut down will take place next week. The show ends with another spotlight on Langley's Critter Care Wildlife Society.
On today's show, we hear local headlines followed by an interview with Bill Teileman, a spokesman for tor the VSB cafeteria workers union. Teileman explains why he believes proposes cuts to public school hot lunch and culinary programs will have negative impacts on both students and workers. After that we take a tour of Critter Care; a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Langley. The show ends with a podcast episode titled "The Intimacy of Voicemail," made by News Collective member Violet Myles.
On today's Halloween show we learn about a mysterious ghost that has haunted the Old Spaghetti Factory. After that we hear another spooky tale involving monks, the old Mathers' house and a crow named Brad. The show also digs into the impacts of a recent motion to ban fireworks, as well as new developments at Mountain View Cemetery.
Today's show features an interview with Dr. Marina Adshade — the professor who reignited a debate over whether fraternities should continue to exist on campus. After that we speak with Vancouver MP hopefuls about how they plan to tackle Vancouver's housing crisis. The show ends with an exploration into why candidate election signs are sometimes written in multiple languages.
Today's show begins with local headlines and profiles of two Vancouver federal ridings. After that, the News Collective looks into recent allegations that UBC students were drugged at a UBC fraternity social event. The show ends with a re-airing of "Charlie & Lina" — an experimental audio story about Vancouver's Bloedel Conservatory — and a discussion on Monday's English-language leaders debate.
On today's show we go over local headlines and talk about early voting at UBC. After that, the News Collective revisits last Friday's Climate Strike to hear from the individuals who made up the 100,000 person crowd demanding climate action. Then we turn to Strathcona, with a report from Monday's demonstration to quiet Prior Street. We hear reaction to council's newly passed plans to build an underpass at Prior and Venables from local business owner Ryan Parfitt and Strathcona Residents Association spokesperson, Penny Crawford.
On today's show we cover the Unite Here 40 hotel workers strikes happening in downtown Vancouver. After that we turn to the week-long 2019 Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention. CiTR News talks with trade show vendors and Vancouver city councillors at the UBCM, as well as demonstrators outside the convention who are there to support B.C.'s ailing forestry sector.
In today's show, the News Collective unpacks the TRPP or Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy and asks if its recently updated protections are working. The show also features an interview with local high school climate change activist Malka Martz Oberlander, as well as a group discussion on Trudeau's recent blackface debacle.
Vancouver's Granville riding brings up interesting questions about how identity politics, party politics and strategic voting factor into the way people vote, especially people on the left. CiTR's News Collective speaks with two local activists about whether former Liberal Jody Wilson-Raybould or the NDP's Yvonne Hanson, are a better fit for left-leaning voters. After that, we have an interview with Councillor Christine Boyle about a narrowly passed rezoning at 8636-8656 Oak Street and how the TRPP is good but not good enough.
How do minority governments form? How will your MP represent you in Ottawa? In this week's episode of Democracy Watch, UBC political science professor Kathryn Harrison gives a federal election primer and former Vancouver city councillor and NDP MP, Libby Davies, talks about her new book and her experience as a rabble rouser running for city hall in the 1970s-80s.
On today’s show, we hear local headlines, then move to an interview with organizer Susan Russell from last week’s “The 19th Birthday Youth in Care Deserve” demonstration in front of City Hall. After that, a Kashmiri-Canadian student tells us about an upcoming protest and explains how the situation in Kashmir affects Kashmiri-Canadians in the Lower Mainland. The show ends with an in-depth look at local artist Sára Molcan’s 24 hour art show, Love/Madness, happening at the Arts Factory this Friday, August 23rd. Sára’s work explores social media and its effect on our emotions and ability to communicate.
After local headlines, the News Collective takes listeners to last week's "Rave Against Renovictions." This protest/dance party was staged in front of billionaire Chip Wilson's mansion in Point Grey. The rave protested Wilson’s company, Low Tide Properties, which has repeatedly renovicted artists from affordable DIY spaces around the city. After that we hear from SFU Research Assistant, Todd Wong who discusses the 2019 DTES Monitoring Report. The report provides a portrait of the neighbourhood’s socioeconomic and community dynamics.
In this episode of Democracy Watch, the News Collective goes over some local headlines, then turns to a story on the stolen, forgotten and forsaken bikes of Vancouver. Alex de Boer speaks with bikers, then the VPD, about how bike theft is investigated and what measures can be taken to prevent it. The show ends with a profile on local business, Bella Roma Pizzeria, done by Adeline Peng.
Happy Pride 2019! CiTR News presents an audio tour of UBC special exhibit, “A Queer Century, 1869-1969” with UBC professors and co-curators Dr. Gregory Mackie and Dr. Kyle Frackman. After that, Thomas O'Donnell joins to discuss their recent reporting on the forgotten history of the UBC Pride Collective.
After local headlines, we hear an interview with Green MP candidate, Lawrence Taylor. Taylor is running in the Vancouver-Kingsway riding in the coming federal election. He tells the News Collective about differences between the federal and municipal Green parties and why he believes folks will vote Green, in this historically dominated NDP riding. After that we hear from Globe and Mail reporter Frances Bula. Bula gives a break down on the development of Vancouver's first City-Wide Plan in nearly a century.
apologies for the technical errors
After local headlines, reporter Alex de Boer speaks with COPE city councillor Jean Swanson about last week’s contested redevelopment rejection at 4575 Granville Street. Councillor Swanson says her major concern with supporting this particular redevelopment, is its unaffordability. After that, News Collective reporters Christina Song and Adeline Peng ask Vancouverites what they think of a new South Granville, three-section crosswalk, designed by Musqueam artist Robyn Sparrow. The show ends with a collective discussion on public art.
Today's show features an interview with Hogan’s Alley Director Stephanie Allen, on the process involved in having Cecil Rhodes' name removed from L’ecole Bilingue elementary school. The News Collective also discusses the Vancouver Aquarium's recent lease renewal and its future programming direction, which will no longer focus on captive cetaceans. You’ll also learn a bit about the Aquarium’s remaining dolphin, Helen, and where she’s moving to!
Democracy Watch starts out with The Vancouver Sun's Lori Culbert, who breaks down her reporting on our provincial government's sale of "surplus" land since 2013. We then hear some reactions from folk on UBC's campus about the second re-approval of the TMX pipeline. Lastly, the News Collective learns about Germany's recent decision to freeze rent in Berlin and how Berlin's renter rights compare with Vancouver's.
In this episode of Democracy Watch we start out with a deep dive into a case of racial profiling and harassment that took place at UBC on June 2nd. After that, we hear from School Board Trustees Jennifer Reddy and Lois Chan-Pedley who have differing perspectives on a motion to remove Cecil Rhodes' name from a local school. The second half of the show explores the stakes of Saturday's byelection in Electoral Area A with outgoing Director, Mike Feeley. We end the show with a breakdown of Vancouver's newly passed renter protections, featuring Star Vancouver City Hall reporter, Jen St. Denis.
In this episode of Democracy watch, the News Collective delves into the controversies surrounding the MMIWG Report, as well as an incident of racial profiling of a black student presenter at the Humanities and Social Sciences conference held at UBC on June 2nd. Also, reporter Arman Raina brings us an exclusive scoop from UBC Farm’s Iftaar community event, while Hannah Toms talks to Vancouverites about colonial street names.
On today’s show, you can catch Alex de Boer unravel the tragically beautifully love story of a parrot named Charlie and his caretaker Lina, before reporters Ande Laidman, Sam Jones and Joshua Azizi break down the impact of marijuana legalization on the decriminalization of opioids. Finally, we end today's episode of Democracy Watch with reporter Annie Reuter’s interview with long-time CRAB Park advocate, Don Larson. He discusses the Vancouver Park Board’s decision to expand and improve CRAB Park at Main St. and Waterfront.
In this episode of Democracy Watch, urban planners George Benson and Larry Beasley discuss Vancouver's economy, environment and planning culture. George speaks with reporters Max Neumann and Arman Raina about the potential economic benefits of Vancouver's new Climate Emergency Response, while Larry speaks with reporter Christina Song about his much anticipated new book, "Vancouverism."
CiTR's News Collective talks local news headlines and covers a youth-led climate strike held Friday, May 3rd. The collective also brings listeners an original report from Vancouver's Sun Yat-Sen Garden, where three adult koi returned home after surviving a koi-massacre, perpetrated by an elusive river otter back in November 2018.
Today’s show is a close analysis of City Hall on Monday, April 29th. We talk about a delay on the City's single use item ban, council's vote to approve a climate emergency response plan, as well as close vote in favour of shifting 2% of the total share of paid property taxes, from business to residential property owners over a three year span.
This episode focuses on climate change in Vancouver. We look at two reports presented to City Council this week. The first is the “resilience report” which makes recommendations on how to adapt to climate change and extreme weather. The other report focuses on how to mitigate Vancouver's carbon emissions in the coming decades. The News Collective also speaks with reporter Braela Kwan, who recently reported on a climate change protest in Vancouver for The Thunderbird. The show ends on the topic of housing and features an interview with B.C.'s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Selina Robinson.
April 14th was the three year anniversary of B.C.’s public health emergency. Since that date, more than 3,600 people have lost their lives to overdose in B.C., with more that 1,000 deaths happening here in Vancouver.
CiTR's News Collective reports from a march and demonstration in the DTES on the National Day of Action on the Overdose Crisis. The collective also interviews drug advocate and Crackdown podcast producer/host, Garth Mullins.
Democracy Watch reports from a town hall in Kitsilano were residents voice their opinions for and against a MIRHPP rental project located at 1805 Larch Street. After that, reporter Ben Mussett discusses how much welfare rate housing has been built in Vancouver since 2010. The show ends in an interview with Harsha Walia; activist and co-author of the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre report, Red Women Rising.
In this episode we hear an audio documentary produced by Alex de Boer, which explores the relationship between City staff and City Councillors. After that, News Collective member Gui Rosales presents a policy discussion on the history of vacancy control in B.C.
In this episode, the News Collective unpacks the federal budget's media bailout. After that, collective member Cinar Kiper interviews Jeanette Ageson, publisher of The Tyee and Emma Gilchrist, Editor-in-Chief of The Narwhal, on how this bailout could affect their independent media organizations.
In this episode we hear a piece produced by two masters of public policy students on what makes an effective policy advocate. After that the News Collective discusses the Vancouver Park Board’s recent decision to open a warming centre in the DTES’ Oppenheimer Park. The show ends with a special in-studio interview with producer Alexander Kim of the new Vancouver overdose crisis podcast, Crackdown.
This is our last 2019 Fundrive episode! You can still donate by going to citr.ca/donate
In this episode we discuss push back from the West Kits Residents Association on the Broadway corridor subway extension. After that, folks living in Oppenheimer Park explain why they would rather live in a tent city than a shelter.
This is a special Fundrive kick off show! We play music from our sitting mayor's '90s rock band, State of Mind, and discuss news from Vancouver City Hall including Motion B.10 (Protecting Tenants from Renovictions and Aggressive Buyouts) and Motion B.4 (Helping Campers in Oppenheimer Park).
The show begins with local data analyst and census mapper, Jens Von Bergmann, who explains what Vancouver's individual ballots data tells us about October's 2018 municipal election. We then turn to reporting from Wednesday's public hearing on a mixed-housing and detox centre proposed to be built at 1636 Clark Drive and 1321-1395 East 1st Avenue. Perspectives for and against the project are given by members of the Grandview Woodland Area Council, the Vancouver Tenants Union, the Live Big Society and the Carnegie Community Action Plan.
This is an extended edition of Democracy Watch. The show begins with a feature on BC’s first Open Mosque Day. Reporter Hina Imam speaks live with Mosque Day Program Manager Adnan Akiel about the significance of this cultural event.
We then turn to the City's Rental 100 program, which has Vancouver's housing advocates divided. The News Collective speaks with Karen Sawatzky, former Chair of a Vancouver Renter Advisory Committee and member of Abundant Housing and Sara Sagii, a Steering Committee member of the Vancouver Tenants Union.
On today's show we discuss an innovative new renter-protection bylaw passed in New West with City Councillor Jaimie McEvoy. We then turn to Part 2 of our Climate Change series, featuring the UBC climate justice group, UBCc350, who are running a fossil fuel divestment campaign on campus.
In this episode reporter Frances Bula breaks down City Council's January 30th vote to endorse an extended subway line out to UBC. Bula discusses the significance of all three Green Councillors voting in favour of this motion and what it means that Councillors Jean Swanson and Colleen Hardwick both voted in opposition. We hear final speeches made by both Hardwick and Swanson before casting their vote against this motion.
The show concludes in an interview with incumbent Green City Councillor Adriane Carr. Carr discusses the City's recent vote to declare a climate emergency and the need for collaboration with Vancouver's diversity of communities when seeking environmental justice.
On today’s show we begin by learning about logging in Vancouver Island's old growth forests. News Collective reporter Ande Laidman speaks with Western Canada Wilderness Committee canvaser James Davey about the intricacies of logging in the area of Carmanah Walbran.
We then debunk accusations of sexism launched against various UBC groups/organizations, by the UBC Men’s Rights Association—a rejected AMS club.
Lastly we asses a January 15th motion to rezone two developments at 2230 Harrison Drive and 3532 East Hastings under a Rental 100 policy. Both Sara Sagaii of the Vancouver Tenants Union and City Councilor Adriane Carr give their perspective on whether the new Council should continue incentivizing the construction of rental developments under the previous Council's Rental 100 policy.
The News Collective unpacks City Council's approval of its $1.5 billion 2019 budget on Tuesday, December 18th. On this episode of Democracy Watch, the collective reviews the debate, amendments and political divisions that surfaced at council on Tuesday, with a focus on the budget's new 4.5% property tax rate.
On Wednesday, a motion passed in City Hall titled, “A Proposed Alternative to Provincial Encroachment on the City of Vancouver’s Municipal Tax Base.” This motion, tabled by NPA Councillor Rebecca Bligh, calls for council to send a letter to the provincial government to retract a “School Tax” on properties valued over three million dollars. Some were surprised to see all three Green City Councillors vote alongside the NPA in favour of this motion. On this episode you'll hear an interview with Councillor Pete Fry, explaining why he voted for this motion and how he feels that vote has been misunderstood by the public.
After that, the News Collective discusses some civic matters including Council's upcoming vote on the 2019 city budget, Councillor Boyle's proposed Land Value Capture Tax and the provincial government's recently released Rental Housing Task Force Recommendations.
After back-to-work legislation ends a postal strike in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, we discuss the legalities around the "right to strike" in B.C. After that we feature original reporting on a motion put forward by Councillor Jean Swanson, titled “Protecting tenants from renovictions and aggressive buyouts.” The motion — which aims to enhance renter rights — passed unanimously on Tuesday, December 4th, but with significant amendments. The passed motion was interpreted as both a victory and a compromise by Swanson and Vancouver Tenants Union activists.
In light of recent anti-SOGI sentiments expressed by a handful of Vancouver Christian organizations, News Collective member Christina Song interviews UBC PhD candidate, Zaraí Toledo Orozco, on the similarities between Christian groups in Latin America and those in British Columbia, who oppose LGBTQ rights.
In otter news, we hear a special "news-drama" report on Chinatown’s otter at large. This wily river otter has made international headlines after eating the 11 of the 14 resident koi in a Chinatown's Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. In this piece we hear from #TeamKoi and #TeamOtter.
The show starts with a look into Christopher Cheung's recent reporting for the Tyee which broke down metro Vancouver's low, middle and high income neighbourhoods by ethnicity, education and immigration status using data from our 2016 census. The show then turns to B.C.'s electoral reform referendum. We hear from both pro proportional representation and anti proportional representation sides of the debate, with only a week until ballots must be received by Elections BC.
CiTR's News Collective reports on a rally in support of two renter/social housing motions put forward by Councillor Jean Swanson on November 14th. At the rally, low income speakers and activists say they have experienced profiling by security at City Hall. The show then features a story on community television, with a look at the documentary archives of Sid Chow Tan and with comment from Geoff Scott of Tricities TV.
The News Collective Speaks with Research Co president Mario Canseco about what Vancouver voters are willing to change in order to increase voter turn out. Democracy Watch then features a skit-explainer on proportional representation and which versions are being made available to British Columbians in our current provincial referendum.
Five days after Vancouver's 2018 municipal election, the News Collective gets response to the city's new council from University of Calgary political scientist Jack Lucas and former city hall reporter Frances Bula.
This is the last show before B.C.'s municipal elections! With two days to go, Democracy Watch interviews the two UBC students who are running for Vancouver City Council as independents. The show also presents a continued report on Vancouver's expanded mobile voting services and a new look the Vancouver Tenants Union's newly published Renter Report Card. As a special addition to our Vancouver coverage, Democracy Watch also presents an overview of Richmond's big municipal election issues, with perspective from Malcolm Brodie, Judie Schneider and Kerry Starchuk.
Today’s show starts out with an examination of the effects of polling on Vancouver’s 2018 Election with UBC political science professor Richard Johnston.
We then have an interview with Tamara Levy of the UBC School of Law. She talks with the News Collective about the frequency of wrongful convictions in Canada in honour National Wrongful Conviction Day, which took place last week on October 2nd.
Lastly, we have a report on the City’s new initiative to increase voter turnout through more accessible voting options. Reporters Samuel Jones and Linden Wong bring us a report from a couple mobile voting sites that opened this week and we hear how helpful they are to folks with limited mobility or who face mental health or drug addiction related barriers.
It's two weeks till Vancouver's municipal election and the News Collective takes some time to talk with Vancouver’s Chief Elections Officer, Rosemary Hagiwara, to learn about efforts the city is taking to get people out to voting, including its expansion of mobile voting services.
After that we speak with CBC's Municipal Affairs reporter, Justin McElroy about how and why UBC became Canada's largest community without a municipal government.
The show ends with some fun facts on Vancouver's local government with political science professor Jack Lucas. Jack tell us why the number of Vancouver city councillors hasn't expanded proportionally to our population growth and why our municipal elections now happen every four years, rather than every three or two years.
We start off the show with UBC political science professor Max Cameron, who discusses the decline in party brands on the local level and the simultaneous rise of independents in Vancouver’s 2018 election.
Democracy Watch then turns to the province’s recently amended annual allowable rent increase. What was originally set at 4.5%, has now been lowered to 2.5%. We hear from mayoral candidates Kennedy Stewart, Shauna Sylvester, Wai Young and David Chen on whether this rate goes too far or not far enough.
The show ends with a story on some of the cuddliest creatures in the ocean in honour of Sea Otter Week!
We begin Democracy Watch by interviewing Vancouver pollster, Mario Canseco. Mario is the president of Research Co, a polling company that specializes in public opinion research. The News Collective chats with him about his latest poll and what it suggests about trends in voter confidence.
After that we have a short interview with city hall reporter and UBC journalism professor, Frances Bula. Frances tells the News Collective her thoughts on Vancouver’s newest mayoral candidate: Connie Fogal. As of today, Connie Fogal, the wife of former COPE city councillor Harry Rankin, joins the race for mayor, bringing some very outlandish perspectives with her.
Democracy Watch ends with an original report from last night’s municipal election panel on housing policy. From the lavish halls of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel’s Star Sapphire Ballroom, CiTR’s News Collective captures housing policy highlights, as expressed by our city’s civic party leaders and independent candidates.
There's been a lot of buzz about the new billboards promoting Hector Bremner. And mysteriously, the group who paid for them hasn't been answering phone calls or emails. What level of transparency are third party advertisers required to provide to the public? And what defines a "third party"? We speak with a representative from Elections BC to find out.
Democracy Watch then presents a special story on Hector Bremner's socially liberal, fiscally conservative approach to fixing Vancouver's housing crisis and its social woes, all through increasing housing supply. In this piece, UBC economics professor, Kevin Milligan, reviews Hector's housing strategy and comments on whether or not it's economically sound.
Democracy Watch starts out with Part 2 of our documentary series, "How We Got Here." This episode, titled: "Vancouver's Civic Government," provides a meaningful look at why our unique electoral system is adding to the weirdness of Vancouver's 2018 civic election.
We then turn to an interview with local, self-taught election expert and politics podcaster, Ian Bushfield. Ian has been graphing and charting the Vancouver municipal election through public surveys and open-source information sharing. He talks about his participatory reporting methods and gives us a summary of the status on this year's increasingly confusing civic election.
This episode of Democracy Watch starts with Maxwell Cameron, a political science professor and the Director of UBC’s Centre for the study of democratic Institutions. Cameron explains why BC’s October electoral reform referendum is important, and why you should vote in it. We then turn to an interview with Coalition of Progressive Electors city council candidate Jean Swanson who discusses the four days she recently served in prison after breaking a court injunction on Kinder Morgan’s Burnaby tank farm facility and why she hopes to serve as an “activist-councillor.”
Wondering what Wai Young's Coalition Vancouver wants to do besides remove bike lanes? The News Collective gets a preview of this new civic group's housing plan and learns about its self-described centrist values from Coalition Vancouver president and former NPA board member, Peter Labrie.
This episode also contains a five minute bonus interview with Peter, focused on a provocative retweet he posted on August 15th.
This April, ProVancouver joined an already crowded race for office in Vancouver’s 2018 civic election. ProVancouver, lead by mayoral candidate David Chen, aspires to build strong communities, increase rental housing and maintain transparency at City Hall. ProVancouver also claims to be neither a right wing or left wing party. And they actually aren't even a party.
Today's Democracy Watch features an interview with David Chen on these topics and more.
We have Part 2 of our ongoing series, “It’s not weed, it’s not pot, It’s the cannabis industry." This segment focuses on whether there will be a supply shortage in the initial days of marijuana legalization, whether a black market will remain and how approaches to marijuana legalization will be similar to alcohol regulation. After that Democracy Watch presents Part 3 of our series, “Warning: Backpage Not Found." This episode features local sex worker and trans-rights activist Hailey Heartless, who tells us about the impacts SESTA/FOSTA has had on her life. We end the show with a re-airing of last week's "Shark Report."
Today on Democracy Watch we have part one of a series on how the national legalization of marijuana will affect Vancouver. This timely series is called “It’s Not Weed, It’s Not Pot, It’s the Cannabis Industry” and today’s story is an intro to the topic, with input from industry reporters and experts. We then play the latest episode of Seeking Office—the News Collective's civic elections podcast. This episode is part one of our “How We Got Here" series and It’s all about the history of Vision Vancouver. The show ends with an update on West Coast sharks in honour of the Discovery Channel’s annual Shark Week!
This episode of Democracy Watch features the second part of our series on how America's passing of SESTA/FOSTA has affected sex workers in Canada—"Warning: Backpage Not Found." The piece includes an interview with local sex worker and activist Carmen, who tells us her story and the real world impact the bills have had on her. We then hear a short piece on the affects a fire at Topanga Cafe has had on the Kits community. For the final section of our show, we have a live interview with OneCity council candidates Brandon Yan and Christine Boyle. Brandon joins us live in studio and Christine joins us by phone. Both chat about their experiences with online harassment.
Democracy Watch begins with an interview with South-Surrey MLA and disability rights activist, Stephanie Cadieux on the topic of wheelchair accessible taxis and the role Uber will have on accessible transportation, if it comes to B.C. This segment is an updated re-broadcast, in light of an incident that happened this past Sunday—Canada Day—when a woman was forced to wait three hours for a wheelchair accessible taxi. After that, we have part one of a three part series on the April 2018 passing of the SESTA and FOSTA bills in the United States. News Collective member Ande Laidman interviews Carolyn Derkson from PACE to discuss how SESTA/FOSTA has been affecting sex workers in Vancouver. The show ends with a short piece on a camp for recently arrived refugee children, lead by local university students called the BC Newcomer Camp.
Democracy Watch starts off with a short interview with NDP MP Jenny Kwan. Kwan discusses Canada's detention of noncitizen, including children, in the wake of Trump's policy to separate immigrant children from parents at the Mexico-U.S. border. After that we turn to Vancouver's new randomized ballot policy and feature political scientist and University of Calgary professor, Jack Lucas, who challenges the idea that voting in Vancouver will now be fairer with a randomized ballot. The show ends with an original report from Vancouver's Green Party election nomination meeting, including an interview with incumbent city councillor, Adriane Carr.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Democracy Watch presents an hour of Indigenous-focused, local current affairs in honour of National Day of Indigenous Peoples. The show begins with Rehmatullah Sheikh, who reported on Vancouver's first urban Heiltsuk language classes as part of UBC's Reporting In Indigenous Communities program. After that, we hear an interview lead by Ande Laidman with Vancouver-based Cree scholar and activist, Harlan Pruden. Laidman speaks with Pruden about the nuances of being Indigenous and two-spirited.
After headlines, the News Collective remembers the life of Anthony Bourdain through the eyes of Vancouver's celebrity celebrity chef, Vikram Vij. News Collective member Zubin Shroff-Mehrabadi interviews Sydney Ball of the Vancouver Tenants Union about the province's new Rental Housing Task Force, and the set of 50 recommendations presented by the VTU in Victoria last week. Then, News Collective members Zoe Power and Sammy Smart present original reporting from Jean Swanson's campaign launch over the weekend, where, surrounded by some of Vancouver's priciest mansions, she announced that she'll be seeking a seat on city council as a candidate for COPE this year. After that we receive an update on COPE's confirmed candidates for Council, School and Park board before turning to an interview with Nate, one of over 200 people who are awaiting sentencing next week after being arrested for protesting the pipeline expansion at Kinder Morgan's Burnaby facility.
The News Collective speaks with the NPA's 2018 mayoral candidate Ken Sim, former NPA 2014 mayoral candidate and UBC Journalism School professor, Kirk La Pointe, as well as NPA sitting councillor, Hector Bremner, who is running for mayor under the banner of a new party he's founded. Democracy Watch also features interviews with West Van residents at Attorney General David Eby's Tuesday night town hall on housing, followed by an interview with Alex Hemingway from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives on the topic of the NDP's controversial school tax.
It’s 148 days till we elect a new mayor, city councillors, school board trustees and park board trustees. In this summer edition of Democracy Watch, we bring listeners an update on Vancouver's coming municipal election. After that, a report from Vancouver's city hall. News Collective members Aidan Tong and Sammy Smart speak with concerned parties at a hearing on May 16th, which concludes in the passing of a ban on single-use plastic items. Democracy Watch ends with interviews on the soon-to-be-built Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC) pipeline. News Collective member Alex de Boer speaks with journalist Glen Korstrom of Business in Vancouver and Richmond City Councillor, Carol Day on exactly how imminent this pipeline in.
This is the final episode of Democracy Watch for the 2017/2018 school year! Instead of presenting headlines and original reporting, this week the News Collective revisits past episodes and discusses where the stories we reported on are at now. The collective also analyzes our own coverage of local news, as well as coverage provided by other media outlets.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Democracy Watch airs a super chill, music-centred episode.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, today's show features an interview with the Managing Director of Social Policy at the city's newly opened temporary support centre for families and survivors affected by the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG). Mary Clare Zak talks with reporter Aidan Tong about the Saa-ust Support Centre and its significance.
Next we turn to a story on a dispute involving the UBC Geography Student Association (GSA) and Hillel BC. Democracy Watch reporters Olamide Olaniyan and Aidan Tong talk to The Ubyssey's Lawrence Ge about his reporting on this incident and the challenge both he and Democracy Watch faced in trying to get the Geography department to comment on what went down.
After that we turn to an interview with Thomas Davies of Climate Convergence Vancouver. Reporter Areeka Riaz interviews Davies about a series of direct actions that took place at TD Banks across Burnaby last Saturday. These actions were meant to disrupt and shame TD, which is the world’s largest bank investor in the Transmountain pipeline expansion.
The show ends with a conversation on a small demonstration that was held in conjunction with UBC’s annual Storm the Wall event. Yesterday, Democracy Watch’s Areeka Riaz, in collaboration with members of Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights, the Talon and the Social Justice Centre set up a booth adjacent to UBC's Storm the Wall event in an effort to draw attention to colonial legacies on Indigenous lands including the building of border walls.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Democracy Watch features an original audio documentary on Camp Cloud—the observation and resistance camp outside Kinder Morgan’s Tank Farm Facility on Burnaby Mountain. Reporters Alex de Boer and Zoe Power speak with Indigenous and settler activists at the camp and the nearby Coast Salish Watch House. The documentary observes the ongoing #ProtecttheInlet movement—an Indigenous lead coalition of environmental groups and activists intent on preventing Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion.
Democracy Watch then turns to an interview done by CiTR's Accessibility Collective. Collective members Dezy Nair and Deepi Leihl speak with founder and former CEO of Accomable, an online marketplace for people with disabilities and senior citizens. Accomable assists those with mobility issues in finding accessible accommodations when traveling and recently entered into a partnership with Airbnb.
The show ends with an impromptu conversation with News Collective comrade Rehmatullah Sheikh about his ongoing reporting on a Heiltsuk language revitalization course.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Democracy Watch starts the show with a report on the Tibetan Uprising Day rally and vigil that took place in Vancouver this past Saturday. This annual event has been happening in Vancouver for decades. Democracy Watch interviews organizer Mati Bernabei of the Canada Tibet Committee and Tenzin Youdon of Students for a Free Tibet, as well as the Boston-based activist Lhadon Tethong, one of the most prominent voices in the global struggle for Tibet.
We then turn to an interview with Lama Mugabo, an organizer with the Carnegie Community Action Project, a group that champions the rights of Downtown Eastside low income residents. He discusses the group’s recently released 2017 Hotel Survey and Housing Report and what it means to defend the epicentre of Vancouver’s housing crisis.
The show ends with a report from outside the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Democracy Watch reporter Areeka Riaz interviews local activist David Mivasair, who has been using direct action tactics to cause delays in Kinder Morgan pipeline construction. Mivasair and 14 fellow activists are now being sued by the Texas oil giant for allegedly causing over $1 billion in losses.
This episode of Democracy Watch, broadcast on International Women's Day, begins with headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland! We then turn to a report on local feminist literary festival; Growing Room Festival, where the News Collective interviewed festival attendees and nationally acclaimed writers Selina Boan and Chelene Knight. Second up, is a short report on a Vancouver vigil that took place in response to the heightened humanitarian crisis in Eastern Ghouta, Syria. For the second half of the hour, Democracy Watch hones in on housing. First we have an exclusive interview with provincial Housing Minister Selina Robinson, who discusses the 2018 Budget and how it will affect renters caught in Vancouver's housing crisis. After that Vancouver Tenant's Union steering committee member Sydney Ball responds to the Minister's words from a renter advocacy perspective.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Democracy watch played a soundscape featuring on-location music and speeches from the previous weekend's Justice for Tina Fontaine rally held in downtown Vancouver. After that, Democracy Watch airs an interview with local Discourse Media journalist, Wawmeesh Hamilton. Wawmeesh discusses his new series on urban and rural reconciliation across Canada. The show ends with a story on the development battle over Chinatown's 105 Keefer Street. Democracy Watch reports on a mock community hearing that took place outside of Ryan Beedie's downtown office on Monday morning, lead by Chinatown Action Group.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Democracy Watch unpacks the NDP's recently announced 2018 budget with senior economist from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Iglika Ivanova.
After that, we hear a story from last Friday's Wild Salmon Fundraiser & Educational evening at the Vancouver Unitarian Church. The evening featured world-renowned scientist, David Suzuki, as well as several Indigenous activists, including hereditary Chief Ernest Alfred from the 'Namgis, Tlowitsis and Mamalilikulla First Nations who spoke of the environmental hazard and infringement on First Nations' rights resulting from salmon farming off the coast of B.C.
We end the show with a piece on Tuesday’s national Day of Action on Drug Decriminalization held in Downtown Vancouver. This year’s action focused on the criminal justice system and its impact on drug users, including the practice of red-zoning. Democracy Watch spoke with event organizer Jordan Westfall; president of the Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs, PIVOT lawyer Caitlin Shane, members of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) and rally-goers marching in honour of loved ones lost to this epidemic.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Democracy Watch hosts local city politics reporter and UBC Journalism School professor, Frances Bula, who deconstructs the recently passed North East False Creek Plan. Democracy Watch then hears from Coast Salish activist and educator Ronnie Dean Haris and Indigenous justice expert Dr. David Milward. Both discuss the future for reconciliation after last weekend's Canada-Wide rallies demanding justice for Colten Boushie. The show ends with original reporting from Wednesday's Memorial March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in downtown Vancouver.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Democracy Watch discusses the recent B.C. Supreme Court Ruling that solitary confinement is unconstitutional. The News Collective reports from a Tuesday evening panel hosted by the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, where they spoke with several panelists including members of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association and Prisoners’ Legal Services. Democracy Watch then turns to a live in-studio interview with Senior Economist for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Iglika Ivanova. Iglika discusses the potential affects of B.C.'s pledge to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15.20 by June of 2021.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Democracy Watch explores the Mayor's Monday announcement on the City's Empty House Tax. Democracy Watch then turns to a story on local vigils held in honour of the mass murder of Muslim worshippers in Quebec, one year ago. After that, the program returns its focus to City Hall, with a report on the North East False Creek Plan, put before Council on Wednesday. This plan involves the development of the NE False Creek and Strathcona area and the reimagining of Hogan's Alley — the former residential and cultural hub of Vancouver’s Black community.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Democracy Watch turns to original reporting from a protest that took place outside the Tim Hortons on Commercial and 1st last Friday evening. B.C.’s Fight for 15 campaign organized two B.C. events as part of the Canada-Wide Day of Action in support of Tim Hortons workers. Democracy Watch interviewed activists and organizers outside Tim Hortons, as well as UBC Sauder business professor, Mark Thompson. After that, Democracy Watch breaks down the not-so “public hearings” taking place this week in front of the National Energy Board in Burnaby.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Democracy Watch investigates confusion surrounding the two groups who both appear to be the official organizer of Vancouver's 2018 Women’s March. The show then turns to original reporting from a public hearing held at City Hall on Tuesday night. The City's plan to develop a community garden into mix-use housing, contrasts directly with Mayor Gregor Robertson's 2016 promise to build 100% social housing at the 58 West Hastings site. Democracy Watch covers the hearing and interviews anti-poverty activist Jean Swanson, members of the Chinatown Action Group, folks from the Carnegie Community Action Project and more.
This is a special TWO HOUR edition of Democracy Watch! The first half of the show explores intensifying resistance to Kinder Morgan's transmountain pipeline with activist, environmental and legal perspectives from David Mivasair of the Justin Trudeau Brigade, Andrew Larigakis of 350 Vancouver and Eugene Kung of West Coast Environmental Law. We then turn to two original interviews on Vancouver's vigil/protest held in solidarity with Iranian protesters on Saturday, January 6th. Democracy Watch speaks with Vancouver-Iranian activist Sara Sagaee who opposes Western intervention in Iran and Iranian journalist and UBC professor, Mohajer (not her real name), who was on the ground during the last mass protests in Iran in 2009.
It's the first episode of Democracy Watch from 2018! Welcome to a new year of adversarial, local news coverage! In this episode we feature an original report on an ant-eviction protest that took place at the Belvedere Court apartment earlier in the week. This protest was put on by the Vancouver Tenants Union and the Belvedere Residents Association in response to the pending eviction of a long-time tenant. The protest was meant to highlight the city's growing trend of evictions through coercion, especially targeting seniors and vulnerable tenants. After this report, the News Collective reflects on the best of our original reporting from 2017!
This is a holiday re-airing of an original report done by Democracy Watch on the CBC's digital-first strategy. This report features CBC's outgoing President and CEO, Hubert Lacroix, as well as Taylor Owen, Assistant Professor at the Liu Institute for Global Issues and the UBC Graduate School of Journalism; author of the book "Disruptive Power: The Crisis of the State in the Digital Age." Owen and Lacroix share their thoughts on the CBC’s digital media strategy.
After headlines, Democracy Watch examines a statement made by Mayor Robertson, condemning recent incidents of hate, discrimination and racism in Vancouver. In this statement, which went unreported by media, Robertson conflates the burning of an Israeli flag with a violent hate crime. Democracy Watch features an interview with Rabbi David Mivasair, member of Independent Jewish Voices, who has requested a meeting with the mayor to address this fraught comparison. Democracy Watch then hosts a live interview with local activist Melody Ma. Ma is the author of a website satirizing a public art exhibition and culture campaign created by luxury real estate developer, Westbank. Last weekend, Ma and a coalition of groups fighting for affordable housing, protested Westbank's "Fight for Beauty" exhibition outside the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
This is a special extended episode of Democracy Watch! We start out the show with an original report on a forum held last Friday, December 8th, on Vancouver’s development of a policy to preserve legacy businesses in Chinatown. After that, Democracy Watch counters mainstream news accounts of last weekend’s Pro-Palestine rallies in downtown Vancouver. Held in resistance to Donald Trump’s announcement that the US will move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, mainstream B.C. news networks focused heavily on the burning of an Israeli flag, but Democracy Watch reporters attended both rallies and bring a broader account of the events that took place over those two days. The show also features an exclusive interview with Managing Director of Hillel BC, Sam Heller, Palestinian UBC student, Haytham Al Hamaydeh and Noor Fadel, the recent victim of an anti-Muslim hate crime on Vancouver public transit.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, the News Collective presents two exclusive reports on Democracy Watch. First, a story of support and resistance in Marpole, as temporary modular housing units are being built to shelter the homeless. This story is brought to you by News Collective members Ryan Patrick Jones and Christina Song, with editing and production by Alex de Boer. After that we hear an interview with UBC Journalism student Vee S. Wells. Wells discusses her recent Thunderbird feature on B.C.’s curriculum changes and the new use of board games in the classroom. The show concludes with a half hour report by News Collective member Rehmatullah Sheikh, delving into the Zimbabwean-Canadian reaction to the ouster of long-time president, Robert Mugabe. The report is followed by a live interview with Benjamin Chidzero, a Zimbabwean citizen and second year student in the Faculty of Arts at UBC.
After headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, CiTR's News Collective hosts UBC Journalism student Annie Reuter, who reads her recent Thunderbird piece on the city's increase in Indigenous public-art commissions. Following Reuter, Jonathan Ventura, another UBC Journalism student reads his Thunderbird feature on Vancouver's first trans-inclusive food bank. Democracy Watch ends with a podacst exclusive, produced by UBC Jschool student Dustin Patar. This podcast examines the increase in university students working as seasonal employees for B.C.'s WildFire Services. It is followed by an interview on the same topic with News Collective member Ryan Patrick Jones and FirstOnSite Restoration spokesperson, Jim Mandeville.
Following headlines, the November 23rd episode of Democracy Watch features an exclusive interview with journalist Melanie Woods. Woods recently published an article in the UBC Journalism School's online news publication, The Thunderbird. Her story looks at Vancouver's DIY music scene, following October's string of sexual assault and harassment allegations that lead to the suicide on a local DJ. After that, Democracy Watch airs a special segment on the media’s coverage of the October 14 terrorist bombings in Mogadishu, Somalia, and how Vancouver’s Somali community is responding. This piece is reported on by Rehmatullah Sheikh and Aidan Tong and produced by Sheikh. The story is followed by a round table discussion with Somali community members, Saleh Ismail and Hamsa Mahmoud.
This episode of Democracy Watch begins with headlines from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, read by News Collective Members Madeline Zeif and Christina Dasom Song. We then take an exclusive look at CBC's "digital first" strategy, featuring original reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones and Rehmatullah Sheikh and interviews with CBC's outgoing President and CEO, Hubert Lacroix, as well as Taylor Owen, Assistant Professor at the Liu Institute for Global Issues and the UBC Graduate School of Journalism; author of the book "Disruptive Power: The Crisis of the State in the Digital Age." Owen shares his thoughts on the CBC’s digital media strategy. This CBC exclusive was produced by Olamide Olaniyon and Alex de Boer.
After headlines, CiTR's News Collective examines Vancouver's November 4th #metoo rally. Reporting was done by collective members Ryan Patrick Jones and Aidan Tong, with audio edited by Olamide Olaniyan. After, we hear an exclusive interview with Jannie Leung, an organizer with Chinatown Action Group. Leung discusses the city's Tuesday rejection of a proposed multi-use condo development at 105 Keefer street with collective member Olamide Olaniyan. We finish the show with guest Rach Lau, a Youth for Chinese Seniors activist and CiTR Student Executive member. Rach discusses their thoughts on the recent Keefer St. development rejection with collective member Madeline Zeif, as well as their November Discorder article, “Youth for Chinese Seniors and Intergenerational Collaboration in Chinatown."
On the November 2nd episode of Democracy Watch, the CiTR News Collective reads headlines from around Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. The program then features two stories originally reported for the UBC School of Journalism's online news publication, The Thunderbird. The first piece examines UBC's 2019 commitment to build "nano-suits" on campus and was reported on by Rehmatullah Sheikh and Jess Mackie. Sheikh reads the story on air and is interviewed by News Collective member Olamide Olaniyan. The second Thunderbird piece was reported by Alastair Spriggs and Dustin Patar. It discusses a rising home-gym movement in residential Vancouver. The piece is read by Spriggs, who is later interviewed on his reporting by News Collective member, Sam Peng. The episode comes to a conclusion with some informal discussion between collective members who are enrolled in the UBC School of Journalism.
CiTR's News Collective brings you it's first news show of the school year! Beginning with headlines from around Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, read by hosts Olamide Olaniyan and Ryan Patrick Jones, the episode also features original reporting by UBC Journalism students, Jamuna Galay-Tamang and Ryan Patrick Jones.