Andrew Johns breaks down Eby’s controversial remarks, Pattison’s contributions to BC’s economy, and the NDP government’s nearly $14 billion deficit.

Is the government punishing success while failing to address BC’s affordability crisis?

Former Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart sits down with Coastal Front for a candid, no-holds-barred conversation about Ken Sim, the UBC SkyTrain, policing, property taxes and the future of Vancouver ahead of the 2026 municipal election.

Stewart looks back on his time as an NDP MP and his 2018–2022 term as mayor of Vancouver: leading a split city council, getting the city through COVID, helping bring the FIFA World Cup to BC, and securing funding for the Broadway Plan and the SkyTrain extension to UBC. He explains why he believes the UBC SkyTrain line was fully funded when he left office, what went wrong under Mayor Ken Sim, and why he says Sim “had four years to deliver.”

We also get into:
🔹 Why he says he was “never about defunding police,” and how he thinks Sim’s 100-officer pledge drove up property taxes
🔹 Housing affordability, rental housing, super towers and the Carney–Eby housing announcement
🔹 Whether Metro Vancouver’s cities should amalgamate
🔹 Party discipline in Ottawa, his book with Michael Chong, and working with Harper, Trudeau, Singh and Carney
🔹 Whether he’ll ever run for office again

In this episode of Coastal Front, we sit down with Ms. Lavell, head of York House School, and Ms. Harrop, head of Crofton House School, to discuss what it means to educate and raise girls in 2026.

From social media and emerging technology, including AI, to confidence, resilience and the pressures facing young women today, they explore how education is evolving and what all-girls schools can offer that a coeducational environment may not.

The conversation also tackles parenting, screen time, school uniforms, career choices, financial aid, politics in schools and the importance of preparing girls to think independently and confidently navigate a rapidly changing world.

Want more from Gavin? Subscribe to The DEW Line for his takes on BC jobs, economics, and ideas.

Gavin Dew - The DEW Line

Jobs, Economics, and Ideas from MLA Gavin Dew

What does it take to build a beloved Canadian brand while staying true to family values, quality, and purpose?

In this episode, Karen Flavelle and Scott McTavish of Purdys Chocolatier join us for a candid conversation about leadership, legacy, and growing one of Canada’s most iconic chocolate companies in a rapidly changing retail landscape.

From navigating generational business transitions to maintaining craftsmanship at scale, they share insights on entrepreneurship, company culture, sustainability, and what it means to build a brand that Canadians genuinely love.

Coastal Front’s Reid Small sat down with author and journalist Aaron Maté at Web Summit Vancouver to discuss Canada, Ukraine, Syria, media narratives, and more.

Want more from Aaron Maté? Subscribe to his Substack for independent reporting and analysis.

Aaron Mate

Reporting and analysis by award-winning independent journalist.

By Aaron Maté

For years, the Government of Canada funded a sophisticated propaganda campaign targeting Syria. It aimed to boost support for armed opposition groups and “soften” the image of anti-Assad militias, according to leaked documents.

In this rare and wide-ranging conversation, Tom Gaglardi, owner of the Dallas Stars and CEO of Northland Properties, shares his perspective on leadership, culture, business strategy, and the future of Canada.

As one of only 32 NHL owners, Gaglardi offers insight into:

How winning teams are built and sustained
The role of culture vs talent in elite organizations
Lessons from running a professional sports franchise
Canada’s economic challenges and competitiveness
What separates great businesses from those that struggle

From hockey to hospitality to macroeconomics, this is a candid look into how top operators think.

On this episode of the Coastal Front podcast, we sit down with BC MLA Elenore Sturko for a candid conversation on land, power and politics in British Columbia.

We discuss the state of public safety, justice reform, housing pressures and the growing tension between provincial policy and local governance. Elenore shares her perspective on crime trends, repeat offenders, and what she believes needs to change in order to restore public confidence in the system.

From legislative priorities to the broader political climate in BC, this episode explores the policy decisions shaping communities across the province.

On this episode of the Coastal Front podcast, we’re joined by Fraser Institute President Niels Veldhuis, who shares his views on what he sees as an ongoing attack on BC property rights, Canada’s culture around business achievement, and the Fraser Institute’s annual provincial school rankings.

What if the highest-paid medical specialists in British Columbia aren’t heart surgeons or neurosurgeons, but eye doctors? In this episode, we examine BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) billing data to uncover why ophthalmologists dominate the province’s highest earners and explore how decades of advances in cataract surgery have dramatically changed the economics of the profession.

We break down the billing codes, the numbers behind multimillion-dollar MSP billings, and the policy questions they raise. Is the current fee schedule keeping pace with modern medicine, or is it time to rebalance physician compensation? Watch for a data-driven look at one of BC’s most surprising healthcare stories.

On this episode of the Coastal Front podcast, we are joined by Charlwood Pacific Group Executive Chairman U. Gary Charlwood, who discussed how he built two powerhouse companies, CENTURY 21 Canada and Uniglobe.

Over several decades, he has built and led globally recognized franchise organizations, earning a reputation for his entrepreneurial vision, leadership, and commitment to helping independent business owners succeed. Charlwood has also been recognized for his contributions to business and philanthropy in Canada through numerous industry and community awards.

On this episode of the Coastal Front podcast, Wishpond CEO Ali Tajskandar shares his journey of building a successful Canadian tech company and the unique challenges entrepreneurs face in Canada’s startup ecosystem. He discusses fundraising, scaling a business, and what it takes to compete in a rapidly evolving global market.

The conversation also explores the rise of conversational AI and how technologies like ChatGPT are transforming marketing, customer engagement, and the future of software. Ali offers practical insights into how businesses can embrace AI while staying competitive in an increasingly digital world.

On this episode of the Coastal Front podcast, Kindred Construction President Bryan Reid joins us to discuss the biggest challenges facing British Columbia’s construction industry. From labour shortages to lengthy approvals and permitting processes, he explains what’s slowing the delivery of much-needed housing and infrastructure.

The conversation also explores the growing impact of BC Hydro-related bottlenecks and what governments and industry can do to accelerate development. Bryan shares practical insights on the policy changes needed to build faster and meet the province’s growing demand.

Canada and Saudi Arabia have maintained diplomatic and economic ties for decades, but recent developments have reignited debate over the future of that relationship. In this episode, we examine how the Kingdom’s evolving foreign policy and domestic actions are reshaping Canada’s strategic interests in the region.

We explore the economic, political, and geopolitical factors at play, asking whether the benefits of the partnership still outweigh the costs. As global alliances shift, should Canada rethink its relationship with one of the Middle East’s most influential powers?

On this episode of the Coastal Front podcast, we are joined by Chan Hon Goh, C.M., D.Litt., General and Artistic Director of Goh Ballet Academy. She shares the remarkable story behind one of Canada’s most celebrated ballet institutions and discusses her lifelong passion for developing the next generation of dancers.

The conversation explores the enduring magic of The Nutcracker, the discipline and artistry required to excel in ballet, and the vital role the performing arts play in inspiring communities. Chan Hon Goh also reflects on her career and the future of ballet in Canada.