BC Today

B.C. is commemorating victims and the communities affected by the April 16 Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy by marking a provincial day of mourning. CBC reporters Chad Pawson and Pinki Wong tell us about how the community is grieving and marking the day. The tragedy took place near two schools. Vancouver School Board superintendent Helen McGregor joins the show to discuss supports available for students. Communities outside of B.C. have joined in solidarity to support the victims of the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy, with donations and vigils. Hannah Sabit of Migrante Canada joins us from Toronto to discuss how the grief from Saturday's events rippled across the country.

BC Today gardening columnist Brian Minter joins us to answer your gardening questions.

We get reaction from members of the Filipino community after reviews were announced in the wake of the alleged car attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver over the weekend. B.C. is ending its zero-emission vehicle rebate program, which comes after a similar federal program was paused in January when it ran out of funds. We ask Bob Porter, president of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association, how this could affect demand for EVs.

Quebec will impose a full ban on cell phones and other electronic devices in schools. Brandon Laur, CEO and instructor at The White Hatter, joins the show to discuss as we ask viewers if cell phones should be outright banned in schools.

Wyn Ramos Daquigan is organizing the Vancouver Filipino Emergency Coalition to rally resources to help victims of the tragedy. He joins the show to discuss the supports available to those affected.

Communities continue to reel in the aftermath of the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy that killed 11 people and injured dozens of others. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says the city is conducting a comprehensive review and is calling for more support for mental health crises from senior levels of government. Dr. Gary Chaimowitz, professor of Psychiatry at McMaster University, joins the show to discuss mental health care systems. We take calls from the audience to address what needs to change in mental health care in B.C.

CBC has projected that Mark Carney's Liberals will form the country's next federal government, while the Conservatives will form the Opposition. We ask viewers about their reaction to the election results. Research Co. president Mario Canseco joins the show to break down what happened as we await a final call on whether the Liberals will form a minority or majority government. We take audience calls to weigh in on their reaction to the results of the election.

11 people have been killed and dozens injured at a popular Filipino street party in Vancouver. Thousands of people were on hand near Fraser Street and 41st Avenue in South Vancouver for the Lapu-Lapu Day street festival. We hear an eye witness account of Saturday's tragedy and hear how the community was impacted. DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains graphic details that may be disturbing to some listeners.

Canadians head to the polls today, capping a whirlwind 36-day campaign. James Hale, a spokesperson for Elections Canada, joins guest host Amy Bell to discuss the voting process. Less than two days after an SUV was driven into a crowd at Saturday's Lapu-Lapu Day festival, the Filipino community and others impacted by the tragedy are still grappling with unanswered questions. Jocelle Refol is an organizer with Filipino Emergency Response. Michelle Wing is a registered social worker, a registered clinical counsellor whose practice focuses on trauma, and a member of the Filipino community.

The federal election campaign has hit its home stretch, with all candidates making a big push for the final few days. U.S. President Donald Trump has played a big role in who might become Canada's next prime minister. We speak to Michael Prince, a political science professor at the University of Victoria, about the lead up to the campaign's climax. We ask viewers what is top of mind before election day and what matters most when it comes to making a choice.

The federal parties have laid out policies to help Canada's energy sectors weather the impacts of the trade war with the U.S. Andy Hira, Simon Fraser University political science professor and the lead researcher at the university's Clean Energy Institute, will discuss how energy issues are shaping our national conversations and what it could mean for voters in the upcoming election.

The environment and climate change have dropped down the list of election priorities compared to housing and the economy. However, it remains a top issue for a number of young voters. Kyle Empringham, the co-founder of The Starfish, a collective of staff and volunteers dedicated to amplifying voices of youth in the environmental movement, joins us as we ask viewers what environmental issues matter the most to them.

Immigration lawyers say they are seeing an increase in interest from Americans, many from the 2SLGBTQ+ community, wanting to move to Canada following U.S. President Donald Trump's executive orders around DEI and gender identity. Connie Campbell, an immigration lawyer with Edelmann, joins the show to explain what options Americans have if they want to relocate north.

We ask viewers what election issues matter to their generation. We chat with guests Cole Reinbold, the secretary-treasurer with the B.C. Federation of Students, and Jessica Moorhouse, a financial counselor and author, about issues that affect younger generations the most and Carole Fawcett, a retired writer, joins the show to speak about what seniors would like to see from whichever party forms the next government.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Indigenous communities remember him for offering an apology for the horrors of residential schools in Canada. Pixie Wells, president of Fraser Valley Metis Association, was among the delegation in Rome who heard the Pope's apology. They join the show to discuss how the Catholic church can carry on the Pope's legacy.

Canada's major federal parties have unveiled their costed campaign platforms just as the election campaign enters the final stretch. SFU political scientist Sanjay Jeram joins the show to help us comb through the details as we ask viewers for their thoughts on the plans.

The B.C. government is seeking to eliminate the need for a second road test to obtain a full driver's licence. Instead, new drivers would get "on-road experience" and be subject to a 12-month restriction rather than be required to take another test to get their Class 5 license. Driving instructor Sean McDonald joins the show to discuss what it means for road safety and driving skills.

Professional organizer Linda Chu with Out of Chaos professional organizing solutions shares tips on spring cleaning and decluttering.

The federal party leaders are in Montreal preparing to square off in the French-language debate, with the English debate taking place Thursday. Pollster Mario Canseco of Research Co. previews what can be expected from the French debate and the election race so far. Green Party co-leader Elizabeth May joins the show to discuss the party being dropped from the leaders' debates. The Greens insist on a reversal of the decision.

A new Canadian professional women's soccer league is kicking off its first match this evening in Vancouver, with Vancouver Rise FC playing host to the Calgary Wild at BC Place. Former national team player and co-founder of the Northern Super League Diana Matheson joins the show as we ask viewers about women's soccer's place in the B.C. sports landscape.