Conversations That Matter

Glyn Lewis - Demolition Crisis

Ep 546 - Demolition Crisis

Guest: Glyn Lewis 

 

By Stuart McNish

 

With the British Columbia provincial government’s mandate to increase density by allowing the building of fourplexes on single family lots, we’re going to experience a demolition crisis, says Glyn Lewis of Renewal Development. “From an environmental and economic perspective, demolition is not a wise choice.” 

 

Currently, 2,700 homes are demolished each year across Metro Vancouver to make room for higher density development. Most go to landfill sites. Lewis says, “Every day, we come across a home slated for demolition that is in perfectly good condition – homes that can be saved and repurposed.”

 

The average 1,500-square-foot home sent to a landfill contains 100 tons of raw materials that have substantial market value. “Wood, drywall, plastics, carpets, insulation, roofing materials all with aftermarket value,” says Lewis.

 

We invited Glyn Lewis of Renewal Development to join us for a Conversation That Matters about relocation alternatives to demolition that protect the environment and provide new housing for growing urban areas.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Thomas O’Shaughnessy - Targeting Colorectal Cancer

Ep 545 - Targeting Colorectal Cancer

Guest: Thomas O’Shaughnessy

 

By Stuart McNish

 

Colorectal cancer –  it’s difficult to treat, it can and often spreads, it kills more than 5,000 Canadians a year (most of them men), and the incidence of it is increasing. The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing in younger men and “this used to be considered an older person’s affliction," says Thomas O’Shaughnessy, the CEO of Onco Innovations, a Calgary-based cancer research company.

 

“Not anymore,” O’Shaughnessy continues. “Men under 50 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in increasing numbers and unfortunately more younger people are dying from the disease.” One of the reasons why colorectal cancer is deadly is the challenge it poses for treatment. “Radiation and chemotherapy are supposed to destroy cancer cells. In colorectal cancer they aren’t as effective.”

 

Onco Innovations has developed a treatment that targets solid cancer cells only. The goal is to destroy only the cancer cells' ability to replicate. “Our treatment is targeted and it aids and enhances the ability of other treatments to destroy and prevent the spread of the cancer,” says O’Shaughnessy.

 

We invited Thomas O’Shaugnessy of Onco Innovations to join us for a Conversation That Matters about targeting and destroying colorectal cancer.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Lenore Newman - Can British Columbia be an agricultural superpower?

Ep 542 - Can British Columbia be an agricultural superpower?

Guest: Lenore Newman

 

By Stuart McNish

 

According to the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, “It is estimated that B.C. farmers produce 40% of all foods consumed in the province.” It’s a frightening statistic – one that demonstrates how much food is imported into the province to ensure you can enjoy a healthy number of calories.

 

According to Professor Lenore Newman of the University of the Fraser Valley, “We have the ability to provide food security in BC coupled with the opportunity to create innovative ways of growing it.” A key step forward is the just-launched Sustainable Food Systems for Canada platform that will create a national agrifood innovations and entrepreneurship program.

 

Newman is one of two national directors of the program who says that “the world is facing significant challenges with food security. We need to support agri-food entrepreneurs and encourage the development of technologies that will increase Canada’s food production and resiliency.”

 

We invited Lenore Newman to join us for a Conversation That Matters about bolstering our food security and developing food production systems and equipment that meet domestic and international needs.

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Vina Nadjibulla - Indo-Pacific region: Our economic saviour?

Ep 541 - Indo-Pacific region: Our economic saviour?

Guest: Vina Nadjibulla

 

By Stuart McNish

 

“In the face of threatened tariffs, shifting security dynamics, and changing domestic priorities, Canadian policymakers and businesses alike need to assess how best to safeguard their interests and manage relations with key Indo-Pacific economies,” says Vina Nadjibulla of the Asia Pacific Foundation.

 

Nadjibulla continues, “The return of Donald Trump to the White House has brought heightened uncertainty to the Indo-Pacific region, posing new challenges for Canada’s evolving Indo-Pacific Strategy and its key relationships in Asia.”

 

Asia-Pacific Senior Fellow Patrick Leblond says, “While Trump’s foreign policies  may unleash turbulence, Canada’s long-term Indo-Pacific objectives remain valid. While China relations are likely to stay rocky, Canada needs to double down on Southeast Asia to maintain Canada’s relevance as a partner in the region.”

 

We invited Vina Nadjibulla of the Asia Pacific Foundation to join us for a Conversation That Matters about fortifying existing trading relationships and building new ones in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

 

Beau Jarvis & Kerri Jackson - Rental Development: Risky Business

Ep 540 - Rental Development: Risky Business

Beau Jarvis & Kerri Jackson

By Stuart McNish

 

The rental vacancy rate in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley is tight – less than one per cent, year over year. “That, on its own, puts pressure on the market driving up rental rates,” says Kerri Jackson of Concert Properties. Building new supply is a long and challenging process in a remarkably complex municipal landscape made up of 21 different jurisdictions. 

 

Add in factors such as a decades-long shift away from purpose built rental in favour of condo developments that once sold to investors became rental properties. Beau Jarvis of Wesgroup says, “Recently, purpose-built rental housing has resurfaced as a way of easing the tight supply – a good idea, but one that developers are hard-pressed to jump onside with minimal uptake from developers.”

 

As of October 2024, there are minimal purpose-built rental properties throughout the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley region. Those properties are a step in the right direction; however, they do not come close to the volume of new projects that are required to meet demand.

 

We invited Kerri Jackson of Concert Properties and Beau Jarvis of Wesgroup to join us for Conversation That Matters about the value of purpose-built rentals and why it’s a risky business.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Jacquie Griffiths - Selling Vancouver

Ep 538 - Selling Vancouver

Jacquie Griffiths

By Stuart McNish

 

“France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Mexico, Singapore, and the United States have successful Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) agencies. Canada can learn from these nations,” states a 2016 Government of Canada report called “Bringing Foreign Investment to Canada.”

 

The report points out Canada is trailing far behind in efforts to invite foreign companies to set up shop here, despite the benefits FDI brings. The report points out, “FDI strengthens Canadian productive capacity through knowledge transfer, the development of human capital, and new technology, management techniques, and production processes.”

 

According to the report, central to attracting foreign business “is a commitment at the highest political level as well as the provision of financial support and resources needed, active involvement from senior government officials, a single agency that coordinates information and services across various government offices, top-level talent, a clear investment strategy, use of a ‘concierge’ service for investors, from initial contact and cultivation to assistance after the investment takes place. In the United States, the president, governors, and ambassadors are all involved in marketing and recruiting efforts.”

 

We invited Jacquie Griffiths, the CEO of Invest Vancouver, to join us for a Conversation That Matters about Greater Vancouver’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Dr Linda Rapson - Mindful Cancer Care

Ep 528 - Mindful Cancer Care

Guest: Dr. Linda Carlson

 

“Your thoughts and feelings could impact hormones and the immune and nervous systems” was  Dr. Linda Carlson’s thesis. Her goal was to confirm that mindfulness could impact and improve cancer care. “Some doctors thought that was all hocus-pocus or new-agey,” says Carlson. A well respected and rigorous researcher, Carlson says, “My approach was to conduct a disciplined scientific study that would produce evidence based therapies.”

 

In 2018, Carlson realized her goal and launched the Tom Baker Cancer Centre at the University of Calgary, known as the ACTION Centre or the Alberta Complementary Therapy and Integrative Oncology Centre, the first of its kind in Canada.

 

Using patient-centred, evidence-based therapies, Carlson says, “We use mind and body practices along with natural products coupled with lifestyle modifications alongside conventional cancer treatments.”

 

We invited Dr. Linda Carlson, a 2023 Dr. Rogers Prize co-winner, to join us for a Conversation That Matters about “Mindful Cancer Care.”

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Ep 517 - A crisis of indecision in Canada Guest: Gavin Dew

Ep 517 - A crisis of indecision in Canada

Guest: Gavin Dew

 

By Stuart McNish

 

On June 26th, Gavin Dew posted disappointing news on his LinkedIn profile. After four years of planning, fundraising, and negotiation with the City of Abbotsford, the Tech District project was pulling the plug. Dew says, “We couldn’t keep spending time and money without a clear signal from city council that this $5-billion private sector investment would be approved.”

 

Dew said, “I know a lot of people are disappointed. I’m proud of the work we did to develop the project vision, invite people in, and build community support. And I’m obviously disappointed at this lost opportunity to deliver affordable housing, high quality education, and a hub for food innovation in Canada’s most productive agricultural jurisdiction.”

 

Dew went on to say the lack of a clear signal from city council “is indicative of a crisis of indecision in Canada. We have become the land of the slow maybe, where process has become an end in itself, decisions are elusive, and leaders refuse to lead.”

 

We invited Gavin Dew to join us for a Conversation That Matters about our inability to get to “yes” and what it is doing to our reputation as a place to innovate and grow.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Ep - 516 - Weaving Two Worlds Guests: Christy Smith - Michael McPhie

Ep - 516 - Weaving Two Worlds

Guests: Christy Smith - Michael McPhie

 

By Stuart McNish

 

“The key to the Canadian economy is in the hands of First Nations,” says Christy Smith and Michael McPhie in their book, “Weaving Two Worlds,” a guide to economic reconciliation. According to Smith, “The intent of the book is to help First Nations, governments, and companies work together in the development of natural resources.”

 

McPhie says, “We believe the resource sector and the people within it have a meaningful role to play in advancing reconciliation. Done right, the outcome will be greater social, environmental and economic well-being for all.”

 

One court decision after another has been shaping the way Canada can and does develop its resources. According to Smith and McPhie, “Now is the time to create opportunities that provide First Nations access to the economic opportunities that will create ownership, employment, funds for education and will combat poverty.

 

We invited Christy Smith and Michael McPhie to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the path forward, together.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

Ep 515 - Electronic Recycling Done Right Mohammad Doostmohammadi

Ep 515 - Electronic Recycling Done Right

Mohammad Doostmohammadi 

 

By Stuart McNish

 

“There are six elements that play a key role in optimizing fuel and chemical production,” says Mohammad Doostmohammdi of pH7. “Without them, green hydrogen, low-carbon steel, biofuels and other climate technologies are not possible.” Those six elements are platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium – and they are among the rarest on earth.

 

While challenging to identify ore bodies with mineable resources, there is an emerging opportunity in recovery. “There are 17.4 million troy ounces of these elements that have already been mined and are available to be recovered from catalytic converters, mobile phones, computer disks and aircraft turbines.”

 

Until now, the process of recovering these elements was uneconomical. Doostmohammdi says, “These challenges notwithstanding, several factors have combined to spotlight their growing importance.”

 

We invited Mohammad Doostmohammdi to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the process his team has developed that reduces costs and increases productivity in the realm of critical mineral recovery.

 

You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/

 

Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca