Conversations That Matter

Stuart McNish, Veteran Canadian Newsman
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Beyond the Headlines, an in-depth, one on one conversation on the issues shaping our future.

  1. 29 MAR

    Ep 586 - Trees, Genomics, and Climate Guest: Dr. Sally Aitken, University of British Columbia and AdapTree project

    Ep 586 - Trees, Genomics, and Climate Guest: Dr. Sally Aitken, University of British Columbia and AdapTree project By Stuart McNish   According to a 2015 Nature report, there are more than 3 trillion trees on Earth. “Trees are amazing. They’re the lungs of the Earth and home to millions of organisms, fungi, and animals,” says Sally Aitken at the University of British Columbia’s Forestry Department and lead of the AdapTree project. “Without a doubt: one of the most successful species on Earth.” Aitken also warns, “They are a species under threat due to rapid environmental changes.”   The biggest challenge for trees is the rate of change. “For time immemorial, trees have adapted to a changing environment and they continue to do so,” says Aitken.  The objective of the AdapTree project is to address that pace of change by identifying alleles in douglas fir, spruce, western larch, jack pine, and lodgepole pine trees that have adapted to a variety of environments.   Using genetic tools, the team at AdapTree works with a variety of stakeholders within forestry to identify strains of species that will survive in regions where environmental conditions are changing. The long term goal is to ensure the health of the trees and forests using sophisticated genome-based intelligence.   We invited Dr. Sally Aitken of the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences at UBC to join us for a Conversation That Matters about working with our trees to ensure they have long and healthy lives.   You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/ Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

    26 min

  2. 29 MAR

    Ep 585 - The Cowichan Case and Your Property Rights Guest: Radha Curpen & Robin Junger

    Ep 585 - The Cowichan Case and Your Property Rights Guest: Radha Curpen & Robin Junger By Stuart McNish Cowichan Tribes v. Canada has rapidly become the most significant land title case in Canada – and possibly in Canadian history. It has sparked intense and competing arguments in private, in public, and in the Legislative Assembly in Victoria. Premier Eby was grilled mercilessly about his defence of private property rights, his government’s slow response to file a stay, and what the decision means to homeowners.   Tensions flowing from the decision reflect the need to recognize that, while indigenous Nations are entitled to seek recognition of their constitutionally protected rights, there is also a need for fee-simple owners to maintain certainty in title. Central to this tension is the law does not allow for aboriginal title and fee-simple to co-exist on territory under First Nations ownership.   During the case, the impact on private property rights was recognized, to which the court invited the parties to inform fee-simple land owners to be notified. All parties decided not to inform private land owners.    We invited Radha Curpen and Robin Junger of McMillan LLP to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the Cowichan case and its implications to landowners in Richmond and the entire province of British Columbia.   You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/ Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

    38 min

  3. 29 MAR

    Ep 584 - Ocean Wise Guest: Lasse Gustavsson

    Ep 584 - Ocean Wise Guest: Lasse Gustavsson By Stuart McNish   The Earth’s oceans add up to 71% of the surface of the planet and contain 96% of the water on this precious blue marble in space. The ocean produces 60% of the oxygen we need to be able to breathe. “The oceans are our greatest natural resource,” says Lasse Gustovsson, the CEO of Ocean Wise, “and they are at risk due to human activity.”   According to data collected by the Argo Network – a program utilizing over 4,000 robotic floats moving around the globe riding the currents and sinking to depths of 2,000 meters, rising to the surface, and beaming back valuable data that scientists are using to monitor the heart of the world’s climate system – the ocean is heating up.   Gustovsson says, “The data shows temperatures are up by more than 1 degree Celsius over the past 145 years.” The oceans are warming because they absorb more than 90% of excess energy trapped by greenhouse gases. “In the process of absorbing that energy, the acidification level of ocean waters is also rising,” says Gustavsson.   We invited Lasse Gustavsson, the CEO of Ocean Wise, to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the vital role the ocean plays in our survival, the risks the world’s oceans face, and how we can mitigate those harms.   You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/ Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

    24 min

  4. 29 MAR

    Ep 583 - Re-engineering the human body for space travel Guest: Christopher E. Mason

    Ep 583 - Re-engineering the human body for space travel Guest: Christopher E. Mason By Stuart McNish “To boldly go where no one has gone before” – the phrase was inspired by a 1958 White House pamphlet called "Introduction to Outer Space,” which highlighted humanity’s inherent urge to explore the unknown. It also was the opening to the monologue for Star Trek, where Captain James T. Kirk goes on to say, “These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five year mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations.”   As an aspiration, it drives the space programs of many countries and a growing number of companies. Here’s the challenge, says Dr Christopher E. Mason. “While we can build machines that can survive in space, the human body was not made for space – at least not yet.” Dr. Mason is the principal investigator of the NASA Twins study, where ten separate teams studied an astronaut and his identical twin.   Dr. Mason says, “We observed the physiological, molecular, and cognitive changes that happened to Scott Kelly, who spent a year in space. We monitored the changes in his body compared to his identical twin Mark, who stayed on Earth. From that study, we’re working to mitigate stresses, changes, and new diseases the body may encounter during long-term space flight. This work is the foundation of a 500-year plan to reengineer biology so that life can be possible on other planets.”   We invited Dr. Christopher E. Mason, the Genome BC 2025 Don Rix Distinguished Keynote Speaker, to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the human body and its ability to adapt to long term voyages to the final frontier. You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/ Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

    24 min

  5. 29 MAR

    Ep 582 -  Building for Growth Guest: Susannah Pierce

    Ep 582 -  Building for Growth Guest: Susannah Pierce By Stuart McNish   In early 2025, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade held a conference titled, “Building for Growth: Driving Investment in BC’s Future,” which had a stated goal of “promoting and championing private sector capital investment in our major projects across [British Columbia]’s economy” – projects that the Board of Trade states “account for over $230 billion in direct investment.”   The day-long event focused on three essential steps needed to send a signal to the world that BC is open for business and welcomes investment. The report generated from the findings of the event did send a message to both the provincial and federal governments: “ 1. Create a Fast and Competitive Permitting Process; 2. Accelerate Indigenous Participation in Collaboration with Business Community; 3. Develop Robust Industrial Policy that Attracts Investment These projects.”   With the introduction of Bill C-5 federally and Bills 14 and 15 provincially, both levels of government have taken steps to speed up the permitting process. Interestingly, the passage of those bills was done without consultation from First Nations – a move that was quickly downplayed as both levels of government reached out to First Nations leaders to work together.   The question remains: will new policies that attract investment be introduced and will those measures repair BC and Canada’s reputation as being an anti-resource development environment?    We invited Susannah Pierce, the past CEO of Shell Canada, who led the LNG Canada Phase I project from concept to implementation, to join us for a Conversation That Matters about BC’s ability to once again attract foreign direct investment to the province.   You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/ Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

    24 min

  6. 29 MAR

    Ep 581 - Invest or Save? Guest: Pam McDonald & Colin Whelan

    Ep 581 - Invest or Save? Guest: Pam McDonald & Colin Whelan By Stuart McNish   “To invest or to save? That is the question,” says Pam McDonald, the Director of Communications and Education with the British Columbia Securities Commission. “With interest rates on savings accounts so low, more and more people are looking to invest in stocks, bonds and other securities,” continues McDonald. The challenge for those entering the market is how to navigate a complex investment environment, especially if they are endeavouring to do it themselves.   “Investment accounts, RRSPs, TFSAs, RESPs, Retirement Income Funds, First Home Savings Accounts, [and] Registered Disability Savings Plans are all options available to anyone who looks to increase the value of their financial portfolio," says McDonald.  The challenge for new and even seasoned investors is choosing the right investment vehicle.   Colin Whelan of Innovative Research says, “People worry [about] getting it wrong; after all, it is their money. Add in ‘do-it-yourself investing,’ [and] it's scary. Our polls show new investors are worried.” Whelan says, “More than ever, investor education is a protective shield and it helps in achieving better financial results.”   We invited Pam McDonald and Colin Whelan to join us for a Conversation That Matters about healthy and successful investing in an increasingly dangerous world.   You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/ Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

    25 min

  7. 02/11/2025

    Ep 580 - Unmanageable Permitting Processes Guest: Todd Yuen

    Ep 580 - Unmanageable Permitting Processes Guest: Todd Yuen By Stuart McNish   A robust industrial property sector is vital to the economy. According to a Metro Vancouver study, “Industrial lands serve various purposes, such as warehousing, manufacturing, and supporting emerging technology businesses. They provide essential employment opportunities and contribute to supply chains.” In other words, they are vital to economic growth.   Here’s the challenge, says Todd Yuen of Beddie Industrial. “There’s a critical shortage of industrial lands in Metro Vancouver and we’re losing businesses and their employees to Alberta and other jurisdictions.” The reasons for the shortages are complex, according to the InterVISTAS report, which include “constrained land supply, complex jurisdictional overlaps, and a need to review the development process.”   Yuen says, “To give you an example of the unmanageable permitting process, we just put a new site on the market after seven years of approvals. The wheels within the permitting process turn so slow they create an air of anti-progress."   We invited Todd Yuen, the President of Beedie Industrial, to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the need to build industrial facilities, the impediments to doing so, and the consequences of inaction. You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/ Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

    27 min

  8. 02/11/2025

    Ep 579 - Labour Negotiations & Job Action Guest: Kevin Howlett

    Ep 579 - Labour Negotiations & Job Action Guest: Kevin Howlett By Stuart McNish   Canada Post is in the midst of job action by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. They’re not on a full strike; instead, they’re still delivering mail but not all of it. On September the 15th, the Union implemented a national ban on delivering flyers and neighbourhood mail. This followed an overtime ban in May.   Air Canada just concluded negotiations with flight attendants. After a three day work stoppage that wreaked havoc on the airline and passengers, the attendants were ordered back to work but the union ignored the order, negotiations resumed, and they went back to work. Weeks later, union members rejected the company's offer by 99.1% but they also kept working.    In British Columbia, the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU)  initiated job action aimed at gaining an 8.25% wage increase over two years. The union’s website says, “We escalated job action in several key areas: Public service workers who support B.C. 's mining operations joined the strike. An overtime ban was announced in corrections and sheriff services. As the strike carried on, BC Liquor Store Workers walked off the job and as the job action continued into week eight, 25,000 of the 34,000 Union Members in government jobs were on strike. At the time of recording this interview, there is job action but not a full-out strike.   We invited human resource specialist Kevin Howlett to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the changing nature of labour negotiations and job action.   You can see the interview here https://www.conversationsthatmatter.ca/ Learn More about our guests career at careersthatmatter.ca

    24 min
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About

Beyond the Headlines, an in-depth, one on one conversation on the issues shaping our future.

Information

  • Creator
    Stuart McNish, Veteran Canadian Newsman
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2017 Stuart McNish. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Conversations That Matter

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