Description: Can any of the Usual Suspects lead us out of the darkness? Globe and Mail columnist Gary Mason joins us in studio to examine in minute detail the men and women who wish to lead the B.C. Liberals & new Democrats into the next provincial election. Is there a winner at the gate?

Recorded: January 20th, 2011

Episode 2: Bill Tieleman

Description: Columnist Bill Tieleman (24 hours, The Tyee) talks about the Basi-Virk trial and the BC Rail case. Who’s cousin had the cement contract? Who really did what to whom and for how much money?

Recorded: January 27th, 2011

Episode 3: Justice Wallace Gilby Craig

Description: Retired Justice Wallace Gilby Craig shares his thoughts on how we are doing on addictions, violence, home and auto invasions, gangs, courts, prosecutors, and judges.

Recorded: February 3rd, 2011

Episode 4: Geoff Plant

Description: Former British Columbia Attorney General, Geoff Plant, discusses the issue of casinos with David Berner. While the revenues from them are very appealing to cash strapped governments, there are several downsides too.

Recorded: February 10th, 2011

Episode 5: Bob Ransford

Description: Communications & political consultant, Bob Ransford, discusses with David Berner the many issues affecting Metro Vancouver these days.

Recorded: February 17th, 2011

Episode 6: Kathleen Bartels

Description: Kathleen Bartels, Director of the Vancouver Art Gallery, talks about the issues surrounding the possible move of her facility.

Recorded: February 24th, 2011

Episode 7: Susan Heyes

Description: Shop Owner, Susan Heyes, sued the Canada Line and won a $600,000 judgement. BC’s Supreme Court then reversed that decision. This story reflects the sad truth – ordinary Canadians cannot afford justice.

Recorded: March 1st, 2011

Episode 8: Calvin Helin

Description: Calvin Helin is a member of the Tsimshian Nation and comes from the community of Lax Kw’alaams on the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. He is the son of a hereditary chief and is a lawyer, entrepreneur, author, and public speaker.

Helin has some very insightful and critical views of the status quo of the federal department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and their relationship heretofore with many Aboriginal Chiefs across the country. His view that the permanent victim mentality must end and self-sufficiency must begin will undoubtedly be a most welcome message to a vast number of Canadians.

Recorded: March 8th, 2011

Episode 9: Doug MacKay-Dunn

Description: Doug MacKay-Dunn is a North Vancouver District Councillor, who is also a much-decorated 30-year member of the VPD, now retired.

The discussion focuses on the dreadful string of questionable police actions in recent years, including the Dziekanski YVR taser incident, Ian Bush, Franks Paul and others, and on the entire inward-turned culture of police. Should we have citizen oversight, more citizen non-enforcement employees, and a separate BC Police Force?

Recorded: March 24th, 2011

Episode 10: Rick Green

Description: If you thought that Ottawa & Victoria were the only places where zany political theatre occurred, you’d be incorrect. Langley Township mayor, Rick Green, talks with David Berner about all the scandals – faux or otherwise – that have occurred since he was elected into that position in November 2008.

Recorded: March 31st, 2011

Episode 11: Brian Day

Description: Dr. Brian Day, founder of the Cambie Surgery Centre and past-president of the Canadian Medical Association, believes that Canadians should expect a lot more for the money they invest in health care. In this show he shares his thoughts with David Berner and provides great insight into some important questions that every voter should be asking their politicians.

Recorded: April 7th, 2011

Episode 12: Brock MacDonald

Description: Are you recycling old laptops, cell phones, mattresses or sofas?
The hows, the whys and the wheres with Brock MacDonald, Executive Director, the Recycling Council of BC.

Recorded: April 14th, 2011

Episode 13: Dr. Max Cynader

Description: Dr. Max Cynader is Director of the Brain Research Centre at Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) and The University of British Columbia (UBC), as well as Professor of Ophthalmology. In addition, he holds the Canada Research Chair in Brain Development at UBC. He’s a Fellow of The Canadian Academy for Health Sciences, a Fellow of The Royal Society of Canada, a Member of the Order of British Columbia (OBC), a Member of the Order of Canada (CM), and a Principal Investigator in Canada’s Network of Excellence in Stroke.

In this episode, he talks with David Berner about the latest in brain research, assorted neurological diseases, and how to better care for one’s brain health.

Recorded: April 28th, 2011

Episode 14: Ted Topping

Description: Ted Topping is president of Creative Insights Inc., a customer-experience consulting firm established in 1989 to help organizations in all sectors perfect the customer experience they offer.

He talks with David Berner about the importance of great customer service and how companies and other organizations can strive to achieve it.

Recorded: May 5th, 2011

Episode 15: Peter Ladner

Description: Former city councilor, Peter Ladner, has started a very necessary debate about the ownership of private property in British Columbia. Unlike several places around the world, and even other parts of Canada, there are some restrictions on the ownership of property by those not residents there. Such is not the case in B.C. But should there be?

Peter Ladner sits down with David Berner to discuss this most important issue.
Recorded: May 12th, 2011

Episode 16: Dr. Raul Pacheco-Vega

Description: Dr. Raul Pacheco-Vega, from UBC Political Science Department explains The Power of Social Media on Public Policy.

Recorded: May 19th, 2011

Episode 17: Mary Ellen-Lafond

Description: Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond is the BC Representative for Children and Youth. David interviews her at the Shaw Victoria studios about our efforts to decrease child poverty and to increase safeguards for all children.

Recorded: June 2nd, 2011

Episode 18: Graham Peat

Description: Graham Peat is a founder & co-owner of Vancouver’s most famous video rental store, Videomatica. But times change and people are simply not renting videos like they once did. So after 29 years of successful operation, Videomatica will be coming to an end this summer. Their entire library will be given to a local university.

In this show, Peat talks with David Berner about his wonderful journey with his store.

Recorded: June 9th, 2011

Episode 19: Robin Silvester

Description: Robin Silvester, President & CEO of Port Metro Vancouver, talks about Vancouver’s biggest enterprise and the economic, social and environmental challenges and opportunities.

Recorded: June 16th, 2011

Episode 20: Leila El-Khatib

Description: Leila El-Khatib was born in Richmond, BC to a Muslim father and a Christian mother. As a blonde Western woman, she somewhat breaks the stereotype of what many in the Western World perceive as a “Muslim woman”.

She worked for Canada Border Services at YVR for several years but now lives in New York City. She founded a company called 6 Degree Seminars to provide companies & organizations with training to help them with hiring & retaining Muslim employees, as well as doing business in Muslim countries.

In this segment she talks with David Berner about misconceptions about Islam as well as the fractious world that frequently is the Middle East.

Recorded: June 23rd, 2011

Episode 21: Karl Brochecker

Description: At 57th & Granville in Vancouver is an historic mansion surrounded by a nearly 40 year old townhouse development. Wall Financial Corporation wants to install towers on part of the property, which would dramatically change the environment there. Karl Brochecker, of the Shannon Mews Neighbours’ Association, discusses the issues surrounding this proposed development with David Berner.

Recorded: July 7th, 2011

Episode 22: Cissy Pau

Description: Human Resources specialist Cissy Pau joins David Berner to dIscuss the question, “Should All Students Go to University?”

Recorded: July 14th, 2011

Episode 23: Katrina Pacey

Description: Katrina Pacey, a lawyer with the Pivot Legal Society, talks with David Berner about her efforts to change the laws surrounding prostitution.

Recorded: July 21st, 2011

Episode 24: James Wright

Description:The General Director of the Vancouver Opera, James Wright, talks with David about the great success his organization is enjoying these days, both theatrically and with community outreach.

Recorded: July 28th, 2011