Conversations Live with Stuart McNish

British Columbia's economy is at a turning point. As we face a period of modest growth transforming into a potential economic storm, it's crucial to stay informed. Join Stuart McNish as he hosts another live conversation featuring top economic experts to discuss the challenges ahead.Don't miss this insightful discussion on the key issues impacting BC's economy, from the projected $11 billion budget deficit to the cancellation of the carbon tax and the impact of international tariffs.

If American produced food is removed from grocery stores in British Columbia, get ready to go without. More than 60 per cent of the products on the shelves are from south of the 49th parallel. If you want a balanced diet of vegetables, grains, fruits and protein then you can not source all of your meals from BC or Canada. The way we grow and trade food back and forth is based on who can grow it, in quantity, with certainty and ensure we can afford it.So we grow grains and produce seafood in this country and we sell those to the US and others. But we don’t grow anywhere near enough fruit and veggies, so we import them.And here’s where it gets tricky, in BC we - at best - produce only 30 per cent of what we need and much of that we send to the US to be processed before bringing it home to consume.Now throw in tariffs, what will happen to the cost and the reliability of food?

Join us as we dive into Bill 7: The Economic Stabilization Act, a proposed BC law that could reshape government powers over public funds and infrastructure in response to global economic uncertainties. What does this mean for businesses and taxpayers?

Last year at this time the headlines were filled with Real Estate Crisis stories. The Province and the Feds were making announcements upon announcements. Bill 44 was introduced with the idea that it would force municipal governments to increase density.It is legislation that was supposed to increase certainty of supply, stabilize prices and boost construction. But did it work?

Donald Trump has demonstrated Canada is vulnerable because we are heavily dependent on his country for trade.Everyone agrees we need to open new trading relationships. Direct Foreign Investment is a significant step in that direction. DFI is an economic generator that provides jobs, tax revenue, infrastructure development, skills development and foreign exchange. 

We’re heading into a change election. The Liberals will put forward a new leader who will be charged with the daunting task of overcoming a significant gap in the polls.All indications suggest the Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre will form the next Federal Government.If Mr. Poiliever is successful with voters, what can we expect regarding tone, the economy, social programs, immigration, Indigenous relations, Trump, tariffs, the border, national security, energy and the environment?Our remarkable panel of experts will shed light on all and more.Our panelists:Jock Finlayson – Chief Economist, ICBALaura Kirkimaki – Vice President, McMillan VantageStuart Thomson – Journalist, National PostJoyce Murray – Liberal MP, Government of CanadaStewart Prest – Political Scientist, University of British ColumbiaDavid McArthur – Senior Advisor, McMillan VantageKareem Allam – Political Strategist, Fairview Strategy