Sfu Metro Conversations

Since the last episode of Metro Conversations at the beginning of April, BC has transitioned from a wide-scale shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic to gradually re-opening. In many communities, roads and park spaces have been reallocated to accommodate restaurant patios, sidewalks, and bike lanes. What does this mean for economic recovery and community well-being? Meanwhile, the Black Lives Matter movement is re-igniting conversations about the Colonial and racist foundations of many Canadian institutions, including the very form of our government. Councillors Nathan Pachal from Langley City, Mathew Bond from the District of North Vancouver, and Patrick Johnstone from New Westminster talk about what it means to be white-passing, ways in which systemic racism can be addressed, and what it means to listen, learn, and get out of the way.

There have been many discussions about COVID-19 and what it means for our country and our province, but what about our mid-size cities in Metro Vancouver? City councillors Kiersten Duncan of Maple Ridge, Patrick Johnstone of New Westminster, and Nathan Pachal from Langley City discuss the implication of this pandemic on local governments.

Metro Conversations are about bringing Urbanist and City Making conversations out of the Urban core to the urban edge: the north shore, south of the Fraser, the northeast sector, and beyond. In this conversation, New Westminster Patrick Councillor Johnstone talks about how running for re-election means defending past decisions, and how a conservative slate tried to run as progressives.

Metro Conversations are about bringing Urbanist and City Making conversations out of the Urban core to the urban edge: the north shore, south of the Fraser, the northeast sector, and beyond. In this conversation, Maple Ridge Councillor Kiersten Duncan talks about her re-election campaign, and the challenges of running in a community where social media has turned local politics toxic.

Metro Conversations are about bringing Urbanist and City Making conversations out of the Urban core to the urban edge: the north shore, south of the Fraser, the northeast sector, and beyond. In this conversation, Langley City Councillor Nathan Pachal talks about running for re-election, and the showdown between former Mayor and MLA Peter Fassbender’s re-emergence to local politics, and first-time Councillor Val van den Broek, in their battle for mayor.

Metro Conversations are about bringing Urbanist and City Making conversations out of the Urban core to the urban edge: the north shore, south of the Fraser, the northeast sector, and beyond. In this conversation, District of North Vancouver Councillor Mathew Bond talks about his experience running for re-election, including the challenges of being a pro-growth candidate in a no-growth community.