Rising Economy

The urban planning concept of 15-minute cities emerged to promote convenience, sustainability and community. This city design focuses on daily necessities such as work, shopping, education, healthcare and leisure being accessible within 15 minutes through active or public transportation.However, controversies and conspiracies have emerged around the concept. Separate fact from fiction for 15-minute cities in this podcast. Find out a few takeaways, including:How can 15-minute cities address accessibility?How will it impact the region's economy?What are common conspiracy theories around 15-minute cities?Hosted by Dallas Gislason and Ben Wagg (SIPP), our panelists included:Carrie Smart | Architect, Cascadia ArchitectsRay Straatsma | Principal Consultant, RStreets Urban StrategiesCameron Scott | Manager of Community Planning, District of Saanich

Early childhood education is one of the best tools policymakers have at their disposal if they want to make a more equitable yet growing economy, according to a 2017 Conference Board of Canada report which noted, “For every dollar spent on early childhood education programs, the economy gets about $6 worth of economic benefits down the line.”For Childcare Month in May, the Rising Economy Podcast talks to childcare providers and experts about the socio-economic importance of early childcare education, how $10-a-day childcare has impacted the system and what changes are still vital to ensure accessible, affordable and well-funded daycare in Greater Victoria. Hosted by Kerry Slavens, South Island Prosperity Partnership, our panelists include:Meagan Brame | Director | Saxe Point DaycareWendy Lowe | Executive Director | James Bay Child Care SocietyEric Swanson | Principal | Third Space PlanningListen: https://linktr.ee/southislandprosperity

We explore the perfect storm that led to today’s housing crisis in Greater Victoria — from supply chain issues to inflation, high land prices, bureaucracy and backpedalling — and we talk to panellists with bold ideas for solving the crisis.Panellists include:- Diana Gibson, Executive Director, Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria- Julian West, Founder, UrbanThrive- Kathy Whitcher, Executive Director, Urban Development Institute Capital Region.This new podcast series is a feature of SIPP’s Rising Economy branch, which hosts our annual, award-winning Rising Economy Conference.

Original air date: Nov 27, 2020Rising Economy is brought to you by presenting sponsors RBC and Western Diversification Canada. This session is co-presented by the South Island Prosperity Partnership and Pacific NorthWest Economic Region. Airlines and airports have struggled mightily during the COVID-19 pandemic as passengers stayed home and air travel slowed. Essential air service airports and small regional airlines across the rural U.S. and Canada have cut staff, flights, and are facing enormous economic shortfalls. With major infrastructure funding soon to be available in Canada and the U.S., how can electrification of regional airports and small airfleets for passengers and cargo boost the industry and save this vital industry? Between low-cost, green energy fuels and cutting edge electric technology, the Pacific Northwest has the talent and expertise to lead the world in electric aviation. Hear from policy experts, airline CEOs and electric plane manufacturers on the role decarbonization can play in saving and reviving small airports across the region, maintaining vital links between communities. Introduction: Bruce Agnew, Director, Cascadia Center and ACES NW Network Co-moderators: Rep. Vandana Slatter (WA) Yolanka Wulff, Co-Executive Director, Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI) Speakers: Bruce Agnew, Director, Cascadia Center and ACES NW Network Roei Ganzarski, CEO, MagniX Greg Mcdougall, Founder & CEO, Harbour Air Joe Sparling, President, Air North JR Hammond, Executive Director, Canadian Advanced Air Mobility Consortium Adrienne Lindgren, State and Local Partnerships Lead, Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group

Canada's healthcare system is facing massive pressure. A perfect storm of challenges has resulted in a lack of family doctors, ER closures and critical bottlenecks throughout the entire system. The crisis is not only impacting our health. It's also hampering our ability to attract and keep talent in the region — and that’s causing symptoms in our economy. Our panel explores the healthcare crisis, its impact and how we create real solutions.SpeakersCorrie Barclay, (Panelist), PwC Canada, Partner and Lead, BC Public Sector Practice, PwCMyles Druckman, (Panelist), International SOS, Vice President, Global Medical ServicesDr. David M. Harrison, (Panelist), Physician Lead, Victoria Primary Care Network, Family DoctorBruce Williams, (Moderator), Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, CEO

The pandemic heavily impacted all of us, including GenZ-ers just starting out their adult lives and careers. From the mental health strain of lockdowns to school closures and work layoffs, COVID-19 disrupted the prospects of a generation. Our panel explores how we can help this generation deal with the pandemic's economic and social fallout to give them the best chance of thriving.SpeakersRobert Barnard, (Panelist), YouthfulCities, Co-FounderDallas Gislason, (Moderator), South Island Prosperity Partnership, Director of Economic DevelopmentAshwini Selvakumaran, (Panelist), Re-Generation, Co-Director, Policy & Advocacy TeamIsabella Kennedy, (Panelist), The Martlet, Editor-in-Chief

The cost of living continues to rise on southern Vancouver Island, leaving many people to wonder how can we afford to live here? The cost of home ownership has risen exponentially. Food prices continue to climb. The cost of childcare has many parents making difficult decisions. These are just a few examples. Join our Vital Conversation, presented by Coast Capital, about how we can make life more affordable in Greater Victoria.This session is brought to you by Coast Capital SavingsSpeakersKelly Greenwell, (Panelist), Quadra Village Community Centre, Executive DirectorDiana Gibson, (Panelist), Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria, Executive DirectorSylvia Ceacero, (Panelist), Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness, Executive DirectorKara Udell, (Panelist), Capital Region Food Share Network, Executive DirectorJimmy Thomson, (Moderator), Capital Daily, Editor-in-Chief

Canada is a nation flanked by 3 oceans and nearly 250,000 km. of coastline, more than any country in the world. Its potential in the ocean economy — or blue economy — is enormous. As efforts intensify to establish and grow Canada's Pacific hub for the sustainable blue economy in Greater Victoria, we talk to a panel of local and cross-Canada experts to explore our future as a blue economy nation, from coast to coast to coast.SpeakersKendra MacDonald, (Panelist), Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, CEOScott Beatty, (Panelist), MarineLabs, CEOJessica Stigant, (Panelist), Ocean Networks Canada, Associate Director of Government Relations and PartnershipsEmilie de Rosenroll, (Panelist), South Island Prosperity Partnership & COAST, Founding CEODon Grant, (Moderator), Ocean Startup Project, Executive Director

From time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have been creating and developing original designs, songs, artworks and products, such as the Cowichan/Salish sweater, within the context of their cultures, societies, economies and traditions. Unfortunately, too often these works have been appropriated for monetary gain by non-Indigenous people and corporations, with no acknowledgement or compensation for the creators of these works. Using the fascinating story of the famous Cowichan/Salish sweater as an example, our panel discusses the challenges and solutions for recognizing and protecting Indigenous intellectual property.SpeakersRon Rice, (Panelist), Victoria Native Friendship Centre, Executive DirectorDr. Susanne Thiessen, (Panelist), University of Victoria, Assistant Professor in Indigenous Community Development in the School of Public AdministrationLou-ann Neel, (Panelist), Kwagiulth and Mamalilikulla tribes of the Kwakwaka’wakw people, Kwagiulth Artist & Arts AdvocateJoni Olsen, (Panelist), W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, Salish Fusion KnitwearChristina Clarke, (Moderator), Indigenous Prosperity Centre, Executive Director

There has been massive growth in ESG and impact investing as conscious investors seek ways to create benefits for society and the planet alongside financial returns. Our panel tackles the big questions: How impactful is this form of investing and does it really have the power to humanize capitalism?Speakers- Danica Straith (Moderator) Royal Roads University, Director, Community Learning Partnerships- Basma Majerbi (Panelist) University of Victoria, Associate Professor- Jill Earthy (Panelist) InBC, CEO- Kristi Rivait (Panelist) Scale Collaborative, Co-Founder- Michael Meehan (Panelist) UK Sustainable Investment & Finance Association, Chairman

As the search intensifies for clean alternatives to fossil fuels — from wind power to green hydrogen — our expert panel takes a deep look at what is both possible and practical — and how we speed up innovation to meet critical net-zero goals.Speakers:- David A. Bennett (Panelist) - FortisBC Energy Inc., Director, Renewable Gas & Low Carbon Fuels- Christopher Kennedy (Moderator)- Pacific Institute of Climate Solutions, Associate Director- Brad Buckham (Panelist), West Coast Wave Initiative, Co-Director- Christina Hoicka (Panelist), University of Victoria, Canada Research Chair in Urban Planning for Climate Change

In a time of sweeping societal and economic changes, accentuated by the pandemic, we host a thought-provoking discussion with the presidents of Greater Victoria's three post-secondary institutions about how colleges and universities are evolving to address an uncertain future.Speakers- Philip Steenkamp (Panelist), Royal Roads University, President & Vice-Chancellor- Kevin Hall (Panelist), University of Victoria, President and Vice-Chancellor- Lane Trotter (Panelist), Camosun College, President- Nathan Nankivell (Moderator), Research Universities' Council of BC, Executive Lead, Digital Research Infrastructure