Podcast
Hotel Pacifico
Hosted by Air Quotes Media · EN
Welcome to Hotel Pacifico. We’re your 5-star podcast destination for B.C. politicos. Hosted by Mike McDonald and Kate Hammer. With Geoff Meggs. #BCpoli #StrategySuite #MiniBar
Hotel Pacifico is recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
50episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
"Chainsaw Politics" with Scott Lunny + Lesli Boldt
Mar 1101:17:30Tap to summarizeHotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and Wild First.Geoff and Mike welcome ‘Brother’ Scott Lunny of the United Steelworkers (Director, District 3) to Hotel Pacifico. Lunny discusses the challenges facing his members in the forestry sector and the various issues impacting harvesting levels and jobs, and touches on the opportunities for his members in the mining sector. Also active in the NDP, Lunny distinguishes between the approaches of the provincial NDP and federal NDP when it comes to policies supporting industry. In the Strategy Suite, Geoff and Mike welcome communications consultant Lesli Boldt to discuss a range of topics that includes the BC and federal government’s handling of the Musqueam agreement, deepfakes faking out politicians, the latest in the BC Conservative race, and what the rising price of oil will mean to the good people of BC. 🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.
Transcribe →"Cowbirds and BC's Fair Share" with Ray Castelli + Jess Ketchum
Mar 601:31:47Tap to summarizeHotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and Wild First.Mike and Geoff welcome Ray Castelli to Hotel Pacifico for a discussion Canada’s increasing defence spending and how BC can get its fair share of defence procurement. Ray is CEO of Weatherhaven, a BC-based company that is a world leader as a designer, manufacturer and installer of portable shelters, camps and field hospitals, and he’s lent his advice to federal and provincial governments, including the initiative to bring a Defence Bank to Vancouver. He also brings his reflections as former chief of staff to Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell who served as Defence minister and Canada’s first and only female, and first and only BC born prime minister. In the Strategy Suite, Mike and Geoff welcome back Jess Ketchum to join the discussion. The trio discuss the continuing coverage of the BC Budget, the appropriate manners around voting on 1st reading, the recently announced federal-Musqueam agreement, and an update on the Conservative race. Watch out above for the cowbirds!🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.
Transcribe →"Paying the bond traders" with Kevin Milligan + Larry Neufeld
Feb 2501:19:12Tap to summarizeHotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and Wild First.Mike and Geoff welcome UBC economist Kevin Milligan to Hotel Pacifico to discuss the recent B.C. Budget. Milligan discussed BC’s debt trajectory, credit ratings and how B.C. stacks up against other provinces, among other insights. There is also a special appearance from Peace River South MLA Larry Neufeld who provides an important update on Tumbler Ridge. In the Strategy Suite, Mike and Geoff debate the politics of the Budget and the state of the Conservative leadership race. 🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.
Transcribe →"Budget Drift"
Feb 1800:54:29Tap to summarizeHotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, and Elk Valley Resources.Mike and Geoff record hours after the release of the BC Budget and look what’s inside. The BC government released its budget that forecasts record-breaking deficits and an increase in public debt to over $230 billion in the next few years. With the benefit of attending the lock-up, Mike spares no statistic in describing his fear of drowning… in red ink. Geoff, a seafaring type, is much calmer in the turbulent seas and doesn’t feel the need for a life preserver. Listen in, as they are both ‘indebted’ to their listeners. 🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.
Transcribe →"3% or Bust" with Bridgitte Anderson + Michael Gardiner
Feb 1201:14:23Tap to summarizeHotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.With Geoff away, it’s two Michaels hosting, what could go wrong? - Our regular Mike, and Michael Gardiner, a veteran of backroom NDP politics. They welcome Greater Vancouver Board of Trade CEO Bridgitte Anderson back to Hotel Pacifico. Anderson discusses the Board’s call for 3% GDP growth and how BC’s economy is not yet measuring up. Major projects will help, but it will take a lot more to prime the economic pump, such as a new Defence Bank that the Premier and the Board of Trade are backing. They discuss the upcoming budget and how investors are getting the shivers due to recent Court decisions and the opportunity and impact of Vancouver hosting FIFA. In the Strategy Suite, Mike and Michael look ahead to upcoming Legislative session, the Greens going from yellow to red on their confidence agreement with the NDP, duelling Geoffs on DRIPA (but not our Geoff), and the latest on the BC Conservative leadership race. The horses won’t all fit on one racetrack. 🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.
Transcribe →"Hotel Arctico" with Premier Currie Dixon
Feb 401:10:14Tap to summarizeHotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.The 12th Premier of the Yukon, Honourable Currie Dixon, joins Mike & Geoff for a special edition of ‘Hotel Arctico'. Dixon’s Yukon Party won a decisive majority in the 2025 territorial election. He discusses his attendance at the recent First Ministers’ meeting, major mining proposals in the Yukon, a grid connection to British Columbia, and arctic sovereignty. In the Strategy Suite, Mike and Geoff discuss treason (!), austerity (!), ICE (!), and Conservative purity tests (!). Mike even discusses John A. (!) All that and more.🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.
Transcribe →"Deluxe Davos Discussion" with Glen Clark & James Moore + Aileen Machell
Jan 2801:25:21Tap to summarizeHotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.This week, it’s Hotel Davos. In the wake of Prime Minister Carney’s address, Mike and Geoff invite former premier Glen Clark and former federal Industry minister James Moore to discuss its meaning and where to from here, including analysis of Pierre Poilievre’s response. In the Strategy Suite, Aileen Machell, former deputy chief of staff to Premier Eby, joins Mike and Geoff to discuss natural resource development, a new op ed on Indigenous issues from a former A-G, and Darrell deals himself into BC Conservative leadership race. 🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.
Transcribe →“Indigenous Street and Resources Road” with Doug Caul
Jan 1801:28:17Tap to summarizeHotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC and the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC.Mike and Geoff welcome longtime BC public servant Doug Caul. He walks into Hotel Pacifico with three decades of experience in the BC Public Service including leadership roles in Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation, Environmental Assessment, various economic ministries, along with serving as Deputy Minister in the Premier’s office until his recent retirement. With a lot of debate taking place in BC on Indigenous rights, Doug helps break down Section 35 constitutional rights, First Nations treaties, DRIPA, and the tools in the toolbox for agreements between First Nations, industry, and government. In the Strategy Suite, Geoff and Mike comment on a change in staffing at the top of the Premier’s Office, Decrim in the Dustbin, the state of the Conservative race - who’s in, who’s out, and, before the lights turn out, Resource Impresario Sarah Weber is a late check-in, bringing news of the upcoming BC Natural Resource Forum and ensuring Mike has his bags packed for frigid but friendly Prince George. 🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.
Transcribe →"Caring Body of People" with Elenore Sturko
Jan 1501:12:47Tap to summarizeHotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC and the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC.Mike and Geoff welcome independent MLA Elenore Sturko to Hotel Pacifico. They discuss Sturko’s experience inside and out of the BC Conservative caucus, her media presence and stance on justice, DRIPA, and LGBTQ+ issues. In Strategy Suite, Mike and Geoff continue to chew over the field of Conservative leadership contenders, the PM’s visit to rainy Prince Rupert, and next week’s annual natural resources conference in frigid Prince George. 🏨🌄 Check into Hotel Pacifico for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.
Transcribe →"Conservative Stereotypes" with Claire Rattée + Nicole Brassard
Aug 2701:21:36Tap to summarizeHotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.🏨🌄 Mike & Kate are joined by Skeena MLA Claire Rattée, a first-term MLA serving as the Conservative Mental Health & Addictions critic. Rattée discusses her background as someone who battled and overcame addiction, and her journey that led her to northern BC and into municipal, federal, and provincial politics. Discussion includes how the newish BC Conservative caucus is taking shape, her priorities as Mental Health & Addictions critics and how those issues hit home in her own riding, and the impact that LNG development has had on her home community of Kitimat and the region-at-large. They wrap with a reflection on tattoo art. In the Strategy Suite, Mike and Kate welcome political strategist Nicole Brassard who helps put the cuss into discuss as they debate the prime minister’s elbows, the “Grand Bargain” put forward by Energy minister Adrian Dix in a recent Globe & Mail profile, and the new phenomena of partisan party labels being affixed to municipal politics. Join Mike McDonald, Kate Hammer, and Geoff Meggs for insights and interviews covering the latest in B.C. politics.Thank you for joining us on #HotelPacifico. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch conversations from Hotel Pacifico via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.
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