This is Vancouver Island

Apr 17 2025 58 ep. 15 mins 79

This is Vancouver Island Podcast artwork

Islanders - this is a podcast for you. Life on Vancouver Island isn’t all sunset strolls and forest bathing - it can be frustrating, isolating, and expensive. We're going to talk about the good, the bad, and everything in between. Hosted by Kathryn Marlow, every Thursday.

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Why some islanders can't decide how to vote

Apr 17 2025 17 mins

The federal election is less than two weeks away, but many voters on the island are struggling to decide how to vote. For some it’s down to Liberal versus Conservative, for others NDP versus Liberal, for some it’s still a total toss up. We’ll hear from folks in Esquimalt, Campbell River, Ucluelet, and more about what issues have them stuck.

The latest on the Greater Victoria school board drama

Apr 10 2025 14 mins

The school board and the B.C. ministry of education were at odds for six months, until the province fired the elected trustees in January. Now the newly-appointed trustee is getting down to business, and the old trustees are going to court in hopes of getting their jobs back. We recap the SD61 drama, hear the latest on the safety plan and police in schools, and learn what official

Why some people feel unsafe in the Cowichan Valley

Apr 01 2025 17 mins

It’s not just big cities where public safety is a concern. In the Cowichan Valley, for example, there’s an area surrounding the Trans-Canada Highway where some residents and business owners say crime, drug use, and street disorder mean they don’t feel safe in their own community. It’s in the region’s urban core, where North Cowichan, Duncan, and Cowichan Tribes land meet.

This shop owner says it’s harder than you think to ditch U.S. products

Mar 25 2025 9 mins

A Victoria small business owner just got her first tariff bill. But even with the $1200 hit, she’s reluctant to stop importing products from her customers in the U.S. She says she’s worked hard to fill her shop with quality goods made by small businesses she believes in - and while many of those are Canadian, some happen to be in the United States. On this episode, we hear from

Island Crime: a true crime podcast focused right here on the island

Mar 18 2025 19 mins

This month marks the 34 years since 4-year-old Michael Dunahee disappeared from a Victoria playground. It’s arguably the most well-known missing person case from the island, but it’s far from the only one. Laura Palmer produces “Island Crime,” a podcast that investigates true crime from our region, and she’s our guest this week. We talk about some of the cases she digs in

How to buy local on the island

Mar 11 2025 20 mins

Sure, you know about the seafood. But did you know islanders make things like crackers? And mattresses? With everyone’s attention on “buy BC” and “buy Canadian,” we thought we’d zoom in even more and talk about how to “buy island.” We check in with two people who focus on island-made goods.

You elected them: now what are your island MLAs doing?

Feb 25 2025 18 mins

The B.C. Legislature is in session again for the first time in 9 months. We hear from some island MLAs, new and old, to hear what they’re up to so far - and what they think should happen next. They talk about changes to forestry and health care, and ways to make it easier to buy Canadian.

Bike theft is down in Victoria: here’s why

Feb 18 2025 15 mins

Bike theft has long been a concern of cyclists in Victoria, but new data shows there are fewer reasons to worry: 2024 saw the fewest reported stolen bikes in over a decade. On this episode, we look into why the number is dropping - and if cyclists feel more comfortable leaving their bikes downtown now. Plus: how to choose a good bike lock.

Why ferries can fill up with reservations (leaving you to wait multiple sailings)

Feb 11 2025 16 mins

How is it that you can show up to the ferry terminal, not see many cars, but still have to wait multiple sailings? We hear how (and why) B.C. Ferries is allotting more and more space for drivers with reservations. Plus: why isn’t there a buffet on ferries anymore? And what’s replacing it? And a few other ferry-related tidbits.

Need a new place to eat? Check out these island restaurants

Feb 04 2025 17 mins

A Mexican restaurant between two gas stations? A hole-in-the-wall you might have walked right by? Food blogger Sarah Au-Yeung (@NanaimoNoms) joins us to shout out some of her favourite restaurants in Nanaimo and beyond. If you’re looking to have a little escape with a meal out, “Dine About Mid-Vancouver Island” and “Dine Around Greater Victoria” are underway until Februar