Vancouver Overcast with Mike Klassen

With the 47th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival taking place March 7–14, 2026 and spotlighting France, Councillor Mike Klassen sits down with festival Executive Director Harry Hertscheg for a wide-ranging conversation about wine, culture, and the institutions that bring people together.Harry has led the Vancouver International Wine Festival for nearly 25 years, helping grow it into Canada’s premier wine event and one of the world’s leading international wine festivals. But his career spans far beyond wine, including leadership roles across Vancouver’s arts and cultural community—from CiTR 101.9 FM to the Vancouver East Cultural Centre and the Vancouver Fringe Festival.In this episode, Mike and Harry discuss:What it takes to steward a major international festival for more than two decadesWhy France remains central to the global wine conversationHow shifting consumer habits, and new beverage trends are reshaping the wine industryThe growth of low- and no-alcohol beveragesVancouver’s unique role as an international wine and hospitality hubWhy wine, food, and cultural events are essential to the life of a cityFrom vineyard stewardship to the evolving tastes of new generations, this episode explores how wine connects agriculture, culture, hospitality, and community.🍷 Whether you’re a casual wine drinker or a devoted enthusiast, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at the stories, people, and places behind the glass.

On this episode of Vancouver Overcast, Mike Klassen sits down with Terry Lake—veterinarian, former Kamloops mayor, BC Minister of Health, and, most recently, CEO of the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA). As Terry prepares for retirement, he reflects on his remarkable career in politics, public health, and seniors care advocacy.Mike and Terry dive into key issues facing BC today, including the challenges of an aging population, the ongoing opioid crisis, and the rising concerns around homelessness and crime in communities like Kamloops. They also discuss leadership lessons from municipal and provincial politics, the role of harm reduction in addiction treatment, and what needs to be done to improve seniors care in the years ahead.Terry also shares personal insights, from his early days as a broadcaster to his time in public life, as well as what’s next for him in retirement.

🎙 Inside Mushroom Studios: Vancouver’s Legendary Recording Space with Valerie BigginFrom Heart to Bachman-Turner Overdrive, from Terry Jacks to Skinny Puppy, Mushroom Studios was at the heart of Vancouver’s music scene for decades. In this episode of Vancouver Overcast with Mike Klassen, we dive into the fascinating history of this legendary recording studio with Valerie Biggin, longtime President and Studio Manager of Mushroom Studios and a passionate advocate for preserving its legacy. Valerie shares behind-the-scenes stories of iconic recordings, the evolution of Vancouver’s music industry, and her mission to save the historic Mushroom Studios sign that once hung on West 6th Avenue. 🎶 Whether you’re a music history buff, a fan of classic Canadian rock, or just curious about Vancouver’s rich cultural past, this episode is packed with nostalgia and insight. 🔊 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube @OvercastYVR📲 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X @OvercastYVR #MushroomStudios #VancouverMusic #HeartBand #CanadianRock #MusicHistory #RecordingStudio #BehindTheMusic #MikeKlassen #VancouverPodcast

On Episode 21 we hear from Urban Planner and Development Consultant and founder of Liveable City Planning Ltd Michael Mortensen. Michael is a seasoned urban planner and development strategist, has left an indelible mark on Vancouver’s skyline. He began his own company Livable City Planning Ltd., where he navigates the complexities of both private and public sector developments.

In Episode 20 we're joined by Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung. Now in her 2nd term, there are few portfolios Sarah hasn't taken on during her time on Vancouver City Council. Councillor Kirby-Yung is known as a fierce advocate for a livable, vibrant, and culturally rich Vancouver. In this conversation we gain insights into her work on behalf of the city, and what drew her into public life.

City councillors Mike Klassen (Vancouver) and Daniel Fontaine (New Westminster) break down some of the top issues they've been immersed in since being sworn into office late last year. Each discusses how they've adjusted to public life and what their goals are in the 2nd year of their term in office.

Mike speaks with housing policy expert and developer Michael Geller, who brings 5 decades of experience in the housing industry and has been an important voice on the 'missing middle' of housing. The tweet referred to by Michael in the golf club locker room is here: https://twitter.com/michaelgeller/status/1538319049754439680   Avi Barzelai (barzelai.ca) is @EastVanBuilder on Twitter. Avi has been sharing threads on the hard and soft costs of housing. Here is one of those threads: https://twitter.com/EastVanBuilder/status/1538279237047623680   Be sure to subscribe, like and rate Vancouver Overcast podcast. Visit https://www.overcastyvr.ca for more information.

Our podcast guest Daniel Fontaine is a longtime friend with a superlative background in politics and government. He is the Deputy Minster and CEO of Métis Nation British Columbia. Daniel has more than 15 years of senior management experience in public relations and governmental affairs, including serving as Chief of Staff to Mayor of Vancouver, Sam Sullivan, where I had the pleasure to work closely with him. Fontaine was Chief Public Affairs Officer for Mitacs, an influential non-profit organization that links industries and post-secondary institutions to advance relevant industry research. He then took the post as CEO of the BC Care Providers Association, where we once again had the opportunity to work together in support of B.C. seniors and the people who care for them. It is our work together as co-founders of CityCaucus.com, a groundbreaking civic politics website that garnered over 5 million page views during its three-and-a-half-year run. Daniel continues his active interest in local government politics as the founding board president of the New West Progressives elector organization. SUBSCRIBE LIKE AND SHARE the podcast. Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube Listen to past episodes at https://www.overcastyvr.ca Want more of this programming? Consider supporting the podcast at https://patreon.com/overcastyvr Follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @OvercastYVR Recorded on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples including the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh nations.   STORIES REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE August BC Opioid Crisis: Overdose awareness day shines light on more than 7,700 B.C. lives lost — and what's still at stake | CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/overdose-awareness-day-shines-light-on-more-than-7-000-b-c-lives-lost-and-what-s-still-at-stake-1.6159224   September Vancouver council OKs court order against Sahota-owned SRO https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouver-council-oks-court-order-against-sahota-owned-sro   October Former Vancouver mayor Philip Owen dead at 88 | CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/philip-owen-dead-88-1.6196737   Wastewater project delay one of several billion-dollar questions facing Metro Vancouver | CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/metro-van-budgets-wastewater-iona-north-vancouver-1.6201226   November BC Disaster Response: Flood management in B.C. is left up to municipalities. Should it be? | CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/flood-management-province-bc-jurisdiction-1.6261541   FVRD’s Jason Lum: The bureaucracy and the flood: disaster hits the valley’s rural communities https://fvcurrent.com/article/fvrd-flood-funding-delay/   December Vancouver 6.53% tax increase: City taxpayers stuck with tab from Vancouver council's stratospheric spending - Commentary | Business in Vancouver https://biv.com/article/2021/12/city-taxpayers-stuck-tab-vancouver-councils-stratospheric-spending   CityCaucus 2021 Honourable Mention list Spencer Coyne, mayor of Princeton, B.C. Linda Brown, mayor of Merritt, B.C. Chief Arnold Lampreau, Shackan First Nation   CityCaucus Local Government Leader of 2021 Henry Braun, mayor of Abbotsford, B.C. https://biv.com/article/2021/12/abbotsford-mayor-henry-braun-proves-his-depth-flood-crisis

Our podcast guest Daniel Fontaine is a longtime friend with a superlative background in politics and government. He is the Deputy Minster and CEO of Métis Nation British Columbia. Daniel has more than 15 years of senior management experience in public relations and governmental affairs, including serving as Chief of Staff to Mayor of Vancouver, Sam Sullivan, where I had the pleasure to work closely with him. Fontaine was Chief Public Affairs Officer for Mitacs, an influential non-profit organization that links industries and post-secondary institutions to advance relevant industry research. He then took the post as CEO of the BC Care Providers Association, where we once again had the opportunity to work together in support of B.C. seniors and the people who care for them. It is our work together as co-founders of CityCaucus.com, a groundbreaking civic politics website that garnered over 5 million page views during its three-and-a-half-year run. Daniel continues his active interest in local government politics as the founding board president of the New West Progressives elector organization. SUBSCRIBE LIKE AND SHARE the podcast. Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube Listen to past episodes at https://www.overcastyvr.ca Want more of this programming? Consider supporting the podcast at https://patreon.com/overcastyvr Follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @OvercastYVR Recorded on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples including the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh nations.   STORIES REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE January Sadhu Johnston quits as Vancouver city manager https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-city-manager-sadhu-johnston-to-step-down-at-start-of-2021-1.5725102   February New West backs down on de-funding police proposal https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/new-west-council-police-budget-1.5897257   Vancouver: Kitsilano site may become home to six-storey rental building https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/courier-archive/real-estate/kitsilano-site-may-become-home-to-six-storey-rental-building-3116697   March Bike lane debate: Vancouver businesses aim to block motion proposing return of route to Stanley Park | CTV News https://bc.ctvnews.ca/bike-lane-debate-vancouver-businesses-aim-to-block-motion-proposing-return-of-route-to-stanley-park-1.5333790   April Vancouver's NPA picks John Coupar to run for mayor in 2022 | CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/john-coupar-2022-candidate-1.5976740   Reaction from NPA councillors https://twitter.com/sarahkirby_yung/status/1379643853867651081   Marissen follows suit and announces mayoral run https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-mayor-race-2022-mark-marissen-1.5399419   Will Jody Wilson-Raybould run for mayor of Vancouver, or not? https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/local-news/will-jody-wilson-raybould-run-for-mayor-of-vancouver-or-not-3975473    Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum to face off against Coun. Brenda Locke in Surrey's 2022 election | CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/surrey-mayor-2021-mccallum-locke-1.6115492   May Surrey police chief hopes for 'soft launch' this fall https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/surrey-police-chief-hopes-for-soft-launch-this-fall  via @VancouverSun   June Vancouver: Gas-powered sports cars, SUVs face higher street parking fees under Vancouver's anti-pollution proposal | CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/city-vancouver-parking-climate-emergency-parking-proposal-1.6065135   Burnaby: Hillman / NWVDLC byelection split — Longtime federal Liberal breaks Big Labour’s grip on Burnaby council https://www.burnabynow.com/local-news/council-byelection-marked-by-low-voter-turnout-burnaby-mlas-shot-at-one-candidate-3917583   New West: Downtown business group and new political party clash over Together New West name https://www.newwestrecord.ca/local-news/downtown-business-group-and-new-political-party-clash-over-togeth

Welcome to Vancouver Overcast with Mike Klassen Episode 15. On this edition we have brought together a group formally known as the Wine Roundtable. As listeners will discover as I introduce them, each of our 4 guests have a strong involvement in British Columbia’s dynamic wine scene.