Vancouver’s Budget Circus, Measles Comeback & The Epstein Fallout | UnSpun Ep. 305

Episode 306 of UnSpun with Jody Vance and George Affleck delivers a full sweep of Canadian political drama — from Parliament’s budget brinksmanship to BC’s pipeline fight to Vancouver’s ongoing crime and budget struggles.Here’s what’s in this week’s episode:🇨🇦 Budget Day Theatre in Ottawa The federal government survives by the slimmest margin. Conservatives stall, the NDP abstains to avoid an election, and Elizabeth May steps in to keep Parliament standing. Even Richard Gere turns up in the middle of it all.📉 Poilievre’s Numbers Slide Support drops while internal confidence wavers. The Conservatives don’t want an election, can’t afford one, and know the timing would hurt them.🇺🇸 US Shutdown Ends Snowbird travel from Canada collapses as Canadians avoid the US. Florida officials openly beg us to return. Meanwhile, Trump unleashes personal attacks on reporters — including the now-infamous “Quiet Piggy” comment.⚠️ Epstein File Fallout More leaks, more denials, and a growing political storm on both sides of the border. Jody and George break down the power networks, the silence, and why this scandal will reshape politics.🛢️ Pipeline War: Alberta vs BC A proposed Alberta–BC pipeline triggers immediate opposition from Premier Eby and environmental groups — even as some First Nations support it. Canada’s economic future and energy security hang in the balance.⚡ BC Drops EV Mandate The province backs away from its 2035 zero-emission vehicle commitment. Jody and George dig into the contradiction: blocking pipelines, scrapping EV rules, and still claiming to be climate leaders.🏙️ Vancouver’s Budget Strain Sim’s “zero increase” budget falls apart under questioning. Police spending climbs 4.8 percent, staffing grows, and residents face worsening conditions downtown.🚓 Crime and Disorder Dealers operating openly, buildings taken over, extortion spreading from Surrey, and almost no police presence. The crew explains how basic enforcement and street maintenance could reduce crime dramatically.🗳️ Vancouver’s Mayoral Race Grows Ken Sim plans to run again. OneCity introduces a new candidate. Greens make moves. Too many parties, too much confusion — and voters feeling overwhelmed.📍 From federal brinkmanship to provincial stalemates to Vancouver’s street-level reality, Episode 306 covers it all.💬 Tell us in the comments: Should Canada build the pipeline? Should Vancouver overhaul its budget process? And how do we fix street-level crime?📬 Follow Jody: @jodyvance 📬 Follow George: @george_affleck 🌐 unspunpodcast.com⏱ Chapters: 00:00 – Budget Day Chaos 04:00 – Conservatives Duck the Vote 07:00 – NDP Abstentions 10:00 – US Shutdown Ends 14:00 – Pipeline Politics Heat Up 17:00 – BC Scraps EV Mandate 19:00 – Vancouver’s “Zero” Budget 22:00 – Crime and Disorder 26:00 – New Mayoral Candidates 29:00 – Epstein Fallout 33:00 – Final Thoughts

In Episode 305 of UnSpun with Jody Vance and George Affleck, it’s a wild ride from City Hall to Washington, with detours through measles outbreaks, LNG politics, and billion-dollar hypocrisy.Here’s what’s inside:🏙️ Vancouver’s Budget Showdown — 650 speakers lined up, 300+ have spoken, and nothing’s changing. George explains why these “consultations” are theatre and why the city’s budget has tripled since 2007 — with little to show for it. 💰 Zero Tax, Full Spin — Remember Ken Sim’s “0%” budget? Turns out staffing exploded by 750 people in three years. Policing alone costs $500 million — nearly the city’s entire budget back in 2007. 🚗 Signs, Tickets & Bureaucratic Madness — Too many bylaws, too few potholes fixed. From parking tickets to beach booze bans, Jody and George ask: when did common sense die in Vancouver? 🏊 The Pool That Still Isn’t Open — Another week, another saga. The aquatic mess continues while park board dysfunction deepens. 🦠 Measles Is Back — Anti-vax spin from decades ago resurfaces, putting kids and vulnerable people at risk. Jody goes off on misinformation and the consequences of bad science gone viral. ⚡ Carney’s Big Bet — The Prime Minister announces new fast-tracked infrastructure projects, including LNG and hydro expansion in BC. George calls it “finally some movement,” while Eby faces protests from within. 🌲 Environmental Divide — First Nations say yes to development; activists say no to everything. The crew debates how Canada can grow responsibly without strangling itself in red tape. 🌍 Ethical Oil & Global Reality Check — China’s going green faster than anyone expected. Canada still can’t build a bridge on time. 🇨🇦 Pierre Poilievre’s Flatline — Same slogans, new slump. Jody wonders if the opposition leader’s message has expired. 🇺🇸 U.S. Chaos — Government shutdown ends in surrender, Epstein documents keep leaking, and Washington’s hypocrisy hits new lows. George shares stories from the “fundraiser circuit” that sound straight out of a Netflix drama.📍 From City Hall’s budget circus to the global power grid, UnSpun Ep. 305 is packed, blunt, and brutally honest.💥 Subscribe, comment, and tell us: Should Vancouver rethink how it spends—or just start over?📬 Follow Jody: @jodyvance 📬 Follow George: @george_affleck 🌐 unspunpodcast.com⏱ Chapters: 00:00 – 650 Speakers & a Broken Budget 03:00 – Vancouver’s Spending Triples 06:00 – Signs, Fines & Parking Nonsense 09:00 – Pools, Potholes & Priorities 11:00 – Measles Returns to Canada 13:00 – Mark Carney’s Big Infrastructure Push 17:00 – LNG, Hydro & Environmental Divides 20:00 – China’s Clean Energy Leap 22:00 – Trudeau, Poilievre & Political Denial 25:00 – U.S. Shutdown, Epstein Fallout & Power Games 30:00 – Final Thoughts: Spin, Truth & Accountability

This week on UnSpun with Jody Vance and George Affleck, Vancouver’s city hall turns into a shell game, provincial politics melt down, and a 900-page court ruling shakes up land ownership in BC.Here’s what’s inside:🏙️ Ken Sim’s Numbers Collapse — New polls show the mayor’s support tanking below 20%. George breaks down ABC’s implosion and what the new “Deputy Mayor” appointment really means. 👋 Sarah Kirby-Young Steps Up — She’s now deputy mayor for the rest of the term. Promotion… or setup for succession? 🌿 Pete Fry’s Green Ambition — Backed by every level of the Green Party, Fry’s playing coy about a 2026 run while floating a youth vote motion that has Vancouver buzzing. 🗳️ Voting at 16? — Fry’s proposal to lower the municipal voting age sparks mixed reactions — from parents to politicians. Jody’s inbox explodes, and George calls it “a stunt with potential.” . 🏡 City Staff Living Elsewhere — Turns out a Vancouver councillor never lived in the city. George’s take: “If you don’t live here, you shouldn’t run here.” 🏞️ Park Board Referendum Dead (Again) — After endless debate, the province kills the vote citing First Nations consultation. The city’s legal confusion deepens. 🌊 Richmond’s Land Rights Bombshell — A surprise court ruling grants ancestral claims to a large section of Richmond land, blindsiding homeowners and sparking outrage. George and Jody unpack the legal chaos and the failure of BC’s reconciliation process. Social Media Sanity — Jody reads an email questioning why she blocks trolls. George’s answer: “Hate’s not a conversation.”📍 From Vancouver’s city hall crisis to the Richmond land rights shockwave, Episode 304 might be the most UnSpun yet.💥 Subscribe, comment, and tell us: Should 16-year-olds vote? Should Vancouver councillors have to live in Vancouver?📬 Follow Jody: @jodyvance 📬 Follow George: @george_affleck 🌐 unspunpodcast.com⏱ Chapters: 00:00 – New Deputy Mayor: Sarah Kirby-Young 02:00 – Ken Sim’s Polling Plunge 06:00 – Pete Fry, Green Party & 16-Year-Old Voters 10:00 – Empty Homes Tax Debate 13:00 – City Councillor Caught Living in North Van 17:00 – Park Board Referendum Killed by Province 22:00 – Richmond Land Rights Ruling Explained 27:00 – Nuclear Power, Oversight & Bureaucracy 30:00 – Social Media Blocking & Final Thoughts

In Episode 303 of UnSpun with Jody Vance and George Affleck, it’s city hall mayhem, provincial implosions, and a federal plan that’s literally going nuclear (in a good way).Here’s what’s inside:🏙️ Vancouver’s Political Freefall — New polling shows Ken Sim’s support collapsing, with only 30% of voters wanting him back. George breaks down why the mayor’s “supermajority” has evaporated.🌿 Pete Fry’s Green Tease — The Green Party of Canada, BC, and Vancouver all back Pete Fry for a possible mayoral run… but he’s coy about actually running.🏗️ Housing Headaches — Sim loses a key vote on creating a city-owned housing corporation after his own ABC caucus fractures. Should governments be building market rentals at all?🏞️ Park Board Panic, Again — Pay parking, paranoia, and people convinced Ken Sim’s secretly plotting condo towers in Stanley Park. (He’s not.)🏙️ Surrey’s Stadium & Costco 2.0 — Brenda Locke revives Doug McCallum’s dream project: a 10,000-seat arena and another Costco. Chaos meets construction.⚡ Provincial Meltdown — John Rustad’s BC Conservatives implode while David Eby faces strikes, ballooning budgets, and a cabinet that’s lost control of spending.🔌 Canada Goes Nuclear — The federal government’s new small modular reactor plan sparks debate. George says it’s about time — clean, efficient, and not your grandpa’s reactor.📍 From city hall squabbles to the future of clean power, Episode 303 is pure UnSpun: fiery, funny, and unfiltered.💥 Subscribe, comment, and tell us: Should Vancouver go nuclear — in power or in politics?📬 Follow Jody: @jodyvance 📬 Follow George: @george_affleck 🌐 unspunpodcast.com⏱ Chapters: 00:00 – Vancouver Polls & Ken Sim’s Slump 02:00 – Pete Fry’s Green Party Endorsement 06:00 – Downtown Eastside Drug Bust & Safety Debate 09:00 – Park Board Paranoia Returns 12:00 – Surrey’s New Arena & Costco 2.0 15:00 – Ken Sim’s Housing Vote Failure 17:00 – John Rustad’s Leadership Collapse 19:00 – BC’s “North Coast” Power Grid & Budget Woes 25:00 – Nuclear Energy: Canada’s Big Bet 29:00 – AI, Strikes & Big Government Bloat

In Episode 302 of UnSpun with Jody Vance and George Affleck, the Park Board soap opera hits a new twist, BC’s liquor shelves run dry, and the global stage gets even stranger.Here’s what’s inside:🏞️ Park Board Meltdown, Again — Ken Sim backtracks on supporting the province’s Park Board referendum over “respect for First Nations” — leaving everyone confused. George unpacks the real political motive behind it.🗳️ Referendum Spin — How a single yes/no question could decide the future of Vancouver’s parks… depending how it’s worded.🏊 Vancouver Aquatic Centre Scandal — A class-action suit reveals the city claimed to have “data” that didn’t exist. $175M for a smaller pool? Taxpayers aren’t swimming in confidence.🏙️ Municipal Moves — Richard Stewart retiring in Coquitlam, endorsing Craig Hodge for mayor. A rare example of smooth political succession in BC.🍷 BCGEU Strike Expands — Liquor and cannabis distribution grinds to a halt, restaurants run out of wine, and the government holds firm at a 3.5% offer. George explains the political math behind it.🌍 Trump, Carney & the Nobel Race — Trump wants a peace prize after brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Norway says… “uh, no.” Meanwhile, economist Peter Howitt wins Canada a Nobel instead.🇨🇳 Trade Turbulence — As U.S. tariffs rise and auto plants move south, Canada flirts with China again. Is it strategy or desperation?💉 Flu Season Alert — Jody shares a PSA on COVID and flu shots, while George fights off a cold (and a birthday hangover).📍 From Vancouver’s endless Park Board drama to the chaos in Washington, this one’s classic UnSpun: local frustration meets global absurdity.💥 Subscribe, comment, and tell us: Should the Park Board survive the referendum? And will BC ever fix its booze shortage?📬 Follow Jody: @jodyvance📬 Follow George: @george_affleck🌐 unspunpodcast.com⏱ Chapters:00:00 – The Park Board Gift That Keeps Giving03:00 – Ken Sim vs. The Province (and First Nations?)08:00 – The Aquatic Centre Scandal & Missing Data13:00 – Coquitlam’s Leadership Change18:00 – BCGEU Strike Hits Restaurants22:00 – Nobel Peace Prize Snub & Trump’s Ego25:00 – Protests, Peace & Portland Dinosaurs27:00 – Mark Carney vs. Trump in Egypt29:00 – Trade Trouble & China’s Comeback30:00 – Flu Shots, COVID Boosters & George’s Birthday Cold

In Episode 301 of UnSpun with Jody Vance and George Affleck, Vancouver politics meet global chaos once again — and yes, George was right… again.Here’s what’s on the rundown:🏞️ Park Board Referendum Confirmed — Christine Boyle proposes a citywide vote on dissolving Vancouver’s Park Board. George called it months ago. The spin? A supposed $70M in “savings” — spread over 10 years.💰 Zero-Tax Budget Reality Check — Ken Sim’s 0% property tax increase is official. What gets cut? Hundreds of jobs, mid-management positions, and maybe public patience.🏙️ Zoning & the Broadway Plan — Council greenlights sweeping rezonings with no public hearings. Developers cheer, NIMBYs panic.📉 Polling Problems for Ken Sim — His approval rating tanks while new mayoral contenders circle. Youth voters are angry and engaged.🌊 Eby vs. Danielle Smith: Pipeline Showdown — Alberta wants to push a new pipeline through BC; Eby says no. Smith’s elbows are up, but so are BC’s boundaries.🇨🇦 Mark Carney in DC — Canada’s PM navigates Trump’s ego with calm diplomacy as the U.S. flirts with tariffs and tantrums.🏅 Trump’s ‘Peace Prize’ Moment? — A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas sparks talk of a Nobel nod for Trump (yes, really).✈️ U.S. Shutdown Fallout — Air traffic delays, frozen paycheques, and total dysfunction in Washington.⚽ Local Laughs — George goes to a Whitecaps match (“there was beer!”), Jody discovers “Gander” — Canada’s new social platform.From the park board referendum to world peace and potholes, this one’s peak UnSpun.Subscribe, comment, and tell us: Would you vote to kill the Park Board? And should Canada jump in as Middle East peacekeepers?Follow Jody: @jodyvance Follow George: @george_affleck unspunpodcast.com⏱ Chapters: 00:00 – George Was Right (Again) 01:00 – Park Board Referendum Confirmed 04:00 – Ken Sim’s 0% Budget Explained 07:00 – Zoning, Broadway Plan & NIMBYs 10:00 – Ken Sim’s Polling Nosedive 11:00 – Eby vs. Danielle Smith Pipeline War 14:00 – Trudeau, Carney & Trump at the White House 17:00 – Pierre Poilievre’s Identity Crisis 22:00 – Trump’s “Peace Prize” Moment? 26:00 – U.S. Shutdown Chaos 28:00 – Whitecaps, Beer & Gander Social Media

Episode 300 of UnSpun with Jody Vance and George Affleck delivers a milestone mix of hyperlocal Vancouver politics, BC-provincial drama, and global turbulence.Here’s what’s on the docket:🏛️ Vancouver’s Zero-Tax Budget — Mayor Ken Sim rolls out a 0% property tax increase. Smart politics or a late-game gamble that could cost him in 2026? 👥 Mayoral Race Shake-Up — Rebecca Bligh, Pete Fry, and others circle Sim as internal caucus cracks widen. Who’s really positioned to take City Hall? 🚨 Crime & Perception in Vancouver — Broken windows, empty promises, and why residents say “stats” don’t match what they see on the streets. 🏙️ Municipal Watchlist — From Brad West’s dominance in Port Coquitlam to the turmoil in Surrey and Richmond’s post-Brodie future, BC’s local politics heat up. ⛽ Pipeline Politics — Danielle Smith vs. David Eby in a clash over resources, First Nations negotiations, and whether pipelines will define Canada’s economic survival. 🇺🇸 U.S. Shutdown Chaos — Trump blames Democrats, Democrats blame Trump, and Americans brace for the fallout as essential services stall. 🍷 BCGEU Strike Fallout — Liquor distribution lines dry up, restaurants struggle, and shelves go bare. 🌿 Farewell to Jane Goodall — Remembering the groundbreaking primatologist and environmental icon, with Jody sharing a personal story of interviewing her.📍 From Yaletown’s crime troubles to global pipeline battles, UnSpun’s 300th episode hits harder than ever.💥 Subscribe, comment, and tell us: Should Vancouver voters buy into zero taxes? Should pipelines push past protests?📬 Follow Jody: @jodyvance 📬 Follow George: @george_affleck 🌐 unspunpodcast.com⏱ Chapters: 00:00 – 300 Episodes In! 01:00 – Vancouver’s 0% Tax Budget Explained 05:30 – Mayoral Race & ABC Turmoil 09:00 – Crime, Safety & Perception in Vancouver 13:00 – Municipal Shake-Ups Across BC 16:00 – Eby vs. Smith: Pipeline Showdown 21:00 – U.S. Government Shutdown Spin 26:00 – BCGEU Strike Hits Liquor Supply 28:00 – Remembering Jane Goodall 29:30 – Wrap-Up & What’s Next

This week on UnSpun with Jody Vance and George Affleck, it’s local politics colliding with global headlines — and yes, we go from Vancouver City Hall straight to the United Nations.Here’s what we cover:🏙️ Vancouver’s Mayoral Shake-Up — Rebecca Bligh launches Vote Vancouver and sets her sights on Ken Sim. Is this Vision 2.0 or a real new player in 2026? ⚖️ Conservative Turmoil — John Rustad survives a leadership review, but ejects Eleanor Sturko. Party unity or caucus meltdown? 🍷 BCGEU Strike Escalates — Liquor distribution blocked, restaurants squeezed, and taxpayers wonder: why not privatize? 📮 Canada Post Bleeding Cash — $1B in losses, rural closures, and why it still matters for small towns and national unity. 🌐 The UN General Assembly — Trump blusters, Carney soothes, and Canada searches for trade partners while pipelines still stall. 🏥 Care Home Crisis — Jody shares a personal story on BC’s long-term care shortage and the brutal reality for families. 📺 Jimmy Kimmel Returns — Millions head to YouTube after Sinclair/Nexstar blackouts, Disney loses billions, and Jody ends up in Newsweek after canceling her Disney+ subscription. 🎶 Sarah McLachlan Steps In — The Canadian icon joins Kimmel on his comeback night after ditching her Disney premiere.📍 From liquor lines to global diplomacy, UnSpun breaks down the spin every week.💥 Subscribe, comment, and let us know: Should Canada Post survive? Should Jimmy Kimmel move to streaming for good?📬 Follow Jody: @jodyvance 📬 Follow George: @george_affleck 🌐 unspunpodcast.com

This week’s episode of UnSpun with Jody Vance and George Affleck swings from Vancouver’s park board meltdown to global free speech battles — all the messy politics you need in under 40 minutes.Here’s what’s on deck:🌲 Stanley Park & Surrey Swap — The Bright Lights fundraiser bails on Vancouver, heading to Surrey instead. The train’s still broken, the park board is still flailing, and Kits Pool has become the symbol of civic neglect. 🏛️ Ken Sim vs. David Eby — The mayor wants the park board gone, the premier’s stalling, and George has an unfiltered solution: put it to a referendum. 👴 Richmond Without Brodie — After 25 years, Mayor Malcolm Brodie steps aside. What happens in a city without party politics? ⚖️ Rustad’s Conservative Drama — Membership scandals, leadership reviews, and a caucus on the brink. George explains why losing your team means losing your career. 💸 BC’s Budget Bombshell — Record deficits, collapsing property transfer tax revenue, and whether the Bank of Canada’s small rate cut can actually save homeowners. 🏗️ Housing & Development Freeze — Projects canceled, inventory bottlenecks, and why governments never build when it matters most. 🌍 Carney Meets Eby — Pipelines, LNG, and Canada’s resource future. Can BC balance union jobs with environmental politics? 🎤 Jimmy Kimmel Suspended — A joke, a pivot, and a corporate backlash spark a bigger fight over free speech, comedy, and creeping state-TV vibes.📍 From Vancouver’s crumbling pools to Washington’s late-night purge, Jody and George cut through the noise with their signature spin.💥 Subscribe, comment, and let us know where you stand — Park Board referendum? Pipeline push? Comedy censorship?📲 Watch, share, and subscribe – and don’t forget to visit UnSpunPodcast.com

This week’s episode of UnSpun with Jody Vance and George Affleck goes national, local, and totally off the rails — in the best way possible.🇺🇸 The Charlie Kirk assassination — what we know, what we don’t, and how the temperature in U.S. politics has reached terrifying new highs.🇨🇦 Mark Carney vs. Pierre Poilievre — is this the Liberal counterattack? Infrastructure announcements fly as the opposition tries to land punches. 🧹 David Eby calls out... Boston Pizza? Premier names names over temporary foreign workers and wage suppression. 🏞️ Stanley Park: Still a mess — bike lane battles return, the train’s still broken, and now there’s controversy over... 🧙 The Harry Potter Experience — is the Park Board about to cancel it over backlash? Jody and George weigh in on separating art from artist. 🚗 EV test drives, wildfire smoke, and the real price of poke bowls — yes, this episode covers it all.📍 And as always, we wrap it up with what’s really going on behind the spin — from London to Lonsdale.💥 Subscribe, comment, and tell us what YOU think.📬 Follow Jody: @jodyvance 📬 Follow George: @george_affleck 🌐 unspunpodcast.com