Gardening with Brian Minter

BC Today gardening columnist Brian Minter joins us to answer your gardening questions.

The August 1st Canada-U.S. trade deal deadline has passed, and U.S. President Donald Trump has boosted tariffs on non-CUSMA compliant goods from 25 per cent to 35 per cent following yesterday's executive order. CUSMA-compliant goods, which makes up majority of exports, will be able to cross the border tariff-free. Laura Dawson, executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, joins the show as we ask viewers where the Canada-U.S. relationship goes from here.

ICBC is sending a wake-up call to drivers who are getting behind the wheel while tired. A survey conducted by Ipsos found more than half of drivers in B.C. have admitted to driving while tired or drowsy. Greg Harper with ICBC joins the show to discuss strategies on how to stay alert while driving, and we ask our audience: how do you avoid falling asleep at the wheel, especially during long drives?

Above-seasonal temperatures this week led to B.C.'s wildfire season ramping up. The Lytton First Nation issued an evacuation order for two sparsely-populated reserves near the village of Lytton due to the Cantilever Bar wildfire, while crews also responded to wildfires burning near Harrison Lake and Peachland. Lytton mayor Denise O'Connor provides an update on the situation in her area, and CBC's Tiffany Goodwein goes live near Peachland to give the latest on the Drought Hill wildfire. Lori Daniels, co-director of UBC's Centre for Wildfire Co-existence, provides an outlook for B.C.'s wildfire season as we ask viewers if the blazes have them re-thinking their August plans.

B.C. has cancelled a tsunami advisory issued after an 8.8-magnitude underwater earthquake off the coast of Russia sent off warnings to coastal communities along the Pacific Ocean. Collin Paul, a seismic analyst for Natural Resources Canada, explains the impact of the earthquake and precautions British Columbians can take.

The Bank of Canada is holding its key lending rate at 2.75 per cent for the third consecutive time. Randy Ryalls, managing broker at Royal LePage Sterling Realty, joins the show to break down how interest rates impact buying and selling in real estate.

Vancouver's Pride Parade is expected to draw tens of thousands of people from across the province this Sunday, while Kelowna also held its first-ever Pride month this year. Alex Ash, programs and engagement manager for Qmunity, joins the show as we ask viewers what Pride means to them.

We bring you the latest update from the B.C. government on the province's wildfire season, as officials urge preparedness for potential new fires. An out-of-control wildfire burning near Lytton has prompted two evacuation alerts. B.C. Seniors Advocate Dan Leavitt says more people are waiting longer to get into a long-term care home and it's only going to get worse. He joins the show as we ask viewers about how the long-term care shortfall is affecting them.

As the Aug. 1 deadline approaches for a trade deal with the U.S., we cover what the trade war means for vehicle sales. Baris Akyurek, vice-president of insights and intelligence at AutoTrader.ca, joins the show to answer questions about purchasing vehicles.

Dozens of ministers have gathered at the United Nations General Assembly to discuss a two-state solution in the Middle East. We bring you the latest on the developments in Gaza as aid workers continue to sound the alarm on the worsening humanitarian crisis.