Nonpartisan Hacks – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode of Non-Partisan Hacks, Joel and Sean return from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference in Ottawa. We share what we learned, who we met, and why it matters back home.

We cover how FCM gives local governments a collective voice on national issues—from aging infrastructure to housing targets—and why property taxes alone aren’t cutting it anymore. We also break this episode’s “Quote Take” from FCM President Rebecca Bligh, who challenged the Prime Minister to help reform a system designed in the “horse and cart era.”

In our inaugural episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, we dive headfirst into the world of local government — the meetings, the budgets, the sewage (yes, really). Joel Granz and Sean Wood explain why they started this podcast, why politics doesn’t have to be partisan, and why boring government is actually a good thing.

We take on regional districts, mystery tax line items, and the Deloitte report on Metro Vancouver’s 41-member megaboard (spoiler: it’s unwieldy). Plus, we debut our Quote Take segment and dive into the world of spicy Facebook comments about housing, infrastructure, and whether city councils can cure the doctor shortage.

If you’ve ever wondered who makes the decisions that affect your garbage pickup or why your property taxes fund things you’ve never heard of — you’re in the right place. Buckle up for a fun, occasionally ranty, surprisingly entertaining ride through the machinery of good government.

Welcome to Non-Partisan Hacks, where hosts Sean Wood and Joel Grenz, both Parksville city councillors, take you behind the scenes of good governance. This episode is extra special as we welcome our very first guest, Michelle Stilwell—Paralympic champion, former MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, and passionate advocate for inclusive communities.

Michelle shares her journey from winning gold medals to navigating the complexities of provincial politics. We dive deep into her transition from elite sports to serving as Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation in British Columbia. Michelle also offers candid insights on the realities of public service, the importance of relationship-building in governance, and what was involved in her role as caucus chair.

And yes, there’s fresh-baked bread involved, courtesy of Sean!

Don't miss our "Quote Take" segment, where we unpack the latest headlines and discuss integrity in politics.

📢 Tune in to learn about leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to serve your community.

Visit nonpartisanhacks.com to catch up on past episodes and share your thoughts.

Is a 0% property tax increase really something to celebrate? Or is it just kicking the financial can down the road?

In this episode of Non-Partisan Hacks, we’re joined by Chris Brown, host of Cross Border Interviews, for a candid conversation about municipal responsibility, political courage, and the dangerous allure of short-term wins. We dig into Chris’s viral editorial on local governments that prioritize popularity over planning — and why some municipalities might need to look in the mirror before pointing fingers at higher levels of government.

We also touch on:

• What Chris has learned from 350+ interviews with elected officials
• Why rural communities feel left behind
• The power imbalance between provinces and municipalities
• And yes — the bread makes another appearance.

Learn more about Chris and his show at crossborderinterviews.ca

Find all our episodes at nonpartisanhacks.com

Can provincial housing targets be a smarter way to plan future housing across the province?

In this no-guest episode of Non-Partisan Hacks, Joel and Sean unpack a new Parksville resolution headed to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) that seeks to uplevel how the Province sets housing targets for local governments. It’s a call for smarter, more climate-resilient, infrastructure-ready planning for BC's future.

In this show's quote take, we confront the awkward truth: local governments are trying to make housing more affordable… using the limited tools they have: taxing homes.

We also touch on:

• Factors besides population growth predictions that need to be part of the housing equation
• Insurance industry may have some insight into planning
• and Sean's take on Sean's take

Want more background on the resolution? Read Joel’s full blog post: joelgrenz.ca/advocacy/ubcm-resolution-supporting-climate-resilient-and-infrastructure-ready-housing-targets

Find all our episodes at nonpartisanhacks.com

And now... you can also watch and subscribe to Non-Partisan Hacks YouTube.

And hey — if you’ve got a good government story, a guest idea, or just want to say hi, we’d love to hear from you.

Thinking about throwing your hat in the ring for local office? Or maybe someone told you you should run? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to run — and serve — in local government.

Joel and Sean share candid reflections on why people run, what the job actually involves, and what they wish they knew before signing up. From campaign prep and council dynamics to emotional stamina and reading 2,000-page agendas, this episode is packed with real talk (and a few warnings).

Plus... An apology from a Nanaimo city councillor who suggested sending busloads of people to a cabinet minister’s house, and had the courage to walk it back.

Whether you’re gearing up for the next municipal election or just curious what goes on behind the nameplates, this episode is for you.

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Find all our episodes at nonpartisanhacks.com and be sure to drop us a line.

BC’s political landscape seems to change by the week... new parties, shifting allegiances, and plenty of noise. But what about the voters in the middle who just want good government?

In this episode of Non-Partisan Hacks, Parksville councillors Joel Grenz and Sean Wood welcome Karin Kirkpatrick, leader of CentreBC and former MLA for West Vancouver–Capilano. From her time as Shadow Minister for Housing, Childcare, and Families to her leadership in the non-profit sector, Karin brings a unique perspective on how government can serve people better, without the partisan dogfights.

The conversation covers:

• Why CentreBC was formed and what it means to be “in the middle”
• The challenges of housing, affordability, and short-term rentals (including Parksville’s Resort Row)
• How governments can (and should) collaborate across levels
• The risks of polarization and the case for pragmatic, data-driven decision-making
• Why “boring” government might actually be good government

Recorded from Joel’s deck (with fresh bread in the background), this episode blends substance, banter, and a look at what’s next for BC politics.

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Find all our episodes at nonpartisanhacks.com and be sure to drop us a line.

What’s next for Vancouver Island’s rail corridor? Is just a relic of the past, or the backbone of its future?

In this episode of Non-Partisan Hacks, hosts Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Thomas Bevan, CEO of the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF), to talk trains, trestles, and the tangled politics of one of Vancouver Island’s most unique public assets.

Bevan shares what it’s like to work with every level of government—federal, provincial, regional districts, municipalities, and 14 First Nations—while trying to reimagine a 290-kilometre corridor that runs through the backyards of about 80% of island residents. From Scotch broom removal and firebreaks to high-rail buses and long-term transit-oriented development, the conversation uncovers both the risks and the opportunities of this corridor.

🎧 Listen in for:

• Corridor ownership: Whose Line Is It Anyway?
• Why the corridor still matters for housing, planning, and the future of Vancouver Island
• The Wesley Ridge fire’s impact on trestles and infrastructure
• Creative short-term uses, including high-rail buses
• How governance silos shape (and sometimes stall) progress
• Whether this “forgotten corridor” can become the island’s true spine

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Find all our episodes at nonpartisanhacks.com and be sure to drop us a line.

The BC Green Party is about to pick a new leader, and the three candidates joined Joel and Sean on the deck to make their case. Adam Bremner-Akins (political science student and party secretary), Dr. Jonathan Kerr (Comox councillor and family doctor), and Emily Lowan (climate organizer and researcher) sat down for an unfiltered conversation about strategy, ideology, and what it takes to grow beyond two seats.

Should the BC Greens court centrist voters or build a "Fight the Oligarchs" coalition? How would they tackle BC's deficit, and what role government should play in subsidizing the energy transition?

The conversation covers everything from BC's unnamed new dam to healthcare reform, offshore wind farms, and why one candidate thinks we need fewer EVs and more e-bikes. Plus: how to work with existing Green MLAs when you don't have a seat, and whether "crisitunity" is the approach to BC's multiple challenges.

🎧 Listen in for:

• Membership growth numbers revealed!
• Why healthcare reform could fix BC's budget crisis
• Three very different visions for the party's future
• How the confidence agreement gets renegotiated this fall
• Whether Greens should fight or finesse their way to power

BC Green members vote September 13-23.

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Find all our episodes at nonpartisanhacks.com and be sure to drop us a line.

In this milestone 10th episode, Parksville councillors Sean Wood and Joel Grenz break down one of the most talked-about issues in local government: housing.

What’s the difference between market and non-market housing? Why is non-market housing so hard (and slow) to build? Who actually pays for it? And what does the “Vienna Model” have to do with any of this?

From permissive tax exemptions to project delays at BC Housing, this episode pulls back the curtain on how housing decisions actually get made—and who carries the cost. Featuring a fiery quote from Courtenay councillor Wendy Morin and a potential idea for how BC builds homes.

Whether you’re a taxpayer, tenant, policymaker, or just housing-curious, this episode is for you.

👉 Subscribe, rate, and review on your favourite podcast platform.

Find all our episodes at nonpartisanhacks.com and be sure to drop us a line.