Vancouver Island’s Forgotten Corridor with Thomas Bevan of ICF
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.
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Meet me in the Middle: Karin Kirkpatrick on CentreBC
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.
👉 Subscribe, rate, and review on your favourite podcast platform.
Find all our episodes at nonpartisanhacks.com and be sure to drop us a line.
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So You’re Thinking of Running for Local Government
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.
👉 Subscribe, rate, and review on your favourite podcast platform.
Find all our episodes at nonpartisanhacks.com and be sure to drop us a line.
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Make Housing More Affordable (By Taxing It?)
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.
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Zero Percent Problem with Chris Brown from Cross Border Interviews
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
Hosted by two Parksville city councillors, Non-Partisan Hacks brings you behind the scenes of how government really works — without the spin, the shouting, or the partisanship.
We dive into the practical, the absurd, and the oddly inspiring world of local government, while mixing in the occasional provincial and federal twist. Expect real talk about decision-making, budgets, bylaws, and political hot potatoes — with a healthy dose of humour and honesty.
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