Our podcast is getting political– municipal election-wise, that is! A brand-new series on the Cardboard Project Podcast features Employ to Empower entrepreneurs and peers from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) community hosted a three-part series interviewing Vancouver City Council candidates to gain a comprehensive understanding of what and how the ongoing issues will be addressed. Grounded in their experience and knowledge from other residents, the topics discussed include disruptions in housing such as lack of choice, safety, and tenant rights, as well as the lack of trauma-informed, peer-led services available.
Our special edition series brings these key conversations cross platform and asks Vancouver City Council candidates questions like, “The next election is in 2026 – what does the DTES look like then, if your party wins this October?”
This three-part series features Grace Quan from TEAM for a Liveable Vancouver, Matthew Norris from OneCity Vancouver, and Breen Ouellette and Jean Swanson from COPE Vancouver – all offering a unique perspective to the dialogue. Each conversation is led by an Employ To Empower program members, using their experiences and insights from the neighbourhood to critique each party’s stated items..
Episode One: Features Grace Quan (President & CEO of Hydrogen in Motion) from TEAM for a Liveable Vancouver, interviewed by Deirdre Pinnock (Fiber Artist and DTES Entrepreneur). Published on Tuesday, September 13th at 9:00 a.m.
Episode Two: Features Matthew Norris (President of Urban Native Youth Association) from OneCity Vancouver, interviewed by Serena Cripps (Peer Support Worker). Published on Tuesday, September 27th at 9 a.m.
Episode Three: This two-parter features Breen Ouellette and Jean Swanson from COPE Vancouver, interviewed by Serena Cripps (Peer Support Worker) and Alexa Lizotte (Founder of Desert Métis Creations). Published on Tuesday, October 4th at 9 a.m.
This three part series, as well as the regular ongoing episodes, can be found here.
