On The Island from CBC Radio British Columbia

Gregor speaks with federal Natural Resources Minister and Toronto-area MP Joe Oliver about the simplified environmental scrutiny for projects like the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.

The political panel looks at what B.C. politicians can learn from the surprising outcome of the election in Alberta this week.

Richard LeBlanc, the executive director of Woodwynn Farms, talks about the future of the proposed therapeutic community following a rejection of its residential development application by the province's Agricultural Land Commission.

Gregor meets Walter Adams, a volunteer who runs the Rainbow Kitchen in Esquimalt and has just been named as Victoria's Unsung Hero of the Year by the Community Social Planning Council.

Tyler Schroeder, the Planning Manager and responsible for environmental regulations for Whatcom County, talks about a proposal that could see up to 500 massive coal ships passing our shoreline every year.

Ambition, passion, betrayal, murder - the life of early Victoria architect Francis Rattenbury seems like the stuff of a classic opera. Now his story is becoming an opera. Victoria composer Tobin Stokes talks about his work in progress on "Rattenbury".

Professor Caroline Cameron with the Centre for Biomedical Research at the University of Victoria talks about why syphilis can be called the disease that changed human history, and about the possibility of permanently extinguishing the virus.

Victoria resident Peggy Mahoney needs a liver transplant to survive, and a donation has come from an unusual source: her 21-year-old son David MacIntyre. Gregor speaks with her about live-donor liver transplants, the risks and the financial challenges faced by donors and recipients.

Monica Prendergast reviews the Belfry Theatre's 'God of Carnage'.

Time is running out for Victoria to come up with the cash needed to host the Juno Awards. Gregor speaks with Victoria Councillor Chris Coleman who has spearheaded the campaign to bring the Canadian music awards to the Island in 2014.

If you're unemployed and on Employment Insurance, the federal government has plans to put you to work instead of bringing in temporary foreign workers. Ryan Vantreight, of Vantreight Farms in Central Saanich, offers his thoughts on the idea.

The political panel takes a look at the significance of this week's byelections for the B.C. Liberal government and their rivals for power.

Seventy years after Victoria's Japanese community was sent into exile aboard a former CPR ferry, Ann-Lee Switzer talks about the new book she has co-authored on Victoria's Japanese heritage.

Victoria mother Erin Mossop talks about getting caught up along with her children in a stand-off with police at an ashram in India.

Victoria mother Erin Mossop talks about getting caught up along with her children in a stand-off with police at an ashram in India.