Interview: Mike Harcourt, On the Line with Joseph Planta (thecommentary.ca)

Mike Harcourt

Monday, 10 September 2007

Former premier of British Columbia and Vancouver mayor, Mike Harcourt discusses his new book City Making in Paradise: Nine Decisions that Saved Greater Vancouver's Livability (Douglas & McIntyre, 2007) with Joseph Planta. Co-written with Ken Cameron and Sean Rossiter, the book looks at the public policy and planning decisions taken that's made the Greater Vancouver region as livable as it is today.

City Making in Paradise: Nine Decisions that Saved Greater Vancouver's Livability by Mike Harcourt and Ken Cameron, with Sean Rossiter. (Douglas & MacIntyre, 2007)

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: City Making in Paradise

You will need the Real Player to listen to the interviews. If you don't have it, you can download it at http://www.real.com.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Vancouver is internationally recognised as one of the best cities in which to live. A new book outlines and discusses what has made the Lower Mainland region what it is today. From the creation of planning boards in the 1940s, to saving Strathcona in the late '60s, to the Agricultural Land Reserve in the '70s, Expo in the 80s, and more, City Making in Paradise: Nine Decisions that Saved Greater Vancouver's Liveability, written by Mike Harcourt and Ken Cameron, with Sean Rossiter, looks at how we got to where we are today, and wonders where we're headed in the future. As an overview of policymaking and planning it's quite accessible. The people profiled and the events recounted are informative and instructive.

I am joined now by one of the book's authors, Mike Harcourt. He was first elected to Vancouver City Council in 1972. From 1980 to 1986, he was mayor of the City of Vancouver. The book is published by Douglas and McIntyre and retails for $24.95. I am pleased to welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, the former premier of the province of British Columbia (1991-1996) Mike Harcourt; Good morning, Mr. Harcourt.