BTS with CTV News Vancouver

As the winter winds to a close, the snow-pack becomes increasingly unstable and the risk of avalanches skyrockets. On February 18th, a snow slide rushed down one of the North Shore mountains, sending rescuers into treacherous terrain to find the two men who'd been hiking nearby. Reporters would spend nearly three days documenting the rescue efforts, which were equal parts success and tragedy.

BTS with CTV Vancouver host Penny Daflos discusses the unfolding events with reporter Ben Miljure, who saw a family's grief first-hand as rescuers did their best in unforgiving terrain against brutal winter weather conditions.

CTV Vancouver viewers saw reporters braving snow, ice and blowing wind this week to track a series of fierce winter storms that battered Metro Vancouver, grinding traffic to a halt and shutting down schools and businesses throughout the region.

BTS with CTV Vancouver host Penny Daflos was one of those reporters and recorded this podcast in the field with videographers Peter Bremner and Adnan Hussein as they thawed out from live reports in the worst conditions. CTV weather specialist Ann Luu makes  special guest appearance to explain why this weather has been particularly hard to forecast.

After nearly two months of secrecy, the Speaker of the House released a 76-page bombshell report outlining alleged questionable spending by two of BC’s top legislative officials: luxury hotel stays, pricey suits and a truckload of missing alcohol included. Speaker Darryl Plecas and his special advisor suggest that’s the tip of the iceberg, with more to come as the RCMP continues its investigation. But will any charges result from what’s being called a “culture of entitlement” in the upper echelons of the public service?

BTS with CTV Vancouver host  Penny Daflos chats with investigative reporter Jon Woodward about how he tracked down Plecas for a surprisingly candid interview about the investigation, learning the Speaker paid a personal price for he scrutiny that came with his allegations against two of the highest-paid officials in the province.   

When Karen Wang came under the spotlight for racially-tinged comments on a Chinese-language social messaging app, she stepped down from the Liberal Party of Canada within hours. But after she'd slept on the decision, she decided she wanted back in the race with an explanation as to why bringing up her opponent's ethnicity was a non-issue. Wang's latest press conference ended with her mother sobbing in front of journalists as the Wang family was removed from city of Burnaby property.

BTS with CTV Vancouver host  Penny Daflos chats with reporter Shannon Paterson about the political intrigue many believe was at play, the monumental gaffe that started the whole thing, and the human drama that played out in front of TV news cameras for the entire country to see in a rare, high-stakes by-election drawing national attention.

Watch Shannon's latest story here.

It sure wasn't pretty to look at, but it garnered a lot of attention: a short video of what appeared to be the limp body of a cooked rat, spooned out of a bowl of chowder as someone recorded the exact moment of discovery. Some viewers immediately denounced it as a phony, while others spread the Instagram video far and wide as online commenters buried the eatery in negative reviews. Was it real, disgusting encounter captured on video -- or a ploy for social media attention and online infamy?

BTS with CTV Vancouver host  Penny Daflos chats with reporter St. John Alexander about the viral video and the lengths journalists go to in order to figure out where the truth lies.

While many families are taking a little time away from work and school to dive into the holiday season, CTV Vancouver's team is still busy gathering local news stories to bring the 6:00 newscast to air every day. At this time of year, many of the stories our viewers watch follow themes of giving or loss, but there are always tales that stand out for the crews bringing them to the air.

BTS with CTV Vancouver host  Penny Daflos chats with reporters and producers about devastating Christmas tree fires, families rallying to help others after a tragic loss, "news bingo" and the uplifting actions of strangers that help undo the actions of perennial Grinches preying on the unsuspecting.

When Meng Wanzhou was taken into police custody at Vancouver International Airport, no one watching would have realized the move would lead to an international incident, with media from across the globe flocking to BC Supreme Court to see whether she would get bail. As one of the top executives of China's most high-profile technology company, Huawei, Wanzhou's supporters likened the move to the arrest of a Western tech titan like Bill Gates.

BTS with CTV Vancouver host  Penny Daflos chats with reporter Shannon Paterson about the wall of international journalists standing shoulder-to-shoulder with local reporters who found themselves covering one of the most unusual bail hearings Vancouver has ever seen, involving serious allegations of broken US sanctions that could see Meng face 30 years in prison, if convicted.

It sounds like the premise of a bizarre screenplay: a voracious otter attracts international attention for terrorizing a Vancouver garden, snacking on pricey koi fish and eluding Park Board traps while swiping the bait. But for nearly two weeks, the river otter did just that, with daily developments keeping the story alive and a public appetite for updates making the story a hot topic for online followers.

 BTS with CTV Vancouver host  Penny Daflos chats with reporter Sheila Scott about a story that some saw as a hilarious road runner versus Wile E Coyote comedy, but was a deeply personal loss for employees while also described as an allegory for Vancouver's changing Chinatown.

When the two senior administrators of the British Columbia Legislature were suspended and removed from the compound by police amidst allegations of criminal wrongdoing, it was a political bombshell the likes of which have been rarely seen in the province. The ensuing secrecy and unexpected characters that took centre stage in the drama were right out of a political drama meant for the big screen.

BTS with CTV Vancouver host  Penny Daflos found herself in the middle of the mayhem as the reporter sent to the capital on an hour's notice to cover the events as they unfolded -- while pushing for answers. She discusses the frantic scramble to match the competition, while scooping other reporters, with long-time legislature cameraman Chris Brinton.

For a journalist, there are few things more stimulating than being in the field on an election night. Witnessing and reporting on the human drama while immersed in delighted cheers and disappointed groans is a milestone experience -- and a powerful way to convey to viewers the stakes for the real people involved in what can seem a cold and mechanical political process for public offices of which they have little appreciation.

In Part 2 of our Election Special, host Penny Daflos chats with fellow reporters Shannon Paterson and St. John Alexander about their shared experience in the middle of the mayhem, while Managing Editor Ethan Faber and News Director Les Staff reveal why reporters in the field are so important and how broadcasts like this are a public service, rather than a ratings quest.

This is the insider account of how CTV Vancouver provided the most emotional, evocative and entertaining coverage of an election full of surprises, triumphs and heartbreaks.

Elections are often called "news olympics" by journalists and the province-wide municipal elections on October 20th was no exception for the dedicated team at CTV Vancouver.

In Part 1 of our Election Special, host Penny Daflos discusses the challenges of anchoring a fast-moving and scriptless multi-hour broadcast with co-hosts Mi-Jung Lee and Scott Roberts, while Show Producer Philip Sedlacek outlines the many moving parts the producer team had to stick-handle, as Results Host Bhinder Sajan and Results Producer (and math whiz) Jon Woodward explain exactly how we got the results on the air so quickly -- while Managing Editor Ethan Faber describes the complex and incredibly stressful process of deciding when to make the big call on who won the biggest races.

This is the insider account of how CTV was first, fastest and most compelling in coverage of a major change election -- including how the apple slices got on the desk.

Working the phones, elbows out at pressers, not backing down in the face of a minister dodging questions: just a typical day in the life of CTV Vancouver's legislative bureau chief, Bhinder Sajan, who holds down the fort in Victoria. She's tough but fair and has to be extremely organized to know the difference between a new government announcement and a re-announcement geared at getting positive news coverage -- and challenge politicians on that spin-doctoring.

BTS with CTV Vancouver host  Penny Daflos sits down with Bhinder for an honest and unvarnished discussion about what it's really like roaming the halls of the legislature in our provincial capital, microphone in hand.

The legalization of marijuana in Canada has taken years of discussion and planning by policymakers and politicians -- with journalists documenting each step of the process and giving voice to the concerns of citizens and businesspeople impacted by those decisions. As cannabis legalization approached reality, our editorial coverage became more focussed and detailed, guided by CTV Vancouver's assignment editor, Scott Bills, the editorial conductor of the newscast orchestra, working closely with reporters and producers to determine exactly what we cover and how we cover.

BTS with CTV Vancouver host  Penny Daflos discusses the challenges, accomplishments and future of cannabis coverage in this pot-cast episode of the pod.

Usually interviews are scheduled with a consenting subject, but sometimes people avoiding media attention find themselves face-to-face with a camera anyhow. It's a delicate balance between reporter and videographer as they work to hold accountable those who may not want tough questions posed to them; sometimes it's politicians avoiding scrutiny, other times private citizens or those in a position of trust accused of wrongdoing.

BTS with CTV Vancouver host  Penny Daflos sits down with three experience videographers to discuss perp walks, chases and stakeouts that lead to compelling moments in our news coverage.

When the sex workers aren't real people, what are the issues around a sex doll "mansion" opening in the city of Vancouver? While the idea of silicone sex dolls for rent at a specialty brothel prompted much joking and snickering, the implications of such a business opening actually prompt a lot of serious journalistic scrutiny: What are the potential health risks? What privacy rights to potential clients have when a business operates under the radar in a legal grey area? Does violence against the dolls inhibit or promote violence against real-life sexual partners?

 With a promise of "If you’re looking for pure indulgence, absolute freedom, and a way to make all your fantasies reality, then BellaDolls is the only place to be" on the company's website, the last question was of particular concern for groups that advocate for victims of domestic violence.

 BTS with CTV Vancouver host  Penny Daflos discusses the many aspects of this topic, including broader changes in society as we increasingly turn to automation with colleague,  Jon Woodward in this provocative episode.

Watch the broadcast story and see why we had to blur images of the very lifelike dolls here.