eby-fires-back-at-ford-over-suggestion-bc.-would-accept-2nd-oil-pipeline
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Eby fires back at Ford over suggestion B.C. would accept 2nd oil pipeline

ByStan S.

HOME BUYERS – To get the best exclusive listings visit www.vreg.ca and go to “EXCLUSIVE DEALS”

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Click to play video: 'Are pipelines a realistic part of Carney’s ‘nation-building’ projects?'

Are pipelines a realistic part of Carney’s ‘nation-building’ projects?

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he wants to quickly approve “nation-building” resource projects in an effort to boost Canada’s economy. David Akin explains whether it’s realistic to see new pipelines built anytime soon, and the challenges in getting other big resource projects approved.
B.C. Premier David Eby says he won’t be throwing his support behind a new oil pipeline through the province, dismissing Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s suggestion that Eby would change his mind.

Eby says in response to Ford’s remarks on Monday that the publicly-owned TMX pipeline is already running through B.C., and the province doesn’t support lifting the ban on oil tankers off British Columbia’s northern coast.

Click to play video: 'Premiers talk possible new pipeline out west'

Premiers talk possible new pipeline out west

He says it’s not his job to tell Ford it’s “extremely unlikely” there will be a tunnel under Toronto’s Highway 401, or tell Alberta Premier Danielle Smith her “vision” for a pipeline connecting Alberta and northern B.C. is “many, many years off” with no proponent in sight.

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Eby says his job instead is to protect the interests of British Columbia by bringing forward “shovel-ready” projects.

Click to play video: 'Danielle Smith’s pipeline push at premier’s meeting gets support from Carney'

Danielle Smith’s pipeline push at premier’s meeting gets support from Carney

Ford had said heading into a meeting between premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney that he was confident Eby and Carney would “work things out” regarding a second pipeline.

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    No, You Shouldn’t Run the Washing Machine While Showering. Here’s Why

    ByStan S.

    Key Takeaways Running the washing machine while showering can reduce water pressure. Both the shower and washing machine draw from the same water line, creating a shortage of hot water. You can adjust your routine or upgrade your system for a better outcome. Doing laundry while showering knocks two things off your to-do list at one time, but is it a smart idea? We’ve all experienced the shocking temperature shift that happens when someone flushes the toilet during a shower—but what happens if you try to shower and do a load of laundry at the same time? We turned to experts for their insights and answers. It turns out, plumbers don’t always recommend multitasking. Here’s what they have to say. Credit: Stacy Zarin Goldberg Multitasking Can Cause Low Water Pressure and Temperature Drops Depending on how your plumbing system was designed, the washing machine and shower might share a water line. “When you step into the shower, and your washing machine is looking for hot water to fill its drum, you’re fighting for the same hot water at the same time,” says Chris Hunter, director of customer relations at ServiceTitan. This is particularly common in homes with 30- or 40-gallon water heaters that are drained quickly when multiple fixtures demand hot water at the same time, says Alex Atkinson, a plumber and HVAC technician at Super Brothers. If your water heater isn’t big enough, or your plumbing doesn’t regulate pressure well, you’ll feel it with cold water, pressure drops, or a totally uneven shower experience.  If this happens often, consider upgrading to a larger hot water heater or a tankless hot water heater; this way, you won’t run out of hot water. You can also consider a pressure-balancing valve in your shower head so that when other hot or cold knobs are turned elsewhere in the house, the pressure of your shower does not change as it equalizes temperature and pressure across all outlets. If you need to run a load of laundry, set your machine to cycle after your shower or run a load of laundry in cold water, which won’t affect your supply of hot water. It Can Also Raise Your Energy Bill “If the washing machine is on the warm or hot cycle, there is no doubt that it is going to be pulling from the same hot water supply that the shower is. That can noticeably reduce the pressure or temperature of the shower. Most importantly, from an energy savings perspective, your water heater is now attempting to recover two draws simultaneously, so it’s less efficient. It may also reduce the lifespan of the unit over the long run,” says Brandon Young, CEO at Payless Power. Related Credit: Greg Scheidemann Pictures What the Experts Recommend Here’s what the pros advise, including one simple fix. • Install a pressure-balancing or thermostatic mixing valve in the shower. That keeps the water temperature steady even when someone flushes or the washing machine runs, says Nick Hendrix, general manager at Kingdom Plumbing. • Install a smart hot water recirculation system with a booster pump to eliminate the waiting, end the waste, and enhance comfort at home. • Check your water heater size. If it’s undersized, you might just be running out of hot water too fast. A tankless unit can solve that for good. • Simply run the laundry after the shower, not during.

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    Two rental housing towers eyed for Kingsway near Fraser Street in Vancouver

    ByStan S.

    Nearly four years ago, a rezoning application was approved to redevelop the southeast corner of the intersection of Kingsway and Carolina Street — situated on the southernmost border of the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood of Vancouver — into a six-storey, mixed-use building with 80 secured purpose-built market rental homes. But the project — which was one of the larger rental housing proposals in Metro Vancouver at the time, prior to the current wave of proposals — did not proceed as planned. As it turns out, this is because the project was being redesigned for a much larger mixed-use rental housing concept under the prescriptions and stipulations of the City’s Broadway Plan. A new rezoning application has been submitted to redevelop 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., which entails a larger development site than the original concept — growing the available footprint by 50 per cent to over 30,000 sq. ft. The project is just west of the prominent intersection of Kingsway and Fraser Street. The original north site entails old low-rise commercial buildings, including a former funeral home building, while the addition of a south site includes a surface vehicle parking lot and low-rise residential and commercial buildings. Site of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) Site of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Google Maps) Site of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) Cancelled 2020/2021 concept: Current condition (top) and 2020/2021 cancelled concept (bottom) of 602-644 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Studio One Architecture) 2025 revised concept: 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) Under the new application, local developer Bonnis Properties has partnered with architectural firm Perkins&Will to pursue a 167-ft-tall, 14-storey north tower and a 276-ft-tall, 25-storey south tower. The proponents are pursuing a new concept with two high-rise towers, after determining that a project with three towers would not meet the minimum tower separation requirements from an adjacent lot on Kingsway. There will be a total of 327 secured purpose-built rental homes, including 120 units in the north tower and 207 units in the south tower. Based on the Broadway Plan’s requirement of setting aside at least 20 per cent of the residential rental floor area for below-market units, there will be 66 below-market rental homes and 261 market rental homes. The unit size mix is established as 152 studios, 47 one-bedroom units, 105 two-bedroom units, and 23 three-bedroom units. 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) The north and south towers will be physically connected on the second level by a pedestrian bridge over the laneway that separates the two sites, enabling continuous shared amenity spaces between both buildings. Expansive indoor and outdoor amenity spaces will be found on the second level — including landscaped outdoor areas on the base podium rooftops — along with outdoor amenity spaces on the rooftops of both towers. The rooftop of the north tower’s podium also features a 2,900 sq. ft. childcare facility for up to 20 kids, plus outdoor play space. Down below, about 19,400 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant space spread across the ground levels of both buildings will activate the street frontages and a new public plaza. This triangular-shaped plaza space — a public space element passed down from the original concept — will be achieved by repurposing a 70-ft-long segment of East 15th Avenue and median that parallels Kingsway. 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) The floor plates of both towers rising above the podium are curved to strategically place the structural columns along the perimeter of the floor plates, which serves to optimize the views from the residential units and enable a more efficient unit layout. The exterior design is defined by a 40-60 window-to-wall ratio, with protruding balconies protected by steel picket guard railings. Four underground levels at the north tower site will accommodate 141 vehicle parking stalls, while two underground levels at the south tower site will provide over 600 secured bike parking spaces. Altogether, the project will generate a total floor building floor area of over 257,000 sq. ft., establishing a floor area ratio density of a floor area that is 8.5 times larger than the size of the lot. The site is well served by frequent bus routes along Kingsway, Fraser Street, and Main Street, and about a 15-minute walk from SkyTrain’s future Mount Pleasant Station (intersection of Main Street and East Broadway). Under the Broadway Plan, high-rise tower developments are generally

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    Latest Broadway Plan Tower Application is for 127 Units at East 14th & Prince Edward

    ByStan S.

    The latest Broadway Plan rezoning application is for an 18-storey tower at 360 East 14th Avenue in the Mount Pleasant area of East Vancouver. The site is located just West of Mount Saint Joseph Hospital. The plan for the site includes: 137 units with 20% of the floor area for below-market rental units; a total density of 6.50 FSR; A building height of 186 ft. This application is being considered under the  Broadway Plan . The architect for the project is Stuart Howard. The full application can be viewed here: https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/360-e-14-ave Comments are closed.

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    The Best Thermostat Setting for a Heat Wave. How to Stay Cool Without Overworking Your AC

    ByStan S.

    When extreme heat hits, it’s tempting to crank the air conditioning as low as it will go. But while that might offer short-term relief, it can lead to sky-high energy bills and put unnecessary strain on your cooling system. So, what temperature should you set your thermostat to during a heat wave? We spoke with industry experts and rounded up smart strategies to help you stay safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient when temperatures soar. What to Set Your Thermostat to During a Heat Wave According to energy experts and the U.S. Department of Energy, the sweet spot is 78°F (26°C) when you’re home and need cooling. If you can, bump it up to 82°F when you’re sleeping and 85°F when you’re away. These settings help reduce the load on your AC, which can prevent breakdowns during critical times, and keep energy bills from skyrocketing. When to Adjust Your Thermostat Lower “Seventy-eight degrees creates the optimal balance between comfort and efficiency. Seventy-eight degrees may be warm for many people, but it is the standard recommendation to stay comfortable and be efficient during the summer months,” says Lane Dixon, Vice President of Operations at Aire Serv. If you have vulnerable household members, like infants, older adults, or pets, you may need to keep the thermostat slightly cooler. In these cases, 76°F may offer a more comfortable balance between safety and savings. It’s also helpful to use smart thermostats that learn your preferences and adjust automatically, especially during peak demand times. Related What to Do if Your AC Can’t Keep Up Keeping your air conditioner running smoothly during extreme heat isn’t just about comfort—it can help you avoid breakdowns and surprise repair bills. John McGaughey, vice president of sales at AUX AIR USA, shares several practical ways homeowners can help their cooling systems perform at their best this summer. Replace Your Air Filter Regularly “A dirty filter is one of the most common reasons systems underperform,” McGaughey explains. He advises checking the filter every month during heavy use and replacing it as needed (usually every one to three months.) Keep the Sunlight Out Direct sun exposure, especially on south- and west-facing windows, can dramatically increase indoor temperatures. To prevent excess sun from streaming through windows, consider adding blackout or dark-colored curtains and blinds. Time Your Appliance Use Wisely Large household appliances, like ovens, stovetops, and dryers, can heat up your living space fast. Use these in the early mornings or evenings when outdoor temperatures are lower. Use Fans to Improve Comfort Ceiling or box fans don’t cool the air, but they can help you feel cooler by circulating air across your skin and aiding in evaporation. Check Your Outdoor AC Unit The outdoor unit expels the heat your AC system pulls from inside. Keeping the area clear and occasionally rinsing the unit with a hose (while it’s off) can go a long way in improving efficiency. If none of these steps help, it may be time to call in an HVAC technician, especially if you hear unusual noises, smell musty odors, or see ice buildup on your system. DIY AC Fixes Before you call in the pros, try these expert-backed maintenance tips that can improve your air conditioner’s performance—and might even help you avoid a costly repair visit, according to JustAnswer HVAC Expert Randy Huckstadt. Rinse your condenser coil. The HVAC expert first addresses rinsing your condenser coil with fresh water. “Dirty condensers do not allow you to reject the heat from inside the house that the refrigerant absorbed in the evaporator,” he explains. Rinse your evaporator coil. If you can safely access it, he recommends rinsing the evaporator coil as well. He says that you cannot absorb the heat in the house if your coil is dirty. Replace your air filter. Plugged air filters prevent quality airflow, which reduces the capacity of the AC system. Swapping in a clean filter is one of the easiest ways to keep your system working properly. And if your condenser fan suddenly stops working, don’t panic—Huckstadt offers a clever temporary fix. He says you can use a small shower sprinkler to spray the condenser until a repair tech arrives. Water will take the place of a failed condenser fan.

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    Snowbirds Leave the U.S.: Where Will They Fly to Now?

    ByStan S.

    Canadians account for the largest group of international tourists in the United States, and 40% of all foreign visitors to Florida alone. In 2024, they spent an estimated $20.5 billion USD stateside, which is why, according to the U.S. Travel Association, even a 10% drop in Canadian visitors could result in a loss of $2.1 billion in spending and 14,000 jobs. But the annual spending and visitation are rapidly changing, and it’s no longer just about boycotting American products or avoiding U.S. politics. The deepening rift between Canada and the United States—driven by policy shifts, travel restrictions, and economic uncertainty—has many snowbirds rethinking their winter plans. Increasingly, they’re packing up, selling off their U.S. real estate, and looking to invest further south for their seasonal migrations. What Is a Snowbird? Commonly associated with Canadians, “snowbirds” are retirees over the age of 65 who spend many months (approximately up to 6 months) out of the year in warmer climates, typically during the harsh winter months. They may rent or, more often, own a property, such as a vacation home, to stay in. Why Are Snowbirds Leaving the U.S.? For decades, Canadian snowbirds have flocked to the United States to escape the winter months and have become the largest group of foreign investors in U.S. real estate. Approximately 1 million Canadians are reported to own vacation properties in the country, with the most in Florida (27%), California (11%), and Arizona (11%). Other popular states include Texas, Hawaii, Louisiana, South Carolina, and New Mexico, reflecting the widespread appeal of warm-weather destinations. The Canadian Snowbird Visa Act was initially proposed in June 2019, allowing snowbirds over the age of 50 to extend their visitation from 182 days (nearly 6 months) to 240 days (8 months) per year. However, this bipartisan bill has yet to be passed by the American Congress. Meanwhile, Canadians and foreign visitors to the United States had to wait for the proposed Trump administration’s travel policy, which was officially enacted on April 11, 2025. While Canadian nonimmigrants may be exempted from registering their fingerprints at the border, they must still report to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if their intended visit is over 30 days, under this new policy. The antagonism around the visa policy, combined with increasing scrutiny and bureaucratic hurdles, has made long-term planning uncertain for many retirees. Beyond visa hurdles, the Canada-U.S. tax treaty that helped avoid double taxation for many snowbirds may not be enough incentive for them to invest, as the ongoing tariff war raises questions about the long-term viability of U.S. real estate. The political climate has even worsened with controversial rhetoric, including suggestions of America annexing Canada, which has offended many Canadians and further chilled cross-border sentiment. Unsurprisingly, more and more snowbirds are opting to sell their American properties to fly back home or invest elsewhere. This trend is now visibly disrupting real estate markets in snowbird-heavy regions like Florida and Arizona, which are experiencing a sharp increase in home listings from Canadian owners. Where Will Snowbirds Venture Next?

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    Vancouvers installing a car tower near Granville Bridge and people are pissed

    ByStan S.

    A 33-foot-tall car sculpture is rising in one of Vancouver’s busiest neighbourhoods, and residents are not too thrilled. The Trans Am Rapture sculpture is being permanently installed in a green space near the southwest loop of the Granville Bridge, and people living nearby say they weren’t warned or asked. The City of Vancouver has confirmed that the sculpture, formerly known as Trans Am Totem, will remain in its new location for at least 10 years. Construction is already underway, with a massive concrete foundation poured in mid-June. Construction progress on the foundation for Trans Am Rapture at Granville Street Bridge’s southwest loop, as seen on June 19, 2025. (Kenneth Chan) But Fairview residents say the city never asked them. An online petition on change.org opposing the car sculpture has already drawn over 100 signatures. “We found out through online stories that this installation has already started. There was no notification in the neighbourhood at all by the City. There was no consultation,” Darlene Forst, a Fairview resident, artist, and television producer, told Daily Hive Urbanized. “The fact that there was no thought or consideration given to the residents of the neighbourhood… is unacceptable.” Another petition signer online commented, “As a concerned resident of the area, I am deeply disappointed that this decision appears to have been made without meaningful public consultation. It’s troubling that the City is proceeding… without transparent engagement, public access to site plans, maintenance schedules, or the budget.” The petition has received 127 signatures as of July 9. “This is not a suitable place for this installation,” added another petition signer. “It belongs in an industrial zone, not Fairview.” Originally installed in 2015 at Quebec Street and Pacific Boulevard, the car sculpture was removed in August 2021 due to excessive bird droppings and structural damage. “It became a lovely home for a lot of birds, which then pooped all over the place,” Forst recalled. “The entire location needed to be cleaned up and decontaminated, and the piece itself needed to be decontaminated.” Despite being decontaminated, repainted, and refitted with a new internal support system, residents say the risks haven’t been addressed. “There’s nothing in place… to guarantee that the site will be cleaned regularly and will not become as contaminated,” she said. “This very large sculpture… is going to remove a large portion of our green space. People walk through it to get their groceries. You used to see the sky and the mountains. Now you’ll be walking under cars, which feels uncomfortable.” “It’s going to profoundly change the feel of the neighbourhood.” It was decontaminated, repainted, and fitted with a new internal support system. Despite this, many in Fairview say it shouldn’t be returning at all, especially not outside their homes. “This belongs in an industrial area, not the south Granville Fairview area,” commented another petition signer. The new site is technically not a designated park, but serves as an open public green space used by pedestrians and cyclists on the Granville Connector and Arbutus Greenway. New permanent location of Trans Am Rapture at the southwest loop of the Granville Street Bridge. (Google Maps) The City sees the installation as a “gateway feature” aligned with its public art goals under the Broadway Plan. Residents, however, see it differently. Forst, who launched both the online and paper petitions against the sculpture, says opposition has grown rapidly. “The number of signatures has tripled over the last three days,” she said. “We’re trying to, first and foremost, let people know that this installation is happening, because there’s been so very little notification about it.” They’re urging others to sign the petition and write to Mayor Ken Sim and Vancouver City Council to stop the installation before it’s completed later this summer. What do you think of the sculpture? Comment below. Daily Hive has contacted the City for comment and will update this story if a response is received. With files from Kenneth Chan Want to stay on top of all things Vancouver? Follow us on X

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