majority-of-canadians-admit-to-speeding,-driving-over-the-limit:-poll
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Majority of Canadians admit to speeding, driving over the limit

ByLucas Casaletto

Posted November 20, 2024 6:39 am. It appears Canadian drivers have no issue putting the pedal to the metal. New public opinion research from the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) revealed some fascinating statistics regarding fast drivers. Nearly 70 per cent of Canadians admit to speeding in a residential area at least once in the last year. According to the poll, half of respondents say they routinely speed on the highway, and one in five drivers say they regularly drive well over the speed limit. It would seem that age isn’t a deterrent to speeding, as the CAA’s poll revealed that speeding isn’t limited to young people. While 50-plus drivers self-reported doing it less, all age groups admitted to persistently exceeding the speed limit in their respective regions. “Higher speeds reduce drivers’ reaction time and increase the risk to themselves and everyone else,” said Kristine D’Arbelles, senior director of public affairs at CAA National. “Speeding increases your stopping distance, making a collision more likely and severe, but it saves you only a small amount of time.” Overconfidence on the roads? According to the CAA’s public opinion poll, only 35 per cent of Canadians think they will get caught speeding, while four in 10 admitted to running a red light. Additionally, the CAA found that 68 per cent of people drove when they were too tired, and 54 per cent admitted to using their phones while driving at least once in the last year. In recent years, automated speed cameras have become more prevalent on city streets, often nabbing drivers for exceeding the speed limit. In 2023, Toronto’s city council unanimously approved a motion to increase the number of cameras from 75 to 150. According to the city, speed cameras have effectively reduced the number of people speeding and overall vehicle speeds, pointing to increased compliance and improved driver behaviour. The latest CAA findings are based on a poll of 2,880 Canadians from Sept. 13 to 21, 2024.

over-272,000-bc-hydro-customers-were-without-power-as-bomb-cyclone-hit
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Over 272,000 BC Hydro customers were without power as bomb cyclone hit

ByCharles Brockman

Posted November 19, 2024 7:23 pm. Last Updated November 20, 2024 9:18 am. Over 270,000 BC Hydro customers were without power Tuesday night as high-speed winds swept over Vancouver Island and B.C.’s South Coast. A rapidly deepening low-pressure system, known as a ‘bomb cyclone,’ appeared to have fulfilled its promise of a massive wind storm. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! The significant fall storm arrived about 400 kilometres off the west coast of Vancouver Island by the late afternoon. Environment and Climate Change Canada predicted that the winds would peak late Tuesday night. As of Tuesday night, homes and businesses in the Nanaimo area, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, and other northern municipalities on the Island were most affected by power outages. In the Lower Mainland, tens of thousands of customers were in the dark Tuesday evening — with Richmond hit hardest early on. In a statement early Wednesday, BC Hydro shared that it had made “significant progress” restoring power to its customers impacted by the massive storm. “More than 175,000 customers have been restored — or nearly two-thirds of the more than 272,000 impacted,” Hydro shared before 6:30 a.m. “However, with strong winds expected to continue today in some areas, particularly on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, further outages are expected,” it continued. 1130 NewsRadio meteorologist Michael Kuss said the strongest of the winds, as expected, stayed to the west of Vancouver Island. Some of the buoys out over the water recorded winds topping 100 km/hr, while on share, winds in Victoria topped 76 km/hr. “But they were even that strong at YVR, Vancouver Airport, 78 kilometres per hour gusts last evening. Now those winds have tapered, but it will be beyond breezy for the rest of the morning,” Kuss explained. Kuss added that the storm is now tracking to the north and is currently weakening. “So the warnings, they’ve now been lifted, although it will still be quite breezy. Not as stormy as it was last evening through the early part of the overnight.” #BCStorm update: Crews made significant progress overnight restoring power to over 175,000 customers – nearly two-thirds of the more than 272,000 impacted. Restoration work will continue throughout the day and updates for individual outages will be shared on our mobile site. Our… pic.twitter.com/y5c9qkPYVl — BC Hydro (@bchydro) November 20, 2024 BC Hydro explained that the majority of the 95,000 customers still without power as they woke up on Wednesday were on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, with 5,000 around the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast. “Drought-damaged trees and branches came down on electrical equipment during the windstorm causing significant damage. BC Hydro had all available BC Hydro crews and contractor crews working overnight to restore power, and that work will continue today,” Hydro said. “Crews are busy replacing power lines, poles and other equipment to get as many customers restored as quickly as possible, but have encountered access challenges as a result of the heavy debris on some roads as well as areas where the wind was too strong overnight to complete the work safely,” it said. South of the border, about 94,000 customers were at one point without power in western Washington as strong winds ramped up and snow fell in the Cascade Mountain passes Tuesday evening. More than 12,000 customers had lost power in Oregon, according to poweroutage.us. BC Hydro said it prepares for storm season and weather-related power outages year round — and this storm was no exception. Spokesperson Kevin Aquino said Tuesday that BC Hydro was ensuring that crews were positioned in the right places with the right equipment. “We have a team of in-house meteorologists that have been tracking this weather system quite closely, and that definitely enabled us to ramp up our BC Hydro crews, contract our crews, and call centre agents,” said Aquino. “So, if the lights do go out, we’re ready to respond.” Aquino shared that it’s difficult to predict where damage was going take place and encouraged all customers to be prepared with an emergency kit with supplies to last at least 72 hours. Hydro said that it is receiving reports of downed power lines. “A downed power line is an emergency. Call 911 and stay at least 10 metres back. BC Hydro crews will work with first responders to make the area safe,” Hydro explained. “Crews will continue to work around the clock until all customers are restored. BC Hydro wants to thank its customers for their patience, and it will continue to provide updated estimates for power restoration as they become available at  bchydro.com/outages .” Listen live to  1130 NewsRadio Vancouver every 10 minutes on the ones for weather updates. You can also follow  @NewsRadioVAN  and and  Meteorologist Michael Kuss on X  and subscribe to  breaking news alerts  sent directly to your inbox. —With files The Associated Press

amazon-prime-cargo-plane-slides-off-yvr-runway-during-landing
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Amazon Prime cargo plane slides off YVR runway during landing

ByCharlie Carey

Posted November 19, 2024 7:03 am. Last Updated November 19, 2024 8:25 am. A runway at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is closed Tuesday after an Amazon PrimeAir cargo airplane ran off the runway during landing overnight. In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, YVR says the incident happened around 1:45 a.m. when the aircraft “overran the eastern boundary of YVR’s North Runway.” CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! “Safety and security are our top priorities. YVR Fire and Rescue attended. There were no injuries reported and the CargoJet crew of three were safely deplaned,” said Chloe Reynaud, communications specialist. The North Runway is closed while airport crews assess the plane, which is sitting near a fence by Templeton Street, and runway. Pictures sent to 1130 NewsRadio show the aircraft sitting on its belly with the landing gear collapsed. “This event will have an impact on YVR operations while we work to bring the North Runway safely back into operation. We encourage passengers to check with their airlines for current flight schedules and status,” Reynaud added. A runway at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is closed Tuesday after an Amazon PrimeAir cargo airplane ran off the runway during landing overnight. (Supplied) YVR says further updates about the situation will be shared when they become available. “We appreciate the work of those responding to the incident and everybody’s patience.” In a statement, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada says it’s sending a team of investigators to YVR “following a runway overrun of a Boeing 767 operated by CargoJet Airways.” “The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence,” it said. You can watch CityNews 24/7 live or listen live to 1130 NewsRadio Vancouver to keep up to date with this story. You can also subscribe to  breaking news alerts  sent directly to your inbox.

immigration-cuts-will-help-housing-gap,-pbo-says,-but-less-than-government-projects
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Immigration cuts will help housing gap

ByBusiness in Vancouver

OTTAWA — The federal government is overestimating the impact its cuts to immigration will have on the country’s housing shortage, the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer said in a new report. OTTAWA — The federal government is overestimating the impact its cuts to immigration will have on the country’s housing shortage, the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer said in a new report. In the analysis published Friday, the PBO said its projections still indicate the country’s housing gap should fall by 45 per cent, assuming the Liberal government’s own population projections in its immigration plan are accurate. The PBO isn’t entirely convinced they are, saying “we judge that there is significant risk” to the demographic projections the government made in its 2025-27 immigration levels plan. The PBO cautioned its model assumed some non-permanent residents, whose permits or visas would expire and not be renewed under the new plan, will actually leave the country. “Both our estimated reduction in household formation and the housing gap under the (immigration levels plan) are uncertain and likely represent upper-bound estimates,” the PBO warned. In October, the Liberal government announced it was cutting the number of permanent residents allowed into the country over the next three years. The plan expects to see Canada’s population decline by 0.2 per cent in 2025 and 2026, marking the first time Canada would see an annual decline in population, the PBO said. The PBO now estimates Canada needs to build another 1.2 million homes by 2030 to close the housing gap. In its report Friday morning, the PBO said the revised immigration plan will reduce that gap by 534,000 units — or 45 per cent — by 2030. The government’s projections, factoring in its new immigration targets, suggested the population estimates would reduce demand for housing by 670,000 units by 2027, well above the PBO’s estimates and three years earlier than the PBO’s timeline. “This difference likely reflects several factors, such as the assumed age, region and household structure of the (non-permanent resident) outflows projected under the (immigration levels plan), as well as the time horizon and counterfactual population projection,” the PBO wrote. In a statement, Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s office said the PBO report confirms the government’s immigration levels plan will reduce the housing supply gap, and that the report’s projections are in line with the department’s own expectations regarding the housing supply gap for this year. “While an adjustment in immigration levels is helping to reduce the strain on our housing supply, it is also true that immigration and newcomers to Canada will continue to have an important role to play in helping us grow the housing supply,” Miller’s office said. “Immigrants are not to blame for the housing crisis and they, like everyone who lives in Canada whether temporarily or permanently, deserve to be set up for success while they are.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2024. Nick Murray, The Canadian Press

vancouver’s-new-sky-high-zipline-is-now-open-for-a-limited-time
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Vancouver’s new sky-high zipline is now open for a limited time

ByStan S.

Vancouver’s new zipline attraction is now open above the waters by Canada Place, but don’t delay your visit because it’s only here for a limited time. The zipline is part of the 2024 Grey Cup Festival, which opens today with a thrilling concert by Felix Cartal and concludes with the 111th edition of the CFL’s championship game at BC Place on November 17. There are two ziplines to choose from during the festival — RBC Harbour and Carstar Street — and the best part is that they are free to ride as many times as you like. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by 2024 Grey Cup Festival (@greycupfestival) You might also like: – VIFF’s most popular 2024 festival films are back in Vancouver this month – Where to get a FREE pancake breakfast in Vancouver this week – Free Eastside Culture Crawl returns this week with 500+ artists to discover The RBC Harbour Zipline will send people flying five storeys above the ocean on a 500-foot ride between the East and West Convention Centres. Meanwhile, the nearby Carstar Street Zipline will feature a 530-foot ride over Canada Place Way. Both ziplines will run from 4 to 8 pm on November 13 and from 11 am to 9 pm on November 14, 15 and 16. The last registration will be accepted half an hour before closing. The minimum weight for a rider is 75 pounds, and the maximum weight is 275 pounds. There are no height restrictions as long as weight restrictions are met. After completing a mandatory waiver form, riders will receive one ride across either zipline per queue. They can then rejoin the back of the line to ride again. Wait times will be updated and posted along the queue. Organizers also say there are no holding spots in line for other people who are not yet there. Organizers expect over 500,000 festival-goers for the street festival, which will take place on Canada Place Way between Thurlow and Howe from November 13 to 16. The lively street festival will also feature family-friendly activities like mini football fields, food trucks, and partner activations. Team parties and ticketed concerts will take place inside Vancouver Convention Centre West. 2024 GREY CUP FESTIVAL When: November 10 to 17, 2024 Time: Various times Where: Various locations Cost: Free and ticketed events, purchase online With files from Rob Williams and Kenneth Chan

new-10-court-indoor-pickleball-facility-coming-to-burnaby
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New 10-court indoor pickleball facility coming to Burnaby

ByCharles Brockman

Posted November 1, 2024 11:50 am. Pickleball lovers in Burnaby can look forward to a new indoor facility opening in December. The Inclusive Place Of Pickleball (IPOP) announced Friday that a 36,000 square foot, state-of-the-art indoor pickleball facility is coming to the City of Lougheed Shopping Centre in Burnaby. Featuring 10 indoor courts, the Canadian company hopes to offer players of all skill levels a place to enjoy the sport without the lengthy wait times. “We’re excited to create an inclusive space where everyone —from first-timers to seasoned pros— can experience pickleball’s physical, mental, and social benefits,” said CEO Chris White. The facility will be set up at the former Lougheed Mall Safeway. The Inclusive Place of Pickleball says Burnaby and the surrounding area have long needed a dedicated indoor pickleball facility. Pickleball is considered one of the fastest-growing sports in America and Canada even though it was invented back in 1965 just south of us on Bainbridge Island in Washington. IPOP did not announce an exact date of opening in December but says the courts should be available before the new year.

rising-costs-may-keep-canadians-from-dental-care:-vancouver-clinic
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Rising costs may keep Canadians from dental care

ByCharles Brockman

Posted October 24, 2024 4:25 pm. Last Updated October 24, 2024 5:04 pm. A new report from Statistics Canada shows that almost one in four adults experience persistent pain in their mouth, and a Vancouver dentist’s office says inflation may be the cause. Statistics Canada published a report on self-reported oral health problems Wednesday. It says adults aged 18 and older were more than twice as likely as children and youth aged 0 to 17 to report mouth problems – either in the form of having oral pain or avoiding certain foods. Among Canadian adults, 24 per cent reported persistent pain in their mouths, with lower-income families disproportionately affected. The executive director of the Strathcona Community Dental Clinic, Erin Riddell, says people have been putting dental care on the back burner by spacing out their appointments or only coming when absolutely necessary. “In past years, [we] have found that [patients] would come for a cleaning twice a year… but then they’re finding that they need to adjust their finances and budget,” said Riddell, adding that those patients often reduced their visits to once a year.  “Others also would even shy away from paying for the cost of cleanings completely, and they would only come if they have major tooth pain.” Riddell says the clinic follows the BC Dental Association Fee Guide and only charges their patients what’s needed for the treatment.  On average, she explained, a cleaning and check-up can cost around $250 at a private clinic; meanwhile, at Strathcona, the cost goes down to about $150 for someone without dental insurance or a care plan.  Unfortunately, Riddell says inflation has also hit the dental industry. She says the clinic has seen its largest increase in fees from the BC Dental Association, due to cost of materials and supply chain issues.  “The fees have truly doubled in the last ten years.”  Riddell says dental problems can increase in severity if not treated properly.  She says a small cavity with a neglected filling can turn into a larger matter that needs a root canal. But even those initial costs for the simpler treatment can be too costly for some. “Just the fear alone of what it would cost may even stop somebody of low income from even going to get a simple exam.”

first-of-six-units-begin-generating-power-at-bc.s-site-c-dam
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First of six units begin generating power at B.C.s Site C dam

ByNews Staff

Posted October 28, 2024 4:44 pm. Last Updated October 28, 2024 5:38 pm. BC Hydro says the massive Site C dam project in northeastern British Columbia has started generating power. The provincial electric utility says in a statement that the first of six generating units on the Site C dam has begun operations after completing testing and commissioning procedures. It’s expected that the site will be in full service by fall 2025, adding about eight per cent more supply to B.C.’s electricity grid. BC Hydro says the reservoir is now reaching more than 90 per cent full, with the water level at the dam rising by about 40 metres since late August when the filling process began. The utility is also warning people to stay away from the area of the reservoir for at least one year after it has been filled, citing possible unstable terrain and floating vegetation debris as potential hazards. BC Hydro says the reservoir filling is anticipated to be completed later this fall. Construction of Site C project was launched in 2015 under Christy Clark’s B.C. Liberal government and it has seen cost estimates spike from up to $6.6 billion in 2007 to $16 billion in 2021. The project continued under former BC NDP Premier John Horgan after he said the dam needed to be finished despite his party not supporting the start of construction in the first place.

vancouver-woman-narrowly-misses-being-hit-by-falling-window-downtown
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Vancouver woman narrowly misses being hit by falling window downtown

ByEmma Crawford

Posted October 13, 2024 2:19 pm. Last Updated October 13, 2024 5:20 pm. Editor’s note: a previous version of this story had said a window had fallen from the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. The window had in fact fallen from the Fairmont Pacific Rim Estates — a residential building near the hotel. A Vancouver woman says she was seconds away from being hit by a glass window that fell outside a downtown building and smashed onto the sidewalk. Val Jones says she was at the corner of Burrard and West Cordova street around 2 p.m. Saturday when she heard a crash behind her. “At the same time as I looked back, I started running forwards because I can see glass just shattering about five feet behind me,” said Jones. Jones says she was initally confused and then got an adrenaline rush later at a coffee shop. She says there were two families with children nearby, and the glass may have also damaged a nearby car. “Afterwards, I went into the hotel and I actually told the concierge and he had no idea anything had just happened either.” Jones says this is one of her fears while living in the city and suspects if she had waited two extra seconds, she could have been hit by the window. She now wants answers about how this could have happened. “I would love to know how a window falls out of a hotel, especially a hotel that’s been there for quiet some time,” said Jones. “This is obviously something that is a public saftey concern.” Kerrie Bowders, director of marketing and communications for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, confirms the glass fell from the Fairmont Pacific Rim Estates and says nobody was hurt. 1130 NewsRadio has reached out to the building’s management for comment.

new-report-outlines-impact-a-large-earthquake-could-have-on-vancouver
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Vancouver large earthquake potential impact

ByEmma Crawford

Posted November 7, 2024 10:39 pm. Last Updated November 7, 2024 10:44 pm. A new report from the City of Vancouver and Natural Resources Canada has outlined how a 7.2-magnitude earthquake could impact Vancouver, and it highlights six neighborhoods in high-risk areas. In the report, Vancouver’s West End, Yaletown, the Downtown Eastside, Kitsilano, Fairview, and Mount Pleasant have the highest risk of damage from a large earthquake. The report also stated that if a large earthquake centred at the Georgia Strait were to occur, there would be over 1,300 casualties and over 6,000 privately owned buildings that would be damaged in Vancouver. The co-author of the report says the economic impact on the city could be more than $17 billion, with a $30 billion loss provincewide. “If we don’t fix these buildings, then when an earthquake happens, people are going to be out of those houses, those homes, and those buildings,” said Dr. Tiegan Hobbs, a seismic risk scientist with Natural Resources Canada. “Everybody will be out all at once while we have to rebuild everything, as opposed to these programs where we might have to move people out to fix a building but we can do it in stages and work towards it slowly for many years or even decades.” Hobbs said in the report that three problematic building types should take priority with the retrofitting process: older concrete highrises in the West End and downtown, and older brick and wood residential buildings. While this retrofitting process is still in the works, Vancouver City Coun. Pete Fry says it will be important to secure funding from the provincial and federal governments as they map out a seismic risk-reduction strategy in the future. “On receipt of the report, the next step would be to come up with a plan for how we can approach these risks in a sensible and measured way, recognizing that we already do have a crisis with housing and affordability. This is not an inexpensive undertaking, and if we want to replace these high-risk seismic buildings, it is going to cost a lot of money, and it’s going to take some time,” Fry said. “It’s a complicated undertaking, and I hope that this also informs conversations not just here in the city of Vancouver but with the region, the province, and of course the federal government, because it is going to need an ‘all hands on deck’ approach, especially when it comes to private property.” Hobbs says that while the numbers the report has outlined are “doom and gloom,” the odds of a large earthquake hitting the city within the next 50 years is around 5 per cent. This report will be brought to Vancouver City Council in their next meeting on Tuesday.