bc.-businesses-seek-concrete-economic-vision-from-parties-ahead-of-fall-election
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B.C. businesses seek concrete economic vision from parties ahead of fall election

ByNews Staff

Posted September 10, 2024 1:15 pm. Last Updated September 10, 2024 8:49 pm. Leaders from a wide array of businesses in British Columbia are urging the province’s political parties to “deliver a clear and actionable plan” for revitalizing an economy that they say has pushed many residents into a “personal recession.” Groups representing the forestry and mining industries, independent businesses and contractors say they have sent a survey of 10 questions to leaders of political parties ahead of the fall election, asking for a clear response on their economic visions for B.C. and concrete steps to get there. Business Council of British Columbia president Laura Jones says her group is seeing more residents expressing a loss of hope in their “prospect of building a good life” in the province due to economic concerns, even if B.C. isn’t technically in a recession. Other business leaders say they want the next B.C. government to answer concerns about the high cost of doing business, government budget deficits, bureaucracy in delaying permitting of projects, public safety and acute labour shortages. The call for action comes the same day provincial finance minister Katrine Conroy is unveiling B.C.’s first quarterly report, and Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) President Bridgitte Anderson says businesses remain in the dark about the economic platforms of the major parties. Anderson says a recent parliamentary budget report painted a “dire” picture for B.C.’s finances that requires “billions of dollars that need to be cut or increased in taxes” for stability, and businesses are asking those who could form the next government “to show us a vision.” “I think there’s a lot of voters who are undecided right now, within the business community and public at large,” Anderson says. “And I think this is an opportunity for all of the parties to look at their platforms and to appeal to the voters. “This is a unique opportunity, and elections matter, campaigns matter. And this campaign will matter more than anything.” In late August, the province said B.C. ended the fiscal year with a deficit of around $5 billion due to items such as wildfire expenses and essential spending on “priority services.” That comes as the GVBOT says its members have incurred an additional 6.5 billion dollars in government imposed costs in the last two years, which Anderson tells 1130 NewsRadio is unsustainable for small businesses. “The regulatory system is challenging when it comes to licensing and permitting. So businesses in British Columbia are facing many challenges right now, and the cost of doing business is simply too high,” she said. Anderson says members of the board came up with 10 questions for political parties ahead of the election, hoping they are answered publicly.  She says the questions focus on the economy, business growth, innovation, and investment, “but also other items like ‘what is the energy policy of all of the parties?’ And ‘how will they address some of the very serious issues we’re seeing around public safety and crime?’” Anderson says the NDP government has made some positive adjustments to their regulation thresholds to allow for breaks for small businesses, but many of the over 5,000 members of the GVBOT have answered surveys saying it’s still too expensive to do business in the region. “It is property taxes, it is the cost of labour, it is inflation, it is licensing and permitting. It is so many layers of different costs that businesses are dealing with right now that simply make this jurisdiction just really unaffordable.” The fiscal update in August also said natural resources revenues are down while vehicle insurance revenue from ICBC rose. Earlier this month, Canfor Corp. announced it is shuttering two northern B.C. sawmills , citing a recently imposed U.S. tariff as a key factor on top of ongoing financial losses, a weak lumber market and difficulty accessing economically viable timber in the province. –With files from Srushti Gangdev.

calls-for-traffic-calming-measures-on-east-vancouver-streets
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Calls for traffic calming measures on East Vancouver streets

ByCharlie Carey

Posted September 12, 2024 6:42 am. Last Updated September 12, 2024 6:53 am. Worried for the safety of his toddler, a Vancouver man is voicing his concerns about speeders in his neighbourhood. Wilson Tran lives at Adanac and Skeena streets in the Hastings-Sunrise area of East Vancouver. It’s a 30km/h zone and there’s a park nearby frequented by the Tran’s and their neighbours. “Adanac is not officially a major thoroughfare road, but a lot of rush hour traffic uses it to avoid congestion on Hastings Street and Boundary. So, during the peak rush hour periods, there’s a heavy amount of traffic that goes through,” he explained. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! The intersection has a three-way stop with one pedestrian crossing. “We have to hold ourselves there because a car charges through the stop sign without slowing down or recognizing that we’re there. And just the traffic, in general, is pretty terrible and dangerous, frankly,” Tran said. “At times, I can just look out my front window and I’ll watch as, say, a senior pedestrian will be crossing, and he has to stop because a car literally charges through in front of him.” From his vantage point, Tran says drivers almost never go the posted limit, instead opting to go around 50km/h. “There’s actually a couple of speed bumps as well, but a lot of times I would say 50km/h, minimum 40km/h, definitely not 30 km/h,” he explained. Wilson Tran lives at Adanac and Skeena streets in the Hastings-Sunrise area of East Vancouver. It’s a 30km/h zone and there’s a park nearby frequented by the Tran’s and their neighbours. (CityNews Image / Sonia Aslam) Tran wants increased police enforcement in the area a couple of times a week to help curb the number of speeding drivers. “[I’m] scared for my kid’s life. He’s been such a great change in our lives to have him. He’s our first child and just knowing that drivers are going through and many times not paying attention, either they’re focused on getting to work or home on time or in a rush and they don’t watch,” Tran told 1130 NewsRadio. “He’s my first kid. I, obviously, care a lot for his well-being and obviously our own. It’s a terrible thought that he could get seriously hurt.” He says the number of near-misses in the area are concerning. “I’ve been in so many near-misses that it really is a matter of time until someone gets hurt or worse.” Tran suggests the city put up warning signs in the area to slow down. “The 30km/h sign clearly doesn’t have any effect to something that has flashing lights or something that gets attention would help.” The City of Vancouver tells 1130 NewsRadio it has a plan to improve the area . It says the entire neighbourhood will become a 30km/h vehicle travel zone by no later than next year. “Speed humps on Skeena St. between Turner and E. Pender St. [will be] installed 2024/2025. Raised crossings on Adanac Street integrated into future design between Rupert Street and Boundary Road [will be] installed sometime 2026 onwards,” it shared in an email . The city adds the overall goal is to improve safety for all road users and reduce vehicle speeds. Tran believes having some of the changes not kick in until 2026 is too late. “Of course, their intent is for improvement in the long-term but there’s a long two-year wait before something happens and in two years a lot of bad can happen if they don’t do something about it right now,” he said.

vancouver-west-end-tenants-fighting-more-phony-evictions
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Vancouver West End tenants fighting more phony evictions

ByCharlie Carey

Posted September 13, 2024 7:48 am. Last Updated September 13, 2024 12:00 pm. A Vancouver landlord with a history of losing tenancy board hearings recently lost another attempt to evict a renter from Park Beach Manor in the West End in late August, but some neighbours at the apartment say they’re still fighting phony evictions and harassment from the landlord. Park Beach Manor tenants and other supporters from the Vancouver Tenants’ Union crashed the doors of Plan A Real Estate – their corporate landlord – in Downtown Vancouver Thursday afternoon. “I’m delivering this letter on behalf of the Park Beach tenant collective, demanding you to drop the recent evictions for Jody and Jen,” said a tenant to a Plan A staff member, who opened the office door. “We have information they’re based on false information, mismanagement by Plan A’s payment platform and communication.” CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! Park Beach Manor resident Paul Kot says some of his neighbours braced themselves when they heard Plan A was going to buy their apartment earlier this year. For months, supporters have been campaigning against Plan A’s alleged actions. “A lot of us do not feel safe in our own homes,” said Kot. Kot says the BC Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) has granted two orders of repossession in his building, which gives the landlord the right to take back the units. He says another case has been granted an interim stay, which lets the tenant live in the unit until the judicial system can review the case. “There’s a lot of falsified information,” said Kot. “The two judges that sided for the interim stay have stated that there’s strong merit to the tenant’s case, since they were granted interim stay. So, I think the fact that the justice system does recognize that there’s merit to these cases, shows that Plan A doesn’t have very much to stand on.” Speaking to CityNews over the phone, Plan A’s managing broker Anoop Majithia says these tenants represent a small, vocal minority at the building, and maintains that Plan A has a good relationship with the majority of its renters. “We don’t actively go around harassing tenants or pick fights with tenants – we’re a professional landlord, we have hundreds of properties, and that’s not the way we conduct ourselves,” he said. But Kot alleges that Plan A gave false information to the RTB for its recent eviction rulings. Documents provided to the RTB. (CityNews Image / Kier Junos) A receipt showing the tenant’s August rent was paid in full. (CityNews Image / Kier Junos) That included a document showing a tenant didn’t pay enough rent in August, while a payment receipt from the same date shows the complete amount was paid. CityNews hasn’t been able to verify the accuracy of these documents, but as RTB information officer tells CityNews if a tenant feels concerned about fraudulent or incomplete evidence, they can make an appeal “Get together. Communicate with your neighbours,” said Kot. “Because at the end of the day, when a landlord comes in like this and harasses you and threatens you – it strips away your right to quiet enjoyment, and that should never be allowed.”

national-housing-market-in-holding-pattern-as-buyers-patient-for-lower-rates:-crea
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National housing market in holding pattern as buyers patient for lower rates: CREA

ByNews Staff

Posted September 16, 2024 6:54 am. The Canadian Real Estate Association says the number of homes sold in August fell compared with a year ago as the market remained largely stuck in a holding pattern despite borrowing costs beginning to come down. The association says the number of homes sold in August fell 2.1 per cent compared with the same month last year. On a seasonally adjusted month-over-month basis, national home sales edged up 1.3 per cent from July. CREA senior economist Shaun Cathcart says that with forecasts of lower interest rates throughout the rest of this year and into 2025, “it makes sense that prospective buyers might continue to hold off for improved affordability, especially since prices are still well behaved in most of the country.” The national average sale price for August amounted to $649,100, a 0.1 per cent increase compared with a year earlier. The number of newly listed properties was up 1.1 per cent month-over-month.

one-of-bc-ferries-busiest-vessels-taken-out-of-service-for-6-months
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One of BC Ferries busiest vessels taken out of service for 6 months

ByEmma Crawford

Posted September 7, 2024 1:24 pm. Last Updated September 7, 2024 1:30 pm. The Queen of New Westminster, one of BC Ferries’ busiest vessels, will be out of service for approximately six months, the company says. The vessel services the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay sailing — BC Ferries’ busiest route. Earlier this week, the company announced the 60-year-old vessel was being pulled due to mechanical vessels after one of its propellers was sheared off, leading to the cancellation of all the ship’s sailings for the rest of the month. “A preliminary visual inspection seems to indicate the fracture of the propeller shaft could be related to structural fatigue,” BC Ferries said. “The required repairs are anticipated to be significant and include work on both the port and starboard propeller systems before the vessel can be returned to service.” The affected parts need to replaced by specially manufactured systems. Return to service will be reliant on “global parts availability and manufacturing timelines.” “This situation highlights the clear need for resiliency in our fleet to meet customer expectations, and it’s why we will be seeking approval from the Ferry Commissioner to build and add a net new vessel to our major routes,” said BC Ferries president and CEO Nicolas Jimenez. “If we had a backup vessel available, this incident would have had minimal impact on service. It underscores the importance of our fleet renewal strategy to ensure we have the capacity and resilience to manage unexpected issues and vessel repairs.” Recovery of the 10,000-pound propeller, which was found half-submerged in the seabed, took two days. BC Ferries says it is still assessing the impact this will have on its sailing schedule. It says it is looking to see if it can add sailings by using other vessels and adjusting its refitting schedule. With files from Cole Schisler.

bc.-sets-up-a-panel-on-bear-deaths,-will-review-conservation-officer-training
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B.C. sets up a panel on bear deaths, will review conservation officer training

ByNews Staff

Posted September 9, 2024 3:13 pm. Last Updated September 9, 2024 7:37 pm. The British Columbia government is partnering with a bear welfare group to reduce the number of bears being euthanized in the province. Nicholas Scapillati, executive director of Grizzly Bear Foundation, said Monday that it comes after months-long discussions with the province on how to protect bears, with the goal to give the animals a “better and second chance at life in the wild.” Scapillati said what’s exciting about the project is that the government is open to working with outside experts and the public. “So, they’ll be working through Indigenous knowledge and scientific understanding, bringing in the latest techniques and training expertise from leading experts,” he said in an interview. He tells 1130 NewsRadio that this is a tremendous opportunity to advance the well-being and stewardship of bears in B.C. “It takes essential staff in addressing the calls that First Nations have made, conservation organizations and the public to address the number of bear deaths in their communities, enhance the care and handling of bears when they are (in) adverse conditions or relocated, and to deepen the public understanding of how we can support coexistence with bears,” he said. B.C. government data show conservation officers destroyed 603 black bears and 23 grizzly bears in 2023, while 154 black bears were killed by officers in the first six months of this year. Scapillati said the group will publish a report with recommendations by next spring, while an independent oversight committee will be set up to review all bear encounters with conservation officers to provide advice to the government. “We’ll be looking to bring together the bear rehab people, hunters, conservation organizations, first nations that are working with the COS,” he told 1130 NewsRadio. “We’re also going to lean on some of the World Meeting experts, not only from here, British Columbia, but across Canada, the United States, to give us advice on how we can advance our care and handling better policies and procedures, training…to improve the COS and hopefully reduce their deaths and improve the welfare of bears when they’re being handled right.” Environment Minister George Heyman said in a statement that they are looking for new ways to ensure conservation officers “have the trust of the communities they serve,” and the panel will make recommendations to enhance officer training and improve policies. Lesley Fox, with the wildlife protection group The Fur-Bearers, said they’ve been calling for such a committee for decades. “This move demonstrates the government is listening,” said Fox. “I suspect, because of the impending election, their listening skills are potentially a little sharper than they normally are.” Fox said the partnership came from “a place of long frustration” as provincial conservation officers kill more than 500 black bears every year on average, and the public is “no longer tolerating this kind of approach.” “I think that the conservation officer service and the B.C. government are aware they need to change, and certainly the public has been asking for it,” said Fox. Fox said there’s a lot of optimism about the new partnership, but, as with any government, there will likely be a lot of red tape to get through. “I think speed is going to be important, whether or not the committee has the ability to make change and make change relatively quickly without having to study an issue to death, ” said Fox.