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ICBC taken to court by driver who says he was wrongly blamed

ByBeth Rochester

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Determining who is at fault when a traffic accident happens is part of the usual investigation process for ICBC insurance claims. One incident took things a step further when a driver claimed ICBC had incorrectly found him at fault and decided to escalate the situation in court.

Kuldeep Gill filed a claim with the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal against ICBC for a review of ICBC’s liability finding and a refund of $3,190.93 in premiums he paid after he was involved in a motor vehicle accident in October 2021.

In Gill’s version of events, he was driving westbound on Lougheed Highway when a vehicle hit the side of his truck as he was stopped in heavy traffic. Fortunately, neither his truck nor his empty trailer was damaged.

When ICBC conducted its usual investigation protocol for the accident, it found a different account of events.

The other driver involved in the accident told the insurance company that Gill had instead merged into the other vehicle’s lane and hit the vehicle. They said that due to the construction, Gill’s lane eventually needed to merge into theirs, but not at the point where the accident happened.

ICBC also interviewed an independent party that had witnessed the accident. They said they “were driving behind Mr. Gill in the right lane when Mr. Gill tried to merge into the left lane and hit the other car.”

They also told the insurance company that “there was nothing the other vehicle could have done to avoid being hit.”

In addition to these statements, ICBC found that the damage was consistent with the account that Gill had turned into the other vehicle.

Gill tried to argue his account of events by claiming that the other driver’s side mirror being flipped was evidence that they must have hit him. This argument did not hold up in court.

The tribunal decided that Gill failed to prove that ICBC acted “unreasonably or improperly in investigating the accident and assigning fault.”

It was also found that the $3,190.03 Gill claimed he paid in insurance premiums was the amount ICBC paid to repair the other vehicle in the accident. As such, the court dismissed Gill’s claims, and ICBC was not ordered to reimburse him.

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Do You Know Why Cars Have a Glow in the Dark Handle Inside the Trunk?

ByHarrison Kral

Family Handyman Family Handyman Published on Nov. 15, 2024 Your car has plenty of safety features you may not even realize are there… but this one is sure to catch your eye. Now Trending Ever go to grab something out of the back of your car and get distracted by something glimmering in the dark? You might not even realize it, but many modern vehicles have a glow-in-the-dark handle built into the trunk. Here’s what it’s for and why this safety feature is now commonplace. Glow in the Dark Trunk Handles The reason for these illuminating handles is grim but practical: they’re an emergency release designed to open the trunk if someone is stuck or trapped inside.  Typically, these handles are made out of a glow-in-the-dark material so they can be easily spotted when the trunk is closed. The idea for a technology like this can be traced back to the 1980s when a man named William Proehl requested the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) make emergency trunk handles required by law. Proehl’s idea did not gain much momentum at the time due to a lack of safety data around the topic. But as time went on, more and more cases of kidnappings, trapped children and heat stroke stacked up. By 2002, a law was passed requiring auto manufacturers to include emergency trunk releases in all vehicles. Proehl was named as the petitioner in the NHTSA’s official ruling, which read: “The petitioner stated that persons such as alarm and stereo installers, mechanics, playful children, pranksters, and crime victims may be trapped in the trunk. The petitioner also believed that an elderly person might fall into the trunk and thereby become entrapped. Mr. Proehl asked NHTSA to require an inside trunk release in all new cars to facilitate the release of these victims.” How Do You Use An Emergency Trunk Release? Emergency trunk releases are designed to be as simple to use as possible. Just find the glowing handle and pull; the trunk latch will release, freeing whoever is stuck inside. Next time you open your trunk, take a second to locate your emergency trunk release. You never know when you’ll need it. Source Federal Register, “Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Interior Trunk Release“, 2000

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Home prices decreasing in B.C.s ski regions

ByJami Makan

Interest rates, capital gains taxes and short-term rental measures are some factors in province’s recreational property transactions Prices of detached homes and condominiums have registered slight decreases in B.C.’s popular ski regions so far this year. However, they are expected to increase in 2025 as interest rates continue their expected decline. In the first nine months of the year, the median price of a single-family detached home in the province’s ski regions decreased 2.6 per cent year-over-year to $1,729,200, according to the 2024 Winter Recreational Property Report by Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. Meanwhile, the median price of a condominium also decreased 2.6 per cent to $477,500. Royal LePage examined several B.C. ski regions including Whistler, Invermere, Revelstoke, Mount Washington, Sun Peaks and Big White.  The Nov. 14 report noted that less snowfall has impacted some resort areas, although this is made up for during biking and golfing seasons. The report also noted that provincial measures regarding short-term rentals, which affect some ski regions, have resulted in more personal and family use of properties. The foreign-buyer ban similarly exempts some communities, also resulting in a varied impact. Interest rates and capital gains taxes have played a significant role in these markets, according to the report. Many buyers are waiting to jump in as they anticipate further reductions in the key interest rate, which has been reduced incrementally from five per cent in April to 3.75 per cent last month. Meanwhile, this year’s federal budget increased the basic inclusion rate for all capital gains and losses from one-half to two-thirds as of June 25, spurring a surge in transactions prior to the deadline. Some markets are attracting buyers from elsewhere in Western Canada, as they may be located closer to Alberta. Some had more inventory and transaction volume than others, while the accessibility of price points varied by market. In Whistler, for example, a house or condominium slope-side or at mountain base typically start at $3 million and $500,000, respectively. Among the report’s highlights: Whistler – The median price of a single-family detached home in Whistler’s recreational property market for the first nine months of the year decreased three per cent year-over-year to $3,569,100, while the median price of a condominium decreased 12.4 per cent to $583,600. Prices are expected to rise nine per cent over the next 12 months. Invermere – The median price of a single-family detached home in Invermere’s recreational property market for the first nine months of the year increased 13.5 per cent year-over-year to $749,000, while the median price of a condominium increased 11.4 per cent to $344,900. Prices are expected to rise 10 per cent over the next 12 months. Revelstoke – The median price of a single-family detached home in Revelstoke’s recreational property market for the first nine months of the year increased 4.9 per cent year-over-year to $862,500, while the median price of a condominium increased 14.3 per cent to $802,000. Prices are expected to rise five per cent over the next 12 months. Mount Washington – The median price of a single-family detached home in Mount Washington’s recreational property market for the first nine months of the year increased 29.4 per cent year-over-year to $1,100,000, while the median price of a condominium decreased 1.1 per cent to $455,000. Prices are expected to rise two per cent over the next 12 months. Sun Peaks – The median price of a single-family detached home in Sun Peaks’ recreational property market for the first nine months of the year decreased 30.1 per cent year-over-year to $1,337,500, while the median price of a condominium decreased 14.3 per cent to $360,000. Prices are expected to increase five per cent over the next 12 months. Big White – The median price of a single-family detached home in Big White’s recreational property market for the first nine months of the year decreased 13.7 per cent year-over-year to $1,510,000, while the median price of a condominium decreased 22.1 per cent to $413,000. Prices are expected to increase five per cent over the next 12 months. Royal LePage compiled insights, data and forecasts from 18 popular ski regions. Median price and sales data was compiled and analyzed by Royal LePage for the periods between Jan. 1, 2024 and Sept. 30, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2023 and Sept. 30, 2023. Data was sourced through local brokerages and boards in each of the surveyed regions. [email protected] @JamiMakan

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Seniors trapped by broken elevator in Vancouvers West End

BySimon Little

Seniors living in an apartment building in Vancouver’s West End say they’ve had no elevator service for over a month, leaving many of them stranded. Some residents of the 12-storey building at 1254 Pendrell St., like Nicholas Lebessis, say they’ve essentially been trapped in their apartments because they can’t use the steep stairway. “I can’t live like this. I can’t even go down one stair. I have a reconstructed knee,” Lebessis said. Lebessis, who lives on the top floor of the building, hasn’t left his apartment in a month. “I can’t go out of here, I can’t get any exercise,” he said. “It is frustrating of course. I can’t go out for a little walk around the block, I can’t go out for groceries.” 1:49 Locals offer help as West End seniors’ struggle with broken apartment elevator The elevator stopped working after October’s atmospheric river. During the storm, some residents said they saw water pouring down the elevator shaft. Story continues below advertisement The building houses seniors, some with mobility issues, and neighbours and volunteers have since stepped up to help by delivering groceries, medications and other supplies to residents who can’t get off their floors. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Lebessis said he’s been paying university students to do his laundry for him. “It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it,” he said. “A man cannot live without clean underwear.” Residents say they’ve been told repairs to the elevator could take more than a year, and that there doesn’t seem to be any urgency on the part of the building’s operators to get the job done. They’re also raising safety concerns in the event of an emergency. “This is totally unacceptable,” Lebessis said. “I don’t want to have them to carry me down 12 flights of stairs.” Trending Now 2:01 Vancouver seniors stuck with no elevator The building is operated by the Pendrellis Society, with funding through BC Housing. Story continues below advertisement Freshly re-appointed Housing Minister Ravi Kahon said the province is providing emergency funding. “Seven brand new units opened up on the ground floor for those that have accessibility issues, and we’ve also offered them additional supports for fixing the elevators,” Kahlon said. “They haven’t taken us up on it. They said they’ve got a plan to do that.” The society’s plan remains unclear: the organization listed no contact information on its website, and Global News was unable to reach the operators. Lebessis said he just wants his independence back. “It’s ridiculous. They’re not working on it,” he said. “I’m feeling let down … I’m abandoned.”

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Historic Vancouver home still for sale despite millions in price drops

ByAmir Ali

A Vancouver home that has been listed on and off since 2018 still hasn’t found a buyer despite millions in price drops. The most recent assessed value, pegged by BC Assessment at $5,578,000, is much lower than the asking price. Located on 1416 Acadia Road, the Vancouver home is currently listed for $9,998,000. It has been listed numerous times since 2018, and the asking price has steadily dropped. Angell, Hasman & Associates Realty The ocean-view estate is in what the listing calls “Vancouver’s most coveted University Endowment Lands.” It features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and 7,070 sq ft of space on a 20,800 sq ft lot. It’s massive. The listing also calls the home a “historic masterpiece,” which makes sense as it was built in 1935. Angell, Hasman & Associates Realty Interior shots reveal an exquisitely staged home, and it’s easy to see why the owner values it so highly. Despite the historic home’s size and design, BC Assessment only values the building at $712,000. Angell, Hasman & Associates Realty The home was listed for $18,980,000 in 2017, but that listing expired in 2018. The year after, it was listed again for $15,888,000, but that listing also expired. Angell, Hasman & Associates Realty In 2019, it was listed again with another price drop, down to $13,980,000. That listing expired in 2020 and stayed off the market for three years. It wasn’t listed again until 2023 when the asking price dropped to $10,500,000. That listing expired in 2024. After that, it was listed twice more at the same price. One of those listings expired, and the other was terminated this August. Finally, it was listed earlier this week for $9,998,000. Angell, Hasman & Associates Realty The home features walk-out access to a private garden terrace and an outdoor summer dining area overlooking Pacific Spirit Park. Angell, Hasman & Associates Realty The sink area in this bathroom is a sight to behold. Angell, Hasman & Associates Realty “The entire property has been [professionally] landscaped and is beautifully illuminated at night with dramatic effect,” the listing says. Angell, Hasman & Associates Realty If you had all the money in the world and could make a bid on this home, what would you offer?

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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.

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10 Vancouver concerts we can’t wait to check out in December

ByDaniel Chai

Dance and sing your way into December with these Vancouver concerts! Here are 10 concerts around town to add to your calendar this month, including Taylor Swift, The Funk Hunters, and more. And for more fun things happening around town, be sure to visit our Listed section. Taylor Swift @taylorswift13/X What: The biggest music superstar in the world is finally in Vancouver! Taylor Swift brings The Eras Tour to BC Place for three dates in December, and there are plenty of events and activities for Swifties to enjoy before, during and after the sold-out shows. When: December 6 to 8, 2024 Time: 7 pm Where: BC Place — 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver Elf in Concert What:  Elf, one of the most beloved Christmas films of all time, is celebrating a milestone birthday this holiday season in Vancouver. The Will Ferrell comedy classic is getting the live concert treatment at the Orpheum Theatre. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will bring John Debney’s heartwarming score to life while the film is projected onto a massive 40-foot movie screen. When: December 20 and 21, 2024 Time: 7 pm Where: Orpheum Theatre – 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver Cost: Various prices, purchase online Petunia and the Vipers: Calling Me Back Album Release What: Vancouver’s own Petunia and The Vipers are throwing a huge album release party at The Rio Theatre, and you’re invited. Get ready to party at the “hillbilly-flavoured-swing inflected-ragtime-goodtime-thunderously rolling-one-of-a-kind-you-don’t-want-to-miss-this-sort-of-a-show” while listening to their latest album, Calling Me Back. Featuring special guests. When: December 27, 2024 Time: Doors 6:30 pm, show 7 pm Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver Tickets: $20 early bird plus fees, $26 general admission plus fees. Purchase online CP Holiday Train What: The CP Holiday Train rolls into BC this December, bringing lights, music, and holiday cheer to tons of communities across the province. It will be in Metro Vancouver on December 19 and 20. The 26th edition of the beloved holiday tradition will travel across Canada and the US this season to raise money, food, and awareness for local food banks. Attendees at each CP Holiday Train stop will also enjoy a free and festive concert by Juno winners Magic! and fast-rising star Sofia Camara. When: December 19 and 20, 2024 Time: Various times Where: Various locations Cost: Free; donations for the local food bank to help those in need are encouraged Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft tour Billie Eilish Live at the O2 (Extended Cut)/Submitted What: Music superstar Billie Eilish is coming to Vancouver this fall on her new world tour, adding to the stacked lineup of artists coming to town. 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When: December 27 and 28, 2024 Where: Vancouver Convention Centre — 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver Tickets: Various prices, purchase online The 9th Annual Funk The Halls Featuring The Funk Hunters What: Canadian electronic duo The Funk Hunters are bringing their holiday extravaganza back to their home base of Vancouver. Multi-dimensional artists Nick Middleton and Duncan Smith will be taking to the stage at the Commodore Ballroom for two of the biggest parties of the season with Funk The Halls. When: December 20 and 21, 2024 Time: 8 pm Where: Commodore Ballroom — 868 Granville Street Tickets: Various prices, purchase online Christmas with Chor Leoni What: Chor Leoni is getting festive with its annual Christmas show. The holiday tradition is filled with folk music favourites, ancient chants and modern classics. The program is set to include songs like Silent Night, Joy to the World, Ron Sexsmith’s Maybe This Christmas, and more. When: December 19 to 21, 2024 Time: Various times Where: St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church – 1022 Nelson Street, Vancouver Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

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