Real Estate Market Report for March 2025 Home sales registered on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver for March were the lowest since 2019 for the same month, while active listings continued their upward trend. Sales The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 2,091 in March 2025, a 13.4 percent…
GECC (Global Education Communities) has submitted a rezoning application for a site they own at the corner of Cambie & 48th in Vancouver. The site was previously rezoned for a 10-storey, 78-unit market rental project, but was then sold in 2024 to GECC by Casey Weeks and Morgan Iannone of Colliers. Under the new TOA rezoning policy, a new proposal “GEC Langara” has been brought forward to allow for the development of a 26-storey rental building and includes: 182 rental units (20% below market); 1,100 SF of retail space; a total density of 10.24 FSR; and A building height of 261 ft. The application is being considered under the Transit-Oriented Areas Rezoning Policy and Cambie Corridor Plan. The application requests consideration of density and height in excess of the existing policies. The 2024 sale at $17,500,000 equates to $111 per buildable SF. The architect for the project is Urban Solutions Architecture. The full rezoning can be viewed here: https://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applications/6428-6438-cambie-st-and-480-488-w-48-ave/application-booklet.pdf
Do the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day holidays have you dreaming of more time off? Good news — 2025 is bringing plenty more statutory holidays, and we’re here to help you plan for them. BC recognizes 11 statutory holidays. If you qualify, your employer must give you the day off or pay you more for working that day. They are: New Year’s Day: Wednesday, January 1 Family Day: Monday, February 17 Good Friday: Friday, April 18 Victoria Day: Monday, May 19 Canada Day: Thursday, July 1 BC Day: Monday, August 4 Labour Day: Monday, September 1 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Tuesday, September 30 Thanksgiving Day: Monday, October 13 Remembrance Day: Tuesday, November 11 Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25 Each Canadian province deals with statutory holidays a little differently. Here in BC we don’t get Boxing Day as a statutory holiday, but we do get Remembrance Day. There are plenty of TikTokers sharing tips on how to use the 2025 statutory holidays to your advantage to maximize vacation time from work. Just use caution to make sure their advice matches BC’s statutory holiday schedule. @charlieonhistravels Replying to @Jord ♬ original sound – Charlie on his travels ✈️ Do you qualify for statutory pay? Qualifying employees are supposed to be paid an average day’s wage on a statutory holiday — whether they work or not. The BC government has a handy guide to help you figure out if you qualify. As a general rule, you’re eligible for stat pay if you’ve been employed for 30 calendar days leading up to the holiday and you’ve worked on at least 15 of those 30 days. Some workers are excluded, however. Those include farm workers, nursing students, and managers. Some companies choose to give everyone statutory holiday pay, even if an employee is a new hire or exempt, for payroll simplicity. Does BC have more or less statutory holidays than other provinces? We have a fairly generous amount of statutory holidays here in BC. The only jurisdiction with more than us is the Northwest Territories, with 13 statutory holidays in a given year. Alberta and Ontario only have nine statutory holidays each, and New Brunswick has the fewest with eight statutory holidays. Do you think BC should adopt more statutory holidays? Or do we have enough as it is? Let us know by emailing [email protected]
Home sales registered on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver rose over thirty per cent in December, compared to the previous year, signalling strengthening demand-side momentum to close out 2024. The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 26,561 in 2024, a 1.2 per cent increase from the 26,249…
New year, more money: Canadians are getting their first GST credit payments of 2025 today. The goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit is a tax-free quarterly payment. According to the government, this credit aims to help families with low and modest incomes offset the taxes they pay. If you’re eligible, you’ll see extra cash in your bank account on Friday, January 3. Who’s eligible for the payment? The government says you’re generally eligible for the payment if you’re at least 19 years old and a Canadian resident for income tax purposes a month before the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) makes the payment and at the beginning of the month. If you are under 19 years old, the government says you must meet at least one of the following conditions during the same period: You have (or had) a spouse or common-law partner You are (or were) a parent and live (or lived) with your child According to the government, parents in a shared custody situation may be eligible for half of the credit for that child. Additionally, if your income is equal to or exceeds the amounts below, you or your family won’t be eligible for the credit. Government of Canada How much will you get from the GST credit? According to the government, you could get up to: $519 if you are single $680 if you are married or have a common-law partner $179 for each child under the age of 19 Here are some examples of things you could spend this credit on. You don’t need to apply for the credit because you’re automatically considered for it when you file your taxes. In 2022, Ottawa doubled the GST credit for six months during the height of inflation. There are other ways you might get more money from the government this year. From the Canada Child Benefit to the Canada Carbon Rebate, check out the full list here.
Home buyer demand continues to strengthen in November Home sales registered in the MLS® in the Metro Vancouver1 market rose 28 percent year-over-year in November, building on the momentum of the 30 percent year-over-year increase seen in October. Sales The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR)2 reports that residential sales in the region totalled 2,181 in November 2024, a…
What You Should Know Before you start looking for a home, it’s important to understand the current real estate market in Vancouver. This gives you an idea of how much a home would cost and how much you would need to save up for. Based on current home prices in Vancouver as of October 2024, the average…
Proposed Anti-Flipping Tax On April 7th, 2022, the federal budget plan proposed a new anti-flipping tax. The tax is imposed on people who own real estate for less than a year. You may lose your Principal Residence Exemption if you buy a primary residence and move for non-exempt reasons. Additionally, if you sell an investment…
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. The nine-time Grammy winner will bring the new Hit Me Hard and Soft tour to Rogers Arena on Tuesday, December 3. Vancouver is just one of three Canadian stops on the highly anticipated tour. When: December 3, 2024 Time: 7 pm Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver Tickets: Various prices; purchase online Xmas in Skaville 21 – The Nightmare Before Skaville What: Xmas in Skaville is bringing high-energy holiday cheer to the Wise Hall in December. The lineup for the 21st edition includes Balkan Shmalkan, Brehdren, Mivule, The Wavebirds, and Bobbi-Jo Moore. The show promises to heat up the cold winter’s night, so make sure to bring your dancing shoes. When: December 13, 2024 Time: 7:30 pm Where: The Wise Hall – 1882 Adanac Street. Vancouver Tickets: $25 plus fees in advance, purchase online Vancouver Singing Christmas Tree What: Broadway Church’s 55th Singing Christmas tree is full of songs, drama, dance, and more. This year’s holiday production is themed “The Christmas Rocket” and will treat audiences to performances by singers, an orchestra, dancers, actors, and acrobats. When: December 6, 7, 8 and December 13, 14 and 15, 2024 Time: 7:30 pm (Fridays), 3 and 7 pm (Saturdays and Sundays) Where: Broadway Church – 2700 East Broadway, Vancouver Tickets: Free, register online Contact Winter Music Festival Contact Winter Music Festival What: Contact Winter Music Festival is returning to Vancouver, and some massive stars are coming for the party. Canada’s largest indoor winter music festival is taking over the Vancouver Convention Centre on December 27 and 28. This year’s headliners include multi-platinum and Grammy Award-nominated artist and producer deadmau5 and America’s Best DJ nominee Seven Lions. 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
Get tips on making your trip smoother…however you come to the city. Travellers headed to Vancouver for the Taylor Swift Eras Tour may want to plan for delays – regardless of how they are arriving. The American star will perform at three sold-out shows at BC Place on Dec. 6, 7, and 8, and thousands of people will be travelling to the city from other parts of the province, country, and around the world. BC Place can hold a whopping 54,500 people nightly so there will be a tremendous influx of people staying in hotels, driving on the roads, flying into airports, sailing on ferries, and taking public transportation in the Lower Mainland. Have a look at everything travellers headed to Vancouver should know about planning their trip to see the “You Belong to Me” singer’s final three shows of her massive world tour. Arriving and departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) Concert-goers flying into the city for one (or more) of the shows should brace for possible delays. Many travellers will also travel to the YVR on the same dates, increasing congestion. Travellers with friends in the city who can pick them up can enjoy 30-minute free parkade use. Once they’ve gotten through security, they can contact their friends to pick them up. While it might be tempting to do this the moment they land, parade stays extending over 30 minutes cost significantly more than they used to. Pick up from the parkade YVR implemented new rates for its parkade on Nov. 13, increasing costs for each additional 30 minutes from $5.50 to $14. Travellers have several other options to get from the airport to a hotel or another location in Metro Vancouver. Flate rate taxi fares to Vancouver and Richmond Taxi fares on flat rates to various areas across Vancouver and Richmond have also increased heading from the airport. The taxi stands are located on Level 2 of the Domestic and International Arrivals Area at YVR. Taxis can also take you to addresses in other Metro Vancouver areas, like Surrey, Delta, North Vancouver, or Burnaby. Related: Map: Here’s how much it costs to taxi home from YVR following price hikes If you’re headed straight to one of the shows from the airport – or if you’re simply feeling fancy – you can also book a luxury sedan, stretch SUV, or limo. Ride App Services at YVR Lyft, Uber, and KABU are authorized providers of Ride App services at YVR. You must download the app of any of the providers to request a ride. You can get picked up at one of the following designated pickup spots: International Arrivals, Level 2 Domestic Arrivals, Level 2 South Terminal Unlike taxis, ride app services do not use a flat rate or even a metered rate. They are based on the availability of drivers in the area and may vary dramatically as a result. Public transportation The Canada Line SkyTrain serves Vancouver’s YVR Airport in Richmond, and will get travellers to the city centre. Fans can use the Canada Line and exit at Vancouver City Centre or Yaletown-Roundhouse to walk to BC Place stadium on show nights. Lindsay William-Ross/V.I.A. Vancouverites can travel from the heart of downtown to the airport on the Canada Line in under half an hour. There are 16 stops along the way and the train takes passengers right to the airport. The elevator from the train brings travellers right between the International and Domestic Terminals. From there, you can turn left for flights within Canada and right for everything else. All transit users travelling on the Canada Line leaving YVR are subject to a $5 Canada Line YVR AddFare, in addition to the regular zone fare. AddFare is automatically added when a user purchases a fare ticket. Travellers may also wish to rent a car. How to navigate Vancouver International Airport Save time with Advance Declaration The CBSA advises travellers to save time passing through customs by making an advance declaration in the ArriveCan app. The advance declaration is admissible at the following airports: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Quebec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary and Edmonton. Using the ArriveCan app cuts a traveller’s time at a kiosk or eGate by up to 50 per cent, according to CBSA data. Travellers should also check in with their airline before heading to the airport. This will speed up the process of checking in once they arrive. Pack smart Follow the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) baggage requirements. Remember: liquids, gels and aerosols still need to be in containers that are less than 100 millilitres, and be packaged into one transparent, closed, and resealable plastic bag under one litre. Avoid wrapping holiday gifts since contents may need to be inspected during the screening process for carry-on and checked baggage. Use YVR’s ‘Journeys’ tool YVR offers a tool that allows passengers to view a step-by-step guide through the airport based on their specific flight information. Use your smartphone to speed up your time in line Locals who plan to fly to the U.S. from Canada can submit their passport and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their smartphone before they leave for a trip. It’s called the U.S. Customer Customs Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app. YVR also offers several tips to help travellers save time at the airport. Arriving and departing from Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) The Valley Airporter Shuttle provides service to and from the airport to anywhere within a 120km radius, including locations in Downtown Vancouver. The Abbotsford Airport Shuttle through Ace Charters offers transportation between the airport and King George Station in Surrey as well