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Cost of living pushing seniors back into workforce, B.C.
Posted November 19, 2024 7:32 pm Updated November 19, 2024 8:35 pm 1 min read 2:06 Surge in B.C. seniors wanting back into workforce Another sign of more and more people having trouble making ends meet. A Vancouver non-profit group says it’s seeing a surge in seniors asking for help to get back into the workforce. Travis Prasad reports. Vancouver’s surging cost of living is having yet another unintended consequence — a growing number of seniors looking to get back into the workforce. Vancouver non-profit Mission Possible, which helps connect people in precarious life situations with stable employment, says it’s seen a 55-per cent jump in the number of seniors looking for work compared to last year. The organization says some are coming out of retirement, while others are putting off retirement because they can’t make ends meet without a paycheque. 2:07 Red-hot inflation leaves working Montreal senior with ‘nothing to save’ Edward Boe, 66, told Global News he’s working 20 hours a week at Mission Possible to keep a roof over his head. Story continues below advertisement “I’m making $1,540 on my pensions, old age and CPP. I’ve got rent of $800, expenses of $400. That would’ve left me with $200 a month,” he explained. Trending Now Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. “I’d probably be living down here in the Downtown Eastside in an SRO, which thank God I’m not.” Matthew Smedley, Mission Possible’s executive director and CEO, said that while many seniors are looking to work, they often find fewer opportunities than other job seekers. “It can be extremely difficult for seniors to find work, there can be technological barriers, health barriers, maybe some extra flexibility needed for some folks and that can be challenging to make them feel like they’re able to get back into work,” he said. Smedley said seniors aren’t the only ones feeling the pressure. Mission Possible has seen a 165-per cent increase in people seeking help to get a job over last year. The organization is calling on the province to increase services that help people get back into the workforce. © 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Sponsored content
Prefab North Vancouver laneway home is a prototype for sustainable, stylish small-space living
1,,000-square-foot home showcases modern esthetic and eco-friendly features Published Nov 20, 2024 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 4 minute read True to its name, this Modcube laneway home by Synthesis Design takes the shape of a modified cube, clad in a mix of sustainable and non-combustible cement panelling – juxtaposed with cedar siding – giving it a modern yet organic feel. An EV charger off the sidewall is another thoughtful touch aimed at greener living. Photo by Dave Sutherland There are two schools of thought on laneway-home design: mimic the style of the main house or do something completely different. These days, Curtis Krahn leans to the second. “We don’t need to create a little mini-me,” says Krahn, founding principal of Synthesis Design. Bylaws, lot sizes and existing architecture create constraints, he says – and you risk forcing a style that doesn’t make sense for the space if you go that route. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account or Article content His company’s East 4th laneway project in North Vancouver is a case study in the opposite: a minimalist modern structure sharing a lot with a character home. The laneway house was the first built of the company’s now-signature prefabricated home product, the Modcube. “It’s quite modern, quite simple and complements a variety of styles, rather than competing,” says Krahn. Adding to the abundance of natural light in the home, a mudded-in LED strip in the ceiling crisscrosses the main living space – a detail inspired by commercial spaces and hotels. Photo by Dave Sutherland An open-concept living space on the home’s main floor creates the illusion of a larger space, along with details such as glass panelling at the base of the stairs. Photo by Tina Kulic Though several have now been built, Modcube was a long time coming. When Krahn founded his firm back in 1994, he fully intended to focus on modular and innovative housing. But demand for this type of offering wasn’t there, at least not yet. So, he went on to create a successful custom home and residential renovation business. Over time, the market caught up, and Synthesis launched the Modcube concept in 2019, aiming to fill a growing niche of affordable, pre-fabricated laneway structures. By this point, the company had already designed a slew of custom laneway and small homes – and started seeing common threads. “We thought, rather than doing all of these custom, since we know exactly what everybody wants, we’re going to design the perfect floor plan and prefab it,” Krahn says. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Article content Article content They started with one model, now known as Plan’ A.’ Since then, iterations have multiplied up to ‘G,’ adding flexibility in footprint, esthetic, square footage, floor plan and other customizable traits. But all have one thing in common: they can be built mostly offsite and speedily snapped together on the ground. This reduces not only building costs, but waste and emissions as well, while cutting construction time by around 30 per cent. A dining table tucks into the corner of the kitchen island, for additional seating and surface space. Photo by Tina Kulic Skipping a galley-style kitchen, senior interior designer Julie Lepper and her team opted for an L-shaped layout with an island in the same shape. Two-tone cabinetry in white and rift-cut white oak interplays with a hexagonal-tile porcelain backsplash (Ontario Series by Olympia Tile & Stone). Photo by Tina Kulic “We’re not locked into any one specific prefab company,” adds Krahn. Nor does the contractor need special skills to build a Modcube: “They can do the prep work, dig the hole and put the foundation in, and while they’re doing that, the prefabrication is happening offsite.” By the time the foundation is done, the structure is usually ready to
Seniors trapped by broken elevator in Vancouvers West End
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.”
Buyer of Whistler home, stuck with $127,000 vacancy tax bill, sues U.S. sellers
Mark and Shauna Trieb, travel bloggers who live in Texas, sold the property to Wilson Weizin (Weixing) Cui through a contract signed on Sept. 5, 2022 Published Nov 20, 2024 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 2 minute read Texas couple didn’t pay federal vacancy tax bill, case filed in B.C. Supreme Court alleges Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG An American couple is facing a lawsuit after they sold their $17 million house in Whistler without paying their federal vacancy tax bill for 2022, the first year the tax became law, according to a lawsuit. Mark and Shauna Trieb, travel bloggers who live in Dallas, Texas, sold the property to Wilson Weizin (Weixing) Cui through a contract signed on Sept. 5, 2022, according to a case filed in B.C. Supreme Court. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account or Article content The sale completed on Jan. 18, 2023, with Cui’s purchase of all of the shares of a holding company through which the Triebs owned the property, according to documents filed in court. They were sole directors and shareholders of the company, it said. The sale contract included a warranty that the Triebs’ holding company had paid all taxes, but Cui said it hadn’t, leaving him to pay $127,910 under the federal government’s underused housing tax for non-resident owners, it said. The tax came into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, and requires paying one per cent of the value of a vacation home, unless the owners are exempted, according to Canada.ca. Foreign owners are exempted, for instance, if the property is their primary residence and they live there for more than six months a year. The Triebs’ travel blog says they built the house on Trail’s End Lane in Whistler in 2017, but it’s not known how much time they spent there in 2022. There are also exemptions or lower occupancy requirements dependent on where the housing is located, based on whether the area is habitable year-round, for instance. The Canada.ca website said the owner or spouse may need to spend only 28 days a year to be exempt from paying the tax. That exemption applied in the Trial’s End Lane’s postal code. Article content Cui’s lawsuit said there was a tax assessed against the property for 2022 and the couple breached their sales contract because they failed to pay the tax or to reimburse Cui, the case alleges. “The (Triebs’) representation that the holding company had filed all tax returns and paid all tax liabilities was untrue, inaccurate and/or misleading,” according to Cui’s claim. Individual Canadians are usually exempt from the tax, as are owners of publicly traded Canadian corporations, certain trusts, registered charities, co-operative housing corporations, municipal organizations and other public institutions, government bodies, and Indigenous governing bodies. All non-resident owners and some Canadians still have to file a vacancy tax return, even if they qualify for and exemption, it said. A message left on the Triebs’ travel blog wasn’t returned. None of the allegations has been proven in court. Recommended from Editorial Co-owner of $3M Vancouver home says living there is ‘unbearable,’ wants court to order sale B.C. couple’s plan to raise a child in same house without romance doesn’t end well, winds up in court Article content
Metro Vancouver weather: Another potent storm to bring heavy rain, strong winds
More power outages and widespread rain are possible. The Metro Vancouver weather forecast for the rest of the week includes another powerful windstorm which follows Tuesday’s “bomb cyclone.” The bomb cyclone left thousands of BC Hydro customers without power, with multiple outages lasting through Tuesday night and into Wednesday (Nov. 20). The company said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that it “made significant progress overnight restoring power to over 175,000 customers – nearly two-thirds of the more than 272,000 impacted.” Environment Canada Meteorologist Brian Proctor told V.I.A. winds from the potent storm system will gradually ease during the day and into the night on Wednesday, gusting 40 km/h to 60 and slightly higher in Boundary Bay and the Fraser Valley. Showers are also expected on the “back side of the frontal system,” and the unsettled atmosphere could see a few lightning strikes, he noted. Environment Canada issued a weather advisory early Wednesday morning due to elevated ocean water levels with high winds and waves, calling for “minor flooding near coastal areas.” Proctor said parts of Tsawwassen in South Delta may see minor flooding in the Boundary Bay area but other places near the water, such as the Stanley Park seawall in Vancouver, are less likely to be impacted. Thursday’s forecast includes the best conditions for being outdoors, with some sunny breaks expected during the day before the next storm system moves in overnight. Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes heavy rainfall This next system is expected to bring more widespread rain to the region, with amounts of 25 to 50 mm possible, or “just under rainfall warning amounts,” Proctor explained. “But we don’t want to hang our hats on that amount just yet,” he clarified, noting that there is significant uncertainty associated with the next wet, windy weather event. “We are seeing diverging [results] in our computer models,” he said. “It’s also going from the Oregon Coast and looks like the last one but it will have more widespread rain. Power outages and localized flooding due to heavy rainfall are possible during the next storm, Proctor noted. More mixed rain or snow is expected on the North Shore mountains and conditions will also be cool at lower elevations. Heading into the weekend, Metro Vancouverites should expect highs around 6 C and lows of 2 C, slightly cooler than seasonal averages (high of 8 C and low of 2 C). Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.’s Weatherhood.
10 Best Herbs to Grow Indoors for Fresh Flavors Year-Round
10 Best Herbs to Grow Indoors for Fresh Flavors Year-Round These are the best herbs to grow indoors on a sunny windowsill. Published on November 19, 2024 Photo: Adam Albright When cold temperatures arrive, you don’t have to say goodbye to your favorite herbs—you can grow them in your home instead. The best herbs to grow indoors just need a sunny windowsill to add fresh flavors to your cooking and serve as delightfully aromatic houseplants. Whether you want to grow new transplants or bring in plants to overwinter, these are the easiest herbs to grow indoors. Basil Peter Krumhardt It’s easy to grow basil indoors to enjoy all year long. Try growing several types of basil to experience its variety of vibrant scents, colors, and to have this flavorful herb within easy reach when cooking. Water basil regularly and make sure its soil is well-draining so the plant doesn’t develop fungal problems. Harvest basil by pinching off leaves from the top of the plant. Cilantro Dean Schoeppner Grow cilantro indoors from seed to keep a convenient, fresh supply on hand year-round. Plant it on an east-facing windowsill that gets plenty of light in the morning, and in just 30 days its leaves will be ready for harvesting. You can cut cilantro simply by snipping its leaves with kitchen scissors so they don’t get crushed or bruised. Reseed every 2 or 3 weeks and you’ll have a handy fresh crop to preserve or use anytime you need it. Mint Pete Krumhardt Get started growing mint indoors by buying mint transplants instead of seeds. If you already have a mint plant growing outdoors in your garden, you can bring it indoors and repot it to extend the growing season. Propagating mint from cuttings is an additional way to expand your supply of fresh mint. Position your pot on a kitchen windowsill with a southern exposure so that the plant receives four to six hours of bright sunlight daily. Once your plant is at least 4 inches tall, you can start harvesting mint leaves for salads, teas, and spice blends. Oregano Peter Krumhardt Giving oregano plenty of sun on a south- or west-facing windowsill is the key to growing these herbs indoors. Whether you bring this plant inside to overwinter as a houseplant or grow it from nursery-grown transplants, you’ll need to make sure it has well-drained soil. Oregano is sensitive to overwatering, so only water it when the surface of the soil is dry. You can begin harvesting oregano sprigs all around the plant as soon as its stems are at least 4 inches tall. Parsley Dean Schoeppner Growing parsley in pots on a windowsill is easy as long as the plant receives lots of bright, direct light and gets watered regularly. This slow-growing herb takes about 14 weeks to mature, so if you want your plants to be a harvestable size in winter, plant parsley seeds indoors at the end of summer or in early fall. Harvest the plant’s leaves frequently to encourage new growth. It’s best to start a new pot of parsley every month or two for a prolific crop. Rosemary Bob Stefko The easiest way to start growing rosemary indoors is to buy a young potted variety such as compact ‘Blue Boy’ that is ideal for growing indoors. You can also overwinter rosemary cuttings indoors by taking stem cuttings in autumn before frost hits. Grow your potted herb on a kitchen windowsill with a southern exposure or under a grow light during short-day months. To harvest rosemary stems, clip off the top 2 to 3 inches of new, flexible growth from your plant that is at least 6 inches tall. Thyme Peter Krumhardt Growing flavorful thyme indoors is possible if you place this plant on a south-facing windowsill that receives at least six to eight hours of full sun per day. Once thyme is established, you won’t have to worry about giving it a lot of water because it’s a drought-tolerant plant. To harvest thyme without killing the plant, make sure to never harvest more than half the height of the plant at one time. Leave at least 5 inches of stems and green leaves on the plant after harvesting. Chives Edward Gohlich Harvest chives conveniently throughout the year by growing them indoors. The quickest way to grow chives is to use nursery-grown plants. You can also overwinter potted chives that have spent the summer outside. Be sure to put the plant on a south-facing windowsill where the plant receives at least four to six hours of direct sunlight per day. To harvest a few chives for cooking, use scissors to trim the older, outer leaves around the exterior of the plant when the plants are about 6 inches tall. Sage Marty Baldwin Add a little texture to your indoor herb garden with the grayish, wooly leaves of sage. Grow sage on a south- or west-facing windowsill that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. When harvesting sage, choose the younger, smaller leaves on tender stems to give the most flavor to your savory dishes. Lemongrass Peter Krumhardt To easily grow lemongrass indoors, just purchase a fresh stalk of lemongrass from a grocery store and root the stalk in a glass of water before you pot it up. Place your potted lemongrass on a windowsill that receives at least six hours of sun daily. When
Can Vaseline Really Stop Your Tires From Losing Air Pressure?
With almost 60 years of experience in the automobile repair world, including 46 as an ASE Master Technician and 25 years in vocational education, and a vehicle owner since before I had an official driver’s license, I have seen a lot of so-called car “hacks.” While some actually work, many are not worth the time or effort. Time-tested hacks that work include polishing your dashboard with olive oil or a maintaining the proper amount of air pressure keeps tires at optimum operating temperatures. What Is the Vaseline Tire Hack? The Vaseline tire hack involves taking a fingertip full of Vaseline, filling the tire valve core cavity, and coating the valve stem threads with it before reinstalling the valve cap. The idea behind the hack is that Vaseline will create a seal between the valve stem and valve cap threads, keeping air from leaking out through the valve core. Does Vaseline on Tires Really Keep Tires From Losing Air Pressure? In theory, yes, Vaseline can work to limit air pressure loss. Anything that can form a seal or bond between two parts (a gasket, O-ring, or chemical sealant) can keep something from leaking out from between the parts. Also, in this case, keeping water, mud, road slats and debris from entering and corroding the valve stem and valve core is just as critical. However, this hack may only work for a while. Vaseline is a semi-solid petroleum-based product that begins to melt and become watery when it becomes warm or hot. Tires and wheels, even in winter, do warm up. This will cause the Vaseline to become more fluid and eventually drip out from between the valve stem and valve cap threads, undoing any seal that may have been formed. Are There Any Drawbacks to the Vaseline Tire Hack? There are possible drawbacks. The centrifugal force of a spinning wheel can coat your wheels with the Vaseline once it becomes fluid. Since Vaseline doesn’t contain any dye, it won’t stain or discolor painted surfaces. However, Vaseline is a dirt magnet. Chemicals and microplastics found in road dirt and debris, when trapped in Vaseline, can damage or stain finished or painted surfaces if not removed. Is the Vaseline Tire Hack Safe for You and Your Car? The safety of this hack depends. Over time, Vaseline can cause rubber (tire valve stems, valve cap O-rings and even the valve core seal can be made from rubber) to swell and degrade, causing a tire to lose air pressure. Even though you’re supposed to use less than a fingertip full of Vaseline to coat the valve core, once the Vaseline becomes watery, it could make its way to the brake rotors. Any petroleum-based products that make their way onto the brakes’ rotors will reduce braking effectiveness. Although the chances of that are small, why tempt fate? Alternatives to the Vaseline Tire Hack If your valve stems are dry rotted, leaking or corroded, replace them. Ensure replacement valve stems do not come out past the edge of the wheel. It may be easier to add air to your tires with longer valve stems, but it makes it easier to rip them off if you brush up against a curb. If you are determined to try this Vaseline tire hack, use silicone gel or dielectric grease instead. Silicon will not cause the rubber to decay and helps prevent the rubber from drying out. Replacing valve cores is an easy DIY project. Just make sure you have access to an air compressor to refill the tires. Be aware, I found it is very easy to ruin a tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) valve stem by overtightening the valve core. Dorman Products makes an inexpensive valve stem torque wrench that prevents damaging a TPMS valve stem. Replace valve caps with ones with O-rings. Check your owner’s manual to verify whether the valve cap should be made of metal or plastic. To prevent corrosion, place a light coat of dielectric grease on the threads of metal valve caps before installing them, and don’t use metal caps on aluminum valve stems. Of course, during the cold winter months, it’s wise to check tire pressure often. Resources Consumer Reports, “Why Tires Go Flat in Cold Temperature” (Nov 18, 2023) The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, “Tire Dry Rot” (Nov 15, 2024) Dave Hogg, Service Manager, O’Neil Buick GMC, Warminster, PA (Nov 11, 2024)
Majority of Canadians admit to speeding, driving over the limit
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.
Single in the city? The living wage for Metro Vancouver’s unmarried
Soaring housing costs and the region’s affordability crisis have led to a sharp increase in Metro Vancouver’s cost of living, and, unfortunately, the minimum wage in BC is lagging behind. Despite this year’s increase in minimum wage, there is still a significant disparity between BC’s minimum wage and the living wage in 2024. On June 1, 2024, the minimum wage in BC increased by $0.65 to $17.40 per hour. According to a report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Living Wage BC, Metro Vancouver’s living wage rose 5.3% this year, climbing from $25.68 per hour to $27.05 per hour. However, the increased rate mentioned in the report is what two full-time parents must earn to support a family of four in Metro Vancouver. On the other hand, Anastasia French, the provincial manager of Living Wage BC, said the group that needs to be focused on the most is single people, both those without kids and those with kids. Living alone should not be a “luxury”: Expert While it may be normalized to live with roommates and family members to afford rent in Metro Vancouver, French said living alone for single people should not be considered a “luxury.” “That’s why we need government to take action on affordability … I don’t think wanting to live on your own is a luxury. I think it’s just that unfortunately, because housing costs are as high as they are, and as ridiculous as they are, it’s seen as a luxury.” The living wage for a single parent is $30.63. This is $3.58 more than a family of four with two parents and two children. This difference in living wage was not as prominent years ago. According to the report, “when the methodology was originally developed in 2008, the Metro Vancouver living wage for a two-parent family was sufficient to support a single-parent family with one young child.” “However, this is no longer the case due to sharp increases in the cost of living, particularly for housing, that have not been offset by correspondingly large increases in government support for single parents.” Single people left behind Meanwhile, single working-aged adults without children have become the largest group of people who live in poverty in Canada and BC. “Statistics Canada’s latest poverty data suggest that one in three working-aged adults in BC who live alone or with non-relatives (i.e., roommates) live in poverty (32.1%),” the report reads. “This is nearly three times higher than the provincial poverty rate (11.6%) and higher than the poverty rate among children living in single-parent households headed by women (28.2%).” The living wage for a single person without children is $27.36, which is about 30 cents higher than for a family of four. “The reason that our initial estimates are finding that the living wage for a single person is higher than the living wage for a family of four is because, although kids are really expensive… Families with kids get a lot more in government benefits than people without children,” French said. While she admits some people are being left behind, French said it is encouraging to see that investments to help lower costs for families, like the Canada Child Benefit and BC Family Benefit, are “lifting families out of poverty.” French admits the calculations provided in the living wage report are a “modest figure” compared to the actual Vancouver rental market. “We’re aware that a $27 living wage [is a] real challenge for everyone. It represents a real challenge for workers and a challenge for employers that want to step up and do the right thing and pay their workers… but it’s not easy,” she said. Metro Vancouver’s living wage is the third highest in the province, behind Whistler (at $28.89 per hour) and Clayoquot Sound (at 27.42 per hour).
Here’s Why You Should Never Baste Your Turkey, According to Food Safety Experts
While many of us would argue that the sides are the best part of Thanksgiving, turkey is undeniably a Thanksgiving icon. And each year, it seems as though there are more and more tips and tricks for cooking your best bird yet, from brining and trussing to roasting, smoking and frying to even using a pillowcase. But one crucial turkey tip involves what not to do. Since roasting is the most common method for cooking turkey, many recipes will instruct you to baste your Thanksgiving turkey, continually adding cooking liquid to the bird as it roasts. But if tender, juicy turkey with crispy, golden skin is what you’re after, the BHG Test Kitchen says to avoid basting your bird. Here’s why. What Is Basting? First things first: what does it mean to baste food? Basting is a cooking technique that involves moistening the surface of food, often meat and seafood, with cooking liquid—such as broth, butter, or pan juices—as it roasts. “The act of basting meat/fish means that cooking liquid is occasionally spooned or brushed over a cut of meat/fish as it roasts,” says Sarah Brekke, M.S., Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen brand manager. “Cooks use this technique to help keep the cut of meat moist and tender as it cooks at a high temperature.” Why You Shouldn’t Baste Turkey While basting can be a great technique for adding moisture and flavor to scallops, pork chops, chicken, and more, our BHG Test Kitchen does not recommend basting turkey. There are several reasons to skip the technique this Thanksgiving. “First of all, we have found that not much flavor or moisture can penetrate through the skin on a turkey,” Brekke says. “Secondly, every time you open the door and spend a few moments basting the bird, the internal temperature of the oven can drop about 100 degrees, which just slows down the entire roasting process and there’s nothing worse than waiting on a sluggish turkey on Thanksgiving. Finally, the turkey skin doesn’t get a good chance to crisp up as it roasts due to all of that added moisture.” Coren Hayes, a Butterball Turkey Talk-Line expert, agrees, noting that basting a turkey does not add flavor or moisture to the meat and can prolong the turkey’s cooking time. “The liquid used to baste the turkey only penetrates about ¼ of an inch beneath the skin,” Hayes says. “Most of the juices will run off back into the pan. Pouring juices over the turkey’s skin while it roasts will not make the meat juicier.” Basting Turkey Food Safety Concerns In addition to extending the cooking time and preventing the skin from crisping up, basting turkey can also run the risk of cross-contamination as you continue to spoon or brush liquid over the meat. “Initially, the cooking liquid that gets spooned or brushed over the meat will become contaminated with any bacteria on the surface of the meat,” Brekke says. “If this liquid hasn’t reached at least 165°F by the next time you go to baste the bird, the spoon, baster, or brush will then become contaminated when you dip it into the roasting pan. That utensil, if continually used, will just continue to add raw meat juices/bacteria back onto the turkey.” How to Cook the Best Thanksgiving Turkey Luckily, you don’t need to rely on basting to achieve a perfect Thanksgiving turkey. For a moist and flavorful bird, the BHG Test Kitchen recommends rubbing butter under the skin of the turkey’s breast and thighs before roasting so that it can slowly penetrate into the meat as it roasts. To amp up the flavor even more, Brekke says you can try stirring up a garlic and herb butter mixture to rub under the skin. Instead of basting, Hayes recommends brushing the turkey with vegetable oil right before you put it in the oven and covering the turkey breast with foil two-thirds of the way through the cook time to prevent the meat from drying out. For more tips and tricks, see our ultimate turkey roasting guide.
Design ideas for cosy winter bedrooms
Winter is near – the air is crisper, the sun sets earlier and the jumpers stashed in the back of your closet make their annual appearance. To escape the chill of the months ahead, too, you will probably find yourself staying indoors and curling up in bed with a mug of hot chocolate and a good, long book. Because of this, it is vital to transform your bedroom into a winter oasis, full of warmth, cheer and relaxation. We’ve rounded up the best design ideas from the H&G archive to cosify your bedroom for winter. Consider ambient lighting While great lighting is crucial any time of year, in winter, it is perhaps in winter when great lighting is truly essential. The winter months bring with them long, dark nights and afternoon sunsets, which can be jarring. In your bedroom, especially, creating a beautiful lighting scheme with ambient lighting (think floor lamps, candles and glowy fairy lights, and, designers’ favourites, candle sconces) maximises the room’s cosiness and turns it into a true retreat from the cold, pitch-black outdoors. Additionally, for those especially affected by those 4.30 sunsets, investing in a ‘SAD’ (Seasonal Affective Disorder) lamp – which mimics sunlight – may be worthwhile. Wrap up in blankets Ollie Tomlinson Is there anything better than bundling up in a gigantic, oh-so-soft blanket? Fuzzy blankets and cashmere throws are crucial to amping up the cosiness of a winter bedroom. Quilts and eiderdowns are also having a moment, and this throwback to our grandparents’ decorating style feels particularly welcome in a difficult winter. Investing in high-quality textiles, too, adds to the decor of your room and adds a touch of sumptuous elegance to staying warm. Welsh blankets are one of our favourite styles; their traditional styles can bring much-needed colour and texture to a bedroom. As for bedding, consider a brushed cotton set of sheets for added warmth. Jan Baldwin Feel the glow of candles While you now know that great ambient lighting is essential for a winter bedroom, candles, too, are just as important. Candles give off warmth, add glow and, should you opt for those of the scented variety, engulf your bedroom in your favourite smells. Consider candles whose scents are reminiscent of winter: cinnamons, pine tree or citrus scents are perfect. The spare room in shop-owner Alastair Hendy’s restored Tudor home has beds under the sloped roof, creating a perfectly cosy small bedroom, lit by the light of a single candle. Paul Massey Warm up your room with a great paint colour Interior designer Philip Hooper’s masterful blend of the classic and contemporary has given this late-Regency house in Hampshire a greater sense of harmony and dignity. The walls in the main bedroom are covered in ‘Strie’, a linen-silk blend from George Spencer Designs. Michael Sinclair For those seeking to winter-proof their bedroom to the fullest extent, re-painting a bedroom is the perfect next step. Paint colour adds warmth to your bedroom’s palette, transforming your room into a warm safe haven. Certain colours (think beiges, creams or paints with sateen-y finishes) better help to reflect light – so important during those dark winter days, whereas other colours, such as darker greens or blues, can make a room feel more intimate. Wallpaper, too, can add cheerful personality to the bedroom. Make your bed more inviting Studio Squire designed a contemporary bed tester for the primary bedroom of this cottage, using fabrics from Guy Goodfellow, Marvic and Claremont. The velvet bed throw is from Toast. Christopher Horwood Spending so much time indoors can make anyone develop cabin fever. Beat it by kitting out your bed for winter. Choose embroidered throw pillows with festive, winter themes to add to your holiday spirit. Adding extra cushions and making extra space for books on your nightstand are two simple steps to creating a cosy reading nook on your bed; for morning people, by laying down a fluffy rug at the side of your bed grounds your room and ensures a great, soft start to your morning. At The Fife Arms in Braemar, Scotland, this bedroom known as ‘The Artist’s Studio’ draws on the decorative style at Charleston in East Sussex. Benjamin Edwards In this London project by Veere Grenney, the bed has curtains in ‘Blenheim’ by Michael Smith. Woodwork in a deep, olive green and brass finishes make the space feel luxurious and cosy. Mark Anthony Fox If you have a four-poster bed, or are considering buying one, drape it in fabric to create an enveloping place to sleep. We love tartans and plaids at this time of year; their woollen texture is perfect for chilly nights. For a small bedroom, the box bed has to be the most attractive thing on a winter evening; these charming nooks where you can draw the curtains and hide away are exactly where we’d want to be when the temperature drops.
Over 272,000 BC Hydro customers were without power as bomb cyclone hit
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
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