ndp-on-tmx-pipeline:-we-didn’t-want-it-they-built-it.-so-let’s-use-its-full-potential
| | | | | | |

NDP on TMX pipeline: We didn’t want it. They built it. So let’s use its full potential

ByVaughn Palmer

Article content Eby and Sharma exaggerate the degree to which the TMX is “underused … with capacity to spare” after one year of operation. Article content The Canadian Energy Regulator reports that the line has operated at about 80 per cent of its 890,000 barrel-per-day capacity since coming online in May 2024. Moreover, the performance improved in the first quarter of this year. Article content “The pipeline ran at about 85 per cent capacity during the three-month period ending in March,” Chris Varcoe reported in the Calgary Herald this week. The Globe and Mail’s Emma Garney further reported that the line “hit a high of 90 per cent” in March. Article content The demand is such that Trans Mountain has already begun test work to boost capacity by up to 10 per cent by the end of 2026. A longer-term project would add pumping stations to boost it to 1.14 million barrels a day, later in the decade. Article content So much for the B.C. NDP notion that the $34 billion pipeline is languishing through insufficient use. Article content Article content But rather than consult the country’s energy regulator or the national newspapers, perhaps Eby and Sharma were taking their lead from Steven Guilbeault. Article content Guilbeault served as environment minister in the Justin Trudeau Liberal government, where he flourished as a fan of carbon taxation and an opponent of fossil fuel expansion. Article content Carney reassigned him to the Canadian Heritage Department at about the same time as the PM reduced the carbon tax to zero and began talking up the need to expand resource production. Article content It didn’t stop the new heritage minister from wandering outside his lane last month to announce that Canada has no need of more pipelines because TMX was operating at “40 per cent capacity” and the world was approaching “peak oil production.” Article content In the first instance, Guilbeault clearly didn’t know what he was talking about and in the second, there’s much room to debate about when peak oil will be reached. Article content Article content Still, there is a capacity issue regarding the TMX terminal in Burnaby, though not one that involves the pipeline. Article content The terminal is already busy with tankers, having loaded some 741 in the first quarter of the year at a rate that fell just short of one a day in March. But tankers are unable to load fully because of the risk of grounding in Burrard Inlet. Article content The New Democrats have recognized the limitation and come out in support of a federal proposal to dredge Burrard Inlet to a depth that full tankers can traverse. Article content Leading the call is Energy Minister Adrian Dix. As NDP leader, Dix’s snap decision to oppose TMX in the midst of the 2013 election campaign contributed to his loss to Christy Clark. Article content Now that the line is running, Dix supports maximizing its use. “We built it. We paid for it. We should use it,” he says, taking a realistic view of a project that cost him much. Article content Article content Article content

opinion:-7-factors-to-carefully-consider-for-the-granville-strip’s-revitalization-|-urbanized-–-daily-hive-vancouver
| | | | |

7 factors to carefully consider for the Granville Strip’s revitalization

Bymichael

There is no question that the City of Vancouver’s long-term master plan to revitalize the Granville Entertainment District has the potential to be a transformative game changer for downtown. This week, with the possibility of some amendments, Vancouver City Council will approve the Granville Street Plan — a comprehensive framework that sets the stage for high-density, mixed-use developments that largely complement entertainment-focused uses, alongside significant upgrades to public spaces along Granville Street between West Georgia and Drake streets. The plan also calls for major traffic changes: Granville Street would be fully closed to all vehicles, including TransLink buses, to create a vibrant, car-free, pedestrian-only corridor designed to support events and street-level activity. But let us be clear — while improved public spaces are important, they are not enough and could be a distraction from the core issues. The Granville Strip’s decline has not stemmed from a lack of wide sidewalks, seating, and other fixtures. It is largely an economic problem rooted in years of disinvestment, high commercial vacancy rates, and a failure to adapt to changing patterns of nightlife, retail, experiential attractions, and entertainment — all of which are compounded by a range of public safety concerns, both real and perceived. When examining the economic roots of the Granville Entertainment District’s decline, much of it can be traced back to the decline and closure of its once-thriving cinemas. While the street’s downturn has been a gradual process over several decades, it was the loss of these major anchors that truly tipped the scales, triggering a steady erosion of foot traffic and economic vitality on the Granville Strip. Until the early 2000s, large multi-screen theatre complexes like the six-auditorium Capitol 6 and the seven-auditorium Empire Granville 7 were major draws for the Granville Strip, bringing a steady flow of people of all ages throughout the day and into the evening. Combined, just these two cinemas, not including others nearby, had a combined seating capacity for approximately 5,000 theatre-goers — each with a capacity of around 2,500 — anchoring Granville Street as a vibrant entertainment destination. But over time, the older multiplex theatres in the Granville Entertainment District struggled to compete with the rise of modern stadium-style cinema complexes elsewhere in the city centre and Metro Vancouver. This trend led to the closure of Capitol 6 in 2005 to make way for the Capitol Residences tower, completed in 2011. Around the same time, the new Scotiabank Theatre (originally named as Paramount Theatre) opened just a few blocks away on Burrard Street, drawing foot traffic away from the entertainment district. It is worth noting that the massive Capitol 6 complex was not actually located on the Granville Strip itself. While its entrance was on Granville Street, all of its auditoriums were located on an adjacent large building spanning nearly half a block on Seymour Street, connected by an enclosed pedestrian bridge over the laneway. The Orpheum Theatre, previously used as a cinema before its current use for live performances, follows a similar configuration — its auditorium of heritage significance is situated on Seymour Street, while its iconic Granville Street entrance is linked by a footbridge as well. As for Empire Granville 7, its auditoriums were contained within an almost half block parcel of Granville Street. It gradually faded into irrelevance and ultimately became the Granville Strip’s last theatre, until its closure in 2012. The site remained dormant for years until late 2024, when Cineplex’s The Rec Room finally reached completion and opened, marking a long-awaited return of entertainment programming to the large property on the Granville Strip. Time-lapse video of the demolition of Capitol 6 Theatre in 2006/2007: Empire Granville 7 theatre at the Granville Entertainment District before its closure. (Google Maps) Will this actually catalyze new development worthy of the entertainment district? All of this leads to the first major question: Will the new development allowances outlined in the Granville Street Plan actually motivate property owners and developers to move forward with truly ambitious building projects worthy of the entertainment district? If the Granville Street Plan is to be successful, the revitalization must begin with creating major anchors — a critical mass of destination attractions, modern performance venues, vibrant nightlife establishments, and experiential retail. These are the kind of uses that once made the Granville Strip a cultural and entertainment powerhouse. As downtown Vancouver continues to densify and most surface vehicle parking lots and easily developable sites off Granville Street have already been built out, the solution now lies in embracing significant verticality for the entertainment district’s evolution — a shift made possible by the new plan, which replaces outdated policies that previously restricted the economic viability of new contemporary developments with enhanced commercial and entertainment uses. Moreover, verticality is a practical necessity due to downtown Vancouver’s relatively tight urban fabric. The city’s already small blocks are further constrained by laneways that bisect most blocks, making development parcels even narrower and more challenging to develop. These physical limitations can restrict the scale and types of projects that can be built — unless greater height is permitted. The Rec Room Granville at 850 Granville St. (Kenneth Chan) The Rec Room Granville at 850 Granville St. (Kenneth Chan) For example, permitted added building height could have theoretically given Cineplex the flexibility to consider building a larger Empire Granville 7 redevelopment — one that not only accommodates Western Canada’s flagship The Rec Room, but also includes

two-rental-housing-towers-eyed-for-kingsway-near-fraser-street-in-vancouver
| |

Two rental housing towers eyed for Kingsway near Fraser Street in Vancouver

ByKenneth Chan

Nearly four years ago, a rezoning application was approved to redevelop the southeast corner of the intersection of Kingsway and Carolina Street — situated on the southernmost border of the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood of Vancouver — into a six-storey, mixed-use building with 80 secured purpose-built market rental homes. But the project — which was one of the larger rental housing proposals in Metro Vancouver at the time, prior to the current wave of proposals — did not proceed as planned. As it turns out, this is because the project was being redesigned for a much larger mixed-use rental housing concept under the prescriptions and stipulations of the City’s Broadway Plan. A new rezoning application has been submitted to redevelop 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., which entails a larger development site than the original concept — growing the available footprint by 50 per cent to over 30,000 sq. ft. The project is just west of the prominent intersection of Kingsway and Fraser Street. The original north site entails old low-rise commercial buildings, including a former funeral home building, while the addition of a south site includes a surface vehicle parking lot and low-rise residential and commercial buildings. Site of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) Site of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Google Maps) Site of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) Cancelled 2020/2021 concept: Current condition (top) and 2020/2021 cancelled concept (bottom) of 602-644 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Studio One Architecture) 2025 revised concept: 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) Under the new application, local developer Bonnis Properties has partnered with architectural firm Perkins&Will to pursue a 167-ft-tall, 14-storey north tower and a 276-ft-tall, 25-storey south tower. The proponents are pursuing a new concept with two high-rise towers, after determining that a project with three towers would not meet the minimum tower separation requirements from an adjacent lot on Kingsway. There will be a total of 327 secured purpose-built rental homes, including 120 units in the north tower and 207 units in the south tower. Based on the Broadway Plan’s requirement of setting aside at least 20 per cent of the residential rental floor area for below-market units, there will be 66 below-market rental homes and 261 market rental homes. The unit size mix is established as 152 studios, 47 one-bedroom units, 105 two-bedroom units, and 23 three-bedroom units. 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) The north and south towers will be physically connected on the second level by a pedestrian bridge over the laneway that separates the two sites, enabling continuous shared amenity spaces between both buildings. Expansive indoor and outdoor amenity spaces will be found on the second level — including landscaped outdoor areas on the base podium rooftops — along with outdoor amenity spaces on the rooftops of both towers. The rooftop of the north tower’s podium also features a 2,900 sq. ft. childcare facility for up to 20 kids, plus outdoor play space. Down below, about 19,400 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant space spread across the ground levels of both buildings will activate the street frontages and a new public plaza. This triangular-shaped plaza space — a public space element passed down from the original concept — will be achieved by repurposing a 70-ft-long segment of East 15th Avenue and median that parallels Kingsway. 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) The floor plates of both towers rising above the podium are curved to strategically place the structural columns along the perimeter of the floor plates, which serves to optimize the views from the residential units and enable a more efficient unit layout. The exterior design is defined by a 40-60 window-to-wall ratio, with protruding balconies protected by steel picket guard railings. Four underground levels at the north tower site will accommodate 141 vehicle parking stalls, while two underground levels at the south tower site will provide over 600 secured bike parking spaces. Altogether, the project will generate a total floor building floor area of over 257,000 sq. ft., establishing a floor area ratio density of a floor area that is 8.5 times larger than the size of the lot. The site is well served by frequent bus routes along Kingsway, Fraser Street, and Main Street, and about a 15-minute walk from SkyTrain’s future Mount Pleasant Station (intersection of Main Street and East Broadway). Under the Broadway Plan, high-rise tower developments are generally

eby-fires-back-at-ford-over-suggestion-bc.-would-accept-2nd-oil-pipeline
| |

Eby fires back at Ford over suggestion B.C. would accept 2nd oil pipeline

ByGlobalnews Digital

By Wolfgang Depner The Canadian Press Posted June 3, 2025 8:26 pm 1 min read 2:31 Are pipelines a realistic part of Carney’s ‘nation-building’ projects? Prime Minister Mark Carney says he wants to quickly approve “nation-building” resource projects in an effort to boost Canada’s economy. David Akin explains whether it’s realistic to see new pipelines built anytime soon, and the challenges in getting other big resource projects approved. B.C. Premier David Eby says he won’t be throwing his support behind a new oil pipeline through the province, dismissing Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s suggestion that Eby would change his mind. Eby says in response to Ford’s remarks on Monday that the publicly-owned TMX pipeline is already running through B.C., and the province doesn’t support lifting the ban on oil tankers off British Columbia’s northern coast. 1:58 Premiers talk possible new pipeline out west He says it’s not his job to tell Ford it’s “extremely unlikely” there will be a tunnel under Toronto’s Highway 401, or tell Alberta Premier Danielle Smith her “vision” for a pipeline connecting Alberta and northern B.C. is “many, many years off” with no proponent in sight. Story continues below advertisement Eby says his job instead is to protect the interests of British Columbia by bringing forward “shovel-ready” projects. 2:17 Danielle Smith’s pipeline push at premier’s meeting gets support from Carney Trending Now Ford had said heading into a meeting between premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney that he was confident Eby and Carney would “work things out” regarding a second pipeline. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Eby was speaking Tuesday from Osaka, Japan, on a 10-day trade mission in Asia, and deputy premier Niki Sharma represented B.C. at the meeting of premiers in Saskatoon. &copy 2025 The Canadian Press Sponsored content

|

Vancouver falls down the list of top cities in the world for 2025

Bymichael

Vancouver is known around the world thanks to top attractions like the Honda Celebration of Light and award-winning dining spots. However, a new ranking has revealed the city is slipping a bit compared to its peers. The Oxford Economics Global Cities Index has released its report for 2025, which is a holistic ranking of the 1,000 cities included in its Global Cities Forecasting Service. Cities are scored across five categories to achieve a well-rounded comparison of locations. The five categories are Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment, and Governance. Vancouver has made the list once again this year; however, it has slipped a few spots down the newest global ranking. Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive Vancouver came in 20th place last year, ranking 35th in economics, 33rd in human capital, 78th in quality of life, 149th in environment, and 52nd in governance. In 2025, Vancouver dropped 17 places to land in 37th place, with rankings dipping in three categories: 53rd in economics, 52nd in human capital, and 186th in quality of life. However, the city’s score jumped in two categories: it ranked 61st in environment and 27th in governance. “Arguably one of the most picturesque cities in the world, it is no surprise that Vancouver is such an attractive location for many Canadians and international migrants,” wrote Oxford Economics Global Cities Index in its report. “For those who can handle the steep housing costs, there are few other cities that can match Vancouver’s economic strength and human capital.” Charles HHuang/Shutterstock The Global Cities Index covers the 1,000 largest cities in the world, which are located in 163 different countries, including 103 cities in Canada. Toronto ranked as the highest city in Canada on the list at #20, with Montreal coming in at #43, and Ottawa-Gatineau at #88. Calgary landed in #50 and Edmonton settled even further down on the list, coming in at #131. You can check out the full ranking online. With files from Laine Mitchell

vancouver-realtors-turning-down-unrealistic-clients-as-home-sales-lowest-since-2020
| | | | | | | | |

Vancouver realtors turning down unrealistic clients as home sales lowest since 2020

ByAmy Judd

Real estate experts say there is another indication that the real estate market in Greater Vancouver is changing. Vancouver realtor and investor, Steve Saretsky, says the market is becoming so saturated that realtors are turning down listings. “The inventory is stacking up, it’s not selling,” he said. “Which is to say, there are a lot of realtors out there working for free.” Home sales in Greater Vancouver are at their lowest since 2020 and Saretsky said sellers’ expectations in a buyers’ market are not always aligned with reality. This means that listings that may have sold fast and over the asking price now might take more resources and time to close the deal — if at all. Story continues below advertisement 1:36 ‘Sign’ of the times: B.C. real estate signpost company offers credit for return of posts Realtor Roman Krzaczek told Global News that people need to adjust their expectations a little bit. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. “It seems like there’s a lot of listings that are being relisted because they didn’t sell last year and people are expecting the same price and that’s not very realistic in today’s market,” he said. Krzaczek said many people do not realize that realtors have to put time and money into selling a home, including spending money on marketing materials. “It cost me about $2,000 to list the property and it’s a lot of work; (it) takes a couple days to get the whole package put together,” he added. He said he has to look at other properties that are available, take photos of the property to list it and complete any reports as needed. Story continues below advertisement Krzaczek said he recently lost a listing because the seller wanted to post the property for higher than what Krzaczek thought it was worth. “Somebody else listed the property now,” he said. “So I wish them luck. Great people. I really hope that they sell because that’s, you know, they really need to move.” Trending Now 2:07 Metro Vancouver condos sitting empty amid housing crisis He added on Monday he saw a listing on Quadra Island drop from the $1.4 million list price to $1.3 million. “My listing, we recently dropped the price from $1.2 (million) to $995,000,” he added. “Big drops in price and beautiful properties, water or oceanfront properties. So there’s definitely some of that happening. And as long as we have clients, sellers that are realistic and they do listen to us, pricing is not a science, it’s more of an art form and I’m fully immersed in the market… If it’s priced well, it will sell. If it is not, it probably won’t sell. Not every listing sells.” Story continues below advertisement Krzaczek said he has not seen price drops like this in the market since he started in the business 10 years ago. “Usually a price drop is $10, $20, $30,000,” he said. “But $130,000 $200,000 drops, that’s huge. So I don’t know what’s happening but it looks like there’s some kind of a price adjustment happening right now.” &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

this-is-how-canada’s-new-gst-cuts-on-home-sales-up-to-$1.5-million-for-first-time-buyers-will-work
| | | |

This is how Canada’s new GST cuts on home sales up to $1.5 million for first-time buyers will work

ByKenneth Chan

Prime Minister Mark Carney is fulfilling one of the key promises the Liberal party made during the recent federal election campaign, specifically relating to eliminating the federal five per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on home prices for first-time homebuyers. “My government has a mandate to bring down costs. We are delivering this mandate by cutting taxes — so Canadians keep more of their paycheques to spend where it matters most,” said the prime minister, with the specific plans for the GST cuts now released following King Charles III’s speech from the throne on Tuesday. This will be applied as a rebate — the First-Time Home Buyers’ GST Rebate. For first-time buyers only, there will be zero GST applied on new homes sold at up to $1 million. For new properties bought at a price of between $1 million and $1.5 million, there will be a reduced GST for first-time buyers and their new homes. This means that for homes priced at up to $1 million, first-time buyers will save up to $50,000 by not having to pay the GST. Buyers with new, more expensive homes will be eligible for a reduced GST rebate, which falls incrementally from home prices of $1 million to $1.5 million. For example, a home price of $1.1 million would be eligible for a 20 per cent rebate of $40,000, a home price of $1.25 million would be eligible for a rebate of $25,000, and a home price of $1.4 million would be eligible for a rebate of $10,000. A “new home” purchase is defined as property bought from a new home by a builder, a self-built home or a self-contracted new home, or an acquisition of shares of a co-operative housing corporation. Individuals are eligible for the rebate if they are adults and Canadian citizens or permanent residents. As well, they must not have lived in a home that they owned or that their spouse or common-law partner owned in the calendar year or in the four preceding calendar years. This existing ownership status consideration exists both within and outside Canada. At least one of the purchasers in a sale must be a first-time buyer for use as their primary residence, with this individual required to occupy the home following the sale. The sale agreement must be made between May 27, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2030. Homes that have yet to be built under the agreement must begin construction before 2021, with substantial completion by no later than the end of 2035. For rebates for owner-built homes, an eligible individual — at least one of the owner-builders who qualify as a first-time homebuyer — can recover up to $50,000 of the GST or the federal part of the rebate. Construction on the property must begin on or after May 27, 2025, with substantial completion by the end of 2036. And as for the rebate through the co-operative housing corporation share acquisition, an individual can similarly claim up to $50,000. The acquisition and construction timelines are the same for this option. This amounts to an adjustment, expansion, and refinement of Carney’s promise made during the election campaign to eliminate the GST on “new and substantially renovated” home sales up to $1 million for first-time buyers. Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre vowed to axe the GST for new homes up to $1.3 million, accounting for the higher home prices in markets such as Metro Vancouver and Greater Toronto. Carney’s policy move is endorsed by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), which states that they have been advocating for such changes for a long while, and that these regulations have not changed since the introduction of GST in 1991. They say the federal government at the time originally committed to adjusting the GST New Housing Rebate thresholds every two years to reflect changes in housing prices and protect housing affordability over time. But these thresholds have not been changed for about 35 years now. Prior to this week’s policy details announcement, the federal government offered a smaller rebate amount of up to $6,300 or 36 per cent of the GST payment that would be required for a home that costs $350,000 or less. If the home costs more than $350,000, the rebate is gradually reduced, with the rebate reaching zero for a home price of $450,000 and over. “For years, CHBA has been advocating for a change to the GST thresholds on new construction homes to help address housing affordability challenges in regions across the country, and this measure is a very positive step forward for Canadians,” said Kevin Lee, CEO of CHBA, in a statement. “Previously, without details around the implementation of this measure, Canadians wishing to enter the housing market were holding out on buying a new construction home, which results in fewer home starts, so it is encouraging that today first-time buyers can have the confidence to move forward.” But Lee suggests the rebate thresholds should be more expansive to provide a greater number of homeowners with relief. CHBA wants to see the zero GST threshold increased to new home prices of $1.5 million, with the gradual reduction kicking in for prices between $1.5 million and $2 million, which would expand the eligibility for first-time homebuyers in Metro Vancouver and Greater Toronto, where there are higher home prices. They are also urging the federal government to expand the rebate to all new homes

| | | |

Canadians will see some new laws and rules kick in next month

ByNational Trending Staff

Several new laws and regulations will be implemented in Canada next month. From a bill that protects shoppers from deceptive marketing practices to expanded dental care, these changes could affect workers, consumers and low-income Canadians. Here are the new laws and rules you can expect in Canada in June 2025. Canadian Dental Care Plan expansion and renewal Jacob Lund/Shutterstock The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) now accepts applications from eligible people aged 18 to 34. On May 29, the program will expand to include those aged 35 to 54. The program was implemented in 2023 to decrease dental costs for Canadians earning less than $90,000 annually. If you’re already part of the dental care program, don’t forget to renew for the 2025 to 2026 period before June 1 to avoid a possible gap in coverage. To do this, you must have filed your 2024 tax return and received the notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency. Check to see if you qualify for the CDCP. “Anti-scab” law In May last year, the federal government passed Bill C-58, a law that aims to protect unionized workers during strikes or lockouts. Under the legislation, which will take effect on June 20, federal employers won’t be able to use replacement workers, AKA “scabs,” to do the jobs of unionized employees during legal strikes or lockouts. This is an offence punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 per day. The exceptions to this law include needing to use a replacement worker to prevent threats to life, health or safety of the public and prevent serious damage or destruction to their property. However, employers need to offer the opportunity to bargaining unit members first. Law holding businesses more accountable for greenwashing Bill C-59, which kicked in on June 20, 2024, also brought important changes to the Competition Act, specifically when it comes to greenwashing, or misleading consumers about a business’s environmental impacts. According to Canadian law firm BLG, the changes to legislation won’t only make it easier for the Commissioner of Competition to hold companies accountable, but also for private parties like environmental activists and climate advocacy groups. Starting June 20 this year, these groups can bring action against companies for deceptive greenwashing marketing practices before the Competition Tribunal if they can show “public interest.”

| | | |

Vancouver aiming to grow urban forest canopy but don’t expect the promised 100,000 new trees soon

ByDan Fumano

Article content Vancouver’s “greenest” city plan, approved in 2011 by the city’s then Vision-Vancouver-majority government, set a target of planting 150,000 trees by 2020. According to a 2020 city presentation, 139,000 trees were planted by that deadline — an average of almost 13,900 a year, far more than the recent pace. Article content Vancouver staff said Wednesday that the city’s focus will be not on the number of trees planted, or the number added, but on the percentage of the city’s land mass protected by tree canopy. Article content ABC Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung said she understands the shift to focus on canopy percentage over tree numbers. But she asked staff whether the target of 30 per cent could be higher, or it could be achieved sooner than 2050, considering that canopy cover increased from 21 per cent in 2013 to 25 per cent in 2022. Article content Joe McLeod, Vancouver’s associate director of urban forestry, responded: “I think the last five per cent of this goal is going to be a lot harder.” Article content Article content “The cream has been skimmed off the top, so to speak,” McLeod said. “During the ‘greenest city’ decade, from 2010 to 2020, all the easiest, least inexpensive tree-planting spots were capitalized upon. And now we’re getting into the harder-to-reach areas. … It’s going to be trickier.” Article content Also, the city wants to prioritize adding trees to areas where the need is greatest. Article content During Vancouver’s June 2021 heat wave, vulnerable people living in areas with less forest canopy were at higher risk of death from heat-related illness, this week’s staff report says. Article content The report includes maps that reveal a stark divide between Vancouver’s cooler and leafier — and traditionally more affluent — west side, and the historically lower-income east side, which is hotter and has fewer trees — especially in and around the Downtown Eastside. Article content Tree planting by the City of Vancouver along East Hastings in one of the areas of Vancouver with the smallest tree canopy. Photo by City of Vancouver Article content A similar pattern plays out across the region. A 2021 analysis by Postmedia journalist Nathan Griffiths found that wealthier neighbourhoods were significantly cooler than their lower-income neighbours who were surrounded by more concrete and roads, and fewer trees. Article content Article content It can be more difficult — and expensive — to plant trees in these “very urbanized environments,” McLeod told council. Article content Removing pavement and excavating to create a new tree pit can cost as much as $20,000, he said. Article content “It is a costly endeavour, but it improves the public realm and obviously provides great benefits to the community.” Article content He cited the 700-block of East Hastings as an example where the city has recently been able to add several new trees to a tree-deficient area. Article content ABC Coun. Mike Klassen proposed directing staff to explore innovative ways to reduce urban heat islands in neighbourhoods with less tree canopy cover, including areas where it is challenging to grow trees. Article content Klassen’s proposal, which council supported, mentioned the example of “vegetated shade structures.” These are roughly four-metre-long sail-shaped awnings covered in vegetation, which are designed by a Spanish company and have been installed above urban streetscapes in Spain, England and Turkey. Article content Asked whether ABC’s 100,000-tree campaign promise was unrealistic, Klassen said: “I’ll never apologize for being ambitious.” Article content “I think all innovative solutions have to be brought to bear,” he said. “What’s our goal? Our goal is to create cooler conditions in the face of a changing climate, and we’re using whatever tools are at our disposal to achieve that.” Article content Article content Article content

bc.-could-face-huge-challenges-if-alberta-declares-independence
| | | |

B.C. could face huge challenges if Alberta declares independence

ByAlec Lazenby

File photo: B.C. Premier David Eby, left, speaks to reporters with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith during meetings with Canada’s other premiers at the Council of the Federation meetings in Halifax on July 16, 2024. Photo by Darren Calabrese /The Canadian Press Article content A vote for independence in Alberta would divide Canada at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening the country’s sovereignty and could pose headaches for B.C. 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 Article content The trading relationship between B.C. and Alberta is estimated at well over $30 billion annually and “Wild Rose Country” is B.C.’s most important economic partner within Canada. Article content Ports in B.C. rely on railways, pipelines and highways that cross Alberta to move goods to and from the rest of the country, and there could be enormous challenges if these routes are disrupted. Article content Article content Premier David Eby has been reluctant to weigh in so far on the possibility of a sovereign Alberta outside of comments calling for national unity in the face of Trump’s 51st state threats. Article content By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Article content However, he’s not been shy about calling out his displeasure with outside actors becoming involved. Article content “It is a tired trope. It is a waste of time, and it is an attack on the unity that we have right now as a country standing up to the Trump administration, for political, partisan gains,” Eby said in April in response to former Reform Party leader Preston Manning’s column in the Globe and Mail suggesting a victory for Mark Carney’s Liberals in the federal election could lead to Western secession. Article content Conservative Leader John Rustad has been more supportive of Alberta’s grievances, saying Carney needs to “step up to the plate” after his victory. Article content The fires of separatism leading up to the April 28 federal election have been exacerbated in the weeks since by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s move to lower the number of signatures needed to trigger a referendum, from 600,000 to 177,000. Article content Article content A new Alberta Republican party has also been organizing to get those signatures in time for a 2026 referendum. Article content Article content Those developments could cause tension this week as the premiers of B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are meeting in Yellowknife for their annual conference. Article content As that meeting began on Wednesday, Eby lamented separatism, without using the word “Alberta,” saying it’s hard to “imagine a worse time to be tacitly or overtly supporting voices” that want to break Canada apart. Article content Stewart Prest, a University of B.C. political scientist, said the challenge for Eby is to balance his belief in Confederation with an understanding of Alberta’s, and to a lesser extent Saskatchewan’s, concerns they aren’t receiving their fair share. Article content “If I were the premier, I would be finding ways to say that Alberta is heard and seen as part of Confederation, but also that this federation is stronger for Alberta’s presence than if Alberta is separated,” said Prest.