NEWSPAPER CLIPS COLLECTED from August 16/2018 to September 19/2018

NEWSPAPER CLIPS COLLECTED FROM August 16/2018 to September 19/2018

Affordable condo units the goal of Victoria plan.pdf Back to traffic.pdf Municipalities should take notice of a recent weed killer court ruling abroad.pdf Bassam drops out of North Van district mayoral race.pdf Municipalities vote in favour of changing BC speculation tax.pdf BC budget may be bad news for renters.pdf Nancy Green Way is heading for a crash.pdf BC mayors take aim at speculation tax.pdf No cause found in fatal Lynn Valley fire.pdf BC municipalities call on province to tackle real estate speculation.pdf No point increasing density when traffic is this bad.pdf Bear bylaw taking bite out of garbage scofflaws.pdf No simple fix to congestion on North Shore, says report.pdf Beware candidates who boast simple solutions.pdf NO WAY OUT.pdf BUILDING TOMORROW.pdf Notice - Capilano Community Services Society.pdf Capilano Heights Chinese restaurant bids farewell - for now.pdf Notice - Sep 18 public hearing about 600 W. Queens.pdf City of North Van to require that pot shop visitors sign in.pdf Notice-2019-2023-Draft-Financial-Plan.pdf CITY SLAMMING THROUGH DESTRUCTIVE NEW ZONING.pdf Notice-Municipal-Election-Advertising-Rules.pdf CNV 13-storey tower hardly a good fit.pdf Notice-PIM-3015-3059 Woodbine DR.pdf Condo prices up - single family home prices down.pdf Notice-Public-Consultation-Proposed-Maplewood-Marine-Restoration-Project.pdf Deep Cove filmmaker to run for District of North Van.pdf Notice-Public-Information-Mtg-on-3155-3175-Canfield-Cr.pdf Deep Cove residents are fed up with boating live-aboards.pdf Notice-Temporary Use Permit by Seylynn Properties.pdf District of North Vancouver mayoralty hopeful Roger Bassam pulls out of race.pdf Notice-Temporary-Use-Permit-407 Mountain Hwy.pdf DNV to mull 36-unit condo project.pdf Petty politics rule while the world burns.pdf Do not hail ride-sharing as a saviour.pdf Politicians celebrate ground breaking on new sewage plant.pdf Enhanced coho habita a true group effort.pdf Proposed Maplewood Marine Restoration Project.pdf Escaping gridlock - new plan.pdf Province approves new Lions Gate Hospital tower.pdf Exactly how unaffordable are Metro Vancouver detached homes.pdf Retired businessman Kerry Morris running for City of North Van mayor.pdf Fraser Institute to West Vancouver.pdf Ride-hailing still a good idea.pdf Growing supply making homes less affordable.pdf Ridesharing is Making Traffic Worse.pdf GTA realtors can now publish home sales data on their websites.pdf Save our splendour.pdf Here are your North Shore candidates in the upcoming municipal elections.pdf Short-term rental crackdown is working.pdf Heron Gate - Testing Canada rights-based approach to housing.pdf Squamish Nation to create housing authority.pdf Housing dip could tip government budget.pdf Streamkeepers building coho salmon habitat in North Van.pdf Investigators cannot pin down cause of fatal Lynn Valley fire.pdf Study shows big growth in mountain biking on the North Shore.pdf Just plain 'wrong' is right for some.pdf Talk is cheap.pdf Let us clear up misconceptions about cannabis addiction.pdf The new abnormal.pdf Litter hater is not going to take this.pdf The suburbs dont get any respect.pdf Master thesis details how Airbnb has become a problem for housing.pdf Three possible scenarios for Vancouver housing market.pdf Mayors message - Question to candidates.pdf Too many layers of government led to gridlock.pdf Metro residents want leaders with housing solutions.pdf Transport tech disruptions could transform housing.pdf Metro Vancouver now second-least competitive real estate market in Canada.pdf Vancouver plan to mass rezone single family lots to duplex.pdf Mount biker receives severe spinal injuries on North Van trail.pdf Visiting cyclist avoids serious injury in collision with truck.pdf Mountain biker taken to hospital with serious injuries.pdf We have got issues.pdf Municipal Election Regulations-2.pdf We Vote North Shore asks what is your voting story.pdf Municipal Election Regulations.pdf What crisis.pdf Municipal spending differs greatly across Metro Vancouver.pdf Your commute is going to suck on Tuesday.pdf Affordable condo units the goal of Victoria plan

6 Sep 2018 Vancouver Sun BILL CLEVERLEY [email protected]

Between 10 and 15 per cent of units in new Victoria condo projects would have to be built as affordable rental units under a proposed “inclusive housing ” policy. The idea is to provide housing in new strata developments for working people who are being priced out of the Victoria housing market, said Jonathan Tinney, the city’s director of planning. “This isn’t supportive housing where these are high-needs folks,” he said. “These are just households that happen to make a little bit less money than some of the people living as their next-door neighbours.” City staff estimate demand for below-market-price rental at 124 units a year — 20 per cent of the anticipated annual housing demand of 520 units. Those 124 units would include 74 for singles earning between $20,000 and $55,000 a year and 50 family units of two or more bedrooms, affordable to those earning between $35,000 and $85,000 a year. Mayor Lisa Helps called the recommendations “a good start,” noting she would like to see more focus on the provision of affordable three-bedroom units. Helps would like council to consider allowing 10 per cent more density in downtown developments than spelled out in the Official Community Plan in exchange for additional affordable units. “Overall, this is the direction we need to move,” she said. “Victoria is an inclusive city, and, if we want it to remain that way, we need to ensure that regular working people have homes here.” The inclusive housing policy would replace the city’s bonus density policy, making affordable housing units a priority over other amenities.

2 Comment(s) Scarlett 06 September 2018 05:38 This mayor seems to pull numbers out of thin air without any background to support it. She may be right or wrong, but she was proven wrong before. Luckily, elections are coming up soon.

Ricketty Rabbit 06 September 2018 08:47 If something doesn't change, we'll have to do something in Vancouver to increase the number of affordable rental units. Many have commented here that more incentive is needed for investors, and I completely agree. I think Vancouver's problem might be alleviated by bringing back tax incentives for landlords. Subsidies are one solution, though I favour tax incentives first. Singapore and Hong Kong leaders know how important it is to keep housing costs low since they are important factors in salaries paid at the low end of the wage scale. Singapore subsidizes 80% of the housing in the City-state, while Hong Kong does the same for ~ 50% of its housing. If they didn't, the costs of all their products and services would be higher, which would be a disaster for their export based economies. Just as it will be for ours. EDITORIAL: Back to traffic

North Shore News

September 5, 2018 07:00 AM

The more people who drive their kids to school, the less safe it is for those walking. file photo North Shore News

It’s back to school for thousands of school kids on the North Shore this week. And back to school means back to traffic.

In too many cases, traffic is parents driving their kids to school.

 First bell: North Shore schools prep for new academic year

The system whereby parents get to choose where their kids go to school – regardless of where they live – is partly responsible. Especially on the North Shore, specialty programs draw students from far outside their catchment areas, and even outside of the local school districts. One consequence is more cars on the roads near local schools.

There are also plenty of older school-aged kids who could walk to school but don’t. Parents sometimes cite traffic safety as a concern.

And in some cases, we’re certainly not doing all we could from a municipal perspective to provide infrastructure that would help – from decent sidewalks to well-marked crossings.

“Walking school buses” that allow kids to buddy up with neighbours for a walk to school are a good option.

Ironically, of course, the more people who drive their kids to school, the less safe it is for those walking.

Other reasons for walking include providing increasingly sedentary kids with exercise and giving them a mental boost before sitting for much of the day.

The power of habit is important. Get into the habit of walking or biking while in elementary school and that will be more likely to carry through the teen years into adulthood. Sadly, today only about half the number of kids walk to school than did when their parents were children. It doesn’t have to be this way. And then there were three - Bassam drops out of North Van mayor's race

Brent Richter , Jane Seyd / North Shore News

September 5, 2018 09:47 AM

District of North Vancouver Coun. Roger Bassam will no longer be seeking the mayor's chair. file photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News

District of North Vancouver Coun. Roger Bassam is dropping out of the race for mayor.

Bassam released a statement Friday afternoon saying he was suspending his campaign to take a promotion within the software company he works for. related

 New political party declares in North Vancouver  Mike Little running for District of North Vancouver mayor  Deep Cove filmmaker to run for District of North Van's mayor’s seat “You never know what will happen in the future but I had to make a decision. … I thought I was going to have enough runway to get through the election but I have opportunities here in my private life and the company I’m working with,” Bassam said in a later interview. “You look at the balance of personal responsibilities to your family versus seeking opportunities and following your heart. Sometimes the responsibilities weigh much more heavily.”

Bassam’s departure from the mayoralty race leaves three candidates in the contest so far.

Those include former District of North Vancouver councillor and federal Conservative candidate Mike Little, newcomer Ash Amlani who is running under the banner of the newly formed Building Bridges Electors Society and Deep Cove filmmaker and entrepreneur Erez Barzilay. It’s early days yet, however. Nominations for council positions officially open Sept. 4 and close Sept. 14.

Bassam said he is doubtful he will endorse any competitors in the mayoral race but he will be campaigning for council candidates who share the same goals as him – keeping the district growing in line with the official community plan and eventual North Vancouver amalgamation.

“We are at a pretty pivotal point for the community. I recognize there is a lot of frustration and angst that has built up over the years, but packing it in out of frustration is usually the wrong answer,” he said. “I think we have a really good official community plan in place and what we need to do is execute it well. I know there are some people who understand that, who recognize that it’s not easy but it is the best way forward for us.”

As for whether he stood a chance of winning when voters go to the polls on Oct. 20, Bassam conceded it wouldn’t have been easy, especially if voter turnout stays at traditionally low levels and incumbents are at risk.

“My calculations have always been that it would have been a little bit of an uphill battle,” he said. “I think I had a really good shot at winning if we had a high voter turnout.”

In leaving civic politics, Bassam said his hope is that voters in the next election will think about the future.

“Much as today we have minor troubles and inconveniences in our lives around transportation, think about the future because council’s decisions are not about today or tomorrow. They’re about five, 10 and 20 years from now. We need to recognize that North Vancouver district needs to be a little bit different than it is right now. We’re not going to survive as a single-family neighbourhood,” he said.

BALDREY: B.C. budget may be bad news for renters

Keith Baldrey / Contributing writer

September 12, 2018 09:04 AM

Rents could rise a maximum of 4.5 per cent next year, the biggest jump in 15 years. photo supplied Vancouver Courier Finance Minister Carol James released her first true budget update late last week and while it was mostly good news, it was quickly overshadowed by some bad news about the kind of issue that helped propel her party into power. While James held the usual full-on news conference and technical briefing to show off the financial books, the other news appeared much more quietly and with absolutely no fanfare. That’s because the NDP really does not want to talk about it: a decision to allow rents to rise a maximum of 4.5 per cent next year – the biggest jump in 15 years. That hike follows the permissible raise this year of four per cent. That works out to a total allowed rent hike of 8.5 per cent for the NDP’s first two years in power (this year’s rate hike was authorized by the NDP after it took power last summer). During the B.C. Liberals’ last five years in power the average annual rent increase was a maximum of three per cent, so already the NDP is allowing rents to be boosted well more than that, and the party is only two years into its mandate. The problem is that a formula, set by government, has long determined the maximum increase. It establishes a base of two per cent, and then adds on the inflation rate that exists at the end of July each year (this year, inflation is running at 2.5 per cent). Why this could become a major political problem for the NDP is that the latest increase pours oil on flames that have been burning out of control for some time. Not only is there a dire shortage of rental housing in Metro Vancouver (as well as the capital region), but existing rent levels are sky high, to the point of simply being unaffordable for many people. When it comes to the issue of affordability – again, the very issue that the NDP made central to its election campaign – housing is right at the top of the list. And for most people it is not about buying a home, but is instead about simply finding an affordable place to live. While a single digit increase does not sound like a lot, when it is applied to a high rent level, it can translate into a major financial hit. A person who was paying $1,500 a month back during the 2017 election campaign (in which the NDP promised to introduce a $400 “renter’s rebate”, which has yet to see the light of day), it is conceivable that person could be out nearly an additional $1,600 over the NDP’s first two years in power, because of those two rate hikes. Of course, not all property owners raise rents by the maximum (many do not raise them at all, especially if they like their tenants). And a report during the summer suggested that rents had, for the most part, begun to flat line a bit in the metro region. So, many tenants will not be affected by the increases, but thousands will be. There is no getting around that, particularly for those who live in a large apartment building where the property company that operates it simply rubber stamps the maximum hike every year. I’ve had dozens and dozens of interactions on Twitter since news of the latest increase broke, and they are a combination of people being extremely concerned to the point of becoming homeless, to landlords proudly saying they don’t raise their rents because they like their tenants, to those calling for rent control to those saying landlords cannot be financially punished simply for owning rental properties. There is no easy fix here (an imposed rent freeze would exacerbate the problem, as the supply side of housing would dry up as there would be little incentive to build) but I note NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert is heading up a government rental housing task force that will report back in the fall. Don’t be surprised if Herbert (whose riding of Vancouver-West End is ground zero for high rents) and his colleagues come back with something that nips that latest allowed rent hike in the bud before it becomes reality. Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC. [email protected] What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below. © 2018 North Shore News

B.C. mayors take aim at speculation tax Union of B.C. Municipalities delegates lobby for more say over collection and spending of proposed levy Jeremy Hainsworth / Glacier Media September 12, 2018 04:45 PM B.C. Finance Minister Carole James says the provincial speculation tax targeting empty residences will be going ahead as the government moves to ease B.C.’s housing crisis. Photograph By Jeremy Hainsworth British Columbia’s proposed real estate speculation tax will damage communities and businesses and do little to deal with the housing crisis or reduce homelessness, B.C. mayors said Sept. 12. “I believe it will be a disaster for our communities,” Langford Mayor Stewart Young said. The province pitched the tax in its February budget as a method of “tackling speculation, curbing demand, increasing housing supply and improving security for renters.” The tax will start at 0.5 per cent of 2018 assessed property value and rise to two per cent after that. The levy would apply to unoccupied or unrented second homes in the regional districts of Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria and Nanaimo, and the municipalities of Kelowna and West Kelowna. And, Finance Minister Carole James said Sept. 12, the tax legislation will be presented to the Legislature in October. “There’s a housing crisis in British Columba,” James said. “The public wants us to address it. “It’s going ahead.” James said certain areas were targeted due to low vacancy rates, high unaffordability and labour market challenges. Victoria has stressed the tax only applies to those who do not pay income taxes in B.C. In response, on Sept. 12, Union of B.C. Municipalities delegates voted to lobby the provincial government to modify the levy to empower those local governments wishing to collect such a tax and, if they make that choice, mandate that the money be invested in non-market housing. “The decision should be made locally,” said Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen. “This is a constructive attempt to find a middle course.” And, he warned, people should be wary of taxes imposed to deal with short-term issues. He pointed to the imposition of Canadian income tax in 1917. “How did that work out?” he asked. Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran said the tax would not have the desired outcome of easing the housing crisis. “What we need is a true speculation tax rather than a tax on vacant homes,” Basran said. He said more consultation should have taken place before the legislation was drafted. West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater said the tax doesn’t deal with property flipping, a major factor in real estate price increases. “A true speculation tax would be a tax on capital gains when you go to sell your home,” Findlater said. “It’s a tax on empty homes.” He said the tax has led to the cancellation of housing projects and is reducing housing. “It’s curtailing our growth.” B.C. municipalities call on province to tackle real estate speculation As mayors meet for summit in Whistler, UBCM renews call for B.C. government to do more

Joannah Connolly / Glacier Media Real Estate

September 11, 2018 12:45 PM

As mayors and provincial leaders gather for the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities summit in Whistler this week, the union is taking the opportunity to renew calls for the province to do more on real estate speculation.

In a document submitted to the province in August, the UBCM said the proposed homeowner registry, announced by the B.C. government in June to shine a light on who is buying B.C. real estate, was “an important first step.” But it added that this legislation needed to be “in conjunction with a broader suite of measures to promote affordability.” related

 Province to shine light on ‘hidden owners’ of B.C. real estate  B.C. government closes in on real estate tax evaders

Those additional measures include all levels of government co-operating on the publication of real estate sales data such as condo presale contracts, as well as setting out additional data needs, cracking down on real estate tax evasion and improving co-ordination of regulatory agencies, including the CRA and Fintrac. The UBCM document stated, “It is well known that Vancouver has become one of the least affordable places to live in the developed world, and that the housing situation in Metro Vancouver has reached a crisis point.”

UBCM’s Special Committee on Housing published a report on BC’s housing crisis earlier this year called A Home for Everyone, which set out four key measures. These were:

• a rental housing strategy to address low rental inventories;

• a demand management strategy to reduce speculation and tax evasion;

• a comprehensive homeless strategy; and

• a collaborative approach by all levels of government towards housing affordability.

“We commend the provincial government for beginning to take action to bring greater transparency to home ownership,” said Sharon Gaetz, mayor of Chilliwack and UBCM vice-president. “Knowing exactly who is purchasing home will help ensure that all real estate owners in the province pay their fair share of taxes. Closing loopholes and better transparency will lead to the kind of enforcement needed to slow speculative real estate purchases that are driving up prices in B.C. beyond what people can afford.”

At the summit Monday, Gaetz announced the UBCM would be submitting a new request to the provincial government in line with its August submission, according to a CBC report from Whistler.

“Right now in housing, there's lots of shell companies, numbered companies and blind trusts that are able to hide ownership, and we think that the data of knowing who owns the homes will really help us in determining our policy.”

Bear bylaw taking bite out of garbage scofflaws Mayor's message by District of North Vancouver Mayor Richard Walton

Richard Walton / North Shore News

September 10, 2018 06:12 PM

A hungry bruin makes a snack out of a North Shore resident's garbage. Photo supplied by Ian Johnson

Living with wilderness in our backyards is one of the biggest blessings of living on the North Shore, but it comes with a unique set of responsibilities. With the great outdoors so close to home, it is important to remember that we share these spaces with wildlife. It’s up to each of us to take measures to keep our neighbourhoods safe for all.

This summer, the District of North Vancouver began piloting a program in partnership with the North Shore Black Bear Society to enforce its Solid Waste Removal bylaw, which limits how early garbage and organics carts can be set curbside on collection day. The bylaw requires that containers for garbage, food waste, yard trimmings and recyclable material be placed out for collection no earlier than 5:30 a.m. and no later than 7:30 a.m. on designated collection days.

Garbage and organics carts tempt bears and other wildlife into residential areas, especially if containers are left out for long periods of time. Reducing the time these materials sit curbside means fewer reasons for wildlife, such as bears, to wander into our neighbourhoods looking for easy snacks. While our new locking carts are animal-resistant, they are not animal-proof. The locks help to deter wildlife but the best deterrent is handling your waste properly. Once a bear becomes reliant on and accustomed to human food as its main food source, it is no longer able to be rehabilitated or relocated and must be destroyed. In B.C. last year, approximately 600 bears were euthanized due to these types of interactions with humans.

The Early Set-Out pilot program reminds residents of their responsibilities when it comes to placing their waste containers curbside. Residents placing containers out before 5:30 a.m. or leaving containers curbside for longer than 18 hours after collection are subject to a $100 fine; and residents placing containers out after 7:30 a.m. may not have their material collected.

Early numbers show that the pilot is having a positive impact. In one pilot neighbourhood of 163 households, instances of carts being placed out too early fell from 25 carts to none in the first three weeks. If this pilot program is successful in reducing the number of carts set out too early, it will be deployed on an ongoing basis to neighbourhoods where this is an issue.

There are also other steps you can take to make your garbage and food waste less tempting to wildlife: when placing food scraps in the organics cart, freeze or wrap them in newspaper beforehand; and take a moment to rinse out the inside of your organics cart occasionally to help prevent the buildup of food odours.

Backyards can also be home to other wildlife attractants. Fruit trees with ripe fruit and easily accessible bird feeders are prime examples of things that will draw a bear or other animal into residential properties. For tips on how to bear-proof your backyard visit dnv.org/bear-aware.

Sometimes a gentle reminder is all it takes for us to remember how our daily habits have an impact on wildlife and that with just a little extra effort, we can coexist peacefully.

A8 | NEWS nsnews.com north shore news FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2018

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t was dangerous, unwieldy, incompe- for a project that now might never happen. tently constructed and desperately in We wouldn’t mind the emperor having need of replacement. Yes, the National no clothes if he weren’t spending 10 figures IEnergy Board had many flaws, and on invisible attire. that’s why the Trans Mountain pipeline Having positioned themselves as guard- expansion has been stopped – for now. ians of Canada’s wildlife and waterways, Canada’s federal court of appeal essen- some Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish First tially plugged the pipeline Wednesday, in Nations representatives greeted the ver- part because the federal review process dict by declaring: “We are winning.” gave Indigenous people a chance “to blow So who’s losing? off steam,” and nothing more. In a unani- Hopefully, no one. Yes, Prime Minister mous decision, the judges noted concerns Justin Trudeau will pay a political price over the environmental impact of shipping that may make billions in white collar 890,000 barrels a day were essentially welfare look like chump change. But we ignored. contend that the federal court has merely We would offer pity to the poor fools forced Trudeau to do what he should have stuck paying the bill for that pipeline, if done in the first place: abandon fossil fuels only we weren’t those same fools. and treat global warming like it’s the most Our federal government, apparently serious threat Canada has ever faced. under the illusion they knew more about Four billion dollars is a ludicrous price oil pipelines than an oil pipeline company, to pay to learn that lesson. But if we’ve agreed to pay Kinder Morgan $4.5 billion learned, it’s money well-spent. Beware candidates who boast simple solutions

onfession time: I’m The opinion piece, by Tim ownership to slip out of the America, etc. all survived, their rude inheritors try to addicted to British Montgomerie, prompted a grasp of an entire generation. bonuses intact, while they cope amid the rubble? Cnewspapers. flash of insight into Donald The point of have to work – and shop – at The problem with people I know; how Trump’s mysteriously Montgomerie’s piece was to Walmart. who tell you what you want boring is that? But I’ve been enduring appeal to his base warn Teresa May from doing In saner times, the popu- to hear is that’s all they’re known to pay double figures supporters. “Trump beat the the same thing, although the lists cringe in the shadows, good at, usually. They don’t for the 10-kilo edition of the establishment in his own jig is pretty much up for the but for too long, the Centre, often come with a plan that Sunday Telegraph or the party and then Hillary Clinton United Kingdom’s Tories. Too burdened by the art of the works in the real world. Sunday Times. because he was perceived dependent on business and possible, never mind the art Here in North Van, we Fortunately, these days I to be his own man.” Unlike the elites, May and company of the deal, has been stuck complain about the fallout can feed my addiction online Clinton, “who collected huge seem helpless against the in the quagmire of the status of development and density. – the Guardian is even free. The North Side fees after delivering private hordes of Jeremy Corbyn, quo. So we’re tempted to let Quality of life is deteriorat- Bonus. speeches to Wall Street who seems at least as unat- someone else try – Donald, ing but the only candidates Here’s the thing: above a Paul Sullivan banks.” Unlike Malcolm tractive a package as Trump, Bernie, Jeremy, that guy in offering refreshing simple certain line of literacy, British Turnbull in Australia, ousted only on the left. Italy, what’s his name? solutions are those who are papers are better. Below that education: erudition. for being beholden to big “As in America (And All this leads me to refreshingly simple. line, beneath the Express, Sometimes the quality business. He even cited the Alberta! And B.C.!) voters wonder what impact So, to those serious, let’s say, they’re obsessed is astonishing. A few days end of the 44-year reign of who are desperate for a new decades of stasis will mean responsible candidates wor- with starlets “showing off ago, in the Sunday Times, Alberta’s Conservatives, who economic settlement seem in the upcoming municipal ried about being trampled in their bikini bods.” But north I read Germaine Greer on held their noses and voted willing to forgive or at least elections. a populist stampede, I can of that line, wondrous prose. rape and was compelled to for Rachel Notley in 2015 overlook weaknesses that Gone are decent, cautious only offer the quiet wisdom I’m not sure why. Charles drag my male sensibility instead of endorsing tax cuts would have been electorally leaders like Richard Walton. of Tim Montgomerie in Dickens once launched a further up the steep climb for the relentless rich. fatal until recently.” Now Will this be an opportunity the Times of London: “The daily in London and perhaps toward understanding on the He could have mentioned that’s an understatement. for those who lead constitu- protection of the ‘little guy’ his successors feel compelled strength of her prose alone. the end of Christy Clark As we mark the 10th encies of the disenchanted to from any concentration of to keep up the standard. Or And just recently, I read a and the 16-year B.C. Liberal anniversary of the 2008 Great stomp in? Will those who are power should be the ... mis- maybe it’s one of the few ben- piece by a Big C Conservative regime for being cheerfully Recession, the middle class perceived as in the pockets sion today – whether that efits of a private (known in commentator that made me out of touch with the middle is reminded that Lehman of the developers end up England as “public”) school think. I know, right? class and allowing home Brothers, Ford, Bank of politically homeless while See Look page 9

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1 of 3 9/15/2018 9:21 AM BUILDING TOMORROW http://vancouversun.pressreader.com/vancouver-sun/20180915

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3 of 3 9/15/2018 9:21 AM Capilano Heights Chinese restaurant bids farewell ... for now

Maria Spitale-Leisk / North Shore News

September 15, 2018 10:30 PM

The long-standing Capilano Heights Chinese Restaurant recently closed its doors, but there are plans in place to reopen following redevelopment. Kathleen Sun, above, started working alongside her father C.C. in the restaurant in 2005, eventually taking over and carrying on the family tradition. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News This past Labour Day at 9 p.m. marked the end of an era on Capilano Road when a local institution quietly closed its doors – for now. “I have been coming to this restaurant since I was a kid,” reads a nostalgia-tinged online review of Capilano Heights Chinese Restaurant. Chances are you celebrated a family birthday, wedding or anniversary here, too. Or maybe it was Mother’s Day or Christmas Eve. Those were owner Kathleen Sun’s busiest and most memorable occasions in this expansive restaurant, known for its glass atrium in the dining room offering views of the surrounding trees. It was love at first sight when Kathleen’s father, C.C. Sun, first set eyes on this property that basks in the view of snow-capped, majestic twin peaks. C.C. had immigrated to Canada when he was 19 and spent most of his young adulthood toiling under artificial light in a produce warehouse in Vancouver. He later dipped a toe in the local hospitality industry, working as a bartender at the popular Chinese restaurant, Lotus Gardens. From behind the bar C.C. made mental notes of what his dream restaurant would look like. He was prompted to act on his culinary fantasy when a pink slip arrived in his box at work. Kathleen has committed to memory this part of C.C.’s story – one that’s steeped in perseverance and some luck. “And he says: ‘What do I do? I'm forty- something. I have three kids and a wife and I've never done anything else.’” The outside exterior of Capilano Heights Chinese restaurant - photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News Well, C.C. took a chance. He opened his first restaurant, in Chinatown. But something still didn’t feel right about it. C.C. was always under the thumb of his landlord and his customers struggled to find parking in congested Chinatown. “He said, ‘One day I'm going to find a place that I can own,’” recalls Kathleen. Driving around the North Shore one day in 1972, Kathleen’s parents spotted a shuttered restaurant – departed British roast beef joint, Hadrian's Garden – on Capilano Road. There was a sign on the building that said “Sold.” “Well, my mom said: phone (the Realtor) anyways ... because sometimes things don’t work out. And that was the beginning (of Capilano Heights),” says Kathleen. One of the first touches C.C. added was black Chinese characters on the exterior entrance of his restaurant; he christened it, “Lions Forest.” C.C.’s opening day was smack in the middle between Christmas and New Year’s Day. It was a humble, unadvertised event. “The first night two couples came in, and they told their friends and they told their friends. And by the end of the week, that was it – it was lined up out the door,” says Kathleen. At the same time C.C.’s daughter’s life was taking off in many directions. Kathleen was a legal secretary, sold cars and worked for a notary public – eventually becoming a mother of four. But she always checked in with her dad on northern Capilano Road. “Do you need me to come and work with you?” Kathleen would ask. C.C. always declined the assistance – until he had heart bypass surgery. Starting in 2005, Kathleen learned alongside her father in the restaurant. Eventually, she took over the reins and carried on C.C.’s legacy at Capilano Heights. Surveying the room, in the fading hours of the restaurant’s great room, Kathleen shares some of the stories she has collected. Many brides and grooms chose her place for their wedding or rehearsal dinner. After hearing news of the closure, longtime customers dropped by the restaurant or called to reminisce with Kathleen. Faithful patrons savoured their last lemon chicken meal. “The main thing I've been hearing is: This is the place for all their family celebrations,” says Kathleen. “Every birthday, every anniversary, every get-together is here. And I think that’s why the sentiment is running so high.” That sentiment is echoed online in cascading complimentary reviews for Capilano Heights. “Order the lemon chicken and the ‘this and that’ chow mein – you will not be disappointed.” Or: “Their ginger beef and sweet and sour pork are really second to none.” Owner Kathleen Sun recalls numerous birthdays, weddings and other celebrations that took place in her restaurant’s expansive glass atrium dining room - photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News Kathleen has a customer who drives to Capilano Road from Portland for her deep-fried garlic pork fix. Then there are the regulars from Maple Ridge who make the trek to North Van – just for takeout from Capilano Heights. This summer Kathleen broke the news to her “unbelievably loyal” customers. She was going to close the restaurant, but with a plan to rebuild it – plus add residential around the site. A reimagined Capilano Heights site would have four condos on top of the restaurant and 12 townhouses lining a central courtyard towards the east side of the property. “The residential is large – it’s meant for the missing middle,” explains Kathleen. “The four condos on top of the restaurant are three-bedroom and about 1,800 square feet ... and they have rooftop patios." The proposed four-bedroom townhouses would be close to 2,000 square feet spread over three storeys. All the parking will be going underground, for both the restaurant and the residential – the latter separated by a security gate. In its new iteration, the Chinese restaurant will be fronted by floor-to-ceiling glass and retractable doors that can be opened for al fresco dining. The plans also call for an outdoor patio facing Capilano Road. Inside the new restaurant, which will be about 3,000 square feet, Kathleen is aiming to keep the original ambience but add a modern flavour. Her vision is to create a flexible space, achieved through moveable dividers. Kathleen can see a lounge upstairs and perhaps a coffee/bubble tea/gelato nook in a bottom corner of the building. “The big restaurant prototype is now passé almost,” she explains. Asked why she wants to get into the housing game, Kathleen says revenue from the residential will off-set the cost of the new restaurant. Kathleen set the plans in motion two years ago, tapping Ciccozzi Architecture for the project. In 2016 two public meetings were held before a redevelopment application was sent to the District of North Vancouver that December. While the application is still in planning purgatory, Kathleen decided to close the restaurant before getting the green light from the district, “because, well, my place is falling apart.” The process of waiting for a permit could take a long time “with a great deal of uncertainty,” and that’s unfair to her longtime staff, says Kathleen. One server in particular, Daisy, has been part of the family at Capilano Heights for 33 years. District of North Vancouver spokeswoman Kamilah Charters-Gabanek confirmed the 5020 Capilano Rd. application is currently under staff review. A formal public information meeting to introduce a more detailed plan was held on Jan. 18. No other neighbourhood meetings are scheduled at this point, according to Charters- Gabanek. Some concerns district planning staff have received to date, through the public input process, include the need for a zoning variance to allow ground floor residential and a desire to retain mature trees on the site. Parking and traffic in the area were also brought up as concerns, specifically sightlines at the intersection of Capilano Road and Clements Avenue. On the subject of green space, Kathleen explains there are trees on the lot where the townhouses are proposed to be built. “This is a sore point with some neighbours, but there is a whole mountain full of trees just above us and a whole lot across the street at the (Cleveland) Dam and trails,” says Kathleen. “We are trying to preserve some (trees), but their root systems are huge and I don't think they would survive with the parking underneath.” Kathleen’s hope is to pass the apron on to the next generation. The plan is to have her son and daughter-in-law at the helm of Capilano Heights 2.0. Kathleen says for six years the couple ran a successful restaurant in Taipei, called the Drunken Monkey, which is featured in the Lonely Planet travel guide book. Ultimately for Kathleen, rebuilding is about carrying on tradition. C.C. passed away in April 2013 at the age of 85. “We just really want to come back to preserve my dad’s legacy and to keep up the community thing that we are,” says Kathleen of Capilano Heights. Affixing the familiar “Lions Forest” lettering will be the first order of business. © 2018 North Shore News City of North Van to require that pot shop visitors sign in

Jeremy Shepherd / North Shore News

August 29, 2018 01:20 PM

Getting beyond the reception desk at a medicinal pot shop will take more than a wink and a smile, as the City of North Vancouver has made it mandatory to show photo ID. file photo Paul McGrath, North Shore News

The days of signing into medicinal pot shops as Anita Bonghit may be over in the City of North Vancouver.

While pot shops in the city are banned pending legalization, council unanimously supported a new business licence bylaw making it mandatory for customers and visitors at medical pot shops to show photo ID to get past the reception desk. Those names must also be recorded in a visitor’s log to be maintained for two years.

Pot shop proprietors, employees and volunteers will be required to undergo a criminal background and reference check before beginning work. Investors with a financial interest of more than $25,000 in a pot shop will need similar clearance.

The new rules also boost the base fee for business licences from $111 to $128.

Mayor Darrell Mussatto previously asked for assurances the city wasn’t profiting from licence fees. “You get absolutely nothing back for it, other than you get your business registered at the city,” he said at a May council meeting. “I just don’t want to see it as a cash grab for the city.”

Mussatto joined council in supporting the new fee structure after hearing support from representatives of both the Lower Lonsdale Business Improvement Area and the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.

The support was largely based on the efficiencies gained by cutting the number of business categories from 570 to 112.

The current system is “unreasonably cumbersome and time consuming to administer,” according to city staff.

The change was appreciated by Coun. Craig Keating, who drew on German history in his remarks.

“Back in the 1700s there used to be 500 and some odd different German principalities. By 1848 they got down to 38, so we’re making progress,” he said.

The only note of concern was voiced by Sailor Hagar’s co-owner Brian Riedlinger, who complained liquor primary licences cost more than the licence for a restaurant that serves alcohol.

“Some of the food primary licences in the City of North Vancouver, because of their sheer size, and/or their business practices, sell more alcohol than Sailor Hagar’s pub on a daily basis,” he said.

Following Riedlinger’s comments, Keating asked city staff for a report and suggested equalizing licence fees for pubs and late-night restaurants prior to the bylaw’s final approval.

After three years of flat fees, a $17 hike represents a “very fair increase,” according to Coun. Holly Back.

The change is welcome, but Coun. Rod Clark suggested the next council continue to reduce the number of business categories.

“We’re making progress but we have a ways to go,” he said.

“Progress is fine,” Keating responded. “We eventually got down to one Germany and it didn’t always work out for the best.”

The District of North Vancouver charges a base fee of $299.40 for a one- or two-person business and $735.80 for a business with 20 employees. The fees escalate for every 10 employees to a maximum charge of $4,666.

West Vancouver charges $147 to license most businesses operating in a space less than 750 square feet and an extra $91 for each additional 1,000 square feet. Other fees dip as low as $124 for small businesses such as catering and dog walking companies.

CITY SLAMMING THROUGH DESTRUCTIVE NEW ZONING http://vancouversun.pressreader.com/vancouver-sun/20180915

Character neighbourhoods destroyed by bad policy, says Elizabeth Murphy.

Recent information on the costs of transit and utility upgrades for growth raise concerns and questions. What is becoming clearer is how much the public is being asked to subsidize the transit providers and development industries that benefit from these plans while making life less affordable, livable and sustainable for people.

Neighbourhoods are being rezoned in an incompetent, mad rush to accommodate this growth agenda — most of which is unaffordable and unnecessary to meet population growth — without community involvement or adequate consideration of the impacts on finances, society or the environment. This is not in the public interest. It is the result of big money controlling governments, especially at the civic level, where developer funding of elections has resulted in their overbearing influence on housing and development policies. Although there have been recent changes to campaign financing rules, this influence still exists. The costs of the Broadway subway, from VCC-Clark Drive station to Arbutus, have ballooned to almost $500 million per kilometre for the 5.7 kilometres, to $2.83 billion. The funding split is 31 per cent federal, 41 per cent provincial and 28 per cent regional, a long way from the original 40-40-20 split previously confirmed by governments. Now the region, mostly Vancouver, will have to come up with more funding to cover its portion, partly as property tax revenue. Transit is primarily a federal and provincial funding responsibility, so the increased burden on municipalities takes away from their ability to finance municipal services. It is a form of download- ing. And talk continues about extending the subway further to the University of B.C. for an additional $4 billion. These numbers are staggering, yet more affordable transit options like trolleys and trams are not being considered. Additionally, the B.C. property surtax proposed to take effect in 2019 would be a precedent-setting provincial encroachment on the municipal tax base. All of these accumulated burdens make the financing of civic services to meet growth that much more difficult. The shift from the Livable Region Strategic Plan in 1996 to the 2011 Regional Growth Strategy has di-

1 of 3 9/15/2018 9:31 AM CITY SLAMMING THROUGH DESTRUCTIVE NEW ZONING http://vancouversun.pressreader.com/vancouver-sun/20180915

rected the emphasis to growth objectives. As land values have increased due to speculative inflation from rezoning for more density, demolitions of older, more affordable buildings have increased, with more people displaced, causing skyrocketing homelessness and unaffordability. Most of the new supply is unaffordable for both owners and renters and often left empty. Now the enormous costs of servicing this growth agenda are emerging with the need for billions to up- grade utility services. The city’s consultants confirmed as far back as 2014 that there is more than enough existing zoned capacity to meet population growth beyond 2041. Yet the city continues a manic rush to rezone. The most recent example is the rushed rezoning of Kitsilano RT7/RT8, Cedar Cottage RT10 and all the RS zones citywide of 68,000 properties, all without public consultation. The public hearing for all of this is coming Sept. 18 at 3 p.m. There was only one open house for each massive rezoning in Kitsilano and Cedar Cottage, both held last week. The city proposes replacing Kitsilano’s excellent RT7/RT8 zoning that was custom made for the neighbourhood by former senior planner Trish French. Over five years, she worked closely with the community to create the zonings. RT8 was designed for the area north of 4th Avenue, with its larger houses on small lots. RT7 was designed for the area between 4th Avenue and Broadway, as well as an area west of Arbutus, that had smaller houses on larger lots. The objective of the zones was to retain character houses and the many rental suites while allowing appropriate new development that fits within the character of the neighbourhood. It has proven over decades to accomplish this well. They have avoided the plague of demolitions, new monster houses, speculative empty units, assemblies and spot rezonings that has claimed the rest of the city. Former city senior urban designer and architect Scot Hein remembers well the excellent process to create RT7/RT8. He commented that these are the best zones in the city. If anything, they should be tweaked, not replaced. However, replacement is what is proposed. This is an incompetent rush job executed by unsympathetic planners who seem willing to sacrifice good planning principles and processes for more new unaffordable units at any cost and to deal with the mistakes later. They didn’t even get the notice to the neighbourhood right. The notice for Cedar Cottage was sent to Kitsi- lano. Then the city sent out another notice for Kitsilano once they realized the mistake, but some people didn’t get it until the day of the open house. Then the meeting was just an information session without allowing much opportunity for input. They ran out of feedback forms within the first hour and didn’t get more until the open house was almost finished. The form only asked about the process for the open house and a blank line for further comments. The entire back- side was data mining for information about the participant: owner/renter, where they live, age, sex, etc. Noth- ing about what they thought of the proposal. People chained themselves to bulldozers to get the existing zoning in place. Although the zoning has worked well, with the stroke of a pen it will be replaced by inferior zoning that will lead to many problems — more demolitions, loss of character houses with rentals and strata units, gutted design guidelines, speculative development and loss of affordability. The open houses for the 68,000 properties in RS zones were up next. This is an even worse process, with no consultation while affecting most of the city. There is no disincentive for demolitions, so these proposals for outright development will be only a further incentive for more loss of character houses and undermines retention options. Even the flawed RT5 would be a better option. This all needs reconsideration. There needs to be a transparent inventory of existing zoned capacity, how much is likely to be built out

2 of 3 9/15/2018 9:31 AM CITY SLAMMING THROUGH DESTRUCTIVE NEW ZONING http://vancouversun.pressreader.com/vancouver-sun/20180915

and what more, if any, is needed in each neighbourhood to meet actual projected population growth. There should also be a full audited review of city finances and a requirement of line-by-line budgets to transparently disclose where all the funding is going and the full cost of growth. Each neighbourhood has unique character that should be enhanced by ensuring growth is done at a scale that works within that character. The growth should be affordable, or what are we gaining ? Neighbourhoods are being rezoned in an incompetent, mad rush to accommodate this growth agenda. ELIZABETH MURPHY, project manager Elizabeth Murphy is a project manager and formerly a property development officer for the City of Van- couver’s housing and properties department and for B.C. Housing. She can be reached at info@elizabethmur- phy.ca

3 of 3 9/15/2018 9:31 AM LETTER: 13-storey tower hardly a ‘good fit’ on Eastern Avenue

North Shore News

August 24, 2018 09:59 AM

Council's approval of the 13- storey rental tower includes plans for a new city-owned park. image supplied

Dear Editor:

Re: CNV Sold on 13-storey Rental Building; Eastern Ave. Project Provides Parking, Park, Aug. 1 news story.

 City of North Van council sold on 13-storey rental building

“A good fit?” The arguments made by city council to approve a 13-storey building in a residential neighbourhood are deeply flawed. One should be sorry that planners don’t know this. Praising (property developer) Anthem for their “sensitivity and respect” (Coun. Linda Buchanan) is sentimental in the face of the rents in the new building and uprooting families. “Greater density would be a good fit” (Mayor Darrell Mussatto) ignores the reality that this small neighbourhood with narrow streets and character will become another annex to urban sprawl that has shoved out 55 rental units. Of course “character” with “old buildings” (1950s) is obsolete. A 10-year moratorium (10 per cent below market rate) on 23 rental units is hardly an answer. It’s clear that council members do not live in the neighbourhood and do not understand the costs of congestion and how traffic will have an impact on this neighbourhood.

Eastern Avenue is already congested at the intersection with 15th Street and will become more congested in the future.

Jerry Zaslove North Vancouver

Condo prices up, single-family home prices down— that's this summer's real estate story in Vancouver

Over the past 12 months, the benchmark price for detached properties is down 14.6 percent in Point Grey and 14 percent in Kerrisdale by Charlie Smith on September 10th, 2018 at 3:58 PM https://www.straight.com/news/1134541/condo-prices-single-family-home-prices-down-thats-summers-real-estate-story-vancouve r

 Homeowners with West Side condos did not see anywhere near the same drop in values as those who own West Side single-family homes. Charlie Smith

During the 2017 provincial election campaign, NDP candidates didn't explicitly state that they wanted to drive down home prices.

POLL

Should Premier John Horgan only allow landlords to increase rents at the rate of inflation rather than two percent plus inflation?

Yes No

RELATED STORIES  Mayoral candidate Shauna Sylvester wants Vancouver to be North American capital of co-ops and cohousing  Mayoral candidate Kennedy Stewart targets foreign buyers in Vancouver housing plan  The upside and downside of B.C. NDP government housing policies  Neil Moody: Housing speculation tax leads to unwanted economic consequences  Housing sales plummet, according to Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

However, they did say that they were going to make housing more affordable.

Here's how that's translated in Vancouver:

* single-family home prices have fallen off sharply;

* and condo prices are up significantly.

So if you're in the market for a $3-million home, yes, housing has become more affordable.

But you're out of luck if you're looking for a $400,000 condo—those prices are much higher.

The latest numbers from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver show that in August, the benchmark sale price for a single-family home in Point Grey was down 14.6 percent from a year ago.

For detached properties in MacKenzie Heights, the annual drop was 14.4 percent. Elsewhere on the West Side, Kerrisdale was off 14 percent, Kitsilano was down 11.8 percent, and Quilchena declined by 9.3 percent for detached properties.

The fall in single-family home prices wasn't as severe on the East Side: South Vancouver fell 6.5 percent, Main was down by 7 percent, Fraserview was off by 5 percent, and Renfrew Heights and Fraser declined by 3.8 percent.

In every area on the East Side, condo benchmark prices went up in August over the same month in 2017. Increases ranged from 3.5 percent in Mount Pleasant to 19.9 percent in Killarney. Two other East Side neighbourhood with significant condo price increases were Fraserview (18.8 percent) and Champlain Heights (16.8 percent).

The benchmark price for condos also increased in every West Side neighbourhood on an annual basis, ranging from 4.2 percent in Oakridge to 12.4 percent in Marpole. The western section of Mount Pleasant was up by 2.1 percent, the West End was up 2.5 percent, and Coal Harbour rose by a staggering 17.4 percent.

Deep Cove filmmaker to run for District of North Van's mayor’s seat

Jeremy Shepherd / North Shore News

August 31, 2018 07:22 AM

Municipal infrastructure needs to precede development in the District of North Vancouver, according to mayoralty candidate Erez Barzilay. photo supplied

Now that he’s up to speed, newly announced District of North Vancouver mayoralty candidate Erez Barzilay is ready to slow things down.

The Deep Cove resident announced his bid for the mayor’s chair recently, emphasizing the need to end to what he described as: ““unrestricted irresponsible development.”

“People were shocked by those towers in Seylynn,” he said, discussing the 32- and 28-storey towers at Mountain Highway and Fern Street. “Who would have thought about that, let alone vote for that?”

While Barzilay is a critic of the district’s current council, he supported the June decision to delay a critical vote on Darwin Properties’ Maplewood Innovation District, which was slated to include 4,500 tech-centric jobs and approximately 900 condo and rental units.

“I’m happy that Darwin is rethinking,” he said.

The filmmaker and entrepreneur also expressed skepticism about Darwin’s plan to include 450 rental units offered at 10 per cent below market rates for North Shore employees.

“Is it enough to incite a family to move from Langley to North Van?” he asked. “I don’t think that anybody moves his or her family for $1,200 in potential savings.” Barzilay suggested a more modest development could win his support.

While developers like Darwin are “vital for our existence,” Barzilay said the crucial questions for council centre on the size of development projects and the speed at which they’re approved.

“You can’t just clog these arteries and bring so many people so fast,” he said.

Barzilay’s campaign literature emphasizes “responsible development,” which he defines as providing adequate transit, hospitals, schools, fires and police stations before allowing significant population growth.

“Responsibility means that you update the infrastructure and you bring the people when it’s safe,” he said.

Barzilay was dubious about the notion of luring the missing generation back to North Vancouver through increased density.

“I personally don’t see the connection between affordability and densification,” he said.

In a video featured on his website, Barzilay explained that: “Increasing property taxes is not the solution for affordable housing.”

If elected mayor, Barzilay said his “main hope” would be to work with federal and provincial governments on a plan to ease gridlock.

While TransLink vice-president of planning Geoff Cross has said that transit is allocated based on jobs, density and overall population, Barzilay suggested other options could be explored.

“I really hope that we can somehow find a way to convince TransLink to come in before that,” he said, suggesting a pilot project featuring a few express bus lines could demonstrate the viability of putting more transit in the district – particularly in the under-served neighbourhoods east of Maplewood.

Other regions in the world have solved similar traffic problems, “without building the entire place up and densifying,” Barzilay said.

Having not served on district council previously, Barzilay suggested his candidacy will add another voice to the political conversation.

Despite extensive public hearings, many district residents don’t feel they are part of the political process, Barzilay said.

“A major part of responsibility is listening to the people,” he said.

The municipal election is set to take place Oct. 20.

Deep Cove residents are fed up with boating live-aboards Suspected sewage dumping among concerns

Maria Spitale-Leisk / North Shore News

August 28, 2018 03:30 PM

A superyacht, sailboats, watercraft and kayaks all jockey for space in the waters off Deep Cove on a busy day in August. Some residents say they are fed up with live-aboards in the Cove creating environmental and liability concerns. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News Boaters overstaying their welcome is a perennial concern in Deep Cove but now some residents say they are fed up, citing reports of noisy generators running all night and encounters with human waste and feminine hygiene products on the water. On a recent Sunday in August, avid paddle boarder Jay Inouye was out in the Cove with his 11-year-old daughter and steered through a sludge slick. related  EDITORIAL: Save our splendour “And in the middle of it was a feminine hygiene product lapping against (the board),” described Inouye, who, on another occasion, paddled into some human excrement that smeared the side of his surfski. Surveying the harbour around noon on Aug. 17, Deep Cove Kayak co-owner Bob Putnam watched a group of kids on kayaks trying to navigate the congested waters. Putnam pointed to two vessels anchored just off shore from his shop, recognizing them as not having moved for a long time and becoming part of the Cove landscape. “Some of them are habituated,” said Putnam. Live-aboards in the Cove are creating environmental and liability concerns, say some residents and business owners. Many of the boats aren’t outfitted with proper lighting for nighttime navigation, from what Putnam has observed. “A lot of these guys don’t have holding tanks,” said Putnam, who has also found a used tampon floating in the water. “A lot of the time in the mornings you can see sludge slicks around here.” Among the inventory of boats docked offshore in the Cove around mid-August was a superyacht, and a sailboat whose owner has been advertising on Airbnb, offering tours of the area aboard his “pirate ship.” “Well if he does, where is he emptying his head?” questioned Inouye. Deep Cove Kayak co-owner Bob Putnam and avid paddle boarder Jay Inouye are concerned about the water quality in the area after seeing sludge slicks crop up that they suspect are coming from live- aboard or transient boaters who dump their raw sewage in Deep Cove - photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News Under federal law, it is illegal to dump sewage from boats within three nautical miles of shore. The closest public pump-out station to Deep Cove is at a marina near Lions Gate Bridge. Despite reports of sewage dumping, the water quality in Deep Cove has been excellent throughout the summer – and, in fact, for the past few years, according to North Shore medical health officer, Dr. Mark Lysyshyn. However, E. coli counts are one thing, opines Inouye, but it’s still a concern if a boater empties their sewage tank in the water. “Yeah, it’s going to dilute but it doesn’t mean I want to swim through it,” said Inouye. Legally, boats are allowed to drop anchor in Deep Cove indeterminately. Canadian maritime law states: “Vessels have the right to anchor for a reasonable period of time to rest, carry out re-provision or to complete repairs as long as it is not in an anchoring-restricted area as described under the Canada Shipping Act (2001) or another federal statute.” The law does not quantify a reasonable length of time for anchorage, according to Transport Canada, which also oversees marine pollution enforcement. Transport Canada spokeswoman Annie Joannette said they are aware of boats extending their stay in Deep Cove and are assessing the situation. “The next step is to speak to the vessel owners,” stated Joannette in an email. On the subject of sewage discharge complaints, Joannette said Transport Canada investigates on a case-by-case basis to verify the vessel in question has proper sewage management equipment. Disciplinary actions range from warning letters to withholding inspection certificates, monetary penalties and prosecution, with a maximum fine of $25,000. “Although it could be difficult to locate the exact source of marine pollution after the fact,” added Joannette. In an effort to gain control over anchoring time in the Cove, the District of North Vancouver is now looking at a recent court case from Victoria in which a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled the city has the authority to regulate the Gorge waterway. Vessel and dock owners were given 60 days to remove their property from the waterway, according to a March 5 article in the Times Colonist newspaper. On the heels of that decision, the district is considering following suit. “We are exploring that with our lawyers right now,” said David Stuart, the district’s chief administrative officer. “If in fact we do have that authority as a result of this court case, then I’ll probably be recommending to council some kind of a (bylaw) which would limit the amount of time that you could actually moor in Deep Cove.” Victoria’s bylaw limits boat owners to 48 consecutive hours of moorage in one spot, and a maximum of 72 hours in 30 days. The district has received complaints recently about live-aboards in the Cove and it will investigate if there are issues that fall under their jurisdiction, said Stuart, citing a case of a boater running a generator at all hours of the day and night in contravention of noise bylaws. Stuart said he is also aware of another complaint, involving drugs on a boat, which the RCMP were sent to investigate. Anticipating a proliferation of live-aboards not only in the Cove, but also around the region, Stuart said the district has been in regular talks with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority about the issue. While some residents raised concern in May about a few derelict boats in the Cove, the district said none of them were abandoned. Putnam’s ultimate concern is environmental protection and for the water quality in the Cove. Inouye agrees, saying action on extended anchoring is long overdue. “Every summer it’s bad, it’s just that no one really does much about it,” said Inouye. © 2018 North Shore News

District of North Vancouver mayoralty hopeful Roger Bassam pulls out of race

Jane Seyd / North Shore News

August 31, 2018 05:12 PM

District of North Vancouver Coun. Roger Bassam announced Friday he is pulling out of the race for mayor.

In a statement released late Friday afternoon, Bassam wrote, “Effective today I have suspended my campaign for mayor of the District of North Vancouver.”

Bassam wrote that “While I remain passionate about this community and have deep concerns about our future I have made the decision to pursue a private sector opportunity. I do this in recognition that my family obligations trump my personal desire to participate in our local politics and lead our municipality.”

Bassam has served three terms on council since 2008. Speaking to the North Shore News at the time he announced his run for mayor he said he was inspired to seek the top job, in part, because of his dissatisfaction with the rollout of locking garbage bins. To him, it was emblematic of a council that had lost its focus on serving residents.

“I think it’s a pretty pivotal time in the district,” he said. “It was kind of step up or step away.”

On Friday, Bassam said in his statement that while district is in good shape financially, it is “at a crossroads philosophically.” “Government is painfully slow,” he wrote, adding he hopes the community “chooses to stay the course and implement the OCP fully and within the 20-year horizon.” But he added, “I have my doubts this will happen. We appear to be far more concerned with the inconveniences of today than the consequences our inaction will have upon our children.”

Bassam also lamented in his statement what he described as a “meaner” politics on the municipal stage.

“Perhaps it is a cascade effect from the toxic populist politics that are dominating the United States and shown on media everywhere,” he wrote, adding, “I fear the days of reasonable and rational thoughtful debate on the issues are over. We have politicians who have spent decades in office and now clearly feel entitled to behave awfully and ignore the rules which govern council conduct.”

“I will not miss the ‘alternative facts’ and awful conduct that dominated this past council term. We can be better,” he wrote.

He added he hopes “our community embraces change and stops fearing it.”

Bassam was not available for an interview with the North Shore News prior to releasing his statement late on Friday afternoon.

Bassam’s depature from the mayoralty race leaves three candidates in the contest so far.

Those include former District of North Vancouver councillor Mike Little, newcomer Ash Amlani who is running under the banner of the newly-formed Building Bridges Electors Society and Deep Cove filmmaker and entrepreneur Erez Barzilay.

It’s early days yet, however.

Nominations for council positions officially open Sept. 4 and close Sept. 14.

Voters cast their ballots Oct. 20

A36 | NEIGHBOURHOODS nsnews.com north shore news FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2018 DNV to mull 36-unit condo project Two houses on Lynn Valley Road may be swapped for 36 market condo units. Developer Allaire Headwater Residences is proposing to build the low-rise condo building at 1149-1155 Lynn Valley Rd. on a site currently occupied by two single-family homes. The project was submitted to the district in January and the developer held a Kevin Vallely, the Lynn Valley author of Rowing the Northwest Passage, is slated to discuss public information session his attempt to traverse the Northwest Passage by rowboat at the Lynn Valley library Sept. 8. in April. Three dozen market condos have been proposed for the 1100 PHOTO SUPPLIED District staff were unable block of Lynn Valley Road. IMAGE SUPPLIED to say when the project will come before council. Lynn Valley Rd. A majority of council Global-thinking LV The project includes 57 The project’s proposed would need to approve the underground parking spots floor space ratio – which site’s rezoning for the condo that would be accessed measures a building’s total project to proceed. through a driveway shared floor space against its lot author to speak locally with the property at 1111 size – is 1.75. – Jeremy Shepherd

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Brendan McAleer / North Shore News

August 24, 2018 05:36 PM

A line of taxis waits for passengers near the Lonsdale Quay SeaBus terminal. Governmental delays in the approval of ride-hailing companies has irked many Lower Mainland residents, but columnist Brendan McAleer warns that bringing in companies like Uber comes with its own set of problems and would not be the traffic fix we ultimately need. photo Cindy Goodman, North Shore News Getting around the North Shore without using your car can be fairly difficult. Thanks to the Spirit Trail, it’s at least easier to go east and west by bicycle, but getting up and down those hills can be tricky and sweaty. Our public transit system can be similarly frustrating, and while the SeaBus is great, sometimes you can still end up waiting around as the bus leaves the terminal just as you arrive. Wave as much as you want – they’re not stopping. And, judging by feedback to a recent article pointing out our lack of ride-sharing options, our taxi services are a bit lacking as well. People have been left waiting, particularly during busy evening times, when you’d really rather not try to cycle home in the dark. If you’ve done the responsible thing and parked the car at home for the evening as you thought you’d want a glass or two of wine with your dinner, it looks like you’ll be walking off that fettuccine by hoofing it back home. The solution, many people say, is to embrace a ride-hailing program like Uber. Uber is convenient, it’s relatively inexpensive, and it would make getting around without a car easy. Further, it would break the lock the taxi companies have on the market, and allow people to make extra money on the side with their own personal cars. All would be daisies and rainbows. The only problem, as I see it, is that Uber is one of the most ruthless, predatory, and downright amoral companies in the world. They aren’t a mobility solution as much as they are an effort to extract profit on the backs of ordinary working people, turning them into little more than indentured servants. And they don’t even turn a profit. And, if all that wasn’t bad enough, it appears that services like Uber increase traffic congestion by pulling people off transit and putting them in a car. According to a recent study done in nearby Seattle, residents in the area put an added 150 million miles on the road thanks to ride-sharing services. People don’t just take an Uber instead of a cab, they take it instead of taking public transit, or instead of riding their bike. It’s more convenient, so we don’t really think about it. We are firmly ensconced in an age where we’re starting to see the side-effects of convenience-seeking, and yet we continue to stumble towards the inevitable cliff. Ride-sharing and ride-hailing companies could come here tomorrow if only they would abide by the rules set in place, but they don’t want to. Why? Because Silicon Valley is a place where every 10 minutes some “innovator” thinks they’re going to “disrupt” the system by trying to use technology to circumvent regulations. Let’s just list off a few of Uber’s greatest hits, even leaving aside the reprehensible actions of their loathsome founder. They call their drivers “private contractors,” allowing for employment benefits to be excluded. They’ve denied responsibility for their drivers. In March of this year, one of their experimental autonomous vehicles struck and killed a pedestrian. There are members of our community with mobility challenges for whom not-driving is a requirement rather than a choice. I wouldn’t expect Uber to help them much, however, as these are private cars, not wheelchair- equipped specials. Further, one class-action suit against Uber, now settled, included an allegation that an Uber driver loaded a service dog into their trunk, against the sight-impaired owner’s wishes. Indeed there are many reported instances of Uber drivers refusing to give rides to users with service animals. I wouldn’t blame the drivers too much. There isn’t sufficient space here to go into the way Uber treats its drivers. Don’t for a minute, however, think that this company is benevolent to the people that work for it. Further, even if we decided to go with a more reputable ride-hailing company, like Lyft, there are going to be unexpected consequences. Someone being driven somewhere in a hailed car is still riding in a car. Parking might be better, but it’s another car on the road, to and from the pick-up point, burning fuel, clogging up the road, adding to traffic. Think of Airbnb. It’s a lovely place to book your vacation rental. But it’s also created a dearth of spaces for people looking to rent an apartment long-term. Regulation is frequently annoying, and occasionally misguided, but it exists to try and handle these issues, which are often far more complex than they look. Ride-sharing and ride-hailing seems like a nice, quick fix for the North Shore’s mobility issues, but it’s a Band- Aid at best, and at worst, a potentially worsening situation down the road. What’s needed is better public transit: more buses (preferably hydrogen-powered), more and safer paths for cyclists, maybe additional SeaBus service, perhaps an east-west tram line. All of which sounds like pie-in-the-sky, and who’s going to pay for it? However, it depends what kind of life you’d want for your kids on the North Shore long-term, as our traffic problems aren’t going to solve themselves. For now, getting around here without a car is perhaps inconvenient. But then, life’s inconvenient. Maybe we can look forward to future conversations about how bad we had it in the old days. Uphill both ways to work. We can bore our kids with long stories – we don’t want them to grow up and have to work for Uber. Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and automotive enthusiast. If you have a suggestion for a column, or would be interested in having your car club featured, please contact him at [email protected]. Follow Brendan on Twitter: @brendan_mcaleer.

LETTER: Enhanced coho habitat a true group effort

North Shore News

September 4, 2018 11:30 AM

North Shore Streamkeepers Glen Parker and Colin Fraser check the steel cables that will attach tree stumps and logs to large boulders, creating habitat for juvenile coho in a channel of Lynn Creek. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News Dear Editor: Re: Coho Habitat Enhanced in Lynn Creek, Aug. 29 news story. related  Streamkeepers building coho salmon habitat in North Van's Lynn Creek First of all – an excellent article by Jane Seyd! Spot-on about the benefit for salmon, waters of Lynn Creek and numerous aspects of the job. The role of the BCIT Rivers Institute and District of North Vancouver were also critical to the project. BCIT provided leadership, expertise and equipment, as well as student volunteers. The District of North Vancouver has shown unwavering support, including obtaining permits, providing access and support for future planting and signage. As with most successful projects it was the combination of support from many stakeholders that fostered success. Thanks to all the project supporters including the Port of Vancouver, Pacific Salmon Foundation, BCIT, DNV, Mount Seymour Lions Club and the volunteers. Jan Lander North Shore Streamkeepers

Escaping gridlock's grip: New plan addresses North Shore traffic problems

Transportation working group vets 270 ideas aimed at easing travel

Brent Richter / North Shore News

September 13, 2018 01:08 PM

North Vancouver-Lonsdale NDP MLA Bowinn Ma spearheaded the Integrated North Shore Transportation Planning Project, or INSTPP, earlier this year. After months of planning, a 35-page report was released Sept. 13. photo Lisa King, North Shore News

“We know things are bad – worse than bad. They’re crazy. It’s like everything, everywhere is going crazy, so we don’t go out anymore. We sit in the house, and slowly the world we are living in is getting smaller.’” – Howard Beale, from the film Network (1976)

Beale wasn’t talking about transportation on the North Shore, but you’d be forgiven for thinking that he was. related  SULLIVAN: Could our traffic snarl finally turn into a smile?  TransLink seeks input on Dundarave to Phibbs express bus service  40% of North Vancouver businesses considering leaving: Survey  2016 Census: Our average commute to work is 26 minutes You can expect to hear a lot more about our now infamous traffic problems in the run-up to the Oct. 20 municipal elections as would-be mayors and councillors try to sell their plans to a frustrated public. But behind the scenes, for much of the last year, experts have been toiling away on a first-of-its-kind project meant to address the North Shore’s transportation woes. A plan called INSTPP Early in 2018, North Vancouver-Lonsdale NDP MLA Bowinn Ma gathered elected officials and expert staff from the three North Shore municipalities, two first nations, all four North Shore provincial ridings and one federal riding as well as TransLink, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure staff, and got them into one room for a series of meetings – the Integrated North Shore Transportation Planning Project, or INSTPP. Their job was to figure out exactly why things had gotten so bad, and what could be done about it. In total, they vetted 270 ideas aimed at making travel to, from and across the North Shore less of a headache. For their research, they relied on census data, traffic counts from roads and highways, TransLink passenger trip logs, and the data Google collects from people’s smartphones to show real-time traffic speeds. The INSTPP working group released their report on Thursday and will present their findings at the regular meeting of council in all three of the North Shore’s municipalities Monday evening.

“This is from the planners and the engineers. They’ve done all the hard work and the analysis to tell us at the political level – this is how you move the needle, this is how we move forward as a region in terms of transportation,” Ma said. “Now it’s our move as the politicians and the elected officials to start talking to each other about how we actually get these done. The benefit of having this document is now we’re talking about just what’s in this document as opposed to the 270 ideas that were previously on the table and floating up in the air.” Where things went wrong The researchers arrived at five rough problems unique to the North Shore that either cause or exacerbate long commutes. First among them is how utterly dependent we are on the single-occupancy vehicle, largely thanks to our past land use decisions. In West Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver, 77 per cent and 78 per cent of commutes, respectively, are done in personal autos. Less than a third of North Shore residents live within 400 metres or a five-minute walk from a frequent transit network, compared to 50 per cent of residents across the region. And despite the traffic, the car is still a more attractive option, with travel times to most destinations being significantly lower. West Van municipal hall to the District of North Van hall is 10 to 15 minutes in a car, compared to roughly 50 minutes by bus. Commuting from Brentwood in Burnaby to North Vancouver City hall takes 20 to 35 minutes by car, but the same trip is more than an hour by bus (and that’s assuming you don’t miss the 232, which runs only every 30 minutes.) No secret to anyone, the North Shore’s two bridgeheads are acute pinch points, the report confirms, but demographic and labour trends indicate the problem is getting worse. It’s a commonly held belief that local densification and development have caused our current transportation problems, but that’s not borne out by the evidence, said Geoff Cross, TransLink’s vice-president of transportation planning. The North Shore grew by only 3.3 per cent in the last census period compared to 6.5 percent across the region. Between 2011 and 2016 there were 2,900 more people working on the North Shore but the population of working age (age 20 to 64) people only grew by 900. “I think population is a really small part of it,” Cross said. “A lot of this information is so counter-intuitive to what people feel in their day-to-day lives,” Ma acknowledged. More people are commuting to North Vancouver for work now than 10 years ago, according to the latest census data. graphic Myra McGrath, North Shore News And North Shore drivers rely on Highway 1 for local trips at a rate far higher than our Lower Mainland neighbours. Almost a quarter of the cars on the Upper Levels Highway during the afternoon rush hour are not headed for either bridge, but rather, somewhere else on the North Shore. That compares to less than five per cent in Surrey or less than three per cent in Richmond. “There are just not a lot of alternatives. The grid does not have very many options for east-west travel, both from a congestion perspective and from a reliability perspective. If something happens on either one of those main east- west corridors, whether it be Upper Levels or on Main and Marine, then you can have extreme congestion events,” said Cross. “It doesn’t have the same resiliency as places within the region where you have parallel routes that act as options for people.” Lastly, the INSTPP report concluded, the North Shore is lacking the tools to manage demand for road use, such as more restrictive parking rules, or preferential parking for high-occupancy vehicles and car shares, carpool incentives, real-time messaging warning of traffic delays or mobility pricing. There will be no third crossing The INSTPP report wastes no time in making it clear that the “third crossing” long desired by armchair engineers is a non-starter – at least not in the form they fantasize about while grinding teeth and grinding gears in traffic. The road networks on both sides of a new crossing would have to be totally rebuilt to accommodate more incoming lanes of traffic, otherwise the receiving streets would become immediately clogged. In both Vancouver and on the North Shore, there is no desire to begin expropriating expensive land to create more expensive highway infrastructure. The same goes for widening either of the bridges, which is not technically possible given the structural limitations, or replacing either of the current ones with a wider option, Cross added. “Expanding the bridge only floods more people into the receiving network so all the pipes would have to change,” Cross said. “That’s not within the objectives of the people on either side of Burrard Inlet. We’re already confined. Finding more road space in a fairly built-out environment is neither desirable nor feasible in many places.” And even if it were possible, Ma warned people to be careful what they wish for. Part of the INSTPP report deals with a hypothetical new mega-bridge over the Second Narrows. Modelling done by the experts found only minimal and short-lived benefits. “Even if you had a 10-lane bridge right now, the variability of your trip might be a little bit less but you’re not actually saving much time. You’re talking about a $3-billion bridge in order to save maybe four minutes of crossing time. And that won’t even last very long before you end up back where you are right now. You’ll be overloading your local road network… because more people are driving,” Ma said. Traffic analysis shows that that Second Narrows Crossing is used by drivers from across the region while the SeaBus and Lions Gate Bridge support much more localized traffic. graphic Myra McGrath, North Shore News The main goal of INSTPP, Ma said, is to get people from Point A to Point B, not necessarily their cars. With so many more commuters arriving from the Fraser Valley, where they’ve been drawn to more affordable housing, one might think a rapid transit line to the east would woo people out of their cars. But that too doesn’t meet the feasibility test, as there still isn’t enough demand to justify the cost, Cross said. “For rapid transit to work, it needs to work all the time. It’s not just commuter express service,” Cross said. “To justify all-day service for rapid transit, which is an order of magnitude more expensive to build, you need two- way traffic on the line all the time.” Other flashy ideas examined but deemed not feasible or not worthwhile: Adapting CN’s rail bridge for transit and/or walking and cycling (the rail company has no plans to replace the bridge, and most of the time the bridge is in the raised position); and a gondola linking Phibbs Exchange to Capilano University (it would come at a high cost and would be no faster than taking a bus). Here’s the plan to fix it With all the downers out of the way, the INSTPP report does contain more than a dozen calls to action that can be taken in the near term. And a good number of them are already underway. The three municipalities are already on the right track with their official community plans that concentrate growth in town centres where personal vehicles aren’t needed to access shopping, services and transit – but they should be completing and improving pedestrian and cycling networks, the report finds. Cross described the Dundarave to Phibbs Exchange B-Line due to start running in the next year as the “lowest hanging fruit” when it comes to giving people a better east-west option than driving a clogged Marine Drive. With transit priority lanes, the trip could be done in 40 minutes – about 40 per cent faster than it takes on the bus now. The SeaBus is also expected to move to 10-minute frequency during rush hour starting next year, part of the TransLink mayor’s council plan. More B-Lines linking Cap U to Metrotown and Lynn Valley to downtown via Lonsdale are expected to start running sometime after 2022, but the group believes a new express bus from the SkyTrain system in Burnaby to Phibbs could be added to TransLink’s fleet sooner than that. “We don’t think it’s a big-ticket item. It’s like how quickly could we do it? How do we collectively pay for it and try and advance in the next year or two?” Cross said. The province, the District of North Vancouver and the federal government have committed to a $250-million project to overhaul the Ironworkers bridgehead interchanges, already under way, which INSTPP endorses but more work can be done to determine how buses can be given priority access to the bridgeheads. The group is also advising the province to find a way to get stalls and crashes whisked out of the way faster than they are currently. And, although they represent a small percentage of the traffic volume coming through the North Shore today, Squamish commuters should have access to a new regional bus to Metro Vancouver, the group recommends. Residents of West Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver make nearly 80 per cent of their commutes by car, according to results from the latest census. graphic Myra McGrath, North Shore News There is one major cement-and-asphalt construction project INSTPP is endorsing: a complete lower level road connecting West First Street in North Vancouver to Park Royal in West Vancouver. It also recommends investigating whether a Barrow Street to Dollarton Highway connection could be built, opening up new east- west options over the Seymour River. And INSTPP doesn’t necessarily rule out rapid transit to the North Shore. At the request of the local mayors, TransLink will be including an analysis of a fixed-rail link from Lonsdale to downtown Vancouver in its next regional transportation strategy. Such a rail link would likely not have a big impact on bridge traffic, but it would likely have a high level of ridership, INSTPP noted. Similarly, the group recommended an update to a 2004 study into more cross-inlet ferry service in other neighbourhoods along the North Shore. Because the high cost of housing results in more people commuting greater distances, the group advises the creation of a North Shore workforce housing strategy. INSTPP doesn’t expressly recommend that we adopt mobility pricing but it does advise the North Shore be an active participant in ongoing discussions and it does suggest the creation of a North Shore-wide program with schools and business to encourage “sustainable travel behaviour.” Many action items in the report suggest studying transportation ideas in more detail - file photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News Politically, charging people to drive during rush hour is one of the tougher sells, but persuading even a few people to avoid driving during peak times has big impacts for the whole road network, Cross said. “If you reduce the volumes by five to 10 per cent, you can reduce the travel times by 30 per cent. There are real tip functions,” Cross said. “If you can shift two per cent more off of Lions Gate … you’ll get significant savings for everybody.” We can’t stop now Many of the action items produced in the 35-page report are simply to study ideas in more detail, rather than shovel-ready projects. That may sound anti-climactic for people crying out for relief, Ma concedes, but the most critical recommendation of all, in her mind, is creating a permanent intergovernmental committee to continue INSTPP’s work. “I recognize that there may be members of the public who expect INSTPP to instantly give them a solution that they will feel tomorrow. Unfortunately, it’s just not that simple. What INSTPP does is provide us with a collaborative framework to move forward with. Without that, we can’t go anywhere,” she said. And, Ma added, the fate of INSTPP recommendations will soon rest with three new municipal councils. Soon after the new councils and mayors are sworn in, they’ll have to decide whether to continue its work, or to revert to the way things used to be. Ma has already offered sit-down briefings with candidates running for mayor this fall to ensure they understand what’s at stake. “The most important part of it is that we continue to work together. The fact of the matter is if each municipality went off in different directions advocating for different projects and different solutions, it’s very difficult for the region to mobilize resources from senior levels of government,” she said. “The work that INSTPP has created doesn’t provide value to the public unless all partners remain on board and committed to working with each other on this.” © 2018 North Shore News

Exactly how unaffordable are Metro Vancouver’s detached homes? (INFOGRAPHIC) Study reveals $299,660 chasm between median income earned and income needed for typical West Vancouver house purchase; $160,991 gap in North Van

Joannah Connolly / Glacier Media Real Estate

September 12, 2018 10:01 AM

Source: Zoocasa

We all know that for most households earning a median income, buying a detached house in Metro Vancouver is highly unaffordable, unless they have already built up considerable equity or have another source of wealth.

But exactly how much of a gap is there between median incomes earned in the region, and the income you’d need to buy the average priced house in that area? And which areas see the biggest income gaps? This is the topic of a new study and infographic by real estate portal Zoocasa, released September 12. related

 What does the national average home price buy across Canada? (INFOGRAPHIC)

To assess affordability across the region, Zoocasa’s number-crunchers looked at August benchmark detached home prices in 21 Metro Vancouver markets, as well as the minimum income required to purchase and carry such a property based on a 20 per cent down payment. The required income was compared to the actual median household incomes in each area, sourced from Statistics Canada, to find the local house-price-to-income gap.

Unsurprisingly, the area with the priciest detached homes, Vancouver West (which includes the West Side, Downtown West and the West End, benchmarked at $2,832,600) saw the biggest income gap. However, the extent of the gap is jaw-dropping at $384,965.

This is calculated as the income needed for a $2,832,600 house being $450,292, but the area’s median income earned is $65,237, according to the study.

Vancouver West is followed by West Vancouver, which has higher incomes and therefore a lower income gap. The study revealed a $299,660 gap between median income earned and income needed for typical West Vancouver house purchase. In North Vancouver, which was ranked fourth after Richmond, the gap is $160,991.

Even households in the area with the lowest income gap, Maple Ridge, are going to struggle, with the median income more than $34K less than is needed for a typical house purchase.

Check out the full ranking of Metro Vancouver income gaps in the infographic below.

Fraser Institute to West Vancouver: Hey big spenders "You get what you pay for" says West Van mayor

Jane Seyd / North Shore News

September 12, 2018 07:00 AM

This graphic compares what each municipality in the region spent on operating costs per person within that jurisdiction in 2016. Graphic supplied Fraser Institute

West Vancouver’s mayor is defending the municipality from a recent Fraser Institute report that paints the district as a profligate spender of taxpayers’ money.

The report, which analyzes financial information for 17 municipalities in Metro Vancouver over a 10-year period from 2007 to 2016, ranks West Vancouver as having the highest spending per capita in the region.

West Vancouver spends $2,583 for each person in the municipality, according to the report Comparing Municipal Government Finances in Metro Vancouver, 2018 – the highest amount per capita in the region.

Not only does West Vancouver spend far more per person than much larger municipalities like Surrey, the report authors note, it also spends about $800 more per person than the neighbouring District of North Vancouver, which at spending of $1,743 per person comes in at the fifth highest municipal spender in the report. The report also noted West Vancouver also collects the highest amount of tax – $1,504 – per person in the region. The average amount of general tax collected per person in regional municipalities is $997, according to the report.

But despite the unflattering figures, Mayor Mike Smith said he’s not concerned about the report.

“People realize you get what you pay for,” he said, adding he hasn’t had a single person talk to him about the report’s contents.

“People know and expect that it costs money to do what we do in West Van. There’s a reason we’re Canada’s most desirable residential community.

“Many of the Fraser Institute executives are only too happy to make their home in West Vancouver, so we’ve got to be doing something right,” he added.

In a post on its website, the municipality argues that assessing spending by the number of people living in the community doesn’t make much sense, and states assessing spending on a per-household basis would be more rational, as most services are delivered that way.

The post also points out that West Vancouver has some of the most spread-out low-density single family housing in the Lower Mainland – which means it’s more expensive to service with water pipes and roads, for instance.

West Vancouver also pays for its own municipal police force and administrative costs for running its own Blue Bus service, the municipality notes.

“If you want to have your own first-class police force and very prompt fire and rescue services, it costs money,” said Smith. “That’s what the community wants.”

David Marley is one West Vancouver resident who doesn’t agree.

Marley has been watching spending at West Van town hall for years and says,“they’re spending too damn much money” for a sleepy bedroom community, particularly on salaries.

The issue isn’t new, adds Marley.

“West Vancouver has been way way out ahead of the pack for a long time,” on municipal spending, he said.

“It comes down to political will,” he said. But he acknowledged that depends on the public. “If they are still fat and happy, if they see it as a rounding error,” there’s not much incentive to change, he said.

Smith said he’s not seeing much of a public outcry on the issue.

“The bottom line is figures don’t lie,” he said. “We spend more per capita on municipal services than other municipalities. We’re not trying to hide that. We’re not ashamed of that.”

Elizabeth Murphy: City's high housing growth rate making homes less affordable

Most new housing construction is unaffordable and involves demolishing older building stock that former occupants could afford but who are then displaced. More new supply doesn't make things more affordable — quite the opposite.

Elizabeth Murphy Updated: September 1, 2018

Marine Drive and Cambie Street is part of the Cambie corridor plan that requires $750 million in utility upgrades as part of the billions of dollars of upgrades required for city-wide growth. Elizabeth Murphy After more than a decade of high levels of growth in the city of Vancouver, we can now see what that is achieving. The results are record homelessness, an affordability crisis, inflated land values and unsustainable demolitions. But on top of that we are only now being given a peek under the hood at what the costs of servicing that growth will be. And it is enormous. In July, the city approved a report on city-wide utilities financing growth strategy and a Cambie corridor utilities servicing plan. It disclosed, in somewhat of an opaque and incomplete way, anticipated growth and the costs to service that growth that is in the billions of dollars. It also posed some significant environmental sustainability issues that had not previously been raised by the city and puts in question the current growth agenda. The report does not disclose full population and unit growth, so it doesn’t show the whole picture. But it is enough to identify that we have a huge deficit in utility servicing capacity for the projected growth, where unit development and zoned capacity is far exceeding population increases. It will take billions of dollars to cover the required upgrades to water, sewer and drainage systems, as well as other services for this growth, most of which is unaffordable housing. Staff said that just for the Cambie corridor planned growth alone it would cost $750 million in utility upgrades. Only a portion of this is included in the billion-dollar estimate to cover city-wide growth from 2017 to 2026. The costs are proposed to be split in half between development fees and property taxes. But with fee exemptions for new rental projects, the majority of costs will need to be covered by property taxes. Where more transparency is particularly required is on the actual growth numbers, which do not line up with the rhetoric from those who claim that the city lacks supply. We are in fact building more units than population growth would justify, with zoned capacity that is already many times greater than needed for expected growth and way beyond current utility servicing capacity. The issue of lack of utility capacity to meet anticipated growth is staggering. This has huge implications for environmental sustainability, increased property taxes, city debt and affordability, at which we are only getting a small peek. Every smaller building that is replaced by a bigger building with more units adds waste and resource consumption. The building generally has a bigger site coverage with less impervious areas that generates more water runoff. Deeper basements and underground parking garages have groundwater intrusion issues, putting more pressure on combined sewer drainage systems. More extreme weather from climate change further stresses risks of flooding and reduced water capacity for firefighting, drinking water and domestic uses. Elizabeth Murphy is a private-sector project manager and formerly a property development officer for the City of Vancouver’s Housing & Properties Department and for BC Housing. A project manager, who builds large multi-use projects in multiple countries, confirmed he has seen this all before. Many cities worldwide build way beyond the carrying capacity of the infrastructure systems that then have to be upgraded later at great public expense. These costs are carried by taxpayers, renters and future development fees. To assess this properly, first we need a clearer picture of what anticipated growth looks like. The city has lately been building significantly more units than what would be justified by population growth and has existing zoned capacity well beyond what is the city’s portion of regional growth. This also has regional impact on major infrastructure such as sewage and drinking water treatment plants, electrical grid, roads, bridges, transit systems, daycare, parks and recreation. Metro Vancouver, formerly the Greater Vancouver Regional District, adopted the Liveable Region Strategic Plan (LRSP) in 1996. But the focus has since shifted from liveability to growth objectives when the LRSP was replaced by the Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) in 2011. Here are the growth numbers that are not included in the city report. The recent update to the RGS in 2017 has the City of Vancouver growth from 2011 to 2041 to be an additional 148,000 people and 97,000 units. However, census data shows that 28,600 people and 22,700 units had been added from 2011 to 2016. The city’s projections for the 10-year period of 2017 to 2026 is for an additional 70,000 people and 52,200 units. When you add the 22,700 units already built from 2011 to 2016, this comes to 74,900 units by 2026. That leaves 22,100 units for the following 15 years from 2026 to 2041. Of the units added by 2016, the census shows there were 25,500 unoccupied units that had increased by 3,300 units from 2011. The city is continuing to build well ahead of population growth. No lack of supply there. The city has also known since at least the city’s Coriolis consultant’s report in June 2014, that there was already enough existing zoned capacity to meet future growth beyond 2041. Yet it continued to rezone Grandview and other areas, while approving record numbers of new units in development permits. Vancouver’s existing zoned capacity is now already many times what is needed to meet population growth and the city continues to avoid giving a full breakdown of all zoned capacity. The July city report said it only counted most of the new residential growth as anticipated in the West End, downtown, Cambie corridor, Marpole, Mount Pleasant and Killarney (East Fraser Lands), consistent with these area plans. The growth in the Cambie corridor alone is estimated by the city to accommodate 50,000 people. Related  Survey finds most Metro Vancouverites want housing prices to fall  Elizabeth Murphy: Unprecedented rezoning rush continues  Elizabeth Murphy: Outgoing Vision council doing ‘chainsaw massacre’ to city zoning without public consent This is without allowing for anticipated development in the Grandview plan, or along the Broadway corridor, Jericho Lands and the many other areas city-wide proposed for rezoning, including all the RS detached zones to be rezoned in September without consultation. These city-wide RS rezonings, over 68,000 lots on both the east side and west side, incentivize more demolition of the older, more affordable character buildings and replace them with much more expensive, new construction units. Instead, the city could provide more incentives for retention and conversion to more units in existing character houses, with disincentives for demolition. This is like what is done in the RT zones of Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant and Grandview. That would help to provide for increased population while dampening the negative impacts of growth on the environment, affordability and neighbourhood character. But this is unfortunately not what the city is doing, so demolitions will escalate and undermine the recent character home zoning review. The impact of all this growth on utility servicing, and the billions of dollars it will take to address it, needs much more consideration. Should we be building and further rezoning far beyond what actual growth in population justifies? There are high, related costs affecting affordability with financial, environmental and social impacts. The first job of the next city council should be to revisit all the growth plans and reconsider if this is in the public interest. With all the excess zoning capacity the city already has in the system, there is time to plan this more carefully. The problem is that most of the new construction is unaffordable and involves demolishing the older building stock that former occupants could afford but who are then displaced. More new supply is not making things more affordable — quite the opposite. Vancouver is in an affordability crisis of its own making that requires a rethink of current growth with consideration of all the costs and impacts. Elizabeth Murphy is a private sector project manager and was formerly a Property Development Officer for the City of Vancouver’s Housing & Properties Department and for BC Housing. [email protected] GTA realtors can now publish home sales data on their websites

https://www.bttoronto.ca/2018/08/24/gta-realtors-can-now-publish-home-sales-data-on-their-websites/

TARA DESCHAMPS, THE CANADIAN PRESS | posted Friday, Aug 24th, 2018

The Supreme Court of Canada’s refusal to hear an appeal from the country’s largest real estate board enables its member real estate agents to publish home sales data on their websites, setting a precedent that could usher in a new era of transparency for home buyers and sellers nationwide, industry experts said Thursday.

Canada’s top court announced Thursday it has dismissed the application from the Toronto Real Estate Board, which represents more than 50,000 Ontario agents, ending a years-long battle.

The fight centred around a 2011 application from the Competition Bureau, a federal watchdog designed to protect consumers by investigating business policies and mergers, challenging the Toronto Real Estate Board’s policy preventing the publication of such information on password-protected websites, arguing the policy restricts competition and digital innovation.

TREB fought back claiming the publication of such data was a privacy and copyright concern, but the Competition Tribunal and later the Federal Court of Appeal sided with the bureau instead, so TREB took its battle to the Supreme Court.

The top court’s refusal to hear the case is significant because it was likely TREB’s last chance to prevent the publication of the data. It is a sign of hope for realtors in regions across the country who want to open up data to their clients, real estate experts said. “A lot of these local real estate boards were waiting to see what happened with this decision,” said John Andrew, a real estate professor at Queen’s University.

“That’s going to spread to other boards across Canada. They are no longer going to try to resist this kind of demand from their own members who would like to release this kind of information and other kinds.”

He’s anticipating a flood of realtors will race to post data in 60 days when required under the Competition Tribunal’s order. That will allow buyers and sellers to more easily educate themselves on how to price homes and negotiate, keeping them from relying on agents to send them sales information.

However, Andrew doesn’t think that giving the public an easier route to finding out what homes sold for will jeopardize the livelihood of realtors or significantly change the market.

Christopher Alexander, the executive vice-president and regional director of RE/MAX Integra’s Ontario- Atlantic business, agreed.

Both said they don’t believe the decision will be an industry killer based on their observations of the United States housing market, where real estate agents remained in demand even after a similar case enabled consumers to access enhanced information for the last 13 years.

“Good, experienced realtors are a lot more valuable than having sold information,” said Alexander.

Those currently seeking sold information predominantly turn to real estate agents and brokers, who have access to the Multiple Listing Service database, where sales data is compiled when deals close. Others rely on online property value services like Teranet or local land registry offices, which charge a fee for the public to access sales data.

The TREB case largely dealt with allowing publication of the data through virtual office websites (VOWs), which are password-protected and are usually open to a realtor’s clients or people who subscribe to their website.

Now that publication will be allowed through those sites, Andrew believes the market will see a push for realtors and other companies to be able to publish the data online without using VOWs.

Interim Competition Bureau commissioner Matthew Boswell refused to speculate on whether the country will see a new fight to allow publication outside of VOWs, but said he knows real estate boards across the country were watching the case.

“This is their opportunity to look at their policies and procedures and make sure they are in compliance with the Competition Act, that they are not abusing their dominant position in their respective markets as TREB was found to have done in this case,” he told The Canadian Press.

Boswell said he considered the Supreme Court’s choice not to hear the case as “a decisive victory for competition, innovation and for consumers.”

TREB chief executive officer John DiMichele said he “respects the decision” and noted that the board will be studying “the required next steps to ensure such information will be protected in compliance with the tribunal order,” which he noted will come into effect in 60 days if it is not modified.

The Canadian Real Estate Association, which represents 125,000 realtors across the country, was also reviewing the order to determine its potential impacts.

Neither immediately said whether they were looking for a way to change the order. Here are your North Shore candidates in the upcoming municipal elections

Jane Seyd / North Shore News

September 14, 2018 05:52 PM

North and West Vancouver voters head to the polls Oct. 20. Nominations closed on Friday. photo supplied iStock And they’re off! Nominations closed this afternoon for prospective school board trustees, municipal councillors and mayors seeking a seat in this fall’s municipal election. With new election spending limits in place for the first time in local elections, new bans on campaign contributions from unions and corporations, and a number of seasoned politicians deciding to call it a day, this municipal campaign is already shaping up differently than previous races. And municipal watchers take note: the number of candidates who’ve thrown their hat into the ring has expanded significantly in the past week. Here’s a quick rundown on who’s running where, based on information available from local government as of 4:30 p.m. today. Expect to see much more coverage of your local candidates in the weeks ahead as local campaigns gather steam. City of North Vancouver Six candidates are running for mayor in the City of North Vancouver, where current mayor Darrell Mussatto is stepping down. Coun. Linda Buchanan, considered by some as Mussatto’s political double, is vying with longtime Coun. Rod Clark, who often took a contrary view to Mussatto’s supporters, as well as with former city councillor and pro- amalgamation candidate Guy Heywood and former mayoralty candidate Kerry Morris, who lost to Mussatto by just 890 votes in the last election. Political newcomers Michael Willcock and Payam Azad are also running for mayor. The list of people running for council in the City of North Vancouver is extensive. Incumbents Holly Back and Don Bell are running for re-election. So are former city councillors Bob Fearnley and Bill Bell. Others on the ballot include Pooneh Alizadeh, Anna Boltenko, Angela Girard, slow-growth advocate Joe Heilman, Tina Hu, Kenneth Izatt, Alborz Jaberolansar, Mica Jensen, John McCann, Mack McCorkindale who works as a constituency assistant to NDP MLA Bowinn Ma, vice-chair of the North Shore Women’s Centre Jessica McIlroy, Aaron Lobo, former library board chair and Museum and Archives Commission chair Shervin Shahriari, Ron Polly, Ron Sostad, Brett Thorburn, Thomas Tofigh, cycling advocate Tony Valente, business owner and social planning advisory committee chair Antje Wilson and Max Zahedi. Not on the ballot this time are retiring longtime Couns. Craig Keating and Pam Bookham.

District of North Vancouver With the retirement of longtime mayor Richard Walton in the District of North Vancouver, the race for the mayor’s chair is wide open. Former councillor and former federal Conservative candidate Mike Little is facing off against political newcomers Ash Amlani, who is running under the banner of a new political group Building Bridges, as well as filmmaker Erez Barzilay, Dennis Maskell and Glen Webb. Those running for council include incumbent Couns. Mathew Bond, who is also running under the Building Bridges banner, Lisa Muri, Jim Hanson, and Robin Hicks. Other council candidates include longtime school board trustee Barry Forward, former Tsleil-Waututh councillor and federal NDP candidate Carleen Thomas, as well as a number of political newcomers including Lynn Valley Community Association board member Betty Forbes, Deep Cove merchant Megan Curren, Jordan Back, Greg Robins, Peter Teevan, Mark Elliott, ZoAnn Morten, Sameer Parekh, Mitchell Baker, Phil Dupasquier, Linda Findlay, and John Harvey. Absent from on the ballot this time is outgoing Coun. Roger Bassam, who pulled out of the mayoralty race at the end of August. Longtime Coun. Doug MacKay-Dunn is also slated to step down. Expect issues like housing affordability, transportation gridlock and the pace of development to be among the issues in both North Vancouver campaigns. North Vancouver School Board In the City of North Vancouver, board chair Christie Sacre and incumbent trustees Megan Higgins and Susan Skinner are both seeking re-election. Joining them on the school board ballot in the district are former North Vancouver school trustee Mary Tasi Baker, Sean Ewing, former Capilano University student union executive Jullian Kolstee, Gordon Moore, Kamy Teymourian and Greg Zavediuk. In the District of North Vancouver, incumbent trustee Cyndi Gerlach is seeking re-election. Others seeking election as school trustees include Kulvir Mann, for has been active on the District Parents Advisory Council and Safe Routes to Schools Committee, legal librarian George Tsiakos, Devon Bruce, Behl Evangelista, Norm Farrell, Cam Small and Edna Legale. Not seeking re-election this time around are vice-chair and longtime district trustee Franci Stratton, district trustee Barry Forward, who is running for council instead, and district trustee Jessica Stanley, who moved to Vancouver Island over a year ago. District of West Vancouver After two elections in which the West Vancouver mayor was acclaimed, a real horse race has broken out. Couns. Mary-Ann Booth and Christine Cassidy are both vying for the top job, bringing distinctly different takes on the pace of change in the municipality. Former West Vancouver mayor Mark Sager who has the blessing of outgoing mayor Mike Smith, has also entered the race in the last week. Political neophytes Nolan Strong and Rosa Jafari are also on the ballot. Incumbent Couns. Craig Cameron, Nora Gambioli, Bill Soprovich and Peter Lambur are running to keep their council seats. Joining them on the ballot are former West Van Coun. Carolanne Reynolds and political challengers Jim Finkbeiner, a retired forest industry executive, Gabrielle Loren, longtime past president of the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Sharon Thompson, constituency assistant for Liberal MLA Jordan Sturdy, Marcus Wong who sits on the West Vancouver police board and the board of the North Shore Multicultural Society, educational consultant Andy Krawczyk, Ambleside merchant David Jones, notary public Kate Manvell, and Ambleside and Dundarave Ratepayers Association director Heather Mersey.

West Vancouver School Board All of the incumbent trustees are running for re-election on the West Vancouver school board. Those include current board chair Carolyn Broady, vice-chair Nicole Brown and trustees Sheelah Donahue, David Stevenson and Pieter Dorsman. Political newcomers vying for seats on the school board are educator Lynne Block and Charlotte Burns. © 2018 North Shore News

Heron Gate: Testing Canada's rights-based approach to housing Mass eviction in low-income community in Ottawa is 'litmus test' for Canada's promise to treat housing as a human right. by Jillian Kestler-D'Amours 23 Aug 2018 Timbercreek says it 'continues to maintain Heron Gate units' [Jillian Kestler-D'Amours/Al Jazeera] Ottawa, Canada - Margaret Alluker's backyard is overrun by tall blades of grass. The landlord used to mow the lawn, but she says that since she was handed an eviction notice, the maintenance work has all but stopped.

Alluker is among more than 100 families in Heron Gate, a neighbourhood in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, who were told in May that they need to leave their modest townhouses by the end of September. "I had it in my mind that the eviction time is coming, and we don't know … what will happen next," Alluker told Al Jazeera earlier this month. The mother of four said she hasn't found a new house yet. Like many of her neighbours, she wants her landlord, mega-real estate firm Timbercreek Communities, to give her more time. But more than anything, Alluker said she doesn't want this situation to happen again. "We need the support of the government, especially to force the laws on landlords and have more affordable housing," said Alluker, who is also the secretary of the South Ottawa chapter of ACORN, a housing rights group active in low-income communities across Canada. "We need a long-term plan, [so] that next time something like that won't happen to any area of Ottawa."

More than 100 families were told in May they needed to move out of their homes by September 30 [Jillian Kestler-D'Amours/Al Jazeera] The 'financialisation of housing' Timbercreek announced plans in May to demolish about 150 units in Heron Gate, to make way for a massive development project in the neighbourhood. The company has followed the provincial laws that regulate tenant evictions. READ MORE Heron Gate mass eviction: 'We never expected this in Canada' In fact, it says it's gone "beyond the requirements of the law in providing relocation assistance" to displaced residents by offering three month's rent, as well as $1,530 ($2,000 Canadian) compensation and employing a relocation group to help tenants find other properties. It also told Al Jazeera it "continues to maintain Heron Gate units and quickly respond to repair requests". But Leilani Farha, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, who is based in Ottawa, said every alternative to eviction must be pursued under international human rights law. The community must also be consulted, and "that simply did not happen" in Heron Gate, she said, likening the evictions to "a David and Goliath type of situation". "It's the little people against the behemoth, and it's very deeply concerning," she told Al Jazeera. Farha said the situation in Heron Gate isn't unique to Ottawa or even Canada, however. It's the little people against the behemoth, and it's very deeply concerning. Leilani Farha, UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing Instead, it involves what she describes as "the financialisation of housing" - the growing trend of multi-billion- dollar firms owning and operating residential real estate for maximum profits - and it's a pattern she said she's seeing around the world. Farah said while she's not necessarily against profit-making, governments need to set clear directives for what is allowed in profit-making ventures. "We are living in a time where the actors in residential real estate are principally financial actors, and they have zero interest in people and a complete focus on maximising profits," she said. "While that may be OK with other commodities like gold and steel, it is not OK in the area of housing because unlike those other commodities, housing is a human right." In that light, Heron Gate is "almost like a litmus test for here and now housing issues". Legislation coming this fall Last November, the federal government unveiled a 10-year, $31bn ($40bn Canadian) National Housing Strategy - the first of its kind in Canada - to help ensure Canadians have access to affordable housing. Among the programme's main families are cutting chronic homelessness by 50 percent, building 100,000 new housing units, repairing 300,000 others, and removing more than half a million households from the "housing need" category, which includes those living in inadequate or unaffordable housing. The plan, which says it will take a "human rights-based approach to housing", also seeks to provide 300,000 households with a subsidy known as the Canada Housing Benefit, to help offset housing costs for low-income families. It also sets aside over $12bn ($15.9bn Canadian) to a National Housing Co-Investment Fund, to encourage property developers to build affordable housing, and pay for the upkeep of existing units. Over two-thirds of that money will be disbursed in the form of low-interest loans. Michael Brewster, a spokesperson for Jean-Yves Duclos, the minister of families, children and social development, which includes housing, said the government is "going further than any previous government has gone on the issue of housing rights". In an email, Brewster told Al Jazeera the government would introduce legislation this fall "that enshrines the rights-based approach to housing, and will ensure Canada maintains a national housing strategy in the future". He didn't elaborate, however, on how Ottawa plans to enshrine those rights into law. "We will protect and promote the housing needs of Canada's most vulnerable people, reduce homelessness by 50 percent, and ensure that more Canadians have a place to call home," his statement read. When asked by Al Jazeera to comment on the situation in Heron Gate, and whether what happens in the community will be a "litmus test" for Ottawa's rights-based approach to housing, Brewster said the minister had nothing to add beyond the previous statement.

About than 150 units in Heron Gate are expected to be demolished [Jillian Kestler-D'Amours/Al Jazeera]

On August 14, more than 170 organisations signed an open letter urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to guarantee the right to housing in law The letter calls on Ottawa to make sure any legislation has accountability mechanisms in place, to allow homeless people and people living in inadequate housing to get recourse from the government. It also demands that Ottawa address distinct barriers to housing that affect vulnerable people, such as Indigenous people, women and blacks.

Enforcement a lingering question Indeed, enforcing "the right to housing" is easier said than done. "You can enforce a negative right - you can't do something, and if you do it, we'll stop you - but to enforce a positive right which says the government must ensure everybody has a right to housing, what does that mean?" said Steve Pomeroy, a senior research fellow at the Centre for Urban Research and Education at Carleton University in Ottawa who specialises in housing policy. He said the government must increase the funding it has earmarked for the plan if it wants it to succeed, as well as provide real incentives to entice developers to build affordable housing. There isn't a lack of housing per se in Canada, Pomeroy said, but the housing that's being built doesn't meet the needs of many Canadians, especially families. "You can say to developers we want you to build two- or three-bedroom units. 'They say, well the economics don't make sense [and] I'm not going to make any money, why would I bother?'" he told Al Jazeera. "That really is the policy challenge. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." You can say to developers we want you to build two- or three-bedroom units. 'They say, well the economics don't make sense [and] I'm not going to make any money, why would I bother?' Steve Pomeroy, Centre for Urban Research and Education at Carleton University in Ottawa Pomeroy said he didn't expect the federal government to step in to prevent the evictions in Heron Gate. Doing so, he said, would be costly, and potentially stall new development. "That then challenges what they really mean by a human rights-based national strategy. So then they've got egg on their face and it's a very, very dicey situation," he added. Daniel Tucker-Simmons, a lawyer representing some of the residents in Heron Gate, said he sent a request for accommodation to Timbercreek's lawyer and to Mayor Watson. He is asking that if parts of the neighbourhood need to be demolished, that the current tenants receive more relocation assistance, and be guaranteed a right to return once the redevelopment is finished, to units with similar rents. It also asks that the existing units be preserved if they can be. The request is currently being considered, Tucker-Simmons said, and the case could eventually be sent to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, if he doesn't receive a timely response. What power do governments have? While Canada has seen steady population growth in its major cities, very little is available for people on the lower half on the income spectrum, said Greg Suttor, a senior researcher at the Wellesley Institute focused on housing policy. There is also a shortage of subsidised housing units. In Toronto, the country's largest city, more than 92,000 applicants were on the active waiting list for social housing last year. In Montreal, about 25,000 households are currently on the list to receive low-rent housing, but only 2,000 units are made available annually. About 10,500 families are currently on a waiting list for subsidised housing in Ottawa. Commenting in general terms about the housing market in Canada, and not on Heron Gate specifically, Suttor said Canada is at "a particular moment in time" in its housing sector. "You would have to go back 30 years to find the equivalent price pressures and low vacancies and this extent of supply-demand squeeze in either the rental market or the home-owner market," he told Al Jazeera. Over the years, blacks and new immigrants have been particularly vulnerable to discrimination in the rental sector. People of African descent deal with many stereotypes when searching to rent a property, such as a belief among landlords that "they are criminals or have too many children", according to a 2008 report on rental housing and human rights by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. You would have to go back 30 years to find the equivalent price pressures and low vacancies and this extent of supply-demand squeeze in either the rental market or the home-owner market. Greg Suttor, Wellesley Institute Based on testimonies made by individuals and non-profit groups, the report found that some blacks also said they faced discrimination when they eventually were able to rent a home. "Tenants stated that their requests for repairs and upkeep of the rental unit would be denied while those of non- racialised tenants would be met." According to Farha, the UN Special Rapporteur, the Canadian government should be using the pending evictions in Heron Gate as a test to draft its right-to-housing legislation. "What can governments do in cases like this? What power do governments have - and at what levels - to make sure this predatory behaviour doesn't continue?" she said. In the meantime though, the tenants that remain in the community don't have much time. "You're thinking about it every single day," said Heron Gate resident Margaret Alluker. "You don't know what will happen tomorrow, so it's not easy." SOURCE: Al Jazeera News

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jillian Kestler-D'Amours

BALDREY: Housing dip could tip government's budget out of balance

Keith Baldrey / Contributing writer

August 22, 2018 09:00 AM

The slowdown in the Metro Vancouver housing market isn't helping budget prospects for the B.C. NDP. photo supplied iStock

The NDP government will provide its first official update of its finances within a few weeks, and there are some indications that not all things are as rosy as they appeared in the budget when it was tabled in February.

While it is not likely to tip into a deficit, the bottom line may be perilously close to doing just that.

The biggest area of concern for Finance Minister Carole James has to be the dramatic slowdown in the Metro Vancouver housing market.

Some have theorized that what has driven B.C.’s impressive economic growth the past few years has been the red-hot real estate sector. It has become a $50 billion-a-year industry, generating strong economic activity and becoming a key source of government taxation revenue.

The budget forecast revenues to government generated by the property transfer tax would increase by $100 million to more than $2.2 billion. That increase is simply not going to happen.

B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver warned just after the budget was released that James couldn’t have it both ways. She could not on the one hand take measures to cut prices and sales while at the same time predict her government was going to make even more money off the market, Weaver insisted.

It turns out Weaver is about to be proven correct. In addition, other areas of taxation – income and sales taxes – have also been boosted by spinoff economic activities from what has been a busy market, and presumably, they will take a hit as well.

Any slowdown in construction activity affects trades people, who lose work and curtail spending habits. That trickles through the entire economy.

Just how big a hit will not be known until next spring, but the government’s first quarterly financial report – due out next month – will provide some clues.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver recently released statistics that showed a whopping 30 per cent decline in home sales in the region when comparing July 2018 sales figures to the ones in July 2017.

And the July sales figures of this year were down almost 15 per cent from June, which suggests sales are continuously declining.

The slowdown is the biggest in 18 years and presumably other regions – particularly south Vancouver Island and the Okanagan – are experiencing a similar one.

If sales decline by 20 per cent over the course of the year (which may be the height of optimism for the government), that could cost the government hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue.

James’ budget is projecting a tiny surplus of just $219 million (on a near-$55 billion budget) and has built in a revenue cushion of $900 million in contingencies ($550 million) and a forecast allowance ($350 million).

But the costs incurred from fighting wildfires -- just $65 million was allocated in the budget and costs are now approaching $300 million -- will likely take a big chunk of that (probably around $400 million), and any large slippage in property transfer taxes could very well consume the rest.

This is what keeps finance ministers awake at night.

The irony here is that James and her party promised to make housing prices more affordable and while they have started to fall, affordability is still nowhere in sight.

Meanwhile, those increased housing taxes may end up threatening a precariously balanced budget, while failing to make a serious dent in the actual prices.

On another note: it’s PNE time, which means it is also time for my annual shout-out to the fair.

I worked 10 consecutive fairs (running various games on the midway), starting as a young teenager. It remains a great employer of youth, who can make a tidy sum over the course of the fair (you work long hours with little time to spend your money) just in time to head back to school.

So even if there are some hazy spots on B.C.’s economic horizon, here’s hoping the annual fair does well and continues to be a traditional beacon of employment opportunities for young people (and older ones as well).

Visit the fair!

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC. [email protected]

Investigators can't pin down cause of fatal Lynn Valley apartment fire

Jane Seyd / North Shore News

August 30, 2018 03:29 PM

Firefighters on the scene of an early morning apartment fire at Mountain Village Garden Apartments at Whiteley Court back in June. Investigators have ruled the cause of the fire as undetermined. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News

Residents of a Lynn Valley apartment complex where a fire took the lives of a North Vancouver mother and her eight-year-old son in June may never know what caused the fire to start.

North Vancouver police and fire investigators say they can’t pin down the cause of the June 11 fire that resulted in the deaths of Narges Casnajad and her youngest son Sepehr Koshkoye Delshad at the Mountain Village Garden Apartments at Whiteley Court. related

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After two months of on-scene investigation, including sifting through “large volumes of fire debris,” interviews with witnesses and examination by structural and electrical engineers, fire investigators have ruled the cause as undetermined.

That’s likely to be unsettling news for residents who still live in the building, where the fire also sent 15 people to hospital and left 14 families – made up of 40 people – homeless.

“If I still lived there and there was no reason for the fire, I wouldn’t feel safe,” said former Mountain Village resident Jacqueline Diamond, who was a friend of Casnajad when both lived in the complex and had young children. Diamond, who organized a fundraising campaign to help displaced families in the wake of the fire, said she felt “a little bit angry” when she heard the cause couldn’t be determined. “Everybody’s speculating about it.”

Investigators did rule out some possible causes, said fire Chief Brian Hutchinson of District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. “We know that it wasn’t one of the building systems,” like an electrical problem, he said. “That was ruled out in the early stages.” Arson is also considered unlikely.

Narges Casnajad and her youngest son Sepehr Koshkoye Delshad, 8, died in a fire at the Mountain Village Garden Apartments complex - photo supplied

Fire investigators also ruled out the possibility of a barbecue on a balcony starting the fire.

Investigators also know where the fire started – outside, in a breezeway that ran between buildings. Beyond that, however, any number of possible causes, including accidental causes, remain possible, said Hutchinson.

Hutchinson added investigators haven’t been able to determine whether smoke alarms were functioning in the apartment where Casnajad and her son died.

Residents in other units reported their smoke alarms went off, alerting them to the fire, he said. There were smoke alarms in the apartment, said Hutchinson, but whether they were working remains unclear because “there was significant fire damage in the suite where the deaths occurred.”

Because the apartment complex was built before 1979, the building code allows smoke alarms in the complex to be battery-operated, rather than wired into the electrical circuits of the building. Landlords are required to inspect the smoke detectors within apartments when the tenancy changes and replace them at least once every 10 years.

Multi-family apartments built after 1979 must have smoke detectors permanently wired into the building.

According to the provincial Office of the Fire Commissioner, statistics show a “strong link between working smoke alarms and reduced fatalities from residential structure fires.”

Diamond said while families displaced by the fire all have some kind of temporary shelter now, many of them are still on a search for permanent homes.

Anybody who feels repelled by the word “inappropriate” is a friend of mine.

It is an increasingly over-used term in public education, health and academia, a bit of bland jargon that is sup- posed to fill in for actions that used to be called “immoral.” It’s fine to talk about how it is inappropriate for a man to don a muscle shirt for a gala dinner, since that is referring to mere etiquette. But it is not helpful to claim it is inappropriate to spread malicious gossip about a class- mate, sell drugs tainted with fentanyl or wantonly pollute a creek. Dennis Danielson, professor emeritus of English at the University of B.C., explores abuse of the word “inappropriate” as he builds a comprehensive case for bringing terms such as “right,” “wrong ” and “should” back into the public sphere in Canada and the U.S., where such traditional concepts are deemed suspicious. If not inappropriate. In a brilliant 80-page essay titled The Tao of Right and Wrong (Regent College Publishing), Danielson writes about how “natural philosophy” can move us beyond the core curricula in use in B.C., Ontario and most U.S. schools, which insinuate that students and teachers who have convictions about good and evil can be brushed off with: “But that’s just your opinion.” Danielson begs to differ. And he offers “The Tao” as shorthand for the way to counter-act the confusing moral relativism that pervades secular education at virtually all levels. Danielson borrows the term, the Tao, from East- ern philosophy to describe the trans-cultural entity from which all moral judgment flows. He makes a convincing argument it’s real. And it matters. It’s important, he recognizes, to have an ultimate ground for our ethical convictions, whether we’re trying to figure out how to treat strangers, to respond to climate change, to deal with global wealth inequality, to solve housing unaffordability or to combat racial discrimination and scientific data fudging. The Tao can provide direction. But first, a few more words about the weasel word “inappropriate.” The literature professor considers it part of our “pale modern vocabulary,” which has infected the public realm, including politics, replacing words like “should,” “ought” and “good.” Danielson, author of The Book of the Cosmos: Imagining the Universe from Heraclitus to Hawking, provides evidence from school curricula around North America that words such as “just,” “decent” and even “important” have been suppressed and replaced with pallid jargon, such as “appropriate.” Even vicious behaviour is simply described as “not up to expectations.” Danielson, who has been receiving cancer treatment, said he recently went through education ministry docu- ments from across Canada, such as Diversity in B.C. Schools. He found the “authors clearly desire to promote worthwhile things, but just can’t bring themselves to use scary vocabulary like ‘right’ (as distinct from ‘rights’), ‘wrong,’ ‘good,’ bad,’ ‘evil’ or ‘virtue.’ Of course ‘appropriate’ is all over the place! There’s something pathetic about this.”

1 of 2 9/15/2018 9:46 AM Just plain ‘wrong’ is right for some http://vancouversun.pressreader.com/vancouver-sun/20180915

While Danielson doesn’t want to be seen as a naysayer — he respects how many teachers are trying to promote citizenship — he maintains in The Tao of Right and Wrong that the crucial piece many are missing is a sense of the transcendent reality that supports meaning and ethical behaviour. That reality is pointed to in virtually all wisdom traditions, whether ancient Greek, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Confucian or Taoist. Even though humans will always be imperfect in their understandings of what Plato called “the right and just,” Danielson follows the lead of C.S. Lewis in using the concept of the Tao as a kind of umbrella term for the ultimate source of “goods and shoulds.” He draws a parallel with mathematics to explain how we can commit to the “obvious” truth of universal admo- nitions, for instance, to treat others the way we would like to be treated, and to view all humans as brothers or sis- ters. Even though “obvious” can have a subjective dimension, Danielson cites how “most mathematicians agree that, once we thoroughly understand the terms of a mathematical axiom or theorem, its truth is self-evident, or obvious.” In this cynical era in which “values-free” educators teach that every attempt to define meaning is merely “so- cially constructed” — or, worse, an attempt to exert power over others — many will criticize Danielson’s approach as absolutistic or even black and white. But it’s not. It’s meaty and nuanced. He takes seriously that all human dec- larations are provisional, even while maintaining sacred values exist to which all can attune themselves. What are some of those ultimate purposes, which used to be considered virtues? Danielson rightly promotes the classical values of courage, prudence, self-control and fairness. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to see such virtues exhibited more often from trendsetting celebrities, either conservative or liberal, who often lead the mob to trashtalk their way through Twitter, attempting to ostracize those who use moral reasoning to disagree with them? I appreciate how Danielson, along with philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre, places these classic virtues above what he calls “secondary” truths. And it’s no coincidence a key example of such secondary truths is something many multicultural Canadians contradictorily elevate into an outright absolute: tolerance. “Tolerance is clearly a virtue — until it is not. Innumerable codes of conduct across varying school systems — as well as government, law, health care and so on — today declare unapologetically that harassment, bullying, vandalism, violence, possession of illicit drugs, and the like ‘will not be tolerated,’” Danielson says. “Well and good. But the problem is that teaching materials in those same school systems offer scant wisdom that might help young people or educators discern where the line should be drawn between virtuous tolerance and a principled refusal to tolerate.” Why has Danielson felt compelled to write The Tao of Right and Wrong at this stage of his life? He believes the most important things facing the rising generation are questions of morality, meaning, virtue and purpose. But he believes many of the young are embarrassed to talk about them. “There are a lot of voices out there calling these things merely vacuous, ultimately made up, ‘constructed,’” he said. “But with every fibre of my being I think that those things are real and significant — and when it comes down to it, are much more than just arbitrary or culturally specific. I think our future as a species very much depends on our treating them as real and significant. So, hoping to make a modest contribution to that recognition, I wrote this little book — and dedicated it to my youngest granddaughter.” I could offer that I find Danielson’s motive for writing this new book to be quite “appropriate.” But I’d prefer to try to be true to the Tao and refer to it as right and good. In this cynical era in which ‘values-free’ educators teach that every attempt to define meaning is merely ‘so- cially constructed’ … many will criticize Danielson’s approach as absolutistic or even black and white. But it’s not. It’s meaty and nuanced. Douglas Todd It’s important, he recognizes, to have an ultimate ground for our ethical convictions.

2 of 2 9/15/2018 9:46 AM Let's clear up some misconceptions about cannabis addiction. First off: yes, it's real Here's what I've observed as a clinical psychologist researching and treating people with cannabis addiction https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/cannabis-addiction-1.4789187

Jonathan Stea · for CBC News · Posted: Aug 18, 2018 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: August 18

I am not a propagandist. I am not a spokesperson for Reefer Madness. I have, however, been pilloried with such accusations for writing about the very real issue of cannabis addiction.

With the legalization of cannabis in Canada arriving in just a couple of months — and provinces finalizing their plans for cannabis retail infrastructure — we should consider the multifaceted impact of a previously prohibited substance suddenly becoming more readily available. And for roughly one in 10 people who try cannabis, one potential impact could be addiction.

Cannabis addiction is qualitatively different from a heroin addiction, for example, insofar as it is much less intense and not directly life-threatening. But it is also not trivial because it can lead to significant life-altering challenges, including problems with relationships, work, school and mental health. Indeed, one hallmark of addiction is when substance use directly and repeatedly activates the brain-reward system, ultimately leading to significant distress and interference with daily functioning. Clearing up misconceptions

My particular focus on cannabis addiction is not meant to undermine or negate the potential benefits of cannabis, but rather it is a reflection of my role as a clinical psychologist who has researched and treated people with cannabis addiction for over 10 years.

Last month, I published a piece for Slate about cannabis addiction and was inundated with responses containing a multitude of misconceptions: that cannabis addiction is purely psychological, that cannabis withdrawal is not real, that only those with addictive personalities are susceptible and that cannabis addiction as a phenomenon does not exist at all. I want to address some of those misconceptions here.

For those who believe that cannabis addiction is not real: I encourage you to take a tour of an addiction treatment program. There, you will find people who voluntarily show up for help and are struggling to reassemble their lives as a consequence of an addiction to a substance that many people consider relatively harmless.

Cannabis can directly and almost immediately change your emotional state. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Many people erroneously believe that cannabis is only addicting in the same way that anything can be addicting: work, exercise, shopping, video games, TV, Twitter, etc. While there is ongoing debate in the scientific literature about the status of what is sometimes called "process addictions" — or behavioural addictions that do not involve substances, such as sex or gambling or video games — cannabis differs from these activities insofar as it can act as an acutely psychoactive/mind-altering substance.

This means that cannabis can directly and almost immediately change your emotional state, such that your brain can become trained to respond to uncomfortable emotions with craving or a strong desire to use cannabis. Unfortunately, if a person practises coping with emotions with the use of substances, they forgo the opportunity to practise managing uncomfortable emotions in healthy ways.

Yes, other activities might also be used to immediately manage difficult emotions, but not via an exogenous and acutely mind-altering substance. And yes, eating candy might be thought of as a way to change your emotional state, but let's get real: eating candy and hitting a bong several times are changing your emotional state in qualitatively different ways. Diagnosing addiction

Still, I can understand the skepticism many people experience when they hear the phrase "cannabis addiction." The scientific construct of addiction has a complex history and the concept itself is muddy because its meaning has had many iterations.

The diagnostic criteria of cannabis use disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), one of the main psychiatric texts that is used by mental health professionals to diagnose psychiatric and addictive disorders, includes features such as repeated use resulting in a failure to fulfil major role obligations; repeated use in hazardous situations; continued use despite social/interpersonal problems; cravings; tolerance; withdrawal; use for longer periods or in larger amounts than intended; persistent desire or unsuccessful attempts to control use; a great deal of time spent in activities related to use; reduced important social, occupational, or recreational activities; and continued use despite physical or psychological problems.

A misconception I often hear is that if cannabis addiction is real, it must only be psychologically addicting, not physically addicting. This is not true. Researchers have identified an endogenous cannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptors and cannabinoid antagonists, meaning there is a wealth of biological evidence that cannabis can produce both tolerance and withdrawal in animals as well as humans. There is also evidence that cannabis withdrawal is not rare – the majority of participants in cannabis treatment studies report withdrawal symptoms – and that it is clinically significant and meaningful because it can lead to distress, continued use and relapse.

On The Money Legalized production 00:00 03:58 Eric Paul, CEO, CannTrust, on cannabis producers who've been waiting to expand their operations to outdoor production. 3:58

Research shows that cannabis withdrawal is similar to nicotine withdrawal: The DSM-5 includes diagnostic criteria for cannabis withdrawal and lists possible signs as including irritability, anger, aggression, nervousness, anxiety, sleep difficulty, decreased appetite, restlessness, depressed mood and some other possible physical symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain, shakiness, sweating, fever, chills, and headache).

Granted, cannabis withdrawal is seriously less intense than, say, an opioid withdrawal, but that does not mean it does not exist and that it does not affect those who experience its symptoms.

A final popular misconception I want to address is the idea that only people with an addictive personality can get addicted to cannabis. The biggest challenge with this view is the contentious status of the "addictive personality" construct. There is no scientific agreement on exactly what constitutes an addictive personality and how exactly it relates to the development of particular addictions.

The development of cannabis addiction appears to follow a principle in psychology called equifinality, which means that the end state of cannabis addiction can arise as the result of the interaction between many different genetic and environmental factors. In other words, two people with different genetic profiles and different personalities and different upbringings can both experience cannabis addiction.

It is a shame that with respect to cannabis use, people often fail to understand that the helpful and harmful truths about cannabis can co-exist simultaneously. Instead, many prefer categorical, all-or-none thinking. The reality is that the legalization of recreational cannabis is complex and exciting and worrisome all at once. It doesn't make one a propagandist to acknowledge that fact.

This column is part of CBC's Opinion section. For more information about this section, please read this editor's blog and our FAQ. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018 north shore news nsnews.com NEWS | A9 INQUIRINGREPORTER SPONSORED CONTENT How are you handling the smoke-filled skies? JonathanWilkinson The sun has been partially obscured for the better NORTH VANCOUVER’S MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT part of a week as forest fires – close to home and farther inland – have caused August 17, 2018 a smoky haze to hang over the North Shore, obstructing views and causing health Making astrong team issues. Metro Vancouver issued an air quality advisory stronger this week that encompasses the North Shore and has Isuppose an abandoned pet hamster situation and we can often nudge things warned vulnerable people to monitor their health. We left curled up outside the door of my along. asked some folks down at Alex Eggermont Lauren Gargiulo constituency office last week could be Getting back to you Lonsdale Quay how they Squamish North Vancouver taken as an encouraging sign… were handling the smoke “I climb a few hours a day and “I know the fires are worse We’ve set demanding service My constituency team and Ihave been and how it was affecting I can feel it in my throat at the but I felt the smog last year standards. For casework, we aim to end of the day – even if I’m not affected me more. I feel the working hard to position the office as a them. get back within aday or two to gather climbing, though, I can feel it.” air quality was worse last year welcoming place focused on providing Weigh in at nsnews.com information and we’ll typically have and lasted longer. ” constituents with help and support. But — Maria Rantanen an initial response to the constituent I’ll admit the hamster was abit of a within aweek. For correspondence, head-scratcher. every inquiry that requests aresponse The role my constituency office plays receives one –and not the form letter has been very much on my mind since variety.(My staff knows only too well the Prime Minister appointed me to the that one of the issues that concerns me federal Cabinet as Minister of Fisheries, greatly is hearing from aconstituent Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard that they did not receive aresponse.) afew weeks ago. The action plan we developed last As you might expect, there are now a week involves anew staff structure. number of additional demands on my We created anew position of schedule. But my most fundamental job Constituency Director to oversee remains representing and supporting all constituency operations in Aurora Royle Cindee Crain Richard McDaniel my constituents as the Member of North Vancouver and on Parliament Vancouver North Vancouver Vancouver Parliament for North Vancouver. Hill which will be staffed by the highly “I can smell it but I don’t like to “It’s not as nice a view. It’s just “I find I’m sneezing a lot and capable Victoria Rowbotham. Victoria smell it ‘cause I’m allergic.” sad with all the fires – other my throat is itchy and sore. I So, last week, my four-person local works closely with Braden McMillan, people’s lives are being coach rowing and I know it’s constituency team and Iconvened a the Manager of Constituency affected more than mine.” affected the people I coach.” half-day discussion to make astrong Communications and Outreach. team even stronger.Wedeveloped an MAILBOX action plan to respond to the reality Matt Ritchie in my Parliament Hill that Iwill now likely have abit less office works closely with my North time here in the riding. Vanteam on legislative and policy Litter hater is not going to issues, correspondence and scheduling. Little office,big output We will soon have openings for a Our small 678 square foot office at 3rd new Constituency Caseworker and take this trash anymore and Lonsdale already handles apretty Constituency Office Administrator. astonishing workload: 500 emails, 50 My strong preference would be to Dear Editor: entangle in blackberry reconsider how many are phone calls and 25 “walk-ins” per have qualified North Vancouver I hate litter – I really hate bushes, they hide under the really required during our week. Plus, we generally receive 10-15 residents in those positions -soifyou litter. Sandwiched between dirt – they never disap- weekly grocery shop. constituent requests aweek for face to know of someone please call the office the Seymour River and Lynn pear until picked up by the There are neighbourhood face meetings. for ajob description. Creek, I live in the most dreaded metal tongs. litter picker uppers among beautiful forested area. I Since April 2008, this us – kindred spirits who Case work is fundamental to what we I’m confident the team, new staff walk – lots. And I see litter – same one woman has picked hate litter as much as me. do because this is where we have the structure and new operations protocols lots of it. It has been 12 years up 1,423 plastic Superstore So if you are so inspired, greatest opportunity to help people will take our constituency office of picking up litter in my produce bags from that same pick up some tongs from the directly –people who are often in performance to the next level to neighbourhood. one block area. Consider dollar store or local thrift stressful situations. This is amajor serve you. Today, Aug. 13, one those produce bags – maybe store, grab a bag and go for a component of the team’sworkload. woman (me), in one hour, in they aren’t needed at all litter-pick-up wander – you’ll Reaching me one block across from the – tomatoes can simply be meet the nicest neighbours, Seventy-five per cent of the nearly My MP contact information remains: North Vancouver Superstore, weighed, so can peppers, get some exercise and know 700 cases the office has handled since [email protected]. collected 62 plastic produce apples, onions; bananas that it is our collective baby October 2015 have been immigration- bags (amongst 40 pounds are already in their own steps that will ultimately However,ifyou wish to connect with related. Tenper cent involve helping of other trash). These bags natural “bag.” Maybe it is effect change. me on amatter related to my role as rest unused in shopping time to say no to the plastic Karen Koroluk facilitate issues involving pensions, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the carts, they float away, they produce bags. Or at least to North Vancouver Guaranteed Income Supplements Canadian Coast Guard it’sbest to reach and disability benefits. Another ten me at [email protected]. per cent involve the Canada Revenue Do yourself a favour and add some Agency with the remainder including Finally,incase you were wondering avariety of issues with other federal about the hamster,he(or she) was well chamber music to your summer schedule departments. We typically have 200 fed and watered while we launched active cases at any given time -and an unsuccessful Facebook appeal to Dear Editor: evenings (the concerts take performers hail from all each week brings another 10-15. locate its owner.And so, unfortunately, Having just enjoyed the place in the cooled environ- over Canada and Europe. I the best we could do for this little first concert of the ninth ment at Mount Seymour know it’s a time for beaches Managing expectations is important constituent was aride to the SPCA. season of the Blueridge United Church). and barbecues, but add a –wecannot commit to solving Chamber Music Festival, I I listened to the music little chamber music to the problems –but we can obtain relevant Wishing you all apleasant, relaxing want to encourage any and of Clara Schumann and mix and one’s summer is information, clarify aconfused rest of summer! all to attend the rest of this Johannes Brahms, along complete! series (the last one is Aug. with two lesser known For more information go 19.) What a wonderful way women composers, to: blueridgechamber.org. CONTACTINFO: to spend a summer evening Morlock and Pejacevic. Roxie Giles – especially our hot summer The extremely talented North Vancouver CONSTITUENCY OFFICE: 102West 3rdStreet, North Vancouver EMAIL: [email protected] | TEL: 604-775-6333 Master's thesis details how Airbnb has become a problem for housing supply and affordability in Vancouver

by Travis Lupick on November 2nd, 2016 at 3:04 PM

 Compared to other North American cities, Vancouver has a higher number of people renting units on Airbnb than any other jurisdiction save San Francisco.

An SFU student’s master’s thesis contains a wealth of data about how city of Vancouver residents use Airbnb and how the short-term rental (STR) service impacts housing across the region.

POLL

Do you think Airbnb's economic benefits for Vancouver outweigh its negative impact on long- term housing supply?

Yes 22% 108 VOTES No 78% 376 VOTES

Trending Stories

 Public warning issued after bear chases jogger on North Vancouver park trail (VIDEO)  Hackers hit West Vancouver's server  Mount biker receives severe spinal injuries on North Van trail  Deep Cove residents are fed up with boating live-aboards

With the approach of elections, I think it is time to point out that we are fed up with endless congestion. Impatient drivers duck and dive, trying to get to their destinations, resulting in more and more accidents. No wonder ICBC is suffering!

I would like to see a focus on improving infrastructure before adding further to our housing stock. There is no point in having more density if no one can move. Every politician should be required to present their ideas on how to improve the way we move around this city.

I, for one, will only vote for a candidate who has a clear plan for moving forward on this issue.

Margaret Campbell North Vancouver

No simple fix to congestion on North Shore, says report http://epaper.vancouversun.com/search?query=no simple fix&author=...

There is no single solution to addressing traffic gridlock on the North Shore, according to a longawaited report on improving access and transportation in the region. The report rejected the idea of wider bridges, saying a new span would simply fill with more traffic in a few years. Its No. 1 recommendation was to reduce reliance on the Trans-Canada Highway for local trips by “creating more eastwest travel options.” “There is not one single cause of traffic congestion on the North Shore, and there is not one solution to address congestion problems,” the report states. Instead of recommending more roads, the report focuses on developing a coordinated plan that includes improving the infrastructure for transit, cycling and walking to “make them viable alternatives to the auto for more trips.” As well, the plan would include steps such as addressing congestion at key pinch points on North Shore bridgeheads, focusing development in town centres, and implementing programs “to encourage behavioural change that reduces reliance on automobiles.” Bowinn Ma is MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale and chair of the Inte- grated North Shore Transportation Planning Project. She said the planning process started with 270 ideas drafted by professional staff, politicians and the public. The report is the distillation of those ideas into ones that are feasible, responsible and a way forward, Ma said at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler. “Now it’s up to governments to talk about how they commit themselves.” The report singled out land use oriented around cars as the top problem facing planners. Also cited was a road network that reduces choice and increases congestion, transit that isn’t competitive with the car for many trips,

1 of 2 9/14/2018 7:42 PM No simple fix to congestion on North Shore, says report http://epaper.vancouversun.com/search?query=no simple fix&author=...

road demand exceeding capacity at times and at pinch points, and the absence of managing road use. “The impact of road congestion is felt regularly by people travelling by transit and by auto,” the report states. “Long queues near the North Shore bridgeheads happen daily, and our analysis shows that travel across the Sec- ond Narrows Bridge during rush hours often takes three to four times as long as other times of the day.” The report notes that a fiveminute, seven-kilometre trip on the Upper Lev- els from Lonsdale to south of the bridge can take 15 minutes and often much longer during rush hours. “Incidents on the bridges and highway further increase delays,” the report states. In its analysis of transportation options, the report determined that widening existing bridges over Burrard Inlet wasn’t an option due to “structural limitations. “Neither bridge is scheduled for replacement in the near term, and a third bridge crossing is not included in any transportation plans.” Some transportation improvements taking place include TransLink’s new Marine-Main B-Line bus that could save riders up to 30 minutes when travelling from Park Royal to Phibbs Exchange when it opens in 2019. Next year will also see an improvement in SeaBus service when frequency is increased to every 10 minutes during rush hours. The change is expected to reduce average wait times by about one-third and increase passenger capacity by 1,500 per hour. Mathew Bond, serving his first term as councillor in the District of North Vancouver, said the report shows an “impressive level of coordination” among the various governments and organizations involved in transportation, such as municipalities, First Nations, the provincial and federal governments, along with the Port Authority and TransLink. One of the report’s findings, he said, is a link between the slow rate in housing growth and congestion. “We’re adding more jobs than people,” he said at the Union of B.C. Munici- palities convention in Whistler. “People can’t afford to live in North Vancou- ver, but now have to drive to fill all those jobs on the North Shore.”

2 of 2 9/14/2018 7:42 PM NO WAY OUT: Civilization caught in a double-bind between global collapse and CO2 levels of 1200 ppm

Absent collapsing the economy, with GDP at zero, emissions can be stabilized only by building the equivalent of one nuke plant per day globally.

No 2373 Posted by fw, September 18, 2018

“Effectively, it appears that civilization may be in a double-bind. If civilization does not collapse quickly this century, then CO2 levels will likely end up exceeding 1000 ppmv; but, if CO2 levels rise by this much, then the risk is that civilization will gradually tend towards collapse. With business-as-usual, by 2100 the world GDP would be 10 times higher than today and the atmospheric CO2 would be around 1200 ppm. … While growth must initially be positive for civilization to emerge, positive growth cannot be sustained forever. Civilization networks are always falling apart, and presumably in a world with finite resources, we will eventually lose the capacity to keep fixing them. Future loss of useable Land and Water is already in the pipeline from all prior carbon emissions, and CO2 emissions continue to rise unabated. Whether collapse comes sooner or later depends on the quantity of energy reserves available to support continued growth and the accumulated magnitude of externally imposed decay… Theoretical and numerical arguments suggest that when growth rates approach zero, civilization becomes fragile to such externalities as natural disasters, and the risk is for an accelerating collapse.” —Tim Garrett

To put atmospheric physicist Tim Garrett’s double-bind finding succinctly and impolitely, “WE’RE SCREWED!” After all, the methodology of physics is the surest path to robust, reliable, valid and replicable empirical knowledge. Economics, on the other hand, as Robert Shiller, Nobel prize-winner in Economics, put it: “One problem with economics is that it is necessarily focused on policy, rather than discovery of fundamentals. … once we focus on economic policy, much that is not science comes into play. Politics becomes involved…”

In a 2008, 19-page paper titled Are there basic physical restraints on future anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide?, physicist Tim Garrett presented a detailed analysis crammed with scientific jargon and mathematical formulae and expressions of humankind’s existential predicament.

In 2014, social critic, political/cultural commentator, publishing under the pseudonym “xraymike79”, posted an excellent, comprehensible recapitulation of Garrett’s 2008 paper.

Below is my repost of Mike’s summary. For me, having no physics background, Mike’s abridgement presented two significant challenges: first, to look for flaws in Garrett’s chain of reasoning; second, to identify and retain in long-term memory, key points in Garrett’s argument as condensed by Mike.

About xraymike79 – Mike writes: I’m a social critic, political/cultural commentator and artist. The modern industrial world is on the cusp of great changes to our current unsustainable way of life. Most people are oblivious to the paradigm shift that will occur, but some are starting to awaken to the fact that the future will not resemble the halcyon days of the last half century in America as evidenced by the OWS [Occupy Wall Street] movement. My objective is to highlight important news stories and find the truth that is hidden behind what [columnist] Joe Bageant [died 2011] called the American Hologram.

Note this about my repost below: content has been edited in places; some of Mike’s images have been omitted; hyperlinks have been added; bulleted formatting has been added to amplify chains of reasoning; many subheadings have been added to facilitate reading for information; and text highlighting has been added to bring ideas to the fore.

At the bottom of this post are the definitions of four key physics terms that appear in this article: energy, power, work, and biophysics.

To read xraymike79’s original article on his website, appropriately named “Collapse of Industrial Civilization,” click on the following linked title.

**********

The Biophysics of Civilization, Money = Energy, and the Inevitability of Collapse by xraymike79, Collapse of Industrial Civilization, March 2014

“Civilization must constantly consume in order to sustain itself against this constant loss of energy and matter…”

“…the Second Law [of Thermodynamics] also demands that nothing can do anything without consuming concentrated energy, or fuel, and then dissipating it as unusable waste heat. For example, the Earth “consumes” concentrated sunlight to power weather and the water cycle, and then radiates unusable thermal energy to the cold of space. Like the weather in our atmosphere, all economic actions and motions, even our thoughts, must also be propelled by a progression from concentrated fuel to useless waste heat. The economy would grind to a halt absent continued energetic input. Buildings crumble; people die; technology becomes obsolete; we forget. Civilization must constantly consume in order to sustain itself against this constant loss of energy and matter…” [Source: Tim Garrett, Can we predict long-run economic growth? The Retirement Management Journal, Vol 2, No. 2, Summer 2012]

To keep civilization running, 17 trillion watts of power are consumed daily to keep 7 billion bodies alive

On average the human brain experiences 70,000 thoughts daily and requires roughly 24 watts or roughly 500 Calories during that time to function. To keep modern civilization running, 17 trillion Watts of power are consumed, 4% of which goes to keeping humanity’s 7 billion bodies alive while the rest powers our buildings, machines, and agriculture.

+ The laws of thermodynamics require that all systems, whether natural or inorganic, evolve and grow through the conversion of environmental potential energy into a dissipated form known commonly as waste heat.

+ Most of the energy we need to run industrial civilization still comes from fossil fuels with coal being the primary source, and projections are that this will remain so far into the future.

+ Since fossil fuels give off nasty greenhouse gasses that heat up the planet and destabilize the biosphere, the obvious question is whether our economic engine can be decoupled from CO2 emissions.

Atmospheric scientist Tim Garrett has a few papers on this subject and a new paper on collapse which I’ll mention at the end, but first let’s review and get an understanding of what he said in his censored* paper, ‘Are there basic physical constraints on future anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide?’ [*Garrett’s 19-page paper was submitted in 2008, and published online in 2009. Garrett writes about the biased criticism of his paper in a piece titled Criticisms from Climatic Change written in 2014].

Conclusions of the paper entitled ‘Are there basic physical constraints on future anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide?’:

+ Improving energy efficiency accelerates CO2 emissions growth.

+ Absent collapsing the economy (In other words turning the inflation adjusted GDP to zero), emissions can be stabilized only by building the equivalent of one nuke plant per day globally (or some other non CO2-emitting power supply)

+ Emissions growth has inertia (due to the high probability of points one and two)

The present state and growth of civilization are determined by the past, and the past fundamentally cannot be changed. Thus we are set on a trajectory that can lead to simplified predictions of the future.

Where does the value of money come from?

From an economics perspective, the value of money is belief-based

An economist would say that its value is fundamentally belief-based. I believe it has value and you believe it has value; therefore, it has value.

From a physics perspective, what turns that piece of paper, money, into something of value is its physical relationship to our rate of energy consumption

From a physics perspective, this [economics] explanation is a bit unsatisfactory because it doesn’t really explain where that belief comes from. Why is that belief so resilient?

Presumably that belief has some physical representation because civilization certainly is part of the physical universe. It’s not separate from it. We are all part of the physical world.

Here’s the reasoning

+ Civilization is an organism that can be defined by how it consumes/transforms energy.

+ Physics can be used to describe civilization.

+ There are basic laws of thermodynamics and, fundamentally, physics is about the transformation of energy from one state to another or really the flow of energy downhill, or more strictly, the flow of material downhill from a high potential state to a low potential state. You can think of a ball rolling from a high gravitational potential to a low gravitational potential.

+ Money is a representation of some energetic flow [economic activity] from high potential to low potential. +

+ Economic wealth represents the rate of consumption of energy in civilization.

+ Human civilization represents a gradient between available energy supplies (coal, oil, uranium) and a point of low potential (depleted energy resources). + We consume energy, things happen in civilization due to the flow across that potential gradient (high to low) releasing waste heat which radiates to outer space at a cold temperature of about 255 Kelvin (-18ºC).

+ We can treat civilization as a single organism that interacts on a global scale with available energy reservoirs and through the transformation of that energy (stuff is done, economic activity occurs).

+ Money is a representation of that capacity to do stuff physically (or how fast it can consume that energy).

+ This is a testable hypothesis and it can be expressed mathematically which means we can look at this quantitatively.

Accumulated wealth enables us to produce more wealth, which enables civilization to grow

Wealth is the value of something that has accumulated over time. Based on what we currently have, we are able to produce more which gives us more power to produce even more in the future. It’s through this spontaneous feedback process that civilization is able to grow.

The question is, “How do you calculate this accumulated wealth?”

Economists use Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to measure wealth

Economists use GDP as a wealth indicator. All the economic production added up from the beginning of history up to the present is the total accumulated wealth for civilization.

GDP is expressed as units of currency over a period of time

GDP has units of currency per time, so it’s a production per year. Inflation-adjusted production is producing something new to be added to what we currently have and that added over time creates our wealth.

The hypothesis says that this process is related to our rate of energy consumption through a constant value λ (9.7, plus or minus 0.3, milliwatts per inflation-adjusted 1990 dollar].

The equation has been tested using historical data sources of GDP, world energy production, and CO2 emissions

+ This can be tested with various historical GDP statistics along with records of world total energy production and CO2 emissions. [Data sources include: World real GDP since 1970 (UN); Historical world GDP estimates since 1AD (Maddison, 2003); World total primary energy production since 1970 (DOE); and CO2 emissions (CDIAC)

+ This hypothesis is supported by the data to an extremely high degree of confidence.

What turns that piece of paper (currency) into a potential to do something is the milliwatts per dollar, as calculated in the chart below:

The next graph shows that money is power

The graph below shows statistics from the year 1700 onward for inflation-adjusted world GDP(P) Green line. The time integral of GDP, or wealth of civilization(C), is represented by the blue line which has increased by a factor of 6 or 7($300 trillion to $1700 trillion) since 1700. Bursts of growth are seen around 1880 and 1950 in the purple line(η) which is the annual percentage growth rate of world GDP, calculated by dividing the GDP(P) by the wealth of civilization(C). Today [2007] the world GDP is about 100 times larger than it was in 1970. The growth of red line(a), primary energy consumption rate, is essentially moving in tandem with the wealth of civilization (blue line). This suggests that, fundamentally, money is power.

The black line represents the constant coefficient of the power of money λ (9.7, plus or minus 0.3, milliwatts per inflation-adjusted 1990 dollar).

How are emissions related to wealth?

+ It is the relation of energy consumption and the resultant emissions. Emission rates are fundamentally linked to the wealth of civilization:

+ You cannot reduce emission rates without reducing the “wealth” of civilization.

+ Wealth is energy consumption;

+ energy consumption is carbon dioxide emissions;

+ [Contrary to what Canadian PM Trudeau repeatedly says] Wealth cannot be decoupled [separated from] CO2 emissions without abandoning a fossil-fuel economy;

+ There are no other options.

There are only two ways to stabilize CO2 levels, and both are highly improbable

In order to just stabilize CO2 levels, you would have to decarbonize as fast as the current growth rate in energy consumption which would work out to about one nuclear power plant per day (or some other comparable non CO2-emitting energy supply).

If you look at atmospheric CO2 concentrations in parts per million by volume [ppmv] (from various sources including ice cores) and compare that to the world GDP going back to 2 A.D., the values increase pretty much in tandem through history:

To reduce CO2 emissions, something has to collapse

“If we want to reduce CO2, something has to collapse.”

In more recent years, the world GDP plotted against atmospheric CO2 shows an even more tight relationship between the two:

“You could just go to the top of Mauna Loa with a CO2 monitor and measure the size of the global economy to a high degree of accuracy.”

The positive feedback of building wealth in civilization

GDP is really just an abstract ability to increase our capacity to consume more energy in the future

Wealth is a representation of energy consumption rates. Real GDP is a representation of the growth rate in energy consumption rates. This cycle is fundamentally linked to physics through the parameter lambda λ (9.7 milliwatts per inflation-adjusted dollar).

GDP is really just an abstract representation of an ability to increase our capacity to consume more energy in the future. That’s what the production really represents.

Civilization is always trying to expand its energy consumption to accumulate more wealth

Civilization is always trying to expand its energy consumption to accumulate more wealth, or reduce the cost of maintenance by improving energy efficiency. More available energy translates into more accumulated wealth which in turn requires more energy for maintenance, creating a vicious circle of unending growth. Energy conservation essentially does not help. The fear of contraction permeates every corner of the economy.

Increasing efficiency just accelerates economic growth and more energy consumption – pure madness

We could apply this to civilization. If we increase efficiency, it leads to accelerated growth and more energy consumption. This phenomenon is known as Jevon’s paradox, first noted in 1865.

Increased energy efficiency = feedback loop of building wealth = super exponential growth = accelerated CO2 emissions

Increased energy efficiency increases the positive feedback of building wealth in civilization which can lead to super exponential growth, and that leads to an ever accelerated increase of CO2 emissions.

Feedback loop (rate of return) has gone from 0.1% in 1700 to 2.2% per year

This feedback loop (rate of return) for building wealth in civilization has increased from about 0.1% per year in 1700 to 2.2% per year, the highest it’s ever been in history.

Sudden turning points for rate of return likely correspond to new energy reservoirs

As mentioned before, there are a couple of inflection points [turning points] in history for this rate of return, one in 1880 and another in 1950 which likely correspond to new energy reservoirs coming online. This means the problem is fundamentally a geologic problem. 1950-1970 was a boom time for the wealth rate of return.

Causes associated with current stagnant rate of return

+ This rate of return has been stagnant in recent years for the first time since the 1930’s, probably related to the current economic crisis.

+ The sheer size of modern civilization has vastly overshot the Earth’s regenerative abilities.

+ Biophysical limits on resource extraction are likely a major contributor to this stagnant rate of return.

+ The extraction of low-grade, dirty fossil fuels is a sign of civilization’s energy desperation. Future Scenarios

Emissions Impossible…

We‘re not really reducing CO2 emissions

We aren’t really decarbonizing. Perhaps we’re trying to, but not really.

Reducing carbon requires a rapid reduction in the size of maintained wealth

The model shows that reducing carbon requires a rapid reduction in the size of maintained wealth, as well as rapid abandonment of carbon-burning energy sources at the global rate of 300 GW of new non carbon-emitting power capacity—approximately one new nuclear power plant per day.

International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SPES) underestimates CO2 emission rates for given level of economic prosperity

“Extending the model to the future, the model suggests that the well-known IPCC SRES scenarios substantially underestimate how much CO2 levels will rise for a given level of future economic prosperity.

+ For one, global CO2 emission rates cannot be decoupled from wealth through efficiency gains.

+ For another, like a long-term natural disaster, future greenhouse warming can be expected to act as an inflationary drag on the real growth of global wealth. + For atmospheric CO2 concentrations to remain below a “dangerous” level of 450 ppmv, model forecasts suggest that there will have to be some combination of an unrealistically rapid rate of energy decarbonization and nearly immediate reductions in global civilization wealth.

+ Effectively, it appears that civilization may be in a double-bind. If civilization does not collapse quickly this century, then CO2 levels will likely end up exceeding 1000 ppmv; but, if CO2 levels rise by this much, then the risk is that civilization will gradually tend towards collapse.”

With business as usual (BAU) we’re headed for atmospheric CO2 level of about 1,200 parts per million

With business-as-usual, by 2100 the world GDP would be 10 times higher than today and the atmospheric CO2 would be around 1200 ppm

The developed countries like the U.S., Britain, and Europe have simply offshored their manufacturing base to China and elsewhere for the most part.

Summation – [There’s no way out]

“Theoretical and numerical arguments suggest that when growth rates approach zero, civilization becomes fragile to such externalities as natural disasters, and the risk is for an accelerating collapse”

Garrett’s latest paper “Long-run evolution of the global economy: 1. Physical basis” explains key components determining whether civilization can “innovate” itself toward faster economic growth through new energy reserve discovery, improvements to human and infrastructure longevity, and more energy efficient resource extraction technology.

+ Growth slows due to a combination of prior growth, energy reserve depletion, and a “fraying” of civilization networks due to natural disasters…

+ While growth must initially be positive for civilization to emerge, positive growth cannot be sustained forever.

+ Civilization networks are always falling apart, and presumably in a world with finite resources, we will eventually lose the capacity to keep fixing them.”

+ Future loss of useable Land and Water is already in the pipeline from all prior carbon emissions, and CO2 emissions continue to rise unabated.

+ “Whether collapse comes sooner or later depends on the quantity of energy reserves available to support continued growth and the accumulated magnitude of externally imposed decay…

+ Theoretical and numerical arguments suggest that when growth rates approach zero, civilization becomes fragile to such externalities as natural disasters, and the risk is for an accelerating collapse.”

***** END OF MIKE’S SUMMATION OF TIM GARRETT’S 2008 GROUNDBREAKING PAPER *****

Definitions of four key physics terms —

energy – The property of matter and radiation which is manifest as a capacity to perform work (such as causing motion or the interaction of molecules). power – The rate of doing work, measured in watts. work – The exertion of force overcoming resistance or producing molecular change. biophysics — The science of the application of the laws of physics to biological phenomena.

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A20 | PULSE nsnews.com north shore news FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2018

Connecting People with Community Capilano CommunityServices Society… is coming to the newLions Gate CommunityCentre! Lions Gate CommunityCentrewill be the hub of the new Lions Gate Village developmentcurrently being built at Capilano Road and Marine Drive. The opening forthe communitycentreisplanned forSeptember 2019. TheLions Gate CommunityCentrewill have programs and services forall ages.Programming spaces include: alarge gym, family/youth room, seniors’ room, communitykitchen, artroom, danceroom, communityliving room and an express library. We will fill the building with,e new xciting programs and activities.This welcoming,friendly and vibrantgathering placewill offer opportunities to connectwith your neighbours,socializeand have fun! TABESTOON On Sunday, Aug. 26, the North Vancouver Shipyards hosted the final day of the Tabestoon Iranian Arts and Music Festival (tabestoonfest.ca), a three-day event which also BREAKING NEWS! took place in Calgary and Vancouver. The Lower Lonsdale component featured live music Starting this October,Capilano CommunityServices Societywill be offering from international and local performers, waterfront vendors and Persian cuisine. For more photos visit nsnews.com. PHOTO CINDY GOODMAN pop-up classes in dance, music and arts/crafts at various venues in the Lions Gate Village area to give youasample of whatiscoming to the new communitycentre. ARTSCALENDAR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We havemanyexciting opportunities.Training provided. From page 18 perform Friday, Sept. 14 at 11:45 The performance is followed a.m. Free. by a meat or veggie pie and a Email us at:[email protected] THEATRE CENTENNIALTHEATRE beverage. Tickets: $25/$22/$10. 2055 Purcell Way, North Forfurther details and ongoing updates on classes and activities check on: 2300 Lonsdale Ave., North ABBA Tribute: Arrival performs Vancouver. 604-990- Vancouver. 604-984-4484 famous and well known songs Capilano CommunityServices Societycapilano_community_services 7810 capilanou.ca/ tickets.centennialtheatre.com of ABBA Friday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. blueshorefinancialcentre/ A Play, a Pie and a Pint: The Tickets: $35. New websitecoming soon. Cap Classics: The McGregor- Siobhan Walsh Group weaves A Delight of Operetta Gala Verdejo Duo comprised of the stylings of soul, blues, jazz Concert: Classical, musical, We lookforwardtowelcomingyoutoyourhomeaway fromhome! guitarist Adrian Verdejo and and gospel into a performance flutist Mark Takeshi McGregor Wednesday, Sept. 19 at noon. See more page 26

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Journeyintoaworld of salmon, forests, riversand human communities. Sustaining healthy riversinurban settings requires commitment. well-being of adults 55 plus The Coho Festival is acelebration of community effort and support to keep this ecosystemflourishing. www.cohofestival.com 144 East 22nd St, NVan •604-980-2474 •silverharbourcentre.com A26 | FILM nsnews.com north shore news FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 SHOWTIMES PUBLIC HEARING CINEPLEX CINEMAS ESPLANADE 200 West Esplanade, 600WestQueensRd North Vancouver 604-983-2762 Hotel Transylvania 3: FIVE-STOREYMIXED-USEBUILDING Summer Vacation (G) – Sat-Sun 1:25, 3:55 p.m. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (PG) – Fri, Mon-Thur 9:15; Sat-Sun 3:40, 9:15 p.m. What: APublic Hearingfor Bylaws8344and 8345,proposed Mission: Impossible amendments to theOfficial Community Plan andZoningBylaw, – Fallout 3D (PG) – Fri, Mon-Thur 6:30; Sat-Sun 1:30, to permit thedevelopmentofafive-storeymixed-use building 6:30 p.m. (80non-marketrentaland aseniors’respite care facility). The Meg (14A) – Sat-Sun 4:35 p.m. When: 7pm, Tuesday, September18, 2018 The Meg 3D (14A) – Fri, Mon-Thur 7:10, 9:45; Sat-Sun 1:45, 7:10, 9:45 p.m. Where: Council Chambers, DistrictofNorth Vancouver Jon M. Chu is already planning the sequel for the hit comedy Alpha (PG) – Sat-Sun 4:20 MunicipalHall, 355WestQueensRoad, North Vancouver,BC Crazy Rich Asians. PHOTO SUPPLIED p.m. Alpha 3D (PG) – Fri, Mon- What changes? Thur 6:40, 9:40; Sat-Sun 1:35, 6:40, 9:40 p.m. Mon-Tue 6:45, 9:25; Sat-Sun 12:15, 6:45; Wed 9:25; Bylaw 8344 proposes Kin (PG) – Fri-Thur 6:50, 9:50 p.m. Thur 6:50, 10 p.m. to amendthe OCP Peppermint (14A) – Fri, Mon-Thur 7:05, 9:30; Sat- Crazy Rich Asians (PG) – Fri 4:25, 7:15, 10; Sat- land usedesignationof Sun 1:40, 4:45, 7:05, 9:30 p.m. Sun 1:30, 4:25, 7:15, 10; Mon-Thur 7:15, 10 p.m. Thur Blackkklansman (14A) – Fri, Mon-Thur 7, 2:30 p.m. thesubject sitefrom 9:05; Sat-Sun 1:50, 4, 7, 9:05 p.m. Searching (PG) – Fri 3:45, 6:30, 9; Sat-Sun 1, Institutional(INST)to 3:45, 6:30, 9; Mon-Thur 6:30, 9 p.m. Thur 2 p.m. Residential Level6: CINEPLEX ODEON The Nun (14A) – Fri 4, 7, 9:30; Sat-Sun 1:15, 4, 7, Medium Density PARK & TILFORD 9:30; Mon-Tue, Thur 7, 9:30; Wed 6:45, 9:30 p.m. Apartment(RES6). 333 Brooksbank Ave., Papillon (14A) – Fri 3:30, 6:30, 9:30; Sat 12:30, 9; Bylaw 8345 proposes North Vancouver, Sun 4:30; Mon, Thur 9:30; Tue 6:30, 9:30; Wed to amendthe District’s 604-985-3911 10 p.m. Zoning Bylaw by Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (G) – Fri 4, The Predator (18A) – Thur 7, 9:45 p.m. 6:45, 10; Sat-Sun 12:45, 4, 6:45, 10; Mon-Wed 6:45, The Apartment – Wed 7:05; Thur 6:30 p.m. rezoningthe subject 10 p.m. Thailand: Asia’s Paradise – Passport to the site from Public Mission: Impossible – Fallout (PG) – Fri-Sun World (G) – Mon 7 p.m. Assembly (PA) to 3:30 p.m. Royal Ballet Live: Swan Lake – Sat 4; Sun Comprehensive Mission: Impossible – Fallout 3D (PG) – Fri, noon, 7:45 p.m. DevelopmentZone124 (CD124). TheCD124 Zone addressesuse andaccessory use, density, height, setbacks,buildingand site coverage, JOIN landscapingand storm watermanagement FOR andparking,loading *Providedbyapplicant for illustrative purposes only. andservicing US The actualdevelopment, if approved,may differ. regulations. OUR SENIORS When can Ispeak? We welcome your input Tuesday, September18, 2018,at7pm. PROGRAMS Youcan speakinpersonbysigning up at thehearing,oryou canprovide awritten submission to theMunicipal Clerkat [email protected] or by mail to MunicipalClerk,DistrictofNorth Vancouver,355 West QueensRoad, North Vancouver,BC, V7N 4N5, before theconclusion of thehearing. Please note that Councilmay notreceive furthersubmissions from thepublic Join us for BINGO! concerning this applicationafter theconclusion of thepublic Mondays and Thursdays at 1pm hearing. Need more info? Relevant background material andcopiesofthe bylawsare available forreview at theMunicipal Clerk’sOfficeoronline at dnv.org/public_hearing from September4toSeptember 18. Office hoursare Monday to Friday 8amto4:30pm, except statutoryholidays. …inspiring and enhancing the well-being of adults 55 plus

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JEREMY SHEPHERD notes that contravention of [email protected] facility rules includes harassment, vandalism, violence, They won’t hang you brandishing of weapons and for violating West theft. Besides physically and Vancouver’s bylaws – but verbally aggressive behaviour, you might get suspended. the bylaw may also apply to West Vancouver unani- visitors who fail to abide by mously approved a motion the rules or etiquette of the Sept. 10 that allows district facility in question. staff to expel unruly residents Once suspended, residents from municipal facilities for have 10 business days to one year. appeal the expulsion. The bylaw, which was Much like in criminal passed without discussion, is court, suspensions would intended to “promote a safe, be based on the nature and healthy, respectful and posi- severity of the infraction, the tive environment,” according intent, and whether the indi- to a district staff report vidual in question is a serial authored by West Vancouver violator. chief administrative officer “In 2017 there were 1.8 mil- Nina Leemhuis. lion visitors to our community The policy applies to centres and an average of two municipal hall, community who were banned, but the centres, and district facilities District is committed to pro- such as the Ferry Building viding a safe and respectful Gallery. environment for those 1.8 mil- While suspension-worthy lion people,” West Vancouver misbehaviour only occurs spokeswoman Donna Powers occasionally, the report wrote in an email.

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nvrc.ca 604987 PLAY (7529) ShadeS •automation •drapery partS•Servicing •cleaning WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 north shore news nsnews.com PARENTING | A27 Get involved when it comes YOUNG ARTIST OF THE WEEK to your child’s education

child success in school. The best way to initiate house and involve the kids. It is also shown to lead a relationship with your Let them know why you to decreased absenteeism, child’s teacher is to attend chose to support certain improved achievements the parent-teacher confer- candidates. and improved perception ences. Don’t wait until you Education matters. We of school and classroom have a problem; meet the all believe that, but do we climate. When parents are teacher at the first available act on it? Being involved involved in their child’s opportunity. Then if there and voting when there are education their success rate ever is a problem, you are elections, paying attention improves. That alone makes not dealing with a stranger, to the education practises Parenting it a good reason to attend. but a colleague. You and the and plans for the school will Today But what about the actual teacher are working together benefit our children and our parent committee meeting? to educate your child. society. Kathy Lynn If it’s boring, do something Besides what’s happening Let’s support our school about that. Pay attention. in the school, pay attention trustees, administrators and There is a piece of paper What’s boring and how to the bigger picture. Do you teachers and let our children Asal Dara (13) Boundary Elementary sitting on the kitchen could that be improved? Do know who is on your local know that their education ART TEACHER: Jeeniece Chand counter. You try to you have a friend who could school board? Who are the matters. Everyone will FAVOURITE ART: Acrylic and oil paint ignore it. It won’t go be encouraged to come to trustees and what do they benefit. FAVOURITE ARTIST: Nazila Rafizade away. You try to throw the meeting to speak on an stand for? it away but you know interesting issue like bullying During elections and Kathy Lynn is a parenting HER TEACHER WRITES: Asal paints with ease and vision. that’s not right, so it just or computer use? Speak up. by-elections pay attention. expert who is a professional She is full of creative ideas that are expressed through her sits there. When the meeting is get- If you can volunteer to help speaker and author of Vive la artwork. She enjoys nature, so she communicates her love of it through acrylic paintings of landscapes. It’s a notice from Briana’s ting bogged down in detail, the candidates you support, Différence, Who’s In Charge school. The first parent suggest a committee study do so and let your children Anyway? and But Nobody Young Artists of the Week are selected from North Shore advisory committee meeting the problem and report see your involvement. Told Me I’d Ever Have to schools by Artists for Kids for displaying exceptional ability of the year is scheduled for back. Or stand up and sum- Even if volunteering is Leave Home. If you want to in their classroom artwork. For details, visit the website next Wednesday evening. marize the discussion and just not possible, you can read more, sign up for her artists4kids.com. And you are available? suggest that it’s time for a vote. Read the literature, informational newsletter at You checked. But, oh, why vote. talk about it around the www.parentingtoday.ca. PHOTO CINDY GOODMAN should you go? You’re so There is real value for busy. You’re so tired. The you and your kids when meetings are so boring. you attend the meetings. Be You should go because it proactive; help make your matters. parent committee the best in Children look to their the district. KNOW THE parents to understand the Get to know your child’s world and determine what teachers. Your child will ADVERTISINGRULES really matters. You are your benefit from having the children’s first and primary important adults in her life 2018 GENERALLOCAL ELECTIONS teacher and when you show working together. When your concern about their you know her teacher and THIRDPARTY ADVERTISING education by being involved, understand the culture of they also see it as impor- the classroom, you can more tant. This is backed up by easily work with your child research that shows that to handle the day-to-day parental involvement in the challenges of being a child General localelections in B.C. areonOctober 20,and thereare school is closely related to and a student. rulesthatthird partyadvertisers must follow.

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elections.bc.ca/lecf 6th Floor,171 W. Esplanade, North Vancouver 1-855-952-0280 ∙[email protected] 604.980.8571 • northshorelaw.com A42 | TELEVISION nsnews.com north shore news FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 Duo attending fundraiser at Cornerstone Bistro

From page 41 First Nations art with their Friends and family and titles, Phil broke down and complete strangers have don’t gamble – that was a cried. been with them on their really difficult task because “I really believed we’d journey. As the season I had to learn how to deal make it to the finale,” he unfolded, Martina and Phil properly.” said. organized viewing parties Amazing Race Canada: But the entire race was and get-togethers. One view- Heroes Edition started the “most intense thing I’ve ing party was held at Queens in B.C. in Squamish, then done,” Phil said, echoing his Cross Pub, and it doubled continued to Dawson City, sister that it required emo- as a fundraiser for Harvest Yukon; Indonesia; P.E.I.; tional, physical, mental and Project Food Bank, raising Mexico; Stratford, Ont.; spiritual resources. $930 for the North Shore Winnipeg, Man.; and then “You need all that com- non-profit. Fredericton where they bined and you need to focus “I think our biggest finally met their match. the right way to keep surviv- message is this: whatever “Even though we might ing,” Phil said. you do, do it well … share not have been one of the After the episode show- kindness and love and fastest teams, we were one ing Martina and Phil being compassion with everyone,” of the smartest teams,” eliminated, they checked Martina said. Martina said. “I think we the Amazing Race Facebook “What we wanted to show have a lot of heart.” page and found thousands of Canada was if you do good, In Mexico City, the Seo messages of people support- you can go far in the race, brother and sister pair ing them, which Martina said and if you do good in life, again applied their brain she appreciated so much. you can go far in life,” Phil power to their tasks. As the “It was so overwhelming, said. “We feel like we won other teams scrambled to I want to message everyone an experience of a lifetime. I hail taxis to take them from back and say thank you for know we didn’t win the race challenge to challenge, Phil your support but I can’t but other than that, we won and Martina enlisted “Papa keep up – it was so nice they such an amazing experience Eduardo,” a taxi driver, to wrote to me, I want to write and 10 legs of memory.” stick with them the whole back,” Martina said. Martina and Phil will day. After doing 14 interviews be holding a meet-and- The Indonesian leg of after their elimination, greet session on Saturday, the journey was an emo- Martina arrived home to Sept. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. at tional roller coaster as the Martina and Phil Seo travelled across Canada and around the world on their Amazing Race find a card slipped under Cornerstone Bistro, 1096 W. pair were last all day - until adventure, bonding as brother and sister. PHOTO SUPPLIED BELL MEDIA her door from her neigh- 22 St., North Vancouver. It is they were asked to do an bour, saying that she, her also a fundraiser for Harvest Indonesian hand dance. sequence and do it the they would barely make expectations were much husband and baby had been Project Food Bank and the Luckily, Phil likes to dance fastest, and they weren’t it through the first round higher. So, when they were watching every Tuesday and Seos are asking people and he break dances so he eliminated after all. of Amazing Race Canada: eliminated in Stratford after were so sad when they were attending to bring cash or was able to learn to dance While his sister thought Heroes Edition, Phil’s losing a challenge to match eliminated. canned food for the event.

PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING

Aredevelopment is being proposed for3015-3059 Woodbine Drive, at the corner of Woodbine Driveand West Queens Road, to construct a3-storeymixed- 2205 Park Royal South, West Vancouver use development. Youare invited to asecond meeting to discussthe project. THE TENTS ARE COMING DOWN! The first meeting washosted on July 26,2018. + Date:Thursday, September 20,2018 Time: 6:30pm %OFF nd 70 Location: DelbrookCommunityCentre(Maple Room, 2 Floor) FINAL WEEKEND! NOW UP TO our original price on clearance items in the tent! 851WestQueens Road, North Vancouver u Below Cost Clearance Items! u As-is Furniture u Scratched &Dented Appliances u Below Cost TVs! The applicant,Omicron Development Inc., proposestorezone the sitefrom SEPTEMBER 14-17, 2018 commercial zoning to acomprehensivedevelopment zone, to permit 20 market condominiums and 9,700square-feet of commercial area. The unitswill + AMAZON ALEXA range in sizefrom870 to 1,325square-feet;each unit will have twobedrooms % UP % FREE SMART SPEAKER and outdoor space. The thirdfloor condominiums will have access to private TO + + when you spend $999 or more on furniture. roof-top patios. 37 parking spaces areprovidedfor the residentsalong with 5 70OFF 30OFF Excludes mattresses. One per family.Subject to our ticket price on availability.ECHxxxxxx visitor parking spaces.25publicly accessible parking spaces areprovidedfor GENUINE LEATHER SOFAS DINING Hands-free, voice-controlled PACKAGES &INDIVIDUAL ITEMS device that uses Alexa to play the retailersand shoppers. 0 45 When you buy the matching loveseat or 6 0 3 32 32 music, control smart home 79 32 33 32 32 48 15 32 32 3195 chair at our ticket price. R 25 45 devices, and more. 190 3150 32 -3 164 D 3228 -3 32

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29 98 2964 BL 97 40 29 37 95 29 57 75 29 96 29 VD 29 MAJOR APPLIANCES 50 28 BEDROOM UPHOLSTERY NE 29 WO 66 5 29 2 94 59 29 9 75 29 2 25 29 28 PACKAGES &INDIVIDUAL ITEMS Excludes discounted, clearance, Buyer’sBest, and While Quantities Last items. 29 2 29 0 9 2 Excludes discounted, clearance, special buys, and Buyer’sBest items. % OCCASIONAL TABLES & Information packagesare being distributed to residentswithin a100 metre PLUS CHESTS UP HOME OFFICE % TO + 25OFF Excludes discounted, clearance, Buyer’sBest Excludes discounted, clearance, Buyer’sBest items, Inglis, radius of the site. If youwould liketoreceiveacopyorifyou would likemore + when you buy the matching 50OFF items, and 2&3pack tables. Amana, freezers, and commercial or builder products. our ticket price on 6-Pc. bedroom package information, please contactTyler Knoepfel of Omicron Development Inc.at TAKE UNTIL (604)632-1130 or RobynHay of the DistrictofNorth Vancouver Planning UP Department at (604)990-2369 or bring your questions and commentstothe TO $1000 BIG SCREEN + 2021 meeting. OFF SELECT TVs SALE BONUS+ TO PAYWITH NO INTEREST* *This is not aPublic Hearing. DistrictofNorth Vancouver Council will HEADPHONES LOCAL SHIPPING ON on product throughout the store when you spend $799 or TVS 50” AND LARGER receiveareportfromstaffonissues raisedatthe meeting and will formally FREE Taxes, administration fees, delivery fees, and other more on electronics. Available in major xxxx. See in store for fees or charges are due at time of purchase. One per family.Subject to availability. complete details. See back page for details. consider the proposal at alaterdate. $99.99 retail value. xxxx A42 | SPORTS nsnews.com north shore news WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 Triathlon helps former ‘party guy’ turn life around

From page 39 tougher by the fact that sleep-deprived Bentley had heavy eyes as he raced down the else. Being from North Vancouver, Deep Cove, I Big Island’s mountains. was used to rain. And to be honest with you, it “Every hour and a half I would have to stop was super warm. So it wasn’t that bad.” and take a little nap in the car,” said Bentley. He finished the first Ironman, but it took “Five minute power naps – that would help a heavy toll. The soggy conditions soaked keep me from seeing double.” his shoes, and he finished the first run with Finally the last run, his fifth marathon in massive blisters on his feet. Only four more five days, and those blisters from Day 1had Ironmans to go! only gotten worse. There was no time for pity, however, as “Every step I took was so painful,” he said. the contestants moved over to Oahu for Day “My feet were so torn apart. It was terrible. I 2, getting to bed at around 2 a.m. for a 6 a.m. basically walked. I tried to jog when I could, start to the second race. but it was crazy. Plus I was super tired.” Race 2, which included sections in Waikiki, Finally he came within sight of Kona and brought its own particular challenges. knew that he was nearly finished what had “I got lost for about an hour off the course,” been by far the longest marathon of his life. said Bentley. “I had to go into a Starbucks “I knew that it was four kilometres, that’s it. at the Waikiki Zoo and phone my wife in It just felt great. I felt like I woke up a little bit. Vancouver and get her to phone my crew.” It was amazing,” he said. Two organizers were He eventually found the transition he was at the finish line with a little piece of string. looking for and finished the second race, with “It’s such an uneventful finish line,” he said an extra 15 kilometres of biking tacked on in with a laugh. “You break the tape, and then the confusion. that’s it. It’s over. Then you celebrate with “That doesn’t sound like much on a bike, your crew.” but when you’re on your second Ironman, it How did it feel to race five Ironmans in five is.” days? Day 3 on Molokai was the dream race, said “It’s total suffering, but it’s kind of sweet Bentley. suffering,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s hard to “It was gorgeous. It was spectacular. It was explain.” paradise. It’s really quiet, no traffic. It was a The pain was well worth it, however, when really, really special island.” Bentley tallied up the funds that he had raised Race No. 3 was in the books, but the event while training for the race and knocking off the was taking its toll. Each day involved more five legs. His wife, North Vancouver promoter than 15 hours of racing, each finish line com- extraordinaire Mary-Jo Dionne, drummed up ing in the middle of the night. There was little huge support for Bentley as he embarked on or no sleep as the contestants moved on to his ridiculously hard quest. In the end they the next island for the next start line. Day 4 on raised around $41,000 to be split between Maui hit Bentley hard. five charities, all related to children: Canuck “That was a really hard day. It was an open Place, Minerva’s Indigenous Roots program Chad Bentley keeps smiling through the first leg of the Epic-5 adventure race, which was water ocean swim, lots of big currents and (an outdoor leadership training program for completed in a tropical storm. PHOTO SUPPLIED COLIN CROSS waves. The bike course was super hilly and Aboriginal girls), the Millipede Project which lots of wind,” he said. “Fatigue had really set provides back-to-school shoes for kids in need, in.” CNIB kids’ camps, and Terry Fox pediatrics. Day 5 on Hawaii came with a few perks to Presenting cheques to the charities made Proposed Maplewood get the racers over the finish line. Bentley’s this adventure something much more special wife and children arrived to cheer him on, than a typical race, said Bentley. Marine Restoration Project and the final leg of the journey was held on “Doing big races can just end up being Public Consultation the Kona course that is home to the Ironman somewhat selfish and it’s just another finish World Championships every year. It’s a mecca line,” he said. “I wanted to make this some- for triathletes. what of a legacy race where I was doing “Beautiful swim. Just spectacular,” said something that was going to leave a lasting You’re invitedtoapublicopenhouse to learn more aboutthe Bentley. Then came a tough ride, made impact.” proposed Maplewood MarineRestoration Project. Tuesday, October 2, 2018 5:00 p.m. –8:00p.m. CorriganNature House Maplewood FlatsConservationArea 2645 DollartonHighway, NorthVancouver,B.C.V7H 1B1 *Theopenhouse is adrop-in format andthere is no need to pre-register.

Aboutthe proposedProject TheVancouver Fraser Port Authority’sHabitat EnhancementProgram is working to enhanceﬁsh andwildlifehabitat at amarine site immediately south of theMaplewood Flats Conservation Area in theDistrictofNorth Vancouver, B.C. TheproposedMaplewood Marine RestorationProject wouldenhanceapproximately seven hectaresoflower-valuemarine habitatintohigher-value intertidal, eelgrass andsubtidalrockreefhabitat.

Public consultation If youcannotattendthe public open house,there areother ways youcan participate in this public consultation: 1. Read thediscussion guide onlineathttp://porttalk.ca/maplewood andcompletethe onlinefeedback form 2. Provide writtenfeedback • By email at [email protected] • By mail Attn:Maplewood MarineRestorationProject VancouverFraserPortAuthority, 100The Pointe 999 CanadaPlace,Vancouver,B.C.V6C 3T4

PleasesubmityourfeedbackbyFriday, October 12,2018.

ContactUs Enquiries Phone: 778.988.6180 Email: [email protected] More informationabout theProject Web: www.portvancouver.com/maplewood Registerfor Projectupdates Email: [email protected] A40 | SPORTS nsnews.com north shore news WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 Record falls at Grouse Grind Mountain Run

ANDY PREST followed by Robyn Mildren of Vancouver with a [email protected] time of 34:00. On the men’s side, West Vancouver’s Jordan A record fell as hundreds climbed in Guenette claimed top spot with a time of 28:30. the Grouse Grind Mountain Run held Coming in second was Eric Carter of Squamish Saturday on the popular North Vancouver with a time of 29:14 followed by Marcus Ribi of hiking trail. Vancouver in third place with a time of 29:57. Madison Sands of Maple Ridge set a new offi- The Grouse Grind, known as Mother cial record for the women’s race, clocking a time Nature’s Stairmaster, includes 2,830 total stairs. of 30 minutes and two seconds for the gruelling Participants in the annual run are encouraged three-kilometre course with an elevation gain to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital, while of 853 metres up the side of Grouse Mountain. Grouse Mountain donates a portion of the The previous record of 30:52 was set by Kristin proceeds from the race to the BC Children’s Størmer Steira. Hospital Foundation. Brooke Spence of North Vancouver fin- The fastest ever official time for the event is ished second on Saturday with a time of 32:37 25:01.

Public Information Meeting I4 Property Group is hosting a Public Information Meeting to present the rezoning development proposal for3155-3175 CanﬁeldCrescent. The proposal is for8townhouse units (located in 4buildings) with 16 underground parking stalls. Please join us on Wednesday, September 26 from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Cafe Artigiano to learn about the proposal, view proposed designs, meet the Madison Sands (right) of Maple Ridge rips up the trail on her way to setting a new official project team, and provideyour feedback. record in the Grouse Grind Mountain Run. PHOTO PAUL MCGRATH Public Information Meeting Details Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 Time: 6:30 -8:30pm. Presentation at 7:15pm. Capilano Rugby Club kicks Location: CafeArtigiano (3154 Highland Blvd, North Vancouver) SITE MAP DESIGN CONCEPT off 50th season in style

Blvd Dr Capilano Rugby Club celebrated the start Highland Beverley Canfield of its 50th season with their home opener escentview Cr against their longtime rivals, Vancouver’s

CAFE SITE Cr

ARTIGIANO Cr Meraloma Rugby Club. escent Edgemont es Wo Several original members of the club were odbine on hand for the game and recognized in a

Blvd Drive ceremony before kickoff. The club was formed in 1969 following a merger between the North For illustrative purposes only Vancouver-based North Shore All Blacks and Information packages arebeing distributed to residents within approximately 100 the West Vancouver Barbarians. metres of the proposed development site. If youwouldlikemoreinformation please On Saturday the Capilano premier men, contact JoelleCalof at I4 Property Group at 604-688-4155 Ext 304 or Carly Rosenblat at wearing retro jerseys inspired by the 1969 the District of North Vancouver at 604-990-3717 or bring your questions and comments squad, capped off a day of celebrations with a to the meeting. 46-24 win over Meraloma. Please note: this is not aPublic Hearing. District of North Vancouver Council will receiveareport In other opening day action the Capilano from staff on issues raised at the meeting and will formally consider the proposal at alater date. premier women got their season started with a bang, scoring a 77-0 win over Meraloma. Meraloma got one back in premier men’s reserve team action, scoring a 27-0 win. Meraloma also scored a win in Div. 3 action, topping Capilano 18-13. The Capilano premier men will be at home again this Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff Capilano’s Johnny Franklin makes a tackle against Seattle. while Rob Cattanach provides support. SUNDAY,SEPT.30TH West Vancouver Community Centre &Seniors’ Activity Centre HOME & HAR EXHIBITION CATEGORIES: VEST JAMS &PRESERVES Competition PIES, CAKES &BREADS HOME GROWNFRUIT, VEGETABLES &SUNFLOWERS Bring FLOWERS your award-winning ARTINANY MEDIUM veggie EXHIBIT DROP OFF: PHOTOGRAPHY s, pies, Sept. 29th, 8:30am to jams &c HANDICRAFT rafts! 10:30am in the Lily Lee Spirit Room, WV NEEDLECRAFT CommunityCentre CHILDREN’SBAKING &CRAFTS (newlocation) STRANGESTSHAPED VEGETABLE! WINNERS ANNOUNCED: Visit westvanpumpkinfest.ca forfurther SundaySept. 30th, informationonentry requirements forall categories. 2pm on the Great Lawn

HOME &HARVESTSPONSORED BY:

Bucky Ellison and John Langley lead a group of original Capilano Rugby Club members in an onfield ceremony marking the start of the club’s 50th season. PHOTOS PAUL MCGRATH CONTACT: [email protected]|See websitefor further information A14 | PARENTING nsnews.com north shore news WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 Cold Therapy At Home It’s time to turn over a new

■ Effective & leaf this September soothing treatment Ask any parent and they earlier than usual and you will but that you know this year will tell you that while the find you will be less flustered will be different. ■ Reduce post- operative first of January may mark and more focused on having At the end of the day let pain and the official new year, a pleasant morning and easily them tell you about their swelling September is the real new make it out the door in plenty experiences in their own way. RENTALS year. of time. It’s tempting to bombard them AVAILABLE Back to school with new On the first day of school with questions. After all, you classes, new friends, new your kids will be somewhat have been wondering all day teachers -- it goes on and on. anxious. For the little ones just how things are going. Back to School hours Mon-Sat 9-5pm And there is no end of advice entering school for the first But an interrogation will just 604-985-8771 •www.daviesrx.com for parents. Parenting time can be traumatic. They get shrugs and one-word Home Healthcare 1417 St.Georges Ave.,North Vancouver It all starts with a good may cry. It’s OK and normal responses. night’s sleep. We know that Today and the teacher is used to it. The problem with ques- RENT •SALES •SERVICE • SINCE 1973 lack of sleep in children can Kathy Lynn Say goodbye, give them a hug tions is that the questioner is lead to learning and memory and let them know that you in charge of the conversation. deficits. And this naturally trust they will be OK. When you question them, they COLONY’S enough can lead to poor aca- the routine starts and it can If you are confident that need to tell you about their demic performance. include a snack, a trip to the they will do just fine, they will day based on what you ask. All of which makes sense. bathroom, a story, a cuddle believe that as well. So instead, simply let them Face it, when you’re tired you and kiss from parents, and off The irony is that it’s often know that you are happy to FRIENDS are just not alert. So, part of to sleep. more difficult for parents see them. Then stay quiet and planning back to school is to After a good night’s sleep whose kids run into the kinder- they will likely start to tell you consider how much sleep your an organized morning can garten room without so much about their day. They can tell &FAMILY kids need and how to help make all the difference for all as a backward glance. Here you what they want in what- them settle down and have a family members. you are, devastated that your ever order matters to them. SALES EVENT good night’s sleep. Part of that can begin the baby is now in school, and With a little thought and A consistent bedtime rou- night before. Have the kids lay there he is ready and willing to planning this new year can be Offer valid until September 19,2018 tine is something we think of out their clothing, pack their leave you standing there. a positive experience for all. with babies and toddlers but bag and either make lunch or There are some kids who it’s equally important for our have the makings chosen and will be anxious because the Kathy Lynn is the author school-aged kids. Even adults ready to put together easily. past year was unpleasant. of Vive la Différence, Who’s benefit when bedtime has a Know what you are going to Reassure them that this is a In Charge Anyway? and But routine and the body simply have for breakfast so you can new start; that they will be in Nobody Told Me I’d Ever Have understands that it’s time to quickly prepare the meal. a new class with a different to Leave Home. If you want to sleep. Start by giving yourself teacher. But don’t dismiss read more, sign up for her infor- Homework needs to be enough time to get ready for their concerns. Let them know mational newsletter at kathy@ finished before bed. Then the day. Get up 15 minutes that it’s normal to be worried parentingtoday.ca

Formoredetails and alistoffeatured specials, visit us online – www.colonywarehouse.com COLONY Temporary Use Permit 2018 Major Appliance &Mattress CLICK TO EDIT MASTER TITLE WAREHOUSE 604.985.8738 |colonywarehouse.com Who: Seylynn (NorthShore) PropertiesCorp. 1075 RooseveltCrescent, North Vancouver Mon -Sat: 9:00 -5:30 Sun: Closed What: Real Estate Presentation Centre Where: Southside of Fern Street (as shownonthe sketchinred) InjuryClaims Why? Theparcel is zoned RS4(Single Family Residential 6,000 Zone) and theproposed presentation centre is not apermitteduse under theexisting zoning. Atemporary usepermit is required to permit the CHRISTOPHER proposed use. Under thetemporary Usepermit ROB DOLL, QC theproposed usemay remain forupto3years BURNS with thepossibility of one 3year renewal, fora Totalpossibleof6years. When? Council has delegatedthe issuanceofTemporary UsePermitstothe General Manager – Planning, Propertiesand Permits. TheGeneral Managerwill consider theissuance of thepermit after Wednesday,September19, 2018. Needmore info? We Can Help Acopy of theTemporary UsePermit is availablefor reviewatthe Municipal Clerk’s Office at the Call for aFree Consultation DistrictofNorthVancouverMunicipal Hall, 355 West Queens Road, NorthVancouverBC, or at dnv.org/temp-use-permit. Who canIspeakto? To providecomment or forfurther informationcontactKayzadNadirshaw, Development Planning, at [email protected].

6th Floor,171 W. Esplanade, North Vancouver 604.980.8571 • northshorelaw.com dnv.org NVanDistrict @NVanDistrict WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 north shore news nsnews.com NEWS | A7

political challengers Jim Ratepayers Association direc- Finkbeiner, a retired forest tor Heather Mersey. 24 candidates for CNV council industry executive, Gabrielle Loren, past president of WEST VANCOUVER West Vancouver Chamber SCHOOL BOARD From page 4 former federal Conservative affordability, transportation Cam Small and Edna Legale. of Commerce, Sharon All of the incumbent trust- candidate Mike Little is facing gridlock and the pace of Not seeking re-election Thompson, constituency ees are running for re-election councillors Bob Fearnley and off against political newcom- development to be among this time around are vice- assistant for Liberal MLA on the West Vancouver Bill Bell. ers Ash Amlani, who is the issues in both North chair and longtime district Jordan Sturdy, Marcus school board. Those include Others on the ballot running under the banner of Vancouver campaigns. trustee Franci Stratton, dis- Wong, who sat on the West current board chair Carolyn include Pooneh Alizadeh, a new political group Building trict trustee Barry Forward, Vancouver police board Broady, vice-chair Nicole Anna Boltenko, Angela Bridges, as well as filmmaker NORTH VANCOUVER who is running for council and the board of the North Brown and trustees Sheelah Girard, slow-growth advo- Erez Barzilay, Dennis Maskell SCHOOL BOARD instead, and district trustee Shore Multicultural Society, Donahue, David Stevenson cate Joe Heilman, Tina and Glen Webb. In the City of North Jessica Stanley, who moved educational consultant Andy and Pieter Dorsman. Political Hu, Kenneth Izatt, Alborz Those running for council Vancouver, board chair to Vancouver Island over a Krawczyk, Ambleside mer- newcomers vying for seats Jaberolansar, Mica Jensen, include incumbent Couns. Christie Sacré and incum- year ago. chant David Jones, notary on the school board are John McCann, Mack Mathew Bond, who is also bent trustees Megan Higgins public Kate Manvell, and educator Lynne Block and McCorkindale who works as a running under the Building and Susan Skinner are all DISTRICT OF WEST Ambleside and Dundarave Charlotte Burns. constituency assistant to NDP Bridges banner, Lisa Muri, Jim seeking re-election. VANCOUVER MLA Bowinn Ma, vice-chair Hanson, and Robin Hicks. Joining them on the After two elections in of the North Shore Women’s Other council candidates school board ballot in the city which the West Vancouver •WILLS, TRUSTS, ESTATE Centre Jessica McIlroy, include longtime school board are former North Vancouver mayor was acclaimed, a real PLANNING, POWERS OF Aaron Lobo, former library trustee Barry Forward, for- school trustee Mary Tasi horse race has broken out. ATTORNEY board chair and Museum and mer Tsleil-Waututh councillor Baker, Sean Ewing, for- Couns. Mary-Ann Booth •PROBATEOFWILLS Archives Commission chair and federal NDP candidate mer Capilano University and Christine Cassidy are &ESTATES Shervin Shahriari, Ron Polly, Carleen Thomas, as well as a student union executive both vying for the top job, Lynn Ron Sostad, Brett Thorburn, number of political newcom- Jullian Kolstee, Gordon bringing distinctly different Valley •REAL ESTATE, PROPERTY Thomas Tofigh, cycling advo- ers including Lynn Valley Moore, former Global TV takes on the pace of change Law &CONTRACT DISPUTES cate Tony Valente, business Community Association reporter and Braemar PAC in the municipality. Former •SEPARATION &DIVORCE owner and social planning board member Betty Forbes, member Catherine Pope, West Vancouver mayor Mark advisory committee chair Deep Cove merchant Megan Kamy Teymourian and Greg Sager, who has the bless- Lynn ValleyCentre •604-985-8000 Antje Wilson and Max Zahedi. Curren, Jordan Back, Greg Zavediuk. ing of outgoing mayor Mike Not on the ballot this Robins, Peter Teevan, Mark In the District of North Smith, has also entered the time are retiring longtime Elliott, ZoAnn Morten, Vancouver, incumbent trustee race in the last week. Political Couns. Craig Keating and Pam Sameer Parekh, Mitchell Cyndi Gerlach is seeking neophytes Nolan Strong and Bookham. Baker, Phil Dupasquier, Linda re-election. Others seeking Rosa Jafari are also on the Fee-Only Wealth Management & Findlay, and John Harvey. election as school trustees ballot. Retirement PlanningSince 1994 DISTRICT OF NORTH Absent from the ballot this include Kulvir Mann, who Incumbent Couns. Craig VANCOUVER time is outgoing Coun. Roger has been active on the Cameron, Nora Gambioli, John SClark CPA, CA, CFA, CFP With the retirement of Bassam, who pulled out of the District Parents Advisory Bill Soprovich and Peter Dennis Wan CPA, CGA, CFA, CFP &team longtime mayor Richard mayoralty race at the end of Council and Safe Routes Lambur are running to keep Walton in the District of North August. Longtime Coun. Doug to Schools Committee, their council seats. Vancouver, the race for the MacKay-Dunn is also slated to legal librarian George Joining them on the ballot mayor’s chair is wide open. step down. Tsiakos, Devon Bruce, Behl are former West Van Coun. Former councillor and Expect issues like housing Evangelista, Norm Farrell, Carolanne Reynolds and www.pacificspirit.ca

Cold Therapy At Home TempCLICKorarTO EDITyUMAseSTERPermitTITLE ■ Effective & Who: LukatHoldings Ltd. soothing treatment What: Automotive Repair and Body Shop Use ■ Reduce post- Where: 407 Mountain Highway operative (as shownonthe sketchinred) pain and swelling Why? RENTALS AVAILABLE The proposed Temporary Use Permitwillallow Esplanade Autohaus (automotiverepair and body shop business)tocontinue operations Back to School hours Mon-Sat 9-5pm contrary to allowableuses within the existing 604-985-8771 •www.daviesrx.com Light IndustrialZone (I3).The Temporary Use Home Healthcare 1417 St.Georges Ave.,North Vancouver Permitwillonly allow the temporary use for a RENT •SALES •SERVICE • SINCE 1973 maximum of two years.

When? OrchidPlanter Council has delegated the issuance of Temporary Use Permits to the General Manager – Planning, Propertiesand Permits. The General Manager willconsiderthe issuance of the permitafter ON SALE October1,2018. $ 39.95 Needmore info? NOW Acopy of the Temporary Use Permitisavailable for review at the MunicipalClerk’s Office at the $19 95 District of North VancouverMunicipalHall, 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC.

Who can Ispeakto? WHILEQUANTITIES LAST NO RAIN CHECKS Contact Erik Wilhelm, Development Planning, at [email protected] comment or for furtherinformation.

120 EAST 14TH STREET NORTH VANCOUVER dnv.org 604-770-2240 NVanDistrict @NVanDistrict TOOKA.CA SULLIVAN: Petty politics rule while the world burns

Paul Sullivan / Contributing writer

August 17, 2018 08:03 AM

It took nine firefighters hundreds of feet of hose and two fireboats to put out an afternoon blaze in West Vancouver last month. We’ve just been through the second hottest July on record for the North Shore. photo Paul McGrath, North Shore News Ah, summer on the North Shore. Just relaxing on the patio watching the sun cut through the smoky haze, looking like a red sore in the sky. Later, once you check to see which beaches are still open and not hopelessly contaminated by E. coli, you might go for a swim. We’ve just been through the second hottest July on record for the North Shore, the seventh driest ever. Environment Canada recorded 19.4 millimetres of rain in July. That’s three-quarters of an inch. In a rain forest. Coming up, more of the same. As I write, there’s an air quality advisory in effect because of the smoke and haze in the air from the 600 forest fires burning in formerly beautiful B.C. Environment Canada advises that: “If you are experiencing symptoms such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, follow the advice of your healthcare provider. As we are in the summer season with warm temperatures, it is also important to stay cool and hydrated.” Just don’t go for a swim in the bacteria-infested ocean. As I write this stuff, I find myself wondering what the adults in charge think of all of this. That’s if there are any. Adults. In charge. Whoever they are, they must be aware of what’s going on; I mean, Environment Canada is the scorekeeper. In fact, they are. Ottawa has promised to send 200 troops plus air support to fight fires in the province. And in the big picture, the prime minister is trying to live up to Canada’s Paris Accord commitment on climate change, even as Ontario and Saskatchewan fight his carbon tax plan tooth and nail. Still, I invite Mr. Trudeau – who seems to be everywhere – to hang out with me on the patio to watch the sun glare back at us. I would like to ask him how these intimations of the Apocalypse make him feel. He’s big on feelings, I hear. I know how I feel about the annual bonfire of B.C., and it’s not good, a combination of anxiety and outrage. Oh, and powerless. I wonder if that’s how Justin Trudeau feels, when just to the south, the “adult” who runs the most powerful nation on earth is blaming the California wildfires on “bad environmental laws,” not climate change or as it used to be called, more accurately: global warming. In fact, he often dismisses the whole idea as a hoax. But what else can it be when planetary places renowned for their sogginess – the Pacific Northwest and Scotland – are experiencing unprecedented drought and heat? Globally, this year is on track to be the fourth hottest on record. The top three? 2015, 2016 and 2017. The hottest ever? 2016. It would seem to me that these irrefutable facts should motivate the adults in charge to come together and address the problem. Instead, the Adult-in-Chief seems perversely inclined to make it worse – Earth burns while Trump fiddles. Somehow, the very air we breathe is ruled by petty politics. Meanwhile, back here, as one of the hottest summers on record (if not the hottest) continues to unfold, the fire department bans the use of barbecues in parks. It may seem small and pointless, but burning coals and gas have a direct impact on the environment. Maybe we should task all the fire departments around the world to come up with solutions to global warming. It’s not such a “fire”-fetched idea. Remember those TV commercials, “What if fire fighters ran things?” Maybe they’d prevent the world from burning up. As for the rest of us, what is the adult thing to do? Probably the first thing is to stop kidding ourselves. There’s a distressing amount of avoidance in the air along with the particulate. Some people look at all the smoke and hope the wind will blow it away. Someday – soon I fear – the wind won’t blow it away. Some people look at all the smoke and say “Yeah, but. ...” If the wind won’t blow it away, maybe we can explain it away. Even if we don’t dismiss the whole thing as a hoax, we can say, “Yeah, but it’s only the fourth hottest year on record.” Good luck with that. I visualize myself sitting on the patio with Justin Trudeau as he briefs me about his commitment to B.C., his commitment to Canada, his commitment to the planet. Then I squint into the haze and say “Yeah, but is that good enough?” I’m not sure what the answer is. I have to wait until the prime minister stops coughing. [email protected]

Politicians celebrate ground breaking on new $700M North Vancouver sewage plant

Jane Seyd / North Shore News

August 31, 2018 10:20 PM

Local politicians showed their shovel know-how during a ground-breaking ceremony for the North Shore's new sewage treatment plant Friday. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News Politicians dug in their shovels to celebrate the official start of construction on the new $700-million sewage treatment plant for the North Shore Friday, vowing that when the plant is finished at the end of 2020, it will pass the smell test both literally and otherwise. Construction is expected to start this fall on the project, which will replace the aging Lions Gate sewage treatment plant a few kilometres to the west, under the Lions Gate Bridge. That plant is the oldest wastewater treatment facility in the Lower Mainland, said City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto, who is also the chair of Metro Vancouver’s utilities committee. The old plant began providing primary sewage treatment in 1961, said Mussatto. “They used to say the solution for pollution is dilution,” he quipped, adding environmental standards have come a long way since then. The new sewage plant project - being built with $212 million from the federal government, $192 million from the province, and the remainder paid by a combination of Metro Vancouver and North Shore taxpayers – is “a wise use of our tax dollars,” said Mussatto. Funding for the plant is the largest amount that Metro Vancouver has ever received for an infrastructure project, said Greg Moore, chair of the Metro Vancouver board. So far the project is “on time, on budget,” said Fred Nenninger, director of policy planning and analysis for liquid waste services with Metro Vancouver. Nenninger said the new sewage plant is designed so that it won’t smell. “We’ve set this plant up from the very early design to be an enclosed plant,” he said. Many sewage treatment plants have many open tanks in them which is where most of the unpleasant smell comes from. The new sewage plant will use enclosed tanks and there will be small spaces within the plant where smelly air is collected and scrubbed with odor control equipment, said Nenninger. He added staff visited five plants in Washington State including ones in Seattle, Blaine and Olympia which use the same technology before committing to it, to “ensure this technology works.” Bio-solids from the plant – known to most people by less scientific sounding names – will be disinfected and essentially turned into a soil that is then used to spread on mine reclamation sites and range lands. Preparatory work at the site on West First Street, near the foot of Pemberton Avenue, has been going on for a number of months at the site. That’s included installation of 3,600 stone columns in the ground, so that the plant will withstand earthquakes. It also includes barge loads of sand being brought in to compress the ground on the site in preparation for the first concrete that will be poured in the next couple of months. “It’ll look quite different this time next year,” said Nenninger. Politicians credited the Squamish Nation for helping the project to come together. Under deals negotiated with the nation’s council, a new sewage line bringing sewage from West Vancouver to the new plant and existing lines that will take treated liquid sewage back to the existing ocean outfall will continue to run under Squamish Nation land. If that agreement hadn’t been possible “it would have been very expensive and very difficult” to relocate the pipes, said Mussatto. Under agreements with Metro Vancouver, the Squamish Nation and the federal government, once the new plant is built, the old plant will be decommissioned and the land will be remediated to residential standards and returned to the Squamish Nation’s Capilano reserve lands. Land where the current sewage plant sits was among 130 acres expropriated from the reserve lands in 1916, said Squamish Nation Councillor Chris Lewis. Later, in the 1950s, Squamish Nation leaders struck deals with the regional government to allow water mains to be built under reserve land. As part of the process of negotiating the new agreements, “we had elders come in and tell us what was said back in those days and what was agreed to back in those days,” said Lewis. He said the nation is “very happy and pleased that the land is being returned. It’s prime real estate. It’s prime land.” The approximately $20-million cost to remediate the current sewage plant site is included in the $700-million project budget for the new plant. According to Metro Vancouver, the new sewage plant will generate about 75 per cent fewer greenhouse gases than the existing plant. The heat recovery facility at the plant will capture thermal energy from treated sewage for the City of North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Energy Corp. North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson, who is also the minister of fisheries and oceans, told those gathered to celebrate the beginning of the project that the environmental upgrades are important not just to humans but also to aquatic life in the region. © 2018 North Shore News

Proposed Maplewood Marine Restoration Project

Public consultation | September 24 – October 12, 2018 The Project team will be consulting with the public and stakeholders from September 24 to October 12, 2018 as part of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Project and Environmental Review (PER) process. Please read below for consultation details. About the proposed Project The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Habitat Enhancement Program is working to enhance fish and wildlife habitat at a marine site immediately south of the Maplewood Flats Conservation Area in the District of North Vancouver, B.C. The proposed Maplewood Marine Restoration Project would enhance approximately seven hectares of lower-value marine habitat into higher-value intertidal, eelgrass and subtidal rock reef habitat. The proposed Project consists of one site located on the north shore of Burrard Inlet, approximately two kilometres east of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. This marine site was identified as a restoration priority for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and was selected for habitat enhancement because of its current relatively low habitat values, and based on input from Aboriginal groups. The enhanced marine habitat is anticipated to provide long-term benefits for fish and invertebrates that depend on marine vegetation for rearing habitat, along with other fish and wildlife species such as waterfowl and wading birds. For more information about the proposed Maplewood Marine Restoration Project, please visit www.portvancouver.com/Maplewood(External link) Consultation and engagement Public consultation | September 24 – October 12, 2018 We want to hear from you. You’re invited to learn more about, and provide feedback on, the Project team’s proposed notification methods for construction and project updates, and a proposed ecological or cultural feature. Input provided will be considered as part of the port authority’s PER process. You can learn more and provide your feedback by:  Reading the discussion guide and completing a feedback from: o In hardcopy, or online  Reading the full Project Permit Application online(External link)  Providing a written submission: o By email: [email protected](External link) o By mail: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Habitat Enhancement Program Attn: Proposed Maplewood Marine Restoration Project 100 The Pointe, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3T4  Attend the open house: Drop in to learn more and provide your feedback. No RSVP is required. Date: Tuesday, October 2, 2018 Time: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Location: Corrigan Nature House Maplewood Flats Conservation Area 2645 Dollarton Highway North Vancouver, B.C. V7H 1B1 Please call 778.988.6180 if you require more information regarding consultation options.

How your input will be used: The project team will use feedback from this consultation period in considering proposed notification methods for construction and project updates, and a proposed ecological or cultural feature. The project is subject to review under the port authority’s Project and Environmental Review process, and input provided will be considered as part of this process. If you would like to receive regular updates about the proposed Maplewood Marine Restoration Project, please email us at [email protected](External link) or subscribe to the Habitat Enhancement Program mailing list(External link).

Province approves new Lions Gate Hospital tower

Brent Richter / North Shore News

September 17, 2018 02:50 PM

An architect's rendering of how the new Paul Myers Acute Care Tower should look when completed in 2023. image supplied

Plans for a new patient tower at Lions Gate Hospital have cleared one of the final government hurdles before construction can begin.

Health Minister Adrian Dix announced Monday that the province’s treasury board had approved the business plan for the $166-million acute care facility.

Approval by the treasury board clears the way for Vancouver Coastal Health to begin a bidding process for detailed design and construction. If all goes as planned, shovels will be in the ground in early 2020 and patients will be treated in the new facility by 2023, according to Dix.

The new acute care building will be a six-storey tower with 108 beds, eight new operating rooms and a medical- device reprocessing department, according to the province. It will be constructed at the site of the Activation Building, first opened in 1929 as North Vancouver General Hospital and demolished in 2017 to make way for the new acute care tower and a power plant replacement.

The new Lions Gate tower is unique among hospital expansion projects in that it is the only one funded more than 50 per cent by donations from the community. Almost $100 million of the cost is being covered by donations through the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. Of that, $25 million came as a single donation from North Shore resident and local entrepreneur Paul Myers, for whom the new tower will be named.

Retired businessman Kerry Morris running for City of North Van mayor

Jeremy Shepherd / North Shore News

August 16, 2018 03:16 PM

After losing a close race for the mayor's chair in 2014, Kerry Morris immediately pledged to run in 2018 on a campaign to slow growth and to make the City of North Vancouver more navigable by car. photo supplied

Retired businessman Kerry Morris is running to make the City of North Vancouver drivable.

A few exceptions aside, “There hasn’t been a single investment in road infrastructure expansion in a very long time,” said Morris, who announced his candidacy after narrowly losing his 2014 bid for the mayor’s chair.

Based on the ever-increasing duration of his car trips across the city, North Vancouver’s livability index is “declining at an alarming rate,” Morris wrote on his website.

The problem can’t be fixed by bike lanes and transit, according to Morris, who blasted the plan to “frustrate people out of their vehicles.”

Converting Chesterfield and St. Georges avenues – as well as a few cross streets – into one-way streets might help budge gridlock, according to Morris.

It’s also crucial developers give up frontage to allow room for designated turning lanes on thoroughfares like Lonsdale Avenue, according to Morris, who said density bonusing should be contingent on road improvements.

“We need to . . . compel every developer to get back to where they used to be.”

In the interest of affordability, low-rise rental buildings should only be redeveloped if the new building’s units are the same size and essentially the same rent as the units being replaced, according to Morris.

The city’s increased population has resulted in longer wait times at Lions Gate Hospital’s emergency room, according to Morris, who described waiting six hours without seeing a doctor. For nine out of 10 patients, the average emergency wait times at LGH have risen from 131 minutes to 143 minutes from 2014 to 2018, according to Vancouver Coastal Health.

Recent developments approved in the city have provided between 0.72 and 1.15 parking spots per unit. Because many households own two cars, residents are frequently parking on the street and creating a scarcity that effectively “steal(s) from the commercial abilities of the businesses,” Morris said.

Traffic calming measures – such as narrowing lanes to force drivers to slow down – have also resulted in fewer parking spots and generally created more problems than they’ve solved, according to Morris.

Morris also expressed interest in examining a North Shore police force.

“The RCMP are basically beyond the reach of any municipal government,” he said, explaining police departments should be tailored to their communities.

In the interest of lowering the cost of government, Morris said he would consider selling city-owned utility Lonsdale Energy Corp., which provides heat and hot water in Central and Lower Lonsdale as well as the Marine Drive area.

“We need to stop compelling users for paying about the dreams of council members,” Morris said.

LEC recorded a net income of $799,595 last year, making 2017 the most profitable year to date for the energy provider.

However, Morris said those numbers don’t account for the full cost of LEC, particularly the wear and tear on city roads caused by installation.

The city has loaned $23.4 million to LEC. The provider has so far repaid the city $1.78 million with interest. Full repayment is scheduled for 2036 but Morris said it’s questionable the city will ever get that money back.

“They’re not running a business, they got a vision thing going on and this vision thing is coming at a hefty price to taxpayers.”

Coun. Linda Buchanan and former councillor Guy Heywood are also slated to vie for the mayor’s job. The election is set for Oct. 20.

LETTER: Ride-hailing may not be a 'saviour,' but it's still a good idea

North Shore News

August 27, 2018 11:18 AM

photo supplied iStock

Dear Editor:

Just read your Don’t Hail Ride- sharing as a Saviour, Aug. 24 Grinding Gears column by Brendan McAleer.

From my experience, you are dead wrong and your column is part of the problem as are your pie in the sky solutions (hydrogen transit/bikes/trams).

 GRINDING GEARS: Don't hail ride-sharing as a saviour

On the North Shore we are spread out and our population is aging. It rains a lot. My wife can no longer drive. Getting a taxi at the house is a crap shoot; getting one on Marine Drive after an appointment almost impossible. And if I got a dollar for every time the Blue Bus went by “sorry ... full” I’d be rich!

In Palm Desert (where we winter) and San Francisco (where our daughter is) Uber is clean, efficient, inexpensive ... a joy to use. We often ride share and meet new people.

And they do bring much needed additional income to people who work hard, show up on time in clean cars (you rate the driver and car instantly and rudeness or unsafe driving means automatic dismissal).

Of course it’s not a “saviour”: FYI there is no saviour out there, just good ideas that make life a little easier and Uber is one.

Liam Murray West Vancouver

Ridesharing is Making Traffic Worse

https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2018/07/30/ridesharing-is-making-traffic-worse/

Matt L | July 30, 2018 |

One of the promises of ridesharing applications like Uber and Lyft has been that they will help increase vehicle occupancy levels and reduce congestion. However, it seems like the opposite is happening and they are actually making traffic worse. This from the Boston Globe:

One promise of ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft was fewer cars clogging city streets. But studies suggest the opposite: that ride-hailing companies are pulling riders off buses, subways, bicycles and their own feet and putting them in cars instead.

And in what could be a new wrinkle, a service by Uber called Express Pool now is seen as directly competing with mass transit…

…And the impact of all those cars is becoming clear, said Christo Wilson, a professor of computer science at Boston’s Northeastern University, who has looked at Uber’s practice of surge pricing during heavy volume.

‘‘The emerging consensus is that ride-sharing [is] increasing congestion,’’ Wilson said.

One study included surveys of 944 ride-hailing users over four weeks in late 2017 in the Boston area. Nearly six in 10 said they would have used public transportation, walked, biked or skipped the trip if the ride-hailing apps weren’t available.

The report also found many riders aren’t using hailed rides to connect to a subway or bus line, but instead as a separate mode of transit, said Alison Felix, one of the report’s authors.

‘‘Ride sharing is pulling from and not complementing public transportation,’’ she said.

It’s not really surprising to see these results. After all, ridesharing applications are just another form of taxis, which have to travel a distance to pick you up, then transport you, and then reposition themselves for the next trip. While technically there’s more than one person in the car, potentially you might need many more vehicle kilometres for every actual kilometre the passenger needs to travel. In essence this is a vehicle occupancy rate of below 1.

And the Boston study is not alone:

A study released in December found that large increases in the number of taxis and ride-sharing vehicles are contributing to slow traffic in Manhattan’s central business district. It recommended policies to prevent further increases in ‘‘the number of vacant vehicles occupied only by drivers waiting for their next trip request.’’

In San Francisco, a study released in June found that on a typical weekday, ride-hailing drivers make more than 170,000 vehicle trips, about 12 times the number of taxi trips, and that the trips are concentrated in the densest and most congested parts of the city.

And a survey released in October of more than 4,000 adults in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle and Washington, D.C., also concluded that 49 to 61 percent of ride-hailing trips would have not been made at all — or instead by walking, biking or public transit — if the option didn’t exist.

Across most of the USA transit ridership is falling, with ridesharing often cited as one of the main reasons for this trend.

Source: https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2018/05/18/u-s-transit-systems-are-shedding-riders-are-they- under-threat/

So far it seems that Auckland is avoiding this trend, with ridership continuing to grow. I do see more and more Uber vehicles driving around, so they must be having some impact on vehicle volumes and therefore congestion.

It makes me wonder whether a first step towards road pricing might be to have variable pricing for these types of trips, justified by the fact that they do require extra vehicle kilometres to shift each person. This type of pricing system may also encourage ridesharing to be focused in areas where traditional public transport struggled (e.g. low density outer urban areas) rather than in the more congested inner city where streetspace is at such a premium.

Reference article follows...

Your Uber and Lyft rides are making traffic worse, studies find

https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/02/26/your-uber-and-lyft-rides-are-making-traffic-worse- studies-find/sLYoiwK0QxgB8FwA5hMipI/story.html#comments

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press Logos for Lyft and Uber on a ride-hailing app driver’s car in Pittsburgh. Research suggests that ride-hailing companies are pulling riders off buses, subways, bicycles, and their own feet and putting them in cars instead. By Steve LeBlanc Associated Press February 26, 2018

BOSTON — One promise of ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft was fewer cars clogging city streets. But studies suggest the opposite: that ride-hailing companies are pulling riders off buses, subways, bicycles and their own feet and putting them in cars instead.

And in what could be a new wrinkle, a service by Uber called Express Pool now is seen as directly competing with mass transit.

Uber and Lyft argue that in Boston, for instance, they complement public transit by connecting riders to hubs like Logan Airport and South Station. But they have not released their own specific data about rides, leaving studies up to outside researchers.

And the impact of all those cars is becoming clear, said Christo Wilson, a professor of computer science at Boston’s Northeastern University, who has looked at Uber’s practice of surge pricing during heavy volume.

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‘‘The emerging consensus is that ride-sharing [is] increasing congestion,’’ Wilson said.

The report also found many riders aren’t using hailed rides to connect to a subway or bus line, but instead as a separate mode of transit, said Alison Felix, one of the report’s authors.

‘‘Ride sharing is pulling from and not complementing public transportation,’’ she said.

That’s not quite what Uber founder Travis Kalanick suggested in 2015 when he said, ‘‘We envision a world where there’s no more traffic in Boston in five years.’’

The Boston study found that the main reason people opted for ride-hailing was speed. Even those with a public transit pass would drop it for ride-hailing despite the higher cost.

Sarah Wu, a graduate student at Boston University, uses Uber less than once a week but more often if she has guests. She lives near a subway line but will opt for Uber if it looks like public transit will be a hassle.

‘‘I would prefer to have the Uber take me there directly rather than having to transfer several times and wait at a bus stop,’’ said Wu, who doesn’t own a car.

A spokesman for Lyft stressed that ride-hailing could reduce the number of personally owned cars on the roads.

‘‘Lyft is focused on making personal car ownership optional by getting more people to share a ride, helping to reduce car ownership, and partnering with public transportation,’’ spokesman Adrian Durbin said in a statement.

Uber is hoping to wean drivers from their cars in part by encouraging its carpooling services, spokeswoman Alix Anfang said. ‘‘Uber’s long-term goal is to end the reliance on personal vehicles and allow a mix of public transportation and services like Uber,’’ Anfang said.

Uber’s new Express Pool links riders who want to travel to similar destinations. Riders walk a short distance to be picked up at a common location and are dropped off near their final destinations — essentially, how a bus or subway line functions.

The service was tested in November in San Francisco and Boston and has found enough ridership to support it 24 hours a day. Round-the-clock service was also rolled out last week in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, Miami, San Diego and Denver, with more cities to follow.

‘‘This could be good for congestion if it causes vehicle occupancy rates to go up, but on the other hand, the Uber Pool rides and I guess these Express rides are really, really cheap, just a couple of dollars, so they’re almost certainly going to be pulling people away from public transport options,’’ Wilson said. ‘‘Why get on a bus with 50 people when you can get into a car and maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll be the only person in it?’’

In a study released in October by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, as many as two-thirds of transit users reported also using ride-hailing companies.

A report released this month by San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit system found ridership down disproportionately on weekends and off-peak hours, in part citing ride-hailing trips.

The MBTA is focusing on what it can control: pumping money into new trains, buses and infrastructure improvements, spokesman Joe Pesaturo said.

At least one study did not pin increased congestion on hailing services. Seattle-based firm Inrix scoured data from 2012 to 2015 in London and found the number of passenger vehicles, including Uber cars, remained the same or even dipped slightly. Reasons for increased congestion included a surge in road construction and delivery trucks dropping off online purchases.

EDITORIAL: Save our splendour

North Shore News August 28, 2018 04:16 PM

Natural splendour, such as the flowing fresh water off Lynn Canyon trail, is part of what makes the North Shore special. File photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News Natural splendour has always been a part of the North Shore’s appeal, just as it has been part of British Columbia’s brand and even Canada’s international reputation. Iconic destinations like Banff National Park draw visitors from around the world, while Gortex- clad throngs stampede to sites like Joffre Lakes and Quarry Rock. related  Deep Cove residents are fed up with boating live-aboards But increasingly, critics worry that we’re loving our natural beauty to its detriment. So many people are coming to enjoy our public parks at once that we’re in danger of hurting the environment, creating headaches for neighbours and lessening the very ambience that draws people to begin with. Locally the issue is raising red flags from Deep Cove to Belcarra. While the population of the Lower Mainland has increased, the strain it places on parks hasn’t received much attention. But now is the time to get a handle on the situation, particularly in Metro Vancouver. A start has already been made. In Deep Cove this year, limits were placed on the number of people hiking Quarry Rock at one time. More recently, concerns about Deep Cove have extended to the water, where some boaters have been overstaying their welcome, raising worries about sewage and noisy generators. Regulating use of public spaces isn’t easy, because by their nature they are open to anyone. Enforcement often falls through jurisdictional cracks and requires staffing at times it’s not available – on weekends and evenings. But as the region grows, we need to pay attention to protect our special places and prevent us from literally loving them to death. © 2018 North Shore News Short-term rental crackdown is working, city official says

6 Sep 2018 Vancouver Sun NICK EAGLAND With files from Stephanie Ip [email protected]

Vancouver’s chief licensing inspector says the city saw a 43 per cent drop in short-term rentals in the months leading up to its registration deadline, and said staff will continue to rely on complex software and old- fashioned tipsters to hunt down and fine operators flouting bylaws.

New regulations for short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO came into effect Saturday, after the city approved regulating the services last fall and launched a permitting process in April.

Over the five-month registration period, staff cracked down on commercial operators and unsafe dwellings so that there are now 3,742 short-term rentals, down from 6,600 in April, chief licensing inspector Kathryn Holm said Wednesday. About 70 per cent of them have been issued business licenses.

During that time, more than 660 properties were delisted or turned into long-term rentals, while Airbnb removed 2,482 more listings on Aug. 31 for not complying with the city ’s rules by that deadline, Holm said.

“Our innovative approach to regulating short-term rentals in Vancouver is exceeding our expectations and we’re very pleased with these early results,” she said.

“We know there is still work to do and we will continue to evolve our processes as we focus our enforcement on operators who are unlicensed, or who are misusing their licence.”

Holm said staff have been working closely with Airbnb and VRBO — who together represent more than 90 per cent of the city ’s shortterm rental market — to inform operators of the rules.

Like Airbnb, Expedia has added a field to VRBO listings where Vancouver operators must include their business licence numbers. This week, those with no licence or an invalid licence will be targeted for enforcement, Holm said.

She said the city has built a new, sophisticated data analytics system to track and manage listings across platforms, and identify offenders for enforcement. Many of the data the system crunches are available only to the city, including full licensing information and 3-11 and Airbnb data, as well as data from a third-party screen-scraper program that scans all listings in the market, she added.

Those who flout the bylaws will be subject to escalating enforcement, including fines of up to $1,000 per day, and per platform. This means someone listing the same unit or property on both Airbnb and VRBO without a valid licence could face fines of $2,000 per day.

Operators who don’t comply could eventually find themselves being prosecuted and facing fines of up to $10,000. City staff have investigated more than 2,650 listings to date and have built up a substantial case file to use in enforcement, Holm said. On Wednesday, two business days since the Aug. 31 registration deadline, city staff had already launched investigations into 294 properties.

Since April, it has received more than 1,300 complaints from the public.

Holm said residents can help the city by submitting the addresses and listing pages of suspected violators to 3-1- 1 or through its VanConnect smartphone app. While some residents have been regularly posting such information on social media, she urged them to also report to 3-1-1 and VanConnect so that formal investigations can be launched. 4 Comment(s)

Julie 1/2n 06 September 2018 07:57 Does Vancouver's crackdown include the Chinese short term rental apps?

TheWiseOne 06 September 2018 08:19 The Provincial and Federal Government need to pass a law that would make it illegal for Foreigners, (including foreign-owned corporations) from owning residential assets. Either that or tax them at a 75% tax rate.

Ricketty Rabbit 06 September 2018 08:41 Never mind whether it includes the Chinese short term rental apps. It does a terrible job of covering the English language ads on Airbnb. A civilian posting to Twitter has made it his hobby to expose the unlicensed Airbnb ads in Vancouver. They're legion. If you read Twitter, check out "@mortimer_1" to see how badly Vancouver is handling this. Another citizen - a software developer who decided recently to run for council - has developed and offered a free app to the City of Vancouver to monitor Airbnb ads to see if they are licensed. The city has declined. Instead, they are allowing Airbnb listings to flout the law.

Ron Sanderson 06 September 2018 09:41 The stated goal of this exercise was to increase the supply long term rental accommodations. The success of this policy should be measured in terms of the increase in the long term supply of rentals not the decrease in short term supply. Since the increase in long term rentals was not mentioned, one could assume the results were not nearly as spectacular as the attention grabbing headline of the 43% decrease.

Squamish Nation to create housing authority Plan to build 1,000 units on reserve lands in North Van, Squamish Valley moves forward

Brent Richter / North Shore News

August 31, 2018 06:09 AM

Two single-family homes take shape on the Squamish Nation’s Xwemelch’stn (Capilano 5) Reserve, below Lions Gate Bridge. The First Nation will be determining how best to spend federal and provincial funds for new on-reserve housing. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News

The Squamish Nation has taken a step towards the creation of its own housing authority aimed at tackling the affordability crisis acutely impacting its members.

A motion to get started on the project received unanimous approval from Squamish Nation council earlier this month. Of the nation’s roughly 4,000 members, around half live off reserve lands, according to the band.

“Our hope is to bring our people home. We know our people want to come home and they want to live in our community,” said Khelsilem, Squamish Nation spokesman and elected council member. “I think for us as leadership, it’s our responsibility to make that a priority. Housing has been the No. 1 priority for our nation for decades but we need to come up with some innovative solutions for doing it and also learn from our mistakes in the past about what didn’t work.”

Those living off reserve have to contend with the same affordability crisis the rest do in the Lower Mainland, but statistics show Squamish Nation members earn less than the Canadian average, Khelsilem noted.

“We have a very low income assistance rate. Most of our people are working but they’re not working at high- paying jobs, especially in this market,” Khelsilem said. “Most of what we’re looking at is all-rental but at various income levels – rent geared to income or rent geared to social income assistance rates or those on disability – and looking at different income brackets to providing housing for the various levels that are in our community.”

Two big changes in housing policy at the federal and provincial levels should allow a housing authority to address that, Khelsilem said. Part of the federal government’s $40-billion national housing strategy announced last year included $1.04 billion to be spent on Indigenous housing by 2023. And Khelsilem had specific praise for the provincial government, which has put up $550 million for on-reserve housing.

“That’s unprecedented. No province in Canada has done that,” he said.

Exactly what kind of housing the authority would produce and where will be decided by an appointed board of directors and expert staff. Council’s role would be to allocate land and consult with members, Khelsilem said.

There is already some land set aside for future housing on Xwemelch’stn (Capilano 5) Reserve. As well, the council previously purchased land from the Crown in the Squamish Valley which is in the process of being legally converted to reserve land.

For decades, Squamish Nation members have been able to add themselves to a list to eventually receive a single-family home on reserve land. Any member over the age of 18 can be added to the list and, eventually, they will receive one of 15 new houses built each year. But due to a lack of federal funding, the program is about six years behind schedule. Members who can raise enough money to cover their own construction costs can also apply for a plot of land. The nation also has a number of social housing units in North Vancouver and Squamish.

Streamkeepers building coho salmon habitat in North Van's Lynn Creek Stream stewards create pools in channel to shelter juvenile salmon

Jane Seyd / North Shore News

August 29, 2018 07:00 AM

Building a watery nursery for young coho salmon is no small task.

It took 120 large boulders, 34 logs, a specialized excavator and countless hours of work by dedicated volunteers.

But for Glen Parker, project manager for the North Shore Streamkeepers, recent work to restore habitat for juvenile coho in a natural channel of Lynn Creek is worth the effort.

If the project is successful, it could increase the number of coho returning to Lynn Creek each year from the hundreds to the thousands, said Parker.

“It’s one of the bigger restoration projects that has been done on the North Shore in a while.” The restoration project has been a long time coming.

Lynn Creek, the third largest salmon-bearing river on the North Shore, is a fabulous river for fish, said Parker – it’s cool and well-aerated – just the type of water salmon love.

But like many urban rivers, Lynn Creek has been “heavily armoured” with rocks and reinforcements along its sides to protect nearby land against flooding. For young coho, that’s bad news, said Parker, because those reinforcements also tend to destroy smaller back channels that are essential for the juvenile salmon. Unlike some other salmon species, young coho spend a year in the river before heading out to the sea.

Smaller channels and pools give the fish a more protected environment as they mature, said Parker.

The work will also help the buffer the salmon from impacts of climate change which can include large floods in winter and drier-than-normal conditions in summer, he added.

Several reports have pointed to the need for work on a Lynn Creek channel over recent decades, said Parker. But it was Port of Vancouver staff who pointed that out to the local streamkeepers. The port also provided the lion’s share of funding to get initial engineering work done on the project.

That was essential, said Parker, because the project had to be built to withstand the force of a serious flood that might happen only once in 200 years – ensuring that rocks and boulders in the channel won’t come loose and be carried downstream.

Essentially the project involved creating four “pools” in the natural channel – each about four metres in diameter – with the use of logs and boulders.

Boulders and logs were moved into place with a spider excavator capable of picking up and placing five-tonne rocks “with the precision of doing needlework,” said Parker.

To ensure the logs don’t move, each of them had to be held down with four boulders, attached with cables. “They’ll be there for hopefully a long time,” said Parker.

The total cost of the project was about $100,000. Of that, almost half was contributed by “in-kind” donations of goods and volunteer labour. The Port of Vancouver was the largest cash donor while the Pacific Salmon Foundation also contributed a significant sum. Logs and boulders were donated by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Northwest Hydraulic Consultants were also instrumental to the project, said Parker.

Work in the river – about half a kilometre upstream from where Highway 1 crosses the creek at the bottom of the Cut – started Aug. 21 and wrapped up Monday.

The work in the channel should help both the natural coho population and salmon enhancement efforts by the Morton Creek hatchery upstream, which also releases a small number of young coho into the creek, said Parker.

“If they have good places to live they have a better chance of survival.”

Study shows big growth in mountain biking on the North Shore Trail use six times higher than in 2006 Maria Rantanen / North Shore News August 22, 2018 01:00 PM

North Shore Mountain Bike Association vice-president Cooper Quinn takes to two wheels to explore one of the Seymour area’s many multi-use trails. photo Paul McGrath, North Shore News There has been a six-fold increase in mountain biking on the North Shore since 2006 as trail networks expand, municipal support increases and local mountain biking groups grow. The Western Mountain Bike Tourism Association, in its recently released report “2016 Sea to Sky Corridor Overall Economic Impact of Mountain Biking,” showed that there were 432,954 mountain bike rides on the North Shore in 2016, compared to just 71,439 in 2006. Of those riders, 48 per cent were from the North Shore, 38 per cent from Metro Vancouver and 14 per cent from elsewhere. The report is based on the 2016 Sea to Sky Mountain Biking Economic Impact Study. Mountain biking is important to the local cycling economy, said Martin Littlejohn, executive director of the Western Mountain Bike Tourism Association, including increasing “amenity migration,” that is, people moving here because it supports their lifestyle. “Young professionals choose to come to the coast because there are so many things they like to do when they’re not working,” Littlejohn said. The industry is expanding rapidly on the North Shore and on the Sea-to-Sky corridor overall. Changes that have come about in the last decade include expanded trail networks, more money for trail development, expansion of mountain bike associations, promotion of mountain biking for tourism and the development of a provincial mountain bike tourism strategy. In addition, in 2013, the provincial government allowed mountain biking on Crown land under the Forest Practices Act. Because the North Shore mountain biking areas are a mix of provincial Crown land, district land, federal land (under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation), Metro Vancouver and BC Parks, there are many hoops to jump through when developing trails, Littlejohn said. “But the results of the studies have also encouraged the other land managers to also recognize the benefits of the trails and their value to the community,” he added. Littlejohn attributes the growth in popularity in mountain biking on the North Shore partly to the good relationship between the North Shore Mountain Bike Association and the District of North Vancouver. “(The district) recognizes it as a positive thing in the community that also promotes youth engagement, quality of life,” Littlejohn said. “The relationship between the District of North Vancouver and the NSMBA is a great example of how these organizations can work together – they’re doing a great job keeping those trails in great shape considering how much they are used.” The district also gives monetary support to NSMBA, which is a volunteer organization that works to benefit the whole community, Littlejohn said. Christine Reid, executive director of the NSMBA, said the group receives $100,000 annually from the District of North Vancouver, one-quarter of its annual budget, to maintain trails on Mount Fromme. The relationship between the association and the district has allowed them to develop best practices for maintaining trails and collaborate on solutions. It has also supported the organization in contributing more than 13,300 volunteer hours of trail work in 2017. NSMBA also receives funding through grants, membership funding and donations from businesses, organizations and individuals. “As a non-profit, this funding and community support is invaluable and is a relationship we would like to see continue for years to come,” Reid said. “The economic impact that mountain biking has on local businesses and the community shows that strong partnerships with the NSMBA has a return on investment and we encourage and welcome other businesses wanting to support their local trail association and trail users to find ways to do so.” According to the report, $12.1 million in visitor spending can be directly attributed to mountain biking on the North Shore. This compares to $2.1 million in visitor spending in 2006. In addition, 80 jobs are supported by mountain bike tourism with $4.3 million in wages and salaries; it also contributes $8.9 million to the provincial GDP. “This information (in the report) is important to demonstrate the value of trails for the community,” Littlejohn said. B.C. is known as a destination for mountain biking, he added, with people coming to experience the terrain, the composition of the soil and the fauna. Many of the visitors are coming from Alberta, Washington state and California. Symposium focuses on advocacy The first-ever Western Mountain Bike Advocacy Symposium, put on by the International Mountain Bike Association Canada and the North Shore Mountain Bike Association, will take place Oct. 12 to 14. The theme is “Building a Diverse Mountain Bike Community” and the symposium will take place in North Vancouver. It will include keynote speakers, presentations and panel discussions. The topics will touch on building relationships with First Nations, adaptive mountain biking, youth, women and reducing barriers to participation. There will also be some trail work and group rides during the weekend. To sign up for the event, contact Justin Darbyshire at [email protected] or Christine Reid at [email protected]. © 2018 North Shore News EDITORIAL: Talk is cheap

North Shore News

September 11, 2018 04:10 PM

Resort Municipality of Whistler CAO Mike Furey speaks at the Union of BC Municipalities convention on Sept. 10. photo supplied Braden Dupuis, Pique Newsmagazine

This week local and provincial politicians are gathering in Whistler for the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities schmooze- fest where issues dear to the hearts of local government are discussed.

Housing is a hot topic. And with municipal elections looming, it couldn’t be more timely. One of the frustrations of local politicians, however, has been the limited extent to which any kind of action is under municipal control. Another frustration is the lack of good information available to help guide policy.

On Monday, UBCM prodded the province to move more urgently down the path to making real estate ownership data more transparent. That’s a good first step.

West Vancouver is also asking for support on its request to create additional tax classes, which would allow local government to tax non-residents at a higher rate. It is a change that is long overdue.

While it would be wrong to lay the housing crisis at the feet of foreign boogeymen, in a community like West Van, foreign capital is a real factor. You don’t have to scratch deeply to find stories of streets where the lights are permanently out.

Then there’s the proliferation of Airbnb listings, many of which used to provide permanent rentals for locals, and the reluctance of anyone in charge to deal with the issue. That’s another session up for discussion at UBCM.

But talk is cheap. What local governments need from the province on many housing issues is action. It’s what happens after the resolution books have hit the recycling bin that we’ll be waiting for with bated breath.

What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below

EDITORIAL: The new abnormal

North Shore News

August 21, 2018 04:28 PM

An aerial tanker is seen dropping retardant on a forest fire that was burning in West Vancouver’s Whyte Lake area earlier this month. photo supplied Jody Lotzkar

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized to residential school survivors. We approved. He offered recompense to criminally mistreated LGBTQ Canadians. We applauded.

But today, those accomplishments are akin to painting the living room while your house is on fire. Nationally, Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions have been hovering around 700 megatonnes per year. That’s the status quo, and it’s strangling us all. related

 Improvement in air quality expected later this week: Environment Canada

The thickest sea ice in the Arctic – composed of ice ridges 20 metres thick – fractured for the first time in recorded history recently. And here, today, right now loving North Shore parents can’t tell their children to go out and get some fresh air.

There will always be doubters who protest that forest fires are part of a natural cycle. It’s true we’ve always had fires, but if climate change hadn’t coaxed the pine beetle north and deposited dried-out brush on forest floors across the province, we wouldn’t have yearly infernos.

One of the most striking images of this year’s forest fires was taken in Prince George. In mid-morning the city’s street lamps shed light on an oppressive darkness that had settled over the town. It’s almost impossible to imagine a better metaphor for living in the dark ages.

We’re aware other world leaders have been just as myopically sluggish and have displayed equally depressed survival mechanisms, but Canada’s failure is coming at a time when success is increasingly synonymous with survival.

We hope someday soon we’ll be able to open our windows and cheer real action from our government. But today, we’d settle for being able to open our windows.

What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.

© 2018 North Shore News The suburbs don't get any respect — except from those who are flocking there Haider-Moranis Bulletin: If not for the suburbs, the housing affordability crisis would be even worse in fast-growing cities

Canada’s housing affordability: Coast to coast10:58 Special to Financial Post Murtaza Haider and Stephen Moranis

August 23, 2018 5:00 AM EDT

Last Updated August 23, 2018 5:00 AM EDT

Suburbs are the cradle of civilization, proclaimed Harold Spence-Sales who founded Canada’s first urban planning program at McGill University some 70 years ago.

Suburbs are also the engine of demographic growth. A recent report by Professor David Gordon and others at Queen’s University revealed that metropolitan areas accommodated an additional 3.2 million residents between 2006 and 2016, with suburbs accounting for 85 per cent of that growth.

During that time frame, the number of dwellings in metropolitan areas increased by 1.46 million. Again, the suburbs and beyond accommodated 78 per cent of the growth in dwelling units.

 Location, location, location: Why our national housing market is a myth  Why people give up renting to buy homes: It all comes down to demographics  Mixed-use developments make housing affordability worse — and residents more miserable

More than two out of three Canadians now live in a suburb, making Canada a suburban nation.

But while Canadian households and builders have overwhelmingly favoured suburbs over neighbourhoods in the urban core, the suburbs don’t seem to get any respect.

Discussions about growth and planning in the popular press and on social media have a near-exclusive focus on high-density downtowns.

The Queen’s report divided metropolitan areas into four mutually exclusive typologies. ‘Active core’ represented mostly inner-city urban neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of workers commuting by walk or cycle. ‘Transit suburbs’ represented neighbourhoods with a higher share of commutes by public transit. ‘Auto suburbs’ represented areas where workers commuted mostly by cars. Lastly, ‘Exurbs’ represented low-density rural areas included in the Census Metropolitan Areas.

Suburban populations across Canada grew five times faster than the populations in urban cores and transit- centric suburbs. Yet planning professionals, including the authors of the report, see that as a problem that needs fixing. The authors offer recipes to target more growth to the urban core and transit-centric neighbourhoods.

The interventions intended to reverse suburbanization ignore the fundamentals of land economics and demographics and hence are unlikely to succeed. Land is cheaper in the suburbs and so is housing because suburbs are land rich. The neighbourhoods in the urban core are mostly built up with little, if any, developable land, which is reflected in higher land and housing prices, a point we illustrated in an earlier column. Since suburbs have excess land, development is more likely to occur there than places where land is scarce.

Even more significant is the heterogeneity in household sizes, composition and preferences. Large households need more shelter space, something that cannot be supplied at affordable prices in the urban core where dwellings are smaller. It is, therefore, no surprise that 83 per cent of the dwellings completed between 2012 and 2016 in the City of Toronto were condominiums, which are hardly suited for growing families, who increasingly turned to the suburbs.

Urban planning literature, such as the Queen’s University report, views suburbs with a narrow lens of population density and automobile-based mobility, while ignoring all other suburban manifestations including the most obvious one being affordability.

If it were not for the suburbs, the housing affordability crisis would be even worse in fast-growing cities. New housing developments in the suburbs help ease population pressures on inner cities and thus provide an affordability cushion. In cities where new developments are increasingly targeted at the urban core and transit- oriented suburbs, such as Vancouver, housing affordability worsened even more.

But are suburbs without problems? Suburban living is associated with higher incidence of obesity, the report’s authors remind us. However, researchers at the University of Toronto who tracked individuals over time, found “no evidence that urban sprawl causes obesity.” Previous findings of a relationship between suburban living and obesity failed to control for the fact that “the individuals who are more likely to be obese choose to live in more sprawling neighbourhoods.”

Critics blame suburbs for auto-dependent lifestyles causing greater pollution and higher fossil fuel consumption. This is true. However, suburban demographics such as larger household size and the presence of children necessitate the use of the private automobile. Also, suburban residents do not necessarily work in transit- accessible downtowns. Over time, as gasoline-powered vehicles are phased out, concerns over GHG emissions and fossil fuel dependence will likely lessen.

The future of growth cities will be even more concentrated in the suburbs. It is merely an outcome of land economics and demographics. Suburbs could be designed better with mixed-land uses and greater diversity in housing typologies. Cornell in Markham, Bois-Franc in Montreal, and Garrison Woods in Calgary are examples of the new age suburbs that offer the best of both (urban and suburban) worlds.

Murtaza Haider is an associate professor at Ryerson University. Stephen Moranis is a real estate industry veteran. They can be reached at http://www.hmbulletin.com.

Three possible scenarios for Vancouver's housing market Guy Saddy Aug 9, 2018

Credit: Kagan McLeod

Will Vancouver home prices tank, surge ever higher or settle somewhere in between? With help from disgruntled residents, global investors and government intervention, here’s how the city’s real estate future could play out, for better or worse Scenario No. 1

The Homepocalypse

THE UPSHOT: In the aftermath of a worldwide trade war or another macroeconomic shock, financial markets dive–and Vancouver’s bloated property prices drop 50 percent or more

WHO'S CALLING IT: Marc Cohodes, the ex–Wall Street trader who recently (and successfully) shorted Canadian lender Home Capital Group, has predicted a 50- to 80-percent correction; the dinner party guest who has a lot to say about this and that

PROBABILITY: Long odds against

In the months following the Great Housing Crash of 2019, Vancouver looks much the same as it had before. Homeless men and women, faces pulled hard by abuse, sit on Hastings Street selling pilfered wares. The Pacific Ocean laps against the Stanley Park seawall, which, during a weekday morning, is crowded. A dust-covered, late model Bentley Flying Spur (retail price: $325,490) is parked on the north side of Alberni Street. But the driver’s-side windows are smashed, and the street itself, once busy servicing those who know how to pronounce “Hermès,” is deserted.

From a vantage point on False Creek’s southern shore, a short drive from Chip Wilson’s abandoned, graffiti- scarred home, tourists squint at Yaletown’s sun-soaked green glass towers, still standing proud among a forest of silent construction cranes—testament to the forces that once shaped this city so profoundly and are shaping it yet again.

Vancouver’s ascension to global piggybank and supercar parking lot had been spectacular. However, its fall was, as Mayor Eveline Xia put it, “a colossal shit show.”

This is Vancouver, post-Homepocalypse. Or, rather, one amped-up version.

It’s a future for which many are hoping. Magazine articles with titles like “Praying for a Real Estate Crash” or “Bring on the Real Estate Crash” have reflected and stoked this sentiment, and not without cause. Prices for some new units in the downtown core exceed $3,000 per square foot, putting the city in league with New York and San Francisco. But we’ve been on the verge of “pop” for almost a decade. Could a major property crash be just around the corner?

Elisabeth Gugl, an associate professor of economics at UVic, cites the robust provincial economy as a bulwark. “The fundamentals are strong,” Gugl says, “and so any correction is not going to have such an impact.” An across-the-board price drop of 70 to 80 percent isn’t in the cards, reckons UBC economist Tom Davidoff. “I think 80 percent would be exceedingly unlikely,” says the associate professor at the Sauder School of Business, whose research interests include housing. If a massive correction did occur, it would be confined to the highest- priced homes, where values aren’t supported by local incomes, Davidoff adds.

In online forums and casual conversation, though, there’s a growing, palpable longing for some sort of reversal. But even for those who are heavily invested in schadenfreude, if not property, “be careful what you wish for” applies.

The first and hardest-hit industries would involve real estate. In 2016, construction accounted for about 215,000 jobs throughout the province, according to the British Columbia Construction Association. But ancillary industries would face major difficulties, too. From realtors and mortgage brokers to lawyers and notaries, the pain would be felt deeply and widely. We’ve seen this before, south of the border. “The subprime crisis in the U.S. was really rough on a lot of people, especially people working in the trades,” Davidoff says.

Unemployment would rise across the board, reverberating throughout the provincial economy and propelled by the negative wealth effect. When house prices are rising, homeowners adjust their spending, disproportionately reflecting paper gains. The general rule? A 1-percent uptick in prices comes with a 5-percent increase in spending. But when property values dip, the opposite holds true as people cut back on luxury cars, dining out and other non-essentials. Lesson: When the housing market catches cold, the economy gets congestive heart failure.

Credit: Courtesy of UBC

UBC professor Tom Davidoff says that even if housing prices fall, rents probably won’t

Retirees who had been banking on equity gains to finance their non-working years would have to rethink that strategy, especially if they’d used their homes as a cash machine to fund everything from roof repairs to trips to Cabo. But because most bought before the stratospheric rise in housing prices, they’d likely be insulated from the most toxic effects.

Not those who recently began climbing the property ladder. In 2016 the Bank of Canada predicted that a 25- percent drop in Greater Vancouver prices would translate into one in every four mortgages being “underwater”—a negative equity position, where the value of the home would be less than the amount owed on it.

If interest rates remain relatively low, many would choose to hold on and keep making the payments. But in a serious crash, a significant number of recent buyers might bolt. “Now the banks have a property they want to dispose of, and they want to get it off their balance sheet quickly,” Davidoff says. “Prices fall further because there’s so much inventory on the market.”

That doesn’t even take into account the presale condo market, where many buyers would choose to lose their deposit (even if faced with a potential breach-of-contract lawsuit) rather than take possession of a property whose value has tanked. This puts even more inventory on the market, creating more downward pricing pressure.

Still, those who could afford to own would probably stay put. And those who rent? Counterintuitively, their situation wouldn’t improve. In the U.K. in 2008-10, after the last great global macroeconomic shock, housing prices fell 25 percent. Rents, however, remained high, dipping only 2 percent overall. And a slide in construction activity would exacerbate an already desperate situation. “In a rising-interest-rate world where nobody’s building,” Davidoff says, “rents get worse.”

If prices did crater, it would be a buying opportunity for some renters. But you’d need to be holding a very good hand: employment unaffected by a constricting economy and income streams that could pass the rigorous B-20 mortgage stress test, at least. Then there’s the prospect of buying in a downturning market: when housing prices are dropping and the bottom is unclear—and it’s always unclear until later—will you be the one brave or stupid enough to catch a falling knife?

Credit: Kagan McLeod

Scenario No. 2

Up, Up and Away!

THE UPSHOT: Demand and supply side measures fail to stop–or even slow–the province’s red-hot housing market, and prices keep rising year after year

WHO'S CALLING IT: Developers, real estate agents, Ferrari dealers, the guy who just bought.

WHO BENEFITS: Developers, real estate agents…

PROBABILITY: Long (but not impossible) odds

Next year marks the 37th anniversary of the start of the Meibion Glyndwr arson campaign in Wales. This crime spree was the work of nationalist groups opposed to an influx of wealthy English property buyers who had bid up housing prices, rendering Wales unaffordable to the Welsh. Declaring “every white settler is a target,” the militants, who apparently did not possess mirrors, eventually exported their brand of umbrage to London and Liverpool, where a Conservative Party office and real estate agencies were bombed. By the time the campaign ended 12 years after it began, more than 200 holiday cottages had been torched.

“Real estate makes people nasty,” says UBC’s Tom Davidoff. That’s one of the first lessons he learned when he first became interested in it as an area of study, he notes. The reasons aren’t elusive: shelter is a fundamental human need, so people understandably get worked up when they see a threat to their living situation.

Today in B.C., the possibility that things could get nasty isn’t far-fetched—especially if prices continue to climb steadily. Surging nativism isn’t the only problem on the horizon if housing costs, like some fairy-tale beanstalk, keep growing skyward. But can they?

It’s possible. First, credit remains cheap. Canadians have gorged themselves on debt, and our debt-to- disposable-income ratio now hovers around 170 percent, according to Statistics Canada. Yet ultra-low mortgage rates have meant that in the last quarter of 2017, the national DSR, or household debt service ratio (all mortgage and non-mortgage debt commitments, including principal and interest, also known as the monthly nut), was a little less than 14 percent of average disposable income—holding almost steady since 2007.

(No standalone DSR stats were available for Metro Vancouver. But the inflation-adjusted carrying costs for an average-priced Vancouver home were much less in 2015 than in 1981, when a one-year mortgage was an incredible 19.75 percent.)

Since July 2017, the Bank of Canada has raised its benchmark interest rate from 0.5 percent to 1.25 percent. Despite those hikes—and a recent warning that more are likely—a cautious, tinkering-at-the-edges approach prevails. That means rates should remain relatively low for the foreseeable future, ensuring that cheap credit and low carrying costs, prime factors in the rise of B.C. house prices, remain in play.

Credit: Greg Ehlers/SFU

Urban planner Andy Yan drew fire for a study showing non-resident homebuyers’ clout

But cheap money isn’t the only driver, as urban planner Andy Yan, director of the City Program at SFU, has been saying for years. Yan’s research into non-resident ownership—notably, his 2015 study found that two thirds of the 172 homes sold over six months in select areas of Vancouver’s West Side had been purchased by people with non-Anglicized Chinese names—kicked the foreign buyer discussion up a notch. It also opened him up to the accusation that his approach flirted with racism, a charge levelled by certain stakeholders who some believed were trying to reframe the conversation, or prevent it from taking place.

Yan, no stranger to racism—his great-grandfather paid the head tax on Chinese immigrants—uses a computer science analogy to illustrate the ploy. “Basically, it’s looking for an exploit,” he says. “You see a fault in the code which is open, through which you have nefarious players who want to take advantage.”

Today, it’s widely recognized that foreign money, mainly from China, has played a major role in Vancouver’s overheated housing market, and not just at the ultra–high end: according to Yan, non-residents purchased almost 20 percent of condos built in the city since 2016, a torrid pace. But can it continue? An assumption: as demand-side measures make things increasingly difficult, global capital will seek out other sandboxes to play in—like booming Montreal, which offers Canadian stability at a discount without the punishing caveats found here.

But Yan says that isn’t happening. The reason? “Networks—bidirectional transnational networks that have historic roots in Vancouver,” he says. Yan pulls up a chart on his computer. It shows that Metro Vancouver is largely a place of immigrants: in 2015-16, they made up 40.7 percent of the population—second in North America to Toronto, with 46.1 percent, but dramatically ahead of other centres like New York (28.6 percent) and San Francisco (30 percent). Vancouver is unique, however, because so many of those immigrants hail from China: almost 20 percent, roughly twice the proportions seen in Toronto and San Francisco, and about five times as many as in New York.

Yan is quick to add that speculative buying affects everyone, regardless of ethnicity: “People assume that the Chinese community is ‘vaccinated’ from the effects, but they’re just as exposed.” His perspective has been reinforced by appearances on local Chinese-language radio call-in shows. “I may not speak Cantonese, but I do know what pissed-off Cantonese sounds like.”

So, record-low interest rates + huge amounts of speculative capital + local enabling systems for global money = housing prices that could conceivably keep rising, creating a social, class and psychological disconnection between those who own and those who don’t. People just starting to hit their career stride—and those who come after them—will be most affected. If prices continue to climb, many will leave, taking their youthful energy, drive and creativity with them. Others, regardless of age, won’t come; today, recruiting talent for UBC and SFU is very difficult, mainly thanks to cost of living. Business talent shuns us, too.

“I don’t think mid-40s executives ever move to Vancouver,” Davidoff says.

The hollowing-out of Vancouver has begun, and if prices continue to skyrocket, the impact will be amplified. The only salvation? Vancouver becomes so expensive that the factors that once made it attractive no longer exist, and property values collapse—belatedly triggering the Homepocalypse and forcing a hard reboot of residential real estate. The light at the end of the tunnel is the proverbial oncoming train.

Credit: Kagan McLeod Scenario No. 3

Shave and a Haircut

THE UPSHOT: Rising interest rates and government interventions finally start to work. Inventory rises, sales stagnate, prices flatline—and then begin to drop

WHO'S CALLING IT: Finance Minister Carole James, whose first budget was designed to modify prices; UBC and SFU economists (including Tom Davidoff) behind the B.C. Housing Affordability Fund; every renter you know

PROBABILITY: The most likely outcome

“Real estate is Vancouver’s true passion, its real blood sport,” writes author and urban planner Lance Berelowitz in his 2005 book Dream City: Vancouver and the Global Imagination. He’s right. From the Canadian Pacific Railway barons who built Shaughnessy Heights to the current crop of carpetbaggers who go door to door pitching the virtues of land assemblies, B.C.’s post-colonial history revolves around trying to sell, resell and squeeze value out of land. This is the economic story of a province where extraction has always trumped production.

Even when we’re engaged in production, the story is complex. Over the past decade, says SFU’s Andy Yan, the real estate industry grew by almost 50 percent; the sector bests fishing, logging and mining as B.C.’s most critical economic engine. (Real estate accounted for 18.36 percent of the province’s gross domestic product in 2016, Statscan reports. In Alberta, oil, gas, mining and quarrying combined for just 16.98 percent of GDP.) Yet over that same period, according to Yan, the number of construction workers only grew by 10 percent. Other industry subsets—real estate agents, for instance—grew disproportionately. The bottom line: when it comes to real estate employment trends, we’re more about transaction than creation.

Still, if prices modestly decrease—or even flatline—it could help. “I think that’s a great scenario,” Davidoff says. “If you have nominal growth, or minus–1 percent a year for five, 10, 15 years—the longer we take a pause, the better.” But can a pause be orchestrated? In a climate where reversion to mean has become old thinking, many agree that something needs to be done to restore sanity to the market.

One way is to build. “We need more supply” has been the longstanding refrain, sung by everyone from social housing activists and urban planners to the development community. The reasoning is ostensibly bulletproof: with the right mix of supply and demand, the twin chakras of housing, balance is attainable. But are we building the right supply? “Yes. We’re building housing and, in fact, we’re building tiny little one-bedrooms, which is exactly what the market wants,” Davidoff asserts.

Others aren’t so sure. “We’ve been relying on supply side as an affordability solution for a decade now, and it’s completely failed,” says Charles Montgomery, who heads a Vancouver-based consulting firm that helps property developers create happier, healthier places, a practice that grew from his 2013 book Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design. “Simply increasing supply, in some cases, may just be offering more investment opportunities for global capital.”

Credit: Courtesy of Charles Montgomery

Vancouver must do more than boost housing supply, consultant Charles Montgomery says

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Part of the supply-sider argument toys with hubris: our province is so supernaturally beautiful, goes this line, that people will always come here in droves. Unless more units are built, newcomers will put even more strain on affordability because demand will continue to outstrip supply. It’s a compelling explanation, but it may not be the whole truth.

A 2017 study by Kwantlen Polytechnic University geographer John Rose found that from 2001 to 2016, while housing prices in Metro Vancouver jumped, the overall population didn’t; for every 100 households who relocated here, 119 units of housing came on the market, pointing to speculative buying, domestic and foreign, as a culprit.

Yan agrees, adding that in the past five years, Vancouver experienced the greatest building period in its history—but. “Vancouver’s population has pretty much chugged along,” he says. “There are many places where the population grew much faster, but the home prices did not.”

The terrifying thing about the “Up, Up and Away!” scenario is that all of the factors necessary for it to occur exist. To address them, we’ve already seen extraordinary measures. Federally, the B-20 financial stress test now makes it likely that lenders will reject almost one in five mortgage applications subject to the test. Vancouver’s Empty Homes Tax is up and running, though initial results indicate far fewer empty homes, or honest disclosures, than expected.

Provincially, raising the existing foreign buyer tax to 20 percent, instituting a so-called speculation tax (that initially cast its net far too wide) and an additional “school tax” levy on homes assessed north of $3 million were key moves. The last measure has the furthest-reaching implications, signalling the shift from income to wealth taxation. Although loathed by some, this ensures that, say, the affluent suburban homeowner claiming a Downtown Eastside income can no longer escape paying their fair share while at the same time often amassing unheard-of equity gains.

So much in play—all of it designed to give us a breather to create a more equitable, inclusive and, yes, even happier place. But what would that place look like?

Single-family homes would be scarcer—perhaps a necessary shift in a city where for every demolished house, only five housing units get built. (In Toronto and Montreal, the ratios are 20:1 and 30:1, respectively.) In these newly densified areas, what will you build? Purpose-built rental and social housing units are less profitable for developers, so they’d need incentives to take on these projects.

Another problem, less discussed? Those kinds of dwellings are less profitable for cities, too, UVic economist Elisabeth Gugl notes. Compared to, say, the larger municipal districts of Ontario, which can spread housing policy over a larger tax base, the relatively small Vancouver and Victoria regions compete with nearby municipalities for property tax dollars. They face a stark choice: build rental accommodation and forgo significant tax revenue, or approve condos.

There are alternatives. To address what’s known as the missing middle—the lack of multifamily homes that were once integrated into blocks of predominantly single-family dwellings, like, for example, the walk-up apartments of Vancouver’s Kitsilano and South Granville areas—some have suggested other means of making space within established neighbourhoods.

“Imagine a world where you could take a single-family lot, or two, and create not just three dwelling units per lot, but maybe six or seven. And let’s imagine that every third or fourth unit would be part of an affordable housing pool in perpetuity,” Montgomery muses. “Individual property owners could, on a small scale, begin to rebuild the city in a way that made room for more people who want to live and work here, while making profit and creating opportunities for long-term affordability.”

In other words, allow homeowners to monetize their land and assume some of the redevelopment heavy lifting—while creating living spaces that, in their intimacy, theoretically encourage neighbourliness.

It’s pretty to think so. But are we too late? Now that we’re on the international radar, are we just a long play for global investors and domestic speculators? One thing’s certain. The future isn’t what it used to be.

LETTER: Too many layers of government have led to all this gridlock

North Shore News

September 17, 2018 03:48 PM

file photo North Shore News

Dear Editor:

Re: “How can we escape gridlock’s grip?” Friday Focus: Sept. 14

 Escaping gridlock's grip: New plan addresses North Shore traffic problems

I like to thank Bowin Ma for taking the initiative to get a diverse group of people together to try to solve our transportation woes. The report produced is but a first step in the process. The report brings awareness to the general masses of what is possible so we do not hang our hopes in some pie-in-the sky proposal. This process should be repeated in other areas of the Lower Mainland.The proposals, if taken up by municipalities, are but the low hanging fruit but nevertheless essential.

The bigger problem still exists, that is, the structure, governance and funding of TransLink. In studying the history of TransLink, I have determined that the problem has been political. Like too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the soup, too many layers of politicians has led to the present state of gridlock.

This cannot continue because the Lower Mainland is a very important economic contributor to the national, provincial and municipal economy. I think we now have the proper federal, provincial, and new incoming municipal governments to fix the problem for good.

The three levels of government must agree on a secure source of funding that is reviewed at regular intervals (not less than five years). Without this we continue with gridlock and inefficiency. Appoint a respected British Columbian (Jim Pattison and EXPO) as executive manager (EC) to lead TransLink. The EC will devise a governance system that is transparent and accountable; develop short, medium and long term plans to facilitate transportation of goods and people; and communicate progress and process to the taxpayers. Only then can we hope to minimize/eliminate gridlock and enhance our economy. Not taking a bold step similar to this will lead to the more costly, piecemeal completion of projects that we have now, with probably increased gridlock. Let us do it right for the sake of future generations.

John Consiglio North Vancouver

Opinion: Transport tech disruption could transform housing Ultimately, the need for fewer cars on roads – or parked – will create vast swathes of space for living

Joannah Connolly / June 18, 2018 04:08 PM

Driverless cars represent a massive shift in the way society will operate, and municipalities across the world best start preparing. Photograph By iStock What do driverless cars and Uber have to do with real estate and housing supply? At first it might seem like a stretch to think of these elements as intrinsically linked. But a pair of tech gurus at two recent industry events, both analyzing disruptive technology in the transportation space, really opened my eyes to how such innovations could affect housing and urban planning. related  Lyft exec pitches Vancouver on value of abandoning car ownership  Driverless car tech company to conduct research in Squamish First, Silicon Valley entrepreneur and energy/transportation author Tony Seba told the Vancouver RED Talks on May 31 that widely available, affordable, autonomous, electric vehicles, combined with widespread use of ride sharing, will completely disrupt the car industry. And when these stars align, it could happen over the space of just a few years. “New York City went from all horses and buggies to all cars in 13 years. That’s how quickly disruption can happen – and this was 100 years ago,” said Seba. “Technology adoption happens in S-curves [with slow uptake at the start, then very rapid uptake as everyone adopts the tech and it becomes affordable, then tapering off after everyone has bought into it]. Like with television in the 1950s, the tipping point is at about 10 per cent [of uptake] and then it rises to about 80 per cent in a very short amount of time. Since the 1980s, S-curves are getting faster and steeper.” Seba explained that a “convergence” is needed for this to happen, such as the technology for a smartphone becoming affordable for the first time, combined with companies bringing the technology to market. In transportation disruption, the convergence of three elements will radically change the industry, said Seba: 1) affordable, driverless cars; 2) wide uptake of electric vehicles that are cheap to run and maintain; and 3) widespread adoption of on-demand transportation services such as Uber and Lyft. When those three stars align, Seba said, people will no longer need to own cars, which typically sit parked and idle 96 per cent of the time. Fleets of inexpensive, electric-powered, autonomous vehicles – owned and operated by on-demand companies, not individuals – will be in constant motion, picking up and dropping off passengers, and then driving themselves to the next customer. The number of cars in operation shrink by four times, because most of the vehicles are being used all the time, which means the need for wide roads, or surface and underground parking lots, will be negligible. “Currently, we spend $50,000 over five years to own a car, and we only use it four per cent of the time. What a waste of money!” added Seba. “TAAS – Transportation as a Service – will be on-demand, electric and autonomous. So it’s going to be a disruption. On the day that this convergence happens, and it isn’t a long way off, the cost per mile of autonomous, electric vehicles will be 10 times cheaper than the current cost per mile for a car. And 10 times cheaper has always, always caused a disruption. It won’t make any sense to own a car... For the first time in history, everyone will have mobility. And there’s a 90 per cent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.” So how does this affect real estate? This kind of transportation disruption would likely have both mid-term and long-term significant effects on housing supply. First, building new housing with no parking requirements is much cheaper, and existing, disused surface parking lots and parkades across cities could be redeveloped for housing. To put all that extra space into eye-popping context, “You can fit three cities the size of San Francisco in the vacant parking space that currently exists in L.A.,” said Seba. In the longer term, urban planners would no longer base cities around road infrastructure, instead using almost all the space available for homes, commercial and retail uses, and green spaces such as parks. High-rise development around transit hubs would still exist, but all neighbourhoods and cities would become accessible under the new transport system without any residents having to own a car. “What are we going to do with one third of the land mass of the city that’s going to open up in the next 30 years? Do we want green parks? Yes! Do we want affordable housing? Yes! Do we want more density? Yes! We’re going to be able to redesign the urban landscape. So Vancouver – what city do you want to be?” The collective jaws in Vancouver's Playhouse Theatre dropped at the implications of these changes. Still, I might have been inclined to take all this blue-sky thinking with a grain of salt, had it not been almost exactly echoed by the Deloitte’s chief innovation officer Terry Stuart, just a couple of weeks later. At an Urban Development Institute lunch June 14, Stuart reiterated the assertion that take-up of autonomous, on-demand vehicles will increase exponentially, and this disruption could be just a few years away. “You don’t need to build a parking garage [when you’re building homes],” he told the audience, largely comprised of development company delegates. “The cars just go round and round, or park themselves somewhere cheap if they’re not in use, and come to you when you need them. If some people do want to own their autonomous cars, and you need to build a small parking garage for those, you only need spaces with an inch between the cars and above the roof, as nobody is getting out of the cars.” Stuart added, “The world has seen disruptions like this before, and the world didn’t end.” For this non-driver who cycles to work and doesn’t have a driver’s licence, the end of the world of car ownership would be a welcome one – especially if it means more space for affordable housing and green parks. Vancouver plan to mass rezone 67,000 single-family lots for duplexes up for public hearing by Carlito Pablo on August 23rd, 2018 at 1:49 PM

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 Duplexes like this one will provide an additional housing option across Vancouver. CITY OF VANCOUVER

A public hearing has been set for a plan to change the zoning of 99 percent of single-family lots in Vancouver.

The proposed mass rezoning will allow the building of duplexes or two-family dwellings in more than 67,000 properties.

The public hearing is scheduled on September 18. According to a city staff report, the move will “provide an additional housing option in low-density areas across Vancouver”.

“This interim measure will allow for modest change in neighbourhoods while additional housing opportunities are explored and advanced over the coming year,” stated the report prepared by Dan Garrison, assistant director for housing policy and regulation.

The document noted that single-family zones currently allow three units on one lot: a house with a secondary suite, and a laneway house.

The proposed zoning changes will cover seven classifications of lots, which account for 99 percent of 68,000 properties zoned as single-family.

Excluded are the single-family areas located between West 37th Avenue and West 49th Avenues, from Granville to Cypress streets.

According to the report, these areas are “generally comprised of large, irregular lots with a significant stock of character homes”.

These properties account for one percent of single-family lots in the city. Other housing opportunities “beyond duplex” will be identified later for these lots.

“The new regulations would continue to allow for the construction of a one-family dwelling, one-family dwelling with a secondary suite (both of which are allowed to have a laneway house) or a duplex,” according to the staff report.

It noted that a laneway house will “not be permitted in conjunction with a duplex”.

The zoning changes will not grant extra floor area duplex “at this time” over what is allowed for a single house.

According to the report, it is anticipated that the new zoning regulations will result to a “modest” increase in land values.

“On average 800 houses are demolished and replaced with a new house or a house with a secondary suite annually,” the report noted. “If patterns continue and half of the homeowners who are planning to replace a house in the coming year chose to rebuild using the new duplex option, we could see about 400 duplexes built over the course of a year.”

Follow Carlito Pablo on Twitter at @carlitopablo. Visiting cyclist avoids serious injury in collision with truck

Jane Seyd / North Shore News

August 28, 2018 03:13 PM

A visiting cyclist was hit by a dump truck on Marine Drive in West Vancouver Monday. file photo Paul McGrath, North Shore News

A cyclist visiting from Quebec had a lucky escape Monday after she was hit by a dump truck on Marine Drive in West Vancouver.

The collision happened at about 9:40 a.m. Monday morning at the intersection of Marine Drive and 31st Street in the West Bay neighbourhood, said Const. Kevin Goodmurphy, spokesman for the West Vancouver police.

Witness reports indicated the dump truck was travelling east towards North Vancouver while the cyclist was heading west. The dump truck made a left-hand turn on to 31st Street in front of the cyclist and “the cyclist ended up riding into the front bumper of the dump truck,” said Goodmurphy.

The 59-year-old woman who was riding the bicycle was taken to Lions Gate Hospital with minor scrapes and bruises.

The truck driver, a 30-year-old man from Abbotsford, was handed a $167 ticket for failing to yield.

The next councils have some major issues to contend with beyond the perennial unaffordability and transportation woes. file photo North Shore News The smoke is beginning to clear. The blackberries are on the vine. And rain is on its way to spoil the PNE. It’s almost time to put a fork in this summer and look to the fall ahead. If you haven’t had one already, before long there is going to be someone knocking on your door and asking for your support (or money) for the Oct. 20 local government and school board elections. We’re aware of a couple dozen new and returning politicians out on the campaign trail already and the nomination period doesn’t even open until Sept. 4. While two of our current mayors won by acclamation in 2014, we’ve got battle royales shaping up in all three municipalities this time around. The next councils have some major issues to contend with beyond the perennial unaffordability and transportation woes: Where and how recreational pot can be sold, potential studies into amalgamation, major infrastructure projects to see through to completion and community plans left dangling in uncertainty. And we expect our new council members to be bringing a lot of fresh ideas to the table. Now is a good time to start calibrating your B.S. detectors. If a candidate tells you they’ve got a simple solution to any of the challenges we face, they deserve some tough questions. If they’re on doorsteps promising a new, 10-lane bridge to Vancouver, they’re either promising something they can’t deliver or running for the wrong level of government. We want to see everyone marching into the ballot booth on Oct. 20 with an informed position. It’s not too soon to start paying attention to the candidates. Goodness knows, they’re paying attention to you. What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.

We Vote North Shore asks: What's your voting story? New website seeks to boast voter engagement, highlight importance of casting a ballot

Jeremy Shepherd / North Shore News

September 6, 2018 07:30 AM

North Shore Community Resources executive director Murray Mollard is spearheading We Vote North Shore, a non-partisan initiative that aims to encourage North Shore residents to cast a ballot in the Oct. 20 municipal elections. photo Paul McGrath, North Shore News

In the 2014 election, the City of North Vancouver mayoralty race was decided by fewer than 900 votes. Approximately 23,560 voters stayed home.

In the hopes of boosting voter engagement in the upcoming Oct. 20 municipal elections, Murray Mollard is looking for stories.

Mollard, the executive director of the North Shore Community Resources Society, is asking for old voters, first- time voters, politically minded families and new citizens to share personal stories that highlight the importance of casting a ballot. “We want to hear those stories,” Mollard said, explaining his hope that the collected stories will inspire more North Shore residents to head to the polls this fall. “(We’re) stirring the pot here, trying to keep the democracy brewing.”

The newly launched website, We Vote North Shore, provides voting information as well as a forum to tell personal stories.

It’s crucial to reach young people and new Canadian citizens, Mollard emphasized.

“If you can get people to vote when they’re first eligible they are more likely to be lifelong voters,” he said.

Mollard, who also spearheaded democracy cafés in the lead-up to the 2015 federal election, said he’s hoping to cultivate a more engaged electorate.

“We all believe democracy works better when there’s a full degree of participation from the citizenry,” he said.

Municipal voting rates are “kind of shocking,” Mollard said, noting the City of North Vancouver led North Shore municipalities with 30 per cent voter turnout in 2014. Approximately 27 per cent of West Vancouverites cast a ballot and only 23 per cent of District of North Vancouverites exercised their democratic rights in 2014.

The dismal numbers elicit a question, according to Mollard: “Does the government really represent the people when so few people vote?”

The competitive mayoralty races shaping up in the City and District of North Vancouver as well as in West Vancouver should result in more voters casting ballots, according to Mollard. A tug of war for the mayor’s chain usually boosts turnout by about five per cent, he said.

“I’m optimistic that there’s a confluence of factors here that will engage the public.”

However, municipal elections are often overlooked due to the misconception they’re unimportant compared to provincial and federal elections, Mollard said.

“Think about all the things that matter in our lives: housing, transportation, schools, recreation, environment, even healthcare. Municipalities do a lot of work in all of these areas,” Mollard said.

While Mollard has taken political positions in the past – such as endorsing an empty homes tax – the initiative is intended to be non-partisan, he said.

“All that we’re doing really, is mirroring what the local governments are providing,” he said.

The most challenging aspect, however, lies in helping voters become informed and engaged in the approximately six weeks between Labour Day and election day.

“It’s going to be a sprint,” Mollard promised.

To learn more or to share your voting story, visit wevotens.ca.

EDITORIAL: Crisis? What crisis?

North Shore News

September 18, 2018 03:11 PM

A property purchased by the District of West Vancouver sits decaying on Gordon Avenue. The district is looking to redevelop the site for affordable housing. file photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News

Any member of North Shore Rescue could tell you, when there’s a crisis, there’s not a moment to lose. But try explaining that to members of West Vancouver council.

Council spent $16 million buying the former Vancouver Coastal Health property on Gordon Avenue in 2014 with the intention of building affordable housing on the site. But only this week have they debuted plans for the 170 below-market rental units.

It is not news to members of council that theirs is the most expensive municipality in which to establish a home. Three-quarters of West Vancouver’s employees have to commute from outside the district, most of them in cars. A third of the school district’s children commute in. Businesses can’t find and retain employees. Most of the district’s first responders live off the North Shore, exactly where we don’t want them when an earthquake hits.

People renting the new units can expect to pay about 70 per cent of the market rate. But rental rates have been skyrocketing in recent years. It’s beyond frustrating to think how much more affordable these homes would be had it not been for the district’s distinguished dithering.

When this project eventually comes up for rezoning, it should be prioritized by district council and staff, even if it means putting other projects on hold. Mayor Michael Smith says the four- and-a-half-year delay was, in part, because the district wants to get the project “right.” The right housing is built housing.

When it comes to affordable housing, we say to the current and future members of council: Get. On. With. It. Show the same level of urgency North Shore Rescue does.

Lindsay William-Ross / Vancouver Is Awesome

August 30, 2018 03:25 PM

Photograph By Dan Toulgoet

When you pack your bag for your school or work commute on Tues., Sept. 4, make sure you pack your patience: It’s going to be a crowded ride.

Because, you, like everyone else, are headed back to class or the office after the summer break, things can get hectic. Early September also happens to be one of the busiest times of the year on Metro Vancouver roads, and this is especially true of public transit.

 Seth Rogen discusses TransLink announcements with Jimmy Fallon  How to travel between Victoria and Vancouver on public transit, 2018 ed.  PHOTOS/VIDEO: Celebrating 70 years of trolleybuses in Vancouver TransLink totally knows this and to help ease us into the crazy post-Labour Day reality of getting around in Vancouver, they are reminding us that the SeaBus, trains and buses are going to be packed, and many routes will have delays.

And to make things even more challenging, TransLink is putting numerous service changes across several bus route into operation starting September 3. So make sure you are up-to-date on the routing and timing of your usual bus lines, too.

If possible, TransLink is urging you give yourself a bit more time on Tuesday morning — because getting up and out of the house on the first day back isn’t already hard enough as is, right?

The transit agency has put together some helpful hints for making your Tuesday commute suck a little less.

 Give yourself extra time.  Use the TransLink Trip Planner (but make sure you’re using the right date, with the service changes hitting Sept. 3)  Remember your transit etiquette. This is the stuff Seth Rogen is talking about in those new PSAs: Take off your backpack, move to the back of the bus and stay clear of the doors. (He also reminds us not to clip our toenails onboard, keep our feet off the seats, don’t eat while we’re using transit, and a few other things that are basically just good directives for not being gross while out in public.)

Good luck out there, everyone!