Commute times getting worse in Metro Vancouver

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Good morning,

If you follow anything related to the provincial election, then the last few days have been a real whirlwind. It’s not often you get to see a political party basically disappear. We break down what it all means, especially to everyone living in Vancouver. 

One other reminder — as it is Labour Day on Monday, we will not be publishing, but will return to your inbox on Wednesday.

Lots to cover today, so let’s dive in!

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout managing editor

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free.

WEATHER

Friday: 26 🌡️ 16 | ☀️

Saturday: 28 🌡️ 17 | ☀️

Sunday: 28 🌡️ 17 | 🌤️

Monday: 23 🌡️ 15 | 🌤️

TRANSPORTATION

Commute times getting worse in Metro Vancouver

What happened: It’s not just your imagination — according to the latest Statistics Canada data, Metro Vancouver is experiencing longer commute times, with an average time that’s four minutes higher than the rest of the province.

• On average, the commute time is 30.5 minutes in the region compared to 26 minutes in the rest of BC, according to CityNews. 

Suburban problem: A yearly survey by Research Co. asked people about their commute times for Metro Vancouver residents. The most recent poll in 2023 showed that people outside Surrey and Vancouver were more likely to say their commute had worsened at 40%, compared to 19% for Vancouver and 23% for Surrey. 

• Regional commute times: Metro Vancouver ranks fourth worst in the country, after Toronto (33.3 minutes), Oshawa (32.6 minutes), and Hamilton (30.6 minutes). The best commute was in Victoria, at 20.5 minutes. Lucky them!

It’s getting worse: Those moving by car, truck or van in Metro Vancouver fell by only 0.1% from May 2016 to May 2024, while tapering off from a May 2022 high. For public transit, the number has stayed the same from May 2016 to 2024, at 20.5%. On the bright side, the percentage of transit users has grown from 2022, when it stood at 16.5%, likely due to fewer people commuting due to working from home after the pandemic. 

We’re number one: The Metro Vancouver region has the lowest percentage of people moving by cars, at 69.2%, Montreal was the second lowest at 70% and Toronto third at 71%.

Context: The 2021 census showed that places outside the downtown core grew rapidly since 2016, like Langley (13.1%), New Westminster (11.2%), Surrey (9.74%) and Abbotsford (8.58%). These places are also dealing with overcrowding on TransLink. 

What it means: It’s no surprise that the largest metro area in Canada (Vancouver and Toronto) also have the worst commute times. It’s a tradeoff for many between a larger home for a growing family, along with the longer commute time to work that comes with it. It’s especially a problem when three-bedroom condos in city centres are so expensive.

• With TransLink’s overcrowding issues, it becomes a no-brainer for many to drive to the office. The challenge for the region is to create more frequent and reliable alternative forms of transportation, and housing that families can afford. All of that helps reduce commute times.

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Just Announced: Vancouver International Film Festival 2024 Lineup

The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) returns for its 43rd edition, taking place from September 26 - October 6. 

The full program features more than 150 feature films, including 70+ premieres. Titles include Ann Marie Fleming's poignant, thought-provoking Can I Get a Witness?, Payal Kapadia's luminous Mumbai-set drama All We Imagine as Light and Jerome Yoo’s gorgeous, brilliantly structured Mongrels.

This year's live performances push the boundaries of traditional film programming.

Two-time Oscar winner A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire, Tamasha) will blend storytelling and song in a new, custom made event with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the Orpheum.

We'll host the Vancouver Premiere of Eno, the world’s first generative documentary, celebrating the visionary artist and musician Brian Eno. 

And, in a Canadian premiere, we'll present GIFT, a new silent film directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car), with a live soundtrack from multi-instrumentalist and composer Eiko Ishibashi.

Explore the program.

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

🏠 $70,948: The minimum downpayment required to purchase a home in BC. That’s the highest in Canada by more than $12,000. [Urbanized]

💰 $2 billion: WorkSafe BC’s surplus this year. BC is one of three provinces that doesn’t require some of the excess money to be returned to employers. [CityNews]

📈 $600 million: The new cost to build the Vancouver Art Gallery, a 50% increase from September 2023. [Urbanized]

BC ELECTION

What the end of BC United means for the provincial election (and Vancouver)

Yeah, uh, so remember that big Lookout provincial election guide Nate wrote this week? Well, we may need to alter it slightly after the bombshell news this week...

What happened: In a shocking move that will have major implications for the BC election, BC United leader Kevin Falcon has ended his party’s election campaign, in order to solidify the centre-right vote behind the upstart BC Conservatives led by John Rustad,. Falcon also announced he would not be running in the election. 

• The move was a shock, with little warning given to staff of caucus members. Polling showed BC United were well behind the Conservatives. 

Many questions left: Much is still up in the air. Many current BC United MLAs and candidates are left in a lurch, with the Conservatives set to decide who will run for them, according to CTV. It’s already prompted a number of long-serving BC United MLAs like Shirley Bond and Todd Stone to announce they won’t seek reelection. 140 candidates have already been nominated by both parties, according to the Vancouver Sun, which certainly makes things awkward for deciding who goes where, including BC Conservative election candidates. 

• It’s not that simple, though, as some candidates and even current MLA Mike Bernier, noted that they may run as independents, which could result in a split vote. 

History: In the context of BC’s political history, this is far from abnormal. The BC Liberals formed after the decline of the British Columbia Social Credit Party. The changes usually result in different formations of political parties on the right who work together to stop the BC NDP.

• Polling shows a close race between the BC NDP and BC Conservatives. Premier David Eby addressed the situation, saying the BC Conservatives' only plan is to cut services, according to CTV. 

In Vancouver: The chances of a BC Conservative win are greater than before, and that could have ramifications for Vancouver if they were to win. Rustad has promised only a two-year stop-gap in funding for TransLink’s operations deficit and repeal short-term rental restrictions brought in by the BC NDP. According to an interview in 2023, he promised to roll back all the recent NDP housing policies (which may endear him to many municipal leaders who oppose the province’s actions).

What it means: Well, now the election is interesting (if it wasn’t already before). Historically, the BC NDP have succeeded when there is a split on the right. It certainly makes their chances of winning harder now.

• Dig deeper: You can learn more about how the last few days went down from this column from Business in Vancouver.

Like this story? If you enjoy this newsletter, consider becoming a member today and unlock even more members-only stories. For a limited time, you can 25% off the first year of your membership. Join today and support local reporting in Vancouver.

THE AGENDA

🌡️ Expect above-normal temperatures for the first two weeks of September. But be prepared, these summer-like conditions are set to end after that. [Vancouver is Awesome]

📈 The new Vancouver Art Gallery will be delayed and won’t begin construction this fall due to rising construction costs, and will be delayed until 2025. The gallery will make design alterations to save money. The project is short $250 million, and the organization is looking for more partners to contribute. [The Globe and Mail]

🏗️ Housing advocates are ecstatic about the province’s latest move to legalize single stairwells in buildings of up to six storeys. They say this will reduce building costs and make it easier to build more housing. Vancouver will need to change its Building Bylaw to adopt the new policy. [Vancouver Sun]

🧑‍⚖️ Residents of 1225 Cardero St. are launching a class action lawsuit against their landlord for refusing to fix the building's ventilation systems. One resident used an air quality measurement device that showed carbon dioxide levels were three times higher than what Health Canada deems safe. Residents want the city to prosecute bylaw infractions, while the city says they aren’t required to prosecute anyone unless it is in the public interest. [Vancouver Sun]

🍄 Mushroom stores live to “trip” another day? The city shut down a mushroom dispensary earlier this year, but the courts said the city did not purchase or test anything to see if it contained psilocybin. But, the court did find the business owner guilty of not complying with the city’s order to shut down. [Global News]

🪧 HandyDart employees have given strike notice, with job action beginning on Tuesday. Union members rejected a recent offer from the employer, and are demanding wage parity with similar workers in the Fraser Valley. [CityNews]

👮 A person was killed in Gastown on Thursday morning. No arrests have been made and do not have a motive. [CityNews]

👍 Crane Watch 2024 continues! The crane has been removed from West 41st Ave, but repairs to sidewalks and other infrastructure are continuing. Barriers are still present at many spots, though all businesses can be accessed. [CityNews]

EVENTS GUIDE

Kings of Leon | Rogers Arena | Aug. 31, 8 pm | Check out the band’s tour supporting their ninth studio album, Can We Please Have Fun | Tickets $80

Kitsilano Outdoor Pop Up Marketplace | Opening their door on August 30th until the end of fall, enjoy live music, a beer garden, artisan markets & social games from Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 to 9:30 pm | Learn more [Sponsored]

TAIWANfest | Downtown Vancouver | Aug. 31-Sept. 2 | Many different performances, shows art and food celebrating the country | Learn more

Serbian Days Vancouver | 505 East 63rd Ave. | Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 11:30 am | Celebrate the art, culture, food and music of Serbia | Free

Nikkei Matsuri Japanese Festival | 6688 Southoaks Cres., Burnaby | Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 11 am-7 pm | Celebrating Japanese culture, with family-friendly activities, games and food | Tickets $9

Pacific National Exhibition Fair | PNE | Until Sept. 2 | It’s the last weekend to see all the shows and try the food | Tickets $25

Metro Vancouver Labour Day Celebration | Edmonds Park | Sept. 2, 11 am-3 pm | Free, family-friendly event celebrating Labour Day with lots of activities for kids, as well as music and food | Free

Vancouver Fringe Festival | Around town | Sept. 5-15 | The popular event is back, featuring diverse performances around the city | Learn more

Vinícola Portugal Wine Festival | Heritage Hall | Sept. 21, 2 pm | Afternoon wine tasting event with 70 different wines, created by Kissa Tanto’s Justin Isidro | Tickets $65

Indáy Filipino Chef Exchange Dinner | Bravo | Sept. 23-24, multiple times | Four rising young chefs from BC and Alberta create multi-course dinners | Tickets $145

Emily Carr: A Room of Her Own | Vancouver Art Gallery | Sept. 30-Jan. 5 | 25 works from the famous artist, mapping key biographical moments of the artist | Tickets $29

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• This story explains what it’s like to be a stage actor in the city. [Vancouver Magazine]

• International Intrigue is a free newsletter like Vancity Lookout, but focuses on international issues. Subscribe for free today. [Sponsored]

• Now that’s a close video of a killer whale in Horseshoe Bay. [CBC]

• Add this spot to your list of independent grocers, especially if you need Middle Eastern ingredients. 

• VIFF has released their festival lineup, and there’s a great list of movies receiving buzz, including Anora, Conclave, and the Seed of the Sacred Fig. [Vancouver Sun]

• I like the new name for the new Vancouver women’s soccer team! [CBC]

PHOTO OF THE DAY

I love this photo showing the BC Place Stadium construction back in 1982. The entire area has changed so much.

GAME TIME

Think you can guess this week’s Wordle? Play it now.