Everything you need to know about the heat wave

Plus, Vancouver has a shockingly low number of pools compared to other Canadian cities.

Good morning,

Usually New York, where I am right now, is significantly hotter than Vancouver. That’s not the case this week. Today it’s only about five degrees hotter, 33 C, though the humidity is indescribable. Thankfully Vancouver doesn’t get too much of that. Yet the sun does feel hotter. 

I speak of the weather because the next few days are expected to be very, very bad in Vancouver. We’re breaking it all down in today’s main story, including some things you can do to try and beat the heat.

Let’s dive into today’s newsletter (and ideally dive into a pool or ocean as well).

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout editor

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

WEATHER - HEAT WARNING

Monday: 31 🌡️ 19 | ☀️ 

Tuesday: 32 🌡️ 18 | ☀️

Wednesday: 28 🌡️ 16 | ☀️

CLIMATE

Everything you need to know about the heat wave

What happened: There’s no escaping the heat this week… Environment Canada posted a special heat statement last weekend warning that temperatures are expected to rise dramatically until Tuesday evening, not only in Metro Vancouver but throughout the southern part of the province, according to the Vancouver Sun. 

How bad could it be: Very bad. Some areas could get into the low 40s. In Metro Vancouver, the weather will get to the mid-30s. Luckily if you’re near the water it’ll be a little cooler, with temperatures in the 20s. The nighttime won’t offer much solace, with it dropping only to around 17 C. Better than the day, but still bad!

Inequality: Heat waves impact Vancouver’s neighbourhoods in different ways. The city’s 2022 Community-Led Extreme Heat Resilience report highlighted how certain neighbourhoods are more impacted by hot weather. Places like Downtown Eastside, Marpole, South Vancouver and south Mount Pleasant have much higher surface temperatures compared to the rest of the city, partially related to the lack of urban tree canopy, which helps reduce heat. 

  • As someone who lived in Chinatown, I can attest to how hot it got.

One problem with BC buildings is that up until recently, there were no requirements around how hot places could get. According to Statistics Canada, 85% of Ontario’s population had air conditioning. In BC, it was only 32%.

  • Changes on the way, sort of: The city of Vancouver’s new building codes will require mechanical air cooling in multi-family homes by 2025, according to Urbanized, while the province has mandated that new residential buildings have at least one living space that does not exceed 26 C. 

Debate: The BC government rolled out a program to offer lower-income people free AC units, in response to the BC coroner’s report about deaths during the 2021 heat dome, according to the Vancouver Sun. But critics argue the onus should be on landlords to provide cooling, rather than tenants. 

Seek cool space: The city announced it has opened up cooling centres across the city. Spaces will have water, seating and washrooms, and well-mannered pets are also welcome. You can find the map of cool resources, like the cooling centres and pools, here

Some other useful tips include wearing wet shirts (one assumes inside your home), closing blinds to prevent the sun from heating up your home, and taking cool baths. 

  • It’s not just people that are at risk. The heightened heat has the potential to increase wildfire activity due to widespread dryness, according to Global. But some good news is that the heat will likely reduce lightning strikes, which caused about 73% of forest fires this year. 

My experience: I’m currently in New York. While it’s horrendously hot at 33 C with damp humidity, indoors offer a respite since all places have air conditioning. Back during the heat dome, we only had a small AC unit that barely cooled down our living room. The lack of AC in units in BC is only going to get worse as the weather continues to get hotter every summer. 

  • This is a fun tongue-in-cheek breakdown of the unwritten rules of Vancouver’s heatwave according to Daily Hive. All beach logs will be taken and avoiding bus seats are just a few. 

Understand exactly what's going on in the world

While we keep you updated on Vancouver, International Intrigue keeps you informed about the world.

It’s a free global affairs briefing created by former diplomats to help leaders like you understand how geopolitics, business and technology intersect. They deliver the most important international news and analysis in <5-minute daily briefing that you’ll actually look forward to reading.

Sign up for free today.

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

⚽️ 61%: The percentage of Metro Vancouver residents who don’t agree that the World Cup is worth the price tag. The cost is expected to surpass $500 million, and has more than doubled from initial estimates. [Vancouver Sun]

📈 4 million: The expected population that Metro Vancouver will hit by 2050. [CBC]

🎢 18 metres: The drop you experience with the new ThunderVolt electric launch roller roaster. [CityNews]

INFRASTRUCTURE

Pools, pools everywhere, but almost none in Vancouver

You can sense today’s newsletter is really reflecting the weather situation in the city.

What’s going on: A report by CBC puts into sharp focus a big problem here in Vancouver, one that we always knew but maybe didn’t realize how bad it was — the city only has two outdoor pools, the lowest, by far, of any major Canadian city. 

The number is striking — Montreal has 63 outdoor pools and Toronto has 48 pools. Vancouver also has the least number of outdoor pools for major cities, at 331,000 people per pool, compared to one pool per 28,000 people in Montreal and 48,000 in Toronto. The next closest to Vancouver is Calgary, with one pool per 163,000 people.

  • With Kitsilano pool inactive this summer due to structural problems, the city lost half of its pools. 

The good news: Originally Kitsilano pool was set to close for the summer, with the aging facility still dealing with problems from the 2022 storm. But the mayor announced on Friday that the pool would instead re-open on Aug. 7 and would cost $3 million to repair, according to Global. This assumes there are no additional setbacks while it’s being fixed. It’s expected to provide an additional two years worth of usage while a new facility is built. 

Why this matters: I’ve said many times that Vancouver has a tendency to believe we’re one of the best cities in the world. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great place to live! But having a slight superiority complex masks many problems we face as a city, some big, but some small, like lack of pool access. 

Yes, but: To play devil’s advocate, unlike many other places, we have some of the best beaches not only in Canada, but in any major city. It may mean we don’t need as many pools as other places, like Montreal or Calgary. Of course, Toronto also has beach access, but they still have 58 pools. 

  • Speaking of pools, reservations for pools over the weekend were completely sold out, according to CityNews.

DREAM JOB

Discover you dream job in Vancouver:

THE AGENDA

🚰 Another day, another broken sewer main. The smell emanating from Science World on Thursday was from a broken sewage main, caused by the sewage mixed with seawater But unlike other recent sewage leaks, experts say this one is minor compared to the othersl. Repairs are expected to take three weeks.[CityNews] 

🚘️ While the park board’s West End Waterfront master plan concept was shot down, the park board is hoping part of the plan can be salvaged, specifically an overhaul of Morton Park and returning two-way traffic to Stanley Park and Denman Street. The cost for it all would be $16 million. [Urbanized]

🐶 Pet cafes are the new biggest thing in Metro Vancouver, as more of the locations pop-up throughout the region. Setting one up is a challenge because of the requirements to keep animals away from food establishments. I can say from personal experience that most international cities, in America and in Europe, are much more dog-friendly than Canada. [Vancouver Sun]

👮 A woman died on Friday at the Rolling Stones concert. The woman was 65 years old and died from a heart attack. Authorities have not said if heat played a role in her death. [Vancouver Sun]

💰️ Fundraising can tell a little bit about momentum as the provincial election approaches. The BC NDP raised $2.2 million last quarter, while the BC Conservatives raised $1.1 million and BC United raised only $627,000. [Business in Vancouver]

Vancity Lookout EatsRestaurant reviews to help you discover the best places to eat in Vancouver. No clickbait content just great restaurants, drinks and food events.
EVENTS

Evo Summer Cinema Series at Stanley Park | Ceperley Meadows | Every Tuesday until the end of August, 8 pm | Come enjoy a movie in the park with a 40-foot inflatable screen | Free

Summer Movie Nights | šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza) | July 11, 5 PM | Join us this Thursday for The Devil Wears Prada! Activations begin at 5 PM and the movie will start around 9 PM (sundown) | Learn more [Sponspred]

Twilight Tuesdays | Science World | Every Tuesday until the end of summer, 8 pm | Interactive shows and exhibits, all for a discounted price | Tickets $17.25

Vancouver Chinatown Festival | Keefer and Columbia | Jul. 13-14 | Celebrate Vancouver’s historic Chinatown for the 22nd annual event | Free admission

Gastown Grand Prix | Gastown | July 10, starts at 5:30 | Bikers will compete throughout the day, some watch them race | Free

Brock House Society Summer Fair | 3875 Point Grey Rd. | July 13 | Artisans, social events (happy hour!), picnic lunches, vendors and more | Free admission

Opera in the Park | Deer Lake Park | July 14, 7:30 pm | Come see a free opera performance in the park, with a pre-show starting at 5:15 with one of Canada’s best cappella vocal ensembles | Free

Create! Eastside Arts Festival | Various locations | Jul. 22-28 | Public art, workshops, beer gardens, art sales, live music — what more could you ask for? | Price depends on event

PHthe OF THE DAY

Did any Lookout readers go to Symphony at Sunset? It looked like a blast!

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
  • If you’ve ever wanted to try paella, this place in Vancouver may be the best in the city. [Vancity Lookout]

  • The Aurorean is a free publication delivering the most interesting science news directly to your inbox. Try it for free today. [Sponsored]

  • Pride season is almost here, with numerous events throughout the summer. [Straight]

  • It looks like Mick Jagger had a great meal at this Vancouver restaurant. [CTV]

  • Khatsahlano Street Party, Vancouver’s largest free music and arts festival, was another huge success this weekend. [CTV]

  • Bike Night is back for the first time in five years, a fundraiser for HUB Cycling, where you can join others in a massive 10km bike ride. [Straight]

  • Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

GAME TIME

How many outdoor pools does Vancouver have functioning right now?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

What did you think of today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.