Low snowpack heralds potential huge drought problems this summer

Good morning,

Apologies for the long intro, but sometimes it needs to be said…

It feels like every week there’s a new story about how big companies like Bell are cutting regional news. Last week was no different, with Bell announcing major cuts to radio, including some in Vancouver. It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last. 

Local news is especially vulnerable to this, as these companies do everything they can to wring out additional profits, no matter the cost to local communities.

Here at the Lookout, we’re trying to do things differently. We want to build quality local news that invests in people. We don’t pay out massive bonuses. In fact, we’re all doing this part-time. 

Even with the challenges in the local media space, we know that with readers like you, we can build a new generation of local media, that puts people and local communities first.

Today we’ve got a deep dive into drought conditions expected this summer, as well as a controversy over at the Chinatown parade.

Let’s get to it. 

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout editor

WEATHER

Monday: 7 🌡️ 1 | 🌧️

Tuesday: 7 🌡️ -2 | 🌧️

Wednesday: 6 🌡️ -3 | 🌤️

CLIMATE

Low snowpack heralds potentially huge drought problems this summer

Laying on your lush green lawn, washing your sports car… We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you likely won’t be doing much of this over the summer.

What happened: The province is raising concerns the unseasonably warm weather will produce another drought this summer, given that the provincial snowpack level is around 40 percent lower than normal for this period of the year, according to the Vancouver Sun. It may result in a worse drought than what Metro Vancouver experienced last year. 

The Province says in their snow survey and water supply bulletin issued on Feb. 1 that the Lower Fraser, encompassing the Lower Mainland, was even worse, 53 percent below normal snowpack levels. 

• Background: Last year BC broke numerous drought records. Metro Vancouver had rainfall that was 59 percent below average, according to the Vancouver Sun, causing sustained drought conditions.

The problem: There are two major issues the region and the province faces with lower water levels — reduced ability to generate hydroelectricity and less access to water.

Hydro: The snowpack is critical for water supply, as the buildup from the winter results in water runoff that feeds into the reservoirs, which powers hydroelectricity. The good news is that the reservoirs are expected to be higher than last year, according to the Vancouver Sun. The bad news? There will be significantly elevated drought hazard conditions over the spring and summer, according to the BC Government. 

• How bad could it be?: Premier David Eby noted in a news conference that this summer could result in “some of the most dramatic drought conditions that have been seen in our lifetime,” according to the Sun. 

Water supply: At the very least, if conditions hold up, Vancouver should expect Stage 2 conditions, just like last year, in order to preserve drinking water. That would mean no lawn watering, limited sprinkling, and no hot tubs and pools, in order to preserve access to water. Stages go from one to four, with escalating limits on what can’t be used. Stage 3 limits when you can water plants, while Stage 4 bans it outright. You can read all about each stage here. 

Zoom out: Beyond the impacts to residents, drought conditions would impact salmon’s ability to spawn, while farmers and ranchers are worried about how much water they will be able to use, impacting how much they can grow, according to Vancouver is Awesome. 

Yes, but: There’s still time for the conditions to reverse if regions receive more snow over the coming months.

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

❌ 6,000: The number of times that 40 violent offenders were arrested in Vancouver in one year, according to incorrect claims by Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. This was proven to not be correct — the numbers referred to property offenders and the 6,000 number is not arrests, but contacts. [The Star]

🧹 $2.6 million: The amount of money Vancouver is dedicating to a street cleaning program which hires vulnerable workers, many of whom otherwise struggle to get jobs. [CBC]

🧒 25: The number of $10-a-day child care centres the BC government said they’ve added to Vancouver, Surrey, Squamish and Houston. [Vancouver Sun]

🔥 $4,500: The fine amount a landlord received after a fire in their building resulted in displacing 30 people. The owner, Fu Ren, faced 20 fire code violations, and pleaded guilty to six of them, while the rest were stayed. [Global News]

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LUNAR NEW YEAR

Chinatown parade organization reverses controversial ban decision

What happened: Two groups that were denied entry in the Vancouver Chinatown Lunar New Year parade were able to march after the decision was reversed, according to Global News. The parade is celebrating its 50th anniversary. 

• Previously, the groups were denied due to the organization’s ban on political activism, with the organizing committee saying the two groups had “the potential for disruption and protests.”

The groups were Chinatown Together and Lunar New Year For All, two progressive and  2SLGBTQ organizations. 

Speculation: Melody Ma, who leads Chinatown Together, is an organizer with Save Chinatown YVR, which has opposed the creation of new developments in the area like the controversial 105 Keefer St. project. Four out six of the groups who sit on the Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration Committee that approve parade participants, are the same ones who supported the Keefer St. project. 

In a post on their website, both groups pointed out connections between the city and the Committee, saying, “The Mayor’s chief of staff, Trevor Ford, claimed ABC councillor’s Sarah Kirby Yung’s husband, Terry Yung of the VPD, was not part of the parade organizing committee or chair of SUCCESS even though his signature and name oddly appeared as so on a recent 2024 parade organizing committee letter.”

The event took place with no issues, and thousands turned out to watch. Parade co-ordinator Frank Huang did not say why they reversed the decision, but noted the organizations were newer and they have over 100 groups participating, according to CBC.

Zoom out: The parade comes as Chinatown has dealt with challenges over the last few years due to a rise in the number of homeless people, issues such as increased gentrification and loss of community characteristics, and the rising cost of housing.

• The mayor and council made it a priority to help improve the neighbourhood, with a $2.2-million Chinatown Action Plan that dedicated resources to cleaning and sanitation, according to Global. 

Thought-bubble: This type of conflict appears to be a microcosm of the broader debate within the community about how to tackle these challenges and what the community should look like as it faces increased calls for development 

Dig deeper: The challenges facing Vancouver’s Chinatown are similar to that of other Chinatowns across Canada and North America. [CBC]

NEW JOBS

Find your dream job in Vancouver:

1. World Cup activation lead at Destination Vancouver

2. Sponsorship manager at Coastal Jazz and Blues Society

3. Outreach campaign manager at BC Hydro

4. Director, conflict management services at UBC

5. Senior advisor, academic affairs at SFU

Local jobs are selected by the Lookout team and are not paid ads, unless specifically noted.

THE AGENDA

👮 A high-risk offender wanted on a Canada-wide warrant was discovered in Gastown and arrested on Saturday. He previously did not show up at this halfway house. [CTV]

🚶 The city announced that a flashing light and zebra crossing will be installed at Crown and 16th, after a driver struck a teen at the intersection, leaving them with serious injuries. The bad news is it won’t be installed until 2025. [CityNews]

❓️ City employee absenteeism is at an all-time high in Vancouver and part of the reason is mental health claims from employees in public-facing roles, such as firefighters and librarians, who deal with issues like drug poisoning and threats of violence. It’s an issue that the mayor’s budget task force identified as a major cost centre for the city. [Vancouver Sun]​​

❄️📉 While this winter was warmer because of an El Niño, next winter may be much colder with around a 50 to 60 percent chance of a La Niña, with colder than normal waters resulting in more snow. [Vancouver is Awesome]

🌳 An update on the park board transition showed that the potential cost savings touted by the mayor as one reason to shut down the board are not as clear as originally argued. The problem is city staff cannot determine cost savings because park board staff have been directed by the elected park board not to work with the city. [Global]

❄️ Additional shelter spaces will be open tonight due to weather conditions. [Reddit]

📈 Landlords are nothing if not creative… A tenancy organization is claiming that the owners of The Victoria building are increasing parking and storage fees as a way to get around the rent increase cap, with parking fees rising to $135 from $100 and storage locker fees increasing to $65 per month from $35 two years ago. [Urbanized]

EVENTS

Chinatown Nights: Enter the Dragon | 489 E Hastings St. | This Friday, 8 pm | An evening of music, burlesque and more! | Tickets $49

How She Made This | 1871 Powell St. | Today, 6:30 pm | Discover the secrets to building a business you love, with a panel discussion and Q&A | Tickets $15

Alcohol-Free Wine & Cocktail Tasting Night | #400, 22 East 5th Ave. | This Thursday, 6 pm | Try non-alcoholic wine and cocktails, along with charcuterie pairings and meet others interested in non-alcoholic drinks | Tickets $54

Bracelet Jewelry Making | East Van Brewing Co | This Friday, 7 pm | Learn how to unleash your creativity with craft your own jewelry | Tickets $48

Blind Tiger Comedy Show: Pizza Party | China Cloud Studio | This Wednesday, 7 pm | Free to attend

Fan Expo Vancouver | Vancouver Convention Centre | Feb 17-19 | Come by and enjoy all things fandom, with some amazing guests | Tickets from $44

Family Day Open House | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | Feb 17, 10 am-1 pm | Come by fro some family fun events | Free

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Here’s a great photo of my favourite Vancouver neighbourhood, Chinatown.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Richmond Brighouse bus loop will be closed for February for repairs. [TransLink]

• Tough beat for Vancouver — the city ranks 108 for best places for digital nomads, though it did beat out Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary. [Urbanized]

• The street Canada Place, has a second name of Komagata Maru Place, in remembrance of 400 Sikh, Muslim and Hindu people who were not allowed into Canada in 1914. [CBC]

• If you’re looking for music events this month, here’s a great list. [Georgia Straight]

• There’s something calming about this ferry wake video. [Reddit]

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VANCOUVER QUIZ