New TransLink funding will help prevent a “death spiral”

Good morning,

Big newsletter today with lots of news. But I discovered something crazy — some zoning rules in the city don’t let you replace an apartment with an apartment. In a housing crisis, you’d think this would be a no-brainer…

What is a no-brainer is reading today’s newsletter (how’s that for a transition?). We’ve got news on TransLink funding, allegations of election interference by China and a bit of a deep dive into mobility pricing and why it’s unlikely to happen in Vancouver.

Onwards.

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout writer

PS — Big thanks to everyone who shared the newsletter, we blew past 4,000 subscribers. Onwards to 10,000!

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WEATHER

Friday: 13 🌡️ 6 | ⛅

Saturday: 14 🌡️ 7 | ⛅

Sunday: 14 🌡️ 7 | 🌧

Monday: 11 🌡️ 6 | ❄️

VANCOUVER BY THE NUMBERS

🏠 30%: The number of Vancouver millennials who believe that real estate will perform worse in the next 12 months. This is the worst of all age groups.

TRANSIT

TransLink service disruptions averted, funding incoming

What happened: Like a knight in shining armour (or in Eby’s case, a very, very tall knight), the B.C. government announced $479 million in funding for TransLink to invest in infrastructure, services and prevent potential service disruptions due to an anticipated lack of funding, according to CityNews.

Background: The changes in transportation usage as a result of the pandemic caused a massive shortfall in funding for TransLink. An appeal for $500 million in emergency funding was made by the organization in February, with a request for $250 million from the provincial government and $250 million from the federal government, as reported by Urbanized.

The organization said without funding, it would experience a “transit death spiral of underinvestment,” according to CTV.

• By death spiral, they mean fewer people using the service, with less revenue as a result, which then means fewer people riding because there’s less available service… You get the idea.

Reporter Richard Zussman reported that the province decided not to wait for the federal government to contribute their share:

The numbers: Transit usage is 80 percent of where it was pre-pandemic, and fare revenues are only 70 percent of pre-pandemic levels. As reported by Urbanized, TransLink has received emergency funding of $644 million in 2020 and $176 million in 2022.

Reading between lines: The investment by the provincial government means no new fare increases until 2025, which by then, a provincial election will likely have been held. The last thing any government wants is increasing fares in the lead-up to an election. This follows a similar investment by the provincial government of $500 million in BC Ferries to prevent a 10.4 percent yearly fare increase from 2024 to 2028.

QUOTE

“First off, we’re in a housing crisis. We know families need housing. In my opinion, this strata council needs to give their head a shake. Here you have a young family that’s already living in the house. To change the rules to not allow this person to continue to stay with a child, I think they need to rethink their decision.” Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said when asked. [CityNews]

FOREIGN AFFAIR

Chinese government accused of alleged influence in Vancouver municipal election

What happened: An anonymous report by CSIS reported in the Globe and Mail claims that China attempted to influence the 2022 municipal elections.

The report alleges how Tong Xiaoling, China’s previous consul general, discussed “‘grooming’ Chinese-Canadian municipal politicians for higher office to advance Beijing’s interests.”

Allegations: The report cites a quote from Lous Huang, an outspoken critic of China, who alleges that current ABC councillor Lenny Zhou was “absolutely in support of the Chinese government.”

• Coun. Zhou denied the report, pushing back against certain parts, including having met accuser Louis Huang.

Let’s be real: It’s hard to imagine a supporter of the Chinese government posting this:

Zhou also expressed his full support for a foreign interference probe according to the Star. He told the Star, “I want to be very clear. I am a Canadian citizen. I’ve lived in this country for almost 20 years. This is the place where I have built a life for myself and am now raising a family. I believe in free speech and I believe in democracy.”

The story goes into detail about the alleged influence of the Chinese government on municipal elections, including organizing against certain candidates and local political parties.

• Former councillor Kerry Jang expressed concern about suspicion of people based on ethnicity, saying, “if you’ve got the evidence, then arrest somebody. Expel somebody. Do something about it.”

THE AGENDA

⚽ The Whitecaps breezed through the CONCAF Champions League. The team advanced to the next round after beating the Honduran side Real CD Espana. But that means they’ll likely face powerhouse Los Angeles FC in the quarter-finals... [CTV]

🏢 A land lease that’s up on Aug. 1 at Larwill Place in downtown Vancouver means that people living in 98 temporary modular studio apartments won’t have a place to stay. [The Tyee]

📜 An Iranian man with a bachelor’s degree was denied a study permit at BCIT to pursue a two-year diploma. The decision was confirmed by the Federal Court of Canada. They justified the decision by ruling he wasn’t a genuine student. [Vancouver is Awesome]

🏥 Vancouver has won $150,000 USD to continue its work addressing the root causes of inequalities, with such tools at the Healthy City Dashboard to track progress in health indicators. [Vancouver.ca]

🚓 Two people have been arrested and charged after a bear spray robbery at a downtown Vancouver boutique last September. [CTV]

CITY HALL

Mobility pricing and a staff kerfuffle

Today’s edition of city hall coverage has two spicy stories, both of which could be construed as misunderstandings, but also shed light on important city policies.

Staff kerfuffle and the Broadway Plan

What happened: A report by city staff calling for the artificial restriction of rental housing properties for the Broadway Plan, the proposed development plan for SkyTrain’s Millennium Line Broadway Extension corridor, is raising concerns about limitations on new rental housing.

The previous council, through an amendment, directed city staff to come back with a “pace of change” policy that would limit how many rental redevelopment proposals would be looked at for the Broadway Plan, according to Urbanized. The proposed policy city staff would limit up to five new rental housing redevelopments being built per year.

• The reasoning behind the slowdown is to prevent a mass loss of rental units as older buildings are replaced by new ones. The problem? The Broadway Plan accounts for 25 percent of planned purpose-built rental housing.

Yes, but: The kerfuffle appears to be much ado about nothing. Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung explained that the change came from an amendment from the last council, not the official plan, nor does it mean it will be adopted.

Reporter Justin McElroy pointed out that three current ABC councillors also voted for it, and that divergent directions to staff was a common feature of the previously divided city council.

What it means: According to Urbanized, council will meet March 29 to discuss and review the proposal. There are three options, with the second allowing 10 development proposals for consideration and the third allowing 15.

Thought-bubble: This mini kerfuffle illustrates both the challenges in city governance but also the opportunities with majority rule. As pointed out by CBC reporter Justin McElroy, competing priorities dominated in a split council. It’s not a stretch to say big policy ideas were not enacted. With one party in power, expect to see more consistency in approaches to policy, assuming the majority ABC party stays united.

What the heck is mobility pricing?

Premier David Eby got lots of attention yesterday for not explicitly ruling out mobility pricing when asked at a press conference by reporter David Zussman. So just what is mobility pricing?

Background: Mobility pricing, sometimes called congestion pricing, as envisioned by the city, would place a toll for any driver entering or leaving the downtown area. In a world where climate change continues to worsen, the idea is for individuals to incur more costs associated with car usage, thereby changing behaviour. London, UK uses this kind of system.

The good: It’s considered a good policy to deal with congested roads and limit greenhouse gasses, wrote reporter Justin McElroy in his analysis from November. It would reduce the number of cars on the road by encouraging people to take alternative forms of transportation.

• In 2017 and 2018, the TransLink Mayors’ Council approved a plan to study it. The study did not recommend a way to charge people. Expected costs would be about $1,800-$2,700 per year, but would reduce congestion by 20 to 25 percent, according to CBC. The gas tax could be eliminated, making it revenue neutral.

The bad: It’s right there in the name… Pricing. No one wants to pay more. And politicians have zero interest in embracing something punitive that will cost people more in a time of high inflation. The opposition B.C. Liberals already tried to make it a big deal.

The reality: Eby was quick to clarify his stance on the policy (a big no).

It’s a continuation of previous NDP policy when in 2017, the B.C. NDP, under premier Horgan, removed tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges.

What it means: Not much at this point. It’s doubtful any provincial party would look at this as an actual policy. It’s not like the mayor wants it either — Mayor Sim made opposition to the (dubious) claim of mobility pricing a centrepiece of his winning election campaign against mayor Kennedy Stewart.

VANCOUVER FAVOURITES

Feenie’s golf adventure, Kent’s closing and cherry blossom food

Reviews

Famous chef Rob Feenie working at a golf course? Yup. The famed chef is joining the Vancouver Golf Club because the opportunity to develop their food program intrigued him. [Vancouver Sun]

Okeya Kyujiro: At $300, this omakase dinner isn’t cheap. But this reviewer’s friend cried after the meal, so that’s a positive? And with 25 dishes mixing incredible seafood one-bite plates, it’s sure to be a winner. [Vancouver Sun]

Restaurant openings and closings

The popular and affordable Kent’s Kitchen, a mainstay of Chinatown for 40 years, is closing after rent prices skyrocketed. [CBC]

Mahoney’s Tavern: The bar is reopening at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Come check it out! [Scout Magazine]

Disco Biscuits Donuts: Vegan? Donuts? On wheels? Yes, yes, yes! They’ll be at pop-up locations throughout Vancouver. [Daily Hive]

News you can use

Vancouver Magazine released their list of 2023 Restaurant Award Finalists. Categories include New Restaurants, Casual, Chinese, French, and many others. [Vancouver Magazine]

Sopra Sotto: The Italian restaurant is celebrating five years on March 30 with a late-night menu of drinks and food, inspired by Italy’s Carnevale. [Scout Magazine]

El Camino: The popular spot has a new brunch food and drink menu, featuring dishes like tajin-dusted chicharrones and pan de maize with burnt onion butter. [Scout Magazine]

EVENTS

Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity at Science World | Science World | Until May 29 Discover the unique science behind human and animal skin. Tickets $33.

Studio Ghibli films | VIFF | All weekend | Enjoy the magic of Hayao Miyazaki’s breathtaking and enchanting films, including Kiki’s Delivery Ser/vice, Only Yesterday and Porco Rosso. Tickets $15. 

Vancouver Giants vs Everett Silvertips | Arena Bowl: Langley Events Centre | Today | Affordable hockey fun for the whole family | Tickets starting at $23.

Vancouver Maritime Museum: Rum Running During Prohibition | Now until March 31 | Explore the history and people who smuggled liquor to the U.S. during prohibition | Tickets $15.

CelticFest Vancouver | Various locations | Until March 18 | Celebrate Celtic heritage with music, dance, film and food, as well as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade | Free.

West End Bollywood Movie Night | Gordon Neighbourhood House 1019 Broughton Street | Saturday 6:30 pm | Come watch Queen, a movie about growing up and meeting new people as one woman travel after being abandoned at her wedding | Tickets $3.46.

Monster Jam | Pacific Coliseum | March 17-19, 7 pm and 1 pm | Monster trucks are tearing it up this weekend. See just how big these trucks are | Tickets.

Bite of Burnaby | Through Burnaby | Till March 31 | A culinary festival showing off the best the city has to offer, with set meals costing between $10-$60+. See restaurants.

Pottery Brunch Club | 729 Gore Ave | Sunday | 11 am-2 pm | Come make try some coffee, sample some food and make your own vase | Tickets $75.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Vancouver made the list of Time The World’s Greatest Places of 2023. [Time]

• The woman who disrupted the Juno Awards is from Vancouver and she has something to say. [CBC]

• Here are the best spots to see Vancouver’s cherry blossoms. [UBC]

• Got some money? A Vancouver-based company has launched a marketplace for booking charter flights. [Vic News]

• Vancouver’s airport was just ranked 20th in the world, up from 28th last year. [Daily Hive]

• Planning to garden this season? Here’s a helpful list of seed stores for you to embrace your green thumb. [Scout Magazine]

TOP PHOTO

I’m a sucker for any mountain shot and this photo by Reddit user vancitybling has it all — snow, mountains and snowcapped mountains.

GAME TIME

Congrats to Barb who correctly guessed Wednesday’s VancouverGuesser - the PNE.

This week’s Vancouver Wordle will have you spinning. Play it now.