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The new (weather) normal in Vancouver
Why this weather may be more common, plus the head of Atira resigns
Geoff Sharpe
May 17, 2023
Good morning,
If you’re travelling back into Vancouver this week from the Lower Mainland, avoid the Pattullo Bridge. It will be closed northbound due to construction.
We’ve also got a poll later in the newsletter about your favourite beach. I’d love to hear where readers visit on a hot day, especially if you have a secret spot nobody knows about (I can’t promise I won’t share it with our readers).
In today’s newsletter we’ve got:
The resignation of Atira’s CEO✖️
Why the weather is (in the long term) only going to get worse ☀️
What’s going on in the arts community this week 🎭
Onwards!
— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout newsletter writer
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WEATHER
Wednesday: 26 🌡️ 16 | ☀️
Thursday: 28 🌡️ 16 | 🌤
Friday: 25 🌡️ 12 | 🌤
VANCOUVER BY THE NUMBERS
🏠 $15%: The average monthly rental cost increase for Vancouver one-bedroom apartments since April 2021. The average cost is now $2,823. [Urbanized]
📈 4.4%: The annual inflation rate increase, up from 4.3% last month. Economists had expected it to fall. [CBC]
HOUSING
Atira CEO is out
If you thought the fallout from the audit into BC Housing was over, well, you’d be mistaken.
What happened: Janice Abbott, the head of Atira, the nonprofit caught in the BC Housing scandal, has left the organization after 31 years, according to Urbanized. The board had originally said they stood by the CEO and leadership team. Premier David Eby subsequently criticized the nonprofit’s response. She did not respond to any media requests about her resignation.
Background: BC Housing CEO Shayne Ramsay resigned last week after the audit uncovered numerous issues surrounding the relationship between the organization and Atira, which was run by his wife.
This included multiple breaches of conflict of interest rules, a massive increase in direct funding from BC Housing, deleted text messages, and approval of funding that contravened normal procedures, according to CBC.
The board is cooperating with the audit of their books as well as a review of their buildings, according to CTV.
Back in June, the BC government fired the board of BC Housing after the government said the board refused to act on an Ernst & Young probe. Now, in a report from the Globe and Mail, former board members are pushing back against this narrative.
What they said: The members claimed there was no hard evidence of conflicts of interest, and that the firing was a political move to shift blame.
Thought-bubble: In the midst of a massive housing crisis, a reset at BC Housing and Atira is for the best. The public must believe that these organizations are acting in the best interests of the most vulnerable. New leadership, an audit and a review of Atira’s buildings will hopefully help with that.
ENVIRONMENT
Hot weather blues
If you think this unseasonably hot weather is just a one-time thing, boy do we have some bad news for you…
The future: Weather experts say these types of heat waves, including the heat dome from last year, are expected to be more frequent in the future due to climate change, according to CTV.
Experts are worried about the ability of cities to adapt to increased hot temperatures because infrastructure, such as pavement and concrete, which absorbs more heat. Urban heat islands and those with less tree coverage were linked to higher deaths during the 2021 heat dome.
Record-breaking: Across B.C., the heatwave shattered records for this time of year. West Vancouver reached 29.7 and Whiterock hit 30.7 degrees, according to CityNews.
Metro Vancouver’s air quality advisory, issued on May 15, was lifted yesterday.
The early hot weather has also worsened other environmental issues, such as premature ice pack melt and increased forest fires, according to CBC. Forest fire season is also expected to be longer and more frequent.
Where to cool off: Don’t expect the popular Kitsilano pool to open anytime soon, as repairs are still needed, Vancouver is Awesome reported. But the good news is other outdoor pools are expected to open soon, including:
Second Beach and New Brighton — May 20
Maple Grove and Hillcrest — June 15
Lifeguards are expected to start overseeing swimming areas on May 20 at English Bay, Jericho, Kitsilano, Locarno, Spanish Banks East and West, Sunset, Second and Third Beach.
And a reminder that you can drink at Jericho, Spanish, Locarno, Kitsilano, Trout Lake and New Brighton beaches from 11 am-9 pm, according to Vancouver is Awesome.
Heads up: Smoke is expected to arrive from fires in the north, and blanket Metro Vancouver by tomorrow or Thursday, according to CBC. Those with lung or heart conditions are advised to reduce activity outside. As of Tuesday, there were 60 active fires across B.C.
POLL
What's your favourite beach in Vancouver? |
DREAM HOME
I’m including today’s featured home mostly for you to try and guess the price. It’s 3,924 sq feet of space, located near Locarno beach, features floor to ceiling windows, a private terrace, four bedrooms with three floors, a pool and a large patio. If you don’t like windows, stay away.
THE AGENDA
🏥 Cancer patients will have the chance to get treatment in Bellingham, Washington, due to a backlog of cancer treatment spots in the province. It will help an additional 50 patients a week. The province says it’s a temporary measure. [CBC]
🏞 Parks Board general manager Donnie Rosa has left the Vancouver Parks Board. No reason was given for why they left. Steve Jackson will serve as general manager until the board finds a new replacement. [Global]
🚓 It was a busy weekend if you like committing crime. Vancouver police said there were 1,800 incidents between Friday and Monday. [Global News]
💰 Former mayor Kennedy Stewart is once again in a legal dispute over unpaid campaign bills. A digital media agency says Kennedy owes them $57,000. Forward Together, Stewart’s party, denies they neglected to pay the bills. [Vancouver Sun]
🐻 Hair spray? No, bear spray! Some unlucky person was bear sprayed at a Vancouver beach this weekend. The assailant has not yet been caught. [Vancouver is Awesome]
📚 The West Point Gray Vancouver Public Library Branch is moving. But fear not, it’s only moving one block away. It will reopen at 4566 West 10th Ave. later this summer. [Urbanized]
🔍 Is Vancouver becoming more of a tourist destination than a place to live? It’s increasingly hard to find people to fill key jobs in the city, as fewer people can afford to live in the city. [CityNews]
FOOD
Vancouver, who’s got the best food?
It was a big week for Vancouver’s food community, with multiple awards being given out to some of the city’s best spots. Let’s break it all down.
100 best: The popular Canada’s 100 Best released their list of top restaurants in Canada and some Vancouver favourites were represented, according to CTV, including four of the top 10:
#3 Published on Main: The popular Michelin star tasting menu was number one last year.
#6 St Lawrence: Their Cabane a Sucre winter/spring menu is always worth checking out.
#9 AnnaLena: They shot up from 43rd last year. Congrats!
#10 Kissao Tantao: A worthy addition, one of the best meals I’ve ever had.
Other spots that made the list include Hawksworth, L'Abattoir, Boulevard, Mot 32, Oca Pastificio, Masayoshi, Cioppino’s, Tojo, Maenam, Burdock & Co and La Quercia
What it means: The city continues to punch above its weight when it comes to food. With the addition of Michelin stars, Vancouver is becoming a real food destination. Consider yourself lucky to live here!
VanMag awards arrive: Vancouver Magazine always has a comprehensive list of the top spots, and this year was no difference.
Best new restaurants: Peruvian spot Suyo has been making waves since its launch and rightfully won the best new restaurant, followed by Folke and Sushi Hill.
Best Middle Eastern: Syrian/Lebanese eatery Yasma was crowned the winner, with “thoughtful dishes.”
Best Sushi: Masayoshi wins the top honors with an unforgettable omakase.
Best Italian: Oca Pastificio, Cioppino’s and La Quercia all made the list.
They’ve included many other categories, so be sure to check it out.
Gold-winning beer: Vancouver brewers were out in force at this year’s World Beer Cup, dubbed the biggest beer competition around, according to Vancouver is Awesome.
Powell Brewery won for their Old Jalopy Pale Ale in the Extra Special Bitter category
33 Acres Brewing Experiment won gold for their Saaz Dry-hopped Saison
Brewhall's Slice of Paradise Yuzu Wheat won in the Fruit Wheat Beer category
B.C. was well-represented in the awards, winning seven medals which was half of the total won by Canada. B.C. is still the beer capital of Canada!
ARTS
Theatre
The Orpheum Theatre may undergo some big changes, including accessibility improvements, elevators, new seating and washroom upgrades. But don’t get too excited, at this moment, it’s just a feasibility study. [Urbanized]
Music
Come see the Vancouver Youth Choir on May 20 at 7 pm, which includes an eclectic mix of Canadian folk and music from other cultures. [Vancouver Sun]
The Vancouver Folks Fest has released its lineup, a mix of local favourites and international artists. The concert takes place from July 14-16 at Jericho Beach. [Vancouver Sun]
Movies
Cult classic Donnie Darko is showing this Friday at the Rio, along with a Q&A with the director. [Rio]
Art
West Coast Modern Week arrives July 4-9 and includes walking tours, panel discussions and a concert. [Stir]
The Emily Carr University of Art + Design’s The Show has more than 350 student art projects and includes one from two students “revisiting their Hong Kong and Filipino heritages in art installations.” [CBC]
“What Moves You” is the theme of this year’s ParkerArtSalon at the Pendulum Gallery, now until June 16, which invites you to “ponder what provokes” you. [Stir]
MEME OF THE DAY
Your choice Vancouver!
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
Congrats to the Heritage Award winners, who are helping sustain the heritage of Vancouver, including the Punjabo Market Revitalization. [Vancouver]
Pets will be allowed on more BC Ferries decks as the corporation expands the program to more routes. [Daily Hive]
Someone captured a cute proposal video at the BMO Vancouver Marathon. [Vancouver is Awesome]
If you can afford it, consider donating to the Mayor’s Food Bank Challenge
Ever wondered how much the Whitecaps players make? See the entire list. [Daily Hive]
Want to feature your announcement in the newsletter? Contact our team!
GAME TIME
In keeping with the hot weather theme, this week’s VancouverGuesser is a beach. But which beach is it? The first five people to reply with the correct answer will be mentioned in the newsletter.
What did you think of today's newsletter? |
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