A salvo of healthcare promises

Plus, what Lookout readers said about pedestrianization

Author

Geoff Sharpe
July 22, 2024

Good morning,

This is a Vancouver-only newsletter, so I will leave it with other publications to discuss the big news out of the United States. 

We’ve got our own election coming up in BC and today’s story looks at a recent major announcement, on an issue that definitely matters to Vancouver locals. If you like it, we may do more stories on the upcoming election.

Let’s dive in. 

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout

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

WEATHER

Monday: 22 🌡️ 12 | 🌤️

Tuesday: 21 🌡️ 13 | 🌤️

Wednesday: 20 🌡️ 13 | 🌤️

PROVINCIAL ELECTION

A salvo of healthcare promises

What happened: Currently running neck and neck with the BC NDP as the provincial date of Oct. 19 ticks closer, the BC Conservatives announced their healthcare plan which includes, amongst other policies, expanding private healthcare and compensating healthcare workers who were fired after the vaccine mandate, according to the Vancouver Sun. 

Key piece: A wait-time metric would be set for some procedures, and if it can’t be met, the Conservatives’ plan would allow people to get treatment outside the province or country.

  • BC Conservative Leader John Rustad stated there would be a short-term spike in healthcare spending under his government, but did not provide any estimates. 

BC United criticized the BC Conservatives for copying their policy, while announcing a plan to hire more rural healthcare workers, as emergency rooms in many rural areas have been forced to shut down due to a lack of staff. 

  • The BC NDP accused the BC Conservatives of planning to slash $4 billion from the healthcare system as part of their plan. 

Counterpoint: A review of the existing research on introducing more private healthcare to combat public wait times by Policy Note found that outcomes were much worse under those systems, and did not reduce overall wait times. Research from OECD countries showed that parallel private healthcare “draws resources out of the public system” and produces longer wait times.

  • Don’t tell that to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has made expanding private services a key part of his healthcare plan. 

Counter-counterpoint: In a key piece of irony, getting private treatment outside the province due to long wait times is in fact already happening. The BC government has spent $16 million sending patients for private treatment, according to CBC.

  • BC had the longest wait times of any province in 2023, according to a report in the Vancouver Sun, at 93 minutes, which was 14 minutes longer than 2022. But it was only 62 minutes in Vancouver. 

What it means: Many readers may remember a time when any proposal for private healthcare would be met with wide-scale criticism. Now Conservative parties are not proposing it, but implementing it in the case of Ford. It’s fair to say the challenges that everyone feels when dealing with public healthcare open up a space for debates around private treatments, regardless of whether it’s sound policy. 

  • In other news: The new St. Paul’s hospital has hit a key milestone, topping the roof of the project’s east tower. The entire new hospital will double the size of the old St. Paul’s, according to the Vancouver Sun. 

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VANCOUVER NUMBERS

🏗️ 445: The number of new on-campus housing units that will added to SFU by 2027. It’s expected to cost $187.6 million, with a loan from the BC government and money from the university. [Vancouver Sun]

💰 $1 million: How much Vancouver resident Hugh McNicoll won from the lucky Lotto 6/49 draw. He plans to buy a new car and go on vacation. [CTV]

UP FOR DEBATE

Should Vancouver increase the pedestrianization of streets?

As part of our new series on Livable Cities, we asked Insider members whether Vancouver should increase the pedestrianization of its streets. 

Here’s what readers vote for:

Here’s what those in favour said:

Reader: “Streets should be destinations and should follow the hierarchy of transportation options that council has adopted through the Vancouver plan. This ranks pedestrian movement as the first priority followed by active transportation/cycling. By differentiating between roads (vehicle arteries which could have metal barriers along the sidewalks to protect pedestrians and no parking — therefore allowing maximum vehicle throughput) and streets which should be one lane per direction maximum the city can maintain good vehicle access and pedestrianize — the streets that are natural gathering spaces in our communities.”

Reader: “Wholehearted yes to pedestrianization. This is a great topic to cover and I like the multi-city perspective. Pedestrianizing, like bike lanes, often runs into opposition on economic grounds but every study brings back roughly the same results: economic activity is unlocked by improving non-vehicular access. On top of economic gains are safety and the simple enjoyment of a space without the noise, micro-particles, exhaust of vehicles. Compare any restaurant with outdoor seating on a side street (you can count them on two hands in Vancouver) compared with the pop up patios on arterials where you enjoy your meal immersed noise, smell, and pollutants, and experience the bewilderment at how the hell we ever got to a point where this is an acceptable way to dine out. But for now, just compare the totally car-free part of Gastown with the car-light, and see that almost nothing is happening in the car-light, whereas car-free is lively and enjoyable. The argument makes, and proves, itself.”

Here’s what those opposed said:

Reader: “Hundreds of thousands of new immigrants arrive in Canada every year and so the population of cities like Vancouver is increasing. New developments, sporting events, stadiums, and general densification bring more people into our city of bridges. With so many one-way streets, bicycle lanes, inadequate bridge approaches, and very poor pedestrian policing… Vancouver has become undriveable. The last thing we need are more closed roadways to make things more ‘liveable.’ If the city were serious about becoming ‘liveable’ it would fix what we already have and stop developing 40 story skyscrapers downtown!”

NEW JOBS

Find your dream job in Vancouver:

THE AGENDA

🏢 Tenants are calling on the city to delay the approval of a development proposal for Larco Investments until they fix ongoing problems at their current building located at 5445 Balsam St. Tenants say problems result in units being as warm as 40 C, among other things. Organizers provided 30 different written notices of problems from people. [Vancouver Sun]

📉 A staff report to be presented at council this Tuesday will recommend a refresh of the city’s carbon reduction target for 2030. The current plan is to reduce carbon by 50% in the city by that year, but only a 17% reduction has taken place. The plans are broken up into five-year targets, and staff will outline a number of recommendations for the next five year phase. [Vancouver Sun]

👮‍♂️ A fatal crash between a fire truck and motorcycle shut down the Lions Gate Bridge on Saturday at around 12:45. The motorcyclist died at the scene. An investigation is ongoing. [CTV]

🛻 If you noticed traffic was a bit slower on Sunday, it was due to semi-truck drivers driving in solidarity with container carriers who will be impacted by proposed changes to BC’s drayage industry, including advocating for fair wages for drivers who truck out containers from port terminals. [CityNews]

🌊 A group at Western University is mapping out all the earthquake hazards in Metro Vancouver, with different cities throughout the region facing different challenges, including landslides, liquifying soil — I didn’t know that was a thing — and rapid shaking, just to name a few. [Vancouver Sun]

🏒 Canucks have signed forward Daniel Sprong on a one-year contract. He scored 18 goals and had 43 points over 76 games last season. [ESPN]

👮‍♂️ A woman was found dead at Sunset Beach on Sunday morning according to police. The woman has not yet been identified, and the Coroners Service is investigating. [CTV]

FOOD PREVIEW

A cocktail bar for your next date night

Meo

Tomorrow’s Vancity Lookout Eats is all about cocktails. I’m in the early stages of writing a deeper story on Vancouver’s cocktail scene. But before we do that, we’re reviewing a new place in Chinatown.

The area has seen an increase in cocktail bars focused on speakeasies. While not my jam, they’re clearly very popular. Tomorrow’s review looks at a new Chinatown cocktail lounge that is in the running for a top date night spot. Think Hong Kong and Wong Kar Wai’s In the Mood For Love. 

To get this cocktail bar review delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to our free food and drink newsletter instantly by clicking here.

WEEKEND EVENT GUIDE

Summer Movie Nights | šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza) | July 25, 5 PM | Join us this Thursday for The Princess Bride! Activations begin at 5 PM and the movie will start around 9 PM (sundown) | Learn more [Sponsored]

2024 Canadian AeroPress Championship Regional Qualifier | NOMAD Coffee and Bakery | July 26, 5 pm-9 pm | Come try out coffee skills | Tickets $7

“Chillin’ in the Park” Music and Beer Festival | Guelph Park | July 27, 1 pm-7 pm | Family-friendly BBQ, music and local craft beers | Free

False Creek Crab Fest | Fishermen’s Warf | July 27, 4:30 pm | Dungeness crab boil, heck yeah! | Various prices

Chinatown Mini Night Market & Film Night: Shaolin Soccer | 135-137 Keefer St. | July 28, 4 pm-9 pm | A new event series from Chinatown, including a night market and movie night | Free

Mexican Coffee Tasting Workshop | O5 Tea + Kombucha Kitsilan | July 28, 9:30 am-11:30 am | No experience needed, come try and learn about Mexican coffee Tickets $31

CREATE! Eastside Arts Festival | July 22-28, various times and locations | Featuring artist workshops, activations, music performances, and more around East Van | Tickets $40

Rock Climb for Relief | The Hive Heights | July 28, 3:30 pm-7 pm | Test your skills and meet other climbers at this charity event | Tickets $33

Posh Ball | July 27, 5 p.m. | Sheraton Wall Centre | Van Vogue Jam is serving a major ballroom event next weekend with special performances and big prizes for contestants | Tickets $38 + more info

Long Table Dinner - A Culinary Journey Through Four Seasons | Italian Cultural Centre | July 27, 6 pm | A menu inspired by Italy’s four seasons | Tickets $107

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GOOD NEWS MONDAY

While the city has lost a modular housing complex that was occupying the future location of the Vancouver Art Gallery, the good news is those buildings won’t go to waste. The two buildings, which include 98 units in total, will head to Barriere, BC near Kamloops, and will open by spring 2025, helping those facing homelessness. [Vancouver is Awesome]

VANCOUVER QUIZ

How much has the BC government spent on sending people to Washington for cancer care?

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

Someone at the Celebration of Lights captured this great shot. What did you think of this event?

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • It’s official, you can no longer wear this at outdoor pools in Vancouver, though it’s unclear how many actually were. [Vancouver Sun]

  • This restaurant is everything you want in a neighbourhood spot. Plus the pasta is amazing. [Vancity Lookout]

  • Try Morning Mom Memo, a free newsletter that delivers you a curated selection of activities for you and your child. It’s the easiest way to stay connected with them without the added stress of planning. [Sponsored]

  • Costco is testing sushi in Vancouver and runs around $32-$38. Of course, I’m still personally a fan of the cheap hot dogs. [Vancouver is Awesome]

  • So, uh, it feels a little early for this Halloween store to start appearing… [Reddit]

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