Stabbing and police shooting incident investigation taking place

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Good morning,

We launched our community survey earlier this week, thanks to hundreds of you who took the time to complete it. Our year-end survey is your opportunity to shape the Lookout in 2025, help us choose potential stories and hear directly from you. 

We’ve got a big news day, including a story on cryptocurrency I thought I’d never have to cover. More on that in our second story.

Let’s dive in

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout managing editor

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WEATHER

Friday: 9 🌡️ 7 | 🌧️

Saturday: 7 🌡️ 3 | 🌧️

Sunday: 5 🌡️ 1 | 🌤️

Monday: 5 🌡️ 1 | 🌤️

PUBLIC SAFETY

Stabbing and police shooting incident investigation taking place

The fallout of a stabbing suspect who was shot dead on Wednesday morning is still reverberating days later as people ask what can be done to stop these types of attacks in the future. 

What happened: A man with a knife who had stolen alcohol and stabbed one person was confronted by police near Robson and Hamilton at 7-Eleven Wednesday morning. In the confrontation, he was shot by police. He was taken to the hospital but died from his injuries, according to CTV. 

• There were initial reports of two people stabbed, but it was revealed it was, in fact, one person. Authorities wouldn’t answer how the other person received their injuries, including whether the police shooting caused them. 

The Independent Investigations Office will be investigating what happened. The group is brought in any time there is police-involved action that results in death or injury, according to Global. 

Zoom out: While these incidents capture attention, it’s always worth reviewing the data. The percentage change in violent crimes per 1,000 people fell by 0.2 per cent in 2022-2023, though assaults did rise by 0.4 per cent, according to the Vancouver Police. More recently, in the first six months of 2024, assaults dropped from 2,371 to 2,209. 

Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer noted that “crime trends in Vancouver are all heading down very significantly, and the numbers are going in a really good direction,” according to Vancouver is Awesome.

• That’s not to downplay the serious nature of these types of attacks but to understand the context in which they are occurring.

One interesting thing: In a poll conducted in the fall about crime, Metro Vancouver residents ranked drugs (52 per cent) and gang violence (49 per cent) above assaults at 32 per cent, according to CityNews. 

Thought-bubble: In the days after a high-profile crime event, many sides will rush to blame one group or policy. While people’s fear and anger should never be ignored, it’s always worth taking a step back when reading proposed policies, as it's rare for good ideas to be developed in the heat of the moment while emotions are high. 

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VANCOUVER NUMBERS

🍎 $801: How much more Canadians will be spending on food in 2025 versus last year. A Canadian family of four is expected to pay $16,833.67 on food. [CTV]

💸 $580,000: The amount Metro Vancouver spent $580,000 on an exhibit at the PNE. [Global News]

📈64,000: The number of new residents that would be added to the Broadway area if city council approves a new amendment to the Broadway Plan, to increase the number of units in the area. [Urbanized]

CITY HALL

Mayor backs Bitcoin

What happened: Our mayor says he’s orange pilled, a term for loving Bitcoin, as he shares more details about his city council motion to be introduced next week that would look at ways of integrating Bitcoin into the city, according to CTV. 

• While Vancouver Mayor' Ken Sim’s motion does not explicitly say it would have the city buy Bitcoin, the motion would look at ways of integrating it into the city. And the motion argues it would “enhance the resilience of the city’s financial portfolio,” according to Global. 

For those unaware, Bitcoin is a popular cryptocurrency that has recently increased in value.

A look behind his thinking: It’s a bit more of a candid interview around the mayor’s beliefs than what you normally see. He argued that part of the reason there’s an affordability crisis is because of the currency being debased. Arguments around currency debasement, where Bitcoin is used as a hedge against falling currency prices, is a popular argument by cryptocurrency supporters.

Alternative channels: The interview took place on a YouTube show called Coin Stories, not a local Vancouver publication. His office told CTV the mayor didn’t have time for an interview with them to explain his policy.

What it means: With inflation, the rising cost of living, and public safety issues, it may appear to be an odd time for the mayor to focus his energy on such an issue. It’s also worth considering just how volatile cryptocurrencies are. The price has more than doubled since a year ago and fell by two-thirds between 2021 and 2022.

• What’s next: The motion will be introduced next week.

THE AGENDA

🏥 A 70-year-old has spoken out about how he was treated at the Vancouver General Hospital. After he had his gallbladder removed, he was put in a hallway in his bed for 60 hours. The noises, lights and hospital activities provided no privacy and made it impossible for him to sleep. Vancouver Coastal Health said they are dealing with a high number of patients. The man said he’s sharing his story so others don’t have to go through what he did. [CTV]

🎤 Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim spoke at a luncheon, sharing his thoughts on issues facing the city. On public safety, he said the city has done everything it can with the tools they have, seeming to imply the city needs help from other levels of government. He noted the city has a half-billion dollar-a-year infrastructure deficit and that previous leaders pushed the problem down the road. [Times Colonist]

👮 A man who unprovoked, sucker punched another man downtown at a bus stop last week has been arrested. Surveillance video of the attack helped identify the man. He is also facing other charges for unrelated incidents. [CTV]

🎵 Thousands of people lined up outside Canada Place, starting Tuesday evening, to get Taylor Swift merchandise. If you’re looking to participate in anything Taylor Swift-related, here’s a handy guide. [Global, Vancouver Sun]

🔍 Two girls who went missing on Tuesday were rediscovered that evening, after failing to return to school after their lunch breaks. [Vancouver Sun]

🚆 Service on the Millennium Line was suspended briefly Thursday afternoon due to a medical emergency at Commercial-Broadway. [CityNews]

✈️ Over 50 flights were delayed or cancelled on Wednesday due to thick fog. [CTV]

Outside Vancouver

👎 They delayed, but in the end, it didn’t really matter. Burnaby City Council finally voted to approve the transit-oriented development areas set out by the province, that will see eight to 20-storey buildings in certain areas near major transit stops. Council had delayed the decision till after the election (likely in the hope that provincial leadership would change). As noted by the mayor, “I don’t think we have any option.” [Business in Vancouver]

🏢 Capilano Mall may soon look a lot different. A master plan concept of the redevelopment for the area was released, the conceptual idea includes 11 towers from 12-40 storeys, with 3,1000 homes and 30 per cent of them rental. [North Shore News]

EVENTS GUIDE

Merry/Happy/Jolly | The Improv Centre, 1502 Duranleau St | Until Dec. 29 | A hilarious, audience-driven, holiday-themed improv show where you help shape the story | Tickets $28+

Christmas With Chor Leoni | St. Andrew’s-Wesley United | Multiple December dates | Immerse yourself in a choral holiday experience with Chor Leoni, featuring carols and songs | Tickets $20

Juliet: A Revenge Comedy | Kay Meek Arts Centre, 1700 Mathers Ave, West Vancouver | Now until Dec. 8 | A comedic, feminist reimagining of Shakespeare's tragedies exploring classical theatre with a modern lens | Tickets $19+

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe | Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright St, Granville Island | Until Dec. 15 | A magical adaptation of C.S. Lewis's classic tale | Tickets $15+

The Snowman | Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe, Vancouver | Dec. 8, 2024, 1 pm, 3 pm | A festive VSO concert featuring the enchanting holiday film The Snowman accompanied by wintry musical highlights | Tickets $49

Chinatown BBQ Dongzhi Festival | Chinatown BBQ, Vancouver | Dec. 9, 11 AM - 8:30 PM | Celebrate the Dongzhi Festival with traditional Chinese winter solstice food and cultural activities | Tickets $6

Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons | Chan Centre at UBC | Dec. 14, 8 pm and Dec 15, 2 pm | The VSO’s holiday tradition with violinist Timothy Chooi performing Vivaldi’s iconic The Four Seasons | Tickets $33+

African Christmas Market | Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, 7646 Prince Albert, Vancouver | Dec. 14, 12-5 PM | Shop authentic African products, arts, and crafts for Christmas | Free

Make It Vancouver | PNE Forum, Vancouver | Dec 12, 5 PM - Dec 15, 5 PM | Explore 250 handmade vendors at this festive shopping event filled with unique gifts, food trucks, and holiday cheer for all ages | Tickets $10.50

Reflections on Crooked Walking | Firehall Arts Centre | Until Dec. 22 | Ann Mortifee's musical follows four friends seeking a cure for a mysterious sleeping sickness in their town | Tickets $30+

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Congrats to Keith Pears, a Vancouverite who now lives in Toronto and will be competing in one of the top cuisine competitions in the world. [CTV]

• Is this the best New York pizza slice in Vancouver? I argue yes.

• There are lots of great music shows coming to Vancouver this December. [Straight]

• Here’s a good list of festive restaurants to check out. [Straight]

• Catoro cat cafe is looking for donations to stay open, as it transitions into a nonpofit. [Vanocuver is Awesome]

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

GAME TIME

Think you can guess today’s Vancouver Wordle? Play it here.