Why a strike could happen at Vancouver’s ports

Good morning,

This is a tough one to read. Local bike repair shop Flat Fix in East Vancouver has been forced to close after housing costs made it untenable to pay their workers well.

These are the types of issues that stem from a housing crisis that we just don’t hear enough about. How are small businesses, the fabric of any city, able to afford setting up shop? It’s a question that Vancouver will have to grapple with as prices show no sign of declining.

But enough of the negative news (well, at least in the intro). Today we’ve got:

• A breakdown of the potential port strike and what it means 🪧

• Why Port Coquitlam’s decision on drug use bylaws is a big deal for B.C. 💉

• And some Canada Day events and restaurants to check out this weekend 🍽

One housekeeping item. I’ll be taking Tuesday off instead of Monday, so expect a newsletter on Monday, but none on Friday!

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout writer

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WEATHER

Friday: 24 🌡️ 13 | ☀️

Saturday: 22 🌡️ 12 | 🌤

Sunday: 24 🌡️ 14 | ☀️

Monday: 28 🌡️ 17 ☀️

LABOUR

Prepare for a port strike?

What happened: Get those placards ready, because the port workers union just issued a 72-hour strike notice, which means workers could walk out as soon as Saturday, according to the Vancouver Sun.

Background: Discussions between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada which includes about 7,400 terminal cargo workers, and the BC Maritime Employers Association which includes 30 BC ports, have been ongoing since February. But both sides appear to be far apart on any resolution.

Workers are demanding better pay and working conditions, as well as protection from job automation, according to CTV.

• Looking ahead: The union has many options such as partial strikes targeted at different ports, or can escalate to a full-scale strike.

Zoom out: Similar workers in the U.S. west coast ports came to an agreement in early June, though no details have been released, according to CNBC. Workers shut down major ports throughout the negotiations, though it was never a full work stoppage. As pointed out by the US Chamber of Commerce, these types of job actions are common throughout negotiations.

What it means: Without any deal, we should expect some sort of disruption at the ports, though a large-scale strike may not come to pass right away. The government and businesses are keen to see a deal done. The U.S. port disruptions, which were targeted and isolated rather than widespread, offer one way the union may approach job action.

VANCOUVER BY THE NUMBERS

🌨 8,000: The number of free air conditioners the province is giving vulnerable people to help combat rising hot temperatures in the summer. [Vancouver Sun]

⛽ 8 cents: The drop in gas prices on Wednesday, below $2 per litre. The bad news is gas prices are expected to be $2.20 per litre this summer. [CTV]

🏢 $500 million: The amoujnt B.C. is giving to non-profits so they can purchase rental buildings, which would help keep rental costs down, instead of a big company coming in and increasing rents. [CTV]

HEALTH

Why Port Coquitlam may be the tipping point for new rules around drug legalization

A vacuum in regulations after small amounts of drugs were legalized earlier this year is forcing municipalities to step in and regulate where people can use these drugs, according to the Vancouver Sun.

What happened: Port Coquitlam is the latest municipality to pass bylaws banning people from using drugs in public places, like parks and playgrounds. Mayor Brad West said it was done to protect children and families using those facilities. Those breaking the bylaw will face a range of repercussions, including fines, banning from public spaces and more.

• He cited the lack of regulations from the provincial government as a key reason for acting. The bylaws deal with people using drugs, not possesing them, according to Global.

Zoom out: Other cities have passed similar bylaws, including Sicamous, Penticton, Kelowna, Kamloops, Campbell River and Prince George. The provincial laws around drug use ban them in schools and childcare facilities.

What’s next: Cities are waiting to see what laws the province bring in to address their concerns, with Premier David Eby saying the province would look at changing their policies, according to Business in Vancouver.

Thought-bubble: Mayor West’s decision may register more with the province than other cities, given he is an ally and long-time NDP supporter, according to Business in Vancouver. As West pointed out, the problem is less about legalization, and more about the provincial government’s focus on legalization while ignoring other aspects to improve people’s lives. Legalizing without adding more support beds is not a tenable long-term solution.

THE AGENDA

📈 Many new immigrants to Canada are avoiding Vancouver because the city is just too expensive. [Business in Vancouver]

⛴️ Thinking about taking your vehicle on the ferry this weekend? Probably best to avoid it unless you have a reservation, as there’s one less ship running between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay. It’s the long weekend, so of course something goes wrong… [CBC]

🏢 Vancouver’s office rental vacancy rate rose to 12.3 percent last quarter. [Vancouver Sun]

🏒 The Canucks selected defenceman Tom Willander in the draft with their 11th pick. [Canucks Army]

🚓 A woman was assaulted near Kingsway and Nanaimo on Tuesday, and a suspect was arrested. [Castanet]

🧾 Canada’s pension fund is selling the downtown Amazon office building. This would mark the first big commercial office building transaction of 2023. It would not affect the tenants in the building. [Vancouver Sun]

🏥 The province says St. Paul’s Hospital's decision not to offer medically assistance in dying represents 0.2 percent of cases after the parents of a terminally ill woman complained. St. Paul’s has an agreement with the province to opt out for medical reasons, though they do refer patients to other hospitals. [CTV]

🧑‍⚕️ You can now book an online appointment to see a pharmacist and get a prescription, which should help improve access to prescription drugs. B.C. is the first province to offer this. [CTV]

WEEKEND GUIDE

Vancouver Reggaeton Fest | Come check out this all-ages event and experience Latin culture, music and food | Tickets $18.

Stevenston Salmon Festival | Steveston | July 1 | Food + food trucks, arts and a parade mark this wonderful family event to visit over the long weekend | Free

Canada Together | Canada Place | Saturday, 11 am | Come celebrate Canada Day with performances, a kids zone, Indigenous displays and food trucks | Free

Jaws | Rio Theatre | July 1, 5:45 | The movie that started the summer blockbuster you need to see on the big screen | Tickets $11.42

Raging Bull | VIFF | Friday and Saturday | An all-time classic about Bxer Jake La Motta, Scorcese and De Niro’s Raging Bull is a masterpiece of cinema | Tickets $15

Vancouver International Jazz Festival | Throughout Vancouver | Today until July 2 | The popular jazz music festival with events all around the city | Free + paid events

James Cameron Challenging the Deep | Science World | Ongoing to December | Explore the deep with Cameron’s deep sea exhibit starting today | Tickets $33

Vancouver Canadians | Rogers Field | All weekend | Come see The Canadians play the Spokane Indians four times this weekend, if you love baseball you’ll want to check it out | Tickets $20

Mt. Pleasant Street Art and Mural Tour | 156 W 8th Ave. | Sunday, 11 am | Did you know the area has an incredible dense number of street murals? Come on a guided tour and discover ones you’ve never seen before | Free

Upcoming

Vancouver Chinatown Festival | In Chinatown | July 15-16 | The popular event features walking tours, food stalls, stuff for kids, and opportunities to check out local businesses | Free

Powell Street Festival | Oppenheimer Park | August 5-6 | Celebrate Japanese art and culture at the popular festival this summer, with music, food, crafts and more | Free

GOOD NEWS

Good food, good neighbours

A few of you mentioned how many of our stories tend to highlight all the problems in Vancouver. It’s a fair point, but I do believe the newsletter needs to shine a light on problems in order to uncover better solutions.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t have positive stories every so often!

What happened: A community group is connecting immigrants and locals through food and culture which is having an impact on fighting hunger, isolation and racism according to New Canadian Media.

The program: The Renfrew-Collingwood Food Justice matches ten newcomers with neighbours to build friendships, “share nutritional knowledge, improve food security, and empower newcomers.” They each learn about their respective community’s food backgrounds

Why it’s so good: It’s the only organization of its kind addressing food security like this. Food brings people together and is a powerful way to explore different people’s cultures!

FOOD

Can’t travel to Italy this summer? Then Kitchen Table Restaurants have you covered. Their restaurants like Ask for Luigi, Di Beppe (love it), Carlino and other places are feature regionally curated menus. [Scout Magazine]

Vinnie’s Wine + Snack Bar is opening up a summer pop-up on Granville Island, with curated wine and meals from a Top Chef Canada finalist. [Georgia Straight]

If you crave Middle Eastern cuisine, then come by Nuba in Mount Pleasant on July 16 for a Lebanese feast and block party. [Daily Hive]

Popular fast food joint Halal Guys is opening up at 570 Robson sometime in July. [Daily Hive]

Of course you can get sushi, but Japanese food is so much more than that. Explore different options available, with places like Kanadell Japanese Bakery and dishes like Katsu Curry. [Daily Hive]

If you’re craving Montreal-style smoked meat, then check out Estrella’s Montreal Deli & Cafe, Siegel’s Bagels and these four other spots. [Daily Hive]

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Here’s what’s closed and open this Canada Day long weekend. [Storeys]

• Pacific Spirit, Boundary and Belcarra were the top visited Metro Vancouver Regional District parks visited last year. Here’s the entire list. [Daily Hive]

• Ever wondered what that weird building at 401 Burrard St. is? Well according to the city, it’s a work of art meant to mimic the activity of elevators. [Reddit]

• Feeling very sorry for anyone waiting in this massive line at the Tsawassen ferry terminal yesterday. [Twitter]

• Here’s what the electric fire truck in Canada will look like, and it’s coming here to Vancouver. [Reddit]

TOP PHOTO

This is what Vancouver looked like more than 100 years ago, as workers rebuild the streetcar tracks on W. Hastings.

Did you know that Vancouver had streetcars that began running in Vancouver back in 1891? Here’s a brief history of them, and why they disappeared.

GAME TIME

Apologies everyone, I forgot to include yesterday’s VancouverGeusser photo. Here it is above. Reply with your name and the correct answer and we’ll mention you in the newsletter.

Fridays are also Wordle time. Can you guess todays? Play Vancouver Wordle now.