Tax policy and polling — the latest from the provincial election

Good morning, 

I love third places. They’re a simple idea, that people need a place beyond home and work — hence the name third place — to meet, congregate and spend time. But these spaces are increasingly difficult to find, especially in cities. You’ll notice going anywhere tends to cost money. Vox has a great story on the idea of third places, if you want more info. 

I was reminded of this topic after reading this thread on Reddit where people shared their thoughts on great third places in Vancouver. Parks were popular. Coffee shops also made the list, but most times you do need to pay.

These places are an essential part of our cities, and we lose out on so much as they disappear. Is this a topic you’d like us to explore more? Let me know by replying to this email!

Today’s main story is an update on the provincial election, with some new polling and a big announcement by one of the parties.

Let’s dive in!

— Geoff Sharpe

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WEATHER

Wednesday: 23 🌡️ 15 | 🌤️

Thursday: 23 🌡️ 16 | 🌤️

Friday: 22 🌡️ 16 | 🌤️

ELECTION

Tax policy and provincial polling

What happened: The provincial election in October is well and truly underway now, with BC United announcing their most important policy yet, what they’re calling the biggest middle-class tax cut in BC history. According to the party, they say it will save an average person $2,050 per year. 

The policy targets the basic personal exemption. Currently the first $12,000 an individual makes is subject to no tax. BC United’s policy would raise that to $50,000. BC United leader Kevin Falcon noted that a minimum wage earner would save $1,134 per year, according to Global.

• The party says it can be done while balancing the budget with no cuts to government services, but did not provide specifics. It would cost the province $5.4 billion in tax revenue, according to CBC.

Opposition: The BC Green Party noted that balancing the budget, along with this tax cut, would require $12.4 billion in cuts, according to the Vancouver Sun, since the provincial budget is currently in a deficit. 

What it means: This type of large-scale policy announcement is usually reserved for closer to an election, and is likely spurred by the party’s struggles in recent polls against the surging BC Conservatives. Falcon is clearly trying to stake out support amongst more right-leaning voters in order to cut into John Rustad’s lead.

Speaking of polls: Remember back in December? According to Abacus Data, BC NDP were flying high with as much as 44% of the vote, while the BC Conservatives were at 26% and the BC United at 17%. 

Now? A new poll from Leger shows the BC NDP at 42%, and the BC Conservatives at 39%, up 13 points from the last Leger poll. BC United currently sits at only 10%, only two points up on the Greens.

• Dig deeper: Polling is both helpful and truly confounding. This story breaks down some of the bigger problems it’s faced during BC elections, and what the recent spate of polling means. 

One way to understand just how much things have changed for the BC Conservatives is to look at fundraising and who is donating to each party. Previous donors to BC United (formerly the BC Liberal) from the business community, like Francesco Aquilini, are now contributing to the Conservatives, according to CBC. 

Analysis: It all paints a picture of a much more challenging election for the BC NDP than many may have envisioned last year. Historically, centre-right parties have won BC elections when they are united against the BC NDP, like Gordon Campbell’s BC Liberals. Christy Clark made a strong effort to reach out to Conservatives and maintain the party’s coalition, and was ultimately successful. For the BC NDP, their chances of winning are much higher if BC United and the BC Conservatives split the vote. 

In other news

• The BC NDP named all 10 of its candidates in Surrey, both a mix of new faces and current MLAS. [Peace Arch News]

• BC United MLA Jordan Sturdy, who is among a large number of BC United MLAs not seeking re-election, hinted that there will be a strong candidate for the party in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky. [Squamish Chief]

• The BC NDP nominated healthcare worker Sara Eftekhar as their candidate in West Vancouver-Capilano. The seat is held by BC United MLA Karin Kirkpatrick who is not seeking re-election. [North Shore Daily Post]

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VANCOUVER NUMBERS

🔥 400+: The number of fires burning across BC right now. Hot and dry weather along with 29 days of concurrent lightning is making fire conditions worse. [Global News] 

📊 $2,378: The amount a one-bedroom unit costs according to liv.rent, down $28 from last year. [Vancouver is Awesome]

👮 13: The number of Pro-Palestinian protestors charged for blocking a Vancouver Canadian National Railway line back in May. They’ve been charged with mischief. [The Star]

DREAM HOME

Ahh the dream — a tasteful, sizeable, two-bedroom home in Vancouver in the downtown West End. Turns out it’s not a dream, it’s this unit! With 1,216 square feet of space, this pet-friendly apartment has marble countertops, a large kitchen and a sizable patio. Dream living never looked so good.

The price? Well, it may leave you with nightmares…

House of The Week is a home selected by the Lookout team and is not a paid advertisement. All ads are labeled as such. If you’re a realtor who wishes to feature your home in our newsletter, please contact our sales team.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Spend some time giving back to the community today.

Vancouver Animal Services: The organization is always looking for dog walkers who can spend time with the animals. Learn more.

Parkinson Society BC: Their SuperWalk event is in need of volunteers to help with things like setting up, greeters, food table attendants and face painters. Email [email protected]. 

Pacific Canada Heritage Center - Museum of Migration Society: The museum is looking for a board member to help guide the organization’s strategic direction. Email [email protected] to learn more. 

Vancouver Coastal Health: The health authority is always looking for volunteers for a range of programs. Watch their video here and email [email protected] to inquire.

THE AGENDA

📈 Well, I certainly haven’t heard that one before… The Residential Tenancy Board allowed a 23.5% increase in rent over two years for some landlords in a decision earlier this year. The reasoning was “if they, acting reasonably, have incurred a financial loss for the financing costs of purchasing the residential property, if the financing costs could not have been foreseen under reasonable circumstances.” The landlord chose a variable mortgage instead of a fixed one, which, if you know anything about housing, means there’s a chance a variable mortgage will increase. [City News]

🪧 If you thought was only difficult to build supportive housing in Vancouver, you’d be wrong. Last weekend around 500 people showed up to protest a 90-unit supportive housing complex in Richmond at Cambie and Sexsmith. [Vancouver Sun]

🚴 Cyclists got lucky after one rider spotted a wire strung across the bike lane at the Second Narrows Bridge. Police are investigating who may have placed it. [CBC]

☑️ In the end, it didn’t amount to much. West Vancouver voted this week, after a few complaints, to adopt bylaws to allow multi-unit housing throughout the city after the province threatened to pass their own laws. [CBC]

🏢 That story about a not-so-affordable housing complex we wrote about on Monday continues. Premier David Eby defended the development, calling it creative, in the way that, as he argued, costs taxpayers nothing to create 14 units that would go towards families making less than $80,000 per year. [The Chilliwack Progress]

🐕 Owners of a dog that was viciously killed by what eye-witnesses called a pit bull are still looking for the owner who fled the scene with her animal. [Vancouver Sun]

🏈 Former Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, who was waived by the Atlanta Falcons, will return to the team, as they struggle. The team lost starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. to an injury. [CBC]

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ARTS

Theatre

It’s getting closer and closer to the ever-popular Vancouver Fringe Festival. The popular event is on from Sept. 5-15 with shows all around town. 

Music

Brooklyn-based indie performer Waxahatchee, with their emotional and elemental approach to music, is performing this Friday at the Vancouver Civic Theatre. Tickets start at $67.

The PNE has announced their show lineup and it promises to be a memorable one. Burton Cummings, Blue Rodeo and Barenaked Ladies are just a few of the big-name performers. 

Movies 

John-Pierre Melville’s defining movie Le samouraï is on this weekend at Cinematheque. There are a few different movies from their film noir series showing as well. 

Rio is showing the classic Iron Giant on Friday, Blade Runner: The Final Cut on Friday and Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. A stellar lineup!

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Check out the latest winners of the 2024 City of Vancouver Book Awards! [City of Vancouver]

• While we keep you updated on Vancouver, International Intrigue keeps you informed about the world. Signup for their free newsletter. [Sponsored]

• They have no burritos, but this new Mexican restaurant has a whole bunch of other delicious food available. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• Costcos in Metro Vancouver will soon require you to scan to enter, no more scrambling and briefly showing your card at the door! [Vancouver Sun]

• A Vancouver couple is asking for help to find their nine-month old goldendoodle near Coal Harbour. Keep an eye out for her, the dog’s photo is here. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• The PNE has released their list of food vendors. It’s a big list! [Curiocity]

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VANCOUVER GUESSER

Today’s Vancouver Guesser is a park in East Vancouver. Can you name it? Reply to this email with the correct park name to be featured in the newsletter.