A Vancouver-sized multiplex problem

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Good morning,

I’m always interested in hearing where people are getting their local news from, especially less well-known places. Reply with your favourite blog, podcast, Twitter account or Substack, I’d love to feature some that deserve more attention.

Today we’re breaking down the reaction to a city council panel voting to reinstate a mushroom dispensary’s business license, as well as some troubling news about Vancouver’s multiplex policy.

Let’s get to it! 

Correction: On Wednesday I reported the Just For Laughs Festival would not be returning to Vancouver due to bankruptcy. It appears it is just related to the Montreal Festival. The Lookout regrets the error.

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WEATHER

Friday: 4 🌡️ 3 | 🌧️

Saturday: 7 🌡️ 3 | 🌧️

Sunday: 7 🌡️ 3 | 🌧️

Monday: 6 🌡️ 3 | 🌧️

CITY HALL

Digging up a mushroom controversy at city hall

What happened: Everyone is tripping very hard (see what I did there) about a vote at the business license panel, made up of three councillors, to re-approve a business license for three magic mushroom dispensaries operating in the city, according to Global.

Breaking it down: No, mushrooms aren’t legal. The ruling by the panel, supported by the two Green party councillors, gives Dana Larsen’s company back its business license and can continue to operate.

• Background: The store had its license revoked in May after it was deemed to be selling prohibited substances and misrepresenting itself on its business license, according to the Vancouver Sun. VPD raided the storefronts back in November but did not lay charges. 

Response: Mayor Ken Sim opposed the move, calling the vote by the Green councillors “activism.” BC’s Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnsworth said it made “absolutely no sense,” that psilocybin is a controlled substance and that questions of enforcement should be directed to the VPD, according to Vancouver is Awesome.

The VPD said on Wednesday, one day after the panel’s decision, that charges could be levied against the people participating in the business, according to the Vancouver Sun, even though they haven’t levied any since the raid in November. 

Yes, but: As noted by Dana Larsen, a cannabis and drug policy activist who runs the store, there are currently 20 unlicensed mushroom dispensaries operating through Vancouver. He also pointed out that their mushroom dispensaries operated for three years before the recent crack down, and that no charges were levied against them after their arrest in November, but suddenly the police are threatening charges through the media. 

• Questions: The police response and the mayor's statement raise many more questions. Will the police go after the numerous other stores that already exist? Will the store owners be charged? Why are they talking about charges now?

Deja vu: If this all sounds familiar, that’s because it is. While weed was not yet legalized, city council voted in 2015 to set up regulations around zoning controls and license fees for the marijuana shops, according to The Guardian. During that time, weed was still illegal to sell, but the city already had more than 100 shops. The federal government under Harper forcefully pushed back against it. The city got around the law by saying they were “regulating the businesses involved, not the products they are selling.” 

Looking ahead: Fry noted that he is planning to introduce a motion to “ask staff to report back on a regulatory framework for psychedelics.” Unlike in 2025, the makeup of council is dominated by Ken Sim and his ABC majority will not support it. The director of communications for the mayor told the Vancouver Sun that they planned to be “very thoughtful” about the next steps. Either way, the topic is getting an increasing level of attention and public acceptance in the city in the same way that marijuana did before it was legalized.

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

🏗️ $20 million: The amount that will be spent to renovate the Nat Bailey Stadium, mainly for player and staff facilities. [Urbanized]

🔌 22.91%: The percentage of vehicle sales in BC that were electric. [S&P Global]

🌍️ 52: The number of counties and the number of weeks popular Vancouver CBC journalist Justin McElroy will be travelling for while he’s on sabbatical from the CBC. Enjoy the trip! [Reddit]

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THE AGENDA

🚘️ A pedestrian was struck and killed by a driver of a vehicle in a hit-and-run on Wednesday afternoon near Nanaimo and East Hastings. The driver was found and taken into custody. [CityNews]

⚖️ Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) responded to a class action lawsuit claiming the locals who live around the overdose prevention site at 1101 Seymour St. have not been able to enjoy the use and quiet enjoyment of their homes, and that the VCH operated it in a poor manner. VCH said in their response that they cannot control what residents who use drugs and live in the area do, and says the site has not contributed to nuisance behaviour. [CTV]

🚣 Is this a solution trying to find a problem? A proposal by council would see non-motorized watercraft (like kayaks and canoes) use designated launch areas, from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm at the west and east side of Spanish Banks and Sunset Beach, and Kitsilano rather than allowing people to launch those crafts wherever… [Vancouver Sun]

🪧 Former provincial cabinet minister Selena Robinson quit the NDP caucus, claiming that there is antisemitism in the party and the premier did nothing to fix it. She previously resigned from cabinet after making what critics said were inappropriate and insensitive remarks about Palestinian people and land. [CBC]

🔥 Lockable lighters are proving to be the number one cause of fires in Vancouver, with the concern being that those using drugs pass out and the flame continues to burn. [Global News]

📈 Seniors at El Cid tower, who are under a leasehold, are raising concerns about skyrocketing maintenance costs after the private owner running the building raised rates from $800 to $2,200 to cover special assessment fees. [Vancouver Sun]

♿️ A disability advocate says that the recent motion by Mayor Ken Sim and ABC Party members, about adding the Stanley Park Railway to the national Access 2 Pass program for disabled people, was something that was already done. He says they’re trying to take credit for it, and they should’ve already known it was included. [CTV]

📱 Do not respond to messages that claim to be from ICBC about a traffic violation. According to the insurer, these are fake as they do not send text messages about payments to their customers. [CityNews]

HOUSING

A Vancouver-sized multiplex problem

What happened: A new report says that Vancouver’s multiplex zoning rules will undermine the province’s plan to build new homes, to the tune of 30,000 fewer units, according to the CCPA.

Breaking it down: The province’s rules are designed to create a massive expansion of multiplex units, of between three to six units on single family lots, depending on the lot’s size and location. Vancouver has already introduced rules to allow multiplexes, but these rules are much weaker than the province’s, allowing much less floor space resulting in fewer units potentially being built.

• Since Vancouver already brought in similar legislation, the province is only encouraging the city to align its standards with the province, not requiring them to do so.

Worse than you think: The report notes that other municipalities could try to adopt similar rules as Vancouver, resulting in far fewer units built across the province. Currently, city staff say only 150 units are projected to be built under their current policy framework.  

And even worse: The provincial transit-oriented development zoning laws, creating much more expanded unit potential next to SkyTrains and major bus stations, could also be at risk as cities could bring in other requirements for the building that limit interest in developing the land. 

Dig deeper: You can read the entire report here. 

FOOD NEWS

 📚 In our Vancity Lookout Eats food newsletter I shared one of my go-to cookbooks, Shelf Love by Yotam Ottolenghi. It’s one I use often when I’ve got leftover fridge supplies I need to use up. [Vancity Lookout Eats

🇻🇳 The super popular Anh and Chi are opening up a new spot right beside their current restaurant. They’ve named it Good Thief, and it will feature a place to grab drinks while waiting for your table at their main restaurant, a grocery store, take-out food and a large dining space. [Scout Magazine] 

🥕 Speaking of Vietnamese food, one reader suggested people should check out Hestia, a new Vietnamese plant-based vegetarian spot in the West End. [Vancouver is Awesome]

❌ It was bound to happen eventually… The Pink Pearl on East Hastings Street is likely to be shut down in the future as the area may be turned into an affordable rental housing complex run by Atira. [Urbanized]

Want more deep-dive restaurant reviews of new places, hidden gems and Chinese food courts? Subscribe instantly to our free food newsletter today by clicking this link.

WEEKEND GUIDE

Tastes of Delta | Various restaurants | Now until March 10 | Get exclusive price-fixed meals at popular restaurants and breweries | Check participating restaurants

Lucrezia - presented by Vancouver Opera | Vancouver Opera | March 8-10, | Re-imagining of an opera favourite, a tale of love | Free

Glam-O-Rama 80s & 90s | Rollerland | March 9, 8 pm | Disco tunes and throwback hits at the monthly disco-glitter rollerskate event | Tickets $33

Get Stuffed Asian Snacks to Die For | Second Floor Bistro | March 9, 6 pm | Come make your favourite Asian street food like pork belly bao and braised duck spring rolls | Tickets $129

Lucky’s Donuts Run | 49th Parallel & Lucky’s Donuts, Main | March 9, 1 pm | Come run a 5k or 8k and grab some donuts | Free

Korean Coffee Cuppings | 395 Alexander St | March 9, 2 pm | Try some coffees brought back from Korea, curated for you to enjoy | Tickets $17

Festival du Bois 2024 | Mackin Park, Coquitlam | March 9, 11 am | Celebrate all things French, with food, art and music at the wildly popular festival | Tickets $34

Eastside Flea Spring Market | 1101 Union Street | March 9 and 10, 11 am-5 pm | The popular Eastside Flea is back, with local artisans, vintage goods, food trucks and more | Tickets $5 at door

Vancouver Social Design Sesh | Sprezzatura Restaurant | March 10, 1 pm | Creative minds get together at this hands-on event, learn from each other and network | Tickets $6

Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market | PNE Fairgrounds | Every Sunday until the end of April | 35+ farmers and producers selling local vegetables, fruits, pottery, honey and more | Free

10th Annual Curry Cup | 3102 Main St. | March 11, 6:30 pm | Local chefs show off their curry dishes | Tickets $65

PiDGiN x Container Popup | Container Brewing | March 26. 2 pm-8 pm | A yuzu beer collaboration with chicharron served | Tickets $14

VIFF Spring Break | VIFF | Various dates and times | Explore a selection of recent anime family movies including Suzume | Tickets $15

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Is this new restaurant the best Middle Eastern place in Vancouver? [Vancity Lookout]

• Uncover insider travel secrets with Daily Drop. Their 5-min newsletter helps you maximize miles, find affordable fares, and stay ahead with top loyalty programs. Join 1M+ adventurers who get their daily insights - sign up for free! [Sponsored]

• A video captured lightning striking an Air Canada airplane at YVR on Sunday. [Global News]

• The ever-popular Vancouver (and worldwide) celebrity Ryan Reynolds has teamed up with the Terry Fox Foundation. They’ve created a set of shirts to celebrate the hero with the tagline #NoMatterWhat. [Vancouver Sun]

• Mami Mia, Italian Day is back this summer on Commercial Drive on June 9. [Daily Hive]

• Lyrids, shooting stars, will be making an appearance throughout Vancouver this summer. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• This is a fun thread about the most iconic restaurants and bars in Vancouver. [Reddit]

VANCOUVER GUESSER

Sadly no one seemed to get yesterday’s Vancouver Guesser. The answer was MacLean Park in Strathcona.

Today’s Vancouver Wordle is an easy one if you read newsletter. You can play it here

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