Vancouver Rundown Friday June 21, 2024
Summary
Vancouver’s Dragon Boast Festival is going ahead despite a sewage leak in False Creek. Metro Vancouver crews had to repair a burst pipe near Columbia Street and West Second that allowed effluent to flow into the water Thursday morning. Dragon Boat BC says its festival will not be impacted by the leak in any significant way. Health officers will continue to check the area through the weekend.
Other news…
City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan is blasting Metro Vancouver saying there is a lack of fiscal discipline and transparency in regional government. Buchanan says Metro Vancouver’s announced independent review is not good enough. She says all Metro Vancouver infrastructure projects should be halted until things are sorted out. Metro Vancouver’s Northshore wastewater treatment plant is close to $3B over budget.
At least one person has died - two others are in critical condition - in a Thursday morning house fire in Abbotsford. They were part of the six people fire crews dragged from a burning home in the Clearbrook area. There’s no word on damage or a cause.
One of B.C.’s most beloved outdoor spots is set to reopen in July…at least partially. Flood damage around the Othello Tunnels and Coquihalla Canyon Park has now been repaired, nearly three years after the November 2021 floods. The Ministry of Environment says the trails have now been stabilized and protective mesh added to rocky hillsides.
A mix of sun and clouds by Friday afternoon. Cloudy periods on Saturday. Clouds, clear breaks and possible showers for Sunday. Here are the latest conditions from our private weather station in Surrey.
Top five stories to know
Vancouver Sun: Sewage leak near Olympic Village won't impact boating activities
Vancouver Is Awesome: City of North Van mayor blasts Metro Vancouver over sewage plant fiasco
CityNews: 1 dead, 2 critical after Abbotsford house fire
CTV: 'Potential public safety risk': Suspect in B.C. senior's death released from custody
CBC: Coquihalla Canyon Park, Othello Tunnels partially reopens in July
Business stories to know
Business In Vancouver: Operational challenges, frugal consumers squeeze Lululemon sales
Global News: 25% of B.C. renters spend half of income on housing: report\
Vancouver Sun: Huge tower development proposed beside future Emily Carr SkyTrain station
Opinion
Business In Vancouver: Opinion: B.C.’s land use and resource agenda puts economy on shaky ground
Journalism matters
That’s cool
Daily Hive: New design renderings of the eight stations on Surrey-Langley SkyTrain
Of note
Globe & Mail: Remembering Donald Sutherland, Canadian chameleon