
Vancouver Rundown Thursday December 7, 2023
Subscribe to get local news that you once got on Facebook
Summary
There’s division in Mayor Ken Sim’s civic party and it has to do with his move to eliminate Vancouver’s park board. ABC commissioner Laura Christensen has confirmed that she, along with fellow commissioner Scott Jensen and chair Brennan Bastyovanszky, have now been booted from Sim’s party. The three don’t support Sim’s desire to transition away from having an elected board. This comes as the mayor seeks a change in the Vancouver Charter to repurpose the board.
Other stories…
Both Crown prosecutors and the defense lawyers recommend ‘no jail time’ in the case of a Surrey Mountie, who remains suspended without pay, who pleaded guilty to three counts of breach of trust for accessing the files of three women for his own sexual gratification. Cpl. Peter Leckie has apologized during his sentencing hearing in a case that outlined police databases being accessed to get information about a troubled 19-year-old sex worker and her mother. CBC reports the mother has told the court she feels Leckie was a sexual predator pursuing a teen who who had suffered a great loss and was dealing with mental illness. The hearing is scheduled to continue Thursday.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police have linked to a disturbing video circulating on social media while addressing the anti-Semitic remarks in the original post. The force says it’s aware of the events that took place on the Canada Line on Nov. 12, of which the video shows a small glimpse. It also notes that officers have talked to those involved and consider the situation resolved.
Canada’s largest flag and its pole soon won’t be the only skyscraping structures on 104 Avenue in Guildford. Pacific Reach Properties is finalizing details with the City of Surrey as it plans on building a 31-storey residential tower across the street from the 20-storey Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel. The proposal has already gone through the public hearing stage and the developer says final adjustments are being made to plans for the 280-unit building.
Friday will be the day you can expect a break from the showers and fog. The weekend will be rainy. Here are the latest conditions from our private weather station in Surrey.
Top five stories to know
Vancouver Sun: Move to abolish Vancouver park board reveals rift in Mayor Ken Sim's ABC party
Vancouver Is Awesome: Police discuss video of anti-Semitic remarks on Metro Vancouver transit
CityNews: B.C. moving to abolish child care wait fees
Surrey Now-Leader: 31-storey tower pitched for Guildford hotel site opposite landmark flag pole
Business stories to know
Global & Mail: Bank of Canada holds key interest rate steady but warns ready to hike again
Business In Vancouver: $70M Granville hotel sale the biggest in Vancouver since 2017
Vancouver Tech Journal: Renaissance raises $2.3M to help artists monetize their superfans
Opinion
Journalism matters
Vancouver Is Awesome: B.C. driver denied faulty brakes claim after rear-ender
That’s cool
Daily Hive: Canucks fan pops the question in adorable moment at Rogers Arena
Bonus
Vancouver Is Awesome: Brr! Metro Vancouver forecast includes shift to sub-zero temperatures