Vancouver Rundown Thursday February 20, 2025
Summary
The B.C. government is backing down on its much criticized Safe Supply program in the face of growing concerns taxpayer funded prescribed medications are ending up in the wrong hands. Health Minister Josie Osbourne says the province will now move to a witnessed consumption system - starting with new patients. Last month, the BC Conservatives leaked an internal document showing the Health Ministry and police have been investigating pharmacists who were paying incentives to patients and doctors.
Other news…
Half a dozen men have been busted in Burnaby following a two-month investigation into mail fraud. It comes after a couple break-ins at a Burnaby apartment building. The Mounties seized 1,600 items including an embossing machine, fake ID, bank cards and cheques. Investigators believe it’s part of an organized effort to produce false identifications.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim continues to blast the federal government for not doing enough in terms of bail reform. Sim calls it bullshit and says the feds should just admit they are not going to do anything. The comments came in the annual state of the city address at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
Plans are in the works for a 26-storey rental apartment building next to the Langara-49th Avenue SkyTrain Station. The rezoning application is for the southeast corner at Cambie and 49th - not far from Langara College. The area has been unoccupied for close to 25 years.
Clouds and possible showers on Thursday. Rain on Friday. Rain and windy on Saturday. Here are the latest conditions from our private weather station in Surrey.
Top five stories to know
Global News: B.C. overhauls its safe supply program to a witness model
CityNews: Burnaby police arrest team of suspected mail thieves
CBC: 2nd case of measles related to Air Canada flight last week confirmed in B.C.'s Lower Mainland
Vancouver Is Awesome: Vancouver mayor slams federal government over inaction on bail reform
Daily Hive: 26-storey rental housing tower proposed for Langara-49th Avenue SkyTrain station
Business stories to know
CBC: Company behind 'Canada Is Not For Sale' merch sends cease-and-desist to B.C. retailer
Globe & Mail: Canadian lumber producers brace for surge in U.S. anti-dumping duty rates
Business In Vancouver: Anthony von Mandl venture buying Central City Brewing
Opinion
Business In Vancouver: Rob Shaw: Time to break B.C.'s empty throne speech habit
Journalism matters
The Tyee: Anti-immigration TikToker by night, BC Conservative staffer by day
That’s cool
Daily Hive: 14 Canadian architectural firms invited to design new Vancouver Art Gallery
Bonus
Vancouver Sun: Are fewer British Columbians heading to Bellingham to shop? Here's what we found out