Vancouver

April 7, 2009

UBC's Great Farm Trek '09, 3:30 p.m. Today. Save the UBC Farm.

The UBC Farm has been an integral part of UBC since the Point Grey campus was founded in 1922. The UBC Farm is 24 hectares and is located on UBC Vancouver's south campus. It is the last working farm in Vancouver and an irreplaceable resource for our future that once gone, is gone forever. The farm provides a unique centre for innovative teaching and research about sustainable food systems, food security and health.

The UBC farm serves as an important educational resource to members of the academic and non academic community, including a wide variety of aboriginal groups, school children and others. In addition, the UBC Farm is a complex ecosystem and home to many species such as coyotes, frogs, eagles, owls, snakes and over 70 species of birds.

Why is the UBC Farm in crisis?

UBC may use the farm land for other purposes. Students and community members have worked very hard in the past year to preserve the farm. UBC has acknowledged that the farm needs to be considered in their planning process; however, we still need the University to commit to: keeping the farm at its current size and location, providing stable funding, and including key users in determining the farm's future

HOW YOU CAN HELP save UBC Farm

Come to the Great Farm Trek '09 today, Tuesday, April 7th. The Trek will gather at the Student Union Building at 3:30 p.m. and trekkers will walk to the UBC Farm for a celebration with food and music, and a ceremonial planting. Free parking is available at UBC Farm anytime. A free bus shuttle, originating at the SUB, will take participants to and from the Trek, which will be in progress between 3 p.m & 6 p.m. We'll see you at the rally today!

Sponsored by UBC Alma Mater Society, and the Friends of the UBC Farm.

April 3, 2009

Grand March for Housing - 12 noon, Saturday, April 4, 2009

The Citywide Housing Coalition's march to end homelessness, build social housing, and raise the minimum wage takes place this weekend.

Muster stations are located at Thornton Park (due west of the bus depot / train station), Hastings and Main streets, and Peace Flame Park (at the south end of the Burrard Street bridge). Marchers will walk peacefully (but noisily, we hope) from the march starting points to the Vancouver Art Gallery, meeting in front of the Art Gallery, on Georgia Street, at 1:30 p.m.

Given the failure of the federal government to step up to the plate and build affordable housing for Canadians - when many across Canada are experiencing a housing crisis - is unconscionable. We need a renewed, affordable, well-funded and effective co-operative housing programme, as well as the construction of special needs housing (for women, and for single parent families, for the homeless). Housing is an issue which affects us all.

Let's make this a march for change, for a renewed commitment to social agency, and to programmes benefitting the most vulnerable in our society. Let's march to encourage government to bring in programmes to protect renters, and construct social housing for the homeless and for families in Vancouver, throughout British Columbia, and across our great country!

April 2, 2009

Vancouver Radio Ratings, Spring 2009. A Sea Change.

The Vancouver 2009 Winter radio ratings were published this morning, and the news is huge! For the first time ever, Canada's public broadcaster, the CBC, has emerged as the top-rated radio station in the market, besting long-time market leader CKNW by almost a full percentage point. Only four short years ago, in 2005, CBC Radio One scored a paltry 5 percentage points, behind eight other stations. Now, CBC Vancouver is number one!

Tom Monaghan, VP media director of Vancouver-based advertising agency Cossette Media told the Globe and Mail's Fiona Morrow that recent developments in the city's radio scene had made an impact on the figures, noting the arrival of The Peak and some re-branding among other stations.

"It's a balancing out of the marketplace," he told Morrow. "And, to be honest with you, it's CKNW's audience that has declined - it's not that we're seeing a dramatic increase with the CBC, and it's a relatively small increase anyway."

Taking a look at the ratings above (click on the graphic at the top for the fullscreen graph), apart from the local CBC radio outlet, AM650 (formerly CISL) emerges as the other big winner, tripling their ratings in the past year with a move to the low-key "All Time Favourites" format, a format they assumed when Jimmy Pattison's AM600 went dark in the autumn of 2008.

In the morning slot, 6 - 9 a.m., CBC Radio One pulled in an unprecedented 16.9, with JACK a distant second at 9.4, and the other morning shows emerging as also-rans, averaging 5.1 (the Team) to 7.7 (QM-FM). News1130 registered 9.0 in the morning, with Rock 101 and Virgin tied at 6.4, CKNW dipped to 6.1, JR-FM held steady at 5.7, with Virgin and CFOX tied at 5.3. CFUN, AM730, CISL and The Peak are the bottom dwellers (1 point each). CKCL, 104.9 (oldies), remains stuck at 3 percentage points.

Otherwise, for the most part, the 2009 Winter radio ratings book is stand pat. One supposes that the Team 1040 (CKST) has reason to celebrate (as the Canucks do well, so does the Team), reaching 4.0 for the first time. And Jimmy Pattison can't exactly be thrilled with a rating of 1.0 for The Peak, his new triple-A radio station (can't sell many ads with a 1.0 rating).

PugetSoundRadio has published a further demographic breakdown of the numbers, which shows perennial favourite 103.5 QM-FM and 96.9 JACK-FM in the lead 25 - 54, and CHQM out in way out in front with women 25 - 54.

The folks at RadioWest (from whom we appropriated the graphic) have also begun to weigh in on the Winter 2009 radio ratings book, the commentary in the early going focusing on the "erosion of the once Giant 98."

With the portable people meter coming to Vancouver as early as this fall, to record local radio ratings, we'll see what effect, if any, the new technology has on recording radio listening preferences on the Lower Mainland.

January 24, 2009

Vancouver Downtown Eastside SRO Social Housing Update

Renovation of the 16 SRO hotels purchased by the British Columbia government last year to provide livable, clean, well-supervised socially responsible accommodation for members of our most indigent and vulnerable Downtown Eastside population continues apace in 2009.

The folks at Vancouver Housing Update report that ...

"The renovations being made to the SROs represent major upgrades to the buildings. Where possible, the renovations are energy efficient: high-performance windows, low-energy lighting systems, and efficient ventilation and heating systems are being installed; exterior walls and roofs are being insulated. Mould, asbestos, lead paint, PCBs, and other recognized hazardous materials are being eradicated from the buildings and moisture resistant drywall which inhibits mould is being added to all sites where finishes are being replaced. With the removal of hazardous materials, the building envelope repair, and the new ventilation systems, the buildings will offer a greatly improved environment for tenants."

To eradicate a terrible bed bug infestation problem that plagues the Downtown Eastside, those engaged in the renovation of the government-
owned SROs have set about to employ diatomaceous earth in an effort to control bedbug infestations. Diatomaceous earth is a soft rock that crumbles easily into a fine powder. The substance is being placed into the building wall cavities of each of the 16 SROs. When bedbugs crawl across it, they pick up traces of the powder, absorbing liquids from the host's exoskeleton, which causes the bedbug to dehydrate and expire.

Eighteen of the city's most experienced non-profit groups who work to deliver housing, shelter and support services to those in greatest need, and who currently act as community partners operating SROs across the Lower Mainland — delivering Outreach programmes to the homeless, and / or provide emergency shelter across Metro Vancouver — have been assigned the responsibility to act as operating partners for the SROs currently being renovated and which, in most cases, are expected to open later this year.

December 20, 2008

The Sleeping Giant Awakes: VanRamblings Resumes Posting

A wintry, December day in Vancouver (from the Safeway parking lot facing Kits library)

There has been this past two months, since VanRamblings last published, a great deal of interest to VanRamblings' readers that has occurred near to our little secluded isle, due east of the Pacific Ocean.

For instance ...

• The election of a Vision Vancouver government to City Hall. We have not weighed in on the ascension of Gregor Robertson to the Mayor's chair, nor evinced any particular opinion on the councillors who were elected. But in the days to come, we will opine about the star in the making that is Geoff Meggs, and just what a destructive dunce Suzanne Anton will be to the forces of the NPA as she plays Republican style politics with the notion of democratic decision-making in our City. We might have something of interest to say.

• While we're on the subject of municipal politics, mention should be made about the launch of citycaucus.com, a centre-right apologia for the do-nothing government of Sam Sullivan. But, heck, the site is readable, the page design terrific (Frances Bula, take note), the writing first rate (damn those right wingers for being able to write and design, so well), and much to the horror of VanRamblings, the site surprisingly manages to be even-handed on occasion, as witness this piece by citycaucus.com contributor, Eric Mang.

  We would be remiss in our duty, as well, if we didn't point you to this story on the quick action taken by Mayor Gregor Robertson and Premier Campbell in creating 200 new homeless shelter beds, arising citycaucus.com points out from months of preparatory work by the previous, Sam Sullivan administration. Fair's fair, after all ... Vision shouldn't get all the credit.

• We at VanRamblings are 'lists' people. Top 10 lists of the best movies of the year, the best music, and books ... we just eat this stuff up. VanRamblings fully intends to drive you to complete distraction in the days to come with our take on the upcoming Oscars, what we've admired and were moved by on film this year (Brideshead Revisited, Elegy, Frozen River ... all released earlier this year), as well as our favourite music of the year (no surprise that Adele will be right up there ... we simply love her début, 19).
• The up-until-recently impeccably well-orchestrated Obama transition, somewhat undone in recent days by the apparent thuggery of Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich.
  
• And, finally, as a topic we'll raise briefly in this entry and explore at greater length another day, the whole issue of homelessness, why homeless persons choose to sleep on the street rather spend overnight in a shelter, and just how difficult it will be in the coming days, weeks and many, many months to address the issue of homelessness in a compassionate, yet effective manner. Of course, homelessness is not the only issue in respect of housing that requires addressing: VanRamblings will also explore the affordable housing crisis in our City.

As we say, there are a great many topics to tackle in the days to come, to write about and reflect on. Some topics to be explored by VanRamblings will be of a serious nature, others not quite so much.

We hope to see you returning to visit VanRamblings, often.

July 30, 2008

Vancouver's Downtown Eastside: Hope for the Future

In an area of Vancouver defined by despair, drug addiction, mental health disorders, and a lack of hope for the future, the prospect of marginally better living conditions for the several thousand people who call the downtown eastside home emerged a year ago when the provincial government purchased 16 hotels in Vancouver's poorest neighbourhood.

Since that time, the Province of British Columbia has also agreed to build new social housing for the poorest and most destitute of our citizenry, on land turned over to the province by the City of Vancouver. The City and the Province, working together, have fast-tracked the approval of up to 1,200 new social and supportive housing units, on 12 city-owned sites.

How is the renovation and construction process coming along, one year on?

The short answer: nothing good happens quickly. And so it goes.

In the most recent report issued by Vancouver Housing Update, progress is slow, but steady. The 18 community non-profit partners who will operate the renovated hotels, as well as the 12 new social housing projects — range from the Lookout Emergency Aid Society to the Motivation, Power and Achievement Society and the Coast Foundation, to RainCity Housing and the Atira Women's Resource Society, among a raft of other non-profit partners. All are onboard, and more than ready to house the homeless.

As to progress on those 12 City-owned sites, development on the sites continues to wend its way through Vancouver's Planning Department.

The local architectural firm of Gomberoff Bell Lyon submitted their plan for the site to be developed at 188 East 1st Avenue, on May 2nd; this site will house 129 persons in a social housing building that will meet the LEED Green Environmental standard. Construction on the building is about to commence, with completion set for mid-2010, when residents will move into the building to by operated by the Lookout Emergency Aid Society.

GBL's remaining projects — at 1237 Howe Street and 505 Abbott Street — have made it through the design and notification process, and await final approval from the Planning Department before construction begins.

Meanwhile, on May 12th of this year, the Vancouver-based architectural firm of Neale Staniszkis Doll Adams submitted their plan to Vancouver City Hall for a 9-storey, 62-resident apartment building, to be operated jointly by the Katherine Sanford Housing Society, and the MPA. Again, construction is about to commence, with a completion date set for mid-2110.

The other NSDA-designed site, at 1388 Seymour, consists of 106 single units, and will be operated by the Granville Mennonite Housing Society.

VanRamblings' readers may follow developments on the 12 sites (to be increased shortly to 14 sites, we have been informed by reliable sources) by clicking on this link, and when you arrive at the page to gain further insight, clicking on the addresses of the sites on the left-hand side of the page.

In time, as construction progresses, VanRamblings will produce a photo record of the social housing sites' progress. We'll see you back here soon.

July 12, 2008

Vancouver Municipal Election Candidates Coming Into Focus

Catherine Evans                   David Eby                 Kerry Jang

Well, it looks as if the list of candidates for the fall municipal election is firming up somewhat. And, further, it looks as if any deal between COPE and Vision Vancouver may be out the window. What this would appear to mean for Vancouverites is that COPE and Vision will likely field full slates.

Of course, no deal between COPE and Vision means war between the two centre-left parties, and the likelihood of the NPA's Peter Ladner running up the middle in his bid to gain the Mayor's chair, as well as better prospects for incumbent NPA Councilors Suzanne Anton, Kim Capri and Elizabeth Ball.

In recent days, three, new high profile Vision Vancouver candidates — including Pivot Legal Society's David Eby; president of the B.C. Society for Public Education, Catherine Evans; and UBC medical-school professor and eastside resident, Kerry Jang, have announced their bid for a Council seat.

Longtime politico Geoff Meggs announced for Vision some time ago.

The centrist Vision Vancouver civic party, then, would appear to be looking forward to running a full Council slate for the fall — made up of the four incumbents and, to date, four members who've announced (Andrea Reimer has yet to announce, and recently defeated Vision mayoral candidate, Allan De Genova, continues to be hotly pursued by Vision to run for Council, an entreaty to Mr. De Genova et famille destined for failure it would seem ...).

A full Vision slate for Council leaves no room for any deal at all with COPE.

With significant contributions already in the kitty from some of the more progressive developers in our city, as well as monies from the gambling industry — with even more funds coming in from the better than 13,000 members of the nascent political party — Vision Vancouver will head into the fall municipal election with the most funding and the best chance to gain a majority on Vancouver City Council, come Saturday November 15th.

To date, in respect of COPE, former City Councilor Ellen Woodsworth has announced her intention to run for a COPE Council seat, this November. At the recent COPE AGM, former Board of Variance chair, Terry Martin, and former City Councilor, Tim Louis, announced intention to seek COPE Council nominations. COPE's 2008 Nominating Conference will be held at 2:30 p.m., on Sunday Sept 28, 2008, at the Ukrainian Auditorium, at 154 East 10 Ave, in Vancouver. Martin has not formally announced, thus there is no website available promoting his candidacy, while Tim Louis — who has announced — tells VanRamblings he will kick off his bid for Council in mid-to-late August

The big issue to be decided at COPE's nominating conference is whether the party runs a mayoral candidate against Vision's Gregor Robertson. Should COPE decide to run a mayoral candidate — hardly a foregone conclusion — Vancouverites could very well see a majority Vision Council, and the slimy (yet photogenic) Peter Ladner in the Mayor's chair. Not a happy prospect.

Read More...

July 2, 2008

Vancouver Sun Civic Affairs Reporter Frances Bula Resigns Her Post

Frances Bula, the Vancouver Sun civic affairs reporter since 1994, abruptly announced her resignation from the newspaper today.

Dear all of my blog-readers,

This will be my last post on this Vancouver Sun blog, as I have resigned from the paper.

As Vancouver-based blogger Rob Cottingham states in his farewell tribute to Ms. Bula today, "Her blog post makes it clear that she thoroughly understands blogging - which makes losing her voice at the Sun doubly painful." Another Vancouver blogger, Bill Tieleman, weighs in on Ms. Bula's departure from the Sun, on Sean Holman's Public Eye Online, writing ...

This is indeed bad news for all of us who either report on municipal politics, follow them or are active in local government.

Frances Bula has done an outstanding job for many years and amazingly maintained her sense of humour despite sitting through endless rounds of pointless Vancouver city council meetings and much more.

Good luck to Frances wherever she goes - she will have many fans who will follow.

The Pivot Legal Society's David Eby writes on his blog, "For her to leave the Sun is, well ... shocking."

In what is shaping up to be the most important Vancouver civic election in almost a half century, Ms. Bula's resignation from the Sun, and rumoured movement to Vancouver Magazine — with its three month advance deadline, and consequent lack of reportorial immediacy — represents the loss of a critical voice, at a critical juncture, on Vancouver's civic scene.

Unless Ms. Bula commences with her new blog (which she promises) by early autumn, Vancouver citizens will find them far less informed on the machinations of the fall civic election than otherwise would be the case.

We are all the lesser for Ms. Bula's departure from the daily journalistic rigours of reporting on the often tempestuous Vancouver civic scene.

July 28, 2006

Board of Variance Fired. Story Over. Not By A Long Shot.

Now, you'd think what with Vancouver City Council (not to mention, the Vancouver Courier's Allen Garr) on vacation for the remainder of the summer, and Supreme Court Justice Robert J. Bauman having trampled on the hurt feelings of the recently deposed members of the City of Vancouver Board of Variance, that this 'story that won't die' would be over.

But you'd be wrong. You can take the hint from the latter sentiment expressed in the previous paragraph: the Board of Variance sacking is a story that won't die. And, why not?

Well, just when you thought to yourself, good riddance to that Ray Tomlin fella, and fair thee well to Quincey Kirschner, Terry Martin, Tony Tang and Jan Pierce, it would be too soon if I ever heard any one of their names ever again ... it seems that your cherished opinion in the matter has been overturned by citizens honourable and true, an as yet unidentified band of truth and justice seekers who, when the Board was fired four weeks ago today, filed a complaint with the Office of the BC Ombudsman.

So what, you say? Well, this is what: the office of the City Clerk, City of Vancouver, informed Secretary to the Board of Variance, Louis Ng, on Thursday afternoon that the aforementioned Ombudsman's office has launched a "full and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of the City of Vancouver Board of Variance." Mr. Ng was instructed to co-operate fully with the investigation.

Justice Robert Bauman ruled that Board of Variance counsel, Derek Creighton, had not proved evidence of "bad faith" by Vancouver City Council in its dismissal of the Board. But now, with a truly independent arm of government conducting an investigation into the firing, perhaps evidence of "bad faith" might finally be proven. We'll wait and see.

Seems that the Office of the Ombudsman will issue a full report on the matter sometime later this year, or as late as next spring.

Board of Variance fired. Story over. Not by a long shot. This is the story that won't die.

July 25, 2006

This Just In: Board of Variance Crushed by Supreme Court

This morning, in Courtroom 20, in the British Columbia Supreme Court building at 800 Smithe Street, in the city of Vancouver, during the course of a 45-minute video tele-conference address, Mr. Justice Robert J. Bauman ruled decisively against the recently deposed members of Vancouver's beleaguered Board of Variance. Okay, let's be honest: with one devastating body blow after another, he slammed them to the ground, and crushed their cheery little faces into the dirt multiple times. But who's counting?

Justice Bauman ruled that the decision by Vancouver City Council to rescind the appointments of all five members of the Board of Variance constituted "an institutional change," ruling that Vancouver City Council — as the legislative authority — had the "unfettered right" to fire the Board of Variance, and were not compelled either to give reasons for their decision, nor were they to be concerned about any possible damage to the personal and professional reputations of the deposed Board of Variance members.

Tuesday afternoon at 5 p.m., Council appointed a 'new' Board of Variance, made up of Alex "Sleepy" Lam, Francesca "I used to be an NDPer, but I seen the light, and now I'm a Liberal" Zumpano, Marguerite "I don't know why some people think I'm scary" Ford, and ("what must they have been thinking, jumping into this mess?"), former 1993 - 1999 Board of Variance member Parveen Adrakar, and newcomer, Jagdev Dhillon.

The best part of this whole fiasco? VanRamblings is now free to write any (responsible) thing it wishes on this blog about Council, without fear of retribution by Mayor Sam Sullivan and cohorts. That's the good news.

The bad news: the terrible loss that the 350 families — and all of the other members of the community who approach the Board of Variance, each year, for an appeal of the Director of Planning involving a development decision in their neighbourhood — who will almost certainly suffer an untoward experience at the hands of a Board of Variance whose determinations must surely be seen to be tainted by the recent action of Council to fire the previous Board, in a decision taken with no just and reasonable cause.

In respect of Mr. Justice Robert Bauman, and in fairness to the fulsomeness of his ruling, given the impeccable and compelling presentation of counsel for the City, Mr. George Macintosh QC, to Mr. Justice Bauman's court, there was very little room left for Justice Bauman to rule other than he did (although, one supposes, the door would always be open to a broader interpretation of the matters placed before a Supreme Court Justice).

Mr. Justice Robert Bauman ruled as he felt he must. VanRamblings believes in the rule of law, and all those who believe in civil society must stand by the rightness of a decision of the Court, whatever the negative personal consequences one might experience as a result. That an appeal of Justice Bauman's ruling is under consideration speaks only to points in law counsel for the Board feels may not have been fully explored.

Still and all, VanRamblings would ask: Was it absolutely necessary for Justice Robert Bauman to award costs to the City, risking bankruptcy for the good-hearted, principled volunteer members of the Board of Variance who have worked so hard and well, and so ethically, this past year?

July 21, 2006

Board of Variance Fate To Be Decided Tuesday morning, July 25

After three long, miserable weeks of psychic, emotional and other pain for the author of this blog, notice was given Friday afternoon that Justice Robert Bauman, of the BC Supreme Court, will hand down his decision this coming Tuesday morning, at 9 a.m., July 25th, as to whether Vancouver will maintain an independent Board of Variance, or have its members replaced with individuals friendlier to development interests, and the interests of the NPA, the municipal political party currently governing Vancouver City Hall.

For those of you who have not been following the torrid and often heartrending saga of the sacking of Vancouver's Board of Variance (of which VanRamblings is one of the deposed members), there's been a great deal reported in the press on the issue, as there might well have been given the import of the issue for the average Vancouver citizen, and for all of us.

Allen Garr, of the Vancouver Courier, has proved particularly dogged in his coverage of what he has suggested "may be the biggest story of the year," beginning with his July 7th column, Board firing bad for citizenry, continuing on to July 12th with Board firing stretches credulity, July 15th's PR plan followed board firing, and yet another column published this past Wednesday, which (inexplicably) The Courier has yet to post to the 'Net.

The Vancouver Sun's Barbara Yaffe, who in appealing on behalf of her neighbourhood to the Board of Variance in the autumn of 2005, lost in her bid to have overturned what she and her neighbours felt was a "wholly unsuitable" duplex development, has taken a surprising, yet ethical and principled stand in support of an independent Board of Variance.

On July 5th, Ms. Yaffe, in a column titled Citizens need a Board to stand between them and city hall (pdf), and again on July 12th in a column titled, Variance board our last hope to rein in a city hall run amok provided insight and much needed coverage of an issue which should have grabbed the attention of all Vancouver citizens.

So, this coming Tuesday morning, stay tuned to your local radio station for news from the BC Supreme Court.

Justice Robert Bauman has a very difficult ruling to make, given the able presentations of both legal counsels, Derek Creighton for the Petitioner (the fired Board of Variance members), and George Macintosh for the Respondent, the City of Vancouver / Province of British Columbia.

December 5, 2005

Mayor Sullivan Makes His First Set of Appointments

Mayor Sam Sullivan

Mayor Sam Sullivan was sworn in today as the 44th mayor of the City of Vancouver.

In addition, new NPA councillors Suzanne Anton (formerly a member of the Parks Board), social activist Kim Capri, arts maven Elizabeth Ball (terrible website; was she really counting on being elected), and incumbent and humanitarian Peter Ladner were also sworn in.

Vision Vancouver Council members, and Council incumbents, Raymond Louie (who oughta lose his ‘holier than thou’ smirk ... just a suggestion, if he wants to be Mayor some day) and Tim Stevenson, as well as newly elected Vision Vancouver Council members Heather Deal and George Chow were also sworn in, along with the lone COPE incumbent David Cadman.

Announced today were Mayor Sullivan’s first set of appointments — to the GVRD and Translink Boards (the websites have not been updated as of this writing), as well as a number of other regional bodies, non-profit boards and statutory committees.

Next up, but still a ways away, appointments to the various civic agencies which either carry out or help to develop policy for Council. Applications for the current vacancies (all committees, with the exception of the Board of Variance, dissolve prior to an election, and re-appointment does not take place until well into the new year ... the appointments are often construed as ‘pay-offs’ to supporters of the winning party ... although VanRamblings would suggest that such a construction in relation to these appointments would be ungenerous and wrong-headed in the extreme).

Update, December 6: Announced in his inaugural address yesterday, Mayor Sullivan will institute a Triple R Review (roles, relationships and responsibilities) of the function of existing civic agencies. The results of the review will be announced in the spring. Appointments to what are almost surely to be newly reconstituted advisory committees will likely take place in June 2006. As a first order of business, could Mayor Sullivan have instituted a more anti-democratic policy than his bludgeoning of these very important, democratic advisory civic agencies? VanRamblings thinks not.

Update, December 8: The Council package for December 13th from Mayor Sullivan will recommend that Council approve the re-establishment of the following Advisory Committees for the term December 5, 2005 to December 8, 2008, with current members reinstated until successors are appointed:

• Building Board of Appeal

• Development Permit Board Advisory Panel

• Urban Design Panel

• Vancouver Athletic Commission

The following civic agencies are established by federal or provincial legislation, and will also be continuing "business as usual":

• Board of Variance

• Family Court-Youth Justice Committee

• Vancouver Public Library Board

• Vancouver Economic Development Commission

• Vancouver Heritage Foundation

To be fair, here's Mayor Sullivan in his own words on the Triple R Review ...

I would like Council to determine how best to get input from citizens. The contribution of community voices to Council is a vital part of being informed and responsive. We have many dedicated citizens who contribute to our city on advisory committees. We owe them the respect of Council by enabling their advice to be heard through the most effective mechanisms of involvement.

At the end of every Council term all committees except those mandated by law end, until they are re-constituted by the new Council. I am recommending that Council delay the re-establishment of our committees pending the clarification of roles as part of the Triple R Review (roles, relationships and responsibilities).

The re-establishment of citizen advisory processes should await clarification of the strategic directions this Council wants to take for the city. I will ask Council early in this term, concurrently with the review of roles, responsibilities and relationships, to engage in a process to determine strategic directions and objectives.

VanRamblings wishes the new Council wisdom and sober second thought, humanity, a sense of humour, civility and respect for varying opinions, and at least a modicum of non-partisanship in their important deliberations.

November 28, 2005

School Board Loss: Whither Now Education in Vancouver?

Perhaps the most devastating loss in the recent Vancouver civic election was the NPA School Board majority win, and the consequent turfing out of the respected, hard-working, centrist, consultative and initiative-driven majority COPE school trustee slate — Kevin Millsip, Noel Herron, Angela Kenyon, Jane Bouey, and Green Party trustee Andrea Reimer.

Even given the downloading, by the provincial Liberal government, of a teacher pay raise onto school boards throughout the province, the COPE School Board was the only Board in the province to not lay teachers off during their three-year term, and to maintain smaller class sizes (or in the case of kindergarten, reduce class sizes and go to full day kindergarten).

Unlike past COPE School Boards, the 2002 - 2005 COPE Vancouver school trustees did not pick unwinnable fights with the provincial government, but instead worked together with senior staff in the provincial Ministry of Education to secure additional funding for inner city schools for our region’s most vulnerable children; developed a programme to make all schools across our province seismically safe; expanded literacy programmes, and increased spaces for French Immersion; and developed groundbreaking multi-cultural, anti-racism and anti-homophobia programmes.

Why was the popular COPE School Board defeated? Easy question that. COPE school trustees fell victim to the infighting between COPE Classic and COPE Lite / Vision Vancouver, as slate voting took over to elect a majority NPA slate to the Vancouver School and Park Boards, and City Council.

A diverse NPA Council will be what it will be. Mayor-elect Sam Sullivan will set the agenda for his, and the NPA’s, coming term of office. The Park Board is, for the most part, a largely non-partisan (no pun intended) entity, a Board that tends to work co-operatively and without rancour; commissioners from COPE and the majority NPA Board will almost assuredly act in the best interests of Vancouver citizens, and citizens across the Lower Mainland.

But School Board? Children, parents, teachers, and non-teaching support staff are in for a rough ride with a Ken Denike-led NPA majority on the 2005 - 2008 Vancouver School Board. The NPA School Board will almost certainly prove to be a right wing, ultra-conservative and ideologically driven Board.

Read More...

November 23, 2005

Sam Sullivan: The New Mayor of Vancouver

On Saturday, November 19th Sam Sullivan became the 44th Mayor of Vancouver. What does Mr. Sullivan’s ascension to the highest political office in Canada’s third largest city mean for the people of Vancouver?

Well, first off, a return to decorum. Sullivan has promised that City Council debate will not be defined by acrimony, personal invective, and ad hominem attack. All points of view will be heard and decisions will be arrived at only after due consideration. Is Mr. Sullivan to be believed on this front? VanRamblings believes Mr. Sullivan to be a reasonable person who will do everything in his considerable power to return civility to Council debate.

In setting a new — and potentially co-operative — tone at City Hall, perhaps the first tentative steps might be taken towards healing the divide that exists in our City between rich and poor, East side and West side, privilege and anomie. The most salutary aspect of a new start is the sense of hope that is inspired when one does not know for sure what is to come. VanRamblings hopes for the best and trusts that the newly elected majority Non-Partisan Association Council will, while working with the Vision and COPE members of Council, move this City forward toward brighter days.

Lest you think that VanRamblings has been consuming a little too much of the NPA Kool-Aid, we would be remiss if mention were not made of the controversy surrounding Mr. Sullivan’s election to the Mayor’s job. If you look at the chart above, you'll see that Independent candidate James Green polled third in the mayoralty race. Adding James Green’s vote to that of Vision Vancouver mayoralty candidate Jim Green’s vote places Vision’s Jim Green 526 votes ahead of Mr. Sullivan, the declared winner of Saturday’s mayoral contest. Were there “dirty tricks” involved in the NPA’s alleged support of an independent James Green candidacy, a cynical, dastardly ploy designed to confuse voters? Vision Vancouver certainly thinks so.

Re-elected COPE councillor David Cadman chalks Green’s loss up to hubris

You only have to be aware of Jim Green’s history to know that the issue of NPA “dirty tricks” will not be going away anytime soon; Jim’s a fighter and will see it through to the end. Meanwhile, Mayor-elect Sullivan has made statements to the press that he wants to get on with the job, and to that end has extended an olive branch to his Vision Vancouver opponent, suggesting that there continues to be a role for Mr. Green to play in the development of the Woodward’s site, a long cherished dream of Mr. Green.

Read More...

November 20, 2005

Vancouver Elects New Council: The People Have Spoken

The 2005 race for Vancouver Municipal Council, School and Park Board is over. The NPA scored a stunning come-from-behind victory, all but decimating the COPE civic party. The election of four of five Vision Vancouver councillors sets a new direction for the progressive forces on Council. What all of these changes mean at the end of the day, it’s too early to say. But development in the City will most certainly take a different direction, and municipal issues will be re-prioritized. And it was always thus.

In the coming days, VanRamblings will publish our take on the meaning behind the change in direction for civic politics, in Vancouver and across the Lower Mainland. In the meantime, we can take heart that the people have spoken, and over the course of the next three years we will receive the kind of civic governance for which a majority of Vancouverites voted.

November 14, 2005

Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation: COPE Has The Right Plan

l-r: Spencer Herbert, Anita Romaniuk, Omar Kassis, Jenn McGinn, Mel Lehan, Loretta Woodcock

Last week, VanRamblings published a story endorsing COPE — Vancouver’s Coalition of Progressive Electors civic party — as the only municipal party that champions a sustainable programme of development that balances economic and environmental interests, towards the creation of a more livable city for all of us. Have already wholeheartedly endorsed the COPE slate of candidates for City Council and School Board, VanRamblings turns its attention today to the robust COPE Park Board slate.

Over the course of the past three years, a COPE Park Board, while enhancing public participation and access to the Board, has ...

• Championed the inclusion of 26 acres of park, and a 30,000 sq. ft. community centre at the future southeast False Creek development

• Expanded wheelchair access in our parks and introduced universal design principles to accommodate all members of the public, regardless of physical and mental ability

• Established skateboard parks beneath the east end of the Georgia Viaduct, and in the Strathcona and Quilchena neighbourhoods

• Expanded the Champlain Community Centre, including new child care facilities; rebuilt and expanded the Killarney Pool; undertook an extensive renovation of Renfrew Pool; completed the Millennium Lawn Bowling and Gymnastics facility at Riley Park; established a new artificial turf playing field in Kerrisdale embraced by the community; and established new, or renovated, parks including Emery Barnes, Sahali, Tea Swamp, Strathcona, Heather, George Wainborne, David Lam Phase Two, and Kingcrest

• Extended off leash hours for dog parks, while promoting public education for dog owners

• Promoted and facilitated community gardens throughout the city, and

• Improved environmental practices, including the diversion of rainwater into daylighted streams, as well as the re-use of rainwater for irrigation; expanded the use of green building technology and energy conservation; expanded the recycling programme and the re-use of materials; and continued our commitment to the Cool Vancouver Climate Change plan, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gases

In only a few days, you will be asked to cast your ballot for a new Park Board. Sitting COPE Park Board commissioners Anita Romaniuk and Loretta Woodcock, and new candidates Mel Lehan, Spencer Herbert, Omar Kassis, and Jenn McGinn are deserving of your vote. If a majority COPE Park Board is elected to a second term, a COPE Park Commissioners team would ...

• Continue the renewal and expansion of community centres, ice rinks, swimming pools, and fitness centres

• Move Park Board meetings into community centres, and create an open dailogue with the community

• Approve a plebiscite for the 2008 civic election on whether or not to phase out the containment of whales and dolphins in Stanley Park

• Continue the development of guidelines for waterfront and shoreline activities through the new Waterfront Planning Study

• Engage in a consultative process with young people to enhance youth programming in parks and recreation centres

• Adopt the LEED gold standard for new facilities, thus reducing future operating costs as well as reducing environmental impact

• Keep annual operating expenses and annual inflationary fee increases for facilities and programmes within the target inflationary increases set by the City, while rolling back the NPA-approved 7% increase in seniors fees for golfing, swimming, and fitness centres passed for the 2003 budget

These are good people. Hard-working people. Caring people. On November 19th, when you cast your ballot for a reinvigorated Vancouver Park Board, VanRamblings urges you to support the COPE team of Park Board candidates — Spencer Herbert, Omar Kassis, Mel Lehan, Jenn McGinn, Anita Romaniuk, and Loretta Woodcock — all of whom will work towards the creation of a more livable city for each and every one of us.

November 6, 2005

Elect a COPE Vancouver School Board in 2005

Noel Herron was the Principal at my children's elementary school (University Hill) in the 1980s, and after that Principal at another half-dozen Vancouver schools. Since that time, and before, Noel has continuously advocated for public education, speaking out and publishing for the betterment of the education system.

Over the course of the past couple of years, VanRamblings has had the opportunity to become re-acquainted with Noel, in his capacity as Chair of the Personnel and Staff Relations Committee of the Vancouver School Board, and as a liaison with the employees of Cardinal Transportation Vancouver who, this year, achieved successful CUPE bargaining unit status.

The work of the COPE trustees on the Vancouver School Board has been invaluable this past three years in preserving the integrity of our education system, even while suffering the slings and arrows of a provincial government and Ministry of Education seemingly hellbent on ideological warfare with teachers, trustees, parents and children.

The following e-mail arrived in my computer yesterday, a missive from the desk of valued public servant, COPE School Board Trustee Noel Herron. Today, VanRamblings passes on to you an edited version of the e-mail ...

Dear Friend of Public Education,

The civic election is just around the corner -- Saturday November 19.

As people who care about kids and public education -- the COPE School Board candidates are asking you to vote for people who care about kids and public education, who believe in the potential of all children. We will do everything in our power to make public schools work for every child.

Before casting your vote on November 19th, we would ask that you check out the record of the COPE School Board trustees.

In just 3 years a COPE Vancouver School Board has:

• Stopped $3 million in provincial cuts to inner city schools and our region's most vulnerable children, and introduced a successful consultative budgeting process
• Played a key role in winning $150 million in provincial funding for public education in BC
• Worked closely with the province to develop a programme to make all schools across our province seismically safe
• Re-hired multi-cultural workers laid off by the previous NPA controlled Board, while reaching out to Vancouver's diverse communities, and making our schools safer and more welcoming with new anti-racism and anti-homophobia programmes
• Dedicated increased monies into text books, restored teacher librarian hours and achieved lower class size at the elementary level
• Supported student input into district decision-making
• Worked tirelessly to repair relations with parents, students and staff -- relations that had been damaged under previous NPA Boards
• Expanded all-day kindergarten
• Hired one of the country's most respected educational leaders as our Superintendent of Schools -- without resorting to use of an expensive headhunting firm
• Expanded literacy programmes, and increased spaces for French Immersion
• Worked with both the SFU and the UBC Education departments to educate the community about the value of public education

l-r: Allan Wong, Allen Blakey, Angela Kenyon, Conrad Lew, Jane Bouey, Kevin Millsip, Noel Herron, Sharon Gregson

There remains much that needs to be done. We still have a lot of work to do. We need to protect these achievements and build on them.

If re-elected, a COPE School Board will:

• Continue to advocate effectively for proper resources for public schools
• Fight to keep local educational decisions in the hands of our community
• Work for smaller classes for all children enrolled in the Vancouver school system
• Provide increased support for ESL, and children with special needs
• Get junk food out of our schools
• Work hard to build strong and respectful relationships with local aboriginal and First Nations organizations while working towards making our schools more inclusive and relevant for aboriginal students
• Continue to participate and support joint initiatives between the School Board, Park Board and City Council such as the Joint Council on Childcare
• Make each school a centre of environmental sustainability

The COPE Vancouver School Board has made decisions based on sound educational principle -- not Fraser Institute fiction. We need all caring Vancouver citizens to help make sure that the positive accomplishments of the COPE Vancouver School Board to support children and make public schools work for every child will not be undone by the NPA.

The Vancouver School Board -- a great reason to vote COPE!

November 5, 2005

Elect COPE Candidates for a More Livable Vancouver

l-r: Anne Roberts, David Cadman, Ellen Woodsworth, Fred Bass, Tim Louis

The time has come for VanRamblings to weigh in on the current municipal election in the City of Vancouver. Without any hesitation or reservation, VanRamblings wholeheartedly recommends the entirety of the current COPE slate — for City Council, School Board and Park Board — good people all.

Over the course of the past three years — since electing majority COPE Council Members, School Board trustees and Park Board commissioners to civic government — Vancouver has become a more livable city for all citizens of our fair city, the whole of the community has gained greater access to (and participation in) civic governance, and fiscal responsibility tempered by caring and a commitment to social justice have come to define governance in the City of Vancouver. Therefore, we’re recommending COPE in 2005.

For VanRamblings, the key issues in the campaign are this: development of the south side of False Creek, ensuring a mix of rental and subsidized housing, parks and community gardens, and greenways; re-development of the Woodward's building, and the resulting salutary impact that will occur in the surrounding neighbourhood; the provision of subsidized transit passes for students and persons on low incomes; keeping our libraries open and accessible; and the continued revitalization of neighbourhoods. Only COPE, and their unity partners Vision Vancouver, can deliver on these key issues.

In the coming days, VanRamblings will explore each of the civic issues outlined above, and express why it is that we believe only a majority COPE / Vision Vancouver City Council can deliver on these and other issues, while working towards the creation of a fairer and more livable City for all of us.

Who Will You Cast Your Vote For Vancouver Mayor?

With the Vancouver municipal election less than two short weeks away, VanRamblings will post various election-related polls in the coming days.

To begin, we’d appreciate some input into your choice for Mayor.

August 13, 2005

Sustainable Communities: A Bright Future And A Glowing Past

One Day is a City of Vancouver initiative dedicated to making incremental changes in energy consumption that can be sustained over time.

Whether it’s for personal fitness, to be part of the solution for future generations, or to help Vancouver become recognized as a world model for how an urban centre can manage energy consumption, the folks at onedayvancouver.ca are there to help you find ways to take that first step.

For instance, in your home you can ...

• Install compact fluorescent light bulbs
  
• Install low-flow showerheads
  
• Set back your thermostat at night
  
• Look for the EnergyStar label when purchasing new appliances
  
• Take advantage of BC Hydro Power Smart programmes and incentives
  
• Turn the lights out when you leave the room

On the road, you can cut down on your energy consumption by ...

• Leaving your car at home, just one day a week
  
• Walking or cycling to work or school
  
• Taking transit
  
• Joining a car co-op

Cities are for people (not cars). John Naisbitt (author of High Tech/High Touch: Technology and Our Search for Meaning) had it right: the more technology distances us (telecommuting, distance education, e-mail, videoconferencing), the more we crave human contact. Today, walkable communities, stroll districts, green transit, multi-modal transportation, urban density ... all point in the direction of people-centered planning.

Cities are for all people. For cities of the future, tolerance is passé; inclusion is critical. Young people are moving to cities where people ‘mix’: in clubs, at church, and in neighbourhoods. In Paris, housing projects require a set-aside of several units only for artists. Other cities (such as Vancouver) require that 10 to 15 perecent of all new residential buildings are affordable housing. When integration occurs, it can be transformative and magical.

Healthy cities are important, too: cities that are committed to diesel-hydrogen transit buses, more bike racks on the front of buses, more walking and biking trails within cities (not just outside them) and greater commitment to green / open spaces contribute to sustainability.

Much of our future, and our children’s future, depends on making our cities ‘sustainable’. The time is here to enable even greater access to community services and recreation; to enhance our social prosperity; to minimize our need to travel across broad stretches of the Lower Mainland in our daily commute, and to build sustainable and affordable mass transit for all; to ensure safety within our communities; to provide a clear city centre focus in each of our communities; and to protect and preserve the key features of our city environment — our historic buildings, nature conservation, and the parks, beaches and woods of our city’s natural landscape.

August 1, 2005

New Downtown Stadium On Vancouver Waterfront On Its Way

In an exclusive story published on CanuckSource.com, the site reports that Vancouver Whitecaps owner, Greg Kerfoot, “has completed the purchase of waterfront property just east of the downtown Seabus terminal for a 30,000 seat outdoor soccer stadium, expandable to 50,000 ... with transit, Skytrain, the Seabus, the West Coast Express, and the new RAV line right on its doorstep ... and within walking distance of dozens of pubs, restaurants and cafés, not to mention the expanded Trade and Convention Centre. A grass pitched stadium right by the ocean with mountain and skyline backdrops at the heart of downtown Vancouver.” Excitement is mounting already.

According to CanuckSource.com’s Kenneth Chan, the BC Lions “are being courted as potential co-tenants as BC Place’s days are numbered as it is rumoured that the stadium will likely be imploded after the Olympics for condos.” Activists may oppose construction of the new stadium given that the project borders the politically sensitive Downtown Eastside community.

Vancouver City Councillor, and Vision Vancouver mayoralty candidate, Jim Green, has reported that the Whitecaps have presented preliminary designs and a full development application to city planners for the Coal Harbour site. Mr. Green has not gone on record as stating whether he and his nascent political party support the construction of a harbourside sports facility.

July 8, 2004

A Triumphant Return To TV: Fiona Forbes and Michael Eckford

Mike and Fiona: ‘Happy Together’

By far, the single most frequent Google search bringing visitors to VanRamblings concerns longtime Urban Rush, and recently deposed CITY-TV Breakfast Television, hosts Fiona Forbes and Michael Eckford.

In a Vancouver Province e-entertainment news story published today, columnist Dana Gee reports that “Fiona Forbes and Michael Eckford have agreed to terms with Shaw TV and will return in October to host Urban Rush, a show they last helmed almost two years ago.”

“It’s great. I won’t have to get up in the middle of the night,” says Forbes, referring to the 19 months the pair spent on Citytv's BreakfastTelevision. “When we met with our old bosses (at Shaw) and they made us an offer, Mike and I left the meeting and looked at each other and immediately high-fived. We really are excited about this.”

Forbes and Eckford will replace current UR hosts Erin Cebula and Russell Porter, whose contract expires July 16th.

The new Urban Rush will remain a one-hour talk show, and will be broadcast from the almost completed Shaw Tower in Coal Harbour, affording viewers a background vista (and here) of Vancouver’s magnificent harbourfront.

May 23, 2004

Vancouver at Dusk: An Eastside View, Kingsway at Clarke Drive

April 29, 2004

B.C. Liberals Turn Their Backs On Our Most Vulnerable Children

Safe houses for 13 to 15 year old homeless, runaway children — who were disproportionately aboriginal — didn’t always have a 100 percent occupancy rate. So, for an uncaring B.C. Liberal government more interested in saving money than saving lives, they were an easy target.

The houses were closed last month.

The Underage Youth Safe House Project, initially funded by the previous New Democratic government, was a voluntary short-term programme for street involved, sexually exploited Vancouver youth. Over the three years the programme existed, the safe house project provided safe haven for hundreds of at-risk children, offering constructive alternatives to these children in crisis, in non-judgmental surroundings.

Most of the traumatized youth who arrived at the doors of the safe houses were in a state of crisis, resulting from years of exposure to abuse, exploitation, poverty, alcohol and drug abuse, and disease. The majority of these early teens were also dealing with feelings of suicidal ideation.

Most of the hundreds of kids who passed through the safe houses — the vast majority of whom were re-united with their families or returned to their foster families or group homes — were also struggling with serious emotional issues related to family member loss, abuse histories, and untreated psychiatric issues. The majority also had access to both soft and hard drugs and were at severe risk of becoming drug dependent.

Even as former residents spoke out against the cuts, the government stood fast on their plans to close the houses. In a recent Vancouver Courier column, Allen Garr wrote about the impact of the closures.

April 13, 2004

The Vancouver Skyline On Yet Another Gorgeous Spring Day

A springtime picture of the Vancouver skyline. Click on the photo to enlarge (and save to your hard drive, if you wish)

April 11, 2004

A Sunday Afternoon Walk Along Spanish Banks

A gorgeous spring day in Vancouver, and Raymond takes a Sunday afternoon walk along Spanish Banks

April 7, 2004

Rugged Racing With Hi-Tech Equipment

VanRamblings this afternoon provides information (corrected, as of 5 p.m.) on Navigate The Streets, a sort of urban scavenger hunt where participants compete in teams of two. At the beginning of the race, each team receives a list of clues that, when solved, reveal checkpoints around nine cities (in this case, Vancouver) across Canada. There is no set course. Contestants compete on foot or use public transit. The team that visits all the checkpoints, in their respective city, and returns to race headquarters in the least amount of time wins. So far, so good. Sounds like fun!

The information above is provided in response to an e-mail, sent to me some while ago, from organizer Tim Shore ...

“Navigate The Streets was created by me last October. I organized a race in Toronto. 76 teams (152 people) participated. Since everyone had a good time and the response was so positive, I decided to get a group of us together to organize it in cities across Canada. Officially, the race was created and is organized by a company that I founded called Level 28”.

Contestants may bring whatever tools they feel might help them in their quest to navigate the streets of the city, and may employ such smart mob orientation devices as a cell phone, a wi-fi enabled handheld, map and guidebook, or a notebook computer. A digital, or polaroid, camera is required to take a photo of each checkpoint, as offer of proof that the checkpoint was reached. Winners of each race across Canada — and races take place not only in Vancouver, but in Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Québéc City, Toronto and Winnipeg, as well — will receive free airfare, two nights double occupancy accommodation, and free entry to the final, winner take all ($10,000) race in Montreal.

Navigate The Streets is sponsored by the Monster Beverage Company, FatPort, TakingITGlobal, Om Records, Axis Gear, and the Georgia Straight. The charity parnter is Right To Play.

April 3, 2004

1700 Block Robson Fire Relief Benefit Concert

(click on poster to enlarge)

Friend and mentor, M. David Exman, sends along a note about a benefit concert for the former residents of 1700 Robson Street who, on March 8, were burned out of their homes.

Organizers of the benefit concert — Dan Casavant, Bill MacDonald and Nathalie Carriére — have set up a web page providing information not only on the concert, but on how you might donate monies to help victims of the fires recover their lives.

April 2, 2004

A Night At The Movies To Be Cheaper

vs

Vintage postcard view of Granville Street at sunset, circa 1970

As the Onex Corporation formally puts the Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation (Cineplex-Odeon) up for sale, management announced that effective today regular admission ticket prices for all theateregoers will be lowered to $8.95, from $12.75.

That means no more cheap Tuesdays — when admission prices were only $6 — and no more cheap matin�es. Discounts for seniors and children have been eliminated, as well, as everyone will pay the same amount for admission, every day. The price change comes as good news for adults, though, who will no longer have to pay almost $13 to see a movie.

“As part of our regular, ongoing business reviews, we have made several price changes in various markets that will offer new, lower ticket prices for theatre visitors,” says Pat Marshall, Vice President Communications and Specialty Marketing for Cineplex-Odeon Galaxy LP. “This is great news for theatre guests, who we hope to see visit the theatres more often with this new added price incentive.”

Rival theatre chain, Viacom-owned Famous Players Theatres, offered no word of a price change for their cinemas, where regular adult admission prices run from $11.25 to $13.75.

March 29, 2004

Not a Creature is Stirring Inside House of Labour

The labour movement in British Columbia is in big trouble.

There's a war going on within the BC Federation of Labour which pits the once-proud International Woodworkers of America — led for 16 years by Jack Munro, at a time before the softwood lumber dispute, when the IWA was a major player in a burgeoning, $2.5 billion Canadian forest industry — and the house of labour, not just in British Columbia but across Canada.

The crux of the dispute lies both within the union — the internecine war that has been going on for months, illustrated in this story (see ‘A New Low for IWA Canada’, January 29) — and without.

“The Canadian Labour Congress has imposed sanctions on the Industrial, Wood and Allied Workers of Canada, after one of its locals signed a deal with a private contractor in defiance of a CLC motion calling on the union to ‘cease and desist from further voluntary agreements related to Bill 29 in British Columbia.”

A joint Canadian Union of Public Employees / Hospital Employees Union bulletin, published on January 6th, provides further background.

Read More...

February 24, 2004

Forbes Given the Boot

In a release to the media, reported in today's Province newspaper, CITY-TV publicist Julia Caslin (one of the more misanthropic PR people I've ever had the displeasure of working with), announced that longtime Vancouver media maven Fiona Forbes has been, as the Province reports, "sent packing".

CITY-TV moved quickly to update their Breakfast Television web page to reflect Forbes' departure. No word from Forbes' longtime co-host, Michael Eckford, who (no doubt due to shock and amazement at his co-host's fate) was given the remainder of the week off by CITY-TV management.

In this Sunday, February 29th update, CITY-TV announced the departure of Forbes' longtime co-host, Michael Eckford.

February 22, 2004

CFUN Solid Gold Weekend: Daryl B & JB Shayne

Earlier in the month, VanRamblings posed the trenchant question: Whatever happened to J.B. Shayne?

Although we haven't come up with the answer to that provocative question, as yet, while research continues reader M. David Eaman has forwarded this website — a sort of treasure trove of J.B. nostalgia — to VanRamblings.

February 11, 2004

Whatever happened to J.B. Shayne?

The state of radio in Vancouver is such that virtually no one's interests are attended to. Radio stations programme music off the American Billboard charts, personality radio is almost a thing of the past (save Rafe Mair at AM600 and Frosty Forst at 'NW), music with a huge following (ambient, techno, progressive house, electronica) has no place on local commercial airwaves, and the situation continues to deteriorate.

VanRamblings will weigh in, from time to time, on the state of radio.

Stay tuned.

February 8, 2004

Brain Trust Brain Dead

Reading Greg Douglas' column in the sports section of The Vancouver Sun on Saturday, he reported that CKNW programme director Tom Plasteras has announced that MOJO radio, AM 730, will be losing its unsuccessful Radio For Guys orientation, in favour of becoming Vancouver's 2nd all-sports, AM-based radio station.

Now, MOJO radio was born in response to AM730's previously failed "All News" format (which never rated higher than .7, while competitor CKWX hovered in the 2.3 - 2.8 rating range). MOJO Radio, over the course of the past 18 months has also never climbed higher than a .7 (percentage of all Vancouver listeners tuned to radio at any given time) rating.

So, what does the brain dead brain trust at Corus Radio (owners of CKNW, MOJO Radio, CFMI and CFOX) plan for MOJO's replacement? How is it that these folks think that a second all-sports radio station in Vancouver is going to achieve a higher rating than their CHUM Radio-owned Team 1040 sports competition (which itself has never managed to climb out of the 1.0 ratings basement)?

Joe Leary, in his Province newspaper column published this past Monday morning, reports that MOJO has fired most of the on-air personnel.

Why didn't Corus just turn AM730 into a jukebox, and voicetrack it? At least that would have made economic sense.

But a second all-sports radio station? Please, give all of us a break!