March 29, 2024

Union Gospel Mission hoping walking tours will change perspectives of Downtown Eastside

As Vancouver gets set to mark "Homelessness Action Week," the Union Gospel Mission is hoping a new program will give a fresh perspective of the Downtown Eastside. It's called the "Eastside Stride" -- and it's a walking tour of the neighbourhood. UGM spokesperson Keela Keeping says the area is often misjudged. "A lot of people when they think of the … [Read more...]

Air quality planner hoping cooler weekend weather will lead to cancellation of advisory

More heat and sunshine in Saturday's forecast, but clouds at night and throughout Sunday -- as well as a bit of rain. Julie Saxton, an Air Quality Planner with Metro Vancouver, says this will help drive down levels of ground-level o-zone -- which is behind Friday's air quality advisory.  "I'm keeping a very close eye on things. I'm rather … [Read more...]

Premier still hoping for BCGEU deal

Premier Christy Clark says she still believes a new contract can be reached with the union representing thousands of BC government employees, even though strike action may be the next step. "We really offered as much as we could. To add more than that would mean that we have to go back to taxpayers and ask them for more." The bargaining committee … [Read more...]

Mobile needle exchange program hoping for permit from City of Abbotsford

A mobile needle exchange program run by the same organization that runs Insite is hoping to get a permit to legally operate in Abbotsford. Mark Townsend with the Portland Hotel Society says the van distributes up to 400 needles per trip, and that in the six months the van has operated informally in the city, he's heard of no complaints. "They've … [Read more...]

Head of BC Public School Employers’ Association hoping BCTF will bring “realism” to the table as negotiations resume

BC teachers are returning to the bargaining table today, just one day ahead of potential job action. The two sides took a break over the weekend, after an arbitrator ruled some items which were being discussed locally, must be returned to the provincial table. Hugh Finlayson with the BC Public School Employers' Association says he's hoping for some … [Read more...]