The Hook: Political news, freshly caught
Mayor Robertson's approval rating dips
This year promises to be the most-polled ever in advance of a civic election, as various polling companies pile on to what promises to be a hard-fought battle for Vancouver city council in 2011. Read more…
Should There Be More Regulations on Big Tech?
- Yes.
- No.
- I don’t know.
- Tell us more…
Are you watching the winter Olympics this year? Read the results of that poll here.
City of Vancouver puts troubled Olympic Village into receivership
The City of Vancouver announced Wednesday that Ernst and Young was assuming control of the Millennium Southeast False Creek Properties and the Millennium Water development. Read more…
Peak oil task force recommends steps to reduce oil dependency
The first Canadian task force to tackle "peak oil" is recommending that the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District work to reduce oil imports and exports by 2.6 per cent annually. Read more…
Metro mayors nix property tax for transit
Metro Vancouver mayors voted Tuesday against using more property taxes to pay for the Evergreen Line. Read more…
Mayors and councillors reflected apathy of voters at UBCM: councillor
The way Victoria City Councillor Chris Coleman saw it, many of his colleagues at last week's Union of British Columbia Municipalities meeting in Whistler were guilty of the same kind of apathy often seen in municipal elections. Read more…
Premier's UBCM speech recalls Olympic glory
Premier Gordon Campbell gave a speech to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in Whistler focused on remembering the glory and spirit of last February's Winter Olympics, that critics said offered little new. Read more…
Campbell should recall Leg, James tells UBCM
New Democratic Party leader Carole James used her speech to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention to call on Premier Gordon Campbell to recall the legislature and to outline her party's priorities. Read more…
UBCM recommends keeping three-year terms
The Union of British Columbia Municipalities will tell the provincial government that they would like to keep three-year terms for mayors and city councilors, a re-vote confirmed today. Read more…
North Coast town council asks BC municipalities to stand against oil tankers
While the possibility of more oil tankers transiting the British Columbia coast may not seem like a province-wide municipal issue, councilors from BC’s north coast are working hard to make it one. Read more…
UBCM opposes provincial push to harmonize environmental reviews
The Union of British Columbia Municipalities is opposed to the push to harmonize provincial and federal environmental review processes, according to a vote at the UBCM convention in Whistler this morning. Read more…
UBCM term limit extension headed for revote
Municipal politicians are opposed to extending their terms from three years to four, according to a tight vote at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities today. The vote has been challenged, however, and will be retaken tomorrow morning. Read more…
Province considering financial help to solve corporate tax revolt
The provincial government has agreed to consider providing money to resolve disputes over industrial tax rates, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Robert Hobson said today.
Hobson told a UBCM session he received a letter yesterday from finance minister Colin Hansen saying the province will consider making the money available in its 2011 budget. “I would take that as not being a 'yes', but not being a 'no.'” Read more…
City of Surrey should put a stop to the portables, says opposition group
The Surrey School District is experiencing growing pains that city council should be taking steps to fix, according to a rival political party. Read more…
Local governments may use own projects to meet carbon neutral goal
British Columbia's minister of state for climate action John Yap today announced new options for municipalities to become carbon neutral by 2012—including creating their own projects. Read more…
Government regulations add to housing costs: minister
Government regulations drive up the cost of housing in British Columbia, housing and social development minister Rich Coleman told delegates to the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference in Whistler this morning.
“Every dime we put on someone's shoulders is a piece of a mortgage that they're carrying that they have to pay and something else in the household will have to give way,” he said. Read more…
UBCM convention to discuss policing costs
As Whistler prepares to host the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) conference next week, local government leaders are preparing to discuss the two most pertinent topics: RCMP policing costs and the extension of council terms from three years to four. Read more…
Infamous Vancouver hotel set to return
Sitting vacant since 2006, the American Hotel at 928 Main Street used to conjure up tall tales – many true – about decrepit living conditions, drug-dealing building managers and regular assaults on drug-addicted tenants. Read more…
Metro streetcar strategy starts to roll
Those seeking to restore streetcar service to Metro Vancouver appear to have gained new options this week as regional mayors moved to end a funding standoff with the province. Read more…
One step closer to Quesnel lockout, says Union
A Labour Relations Board ruling announced yesterday took contract negotiations between the city of Quesnel and its municipal workers up a notch. Read more…
Minister Coleman involved in Games liquor closures
Documents obtained by 24 Hours Vancouver under Freedom of Information requests show minister responsible Rich Coleman weighed in on liquor store closures during the 2010 Games, even before officials conferred with the Vancouver Police and city hall. Read more…
