Commentary
Tune in regularly to Commentary on BIV.com, where you can find the latest insight into issues facing Vancouver, British Columbia and Canada
What are we reading? May 19, 2022
Each week, BIV staff will share with you some of the interesting stories we have found from around the web. Timothy Renshaw, managing editor: The greening of global power grids is going to...
Cha-ching! The Depp vs. Heard trial and the creator economy
Here is an interesting fact: the Depp vs. Heard trial is the most popular event in the world right now. Actor Johnny Depp is suing his former spouse, Amber Heard, in the State of Virginia, for US$50...
Public’s COVID-19 pandemic concerns, anxiety declining in Canada
Last month, Research Co. and Glacier Media found that a majority of Canadians (56 per cent) were “very anxious” or “moderately anxious” about COVID-19 restrictions and mandates being lifted in their...
Editorial: Are businesses in B.C. recession-ready?
BC’s economic recession insulation factor could be headed for a tough stress test in 2022. Inflationary clouds building on the horizon are promising a fiscal disruption that will demand much more...
Poll gauges changing views on matters of morality in Canada
When Canada was about to celebrate its first centennial, a collection of legislative proposals was being considered by the federal government. In 1967, under Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, early...
Public health suffers when pro sports goes all in on gambling
On this issue I am prepared to be called a prude, a fogey and a knuckle-dragger. I am braced to be the wet blanket. While we’re batting around clichés, I suppose I can add that I am here to rain on...
Canadians spending less time cooking as pandemic wanes
I did not know what a “sourdough starter” was until someone mentioned the term during a virtual meeting. In March 2020, as Canadians were starting to realize that some features of their lives would...
Editorial: Time to deal with decay of downtown core
What is the state of your downtown? All good? If that’s your answer, you are easily pleased or have set a low bar for what makes a downtown all good or even partially good. The truth is the state of...
Developers must address the needs of high-density downtowns now
The current narrative around urban living is that cities are shrinking as pandemic-related influences such as remote work and the desire for additional space led many Canadians to flee major cities...
Relevance of resurrecting abortion debate in Canada questioned
For the past few days, federal and provincial politicians in Canada have been paying a lot of attention to the United States. A draft opinion by the U.S. Supreme Court that was inexplicably leaked to...