Vancouver Rundown

Switzerland has defeated Canada 2-1 in World Cup soccer action at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium. Despite the loss before a sellout crowd, Canada is in the knockout round and will now play in Los Angeles on Sunday instead of returning to BC Place on July 2. Fans gathered in the Granville Entertainment District Wednesday afternoon to celebrate Canada advancing. Extra police were out in force but there are no early reports of any major incidents.

Critics are slamming a plan by the federal and provincial governments to buy empty Metro Vancouver condos and sell them or rent them out at more affordable prices. That plan was announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney and B.C. Premier David Eby last week as part of a deal to boost the affordable housing supply. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says taxpayers will be left paying any difference in the price. SFU City Program director Andy Yan says it’s better to let market mechanisms determine prices rather than having governments set the floor. The $8B senior government partnership includes more money for B.C. infrastructure and a system to lower development charges on multi-unit housing.

Sports history has been made in Vancouver as Canada beat Qatar 6-0 in the FIFA World Cup. The win means Canada will face the Swiss on Wednesday - a match that will determine the Group B winner. Thursday’s win had fans packing both the Granville Entertainment District and various watch parties across the Lower Mainland.

Some tense moments for those living in a waterfront community in the Okanagan. Several hundred people have returned to their homes in a West Kelowna neighbourhood after a wildfire came dangerously close to some houses Tuesday afternoon. More than 800 people had to evacuate from a hillside southwest of the Bill Bennett Bridge as flames quickly spread. Crews have managed to ‘hold’ the fire - it’s not expected to grow.

All non-essential Metro Vancouver workers are making Monday their first day of a full scale strike. Close to 700 unionized outside workers who take care of regional parks, watersheds, drinking water and sewer services are now off the job. It’s unclear whether this will be a one-and-done walkout but the workers are backed by a 98 per cent strike mandate. They’ve been without a contract for close to 17 months.

Outrage has killed plans for a new overdose prevention site in downtown Vancouver. Health Minister Josie Osborne says the decision follows concern from the community and businesses near the location at 900 Helmcken Street. Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC majority on council had directed city staff to use all available tools to stop Vancouver Coast Health from opening the site at that location.

The City of Vancouver will not kick the homeless out of parks at night during the FIFA World Cup. That’s just one of the promises coming out of an Action Plan ahead of the event which starts on June 13. The City has listed 14 priorities as part of a framework demanded by FIFA organizers. Vancouver says it will have a zero-tolerance policy for any acts of discrimination at public events. Community groups on the Downtown Eastside have expressed concern the World Cup will negatively effect the most vulnerable people in the neighbourhood.

The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear B.C.’s appeal of a lower court ruling that could end DRIPA - the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Premier David Eby is seeking the high court ruling after the BC Court of Appeal ruled the Mineral Tenure Act is ‘inconsistent’ with DRIPA. The Act is intended to align provincial laws with the UN’s Indigenous declaration. A date for the Supreme Court hearing has not yet been set.