Like many Canadians, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Justin Trudeau and the federal Liberals during their first year in office. I even suggested in a previous blog that the saying “they campaign from the left but govern from the right” might finally no longer apply to the current incarnation of the party. But I suffered…
Author: Tim Louis
Empty home tax: All sizzle, no steak
At long last Mayor Robertson has announced a tax to encourage owners of empty residential properties in Vancouver to put these on the rental market. This would be great news if the plan had been well thought out and actually had the impact it was expected to have. But as has been the case with…
Our chance at real electoral reform
Do you feel that your vote counts? You’re not the only one who wonders. The harsh reality is that with our outdated, old-fashioned “first-past-the-post” electoral system, most votes don’t count. Let me explain, using our last federal election as an example. The federal Green Party received approximately 4% of the vote nationwide. Yet, that translated…
Have a super summer!
I’m off now on my annual August stay-cation. So I thought I’d use this sign-off blog to talk a bit about some of the amazing attractions Vancouver has to offer, proving that you don’t need to go away to have a fabulous vacation. We are truly, incredibly fortunate to live in this city with all…
Massey Tunnel boondoggle — A case of rule by fiat
The provincial government appears hell-bent on proceeding with the proposed $3.5-billion, 10-lane toll bridge to replace the existing, often-congested Massey Tunnel. This project is quite understandable to the many commuters who must use the tunnel every day to get to and from work, and spend enormous amounts of time sitting in traffic jams. Massey Tunnel…
Climate change — it’s everywhere
Today I think I finally connected the dots. Up till now, I hadn’t fully grasped just how many day-to-day reorderings are directly related to global warming. Not just the extreme weather events that become headlines but, perhaps even more importantly, so many smaller, local changes are directly related to the climate crisis. Scientists now report…
A silver lining to Victoria’s tent city
Many of us concerned about the crisis of homelessness have watched with interest as homeless people in Victoria started living on the lawn in front of the courthouse last year. As their numbers grew, so did the pressure on the provincial government to offer meaningful solutions — not just overnight shelters but real accommodations. In…