https://dailyhive.com/portland/ Latest articles from Daily Hive Portland en-us © 2026 Wed, 08 May 2024 18:48:32 GMT jsonfeed-to-rss 3.0.7 (https://github.com/bcomnes/jsonfeed-to-rss#readme) http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification https://dailyhive.com/portland/charles-white-park-los-angeles-disney-redesign Kenneth Chan What is the end result when Disney Imagineers are given the task of designing a public park space in a major city? The Walt Disney Company is stepping in to help revitalize an urban public park destroyed by the wildfires that swept through parts of Los Angeles earlier this year. As part of its US$15 million commitment to support recovery efforts, Disney announced that US$5 million will go toward the restoration of Charles White Park, which was reduced to ashes in January 2025’s Eaton Fire. You might also like: - New downtown Vancouver park gets First Nations "Rainbow" park name - Record-breaking demand: Vancouver's Harry Potter Forbidden Forest experience ticket sales top all previous cities ahead of opening - A feat of engineering more than doubled the height of this Disneyland castle - New battery-electric trains coming to the world’s most magical subway Disney Imagineers — the creative force behind Disney’s theme parks and other iconic attractions — have been deeply involved in the park’s redesign since the spring, working with Los Angeles County officials on everything from landscaping to new play structures. Some of the Imagineers themselves lost homes in the fires, lending emotional significance to their work as the community begins to rebuild. “Los Angeles has been home to The Walt Disney Company since its founding more than a century ago, which is why we felt a special responsibility to help this community rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires earlier this year,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, in a statement this week. “I’m incredibly proud of our Imagineers who are volunteering their time and talents to help reimagine cherished public spaces like Charles White Park. Their work is not only a testament to Disney’s creative spirit, but also to our deep commitment to our neighbors throughout this region. We hope this effort brings comfort, joy, and a sense of renewal to the Altadena community for years to come.” Expected to reopen in 2026, the redesigned Charles White Park will feature a new community centre and playground infused with Disney’s signature storytelling. The plans include play structures inspired by Altadena’s famous Deodar Cedar pinecones, a whimsical splash pad, nature-themed climbing elements, as well as bridges, slides, and swings for children of all ages. There will also be a new amphitheatre-like area for community performances and events. “Disney is honoured to partner with Los Angeles County to help restore and reimagine this special place,” said Emily Dow, an architecture and design executive for Disney Imagineering. “We want families to gather, play, and make memories for generations to come.” You might also like: - New downtown Vancouver park gets First Nations "Rainbow" park name - Record-breaking demand: Vancouver's Harry Potter Forbidden Forest experience ticket sales top all previous cities ahead of opening - A feat of engineering more than doubled the height of this Disneyland castle - New battery-electric trains coming to the world’s most magical subway https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/charles-white-park-los-angeles-disney-redesign Wed, 19 Nov 2025 20:44:08 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/kirk-toronto-blue-jays-mural-mexico Adam Laskaris The Toronto Blue Jays might be Canada’s team, but they’re making a decent case to become Mexico’s team, too. While the country doesn’t have any major league franchises of its own, support among Mexicans has been spread out across various MLB markets. Toronto’s opponent, the Los Angeles Dodgers, has a big stranglehold on the market, partially influenced by the sensational performances of young pitcher Fernando Valenzuela for the franchise in the 1980s and 1990s. But for a younger fanbase, Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk has become a fan favourite. Born in Tijuana, the 26-year-old catcher has been sensational throughout the postseason. A two-time All-Star, Kirk’s five home runs in the playoffs are already fourth-most all-time by a Jays player, trailing only Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (seven), and Joe Carter and Jose Bautista (six each). Since making his MLB debut in 2020, Kirk has become a favourite of both fans and his fellow teammates. “Kirky does it on both sides,” said Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer earlier this week, per MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos. “He’s back there grinding and calling a game. But he’s also lethal at throwing out baserunners… His bat is such an important bat in our lineup. He can have long at-bats and hit the ball to all fields, and he’s a tough out. He means a lot to our ballclub.” And back in his hometown, a massive mural of the catcher has emerged under a bridge, via Mexican journalist David Faitelson. > Mientras tanto, bajo algún puente de Tijuana… pic.twitter.com/4xkYddQ36I > > — David Faitelson (@DavidFaitelson_) October 28, 2025   While we don’t have too much info on the mural or its creator, a series of letters on the painting reads IMJUV, which appears to stand for Instituto Municipal para la Juventud, which roughly translates to “Local Youth Institute.” Kirk and the Blue Jays are now just two victories away from a first World Series title since 1993, in what would be one of the biggest moments in Toronto sporting history. Though we can’t guarantee how the rest of the series will go, we can only assume that Kirk has created fans all throughout his home country over the course of the playoff run. You might also like: - Toronto Blue Jays sent these 17 Dodger-cheering Hollywood celebrities home unhappy https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/kirk-toronto-blue-jays-mural-mexico Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:07:28 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/ruby-liu-central-walk-hudsons-bay-store-leases-court-decision-rejection Kenneth Chan After months of court deliberations and intense public scrutiny from Canada’s largest commercial real estate landlords, creditors, the court-appointed monitor, industry experts, and the media, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has rejected a proposal from the now-skeletal remnant entity of Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) to assign 25 department store leases across the country to B.C.-based businesswoman Ruby (Weihong) Liu for the creation of a new Canadian department store chain. Justice Peter Osborne announced his decision on Friday not to sell the leases to Liu as a major part of the ongoing dissolution process of the historic retailer’s assets under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), and the written ruling was published online on Monday. The judge’s decision was based on thousands of pages of evidence, including affidavits and cross-examination transcripts from both “fact witnesses” and experts, including Ernst & Young (EY) and Revesco Properties. Liu, who owns B.C.-based developer and mall operator Central Walk, has the ability to appeal the decision. As of the time of writing, Liu has yet to publicly address the court’s ruling. You might also like: - These 25 Hudson's Bay store locations are at the centre of Ruby Liu's new department store chain ambitions - Inside Ruby Liu’s turbulent effort to turn Hudson's Bay stores into a new department store chain - Ruby Liu to take over Hudson’s Bay store leases at her three B.C. malls - 23 landlords oppose Ruby Liu's takeover of former Hudson's Bay store leases - Is Tsawwassen Mills set for a fun-forward makeover and expansion? In late May 2025, HBC entered into an agreement with Central Walk to acquire 28 store leases. In mid-July 2025, Justice Osborne approved the buyback of three leases held by HBC at three B.C. mall properties owned by Liu’s company at Tsawwassen Mills in Delta, Woodgrove Centre, and Mayfair Shopping Centre in Victoria. But the remaining 25 store leases, located in suburban malls of B.C., Alberta, and Ontario, owned by other landlords, proved far more contentious. An overwhelming chorus of Canada’s leading commercial real estate companies voiced strong opposition to transferring the leases to Central Walk — opposition that only intensified and became more blunt over the summer as more details, or rather the lack thereof, emerged about Liu’s plans and the apparent disorganization behind them. The landlords that fervently opposed the handover of their properties include Cadillac Fairview, Oxford Properties, Kingsett Capital, Ivanhoe Cambridge, Primaris Management, QuadReal Property Group, Morguard Investments, and Westcliff Management. EVEN THE COURT-APPOINTED MONITOR OPPOSED THE DEAL The 48-page ruling underscored the significance of the fact that even Alvarez & Marsal Canada — the court-appointed monitor overseeing HBC’s CCAA proceedings — declined to endorse the lease sale to Liu. This, noted Justice Osborne, was despite the fact that Liu’s company had submitted the highest monetary offer, one that could have made a meaningful dent in HBC’s towering debts to its creditors. “The Monitor is a court officer. It is not a stakeholder with a beneficial interest in the outcome of these motions… The decision of the Monitor to not approve the proposed Transaction is significant in my view,” reads the ruling. “Notwithstanding all of that, and perhaps most importantly, notwithstanding that the proposed Transaction represents both the highest bid for these assets and the potential for a very material recovery to creditors (approximately $50 million), the Monitor still concluded that the Transaction ought not to be approved.” The total price that Liu’s company offered to buy all the store leases was $69.1 million. Each lease had its own portion of that total amount assigned to it. But after subtracting certain costs — about $15 million in repair or “catch-up” payments that HBC owed to landlords (called “cure costs”), and another $4.5 million in commissions — the actual amount HBC would receive from the sale would only be around $50 million. Some of these leases would span well into the 21st century; highly favourable lease agreements hammered by HBC decades ago, such as for some properties owned by Morguard Investments and Westcliff management, would end between 2060 and 2091, if the renewal term options are exercised by the leaseholder. ASSET-RICH, CASH-POOR; MOST OF THE FUNDS ARE NOT IN CANADA Although Central Walk submitted the highest bid, significant concerns later emerged regarding the source of its proposed $375 million investment — funds that were to finance both the lease acquisition and the launch of the new department store chain. Liu also greatly leaned on her “three successful and valuable malls” in B.C. to support the new business. But most of the money that Liu’s company claimed would back its $375 million investment is not actually in Canada — it is sitting in accounts or assets located in Barbados, Hong Kong, and Singapore. And importantly, that money is not locked in or legally committed to funding the deal. The company could use it for something else at any time. Furthermore, her personal assets are also offshore. Her ownership of Tsawwassen Mills mall — acquired from Ivanhoe Cambridge in 2022 — is also described as “indirect at best.” Her connection to this Metro Vancouver mall is complicated; she owns a company in Hong Kong, which owns part of another company in B.C., which in turn owns only 30 per cent of the company that actually holds the lease for the mall. The other 70 per cent of that company is owned by her sister. And to top it off, the land the sprawling mall sits on is a reserve of the Tsawwassen First Nation. Central Walk bought the 99-year lease previously held by Ivanhoe Cambridge, which carries less value than standard fee simple ownership. Furthermore, the court found that all three of Liu’s malls in B.C. are losing money and can only stay afloat because they receive large loans from her other related companies — loans on which no interest is charged. In other words, the malls aren’t generating enough income to cover their expenses on their own. On top of that, each of these three properties is already burdened with substantial debt to outside lenders: Woodgrove Centre owes $87.6 million, with Ms. Liu personally guaranteeing the loan; Mayfair Shopping Centre owes $141.9 million, with the lenders holding the right to collect rent directly if necessary; and Tsawwassen Mills owes $113.8 million under similar conditions. Together, these factors show that the malls are heavily mortgaged and financially unstable, relying on Liu’s network of companies just to stay solvent. The mortgages for all three malls will mature before mid-2027, which means she will have to pay them off or refinance them soon. If she needed to raise money by selling one or more of the B.C. malls, it is uncertain how much — if any — profit she would actually make once those large debts were paid off. For these reasons, she is asset-rich on paper but cash-poor in reality. Her properties are too deeply tied up in debt to give her meaningful leverage or liquidity to support her dream of opening a department store empire across three provinces. Shortly before announcing her plan to pursue HBC’s leases this past spring, Liu listed Woodgrove Mall for sale, but it is believed that the net proceeds from a potential future sale — based on the property’s assessed value — would not be enough to repay the related loans, never mind generating available funds to support the new retail enterprise. These problematic financial and equity aspects were revealed by various opposing landlords in their submissions to the court, and the judge wrote, “I share those concerns.” LOW RENOVATION BUDGETS FOR OLD, OUTDATED HBC STORES IN NEED OF BIG REPAIRS Another significant flaw in Liu’s strategy was her department store business plan, which was widely criticized by opposing landlords and retail experts as highly unrealistic and lacking in technical detail. The new department store chain would be named “Ruby Liu,” after Liu herself. Out of the $375 million in equity capital, about $120 million would go into store repairs and renovations, spent over 12 months through August 2026. Justice Osborne sided with the opposing landlords’ belief that this repair and renovation budget is grossly insufficient, with the only evidence supporting the budget provided in a single-page spreadsheet. “There is no backup for the figures provided,” he wrote in the ruling.” This amounts to an average renovation and repair budget of $30.60 per sq. ft. or just $4.7 million per store, despite the fact that many HBC locations are massive spaces generally exceeding 100,000 sq. ft., with some spanning multiple levels. Moreover, it is widely known that many stores are outdated and have suffered from years of neglect during HBC’s final stretch, as the retailer deferred essential maintenance when its financial problems began to really snowball. For comparison, reads the ruling, other Canadian department store retailers spent $10.9 million to $37.5 million — or $87.00 per sq. ft. to $329.00 per sq. ft. This is based on the examples of Target in 2011 and Simons in 2024, respectively. “The evidence led by certain of the Opposing Landlords suggests that this budget is low, according to independent building assessments. If the quantum required for necessary store repairs and renovations proves to be closer to the projections of the Opposing Landlords, and absent further funding, the Business Plan will not be viable,” reads the ruling. IMPRACTICAL SHORT TIMELINES FOR RENOVATING HBC STORE SPACES Central Walk’s timelines for repairing, renovating, and opening the stores were also deemed to be impractical. The new department store’s locations would be classified under three tiers — flagship, platinum, and standard. Out of the 25 locations being contested by the opposing landlords in court, 12 were envisioned to be standard stores with a size of 85,000 sq. ft. to 110,000 sq. ft., and seven would be platinum stores ranging between 100,000 sq. ft. and 150,000 sq. ft. Flagship stores would be 150,000 sq. ft. and over. Among the disputed properties owned by third parties, half of the flagship locations would be located at Cadillac Fairview properties, including CF Richmond Centre, CF Chinook Centre, and CF Sherway Gardens. Altogether, the department store chain would have a total of 28 locations, including the three stores at B.C. malls owned by Central Walk. Flagship stores would take 12 months of repair and renovation work upon the issue of building permits from municipal authorities, while platinum and standard stores would see six months of work. But building permits can take months to receive, and the lead time to receive the parts for complex work to renovate and repair certain building systems — such as escalators, elevators, and HVAC units — can take about 15 to 20 weeks or even longer. Such work could take months more. “This alone puts the entire timeline for store openings in jeopardy,” wrote the judge. And all of this comes after the yet-to-be-performed, time-intensive, detailed architectural design process involving teams of contracted architectural firms and interior designers. “As highlighted by the Landlords, the Purchaser must hire interior designers and architects to develop concepts and detailed plans, engage contractors, secure permits and satisfy regulatory requirements, source construction and FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) materials, and then actually complete the work to renovate the stores to the high level required. None of that has been done,” continued the judge’s ruling. A MERCHANDISE BUDGET AND STAFFING LEVELS LOWER THAN HBC Another $135 million out of the $375 million would go into buying the initial goods and merchandise inventory needed, which is an average of $4.5 million per store — below HBC’s average of $7 million per store. The business plan assumed that the department store would be able to start placing orders and get enough inventory to fill all the stores and meet its sales goals. This critical part of the plan was supposed to be handled by a third-party retail logistics company called J2. However, the opposing landlords raised serious doubts about whether even J2 could realistically stock an entire department store chain of that size. Things got worse when, under questioning, Liu admitted that her company no longer planned to use J2 at all — and had no replacement for handling supply chain or shipping operations. The court monitor confirmed that there was no mention of any backup plan in the evidence, and none was provided during the hearing either. Despite this, Liu’s team simply claimed in their written submission that the “business plan is still being refined” and insisted they would somehow have the necessary inventory ready on time — even though there was no clear plan or partner to make that possible. The business plan set aside up to $5 million of the investment package towards building out the department store’s information technology infrastructure, such as point-of-sale systems, product management systems, and other digitized operations. The court-appointed monitor noted that there is no specific plan and timeline to achieve this system, and a potential provider to build up the digital infrastructure has yet to be identified. Potential delays with launching such systems could delay the acquisition of inventory and the opening of stores. These information technology systems do not include e-commerce, even though online sales now make up an ever-increasing sizeable portion of overall sales revenue, such as 36 per cent for Nordstrom and 15 per cent for Walmart. They proposed hiring 1,800 staff to operate 25 stores, representing an average of 72 employees per store. To their credit, Central Walk vowed to prioritize hiring former HBC employees. However, the judge took issue that such staffing levels would be lower than HBC’s average of 97 employees per store — a ratio that was “regularly criticized for understaffing” and contributed to HBC’s demise. Justice Osborne doubted that the department store would operate at a “first-class level” with 25 per cent fewer employees. NEW DEPARTMENT STORE CHAIN WOULD EARN 2,201% MORE PROFIT THAN HBC The judge agreed with the findings of an EY report commissioned by the opposing landlords that analyzed Central Walk’s business plan. First, it said Liu’s company was being far too optimistic about sales and profits, assuming it would do better than Hudson’s Bay right from day one — something the report called unrealistic. Second, it said the estimated operating costs were way too low, meaning the company was underestimating how expensive it would actually be to run the stores. The EY report also pointed out that the company’s expected profits were wildly unrealistic, since Liu’s plan assumed the stores would earn 22 times or 2,201 per cent more profit than HBC did in 2024 — even though there would be relatively limited capital investment to improve the large store spaces, a smaller budget for acquiring inventory, and lower staffing levels than HBC. The judge agreed with EY’s conclusion that the required timeline to open the stores is likely to be significantly longer, resulting in higher costs. Central Walk would need a much longer runway — both in terms of the timeline to grow in the market and gain more customers, and a much larger pile of available cash to burn in the red longer — to open the stores and eventually become profitable. There is a high risk that Liu would need hundreds of millions of dollars more than the budgeted $375 million. “The projected financial results do not appear reasonable, and based on the experience of other retailers, including HBC, are at significant risk of being materially worse,” reads the ruling. Citing EY’s findings, the judge found it problematic that even experienced retailers like Target, Nordstrom, and Simons took at least two years to open similar stores, and that was with proven operations, logistics, sales, and marketing systems, experienced leadership, and trained teams already in place. The business plan assumes the new department store chain’s locations would operate more efficiently and cheaply than HBC had in those same spaces, which didn’t make sense for a brand-new company with no experience or infrastructure. On top of that, Liu claimed she could open 28 stores in less than a year, which the court said was impossible. By comparison, when major retailers expanded into Canada, Target spent around $52 million per store and Nordstrom spent about $59 million, while Liu’s plan allowed for only $13.4 million per store — inclusive of construction, equipment, operations systems, marketing, and all other overall shared enterprise and location-based costs — with none of the brand power, logistics systems, or experience those companies had. “I share the concerns of EY, particularly with respect to the Business Plan and its superficial, high-level approach. It clearly remains a work in progress, as is demonstrated by the admission of the Purchaser and the Applicants themselves that the original Business Plan (or Presentation) submitted in May 2025 was materially deficient in a number of respects. The amended Business Plan remains deficient,” reads the ruling. THE CONCEPT “LACKS A CLEARLY DEFINED CUSTOMER” Justice Osborne also agreed with the picture painted by a separate report by Revesco Properties, also commissioned by the opposing landlords. Revesco specializes in retailing, including implementing the real estate strategies of Nordstrom and Target across Canada. The judge agreed with Revesco’s concerns that Central Walk’s limited experience managing just three malls and a golf course was insufficient. He also noted that there has never been a successful example of a retailer launching a large number of department store locations in Canada within 18 months, especially in major mall anchor spaces. The new department store would suffer from a complete lack of brand recognition, inadequate management experience, an untested distribution model, no evidence-based merchandising strategy, no market analysis, and a wide product range — from apparel and cosmetics to electronics — that “lacks a clearly defined customer.” There was even a misunderstanding of what the new department store chain could legally bring into the former HBC store spaces, based on the leasing agreements. In a previous court filing, it was noted that a meeting took place between Liu and Cadillac Fairview president and CEO Sal Iacono in early June. The purpose of the meeting was for Liu to present her business plan and financial projections for her proposed department store. However, when the meeting began, Liu had no materials or a plan to show. Instead, she told Iacono to ask questions, and when asked for her business plan, she claimed she was “not allowed to share it” until Cadillac Fairview agreed to give her the leases. During the conversation with Iacono, Liu said she would follow whatever the leases required but also described vague ideas for turning the stores into entertainment-focused spaces with playgrounds, flashing lights, and even food halls under the Eataly chain — half of which, she suggested, Cadillac Fairview should help pay for. Her ideas did not fit the existing rules of the leases, and she could not explain how they would work in practice. She also could not provide details on what her flagship stores would look like or any evidence that customers would actually want what she was proposing. By the end of the brief 10-minute meeting, Cadillac Fairview executives concluded that Liu did not understand the leases, had no viable plan, and lacked experience running a department store. The meeting ended quickly — not because it was planned that way, but because there was simply nothing meaningful to discuss. In the ruling, Justice Osborne agreed with the opposing landlords that it was necessary to have a suitable replacement anchor tenant for the former HBC spaces. HBC had been an anchor tenant at these malls, meaning it was one of the largest and most important stores — helping to draw in shoppers and define the mall’s overall character. The opposing landlords explained that anchor tenants are crucial to a mall’s success because they attract foot traffic and encourage other popular retailers to rent smaller spaces nearby. If the anchor store changes or fails, it can create a negative ripple effect, reducing customer visits and hurting the performance of other stores. The opposing landlords argued that letting Liu’s company take over the leases would do more harm than good. They said it could lead to lower rents, falling property values, difficulty finding and keeping quality tenants, and long-term damage to the mall’s reputation and financial health. In the view of the opposing landlords, it would be better to leave the spaces empty temporarily than to lease them to a tenant they believed would fail and destabilize the malls. REALTOR AND CHILDCARE WORKER WITH NO RETAIL EXPERIENCE TO LEAD MAJOR DEPARTMENT STORE CHAIN The poor quality of Liu’s business plan, the court found, stemmed largely from the lack of an experienced leadership team capable of developing and executing a viable retail strategy. Justice Osborne noted that this absence of expertise “gives me significant concern.” “I recognize that the Purchaser and its principals do have significant experience owning three shopping centres in British Columbia. While that experience includes, as they submit, successful efforts to improve the retail experience at those properties, it comes from the perspective of a landlord and not that of a department store operator,” reads the ruling. The proposed leadership team for Liu’s new department store chain mostly consisted of people from her other companies, none of whom had experience running retail operations. Although Liu had said she planned to hire some former HBC executives to help launch the stores, those hires never actually happened — there were no signed contracts or confirmed commitments. The judge agreed that hiring former HBC staff could have been a smart move, since they knew the business and the store locations well. But Liu admitted under questioning that she had barely spoken with them and had no formal agreements in place. Her explanation — that she was waiting for the lease deal to be approved before finalizing contracts — did not convince the court. The judge said that if Liu were serious about her plans, she could have signed short-term or conditional contracts to show real progress. In the end, there was no evidence that she had any experienced team ready to manage over two dozen stores, which the court viewed as a major red flag. Justice Osborne also identified some highly questionable hires to plan, launch, and lead the major enterprise. According to the ruling, the CEO was appointed in May 2025, with her most recent experience being a residential real estate broker with no experience in retail or department store management. As recently as late May 2025, her email signature describes her as the “Assistant to Ms. Liu.” The Chief Human Resources Officer was also an executive assistant with Central Walk. Prior to joining the company, she was a childcare worker. There was one notable instance of Central Walk pursuing a former HBC executive — but it was anything but positive and productive. The judge pointed out that it was a troubling incident involving Wayne Drummond, a former president of HBC, and it showed how unreliable Liu’s company’s claims were. According to the ruling, the opposing landlords had been told that Drummond had joined Liu’s new retail venture in a senior role, and his supposed involvement was used to give credibility to the project. However, court evidence showed that Drummond was actually hired for only one day — just to attend a meeting with landlords — and was paid $3,000 for a few hours of work. When he declined to attend a media event without knowing the full details of the project or having a proper contract, Central Walk immediately cut ties with him. Later, Drummond discovered that media outlets were reporting that he was helping run Liu’s new company, which was false. He wrote to Liu’s team demanding they stop using his name, saying he had no real connection or role in the business. Justice Osborne described this episode as “startling,” especially since Liu’s company was claiming to be a serious, well-organized entity ready to invest hundreds of millions of dollars. The fact that none of this was disclosed to the court or landlords raised serious doubts about the company’s honesty and professionalism. As previously reported by Daily Hive Urbanized, over the summer, there were instances when Liu showed up to court without legal representation, as she had fired her lawyer, prompting the judge to adjourn a hearing early. In July, over the course of just two consecutive days, Liu sent two separate letters to Justice Osborne — one containing complaints and a personal appeal to approve the deal, and another offering a deeply personal account of her upbringing in China, portraying herself as a resilient and self-made businesswoman who had overcome extraordinary adversity. “At this most critical moment, I feel compelled to write to you. On June 23, in the courtroom, the very first moment I saw you, I felt an unshakable belief that you were a person of justice and strength. Yet what I still cannot understand is this: among so many lawyers who would do anything for money, how do you remain so steadfast, so confident, so noble? You refuse to join their ranks, and yet you carry an optimism that seems untouched by their corruption,” wrote Liu in one of the letters, presumably through a Mandarin-to-English translator. “How is it possible — to fully understand them and their schemes, to witness their performances day after day, and yet not lose your grace, your dignity, your quiet but commanding presence? Is this what I have read of in books — true nobility? Or is it the lifelong defence of your own integrity and kindness? Or perhaps, is there also a silent sorrow in your heart at the compromises this world demands?” The court subsequently warned that the two letters sent directly to the judge were “inappropriate” and constituted a breach of proper legal proceedings, and that any additional correspondence would be considered harassment. Justice Osborne later decided that the accompanying documents in the letters — originally intended to be confidential by Liu — would be added to the evidence, made publicly accessible in the service list on the court-appointed monitor’s website, which likely further hindered her case. Liu’s failed bid offers an unintentional, unfiltered glimpse into the inner workings of both her company and the commercial real estate world. What began as a bold attempt to reinvent the department store model has instead exposed serious shortcomings on the national stage — from questionable financing and leadership gaps to a fundamental misunderstanding of how the Canadian retail property market operates. In some ways, Liu’s pursuit has become a case study in how not to approach a complex, high-stakes transaction, revealing just how intertwined — and unforgiving — Canada’s real estate industry can be. The ruling closes one long, eventful chapter in HBC’s ongoing restructuring saga without any meaningful progress towards the disposal of real estate assets. It leaves open a much larger question: what comes next for the dozens of vacant anchor spaces once occupied by Canada’s oldest and most iconic retailer? The uncertainty is further compounded by the lingering vacancies left behind by other failed department store chains, including Nordstrom and Sears Canada. You might also like: - These 25 Hudson's Bay store locations are at the centre of Ruby Liu's new department store chain ambitions - Inside Ruby Liu’s turbulent effort to turn Hudson's Bay stores into a new department store chain - Ruby Liu to take over Hudson’s Bay store leases at her three B.C. malls - 23 landlords oppose Ruby Liu's takeover of former Hudson's Bay store leases - Is Tsawwassen Mills set for a fun-forward makeover and expansion? https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/ruby-liu-central-walk-hudsons-bay-store-leases-court-decision-rejection Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:38:31 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/amtrak-cascades-new-trains-interior-design-photos-testing Kenneth Chan The first of Amtrak Cascades’ brand new generation trains has officially rolled out of the factory and is now undergoing testing, marking a major step toward a new era for interregional passenger rail travel along the Pacific Northwest’s north-south corridor. Amtrak Cascades links Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland, serving other destinations in between and reaching as far south as Eugene, Oregon. Years in the making, Amtrak and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) have been working to renew the aging fleet of trains used on the route, with Amtrak Cascades set to be the very first route to see the use of new trains as a part of Amtrak’s U.S.-wide fleet renewal strategy. You might also like: - This is the design of Amtrak Cascades' brand new trains linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland (RENDERINGS) - Record-breaking year for Amtrak Cascades ridership between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland - VIA Rail to order over 300 passenger cars and locomotives for Canada-wide train fleet replacement - CN Rail to end lease on Sea to Sky corridor railway through Whistler, opening door for rail public transit revival Amtrak is investing US$7.3 billion in renewing its equipment, fleet, and infrastructure, including US$3.4 billion for its order from Siemens Mobility to provide 73 new Siemens Venture trains, which is also the model in use on Brightline in Florida and VIA Rail’s Quebec City-Windsor route. Amtrak’s version of the Siemens Venture train has been given the name “Airo,” and the new trains for Amtrak Cascades are also a subvariant of the Airo model. There is a critical need for the new trains to be used on Amtrak Cascades, which was made particularly evident in March 2025 when Amtrak was suddenly forced to pull Amtrak Cascades’ entire fleet of aging Horizon cars out of service due to newly discovered corrosion issues that posed a major safety risk. Train services along the entire route were briefly replaced by buses until a temporary replacement fleet of Amfleet I trains arrived from Chicago, which restored all trips but provided reduced capacity from the use of fewer passenger cars per train. Eight new trainsets, two new locomotives, and a spare cab car will be delivered to the Amtrak Cascades fleet over the next year, with the first scheduled to enter service in 2026. This will be the first full renewal of the Amtrak Cascades fleet in decades. Earlier this year, WSDOT told Daily Hive Urbanized the aim is to have at least some of the trains operational in time for Vancouver and Seattle’s roles in co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In late July 2025, the very first trainset for Amtrak Cascades and Amtrak’s overall Airo fleet program left the Siemens factory in Sacramento, California, for Pueblo, Colorado, where it will undergo initial testing. The trains will be delivered to the Pacific Northwest gradually over several months, with each unit undergoing inspection and approval before entering service. Each new train features the Amtrak Cascades’ familiar evergreen, cream, and mocha Cascades colour scheme, now paired with modern graphics of the Cascade Range mountains across every car. Over 300 seated passengers can be accommodated in each train. Beyond capacity, the new fleet promises to significantly elevate the passenger experience with a mix of modern amenities and regional touches. Bigger windows and additional table seating are designed to showcase the Northwest’s scenic landscapes, while upgraded seating offers an ergonomic design with larger tray tables, cushioned headrests, water bottle holders, and integrated tablet stands. Passengers will benefit from modern upgrades such as personal outlets, USB ports, free Wi-Fi, enhanced lighting, digital displays, automated boarding steps, and touchless restroom features. A redesigned cafe car will serve local beers, wines, and spirits alongside Northwest-inspired food, with new self-service options for added convenience. The trains will also feature improved environmental performance, offering greater fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. WSDOT previously told Daily Hive Urbanized that Pacific Central Station — the northernmost terminus of Amtrak Cascades, situated on the edge of downtown Vancouver — is in need of station platform upgrades to optimally handle the brand new fleet of trains. Such upgrades would need to be funded by Canadian governments. Currently, during optimal conditions, the entire Amtrak Cascades train journey between Pacific Central Station and Eugene, Oregon, is about 10 hours and 30 minutes, including just over three hours for the segment between Vancouver and Seattle. Amtrak Cascades has seen great momentum in its post-pandemic ridership growth, which saw an all-time record of 985,000 passengers in 2024 — up from 746,000 in 2023, 824,000 in 2019, and 781,000 in 2014. Furthermore, the Vancouver-Seattle segment saw its own record ridership in 2024, with 205,000 passengers using Amtrak Cascades at Pacific Central Station — up from 161,000 in 2023 and 169,000 in 2019. Pacific Central Station is the third busiest station after King Street Station in downtown Seattle and Portland Union Station in downtown Portland. It remains to be seen how the current Canada-U.S. political tensions since early 2025 have impacted ridership on the Vancouver-Seattle segment of the service. The forthcoming improvements to Amtrak Cascades are deemed to be a precursor to help build up ridership demand for the possibility of building a new high-speed rail line over the long term. You might also like: - This is the design of Amtrak Cascades' brand new trains linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland (RENDERINGS) - Record-breaking year for Amtrak Cascades ridership between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland - VIA Rail to order over 300 passenger cars and locomotives for Canada-wide train fleet replacement - CN Rail to end lease on Sea to Sky corridor railway through Whistler, opening door for rail public transit revival https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/amtrak-cascades-new-trains-interior-design-photos-testing Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:20:46 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/hong-kong-disneyland-resort-line-mtr-subway-battery-electric-trains-mickey-mouse-hk Kenneth Chan Fans of Disney Parks have had no shortage of big headlines lately, with major new attractions and rides announced for parks across the globe, and even a brand new Disneyland theme park resort announced for Abu Dhabi. At Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, the excitement has centred on the recently opened “World of Frozen,” which is Disney’s first-ever Frozen-themed land, and the anticipation for the future Pixar and Spider-Man–themed attractions. As well, the 20th anniversary celebrations are now underway at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which first began with new and expanded programming in June 2025 and will continue through May 2026. But while the spotlight stays fixed on new attractions and rides within the park, there is another change coming — this time, to the train that takes you there. You might also like: - A world-class example of repurposing subway trains as public space centrepieces - Disney to build Disneyland theme park resort destination in the Middle East - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - World's first "Frozen"-themed land at a Disney theme park opens in Hong Kong - A feat of engineering more than doubled the height of this Disneyland castle The Disneyland Resort Line is the world’s most magical subway — and quite possibly the cutest. And the line also celebrates its 20th anniversary this month, opening just a few weeks before the theme park two decades ago. Although it is owned and operated by Hong Kong’s public transit authority, the MTR Corporation, the trains and stations carry a unique Disney flair. MTR worked with Walt Disney Imagineering to design the trains, originally built in the early 1990s and later completely refurbished with a new look and purpose — to carry tens of thousands of visitors and cast members each day to and from the seaside theme park resort on Lantau Island. Unlike Disney’s theme parks in the United States, where many guests arrive and depart by private vehicle through vast parking lots, this subway line is the resort’s primary mode of access, handling the overwhelming majority of its transportation demand. It is one of 12 lines in the MTR’s rapid transit network across Hong Kong — and the shortest, spanning just 3.8 km. The route includes an underground segment tunnelled deep into a mountain that forms the backdrop of the theme park resort, and it serves only two stations. It also holds the distinction of being Hong Kong’s first fully automated line, using advanced systems to safely and efficiently operate high-capacity service on a single track, with a short double-tracked section at the midpoint acting as a passing loop. Visitors bound for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort begin their journey on the MTR’s Tung Chung Line to Lantau Island, transferring at Sunny Bay Station — an infill station built specifically to provide the interchange to the Disneyland Resort Line. For guests, their unique Disney immersive experience begins on the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Line — long before reaching resort property. On the other side of the mountainous island, Sunny Bay Station is designed with a contemporary, modern aesthetic, in line with Hong Kong. The Disney aesthetic of both the line’s dedicated trains and Disneyland Resort Station serves to “transport” guests to the world of fantasy and magic. These are, without question, the world’s most magical trains — both inside and out. On the exterior, each train is dressed in a crisp livery of cool white, royal purple, and yellow, accented by windows shaped like Mickey Mouse’s head and outlined in bright red for a playful pop of colour. Inside, daylight streaming through these iconic windows casts matching Mickey Mouse-shaped patterns of light across the interior, adding a delightful touch to the journey. Beneath a starry night-themed ceiling, the well-maintained car interiors feature an open layout with comfortable, clean soft-fabric perimeter seating. The seating areas are punctuated by glass-encased, illuminated bronze statues of beloved Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Jiminy Cricket, Snow White, Tinker Bell, and Chip ‘n’ Dale. Even the smallest details have been touched with Disney whimsy: the overhead hand grips for standing passengers are shaped like Mickey’s head, complete with a yellow strap and red attachment — echoing one of his most classic outfits. These trains, despite being part of a public transit network, are arguably even more magical and thoughtfully designed than the resort-owned and operated monorail vehicles serving Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Just six minutes after departure from Sunny Bay Station, the train pulls into Disneyland Resort Station. This terminus station, dramatically contrasting with the sleek modernity of Sunny Bay Station, features a charming 19th-century, Victorian-like design style, mirroring the architecture of the esplanade and main entrance of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. It is a deliberate choice, creating a seamless visual and thematic transition that eases guests from the real world into the theme park’s storybook setting. This includes structural steel trusses, with each base support partially concealed by Mickey Mouse’s oversized hat from Fantasia, as well as special lighting, handrails, roofing, limestone cladding, faux vintage station clocks, and planter bowls. But big changes are on the horizon for Disneyland Resort Line — changes that put a time limit on enjoying the current trains. Although well-maintained, the original trains put into use for the Disneyland Resort Line are now reaching the end of their lifespan, and the design and planning process for a new replacement fleet is well underway. MTR is ordering three new-generation, four-car-long trains for the line, marking a first for the entire network due to its power supply — Hong Kong’s first subway trains equipped with battery-electric systems. These will also be among the first in the world to be deployed in a major, high-profile application. Battery-electric trains are a new and still very rare technology in subway and metro systems worldwide, as most urban rapid transit networks rely on continuous electrification from a third rail or overhead catenary. Upon inquiry, a spokesperson for the MTR told Daily Hive Urbanized that the new battery-electric trains can run without a fixed power supply, but can also operate with the electricity supplied from the existing overhead catenary. This provides the Disneyland Resort Line with “greater flexibility in the design of train operations in the future,” said the spokesperson. In addition to battery-electric propulsion, new technologies, including artificial intelligence, will be used for the renewal project of the Disneyland Resort Line to improve the overall railway facilities, operations and maintenance, and passenger experience. This includes the replacement of the signalling system, with the adoption of “communications-based train control” technology and new advanced “train-to-train” communication technology. Not only will the trains use highly advanced technology, but they will carry a brand new immersive Disney look and feel, with a high bar set by the design of the existing trains in use. MTR will work with Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on the design of the new trains, incorporating “Disney-themed elements to create a magical journey for passengers,” the spokesperson told Daily Hive Urbanized. MTR anticipates the new train fleet and systems upgrade for Disneyland Resort Line will be ready in 2028. You might also like: - A world-class example of repurposing subway trains as public space centrepieces - Disney to build Disneyland theme park resort destination in the Middle East - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - World's first "Frozen"-themed land at a Disney theme park opens in Hong Kong - A feat of engineering more than doubled the height of this Disneyland castle https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/hong-kong-disneyland-resort-line-mtr-subway-battery-electric-trains-mickey-mouse-hk Thu, 14 Aug 2025 18:51:45 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/hong-kong-disneyland-castle-of-magical-dreams-architecture-design-modular-construction-history Kenneth Chan When Hong Kong Disneyland Park first opened its gates in September 2005, its centrepiece was a familiar sight to Disney fans all around the world — the Sleeping Beauty Castle, a near replica of the same iconic castle found at the world’s original Disney theme park in Anaheim, California. Modest in scale compared to its counterparts in other Disney theme parks, the pastel-hued castle stood just 77 ft. (23 metres) tall, backdropped by the lush green mountains of Lantau Island. Its design offered guests an instantly recognizable Disney landmark, while also taking advantage of the surrounding natural scenery to provide Hong Kong Disneyland Park with a uniquely Hong Kong look. For more than a decade, it served as the backdrop for countless photos, parades, and fireworks, becoming an enduring part of the resort’s early identity, the world’s fifth Disney theme park resort. You might also like: - New battery-electric trains coming to the world’s most magical subway - World's first 'Frozen'-themed land at a Disney theme park opens in Hong Kong - Disney to build Disneyland theme park resort destination in the Middle East - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Michael Buble calls Disney cruise from Vancouver an 'unreal' magical escape But as the theme park matured, there was also a growing desire — including among local fans — for a castle that gave Hong Kong Disneyland Park a distinctive presence and identity of its own. While the original Sleeping Beauty Castle was charming, its short height and duplicated design left some longing for a centrepiece that better reflected the park’s individuality and local cultural context. That desire became the spark for the most ambitious transformation in the resort’s history. Original Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in Anaheim: Previous condition — Original Sleeping Beauty Castle at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort: New condition — New Castle of Magical Dreams at Hong Kong Disneyland Park: Major construction work began in 2018, but it involved relatively little removal and changes to the original castle structure. Instead, Walt Disney Imagineering gave Hong Kong’s Sleeping Beauty Castle an evolved design — now named the new “Castle of Magical Dreams.” Rather than replacing the original castle structure, Disney Imagineers took the unprecedented step of providing the structure with a vertical expansion — a transformation directly over the existing castle. Completed during the peak of the pandemic, the Castle of Magical Dreams reaches a height of 167 ft. (51 metres) – more than double the original castle’s pinnacle, which remains in place as the lower frontage of the reimagined design. It also ties with the castle at Disneyland Paris Park as the third-tallest main castle at any Disney theme park. The reimagined design is described to be more inclusive and diverse, incorporating elements from the stories of 13 Disney princesses and queens — though it features 14 characters, since Elsa and Anna share one story from Frozen. Each princess or queen is represented by a dedicated tower with a symbolic finial — the distinctive ornament at the various pinnacle points of the castle — such as a snowflake for Elsa and Anna, a pumpkin carriage for Cinderella, and the sun-dropped flower for Rapunzel. The windows also carry symbols arranged chronologically by film release, with the character of Snow White placed at the centre as the first Disney princess. Unlike other Disney theme parks, where castles typically feature a direct interior walkway straight through the centre, a porous walking route to reach other lands and Main Street U.S.A., Hong Kong’s new castle takes a different approach, offering an outdoor walkthrough experience that guides guests around the structure. This design invites visitors to slow down and explore the castle from multiple vantage points, revealing layers of architectural detail and hidden storytelling touches that can only be appreciated from certain angles. Intricate gold accents catch the sunlight and shimmer throughout the day, while jewel-toned stained-glass windows offer glimmers of colour that change with the angle of the light. The rooftops, clad in iridescent tiles, reflect a spectrum of hues, giving the castle a slightly different personality depending on the time of day and weather conditions. Moreover, the major construction process to achieve the reimagined castle design was a real feat of engineering. Upon inquiry, a spokesperson for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort told Daily Hive Urbanized that they utilized a special method called Modular Integrated Construction (MIC). In essence, the vertical expansion of the castle was achieved through carefully lifting individual modular components that were pre-fabricated off-site, transported, and then carefully raised into place. “We had to rely on the amazing talents in the U.S., the region, and Hong Kong to devise an innovative construction strategy called Modular Integrated Construction to minimize the impacts to the park’s daily operation,” said the spokesperson. This overall process of having two construction sites – the off-site factory and the castle site – also enabled the very complex work to be conducted in a relatively short period of time. The modular castle segments were also painted at the factory, before arriving at the seaside resort by barge, where the components were lifted onto flatbed trucks in preparation for the final assembly. In addition to the evolved castle, the surrounding “Castle and Hub” area has been completely transformed. This landscaped plaza, situated between the castle’s frontage and Main Street U.S.A., now provides an expansive setting for new daytime and nighttime shows. Among its highlights is a grand dancing water fountain that sends towering jets into the air, fully synchronized with the “Momentous” nighttime spectacular. “Momentous” blends fireworks with elaborate projection mapping, made possible by the castle’s increased height, which provides a far larger canvas for imagery, and by its intricate architectural details that open up more dynamic and creative projection possibilities. Purpose-built for this projection role, the castle’s design maximizes every surface for projection mapping, offering rich textures that bring visuals to life. Its varied shapes and heights not only enhance its daytime beauty but also allow imagery to wrap seamlessly around the structure at night, creating depth, motion, and dimension that a flat facade could never achieve. From the very beginning, the castle was digitally modelled in 3D, enabling Disney Imagineers to align every projection with pinpoint accuracy. High-powered projectors, strategically positioned and edge-blended, ensure the entire structure is covered in crisp, ultra-bright visuals. The spokesperson told Daily Hive Urbanized a previous survey showed 99 per cent of guests had a highly favourable rating of “Momentous,” made possible by the new castle. It is one of Disney Parks’ most highly rated nighttime spectaculars/fireworks shows. In June 2025, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort kicked off its special 20th anniversary celebrations, which will run for a year through May 2026. This includes new offerings, entertainment, and programming to mark the occasion, including an enhanced “Momentous” show that provides projections onto the facades of the buildings along Main Street U.S.A. for the very first time. The reimagined castle is part of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s ambitious master plan for revitalization and expansion, which also encompasses the recently opened “World of Frozen” land and upcoming attractions inspired by Moana and Pixar and Marvel films — including a new Spider-Man experience. The expansions and new entertainment offerings appear to be delivering the desired results, with Hong Kong Disneyland Resort recording its highest net profit, revenue, and attendance in the 2024 fiscal year since its 2005 opening. Total attendance in 2024 reached an all-time record 7.7 million visitors, driven by a strong rebound in tourism from Mainland China, overseas markets, and local guests. You might also like: - New battery-electric trains coming to the world’s most magical subway - World's first 'Frozen'-themed land at a Disney theme park opens in Hong Kong - Disney to build Disneyland theme park resort destination in the Middle East - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Michael Buble calls Disney cruise from Vancouver an 'unreal' magical escape https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/hong-kong-disneyland-castle-of-magical-dreams-architecture-design-modular-construction-history Thu, 14 Aug 2025 18:49:52 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/disneyland-70th-anniversary-celebration-things-to-do Kenneth Chan “If you could tell Mickey Mouse one thing today, what would it be?” I curiously asked Sonia Cassidy, age seven from Newcastle, England, waiting on the sidelines of Main Street U.S.A., behind the rope, during a media preview of the new Celebrate Happy Cavalcade at Disneyland Resort. “I hope he has cake with sprinkles and a candle… [and] make sure Donald [Duck] is happy because he always looks cranky. I want him to invite me again,” she said, clutching a pair of Minnie Mouse ears with a bright red polka dot bow. Moments later, the whistling tune of the Jonas Brothers’ new “Celebrate Happy” song spilled through the air along Main Street U.S.A., as Duffy and Shellie May pedalled in on cycle rickshaws to lead the energetic mini-parade. They were followed by a lineup of Disney princesses, then — to cheers and waves — Mickey and Minnie Mouse alongside Donald Duck and Pluto. Aladdin, Genie, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, and Mary Poppins brought the first-ever Celebrate Happy Cavalcade to a close. You might also like: - Behind the magic of Disney's fireworks and nighttime spectaculars - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Disney to build Disneyland theme park resort destination in the Middle East - Disneyland California finally has a Mickey and Minnie ride - Twice the magic: Disney to double its number of cruise ships serving Vancouver starting in 2026 - Michael Buble calls Disney cruise from Vancouver an 'unreal' magical escape Disneyland Resort in California has been making magic for 70 years — and it is throwing itself a party big enough for the whole global kingdom. And once again, everyone is invited. This especially includes Canadians. Until the end of 2025, Canadians are being offered exclusive special discounts on three-, four-, and five-day theme park tickets at Disneyland Park and Disneyland California Adventure Park for as low as US$77 per day. But the 70th anniversary celebrations will continue well into 2026. The resort is also home to three major hotels, offering a combined total of about 2,400 guest rooms: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, with direct access to Disney California Adventure Park; the recently renovated Pixar Place Hotel; and the iconic Disneyland Hotel, which celebrates its own 70th anniversary this year, having opened just a few months after Disneyland Park in 1955. Staying at one of these official resort hotels offers more than just a place to sleep — guests enjoy unmatched convenience with all three properties just steps from the gates of both theme parks and Downtown Disney’s hub of restaurants and shops, offering a fully immersive Disney experience around-the-clock, and exclusive perks such as early theme park entry and easier access to park reservations. While there is no absolute need to rush to join the extra-magical fun, the celebration, of course, will not last forever. The “Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration,” which began in May 2025, will run through Summer 2026 — giving fans plenty of time to plan a visit and be part of this extra-magical period at the Happiest Place on Earth. While Disneyland Resort has hosted many high-profile anniversary celebrations over the years — most notably serving as the global hub for the “Disney100” festivities in 2023, marking The Walt Disney Company’s centennial and the resort’s triumphant return, with the magic roaring back after the pandemic — this milestone is unique. It is the first celebration in a decade dedicated solely to the world’s very first Disney park, where it all began with Walt Disney himself, following the “Disneyland Diamond Celebration” that marked Disneyland Park’s 60th anniversary. “Happy is a celebration. It’s a party. It’s something that we want people to get excited about,” David Caranci, the creative development manager of Walt Disney Imagineering and the producer of the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration, told media during an open session, explaining the thematic approach. This year-long theme, he noted, is steeped in pure whimsicality — a lighthearted, imaginative spirit designed to capture the joy of a birthday party on a grand, Disney scale. It is about bright colours, playful details, and unexpected moments that make guests feel like they’ve stepped into a living storybook where every turn offers a reason to smile. “Think about the 60th. That was very traditional. It was very kind of, well, it was a little bit different, like in the 100th, right? So, those were a little bit more sophisticated. We wanted this to be the best birthday party ever. And we want all of you to celebrate with us,” continued Caranci. Fittingly, the 70th anniversary is also the stage for one of the most ambitious tributes to Walt yet: the debut of “Walt Disney — A Magical Life” at the Opera House theatre on Main Street U.S.A., which made its debut on July 17, 2025, the 70th birthday of Disneyland Park. Years in the making, the new show and attraction are the result of deep passion and planning by Walt Disney Imagineering, designed to remind guests of Walt’s story — told in his own words — through both film and the art form he pioneered, audio-animatronics. Before the curtain even rises, the experience begins in the Opera House lobby, where new exhibits trace Disneyland’s design evolution — from its earliest master plans to the development of audio-animatronics. Fans can also view the awards and honours Walt received over the years, alongside a video presentation, “Memories of Walt,” featuring personal interviews with those who knew and worked alongside him. Inside the theatre, the show opens with a film adaptation of “One Man’s Dream,” narrated by Walt himself, chronicling his life from his earliest creative ventures to his boldest visions for the future, including his realized plan of turning orange groves in Anaheim into Disneyland Park. The grand finale then raises the curtain on the first-ever audio-animatronics figure of Walt, set within a meticulous re-creation of his studio office. There, he “meets” fans, sharing stories and reflections on his career and philosophy. Decades of archival recordings were woven together to create this attraction, offering visitors an unprecedented opportunity to hear from Walt in a way never before possible at Disneyland Park. Upon exiting the theatre, guests are just steps from the theme park entrance, where an iconic plaque bearing Walt Disney’s famous words reads, “Here you leave the world of today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.” The new attraction and longtime inscription carries particular weight here, as this remains the only Disney theme park that Walt himself ever walked through. Across the esplanade at Disney California Adventure Park, the 70th anniversary magic bursts to life over Paradise Bay with the debut of the all-new “World of Color Happiness!” show — a nighttime spectacular that transforms Walt’s opening day greeting into a kaleidoscope of light, music, and emotion. This new nighttime spectacular begins with a playful pre-show, as the Muppets take the stage — in their own chaotic, comedic way — to celebrate the legacy of Disney Parks’ nighttime spectaculars while “preparing” Paradise Bay lagoon for the grand performance to come. The main show opens with Walt’s iconic words from Disneyland’s opening day on July 17, 1955 — “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!” — setting the tone for a dazzling journey through “happy,” explored as a kaleidoscope of emotions. Hosted by Joy and her fellow emotion friends from Pixar Animation’s Inside Out and Inside Out 2, the show brings audiences through musical and cinematic moments from across the Pixar and Disney Animation library. “Happy” comes to life in scenes from Turning Red and The Incredibles, woven together with beloved moments from A Goofy Movie, Tangled, Encanto, and many more fan favourites. This is the fourth permanent all-season (non-holiday) “World of Color” production — and the seventh full show overall — since Paradise Bay and its 1,200-fountain World of Colour water theatre made its debut 15 years ago. In every iteration, the lagoon transforms into a vast canvas where signature fountains soar up to 20 storeys high, illuminated by dazzling lighting effects, sweeping lasers, and bursts of fire. The newest version, “World of Color Happiness!,” carries on that tradition with all the spectacle and emotion the show is known for. “When we sat down to start the creative process, there was an immediate thought of what is happiness? How do we create happiness? How do we experience happiness? What does happiness mean to everyone?” Jennifer Magill, the executive director of Disney Live Entertainment, told media during the session. “And as we started to do that deep dive, we realized very quickly that our friends at Pixar had created the perfect team to help tell that story and to help explain what happiness is. With the cast from Inside Out and Inside Out 2, we realized very quickly that you can’t have happiness without all of the emotion.” The entertainment lineup for the 70th anniversary also includes the big return of the fan-favourite nighttime spectacular, “Wondrous Journeys” fireworks, at Disneyland Park. The fireworks occur on select nights, typically on weekends and holidays. Originally created for the “Disney100” celebrations just a few years ago, “Wondrous Journeys” makes a fitting comeback for the park’s 70th anniversary, offering a poignant tribute to the rich legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Through breathtaking fireworks, stirring music, and unexpected special effects, “Wondrous Journeys” celebrates decades of animated storytelling in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The fireworks are accompanied by an array of dazzling features — from flying characters (including Baymax, the loveable robot from Big Hero 6, soaring overhead with pyro-emitting rockets) to dramatic lighting and other special effects. Sleeping Beauty Castle serves as the centrepiece for stunning projection displays, making the area in front of the castle an obvious choice for prime viewing. But equally magical perspectives can be found elsewhere: along Main Street U.S.A., where building facades become projection screens that frame the fireworks over the castle, or at Rivers of America and It’s a Small World, which also feature their own immersive projections under the same “Wondrous Journeys” show. In fact, there’s one viewing location at the rear of Disneyland Park that offers a “fresh” thematic twist on the “Wondrous Journeys” fireworks. On select nights in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land, the exact same pyrotechnic display — exploding high behind the Millennium Falcon and the Batuu planet’s cliff landscape — is paired with an entirely different soundtrack, transforming it into a Star Wars–themed experience called “Fire of the Rising Moons.” Only fans within Galaxy’s Edge hear this alternate score featuring John Williams’ iconic galactic themes, while the rest of the park enjoys “Wondrous Journeys” in its original form. First appearing at Disneyland Park in 2024 on select nights, previous iterations of Fire of the Rising Moons” have also been adapted from other fireworks spectaculars at the park, a clear demonstration of the creativity of Disney Imagineers. Through a kind of reverse-engineering process, they craft an entirely new show on top of an existing one — reimagining its music through considerations of timing and emotional beats, all without altering the original experience for spectators elsewhere in the park. Another major highlight of the 70th anniversary entertainment lineup is the much-anticipated return of the “Paint the Night” parade. And this is no ordinary parade — it is a full-scale, full-length nighttime spectacular, with thousands of dazzling lights illuminating not only the elaborate floats but also the costumes of the many energetic performers who bring the procession to life. Set to an upbeat, high-energy soundtrack, “Paint the Night” transforms the parade route into a moving light show, blending cutting-edge technology. Each float is a glowing work of art, from towering character figures to shimmering scenes inspired by beloved films such as Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story, Monsters Inc., and Frozen. Every performer is adorned with illuminated costumes that ripple and change colours in sync with the upbeat music, creating a seamless river of light that flows down the pathway. A few tweaks have been made to this parade for the 70th anniversary, including a revised finale featuring the Jonas Brothers’ “Celebrate Happy” theme song. “One of the things that I think is really special about the 70th is that we have a lot of new, exciting offerings, but we also have listened to the fans and we are bringing back those classics that not only our guests but our cast members truly, truly love, and ‘Paint the Night’ fits that bill perfectly,” continued Magill. “I have to say, it looks just as good as it did on opening day. But this is the 70th. We never rest on where we were, so we’ve added a few extra little bits of pixie dust to it… We’ve got a few little extra nods and things that make it unique to the 70th celebration, but it is a classic that remains really special.” “Paint the Night” was first conceived for Hong Kong Disneyland Park in 2014, with an expanded replica later debuting at Disneyland Park in California the following year as part of the Diamond Celebration. Among fans, there has been tremendous pent-up demand for the dazzling nighttime parade’s return; at the California resort, it was last seen briefly in 2018 at Disney California Adventure Park. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s version has yet to return following its sudden disappearance in January 2020 due to COVID-19. When I visited Disneyland Park in 2016 for the Diamond Anniversary and saw “Paint the Night” for the very first time, I was completely spellbound. The sheer glow of the floats, the music that seemed to flow through the crowd, and the way every performer shimmered with light pulled me straight into the magic. By the time the last float — an awe-inspiring tribute to The Sorcerer’s Apprentice from Fantasia, with Mickey Mouse taking centre stage in his iconic red robe and blue, star-studded hat, perched atop a spinning, shimmering kinetic LED sculpture — disappeared from view, I knew I’d been transformed from a casual visitor into a lifelong Disney Parks fan. That same feeling washed over me all over again when I experienced “Paint the Night” a second time at Hong Kong Disneyland Park in 2018, and again most recently for the 70th anniversary of the original Disneyland Park. There is also a brand-new nighttime parade lighting up another corner of the Disney-sphere — “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort, Florida. Debuting in July 2025, the parade builds on the proven success and crowd-pleasing energy of “Paint the Night,” transforming the entire procession into a dazzling, moving light spectacle. While it shares that same illuminated magic, it introduces an entirely different theme, along with all-new floats, costumes, show elements, and music unique to Magic Kingdom Park. Both the “Paint the Night” and “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” parades build on the legacy of the “Main Street Electrical Parade,” which first premiered at Disneyland Park in 1972. The vintage nighttime parade is still found today at Tokyo Disneyland Park. Currently, Disneyland Resort in California is not the only Disney destination marking an anniversary milestone. Early this summer, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort kicked off its 20th anniversary celebration, featuring new and enhanced magical programming and theming. The festivities in Hong Kong will continue through May 2026, offering fans a full year to join in the park’s unique, extra magical celebration. You might also like: - Behind the magic of Disney's fireworks and nighttime spectaculars - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Disney to build Disneyland theme park resort destination in the Middle East - Disneyland California finally has a Mickey and Minnie ride - Twice the magic: Disney to double its number of cruise ships serving Vancouver starting in 2026 - Michael Buble calls Disney cruise from Vancouver an 'unreal' magical escape https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/disneyland-70th-anniversary-celebration-things-to-do Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:12:03 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/hudsons-bay-company-final-bids-properties-assets Kenneth Chan The process for liquidating the assets of Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) is progressing quickly, with 17 bids submitted ahead of the deadline. According to a new court filing on Friday by Alvarez & Marsal — the court-appointed monitor overseeing HBC’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) proceedings — 12 parties submitted qualified bids covering a combined total of 29 individual leases. Several of these leases received multiple bids, with overlapping interests in the same locations. However, the majority of HBC’s portfolio — 62 properties — did not receive any qualified bids. You might also like: - Hudson's Bay liquidation sales to end by June 1, store closures fast approaching - Hudson's Bay to close remaining six stores previously spared from liquidation - 18 entities interested in taking over the leases of 65 Hudson's Bay store locations - RioCan emphasizes redevelopment potential of Hudson's Bay stores - End of an era: Hudson's Bay flagship store in downtown Vancouver to close The monitor did not disclose the identities of the interested parties or the specific locations that received bids, but noted that it did not receive any “insider bids” for any of the assets. Furthermore, Alvarez & Marsal indicated that it began this multi-stage process in March 2025 by reaching out to 407 potentially interested parties. In a previous filing by the monitor about three weeks ago, it was noted that 18 entities had submitted a non-binding letter of interest — including certain landlords — expressing interest in a total of 65 individual property leases held by Hudson’s Bay. Among the few that have publicly shared their interest in snapping up a number of properties is B.C. billionaire Weihong Liu, who owns Tsawwassen Mills in Delta, Mayfair Shopping Centre in Victoria, and Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo, which her company, Central Walk, recently listed for sale. The deadline to submit a binding bid for the leases was May 1, including a deposit equal to 10 per cent of the proposed purchase price. Hudson’s Bay’s department store locations are expected to close by June 2025, following a liquidation process that began in late March 2025. In April 2025, a decision was made to close the remaining six stores previously spared from liquidation. As of last week, about 90 per cent of the inventory at Hudson’s Bay’s four distribution centres across Canada — one location in Metro Vancouver, and three in Greater Toronto — has been transported to stores to be disposed of in the liquidation sale. The remaining inventory will be delivered to the stores by about May 16. It is indicated that nine of the Saks OFF 5th stores closed in late April 2025, and the remaining four locations of the discount brand are expected to close no later than June 1. The liquidation sale at 74 Hudson’s Bay department stores and three Saks Fifth Avenue department stores is expected to continue until June 1, at which point the stores will close, and the furniture, fixtures, and equipment removal period will take place for about one to two weeks. The monitor notes that the retailer is seeking court approval for an extension of the CCAA’s protection period to the end of July 2025 to enable the bids for the leases and other assets — including art, historical artefacts, and intellectual properties, such as the chain’s iconic branding — to be reviewed and considered. Multiple bids for the same property could end up in an auction, and a separate auction process will be held for the collection of art and artifacts. The 354-year-old company possesses a collection of over 1,700 pieces of art and 2,700 artifacts, including the highly coveted  English Royal Charter of 1670, issued by King Charles II, that incorporated the Hudson’s Bay Company as a fur trading giant in the Rupert’s Land, an area now known as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nunavut. The founding charter is considered a document of profound national importance. However, the most recent filing notes that many of the artifacts were donated to the Archives of Manitoba in 1993. In 2020, the charter was on display to the public for the very first time at the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg. “While this process continues, the Company, Reflect, and the Monitor have engaged in many discussions with various parties that have expressed an interest in the Art Collection, including governmental entities, not-for-profit organizations, First Nations and other indigenous groups. Certain parties have been provided with access to view certain [parts] of the Art Collection,” reads the filing. “Further, on May 8, 2025, counsel to the Applicants sent a letter to all parties that have expressed interest in the Art Collection and a number of additional government agencies informing them of the virtual database cataloguing the items in that collection and informing them that the catalogue can be viewed upon execution of a non-disclosure agreement. The Applicants, Reflect and the Monitor are also working proactively with interested parties to identify any other groups that may have an interest in the Art Collection.” You might also like: - Hudson's Bay liquidation sales to end by June 1, store closures fast approaching - Hudson's Bay to close remaining six stores previously spared from liquidation - 18 entities interested in taking over the leases of 65 Hudson's Bay store locations - RioCan emphasizes redevelopment potential of Hudson's Bay stores - End of an era: Hudson's Bay flagship store in downtown Vancouver to close https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/hudsons-bay-company-final-bids-properties-assets Mon, 12 May 2025 16:51:10 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/canada-tallest-public-observation-deck-vancouver-tower-new Kenneth Chan This article is Part 2 of Daily Hive Urbanized’s three-part series unveiling what may be the most ambitious private-sector building proposal in downtown Vancouver’s history. - PART 1: Downtown Vancouver’s skyline soars with proposal for landmark towers up to 1,033 ft - PART 3: Holborn Group proposes 38-storey social housing tower for Gastown ---------------------------------------- Vancouver could eventually become home to Canada’s tallest building with a public observation deck, as part of an ambitious proposal by developer Holborn Group to transform a prominent site in the heart of downtown Vancouver. This newly proposed supertall tower would dramatically reshape Vancouver’s skyline and technically boast the highest publicly accessible observation deck within a building. However, Toronto’s CN Tower would still retain its title as the tallest public observation deck in the country overall. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), a “supertall” skyscraper is any structure that reaches at least 984 feet (300 metres) in height — a benchmark reserved for only a select tier of global high-rise architecture. The building’s height would be a first in Canada west of Toronto. The proposed Vancouver supertall tower — one of three tall mixed-use towers for a new complex proposed by Holborn Group — would reach a height of 1,033 ft (315 metres). Its one-of-a-kind, enclosed-glass dome public observation deck would be perched on top of the tower at a height of over 1,000 ft (305 metres). Furthermore, if built today, this proposed Vancouver supertall tower would rank as Canada’s tallest building — surpassing Toronto’s 978-ft (298 metres) First Canadian Place. It would also stand as the third-tallest building nationwide across all categories: existing, under construction, approved, or proposed. You might also like: - Vancouver City Council approves new policies to catalyze more hotel projects - It's official: Vancouver City Council approves view cone policy relaxations for more housing and job space - Shangri-La dethroned: BC's tallest building is no longer in Vancouver - Transformative Northeast False Creek development revealed by Concord Pacific - Proposal for tall tower in Metrotown features a public observation deck attraction While the CN Tower rises much higher, it is technically classified as a “freestanding structure” rather than a “building,” primarily because it lacks continuous occupiable floor plates from base to crown. As such, this new tower, if built, would claim the title of Canada’s tallest building with a public observation deck. The CN Tower reaches a total height of 1,815 ft (553 metres), including its iconic communications antenna spire. Its main observation deck sits 1,135 ft (346 metres) above ground, while its highest viewing point, known as “The Top,” a smaller secondary observation deck, is perched at a height of 1,465 ft (447 metres). The public observation deck at the proposed Vancouver supertall tower would stand as the tallest attraction of its kind anywhere on the continent west of the Mississippi River. It would exceed the heights of several major West Coast landmarks, including the 520-ft (160 metres) upper deck at the Space Needle and the 902-ft (275 metres) Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center in Seattle, and the 866-ft (264 metres) indoor and 909-ft (277 metres) outdoor decks at The STRAT in Las Vegas. For another comparison, the Calgary Tower has a full structural height of 626 ft. (191 metres), with its observation deck at a height of 517 ft (158 metres) above ground. Vancouver’s only public observation deck attraction at present is The Lookout, perched atop the Harbour Centre tower — just two city blocks north of Holborn Group’s proposed redevelopment site at 501–595 West Georgia St. While it generated significant buzz when it was officially opened by Neil Armstrong in 1977, its allure and prominence has since diminished, as the surrounding skyline has grown to include numerous towers of similar or greater height, limiting its once-commanding views. Harbour Centre’s upper rooftop — just above the public observation deck and the “Top Of Vancouver” revolving restaurant — has a height of 482 ft (147 metres), according to CTBUH. The proposed supertall tower would be over two times taller than Harbour Centre. The city had another public observation deck up until 2017, when the 394-ft-tall (120 metres) Empire Landmark Hotel on Robson Street permanently closed for its demolition. Atop the 1973-built hotel tower, there was a Cloud 9 tower rooftop revolving restaurant and observation attraction. Also located in downtown Vancouver is the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront. When this 20-storey hotel first opened at Coal Harbour in 1972, it featured a rooftop revolving restaurant called Vistas Revolving Restaurant & Bar. Once known for its panoramic views, the restaurant has since closed, with those views now largely obscured by taller towers that have risen in the surrounding area since the 1990s. For many years now, this former restaurant space has been called the “Vistas 360 room” — billed as Vancouver’s only revolving event and wedding space. In 2022, Cadillac Fairview submitted an application to renovate the former Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, a 1976-built, 305-ft-tall (93 metres), for its reuse by a new luxury hotel operator, including the conversion of the tower rooftop level into a restaurant, bar, lounge, and a partially-covered outdoor terrace — altogether, creating an experience not dissimilar to an observation deck. However, this renovation project fell apart, with Cadillac Fairview confirming in early 2025 its revised plan to demolish the tower and instead pursue a brand new mixed-use tower development from scratch at some point in the future. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring city of Burnaby, WPJ McCarthy and Company has recently submitted an application to build McCarthy Plaza tower, an 853-ft-tall (260-metre) mixed-use tower in Metrotown, which would include a public observation deck, signalling growing regional interest in elevated urban attractions that take advantage of the region’s stunning natural scenery and evolving cityscapes. Vancouver’s once-iconic hotel rooftops may have faded from prominence, but Holborn Group is keen to bring the experience back — with a bold new scale and verticality. Its public observation deck would sit atop the supertall hotel tower with 920 guest rooms and a vast 70,000 sq. ft. conference centre, redefining Vancouver’s tourism offerings vertically. “I made sure if we’re going to be the tallest tower in Vancouver, it has to be for the right reasons. You need to have a tower that people can get behind and support you,” Holborn Group president Joo Kim Tiah told Daily Hive Urbanized in a sit-down interview this past Monday. That is also why access to the public observation deck would be free for Vancouver residents who book online in advance. Tourists would pay an admission fee. “And so, I made sure that the tallest tower was not a residential tower, but a commercial tower — a hotel tower with an observation deck — that locals could really get there, experience the views, and show their friends around town that this is what our city is about to look at how beautiful the view we have, and be proud of the tower that represents them, the tallest tower downtown. That is the vision,” continued Tiah. The attraction would include a prominent street-level entrance, an observation deck lobby and elevator access located on the entire second floor, and two high-speed elevators offering direct service to the top of the tower. Around the world, many public observation deck attractions incorporate immersive experiences, setting the tone before the journey to the top. Large lobby spaces are often designed to showcase local history, culture, and/or architectural innovation, providing a transitional experience that also functions as the queuing area for elevator access. Some notable examples include the Skydeck at Willis Tower in Chicago, The Edge at Hudson Yards and the One World Observatory at One World Trade Center in New York City. Some of these major attractions also extensively use immersive digital technology, including the high-speed elevator rides, which feature digital screen panels on the walls, ceiling, and even the floor. These screens display dynamic animations and graphics designed to heighten the sense of thrill and anticipation throughout the quick vertical journey. A notable variation of this concept can be found at the A’DAM Lookout in Amsterdam, where the elevator shaft is transformed into a dramatic LED light show, visible through a glass ceiling within the elevator cab. There are also some exceptions to this seamless vertical elevator link, such as at The View from The Shard in London, which has a mid-tower transfer floor where visitors need to transfer between elevators. Unique to Vancouver, the proposed observation deck would be housed within a striking, high-ceiling glass dome, capping off the tower’s glass sponge reef-inspired architectural concept. This enclosed crown could feature a soaring interior space designed to accommodate a lush green sky garden, a water feature, and a one-of-a-kind destination restaurant. In total, the preliminary concept envisions approximately 30,000 square feet of observation deck space, including both public areas and back-of-house support functions. Working with Vancouver-based Henriquez Partners Architects, the formal rezoning application was submitted to the municipal government last week. “The metaphor that we thought of was to inhabit, obviously, the top of the sea sponge. We wanted to make this place a world where local plants will be good all year-round,” Henriquez Partners Architects managing principal Gregory Henriquez told Daily Hive Urbanized during the interview, explaining the design inspiration for the public observation deck’s glass dome. “And if you go out in the winter to the Bloedel Conservatory, it’s really a magical place. So if we could take the conservatory, put it up on top of our building, overlooking all of the context that surrounds you in the mountains, it could be something really special. And so, the idea is a garden in the sky.” Tiah emphasized that the exact design, functionality, and layout of the observation deck will be refined further during the upcoming development application stage. But he noted that many people have already compared their concept to a miniature version of the Jewel at Singapore’s Changi Airport, referencing its lush interior, iconic architecture, and immersive public experience. You might also like: - Vancouver City Council approves new policies to catalyze more hotel projects - It's official: Vancouver City Council approves view cone policy relaxations for more housing and job space - Shangri-La dethroned: BC's tallest building is no longer in Vancouver - Transformative Northeast False Creek development revealed by Concord Pacific - Proposal for tall tower in Metrotown features a public observation deck attraction The project also includes two other adjacent mixed-use residential towers of comparable height and a standalone 38-storey social housing tower on a separate secondary site nearby in the city centre, which would be built as a gift to the City of Vancouver in exchange for the project’s approved market residential density. Other components at the main development site include new additional underground entrances into SkyTrain’s Granville Station, a major public plaza, and retail and restaurant uses. If all goes as planned, construction on the first phase could begin in about five years. The entire project is estimated to cost about $2.73 billion. ---------------------------------------- This article is Part 2 of Daily Hive Urbanized’s three-part series unveiling what may be the most ambitious private-sector building proposal in downtown Vancouver’s history. - PART 1: Downtown Vancouver’s skyline soars with proposal for landmark towers up to 1,033 ft - PART 3: Holborn Group proposes 38-storey social housing tower for Gastown https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-tallest-public-observation-deck-vancouver-tower-new Thu, 08 May 2025 13:00:09 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/disneyland-abu-dhabi-theme-park-resort Kenneth Chan The Walt Disney Company announced today its plans to pursue its seventh theme park resort destination location in the Middle East, specifically in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The “House of Mouse” has reached an agreement with UAE-based immersive destination and experiences firm Miral Group to build the attraction as an additional major offering on the 25 sq. km. Yas Island, which is already a designated hub for major tourism and leisure developments. “Disneyland Abu Dhabi” will be Disney’s first new theme park destination announcement in 15 years, when it first announced its plans to build Shanghai Disney Resort, featuring Shanghai Disneyland. It adds to Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris Resort, and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. “This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity,” said Robert Iger, CEO of Disney, in a statement today. You might also like: - 10 big new things coming to Disney's theme parks and experiences - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Universal Studios looking to build its first European theme park near London “As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati — an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come,” continued Iger. This echoes Disney’s earlier messaging for the project launch of Shanghai Disney Resort, which was described as “authentically Disney, distinctly Chinese.” Shanghai Disneyland Park opened in 2016. However, Disney will not make any financial contribution toward this project. Instead, it will benefit from royalties through a licensing agreement with Miral — similar to Disney’s 1979 agreement with the Oriental Land Company to create Tokyo Disneyland. Miral will finance, build, own, and operate the property, assuming all risk, while Disney will own the intellectual property rights and activate its team of Disney Imagineers to research, design, and develop the attraction. Disney has full ownership control of the U.S. and Paris resorts and partial ownership control of the Hong Kong and Shanghai destinations. Disneyland Abu Dhabi is not part of the US$60 billion investment announced by Disney in late 2023 to expand and improve its theme parks around the world over 10 years. They are promising a whole new world. This new theme park in the Middle East promises to be the most immersive and technologically advanced Disney attraction, with UAE tourism projects particularly known for their ambition — supported by big budgets. As well, the seaside waterfront location at Yas Island provides new creative opportunities. “This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences. “Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront — which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before. Ultimately, it will be a celebration of what’s possible when creativity and progress come together.” Yas Island is best known for being home to the world’s largest indoor theme parks, including the 2010-opened Ferrari World, the 2018-opened Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and the 2023-opened SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. These existing theme parks were also built by Miral under a licensing agreement, with the indoor climate-controlled configuration accounting for the region’s sweltering heat, often reaching over 40°C during the summer months. It is not clear if there will be a significant indoor component at Disneyland Abu Dhabi; highly preliminary conceptual artistic renderings appear to depict a significant outdoor component, with a unique crystal-like main castle situated on the edge of the sea. The island is also home to the Yas Waterworld water park and the Yas Marina Circuit — the venue of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009 — as well as major live music, entertainment, and sports venues, and numerous hotel resorts. This new theme park project will also include a number of Disney-themed resort hotels. If all goes as planned, Disney’s seventh theme park resort destination location and its 13th theme park could open relatively soon in the early 2030s. This project strategically allows Disney to enter a new major untapped global market. Yas Island is located near Abu Dhabi’s main airport, Zayed International Airport, which is the home base of flag carrier Etihad Airways. It is also just a one-hour drive away from Dubai International Airport, which is the world’s busiest airport and one of the world’s most connected. About 120 million air passengers travel through Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s airports each year. Dubai is also home to several theme parks, including Legoland Dubai Resort and the Hollywood-themed Motiongate Park. However, Dubai has seen comparatively less success in the theme park sector than Abu Dhabi. This was most notably demonstrated by the failure of the ambitious Dubailand project, which resulted in the cancellation of major developments such as Universal Studios Dubailand and Six Flags Dubailand. Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, which was expanded in recent decades through land reclamation, follows a similar integrated entertainment destination concept, but has seen far greater success, made even more apparent today by its ability to secure a Disney attraction. “Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Miral. “The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence. What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination — an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever. Through the development of unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for the world.” As for its own in-house projects for the theme park resorts it owns, Disney is making historic investments into the Disney Experiences division, which is the company’s most profitable division — exceeding film and television, Disney+ streaming, and other subsidiaries. Construction on major theme park expansions is underway at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park at Disney World and at Walt Disney Studios Park (soon to be renamed as Disney Adventure Park) in Paris, and other major expansions are planned for Hong Kong Disneyland Park and the cruise ship fleet of Disney Cruise Line. In 2024, the City of Anaheim provided Disney with the approval to nearly double the combined resort size area of Disneyland Resort Park and Disney California Adventure Park, enabling an expansion of theme park, hotel resort, retail, dining, and other entertainment areas. Disney increasingly has competition from Universal Studios’ theme parks. Universal opened Universal Beijing Resort in 2021, and on May 22, 2025, it will open the new Epic Universe Park — the third theme park for Universal Orlando Resort, located near Disney World. In April 2025, Universal and the United Kingdom government confirmed the plans to build a Universal Studios theme park just outside of London, with construction potentially beginning in 2026 for an opening in 2031. You might also like: - 10 big new things coming to Disney's theme parks and experiences - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Universal Studios looking to build its first European theme park near London https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/disneyland-abu-dhabi-theme-park-resort Wed, 07 May 2025 17:48:59 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/canada-federal-election-2025-voting-turnout Daniel Chai Canada saw one of the highest voter turnouts in recent history for the 2025 federal election, according to preliminary estimates from Elections Canada. Figures released today show a total of 19.6 million Canadians cast their ballot during the voting period, which includes the advance voting period from Friday, April 18, to Monday, April 21, as well as on election day on Monday, April 28. The voter turnout rate for 2025 is currently estimated at 68.65 per cent, which is also a jump from the 2021 federal election, which had a turnout of 62.2 per cent. It is also the highest turnout for a federal election since 1993, when 69.6 per cent of registered voters cast a ballot. The Liberal Party, led by Jean Chrétien, won a majority government against the Progressive Conservatives that year. It should also be noted that the 2021 federal election was impacted by the pandemic, with Elections Canada significantly expanding the ease of mail-in-ballot voting opportunities. Elections Canada announced that it will finalize its estimated numbers and publish official voting results and reports in the coming month. There were 16 registered parties in the 2025 federal election, with nearly 2,000 candidates confirmed. Elections Canada also took a moment to thank the hundreds of thousands of staff who helped in running this year’s federal election. “I want to thank the some 230,000 people who helped deliver the election,” added Stéphane Perrault, chief electoral officer of Canada, in a release. “Whether electors voted on election day or earlier at advance polls or by special ballot, election workers were there to serve them and to ensure that the integrity and secrecy of the vote was upheld.” The Liberal Party of Canada has won a minority government, securing a fourth consecutive mandate. Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a rousing speech just after midnight in Ottawa, reiterating his party’s pledge to “build Canada strong” during an election where tariffs and the cost-of-living crisis were top of mind. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Liberals are leading with 169 seats in the House of Commons ahead of the Conservatives with 144 seats. Mark Carney’s Liberals received 43.7 per cent of the popular vote with 8,560,125 ballots cast, as of 4:49 p.m. PT on Tuesday, April 29. The Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, received 8,081,660 votes, accounting for 41.3 per cent. With files from Kenneth Chan, Amir Ali and Daily Hive Staff You might also like: - 'Canada forever': Prime Minister Mark Carney fired up after election victory - Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre pushed out of his seat in Ottawa riding - NDP under Jagmeet Singh win fewest seats in 63 years, lose official party status - The Liberals won a minority government in Canada — here's what that means https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-federal-election-2025-voting-turnout Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:30:20 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/ndp-jagmeet-singh-loses-seat-burnaby Kenneth Chan In a major political upset, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is projected to lose his seat in Parliament following today’s federal by-election. Singh, who has represented the Burnaby South riding since February 2019, faced a tough challenge amid shifting political currents and voter dissatisfaction. Mark Carney and the Liberal Party of Canada are projected to form government. During his concession speech tonight, Singh announced he will step down after an interim party leader is appointed. You might also like: - NDP under Jagmeet Singh win fewest seats in 63 years, lose official party status - Mark Carney's Liberal Party projected to form government - Liberal party leader Mark Carney projected to win seat in Ottawa riding - Opinion: My first vote is for the future we deserve — why Canadians can count on my dad as prime minister “I want to take a moment to congratulate Prime Minister Carney on his victory. He has an important job to do to represent all Canadians and to protect our country and its sovereignty from the threats of Donald Trump,” said Singh. “Tonight and every night, all of us here, we’re on Team Canada. We want Canada to thrive, and we’re going to continue to fight for Canada.” In the 2025 federal election, he was running in the new riding of Burnaby Central, following the federal electoral districts redistribution in 2023, based on the 2021 census results. Burnaby Central’s geographical area includes the former northern area of Burnaby South. As of the time of writing, with 140 of 200 polls reporting, early results indicate that Singh has fallen far short of securing his seat in Burnaby Central. Singh currently has 5,941 votes, trailing considerably behind the 13,403 votes of Wade Chang of the Liberals and the 12,635 votes of James Yan of the Conservative Party of Canada. “It’s been the honour of my life to represent the people of Burnaby Central. Tonight they chose a new Member of Parliament and I wish them well as they continue to work hard for this community,” said Singh. Moreover, the NDP is currently projected to shed their official party status; a federal political party must hold at least 12 MP seats for such an official designation. Early projections indicate this will be the NDP’s worst performance since the first federal election it contested in 1962, during the leadership of Tommy Douglas. When Jagmeet Singh became leader of the NDP in October 2017, he did so without holding a seat in Parliament. Following the resignation of NDP MP Kennedy Stewart — who stepped down to launch a successful bid for mayor of Vancouver — a by-election was called in Burnaby South. Singh won that by-election in February 2019 and was later re-elected in the 2021 federal general election. “We brought real change to the lives of Canadians. I know that people are concretely better off because of our work over the last eight years, and no election result will ever diminish that. So thank you so much,” continued Singh. You might also like: - NDP under Jagmeet Singh win fewest seats in 63 years, lose official party status - Mark Carney's Liberal Party projected to form government - Liberal party leader Mark Carney projected to win seat in Ottawa riding - Opinion: My first vote is for the future we deserve — why Canadians can count on my dad as prime minister https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/ndp-jagmeet-singh-loses-seat-burnaby Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:46:07 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/mark-carney-nepean-liberal-riding-victory Kenneth Chan UPDATE: Prime Minister Mark Carney has delivered his victory speech. ---------------------------------------- When Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s new prime minister on March 14, 2025, he did so under rare circumstances — without holding a seat in the House of Commons. That changed tonight, as Carney is projected to win his seat as the MP of the riding of Nepean, located within Ottawa, officially giving him a place in Parliament to match his leadership role. As of the time of writing, with 70 of 229 polls reporting in Nepean, Carney has taken the lead with 10,968 votes, followed by Barbara Bal of the Conservative Party of Canada with 5,853 votes and the NDP with 362 votes. More importantly, above all, the Liberals are currently projected to form government. At the time of writing, it remains to be seen whether this is a minority or majority victory. > The polls are now closed. > > For 37 days, in every corner of this country, our team worked to build a stronger Canada. > > Thank you to everyone who put so much into this campaign. pic.twitter.com/1Xj0R1B094 > > — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 29, 2025 Carney’s initial appointment followed his election as Liberal Party leader on March 9, 2025, after a rapid rise through political ranks. While it is constitutionally permitted for a prime minister to govern without a seat, political tradition strongly favours quick efforts to rectify the situation, and Carney’s by-election win now solidifies his standing both in Parliament and across the country. You might also like: - 'Canada forever': Prime Minister Mark Carney fired up after election victory - Pierre Poilievre congratulates Carney, pledges to keep fighting - Jagmeet Singh to resign as NDP leader after losing seat in office - NDP under Jagmeet Singh win fewest seats in 63 years, lose official party status https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/mark-carney-nepean-liberal-riding-victory Tue, 29 Apr 2025 03:12:54 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/canada-federal-election-2025-advance-voting-turnout Kenneth Chan Canadians turned out en masse for advance voting in the 2025 federal election, according to Elections Canada’s preliminary estimates. Advance turnout was held over a four-day period, from Friday, April 18, to Monday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. Figures released today show a total of 7.3 million votes were cast during this advance voting period, including two million on the first day. This total represents a staggering 25 per cent increase from the 5.8 million ballots during the advance voting period of the 2021 federal election. Elections Canada notes that some polls may not have reported their turnout yet, and a more detailed breakdown of the estimated number of votes for all electoral districts will be made available soon. Long lines were also reported at some advance voting stations, with some taking their frustrations to social media about waits of over an hour. Elections Canada previously told Daily Hive Urbanized that more Canadians have been using earlier voting opportunities in recent federal elections. In 2019, 27 per cent of voters chose to vote at advanced polls, while in 2021, 34 per cent cast their votes ahead of the main voting day. It should also be noted that the 2021 federal election was impacted by the pandemic, with Elections Canada significantly expanding the ease of mail-in-ballot voting opportunities. According to political analysts, a high turnout in advance voting in an election is not inherently bad for incumbents — but it can be, depending on the context. In the 2021 federal election, 17.03 million votes were cast, representing a turnout of 62.2 per cent of registered voters. The main voting day for the general federal election is scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2025. The opening and closing times for voting stations vary across Canada’s regions. You might also like: - What you should know about the upcoming election as a first-time voter in Canada - I voted early and got stuck in huge lines at an advance polling station - Federal election 2025 comes with tax cut promises — will it really help Canadians? - Will Pierre Poilievre's housing plan actually work for Ontario and B.C.? https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-federal-election-2025-advance-voting-turnout Tue, 22 Apr 2025 19:07:28 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/canadian-travel-us-down-drops Laine Mitchell Many Canadians seem to be using travel decisions as their way to make their voices heard amidst the U.S. trade war and 51st state rhetoric from President Donald Trump. A recent report from OAG, a global travel data company that provides data solutions and analytical tools, including airline schedules, flight status information, and aviation data, has revealed that Canadians are simply turning elsewhere for their travel destinations. Airline capacity between Canada and the U.S. has been reduced through to October 2025, with the most significant cuts occurring during the peak travel months of July and August. The largest drop in forward bookings was in April, with a drop of 75.7 per cent, while June was the lowest at 71.6 per cent. The average percentage between the six months was a staggering 71.8 per cent decline in Canadian bookings to travel to U.S. markets. When it comes to scheduled airline capacity on routes from Canada to the U.S., the experts at OAG found that comparing the total number of scheduled one-way seats between the two countries filed on March 3 and those filed on March 24, over 320,000 seats have been yanked by airlines operating between the two countries through to the end of October. “Unfortunately, the law of unintended consequences is once again impacting the airline industry, adding to what had already become a softening market,” wrote John Grant, OAG chief analyst. The lack of travel interest has even forced some Canadian airlines, like WestJet, to cut routes to some U.S. destinations. When it comes to which parts of Canada have residents that are more likely to still proceed with trips to the United States this year, one province leads the pack in that department. Grant added that there may be some airlines offering particularly cheap flights over the coming months to try and create demand. Have you decided to forgo travel to the United States this year due to the current political and economic climate with our neighbours to the south? Let us know in the comments below. You might also like: - Alberta travellers lead Canada on plans to visit U.S. amid tariff tension - WestJet axes two Alberta flight routes as travellers shift away from U.S. destinations - Alberta leads Canada in opposition for retaliatory tariffs in U.S. trade war https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canadian-travel-us-down-drops Fri, 28 Mar 2025 10:50:18 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/confederation-bridge-tolls-removal-federal-election Kenneth Chan Both the federal Conservative and Liberal parties are promising to abolish the tolls to cross the Confederation Bridge between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.). With a length of nearly 13 km across the Northumberland Strait, this is the longest bridge in Canada, and the only fixed link that connects Prince Edward Island with the Canadian mainland. Ever since it opened in 1997, all users of the two-lane bridge have had to pay a toll on the crossing. Currently, tolls are set at $50.25 for vehicles with two axles, with an additional charge of $8.50 for each extra axle (applicable to heavy trucks and other commercial vehicles). Motorcycles are charged $20. There are also fares of $4.75 for pedestrians and $9.50 for cyclists for a “self-serve shuttle service,” in which drivers transport their passengers across the bridge and then return. You might also like: - It's official: Canadians to vote in federal election this April - Prime Minister Carney to eliminate GST on homes sales up to $1 million for first-time homebuyers - Prime Minister Carney cancels controversial capital gains tax hike - How ending the carbon tax in Canada will affect gas and food prices - Poilievre's Conservatives promise to axe GST on all new home sales up to $1.3 million - Federal government announces high-speed train between Toronto and Quebec City The Conservative Party of Canada has made a clear platform promise to eliminate these tolls if they are elected to form the next federal government. “Right now, far too many Canadians are barely making ends meet, struggling to afford gas, groceries, and home heating. We need to make life affordable again for Prince Edward Islanders and restore our country’s promise,” said Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman in a statement. According to the party, this platform promise was made after Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre sent a letter to Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz informing him of his promise to scrap the tolls. As well, the party will review its support of the Wood Islands-Caribou ferry, which is an alternative crossing reaching P.E.I., but only operates for about half of each year when there is no sea ice. Liberal Party of Canada leader Mark Carney has also made a verbal promise to Lantz that his party’s forthcoming platform will include specifics on changing the tolls and ferry fares. Sean Casey, the Liberal MP for the riding of Charlottetown, also wrote in a Facebook post last week that his party will be “committed to reducing the toll.” On Monday, Lantz issued two separate statements, each in reaction to the promises provided by each party. “After a productive day of meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Minister Dominic Leblanc, I have a verbal commitment that Islanders will be receiving positive news on the Confederation Bridge and Wood Islands Ferry tolls in the coming days,” said Lantz. On the same day, Lantz later added, “This morning, I received a letter from Pierre Poilievre confirming that he, too, would remove the tolls on the Confederation Bridge and would conduct a review of the federal government’s support for the Wood Islands Ferry. My request from day one has been clear: we need tolls on both the Confederation Bridge and Wood Islands Ferry to be eliminated.” According to Lantz, the tolls and fares on the only crossings between P.E.I. and the Canadian mainland put his province at a “competitive disadvantage,” especially under the threat of United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods. Moreover, to mitigate the impacts of the tariffs, the federal government has been moving to reduce and eliminate interprovincial trade barriers. Carney has promised to have free internal trade across the country by Canada Day, July 1, 2025, while Poilievre has also made a similar internal free trade promise, starting with eliminating as many exemptions as possible within the first 30 days of office by bringing together the premiers. “I’m confident that a review of the ferry service and funding will only reveal what we already know — it’s a critical link for commercial transportation and our tourism industry that’s been chronically underfunded — and that review will result in a clear recommendation to remove the tolls on the ferry as well,” continued the Premier. To support a toll-free Confederation Bridge, the Conservative platform includes the commitment of a $50 million annual subsidy to cover the operating and maintenance costs of the crossing. Such costs are currently covered by tolls. The federal government owns the bridge, but its construction in the 1990s was carried out as a public-private partnership. In addition to the construction project, the federal government provides the toll revenue to Strait Crossing Development to cover operating, maintenance, and other costs associated with the consortium. However, this 33-year concession agreement for the design, build, and operations will end in 2032, at which point the federal government will assume the responsibility of operating and maintaining the bridge. The bridge, a segment of Highway 1, is one of Canada’s most significant feats of engineering. Construction took place in just under four years and at a cost of $1.3 billion ($2.5 billion in 2025 dollars). Its design is made possible by the strait’s relatively shallow waters of up to 35 metres (115 ft), with 62 piers sitting on the bedrock seabed of the strait. These piers were also specifically engineered to withstand the strait’s exceptionally strong tidal currents, storm wave action, high winds, and the sheer force of moving sheets of ice each winter season. It is one of the world’s longest bridges of its kind, with a multi-span balanced cantilevered design and a post-tensioned concrete box girder structure. Most of the bridge deck is 40 metres (131 ft) above water to enable ships to pass through, and there is taller 60-metre (197 ft) span for the extra clearance of taller ships. While the bridge goes across a great expanse, the views while driving (particularly for small cars) can be limited. The two vehicle lanes — one lane in each direction — are protected by tall concrete barriers on either side of the bridge deck to protect vehicles and cyclists from the strait’s high winds. When steady winds of over 70 km/hr and gusts of 85 km/hr are recorded, the bridge is temporarily closed. Each trip across the bridge takes roughly 10 minutes, with a speed limit of 80 km/hr in optimal weather conditions. P.E.I. is the smallest province in terms of both land area and population, with about 179,000 people living on the island as of early this year. Prior to the pandemic, the bridge saw average traffic volumes of about 5,000 vehicles per day. You might also like: - It's official: Canadians to vote in federal election this April - Prime Minister Carney to eliminate GST on homes sales up to $1 million for first-time homebuyers - Prime Minister Carney cancels controversial capital gains tax hike - How ending the carbon tax in Canada will affect gas and food prices - Poilievre's Conservatives promise to axe GST on all new home sales up to $1.3 million - Federal government announces high-speed train between Toronto and Quebec City https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/confederation-bridge-tolls-removal-federal-election Thu, 27 Mar 2025 21:10:52 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/donald-trump-g7-alberta-petition Laine Mitchell The Alberta Rockies are set to host world leaders for the G7 Summit later this year. However, more than 40,000 Canadians say that U.S. President Donald Trump should not be allowed to visit. The Prime Minister of Canada is expected to welcome Trump, along with other G7 members, including President of France Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, to Kananaskis this June. The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal grouping of seven of the world’s advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, in addition to the European Union. A petition on Change.org calling for Trump to be blocked from visiting Canada for the G7 Summit in Alberta has amassed more than 41,000 signatures as of writing, pointing to Trump’s convicted felon status. “Trump is a convicted felon who is threatening Canada’s Sovereignty. He has also stressed that border security along the Canadian border is a priority for him, and we agree. We can’t allow convicted felons from other countries across our border,” the petition stated. “Under Canadian law, convicted felons are inadmissible to Canada. There are exceptions, but we do not feel that Donald Trump fulfills these requirements. He is not rehabilitated, he has not received a pardon and he poses a serious risk to Canada.  Also, let’s be honest, we just don’t want him here,” it added. You might also like: - G7 Summit with Trump bringing some serious closures for parts of Alberta - Alberta leads new poll in support of Canada becoming a US state - Two Alberta cities considered to be hardest hit by U.S. tariffs on Canada The idea even made it to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week, but he quickly shot it down, calling the proposition “facile” after it was floated by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh. Alberta last held the meeting in June 2002, when Prime Minister Jean Chretien welcomed G8 world leaders to Kananaskis, including U.S. President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Donald Trump visited Canada just once during his first presidency, spending time in La Malbaie, Quebec, during the 44th G7 summit.  Are you on board with Canada denying Donald Trump a chance to join other world leaders when the G7 summit is held in Alberta this summer? Let us know in the comments below. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/donald-trump-g7-alberta-petition Wed, 05 Mar 2025 18:58:33 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/google-removing-state-parks-labels-canada Megan Devlin Google is working to update labels on Canadian provincial parks to more accurately reflect what they are after the company’s current “State Park” labels sparked concern this week. Some Canadians were worried the state park descriptors on provincial parks were changed following U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments that he wanted to make Canada the 51st state. However, Google says, in most cases, the inaccurate labels have been there for years. “We have not made any recent changes to the way we label parks in Canada – the vast majority of these parks have had their existing labels for several years. We’re actively working to update labels for parks in Canada to avoid confusion.” Google Maps recently changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico, adding (Gulf of America) behind it in response to the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) update at Trump’s request.   Some Canadians who noticed provincial parks labelled state parks emailed Daily Hive to share their disapproval. “This is incorrect and it is also very disrespectful,” Daily Hive reader Sonia Picco said. “[We should] start a movement to bombard Google to stop messing with the facts.” BC Parks even got involved. The provincial agency reached out to Google to request the parks’ labels be changed from state park to provincial park. “We understand the concerns this has raised in the context of recent events – and let’s be clear, we will never be the 51st state,” B.C.’s minister of environment and parks, Tamara Davidson, told Daily Hive. You might also like: - 'State Park' Google Maps label on provincial parks has some Canadians worried - Trump to 'go forward' with tariffs on Canada next week - Opinion: How slumping Canadian pride rebounded due to Trump's shenanigans https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/google-removing-state-parks-labels-canada Tue, 25 Feb 2025 17:19:22 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/amtrak-cascades-service-improvements-targets Kenneth Chan Legislators in Washington state are seeking to drastically improve Amtrak Cascades over the coming decade by enhancing inter-city passenger rail service’s capacity, frequency, reliability, speed, and travel time. The Intercity Passenger Rail Improvement Priorities, referred to as House Bill 1837, would require the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to meet various new service level and performance targets by 2035. Key to the new bill’s proposed targets, WSDOT would work towards increasing the number of roundtrip Amtrak Cascades trains. You might also like: - Record-breaking year for Amtrak Cascades ridership between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland - This is the design of Amtrak Cascades' brand new trains linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland (RENDERINGS) - Washington state proposes $150 million for Vancouver-Seattle high-speed rail planning - Cascadia mega-region should build hub cities for smart growth: report - Government of Canada announces high-speed train between Toronto and Quebec City The route segment between Vancouver and Seattle would see at least five roundtrips daily — up from the current two roundtrips per day. Between Seattle and Portland, the number of roundtrips would rise from the current six to 14. As for travel times, the target is to achieve lower travel times of two hours 45 minutes each way between Vancouver and Seattle — down from the current four hours 30 minutes each way. Between Seattle and Portland, travel times would drop from the current three hours 30 minutes each way to two hours 30 minutes each way. Moreover, the minimum on-time performance rate would be elevated to 88 per cent. Currently, Amtrak Cascades’ on-time performance is very low; for the period between January and October 2024, only 48 per cent of all trains arrived at their final destination within 10 minutes of their scheduled time. These new targets follow an all-time, record-breaking year for Amtrak Cascades ridership, with WSDOT recently sharing with Daily Hive Urbanized that the service saw about 985,000 passengers in 2024 — up from 746,000 in 2023, 824,000 in 2019, and 781,000 in 2014. The bill is not directly attached to any new funding to achieve these targeted metrics, but it calls for coordination with the U.S. federal government, stakeholders, and other partners. As well, WSDOT would be required to provide annual updates to the Washington state legislature on its progress toward reaching the targets. This includes improvements to the railway corridor used by Amtrak Cascades within British Columbia, funded by Canadian authorities. In January 2025, WSDOT told Daily Hive Urbanized that Pacific Central Station — the northernmost terminus of Amtrak Cascades, on the edge of downtown Vancouver — is in need of station platform upgrades to handle the brand new fleet of trains for Amtrak Cascades, arriving in 2026. Without the platform improvements, Amtrak Cascades cannot make any additional daily trips between Seattle and Vancouver, and optimize the use of Amtrak Cascades’ eight new Amtrak Airo trains — a variation of the Siemens Venture trains — and two new locomotives. Currently, other upgrades are underway to the customs facility at Pacific Central Station. When complete in Spring 2025, the new pre-clearance customs facility will eliminate Amtrak Casscades’ train stop for southbound trips across the Canada/U.S.-border for secondary international border inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers. WSDOT anticipates this border stop — involving officers boarding the train in Blaine to re-inspect passengers — will be eliminated starting later in Spring 2025, reducing the southbound travel time by 10 minutes. Moreover, WSDOT has suggested a need to improve the railway corridor north of the Canada-U.S. border, in order to achieve better travel times and reliability. This would be reciprocal to the various railway corridor upgrades led by WSDOT south of the border, with more planned over the coming years. Concurrently, the Washington state government is also leading efforts to plan a future high-speed rail service connecting Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland, which would replace the Amtrak Cascades service. In late 2024, WSDOT secured $50 million in the final days of then-U.S. President Joe Biden’s public transit-friendly administration — an enthusiasm not shared by his successor, U.S. President Donald Trump. A high-speed rail service is likely decades away, and its projected cost — likely in the tens of billions of dollars — remains completely unfunded. This makes incremental yet impactful upgrades to the Amtrak Cascades service a more practical and cost-effective alternative for the foreseeable future. Previous preliminary studies for overhauling the Amtrak Cascades route into high-speed rail estimated ridership could reach 2.1 million per year upon opening. Using conventional train technology, much slower speeds, and low frequencies, the existing Amtrak Cascades service already approached nearly half of that high-speed rail ridership in 2023. You might also like: - Record-breaking year for Amtrak Cascades ridership between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland - This is the design of Amtrak Cascades' brand new trains linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland (RENDERINGS) - Washington state proposes $150 million for Vancouver-Seattle high-speed rail planning - Cascadia mega-region should build hub cities for smart growth: report - Government of Canada announces high-speed train between Toronto and Quebec City https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/amtrak-cascades-service-improvements-targets Mon, 24 Feb 2025 23:00:35 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/state-park-google-maps-canadian-provincial-parks Megan Devlin Google Maps displays “State Park” as the description for some Canadian provincial parks, and it has some folks worried, given U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada. Cypress Provincial Park in West Vancouver and Joffre Lakes Provincial Park near Pemberton both display “State Park” when searched on Google Maps. That’s not the case for all B.C. provincial parks. Some are simply described as “Park.” Parks in Alberta and Quebec have the State Park descriptor, too. “This is incorrect and it is also very disrespectful,” Daily Hive reader Sonia Picco said. “[We should] start a movement to bombard Google to stop messing with the facts.” Relations between Canada and the US are tense right now after US President Donald Trump took office. He’s threatened to implement heavy tariffs on goods travelling from Canada to the U.S. Trump also said Canada should become the 51st State, and it’s got people wondering how serious he could be. After Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Google began displaying Gulf of America in brackets. While some concerned Canadians are worried State Park could hint at Google legitimizing Trump’s desire to make Canada join the U.S., others believe the State Park labels could be a bug that is just gaining attention now as tensions rise. “I was mad when I saw it too but I checked and other countries that have provincial parks such as Belgium also display ‘state park’ in their title,” one person said on Reddit. “The bug is called ‘fascism,'” another replied. The Reddit users suggested that people should report the name errors to Google with the hope that Canada’s provincial park labels will be updated. BC PARKS GOES TO GOOGLE ABOUT PARK LABELLING ERROR Tamara Davidson, B.C.’s Minister of Environment and Parks, told Daily Hive that BC Parks is aware of recent concerns around the state park label on Google Business listings for provincial parks in the province. “Some users have reported that ‘provincial park’ is no longer an option and has been removed. We cannot validate that, and it is our understanding that the ‘state park’ label has always been the default setting of Google,” Davidson said. BC Parks has contacted Google Canada to request a unique label option of provincial park for the Canadian nature pots. “We understand the concerns this has raised in the context of recent events – and let’s be clear, we will never be the 51st state.” A Google spokesperson told Daily Hive that it hasn’t made any changes to park labels in response to Trump’s comments. “We have not made any recent changes to the way we label parks in Canada – the vast majority of these parks have had their existing labels for several years. We’re actively working to update labels for parks in Canada to avoid confusion.”   You might also like: - Trump orders tariffs to counter digital service taxes in Canada - Vancouver strip club makes sassy jab at Trump after Canada's 4 Nations victory - Bellingham residents are seeing a quieter downtown with fewer B.C. visitors https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/state-park-google-maps-canadian-provincial-parks Mon, 24 Feb 2025 20:54:42 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/canada-us-trump-tariffs-home-construction Kenneth Chan While the effects of US President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on a sweeping range of Canadian imports are widely discussed, their impact on Americans is often overlooked, especially by policymakers south of the border. According to the signed executive orders on Saturday, the new duties on Canadian goods entering the United States will be fully in force by Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Coordinated between the Canadian federal and provincial governments, Canada will retaliate with its own tariffs on select American goods starting on the same day, with an initial tariff on $30 billion worth of goods targeting orange juice, peanut butter, alcohol, coffee, appliances, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics, and pulp and paper. Later in February, a second phase of retaliatory tariffs on American goods worth $125 billion could be rolled out, such as on beef, pork, dairy products, certain fruits and vegetables, passenger vehicles, trucks and buses, and steel and aluminum products. You might also like: - BC government warns loss of 124,000 jobs, $69 billion in economic activity due to Trump tariffs - Trump tariffs may hit these certain jobs in Alberta hard - How your job and bills in Canada could be affected by Trump tariffs - Federal government prepping massive relief package for Canadians in case of Trump tariffs - Bellingham residents welcoming BC travellers amid economic tension In a letter addressed to Trump on Friday, just prior to the signing of the tariff executive orders, the US National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) warns the 25% tariffs on both Canada and the United States “will have the opposite effect” of Trump’s inauguration day executive order that “seeks to increase housing supply and affordability.” Due to the previous pandemic-induced impacts, home construction costs in the US have already soared by over 30% in recent years. The association states the tariffs will result in the further “slowing down [of] the domestic residential construction industry.” “Our sector relies heavily on a diverse and cost-efficient supply chain for building materials such as lumber, steel, gypsum, and aluminum,” reads the letter, noting that American builders rely on components produced abroad, with Canada and Mexico representing nearly 25% of US building materials imports. “Imposing additional tariffs on these imports will lead to higher material costs, which will ultimately be passed on to home buyers in the form of increased housing prices. Further supply chain disruptions from increased tariffs coupled with increased demand for materials could also hinder rebuilding efforts in areas affected by natural disasters, which you have pledged to help rebuild as quickly as possible,” continues the letter. In a news release on Friday that accompanies the letter, the NAHB also highlighted that over 70% of the imports of softwood lumber and gypsum (materials for drywall) — two essential materials for home construction — come from Canada and Mexico, respectively. The association has requested Trump to make a tariff exemption for critical construction materials. “Tariffs on lumber and other building materials increase the cost of construction and discourage new development, and consumers end up paying for the tariffs in the form of higher home prices,” said Carl Harris, chairman of NAHB, in a statement. “NAHB urges the administration to reconsider this action on tariffs and we will continue to work with policymakers to eliminate barriers that make housing more costly and prevent builders from boosting housing production.” Prior to the Trump’s blanket tariffs, there was already a longstanding dispute on softwood lumber between both countries, with the US hiking its tariff on Canadian softwood lumber from 8% to 14.4% in August 2024. Trump’s new 25% tariffs, combined with the existing 14.4% tariff on Canadian softwood lumber, could raise total duties on these specific products to nearly 40%. For decades, the US has accused the Canadian government of subsidizing its lumber industry, resulting in the import of lower-priced softwood lumber that unfairly puts American producers at a disadvantage. British Columbia is particularly affected, as its lumber products typically account for roughly a quarter of exported commodity value. “The Canada-US lumber trade is mutually beneficial. American demand exceeds domestic supply-requiring US builders to import about 30% of their lumber needs,” reads a statement by BC Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) on Saturday in reaction to Trump’s executive order. “Canadian producers fill most of this gap, ensuring a stable, predictable supply of quality lumber. Tariffs disrupt this essential supply chain, increasing building material costs, at a time when affordability is already a major concern for American families.” Canada’s share of the US lumber market is now smaller than it was when the Canada-US Softwood Lumber Agreement was signed in 2006. According to Fastmarket in 2024, US domestic softwood lumber production — especially in the US South — is surging in the backdrop of a recent wave of Canadian sawmill closures, particularly in BC, due to macroeconomic shifts in demand coupled with the previously targeted tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber imports. “The growing US share of the North American lumber market has been a secular trend driven ultimately by lower fiber costs in the rapidly growing US South but also accelerated by duties and managed trade for Canadian sawmills as well as the long-term consequences of the mountain pine beetle kill in British Columbia. This is a noteworthy development considering that historically, Canada has accounted for anywhere between a quarter to a third of US softwood lumber consumption,” reads the Fastmarket’s commodity report. In 2024, North America saw its sawmill capacity drop by 4%, with over 40% of these losses situated within BC. Some of the largest sawmill shutdowns in recent memory occurred in September 2024, when Canfor Corporation announced the closure of of its Plateau and Fort St. John operations due to “persistent challenge accessing economic fibre, ongoing financial losses, weak lumber markets, and increased US tariffs.” Both closures impacted about 500 employees in these small communities in northern BC, and removed 670 million board feet of annual production capacity. Additionally, West Fraser Timber Company, Western Forest Products, and Interfor Company have also suspended or shut down various operations in Western Canada. According to BCLTC, as of 2023, about 85% of BC’s softwood lumber production is exported to international markets, with about 65% of production exported to the US, almost 20% to overseas markets such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Indian, and 15% sold within Canada. Moreover, in recent years, BC lumber exports to China have dropped substantially from over four billion board feet annually just over a decade ago — a surge that was a part of Canada’s previous strategy to diversify its lumber exports beyond US markets — to about 650 million board feet in 2023. This decline is due to a combination of China’s weakened economy and housing sector, and political and economic tensions. In 2022, the logging industry contributed about $17 billion to BC’s provincial gross domestic product, and provided $6.5 billion in revenues for all three levels of government. The lumber industry in BC supports over 100,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs in BC, paying $9.1 billion in wages, salaries and benefits, according to BCLTC. Furthermore, the province’s lumber industry represents one-in-28 of all BC jobs and one-in-six manufacturing jobs. BC’s provincial government estimates as many as 124,000 jobs could be lost in the province over the coming years if the 25% blanket tariff runs through 2028 — the entire duration of the Trump presidency. The largest job declines would be experienced in the natural-resource sector export industries and associated manufacturing, as well as in the transportation and retail sectors. In contrast, the total number of COVID-19-related job losses by June 2020 — three months into the pandemic — was 235,000. To mitigate the major impacts of the tariffs on small communities in BC, especially those that are currently dependent on the natural resource-based industries, the provincial government announced on Saturday that it will fast-track the approval of $20 billion worth of private-sector projects, creating 6,000 jobs in remote and rural communities. You might also like: - BC government warns loss of 124,000 jobs, $69 billion in economic activity due to Trump tariffs - Trump tariffs may hit these certain jobs in Alberta hard - How your job and bills in Canada could be affected by Trump tariffs - Federal government prepping massive relief package for Canadians in case of Trump tariffs - Bellingham residents welcoming BC travellers amid economic tension https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-us-trump-tariffs-home-construction Sun, 02 Feb 2025 19:37:28 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/amtrak-cascades-vancouver-seattle-portland-ridership Kenneth Chan The Amtrak Cascades interregional passenger rail service, which links the Pacific Northwest, appears to be gaining new momentum, with record-breaking ridership and forthcoming service improvements. The passenger rail service runs between British Columbia, Washington state, and Oregon, linking the major cities of Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and smaller communities along the way. The entire route between Pacific Central Station near downtown Vancouver and Eugene, Oregon spans 752 km, with most trips between Vancouver and Portland requiring a transfer in Seattle. Currently, Amtrak Cascades operates two daily cross-border round-trip trains between Vancouver and Seattle with four trains, six daily roundtrip trains between Seattle and Portland with 12 trains, and two daily roundtrip trains between Portland and Eugene with four trains. Some trains travel direct between Vancouver and Portland. You might also like: - This is the design of Amtrak Cascades' brand new trains linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland (RENDERINGS) - Construction to begin on new $200 million Holdom Avenue road overpass above railway in Brentwood in Burnaby - CN Railway to build new 4-km-long freight railway through East Vancouver - From Brentwood to Burrard Inlet: All about the 3.2-km-long railway tunnel deep under Burnaby and its fake house - Washington State proposes $150 million for Vancouver-Seattle high-speed rail planning Following a prolonged pandemic shutdown, the Seattle-Portland segment of the service restarted in May 2021, while the Vancouver-Seattle segment resumed service in September 2022, with full pre-pandemic service levels returning in March 2023. Despite the initial pandemic impacts, ridership has not only quickly recovered, but it reached a new all-time record in 2024, continuing the pre-pandemic ridership growth trend. Janet Matkin, the railways spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), which funds and oversees Amtrak Cascades services in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation, told Daily Hive Urbanized that preliminary figures indicate the service achieved an all-time record-breaking total ridership of over 985,000 passengers in 2024. This is up from 746,000 passengers in 2023, 824,000 in 2019, 802,000 in 2018, 811,000 in 2017, 817,000 in 2016, 745,000 in 2015, and 781,000 in 2014. Furthermore, the Vancouver-Seattle segment saw its own record ridership in 2024, with 205,000 passengers using Amtrak Cascades at Pacific Central Station — up from 161,000 in 2023 and 169,000 in 2019. Pacific Central Station is the third busiest station after King Street Station in downtown Seattle and Portland Union Station in downtown Portland. A December 2024 report by WSDOT also noted that the addition of two more daily roundtrips for the Seattle-Portland segment contributed to the jump in ridership in 2024. Furthermore, trains for the segments between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland were often sold out in Summer 2024. The 2024 farebox recovery rate figures have yet to be made available, but the rate of fares covering operating costs for Amtrak Cascades in 2023 was 60% — the third highest in a decade, just behind 60.1% in 2016 and 63% in 2017. A small proportion of the 2024 ridership growth was also attributed to a new free fare program for youth ages 18 and younger. This free ride program first launched in May 2024 only applies for trips within Washington state. According to WSDOT, between May and late September 2024, over 15,000 young riders took advantage of this program, which is the first of its kind in the United States. US CUSTOMS SOUTHBOUND STOP AT THE BORDER TO BE ELIMINATED Construction began in January 2025 to modify the passenger inspection area shared by the Canada-US border agencies at Pacific Central Station, which is owned by VIA Rail. “We can confirm that construction is currently underway for the development of a pre-clearance Facility at Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station. This project is being executed by Amtrak, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the United States Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP),” a spokesperson for VIA Rail told Daily Hive Urbanized. Upon completion, this new pre-clearance facility will eliminate Amtrak Cascades’ train stop for southbound trips across the Canada-US border for secondary international border inspections by US Customs and Border Patrol officers. Currently, this involves officers boarding the train in Blaine to re-inspect passengers. It is anticipated this border stop elimination just south of Peace Arch will reduce the train travel time between Vancouver and Seattle by 10 minutes. Matkin notes they are targeting a Spring 2025 implementation of this new operating pattern without the train stoppage and secondary inspection, after the upgrades reach completion. Currently, during optimal conditions, the entire Amtrak Cascades train journey between Pacific Central Station and Eugene, Oregon, is about 10 hours and 30 minutes, including just over three hours for the segment between Vancouver and Seattle. PACIFIC CENTRAL STATION PLATFORM NEEDS UPGRADES FOR NEW AMTRAK TRAINS Currently, at its manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California, Siemens is building a brand new fleet of 83 Amtrak Airo train sets for various Amtrak services across the United States, with Amtrak Cascades set to be the very first service to receive the new trains. These new trains will replace most of Amtrak’s existing fleet across the US. The Amtrak Airo itself is a variation of the Siemens Venture trains in use on Brightline in Florida and VIA Rail in Eastern Canada. From this nationwide order, Amtrak Cascades will receive eight new Airo train sets and two new locomotives. These new trains offer increased capacity, drastically improved comfort and ergonomics, and a wide range of new and improved amenities, including new in-seat features, touchless washroom controls, and a new onboard cafe concept. Matkin told Daily Hive Urbanized the first completed Amtrak Airo train sets will be sent to the Northeast Corridor of the US later in 2025 for testing on railroad tracks owned by Amtrak, before being delivered to Seattle over a period of several months in 2026. The intent is to have some of these new trains operational on the Amtrak Cascades route in time for Vancouver and Seattle’s role as host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But she notes that the current platform used by Amtrak Cascades trains at Pacific Central Station is in need of major upgrades to accommodate the new Airo trains. This platform needs to be replaced with a wider, raised platform, she says. Without the upgrades, Amtrak Cascades services reaching Vancouver cannot see any further future improvements. “Ideally, this new platform would expand the customs security fencing and include a rain canopy, enhanced lighting, and better access for wheelchairs and passenger movement. Until such improvements are made, the station cannot accommodate any additional daily service between Vancouver and Seattle,” Matkin told Daily Hive Urbanized. The December 2024 report also noted that these platform upgrades require a Canadian funding source, as there are “US federal funding constraints for railroad-related capital projects in British Columbia.” In addition to funding the new Amtrak trains, the US federal government is also covering the US$300 million cost of upgrading Amtrak’s King Street Yard in Seattle to better handle the new fleet’s operations, maintenance, and storage requirements, including a new two-bay maintenance and inspection facility and a new service and cleaning bay. Construction began in December 2024 for a targeted completion and opening by late 2026. This Seattle train yard also handles the passenger trains of the Amtrak Coast Starlight (Seattle-Los Angeles service) and the Amtrak Empire Building (Seattle-Chicago) services, as well as Sound Transit’s Sounder commuter trains operating in the Seattle region. In addition to Amtrak Cascades, the trains of all three of these services are maintained by Amtrak crews. RAILWAY CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED ON THE BC SIDE In recent years, WSDOT, the US federal government, and BNSF Railway have set aside over US$18 million toward making railway corridor improvements within Washington state to reduce the risk of landslides onto the railway used by Amtrak Cascades trains, freight trains, and local commuter trains. This includes constructing walls to stop debris from reaching the tracks, enhancing slope stability, making drainage improvements, and adding slide warning fences. According to WSDOT, no landslides have reached the tracks or disrupted service in the locations where work was completed. The last landslide that disrupted Amtrak Cascades services occurred on December 18, 2024 on the Canadian side of the route. A landslide covered the railway in South Surrey between White Rock and Crescent Beach. As a result, Amtrak Cascades and freight train services were suspended until December 20, 2024. Whenever a landslide reaches the tracks, BNSF Railway puts in place a 48-hour moratorium for passenger trains. Later in 2025, construction will begin on a US$100 million upgrade of the 1914-built Salmon Bay Bridge located just north of Seattle. This vertical-lift bridge crossing is used by both Amtrak Cascades and freight trains, with funding for the project provided by both the BNSF Railway and the US federal government. Additionally, about US$13 million, covered by WSDOT and the BNSF Railway, is being spent to replace several railroad switches and add switch heaters for the railway segment north and south of Seattle. The new switches will be easier and faster to maintain, reducing delays to passengers and freight trains, with the heaters eliminating the need to manually clear snow and ice off the switches. These improvements are expected to reach completion in 2028. Matkin told Daily Hive Urbanized that WSDOT is working with Amtrak and the various railway companies to identify the causes of delays and determine ways that they can be decreased or eliminated, including identifying chokepoints along the corridor where infrastructure improvements would improve the movement of trains, such as new double tracks or sidings. But she also notes that capital improvements on the railway within BC towards Pacific Central Station would also help. Currently, it takes over an hour to travel between Pacific Central Station and the Canada-US border, with the tracks on the north side of the border having a slow average speed of just 48 km/hr. The December 2024 report noted that discussions will begin in early 2025 between Amtrak, WSDOT, BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit, VIA Rail, BNSF Railway, Transport Canada, Canadian National Railway, and BC Business Council on exploring short-term and long-term railway upgrades within BC to improve Amtrak Cascades’ performance and potentially allow for future additional daily service serving Vancouver. This includes the Pacific Central Station platform upgrades, and other potential upgrades along the railway in Canada. Canadian National Railway has long-term plans to double-track the existing four-km-long single-track railway segment in East Vancouver from Powell Street (near the port’s Centerm container terminal) then through the Grandview Cut to Nanaimo Street. This would increase the capacity and reliability of freight trains, which would also benefit Amtrak Cascades’ final approach into Pacific Central Station in the False Creek Flats. In December 2024, construction began on a C$200 million project to build a new Holdom Avenue road overpass above the Burrard Inlet Line railway in Burnaby’s Brentwood area, replacing the existing at-grade road crossing to improve capacity, reliability, safety, and speeds. It will reach completion in 2027, and it is jointly funded by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Canadian National Railway, and the Canadian federal government. Other grade separation projects are also being considered along the corridor. In 2021, the Canadian federal government conducted a study exploring a long-term upgrade or replacement of the 1904-built New Westminster Bridge between New Westminster and Surrey. Owned by the federal government, this single-track, vertical-life bridge across the Fraser River is a growing congestion point for trains operated by Canadian National Railway, Southern Railway of British Columbia, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, BNSF Railway, VIA Rail, and Amtrak Cascades. The on-time performance of Amtrak Cascades is very low. For the period between January and October 2024, only 48% of all trains arrived at their final destination within 10 minutes of their scheduled time — well below the target of 88%. This was mainly due to delays from freight train and passenger train interference, and new speed restrictions imposed by Union Pacific, BNSF Railway, and Canadian National Railway. Over the long term, the Amtrak Cascades service could be replaced by a new high-speed rail service linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland. In December 2024, the US federal government provided WSDOT with US$50 million toward advancing planning work on this potential high-speed rail project. Previous preliminary studies for overhauling the Amtrak Cascades route into high-speed rail estimated ridership could reach 2.1 million per year upon opening. Using conventional train technology and much slower speeds, the existing Amtrak Cascades service is already approaching half of that ridership. You might also like: - This is the design of Amtrak Cascades' brand new trains linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland (RENDERINGS) - Construction to begin on new $200 million Holdom Avenue road overpass above railway in Brentwood in Burnaby - CN Railway to build new 4-km-long freight railway through East Vancouver - From Brentwood to Burrard Inlet: All about the 3.2-km-long railway tunnel deep under Burnaby and its fake house - Washington State proposes $150 million for Vancouver-Seattle high-speed rail planning https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/amtrak-cascades-vancouver-seattle-portland-ridership Tue, 28 Jan 2025 03:31:05 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/desjardins-rent-inflation-canada-report National Trending Staff As housing affordability continues to be a pain point for many Canadians, a new report highlights which parts of the country may see some relief when it comes to rent inflation over the next few years. According to economists from Desjardins, the number of renters in Canada has significantly increased as more people are being priced out of the housing market. Between 2018 and 2022, renter households in Canada increased by 16%. In comparison, homeowner households saw an increase of less than 1% over the same period. Desjardins notes that shelter costs will “continue to be the largest contributor to inflation for the foreseeable future” despite lower interest rates, as they comprise a significant portion of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Since 2007, the rented accommodation portion of the CPI has seen a steady increase. Conversely, the mortgage interest cost component has fallen over the past decade. While it may not come as a surprise, the Desjardins notes that rental rates have been increasing at a startling pace across Canada. In Q3 of 2024, inflation in the country hit 8.3%, the fastest it has grown since the early 1980s. This was also higher than the pace of owned housing price growth, which declined to 5.5% during the same period. However, experts are advising there may be some relief when it comes to rent inflation, depending on where you live in Canada. RENT INFLATION AND WHAT’S TO COME Provinces without rent control, like Alberta and New Brunswick, experienced the fastest growth in rented accommodation CPI  inflation. While BC and Ontario are the priciest housing markets in Canada, rent inflation was slower in these provinces even though it hit the highest rate in 40 years. As for cities, Desjardins highlights that rent inflation has been “red hot” in Calgary and Edmonton but has eased in Toronto and Vancouver. The report notes rent inflation will depend on several factors including population and employment but there is some good news on the horizon for some provinces and larger cities. BC and Ontario — two provinces which have seen an influx of non-permanent residents (NPRs) over the past two years — will likely see rent inflation rise at a slower pace compared to other places in Canada. Quebec is expected to see a higher rent inflation increase compared to Ontario due to that province’s rent control policies. As for Alberta, rent inflation is more cyclical and will likely ease more in Calgary and Edmonton compared to other large Canadian cities because that province has fewer NPRs and a lack of rent control guidelines. POPULATION COULD LEAD TO DIFFERENT SCENARIOS Although Canada has vowed to slow the pace of immigration, different scenarios could pan out, say Desjardins economists. If Canada’s population declines in line with the federal government’s planned reduction, this could result in an average annual rent inflation of 2.4% from Q3 2024 to the end of 2026. Desjardins also provided another outlook, where the number of non-permanent residents doesn’t decline as much, staying closer to the Bank of Canada’s (BoC) population forecast for the next three years. In this scenario, an annual average rent inflation of 3.8% would be expected over the next two years. The financial institution notes that while rent inflation is expected to ease, Canada’s housing market still faces “structural issues,” which could mean “short-lived” relief. The report concludes that longer-term solutions will require “substantial increases in housing supply and policy efforts to address affordability across both the rental and ownership sectors.” You might also like: - Canadian real estate website sees record-breaking traffic from US after Trump win - Asking rent drops in major Canadian cities for the first time since the pandemic - Jagmeet Singh vows to eliminate GST from essentials such as food, heating, and internet https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/desjardins-rent-inflation-canada-report Tue, 19 Nov 2024 14:05:08 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/move-to-canada-best-places-live National Trending Staff The results of the US federal election have caused many Americans to wonder if they should move to Canada. If living in Donald Trump’s America (again) sounds daunting, you may want to consider relocating to your northern neighbour. Aside from checking official immigration-based methods to migrate to Canada, you might find the following information useful. A report published in the summer put together the best places to live in Canada based on liveability factors. Re/Max partnered with Montreal-based data analytics firm Local Logic1 to determine the top neighbourhoods in major, growing real estate markets. “Liveability refers to the qualities that give each homeowner the true satisfaction of living in their neighbourhood, such as access to affordable homes, green space, restaurants, entertainment or other amenities,” Re/Max explained in the report published on Wednesday. “Liveability is largely related to lifestyle preferences and is entirely subjective.” The study considered all the factors Canadians deemed necessary in a liveable place, per a Leger survey. These include affordability, proximity to work, easily walkable, access to green spaces and parks, proximity to health or medical services, low-density neighbourhoods, proximity to public transit, easily driveable, proximity to preferred childcare/schools, access to bike lanes/walking paths, a neighbourhood with diverse cultures and ethnicities, and high-density neighbourhoods. Affordability was the top factor, with 44% of survey participants prioritizing it, followed by neighbourhood safety and walkability. “Cities in Prairie provinces, such as Alberta and Manitoba, overwhelmingly top the list, with some of the most liveable neighbourhoods in Canada,” real estate experts said. “Not surprisingly, the relative affordability of these regions is boosting their liveability ranking, combined with access to amenities.” Without further ado, these are the best places to live in Canada in no particular order. DOWNTOWN WEST END, CALGARY, ALBERTA >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Jason T. Tiongco, LPT (@tiongcojason) Calgary’s downtown west end has seen more foot traffic in recent years. The ease of getting to the city’s core makes it an ideal spot. Getting there via bike, car, or transit doesn’t take long. DANIEL MCINTYRE, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by West End BIZ (@westendbiz) Re/Max describes this western downtown Winnipeg neighbourhood as “relaxed and family-friendly,” with lots of single-family homes. The area is quite walkable, and access to schools and parks is easy, making it a dreamy location for parents with young kids. “Public transit is available via a number of nearby bus routes, and those who prefer driving enjoy easy highway access,” the report reads. OLIVER/WÎHKWÊNTÔWIN, EDMONTON, ALBERTA >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Jeff Szucsik (@jefrosonic) The name of this old Edmonton neighbourhood will soon change from Oliver to Wîhkwêntôwin, meaning “circle of friends.” It’s one of the more populated areas in the city, which likely contributes to its vibrant and welcoming vibe. There are tons of condo options for those who don’t want to live in a house. HERITAGE, REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Heritage Community Association (@heritage_comm) Heritage does justice to its name, with lots of history to take in. It’s located east of Downtown Regina. “Historic homes still line the streets, lending a distinct character,” experts at Re/Max said. “While the neighbourhood started to decline post-war, it is brimming with potential.” SANDY HILL, OTTAWA, ONTARIO >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by SerCo Realty Group (@sercorealtygroup) Close to the University of Ottawa, the Sandy Hill area is trendy and great for anyone who loves to go out. You can shop at Rideau Centre and take walks, and the public transit is “well-serviced,” according to Re/Max. The neighbourhood is just minutes from Parliament Hill, too. QUINPOOL AREA, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Quinpool Road (@quinpool_road) This neighbourhood has some significant landmarks, including the Atlantica Hotel and the Oxford Theatre. Re/Max said the area also has an eclectic mix of restaurants and more than 120 businesses. “While it’s primarily a commercial stretch, this neighbourhood connects the working-class North End and the wealthier South End of the city,” the report reads. WESTMOUNT, SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Krystle (@83kdub) In this inner-city neighbourhood close to the city core, you’ll see lots of single-family homes. “Many [of these homes were] built before 1960 that harken back to its early days as a homesteading community,” said experts at Re/Max. Now, decades after its homesteading prime, Westmount is an affordable, family-friendly area ideal for raising kids. There are more homeowners than renters. LE SUD-OUEST, MONTREAL, QUEBEC >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Arrondissement du Sud-Ouest (@lesudouest) Most of Montreal’s neighbourhoods have a historic European vibe, as does this one. Le Sud-Ouest is made up of many smaller communities with their own histories. “This trendy urban pocket comes with an affordable price tag and offers good walkability with easy access to everything downtown has to offer, alongside proximity to parks and recreational pursuits,” said Re/Max. “Historic architecture and industrial conversions pay homage to the neighbourhood’s past with a modern-day twist.” OLD TOWN, TORONTO, ONTARIO >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by The Best of Toronto ❤️ (@tbotoronto) From the famous Berczy Park dog fountain to the trendy St. Lawrence market patios, Old Toronto is a paradise for city folks. If you move to Canada from a city like New York, expect a similar charm. The Old Town area has landmarks like the Flatiron Building, St. James Cathedral, and the Distillery District. It is very walkable and has access to many public transit lines. “Given its central downtown location, the majority of homes here come in condo and apartment form,” reads the report. CORKTOWN, HAMILTON, ONTARIO >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Michelle M Schoufour (@oldontariohouses) A community-focused neighbourhood, Corktown is one of Hamilton’s most vibrant. Access to schools and nature is easy, with lots of walking and biking trails and “a blend of older and newer homes.” If you’re so inclined, check out this post about places that offer the best affordability and quality of life on the True North, or read this article about parts of Canada where you can still buy a lovely home for under $1 million. For those who love living by the water, last year, Vancouver was named the third-most famous city for US residents to search, tied with Singapore and eclipsed only by Amsterdam and Dubai. So, would you move to Canada? Email us at trending@dailyhive.com to share your thoughts. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/move-to-canada-best-places-live Thu, 07 Nov 2024 12:00:26 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/ctv-news-dismisses-staffers-pierre-poilievre National Trending Staff As the backlash continues, CTV News now says it has parted ways with two staffers over an altered clip of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. In a statement posted to X on Thursday, CTV National News says, “We sincerely and unreservedly apologize for the manner this report went to air and the false impression it created.” The news outlet went on to say that two staffers are “no longer members of the CTV News team” after an investigation found them responsible for altering a video clip, manipulating it for a particular story. “Their actions violate our editorial standards and are unacceptable. Those individuals are no longer members of the CTV News team.” > pic.twitter.com/7F0Hw0MnGK > > — CTV National News (@CTVNationalNews) September 26, 2024 The incident in question involves a clip of Poilievre speaking about the recent non-confidence motion he put forward against Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party. CTV said the clip “left viewers with the impression the Conservative non-confidence motion was to defeat the Liberals’ dental care program. In fact, the Conservatives have made it clear the motion is based on a long list of issues with the Liberal government, including the carbon tax.” Since Sunday, CTV has received significant backlash over the incident, including from top Tories like former leader Andrew Scheer, who took to X to say, “We can never believe anything they say.” > CTV News CAUGHT LYING FOR TRUDEAU! > > They were caught red-handed splicing a video to protect Justin Trudeau. > > Watch how they cut and paste separate sentences. > > We can never believe anything they say. pic.twitter.com/qFbJAincTw > > — Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) September 24, 2024 CTV News anchor Omar Sachedina also recited an apology on air on Monday night. > Wow! Just, wow! pic.twitter.com/D4uwkonxKF > > — Love My 7 Wood (@LoveMy7Wood) September 24, 2024 In its statement, CTV adds it is their “duty to provide accurate, fair, and balanced coverage of the issues that matter to Canadians, and to do so fully independently, is of the utmost importance to us.” You might also like: - CTV apologizes to Pierre Poilievre for airing clip that was "taken out of context" With files from Simran Singh https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/ctv-news-dismisses-staffers-pierre-poilievre Thu, 26 Sep 2024 22:58:31 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/tourist-canadian-travel-international-rankings Claire Fenton If you are thinking of travelling alone this year, a new ranking might help you narrow down your list to places where you won’t feel horrifically lonely. According to the travel website Kayak, Berlin, Germany, is the best place to travel internationally alone. But sitting pretty in second place is Canada’s own West Coast darling: Vancouver. According to Kayak, Berlin is perfect for a single trip because of its techno clubs, art scene, and history. In this eclectic and culturally diverse city, you can also enjoy the famous currywurst, döner kebab, and schnitzel. Now, back to us. While the ranking is part of their international list, for Canadians, this trip might not be all that far. Vancouver, British Columbia, received a 90% solo score thanks to its craft beer scene, nature, and adventure. According to Kayak, its average hotel prices didn’t deter people from rating this spot so highly, but at $347 per night, it’s nearly double what it would cost to stay solo in Berlin. However, food prices in the two cities are fairly similar, with both about $34 per average meal. We know a lot of cheap eats in the city where you could dine out for less. There are many things you can do alone in the city, so much so that we’ve rounded up seven of our solo adventures in Vancouver that are perfect for dating yourself. Other spots that made the rankings? Montréal, Paris, Milan, Dublin, Toronto, Dubai, and Mexico City. Where do you want to travel this year? Let us know in the comments below! https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/tourist-canadian-travel-international-rankings Sat, 07 Sep 2024 19:00:53 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/income-tax-worker-quebec-lottery-winner National Trending Staff Two lucky lottery winners now have $50 million reasons to celebrate. We are finally learning the names of Canada’s newest millionaires and what the couple plans to do with their jaw-dropping winnings in the Lotto 6/49 draw. We already knew that someone from Quebec had the winning numbers 76249451-01 and was blessed after the August 28 draw, in which the Gold Ball was finally drawn after nine tries. But one of the winners is already an expert on finances, as he works at Revenu Quebec, the provincial government tax agency. Mohamed Karim Mamlouk called his wife at work the day after the draw to tell her he had just checked his ticket, but Insaf Bach Werdiane was busy at her job and didn’t respond for ages. When he finally got through to her, she had trouble believing what she heard. “We just won $50 million!” Mamlouk told her. According to Loto-Québec, Mamlouk kept working that day and was even “entrusted with new responsibilities at work and had an excellent day.” He’s not planning on quitting his job and says he plans to “keep a similar lifestyle.” Plus, Loto-Québec confirmed that lottery wins are not taxable! The two weren’t the only big winners. Three players — one from Campbell River, BC, and two from Ontario — split the second prize, getting $101,904.60 each after matching five out of the six winning numbers, including the bonus. All forms of gambling, including the lottery, involve risk and outcomes are based on chance. Individuals are strongly advised to gamble responsibly. If you are experiencing any signs of gambling-related issues, you can find resources here. You might also like: - Mid-week wins: Canadian lottery player just woke up $50 million richer - BoC likely to cut interest rate tomorrow, drop it to 3.75% by year-end: expert - Ways Canadian students will get MORE money from the government this year https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/income-tax-worker-quebec-lottery-winner Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:07:05 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/ap-dhillon-gunshots-victoria National Trending Staff Canadian rapper and producer AP Dhillon has shared that he’s safe following gunshots and arson that reportedly happened at his Greater Victoria home. West Shore RCMP shared that they got a call to the 3300 block of Ravenwood Road in Colwood in the early hours of Monday for a report of gunshots and two vehicles on fire. “On arrival, police located two vehicles on fire and evidence that multiple shots had been fired at, and into, a residence. Occupants of the residence were evacuated by police, and Colwood fire extinguished the vehicle fires quickly, preventing further fire damage to the residence,” a release reads. Daily Hive contacted West Shore RCMP, who said they could not confirm the exact address or verify that the singer’s house was attacked. However, an update on Dhillon’s Instagram story hours after the incident, as well as several other news reports, confirm that the incident occurred at the singer’s residence. “I’m safe. My people are safe,” said Dhillon on Instagram. “Thank you to everyone who reached out to me. Your support means everything.” He also posted the following video of him singing with the caption, “Keep Spreading Love 🤎.” Well-wishers took to the comments to send thoughts and prayers. “God, LOVE to see your positive vibe after that sh*t happened,” one person said. “AP paaji, hum to dare hue hain aapki news dekhki (AP brother, we’re scared after seeing this news about you),” wrote another. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by AP DHILLON (@apdhillon) West Shore RCMP’s preliminary investigation suggests this was a targeted event, and there’s no reason to believe that the public is at further risk. Police have asked any motorists with vehicle cameras in the Veteran’s Memorial Parkway area from Sooke Road to Bear Mountain Parkway between midnight and 1:30 am on Monday to call them at 250-474-2264. Though nothing as such has been confirmed or hinted at by Canadian authorities, several Indian media reports suggest that an India-based outfit called the Lawrence-Bishnoi gang has allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack. “The gang also issued a threat to AP Dhillon, warning him to ‘stay within his limits’ or ‘face a dog’s death,'” reads a Times of India post. Three weeks ago, Dhillon released a music video for his song “Old Money,” featuring Bollywood star Salman Khan. The news outlet further reported that the alleged threats may have been in connection to Dhillon’s collab with Khan, whose apartment was attacked in Mumbai in April. Charges were laid against six of the same gang’s members. You might also like: - Canadian family still out $13,000 after WestJet strike left them stranded - Trudeau confronted by disgruntled worker while visiting a steel plant - September begins: Ways Canadians will get free money from the feds this fall https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/ap-dhillon-gunshots-victoria Tue, 03 Sep 2024 16:59:34 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/vessi-courtside-classic-waterproof-canada Sabrina Gamrot Sneaker shopping can be a seriously challenging task. We all want to make sure our kicks are stylish and make a statement — but we don’t want to compromise on comfort or suffer from wet socks and crushed sneaker dreams when the rain starts pouring. Well then, it’s good news that everyone’s favourite waterproof shoemaker Vessi has launched a brand-new product that ticks off all those boxes and more. The Vessi Courtside Classic is your new go-to shoe that fuses next-level features into a vintage-inspired design. Sounding too good to be true? Here are just a few reasons why the Courtside Classic is everything an everyday shoe should be — and why you’ll want to upgrade your old sneakers ASAP. WATERPROOF DESIGN No matter where you take your Courtside Classic shoes, rest assured your toes will stay nice and dry. Rain, puddles, or an accidental spill of your water bottle are no match for Vessi’s breathable knit Dyma-tex and 100% waterproof technology. And because the Courtside Classic features a rubber midsole and outsole for excellent traction, you won’t have to worry about slipping either. EASY MAINTENANCE AND CARE Luckily, the Courtside Classic’s clean and minimalist design is easy to care for. Vegan leather highlights protect your Vessis from dust and are super easy to clean — simply wipe the dirt away and keep it moving. Non-marking soles mean you won’t be leaving any mess behind either. INSPIRED BY THE ’90S It’s not just durable design features to talk about here. Vessi specifically crafted the Courtside Classic as a fresh take on ’90s sneakers, meshing vintage-inspired styles for a sleek and effortless look. Pops of subtle accent colours (in Black, Tidal, or Mahogany) add a bit of splash to your shoes while the classic off-white upper goes with every outfit in your closet. It’s a classic for a reason! ALL-DAY COMFORT Need a shoe that goes the distance with you all day? You’ll be able to stay on your feet with Courtside’s ultra-comfy features. The padded collar and tongue provide an extra layer of cushion, and the tongue is also gusseted, which allows for flexibility and a better-fitting shoe. FIND YOUR COURTSIDE CLASSIC Designed in Canada, Vessi’s waterproof shoes are perfect for whatever life throws at you. With expert design at the forefront, you can always count on a comfortable and dry experience. With the launch of the Courtside Classic, Vessi is once again proving that high-tech shoes can be cute and stylish, adding a pop of personality to your wardrobe. And with fall just around the corner, it couldn’t be a better time to upgrade your shoe game. Visit the Vessi site to learn more about their shoes and shop the Courtside Classic in-store or online for all adventures — big or small. https://dailyhive.com/seattle/vessi-courtside-classic-waterproof-canada Fri, 23 Aug 2024 17:27:34 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/canada-tallest-waterfall-british-columbia-hiking Ryan Hook Canada boasts some beautiful sights, but when it comes to awe-inspiring and picturesque natural wonders, this one is proudly the largest, and it’s a nature photographer’s dream. Nestled within British Columbia’s Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, Della Falls is the tallest waterfall in Canada and the 16th tallest in the world. It boasts an impressive vertical drop of 440 meters, twice the height of the Calgary Tower and only about 100 metres shorter than Toronto’s iconically tall CN Tower. But reaching it is no small feat. The journey requires a multi-day hike and canoe trip — the only way to access Della Falls is across Great Central Lake, which, at 294 m deep, is the second-deepest lake on Vancouver Island and is surrounded by mountainous terrain and rocks that date back to the Mesozoic area. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Molly (@hyperintelligentmolly) WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO THIS BC SPOT? The Della Falls Trail is best hiked between June and October, as it is usually snow-covered from late October or November until at least June and sometimes into July. The trail passes through rainforest, valley, and subalpine terrain, making it suitable for intermediate backpackers. Wilderness camping is permitted at designated back-country sites, and the hike typically takes three days, depending on fitness levels and route planning. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Rumon Carter (@_rumon) While Della Falls is the main attraction, the trail also features other beautiful waterfalls and, if time allows, a day trip to the stunning Love Lake is perfect for a refreshing swim and views of Mount Septimus and Mount Rosseau. If you’re looking for a perfect place to camp, the nearby Margaret Creek offers a scenic camping or lunch spot with clear, green waters and views from the BC Parks bridge or nearby bluffs. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Reza Var-zi-deh-kar (@reza.vee) THE HISTORY OF THIS NATURAL CANADIAN WONDER According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, Della Falls was discovered in 1899 by Joe Drinkwater, a prospector and trapper who mined gold in the area. He named the falls after his wife, Della, and even constructed an aerial tramway to transport ore and supplies along the steep cliffs. Remnants of this tramway, along with other mining debris, can still be found today. Drinkwater Creek, named after Drinkwater, is a constant presence on the Della Falls Trail, with hikers crossing it multiple times and hearing its flow at night. The hiking trail begins at the western end of Great Central Lake and follows Drinkwater Creek to the base of the biggest waterfall in Canada. Which spot placed second? Nestled near the Alberta border, the massive Takakkaw Falls is also within BC, and it comes highly recommended. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Ava Oliver (@avaandoliver0212) “Nothing captures the awe and wonder of Yoho National Park like the tremendous thunder of Takakkaw Falls. Plunging from above at a height of 380m (1246 ft ) with a 254m ( 833 ft ) freefall, Canada’s second highest waterfall leaves every visitor humbled,” the national park’s website reads in part. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Andrea Ference ↟ vagabondhearts (@andrea.ference) Humbled is right! https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-tallest-waterfall-british-columbia-hiking Sun, 18 Aug 2024 17:00:51 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/alex-trebek-canadian-mural-tribute National Trending Staff The legendary Canadian-American host of the hit TV game show Jeopardy!, Alex Trebek, passed away in the fall of 2020. He would have turned 84 today. Months after his death, the beloved TV veteran’s Ontario hometown honoured him with a retro-style mural that brings things full circle. Painted on the outside of Sudbury Secondary School in Sudbury, Ontario — the very school Trebek himself attended when he was young — artist Kevin Ledo chose to depict an old-school Trebek with a full head of dark curly hair and a thick moustache. “I choose to do a retro Alex Trebek, with a design pattern from the era, for a number of reasons,” Ledo wrote in an Instagram post. “1) It’s fun and playful to see the handsome local hero in his youth sporting his most excellent style. 2) It’s closer to the time when he lived in Sudbury. 3) I’ve been joking around about how it’s a mural depicting the origin story of his once-iconic moustache. 4) I love 70s design and finally found a perfect outlet for it.” >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Kevin Ledo (@kevinledo) Trebek passed away in November 2020 after a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer. After hosting Jeopardy! for more than three decades, he carried out his duties until the end. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Kevin Ledo (@kevinledo) Ledo found it challenging to complete the mural, which was painted as part of the Up Here art and music festival. “This mural wasn’t an easy one,” he wrote. “The brick was an insane challenge, and the 10 days of sun and heat were taxing. Nonetheless, I had a great time, and I’m very happy with the result.” The Trebek mural now serves as a fun, colourful reminder of the Canadian legend. A few years ago, just after Trebek announced that he had been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, a 1963 video of him started making the rounds. The black-and-white video, posted by Old Toronto Series on Facebook, showed a much younger Trebek hosting a trivia show, Reach for the Top, in Toronto between Leaside and Monarch Park High Schools. While he may look different and almost unrecognizable in the video, Trebek’s voice is unmistakable. And we all miss it. With files from Laura Hanrahan. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/alex-trebek-canadian-mural-tribute Mon, 22 Jul 2024 19:18:49 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/edey-drafted-2024 Adam Laskaris Zach Edey is heading to the NBA. The Memphis Grizzlies took the 7’4″ Toronto native at ninth overall in this year’s NBA Draft, jumping ahead of most mock draft selections throughout the year. Edey had one of the most impressive college careers ever during his four years at Purdue, winning back-to-back Naismith Player of the Year awards as the top player in college basketball. “I don’t even think I’m close to my ceiling,” he said at a pre-draft workout with the Toronto Raptors. “Still doing things in practice I’ve never done. Still trying to add things to my game that I’ve never done before. I don’t think I’m a finished player by any means.” Edey averaged 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game this season, leading Purdue to its first Final Four appearance since 1980. “In the season, it wasn’t a balance [between the draft and his college career], it was all about winning,” Edey added. “Now in the draft process, I’m going to focus on what teams might need to see from me… at Purdue, I was a post-up player, it’s not a secret. I like to play in the post, I like to get rebounds. But now that I’m preparing for the draft, I’m really working on extending my range, I’m feeling comfortable out there… doing different things.” Prior to his NCAA career, Edey played at Toronto’s Leaside High School before moving onto Florida’s IMG Academy prep school for the final two years of his high school career. Edey is expected to be in Toronto in the coming weeks for Canada’s Olympic basketball training camp, as one of 20 players vying for a roster spot. You might also like: - Ex-Raptors forward Anunoby staying with Knicks, skipping free agency https://dailyhive.com/calgary/edey-drafted-2024 Thu, 27 Jun 2024 01:06:41 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/cougars-canada-populations-attacks Ryan Hook Canada’s largest cat, the cougar, is known as one of the most mysterious and secretive animals in the world. As a result, it’s unlikely you will ever see one in the wild. However, there’s one spot that boasts the greatest chance of you encountering one of these predators, and that’s BC’s Vancouver Island, which reports the highest concentration of cougars on the planet. An estimated 4,000 cougars live in BC alone, and 600 to 800 live on Vancouver Island. The cougars that live on Vancouver Island are their own subspecies, the Puma concolor vancouverensis, which translates to the Vancouver Island cougar. They are a vital part of the wilderness and ecosystem. > Vancouver Island COS ear tagging a captured young cougar on the Gorge in Victoria. Thanks to @vicpdcanada, @VictoriaFire730 and VicAnimal Control for the combined work. Cougar was in good health and will be relocated back to the wilderness. pic.twitter.com/Iar9YTkPik > > — BC CO Service (@_BCCOS) April 27, 2019 But while we might be fearful of meeting these cats face-to-face, they really don’t want anything to do with us. Even researchers have struggled to learn much about them and their numbers because they are so elusive. What they do know is that despite a massive eradication effort in the 1960s, their numbers today are strong enough that they are not deemed to be at risk. “Cougar are abundant in western Canada, with established breeding populations confirmed in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. The presence of cougar has been confirmed in the Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Manitoba, which are not considered to be within the historical range of cougar,” The Government of Canada wrote in 2015 on its Puma concolor (Cougar) findings. > Patrol officers located a cougar in the Selkirk Waterfront area early this morning.https://t.co/2loGhiO0r4#yyj #CommunityUpdate pic.twitter.com/sVJAvpGTbh > > — Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) November 21, 2023 “This suggests that populations of the cougar in the west are expanding eastward and northward, possibly following the expansion of the deer population. Population size is difficult to estimate because of the elusive nature of the cougar. The current Canadian population is estimated to be between 7,000 and 10,000 individuals.” You might also like: - Cougar warning issued near popular tourist destination in Alberta Rockies - Child survives "extraordinarily rare" cougar attack in Washington - Menaces of the sky: Here's why even eagles hate crows (VIDEO) COUGAR ATTACKS IN BC According to the University of Victoria, in the past 100 years in BC, fatal cougar attacks have been exceedingly rare, with five recorded deaths, the majority happening on Vancouver Island. To compare, bees kill upwards of three Canadians every year, the Ministry of Environment says. “Meeting a cougar is the last thing people want when they’re out enjoying Vancouver Island’s wilderness trails, campgrounds and beaches. But as humans have claimed more of the wilderness for recreation, development and forestry, the chance of encountering these reclusive predators has increased,” the UVic website details in part. However, non-lethal attacks on humans are in the double digits, with the most likely to be hurt being those under 16 and the highest proportion of those attacks occurring on Vancouver Island. “Cougars seem to be attracted to children, possibly because their high-pitched voices, small size, and erratic movements make it difficult for cougars to identify them as human and not prey,” the Government of BC says. The highest number of attacks is reported in the late spring and summer when young cougars become independent from their mothers and roam widely in search of a new range without other cougars. A body of land cut off by water means they can only really go so far and often need to explore human-occupied territories. That also makes encountering a cougar while hiking on the island that much more likely, especially right now and particularly if you are in the southern third part of the region and in a rural area. HOW TO SURVIVE A COUGAR ATTACK It’s important to first remember you might be in cougar territory. “Cougar are stalk and ambush predators and will occupy a wide range of habitats where the vegetation and topography are favourable for this type of hunting,” the Canadian government states. In general, cougars are predators which feed largely on deer and small mammals — not humans. But to avoid cougar encounters or attacks, here are a few tips while you’re hiking and what to do if you encounter a cougar, according to WildSafeBC. WHILE HIKING: 1. Travel in groups and make noise to avoid surprising a cougar 2. Always keep children close to you 3. Carry bear spray 4. Be mindful of fresh tracks 5. Like bear cubs, if you stumble upon cougar kittens, leave the area immediately as the female will be close and defend her young 6. Keep pets leashed 7. Do not leave open food or food scraps on you WATCH: VANCOUVER ISLAND COUGAR STALKS MAN WHILE ON A HIKE IF YOU ENCOUNTER A COUGAR: 1. If you see a cougar in the distance, do not run or turn your back. 2. If the cougar appears to be unaware of your presence, gather children and pets in close, slowly and cautiously back away, and leave the area. 3. If a cougar is hissing and snarling or staring intently at you and tracking your movements, do not run, and do not play dead. Make yourself look big and speak loudly. 4. If the cougar makes contact, fight back and don’t give up. Use all means at your disposal. 5. It’s also critical not to feed any kind of wildlife to help prevent cougars and other predators from entering your neighbourhood. Have you ever had an encounter with a cougar? Let us know in the comments. You might also like: - Cougar warning issued near popular tourist destination in Alberta Rockies - Child survives "extraordinarily rare" cougar attack in Washington - Menaces of the sky: Here's why even eagles hate crows (VIDEO) https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/cougars-canada-populations-attacks Thu, 13 Jun 2024 17:17:52 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/collision-conference-web-summit-vancouver-relocation-2025 Kenneth Chan It is now confirmed that the massive annual Collision Conference, one of the world’s largest tech conferences, will be leaving Toronto for its new home of Vancouver in 2025. The announcement today comes just days ahead of the start of what will be the final Collision Conference in Toronto, which will take place from July 17 to 20, 2024. The inaugural conference in Vancouver will be held in May 2025, and it will be named “Web Summit Vancouver.” The precise dates will be announced at a later time. It is deemed to be North America’s fastest-growing tech conference, with over 40,000 attendees from more than 130 countries. The conference assembles high-profile individuals from around the world, bringing together thousands of international thought leaders in tech, unicorn founders, investors, startups, and media. You might also like: - Opinion: Collision, an annual tech conference with up to 40,000 attendees, could come to Vancouver — if it wants it - Cost of living one of the main glitches in growth for Vancouver tech scene - Inside one of Amazon's largest new Vancouver office buildings, now under new ownership - Industrial Light & Magic to relocate Vancouver studio to The Stack office tower “Vancouver is ready to welcome the world. We’re a young, energetic city full of opportunity,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim in a statement today. “Nowhere is that more obvious than in our thriving tech scene, where we’re advancing leading edge technology like virtual reality and augmented reality. Vancouver is attracting highly skilled people from around the world drawn here by our lifestyle, incredible natural surroundings, and the chance to be part of something exciting.” This follows a concerted effort by levels of government and the business and tourism community to woo event organizer Web Summit to keep the event in Canada, and choose Vancouver as the conference’s new permanent home. The effort was led by local tourism authority Destination Vancouver, in partnership with the federal government’s Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), the Government of British Columbia’s Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, the City of Vancouver, and local tech industry leaders, including the Frontier Collective. Web Summit is also behind other major tech conferences such as Web Summit Lisbon, Web Summit Rio de Janeiro, Web Summit Doha, Rise Hong Kong, and MoneyConf Dublin. The decision to move Collision Conference to Vancouver also comes as a big nod to the city’s tech industry, which has seen wildly exponential growth over the past decade to become one of BC’s largest economic sectors in terms of the number of jobs the industry supports, with many of these jobs being high paying. “We can’t wait to gather the tech world in Vancouver and take over the city next year. Last month I flew to Vancouver to check out the city and meet Mayor Ken Sim and Destination Vancouver. I was so blown away by its beauty and tech scene. It’s the perfect place to bring the tech world,” said Paddy Cosgrave, CEO of Web Summit. “Similar to Lisbon, Vancouver and British Columbia might seem like the underdogs at first, but the energy and drive to build on an already very fast-growing technology ecosystem blew me away.” Vancouver Convention Centre will play a central role for the event, and other major venues across Metro Vancouver are also expected to see prominent uses. Destination Vancouver estimates Web Summit Vancouver will produce substantial local economic spinoffs, with nearly $57 million in direct spending and over $93 million in overall economic impact for British Columbia in its first year. Throughout its life in Toronto, starting with the inaugural Toronto conference in 2019 and the event’s post-pandemic return in 2022 and 2023, the event had a cumulative three-year local economic impact of $189 million. This year’s final event in Toronto will feature over 800 speakers, 1,400 media, 1,000 investors, 2,000 exhibiting startups, 340 impact startups, and 300 partners from around the world. Beyond the direct tourism spending impact of the significant influx of visitors, the makeup of Web Summit Vancouver’s attendees will also carry the long-term impact of promoting BC’s tech industry centred in Vancouver, attracting direct foreign investment and venture capitalist investment in local companies, promoting international trade with Canada, and promoting Vancouver as a tourism destination. “We knew Vancouver was the right place for Web Summit,” said Royce Chwin, president and CEO of Destination Vancouver. “A transformational event of this calibre will continue to build our reputation as an exceptional host city and sharpen Vancouver’s global destination competitiveness.” It goes without saying that Web Summit Vancouver will be one of the largest conferences to be ever held in Vancouver, and the largest annual conference for the city. Web Summit Vancouver’s inaugural conference in 2025 adds to what will already be a major year for conferences and conventions in the city. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) will host its 2025 International Convention from July 3 to 6 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place Stadium. This will be AA’s first International Convention in a decade, as the 2020 convention in Detroit was cancelled due to the pandemic. The convention is held once every five years in a new destination, and about 50,000 attendees from around the world are expected for the first convention in a decade in Vancouver. Prior to Web Summit Vancouver, the largest tech-related conference hosted in the city was SIGGRAPH, which has been held four times at Vancouver Convention Centre — in 2011, 2014, 2018, and 2022. Previous SIGGRAPH events held in Vancouver saw up to 16,600 attendees. SIGGRAPH will be returning to Vancouver next year, from August 10 to 14, 2025. You might also like: - Opinion: Collision, an annual tech conference with up to 40,000 attendees, could come to Vancouver — if it wants it - Cost of living one of the main glitches in growth for Vancouver tech scene - Inside one of Amazon's largest new Vancouver office buildings, now under new ownership - Industrial Light & Magic to relocate Vancouver studio to The Stack office tower https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/collision-conference-web-summit-vancouver-relocation-2025 Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:45:17 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/cfia-data-underweight-food-item-complaints National Trending Staff If you’ve recently noticed some underweight items at the grocery store, new Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) data shows you’re not alone. Daily Hive asked the CFIA if it has received complaints about incorrect weight labelling at grocery stores, and it looks like many people are upset about suspiciously underweight food items. The agency said the manufacturer is responsible for meeting all applicable safety and labelling requirements for their foods, including declaring the net quantity when required. “This must be done in a manner that is not false, misleading, or likely to create an erroneous impression about the quantity of food in a package,” officials told us over email. “It is mandatory that the net quantity on the label accurately reflects the contents of the package and that the labelled weight does not include the packaging itself, so the net quantity must reflect only the net quantity of the food.” Data shared by the CFIA shows that between May 1, 2021, and April 30, 2022, the agency received only 22 net-quantity-related food complaints, and that number has dramatically risen. Between May 1, 2022, and April 30, 2023, there were 37 complaints. A year later, between May 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024, Canadians submitted 89 complaints. That’s just a little over four times the figure from two years. From May 1 to May 28 this year, the CFIA received eight complaints — a much higher monthly average than before. Remember that not everyone who spots an underweight item while grocery shopping reports it to the CFIA. Vancouverite Jacob MacLellan recently posted about his discovery on TikTok when he picked up a bag of No Name brand frozen vegetables sometime in the middle of May. “So I went to the grocery store yesterday, and I just picked up some frozen vegetables because I was like, ‘They’re cheaper, they’ll last a while,’” he began. “I picked it up, and I was like, ‘750 grams? This is not 750 grams.’” When this article was published, the video had amassed 735,000 views. > @jmaclellan Loblaws, count your days @CBC @Globalnews.ca #shrinkflation #canada #inflation ♬ original sound – jacob And MacLellan was right. He weighed the bag on a scale at home, and the display showed it was only 434 grams — about 42% less product than the bag claims it contains. “We are being screwed,” he said. “I think that Canada needs to engage with our French side sooner than later and introduce Galen Weston to something that I call cake,” he added, referencing Marie Antoinette’s alleged infamous words during the French Revolution. In August last year, another Canadian shared that he bought an underweight bag of onion rings at Loblaw-owned No Frills. > @tikytokytomy @No Frills #failed #nicetry food is to expensive already @ #fyi #canadiansnacks #canadianproblems #beaware ♬ original sound – TikTokTom “I have not tampered with this bag at all,” he states. “That is all you get. It says 200 grams. Let’s see,” he said before placing the bag on a kitchen scale. The display showed that the chips weighed a mere 132 grams—68 grams less than the stated weight on their packaging. In another incident, a customer purchased a 200-gram bag of chips weighing 115 grams. The national food agency said it takes these issues seriously and wants to know about products consumers think are labelled as misleading. “Consumers can report these to the CFIA through our food complaint or concern webpage. They can also contact the manufacturer or importer if they want more information about a particular product,” the agency advised. When a food complaint is submitted, the following steps are taken to determine its extent and nature and whether a potential health risk and/or contravention of legislation exists. 1. If there is reason to believe that food is unsafe or does not comply with federal food laws, the agency initiates a five-step process to investigate and determine if a food recall is necessary. 2. When assessing a product’s compliance, the agency reviews all information on food labels or in advertisements – including words, images, vignettes and logos – as they will contribute to the overall impression created by that product to determine whether a consumer would be misled. 3. When labelling non-compliance is identified, the agency informs the regulated party that they must make the required corrections. It also works with the industry to explain the labelling requirements to promote compliance. If non-compliance is found, appropriate action is taken, which may include: - Notifying the manufacturer or importer, - Requesting corrective actions - Conducting additional inspections - Doing further targeted sampling - Seizing products, and - Requesting food recalls Fines may also be imposed, and the public is always notified. Have you encountered an underweight food item while shopping for groceries as of late? If so, send us a tip at trending@dailyhive.com — we’re happy to investigate. You might also like: - Grocery hack: Canadian woman shares how she saves thousands of dollars on food - In May alone, Loblaw admitted to at least three "mistakes" after being called out by customers - Canadians say they’re starting to spot shrinkflation at Costco https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/cfia-data-underweight-food-item-complaints Sat, 01 Jun 2024 19:58:26 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/canada-border-rules-dogs-usa Claire Fenton After many travellers were surprised to learn the US is cracking down on its rules for pets coming into the country, we rounded up the rules for those hoping to bring their dog into Canada this summer in hopes of making the trip as seamless as possible! First, it’s key to remember that Canada and the US have different rules regarding animals, and your situation might just be an exemption to some of these rules. It’s always best to reach out or ask the border guard directly if you have a specific circumstance not mentioned below. If you aren’t following the rules, you risk being delayed, turned away, or forced to make other arrangements for your animal. Saying you didn’t know any better won’t land with the border guards! Even worse, if you get through the border and then it’s discovered you didn’t follow the rules, you could face a serious investigation, and the animal will usually be removed from the visiting country. A minor Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) fine will cost $500, and a serious one could be $1,300. That’s according to the Government of Canada’s Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which states that rules like these are in place “to avoid introducing animal diseases to protect its people, plants and animals.” Okay, now to the rules for US travellers into Canada by land border. IF THE DOG IS YOUR PERSONAL PET AND IT’S LESS THAN THREE MONTHS OLD When you arrive in Canada, you will need: - Proof of the dog’s age from a veterinarian - The dog appears healthy and meets humane transportation requirements - Proof you own the dog “A hard copy of all required original documentation may be requested during the inspection, and the importer must be able to provide such records if asked. As such, it is strongly recommended to travel with a physical original copy of all required documentation,” the website reads in part. Note: if your dog is younger than six months, the United States will not allow you to bring it back into the country afterwards, according to new rules starting in August. IF THE DOG IS YOUR PERSONAL PET AND IT’S OLDER THAN THREE MONTHS When you arrive at the border from the US, you will need: - A valid rabies vaccination certificate from a vet - The dog appears healthy and meets humane transportation requirements - Proof you own the dog Younger dogs aren’t required to be immunized for rabies because they are too young, but older dogs must have proof that they have received it from a licensed veterinarian, and it is valid for one year from the date of vaccination (dogs typically get a booster every year anyways). If the dog isn’t immunized, owners have to apply for an exemption, or they will be required to get their dog immunized within a specific period and present the documentation in person to a CFIA Health Office. IF YOU ARE BRINGING SOMEONE ELSE’S DOG TO CANADA TO SELL, FOSTER, ADOPT, ETC. Requirements include: - Knowing where the dog came from and having official documentation to back it up - You may need to book an inspection ahead of time - Depending on the age, it will need a rabies vaccine - The animal must be healthy and be inspected to determine no sign of abuse or neglect - Must be transported humanely - The dog might need a microchip if it’s a puppy “Canada does not require a microchip or tattoo identification for domestic dogs imported as personal pets or domestic cats. However, dogs under eight months of age imported under the commercial category (dogs for retail sale, breeding purposes, show or exhibition, scientific research, dogs in ‘special training status’, and dogs destined for adoption and/or animal welfare organization) must be identified by an electronic microchip,” the website states. IF YOUR DOG IS A SERVICE DOG Emotional support or therapy animals do not count under this category and instead would be classified as personal pets. - The dog must be certified and trained by an organization accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation or Assistance Dogs International - You must have proof that you are the owner of the dog and you are bringing the dog in yourself - It is exempt from the rabies vaccination requirements. IF THEY HAVE TO QUARANTINE YOUR DOG - You will have to pay each day the animal is in their care - Plus, if you have to have additional tests or experts from the CFIA to examine your dog, it will cost additional fees for that, plus the costs of medical services. It’s important to note that if you are an American crossing into Canada with your pet and then heading home after, the rules for re-entry will apply, and that will likely mean a microchip as of August 2024. WHY ALL THE STRESS ABOUT RABIES? “Dog rabies is a fatal disease of the central nervous system and is 99% fatal to animals and humans once they start to show signs or symptoms. That’s one of the reasons why it’s important to know what country the dogs are coming from before planning to bring them into Canada to prevent the introduction and spread of serious diseases like dog rabies,” the Government of Canada wrote online. Rabies kills some 59,000 people a year; however, in Canada, it is extremely rare, and cases even amongst wildlife populations are declining. The last human fatality from rabies was in 2019 when a 21-year-old man was bitten by a rabid bat on Vancouver Island. Since 1924, there have been 26 cases of rabies in the country, and all cases have been fatal, according to Health Canada. “Rabies is also known as hydrophobia because one of the symptoms is paralysis of the throat muscles leading to a fear of water. This viral encephalitis is spread by infected mammals. Dogs are responsible for most of the cases worldwide,” the BC Centre of Disease Control says. Fears of dogs bringing the lethal disease to the country have led to the ban on dogs from more than 100 countries into Canada since 2022, a move which many rescue organizations have spoken out against, claiming that the animals they have brought into Canada are healthy. Some also argue the dogs they can now no longer bring to loving homes for adoption are left in a state of neglect and inhumane conditions. Stateside, the expansion of current measures for public safety has led officials to announce that additional rules will be in place, but the government will apparently relax its ban on high-risk country imports. “CDC updated its dog and cat importation regulation in 2024 to protect the health and safety of people and animals and prevent the reintroduction of dog rabies to the United States. The updated regulation will help keep Americans and their pets safe. It addresses recent challenges seen with international dog importations, including the challenges posed by fraudulent documentation,” the United States rules read in part. To learn more, click here. You might also like: - Group calls on Canada to amend ban on rescue dogs from around the world - New US border rules soon to kick in for Canadians travelling with a dog - Getting gas in the US? Canada's border rules fuel confusion for some BC drivers https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-border-rules-dogs-usa Thu, 23 May 2024 18:19:54 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/pixar-fest-2024-disneyland-guide Kenneth Chan Excitement buzzes through the air, like a whirlwind of colourful balloons hovering high over Sleeping Beauty Castle, as Disneyland Resort in Anaheim welcomes back Pixar Fest with open arms and a new — yet familiar — sprinkle of magic. This is the second-ever Pixar Fest at Disneyland after the first iteration in 2018, and it comes just on the heels of the resort’s role last year as the global hub for the Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary celebrations. But this is far from being a mere carbon copy of the first Pixar Fest from six years ago. New characters, stories, and themes from Pixar Animation Studios’ latest original films — including Soul, Luca, Turning Red, and Elemental — are infused into the latest experiences while also retaining the whimsicality of Pixar-defining favourites like Toy Story. You might also like: - Canadian residents can now save big on their next Disney World trip - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Disney names new cruise ship launching in 2025 - The new Disney Wish: Inside the most magical cruise ship on Earth (PHOTOS) In some cases, Pixar classics have been given a whole new light — for example, there is now a giant human-sized talking Dug, the lovable golden retriever from Pixar’s Up, roaming around Disney California Adventure Park. “What we loved about the first round of Pixar Fest, we’ve built upon it, and I think made it even better and amazing for our guests,” said Megan Roth, a manager of event production and a spokesperson for Disneyland Resort, during a media preview attended by Daily Hive. Pixar Fest has a highly limited three-month run between late April and August 4, 2024 — right up until Disneyland Resort begins its annual spooky transition for the Halloween season. Here is a rundown of the Pixar-themed experiences from the second-ever Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort in Summer 2024: NEW CHARACTERS, CLUB PIXAR, AND PIXAR PALS PLAYTIME The aforementioned talking Dug from Up will perform meetings and greetings with fans at the Redrose Creek Challenge Trail at Disney California Adventure Park, where squirrels may, on occasion, distract his undivided attention from guests. “I think you might be surprised how you can now interact with Dug, so that’s something to really look out for when you find Dug and have that fun interaction,” said Tracy Halas, a creative director at Disney Live Entertainment. Halas adds other new character encounters include the dried-off human forms of Luca and Alberto from Luca, Ember and Wade from Elemental, as well as new supersuits for Mr. and Mrs. Incredible from The Incredibles. There are also two other live entertainment activations beyond the parade. This includes Club Pixar in the Hollywood Backlot of Disney California Adventure Park, with games and character encounters during the daytime, and a DJ dance party, live performances, photo opportunities, themed food, and crafted beverages for the backlot’s transformation after dark. The “Club Pixar” neon signs are hard to miss. Over at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park, there will be activations throughout the day with characters, along with what is described as a “high-energy show,” plus interactive games, photo opportunities, and other Pixar-themed activities. “The biggest challenge was that there were far too many things to work with. The biggest challenge was looking at all the plethora, the library of Pixar films and shorts that we have at our disposal. And which ones do we use? Which ones do we celebrate?” said Robert Trowbridge, a show director for Disney Live Entertainment. “How do you narrow it down? Because there are so many wonderful things to work with.” “BETTER TOGETHER” PIXAR PARADE The “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” roams through Disney California Adventure Park twice daily. It retains the spirit of the previous Pixar Play Parade and provides the fan-favourite parade with a major update. It features over two dozen Pixar characters, including the new additions of Red Panda Mei from Turning Red, Joe from Soul, and Luca and Alberto from Luca. These new additions are topped off with older characters and longtime favourites, including Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl from The Incredibles, Miguel from Coco, Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc., and Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. Of course, just like the Pixar hopping lamp introduction in the animated films, a float with the iconic Pixar lamp kicks off the parade procession. “We wanted to go into this parade with a message. And then messages from the stories that we helped bring to life, basically the truth about life is: friendship matters, and that friendship is a great thing. And then when we have friends, we are better together, right?” said Robert Trowbridge, a show director for Disney Live Entertainment. “We’ve learned from our Pixar pals that friends will accept us or help lift us up no matter what we’re going through, no matter what stages we are in life. And we love that message. And so better together at Pixar pals celebration is literally an invitation to celebrate friendship and beyond, right?” “TOGETHER FOREVER” FIREWORKS Pixar Fest’s fireworks show has also returned with some all-new sequences, continuing the show’s overarching theme of friendship overcoming adversity to forge everlasting bonds. “Together Forever — A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” combines fireworks, vivid, colourful projections, and other special lighting features with physical aerial set pieces and characters that streak across the sky, namely the flying balloon house from Up, along with Buzz Lightyear himself. > “Together Forever” Pixar Fireworks. #Disneyland 🏰 > > It is a big night in Anaheim as City Council has officially approved the massive #DisneylandForward expansion that will nearly double the size of theme park, entertainment, hotel, and retail uses.https://t.co/N6aGdh4FXD pic.twitter.com/OKlDyZSMkR > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) May 8, 2024 But like everything else in this second iteration of Pixar Fest, there have also been key updates to account for the latest animated films, including new scenes featuring characters and moments from Onward, Soul, Luca, Turning Red, and Elemental. “Originally, the idea was that we were just going to add the new characters to the old show. [But] … we really need to do something a little bit different. And we decided to sort of break the show apart in little ways and add in the new characters to our appropriate chapters,” said KC Wilkerson, the principal media designer at Disney Live Entertainment. “Because remember, Together Forever is a story. And it’s about meeting new friends. It’s about taking those friends and setting out on adventures. And it’s about overcoming adversity together. And that is what allows us to form everlasting bonds. So we wanted to choose moments from the newer films that really reflected the overall story that we were trying to tell.” Since 2018, when the original version of “Together Forever — A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” took to the skies over Disneyland Park, the projectors have undergone major technological upgrades, providing greater detail, clarity, and richer colours. Specifically for this updated version of the nighttime spectacular, special unique shells have been developed to add more variations to this second iteration of the show. When it comes to fireworks viewing locations at Disneyland Park, spectators may instinctively gravitate towards the main plaza, the area closest to the castle. But there are also other optimal fireworks viewing locations, namely Main Street, USA. Projections fully animate the buildings along Main Street, USA, to provide a framed view of the fireworks bursting over the castle and the backlot. Alternative fireworks viewing areas entail the Rivers of America, and It’s A Small World, where projections onto the facade feature “hidden Mickeys.” It should be noted that the nighttime spectacular only incorporates fireworks on select nights, with the show being a projection-only display for all other nights. However, according to Wilkerson, the fireworks are included for most nights through the end of Pixar Fest’s run on August 4. PIXAR-THEMED EATS Soul-inspired Earth Pass Cake with lemon cream cheese mousse with mango-passion fruit compote covered with candies and vanilla sauce? Luca-inspired Sea Monster Friends Parfait with mascarpone cheesecake and berry blue gelatin? Cars-inspired Racing Radial Cake chocolate cake filled with red cheesecake — completely shaped like a race car tire? And so on and so forth. “These are savoury, these are deserts, these are candy confections, these are beverages for both adults and kids. And there are novelties to help continue to tell the story in many different ways,” said John State, a chef and culinary director for Disneyland Resort. There are dozens of new limited-time food and beverage options found at 29 various locations scattered across both theme parks. BTW: There is also a different twist to the renowned DOLE Whip soft serve by having it used as the topping for the Pineapple Coconut Float. A PIXAR-THEMED HOTEL Just in time for the return of Pixar Fest, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel has been renamed and rebranded as the Pixar Place Hotel. As the name suggests, the renovated hotel fully immerses guests in the works of all things Pixar. The property is one of the three Disney-owned and operated hotels at Disneyland Resort. As an alternative to a visit to Disneyland Resort in California over the coming months, Canadians can also save 20% on the admission cost of five-day or longer theme park tickets at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. This Canadians-only deal with no blackout dates runs through September 28, 2024. You might also like: - Canadian residents can now save big on their next Disney World trip - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Disney names new cruise ship launching in 2025 - The new Disney Wish: Inside the most magical cruise ship on Earth (PHOTOS) https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/pixar-fest-2024-disneyland-guide Thu, 09 May 2024 21:15:36 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/cruise-ship-stabbing-fbi-investigation Claire Fenton A cruise ship worker has been arrested and charged in connection to a shocking attack at sea off the coast of Vancouver Island that injured five people, including a 75-year-old passenger, according to documents from the FBI. The worker, a South African national, was hired by Norwegian Cruise Line to work on the Norwegian Encore vessel. The affidavit from FBI agent Matthew B. Judy alleges that the man boarded the vessel in Seattle on Sunday en route to Alaska. The ship’s itinerary states that it would travel north, past British Columbia, to Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, before returning and stopping in Victoria and then back to Seattle on May 12. However, the document states that personnel caught the man that night trying to board a lifeboat while the ship was off the west coast of Vancouver Island, about 30 kilometres from Tofino. He’s been named as Ntando Sogoni in the documents. “Sogoni was contacted by ship security officers, who eventually escorted him to the shipboard medical center for an assessment. After he was brought to an examination room, Sogoni became irrational and attempted to leave. He physically attacked a security guard and a male nurse,” the document describes. He allegedly then ran into a medical room where a passenger was being treated and stabbed the woman in the arm, hands and face with a pair of scissors. She’s described as 75 years old, and her injuries were reportedly non-life-threatening. “Security guards intervened and Sogoni stabbed two guards with the scissors before they could subdue and detain him. One guard… a citizen of the Philippines, was stabbed in the head. The other guard…a citizen of Nepal, was stabbed in the back and shoulder,” the affidavit reads. The victims were treated for non-lethal injuries. He was held in the ship’s jail and then arrested in Juneau by the FBI. While the incident is detailed as having happened off Canada, the FBI agent says there is probable cause to believe the criminal act occurred “within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.” “Sogoni is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction in violation of 18 USC §113(a)(3). If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors,” a release from the United States Attorney’s Office reads in part. Daily Hive has contacted Norwegian Cruise Line for comment and will update this piece if that information becomes available. You might also like: - US couple out $3,500 over Alaska cruise ship cancellation in Vancouver - WestJet strike staved off after agreement reached with aircraft mechanics' union - "F**king joke": Ticketmaster crashes during Live Nation $25 concert sale https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/cruise-ship-stabbing-fbi-investigation Wed, 08 May 2024 18:48:32 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/alberta-cascadia-via-high-speed-rail Guest Author Written for Daily Hive Urbanized by David Hoff, who was a Western Canadian representative on the VIA Rail Board of Directors for a decade. He is the Canadian co-chair of the Cascadia Innovation Corridor Initiative’s Infrastructure Committee, a chair of the BC Business Coalition for Cascadia high-speed rail, and works for Ledcor. ---------------------------------------- As the Government of Alberta launches its C$9 million passenger rail study, they can learn much from Cascadia’s high-speed rail (HSR) proposal linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland, and VIA Rail’s passenger rail project upgrading Toronto, Ontario, and Montreal’s existing linkages. Alberta may appear to be “late to this party,” but it is actually ahead in a very significant way. Federal Crown corporation VIA Rail has been working on the possibility of HSR between Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal for decades. You might also like: - Alberta looking into passenger train lines to Banff and Jasper - US federal government announces funding for high-speed rail proposal linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland - Washington State approves $150 million to plan Vancouver-Seattle high-speed rail - High-speed rail connecting Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland worth the cost: report - Brightline launches higher-speed rail between Miami and Orlando (PHOTOS/VIDEOS) - Construction begins on high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles Canada’s federal government has contributed almost C$400 million to help the VIA Rail project move forward. Design and engineering proponents have been identified, and a shortlist of three international consortia will be providing concept proposals this summer. VIA Rail proposes to create a new passenger rail service that is safe, convenient, and economical, which can travel between downtown Toronto and downtown Montreal in under three hours, with some trains travelling through Ottawa. VIA Rail’s primary challenge is not design and engineering or the availability of engines and rolling stock. Nor is it financing, as many P3 models “pencil” for both the federal and Quebec governments (Ontario is not yet fully engaged), Canadian pension funds, and international investors. VIA Rail’s key challenge is to identify and create a suitable right of way between the urban centres. And although most people would like to have high-speed rail in Ontario and Quebec, not surprisingly, most citizens are not excited about having it in their own backyard. One practical decision that VIA Rail made a few years ago was to pursue high-frequency rail first and then potentially upgrade it to high-speed rail later on. HSR is considerably more expensive than HFR. And most HSR systems in Europe and Asia grew organically from the operation of successful HFR systems. VIA Rail believes Canada needs to “learn to walk before it can run.” On the West Coast, the Cascadia Innovation Corridor (CIC) initiative was launched by the Business Council of BC and Challenge Seattle about eight years ago, and it helped inject life into a proposed HSR rail project between Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The governments of Washington State and British Columbia have been steadily advancing the project and are now coordinating efforts to consider the characteristics of their type of service. The Washington State legislature has contributed most of the project development funding so far, recently putting US$25 million on the table, as well as a US$150 million credit facility to match potential US federal infrastructure funds. In December 2023, the project was officially named a “Corridor of Interest” by the US Federal Railway Administration. This allows the project to qualify for funding from the billions of dollars earmarked for intercity passenger rail projects within the Biden Inflation Reduction (Infrastructure) Act. Each of these projects is unique, but they do offer some lessons for Alberta to consider. First of all, this is the beginning of a long journey. Governments in Ottawa, Ontario, Quebec, BC, Washington State, and Oregon are developing these projects slowly and not jumping on the latest wiz-bang technologies, such as hyperloop or maglev. Secondly, these governments are not abandoning conventional transportation systems like public transit, highways, or airports as they consider their passenger rail options. HFR and HSR are best pursued as an evolution, not a revolution. And new passenger rail projects are successful when they integrate within broader economic, social, and environmental development plans. Thirdly, both of these projects are directly involving a large number of stakeholders. Both projects anticipate launching even wider consultations with civil society, from businesses to environmental groups and First Nations to unions. Finally, the proponents have not shied away from the fact that these will be large and expensive projects. The estimated capital expenditure budgets can make them seem beyond reach. But once you examine the alternatives, the projects are worth consideration. For example, the Washington State Department of Transportation has undertaken a number of studies on their I-5 and I-90 Interstate corridors, and the alternatives, such as state-wide highway expansions, are even more eye-popping in terms of cost. The reality is that Edmonton and Calgary and other Alberta cities will continue to grow. Traffic between the two main and secondary urban centres will increase. Vehicle congestion will continue to rise. Building wider highways helps, especially for trucks. But if Alberta’s provincial government could remove half of the cars from the Queen Elizabeth Expressway, it would save a lot of money on highway projects in the future. The final lesson is that the key defining factor for all of these mega projects is the right of way, which is clearly within the government’s responsibility. This is where Alberta has a lead. Decades ago, the provincial government began reserving and designating land for a utility corridor between Edmonton and Calgary. Just like they did for the province’s two impressive ring-road systems. Locating a right of way is the most difficult first step in the development of a new passenger system. Successive Alberta governments have done their part in keeping all options open for future provincial growth and development. Undertaking an Alberta-wide study of passenger rail options is the next logical step in the development of an even more advanced provincial transportation system that is safe, efficient, economical, and environmentally responsible. You might also like: - Alberta looking into passenger train lines to Banff and Jasper - US federal government announces funding for high-speed rail proposal linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland - Washington State approves $150 million to plan Vancouver-Seattle high-speed rail - High-speed rail connecting Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland worth the cost: report - Brightline launches higher-speed rail between Miami and Orlando (PHOTOS/VIDEOS) - Construction begins on high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/alberta-cascadia-via-high-speed-rail Fri, 03 May 2024 21:54:40 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/metro-vancouver-gas-prices-forecast-drop-spring Nikitha Martins The price at the pump reached a jaw-dropping high at some Metro Vancouver gas stations on Tuesday, and while we might be forced to pay it to fill up, we sure don’t like it. Prices as high as $2.18 per litre were spotted in Surrey as the price throughout the region this week wavers between $2.15 and $2.20. “Cheap” gas can be found in Abbotsford, but you’ll still be paying about $1.90 per litre, which isn’t exactly a deal compared to Alberta, where it’s currently about $1.30. We asked the experts why gas station prices have been so high lately and when we might see a downturn, and we’re happy to report there is some hope ahead for drivers. BC WEATHER IS A PRICE HIKE THIS TIME OF YEAR According to the experts at Kalibrate, an organization that analyzes petroleum and fuel prices, this is actually pretty typical this time of year and we will see it continue until about the end of June, apparently. In the spring, fuel prices typically rise as demand picks up with many already heading out on road trips or planning to for the upcoming May long weekend, Kalibrate experts told Daily Hive in a previous interview. Additionally, refineries are performing maintenance at this time of year, which impacts supply. And that supply is getting pricier. A spokesperson for Kalibrate added that in North America, refineries switch to “summer-blended fuel.” While it is a more expensive blend, it evaporates less quickly in warmer weather. It also depends on the market. “This spring, pump prices have also risen as crude oil prices have climbed since the start of the year,” Kalibrate added. “Increased geopolitical tensions abroad and ongoing crude oil production limits by OPEC+ have contributed to rising crude oil prices this year.” But while prices typically rise, Metro Vancouver didn’t see prices like this 10 years ago or even last year, when they were about $1.80 per litre of regular. Many point to the increase in taxes — including the carbon tax, which added an additional 3 cents per litre for gasoline — as the reason. However, the carbon tax isn’t the biggest chunk the government gets from your gas tank. If you fill up for $2 a litre, an estimated 64 cents of that goes to the government, and the TransLink tax is the highest. METRO VANCOUVER GAS TAX BREAKDOWN - CARBON TAX: 17.61¢ FOR GAS, 20.74¢ FOR DIESEL PER LITRE - TRANSLINK TAX: 18.50¢ PER LITRE - FEDERAL EXCISE TAX: 10¢ PER LITRE.  - B.C. TRANSPORTATION FINANCING AUTHORITY: 6.75¢ PER LITRE - BC GENERAL REVENUE: 1.75¢ PER LITRE.  - GST: 9.9 CENTS GOING TO WASHINGTON TO GET GAS INSTEAD? If you were planning to skip the BC tax and head to the States, it’s important to note that it’s not a tax-free ride either, even if it’s not nearly as high. “Compared to Washington, where total State and Federal taxes are $0.7122/gallon (US) according to the EIA. This equates to nearly 26 cents per litre in Canadian dollars.” If you are heading to Washington, the price will be cheaper, converting to $1.50 per litre at the Bellingham Costco location, for instance, but it’s still not as cheap as it was in March. You can find out which gas stations are closest to the border here. “Today’s national average is $3.65[/gallon], 12 cents more than a month ago and the same as a year ago,” an article on AAA’s website reads in part. Washington is actually one of the most expensive states to fill up in the US, alongside Oregon, Hawaii, and even Idaho. “Domestic gas demand is pretty pokey at the moment, which is often the case in the runup to Memorial Day and the traditional start of summer driving season,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “The recent national average price of $3.67 could be the peak until hurricane season is well underway. But as always, the wildcard will be the cost of oil, so stay tuned.” The Canadian Border Services Agency told Daily Hive in a previous interview that those who go to the States to get gasoline will not have to pay duty if they just fill up the tank; they still have to declare it or face a stiff penalty. Read more about the rules here. Metro Vancouverites can also make a day of it with our guide to free and inexpensive things to do in Bellingham. You might also like: - Harbour Air will offer direct flights to Butchart Gardens this summer - Buy-Low Foods in Kingsgate Mall is being replaced by a new store and people are not happy - "In Van I had sadness": Former BC residents share why they moved to Edmonton https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/metro-vancouver-gas-prices-forecast-drop-spring Tue, 30 Apr 2024 19:01:39 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/no-turn-away-biking-policy Beth Rochester Are you planning to visit Washington or Montana this year but don’t know if you’ll get a coveted camping spot when you travel from Canada to the States? With the fantastic national parks across the US, biking across the Canadian-American border is a great way to enjoy the scenery. Unfortunately, it can also make planning a little tricky. The Adventure Cycling Association is giving all bike enthusiasts tips on securing a place to sleep in the US after a long day’s ride. There’s a certain level of uncertainty with how far you’ll be able to bike, and things may not always go to plan. That makes trying to reserve a spot at a campsite especially difficult. But, according to the Adventure Cycling Association, it doesn’t have to be. The association highlighted that a number of state parks implement a no-turn-away policy that guarantees emergency camping space for “small groups of self-contained bicycle travellers who arrive at a full campground.” For bikers visiting one of the state parks with the policy, the association recommends bringing a hard copy to ensure they can grab one of the emergency spots. The full list of state parks with the no-turn-away policy can be found here. You might also like: - Hidden gem camping spot with dreamy Howe Sound view gets a revamp - Inside the 38,000 sq ft Decathlon Vancouver flagship store at Metrotown mall - New private campground in BC lets you camp with rescued animals https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/no-turn-away-biking-policy Sat, 27 Apr 2024 18:29:07 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/canada-soccer-targets-mens-national-team Adam Laskaris With ambitions of success at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Canada is shooting for the stars when it comes to the next head coach of their men’s national team. According to an article published today by Nizaar Kinsella in UK-based outlet The Standard, Canada Soccer has contacted a pair of former Premier League managers as part of their coaching search. As per Kinsella, Canada has come into contact with American coach Jesse Marsch and Norwegian coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who most recently coached with Leeds United and Manchester United, respectively. “Whether Marsch or Solskjaer would go for the opportunity at this stage is unclear,” Kinsella added. Solskjaer managed Manchester United from 2018-2021, finishing as the runner-up in the 2021 UEFA Europa League. Marsch, meanwhile, most recently coached for Leeds from 2022-23, with previous stops at a trio of clubs with the same owner: RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, and the New York Red Bulls. Canada is a co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which guarantees them an automatic spot in the tournament. Earlier this year, they also qualified for Copa America, taking place this summer across 14 American cities. The news comes on the heels of reports that both Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho rejected a shot at the position. Canada is currently coached by interim manager Mauro Biello, who took the job in August when John Herdman departed to take over Toronto FC. In an interview with CBC’s Players’ Own Voice host Anastasia Bucsis last December, Herdman admitted that the death of his sister was seriously affecting his mental health while in Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup — and that he wishes he’d stepped down from the job prior to the tournament. “I had just lost my sister to suicide, and it really, really hurt, and it was for a period of time. I’ve never been hurt like that,” Herdman told Bucsis. “I’d always been the fixer in my family, and I couldn’t fix it. So coming out with World Cup qualification, it was like the highest high, then down to the worst experience that I had in my life.” You might also like: - "Fire everyone": Fans upset at new Canada Soccer jersey designs https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-soccer-targets-mens-national-team Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:58:37 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/rats-driving-lessons-tiny-cars-bc-couple Claire Fenton It’s an ambitious undertaking, but a couple in BC is trying to change people’s perceptions of rats through an undeniably entertaining experiment. Shawn and Kendal are teaching their two pet rats to drive mini cars, and despite society’s long history and aversion to rodents, the public reaction has been overwhelmingly and surprisingly positive. “We hope people get an appreciation for how special rats are,” Shawn said. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Kuzko & Kronk (@emperorsofmischief) PUTTING THE IDEA IN DRIVE The rats, named Kronk and Kuzko, were adopted from an animal shelter in Vancouver. Shawn and Kendal, who call Squamish home, had wanted to bring a pet into their lives, but they didn’t initially want rats. They changed their minds, however, once they learned how smart the animals are. The rats are estimated to be about one year to a year and a half old. One of them has health issues and some lacerations hinting at their previous life, but otherwise, the pair’s past was a bit of a mystery. Regardless, Shawn and Kendal quickly became attached to their new pets. “They are so bright, so affectionate.” But, the couple wanted to “keep their little minds and bodies active.” So, after watching a documentary on a University of Richmond study that found rats had lowered stress levels after driving tiny cars, the idea of putting them behind the driver’s seat was born. “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t that be fun to do with our rats,'” Kendal said. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Kuzko & Kronk (@emperorsofmischief) The study also included plans for the cars’ design, which Kendal’s robot-building father, Ronnie, was able to copy in his workshop. “He’s awesome,” Kendal said about her dad. BUT HOW? The rats can steer the tiny cars with a left and a right pedal and move forward if they push the centre button. They practice for a few minutes each day and their owners want them to have as much autonomy as possible with the process. Plus, Shawn and Kendal are learning too. “Rats sense more with their noses, olfactory more than with their sights and vision, and so we’re using smells to help direct where the rats are to drive to. Right now, I’m putting a bag of cinnamon underneath just an orange pylon and we’re having the rats drive to the orange pylon. And once they hit the pylon, we’re giving them a treat,” Shawn explained about the evolving training process. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Kuzko & Kronk (@emperorsofmischief) “We just put a bell on top, so it’s a bit more like they also have something auditory now… So we’re trying to get as many senses involved in the training as we can to help make those associations stronger,” Shawn explained. But they won’t be taking the Sea to Sky Highway anytime soon, as their skills are still being developed. However, he did add that he wants them to take a “driving” test eventually. “What I’d love to do is just have it move further and further away from the cone so the rats dissociate me from the treat and associate the cone with it. Eventually, I’d love it if the rats could navigate a course of pylons through smell and sight to do like a driver’s ed course or something; I think long term, I would love to see that.” RAT LOVERS, REJOICE! A group of rats is called a mischief, which led to the name behind their Instagram account, @emperorsofmischief, which has gained a major following from all kinds of people. One of their videos has been viewed 2.6 million times, a reaction the pair did not see coming, especially since this is a hobby outside their day jobs. Plus, it seems to be well-received by many other rat fans who share that they also adore the rodents. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Kuzko & Kronk (@emperorsofmischief) IT’S A BUMPY ROAD, SOME DAYS While Shawn has an engineering mind, Kendal is a teacher by day, so the pair have a bit of a different approach to the rodents’ driving lessons. “Kendal is more patient than I am with the rats, I can get frustrated when Kronk just chooses to go forward rather than turning,” Shawn said. Kendal laughs, adding that she is more encouraging than Shawn about the rats taking frequent and long breaks. “They are just like little kids, they need to get their wiggles out before they can focus.” While the two pets are brothers in bond, they aren’t genetically linked and their personalities couldn’t be more different. “He’s the type of rat you’d typically encounter in a sewer,” Shawn said about Kronk, who is a brown rat and is a bit more feisty. When it comes to his driving abilities, he’s all about “little effort” and high reward and doesn’t have nearly as much patience as his pal, Kuzko. Kuzko is more of a stereotypical lab rat with his white appearance, and he’s definitely more mindful. “Kuzko is a little more cautious and kind of like takes his time to think about his actions, but he is very deliberate about them.” THE ROAD AHEAD For critics, Shawn encourages people to remember that rats are much more intelligent than society would have us believe. “A lot of rats could learn this with time,” he said, adding that while Kronk and Kuzko are special to them, they are really just regular rats. But for Kendal, they definitely have elevated Kronk and Kuzko’s lifestyle. She likes to shop and spoil them with treats and other items, but the costs are generally low. “I’d say about $50 per month,” Shawn said. “They really are like little dogs. They give you a lot of love,” she said but added that it’s important that people do their research and treat their pets with care. “We found they really are as much work as a dog to have them healthy and happy and bonded,” Kendal added. You might also like: - "They suck at driving": Bellingham folks respond to Vancouver visitors - A human skeleton?! Canadian junk removers reveal the creepiest items they've ever found - Vintage luxury car lifted into Vancouver's Butterfly building https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/rats-driving-lessons-tiny-cars-bc-couple Wed, 24 Apr 2024 22:02:10 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/brightline-west-high-speed-rail-las-vegas-los-angeles-2 Kenneth Chan In just four years from now, if all goes as planned, there could be a new high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and the outskirts of the Los Angeles region in Southern California. On Monday, construction officially began on Brightline West’s high-speed passenger rail service — a private sector-led project that will be the first true high-speed rail line in North America, reaching speeds of up to 322 km/hr (200 mph). “People have been dreaming of high-speed rail in America for decades — and now, with billions of dollars of support made possible by President Biden’s historic infrastructure law, it’s finally happening,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “Partnering with state leaders and Brightline West, we’re writing a new chapter in our country’s transportation story that includes thousands of union jobs, new connections to better economic opportunity, less congestion on the roads, and less pollution in the air.” You might also like: - US federal government announces funding for high-speed rail proposal linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland - "Let's do it": Congressman wants high-speed rail network to connect US and Canada - Brightline launches higher-speed rail between Miami and Orlando (PHOTOS/VIDEOS) - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim This will be a 351-km (218-mile) route along the median of the Interstate 15 (I-15) freeway, with a total of four stations, and a total end-to-end travel time of two hours and 10 minutes. This is roughly half the typical driving time. The Las Vegas terminus station will be located on a 110-acre site near The Strip, immediately adjacent to Las Vegas Premium Outlets South Mall. The Las Vegas station building will span about 80,000 sq ft, plus ample vehicle parking. Along the way, Brightline West will also have a station at Victor Valley — the potential future hub for connecting to the High Desert Corridor and California High-Speed Rail systems — and a station at Hesperia Station, which will mainly serve as a local rail service into Greater Los Angeles. The terminus station closest to Los Angeles in Southern California will be Rancho Cucamonga, which is immediately adjacent to the existing Metrolink commuter rail station. For the remaining journey to Los Angeles, passengers can take a Metrolink train from Rancho Cucamonga. The combined BrightLine West and Metrolink trips will take about three hours. It is anticipated Brightline West will reach completion and open in 2028, potentially just in time for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics. Meanwhile, the first segment of the much-delayed California High-Speed Rail — a project funded and spearheaded by the state government of California — is not expected to begin service until the early 2030s. Unlike Brightline’s interregional rail service in Florida, which uses existing railways with grade crossings, Brightline West will have all-new, grade-separated tracks that will be specifically dedicated to its high-speed rail service. It will use 700,000 concrete rail ties, 2.2 million tons of ballast, and 63,000 tons of steel rail, along with the erection of 518 km (322 miles) of overhead electric lines to power the trains, and the construction of over 160 structures, including viaducts and bridges, and 3.4 million sq ft of retaining walls. As well, the project will provide over US$800 million (C$1.1 billion) in improvements for the I-15 freeway. Brightline carries a total project cost of US$12 billion (C$16.4 billion), with US$3 billion (C$4.1 billion) covered by Biden’s federal government under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, and the remaining US$9 billion (C$12.3 billion) from private financing, including US$3.5 billion (C$4.8 billion) in private activity bonds from the US Department of Transportation. “This is a historic project and a proud moment where we break ground on America’s first high-speed rail system and lay the foundation for a new industry,” said Wes Edens, founder of Brightline. “The blueprint we’ve created with Brightline will allow us to repeat this model in other city pairs around the country.” According to Brightline, there is immense market potential for Brightline West from the combination of the critical mass of the population and the volume of trips that take place along the corridor between Las Vegas and Southern California. About 17 million residents in Southern California are within relatively close driving distance to Brightline West station locations, and the corridor sees over 50 million vehicle trips per year. Furthermore, the new service aims to tap into the potential ridership demand from the critical mass of tourists near the Las Vegas station. It is anticipated that Brightline West will replace many trips that would otherwise be made by car or plane. Brightline launched its first interregional service in South Florida in 2018. This service saw a major northward extension in 2023 to reach Orlando International Airport in Central Florida, which creates a continuous route between Miami and Orlando, within relatively close proximity to Walt Disney World Resort. You might also like: - US federal government announces funding for high-speed rail proposal linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland - "Let's do it": Congressman wants high-speed rail network to connect US and Canada - Brightline launches higher-speed rail between Miami and Orlando (PHOTOS/VIDEOS) - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/brightline-west-high-speed-rail-las-vegas-los-angeles-2 Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:38:32 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/disneyland-forward-anaheim-expansion-approved Kenneth Chan Anaheim City Council made a historic decision very early Wednesday morning by unanimously approving a new master plan that enables a massive expansion of Disneyland Resort. After years of review, the Disneyland Forward master plan proposed by the Walt Disney Company will enable the resort to add new theme park, hotel, entertainment, and retail developments around the resort’s existing two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. The new master plan will almost double the permitted footprint for such a mix of uses, representing the largest expansion of the resort in decades. You might also like: - 10 big new things coming to Disney's theme parks and experiences - Canadian residents can now save big on their next Disney World trip - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Burns Bog nearly became a "Disney-like" theme park and film studio over 20 years ago - World-class surf park resort proposal for Squamish receives approval According to the City of Anaheim, City Council arrived at its decision yesterday after a 3.5-hour-long public hearing to hear from 84 public speakers, with 57 expressing support, 24 opposed, and three without a clear, strong opinion. This critical meeting began Tuesday evening and ended with the vote past midnight. A second vote scheduled for May 7, 2024, will be procedural to legalize the newly approved master plan. Disney will implement the new multibillion-dollar master plan over years and decades. This is a revision of the previous master plan created in the 1990s, which enabled the construction and opening of Disney California Adventure Park in 2001, replacing Disneyland’s massive surface parking lot. The Disneyland Forward master plan serves to do the same by replacing all of the resort area’s remaining surface vehicle parking lots. Existing condition: Future condition: The surface parking lots on the west side that surround the Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place Hotel (recently renovated and renamed from Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel) — on the westernmost end of Downtown Disney District — will be completely developed into a theme park expansion, with footbridges over a roadway directly linking this western theme park expansion with Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. The western theme park expansion is comparable to the entire size of Disney California Adventure Park. Existing condition: Future condition: To the southeast of Disney California Adventure Park, the massive Toy Story surface parking lot — also comparable to the entire size of Disney California Adventure Park — will be developed into theme park attractions alongside new hotel, shopping, dining, and entertainment uses. To replace the lost vehicle parking capacity from the development of the surface lots, the Disneyland Forward plan includes building a major new parkade to the east of the theme parks — replacing a large surface parking lot for cast members (staff). Disneyland Resort is already home to some of the world’s largest multi-storey parkades. The six-storey, 10,500-stall Mickey & Friends Garage, built in 1998, replaced the removed parking for the construction of Disney California Adventure, and the attached expansion, called Pixar Pals Garage, added another 6,500 stalls in 2019. Existing condition: Future condition: As part of Disney’s agreement with the City as a condition of Disneyland Forward’s approval, Disney is required to invest a minimum of US$1.9 billion in theme park, hotel, entertainment, shopping, and dining expansions over the next 10 years through 2034. Disney has yet to announce any specific plans, but it has hinted that there could be a new Avatar-themed attraction at this resort. Specific project announcements could be made at Disney’s D23 Expo fan convention in Anaheim in August 2024. During the Destination D23 fan convention at Walt Disney World Resort in September 2023, Josh D’Amaro, the chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, said the company will have more projects underway than at any point in its history, and they are planning to invest “billions of dollars” in their destinations around the world. This builds on Disney CEO Bob Iger’s subsequent announcement in October 2023 that the company’s new capital budget plan entails US$60 billion over the next 10 years to improve and expand its theme parks worldwide and increase the capacity of Disney Cruise Line. The company notes that it has over 1,000 acres of land at its theme parks worldwide for potential expansion into additional theme park attractions. Other conditions of the Disneyland Forward agreement include requiring Disney to provide US$30 million for building new affordable housing in Anaheim, $10 million for sewer upgrades, and US$8 million for Anaheim’s public parks. Disney will also pay US$40 million to buy Magic Way — a public street primarily serving the Disneyland Hotel and existing parkades. Depending on what is built, the municipal government anticipates it will see between US$15 million and US$244 million in additional tax revenue from the influx of additional visitors and new active uses replacing surface parking lots. “The City Council approved DisneylandForward because of what visitors mean to our city. Visitors account for more than half the revenue we use to serve our residents with police, fire, libraries, community services and to pay down city debt,” reads a statement by the City of Anaheim on the decision by its City Council. “Much of the plan will take surface parking lots that generate little city revenue today and turn them into theme park attractions, hotels and entertainment that bring expanded funding for services for our residents.” Last month, Disney also reached a settlement agreement in its legal dispute with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the future development and governance of Walt Disney World Resort after the governor disbanded the Disney-controlled regional district and created a new oversight district with government-appointed board members. Prior to the creation of the new oversight district, Disney was effectively a self-government for the Florida resort’s area spanning over 100 sq km. In a more recent update, last week, it was also announced Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris Resort will be renamed Disney Adventure World Park. It is currently undergoing a major expansion. You might also like: - 10 big new things coming to Disney's theme parks and experiences - Canadian residents can now save big on their next Disney World trip - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Burns Bog nearly became a "Disney-like" theme park and film studio over 20 years ago - World-class surf park resort proposal for Squamish receives approval https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/disneyland-forward-anaheim-expansion-approved Wed, 17 Apr 2024 19:08:10 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/office-property-real-estate-demand-artificial-intelligence-ai Kenneth Chan There could be more headwinds to the office real estate market due to the explosive growth in computing power through artificial intelligence (AI). According to a new report by Oxford Economics, the office market is the most exposed property sector in the United States to the impact of generative AI by 2032. While the analysis only examined the US market, the Canadian market tends to generally align with the trends of its neighbour to the south. Generative AI will assist or automate office workplace tasks, replacing the level of office labour typically required. Workers in the information, professional, scientific, and technical services sectors are most at risk of being displaced, and such sectors are typically office-using. More specifically, computer, mathematical, administrative support, and sales roles are also among the most exposed roles. Generative AI could displace over 9% of the US workforce by 2032, which represents 9.3% fewer work hours required to produce the same level of output compared to today. This could provide an added headwind to future office space demand unless office-using employment growth can increase enough to offset the losses due to AI and other factors. The office property market is most exposed with a generative AI exposure score of 18.5%, followed by 11.5% for life sciences properties, 8% for manufacturing properties, 7% for retail properties, 6.9% for healthcare properties, 6.5% for leisure properties, and 5.5% for education properties. Globally, the office market is already facing headwinds such as the enduring semi-remote work-at-home arrangements from the pandemic and working-age population declines. However, some office markets have been less impacted by semi-remote work, including select major Asian markets. Although there could be commercial real estate and employment impacts, the use of generative AI is expected to increase the productivity of the overall US workforce by over 10% over the next decade. You might also like: - Humanoid robots now being tested at an Amazon warehouse - Post-pandemic: The current state of Vancouver's office market - Downtown Vancouver office vacancy rate sees improvement - Office space vacancy continues to recover for Calgary, Edmonton markets - Opinion: Why we need to care about Metro Vancouver's industrial land shortage https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/office-property-real-estate-demand-artificial-intelligence-ai Wed, 27 Mar 2024 19:12:06 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/disney-destiny-cruise-ship Kenneth Chan There’s the Disney Wish, the upcoming Disney Treasure, and now, slightly further down the pipeline, is the Disney Destiny. Disney Cruise Line unveiled today the name of its third Wish-class cruise ship, the Disney Destiny, which is currently under construction at a shipyard in Germany, and scheduled to enter service in 2025. Disney Destiny will be Disney Cruise Line’s seventh vessel. You might also like: - The new Disney Wish: Inside the most magical cruise ship on Earth (PHOTOS) - First details on new Disney Treasure cruise ship revealed (RENDERINGS) - Disney Wish: This luxurious two-storey cruise ship stateroom is inside the funnel (PHOTOS) - Disney Wish: Inside the world's only "Star Wars" bar and lounge on the high seas (PHOTOS) - Disney acquires unfinished cruise ship for its new largest vessel (RENDERINGS) Today’s announcement also coincides with the Disney Destiny reaching the construction milestone of the keel laying ceremony. Disney Destiny will carry the theme of “Heroes and Villains,” inspired by the Walt Disney Company’s stories, characters, and theme park attractions. Passengers can expect onboard theme spaces, entertainment, and programming based on hit Walt Disney Animation films such as The Lion King, Hercules, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians. The theme is described as “the dynamic duality of every great Disney story when developing this new ship, where opposing forces of light and dark drive characters to rise to their purpose.” Like its sister ships of Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, the Disney Destiny will have a gross tonnage of about 144,000 gross tons, measure 1,119 ft for its length, 128 ft for its beam/width, and 221 ft for its height. Its capacity will be up to 4,000 passengers and up to about 1,555 crew. Disney Wish, the current newest vessel in the fleet, launched in Summer 2022, and it will be followed by the inaugural sailing of the Disney Treasure in December 2024. While the vessels carry extensive similarities, each Wish-themed vessel will also have a range of different dining, entertainment, and programming experiences. Two new Disney cruise ships will enter service in 2025, with the other vessel being the Disney Adventure, which will be the fleet’s eighth and largest vessel with a gross tonnage of 208,000 gross tons and a capacity for about 6,000 passengers and over 2,000 crew. Disney Adventure will exclusively serve the Asian market, with Singapore as its homeport. Disney Adventure was previously known as the Global Dream — a partially-built cruise ship owned by the now-defunct Genting Hong Kong cruise line, which went bankrupt in 2022. Disney acquired the vessel in early 2023. According to the Walt Disney Company’s latest financial report for the first quarter of the 2024 fiscal year, Disney Cruise Line continues to be a strong performer for the enterprise, continuing a trend of consecutive quarterly financial reports of strong cruise line performance. You might also like: - The new Disney Wish: Inside the most magical cruise ship on Earth (PHOTOS) - First details on new Disney Treasure cruise ship revealed (RENDERINGS) - Disney Wish: This luxurious two-storey cruise ship stateroom is inside the funnel (PHOTOS) - Disney Wish: Inside the world's only "Star Wars" bar and lounge on the high seas (PHOTOS) - Disney acquires unfinished cruise ship for its new largest vessel (RENDERINGS) https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/disney-destiny-cruise-ship Wed, 20 Mar 2024 18:13:50 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/canadian-train-trips-named-among-best-world DH Vancouver Staff Are you a fan of travelling by train? If so, you might want to choo-choo choose these spots for your next vacation, according to a new list which has ranked the greatest train trips in the world. The best part? Two of the top ten are in Canada. That’s according to InsureMyTrip, which broke down the favourites by the frequency of the trains, the number of national parks it passes through, and the beauty and effortlessness of the journey. Rocky Mountaineer and The Canadian were named for our homegrown offerings, alongside some incredible international trips which include views of the Alps. Speaking of jaw-dropping mountain views, the Rocky Mountaineer train takes you from beautiful Vancouver through the majestic Rockies and Banff National Park. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Rocky Mountaineer (@rockymountaineer) “Travel through the iconic Spiral Tunnels, traverse the Continental Divide, and be inspired as you wind through mountain passes and dramatic canyons. Experience the only passenger rail service on this historic rail route by Rocky Mountaineer, celebrated for connecting Canada from east to west,” the company’s website reads in part. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Rocky Mountaineer (@rockymountaineer) You could also head to Jasper, which is so stunning that it was the backdrop of a recent episode of The Bachelor. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Jasper, Canada (@tourismjasper) Meanwhile, The Canadian, offered by Via Rail, also offers an incredible escape. Train-loving passengers could take the route as far as Toronto for a five-day trip from Vancouver. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Via Rail The Canadian (@viarailthecanadian) “Leave the city centre behind and glide through gentle prairie fields, rugged lake country, and picturesque towns to the snowy peaks of the majestic Rockies,” Via Rail’s website reads in part. The Bernina Express and the Glacier Express in Switzerland ranked a bit higher than our Canadian offerings, but not by a lot. The trips take you through a UNESCO World Heritage site, capturing the incredible views no matter what time of year you go. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Karakayalar | Travel couple 👫 (@tripdeler) Also, in good company? The Napa Valley Wine Train, established in 1864, might be among the most delicious of the trips to make the list. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Napa Valley Wine Train (@winetrain) “Whether a daytime ride passing iconic vineyards or a romantic twilight dinner, our experiences deliver enchanting moments you’ll never forget. From McKinstry Street Station to St. Helena and back, enjoy a curated journey of gourmet delights and perfect pairings highlighting the very best of Napa Valley,” the website reads in part. Here’s the full list of InsureMyTrip‘s top train journeys. - Bernina Express – Switzerland - Glacier Express – Switzerland - Inca Rail – Peru - Napa Valley Wine Train – U.S. - Pacific Surfliner – U.S. - Rocky Mountaineer – Canada - Jacobite Steam Train – Scotland - The Canadian – Canada - The Ghan – Australia - Alaska Railroad – U.S. What do you think of this list? Let us know in the comments below. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canadian-train-trips-named-among-best-world Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:00:44 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/sound-transit-seattle-battery-electric-double-decker-buses-wireless-charging Kenneth Chan Conventional charging technology for battery-electric vehicles depends on wires, but Seattle is planning to dive into inductive wireless charging capabilities for its newest bus public transit fleet. It was announced last week that Sound Transit, one of the public transit authorities in Seattle, will extensively use inductive wireless charging technology for its new Stride Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. You might also like: - TransLink's first three Bus Rapid Transit routes could cost over $1 billion - $27 million upgrade for TransLink's trolley bus overhead wire network - Excess electricity from SkyTrain and trolley bus could be used to charge electric vehicles - TransLink to build new Vancouver bus depot for 300 electric-battery buses (RENDERINGS) A total of 48 new additional battery-electric buses will be equipped with inductive wireless charging, including 15 60-ft-long articulated buses and 33 double-decker buses from Alexander Dennis. British bus manufacturing firm Alexander Dennis, best known for its double-decker buses, is owned by Canadian bus manufacturer firm New Flyer Industries. The inductive wireless charging equipment will be provided by Pennsylvania-based InductEV, which enables on-route charging for the new BRT routes. The inductive wireless charging equipment will be embedded into the road pavement at bus stops. With this order, Seattle will be the first location in North America to deploy double-decker electric buses with inductive wireless charging. But Sound Transit will be the seventh public transit authority in Washington State to use InductEV’s patented wireless charging equipment. Currently, about 100 battery-electric buses across the state are using or scheduled to use the company’s charging technology. According to the company, its inductive wireless charging technology offers the benefits of reducing the land area at bus depot facilities that would otherwise be required for fixed wired charging equipment while providing high-powered wireless charging interoperability between double-decker and 60-ft-long articulated buses. “The inclusion of Alexander Dennis marks an exciting new chapter for InductEV,” said Brandon Anulewicz, Chief Revenue Officer for InductEV, in a statement. “Together, we’ll grow the company’s existing footprint and, by so doing, accelerate the benefits of wireless inductive charging technology in the commercial and municipal transport sectors.” The first three routes under Stride BRT will replace existing regional express bus routes and connect Link light rail transit (LRT) to communities north, east, and south of Lake Washington. The new frequent, faster services will run on dedicated bus lanes and benefit from transit priority improvements. All three BRT routes will launch in 2028/2029. In late April 2024, Sound Transit will open its second Link LRT line, the 2 Line or the East Link, which is 23 km long (14 miles) with 10 stations from Seattle’s International District to Judkins Park — across the I-90 bridge through downtown Bellevue — to Redmond Technology Station. The first segment of 2 Line opening this spring will be between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Station, and the remaining segments will open in 2025. You might also like: - TransLink's first three Bus Rapid Transit routes could cost over $1 billion - $27 million upgrade for TransLink's trolley bus overhead wire network - Excess electricity from SkyTrain and trolley bus could be used to charge electric vehicles - TransLink to build new Vancouver bus depot for 300 electric-battery buses (RENDERINGS) https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/sound-transit-seattle-battery-electric-double-decker-buses-wireless-charging Mon, 26 Feb 2024 22:36:48 GMT https://dailyhive.com/portland/blue-jays-ryu-south-korea-contract Adam Laskaris Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu appears to be returning home to South Korea — and he’ll be making a record-setting amount of money to do so. After spending four seasons in the major leagues with the Jays and six more with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ryu is set to sign with the Hanwha Eagles, as per Yonhap News Agency’s Jeeho Yoo. > Hanwha Eagles said they will announce their signing of free agent pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu on Wednesday (Korean time). He's expected to become the highest-paid player in #KBO. > Ryu first pitched for the Eagles from 2006 to 2012. Was MVP and Rookie of the Year in 2006. > > — Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) February 20, 2024 The deal for the 36-year-old left-handed starting pitcher is expected to be worth US$12.7 million over four years, the largest deal in Korean baseball history. > Looks like Hyun-Jin Ryu will sign for about $12.7 million over 4 years with the Hanwha Eagles in the #KBO. That's 17 billion Korean won. > That'd be the biggest contract in KBO history, both in AAV and total amount. > > — Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) February 20, 2024 Ryu had played for the Eagles from 2006 to 2012 before jumping to the MLB with the Dodgers. One of the most hotly anticipated free agent signings in Jays franchise history, Ryu’s tenure in Toronto was full of largely uncontrollable ups and downs. Signing a four-year, $80 million contract in December 2019, Ryu’s start with Toronto was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His first year in Toronto saw him finish third in American League Cy Young voting in the shortened season, putting up a 2.69 ERA and a 5-2 record in his 12 starts. He wasn’t able to be quite as dominant the following year but still maintained some level of consistency throughout the year, going 14-10 with a 4.37 ERA despite Toronto playing its home games in three different parks in Buffalo, Dunedin, and the Rogers Centre. But 2022 was a disastrous season for Ryu, suffering a Tommy John injury in early June that limited him to just 17 appearances over his final two years in Toronto. Expected to be the ace of Toronto’s rotation, Ryu appeared in just one playoff game for the franchise, an 8-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the Wild Card round in 2020. Overall, Ryu was 24-15 with an ERA of 3.97 and 269 strikeouts in 60 appearances for the Blue Jays. You might also like: - "Toronto treated me like a king": Kiermaier thrilled to be back with the Blue Jays https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/blue-jays-ryu-south-korea-contract Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:13:19 GMT