https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/ Latest articles from Daily Hive Vancouver en-us © 2026 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 06:36:40 GMT jsonfeed-to-rss 3.0.7 (https://github.com/bcomnes/jsonfeed-to-rss#readme) http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fifa-world-cup-2026-vancouver-city-atmosphere-photos Kenneth Chan The FIFA World Cup may be decided on the field of play, but much of what made the 2026 tournament so memorable in Vancouver unfolded far beyond the walls of BC Place Stadium. For 39 days, from June 11 to July 19, the energy spilled into Vancouver’s streets, public spaces, official festival zones and live match watch parties, and public transit hubs. Supporters of national teams marched through the streets of Mount Pleasant, Chinatown, and Gastown, followed the “Last Mile” pedestrian route to the stadium, packed FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver at the PNE fairgrounds in Hastings Park, and transformed five blocks of the Granville Entertainment District into an electric street celebration — the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone. You might also like: - After five unforgettable FIFA World Cup weeks, Downtown Vancouver's Granville Street Pedestrian Zone faces its next test - Mexico fans turn Granville Street into Vancouver's most euphoric FIFA World Cup party yet - How FIFA World Cup match days turn Pacific Boulevard into an outdoor extension of BC Place Stadium - How four technicians installed FIFA World Cup's giant 'Beautiful Dome' soccer ball in Vancouver - How TSN's stunning waterfront FIFA World Cup studio and viewing zone came together in Vancouver - Opinion: The 2026 FIFA World Cup belongs to 16 host cities, and Vancouver is turning its share into something much bigger - Opinion: Vancouver, enjoy the FIFA World Cup while it lasts — it's starting to feel like the 2010 Olympics - Opinion: Vancouver must build on its FIFA World Cup momentum - Opinion: FIFA World Cup was a reminder of BC Place Stadium's enduring and irreplaceable value These photographs taken by Daily Hive Urbanized and Offside do not show the goals, saves, or decisive moments inside BC Place Stadium. Instead, they capture what was happening around the tournament: the anticipation before kickoff, the crowds watching together, the volunteers helping move thousands of people through Downtown Vancouver, and the spontaneous celebrations that continued long after matches ended. From packed viewing areas at the brand new PNE amphitheatre to fans posing with Science World’s giant Trionda soccer ball and the FIFA World Cup three-dimensional logo installation at Creekside Park, the tournament became part of the city’s everyday surroundings. In the order the moments unfolded — from the opening day to the championship final celebrations — these 41 Daily Hive photos capture the crowds, colour, diversity, emotion, and collective energy that defined Vancouver’s experience of hosting the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup: You might also like: - After five unforgettable FIFA World Cup weeks, Downtown Vancouver's Granville Street Pedestrian Zone faces its next test - Mexico fans turn Granville Street into Vancouver's most euphoric FIFA World Cup party yet - How FIFA World Cup match days turn Pacific Boulevard into an outdoor extension of BC Place Stadium - How four technicians installed FIFA World Cup's giant 'Beautiful Dome' soccer ball in Vancouver - How TSN's stunning waterfront FIFA World Cup studio and viewing zone came together in Vancouver - Opinion: The 2026 FIFA World Cup belongs to 16 host cities, and Vancouver is turning its share into something much bigger - Opinion: Vancouver, enjoy the FIFA World Cup while it lasts — it's starting to feel like the 2010 Olympics - Opinion: Vancouver must build on its FIFA World Cup momentum - Opinion: FIFA World Cup was a reminder of BC Place Stadium's enduring and irreplaceable value https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fifa-world-cup-2026-vancouver-city-atmosphere-photos Tue, 21 Jul 2026 06:36:40 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/granville-street-pedestrian-zone-fifa-world-cup-vancouver-legacy-future Kenneth Chan After five weeks of unprecedented crowds and celebrations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Downtown Vancouver’s Granville Street Pedestrian Zone has entered its next — and potentially more consequential — phase. The temporary five-block-long pedestrian zone in the Granville Entertainment District (GED) will continue for another seven weeks beginning Monday, July 20, extending the vehicle-free configuration through Labour Day on Monday, Sept. 7. It was originally slated to end after July 19, when the tournament came to a full close from the championship final. However, the post-tournament version of the pedestrian zone will be notably different from the packed international festival environment that transformed Granville Street during the FIFA World Cup. Instead of attempting to reproduce the enormous crowds and late-night celebrations of the tournament, Downtown Van — the local business improvement association that spearheaded, funded, planned, installed, and operated the pedestrian zone — will shift the focus toward daytime entertainment, family-friendly activities, live music, some sports programming, and smaller events designed to give people new reasons to spend time downtown. The extension will also provide the first real-world test of how Granville Street performs as a pedestrian zone during a typical Vancouver summer, without a global sporting event driving hundreds of thousands of people into the city centre. In an interview with Daily Hive Urbanized on Friday, Jane Talbot, president and CEO of Downtown Van, said the initial five-week-long run surpassed the organization’s expectations in virtually every respect. “In every way. In every way. Like, in every way,” Talbot said emphatically when asked whether the pedestrian zone had succeeded beyond expectations. You might also like: - Granville Street Pedestrian Zone extended to September, with Christmas market possible in fall - Mexico fans turn Granville Street into Vancouver's most euphoric FIFA World Cup party yet - Packed patios and crowds fill Vancouver's FIFA World Cup pedestrian zone on Granville Street - Car-free revival plan for Granville Strip approved by Vancouver City Council - 800 Granville property and approved redevelopment plans listed for sale - Opinion: Vancouver, enjoy the FIFA World Cup while it lasts — it's starting to feel like the 2010 Olympics - Opinion: The 2026 FIFA World Cup belongs to 16 host cities, and Vancouver is turning its share into something much bigger - Opinion: Vancouver must build on its FIFA World Cup momentum The public response began even before the pedestrian zone was officially open, with people congregating on the vehicle-free street during the days-long installation process of the activations and street furniture in early June. The pedestrian zone officially opened on June 11, the same day the tournament kicked off in Mexico City. Once the tournament got underway, the crowds arrived immediately and remained a defining feature of the street throughout the five weeks. “There were some days that were slower than others, for sure. But the community response to the pedestrianization of Granville Street has just been incredible,” said Talbot. Downtown Van has not yet finalized its pedestrian counts or completed a full assessment of the economic impact. The organization has commissioned a report examining activity across its jurisdiction on the Downtown Vancouver peninsula, with the findings expected to be released at a later date. However, her organization’s preliminary estimate pegs an extraordinary total cumulative foot traffic of well over a million people over the five-week period. Even with a highly conservative baseline of one million people, that would create an average of nearly 26,000 pedestrians per day over the 39-day tournament period. During a press conference today providing a debrief on the Vancouver Police Department’s (VPD) FIFA World Cup security operations, police revealed that the Granville Entertainment District recorded 36 Criminal Code arrests between June 11 and July 13. Over the same period, police also opened 99 breach-of-peace files and 42 intoxication files in the entertainment district. However, police leaders emphasized that these volumes were fully anticipated given the sheer number of people on the streets and that staffing levels were sufficient to manage the crowds. “While it was busy over a sustained period, it was largely peaceful, with average daily arrests comparable to what we see in the GED on a long weekend, especially when you factor in the number of people there on match days,” said VPD Superintendent Jeff Neuman. The high turnout was also supported by very favourable weather conditions throughout the overwhelming majority of the tournament period. At times, based on Daily Hive Urbanized’s observations, the size and density of the crowds appeared to rival — and occasionally exceed — what was experienced along the Granville Strip during the 2010 Winter Olympics, including the celebration that followed Sidney Crosby’s golden goal for Team Canada on the final day of the Games. Some of the busiest days during the FIFA World Cup coincided with matches at BC Place Stadium, particularly those involving Australia, Turkey, Egypt and Canada. That included June 18, when the Canadian men’s national soccer team made history with its first-ever FIFA World Cup victory, defeating Qatar 6-0. There were also very large, celebratory crowds from some of Metro Vancouver’s diaspora communities, even when their teams were not playing at BC Place Stadium. This included crowds of Mexican fans who descended on the city and partied in the streets well into the night and early morning hours. > Granville Street breaks out into an impromptu mass O Canada singalong after Canada’s big win. 🇨🇦♥️⚽ > > What a scene in Downtown Vancouver amid a sea of red and white. #FIFAWorldCup #WeAre26 #WeAreVancouver pic.twitter.com/LEymaVUE3u > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) June 29, 2026 > England fans belting out Wonderwall on Granville Street. 🎵🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 > > Vancouver’s FIFA World Cup atmosphere keeps building, and it’s only just after 6 p.m., on the eve of Thursday’s Canada vs. Qatar match at BC Place Stadium. 🇨🇦⚽🇶🇦 #FIFAWorldCup #WeAre26 #WeAreVancouver pic.twitter.com/WrJslaJ88w > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) June 18, 2026 > Half a block of Mexican fans line dancing in unison on Granville Street, one of the many surreal scenes from last night’s celebration in Downtown Vancouver. 🇲🇽📷 #FIFAWorldCup #WeAre26 #WeAreVancouver 3/4https://t.co/tRLZWjatgE pic.twitter.com/6R5LLD5mWK > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) July 1, 2026 > Try counting how many people get tossed high into the air over 2 minutes, and this continued well into the night. > > Mexico fans in Vancouver were beyond ecstatic after their historic FIFA World Cup win. 🇲🇽⚽️ #FIFAWorldCup #WeAre26 #WeAreVancouver 2/4https://t.co/tRLZWjatgE pic.twitter.com/Fm0zKxSVAc > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) July 1, 2026 > Granville Street is buzzing again tonight. The liveliest it has been in a week and a half. > > Spain fans are savouring their FIFA World Cup triumph. 🇪🇸🏆 #FIFAWorldCup #WeAre26 #WeAreVancouver pic.twitter.com/I5RzMaObKK > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) July 20, 2026 > Some final moments tonight of the 23rd FIFA World Cup in Vancouver. > > Granville Street did a lot of heavy lifting these past five weeks. 🇪🇸🏆⚽ #FIFAWorldCup #WeAre26 #WeAreVancouver pic.twitter.com/8YxzBIYgxL > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) July 20, 2026 While the street has remained relatively active, with steady foot traffic, crowds have been noticeably smaller since the weekend after Vancouver concluded its match-hosting duties on Tuesday, July 7, with the exception of the huge crowds and celebrations on Sunday, July 19, when Spain defeated Argentina in the championship final. Planning for the original FIFA World Cup pedestrian zone began last fall. Downtown Van started discussing the concept with the City of Vancouver at the end of October 2025, and the partnership was confirmed in November. Talbot said the planning process moved quickly and relatively smoothly, with the City contributing an additional $300,000 toward the initiative this past spring. With Downtown Van’s $800,000 investment, the City’s contribution brought the total budget for activations, installations, and programming during the pedestrian zone’s five-week tournament period to $1.1 million. “Once we had a budget in place, we just worked in lockstep with the City of Vancouver and with various partners to create a vision and a plan, and then my team just got to work developing that and coming up with some fresh ideas,” she said. Talbot highlighted that from the outset of planning, the greatest uncertainty was not whether Granville Street could be animated, but how many people would actually show up during the FIFA World Cup. That question was answered on the third day of the pedestrian zone — on the morning of Saturday, June 13, the first match held at BC Place Stadium, when Australia played Turkey. Talbot visited Granville Street to gauge the early response and found the corridor already bustling at 9 a.m. “The challenge really was not how to activate the street, but really how many people would come. And boy, did they ever come,” she said. > Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi! 🇦🇺🦘🐨⚽ > > FIFA World Cup fever has reached Vancouver. #FIFAWorldCup #WeAre26 #WeAreVancouver pic.twitter.com/EG4p571hqA > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) June 14, 2026 The level of activity varied across the pedestrian zone’s five blocks of Granville Street between West Georgia Street and Davie Street, although Talbot said every section experienced some form of success. The 900 block (between Smithe and Nelson streets; home to businesses such as Dublin Calling, The Roxy Cabaret, and Good Co. Granville) became the central gathering place and attracted the largest concentrations of people. The 700 block (between West Georgia and Robson streets; home to businesses such as CF Pacific Centre mall, Best Buy, and Winners) developed into a more family-oriented area, supported by installations such as table soccer games and selfie stations, while the 800 block (between Robson and Smithe streets; home to businesses such as The Rec Room, Commodore Ballroom, Orpheum Theatre, and The Pearl) maintained what Talbot described as a strong atmosphere. The 1000 and 1100 blocks (between Nelson and Helmcken streets and between Helmcken and Davie streets, respectively) also benefited substantially, particularly businesses associated with Granville Street’s nightlife. Talbot specifically pointed to the performance of nightclubs and the Granville Strip. Overall, she said the 700, 800, and 900 blocks recorded the greatest pedestrian activity. The visible crowds, games, street furniture, decorative installations, and public art represented only a portion of the work required to operate the zone. Behind the scenes, Downtown Van maintained a continuous clean-and-safe operation that involved their in-house staff and street ambassadors team, as well as contracted private security and maintenance workers. Together, they responded to incidents at all hours. Every installation required daily maintenance, including graffiti removal and repairs. Talbot said each installation was vandalized at least once, with the most vulnerable period occurring during the early morning hours between the departure of late night crowds and the arrival of municipal government’s cleaning crews. The organization had 24-hour security staff in the zone, alongside its street ambassadors and cleaning teams. Of course, a major police presence was also deployed to the pedestrian zone. Downtown Van staff monitored the street around the clock to track vandalism, safety issues, repairs, and operational needs. “The very first thing I did every day, like 5 o’clock in the morning, was catch up on what happened from 12 until 5 o’clock in the morning. And I think we all did that,” said Talbot. “It was a heavy lift. It was a really heavy lift.” Even some of the pedestrian zone’s most popular interactive features created unexpected maintenance demands. The large three-dimensional GOAL letter sign and other white canvas walls were intended as places where passersby could write their own messages. They proved so popular that the surfaces filled up almost immediately and had to be repainted each morning for weeks so new visitors could participate. Talbot even joined this maintenance effort herself at times. “They were massive hit with the public, so much so that every morning they had to be painted over so that other people could enjoy them. It’s been a while since I’ve spent time painting, but even I was painting those things,” said Talbot. “It was a lot, but worth it. It was all worth it.” > Hey @downtownvan, you’ve got a good problem on your hands. 😂 > > Friday was only Day 2 of the 39-day FIFA World Cup activation, and people are already running out of space to leave messages on these blank canvases. #FIFAWorldCup #WeAreVancouver 3/3https://t.co/EACyryRJbY pic.twitter.com/E9ofuOmOCT > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) June 13, 2026 The ebb and flow of the crowds also forced Downtown Van and participating businesses to repeatedly modify the original layout. The initial plan assigned a different theme to each block, supported by a coordinated map and wayfinding system. That arrangement lasted only a few days. Games and other elements were removed from the 900 block and relocated to the 700 block because the busiest segments of the pedestrian zone needed additional open space to accommodate the massive volumes of pedestrians passing through and celebrating at the centre of the zone. Some of the packed patios on the roadway — especially on the 900 block — were reconfigured about two metres closer to the sidewalk, while outdoor television screens placed by the businesses for live match screenings were repositioned, after it became apparent that they contributed to major pedestrian bottlenecks. Businesses cooperated with the changes, including making alternative adjustments where patios could not be moved. As for the pedestrian zone’s continuation after the FIFA World Cup championship final, beyond today, the seven-week extension was organized under a drastically compressed timeline. While Downtown Van had roughly seven months to prepare for the original five-week-long activations and programming for the pedestrian zone during the tournament period, it only had just over two weeks to plan for the extended summer program through early September — after Vancouver City Council convened on July 2 to approve an additional investment of $4.75 million to keep the pedestrian zone going through the rest of the peak summer season for tourism. This includes $3.5 million for the City costs of traffic management, sanitation, and policing, and $1.25 million for Downtown Van, with 45 per cent going towards programming (live music, performances, arts and culture workshops, dance classes, themed activation days, games, markets, and other community programming), up to 30 per cent for temporary installations (street furniture, public art, lighting, ground graphics, and other placemaking elements), 15 per cent for operations (production, staffing, labour, enhanced cleaning, and contracted private security), and 10 per cent as a contingency. “We’ve had about two weeks to plan what would normally take about a year,” said Talbot, adding that portions of the schedule were still being finalized. The organization is also trying to manage expectations. Talbot emphasized that the extension is not intended to recreate the critical mass of FIFA World Cup crowds or operate as a continuation of the tournament festival. Instead, it will retain the pedestrian-friendly street configuration while emphasizing daytime uses, live entertainment, and opportunities for people to casually spend time on Granville Street. “A lot of family-friendly activities, lots of music, lots of DJs, reason for people to just kind of come to Granville Street and hang out,” she said, describing what to expect over the next seven weeks. Monday, July 20 served partly as a transition day, as FIFA-related restrictions are lifted and crews remove, relocate, or replace some of the existing installations. Despite the changeover, the first day of the extension featured live music and DJs from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., along with giveaways, buskers, free cotton candy, and an art workshop with capacity for up to 40 participants. The plans for Tuesday, July 21 include another full day of music and DJs, free flowers and cotton candy, while live music and DJs are also planned for Wednesday, July 22. The last weekend of July will see the introduction of more themed programming. Saturday, July 25 will feature a National Day of the Cowboy activation centred on country music and western culture. Preliminary plans include a mariachi band and line dancing led by The Yale Saloon. Sunday, July 26 will feature a family-friendly “baby rave” with a live DJ, bubble machines, games, and activities for children. Beyond the current “reopening week,” Downtown Van is continuing to develop programming for the remaining six weeks on a rolling basis. Sports will remain a recurring component, with businesses and patios encouraged to continue showing sports games on their television screens. For the first time since late April, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC will return to their home field at BC Place Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 1 and her team is exploring a “Welcome Back Whitecaps” themed celebration. Leading into the B.C. Day long weekend, the Downtown Vancouver peninsula is also expected to see huge crowds for the one night of summer fireworks at English Bay on Friday, July 31. The organization has also compiled a calendar of provincial, national, and international observance days — some highly whimsical — around which smaller events and themed programming can be built around. Some possibilities include free ice cream on International Ice Cream Sandwich Day on Aug. 2, children’s activities on International Cat Day on Aug. 8, and programming associated with International Dog Day on Aug. 28. The objective, said Talbot, is to use relatively lighthearted themes to create frequent, accessible reasons for residents and visitors to return downtown. The extension will also offer a more useful indication of whether pedestrianization can succeed outside the extraordinary circumstances of a major international event. “We learned a great lesson about Granville Street and how it can perform during an international event,” said Talbot. “We know what the street can do in that environment. What we don’t know is how the street can perform as a pedestrian zone in a typical summer environment.” The experience could inform future decisions about whether Granville Street should close to vehicle traffic on a recurring or permanent basis. Talbot made it very clear that she is not currently advocating for a permanent, year-round, vehicle-free pedestrian zone. Instead, she believes a summer seasonal model should be tested over several years, potentially closing the street from June to September. She said Vancouver’s rainy and cold climate over a significant portion of the year could make a permanent closure more difficult under Granville Street’s current conditions. Her view could change as the revitalization catalyzed by the municipal government’s broader Granville Street Plan advances and brings new major mixed-use redevelopments, with additional hotels, restaurants, and retailers. “For right now, I think it makes the most sense to do seasonal closures and do it as fast as we possibly can,” said Talbot. Longer-term or recurring pedestrianization could also reduce some operating costs. The very short planning period for the seven-week extension through early September has made certain programming, installations, and services more expensive than they would be with procurement well in advance. A permanent or recurring model would provide more time to secure contractors, entertainers, and installations at much more competitive prices. Permanent street infrastructure, including lighting and public art, could also eliminate the need to repeatedly purchase or reinstall temporary features each time the street is closed. Talbot said the next seven weeks should help identify which expenses are unique to a rapidly assembled pilot project and which could be reduced through a more established seasonal model. The extension has another purpose: helping businesses and property owners visualize what a longer-term transformation could look like. Talbot said discussions about pedestrianizing Granville Street had been difficult in the past because the corridor’s immediate social, safety, and economic challenges tended to overshadow more ambitious thinking about its future. “It helps the businesses conceptualize what a long-term pedestrianization could look like. We’ve been having these conversations for a long time,” she said. “It’s been difficult to be creative and to conceptualize a vision because the needs of the street are so urgent and so acute that thinking what it could look like pedestrianized was a really challenging exercise. But we’ll have a vision for what that could look like at the end of the summer, and I think that’s going to help us as we go forward.” Moreover, the FIFA World Cup period has already shifted the public conversation about Granville Street, which has faced persistent concerns over crime, disorder, retail vacancies, and the poor and problematic condition of some properties — especially the single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings, and old tourist hotels that were acquired by governments and haphazardly converted into rapid supportive housing at the height of the pandemic. Talbot said the social challenges did not disappear during the tournament. However, they were no longer the dominant subject associated with the street. “I definitely think it’s changed the perception on the street. It’s certainly changed the narrative of the street,” she said. Talbot, who has been with Downtown Van for eight years, said it was the first time she had experienced such overwhelmingly positive community sentiment about Granville Street. It was also the largest concentrated investment she had seen on the Granville Strip during that period. “People were talking about how great the street is. People were talking about being inspired by Granville Street. People were talking about never having seen it like this,” she said. “And so, the prevailing conversation was about the street’s vibrancy and excitement, how proud people were of the street, and so much less about the challenges on the street.” Talbot believes that the entertainment district’s exposure over the past five weeks could also encourage new private investment in businesses and redevelopments on the Granville Strip. “Granville Street went around the world for five weeks for all of the right reasons,” she said. “And investors had to see that, and city planners had to see that.” “It was either a reminder or an introduction to how vibrant that street can be. For anybody who is looking at it as an investment opportunity, it really did put the street in a really positive light, and I think people may take a second look at it.” But Talbot also strongly emphasized that maintaining a clean and safe environment will be essential to preserving and carrying forward that momentum created by the tournament period. Downtown Van plans to continue contracting 24-hour private security. Its ambassadors will be on the street daily from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m., supported by the organization’s cleaning and safety teams. As a major part of the City’s new funding for the extension, police will remain present, although Talbot said the level of policing will be lower than during the FIFA World Cup because the expected crowds and security requirements will be different. The goal is to provide a visible safety presence without creating an atmosphere that feels excessive or overwhelming. “Short term, keeping the street, we have to keep the street clean and we have to keep the street safe. Otherwise, people will choose to go elsewhere,” said Talbot. Over the longer term, Talbot asserted that Granville Street needs additional retail, restaurants, and other active uses that bring more people to the corridor throughout the day and evening. She also called for better housing alternatives for residents of the SRO buildings located within the entertainment district, arguing that the continued concentration of SRO housing is incompatible with the City’s intended vision for Granville Street. Under the Granville Street Plan, the strategy is to permanently remove these SRO and supportive housing buildings from the street. Businesses along the street have linked the SROs and government-acquired properties to a steep increase in theft, violence, vandalism, cleanliness, and disorder issues. One nightclub has even experienced 200 floods from the SRO residents above as of Spring 2025 — a problem it did not face, until the tourist hotel was acquired and converted by the Government of British Columbia during the pandemic. The City of Vancouver and the B.C. government have reached an agreement to close at least three buildings and relocate residents away from the Granville Strip. However, the provincial government has faced criticism in recent days for keeping the extremely controversial Luugat, one of the SROs, partially open — despite agreeing last year to fully close it by June. Over the past several months, businesses in the area have also raised major concerns about whether a controversial provincially supported overdose prevention site (OPS) could reopen at a new location near the entertainment district. Currently, the reopening of the OPS is merely “paused.” “An entertainment district and SROs are fundamentally incompatible, and I think we just need to be able to have that conversation,” she said. Talbot hopes the pedestrian zone’s success will also accelerate implementation of the wide range of components, prescriptions, and stipulations of the municipal government’s Granville Street Plan, which was approved by City Council last year. Over the short- and medium-term, within the next five years, she expects the street will see improved lighting, additional public art, and potentially lower streetfront retail vacancy, which currently hovers at a high vacancy rate of about 25 per cent. Over the longer term, spanning 10 years, she anticipates a much more visible transformation as approved developments, hotels, restaurants and new retail spaces are completed. “There’s a lot happening right now behind the scenes that will take time to show, like for example, developments getting approved, hotels getting approved,” she said. With that said, she acknowledges that “approving them is one thing, having them built is another,” before adding that there is a “very good chance” that the Granville Strip will finally see some meaningful lasting change from the construction and opening of new major businesses that add to both daytime and nighttime activity in the entertainment district. “I really do believe in the Granville Plan, and I believe that the pedestrian zone is going to help get that conversation started again,” said Talbot. Earlier this month, City Council’s discussions relating to extending the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone through early September also lightly contemplated the potential return of the pedestrian zone in late fall for a possible Christmas market. Talbot said discussions about a potential Christmas market remain at the earliest possible stage, with Downtown Van currently focused on delivering the seven-week extension of the pedestrian zone alongside its annual summer movie night series, held nearby at the West Georgia Street plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery. For now, the organization’s immediate task is to carry the momentum of the FIFA World Cup celebrations through the remainder of the summer — turning the next seven weeks into an encore for Granville Street, but under more typical conditions that will offer a clearer test of the vehicle-free, pedestrian zone’s longer-term potential. You might also like: - Granville Street Pedestrian Zone extended to September, with Christmas market possible in fall - Mexico fans turn Granville Street into Vancouver's most euphoric FIFA World Cup party yet - Packed patios and crowds fill Vancouver's FIFA World Cup pedestrian zone on Granville Street - Car-free revival plan for Granville Strip approved by Vancouver City Council - 800 Granville property and approved redevelopment plans listed for sale - Opinion: Vancouver, enjoy the FIFA World Cup while it lasts — it's starting to feel like the 2010 Olympics - Opinion: The 2026 FIFA World Cup belongs to 16 host cities, and Vancouver is turning its share into something much bigger - Opinion: Vancouver must build on its FIFA World Cup momentum https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/granville-street-pedestrian-zone-fifa-world-cup-vancouver-legacy-future Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:30:59 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/surrey-langley-skytrain-concrete-segment-signing-time-capsule Kenneth Chan Members of the public will have an opportunity to leave a permanent — though eventually hidden — mark on the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain project this weekend. A public signing event will be held on Saturday, July 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hillcrest Village Shopping Centre, located at 18710 Fraser Highway in Surrey. This signing event is located roughly midway between the project’s future stations of Hillcrest-184 and Clayton. You might also like: - 25% of Surrey-Langley SkyTrain's 16-km-long elevated guideway already built - Finalized designs of the eight new multi-coloured stations on Surrey-Langley SkyTrain - Two blocks of Broadway now closed for six months for subway construction, with detour route created - Broadway Subway station entrance buildings begin to take shape above ground - First train now rolling on Broadway Subway for active testing ahead of late 2027 opening Visitors will be invited to use markers to sign panels that will later be placed inside a concrete segment forming part of the future concrete guideway of the Expo Line extension. Markers will be provided at the event. Once this pre-cast concrete segment is installed, the signatures will no longer be visible to the public. The initiative is similar to a time capsule, preserving a record of the community’s involvement during the SkyTrain extension’s construction. “The public will sign panels that will be placed inside the segment,” wrote the project team in response to a question on social media. “Once the segment is installed, the signed panels won’t be visible, making it similar to a time capsule that captures this moment in the project’s history.” The project team added that it is exploring ways to mark the completed segment so that its location can be easily identified in the future. These signed panels will be placed inside the hollow space of the pre-cast concrete segment, before it is lifted into place. The extension’s entire 16-km-long elevated guideway along Fraser Highway from the existing King George Station to the future Langley City Centre Station will have more than 4,400 pre-cast concrete segments, which are being manufactured at a temporary plant located at Campbell Heights. Four specialized gantry cranes are currently installing the precast concrete segments. Steel tendons are threaded through each group of segments and pulled tight to lock them together into a single guideway span, while high-strength epoxy is applied along the adjoining edges. When complete, the gantry crane slides over to build the next section of guideway between two concrete columns. As of early May 2026, over 30 per cent or about five km of the elevated guideway has already reached completion, and 75 per cent of the columns have been built. Construction is also well underway on all eight new elevated stations. With a significant portion of the elevated guideway built, trackwork began in late April 2026 with the start of the installation process for the running rails. This extension of the Expo Line is scheduled to reach completion and open in late 2029. Major construction work first began in November 2024. You might also like: - 25% of Surrey-Langley SkyTrain's 16-km-long elevated guideway already built - Finalized designs of the eight new multi-coloured stations on Surrey-Langley SkyTrain - Two blocks of Broadway now closed for six months for subway construction, with detour route created - Broadway Subway station entrance buildings begin to take shape above ground - First train now rolling on Broadway Subway for active testing ahead of late 2027 opening https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/surrey-langley-skytrain-concrete-segment-signing-time-capsule Mon, 20 Jul 2026 23:26:10 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/broadway-cambie-subway-construction-temporary-closure-detour-begins Kenneth Chan At precisely noon today, Monday, July 20, 2026, the two-block-long stretch of West Broadway between Cambie Street and Alberta Street began its prolonged temporary closure to accommodate a new major phase of construction for the Broadway Subway project. As previously reported by Daily Hive Urbanized last week, the two-block segment of West Broadway just east of the intersection with Cambie Street will be fully closed to all vehicles — including TransLink buses — for about six months, until late 2026 or early 2027, starting today. In May 2026, the provincial government first announced that this planned closure would begin after the FIFA World Cup. The pedestrian sidewalks on these blocks will remain accessible for businesses and residents. General vehicle traffic and TransLink buses — including the busy 99 B-Line and No. 9 UBC/Boundary — are now detouring along two blocks of West 8th Avenue just to the north via the intersections with Cambie Street and Alberta Street. You might also like: - Broadway Subway station entrance buildings begin to take shape above ground - Canada Line station platforms being extended for interchange hub with Broadway Subway - First train now rolling on Broadway Subway for active testing ahead of late 2027 opening - One-in-three Metro Vancouver residents unaware Broadway Subway ends at Arbutus Station, requiring buses to UBC for the remaining trip: survey Concrete traffic barriers have been installed on the portion of the detour route along and near Alberta Street. As well, there are new bus-only lanes in place to aid the efficient movement of TransLink buses making turns through the detour, such as bus-only lanes on West Broadway eastbound for the left turn onto Cambie Street northbound and on West 8th Avenue westbound for the left turn onto Cambie Street southbound. New temporary traffic signals and turning restrictions are now in place for general vehicle traffic at Cambie Street’s intersections with West Broadway and West 8th Avenue. The West Broadway bus stops that directly serve SkyTrain’s Broadway-City Hall Station have now been moved to the west, with the westbound bus stops for both the 99 B-Line and No. 9 slightly shifted closer to the end of the block. Moreover, the station’s eastbound bus stop for the 99 B-Line has been relocated to a consolidated bus stop with the No. 9 almost one block to the west, closer to Ash Street. A northbound bus stop on Cambie Street next to the station for the No. 15 Cambie Street/Olympic Village Station bus route has been temporarily removed. Major vehicle traffic congestion was observed shortly after today’s noon closure, especially for eastbound vehicle traffic on West Broadway heading towards Cambie Street. Drivers and bus passengers are strongly advised to allow extra travel time when passing through the area. Motorists may also want to consider West 2nd Avenue or West 12th Avenue as alternative east-west routes. This six-month closure is deemed to be a necessary step to safely and efficiently remove the temporary traffic bridge structures above West Broadway, spanning above the Millennium Line’s new Broadway-City Hall subway station structure and a major crossover track switch. After the traffic bridge structures — first completed in 2022 to enable the continuation of arterial vehicle and bus traffic flow during the overwhelming majority of the subway’s overall construction timeline — are removed, crews will fill the excavation above the tunnel roof with gravel, complete new underground utilities, and construct the permanent new roadway. Upon completion, the area will have four general vehicle traffic lanes, plus turning lanes and wide pedestrian sidewalks. This closure is similar to the previous four-month shutdown of a one-block-long section of East Broadway between Quebec Street and Main Street, which was required to restore the roadway above Mount Pleasant Station. That closure began in late January and ended in mid-May 2026, with general vehicle traffic and buses detoured along East 8th Avenue during that period. The provincial government has confirmed that this is the final full road closure required to remove the temporary traffic bridge structures over the subway station construction blocks. For the remaining new subway stations below the Broadway roadway — Oak-VGH, South Granville, and Arbutus stations — only partial lane closures will be required for the overall process leading up to the restoration of the roadway. Upon the opening of SkyTrain’s Millennium Line Broadway extension to Arbutus in late 2027, Broadway-City Hall Station will become a new major regional interchange between the Canada Line and Millennium Line, with underground pathways linking the platforms of the two SkyTrain lines providing passengers with the ability to make a transfer. You might also like: - Broadway Subway station entrance buildings begin to take shape above ground - Canada Line station platforms being extended for interchange hub with Broadway Subway - First train now rolling on Broadway Subway for active testing ahead of late 2027 opening - One-in-three Metro Vancouver residents unaware Broadway Subway ends at Arbutus Station, requiring buses to UBC for the remaining trip: survey https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/broadway-cambie-subway-construction-temporary-closure-detour-begins Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:47:54 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-heat-warnings Daniel Chai If you’re planning a getaway around B.C. this week, be aware that heat warnings are up in many regions, with a “period of elevated temperatures” expected to last for several days. While wildfire smoke is impacting Metro Vancouver and several parts of the province, other areas are being warned of high temperatures that are a “risk to public health.” According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), over a dozen yellow heat warnings are in place throughout B.C., and the public is urged to use caution. Temperatures are expected to reach mid-to-high 30s in several parts of the province, combined with overnight lows in the mid-to-high teens. You might also like: - B.C. hotel snags prestigious crown of Canada's top resort in global awards - Vancouver is Canada's most expensive city to rent in and afford a vacation - Popular B.C. wilderness escape crowned best island in Canada “A ridge of high pressure will bring elevated temperatures to the region,” said ECCC in its warning posted online. “High temperatures may persist until Thursday, followed by a cooling trend.” EmergencyInfoBC, operated by the Government of B.C.’s Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, listed the 18 regions currently under active heat warnings: - Central Okanagan – including Kelowna - North Okanagan – including Vernon - South Okanagan – including Penticton - South Thompson - Boundary - Central Coast – inland sections - North Coast – inland including Terrace - North Coast – inland including Kitimat - Shuswap - West Kootenay - Howe Sound - Whistler - Sunshine Coast - Fraser Valley – central including Chilliwack - Fraser Valley – east including Hope - Fraser Valley – west including Abbotsford - Fraser Canyon – north including Lillooet - Fraser Canyon – south including Lytton During heat warnings, ECCC reminds people to check on their vulnerable friends, family, and neighbours who are at higher risk during hot weather. There are some early signs of heat illness to look out for: - Feeling unwell - Fatigue - Thirst - Headache - Unusually dark urine If you are experiencing any of these issues, you’re encouraged to move to a cooler environment, such as a shaded or air-conditioned space. EmergencyInfoBC also urged British Columbians to drink plenty of water, take precautions to stay cool, and call 911 or their local emergency number in case of a medical emergency. Closer to home, temperatures in Metro Vancouver could feel up to 35°C inland on Tuesday, with a UV index of 8, or very high. Midweek temperatures could reach up to 31°C inland on Wednesday and 28°C on Thursday before cooler temperatures return right before the weekend. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-heat-warnings Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:41:08 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/grouse-mountain-centennial-festival Kendall Bistretzan You know it, you love it, you’ve maybe even climbed it. Grouse Mountain is celebrating 100 years of remarkable memories, amazing people, and extraordinary experiences with a major event that you don’t want to miss. Grouse Mountain Centennial Festival is set to be a week of unforgettable experiences at The Peak of Vancouver. From fantastic shows and family-friendly activities to limited-time adventure offers, there’s something for everyone to enjoy while taking in the mountain atmosphere. Here’s what you can expect. A CENTURY OF GROUSE MOUNTAIN On July 23, 24, 25, and Aug. 2, guests can experience an unforgettable nighttime cinematic drone show that celebrates the history of the mountain, the surrounding region, and the people who have shaped it over the past century. Hundreds of illuminated drones will light up the night sky above the Birds in Motion area, accompanied by cinematic music, Indigenous drumming, and immersive narration. If an outdoor concert is your jam, then you’ll want to visit on July 31 and Aug. 1 for lovely evenings of live music in the Plaza. July 31 will feature tunes from Nearly Neil, Canada’s premier Neil Diamond tribute band, and Aug. 1 will showcase Nautical Disaster, one of Canada’s top Tragically Hip tribute bands. It’s the songs you already know and love performed in a unique and breathtaking mountaintop setting. FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY While the entire festival is family friendly, a few key events are especially beloved by kids. On July 25, celebrate the 25th birthday of Grinder and Coola — Grouse’s resident grizzly bears. At this Bear-thday Fun-draiser, you can watch the bears feast on their annual birthday cake while learning about grizzly bear conservation from the Grizzly Bear Foundation. Then on July 30, bring a blanket and enjoy a movie under the stars in the newly rebuilt Birds in Motion area. It’s a relaxing way to spend a summer evening, and who doesn’t love Jurassic Park? MORE FESTIVAL PERKS Throughout the festival, a variety of local food trucks will be on-site offering everything from sweet treats to savoury favourites, because the only thing better than a delicious meal is one with a view. And if you’re itching to enjoy Grouse Mountain’s classic activities and attractions, you can do so at a discounted rate! Take advantage of the most popular adventures — the Mountain Zipline Tours for just $100 and the Mountain Ropes Adventure for only $50. This special discount pricing is available from July 23 to Aug. 3. Sunset Special tickets from 6 p.m. onward are $34, and lower-mainland residents can access special admission rates for the standard mountain pricing. If you think you’ll visit more than once this year, your best option is to purchase an Annual Pass, which offers unlimited access across every season, along with exclusive passholder perks. And if you’re something of an adventure addict, the Annual Pass+ gets you all of the above, plus a complimentary ride on the Grouse Gravity Coaster, a free Mountain Ropes Adventure, and more than $300 in added benefits. Both the Annual Pass and Annual Pass+ are on sale now through Aug. 3. Grouse Mountain only turns 100 once! Get in on the celebration, and take advantage of the special pricing from July 23 to Aug. 3 at the Grouse Mountain Centennial Festival. GROUSE MOUNTAIN CENTENNIAL FESTIVAL Where: Grouse Mountain — 6400 Nancy Greene Way When: July 23 to Aug. 3 Cost: Tickets from $34 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/grouse-mountain-centennial-festival Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:31:25 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/trump-tariffs-canada-hockey-sticks Amir Ali After threatening new tariffs against Canada last week, U.S. President Donald Trump has followed through, imposing 50 per cent tariffs on “certain goods of Canada” in response to alleged discrimination. A statement from the White House claims that the tariffs are in response to Canada’s “discriminatory treatment of American products.” “By doing so, President Trump is offsetting the burden and disadvantage on U.S. commerce from Canada’s discriminatory treatment of U.S. commerce and is leveling the playing field for crucial American exports—cars, alcohol, and dairy,” the statement said. Today, Trump signed three proclamations pursuant ot Section 338 of the Tariff Act, which will impose the 50 per cent tariff on a different set of Canadian imports, including hockey sticks and cement. It will not apply to other goods like energy, potash, fish, and critical minerals. The tariffs are set to take effect 30 days after the signing. In a separate decision, to secure fair treatment for American exports, the White House statement claims that the tariffs will hold Canada accountable for its “continued discrimination against and unreasonable and unequal treatment of U.S. commerce that has burdened and disadvantaged hardworking Americans.” The White House statement also mentions the tariffs Canada imposes on cars imported to Canada from the U.S., adding that it does not do so on imports from other countries. “Canada also administers these quotas in a way that compels U.S. auto companies to invest in production in Canada instead of the United States,” the White House said. Last week, Trump said he wanted to hold Canada responsible for wildfire smoke in a post he made to his Truth Social platform. The statement read, “We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush therein, and the United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable!” You might also like: - U.S. President Donald Trump wants to hold Canada responsible for wildfire smoke - Bryan Adams takes aim at Trump in new '51st State' song - Justin Trudeau makes a bouncy cameo in new Katy Perry video https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/trump-tariffs-canada-hockey-sticks Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:44:12 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-police-vpd-fifa-world-cup-2026-security-operations Kenneth Chan The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) has concluded its 2026 FIFA World Cup security operations after the tournament brought the single largest-ever deployment of police officers in the city’s history. Up to 1,300 officers were deployed at select locations across Metro Vancouver on each of the seven match days at BC Place Stadium, covering the stadium and surrounding security zone within and near Downtown Vancouver, the Granville Entertainment District (GED), the FIFA Fan Festival at the PNE fairgrounds in Hastings Park, team hotels, training facilities, fan marches, watch parties, Vancouver International Airport, and transportation escorts. The security operation throughout the 39-day tournament, beginning on June 11 and ending on July 19, followed four years of planning involving all three levels of government, FIFA, emergency services, transportation agencies, and police forces from across Canada and abroad. You might also like: - Granville Street Pedestrian Zone extended to September, with Christmas market possible in fall - Where Canada ranks in the FIFA World Cup final standings - American content creator agrees with everyone about Vancouver rocking as FIFA World Cup host - Total government cost of hosting FIFA World Cup in Vancouver grows to up to $729 million - Opinion: FIFA World Cup was a reminder of BC Place Stadium's enduring and irreplaceable value - Opinion: Vancouver must build on its FIFA World Cup momentum At a press conference today, VPD Deputy Chief Constable Don Chapman, the operation’s Gold Commander and co-chair of Vancouver’s Integrated Safety and Security Unit, deemed the operation a major success. “I’m extremely proud of all the members of the Vancouver Police Department, both our civilian and sworn staff, for being able to improvise, being able to adapt and to overcome all the challenges that were placed before them. I also take really great pride in the strengthening of the relationships that we have with all our other partner agencies, as well as [in developing] a whole host of new partnerships across Canada and internationally,” said Chapman. “From a safety and security perspective, my final thoughts are mission accomplished.” Not including about 490 civilian staff, VPD has approximately 1,450 sworn police officers, which is a relatively small force compared to the municipal police departments of Canada’s largest cities. This necessitated the VPD to seek the assistance of additional police officers from other departments in Metro Vancouver and elsewhere in Canada to not only meet the security requirements of the tournament, but ensure the service standards are upheld for the everyday policing and public safety needs of the city. In contrast, in Canada’s other FIFA World Cup host city of Toronto, the Toronto Police Service has over 5,300 police officers, plus 2,200 civilian members. Chapman said the deployment was roughly equivalent to having the VPD’s entire authorized officer numbers working on the FIFA World Cup operation at the same time, with additional officers brought in from other jurisdictions in Metro Vancouver and Alberta. The RCMP, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, Delta Police Department and BC Sheriff Service contributed personnel, while 40 Calgary Police Service officers were deployed before returning home for their Calgary Stampede security operations. The Calgary deployment was replaced by 40 officers from the Edmonton Police Service. Select members of a highly specialized contingent of unarmed uniformed Qatari police, with their knowledge and experience from securing the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, were also in Vancouver throughout much of the tournament period, providing advice to Canada’s domestic police forces. VPD Superintendent Jeff Neuman, who served as Deputy Gold Commander and oversaw the operational plan, said the scale and duration of the tournament created challenges the department had not previously encountered. VPD studied the security operations used for major soccer events in the United Kingdom, Scotland, and Paris — learning from how European police forces handle hooliganism — combining those lessons with local experience from the 2010 Winter Olympics, the 2011 Stanley Cup riot, the 2024 Taylor Swift concerts for the global finale of her The Eras Tour, and the approximately 1,000 protests that occur in Vancouver during a typical year. The department also had to continue responding to regular emergencies across the city during the tournament, while Vancouver experienced its busiest cruise-ship period of the year and police managed 118 demonstrations and protests. Between June 11 and July 13, VPD received 18,489 calls for service across Vancouver — an average of 560 each day. Within VPD’s District 1 geographical area, which spans the vast majority of the Downtown Vancouver peninsula, officers responded to 5,224 calls for service — averaging 158 daily. Of those, 310 were classified as Priority 1 calls (very urgent incidents) or approximately nine per day. Despite the large crowds, the number of serious incidents directly connected with FIFA World Cup locations remained relatively low. Across BC Place Stadium, the FIFA Fan Festival, the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone, and other festivities and watch parties, police recorded 40 arrests between June 11 and July 13. BC Place Stadium’s last match was on June 7. There were no criminal code arrests at BC Place Stadium, but there were three such arrests at the FIFA Fan Festival, 36 in the Granville Entertainment District, and one at another watch party. Police also opened 109 breach-of-peace files, including 99 in the Granville Entertainment District, six at FIFA Fan Festival, two at BC Place Stadium, and two at other watch parties. Another 48 files involved people intoxicated in public, including 42 in the Granville Entertainment District, three at the FIFA Fan Festival, two at BC Place Stadium, and one at another watch party. Across all FIFA-related venues, 16 foreign nationals were arrested in connection with breach-of-peace or public-intoxication files. Police escorted 16 mass fan marches to BC Place Stadium — with the largest of these matches being for the two Canada home games — and completed 312 vehicle escorts between June 11 and July 8. Those escorts included team buses travelling between hotels, training facilities and matches, as well as security details for heads of state and other internationally protected people. > Spotted some [unarmed] Qatari Police with Canada’s domestic police forces as I was leaving BC Place Stadium just now. > > They’ve been in Vancouver since 2+ weeks ago, before Qatar played against Canada. Providing security advice. #FIFAWorldCup #bcpoli #vanpoli pic.twitter.com/jwfrTLWAum > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) July 3, 2026 VPD cautioned that there was overlap between the breach-of-peace and public-intoxication figures, meaning some people may have been counted in both categories. The statistics should therefore not be interpreted as 197 separate people being arrested. Chapman said the criminal code cases largely involved routine allegations such as common assault or mischief, rather than unusually serious incidents. The Granville Entertainment District produced the overwhelming majority of arrests, but this was anticipated by the VPD because of the massive crowds that gathered before, during and after matches. Granville Street became a major destination for residents and international visitors, particularly after high-profile matches. “The GED numbers are higher than BC Place and Fan Fest, but we anticipated that would happen and staffed accordingly,” said Neuman. “While it was busy over a sustained period, it was largely peaceful, with average daily arrests comparable to what we see in the GED on a long weekend, especially when you factor in the number of people there on match days.” VPD is supporting the extension of the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone through Labour Day on Monday, Sept. 7, and intends to carry some of the deployment strategies developed for the FIFA World Cup into the extended summer operation. Police have not disclosed how many officers will be assigned to the area over the next seven weeks, but the department said visitors can expect a strong police presence during the day, at night and on weekends, in addition to its regular downtown deployment. To support the pedestrian zone’s additional runtime through early September, the City is providing up to $4.75 million in additional funding, including $3.5 million for the City’s direct costs. This translates into about $500,000 per week for the pedestrian zone’s seven additional weeks, including $300,000 per week for the City’s traffic management and sanitation costs and $200,000 per week for the VPD’s security operations. Drones became another major component of the operation during the FIFA World Cup. VPD made 811 drone flights between June 11 and July 13. Of those, 597 took place above the Last Mile pedestrian route along Quebec Street/Pacific Boulevard, BC Place Stadium, the Granville Entertainment District, Jack Poole Plaza, and Jonathan Rogers Park. Chapman said the aerial views allowed commanders to monitor crowd movements and make real-time changes to prevent congestion, particularly when tens of thousands of spectators were entering or leaving BC Place Stadium simultaneously. The security team led by the VPD also detected 745 unauthorized drone flights within restricted airspace on Vancouver’s seven match days. Police identified 45 operators and ordered them to land their drones and stop flying within the restricted areas. Another 40 drones were remotely jammed and removed from the sky by law enforcement. Four no-fly zones were established in the broad areas over BC Place Stadium, Hastings Park, and the training facilities at Killarney Park and the University of British Columbia. The RCMP assisted because municipal police departments do not have the federal authority required to electronically interfere with unauthorized aircraft. Police planning also accounted for the potential weaponization of drones. To support operations, it was previously shared that roughly 200 new CCTV cameras were temporarily installed in select areas around the city. This temporary surveillance system was in place from June 7 to July 19. VPD worked with the RCMP and international intelligence agencies to review a range of possible security threats. However, Chapman said police did not receive information about a credible threat directed specifically at the city. “We did look at a number of different threat-related scenarios, but nothing was specific to Vancouver or to British Columbia,” he said. Chapman also flatly denied that the FIFA World Cup security strategy included any directive to displace the homeless population from hotspot areas frequented by spectators and tourists. “There was no directive or approach to any unhoused people from anywhere in the city, period,” he said. A final accounting of the security costs is not yet available. Chapman said the total is complicated by municipal, provincial, and federal cost-sharing arrangements and outstanding invoices. He believes such costs will be publicly announced by the provincial government in Spring 2027. In late May 2027, just before the tournament kicked off, the provincial government provided an updated estimated cost figure for the tournament’s entire public costs in Vancouver — reaching a total of between $685 million and $729 million, including a contingency fund of $80 million. At the time, the total costs for security and public safety were estimated at $242 million, with the federal government covering $100 million. You might also like: - Granville Street Pedestrian Zone extended to September, with Christmas market possible in fall - Where Canada ranks in the FIFA World Cup final standings - American content creator agrees with everyone about Vancouver rocking as FIFA World Cup host - Total government cost of hosting FIFA World Cup in Vancouver grows to up to $729 million - Opinion: FIFA World Cup was a reminder of BC Place Stadium's enduring and irreplaceable value - Opinion: Vancouver must build on its FIFA World Cup momentum https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-police-vpd-fifa-world-cup-2026-security-operations Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:13:01 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/man-drowns-swim-bc-lake Daniel Chai A drowning tragedy occurred this past weekend when a 67-year-old man died during a popular B.C. swimming event. At approximately 10:26 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, BC Ambulance Service reported a drowning at Tugboat Beach to police. According to West Kelowna RCMP, which was also notified of the incident on Okanagan Lake, the victim was a participant in the Swim Across the Lake event. “Kelowna RCMP investigation has determined that a 67-year-old male was a participant in the Swim Across the Lake event and had begun his swim from West Kelowna at 7:50 a.m., intending to complete the event course at Hot Sands Beach in Kelowna,” said a release by authorities. “At approximately 9:50 a.m., the male swimmer was found unresponsive in the water by another vigilant participant and pulled the man to shore with the assistance of a supporting paddle boarder.” You might also like: - Almost half of British Columbians face financial ruin by surprise major expense - Wildfire smoke impacts Vancouver as temperatures will feel like 35°C - 'Morale is low': Layoffs hit London Drugs as B.C. employees are impacted BC Ambulance Service attempted to resuscitate the man upon arrival at Tugboat Beach, but all life-saving efforts were unsuccessful. West Kelowna RCMP also added that the B.C. drowning victim was identified by his Across the Lake Swim numbered/chipped wristband. “This is an incredibly tragic reminder of just how fast environmental conditions can turn recreational activities into an emergency situation,” said Cst. Ginny Folster, media relations officer for the West Kelowna RCMP, in a statement. “We extend our most sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends during this extremely difficult time.” Across the Lake Swim bills itself as “the largest and longest running open water swim event in Canada,” with over 1,000 swimmers expected during the Kelowna stop. Participants could choose from a 2.1 km crossing or a 1.5 km distance during the annual event on Okanagan Lake. In a public Facebook post, a Kelowna resident shared that Saturday’s Across the Lake Swim was “the first time that I ever felt any sort of fear in the water.” “The wind, waves and current picked up. As hard as I tried to swim towards the finish line, the current and wind took me way off course. I gave it everything I had, but eventually I had to get pulled out by a boat and taken to shore,” said the swimmer. “To the credit of the race organizers, they made an announcement asking all support paddlers to go back out on the lake to help people. “I swam against the current for over an hour and could not make any ground. I couldn’t even get to shore… I have never been pulled out of any body of water in my entire life. It was very unnerving.” The victim’s family has been notified, and the BC Coroners Service is conducting an investigation into the incident. A drowning at another busy B.C. lake in early July prompted police to issue another reminder to be mindful of safety on the water. Mission RCMP states that on July 9, first responders were called to Hayward Lake around 6 p.m. “The 58-year-old man from Mission had been out paddleboarding in the area of the dog beach when he is believed to have lost his balance and fell into the water,” said the detachment in a release. “He was not wearing a personal flotation device and reportedly had limited swimming abilities.” https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/man-drowns-swim-bc-lake Mon, 20 Jul 2026 20:52:46 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/pne-amphitheatre-summer-schedule-events Amir Ali The Freedom Mobile Arch, aka the PNE amphitheatre, has been a rocking event space for the last few weeks as Vancouver soccer fans crowded in to watch the FIFA World Cup. As we well know, the soccer tournament has now come to an end, but that doesn’t mean an end to the festivities at the arch. Live Nation has a bunch of stellar concerts coming to the space this summer, including some of music’s most legendary names. The festivities kick off later this month when Alabama Shakes performs at the Freedom Mobile Arch on July 26. Just over a week later, one of the most iconic names in electronic music, LCD Soundsystem, hits up the amphitheatre on Aug. 7. The Freedom Mobile Arch will be the perfect backdrop for fans to dance themselves clean. Just two days later, on Aug. 9, Thee Sacred Souls, a notable American soul trio, will be performing at the arch. We mentioned legends, and meant it. Canadian rock legends The Guess Who will be playing at the arch on Aug. 23. While not legends yet, The Beaches, well on their way to legendary status, will be playing for the 2026 Summer Night Concerts series on Aug. 25. Nelly, Barenaked Ladies, Weird Al Yankovic, Earth, Wind and Fire, Sarah McLachlan, and Boy George will also be playing during the Summer Night Concerts event. A couple of other shows rounding out the schedule in late summer and early fall include Foster the People on Sept. 15 and Chance the Rapper on Sept. 25. You can find the full PNE amphitheatre schedule, including a link to all of the mentioned shows, on the TicketLeader website. The FIFA World Cup was a wildly popular event on the PNE fairgrounds, and last week, it was revealed that over 500,000 people attended the soccer festivities at the venue. The site’s final day dedicated to the soccer tournament was July 19. You might also like: - Over 500,000 people have now attended FIFA World Cup Fan Festival Vancouver at the PNE fairgrounds - Shaquille O'Neal is coming to Vancouver next month - Record weekend attendance for FIFA World Cup Vancouver Fan Festival at the PNE https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/pne-amphitheatre-summer-schedule-events Mon, 20 Jul 2026 20:27:04 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/settlement-capital-one-data-breach Irish Mae Silvestre Canadians affected by a Capital One data breach could soon be eligible to claim compensation after a proposed class-action settlement was reached. On July 16, Charney Lawyers announced that Capital One Financial Corporation, Capital One Bank (USA), National Association, and Capital One Bank (Canada Branch) have agreed to a $35-million settlement to resolve the class-action lawsuit related to a 2019 data breach that affected customers in Canada. The company issues credit cards for its banking business as well as for Costco and Hudson’s Bay Company. The settlement still has to be approved by the court. THE ALLEGATIONS The lawsuit against Capital One was launched following a data breach in 2019, in which a hacker gained unauthorized access to applicants’ and cardholders’ personal information. According to a court document, the company stores information in a database on Amazon Web Services, a third-party cloud-based server in the United States. In the spring of 2019, American software engineer Paige Thompson hacked Capital One’s database, downloading personal and financial information belonging to millions of U.S. and Canadian residents who had applied for Capital One credit cards. The breach, which impacted six million Canadians, was discovered by an independent security researcher in July 2019, who contacted law enforcement, resulting in Thompson’s arrest by the FBI on July 29, 2019. Capital One published a notice about the data breach the same day. Data stolen from Canadians included personal details submitted on credit card applications between 2005 and 2019. Stolen data included names, addresses, and contact information, as well as financial information such as annual income, status of mortgage, banking information, credit scores, credit limits, balances, payment history, and some transaction histories. Around one million Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) were compromised. The class action alleges that Capital One failed to protect customers’ personal information adequately, resulting in breaches of privacy, contract obligations, and consumer protection laws. The class action’s website states, “Capital One does not admit and denies any wrongdoing or liability.” ARE YOU ELIGIBLE? You could be eligible to file a claim if you are a Canadian resident outside Quebec who applied for or held a Capital One credit card and received a letter stating that your personal information may have been affected by the data breach. HOW MUCH COULD YOU RECEIVE? If you’re eligible, the amount you receive depends on your type of claim. You could receive compensation if you fit into the following categories: - Category A claims for out-of-pocket costs: You could be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs as a result of the data breach if you spent money on preventative measures such as credit monitoring services, insurance, or credit freezes. You may also be reimbursed for losses related to identity theft, falsified tax returns, or other alleged wrongdoing. Each member in this category can claim up to a maximum of $25,000. - Category B claims for wasted time and inconvenience: For affected class members whose SIN was not compromised but who spent time responding to the data breach, they can claim $25 per hour for up to five hours, to a maximum of $125. Canadians whose SIN was compromised can claim up to eight hours to a maximum of $200. Those who submit valid claims in this category will receive an additional $75 “top-up” payment, bringing the maximum payment under both sections to $200 for those whose SIN was not compromised, and $275 for those whose SIN was compromised. - Category C claims for annual credit card fees: All annual fee class members will receive up to $50 when they submit a valid claim. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT? For now, you don’t need to do anything. If the court approves the settlement, eligible class members will be able to submit a claim once the claims process opens. The approval hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22, 2026. Visit the class action’s website for details. Canadians could also be eligible for other class-action lawsuits, including those involving StubHub and Uber. You might also like: - Canadian airline cuts fuel surcharge, brings it back weeks later - Class-action lawsuit filed against StubHub in Canada - Canadians could be part of a class-action lawsuit against Uber https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/settlement-capital-one-data-breach Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:53:10 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-drivers-licence-changes Amir Ali B.C. previously announced that folks who had their N or Class 7 licence would no longer have to take a test to upgrade, and now they’ve determined a date. Today, the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced that the changes come into effect this fall. “New drivers 25 and older have lower crash rates than younger drivers and now have a shorter pathway to becoming fully licensed,” the ministry said. The changes, and removal of the second road test, come into effect on Oct. 19, 2026, “aligning B.C.’s modernized Graduated Licensing Program with similar programs worldwide.” The Province announced the rule changes last winter. “Evidence shows that driving experience gained over time predicts long-term safety as reliably as a single road test,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, in a statement. “The changes we’re making to the GLP maintain our high road safety standards, with a focus on helping new drivers get more time behind the wheel to develop the habits they need to drive responsibly,” Krieger said. The Province says that nearly all jurisdictions worldwide don’t have a second road test in their respective GLPs. “Transport Canada collision statistics show that the four Canadian provinces with the lowest motor-vehicle fatality rates do not have an exit test.” On or after Oct. 19, 2026, eligible drivers may qualify for a one-time, automatic upgrade from a Class 7 to a Class 5 licence and won’t be required to complete an in-office driving record assessment. It also reduces the novice phase from 24 months to 12. The Class 5 comes with a 12-month restricted period, and the drivers who qualify will be watched closely. “During the restricted period, drivers will be subject to a zero blood-alcohol and drug restriction and face greater scrutiny than experienced drivers if they receive any violations on their record,” the Province says. “These GLP changes emphasize ongoing monitoring of driving behaviour. The new 12-month restricted period will help flag and correct mistakes made by new drivers and ensure they spend more time developing good driving habits on the roads.” B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma also commented on the change, saying, “Getting a driver’s licence is a major milestone in people’s lives that opens doors to work, education and greater independence. With these changes to the Graduated Licensing Program, we’re making that step more accessible for people, while maintaining our roads’ safety. This is part of our work to modernize licensing and make everyday services more accessible for people throughout B.C.” You can learn more about the changes on the ICBC website. You might also like: - New ICBC licensing rule changes coming for B.C. drivers next year https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-drivers-licence-changes Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:29:33 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-emergency-savings-unexpected-expense Daniel Chai Metro Vancouver may be in for some sweltering temperatures this week, but a recent emergency readiness poll shows that many people in British Columbia are worried about a surprise expense taking out their rainy day fund. According to a recent report by RBC, 42 per cent of B.C. residents reported that they feel they’re just one major unexpected expense away from being financially “over the edge.” Even a smaller unexpected financial hit could have severe consequences for over a third of B.C. respondents to the national poll. You might also like: - 'Morale is low': Layoffs hit London Drugs as B.C. employees are impacted - Wildfire smoke impacts Vancouver as temperatures will feel like 35°C - Glass-smashing spree causes major damage to Metro Vancouver vehicles “Financial stress in any form can affect how secure and in control people feel,” said Erica Nielsen, Group Head, RBC Personal Banking, in a release. Over 75 per cent of the respondents to the RBC Emergency Readiness Poll of Canadians aged 18+ named high cost of living as the number one reason why they are finding it harder to build or maintain emergency savings. And 45 per cent of British Columbians reported that their finances are stretched too thin for them to make any progress towards their emergency savings in case of a surprise expense. Just over 40 per cent of all respondents to the RBC poll shared that they underestimated how much they should save for unexpected costs, and 25 per cent had recently dipped into their emergency fund but had not yet rebuilt it. These figures correspond with similar findings in the latest MNP Consumer Debt Index, which reveals that for around 58 per cent of B.C. residents, at least half of their income has already been committed before they get their paycheque. MNP pointed to the fact that many B.C. residents are caught in what it coined a “pre-spent paycheque cycle.” Upon entering each pay period, for these folks, most of their income has already been dedicated to certain expenses. According to the Government of Canada, ideal emergency savings are the equivalent of three to six months of regular expenses, or saving three to six months of income. B.C.’s lowest-paid workers received a boost to the minimum wage starting on June 1, but another recent report revealed an increasing gap between pay and the cost of living in the province. BC Policy Solutions and Living Wage BC highlighted Statistics Canada data showing that a third of B.C. workers earn less than the living wage in their communities. How hopeless or hopeful do you feel about your financial situation in 2026? Share your experience with us at vancouver@dailyhive.com. With files from Daily Hive staff https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-emergency-savings-unexpected-expense Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:14:33 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-tenant-legal-birth-certificate Amir Ali A B.C. tenant had to take the legal route in order to get some possessions back from his former landlord, including his birth certificate. A dispute that made its way to the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) was a fight about personal belongings. The former B.C. tenant and the applicant in the case said the landlord and respondent kept some of his important possessions, while the landlord claims that the renter “abandoned” their property. The tenant valued the belongings at $5,000. According to the CRT decision, the applicant moved into the respondent’s home sometime around January 2024. As part of the deal, the respondent agreed that the applicant would complete home repairs for a free month of rent in a room that had a shared bathroom. Eventually, the deal was for the applicant to work five hours per week for a rent of $300 per month. Sometime later that year, in November 2024, the relationship began to deteriorate. The respondent said she tried to evict the tenant on five separate occasions and that the police eventually removed him from the home. The applicant alleged that the landlord would not return their personal property, and requested an order for the return of electronics, the contents of a safe, a desk, a dresser, and televisions and computer monitors. Inside the safe was a birth certificate, a bracelet, a silver card, plastic knuckle dusters, a $20 bill, $20 in rare toonies, pennies, a jade turtle, a password book, and some other items, including cannabis. The landlord claimed that the applicant abandoned their belongings and that she returned 95 per cent of the applicant’s belongings. She told the tribunal that she kept some items that the B.C. tenant allegedly stole. She also said she hoped to keep the allegedly stolen items to recoup “redemption fees” but said that after months of no redemption, she returned the allegedly stolen items to their original owners and gave away the others. The tribunal found that the applicant never abandoned their belongings but that the landlord withheld them. Turning to a remedy, the tribunal found that aside from the birth certificate, the landlord also still had the renter’s dresser. The tribunal dismissed all monetary claims from the tenant, but ordered the landlord to return the dresser and birth certificate by making it available for pickup, or having someone designated to pick it up on their behalf. You might also like: - 'Severely intoxicated': B.C. rental agreement ends in violence, bruises, and cuts - Tenant wins thousands after belongings were thrown on the lawn in B.C. eviction case - Decision to move out a day after moving in backfires on B.C. renter https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-tenant-legal-birth-certificate Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:08:07 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/michael-buble-minervas-vancouver Marco Ovies Ryan Reynolds has long been a fan of Minerva’s in Vancouver, having shouted out the Mediterranean restaurant multiple times. Now, it looks like some other celebrities are hopping on the Minerva bandwagon, as Michael Bublé just gave a major shoutout to the restaurant after visiting per Reynolds’ recommendation. “Late to the party, but I’m glad I finally made it; gotta thank my bro @vancityreynolds for the recommendation. Minerva’s is something special. Huge thanks to Nondas and crew for the incredible food and hospitality,” wrote Bublé on Instagram. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Michael Bublé (@michaelbuble) Someone in the comments proceeded to ask him for his recommendations, which he responded with, “So far I’ve been once. Sooooo… the pizza, ribs, and the strawberry shortcake.” You might also like: - Starbucks is bringing one of its most iconic drinks back to Canada for one weekend only - What you might not realize about Vancouver farmers markets - Vancouver taco shop announces return to iconic Gastown location Minerva’s is a Mediterranean restaurant in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood that’s been around since 1975. Reynolds has gone on the record to call Minerva’s his “favourite restaurant in the world.” Have you been to the popular Kerrisdale restaurant? Let us know in the comments. MINERVA’S RESTAURANT Address: 2411 W. 41st Ave., Vancouver Instagram Still hungry? Discover Dished Vancouver on TikTok https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/michael-buble-minervas-vancouver Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:15:07 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/skytrain-weekend-maintenance-july-2026 Amir Ali The FIFA World Cup is over, and congestion on transit in Metro Vancouver should ease a bit, but SkyTrain service will be a bit slower on weekends due to maintenance. TransLink shared that starting on Saturday, July 25, Expo Line service is going to be temporarily reduced on weekends in downtown Vancouver “through this fall.” Service will be affected on early Saturday and Sunday mornings, and late nights on Sundays. TransLink says that the “essential maintenance work” is a continuation of the LIM Rail Replacement program. The program will see the upgrade of the rail assembly that powers the SkyTrain’s linear induction motors on the Expo Line. Once the upgrades are complete, it’ll match the assembly that powers the Millennium Line. TransLink is asking transit users to allow up to 20 minutes of extra travel time during the scheduled maintenance. Maintenance will take place during the following days and times: - Saturdays from 6:15 to 10 a.m. - Sundays from 7:15 to 10 a.m. - Sundays from 9:30 p.m. until 12:15 a.m. If there are any changes, TransLink says that the digital screens at station entrances will provide that information. Service on both the Canada Line and Millennium Line will not be affected. TransLink also advises customers to check out Transit Alerts for up-to-date information on which Expo Line stations are impacted. According to TransLink, the LIM Rail Replacement will help support the system’s optimal operation for years to come. It’ll help to accommodate SkyTrain expansion and increased ridership. “Over the next several years, we’ll replace around 60,000 metres of LIM rail, working section by section along the 30-kilometre Expo Line,” TransLink says. You might also like: - Six-month detour and full closure of West Broadway at Cambie Street for subway construction begins next week - Federal plan aims to expand Port of Vancouver's terminals, railways, and trade capacity - Vancouver's Granville Street sewer replacement project reaches completion https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/skytrain-weekend-maintenance-july-2026 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:53:15 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/where-canada-ranks-fifa-world-cup-final-standings Rob Williams The Canadian men’s national team went further than ever before at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Not only did Canada advance from the group stage for the first time, they also picked up their first-ever knockout round victory against South Africa, before falling to Morocco in the Round of 16. Canada finished the 48-team tournament in 14th place, just behind Brazil, the United States, and Portugal. Four years ago in Qatar, Canada finished second-last, 31st out of 32 teams. And in 1986, Canada was dead-last, 24th out of 24 teams. “In Canada’s third appearance in the global showpiece, and their first on home soil, they achieved a slew of milestones,” reads an excerpt on FIFA’s website. “A first-ever point was followed by a first group stage win, a first knockout phase appearance, a first knockout round win and a record number of goals, as the history books of Canadian football were given a thorough update. “The Reds subsequently fell to defeat to Morocco in Houston at the Round of 16 stage, but the fans were left with a sense of pride about their performances.” What made their showing all the more impressive was that they played the vast majority of the tournament without Alphonso Davies. The 25-year-old played just 15 minutes all tournament, coming in as a substitute in the Round of 16 versus Morocco. While they still have a ways to go before being considered a powerhouse themselves, this showing at the FIFA World Cup displays just how much improvement the Canadian men’s national team has made in recent years. The team is currently ranked 30th in the FIFA men’s world ranking, four spots off the national record of 26th. FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 FINAL STANDINGS Position is decided by the following criteria, for teams that finished at the same stage: - Total number of points from matches across all stages (matches which go to a penalty shootout count as draws) - Goal difference from matches across all stages - Number of goals scored from matches across all stages Canada exited the tournament in the Round of 16, along with Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, United States, Portugal, Egypt, and Paraguay. 1. Spain 2. Argentina 3. England 4. France 5. Norway 6. Belgium 7. Morocco 8. Switzerland 9. Mexico 10. Colombia 11. Brazil 12. United States 13. Portugal 14. Canada 15. Egypt 16. Paraguay 17. Netherlands 18. Germany 19. Côte d’Ivoire 20. Croatia 21. Japan 22. Australia 23. DR Congo 24. Ghana 25. Ecuador 26. South Africa 27. Sweden 28. Austria 29. Bosnia and Herzegovina 30. Algeria 31. Senegal 32. Cabo Verde 33. IR Iran 34. Korea Republic 35. Türkiye 36. Scotland 37. Uruguay 38. Saudi Arabia 39. Czechia 40. New Zealand 41. Qatar 42. Curaçao 43. Panama 44. Jordan 45. Haiti 46. Uzbekistan 47. Tunisia 48. Iraq You might also like: - Vancouver FIFA World Cup stores have begun slashing prices https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/where-canada-ranks-fifa-world-cup-final-standings Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:41:22 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-forecast-temperatures-wildfire-smoke Daniel Chai Sunshine has returned to Metro Vancouver in full force this week, but the rise in temperatures is accompanied by wildfire smoke in the forecast for the region. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is calling for sunshine to stick around for the next seven days, from Monday, July 20, until Sunday, July 26. Monday’s temperatures will reach up to 28°C inland and make things feel up to 32°C inland with the humidex. However, Tuesday will jump even higher, with temperatures reaching 30°C inland and the humidex pushing it up to 35°C inland. You might also like: - What you can do now that Metro Vancouver water restrictions are Stage 2 - Everything to know about Vancouver Pride Parade and festival this month - B.C. hotel snags prestigious crown of Canada's top resort in global awards “We’ve got a bit of a warm-up coming,” explained ECCC meteorologist Matt Loney. “Temperatures will peak on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the added humidity feeling up to mid-30s inland. There is a humid airmass coming in from Northern California. “Relief may be coming on Friday, with a maritime airmass coming in from the ocean.” ECCC is also calling for “hazy” skies to start the week due to wildfire smoke. “A recent thunderstorm event saw 50,000 lightning strikes and 130 fire starts noted through the weekend in B.C.,” explained Loney to Daily Hive. “Fire sources could become more prevalent, with more hot, dry weather coming. “Smoke is drifting in from the north-east, with a significant fire in the Fraser Canyon. Airflow isn’t exceptional at this time, and folks will be able to smell it in the coming hours. Metro Vancouver Regional District confirmed to Daily Hive that it and the Fraser Valley are experiencing hazy conditions from wildfire smoke drifting above the region. “The smoke is likely from wildfires burning near Boston Bar and in other parts of the province,” said the District in an email. “Fine particulate matter (air pollution particle) measurements in eastern parts of the region are slightly higher than usual due to smoke reaching the ground. “This morning, fine particulate matter measurements across the region remain below air quality warning thresholds, and it is unclear if they will reach warning thresholds today. Winds from the west are forecasted to strengthen this afternoon, which may bring cleaner air to the region and help to improve air quality.” Temperatures in the Vancouver forecast reach up to 29°C inland on Wednesday and 27°C inland on Thursday. However, things will cool off slightly for the weekend, with temperatures reaching up to 22°C from Friday to Sunday. The weather overnight is expected to stay warm, with lows of 15°C and 16°C. No matter the weather, make the most of your week with our list of 20 great things to do in Vancouver from July 20 to 26. Check out the Vancouver Chinatown Festival, the Strathcona Blocks Party, and more. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-forecast-temperatures-wildfire-smoke Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:25:08 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-canucks-looking-move-money-next-season Colton Pankiw The Vancouver Canucks appear to be going full steam ahead in their rebuilding efforts. After a completely disastrous 2025-26 season, the Canucks cleaned house, firing GM Patrik Allvin as well as head coach Adam Foote. Allvin has since been replaced by Ryan Johnson, while Foote has been replaced by Manny Malhotra. The Canucks have also moved out some money, trading Marcus Pettersson ($5.5 million) to the New York Rangers as well as Nils Höglander ($3 million) to the Nashville Predators. Evander Kane ($5.125 million) won’t be back, after his contract expired. They have added Jamie Oleksiak ($5 million) and Brendan Gallagher ($3.25 million) though. Based on a new report, it sounds as though ownership is still hoping to see more contracts come off the books before the 2026-27 season gets underway. “League sources have told Postmedia that Canucks ownership have said they would like to reduce player payroll by up to $20 million, and it bears noting that they are already down $12 million from the end of last season,” Patrick Johnston of The Province wrote on Friday. The Canucks have already moved out $12 million from last season, meaning that in an ideal world for ownership, they will rid themselves of another $8 million before the 2026-27 season begins. Should they do so, they would have just over $78 million on the books, with the NHL’s salary floor set at $76.9 million. One player that fits the bill to be traded is Jake DeBrusk. The 29-year-old has five more years remaining on his contract with a $5.5-million cap hit. It isn’t the prettiest of deals, but there should be teams willing to take on that contract for a player who has scored a combined 51 goals over the past two seasons. Another potential option would be moving Drew O’Connor and his $2.5-million cap hit. He’s a pending UFA after the 2026-27 season, making him a solid add for many teams as a bottom-six forward. The 28-year-old scored a career-high 17 goals in 2025-26. Moving out any current roster players will make the Canucks an even weaker team, which is exactly what they should be going for. They were able to add a great prospect in Caleb Malhotra in this year’s draft, and should be in the running to land the first-overall pick in 2027. You might also like: - Blue Jays World Series champ Duane Ward dead at 62 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-canucks-looking-move-money-next-season Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:12:21 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-l-driver-speeding-family Amir Ali A 20-year-old B.C. “L” driver learned a hard lesson, and did so in front of her whole family. The BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) shared informationa bout an incident that took place on July 11 on Highway 5 just south of Merritt, B.C. Officers stopped a 2026 Honda Pilot after BCHP caught the vehicle going 168 km/h in a 120 km/h zone. The 20-year-old Williams Lake woman was driving the vehicle with five passengers. BCHP said that while this ordinarily would be a violation of the single passenger allowed bylaw, she said that they were all family members. > #BCHighwayPatrol – Learner driver gets her family’s brand-new SUV impounded while her family watches https://t.co/mig3hsQolb pic.twitter.com/QjxAir2eW3 > > — BC Highway Patrol (@BCHwyPatrol) July 20, 2026 “An unlimited number of family passengers is an exception allowed by the BC Motor Vehicle Act,” BCHP noted. BCHP Corporal Michael McLaughlin said that just because something is “technically legal,” it doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. “Learner drivers do not have the demonstrated skills to safely drive a large number of passengers — which is something this driver exemplified when she chose to speed,” he said. For her speeding violation, the 20-year-old B.C. driver was hit with a fine of $368 for excessive speed, the cost of a tow truck and a seven-day impound for the Pilot, and “at least three years of high-risk driver premiums that will bring the total costs close to $2,500.” “The cost of the seven-day impound is usually the responsibility of the Registered Owner (RO) of the vehicle, but since the RO is the driver’s father, the family may negotiate another arrangement among themselves,” BCHP added. BCHP has been quite busy in recent weeks, and it recently shared a separate incident involving a motorcyclist with a learner’s permit travelling at “shocking” speeds. You might also like: - Vancouver motorcyclist with her 'L' caught travelling at 'shocking speed' one week after rider dies - Dashcam catches Surrey motorcycle owner's 'unsafe' driving on Highway 1 - Phone down: Metro Vancouver sees worst increase in distracted driving in all of B.C. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-l-driver-speeding-family Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:49:52 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/starbucks-unicorn-frappuccino-canada-dates Charlie Hart This summer, Starbucks is throwing it back by bringing back one of its most iconic sips to Canada for one weekend only. If you spent any time online in 2017, chances are you saw or even tried Starbucks’ Unicorn Frappuccino, which became a viral sensation in part for its striking appearance and colour-changing abilities. After its extremely limited five-day run. the Unicorn Frappuccino disappeared from Starbucks menus for almost a decade That was until last month, when there were rumblings that the Unicorn Frappuccino would be making its return to locations all over the world. While a Starbucks rep confirmed to Dished that the unique sip would indeed be Canada-bound, no dates were revealed, but we now know exactly when Canadians can expect to get their hands on it. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Starbucks (@starbucks) Mark it in your calendars now, as the Unicorn Frappuccino will be available at locations across Canada on Saturday, Aug. 15 and Sunday, Aug. 16, while supplies last. If you missed it the first time around, the Unicorn Frappuccino features a creamy and sweet mango flavour, with a tangy blue drizzle. The sip is finished with whipped cream and a tart pink and blue topping. When the cup is swirled, the magic really starts as the drink changes colour. With another extremely limited run, you’ll want to be speedy if you’re looking to get your hands on the Unicorn Frappuccino this time around. You might also like: - Costco Canada revealed how many hot dogs it sold in 2025 and hot diggity dog it's a lot - Eyebrow-raising unauthorized No Frills grocery cart sign removed after backlash - Why is it called 'Real Canadian Superstore' anyway? https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/starbucks-unicorn-frappuccino-canada-dates Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:46:46 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/porter-airlines-brings-back-surcharge Irish Mae Silvestre After briefly reducing its surcharge on some bookings, Porter Airlines has increased it again just weeks later. In March, Porter Airlines announced that it was implementing a $40 temporary fuel surcharge as a result of global aviation fuel prices due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with the changes only applying to VIPorter reward flight redemptions. Then in June, Canada’s third-largest airline sent an email to customers, stating that it was cutting the surcharge by half to $20. But those changes didn’t last long. On July 11, Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz was closed once again after being hit with multiple strikes by the United States, reports Al Jazeera. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stated that as of the week of July 17, jet fuel prices have risen 17.6 per cent compared to the week before. As a result, on Friday, Porter emailed customers stating that it’s once again increasing the fuel surcharge for VIPorter reward flight redemptions to $40. “We truly hoped our next update would confirm that full removal,” reads the email. “However, the global oil market has since experienced unexpected and sharp price increases. To ensure we can continue offering the full value of your VIPorter points during this period of rising jet fuel prices, we must temporarily readjust the surcharge to $40.” This means that customers booking trips using VIPorter rewards must pay the $40 surcharge as of July 17. The surcharge rate does not apply to regular bookings made without redeeming points. The airline also stated that it was “not the direction” it wanted to take. “While these recent market shifts have stalled our progress in removing the surcharge, our commitment remains unchanged,” reads the statement. “We plan to remove it entirely when market conditions allow.” With files from Isabelle Docto You might also like: - Canadian families are getting bigger child benefit payments today - Canadians are getting lots of government benefit payments in August - U.S. President Donald Trump wants to hold Canada responsible for wildfire smoke https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/porter-airlines-brings-back-surcharge Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:35:10 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/strathcona-blocks-party-2026 Sabrina Gamrot A proper Vancouver summer is never complete without a block party! The vibes are perfect, the sun is shining bright, and everyone is having a wonderful time — what’s not to enjoy? Well, if you can’t wait to start your summer block party era, there’s a returning, free party to add to your list! The Strathcona Blocks Party is back for 2026, and it’s coming with a whole lot of fun for all ages! It all goes down on July 25 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. along the 600-900 block of East Hastings. AFTERNOON OF FREE COMMUNITY FUN Guests can expect food trucks, live musical entertainment, and good times all around! Get hungry for tasty food truck options like Nami Vietnamese, JAPADOG, and REEL Mac and Cheese.  Eden Cafe will be serving up cold brews with a rotating variety of cold foams, and Les Amis Du Fromage will be offering a special $20 brown bag for a surprise of delicious cheeses. Celebrate 10 years of the Strathcona Beer Company with an ice-cold pint at their beer garden, open until 8 p.m.. Take in the summer vibes and have a whirl at throwback games like giant Twister. And, don’t forget to check out the summertime BBQ menu too.  Once you’ve cooled down, it’s time to shop the block, support local businesses, and enjoy special promos and giveaways. You might even walk away with some exclusive goodies! YEAR 5 OF THE EPIC STRATHCONA BLOCKS PARTY  While you take a break from rocking out to entertainers like The Slow Sippers Band or The Happening Dance Studio performance, embark on the Strathcona Blocks Party passport scavenger hunt for free ice cream.  And for the kiddos, the lineup is packed! Enjoy free activities like face painting, balloon art, and chalk. Plus, a dedicated Kids Zone will host even more activities like instruments from Tapestry Music, large blocks, and even help create a community mural.  BLOCK PARTY TIME For even more community fun, be sure to check out the Eastside Arts Festival at MacLean Park from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and keep the local fun going all-day long.  Don’t miss out on this iconic Vancouver party! From live DJ sets, delicious plates, and local goodies — there’s something for everyone here! Learn more and get ready for summer fun by checking out the Strathcona Blocks Party. STRATHCONA BLOCKS PARTY When: Saturday, July 25 Where: 600-900 block of East Hastings – food trucks and music are located at 840 East Hasting Time: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Free  https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/strathcona-blocks-party-2026 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:30:16 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-child-benefit-increase-july-20 Isabelle Docto Eligible families can expect an increase in their Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments today. Since 2018, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has used a process called indexation to adjust benefit and credit payments to keep up with inflation and the rising cost of living. This year, the indexation increase will be two per cent. That means some benefits and credit payments will increase by that amount. In comparison, it will be a lower hike than the 2.7 per cent increase in 2025. The maximum benefits and the income thresholds are indexed annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CRA has boosted the payment amounts for certain income-tested benefits starting on July 1, 2026, which is the beginning of the new benefit year. Luckily for families, the CCB is one of the tax-free monthly government payments that has increased, so they can expect more money in their bank accounts on Monday, July 20. Canadian families got a 2.7 per cent boost in child benefit payments in July 2025. Annual payments for children under six increased from $7,787 to $7,997, or $666 monthly. For those with children aged six to 17, this means an annual payment increase from $6,570 to $6,748, or $562 per month. However, with the two per cent boost this year starting July 20, the base benefit for a child under age six in 2026 will be $8,157 per year (an increase of $160 from $7,997 in 2025), which comes out to $679.75 per month. The base benefit for children aged six to 17 will be $6,883 next year (up $135 from $6,748 this year), which is $573.58 per month. The Child Disability Benefit — a tax-free monthly payment for families who care for children under the age of 18 with a “severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions” — will also increase in July. According to the CRA, based on the two per cent indexation increase, the maximum benefit amount in 2026 will be $3,480 ($290 per month), which is a $69 increase from $3,411 in 2025. You can check if your family is eligible for Canada’s child tax benefit by taking the government’s eligibility test. Check out the other government benefits and credit payments that are increasing this year. You might also like: - Canadians are getting lots of government benefit payments in August - Canadian retiree wins millions, plans to buy first-ever home - Class-action lawsuit filed against StubHub in Canada https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-child-benefit-increase-july-20 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:55:08 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-events-july-20-26 Daniel Chai July is just speeding by! We’d better make the most of it with our list of 20 great things to do in Vancouver from July 20 to 26. Check out the Vancouver Chinatown Festival, the Strathcona Blocks Party, and more. Be sure to view our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town. To stay up to date on everything happening in Metro Vancouver, B.C., and beyond, sign up for our newsletters. VANCOUVER CHINATOWN FESTIVAL What: The 23rd Vancouver Chinatown Festival will be held on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26. It will feature a variety of activities and live entertainment highlighting the historical neighbourhood. This year’s celebration features an artisan market, a Kids Zone, international food trucks, and more. When: Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, 2026 Time: Noon to 6 p.m. Where: Columbia Street and Keefer Street, Vancouver Cost: Free SCIENCE WORLD AFTER DARK: SPARKS AND REC OUTDOOR EDITION What: Head to Science World for a special outdoor edition of After Dark. Guests are invited to sip and stroll through Ken Spencer Science Park and enjoy a live science show and performances by local musicians. Then head inside to explore everything under the dome. When: Thursday, July 23, 2026 Time: 6 to 10 p.m. Where: Science World — 1455 Quebec St., Vancouver Tickets: $39.99 plus tax, available online RICHMOND NIGHT MARKET What: The Richmond Night Market is returning this month, and with it, it’ll be bringing the world’s first night market zipline, an all-new Trading Card Zone, and over 500 food items to try. The theme for this year’s market is “Little Wonder World,” which the market describes as a “dazzling, globe-trotting adventure filled with iconic landmark decorations, vibrant displays, and a stunning themed wall designed for unforgettable moments.” There will also be a giant soccer display. When: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays until Sept. 20, 2026 Time: From 7 p.m. Where: 2431 Number 3 Rd., Richmond Cost: $7 general admission, $40 Zoom pass. Free for children under 7 years and seniors 60 years and up VANCOUVER RISE VS HALIFAX TIDES What: Vancouver Rise continue their Northern Super League season this weekend with a match against Halifax Tides on Saturday, July 25 at Swangard Stadium. When: Saturday, July 25, 2026 Time: 1 p.m. Where: Swangard Stadium — 6100 Boundary Rd., Burnaby Cost: Various; purchase online DRIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHTS IN RICHMOND What: Drive-In Movie Nights at Lansdowne Centre, presented by the shopping mall and Fresh Air Cinema, takes place every Wednesday from July 22 until Sept. 2. The movie screenings take place in the parking lot of Lansdowne Centre, and viewings are free this summer. Each week spotlights a different film theme, and viewers can vote on which one they would like to enjoy. When: Every Wednesday from July 22 to Sept. 2, 2026 Time: The film starts at sunset Where: Lansdowne Centre — 5300 Number 3 Rd., Richmond Cost: Free THEATRE UNDER THE STARS What: A longtime Vancouver theatre tradition returns to Stanley Park with a pair of iconic Broadway musicals. Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS)’s 2026 season, its 86th year at the Malkin Bowl, will feature Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Get swept up in the magic this summer. When: July 3 to Aug. 22, 2026 (Performances alternate evenings) Time: 8 p.m., except on special event nights, which start at 7 p.m. Where: Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park – 610 Pipeline Rd., Vancouver Tickets: Various prices, purchase online STRATHCONA BLOCKS PARTY What: The Strathcona Blocks Party is a free community event for the community, featuring activities with local Strathcona businesses, live entertainment and performances, food, shopping, and a beer garden with games, BBQ food and live DJ entertainment hosted by Strathcona Beer in celebration of their 10th year anniversary! Once you’ve explored all there is to do at the Strathcona Blocks Party, head over to the East Side Arts Festival at MacLean Park, open until 8 p.m. When: Saturday, July 25, 2026 Time: Noon to 5 p.m. Where: 600 to 900 Blocks of East Hastings, Vancouver Cost: Free! PLAZA POURS WINE TASTINGS What: Enjoy an outdoor evening wine tasting session hosted by a local sommelier from the Stable House Bistro. Doors open and the tasting starts at 5 p.m., running for one hour. Admission is completely free, but advance registration is required due to limited space and beverage quantities. When: July 9 and 23, Aug. 6 and 20, 2026 Time: 5 to 6 p.m. Where: South Granville Plaza West – Granville Street and West 13th Ave., Vancouver Admission: Free, but advanced registration is required MISSION FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL What: The Mission Folk Music Festival is back for its 39th year with two days and three nights of live open-air concerts. Enjoy over two dozen artists on four stages, as well as artisan markets, food vendors, all ages activities, camping, and more. When: July 24 to 26, 2026 Time: Various times Where: Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission Cost: Various, purchase online MEET ME AT THE GALLERY: PRIDE EDITION The Vancouver Art Gallery is teaming up with Thursday Dating for a Pride edition of the after-hours singles mixer. Acclaimed drag artist Mx Bukuru hosts the 19+ event, which includes a live DJ, cocktails and mocktails by The Lazy Gourmet and exclusive access to the Gallery’s first and second-floor exhibitions, including That Green Ideal: Emily Carr and the Idea of Nature, Jim Lambie: Zobop (Colour-Chrome) and Future Geographies: Art in the Century of Climate Change. When: Friday, July 24, 2026 Time: Doors 6:45 p.m., event from 7 to 10 p.m. Where: Vancouver Art Gallery – 750 Hornby St., Vancouver Tickets: Various prices, purchase online OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHTS IN NORTH VANCOUVER What: Movie nights are some of the best times we get to spend with family, and this summer, you can enjoy some of your favourites outdoors on the North Shore for free. The City of North Vancouver is bringing back Sunset Cinema for several dates, including Lilo & Stitch on July 24 at Civic Plaza, How to Train Your Dragon at Ray Perrault Park on Aug. 7, and Zootopia 2 at Heywood Park on Aug. 14. When: Various dates Time: 8:30 p.m. estimated start time Where: Various locations in North Vancouver Cost: Free JUNCTION PUBLIC MARKET What: Vancouver’s open-air container market is back, and you won’t want to miss the fun. Now in its third year, the free-to-enter downtown market and hub has over 30 new vendors this year, in addition to live entertainment and community events throughout the summer. When: April 30 to Sept. 7, 2026 Time: Open Tuesday through Sunday at varying times Where: 200 Granville St.  Cost: Free admission EASTSIDE ARTS FESTIVAL What: The Eastside Arts Festival features a variety of arts workshops, live performances, art activations, and more in several Eastside Arts District studios, breweries, and venues. Hosts Eastside Arts Society also welcomes art lovers to a full day of fun at MacLean Park on July 25 from 3 to 8 p.m. There will be outdoor art-making workshops, food trucks, beverage garden beer, cider and wine from Strange Fellows Brewing, and a free outdoor concert stage presented in collaboration with Rickshaw Theatre. When: July 17 to 26, 2026 Time: Various times Where: Various locations Cost: Various costs, purchase online OLYMPIC VILLAGE COMEDY CLASSIC What: Jokers Canada is a travelling comedy club that showcases professional stand-ups all over Metro Vancouver. Featuring acclaimed comics that have performed at Just For Laughs and Winnipeg Comedy Festival, on CW and the CBC, and more. This week, Jokers is bringing the Comedy Classics to the BMO Theatre Centre at Olympic Village. Performers include Myles Anderson (CBC Debaters), Cory Lupovici (JFL Vancouver), Bobby Warrener (“Subway Takes”), Alannah Brittany (CBC New Wave), Patricia Mansur (winner of the LMG Comedian Competition), Ray Morrison (CBC LOL), and Darcy Boon Collins (actor and touring Comedian). When: Saturday, July 25, 2026 Time: 8 p.m. Where: Newmont Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre – 162 West 1st Ave. 203, Vancouver Cost: Various prices, promo code DAILYHIVE25 for discount. Purchase online BEND & FLOW COMMUNITY YOGA What: Find your center with refreshing, fresh-air movement classes. Admission is entirely free; participants just need to bring their own yoga mat. When: July 12 and 26, Aug. 9 and 23, 2026 Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Where: South Granville Plaza East – Granville Street and West 14th Avenue, Vancouver Admission: Free (Bring your own mat) VANCOUVER PRIDE WEEK What: Vancouver Pride is celebrating being “Unapologetically Queer” in 2026, with a whole week of events from July 25 to Aug. 2. The fun culminates with the return of the Davie Village Pride Festival and the 48th annual Vancouver Pride Parade. There will also be dance parties, drag shows, and more to enjoy. When: July 25 to Aug. 2, 2026 Time: Various times Where: Various locations Cost: Ticketed and Free Events FALSE CREEK CRAB FEST What: False Creek Crab Fest is returning to Vancouver for its fourth year. The event takes place at False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf, allowing festival goers the rare opportunity to connect directly with local fishers (all while enjoying some of Vancouver’s top waterfront views). You can also expect plenty of live music, games, and educational booths. At the heart of this celebration is, of course, Dungenous crab, which will be highlighted in a mouthwatering crab boil experience by local chefs, including Vish Mayekar (chef and owner of Elem) and Johnny Bridge (president of Chefs’ Table Society of B.C.). When: July 26, 20206 Time: Noon to 4 p.m. Where: False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf — 1505 W. 1st Ave., Vancouver Cost: $65 plus tax for early bird tickets until June 14, $70 plus tax for general admission starting June 15, and $75 on the day of WINE SCHOOL WINE BAR What: A wine bar pop-up in collaboration with This Is Wine School and Autostradda at Forecast Coffee on Main Street. Enjoy a selection of premium, unique wines served by sommeliers at the bar at Forecast and a selection of bites created by Autostradda. When: Every Friday and Saturday night starting July 24, 2026 Time: 5 to 10 p.m. Where: Forecast Coffee – 2980 Main St, Vancouver Admissions: Free DECKCHAIR CINEMA AT THE POLYGON GALLERY What: The Polygon Gallery’s Deckchair Cinema returns starting on Thursday, June 25, on Lower Lonsdale’s waterfront deck. Hosted in partnership with presenting sponsor Rogers Communications and supporting sponsor Mubi, the open-air film series will feature music and entertainment, food and drinks, and more. Admission to the fifth annual series of outdoor movies is by donation, courtesy of BMO Financial Group, and includes entrance to access Polygon Gallery’s summer exhibition Greg Girard (opening July 9), Simranpreeet Anand: Living with the Eternal, and James Harry: Eye of the Ancestor. When: Every Thursday from June 25 to Aug. 27, 2026 Time: Music and concession open at 7 p.m., screenings begin at sundown Where: 101 Carrie Cates Crt., North Vancouver Cost: By donation VANCOUVER FETISH WEEKEND What: Now in its second decade, Vancouver Fetish Weekend draws hundreds of international attendees each year for a mix of nightlife, community events, and kink-positive spaces. The 2026 edition includes a meet-and-greet social, a black-and-white-themed ball, a fetish cruise, and more. When: Thursday, July 23 to Monday, July 27, 2026 Time: Varies by event. Check the schedule here Where: Various locations Cost: Varies; single-day tickets and weekend passes available online https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-events-july-20-26 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:00:41 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/blue-jays-world-series-champ-duane-ward-dead Rob Williams The Toronto Blue Jays have announced that Duane Ward has died. The legendary relief pitcher was just 62. The news comes just one day after the Blue Jays honoured members of the 1992 and 1993 teams that won back-to-back World Series titles. The team also unveiled a statue to commemorate Joe Carter’s walk-off home run to win the championship in 1993. Ward travelled to Toronto for the event, arriving in the city on Friday, but was absent for the pre-game festivities on Saturday. The Blue Jays said the Parkview, NM native passed away of natural causes. “It is with profound sadness that the Toronto Blue Jays mourn the passing of pitcher Duane Ward, one of the most accomplished and beloved relievers in franchise history,” the Blue Jays announced in a statement. Ward played nearly the entirety of his MLB career in Toronto, joining the Blue Jays in 1986 and retiring in 1995, and was a key member of both their World Series championship teams. A reliable reliever, he often pitched the eighth inning before closer Tom Henke came in for the ninth. That changed in 1993 after Henke left the team and Ward became the closer, earning an American League All-Star nod with 45 saves that season. “Duane was a cornerstone of Blue Jays baseball, appearing in 452 games from 1986 to 1995 and helping define an era of excellence,” the Blue Jays added. “A dominant force on the mound, Duane ranks among the franchise leaders in saves with 121 and remains one of the most reliable late-inning relievers the organization has ever known. Whether setting the stage in the eighth inning or closing out wins, he will be remembered for the role he played in some of the greatest moments in Blue Jays history.” Ward was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020. “Duane will be deeply missed by our fans, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. Duane will always be a cherished part of the Blue Jays family, and we will be forever grateful for his contributions to our organization and to baseball in Canada.” You might also like: - Blue Jays legend Joe Carter reflects on legendary World Series-winning home run https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/blue-jays-world-series-champ-duane-ward-dead Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:50:40 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-restaurants-closed-july-2026 Marco Ovies Vancouver’s restaurant scene can be fickle, and unfortunately, we’ve recently lost some fan favourites. From major B.C. based chains to Canadian fast-food joints, here are five restaurants in and around Vancouver that have closed. ODD BURGER VANCOUVER After less than two years in the city, vegan fast-food chain Odd Burger has shared that it will be shuttering its only Vancouver location. “It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we announce that Odd Burger Vancouver will be closing its doors,” wrote the restaurant on Facebook. As for the reason for the closure, the owners of the location shared, “The final blow came when head office made the decision to discontinue the in-house products that were such an important part of what we believed in and what we signed on for. It changed the direction of the business in a way that no longer aligned with the vision we had when we opened our doors.” Address: 2821 Main St., Vancouver GREEN LETTUCE VANCOUVER “To our Vancouver community, thank you for the last 27 years! Our Vancouver location is now closed, and please continue visiting us at our Surrey location,” wrote the restaurant on its website. Located at 1949 Kingsway, the eatery was best known for its wide selection of Indian-style Chinese food. Owners Winston and Peter opened the restaurant in 1999, and since then, it has acquired a very loyal following, including the likes of local celebrity chef Vikram Vij. Address: 1949 Kingsway, Vancouver KOSOO CARDERO >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Kosoo Restaurant (@kosoo_restaurant) After an 11-year run, Kosoo Cardero has closed its doors. “Since opening our doors in 2015, we have had the privilege of serving our community, sharing countless meals, celebrations, and unforgettable memories with all of you. None of this would have been possible without your continued love and support,” wrote the restaurant on Instagram. Kosoo is best known for its modern Korean offerings, including bibimbap, tteok-bokki, japchae, and more. The restaurant also operates a Korean BBQ-focused location in Coquitlam and another outpost in Robson, which the restaurant is encouraging folks to visit to enjoy their favourite dishes. Address: 832 Cardero St., Vancouver WHITE SPOT SURREY (CENTRAL CITY) White Spot has closed another Metro Vancouver restaurant, this time at Surrey’s Central City. While an announcement has yet to be made online, a member of staff at the store confirmed the news to Dished over the phone, adding that its final day was July 12. As for the reason for the closure, the member of staff said that it was ultimately decided by White Spot’s head office. Address: 13580 102nd Ave., Surrey OVA RESTAURANT >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Bruno Restaurant (@bruno.yvr) After an approximate five-year run, Bruno in Richmond has announced it has permanently closed. “We’re truly grateful for every visit, every celebration, and every memory shared with us,” wrote the restaurant. “Thank you for your support and for making Bruno such a special place.” Bruno was located inside the Versante Hotel, which is situated just beside the Richmond Night Market’s current site. The 6,000 sq. ft. restaurant seated 130 people and was best known for its assortment of dishes featuring B.C. ingredients. The restaurant also shared that it hopes folks will continue to visit the team at its sister restaurant, Cask Whisky Vault, an intimate whisky lounge with Izakaya-inspired cuisine. Address: 8499 Bridgeport Rd., Richmond Still hungry? Discover Dished Vancouver on TikTok https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-restaurants-closed-july-2026 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:00:44 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-farmers-markets Amir Ali Vancouver farmers markets are a joy to visit on a nice sunny day, basking in the sights of the fresh produce and rubbing shoulders with fellow Vancouverites, and maybe grabbing a treat from a local food truck. However, there’s a lesser-known reality for farmers markets that many don’t know about, particularly here in Vancouver. Vancouver Farmers Markets (VFM) receives no structural city funding and pays over $30,000 in annual municipal fees. These aren’t city-run, taxpayer-funded community services. VFM is an independent and registered non-profit society that has been around since 1995. It also has community tables and a busker program that saw 55 performers enhancing the experience in 2025. VFM includes markets like the Trout Lake Farmers Market (where it all began), Riley Park Farmers Market and Downtown Farmers Market. In 2025, VFM generated $18 million in direct sales for small farms and producers, with an impact of over $27 million on the local economy. VFM also gives back, having distributed $71,280to lower-income families and households. Those families and households were able to get access to “dignified” fresh and local food. In five years, VFM saw annual growth from $10 million to $18 million. In 2025, VFM saw 675,000 total market visitors. The 2025 VFM annual report suggests that its infrastructure is often overlooked. VFM depends on temporary permits, limited space and portable infrastructure and is in dire need of longer-term site agreements and “meaningful inclusion in urban planning.” VFM says that without that, “these well-used community spaces could become increasingly difficult to sustain as Vancouver grows.” With the Vancouver civic election just a few months away, VFM is calling for a larger conversation about whether the markets should be treated as temporary events, or as essential civic infrastructure that addresses food security, public space and neighbourhood connection and supports local business. “As we reflect on our impact and look ahead to what’s next, our challenge — and opportunity — is to move farmers markets from nice-to-haves to community infrastructure that sustains us for generations to come. We hope you’ll join us as we have the kinds of conversations that get us there,” said VFM Executive Director Laura Smit. You might also like: - 'We’re turning the page': Vancouver tapas bar announces closure ahead of move to new location - B.C.'s biggest free multicultural festival returns to Surrey this weekend - 'I love that place': Cobie Smulders dishes on her favourite Vancouver restaurant https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-farmers-markets Sun, 19 Jul 2026 14:00:02 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/benefit-payments-august-2026 Isabelle Docto Another month means another slate of benefit payments for Canadians. August is the second month that eligible Canadians are receiving boosted payments from the government. Since 2018, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has used a process called indexation to adjust benefit and credit payments to keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of living. It’s implemented annually in July, which is the start of the new benefit year. In 2026, the indexation increase is two per cent, which means some benefit and credit payments have increased by that amount. In comparison, it’s a lower hike than the 2.7 per cent increase in 2025. From families to people living with disabilities, many Canadians could be eligible to receive these increased benefit and credit payments that aim to make life a little more affordable. Keep an eye on your bank account — here are all of the benefit and credit payments Canadians could get in August, and how much more they could receive. ONTARIO TRILLIUM BENEFIT — AUG. 10, 2026 The OTB is a tax-free payment that combines the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit. These payments will also increase in July for the 2026 benefit year. The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit will increase from $1,283 to $1,307 next month for those between 18 and 64 years old. If you’re 65 or older, the maximum you’ll qualify for goes up from $1,461 to $1,488. If you live on a reserve or a public long-term care home, the maximum you can receive will increase from $285 to $290. You’ll receive $25 for the time you lived in a designated college, university, or private school residence in 2025. The amount you receive for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit depends on your marital status. If you’re single, the maximum amount you can receive will increase from $185 to $189 in July, while families can get a maximum of $290, up from $285. Next month, eligible Ontarians will get a boost in the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, going from $371 to $378. You may be eligible for additional credit of up to $378 for your spouse or common-law partner, and each dependent child under 19 years of age on the 1st of the payment month. This credit does not affect your GST/HST credit payments. CANADA DISABILITY BENEFIT — AUG. 20, 2026 This benefit provides financial support to people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64 years old. The first month of eligibility for this benefit was in June 2025, and payments began in July 2025. You can still apply, and if you qualify for payments, you’ll begin getting money from the government the month after your application is approved. “You may receive back payments for up to 24 months from when we get your application, but not for any previous months of eligibility prior to June 2025,” reads the government site. Starting next month, the maximum monthly payment you could receive is $204.20, up from $200 in 2025. The payment will be based on your adjusted family net income from your 2025 federal income tax return. CANADA CHILD BENEFIT — AUG. 20, 2026 The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment for eligible families to help with the cost of raising kids under the age of 18. According to the CRA, the base benefit for a child under age six in 2026 will be $8,157, an increase of $160 from $7,997 in 2025. The base benefit for children aged six to 17 will be $6,883 next year, up $135 from $6,748 this year. Learn more about the increased CCB and Child Disability Benefit payments. B.C. FAMILY BENEFIT — AUG. 20, 2026 Families who qualify for the B.C. Family Benefit (BCFB) will receive this monthly tax-free payment, along with their CCB, in a single payment. For the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, the CRA states that families with children under 18 could receive $145.83 per month for the first child, $41.66 per month for the first child in a single-parent family, $91.66 per month for the second child, and $75 per month for each additional child. Families with a net income between $29,526 and $94,483 could receive $64.58 per month for the first child, $62.50 per month for the second child, and $60.41 per month for each additional child. ONTARIO CHILD BENEFIT — AUG. 20, 2026 Ontario families with low to moderate income could be eligible for the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB), a provincial tax-free benefit that’s delivered with the CCB in a single monthly payment. Federal indexation does affect it, which means that starting next month, families could be eligible to receive a maximum of $146.66 (up from $143.91) per month for each child under 18 years of age. Families with a family net income above $26,865 may receive a partial benefit. CANADA PENSION PLAN — AUG. 27, 2026 The CPP is a monthly, taxable benefit that replaces part of eligible Canadians’ income upon retirement and is paid for the rest of their lives. To receive money from the government, you must have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP and be at least 60 years old. You’ll receive your full pension even if you’re under 70 and still working; contributing to the CPP post-retirement benefit can increase your pension. The amount you receive will depend on when you decided to start your pension, the amount you contributed, how much you earned throughout your working life, and how long you contributed to the CPP. New beneficiaries aged 65 will receive an average monthly payment of $925.35 as of January 2026. The maximum monthly payment you can receive at age 65 is $1,507.65 as of January 2026. OLD AGE SECURITY — AUG. 27, 2026 Canadians aged 65 and older can qualify for the OAS pension regardless of their work history. Ottawa increased OAS payments for July to September 2026. Those aged 65 to 74 can now receive up to $751.97 per month in 2026 if their annual net income in 2025 was less than $152,062. Canadians aged 75 and older can now receive a maximum of $827.17 if their annual net world income in 2025 was less than $157,923. VETERAN DISABILITY PENSION — AUG. 28, 2026 The following Canadians can qualify for the Veteran Disability Pension: - A member or veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces - A member or former member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) - A Second World War or Korean War Veteran (includes Merchant Navy), or an eligible civilian who served in the Second World War Eligible recipients must have a diagnosed medical condition or disability and demonstrate that it was related to their service. If eligible, you can also receive a lifetime monthly benefit or lump sum for Pain and Suffering Compensation. The amount you receive depends on your disability, and payments range from $69.60 to $1,391.98. There’s also the disability pension, which depends on the number of dependents, such as your spouse, common-law partner, and/or children. You may also be eligible for benefits offered by your provincial or territorial government, rather than the federal government of Canada. Take a look at your provincial benefits page. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/benefit-payments-august-2026 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:00:40 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/magnicity-vancouver-observation-deck-attraction-potential Kenneth Chan A Paris-based company behind some of the world’s best-known observation attractions has identified Vancouver as a possible expansion market, seeing an opportunity to turn the uppermost floors of a future tall tower into a major visitor destination for tourists and local residents alike. Magnicity operates panoramic sightseeing observation attractions at the prominent tower landmarks of the Berlin TV Tower, 360 Chicago, Euromast in Rotterdam, Highline Warsaw, and Montparnasse Tower in Paris, where its attraction recently began a temporary years-long closure ahead of a drastic transformation of the entire building, including the rooftop observation attraction. In an interview with Daily Hive Urbanized, Magnicity CEO Alexia Vettier and deputy general manager for finance and development Hervé Cacheur said Vancouver is among the North American cities the company is examining as it actively searches for new locations. However, they did not name any specific Vancouver projects, properties, or development partnerships. You might also like: - Proposal to build Western Canada's tallest tower, featuring a free public observation deck for Vancouver residents, heads to City Council - New renderings of Western Canada's tallest tower in Downtown Vancouver, featuring an observation deck attraction - Canada's tallest building with a public observation deck proposed for Vancouver - Downtown Vancouver's skyline soars with proposal for landmark towers up to 1,034 ft - Vancouver developer Onni Group reaches deal to buy former Hudson's Bay building - City's chief planner emphasizes creating a 'Vancouver approach' to taller towers According to Destination Vancouver, the region welcomed 11.3 million overnight visitors in 2025, and the organization aims to grow the value of the local tourism industry from $9 billion to $11 billion over the next several years. Beyond this critical mass of visitors, Vancouver’s dramatic natural setting and distinctive urban landscape make it a compelling location for a modern observation attraction — an opportunity that has yet to be fully realized. “Vancouver is a destination. There are already a substantial number of visitors to the city,” said Cacheur, suggesting the strong market for a major new modern observation attraction in Vancouver. “We are actually actively searching and prospecting for new sites, mainly in North America, and in Asia as well, where we have our own sales representative office, but we don’t have a site yet.” Montreal, which experienced a comparable number of overnight visitors as Vancouver in 2025, is another city under potential consideration. Magnicity traces its history to 1974, when they first opened within the uppermost floors and rooftop of the then-newly built Montparnasse Tower, which has a height of 690 ft. (210 metres) with 60 floors. Over the decades, this tower with a storied history has attracted controversy among Parisians for its perceived excessive height and imposing design. It is the second tallest structure within central Paris, just after the Eiffel Tower, and like the Eiffel Tower it is highly visible from a considerable distance. While Montparnasse Tower is a major Paris landmark because of its height, it is also highly regarded by visitors for one particular reason: it offers the best panoramic views of the entire city, including a clear, direct view of the Eiffel Tower. Many tourists say they prefer the 360-degree view from the top of Montparnasse Tower over the Eiffel Tower’s own observation levels because it allows them to fully appreciate the national landmark’s dominance over Paris’ predominantly low- and mid-rise skyline. That was also Daily Hive Urbanized’s experience during a visit to Magnicity’s Montparnasse Tower observation attraction in October 2025. Aside from height, Montparnasse Tower is also controversial for its use of dark glass — an intentional move by the tower’s original designers to provide Paris with a bold monument. But that is set to change over the coming years, as one of the many components of the tower’s complete renovation, with the facade being completely reskinned with a clear, transparent glass — creating a lighter appearance that blends into the sky, as opposed to the current dark facade scheme. As well, significant new vertical greenery will be added at various levels. This project is being led by a partnership of three Paris-based architectural firms — ChartierDalix, Franklin Azzi Architecture, and Hardel Le Bihan Architectes — which was selected a decade ago after an international design competition. Over the years before the closure that first began in March 2026, the company limited its reinvestments in the observation attraction as it awaited the building’s long-planned renovation and dealt with challenges associated with an aging tower, including elevator reliability. Although it offered stunning views, Vettier emphasized that the experience at Montparnasse Tower’s observation attraction over the years leading up to the closure was not representative of what Magnicity now wants its brand to provide, which seeks to also focus on creating an immersive experience — complete with a wide range of features, amenities, entertainment, food and beverage options (such as restaurants, bars, and lounges), retail, educational components, interactive exhibits, private and corporate event spaces, and high-quality architectural design considerations within the space of the attraction itself. Magnicity is seeking to create attractions that encourage visitors to look both outward at the surrounding city and inward at the experience within the attraction itself. This Paris attraction’s modernization project demonstrates Magnicity’s broader strategy of offering more than a panoramic view. Although the skyline and landscape remain the starting point for any observation attraction, Vettier said the overall experience is what distinguishes one destination from another. That distinction is particularly important because views alone are increasingly easy to find from rooftop restaurants, hotel lounges, residential towers, aerial tours, and other elevated spaces. Magnicity’s goal is to build a more complete attraction around the view, using storytelling, technology, food, events, and programming to give visitors a reason to stay longer and return. “The view is amazing,” Vettier told Daily Hive Urbanized, before adding that their attraction at Montparnasse Tower had come to depend too heavily on the view itself, she said, rather than the fuller range of experiences Magnicity is creating elsewhere. “The view comes first when we want to find a new location. But the experience makes the difference… Now we are really working on organizing, on creating experiences in all the areas to deliver emotion, meaning, lasting memories to our visitors, which is really key in what we want to do.” Preliminary conceptual artistic renderings of the renovated Montparnasse Tower also show the great extent of the reimagining of the uppermost levels for an observation attraction that aligns with Magnicity’s new modern standards for their destinations. Upon reopening at the end of this decade, visitors will enjoy a three-level observation attraction featuring a fully enclosed indoor level with restaurants and bars, a fully covered outdoor observation level, and a semi-enclosed uppermost garden observation level with extensive plant greenery — even some small trees — with very high ceiling heights. Construction is expected to begin this summer. Magnicity is also applying its modern observation attraction principles to a major expansion of 360 Chicago, located on the upper floors of 875 North Michigan Avenue (the former John Hancock Center), which has 100 floors, with the observation deck situated at a height of 1,030 ft. (314 metres). In 2012, Magnicity first acquired the single-level John Hancock Observatory on the 94th floor. It reopened in 2014 as 360 Chicago, following very extensive renovations that modernized what had previously been a traditional observation deck, such as the introduction of the Tilt thrill experience — an enclosed glass platform that leans standing visitors outwards at a 30-degree angle, literally tilting and suspending them over a thousand feet above street level. The company acquired two additional floors at the top of the Chicago skyscraper in 2024 — securing about 30,000 sq. ft. of former restaurant space that had been vacant since 2023. This upcoming expansion of 360 Chicago will increase the attraction’s footprint from one floor to three, with the two new levels forming an extended visitor journey and the third dedicated to events and business functions. Altogether, the expansion — designed by world-renowned, Chicago-based architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) — almost triples the size of 360 Chicago to nearly 50,000 sq. ft. Observation attractions can bring a steady flow of people into a building that otherwise might be dominated by private uses. Magnicity’s executives said the foot traffic generated by their observation attractions can also help support restaurants, retail, hotels, and other businesses and services within the tower and throughout the surrounding neighbourhood and business district. This anchor use draws visitors to the building’s upper levels, creating movement throughout the building and helping make it feel more publicly accessible. Magnicity’s portfolio of observation attractions globally collectively draw about 3.5 million visitors annually. The company’s smallest attraction receives approximately 400,000 visitors per year, while its largest locations attract more than one million annually. The events business is also becoming a larger part of Magnicity’s operations. Its observation levels can be used for corporate receptions, weddings, anniversaries, and other private gatherings, allowing the space to generate activity beyond conventional daytime and nighttime sightseeing. The uses found within tall buildings is increasingly changing. Skyscrapers were once more likely to be closed environments dominated by private offices or residences. Newer projects increasingly combine a wide range of mixed uses. This model has become increasingly relevant as major new skyscrapers are designed with a mixture of offices, homes, hotels, retail, restaurants, entertainment, and/or public attractions, instead of a single use. Such mixed uses can also improve the tower project’s overall financial and economic viability. “It’s our attraction and our activity that usually changes the profile and what a tower is, because the idea is to change the tower into a destination, and it is what we are creating when we go into the tower,” Cacheur told Daily Hive Urbanized. The company sees observation attractions as serving two broadly different customer groups. Tourists can use them to understand the geography, history, architecture, landmarks, and neighbourhoods of an unfamiliar city near the beginning of their visit. Local residents can return for seasonal programs, food and beverage offerings, special events, or simply a different perspective on the place where they live. “For the tourists, we aim to be the starting point of their trip because it is a great opportunity for tourists to see the view and to discover the view from the top of a building and to apprehend, in fact, how it is organised, what are the main monuments, what is the history of the city,” said Vettier. A brand new modern observation attraction within or near Downtown Vancouver could offer a particularly wide-ranging introduction to the entire region, showcasing the dense urban landscape, harbour, mountains, and points beyond as far as the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, and Washington state. Currently, the only observation attraction in Downtown Vancouver is atop the Harbour Centre tower, which is home to the Vancouver Lookout observatory and the “Top of Vancouver” revolving restaurant. When the 458-ft-tall (140 metres) Harbour Centre opened in 1977, it stood as the city’s tallest building — a title it held for nearly 25 years before being surpassed by the 491-ft-tall (150 metres) One Wall Centre. Today, it ranks 10th on the skyline — a reminder of how much Vancouver has grown upward over the decades. Vancouver Lookout’s once-panoramic, 360-degree views are now partly obscured by towers that roughly match or exceed the height of the tower, and the attraction has seen relatively limited reinvestment in recent decades. Moreover, the tallest buildings in the entire Metro Vancouver region are now situated outside of Vancouver, within the suburban municipalities. At this very early stage, Magnicity’s executives did not identify a preferred Vancouver location or tower. However, Cacheur emphasized that not every tall building can accommodate an observation attraction, regardless of the quality of its view. “Not every site, not every tower, is made or has got the potential to have an observation deck,” he said. A successful observation attraction requires far more than setting aside an upper floor and installing windows. Developers must account for potentially hundreds of thousands of annual visitors entering and leaving the building, often during concentrated periods around sunsets, weekends, holidays, and peak tourism seasons. Observation attractions can see the circulation of thousands of visitors per day during the busiest periods of the year. That requires dedicated entrance and ticketing areas, sufficient lobby space, security, emergency planning, washrooms, storage, back-of-house operations, loading access, food-service infrastructure, and elevators capable of moving large numbers of visitors without disrupting residents, hotel guests, and/or office workers. Cacheur says the company therefore attempts to become involved beginning when a tower is still in its very early planning and design stages. Magnicity works with the project’s property owners and architects to establish how visitors would enter, move through, and leave the attraction, as well as how the observation levels would interact with the building’s other uses. An observation attraction is effectively a separate development project within the larger tower. Retrofitting one after construction has advanced can be difficult or impossible, particularly when the original elevator system, floor layouts, and structural design were not intended to accommodate large public crowds. “It’s true that at quite an early stage of the project, you need to anticipate whether you may want an observation deck because you need to anticipate the flow of people, the lift capacity, [and] the welcoming capacity on the floors where you are,” said Cacheur. “When you start the construction, it’s already too late almost very often.” That advice is particularly relevant to the City of Vancouver, which is in the early stages of considering amending the Higher Buildings Policy to allow taller buildings on the downtown peninsula, as well as to the developers and architects behind proposals that could significantly reshape the skyline. Any observation attraction included in a project would need to be treated as a fully functioning, public-facing destination from the earliest design stages — not as an amenity that could simply be added later. Magnicity’s interest in Vancouver coincides with an unprecedented wave of tower proposals seeking to capitalize on the region’s natural and urban scenery through rooftop attractions. Across Metro Vancouver, at least seven proposed or planned developments currently include a destination restaurant, hotel amenity space, public observation deck attraction, or some combination of these uses — each offering an impressive view of a varying degree and calibre. Their growing prevalence reflects increasing interest among developers in creating publicly accessible commercial, tourism, and recreational destinations at the tops of towers. A proposed 13-storey hotel building at 80 Powell St. in the historic Gastown district is not particularly notable for its height, but it would be one of the tallest structures in the immediate area near Downtown Vancouver’s central waterfront. Its rooftop restaurant would offer panoramic views of Stanley Park, the Canada Place sails, the harbour, the mountains, and the bustling activity of the port. Construction is well underway on a 317-ft-tall (97 metres), 30-storey Marriott hotel tower at 848-850 Seymour St., next to the Orpheum Theatre. The top two floors will be dedicated to general hotel and amenity uses, including the hotel reception area, luggage storage, a lounge, a market, dining and event space with a kitchen, and a double-height covered outdoor terrace. Four elevators will serve these upper levels. This overall space has been named the “Skyroom.” Last fall, Vancouver City Council approved the rezoning application for a 29-storey hotel tower at 516-534 West Pender St. and 509 Richards St., near Harbour Centre and Gastown. The 313-ft-tall (95 metres) building will feature an expansive outdoor lounge, swimming pool, and hot tub on the rooftop of the 27th level, serving as amenities for hotel guests. Four elevators, including one service elevator, will reach this level. A subsequent development permit application was approved in early 2026. Also earlier in 2026, City Council approved the rezoning application for a 380-ft-tall (116 metres), 33-storey hotel tower at 1167-1193 Granville St. (717 Davie St.), in the Granville Entertainment District. The rooftop at the 33rd level will feature an outdoor swimming pool and lounge for hotel guests, along with a 2,000-sq-ft indoor bar and lounge. Eight elevators will reach the top of the tower. Immediately south of the entertainment district, a 67-storey, mixed-use tower is proposed for 601 Beach Crescent, next to the north end of the Granville Street Bridge. The building would contain hotel, residential, retail, and restaurant uses, including a 10,300-sq-ft destination restaurant on the 67th level. The restaurant would feature a large dining area, bar, lounge, two private dining rooms, and a full kitchen. Three elevators would reach the floor, which would be entirely dedicated to the restaurant. At a height of 650 ft. (198 metres), the tower would be the second tallest building within Vancouver’s municipal boundaries if it existed today. The same developer and architect behind the Granville Street Bridge tower are also looking to build an 863-ft-tall (263 metres), mixed-use residential and hotel tower as part of the Pinnacle Lougheed multi-tower project at 3900 Grand Promenade, 9850 Austin Rd., and 9858-9898 Gatineau Pl., immediately next to SkyTrain’s Lougheed Town Centre Station in Burnaby. The tower would feature an approximately 6,000-sq-ft destination restaurant on the 87th floor, accessible by a dedicated express elevator from the hotel lobby and two additional general hotel elevators that would reach the restaurant level. At a geodetic height of 1,007 ft. (307 metres), combining the building’s structural height with the site’s land elevation, the restaurant would offer panoramic views across much of the Lower Mainland. Two other projects specifically envision public observation deck attractions. An 853-ft-tall (260 metres), mixed-use tower is proposed for 5000 Kingsway, immediately east of Metropolis at Metrotown mall in Burnaby. It would contain retail, restaurant, entertainment, office, community, and residential uses. At the top of the tower would be the McCarthy Plaza Observation Deck, featuring a 4,700-sq-ft open-air outdoor area and a smaller semi-enclosed space. The attraction is said to be inspired by the Empire State Building Observatory and the Top of the Rock observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. To reach the observation deck, visitors would use elevators that primarily serve the residential portion of the tower to reach the 69th residential floor. They would then transfer to a single dedicated elevator providing access to the observation deck on the 72nd level, directly above the uppermost residential penthouse level. The other observation deck project is the only one that truly holds the potential to become a world-class tourist attraction. A major observation attraction is among the uses envisioned for the redevelopment of the Hudson’s Bay parkade city block in Downtown Vancouver. Local developer Holborn Group is proposing to redevelop the vast majority of the city block with three significant mixed-use towers, including Western Canada’s tallest building and first technical “supertall” tower. The 1,034-ft-tall (315 metres) tower would be entirely dedicated to hotel uses, containing 920 hotel rooms — making it British Columbia’s largest hotel by room count — along with 70,000 sq. ft. of conference and meeting space. At the very top of the supertall hotel tower would be a massive, enclosed, jewel-like glass dome containing a multi-level observation attraction. Perched more than 1,000 ft. (305 metres) above street level, it would provide unobstructed, far-reaching views of Metro Vancouver, Burrard Inlet, the mountains, and points beyond. When the site’s land elevation is included, the first level of the dome’s observation attraction would reach a geodetic height of more than 1,100 ft. (338 metres). The observation attraction would resemble a garden and is conceived as “a conservatory with a variety of plants throughout the interior spaces,” according to Vancouver-based design firm Henriquez Partners Architects. It would even feature a waterfall, along with a restaurant, lounge, various seating areas, a treetop walk, and event space. Out-of-town visitors would pay an admission fee, while residents of the City of Vancouver would be able to access the destination free of charge. As a condition of the project’s overall rezoning approval, free admission for Vancouver residents would be guaranteed through a legal agreement registered on the property title. The observation attraction itself would also be secured through the site’s new zoning. Two high-speed, non-stop elevators would provide direct access to the observation attraction from Level 2, with this floor entirely dedicated to the observation deck’s lobby and welcome area. This space could potentially provide guests with an immersive experience before their “transition” to the attraction at the top of the tower. The street-level entrance for the observation attraction would be located mid-block on Seymour Street. Altogether, a substantial 53,000 sq. ft. of building floor area would be dedicated to the observation attraction. Excluding Toronto’s CN Tower, which is technically classified as a structure rather than a building, the supertall tower would become Canada’s tallest building with an observation attraction. Beyond the dome at its summit, the supertall tower would feature a striking landmark design defined by a diagrid exterior exoskeleton inspired by the structure of glass sponge coral. Other uses planned throughout the three-tower complex include strata market condominiums, secured purpose-built rental housing, and a major public plaza activated by extensive ground-level retail and restaurant spaces. The project would also occupy a highly central location within Downtown Vancouver’s Central Business District, immediately adjacent to SkyTrain’s Granville Station and Vancouver City Centre Station. The redevelopment also envisions providing Granville Station with a fourth additional street-level subway entrance at the northeast corner of West Georgia and Seymour streets. The surrounding area is also expected to undergo further transformation through the future high-density redevelopment of the adjacent former Hudson’s Bay department store building. Holborn Group’s landmark multibillion dollar project for Downtown Vancouver appears to meet virtually all of Magnicity’s criteria for a modern purpose-built observation attraction of a global calibre, and one that is also conceived from the outset of the design and planning process. There are also some notable parallels between the project’s design and the garden-like reimagining and expansion planned for the observation attraction atop Montparnasse Tower. It should be strongly emphasized that Magnicity’s interest in Vancouver remains highly exploratory, with the executives identifying no specific location or announcing any development agreement during the interview. Magnicity’s model is not based solely on international visitors. Vettier said its attractions generally attempt to maintain a mixture of tourism and local attendance, although the balance differs between cities. The company uses changing admission prices based on the season, time of day, day of the week, and expected demand. It also offers discounted rates for families and certain other groups and has explored special prices for residents. Magnicity also considers partnerships with municipal governments and other local organizations. Vettier said those relationships can help an attraction contribute to the city’s broader tourism identity rather than operating as an isolated commercial venue. “The goal is to, of course, make a business. But we really, our commitment is to magnify the city,” Vettier told Daily Hive Urbanized. Educational visits are another significant component. Cacheur said Magnicity’s attractions work with schools and regularly welcome student groups, with programming extending beyond simply showing children the view. “In all of our sites, we’ve got partnership with schools, for example. And we receive a lot of school groups,” he said. Observation levels can be used to explain how a city developed, how neighbourhoods relate to one another, why certain transportation corridors were built, how architecture has changed, and where important cultural or historic landmarks are located. When the attraction itself is located in a landmark building, the tower’s architecture and construction history can also become part of the experience. “There is an educative dimension in the experience and explaining the kids the architecture, the culture, and the different monument or how the city was built, the different areas and so on,” said Cacheur. Vettier added, “When it’s an iconic building, it’s also how the building has been built and what is the history about it.” Cacheur described to Daily Hive Urbanized the wider value of an observation attraction as a “collective” benefit rather than necessarily a conventional public benefit. A privately operated attraction still charges admission and must make money, but he said it can give residents an unconventional way to understand their city as a complete place. From street level, people experience individual neighbourhoods and buildings. From an observation level, they can see how those pieces fit together. “It’s not so often that you can really appreciate the whole city at once,” said Cacheur. “It’s where actually you say, ‘oh, this building or this area is there compared to the other one and so on.’ It’s a really new way of seeing your city.” Although Magnicity is headquartered in France, Cacheur said it attempts to root each operation in the city and country where it is located. Exhibits, food, events, educational programming, and partnerships are tailored to the destination instead of applying a cookie-cutter attraction model around the world. “In our DNA, one of our key-ish point is to be locally rooted,” he said. They made it quite clear that Vancouver has entered Magnicity’s field of vision as it searches for its next generation of international observation attraction destinations. You might also like: - Proposal to build Western Canada's tallest tower, featuring a free public observation deck for Vancouver residents, heads to City Council - New renderings of Western Canada's tallest tower in Downtown Vancouver, featuring an observation deck attraction - Canada's tallest building with a public observation deck proposed for Vancouver - Downtown Vancouver's skyline soars with proposal for landmark towers up to 1,034 ft - Vancouver developer Onni Group reaches deal to buy former Hudson's Bay building - City's chief planner emphasizes creating a 'Vancouver approach' to taller towers https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/magnicity-vancouver-observation-deck-attraction-potential Sun, 19 Jul 2026 00:11:41 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/mike-bernier-centre-bc-party-leader Kenneth Chan Former B.C. education minister Mike Bernier is returning to provincial politics as the new leader of CentreBC, with the new party aiming to establish itself as a centrist alternative to the left-wing BC NDP and right-wing Conservative Party of B.C. During a press conference today at Victoria Inner Harbour, Bernier was introduced as leader by CentreBC founder Karin Kirkpatrick — a former West Vancouver-Capilano MLA who had led the party since its launch about 15 months ago. Kirkpatrick acknowledged the difficulty of establishing the party’s organization, but said CentreBC now has an elected executive, an approved constitution, riding associations, and has held its first annual general meeting. “We are a real political party that is going to be a part of the future of politics of British Columbia,” Kirkpatrick said. You might also like: - New centrist provincial political party launched by former BC United MLA - Almost half of B.C. voters want an alternative to the main political parties - Kerry-Lynne Findlay elected BC Conservative leader, vows to end NDP's 'economic vandalism' - Prime Minister Carney's deputy chief of staff to run in North Vancouver-Capilano by-election The party is now working to further establish its organization and recruit MLA candidates ahead of the next provincial election. Bernier previously represented the riding of Peace River South in the B.C. legislature for three terms after first being elected in 2013. He was re-elected in 2017 and 2020, and served as education minister under Christy Clark’s administration. He also held the role of parliamentary secretary for energy literacy and the environment and later served in opposition critic positions covering housing and finance. He finished second in the 2024 provincial election, running as an independent following the collapse of BC United (former BC Liberals) campaign. Bernier lost his Peace River South seat to BC Conservative candidate Larry Neufeld, who received 7,182 votes to Bernier’s 2,525. Before entering provincial politics, Bernier served as a Dawson Creek city councillor from 2005 to 2008, and as the city’s mayor from 2008 until 2013. He has also worked in the oil and gas industry for more than two decades and continues to live in Dawson Creek. Bernier thanked Kirkpatrick for her work establishing the party and said he had not initially planned to return to political life. “I honestly wasn’t looking to get back into politics. I was enjoying the last 18 months, travelling, spending time with my family and with my grandkids,” he said. “But after talking with my wife, I said, you know, we can’t sit back and just watch the chaos that’s happening right now in our province continue to unfold. And you have to sometimes put action, not just words, into play.” In his first speech as CentreBC leader, Bernier repeatedly framed the party as a movement intended to put residents and communities ahead of political organizations and partisan interests. He said his previous work in public office had allowed him to travel across B.C. and hear from residents who remain proud of the province but believe the provincial government is no longer listening to them. “It’s really about putting people first and not parties,” said Bernier. “It should be about solutions, not division, that we’re seeing so much right now in the province of British Columbia within other political parties.” CentreBC will seek support from voters who fall on both sides of the political centre, said Bernier. He described the party as fiscally conservative while maintaining a social conscience. The new party leader said CentreBC is speaking with current and former members and supporters of other parties, although he did not identify anyone who could join the organization. “This isn’t about the NDP or the Conservatives because as Centre BC, we’re inviting everybody who believes in a moderate, fiscally strong party that has a social conscience to try to help grow the province of British Columbia in a respectful way, which we’re not seeing right now,” he said, before adding that this is “why we have people from the NDP and from the BC Conservatives who are now looking at our party.” Bernier asserts that some voters felt abandoned during the previous provincial election because they did not believe either of the two major parties represented them. A recent survey by polling firm Research Co. found that nearly half (47 per cent) of B.C. voters want an alternative centrist party to the BC NDP and BC Conservatives. Furthermore, 41 per cent said they support the revival of the BC Liberals (now the inactive BC United party). “There’s a lot of people that feel politically homeless, and they’re starting to join our party because of that,” said Bernier. Bernier also said people have expressed interest in running as CentreBC candidates, while riding associations are being established and donations are coming in. He expects the party will have roughly two years to prepare for the next provincial election, assuming Premier David Eby’s NDP government does not call an early vote. “We’re actually going to be a strong contender in the next election,” he asserted. Bernier said he intends to seek a seat in the legislature at the first available opportunity. He did not specify whether that could involve a by-election or waiting until the next provincial general election. The party has not yet released a detailed platform. Bernier said its policies are under development and will be introduced closer to the election after further consultation. He identified health care and affordability for younger residents as two major challenges, arguing that the drastically increased health-care spending in recent years has not produced adequate results, and that many families cannot afford the down payment required to purchase a home. Bernier rejected concerns that a third competitive party could divide the vote and influence whether the BCNDP or BC Conservatives form government. “The only people that talk about vote split are the people that are afraid of losing votes. It’s about giving people options,” he asserted. “It’s about people giving them the right to go to the ballot and vote for somebody that they feel represents their values and course. We’re not worried about vote split. We’re worried about giving people an opportunity and a party that they can support.” He also used his first appearance as leader to defend the introduction of sexual orientation and gender identity policies in B.C. schools during his time as education minister. Bernier accused other political parties of using the issue to create fear and division, maintaining that the policy was intended to ensure every student felt safe at school. “I will never apologise for trying to make our schools safe for children,” said Bernier. “That, first and foremost, is what we were doing when we brought in the anti-bullying policies with SOGI in our school systems around the province.” You might also like: - New centrist provincial political party launched by former BC United MLA - Almost half of B.C. voters want an alternative to the main political parties - Kerry-Lynne Findlay elected BC Conservative leader, vows to end NDP's 'economic vandalism' - Prime Minister Carney's deputy chief of staff to run in North Vancouver-Capilano by-election https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/mike-bernier-centre-bc-party-leader Sat, 18 Jul 2026 20:22:52 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/braeden-caley-liberals-north-vancouver-capilano-byelection Kenneth Chan A senior member of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s inner circle will represent the Liberal Party of Canada in the upcoming federal by-election in the riding of North Vancouver-Capilano. Today, the party has formally named Braeden Caley as its candidate for the North Shore riding, shortly after he announced his decision earlier this week to leave his role as deputy chief of staff to the prime minister. You might also like: - Colleen Hardwick's TEAM party vows to repeal six Vancouver area development plans across the city if elected - West Vancouver mayor seeks second consecutive term in re-election bid - Almost half of B.C. voters want an alternative to the main political parties - TransLink's R2 RapidBus to be extended from North Shore to Metrotown this September A by-election will be held after longtime Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson vacated the North Vancouver-Capilano seat last month to become Canada’s new ambassador to the European Union. A by-election date has yet to be announced, but the vote could take place later this year and must be held no later than early February 2027. Another confirmed by-election candidate is Conservative Party of Canada’s Stephen Curran, a North Shore business lawyer who also carried the party’s banner in the 2025 federal election. Curran finished second with 21,339 votes — behind Wilkinson’s 37,909 votes. Earlier this week, the Green Party of Canada also announced Shelley Luce, the former director of campaigns for Sierra Club BC, as their by-election candidate. “I’m running to be the strongest voice for the hardworking people of North Vancouver-Capilano as part of Mark Carney’s new Liberal team, and to deliver on your priorities — building a stronger, more sustainable economy, bringing down costs, and building the local infrastructure and homes we need for a growing North Shore,” said Caley in a statement today. Sachit Mehra, president of the Liberal Party of Canada, in a statement today, added, “Braeden Caley has spent his career turning ambitious ideas into real results for Canadians and he has the experience needed to deliver the serious solutions this crucial moment demands. Braeden will work tirelessly with Mark Carney and our new Liberal team in Parliament to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous future for the hardworking people of North Vancouver-Capilano.” Caley has spent more than two decades working in government, political campaigns, and public policy. Born and raised in B.C., he began his career in the constituency offices of two Metro Vancouver MPs. From 2011 to 2016, under the Vision Vancouver party, he worked in the Vancouver mayor’s office of Gregor Robertson, initially as the office’s press secretary and later as director of policy and communications. He then moved to Ottawa to become Justin Trudeau’s senior director of communications for the federal Liberal Party, before serving as president and CEO of the independent progressive think tank Canada 2020. Caley was the national campaign director for Mark Carney’s successful bid to become federal Liberal leader in early 2025. Soon afterward, he served as the party’s national campaign co-director for that year’s federal election. He has served as Carney’s deputy chief of staff since March 2025, advising the government as it responded to U.S. tariffs and pursued policies intended to strengthen the Canadian economy, accelerate major projects, increase housing construction, and reduce the country’s reliance on its southern neighbour. His candidacy is expected to focus heavily on economic development, affordability, trade infrastructure, housing, and the transportation pressures of the North Shore. You might also like: - Colleen Hardwick's TEAM party vows to repeal six Vancouver area development plans across the city if elected - West Vancouver mayor seeks second consecutive term in re-election bid - Almost half of B.C. voters want an alternative to the main political parties - TransLink's R2 RapidBus to be extended from North Shore to Metrotown this September https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/braeden-caley-liberals-north-vancouver-capilano-byelection Sat, 18 Jul 2026 19:19:14 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/port-of-vancouver-gateway-strategy-roberts-bank-terminal-2-major-projects-office Kenneth Chan The Government of Canada is launching a broad strategy aimed at expanding the Port of Vancouver, serving to ease long-standing transportation bottlenecks and giving Canadian exporters more capacity to reach overseas markets. Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced this week the Port of Vancouver Gateway Strategy has been referred to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new Major Projects Office, which helps coordinate and accelerate major infrastructure proposals considered important to the national economy. The strategy covers more than a single construction project. It brings together plans for the new Roberts Bank Terminal 2 container superport project Delta, additional land for bulk-export facilities, rail network improvements, and expanded environmental protection measures. This new strategy is intended to treat the port as a connected transportation system rather than advancing individual terminals, railway projects, and environmental programs separately. You might also like: - Contractor selected to create 320 acres of land for Metro Vancouver's new superport - Federal government commits up to $3 billion for new replacement George Massey Tunnel - Massive Metro Vancouver oil terminal proposed as endpoint for new Alberta pipeline - B.C. government agrees to talks on new Alberta oil pipeline to coast, with revenue share and tanker ban - Tsawwassen First Nation seeks consultation on Alberta's proposed new oil pipeline and export terminal in Metro Vancouver - Battle over Metro Vancouver superport expansion concepts ends in surprise alliance - Burrard Inlet dredging approved to boost Vancouver port's oil tanker capacity - First Nation files court challenge against Burrard Inlet dredging project for oil tankers The work will support Carney’s goal of doubling Canadian exports to markets outside the United States by 2035, with the Port of Vancouver serving as the country’s main gateway to Asia-Pacific markets. The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project will add a three-berth container terminal on approximately 320 acres of newly created land through an expansion of the existing causeway, which is home to the existing GCT Deltaport container terminal. This new additional container superport will increase the Port of Vancouver’s container-handling capacity by approximately 50 per cent. Upon completion in the mid-2030s, it could support more than $100 billion in additional trade capacity annually, contribute over $3 billion to Canada’s economy each year, and sustain approximately 17,000 jobs once operating. Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is also being referred to the Major Projects Office for possible designation as a project of national interest under the federal Building Canada Act. With the additional referral of the Port of Vancouver Gateway Strategy, the Major Projects Office now has a list of eight “transformative strategies” across the country, which also includes the Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor for electrical and mining infrastructure in northwestern British Columbia and southern Yukon and the Alto High-Speed Rail project between Toronto and Quebec City. In total, separately, there are 20 projects across the country referred to the Major Projects Office, with eight being B.C.-located projects. In addition to Roberts Bank Terminal 2, other major B.C. projects already referred to the office include the Red Chris Mine Expansion, the three phases of BC Hydro’s North Coast Transmission Line, LNG Canada Phase 2, Ksi Lisims LNG, and the Alberta government’s proposal to build a new West Coast crude oil pipeline from the Edmonton area to Metro Vancouver. Such a designation would not amount to immediate construction approval. However, it could place the project under a more centralized federal process, coordinating remaining permits and providing greater certainty over regulatory timelines. Existing condition: Future condition: Roberts Bank Terminal 2 completed its federal environmental assessment in 2023 and is now working toward securing its remaining permits ahead of the scheduled start of major construction work in 2028, with early works and site preparation expected to begin in 2027. Before the federal government decides whether to place the terminal on its list of national-interest projects, the Major Projects Office will consult potentially affected First Nations, including the Tsawwassen First Nation, which has its reserve and treaty lands located near the project location. In a statement reacting to this week’s announcement, Tsawwassen First Nation highlighted  that they previously “consented” to Roberts Bank Terminal 2, and expect the federal government and port authority to uphold all existing approvals, legally binding conditions, and consultation obligations associated with the project. “Projects designated as being in the national interest must not come at the expense of treaty rights or existing environmental protections. While the benefits of projects like RBT2 may be shared nationally, the impacts are borne most directly by Tsawwassen First Nation in our territory and on the exercise of our Treaty-protected harvesting rights,” said Tsawwassen First Nation chief Laura Cassidy. “We expect meaningful consultation, respect for our Treaty rights, and full implementation of the commitments that have already been made to our Nation.” Earlier this month, following a year-long bidding process, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority announced the selection of the private consortium named TerraMarine as its construction partner for Roberts Bank Terminal 2’s new landmass and wharf structures. The port authority and Global Container Terminals — the operator of GCT Deltaport — have also signed a memorandum of understanding to explore a potential development and operating partnership. “As Canada’s largest port, we know we’re going to play an outsized role in delivering on Prime Minister Carney’s commitment to double exports to markets outside of North America,” said Peter Xotta, president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, in a statement. “Today’s announcement will help the Port of Vancouver and our partners get game-changing projects like Roberts Bank Terminal 2 built, and move more of what Canadians make, mine, harvest and grow to more customers around the world.” The gateway strategy will also examine how more industrial land can be made available for bulk-export terminals. About 70 per cent of the cargo passing through the Port of Vancouver by weight consists of dry and liquid bulk products, including grain, potash, petroleum products, and canola oil. Federal officials say the region’s shortage of suitable industrial land has made it difficult to build modern terminals, forcing operators to rely on older facilities for longer periods. Next week, the port authority will launch a bidding process to select an operator for the 40-acre Fraser Wharves terminal property in Richmond. It would be the first major opportunity to establish a new bulk terminal at the port in approximately a decade. Rail capacity represents another major component of the federal plan. Most cargo entering or leaving the port is transported by train, but the federal government notes that sections of the railway and supply-chain network are at risk of becoming increasingly congested. Such congestion can delay shipments, raise transportation costs, and make Canadian exports less competitive. Transport Canada and the Major Projects Office will work with railway companies and other industry organizations on a strategy to expand physical infrastructure and improve how trains and cargo move through the wider port system. Environmental measures form another part of the gateway strategy. The federal government has committed more than $258 million over five years to whale protection programs, including $95 million over five years and $16.5 million annually for measures focused on Southern Resident killer whales. The work is expected to include vessel speed restrictions, fisheries management, underwater noise monitoring, whale detection systems, and the testing of quieter technologies for commercial ships and B.C. Ferries vessels. The federal government has also set aside $413 million over five years to renew the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative, which supports habitat restoration, scientific monitoring, and the recovery of wild salmon populations. These programs are in addition to the federal government’s $3.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan. “Canada needs modern transportation infrastructure that helps our businesses compete, gets Canadian goods to new markets, and creates good jobs across the country. By investing in our ports and transportation network, we are growing our economy, strengthening our supply chains, while protecting the environment,” said Steven MacKinnon, the federal Minister of Transport. The Port of Vancouver currently handles approximately $1 billion worth of goods each day and about 40 per cent of Canada’s international merchandise trade outside North America. Its terminals connect Canadian exporters and importers with as many as 170 countries. In 2025, the port handled a record 170.4 million metric tonnes of cargo, eight per cent more than the previous record set one year earlier. Port-related activity contributes an estimated $16.3 billion annually to Canada’s GDP and supports more than 132,000 jobs nationwide, including approximately 103,000 in British Columbia. All of this follows the Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement announced early this month, which included a broader commitment to improve B.C.’s ports and transportation corridors — including up to $3 billion in federal funding for the new replacement George Massey Tunnel project, covering up to one-third of the overall project costs — as Canada seeks to increase trade with countries beyond the United States. The gateway strategy will also consider Alberta’s proposed West Coast crude oil pipeline, which would also terminate at a major new oil storage and export facility at Roberts Bank — potentially double the size of the new container terminal, and also incorporating a brand-new additional causeway for the area. Few details about the potential pipeline route or terminal were included in the announcement, with the proposal remaining subject to further review and consultation. You might also like: - Contractor selected to create 320 acres of land for Metro Vancouver's new superport - Federal government commits up to $3 billion for new replacement George Massey Tunnel - Massive Metro Vancouver oil terminal proposed as endpoint for new Alberta pipeline - B.C. government agrees to talks on new Alberta oil pipeline to coast, with revenue share and tanker ban - Tsawwassen First Nation seeks consultation on Alberta's proposed new oil pipeline and export terminal in Metro Vancouver - Battle over Metro Vancouver superport expansion concepts ends in surprise alliance - Burrard Inlet dredging approved to boost Vancouver port's oil tanker capacity - First Nation files court challenge against Burrard Inlet dredging project for oil tankers https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/port-of-vancouver-gateway-strategy-roberts-bank-terminal-2-major-projects-office Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:26:57 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/ku-tapas-richmond Marco Ovies Japanese tapas, ramen, mazesoba, and cocktails have joined forces at Ku Tapas and Ramen, a new restaurant that has softly opened its doors in Richmond. Located by Ironwood Plaza, the new 2500 sq. ft. space features 149 seats and has opened in the former home of Kokoro Mazesoba. Folks can expect to enjoy classic Japanese tapas such as Ebi Mayo and Agedashi Tofu, alongside some innovative twists on classic items like Salmon Tartare, Vegan Meatballs, and Spicy Cold Chicken inspired by Szechuan cuisine. There will also be a selection of mazesoba, ramen, and rice bowls. The team also shared that cocktails will be a focus here, offering favourites like a Spiked Milk Tea and Yuzu Sour, alongside Japanese beers and premium sakes. Ku Tapas is currently softly opened, with a grand opening scheduled for July 25. Will you be checking out this new tapas spot the next time you’re in Richmond? Let us know in the comments. KU TAPAS Address: 11660 Steveston Hwy. #1020 Richmond Instagram Still hungry? Discover Dished Vancouver on TikTok https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/ku-tapas-richmond Sat, 18 Jul 2026 15:00:34 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fairmont-chateau-whistler-canadas-best-resort-awards Daniel Chai Those looking to travel this summer and get away from it all can do so within B.C. at the best resort in Canada. And it’s just a two-hour drive away from Vancouver. Fairmont Chateau Whistler has been named the number one resort in the country as part of the 31st anniversary of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. More than 661,000 votes were cast in this year’s survey, picking the best city and island escapes, safari outfitters, airlines, resorts, and hotels around the world. Travel + Leisure explained that its readers are looking for destinations that go above and beyond. You might also like: - Vancouver is Canada's most expensive city to rent in and afford a vacation - Everything to know about Vancouver Pride Parade and festival this month - Pamela Anderson wows with views of 'magical' B.C. garden “T+L readers continue to search for hotels and experiences that draw them in—those with a rich backstory, entrancing interiors, and an authentic sense of place,” said the magazine in the awards announcement. Travel + Leisure magazine is renowned for its coverage of luxury travel destinations and experiences, and its annual World’s Best Awards recognize the top hotels worldwide based on reader votes and editorial expertise. Fairmont Chateau Whistler is described as a behemoth ski-in/ski-out retreat. “(It has) direct access to Blackcomb Mountain’s famed slopes, it also features an 18-hole golf course and an ayurvedic-inspired spa,” said Travel + Leisure of the acclaimed B.C. resort. “We are deeply honoured to be recognized by Travel + Leisure’s global readership,” said Ken Hall, General Manager of Fairmont Chateau Whistler, in a release. “This award reflects the passion and genuine hospitality our team brings to every guest experience. “Each day, we strive to create warm, authentic and memorable moments that capture the spirit of this extraordinary mountain destination. Knowing this recognition comes directly from travellers who choose our resort for their most meaningful moments makes it especially rewarding, and it inspires us to continually elevate every stay.” In second place on the list was The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino. “Nestled between ancient rainforests and the ever-changing expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the Wickaninnish Inn is beautifully shaped by the surroundings,” reads the site. The inn is located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It’s located above Chesterman Beach and within the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region, making it perfect for nature lovers. The 31st anniversary of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards also revealed the top 10 city hotels in Canada, with four located in B.C. Vancouver Island was also named the best island in Canada in the annual global awards. Check out the full list of resorts online. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fairmont-chateau-whistler-canadas-best-resort-awards Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:00:01 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canucks-hiring-jobs-hype-team Trevor Beggs Think you’d do a bang-up job of hyping up 18,000+ Vancouver Canucks fans at Rogers Arena? If so, now’s your chance. The Canucks have added over 25 new jobs to their website over the past month, with most of the gigs related to the game-night experience. However, the most interesting of the jobs are related to hyping up the crowd in-game. There’s a position available for a hype team lead, with the role relating to “providing support to hype team staff” and “assisting in the training, motivation and development of all hype team staff.” Another job has been posted for a hype team member, with one of the job requirements being that the candidate “must be able to work 30-35 Canucks games.” Other parts of the job description say that the candidate could be “participating in live skits, acting as a crowd plant.” It also states that acting experience would be considered an asset, with candidates being encouraged to submit demos to show off their skills. There’s also an opening for an ice team lead, which involves coordinating with the ice maintenance crew and helping with ice shovelling during TV timeouts. Outside of skating on the ice with NHL players and hyping up the crowd, there’s a plethora of other jobs available too. The openings include jobs for cooks, servers, bartenders, parking attendants, ticket centre representatives, housekeepers, and security. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canucks-hiring-jobs-hype-team Sat, 18 Jul 2026 13:00:26 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/lottery-winner-pierre-draws Irish Mae Silvestre Retirement just got a lot more exciting for one Canadian after winning a multimillion-dollar lottery prize. Lottery player Pierre Draws is a Montreal resident who’s new to retired life, having just quit his job last year. One day, he decided to try his luck by buying a Lotto 6/49 ticket. After the draw, he recalls scanning his ticket using the Loto-Québec app. When he saw the amount, at first, he thought he had won $5,000. But when he looked closer, he realized that there were “too many zeroes.” To his shock, he had won the Lotto 6/49 Classic Jackpot in the July 4 draw — he just became $5 million richer. While at Loto-Québec’s head office to claim his cheque, Draws said, “Five million doesn’t change you, except… It’s quite something!” With his windfall, he’ll finally get to achieve his dream of homeownership — something he never thought would ever come true. “I think I deserve a house, a more beautiful life for me and my cat,” he said He said he was tingling with excitement when he accepted his cheque. He added, “I feel like I’m on cloud nine!” The winning ticket was purchased at the Boni-Soir – Marché Bachir convenience store located at 7322 Avenue Baldwin in Anjou. The retailer will receive a one per cent commission of $50,000. A pair of Quebec residents also won a life-changing prize after scoring the Lotto Max jackpot in the June 26 draw. Couple Joseph Gosselin-Rompré and Mylène Bourgeois were on their way home from a fishing trip when they discovered they won $40 million. 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, check out these resources. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/lottery-winner-pierre-draws Sat, 18 Jul 2026 10:00:45 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/havn-floating-spa-kitsilano-vancouver-maritime-museum-future-revival Guest Author Written for Daily Hive Urbanized by David Jordan, who is the executive director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum. ---------------------------------------- When I took the job to lead the Vancouver Maritime Museum, I did not imagine that four years later, I would be in the middle of a rezoning project so that a floating hydrotherapy barge could moor in the harbour of the museum! I came into museum work with decades of experience in the non-profit sector, but no maritime history subject matter expertise. I didn’t even have any maritime puns in my toolkit (or as the sailors say, “ditty bag”), but let’s unpack the project a little and see how I got here. You might also like: - HAVN Saunas Vancouver: How a WWII-era barge is slated for a new life on the Kitsilano waterfront - HAVN Saunas planning to open floating spa destination on the Kitsilano waterfront in Vancouver - 250-room floating hotel with restaurants and public dock approved by Vancouver City Council - Union seeks court reversal of floating hotel approval at Vancouver Convention Centre - North Vancouver's Harbour Swimming Deck in Burrard Inlet could open in 2027 First of all, this non-profit organization, like most, receives roughly a third of its funding from government grants. The Vancouver Maritime Museum is a registered charity. Those grants have stagnated now for decades. Governments have not increased funding, particularly operating funding. So, you can imagine what has happened when you don’t increase funding for a service for at least 20 years. We are behind in what we can and should deliver as a public service. The project that we have created with HAVN is exactly what government, and specifically the City of Vancouver have been telling cultural organizations to do for decades: find new revenue streams and think outside the box to create sustainable operating models. In fact, this project is a perfect version of that suggestion. This project exceeds the wildest dreams of those suggestions. This project will allow us not just to survive, but to thrive and improve what we’re able to offer to the public substantially. “Placemaking” is the idea that people are more likely to frequent places where there is a variety of complementary activities for them to do. People come for one thing, and they stay for another. And they come back to the same place time and again because it is still full of possibility. The area around the Vancouver Maritime Museum is rich with activities for visitors — from beaches to museums, theatre to boat launches, dog parks, seawall, and ferries. Adding hydrotherapy to this mix means that all of these activities will complement one another, and more people will get to enjoy them. The area is changing too, with the addition of thousands of new residents at Senakw. Will this project change the quaint character of Heritage Harbour? Yes, it will. It will look different. There will be a barge in the foreground of the view from the dock. However, Vancouver is not a quaint seaside village. It is a major city with a long and deep maritime history that goes all the way back to time immemorial. That history is underrepresented and underfunded, and has been for decades. The most common comment that I receive from the public is, “I love the Maritime Museum. I went there as a kid.” We used to have three school groups in the museum every day. Now, we see less than three a week and the majority of those schools are private schools. And the simple reason for this change is funding. With the revenue we receive from a HAVN partnership, we will be able to reverse course on a whole generation that is losing touch with this history. So yes, money is the driver of this project. But let’s not forget, in this case, money means vibrancy, access, education, and relevance for future generations. When I took this job, I knew the work of a non-profit leader would not always be straightforward. Now I know it involves charting new waters, making waves, being an anchor for the community, and knowing when to raise the sails and get the wind at your back! You might also like: - HAVN Saunas Vancouver: How a WWII-era barge is slated for a new life on the Kitsilano waterfront - HAVN Saunas planning to open floating spa destination on the Kitsilano waterfront in Vancouver - 250-room floating hotel with restaurants and public dock approved by Vancouver City Council - Union seeks court reversal of floating hotel approval at Vancouver Convention Centre - North Vancouver's Harbour Swimming Deck in Burrard Inlet could open in 2027 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/havn-floating-spa-kitsilano-vancouver-maritime-museum-future-revival Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:56:41 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/pro-tennis-2026-odlum-brown-vanopen Rob Williams The Odlum Brown VanOpen is set to make its triumphant return. The largest pro tennis tournament in Western Canada, the West Vancouver event was first held in 2002, but has fallen on tough times recently. It has been held just once this decade, as the pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 tournaments, before returning in 2022. The tournament wasn’t held in 2023, 2024, or 2025, as Hollyburn Country Club underwent renovations. The 2026 Odlum Brown VanOpen features men’s ATP Challenger 125 and women’s WTA 125 tournaments, and is scheduled for July 26 to Aug. 2. Many big names in the tennis world played the Odlum Brown VanOpen before they became famous. That list includes Canadian stars like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Milos Raonic, Vasek Pospisil, Bianca Andreescu, Leylah Fernandez, and Genie Bouchard, as well as international stars like Maria Sharapova, Johanna Konta, Andy Murray, Taylor Fritz, and Marcos Baghdatis. Six players who competed at the last Odlum Brown VanOpen are now ranked in the top 40 in the world, including Arthur Rinderknech (28), Ugo Humbert (29), and Zizou Bergs (35) on the men’s side, and Maja Chwalińska(22), Emma Navarro (26), and Wang Xinyu (40) on the women’s side. The men’s and women’s tournaments each include US$225,000 in prize money. Eight players who featured in the main draw at Wimbledon will compete in the men’s tournament, including France’s Benjamin Bonzi, who is ranked 93rd in the world. Keep an eye on 23-year-old Pablo Llamas Ruiz, a rising star who in 2023 became the youngest Spaniard to win an ATP Challenger title since Carlo Alcaraz. Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, who you may recognize as a breakout personality in Netflix’s Break Point, is coming to town as a qualifying wild card entry. Here’s the men’s field (World ranking in parentheses): - Benjamin Bonzi (93) - Pablo Llamas Ruiz (119) - Toby Samuel (123) - Dane Sweeny (127) - Jack Pinnington Jones (138) - August Holmgren (143) - Tristan Schoolkate (149) - Shintaro Mochizuki (151) - Jacob Fearnley (159) - Zhizhen Zhang (161) - Mark Lajal (164) - Michael Mmoh (192) - Harry Wendelken (202) - Taro Daniel (203) - Clement Chidekh (205) - Yu Hsiou Hsu (TPE) (206) - Liam Broady (209) - Hugo Grenier (223) - Yi Zhou (240) - Andy Andrade (252) - Kaichi Uchida (257) World No. 99 Lanlana Tararudee of Thailand headlines the women’s draw, which includes four players who featured in the main draw at Wimbledon. The 22-year-old competed at the Australian Open and Wimbledon earlier this year. France’s Kristina Mladenovic, who has over 328,000 followers on Instagram, is the most famous player in the tournament. Once ranked 10th in the world in singles, the 33-year-old won the doubles championship at Wimbledon earlier this month. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Kristina Mladenovic (@kristinamladenovic93) Australia’s Priscilla Hon is also well followed on social media, to the tune of over 134,000 on Instagram. Canadian content includes. Kayla Cross (World No. 197) from London, Ont, and Carol Zhao (216) of Richmond Hill. Here’s the women’s field (World ranking in parentheses): - Lanlana Tararudee (99) - Moyuka Uchijima (108) - Taylah Preston (117) - Himeno Sakatsume (123) - Emerson Jones (135) - Kayla Day (137) - Lin Zhu (142) - Maddison Inglis (150) - Priscilla Hon (150) - Sofia Costoulas (156) - Hanyu Guo (159) - Harriet Dart (162) - Mananchaya Sawangkaew (164) - Elizabeth Mandlik (165) - Yeonwoo Ku (185) - Kayla Cross (197) - Kristina Mladenovic (198) - Mai Hontama (204) - Greet Minnen (205) - Caroline Dolehide (214) - Carol Zhao (216) - Madison Brengle (223) - Hayu Kinoshita (227) You might also like: - Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime marries Nina Ghaibi in elaborate Moroccan wedding https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/pro-tennis-2026-odlum-brown-vanopen Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:53:56 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/us-president-threatens-tariffs-canada-wildfire-smoke Hanna Hett With wildfires burning across northwestern Ontario, Canada’s wildfire smoke has blown down into a number of U.S. states and cities. At the time of publication, Detroit, Mich., ranked as having the worst air quality in the world, according to IQAir. Washington, D.C., ranked as number four. According to CNN, air quality alerts have been issued for more than 100 million people in 18 states and the District of Columbia, with poor air quality from northeast Minnesota to southeast Virginia. While various U.S. lawmakers have been making noise online about the smoke, the U.S. president decided to chime in today. On Truth Social, Donald Trump threatened additional tariffs on Canada to pay for the cost of air pollution. He said he would call Prime Minister Mark Carney to find out what Canada’s plans are. “We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush therein, and the United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable!” He called the cost “incalculable” and said that “Canada has refused to engage in basic Forest Management and Debris Removal, knowing that such refusal will lead to exactly this result.” Trump claimed that the pollution costs the U.S. “billions.” According to CNN, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump couldn’t use emergency power to levy tariffs, but he has looked into using other statutes to do so. Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke with ABC News, where he told the U.S. that they “need support.” He shouted out to Governor Maura Healy of Massachusetts for calling and offering help. “Neighbours have each other’s backs, which is why Ontario has always been there for our American partners in their time of need,” Ford wrote on X. In early 2025, when wildfires ravaged Los Angeles, Canada responded by sending firefighters, aircraft, equipment, and other firefighting resources. As of Friday, there were over 900 active wildfires across Canada, with 189 of them in Ontario. On July 15, Mark Carney posted on social media about the wildfire situation, noting that it had ” significantly increased over the last three weeks across the country, and particularly in Northwestern Ontario.” He said that the federal government is ” in close contact with provincial, municipal, and Indigenous partners and stands ready to provide any additional support as needed.” You might also like: - Canada's tariffs on U.S. goods cost families $92 in taxes in two months - As wildfires trigger evacuation orders, Vancouver's air quality could get a lot worse - 'Vigorous and difficult-to-control': B.C. might be in for a bad wildfire season https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/us-president-threatens-tariffs-canada-wildfire-smoke Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:46:33 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/new-west-fire-pets-cats Amir Ali A week after a devastating fire that left many New West residents displaced, the City of New Westminster continues to try to connect owners with their lost cats. Remarkably, New Westminster Animal Services and New Westminster Fire Rescue Services (NWFRS) have successfully reunited two cats with their owners. According to a statement from the City of New Westminster, the City has received reports of other cats in the area. “While the site remains restricted for staff and crews due to hazardous conditions, the security fencing does not prevent cats from moving in and out, so rescue efforts are currently focused on the vicinity of the site and the surrounding neighbourhood,” the City says. “We know residents are anxious to see searches take place, and we share that urgency,” said Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Gill. “We know how important these cats are to the people who love them, and our hearts go out to everyone still waiting for answers. Right now, however, the condition of the site simply does not allow anyone to enter. Our responsibility is to ensure everyone’s safety, and that means waiting until the hazards can be addressed before any additional work can take place,” Gill added.  Animal Services believes that some of the cats are travelling in and out of the block where the fire took place and the nearby neighbourhoods. “We know how difficult it is to wait for news about a missing pet,” said Kathryn Holm, Acting Director of Engineering and Public Works, in a statement. “Our Animal Services officers remain dedicated to reuniting displaced cats with their families and are working closely with crews and community partners in this ongoing effort. Cats are incredibly resilient and often return to places that are familiar to them. Every report we receive helps build a clearer picture of where these cats are moving and helps focus our response.” The City urges folks not to enter the property due to the potential for hazardous materials. As mentioned, the area is fenced off, and security is guarding the perimeter. The fire initially broke out on Friday afternoon last week, and crews were still battling the fire the next day. If you have information that could help reunite the New West pet owners with their cats, call New Westminster Animal Services at 604-519-2008. “After-hours sightings near the fire site can be reported to the on-site security personnel, who will relay the information to Animal Services,” the City adds. You might also like: - Crews still battling New Westminster fire late into evening - About 150 residents displaced by major New Westminster apartment fire - A demolition, finding the cause, and what else remaA demolition, finding the cause, and what else remains for New West neighbourhood after fireins for New West neighbourhood after fire https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/new-west-fire-pets-cats Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:34:19 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canucks-hire-new-ahl-head-coach-replace-malhotra Trevor Beggs The Vancouver Canucks search for an AHL bench boss came with a bit of drama, but it looks like they’ve found their guy. Shortly after it was reported that the Canucks AHL head coaching job offer was rejected by Jussi Ahokas, the club announced on Friday that they had hired Ryan Papaioannou as the newest bench boss in Abbotsford. “We are very excited to welcome Ryan to the Canucks, as we know this hire will help shape the foundation for the development of our prospects,” Abbotsford Canucks general manager Richard Seeley said in a press release.  “Ryan has a unique talent for teaching and relating with players. His reputation as a communicator and someone who holds individuals and teams to high standards are the exact qualities we are looking for in the leader of our team.” Papaioannou was linked to the Canucks last month by CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal. And on Thursday, after Ahokas reportedly turned down the role, Ben Lypka of the Abbotsford News said he was hearing that Vancouver circled back on Papaioannou. The 45-year-old made a name for himself in the AJHL, where he was one of the most successful coaches in league history. During his 14 years as head coach and general manager of the Brooks Bandits, he led the franchise to four championships. Most notably, Papaioannou coached Cale Makar, who has since turned into arguably the NHL’s best defenceman. After 14 years in the AJHL, Papaioannou made the jump to coaching pro players in 2025-26. Last offseason, he was named head coach of the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers, which was a minor-league affiliate for the Pittsburgh Penguins. During his first year on the job, he led the Nailers to a Conference Finals berth. It was the first time in 10 years that they made it that far in the playoffs; their 46 regular-season wins represented their best campaign since 2003-04. While the Calgary, Alta., native has shown he can be a successful head coach, Ahokas’ rejection story doesn’t paint the Canucks in a favourable light. Postmedia’s Patrick Johnston reported on Friday that Ahokas turned down the role with Abbotsford over money, as the AHL head coaching offer was “substantially less” than what he was making in the OHL. Regardless, the Papaioannou signing checks off the last big box for the Canucks, in what’s been an incredibly busy and largely successful offseason. You might also like: - Should Vancouver Canucks trade Tom Willander for Shane Wright? - 11 ex-Vancouver Canucks players still looking for a contract in free agency - Alex Edler is taking over Sedins' old job with Vancouver Canucks https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canucks-hire-new-ahl-head-coach-replace-malhotra Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:32:05 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/should-canucks-consider-trading-willander-for-wright Trevor Beggs Surely, most Vancouver Canucks fans feel the same way about this proposition. Tom Willander surprised many when he spent just five games in the AHL last year during his first season as a pro. Heck, he even surprised himself. “I don’t think anyone else was really expecting it to be that fast,” Willander said recently on the Canucks Insider podcast. And while there were many moments of the youngster looking like a raw rookie, Willander did flash the skating ability and gap control that made him such a tantalizing player during the 2023 NHL Draft. But if the Canucks truly want to get Shane Wright, they’re going to have to give up something of value. Are the Canucks comfortable trading a first-round pick in the infancy of their rebuild? Probably not. Would the Canucks be willing to trade a player like Braeden Cootes to land Wright? Seems unlikely, considering that Vancouver would inevitably have to add. Could the Seattle Kraken take a flier on Jonathan Lekkerimäki? His upside is intriguing, but the Canucks would have to add to the deal, and attaching Jake DeBrusk to a potential trade probably isn’t cutting it. There’s also the outlandish idea of an Elias Pettersson for Wright swap. Although the fact that Patrik Allvin is Seattle’s AGM makes the probability of this even less likely. All of this means that the Canucks best shot of acquiring Wright probably involves using Willander as the centrepiece. So, is it worth it? WILLANDER VS. WRIGHT There’s logic in a potential Willander-for-Wright swap, considering that the Kraken pivot is the superior player with the higher ceiling. But just how close is Willander’s potential value to Wright’s? While Willander deserves credit for becoming a full-time NHL player last season, his effectiveness wavered. The young Swedish defenceman had a solid start with the Canucks, tilting the ice in Vancouver’s favour during his first few NHL games. However, as the team completely collapsed following the Quinn Hughes trade, Willander had some understandable rookie moments. But, like any good young player, Willander learned from it. “I think I have a lot of areas that I lack in, but I can see them a lot more clearly than I could before,” Willander said on the Canucks Insider podcast. Towards the end of the season, the 21-year-old earned more ice time and took regular penalty-killing shifts. As his game grew, he received more praise from the coaching staff. “[He’s] relentless and he’s not scared,” Adam Foote said back in March. “It’s amazing to me, a guy’s all over him, and he’s just fine with it. At that age, it’s pretty impressive.” “He’s going to make some decisions, like maybe that he should have harder clears at times, things like that, but that’ll come with reps.” Willander ended his season showing promise of being a long-term, top-four defenceman. But, what’s more likely, Willander being a top-four mainstay, or Wright becoming a second-line centre? The numbers would suggest that Wright is the likelier bet. As we’ve detailed, Wright was on an upward trajectory until being shafted under Kraken head coach Lane Lambert last season. During the Kraken’s final 60 games the season prior, Wright led the team in points as a 21-year-old. Even after his dip last season, the former fourth-overall pick is a likely bet to be a long-term, second-line centre. > The report is that the Kraken are working to find Shane Wright a new home. > > If someone acquires Shane Wright, they should pencil him in as a quality top-six center for years to come. The 2nd line is much more likely than the 1st line, but who knows what happens on a new team… pic.twitter.com/rzGd1BgF1i > > — Nick (@nickiacoban) July 16, 2026 While Wright took a step back last season, it’s interesting to see that his draft-plus-four season is eerily similar to Sam Bennett, who had 26 points in 82 games as a 22-year-old. If you’re dealing for Wright, that’s the kind of ceiling you’re hoping for. Meanwhile, Willander has a good chance of becoming a top-four defenceman. However, his statistical profile doesn’t make that as likely a bet. The Watch The Stats model by Nick Iacoban is definitely bearish on Willander’s potential (and probably a little too bearish with its heavier emphasis on points). But Willander’s underlying profile does compare favourably to Washington Capitals defenceman Martin Fehervary, who has become a second-pairing rock in the NHL. SHOULD CANUCKS CONSIDER THIS? If the Canucks truly want Wright, trading Willander is something they need to consider. The trade could make sense for both sides. Wright would give the Canucks a likely second-line centre with tantalizing upside, while Willander would give Seattle a top-four featuring the young Swede and recently drafted Chase Reid for years to come. But outside of the stats and potential, making a deal like this comes with unintended ramifications for Vancouver. After the Canucks dealt with locker room chaos for the past two seasons, do they really want to ship one of their best young players out the door? Do they really have the stomach to jettison a talented rookie who sounds like a leader in defeat? Can there actually be an appetite to trade away a guy who’s growing alongside the Canucks’ other young, blue-chip defenceman in Zeev Buium? Dealing Willander would also leave a massive hole in the Canucks pipeline. No other right-shot defender in the Canucks’ system is even a safe projection to blossom into an NHLer. Wright’s potential shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s shown flashes of being a first-line NHL centre, even if the safer projection is that he’ll be a solid second-liner for a long time. But at this juncture, uprooting one of the key pieces of a young Canucks core probably isn’t worth the gamble. You might also like: - 11 ex-Vancouver Canucks players still looking for a contract in free agency - Vancouver Canucks found their AHL head coach but got rejected: report - Vancouver Canucks schedule is littered with 8 p.m. starts for the first time - Wife of Canucks' Filip Hronek shows off photos from their beautiful European wedding https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/should-canucks-consider-trading-willander-for-wright Fri, 17 Jul 2026 21:20:42 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/stubhub-class-action-lawsuit Isabelle Docto Canadians who have purchased tickets for events on StubHub could be a part of a nationwide class-action lawsuit. On Wednesday, Vancouver resident Mark Gallagher filed a civil claim against the ticket resale site with the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The proposed class action claims that despite StubHub marketing “security and trust,” it does not uphold its promises to consumers. It points specifically to the resaler’s FanProtect Guarantee, which states that buyers will get their tickets in time for an event, the tickets will be valid for entry, and they will be the same or comparable to those a customer has ordered. StubHub promises that if any of these things do not occur, it will find customers comparable or better tickets to the event, or offer a refund of what the customer paid for their purchase, or credit of the same amount. The class action claims that the resale site “regularly declines” to honour this guarantee. “When tickets are unavailable because a consumer either does not receive their ticket in time for the event or does not receive a ticket that is valid at entry, StubHub does not provide comparable or better tickets,” reads the notice of civil claim. It further alleges that the company knowingly provides inferior tickets and/or refuses to offer refunds, even when comparable tickets are available. “StubHub knows, or reasonably ought to know, that when it offers inferior tickets shortly before an event, the consumer is left with no meaningful choice. This practice is a form of undue pressure for consumers to accept inferior tickets,” reads the class action. These claims have not been tested in court. Daily Hive has reached out to StubHub for a statement and will update the story when the company replies. CANCELLED WORLD CUP TICKETS Around March 7, 2026, the plaintiff, Gallagher, paid StubHub $11,407.11 and $2,011.28 to buy two sets of two tickets to the Canada versus Qatar FIFA World Cup game in Vancouver on June 18, 2026. He also paid $5,765.15 to the ticket resale site for two tickets to the Switzerland versus Canada World Cup game on the same day. According to the notice of civil claim, the purchase confirmation of neither the Qatar tickets nor the Switzerland tickets disclosed the exact seat number of each ticket. On June 14, Gallagher was notified that two of the Qatar tickets were ready to be delivered with instructions on how to access them. After failing to get the tickets with the instructions provided, he said he contacted the StubHub helpline shortly after. Leading up to the Qatar game, Gallagher went back and forth with the helpline, who continued to say that his file had been “escalated” and that tickets would be available the “next day.” “In the day or so prior to the event, StubHub Help Line staff’s advice changed. Each different staff member now told the Plaintiff that the tickets would be available within ‘two to three’ hours. The tickets did not materialize despite numerous such promises and assurances that the Plaintiff’s file had been ‘escalated,'” reads the class action. Gallagher remained on the helpline until around 4 a.m. on the day of the Qatar game, and StubHub allegedly continued to promise the tickets within “two to three hours.” “Relying on the defendants’ promises and assurances, the Plaintiff travelled to BC Place Stadium before the game started to ensure he was able to watch the game when the tickets arrived as promised. They did not,” reads the class action. Shortly after the game started, the class action claims that StubHub staff advised Gallagher that there were no tickets as promised. The company did not provide alternate seats comparable to the tickets he bought, despite there allegedly being comparable tickets available. Gallagher received a refund, but is still suing the ticket reseller for punitive damages. WHO COULD BE A PART OF THIS CLASS ACTION AGAINST STUBHUB? Gallagher filed this proposed class action on behalf of anyone who entered into a distance contract relating to a resale ticket for an event held in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, or Ontario with StubHub and other ticket resale sites it owns, including Viagogo, whose ticket was not produced by any of the defendants, or who were provided with a different ticket than the one purchased, since March 31, 2025. According to the proposed class action, the plaintiff and class members suffered damages as a result of StubHub’s alleged misrepresentations, including, but not limited to, the following: - Travel and accommodation costs to the venue - Loss of income - The difference in the full value of the ticket purchased Gallagher is seeking monetary relief on his own behalf and on behalf of the class members. The proposed class action still needs to be certified in court, so if you think you’re eligible, keep an eye on any updates. You might also like: - Canadians could be part of a class-action lawsuit against Uber - B.C. authorizes massive class action against one of world's largest vape brands - Canadians can get a full refund amid urgent toaster oven recall https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/stubhub-class-action-lawsuit Fri, 17 Jul 2026 21:08:01 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/metro-vancouver-food-festivals-2026 Amir Ali Earn 3X Avion points on groceries with the RBC ION+ Visa. Get up to 28,000 Avion points – that’s up to $200 in gift cards from 200+ brands.Conditions apply.  Visit rbc.com/ioncards for details. There’s always some tasty event around the corner in Metro Vancouver, and in August and for the remainder of July, there are still plenty of food festivals to attend. From drink festivals to tasty Chinese food events, there’s definitely something for every palate and taste. KOOLFEST SUMMER CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL Earlier this month, Vancouver’s ultimate summer drink festival kicked off, and it lasts until Aug. 4. Participating vendors across Metro Vancouver have created some delicious cold drinks and frozen treats. Think chocolate milk, iced coffees, milkshakes, floats, fruit slushies, iced teas, bubble teas, and more. Who is Joe? Coffee Roasters even turned Hawkins Cheezies into a drink, which they call the Cheezie Squeeze. LIGHT UP CHINATOWN! Presented by RBC, Light Up Chinatown! returns for its sixth year and takes place between Aug. 8 and Aug. 9. The free, two-day outdoor festival features live performances, “insanely” good food, and exclusive pop-ups. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 8 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 9 on the 500 Block of Columbia Street. You can check out the official website for a preview of the sights and bites. FALSE CREEK CRAB FEST Folks living on the coast are incredibly fortunate to be near waters that provide such plentiful and fresh seafood, including crab. And to celebrate, the BC Crab Fishermen’s Association and Chefs’ Table Society of BC are presenting the fourth annual False Creek Crab Fest, which takes place on July 26 and starts at 12 p.m. The event will offer fresh B.C. dungeness crab, drinks, games, local chefs and more. Tickets are around $75, depending on the type of ticket you purchase. VEGAN NIGHT MARKET >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by the vegan night market (@theveganmarket.ca) Vancouver is one of the most veg-friendly places in North America, and it only makes sense that there be a festival that celebrates the plentiful assortment of plant-based options. The Vancouver event used to be Canada’s one and only, but it has expanded to Toronto. The next Vancouver event takes place on July 23 at Locarno Beach from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Folks can expect over 50 plant-based vendors, DJs, and other fun summer events. There will also be a complimentary yoga session at 8 p.m. THAI FESTIVAL VANCOUVER >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Thai Festival Vancouver (@thaifestyvr) If you love Thai food, the perfect event is coming up next month at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The Thai Festival Vancouver brings Thai food and culture to an accessible spot. There will even be a couple of prizes that could send you to Bangkok. The top prize is valued at $2,500. Thai Festival Vancouver takes place on Aug. 8 and 9 between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. RICHMOND GARLIC FEST There’s one summer event coming up that everyone is welcome to, unless you’re a blood-sucking vampire. The Richmond Garlic Fest takes place on Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sharing Farm on 2771 Westminster Hwy. “The festival attracts approximately 5000 people from throughout the Lower Mainland. Highlights for festival goers include live birds-of-prey flying demonstrations, a celebrated children’s area, a diverse farmer’s market, food booths with garlic specials, and live entertainment,” the Sharing Farm says.  Aside from vampires, it’s probably best not to attend if you have a date later that night. Some other notable food events taking place over the next month: - Fridays on Front - Vancouver Coastal Market & Food Festival - Local farmers markets Are there any food festivals you’re looking forward to? Let us know in the comments. You might also like: - Vancouver's ultimate summer drink festival has returned - Free weekly food and street festival returns to New West this month - Eyebrow-raising unauthorized No Frills grocery cart sign removed after backlash https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/metro-vancouver-food-festivals-2026 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 19:37:41 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-pride-festival-parade Daniel Chai Vancouver Pride, one of the city’s most popular festivals, is preparing for a busy week of festivities, and we’ve got the details on everything you need to know. The Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) are hosting a packed lineup of events from Saturday, July 25 to Sunday, Aug. 2, with thrilling performances, block parties, and more to the theme of “Unapologetically Queer.” Many events are free or low-cost and open to all ages and interests, including the highly anticipated Vancouver Pride Parade. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Vancouver Pride (@vancouverpride) You might also like: - Vancouver Pride Parade to take shorter, east-to-west route in 2025 - The best ways to support and celebrate Pride in Vancouver - World's biggest bouncy castle is coming to Vancouver next month “Unapologetically Queer is about taking up space fully and authentically,” said Nicole Tran, board of director co-chair of Vancouver Pride Society, in a release. “Pride exists because queer communities created spaces for each other when those spaces didn’t exist elsewhere. This year’s theme honours that legacy while making room for the many ways people experience identity, belonging, joy, and resistance today.” Everyone is welcome to check out the community-led programming, cultural events, and citywide activations during the nine-day event. Soak in the summer vibes at the Vancouver Pride “Beach House,” dance at the Public Disco Block Party, and check out the Terry Wallace Memorial Breakfast. VANCOUVER PRIDE PARADE The largest Pride parade in Western Canada begins at Pacific Boulevard near BC Place, and will travel along Pacific until it ends at Howe Street. The parade will start at 1 p.m. with over 100 vibrant parade entries, entertaining performers, community floats, and more. Parade accessibility viewing zones are available for free, on a first-come, first-served basis, at the Roundhouse Community Centre. There will also be a “Pride Pitstop” at BC Place by donation from noon to 4 p.m. Two other marches are happening in the city during the festival period, including the Trans March on Friday, July 31, and the Vancouver Dyke March on Saturday, Aug. 1. DAVIE VILLAGE PRIDE FESTIVAL Davie Village, the heart of Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community, will host the Pride Festival on Sunday, Aug. 2, spanning a three-block stretch of Davie Street between Burrard Street and Jervis Street. Organizers are promising “expanded programming and renewed partnership” at the Davie Village Pride Festival from 2 to 10 p.m., featuring live music, drag performances, DJs, and roaming entertainers, as well as licensed lounges, extended patios, and local businesses spilling out onto the street. Events can be found in Davie Village, Nelson Park and Comox Street (between Bute and Thurlow). There will also be new lounge experiences at 1800 Davie Plaza and the English Bay Bathhouse. Programming in Nelson Park will run from 2 to 9 p.m. “This festival is about celebrating the people, businesses, and organizations that make Davie Village such a special place year-round,” said Teri Smith, Executive Director, West End Business Improvement Association. “After building a strong foundation last year, we’re excited to continue growing the festival in ways that strengthen community connections, support local businesses, and create an unforgettable Pride experience for everyone.” A full list of pride events can be found online. VANCOUVER PRIDE PARADE AND FESTIVAL 2026 When: Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026 Time: Vancouver Pride Parade — 1 to 3:30 p.m.; Davie Village Pride Festival — 2 to 10 p.m. Where: Vancouver Pride Parade — along Pacific Boulevard and Pacific Street between BC Place Stadium and Howe Street; Davie Village Pride Festival — at Davie Village, Nelson Park and Comox Street Admission: Free Daily Hive is a proud media partner of the Vancouver Pride Society  https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-pride-festival-parade Fri, 17 Jul 2026 19:36:52 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/uber-class-action Isabelle Docto Canadians who use Uber could be part of a new proposed class-action lawsuit. On Thursday, Consumer Law Group filed a statement of claim against Uber over alleged deceptive practices related to Uber One memberships. The monthly ($9.99) or annual ($96) subscription provides customers with savings on rides and food delivery orders. The class action claims that Uber One subscriptions “deploy misleading enrollment, billing and automatic renewal schemes intended to induce consumers to unwittingly enroll in subscriptions.” “Consumers are routinely misled about key terms of subscriptions, including the timing of charges, renewal conditions, cancellation policies and the true savings and benefits,” stated the Consumer Law Group. These claims have not been tested in court. In an email statement to Daily Hive, Uber said that it does not enroll or charge people for Uber One without their consent. “Customers must actively choose to sign up, including for free trials or promotional offers, and memberships renew automatically unless cancelled,” stated a spokesperson. “Customers can cancel anytime in the app, and for most people, the process takes less than 20 seconds.” They said customers can do so by opening the app, clicking on account, then clicking on Manage Membership under the subscription. “We welcome the opportunity to discuss the benefits of Uber One before the Court,” stated the spokesperson. THE ALLEGATIONS The class action is being brought on by a plaintiff who lives in North York, Ont. Around Nov. 30, 2022, he subscribed to Uber One and in July 2025, prior to the stated renewal date, he cancelled the subscription. According to the statement of claim, despite the plaintiff’s cancellation, on Aug. 29, 2025, the ride-share and food delivery app charged the credit card registered to his account and automatically renewed his subscription. The proposed class-action lawsuit therefore alleges that Uber has harmed customers by doing any of the following: - Enrolling them in Uber One subscriptions without properly disclosing important terms, including automatic renewal - Enrolling them in Uber One subscriptions and charging them without their knowledge or consent - Deliberately making it difficult to cancel their memberships Consumer Law Group claims that the company’s practices violated the Consumer Protection Act and other applicable laws and have caused “widespread harm to consumers” in the form of unauthorized charges and undue financial loss. ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO BE A PART OF THIS PROPOSED CLASS ACTION AGAINST UBER? The class action has been filed on behalf of Canadian residents (except Quebec) who were enrolled in an Uber One subscription without their informed consent and/or who faced prohibitive obstacles when trying to cancel their subscriptions. It’s calling on the defendant to pay punitive damages to the plaintiff and class members. Canadians who think they could be a part of this class action don’t need to do anything right now. Consumer Law Group recommends that you join the class action by signing up for updates on its site. This isn’t the first time the food delivery company has been involved in a class-action lawsuit. Last year, a class action was launched against Uber Eats over hidden service fees. You might also like: - B.C. authorizes massive class action against one of world's largest vape brands - Canadians can get a full refund amid urgent toaster oven recall - Canada announces major update to parents and grandparents sponsorship program https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/uber-class-action Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:37:27 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fifa-world-cup-vancouver-economy-tourism-momentum-legacy Guest Author Written for Daily Hive Urbanized by Greater Vancouver Board of Trade president and CEO Bridgitte Anderson, Destination Vancouver president and CEO Royce Chwin, and Downtown Van president and CEO Jane Talbot. ---------------------------------------- Anthropologists use the term liminality to describe those rare moments when people leave one reality behind but have yet to enter the next. The old rules loosen. Social barriers soften. A stronger sense of collective identity emerges. It happens during festivals, pilgrimages, moments of crisis, and, most famously, major sporting events. If you’ve spent any time in Downtown Vancouver during FIFA World Cup 2026, you’ve seen exactly what that looks like. On Granville Street, thousands of people from every neighbourhood, culture, age group, and walk of life have gathered. Strangers celebrated together, restaurants and patios overflowed, and the streets felt alive with energy and possibility. For a few extraordinary weeks, we’ve experienced Vancouver as the world-class city we know it can be, reminiscent of the pride, energy, and sense of possibility that accompanied the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the Expo ’86 World’s Fair. You might also like: - Most Metro Vancouver residents now view FIFA World Cup positively, back keeping Granville Street Pedestrian Zone: survey - Destination Vancouver looks beyond FIFA World Cup to long-term tourism and convention growth - Granville Street Pedestrian Zone extended to September, with Christmas market possible in fall - Opinion: Enough is enough — It's time for Vancouver to push back on overdose prevention site decisions - Opinion: The 2026 FIFA World Cup belongs to 16 host cities, and Vancouver is turning its share into something much bigger - Opinion: Vancouver, enjoy the FIFA World Cup while it lasts — it's starting to feel like the 2010 Olympics - Opinion: After spending decades managing dysfunction, it's time to start building beauty in Vancouver Yes, the emotional scale of the World Cup is difficult to replicate, and the easy conclusion to draw is that this was simply the magic of the tournament. But that would be a tremendous mistake. The success of the past month was not driven solely by the matches themselves. It was driven by deliberate decisions about place-making. Streets were activated. Public spaces were programmed. Businesses, governments, community organizations, and cultural groups worked toward a common goal. The city created an environment where people felt invited to stay, explore, celebrate, and connect. While the energy was infectious across the region, the change was most evident on Granville Street. The Granville Street Pedestrian Zone transformed the street into a gathering place and a fully-fledged entertainment district. It became a natural focal point for celebration, connection, and shared experiences. The City of Vancouver’s decision to extend the pedestrian zone through September is an important step, and we applaud that decision. In our view, it should be seen as the beginning of a longer-term commitment, not the conclusion. Public support for these changes is already evident. A Research Co. poll found that nearly two-thirds of Metro Vancouver residents, and almost seven in ten City of Vancouver residents, would like to see the Granville pedestrian zone continue after the World Cup. The tournament provided a real-world test of ideas that city builders, business leaders, and urban planners have discussed for years. It also reinforced two fundamental truths: successful placemaking depends on people feeling safe and comfortable, and visitors who come to Vancouver love it. Economic vitality, public confidence, cleanliness, and safety are inseparable, and the positive atmosphere we witnessed was the result of deliberate investments in public space management, coordination, and maintenance. If we want to sustain the energy of the past month, we must sustain the conditions that made it possible. We need to accelerate the implementation of the Granville Street Plan. That means reducing barriers that limit business activity, enabling greater flexibility in the use of public space, supporting cultural programming, and creating the conditions necessary for private investment to flourish. Transforming the strip into a flourishing entertainment district also requires addressing complex social challenges in ways that support both vulnerable populations and the long- term vitality of the urban core. That means making the permanent decision not to proceed with the proposed overdose prevention site (OPS) at 900 Helmcken St. and ensuring that the provincial and municipal governments expedite their commitment to relocating three Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels away from the entertainment district. But the opportunity ahead is far bigger than Granville Street, and it extends well beyond the borders of temporary fan zones. Major international events are effectively global auditions. Every visitor who came to Vancouver formed an impression of our city, and every broadcast image and social media post helped shape our global reputation. Science World’s iconic transformation is in many ways the defining symbol of the tournament. In tourism, reputation creates direct economic demand, and we are now positioned to convert this massive burst of global inspiration into a long-term commercial opportunity. If done right, we can capitalize on the heightened attention on our region to grow the value of Vancouver’s visitor economy from $9 billion to $11 billion over the next few years. We are already seeing some signs of this momentum. Vancouver Convention Centre has immediately returned to hosting major citywide conferences, anchoring a business events pipeline that is tracking well above the typical pace. In fact, Vancouver’s already strong global profile was further enhanced by our stand-out performance as a Host City, which will continue to fuel long-term demand. Next year is already on track to become the busiest on record for citywide conferences in Vancouver, shattering the previous record set in 2018 by close to 20 per cent. When people have positive experiences, they return, invest, and recommend our city to others. The Beautiful Game reminded us that if we invest in our city, if we work to keep it safe, it can be a gathering place, a larger part of our economic future, and a source of pride. The question before us all is whether we allow the feelings of possibility that defined this World Cup to become a fond memory of a brief moment when we got it right — like the 2010 Olympics before it — or whether we use them as a foundation for what comes next. You might also like: - Most Metro Vancouver residents now view FIFA World Cup positively, back keeping Granville Street Pedestrian Zone: survey - Destination Vancouver looks beyond FIFA World Cup to long-term tourism and convention growth - Granville Street Pedestrian Zone extended to September, with Christmas market possible in fall - Opinion: Enough is enough — It's time for Vancouver to push back on overdose prevention site decisions - Opinion: The 2026 FIFA World Cup belongs to 16 host cities, and Vancouver is turning its share into something much bigger - Opinion: Vancouver, enjoy the FIFA World Cup while it lasts — it's starting to feel like the 2010 Olympics - Opinion: After spending decades managing dysfunction, it's time to start building beauty in Vancouver https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fifa-world-cup-vancouver-economy-tourism-momentum-legacy Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:30:03 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/11-ex-canucks-players-contract-free-agency Trevor Beggs It’s mid-July, but dozens of NHL players from last season are still looking for work. Ironically, nearly a sixth of them are former Vancouver Canucks. According to PuckPedia, 59 players who played NHL games last season are still looking for work, meaning that nearly 20 per cent of remaining free agents previously played for Vancouver. Here are 11 ex-Canucks players who are still looking for a contract. 1. EVANDER KANE - 2025-26 stats: 71 GP, 13 G, 18 A, 31 PTS Evander Kane didn’t do himself any favours last season. The best thing about Kane’s homecoming was the blue and green suit he rocked during his first press conference in Vancouver. On the ice, however, his play left a lot to be desired. His 0.43 points-per-game was the lowest output he’s had since he was an 18-year-old rookie in 2009-10. 2. CARSON SOUCY - 2025-26 stats: 76 GP, 5 G, 7 A, 12 PTS When the Canucks signed Carson Soucy back in 2023, they took a bet on him potentially blossoming into a top-four defenceman. That never really panned out. Soucy always crushed his defensive assignments in weaker matchup roles, but struggled when promoted in the lineup. That appears to have been the case in his last two stops with the New York Rangers and New York Islanders as well. Still, the 29-year-old is a serviceable NHL defenceman. 3. TANNER PEARSON - 2025-26 stats: 56 GP, 7 G, 8 A, 15 PTS In the three seasons since departing Vancouver, Tanner Pearson has already suited up for four different NHL teams. The 33-year-old was traded from the Canucks to the Montreal Canadiens before the 2023-24 season, and then signed with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024-25. Last season, Pearson was an everyday player for the Winnipeg Jets before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline. However, he sat in the press box for their entire playoff run. 4. BEN HUTTON - 2025-26 stats: 55 GP, 6 G, 9 A, 15 PTS It’s crazy to think that Ben Hutton once played over 22 minutes per night for the Canucks. If that feels like a lifetime ago, it’s because it was. However, the 33-year-old successfully carved out a role as a sixth/seventh defenceman in Vegas for the last five seasons. The 55 games he played last year were his highest mark since 2021-22, and the six goals he netted were a career-high. 5. DANTON HEINEN - 2025-26 stats: 46 GP, 6 G, 6 A, 12 PTS Remember when the Canucks chose Danton Heinen over Vasily Podkolzin? The Heinen experiment didn’t work out in Vancouver, and he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Marcus Pettersson deal midway through the 2024-25 season. He ended up playing AHL games for the first time in seven seasons last year, before the Columbus Blue Jackets scooped him up on waivers. He was relatively successful there in a fourth-line role, posting five goals and 10 points in 33 games. 6. CURTIS LAZAR - 2025-26 stats: 45 GP, 4 G, 2 A, 6 PTS It looked for a second like Curtis Lazar had found a home after being traded by the Canucks back in 2023. With the New Jersey Devils in 2023-24, the Salmon Arm, B.C. native posted career highs with seven goals and 25 points. However, he regressed the following season and was similarly utilized as a fringe roster player with the Edmonton Oilers last season. 7. DAVID KAMPF - 2025-26 stats: 45 GP, 4 G, 2 A, 6 PTS So, why did the Washington Capitals trade a sixth-round pick for David Kampf? Kampf was dealt to Washington by the Canucks at the 2026 trade deadline, even though the Capitals were already in selling mode after the John Carlson deal. He played two games for Washington and was not re-signed. The Canucks used that sixth-round pick to select 6-foot-4 Slovak forward Lucian Bernat. 8. PIERRE OLIVIER-JOSEPH - 2025-26 stats: 31 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 PTS Last season with the Canucks, Pierre-Olivier Joseph brought positive locker-room vibes and impeccable fashion sense. Unfortunately, he wasn’t all that useful on the ice. The 26-year-old became an unrestricted free agent after the Canucks decided not to tender him a qualifying offer. They essentially replaced him with Luke Schenn in free agency. 9. TRAVIS HAMONIC - 2025-26 stats: 26 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS Of all the players on this list, it would be the least surprising if Travis Hamonic decided to call it a career. The 35-year-old defenceman was the Detroit Red Wings’ seventh defenceman last season. Even in limited minutes, he was a liability. Hamonic is currently 74 games away from 1,000 in his NHL career. 10. DEREK FORBORT - 2025-26 stats: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS The 2025-26 season was a hellacious one for Derek Forbort. He played the first two games of the season and was never seen again. Forbort explained during the end-of-season press conference that he had hip issues during training camp, and things spiralled from there. After attempting to fight through it, he ended up getting surgery to repair a labral tear in his hip. However, he’s expressed a desire to keep playing. “I’d like to try and maybe grind out a couple more, depending on how it feels,” Forbort told the media. “Just talking to the surgeon, he said it’s gonna solve a lot of the issues that I had the last couple of years with it. So hopefully makes a big difference, and can try and continue playing.” 11. NILS AMAN - 2025-26 stats: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS Even though Nils Aman was a restricted free agent, his departure from the organization was predictable. Aman did lead the Abbotsford Canucks in points last season; however, he scored just six times in 55 games. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Aman follow in Phil Di Giuseppe’s footsteps, as the former Canucks forward signed with an SHL team earlier this week. You might also like: - Vancouver Canucks found their AHL head coach but got rejected: report - Wife of Canucks' Filip Hronek shows off photos from their beautiful European wedding - Vancouver Canucks schedule is littered with 8 p.m. starts for the first time - Vancouver Canucks dish on best-dressed teammates and NHL's new relaxed dress code https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/11-ex-canucks-players-contract-free-agency Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:00:55 GMT https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/real-canadian-superstore-summer Kendall Bistretzan Canadians only have a short window of time to make the most of long days, warm weather, and summer fun whether that’s by hitting the beach, enjoying an evening bonfire, or spending time with friends. For me, I especially love hosting friends over a meal. Throwing together a delicious and cute outdoor barbecue requires careful consideration of both quality and affordability, and with Real Canadian Superstore, neither one needs to be sacrificed. With over 100 new summer products, Superstore is the ultimate destination for Canadians to kick off warmer days and cover all of their entertaining needs. From kitchenware and accessories to grill-worthy essentials, I had everything I needed for a fantastic summer barbecue with my partner, friends, and friends’ children, all under one roof. FIRE UP THE GRILL BBQ season at Superstore goes beyond the simple question of “burger or hot dog?” There are so many grill-ready options to choose from, like PC Lean Beef Burgers, PC Thick & Juicy Turkey Burgers, or PC Classic Street Cart Sausages. I opted for PC Cheddar Cheese Jalapeno Beef Burgers and PC Plant-Based The Black Bean Veggie Burgers.  My partner gave the Veggie Burgers a vegetarian stamp of approval, while my friends and I couldn’t get enough of the Cheddar Jalapeno Beef Burgers. What’s summer without a little kick, after all? Meanwhile, the kiddos filled up on plain burger buns, because I made the rookie mistake of leaving them within arm’s reach of two toddlers. Lesson learned. Pro tip: While you can’t go wrong with classic PC Tomato Ketchup, the PC Roasted Red Pepper Squeeze and Drizzle Spread is an easy way to take your burgers to the next level. It was an all-around hit at this barbecue. SIDES AND SWEETS I figured I oughta sneak some vegetables into our meal, and the PC Big Smash Chopped Salad Kit was an easy and tasty way to do just that. It’s a salad that tastes like a burger, complete with crispy fried pickles and onions, brioche-style croutons, and tangy Big Smash dressing. It came together in seconds and was way easier (and more affordable) than buying individual ingredients to make a salad from scratch. And for dessert, we had the ultimate frozen treats:  PC Fruit Bars and PC Loads Of Nanaimo Bar ice cream! These were a big hit with both the grown-ups and kids. Whether you crave vibrant iced fruit flavours like orange, mango, and raspberry, or prefer a cold, creamy chocolate treat, Superstore has something for everyone’s summer sweet tooth. EXTRA, EXTRA Superstore has summer accessories that make cooking and clean-up a breeze. The Everyday Essentials Water Resistant Tablecloth was a lifesaver at the kids’ table, and the Life at Home Large Oval Serving Platter and Life at Home Cabbage Serving Bowl are super cute and contributed to the overall summery aesthetic. I also got my hands on a PC Stackset Pro Grilling Prep Tray, which I’m going to use when my parents are in town later this summer. Designed to help prepare and marinade delicious, grill-ready food, the versatile tray set also includes an integrated cutting board that fits snugly into the lid, making ingredient prep and storage a breeze. Move over, Dad — there’s a new grillmaster in town. MAKE YOUR OWN SUMMER MEMORIES From fresh produce, multicultural ingredients, frozen treats and kitchen accessories, to trendy summer apparel from Joe Fresh and backyard and outdoor activity items, Superstore are proudly Canadian brands where Canadians can find everything they need for the summer season at a great price. However you celebrate, Superstore has everything you need to level up your summer plans while sticking to a budget. Visit your local Superstore to check out all the new and exciting summer products. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/real-canadian-superstore-summer Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:53:47 GMT