Vancouver Rundown

An evacuation alert has been issued by the Fraser Valley Regional District for parts of the Chilliwack River Valley. People have been told to by ready to leave the area due to concerns over possible flooding. The alert comes as much of the B.C. Lower Mainland and South Coast remain under a heavy rainfall warning - a yellow alert. Up to 150 mm of rain is expected in some areas by Monday night as the region continues to get hit by an atmospheric river.

B.C. faces the prospects of weak financial growth in 2026 according to a new report by Deloitte Canada. The forecast is for 1.6 GDP growth as the province’s forestry sector continues to struggle. That comes despite an expected increase in LNG exports tied to the new terminal project in Prince Rupert. Alberta and Saskatchewan are each expected to have 2.1 per cent GDP growth. Overall, Canada’s growth is expected to be 1.5 per cent as the country struggles with U.S. tariffs.

Say goodbye to the London Drugs location on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The B.C. based chain says it’s closing the iconic Woodward’s location at the end of the month due to ongoing problems with crime and violence. President and CEO Clint Mahlman calls it a very difficult decision, noting the location continues to struggle. He says there’s a transition plan for staff. The location has lost more than $10M in its 15 years at the site of the old Woodward’s department store.

Refineries, not pipelines! That’s what B.C. Premier David Eby says should be the priority as the U.S. appears poised to takeover Venezuelan oil exports. Eby says if Canada has billions of dollars to spend it should go toward developing oil products for this country and for exports. The premier is holding firm on his opposition to building a new northern pipeline saying Trans Mountain to Burnaby is not at full capacity. Almost 90 per cent of Alberta’s oilsands exports currently go to the U.S.

Most of the South Coast is under a heavy rainfall warning as a system in the Gulf of Alaska heads south. As much as 50mm is expected to fall in some areas on Tuesday. Meanwhile, those on the North Shore mountains are bracing for snow. A snowfall warning is in effect for the Sea-to-Sky Highway for those heading between Squamish and Whistler. Drier weather is expected toward the end of the week.

My thanks to the many loyal readers and podcast listeners and a special thanks to those who have supported this effort through a paid subscription and/or donation. You’ve made Vancouver Rundown a huge success over the past year - reader and listener growth has more than doubled in 2025. Vancouver Rundown is now on a break but will resume publication Tuesday January 6, 2026. Happy Holidays. - Bruce

Boxing Day - that’s the new ‘best guess’ estimate as to when Highway 3 will reopen between Hope and Princeton. Flood-damage will take months to repair but the Ministry of Transportation expects to build a temporary detour in the area with a 30 km/h speed limit. Until Friday, drivers will still have to take Highway 5 to get to the Southern Interior.

Heavy rain, strong winds and even some high elevation snow is expected to continue into the weekend as B.C.’s South Coast copes with more stormy weather. A wind advisory has been posted for eastern parts of the Fraser Valley. Isolated flooding is still possible in areas around the Chilliwack River. Meanwhile, those heading into the B.C. Interior could still find challenges - Highway 3 remains closed between Hope and Manning Park due to flood damage. Snow and blowing snow can be expected on the Coquihalla Highway and parts of Highway One through the Fraser Canyon.

Crews have restored power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses in the Lower Mainland. A windstorm that started Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday morning across southern B.C., knocked out power to close to 120,000 BC Hydro customers. Winds hit over 100 km/h in several areas causing trees and branches to come down on numerous roads and power lines from Vancouver Island through to the West Kootenay. Meanwhile, all remaining flood evacuation orders have been cancelled in Abbotsford. Those living on Sumas Prairie are now allowed to go home as flooding subsides. The BC River Forecast Centre has downgrading its flood warning to a high stream advisory.

Heavy rain that continued into early Wednesday morning is putting a damper on efforts to recover from flooding on the South Coast. Close to 1200 properties remain on evacuation alert - 100 are on evacuation order. While flood waters started to recede in most areas on Tuesday, downpours continued into Tuesday night. Highway 3 remains closed from Hope to Manning Park due to landslide damage. A few thousand BC Hydro customers remain without power after strong winds on Monday and Tuesday.Meanwhile, the rain swollen Coquihalla River has cut a new channel through the golf course in Hope. Those at the Hope Golf and Country Club estimate up to 15 per cent of the course has been washed away by recent flooding. Hole No.7 is an island. A dollar cost damage assessment has not yet been made.

Close to 90,000 BC Hydro customers were left without power at the height of Monday’s windstorm on the South Coast. About 50,0000 of those were on the Sunshine Coast and Lower Mainland - the rest on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. The hardest hit areas included parts of Hope, Chilliwack, Langley, Maple Ridge, Duncan, Victoria and Qualicum. At one point, downed tree limbs cut off vehicle access to Fraser Canyon Hospital in Hope.Meanwhile, a woman is dead after being hit by a falling tree near Chilliwack. RCMP say she was walking with two young children at Island 22 Monday afternoon when a wind gust brought down the tree. Victim Services has been called in to help the family.

More flooding is still possible and Fraser Valley residents are being told to prepare. The impact of a weather system that hit Sunday night is now triggering new concerns about creeks, rivers and low lying areas. Flood warnings remain in place for the Chilliwack and Sumas Rivers and up to 70mm or rain could fall in some areas by the end of Monday. That has police and local governments concerned as areas from Abbotsford east beyond Manning Park continue to recover from last week’s atmospheric river. The Ministry of Emergency Management says drivers and residents need to brace for the next round of stormy weather.

Highway One has been closed between Whatcom Road and Sumas Way as Abbotsford continues to deal with expanding flood waters from the Nooksack River, south of the border. Detours have been in effect. Even though the torrential rain eased-off on Thursday, new evacuation orders have been issued late Thursday for a few Abbotsford properties including the Clarion Hotel. Close to 1,500 properties on Sumas Prairie remain under an evacuation order.Meanwhile, two U.S. Coast Guard helicopters have been used to rescue stranded residents in Sumas, Washington, just south of Abbotsford. Those on a MH-60 Jayhawk and a MH-65 Dolphin conducted a long-line rescue for four people stranded near the Huntingdon-Sumas border late Thursday afternoon after flood waters reached chest-deep levels. Sumas Mayor Bruce Bosch says a Friday assessment will determine if this flood is worse than the one in 2021.

Thursday will be an assessment and recovery day after torrential rains caused Fraser Valley flooding and cut three highway routes between the B.C. Interior and the Lower Mainland. Heavy rains triggered a handful of evacuation orders in areas including the Chilliwack River Valley. Evacuation alerts had been issued for other areas including Abbotsford’s Clayburn Village and Sumas Prairie West. Access to the Huntingdon-Sumas border crossing remained closed except for local residents. Small slides, flooding and hazardous conditions are responsible for closing many of the main out-of-town highways. As of Wednesday night, Highway One had been closed heading east at Highway 9 and also between Hope and Lytton. Other closures included the Hope-Princeton Highway, the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt and even the Lougheed Highway west of Hope. Meanwhile, the flood siren at the City Hall in Sumas, Washington has been going off as Whatcom County deals with numerous problems relating to the overflowing Nooksack River. Water has been flowing over Main Street in Everson and Mount Baker Highway has been closed at Silver Lake. Close to 100,000 people in Western Washington are subject to evacuation alerts or orders.

Rain and flood advisories have been posted for much of the south coast as stormy weather is expected to continue through Wednesday. The heaviest downpours are expected in eastern parts of the Fraser Valley, Skagit Valley and Manning Park - orange rainfall warnings are in effect and localized flooding is expected. The atmospheric river should ease off by late Wednesday night.

stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge - that is the name for the Fraser River crossing that will replace the Pattullo Bridge. The B.C. government along with local indigenous leaders made the announcement saying the name has been bestowed by both the Musqueam and Kwantlen people. stal̕əw̓asəm means a space where you can view the river. The new $1.6B Pattullo replacement is expected to gradually open, starting Dec. 24.

Several parts of B.C. are being hit by stormy weather with more expected through late Monday night. Snowfall warnings are posted for much of the Peace Country with up to 20 cm expected. A winter storm warning is also in effect for parts of the Southern Interior with drivers being urged to avoid Highway 3 through Kootenay Pass. The Lower Mainland will be hit with very heavy rain with up to 70mm expected by Monday night. Environment Canada is warning people to avoid pooling water. Strong wind is also expected in many areas of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

A day after defying those who fired him, John Rustad has resigned as the BC Conservative leader. Rustad says fighting for his title would only create a civil war within the party. The move comes after more than 20 Conservative MLAs reportedly signed a letter demanding his resignation - a move that prompted the party to tap MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader. Halford says he has no intention of seeking the job permanently.

John Rustad has been fired as leader of the BC Conservatives according to his own party. The party’s board has issued a statement saying Rustad has been removed as leader because he lost the confidence of the majority of caucus. Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford has been named by the party as the interim leader. Rustad remains defiant saying he is still the leader.

Vancouver Island’s Crofton pulp mill will permanently closed. Pulp and Paper company Domtar says the mill will shut down Dec. 15. Close to 350 jobs will be lost. The news comes after the recent closure of the nearby Western Forest Products Mill that resulted in 150 layoffs. North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas has a Wednesday meeting with Premier David Eby and two cabinet ministers to discuss next steps.

David Eby may be backing down on his hard stance, opposing another oil pipeline to the West Coast. Speaking on CTV’s Question Period, the B.C. Premier says his anxiety is centered on removing the north coast oil tanker ban. That comment paves the way for discussions about a southern route. The BC Conservatives accuse Eby of flip-flopping on the pipeline issue, demanding the premier make up his mind.

Indigenous groups remain split on whether to support Alberta’s Memorandum of Understanding with the feds on a new oil pipeline to the West Coast. The Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations says it’s disappointed it was not included at the decision-making table. The Confederacy’s Treaty covers a large portion of the proposed pipeline route. Meanwhile, the Coastal First Nations in B.C. says it remains opposed to any exemption for a tanker ban. The federal government says it has support from Indigenous groups which would see co-ownership and economic benefits.

A distraction from real projects - that’s how David Eby describes a Memorandum of Understanding between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The two leaders announced a deal that would pave the way for a new oil pipeline to the West Coast. Premier Eby remains opposed to any new bitumen pipeline or removal of a ban on oil tankers along the north coast. Eby also says there is no proponent, no route, no money and no First Nation support. B.C. was excluded from final talks between the PM and Alberta.

The Vancouver Celebration of Light fireworks competition has been permanently cancelled. Organizers announced the end of the long standing summer event blaming rising costs and declining government investment and private sponsorship. They say the decision is disappointing but the numbers just don’t add up. In 2000, the fireworks competition came close to being axed after Benson and Hedges pulled out due to changes in rules around tobacco advertising.

Job losses and cuts to programs are coming as the City of Vancouver pushes ahead with its zero per cent property tax increase. Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC councillors have voted as promised, after a series of sharp increases over the past three years. The tax freeze has the support of Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and several other business improvement and hospitality groups. Meanwhile,The price tag for a new amphitheatre at the PNE has almost tripled to $184M. The City blames the huge cost increase on rising construction prices, building materials and challenging ground and soil conditions. It’s hoped the outdoor theatre will be ready in time to host some events connected to Vancouver’s portion of the FIFA World Cup.

Two Surrey Police officers are hurt after crashing their cruiser and a suspect remains at large following an injury shooting west of Whalley Sunday evening. Police say the suspect fired multiple rounds at a home on 101B Avenue just after 9:00 p.m. A woman is expected to recover after being hit. Police admit two officers were hurt after their cruiser hit another vehicle while responding to the scene with lights and siren on. Police are not saying whether this latest incident is related to any ongoing extortion investigation.

The hunt continues for three grizzlies believed responsible for a brutal attack on a group, including elementary school students, in Bella Coola on Thursday. Three students and a teacher were injured when the bears attacked 11 people on a trail just outside the community. No decision has been made on what to do with the bears once they’re tracked down.

An instructor at Langara College who was fired after praising the pro-Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel two years ago has won her job back. An arbitrator has reinstated Natalie Knight and told the college she should be ‘made whole’ for the loss of compensation. Three weeks after the Oct. 7, 2023 assault, Knight told anti-Israeli demonstrators at the Vancouver Art Gallery the attacks were '“an amazing, brilliant offensive.” Her comments sparked outrage in the Vancouver Jewish community. Knight was put on paid leave and later fired after making more remarks in support of Hamas. The Langara Faculty Association backed Knight citing a tolerance for all views.

Ten people have been arrested by authorities in Canada and the U.S. in an effort to find and prosecute a former Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug kingpin who grew up in Coquitlam. The FBI has placed Ryan Wedding on its Top 10 Most Wanted list saying the Canadian fugitive runs a violent, international drug ring. Wedding is hiding in Mexico - there’s a multimillion dollar reward for his capture and prosecution. FBI director Kash Patel calls him a modern day Pablo Escobar.

Single Room Occupancy hotels on Granville Street are a failed experiment - that’s the word from the Hospitality Vancouver Association after a man was stabbed to death on Monday. The HVA says the so-called SROs are dangerous and unstable and the group is again calling for the 300 low cost rental units to be permanently closed. A man died in hospital after being stabbed on Granville at Helmcken - no arrests have been made.

The cash-strapped City of Vancouver is considering digital billboards at key locations to generate revenue. The proposed idea comes as Mayor Ken Sim promises a zero per cent property tax increase. Suggested locations for the largest billboards include the Oak Street and Ironworkers Memorial bridges, Southeast Marine Drive near Knight Street, Expo Boulevard and McGill Street. The City is seeking interest from advertisers before pushing ahead with the idea.

David Eby has a been given a strong endorsement from his party to continue as leader of the NDP. Members who cast a ballot have voted over 82 per cent against holding a leadership review. The premier admits his party has to do a better job of supporting grassroots members. He also promises his party will always support collective bargaining. Eby used his appearance at the NDP’s convention to promise a better future for the province based on several high profile natural resource projects.

BCGEU members have voted 89 per cent in favour of ratifying their contract deal with the provincial government. The four year agreement ended a public service strike that lasted eight weeks. Workers will get a 12 per cent wage increase over the life of the deal as well as improvements to vision care and counselling benefits. The B.C. government remains in negotiations with nurses and teachers who are both working with expired contracts.

Police now confirm it was an eight year old girl who fell to her death from a balcony in Vancouver’s Yaletown on Tuesday afternoon. It happened at the luxury high rise, known as the Arc, at about 2:30. The young girl died at the scene. Police are still trying to figure out the circumstances.

At least 19 birds have now died at an Okanagan sanctuary hit by Avian flu. Critteraid, which adopts birds, pets and farm animals, says those deaths include a rooster, ten chickens, ducks and other birds. Avian flu was first confirmed on Oct. 29 and the farm has been closed to the public ever since. The operators continue to cooperate with the CFIA, Interior Health and other authorities.

An animal rescue sanctuary in the Okanagan has been hit by Avian flu. Summerland-based Critteraid says its been facing one of the most heartbreaking experiences in its history that needs immediate action from regulatory authorities, Interior Health and epidemiologists. Details on the number of animals infected have not been released. Critteraid cares for birds, pets and other animals with 54 listed on its website.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s cull of hundreds of Ostriches on an eastern B.C. hobby farm has begun. Protesters and advocacy reporters, many bolstered by U.S. right-wing bloggers and podcasters, reported hearing gun shots early Thursday evening after the Supreme Court of Canada decided against reviewing lower court decisions that relied on experts and science. The cull was first ordered a year ago after several of the large birds tested positive for avian flu. The farm’s owners say the birds are now virus free - health experts note there is no safe way to allow those once infected with avian flu to live.

Brace for more stormy weather. Coastal areas of the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast and Vancouver and Gulf Islands are expected to be hit with several bands of heavy rainfall and strong wind starting Thursday morning and continuing into the weekend. A rainfall warning is in effect for the North Shore, Port Moody and Coquitlam. A second system is expected to ramp up late Sunday night and into Monday morning.

Metro Vancouver plans to bolster its campsite roster to meet growing demand. Those with the regional district have put forth a proposal four three wilderness type campgrounds, a dozen group sites and four multi-type sites. Four of those in Aldergrove, Belcarra and Derby Reach would be suitable for tents, trailers or RVs. A report finds campsite occupancy rates have increased from 65 to 86 per cent in the past two years. The expansion would possibly ease some of the pressure on the BC Parks system which constantly faces sell-outs.

A woman’s been rushed to hospital in critical condition following a Monday evening pedestrian collision in Surrey. Police say it happened at around 6:00 at the intersection of King George Boulevard and 40 Avenue. The driver remained at the scene to talk with police. Some vehicles have been slightly damaged but there are no other injuries.

Drivers are being warned to expect heavy snow on the Coquihalla Highway through Monday morning. DriveBC has issued an alert saying commercial trucker are now required to ‘chain up’ at Box Canyon. Numerous truckers struggled on steep hills of the highway on Sunday morning. The snow is expected to ease by Monday afternoon.

B.C.’s police watchdog has ordered a new investigation into a disgraced Vancouver Police detective. CTV reports the OPCC’s probe follows a complaint from a former sex trafficking survivor. The woman claims she was lured into a seedy world and made to perform sex acts for money. Jim Fisher has never been criminally charged in connection with the allegations. Fisher, who worked with sex trafficking victims, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation and breach of trust in 2018 for incidents involving a teen girl and a young woman.

Vancouver will not lower its voting age to 16. A motion to change the Vancouver Charter to lower the age from 18 to 16 has been soundly defeated. Councillor Pete Fry says he’s disappointed noting those who are 16 and 17 are increasingly engaged in civic issues and should be able to participate in city life. He says the lower voting age exists in some cities in numerous countries around the world.

Vancouver will not lower its voting age to 16. A motion to change the Vancouver Charter to lower the age from 18 to 16 has been soundly defeated. Councillor Pete Fry says he’s disappointed noting those who are 16 and 17 are increasingly engaged in civic issues and should be able to participate in city life. He says the lower voting age exists in some cities in numerous countries around the world.

ICBC says it will not increase insurance premiums for BC drivers until 2027. The crown insurance company says its finances don’t require any change for next year. That announcement, along with an NDP claim that its keeping rates low and affordable, comes despite many drivers paying more for the same coverage even though they have clean driving records and the same vehicle. ICBC says it plans to expand customer service and its online offerings.

Government liquor stores have reopened but those in the food and beverage industry say it may be a while before B.C.’s booze supply is back to normal. The end of the BCGEU strike is a major step toward restocking but restaurants, bars and private liquor stores may have to wait for supply to catch up to demand. Some expect that could take between two and six months. The tentative deal for the public sector workers still has to be ratified.

B.C.’s massive public service strike may be over. The BCGEU has reached a tentative deal with the provincial government, ending labour action that started back on Sept. 2. The Professional Employees Association has also announced it will end its pickets and return to talks with the province. BCGEU members will now vote on a deal that gives them a 12 per cent wage hike over four years - mediator Vince Ready has assisted in reaching the compromise deal.

Breaking News…Donald Trump says he’s ending all trade negotiations with Canada. The announcement on social media comes as the U.S. president expresses outrage over the Ontario government’s recent TV ads protesting U.S. tariffs. Those ads feature old clips of Ronald Regan speaking negatively about tariffs. Trump says the ad campaign is designed to interfere with the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts. Ontario’s campaign cost taxpayers $75M.

John Rustad won’t quit. The BC Conservative leader is rejecting the demands of his party’s president and the management committee to step down in light of what they call an ‘unprecedented level of turmoil’ over the past year. Rustad has rejected a letter signed by the party’s management committee saying the 39-member caucus is in a good place. Rustad says he has the support of membership after a vote on his leadership last summer.

A B.C. gangster who spent many years as a fugitive has now pleaded guilty to plotting to kill the Bacon brothers. UN gangster Conor D’Monte has pleaded guilty to conspiring to kill Red Scorpions Jonathan, Jared and Jamie Bacon more than 15 years ago. A date for sentencing has not yet been set - it’s expected the Crown will drop D’Monte’s first degree murder charge in the 2009 Langley shooting death of Red Scorpion Kevin LeClair. In February 2022, D’Monte was arrested in San Juan, Puerto Rico where he’d been living under a different name.