Latest news with #SkyTrain
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Still shaking': Canada journalist alleges assault by Khalistanis, shares ordeal
Investigative journalist Mocha Bezirgan says he was 'surrounded and threatened' by a group of Khalistan supporters and briefly had his phone snatched while filming their weekend rally in downtown Vancouver. 'It just happened two hours ago and I'm still shaking,' Bezirgan told news agency ANI in a phone interview. 'They acted like thugs - crowding in on me, grabbing my phone, trying to stop me recording.' Bezirgan, who has gained a following for documenting Khalistani demonstrations across Canada, the United States, Britain and New Zealand, said an agitator who has previously harassed him online led Sunday's confrontation. 'All of a sudden I had two or three people up in my face. I started a backup recording on my phone; that's when one of them yanked it out of my hand,' he said. Vancouver police officers nearby intervened, ordering the man to back off. Bezirgan later filed a statement; no arrests were immediately announced. The journalist added that the same individual continued shadowing him for several blocks, including onto a SkyTrain platform. 'I had nowhere to go. It was clear intimidation,' he said, calling for the man - a British national, according to Bezirgan - to be deported. Sunday's altercation comes amid a string of attacks on reporters covering the separatist movement. In October 2024, Canadian MP Chandra Arya warned Parliament of 'growing violence faced by journalists who report on Khalistani extremism,' citing assaults on broadcasters Rishi Nagar, Sameer Kaushal and others, and noting that Bezirgan himself had received death threats
Vancouver Sun
06-06-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
At a time when large residential construction has stalled, this developer is pushing forward with a big Burnaby project
At a time when an uncertain economy has delayed or cancelled residential projects, one developer is pushing forward on a major project in Burnaby's Brentwood neighbourhood. Grosvenor has begun excavation on the first phase of construction on about three city blocks across from the Brentwood shopping mall and the Brentwood Town Centre SkyTrain station. The Brentwood Block project will include a 41-storey condo tower, a community centre, and two rental towers, including a 60-storey one that will be Western Canada's tallest all-rental building. 'There are lots of reports on slower sales in the first quarter of this year and I think it's clear that that's attributed to the uncertainty that entered the picture at the beginning of this year. Timing is always relevant in anything related to real estate,' said Marc Josephson, senior vice-president of development at Grosvenor. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. But there are reasons Grosvenor is feeling hopeful enough to proceed: When it launched sales for the condo tower last fall, it sold 100 units in 30 days; the project involves a mix of uses and isn't only focused on residential condos; and the company has access to capital. Grosvenor is proceeding while other projects have stalled because they didn't sell a certain percentage of presale contracts and, therefore, were unable to qualify for construction financing. The London-based company was founded in 1677 when it started buying some of the most expensive real estate in that city's Mayfair and Belgravia areas, which it still owns. It now manages investments for the 7th Duke of Westminster, one of the world's wealthiest people under the age of 40 based on land, property and other assets. The company has been operating in North America for more than 70 years, beginning with its purchase of Annacis Island in Delta in 1952. In October 2024, Grosvenor announced it had joined with a Canadian pension fund and Victoria-based investment firm Westerkirk Capital to raise $1.5 billion in capital to fund the Brentwood Block project, explaining that capital market partnerships like this are necessary for successful development. At the moment, many potential buyers of presale condos are waiting rather than buying. The number of unsold condo units that are complete or nearing completion and unsold is rising and prominent real estate marketing companies are cutting staff. As of April, there were 2,503 condo units that were complete and unsold, and another 2,337 units in projects nearing completion that were unsold for a total of 4,840 units in Metro Vancouver, according to research by Rennie Intelligence. Boffo Developments Ltd. told The Globe and Mail it launched the first of what is meant to be a four-tower development last July, but only sold 44 of the 318 units by December before sales dropped off completely so it's decided to return deposits with interest and wait for better conditions. Allure Ventures is offering to buy back or rent out units at today's prices in a Surrey tower where it is aiming to begin construction. Some 200 people lined up when Square Nine Developments recently offered a one-day, steep discount of 25 per cent off original prices for units that have been completed at its Belvedere Surrey condo tower. Josephson said it's hard to read too much into what these cases say about the broader market. 'I think it's important to recognize that each development and each sub-market has nuances. Is the development big or small? Is it condo, rental, commercial, public, mixed? What's the price point? What are the characteristics of the developer and how well does this specific product match consumers' expectation for that location?' He said Grosvenor launched sales of presale units in the 41-storey Brentwood Block residential strata tower in the fall of 2024 and to date, has sold about 135 units — or 30 per cent — of the building's 451 units. This year, economic uncertainty has slowed sales, but the impact is 'likely more short-term in nature,' he said. 'There's been a lot of negative attention in the market right now related to condo sales and that's understandable, but again, it's about the first part of this year,' said Josephson. 'If you're launching a stand-alone condo building right at this moment, that's a difficult proposition and there's clearly systemic issues on the cost and policy side that need to be addressed. The demand is still there. It's just waiting on the sidelines for evidence of stability.' He adds that even though there are increasing signs of unsold inventory of presale units, Grosvenor believes the region will continue to have a structural supply shortage long-term. 'The benchmark price is only about four to six per cent below the peak in 2022. It's not as if it's a supply problem that is resulting in desperate selling that's dropping pricing. We're not seeing that.' He adds that 2021 was a record-setting year for sales, so to have some more inventory than the market is used to isn't necessarily a surprise. jlee-young@
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Downtown Vancouver Costco to start requiring membership to access food court
The era of Costco's famous $1.50 hotdogs is coming to an end in Vancouver — at least for non-Costco members. The downtown Vancouver Costco on Expo Boulevard has its food court outside the warehouse and has been accessible to anyone, even those without a membership. Given its location near the SkyTrain station, Rogers Arena and B.C. Place, the food court is a popular spot for concertgoers, sports fan or bargain hunters who want to get its beloved $1.50 hotdog-and-soda deal and other offerings, including pizza, chicken strips, and poutine. But no longer. Signs have gone up outside the Costco warehouse saying that starting Aug. 5, an active Costco membership card will be required to purchase items from the food court. It then directs people to the membership counter for more information. The change comes about a year after Costco started using scanners at store entrances to crack down on so-called 'membership moochers' trying to enter or shop at the store without membership. At the time, Costco officials had said that the warehouses have seen a rise in the number of people sharing membership cards since 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last fall, Costco raised its membership fees in Canada and the U.S. to $65 for individual or business membership, while those with executive membership saw their fees hiked to $130 a year. The last time Costco raised their membership fees was in 2017. Despite that recent fee increase — and inflation — Costco has not raised the prices on its hotdog combo since introducing it in the 1980s. That has stayed at $1.50, a loss-leader strategy Costco employs to get people in the door, or perhaps as an incentive to get their membership. According to Costco's 2024 annual report, revenue from membership fees rose five per cent to $4.8 billion, with nearly 137 million members and a 90 per cent renewal rate. As of the end of last year, Costco had 897 locations around the world including 109 in Canada. chchan@ Costco crackdown: Membership scanners coming to Metro Vancouver stores Is alcohol coming to B.C. Costco warehouses? Could a new Costco be coming to South Surrey?
Vancouver Sun
05-06-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Downtown Vancouver Costco to start requiring membership to access food court
The era of Costco's famous $1.50 hotdogs is coming to an end in Vancouver — at least for non-Costco members. The downtown Vancouver Costco on Expo Boulevard has its food court outside the warehouse and has been accessible to anyone, even those without a membership. Given its location near the SkyTrain station, Rogers Arena and B.C. Place , the food court is a popular spot for concertgoers, sports fan or bargain hunters who want to get its beloved $1.50 hotdog-and-soda deal and other offerings, including pizza, chicken strips, and poutine. But no longer. Signs have gone up outside the Costco warehouse saying that starting Aug. 5, an active Costco membership card will be required to purchase items from the food court. It then directs people to the membership counter for more information. I know some #Costco locations in the US were requiring this and now Vancouver — not surprised and will be interesting to see what the lines look like when the Canucks are back in the autumn! #CostcoWholesale #DollarFiftyHotDog The change comes about a year after Costco started using scanners at store entrances to crack down on so-called 'membership moochers' trying to enter or shop at the store without membership. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. At the time, Costco officials had said that the warehouses have seen a rise in the number of people sharing membership cards since 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last fall, Costco raised its membership fees in Canada and the U.S. to $65 for individual or business membership, while those with executive membership saw their fees hiked to $130 a year. The last time Costco raised their membership fees was in 2017. Despite that recent fee increase — and inflation — Costco has not raised the prices on its hotdog combo since introducing it in the 1980s. That has stayed at $1.50, a loss-leader strategy Costco employs to get people in the door, or perhaps as an incentive to get their membership. According to Costco's 2024 annual report, revenue from membership fees rose five per cent to $4.8 billion, with nearly 137 million members and a 90 per cent renewal rate. As of the end of last year, Costco had 897 locations around the world including 109 in Canada. chchan@
Global News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
With Broadway subway still 2 years away, businesses say they're getting ‘zero' support
As the British Columbia government touts progress on the Broadway subway extension, some Vancouver businesses in the construction zone question if they can hang on for two more years. The $2.95 billion subway line was originally supposed to be finished in 2025, but is now aiming for a fall 2027 launch. During a tour on Monday, Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth downplayed concerns from businesses on Broadway who say fencing, no-stopping zones and the removal of parking in the area have driven away customers. 2:57 Sneak peak into massive Broadway SkyTrain project 'There has been a very good relationship between the project and businesses along the line, and we're in contact with them literally on a daily basis,' Farnworth said. Story continues below advertisement 'There has been a lot of liaising between the project team and the local businesses to ensure the impact is as minimal as possible.' Not everyone operating businesses on Broadway agrees. Matthew Greenwood, who owns the Up in Smoke cannabis store at Broadway and Alberta Street, says sales have fallen 40 per cent and he's had to slash his staff from 12 to three people since construction work started. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He said the loss of parking and the installation of large fences on the street in 2021 and 2022 were to blame. 'That's when people decided it was too difficult to find parking in this neighbourhood and so they decided to go elsewhere. And also foot traffic is down hugely,' he said. 3:13 Broadway subway project parking questions Greenwood said he's had to shift his business model — sourcing unique and specialized products and moving to a mail-order business model to keep the doors open. Story continues below advertisement Support from the city and the province has been minimal, he added. 'They could have said you don't have to pay property taxes because it's a special construction zone and we don't have jurisdiction. They could have waived my business licence fee and that of other merchants. They could have given us a grant to launch our e-commerce service because we lost foot traffic. There are so many things they could have done. 'At this point, any effort would have been welcome, but at this time right now there has been zero effort on the hands of the provincial and municipal government other than prayers and thoughts.' Ned Wyles, executive director of the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association, said Greenwood is not alone. 'There's 100s of businesses along this line, everyone is different. They've all pivoted, done something different — opened an online store — but at the end of the day, they are all struggling, they are having to pull every trick out of their bag of tricks just to keep the doors open, through no fault of their own,' he said. 4:12 Impact on businesses as Broadway subway extension faces delays Wyles said the only kind of support businesses have been offered has been small things like free window cleaning. But he said the Ministry of Transportation won't budge on a policy of not offering financial compensation for the effects of construction. Story continues below advertisement He said it's particularly frustrating given that Finance Minister Brenda Bailey is the MLA for a portion of the transit line. 'Brenda Bailey, we need some help here,' he said. 'How about giving these guys a tax break? We did it during COVID, the government knows how to do it, I'm not asking you to give them money, I am asking you not to take it away from them.' The province has blamed project delays on a variety of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a five-week concrete strike and unexpected challenges with tunnel boring, but maintains it will hit the current 2027 launch target.
