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Bob Mackin

A B.C. Supreme Court judge extended court protection on Feb. 7 for the troubled company behind the Prima condo development in Richmond.

Formerly known as Alfa, the 6833 Buswell St. tower consists of 109 residential strata units — nearly half of which are unsold — and 10 commercial strata lots.

Anderson Square’s Alfa, now called Prima, in Richmond (Anderson Square)

Anderson Square Holdings Ltd. filed a Nov. 27 notice of intention to make a proposal to restructure under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Deloitte was appointed the trustee. On Dec. 22, Justice Michael Stephens ordered the stay of proceedings be extended to Feb. 10. 

Stephens agreed to extend the stay of proceedings again, to March 26, which is also the deadline for the company’s proposal.

“The project experienced delays and cost overruns as a result of various issues including a delayed building permit, replacement of the general contractor part-way through construction and lien claims, amongst other things,” said the Feb. 6 application for another extension. “As a result, the Prima project was not completed on schedule and the residential occupancy permit was not issued until September 2022 (not April 2019 as originally anticipated).”

That resulted in several liens, including a claim from builder Scott Construction, which were cancelled by court order on Nov. 2 when Anderson Square deposited almost $5.4 million into the court as security funds.

A report to the court said that the company’s one known potential secured creditor is Anderson Plaza Holdings Inc., which demanded repayment of $64.1 million in loans last Nov. 20. 

“The sale of the remaining units in the project have been slower than anticipated for a number of reasons, largely due to the rapidly increasing interest rates from April 2023 onwards that has made it very difficult for buyers to secure mortgages from the banks as they are facing greater difficulties passing the mortgage stress test,” said the court filing. 

It also said the units, which have a lower per square foot price than competitors, have larger units and higher end finishings, meaning they are generally more expensive than competitors. 

The company has rented eight of the units deemed affordable housing, but 48 of the one-to-three bedroom condos remain listed for sale through Re/Max WestCoast Realty for a combined total of $51.28 million. 

Two additional residential units are subject to unconditional sales contracts are are considered sold. Two commercial units are listed for sale for approximately $4.6 million. The assets also include unsold parking spots with and without electric chargers. The company also has $17.8 million cash on hand.

Anderson Square Holdings Ltd. sought the extension in order to finalize the claims process and work with Deloitte about terms of the proposal to creditors. The filing said that Deloitte was satisfied the company is acting in good faith and would make a better proposal with an extension than if it were liquidated. It also said no creditor would be materially prejudiced by a delay.

The company is also awaiting judgment in a separate B.C. Supreme Court matter. A breach of contract trial was heard in December and January, after 37 disappointed pre-sale buyers sued Anderson Square Holdings Ltd. and directors Keung Sun Sunny Ho and Jia An Jeremy Liang in late 2019.

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Bob Mackin A B.C. Supreme Court judge extended

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Bob Mackin

By the end of October, the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant had gone through almost 61 percent of its approved budget. 

Metro Vancouver’s monthly project status report, obtained under freedom of information, said $644 million of the $1.058 billion budget had been spent. It was the only aspect of the project with a cautionary yellow rating, meaning “delayed – objective at risk, no delay to other dependencies, monitor.”

That is a difference of only $46 million since April, when the monthly status report said the project reached $598 million. 

A copy of the most-recent report was requested Dec. 18 and disclosed Jan. 24.

North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant (Mackin)

There were no safety incidents reported in the month of October. Prior to the month, there had been 22 incidents in 2023, including 10 requiring first aid and nine classified as near misses. 

“Ongoing work in all approved work areas,” it said. “95 percent of identified concrete deficiencies complete. Ongoing negotiation of construction contract with PCL, including expanded early works scope.”

Under monthly highlights, the report said builder PCL was conducting ongoing repairs of existing concrete deficiencies. Engineer AECOM was involved with ongoing identification and implementation of corrective actions from internal audits. They were holding weekly construction quality meetings, but no non-conformance reports were initiated in October. To date, the project generated six, of which four remained under investigation.

The report, however, did not say how much it would cost to finish the project or when it will open. 

The B.C. and federal governments granted $405 million and the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District contracted Spain-headquartered design/build/finance specialist Acciona for $525 million. The price tag was announced at $700 million in 2018, with completion scheduled for late 2020.

Last September, Glacier Media reported that the project cost could climb as high as $4 billion.

Metro Vancouver struck a task force to meet monthly between November 2023 and March 2024 in order to recommend to the board a new budget and procurement schedule. But the committee operates with an unusually high level of secrecy. 

“Unless the task force chair [Metro Vancouver chair and Delta Mayor George Harvie] indicates otherwise, given the confidentiality and sensitivity of issues and information discussed, the task force meetings will be closed,” state the terms of reference. “Further, unless otherwise indicated by the task force chair, the meetings, including all documents, discussions, and information, are privileged and confidential, and are not to be disclosed or discussed outside of the meetings with anyone who did not attend the meeting.”

Additionally, any municipal staff attending task force meetings must sign a non-disclosure agreement.

It is not stated explicitly in the terms of reference, but the secrecy is undeniably connected to the $250 million breach of project agreement lawsuit Acciona filed in 2022. Metro Vancouver countersued for $500 million. A case planning conference is scheduled for Feb. 26 at the Vancouver Law Courts.

B.C. Supreme Court filings in December 2022 revealed that Acciona learned one of its employees, a bureaucrat’s daughter, took photographs of the confidential report to the Metro Vancouver board that recommended terminating Acciona. 

That employee, Anika Calder, shared images with at least four co-workers after she visited her father, Coquitlam city manager Peter Steblin.

Steblin, who retired in early 2023, used log-in credentials belonging to GVSDD chairman and Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart in order to access the report.

Before last Christmas, top officials turned over their devices as part of the ongoing legal battle. 

Metro Vancouver spokesperson Jennifer Saltman called the document/record collection process “a routine part of litigation.”

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Bob Mackin By the end of October, the

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Bob Mackin 

The day after the jury in the Winters Hotel inquest made 25 recommendations to avoid a repeat of the tragic April 11, 2022 fire, the Ministry of Housing released a non-committal, 228-word statement from NDP Minister Ravi Kahlon.

Ravi Kahlon (left) and David Eby in December 2022 (Flickr/BCGov)

The five-member jury in Burnaby coroner’s court classified the deaths of Winters Hotel tenants Mary Ann Garlow, 63, and Dennis James Guay, 53, as accidental, due to thermal injuries and smoke inhalation after the fire in the Gastown heritage building where the sprinklers were out of service. 

On Feb. 5, after hearing testimony from 29 witnesses over nine days, the jury directed 11 of its 25 non-binding recommendations to BC Housing, two to the Minister of Housing and four to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. 

Now it is up to Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe to forward recommendations to the appropriate agency or ministry. 

Key recommendations included phasing out or eliminating single-room occupancy (SRO) hotels in privately owned buildings and transitioning to purpose-built SROs that meet modern building codes and safety standards. All properties should be inspected and cleared for occupancy prior to tenant move-in.

BC Housing referred a request for comment to the Ministry of Housing communications office. The statement attributed to Kahlon said the Ministry of Housing and BC Housing are talking to the federal government and Vancouver city hall about phasing out SROs or renovating units into self-contained suites. 

“This work is ongoing, while we continuously work to improve the habitability of SROs and bring people indoors using every opportunity available,” said the Kahlon statement. 

“We welcome this inquest and have been participating fully. We are committed to working with all partners to identify actions, ensure safety, and prevent future tragedies.”

Kahlon’s statement did not offer a timeline for phasing out or renovating SROs, only to say that funding cannot be cut in the short term. 

“We know fires are traumatizing and extremely disruptive for residents, staff and the surrounding community,” Kahlon said. “BC Housing continues to work closely with fire and rescue and other service providers to ensure that policies and procedures are up to date for the safety and well-being of residents and staff.”

The jury also recommended that BC Housing upgrade fire safety equipment, plans and training for staff and tenants, hold SRO operators to a higher standard under their lease agreements and maintain an inventory of backup fire extinguishers.

“The jury heard evidence from several witnesses that smoke alarms and fire safety equipment in SRO buildings were damaged, removed or not operating,” the foreman told presiding coroner John Knox. “We also heard evidence from several witnesses that there was no specialized fire safety equipment for tenants with disabilities. The jury heard evidence that tenants with disabilities did not have evacuation plans in place. The jury also heard evidence that staff did not receive fire safety training.”

The jury recommended better information-sharing among provincial and municipal agencies about SROs and tenants, appointment of a complaints ombudsperson, stepped-up safety inspections and formation of a critical incident team, including social worker and mental health specialists. The jury also wanted better municipal enforcement of bylaws and safety codes, including fines and charges for building owners that disobey the law.

It recommended holding a multiparty annual fire safety summit and urged the Solicitor General to implement the 2016 approved Fire Safety Act. 

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Bob Mackin  The day after the jury in

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Bob Mackin 

A Vancouver software developer has launched a campaign to halt tree-cutting in Stanley Park and force the Park Board to disclose the reports behind the $7 million operation to take down 160,000 trees. 

The board says a quarter of the trees were killed by the hemlock looper moth infestation and are a wildfire hazard. City hall’s freedom of information office is demanding a reporter pay $450 to see the reports justifying and planning the operation.

Cyclists pass sections of logged trees in the parking lot near Ceperley Park Playground in Stanley Park (Bob Mackin photo)

Michael Robert Caditz said he is seeking legal advice aimed at applying for a court injunction and attended the Feb. 5 Park Board meeting to distribute leaflets. He formed the ad hoc Save Stanley Park group with cycling and hiking friends after he became alarmed about the amount of trees removed. 

“Last summer, I saw they were starting some tree removal, but I thought they were isolated, dead trees,” Caditz said. “When I went up there about a week and a half ago, I saw that they were removing trees, many more than I thought, and in many more areas than I thought. Some areas, especially by Prospect Point, look like small clearcuts, and many of the trees seem to be living trees.”

Late last year, the city awarded two emergency contracts to North Vancouver forestry consultant B.A. Blackwell and Associates totalling $3.85 million. City council unanimously agreed Jan. 24 to a one-time, $4.9 million transfer to the Park Board from the $80 million stabilization reserve. 

A three-page finance department report said work is focused on six sites, totalling 86 hectares, and that tree planting would need to take place from 2024 to at least 2026.

“These [moth] outbreaks are typically two years, this has now been four years,” city manager Paul Mochrie said at the meeting. “So it has had much more of an impact than was anticipated at the start. I think we have also been wrestling with the scope of the work and the potential cost implications of it.”

City council spent only five minutes on the matter. Councillors Rebecca Bligh, Christine Boyle and Brian Montague were absent.

The city announced a schedule of road closures for tree-cutting in a Nov. 29 news release. Just a week later, Mayor Ken Sim revealed his plan to abolish the elected Park Board. Caditz wonders if there is a connection, because Sim has stated his goal is to generate more revenue in parks. 

“We’re concerned that they may want to privatize parts of Stanley Park and maybe do more commercial development and they’re going to say, down the road, ‘well, we had to remove all those trees down at Prospect Point because of the moth infestation, so we might as well make good use of the land’,” Caditz said.

Park Board chair Brennan Bastyovanszky said in an interview last month that the tree-cutting did not come to an open board meeting because it was considered an operational decision. The city’s director of parks Amit Gandha and arborist Joe McLeod gave commissioners a briefing in early 2023, claiming they wanted to strike a balance.

“What we don’t want to do is make mistakes in removing trees that will recover as well,” Gandha said at the time. 

Norm Oberson, owner of Arbutus Tree Service and a member of the Trees of Vancouver Society board, fears that the risk of wildfire is being overstated in order to expedite bulk tree removal. That heightens the likelihood of errantly cutting healthy trees.

Caditz said the amount of logging means fewer mature trees frame the three-lane Causeway, which means more traffic noise. 

“Whereas interior trails in the park used to give a forest experience, they’re now giving a highway experience because one can look up and see cars and trucks on the Causeway rather than forest,” he said. “That’s not to mention the negative effects on the wildlife.”

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Bob Mackin  A Vancouver software developer has launched

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The five-person jury in the Winters Hotel coroner’s inquest returned late in the afternoon on Feb. 5, to deliver 25 recommendations in the hope of making single-room occupancy hotels safer for vulnerable tenants.

But will they be adopted?

Winters Hotel (City of Vancouver)

The recommendations are non-binding, but will be forwarded to Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe, who may bring them to the attention of the appropriate agency or ministry. 

Presiding coroner John Knox and the jury heard testimony from 29 witnesses over nine days in Burnaby coroner’s court. Deliberations began Friday. They were examining the April 11, 2022 deaths of tenants Mary Ann Garlow, 63, and Dennis James Guay, 53, in the decaying Gastown heritage building where fire sprinklers were not working at the time of the fire, which started due to an errant candle.

The jury classified both deaths accidental, from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation as a consequence of a residential fire. 

Recommendations were read aloud by a jury foreman, whose name was not publicly disclosed, and directed to BC Housing, the Minister of Housing, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Vancouver Coastal Health, City of Vancouver, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service and Vancouver Police Department. 

The jury recommended that BC Housing upgrade fire safety equipment, plans and training for staff and tenants, hold SRO operators to a higher standard under their lease agreements and maintain an inventory of backup fire extinguishers. It suggested there be one backup fire extinguisher for every two required under the Fire Code. 

“The jury heard evidence from several witnesses that smoke alarms and fire safety equipment in SRO buildings were damaged, removed or not operating,” the foreman said. “We also heard evidence from several witnesses that there was no specialized fire safety equipment for tenants with disabilities. The jury heard evidence that tenants with disabilities did not have evacuation plans in place. The jury also heard evidence that staff did not receive fire safety training.”

The jury recommended SROs be purpose-built and meet modern building codes and safety standards. All properties should be inspected and cleared for occupancy prior to tenant move-in. It said BC Housing should phase-out or eliminate SROs operating in privately owned buildings. 

The jury recommended better information-sharing among agencies, including creation of a database that lists all SROs, city shelters and transition houses, containing a history of municipal bylaw violations, fire watch orders and occupants with disabilities. 

“The jury heard evidence fire crews were not fully aware of the [Winters Hotel],” the foreman said.

There should also be a mechanism for tenant complaints, with a dedicated phone line staffed by a tenant ombudsperson to oversee, investigate and followup complaints. Tenants should be provided pamphlets and posters so they know how to contact the ombudsperson. 

“The jury heard evidence that not all tenant complaints received a response.”

There should be more inspections and a critical incident team ready to assist around the clock, including social workers and mental health support workers. Municipalities should strengthen their building bylaws and step-up fire safety enforcement, including fines and prosecution for building owners who flout bylaws and notices. 

“The jury heard evidence that fire crews were delayed on calls at SROs and therefore out of service for actual fire calls while dealing with non-fire mental health and addictions incidents.”

To the Solicitor General, the jury recommended legal amendments gathering dust be brought into force without delay, to provide opportunities for additional enforcement. 

“The jury heard evidence that the Fire Safety Act 2016 has been approved but not implemented. The jury heard that the notice of violations were routinely ignored and tenants weren’t notified.”

The jury also recommended the Minster of Housing convene an annual summit of social housing stakeholders to exchange information on best practices for fire safety and critical incident repose. It also wants the Minster to create a combined task force working group to identify land that could be developed for social housing and shelters. 

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Bob Mackin The five-person jury in the Winters

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Bob Mackin

FIFA chose to reveal the 2026 men’s World Cup schedule on Feb. 4, the Sunday between the National Football League conference championships and Super Bowl LVIII, clashing with the early stages of the Pro Bowl Games telecast. 

A marketing expert said after the May 2023 unveiling of the FIFA World Cup 26 logo that soccer’s governing body was aiming to compete head-to-head with the NFL for fans and sponsors.

FIFA’s 2026 World Cup logo (FIFA)

“These guys clearly have aspirations,” said Lindsay Meredith, professor emeritus of marketing with Simon Fraser University. “Frankly, they’re in a good position to pull it off, which is basically to supplant Super Bowl as the superpower sporting event.”

The FIFA 26 logo contains the gold trophy awarded every four years to soccer’s world champion. Compare with the logo for the National Football League’s marquee annual event, which features the silver Vince Lombardi Trophy and Roman numerals denoting the championship number.

FIFA estimated a global viewing audience of 1.5 billion for the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France in Qatar, including nearly 26 million in the U.S. Super Bowl LVII drew more than 115 million viewers in the U.S. and reached another 40 million around the world.

Mexico hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cups, while the U.S. played host in 1994. Canada’s biggest previous FIFA event was the 2015 Women’s World Cup, which ended at B.C. Place. 

Canada will play in its third World Cup, after qualifying for Mexico 1986 and Qatar 2022. 

Vancouver’s seven matches between June 13 and July 7, 2026 mean the B.C. Lions will have to start their Canadian Football League season on the road. But there are numerous other unknowns about the tournament. 

  • Where will all the VIPs, sponsors, reporters and ticket holders stay? 

Metro Vancouver has a hotel shortage, with little time to build new ones or convert empty office buildings to hotel use. Meanwhile, provincial restrictions are coming for short-term rentals. So cruise ships might be the best plan B.

  • How much will tickets cost? 

For Qatar 2022, opening round matches ranged from US$69 to US$220. Vancouver will also host a FIFA Fan Festival big screen public watch party for all matches, tentatively set for Hastings Park. The $103.7 million, 10,000-seat PNE Amphitheatre is scheduled to open in late spring 2026. 

  • What is the total bill for taxpayers? 

Officially, City of Vancouver is on the hook for $230 million. The provincial government gave city hall authority to collect a 2.5 percent tax on accommodations until 2030. 

B.C. Pavilion Corp, which manages B.C. Place Stadium, has not announced its budget for a laundry list of upgrades, from two temporary grass pitches to new elevators to a souvenir store and press box. But it will be in the tens of millions of dollars. 

The federal government has not announced its contribution, which will include security. Vancouverites who remember the $1 billion price tag to keep the 2010 Winter Olympics safe might brace for sticker shock. 

Secrecy abounds. FIFA is resisting disclosure of its host city contract with Vancouver. Seattle city council released its agreement last summer. It says Seattle is responsible for supporting the government to provide safety, security, fire protection and medical services at no cost to FIFA, plus free public transportation to ticketholders on match days, and to anyone accredited by FIFA throughout the competition period. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the host city authority shall be responsible to bear all the costs of hosting and waive all claims of liability against FIFA, its officials and related entities.

  • Is there an economic benefit? 

Undoubtedly, a bonanza for some businesses. But definitely not for all. 

The province estimates it will generate more than $1 billion for the tourism industry during 2026 and for the five years after the tournament.

A study on local, regional and national economic impacts of mega events by Victor Matheson, an economics professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, found that many large sporting events “simply supplant, rather than supplement the regular tourist economy.”

“In other words, the economic impact of a mega-event may be large in a gross sense but the net impact may be small,” Matheson concluded.

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Bob Mackin FIFA chose to reveal the 2026

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Bob Mackin 

Mark Saturday, June 13, 2026 on your calendar, for the first of seven FIFA World Cup 26 matches at B.C. Place Stadium. 

FIFA announced the match schedule for the next men’s World Cup during a live broadcast from Miami on Feb. 4.

FIFA’s 2026 World Cup logo for Vancouver (FIFA)

The Vancouver Whitecaps will make in way in 2026 for a grass pitch to be installed at B.C. Place for group stage matches on June 13, 18, 21, 24 and 26, a round of 32 knockout match on July 2 and a group of 16 elimination game on July 7. Canada will play in two of the group matches at B.C. Place, June 18 and 24.

Opponents will not be known for two years. Only three nations have qualified for the 48-nation tournament — from Canada, U.S. and Mexico. Most of the rest will be determined by November 2025, but final, wildcard berths will be set more than two years from now in March 2026. Likewise, the date for ticket sales is to be announced. 

The tournament kicks-off June 11, 2026 in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, site of the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals. 

SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will host the first match in the U.S. on June 12, 2026. 

When the U.S. hosted the World Cup for the first time in 1994, it ended with Brazil’s penalty kicks victory at the Rose Bowl. 

Toronto’s BMO Field, the smallest stadium in the tournament, hosts Canada’s opening match and an opponent to be determined on June 12, 2026. Another five matches, including a round of 32 match, are scheduled for the home of Toronto FC.

Seattle’s Lumen Field will host six matches, two of which will be in knockout rounds. 

Quarterfinals are going to Boston, Kansas City, Los Angeles and Miami, semifinals to Atlanta and Dallas and the bronze medal match in Miami.

New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium is the site of the July 19, 2026 championship final. 

The schedule announcement was co-hosted by Argentine-American play-by-play caller Andres “Goooooaaaaal” Cantor, American comedian Kevin Hart and American Fox Sports host Jenny Taft, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. 

It also featured West Vancouverite Victor Montagliani, a FIFA vice-president, and Toronto rapper Drake.

The 104-match tournament will primarily take place in the U.S., which boasts the biggest, most-modern stadiums. Under the originally planned 80-match format, the 11 U.S. cities, including Seattle, were allotted 60 matches, Vancouver and Toronto were to split 10 matches and Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara the other 10.

B.C. Place gets one more match than Toronto, because it has a higher capacity. Lumen Field has even more seats than B.C. Place, but it has only six matches.

Vancouver was not included in the winning three-country bid in 2018 after Premier John Horgan balked at giving FIFA a blank cheque and the tri-country bid organization refused to negotiate more favourable terms to B.C. 

Horgan changed his mind in 2021 when Montreal withdrew due to its concern over high costs for taxpayers.

City of Vancouver is responsible for the $230 million hosting budget. B.C. Place Stadium will undergo renovations, but the NDP government has not announced the budget. There will also be extra costs for security.

FIFA reported record gross revenue of US$7.6 billion for the 2019-to-2022 cycle and forecast US$11 billion for the 2023-to-2026 period. It relies on local markets to pay the costs for the World Cup.

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Bob Mackin  Mark Saturday, June 13, 2026 on

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For the week of Feb. 4, 2024:

Thirty-six weeks until British Columbia’s next scheduled election and ResearchCo’s Mario Canseco has the pulse of voters. 

His first survey of the election year finds that Premier David Eby’s NDP would win re-election by a plurality, but John Rustad’s Conservatives could replace Kevin Falcon’s BC United as official opposition.

Mario Canseco goes in-depth on the top issues with host Bob Mackin on this edition of thePodcast.

Plus Pacific Rim and Pacific Northwest headlines. 

CLICK BELOW to listen or go to TuneIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts.

Have you missed an edition of theBreaker.news Podcast? Go to the archive.

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For the week of Feb. 4, 2024: Thirty-six

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Bob Mackin

The BC NDP finished 2023 with almost $4.55 million in donations. 

Premier David Eby’s party out-raised opposition leader Kevin Falcon’s BC United, which counted $2.978 million in donations for the year.

According to Elections BC returns released Feb. 1, the NDP took in $1.89 million between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, better than the BC United’s $1.178 million. The BC Greens reported $535,994.05 in the fourth quarter and Conservatives $299,820.20.

Premier David Eby and Mayor Ken Sim at Queen Elizabeth Park (@KenSimCity)

The NDP’s total exceeded 2022, when they took-in $4.01 million. BC United, who were the BC Liberals until last April, improved by $448,000 over the previous year’s $2.53 million. 

The Sonia Furstenau-led BC Greens, buoyed by a $535,994.05 fourth quarter, finished at $1.197 million, up from $1.075 million in 2022. 

But the big movers were John Rustad and the Conservatives. Their 2023 fourth quarter revenue was a whopping 1,802 percent better than the scant $15,732.16 from the same period in 2022. In fact, the Conservatives reported only $84,960.98 in donations for all of 2022 under previous leader Trevor Bolin. 

The 2023 ceiling on individual donations to each registered party, including candidates and constituency associations, was $1,401.40. The 2024 cap is $1,450.82.

The half-year, taxpayer-funded allowance payments, based on $1.75 per 2020 vote formula, were most recently paid Jan. 15: $813,037.52 to the NDP, $575,713.94 to BC United, $257,156.66 to the BC Greens and $32,491.31 to the Conservatives. 

The next instalment is July 15. 

Falcon hosted the Vancouver Leader’s Dinner at the Floata banquet hall in Chinatown on Jan. 31. Eby and his party are holding a fundraiser in Surrey on Feb. 4 at Aria.

The next scheduled election is Oct. 19.

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Bob Mackin The BC NDP finished 2023 with

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The opponents of Israel’s war on Hamas who rallied outside Mayor Ken Sim’s house harmed their cause, said a University of B.C. sociology professor who analyzes protest movements.

“It’s not really fair game to do this with individuals in their family setting,” said David Tindall.

Anti-Israel protesters outside Mayor Ken Sim’s house on Sunday (Instagram/Samidounvan)

A video posted Tuesday to Instagram shows a group of protesters obscured by masks, hoods and traditional keffiyeh scarves marching on the morning of Jan. 28 to Sim’s Jericho-area neighbourhood.

They brought banners and flags, chanted slogans and tossed children’s toys and shoes splattered in red paint on the branches of a streetside tree. Late in the 82-second video, which said the protest took place for 20 to 25 minutes, someone off-camera shouted “they’re filming us” and another person said “cops are on scene.” Then the camera followed protesters jaywalking. 

The Instagram post said the protesters were inspired by a Jan. 13 rally outside the Montreal home of Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly. It also mentioned Sim was quick to condemn the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and offer his support to the local Jewish community.

“In social movements, there’s always kind of more-radical groups and there’s kind of more-mainstream groups,” Tindall said. “There’s kind of a norm amongst mainstream groups, generally speaking, this isn’t really an acceptable sort of thing to do. In some ways, it’s in the same category as doxing individuals.”

The Office of the Mayor did not respond for comment.

Targeting politicians away from the workplace, including their home, is not a new tactic. In November 2013, anti-LNG protesters dressed in hardhats and high visibility vests erected a fake fracking rig on the lawn of then-premier Christy Clark’s Mount Pleasant home.

Sgt. Steve Addison, Vancouver Police Department public information officer, said nobody was arrested on Sunday. He said investigators in the Emergency Operations and Planning Section “gather intelligence about planned protests, conduct risk assessments, and communicate in advance with willing protest organizers to help facilitate a safe and peaceful environment for demonstrations.”

“We also work with individuals, businesses, and property representatives who are targets of protest activity to ensure everyone’s safety,” Addison said.

ABC Mayor Ken Sim (YouTube)

On Jan. 16, Vancouver Police said they incurred $2.5 million in overtime costs after 80 post-Oct. 7 protests and for investigating hate crimes sparked by the Israel-Hamas war. Of the 47 antisemitic hate incidents reported in 2023, 33 happened since Oct. 7. VPD said nine people had been charged and six more cases were under Crown counsel review.

Jakub Jerzy Markiewicz is facing charges of assault of a peace officer, assault causing bodily harm and wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer at a Nov. 14 anti-Israel protest against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Markiewicz’s next appearance is Feb. 7 in Downtown Community Court.

In November, a Surrey city council meeting was cut short by pro-Palestine protesters. In January, a majority of NDP-aligned New Westminster city councillors voted to support a motion advocating ceasefire in Gaza. Mayor Patrick Johnstone was absent and two members of the opposition New West Progressives abstained, expressing sympathy for those affected but arguing the council has no control over Canada’s foreign policy. 

Tindall expects the protests to continue across North America and Europe, particularly because of the involvement of well-resourced labour and environmental groups and the U.S. Presidential campaign.

“This is a potential factor that could possibly lead Joe Biden to lose the election against Donald Trump, because a lot of young people are involved in these movements and are very upset with the Biden administration’s fairly strong support for Israel,” Tindall said. 

The group that posted the protest against Sim on Instagram is Samidoun, whose leaders have spoken in defence of Hamas and its Oct. 7 attack.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), which represents Jewish federations across Canada, wants the Canadian government to follow the lead of Israel and Germany and ban Samidoun. CIJA’s website says Samidoun is related to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which Ottawa declared a terrorist organization in 2003. 

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Bob Mackin The opponents of Israel’s war on

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theBreaker.news and theBreaker.news Podcast: your source for news, opinion and analysis about British Columbia issues, institutions and influencers.

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