Frances Bula - The Globe and Mail

Frances Bula

FreelanceUrban affairs contributor

francesbula@gmail.com

Frances Bula has written about urban issues and city politics in B.C.’s Vancouver region, covering everything from Downtown Eastside drug addiction to billion-dollar development projects, since 1994.

Latest articles

January 30, 2026

A police officer takes down crime scene tape outside a café that was shot at multiple times, in Surrey, B.C., in July. The café is linked to comic and television host Kapil Sharma.

A police officer takes down crime scene tape outside a café that was shot at multiple times, in Surrey, B.C., in July. The café is linked to comic and television host Kapil Sharma.

Surrey, Brampton mayors call for Ottawa to declare extortion crisis a national emergency

4 min read

January 23, 2026

Indigenous leaders in B.C. say opposition politicians derailed a plan that would have cleared the way for shared decision-making between the province and First Nations about the use of public land in their territories. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, during a news conference in Vancouver, in November, 2023.

Indigenous leaders in B.C. say opposition politicians derailed a plan that would have cleared the way for shared decision-making between the province and First Nations about the use of public land in their territories. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, during a news conference in Vancouver, in November, 2023.

B.C. shelves Indigenous heritage conservation measures after strong political backlash

5 min read

January 17, 2026

Elie Bérubé stands at the entrance of the warming centre in Bathurst, N.B., on Jan. 16, 2026. Ranz Bontogon/The Globe and Mail

Elie Bérubé stands at the entrance of the warming centre in Bathurst, N.B., on Jan. 16, 2026. Ranz Bontogon/The Globe and Mail

Small and remote towns across Canada are struggling with a surge in homelessness

7 min read

January 15, 2026

Mike Mackay, CEO of Strand Development in front of one of their properties in the Dunbar neighborhood in Vancouver, B.C., on December 21, 2025. Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail.

Mike Mackay, CEO of Strand Development in front of one of their properties in the Dunbar neighborhood in Vancouver, B.C., on December 21, 2025. Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail.

Developers embrace the big advantages to building small

5 min read

January 9, 2026

Top Chef Canada winner Chef Chanthy Yen at his Cambodian bistro Touk in downtown Vancouver, B.C., on January 08, 2026. Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail.

Top Chef Canada winner Chef Chanthy Yen at his Cambodian bistro Touk in downtown Vancouver, B.C., on January 08, 2026. Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail.

Vancouver ranked Canada’s most restaurant-diverse city in new survey

4 min read

December 13, 2025

Gastown and the Downtown Eastside are seen in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Gastown and the Downtown Eastside are seen in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver City Council approves changes aimed at offering developers some relief

5 min read

December 10, 2025

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a meeting on new funding to support victims of crime in Surrey, B.C., Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a meeting on new funding to support victims of crime in Surrey, B.C., Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Eby accuses courts of jeopardizing B.C. economy, resource projects

4 min read

December 8, 2025

Stadium staff prepare temporary grass that was laid on top of artificial turf at BC Place stadium for a friendly soccer match between MLS soccer's Vancouver Whitecaps and League One's Wrexham, in Vancouver, on Friday, July 26, 2024. The stadium, which is undergoing hundred of millions of dollars of renovations, is also scheduled to host seven matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Stadium staff prepare temporary grass that was laid on top of artificial turf at BC Place stadium for a friendly soccer match between MLS soccer's Vancouver Whitecaps and League One's Wrexham, in Vancouver, on Friday, July 26, 2024. The stadium, which is undergoing hundred of millions of dollars of renovations, is also scheduled to host seven matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Lasting benefits of World Cup in Vancouver won’t reach level of 2010 Olympics, critics say

3 min read

November 29, 2025

Condo and office towers are seen in downtown Vancouver, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Condo and office towers are seen in downtown Vancouver, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver passes budget that promises no tax increases, cuts millions from arts, parks and more

4 min read

November 26, 2025

Vancouver Police officers patrol the plaza outside B.C. Place stadium before a Canadian Championship game, May, 2017. The stadium, where seven World Cup games will be held, will be at the centre of a two-kilometre controlled zone with temporary bylaw changes for security and branding.

Vancouver Police officers patrol the plaza outside B.C. Place stadium before a Canadian Championship game, May, 2017. The stadium, where seven World Cup games will be held, will be at the centre of a two-kilometre controlled zone with temporary bylaw changes for security and branding.

Vancouver plans temporary bylaw changes ahead of 2026 soccer World Cup

3 min read

November 22, 2025

Rebuilt houses and one still under construction are seen in an aerial view, in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, August 29, 2025. A fast-moving wildfire destroyed 90 per cent of the village in 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Rebuilt houses and one still under construction are seen in an aerial view, in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, August 29, 2025. A fast-moving wildfire destroyed 90 per cent of the village in 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Proposed updates to B.C. heritage laws could bring ‘legal troubles,’ critics warn

5 min read

November 20, 2025

Symplasma within Canaletto’s Santa Maria della Salute and the Riva degli Schiavoni in Venice. Henriquez Partners Architects used AI to create this image. Across the country, more architecture firms are experimenting with how the technology can be integrated within their work.

Symplasma within Canaletto’s Santa Maria della Salute and the Riva degli Schiavoni in Venice. Henriquez Partners Architects used AI to create this image. Across the country, more architecture firms are experimenting with how the technology can be integrated within their work.

Canadian architects explore what AI means for creativity

4 min read

November 15, 2025

The hotel was won multiple tourism awards and been written up in magazines including TIME and Condé Nast Traveller.

The hotel was won multiple tourism awards and been written up in magazines including TIME and Condé Nast Traveller.

Lauded Vancouver hotel featuring Indigenous art to close and become supportive housing

4 min read

November 8, 2025

The future swim deck on the North Shore side of Burrard Inlet, a special project being mostly funded by the non-profit Swim Drink Fish that is supported by the Weston family, is envisioned here.

The future swim deck on the North Shore side of Burrard Inlet, a special project being mostly funded by the non-profit Swim Drink Fish that is supported by the Weston family, is envisioned here.

North Vancouver teams up with Weston family to open Burrard Inlet urban pool

2 min read

November 7, 2025

A mansion bordered by farmland along No. 6 Road and Country Meadows Golf Course, right, which fall within the boundaries of a Cowichan Nation Aboriginal title claim, are seen in an aerial view in Richmond, B.C., on Aug. 22.

A mansion bordered by farmland along No. 6 Road and Country Meadows Golf Course, right, which fall within the boundaries of a Cowichan Nation Aboriginal title claim, are seen in an aerial view in Richmond, B.C., on Aug. 22.

Industrial property owners ask B.C. Supreme Court to reopen Richmond Aboriginal title case

5 min read

October 18, 2025

Concertgoers pose ahead of a Taylor Swift concert during the Eras Tour on Dec. 6, 2024, in Vancouver.

Concertgoers pose ahead of a Taylor Swift concert during the Eras Tour on Dec. 6, 2024, in Vancouver.

Vancouver, Toronto confident about hotel room supply for FIFA World Cup fans, after Swift concerts

5 min read

October 9, 2025

Realtor Manraj Dosanjh poses for a photo in Surrey while saying foreign buyers are dying to get into the real estate market but governments are preventing them. Mr. Dosanjh said many potential buyers are frustrated because they feel like now is an ideal time to buy, as developers are frantically lowering prices in order to clear out inventory during the current slowdown.
(October, 3, 2025)
(Paige Taylor White/The Globe and Mail)

Realtor Manraj Dosanjh poses for a photo in Surrey while saying foreign buyers are dying to get into the real estate market but governments are preventing them. Mr. Dosanjh said many potential buyers are frustrated because they feel like now is an ideal time to buy, as developers are frantically lowering prices in order to clear out inventory during the current slowdown.
(October, 3, 2025)
(Paige Taylor White/The Globe and Mail)

Vancouver realtors ask: If allowed, would foreign buyers come back?

5 min read

October 3, 2025

Former Vancouver mayor (2002-2005) and Canadian senator Larry Campbell has been appointed the Downtown Eastside provincial advisor. He poses for a photo in Vancouver, B.C., on October 03, 2025. Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail.

Former Vancouver mayor (2002-2005) and Canadian senator Larry Campbell has been appointed the Downtown Eastside provincial advisor. He poses for a photo in Vancouver, B.C., on October 03, 2025. Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail.

B.C.’s former chief coroner Larry Campbell takes on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside – again

4 min read

September 20, 2025

A person walks through an encampment towards a creek in Penticton, B.C., on Sept. 19.

A person walks through an encampment towards a creek in Penticton, B.C., on Sept. 19.

Street disorder, homelessness key issues as B.C. civic leaders meet

4 min read

September 8, 2025

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim speaks during an event in Vancouver, on Friday, June 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim speaks during an event in Vancouver, on Friday, June 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Mayor credits six-month police ‘surge’ in Downtown Eastside for declining crime rates

3 min read