Frances Bula - Page 10 - 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

April 5, 2023

Staff from the City of Vancouver remove tents along Hastings Street with the support of the Vancouver Police Department in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood on April 5.

Staff from the City of Vancouver remove tents along Hastings Street with the support of the Vancouver Police Department in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood on April 5.

Vancouver police, city staff move into Downtown Eastside to clear tent encampment

4 min read

April 3, 2023

Cynthia Fordham, left, and Stuart Panko pose for a photograph outside their tent where they live, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C., Monday, April 3, 2023. Advocates say they have obtained leaked city documents that indicate the city is preparing to proceed with decampment and remove the remaining tents along East Hastings Street this week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Cynthia Fordham, left, and Stuart Panko pose for a photograph outside their tent where they live, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C., Monday, April 3, 2023. Advocates say they have obtained leaked city documents that indicate the city is preparing to proceed with decampment and remove the remaining tents along East Hastings Street this week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver planning to escalate removal of some encampments, documents show

4 min read

March 31, 2023

The morning city skyline of Calgary, Alberta, October 2, 2021. Todd Korol/The Globe and Mail

The morning city skyline of Calgary, Alberta, October 2, 2021. Todd Korol/The Globe and Mail

Calgary and Vancouver are reshaping empty office spaces in very different ways

6 min read

March 27, 2023

Tents line the sidewalk on East Hastings Street, Vancouver, on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. The city began clearing the encampment in the Downtown Eastside on Tuesday, but there was little difference to be seen the next day. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Tents line the sidewalk on East Hastings Street, Vancouver, on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. The city began clearing the encampment in the Downtown Eastside on Tuesday, but there was little difference to be seen the next day. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Premier David Eby releases plan to combat homelessness, poverty

3 min read

March 18, 2023

B.C. Minister of Housing and government house leader Ravi Kahlon speaks during an announcement about the construction of new modular housing projects to house the homeless, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, Dec.14, 2022. A refreshed housing plan, and health care, public safety, environment and cost-of-living initiatives will be the focus of the British Columbia New Democrat government's political agenda over the coming months, says house leader Ravi Kahlon. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Minister of Housing and government house leader Ravi Kahlon speaks during an announcement about the construction of new modular housing projects to house the homeless, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, Dec.14, 2022. A refreshed housing plan, and health care, public safety, environment and cost-of-living initiatives will be the focus of the British Columbia New Democrat government's political agenda over the coming months, says house leader Ravi Kahlon. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Critics question B.C.’s approach to homeless count

6 min read

March 14, 2023

Vancouver Community College's Broadway campus is seen in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Darryl Dyck/The Globe and Mail

Vancouver Community College's Broadway campus is seen in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Darryl Dyck/The Globe and Mail

Vancouver Community College eyes Broadway site for student housing

5 min read

March 11, 2023

Bayswater Tea Co. on West Broadway in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, November 8, 2019. Small business owners have been hit with tax increases including the air space above the building because of rising land values in the area. Rafal Gerszak/The Globe and Mail

Bayswater Tea Co. on West Broadway in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, November 8, 2019. Small business owners have been hit with tax increases including the air space above the building because of rising land values in the area. Rafal Gerszak/The Globe and Mail

Vancouver explores tax relief for small businesses

4 min read

February 23, 2023

Currently in use as a parking lot, this property on the northeast corner of Richmond St. East and Berkeley St., is photographed on Feb 22, 2023. Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail. Colonia Treuhand’s site for rental-only apartment units is in limbo because of the foreign buyer ban.

Currently in use as a parking lot, this property on the northeast corner of Richmond St. East and Berkeley St., is photographed on Feb 22, 2023. Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail. Colonia Treuhand’s site for rental-only apartment units is in limbo because of the foreign buyer ban.

Canada’s foreign home buyer ban slows rental housing construction

5 min read

February 22, 2023

Snow-covered houses and the downtown skyline are seen after a snowstorm, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Snow-covered houses and the downtown skyline are seen after a snowstorm, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Property tax increases in Vancouver, Surrey set to soar as local councils adjust city budgets to inflation

4 min read

February 16, 2023

Discarded coffee cups are scattered on the ground as people stand in the cold and rain while waiting in line for the release of the Apple's iPad 2 outside the Apple Store in Vancouver, British Columbia March 25, 2011. Hundreds of customers lined up outside Apple stores in Australia and New Zealand on Friday for the international launch of the iPad 2, which has flown off the shelves in the United States leaving the company struggling to meet demand. The new iPad goes on sale in Canada later in the day. REUTERS/Andy Clark (CANADA - Tags: SOCIETY SCI TECH BUSINESS)

Discarded coffee cups are scattered on the ground as people stand in the cold and rain while waiting in line for the release of the Apple's iPad 2 outside the Apple Store in Vancouver, British Columbia March 25, 2011. Hundreds of customers lined up outside Apple stores in Australia and New Zealand on Friday for the international launch of the iPad 2, which has flown off the shelves in the United States leaving the company struggling to meet demand. The new iPad goes on sale in Canada later in the day. REUTERS/Andy Clark (CANADA - Tags: SOCIETY SCI TECH BUSINESS)

Vancouver rescinds 25 cent recycling fee for coffee cups

4 min read

February 4, 2023

international architecture firm Perkins & Will proposed development in the area between the backside of Gastown and the Burrard Inlet shore as a cluster of glassy towers built near the existing cruise-ship terminal in Vancouver. In their design proposal, those buildings would be connected to a new transit hub that would integrate the full array of transportation that is unique to Vancouver – everything from trains and buses to float planes and the SeaBus ferry. Perkins & Wil

international architecture firm Perkins & Will proposed development in the area between the backside of Gastown and the Burrard Inlet shore as a cluster of glassy towers built near the existing cruise-ship terminal in Vancouver. In their design proposal, those buildings would be connected to a new transit hub that would integrate the full array of transportation that is unique to Vancouver – everything from trains and buses to float planes and the SeaBus ferry. Perkins & Wil

Competing visions for a redevelopment of Vancouver’s waterfront

5 min read

January 18, 2023

A laneway home, bottom centre, is seen under construction in the backyard of an older single-family house, in Vancouver, on Friday, August 19, 2022. The two-storey Vancouver home blends in with its neighbours, featuring a classic design and wooden cladding. But its thick, insulated walls, solar panels, heat pump and highly efficient windows mean it's a home built for the future in a warming world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A laneway home, bottom centre, is seen under construction in the backyard of an older single-family house, in Vancouver, on Friday, August 19, 2022. The two-storey Vancouver home blends in with its neighbours, featuring a classic design and wooden cladding. But its thick, insulated walls, solar panels, heat pump and highly efficient windows mean it's a home built for the future in a warming world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver city planners propose zoning changes to cope with housing crisis

3 min read

January 12, 2023

B.C. Premier David Eby, front, MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert, back right, the premier's liaison for renters, and MLA Katrina Chen take in the view from the balcony while touring a renovated apartment unit at a housing co-operative, in Burnaby, B.C., on Thursday, January 12, 2023. The provincial government announced the $500-million Rental Protection Fund to help non-profits buy rental buildings slated for redevelopment to help protect renters from eviction. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Premier David Eby, front, MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert, back right, the premier's liaison for renters, and MLA Katrina Chen take in the view from the balcony while touring a renovated apartment unit at a housing co-operative, in Burnaby, B.C., on Thursday, January 12, 2023. The provincial government announced the $500-million Rental Protection Fund to help non-profits buy rental buildings slated for redevelopment to help protect renters from eviction. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. boosts incentives for rentals with new $500-million fund

3 min read

December 30, 2022

The corner Granville and Broadway, in the South Granville neighbourhood of Vancouver on April 22, 2022.
Vancouver city council is expected to make a decision on whether to approve a condo tower at the corner of Granville and Broadway in a neighbourhood that has never had that kind of density.
Photo: Jennifer Gauthier

The corner Granville and Broadway, in the South Granville neighbourhood of Vancouver on April 22, 2022.
Vancouver city council is expected to make a decision on whether to approve a condo tower at the corner of Granville and Broadway in a neighbourhood that has never had that kind of density.
Photo: Jennifer Gauthier

Vancouver gets dozens of inquiries for housing projects along Broadway subway line, but zoning rules raise doubts about prospects

4 min read

December 24, 2022

VCR102-PUIL-02 - See Ross Howard story -- February 5/98 -Vancouver, BC --
Vancouver city councillor George Puil is instrumental in setting up the Greater Vancouver Regional Transit (GVRT) board. He prefers to drive.
Photo: Nick Procaylo/Globe & Mail

VCR102-PUIL-02 - See Ross Howard story -- February 5/98 -Vancouver, BC --
Vancouver city councillor George Puil is instrumental in setting up the Greater Vancouver Regional Transit (GVRT) board. He prefers to drive.
Photo: Nick Procaylo/Globe & Mail

Singular character in Vancouver politics, George Puil was a sharp critic of city spending and passionate about public service

4 min read

December 19, 2022

RCMP constables patrol 135A Street know as "The Strip" in Surrey, British Columbia, Wednesday, August 2, 2017. Rafal Gerszak/The Globe and Mail

RCMP constables patrol 135A Street know as "The Strip" in Surrey, British Columbia, Wednesday, August 2, 2017. Rafal Gerszak/The Globe and Mail

Plans for new Surrey, B.C., police force on hold until next year

6 min read

December 14, 2022

B.C. Premier David Eby, right, stands with Dave Ward, of Lu'ma Native Housing Society, during an announcement about the construction of new modular housing projects to house the homeless, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Premier David Eby, right, stands with Dave Ward, of Lu'ma Native Housing Society, during an announcement about the construction of new modular housing projects to house the homeless, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C., Vancouver governments announce temporary dwellings for 90 people in Downtown Eastside

4 min read

December 13, 2022

An elderly man smokes a cigarette as a construction crane being used at a condo development towers above buildings in Chinatown in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday January 15, 2015. DARRYL DYCK FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL

An elderly man smokes a cigarette as a construction crane being used at a condo development towers above buildings in Chinatown in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday January 15, 2015. DARRYL DYCK FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL

Vancouver’s Chinatown condo project to be reassessed

3 min read

December 12, 2022

A construction crane sits idle at the site of an office tower under construction as downtown condos and the north shore mountains are seen in the distance, in Vancouver, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A construction crane sits idle at the site of an office tower under construction as downtown condos and the north shore mountains are seen in the distance, in Vancouver, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Thousands of Vancouver housing units in limbo in tug-of-war between developers, city planners

5 min read

December 10, 2022

A rental housing development is shown in Vancouver, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Royal Bank of Canada economists say the country has reached a record number of renters as the number of people renting has increased at three times the rate of homeowners in the past decade. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

A rental housing development is shown in Vancouver, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Royal Bank of Canada economists say the country has reached a record number of renters as the number of people renting has increased at three times the rate of homeowners in the past decade. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

City of North Vancouver blows past ambitious housing and rental targets

6 min read