Frances Bula - Page 7 - 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 14, 2024

Surrey police officers participate in the Vaisakhi parade in Surrey, B.C., on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The city is in the midst of a transition from the RCMP to a new municipal police force. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Surrey police officers participate in the Vaisakhi parade in Surrey, B.C., on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The city is in the midst of a transition from the RCMP to a new municipal police force. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C.’s Solicitor-General and Surrey mayor in stand-off over police transition to new municipal force

4 min read

January 6, 2024

Due to extremely dry conditions the City of Vancouver is working to combat the risk of fires in Stanley Park by removing dead trees and has closed some trails for visitor safety. August 24, 2023 in Vancouver, B.C.

Due to extremely dry conditions the City of Vancouver is working to combat the risk of fires in Stanley Park by removing dead trees and has closed some trails for visitor safety. August 24, 2023 in Vancouver, B.C.

Vancouver’s move to abolish its unique parks board ‘awakens sleeping giant’

6 min read

December 29, 2023

Photograph of Gurdev Singh Gill walking up a staircase along with four other men. They include the Premier of BC David Barrett, Dr. Setty Pendakur (Vancouver city councillor), Khar Sekhon (Dr. Gill's friend), Parlad Singh Gill (Dr. Gill's brother). They are all wearing formal suits and ties. The premier was invited to the Ross Street gurdwara to speak. He promised $1 million to the construction of a community centre, however, the community centre did not get built due to disagreements within the community at the time.

Photograph of Gurdev Singh Gill walking up a staircase along with four other men. They include the Premier of BC David Barrett, Dr. Setty Pendakur (Vancouver city councillor), Khar Sekhon (Dr. Gill's friend), Parlad Singh Gill (Dr. Gill's brother). They are all wearing formal suits and ties. The premier was invited to the Ross Street gurdwara to speak. He promised $1 million to the construction of a community centre, however, the community centre did not get built due to disagreements within the community at the time.

Gurdev Gill, first Indo-Canadian doctor in Canada, member of the Order of B.C., dies at 92

5 min read

December 15, 2023

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim walk to a news conference for a housing announcement at a construction site in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim walk to a news conference for a housing announcement at a construction site in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Federal government agrees to housing fund for Vancouver, resolving earlier dispute

4 min read

December 5, 2023

The continuing construction of the King Toronto condominium project at 489-539 King St. West is photographed on Nov. 16, 2023. Westbank Corp is one of the companies behind the project in downtown Toronto. (Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail)

The continuing construction of the King Toronto condominium project at 489-539 King St. West is photographed on Nov. 16, 2023. Westbank Corp is one of the companies behind the project in downtown Toronto. (Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail)

Real estate developer Westbank faces litigation for Canadian, U.S. projects due to unpaid bills

10 min read

December 5, 2023

Gordon Coleman poses for a photograph in the courtyard at his home in Vancouver, B.C, on Friday, December 1, 2023. Coleman is excited about the density in the neighbourhood, hoping it means the building will be bought out by developers and rebuilt at eight stories high. Tijana Martin/ The Globe and Mail

Gordon Coleman poses for a photograph in the courtyard at his home in Vancouver, B.C, on Friday, December 1, 2023. Coleman is excited about the density in the neighbourhood, hoping it means the building will be bought out by developers and rebuilt at eight stories high. Tijana Martin/ The Globe and Mail

B.C.’s dramatic plan to tackle housing crisis sparks alarm about unintended consequences

6 min read

December 1, 2023

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Sunday, February 5, 2023. The mayor of Vancouver has set out a foundation to address the housing crisis in the city, while reducing barriers to building and streamlining regulations. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Sunday, February 5, 2023. The mayor of Vancouver has set out a foundation to address the housing crisis in the city, while reducing barriers to building and streamlining regulations. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says he wants city to have ‘more swagger’ as he marks first year in office

4 min read

November 22, 2023

Hastings Street, west of Columbia Street is pictured in Vancouver, B.C.’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. (Kayla Isomura/The Globe and Mail)

Hastings Street, west of Columbia Street is pictured in Vancouver, B.C.’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. (Kayla Isomura/The Globe and Mail)

Vancouver councillor pitches ‘potentially transformational’ plan for the city’s Downtown Eastside

4 min read

November 16, 2023

Abbotsford Police Chief Mike Serr, back right, leaves B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster, B.C., on Monday February 3, 2020. British Columbia is appointing Serr as an administrator to act in place of the Surrey Police Board and assist the city's troubled transition from the RCMP. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Abbotsford Police Chief Mike Serr, back right, leaves B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster, B.C., on Monday February 3, 2020. British Columbia is appointing Serr as an administrator to act in place of the Surrey Police Board and assist the city's troubled transition from the RCMP. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. replaces Surrey police board with temporary administrator over troubled transition

3 min read

November 13, 2023

Construction workers on site along 10th Street NW in Calgary on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. In order to prevent future floods in the Sunnyside area, which sits low between the Bow River and McHugh Bluff, a large pipeline is being placed, causing construction sites to be set up along the Bow River and up the hill on 10th Street. (Photo by Jude Brocke/The Globe and Mail)

Construction workers on site along 10th Street NW in Calgary on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. In order to prevent future floods in the Sunnyside area, which sits low between the Bow River and McHugh Bluff, a large pipeline is being placed, causing construction sites to be set up along the Bow River and up the hill on 10th Street. (Photo by Jude Brocke/The Globe and Mail)

While Ottawa lends support to new housing units, cities seek ways to foot massive infrastructure bills

7 min read

October 30, 2023

Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser holds a news conference in the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser holds a news conference in the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Federal housing minister ‘disappointed’ as B.C. politicians vote against delaying new development-fee increases

3 min read

October 26, 2023

Construction cranes tower above condos under construction near southeast False Creek in Vancouver on February 9, 2020. Statistics Canada says the amount Canadians owe relative to their income pulled back in the first quarter from the record level set in the fourth quarter of 2021 as incomes grew faster than debt. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Construction cranes tower above condos under construction near southeast False Creek in Vancouver on February 9, 2020. Statistics Canada says the amount Canadians owe relative to their income pulled back in the first quarter from the record level set in the fourth quarter of 2021 as incomes grew faster than debt. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Federal Housing Minister scolds Vancouver over development fees

3 min read

October 16, 2023

<div>The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says data on last month's home sales activity suggests a possible renewed interest by sellers to participate in the market, as the number of homes that changed hands rose compared with last year. Cherry blossom trees line a residential street in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

<div>The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says data on last month's home sales activity suggests a possible renewed interest by sellers to participate in the market, as the number of homes that changed hands rose compared with last year. Cherry blossom trees line a residential street in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

B.C. plans strict new short-term rental rules, requiring hosts to register with the province and fine those who don’t

4 min read

October 15, 2023

Mayor Ken Sim of Vancouver during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, on March 16, 2023. Sim has dismissed suspicions that he is influenced by his cousin Bernard Chan, a politician and businessman who was a top adviser to Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s former pro-Beijing chief executive. (Jackie Dives/The New York Times)

Mayor Ken Sim of Vancouver during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, on March 16, 2023. Sim has dismissed suspicions that he is influenced by his cousin Bernard Chan, a politician and businessman who was a top adviser to Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s former pro-Beijing chief executive. (Jackie Dives/The New York Times)

Vancouver mayor Ken Sim shifted city politics, but one year later solutions to opioid and housing crisis elude

5 min read

October 5, 2023

Tents and people are seen at a homeless encampment at Crab Park below the towers of the downtown skyline in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. There is a stark contrast between public perception and the reality of how homeless people spend money, a University of British Columbia researcher says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Tents and people are seen at a homeless encampment at Crab Park below the towers of the downtown skyline in Vancouver, on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. There is a stark contrast between public perception and the reality of how homeless people spend money, a University of British Columbia researcher says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver area saw homeless population increase by 1,200 over past three years

3 min read

October 2, 2023

Arielle Reid holds Pecky Perkerson, a pet hen in her yard in Vancvouer, B.C., on October 2, 2023. Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail.

Arielle Reid holds Pecky Perkerson, a pet hen in her yard in Vancvouer, B.C., on October 2, 2023. Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail.

In colourful ruling, B.C. judge decries bylaw governing backyard fowl

3 min read

September 27, 2023

The downtown Vancouver skyline is seen at sunset, as houses line a hillside in Burnaby, B.C., on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Home sales across Metro Vancouver remained well above the 10-year average in September, but the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says prices haven't climbed as sharply. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The downtown Vancouver skyline is seen at sunset, as houses line a hillside in Burnaby, B.C., on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Home sales across Metro Vancouver remained well above the 10-year average in September, but the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says prices haven't climbed as sharply. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ottawa halts housing funding to Metro Vancouver over increased development fees

5 min read

September 25, 2023

A tradesperson uses a lift while painting the outside of a rental housing building being developed by the University of British Columbia Properties Trust, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A tradesperson uses a lift while painting the outside of a rental housing building being developed by the University of British Columbia Properties Trust, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. looks to set up housing development program for middle-income residents

4 min read

September 23, 2023

A Skytrain departs from Brentwood Town Centre station, in Burnaby, B.C., on Monday, April 13, 2020. Darryl Dyck/The Globe and Mail

A Skytrain departs from Brentwood Town Centre station, in Burnaby, B.C., on Monday, April 13, 2020. Darryl Dyck/The Globe and Mail

For Vancouver’s transit authority, ridership is surpassing pre-COVID levels. But revenue remains an issue

5 min read

September 20, 2023

Local politicians in British Columbia have passed all three resolutions asking the province to improve funding and regulation for the drug decriminalization pilot program, including expanding possession and use prohibitions to parks and sports fields. People are framed by wildflowers while walking a dog on a pathway at Garry Point Park, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, May 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Local politicians in British Columbia have passed all three resolutions asking the province to improve funding and regulation for the drug decriminalization pilot program, including expanding possession and use prohibitions to parks and sports fields. People are framed by wildflowers while walking a dog on a pathway at Garry Point Park, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, May 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. municipalities vote to ask province to put more restrictions on decriminalized illicit drugs

3 min read