Frances Bula - Page 8 - 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

September 19, 2023

A resident is placed in an ambulance as paramedics assist in the evacuation of a seniors care facility due to wildfires, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A resident is placed in an ambulance as paramedics assist in the evacuation of a seniors care facility due to wildfires, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. health minister says health care operations will need to grow in summer months to handle wildfire evacuees

3 min read

September 18, 2023

A report by Re/Max Canada says the prices for detached houses in Toronto, Vancouver and B.C.'s Fraser Valley saw upward momentum in the first half of the year, but average prices fell short of those seen last year in most neighbourhoods. Houses are seen in a neighbourhood on the side of a mountain, in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Thursday, August 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A report by Re/Max Canada says the prices for detached houses in Toronto, Vancouver and B.C.'s Fraser Valley saw upward momentum in the first half of the year, but average prices fell short of those seen last year in most neighbourhoods. Houses are seen in a neighbourhood on the side of a mountain, in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Thursday, August 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver abruptly loses fourth city planner in ongoing housing crisis

3 min read

September 17, 2023

Burned vehicles are seen at a property destroyed by the Bush Creek East wildfire, in Scotch Creek, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Burned vehicles are seen at a property destroyed by the Bush Creek East wildfire, in Scotch Creek, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. municipal politicians to send provincial government warning on response to wildfires

4 min read

September 15, 2023

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says the city has taken a "huge step" toward "housing attainability" by approving multiplex units in single-family neighbourhoods, but critics of the plan argue the step is little more than a shuffle. Cherry trees line a residential street in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says the city has taken a "huge step" toward "housing attainability" by approving multiplex units in single-family neighbourhoods, but critics of the plan argue the step is little more than a shuffle. Cherry trees line a residential street in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver City Council indicates support for sweeping expansion of housing density

3 min read

September 10, 2023

Obit Nathan Edelson. Photo credit Mariner Janes

Obit Nathan Edelson. Photo credit Mariner Janes

Long-time Vancouver city planner Nathan Edelson shaped the Downtown Eastside

4 min read

August 20, 2023

Residents face water shortages as the population increases. Almost all the drinking water on the island comes from rainwater and what wells can extract from the ground. A shot of Fulford Harbour ferry terminal on Salt Spring Island, B.C., on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Chad Hipolito/The Globe and Mail

Residents face water shortages as the population increases. Almost all the drinking water on the island comes from rainwater and what wells can extract from the ground. A shot of Fulford Harbour ferry terminal on Salt Spring Island, B.C., on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Chad Hipolito/The Globe and Mail

Indigenous group opposes housing density on B.C.’s Salt Spring Island

6 min read

August 16, 2023

Houses are seen in Burnaby, B.C., on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Houses are seen in Burnaby, B.C., on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Two Vancouver homeowners are challenging the city’s empty homes tax

3 min read

August 8, 2023

Construction workers are seen at work on the roadway in front of the future Mount Pleasant Skytrain Station on East Broadway, in Vancouver, on Thursday, July 29, 2021. Work is underway on the relocation of the water line and sanitary sewer in preparation for the new Skytrain station and tunnel. Darryl Dyck/The Globe and Mail

Construction workers are seen at work on the roadway in front of the future Mount Pleasant Skytrain Station on East Broadway, in Vancouver, on Thursday, July 29, 2021. Work is underway on the relocation of the water line and sanitary sewer in preparation for the new Skytrain station and tunnel. Darryl Dyck/The Globe and Mail

Vancouver School Board tells judge it is considering selling a prime piece of land

3 min read

July 26, 2023

The downtown Vancouver skyline is seen in an aerial view from east Vancouver, on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Airbnb has won a court ruling that quashes an order from British Columbia's privacy commissioner that would have identified hosts and their home addresses in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The downtown Vancouver skyline is seen in an aerial view from east Vancouver, on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Airbnb has won a court ruling that quashes an order from British Columbia's privacy commissioner that would have identified hosts and their home addresses in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver votes to hold public hearing on zoning proposal

4 min read

July 24, 2023

People hold a banner during a march to remember those who died during the overdose crisis and to call for a safe supply of illicit drugs on International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being urged to decriminalize the possession and use of illicit drugs as a way to combat the opioid crisis that has resulted in thousands of deaths in Canada.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

People hold a banner during a march to remember those who died during the overdose crisis and to call for a safe supply of illicit drugs on International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being urged to decriminalize the possession and use of illicit drugs as a way to combat the opioid crisis that has resulted in thousands of deaths in Canada.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver won’t renew lease for controversial overdose prevention site

3 min read

July 24, 2023

Vancouver plans to allow people to build up to six units on residential lots throughout the city.
Rendering shows two 33x122 lots, each with a triplex.
credit: Lanefab Design / Build

Vancouver plans to allow people to build up to six units on residential lots throughout the city.
Rendering shows two 33x122 lots, each with a triplex.
credit: Lanefab Design / Build

Vancouver considering eliminating single-family residential zoning rules

4 min read

July 20, 2023

Surrey Police Chief Constable Norm Lipinski pauses while responding to questions during a news conference, in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The safety of the residents of Surrey and the rest of the province is "non-negotiable" and is the provincial governmentÕs main reason for forcing the city to move ahead with an independent police force instead of keeping the RCMP, Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Surrey Police Chief Constable Norm Lipinski pauses while responding to questions during a news conference, in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The safety of the residents of Surrey and the rest of the province is "non-negotiable" and is the provincial governmentÕs main reason for forcing the city to move ahead with an independent police force instead of keeping the RCMP, Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Surrey’s shift to municipal police force offers valuable lessons, experts say

4 min read

July 19, 2023

British Columbia Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says he'll announce the final decision on the future of policing in Surrey on Wednesday. Farnworth speaks during a news conference in the press theatre at the legislature in Victoria, Friday, April 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito.

British Columbia Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says he'll announce the final decision on the future of policing in Surrey on Wednesday. Farnworth speaks during a news conference in the press theatre at the legislature in Victoria, Friday, April 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito.

B.C. orders Surrey to drop the RCMP and move to municipal police force

4 min read

July 17, 2023

A low-rise condo and other housing projects are seen under construction in Coquitlam, B.C., on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A low-rise condo and other housing projects are seen under construction in Coquitlam, B.C., on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. home builders say construction costs and high interest rates are hobbling them

3 min read

July 10, 2023

Dr. Travers rides a motorized unicycle on the Arbutus Greenway in Vancouver, B.C., on July 07, 2023. Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail.

Dr. Travers rides a motorized unicycle on the Arbutus Greenway in Vancouver, B.C., on July 07, 2023. Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail.

The bike lanes in B.C. are getting crowded as more ‘micro-mobility vehicles’ hit the road

5 min read

July 4, 2023

Modular housing units at 620 Cambie Street in Vancouver, B.C., December 27, 2018. Mr Alkhouli is a former firefighter and worked with the White Helmets in southern Syria. Jimmy Jeong for The Globe and Mail.

Modular housing units at 620 Cambie Street in Vancouver, B.C., December 27, 2018. Mr Alkhouli is a former firefighter and worked with the White Helmets in southern Syria. Jimmy Jeong for The Globe and Mail.

Advocates concerned as Vancouver moves away from temporary housing model

5 min read

June 30, 2023

A Surrey police patch is seen on an officer's jacket in Surrey, B.C., on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The police force says delays deciding the future of policing in the city are weighing heavily on officers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A Surrey police patch is seen on an officer's jacket in Surrey, B.C., on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The police force says delays deciding the future of policing in the city are weighing heavily on officers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Surrey mayor declined meetings with Surrey Police while reinstating RCMP

4 min read

June 29, 2023

BLAS1129OWEN01 -- Victoria, Nov. 29, 2000 -- Stephen Owen, professor of Law at the University of Victoria is on his way to Ottawa as a Liberal MP after winning election in the Vancouver Quadra riding on Monday. (Photo by Peter Blashill)

BLAS1129OWEN01 -- Victoria, Nov. 29, 2000 -- Stephen Owen, professor of Law at the University of Victoria is on his way to Ottawa as a Liberal MP after winning election in the Vancouver Quadra riding on Monday. (Photo by Peter Blashill)

B.C. politician, civil servant Stephen Owen brought a thoughtful approach to difficult debates

4 min read

June 26, 2023

A tour bus stops in front of a parking lot that is the proposed site of a condo development in Chinatown, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. The nondescript parking lot at the centre of debate about the future of Vancouver's historic Chinatown is unchanged in the six years since plans to build a condo tower there were shot down by the city's development permit board. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A tour bus stops in front of a parking lot that is the proposed site of a condo development in Chinatown, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. The nondescript parking lot at the centre of debate about the future of Vancouver's historic Chinatown is unchanged in the six years since plans to build a condo tower there were shot down by the city's development permit board. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Controversial Vancouver Chinatown condo development approved by development board

4 min read

June 21, 2023

A Surrey RCMP officer drives a police vehicle in Surrey, B.C., Friday, April 28, 2023. An ethics report has found that a Surrey councillor who had family working for the RCMP breached ethics rules when he voted to halt the transition to a city police force. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A Surrey RCMP officer drives a police vehicle in Surrey, B.C., Friday, April 28, 2023. An ethics report has found that a Surrey councillor who had family working for the RCMP breached ethics rules when he voted to halt the transition to a city police force. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ethics commissioner finds Surrey councillor breached ethics rules when he voted to stick with RCMP

3 min read