BC Economic Fundamentals 2008-08

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City building permits up 54%

Despite a 16 per cent dip in total building permit values in Abbotsford from May to June, overall values rose 54 per cent to $246 million in the first six months of 2008, compared to last year.

"The year-to-date permit figures are a more accurate indicator of growth and show the strength of the construction industry in Abbotsford," said Keith Sashaw, Vancouver Regional Construction Association president.

http://www.canada.com/abbotsfordtimes/news...2b-62da7b191778

 

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Preliminary approval granted for new transmission line

The preliminary go-ahead has been given for a massive infrastructure project running through northern Coquitlam, one that`s intended to power the Lower Mainland`s projected growth surge in the next 20 years.

The B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) approved an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity Monday, a move that authorizes a utility to construct and operate works and to provide water service to customers within a specified area.

http://www.canada.com/coquitlamnow/news/st...fd-752c0aaf0a16

 

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Developers still building housing

The number of new houses started so far this year is down in Langley, but up across the Lower Mainland.

In the past several months, prices for houses, condos and townhouses have been stagnant, while the number of homes for sale has risen to record levels.

Yet according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, this has put little damper regionally on building.

http://www.canada.com/langleyadvance/news/...2c-72fef383f74a

 

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Highway barrier planned

Drivers trying to make an illegal left turn from the Albion industrial area from River Road onto Lougheed Highway will have a harder time after the District of Maple Ridge`s engineering department installs a median barrier from Tamarack to 105 Avenue.

Despite a cement island that encourages traffic to turn right onto Lougheed, many drivers turn left at the intersection.

In 2004, the district received a Canada-British Columbia Infrastructure Program grant to move the intersection 300 metres east, but, despite initial approval, CP Rail opposed it because they plan to store larger trains in the area.

http://www.canada.com/mapleridgetimes/news...19-888115e51bb7

 

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Finding oil in yards

A Lower Mainland company is digging up lots of business removing oil storage tanks in the Royal City.

Digger Dicks Contract-ing Ltd. has been doing a lot of work in New Westminster, including removing buried oil storage tanks, providing assessments on environmental cleanup, removing the toxic soils and restoring the site.

It`s one of a handful of companies licensed to do this type of work in New Westminster.

http://www.canada.com/newwestrecord/news/s...4e-e90beff35f57

 

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Slowdown not a concern, say Realtors

Although Greater Vancouver`s housing market is showing distinct signs of cooling off, North Shore homeowners have no reason to worry -- at least not yet -- according to real estate agents.

That the market is slowing down is evident in the figures from the region`s real estate board. In 2007, 73 per cent of houses listed in North Vancouver and 63 per cent in West Vancouver sold, while this year it has dropped considerably: only 47 per cent of houses listed sold in North Vancouver and 35 per cent of listings sold in its neighbour.

http://www.canada.com/northshorenews/news/...5e-25c65d29d9e4

 

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No arrests as drugs are seized from two grow ops

Ridge Meadows RCMP`s Marijuana Enforcement Team, who were assisted by members of the Crime Reduction Team, executed two residential search warrants on Thursday.

In total, police seized 804 plants in various stages of growth, along with 723 grams of dried marijuana.

http://www.canada.com/surreynow/news/story...28-568dbb6de93e

 

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Still $1.7B to be had from 2010 Olympics

Hype about cashing in on the Olympics is flying fast and free.

But can local companies in Surrey and Delta actually make a buck off the 2010 Games?

Betty MacLeod, vice-president of Olympic business development for RBC Royal Bank, was at the bank`s Cloverdale branch on Tuesday to offer some advice and tips.

http://www.canada.com/surreynow/news/story...f3-43aa180d3250

 

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Survey polls public on city`s capital plan

When it comes to influencing city spending, do what you can, says Margery Duda.

Duda has so far failed to convince the city to commit money to saving Mount Pleasant pool, but she recommends responding to the city`s capital plan survey, which is now being distributed. Public input sometimes works, she believes, even if the city`s survey appears skewed.

"I know now is even more of a critical time that people need to be responding because there`s so many things happening within the city, there`s so many budget shortfalls on everything, the cost of everything is so great, the need for funds for so many different things and infrastructure is so great right now," said Duda, a resident of Mount Pleasant. "People that I`ve talked to, the majority of them don`t believe that there`s any point in [responding to the city`s survey] whatsoever, but that is something that won`t stop me because I believe whatever you can do, do it."

http://www.canada.com/vancouvercourier/new...e7-d20d563967d0

 

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Ice jam, flood remedy will cost nearly $19 million

It will cost nearly $19 million to complete the work the city has tentatively planned in the wake of last winter`s ice jam and flooding, according to applications for funding submitted to the federal and provincial governments.
And a good portion of that -- about $11.4 million -- would be spent on relocating homes and industry along the affected areas of River Road and PG Pulpmill Road and a further $5.9 million on constructing a dike along the south side of the Nechako.

http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/2008081...19-million.html

 

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Land Conservancy expands Mount Work park

Mount Work Regional Park is now another 65 hectares larger, thanks to an additional contribution by the Land Conservancy of B.C.

The land, valued at $4 million, doubles TLC`s recent land contribution at Mount Work and creates a total of 130 hectares of new parkland.

The new land adds to the western boundary of the park and contains Douglas fir trees, red cedar, arbutus, open bluffs and skunk cabbage wetlands.

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonis...34-cfa4f09f13c9

 

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Colour the building boom green

The building boom in Victoria has brought with it more than a labour shortage and increased costs.

According to local developers and architects, it has also seen the explosion of sustainable development and green building practices, with more projects than ever striving for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

Victoria was an integral part of the genesis of LEED in Canada in 2004 -- a program that rates buildings as certified, silver, gold or platinum based on their energy and environmental performance -- and by virtue of its location, history and necessity, developers say the capital region is poised to lead North America in the development of eco-friendly buildings and communities.

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonis...c1-7eedf1592352

 

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B.C. housing sales plummet

VANCOUVER -- Cautious consumers were the big influence on British Columbia real estate markets in July as sales across the province dropped to their lowest level since the start of the decade, the B.C. Real Estate Association reported yesterday.

Sales through the Multiple Listing Service were down 37 per cent to 6,541 units compared with July a year ago.

The total value of those sales dropped 38 per cent to $2.9 billion compared with July 2007.

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonis...5a-84e0cd57b7cd

 

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B.C. bordering on tech crisis

B.C. is facing a technical worker shortage and could be nearing a crisis in technology education, the head of a provincial technical workers` association says.

Technologists, technicians and technical specialists are retiring in record numbers and industries will need to replace them. But John Leech, executive director with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of B.C., said the province`s schools aren`t graduating enough workers to keep pace.

"There is a capacity in the system, but not enough applicants," Leech said. "The system is failing to put enough bums in the seats."

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonis...a6-a61931ac9971

 

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Victoria leads by example in sustainable practices

VICTORIA - The building boom in Victoria has brought with it more than a labour shortage and increased costs.

According to local developers and architects, it has also seen the explosion of sustainable development and green building practices, with more and more projects striving for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

Victoria was an integral part of the genesis of LEED in Canada in 2004, a program that rates buildings as certified silver, gold or platinum based on their energy and environmental performance. By virtue of its location, history and necessity, developers say the British Columbia capital region is poised to lead North America in the development of eco-friendly buildings and communities.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/bu...20-b2fe645dc567

 

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GVSC board approves trail extension

Greater Vernon`s trail network is growing once again.

The Greater Vernon Services Committee has decided to proceed with the tender process for trail construction between 20th Street and the frontage road by Royal Volkswagen.

"We are trying to extend the whole trail towards Swan Lake," said chairman Gary Corner.

"That`s an area that is growing and it`s a residential and commercial area and it makes sense."

http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similk...s/27061034.html

 

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Construction activity increases in B.C.

The release of the quarterly major projects inventory shows the number of major construction projects in B.C. has increased for the twentieth straight quarter.

"We are continuing to see impressive numbers in large-scale construction projects across B.C.," said Ida Chong, technology, trade and economic development minister.

"This is a clear signal that British Columbia`s economy remains strong and vibrant."

According to the major projects inventory for June:

http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similk...s/27061154.html

 

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Worker shortage hurts

It`s Wednesday evening and Bill Voukelatos is not even halfway through a 15-hour shift in the kitchen of the Bella Vita restaurant in downtown Maple Ridge.

Voukelatos has owned and operated the local gastronomic institution for the last 34 years, but thanks to a shortage of properly trained staff, he is working seven days a week after taking over the chef`s duties.

"This is the worst I`ve ever seen it," he says of the current labour market.

"We used to pay $30-40,000 a year for a chef. Now they want $75,000. How can a business afford that?"

http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_...tage_hurts.html

 

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MLA slams airport clearcut

A stand of trees near the Fraser River that posed a risk to planes and pilots had to be cut down by the Pitt Meadows Regional Airport, which doesn`t sit well with local MLA Michael Sather.

The 20-acre plot, along Metro Vancouver`s Pitt River Regional Greenway, was crowded with trees more than 24 metres high.

Airport manager Bill Neale said the trees were cited by Transport Canada as obstacles to aviation, obstructing flights from landing at the airport, off Baynes Road. The airport approached several agencies including Nav Canada and the Fraser River Estuary Management Program before the trees were cut.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_...s/26998769.html

 

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Pitt Meadows plan gets third reading

Pitt Meadows council gave the city`s official community plan third reading Tuesday.

The city began reviewing the community plan in 2005 by appointing a committee of 10 community members.

It is the fourth major revision of the OCP, which provides a long-term vision for the city.

The updated plan addresses the future of Pitt Meadows with respect to agriculture, residential, industrial, commercial and institution growth, while keeping in mind the environment, Smart Growth, transportation impacts and community values. The most significant change affects the south end of Harris Road.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_...s/26998804.html