Today's edition covers three key topics: the sale of a remote mountain resort for the price of a modest Vancouver house, the BC Greens' call for a moratorium on building AI data centres over environmental risks, and the Vancouver Bandits' loss to the Edmonton Stingers.
Batnuni Lake Resort: remote BC lake resort selling for the price of a cheap Vancouver house
Real estate sometimes produces surprising contrasts: for example, when the price of an entire mountain resort is comparable to the cost of a modest home in a big city. That's the case drawing Canadian media attention — Batnuni Lake Resort, located in central British Columbia, is up for sale. Listed for $1.1 million, the property offers a buyer more than a dwelling — it offers an entire package of possibilities. This is not just a lakeside cabin but a private world to escape urban bustle, noise and endless crowds. On seven-and-a-half acres — the only private land on the whole lake — there are seven cottages, a spacious lobby with a commercial kitchen and dining room with panoramic lake views, and a separate workshop for boats, ATVs and other equipment. The owner of this oasis has a unique résumé — chef, guide and bush pilot — hinting at the rich, unusual history of the place.
The property, listed at about $1.1 million, is in the Central Cariboo region, roughly 110 kilometres west of Quesnel. The place literally breathes history: it's described in works by cowboy writer Rich Hobson, author of The Grass Beyond the Mountains, and is connected to ancient Nuxalk–Carrier routes that, legend has it, helped Alexander Mackenzie reach the Pacific coast. The area offers not only seclusion but a wide range of outdoor activities: fishing, mountain biking, ATV riding. But this idyll comes at a cost beyond money — time. The nearest settlement, the village of Hixon with about 240 residents, is 95 kilometres away as the crow flies, but there is no direct road. Prince George is about a three-hour drive on dirt roads, Quesnel about two hours and forty minutes, and Vancouver is a full ten-hour drive. So this is not a weekend getaway spot but a true retreat that requires serious trip planning.
The listing positions the property as a “unique legacy for those who host the whole crowd,” and that's accurate. The site could operate as a tourism business or as a private estate for those seeking absolute solitude. It's important to understand that $1.1 million in Vancouver would buy at best a modest older house with few frills; here a buyer would get an entire lakeside resort with full autonomy. In the context of BC's real estate market, the deal highlights the gap between land prices in overcrowded cities and the cost of vast, remote parcels in the wilderness. As Castanet reports, the listing has already attracted many who dream of a radical change of scenery. The key takeaway for an investor: you aren't buying just square footage, you're buying a lifestyle wholly detached from normal infrastructure, with strong potential for eco-tourism development or a private retreat.
BC Greens call for a moratorium on building AI data centres
The British Columbia Green Party has issued a sharp statement calling for an immediate pause on construction of artificial intelligence data centres in the province. Party leader Adam Olsen called the government's current strategy of “build first, regulate later” reckless and unacceptable. His demand came after news of three new projects — two in Vancouver and one in Kamloops. Olsen, who does not currently hold a seat in the legislature, accused politicians in an interview of “blindly chasing the AI bubble” without considering long-term consequences for the environment, health and safety. He said large corporations often promise jobs and revenue but rarely deliver, while data centres consume enormous resources. He pointed to a recently approved project in Nanaimo as an example that, he believes, moved forward without adequate public consultation.
The situation in Nanaimo is especially illustrative. City councillor Paul Manly, a former federal Green MP, acknowledged that local authorities have limited power to influence the project. The permit was issued by municipal staff rather than council because no zoning variances were required. Residents are worried about massive water and energy consumption, but the city can only set limits and fines. Documents show that a single data centre on East Wellington Road would use 55,000 to 69,000 litres of water per day for server cooling, with peak flow reaching 6.5 litres per second. For comparison, that's roughly one percent of the city's total commercial and industrial water use. Manly stressed that Canada needs sovereign data storage so it does not rely on U.S. servers, where information may fall under the US Patriot Act, but he said that still requires careful regulation.
Olsen is outraged that corporations are allowed to “drain our water resources for profit” while ordinary residents are asked to conserve water and let gardens wither in summer. He is not against artificial intelligence per se, but insists on mandatory safeguards — clear rules to protect society and nature. He questioned whether the industry can be developed safely at all. Federal Minister for Artificial Intelligence Evan Solomon, commenting at a Vancouver press conference, said the government cannot and will not ban AI, and that investment in data centres is a necessary risk to keep Canada competitive. He cited Bill 31, recently passed, which limits AI-related electricity consumption to 300 megawatts until 2028. BC Energy Minister Adrian Dix said the province is taking steps to protect the power system, the climate and citizens' data, though he did not specify measures.
The debate fits into a broader North American context: tensions are rising between tech proponents and environmental advocates. Supporters argue that without domestic capacity Canada will lose technological sovereignty and Canadians' data will fall under U.S. jurisdiction via the US Patriot Act, which allows agencies access to information without a warrant. Opponents note that each large data centre leaves a huge carbon footprint and requires as much energy as a small city. As former MP Paul Manly told Business in Vancouver, senior levels of government must lead AI regulation: “Yes, we need sovereign storage, but we must account for energy and water consumption.” For now, builders appear to be ahead of lawmakers and the public is left with unanswered questions.
Vancouver Bandits surrender lead in Edmonton: brilliant start ends in defeat
The Vancouver Bandits opened the new season with a record-setting offense, but their second game — an away match against the Edmonton Stingers — turned into a nightmare. The Saturday evening game at the Edmonton Expo Centre ended 91–78 for the hosts, although the Bandits led at halftime. Vancouver got off to an excellent start: they finished the first quarter up 25–19 and led 42–39 at the half, despite the Stingers’ pressure. But everything changed in the second half and the Bandits simply fell apart. Head coach Kyle Julius was blunt, calling it “one of the worst games in the last two to three years,” and said the team’s “defensive effort was weak across the board.” Leading scorer Jaylen House, who put up 27 points, also expressed frustration: he said they allowed the opponent to score “too easily in the paint and to make easy threes.” The turning point came in the third quarter when Edmonton overwhelmed the Bandits’ defense, scoring 33 points and seizing momentum. In the final ten minutes Vancouver cut the deficit to seven, but could not get any closer. Interestingly, this loss was Vancouver’s first of the new season, while it was Edmonton’s first win. In this context “points in the paint” means shots taken close to the basket, and “easy threes” are long-range attempts the defense cannot contest. Both teams are considered contenders in the West Conference, so the game carried playoff-like intensity. Vancouver showcased explosive offense and a fast style, but Edmonton responded with tough, compact defense and depth of rotation, which decided the outcome. Standout for the Bandits was Tyrese Samuel, considered the reigning Canadian Player of the Year — he grabbed 13 rebounds, the team high. According to the original report, both teams meet again Friday evening at the Langley Events Centre, giving Vancouver a chance to avenge the loss at home.
