Transportation scandal, dangerous driving and festival listings — a digest of news from Vancouver. Transit workers have voted to authorize a possible strike, a driver was caught speeding and impaired, ruining a camping trip, and the city is preparing for a busy weekend with dragon boat races and food events.
Metro Vancouver Transit Workers Nearly Unanimously Authorize Strike
Transit workers across Metro Vancouver made a powerful statement by voting nearly unanimously to authorize a strike. This step does not mean buses and ferries will stop immediately, but it puts serious pressure on the employer. Behind the 99% figure are real problems facing the people who keep British Columbia’s largest city moving every day.
As reported by Canadian broadcaster CBC News (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/metro-vancouver-transit-strike-vote-9.7213973), members of Unifor Locals 111 and 2200, representing roughly 5,000 drivers, mechanics and SeaBus ferry workers, backed strike action. The vote result — 99% in favor — sent a clear signal to Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC). Unifor regional director Gavin McGarrigle called it an “incredible result,” stressing that union members “stand behind their bargaining committee” and intend to fight for a fair contract.
The immediate cause of such unity was the lack of progress at talks that have been underway since February, while the previous contract expired on March 31. McGarrigle noted a “significant distance” between the parties and accused the company of trying to “move backward” on key issues — notably run lengths and time for sanitary breaks. According to the union leader, the company “grossly misread the mood” of workers, and negotiations stalled before they even reached wage discussions. Other sticking points include health and safety and “dignity in retirement,” meaning adequate pension security.
The vote result does not declare a strike; it simply gives the union the legal right to take that step. To start a full strike, the union must give the employer 72 hours’ notice, which has not yet happened. For now, buses and ferries are operating as usual. Both sides will return to the bargaining table on Monday, and that round will be decisive. As McGarrigle said, if there is no progress, “all options are on the table.”
Metro Vancouver has history with similar labour disputes. In 2019, members of the same unions did not launch a full strike but refused overtime and refused to wear uniforms for a month, causing noticeable schedule disruptions. A more serious precedent occurred in 2024, when a strike by dispatchers and supervisors paralyzed the transit system for several days. The darkest example is the record 123-day strike by drivers in 2001, which almost completely halted public transit and caused massive disruption for residents. Now, with a mandate from 5,000 workers, Unifor holds a powerful lever ahead of a crucial bargaining round that will show whether Vancouver can avoid a repeat transit collapse.
Camping Trip Scrapped: Vancouver Driver Caught Speeding and Impaired
A Vancouver man lost his weekend camping trip after police stopped him before the long weekend began. The man, who only held learner’s driving privileges, was driving at high speed on the Squamish stretch of highway with open alcoholic beverages in the car and no instructor present. This story is a stark example of how decisions made behind the wheel can wreck plans and hit the wallet hard.
The British Columbia Highway Patrol, conducting holiday-period checkpoints, recorded a Jeep travelling at 148 kilometres per hour. This occurred on Highway 99, where the speed limit is just 90 km/h. The driver was a 27-year-old man, and notably he held a Class 5 learner’s licence, which requires an experienced driver to be seated in the front passenger seat. Instead, he was alone, and the vehicle was packed with tents, sleeping bags and other camping gear. An additional surprise for police was that the car was a dealership loaner, meaning it did not belong to the offender.
When officers asked the driver to take a roadside breath test, the device showed he exceeded the permitted limit. That meant he faced not just a fine but immediate licence suspension. As Corporal Michael MacLafflin of the patrol explained, speed and alcohol are among the top three causes of road deaths in the province. He urged drivers not to “party” on the road and to leave earlier to avoid losing both their car and their life.
The consequences for the ill-fated traveler were severe: he received a 90-day driving prohibition, his vehicle was impounded for one month, and he was issued tickets — $368 for speeding, $109 for breaching learner licence conditions, and $230 for open alcohol in the vehicle. With increased insurance premiums for high-risk drivers, which will apply for at least three years, police estimate the total losses will exceed $2,600.
What do some terms mean? “Class 5 learner” is the initial stage of obtaining a driver’s licence in British Columbia, requiring a qualified driver to sit in the front passenger seat. A “dealership loaner” is a vehicle dealers lend customers while their own car is being serviced; in this case, the dealership likely incurred losses due to the vehicle impoundment. “High-risk insurance premiums” are surcharges drivers must pay after serious offences, and they can last several years, significantly raising insurance costs.
The key takeaway is that even a short trip to the outdoors can result in huge financial losses and loss of mobility. As noted in the original Castanet article (https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/616740/Camping-trip-scrapped-after-Vancouver-man-caught-speeding-and-impaired-near-Squamish), the decision to drive with a learner licence and while impaired completely ruined the long-awaited getaway. The case is a reminder to all drivers that penalties are inevitable and trip preparation should start with a sober assessment of one’s condition and following the rules.
Weekend in Vancouver: 15 Things to Do from Dragon Boat Racing to Chocolate Fountain Brunch
The last weekend of May in Vancouver promises to be busy: the city offers many activities for all tastes — from traditional festivals to world-class music concerts. If you’re planning your weekend from May 29–31, Daily Hive has compiled 15 events worth checking out. Highlights include sports competitions, theatrical productions, food events and cultural festivals.
One of the main events is the Vessi 500 championship — the province’s biggest dragon boat races, taking place May 30 at False Creek. This free family event is about more than sport: attendees can expect food trucks, kids’ activities and live music. Live-music fans can also head to Rogers Arena that evening to see the legendary rock duo The Black Keys, known for hits like “Lonely Boy” and “Howlin’ For You.” As Daily Hive notes, their song “Gold on the Ceiling” was once an anthem for the Vancouver Canucks’ victories.
For those seeking a quieter pastime, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is staging the musical “Mamma Mia!” with hits from ABBA. Performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre run through May 31, including matinees on the weekend. Food lovers shouldn’t miss the special brunch at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Sutton Place hotel. Pastry chef Kenta Takahashi, a three-time Canada’s Top Pastry Chef winner, has recreated a modern take on the hotel’s legendary chocolate buffet with desserts, signature bonbons and a chocolate fountain. The brunch runs May 30–31 and June 6–7, priced at $118 for adults.
The cultural lineup also includes the Fleurs de Villes floral festival titled “Wonder” at VanDusen Botanical Garden — running through May 31 and featuring a giant floral octopus and a hive-shaped installation. The Vancouver Convention Centre will host the 10th Art Vancouver contemporary art fair with paintings, sculptures and live demonstrations. Baseball fans can see the Vancouver Canadians host the Eugene Emeralds at Nat Bailey Stadium. The city will also host the popular Too Cute Pop-Up market with handmade goods from local artisans, and the Spot Prawn Festival, where you can try seafood chowder for $12.
Also of interest is the Kanteen Sundays brunch series at Kavita, inspired by old Mumbai. A collaboration with Alai Coffee will offer a special Indian coffee menu and light bites. For those wanting to learn the city’s darker history, the Vancouver Vice Tour with historian Aaron Chapman explores the criminal past of the West End in the 1970s–80s. On Saturday you can attend a free pollinator celebration at the Surrey Nature Centre, and Saturday morning bring a visit to the famous Trout Lake Farmers Market. Note that with the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming, the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown is offering special packages for fans with themed cocktails and a fan zone. A full list of events with addresses and prices is available in the Daily Hive article (https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-weekend-events-may-29-31).
