In today's edition: buyers for Hudson's Bay buildings, the mysterious shark Kara off British Columbia, and a seal pup rescued from fishing gear.
Despite collapse, buyers emerge for iconic Hudson's Bay buildings in downtown Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa
According to recently filed court documents cited by CBC News, buyers have been found for four properties formerly occupied by Hudson's Bay department stores. These are real estate assets owned by a joint venture of the bankrupt retailer and its former partner RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust. The documents list buyers for stores in downtown Calgary on 8th Avenue, on Rideau Street in Ottawa, on Granville Street in Vancouver, and at Devonshire Mall in Windsor, Ontario. Notably, in Vancouver and Calgary the buyers are major developers Onni Development Capital Corp. and Astra Real Estate Corp., while the Ottawa property drew interest from a company linked to Claridge Homes. Circle Retail Properties LP is said to want the Windsor site. Although deal prices and plans for the properties have not yet been disclosed, the mere fact that buyers have emerged for these iconic — if potentially outdated — retail spaces indicates ongoing interest in central locations. For context, a "receiver" is an independent party appointed by the court to manage assets and sell them for the benefit of creditors when a company becomes insolvent. The sale process for these four properties is still at an early stage: the court is expected to approve the Ottawa deal as early as next week, with approvals for the other three sought later. This news comes alongside another filing: Brookfield Properties and Larco Investments have asked the City of Toronto for permission to convert upper floors of the former HBC department store on Bloor Street East into a pick‑up storage facility. Notably, that Toronto store was closed by Hudson's Bay long before the retailer filed for creditor protection in March 2025, underscoring the scale of the troubles in traditional retail and the long-term challenges facing the giant. Successfully selling these four, likely the most valuable, properties does not mean Hudson's Bay as a brand is saved, but it demonstrates that real estate in prestigious areas remains liquid and attractive to investors who will likely repurpose it for housing, offices or other uses.
A great white shark named Kara has reappeared off the coast of British Columbia — and scientists say she may be pregnant. The five‑metre predator, fitted with a satellite tag, was detected in Canadian waters on April 24, 2026, after an earlier sighting there on March 9. Over recent weeks Kara made a long journey along the west coast of North America: from Oregon down to California, then back north toward Vancouver. Her movements have surprised even experienced researchers. As Michael Domeier, president and CEO of the non‑profit Marine Conservation Science Institute, wrote on Instagram, adult white sharks are usually already halfway to Hawaii at this time of year. Kara, however, shows a very different pattern of behaviour, prompting the suggestion she may be carrying pups. "We don't know for sure, but if she is pregnant, her movements could be tied to something far more significant that we still don't understand, such as where these sharks carry or give birth to their young," Domeier writes.
The great white is not just a large fish but an apex predator at the top of the ocean food chain. On average these sharks grow to three to five metres, though some individuals can reach six metres. The uniqueness of the Kara observations is that she is the first adult white shark whose presence in British Columbia waters has been documented with high‑quality satellite tracking data. As Domeier notes in his piece for Vancouver Is Awesome, that doesn't mean no other white sharks have been here before — just that scientists haven’t recorded them so far north with this level of data. "This movement does not match the patterns scientists have documented over the past 30 years. And that's exactly why this is important, and why research is being done," he emphasises.
Kara is not moving randomly: she is following her prey. As Domeier explains, large marine predators move with their food. For white sharks this often means following pinniped populations along the continental shelf. Another significant factor influencing the appearance of these warm‑water species off the Canadian coast is climate change. William Cheung, a professor at the University of British Columbia and head of the Canadian Ocean Resilience research program, explains that white sharks prefer warmer water, which is why they were rarely seen at these latitudes in the past. But global warming is reshaping the picture: the ocean is warming, and with it the ranges of many species are changing. White sharks have a special ability — they can partially retain the heat produced by their muscles while swimming, giving them an advantage over other sharks in colder water. Still, their distribution is strongly dependent on ambient temperature, which also affects the prey they hunt. Cheung cites examples of other warm‑water species that are appearing more often off British Columbia — such as albacore tuna and sunfish.
The natural question arises: should people be worried when such large predators come so close to populated areas like Vancouver? According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, since 1950 the state has recorded 215 incidents involving all shark species, of which at least 188 involved great whites. But Professor Cheung reassures that shark attacks on people remain extremely rare globally. Moreover, Kara is still an uncommon visitor outside the usual range for these animals. Observing her gives scientists a unique opportunity to understand how marine predator behaviour is changing in response to new environmental conditions and could shed light on one of the biggest mysteries — where and how great whites give birth.
Seal pup in British Columbia entangled in fishing gear gets a second chance
A touching rescue unfolded on Canada's Pacific coast, reminding us of the fragility of marine life and the consequences of human activity. A young seal, harmed by plastic pollution in the ocean, was found in critical condition and given a second chance thanks to the efforts of specialists and caring members of the public. This case, reported by Canadian outlet CTV News, highlights the growing problem of marine mammals becoming entangled in fishing nets and other debris that kill thousands each year worldwide. The pup, very young and vulnerable, was discovered with fishing gear tightly wrapped around its body, causing deep wounds and severe emaciation.
The rescue began after witnesses alerted conservationists about the distressed animal. A team of veterinarians and volunteers from a marine animal rehabilitation centre quickly arrived to assess the situation. Freeing the seal pup from the gear was delicate and painstaking, since any careless movement could inflict further pain. It's important to note that such entanglements often lead to tissue necrosis and sepsis, so rescue is only the first step on a long road to recovery. After being freed, the animal was immediately taken to a specialised clinic where it received emergency care, wound treatment and a course of antibiotics.
Experts point out that this problem is far larger than a single case. Scientists estimate that thousands of seals, sea lions and other marine creatures become victims each year of so‑called "ghost" fishing gear — nets, ropes and trawls lost or discarded at sea. These materials continue killing for decades, becoming deadly traps. Veterinarians involved in rehabilitation stress: "Even if an animal is freed in time, the consequences can be irreversible. Seals often develop infections from deep cuts, as well as muscle atrophy from prolonged immobilisation."
To understand the complexity of the issue, it's important to explain what "ghost nets" are. These are fishing nets that have been lost at sea for various reasons — storms, improper handling or negligence. They drift in the ocean for years, continuing to catch fish, turtles, dolphins and seals. Animals trapped in them cannot escape on their own and either drown or die of hunger and injuries. The British Columbia seal pup was among the few lucky ones to receive timely help. Now, after several weeks of intensive therapy and care, its condition has stabilised. Specialists note progress in wound healing and regained strength, but they remain cautious: full recovery may take months, and some injuries could affect its future life in the wild. This case once again illustrates the global crisis of plastic pollution and the need to improve fishing practices to minimise harm to marine wildlife.
