Vancouver authorities have fast-tracked liquor permits for bars ahead of the Olympic hockey final. Major British Columbia developers are challenging $91M in tax assessments, saying it threatens construction projects. Vancouver police are seeking a possible witness to a crime.
Vancouver fast-tracks early liquor service permits ahead of Olympic hockey final
Vancouver authorities are quickly approving bar and restaurant applications to extend liquor service hours ahead of the men's Olympic hockey final between Canada and the United States, scheduled for Sunday. Some venues have already been permitted to begin serving alcohol at 5:30 a.m. local time so fans can gather to watch the highly anticipated game.
In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, city officials noted increased interest from establishments seeking to open earlier for this major event. As of Friday, 15 applications had been submitted, 12 of which have already been processed and forwarded to the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) for final approval. "Both organizations are processing permits quickly in response to requests related to this game," the statement said. Venues that have already received approval from both the city and the province include Bells and Whistles Pub on Fraser Street, Leopold’s Tavern on West Broadway, Shark Club on West Georgia Street, Craft Beer Market Restaurant & Bar on West 1st Avenue, The Pint Public House on Abbott Street, the Par-Tee Putt / Dublin Calling / Slate complex on Smithe Street, Steamworks Brewing Co. Kitchen & Taphouse on Main Street, Roxy Burger on Granville Street and Parq Casino on Smithe Street. Several other locations, including the Sands Motor Hotel on Davie Street, Rogers Arena on Griffiths Way, Kelly O’Bryan’s on West 7th Avenue and Joey’s Grill & Lounge on Burrard Street, have received city approval and are awaiting final decisions from the LCRB. Ian Tousteson, president and CEO of the British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association, praised the speed of processing, noting it’s a significant improvement over typical government response times. "I’m pleasantly surprised — this is exactly what we’ve been advocating for," he said in an interview with 1130 NewsRadio. He added that the precedent is encouraging ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when similar permits may be required for outdoor patios and large crowd service. "When we can actually fix things, move forward and act outside the box but responsibly, it’s very motivating," Tousteson emphasized. City staff continue to process the remaining applications while provincial officials work on final approvals to ensure everything is ready for Sunday’s game. Under the rules, temporary extensions to liquor licences for special events can be granted up to six times a year and require coordination at both the municipal and provincial levels. This case demonstrates regulator flexibility in response to major public events and their willingness to support local businesses by allowing venues to benefit from increased demand during large sporting events.
Major British Columbia developers challenge $91M tax bill
A major tax dispute in British Columbia could affect the real estate market and future construction. A group of companies controlled by prominent developer Terry Hui has filed for judicial review in the Federal Court of Canada, challenging tax assessments totaling more than $91 million. The developers say paying the amount would jeopardize their future construction projects. According to Business in Vancouver, the dispute follows a 12-year audit by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) covering 2007 to 2013.
Adex Securities Ltd., One West Holdings Ltd. and a related numbered B.C. company filed in court in early February seeking to prevent the issuance of tax assessments by the Minister of National Revenue. The CRA’s claims stem from an audit of payments to Luxembourg entities connected to the Hui group. Tax authorities examined possible tax avoidance and the so-called "treaty shopping" — situations where a tax treaty between countries is used primarily to minimize taxes. In this case the disputed transactions involved routing interest payments to companies in Luxembourg. The developers insist the transactions were not aimed at tax avoidance.
In their filing, the companies say they would suffer "irreparable harm" if forced to pay the $91 million tax liability plus interest. They say they could not "reasonably plan for a liability of that magnitude" without prior notice from the minister. According to the filing, losing $91 million in working capital would halt one or two construction projects. Toronto-based KPMG Law lawyer Justin Coutian, representing the developers, clarified that the concern is not about current projects but solely future projects that have not yet started. He also noted that the transactions in this case are similar to a tax structure upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2021 in the Alta Energy Luxembourg case.
That precedent is central to the present dispute. In that decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Alta Energy, which sought exemption from capital gains tax of more than $380 million under Canada’s tax treaty with Luxembourg. The court described Luxembourg as a "well-known international tax haven." It held that Canadian tax authorities could not use general anti-avoidance rules to "judicially rewrite or revise the treaty." The court concluded that Canada had effectively agreed to forgo taxing certain Luxembourg-resident companies in exchange for jobs and economic opportunities that the tax exemption for commercial property was meant to stimulate. As the court found, attempts to tax such a deal were improper because federal tax authorities were trying to "recast their bargain to secure both foreign investment and tax revenue." The audit of the B.C. companies occurred while the Alta case was before the courts, and the filing notes CRA officials acknowledged that Alta led to an "evolution of the law."
The companies also accuse the CRA of improper conduct, claiming the agency attempted to maximize the assessment amount near the end of the fiscal year to "improve performance metrics" while facing potential federal job cuts. The federal government has not yet filed a response, and court records indicate a hearing date has not been set. The dispute highlights the complex interplay between international tax planning, bilateral treaties and national tax authority powers. Its outcome could set an important precedent for other Canadian companies using cross-border structures and affect the investment climate in the real estate sector, particularly in a hot market like Vancouver and British Columbia in general.
Vancouver Police Department seeks possible witness to a crime
The Vancouver Police Department has appealed to the public for help locating a man who may have important information about a crime. The department published a description and images of the person in hopes of locating him.
In its notice posted on Castanet, the VPD says it is looking for a man who may be a key witness in an investigation of a crime. Law enforcement describes him as a white male in his 30s with short salt-and-pepper hair. At the time of the incident he was wearing a grey-and-black jacket and black pants. Constable Megan Lou explained the man may not know he is being sought and could have the missing piece of information investigators need to solve the case. For investigative reasons, details about the crime, which occurred in the fall of 2025, are not being released. Police are asking the man himself or anyone who recognizes him to contact investigators at 604-717-3321. Such public appeals are standard practice when investigators run out of leads and need citizens' help to reach potential witnesses who either haven’t seen the notices or don’t realize their information is relevant.
