In Vancouver there's debate over a school project in the Olympic Village, Forbes highlighted the best hotels in British Columbia, and provincial authorities want to host a new international defense bank in the city.
School in Vancouver's Olympic Village: 19 years of waiting and the latest disputes
After nearly two decades of promises, delays and public consultations, the fate of a much‑needed elementary school in Vancouver's Olympic Village neighbourhood is finally being decided. However, the latest hurdle before the city council’s final vote has sparked new disagreements in the community. According to CBC News, some residents oppose the enlarged project while others insist a bigger school is critical for the growing area.
The history of this project is a clear illustration of how slow and complicated urban planning can be in Vancouver. A site for a school in the Olympic Village was first identified in the city plan back in 2007. The lack of a school became an acute problem about ten years ago, when enrollment at nearby institutions increased to the point that waiting lists for kindergarten spots were formed annually. Only in 2020 did the government promise to build a school for the neighbourhood, and funding of CAD 150 million was allocated only four years later. In the meantime the population of the area grew, and the Vancouver School Board deemed it necessary to increase the planned capacity of the school. That required a zoning amendment because the original 2007 permit set a maximum building height of 13.5 metres. The rezoning process took nine months and became a point of contention.
A group of residents called "Voices of the Village" has actively campaigned against the new, larger project. They fear the consequences of expanding the school from 350 to 630 students. Joyce Rezyn, who lives across from the site proposed for construction, says it would be "the biggest mistake the city has ever made" with lasting negative effects on the neighbourhood. Opponents point to potential traffic problems, strain on infrastructure and loss of green space. They propose building the school according to the original, smaller plan and directing the remaining funds to improvements at surrounding schools. Kathy Thornicroft, a former principal and assistant superintendent and now a local resident, notes that the atmosphere in a 350‑student school is fundamentally different from that in a 630‑student school. She criticizes the process as insufficiently thought out, while acknowledging that the delay in building a school for parents is unacceptable.
On the other hand, many residents, especially parents, support the increased capacity. Jason Lyons, one of those supporters, reasons logically: if the initial plan was drawn up 19 years ago and the school will only be built by 2029, planning needs to be future‑proof. He bluntly says the city "has done a poor job of planning to date." This position appears to have greater traction with authorities. The school board and provincial government support the project, and the number of letters to the mayor in its favor has been record‑breaking over the past 12 months. All political parties have previously complained about the slow pace of school approvals. Thus, despite protests, the project is expected to be approved at the public hearings on Thursday.
Nevertheless, the protracted debate itself highlights a systemic problem. As the article notes, the process has become an example of how conflicts form in Vancouver planning and how it can take a generation to agree to build a single school. Even if approved this week, the school will open only in 2029. That is enough time, from the start of the process, for a child born in the neighbourhood to grow up and finish any nearby middle school. The irony and tragedy of the situation, according to Kathy Thornicroft, is that the rezoning process itself only delays the long‑awaited construction that the neighbourhood so desperately needs.
Forbes Travel Guide awards: Which Vancouver and British Columbia hotels were named among the world's best
The annual prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards, which set the benchmarks for luxury in the hotel industry, have once again recognized several hotels in Vancouver and across British Columbia. This was the 68th presentation of ratings, which are awarded based on secret inspections and strict standards.
This year the only Vancouver hotel to receive the top five‑star rating was the Fairmont Pacific Rim. Notably, the hotel's spa also received five stars, underscoring an exceptional level of service. That hotel had previously been recognized by U.S. News. The four‑star Forbes rating was given to several well‑known Vancouver hotels: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Paradox Hotel Vancouver, Rosewood Hotel Georgia, and the Spa by JW at JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. Hotels awarded "Recommended" status included the St. Regis Hotel, Sutton Place Hotel and JW Marriott Parq Vancouver itself. Vancouver Island hotels were not overlooked: the legendary Fairmont Empress in Victoria and the Magnolia Hotel & Spa received recommendations. The popular Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, already repeatedly recognized with awards, also earned the coveted "Recommended" distinction.
What sets Forbes Travel Guide's rankings apart is its methodology. As noted in Daily Hive, the ratings are objective, independent and data‑driven. Forbes inspectors work incognito, visiting hotels, restaurants and spas as ordinary guests, paying for services themselves and checking hundreds of strict standards. Although the quality and condition of facilities matter, 70% of the final score depends on the level of service, reflecting the key role of the human factor in defining true luxury. These awards are especially relevant as traveler interest in the region grows ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, part of which will be played in Vancouver. Recognition from Forbes serves as an important guide for tourists seeking an impeccable experience and confirms the high standing of British Columbia’s hospitality industry on the world stage.
British Columbia wants to be home to a new international defense bank
The government of British Columbia is actively backing a private bid to host a new international financial institution in Vancouver that would finance military projects for democratic countries. Premier David Eby called Vancouver a "strategic choice" for this purpose, emphasizing the region’s growing geopolitical role.
The idea of a Defense, Security and Resilience Bank, reported by Castanet, is to finance military projects for NATO members and their allies. Although Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto were also considered as possible Canadian headquarters, Premier Eby insists that if the country wins the international competition, Vancouver is the "obvious" choice. This position was voiced at a press conference at Seaspan’s shipyard in North Vancouver, symbolically underlining the initiative’s ties to local industrial and defense capacity, particularly shipbuilding.
A key argument in favor of Vancouver is its unique geographic position. Brigitte Anderson, president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, who also chairs the bid committee for the bank, describes the city as a "three‑continent bridge" connecting Europe, the Asia‑Pacific region and the Arctic. In her view, the bank would be more than a financial institution — it would be "an important tool of security," and locating it in Vancouver would give it a "strategic advantage." This reflects a broader trend of rethinking Canada’s role in the world. As David Eby notes, the country's "center" is no longer solely in eastern Canada as the nation seeks to deepen relationships not only with the United States but also with fast‑growing economies in Asia. Thus, the bid to host the bank is part of a strategy to strengthen Canada’s Pacific‑facing foreign policy and economic orientation, with Vancouver seen as the natural gateway.
The concept of an international bank specifically financing defense projects is relatively new. Such a bank could become a specialized institution, similar to the World Bank but focused on collective security for democratic states, helping them jointly finance the development and procurement of military technologies, infrastructure modernization and other defense‑related initiatives. The rivalry among Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal highlights domestic competition between Canadian cities for status as global financial and strategic centers. Provincial government and business community support, as in British Columbia’s case, is crucial to the success of any such international bid. The decision on where to locate the bank’s headquarters will have long‑term consequences, potentially attracting experts, capital and increasing the chosen city’s influence on the global security stage.
