Category Archives: Front Page
Airbnb stops offering cash refunds for COVID-19 cancellations as platform cuts costs to survive pandemic
Airbnb is no longer offering full cash refunds for guests who have had to cancel their stay due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, as the short term rental platform takes drastic measures to survive travel slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Airbnb asks government to bail out hosts in Canada
Airbnb spent the last decade ruthlessly going after all levels of government to remove or water down housing rules that stand in the way of long term rental units being turned into irregular hotels. Airbnb hosts labelled government attempts to
Robocalls, ethics violations and other Scheer Scandals
By Rohana Rezel Andrew Scheer wants Canadians to believe that he’s squeaky clean and has spent the entire campaign painting his opponents as corrupt, untrustworthy, and unethical. What Andrew Scheer wants Canadians to forget is that his own closet is
International students in British Columbia pour $1.77-billion into provincial GDP, according to new report
By Marina Wang A new report produced by the British Columbia Federation of Students found that international students contributed substantially to the province’s economy: in 2015 international students added $3.117-billion in spending, created 26,000 jobs and contributed $1.77-billion to the
Researchers use genetic algorithm to predict city growth
By Marina Wang Inspired by natural biological systems, researchers are using an evolutionary genetics algorithm to predict the future skylines of cities. The model uses historic and economic data as input and then models the number of buildings as well
BC gaming industry says it’s ready for money laundering crackdown
By Drew Penner If you talk to the guys behind gambling and scratch tickets in British Columbia they’ll proudly point out they pad the provincial government with more revenue than the gas tax, forestry or natural gas does. But they’re
Most Vancouver houses sold below assessment in May
By ThinkPol Staff The number of Vancouver detached houses selling below assessed value in May outnumbered those selling for more, with some going as low as 32% below, making it the fourth month in row that a majority of Vancouver
David Eby invites opponents to protest at his housing town hall
By ThinkPol Staff British Columbia Attorney General David Eby is inviting opponents to protest outside his Housing Town Hall 2.0 scheduled for Monday. “There is adequate protest space outside, and we expect media to attend and cover any protest that
On the Fringes: Surrey’s Affordability Defence Strategy
By Drew Penner The general wisdom on a place like Surrey is that it has escaped the worst ravages of Airbnb ascendancy, maintaining its identity as a place Canadians new and old can go to make serious strides towards financial
Ontario election: Ford scrutinized for lack of campaign platform, Horwarth under pressure to go for a win
By Marina Wang Leaders of the Ontario Liberals, Progressive Conservatives and New Democrats squared off in the final election debate on Sunday evening. Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne and New Democrat leader Andrea Horwath repeatedly prodded at Progressive Conservative leader Doug
