Issues affecting vancouverites

[illicitstylz]

DTES.

[Greenstoner]

lower the taxi fare and lower the beer price

[Eastwood]

Issues affecting Islanders - fare increase of BC Ferries. It's so hard to come over to the mainland now. I remember being a kid and coming to Vancouver a couple times a summer. With prices well over $100 return ticket the trips are becoming less and less frequent.

[tool001]

Originally Posted by Eastwood

Issues affecting Islanders - fare increase of BC Ferries. It's so hard to come over to the mainland now. I remember being a kid and coming to Vancouver a couple times a summer. With prices well over $100 return ticket the trips are becoming less and less frequent.

lol dont lower, make a bike lane on the water to victoria

[bing]

Originally Posted by Captain Picard

people who think of Canada as a "Holiday" so they can leech on our benefits
http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_...118685289.html

This sparked a lot of controversy in the Richmond locale, with a whackload of letters speaking against this guy

http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_...inion/letters/

I like the fact Ray is straight up. I already knew this was the case for some people, but this is going to stir some good debate.

call it what you want, but just cause you're living here doesn't mean its free medicare, education - they are eligible to pay the rate the government sets. In fact, the government is very welcoming of them, we need them to support our economy.

Our borders have never been freely open to anyone. There are a number of historical facts in Canada that can attest to this (i.e. Chinese railway workers).
Chinese can immigrate as either

1)skilled worker class
2)business/investor class (minimum 400k)

In fact, you can safely say that the government uses them as much as they use our services. If you feel resentment, direct it to your government.

The only thing I can agree with is that he should have made it more clear that his views signified those of "ex-pat Chinese" and not so much local Chinese. It is quite clear most of the angry replies are from Chinese who come from blue collar families.

In fact, I would argue that lazy people on our welfare system, homeless people, DTES residents that use up all our emergency services are the real leeches. If you're gonna bitch, start here. Funny how these immigrants are better for our country than some of our own citizens.

[Sid Vicious]

Originally Posted by Captain Picard

people who think of Canada as a "Holiday" so they can leech on our benefits
http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_...118685289.html

wow...whata fucking parasite. this is the cancer that is killing richmond

[Jsunu]

Originally Posted by Sid Vicious

wow...whata fucking parasite. this is the cancer that is killing richmond

How can they be considered a cancer if they are investing/spending money here and paying taxes (i am aware of those who don't but they are a minority).

To be honest, the only real problem they are causing in Richmond (and a GVR) is the fact that they are not attempting to adopt any sort of Canadian culture (while substituting their own) and they are inflating the housing market.

The real parasites are those people who leech off the system because they can, individuals who collect welfare/EI despite the fact they are physically able to work yet still maintain all the benefits alloted to a honest tax payer.

[TheKingdom2000]

Originally Posted by Mr.HappySilp

lower the tax!

You do know that BC has one of the lowest taxes in Canada right?

[nabs]

permanent bike lanes in downtown is a waste of money and space...

[Mananetwork]

I don't mind the bike lanes because it cuts down on congestion but the tunnel between false creek and downtown is just stupid!!

http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion...116/story.html

[bing]

Originally Posted by Jsunu

How can they be considered a cancer if they are investing/spending money here and paying taxes (i am aware of those who don't but they are a minority).

To be honest, the only real problem they are causing in Richmond (and a GVR) is the fact that they are not attempting to adopt any sort of Canadian culture (while substituting their own) and they are inflating the housing market.

The real parasites are those people who leech off the system because they can, individuals who collect welfare/EI despite the fact they are physically able to work yet still maintain all the benefits alloted to a honest tax payer.

^agreed

As for the housing issue, we can't go around preaching neoliberalism (FYI China is emulating Western economic model) and not expect other people to buy up property here, that would be so hypocritical. This is just the effect of an economic system based on supply/demand. Go visit New York City, it's even more expensive to buy property.

I would argue that because of the inflated house values, many people are now rich on paper, and if they cash out, well they just secured a nice retirement fund for themselves. Money they never would have had.

[Klobbersaurus]

Originally Posted by mx703

You do know that BC has one of the lowest taxes in Canada right?

lowest taxes in canada but highest gas prices, lowest min wage, highest cost of living

[jasonturbo]

I would have to say the biggest problem here is the cost of housing, it's simply retarded.

Next in line is HWY 1 from North Van to Abby... should be minimum 3 lanes the entire way.

[Jgresch]

How do any of these things relate to the book 1984?

[El Bastardo]

Originally Posted by Mananetwork

I don't mind the bike lanes because it cuts down on congestion but the tunnel between false creek and downtown is just stupid!!

http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion...116/story.html

I love you. Don't ever change

[Tapioca]

Originally Posted by bing

^agreed

As for the housing issue, we can't go around preaching neoliberalism (FYI China is emulating Western economic model) and not expect other people to buy up property here, that would be so hypocritical. This is just the effect of an economic system based on supply/demand. Go visit New York City, it's even more expensive to buy property.

New York City has higher wages to support a more expensive housing market, while Vancouver does not. Many people argue that off-shore investors should pay higher taxes than permanent residents/citizens because they do nothing else to contribute to the economy here. I am told that other cities tax off-shore investors.

lowest taxes in canada but highest gas prices, lowest min wage, highest cost of living

- The minimum wage issue is getting fixed (though of course, there are plenty of arguments against the idea.)
- There's nothing the government can do about gas prices. The oil companies charge what the market will bear and until people do something about it, they can continue to charge the prices we pay.
- If you exclude housing and gas, the cost of living in Vancouver isn't that bad. Food in Vancouver is actually quite cheap (if you keep dining out to a minimum) and most of all, it's fresh. Hydro is relatively cheap as well.

[cressydrift]

Your project should really be ' Why Vancouver is the best city in the world!'.

The biggest problem in Vancouver are all the people that complain. Seriously, Vancouver is one the best cities in the world, if not the best. The downtown east side is NOTHING compared to parts of Asia, Middle East, Africa and South America. Most people living in the eastside are there by choice due to drug use (Not all, but most).

It just hit me while I was thinking about this. The one problem with Vancouver, is that its residents don't enjoy what it has to offer enough. Nature. We have the wealth of the world in trees, fresh water lakes, rivers, trees, coastlines and mountains. Most people spend there entire life in the cities and suburbs complaining about all the daily bull shit when they can drive an hour in any direction (relative) and be surrounded by nothing but nature.

Who gives a fuck about bike lanes. I would rather have bike lanes than IEDS. I would rather have rising house prices then a bubble burst. I would rather have free health care to none. I like being able to drink fresh water and know my food isn't going to give me the shits... How about I like having food and water.

[quasi]

Originally Posted by Mananetwork

I don't mind the bike lanes because it cuts down on congestion but the tunnel between false creek and downtown is just stupid!!

http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion...116/story.html

Wait till Critical mass fills the tunnel, block off both ends and puncture that pitch so it fill up. The world is all the sudden a better place.

[Drow]

Inflated real estate market, shootings, lack of things to do other than downtown
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[lowda9]

The roads!! they are so shitty especially nanaimo st. I dont think there is enough funding for the roads and traffic system here as traffic is so bad especially highway 1. The stop lights are not synchronized either. Its green, red, green, red, you never get a straight shot. In the states, most of the time I'm able to go through more than 1 stop light before stopping.

[EuterVanWasser]

Originally Posted by Tapioca

- The minimum wage issue is getting fixed (though of course, there are plenty of arguments against the idea.)

My problem with minimum wage getting 'fixed' is it's hurting a lot of family with children in day care, etc. Hard to keep on top of your bills with our housing costs in Vancouver, and minimum wage going up by like 25% in the next year will result in a direct increase in childcare costs.

I know it's a limited lens to look at that issue through, but it's chafing my hide right now - I've got two kids 5 and under and this is a major issue to me.

[BNR32_Coupe]

Housing costs

[Matlock]

Originally Posted by BNR32_Coupe

Housing costs

+1
I'm not sure how or when a young blue collar worker such as myself will be able to afford to purchase my own home in the future with these prices.
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[jack3d]

Pretty sure the tunnel thing is a April fools joke

[Datsun]

I dont see any connections yet with 1984, but here's a cool illustration that might give you some ideas?