Driving through the Fraser Valley on the Trans-Canada Highway, I encountered several separate improvement projects. Vehicles would stop at one roadblock, resume travel, reach another, stop again, and then repeat the process. I wondered why highway engineers didn’t put larger crews to work in a single section, finish that part of the road, and then move on to the next…
A decade ago, the New York Times included American cartoonist Jen Sorensen on a short list of the “most gifted lifters of political veils and pretenses.” Her work might be more relevant in 2025 than it has ever been.
Since actual annual payments are almost 3x the contractual obligation, it looks like the $400 million Sea to Sky Highway improvement project will involve payments to the private partner of $1.5 billion. And remember, the province financed one third of the project’s construction cost while the P3 financed two thirds…
After banking large contributions from taxi owners, governing BC Liberals had declined to change provincial rules to allow ride hailing. They also failed to ensure adequate expansion of fleet sizes. Decades of government protection of the taxi industry resulted in value of a Vancouver taxi license being worth up to $1 million. Now in opposition, Wilkinson’s Liberals, supported by BC Greens, are keen to open the market to Uber and Lyft. In my view, the non-governing parties are mistaken. In most cases, facilitating the gig economy is not good public policy. Opening doors to Uber and Lyft means traffic congestion will worsen, transit use will lessen, large sums will flow to overseas tax havens, and government revenues will reduce…
Today, a poll from Mario Canseco’s Research Co. reported, “The governing New Democratic Party (NDP) is the top choice in British Columbia’s current political landscape…” This might explain why some scribblers in the Press Gallery are focused on rebuilding the BC Liberal brand.
Since toll revenue at Port Mann has covered only 39% of operating costs, the BC Government needs to explain how it will finance existing and future shortfalls on Port Mann/Highway 1. These are growing by about $5 million a month and paying for an even more costly tunnel replacement will demand a solution. One possibility was proposed in the original Gateway Program. It contemplated: “…tolling of all bridges connecting to the Burrard Peninsula, including the Lions Gate, Ironworkers Memorial, Pitt River, Port Mann, Pattullo, Alex Fraser, Knight Street, Oak Street and Arthur Laing bridges…”
A 2-inch pipe between 1/2-inch pipes will not increase flow but will increase costs. #bcpoli #RichmondBC #surreybc pic.twitter.com/3elfTRRLbo — Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) December 19, 2015 H/T: RobS More lanes, less congestion? […]
When financial people mention “sunk costs,” they refer to expenditures that cannot be recovered. Almost 15 years ago, BC politicians learned the investment of hundreds of millions for fast-ferries had to be […]
It’s time for the Liberal government to explain what might happen next. The Port Mann bridge and highway project cost $3.3 billion but we’ve seen that provided no protection from ice falls. […]
The Millau Bridge, crossing the River Tarn in southern France, is the highest road bridge in the world. It is almost certainly the most beautiful, stunning from every angle. Gwen and I […]
The reason for ice bombs dropping onto vehicles from the $3 Billion Port Mann bridge? Take a look. Compare the Alex Fraser bridge. On the new Port Mann, the bridge decks, east […]
Remember when Dave Crebo, the PABster speaking for the Ministry of Transportation, insisted to Laila Yuile we pay no shadow tolls to ease the passage of snow bunnies headed for Whistler? I am […]
The defining moment of Bill Clinton’s political career might be his statement to a grand jury, claiming he wasn’t lying about Monica Lewinsky when he said, “There’s nothing going on between us.” […]
From Stephen Rees’s blog, Why do I talk to the CBC?: Gordon Campbell – like most politicians – loves being on tv. He enjoys the ribbon cutting moments, and always has a […]
It could have been much worse... When New Mexico’s Democratic Governor Lujan Grisham learned that Donald Trump wanted her state…
On the subject of costly blunders should we add Alberta's Referendum on Independence? With 76% of Albertans rejecting the idea…
Someone who isn't likely to nap... Liz Oyer While remaining remarkably composed former US Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer explains what…
It didn’ t take long before Calgary’s bus explosion made international headlines. Small wonder. If the same incident occurred during…
A surprise from India? Indian court orders Big Pharma to cut drug costs? https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/oct/23/india-cuts-cost-cancer-drugs India slashes cost of cancer drugs…