webmaster Sixty-nine per cent of B.C. homeowners believe that ‘mortgage rates will be higher in one year’s time’, and ninety-nine per cent agree that ‘homebuyers need to think ahead and be sure that if rates rise they will still be able to pay their mortgage,’ according to the 17th Annual RBC Homeownership Survey, conducted by Ipsos … Read more
At the Port Moody City Council meeting last week David Spence, an avid promoter of community arts, gave a presentation to the leaders of the “City of the Arts”. Coastal Sound Music Academy choirs from the Tri-Cities were well represented during the weeks of the Olympic and Paralympic GAMES. The Children’s Choir sang at a … Read more
Re/max has recently been practicing pure “puffery”, conducting a national radio and TV advertising campaign that claims they are, “Canada’s Favourite Agents”. While new agents are taught that you can’t make such claims unless the source or basis on which the claim is based accompanies the ad, most tenured agents know better. Since any claims … Read more
Since there was no remaining meaningful consumer protection activities or responsibilities being conducted at the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO), it is no surprise to learn that the HPO is quietly closing its doors. HOMEOWNER PROTECTION ACT RESPONSIBILITIES TRANSFERRED The announcement last summer that the HPO interest-free loan program (designed to keep Leaky Condo owners in … Read more
“End of an Era” is a national commemorative ceremony honouring all of Canada’s First World War service men and women. Arras, Amiens, Passchendaele, the Somme, Vimy and Ypres, where thousands of Canadians fought and died more than 90 years ago, was an era that transformed our identity as a country. Minister of Veterans Affairs, The … Read more
The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics have been an amazing experience. People walking the Downtown during the Games mostly described it as “electric”, and I certainly felt it. I saw the stunned surprise and glowing delight of international visitors from every continent as they took in Vancouver and reveled in the excitement. Sitting in the German … Read more
Third Evergreen station & Murray-Clarke connector are crucial, says committee… The Editor, A copy of a letter to Shirley Bond, B.C.’s minister of transportation and infrastructure: I represent the Port Moody Western Station Committee, an organization comprised of a diverse range of more than 50 local residents, property owners and business operators working collaboratively on … Read more
February 28th, could become a new National Holiday. That is, when we know the outcome of the men’s hockey finals. No matter what political party affiliation, the Vancouver 2010 party has brought together all Canadians from coast to coast to coast. My favourite part of this year so far has been the Olympic Games relegating … Read more
Canada’s last known Veteran of the First World War, John “Jack” Babcock, passed away on February 18, 2010, marking the end of an era in Canada’s military history. Canada’s population was less than eight million people when WWI broke out in 1914, but more than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served overseas to protect the peace … Read more
If the subject sounds something like Brian Burke’s, “…pugnacity, testosterone, truculence and belligerence“, hockey quote, well it’s not quite. The subject is the words of another Irishman, The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, who on February 16th announced a number of measured steps aimed at supporting the long-term stability of Canada’s housing market and … Read more