Liberal considers 'no' vote on treaty

For the first time, a Liberal MLA is speaking out against the Tsawwassen treaty.Days after the New Democratic Party caucus suspended one of its MLAs for opposing the proposed settlement, Dennis MacKay said yesterday he, too, may vote against the deal when it comes before the legislature next month.

Liberals won't allow reduction in ridings

The British Columbia government is changing the rules to ensure that no rural ridings are lost through electoral boundary reform. The province's Electoral Boundaries Commission recommended this year that five seats be added to the legislature for the Okanagan and Vancouver areas, but it also said three ridings in rural B.C. should be scrapped. Premier Gordon Campbell announced yesterday that his government will introduce legislation next month to bar the commission from reducing the number of ridings, while giving it the legal ability to carry on and recommend new boundaries. The new legislation will also direct the commission to allocate an additional five seats to reflect population growth.

Highway to undergo OIympic tryouts

Olympic organizers are about to begin dress rehearsals for the vital fleet of buses that will carry spectators along the challenging Sea-to-Sky Highway connecting Vancouver and Whistler.Word of the plan came during a news conference yesterday to discuss a three-day visit to Vancouver this week by the co-ordination commission of the International Olympic Committee.

Grieving brother snags plane-crash clue

After two years trolling the ocean floor near Vancouver Island and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, Kevin Decock may finally hold the key to what caused a float plane to crash and kill five people including his two brothers.

Liberals challenge B.C.'s outdated mental-health policy

The B.C. government, preparing to rewrite the province's decade-old strategy on mental health, is taking aim at the policy of discharging the mentally ill into the community - an approach that has turned the streets of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside into a human warehouse for those with serious psychiatric disorders.

Vancouver mayor supports smoking crackdown

Mayor Sam Sullivan is backing a municipal smoking crackdown that would include the elimination of smoking on all restaurant patios and near entryways to buildings as well as at transit shelters.

Increase in 'open-air violence' powered by province's drug trade

The litany of gang-related gunplay on Vancouver's streets - and the danger to innocent bystanders - is being fuelled by the province's rich drug trade and the rise of new gangs looking to cash in, police say.

Treaty ratification dividing New Democrats

B.C. politicians will return to Victoria next month to ratify a native treaty that has divided the opposition New Democratic Party.The centrepiece of the fall session, set to begin Oct. 15, will be a vote on the proposed Tsawwassen treaty.

Cutting edge appeals to Pelley

Bringing the Vancouver Olympics into Canadian homes in 2010 will be the largest broadcasting initiative ever in this country, and the most challenging. For Keith Pelley, the opportunity to run the operation was too good to turn down.

WHAT'S ON AT FRINGE

Just five days left of the Vancouver International Fringe Festival, and here are this year's best bets.Get Off The Cross, Mary***1/2It is amazing what puppets can get away with. Bruthe is a once-famous gay puppet who is making his big comeback by creating and starring in a queer disco version of The Passion of the Christ along with two other questionably stellar puppets. As one character says, ''I'll see you tomorrow at noon. God will have to find his own way there.'' If you're not averse to sacrilege or raunchy humour - seriously, this stuff would land Pat Robertson in the hospital - it's one of the laugh-out-loud funniest shows at this year's Fringe. Sept. 13,14,15, various times. $10. Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright St., 604-981-3764

Vancouver: Davie Day

"We argue why we have to shout, all in all it's nice to be out." A few photos taken during Davie Day last weekend - I liked it most for all the colors you could find, there were so many face painting booths set up everywhere. ...

The Northwest Division

The Vancouver Canucks rode the brilliance of Roberto Luongo to the division title last season. And barring injury, Luongo will keep the Canucks in the hunt ...

Vancouver: Kits Beach at sunset

"I walked on with the sun in my eyes" We've been having beautiful days, not too hot but bright sun shining all day long. The other day I was home and the sun was starting to set, and the light outside my windows was just begging me for ...

Vancouver Film Festival launches eco award

Garbage Warrior, Oliver Hodge?s portrait of this environmental rebrand makes you want to drop everything and start building Reynolds-style ?Earthships?.

Buy the New Vancouver Canucks Jerseys

New Vancouver Canucks Rbk EDGE NHL Jersey for 2007-2008.

14. Underdog (7/10)

Family comedy with Alex Neuberger & Amy Adams.

13. Shoot 'Em Up (7.1/10)

Action thriller with Clive Owen & Monica Bellucci.

20070912-5- Vancouver

roland posted a photo:. 20070912-5- Vancouver.

First Nations disagree on land claims in Treaty

There could be a legal speed bump when it comes to the ratification of the Tsawwassen First Nation Treaty.

Court gives nod to Civil Liberties Association

A Federal Court ruling will allow the BC Civil Liberties Association to take aim at the Chair of the RCMP Public Complaints Commission over what the Association says was an attempt to scuttle a complaint they lodged in the in-custody ...

Kwan calls on Premier to stir up VANOC on housing

As the International Olympic Committee wrapped up it's three days of meetings with VANOC Thursday, a New Democrat MLA says time is ticking for making good on social housing promises.

Salsa & Agave Mexican Grill | Vancouver, BC

With new restaurants springing up nearly every day in Vancouver, competition ought to be fierce. You?d think restaurant owners would strive to keep customers coming in. Not always so. Last week, Marcelo and I stopped at an unnamed ...