business

Vancouver Builders Forced Underground as Extortion Crisis Spreads to Metro Core

Vancouver’s Punjabi builders are halting projects and removing site signs as a Surrey extortion wave spreads, threatening the city’s housing development.

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4 months ago

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The Rise of Construction Extortion

A wave of targeted extortion threats that began in Surrey has now officially crossed the Fraser River, deeply penetrating Vancouver’s Punjabi construction and development community. What started as localized harassment has escalated into a systemic public safety crisis, forcing many developers to scrub their online presence and remove identifying signage from active job sites to avoid becoming the next target.

A Climate of Fear and Anonymity

Builders in Vancouver are increasingly going dark, operating under a veil of anonymity to protect their families and employees. Industry insiders report receiving threatening calls demanding millions of dollars, often backed by the implied threat of violence. This atmosphere of intimidation follows a series of violent incidents in neighboring Surrey, including several shootings that police have directly linked to extortion attempts. The psychological toll is significant, with many builders expressing that they are living in constant fear for their lives.

Transparency Policies Under Fire

Developers are now pointing the finger at Vancouver City Hall, arguing that current municipal transparency policies are inadvertently serving as a directory for criminal syndicates. Publicly accessible permit databases allow anyone to view project values, developer names, and personal contact information with just a few clicks. In the current climate, builders argue this level of transparency is a liability and have called for temporary limits on public data access to prevent extortionists from scouting high-value targets.

Logistical Delays and Communication Breakdowns

The extortion crisis is creating practical hurdles for the city’s housing goals. Some builders are refusing to answer calls from blocked or private numbers—a common tactic for extortionists—which has led to missed communications with city inspectors. This friction has resulted in delayed inspections and stalled projects. While the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) has confirmed at least four active investigations, officials admit the true number of victims is likely much higher, as many fear the repercussions of coming forward.

Impact on the Housing Crisis

As the regional housing shortage intensifies, the slowing of construction activity due to safety concerns poses a serious threat to Vancouver’s residential supply. Industry advocates warn that if the city and provincial authorities do not take aggressive action to protect builders, the ripple effects could lead to a massive reduction in new housing starts, further driving up costs in an already unaffordable market.

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National Roundup: Alberta Proposes New B.C. Pipeline Amid Tribal Tensions and Stampede Kickoff

Alberta proposes a new B.C. pipeline as the Calgary Stampede kicks off. Plus, high airfares fail to deter travelers and U.S. tech dominates Canada’s cloud.

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2 days ago

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July 7, 2026

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Alberta Pushes New Pipeline Project to Pacific Coast

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has formally submitted a proposal for a new bitumen pipeline to the British Columbia coast, signaling a potential shift in Canada’s energy landscape. The announcement, made alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney in Calgary, outlines a route that closely parallels the existing Trans Mountain path. While Smith emphasized that the project would generate billions in revenue and provide ‘transformational wealth’ for partnering Indigenous communities, the proposal arrives during a period of high friction. Relations between the Alberta government and several First Nations have been strained for over a year due to disputes regarding the duty to consult on constitutional matters and legal battles over provincial sovereignty.

The Calgary Stampede Begins with Olympic Flair

The city of Calgary has officially transitioned into festival mode with the launch of the world-famous Calgary Stampede. Leading this year’s parade are Olympic medalists Mikael Kingsbury and Courtney Sarault, who served as parade marshals for the downtown procession. Despite the early morning start, thousands of residents and tourists lined the streets to celebrate the region’s western heritage. The 10-day event remains a cornerstone of Alberta’s cultural and tourism economy, drawing international attention even as the province navigates complex political and industrial debates.

Economic Resilience: Travel Demand and Tech Dominance

Despite domestic airfares sitting 11 per cent higher than last year, Canadian travelers are showing remarkable resilience. Major carriers like Air Canada report that demand for summer flights remains in the ‘green,’ even as fuel costs fluctuate and international conflicts shift travel patterns. Meanwhile, a new report from the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project reveals that U.S. tech giants Amazon, Microsoft, and Google currently control 85 per cent of Canada’s cloud infrastructure. This data arrives just as the federal government prepares to launch a national AI strategy focused on ‘sovereign compute infrastructure’ to ensure Canadian data and innovation remain under domestic governance.

Sports: Switzerland Advances at BC Place

On the pitch, Switzerland secured a 2-0 victory over Algeria at BC Place, keeping their World Cup aspirations alive while eliminating the North African side. The win ensures the Swiss team will remain in Vancouver for their third consecutive match next Tuesday. The tournament has drawn significant local support, highlighting the city’s role as a key host in the international soccer landscape.

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business

Markets Outlook: Trump Economic Forecasts, Fed Speculation, and Surging Prediction Volumes

Explore Monday’s market outlook featuring Trump’s economic interviews, surging prediction market volumes, and upcoming Fed minutes and corporate earnings.

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3 days ago

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July 6, 2026

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Mixed Market Open Following Historic Highs

Wall Street is bracing for a complex start to the week as stock futures show mixed movement on Monday morning. This cautious positioning comes on the heels of a triumphant week for equities, during which the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a new all-time high. Investors are currently weighing a cooling labor market against the potential for shifting Federal Reserve policy, particularly after Thursday’s weaker-than-expected jobs report fueled optimism that interest rate hikes may finally be off the table.

Trump Discusses Economic Vision and AI Superiority

In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with CNBC, former President Donald Trump outlined a bold economic agenda ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Trump emphasized a push for domestic independence in the semiconductor industry, stating he expects 40% to 60% of chip manufacturing to be based in the U.S. by the end of a potential second term. Furthermore, he labeled Artificial Intelligence as a technological shift “bigger than the internet,” asserting that the U.S. currently maintains a critical lead. Notably, Trump suggested the U.S. GDP should ideally sit between 12% and 13%, a target significantly higher than historical averages.

The Rise of Prediction Markets and Sports Diplomacy

The FIFA World Cup is driving unprecedented volume into prediction market platforms. Notional volume on Kalshi surged over 70% in June to exceed $31 billion, while Polymarket set a new record with over $10.8 billion in monthly volume. This surge in speculative interest coincides with high-stakes sports drama, as FIFA recently reversed a suspension for U.S. Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun following reports that Trump requested a review of the decision. Balogun is expected to play in today’s critical knockout match against Belgium.

Strategic Shifts in Consumer Behavior

Corporate earnings and consumer trends are also in focus this week. The Museum of American Finance has debuted its new Boston headquarters, featuring an AI-generated Alexander Hamilton, signaling a merger of historical education and modern tech. Meanwhile, the travel industry is seeing a shift away from the traditional “Eurosummer” as Americans increasingly opt for fall travel to avoid extreme heat waves and peak pricing. Investors will be monitoring this trend as Delta Air Lines, PepsiCo, and Levi Strauss prepare to report quarterly results later this week.

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business

The End of an Era: CBC to Stop Airing NHL Games as ‘Hockey Night in Canada’ Leaves Free TV

CBC and Sportsnet end their 74-year partnership, moving Hockey Night in Canada exclusively to Sportsnet and marking the end of free NHL games on Canadian TV.

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3 weeks ago

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June 17, 2026

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A Cultural Mainstay Fades from the Public Airwaves

For more than seven decades, Saturday nights in Canada were defined by the glowing blue light of the television and the iconic theme of Hockey Night in Canada. On Tuesday, that era officially came to a close as Sportsnet and CBC announced the termination of the sub-licensing agreement that kept NHL games on the public broadcaster. The move marks the end of a 74-year tradition of free hockey on Canadian television, shifting the national pastime exclusively behind a paywall.

The Economics of the Ice

The transition began in earnest in 2014 when Rogers Communications Inc. secured a massive $5.2-billion, 12-year national rights deal. While CBC continued to air the games through a partnership with Sportsnet, the landscape of media consumption has shifted dramatically. Rogers has now entered a new 12-year, $11-billion agreement with the NHL and is seeking to consolidate its viewership. According to Sportsnet spokesperson Jason Jackson, viewership for early Saturday night games on CBC had declined by 70 per cent since 2014, as fans increasingly migrated to digital platforms and specialty sports channels.

A Pivot Toward Amateur Sports

The loss of the NHL leaves a significant void in CBC’s prime-time programming, which previously relied on hockey to draw its largest weekly audiences. In response, the public broadcaster announced plans to launch a new Saturday night program focused on amateur, Olympic, and Paralympic athletes. While this aligns with CBC’s renewed focus on the amateur sector—a strategy adopted after being priced out of professional hockey rights—the move signals a fundamental change in how Canadians access their most popular sport.

The Normalized Pay-to-Play Model

Industry experts suggest that the public’s appetite for streaming services has made this transition possible. Michael Naraine, an associate professor at Brock University, noted that Rogers is no longer concerned about a public backlash over the removal of hockey from free TV. With the normalization of over-the-top streaming services and the rising cost of sports rights, Rogers is positioning its media division as a premium offering, particularly as it moves toward full ownership of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

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