“While the news is full of warnings about a national housing slowdown and shaky global economic future, the Vancouver region has had a building boom almost equal to pre-recession years.” …
“Some cities are crowing about their success, as Vancouver did last week, noting that it has processed building permits worth $1.1-billion in construction value for the first six months of the year.” …
That prompted Mayor Gregor Robertson’s office to issue a statement about the encouraging numbers and the reasons.
“After keeping taxes low, and maintaining permit processing times despite higher volumes, this is further evidence that Vancouver’s economic action strategy is working to create highly skilled and high-paying new jobs,” he said.
- from ‘B.C. building boom nears pre-recession levels’, G&M, 3 Sep 2012
We’re hearing innumerable stories about existing condo stock that isn’t selling, and yet there seems to be more construction going on than ever before. It appears our city has become even more overly dependent on the RE industry in recent months; it’s almost the only game in town.
Throw gasoline on a waning fire and things look bright for a few seconds more.
- vreaa
If real estate creates higly skilled jobs, then what kind of jobs are created in Sillicon Valley?
In Vancouver’s bizarro world, real estate construction is considered high tech.
Frances Bula, one of the few actual journalists in Vancouver, has my respect, but this article is a superficial puff-piece.
Jesse, quick, send that presentation to the Mayor.
LOL And what? The guy is de facto CEO of an entity who derives 25% of its revenue from taxing construction activity. If ’09 was any guide he’d react by wooing builders with even more tax breaks.
When you hear terms like “economic action strategy” or “sustainable economic growth” or “smart growth”, it is all part of the UN’s Agenda 21.
And to make sure the next generation complies with their agenda, they’re even changing the way students learn so they can be financially, economically and morally illiterate. How so? Easy, they change the education system to be based on values, not proven facts.
It’ll make you cringe knowing what these politicians are proposing without even reading or knowing some of the legislation they pass. Read about it. It’s disturbing and needs to be stopped.
Who are these non-elected people telling our voted government how to run communities? People like this http://i48.tinypic.com/5n3qdz.png
Interesting that the World Federalist Movement letter comes with a list of nationalities that require a visa to enter the US, even though the event is held in Canada.
Real estate flipping………..
Yoga pants……..
Noodle shops……..
Is that all that drives the “economy” in YVR ? Based on my week there I think so.
Penny stocks…..
Drugs…..
http://tinyurl.com/cu4gljj …
You forgot coffee shops.
The amount of people that I run into that call them selfs “day traders” confuses me, especially considering we no longer have an exchange.
They do appear to be well off, so its a little more than just a blatant lie.
Either we have a lot of talented traders living in Vancouver, or its all related to trading, but not of the legal variety.
Or I suppose we could be entering a new craze, day trading condos? If any one can do it, its Van City.
Most equity day-trading is done electronically. Why would the exchange need to be here?
Not necessary for the exchange to be here, but the time difference does make it difficult to be sharp at the open.
Its also curious just how many people claim to be making a living off of day trading, cities with exchanges usually have a much more sophisticated financial culture, the type of one I haven’t experienced in Vancouver.
However, I could be wrong!