ARTS & LIFE
Being Boys
Studio 58 production examines the desire for stardom – and the dark side of fame. P15
AT LARGE
Pet Protection Animal companionship is costlier than ever and experts say owners need better support. P7
FEATURE
Colouring Calm
Langara's De-Stress Fest offers students free on-campus resources to take the edge off of exams. P8
2021 P IN N
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PRODUCED BY LANGARA JOURNALISM STUDENTS | WWW.LANGARAVOICE.CA
APRIL 2, 2025 • VOL. 58 NO. 7 • VANCOUVER, B.C.
Pointing fingers at the Broadway Plan Housing on the minds of voters getting out early to the polls By MARC GUIDO BOLAN
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Geography instructor Drew Egan says that getting rid of the consumer carbon tax is a step backward in climate policy and the loss will be felt "universally". PHOTO OKSANA SHTOHRYN
Carbon consequences
Province passes responsibility to college By OKSANA SHTOHRYN
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s B.C. scraps its carbon tax and Langara College cuts environmental courses, educators worry climate action is losing priority, in policy and in the classroom. The provincial carbon tax, introduced in 2008, was designed to reduce emissions by making fossil fuels more expensive. It also came with a tradeoff, in the form of quarterly payments to help low-income households manage the added costs. As of April 1, the tax and those payments are gone. The province says the move will help make life more affordable. But some instructors and students at Langara College say the change could have long-term consequences, both for students’ finances and for climate education. Drew Egan, a geography instructor at Langara College, said many students likely met the income threshold for the rebate, which means they’ll now lose that support. Egan said that the tax helped fund sustainability efforts through rebates
and grants. “Some of those grants would lead to research, support of certain initiatives that have to do with climate change,” he said. Those grants, according to Egan, helped municipalities hire summer students, supported local environmental projects and allowed students to attend climate-related conferences. With the its cancellation, he said, “there will be less opportunities for students to work in those fields.” In a statement to the Voice, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills said that decisions about courses and programs are made by Langara College, not the province. “The removal of the carbon tax does not undermine the importance of environmental education in B.C., and our Ministry continues to support and promote environment-focused education,” the statement said. Langara student John Craig said the loss of quarterly payments could make it harder for low-income students to manage basic costs. He said losing the rebate means students on tight
budgets could struggle more, because even a small amount like $25 can make a noticeable difference. “I’m quite annoyed that it’s been taken away from us,” Craig said. “The rebates are helpful, but it needs to stop being such a big issue.” While the government has said it will continue targeting large industrial polluters through other mechanisms, Egan said getting rid of the consumer carbon tax is a step backward in climate policy. “Universally, almost around the world, economists agree that the carbon tax was what we consider to be a net benefit to climate change,” he said. The changes also come as Langara College faces program reductions. Egan said fewer students are enrolling in geography courses, and noted that reduced support for environmental initiatives may make it harder to promote climate-related education. Egan said that although the carbon tax was unpopular, it provided a considerable amount of social benefit, adding “since students are part of society, they’re going to lose out.”
n the last day of advance voting before the April 5 byelection, housing and the Broadway Plan were top of mind for many voters – and candidates. Waiting in line at City Hall on April 1, voter Sarah Mcleod said the biggest byelection issue is the Broadway Plan. Mcleod, a renter who has been displaced by the plan, called it “frustrating,” and said it affects affordability. The Broadway Plan, approved by Vancouver city council in 2022 under former mayor Kennedy Stewart, will extend the Millennium Skytrain line to Arbutus St., and promises to add 43,000 new homes over the next 30 years. But voters Nancy Gabor and Cam Mathewson said that the current council is moving too quickly on the plan and that there is a lack of public consultation. “None of us are against densification,” said Mathewson, adding, “it’s the way it’s being done.” Voter Jeanine Longley said she wants her “progressive” voice to be heard. “My suspicion is that my votes won’t make a difference,” Longley said. “We already have a majority with ABC. But I do think there is power in holding a majority to account.” Longley also said that more work needs to be done to help people in the Downtown Eastside that doesn’t involve the controversial street sweeps. In March, Sim announced plans
to pause all “net new” supportive housing and announced $5 million in funding to the Vancouver Police Department for Task Force Barrage, to “restore safety” in the DTES. “Evicting someone from the tent on the side of the road when they don’t have anywhere else to go just means that they’re gonna go find another tent,” Longley said. The A Better City Party, led by mayor Ken Sim, holds a majority in council and is not at risk of losing the balance of power in this byelection. However, prospective candidates from other parties say they will make a difference if elected. Annette Reilly, the Green Party candidate, said her party may not hold a majority on council, but if elected, she and current Green Party Pete Fry can hold the governing party to account. “Pete’s done a phenomenal job of holding ABC accountable,” Reilly said. “It will be even better with two.” Reilly said that housing is the biggest issue facing Vancouverites. “Ultimately, we’re in a housing crisis and have been for two decades,” she said. “There hasn’t been actionable progress towards solving this problem.” The Green Party is the only other party sitting in council besides ABC. TEAM candidate Theodore Abbott said the by-election is a referendum on Mayor Ken Sim and the Broadway plan. [The Broadway Plan] is a redevelopment plan that’s going to displace thousands of residents across the city, build a bunch of high-rises in place of currently affordable housing,” Abbott said. COPE candidate Sean Orr said tenant protections in the Broadway Plan have been “watered down.” “We need density around transit, but we need density without displacement.” Orr said. The last chance for people to vote in the byelection is Saturday, April 5 at locations across Vancouver.
Mayor Sim's ABC Party holds a council majority but voter Jeanine Longley says there is power in "holding a majority to account." PHOTO MARC GUIDO BOLAN