Special Investigation

Neil Amsler Apr 22, 2024

By MEHARWAAN MANAK Travelling can be stressful at the best of times, but more so for those who get exploited by third party booking sites. When Ryan Kalkat was 18, he and his family planned to go to India to see his critically ill grandmother. “For the four of us to get there was nearing like six to $7,000 that our family just didn’t…

B.C. roommates say they need legal protections just like other renters

Neil Amsler Apr 22, 2024

by DANIEL JOHNSTON When Vancouver artist Rynn Sparrow moved into a two-bedroom basement suite without a lease in February 2023, they immediately started having issues when their new roommate neglected to pay rent. “He was a nightmare…

Community

Dense Surrey centre needs more community gardens, residents say

Neil Amsler Apr 18, 2024

By MARILYN REICHERT With increasing concern over rising food and housing costs, Surrey residents want access to community gardens. But there are few options in the city’s densest neighbourhood. Kathie Handley spent four years growing…

Special Investigation

Gig workers risk health to make ends meet in pricey Vancouver

admin Apr 14, 2024

By EMMA SHULAR Fresh off of a work shift and sitting in a Dairy Queen parking lot around 1 a.m., Vicki Santos talked about her employment situation. “I work at 10 places, two of them are seasonal,” Santos said. She spends almost…

Special Investigation

Impacts of pandemic lingering

admin Apr 10, 2024

By MARIANNE MIRAMBEL Four years after COVID first struck, Seth Magdaong still struggles with his mental health and the impact of the pandemic. “It was the uncertainty that scares you the most,” Magdaong told the Voice. “Even now, I…

Special Investigation

Visa cuts cause concern, confusion and a bit of chaos for international students

admin Apr 10, 2024

By ENZO GALLARDO and YASHVIKA GROVER After the federal government cut the number of international student permits by more than a third, those arriving in Canada must come more prepared than ever. In January, Immigration Minister Marc…

Special Investigation

Lifeguard shortage creates troubled waters

admin Apr 10, 2024

By ANNABEL BESSEM and ALY GLENN As soon as summer comes around, Vancouver area beaches and pools are flooded with folks ready to dive in. Until an accident happens and somebody gets into trouble in the water. Before 911 is called, a…

Special Investigation

City golf greens could be key to solving housing crisis, experts say

admin Apr 10, 2024

By ELLIOT MOFFAT-SHOJANIA Golfer Han Song says that when he first arrived in Vancouver two decades ago, the public golf courses were bad, but in recent years there have been improvements. Those upgrades have led to a surge in golfers.…

Issues & Ideas

Overcoming fear and fentanyl in B.C.

admin May 15, 2023

By Tom Eley and Clarissa Kurniawan The stories that include fentanyl usually consist of death, overdose and danger, always painting the bleak landscape that this drug has facilitated. This is not that story. Kevin Parker, who…

Community

Despite city’s recent improvement, Richmond residents still worry about ‘problem intersection’

admin Apr 12, 2023

Byline: Shashi Goel Despite recent changes by city hall, a particularly tricky intersection in Richmond is creating confusion and fear for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists. Richmond Resident Lawrence Ho said he has been driving for a…