neil21
@neil21.bsky.social
Renewables SaaS PM by day, Urbanism by night. Scot in #newwest
Reposted by neil21
approved despite over 600 speakers signing up to speak to the budget, with all but a tiny number strongly opposed, and following a public engagement survey that found the majority of respondents supported a property tax increase to avoid cuts.
Vancouver's 2026 draft budget has PASSED.
Approved on a 7-4 vote on party lines, with ABC in favour and councillors Fry/Bligh/Orr/Maloney opposed.
Property tax freeze, $50 million more for VPD, and cuts to Arts, Culture, Planning and Sustainability departments, among others.
Full story to come.
Approved on a 7-4 vote on party lines, with ABC in favour and councillors Fry/Bligh/Orr/Maloney opposed.
Property tax freeze, $50 million more for VPD, and cuts to Arts, Culture, Planning and Sustainability departments, among others.
Full story to come.
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reposted by neil21
We've managed over the last three years to keep tax
(and fee!) increases in line with population growth + CPI, while opening a big new rec centre, meeting our provincial housing regulations, and investing in community partnerships that support arts, culture and sport. #NewWest is getting it done.
(and fee!) increases in line with population growth + CPI, while opening a big new rec centre, meeting our provincial housing regulations, and investing in community partnerships that support arts, culture and sport. #NewWest is getting it done.
November 26, 2025 at 12:38 AM
We've managed over the last three years to keep tax
(and fee!) increases in line with population growth + CPI, while opening a big new rec centre, meeting our provincial housing regulations, and investing in community partnerships that support arts, culture and sport. #NewWest is getting it done.
(and fee!) increases in line with population growth + CPI, while opening a big new rec centre, meeting our provincial housing regulations, and investing in community partnerships that support arts, culture and sport. #NewWest is getting it done.
Reposted by neil21
Hey #NewWest. See all these people pissed off about Vancouver's slash & burn budget? We're not doing that. We work to keep taxes in check but respect our residents when they tell us that public services matter and & worth the investment. pub-newwestcity.escribemeetings.com/filestream.a...
pub-newwestcity.escribemeetings.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Hey #NewWest. See all these people pissed off about Vancouver's slash & burn budget? We're not doing that. We work to keep taxes in check but respect our residents when they tell us that public services matter and & worth the investment. pub-newwestcity.escribemeetings.com/filestream.a...
Reposted by neil21
“Estimates peg the economic benefit from the critical mass of crowds from the summertime fireworks event to be $260 million each year, with about $5 million to $6 million in PST.”
#bcpoli @bcndpcaucus.bsky.social chose to save $1m to lose $5m?
#bcpoli @bcndpcaucus.bsky.social chose to save $1m to lose $5m?
Due to a funding collapse, organizers of the Honda Celebration of Light have cancelled the 2026 event.
Vancouver's annual fireworks tradition of over three decades is short $1 million due to lower sponsorship and government support. #bcpoli #vanpoli
dailyhive.com/vancouver/ce...
Vancouver's annual fireworks tradition of over three decades is short $1 million due to lower sponsorship and government support. #bcpoli #vanpoli
dailyhive.com/vancouver/ce...
Celebration of Light fireworks cancelled in 2026 amid funding collapse | Urbanized
Due to a major financial shortfall, the 2026 Honda Celebration of Light Vancouver fireworks competition is cancelled.
dailyhive.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:48 PM
“Estimates peg the economic benefit from the critical mass of crowds from the summertime fireworks event to be $260 million each year, with about $5 million to $6 million in PST.”
#bcpoli @bcndpcaucus.bsky.social chose to save $1m to lose $5m?
#bcpoli @bcndpcaucus.bsky.social chose to save $1m to lose $5m?
Reposted by neil21
How could I forget, here's the UK version
November 26, 2025 at 8:23 AM
How could I forget, here's the UK version
Reposted by neil21
Hoo boy, another fictitious "EV market slows" headline from the Times
*EU EV sales are up 25.6% in 2025*
Receipts in thread.
*EU EV sales are up 25.6% in 2025*
Receipts in thread.
November 26, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Hoo boy, another fictitious "EV market slows" headline from the Times
*EU EV sales are up 25.6% in 2025*
Receipts in thread.
*EU EV sales are up 25.6% in 2025*
Receipts in thread.
Reposted by neil21
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
Reposted by neil21
“The towers at Wang Fuk Court, a dense complex of about 2,000 apartments, were sheathed in bamboo scaffolding, which is widely used in Hong Kong to construct and repair buildings. The apartment towers are in Tai Po, a district in the northeastern corner of the New Territories”
November 26, 2025 at 1:15 PM
“The towers at Wang Fuk Court, a dense complex of about 2,000 apartments, were sheathed in bamboo scaffolding, which is widely used in Hong Kong to construct and repair buildings. The apartment towers are in Tai Po, a district in the northeastern corner of the New Territories”
Reposted by neil21
Images of Wang Fuk Court show several of the towers have bamboo scaffolding on their exterior. The Hong Kong government moved to start phasing out bamboo scaffolding in March, citing safety reut.rs/482yhYR
November 26, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Images of Wang Fuk Court show several of the towers have bamboo scaffolding on their exterior. The Hong Kong government moved to start phasing out bamboo scaffolding in March, citing safety reut.rs/482yhYR
Reposted by neil21
In this case, all 8 buildings in Wang Fuk Court were covered in scaffolding as part of a renovation project.
November 26, 2025 at 5:34 PM
In this case, all 8 buildings in Wang Fuk Court were covered in scaffolding as part of a renovation project.
Reposted by neil21
#UPDATE A huge fire ripped through several high-rise blocks on a Hong Kong residential estate on Wednesday, killing at least 13 people, with media reporting that some residents were trapped inside ➡️ u.afp.com/ShMy
November 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
#UPDATE A huge fire ripped through several high-rise blocks on a Hong Kong residential estate on Wednesday, killing at least 13 people, with media reporting that some residents were trapped inside ➡️ u.afp.com/ShMy
Reposted by neil21
My heart goes out to those who have lost their lives and are affected by today's tragedy in Tai Po.
Rest in peace 🕊️
Rest in peace 🕊️
November 26, 2025 at 2:04 PM
My heart goes out to those who have lost their lives and are affected by today's tragedy in Tai Po.
Rest in peace 🕊️
Rest in peace 🕊️
Reposted by neil21
The fire is still going. With people and their pets trapped. Harrowing scenes.
November 26, 2025 at 10:41 AM
The fire is still going. With people and their pets trapped. Harrowing scenes.
Reposted by neil21
As women worldwide have gained education and career opportunities, many have grown more selective. Women want independence, while many men expect a “servant at home”, says Fernández-Villaverde. “Women are asking, ‘Why would I marry this person?’ A lot of men are undateable. Truly undateable.”
People are having fewer babies: Is it really the end of the world?
Steep population declines in most countries are expected to have negative impacts over the next several generations, but adaptation is possible.
www.nature.com
August 27, 2025 at 8:51 PM
As women worldwide have gained education and career opportunities, many have grown more selective. Women want independence, while many men expect a “servant at home”, says Fernández-Villaverde. “Women are asking, ‘Why would I marry this person?’ A lot of men are undateable. Truly undateable.”
Reposted by neil21
The economics of the baby bust with Jesús Fernández-Villaverde • Episode nine of the Works in Progress podcast.
The economics of the baby bust with Jesús Fernández-Villaverde
Episode nine of the Works in Progress podcast.
www.worksinprogress.news
November 18, 2025 at 10:32 AM
The economics of the baby bust with Jesús Fernández-Villaverde • Episode nine of the Works in Progress podcast.
Reposted by neil21
new favourite New York Times term for a British thing just dropped
November 26, 2025 at 10:05 AM
new favourite New York Times term for a British thing just dropped
Hello world! You may have heard of Vancouver. Here’s how it is governed today.
This budget debate is painful.
The mayor sets an arbitrary budget target (so he can say he raised taxes less than the last mayor) then he shovels money at the police ….
and then every other city budget item has to justify its existence vs “filling potholes”.
The mayor sets an arbitrary budget target (so he can say he raised taxes less than the last mayor) then he shovels money at the police ….
and then every other city budget item has to justify its existence vs “filling potholes”.
November 25, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Hello world! You may have heard of Vancouver. Here’s how it is governed today.
Reposted by neil21
Wow. The Korean stage production of MACBETH I saw tonight was so fucking star-studded in terms of Korean acting talent I’m FLOORED.
Will post names and credentials later. I’m going through my program now…
Will post names and credentials later. I’m going through my program now…
July 27, 2024 at 2:57 PM
Wow. The Korean stage production of MACBETH I saw tonight was so fucking star-studded in terms of Korean acting talent I’m FLOORED.
Will post names and credentials later. I’m going through my program now…
Will post names and credentials later. I’m going through my program now…
Reposted by neil21
Posters for a Korean production of Macbeth
July 28, 2024 at 2:13 AM
Posters for a Korean production of Macbeth
Reposted by neil21
It was sickening to see @lennynanzhou.bsky.social chastise @lucymaloney.bsky.social over showing emotion in the council chambers while talking about *130 people dying* during the heat dome. ABC making moves like this is ridiculous.
Showing emotion over needless death doesn't "cause division"
Showing emotion over needless death doesn't "cause division"
Budget amendment by ABC councillor Zhou would cut $8 million from capital budget for "Energy Retrofits for non-city buildings" and put it to filling potholes and other "core services".
Opposition councillors upset that it could cancel upgrades in buildings where people died in the 2021 heat dome.
Opposition councillors upset that it could cancel upgrades in buildings where people died in the 2021 heat dome.
November 25, 2025 at 7:51 PM
It was sickening to see @lennynanzhou.bsky.social chastise @lucymaloney.bsky.social over showing emotion in the council chambers while talking about *130 people dying* during the heat dome. ABC making moves like this is ridiculous.
Showing emotion over needless death doesn't "cause division"
Showing emotion over needless death doesn't "cause division"
Reposted by neil21
When the proposed budget is shitty.......
Possibly the first protest of its kind at City Hall this morning. A diaper change-in protesting budget cuts and fee increases to amenities for new parents, and many others. @womentcities.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 6:29 PM
When the proposed budget is shitty.......
Reposted by neil21
Vancouver needs real bus lanes! I'm convinced that they would give temendous bang for buck for improving quality of life and getting people out of traffic.
We could learn a lot from Taipei's central bus lanes. Check them out!
youtu.be/C6NXrJxx1kg?...
We could learn a lot from Taipei's central bus lanes. Check them out!
youtu.be/C6NXrJxx1kg?...
Check out Taipei's center bus lanes--Vancouver could learn a lot from them!
YouTube video by Peter Waldkirch
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Vancouver needs real bus lanes! I'm convinced that they would give temendous bang for buck for improving quality of life and getting people out of traffic.
We could learn a lot from Taipei's central bus lanes. Check them out!
youtu.be/C6NXrJxx1kg?...
We could learn a lot from Taipei's central bus lanes. Check them out!
youtu.be/C6NXrJxx1kg?...
Reposted by neil21
Rage rooms: demand is surging – and 90% of customers are women
Rage rooms: demand is surging – and 90% of customers are women
Venues designed for people to smash things up safely are seeing an enormous rise in bookings. But why? And what explains the pronounced gender gap?
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Rage rooms: demand is surging – and 90% of customers are women