Author Archives: Noah Schmidt

The Fast Food Invasion: Why is American Take-Out So Popular in Canada?

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(Fotorech/Pixabay)

Have you noticed some new faces in the fast food market recently? Something called Jollibee’s? A firefighter-themed sandwich shop? You’re not alone. The Canadian fast food market has been infiltrated, and this is just the beginning.

Canada has a fascinating history with fast food. One of our most enduring cultural institutions is a coffee shop turned quick-service restaurant, Tim Hortons. But if we’re being honest, most of the grease-soaked slop we enjoy comes from our neighbors to the south. McDonald’s has been in Canada for nearly 60 years. Burger King has its international expansion roots in a 1969 Canadian location, and A&W Canada has evolved into an unrecognizable alternative to its American counterpart, which most consider to be the superior of the two. However, after the major fast food institutions established themselves in Canada, there was relative quiet for a time. Now, seemingly out of nowhere, a second wave of the invasion had begun.

Jersey Mike’s, Shake Shack, Firehouse Subs, Jimmy John’s, and Chick-fil-A are just a few of the new chains popping up across the nation. Heck, I’d wouldn’t be surprised if In & Out decided to open up shop here. So, why have the next generation of fast food giants set their sights on Canada? Well, apparently, we’ve got just the market they’re looking for.

Think about it, we’re in the midst of a population boom, which of course means an available workforce, and an expanding customer base. The cost-of-living crisis is in full swing, so of course, the cheaper alternatives will be popular. Lastly, where’s the competition? Besides the tried-and-true American classics that’ve been around for ages, Canada doesn’t have a massive domestic fast food market. Besides Tim’s, what exactly do we have? As far as I know, people aren’t clamoring for Harvey’s anymore, they want the latest and greatest innovations from land of excess.

Should we let these foreign intruders take over our taste buds? I don’t think so. There’s already enough fast food to go around, expanding the market can only mean one thing: An even unhealthier country. The scars of the fast food epidemic are in plain view in America, with the CDC claiming that the prevalence of obesity in adults is a staggering 40.3%. In Canada, things are better, but not by much. In 2021, 29.5% of adults were classified as obese. If we open the floodgates once more to foreign fast food, we might be doomed to the same fate as our southern neighbors. So what can we do? If fast food is the most convenient and cheapest option for you, there are healthier alternatives. They don’t have the same numbers as the giants, but if you look, you’ll find them. Freshii, a Canadian chain, is well known for serving health-focused options and has expanded rapidly in its 20-year existence, with locations in countries across the globe. But Freshii’s menu isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so where should you go? Somewhere local might be a good idea. First-rate restaurants are abundant everywhere, so why not choose one of them? The food is often of higher quality, and supporting them helps our economy grow, independent of American conglomerates. What’s not to love?

The next time you see a “Coming Soon” ad for a brand-new American chain, take a moment to consider the choice you’re making. Is there a better alternative? The answer is almost always yes.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

The Vancouver Art Gallery Needs Our Help

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Vancouver Art Gallery

(Alan Levine/Flickr)

The past few years have been rough for the Vancouver Art Gallery. If you cast your mind back to December of last year, it was announced that the long-awaited replacement gallery was scrapped, as the project went hundreds of millions over budget. The building itself was also the subject of controversy, as its appearance resembled a crude Minecraft house that your little brother would build. Then, in May of this year, the CEO of the gallery, Anthony Kiendl, left his position, and if that wasn’t enough, financial troubles led to the firing of 30 union workers in June.
So is this article in response to good news? Surprisingly, yes.

One of BC’s richest business people, Telus CEO Darren Entwistle, has donated 2.2 million dollars in art to the Gallery. The works in question come from celebrated Haida Artist Robert Davidson, who’s renowned for revitalizing the Coast Salish art style in the modern age. Funny enough, as I was writing this article, I remembered that I actually knew Mr. Davidson. My friend’s family are close friends of Robert’s, so he’d always be at birthday parties and special events. Tangent aside, this donation couldn’t come at a better time. Like many in Metro Vancouver, the Art Gallery holds a special place in my heart. It’s been a landmark of the elementary school field trip scene for decades; it’d be a shame if future generations weren’t able to walk its halls and admire the pieces on display.

But will this donation help the gallery stay afloat? Well, by itself, no. But in the past decade, there’s been a skyrocketing of interest in saving the gallery from locals. In 2019, Polygon Homes CEO Michael Audain announced that his foundation would invest $100 million to help build a new gallery, followed by $40 million from the wealthy Chan family, and $5 million from Aritizia CEO Brian Hill. There’s a desire to help the gallery get back on its feet. But donations alone can’t be responsible for keeping the lights on; that responsibility falls on the public.

The public desires art. We build elaborate sculptures, decorate blank walls with murals, and pursue degrees in a field that many consider “non-essential”. But life without art would be a nightmare: cold, sterile, and devoid of meaning. Places that foster creativity should be celebrated, not forgotten. If we looked up from our phones for just a few minutes, we’d notice the people who make our world brighter, like Robert Davidson and the hundreds of other artists the gallery showcases. This isn’t an advertisement. I’m not being paid to say any of this, but I believe in art. The Gallery needs us, but we also need it.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

Harry Potter is Coming to Stanley Park, and People Aren’t Happy

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(ilkaygokhanozel/Pixabay)

Stanley Park has always embraced the holidays with open arms. The miniature railway and surrounding area is decked out in decorations nearly every Christmas, Halloween, and Easter, but this year, something new is in store for parkgoers.

Fans of the Harry Potter franchise will undoubtedly be familiar with the Forbidden Forest, the monster-riddled woods outside of Hogwarts Castle. Now, visitors can experience it for themselves (without forking over hundreds for a ticket to the Wizarding World at Universal Studios) at Stanley Park. But ever since the announcement of the November overlay days ago, the general response has been “mixed” to say the least.

J.K. Rowling, the creator of the Harry Potter franchise, isn’t exactly a saint. Quite the opposite, actually. Rowling has long been criticized for her animosity towards the trans community. Now, why exactly would Vancouver, a city that prides itself on embracing diversity, fund an installation of this nature? Well, I think we all know why.

The Harry Potter film franchise has grossed over one billion dollars. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios is one of the most critically acclaimed theme park attractions of all time. There’s a new Harry Potter television series in the works at HBO. Money is obviously the motivation behind the move, which calls into question the ethics of the Park Board. For a city that espouses its care for the 2SLGBT+ community, it’s a bizarre PR move to say the least.

So what has the response been? Nothing much. The event is still going forward, regardless of the criticism, even from the Vancouver City Council. Lucy Maloney’s plea to the board has fallen on deaf ears, with the board taking the stance that they choose to separate the art from the artist, and look forward to welcoming guests come November.

So, should you support the Forbidden Forest at Stanley Park? Well, that’s a matter of personal preference. The Harry Potter books & films hold a special place in the hearts of fans, and I must admit, I was one of them. I still enjoy the Harry Potter films, they’re delightful fantasy tales, but where the profits from those films went isn’t ok. There are so many things to do in Metro Vancouver during the holiday season, I don’t see this one as a necessity. Oh, and for those feeling they’ll miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the board emphasized their desire to create more IP-based attractions in the park, so this is probably just the beginning. Who’s excited for Stanley Park to become Disneyland? Not me.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

Preparing For “The Big One”: What is it, Where Will it Strike, and How You Can Prepare

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(Schäferle/Pixabay)

In the afternoon of February 21st, 2025, Vancouver was rocked by a 4.7-magnitude earthquake. A 4.7 is nothing major; it may knock items off a shelf, but beyond that, you’d barely know anything happened. But in the hysteria of the moment, one question took hold of our collective minds: Is this the big one? It wasn’t, but we likely aren’t far off.

Vancouver is known for its seismic activity. Sure, it’s no San Francisco, but from a young age, we’ve been taught to be prepared for earthquakes. There are little tremors almost daily, too small to register, but once in a while, a quake of apocalyptic proportions strikes the Pacific Northwest. We call it “the big one”, and we’ve been waiting for it for 325 years.

We live in an area known as the Cascadia Subduction Zone, where massive plate tectonics converge. Sometimes, a plate will start to slide underneath another, in our case, the Juan de Fuca plate under the North American plate, creating an unbelievable amount of pressure where the two meet. Eventually, with nowhere else to go, the plate snaps back into place, creating a megathrust quake. January 26th, 1700, was the last tremor of this type, and to say it was destructive would be an understatement. The magnitude is thought to have been between 8.7 and 9.2. That’s big, but hey, that quake from February was about 5, surely it can’t be that bad. Wrong! Every digit on the Richter Scale marks an increase in power by a magnitude of TEN TIMES. That 1700 quake was a borderline civilization killer, wiping out native populations on the Pacific coast in an instant, with the help of a titanic tsunami of course.

So, when are we due for round 2? Well, we’ve been due for a while. The average interval of megathrust quakes in the Cascadia region is 5-600 years, but the gap has been far smaller on a number of recent occasions. Experts believe the big one is coming, particularly in the next 50-100 years. So when the big one hits, Vancouver will be in quite the predicament. Sure, Vancouver Island acts as a natural tsunami buffer, however, waves will still wreak havoc on low-lying areas like the Delta and Richmond, and older infrastructure will likely fail. So, what exactly is the protocol in this scenario? Just accept your fate? Well, that is technically an option, but luckily, the big one isn’t necessarily a death sentence.

For years, I’ve planned for an earthquake. Not obsessively, but there are little things you can do to help save your life if the time comes. First things first, have an evacuation plan. Do you live in an area below or near sea level? If you do, know where the nearest hill or tall building is. If you’d like to avoid being crushed by falling debris, finding an open space nearby is a must. Disaster response takes time, so keeping a backpack with snacks, water, and first aid supplies can hold you over in case of a long period of isolation. But most important of all, don’t psyche yourself out. I know, the concept of a 30-foot tsunami destroying the Lower Mainland is a scary one, but it’s out of our control. Preparing is all we can do, so until that quake comes our way, let’s focus on living our normal lives.

Beach day anyone?

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

Why is Vancouver Called “No Fun City”?

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(Pixabay)

New York is the Big Apple. Chicago, the Windy City, Los Angeles, the City of Angels, Vancouver… Does Vancouver have a nickname? Well, not one as recognizable as those, but we do indeed have one. No fun city. Ouch. 

 “But Vancouver’s a great city!” I hear you say. It can’t be denied that Vancouver is visually a stunning place. Those mountains, the ocean, it’s a unique combination for sure. So it’s not the look. What about activities? There’s recreation out the wazoo, hiking, swimming, and even skiing. If shopping is more your speed, there’s a seemingly infinite number of stores to browse. There’s no shortage of restaurants either; it doesn’t matter what you’re craving, there’s a little bit of everything. What is the reason for the name? 

Well, there are three main suspects I can identify,  so let’s try to unmask the perpetrator. 

  1. Outdated Laws 

Without liquor, nightlife in a city is a ghost town. It’s a depressing reality, but it’s true. Vancouver’s liquor laws have been “archaic” to say the least. Not allowing drink service past 11:30 might be an idea rooted in preserving public safety, but who wants to end their Friday night at 12 am? Besides liquor, strict laws about dance floors and music have discouraged many young people from having a fun night on the town. Things are changing; bars are now allowed to serve until 2 am, and they can even apply to get permission to serve until 4, but this is a very recent change. So are the outdated liquor laws guilty? Possibly, but let’s review our other options first. 

      2. Everything is Outside 

As we’ve established, Vancouver is beautiful, and the abundance of green space makes it ideal for exercise and leisure… For about 6 months of the year. Although Seattle is technically the “Rainy City”, Vancouver is just as deserving of that title. We live in one of the wettest places on earth, with an average of around 150 cms of rainfall each year. And when your gimmick is having an abundance of outdoor activities, monsoons that last for months on end are total buzzkills.  In the city’s defense, there are still plenty of indoor attractions, but compared to other major North American cities, the selection is a little underwhelming. Science World and the aquarium Canada are meant for families and children, the Art Gallery certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and our malls, while nice, are nothing particularly special. We are an outdoor city, first and foremost, but that comes at a cost. So is this the culprit? Let’s leave it at maybe for now.

     3. It’s Expensive. Very Expensive.

I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but Vancouver is a beautiful city (shocker, I know). But unless you live under a boulder the size of White Rock’s titular stone, the cost of living has become a bit much. As a student, I feel a shiver down my spine every time I see a listing for a downtown apartment with a monthly rent higher than my tuition, and that’s unfortunately the norm. Even the metro area is absurd, a bungalow in Langley is worth more than a mansion in Texas! At least food & gas are reasonable, right? Gas was 191 cents a litre today, and my eggs were 7 dollars. It’s not hard to see why people are angry. So we’ve found it, this must be the culprit! Well, kind of.

The cause of Vancouver’s nickname is a combination of everything we’ve discussed, plus several other issues I didn’t have time to mention. It’s an anti-climactic conclusion, but it’s true. Rain, a restrictive nightlife, and a cost-of-living crisis aren’t great for a city, and it shows. So how do we fix this problem? Unfortunately, some things are tough, if not impossible, to change. Vancouver isn’t the only city facing a cost-of-living crisis; it’s an international issue. Rain is, well, rain; there’s no changing that. But things like our restrictive drinking laws aren’t set in stone, and change has indeed happened. Maybe we need to lobby for more indoor activities; we may need to spend less money on exorbitantly priced products and find alternatives, The power is in our hands; together, we can make Vancouver Fun City.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

5 Places in Metro Vancouver You Need to Visit!

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(Photo from Explore White Rock)

Travelling outside of downtown Vancouver might seem daunting at first. There are 21 separate municipalities in Metro Vancouver, all with their own diverse atmospheres. From the seaside fishing community of Steveston to the rural wine country of Langley, our region boasts an incredible amount of diversity to be appreciated. Still, more often than not, the focus is placed on downtown. As someone living outside of Vancouver proper, I’d like to change that. I’ll be your tour guide, so join me in an exploration of everything Metro Vancouver has to offer!

  1. Kwomais Point & Crescent Beach, Surrey

If you live in Vancouver, you’ve no doubt heard of Crescent Beach. Located along the east bank of Mud Bay in Surrey, its panoramas are unparalleled. From the beach, the entirety of the western Lower Mainland is visible, from the skyscrapers in Burnaby to the new Oakridge development in Vancouver. If you’re looking for recreation, there are paddleboard rentals available near Blackie Spit Park, which is itself a perfect spot for birdwatching. But just up the hill, about 5 minutes from the beach, sits the true highlight of the area: Kwomais Point. This lookout, which rests on the site of a historic place of observation and spiritualty for the Semiahmoo First Nation, later a Methodist campground, provides the most incredible view of the sunset in the Metro (tied with English Bay).

     2. Alouette Lake, Maple Ridge

Moving a bit further into the wilderness, Maple Ridge is home to some of the densest forests in the area, the best escape from the rat race that often is downtown. The highlight of the area is undoubtedly Golden Ears Provincial Park, which features a campground, woodland trails, and, most impressively, Alouette Lake. The water is perfect for a summer dip, and like Crescent Beach, equipment can be rented on-site. The lake is a photographer’s dream, as the nearby mountains turn the site into a grand, picture-esque wonderland.

     3. Fort Langley, Langley Township

Fort Langley is the colonial heart of Vancouver; the province itself was proclaimed in Langley due to its strategic history in the province’s fur trade. In the modern day, the neighborhood of Fort Langley is a humble slice of pioneer country, with authentic colonial architecture, and of course, the Fort itself, which is still used to this day, now as a tourist attraction. If you’re a fan of fine cuisine, antiquing, and a cozy atmosphere, Fort Langley is a must-visit.

     4. White Rock Pier, White Rock

One of Metro Vancouver’s more iconic symbols is White Rock’s pier, the jewel in the city’s crown. It’s the longest pier of its kind in the country, providing spectacular views of Boundary Bay, the Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, and Whatcom County, Washington. For the thrillseekers, an everyday summertime activity is jumping off the end of the pier, usually in front of a crowd of onlookers. The pier isn’t all White Rock has to offer, as there’s plenty of shopping and dining dotted across the waterfront. Oh, and if it’s your first visit, Moby Dick’s Fish & Chips is by far the most iconic restaurant on the beach; no trip is complete without it!

     5. Larry Berg Flight Park, Richmond

This one is more of an acquired taste than the others, but I had to mention Larry Berg Flight Park. As the name suggests, Larry Berg is situated near YVR, at the end of the south runway, to be exact. Massive commercial aircraft take off directly above your head, so bring a lawn chair to situate yourself in a perfect viewing spot. There’s nothing quite like getting your hat blown off by the wind from a 747 takeoff, and together with the educational displays at the park (which includes a giant half-globe map you can walk on), it had to be on my list.

So there’s evidently a lot to do in Metro Vancouver, but it doesn’t stop here. There are hundreds, if not thousands, more places worth visiting, so what are you waiting for? Go out and explore! Take advantage of everything we’ve got, because it doesn’t matter if you’re not a fan of aviation, or beaches, or history; there’s something for everyone. Go find it!

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

Spirit Halloween Returns to Metro Vancouver: Locations Revealed!

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(Alex_Agrico/Pixabay)
Last Saturday, I was meandering about the annual Langley Good Times Cruise-In car show when I noticed a peculiar figure in the crowd. Amongst a sea of retired men wearing Berkenstocks sandals, I saw what appeared to be a clown. But this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill clown; this was a creepy clown. What she held in her hand was terrifying, but not in the way you’d expect: a large sign reading “Spirit Halloween”. That’s right, Spirit Halloween is back in Metro Vancouver, and I couldn’t be more excited!
Renowned for its ability to sneak its way into every recently vacated shopfront in a given city, Spirit Halloween is a staple of the spooky season. It’s been an institution for nearly 50 years, a one-stop shop for costumes, decor, and those massive animatronic figures you throw in a Rubbermaid every November 1st. Since I was a child, I’ve always loved Spirit, not just for the Halloween decor, but because it gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at closed retail stores. Remember Future Shop? Home Outfitters? Zeller’s? Even if you don’t, you’ve probably been inside one, just with a Halloween makeover. Speaking of shuttered stores, Hudson’s Bay notably shut down its retail operations earlier this year, a sad end for a 355-year-old business. But if you’re like me, the first thing you thought when you saw your local Bay was gone was whether they’d put a Spirit in there. Well, we’ve got our answer.
Without further ado, here’s Metro Vancouver’s Spirit Halloween location list for 2025:
-Surrey: Former Best Buy
10025 King George Boulevard
-Coquitlam: Former Independent Grocers
455 North Road
-Tsawwassen: Former Saks
5000 Canoe Pass Way E
-Richmond: Former Toys R Us
5300 Number 3 Road, 314
-Vancouver: Former Bed Bath Beyond
1740 West Broadway
But that’s not all, because North Vancouver and Burnaby are also getting locations soon, and in Burnaby’s case, Spirit, for the first time in Metro Vancouver history, will be occupying a former Hudson’s Bay. Truly a melancholic moment.
However, there’s still one question that remains unanswered. Why was the creepy clown promoting Spirit at the Langley car show? At first, I couldn’t figure it out, because as a Langley resident, I was under the impression that there would be no Spirit here this year. I couldn’t think of anywhere in the city that’d be fit to have one. But then I looked beyond the city, and I’m glad to report that the community of Aldergrove has a store next to Home Hardware at 3111 272 Street. I guess I should’ve connected the dots earlier. I mean, the car show where they were promoting Spirit was in Aldergrove… Never mind.

Well, if you’ll excuse me, it’s 5:17 pm, Spirit Halloween closes in about 4 hours, and I’ve got 3.5 hours of browsing to do.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

5 Things From Expo 86 That Still Exist in Metro Vancouver

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Science World

(Daquella maner/ Flickr)

I was born in 2004, just in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics, an event so monumental that its effects can still be observed today. The Richmond Olympic Oval, BC Place’s crown, and those run-down  “Welcome To the City Of Vancouver, host city of the 2010 Winter Olympics” signs are just a few remnants of an event that many reflect on as a high point in our shared history. But before the Olympics, there was an equally important event that left a significant legacy: Expo 86. 

The 1986 World’s Fair was an exhibition aimed at showcasing innovations in the world of transportation and communication, with pavilions celebrating different nations and global culture, essentially a temporary EPCOT Centre (which itself was inspired by World’s Fairs). Although we’re rapidly approaching the 40th anniversary of Expo, there are still bits and pieces of the fair scattered around the Lower Mainland. Much was demolished, sold, or moved, but some notable remnants have miraculously stuck around. 

5. Friendship 500, A.K.A. The McBarge 

Status: Partially sunk 

The Friendship 500 barge, better known by its nickname “McBarge”, is perhaps the most tragic piece of the Expo to survive into the modern day. Operating as one of many McDonald’s locations in the fairground, the McBarge was particularly notable, as it was one of the only floating McDonald’s locations on earth. However, when the fair ended, the land it was docked off of was rezoned, forcing the barge to be relocated to the Burrard Inlet in Burnaby. Eventually, it was moved once again, this time to Maple Ridge, where in March of 2025, it started to sink into the muddy bed of the Fraser River after years of neglect.

4. Expo Benches 

Status: Moved to White Rock Promenade and other locations 

Unlike the McBarge, the bright-colored benches that once dotted the Expo grounds faced a much better fate. Many were moved to the White Rock Promenade, where they still stand today, complete with their Expo 86 logo engravings intact. White Rock wasn’t the only place the benches ended up, as a handful of green ones can be spotted at the Greater Vancouver Zoo in Langley.

 3. Russian Pavillion 

Status: Moved to New Westminster, now a paper plant 

The Russian Pavilion at Expo 86 used a unique structure to host its exhibits. The building featured a roof composed of various triangular segments, which enabled it to stand without the need for internal support columns. So what became of this unique piece of architecture? It’s a toilet paper factory. No, I’m not joking. Kruger Paper Products has operated in New Westminster for over 100 years, and after Expo, they purchased the Russian Pavilion to house machinery at the plant. So if you’re ever headed north on the Queensborough Bridge, take a look at the buildings below, you’re bound to notice the former pavilion amongst the unassuming industrial park. 

 2. The China Gate 

Status: Moved to Chinatown, redesigned in 2005 

The Millennium Gate is one of Chinatown’s most recognizable and enduring symbols. But it isn’t the only gate in the neighborhood, and it’s far from the first. In 1901, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York were set to visit Vancouver, so a large wooden welcome arch was constructed. Nearly a century later, another gate would be built, this time a few blocks away at Expo 86. The China Gate, as it was known, was donated to the city by the Chinese government after the Expo ended and was relocated to the Chinese Cultural Centre. It was massive and intricately detailed, a true highlight of Chinatown. But in 2005, after nearly 20 years of wear and tear, the city decided a facelift was in order, so the China Gate was rebuilt, losing much of its color and detail in the process. The gate still stands today as a reminder of the friendship between nations that the World Expositions of old aimed to foster. 

 1 .Most of Vancouver’s Landmarks 

Status: Still in use 

So, besides park benches and a McDonald’s, what else remains of Expo? Almost every major landmark in the city. Science World? Expo. Canada Place? Expo. BC Place? You guessed it, Expo. Even the SkyTrain, one of Metro Vancouver’s most important methods of transportation, has its roots in Expo 86, hence the name of the “Expo” Line.  

People of my generation probably don’t think about Expo much, but looking around the city today, it doesn’t take long to see how important it really was. So next time you’re at a Lions game, walking down the White Rock Promenade, or buying Kruger Paper Products toilet paper, remember that without Expo, Metro Vancouver would be a very different place. 

 *We’d probably have found a different toilet paper supplier, so that part might not be too different.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

Burnaby is Getting a Gondola, and That’s a Good Thing

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(Photo from Translink)

A few days ago, an article about a new transit system in Anaheim, California came across my screen. Apparently, a gondola system is being considered that would connect all the city’s tourist traps, which got me thinking about a similar project back home.

Burnaby Mountain is getting a gondola sometime in the (realativley) near future, and if you asked me what I thought about the project a year ago, I’d probably tell you it’s stupid waste of money. I, like many, assumed that gondolas were associated primarily with tourist attractions, such as ski resorts. Even Disneyland had its own gondolas at one point. But, to my surprise, gondolas are more popular than I thought. According to TransLink, there are over 20,000 ropeway systems in use around the world, only one of those being at a Disney resort. So they might be a better idea than I initially thought, but what exactly makes this new system so exciting?

Efficiency is the name of the game. There’s an entire city on top of Burnaby Mountain, UniverCity, which is home to one of BC’s most prominent universities, SFU. Most of my friends are students there, and I’ve travelled with them on their morning commutes several times. From what I can gather, I’m not exactly jealous of them. It’s a mess of traffic, buses and commuters clogging the roads, and when there’s a single snowflake in the air, things become borderline apocalyptic. So what does a gondola offer?

For starters, TransLink says the capacity of each cabin is about 30 people. When I envisioned this project, I pictured those Disneyland Skybuckets I mentioned earlier, which had a capacity of about 5—quite the upgrade. Cabins would depart every minute during peak hours, so almost 4,000 people could get up the mountain every hour. Sounds good, right? Well, kind of. SFU Burnaby has about 30,000 students, which doesn’t seem to bode well for the gondola. However, one must consider that A, the ride up is about half the length of a bus ride, B, there’s no traffic, and C, not everyone on the mountain commutes to the student residences up there. The gondola isn’t meant to be a replacement for buses or cars, merely an addition.

Ecologically, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that cable cars are also better for the environment, producing 60% fewer emissions per passenger than even electric buses. I’m evidently pro-gondola, but what are the negatives? Well, if you happen to live anywhere near or along the route, the view out your window is going to change significantly. It seems some Burnaby residents are opposed to the gondola for the simple reason that giant cable towers aren’t exactly their idea of “picturesque”. I understand the criticism, although I’d prefer looking at a sky highway than the massive concrete girders of the Skytrain any day. And of course, buses have a higher capacity overall, but unlike a gondola, the system doesn’t become a death trap in snowy conditions quite as easily.

At the end of the day, a gondola on Burnaby Mountain isn’t a massive concern for me, considering I’m not an SFU student, nor do I often trek up to UniverCity, so that begs the question: what do they think about all of this? I talked with a third-year student at SFU about the issue. Here’s what he had to say:

“I think that’s the best idea they’ve ever had. It would make the commute up the mountain a lot better, as the buses are really slow and use a lot of gas. A lot of my friends who transit up the mountain all believe that it would be a great benefit.”

The student requested to remain anonymous.

There are no exact details on the project yet, not even a construction timeline, so who knows when the thing will begin operations. However, one thing’s for sure: I’m going to enjoy joyrides on Metro Vancouver’s only gondola as often as I can.

Vancouver International Film Festival is Back! Here’s What to Expect

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(mermyhh/Pixabay)

It’s that time of year again, Vancouver International Film Festival is on its way, bringing fresh new films to the city for its 44th year. Covering the entire program, 170 movies and 80 shorts, isn’t possible in one reasonably short article, so I’ll try my best to tell you about a bit of everything. 

First off, where exactly is the festival held? VIFF uses many of downtown Vancouver’s most notable theatres for screenings, which include the following: 

-Fifth Avenue Cinema 

-Granville Island Stage 

-International Village Mall Theatres 7-10 

-SFU Woodwards 

-The Cinematheque 

-The Rio 

-Vancouver Playhouse 

-VIFF Centre 

Alright, let’s talk movies. This year, the Special Presentation lineup is at its largest ever, with the likes of Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story) and Jim Jarmusch (Only Lovers Left Alive) among the directing talent in the roster. One of the most exciting films in this category is Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the next film in Rian Johnson’s highly popular Knives Out series.  

If you were also somewhat disappointed that Brendan Fraser’s big Hollywood comeback from a few years ago with The Whale was seemingly short-lived, he’s back once again in Hiraki’s Rental Family, the story of an American actor who takes a job at a rental family agency in Tokyo. 

In the Showcase, more familiar talent will be featured, such as Director Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, a period piece set in the 40’s about lyricist Lorenz Hart. If you’re looking for something with a more Canadian angle, many local and indigenous artists will be featured as part of the Northern Lights series, like Director Sophy Romvari’s Blue Heron, a film detailing a Hungarian family’s move to Vancouver Island, and the issues that follow. 

The Altered States series promises to be a wild time, with films like Radu Jude’s Dracula taking a stab at Hollywood’s AI problem with the unique angle of a shlocky vampire film, and Albert Birney’s OBEX, where the protagonist is sent into a video game world where he must defeat the ultimate villain: his demon-possessed dog.  

If you’re a film fan, you’re not going to want to miss VIFF this year. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, unless you only watch Marvel movies, in which case, there’s a Cineplex theatre every few kilometers for your viewing pleasure. Jokes aside, tickets are on sale now, so don’t drag your heels! The festival starts on October 2nd, so don’t worry, you’ve got plenty of time to rewatch the other Knives Out films before seeing the new one. 

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca