Vancouver rundown for Friday August 16, 2024. Late and over budget. The provincial government
now admits its latest cost projections for the Suri de Langley Skytrain extension
will be $6 billion. That is a stunning 50% more than first promised. The Ministry of
Transportation also says it now expects the project to be finished at the end of 2029,
not 2028 as previously announced. The government blames market conditions, rising costs, labor
shortages and supply chain issues for the extra costs. Even though work is already underway,
BC conservative leader John Rustad says he doesn't think the NDP government will ever deliver on this
project. Other news investigators are trying to figure out how and why a man died after falling
from a transit bus in Wally. It happened after the man got off the bus near King George Boulevard and
Old Yale Road early Wednesday evening. He could not be revived. Police say he was pronounced dead
at the scene. Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley home prices are on the rise again, at least
according to a report by REMAX. The real estate company says 83% of valley neighborhoods are
reporting an increase in the median price, 70% for Greater Vancouver. Meanwhile, the prices have
dropped for high-end luxury homes, those valued at over $5 million. A well-known Vancouver anti-Israel
protester has praised the October 7 terrorist attack during an Iranian TV interview. Charlotte
Cates, who leads a Vancouver-based protest group, was arrested back in May after hate speech was
uttered at a rally. Canadian Jewish groups have been lobbying the Trudeau government,
trying to get her group declared a terrorist organization. Friday is going to be mostly sunny
with highs in the low 20s. Saturday turns to rain or possible thunder showers. Expect rain on Sunday.
For all the details on these Vancouver area stories along with the links,
go to vancaverundown.substack.com