Vancouver Rundown

“Faith. Family. Freedom. That’s what it’s all about.” Those are the words of newly chosen BC Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. The former federal Conservative MP says her first priority is to unite the party. Close to 25,000 Conservatives voted in the leadership race - most signed party memberships during the campaign. Findlay, who needs a seat in the Legislature, is married to BC Conservative MLA Brent Chapman who won his Surrey South seat despite describing Palestinian children as “inbred, walking, talking, breathing time bombs.”

The B.C. government believes a Supreme Court of Canada decision to dismiss an appeal of a New Brunswick case could impact the Cowichan and its title rights. The high court’s refusal leaves private property rights in land-claims cases unresolved for now. It also runs contrary to the controversial BC Supreme Court ruling which acknowledged Cowichan title over some private land in Richmond. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma says this bodes well for the provincial government’s pending court cases.

Outrage has killed plans for a new overdose prevention site in downtown Vancouver. Health Minister Josie Osborne says the decision follows concern from the community and businesses near the location at 900 Helmcken Street. Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC majority on council had directed city staff to use all available tools to stop Vancouver Coast Health from opening the site at that location.

“Awkward!” That’s how both B.C. Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith describe their relationship as the western premier’s meeting wraps up. Eby has again voiced his opposition to Smith’s hope for a new northern oil pipeline between Alberta and the West Coast. He’s also slammed Smith’s upcoming non-binding referendum on separation, calling it a huge mistake. Smith says she hopes the two provinces can work together despite their disagreements.

The City of Vancouver will not kick the homeless out of parks at night during the FIFA World Cup. That’s just one of the promises coming out of an Action Plan ahead of the event which starts on June 13. The City has listed 14 priorities as part of a framework demanded by FIFA organizers. Vancouver says it will have a zero-tolerance policy for any acts of discrimination at public events. Community groups on the Downtown Eastside have expressed concern the World Cup will negatively effect the most vulnerable people in the neighbourhood.

Monday’s showers may provide some relief as crews battle a new but growing wildfire near Squamish. The fire was first reported Sunday afternoon in an area near Midnight Way and Paradise Valley Road. Crews are warning people to stay out of the area and not stop to watch or take photos. There’s no early word on the size or cause.

The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear B.C.’s appeal of a lower court ruling that could end DRIPA - the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Premier David Eby is seeking the high court ruling after the BC Court of Appeal ruled the Mineral Tenure Act is ‘inconsistent’ with DRIPA. The Act is intended to align provincial laws with the UN’s Indigenous declaration. A date for the Supreme Court hearing has not yet been set.

The Surrey home of Cricket Canada’s president has been hit by gunfire. CBC’s fifth estate reports Arvinder Khosa has confirmed his house in Newton was hit early Wednesday morning. It’s the second time the same home has been fired at. No one was hurt - the Surrey Police Service has linked the shooting to the ongoing extortion crisis. Fifth estate has previously reported on unproven allegations Cricket Canada had been linked to organized crime and efforts to rig matches. Khosa has also been linked to players who claim to be part of the Bishnoi gang - he has denied those allegations.

The B.C. government is trying to downplay a slide in hotel bookings for June over the same time last year, erasing any confidence in a bump due to the FIFA World Cup. Economic Growth Minister Ravi Kahlon says he knows people will come and skeptics have been wrong in the past. Destination Vancouver says there’s been a 20 per cent drop in bookings over the first few weeks of the event. Some experts think taxpayers will only learn of the true cost to put on the World Cup after it’s over.

A man’s been attacked by a black bear in Mission. Gordon Gwyn says the bear bit his arm after he went outside his home at around 3:30 a.m. Monday. Gwyn says he was backed into a corner while trying to open his screen door. The BC Conservation Officer Service tells CTV the bear was gone when they arrived but traps have been set up.