theBreaker.news Week in Review
What did you miss last week in theBreaker.news?
FIFA, Ferries, milestone podcast and more…
Liberal housing minister Gregor Robertson refused to answer Conservative Scot Davidson’s questions about his real estate portfolio in the House of Commons. So theBreaker.news looked into the B.C. land registry. The former Vancouver mayor, who was Mark Carney’s star candidate in the April federal election, has interest in almost $11 million in B.C. real estate.
At the invite-only, one-year countdown to FIFA World Cup 26 in Vancouver, Mayor Ken Sim vowed to keep visitors safe and said the homeless would not be rounded up and moved out of the Downtown Eastside. The NDP minister responsible, Spencer Chandra Herbert, walked away from theBreaker.news questions about FIFA sponsors from repressive Saudi Arabia and Qatar and how already overcrowded hospitals will cope under the stress of visitors.
In front of Greater Vancouver Board of Trade members, FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani, a West Vancouverite, delivered mixed messages: he doesn’t know what to expect when seven matches come to B.C. Place Stadium next June and July, but suggested businesses not look for short-term gain. Many submitted questions about traffic-planning and disruption to businesses were ignored by the emcee.
BC Ferries did not say how much it is spending on a controversial contract to outsource shipbuilding to China. The decision was announced two months after Premier David Eby’s buy Canadian edict. While in opposition, the NDP demanded the BC Liberals build publicly funded ships in B.C. The U.S., a Five Eyes partner of Canada, warned that China is using commercial shipbuilding contracts to bolster the People’s Liberation Army Navy, which threatens to invade Taiwan.
The political strategist who managed Ken Sim’s campaign and became his first chief of staff wants to replace him. Kareem Allam is exploring a run for the Vancouver mayoralty in the October 2026 election. When Sim’s ABC candidates in the April 5 by-election had the worst finish among party affiliates, a committee seeking to replace Sim approached Allam. He said he would not run if Green Coun. Pete Fry or another figure with a higher-profile decides to seek the job.
Last but not least, the 400th edition of theBreaker.news Podcast. Instead of looking back, it’s about looking ahead: to FIFA World Cup 26.