After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!
politicaljunkie_600.gif

Olympic Village social housing up for ransom?

Photograph from B.C. government website of Rich Coleman (left) listening with a downcast look as Premier Gordon Campbell speaks.

Rich Coleman is in charge of the Lottery Corporation and Casino licenses.  He wants city approval this fall for the BC Place casino development.

But what cards does he hold in his poker hand?

Rich Coleman is in charge of BC housing and government housing policy.

Rich Coleman just rejected all three bids by social housing providers to manage the 252 Olympic Village units, meaning they'll sit empty and the city will continue to bear the cost.

"The startling decision on the social-housing operators also has councillors angrily asking why the province appears to be making it so difficult for the city to provide low-cost housing to people who need it, at virtually no cost to the province.

“This is astounding. The ink on these proposals is barely dry but already they’re being declared a no-go,” said Councillor Geoff Meggs. “And we’re not even asking BC Housing to put anything in. We’ve provided land and beautiful buildings for free. I don’t know how often a city comes forward with a building and offered to house people on the provincial government’s waiting list.”

(see Frances Bula's story here)

Am I the only one seeing hardball being played here?  Why do I suspect Coleman is seeking a quid pro quo for Paragon's casino project?

It's not like there are other cards in his hand.

More in Political Junkie

How should we remember Ralph Klein?

Condolences and praise poured in for former Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, who passed away on Friday, March 29, at the age of 70. "We remember what a force of personality he was, how driven he was, how...

How much did Harper spend on Keystone XL pipeline promotion?

The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) is calling for a full accounting of the public money spent lobbying in favour of the highly controversial Keystone XL pipeline,...

Stephen Harper's deadly toys

It's finally happened.   Our warlike Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, and his equally pugnacious sidekick Peter MacKay, have finally declared why they want to wear their six-guns in public....
Speak up about this article on Facebook or Twitter. Do this by liking Vancouver Observer on Facebook or following us @Vanobserver on Twitter. We'd love to hear from you.