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!

Charles Mandel

These groups are suing to halt Premier Clark's controversial wolf cull

Pacific Wild and Valhalla Wilderness Society are challenging the legality of the province’s wolf cull program in provincial court with an action filed Wednesday morning in Victoria. The B.C....
Charles MandelJan 21st, 2016

Keystone XL cancellation means more oil-by-rail terminals for the Pacific Northwest

In the wake of the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline, the oil industry will look toward opening new rail terminals in the Pacific Northwest, contends a new report. Tracking Emissions: The...
Charles MandelNov 12th, 2015
Gerald Butts, Justin Trudeau, Liberal Party, 2015 federal election

How one Liberal political advisor shaped Trudeau's historic win

The Conservatives flagged Justin Trudeau as "just not ready," but Liberal campaign political advisor Gerald Butts had other ideas.
Charles MandelNov 4th, 2015
U.S. President Barack Obama. Photo by Pete Souza, White House

Obama puts Harper to shame

The Clean Power Plan that U.S. President Barack Obama unveiled Monday puts Americans on track to greatly reducing carbon dioxide emissions — and puts Canada to shame.
Charles MandelAug 5th, 2015
Margaret Atwood with Graeme Gibson. Photo courtesy of Margaret Atwood.

Margaret Atwood’s bold take on climate change

Oil has ceased to flow and with that anarchy arrives. Food runs out. The banks empty out of money. Panic sets in. Margaret Atwood, arguably one of Canada’s most famous writers, postulated that as one...
Charles MandelAug 4th, 2015
Canadian politics, federal election 2015, NDP

The Mulcair you never knew

In August 2011, Thomas Mulcair was  grieving over the death of his good friend and colleague Jack Layton, and wouldn't even entertain the idea of leading the federal NDP. But after a couple...
Charles MandelJul 2nd, 2015

Pipeline eco assessment roundly criticized in new study

The author of a new report on a proposed pipeline and expansion has released a scathing critique of the proponent’s ecological risk assessment (ERA) of its own project. Dr. Jeffery Short, an...
Charles MandelMay 18th, 2015

New study charts death rates diluted bitumen spill in Burrard Inlet could cause in bird, seal, wildlife populations

The end of harbour seals in Burrard Inlet could follow a major spill of diluted bitumen, a study by a University of British Columbia professor released today says.
Charles MandelMay 18th, 2015

B.C. Premier defends Bill 20 amendments

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark said Tuesday that a controversial provision in Bill 20 is meant to create “a level playing field” for all the political parties. Her comments come on the heels...
Charles MandelMay 12th, 2015