by Sean Orr | Smyth: Clark government averts gaze from Vancouver’s real estate realities. I just want to clarify my position on this: although the headline of the last Tea & Two Slices included the words “kibble for rabid sinophobes” I don’t think this is a race issue. It’s purely economics. We would have no problem crying foul if it were Russian oligarchs or Saudi oilmen who were buying all our property or, for that matter, The Bay, The Fairmont, or the Wheat Board.

So why do we flinch when it’s Chinese who’ve enriched themselves off cheap, oppressed labour? Why are we so prone to attribute to racism a factor which should instead be attributed to class? Perhaps because racism is the perfect smokescreen to deflect from the fact that “the government is making millions on transfer taxes in the overheated market, while the governing Liberals soak up generous donations from property developers and real estate companies.” In other words, we’re suckers.

Bait and switch: Minister Stone on the Viaducts: What’s really going on? “And don’t forget: no transit upgrades to serve growth from the east, thanks to the defeat of the referendum. Therefore the need to maintain and enhance road access…”

Indeed, the cover story in Tuesday’s Province seems to exist in some sort of amnesiac state where the referendum never happened: Bridge, tunnel tolls touted to ease congestion for Metro Vancouver commuters. “Winning over a public which, by and large, still thinks of roads as “free” ways and something their taxes already pay for, is a tough sell, [Price] said. So is the lack of political will, particularly from the province.” And like I’ve said a million times, Christy Clark knew this and gamed us all.

Everyone’s fawning over Trudeau’s cabinet, and his thug explanation as to why — that is except for crusty old curmudgeons like Andrew “all of a sudden I care about merit” Coyne and John “who are these chicks anyway” Ivison.

In any event, conservative white men will keep the purse strings.

Not that there isn’t good reason to be optimistic, but they’ll probably just end up disappointing you.

Oh, and does anyone else think it’s weird that we’re fetishizing the masculine bad assery of our new defence minister?

Meanwhile, PM Harper no longer exists.

Quip of the day from David Eby: Here in BC, our provincial government scandals have their own commemorative wines.

Sometimes you just gotta do a front flip off a ferry. Who are we to judge? Police make arrest in BC Ferries jumper case. That’s one way to protest service cuts…

Art of the day: Jeff Wall Pulls Show from Audain Art Museum Opening. Love the subtle hint that it’s because Audain voiced some criticism about the Vancouver Art Gallery’s conceptual design. “We had done a catalogue, and had been working very closely, up until about two weeks ago.” Who wants to bet that that catalogue fetches a hefty sum at Sotheby’s one day?

Ex-pat of the day: Nathan For You Summit Ice jacket has generated $45,000 in sales for Holocaust education center.

Craigslist of the day: 4000ft2 – Gastown PUB for lease. The 303 is 86’ed.

Sports of the Day: Alternative logos for all 30 NHL teams. Let’s go Mad Whales, let’s go!

Honour Bound: Megaphone 2015 Vancouver Vendor of the Year – Eric.