Latest news with #Harcourt
Global News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Former B.C. premier says Metro Vancouver should be merged to ‘6 to 8 municipalities'
As the Metro Vancouver Regional District faces ongoing scrutiny in the wake of a scathing report on its governance structure, one of the elder statesmen of British Columbia politics is throwing out a radical solution. 'I think we should go down to six to eight municipalities from 22-plus that we have now,' said Mike Harcourt. Harcourt served as B.C. premier from 1991 to 1996, and as mayor of Vancouver from 1980 to 1986, experience he believes gives him insight into the regional government's current woes. 6:05 Governance review prompts Metro Vancouver to make changes He said with the Lower Mainland's population closing in on 3 million, it's time to rethink the way the region is managed. Story continues below advertisement '(We should have) a regional police force, and I think we should look at the fact that some mayors are earning more than the prime minister and the premier are,' he said. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'So there's a lot of issues like that, and it's time to have a fresh look at it.' Harcourt envisioned a series of geographically driven amalgamations. The City and District of North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Bowen Island and Lions Bay should be one municipality, he argued, as should Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and Anmore. Surrey and White Rock should recombine, and the two Langleys should be a single municipality, he argued. Those six to eight mayors would represent their municipalities on a re-envisioned Metro Vancouver regional council, he suggested, along with representatives that are directly elected by voters. But Harcourt's blue-sky thinking doesn't appear destined to go anywhere fast. 2:11 Committee recommends Victoria and Saanich amalgamate Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon described the proposal as a 'lofty idea,' but stressed that any amalgamation talk would 'have to be led by local governments.' Story continues below advertisement He pointed to the case of Victoria and Saanich, which held a citizens' assembly that recommended a merger, a prospect that will be put to voters in the near future. 'I think that's the best course of action to go forward,' Kahlon said. Winning buy-in from the affected municipalities might be a hard sell. Amalgamation talk is nothing new to the two North Vancouvers, and always generates strong opinions. A referendum on a merger failed in 1968 despite overwhelming support in the District, and a District proposal to study the idea in 2018 was received coolly by the City — which cited concerns about preserving its lower tax rate and surpluses. The City of Langley, likewise, rejected a citizen-led proposal to merge with the Township in 2012; more recently, it was the Township pushing to further split the communities as it triggered a breakup of the two municipalities' shared policing agreement. Those and similar roadblocks in other municipalities, however, haven't stopped Harcourt from suggesting a fresh look at the regional map. 'I am not vehemently saying do it immediately,' he said. 'But I think its a good time to look at what would make good governance for that kind of growth.'
Emirates Woman
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates Woman
7 Friday night brunches to experience in Dubai
Who said your weekend can't begin early? These Friday night brunches in Dubai are definitely the best way to kickstart no more early mornings. Each of these venues offers a unique experience, catering to various preferences—from sophisticated rooftop settings to lively party atmospheres. So, if you're looking to enjoy a Friday night brunch in Dubai, the city offers a vibrant selection of venues that combine delectable cuisine with lively entertainment. Here are some top picks to consider: Fouquet's Enjoy an extraordinary Friday Night Brunch from 9pm to 12am where you'll embark on a culinary journey featuring unlimited hot and cold starters, a choice of main course, and indulgent desserts—all set against the stunning backdrop of the iconic Burj Khalifa. Nestled in the vibrant Burj Plaza, Fouquet's is a true Parisian gem blending sophistication with contemporary flair, featuring opulent red velvet armchairs, classic wood-panelled walls, and striking black-and-white Harcourt portraits that celebrate its cinematic legacy. The evening comes alive with vibrant live music and a dynamic DJ, creating an upbeat and energetic atmosphere, perfect for kicking off the weekend in style. Guests can also enjoy unlimited beverages in this stylish setting, all starting from Dhs350 per person. Reserve your table now for an unforgettable night that promises to delight all the senses. For more information visit Gohan View this post on Instagram A post shared by @gohanbluewaters Here you can expererience a night of French elegance and Japanese precision. Indulge in a curated set menu with an alcoholic package at Dhs480 and enjoy the best of both worlds with the option to order from the menus of both La Cantine and Gohan. Enhance your evening with live singers, saxophonists, and electrifying performances by Gohan's DJ, drummer, and dancers. End the night in style at Gohan's exclusive after-party. It takes place every Friday, from 8pm to 11pm at Bluewaters. For more information visit Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar Indulge in a night of culinary delight at Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar! Savour a sumptuous 3-course sharing menu featuring tantalising appetisers, mouthwatering mains, and decadent priced at Dhs350 per person for hops and grape, Dhs450 per person for premium beverages and Dhs650 per person for bubbles. It takes place every Friday from 8pm to 11pm and promises breathtaking views of Dubai. For more information visit Aura Skypool Want to celebrate at the world's highest 360 degree infinity pool? You can kickstart your weekend with the AURA Night Brunch, served in the Lounge every Friday evening from 8pm to 11pm. Enjoy three hours of free-flowing drinks and savor our Pan-Asian inspired set sharing menu. AURA's resident DJ will set the perfect mood for an unforgettable start to your weekend. It's priced at Dhs550 per person with unforgettable views at this infinity pool in Dubai. For more information visit En Fuego This highly-charged Latin American restaurant and bar En Fuego is fun whenever you go. But it's really fun on a Friday night, when the Fiesta Brunch brings the liveliest Latino vibes. You'll get the full En Fuego show, with a mix of dancing, mariachi bands, acrobatics and even fire breathing contortionists. All while tucking into house guac, beef antichucos, chicken quesadillas and more. The package is priced at Dhs375 for House beverages, Dhs450 for sparkling and it takes place on Friday from 9pm until midnight. For more information visit The Citronelle Club This Roaring Tiger brunch is must-try. The stylish night brunch you must go to, if you haven't been yet! Dress up, drink up and dance to DJ Nicole's set. Food is so good, that you won't be able to sing along. Feast on fine Asian street food, savour delectable Dim Sum, and sip punchy hand-crafted cocktails. It's priced at Dhs395 for house beverages, Dhs495 for premium beverages and Dhs280 for soft drinks. It takes place on Friday from 8pm to 11pm at SO/ Uptown, Uptown. For more information visit Ammos Ready for a taste of Greece? Expect Aegean classics like tzatziki, melitzanosalata, taramosalata, kalamaraki and more. There are sharing platters of souvlaki, grilled fish and more, plus a live singer and top Ain Dubai views. It's priced at Dhs355 for house beverages, Dhs395 for the sparkling package, and Dhs295 for soft drinks and it takes place on Friday from 8pm to 11pm. It's located at Rixos Premium Dubai JBR. For more information visit – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied Feature Image: @karenwazen
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Why Anthony Albanese could finally scrap a much-hated tax - but only one group of Australians are set to benefit
Anthony Albanese could scrap Australia's 33 per cent luxury car tax as part of a prospective free trade deal with the European Union, a Labor insider has revealed. Petrol and diesel cars selling for more than $80,567 are slapped with the tax. But for fuel-efficient vehicles like hybrids and fully-electric cars, that tax threshold rises to $91,387, provided they use less than seven litres of petrol for every 100km. From July 1, that luxury car tax rule for fuel-efficient cars is tightening, with a higher threshold exemption only allowed if a car uses 3.5 litres of petrol or less per 100km. That means a $95,500 Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 4MATIC SUV would incur the 33 per cent luxury car tax of $4,927 because it used 7.5 litres for every 100km. A basic $86,100 BMW X3, with a similar fuel consumption, would have an $1,826 luxury car tax bill. The European Union is home to the world's leading luxury car brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Porsche in Germany, and Italian sportscar marques Lamborghini and Ferrari. Professor Tim Harcourt, a chief economist at the University of Technology Sydney who was previously a trade and economics adviser to federal Labor ministers, said the re-elected Albanese Government was likely to scrap the luxury car tax. 'We don't produce cars in Australia so, in some ways, the luxury car tax is a bit unusual in the sense that there's no local competition,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'The case is different for it now - you're not protecting local industry; it's obviously just a revenue raiser.' Prof Harcourt, Austrade's former chief economist who keeps in regular contact with Trade Minister Don Farrell, said scrapping the luxury car tax made sense in the context of negotiating a free trade deal with the European Union. 'It might be part of that,' he said. 'I talk to Don Farrell everyday so I help him out.' Donald Trump's broad-based tariffs, including 10 per cent import duties on Australia, and Chinese President Xi Jinping's since aborted 200 per cent tariffs on Australian wine, had made the traditionally-protectionist Europeans more open-minded about trade deals. 'The Europeans are, by nature, are protectionist and they really don't want to do too much,' Prof Harcourt said. 'But we've now got a world where it's a little bit more uncertain and you don't really want a big China-US trade war so the EU's been reaching out to Canada and to us, to other like-minded countries. 'One good thing about Donald Trump and Xi Jinping is their actions might lead to actually more trade between other nations. 'Certainly, the European Union is a lot more open since Donald Trump returned to the White House.' The luxury car tax is expected to raise $1.2billion in 2025-26, which is equal to the wine equalisation tax on the wholesale price of imported alcohol. Australia stopped manufacturing cars in 2017 when the last Holden Commodore was made in Adelaide, meaning there's no need for a luxury car tax to protect local jobs. Australia and the EU have been negotiating a free trade agreement since June 2018, when the Coalition was last in power. Since then, the EU has asked Australia to stop using using names such as feta, gorgonzola and mozzarella on Australian-made cheeses. 'The EU has been pretty protectionist and you could send all the French cows around the world business class for the price of their common agricultural policy,' Prof Harcourt said. In 2019, it presented the Australian government with a list of 'geographical indications' that also demanded that camembert only be marketed with a small 'c', and that 'Edam' and 'Gouda' be banned from being paired with the name 'Holland'. Prosciutto, a cured ham term, would be banned from being paired with the terms 'di Parma', 'di San Daniele' and 'Toscano' unless these were Italian imports. Australian food producers have broadly complied with those requests since then, which could potentially make the EU open-minded about a free-trade deal with Australia if the luxury car tax was scrapped.
Vancouver Sun
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Vaughn Palmer: Eby, Clark, B.C. NDP scramble to 'save the furniture'
Article content He then expressed the hope that the electorate would see its way clear to re-elect incumbent New Democrats, such as Victoria MP Laurel Collins. 'I really hope that Laurel is returned to Ottawa. She's such a good fighter for people on the Island.' Article content Eby posted an online endorsement of Collins. At about the same time the NDP fired up a campaign claiming that 'here on the Island, only the NDP can defeat the Conservatives.' (Never mind opinion polls suggesting that the Liberals have at least as good a chance as the NDP of capturing some Island seats.) Article content Then along came former NDP Premier Mike Harcourt with an endorsement of Carney, published Tuesday in The Vancouver Sun. Harcourt was responding to former Premier Gordon Campbell's earlier endorsement of Pierre Poilievre. Article content Article content 'Unlike either (Justin) Trudeau or Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, Carney has extensive economic and business experience, backed up by a PhD in economics from Oxford,' wrote Harcourt. 'He is known and is respected by most of the world's political, business, labour, environmental and government leaders. Article content 'For all these reasons, I am supporting Mark Carney to be elected April 28 as prime minister, hopefully with a comfortable majority government, despite Campbell's misgivings,' wrote Harcourt. Article content But he also threw in 'an important last word' in an effort to have it both ways. Article content 'I'm also urging people to vote for the excellent incumbent NDP MPs,' wrote Harcourt. 'Let's make sure the NDP have full party status in the next parliament so they can continue to advocate for important issues for workers and others.' Article content Article content Party status being 12 seats in parliament. Article content You only get one vote, and Harcourt didn't break down where people should prefer NDP incumbents over Carney's candidates. Article content But former NDP premier Glen Clark took a stab at it, while dissing the same corporate, banker credentials that impressed Harcourt. Article content 'When was the last time you turned to a corporate banker to fight for the rights of working people, or fight for lower housing prices, or champion public health care?' asked Clark in The Sun on Friday. Article content 'Let's not fool ourselves. Carney has literally stolen many Conservative party policies. He is not likely to change the status quo or challenge corporate control. He comes from that world.'
