Business in Vancouver (BIV)

A B.C. manufacturer of specialized female undergarments is being sued for more than $63,000 over claimed it failed to pay its Chinese manufacturer. In a petition filed June 16 with the B.C. Supreme Court, the Chinese apparel and lingerie maker Golden Fung Co. alleges it had entered into an eight-month supply agreement with Athleticus Research Ltd.

While more than a century has gone by since the Scopes trial in Tennessee brought international attention to the teaching of evolution and creationism, the issue still generates plenty of debate in Canada and the United States. This year, Canadians continue to side with evolution over creationism by a 3-to-1 margin.

The operators of a marina in Vancouver allege a third-party company and its owner knowingly profited off the unauthorized use of its docks in an illegal scheme that has cost the leaseholders hundreds of thousands of dollars. Maritime Market and Marina Ltd. made the claims in a lawsuit filed June 17 with the B.C. Supreme Court. The company operates a marina on Granville Island where it leases moorage and commercial space to dozens of independent businesses.

Metro Vancouver riders pay Canada's lowest bus fares, but commuters travelling longer distances face some of the country's highest transit costs after TransLink's latest fare increase took effect July 1. All TransLink fares increased five per cent on July 1, the largest annual fare increase in at least a decade, pushing the adult three-zone cash fare to $6.70.

Jin Gao, a government worker living in Burnaby, is planning to take short trips within B.C. this summer instead of travelling internationally as she usually does. “Travel costs have really risen a lot, especially hotels,” said Gao. “And there is a lot of uncertainty going on in the world, as well as disease outbreaks.

Consumers faced higher inflation across the country in May as the war in Iran and subsequent oil price spike drove prices for gasoline and related travel expenses up, while food prices also increased. While underlying inflation remained well contained, there were some signs that inflation increases broadened outside energy.

Vancouver’s industrial market is seeing strong demand for a limited supply of large-format space, with Grosvenor Canada signing its largest-ever lease on Annacis Island. S&S Activewear Canada Inc., a distributor of branded merchandise, has leased Millennium 6, a 162,650-square-foot warehouse at 1005 Derwent Way built in 2014. Previously occupied by two tenants, the property will now have a single tenant in S&S.

Delta South MLA Ian Paton is now part of the Conservative Party of B.C. leadership team after being named Lower Mainland lieutenant, the party announced Monday, June 29. Paton said he’s honoured to be named but doesn’t know much about it, other than he’s going to stand in for party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay when she’s not in the area. “That’s about all I know about it so far,” he said, adding there's a caucus meeting this week in Penticton where he’ll learn more.

CALGARY — The Alberta government is poised to make an announcement about its plans for a new West Coast oil pipeline on Thursday, but experts say industry skepticism is well warranted. Sam Blackett, press secretary to Premier Danielle Smith, said Tuesday that there will be a "major announcement" on July 2 to share new details about the province's submission to the federal major projects office, established a year ago to speed along infrastructure deemed in Canada's national interest.

Canada's telecommunications regulator is launching a review to determine if the Big Three providers have violated its new rules banning so-called junk fees. The CRTC announced the consultation Tuesday, saying it will require Bell Canada, Telus Corp. and Rogers Communications Inc. to demonstrate their fees do not contravene its policy.