Douglas Todd's most-read articles of 2024

The name, "China," appeared in three of 10 of the columnist's most-read pieces of last year.

Get the latest from Douglas Todd straight to your inbox

Published Jan 01, 2025  •  3 minute read

Readers are fascinated by the relationships between China, migration and B.C. housing Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

The word “China” appeared in three of my top 10 most-read columns of 2024.

All three looked into the links between China, migration and Canadian real estate. It’s a sign of the fascination of readers.

Indeed, nine of my top 10 pieces had to do with housing, construction, the inter-provincial exodus from Vancouver or changing neighbourhoods, whether Broadway, Kitsilano or UBC. The outlier piece among the 10 explored what’s happening with international students.

Article content

1. Vancouver’s high-end condos hit by China’s downturn

Scores of luxury condos are flying onto the market throughout Metro Vancouver, and China’s housing bust is one reason behind it

2. Billionaire owner of three B.C. malls bares soul on China, scandals and her ‘horrific’ upbringing

An attempt to discover what “the wealthiest woman in Vancouver,” Weihong Liu, plans to do with the Tsawwassen shopping centre reveals much more.

3. Why Vancouver house prices became so out of whack

Metro Vancouver suffers a double whammy in regard to outrageous house prices. It’s a gateway city for foreign capital. And it’s located in a country that compounds unaffordability through unrivalled population growth.

4. Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood braces for 23 new towers

Developers are targeting the beachside Kitsilano neighbourhood now that the Broadway plan has opened up the construction floodgates.

Weihong Liu sits in the replica chair of that of “the Queen of England,” which she has in her new Vancouver mansion. “It’s exciting,” she says, to feel the wealth and power it symbolizes. (Screenshot from Youtube video.) Photo by 56 Below TV /sun

5. Why so many Canadians are moving out of Vancouver, the province and the country

High housing costs and a stagnant economy are causing a large number of Canadians to “vote with their feet.”

Article content

Article content

6. China murder case reveals $113 million alleged real-estate fraud in Vancouver

A B.C. Supreme Court lawsuit revolving around an investor murdered in China raises questions about offshore money in Metro Vancouver real estate.

7. Vancouver’s Langara College bracing for drastic plunge in foreign students

Langara College faculty are preparing for a “sudden and overwhelming drop” in enrolment as foreign student numbers decline unevenly across the province.

8. “It’s a nightmare out there” for Vancouver seniors who live near enormous Oakridge project

The chaotic sidewalks and streets adjacent to the gigantic construction zone are not for the faint of heart. For the past few years they’ve been virtually impassable for those who are disabled or elderly, as are many nearby residents.

9. Dream of turning Broadway into a ‘great street’ could end in great disappointment

Broadway is now largely congested and sprawling. It’s, at best, fiercely functional. It has a terribly long way to go. And the signs are not good.

10. Housing crisis and land speculation fueled by UBC and UEL, say faculty

Article content

The rate of investor ownership of housing at UBC and the University Endowment Lands is twice what it is across Metro Vancouver.

…

For the record, here are my next most ‘popular’ columns of the past year:

11. ‘Astonishing’ findings on Canadian ethnic groups’ earnings and education (published in February, 2022)

12. Why the appearance of a B.C. homebuilding boom is deceiving

13. Record population growth ‘massive problem’ for housing in B.C.

14. Metro Vancouver is the fourth most dense region in North America

Metro Vancouver has the worst transit trip times in North America, plus other congestion problems. This was the subject of Douglas Todd’s 19th most-read article of 2024. Photo by Gerry Kahrmann /Province

15. Delightful East Vancouver street faces Broadway plan onslaught

16. Quixotic Trudeau hit with pushback on asylum seeker chaos

17. Dramatic impact of Broadway plan revealed by high-tech 3D images

18. In Vancouver, unhappily, it’s all about the price of dirt

19. Metro Vancouver has longest transit times in North America, plus other congestion problems

20. Little-known program dominates Canada’s massive guest-worker scheme

Article content