Economist Ranks Vancouver "Most Liveable" City

Vancouver snagged top honors as world's most livable city, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's global livablity poll. The poll ranks 140 cities on factors such as healthcare, stability, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.

With a rating of 98 percent, Vancouver's only challenges as noted by the Economist were petty crime and availability of good-quality housing.

The top 10 cities are as follows:
1. Vancouver
2. Vienna
3. Melbourne
4. Toronto
5. Perth
Calgary
7. Helsinki
8. Geneva
Sydney
Zurich

http://www.economist.com/markets/rankings/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13809770\

Olympic Partnership Aims for Carbon-Neutral 2010 Winter Games

The Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee has announced a partnership with B.C.-based firm Offsetters Clean Technology to produce the first carbon-neutral Olympics. Offsetters will provide VANOC with offset projects aimed to reduce at least 110,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. The company will also work with Games partners, sponsors and participants to reduce an additional 190,000 tonnes of emissions during the Games that are mainly caused by air travel. Proposed projects include fuel-cell technology in transit buses, energy efficiency systems, biomass gasification and hydrogen fuelling stations. Offsetters will work with B.C. firms such as Nexterra, Sempa Power, Lignol Innovations, Ballard Power and Powertech on such clean technology initiatives.

Bachelorette Episode Boosts Local Economy

A single hour of prime-time television has resulted in a flood of business for Vancouver. Monday's episode of the Bachelorette, starring Jillian Harris, featured shots taken from Granville Island, Grouse Mountain, Coal Harbour, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, and the curling club. Immediately following the show, Tourism Vancouver experienced a 25% bump in its website traffic, and local tourist operators such as the classic Pacific Yellowfin charter boat company were flooded with calls for rates. Inquiries have come from as far away as Miami, Kansas, Omaha and Seattle.

During the show, there were also numerous mentions of next year's Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. And after Jillian Harris wore a blue Vancouver 2010 zippered hoodie on the show, the calls have been pouring in inquiring about where the hoodies can be purchased. Aritizia, the Vancouver fashion store that licensed the Olympic hoodie, had originally planned to release the hoodie in the fall, but has since decided to release a limited edition starting on Thursday.

Next week's episode will be situated in Whistler, the co-host city of next year's Olympics. Tune in to see the show......and what happens on the local economic front.

Passport Required

Starting June 1, 2009, Canadian and American citizens will be required to show one of four documents when crossing the border at land or sea ports. Canadian travelers will require a passport, NEXUS card, or province-issued Enhanced Driver's License. Children under age 16 only need proof of citizenshp such as a birth certificate or a citizenship card.