Guess what, Vancouver? The wildly popular (and mesmerizing) holiday train ride through Stanley Park is back this season, and tickets to the magical experience go on sale this week. So mark your calendars and set your alarms, because you don’t want to miss out on one of the city’s most iconic holiday attractions of the year – AKA the Bright Nights Train!

According to the Vancouver Park Board, over 1,200 off-duty firefighters will help transform the Stanley Park Railway plaza into a magical forest illuminated by nearly three million Christmas lights.

In addition to its beloved train ride, there will be a handful of festive activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy, including photos with Santa, a mesmerizing tunnel of lights, and live entertainment.

In terms of food & drink, there will be plenty of churros, pretzels, chimney cakes, popcorn, and hot chocolate to enjoy!

Bright Nights will take place from Friday, November 29th to January 4th, with the holiday train operating daily from 4 pm to 10 pm.

Note that the train will be closed on December 25th.

Tickets will be available via an online ticketing system through the Vancouver Park Board, with an online queue that opens at 11:30 am on Friday, November 8th. Those who want to snag their spots on the holiday train will definitely want to enter the queue as early as they can, as this event sells out quickly every year.

Once ticket sales open at noon on Friday, November 8th, individuals in the “waiting room” will be randomly assigned a spot in the purchasing queue, according to the Vancouver Park Board.

Those joining after this point will be able to purchase their spot on a first-come, first-served basis, with a priority to those already in the waiting room.

Tickets are priced at $16 per person (aged 13 and up), $12 per child aged three to 12, and free for those aged two and under.

Parking will be limited as per construction on the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel, but there will be two-hour pay parking in effect at the main railway lot ($7.50 for two hours).

There will also be free event parking available at the Stanley Park information booth, Vancouver Aquarium, and Lumberman’s Arch.

So there you have it, Vancouver! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more holiday info as it comes!

When: Friday, November 29th to January 4th (closed on December 25th) Where: Pipeline Road in Stanley Park Cost: $12 to $16 per person

On the active job hunt? These tech companies are hiring for a variety of roles in Vancouver right now, and all have solid benefits ranging from remote and hybrid work options and 4-day work weeks. So whether you’re just getting started or ready to take on a more senior role, it’s worth checking out these companies hiring!

With 11 open positions in BC (and remote) ranging from hardware engineering to integrated photonics, Photonic is a pioneer in the world of quantum tech. If you’re passionate about silicon-based quantum information processing or want to help optimize the world’s first universal quantum processor, this is a great company to check out.

Benefits include flexible work hours for all employees, extended health benefits, and wellness days.

Where: 1333 West Broadway, 10th Floor

Procurify is a purchasing software company that helps organizations empower their teams by simplifying business spending. In terms of their work culture and benefits, they’re committed to providing their employees with a remote-first model, as well as a 4-day work week. Currently, they have four open roles that are all remote.

Where: 455 Granville Street, #500

Jane is an app that books, charts, and schedules health and wellness appointments and sends payments to practitioners. The concept was born right here in North Van – though they’re a remote-first company, so nearly all of their roles offer location flexibility. Employees also enjoy extended health benefits, including 80% drug coverage, and coverage for massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and more.

Right now, they’re hiring for over 20 Canada-based roles in software development, marketing, customer support, and more.

Where: 500 – 138 13th Street East, North Vancouver

With 9 open roles in Vancouver (and some remote), Clio is a great option for job seekers looking to get into legal services and help change the legal experience for the better. With a digital-first mindset, Clio gives employees the option to work remotely or from one of their offices in Calgary, Toronto, or Vancouver.

Employees have access to in-house career performance coaching, leadership workshops, and more. In terms of benefits, Clio offers flexible paid time off (minimum of 4 weeks), parental leave, RRSP-matching, and health, dental and vision benefits for employees and their families.

Where: 4611 Canada Way #300, Burnaby

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Microserve provides businesses across Canada with top-notch IT support and consultation services. So if you’re in IT or want to make the transition, they’re currently looking to fill 11 different positions that are all BC-based or remote.

Employee benefits include having dog-friendly offices, corporate activities like bowling nights and seasonal outings, and a casual work environment.

Where: 280 – 4400 Dominion Street, Burnaby

While headquartered in Northern California, video game mogul Electronic Arts is hiring for over 200 jobs across Vancouver right now, and many are remote roles. So whether you’re looking for a role in software engineering, game design, or marketing – there’s likely a job with your name on it.

Employees enjoy flexible work models, traditional and holistic health benefits, leave of absence coverage, bonuses and stock options, and more. Oh, and game credits and console reimbursement, so you can get in on the EA action.

Where: 4330 Sanderson Way, Burnaby

There you go, applicants, good luck!

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PRA Communications (PRA), the leading public relations and marketing consultancy exclusively dedicated to the mining and clean energy industries, is proud to announce that Anne Lewis, a highly respected leader in the mining sector, is joining PRA in the role of Associate.

Bringing over 15 years of international experience and a proven track record in fostering collaboration between mining companies, investors, governments, and communities, Anne is well-recognized throughout the industry. She is the founder and past president of Yukon Women in Mining, and in 2022, she received the prestigious Women in Mining Canada Trailblazer Award, honoring her innovative leadership and dedication to equity and inclusion in the mining industry. Anne was most recently Executive Director of the Yukon Mining Alliance, where she was instrumental in developing the globally recognized Invest Yukon brand.

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“We are thrilled to welcome Anne to the PRA team,” said Robert Simpson, Founder and CEO of PRA Communications. “Her leadership, industry expertise, and passion for driving positive change align perfectly with our mission. I have no doubt she will play a pivotal role in helping our clients achieve even greater success as we continue to grow and evolve.”

In addition to welcoming Anne, PRA is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael MacMillan to Partner and Managing Director, and Paola Ashton to Partner. Since joining PRA in 2023, Michael has brought over 20 years of experience in journalism and global communications, having advised a range of Fortune 500 and government organizations. His expertise spans stakeholder and community relations, innovation and enterprise technology, innovation, public awareness campaigns, crisis communications. Paola, who joined PRA in 2020, brings more than two decades of expertise in business development, marketing, investor relations, operations and public relations. Her distinguished career spans companies and clients across the technology, media, SaaS, mining, and life sciences sectors.

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“Michael and Paola have both been instrumental in driving PRA’s growth and success,” said Simpson. “Their deep expertise, leadership, and dedication have had an extraordinary impact on our clients and our agency’s direction. I’m excited to see them take on their new roles and continue to contribute to our future.”

The team changes come at an exciting time for PRA Communications, following a year of sustained growth. In 2024, PRA was also recognized for its groundbreaking work, winning the Mining Technology Excellence Marketing Award and the prestigious 2024 SABRE Gold Award for its outstanding achievement in the mining and energy sectors.

To learn more about PRA Communications, please visit www.pracommunications.com.

About PRA Communications

PRA Communications is the only global communications, public relations, and marketing firm exclusively dedicated to helping mining and clean energy companies, suppliers, and technology innovators showcase their brand, key innovations, workforce opportunities, and positive impacts. Let us help you tell your story, connect with your audiences, and achieve your business objectives. www.pracommunications.com.

Media Contact

Kamran ShaikhAccount Director, PRA Communicationskshaikh@pracommunications.com

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British Columbia is bracing for another labour disruption at all ports.

A province-wide lockout of more than 700 unionized foremen is expected to begin Monday.

On Thursday, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 issued a 72-hour notice for job action that would begin Monday morning.

The move prompted the BC Maritime Employers Association to issue a formal notice that it will "defensively" lock out members of the union starting at the same time.

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On Monday morning, the BCMEA issued a news release saying that the ILWU Local 514 did commence strike action at the terminals.

“ILWU Local 514's strike action has already begun to impact to B.C.'s waterfront operations and strike activity can easily escalate, including a complete withdrawal of labour without notice,” said the employers’ association in a statement.

“Accordingly, to facilitate a safe and orderly wind-down of operations, the BCMEA has made the difficult decision to lockout forepersons and other Local 514 members on November 4, 2024 commencing on the 16:30 shift and continuing until further notice.”

It says the lockout will not apply to grain or cruise operations.

The two sides have been bargaining for nearly two years to renew their collective agreement that expired in March 2023.

The employers’ association says its final offer includes a 19.2 per cent wage increase.

It claims that would increase the median foreperson compensation from $246,323 to $293,617 per year, not including benefits and pension.

The BCMEA says on average, eligible workers would receive a cumulative lump sum payment of approximately $21,000, inclusive of signing bonus and retroactive pay increases back to April 2023.

The union has said the key issue for its members is staffing requirements, as more automation is introduced at the ports.

Union local president Frank Morena said the BCMEA has threatened to remove four important items from the existing collective agreement should its recent final offer be rejected.

Morena says the union would not sign a contract that removes existing parts of the collective agreement.

A port worker strike last year, which lasted nearly two weeks, froze billions in trade at the docks.

Canada's labour minister says he’s spoken to both sides and that federal mediators are standing by to help strike a deal.

Employers have locked out more than 700 unionized workers in the latest development in a labour dispute that the union says will shut down all ports in British Columbia until further notice.

The BC Maritime Employers Association said Monday that its "difficult decision" to impose the lockout came after the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 commenced "industry-wide strike activity" at employers' terminals.

The B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) said its plan to lock out workers was meant to "facilitate a safe and orderly wind-down of operations" in light of "escalating and unpredictable strike action."

Last week, it said the move was being done "defensively" after International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514 issued a 72-hour strike notice for job action, which was due to start at 8 a.m. PT.

The lockout began for foremen and other Local 514 members at 4:30 p.m. PT on Monday and will remain until further notice, the employer says. It said the lockout will not apply to grain or cruise operations.

WATCH | Labour professor reacts to news of looming lockout on Monday morning:

14 hours ago

Duration 2:49

Hundreds of foremen in Vancouver and Port Rupert were locked out by their employer, the B.C. Maritime Employers' Association, on Monday afternoon, with the employer calling it a "defensive action" after port workers served 72 hours strike notice. The union says the BCMEA is overreacting.

ILWU Local 514 told CBC News Monday morning that it has "implemented an overtime ban and will refuse to participate in technological change as their limited job action."

The union previously accused the BCMEA of "acting recklessly" by threatening the lockout, saying it was an an "attempt to force the federal government to intervene in the dispute."

It said no negotiations are happening at the moment.

"The union bargaining committee is ready to resume at any time and the federal mediators are standing by as well, but the BCMEA has not indicated willingness to return to the table," the union said.

The union's main ask is to protect jobs from automation.

The BCMEA said in a statement Sunday that its final offer — which was issued to the union's president on Wednesday — remained open and that if it were accepted by the union, it would avoid "unnecessary strike action."

"Despite ILWU Local 514's regrettable decision to destabilize Canada's supply chain, the BCMEA's comprehensive offer remains open until withdrawn," BCMEA said in a statement.

Union president Frank Morena said in a news release Sunday that the employers had threatened to remove existing parts of the collective agreement if the union did not accept its final offer.

"Let me be crystal clear to the BCMEA: Our union will not sign any contract which includes concessions that remove existing parts of our collective agreement that our members fought long and hard for over many years," Morena said.

$800M in trade per day

Bridgitte Anderson, CEO and president of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, said she's very concerned about the potential of a lockout, adding that $800 million in trade flows through West Coast ports every day.

"This could have disruptions right across our industries, right across our sectors, and in fact right across the whole Canadian economy," she said in an interview Sunday.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on the federal government to step into the dispute and is asking Ottawa to make ports an essential service so that they remain fully operational at all times.

"The shutdown of B.C. ports will negatively impact many small businesses across Canada," said Jasmin Guenette, CFIB's vice-president of national affairs. He pointed out that a 13-day port strike in 2023 froze billions of dollars in trade at the docks.

In a statement on social media platform X on Sunday, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said federal mediators are on standby, ready to help the employers and union.

"It is the responsibility of the parties to reach an agreement. Businesses, workers and farmers are counting on them to get a deal," he said.

During question period Monday, MacKinnon was asked by NDP MP Matthew Green whether the minister will "categorically reject" any intervention that would "force port workers to give up their collective bargaining rights."

MacKinnon doubled down again saying it's up to the parties to reach a deal.

With files from CBC News and Radio-Canada