Inspector Drew Milne of the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service likened it to finding a needle in a haystack — the haystack being a 137-hectare park on Vancouver Island, and the needle being a 1.5-metre-long boa constrictor.

But searchers for the snake had a reliable witness, and cool conditions last week in the area suggested it was unlikely the cold-blooded reptile could have slithered far from where it was seen in Miracle Beach Provincial Park, about 250 kilometres northwest of Victoria.

“We narrowed down a location where we felt it probably would have been based upon our understanding of the snake, its behaviour, and the location,” said Milne, describing how the snake was found last Thursday.

“We found it within seconds. I had just grabbed that snake and was pulling it out of the bush.”

Bizarrely, it’s the second search for a boa constrictor on Vancouver Island in the past month, after a 1.8-metre boa named Bailey was reported missing at Tofino’s Chesterman Beach in early June. It was found a few days later in the owner’s kayak.

The unusual cases have prompted a warning from Sara Dubois, the British Columbia SPCA’s senior director for animal welfare science, who said owning an exotic pet came with special responsibilities.

She said the Miracle Beach snake might have escaped its owner but there was the “horrible” possibility that someone might have dumped the animal deliberately.

“The snake doesn’t deserve that, and these animals should never be pets,” said Dubois, adding that it’s hard to rehome them and the SPCA does not recommend exotic snakes as pets.

“They’re wild animals in other countries, so to breed them in captivity and sell them, as this special kind of unique pet, unfortunately, doesn’t always end very well.”

Dubois said buyers might not realize a boa constrictor can live 30 years, and they require special vet care and equipment.

“So, they just might have been an impulse buy, or just decided, ‘hey, this is not fun anymore,’ and they just decided to dump it,” said Dubois.

Milne, who served in the Canadian Armed Forces for six years before joining the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, said he wasn’t scared catching the boa, but he hoped that searching for snakes on the island “is not a trend.”

Boa constrictors are categorized as restricted controlled alien species in B.C., meaning that while ownership doesn’t require a permit, release is prohibited under any circumstances. If the snake is longer than three metres, ownership and the movement of the animal require permits.

Milne, who is in charge of the West Coast region at the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, said officers are investigating whether the Miracle Beach animal was dumped or got loose accidentally before it was spotted by someone staying at the park’s campground on June 25.

“The individual is quite educated in the field of biology, and realized that that’s not a normal species that should be found on Vancouver Island or in a provincial park,” Milne said.

The reptile is now up for adoption after no one came forward to claim it. It will require a “very unique, special” owner to adopt it, said Dubois.

July 3 – With 11 months until FIFA’s circus rolls into town, Vancouver’s bean counters have finally crunched the numbers. The verdict? Seven World Cup matches will cost British Columbia between $85-145 million – but the economic payoff could be colossal.

The provincial government is betting big on tourism magic – over one million out-of-province visitors through 2031, generating more than $1 billion in additional spending. FIFA’s own assessment is even bolder, projecting $1.7 billion in economic benefits and a $980 million GDP boost. It may be even more if fans prefer Canada to the US given the anti-American sentiment building and concerns around ICE activity.

“Hosting FIFA World Cup is an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our province to the world, and we are determined to do it in a way that reflects who we are and what we value,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim struck a reassuring tone about municipal costs: “The City of Vancouver’s direct costs, including security, transportation, the FIFA Fan Festival and upcoming milestones remain on track, with no major changes from 2024’s budget projections.”

What sets Vancouver apart is its Indigenous partnership approach. The Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations aren’t just ceremonial window dressing – they’re genuine collaborators in this venture.

“FIFA World Cup 26 provides an incredible opportunity for us at Squamish Nation to share our culture, our teachings, and our history with the world,” said Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams, Squamish First Nation spokesperson.

Chief Jen Thomas of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation added: “Our səlilwətaɬ community believes strongly in the power of sport and how it can inspire our people today and our next seven generations.”

The numbers tell a compelling story – Vancouver’s existing $9.6 billion visitor economy supports 63,000 jobs, and the World Cup could supercharge that engine. BC Place upgrades are underway, the Killarney Park training site is being polished, and the FIFA Fan Festival planning is advancing.

It’s a massive gamble, but one that could transform Vancouver’s sporting and economic landscape. Whether it pays off depends on execution – and whether FIFA delivers on its grandiose promises.

Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.llabtoofdlrowedisni@ofni

When I think of the Fairmont hotel brand, two words come to mind: historic luxury.

From Quebec City's Fairmont Le Château Frontenac to the iconic Plaza Hotel towering over Central Park in Manhattan, every Fairmont hotel I'd stayed in or gawked at from across the street had been reminiscent of a renaissance castle — until I spent one night at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, British Columbia, in May.

"We're a lot more contemporary with a different demographic," a representative of the Fairmont Pacific Rim told Business Insider.

While Fairmont's heritage hotels give guests a peek into the past, the Fairmont Pacific Rim embraces modern luxury. The five-star hotel has won numerous awards since it opened in 2010, including being named the No. 1 hotel in Western Canada in the Condé Nast Traveler 2024 Readers' Choice Awards.

One lavish night in a $725 room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim swept me off my feet. In fact, I left wishing I'd booked it for a longer stay.

The Fairmont Pacific Rim was one of many glass skyscrapers lining the Coal Harbour waterfront in downtown Vancouver. But it was the only one with strips of text lining several stories of the 22-floor facade.

In 2-foot-tall, spaceless, lowercase Helvetica Bold lettering, each line read, "lying on top of a building…the clouds looked no nearer than when I was lying on the street."

The installation by UK artist Liam Gillick was the first of many indicators that the Fairmont Pacific Rim celebrates art and design.

The second was the vibrant BMW coupe in front of the entrance, which looked like a page from a comic book. According to the hotel's Instagram page, pop artist Jeff Koons hand-painted the fancy car.

From fashion and music to sculptures and paintings, the Lobby Lounge showcased all types of art.

High-end fashion was displayed on mannequins in glass boxes and hanging bird cages. Nestled in a corner was a stage with a piano and drum kit, played by a range of musicians on the rise. Spinning figures of children stood over 6 feet tall on top of a marble fireplace.

The Lobby Lounge also has a raw bar serving sushi and cocktails.

"It's commonly known as Vancouver's living room because it's so popular for locals," the hotel representative told BI.

I wish I'd had more time to hang out in the lobby and listen to live music while munching on sushi.

You can think of Fairmont Gold as a first-class experience. It's an elevated section of the hotel on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd floors with premium rooms and its own mini lobby lounge with complimentary snacks throughout the day.

"Essentially, the Fairmont Gold product is like a club floor," the hotel rep told BI. "It is a brand-new product for us, which we're super excited about."

Fairmont Pacific Rim's Gold experience launched in March 2025.

The rep said the design of the lounge and rooms was inspired by Vancouver's natural beauty. Floor-to-ceiling windows surrounded the lounge, offering views of the harbor, skyline, and mountains.

I was surprised to learn that breakfast was made to order rather than served buffet-style.

I ordered scrambled eggs and chicken sausage and paired them with toast, fruit, and fresh orange juice.

The eggs were soft and fluffy, just like I like them. All the ingredients tasted fresh and filled me up without spending a dime.

If I had stayed longer, I would have liked to try more of the complimentary breakfast dishes, like the brioche French toast or the avocado toast.

The hotel has 367 guest rooms and 60 Fairmont Gold rooms.

I stayed in a Gold Harbour Mountain View room that sleeps up to four people. The hotel rep said that the best available rate for this room is 984 Canadian dollars, or about $725, though BI received a media rate for the one-night stay.

My room had a king-sized bed, a bathroom, a sitting area, and a balcony accessible via floor-to-ceiling windows.

With custom furniture and unique decor, this was one of the most beautiful hotel rooms I'd ever stayed in.

I was immediately taken by the handblown glass Bocci chandelier, which had air plants peeking out from the bulbs. I sank into the custom velvet couch in front of the windows, and warm accent lighting made the space feel even more luxurious.

Out on the balcony, I marveled at the grand views of the harbor, spotting seaplanes, yachts, and skyscrapers sitting beneath mountains.

My bedside table had an oil diffuser, a smart tablet with room controls, spa booking capabilities, and in-room dining services.

The framed TV across from the bed was a whopping 75 inches with a Bose sound bar. I appreciated the small details, too, like the leather box that held the TV remote and lifestyle magazines with elegant spreads highlighting architecture, photography, design, travel, and more.

In the evening, an attendant came by for turndown service, where I selected premium pillows and oil scents from a menu.

Each Fairmont Gold room has an oversize bathroom coated in black marble, with two sinks, a lit mirror, a glass shower with two showerheads, and a deep bathtub topped with a resin tray.

A separate toilet room with a sliding door was at the back of the bathroom. The toilet was luxurious, with a light beaming inside the bowl and an upscale bidet with options to heat the seat, change the water temperature, and a dryer mode.

The bathroom had luxury amenities from Le Labo toiletries to a Dyson hair dryer that I fell in love with. After five minutes of use, my damp hair, which drapes past my waistline, looked like it had just gotten a blowout.

The five-star Fairmont Spa set a calming mood upon entering. Warm lighting beamed through thin wood panels with a soothing water feature against a wall.

In addition to massage, facial, and meditation treatments, the spa has several amenities, including a mineral bath, fitness center, Jacuzzi, and infrared sauna, among others.

There's also an outdoor relaxation lounge with gravity chairs and views of the surrounding city.

During my stay, I didn't have time to book a spa treatment, but I'll be sure to do so next time.

From November through April, a portion of the pool deck transforms into the Nordic Spa, which moves guests through a range of temperatures with a cedar plank sauna and cold plunge pools.

"It's very popular for sports teams and muscle recovery," the hotel rep told BI.

Botanist looked like a restaurant inside a greenhouse. Dining tables were surrounded by living plants, lit by floor-to-ceiling windows.

"The menu is inspired by the Pacific Northwest, so everything is hyper-local," the hotel rep told BI.

The restaurant serves brunch, lunch, and dinner.

The menu features sustainably sourced proteins like wagyu beef, grilled octopus, and black pepper-crusted salmon. It also includes hand-cut pasta, locally sourced produce, and lobster Benedict.

"This hotel is a platform for creativity," the hotel rep told BI. "We blend influences of art, music, and fashion."

The art in the Pacific Gallery rotates every three months.

During my visit, the exhibit was Angela Teng's Colourwork, a series where crocheted acrylic paint acts as yarn. The vibrant art popped in an otherwise white room.

I think art enthusiasts would be inspired by a stay at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. But don't book just one night like I did.

I've stayed in so many luxury hotels that they sometimes blend together in my mind. However, the Fairmont Pacific Rim's art-forward aesthetic made this a booking I'll be thinking about for years to come.

Inspector Drew Milne of the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service likened it to finding a needle in a haystack — the haystack being a 137-hectare park on Vancouver Island, and the needle being a 1.5-metre-long boa constrictor.

But searchers for the snake had a reliable witness, and cool conditions last week in the area suggested it was unlikely the cold-blooded reptile could have slithered far from where it was seen in Miracle Beach Provincial Park, about 250 kilometres northwest of Victoria.

“We narrowed down a location where we felt it probably would have been based upon our understanding of the snake, its behaviour, and the location,” said Milne, describing how the snake was found last Thursday.

“We found it within seconds. I had just grabbed that snake and was pulling it out of the bush.”

Bizarrely, it’s the second search for a boa constrictor on Vancouver Island in the past month, after a 1.8-metre boa named Bailey was reported missing at Tofino’s Chesterman Beach in early June. It was found a few days later in the owner’s kayak.

The unusual cases have prompted a warning from Sara Dubois, the British Columbia SPCA’s senior director for animal welfare science, who said owning an exotic pet came with special responsibilities.

She said the Miracle Beach snake might have escaped its owner but there was the “horrible” possibility that someone might have dumped the animal deliberately.

“The snake doesn’t deserve that, and these animals should never be pets,” said Dubois, adding that it’s hard to rehome them and the SPCA does not recommend exotic snakes as pets.

“They’re wild animals in other countries, so to breed them in captivity and sell them, as this special kind of unique pet, unfortunately, doesn’t always end very well.”

Dubois said buyers might not realize a boa constrictor can live 30 years, and they require special vet care and equipment.

“So, they just might have been an impulse buy, or just decided, ‘hey, this is not fun anymore,’ and they just decided to dump it,” said Dubois.

Milne, who served in the Canadian Armed Forces for six years before joining the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, said he wasn’t scared catching the boa, but he hoped that searching for snakes on the island “is not a trend.”

Boa constrictors are categorized as restricted controlled alien species in B.C., meaning that while ownership doesn’t require a permit, release is prohibited under any circumstances. If the snake is longer than three metres, ownership and the movement of the animal require permits.

Milne, who is in charge of the West Coast region at the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, said officers are investigating whether the Miracle Beach animal was dumped or got loose accidentally before it was spotted by someone staying at the park’s campground on June 25.

“The individual is quite educated in the field of biology, and realized that that’s not a normal species that should be found on Vancouver Island or in a provincial park,” Milne said.

Park staff and conservation officers temporarily closed the park the next day and turned visitors away to conduct a “hasty search.”

Once located, the boa was put in a crate and taken to Comox Valley SPCA.

The reptile is now up for adoption after no one came forward to claim it. It will require a “very unique, special” owner to adopt it, said Dubois.

Do strengthened trade relationships with Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea have the potential to offset the decline in trade between B.C. and the U.S.? If you ask David Eby, he would almost certainly say “yes.”

Last month, the premier returned from his trade mission, which had led him and his entourage of ministers, business representatives, and researchers from local B.C. universities to visit exactly these three countries.

Eby said the trade mission’s goal was to “strengthen partnerships, increase investment, diversify trade and create good jobs for British Columbians” and to “become less reliant on the United States.”

During the mission, he visited the international EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan, met with representatives of Mitsubishi and Nippon Steel, discussed their response to tariffs with several Malaysian ministers, and celebrated the anticipated first shipment of LNG to South Korea.

The premier’s trade mission is “bringing back new opportunities to grow a stronger, more diversified economy and create good jobs throughout the province,” a government press release said.

Trade mission accomplished?

So, was the trade mission then a complete success? Can it compensate for the losses in trade with the U.S.?

“Success would mean concrete deals, not just MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding),” explained Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president, research and strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

“While such visits are critical to open doors, long-term success requires follow-through mechanisms and a focus on Asia that is sustained.”

After all, she explained, more than half of B.C.’s exports only know one destination.

53 per cent of B.C.’s exports go to the U.S.

According to B.C. official trade statistics, 53 per cent of all B.C’s commodity exports went to the U.S. in 2024, totaling $28.9 billion in physical goods. Another $11.1 billion of exported services went to the U.S.

The U.S. is also the biggest source of imports into B.C., with over 35 per cent of imported goods and 59 per cent of imported services originating from the southern neighbour.

On the other hand, $22.4 billion in merchandise exports are currently directed to Indo-Pacific markets. This represents more than 41 per cent of the province’s total merchandise exports in 2024, according to the statistics.

Even though the numbers show that reliance on trade with the U.S. is staggering, B.C. is well-positioned to increase trade with other partners overseas. And certainly, the geographic position helps to aid this effort, too, says Nadjibulla.

“B.C. is actually the leader when it comes to provinces in Canada on the percentage of trade with the Indo-Pacific markets,” said Nadjibulla.

“So, deepening trade relations with the Asia-Pacific region would make sense, given that B.C. is the gateway to those markets,” she said.

Even though more than half of B.C.’s trade is with its southern neighbour, it’s the province that is least reliant on trade with the U.S., Nadjibulla explains.

“It is much higher for provinces like Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, where trade makes up over 70 per cent with the U.S.”

First LNG shipment from B.C. leaves for Asian markets

“Premier Eby’s visit is well-timed,” Nadjibulla added. “Asian governments are looking for reliable and trusted partners as U.S.–China competition squeezes their supply chains.”

The first LNG shipment from an LNG Canada facility in B.C. set sail for Asia on June 30.

“[Eby visited] Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea because they are a big part of the investment at LNG Canada,” said Nadjibulla.

The LNG Canada facility in Kitimat is the first large-scale LNG export project in North America with direct access to the Pacific. Malaysia’s Petronas company, Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation, and South Korea’s KOGAS are large shareholders of the project.

The $40 billion project, the largest private sector investment in Canadian history, fuels more than the expectations of the provincial government to reduce trade reliance on the U.S.

“In making this country strong and ensuring that we are able to stand on our own two feet,” Premier Eby said at a press conference on June 25, the province “has a strong and important role to play.”

In May, Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a news release, “Canada has what the world needs.”

Next to LNG, what does B.C. offer Asian markets?

“There is a desire to deepen the relations, particularly with Japan and Malaysia, but also with Korea because it is an established market for B.C.,” Nadjibulla added.

According to B.C.’s official trade statistics, South Korea is B.C.’s fourth-largest trading partner, just after Japan.

And with the LNG shipment bound to those countries’ shores, the trade volume is only about to increase.

When visiting South Korea, Eby also met with the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) to celebrate the anticipated first shipment of LNG.

Trade with Malaysia amounts to only $162 million in exports in 2024, which is comparatively small compared to $5.6 billion in exports to Japan in physical goods alone.

“Malaysia’s growing appetite for high-quality, sustainable food fits perfectly with B.C.’s strong reputation for clean, safe agricultural products,” said the Consulate General of Malaysia in Vancouver, providing an opportunity in “building a stronger economic partnership between British Columbia and Malaysia”.

Apart from agricultural products, “one of the most exciting opportunities is in clean technology and energy,” argued the Consulate.

“This shared commitment [to tackle climate change] opens the door for collaboration on things like green infrastructure, carbon management, and responsible resource development.”

Malaysia is not alone in pushing forward the sentiment of a shared commitment as the foundation of economic ties.

The Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver points out that “it is important for countries and regions that share fundamental values to pursue stronger economic and human ties.”

As B.C.’s third biggest trading partner, the Consulate said that Japan “strengthening economic ties will enhance cooperation in a wide range of fields, including critical mineral resources, hydrogen and fuel cells, aerospace, agri-food and agri-tech, and clean technologies.”

Additionally, the Kiyukai (Vancouver’s Japanese Business Association) sees “great potential for collaboration in areas such as clean technology, forestry innovation, and sustainable energy.”

The Kiyukai is a non-profit community of Japanese-speaking professionals in B.C.

The organization’s president, Yuki Shiraishi, says that stronger economic partnerships with East Asia would have many benefits, as it “offers new opportunities for investment, market expansion, and skilled talent exchange.”

He also underlines the importance of smaller local businesses. “For our members, this could mean more pathways to grow businesses and contribute to B.C.’s innovation economy.”

Shiraishi names East Asia “a natural and trusted partner for British Columbia,” while “trade tensions with the U.S. pose uncertainties.”

B.C. started years ago to diversify its economy

A closer look at the historic numbers reflecting trade volume with the U.S. shows a clear picture: Trade with the U.S. has been declining, even before Trump’s first term. His second term only accelerates the province’s diversifying process.

As a result, in 2023, the provincial government put in place ‘B.C.’s Trade Diversification Strategy.’

This initiative highlighted Vietnam, Taiwan, and Mexico as countries of opportunity for market diversification.

The premier’s recent trade mission is a continuation of the initiative, explains Nadjibulla, as those relationships are ongoing.

“This trade mission paved the way for a more resilient, diverse, and forward-looking economic relationship that benefits people on both sides, helps position B.C. as a key partner in our region, and supports B.C.’s goal of being Canada’s economic engine,” said the Consulate General of Malaysia.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vancouver was not available for comment.