Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with bc

Bummin' around BC

scose — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:45:59 -0800

What are some free or cheap things to do in Vancouver, BC? My girlfriend and I are heading up to Vancouver, BC and looking for a vacation on the cheap. We will be couchsurfing/camping/???, and hoping to have fun for a few days without going broke. What are your favorite low- or no-cost activities in the area? Any mix of touristy and non-touristy is fine. Stuff like house shows, student art exhibitions, and other events that might fly under the radar of mainstream media would be good.

We will arrive by car, and bring our bikes to get around the city. Any place within a reasonably short drive is fair game. We are bringing food with us, but if you are chomping at the bit to recommend a restaurant, we would appreciate it. Thanks!

What are the holistic set of learning outcomes for Grade 2 in BC?

KokuRyu — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:49:43 -0800

Looking for help with British Columbia Ministry of Education Integrated Resource Package for Grade 2 curriculum. Is there a single document that outlines all of the learning outcomes for Grade 2? Our child has just entered Grade 2 here in BC. After experiencing no less than 5 different teachers last year in Grade 1, and a totally incompetent teacher back in Kindergarten, our child has once again got a complete dud for a teacher.

We'd like to track his progress versus the provincially established learning outcomes. The documents on the Ministry website are confusing.

Does anyone have any suggestion for how to get ahold of an easy-to-understand list of outcomes?

Beach Bonfire

ageispolis — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:01:36 -0800

Where's the best beach in the Victoria area to have a bonfire? Bonfire would happen sometime in the evening and then carry on into night. There would only be 8-10 persons max, so size is not so much the issue but somewhere away from houses, public, and legal is what I'm looking for. Thanks.

Best Cheesecake in Victoria, B.C.

Emanuel — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:21:55 -0800

Where can I get the best cheesecake in Victoria, B.C., to order a whole cake to take away (not to eat a slice at a restaurant)? Bonus points for non-new york style cheesecakes, but I'm interested in new york style as well. Not particularly interested in gimicky "flavours" (like what is offered by Cheesecake 101), more interested in quality. I'll go anywhere in the Greater Victoria area, or even as far as the Cowichan Valley for something really spectacular.

Travel Plan Assistance Please

madmamasmith — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:48:40 -0800

Traveling from Texas to Canada, Bear Creek Provincial Park in Summerland BC. Is the Vancouver Airport the closest airport or should we fly in to Seattle and drive up? Not sure the best route. Help....airline tickets into Vancouver are like $600!

Looking for some sun on the coast

bellbellbell — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:03:59 -0800

I'm looking for advice and recommendations for a trip to the Sunshine Coast. I'm planning a short jaunt in a few weeks for my birthday.

About me: I like outdoorsy and active stuff (biking, hiking, surfing, snowboarding, running, yoga, ultimate, etc.). I also like cultural and artsy stuff (museums, galleries, knitting, concerts, etc.). And I like unusual things and hidden gems.

I likely won't be biking or snowboarding this trip (although I've wanted to for a long time). I'm not opposed to camping if there's a reason (amazing hike? gorgeous beach?), but currently leaning towards somewhere warm n' dry.

Where should I go? What should I avoid? Where should I stay? Eat? Visit? Do?

Thanks for your help!

What do you know about Tofino?

dolface — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:10:17 -0800

I'm getting married this summer, and my partner and I are looking at the west coast of Vancouver for our honeymoon. We've found Tofino and specifically La Picola cabin and I'm looking for any information folks might have about the cabin; good, bad, indifferent, any. (I read the other asks about Tofino, but none of them had as much detail as I'm looking for) We'll be up there in the first week of August for about a week, and figure we'll stay in the cabin for most of the time, with maybe a night at one of the schmancy hotels nearby for a hot shower and room service.

In general I'm looking for ideas about where to kayak (and rent them for a few days), run, hike, whale-watch, fish, eat, and generally lounge around, with an emphasis on down-scale and cozy. Things like hot springs and where to shop for groceries and good wine would be welcome as well.

Suggestions about other places to stay (not necessarily in Tofino, but with similar recreation opportunities) would be great!

How to create a rental agreement in BC

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:36:25 -0800

How do you set-up a lease/rental agreement from the tenant's side in BC, Canada? I moved into a house with three friends a couple months ago. Two of us have our own room, the other two (a couple) share a room. The landlord did not make us sign a lease or any sort of rental agreement. We have decided that we are not comfortable with this informal verbal arrangement (the only thing we have really agreed on, concretely, is how much rent to pay) and we have managed to get the landlord to agree to creating and signing a rental agreement.

We are completely inexperienced in this field and we need help drawing up the paperwork. The landlord is likely to be useless here. We have downloaded the government form for rental agreements in BC, but is there anything else we need to address? How do we create addendums? Is there anything special we need to do to make it legally binding?

The couple would also like to have a joint lease and use it as proof of address to help claim common-law status in the future. What do they need to do?

Also, how do you suggest we talk to the landlord? He has so far shown an unwillingness to be "bothered by details" and agreed reluctantly to drawing up the rental agreement. He has also said that he did not want it to be "too long and detailed" - it does not seem like he is being purposely vague, rather he does not want to spend the time on it.

We do not have any such qualms if the paperwork is necessary, but how do we talk the landlord through the details, as such? Any advice on handling this situation would be welcome.

"Tell me what company you keep and I'll tell you what you are."

pickingoutathermos — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:12:26 -0800

I'm currently looking for a job in the Vancouver or Victoria BC areas, and I'd like some suggestions on companies that do the kinds of things I'm looking for. I'm a Mechanical Engineering Technologist trained at BCIT, with all my post-grad work experience in manufacturing. I'm looking to move my career into a design focused job that has elements of Mechanical and Industrial design. Job classifieds have been pretty meagre, and I'd like to take a proactive approach instead of waiting for something great to come along.
I would love to work for a company that designs / makes / does :
- bicycles, automobiles, boats, aircraft, personal transportation
- heavy equipment like excavators, bulldozers, backhoes
- product design on a contractual basis
- toys, recreational equipment
- musical instruments (guitars, drums)
- medical equipment and/or instruments
- furniture

Any suggestions for companies that have design departments, and do any of the above ?

Living in Terrace B.C.

canoehead — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:22:54 -0800

This is a long shot but can anyone provide me with info about living in Terrace, B.C.? I got an excellent response to my previous question about Prince George and now another opportunity has come up in Terrace.
We have never been to northern B.C. at all - we are from Alberta. Can you tell me about climate (Is there snow in winter? Does it rain a lot in summer?) Can you generalize about the people? Other positive or negative qualities?
Anything you can tell me about quality of life there would be helpful.

South Cariboo Camping in September?

Mitheral — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:16:18 -0800

I'm going to be spending an early September weekend in 108 Mile Ranch for a wedding. We (myself, Mrs. Mitheral and 4 year old) would like to camp for the week after in the area (say no more than a couple hours drive away, less so south eastwards). Recommendations for must see places/things or camping? We'll be car camping with a tent and wouldn't mind staying in a few different places. We don't fish though someplace my daughter could toss a line in from a dock might be a nice diversion. We prefer Provincial park style camping though a Forest Service site would be good for a few nights; a specific recommendation would be great.

CanadaFilter: Moving Ottawa to West coast.

hungrysquirrels — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:25:31 -0800

CanadaFilter: Moving Ottawa to West coast. Within the next two months, I'm seriously considering a move out west. I've already resigned. I visited North Vancouver for about a week a month or so ago. It had long been at the top of my places to go. Most of my time was spent in Stanley Park. The Lions Gate bridge was a serious pain in the arse, 4 major lanes merging into one? But that is a separate issue.

Currently I'm a software developer. Have been for at least 11 years. Most of that has been Windows development with C++, and MFC.

Everyone I've spoken to has warned me about accommodation prices in Vancouver. And to be honest, after my visit there, I'd probably want to wear my motorcycle helmet whilst driving a car.

Sorry, this is getting long, and a bit of a rant.

The real question, assuming I fly, does anyone have experiences shipping housing possessions.

Secondly, what's the best place to go to seek employment as a Windows software developer. I would think Vancouver, but, well as mentioned.. Anywhere else? I'd prefer near the coast.

Anyone have thoughts, or insight? I'm admittedly lost. Job leads would be helpful as well.

Where to buy a suit that's comfortable when it's warm, in Vancouver?

tiamat — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:05:57 -0800

I'm looking for a nice summer suit that I can wear for an August wedding (outdoors). I'm currently in Vancouver, B.C. Similar to this question I'm looking for a decent suit I can wear in hot weather without dropping dead.

Something that travels would be good; I'm either going to have to wear it to fly or pack it, and either way I'm not going to be able to press or dry clean up upon arrival.

Cheaper is better, since I don't often need suits in my day to day life, but it absolutely must come in under $800.

Camping in the Okanagan

PercussivePaul — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:27:55 -0800

Can anyone suggest a good place to go camping in the Okanagan in BC? Last minute - we leave tomorrow! Vancouver has been too cloudy and chilly lately and we want some sun. The forecast in the Okanagan looks good so we're thinking about a last-minute trip. Neither of us has been there before. We are looking for the following:

- Campground likely to have space available this weekend (Friday/Saturday night)
- With a lake where you can swim that isn't too crowded
- Within maybe 6 hours drive from Vancouver, closer is better.
- In a spot that is likely to be sunny and warm this weekend
- Nothing too rugged where you need to park the car and hike to the campground... basic amenities nearby would be nice.

This doesn't sound too difficult - actually we're quite overwhelmed by all the options and could use some recommendations to narrow it down. Thanks.

Trans Canada Roadtrip

niccolo — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:35:11 -0800

In two weeks I am taking a roadtrip across Canada from Ottawa to Vancouver (I'll be living in Vancouver for the next year). I have 4-5 extra days I can use along the way (i.e. non-travel days). I want to spend these mostly in Alberta and BC. What's awesome in Alberta and BC, where should I stay/visit? I am male, 25, and I will be traveling alone. I will be staying mostly in hostels.

Help me find this website again.

arianell — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:37:56 -0800

Does anyone know where I can find a comparison chart for different kinds of hormonal birth control? Once when I was browsing the internet, I came across a very helpful website that had a lot of information on different types of birth control. In addition to information on lots of major types of contraceptives (the pill vs. the patch vs. an IUD, etcetera), it had a really cool chart that compared different brands of the Pill, listing the types and amounts of hormones in each brand, and it had some advice on which brands were more likely to cause which side effects (weight gain, mood swings, skin problems, and the like).

Does anyone know where I can find this chart, or a similar one? For some reason, I think the website was maintained by an organization in the UK, but I could be wrong. It seemed very official and well-researched.

Going west for fun trip

hexxed — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:20:53 -0800

Mrs. Hexxed and I are going out to Seattle, Vancouver, and various parts of Oregon in fall this year and we are looking for some suggestions on where to go and what to do. We have about 6 days to split between Seattle and Vancouver but we are not limiting ourselves to those cities exactly. In a similar trip to Oregon last year we spent a lot of time at the McMenamins hotels. We are not really into the tourist stuff, more into just trying to get a feel for the city in unique way. I know it is not possible to explore such large cities in a short time. I did read some of the suggestions from a previous Seattle/Vancouver question posted but we will be spending more time and are open to going off the beaten trail a bit. A lot of our interests usually include alcohol of some sort (wine and beer mostly) and/or nature.

Move to Prince George?

canoehead — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:18:54 -0800

Prince George B.C. (Canada), possible employment. Need relocation info please. I'm from Alberta but have never been to Prince George. Tell me as much about it as you can please. Have heard negative things about air quality, crime, lack of amenities - set me straight if neccesary.

H&M and B&C.

furnace.heart — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:56:34 -0800

(VancouverBCfilter) What to do with an afternoon in (a specific part of) Vancouver BC? My girl has been dying to go to H&M for months after finding there was one in Coquitlam. It's quite a ways away from the city center of Vancouver (which i am kind-of-sort-of familar with), and we have no idea how to fill the rest of the afternoon out there. Are there worthwhile stops to make in that area for a couple of Portland-Oregoners to check out, or should we just bite the bullet and drive downtown? (I admit to having visions of visiting Zulu Records again...*swoon*).

Help Hivemind!

What to do about moldy walls and a bad landlord.

radiocontrolled — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:29:14 -0800

What to do about moldy walls and a bad landlord. The walls of my apartment in Vancouver BC are growing mold, and it's driving me and my partner crazy.

This started when we noticed a whole wall at the back of the bedroom growing black mold a month ago. We washed the walls with bleach, isolated the affected areas with plastic, and sprayed mold deterrent, and the place is always well ventilated, but the mold just comes back a few weeks later. We can't use our bedroom closet anymore as our clothing will be damaged, and my nose is always stuffy.

We've talked to the landlord several times about this and she is being very unhelpful. The building would require serious work to fix this problem, and she is unwilling to invest the money into repairing it.

We know we have to move out - and are in fact planning to move East in the spring around May, but what can be done in the meantime, and what are our rights?

Storing stuff in Vancouver, BC, self storage or pods??

lois1950 — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:05:33 -0800

I must pack up my daughter's Vancouver BC west end studio apartment and store her stuff for around 3 months. Need recommendations - pods or self storage units? Companies to use, conpanies to avoid. (I'm in Seattle) Plan to hire movers from Craigslist. Any advice graciously appreciated. Need to do this before the end of December. Thanks!

How long does it take for the hormones to leave my system?

schroedinger — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:52:18 -0800

What can I expect from taking a break from hormonal birth control? How long does it take the hormones to clear out of your system? Which hormonal birth control side effects disappear and which stay? Factual and anecdotal advice welcome! I am currently on NuvaRing and have decided to take a break from hormonal birth control for at least a few months. I would like to let it all clear from my system and see how my body and mood changes when everything is "normal", then possibly start again-- though probably with the Mirena IUD. I'm wondering what to expect from this "off" period. How long does it take for the cravings and moodiness to stop? Will my boobs shrink immediately? When will my period go back to pre-BC flow? Is this a gradual process or abrupt? Will these BC side effects disappear at all? Does it depend entirely on my individual chemistry?

I would love to hear your experiences on going off, and whether or not you went back on and why.

Recommendation for Yoga Studio, Vancouver, BC

lois1950 — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:05:38 -0800

Please, need recommendations for best (your favorite) yoga studio in Vancouver, BC (west end preferrably). Iyengar would be best. Thanks!

Ho(s)tel recommendations in Victoria, BC?

the dief — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:40:27 -0800

Lodgings in Victoria, BC? I'll likely be attending a completely awesome conference in Victoria, BC in October. Booking the hotel is up to me. The conference is at U Victoria, and I'm really interested in any or all recommendations for places that are at least moderately safe and reasonably cheap. This place looks pretty interesting, but I'm not sure if the ~5 mile distance from it to UVic is a dealbreaker or not.

Any hotels in Victoria you'd suggest? Thanks much!

Issues facing physiotherapists in BC?

Milkman Dan — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 20:12:06 -0800

Issues facing physiotherapists in BC? So this Wednesday, my wife’s got an interview for the Masters of Physical Therapy program at UBC, and I’m trying to do what I can to help by finding out what kind of issues are facing physiotherapists in BC these days. Is there anybody who is currently working as a physio (or OT) in British Columbia that could help answer some questions? Here are some initial things I'm wondering:

What are some of the major frustrations with practicing physio in BC?

Does the government make it easier or harder to do your job?

What kind of a threat are massage therapists, chiropractors and naturopathists to your occupation? Are more people seeking these kinds of treatment over physio?

Do you wish that the Ministry of Health would offer rehab/physio subsidies to a broader range of people?

Do you think the “aging population” issue is realistic, or just a cliché?

Do you have any other personal gripes about how “the Man” is keeping physios down, or any other issues that you’d need to be a working physio to know?

Any help or insight at all would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.