News for Youse: Vancouver contract details, transit tension, and Cory Schneider struggling with injury

Contracts report to Council  The City of Vancouver’s annual procurement report goes before council today (April 24). The document details “procurement activities and performance”—such as contracts awarded to private companies—and covers the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. Such expenditures accounts for 30 percent of non-salary city spending, the report notes. A list of contracts of includes such items as integrated security services and parking meter maintenance.

Transit tension  The head of the union representing Translink supervisors has made a call for reform. In an interview with CKNW, Rob Woods, president of CUPE Local 4500, said there is a lack of accountability in the organization and complained of frustration and “unreasonable workloads”.

MP objects to coal exports  A proposal to expand Fraser Surrey Docks for the export of coal faces fresh opposition from Peter Julian, NDP MP for Burnaby-New Westminster and opposition energy and natural resource critic. In a letter sent to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Julian wrote that there has been a “lack of consultation” on the issue. He is calling for a public hearing.

Bill Clarke running with Conservatives  The B.C. Conservatives have added a surfeit of experience to their ticket, announcing today that Bill Clarke is their candidate for Vancouver-Quilchena. Clarke served four terms as a member of parliament for Vancouver Quadra in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Terrorism case begins  The case of two men accused of plotting a terror attack on a VIA passenger train got off to a notable start today. In court this morning, the first of the accused, Chiheb Esseghaier, appeared without a lawyer and said that he does not recognize the Criminal Code of Canada because it is “not a holy book”. The Justice of the Peace responded: “It doesn’t matter in this court. You save that for another court.”

Schneider “day-to-day”  The Vancouver Canucks have disclosed that goaltender Cory Schneider is “day-to-day” with an undisclosed injury. Schneider was expected to hold the net for the Canucks as they head into the playoffs. That responsibility will likely now fall on backup goalie Roberto Luongo. Chicago Wolves goaltender Joe Cannata has been called up from the American Hockey League.

Women good for business  A study published today suggests that businesses led by women are more likely to outperform rivals. The research, conducted by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, analyzed 90,000 deals and found that venture capital firms that invested in women-led businesses saw an improvement in their firm’s performance.

Fukushima rat problem  Japan’s damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant has a problem with rats, the Telegraph reports. The facility was badly damaged in a March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and is currently in the process of being decommissioned. The growing rat population has now forced the suspension of required cooling three times in five weeks.

Building collapse kills dozens  At least 87 people were killed and more than 600 injured in a building collapse on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. Bodies are still being recovered from the wreckage of the eight-story tower, which housed a number of garment factories as well as a bank. The death toll is expected to rise.

Syria border violence  Clashes have escalated on the border of Syria and Lebanon, with Syrian rebels threatening to “move the battle into Lebanon” if what they describe as a Hezbollah-led offensive into Syria continues. The United Nations estimates that more than 70,000 people have died since the Syrian uprising began in March 2011.

Paltrow named “most beautiful”  People Magazine has named Gwyneth Paltrow as its 2013 “most beautiful woman”. The Academy Award-winning actress is best known for her lead roles in such films as Shakespeare in Love and supporting roles in The Royal Tenenbaums, and more recently, The Avengers. She is 40 years old.