'Enjoy the run' but don’t expect major economic boost from Canucks playoffs: expert
A Canadian sports economist is encouraging Canucks fans to enjoy the team’s playoff run, but cautioning against having big expectations around economic spinoffs.
Concordia University professor, Moshe Lander, points out that while bars and restaurants around Rogers Arena will see an influx of enthusiastic fans for home games, the big picture isn’t so rosy.
“Everyone is going to say, of course, the place is packed on Canucks games and so the conclusion then is this is creating a lot of economic activity,” he said. “But if you start going into the malls and start going out to the local sushi restaurants and ask them how they’re doing, they’re going to say, 'wait a minute, we notice there's a decrease in economic activity here.’”
And that’s not just the case in an expensive city like Vancouver, where the high cost of living is putting a squeeze on many residents. Lander says research has found that across sports markets, the amount of spending stays fairly consistent despite playoff excitement – and a night out at the bar will likely be offset by saving money on lunch or other discretionary expenses.
When it comes to workers, he says folks working at arena concessions may bail out of other side hustles, and bars bringing in extra staff for game nights know the “spending hangover” will make other nights of the week slower, requiring fewer personnel.
While out-of-town visitors may bring extra dollars to the city, it’s also likely some prospective travellers will opt to delay a visit to Vancouver or opt for another city without high, playoff-driven hotel prices.
“Just enjoy the run and realize for every group that you find that says 'this is fantastic' you're going to find a group that says this stinks,” Lander advised.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP wants Liberals to scrap proposed election date change that could secure pensions for many MPs
The federal New Democrats want to amend the Liberal government's electoral reform legislation to scrap the proposal to push back the vote by a week and consequently secure pensions for dozens of MPs, CTV News has learned.
Drive one of these vehicles? You may pay 37 per cent more than average insurance costs due to thefts
As the number of auto theft incidents rises in Canada, so have insurance premiums for drivers, even the ones whose vehicles aren't stolen.
Doug Ford suggests immigrants behind Jewish school shooting
Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested immigrants are to blame for the shooting of an empty Jewish school in Toronto over the weekend, despite police saying they have little information on the suspects.
Melanie Joly 'forward-leaning' in debate on Ukraine using NATO arms inside Russia
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is suggesting Canada would support a policy of allowing Ukraine to use NATO-provided arms inside Russia.
Fast-paced, highflying SailGP blows into Halifax for weekend competition
Ten countries, including Canada, each with teams of six sailors, are battling head-to-head on Halifax Harbour this weekend for the Canadian debut of SailGP (Grand Prix).
Donald Trump can sue niece over NY Times article, court rules
A New York state appeals court said Donald Trump can sue his niece Mary Trump for giving the New York Times information for its Pulitzer Prize-winning 2018 probe into his finances and his alleged effort to avoid taxes.
Shania Twain shares how she forgave her ex-husband's cheating: 'It's his mistake'
Shania Twain recently addressed the infidelity that rocked her marriage to Robert 'Mutt' Lange, whom she divorced in 2010 after he had an affair with her friend, Marie-Anne Thiébaud.
A pair enjoyed pricey meals and bolted when it was time to pay. Their dine and dash ended in jail
A Welsh couple who dined out on pricey meals and bolted when the bill came is now paying the price, behind bars.
Supreme Court won't hear appeal in Montreal brainwashing experiments case
The Supreme Court of Canada will not review a Quebec ruling that bars people from suing the U.S. government in Canada over its role in notorious brainwashing experiments at a Montreal psychiatric hospital.