Kicked to the curb: Legal vendors forced out of Robson Square while unlicensed cannabis booth remains
Some food truck operators are accusing the City of Vancouver of a double standard. The legal vendors have been kicked out of Robson Square, while an unlicensed cannabis booth has been allowed to remain.
“Every time you move your sales go down,” explained Allister Fitsgerald, owner of Sauzzy Thai food truck.
Sauzzy Thai and other food vendors had to move while construction on the square was underway but since the square reopened, they not been allowed back. Instead, they were kicked to the curb adjacent to Nordstrom on Robson Street.
“Our sales were a third to 50 percent of what we normally make," said Fitsgerald. “Our permit is for Robson Square. Just let us into Robson Square.”
Fitsgerald said he pays the city about $1,300 a year for the permit.
The City of Vancouver told CTV News that the square is for reconciliation – a memorial to Indigenous children – and that the square’s future has yet to be decided. However, there appears to be room in the square for the food trucks too.
The food truck operator says they have gotten nowhere with the City of Vancouver and while they operate from afar, they watch a cannabis store in operation.
CTV News spoke to one of the people sitting behind a table filled with cannabis buds, rolled joints and several packages of edibles.
“No, I’m not licensed to be here,” he said. “You need a permit to sell, we’re not selling.”
We observed the booth on three different days and while he said he was giving away free product, one day there was a sign reading Just Blaze It Cannabis Store. The word store was clearly on the sign.
Police would walk through the square occasionally stopping to chat with the cannabis folks but appeared to leave them alone.
“It’s all a joke,” said Fitsgerald.
It is not the first time licensed business owners have felt shafted by Vancouver City Hall. Three years ago, Robson Square was a full-blown illegal cannabis market.
Fights would break out and smoke filled the air. It was only after increased public pressure that Vancouver police moved in and cleared it all away.
However, it is starting to seem like the movie Groundhog Day with history repeating itself.
Vancouver police stated in an email, “This isn’t something we tolerate as it is illegal, concerning and not okay.”
What does Sauzzy Thai think of its chances of returning to the square?
“As time goes on, slim to none,” said Fitsgerald.
The City of Vancouver is not making any commitment, stating that there are many partners involved in Robson Square, including the province, the Vancouver Downtown Business Improvement Association, the Vancouver Art Gallery, UBC and other key partners.
As for the unlicensed activity, the city says it has observed it and has been in contact with the Vancouver Police Department about it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.