Opponents of a plan to build a hospice at the University of B.C. aren't backing down, despite widespread ridicule for conjuring up ghosts in an effort to stop construction.
The university is holding a meeting Tuesday night to address the concerns of neighbours, some of whom believe that the proposed 15-bed facility will bring ghosts and bad luck, in accordance with what they say are Chinese beliefs.
But Chen Lie, who lives in a condominium tower near the proposed site, says his real beef is with the lack of consultation.
"This is not democracy; this is just the high-handed approach of the university. This is very arrogant," he said.
"I don't mind personally, but the others do and why don't they count?"
Plans for the Order of St. John hospice were put on hold earlier this year in response to protests from Chinese-born neighbours. The story made headlines, and high-profile members of the Asian-Canadian community were outraged, saying that the hospice's opponents were misrepresenting Chinese culture.
UBC spokesman Scott Macrae says that the proposal under discussion at Tuesday's meeting is the same as before, but the timing for construction may change.
"At one time, it may have been on the boards for July, but we've taken some extra time here to make sure that everybody understands what's being proposed," he said.
He says that ghosts aren't the only thing driving opposition to the project.
"There were a number of questions about parking and land values and noise," he said.
This isn't the first time UBC has come up against resistance to plans for the hospice. In 2009, students set up a Facebook page to oppose a proposed site near student residences.
The school says that site was considered only briefly before planners decided it would be more appropriate for construction of more student housing.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber
