The report on the CBC news and website was quickly picked up by other newscasts. At the heart of the matter are condos which cost on average $1m. The buyers of these units over the years were told that the land next to them would be a research centre. Now, instead, UBC has put forth a motion to build the St. John’s Hospice there.

I have no issue with those facts. What I have issue with is how the story was presented:

A plan to build a hospice at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver has run into opposition from luxury condo owners nearby.

The proposal calls for a 15-bed palliative care facility, called St. John Hospice, to be built next to a high-rise condominium building called the Promontory.

All true. But then the article takes a turn to the irrelevant and irresponsible.

One condo owner said most residents in the building are of Asian descent and believe living close to a hospice will bring bad luck.

“In Chinese culture, we are against having dying people in your backyard,” said Janet Fan, who has signed a petition against the hospice. “We cannot accept this. It’s against our belief, against our culture. It’s not culturally sensitive.”

Great. So CBC found a wingnut to make a quote talking about cultural issues. At least she didn’t think ghosts would attack her like the woman Global TV found.

Yikes! But what a great set-up for the Us VS Them (or the “Canadian” VS Chinese) debate! This is really bad.

Back at the CBC report:

Fan also said many residents worry about additional traffic and having to discuss the subject of death with their children.

A two-bedroom condo in the Promontory sells for almost $1 million, and people fear their property value will plummet if the hospice is built.

Fan said the land on which the hospice is to be built has been designated for research use.

Discussing death? My 4 year old daughter understands death. Every kid does. They learn about it the first time they crush a bug on the sidewalk. More important is the traffic (sirens) and the fact that NO ONE wants to be reminded of death when they look out their window. I don’t care who you are or where you’re from, when you look out a window you want to see trees, birds, flowers, maybe some children playing and people enjoying themselves. You do not want to see something that reminds you that your time here grows shorter with each passing breath. Ask yourself if how you would feel if a hospice was put in your backyard? Or if a cemetary was built across the street from your house?

Yes, it will affect property values. That’s a big issue for anyone, anywhere.

Oh, and just how much do people not want a hospice next to them? What wasn’t reported was that this was not the first site choice. No, the students of UBC also didn’t want one near them.

http://blogs.ubc.ca/ubcinsiders/2009/09/03/st-john-hospice/

Yes, they had 8 (eight!) possible sites with the most promising being voted down by students, pot heads, and nudists when it would be near one of the entrances to Wreck Beach. Are you kidding me?! We’re going to piss off people who are dropping major amounts of money that benefit the university (through the endowment lands funds) to keep the peace with a few students who wouldn’t notice the thing? Gimme a break.

But, no, that wasn’t reported.

The story goes on to talk about Hospice care and the typical opposition it faces.

Former hospice operator Gay Klietzke said she is not surprised the planned hospice faces opposition. Klietzke said she has experienced protest before, but for different reasons.

“You know, ambulances blaring with sirens. They think there are going to be big trucks coming there with deliveries and these kinds of things,” she said.

“In fact, what we are talking about is a home away from home. When people can’t stay in their own homes, they can come to our home. So this home would fit into the neighbourhood.”

Klietzke, who now runs the Vancouver Hospice Society, said one good thing about the UBC petition is that it has put the issue in the public spotlight, providing a chance to educate the public about what a hospice actually does.

The target date for construction is July, but may be postponed.

Joe Stott, UBC’s director of campus and community planning, said that in light of the opposition, more consultation is needed.

“We’d be really interested in having conversations with the people who are concerned about the project,” he said.

Stott said it will be a few months before the university’s board of governors can review the proposal.

Were I the editor I’d have the story written up without all the Chinese bashing. Of course, it wouldn’t have gotten nearly the notice it did. And that would be just fine with me.

A plan to build a hospice at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver has run into opposition from luxury condo owners nearby.

The proposal calls for a 15-bed palliative care facility, called St. John Hospice, to be built next to a high-rise condominium building called the Promontory.

A two-bedroom condo in the Promontory sells for almost $1 million, and people fear their property value will plummet if the hospice is built.

Fan said the land on which the hospice is to be built has been designated for research use.

‘Home away from home’

Former hospice operator Gay Klietzke said she is not surprised the planned hospice faces opposition. Klietzke said she has experienced protest before, but for different reasons.

“You know, ambulances blaring with sirens. They think there are going to be big trucks coming there with deliveries and these kinds of things,” she said.

“In fact, what we are talking about is a home away from home. When people can’t stay in their own homes, they can come to our home. So this home would fit into the neighbourhood.”

Klietzke, who now runs the Vancouver Hospice Society, said one good thing about the UBC petition is that it has put the issue in the public spotlight, providing a chance to educate the public about what a hospice actually does.

The target date for construction is July, but may be postponed.

Joe Stott, UBC’s director of campus and community planning, said that in light of the opposition, more consultation is needed.

“We’d be really interested in having conversations with the people who are concerned about the project,” he said.

Stott said it will be a few months before the university’s board of governors can review the proposal

See the difference? But, sadly, we don’t get to read that. Instead we get a “Crazy Superstitious Rich Chinese angry over poor little old sick and dying living next to them” story. Don’t think that’s what was the message? Just look at the disgusting comments people have left on the CBC site or on others talking about it.

Shame on you CBC and Global for trying to pass such garbage as journalism.

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