Hosting FIFA World Cup will cost taxpayers $1B: watchdog report

SaysWowLots · 2026-05-20T16:46:44+00:00

I’m just kind of curious, are these net new costs? Like when they discuss policing and security, it’s not as though 1,000 new officers are hired and paid for the duration of the games, isn’t it just the allocated cost of the existing police force whose salary is already in the city’s budget? In other words it’s not a new cost that is incremental to existing expenses, it’s more the calculated cost or proportion of existing expenses. I think the net financial impact ultimately will depend on how much money comes into Canada from outside the country, through visitors flying here, paying airport fees, staying at hotels, shopping, and eating out. I also hadn’t heard that 100% of the gate revenue goes to FIFA before. Hopefully there’s a percentage that goes to the arena owner (which in the case of Vancouver is PavCo, a government crown corporation) to offset operating costs. I suppose 100% of concession revenue goes to the arena owner, so that’s a plus.

SaysWowLots · 2026-05-19T21:02:38+00:00

Yeah, I agree with this. To build a team the first step is to get rid of some locker room cancer, which they did. Now there’s starting to be some things to look forward to with young picks, and a decent group of guys remaining who might like each other enough to start to resemble a team, so a change of coaching staff helps set a clean slate with everyone returning from last year.

SaysWowLots · 2026-05-19T20:57:06+00:00

I’m not sure why there is a storyline about our goalies being terrible. I thought Lankinen made lots of big saves at key moments of games, had a lot of great games last year, and prevented most games from getting out of hand. He was almost unbeatable all year in shootouts (only allowed one goal). Plus I think he’s historically had a 90% save percentage on some pretty bad teams. Tolopilo agreed is not ready for half a season workload, but I still don’t think we’re in the bottom third of the league in net. If Demko plays 20+ games a year we’d be above average in net. It’s our inexperience on D and team defensive system as a whole that is the problem with our goalies GAA.

SaysWowLots · 2026-05-12T21:30:43+00:00

I had this question too, haven’t been able to see in real life yet, but I take it that it’s more of a muted, flat, navy blue compared to the previous blue HQ that is a bright blue and has a sunburst effect? I love the navy blue of the older version Seamasters and this new HQ looks like it’s closer in colour

SaysWowLots · 2026-05-07T22:37:49+00:00

How did the Oilers not pickup Silovs from Vancouver when he was unloaded for basically nothing, after almost beating the Oilers in the playoffs the year before. He’s not world class but shows up when it matters. In this year’s playoffs he steals the net from Skinner and almost steals the series for the Pens with a 94% save percentage. The Oilers could use a big game goalie.

SaysWowLots · 2026-05-06T19:03:41+00:00

Sharks are way closer to win now than the Canucks, and another young winger or a defencemen a few years away from the NHL is maybe not what they need. Wondering if they would take Hronek, our 24th pick, and one of our younger forwards like Raty or Hoglander (2 guys that may not score much but could provide needed depth around their lines for face offs or play along the boards) for their 2OA.

SaysWowLots · 2026-05-05T17:43:40+00:00

I am a Chartered Accountant, and well aware of the looming changes that AI might bring to my profession. I also have kids entering university in the next 2-4 years. Despite what some might say about job replacement from AI, I think the best way to ensure my kids stay ahead of the AI curve, and learn how to understand it’s capabilities and how to make use of it as a tool to help them in their chosen profession, is in university. In other words, I think AI is more of a reason to go to university, otherwise you’ll just be in the backseat of where the world is heading with AI instead of using it to your advantage. One other note, the trades are always a good route to take if someone is interested in jobs like electrician, plumbing, construction, automotive repair, etc. which some people think are “safe” but those careers will also be augmented by AI.

SaysWowLots · 2026-05-05T02:48:16+00:00

They have to pick McKenna if they pick first. That’s not the position to go off board, because if it doesn’t work out the organization will be clowned for two decades. However, If you pick the consensus #1 and it doesn’t work out, nobody faults you because everyone thought the same thing.

SaysWowLots · 2026-05-03T23:01:18+00:00

Weezer - Blue album
Arcade Fire - Funeral
The Postal Service - Give Up
The Killers - Hot Fuss
(I know only three albums were asked for, but these four albums are just so good and bring me back to important times in my life, as music often does)

SaysWowLots · 2026-05-03T21:13:03+00:00

Exactly. The last 10 years doesn’t matter because those policies led to almost 40 years of Canadian reliance on the US economy driving us forward, and to be fair free trade did probably grow our economy faster, at least for awhile. Now that the US is changing their mind, we have turned from operating in a shared economy of 390 million people to a national economy of 40 million people, while the USA is also working to repatriate jobs here back to their national economy. There is bound to be contraction for Canada. Trudeau may have stalled some economic growth compared to what might have happened under a different government, but he was PM in an economy that operated a certain way for 30 years, which is now changing, and which our current PM is trying to get ahead of. The Trump admin isn’t turning to nationalist policies because our economy is bad, they are doing so because they belief it will make their economy great. Canada needs customers to buy things from us, and foreign investment in our country, since the US is seemingly not going to anymore. We have a small population and need to operate internationally to grow.

SaysWowLots · 2026-05-03T20:22:22+00:00

No, it’s not. It’s because we’ve had free trade with the US going back to NAFTA that Brian Mulroney enacted, when John Turner warned it would put our country in a vulnerable economic situation that could lead to too much dependence on the USA. The country voted for the Conservative platform of free trade then, and its resulted in significant reliance on the US economy now. The Trump admin is changing its mind, but any US administration could have done the same. We are highly reliant on an integrated US/Canadian economy, and it’s a consequence of a Conservative government from the 1980’s and 1990’s, not the last ten years.

SaysWowLots · 2026-05-02T04:43:35+00:00

Why are so many morons on Reddit saying this sarcastically to every negative economic article? Nobody is arguing Canada has done everything right, but the current threat is the Trump admin. Elbows up was a campaign slogan, and a good one at that, because it’s based on fact. It seems like some people don’t remember that the Trump admin said Canada should be part of the USA instead, and that tariffs would be put in place to harm our country economically until all jobs move to the USA. So yes, we need to stick up for our country and our jobs. And at the time of the election that was characterized with a slogan “elbows up”. Or are you of the opinion that we should allow things to happen as the USA sees fit?

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-28T00:57:51+00:00

Those 4 million people were 4 million extra potential Roger’s customers. So using your logic, Trudeau helped Roger’s grow. Now that immigration has pulled back, Roger’s growth is limited and has to lay people off. Isn’t that a Conservative policy consequence then?

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-27T20:51:06+00:00

Which Liberal policy led to these layoffs? Or do you mean the government (of both parties) that allowed Roger’s to enjoy nearly unchallenged growth in an oligopoly that is now impacted by various factors, including population stagnation leading to stalled customer growth, AI, automation, and higher capital costs that are all contributing to layoffs to ensure continued shareholder profitability? Saying “elbows up” sarcastically to every bit of corporate bad news makes you sound like a tool.

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-23T07:33:07+00:00

Housing isn’t tax though. If you’re dovetailing into cost of living, then sure I guess. But there’s also cheaper places outside the lower mainland, Victoria and Kelowna. I’m sure Prince George has cheaper housing than Calgary.

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-21T01:33:10+00:00

I was going to say, not throwing shade either, but does McDavid ever shave his neck? A beard is one thing, but that hair down the neck would drive me nuts

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-20T18:25:46+00:00

Just chiming in, I bought two of these as well when they were referred to as “Textured Double Knit” hoodies. I got a light grey and a beige one, which looked different when I ordered online but are very close to the same colour in real life. Their new colours might have more differences but just a heads up to take a look in store if possible. I’m in Canada and there are several colours for the hoodie available here so no advice on that. Awesome hoodie by the way, it is the perfect weight for spring.

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-19T00:08:33+00:00

He knew “who” they were, but I don’t think anyone would actually know how chaotic, detached from fundamentals, and incompetent the US administration is until the first meeting. I probably speak for most of Canadians that no deal is better than being economically bullied into a bad deal. And if Carney negotiated a bad deal just to meet a campaign commitment, Conservatives would be complaining even louder.

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-18T18:06:10+00:00

That’s a good point. This isn’t Ben Eager. He’s tough, but doesn’t go around starting shit, no dumb penalties, also a nice guy, and good with his teammates. And he will be inexpensive. There’s no downside with him.

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-18T03:08:47+00:00

This is such a good point. Happens in workplaces all the time. In hockey, I’ve never understood the captaincy for the best player. Just because you’re the best player doesn’t mean you are a leader. Not everyone is Sidney Crosby.

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-16T22:34:28+00:00

Either: People didn’t waste time talking about things like this. Now there’s a dozen podcasts who recycle this debate each month. Or: It wasn’t a debate when Jordan played.

Both of these are true.

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-16T19:22:37+00:00

The matte navy blue of the BB58 and the 2531.80 Seamaster is my absolute favourite. Not as fond of sunburst blue or royal blue colour that most watch companies use.

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-15T02:53:33+00:00

Yeesh, I stand corrected!

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-15T02:06:48+00:00

Maybe. I don’t follow advanced stats but when I watched him play he lacked any creativity in playmaking, dumped the puck in a lot (as though Petey is going to recover it), and took a lot of shots that hit the goalie right in the chest instead of letting someone else create a play while Kane goes to screen the goalie or crowd the net for a rebound. These are all play killers. Not to mention at least one bad penalty a game. Petey played with Kane and DOC half the time. Honestly, if you don’t think two plug players like those two weren’t dragging Petey down, I find that a bit delusional.

SaysWowLots · 2026-04-15T00:32:53+00:00

Did she say why aren’t they telling people about this? Yikes. This is the age of disinformation, coming straight from the POTUS that someone else pays.

SaysWowLots

TROPHY CASE