Vancouver woke up today with a collective sigh and maybe a bit of a headache. If you were tucked in early on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, you missed a weirdly somber night. It wasn't just the damp air. Honestly, it was one of those nights where everything felt a little stuck.
The biggest news—and the most depressing if you’re a sports fan—was the Vancouver Canucks dropping yet another game. They were out in Ottawa, and frankly, it was hard to watch. Two goals in 15 seconds. That’s all it took. Artem Zub and Jordan Spence basically buried the Canucks before the first period was even halfway through. The final score was 2-1 for the Senators.
That marks an eight-game losing streak. Eight.
People are starting to get loud about it. You’ve got a team that looks like it’s skating through molasses, and the "struggling Canucks" headline is becoming a permanent fixture in the local papers. When you're sitting at the bottom of the Pacific Division with only 16 wins in 46 games, the vibe in the city gets heavy.
The Sound of Chainsaws in Stanley Park
While the hockey game was frustrating, something more permanent was happening right in our backyard. If you live anywhere near the West End or drive the Causeway, you probably noticed the activity. The Vancouver Park Board officially kicked off "Phase 3" of the massive tree removal project in Stanley Park last night and into early this morning.
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This is the big one. We’re talking about the interior of the park—roughly 42% of the entire forested area.
It’s kind of a gut-punch to see. They’re taking down trees that have been standing for decades because of that looper moth infestation from a few years back. The Park Board’s director of operations, Amit Gandha, is adamant that this is a safety thing. Dead trees are brittle. Brittle trees fall on heads.
But not everyone is buying the "safety first" line. The Stanley Park Preservation Society has been fighting this in court. Their spokesperson, Jillian Maguire, is worried that clearing these huge swaths of forest actually makes the remaining trees more vulnerable to "wind-throw"—basically, the wind hits the now-exposed trees harder and knocks them over too. It’s a mess.
Tragedy Near the University
On a much more somber note, we got more details last night about a fatal crash that happened right by UBC.
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Just after 9:00 PM, a black SUV veered off the road on Blanca Street near West 16th Avenue and slammed into a light pole. The University RCMP confirmed that the driver, who was the only person in the car, died at the scene.
Medical event. That’s what they’re calling it. Basically, it wasn’t a "criminal" accident—no racing, no impairment. Just a person having a medical emergency behind the wheel at the worst possible time. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly a normal Tuesday night drive can turn into a tragedy.
Fog, Fentanyl, and Fine Dining
If you stepped outside late last night, you probably noticed the air felt... thick. A dense fog advisory hit the region. Visibility dropped to a quarter-mile in some spots. It’s that classic Pacific Northwest "pea soup" that makes the Lion's Gate Bridge look like something out of a horror movie.
On the social policy front, Canada's Health Minister Marjorie Michel and the "Fentanyl Czar" were actually in the city yesterday and into the evening. They were touring the Downtown Eastside.
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They announced a chunk of change—nearly $500,000—for the All Nations Outreach Society. The goal is to help Indigenous folks transitioning back into the community with better harm reduction and transportation. It’s a drop in the bucket considering the toxic drug crisis, but it’s something.
But hey, it wasn't all grim.
The Dine Out Vancouver Festival is in full swing. Last night, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar hosted a pretty legendary "World Chef Exchange" dinner. Chef Roger Ma teamed up with Wilfrid Hocquet from Bangkok. If you could afford the ticket, you were eating some of the best food on the planet while the rest of us were watching the Canucks lose.
What You Should Do Today
If you’re heading out now, here’s the game plan:
- Watch the road: That fog isn't gone yet, and the air quality is actually kind of stagnant. If you have asthma, maybe skip the seawall run this morning.
- Stanley Park Detours: Expect some closures in the park’s interior trails. They’re moving fast with the tree clearing, and those areas are strictly off-limits.
- Support Local: It’s Dine Out season. If you’re feeling the "Canucks-loss blues," go find a local spot with a fixed-price menu. It’s better than sitting at home.
The city is in a weird transition right now—half-shrouded in fog, mourning its forest, and wondering if the hockey team will ever win again. Stay safe out there.
Next Steps:
Check the Vancouver Park Board’s official map for specific trail closures in Stanley Park before planning your weekend hike. If you're driving through Clark County or the Inner Metro, keep your low beams on and give the car in front of you plenty of space until the sun fully burns through the haze.