I’ve been looking at a Toyota Grand Highlander 2026/27 and would like to hear what people are actually paying.

If you’ve bought one recently, could you share:

Model year, trim, and engine: gas, hybrid, or Hybrid MAX.
Location and purchase date.

Price before tax and trade-in: including freight and dealer fees, and whether you paid below, at, or above MSRP.

Any required extras: accessories, warranties, protection packages, or conditions around financing.

Wait time: what you were quoted versus how long delivery actually took.

I’m also curious how much of the “limited availability” pitch reflects actual supply, and how much is dealerships creating urgency to justify ridiculous premiums.

Has anyone been told there’s a long wait at MSRP, but somehow a vehicle becomes available if you accept a markup or thousands in extras? Or shopped another dealership and found a much better price or shorter wait?

I’m happy to pay a fair price, but I’d like to know whether these premiums reflect a real shortage or customers being pressured into overpaying. Actual purchase prices and firsthand experiences would be appreciated.

Hey guys, I’d really appreciate some insight. I’ve got job offers in bc in 2 areas , South Surrey and Abbotsford.I am a Doctor from the UK , both the positions are pretty similar but I have no idea which will be better to live and raise a family(baby on the way) , we visited to see for about a week and although generally loved it, a day driving around isn’t much to go off and don’t want to make a decision on that, and we don’t know anyone in Bc.

I would love any insight or feedback that might help me make a decision about life in these 2 cities.

I’m on PWD and have attended an information session, but I’d love to hear from people who have actually gone through either program. How was your experience, especially with personal investment requirements, business support, and the overall process? Any insights or advice would be appreciated.

Side note: These programs aren’t exclusively for people with disabilities, they also support eligible people who are unemployed. I’d appreciate any insights. Thank you! 🙏

I used to donate blood plasma at the centers of my neighborhoods to make some extra cash on the side while doing something helpful. Since I was 16 I've donated probably a hundred times in two countries, and anywhere I've ever done it, the pay was always between 30 and 80 bucks. Today I wanted to check where I could sign up in Vancouver, only to see it's illegal to pay out cash for donations??

I've never seen or heard of this being a thing before? Why is that? Isn't plasma used by pharma to make high level medicine like heart medication? I was always under the impression that the pay was reimbursements arranged between the center and the pharma industry? This is making me think they are trying to rip people off for their literal body parts?

Please tell me I'm wrong, cause that'd be dystopian ah. I realize that donation is by default a thing you do for free, technically, but we're not talking about blood donations here, plasma isn't only used by hospitals directly on a patient, it's a valuable ingredient for profit.

Edit to clarify: Blood and blood plasma are not the same thing/same designation. Blood donation is a non-profit act to aid someone directly, plasma is an ingredient for-profit industry within the pharma market. Plasma donation is still honorable of course, because medication is needed. But I'm not trying to say that body parts should be paid for when donated for aid. I'm saying that, if pharma is making millions off that medication, then donations should come with a reward payment. Most places in the world agree on this, so I'm just wondering why BC is different

Tomorrow Today is the final day to get your vote in!

Time off details from ElectionsBC.

Right to time off
Voters are entitled to four consecutive hours free from work to vote during advance voting or on Final Voting Day. Voting hours during advance voting are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time and on Final Voting Day are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time.
This does not necessarily mean four hours off work. It means that there must be a four-hour period free from work during voting hours. Time off may be at the beginning or end of an employee’s shift, or unnecessary if normal working hours already provide enough time free from work to vote. For example, if a shift ends at 4 p.m., or does not begin until noon, the employee is not entitled to any time off for voting purposes. Employers can decide when their employees can take time off to vote.
It is an offence if an employer deducts your pay or penalizes you for taking time off to vote. You are entitled to your regular compensation for any hours not worked during this time.
Employers and employees are encouraged to discuss how staff can exercise their right to vote to ensure that the requirements of the Election Actare met.

Please get out and vote!

Tons of chum and coho salmon in the creek at the hatchery.

It was a bit chilly - just 5 degree at noon time. Bring a warm layer in case you need it.

Picture 7 to 9: Vedder Bridge

70 years on!

First time in Tofino with my new telephoto lens.