The Sunday Magazine·The Sunday Edition

Race and Real Estate: Vancouver's China Syndrome - a Karin Wells documentary

Karin reports from Vancouver, where the most - and the wealthiest - Chinese immigrant investors have settled. The new Chinese are being blamed for pushing Vancouver real estate prices sky high.
Wealthy Chinese immigrant investors are being blamed for pushing Vancouver real estate prices sky high. (Karin Wells)
A detached house in Vancouver now averages 1.78 million dollars. That's double Toronto prices. So it is not surprising that the Vancouver real estate boom has captured media attention all over the world. And at home, it has given rise to ugly accusations and very difficult conversations.
Vancouver architect Bing Thom says, "People are fearful - like before World War II - of the 'Yellow Peril.'"

Karin Wells reports from Vancouver, where the most - and the wealthiest - Chinese immigrant investors have settled. Chinese newcomers are being blamed for pushing Vancouver real estate prices so high that nurses, teachers, even a few lawyers and doctors, are leaving town. Others say that these are the chickens of globalisation coming home to roost.

Karin Wells's documentary is called "Race and Real Estate: Vancouver's China Syndrome."