Zak Vescera

Vancouver

Reporter at Investigative Journalism Foundation

Reporter @IJFMedia, ink-stained wretch. Former @TheTyee @TheStarPhoenix, @ubyssey forever. EN/FR. [email protected]

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Articles

A billionaire, a right-wing activist and a fundraising consultant who loves the CBC - meet the people trying to sway your vote

2 weeks ago | theijf.org | Zak Vescera

A Toronto billionaire bought full-page newspaper ads endorsing Pierre Poilievre. A right-wing activist spent nearly a quarter of a million dollars in donations at his own media company. Create an account or log inAccess this article, and all free articlesSubscribeUnlimited access to all our investigations and news storiesExclusive weekly lobbying roundupsPremium access to our public interest databasesStep 1 of 2:Add your emailYou'll use this email to sign in to our website.
‘Condo king,’ Paw Patrol producer and White Spot owner hosted fundraisers for Poilievre and Carney

3 weeks ago | theijf.org | Zak Vescera |Carly Penrose

A billionaire developer, the owners of a popular B.C. restaurant chain and the man behind the children’s TV show Paw Patrol are among those hosting cash-for-access fundraisers for Canada’s next prime minister. An IJF investigation has found some of Canada’s most influential business people have hosted events for Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, often at swanky private homes where tickets cost as much as $1,750 a head.
Dozens of real estate executives among guests at Carney, Poilievre fundraisers

3 weeks ago | theijf.org | Carly Penrose |Zak Vescera |Bethany Lindsay

On a cloudy evening on Feb. 12, nearly 120 people gathered in one of Toronto’s most expensive condos for the opportunity to rub elbows with Pierre Poilievre, a man who appeared — at the time — poised to become Canada’s next prime minister.
BC Greens call for regulator reform over secret exemption given to oil company

3 weeks ago | theijf.org | Zak Vescera |Matt Simmons

The acting leader of the Green Party of British Columbia says the provincial agency that regulates oil and gas projects has been “captured” by special interests and should become an independent agency. Jeremy Valeriote was reacting to an investigation by The Narwhal and the IJF that found the BC Energy Regulator quietly exempted oil and gas giant Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL) from environmental regulations for more than 4,300 pipelines the company operates across the province.
BC Greens urge regulator reform over secret pipeline exemption

3 weeks ago | thenarwhal.ca | Matt Simmons |Zak Vescera

Get the inside scoop on The Narwhal’s environment and climate reporting by signing up for our free newsletter. The acting leader of the Green Party of British Columbia says the provincial agency that regulates oil and gas projects has been “captured” by special interests and should become an independent agency.
‘Hypocrites’: NDP slams Conservatives for Brookfield investments

4 weeks ago | theijf.org | Zak Vescera

The NDP says voters can’t trust Conservatives’ tough talk on tax havens after an IJF investigation revealed several Tories invested in a company they’ve criticized for using offshore funds. The IJF found seven Conservative candidates including deputy leader Melissa Lantsman disclosed investments related to Brookfield Asset Management, a global investment giant formerly chaired by Liberal Leader Mark Carney.
Deputy Conservative leader invested in Brookfield while attacking Mark Carney for running the investment giant

1 month ago | theijf.org | Zak Vescera

Multiple Conservative MPs personally invested in Liberal Leader Mark Carney’s former company, a business their party has spent weeks attacking in the lead-up to this month’s election, according to an IJF analysis. Disclosure reports filed to the Office of the Conflict of Interest show that seven Conservative MPs, including deputy leader Melissa Lantsman and two former shadow ministers, disclosed owning stock in investment firm Brookfield Asset Management and related companies since 2024.
Alberta oil and gas companies could install solar panels to avoid cleanup costs

1 month ago | thenarwhal.ca | Drew Anderson |Matt Simmons |Zak Vescera

Get the inside scoop on The Narwhal’s environment and climate reporting by signing up for our free newsletter. Oil and gas companies could avoid full reclamation of old well sites in Alberta if they put renewable energy projects on the disturbed land. That’s one of several dozen ideas offered in a new report commissioned by the Alberta government.
Trump funding cuts put Canadian-led bat research at risk

1 month ago | thenarwhal.ca | Ainslie Cruickshank |Matt Simmons |Zak Vescera

Get the inside scoop on The Narwhal’s environment and climate reporting by signing up for our free newsletter. Researchers Cori Lausen and Maleen Mund step out of the warm spring sun and into a dimly lit workshop. The only light streams in through the doorway behind them and a few dusty windows. It’s been a cool start to the season in the Lower Mainland, but some bats have already emerged from their winter hibernation.
17 government inspectors, 170 companies and more than 9,000 potential infractions: inside B.C.’s oversight of the oil and gas sector

1 month ago | theijf.org | Zak Vescera |Matt Simmons

This investigation is a collaboration between the IJF and The Narwhal. Fewer than two dozen BC Energy Regulator inspectors are responsible for monitoring nearly 200 fossil fuel companies operating 6,594 — and counting — active oil and gas wells, pipelines, processing plants and other related infrastructure in British Columbia.