Vancouver becomes the first major city in Canada to turn down a Wal-Mart development.
"The high-spirited debate at a city council meeting quickly turned into a duel between conflicting visions of the city. 'We do not believe in Vancouver in the big-box ideology,' Councillor Tim Louis said.
"'Big boxes create traffic congestion, cause air pollution, harm small businesses and undermine efforts to create neighbourhood centres where people can shop and work,' said Councillor Anne Roberts, a long-time opponent of big-box development.
"Wal-Mart has 255 stores across Canada, including four in the Greater Vancouver region. A Wal-Mart spokesman said Vancouver is the first city in Canada to turn down the mighty corporation."
Thanks to Michael Dudley
Read the full story: Vancouver refuses to buy into Wal-Mart
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