Latest news with #ChristopherHinkson
CBC
09-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
B.C. report urges greater support for community organizers in aftermath of Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy
Social Sharing The report of a B.C. commission created in the aftermath of the tragic events at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver has recommended the province better support community organizers through increased access to safety training and grants to offset security costs. The Commission of Inquiry into Community Events' Safety, headed by former chief justice Christopher Hinkson, was established by the province following the tragic events on April 26 at a Filipino community event. Eleven people died at the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, with dozens more injured, after the accused Kai-ji Adam Lo, 30, drove into a crowd of people as the event was winding down. "The lasting trauma experienced by victims, families, and communities remains a solemn reminder of what is at stake in public safety planning," said Hinkson. "However, the Lapu-Lapu Day incident itself is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation and was excluded from the commission's mandate." The commission, which looked at festival safety in general, heard from municipalities across the province, regional districts, Indigenous partners, police, and event organizers from a wide range of communities, ultimately making six recommendations aimed at improving safety outcomes for community events in the province. Hinkson made six recommendations, calling for all public events in B.C. to include a mandatory risk assessment that takes into account an event's scale, location, activities, and potential hazards. The report recommends the province create a centralized hub for event safety, where event organizers can find standardized advice, training, and practical tools for anyone involved in planning public events. Hinkson suggested the province provide more opportunities for festival organizers to access funding to help pay for security measures at their events, such as fencing, barriers and traffic control, as well as establish clear criteria that define roles and responsibilities for the event during planning. The report also recommends better collaboration between event organizers and emergency personnel that would include routine assessments after public events. Terry Yung, B.C. minister of state for community safety, said his office "fully accepts the intent of the recommendations," and intends to do its best to implement them as soon as possible before the end of the year.
Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Report says all B.C. events should get risk review, in wake of festival tragedy
VANCOUVER - A report on safety of festivals and other celebrations in British Columbia says all public events, regardless of size, should be supported by a risk assessment. It's among several recommendations made by a former B.C. Supreme Court chief justice appointed after a vehicle raced down a Vancouver street during the Lapu Lapu Day festival in April, killing 11 and injuring dozens more. The report by Christopher Hinkson makes six recommendations aimed at improving safety at all types of events, including development of a provincial hub for information and advice, stronger inter-agency co-ordination, and more accessible education and planning resources. While some events have access to professional support, the report says many celebrations rely on volunteers with little training or funding, and rather than impose rigid rules the commission says steps need to be taken for consistency and confidence in hosting gatherings. Adam Kai-Ji Lo has been charged with multiple counts of second-degree murder over the Lapu Lapu festival attack and his next court appearance for a fitness hearing is on July 23. The City of Vancouver and police issued a preliminary report in May, saying planning for the festival appeared to have followed prescribed processes despite not having heavy vehicle barriers in place. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Vancouver Sun
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Province to provide update on investigation into Lapu Lapu festival tragedy
The provincial government is getting ready to release B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson's report into the tragedy at the Lapu Lapu festival, two months after a vehicle rammed into a crowd at the Filipino cultural event in Vancouver, killing 11 and injuring dozens more. Premier David Eby appointed Hinkson to carry out an inquiry into the tragedy days after it happened and Attorney General Niki Sharma revealed at the end of June that the government had received the report and was reviewing the recommendations prior to its public release. She said the goal is to implement changes to ensure attacks like the one that occurred at Lapu Lapu Day never happen again and restore the sense of security that British Columbians previously felt at summer markets and festivals. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'I thank Commissioner Hinkson for the work he and his team have done over the past six weeks to enhance and protect our right to gather and celebrate safely and ensure that fear does not prevent communities from coming together,' said Sharma. Trish Mandewo, president of the Union of B.C. Municipalities, met with Hinkson and said that she wants any recommendations brought forward to take into account local needs, ensure municipalities have financial flexibility to respond and prioritize mental health supports. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has said the city and the Vancouver Police Department are also in the midst of an internal review to see if changes need to be made to event permitting, safety planning and emergency response when it comes to large public events. The alleged suspect in the Lapu Lapu Day attacks, Adam Kai-Ji Lo, is facing charges of second degree murder and is set for a two-day hearing on July 23 and 24 to see if he is mentally fit to stand trial.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Safety report expected after 11 killed in vehicle ramming at Vancouver festival
People release doves during a memorial for the Filipino community's Lapu Lapu Day festival victims, in Vancouver, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns VANCOUVER — The British Columbia government is expected to release a report today on ways to improve safety and security at events two months after 11 people were killed in a vehicle ramming at a Vancouver festival. Premier David Eby asked retired B.C. Supreme Court chief justice Christopher Hinkson to conduct the commission of inquiry. Attorney General Niki Sharma said last month that the government had received the report and would be releasing it as soon as possible, so people can feel safe attending and celebrating at events this summer. Eby said after the April 26 attack that Hinkson's report would help guide event organizers across B.C. to 'maximize safety,' while not retreating from the fact that people want to gather. In addition to the 11 deaths, dozens of people were hurt as a vehicle raced down a street lined with food trucks as the Lapu Lapu Day festival was wrapping up. The Union of B.C. Municipalities has said it made a submission to Hinkson, asking him to avoid using a 'one-size-fits-all' framework, as local governments struggle with numerous responsibilities, and budgetary impacts could lead to some event cancellations. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2025.
CBC
30-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
B.C. government receives report looking into event safety after Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy
Social Sharing British Columbia's attorney general says the government has received a report from a retired judge on ways to improve safety and security at events after 11 people were killed and many more injured at a Vancouver festival. Premier David Eby commissioned the inquiry into safety at community events shortly after a vehicle tore through a crowd at the end of the Lapu-Lapu Day celebration on April 26. Attorney General Niki Sharma said in a statement on Monday that she has the report from former B.C. Supreme Court chief justice Christopher Hinkson, which, after review by cabinet, will be made public. Sharma said that B.C. experienced one of the worst moments in its history when a senseless act of violence turned a celebration into a tragedy. B.C. residents understandably raised questions in the aftermath about enhancing public safety so people can feel safe attending and celebrating community events this summer, she said. The Union of B.C. Municipalities said in a statement that it provided a submission to the inquiry, and its president, Trish Mandewo, met with Hinkson to talk about concerns from local governments. WATCH | Mayor and police present report on Lapu-Lapu tragedy safety review: Mayor and police presenting report on Lapu-Lapu tragedy safety review 2 months ago Duration 17:38 Vancouver's mayor and police department are presenting the findings of their Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy safety review Friday morning. CBC will provide reaction and analysis. Mandewo said in the submission dated June 9 that the province should avoid taking a "one-size-fits-all" framework, since local governments are struggling to address numerous responsibilities, and budgetary impacts could lead to some event cancellations. "In smaller communities, there may be as few as one staff member in charge of overseeing community events as part of a wide-ranging portfolio of responsibilities. "Any impact on policing resources would also come with a significant financial impact, as local governments pay the largest share of policing costs in B.C.," said Mandewo, who is also a councillor for the Metro Vancouver city of Coquitlam. Mandewo's letter said there's also a need for greater mental health support as part of the safety framework. "UBCM's membership has endorsed resolutions seeking greater provincial investment and support in addressing issues related to mental health, addictions and complex social issues," it said. One of the key principles they hope to see throughout this process is to "allow local events to reflect local needs," Mandewo said. "It may also be appropriate for the province to provide funding and resources for smaller communities, to ensure all local governments have a similar level of capacity to deliver community events." The accused, Adam Kai-Ji Lo, remains in custody while facing numerous charges of second-degree murder. Vancouver police said last week that six victims were still in hospital two months after the tragedy. Sharma said the commission was established to provide practical information and recommendations to event organizers, local governments and public safety officials on how to keep events safe. "I thank Commissioner Hinkson for the work he and his team have done over the past six weeks to enhance and protect our right to gather and celebrate safely and ensure that fear does not prevent communities from coming together," Sharma said in her statement.
