Latest news with #PeaceArch
CBC
10-05-2025
- CBC
Family of B.C. pastor killed in crash angry as driver found not responsible
Social Sharing The family of a B.C. pastor killed in a fiery crash near the Peace Arch border crossing says justice hasn't been served after the man implicated in the death was found not criminally responsible for his actions. A B.C. provincial court heard that a Washington state man was driving 120 kilometres per hour in May of 2019 when his vehicle slammed into Rev. Tom Cheung's car, which then burst into flames. Cheung's widow, Athens Cheung, said on Friday that after six years of waiting for a trial, the accused, Gurbinder Singh, was found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder. Cheung's son, Benjamin, says his family was at the court on April 17 when the judge made the ruling, and the man was released. The family says they don't understand why he was simply freed, they were never given the RCMP report, don't have the reasons for judgment and don't know why the B.C. Prosecution Service rejected an appeal. The prosecution service said in a statement Friday that the judge ruled the Crown had proven the physical act that constitutes offence beyond a reasonable doubt but that the accused had raised a reasonable doubt regarding the "mental intent" of the man's actions and therefore acquitted him. "We are reviewing the reasons for judgment, but generally speaking, appellate courts are quite hesitant to overturn a trial judge's findings of fact," read the statement. The family is urging lawmakers to fix gaps in the legal system, saying that years of waiting without answers has left them in pain and feeling like their rights weren't heard or respected. The B.C. government said in a statement that Attorney General Niki Sharma would be open to meeting with the family and understands "the importance of hearing directly from those impacted by the justice system." "This is an incredibly tragic case. Our thoughts are with Pastor Tom Cheung's family and the community during this difficult time, and we appreciate how frustrating their circumstances have been," the statement reads. The eldest son, Solomon Cheung, said the years that followed his father's death left him to battle with grief and depression. "I paid out of my own pocket for counselling, and medications to help me sleep through all the stress and pain." He said he won't give up on the fight to seek justice for his father.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
B.C.-Washington border communities rally for peace amid rising political tensions
The towering Peace Arch monument, standing on the Canada-U.S. border between Surrey, B.C., and Blaine, Wash., bears two inscriptions: "Children of a Common Mother" on the U.S. side, and "Brethren Dwelling Together in Unity" on the Canadian side. On Saturday morning, dozens of residents from both countries gathered at its base for a rally calling for unity and friendship amid rising tensions between Canada and the U.S. Attendees held signs condemning U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated remarks about annexing Canada as the 51st state, while others sang songs and chanted slogans, hoping diplomacy and goodwill would prevail over the strained relations between the two neighbours. Among them, a trio from the Bellingham-based activist group Raging Grannies dedicated a song to the bond between the two nations. Attendees held signs hoping diplomacy and goodwill would prevail over the strained relations between the two neighbours. (Sohrab Sandhu/CBC) "We understand the situation and support the things you do, the rage you feel is really just, though we will miss you until it's over..." they sang. Haidee Landry, one of the event's organizers from Langley, B.C., said the gathering, dubbed the "Peace, Love, and a Handshake" rally, was about showing solidarity while making it clear that Canada will remain a strong and sovereign nation. "We want them to still come … come for a coffee, come for a meal, we still love you," she said of B.C.'s American neighbours. "But we don't want to live with you, we don't want to be your roommates." Landry added that many Americans she has spoken to disagree with the steps taken by the Trump administration and have voiced their support for Canada. But Canadians, she said, are firm in their decision to avoid cross-border travel as an act of resistance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nine-hectare Peace Arch park that straddles the 49th parallel served as a loophole for loved ones separated by border closures. Now, Landry said, the park is once again a meeting place for those seeking common ground. The Canada-U.S. Peace Arch border crossing in Surrey, B.C., where people from both sides of the border gathered Saturday. (Ben Nelms/CBC) Mary Lou Steward, mayor of Blaine, Wash., a border town of about 6,200, said the decision by many Canadians to avoid entering the U.S. is already taking an economic toll. "People are seeing their business down 30 per cent," said Steward, who was also in attendance. "We value the Canadians coming across, I understand they're angry … we'll get beyond this, we'll work hard to repair the relationship, which this monument stands for." Len Saunders, an immigration lawyer in Blaine, said the absence of Canadian shoppers is striking. "This is like COVID all over again," he told CBC News during an interview earlier this week. "You can see it in the Costco parking lot, at Trader Joe's. Canadians are voting with their wallets right now. That's what's happening." Recent data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows a sharp decline in cross-border travel, with nearly 500,000 fewer Canadian travellers entering the U.S. in February compared to the same month last year. The number of B.C. drivers heading south through the Peace Arch border crossing has also dropped significantly this year, according to data from the Whatcom Council of Governments. A rolling 30-day average of crossings through the border shows about a 25 per cent decrease compared to 2024. WATCH | B.C. cross-border traffic drops 25% amid tariffs and Trump's threats: "We're only two months into a four-year administration. If they keep this up there will be no Canadians coming down here — there will be a 100 per cent boycott of this country," Saunders said. For some attendees Saturday, the rally was a way to push back against the rhetoric coming from Washington, D.C. "I am sorry, Canada … most of us do not agree with what Trump is doing," said Jim Kosa, a Bellingham resident. "It's atrocious the way that my country is treating Canada." As the rally concluded, participants lined up for a handshake, reminiscent of a postgame tradition in sports. (Sohrab Sandhu/CBC) As the rally wrapped up, attendees formed a line and shook hands, mirroring a kind of postgame handshake. Landry said the event will return next weekend to keep the dialogue open and reaffirm their commitment to maintaining the friendship between the two nations.
CBC
23-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
B.C.-Washington border communities rally for peace amid rising political tensions
The towering Peace Arch monument, standing on the Canada-U.S. border between Surrey, B.C., and Blaine, Wash., bears two inscriptions: "Children of a Common Mother" on the U.S. side, and "Brethren Dwelling Together in Unity" on the Canadian side. On Saturday morning, dozens of residents from both countries gathered at its base for a rally calling for unity and friendship amid rising tensions between Canada and the U.S. Attendees held signs condemning U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated remarks about annexing Canada as the 51st state, while others sang songs and chanted slogans, hoping diplomacy and goodwill would prevail over the strained relations between the two neighbours. Among them, a trio from the Bellingham-based activist group Raging Grannies dedicated a song to the bond between the two nations. "We understand the situation and support the things you do, the rage you feel is really just, though we will miss you until it's over..." they sang. Haidee Landry, one of the event's organizers from Langley, B.C., said the gathering, dubbed the "Peace, Love, and a Handshake" rally, was about showing solidarity while making it clear that Canada will remain a strong and sovereign nation. "We want them to still come … come for a coffee, come for a meal, we still love you," she said of B.C.'s American neighbours. "But we don't want to live with you, we don't want to be your roommates." Landry added that many Americans she has spoken to disagree with the steps taken by the Trump administration and have voiced their support for Canada. But Canadians, she said, are firm in their decision to avoid cross-border travel as an act of resistance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nine-hectare Peace Arch park that straddles the 49th parallel served as a loophole for loved ones separated by border closures. Now, Landry said, the park is once again a meeting place for those seeking common ground. Mary Lou Steward, mayor of Blaine, Wash., a border town of about 6,200, said the decision by many Canadians to avoid entering the U.S. is already taking an economic toll. "People are seeing their business down 30 per cent," said Steward, who was also in attendance. "We value the Canadians coming across, I understand they're angry … we'll get beyond this, we'll work hard to repair the relationship, which this monument stands for." Len Saunders, an immigration lawyer in Blaine, said the absence of Canadian shoppers is striking. "This is like COVID all over again," he told CBC News during an interview earlier this week. "You can see it in the Costco parking lot, at Trader Joe's. Canadians are voting with their wallets right now. That's what's happening." Recent data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows a sharp decline in cross-border travel, with nearly 500,000 fewer Canadian travellers entering the U.S. in February compared to the same month last year. The number of B.C. drivers heading south through the Peace Arch border crossing has also dropped significantly this year, according to data from the Whatcom Council of Governments. A rolling 30-day average of crossings through the border shows about a 25 per cent decrease compared to 2024. WATCH | B.C. cross-border traffic drops 25% amid tariffs and Trump's threats: B.C. cross-border traffic drops 25% amid tariffs and Trump's threats 3 days ago Duration 1:37 As Trump's talk of tariffs and annexation continue, data shows British Columbians are choosing to cross into the U.S. less. Justin McElroy examined the numbers and found a 25 per cent decrease in B.C. cars heading south over the past month, with some days seeing up to a 50 per cent decline compared to last year. "We're only two months into a four-year administration. If they keep this up there will be no Canadians coming down here — there will be a 100 per cent boycott of this country," Saunders said. For some attendees Saturday, the rally was a way to push back against the rhetoric coming from Washington, D.C. "I am sorry, Canada … most of us do not agree with what Trump is doing," said Jim Kosa, a Bellingham resident. "It's atrocious the way that my country is treating Canada." As the rally wrapped up, attendees formed a line and shook hands, mirroring a kind of postgame handshake.
