Vancouver

The article has some fur graphics if you want to check it out

The City of Surrey’s annual Canada Day celebration will take place at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Cloverdale on Tuesday, July 1.

The free, all-ages event features a huge concert lineup, food trucks, and a spectacular fireworks show.

The article and original title: Vancouver's new urban forest strategy faces challenges, academic says

Excerpts:

The city's goal is to increase its canopy cover – how much of the city is covered by leaves and branches when seen from above – from about 25 per cent of the city to 30 per cent by 2050, according to the updated urban forest strategy.

The plan sets a target to plant about 165,000 new trees over the next 25 years, and encourages residents to plant trees in their own backyards.

And while the plan has drawn praise from one expert, both city councillors and staff have acknowledged there will be difficulties in meeting the goals set out in the report.

In the wake of the B.C. government pushing hard for cities to increase housing density, Sheppard advised councillors to minimize the loss of existing urban trees when approving rezoning proposals.

The other map:

Multiple councillors pointed out the stark divide in canopy cover between neighbourhoods.

Shaughnessy has 41 per cent tree canopy cover, while Strathcona — which includes the Downtown Eastside — has only nine per cent.

The difference can be particularly significant during heat waves, according to the staff report, which says that vulnerable populations in low canopy areas faced a higher risk of heat-related deaths.

Coun. Mike Klassen asked staff to explore how to reduce urban heat islands in neighbourhoods with minimal tree canopy cover, including a "GreenShades" system that suspends large sails with planted greenery over streets.

The updated urban forest strategy passed unanimously with Klassen's amendment.

Protest Trump’s Fascist Birthday Display Vancouver Art Gallery When: Saturday, June 14, 2025

Where: 12:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.

Where: Vancouver Art Gallery

The media won’t say it—but we will. Donald Trump is a fascist. On June 14th, we’re gathering at the Vancouver Art Gallery to send one clear message: it’s time to stop soft-selling the threat. It’s time to call fascism what it is.

WHY WE’RE DOING THIS We’re not waiting for history books to catch up. We’re saying it now, because it’s true now.

The lack of widespread adoption of the word “fascist” has real consequences. When the media, journalists, politicians, and institutions downplay Trump’s rhetoric and actions, the public underestimates the threat. And when we don’t call it like we see it, fascism can more easily take root here at home in Canada.

WHY JUNE 14th Because it’s Trump’s birthday and he’s using it as a show of force. A protest on this day shows we won’t stand for silence, soft language, or denial.

The Context We want to call it out and name it. It’s fascism when you… Silence the press Jail and intimidate opponents Persecute freedom of expression Deport citizens without due process Ignore laws and use fear to rule

The word is still treated like an exaggeration or misrepresentation. That ends here. Why? Because this U.S. presidential administration is an authoritarian government, prioritizing power over people.

The truth matters. And the truth is urgent. We stand up now because if it can happen there, it can happen here. It’s not the time to be a passive bystander.

Read more in our recent blog post “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad F-World”

WHAT TO DO Show up with one message: “You’re a fascist if…”

Finish the sentence. Bring your sign. Tell your friends. Sign our petition. Help us hold the line against normalization. Because when we as a society name it, we can fight it.

**Why Vancouver? **Because Trump’s fascist tactics don’t stop at the U.S. border - they impact us too. From economic coercion through tariffs, to anti-immigrant policies that strain our borders, to undermining democratic alliances like NATO, his actions directly affect Canada. These aren’t just aggressive politics, they mirror classic fascist strategies: domination, nationalism, and authoritarian control. And with Trump arriving in Canada for the G7 the very next day, we’re showing up to say: we see it, and we’re naming it.

cross-posted from: https://rss.ponder.cat/post/186897

From VA Marine Mammal Rescue Society via this RSS feed

cross-posted from: https://rss.ponder.cat/post/183335

About 100 people have signed up to speak for and against the proposed redevelopment of a Safeway lot next to the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station.

From this RSS feed

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation will open two of its outdoor pools and staff its nine swimming beaches with lifeguards to help people safely enjoy time in and around the city’s waters this summer.

Dunbar Earthquake and Emergency Preparedness (DEEP) and the local Pacific Spirit Medical Venturers (MedVents) invite you to an hour-long interactive demo at the Dunbar Disaster Support Hub at 11 a.m. on May 10, the final day of B.C.’s Emergency Preparedness Week.

The Hub, located behind the Dunbar Community Centre, is where community members can gather to exchange information and coordinate their efforts to help each other during a disaster.

Volunteers will demonstrate the main roles of the Disaster Support Hub. This includes the HAM radio emergency communications, information boards to collect and disseminate information, the hub Coordination centre, and a First Aid Station operated by the MedVents. Come familiarize yourself with this important community resource for emergency support. We hope to see you there!

• Presenters: Members of DEEP and the Pacific Spirit Medical Venturers
• Date: Saturday, May 10th, 2025
• Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
• Venue: The DEEP Disaster Support Hub Container
• Location: in the middle of Memorial Park West – behind the Dunbar Community Centre 4747 Dunbar Street – on the north side of the basketball court, beside the tennis courts,

You can register on the link

cross-posted from: https://rss.ponder.cat/post/169902

"It's been heartbreaking. It's been devastating for our community," said Manitoba Filipino Business Council President Jackie Wild.

From this RSS feed

Let me know if any information belongs in this thread and I'll edit it in.

Information

WARNING: There are graphic videos of the event and aftermath. Keep that in mind when going through any social media posts. The news articles are generally 'safe' to read.

Social media threads:

• [email protected]: https://lemmy.ca/post/42965727

• r/Vancouver: https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/1k8v49i/

• https://x.com/VancouverPD/status/1916348189449634129

News Articles:

• CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vehicle-hits-crowd-filipino-festival-lapu-lapu-day-block-party-1.7519778
• The Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-vancouver-festival-driver-incident-deaths-injuries-updates-lapu-lapu/
• City News: https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/04/26/major-police-incident-vancouver-lapu-lapu-festival/
• The Province: https://theprovince.com/news/police-incident-at-lapu-lapu-day-in-vancouver/wcm/8078cf55-f577-49a1-a041-6bdd6d7c2bef
• Vancouver Sun: https://vancouversun.com/news/police-incident-at-lapu-lapu-day-in-vancouver

Support Resources:

Local Resources

Vancouver Police Victim Services: As per their website - Victim Services staff members are not police officers; they are civilian employees of the VPD with specialized training in emotional support, crisis intervention, and communication skills, and with education in areas such as psychology, social work or other related disciplines.

Staff are available to provide free and confidential support to victims, witnesses, and family members affected by crime and trauma.

If you have been affected by crime or trauma, contact the VPD Victim Services Unit at 604-717-2737.

Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line: 604-872-3311

BC Mental Health & Crisis Response (no area code needed): 310-6789

Suicide Crisis Helplines: Text or call 9-8-8 from anywhere in Canada or call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) in BC, both available 24/7.

Learn about what resources are available in your community, including mental health supports. Available 24/7 and Canada wide: Call 211 or visit 211.ca

Crisis Centre: https://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca/

Other Resources

A few people have recommended doing a visuospatial activity, such as playing tetris, to help reduce trauma related intrusive memories from the incident

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2017-03-28-tetris-used-prevent-post-traumatic-stress-symptoms

A single dose psychological intervention, which includes using the computer game Tetris, can prevent the unpleasant, intrusive memories that develop in some people after suffering a traumatic event.

Some tetris links:

• https://tetr.io/
• https://tetris.com/

What can you do

I haven't seen an official call for donations yet, but I've compiled some comments / links.

Blood donation eligibility information: https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood

What types might be in need:

Filipinos blood type distribution is 86% O-positive, and 8% A-positive, so if you are type O and A consider donating. Oak street location is open pretty much every day

League ‘hopeful’ to add 2nd expansion team ahead of next season

The Professional Women's Hockey League will expand to Vancouver and begin play next season, the league announced on Wednesday.

The decision to expand to Vancouver had been rumoured for weeks, and was finally confirmed at a press conference in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday morning. The official announcement was made by a local under-11 girls' hockey team. The girls crowded around a podium, waving signs to show how badly they wanted Vancouver to get a PWHL team, before announcing the news.

Vancouver was chosen as the seventh PWHL franchise after an eight-month process that saw expansion bids from groups in more than 20 cities.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/42488315

Not sure if everyone is familiar with the Mountain Valley Express (MVX) plan, but it's been gaining momentum lately and the Township of Langley is deciding whether or not they want to support exploring the feasibility of the project.

Location: "Newton Area of Surrey, BC" (from a youtube video on their channel)

RAPS is engaged in one of the largest operations we have ever undertaken — rescuing scores of kittens and cats from a disastrous hoarding situation.

“We were called by a family member to intervene in a situation where a person with some significant issues had been hoarding cats and kittens in a large townhouse,” says Valerie Wilson, manager of the RAPS Cat Sanctuary and RAPS Adoption Center. “What we discovered was unlike anything most of us had seen in decades of animal welfare work.”

When the rescuers arrived at the home, dozens of cats and kittens scattered like insects. Opening bathroom cupboards, drawers and looking behind appliances, there were kittens and cats everywhere throughout the house. The entire house was festering with urine and feces everywhere and the stench was unbearable. The home has almost no furniture and the frightened kittens were scampering under urine-soaked blankets to hide from the human “intruders.” When our team cold called unannounced, there were no litter boxes and most of the cats were locked in a room with no furniture, surrounded by feces and urine.

“One of the most disturbing aspects of this situation is that not one, but two, animal rescue organizations had intervened in the past, but had not addressed the underlying hoarding situation,” says Wilson. “In both instances, the organizations had removed cats from the premises but left intact cats, resulting in further reproduction and this near-catastrophic situation that has ballooned into dozens of cats and kittens.”

RAPS has already removed about 15 kittens, as well as a nursing mom.

The nursing mom was so unhealthy she couldn’t care for her kittens. One of those kittens was initially thought to have a brain condition, which was discovered to be merely severely low blood sugar. Through bottle-feeding, that kitten is regaining its strength. The mother is under medical care at the RAPS Animal Hospital and we hope for the best.

As RAPS continues this rescue operation, we anticipate upwards of 10 or more pregnant females and as many as 50 or more cats and kittens in total, most of them unsocialized kittens. And RAPS anticipates at least another 20 to 30 kittens to be born, bringing the overall total to upwards of 80.

RAPS has set up a special fund to support these animals and the ongoing rescue operation. They are calling on the community to support this major undertaking.

RAPS is also seeking experienced cat and kitten fosterers.

See locations and times: https://vancouver.ca/election/2025/where-to-vote.aspx