Terry Yung says that when he attends Vancouver’s Chinatown Festival this weekend, he’ll enjoy himself knowing that the work has been done to make him and other attendees feel safe. British Columbia’s minister of state for community safety said pursuing that sense of security was “the foundation” of a report he released Wednesday making six recommendations on improving safety for community events in the wake of the April 26 attack on Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day festival, that killed 11 people and injured dozens more.
Yung said the point of the report was “not to look at one moment in time in the past which we cannot change.” “I can’t speculate what could or could have happened but what we can do in future to make us all safer,” he said. The report by former B.C. Supreme Court chief justice Christopher Hinkson recommends that all public events, regardless of size, should be supported by a risk assessment, and that a provincial events hub be developed for sharing information and advice.It also recommends inter-agency co-ordination and more accessible education and planning resources. Hinkson was appointed in the days after the festival attack by Premier David Eby to “maximize safety,” while remembering that people still wanted to be able to get together and celebrate. Yung said the government fully accepted the intent of the recommendations, but didn’t say when they would be implemented. “We’ll move on this as fast as we can,” he said.
“It’s important to understand, in light of the tragic event, and (it’s) easy to be overwhelmed by emotions … the report said the vast majority of public events in this province are safe, they’re well organized and they’re widely enjoyed. ”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 report 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, in which a vehicle sped through a crowded street, 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,
Source: ctvnews.ca/vancouver
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
