Vancouver authorities and police are advocating for enhanced safeguards for events, improved safety planning, and increased provincial backing for festival organizers following the tragic Lapu-Lapu Day festival incident in April. The incident, involving an alleged vehicle-ramming attack that resulted in 11 fatalities and numerous injuries, prompted Mayor Ken Sim and Chief Constable Steve Rai to unveil a final report during a press briefing on Thursday.
Mayor Sim described April 26 as a tragic day in Vancouver’s history, transforming what was meant to be a joyful celebration of Filipino culture into an unimaginable disaster. Despite thorough safety assessments and coordination with emergency responders, the review revealed that the Lapu-Lapu Day festival was perceived as low risk, with no indication of the impending tragedy.
The report underscores the need to update the city’s special event policy to prioritize public safety, standardize planning procedures, and establish clear guidelines for deploying hostile-vehicle barriers. Additionally, it calls for enhanced training and resources for event organizers, shared equipment, and the implementation of a Vancouver-specific framework to fortify public spaces against vehicle-related threats.
Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, Mayor Sim stressed that Vancouver cannot enact these changes in isolation. The report urges the provincial and federal governments to allocate funding for preparedness, introduce standardized event safety legislation, and develop a provincial incident response guide to enhance coordination among stakeholders during emergencies.
With over 2,200 events and 1,000 protests annually in Vancouver, Mayor Sim believes that implementing the report’s recommendations will bolster planning and readiness for public gatherings, ensuring their safety and security.
In a separate development, a provincial commission led by former B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson advocated for closer cooperation between organizers and emergency personnel, along with increased grants to offset security expenses. However, Mayor Sim criticized the exclusion of mental health issues from the commission’s scope, emphasizing the critical role of mental health support in preventing such incidents.
Premier David Eby welcomed the insights provided by the police and city officials, expressing hopes that the new report will aid the province in preventing future tragedies. Meanwhile, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, the accused in the Lapu-Lapu Day incident, faces 11 counts of second-degree murder following the alleged vehicle attack. Defense counsel and Crown lawyers recently concluded their arguments over Lo’s fitness to stand trial, with rulings expected in the near future.