July 9,2025
RED FM News Desk
A new report on festival and event safety in British Columbia recommends that all public events—no matter their size—should undergo a risk assessment to ensure safety.
The report was authored by former B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson, who was appointed after a tragic incident at Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu Day festival in April, where a speeding vehicle killed 11 people and injured many others.
Hinkson’s report outlines six key recommendations to enhance event safety. These include:
Creating a centralized provincial hub for safety information and guidance.
Improving coordination between agencies.
Expanding access to education, planning tools, and safety resources.
B.C.’s Minister of State for Community Safety, Terry Yung, released the report on Wednesday. While he confirmed the government supports the recommendations’ intent, he did not provide a timeline for their implementation.
“We’ll move on this as fast as we can,” Yung said. He emphasized that despite the tragedy, the majority of public events in B.C. are well-organized, safe, and widely attended.
The report highlights that while some larger events benefit from professional support, many smaller gatherings depend on volunteers with limited training and resources. Rather than introducing rigid rules, Hinkson suggests steps should be taken to promote consistency and build trust in event safety practices.
Adam Kai-Ji Lo has been charged with multiple counts of second-degree murder related to the Lapu-Lapu festival incident. His next court appearance is set for July 23 for a fitness hearing.
A preliminary investigation by the City of Vancouver and police, released in May, found that although the 2024 festival followed planning protocols, it lacked heavy vehicle barriers. Police had assessed the event as low-risk and did not recommend increased security. In fact, only nine out of 3,200 Vancouver events in 2024 used such barriers.
Hinkson’s report stresses that threats to event safety go beyond vehicle attacks. Organizers also raised concerns about food and water tampering and other risks, referencing an incident in France where over 140 people reported being pricked by syringes at a music festival.
The report acknowledges the balance required between ensuring safety and allowing public celebrations to continue without excessive restriction.
In preparing the report, Hinkson consulted with local governments, Indigenous communities, regional districts, law enforcement, and event organizers from across B.C. The consultations revealed both strengths and vulnerabilities in current event planning practices.
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