Close X
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
ADVT 
National

Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival will go ahead after sewage leak into False Creek

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Jun, 2024 10:33 AM
  • Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival will go ahead after sewage leak into False Creek

Organizers of this weekend's Dragon Boat Festival in Vancouver say a sewage leak into False Creek where the races are held won't have a major effect on the event.

The leak from a pipe under Olympic Village resulted in raw sewage gushing through the neighbourhood, then pouring into the waterway.

Dragon Boat BC says in a statement that it determined the "pipe break" would not have any significant impact on the races, after consultations with Metro Vancouver, the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health.

Lorn Carter, a manager of sewer collections with Metro Vancouver, told a news conference that the leak had been stopped and workers were cleaning up the mess.

Carter says his team responded to the site at about 8 a.m. and soon managed to isolate the problem pipe.

Organizers of the annual festival that attracts tens of thousands of spectators and racers say there will be hand-wash stations and mobile showers "to help put racer's minds at ease" about the leak.

The Dragon Boat Festival's Dominic Lai says they are delighted North America's biggest event marking the traditional Chinese holiday will continue as planned.

“Obviously, this isn't something that we hope ever happens. But when it does, it's really good to see all the different departments coming together to provide that support and to ensure that we can celebrate our community together,” Lai said at Thursday's news conference.

Carter said the volume of the sewage leak was unclear.

MORE National ARTICLES

CBC head Catherine Tait set to face off with MPs over job cuts, executive bonuses

CBC head Catherine Tait set to face off with MPs over job cuts, executive bonuses
The president of CBC and Radio-Canada is set to testify on Parliament Hill today following the public broadcaster's recent announcement that it would cut 10 per cent of its workforce. Catherine Tait is scheduled to appear before a House of Commons committee this afternoon, where MPs are expected to grill her on the cuts — and whether executives are still receiving bonuses.

CBC head Catherine Tait set to face off with MPs over job cuts, executive bonuses

If Trudeau's Jamaican vacation was unacceptable, public would know: ethics watchdog

If Trudeau's Jamaican vacation was unacceptable, public would know: ethics watchdog
The federal ethics watchdog is asking parliamentarians and the public to read between the lines about advice he gave to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before his recent holiday trip. Konrad von Finckenstein told a House of Commons ethics committee Tuesday that under the Conflict of Interest Act, he can't publicly disclose conversations he's had with politicians. 

If Trudeau's Jamaican vacation was unacceptable, public would know: ethics watchdog

18 C in Metro Vancouver as atmospheric river smashes heat records, brings heavy rain

18 C in Metro Vancouver as atmospheric river smashes heat records, brings heavy rain
Unseasonable warmth brought by an atmospheric river has shattered records — some almost a century old — at more than 30 B.C. locations, with the mercury passing 18 C in parts of Metro Vancouver. Environment Canada says the daily high temperature at Vancouver's airport hit 14.3 C on Monday, breaking the previous record of 13.3 C in 1940.

18 C in Metro Vancouver as atmospheric river smashes heat records, brings heavy rain

Discrimination probe launched into police use of force in B.C.

Discrimination probe launched into police use of force in B.C.
British Columbia's human rights commissioner has launched an inquiry into police use of force against people who are racialized or dealing with mental health issues. Kasari Govender says in a statement the inquiry comes as a result of a 2021 study by the commissioner's office showing a "disturbing pattern of discrimination in policing in the province."

Discrimination probe launched into police use of force in B.C.

Provinces knew the deal when they signed on to $10-a-day child care: Liberal minister

Provinces knew the deal when they signed on to $10-a-day child care: Liberal minister
Provinces and territories had their "eyes wide open" when they signed on to the federal $10-a-day child-care program, says Families Minister Jenna Sudds. Her assertion that they must now make it work comes amid growing pushback from daycares that say the program is going to make them go bankrupt. 

Provinces knew the deal when they signed on to $10-a-day child care: Liberal minister

RCMP make arrest in 17 year old case

RCMP make arrest in 17 year old case
Police said Monday advances in DNA technology and an extensive investigation helped in the arrest of a Vancouver man in the killing of a Manitoba woman nearly 17 years ago. Kevin Queau, a 42-year-old from Vancouver, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Crystal Shannon Saunders, whose body was found in 2007.

RCMP make arrest in 17 year old case