Wednesday - March 12, 2025 - Harrison plots anti-racism work

🌧 High 8C

Good morning!

What is it about a simple balloon that makes it irresistible to a kid? If my kid was placed in a room midway between a yellow balloon and a mountain of candy, my boy’s first instinct would be to walk over to the balloon and give it a firm kick. Nothing in our entire house can compete with a rubber container of air. It’s a problem that has become a topic of…conversation…in our household. But it’s also an internal battle for me because, deep in my heart, I still love any made-up game involving a balloon. Balloon tennis across a table? Yes! Balloon soccer? Definitely. That game where you keep the balloon afloat without using your hands? Always. Still, I guess getting old means being able to put a balloon aside to eat and sleep. We’re still working on that with our little one.

Meanwhile, today’s story mentions residential schools. As always, before rushing to a side, it’s a good idea to familiarize oneself with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s reports, which can be found here. The historical reports are especially noteworthy and include hundreds of pages of evidence from indisputable first-hand sources about the history of the schools.

– Tyler

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🌤 Local forecast: Langley | Chilliwack | Abbotsford | Hope 

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NEWS

Á'a:líya Warbus on racism and politics

As the BC Conservative Party wrestles with what kind of speech it will tolerate from its members, its house leader Á'a:líya Warbus says she is also defining her own personal lines in the sand.

In an interview with The Current Tuesday, Warbus—who is also the MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake—said she was “frustrated” by comments about residential schools made by her colleague Dallas Brodie and that the resulting friction distracted from the common goals shared by the BC Conservative caucus. (You can read the entire interview below.)

Last week, Conservative leader John Rustad ejected Brodie from the party over remarks she made on a podcast in which she questioned the testimony of residential school survivors. Although Brodie had escaped party discipline for previous comments on residential schools, Rustad said he couldn’t forgive Brodie’s “mocking” of survivors’ testimony. In the same podcast, Brodie derided Warbus for suggesting that those questioning the accounts of survivors need to better educate themselves and talk to the people who attended residential schools. Brodie said Warbus was “super angry” and had “joined the NDP” in its criticism. Two BC Conservative colleagues have since also left the party.

• Today, Tyler talks to Warbus about lines in the sand, Brodie’s comments, the future of the BC Conservatives, and criticism of her party from other Indigenous leaders.

Related

Need to Know

🚧 A gas leak in Langley forced the evacuation of some residents and a road closure [CTV]

🗳 DNA testing was used to identify a missing Mission teen whose remains were discovered in 2008 [CBC]

🍸 As American booze is pulled from shelves, focus is turning to BC’s award-winning distillers [The Tyee]

👏 Three long-time volunteers at the Fraser Canyon Hospice Society have been recognized for their decades of work [Hope Standard]

🌭 Free hot dogs will be served at a celebration of Chilliwack’s first inclusive swing [City of Chilliwack]

📞 MP Brad Vis has apologized for a robocall to some constituents, saying it was ‘unauthorized’ [Agassiz-Harrison Observer]

🔎 RCMP are asking for help finding a missing Chilliwack woman, who was last seen in Vancouver Monday [Chilliwack Progress]

🩺 BC is looking to recruit American doctors and nurses, and has plans to fast-track recognition of their credentials [CityNews]

💸 Trump is set to place a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum today [CBC] / There’s a lot going on with American tariffs on Canadian goods; you can find a timeline of when tariffs were announced, or paused, here [Global]

⚖ Launch your legal admin career with KPU. Join their free online info session on March 13 to explore training for in-demand legal office roles. Register today!*

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Your Council in the Community

Check out some of the important work being done by Abbotsford City Council over the past few weeks in their latest spread. You can sign up to stay informed on the website.

The Agenda

After complaint, Harrison looks to boost anti-racism efforts

It may become easier to report racism in Harrison Hot Springs.

Village council recently directed staff to develop its first anti-racism policy, which would establish a way for residents to report discrimination within Harrison. The policy is also expected to include a framework for the village to respond to harmful acts.

Harrison Hot Springs is a tourist town and the policy would help visitors of all backgrounds feel safe and welcomed during their stay, said Coun. Michie Vidal, who suggested the motion at the March 3 meeting. About 750,000 tourists visit Harrison every year.

“Negative experiences related to discrimination and racism has the potential to damage our village reputation,” Vidal said.

The motion comes about four months after one visitor reported discrimination and racism at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort.

The visitor was eating in the hotel lobby late at night when they were told to leave by a staff member. A manager then approached the visitor and apologized, but made a racist comment, according to the Tripadvisor post.

Staff will report back to village council with a draft anti-racism and discrimination policy at a later date.

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🗓 Things to do

Bozzini’s music: Curtis Eller performs at Bozzini's Restaurant in Chilliwack on Thursday. Tickets are $25. Details online.

History camp: The Fort Langley Historic Site hosts a spring break nature adventure from Saturday until March 30. The site has daily events from 10:30am to 5pm, along with a different guest presenter each day. This is not a spring break camp, but admission for kids 17 and under are free. Details online.

Have an event to tell us about? Fill out this form to have it highlighted here.

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