Canucks in talks to host playoff fan fest outside B.C. Place: tourism minister
It’s unclear whether there will be full-on public viewing areas for Vancouver Canucks games during this Stanley Cup playoff run in the downtown core – but the hockey team is in talks about setting up a possible fan fest area outside B.C. Place.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Lana Popham alluded to the plan while speaking to reporters at the legislature on Thursday.
“We see that working really well at B.C. Place for the BC Lions and so it’s already been established that people know how to have fun right there,” Popham said. “It’s a great spot.”
Outdoor viewing parties are featuring heavily in other Canadian cities during this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs – with some Vancouver fans here feeling like they're missing out.
Canuck fans CTV News spoke with on Thursday said they wanted the return of outdoor viewing events – but acknowledged it would need to be done carefully given the 2011 riot.
That cautious view was shared by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim when asked about the possibility of the city giving the green light for these large-scale watch parties.
“We had 155,000 people there (in 2011) and when you look at the report that John Furlong put together, you could double the number of police officers there – and as the situation there unfolded, it wouldn’t have made a difference, so we’re being a lot more thoughtful,” he said at a news conference on Thursday.
As for the business community – which has its own scars from 2011 – it seems there’s support for viewing parties under the right circumstances.
“We’re definitely open to the idea of making sure we’re creating a buzz and creating excitement about these games, and if that’s a viewing party, we will support that, obviously ensuring safety measures are in place,” Downtown Van director of operations Joshua Davidson told CTV News on Thursday, speaking on behalf of the city’s business improvement association.
But even with talks underway there’s been no indication anything will be in place for Friday’s Game 3 between the Canucks and the Nashville Predators. Fans will however be able to buy tickets for a watch party inside Rogers Arena.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.