'Love wins' display installed by anonymous ally after Pride flag vandalism at B.C. church
A composite photo shows a 'love wins' display at Ladner United Church (left) that was installed after vandalism appearing to target the Pride flag (right)
Vandalism of a church in Delta displaying Pride flags is being investigated as a hate crime, according to police, who say it is the fifth such incident that has been reported in the past several years.
On Wednesday, black paint was splattered on a window at Ladner United Church where a Progress and Pride flag hangs, the Delta Police Department said in a statement.
"These flags are symbolic representations of the 2SLGBTQI+ community and their allies and serve as a source of identity and support for many individuals," a statement from police says.
"Defacing or damaging these flags is illegal, disrespectful, and deeply hurtful to the 2SLGBTQI+ community. In this instance, it is not only mischief, it is also being investigated as a hate crime against both the Church hoisting the flag and the broader 2SLGBTQI+ community."
No suspects have been identified in this incident or any of the previous ones, police say, adding that they are committed to conducting a thorough investigation.
Last year, someone was caught on camera poking holes into a flag outside of the church. In 2021, a flag flying in the same spot above the church entrance was vandalized with black spray paint. In 2019, black paint was smeared on the church's Pride flag twice in the span of just two weeks.
The church, in a Facebook post, said there has been an outpouring of support following this latest act including people stopping by to make donations and volunteer to help clean up.
And overnight Wednesday, an anonymous supporter installed a lawn display saying "love wins."
Anyone with information on the latest act of vandalism, or the previous ones, is urged to call 604-946-4411. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8247).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India suspends visa services in Canada and rift widens between countries
India's visa processing centre in Canada suspended services Thursday as a rift widened between the countries after Canada's leader said India may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen.
From Centre Ice Conservatives to Canadian Future, a new federal party takes shape
The interim leader of Canada's newest federal party says he wants it to be an option for people who are tired of both the governing Liberals and the "rage farming" coming from the Conservatives.
Cutting obituary for B.C. man thanks karma for 'doing what she does best'
Few obituaries begin with the words, "I am pleased to announce" – but Amanda Denis believes in blunt honesty.
Cross-country rallies against 'gender ideology' in schools meet with counter-protests
Thousands of people gathered in cities across Canada on Wednesday for competing protests, screaming and chanting at each other about school policies on gender identity.
Video shows officer repeatedly discussed charging 11-year-old victim with child sexual abuse offence
A Columbus police officer summoned to a home by a father concerned his 11-year-old daughter was being solicited by an adult man repeatedly asserted that the girl could face charges for sending explicit images of herself.
Canada showcases tragic wildfire season to promote carbon pricing initiative at UN
The federal government is hoping Canada's devastating wildfire season sparks momentum for carbon pricing at the United Nations.
Younger Canadians are not having children. Here's why, according to Statistics Canada
Younger Canadians are being impacted by many compounding issues including the high cost of living, which is one of the reasons they aren't having children, a new report by Statistics Canada shows.
Russia strikes cities from east to west Ukraine, starting fires and killing at least 2
Russian missiles pounded cities across Ukraine early Thursday morning, according to authorities, sparking fires, killing at least two people and trapping others under rubble, and Ukrainian ally Poland said it would stop providing weapons amid a trade dispute.
Immediately stop using these child safety seats: Health Canada
Health Canada has issued a safety advisory asking Canadians to immediately stop using certain child safety seats due to injury risks.
Vancouver Island
-
Protesters arrested on Vancouver Island as groups clash over 'gender ideology' in schools
At least three people were arrested Wednesday as protesters and counter-protesters gathered in Nanaimo and Victoria to argue about the way schools teach sexuality and gender identity, and how teachers refer to transgender students.
-
B.C. teacher banned for exploiting vulnerable student for 'sexual advantage'
A former Vancouver Island gym teacher has permanently lost his teaching certificate after he started an intimate relationship with a vulnerable 15-year-old student and began dating the student shortly after graduation.
-
Victoria supportive housing facility's opening delayed
The opening of a supportive housing facility for 50 young people in Victoria has been delayed despite construction being complete, and outreach advocates say an extension may be needed to avoid displacing a dozen of the anticipated tenants.
Calgary
-
Alberta set to release report on benefits, drawbacks of quitting Canada Pension Plan
Premier Danielle Smith is set to release a report that could lead to a vote on whether Alberta should ditch the Canada Pension Plan.
-
Calgarians, for and against gender and sexual diversity education, engage in protest
Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Calgary on Wednesday to protest against, or to show their support for, the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in local schools.
-
Police searching rural property north of Calgary for evidence connected to missing man
Police have revealed they are searching a rural property north of Calgary for evidence connected to the disappearance of a Calgary man missing since late August.
Edmonton
-
UCP stands behind MLA who spoke at LGBTQ2S+ policy protest in Red Deer
While Alberta's United Conservative Party has "not made any decisions" regarding LGBTQ2S+ policies in schools, a spokesperson said the UCP has no issue with an MLA joining protesters.
-
LGBTQ2S+ policies in schools subject of protests and counter-protests in Edmonton, Canada
Protesters from the MillionMarch4Children gathered outside the Alberta Teachers' Association building on 142 Street and 110 Avenue Wednesday morning, to protest what they call 'gender ideology' in Canada's schools.
-
City council mulls keeping Blatchford LRT station closed until neighbourhood fills out
The new LRT line into the Blatchford neighbourhood on the former municipal airport lands in north Edmonton is nearly complete, but one of the two new stations slated for it likely won't be open for years to come.
Toronto
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Oshawa shooting leaves one person dead
One person is dead following a shooting in Oshawa. Durham police said early Thursday that they responded to an address on Albert Street for reports of a shooting. A male victim was subsequently found dead at the scene, police said.
-
TTC says subway service has resumed on Line 1 with 'minor delays' after early morning problem
The TTC says subway service has resumed on Line 1 after nearly half the line was shut down due to a signal problem during the early morning rush. The TTC said there was no subway service between Vaughan and St. Andrew stations due to a signal problem and shuttle buses were operating between Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and St George Station to replace regular service.
-
'I was so shook up': Ontario senior says she was charged nearly $3,000 for replacement garage door opener
An Ontario senior has a warning for homeowners after she says a contractor overcharged her, demanding thousands of dollars to replace her garage door opener.
Montreal
-
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif announces retirement from professional football
The 32-year-old Quebecer officially announced his retirement from professional football on Thursday morning.
-
Two Montreal Island towns file court challenge to Quebec language law reform
Two Montreal suburbs filed a court challenge today to Quebec's 2022 language reform, seeking to be exempted from several articles of the law commonly known as Bill 96.
-
Man, 19, sent to hospital after stabbing in St-Michel
A 19-year-old man was rushed to hospital Wednesday night after he was critically injured in an armed assault in Montreal’s Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough.
Winnipeg
-
With election day nearing, latest polling shows NDP surging ahead in Manitoba
Manitoba's NDP is on the rise according to new polling numbers released Wednesday.
-
Manitobans taking part in protests, counter-protests over LGBTQ2S+ rights in schools
Protests and counter-protests over LGBTQ2s+ rights in school are taking place in Manitoba on Wednesday.
-
Manitoba party leaders to square off in live, hour-long televised debate
Manitoba's three main party leaders are scheduled to face each other tonight in a televised debate ahead of the Oct. 3 provincial election.
Saskatoon
-
Protesters face off in Saskatoon over school pronoun policy
Hundreds of people descended on downtown Saskatoon Wednesday as duelling protests squared off over a policy recently introduced by the Saskatchewan government.
-
'It was so scary': Saskatoon couple raising funds to rebuild after fire
The owners of a home that was devastated by fire last week in the Massey Place neighbourhood are looking for support as they put their lives back together.
-
RCMP identify remains of Sask. woman missing since July
RCMP have identified human remains found near North Battleford last week as 20-year-old Nitanas Scarlett, reported missing on Aug. 7.
Regina
-
Hundreds march in Regina as part of nationwide protests on gender identity in schools
Hundreds of people in Regina gathered at the legislative building on Wednesday as part of nationwide protests against gender identity in schools.
-
Riders hoping to land road win for first time since Week 3
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have been in tough on the road this season. In their six away games played so far, they have only come out on top in two of them.
-
Alleged victim concludes testimony in day two of Sask. hockey coach trial
Despite allegations stemming from an incident 35 years ago, the complainant told court he is certain about what happened between him and Bernard Lynch all these years later.
Atlantic
-
Simultaneous protests and counter-protests across the Maritimes on gender education in schools
Hundreds of protesters turned up across the Maritimes at simultaneous protests and counter-protests Wednesday centered around LGBTQ2S+ education in schools.
-
Cross-country rallies against 'gender ideology' in schools meet with counter-protests
Thousands of people gathered in cities across Canada on Wednesday for competing protests, screaming and chanting at each other about school policies on gender identity.
-
'It's not our problem. We didn't create this': N.S. advocates say RCMP apology pointless without action
A day after Nova Scotia's RCMP Commander announced the force would be apologizing to the black community for generations of street checks, some advocates say concrete changes are needed, or it's all wasted air.
London
-
Veltman murder trial: Here’s what you need to know before day 10
The jury was not in attendance on Wednesday and the cross examination of the detective who interviewed Nathaniel Veltman in the hours after the attack on the Afzaal family continued on Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know before court resumes on Thursday.
-
Former Beals Raiders mark 50 years of running on high school track
Two former Beal Secondary School cross-country runners hit the track Wednesday – 50 years after they first rain for the school.
-
Here are the addresses where London’s homeless hub locations are being proposed
A report released by city hall details the bids received to operate the first, up to five, low-barrier service hubs for Londoners experiencing homelessness.
Northern Ontario
-
Commercial truck gets stuck at Sudbury job site
No injuries were reported Wednesday afternoon when a commercial truck got stuck at a construction site in Greater Sudbury.
-
India suspends visa services in Canada and rift widens between countries
India's visa processing centre in Canada suspended services Thursday as a rift widened between the countries after Canada's leader said India may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen.
-
Garden River FN shakes up council, elects new chief
Garden River First Nation has undergone a major shakeup around its council table.
Kitchener
-
Protests for and against LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education in Kitchener and Guelph
Hundreds gathered in downtown Kitchener and Guelph Wednesday for competing protests over LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education.
-
Driver dies after vehicle fire in Brant County: OPP
A driver has died after police say a vehicle was found on fire in Brant County on Wednesday afternoon.
-
Musicians launch grassroots fundraiser to save the K-W Symphony
Local musicians are hoping to spread the word about a grassroots attempt to save the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, days after it abruptly cancelled its upcoming season.
