Poster advertising 'whites-only' children's playtime sparks outrage in B.C. community
Police have launched an investigation into a poster inviting "proud parents of European children" to participate in racially segregated playtime in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
The invitation advertises "whites-only" gatherings for mothers in the Tri-Cities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody who are "looking for somewhere your children can play with others that look like them."
Over the weekend, the Instagram account Black Vancouver shared an image of the poster captured at a bus stop in Port Coquitlam, prompting widespread outrage, including from Mayor Brad West.
"This vile garbage isn't welcome in our community, or anywhere else," West said in a statement Monday. "We strive and continue to work on building the bonds of our community and breaking down barriers, promoting all the diversity our city has."
Bylaw officers went to the area to remove the poster immediately after learning of its existence, but were unable to track it down, according to the mayor.
"Perhaps it was removed by someone else in the community," West added.
Vancouver South MP Harjit Sajjan also weighed in on social media Monday, condemning the poster as "deeply disturbing."
"Canada is a country that welcome people from all backgrounds – we embrace our diversity," Sajjan wrote. "It is truly disheartening to see children dragged into messages of racism and discrimination."
It's unclear who is behind the invitation. A URL on the poster links to a private messaging group on the Telegram app.
In a statement, Coquitlam RCMP confirmed officers are investigating reports of "suspicious signs" in both Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam to determine "if there is any criminality involved."
Anyone with information on the poster is asked to contact the detachment at 604-945-1550.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING Christy Clark announces 'step back' from Liberal leadership, as other contenders chime in
Christy Clark announced Tuesday that she will not run in the race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne is also expected to announce imminently that he does not plan to run, sources say. He's expected to confirm his intentions in a speech at the Canadian Club in Toronto.
BREAKING
BREAKING Princess of Wales says her cancer is in remission
The Princess of Wales said that her cancer is in remission Tuesday, following a visit to hospital where she received treatment earlier this year.
'It's not going to be good': Ford says Trump's tariffs could cost Ontario 500,000 jobs
Premier Doug Ford says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs on Canadian goods could result in the loss of 500,000 jobs in Ontario, creating the need for billions of dollars in stimulus spending.
BREAKING
BREAKING Montreal Canadiens forward Emil Heineman struck and injured by vehicle
Montreal Canadien forward Emil Heineman was struck and hit by a vehicle on Monday and will be out around a month.
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
Michelle Obama will not attend Trump's inauguration
Former first lady Michelle Obama will skip the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump, the second time in two weeks that she is not attending a gathering of former U.S. leaders and their spouses.
Mark Carney tells Jon Stewart the Liberal party has 'a chance' after Trudeau's resignation
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
Curler Briane Harris not at fault for anti-doping rule violation, provisional ban lifted
Canadian curler Briane Harris is eligible to return to the sport after an absence of nearly one year.
Calgary homeowner faces challenge after property assessment jumps 60%
Stan Valant, a long-time resident of Calgary's Silver Springs, is baffled by the city's recent assessment of his bi-level home.
Vancouver Island
-
Police watchdog investigating Victoria crash that injured driver, passenger
British Columbia's police watchdog is investigating after two people were injured in a car crash following an attempted police traffic stop in Victoria.
-
Stabbing, shooting under investigation on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast
Mounties on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast say they’re investigating a string of violent crimes that happened late last month and are asking for witnesses to come forward.
-
Ecotour grizzlies less likely to encounter conflict with humans, B.C. study suggests
Grizzly bears that visited ecotourism areas along a river on the province's central coast were less likely than others to encounter conflict with people in communities downstream, a new study by British Columbia-based researchers has found.
Kelowna
-
West Kelowna fire chief says L.A. devastation a haunting reminder of B.C. blaze
The fire chief of a British Columbia community devastated by a fast-moving wildfire in 2023 says it's "haunting" to see similar circumstances playing out in Southern California.
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
Edmonton
-
Mark Carney appears on 'The Daily Show,' sources say he plans to launch leadership bid in Edmonton
A big name with ties to the city is expected to launch his bid to become the leader of the federal Liberal party, two sources tell CTV News Edmonton.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Christy Clark announces 'step back' from Liberal leadership, as other contenders chime in
Christy Clark announced Tuesday that she will not run in the race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne is also expected to announce imminently that he does not plan to run, sources say. He's expected to confirm his intentions in a speech at the Canadian Club in Toronto.
-
Josh Classen's forecast: Warm for now, turning stormy Thursday
The warm spell continues for today and Wednesday with afternoon temperatures a handful of degrees above zero.
Calgary
-
Public hearing for Grassy Mountain coal mine resumes
A public hearing for the controversial Grassy Mountain coal mining project will resume in Calgary on Tuesday.
-
Mark Carney appears on 'The Daily Show,' sources say he plans to launch leadership bid in Edmonton
A big name with ties to the city is expected to launch his bid to become the leader of the federal Liberal party, two sources tell CTV News Edmonton.
-
Calgary councillor won't seek re-election in October
Evan Spencer, councillor for Calgary's Ward 12, will not be running for re-election later this year.
Lethbridge
-
'Cautiously optimistic': Home sales and starts expected to rise in Lethbridge in 2025
Those in Lethbridge's real estate sector are expecting anther busy year, with both home sales and starts expected to rise in 2025.
-
What Alberta is doing to prevent wildfires in Canmore, Bow Valley
As Alberta nears the start of another wildfire season, there are efforts underway to safeguard against wildfires in Canmore and the Bow Valley.
-
'Good neighbours': Montana residents share thoughts on Trump's '51st state' threat
As U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to annex Canada, some residents in Montana are sharing their thoughts on the idea of Canada becoming the “51st state.”
Winnipeg
-
Kinew government unveils homelessness strategy led by Siloam Mission executive director
The Kinew government has released a blueprint aimed at ending chronic homelessness in the province by 2031.
-
Curler Harris not at fault for anti-doping rule violation, provisional ban lifted
Canadian curler Briane Harris is eligible to return to the sport after an absence of nearly one year.
-
Survey: Nearly half in Manitoba, Saskatchewan on the financial brink
A new MNP consumer debt report done by Ipsos said in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, nearly half, 49 per cent of people, say they are $200 or less away from not being able to pay their bills or their debt payments at the end of the month.
Regina
-
Sask. latest province to announce increased U.S. border security amid tariff threat
The Government of Saskatchewan has announced a new plan to enhance border security which will include redeploying officers to both the province's inter-provincial and international boundaries.
-
Saskatchewan Marshals Service interviewing Mounties for positions before launching
Saskatchewan's new provincial police force has begun interviewing Mounties as it prepares to launch this year, a move critics say highlights concerns of job poaching.
-
Survey: Nearly half in Manitoba, Saskatchewan on the financial brink
A new MNP consumer debt report done by Ipsos said in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, nearly half, 49 per cent of people, say they are $200 or less away from not being able to pay their bills or their debt payments at the end of the month.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. latest province to announce increased U.S. border security amid tariff threat
The Government of Saskatchewan has announced a new plan to enhance border security which will include redeploying officers to both the province's inter-provincial and international boundaries.
-
'Don't trust it': Saskatoon woman warns of potential scammers on Facebook Marketplace
A Saskatoon woman is warning others to use caution when doing business on buy and sell websites, after she was the target of a scammer.
-
Sask. teen who allegedly set classmate on fire scheduled to plea next month
A teen girl who allegedly set her classmate on fire is set to make a plea at Saskatoon Provincial Court next month.
Toronto
-
'It's not going to be good': Ford says Trump's tariffs could cost Ontario 500,000 jobs
Premier Doug Ford says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs on Canadian goods could result in the loss of 500,000 jobs in Ontario, creating the need for billions of dollars in stimulus spending.
-
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
-
City councillor Shelley Carroll elected new chair of Toronto Police Service Board
Toronto City Coun. Shelley Carroll is the new chair of the Toronto Police Service Board, unseating the incumbent in a split vote at board meeting on Tuesday.
Montreal
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Montreal Canadiens forward Emil Heineman struck and injured by vehicle
Montreal Canadien forward Emil Heineman was struck and hit by a vehicle on Monday and will be out around a month.
-
High school in Sorel-Tracy, Que. evacuated due to fire
A Quebec high school was evacuated due to a fire Tuesday morning.
-
Quebec concerned about border movement in the Swanton sector
The Legault government is concerned about the illegal migration taking place in the Swanton sector between Quebec and the United States, calling on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to place the necessary manpower there.
Ottawa
-
16 per cent of all photo radar, red light camera tickets in Ottawa issued on a 1 km stretch of road
King Edward Avenue is the hot spot for photo radar and red light camera tickets, with 16 per cent of all camera-related traffic tickets in Ottawa issued to drivers on a one-kilometre stretch of the road in Lowertown.
-
Lack of chargers a top concern for EV owners, but most would still buy another: CAA
A new survey of thousands of electric vehicle (EV) owners suggests that a lack of accessible charging stations is their main concern, but most would still buy another when the time comes.
-
Driver killed in 2-vehicle crash on Hwy. 17 in Ottawa Valley
Emergency crews responded to a crash involving a minivan and a tractor-trailer on Highway 17, between Mountain Road and Sutherland Road, at 2:45 a.m. The crash occurred on the highway between Cobden and Pembroke.
Atlantic
-
$30,000 worth of Maud Lewis artwork stolen from Halifax home
Police are investigating after someone stole tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of Maud Lewis artwork from a home in Halifax.
-
'I want answers': SPCA removes dead dogs from front porch of New Brunswick home
The New Brunswick SPCA is investigating after the bodies of four dogs were removed from the front porch of a home in Bass River, N.B., Monday morning.
-
Saint John police seek woman in connection with armed robbery at lounge
The Saint John Police Force is asking for the public's help in identifying a woman they say is a person of interest in connection with an armed robbery.
London
-
Convicted field party killer pleads guilty to weapons charge
The 23-year-old man convicted in the bush party shooting of a teenager was back in court again on Monday, this time pleading guilty to a weapons offence.
-
Grieving mother hopes to implement Life Jacket Loaner program in Elgin County
Ryan Davies and his friends were out for an early morning fishing trip in the man-made lake when the canoe tipped over. Two people were rescued, but Davies, 26, never resurfaced.
-
Jury shown police interview with accused charged in death of her mother
The jury at the manslaughter trial of a London woman charged in connection with the death of her mother in July of 2021, viewed forensic photos of the accused and a police interview conducted just hours after the incident.
Kitchener
-
Former Waterloo, Ont. principal sentenced to 4 years after admitting to explicit online conversations with teenagers
Last year, in a London court, Phillip Sallewsky pleaded guilty to a series of charges which included luring and transmitting sexually explicit material to someone believed to be under the age of 16.
-
Toronto man wanted in connection to shooting at Waterloo business
Jalen Belle-McCormack, 20, from Toronto, is currently wanted on a warrant in connection to a shooting at a Waterloo business on May 18, 2024.
-
Crews working to repair water main: City of Kitchener
Repair crews could be seen in the area of Guelph Street and Riverbend Drive around 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Northern Ontario
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
-
Hanging out at Starbucks will cost you as company reverses its open-door policy
If you want to hang out or use the restroom at Starbucks, you’re going to have to buy something. Starbucks on Monday said it was reversing a policy that invited everyone into its stores.
-
Northern Ont. suspect didn’t return after taking truck for a test drive
Police in West Nipissing are asking for the public's help to find a man who used stolen identify documents to take a truck for a test drive, then failed to come back.
N.L.
-
Heavy equipment used to bash into a Newfoundland bank for second time in a month
Police in eastern Newfoundland say that for the second time in less than a month thieves have used heavy equipment to smash into a bank and steal an ATM.
-
Yvonne Jones, longtime Liberal MP for Labrador, retiring from federal politics
Liberal MP Yvonne Jones speaks to reporters before a meeting of the Liberal women's caucus, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Jones announced this morning that she will not be running in the next federal election for her seat in Labrador. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
-
Quebec energy deal touted as new chapter for Newfoundland and Labrador heads for vote
A draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for indebted Newfoundland and Labrador is heading for a vote Thursday night at the legislature in St. John's, N.L.
