Vancouver laser clinic's dedication bench in Stanley Park prompts online debate
Dedication benches are a familiar sight for visitors in Vancouver's parks, with plaques that most often pay touching tribute to a lost loved one – but the space is also available to companies and organizations willing to make a large enough donation to the city.
Such is the case in Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon, where a bench dedicated to Vancouver Laser & Skin Care Centre has raised eyebrows online.
Pictures of the plaque, which reads "Celebrating over 25 years of beauty," were recently posted to a West End neighbourhood group on Facebook, prompting a debate about the best uses of the city's bench space.
Some commenters slammed the plaque as "wrong," "obscene" and "totally against the spirit of commemorative benches in public spaces," while others saw no issue – and mocked those who took offence.
"Oh no! How could they? This is so tragic, I feel like I might faint," one commenter wrote. "Oh look, a nice clean bench for me to sit and gather myself."
The Vancouver Park Board told CTV News its dedication bench program is available to any person, business or organization that makes a tax-deductible donation of $7,500.
While the majority of benches are used to honour a departed relative or friend, a park board spokesperson noted they can also "celebrate a special occasion" – such as a milestone 25 years in business – provided the message does not veer into advertising.
"Marketing or promotion, such as the inclusion of contact details or a web address, is not allowed and plaque content is reviewed by the Fundraising and Development office," the spokesperson said in an email.
The Vancouver Park Board's website includes a list of everyone who has donated at least $1,000 in a given year, including those who gave enough for a dedication bench.
The most recent data is from 2020, and includes 99 dedications, of which eight were provided by businesses and organizations – something the park board said was "not uncommon" in the city.
The sight of the Lost Lagoon bench was still upsetting to a number of people living in the surrounding West End neighbourhood, however.
"I work in advertising and I hate it," one Facebook user wrote. "I've walked the park reading the memorials to people that were loved and are remembered. You start with one and then it goes on and on."
CTV News has reached out to Vancouver Laser & Skin Care Centre for comment on the online discussion around its bench. This story will be updated if the company responds.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.