Vancouver quietly proclaimed Chip Wilson Day as billionaire installed sign calling B.C. NDP 'communist'
On the same day Chip Wilson erected a controversial sign at his Vancouver mansion, the city was quietly honouring the billionaire and his wife.
Officials proclaimed Oct. 3 to be Summer and Chip Wilson Day, shortly after the Lululemon co-founder began displaying a political message outside his waterfront home calling B.C. Premier David Eby’s NDP party "communist."
"Eby will tell you the Conservatives are 'far right,' but neglects saying that the NDP is ‘communist," the sign said.
On Friday, Wilson shared an Instagram post about the proclamation event, which was held in the city’s Gastown neighbourhood, writing: “This honour means a lot to us.”
Mayor Ken Sim and ABC Coun. Brian Montague are in the photo, standing next to the couple. No other city councillors appear to be in the images.
“At that very same time as the media were reporting on this ridiculous billboard that Chip Wilson had put up on Point Grey Road, the mayor was declaring Chip Wilson Day in the City of Vancouver,” said Coun. Pete Fry.
The city never published a news release or posted on social media about the proclamation day, leading Fry to suggest officials might have been trying to avoid “bad optics.”
“I can totally understand why they wouldn't want it publicized,” Fry added. “That being said, I don't think they should have done it in the first place.”
The councillor told CTV News he’d heard rumours about the event, but never received an invitation to attend. Proclamations are usually shared with council members and included on their calendars, he said.
“We'll often do it in City Hall, inside the chambers,” Fry added. “And none of that happened with this.”
Fry also questioned the timing of Wilson’s Instagram post, which happened days after CTV News submitted a Freedom of Information request regarding the billionaire’s proclamation day.
“The were probably trying to get ahead of the story before it became a story by having Chip proactively release it,” he said. “But I think it's a little late, and it does seem a bit suspect.”
In a statement to CTV News, the mayor’s office said: “Summer and Chip Wilson are remarkable examples of how local entrepreneurs and philanthropists can shape an entire community, making an impact that stretches beyond just Vancouver.”
According to the statement, the Wilsons were honoured for their philanthropy, including their $1 million donation to Vancouver General Hospital, and other financial contributions, such as the $1.5 million they spent to permanently secure the iconic A-maze-ing Laughter sculptures in English Bay.
When asked why the proclamation wasn’t publicized, the mayor’s office said the vast majority of proclamations do not make their way onto Sim’s social media page.
“Last year, the mayor’s office issued over 100 proclamations, and this year, we’re on track to issue over 150, but only a small faction was posted on Mayor Sim’s social media channels,” the statement continued.
Asked why the invite wasn’t extended to other city councillors, the mayor’s office called the event an “unofficial proclamation,” and said there is “no formal policy” regarding invitations, with those for off-site proclamations being extended on an “ad hoc basis.”
Political scientist Stewart Prest noted that Wilson financially contributed to Sim’s 2022 election campaign, and suggested the mayor may be trying to avoid associating himself with the billionaire’s publicly partisan politics.
“The mayor seems to be wanting to continue to maintain that relationship with Mr. Wilson, who, of course, is a significant entrepreneur in the city,” Prest said. “But at the same time trying not to let people know about it, which is an awkward fit, to say the least.”
Generally speaking, when it comes to issues that could cause some degree of public backlash, Prest said ABC has shown itself to be “less comfortable releasing information than they ought to be.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Downtown Vancouver stabbing suspect dead after being shot by police
A suspect is dead after being shot by police in a Vancouver convenience store after two people were injured in a stabbing Wednesday morning, according to authorities.
2 Canadians confirmed dead in Poland, as consular officials gather information
Two Canadians have died following an incident in Poland, CTV News has learned.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls Donald Trump 'funny guy' in Fox News interview
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called U.S. president-elect Donald Trump a 'funny guy' on Wednesday in an interview with Fox News for his comment that Canada should become the United States's 51st state.
DEVELOPING As police search for suspect, disturbing video surfaces after U.S. health-care CEO gunned down in New York
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.
Toddler fatally shot after his 7-year-old brother finds a gun in the family's truck
A two-year-old boy was fatally shot when his seven-year-old brother found a gun in the glovebox of the family's truck in Southern California, authorities said.
Millions in Cuba remain in dark after nationwide blackout
Cuba said it was generating only enough electricity to cover about 1/6th of peak demand late on Wednesday, hours after its national grid collapsed leaving millions without power.
'Utterly absurd': Freeland rebuffs Poilievre's offer of two hours to present fall economic statement
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has rebuffed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's offer to give up two hours of scheduled opposition time next Monday to present the awaited fall economic statement as 'utterly absurd.'
Canada Post stores continue to operate during strike — but why?
As many postal workers continue to strike across the country, some Canadians have been puzzled by the fact some Canada Post offices and retail outlets remain open.
Mattel sued over 'Wicked' dolls with porn website link
Mattel was sued this week by a South Carolina mother for mistakenly putting a link to an adult film site on the packaging for its dolls tied to the movie 'Wicked.'