An orange island in East Van, as Liberals make big gains at NDP’s expense in Metro Vancouver

Good morning, 

Nate with you today. On Saturday night I was out of town, in Victoria, attending a friend’s birthday party. I happened to check my phone and saw the first reports of the attack at the Lapu Lapu festival. After the initial wave of shock and sadness, I felt an unsettling sense of dislocation being away from home at the time of such a horrific event.   

Our first thoughts, attention, and resources should be with the victims, their loved ones, and the city’s entire Filipino community. But to some degree, we are all dealing with the trauma of this. Whether you’re feeling shock, numbness, anger, or devastation, it’s all valid. Chances are, many people in Vancouver are feeling something similar.  

Personally, I’ve found there’s no way to put this aside. There’s no real balm except being with others and acknowledging the sorrow as it exists. We’re all people who care deeply about our home and want the best for everyone living here, and that’s been reflected in the community’s response to this tragedy. 

Professionally, for us at the Lookout, we’ll continue to keep you informed while doing our best to cover these stories from a place of humanity, care, and compassion.    

We do have an update on the condition and identity of some of the victims, reports on the suspect’s medical status, and next steps to ensure safety at future gatherings. You can find that further down in the newsletter after our main story wrapping up Monday’s federal election. 

In grief,

— Nate Lewis, Vancity Lookout

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free. 

WEATHER

Wednesday: 12 🌡️ 6 | ☁️

Thursday: 18 🌡️ 11 | ☀️

Friday: 17 🌡️ 8 | 🌧️

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

📏 30,000 sq. ft.: The size of a new pickleball facility that recently opened in Burnaby [Urbanized]

💰 $94.5 million: The combined sale price for four lots near Oakridge in 2022. The property owners are now applying for a rezoning to allow for a two-tower residential and hotel development. [Urbanized]

FEDERAL ELECTION

An orange island in East Van, as Liberals make big gains at NDP’s expense in Metro Vancouver

What happened: In Monday’s federal election, the Liberals took four Vancouver ridings, while the New Democrats won two, and the Conservatives captured the Marpole neighbourhood, which was joined with the Richmond Centre riding in 2022. 

Orange island: East Van was one of the few bright spots for the NDP nationwide, with Jenny Kwan comfortably hanging on to her Vancouver East seat. Meanwhile, Don Davies eked out another term in office representing nearby Vancouver Kingsway. Davies beat out Liberal challenger Amy Gill by about 300 votes in a tight race that wasn’t called until Tuesday afternoon, according to CBC.  

• We had covered how close these seats were in our exclusive story on Friday. 

Metro Van microcosm: The national trend of orange ridings going red and red ridings going blue played out across the Lower Mainland, with the Liberals picking up seats in Burnaby Central, New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville, and Port Moody-Coquitlam, which the NDP had previously held. 

• NDP leader Jagmeet Singh lost his seat in Burnaby Central handily, getting only 18 per cent of votes in the riding. Singh stepped down as NDP leader on Monday night. Bonita Zarrillo, another NDP incumbent, also got trounced, finishing in a distant third place. 

Meanwhile, Richmond Centre-Marpole went from red to blue as the Liberals and Conservatives jockeyed at the top of the polls in most Metro Vancouver ridings. 

Two-horse race: Aside from Kwan and Davies holding East Van, there was only one other riding in Metro Vancouver where Liberal and Conservative candidates didn’t finish first and second in the polls.

Zoom out: The Liberal Party, now led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, won a 4th consecutive federal election on Monday. Their electoral success, in spite of significant gains made by the Conservative Party, was predicated on the precipitous fall of the NDP.

• The Conservatives gained 25 seats, while the Liberals picked up nine and the NDP lost 18, in comparison to the 2021 election. 

However, those Conservative gains were somewhat overshadowed by party leader Pierre Polievre’s unexpected loss in his longtime Ottawa-area riding. Polievre’s loss underscores the sudden and monumental shift in support from Conservatives to Liberals, which was driven by US President Donald Trump’s tariff and annexation threats. 

Meet your new representatives: Alongside successful incumbents like Hedy Fry, Taleeb Noormohamed, Kwan, and Davies, Vancouver residents will have some new Members of Parliament representing them in Ottawa. 

Wade Grant (Liberal): Grant, taking over from longtime Vancouver Quadra MP Joyce Murray, is a Musqueam member who served as an elected councillor with the Band for ten years. Grant grew up on Vancouver’s westside and studied political science and law at UBC. 

• In the 2010s Grant served as a member of the Vancouver Police Board, and was a special advisor to Premier Christy Clark, among many leadership roles. Prior to his election, Grant worked as an intergovernmental affairs officer for the Musqueam government, was a member of Mayor Ken Sim’s Budget Task Force, and was the Chair of the First Nations Health Council, according to his LinkedIn profile.  

As an MP, Grant is “committed to building more affordable housing, accelerating climate action, advancing reconciliation,” and protecting progress on child care, dental care and inclusive economic growth, according to his Liberal Party website.

Gregor Robertson (Liberal): A household name to most Vancouverites, Robertson was the city’s mayor from 2008 to 2018. Robertson and his party, Vision Vancouver, were known for expanding the city’s bike lane network, securing funding for the Broadway Skytrain extension, and creating the Greenest City 2020 Action Plan, which hit eight of its 18 targets. 

• Meanwhile, the price of housing in the city skyrocketed between 2008 and 2018, and the number of people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver increased during Robertson’s term as mayor. In 2008, Robertson infamously campaigned on a promise to end homelessness in Vancouver by 2015.

Prior to becoming mayor, Robertson was elected as a provincial MLA with the BC NDP, representing Vancouver Fairview. Since then, he’s worked as a VP for a construction technology company focusing on sustainable development, and as an ambassador for an alliance of local governments addressing climate change, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Robertson’s Liberal website profile says that as an MP he’ll “be a strong voice for the middle class, for good jobs, thriving small businesses, and a better future for everyone.”

Chak Au (Conservative): Au will be the first representative of the new Richmond Centre-Marpole riding, which was extended to include the South Van neighbourhood in 2022. 

Au has a long history in local politics, serving in municipal government for the past 26 years. Au has been a Richmond city councillor for the past 14 years after 12 years as a Richmond school trustee. 

• Au’s biography highlights his background as a multiculturalism, humanitarian, and anti-racism advocate in Richmond, Canada, and China. Au’s professional background is as a family therapist and teacher, informing his work as a counselling program leader with Vancouver Coastal Health. 

According to his election website, Au “advocates for fiscal responsibility, accountable government, and support for free enterprise and hard work.” Au also lists several hard-on-crime priorities like bail reform, life sentences for fentanyl traffickers, and banning hard drugs. 

Leadership questions: With Singh stepping down, Premier David Eby said he doesn’t have any interest in being the leader of the federal party, according to CBC. 

• “I do hope that someone steps up to run for the federal party that has a commitment to bringing Canadians together, a commitment to rebuilding the party, and ensuring that the federal NDP can play an important role in the future of Canada,” Eby said on Tuesday. 

Eby added he would like to see Prime Minister Carney work with the premiers to get rid of internal trade barriers among provinces. 

What it means: By only winning seven seats across the country, the NDP fell short of the 12 seats required to have official party status. That could reduce the Vancouver-based NDP MP’s capacity to advocate for our local communities. 

Losing that status means Kwan and Davies are unlikely to be able to sit on any committees, won’t be able to ask as many questions in question period, and will have a significant financial disadvantage when it comes to research and expenses, according to the Toronto Star. 

• However, with the Liberals three seats short of a majority government the NDP could still retain a small amount of power by backing Carney and the Liberals. Nevertheless, after losing 18 seats and their leader, the New Democrats are emerging from the election as a shadow of their former self.

Geoff’s thoughts: Lookout managing editor Geoff jumping in here. I had a few observations to share based on Nate’s story and everything we saw this election.

Want higher voter turnout? The election has to matter: 68 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in this election, compared to 62.6 per cent in the last election. In the recent Vancouver by-election, voter turnout was 40 per cent higher than in 2017. Are they related? I would say that in both cases, voters felt it was an election where it “mattered.”

Gregor is back: We won’t know the cabinet yet, but someone like Gregor Robertson would be an interesting addition. Whatever people feel about him, he would bring a viewpoint of the needs of big cities that would be a welcome addition to Carney’s cabinet.

Should the provincial NDP be worried?: Premier David Eby threw his backing behind the federal NDP. And the party lost ten seats in B.C. It raises questions about whether the NDP’s brand may be in trouble in the province. With that said, we shouldn’t have to worry about another provincial election anytime soon, and the federal NDP did manage to hold on to three seats in B.C., pending any recount.

DREAM HOME

The good? It has 825 square feet of living space, near Kitsilano, an updated kitchen and a parking spot. And who doesn’t love this lovely layout built for entertaining guests.

The bad? That would be the price…

FESTIVAL ATTACK

Authorities provide updates on victims, suspect

What happened: Vancouver Police, the provincial government, and the local health authority have provided updates on the alleged attack at the Lapu Lapu Festival near Fraser and 43rd Avenue on Saturday, when a car rammed into the festival crowd just after 8 pm. 

• That includes the medical status of the surviving victims, the mental health and legal status of the accused driver, and next steps for public safety at other events. 

Update on victims: Of the people who were injured and remain in hospital, seven are in critical condition and three are in serious condition, as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Vancouver Police. 

Eleven people were killed, including eight women, two men, and a five-year-old girl. Media outlets have been working to verify the identity of the deceased victims and speak with their relatives in some cases. 

The victims include three members of the Le family, three members of the Samper family, Kira Salim, Jen Darbellay, Jendhel May Sico, and Maria Victoria (Vicky) Bjarnason, according to the Vancouver Sun, CBC, North Shore News, and the Canadian Press. 

Community support: GoFundMe has set up a page for fundraisers supporting people and families affected by the attack, which they have verified. The province has set up a condolence book, which the public can digitally contribute to here. 

• Canadian Blood Services said most of their blood donation appointments in the Vancouver area were already filled for this week, but that donating in the weeks to come is helpful for future need nationally. You can get more info and book an appointment here. 

Fundraisers have drawn in over $1.5 million in contributions as of Tuesday morning, while local chefs and volunteers have come together to cook and deliver meals for those affected, according to CBC.

Involuntary treatment and supervision: The province’s Ministry of Health has confirmed that the suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, was under the care of Vancouver Coastal Health’s (VCH) mental health team and was being supervised under the Mental Health Act, according to Global. 

• Lo was on “extended leave [which] is intended to help clients maintain their treatment plans while transitioning back to community for ongoing support,” VCH said, according to CTV.

“There was no indication of violence in this individual’s presentation to the VCH team,” and “to the care team’s knowledge, there was no recent change in his condition… that would've warranted him needing to be hospitalized involuntarily,” the B.C. Ministry of Health statement said, according to CBC. 

Lo had previously been put in a local psychiatric ward against his will in 2023, and again in 2024 at the request of his mental health team, according to a source who spoke with the Globe and Mail. 

• British Columbia's Mental Health Act allows for involuntary hospitalization in extreme cases. Premier David Eby said there are 2,000 involuntary care beds available for people struggling with their mental health, according to Global.  

Police interaction: Vancouver Police (VPD) spokesperson Steve Addison said on Monday that the suspect, Lo, did have contact with police in a different nearby jurisdiction on Friday, April 25. 

However, “that contact was not criminal in nature and it did not rise to the level where mental health intervention was required,” Addison said, according to CityNews.

• Lo has been charged with eight counts of murder in connection with Saturday’s festival attack, with further charges anticipated, according to the VPD.

Public inquiry: Premier Eby said the province will hold an inquiry into the attack if the criminal investigation and trial do not provide sufficient answers about how this happened.

“We’d call one right now, but for the fact that it could interfere with the criminal investigation and trial. The number one priority is ensuring justice for the Filipino community,” Eby said.

Eby also said he’d appoint an independent commission to provide safety and security guidance for public events and festivals in B.C. by this June, according to CPAC.

• Mayor Ken Sim has ordered a full review of the city’s event safety measures, including barriers, traffic control, and safety protocols, according to CityNews.

THE AGENDA

⛏️ A Vancouver-based company is seeking to start a deep-sea mining operation in international waters by getting permission from the U.S. government, bypassing the United Nations agency that regulates international deep-sea waters. The U.N. agency has said deep-sea mining without their approval would violate international law, while environmental groups say the ecosystem impacts could be catastrophic. [Vancouver Sun]

🚬 Last month’s fire at a West End apartment building – which displaced 42 residents and sent five people to the hospital – was caused by an improperly discarded cigarette, according to Vancouver Fire Services. [CityNews]

👋 It’s official, Rick Tocchet won’t be back as the Vancouver Canucks’ coach next year. Tocchet said he’s chosen to move on from the team. Tocchet was named the NHL’s coach of the year in his first full season with the Canucks. [CBC]

🏆 It’s only a faint silver lining after a disappointing season, but Canucks captain Quinn Hughes has been named as one of three nominees for the NHL defenceman of the year award. Hughes won the award last year but is almost certain to lose to the Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar this time around. [CityNews]

Calling all Vancouver business owners, nonprofits and event organizations

Ever wondered what’s going on with the state of local news, and how to succeed with local advertising in Vancouver?

This weekend, our partnership team is launching an exclusive quarterly newsletter called Lookout Insights, full of the latest strategies on how to get noticed when it comes to local advertising. We’ll also share updates about the Lookout, exclusive discounts on our different ads, and early looks at new ways to reach people.

Subscribe to the newsletter in one click

ARTS GUIDE

Performance 

Ce que je sais de vrai (What I know to be true, for all my fellow French dropouts) premieres today at Studio 16. It’s the story of a dysfunctional family, torn apart by their inability to communicate. En français, with subtitles for us anglophones. Tickets $38 

Artist filmmaker Holly Márie Parnell will be presenting a live video performance of Desktop Compositions, their ongoing series of inquiries and reflections on modern digital life. Live performance on May 3 at 6 pm, with livestream and in-person recorded options available until May 31. Located at Western Front. 

Movies 

DOXA Documentary Film Fest is happening at venues across downtown Vancouver from May 1-11, with over 60 feature, mid-length and short films, plus industry events. Program 

On Sunday, May the 4th be with you at the Rio with a triple feature of the original Star Wars trilogy. Costumes encouraged! Ticket pass $38 for all three films. 

There’s something for everyone this Thursday at VIFF, with screenings of A Woman Under the Influence, Are We Done Now?, The Encampments, and Mambar Pierrette. Movie info and tickets $14 here

Art

Liz Magor’s exhibit Arrange Your Face showcases a series of sculptural works, which manifest the movements of storms and the forces of weather. On now until June 28 at Catriona Jeffries.  

surface tension by Jade Ariana is on for a short time, only until May 8. You can find the deeply personal and expansively political showcase at Liquidation World (1965 Main St.) 

FOOD + DRINK

Mangia’s Sandwiches is not trying to reinvent the wheel, and that’s a very good thing

There are certain food establishments that are known for offering something unexpected—something different and a little wild. Mangia’s Sandwiches is not one of those places.

Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel with fancy ingredients and new flavour combinations, the humble sandwich shop’s mission is to serve the Italian classics, done well. And it’s working.

Read the story and subscribe to our restaurant review newsletter instantly (no clickbait stories, just great review) by clicking here.

VANCOUVER GUESSER

Last week’s Guesser was a tough one, with votes spread out over all five choices of neighbourhood. About 30% of you got it right.

A reader shared a lovely memory with us, saying “I lived near Renfrew Community Centre as a child. Being in the woodsy creek area, like being in the country, not a city, provided we, children, with endless hours of imaginative fun. This house feels like it is near the same creek.” 

Indeed, the house is in Renfrew-Collingwood, backing onto the ravine near the community centre. Bravo, dear reader, and thanks for sharing. 

For this week, can you tell me what neighbourhood this unique complex is in?

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Most people in the know, know these bars, but these two have been selected as North America’s 50 Best Bars of 2025. [Straight]

• Looking for some coffee and good food next time you’re at Richmond Brighouse? Our review has you covered.

• A popular Malaysian food restaurant has closed down. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• A fitting tribute on the Strip, refurbished for another shift. [Daily Hive]

• This is a fun guide to fostering pets in Vancouver. [VanMag]