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City of Vancouver and Vancouver Police Department Release Final Report on Outdoor Special Event Planning and Safety

September 4 2025 –

The City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) today released the Final Report (650 KB) of the Joint Review of Outdoor Special Event Planning and Safety. 

This comprehensive review confirms that the City’s safety planning and permitting protocols are robust and thorough in general, and they were appropriately followed for the 2025 Lapu Lapu Day Block Party. Additionally, the report includes eight recommendations intended to strengthen coordination, clarify vehicle mitigation strategies and further strengthen public safety moving forward. 

“April 26th was a dark and devastating day for the City of Vancouver, and our hearts remain with the families and communities who continue to grieve this profound loss,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “This review gives us a clear path to strengthen how we plan and prepare for gatherings, ensuring Vancouver events can remain both safe and fun. We are committed to taking these lessons forward so our streets, parks and festivals remain safe, welcoming places where people can come together.”

The final report also delivers a forward-looking roadmap. It calls for development of formal Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) guidance, enhancements to training and planning tools, integration of safety into public realm design, and updates to the City’s Special Event Policy to support clarity and consistency.

In the short-term, enhancements such as increased use of mobile vehicle barriers and clarified operational coordination are recommended, as well longer-term changes are outlined which can be implemented through policy, infrastructure and public realm design.

“The Lapu Lapu Day attack was an unspeakable tragedy that left many families, and an entire community, changed forever,” said VPD Chief Constable Steve Rai. “While this review confirms the planning and risk assessment for Lapu Lapu Day was appropriate, I know these findings won’t ease the pain felt by so many who are still grieving. We must continue working together to ensure everyone is safe and secure at special events and festivals, and the findings in this review will help guide us through that process.”

The Final Report builds on the May 2025 Preliminary Report (622 KB) and aligns with ongoing feedback from the Province’s Commission of Inquiry into Community Events Safety . The Report also highlights the need for an appropriate balance when implementing safety enhancements so that safeguards are effective, yet reasonable and proportional, and financially sustainable for organizers and the City.

Key Recommendations in the Final Report

  1. Update the City’s Special Event Policy (ADMIN 031 )
    To reinforce public safety as a core objective and clarify operational supports for outdoor events.
  2. Standardize early safety planning and access control protocols
    To guide the safe and coordinated movement of attendees, vendors, and staff, including clearer “Area Ex” protocols.
  3. Develop clear guidelines for hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM)
    To provide consistent direction on when and how to use barriers (e.g. heavy, light, mobile) and clarify roles and responsibilities for organizers and the City.
  4. Expand training, infrastructure, and tools for event planners
    To ensure organizers and staff are equipped to continue to plan and deliver safe events, with access to shared equipment and clear planning guidance.
  5. Advocate for Provincial and Federal supports
    To encourage consistent event safety legislation, provincial guidance, and funding for planning, preparedness, and response.
  6. Create a Vancouver-specific HVM framework for the public realm
    To guide the permanent design and retrofitting of high-use public spaces with vehicle-resistant infrastructure.
  7. Apply the HVM framework to future capital projects
    To ensure all new public realm investments are assessed for vehicle-related risks and include appropriate mitigation strategies.
  8. Allocate capital funding in the 2027–2030 Capital Plan
    To retrofit existing spaces with permanent HVM features and to offset some of the ongoing operating costs related to event safety measures.

While some changes were implemented over recent months to provide public assurance, such as increased use of mobile vehicle barriers, the recommendations in the Final Report provide a foundation for continued evolution in how public events are planned, supported and delivered in the City of Vancouver. 

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