Join the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s three-day outdoor skills course for women at Silver Lake Forest Centre, June 6–8. Register by May 29 at bcwf.bc.ca.

Women across British Columbia have a unique opportunity to connect with nature, build hands-on wilderness skills, and boost their self-reliance at an empowering three-day program in Peachland this June.

Three Days of Immersive Outdoor Learning

The B.C. Wildlife Federation is hosting its popular “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” (BOW) course from June 6 to 8 at the scenic Silver Lake Forest Centre. Designed to inspire women of all skill levels, this all-inclusive weekend introduces participants to essential outdoor skills through fun, engaging sessions.

Skills That Empower and Inspire

From lighting your first campfire to mastering a canoe or learning the basics of fur handling and off-road driving, the BOW course offers practical lessons led by experienced instructors. Whether you’re new to the wilderness or looking to brush up on your skills, the program is built to nurture confidence and connection with nature.

Shared Spaces, Shared Experiences

Participants will stay together in rustic accommodations and enjoy shared meals, creating a sense of community throughout the weekend. The camp environment offers the perfect balance of learning, camaraderie, and adventure.

Registration Closing Soon

Spots are still available for the Peachland program, but registration closes on May 29. Interested participants are encouraged to sign up quickly by visiting bcwf.bc.ca for more details.

Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for more stories that inspire and empower. From outdoor adventures to community events, we’re your trusted guide to what’s happening across British Columbia and beyond.

Okanagan distiller warns Canadians about misleading maple leaf labels on imported liquor, urging transparency to support true local producers.

As Canada embraces a Buy Canadian mindset, especially in the face of international trade tensions, one industry voice is calling out what he sees as a deceptive practice in British Columbia’s liquor landscape.

Tyler Dyck, CEO of Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery and president of the Craft Distillers Guild of B.C., is raising the alarm on what he terms “maple leaf washing” — the misleading use of maple leaf imagery to suggest that liquor products are Canadian-made, when in fact they are not.

What Is ‘Maple Leaf Washing’?

Dyck defines maple leaf washing as the inappropriate use of Canadian symbolism, such as the maple leaf, to brand products that are merely bottled or minimally processed in Canada. He argues that this misleads consumers who intend to support domestic producers.

“They’re thinking they’re buying local when in fact they’re buying these international brands that are just masquerading as local,” Dyck told The Morning Star.

Bottled Here, Branded Canadian — But Not Made in Canada

Take Bacardi rum, for example — a product Dyck highlighted during his store visits. While the rum originates in Puerto Rico, it’s shipped at high alcohol content to Canada for dilution and bottling — a process he says adds little local value.

“The only thing that happens in Canada is they put city municipal water in it to water it down to bottle strength,” Dyck said.

He also noted that other brands like Southern Comfort, produced in Kentucky but bottled in Quebec, continue to carry maple leaf stickers — misleading indicators of Canadian origin.

Policy vs. Practice: The Province’s Stand

In response to tariffs imposed by the U.S., the B.C. government claimed it would remove American liquor from provincial stores. However, Dyck believes the province has turned a blind eye.

According to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, the ban applies only to products “manufactured in the U.S.,” not to U.S. brands bottled domestically.

Dyck remains unconvinced. “These are not value-added jobs in Canada,” he said. “The province is intentionally allowing for the duping of British Columbians who think they’re doing the right thing.”

The Labelling Loophole

Under current Canadian regulations, a “Product of Canada” label requires 98% Canadian content, while “Made in Canada” needs just 51%. Both require final processing to occur in Canada.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) oversees labelling accuracy, and while it recognizes the rise in complaints about origin claims, it places responsibility on retailers and suppliers.

“The CFIA takes labelling issues seriously,” the agency said, urging consumers to report misleading packaging.

Still, it admits that there’s no official logo designating Canadian-made goods — meaning a maple leaf alone isn’t sufficient proof.

Local Producers Losing Ground

Dyck warns that the abundance of falsely branded products is eroding the market for truly Canadian liquors.

“Ninety-nine per cent of the bottles that have Canadian flags on them were not produced in Canada,” he stated.

As Canadians strive to make informed purchases, Dyck’s message is clear: check the label — and the fine print — before raising your glass.

For more updates on consumer advocacy, industry insights, and authentic Canadian stories, stay tuned to Maple News Wire.

Because the truth deserves a label of its own.

A new museum exhibit in Vancouver spotlights the untold sacrifices of Chinese Canadians during WW2 and their fight for equal rights.

When the Second World War ended, the Chinese Canadian community celebrated not just the defeat of fascism—but also a hard-fought victory for civil rights. Their unwavering service on the front lines and the home front helped pave the way for the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act and the long-denied right to vote.

Now, the Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver’s Chinatown is shining a light on this overlooked chapter of Canadian history. In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the war’s end, the museum unveiled a new military exhibit on May 12 titled “A Soldier for All Seasons: Chinese Canadians in the Second World War.”

A Courageous Choice Amid Prejudice

The decision to enlist was not simple. According to museum board member Randall Bud Wong, many elders questioned why young Chinese Canadians would risk their lives for a country that denied them basic rights and dignity. “You’re basically our treasures of a later generation,” they warned.

But for the younger generation, service was a strategic act of patriotism. “If we fight for king and country,” said Wong, “then we have earned the right to say: now grant us full citizenship.” At the time, Chinese Canadians—despite being born on Canadian soil—were legally excluded from voting due to the Chinese Exclusion Act, which remained in effect until 1947.

Stories That Echo Through Generations

The exhibition tells these powerful, often unheard stories through rare wartime photographs, immersive installations, and a 3D holobox where actors recount the lived experiences of Chinese Canadian soldiers. Each display draws visitors into a chapter of history long neglected in classrooms and public memory.

Anthropologist and retired professor Imogene Lim, whose mother and aunt are featured in the exhibit, shared her emotional connection. “They both passed on, but this exhibit ensures their courage won’t be forgotten. It fills my heart with pride.”

Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

Grace Wong, chair of the museum’s board, emphasized that this exhibit isn’t just for Chinese Canadians—it’s for all Canadians. “Many people, even in the Chinese community, don’t know these stories,” she said. “Few realize it took nearly 160 years—since the first Chinese immigrants arrived in 1788—for Chinese Canadians to gain voting rights.”

At the core of the exhibit is a commemorative artwork by Vancouver artist Jeanette G. Lee, whose uncle was a veteran. The piece, inspired by jade, Forget Me Not flowers, and traditional Chinese lattice design, is engraved with the names of known soldiers. “It’s a piece that breathes hope and remembrance,” Lee shared.

A Legacy Carried Forward

Curated by Catherine Clement, Naomi Louie, Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, and Sarah Ling, the exhibition is a tribute to those who served under unequal conditions, yet returned with a victory that would change Canadian democracy forever.

Their service reminds us: freedom is never free, and recognition is often long overdue.

Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for more stories that honour untold histories and celebrate the courage behind Canada’s diverse legacy. Follow us as we continue to bring voices from the margins into the mainstream.