A major fire at a Lynn Valley seniors complex prompted a multi-agency response Saturday morning. Residents have been displaced as crews battle the flames.

A massive fire broke out Saturday morning at the Silverlynn Apartment complex in Lynn Valley, North Vancouver, prompting an emergency response from three fire departments on Vancouver’s North Shore.

The blaze engulfed the residential complex—home to many seniors—and has resulted in significant structural damage, according to local officials.

Crews Battle Flames for Hours

The fire erupted early on May 10, 2025, with flames and thick smoke visible from various parts of Metro Vancouver. Crews from across the North Shore converged on the scene and worked for hours to contain the blaze.

“The extent of the damage won’t be fully known until the fire is extinguished,” said Ryan Schaap, spokesperson for the District of North Vancouver.

Emergency Shelter Opened for Displaced Residents

As firefighters continued to combat the fire, North Shore Emergency Management set up a reception centre at a nearby church to support displaced residents. Volunteers and first responders were on hand to assist with shelter, food, and support services.

Photos and videos circulating online show a harrowing scene of towering flames and billowing grey and black smoke, raising concerns about the fate of those inside.

Mayor: “Full Accounting of Residents Still Underway”

In a statement shared on Facebook, District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little acknowledged the severity of the situation and confirmed that a complete accounting of residents had not yet been finalized.

“This fire will take hours to put out,” the mayor wrote. “Our focus is on ensuring the safety of all residents and responders.”

Community Response Underway

While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the community has already begun rallying around those affected. Local organizations and residents have expressed support, offering donations and help to seniors displaced by the disaster.

Officials are expected to provide updates as soon as the scene is secured and a full damage assessment is completed.

Stay with Maple News Wire for real-time updates on this developing story and other emergency news from across British Columbia.

Indigenous communities gathered in Vancouver to honour motherhood and tradition at the vibrant 2025 Mother’s Day Powwow with music, dance, and unity.

In a powerful celebration of culture, tradition, and motherhood, hundreds of Indigenous people from across Canada gathered in Vancouver on May 11, 2025, for the annual Mother’s Day Traditional Powwow. The event turned the city into a vibrant mosaic of song, dance, and ceremony — honouring mothers and matriarchs at the heart of Indigenous life.

Grand Entry: A Ceremonial Start to Celebration

The powwow began with the Grand Entry, a revered procession marking the opening of the celebration. Women led the way, dressed in traditional regalia, moving with grace and pride to the powerful beat of the drums.

As voices lifted in song and dancers entered the circle, the air was filled with reverence — a unifying tribute to women and mothers across generations.

A Gathering of Nations and Generations

Participants traveled from diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities across Canada, bringing unique traditions to a shared space of healing and celebration. Children danced beside elders, while mothers cradled infants adorned in tiny ribbon skirts and beadwork.

One touching moment saw a young mother gently bless her baby’s head, a quiet act of love rooted in generations of cultural practice.

Cultural Resilience Through Dance and Song

Throughout the day, the powwow circle pulsed with energy as dancers showcased traditional styles — from jingle dress healing dances to fancy shawl and men’s grass dance. Drumming groups set the rhythm for community connection, resilience, and pride.

These performances weren’t just artistic — they were expressions of identity and survival, passed down with every step.

Honouring Women at the Heart of Tradition

The Mother’s Day powwow is not only a cultural gathering — it’s an intentional homage to the foundations of Indigenous family and society: mothers, aunties, and grandmothers.

Women held hands during the Grand Entry, creating a living circle of strength — symbolizing both ancestral bonds and the continuity of tradition.

A Moment of Unity in a Divided World

In a time of global uncertainty, the powwow stood as a reminder of the strength of Indigenous cultures and the importance of communal spaces that honour life, land, and lineage.

Through vibrant regalia, intergenerational dance, and deep reverence for women, the Mother’s Day Traditional Powwow offered a vision of resilience, unity, and healing.

Stay with Maple News Wire for stories that celebrate Indigenous voices, cultural traditions, and events that bring Canadians together through shared heritage and honour.

Vancouver’s Waterfront Station was evacuated after a fake bomb threat. Transit police confirm it was a swatting incident. Operations have now resumed.

Waterfront Station, one of Vancouver’s busiest transit terminals, was temporarily shut down Sunday following a hoax bomb threat that prompted a swift police response and full evacuation.

The threat, now confirmed as a suspected “swatting” incident, caused service disruptions to SkyTrain and SeaBus operations, impacting hundreds of weekend commuters before being resolved safely.

Swatting Call Triggers Station Shutdown

The alert was triggered by a 911 call received early Sunday morning, alleging the presence of an explosive device at the station.

“A 911 call was received from an unknown person which involved threats of an explosive device at Waterfront SkyTrain Station,” stated Metro Vancouver Transit Police in a release.

Responding with urgency, officers from the Transit Police and Vancouver Police Department (VPD) arrived on scene and evacuated the entire station out of an abundance of caution.

Police Dogs and Drones Deployed in Search

Authorities deployed explosive detection dogs and a VPD aerial drone to conduct a thorough sweep of the premises. After a detailed search, no threats or suspicious objects were discovered.

“We believe that this is a ‘swatting’-style incident and there is no current threat to public safety,” the Transit Police confirmed.

Swatting refers to a malicious hoax call designed to provoke an emergency response. While rare, such incidents are treated with high seriousness due to the risks and resource impact involved.

Station Reopened, Investigation Ongoing

At 1:40 p.m., TransLink confirmed that operations at Waterfront Station had resumed as normal, with all SkyTrain and SeaBus services returning to regular scheduling.

However, the incident remains under active police investigation, with authorities working to trace the origin of the hoax call and determine the responsible individual.

Transit Services Temporarily Impacted

During the incident:

• Waterfront Station was fully evacuated
• SkyTrain and SeaBus services were temporarily suspended
• A bus bridge was requested to connect Lonsdale Quay, Waterfront, and Burrard stations

Transit police shared live updates via Twitter/X, urging commuters to avoid the area and expect delays until the situation was resolved.

No Immediate Threat, But Public Urged to Stay Vigilant

While the threat was unfounded, authorities emphasized the importance of treating such calls seriously to ensure public safety.

As a precaution, citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity and avoid sharing unverified information online during developing incidents.

Stay with Maple News Wire for further updates on this ongoing investigation and breaking transit news from across British Columbia.

Bomb threats at Vancouver Airport and Waterfront Station on Sunday were confirmed to be false. Police believe both incidents were part of a swatting hoax.

On Sunday, two separate bomb threats—one targeting a flight at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and another at Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver—triggered emergency responses from police and airport authorities.

Both threats were ultimately declared false alarms, with officials now investigating them as possible “swatting” incidents, a dangerous trend involving hoax calls designed to provoke a major police response.

Waterfront Station Evacuated After 911 Threat

The first threat was reported at approximately 10:30 a.m., when an unknown caller phoned Metro Vancouver Transit Police claiming that a bomb had been planted at Waterfront Station.

Officers from both Transit Police and the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) quickly arrived on site and evacuated the station as a precaution.

A thorough sweep involving explosives-detection dogs—Scout and Dex—as well as a VPD drone, found no evidence of any threat. Transit services resumed shortly after 12:00 p.m. and no injuries were reported.

“There is no threat to public safety,” confirmed Const. Amanda Steed of the Transit Police.

Bomb Threat Targets Flight at Vancouver Airport

Shortly after noon, a second incident unfolded. Richmond RCMP received bomb threat emails directed at a departing flight at Vancouver International Airport. The emails were also sent to YVR staff and a local news agency.

The RCMP treated the threat with urgency, sweeping the aircraft and surrounding area.

“We found no credible evidence of any bomb on the plane,” said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Brett Urano.

Only the flight in question was delayed, and airport operations were minimally impacted. No evacuations were necessary.

Authorities Suspect Swatting Behind Both Incidents

Police believe both threats may be linked to “swatting” — a criminal act where fake threats are made to draw armed law enforcement to a specific location.

“The RCMP takes threats like this seriously and believes these emails were a ‘swatting’ call,” Urano said.

Investigations into both incidents are ongoing, with authorities working to trace the origin of the phone call and emails.

Public Safety Not at Risk, Say Officials

While the threats led to momentary service disruptions, police stress that there is no ongoing risk to the public. Both incidents are being taken seriously, and officials remind the public that such hoaxes carry significant legal consequences and divert critical emergency resources.

Stay with Maple News Wire for breaking updates on this story and the latest public safety developments from across British Columbia.

Discover how the camas flower plays a vital ecological and cultural role in Vancouver Island’s Garry oak meadows and why it deserves our protection.

A Legacy Born from Ice

Over 13,000 years ago, as glaciers slowly retreated from Vancouver Island, they left behind fertile ground that would eventually give rise to one of Canada’s rarest ecosystems: the Garry oak meadow. Among the first to take root were oak trees believed to have arrived via drifting branches from the Olympic Peninsula.

This resilient ecosystem, once widespread, now clings to survival in select pockets of British Columbia’s Capital Region. But even in its shrinking form, it continues to nurture a remarkable bloom—one that has stood the test of time and remains central to both biodiversity and Indigenous heritage: the camas flower.

Camas and the Coast Salish: A Deep Connection

Long before modern conservationists took notice, the Coast Salish peoples recognized the importance of camas. These delicate purple flowers weren’t merely admired—they were cultivated.

Conservation biologist Matt Fairbarns explains that the camas bulb was a staple food source for the Lekwungen-speaking peoples of southern Vancouver Island. “They would pit-cook the bulb to convert starches into a digestible form. It was a cornerstone of their agricultural system,” Fairbarns said.

A Celebration Rooted in Awareness

Today, that legacy is honored each spring during Camas Day, a community-led celebration spearheaded by environmental educator Margaret Lidkea. Held at Oak Bay’s scenic Cattle Point, the event brings together locals for guided meadow tours, live music, and an educational exploration of the Garry oak ecosystem.

“We’re celebrating the beautiful camas flower as a symbol of all the wallflowers in this endangered ecosystem,” Lidkea shared. “Camas stands out not just for its beauty but for its cultural and ecological value.”

A Habitat at Risk

Although camas itself isn’t currently endangered, the same cannot be said for its habitat. Urban development, invasive species, and climate change continue to encroach upon the last remaining Garry oak meadows.

These ecosystems are more than just scenic—native plants like camas support vital insect, bird, and mammal populations, forming the foundation of a balanced, thriving environment.

How You Can Help

Supporting Garry oak ecosystems doesn’t require vast land or sweeping reforms. According to Lidkea, small actions—like planting camas in your garden—can contribute to ecological corridors that bridge parks and natural green spaces.

“It’s important that the whole community gets involved,” she emphasized. “Protecting this ecosystem ensures future generations get to witness the beauty and value of what once dominated Vancouver Island’s landscapes.”

Vancouver Islander Andy Robinson uses virtual cycling and community support to slow Parkinson’s progression through movement, mindset, and connection.

Virtual Rides, Real Results: One Man’s Battle with Parkinson’s

In a quiet corner of North Saanich, Andy Robinson sweats through uphill climbs, pedals spinning, as landscapes flash by—Alps, coastlines, country trails. It’s not a physical escape, but a virtual ride with Zwifters Against Parkinson’s, an international cycling group that brings together those fighting a common foe: Parkinson’s disease.

Robinson, one of approximately 3,000 Vancouver Island residents living with the progressive neurological disorder, credits movement—especially cycling—as his greatest weapon in slowing the condition’s grip.

Early Signs and a Steady Response

Now in his late 50s, Robinson was easing into semi-retirement when subtle changes raised red flags. A stiffer shoulder. A shifting gait. A persistent tremor.

“It wasn’t actually as big a shock as I thought it would be,” Robinson says of receiving his Parkinson’s diagnosis from a neurologist. “It happened fairly quickly for me.”

Unlike many who respond with disbelief, Robinson faced the news head-on and immediately began adjusting his life around the condition.

Understanding Parkinson’s: More Than Tremors

Parkinson’s disease affects the brain’s ability to produce dopamine, a critical neurotransmitter that helps regulate movement. While tremors and stiffness are common symptoms, the condition also brings non-motor challenges, including sleep disruption, anxiety, and depression.

There is no cure—but studies and patient experiences increasingly show that consistent physical activity can delay its progression and improve quality of life.

Fighting Back with Exercise and Community

Robinson doesn’t just ride solo. He’s also involved with the Parkinson’s Wellness Project (PWP) in Victoria, where he once served as board chair. The organization, a merger of HeadWay and other local groups, is focused on improving daily life through evidence-based physical programs—from boxing classes to fall-prevention training.

“You only have an experiment of one,” he reflects. “But I think I would have gone more quickly if I hadn’t remained as active as I have.”

Activities like Rock Steady Boxing, designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s, offer both physical training and a mental boost. For Robinson, staying engaged is more than exercise—it’s empowerment.

Combating the Hidden Symptoms: Mental Health and Loneliness

Beyond the physical toll, Parkinson’s often brings mental health struggles, such as depression and apathy. Recognizing this, PWP creates an atmosphere where community and connection flourish.

The organization’s drop-in lounge, modeled after a cozy living room, is a favorite among attendees. It’s not just about movement—it’s about meaning.

“If you just go to the classes and leave, you don’t make any connections,” Robinson says. “Loneliness is a big issue for seniors… it’s even more important with Parkinson’s.”

Awareness Matters: Resources and Outreach

As Parkinson’s Awareness Month fades in the rearview, Robinson emphasizes the need for continued visibility.

“I still think there are people, even with Parkinson’s, in Victoria who don’t know about us,” he says. “There are people who are quite isolated.”

The Parkinson’s Wellness Project provides all services free of charge, funded by donations and grants, ensuring support is accessible to everyone regardless of income.