National

Christian Festival Dismisses Mayor's Request To Replace Controversial Headliner

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Feb, 2017 12:57 PM

VANCOUVER — A polarizing American preacher with controversial views on Muslims and the LGBTQ community will headline a Christian festival in Vancouver despite protests from the city's mayor.

A spokesman for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Foundation says Rev. Franklin Graham, son of celebrity preacher Billy Graham, will speak at the Festival of Hope in early March.

Vancouver City Coun. Tim Stevenson says he and Mayor Gregor Robertson met with festival organizers earlier this week, where they raised concerns around public safety.

Stevenson says he is especially concerned about heightened tensions given the shooting deaths of six Muslims in a Quebec City mosque last month, as well as the official opening of the Trump Tower Hotel in Vancouver, which is scheduled to happen a week before the festival.

Graham, who spoke at Trump's inauguration, has described Islam as evil and praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for cracking down on people who are gay.

The Festival of Hope is a three-day event expected to bring thousands to Rogers Arena in downtown Vancouver for Christian music and prayer.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. To Raise Disability Assistance Rates By $50 Per Month As Of April

The provincial government says it is investing $199 million over three years in order to raise the monthly payments.

B.C. To Raise Disability Assistance Rates By $50 Per Month As Of April

Cambridge, Ont. Councillor Mike Devine To Be Publicly Reprimanded For Calling Constituent 'Sexy Gram

The mayor of Cambridge, Ont., will publicly reprimand a city councillor who admitted to making lewd comments to one of his constituents.

Cambridge, Ont. Councillor Mike Devine To Be Publicly Reprimanded For Calling Constituent 'Sexy Gram

B.C. Spends $150M To Plant Millions Of Trees, Create 3,000 Rural Jobs

Premier Christy Clark says the funding will go to the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. to advance environmental stewardship and focus on reforestation initiatives throughout the province.

B.C. Spends $150M To Plant Millions Of Trees, Create 3,000 Rural Jobs

B.C., Ottawa Sign Health Agreement Worth $1.4 Billion, $65 Million For Overdoses

Money from Ottawa to fight an ongoing overdose crisis helped sway British Columbia into signing a new 10-year, $1.4 billion health funding deal, says the province's health minister.

B.C., Ottawa Sign Health Agreement Worth $1.4 Billion, $65 Million For Overdoses

B.C. Transplant Specialist Says Drug Overdose Organ Donors On The Rise

VANCOUVER — There has been a spike in the proportion of organs coming from donors who have died of drug overdoses in British Columbia, says a leading transplant specialists.