Cross-Border Gathering Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11

About 500 people joined a motorcycle procession as part of the annual Northwest 9/11 Memorial ceremony on Friday morning at the Peace Arch monument along the B.C.-Washington state border. Hundreds of attendees from both Canada and the United States assembled to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, putting aside current political and trade friction between the two countries to pay tribute to first responders and those who lost their lives.

Honouring Sacrifices and Shared Bonds

The memorial service, which commemorates the collapse of the World Trade Centre towers in New York City that killed nearly 3,000 people, featured a helicopter flypast, national anthem performances, and a barbeque alongside the procession. Event co-chair Howard Blank emphasized that the spirit of the event surpasses any ongoing disagreements between the nations, stating that they come together as one when necessary.

First Responders Share Memories

Former New York fire department members were among those participating in the event. Retired paramedic Roberto Abril, who arrived at the scene shortly after 9 a.m. ET on Sept. 11, 2001, reflected on the tragic loss of his work partner, Carlos Lillo, who died in the North Tower. Attending the ceremony for his third time, Abril described the two nations as family who will eventually return to their close bond despite temporary disputes. Former firefighter Cody Stamberger, who joined the search efforts later that day, noted that the ceremony highlights the solidarity between both countries during challenging periods and offers an opportunity to honour the sacrifices made.

Union Report Details Economic Fallout of Overseas Ship Building

A contract to construct four massive hybrid-electric BC Ferries vessels in China will mean a loss of approximately $1.5 billion in gross domestic product for Canada, according to a report released Thursday by the labour coalition Build Them Here.

The analysis, authored by Jim Stanford of the Centre for Future Work, calculates that building the ships abroad surrenders roughly 10,000 person-years of employment. Additionally, the study estimates that local construction would have generated $413 million in government tax revenues to help offset public costs.

Crown Corporation Defends Overseas Contract Decision

BC Ferries awarded the deal to a Chinese state-owned shipyard in May 2025, maintaining that no domestic shipbuilders submitted a final proposal. The Crown corporation stated that while two Canadian shipyards pre-qualified after criteria were adjusted to encourage participation, neither completed a bid.

Representatives for the ferry operator explained that the company could not delay replacing aging vessels until domestic capacity expanded, nor could it expect ferry passengers to bear the full financial burden of developing Canada’s shipbuilding industry through higher fares alone. The corporation also noted the ongoing local economic benefits generated through domestic maintenance contracts.

Labour Group Calls for Policy Reforms and Transparency

The report argues that provincial leaders had adequate notice over the past decade to prepare local manufacturing for the replacements. It points out that between 2003 and 2018, only two of 11 new vessels were constructed in British Columbia. Seaspan, the sole B.C. shipbuilder with facilities large enough for the job, withdrew from competing due to strict price and scheduling constraints.

Using economic modeling, Stanford’s team estimated the contract’s total value at $1.6 billion and criticized BC Ferries for withholding exact cost details. The coalition, representing 19 labour organizations, recommended seven policy changes, including provincial equity stakes in shipbuilding projects and new legal mandates requiring BC Ferries to maximize local economic returns.

Municipalities Push Back Against B.C. Government Policies

Municipal representatives from across British Columbia are preparing to confront the provincial government during the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention, scheduled for Sept. 14 to Sept. 18 in Vancouver. Local leaders plan to present three special resolutions targeting what they describe as an expanding “climate of secrecy” and the loss of critical community funding streams.

A primary point of contention is the provincial ministry’s widespread application of non-disclosure agreements. UBCM president Cori Ramsay stated that municipal employees are increasingly required to sign NDAs prior to discussing routine matters with provincial counterparts, sometimes before the subject of the meeting is even disclosed.

While acknowledging that non-disclosure agreements are appropriate at specific stages to safeguard cabinet confidentiality, Ramsay noted that current practices prevent transparent discussion on subjects of public interest. The executive’s resolution requests that the province restrict NDA requirements during local consultations to exceptional circumstances only.

Funding Reversals Cause Financial Strain

Local governments are also challenging the cancellation of $775 million from the Community Housing Fund, an intake suspended without advance warning during February’s provincial budget announcement. Ramsay indicated that 89 communities experienced lost investment on projects already underway, highlighting that developments in Parksville and Squamish had each spent approximately $1 million prior to the decision.

Wildfire preparedness represents another key area of friction. Concerns emerged early in the year when communities including West Kelowna reported diminishing FireSmart resources. The province subsequently limited the remaining $25 million by excluding fuel management and recovery initiatives, roughly six months before declaring a provincial state of emergency for wildfires. Municipalities are advocating for a predictable, long-term funding framework to enable multi-year wildfire mitigation efforts.

Upcoming Political Engagement

The upcoming convention takes place one month prior to local government elections set for Oct. 17. Despite the timing, Ramsay expects robust attendance from mayors and councillors, whether they intend to retire or seek re-election.

In addition to debating resolutions, delegates are scheduled to hear from provincial figures including Premier David Eby and B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Agenda topics also include discussion on the local impacts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and modern treaty implementation.