Vancouver steps up security for the 4/20 festival, and police incidents have paralysed a key ferry terminal, causing major delays.
Vancouver police to increase presence at annual 4/20 festival
Vancouver authorities are preparing for a large event celebrating cannabis culture. On Monday, April 20, the annual 4/20 festival will take place on the plaza in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver, traditionally drawing large crowds of enthusiasts for mass cannabis use. Vancouver Police say the event will not go without close law enforcement attention, and they plan to significantly boost their presence to ensure order and safety.
In a piece published on the CityNews Vancouver portal, Constable Megan Louie detailed the measures the police department will take. An additional 20 officers will be deployed to the event, joining patrol services, organized crime units, bike teams and traffic control staff. Police presence on the streets surrounding the gallery will therefore be very noticeable. The main task, Louie emphasizes, is to ensure the event ends peacefully, prevent violence and guarantee public safety for everyone wishing to attend. Police also intend to minimize disruptions for nearby businesses and ensure that attendees follow the established rules.
Constable Louie also clearly defined the boundaries of permitted behaviour. Cannabis consumption will be allowed only within the area specifically designated for the festival. Those seen smoking outside that zone or damaging public property will face fines. "Our officers will enforce those rules if it comes to that," she said. "But, again, our goal is to help facilitate a peaceful event." For context, 4/20 (April 20) has become an unofficial international day of cannabis culture, and the Vancouver festival has a long history and is among the largest gatherings of its kind in the world, despite recreational cannabis use having been legalized federally in Canada in 2018. The event is scheduled from noon to 6 p.m., giving police clear timeframes for monitoring the situation. The authorities’ approach, judging by statements, balances recognition of the event’s legal status with the need to maintain public order in shared spaces, prevent possible excesses and protect the interests of other residents.
Police incident at Horseshoe Bay terminal delays BC Ferries
On Wednesday morning, operations at an important marine terminal in British Columbia were paralysed by a police incident, leading to ferry delays and confusion among passengers. The tense situation was resolved safely, but it again highlighted the vulnerability of key transport hubs.
Early in the morning at the Horseshoe Bay terminal, one of BC Ferries’ busiest terminals serving routes from West Vancouver, an incident occurred that required law enforcement intervention. Details were initially scarce, which is typical in such situations while police secure the scene and assess the situation. It is known that the incident was classified as a “police” incident, which usually implies a public safety threat not directly related to terrorism — this could have involved a search for a suspect, a report of a dangerous person, or discovery of a suspicious item. As a result of the incident, ferry sailings from the terminal were suspended. For British Columbians, where ferry service is a vital part of the transport network linking the mainland with islands and coastal communities, such disruptions have serious consequences. Delays affect thousands of people — from tourists and regular passengers to freight carriers — leading to economic losses and personal inconvenience.
Fortunately, as CTV News reports, the incident was resolved. Police, likely from the West Vancouver Police Department or the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), completed their work on scene and the threat was removed. BC Ferries was then able to resume operations, although it likely took some time to restore the timetable and clear the resulting queues. Situations like this underscore the importance of coordination between transport operators and emergency services. Although the incident did not result in casualties, it serves as a reminder of how quickly a nonspecific threat can destabilize a critical facility. For passengers this means hours of waiting and cancelled plans; for the operator it means reputational and financial risks. Authorities and BC Ferries management will almost certainly review the incident to improve interaction protocols for future emergencies, aiming to minimize disruption. Ultimately, the swift resolution of the crisis without injuries can be considered a positive outcome, but the fact the terminal was stopped highlights the fragility of the system many residents rely on.
Police incident paralyses BC Ferries operations at Horseshoe Bay
On Sunday, operations at one of British Columbia’s key ferry terminals were paralysed for several hours due to a police incident. The situation not only caused major ferry delays but also left hundreds of passengers in the dark, waiting for resolution either at sea or at the dock.
A police incident on board one vessel at the Horseshoe Bay terminal led to widespread disruption of ferry services on Sunday, April 19, 2026. As reported by CityNews Vancouver, the incident began around midday and emergency services requested a full pause of vessel movements — both arrivals and departures — while the situation was under control. That decision instantly produced a domino effect, affecting three main routes: to the Sunshine Coast (Langdale), Bowen Island (Snug Cove) and to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Vessels such as the Queen of Surrey and Queen of Capilano were stuck at the dock, and their passengers were left uncertain.
Sheila Reynolds, senior communications adviser for BC Ferries, confirmed that the incident was unfolding on board one of the vessels at the dock. Police and other emergency services were on scene from the start. The situation vividly demonstrated the vulnerability of a transport system dependent on a single hub: a local incident on one vessel can paralyse movement across the region. Passengers caught in the epicentre shared their stories live on 1130 NewsRadio. Brad, aboard a ferry from Nanaimo, said the vessel stopped just before the unloading zone and remained at sea for an indefinite period. "And there’s no end in sight," his report quoted him. Another passenger, Ashley, said she spent nearly three hours on the ferry to Snug Cove without being able to disembark. Authorities eventually began evacuations: first allowing foot passengers to leave, and then motorists were able to disembark. This indicates the incident was deemed serious enough to take measures to ensure the safety of those on board.
A significant response was involved. In a 4:45 p.m. update, West Vancouver police spokesperson Suzanne Birch said not only WVPD officers were on scene, but also Vancouver Police, the RCMP marine unit, the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and British Columbia Emergency Health Services. Notably, police described their mission as assisting a "member of the public in need of support." This wording, often used in similar cases, can cover a wide range of situations — from a psychiatric crisis to a suicide threat or another incident requiring sensitive intervention by specialists. The fact that resolving the situation took about six hours (the incident was declared resolved only at 6:10 p.m.) underscores its complexity.
The incident was ultimately resolved in the evening, and police began work to reopen the area to the public. In a Twitter post, West Vancouver Police thanked partner agencies and the community for their patience. However, BC Ferries did not immediately provide information on how schedules would be restored, which likely meant additional hours of waiting and confusion for passengers. The case highlighted not only operational challenges in managing a crisis at a key transport point, but also communication issues with passengers, many of whom were left without clear information on timing and alternatives. For residents of coastal communities who depend on ferry service, such disruptions have serious consequences, upsetting plans, work and personal commitments.
