24.6 C
Castlegar
Available on

Navigation

Location

101-2032 Columbia Avenue
Castlegar, BC, V1N 2W7

Phone numbers

Studio: 250-365-6100 OR 1-877-560-1010
Office Phone: 250-365-7600
Office Fax: 250-365-8480

- Advertisement -

© 2025

Sample Page Title

Pride organizations in B.C. have said this year’s festivities are a way of celebrating community and pushing back against a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. 

Kamloops Pride celebrated its Pride Week June 9-15, including a youth carnival, a trivia event and culminating in the Parade last Sunday.  President Alyssa Christianson said the organization is very aware of recent anti-trans rhetoric. 

She points to Alberta’s Bill 26, which introduced restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. Advocacy groups Egale Canada and Skipping Stone challenged the legislation, saying it denies medically-necessary care from being provided to gender diverse youth in the province.

Saskatchewan has also faced a legal challenge of Bill 137, which requires parental consent for students under 16 to use preferred names of pronouns in school

In the U.S., the independent research organization Trans Legislation Tracker said there has been a surge in anti-trans legislation. It states 115 bills targeting trans people have been passed across the U.S. so far this year. 

The most recent data from Statistics Canada show a sharp rise in reported hate crimes targeting sexual orientation in 2023 – up nearly 70 per cent from the previous year. It was the third year in a row of increases in hate crime targeting sexual orientation. StatCan notes about four-times more hate crimes were reported during Pride month in June 2023 compared to other months of the year. 

Police in British Columbia received 110 reports of hate crimes targeting sexual orientation in 2023, compared to 77 the previous year. 

“Pride can be a way of showing the community…that queer people are still here, we’re still visible,” said Christianson. “It’s not going to stop us.”

Kamloops Pride Parade, 2025 | Kaeli & Co. Photo
Kamloops Pride Parade, 2025 | Kaeli & Co. Photo

Victoria Pride Society has Pride events scheduled throughout June and July. It hosted a queer youth prom for graduating highschoolers on June 12th. A drag baseball game will go ahead on July 1, and the city’s Pride parade is set for July 6.

“We often forget what the purpose of Pride is,” said President Nick Luney.

He said in times of heightened conservatism, it’s important to focus on the sense of community that is a part of Pride, as well as education and awareness. 

“Everyone has their own lived experience and their own story to tell, so come open and willing to listen, and be participatory in community,” said Luney.

He adds the organization is working with the local officials and police to ensure a safety plan is in place for this year’s events, especially in the wake of the recent vehicle attack at a Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver that left 11 dead.

Some Canadian Pride organizations are also seeing increased financial challenges this year. Pride Toronto reported a nearly $900,000 shortfall earlier this month after several major corporate sponsors pulled their funding  – decisions the organization says were motivated by the political backlash to diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the U.S.

Luney said because Victoria Pride is a smaller organization and relies more on grassroots funding, it hasn’t seen the same type of dip in funding. But he says a tougher economic climate means some businesses have not been able to offer the same support as in previous years.

He also said some governmental grants the organization typically receives are offering reduced amounts of funding compared to previous years. He chalks that up to increased budgeting constraints due to the U.S.-Canada tariff war and other economic pressures.

Victoria Drag Ball | Photo by Katie Zeilstra

Christianson said Kamloops Pride hasn’t lost any major sponsors, but the organization has concerns about longer-term funding sustainability. 

“Pride started as a protest, and it’s super important for it to be community-based and grassroots,” she said. “But putting on parades and festivals costs money… It’s definitely hard to get secure funding year-after-year.” She says the organization currently gets the majority of its funding from a Vancouver Foundation grant, but hopes to diversify its funding in the future.

Amin Ghaziani is a professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia and the Canada Research Chair in Urban Sexualities. He has also written a book about queer nightlife and protest movements. 

“We need Pride celebrations more than ever as we transition into an increasingly hostile political environment in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world,” said Ghaziani in an emailed response to Vista News.

“This particular conservative shift is motivated by gender and anti-trans sentiments more so than I have seen in past cycles of conservatism,” said Ghaziani. But he says it builds on a decades-long counter-movement against LGBTQ+ rights. 

“By working together for positive social change, we can, and will, move the dial back to a progressive landscape that does not debate the humanity of its citizens,” said Ghaziani.

Emily Joveski
Emily Joveski
Emily Joveski is the provincial news reporter for Vista Radio, based in Victoria B.C. She has worked in radio for more than a decade, and was previously on the airwaves as a broadcaster for The Canadian Press in Toronto. When she's not at her desk, she might be found exploring Vancouver Island or loitering in a local book store.

Continue Reading

cjat Now playing play

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Herbicides to be applied in Trail’s Gyro Park

On Wednesday of this week and the following Wednesday, certain areas will undergo treatment as part of routine maintenance.

B.C. housing starts decline in first half of 2025, bucking national trend

Housing starts in British Columbia fell four per cent between January and July compared to the same period last year.

Most British Columbians report seeing dangerous driving in school zones, survey finds

A survey by the British Columbia Automobile Association finds most British Columbians have witnessed dangerous driving in school zones. 

Trail demolition projects behind schedule, over budget

The demolition of some historic downtown Trail buildings is about a month behind schedule and expected to cost more than originally forecast.

New Denver emergency room closed until 8 p.m.

The ER at the Slocan Community Health Centre in New Denver is closed temporarily.
- Advertisement -

Sample Page Title

- Advertisement -

Herbicides to be applied in Trail’s Gyro Park

On Wednesday of this week and the following Wednesday, certain areas will undergo treatment as part of routine maintenance.

B.C. housing starts decline in first half of 2025, bucking national trend

Housing starts in British Columbia fell four per cent between January and July compared to the same period last year.

Most British Columbians report seeing dangerous driving in school zones, survey finds

A survey by the British Columbia Automobile Association finds most British Columbians have witnessed dangerous driving in school zones. 

Trail demolition projects behind schedule, over budget

The demolition of some historic downtown Trail buildings is about a month behind schedule and expected to cost more than originally forecast.

New Denver emergency room closed until 8 p.m.

The ER at the Slocan Community Health Centre in New Denver is closed temporarily.

Montrose woman loses license for drunk driving

A 58-year-old Montrose woman has been issued a 90-day driving ban.

B.C. tourism industry bracing for peak-season cancellations due to Air Canada strike

Tourism operators in B.C. are bracing for a possible financial hit after the union representing about 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants defied a back-to-work order. 

Fixing Rossland retaining walls could cost $22M

A consultant's report suggests three Rossland retaining walls need to be replaced immediately.

Robson wildfire under control

The BC Wildfire Service has pegged the fire at 0.03 hectares and says it is suspected to be human-caused.

Arrest made in Crescent Valley break-in

A woman suspected in a break and enter was arrested in Nakusp after images circulated on social media.

School officials say B.C.’s new safety policies should come with provincial funding

B.C. school officials say the province’s move to require AEDs and naloxone kits in all public schools is a positive step, but some are concerned about a lack of provincial funding to support the requirements. 

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Sample Page Title

Sample author description

Author Archive

Herbicides to be applied in Trail’s Gyro Park

On Wednesday of this week and the following Wednesday, certain areas will undergo treatment as part of routine maintenance.

B.C. housing starts decline in first half of 2025, bucking national trend

Housing starts in British Columbia fell four per cent between January and July compared to the same period last year.

Most British Columbians report seeing dangerous driving in school zones, survey finds

A survey by the British Columbia Automobile Association finds most British Columbians have witnessed dangerous driving in school zones. 

Trail demolition projects behind schedule, over budget

The demolition of some historic downtown Trail buildings is about a month behind schedule and expected to cost more than originally forecast.

New Denver emergency room closed until 8 p.m.

The ER at the Slocan Community Health Centre in New Denver is closed temporarily.

Montrose woman loses license for drunk driving

A 58-year-old Montrose woman has been issued a 90-day driving ban.

B.C. tourism industry bracing for peak-season cancellations due to Air Canada strike

Tourism operators in B.C. are bracing for a possible financial hit after the union representing about 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants defied a back-to-work order. 

Fixing Rossland retaining walls could cost $22M

A consultant's report suggests three Rossland retaining walls need to be replaced immediately.

Robson wildfire under control

The BC Wildfire Service has pegged the fire at 0.03 hectares and says it is suspected to be human-caused.

Arrest made in Crescent Valley break-in

A woman suspected in a break and enter was arrested in Nakusp after images circulated on social media.

School officials say B.C.’s new safety policies should come with provincial funding

B.C. school officials say the province’s move to require AEDs and naloxone kits in all public schools is a positive step, but some are concerned about a lack of provincial funding to support the requirements. 

Architect hired to design 2nd Castlegar ice sheet

The same architectural firm that worked on the failed 2018 referendum to add a new ice sheet in Castlegar has been retained for the latest version of the project.

Kaslo turns 132

To celebrate Kaslo's 132nd birthday, Summit Radio's Afternoons with Andrea featured local historian Greg Nesteroff to share some interesting facts about Kaslo! View the full interview here. 

The most Purrfect kitty looks for forever home

You guessed it! This weeks Pet of the week is Purrfect, from the BCSPCA in Castlegar!

Castlegar renews airport security contract with Commissionaires

The BC Corps of Commissionaires will look after security at the West Kootenay Regional Airport for another five years.

Nelson pipe bomb came from Oasis

A pipe bomb defused this week in Nelson came from a rural property outside of Trail.

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Herbicides to be applied in Trail’s Gyro Park

On Wednesday of this week and the following Wednesday, certain areas will undergo treatment as part of routine maintenance.

B.C. housing starts decline in first half of 2025, bucking national trend

Housing starts in British Columbia fell four per cent between January and July compared to the same period last year.

Most British Columbians report seeing dangerous driving in school zones, survey finds

A survey by the British Columbia Automobile Association finds most British Columbians have witnessed dangerous driving in school zones. 

Trail demolition projects behind schedule, over budget

The demolition of some historic downtown Trail buildings is about a month behind schedule and expected to cost more than originally forecast.

New Denver emergency room closed until 8 p.m.

The ER at the Slocan Community Health Centre in New Denver is closed temporarily.
- Advertisement -

Search results for: Sample Page Title

Herbicides to be applied in Trail’s Gyro Park

On Wednesday of this week and the following Wednesday, certain areas will undergo treatment as part of routine maintenance.

B.C. housing starts decline in first half of 2025, bucking national trend

Housing starts in British Columbia fell four per cent between January and July compared to the same period last year.

Most British Columbians report seeing dangerous driving in school zones, survey finds

A survey by the British Columbia Automobile Association finds most British Columbians have witnessed dangerous driving in school zones. 

Trail demolition projects behind schedule, over budget

The demolition of some historic downtown Trail buildings is about a month behind schedule and expected to cost more than originally forecast.

New Denver emergency room closed until 8 p.m.

The ER at the Slocan Community Health Centre in New Denver is closed temporarily.

Montrose woman loses license for drunk driving

A 58-year-old Montrose woman has been issued a 90-day driving ban.

B.C. tourism industry bracing for peak-season cancellations due to Air Canada strike

Tourism operators in B.C. are bracing for a possible financial hit after the union representing about 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants defied a back-to-work order. 

Fixing Rossland retaining walls could cost $22M

A consultant's report suggests three Rossland retaining walls need to be replaced immediately.

Robson wildfire under control

The BC Wildfire Service has pegged the fire at 0.03 hectares and says it is suspected to be human-caused.

Arrest made in Crescent Valley break-in

A woman suspected in a break and enter was arrested in Nakusp after images circulated on social media.

School officials say B.C.’s new safety policies should come with provincial funding

B.C. school officials say the province’s move to require AEDs and naloxone kits in all public schools is a positive step, but some are concerned about a lack of provincial funding to support the requirements. 

Architect hired to design 2nd Castlegar ice sheet

The same architectural firm that worked on the failed 2018 referendum to add a new ice sheet in Castlegar has been retained for the latest version of the project.

Kaslo turns 132

To celebrate Kaslo's 132nd birthday, Summit Radio's Afternoons with Andrea featured local historian Greg Nesteroff to share some interesting facts about Kaslo! View the full interview here. 

The most Purrfect kitty looks for forever home

You guessed it! This weeks Pet of the week is Purrfect, from the BCSPCA in Castlegar!

Castlegar renews airport security contract with Commissionaires

The BC Corps of Commissionaires will look after security at the West Kootenay Regional Airport for another five years.

Nelson pipe bomb came from Oasis

A pipe bomb defused this week in Nelson came from a rural property outside of Trail.

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Herbicides to be applied in Trail’s Gyro Park

On Wednesday of this week and the following Wednesday, certain areas will undergo treatment as part of routine maintenance.

B.C. housing starts decline in first half of 2025, bucking national trend

Housing starts in British Columbia fell four per cent between January and July compared to the same period last year.

Most British Columbians report seeing dangerous driving in school zones, survey finds

A survey by the British Columbia Automobile Association finds most British Columbians have witnessed dangerous driving in school zones. 

Trail demolition projects behind schedule, over budget

The demolition of some historic downtown Trail buildings is about a month behind schedule and expected to cost more than originally forecast.

New Denver emergency room closed until 8 p.m.

The ER at the Slocan Community Health Centre in New Denver is closed temporarily.
- Advertisement -