The Association of Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia (NNPBC) expresses our deepest sorrow following the horrific events that took place in south Vancouver on Saturday, April 26, 2025, where a tragic act of violence struck at the heart of the Filipino community during the Lapu Lapu Day Festival.
We mourn the lives lost and offer our heartfelt condolences to the Filipino community—whose lives will be forever changed following this tragedy. We recognize that many nurses and nurse practitioners from the Filipino community, along with colleagues across the system, were called to respond even as the full scope of the tragedy was still unfolding. Many did so without yet knowing whether their own loved ones were safe. The professionalism, compassion, and resilience shown in caring for the injured, the displaced, and the grieving across multiple hospitals and care settings, speaks to the extraordinary commitment of our profession in the face of unimaginable heartbreak. We also raise our hands with respect and in gratitude to the broader health care teams, first responders, and police who acted swiftly to restore safety and to meet the needs of those impacted.
It is the heart of our profession to show up—to comfort, to heal, and to protect. We honour the extraordinary efforts of those who cared for victims, their families, and one another during this devastating event. We acknowledge the heavy burden that responding to such trauma can place on those who serve, and we urge all nurses and nurse practitioners to reach out for support.
Support Services Available:
- Crisis Response Centre at Douglas Park Community Centre: 24-hour support is available at Douglas Community Centre (801 W. 22nd Avenue, Vancouver). Victim Services professionals and Vancouver Police Department officers are on-site. You can also call 604-717-3321.
- VictimLinkBC: 24/7 support for those impacted by trauma: call or text 1-800-563-0808, or email 211 victimlinkbc@uwbc.ca.
- Advica Health Services: Mental health services for all BC nurses, including 24/7 bilingual crisis line and access to therapists in multiple languages. Available to NNPBC members and non-members. Please visit NNPBC weblink to access or sign up.
- Grief Counselling and Crisis Support: Homewood Health offers confidential counselling 24/7 at 1-800-663-1142 or through homeweb.ca/en.
- Employee Assistance Programs: Nurses and nurse practitioners employed through health authorities are encouraged to access EAP services for additional support.
- Community Resources for Filipino Nurses: The Philippine Canadian Nurses Association (PCNA) and the Alliance of Filipino Nursing Professionals in Canada (AFNPC) offer support, peer connection, and networking opportunities for Filipino nurses living and working in BC. We encourage members who are seeking culturally specific spaces of support to connect with these organizations.
To all nurses and nurse practitioners here in BC, you are not alone. We stand with you, and we honour all that you give— not only in moments of celebration, but also in the darkest of hours.
With deepest sympathy and in solidarity,
NNPBC Board of Directors and Angela Wignall, Chief Executive Officer
Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia (NNPBC)