BURNABY, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Poetic Justice Foundation presents OVERCASTE, an unforgettable exhibit debuting at the Burnaby Village Museum this spring. Visitors to the Burnaby Village Museum will have the opportunity to experience this powerful new exhibition that features the stories of young Canadians and their struggles against caste discrimination.

The OVERCASTE exhibit sheds light on the pervasive existence of caste discrimination in Canada, challenging the myth that it doesn't exist in the country. Through personal anecdotes, historical context, and community narratives, it honors the Dalit experience, exposes the manifestations of caste-based prejudice in various spheres such as education, work, media, and relationships, and emphasizes the resilience and collective struggle of the community against systemic inequality.

“The caste system is a system of oppression based on class and the family you were born into that we must collectively and actively dismantle. It’s a form of violence and discrimination which is often hard to see which makes it particularly insidious. Even here in Canada, caste discrimination has kept some people in our communities marginalized and excluded — simply for the family they were born into,” says Jagmeet Singh, MP and Leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, “Dismantling inequality is core to my own values and as Canadians, it’s necessary that we eradicate inequality and injustice wherever we encounter it, and that includes casteism.”

Through a series of firsthand stories, captivating photographs capturing moments of struggle and resilience, engaging timelines illustrating historical milestones, and interactive displays inviting participation, the exhibit offers a visual journey into the Dalit experience in BC. Visitors can expect to immerse themselves in the personal narratives shared by individuals, witnessing the challenges encountered in every aspect of their lives. With each display, the exhibit contextualizes these experiences within the broader framework of caste-based prejudice and inequality, encouraging visitors to actively engage with the material, gain insights, and reflect on their own roles in fostering change.

“In 1906, my great-grandfather Maya Ram Mahmi became the first recorded Dalit immigrant to Canada, seeking a brighter future and escape from the social and economic oppressions he faced in India. Yet, he and his descendants, including myself, have faced ongoing caste discrimination, an issue that persists over a century later. Through the OVERCASTE exhibit, we aim to highlight the often-ignored problem of caste bias in Canada. This initiative seeks to amplify the Dalit Canadian narrative, which has been historically sidelined and ignored," says Anita Lal, Co-Curator of the exhibit and Co-Founder of the Poetic Justice Foundation. "OVERCASTE is designed to foster solidarity within the Punjabi community, encouraging self-reflection, listening to Dalit Canadians, and sparking meaningful dialogue to address caste-based prejudice locally.”

OVERCASTE will be open to the public during the spring break season at Burnaby Village Museum, which runs from March 18 to 28, 11:00 am- 4:30 pm daily.

Following its debut at the Burnaby Village Museum, OVERCASTE will become a travelling exhibit intended to spread awareness about the Dalit Canadian experience internationally.

For more information on the Poetic Justice Foundation, please visit www.poeticjustice.foundation/

Poetic Justice Foundation

The Poetic Justice Foundation develops content, workshops, and events to provoke, challenge and disrupt systemic inequities and biases. They work to create safe spaces for exploration, learning and healing to foster societal change. Their ultimate goal is to educate, organize and mobilize Canadians to achieve and protect equal rights in all aspects of social, political and economic life.

The Parkland fuel refinery in Metro Vancouver is set to resume operations Sunday, seven weeks after an "unplanned issue" forced it to shut down.

A statement on Parkland's website says crews will begin the process by turning on the main air blower for the heat system at the facility in Burnaby, B.C.

The company says this "essential step" is expected to produce "periods of elevated flaring, and some potential for odours, noise and smoke."

The company said in a statement it will bring its equipment "safely online" after what it called a "thorough inspection, cleaning, and routine maintenance."

Once the facility is up and running, Parkland says it will move into the next phase of its operations by starting to feed crude oil into the refinery.

3 months ago

Duration 2:16

People living around the Parkland refinery in Burnaby, B.C., say they want more information about what they're being exposed to after a strong smell covered the region on Jan. 21. The company says there is no danger, but that isn't reassuring everyone.

The company says it's working closely with the community and regulatory bodies, and there will be continuous, independent air monitoring during the restart process.

The unplanned incident on Jan. 21 blanketed parts of Metro Vancouver with a heavy stench and caused more than 100 complaints from local residents.

Nine Parkland Refining workers sought medical attention for injuries after the incident that day, according to a WorkSafeBC report.

Parkland had issued an advisory on its website two days beforehand, saying people who live nearby may notice noise and "higher-than-usual flare" from the facility.

Metro Vancouver monitors emissions of particulates, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide from the Parkland refinery, and the district told the public that air quality objectives for the contaminants were not exceeded during the incident.

The regional authority told CBC News it requires the Parkland refinery to monitor its emissions continuously, in particular from its fluid catalytic cracker, and its sulphur recovery unit. It also must have quarterly or annual testing of "air contaminants" by a third party, a Metro Vancouver spokesperson said.

"There are several ambient air quality monitors operated by Metro Vancouver intentionally located in proximity to the refinery," the spokesperson said in an email, "to measure ground-level concentrations of the air contaminants."

Nine Parkland Refining workers sought medical attention for injuries on Sunday after an issue at the company's Burnaby refinery caused the release of heavy odorous smoke that day, according to a WorkSafeBC report.

The issue with a unit stack on Sunday around 8 a.m. sent nine employees to first aid and caused four others to evacuate, according to WorkSafeBC, which adjudicates and provides compensation for workers who get ill or injured on the job.

"Because this incident resulted in injuries to several workers that required first aid, it would qualify as a major release of a hazardous substance," states the WorkSafeBC report, dated Wednesday.

Parkland Refining violated the Workers Compensation Act for failing to immediately report the incident until after 7 p.m. Sunday evening, according to the report.

By that time, the company told WorkSafe the refinery had been shut down due to cold weather. The act requires the major release of a hazardous substance to be reported immediately.

In a statement to CBC News, a Parkland spokesperson said the company continues to work with WorkSafeBC and met with the provincial agency on Thursday.

The spokesperson said nine people reported to first aid on Sunday, as stated in the initial WorkSafeBC report, and another seven people reported to first aid in the days that followed. Two people who reported to first aid later visited their family medical provider.

"Reporting to first aid allows individuals to be assessed and determine whether medical attention is needed," the statement said. "Reporting to first aid is a precautionary measure, and we encourage our team to do so."

The company's website had a statement saying they're carrying out a procedure as the first step toward safely restarting the refinery. "Our goal is to have minimal impact on our neighbours and nearby communities. However, you may notice increased odour, flaring, and visible smoke over the next few days."

A special air quality statement from Environment Canada on Friday warned of moderate health risks for much of northern Metro Vancouver until Monday due to activities at the refinery.

Both the refinery and Metro Vancouver will be closely monitoring air quality, according to their statements.

The WorkSafeBC inspection report does not say how many of the nine workers who sought first aid needed medical attention or the nature of their injuries.

Two ambulances attended the scene but no one had to go to the hospital, B.C. Emergency Health Services spokesperson Jasprit Khandal said in a statement to CBC News.

WorkSafeBC issued a compliance order to Parkland refinery over the violation, but it has been marked as closed because the reporting timeline has passed. The company does not face any financial penalties for the order.

Parkland must submit the full incident investigation report to WorkSafeBC by Feb. 20, according to the report.

It is with great sadness that we announce that Jackie passed away on the morning of January 11, 2023. She left us peacefully, in the care of the compassionate staff of St Michael’s Hospice in Burnaby. Jackie was the only child of Frank Seldon Perdue and Olive (Oly) Muriel Perdue.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Jackie’s early playmates were the children of her parents’ friends; notably, the Charlesworths, Thomases, Hudsons, and Scotens. These friendships endured throughout her life. A true Vancouverite, Jackie’s first job was at Woodward’s, and she went on to graduate from the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia

As a Burnaby teacher, Jackie Walker had a powerful influence on her students and colleagues alike. She was an encouraging, supportive mentor to many colleagues, and modelled lifelong learning. Her former students remembered her very fondly long after they had left her classroom - their time with Mrs. Walker was amongst the best that they had in school. She communicated clearly, had high expectations, cared deeply for each individual, and above all, loved to laugh and connect with her students. She lives on in all the young people she taught.

In retirement Jackie enjoyed many memorable trips, including to India and China, and to Guam to visit family. She pursued a variety of interests, from bowling to gardening, book clubs to yoga; she loved theatre, both indoor and outdoor, and symphony performances. She always enjoyed walking with friends - both 2 and 4 legged - around lakes in Burnaby and Coquitlam. She was a skilled bridge player and a valued partner in several Bridge Clubs. She enjoyed hosting Bridge Club parties and for several years held a New Year’s Eve Bridge Event at her home. Her calendar was always full! Through all these activities, Jackie connected with the people she cared about.

Her caring extended beyond her wide circle of friends to her generous support of many charities.

Jackie was a fun, wise, thoughtful, and caring friend who truly enjoyed a good laugh. Anyone who spent time with her couldn’t help but laugh with her. And that infectious laugh still echoes through the restaurants and homes in the Lower Mainland where over the years she met friends for brunches, lunches and dinners.

Jackie will be deeply missed by family and her host of beloved friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Kingston Grandmother Connection would be gratefully received.

Parkland Corp. says more odour, flaring and visible smoke is possible at its refinery in Burnaby, B.C., as it works to restart operations over the next few days, after a problem at the facility on Sunday resulted in an acrid smell spreading across parts of Metro Vancouver.

On Jan. 12, the refinery, which is located on the shore of the Burrard Inlet and provides a quarter of the province's transportation fuel, experienced disruption due to the extreme cold and was shut down, Parkland said.

During a restart on Sunday, an "issue" occurred with some machinery at the refinery that led to a "temporary increase in odour, smoke and a flame from the unit's chimney stack," the company said, prompting the Metro Vancouver Regional District to issue an air quality bulletin.

People near the refinery on Sunday described the smell as "acrid burning, like plastic or chemical."

WATCH | How weather played a role in a stinky Sunday for Vancouver:

3 months ago

Duration 1:27

An issue at the Parkland fuel refinery in Burnaby and a 'temperature inversion' over the Lower Mainland were the perfect recipe for an odorous outdoors.

"During the restart process on Sunday, Jan. 21, an issue occurred in one of the refinery units, which resulted in an odour and plume," a Parkland spokesperson said.

"The well-being of our neighbours is a top priority and we're proactively working with regulators to keep the community safe and informed."

More odour possible with restart

The Calgary-based company said Wednesday it will take about four weeks for the refinery to return to normal operations and plans to increase refined fuel imports into its on-site shipping terminal to fulfil deliveries to customers.

Starting Thursday, the company will conduct a "controlled and necessary operational procedure" that is expected to last several days, according to a Parkland spokesperson.

"As always, our goal is to have minimal impact on our neighbours and nearby communities," the spokesperson said. "However, you may notice increased odour, flaring, and visible smoke over the next few days."

Parkland says it will enlist third-party air monitoring equipment when it conducts its operations "to supplement the systems currently in place."

The Metro Vancouver Regional District said Wednesday on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it will send its mobile air monitoring unit (MAMU) to a nearby site in advance of work at the refinery.

"MAMU can monitor for specific pollutants in addition to what is detected by our regular monitoring network," the regional district said, adding in a subsequent tweet that residents should report any odour or dust that arises from Parkland's work.

Metro Vancouver had said the acrid odour that blanketed parts of the region on Sunday contained elevated contaminant levels, but didn't breach pollution standards.