BC Psychogeriatric Association

BCPGA is a multi-disciplinary professional interest group founded in 1997 by grassroots clinicians working in the field of mental health and aging.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

Introducing #VPDConnect — the Vancouver Police Department’s new free mobile app.

Get real-time public safety alerts, crime prevention updates, interactive crime maps, online crime reporting, and one-touch access to emergency and non-emergency services.

Download today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store: https://t.co/BWSdh4V25T

#VPD

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

It was an honour to meet three members of the LGBT Purge Fund Board @lgbt_fund: Martine Roy and Diane Pitre (formerly of the Canadian Armed Forces) and Staff Sergeant Wayne Davis (formerly of the RCMP).

They came to the Trout Lake Community Centre for a screening of "The Fruit Machine," a documentary about the experiences of LGBT individuals from the RCMP, military, and public service who, from the 1950s to the 1990s, faced discrimination, harassment, surveillance and, in many cases, dismissal, simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This included individuals working within corrections.

The event, organized by retired VPD Staff Sergeant Dr. Val Spicer and moderated by VPD's 2SLGBTQ+ Liaison Officer, Det. Cst. Kat Dauncey, was very well-attended. It was clear that the audience was very moved, especially since a good number had been unaware of the full extent of The Purge. This was my third time watching the documentary, and each time I've learned something new about this dark chapter in our history.

A common theme from the audience Q&A was the importance of re-telling these stories because it is important to understand our collective history. As journalist @JohnIbbitson said in the documentary, "It's in all of our interests to look at things that have happened in the past---injustices---to recognize them, to face up to them, to make amends for them," especially since "any of us at any time can become a minority" ourselves.

Many thanks to all who made this event a success, including:

- Coast Salish Elder Sempulyan, who opened the event
- @OutOnPatrol Society and Moving Forward Family Services
- Mike Sauer of the Grandview-Woodland Community Policing Centre and BC Association of Community Response Networks
- Out in Harmony, who featured two lovely musical performances
- The Public Service Pride Network for helping advertise the event
- Elbo Patties for the delicious food
- The great staff at Trout Lake Community Centre

Thanks very much to members of the @VancouverPD SOGD Advisory Committee for attending, including @RickHurlbut and Jutta Kolhi, who came with her dog Charlie, appropriately attired in a rainbow scarf. Thanks also to Cst. Flora Hsu, Stephen Menon from the City of Vancouver 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, Suzanne Muir, Chief of Metro Vancouver Transit Police, and @victoriajungvan, Chair of the Vancouver School Board, for attending. Victoria's question about educating young people about the Purge was especially important.

[Out On Patrol🏳️‍🌈🚓 @OutOnPatrol]

Trout Lake Community Centre is hosting a powerful and important Pride Month community screening of The Fruit Machine, a documentary that exposes a dark chapter in Canadian history. From the 1950s until 1996, the Canadian government systematically targeted and interrogated 2SLGBTQI+ individuals working within the RCMP, military, and civil service during what is now known as the LGBT Purge.

An estimated 9,000 people faced discrimination, harassment, surveillance, and, in many cases, wrongful dismissal simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Following the screening, stay for a meaningful Q&A discussion with survivors and members of the LGBT Purge Fund board:
•    Martine Roy, Military survivor
•    Diane Pitre, Military survivors
•    Wayne Davis, RCMP survivor retired S/Sgt

The event will also feature:
•    An Indigenous land acknowledgement by Coast Salish Elder Sempulyan
•    A special musical performance by Out in Harmony
•    Light refreshments catered by Elbo Patties

We are also proud to welcome participating community organizations including Out On Patrol and Moving Forward Family Services.
Come together with community members to reflect, learn, and honour the resilience and courage of those impacted by the LGBT Purge. This event offers an opportunity for education, remembrance, and meaningful conversation during Pride Month.

All are welcome, registration encouraged. https://t.co/KjfiSsehgv

[BC Psychogeriatric Association @BC_GeriPsych]

RT @Eddy_Elmer: Beyond words to receive the 2026 Jim & Vicki Chu Community Safety Leader Award from the @VancouverPD. I feel incredibly pri…

[VPD Diversity, Community & Indigenous Relations @VPDDiversity]

Did you know that VPD has a Safe Place Program, where businesses and retail spaces can identify themselves as safe spaces for anyone feeling uncomfortable or unsafe? While in a Safe Place, individuals can ask that police be called or wait until they feel safe.

Click the link below if you’re interested in learning more or in registering your business as a Safe Place for 2SLGBTQ+ folks in your community:

https://t.co/GTJrO0MgqE

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

@Eddy_Elmer @StrathconaBIA @WestEndBIA @MountPleasantBC @downtownvan @iyaletown @thedrivebia @VDBIA1 @CambieVillageBA @VancouverPD

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

During this National Volunteer Week, many thanks to members of our @VancouverPD Sexual Orientation & Gender Diversity Liaison Committee for all their work in improving relations between our communities and VPD. Good things can happen when we're at the table together @VPDDiversity

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

Thank you to all CAC members across the country for giving your time so generously. Your work helps ensure community perspectives are reflected in decision-making and supports transparency, accountability, and understanding within the correctional system.

https://t.co/g13tqA3Kut

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

Very pleased to finally share the video of our 6th annual webinar, which focused on supporting people with hearing and visual impairments in the correctional system. cc: @CSC_SCC_en

Regular version: https://t.co/k6nHfOoW9q

With ASL interpretation: https://t.co/XxDHNcFmsJ

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

Very glad Council passed this motion unanimously. Headlights on new vehicles are absurdly bright. They're blinding to both drivers and pedestrians. I often cover my eyes when walking b/c the lights are unbearable. It's a real safety hazard for everyone.
https://t.co/l9IPe9biXf

[Jarryd Jäger @JarrydJaeger]

Vancouver City Councillor @seanorr introduces a motion to address the issue of ridiculously bright headlights:

"My mom absolutely hates these lights ... and from what I've been hearing a lot of people do as well."

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

"The justice system often fails the most vulnerable: accused seniors with cognitive impairments are essentially punished for conditions beyond their control because we lack safe places to shelter them." My piece w/ Kaleigh Alkenbrack & Heather Cambell Pope
https://t.co/Uu1faxHJe5

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

Social Connection in America 2025: https://t.co/f7mcXefoMH

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

Space still available for @VancouverPD 2SLGBTQIA+ Safety Workshop, Wed November 26, Renfrew Community Centre, 6-9pm. Learn about situational awareness, de-escalation, reporting, self-protection and more. The event is free. To register:
https://t.co/QCKWaiFw7V

@VPDDiversity

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

Pleased that 300+ people are registered for our 6th annual webinar on Thursday, Nov. 13, 10am PST. Space still available. Open to all but registration req'd. Captioning and ASL interpretation will be available. #Deaf #Deafculture #corrections #criminology

https://t.co/rvdFXgzj6p

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

Pleased to announce the 6th Annual Webinar from the Citizen Advisory Committee for Metro Vancouver West Community Corrections. Thursday, November 13, 10am Pacific (11am Mountain, 12pm Central, 1pm Eastern, 2pm Atlantic, 6pm UK). Free and open to everyone.
https://t.co/bxkBgjciXl

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

Great to see Vancouver join the Purple Lights Nights campaign to raise awareness of intimate partner violence. Thanks to @VancouverPD Det Cst Adrian Lawson for working w/ Abbotsford colleagues to make it happen. Looking fwd to his talk at our 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee Thursday.

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

What happens to your brain with very little or no social contact?

https://t.co/4Ypha9DIU1

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

Several members of our SGD Liaison Committee were honoured to attend yesterday's Pride Flag-Raising at @VancouverPD HQ. I'm grateful for their continued service over the last two and a half years and look forward to more years of constructive dialogue and progress with VPD.

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

Proud to stand with our 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee and other community members as Mayor Ken Sim and Councillors read a proclamation honouring Chris Morrissey. Chris was a force for change, advancing 2SLGBTQ+ rights and well-being across the country. Her legacy is immeasurable.

[Eddy Elmer 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🇩🇰 📸 @Eddy_Elmer]

Thanks to Christine Cismondo for including me in this series on isolation and #loneliness in The Catalyst by the Mental Health Commission of Canada @MHCC_. A key takeaway: loneliness is hard enough; feeling like you don’t matter makes it even harder. https://t.co/oeT3MKxnQC