Vancouver’s Gun Will Now Salute at 7pm for Health Care Workers

Park Board salutes health care workers with 12-pound cannon boom at 7pm, altering schedule of iconic Nine O’clock Gun.

The Vancouver Park Board is signaling its solidarity with the 7pm movement to thank health care workers in the city who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic by altering the schedule of the iconic Nine O’clock Gun to fire at 7pm every evening beginning Monday, March 30 until the end of April.

“Our city is experiencing unprecedented times of uncertainty and change,” said Dumont. “The 7pm salute to health care workers has done much to bring people together and remind all of us of what’s really important. If we, at the Park Board, can help amplify that message of solidarity, we are more than happy to.”

The iconic British cannon was gifted to Canada in 1856. It was brought to Stanley Park in 1894 by the Department of Marine and Fisheries and was originally used to warn fishermen of the 6 PM Sunday close of fishing. Years later, the cannon began firing at 9pm to allow chronometers of ships in the port to be accurately set to the current time.

For the most up-to-date information about how the Park Board has been impacted by COVID-19, follow the Park Board on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and visit vancouver.ca/covid19impacts.