B.C. Premier Clark tackles critics opposed to bridge closure for Yoga Day event

NANAIMO, B.C. – B.C. Premier Christy Clark says some of the critics opposed to the closure of a major Vancouver bridge for International Yoga Day are“haters” of the practice.

The premier announced last week that the Burrard Street Bridgewould close for several hours on June 21 for the international event.

Criticism quickly followed in local media and social media — her plan even drew the ire of children’s author Raffi Cavoukian.

Clark has posted a photo on Twitter of her standing outside a Taoist Tai Chi office accompanied by text that says: “Hey, Yoga Haters – bet you can’t wait for international Tai Chi day.”

She has also told reporters that similar events are taking place in New York’s Times Square, at the Washington Monument and across India.

Clark is questioning whether her critics would be complaining if the bridge were shut down for a ball-hockey tournament or marathon.

“There are thousands of people, many of them women, who find peace in their day by doing yoga, and I think it’s a little puzzling to see so many people criticizing something that people do, that thousands of British Columbians do every day to find a little bit of peace in their lives,” she said.

“I think that’s something in a province, where we care about good health and well-being, that we should be celebrating.”