Apocalyptic vegan 'saviour' ad raises eyebrows at Metro Vancouver SkyTrain stations
An apocalyptic ad promoting veganism spotted at some SkyTrain stations around Metro Vancouver is catching passengers’ attention and raising questions about how TransLink approves some advertisements.
In a recent post in the Vancouver subreddit, a transit user asked if TransLink vets any of its advertisers.
Reddit/Screenshot
They also provided a photo of the ad, which shows a fiery background and the text “Urgent warning from heaven!!!” Be vegan right now to avert the upcoming great destruction! Be a savior right now!”
“The views expressed are not necessarily the views of TransLink or its subsidiaries,” concludes the advertisement.
The poster also includes a website for an organization called Supreme Master Television, which paid for the ad.
The channel is linked to the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, led by a woman named Ching Hai. According to some online descriptions, her teachings combine Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and messianic theology. The group also operates the international Loving Hut vegan restaurant chains. Some media outlets and online critics have referred to Ching Hai and her followers as a cult-like group.
The post also sparked quite a bit of discussion in the comment section, with some vegans speaking out against the SkyTrain advertisement’s bizarre messaging.
“Speaking as a person who avoids eating / consuming animals, this ad is pure cringe and just sets back the cause,” said one Redditor.
“As a vegan for many years, this is cringe AF,” noted another.
“The website is a load of cultist gobbledegook,” added the original poster.
“Disgusting use of public space,” stated one commenter.
Daily Hive reached out to TransLink to learn more about its advertisement policies.
A spokesperson provided the following response:
“According to a 2009 Supreme Court ruling, TransLink as a public agency must accept advertisements that do not violate any federal, provincial, or municipal laws or advertising standards. This is to safeguard freedom of expression rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
They added that “as per TransLink’s advertising policy, acceptance of an advertising message does not represent TransLink’s express or implied endorsement of an advertiser or their message.”
What are your thoughts on this SkyTrain ad and TransLink’s policy? Let us know in the comments.
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