A photo of a piece of lettuce flung at Pete Fry during his inauguration went viral, but as Justin McElroy reports, it was part of a blessing for good luck that has a long history in the Chinese community.
Transfers of power are full of symbolism about what a city is — even when they involve vegetables
CBC News · Posted: Nov 03, 2026 10:27 PM EST | Last Updated: 5 hours ago
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Why lettuce was the defining image of Pete Fry’s inauguration as mayor of Vancouver
Transfers of power are full of symbolism and small statements about what a city is. And as Justin McElroy reports, a particular image of a particular vegetable captured people’s attention at Pete Fry’s inauguration as mayor of Vancouver.
The transfer of political power says something about a place. About its values.
And it makes some people ask — why is lettuce involved?
The image that went most viral at the inauguration ceremony for Vancouver Mayor Pete Fry and the incoming city council wasn’t of Fry, the packed crowd at the Orpheum, or even Michael Bublé, who was in attendance.
Instead, it was a piece of lettuce that hit Fry smack on the face.
But as Justin McElroy reports, it was part of an elaborate dance and blessing for good luck that has a long history in the Chinese community — another layer of symbolism at an event that had plenty of it.
With files from Ivan de Jacquelin
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