Good morning, Burnaby!

It has been more than two months since the horrific attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival on April 26 which killed 11 people, some of them seniors and children. While the event occurred in Vancouver, it has touched the lives of people everywhere in the Lower Mainland and led to some questions about the safety of public events.

The provincial government ordered a review of public safety at community events and only recently received the report. At the time of writing, the province has said it would share the report publicly, but it has not yet publicized it.

On July 4, a man died after being arrested by Burnaby RCMP officers. The officers had responded shortly after 4:30pm to a 911 call in the 7000 block of Hillview Street about a man causing a disturbance. After taking him into custody, the man died. The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) is now seeking witnesses to the event.

And now for some good news: Burnaby’s class of 2025 have earned millions of dollars in scholarships, some to very prestigious universities!

👀 In today's edition:

• Province shares Lapu-Lapu Day safety report

• IIO seeks witnesses after man dies in Burnaby RCMP custody

• Burnaby graduates earn more than $11M in scholarships

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NEWS

Province to share Lapu-Lapu Day safety report

Two months after the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy, the BC government will share the incident’s safety report with the public. The province ordered a review of public events in BC shortly after the attack in early May with the aim of preventing future tragedies from occurring. The Lapu-Lapu Day attack killed 11 people attending the festival on April 26.

According to the CBC, the BC government received the report from a retired judge at the end of June. The report aims to improve safety and security at events after 11 people were killed and many more injured at the Vancouver festival.

Read more here.

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Burnaby Bulletin

👩🏻 BC opens first menopause clinic: The province announced the opening of Western Canada’s first complex menopause clinic.

🏢 Presale buyers in limbo after development goes bust: Site that was supposed to be the Siena at the Heights condo building is now up for sale.

🏭 Parkland shareholders vote for $9.1 billion acquisition: The Burnaby refinery will be acquired by the US company Sunoco LP.

🐅 BC proposes ban on exotic cats: The proposed regulation would ban the breeding, sale and future ownership of all non-native and non-domestic cat species.

🚃 One-third of trips in Burnaby are car-free: According to a recent survey, one-third of trips in Burnaby are made through biking, walking or transit.

🇨🇦 Canada Day draws record-breaking crowds: According to the city, Canada Day celebrations in Burnaby drew more than 71,000 people.

🏗️ Developer secures new funding for housing project: Sperling Limited Partnership (LP) exited creditor protection and secured new financing to move forward with its Burnaby Lake Village redevelopment.

👮🏼‍♀️ New funding for BC RCMP hate crimes unit: the province is investing an additional $734,000 to support the unit by adding five additional RCMP officers and one intelligence analyst.

🏩 Sheraton Vancouver Guildford workers on strike: 140 hotel workers at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford hotel in Surrey are on strike for better wages.

🥇 BC Special Olympics summer games start this week: Athletes with intellectual disabilities from across the province will compete in Prince George from July 10 to 12, 2025.

🥛 Burnaby residents complain about dairy plant noise: City residents say noise from Agropur dairy plant disrupts their sleep at night.

🎭 Take a romp through Shakespeare’s canon with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] at Bard on the Beach! Tickets start at $35.*

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NEWS

IIO seeks witnesses after man dies in Burnaby RCMP custody

Burnaby RCMP detachment 📸 City of Burnaby

The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) announced in a press release that it is seeking witnesses to the death of a man in Burnaby RCMP custody on July 4.

“Information provided by police states that Burnaby RCMP officers responded shortly after 4:30pm to a 911 call in the 7000 block of Hillview Street. Police were responding to concerns about a man creating a disturbance and possibly suffering a mental health issue,” the IIO statement said. “After arriving, police located the man outside of a residence and went to take him into custody. During the interaction, the man went into medical distress and officers provided aid. He was then taken to the hospital but later died.”

The IIO is asking anyone with video footage or information to call its toll-free line at 1-855-446-8477.

Read more here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Burnaby graduates earn more than $11M in scholarships

Burnaby graduates Julia Wu (left) and Bruce Zhong (right) earned full scholarships to study at Ivy League universities. 📸 Burnaby School District

Students graduating in 2025 have earned $11,103,410 in scholarships, some to elite international universities. This year’s total exceeds the 2024 total by more than $300,000.

Some of the highest-achieving students include Burnaby South Secondary’s Julia Wu, who will attend Harvard University during the next academic year on a full scholarship. Wu plans to study molecular and cellular biology. Bruce Zhong from Burnaby North Secondary will attend Brown University on a full scholarship. Zhong plans to focus on international and public affairs.

Read more here.

Where to eat & drink

🍲 ZUBU Ramen Metrotown, the perfect place to grab a bowl of elevated ramen noodles with a large selection of toppings.

🍕 Pizza Garden Brentwood, it’s hard to decide the best Pizza Garden location, but when it comes to seating and ambiance, plus their iconic pizza, the Brentwood branch has it all.

🍜 Singapore Hawker Burnaby, if you have a craving for classic hawker fare from Singapore, this is the place.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Crime analyst, City of Burnaby

• Client advisor, RBC Burnaby

• Rehabilitation Assistant, Fellburn Care Centre

• (CAN) Directs Store Delivery Associate, Walmart Burnaby

• HR Advisor (Temporary), Burnaby School District

• Senior Client Relationship Manager, Commercial Banking, Scotiabank

• Retail Store Associate (part-time), Winners/Homesense Market Crossing

• Registered Nurse (RN), Palliative Complex Care Unit , Burnaby Hospital

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Summer Stages, 11:30am-2pm, Confederation Park

• Sounds Like Summer, 12-2:30pm, Fraser Foreshore Park

• Parkway Alive, 5-8pm, Metrotown SkyTrain station until August 31

Friday

• Sounds Like Summer, 12-1pm, Central Park Upper Pond

Saturday

• Farmers Market, 9am, City Hall parking lot

• Fiji Festival, 10am-7pm, Swangard Stadium, Central Park

• World Party 2025, Alegria Soy, 12-5pm, Edmonds Park

• Symphony in the Park, 7:30-9:30pm, Deer Lake Park lawn

Sunday

• Parkway Alive, 5-8pm, Patterson SkyTrain station, until Aug. 31

• Opera in the Park, 7:30-9:30pm, Deer Lake Park lawn

Monday

• Zines, 2-4pm, Tommy Douglas Library

• Board Game Club, 3:30-5:30pm, McGill Library

Tuesday

• Summer Stages, 11:30am-2pm, Confederation Park

• Parkway Alive, 5-8pm, Metrotown SkyTrain station, until Aug. 31

Wednesday

• Summer Stages, 11:30am-2pm, Confederation Park

• Toastmasters, 12pm, Burnaby City Hall

Good morning, Burnaby!

We hope you got the chance to attend the Canada Day festivities in Burnaby’s parks on Tuesday and you witnessed the fireworks. If you missed it, don’t worry, Burnaby has something happening every week for the rest of summer. Opera, classical music, blues, jazz, Burnaby Pride and more are coming soon and the best part is they’re all free of charge!

Recently, the City of Burnaby released its Statement of Financial Information for 2024 and since the Burnaby Now has closed down and no longer publishes this vital information, we decided to fill that gap and let you know who is making the highest salaries in the city and how much they’re getting paid. In 2024, 20 people received salaries of more than $200K, with many other city employees raking in more than $100K a year.

In other news, the City of Burnaby signed a new agreement with Tsleil-Waututh Nation for the co-management of Barnet Marine Park, as a step toward reconciliation. Plus, a group of Burnaby schoolchildren made their parents and caregivers very proud by raising $63K for cancer research.

👀 In today's edition:

• 20 City of Burnaby employees made more than $200,000 in 2024

• Tsleil-Waututh Nation and City of Burnaby sign Barnet Marine Park agreement

• Burnaby students raise $63K for cancer research

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NEWS

20 City of Burnaby employees made more than $200k in 2024

Burnaby City Hall. 📸 Shutterstock

The City of Burnaby recently released its Statement of Financial Information for 2024 and, as usual, listed the compensation and benefits for all its staff members. According to the statement, the city paid out a total of $148,274,372 in salaries, $20,283,900 in benefits, and $1,039,568 in expenses to its employees in 2024.

The city’s highest-paid bureaucrat was Leon Gous, the chief administrative officer, whose base salary for 2024 was $418,611, an increase of $31,122 from his 2023 salary of $387,489.

Noreen Kassam, the city’s chief financial officer and deputy chief administrative officer, received the second-highest salary of 2024 of $342,882, an increase of $20,762 from her 2023 salary of $322,120. Two city employees made more than $290K in 2024. James Lota, the city’s general manager of lands and facilities, raked in $295,527. Ed Kozak, the general manager of planning and development, made $294,777.

Read the report here.

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Summer love at Bard on the Beach

Discover Much Ado About Nothing, running until September 20 at Bard on the Beach! Directed by Johnna Wright with additional text by Erin Shields, this beloved comedy is full of romance, wit, and mischief that will leave you “as merry as the day is long.” Tickets start at $35!

Burnaby Bulletin

🥇Burnaby students earn awards: Several students won awards in math, science, writing, skilled trades, environmental and athletics.

🏡 Burnaby Housing Authority new CEO: The city announced John Brendan McEown as the first CEO for the Burnaby Housing Authority on June 30.

👶 BC launches IVF program: Eligible BC residents now have access to one-time funding of up to $19K toward the cost of a single standard IVF cycle.

🎸 Sarah Slean to perform at Shadbolt: The JUNO-nominated artist will perform on Oct. 4, 2025.

🎼 Symphony in the Park returns: The free live performance is scheduled to take place in Deer Lake Park on July 12, featuring the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

🎤 Vancouver Opera in Burnaby: Opera lovers can attend a free live opera performance on July 13 at Deer Lake Park.

🍀 Burnaby students win $1,000 each for climate challenge: Students from Burnaby South Secondary and University Highlands Elementary won this year’s Climate Project Challenge.

🌈 Burnaby Pride returns July 26: The eighth Burnaby Pride celebration will take place at Civic Square in Metrotown from 3-7pm.

⚽️ BC, Vancouver and Tsleil-Waututh Nation sign FIFA agreement: The three parties signed a partnership memorandum of understanding (MOU) to host FIFA World Cup 26 matches in Vancouver.

🚌 TransLink expands electric bus fleet: TransLink is expanding its battery-electric bus fleet by more than 100 buses, with $479 million in funding from Metro Vancouver.

NEWS

Tsleil-Waututh Nation and City of Burnaby sign Barnet Marine Park agreement

Barnet Marine Park. 📸 Shutterstock

On June 18, 2025, Tsleil-Waututh elected councillor Charlene Aleck and Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley signed a co-management agreement at Barnet Marine Park, an important step towards reconciliation. The agreement formalizes a partnership between the city and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation to jointly oversee the management and stewardship of the park, which is located along the shores of Burrard Inlet.

“It is an honour for the City of Burnaby to be able to walk together on the pathway to reconciliation with the səlilwət [Tsleil-Waututh Nation] people,” said Hurley.

The city marked the occasion with the gift of a pair of wolf eco-sculptures which were installed facing the water and will be on permanent display at the park.

“My hands are raised to the City of Burnaby for working together with us in good faith, helping us strengthen the face of səlilwətaɬ on our traditional territory,” said Chief Jen Thomas.

Read more here. 

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Feathers, family, and forward thinking

Jordan Wiens blends old-school values and high-tech tools to care for his flock—and his future. From 5:30 a.m. barn checks to raising his own farm kids, the Abbotsford egg farmer is proof that the next generation of agriculture is in good hands.

Read the full article here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Burnaby students raise $63K for cancer research

Burnaby students participating in the Terry Fox run. 📸 Burnaby School District

Burnaby students decided to give back to their communities through fundraising for healthcare and services for patients in Burnaby. This year, students throughout Burnaby were among the top fundraisers in the whole of BC, especially with funds raised for cancer research.

According to the Burnaby School District, the Terry Fox Foundation recently shared that Burnaby students succeeded in raising almost $63,000 this year for cancer research. Chaffey-Burke Elementary reached top fundraising status in BC by raising nearly $6,500.

Other students raised funds for heart disease and children’s healthcare. Students at Brentwood Park Elementary participated in a Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser, raising more than $3,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Grade 6 and 7 leadership students at Aubrey Elementary collected more than $4,200 for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation for medical equipment and mental health services.

Read more here.

Where to eat & drink

🍜 Grand Chinese Restaurant, a hidden gem near Brentwood mall, serving up Szechuan cuisine and Northern Chinese-style dim sum.

🍣 Sushi Bar Kilala, another unassuming hidden gem serving sushi and other Japanese classics.

🍞 Afghan Turkish Cuisine, in keeping with today’s theme of hidden gems, this place serves a great selection of donairs, kebabs and dessert classics like baklava.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Project Manager I, Cancer Redevelopment Team, BC Cancer

• Temporary Part-Time Member Experience Representative (Remote), BCAA

• Full-time crew member, McDonald’s

• Retail sales associate, Old Navy Metropolis

• Front Desk, Cactus Club Byrne Road

• Building Inspector, City of Burnaby

• Office administrative assistant, The Meta Consulting Group

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Advance Planning: Wills, Power of Attorney and More, 10:30am-12pm, Temporary Cameron library, City of Lougheed Shopping Centre, 110-9855 Austin Ave.

Friday

• Cantonese Storytime, 10:30-11:15am, Tommy Douglas Library, 7311 Kingsway.

Saturday

• Farmers Market. 9am. City Hall parking lot.

• Burnaby Pride Picnic, 11:30am-2:30pm, Maywood Park, 6480 McKay Ave.

• Free bachata dance class, 6pm, World Dance Co., 4858 Imperial St.

Sunday

• Getting Started with Creative Software, 2-2:45pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown, 6100 Willingdon Ave.

Monday

• Board Game Club, 3:30-5:30pm, McGill Library, 4595 Albert St.

• Free salsa dance class, 7pm, World Dance Co., 4858 Imperial St.

Tuesday

• Summer Stages performances, 11:30am-2pm, Confederation Park, 250 Willingdon Ave.

• Parkway Alive musical performances and activities, 5-8pm, outside Metrotown SkyTrain Station.

• Getting Started With Digitizing, 6:30-7:30pm, Burnaby Library Bob Prittie Metrotown.

Wednesday

• Summer Stages performances, 11:30am-2pm, Confederation Park, 250 Willingdon Ave.

• Film Screening: 24 Hours Edmonds, 6:30-7:30pm, Tommy Douglas Library, 7311 Kingsway.

• Toastmasters. 12pm, Burnaby City Hall.

Good morning, Burnaby!

Canada Day isn’t far off now, and even though technically it isn’t a long weekend, many of us are probably taking Monday off. If you’re one of the unlucky ones who aren’t, or if you’re opting for a staycation in Burnaby for Canada Day, several festivals are planned for the public holiday, including the fan-favourite Canada Day StreetFest in Metrotown. It’s probably best to take transit to the event since the city often closes several streets, and parking is hard to find. Make sure you stay for the fireworks, which usually happen around 10pm every year, and the show is well worth it!

In other news, volleyball lovers in Burnaby are about to experience serious changes related to their sport. The city has decided not to renew Volleyball BC’s lease for the Harry Jerome Centre. The reasoning behind the decision is complex, but one of the main factors is that the building is getting very old.

The city announced the lineup for this year’s Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival in Deer Lake Park, and they include one Grammy Award winner and one Juno Award winner, among other exciting artists. Last week, a group of volunteers met to remove litter and clean up the area around the Willingdon Community Centre. This time, the mayor and two city councillors joined them in picking up litter and cleaning up the streets.

👀 In today's edition:

• Volleyball BC faces eviction from Harry Jerome Centre

• Grammy winner, Ani DiFranco, to headline Burnaby Blues + Roots

• Volunteers and the city team up to clean up litter

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NEWS

Volleyball BC faces eviction from Harry Jerome Centre

A volleyball court at the Harry Jerome Centre, Burnaby. 📸 Tourism Burnaby

During its biweekly meeting on Tuesday, June 24, Burnaby City Council discussed Volleyball BC’s lease of the Harry Jerome Sports Centre. Since 1997, the organization has leased the Harry Jerome Sports Centre at 7564 Barnett Highway from the City of Burnaby. In September 2024, the Beacon reported on discussions about the centre’s future, which was under review by a consultant the city had hired, Cornerstone Planning Group.

Delegates from Volleyball BC at Tuesday’s meeting requested that council reconsider its plan to terminate Volleyball BC’s lease and instead direct staff to negotiate a lease renewal. Delegates also mentioned that Volleyball BC had used the organization’s funds to cover some of the cost of replacing the centre’s roof.

“We contributed $660,000 of our own money, and we did that on the expectation that our lease would be renewed. If we’re displaced now, we’ll have to be back here to discuss what happens to us as a nonprofit society and how to recover some of those funds,” said Jake Cabot, president of Volleyball BC.

Despite the delegation’s request, city and council moved forward with the plan to find a new tenant.

“The facility has now reached a stage where significant reinvestment is required to sustain, operate, and maintain the facility,” a staff report said. “Staff recommend the City initiate a competitive open market call for proposals to identify an operator and future use model that delivers strong community benefit while minimizing taxpayer burden.”

Find out more here.

SPONSORED BY KHATSAHLANO STREET PARTY

ADVENTURE AWAITS AT KHATSAHLANO STREET PARTY!

Khatsahlano Street Party returns on July 5, from 11am to 9pm, transforming 10 full blocks of West 4th Avenue into a vibrant urban wilderness. This year's "Camp Khats" theme invites festivalgoers of all ages to dive into a day packed with free live music, delicious food, inspiring art, and unique activities, all designed to bring the spirit of summer camp to the heart of the city. 

With over 60 performers curated by local legend Zulu Records, this year’s lineup is an incredible showcase of BC’s diverse talent, spanning everything from indie rock to hip hop and folk. Headliners will be set across multiple stages, including performances from psychedelic rockers Meltt, powerful vocalist Missy D, punk legend Joe Keithley of D.O.A. and high-energy folk-rock band Shred Kelly.

Burnaby Bulletin

🐻 Black bears brawl in Burnaby: Two adult black bears were caught on camera brawling on a city street.

👀 Watch out for distraction theft: Burnaby RCMP warns of distraction thefts happening in Burnaby and the Lower Mainland.

🎨 New artwork for Indigenous Peoples Day: The city unveiled a new artwork Join Them Together by Coast Salish artist Austin Harry.

🎸 Parkway Alive returns July 8: As part of its efforts to enliven the BC Parkway in Burnaby, the city is planning community events this summer.

🩺 BC Cancer and UBC roll out the fastest PET/CT scanner in Canada: The new scanner is expected to provide faster and more accurate diagnostics.

☕️ BC tries to recruit US healthcare workers: The province sent a BC Health Careers coffee truck to Seattle to entice healthcare workers to come to Canada.

🚗 New DriveBC platform: BC launches new DriveBC platform that features a simplified map and a cleaner, more intuitive design for desktop and mobile users.

🚙 BC NDP considers easing up on EV mandates: As EV sales decline, it will be harder to reach 90% of new vehicles by 2030.

🎟️ Visit the ‘80s with The Two Gentlemen of Verona, running now to September 19, at Bard on the Beach! Tickets start at $35.*

🪕 Don’t miss the Mission Folk Music Festival, July 25-27 at Fraser River Heritage Park. Early Bird Day, Evening, Weekend, and Weekend+Camping discounts end June 30!*

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NEWS

Grammy winner, Ani DiFranco, to headline Burnaby Blues + Roots

Drone image of the Burnaby Blues + Roots festival. 📸 City of Burnaby

The City of Burnaby recently announced that the Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival will return to Deer Lake Park on August 9. The festival will be free of charge again this year and will run from 3:30-10pm.

The city also announced that this year’s headliner is Grammy Award winner Ani DiFranco. She has released 23 albums spanning genres such as folk, punk, hip-hop, soul, and electronic, addressing various autobiographical, political, and social issues.

The festival’s lineup includes three Canadian artists: Aysanabee, Judith Hill, and Jackson Hollow. Attendees can bring their own food and beverages, but alcohol and drugs are not allowed. There is no seating provided, but attendees can bring lawn chairs.

Read more here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Volunteers and the city team up to clean up litter

Volunteers with the Lower Mainland Green Team at a litter cleanup. 📸 Lower Mainland Green Team

Volunteers joined the Lower Mainland Green Team for a litter cleanup around Willingdon Community Centre on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Fifty-four volunteers cleaned up over 300 pounds of litter from the area surrounding the community centre. Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, and city councillors James Wang and Richard T. Lee joined the volunteers for the cleanup.

According to the Lower Mainland Green Team, this cleanup was the first of four planned cleanup activities for 2025 in Burnaby. Last year, volunteers cleaned up litter around five Burnaby community centres, including Bonsor, Christine Sinclair, Edmonds, Cameron, and Eileen Dailly. The Green Team receives support and funding from the city for its activities, including removing invasive plants from parks, litter cleanups and more.

Read more here.

Where to eat & drink

🌯 Ramie’s Greek Restaurant, a great place for gatherings and enjoying Greek fare during the Canada Day long weekend.

🥞 The Gray Olive, the perfect spot for a long-weekend, summer brunch and gossip with your friends.

🥐 Burnt Orange Cafe and Bistro, another spot for a weekend brunch, serving up hearty breakfast, pancakes, and avocado toast varieties.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Housekeeping aide, Fraser Health

• Director of Operations, IATSE Local 891

• Occupational Therapist, Lifemark Health Group

• Part-time Overnight Freight Associate, the Home Depot

• Medical administrative assistant, NNT Orthotics and Supplies

• Aquatic leader, City of Burnaby

• Part-time International Sales Associate, Oak+Fort Metrotown

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• The Encampments Film Screening and Discussion, Doors open at 5:30, Mowafaghian Cinema at SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts.

Friday

• Latin Beat, 10-11am, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, 4460 Beresford St.

• Trauma and Resilience, Dr. Gabor Maté, 5-8pm, SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Dr. W.

Saturday

• Farmers Market. 9am. City Hall parking lot.

• Canadian Job Fair, 11am-6pm, Nikkei Museum and Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres.

• Canadian Cultural Festival, 11am-6pm, Nikkei Museum and Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres.

Sunday

• Gabriel Mark Hasselbach Jazz night, 5-8pm, Admiral Pub, 4125 East Hastings St.

Monday

• Family Place, 9:30-11:30am, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, 4460 Beresford St.

• Open Mic Comedy, 8-10pm, 769 East Hastings St.

Tuesday

• Canada Day celebration Edmonds Park and Plaza, 11am-2:30pm.

• Canada Day Burnaby Village Museum, 11am-4:30pm.

• Canada Day StreetFest on Central, 6:30-10:30pm.

Wednesday

• Toastmasters, 12pm, Burnaby City Hall.

Good morning, Burnaby!

As we head deeper into summer, Burnaby is getting more festive. This weekend, the city is celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day in Civic Square in front of the library in Metrotown. Canada Day StreetFest returns in two weeks with a new lineup and headliners.

Summer markets are popping up, and the Beacon created a guide to the farmers markets you can visit in Burnaby to pick up some delicious local produce.

In other news, Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley recently called on the province to change its new building code. The new code allows for only one stairway up to six storeys in multi-family buildings. Hurley, a former firefighter, expressed concerns about fire safety.

Also, in this edition, discover more about BC Ferries’ controversial decision to award a ferry-building contract to a Chinese state-owned shipyard.

👀 In today's edition:

• Burnaby mayor calls for repeal of single-exit stairway building code

• They promised ship-building in BC — then gave the contract to China

• Your complete guide to Burnaby farmers markets

Consider forwarding this to a friend in Burnaby! New here? Sign up for free.

Advertise your business, event, or restaurant in front of 16,000+ engaged locals! Contact our team today.

NEWS

Burnaby mayor calls for repeal of single-exit stairway building code

A Burnaby fire truck. 📸 Lubna El Elaimy

At Burnaby City Council’s biweekly meeting on June 10, Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley proposed a lengthy motion requesting that the province repeal a building code amendment that allows the construction of residential multi-family buildings up to six storeys with a single exit stairway.

Hurley, who is a former firefighter, spoke at length about the dangers of having only one stairway for a multi-family building. Hurley said the provincial government needs to thoroughly review the building code and prioritize the safety of residents and rescue workers.

“Affordable housing should not mean unsafe housing,” Hurley said. “Fires in BC residential hallways, stairwells, and critical evacuation routes make up almost 9% of all residential blazes. Smoke from these fires quickly block exits, jeopardizing occupant safety.”

Hurley gave an example from his time in the fire department of an arsonist who went around lighting fires in the stairways of residential buildings in Burnaby.

Find out more here.

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Burnaby Bulletin

🥁 National Indigenous Peoples Day: Burnaby will host a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Civic Square, Metrotown on Saturday, June 21.

🇵🇭 Pinoy Festival in Burnaby: Thousands gathered at the Pinoy Festival in Swangard Stadium, the first Filipino festival since the Lapu Lapu massacre, as the community reflects and rebuilds.

🏞️ Burnaby man presumed drowned: A 29-year-old Burnaby man was swimming in Cabin Lake, a small lake on Black Mountain when he went missing.

🏫 SFU layoffs: SFU president Joy Johnson said more layoffs are likely as international student admissions drop.

🎼 Free classical music in Deer Lake Park: Free summer concerts by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Opera are scheduled to take place at Deer Lake Park on July 12 and 13.

🚨 Surrey man charged after deadly Burnaby crash: Chi Sun Park, 35, is facing 15 criminal charges after 2024 crash that killed two women, including impaired and dangerous driving charges.

🌎 Galaxy-themed summer at Metropolis at Metrotown: Summer festival at the mall began June 16, summer market will return on July 3.

👩‍🎓 SFU ranks 35 among world’s top 50 universities: According to Times Higher Education, SFU is among the top in several categories.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ScotFestBC 2025 will bring out some of the best pipers and caber tossers in the world to compete for glory - along with great Celtic music, whisky school, and a whole lot more June 20 and 21 in Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.*

🥀 Romance, wit, and secrets abound in Much Ado About Nothing, running June 10–September 20, at Bard on the Beach. Tickets start at $35!*

*Sponsored Listing

NEWS

They promised ship-building in BC — then gave the contract to China

BC Ferry with the Vancouver skyline in the background. 📸 Shutterstock

In 2021, the NDP government unveiled a “Made-in-B.C.” shipbuilding strategy and created a Shipbuilding Advisory Committee. The new strategy and committee were supposed to herald a turning point and revival for a long-neglected local industry.

Four years later the landscape seems very different, with many of the same politicians quietly reneging on their promises and giving the contracts to overseas contractors.

Not only did they ship the contracts overseas, but, according to Eric McNeely, president of the BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union, they didn’t even give B.C. shipyards a fair shot. The procurement process was so rushed and restrictive that no local yard could realistically compete.

Read more here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Your complete guide to Burnaby farmers markets

Produce at a farmers market. 📸 Unsplash

It’s summer and Burnaby’s outdoor markets are bustling and filled with colourful produce, artisanal products, and more. While the Saturday farmers market in front of City Hall gets most of the attention and love, there are other spots to check out this summer for fresh produce and festive energy.

With this guide to Burnaby’s markets, you can ditch the screen and head out for sunshine, fresh produce, and handmade local crafts.

Whether you’re hunting for organic vegetables or handcrafted soaps or want to soak up that quintessential West Coast market atmosphere, Burnaby’s market scene has something special waiting for you every season.

Read more here.

Where to eat & drink

🥘 Saffron Indian Cuisine, is a Burnaby landmark and its beloved lunch buffet is back, after being cancelled for a few years due to COVID.

🫕 Secret Garden Korean Buffet and Grill, in keeping with the buffet theme, this place serves both lunch and dinner buffets.

🍜 Marble House Eatery, make sure you’re really hungry when you visit for all-you-can-eat hotpot. It’s a bit pricey, but well worth it.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Cooks and service staff, Birdies Restaurant

• Sales associate, Nespresso Metrotown

• Bylaw patroller, City of Burnaby

• Registered nurse, Burnaby Hospital

• Part-time retail store associate, Winners/HomeSense, Market Crossing

• Clinical counsellor, MOSAIC Burnaby

• Customer experience associate, TD Bank Burnaby

• Custodian, City Hall Complex, City of Burnaby

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• SFU Toastmasters, 12pm, online.

• Celebrating refugee contributions, 5:30-7:30pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown

• Burnaby Photographic Society Print Exhibition, 10am-8pm, McGill Library
  4595 Albert St.

Friday

• Latin Beat, 10-11am, Burnaby Neighbourhood South House, 4460 Beresford St.

Saturday

• Farmers Market. 9am. City Hall parking lot.

• Kintsugi: DIY Workshop, 10am-12pm, Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres.

• National Indigenous Peoples Day, 3-7pm, Civic Square, Metrotown

Sunday

• SFU Writer’s Studio, Bluesky writing sprints, 10:30-11:30am, Bluesky or Waves Coffee House, 900 Howe St.

• Introduction to Dungeons & Dragons and Other TTRPGs, 12-4pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown

Monday

• Board Game Club, 3:30-5:30pm, McGill Library, 4595 Albert St.

• Acrylic Pouring Class: Experiment with Colours, 7-8:30pm, WINGS Burnaby, 6879 Kingsway

Tuesday

• Burnaby Public Library Career Chat, 11am- 12pm, SFU Burnaby Campus, Saywell Hall 9095

• Residential Tenancy Law for New Immigrants in BC, 6-7:30pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown

Wednesday

• Outdoor storytime, 10:30-11am, McGill Library, 4595 Albert St.

• Toastmasters, 12pm, Burnaby City Hall

Good morning, Burnaby!

We have finally experienced our first heat wave of the year and we hope you managed to stay cool last weekend as the temperatures climbed. The city opened its cooling centres for the weekend and published some tips for staying cool in the heat.

In other news, the City of Burnaby has decided on a date for a formal apology to the Chinese-Canadian community for historical discrimination.

It was also a turbulent week for the workers at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown who rallied on Friday for better wages shortly after their collective agreement came to an end on May 31.

One retired nurse became the first person to receive a robotic-assisted hip replacement at Burnaby Hospital.

👀 In today's edition:

• Burnaby to apologize to Chinese community for historical discrimination

• Hilton Metrotown workers rally for wage increases

• First robotic-assisted hip replacement surgery in Burnaby

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NEWS

City of Burnaby plans public apology to Chinese-Canadians

The City of Burnaby’s first engagement event with Chinese-Canadians on Oct. 17, 2023. 📸 Lisa Codd/ City of Burnaby

The City of Burnaby has decided to publicly apologize to the Chinese-Canadian community for historic discrimination from 1892-1947. As part of Burnaby’s reconciliation efforts, staff conducted research and engagement with the Chinese-Canadian community in Burnaby from October 2023 to October 2024 that culminated in a proposed apology.

According to a staff report, the proposed apology is planned for Nov. 15, 2025 at the Crystal Ballroom at Hilton Vancouver Metrotown. The venue was selected due to its proximity to Crystal Mall, an important cultural hub for Chinese-Canadians and its historical significance. The city also released the framework for the apology and reconciliatory actions.

Burnaby City Council discussed the proposed apology during its biweekly meeting on June 10. All the council members present welcomed the apology and reconciliation. However, Coun. Alison Gu expressed some concerns.

“I am so concerned that we fall into these cycles where we are historically racist against one subset of a population, and then we apologize for our actions at the institution level, and then we go and do the same thing to a different group of people,” Gu said. “I want to urge everybody at all levels of government as individuals, to not fall into that same silence and complicity when we see these historical patterns play out against other people.”

Find out more here.

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Burnaby Bulletin

🏬 New Foundry location selected: BC Centre for Ability and Foundry Youth Mental Health & Wellness Centre secured a new space in Royal Oak.

🚨 BCIT Disaster Day on June 11: BCIT will conduct a full-scale emergency response exercise at all its campuses, this year’s scenario is an earthquake.

🏗️ Brentwood Block is underway: Grosvenor starts construction on the first phase of Brentwood Block.

🌲 38 people participated in Environment Week cleanup: Participants helped clear invasive plants at Cariboo Heights forest on June 7.

🚔 Burnaby RCMP seizes drugs, weapons, cash: The Gang Enforcement Team seized eight kilograms of illegal drugs, $375k in cash, and three firearms.

🏢 Rents decline by 3% throughout Canada: According to a new report, rents in Burnaby have declined by 8% year over year.

🚴‍♂️ BC Parkway upgrades complete in New Westminster: According to TransLink, the upgrades aim to make cycling and walking safer and more comfortable.

🎨 Burnaby Arts Council annual general meeting next week: The BAC’s new board of directors will meet at Deer Lake Gallery, event is open to the public.

🧺 Taste, stroll, and shop local! The Brentwood Farmers Market is back June 15! The perfect stop for farm-fresh finds, handmade treasures and savoury delights!*

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ScotFestBC roars back June 20 and 21, filling the park with pipes, Celtic riffs, caber tossing, and a refreshed whisky school. All at the end of the Skytrain in Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park. Info and tickets here.*

🎪 Bard on the Beach’s 2025 Season opens this week! Discover four dynamic productions running June 10–September 20. Plus, save $10 instantly on Preview dates!*

*Sponsored Listing

NEWS

Hilton Metrotown workers rally for higher wages

Hilton Vancouver Metrotown hotel at night. 📸 Hilton Vancouver Metrotown

Workers at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown hotel rallied on Friday, June 6 to demand increased wages. Most of the workers live in Burnaby and had previously engaged in a strike that lasted more than a year and ended with a collective agreement in 2022. The agreement ended on May 31, 2025 and the workers want pay parity with peers at Vancouver Airport and downtown hotels.

According to a press release by their union, UNITE HERE Local 40, “Hilton Metrotown workers are proud to welcome guests to Burnaby’s finest hotel but are earning far less than their peers in Downtown Vancouver and Vancouver Airport hotels. With hotel room rates at Hilton Metrotown selling from nearly $400 to $700 per night – and some nights completely sold out – the workers, many of whom live in Burnaby, are fighting for their fair share.”

Read more here.

SPONSORED BY BC DAIRY

From forest floor to farmers market

Craig Gingras, founder of Sea to Sky Mushrooms, turned a passion for wild foraging into a thriving indoor farm. He’s part of a new generation of B.C. farmers finding creative, sustainable ways to grow food. At farmers markets, he educates customers and proves young farmers can thrive—despite rising challenges. Read more here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Retired nurse receives first robotic-arm assisted hip replacement in Burnaby

L-R: Jessica Mayer (Stryker), Brian Ouellete (Stryker), Dr. Elizabeth Chuah (Anesthesiologist), Dr. Timothy Kostamo (Orthopedic Surgeon), Vincent Hsu (OR Nurse), Stephanie Hawkins (Stryker), Dr. Nav Bawa (Physician Assist), Harold Pang (OR Nurse), Pamela Cheng (Patient Care Coordinator and OR Nurse), Centre: Maureen Coutts, retired nurse and patient 📸 Fraser Health

Retired nurse, Maureen Coutts was the first patient to receive a robotic-arm assisted hip replacement at Burnaby Hospital on April 24, 2025. According to Fraser Health, prior to the surgery Coutts underwent a CT scan to create a 3D image of the joint.

“During the surgery, surgeons guided the robotic arm, adjusting as necessary based on visual and audio cues from the arm’s software,” Fraser Health said in a press release.

Since implementing the $2.3 million system in the spring of 2024, more than 100 patients have received robotic-assisted knee replacements.

“Post-surgery, patients report a better range of motion and less pain with this system compared to traditional joint-replacement surgery,” says Tim Kostamo, orthopedic surgeon and division head, Orthopedics, Burnaby Hospital. 

Read more here.

Where to eat & drink

🍔 Oliver Twist Pub & Grill, 7557 Edmonds St. This is a bit of a hidden gem with a devoted following, serving up hearty meals. The Bulgogi burger is a crowd favourite.

🥘 Manjal South Indian restaurant, 7613 Edmonds St. Another somewhat hidden gem with a varied menu of South Indian specialties.

🍲 Viet Noodle Guy, 1902 Rosser Ave. In keeping with the theme of hidden gems, this is a great place for delicious, affordable Vietnamese fare.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Custodian, City Hall Complex, City of Burnaby

• Food services attendant, City of Burnaby

• Head baker, Maison Mori

• Dental assistant, Dawson Dental

• Medical office assistant, Burnaby Sleep Clinic

• Client advisor, RBC, Burnaby

• Caregiver/Personal support worker, Individualized Funding Resource Centre Society

• Registered nurse, Mental Health Emergency, Burnaby Hospital

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Clean Energy Summit, 9am-4pm, Delta Hotel Conference Centre,
  4331 Dominion St.

Friday

• Golden Hour art exhibition, 10am-4:30pm, Burnaby Art Gallery.

• Disney Trivia II at The Rec Room Brentwood, 7-9pm, 1920 Willingdon Ave., Unit 2106

Saturday

• Pinoy Festival, 9am-10pm, Swangard Stadium, Burnaby Central Park

• Farmers’ Market, 9am-2pm. Burnaby City Hall parking lot.

• Burnaby Junk Day, 8am-4pm, Still Creek Works Yard (across from the Eco-Centre)

• Burnaby Entrepreneurs Toastmasters 3rd Annual Gala, 5:30-10pm, Alan Emmott Centre, 6650 Southoaks Cres.

Sunday

• Father’s Day Walk Run, 8:15am, Burnaby Lake.

• Zumba for Love in support of BC Cancer Foundation, 2:30-4pm, 487 Alexander St.

Monday

• Soup Lunch for $2, 11am-1pm, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, 4908 Hastings St.

• Community Mahjong Club, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, 2055 Rosser Ave.

Tuesday

• Presencing, Works on Paper from the Salish Weave Collection, 10am-8pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie, Metrotown

Wednesday

• Eyes of the Beast, 7:30pm, Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre, SFU School for the Contemporary Arts, 149 W. Hastings St.

• Toastmasters. 12pm, Burnaby City Hall

Good morning, Burnaby!

If you live anywhere near Trans Mountain facilities in Burnaby, try not to be alarmed today if you see unusual activity. The company recently sent an email with the dramatic subject line “THIS IS A DRILL: Trans Mountain Emergency Preparedness,” announcing that it will be conducting an exercise to test its emergency preparedness on June 5.

“This email is to let you know that if you come across any action surrounding any of our sites, this is simply a drill exercise,” Trans Mountain said. “In the event of an emergency, you will be notified accordingly.”

Well, that’s a relief.

In other news, last week, the City of Burnaby released a comprehensive Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan covering everything from mental health and public safety to climate resilience. Burnaby students are celebrating Indigenous History Month by learning more about Indigenous culture and art. For the foodies out there, you can look forward to a brand-new Italian restaurant scheduled to open later this summer.

👀 In today's edition:

• City unveils new Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan

• Burnaby students and Squamish elder carve new welcome post

• New Italian restaurant set to open this summer

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NEWS

City of Burnaby reveals new community safety plan

City of Burnaby Skyline near Metrotown. 📸 Shutterstock

During Burnaby City Council’s meeting on May 27, the city revealed a new community safety plan. In creating the plan, the city hosted several public engagement events and activities, such as popup events, focus groups, workshops, and engagement with Host Nations. According to the plan, 450 residents attended popup events and around 600 residents responded to the online survey.

According to the new community safety and wellbeing plan, community safety encompasses a wide variety of themes including climate resilience, housing and homelessness, pedestrian and traffic safety, trauma-informed services, public space safety, public substance use, youth safety and cultural awareness and safety, among others.

The 68-page plan outlines 60 initiatives meant to advance 17 core areas of work in five priority areas. The priority areas identified in the plan are:

• Community safety and connection

• Emergency and climate resilience

• Safer public spaces

• Responsive and inclusive services

• Youth and family wellbeing.

Find out how this new community safety plan will affect you

SPONSORED BY BURNABY ARTISAN FARMERS MARKET

The Brentwood Farmers Market is back June 15!

The Brentwood Farmers Market is returning to Burnaby's vibrant Brentwood neighbourhood, offering a delightful Sunday experience from June 15 to September 14, between 10am-2pm. Located on Brentwood Boulevard between Alpha and Halifax Way, this vibrant market is just steps away from the Brentwood SkyTrain Station, making it easily accessible. Shoppers can explore a diverse selection of farm-fresh produce, artisan baked goods, and savoury delights.

New additions this year include a kids craft program and art workshops for adults. The ever so popular pet parade is set to return in September to close out the 2025 season. The Brentwood Farmers Market is a must-visit destination to support local vendors and enjoy the best of Burnaby's community spirit.

Burnaby Bulletin

🌲 Volunteers remove invasive plants at Cariboo Heights: On May 31, 35 volunteers removed invasive plants as part of Burnaby Environment Week.

💡 BC Hydro calls for expressions of interest: BC Hydro is seeking ideas on capacity and baseload energy projects, including geothermal, pumped storage and hydroelectric resources.

🏆 Burnaby student wins AccessAbility contest: Matusola Tesfamariam from Second Street Community School won the design contest, eight more Burnaby students were finalists.

🏗️ New Burnaby industrial project breaks ground: Cedar Coast and Orion Construction broke ground on Marine + Boundary, a 111,000-square-foot industrial strata development.

🚔 Two men face charges of robbery, unlawful confinement: The charges come after a two-year-long investigation by Burnaby RCMP.

👩‍🦽 City of Burnaby calls for help to identify barriers: The city is calling for residents to submit information about accessibility barriers.

🎨 New art exhibition at Burnaby Art Gallery (BAG): A new art exhibition, titled Golden Hour is launching at the BAG on June 12.

🏥 Robots help perform surgery: Burnaby Hospital orthopedics team perform first robotic-assisted hip replacement surgery.

🐻 Black bear sighting near BCIT: A black bear was spotted near SE16 and the Guichon Creek, close to BCIT’s Burnaby campus.

🌦️ SFU researchers awarded $2.88 million: The researchers received grants for two projects that aim to strengthen Canadian water monitoring for microbes and other life.

NEWS

Burnaby students and Squamish elder carve welcome post

Squamish master carver Xwalacktun teaching children at Stride Avenue school to carve a welcome post. 📸 Burnaby School District

Burnaby students at Stride Avenue Community School are celebrating National Indigenous History Month by carving a new welcome post with Squamish elder and master carver Xwalacktun. Construction is ongoing on a new Stride Avenue Community School building, and the cedar post will be placed at the entrance of the new school building once construction is complete.

Students at other Burnaby schools also celebrated Indigenous History Month by learning more about the history of Burnaby’s Host Nations. At Westridge Elementary, students learned from a mural by Squamish artist Austin Harry titled Chénchenstway, which means “to support one another” in the Squamish language.

At other schools, schoolchildren engaged in outdoor activities with Indigenous educators. Students at Burnaby Mountain Secondary expanded the school’s outdoor garden spaces and learned about “soil, climate conditions, and Indigenous perspectives on the interconnectedness of land, culture, and community.”

Read more here.

SPONSORED BY BARD ON THE BEACH

Sparks fly with Much Ado About Nothing

Bard on the Beach presents Much Ado About Nothing, running June 10 to September 20 at Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park. Directed by Johnna Wright with additional text by Erin Shields, this new staging of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy is filled with romance, wit, and mistaken identity—because all’s fair in love and war.

Book your tickets today!

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

New Italian restaurant opening soon

Il Cappello Enoteca will offer fine-dining Italian fare, opening later this summer. 📸 Dolce Amore

Gelateria Dolce Amore is expanding beyond its traditional offerings of unique artisanal gelato to a brand-new Burnaby-based restaurant, opening this summer. Il Cappello Enoteca will be Dolce Amore’s first full-service restaurant, focusing on Tuscan cuisine, as well as regional dishes from other parts of Italy. The 2000-square-foot space will have 100 seats and an enclosed year-round patio.

Il Cappello Enoteca will be located at 6011 Hastings St. and is scheduled to open later this summer.

Read more here.

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Where to eat & drink

🍬 Hafu Dessert, a new cream mochi shop opened in Crystal Mall this week and we can’t wait to try it!

🍜 S&W Pepper House, the Sichuan cuisine restaurant is closing its doors on June 20, after 20 years in Crystal Mall, make sure to pay it a visit before it’s gone.

🍲 CHÉN Vietnamese restaurant, a new place specializing in North Vietnamese fare is opening this month at 4280 Hastings St.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Sous chef in training, Browns Social House, Brentwood

• Administrative Officer (PRC), City of Burnaby

• TeleNurse, Healthlink BC

• Administrative Support Clerk, Public Health, Fraser Health

• Personal Support Worker, RhynoCare, Burnaby

• LINC Teachers and Replacement Teachers, Burnaby School District

• Housekeeping Aide, Chartwell

• Pharmacy Technician, Burnaby Hospital

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Seniors’ Week, June 2-7, 9am-9pm, various locations.

• New Westminster Scavenger Hunt, 11am-1pm, Thurs.-Fri., Waves Coffee, 715 Columbia St., New Westminster

Friday

• Latin Beat, 10-11am, Burnaby South Neighbourhood House, 4460 Beresford St.

Saturday

• Farmers Market. 9am-2pm. City Hall parking lot.

• Hats Off Day. 9:30am-4pm. Hastings Street from Boundary Road to Gamma Avenue

• Foraging Workshop. 2-3:30pm, Robert Burnaby Park, 8155 Wedgewood St.

• Curator's Talk & Tour: Burnaby's Food Exhibit, 10-11:30 am, Burnaby Village Museum

Sunday

• Cantonese Storytime for Toddlers, 12:30-1:15pm. Burnaby Public Library, Tommy Douglas, 7311 Kingsway.

• Paintnite Creative Events, 6-8pm, The Rec Room, 1920 Willingdon Ave. Unit 2106

Monday

• $2 Soup Lunch, 11am-1pm, Burnaby North Neighbourhood House, 4908 Hastings St.

• Community Mahjong Club, 11:30am-1pm, 2055 Rosser Ave.

Tuesday

• Family Place, 9-11:30am, Burnaby Neighbourhood South House, 4460 Beresford St.

• Cold Reads and Fast Takes on New Material with Melanie Yeats, 6-7:45pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown.

Wednesday

• Toastmasters. 12pm, Burnaby City Hall.

Good morning, Burnaby!

Just one week after one fortunate Surrey resident took home a historic $80 million lottery win, the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) announced that another winning ticket was sold in Burnaby for a $40 million jackpot. At the time of writing, BCLC has not revealed the lucky winner’s name, possibly because they have not claimed their prize yet. If you bought a lotto ticket last week, be sure to check the numbers; you might be $40 million richer!

In other news, construction has started on two new housing developments in Burnaby, providing 300 new non-market rental units. The two projects are located in Edmonds and are expected to be completed in 2027. Another housing project, a $200 million SFU student housing tower in Burnaby, just broke ground. This project is also expected to be completed in 2027.

This week, Burnaby City Council recognized eight Burnaby residents as local heroes during its biweekly meeting. Canada Day StreetFest is returning this year, and the city just announced the lineup for the festival.

👀 In today's edition:

• Construction begins on non-market rentals

• City council recognizes eight local heroes

• SFU breaks ground on new student residence tower

Consider forwarding this to a friend in Burnaby! New here? Sign up for free.

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NEWS

Construction begins on two non-market rental developments

Rendering of The Steller non-market rental development, Metro Vancouver Housing recently broke ground on this project. 📸 Metro Vancouver Regional District

Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) has broken ground on two new housing developments in Burnaby, The Steller and The Connection, in Edmonds. The two projects will be built in partnership with BC Housing and the City of Burnaby.

When the projects were first proposed in 2020, the budget was $45 million for The Steller and $63.8 million for The Connection. However, in 2024, the budgets for both projects more than doubled. According to Metro Vancouver reports, in 2024, the budget for The Steller was increased to $93.9 million, later reduced to $90.8 million. In 2024, the budget for The Connection was increased to $120.8 million.

The two projects will provide 296 new below-market rental homes and around 45 new childcare spaces.

Read more here.

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Burnaby Bulletin

🧑‍🦽 Burnaby schools celebrate Accessibility Week: Burnaby Mountain Secondary hosted the first unified basketball playoffs.

💰$40M winning lotto ticket sold in Burnaby: Just one week after a Surrey resident won an $80M jackpot, someone in Burnaby bought another winning ticket, this time for $40 million.

💃 Canada Day StreetFest performers announced: The headliners will include two-time Juno winners MAGIC! and Asad Khan + Friends.

🚒 Burnaby man injured in fire, cat dead: A Burnaby resident is in hospital in critical condition after a house fire, the man’s cat was found dead.

👾 King Charles delivers throne speech: The king stressed Canada’s sovereignty in his speech.

💵 BC minimum wage to increase June 1: The minimum wage will increase from $17.40 to $17.85 per hour next month.

👨🏼‍🦳 Affordable rentals open for seniors: Seniors moved into 155-unit, six-storey building Dania Gardens, 109 suites are subsidized for seniors with low incomes.

👚 Burnaby thrift store BASES closes: Burnaby Association for South East Side (BASES) Family Thrift Store announced it will close its doors after 12 years in business due to rising rents

🍺 New Westminster brewery announces closure: Another Beer Co. (ABC) brewery in New West announced it will be closing in September.

💉 LifeLabs workers reach a collective agreement: After 10 weeks on strike, LifeLabs unionized workers reached a collective agreement.

🧺 Enjoy fresh produce, local food, fun art workshops, kids activities, and lively pet parades at the Burnaby Farmers Market—a perfect outing for all ages!*

*Sponsored Listing

NEWS

SFU breaks ground on new student housing tower

Rendering of the new SFU student housing project on Burnaby Mountain. 📸 SFU

SFU celebrated the groundbreaking for a new eight-storey student housing project on May 21. Joy Johnson, SFU president; Anne Kang, minister of post-secondary education and future skills; Rohini Arora, parliamentary secretary for child care; and MLA for Burnaby East, attended the ceremony.

The new student residence will be located near the SFU Burnaby campus on Burnaby Mountain, across from the existing Pauline Jewett, Barbara Rae, and Shadbolt student housing buildings. The new residence tower will accommodate 445 upper-year students and include a 160-space child-care centre. It is scheduled to open in 2027.

Read more here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

City council recognizes eight local heroes

Eight Burnaby residents recognized as the 2025 local heroes. 📸 City of Burnaby

On May 27, Burnaby City Council and acting mayor, Coun. Richard Lee, recognized eight Burnaby residents for their contributions to the community as “Local Heroes.” Each of the residents received an award during council’s biweekly meeting on May 27. All of them have been volunteering in the community for more than 10 years.

Here are the names of the eight local heroes:

• Alishah Dahya

• Minaz Dhanani

• Elsa Fogale

• Erika Justmann-Rowell

• Emy Lai

• Vincent Kam Wing Liu

• Karen O’Shannacery

• Karl Shen

Read more here.

Where to eat & drink

🍗 Popeyes Metrotown, for years a store in the Metropolis at Metrotown mall featured a sign saying Popeyes was opening soon, it is finally here.

🥘 Kurry Wala, a huge variety of Indian fusion food, with some unique Indo-Chinese specialities you won’t find anywhere else.

🍞 Tenen Restaurant, embark on a culinary journey through Eastern Europe and the Balkans at this hidden gem.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Anti-graffiti facilitator, City of Burnaby

• Customer service representative, Best Buy Burnaby

• Communications and marketing coordinator, City of Burnaby

• Medical office assistant, Sea Cliff Medical

• Maintenance, McDonald’s Burnaby

• Baker helper, Vancouver Croissant Ltd.

• Registered nurse, Fellburn Care Centre

• Pharmacist, BC Drugs Pharmacy

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Artist Salon with Damla Tamer, 2-3:30pm, Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Ave.

•  D&D One Shots, 5-8pm, Mind Games, Urban Planet, in Metropolis at Metrotown mall, 4800 Kingsway

• Umami Exhibition, 6-8pm, Nikkei Museum and Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres.

Friday

• delecTABLE: Burnaby Food Journeys exhibition, starts 10am, Burnaby Village Museum.

• 18th Annual Nikkei Place Charity Classic, starts 10:30am, Riverway Golf Course & Driving Range, 9001 Bill Fox Way.

• Metrotown Friday Night Magic, 5-9pm, Mind Games, Urban Planet at Metropolis at Metrotown mall, 4800 Kingsway.

Saturday

• Farmers’ Market, 9am-2pm, Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way.

• Big Jungle Run, 12pm, Burnaby Lake Rugby Club, 3760 Sperling Ave.

• City of Burnaby Eco-Centre open house, 10am-2pm, 4855 Still Creek Dr.

• Remove invasive species, 9:45am-1pm, Lower Mainland Green Team, 9192 Klenner Dr.

• Burnaby RCMP open house, 10am-3pm, Burnaby RCMP Detachment, 6355 Deer Lake Ave.

Sunday

• Senior show, 7-8pm, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave.

Monday

• Top scams affecting newcomers, 2-3pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown.

Tuesday

• Guided canoe trips on Deer Lake, 6-7pm and 7:15-8:15pm, Deer Lake field building.

Wednesday

• Guided canoe trips on Deer Lake, 6-7pm and 7:15-8:15pm, Deer Lake field building.

• Toastmasters, 12-1pm, Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way.

Good morning, Burnaby!

After a cold and stormy Victoria Day long weekend, warm weather is on the way, and many exciting community events are scheduled to happen soon. Things will start getting busy at the end of May and the start of June with exciting events such as Hats Off Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and more.

For those curious about the city’s financial position, revenues, expenses, and more, the City of Burnaby recently released a 78-page 2024 Municipal Report. The report provides a fascinating snapshot of the city’s current financial position. According to the Municipal Report, the City of Burnaby’s surplus at the end of 2024 was $6 billion, up from $5.7 billion in 2023. In 2024, revenues alone were $977,425,313, up from $864,869,965 in 2023.

During its May 13 meeting, Burnaby City Council approved $90,000 over three years for food security grants to help non-profits deliver food to food-insecure people in Burnaby.

In other news, last week, a new exhibition opened showcasing the art of Burnaby students with disabilities or diverse abilities. The exhibition runs until May 30 and is open to the public free of charge.

👀 In today's edition:

• City of Burnaby’s surplus was $6 billion in 2024

• Inclusive art exhibition highlights Burnaby students’ talents

• Burnaby City Council approves $90K food security grants

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News

City releases its 2024 Municipal Report

Burnaby City Hall. 📸 Shutterstock

Last week, the City of Burnaby released its Municipal Report detailing the city’s revenues, expenses, and surplus. According to the report, the city is in a better financial situation than expected and projected, with reserves rising to more than $6 billion in 2024.

According to the city’s Municipal Report, Burnaby’s surplus at the end of 2024 was $6,053,493,839, an increase from the 2023 surplus of $5,742,168,285. The report mentions that the city’s cash and cash equivalents decreased to $102,100,802 in 2024. In 2023, the city ended the year with $164,002,510 in cash and cash equivalents.

The report also provides statistical information about the city and updates regarding its various civic projects and plans.

Read the full report here

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Burnaby Bulletin

🚛 Burnaby RCMP impounds dump truck for 30 days: The driver’s license was suspended for 90 days and fined $1,600 after officers found 17 violations.

🚨 Woman violently assaulted in Stanley Park bathroom: A woman was violently sexually assaulted and robbed at 11 am in the women’s changing room near Second Beach pool, a 35-year-old man was arrested.

🕯️ 22-year old woman dies in slackline fall: A 22-year-old UBC graduate died in a slacklining accident near Squamish, BC.

🌉 Man jumps off Vancouver bridge: the 29-year-old told police someone had dared him.

💰 Surrey resident wins historical $80M Lotto jackpot: Justin Simporios from Surrey won the largest jackpot in BC history and the largest to be won by a single person in Canada.

🚔 Police investigating assaults near Metrotown mall: A man in his 20s or 30s physically assaulted two employees as they were closing a business for the night.

🐈 Burnaby woman encounters bobcat in her backyard: The woman, who lives near Eagle Creek, encountered the bobcat when she was outside gardening.

🐕 Man mauled by two dogs left bleeding alone by animals’ owner: A BC man was mauled by two dogs he described as pitbulls on Hemlock Valley Road north of Harrison Mills, the dogs’ owners left him bleeding on the road without checking on him.

💳 Abbotsford police search for credit card scammer: Abbotsford police released a photo of a man suspected of scamming several people.

📺 City of Burnaby posts mayor’s address on YouTube: The city posted Mayor Mike Hurley’s seventh State of the City address in full on YouTube.

News

Council approves $90K for food security grants

Food hampers at the Burnaby Neighbourhood House food hub. 📸 Lubna El Elaimy

At its meeting on May 13, Burnaby City Council approved a recommendation for $90,000 in grants for non-profits that provide food aid for Burnaby residents. In recent years, increasing numbers of families and seniors in Burnaby have been relying on food hubs to survive.

According to a staff report, city council approved a “contribution of $90,000 over a three-year period ($30,000 per year) from the Gaming Reserve to assist with the administrative costs associated with starting the Burnaby Food Security Table.”

The report also recommended that the “Community Grant Policy be updated to allow food security grants to support direct delivery of food programs and services to Burnaby residents.”

The report also said that the grants are in keeping with the recommendations outlined in the city’s new Food Systems Strategy, approved by council last November.

Read the report here

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Read the full article here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Inclusive art exhibition for students with disabilities

Collage of photos of students with their artwork and teachers at the exhibition. 📸 Burnaby School District

More than 60 Burnaby students with disabilities or diverse abilities are exhibiting their art at The Anvil Centre in New Westminster at the fourth annual Building a Better Tomorrow Through Art exhibition led by the Access Team at Burnaby North Secondary School.

The exhibition is showcasing the work of students from the following schools:

• Burnaby North Secondary

• Byrne Creek Community School

• Cariboo Hill Secondary

• Moscrop Secondary

• New Westminster Secondary

The exhibition is open to the public for free until May 30 at The Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia Street, New Westminster.

Read more here

Where to eat & drink

🥗 Anatolia’s Gate, if you’re craving some Mediterranean and Turkish fare, this small, cozy place offers a wide variety of Turkish pide, fresh-baked bread and grilled kababs.

🍜 Green and Oak Malaysian Restaurant, tickle your tastebuds with hearty and spicy Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine.

🍞 Atlas Steak and Fish, if you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to impress someone, Atlas is a great option.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Admissions officer, BCIT

• Senior Manager, Homelessness, BC Housing, Burnaby

• Administrative Support Clerk, Public Health, Fraser Health, Burnaby

• Truck Driver, City of Burnaby

• Physiotherapist, PhysioCare at Home, Burnaby

• Team Lead, The Body Shop, Metrotown

• Contract Skate Instructor, City of Burnaby

• Coordinator, Recreation Programs, City of Burnaby

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Summer Season events, 11 am - 4:30 pm, Burnaby Village Museum

• Bill 44 Multiplex and the future of Burnaby Real Estate, 2:30 - 3:30 pm, 6023 Silver Drive

• BCIT Alumni Association AGM, 5 - 8:30 pm, 555 Seymour St.

Friday

• Day of Play, 2 - 3:30 pm, Lobley Park

• Jazz Café featuring the Jazz Vikings, 6 pm, Scandinavian Community Centre, 6540 Thomas Street

Saturday

• Farmers Market. 9am. City Hall parking lot.

• Planetarium VidLaser Zeppelin, Floyd, Radiohead & Free Astro Shows, 7 pm, BCIT Planetarium, 3700 Willingdon Ave, Building SW3.

• Burnaby Foraging Workshop, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm, Waterfront Holistics, 8155 Wedgewood Street Burnaby

• Free Beginner Bachata Dance, 6 pm, World Dance Co., 4858 Imperial St

Sunday

• Paint Nite Brand Creative Events, 6 - 8 pm, The Rec Room, 1920 Willingdon Ave Unit 2106.

Monday

• Board Game Club, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown

• Community Mahjong Club, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Burnaby Neighbourhood Brentwood House – 2055 Rosser Ave.

Tuesday

• Family Storytime, 10:30 - 11 am, Temporary Cameron Library, City of Lougheed Shopping Centre

• Games for English Learners, 6 -7:30 pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown.

Wednesday

• Baby social. 1 - 2:30 pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown

• Toastmasters. 12 pm, Burnaby City Hall

Good morning, Burnaby!

The epic spring battle between summer and winter continues in Burnaby, where, after weeks of glorious sunshine, the clouds are back, and the sun is nowhere to be seen. Hang in there, friends, because warm weather and sunshine are scheduled to return later this month.

Last week was the city’s official emergency preparedness week, and on May 9, the province announced that it would provide $400K to the City of Burnaby for its earthquake preparedness program.

This week, Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley gave his seventh State of the City Address at an event hosted by the Burnaby Board of Trade, where he announced the creation of a new task force to promote economic growth in Burnaby.

Burnaby may soon get a new landmark sign similar to the one in Vancouver. Coun. James Wang first proposed the idea last January and staff returned to council this week with a report detailing the city’s options.

👀 In today's edition:

• Mayor Hurley charts Burnaby’s path forward

• Burnaby to receive $400K for earthquake strategy

• Council discusses new landmark sign proposal

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News

Burnaby mayor charts city’s path forward

Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley speaking at the State of the City Address, Monday May 12. 📸 Dean Broughton

At the State of the City Address on Monday, May 12, Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley outlined Burnaby’s vision for economic growth, civic pride, and infrastructure renewal. The Burnaby Board of Trade hosted the event at the Delta Hotel Conference Centre.

During his address, Hurley announced the creation of a new Mayor’s Task Force on Burnaby Economic Growth and Resilience, an initiative to bolster the city’s competitiveness.

“First and foremost, success means getting the best minds in the room to talk about different ideas,” Hurley told the Beacon following his address. “More than attracting new businesses, we need to ensure our existing businesses are heard and supported. This task force will be grounded in that goal.”

Read the full story here

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Burnaby Bulletin

🎼 Harmony for All program wins an award: The city’s program for free musical instrument lending and lessons received the BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) Program Excellence Award.

👮🏼 Burnaby RCMP community open house May 31: The entire community is invited to the family-friendly event at the RCMP main detachment.

🚨 City provides emergency preparedness advice to residents: The city recently updated its online emergency preparedness guides.

🏫 Burnaby mom fights to save Mandarin program: With the school district facing a $4.2 million budget deficit next school year, a mom is fighting to save a Mandarin language program at her daughter’s elementary school.

🌆 Burnaby launches Be Burnaby promotional campaign: The mayor announced the new campaign this week, and the city created a new website for the program.

🥇 Burnaby students win French competition: Thirteen elementary and secondary school students won 20% of medals at provincial French speaking competition, two of them qualified for the nationals.

💰 Burnaby rents fall by 1.6%: While Burnaby continues to have one of the most expensive rental markets in Canada, rents are down by 5.7% compared to last year.

🏢 Condo market slows down: The Metro Vancouver condo market is experiencing a slump as investors pull back and inventory remains unsold.

🤝 Burnaby Housing Authority names new CEO: The BHA has appointed John Brendan McEown as its Chief Executive Officer.

🧺 Shop fresh and local at Burnaby Farmers Market! Saturdays, May 10-October 18. Enjoy farm-fresh produce, handmade goods, and family fun every weekend!*

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News

City to receive $400K from province for earthquake strategy

The Metrotown skyline. 📸 Shutterstock

On May 9, the province announced in a press release that it would provide more than $40 million to cities and communities throughout BC for 61 projects to prepare for natural disasters. The City of Burnaby is set to receive $400,000 for its Burnaby Strategies and Actions for Earthquake Resilience (B-SAFER) program. The program was first announced in November 2024, and the Beacon reported on it here.

“The Province is supporting First Nations and local governments with projects that address natural and climate-driven hazards, such as floods, drought, extreme temperatures, earthquakes, and landslides,” the provincial government said in a statement. “Approximately $21 million is being provided from the new Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program in addition to almost $20 million from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF).”

Read the full story here

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Council considers new landmark sign for Burnaby

The Vancouver landmark sign in Canada Place, Vancouver. 📸 Shutterstock

During its meeting on Jan. 14, 2025, Burnaby City Council received a proposal from Coun. James Wang for the installation of a new landmark sign for Burnaby. The proposal was referred to staff to explore costs and options. Staff finally returned to council on Tuesday, May 13, with an analysis of the various options outlined in a report submitted to council.

According to the council report, the sign will probably cost between $200,000 and $600,000, “depending on its location, size, materials, lighting, and artistic complexity. Annual operating costs such as maintenance, power, and cleaning would be dependent on the final design and delivery model selected.”

“We are just exploring at the early stages, trying to understand if there’s even the desire to take a route of a more tourism-focused type of sign,” said Andre Isakov, the city’s director of parks, recreation and culture planning.

Watch the meeting and read the report here.

Where to eat & drink

🥂 Hart House, Located at 6664 Deer Lake Ave., this restaurant has some of the best views in Burnaby overlooking Deer Lake’s idyllic surroundings, great for outdoor patio dining

🍹 Riverway Restaurant, with gorgeous views of the golf course, this is another great one for outdoor patio gatherings.

🍞 Sfinaki Greek Taverna, delicious Greek fare with a great outdoor patio for those warm spring days.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Nursing Unit Clerk, Burnaby Hospital

• Accountant, Robert Half, Burnaby

• Activity Worker II, Fellburn Care Centre

• Eyecare Consultant, Specsavers Metrotown

• Recreation Attendant 1 (Golf Course Range Attendant), City of Burnaby

• Warehouse Associate, Randstad, Burnaby

• Recreation Leader - Weight Room, City of Burnaby

• Digital Print Expert, Staples, Burnaby

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Block Watch. 11 am - 12 pm, Temporary Cameron, City of Lougheed Shopping Centre.

Friday

• Umm Kulthum Concert Tour, 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm, Michael J. Fox Theatre, 7373 Macpherson Ave.

• Star Wars Trivia Night, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, The Rec Room, Brentwood.

Saturday

• Farmers’ Market. 9am. City Hall parking lot.

• Walk with Your Doc. 9:30 am - 12 pm, Confederation Park track

Sunday

• Artist Talk with Caitlin Aleck, 1 PM at FLEET Mobile Art Studio, Edmonds (Intersection of Humphries Ave & Rosewood St, Burnaby).

Monday

• Baby Talk, 1-2 pm New West Family Place, 112-960 Quayside Drive
  New Westminster.

• EAL With Fatemah, 11 am - 12 pm. Burnaby Neighbourhood North House, 4908 Hastings Street.

Tuesday

• Personal safety information session, 2-3 pm, McGill Library, 4595 Albert St.

Wednesday

• Pop-up Market, 10 am - 4:30 pm. SFU Burnaby, Town and Gown Square

Good morning, Burnaby!

Earlier this week, Burnaby residents said goodbye to an old icon, Brentwood Town Centre. The mall, which first opened in 1961, was once one of the most vibrant places in town. In recent years, it had become a shadow of its former self, with stores shutting down and declining visitor numbers. A new development had overshadowed the old mall, The Amazing Brentwood, with its outdoor plaza and shiny new food court driving the last nails into the old mall’s coffin. Many Burnaby residents took to Reddit to share their fond childhood memories of Brentwood Town Centre on Monday, May 5.

Also on Monday, Burnaby RCMP officers received a call about a disturbance near Woodbrook Place, which turned out to be a stabbing that left a 42-year-old man injured.

On a more positive note, Burnaby deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students won eight titles at DHHproud Showcase, an annual event where students from all over BC compete in art and poetry. Burnaby School District hosted the two-day event, which saw record-breaking numbers of student participants.

👀 In today's edition:

• Farewell to Brentwood Town Centre 😢

• Burnaby RCMP investigates stabbing

• School district hosts event for deaf and hard of hearing students

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NEWS

Old Brentwood mall closed for good

RIP Brentwood Town Centre. 📸 Dgu/ Shutterstock

Residents who grew up frequenting the old Brentwood Town Centre shared their memories online the day the old mall closed for good. The mall, which had been mostly empty for a while now, officially closed on Monday, May 5. The last store to close was London Drugs, which was relocated to the outdoor plaza of The Amazing Brentwood next to the LL Bean outdoor clothing store.

Shape Properties, the developer of The Amazing Brentwood is planning to convert the old mall into two residential towers, pending council approval for an amendment to the Brentwood Master Plan. “The Brentwood site will accommodate just over 8.4 million square feet of residential area, including strata residential, market residential rental, and nonmarket residential rental,” the City of Burnaby said in a report about the amendment, “The amendment proposes improved amenities like larger open green spaces, improved bike and pedestrian network and a child care facility for the residents.”

Read the full story here.

Burnaby Bulletin

🙋 City of Burnaby celebrates volunteer week: The city celebrated National Volunteer Week from April 28-May 3 by thanking the over 1,000 volunteers in Burnaby.

🏆 City and council award Kushiro cup to two outstanding citizens: Henry Wakabayashi and Ken Shinozaki received 2024's Outstanding Citizens of the Year award.

🎨 Burnaby Arts Council (BAC) revives Deer Lake Gallery: While the gallery remains officially closed, BAC is hosting a “Live at the Gallery” open mic and a pop-up exhibition by Burnaby Artists Guild.

🏆 50 Burnaby students recognized by the city: As part of Youth Week, city council presented awards to students for their outstanding community contributions.

🌍 Burnaby students mark Earth Day: From community plant sales to upcycling old fabrics, Burnaby students spent the past month focusing on environmental issues.

🚒 Burnaby firefighters put out Buller Avenue warehouse fire: 28 crew members helped extinguish the fire on Tuesday, May 6.

⚽️ Upgraded Jack Crosby Sports Box now open: The city celebrated the grand reopening at Riverway on May 3 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

🏢 NDP appoints Don Davies new interim leader: Davies will replace former Burnaby MP Jagmeet Singh.

🏬 New London Drugs store opens in The Amazing Brentwood: The official ribbon-cutting is scheduled to take place Friday, May 9.

🕌 Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table hosts community interfaith event: The event will take place on Wednesday, May 28 from 9am to 2pm at the Ismaili Centre on 4010 Canada Way.

NEWS

RCMP investigates stabbing in North Burnaby

Police investigate stabbing at Woodbrook Place, North Burnaby. 📸 Nick Procaylo | Postmedia

Burnaby RCMP is investigating a stabbing that occurred on Woodbrook Place in North Burnaby on Monday, May 5 at around 10pm. A 42-year-old man was taken to hospital with stab wounds and remains there in stable condition. Investigators believe this was an isolated incident and police have not confirmed whether any suspects were arrested.

Read the full story here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Burnaby students win 8 out of 21 DHHproud Showcase titles

Burnaby DHH students gather for a group photo. 📸 Burnaby School District

Burnaby School District hosted one of the largest events in BC for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students, DHHproud Showcase on April 7, 2025. This year, 111 students from 17 school districts participated in the competition’s DHH Art, ASL Poetry, and Spotlight categories. The theme of this year’s event was “My dream for a DHH friendly world.” Burnaby students won eight out of 21 titles.

On the second day of the DHHproud event, 310 DHH students from 23 school districts, independent schools and the BC Provincial School for the Deaf (BCSD), came together for Friendship Day, an event aimed at building friendships among DHH students from all over BC through excursions and other activities.

Read the full story here.

Where to eat & drink

🍦🧋 Slothfuls ice cream and bubble tea: Ice cream and bubble tea season has arrived!

🍱 Porker Face Korean restaurant: Craving some savings? Check out their all-you-can-eat menu, for under $40. Weekdays are cheaper!

🍗 Uncle Willy’s Buffet: Burnaby’s iconic ‘90s-style all-you-can-eat buffet offers hearty fare and great value at under $30 per person, and it’s a family-friendly place.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Part-time customer service and pet specialist, Global Pet Foods

• Library assistant, SFU, Burnaby

• Clerk/Unit Aide - Home Health, Burnaby, Fraser Health

• Full or part-time physiotherapist, Absolute PhysioCare and Sports Rehab

• Security guard at Burnaby Hospital redevelopment, Paladin Security

• Nursing Unit Clerk, Burnaby Hospital, Fraser Health

• Museum Interpreter (Indigenous), City of Burnaby

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Information Session, SFU. Learn about the Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility and application process, online via Zoom, 12-1pm.

Friday

• Motherhood in Art History. SFU, online via Zoom, 11am-12:30pm

• Here and Now Dance Performance, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave., 8-9pm.

Saturday

• Farmers’ Market. Burnaby City Hall parking lot. 9am-2pm.

• Country Night at Bonsor Hall, Bonsor Banquet Hall, 6-11pm.

• Mothers’ Day Glampsite Party, Metropolis at Metrotown, 12-2pm.

Sunday

• Mother’s Day Drag Brunch, The Rec Room Brentwood, 11am-2pm.

Monday

• Soup Lunch, $2, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, 4908 Hastings St. 11am-1pm.

• Community Mahjong Club, Burnaby Neighbourhood Brentwood House, 2055 Rosser Ave., 11am-1:30pm.

Tuesday

• EAL with Fatemah, Burnaby Neighbourhood House North, 4908 Hastings St., 11am-12pm.

• Adult Yoga, Burnaby Neighbourhood House South, 4460 Beresford St., 3-4pm.

Wednesday

• Toastmasters. Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, 12-1pm.

Good morning, Burnaby!

The election race is finally done, and now that the polls are closed, and the ballots have been counted, the Beacon Team has compiled the results for you. It was an intense month, with the Beacon team working tirelessly to bring you real-time election updates in Burnaby, coverage you can’t get anywhere else!

Election night was emotional for many people, including former federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who stepped down as party leader on Monday. There were few dry eyes as Singh gave his concession speech to his supporters at Hilton Metrotown on Monday.

“We’re only defeated when we start believing those who tell us we can never dream of a better Canada, a fairer Canada, a more compassionate Canada,” Singh said.

The weekend was also marred with tragedy as a 30-year-old man drove an SUV into a crowd celebrating the Lapu Lapu Filipino festival in Vancouver, killing 11 people, including a five-year-old girl, the youngest victim of the attack. A special mass will be held for the victims at St. Francis de Sales church in Burnaby.

In other news, Burnaby students will be showcasing their artwork at two exhibitions this month at the Burnaby Art Gallery, and Burnaby Blooms starts next Sunday. Now let’s get to it!

👀 In today's edition:

• Tears, Cheers, and Change on Election Night in Burnaby

• 2025 Election: Burnaby results

• Burnaby students exhibit their artwork at the Burnaby Art Gallery

Consider forwarding this to a friend in Burnaby! New here? Sign up for free.

Advertise your business, event, or restaurant in front of 16,000+ engaged locals! Contact our team today.

NEWS

Tears, cheers, and change on election night in Burnaby

In his concession speech, Burnaby MP Jagmeet Singh said he was stepping down as party leader. 📸 Photo: Dean Broughton

It was an emotional night on Monday, April 28, as Jagmeet Singh, longtime NDP leader and Burnaby South MP, announced that he would be stepping down as party leader. His announcement was met with an audible “no” from the crowd and many attendees were tearful at the announcement. Singh thanked his wife saying, “She has literally been my rock. I couldn't have done this without her."

Singh suffered a devastating loss in the election, receiving only 9,104 votes (18.1%) of votes in Burnaby Central. Liberal candidate Wade Chang captured Burnaby Central with 21,136 votes (42.1%). Conservative James Yan came second with 19,436 votes (38.7%).

Read the full story here.

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Burnaby Bulletin

✍️ One member of the Burnaby Beacon team was out on the streets election night in the Burnaby Central riding. He documented his night, the candidate parties he was at, the farewell speech from Jagmeet Singh and more. Check it out.

🕯️11 people killed in SUV attack, aged 5-65: Vancouver man charged with 8 counts of murder in Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy.

🏫 Burnaby students participate in student votes: Nationwide results of the CIVIX-run mock elections show most students voted Conservative.

💒 Special mass for Lapu Lapu tragedy victims: The service will take place at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Burnaby.

🚔 Burnaby man jailed six years on multiple child sex offences: Adam Woolacott, 41, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to sexual interference, arranging a sexual offence against a child, and making sexually explicit material available to someone under 16.

🚨 Burnaby Emergency Preparedness week starts May 4: The city is encouraging residents to download Alertable app to receive city alerts.

🏢 City releases 2024 Annual Municipal Report for public input and approves 2025-2029 Financial Plan: Burnaby residents can provide feedback online.

🥦 Burnaby Farmers’ market returns May 10: The market will take place every Saturday until October 18.

👮🏼 Burnaby RCMP arrests 44-year-old man: The suspect threatened security staff in Metrotown with bear spray and a knife.

⚽ Vancouver Rise is back on the pitch at Swangard Stadium May 5! Be there to make history and watch women’s professional soccer rise.*

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NEWS

Federal election results for all four of the Burnaby ridings

 📸 Photo: Burnaby Beacon

It was a tense month as the election race drew near, finally ending on Monday, April 28. The ballots have been counted and while some results were expected, others were surprising and we were there every step of the way keeping our readers updated in real time as the results came in.

This concludes the Beacon’s coverage of the 2025 federal election in Burnaby, and with all its joys, tears and nail-biting suspense, we made sure you had everything you needed at your fingertips.

Read on for more about the results of the election in Burnaby’s four ridings.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Burnaby student art exhibition on at Burnaby Art Gallery

Detail of work created during the Artist Apprenticeship 2025 program at the Burnaby Art Gallery. 📸 Photo: City of Burnaby/Burnaby Art Gallery

Students from all over Burnaby are showing off their artistic talents with two exhibitions currently on at the Burnaby Art Gallery (BAG). A free opening reception will be held on May 1 , 7-9 pm. The exhibitions will run from May 2 to June 1 and entry will be by donation.

The first of the two exhibitions, Arts Alive: Awesomeology: Gratitude in the Little Things, features the work of children in Kindergarten through Grade 7 on the gallery’s main floor. Now in its 43rd year, Arts Alive is an annual event that showcases student art in the BAG.

The second exhibition, Form Identity, Cast Reflections, is part of the Art Apprenticeship Program and features the work of twelve high school students from Alpha Secondary, Byrne Creek Community School, Burnaby Central Secondary, Burnaby North Secondary, Burnaby Mountain Secondary, Moscrop Secondary, and the Youth Hub.

Read more here.

Where to eat & drink

🍜 Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba - Metrotown: “Not ramen, not udon, it’s a whole new taste,” the restaurant’s tagline says.

🥗 Pokerrito, Station Square: Colourful rice bowls for on-the-go snacks or a quick lunch.

🍤 Portobello Restaurant: Located at 4120 Hastings St., the seafood options are fan favourites, especially the risottos and pastas.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Lifeguard/Instructor Aquatics, City of Burnaby 

• Accounting Clerk, City of Burnaby

• Library Assistant, SFU

• Store Associate, UNIQLO, Metrotown

• Early Childhood Educator, Burnaby Family Life

• Kitchen Assistant, Butcher’s Block BBQ

• Project Manager, Capital, Burnaby School District

• Manager, Clinical Operations & Program Services - Burnaby Hospital

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Burnaby Youth Week Kickoff BBQ, 6-8 pm, Creekside Youth Centre, 13-18 years.

• SPEND A DAY with BCIT Women in Engineering Club. 9am-3pm, BCIT SE2 Burnaby.

• Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors. 10am-2pm. Burnaby Neighbourhood House Community Hall, 5024 Rumble St.

• Community Chinese Dance Program. 1-2:30 pm, Burnaby Neighbourhood South House, 4460 Beresford St.

Friday

• Latin Beat, 10-11am, Burnaby Neighbourhood South House, 4460 Beresford St.

• Learn Arabic and Farsi: 11am-12pm, Burnaby Neighbourhood North House, 4908 Hastings St.

• Youth Citizenship Awards, 5pm. Mayor Hurley will present the awards at Edmonds Community Centre. 13-18 years.

Saturday

• TJ Fest 2025: Taiwanese street festival, Starts Saturday at 11am until Sunday at 5pm. 3426 Smith Ave.

• From Afghanistan to Canada, with Hope: Exhibition, May 3 to Sept. 1, Multi-Purpose Room, Burnaby Village Museum, 11am-4:30pm, Tuesday to Sunday plus statutory holidays.

Sunday

• Burnaby Blooms: 11am-4pm, Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn, 6450 Deer Lake Ave.

• Mizuhiki workshop, 1-3pm, Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre 6688 Southoaks Cres.

Monday

• Special mass for the Lapu Lapu tragedy victims: 6pm at St. Francis de Sales Church at 6610 Balmoral St.

Tuesday

• Ask the Gardener, 12:30-1:30pm, Orchard, Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave.

• Storytelling, 12:30pm, Indigenous Learning House, Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave.

• Fraud Prevention and Scams, 10:30am-12pm, McGill Library, 4595 Albert St.

Wednesday

• Toastmasters. 12-1pm, Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way.

Good morning, Burnaby!

With four days to go until the election wraps up, we hope we’ve helped you find your ridings and candidates. If you need a refresher on how the federal government works, first, it’s okay; you’re not alone. And second, we’ve got you! Our sister publication, Fraser Valley Current, recently published a comprehensive guide to the workings of government, including what it can and cannot do and what exactly we’re all voting for this week.

In other news, city staff recently unveiled exciting plans to liven up the BC Parkway, but it may be too expensive. This weekend, get ready to celebrate another new fire hall in Burnaby! Fire Station 8's grand opening takes place on Saturday from 11am-1pm at 9900 University Dr. E.

There’s a new cafe in town, and its name has generated a lot of buzz online, but probably not in the way the owners hoped it would. Learn more about the new “Benzo Cafe” coming soon to Hastings Street!

👀 In today's edition:

• Federal Government 101: Everything you forgot about how the government works

• BC Parkway plan is “beautiful” but also expensive

• New Burnaby cafe is Benz-inspired, but the name is a trip

Consider forwarding this to a friend in Burnaby! New here? Sign up for free.

Advertise your business, event, or restaurant in front of 16,000+ engaged locals! Contact our team today.

NEWS

Government 101: How does Canada's federal government work?

Canada’s Parliament buildings are located in Ottawa on Parliament Hill. They house the main branches of Canada’s federal government. 📷 Photo: Tyler Olsen / Fraser Valley Current

The inner workings of the federal government can be confusing for even the best-informed Canadians, since it really is kind of complicated. For many of us, the last time we learned all about the different levels of government and what they are supposed to do was probably in school a long time ago, or while cramming for the citizenship test.

Our colleagues at the Beacon’s sister publication, Fraser Valley Current, recently published a comprehensive guide to how the government works to refresh people’s memory ahead of election day on April 28.

Read all about Government 101.

And if you’re still deciding who to vote for come election day, be sure to read through our Election Hub and visit our website to see all the candidate Q&As that we put together last week. Finally, keep your eyes on the Beacon next week when we publish the results of who won our local ridings!

SPONSORED BY TERRY BEECH

Vote Terry Beech to keep Canada strong

Terry Beech has a record of standing up and delivering for Burnaby North-Seymour. Devoted to public service, he fights for improved infrastructure and housing, good jobs, and clean growth. His hard work and commitment to our community are recognized across Canada, having been awarded “Hardest Working” and “Best Constituency” MP.

Burnaby Bulletin

🏫 New playground for Burnaby: Province promises $200k in funding to the Burnaby School District for a new playground at Morley Elementary.

⛪️ Pope Francis dies at 88: One day after Easter, Pope Francis died of a stroke that led to heart failure. The much-loved pope’s funeral is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 26.

🚒 Fire Hall 8 opens on Burnaby Mountain: Burnaby residents are invited to attend the grand opening celebration for Fire Hall 8 near SFU’s Burnaby Mountain campus.

🏠 Council approves new inclusionary rental requirements: The new requirements are tied to the proposed height-based framework.

🏡 Kwasen Village parks and open space strategy: Council endorsed a new policy for open spaces and parks in the Indigenous-led Kwasen Village Master Plan area through a long-term lease and shared governance.

🌸 Burnaby Blooms returns to Deer Lake on May 4: For the second year, the event will be free of charge.

☀️ SFU study finds gaps in BC extreme heat response plans: Four years after the heat dome of 2021, Metro Vancouver municipalities are not prepared for similar events.

🎨 Douglas College unveils paintings by environmental artist: Douglas College installed three oil paintings gifted by artist K.A. Colorado at the college’s New Westminster Campus Library.

🗑️ City of Burnaby releases report on recycling: The report provides details about the city’s recycling efforts and progress.

🏆️ Voting for the 2025 Golden Plates Awards is open! The nominees are in, now you can vote for your favourite Vancouver restaurants in the Georgia Straight’s Golden Plates Awards.

⚽ Vancouver Rise is back on the pitch at Swangard Stadium May 5! Be there to make history and watch women’s professional soccer rise.*

*Sponsored Listing

NEWS

Councillors praise new BC Parkway plan, say it’s too expensive

Rendering of the plan for the BC Parkway near Royal Oak Station, with a smaller image in the upper right corner of the area at present. 📸 Photo: City of Burnaby

If you were in Burnaby last summer, you probably noticed all the activity around Metrotown SkyTrain station, including food trucks, benches and street performances. The city is planning to expand programming throughout the corridor from Patterson all the way to Royal Oak, with pet play areas, community gardens, public art and more. Whether or not the plan will become reality will depend on Burnaby’s ability to find the funds.

During the city’s recent Planning and Development Committee meeting on April 9, city staff revealed the city’s plans for the BC Parkway corridor in Burnaby, complete with renderings of community gatherings in spaces that are currently underutilized. Council members praised the plan, but one key question remains: how will Burnaby pay for it?

Read more here.

SPONSORED BY CITY OF BURNABY

Share your feedback on the draft of the Official Community Plan (OCP) in the final phase

• Attend an open house

• Take the survey by May 11

Based on your feedback, the City of Burnaby has drafted the OCP. Please review the draft and let them know if it reflects your values and priorities for the city’s long-term growth.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

New Burnaby cafe’s name generates a lot of buzz

The entrance to the new Benzo Cafe in Burnaby Heights. 📸 Photo: William Johnson / The Georgia Straight

A new cafe is opening soon at 4429 Hastings St. in Burnaby Heights, and its name is generating a lot of buzz online. The new Benzo Café drew a lot of attention from people wondering what the owners were thinking when they chose the name.

According to the Beacon’s sister publication, The Georgia Straight, locals on Reddit are having a lot of fun with the benzodiazepine puns.

• “I go there when I’m feeling anxious.”

• “Their Xany latte is to die for.”

• “Is Jordan Peterson the proprietor?”

But the name is meant to refer to something entirely different.

Read about it here.

SPONSORED BY JAGMEET SINGH, NDP BURNABY CENTRAL

Let’s vote to keep Canada, Canada

With so much on the line this election, make your vote count for better health care, more affordable homes, and a Canada where no one is left behind. Help Jagmeet lead a strong NDP team in Ottawa that will defend what matters most to you. On April 28, vote Jagmeet!

Where to eat & drink

🍲 Na-Re Korean Kitchen: A relatively new place at 7413 Edmonds St. serving up Korean food with a modern twist.

🌮 Cantaritos Mexican Grill: A bright, colourful, cheery place serving up fresh, vibrant Mexican cuisine.

🥚 EGGBOMB+: Warm weather = brunch. This place takes breakfast and brunch to a whole new level.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Firefighter, City of Burnaby

• Activity Worker II, Fellburn Care Centre

• Community Mental Health Worker, Fraserside Community Services Society

• Seniors Social and Day Programs Activity Supervisor, Burnaby Neighbourhood House

• Pharmacist, Elicare Medical

• Dental Receptionist, Burnaby City Dentist

• Retail Sales Associate, Part Time at PetSmart Burnaby

• Clinical Counsellor, Burnaby Family Life

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Women’s Personal Safety: Beyond Awareness: Burnaby RCMP Safe Community Series, online via Zoom, 6-7 pm.

• Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors: Burnaby Neighbourhood House Community Hall, 5024 Rumble St., 10am-2pm.

Friday

• Cantonese Storytime for Toddlers: Tommy Douglas Library, 12:30-1:15 pm.

• Latin Beat Dance Class: Burnaby Neighbourhood House, 4460 Beresford St., 10-11am.

Saturday

• Fire Station 8 Grand Opening: 9900 University Dr. East, 11am-1pm.

• Jeff Newman Mentalist: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 2-4 pm and 7:30-9:30pm.

Sunday

• Opera on a Sunday Afternoon: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 3-5pm.

• Walk and Chat with Mayor Hurley: Christine Sinclair Community Centre, 9-10am.

• Wagashi Workshop (spring themed), Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres. 11am-12:30pm or 2:30-4pm.

Monday

• Board Game Club: 10:30am-12:30pm. Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown.

Tuesday

• Community Adult Yoga, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, 3-4pm, 4460 Beresford St.

Wednesday

• Toastmasters: Burnaby City Hall, 12-1pm.

Good morning, Burnaby!

It’s another gorgeous spring day in Burnaby and we hope you get a chance to enjoy the sunshine during the long weekend ahead. Speaking of the long Easter weekend, check out our events section below for family-friendly activities and events, and lots of eggs-citing things to do! But first, let’s talk about the news!

Last week, the Beacon sent out a questionnaire to Burnaby’s election candidates to hear more from them about their plans, and the results are in! On Monday, Burnaby RCMP announced that officers have arrested 22 suspects in a bust in Metrotown, and confiscated weapons and stolen goods.

This Friday, Burnaby train fans can head to Confederation Park and take a ride on a miniature train as Burnaby Central Railway reopens for the season, just in time for the long weekend.

👀 In today's edition:

• Hear from your election candidates in Burnaby

• Burnaby RCMP arrest 22 suspects in Metrotown

• Burnaby Central Railway opens this weekend

Consider forwarding this to a friend in Burnaby! New here? Sign up for free.

Advertise your business, event, or restaurant in front of 16,000+ engaged locals! Contact our team today.

ELECTION 2025

Hear from your election candidates

Burnaby candidates in the upcoming election. 📸 Photo: Burnaby Beacon staff

Two weeks remain until the federal election and early voting starts this weekend. As you get ready to vote, you probably want to hear from the candidates. The Beacon sent out a list of six questions to each of Burnaby’s candidates to find out more about who they are and what their plans are if they win.

Read what Burnaby Central candidates said here.

Read what Burnaby North–Seymour candidates said here.

Read what New Westminster–Burnaby–Maillardville candidates said here. 

Read what Vancouver Fraserview–South Burnaby candidates said here. 

SPONSORED BY TERRY BEECH

Vote Terry Beech to keep Canada strong

Terry Beech has a record of standing up and delivering for Burnaby North-Seymour. Devoted to public service, he fights for improved infrastructure and housing, good jobs, and clean growth. His hard work and commitment to our community are recognized across Canada, having been awarded “Hardest Working” and “Best Constituency” MP.

Burnaby Bulletin

🙋Anti-racism programs receive $300K from province: The provincial government’s BC Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants program is providing $300,000 in grants to programs fighting racism and promoting equality.

🏌️Riverway to host championships: City of Burnaby’s Riverway Golf Course to host the 2026 BC Amateur Championships.

💉 LifeLabs workers go to BC Legislature: Striking LifeLabs workers and BC Health Coalition members marched on the BC Legislature in Victoria on April 16.

🚫 BC Government to cancel US contracts: BC Premier David Eby directed the government to cancel US contracts wherever possible to decrease the province’s dependence on US goods and services.

🤕 Province increases coverage for accident benefits: BC Government announced it will increase coverage amounts paid by ICBC for healthcare practitioners for patients recovering from car accidents.

🐶 Burnaby driver fined for lap dog: A Burnaby driver was fined $109 for holding a dog in their lap while driving.

🏘️ BC Housing plans new homeless shelter in Burnaby: According to BC Housing’s public engagement website, BC Housing recently purchased the two-storey office building at 3020 Gilmore Diversion and is planning on turning it into a permanent shelter.

⚽ Vancouver Rise kicks off their first match at Swangard Stadium on April 24! Be there to witness the start of a new soccer era.*

🥚 Meet BC’s new generation of farmers: Jared de Dood blends tech, tradition, and tenacity to raise certified organic eggs—and a family—on his thriving poultry farm.*

*Sponsored Listing

NEWS

Burnaby RCMP arrest 22 in Metrotown bust

Some of the items seized by Burnaby RCMP officers Photo: Burnaby RCMP

On Monday, April 14, Burnaby RCMP announced that officers had arrested 22 suspects during a two-day bust in Metrotown. The RCMP also seized stolen goods worth thousands of dollars as well as some weapons.

According to a Burnaby RCMP press release, the “Boost and Bust” initiative was created to enhance safety, reduce violent crime and shoplifting and support local businesses.

“While conducting proactive patrols in the mall, our officers found a 16-year-old boy walking around with a can of bear spray hanging out of his pocket. The boy was arrested for possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose. While dealing with the boy, they also located a pellet gun in his possession,” the RCMP said in a release.

Read the full story here.

SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF BURNABY

Share your feedback on the draft of the Official Community Plan (OCP) in the final phase

• Attend an open house

• Take the survey by May 11

Based on your feedback, the City of Burnaby has drafted the OCP. Please review the draft and let them know if it reflects your values and priorities for the city’s long-term growth.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

All aboard: Burnaby Central Railway miniature train rides open this weekend

Adults and children can ride the Burnaby Central Railway miniature trains. 📸 Photo: British Columbia Society of Model Engineers

Calling all train enthusiasts! This weekend Burnaby Central Railway returns for the season with its iconic miniature train rides, just in time for the long weekend. The family-friendly trains are operated by the British Columbia Society of Model Engineers and run on a two-mile track. The railway is open for public rides from Easter to Thanksgiving from 11am to 5pm.

According to the society’s website, each train pulls multiple cars carrying 20 or more passengers on a 10-minute outdoor ride through the woods, with bridges, tunnels, crossovers, and spirals.

Read the full story here.

SPONSORED BY JAGMEET SINGH, NDP FOR BURNABY CENTRAL

Let’s vote to keep Canada, Canada

With so much on the line this election, make your vote count for better health care, more affordable homes, and a Canada where no one is left behind. Help me lead a strong NDP team in Ottawa that will defend what matters most to you. On April 28, vote Jagmeet!

Where to eat & drink

🐰 Burnaby Mountain Clubhouse: If you’re looking for something a little special for Easter, check out Burnaby Mountain Clubhouse’s Easter brunch buffet.

🍝 Trattoria by Italian Kitchen: If you’re looking for another venue for brunch, Trattoria’s patio with its Mediterranean vibe might have what you’re looking for.

🌶️ Cayenne Bistro and Grill: Embrace the warmth of spring with some hearty, flavourful East African and Indian fusion cuisine and soak up the sunshine on Cayenne’s patio.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Compensation Coordinator, City of Burnaby

• Council Support Assistant, City of Burnaby

• Automotive detailer, car washer, Enterprise Mobility

• Service dispatcher, BC Hydro

• Mortgage specialist, BMO

• Customer Service Representative (Police OCC), Burnaby RCMP

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Marx’s Late Writings: Theories of Revolutionary Change and of Alternatives to Capitalism, 6-8pm , Earl & Jennie Lohn Policy Room (Room #7000) at SFU Vancouver Campus

• Fitness at the Met: Free fitness classes at Metropolis at Metrotown, Grand Court Lower Level, every Tuesday and Thursday, 9-9:45am

Friday

• Bonsor Complex Easter Event: Family-friendly celebration from 11am-2pm at Bonsor Recreation Centre, 6550 Bonsor Ave.

• Long Arc of Fascism Conference: Keynote Lecture: Palestine as Paradigm with Sherene Seikaly, 7pm, Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema, SFU

• The Point Church Good Friday gathering: 5-5:45pm, Burnaby Mountain Park

• Glamping at the Met: Mother’s Day Celebrations start at Metropolis at Metrotown, Grand Court, 10am-9pm.

Saturday

• Edmonds’ Easter Eggstravaganza: Hunt for Easter eggs with the entire family at Edmonds Community Centre, 1-4pm, $3.43 per person 5 years or older

• Brunch with Easter Bunny & Egg Hunt: By Ubuntu Celebration & Events, 10am-3pm, Queen’s Park, New Westminster

• Environmental Stewardship events: Help restore Burnaby’s parks. 10am-12pm, Central Park

Sunday

• Point Church Easter Sunday service: 10:30am in the SFU Saywell Atrium

Monday

• Mainland Safety Recertification Emergency First Aid: CPR/AED Level C 8:30am-2pm, Burnaby Campus

Tuesday

• Fitness at the Met: Free fitness classes at Metropolis at Metrotown, Grand Court Lower Level, every Tuesday and Thursday, 9-9:45am

Wednesday

• Toastmasters. 12pm, Burnaby City Hall