Previously rejected sister-city trip approved

Burnaby City Council’s Mar. 25 meeting lasted just one hour,, but it still featured some interesting discussions and a possible controversy. 

Nearing the end of this week’s meeting, Coun. Richard Lee introduced a motion asking staff to prepare a report detailing councillors’ compensation. 

“That the City of Burnaby prepare a comprehensive annual financial report (starting from  the 2024 calendar year) that details the total compensation received by Council members who serve on regional or provincial/national organizations, including but not limited to, Municipal Finance Authority, TransLink, Metro Vancouver, Union of BC Municipalities, and Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and that this report be made accessible to the public,” Lee’s motion said. “That the annual financial report provides a complete itemization of each Council member’s base salary and benefits, as well as per diems, stipends, allowances, retainers, expenses, reimbursements, and any other compensation associated with their roles.” 

The reasons mentioned in the report include improving transparency and public trust, deterring misuse of public funds, and as a benchmarking tool to help compare compensation with other municipalities and organizations. 

The motion died before any discussion could occur when no other council members “seconded” it. 

Sister-city trip to Japan will happen after all 

In August 2024, the Beacon reported on a planned sister-city trip to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan that would cost between $15,000 and $17,000 per delegate. The trip came to council in December 2024 and was rejected. It was introduced again this week, but some councilors changed their minds this time, and voted in favour. In the end, council approved a trip to Kushiro, Japan alone.

The trip will be funded from the city’s gaming reserve funds, which Burnaby receives from gambling and gaming activities, not directly from taxpayer money. However, the gaming reserves are also used for projects that benefit Burnaby residents, such as parks, playgrounds, and other public projects. Cutting Taiwan and Korea out of the trip reduced the cost by almost half.

“I really think that the cost of this type of trip is just exorbitant, and while it may come from the gaming reserve, which is money that we get from the casino in our community, that’s still money that we could be spending on a playground or any other list of items and priorities that we have at the city, including climate, urban forestry, recreation and parks, and engineering,” Coun. Alison Gu said. 

Coun. Maita Santiago, who had previously voted against the trip, voted in favour of it this time. Santiago said that while she is mindful of the economic climate, this visit is special because of the 60th anniversary of the sister-city relationship with Kushiro, Japan. 

“I think, especially now, we talk a lot about how we’re in these unprecedented times when some countries are increasingly being very isolationist. I think it’s all the more reason for us as a city to pursue these relationships,” Santiago said. 

Council discusses supporting transit

After Coun. Lee’s motion fizzled out and died without a word of discussion, Coun. Santiago introduced a motion requesting that the mayor correspond with the other orders of government to support transit in Burnaby. 

Last weekend, a rally occurred in front of the Metrotown SkyTrain station to protect Burnaby buses. Metro Vancouver Transit Riders (Movement) organized the rally on Sunday, Mar. 23. 

“We’re organizing a rally in order to save our buses! Join us at Metrotown Station from 1-2 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 23, to make our voices heard and tell the government to address TransLink’s operating budget shortfall before it’s too late,” the group said on its website. 

Santiago mentioned the rally in her introduction to the motion. 

“The purpose of this motion is to seek council approval for the mayor to write a letter urging the provincial and federal governments to establish a permanent funding source for public transit, ensuring its long-term stability and expansion for Burnaby residents and communities across the region,” Santiago said. “Many Burnaby residents have expressed concerns through various channels, including a recent rally in Burnaby urging elected officials to advocate against potential transit service reductions.”

While all the other council members welcomed the idea, they said that the provincial and federal governments must step up and support transit in Burnaby. 

“I can tell you that property taxes fund the vast majority right now where it used to be gas tax, but now property taxes have long overtaken that. [Along with] parking revenues and fares, those are the only tools we have to fund operations of TransLink,” Mayor Mike Hurley said. “Mayors have long been asking for a long-term solution to funding, so we’re not going back every year or every two years and begging for more funds to keep buses running.”

This piece was made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

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