Thurs. Aug. 1, 2024 edition: Wildfires, earthquakes and the Trans Mountain Pipeline

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week, we’ve got our eyes set on the Trans Mountain Pipeline, located in a forested and residential area on Burnaby Mountain home to almost 7,000 people. Recent environmental events have sparked deep concern over the safety of the pipeline which, if tampered with, could potentially cause a catastrophe in the region. Also this week, we’re taking a look at the recommendations made by the Burnaby Community Assembly, as well as rehabilitation efforts from local land defenders.

👀 In today's edition:

• The safety hazards of the Trans Mountain pipeline

• Recommendations by the Burnaby Community Assembly

• Land defenders seek city help

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NEWS

Wildfires, earthquakes and the Trans Mountain pipeline

In early July, the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project reached a new completion milestone. The project website celebrates this achievement with moving interviews with its staff members. Delving a little deeper into the website reveals several articles about what people should or should not do near the pipeline, effectively putting the onus on residents to protect themselves and their property. 

Safety concerns about the Trans Mountain pipeline project and tank farm have surfaced again recently due to a number of interconnected issues and events: first, the completion of the pipeline despite opposition from the city, second, the event of the Parkland refinery incident in January 2024, and third, the recent wildfires in BC and Alberta which have destroyed large swaths of forest, the city of Jasper, and the displacement of thousands of people. 

The Beacon spoke with Burnaby councillor Alison Gu about the costs associated with such events and how much of it the city will shoulder in the event of a disaster related to Trans Mountain. The tank farm is located in the middle of a forested and residential area on Burnaby Mountain. It is in close proximity to SFU, where thousands of students attend on a daily basis, and the UniverCity community, which is now home to almost 7,000 people. 

Here’s what we found out.

Burnaby Bulletin

E-bike-caused house fire. A BC couple is suing Burnaby’s Envo Drive Systems Inc. and a range of companies for acts that they say led up to an e-bike catching fire in their garage, destroying parts of their home and contents within. [Business in Vancouver]

Toxic drugs claim 24 lives. Illicit and toxic drugs have claimed 24 Burnaby lives this year, according to new data released by the BC Coroners Service. The Fraser Health Authority, which includes Burnaby, has seen 312 deaths during 2024, which is the highest of any health authority in the province. [Burnaby Now]

Eye surgeon awarded $6.4M in damages. A Burnaby doctor who specializes in plastic surgery for the eyes was awarded $6.4 million in damages after a car accident caused injuries that led her to lose millions in past and likely future income, according to a B.C. Supreme Court judgment. [Vancouver Sun]

Metrotown parking fees going up. The City of Burnaby is increasing on-street parking fees in September—council approved the fee hike at a meeting on July 22, allowing increases of $1 for long-term parking and 50 cents per hour for short-term parking, according to a staff report. [Burnaby Now]

Update on the Burnaby Lake bike path. The Burnaby Lake Southeast Cycling Greenway will not be getting paved this year, according to Christopher Stacey, Burnaby’s director of engineering projects, pointing out issues with land ownership and the park’s boggy geography. [Burnaby Now]

NEWS

Assembly urges Burnaby to “do no harm” to future generations

Last week, the Beacon reported on participants’ experiences in the Burnaby Community Assembly process. Burnaby is one of a handful of cities actively involving residents in planning the city’s future. Through multiple layers of engagement, the city is trying to form a holistic vision for the next 25 years in Burnaby. 

The Burnaby Community Assembly’s 24 recommendations covered six key areas: the vision for the future, housing, growth, density and land use, transportation and livability.

Here are some of their recommendations in more depth. 

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Land defenders seek city help to rehabilitate area damaged by Trans Mountain Pipeline

The Trans Mountain Pipeline Extension Project (TMX) celebrated the end of its construction operations on July 3. In expanding the pipeline, Trans Mountain cleared a large area of trees on the corner of Gaglardi and Lougheed in November 2021. 

According to volunteers concerned about the tree cover in Burnaby, Trans Mountain promised to rehabilitate the area once it had completed its expansion project; however, nothing has been done so far. Volunteers in the community decided to take it upon themselves to plant the trees and rehabilitate the area. 

“The idea is to increase tree cover, help with suburban heat islands, plant more trees to be a carbon sink, and bring more people together. It’s an activity that children and anyone can participate in and have that connection to the land,” said Rapichan Phurisamban, one of the volunteers with the Mountain Protectors, an Indigenous-led collective of “land defenders” which has been monitoring the construction of the expansion project. 

Read more about the efforts to rehabilitate the land here.

Where to eat & drink

🍔 Burger Heaven Restaurant. A ’50s style burger diner with a twist; not only can you find all your nostalgic favourites here, but a wide range of specialty sandwiches like Thai beef, perogy and chicken cordon bleu. You’re destined to find something new here upon every visit!

🌯 Pamola Bakery & Deli. You’ll be surprised by what you find at this cozy little bake shop in New West—not only do they sell your typical spread of breads and cakes, they also offer a Mexican menu that carries everything from cochinita tacos to enchiladas served with rice and beans.

🍝 Anton’s Pasta Bar. Anton’s is nothing short of iconic in the Lower Mainland for hefty portions of pasta in every shape, sauce and preparation style. Don’t be surprised to see a lineup outside when you arrive (especially on a Friday or Saturday night) and come early to avoid disappointment!

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Lab Technical Assistant at LifeLabs

• Supervisor at Kate Spade Metrotown

• Manager at Uniqlo

• Sales Activator at Red Bull

• Department Sales Manager at Golf Town Operating Limited Partnership

• Department Manager at Gardenworks

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Outdoor Family Storytime. 11:30am. Burnaby Public Library.

• Randy Oliver: “Feeling the Movement”. 10am-2pm. The Gallery at Queen’s Park.

Friday

• Gaymer Pride. 8pm. The Rec Room.

• 90s Summer BBQ Salsa Party. 9pm. World Dance Co.

• Summer Cinemas: Mean Girls. 8:15pm. Confederation Park.

• The Jason Lane Band. 8pm. Admiral Pub & Grill.

Saturday

• Kintsugi: Introduction Workshop. 1pm. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

• Beastmode Saturday workout class. 9am. Burnaby Central Secondary School.

• Phonosonics: Gisto & The Grateful Living. 7pm. Bully’s Studios Inc.

• English Reading Circle. 11am. Burnaby Public Library.

Sunday

• Parkway Alive: Patrick Kao. 11:30am. Patterson Station.

• Summer Cinema: The Wizard of Oz. 8:15pm. Civic Square.

Monday

• UWC Canada Welcome Gathering. 12pm. Robert Burnaby Park.

Tuesday

• Summer Stages: Alastair McMurray. 11:30am. Confederation Park.

• Summer Stages: Kung Jaadee. 2pm. Confederation Park.

• Summer Season at Burnaby Village Museum. 11am-4:30pm. Burnaby Village Museum.

Wednesday

• Tween Reading Zone. 3pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Food Truck Wednesdays: KYU Grill. 11:30am-2:30pm. Town and Gown Plaza.