Thursday, April 24 edition: A crash course in the workings of government

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

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NEWS

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

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

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

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.