Thursday April 3 edition: Everything you need to know about the election in Burnaby

Good morning, Burnaby!

As the temperature climbs, the April 2025 elections race is also heating up, especially with the Burnaby Board of Trade hosting an all-candidates debate on April 14 at 3pm.

Not sure who to vote for or how to vote? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Visit the Beacon’s elections hub to find out all you need to know about the ridings, candidates and voting locations in Burnaby.

The weather promises to warm up and we may get some clear skies this weekend, so it’s the perfect time to catch a glimpse of the stars at SFU’s Trottier Observatory. You can also celebrate its 10th birthday with planetarium shows, stargazing, and a “Starry Nights” party this weekend.

👀 In today's edition:

• Everything you need to know about the election this month in Burnaby 

• A decade of stargazing at SFU’s Trottier Observatory

• Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table (BIPT) and Burnaby Together are hosting a panel on racism, bigotry and bias

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

Election 2025: Everything you need to know

The 2025 federal elections are here and will end on April 28, probably with a whole new government made up of new members of Parliament and maybe a new prime minister.

Here at the Beacon we want to make it easier for Burnaby residents to find out everything you need to know about the candidates, ridings and voting locations to ensure you have all the information you need to exercise your right to vote. Beacon staff spent countless hours gathering this essential information so you can show up to the polls with confidence.

Plus: Don’t miss the all-candidates debate hosted by the Burnaby Board of Trade on April 14 at 3pm. The Burnaby Board of Trade is currently reaching out to candidates to invite them to participate.

Read the full story here.

SPONSORED BY CITY OF BURNABY

Share your voice

The City of Burnaby is working to make the cycling network in the Southeast Area and Big Bend safer and better connected for everyone. Currently, they're reviewing the existing conditions to understand challenges and opportunities, and to find ways to improve cycling experience and safety in these areas. Join them at their pop-up events to share your feedback and engage with the project team:

📅 April 9, 4-7 pm

📅 April 12, 1-4 pm

Both sessions will be held at Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre. You can also share your feedback by taking a survey or commenting on the online map by April 25.

Burnaby Bulletin

🙋 Join the city’s public art roster! The City of Burnaby is calling all Burnaby artists to submit their portfolios and be part of its public art roster. The deadline for applications is April 15 at midnight.

🚒 Fire Station 8 Grand Opening: The city’s brand-new fire station is opening on Saturday, April 26 on Burnaby Mountain at 9900 University Dr. Everyone is invited to the free event. Bring the kids and meet the firefighters keeping Burnaby safe.

🚓 Burnaby RCMP is seeking witnesses for a collision that left a pedestrian with serious injuries. Two vehicles were involved in a collision involving a pedestrian on the corner of Lougheed Highway and Production Way on April 1. Witnesses are asked to call 604-646-9999 and quote file number 2025-10718.

🎤 Burnaby resident stars in 9-5 The Musical: Based on the 1980 classic film 9 to 5, the musical is a fast-paced feminist adventure, where three female coworkers plan to get even with their terrible boss. Burnaby resident Dustin Freeland will play one of the leading roles in the musical which will run from April 25 to May 11, 2025 at The Massey Theatre in New Westminster. 

🌸 Mother’s Day at the Met: Celebrate Mom at Metropolis at Metrotown Mall from April 25 to June 30.

NEWS

Celebrate a decade of stargazing

This week SFU’s Trottier Observatory turns 10 and everyone is invited to the weekend parties and shows. Since first opening on April 17, 2015, the observatory has been hosting weekly stargazing events every Friday night. Over the decade, more than 30,000 visitors have attended these events inspiring more people to study astronomy. During the pandemic, the observatory started live-streaming its stargazing events, which continue to this day. The fourth stargazing event of every month is now online.

To mark its tenth anniversary, the Trottier Observatory is hosting several free events at the observatory at SFU on Burnaby Mountain including guest lectures and a Starry Night Party on April 4. It is also hosting an observatory open house and birthday party on April 5.

Read the full story here.

SPONSORED BY 1440 MEDIA

Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

Sign up now!

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

BIPT hosts community event on racism and bias

Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table is hosting a community event on April 8 in partnership with Burnaby Together. The event will feature a panel discussion by The Other People Project, an interfaith/cultural group sharing personal experiences of being “othered” due to cultural, religious, ethnic, or racial differences. Led by Rabbi Philip Bregman and BC faith and cultural leaders, the panel will discuss racism and implicit biases.

The venue will be wheelchair accessible and while the event is free, anyone interested in attending must register online by April 3.

Read more about it here.

Where to eat & drink

🍗 Cazba Persian Grill: Almost two years after the new location was announced, it is finally open in the Metropolis at Metrotown Mall food court, serving up mouth-watering Persian-style grilled meats, salads, stews and more.

🥩 Butcher’s Block BBQ: Spring means barbecue, and where better to get some juicy, succulent, decadent barbecue than at Butcher’s Block BBQ? Make sure you’re hungry; the portions are huge and there’s an all-you-can-eat option on the menu.

🍞 Café La Fôret Jubilee: There’s a reason this place is always busy, it’s the perfect spot for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Serving everything from fried chicken platters, black croissants infused with squid ink and refreshing cold desserts.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Crime Prevention Programs Facilitator, City of Burnaby

• Customer Service Assistant, City of Burnaby

• Payroll Administrator, Robert Half

• Regional Training Manager, Specsavers Burnaby

• Supervisor, Governance and Commercial, Metro Vancouver

• Assistant Store Manager, Gardenworks Burnaby-Lougheed

• Multimedia Production Manager - 123Dentist Burnaby

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Graffiti Prevention: Find out more about graffiti prevention and reporting at the RCMP Safe Community Series next session. Online via Zoom.

Friday

• What if Everything We Know is Wrong? Free public science talk at SFU Burnaby. 7-8:30pm at 8888 University Dr.

Saturday

• Flea Market: Find some bargains for your home at the flea market. 9:30am-1:30pm at Confederation Seniors' Centre, 4585 Albert St.

• Victory and Relief Gardens for Every Space: Learn about the history of victory gardens and how to grow food in any space. 10:30-11:30am. Burnaby Neighbourhood House at 4908 Hastings St.

Sunday

• Martha Wainwright with Brad Barr: 7:30-9:30pm, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave.

• Out on Campus Enchanted Eve. 5-9pm , SFU Student Union Building Ballroom, 8888 University Dr. West.

Monday

• Reading + Communication Plus: 9am to 3pm, Down Syndrome Resource Foundation, 1409 Sperling Ave.

Tuesday

• Meet with a Peer Navigator 1:30-4:30pm, Tommy Douglas Library, 7311 Kingsway

• English Conversation Circle, 1:30-2:30pm, Temporary Cameron Library, City of Lougheed Shopping Centre, 9855 Austin Ave.

Wednesday

• Family Storytime. 10:30am, duration, 30 minutes at Bob Prittie Metrotown and McGill.