Thursday, Feb. 6 edition: Burnaby South MP reacts to foreign interference report

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week, Burnaby South MP Jagmeet Singh spoke to the press about the recent foreign interference report released by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue and the Foreign Interference Commission on Jan. 28, 2025. While the results of the report showed no evidence of “traitors” in parliament, Singh said foreign interference might become a more significant issue in the coming elections. 

In other news, Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley is encouraging all Burnaby residents to support Canadian businesses in response to Trump’s plan to put 25% tariffs on Canadian products, and a 12-year-old Burnaby girl is organizing three-course dinners in the Downtown Eastside.

👀 In today's edition:

• Burnaby South MP reacts to foreign interference report

• Buy local, buy Canadian: Burnaby Mayor

• Burnaby student organizes dinners in the Downtown Eastside

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NEWS

Burnaby South MP reacts to foreign interference report

During a recent visit to Burnaby, Jagmeet Singh, MP Burnaby South and leader of the NDP, spoke to the press about the recent foreign interference report released by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue and the Foreign Interference Commission on Jan. 28, 2025. Singh’s press conference took place in person at his office at 4940 Kingsway and via Zoom. Peter Julian, MP New Westminster-Burnaby, also attended the conference. 

“We want to make sure that our democracy is free from foreign interference. We also want to make sure that everyday Canadians can live their lives without the threat or harassment of a foreign government. So we had called for this public inquiry,” Singh said, adding that the report is an attempt to safeguard Canada’s democracy and ensure it is free from foreign interference. 

The report’s results showed there were no “traitors” in parliament. However, Singh said foreign interference might become a more significant issue in the coming elections, with US President Donald Trump in power and with billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk having a formal role in the Trump administration. 

Read more about it here.

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Burnaby Bulletin

Snow day. More than 100 drivers were stopped at an intersection in a Metro Vancouver city Monday for failing to properly clear snow from their vehicles. In a social media post, Burnaby RCMP said 119 vehicles were pulled over in a two-hour period near Broadway and North Road during the morning commute. [CTV News]

Money laundering scheme. A Burnaby man has been charged in connection with a multimillion-dollar money laundering scheme that spanned across Alberta and British Columbia. In a news release last week, the RCMP's Federal Financial Crime Team alleged that 30-year-old Harry Seo "laundered proceeds of crime via online transactions of illicit cannabis" in the two provinces between September 2018 and August 2020. [CBC]

Calling for performers. The City of Burnaby is preparing to host a variety of free community cultural events in 2025 and is actively seeking performers and community groups to participate. A diverse range of performers and performing styles can apply, including dancers, stilt walkers, comedians, musicians and more.

High school lockdown. Burnaby police responded to a report of threats near Parker Street and Alpha Avenue, according to an emailed Burnaby RCMP statement. Out of an "abundance of caution," police contacted Alpha Secondary School and asked school officials to activate the school's hold and secure protocol, effectively initiating a lockdown. [Burnaby Now]

NEWS

Buy local, buy Canadian: Burnaby Mayor

Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley put forward a motion during a special council meeting on Feb. 4 to encourage all Burnaby residents to support Canadian businesses by buying local Canadian products. The motion comes in response to US President Donald Trump announcing 25% tariffs on Canadian products, which elicited a response from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to impose retaliatory tariffs on US products. 

The city will also adopt a “buy local and buy Canadian” approach with its procurement and “where feasible and in accordance with trade agreements and best value principles.” City staff were directed to “review current procurement practices and identify opportunities to enhance local purchasing in response to recent US tariffs and economic pressures,” and report back to council as soon as possible.  

During the meeting, Hurley said the purpose of the motion was to show unity and for Canadians to stand up to an irrational bully.

Get the full story here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Burnaby student organizes dinners in the Downtown Eastside

A week ago, 12-year-old Armstrong Elementary student Keanna Lai stood before the entire Burnaby School Board to present the initiative she has been working on since 2020. Being the only child in a room full of adults in authority was a big moment for Lai, who had never spoken in front of this type of gathering before.

However, the subject was something she has been passionate about since she was six-and-a-half years old, volunteering in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) and helping people struggling with homelessness. 

Starting off with a lemonade stand when she was only six years old, Lai would use the proceeds to buy socks and blankets for those in need. She eventually decided to expand her work in the community and started fundraising to cook and distribute meals herself in the DTES. “Just this year, I started something else. It’s called Plenty of Plates. It’s an event where I invite friends to come and fundraise with me to cook a three-course meal for the homeless,” Lai said. 

Read more about Lai’s mission here.

Where to eat & drink

🥗 Ramie’s Greek Restaurant. Voted the best Greek restaurant in Burnaby for 2023 and 2024, Ramie’s is a go-to for big platters of grilled meats, seafood and delectable spreads like hummus and tzatziki. Some of our favourites include their moussaka—a shepherd’s pie-type comfort dish with beef, zucchini, eggplant and bechamel—and grilled lamb chops.

🍕 Crust N Crunch. A solid takeout spot in New West turning out pizzas, donairs, chicken wings and a bunch of other crispy fried goods. You’ll find some intriguing pizza flavours here—butter chicken, tandoori paneer crunch, chipotle heat and triple cheese all peaked our interest.

🍜 Marble House Eatery. Tucked away inside Burnaby’s Crystal Mall, Marble House Eatery is a hidden gem for Asian goods like congee, noodle soups and fried rice. This is perhaps a great opportunity for some to try new cuts of meat, such as tripe, pork hock and pork intestines deep-fried and crispy to perfection.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Money Advisor at Beem Credit Union

• Damage Prevention at Trans Mountain

• Events Specialist at The Salvation Army

• Community Engagement & Events Coordinator at BCAA

• Demand Planning Specialist at PNP Pharmaceuticals

• Course Information Coordinator at BCIT

• Evaluation Specialist at BC Housing

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Family Social. 3pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Safe Community Series: How to Enhance Home Security. 6pm. Online via Zoom.

• Grandma. Gangsta. Guerrilla. 7:30pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

Friday

• Kim Kennedy Austin: Booster Club. 10am-4:30pm. Burnaby Art Gallery.

• The Date Night Tour. 7:30pm. Willingdon Church.

Saturday

• Drag Brunch. 11am-3pm. The Rec Room.

• Valentine’s Dinner Dance. 6:30pm. 5344 Imperial St.

• Clothing Swap Party. 2pm. Edmonds Skytrain.

• Breathwork and Meditative Sound Bath. 6pm. 4701 Hastings St.

Sunday

• Brush & Bloom: A Galentine’s Art Affair. 1pm-4pm. 6848 Jubilee Ave.

• Kintsugi Jewelry Workshop. 10am. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

• Artfully Yours: A Custom Paint-By-Number Affair. 3pm. Fior Di Latte Cafe.

Monday

• Lunar New Year Celebrations. Metropolis at Metrotown. All day.

Tuesday

• Paint Nite. 7pm. Oliver Twist Pub & Grill.

• Women Rising: Women Advocating for Social Change. 6pm. 6550 Bonsor Ave.

•  Circle Weaving. 12:30pm. Global Student Centre.

Wednesday

• Newcomer Pathways to Employment & Self-Employment. 8:30am-2:30pm. Ismaili Centre.

• Charity Drag Bingo. 7pm. 759 Carnarvon St.