Thurs, Feb. 29, 2024 edition: Burnaby called on to sue Big Oil

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week’s edition puts Burnaby front and centre in the fight against “Big Oil". At the city’s first Environmental Committee meeting of 2024, Burnaby has been called upon to join a class-action lawsuit against large fossil-fuel companies and hold them accountable for climate-related damages in BC municipalities. In other news, council discussed the potential end for the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, and also approved a $52M theatre project.

Read on for all the details.

👀 In today's edition:

• A deadly fire in Burnaby

• Blues and Roots comes to an end

• The aftermath of a tragic crash

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NEWS

Burnaby called on to sue “Big Oil”

At the city’s first Environment Committee meeting of 2024 on Feb. 21, a delegation from Burnaby For Our Kids, Force of Nature Alliance, and West Coast Environmental Law called on the city to join a class-action lawsuit against large fossil-fuel companies. The lawsuit aims to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for climate-related damages in BC municipalities.

“As a parent, I’m concerned about the health and safety of our community and the effects the climate crisis is having on our kids now and in the future, but as a taxpayer, I’m also concerned about how our city is going to adapt to our changing climate,” said Kate McMahon, head of the local chapter of For Our Kids in Burnaby. 

Get the full story here.

SPONSORED BY FESTIVAL DU BOIS

Celebrate Festival du Bois - March 8-10

Say “bonjour” to the 35th Anniversary Festival du Bois, March 8-10 in Maillardville/ Coquitlam’s Mackin Park. Come hear (and dance to) live Acadian, folk and world music, see fun shows for kids and families, explore the Métis Village Experience, sample delicious cuisine traditionnelle – and so much more!

This year’s music lineup features New Brunswick’s talented La Famille LeBlanc, carrying on their Acadian family heritage. From PEI and the Magdalen Islands, Vishtèn Connexions beautifully blends Acadian and Celtic music with rock and Indi-folk influences. La Famille Léger and Podorythmie, both based in Washington State, play the music and dance of French Canada – and introduce you to crankies! For kids, there’s Will’s Jams and Missy D. There’s more! Find a list of performers, schedules and tickets here.

Burnaby Bulletin

A deadly fire. A fire broke out last Tuesday night in a three-storey abandoned building near Metrotown. While one woman was rescued after suffering from minor smoke inhalation, another victim lost their life in the ambulance soon after the incident occurred. [CTV]

The aftermath of a tragic crash. Following a three-vehicle crash on Highway 1 last week that took the life of one driver, another passenger involved in the accident passed away this week. [Global News]

Community-initiated memorials in question. The City of Burnaby is currently working on a new policy to deal with memorials that are set up after major tragedies. While recognized as a shared expression of loss, they can be a hazard to nearby infrastructure. [Burnaby Now]

A historic neon eagle returns. Burnaby staff are recommending council to grant a heritage designation to the Eagle Ford neon sign which once hung above a car dealership on Hastings Street. It will soon light up the street again. [Burnaby Now]

Delta man charged in fatal shooting. Homicide investigators have announced charges in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred in Burnaby in 2023. Investigators are still looking to speak to witnesses. [Global News]

A new development funding program. The City of Burnaby is currently preparing a new development funding program in response to provincial housing changes made in November 2023.

A new award for Burnaby. The City of Burnaby has recently been awarded the NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association’s Most Improved Approval Timing award, efficiently processing development and building permit applications.

🌮 Burnaby food lovers rejoice! Tacofino Metrotown is now open and serving iconic favourites like their infamous fish taco and crispy chicken burrito at 6036 McKay Avenue.*

*Sponsored listing

COUNCIL

A $52M theatre for Burnaby

This week at Burnaby council’s meeting on Feb. 26, council voted unanimously to approve $52,309,611, including $2,490,934 in GST, to fund the second phase of the James Cowan Theatre project. Speaking to council, James Lota, general manager of lands and facilities, said this new theatre is expected to meet the need for arts and culture facilities in Burnaby for the next decade.

The report states, “The facility has been designed to meet the arts and cultural community’s space needs for the next ten years.” However, Lota clarified that this does not refer to the lifespan of the theatre but rather to Burnaby’s ever-increasing need for cultural facilities, emphasizing that additional spaces will need to be developed eventually.

According to the report submitted to the council, the current James Cowan Theatre was built in 1940 as a gymnasium and converted into a theatre in 1995.

“The building is in need of significant upgrades, is past its useful service life, and is not wheelchair accessible,” the report said.

Council also discussed a petition for AEDs to be available at all outdoor spaces. Read the full council roundup here. 

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Time for Burnaby Blues and Roots festival to evolve

At the first meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee on Feb. 13, the city’s culture director Emmaline Hill presented a recommendation that the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival be replaced by a new event at Deer Lake Park.

Several factors led to the recommendation, such as removing the admission charge for the festival and an apparent attendance gap among youth in their early to late 20s.

The recommendation was subject to council approval, and council discussed it at this week’s meeting. Many councillors expressed that they did not want to the festival to come to an end, but agreed that it needed to evolve in some way.

Read the full council decision as part of this week’s roundup. And read the recommendation from the Parks, Recreation and Culture committee here.

Where to eat & drink

🍩 Punk Rock Pastries. An award-winning bakery that specializes in eclectic cake designs—a no-brainer if you’re looking for a customizable cake, fun pastries for a themed party or a small treat to take home and enjoy with coffee.

🍜 No. 1 Beef Noodle. This contemporary Asian fusion restaurant serves some of the best beef noodle soup in the Greater Vancouver Area, as well as a wide selection of other goodies like Taiwanese fish ball soup and laksa noodles.

🍳 Pür & Simple. Western omelette? Check. Stack of waffles with Nutella? Check. A light, fruity smoothie? Check, check, check! Whatever kind of breakfast you’re after, Pür & Simple has it all and much more.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Youth Centre Supervisor at the City of Burnaby

• Policy Analyst at BC Public Service

• Mortgage Advisor at Scotiabank

• Underwriter at Pacific Blue Cross

• Ecosystem Growth Manager at Covalent

• Development Officer at BCIT

• Botanist at BC Public Service

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Unbound Gestures Exhibition. 6pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

• Cheap Thrills Karaoke. 5pm. The Rec Room.

• Coffee Connections Casual Networking. 6pm. Beta Collective Burnaby.

Friday

• Healing Exchange. 7:30pm. 5584 Kincaid St.

• Brazilian Carnaval Salsa Party. 9pm. 4858 Imperial St.

• Release & Heal Breathwork and Sound Bath. 7:30pm. Savasana Meditation.

• Bubbles & Boards Social. 7pm. Something Sweet.

Saturday

• Sass & Soul Saturday. 8:30pm. The Rec Room.

• Japanese Tea Ceremony. 11am. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

• Growing Mushrooms Seminar. 10am. Gardenworks.

• Thorrablot Icelandic Midwinter Festival. 6pm. Scandinavian Community Centre.

Sunday

• Paint Nite: The Original Paint & Sip Party. 6pm. The Rec Room.

• Mason Bee Basics Seminar. 1pm. Gardenworks.

• Weedbusters. 11am. Burnaby Lake Park.

Monday

• Virtual Job Fair: Healthcare. 11am. Online via Zoom.

• Beginner West Coast Swing. 7:45pm. 490 Sperling Ave.

• Active Stretch and Mobility. 12:15pm. 3605 Gilmore Way #350.

Tuesday

• Beginner Country Two-Step Lessons. 7:15pm. 490 Sperling Ave.

• Recovery After Ski Season. 8am. 3605 Gilmore Way #350.

Wednesday

• Hobby and Games Lounge. 12pm. Global Student Centre.

• Discussion with BC Senior’s Advocate Isobel Mackenzie. 12pm. Firefighters Club Banquet and Conference Centre.

• Strength Training for All. 12:15pm. 3605 Gilmore Way #350.