Thursday, Jan. 18 edition: A new recreation assistance program

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week’s edition features a bunch of exciting updates for Burnaby—including the city’s new recreation assistance program that aims to help low-income families have better access to Burnaby’s parks and recreational facilities. Also this week, we’re looking at the Housing Choices Program (it’s been cancelled just 3 months after its debut!) as well as a unanimous vote from council to increase Burnaby’s living wage.

👀 In today's edition:

• Burnaby RCMP cold weather response activated

• Solving the murder of a 13-year-old Burnaby girl with DNA

• Reduced transit service on Expo Line

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NEWS

City launches new recreation assistance program

The City of Burnaby has recently approved and launched its new and updated recreation assistance program, aiming to help low-income residents access the city’s parks, recreation and cultural facilities.

The city’s current recreation assistance program offers a $250 annual recreation credit per person. However, an annual pass for all drop-in recreational activities (known as the Be Active Pass) ranges from $210 for children to $421.92 for adults, so the assistance program only covers a portion of the cost.

“The credit amount of $250 is arbitrary and is not enough to cover the cost of an annual pass”, stated managers of recreation services Thandi and Robin Juergensen in a report.

Read the full story here.

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Burnaby Bulletin

Cold weather response. Burnaby RCMP activated their cold weather response last week, sending out additional patrols to help vulnerable members of the community access shelters and other services.

Reduced transit service. Commuters who use the Production Way-University section of the SkyTrain Expo Line will have to deal with reduced service starting next month, lasting approximately two years. [Vancouver Sun]

Reservations at BC Parks. With over 360,000 camping reservations made in 2023, campers can now book their spring reservations four months in advance, starting today. [Burnaby Now]

Solving a murder with DNA. B.C. Premier David Eby has stated that he supports police who secretly collected DNA from members of the Kurdish community to solve the murder of a 13-year-old Burnaby girl. [CityNews]

A snowstorm of collisions. Following dropping temperatures and heavy snowfall on Jan. 11, the Burnaby Fire Department received over 90 calls in a 24-hour period—20 of those calls were vehicle collisions ranging from minor fender benders to multi-car pileups. [Burnaby Now]

Highway overpass remains unscathed. Images of a commercial truck appearing to strike a Burnaby highway overpass circulated on social media last week. Thankfully, police state that the truck did not make any impact. [Burnaby Now]

Free HPV vaccines. B.C. is extending the eligibility for free vaccines against the human papillomavirus to men born in 2005. Those eligible can get the vaccine up to June 30th of this year. [Burnaby Now]

NEWS

City’s Housing Choices Program terminated

Burnaby has terminated its Housing Choices Program due to recently adopted provincial zoning legislation that aims to increase densities in residential neighbourhoods.

The Housing Choices Program was intended to change local neighbourhoods by encouraging so-called “small-scale housing” developments like row houses and triplexes, ultimately creating more places for people to live while gradually increasing density. The new legislation however, which mandates minimum housing requirements in transit-oriented areas, means the city must overhaul its program to meet the new provincial requirements.

Read more information about the terminated housing program here.

NEWS

City of Burnaby increases living wage rate

During its Dec. 11, 2023 meeting, Burnaby City Council voted unanimously to adopt the 2023 living wage rate of $25.68 per hour.

The Living Wage for Families BC campaign, part of the Vancity Community Foundation, has calculated living wage rates in the province since 2008. Since becoming a living wage employer in January 2020, Burnaby has continued to keep up with increases due to inflation. Burnaby offers living wages to all its employees and contracted workers.

“I’m glad to support raising the living wage,” Coun. Joe Keithley said during the meeting. “Times are tough out there.”

Read more about council’s decision to raise the living wage here.

Where to eat & drink

🧆 Anatolia’s Gate Restaurant. A well-known Turkish restaurant in Burnaby that serves succulent platters of fire-grilled meats, creamy spreads like hummus and tzatziki and a variety of meat and seafood kebabs.

🍤 DooBoo. This casual Korean dining spot is the ideal midday stop for tofu soup, bibimbap, crispy seafood pancakes and much, much more. Needless to say, all meals are perfectly complemented with a cold beer and shot of soju.

🥧 The Pie Hole. If you’re a Vancouver or Burnaby resident, it’s likely you’ve passed by a Pie Hole location—a chain that takes the crown for some of the best pies in the province. Flavours include classics like tourtière and fun creations like Earl Grey cream.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Baker at JJ Bean

• Events Specialist at The Salvation Army

• Retail Team Lead at Freedom Mobile

• Project Manager at Stantec

• Camp Supervisor at Royal City Soccer Club

• Vocational Trainer at Speed Up Education Inc

• Account Executive at RXO

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Empowering Youth Session. 6pm. Online via Zoom.

• Family Storytime. 10:30am. Burnaby Public Library.

• Global Cafe Meetup. 12pm. Global Student Centre.

• Contemplative Walk. 1pm. Burnaby Lake Nature House.

Friday

• James Bond Martini Salsa Party. 9pm. World Dance Co.

• Miami Beach-Themed Winter Party. 8:30pm. 6885 Aubrey St.

• Asian Street Food Cooking Class. 6pm. Second Floor Bistro.

• Release & Heal Breathwork Class. 7:30pm. Savasana Meditation.

Saturday

• Indoor Seed Starting Class. 10:30am. Gardenworks.

• Revival of the Illest. 4pm. Bonsor Recreation Complex.

• Bachata Party. 9pm. World Dance Co.

• Chado Tea Ceremony Class. 12:30pm. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

Sunday

• Free Kizomba Dance Class. 4pm. World Dance Co.

• ICDRC 9km Trail. 8:30am. Burnaby Mountain.

• Cuban Salsa Beginner Class. 4pm. 7757 Edmonds St.

Monday

• Burnaby Healthcare Job Fair. 11am. Online.

• Paint Nite. 7pm. Wings Burnaby.

Tuesday

• Overcoming Anger Workshop. 5pm. The Lower Mainland Purpose Society for Youth and Families.

Wednesday

• Live Comedy. 8pm. The Rec Room.

• Restarting Preschool Ballet. 5pm. World Dance Co.

• Full Moon Gong Journey Soundbath. 7pm. Savasana Meditation.