Thursday, July 3 edition: 20 City of Burnaby employees made more than $200k in 2024

Good morning, Burnaby!

We hope you got the chance to attend the Canada Day festivities in Burnaby’s parks on Tuesday and you witnessed the fireworks. If you missed it, don’t worry, Burnaby has something happening every week for the rest of summer. Opera, classical music, blues, jazz, Burnaby Pride and more are coming soon and the best part is they’re all free of charge!

Recently, the City of Burnaby released its Statement of Financial Information for 2024 and since the Burnaby Now has closed down and no longer publishes this vital information, we decided to fill that gap and let you know who is making the highest salaries in the city and how much they’re getting paid. In 2024, 20 people received salaries of more than $200K, with many other city employees raking in more than $100K a year.

In other news, the City of Burnaby signed a new agreement with Tsleil-Waututh Nation for the co-management of Barnet Marine Park, as a step toward reconciliation. Plus, a group of Burnaby schoolchildren made their parents and caregivers very proud by raising $63K for cancer research.

👀 In today's edition:

• 20 City of Burnaby employees made more than $200,000 in 2024

• Tsleil-Waututh Nation and City of Burnaby sign Barnet Marine Park agreement

• Burnaby students raise $63K for cancer research

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NEWS

20 City of Burnaby employees made more than $200k in 2024

The City of Burnaby recently released its Statement of Financial Information for 2024 and, as usual, listed the compensation and benefits for all its staff members. According to the statement, the city paid out a total of $148,274,372 in salaries, $20,283,900 in benefits, and $1,039,568 in expenses to its employees in 2024.

The city’s highest-paid bureaucrat was Leon Gous, the chief administrative officer, whose base salary for 2024 was $418,611, an increase of $31,122 from his 2023 salary of $387,489.

Noreen Kassam, the city’s chief financial officer and deputy chief administrative officer, received the second-highest salary of 2024 of $342,882, an increase of $20,762 from her 2023 salary of $322,120. Two city employees made more than $290K in 2024. James Lota, the city’s general manager of lands and facilities, raked in $295,527. Ed Kozak, the general manager of planning and development, made $294,777.

Read the report here.

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Discover Much Ado About Nothing, running until September 20 at Bard on the Beach! Directed by Johnna Wright with additional text by Erin Shields, this beloved comedy is full of romance, wit, and mischief that will leave you “as merry as the day is long.” Tickets start at $35!

Burnaby Bulletin

🥇Burnaby students earn awards: Several students won awards in math, science, writing, skilled trades, environmental and athletics.

🏡 Burnaby Housing Authority new CEO: The city announced John Brendan McEown as the first CEO for the Burnaby Housing Authority on June 30.

👶 BC launches IVF program: Eligible BC residents now have access to one-time funding of up to $19K toward the cost of a single standard IVF cycle.

🎸 Sarah Slean to perform at Shadbolt: The JUNO-nominated artist will perform on Oct. 4, 2025.

🎼 Symphony in the Park returns: The free live performance is scheduled to take place in Deer Lake Park on July 12, featuring the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

🎤 Vancouver Opera in Burnaby: Opera lovers can attend a free live opera performance on July 13 at Deer Lake Park.

🍀 Burnaby students win $1,000 each for climate challenge: Students from Burnaby South Secondary and University Highlands Elementary won this year’s Climate Project Challenge.

🌈 Burnaby Pride returns July 26: The eighth Burnaby Pride celebration will take place at Civic Square in Metrotown from 3-7pm.

⚽️ BC, Vancouver and Tsleil-Waututh Nation sign FIFA agreement: The three parties signed a partnership memorandum of understanding (MOU) to host FIFA World Cup 26 matches in Vancouver.

🚌 TransLink expands electric bus fleet: TransLink is expanding its battery-electric bus fleet by more than 100 buses, with $479 million in funding from Metro Vancouver.

NEWS

Tsleil-Waututh Nation and City of Burnaby sign Barnet Marine Park agreement

On June 18, 2025, Tsleil-Waututh elected councillor Charlene Aleck and Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley signed a co-management agreement at Barnet Marine Park, an important step towards reconciliation. The agreement formalizes a partnership between the city and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation to jointly oversee the management and stewardship of the park, which is located along the shores of Burrard Inlet.

“It is an honour for the City of Burnaby to be able to walk together on the pathway to reconciliation with the səlilwət [Tsleil-Waututh Nation] people,” said Hurley.

The city marked the occasion with the gift of a pair of wolf eco-sculptures which were installed facing the water and will be on permanent display at the park.

“My hands are raised to the City of Burnaby for working together with us in good faith, helping us strengthen the face of səlilwətaɬ on our traditional territory,” said Chief Jen Thomas.

Read more here. 

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Read the full article here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Burnaby students raise $63K for cancer research

Burnaby students decided to give back to their communities through fundraising for healthcare and services for patients in Burnaby. This year, students throughout Burnaby were among the top fundraisers in the whole of BC, especially with funds raised for cancer research.

According to the Burnaby School District, the Terry Fox Foundation recently shared that Burnaby students succeeded in raising almost $63,000 this year for cancer research. Chaffey-Burke Elementary reached top fundraising status in BC by raising nearly $6,500.

Other students raised funds for heart disease and children’s healthcare. Students at Brentwood Park Elementary participated in a Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser, raising more than $3,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Grade 6 and 7 leadership students at Aubrey Elementary collected more than $4,200 for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation for medical equipment and mental health services.

Read more here.

Where to eat & drink

🍜 Grand Chinese Restaurant, a hidden gem near Brentwood mall, serving up Szechuan cuisine and Northern Chinese-style dim sum.

🍣 Sushi Bar Kilala, another unassuming hidden gem serving sushi and other Japanese classics.

🍞 Afghan Turkish Cuisine, in keeping with today’s theme of hidden gems, this place serves a great selection of donairs, kebabs and dessert classics like baklava.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Project Manager I, Cancer Redevelopment Team, BC Cancer

• Temporary Part-Time Member Experience Representative (Remote), BCAA

• Full-time crew member, McDonald’s

• Retail sales associate, Old Navy Metropolis

• Front Desk, Cactus Club Byrne Road

• Building Inspector, City of Burnaby

• Office administrative assistant, The Meta Consulting Group

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Advance Planning: Wills, Power of Attorney and More, 10:30am-12pm, Temporary Cameron library, City of Lougheed Shopping Centre, 110-9855 Austin Ave.

Friday

• Cantonese Storytime, 10:30-11:15am, Tommy Douglas Library, 7311 Kingsway.

Saturday

• Farmers Market. 9am. City Hall parking lot.

• Burnaby Pride Picnic, 11:30am-2:30pm, Maywood Park, 6480 McKay Ave.

• Free bachata dance class, 6pm, World Dance Co., 4858 Imperial St.

Sunday

• Getting Started with Creative Software, 2-2:45pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown, 6100 Willingdon Ave.

Monday

• Board Game Club, 3:30-5:30pm, McGill Library, 4595 Albert St.

• Free salsa dance class, 7pm, World Dance Co., 4858 Imperial St.

Tuesday

• Summer Stages performances, 11:30am-2pm, Confederation Park, 250 Willingdon Ave.

• Parkway Alive musical performances and activities, 5-8pm, outside Metrotown SkyTrain Station.

• Getting Started With Digitizing, 6:30-7:30pm, Burnaby Library Bob Prittie Metrotown.

Wednesday

• Summer Stages performances, 11:30am-2pm, Confederation Park, 250 Willingdon Ave.

• Film Screening: 24 Hours Edmonds, 6:30-7:30pm, Tommy Douglas Library, 7311 Kingsway.

• Toastmasters. 12pm, Burnaby City Hall.