Thursday, June 12 edition: Burnaby plans apology for Chinese-Canadians

Good morning, Burnaby!

We have finally experienced our first heat wave of the year and we hope you managed to stay cool last weekend as the temperatures climbed. The city opened its cooling centres for the weekend and published some tips for staying cool in the heat.

In other news, the City of Burnaby has decided on a date for a formal apology to the Chinese-Canadian community for historical discrimination.

It was also a turbulent week for the workers at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown who rallied on Friday for better wages shortly after their collective agreement came to an end on May 31.

One retired nurse became the first person to receive a robotic-assisted hip replacement at Burnaby Hospital.

👀 In today's edition:

• Burnaby to apologize to Chinese community for historical discrimination

• Hilton Metrotown workers rally for wage increases

• First robotic-assisted hip replacement surgery in Burnaby

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NEWS

City of Burnaby plans public apology to Chinese-Canadians

The City of Burnaby has decided to publicly apologize to the Chinese-Canadian community for historic discrimination from 1892-1947. As part of Burnaby’s reconciliation efforts, staff conducted research and engagement with the Chinese-Canadian community in Burnaby from October 2023 to October 2024 that culminated in a proposed apology.

According to a staff report, the proposed apology is planned for Nov. 15, 2025 at the Crystal Ballroom at Hilton Vancouver Metrotown. The venue was selected due to its proximity to Crystal Mall, an important cultural hub for Chinese-Canadians and its historical significance. The city also released the framework for the apology and reconciliatory actions.

Burnaby City Council discussed the proposed apology during its biweekly meeting on June 10. All the council members present welcomed the apology and reconciliation. However, Coun. Alison Gu expressed some concerns.

“I am so concerned that we fall into these cycles where we are historically racist against one subset of a population, and then we apologize for our actions at the institution level, and then we go and do the same thing to a different group of people,” Gu said. “I want to urge everybody at all levels of government as individuals, to not fall into that same silence and complicity when we see these historical patterns play out against other people.”

Find out more here.

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Burnaby Bulletin

🏬 New Foundry location selected: BC Centre for Ability and Foundry Youth Mental Health & Wellness Centre secured a new space in Royal Oak.

🚨 BCIT Disaster Day on June 11: BCIT will conduct a full-scale emergency response exercise at all its campuses, this year’s scenario is an earthquake.

🏗️ Brentwood Block is underway: Grosvenor starts construction on the first phase of Brentwood Block.

🌲 38 people participated in Environment Week cleanup: Participants helped clear invasive plants at Cariboo Heights forest on June 7.

🚔 Burnaby RCMP seizes drugs, weapons, cash: The Gang Enforcement Team seized eight kilograms of illegal drugs, $375k in cash, and three firearms.

🏢 Rents decline by 3% throughout Canada: According to a new report, rents in Burnaby have declined by 8% year over year.

🚴‍♂️ BC Parkway upgrades complete in New Westminster: According to TransLink, the upgrades aim to make cycling and walking safer and more comfortable.

🎨 Burnaby Arts Council annual general meeting next week: The BAC’s new board of directors will meet at Deer Lake Gallery, event is open to the public.

🧺 Taste, stroll, and shop local! The Brentwood Farmers Market is back June 15! The perfect stop for farm-fresh finds, handmade treasures and savoury delights!*

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ScotFestBC roars back June 20 and 21, filling the park with pipes, Celtic riffs, caber tossing, and a refreshed whisky school. All at the end of the Skytrain in Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park. Info and tickets here.*

🎪 Bard on the Beach’s 2025 Season opens this week! Discover four dynamic productions running June 10–September 20. Plus, save $10 instantly on Preview dates!*

*Sponsored Listing

NEWS

Hilton Metrotown workers rally for higher wages

Workers at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown hotel rallied on Friday, June 6 to demand increased wages. Most of the workers live in Burnaby and had previously engaged in a strike that lasted more than a year and ended with a collective agreement in 2022. The agreement ended on May 31, 2025 and the workers want pay parity with peers at Vancouver Airport and downtown hotels.

According to a press release by their union, UNITE HERE Local 40, “Hilton Metrotown workers are proud to welcome guests to Burnaby’s finest hotel but are earning far less than their peers in Downtown Vancouver and Vancouver Airport hotels. With hotel room rates at Hilton Metrotown selling from nearly $400 to $700 per night – and some nights completely sold out – the workers, many of whom live in Burnaby, are fighting for their fair share.”

Read more here.

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From forest floor to farmers market

Craig Gingras, founder of Sea to Sky Mushrooms, turned a passion for wild foraging into a thriving indoor farm. He’s part of a new generation of B.C. farmers finding creative, sustainable ways to grow food. At farmers markets, he educates customers and proves young farmers can thrive—despite rising challenges. Read more here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Retired nurse receives first robotic-arm assisted hip replacement in Burnaby

Retired nurse, Maureen Coutts was the first patient to receive a robotic-arm assisted hip replacement at Burnaby Hospital on April 24, 2025. According to Fraser Health, prior to the surgery Coutts underwent a CT scan to create a 3D image of the joint.

“During the surgery, surgeons guided the robotic arm, adjusting as necessary based on visual and audio cues from the arm’s software,” Fraser Health said in a press release.

Since implementing the $2.3 million system in the spring of 2024, more than 100 patients have received robotic-assisted knee replacements.

“Post-surgery, patients report a better range of motion and less pain with this system compared to traditional joint-replacement surgery,” says Tim Kostamo, orthopedic surgeon and division head, Orthopedics, Burnaby Hospital. 

Read more here.

Where to eat & drink

🍔 Oliver Twist Pub & Grill, 7557 Edmonds St. This is a bit of a hidden gem with a devoted following, serving up hearty meals. The Bulgogi burger is a crowd favourite.

🥘 Manjal South Indian restaurant, 7613 Edmonds St. Another somewhat hidden gem with a varied menu of South Indian specialties.

🍲 Viet Noodle Guy, 1902 Rosser Ave. In keeping with the theme of hidden gems, this is a great place for delicious, affordable Vietnamese fare.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Custodian, City Hall Complex, City of Burnaby

• Food services attendant, City of Burnaby

• Head baker, Maison Mori

• Dental assistant, Dawson Dental

• Medical office assistant, Burnaby Sleep Clinic

• Client advisor, RBC, Burnaby

• Caregiver/Personal support worker, Individualized Funding Resource Centre Society

• Registered nurse, Mental Health Emergency, Burnaby Hospital

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Clean Energy Summit, 9am-4pm, Delta Hotel Conference Centre,
  4331 Dominion St.

Friday

• Golden Hour art exhibition, 10am-4:30pm, Burnaby Art Gallery.

• Disney Trivia II at The Rec Room Brentwood, 7-9pm, 1920 Willingdon Ave., Unit 2106

Saturday

• Pinoy Festival, 9am-10pm, Swangard Stadium, Burnaby Central Park

• Farmers’ Market, 9am-2pm. Burnaby City Hall parking lot.

• Burnaby Junk Day, 8am-4pm, Still Creek Works Yard (across from the Eco-Centre)

• Burnaby Entrepreneurs Toastmasters 3rd Annual Gala, 5:30-10pm, Alan Emmott Centre, 6650 Southoaks Cres.

Sunday

• Father’s Day Walk Run, 8:15am, Burnaby Lake.

• Zumba for Love in support of BC Cancer Foundation, 2:30-4pm, 487 Alexander St.

Monday

• Soup Lunch for $2, 11am-1pm, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, 4908 Hastings St.

• Community Mahjong Club, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, 2055 Rosser Ave.

Tuesday

• Presencing, Works on Paper from the Salish Weave Collection, 10am-8pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie, Metrotown

Wednesday

• Eyes of the Beast, 7:30pm, Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre, SFU School for the Contemporary Arts, 149 W. Hastings St.

• Toastmasters. 12pm, Burnaby City Hall