Thursday, March 6 edition: Property tax to increase by 3.9%

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week, Burnaby City Council held a special meeting to discuss an increase in property tax—residents can expect a 3.9% increase in their property taxes this year, with an additional 1.9% “infrastructure levy” bringing the total increase to 5.8%. Also this week, Burnaby and RCMP are spreading awareness of scams targeting residents via information sessions, and Burnaby students are putting on a huge Broadway show.

👀 In today's edition:

• Property tax to increase by 3.9%

• Burnaby and RCMP spread awareness of scams targeting residents

• Burnaby students put on a huge Broadway show

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NEWS

Property tax to increase by 3.9%

Burnaby residents can expect a 3.9% increase in their property taxes this year, with an additional 1.9% “infrastructure levy” bringing the total increase to 5.8%. Among the reasons cited for the increase is provincial legislation that has reduced city income from new developments and increased costs and economic uncertainty due to the tariffs imposed by the US government. 

Burnaby City Council held a special council meeting on Mar. 4 to discuss the increases and the upcoming financial plan. 

Many spoke in favour of the increase, the mayor and several councillors citing economic uncertainty due to US President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada. Coun. Maita Santiago cited the economic uncertainty due to the new tariffs. Santiago added that 3.9% is reasonable and allows the city to continue to provide services to Burnaby residents. 

Get all the details on the tax increase here.

SPONSORED BY CIWKO AND CRISTALL

An evening with a folk music legend

Judy Collins is one of the first generation of artists who put folk music on the map in the early 1960s.

First an interpreter of traditional songs and then a pioneer performing songs by the new generation of songwriters, she helped introduce Leonard Cohen, Randy Newman and Joni Mitchell, among others, to mass audiences. She’s recorded over fifty records, winning a 1975 Grammy for the haunting “Send in the Clowns”. A long-time social activist starting with the civil rights and anti-war movements, Judy remains a vital force in both music and politics.

Come join this remarkable singer for a rare and special evening of songs from her extraordinary repertoire. See the legendary Judy Collins in concert - March 30 at the Massey Theatre.

Burnaby Bulletin

Burnaby Mountain gondola agreement. Burnaby council has endorsed an agreement committing to designating higher density mixed-use areas around the Burnaby Mountain gondola’s two planned terminals at the top and bottom of the mountain. [Burnaby Now]

Bite of Burnaby is back. Taking place throughout the month of March, Bite of Burnaby is an exciting food festival showcasing more than 65 restaurants that offer exclusive prix-fixe menus, immersive dining experiences, and hands-on culinary events. You can find a list of all the restaurants participating here.

Buy Canadian. Bid documents for City of Burnaby contracts have started to include a "buy Canadian" provision in the wake of tariff threats from US President Donald Trump, the latest example a request for proposal for companies who want to supply, deliver and maintain the city's firefighter turnout gear. [Richmond News]

Women of Distinction. A total of 15 women and businesses from Burnaby and New West have been chosen as nominees for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. The awards celebrate individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to foster the well-being, strength and future of communities. [Burnaby Now]

Shutdown of waste burning plant. A BC non-profit is calling on Metro Vancouver to shut down its waste-burning operation in Burnaby. Zero Waste BC says the facility's incineration approach to waste management is costly and pollutes the air, with the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment BC just one of several environmental groups joining the call. [CBC]

CelticFest Vancouver kicks off March 7 through 17 with music, performances, food demos, comedy, a family day and more! Join Hermitage Green, Irish folk-rock band from Limerick on March 16 at the Vogue Theatre.*

*Sponsored Listing

NEWS

Burnaby and RCMP spread awareness of scams targeting residents

Every day, a new scam appears and invades Canadians’ personal lives, sometimes with catastrophic and tragic consequences. As the Beacon has covered in the past, many Burnaby residents—especially vulnerable residents such as seniors, newcomers, and children—are often targets of online and phone scams that may have serious consequences on their personal lives and savings. 

The City of Burnaby, in cooperation with the Burnaby RCMP Community Response Team, is hosting information and awareness sessions for Burnaby residents. The sessions are part of the city’s Safe Community Series and will inform residents of the latest scams, how to protect themselves, and how to avoid becoming a victim. 

The first session, which takes place on Thursday, Mar. 6, will be about bitcoin ATM scams. The session will take place in person at Burnaby City Hall and virtually via Zoom. 

Read more about what to expect at the information sessions here.

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Burnaby students put on a huge Broadway show

Lights, action, music, dance and song; it’s all in the musical Burnaby South Secondary students created with their teachers. The SpongeBob Musical will open at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby this Thursday, Mar. 6 at 7pm and the students are promising to put on a spectacular performance for the community. The play is based on SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical and tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for students.

The musical follows some of the SpongeBob SquarePants animated series characters as they navigate challenges together as a community. The musical production is one of the largest undertaken by Burnaby South Secondary students and teachers, who are working both onstage and backstage on the production. The musical also features a full orchestra of Burnaby South students. 

“We have 150 Burnaby South students involved. We have 50 performers, and we have a full orchestra doing the music in the pit. And our biggest component is actually our stagecraft program, or our production program, which has 90 kids connected to it,” said Emily Dewar, show director and head of the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Burnaby South. 

Read more about the performance here.

Where to eat & drink

🍫 Truffle Pig Chocolate. There’s arguably no better dessert than a piece of chocolate…except one that comes from an ethical and sustainable source. At this quaint chocolate shop near Burnaby Mountain, you can have both—choose from a variety of quality milk and dark chocolates infused with nut butters, sea salt, floral flavours and more.

🧋 Blossom Teas. A quality bubble tea shop sitting just outside of SFU campus, Blossom Teas is a no-brainer for refreshing drinks like milk and fruit teas, ice cream smoothies and slushies as well as Korean sweets like bingsu and taiyaki waffles. They’ve currently got mango sticky rice for winter—get it before the season ends!

🍤 Cockney Kings Fish & Chips. There’s no doubt that if you’ve got a craving for a classic one or two-piece fish and chips, there’s no better place to satisfy it than Cockney Kings. Along with a great selection of fried and grilled seafood options on their menu, they also offer daily specials and, only in Burnaby and New West, an all-you-can-eat menu.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Advisor, Equity Strategies at BC Housing

• Visual Merchandiser at Sporting Life

• Commercial Insurance Specialist at Northbridge

• Sales Supervisor at Michael Kors

• Outdoor Seasonal Merchandiser at Rainbow Greenhouses Inc.

• Research Chairs Facilitator at SFU

• Kayak Instructor at City of Burnaby

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Almost Spring Ride! 7pm. Burnaby Mountain at North Rd. & Chapman Ave.

• What you need to know about Bitcoin ATM scams. 6pm. City Hall Council Chamber.

• Board Game Club. 3:30pm. Burnaby Public Library.

Friday

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

• Brazilian Carnival Salsa Party. 9pm. World Dance Co.

• Party with Kickstart. 8pm. Admiral Pub & Grill.

Saturday

• Vancouver International Dance Expo. 11am. Hilton Vancouver Metrotown.

• Footprints. 7:30pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

• Red Tango Redemption. 7:30pm. Scotia Barn.

• Adult Solo Snare Drumming Championship. 11am. SFU.

Sunday

• Glow & Sip: Beauty & Wellness Cafe Meetup. 11am. Juillet Cafe.

• Paint Nite. 6pm. The Rec Room.

• Bossa ‘Burnaby’ Card Show. 10am-4pm. Bonsor Recreation Complex.

Monday

• Oh! Jazz: Global Stage with Zela Margossian Quintet. 7pm. Cineplex Cinemas VIP Brentwood.

• Paint Nite. 7pm. Wings Burnaby.

Tuesday

• Brendan Meadows: Alcoves. 10am-8pm. Bob Prittie Metrotown.

• Meet with a Peer Navigator. 1:30pm. Burnaby Public Library.

Wednesday

• Fun-Loving Retirees Lunch. 11:45am. 420 6th St.