Thurs. May 16, 2024 edition: Burnaby council votes to sue Big Oil

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week, we’re circling back to a topic presented in council back in February: Big Oil. After a long debate among council members, it has been decided that the City of Burnaby will join other municipalities in a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies, holding them accountable for damages caused through climate change. In other news, several Burnaby tenants are returning to new homes at the same rent prices for the first time in history, and the city is hosting a series of viewing parties for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

👀 In today's edition:

• Burnaby to sue Big Oil

• Returning to a redeveloped building at the same price point

• The Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre finally opens

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NEWS

Burnaby council votes to sue Big Oil

Burnaby council has voted to join the “Sue Big Oil” campaign, committing to a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies.

The campaign, which had been introduced to council last February during the first Environmental Committee meeting of 2024, sparked debate among council members this time around. Some councillors spoke in favour of suing oil companies, expressing concerns over extreme weather events such as wildfires and heat domes, while others opposed the motion, citing economic reasons.

Ultimately, a decision has been made to proceed with the motion, resulting in a class action suit that aims to raise at least $500,000 (the equivalent of $1 per resident) to combat climate change.

Also at council this week, a YVR delegation presented the airport’s achievements for 2023, the 2023 Annual Municipal Report was submitted to council and noted the city’s financial reserves are declining, and a contract for almost $2 million was approved for green waste compostable materials processing.

Read the full council roundup at Burnaby Beacon.

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Burnaby Bulletin

Celebrating a long awaited opening. Following years of delays, the new Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre in South Burnaby has finally opened its doors last Saturday prompting a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony. [Global News]

State of the City Address 2024. Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley gave an overview of the key projects and priorities for the City of Burnaby at the annual State of the City address hosted by the Burnaby Board of Trade on May 6.

A targeted shooting. One man is dead following a shooting last Tuesday night in the area of Kingsway and Denbigh Avenue around 10:30pm. Despite attempts from police officers and first responders to save the victim, he died later on scene. [CTV News]

Breaching patient privacy. A Burnaby nurse has agreed to a reprimand and two-week suspension for breaching patient privacy and confidentiality after having accessed the confidential health records of several patients through the health authority’s computer system. [Burnaby Now]

More housing on the way. Construction is currently underway in Burnaby for 150 new affordable rental homes for Indigenous and non-Indigenous families and individuals, seniors and people living with disabilities.

NEWS

Burnaby residents returning to new homes at old rents

For the first time in Burnaby, tenants are returning to a redeveloped building at the same rent they were paying before.

Located at 6521 Telford Ave., the new building constructed by Intracorp Homes BC is a six-storey, wood-frame building featuring 59 below-market and seven market units. Of the 49 tenants eligible for replacement units, 32 have chosen to return to the new building and are expected to move in next month.

“We made a promise to Burnaby tenants five years ago to ensure they were not displaced or priced out of their neighbourhoods as a result of redevelopment,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “Today, I’m thrilled to see the first wave of tenants return to beautiful homes in a fantastic new building in Burnaby and I’m thankful for the partners who have helped make this program such a success.”

Get the full story here.

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

City hosts family-friendly playoff viewing party for Canucks

If you’re a Canucks fan eagerly following the Stanley Cup playoff games against the Edmonton Oilers, the City of Burnaby has got you covered.

Joining in on community celebrations, the city is hosting a series of free, family-friendly viewing party broadcasts at the new Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre on 7789 18th St. Live television broadcasts on large-format screens on the second floor will take place each game day and continue throughout the series.

Get the full list of upcoming dates here.

Where to eat & drink

🥖 Obanhmi. If you’re in the mood for this classic Vietnamese sandwich—a crusty, French baguette topped with pickled veggies, minced meat and cilantro—there’s likely no better place to find it in Burnaby than Obanhmi. While the menu is simple, there are lots of interesting flavours to choose from like lemongrass chicken and sate beef.

🍔 50’s Burgers. We couldn’t think of a better way to open up the summer season than with a juicy burger in our hands, especially if it’s a 50’s burger. This down to earth roadside diner is a Burnaby icon, serving diner staples like burgers, fries, hotdogs, fried chicken sandwiches and milkshakes.

🍲 Jia Wei Restaurant. It might be easy to miss this small Chinese restaurant sitting near Metropolis at Metrotown, but it’s well worth the visit after a long walk through the mall. Notable items include their fried cabbage with dried chili, crispy fried pork and spicy tofu on rice.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Assistant General Manager at Bow & Stern

• Chair’s Assistant at Simon Fraser University

• Research Officer at City of Burnaby

• Broker at Acera Insurance

• Level 2 Underwriter at Pacific Blue Cross

• Policy and Strategic Initiatives Coordinator at City of Burnaby

• Risk Management Specialist at Gulf & Fraser

• Deaf/Blind Intervenor at Burnaby School District

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Safe Community Series: Protecting seniors from elder abuse. 6pm. City Hall Council Chambers.

• Family Storytime. 3pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• North Sharing Cultures Dinner. 6pm. Brentwood Park Alliance Church.

Friday

• Maamawi: Together Through the Fire - An Immersive VR Dance Experience. 7pm. 4088 1st Avenue. 

• Cuban Salsa Mojito Party. 9pm. World Dance Co.

• Norwegian Constitution Day. 6pm. Scandinavian Community Centre.

Saturday

• Forest Fairy Gathering. 11am. Burnaby Lake Nature House.

• Acrylics Painting Workshop. 1pm. 7332 4th St.

• Urban Bollywood Mashup. 9:30pm. The Rec Room.

• Guide to Career Firefighting. 8am. 3700 Willingdon Ave.

Sunday

• Virtual Couples Workshop. 4:30pm. Online via Zoom.

• Gisto & The Grateful Living and Mivule. 5pm. 4125 Hastings St.

Monday

• Hegen Canada Event. 12pm-7pm. Metropolis at Metrotown.

• Burnaby Village Museum: May Long Weekend. All day. Burnaby Village Museum. See the full schedule here. 

Tuesday

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

• Individual Canvas Painting. 12:30pm. Global Student Centre.

Wednesday

• Burnaby Writing Group. 6pm. Tommy Douglas Library, Community Room.

• Burnaby Toasters Weekly Meeting. 12pm. Burnaby City Hall.

• Classical Guitar Concert with Mikkel Andersen. 7pm. 6010 Kincaid St.