Thursday, May 22 edition: City of Burnaby surplus grew to $6B in 2024

Good morning, Burnaby!

After a cold and stormy Victoria Day long weekend, warm weather is on the way, and many exciting community events are scheduled to happen soon. Things will start getting busy at the end of May and the start of June with exciting events such as Hats Off Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and more.

For those curious about the city’s financial position, revenues, expenses, and more, the City of Burnaby recently released a 78-page 2024 Municipal Report. The report provides a fascinating snapshot of the city’s current financial position. According to the Municipal Report, the City of Burnaby’s surplus at the end of 2024 was $6 billion, up from $5.7 billion in 2023. In 2024, revenues alone were $977,425,313, up from $864,869,965 in 2023.

During its May 13 meeting, Burnaby City Council approved $90,000 over three years for food security grants to help non-profits deliver food to food-insecure people in Burnaby.

In other news, last week, a new exhibition opened showcasing the art of Burnaby students with disabilities or diverse abilities. The exhibition runs until May 30 and is open to the public free of charge.

👀 In today's edition:

• City of Burnaby’s surplus was $6 billion in 2024

• Inclusive art exhibition highlights Burnaby students’ talents

• Burnaby City Council approves $90K food security grants

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News

City releases its 2024 Municipal Report

Last week, the City of Burnaby released its Municipal Report detailing the city’s revenues, expenses, and surplus. According to the report, the city is in a better financial situation than expected and projected, with reserves rising to more than $6 billion in 2024.

According to the city’s Municipal Report, Burnaby’s surplus at the end of 2024 was $6,053,493,839, an increase from the 2023 surplus of $5,742,168,285. The report mentions that the city’s cash and cash equivalents decreased to $102,100,802 in 2024. In 2023, the city ended the year with $164,002,510 in cash and cash equivalents.

The report also provides statistical information about the city and updates regarding its various civic projects and plans.

Read the full report here

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Burnaby Bulletin

🚛 Burnaby RCMP impounds dump truck for 30 days: The driver’s license was suspended for 90 days and fined $1,600 after officers found 17 violations.

🚨 Woman violently assaulted in Stanley Park bathroom: A woman was violently sexually assaulted and robbed at 11 am in the women’s changing room near Second Beach pool, a 35-year-old man was arrested.

🕯️ 22-year old woman dies in slackline fall: A 22-year-old UBC graduate died in a slacklining accident near Squamish, BC.

🌉 Man jumps off Vancouver bridge: the 29-year-old told police someone had dared him.

💰 Surrey resident wins historical $80M Lotto jackpot: Justin Simporios from Surrey won the largest jackpot in BC history and the largest to be won by a single person in Canada.

🚔 Police investigating assaults near Metrotown mall: A man in his 20s or 30s physically assaulted two employees as they were closing a business for the night.

🐈 Burnaby woman encounters bobcat in her backyard: The woman, who lives near Eagle Creek, encountered the bobcat when she was outside gardening.

🐕 Man mauled by two dogs left bleeding alone by animals’ owner: A BC man was mauled by two dogs he described as pitbulls on Hemlock Valley Road north of Harrison Mills, the dogs’ owners left him bleeding on the road without checking on him.

💳 Abbotsford police search for credit card scammer: Abbotsford police released a photo of a man suspected of scamming several people.

📺 City of Burnaby posts mayor’s address on YouTube: The city posted Mayor Mike Hurley’s seventh State of the City address in full on YouTube.

News

Council approves $90K for food security grants

At its meeting on May 13, Burnaby City Council approved a recommendation for $90,000 in grants for non-profits that provide food aid for Burnaby residents. In recent years, increasing numbers of families and seniors in Burnaby have been relying on food hubs to survive.

According to a staff report, city council approved a “contribution of $90,000 over a three-year period ($30,000 per year) from the Gaming Reserve to assist with the administrative costs associated with starting the Burnaby Food Security Table.”

The report also recommended that the “Community Grant Policy be updated to allow food security grants to support direct delivery of food programs and services to Burnaby residents.”

The report also said that the grants are in keeping with the recommendations outlined in the city’s new Food Systems Strategy, approved by council last November.

Read the report here

SPONSORED BY THE YOUNG FARMERS SERIES

"Where does your food come from?"

For Lacey Drozdowich, ag-vocacy means answering that question—and helping people understand the hard work behind every bite.

As part of the Young Farmers Series, the 21-year-old from Abbotsford is passionate about closing the gap between producers and consumers. From ag education to food system awareness, Lacey is using her voice to bridge the divide and shine a light on the real people feeding the country.

Read the full article here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Inclusive art exhibition for students with disabilities

More than 60 Burnaby students with disabilities or diverse abilities are exhibiting their art at The Anvil Centre in New Westminster at the fourth annual Building a Better Tomorrow Through Art exhibition led by the Access Team at Burnaby North Secondary School.

The exhibition is showcasing the work of students from the following schools:

• Burnaby North Secondary

• Byrne Creek Community School

• Cariboo Hill Secondary

• Moscrop Secondary

• New Westminster Secondary

The exhibition is open to the public for free until May 30 at The Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia Street, New Westminster.

Read more here

Where to eat & drink

🥗 Anatolia’s Gate, if you’re craving some Mediterranean and Turkish fare, this small, cozy place offers a wide variety of Turkish pide, fresh-baked bread and grilled kababs.

🍜 Green and Oak Malaysian Restaurant, tickle your tastebuds with hearty and spicy Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine.

🍞 Atlas Steak and Fish, if you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to impress someone, Atlas is a great option.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Admissions officer, BCIT

• Senior Manager, Homelessness, BC Housing, Burnaby

• Administrative Support Clerk, Public Health, Fraser Health, Burnaby

• Truck Driver, City of Burnaby

• Physiotherapist, PhysioCare at Home, Burnaby

• Team Lead, The Body Shop, Metrotown

• Contract Skate Instructor, City of Burnaby

• Coordinator, Recreation Programs, City of Burnaby

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Summer Season events, 11 am - 4:30 pm, Burnaby Village Museum

• Bill 44 Multiplex and the future of Burnaby Real Estate, 2:30 - 3:30 pm, 6023 Silver Drive

• BCIT Alumni Association AGM, 5 - 8:30 pm, 555 Seymour St.

Friday

• Day of Play, 2 - 3:30 pm, Lobley Park

• Jazz Café featuring the Jazz Vikings, 6 pm, Scandinavian Community Centre, 6540 Thomas Street

Saturday

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

• Planetarium VidLaser Zeppelin, Floyd, Radiohead & Free Astro Shows, 7 pm, BCIT Planetarium, 3700 Willingdon Ave, Building SW3.

• Burnaby Foraging Workshop, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm, Waterfront Holistics, 8155 Wedgewood Street Burnaby

• Free Beginner Bachata Dance, 6 pm, World Dance Co., 4858 Imperial St

Sunday

• Paint Nite Brand Creative Events, 6 - 8 pm, The Rec Room, 1920 Willingdon Ave Unit 2106.

Monday

• Board Game Club, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown

• Community Mahjong Club, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Burnaby Neighbourhood Brentwood House – 2055 Rosser Ave.

Tuesday

• Family Storytime, 10:30 - 11 am, Temporary Cameron Library, City of Lougheed Shopping Centre

• Games for English Learners, 6 -7:30 pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown.

Wednesday

• Baby social. 1 - 2:30 pm, Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie Metrotown

• Toastmasters. 12 pm, Burnaby City Hall