Your quick guide to the provincial election in Burnaby

Advance voting has begun in Burnaby for the BC election, and several polling stations will be open during the long weekend. There are five ridings in Burnaby, with 16 candidates running. Here’s a summary of what to expect, who is running, and where to go. The final voting day will be on Saturday, Oct. 19. All advance voting locations will be open from 8am to 8pm on advance voting days. 

Burnaby Centre

Residents of Burnaby Centre can vote during Thanksgiving weekend, from Oct. 10-13 or next week Oct. 15-16 at two locations: 

• Deer Lake United Church at 5135 Sperling Ave. 

• Wesburn Community Centre at 4781 Parkwood Ave. 

One polling station is open today, Friday Oct. 11, at BCIT (Burnaby Campus) - Building SE2 3700 Willingdon Ave.  

Advance polling locations are open from 8am to 8pm on the dates mentioned above. 

Candidates 

Anne Kang - BC NDP

Anne Kang is the incumbent MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake and serves as minister of municipal affairs. She previously served as minister of advanced education and skills training, minister of citizens’ services, and parliamentary secretary for seniors and multiculturalism. Kang also served as a Burnaby city councillor for three terms. 

According to her official biography, Kang emigrated from Taiwan over 30 years ago and has been an active community volunteer for most of her life.  

“As a former teacher and mother of two, Anne understands the importance of accessible child care and is a strong advocate for better schools and healthcare in Burnaby,” her biography said. “Anne Kang is fighting for everyday people, making sure everyone in Burnaby Centre has the support they need to build a good life. She’s working with David Eby and the BC NDP to lower costs, improve healthcare, and ensure that regular people, not just those at the top, have a fair shot.”

Dharam Kajal - Conservative Party

According to the official biography of Dharam Kajal, the candidate “originates from a humble familial background in Punjab, India.” Kajal immigrated to Canada around 40 years ago, has degrees in civil and structural engineering, and is currently CEO at Westridge Engineering & Consulting Ltd. based in Surrey. 

“Dharam Kajal envisions a future where everyone thrives together, believing that by addressing the unique needs of each person and community, we can achieve collective prosperity and well-being. He is dedicated to tackling challenges like high living costs and environmental issues, while also prioritizing safety, healthcare, and creating opportunities for all to succeed. With his grounded approach, strong work ethic, and broad experience, Dharam is ready to tackle these complex issues and build a fair and prosperous society for everyone,” said his official biography. 

Burnaby East

Four polling locations will be available to residents of Burnaby East and all will be open from Oct. 10-13 and again on Oct. 15-16, with the exception of St. Stephen The Martyr Anglican Church, which will be open Oct. 10-13 and Oct. 15 only. Here is a list of locations: 

• Salvation Army Cariboo Hill at Temple 7195 Cariboo Rd.

• Simon Fraser University Halpern Centre at 039-8888 University Dr.

• St. Stephen The Martyr Anglican Church at 9887 Cameron St. (Open Oct. 10-13 and Oct. 15) 

• Swedish Canadian Manor at 1812 Duthie Ave.

Candidates

Reah Arora - BC NDP

According to Arora’s biography, she grew up in Burnaby’s East Westridge neighbourhood and is currently the director of organizing at the BC Federation of Labour. 

“Growing up in Burnaby, I’ve seen the effect that reckless cuts have on people and families. John Rustad and Kevin Falcon made deep cuts to healthcare and education, and they’d do it again,” said Arora. “The BC NDP is taking action to make life better — whether that’s reducing the cost of car insurance or childcare, or building the affordable homes that people in Burnaby desperately need.”

Simon Chandler - Conservative Party

According to his bio, Simon Chandler was born and raised in Vancouver and has a background in law enforcement and the military. 

“He dedicated three years of service as a Community Police Volunteer, gaining first-hand experience in crime prevention. During this time, Simon witnessed the crucial interactions between law enforcement and drug-users, reinforcing his belief in the need to equip officers with the necessary tools to effectively address the drug crisis and tackle crime,” his biography said. “From effective crime prevention and enforcement to advocating for essential parental rights and reducing the cost of living, Simon aims to be a dedicated representative.”

Tara Shushtarian - BC Green Party

According to her biography, Tara Shushtarian moved to Canada in 2002, and currently resides on Burnaby Mountain. Shushtarian has a long career of environmental activism and community service. When she was still a student in India, she joined several social and environmental movements such as the Chipko movement. She is currently a member of the city’s environmental committee. 

“Tara is also a strong advocate for Indigenous rights and believes firmly that climate justice and social justice are inseparable. Her involvement with the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition and the All On Board transit campaign underscores her commitment to equity and accessible public services,” her bio said. “As Co-Chair of the West Coast Climate Action Network and a key participant in the Frack Free movement, Tara continues to push for a just transition to a green economy that benefits all communities. Her dedication to participatory democracy and proportional representation through Fair Vote Canada further highlights her commitment to building a fairer, more inclusive future.” 

Burnaby North

Two voting locations will be open for residents of Burnaby North on Oct. 10-13 and Oct. 15-16. 

• Capitol Hill Comm Hall at 361 Howard Ave. 

• Willingdon Comm Centre at 1491 Carleton Ave. 

Candidates 

Janet Routledge - BC NDP

Janet Routledge is the incumbent MLA for Burnaby North, elected in 2017 and in 2020. According to her biography, “Routledge has spent her career helping regular people access quality healthcare, assert their rights, and build good lives in the province of British Columbia. A lifelong member of the labour movement, she has taken action for workers in office as parliamentary secretary for labour, advancing employment standards for gig drivers. She believes that an MLA’s job is to foster community solidarity and make people’s lives better so people can live and thrive.”

“People in Burnaby North know that they need a government that will take action on housing and healthcare, not one that will make reckless and risky cuts,” said Routledge on the NDP webpage dedicated to her candidacy. “People can count on our BC NDP team to be in their corner, taking action on the issues that matter to them.”

Martin Kendell - Independent

According to his biography, Martin Kendell has been a Burnaby resident for 24 years and worked at the City of Vancouver for 13 years. Kendell has been active in the community through the Clean Up Burnaby campaign since 2021, during which the campaign collected “over 200 kilograms of litter, which includes over 350 disposable PPE masks.”

Kendell's platform includes finding solutions to housing affordability, healthcare services, reducing plastic waste and fossil fuels, and improving safety. 

“I will support efforts to reduce over the top bureaucratic salaries, amalgamate BC's five separate health regions and offer incentives for qualified doctors and medical professionals to settle in smaller communities with major issues to healthcare accessibility,” Kendell said on his website. “Fossil fuels that use fracking for extraction such as natural gas and LNG must be phased out in favour of greener energy alternatives. Taxpayer funded subsidies should be eliminated and redirected into funding education and healthcare initiatives.” 

Community policing and safety is another issue mentioned in his campaign in which he advocates for the creation of a provincial police force. 

“BC must take immediate action in ending homelessness while offering programs and incentives to get people's lives back on track free from the scourge of fentanyl, opioids and other hard drugs,” Kendell said. 

Michael Wu - Conservative Party

According to his official biography, Michael Wu has lived in Burnaby for 25 years and has been a successful entrepreneur since the age of 19. 

His experience as a small business owner has given him firsthand knowledge of the challenges businesses face and the importance of reducing barriers to economic growth,” Wu’s biography said. “In 2006, Wu joined the RCMP as an Auxiliary Member, providing translation services in Mandarin and Cantonese for 17 years, and working with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and various other sections of the RCMP.” 

His bio said that he wants to “build a supportive foundation for future immigrants and ensure that all British Columbians have opportunities to thrive. He is committed to enhancing public safety, tackling affordability issues, and revitalizing the healthcare system through the Conservative Party's vision.” 

Burnaby South-Metrotown

Two locations will be available for advance voting for Burnaby South-Metrotown. Both locations will be open on Oct. 10-13 and again on Oct. 15-16. 

• Poppy Residences - Legion 83 at 5291 Grimmer St. 

• South Burnaby Lawn Bowls Club at 4000 Kingsway

Candidates 

MichaelAngelo Abc RobinHood - Independent

Little information is available about MichaelAngelo Abc RobinHood, who is running as an independent for Burnaby South-Metrotown. The candidate does not have an official website or platform.  

Meiling Chia - Unaffiliated

Meiling Chia, an unaffiliated candidate, is a former Burnaby school trustee and her platform focuses on education policy and children's mental development. 

According to her biography, Chia “has lived in Burnaby since 1995 after moving from Taiwan and has over two decades of public service experience, including her work at the Canada Revenue Agency and as a former business owner. She is fluent in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Taiwanese.”

Paul Choi - NDP

According to the NDP website, Paul Choi is a Korean-Canadian lawyer with a background as a former police officer. 

“Born into a family that ran a small grocery store, Paul Choi understands the challenges faced by everyday people firsthand. He has been taking action for regular folks his entire life, having worked as a volunteer, activist, first responder and lawyer,” his official biography said. 

“Growing up in a working-class family, we relied on strong public services. But we know that Falcon and Rustad would just deliver reckless and risky cuts,” Choi is quoted on the website. “For my family, and every family like us, we need a government that is on our side, taking action to make life easier.”

Han Lee - Conservative Party

According to his biography, Han Lee is an entrepreneur and CEO with 15 years of business experience. 

“Han has successfully founded and led companies across various sectors, including IT, real estate, accounting, international trading, and marketing. His business approach is characterized by open-mindedness, positivity, and a strong commitment to making a lasting impact and positive difference in the world,” his biography said. “Han is determined to tackle critical issues affecting Canadians, particularly within the context of speculative investments contributing to a concerning housing bubble, especially in BC.” 

Carrie McLaren - BC Green Party

The BC Green Party candidate for Burnaby South-Metrotown has previously served on the board of directors of Progressive Housing Society.

According to her biography, “Currently I serve as a director and treasurer for my own housing co-op - successfully updating administrative policies and guiding it through an end of government mortgage re-financing agreement. Previously I served as a director for a local non-profit housing society for 6 years.” 

McLaren is concerned with housing affordability, and finding homes for people with complex needs. 

Burnaby-New Westminster

Two locations will be open for advance voting in Burnaby-Westminster on Oct. 10-13 and again on Oct. 15-16. 

• Edmonds Community Centre at 7433 Edmonds St.

• New Westminster Lawn Bowling Club at 710 Eighth St. in New Westminster. 

Candidates

Raj Chouhan - BC NDP

Raj Chouhan is the incumbent MLA for Burnaby-New Westminster. According to his biography, Chouhan moved to Canada in 1973, and has been elected five times as MLA. 

“Raj is the first South Asian person to serve as Speaker of the House in the BC legislature. He is the founding President of the Canadian Farmworkers’ Union and the founding member of the BC Organization to Fight Racism, and he knows that regular people need a government that works for them, not the rich and the powerful,” his biography said. 

Daniel Kofi Ampong - Independent

Born in Obuasi, Ghana, Daniel Kofi Ampong moved to Canada in 1994, where he settled in New Westminster with his family. 

“As a local business owner, I forged connections across sectors, fostering growth and unity. My dedication to nurturing youth extended to active involvement with various sports teams, shaping not just talent but character,” Ampong said on his website. “I pledge to translate my dedication and love for my community into tangible action. With the support of my neighbours, I aim to be a bridge-builder, fostering collaboration and empowerment. I am committed to shaping a future where New Westminster shines brighter than ever.”

His platform focuses on tracking drug use and making treatment and mental health support affordable. It also focuses on hiring more cops and healthcare workers, providing more childcare spaces and schools.  

Deepak Suri - Conservative Party

According to his biography, Deepak Suri is an entrepreneur with a commerce degree from the University of Delhi. He worked in Kuwait in finance and in India’s automotive industry. Suri immigrated to Canada in 1999. 

“Fueled by a dedication to service and an unwavering belief in progressive values, Deepak aims to enhance the Conservative Party's platform through transformative initiatives. His diverse expertise and steadfast commitment position him as a dynamic force for positive change, aligning the party with the evolving needs of the constituents,” his biography said.

This piece was made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

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