Voices of Burnaby, with Mayor Mike Hurley

Mayor Mike Hurley talks with Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, president of BCIT – BC’s leading polytechnic institution.
He explains what it means to be a polytechnic institution, shares future plans for BCIT’s main campus in Burnaby, and highlights why delivering Phase 2 of #BurnabyHospital is critical for the broader education and health sectors.
The discussion also explores challenges and opportunities in journalism, the booming TV and film industry in #Burnaby, ongoing skilled trades shortages and their impact on the local economy, and the importance of reflecting Burnaby’s values of diversity and accessibility in post-secondary education.

Mayor Mike Hurley talks with John Brendan McEown, the first-ever CEO of the Burnaby Housing Authority.
Their discussion covers the Burnaby Housing Authority's mission to create affordable, non‑market housing and market rental housing in #Burnaby, explains how as a municipal corporation they act like a developer for public benefit, using innovative approaches to deliver housing faster and to help fill gaps in the local supply.
As well as the impacts of the #BCbudget on housing delivery and affordability goals, the current state of the construction sector and what actually defines #affordablehousing.

Mike Hurley talks with Monika Verma, executive director of Dixon Transition Society.
Their discussion covers the essential work Dixon Transition Society does in #Burnaby through emergency, transitional, and second-stage housing, along with counselling and outreach services; the importance of education and community collaboration in both prevention and response; the number of women being turned away due to limited shelter capacity and available housing; and addresses misconceptions about who is affected by gender-based violence.

Mayor Mike Hurley talks with John McCarthy, vice president of McCarthy Properties, and Dr. Alex Butskiy, a physician at Burnaby Hospital.
This is a special episode on the #BurnabyHospital redevelopment - and the deeply disappointing decision in the #BCBudget to “re-pace” this urgent and essential project.
Their discussion covers the importance of Phase 2 and what it will deliver, the impact of delays and uncertainty on fundraising efforts led by John and other key community partners, the effect on staff like Alex, and what they are calling on the provincial government to do to ensure the project proceeds.

Mayor Mike Hurley talks with Dr. Joy Johnson, president and vice‑chancellor of Simon Fraser University. Their discussion covers how universities, cities, and industry can collaborate to drive economic growth and #innovation, the importance of #diversity and creating opportunities for #students from all backgrounds, and how university and student safety priorities have evolved as SFU has grown into its own community on Burnaby Mountain.

The episode also explores what attracts students and faculty to live and work in #Burnaby, and how the city and SFU have transformed together over the past decade