Voices of Burnaby, with Mayor Mike Hurley

Mayor Mike Hurley talks with Chris Peters, CEO of Tourism Burnaby, the organization working to promote Burnaby as a leading destination and to support the growth of the city’s visitor economy.
He explains how #TourismBurnaby's is positioning the city for FIFA #WorldCup — the largest sporting event in the world — coming to our region this month.
The discussion also explores how through continued investment in our facilities and infrastructure, we’re building toward becoming Canada’s competition capital. While our diverse communities shape the city as a destination for food and culture, supported by our location at the heart of the Lower Mainland, our town centres and shopping destinations, our universities and our beautiful outdoor and active spaces.

Mayor Mike Hurley talks with Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s regional transportation authority. 
He explains #TransLink’s governance structure, financial model and responsibilities, as well as its future plans in #Burnaby. The discussion also explores the balance between financial sustainability, accessibility and affordability, the role of transit in enabling economic growth and the importance of aligning this with local planning and infrastructure capacity, and the need to move away from long-term car dependency by first delivering reliable alternatives, such as active transportation.

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.