Voices of Burnaby, with Mayor Mike Hurley

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

Mayor Mike Hurley talks with executive director of the Beedie Foundation, Cindy Beedie.Their discussion covers the vision behind YWCA Cindy Beedie Place and the seven-year journey to bring it to life in #Burnaby, the inspiration behind her three decades of philanthropy, and the family’s support for Simon Fraser University and British Columbia Institute of Technology.The episode also explores the realities and challenges of delivering #affordablehousing, the importance of partnership between #philanthropy and all orders of government, and what’s next for the Beedie Foundation.

Mayor Mike Hurley talks with STEMCELL Technologies president and CEO Dr. Allen Eaves, an Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia recipient and R.M. Taylor Medal honouree.Their discussion covers how he and his wife built STEMCELL into Canada’s largest biotechnology company, his deep passion for advancing #cancerresearch, the potential for the #lifesciences sector in #Burnaby, and why our city is such an attractive place for businesses looking to either set-up or expand. If you find this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and sharing so more people in Burnaby can join the discussion.

Mayor Mike Hurley talks with local hero Joanne Morgan, a longstanding volunteer with Burnaby's Citizen Support Services and Confederation Seniors Centre, where she also serves on the Board. Their discussion covers how we can best support our #seniors in #Burnaby, across public safety, accessibility, affordable housing and tackling issues such as isolation and cybercrime. If you find this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and sharing so more people in Burnaby can join the discussion.

Mayor Mike Hurley talks with Chief Superintendent Bill Parmar, the new Officer in Charge of the Burnaby RCMP Detachment. Their discussion covers how policing is structured in #Burnaby and why that matters, what modern #CommunityPolicing looks like under Bill’s vision, the limits of #police authority regarding people who are unhoused, and just how safe is the City of Burnaby?If you find this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and sharing so more people in Burnaby can join the discussion.

Mayor Mike Hurley talks with the current Kushiro Cup winners - the award for Burnaby’s Outstanding Citizens - Henry Wakabayashi and Ken Shinozaki.This discussion will cover everything from growing up in internment camps, to their incredibly successful careers in business, philanthropy, collaboration, community leadership, how we support our seniors, and celebrating the broader #JapaneseCanadian heritage in #Burnaby.

Mayor Mike Hurley  talks homelessness and community safety with Carol-Ann Flanagan, the Programme Co-Ordinator of the Society to End Homelessness in Burnaby (the Burnaby Board of Trade's 2025 Not-For-Profit Organization of the Year).Carol-Ann is someone who has spent years on the front lines working with vulnerable residents and helping coordinate essential services across the City. Earlier this year she was awarded the King Charles III's Coronation Medal for her inspirational work. They discuss how access to shelter, services, and support, in locations that are suitable and sustainable, means both vulnerable residents and neighbourhoods are much safer. https://campsite.bio/mayorofburnaby

In this first episode of Voices of Burnaby, Mayor Mike Hurley sits down with Andy Yan, Director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University and one of Canada’s leading voices on housing and urban planning. They discuss the impact of recent provincial zoning legislation, what thoughtful city planning should look like, the responsibilities of each level of government, how infrastructure keeps pace with growth, and why true affordability requires more than simply adding density.If you find this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and sharing so more people in Burnaby can join the discussion.