Burnaby First has announced its mayoral candidate, and more members of its council slate are set to step forward.
Dr. Daren Hancott, who was vying for the Conservative nomination in the Burnaby North-Seymour federal riding, will now run against Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan for the top spot at city hall in November. The 48-year-old formally announced his candidacy at a BFC press conference Thursday afternoon, laying out the coalition’s platform.
Ahead of the conference, Hancott called for a stronger relationship between the city and other levels of governments, criticizing the Burnaby Citizen’s Association of pointing fingers at the B.C. Liberals and Harper’s Conservatives over responsibilities.
“Burning bridges and blaming others for shortcomings is not a serious long-term strategy for delivering the results Burnaby residents should expect from their local government,” he said. “It’s time for some balance; to have other stakeholders’ voices heard. It’s time for a change in leadership and a wholesale change of culture at city hall.”
A former chair of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, Hancott has a background in business, education and not-for-profit organizations, which he said has given him an even mix of experience and discernment to face issues in Burnaby.
Hancott reiterated Burnaby First’s stance on lowering taxes, improving services and narrowing the spread between residential and business taxes, and stated his vision includes increased transparency, approachability and accountability at city hall.
While Burnaby First has yet to announce a full slate, its board includes such past council candidates as Nick Kvenich (independent) and Carrie McLaren (Green Party), as well as former Burnaby Parents’ Voice spokeswoman Heather Leung and developer Shakila Jeyachandran.
For more information about the BFC, visit burnabyfirst.ca.
