The Burnaby NOW asked every candidate running for office in the Oct. 20 civic election to fill out a questionnaire. We hope this helps you make an informed decision at the ballot box.
Candidates were given strict word limits and a deadline to submit their answers. Those who missed the deadline will not have their questionnaires posted and answers exceeding word limits will be cut off.
More candidate questionnaires can be found here and more of our election coverage can be found here.
Name: Derek Corrigan
Current occupation: Mayor, City of Burnaby
Tell us about yourself.
I am very proud to serve the citizens of Burnaby. Together we have watched our City grow up into a beautiful, sustainable city, strengthened by diversity and reflecting years of citizen-driven planning.
My wife, Kathy, and raised our four children in Burnaby. All attended Nelson Elementary and Burnaby South High School. We’ve enjoyed years of involvement in local sports, including as a coach and a team parent.
It is my honour to partner with citizens -- including as chair of TransLink’s Mayors’ Council and Metro’s Climate Action Committee.
I would be honoured to continue to serve Burnaby citizens as Mayor.
What are the top three issues in Burnaby right now and what would you do to fix them?
1. Affordable Housing. Burnaby has the third-largest share of non-market housing units (6,174) among Metro Vancouver municipalities and we’re building 1,000 new below-market rental units in 16 new projects. We are the first BC City to take advantage of the new provincial rental-zoning authority to maintain and increase affordable rental units.
2. Kinder Morgan Pipeline Proposal. Because of the significant negative impacts that its construction and operation would have on our City, region and marine environment, as Mayor I would continue to support the City and its regional and First Nations partners’ in the fight against this project.
3. Efficient Growth Management. As Burnaby accommodates some of the thousands of people coming to Metro Vancouver, we must follow our citizen-developed Social, Environmental and Economic sustainability plans to ensure that existing neighbourhoods and green spaces are protected and that housing is available and affordable.
If you have run for office before, what have you learned? If you have not, why are you running now?
Excellent outcomes embraced by citizens require community-driven plans that ensure all voices are heard. Burnaby’s many and diverse communities know best what they need. They’ve given Burnaby the enviable attributes it has today. Council’s job is to ensure those needs are addressed in all City plans and strategies and modified when community needs and wants change. Council hosts and participates in dozens of committees, workshops, panels and events to maximize community input and interaction.
What is one achievement and one failure of Burnaby council in the last four years?
Council has overseen collaboration with thousands of citizens to complete and implement Social, Environmental and Economic Sustainability strategies that ensure Burnaby’s unique and valued attributes – 25 percent parkland, cultural diversity, financial stability – are respected and maintained.
With each successful outcome, Council collaborates with the community and staff to determine what could have been done better, knowing there’s always opportunity for improvement. Until recently, we have been unsuccessful at convincing the provincial government to take responsibility for housing, including providing tools, funds and authority. The new provincial government is stepping up, now we need the federal to do the same.
What would make you a good councillor/mayor?
In addition to my sincere commitment to help ensure Burnaby has in place policies and programs that reflect citizens’ needs and aspirations, I believe that my years as Mayor, dozens of experiences as a community volunteer, and training as a lawyer all help me to achieve this goal.
What movie is most relevant to your life and why?
The Wizard of Oz - loved it as kid, watched it with my children and now with my grandsons. A timeless classic that teaches the importance of friends and family.
How can voters reach you?
