The NOW asked each Burnaby candidate to answer 10 questions ahead of the provincial election on Oct. 19.
We will be publishing candidate answers by question daily.
Answers by candidates who participated are listed in alphabetical order by surname.
Question: How would your provincial government support municipalities dealing with the increase in growth and demand for infrastructure like schools, childcare, parks and recreational facilities brought on by the new provincial housing regulations?
Reah Arora - BC NDP (Burnaby East)
All levels of government need to be at the table to ensure communities are supported as we grow. Just last year, our BC NDP government invested an unprecedented $1 billion in the growing communities fund through grants that were based on both population and growth. That type of collaboration needs to continue. Co-locating schools and childcare is a particularly important way to support communities and we have a great example of that in Burnaby East with the expansion we funded at University Highlands elementary.
Simon Chandler - Conservative Party of BC (Burnaby East)
Our provincial government would introduce a $1 billion annual infrastructure fund for a decade dedicated to municipalities that permit small-scale multi-unit housing on at least two thirds of residential land. This will allow participating municipalities to keep pace with the demand for critical infrastructure.
Meiling Chia - Unaffiliated (Burnaby South-Metrotown)
This focus and investment are essential. For our riding as an example – the current traffic congestion stems from infrastructure that hasn't kept pace with Burnaby's rapid growth—a challenge that many areas across British Columbia are facing. By addressing these infrastructure gaps, we can alleviate congestion and improve the overall quality of life for our residents.
It is important to allocate targeted funding specifically for essential services like schools, childcare facilities, parks, and recreational spaces, ensuring they keep pace with population growth. To facilitate timely development, I would streamline approval processes for infrastructure projects, allowing municipalities to respond quickly to emerging needs. Collaboration is key, so it is integral to foster strong partnerships with local governments to understand their unique challenges and develop tailored solutions. Additionally, promoting data-driven planning enables municipalities to anticipate growth and infrastructure needs effectively.
Recognizing the importance of childcare, it's imperative to fund innovative programs and facilities within community planning to support working families. Furthermore, establishing sustainable development guidelines will help ensure that new projects include green spaces and recreational facilities, enhancing Burnaby residents' quality of life.
These strategies aim to empower municipalities to manage growth effectively, ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place to support vibrant and thriving communities like Burnaby South-Metrotown, and hopefully will inspire a precedent across the province.
Paul Choi - BC NDP (Burnaby South-Metrotown)
The BC NDP will work closely with municipalities to address the growing infrastructure demands caused by housing development. As we fast-track the construction of 80,000 new homes and continue toward 300,000 more, we recognize the pressure this places on schools, childcare, parks, and recreational facilities.
To support municipalities, we’re committed to a collaborative approach, working hand-in-hand with local governments to ensure that infrastructure development keeps pace with housing growth. We will streamline provincial funding for community infrastructure projects, ensuring municipalities can access the resources they need quickly. This includes investments in new schools, parks, and recreational facilities.
On childcare, we’ve already reduced costs by up to $900 per child per month and will continue expanding $10-a-day childcare programs across B.C. By increasing funding for childcare centres and training more Early Childhood Educators, we’ll ensure that families moving into new housing developments have access to affordable childcare.
Furthermore, we’ll prioritize sustainable, community-focused development, ensuring that new housing is accompanied by adequate green spaces, recreation options, and essential services. By reducing red tape and ensuring municipalities have the tools and support needed, we’ll make sure communities can grow while maintaining a high quality of life for residents.
Raj Chouhan - BC NDP (Burnaby-New Westminster)
Everyone knows we need to replace aging infrastructure and deliver expanded services such as health care, child care and schools. To ensure that the municipalities who are delivering housing are getting their fair share of infrastructure dollars, we have committed to creating an infrastructure fund tied to housing starts. The BC NDP have championed investments in municipalities and community infrastructure and we are the only party with a plan to act. When John Rustad was in government he cut social programs, let schools fall into disrepair, and neglected the need for new affordable housing. The Conservatives will take us backwards and only benefit the wealthy few at the top. We have a different vision, one where the province works with municipalities–instead of against them–to deliver for people. We cannot risk John Rustad taking us backwards and failing to deliver the child care, transit, schools, homes, and more that we need.
Anne Kang - BC NDP (Burnaby Centre)
In my previous role as Minister of Municipal Affairs, I was proud to have provided municipalities with $1 billion from the Growing Communities Fund to address building infrastructure and improve roads, build arenas, water facilities, and improve recreation facilities for families. The Growing Communities Fund is used by municipalities to prepare for future growth and build amenities. Burnaby received approximately $28.8 million from this Fund. The BC NDP is committed to supporting communities experiencing growth. This $28.8 million transfer to Burnaby will help meet the needs of growing populations through the expansion of facilities and replacing aging infrastructure to ensure that communities do not fall behind in dealing with urgent local priorities.
Martin Kendell - Independent (Burnaby North)
This BCNDP one-size-fits-all housing densification program is causing all sorts of headaches across the province and needs to be reviewed and revamped. Municipal governments such as Burnaby who had exhaustively planned for decades how to accommodate their growing population have had their proverbial legs cut out from under them and have lost their original DCC and ACC funding programs to pay for parks, recreational facilities and other critical infrastructure.
The province needs to step up and provide the funding needed to immediately upgrade sewer and water pipes and other utilities to support the large amounts of population growth expected in our province over the next 30 to 40 years. The province should also encourage partnerships between municipal governments and private development companies to build libraries, community centres and other civic facilities as part of exciting and liveable communities.
Han Lee - Conservative Party of BC (Burnaby South-Metrotown)
Our government will establish a Civic Infrastructure Renewal Fund, providing $1 billion per year to municipalities that allow multi unit housing development on 2/3rds of their residential land. This ensures local governments can build the necessary schools, parks, and facilities to support growing populations. Additionally, we will work closely with municipalities to reduce unnecessary delays in approval processes, ensuring infrastructure can be developed alongside housing to meet the demands of expanding communities.
Carrie McLaren - BC Green Party (Burnaby South-Metrotown)
Good question, as part of the many-faceted solutions for housing we can’t forget the rest of the many inputs to the formula – infrastructure, schools, fields, playgrounds, etc. Part of the costed Green platform includes Providing $650 million annually in infrastructure funding to municipalities.
Janet Routledge - BC NDP (Burnaby North)
Growing communities need to grow their infrastructure. We have built or expanded more than 125 schools across the province, including 300 new seats at Alpha Secondary opening up next year, and rebuilding a larger Burnaby North Secondary, which was completed this year. We’ve opened up 37,000 new daycare spaces since 2017, while cutting the average cost of daycare in half. We’ve built more than 280 playgrounds. We’re committed to working with communities to meet their current and future needs.
Tara Shustarian - BC Green Party (Burnaby East)
The provincial government governs the building code. Nothing can be constructed without meeting that minimum code. Recently the NDP is toying with the idea of reducing the number fire exit stairwells in shorter buildings from two to only one. This, the current government says is to allow more square footage to be built. We must be very careful not to endanger lives as we attempt to build infrastructure and housing. Use the power of the BC Building Code, which, if managed by a competent government, can be revamped in many ways to allow cities like Burnaby to be built more for less, quicker and more efficiently without risking lives. Cities need to be provided assistance to grow, not a Provincial hindrance for their safety. The Greens would definitely do this. Our platform ensures a robust $ 10-a-day daycare plan fully implementable by 2026 and $250 million to acquire daycare space for 0-5 yrs and $650 annually for municipal infrastructure. Burnaby plans to build new community centres but mainly in the same locations as existing community centers. As the Greens we would propose to pay for lighted, separated cycle paths to connect people in dense housing areas to parks, community centres and the Kensington sports complex at Kensington. Schools and school grounds are within provincial jurisdiction so we wouldn't pay for this infrastructure. We would establish urban tree canopy targets and improve legal protections for urban trees, wetlands and conservation areas.
