Burnaby NOW will be publishing candidate Q&As for each candidate leading up to the City of Burnaby byelection scheduled for June 26, 2021. The answers provided have not been altered or changed.
Mike Hillman is ready for the challenge.
QUESTION: When did you decide to run for the City of Burnaby byelection?
ANSWER: Earlier this year I decided that after a career of helping deliver big ideas behind the scenes I decided that now is the time to step up and take a leading role. I have also chosen now to run because I live in a multi-generational home with my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters which has given me a unique perspective and I want to ensure Burnaby stays livable for both aging and younger generations.
QUESTION: Why did you decide to run for the City of Burnaby byelection?
ANSWER: In 2018, I was one of new Mayor Mike Hurley’s campaign managers and I want to build on the positive change I have seen happening in our city under his leadership. I decided to run to help make our community a safe, progressive, affordable, and an active place for families and individuals of all ages.
Burnaby is growing rapidly and the world is changing quickly - we are facing new challenges in terms of affordability, climate and community. I strive for creative solutions that bring people and ideas together and task those best talented to get the job done. I want to ensure living is accessible, affordable and welcoming to every person that makes this city their home today and for future generations.
QUESTION: What do you think is needed on city council the most? What do you think it’s missing/lacking?
ANSWER: I enter the challenge of serving you with a deep appreciation of the work done by others, the challenge of pushing progress up a steep hill, and that success in a relay is based on team performance. I bring to this race my life experiences of working with others to get small and big projects done.
I have a history of being the person at the table pushing for and delivering on big ideas when others are saying it can’t be done. Instead, I ask how we can get there? How can we deliver big, bold ideas that are going to bring positive change for our community? I think this perspective is something unique that I would bring to the council table along with my experience of bringing people together and building meaningful relationships.
QUESTION: Do you think there needs to be more diversity when it comes to Burnaby’s municipal government? If so, why?
ANSWER: In a city as diverse as Burnaby it is important that council bring representatives and stakeholders from relevant communities to the table for their insight, involvement and meaningful inclusion. I have built my career on bringing together diverse communities and voices to projects I have worked on and would do the same at the council table by leaning on many of the valuable relationships I have built across our community and building new ones. The diversity of our community is one of the things I love most about it and I think that is reflected best in the team I have built and endorsements I have received.
QUESTION: What issues do you think need to be tackled the most in Burnaby?
ANSWER: Housing Affordability: Burnaby needs to be a place where individuals and families with a variety of incomes and needs can call home. In part we have that now but many of those homes and apartments are aging out. We need to find a way to rebuild while ensuring that we do not displace people due to cost. In my view, part of this will be through gentle densification such as laneway homes, duplexes and townhouses that provide housing options for younger families and also opportunities for multigenerational housing. Zoning for purpose built rentals will also be important.
Transportation: I am a lifelong public transportation advocate and led the way as deputy project manager for the building of the Expo Line. I am in favour of the SFU gondola but also think we need to have a strong advocate at the table advocating for Burnaby’s need in the TransLink 2050 vision. This should include addressing capacity issues for SkyTrains during peak times by having designated trains that start in Burnaby. A strong public transportation network is also key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a sustainable community.
Burnaby Businesses: We need to support Burnaby small businesses as we all recover from COVID-19. Thriving businesses mean that we have a thriving community. As part of this, if we have to allow certain variances to occur for a period of time so as to help businesses regain their footing, then we need to do it and do it quickly. I will touch on 2 sectors. First, the film industry. It employs a vast variety of trades and talents. Burnaby has 2 major studios that lead this sector in BC. It would be of benefit if everyone in Burnaby knew more about this sector and the many values it has to our community. Second, the impact of research that is happening at SFU, and in consultation with private firms, is opening new doors and horizons. We need to continue to foster, support and celebrate our high tech sector.
Parks and Recreation:After years of neglect Burnaby is finally starting to improve our parks and recreation infrastructure. Following COVID, I believe there is going to be more demand for our recreation programming than ever before - we need to keep up and ensure affordable recreation programming is available to Burnaby families. In addition, we need to ensure our parks are safe - ways of accomplishing this include adding trail lighting in parks and increasing RCMP bike patrols.
QUESTION: Why should voters vote for you?
ANSWER: Sharing values with a candidate is important but in my experience, finding someone who is there to get the job done and knows how to really listen to residents and deliver tangible change on the issues that matter to them is invaluable in a local representative. This is usually irrespective of their political affiliation but is also the reason I am running as an independent. I will be at the council table to serve Burnaby residents and businesses and bring your issues to the table.
QUESTION: What would you say to those who may not want to vote or don’t really see a point?
ANSWER: I have heard a number of times over the course of my campaign “it’s just a city by-election.” Maybe. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t make a difference. From my perspective a municipal by-election is an excellent opportunity to encourage government in a certain direction or bring new experience or ideas to the table.
