Following is a letter to Burnaby residents from Mayor Mike Hurley
Local news has long been how residents understand what’s happening in Burnaby. That is from decisions at City Hall, to what’s going on in local schools, upcoming community events, the local sports and arts scene, and how public policy affects daily life in our city.
That was certainly the case for the nearly 40 years I’ve lived and worked here, including the past eight as Mayor. Over time, however, the capacity of local media has been reduced, culminating in Burnaby Now ending its weekly print edition in August 2023 and later ceasing online reporting.
The loss went beyond the absence of a newspaper to pick up each week. It disrupted a shared routine and removed a trusted source of local information. It created a real gap in awareness, with far fewer places to turn to for clear, consistent reporting on local issues that affect people’s everyday lives.
All at a time when misinformation is widespread, trusted reporting is more important than ever.
That vacuum created a need, and Freshet News as a nonprofit led by experienced local journalists is now helping to fill it. Just over a week ago, they published their second edition. At City Hall, we’re delighted to see local news coverage returning to our community.
Keeping Burnaby connected and informed
Freshet News operates under a different model than the large media companies that own many local newspapers. It is a worker-led news co-operative, created by local journalists after their former publications were closed. They are supported by individual, corporate and philanthropic donors; businesses; advertisers; and unions.
That structure matters at a time when many community papers have disappeared not because of a lack of readers, but because they no longer fit the wider business model.
At the City of Burnaby, we recognized that changes in the media landscape mean we also need to work harder to keep residents connected and informed. That has led us to adapt how we communicate, using a wider range of digital platforms to share ongoing, timely updates on Burnaby-specific issues.
Our updated approach includes these weekly Letter from the Mayor articles, a new dedicated section on the City of Burnaby website and the Voices of Burnaby podcast, released every two weeks where we have conversations about the issues shaping our city and the people working to make Burnaby a better and safer place to live, work, and thrive.
Clarity is especially important at a time when misinformation spreads easily. Residents can trust that information coming from the City is accurate, up to date, and transparent. Just as importantly, we aim to explain not only what we’re doing, but why, and how individual decisions fit into Burnaby’s broader plans and priorities.
Read the latest e-newspaper edition of Freshet News
With the provincial budget expected in the coming weeks and Burnaby’s own municipal budget process underway, residents deserve clear, informed coverage of these important moments in particular. These budgets for example shape the services we rely on every day, from our schools and community programs to local infrastructure and public safety.
Two-way communication
Good communication however is two-way. When residents know what is happening, they can share their views, understand the choices being made, and how to engage meaningfully in the process. We continue to listen and seek input, particularly on major issues like housing and economic growth. Right now, the City is working with employers, workers, educators, and entrepreneurs through the Task Force on Economic Growth and Resilience.
Whether it’s during my Mayor’s walks or at community events most days of the week, I make a point of getting out and hearing directly from residents. Those conversations continue to guide how I approach this role.
Nearly a year after the disappointing closure of Burnaby Now, it’s encouraging to once again have a local publication reporting with an independent perspective on our city and distributing print editions in our neighbourhoods, alongside a podcast discussing the issues at the heart of our community.
The push for both shows just how important connection and community are to the people of Burnaby.
We want to acknowledge and congratulate the four longtime journalists who came together to form Freshet News: Cornelia Naylor, Theresa McManus, Janis Cleugh, and Mario Bartel. They live in the communities they cover and bring decades of experience to their work.
Independent local journalism plays a vital role in a healthy, informed city. We encourage residents to read it, engage with it, and support it, because staying informed helps all of us take part in shaping Burnaby’s future.
Community policing and public safety in Burnaby—with Chief Superintendent Bill Parmar
