Following is a letter to Burnaby residents from Mayor Mike Hurley
From everyone at City Hall, we wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous Lunar New Year.
This celebration is shared across Burnaby by a broad Asian diaspora–from thousands of residents with roots in Hong Kong and Taiwan to our sizeable Korean and Vietnamese communities, and the more than one third of residents who identify as Chinese. These communities are integral to Burnaby, and their cultures are woven into everyday life across our city.
For me, these weeks are always a highlight of the year–from the lion dance and Choy Cheng performance at Crystal Mall to the colour and excitement around Metropolis at Metrotown and Amazing Brentwood. They are just a few of the many ways our city comes together at this time of year.
This year, we welcome the Year of the Horse–often associated with growth, strength, resilience and energy. It is in that spirit we’ve already been getting to work in 2026–driving sustainable growth and long term resilience, and investing in a safe, connected and vibrant community for everyone living or working in Burnaby.
Growth
The Year of the Horse is often associated with forward momentum and progress, and that spirit of growth is clearly reflected in Burnaby’s Asian community–in the way families invest for the long term, build businesses across generations, and plan not just for today, but for the future.
A snapshot of Burnaby’s economy as our task force gets to work
In January, our Economic Growth and Resilience Task Force met for the first time, bringing together 15 local business and community leaders who will spend the next six months assessing Burnaby’s economy and providing City Council with practical, actionable recommendations to foster innovation and attract investment and talent.
Many of Burnaby’s strongest industries align closely with regional and provincial priorities, particularly in biotechnology, health, and digital media and entertainment.
Combined with our central location in the heart of the Lower Mainland and strong transit connectivity, this positions Burnaby well for continued, sustainable growth.
Strength
Strength is another quality associated with the horse, reflected in the rich history and culture of the communities who celebrate Lunar New Year, and in their remarkable business and innovative achievements–legacies that reach well beyond our city.
What stands out to me most is the deep sense of connection within the Asian community–a respect for family, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to building something lasting for future generations. Those values have sustained small businesses, driven entrepreneurship, supported jobs, and created welcoming places where people gather, share food, and stay connected to culture and tradition.
New fire station and wildfire prevention program strengthening Burnaby’s safety
For the City of Burnaby today, strength means ensuring that every person feels safe, supported, respected and connected. Building on the completion of Fire Station 8 on Burnaby Mountain and the state-of-the-art Fire Station 4 on Greystone Drive, we’re now supporting the construction of a modern RCMP detachment to replace a facility that no longer meets the needs of our growing community.
We work closely with residents, community groups and frontline workers to promote community-based approaches that are respectful of all demographics and cultures.
Resilience
Resilience is deeply embedded in the Asian Canadian experience–the ability to adapt and keep moving forward, even in difficult times.
Last year marked a deeply important moment for Burnaby when the City formally apologized for historic discrimination against Chinese Canadians. Looking back, it was one of the most significant steps we’ve taken as a City. Not only in acknowledging the harm caused, but in listening, rebuilding trust and helping families and descendants to heal.
That spirit of resilience is reflected across the work we’re doing in Burnaby today.
Through our commitment to the Buy Canadian movement, we are standing up for local businesses and workers during a time of global uncertainty.
Standing up to bullies: 'Buy Canadian' means backing each other
In early 2025, Council asked staff to look for ways to support Canadian businesses even more, with 99.6 per cent of the City’s spending already going to Canadian vendors. Since then, this work has included seeking competitive quotes from Canadian-owned businesses, gaining better visibility into supply chains, collaborating with other municipalities and provinces, and creating a dedicated working group to identify alternatives to U.S. products.
Energy
The Horse is also a symbol of vitality and energy–qualities that are especially visible during Lunar New Year. In Burnaby, that energy shows up in how we invest in bringing people together. We continue to build accessible, inclusive community centres, with a growing focus on senior accessibility so residents of all ages can stay active and connected.
Construction is well underway on the new Burnaby Lake Recreation Centre, replacing the former pool and arena, while the Cameron Community Centre and Library replacement is under construction in Lougheed, and the new Brentwood Community Centre has been approved to serve one of the fastest-growing parts of our city.
We’re also promoting a green, active, outdoor city through parks, trails and creative community programming. Earlier this year, residents witnessed one of Burnaby’s most memorable moments when a 400-tonne pedestrian and cycling overpass was lifted into place overnight across Highway 1, creating a safe new connection between Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake.
From outdoor concerts and festivals to major sporting moments–including the success of Rise FC and preparations for community viewing opportunities around the 2026 FIFA World Cup–this shared energy strengthens connections and helps make Burnaby a vibrant city for all generations.
Supporting our seniors in Burnaby–with Joanne Morgan
