Burnaby Now April 27 2023

School emergency plans

Weekend events highlights Bowling alley bows out

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Cityproposes privatecondos onpublicland

New master plan at Kingsway and Edmonds foresees 67% market housing on properties

LaurenVanderdeen

lvanderdeen@burnabynow com

What kind of housing should be built on public land?

That’s the question facing the City of Burnaby, as it proposes 66 9 per cent strata condos in a new housing master plan for government-owned land much to the chagrin of one councillor

The Kingsway and Edmonds conceptual master plan deals with a 4.5-acre pizza-shaped slice of land in the heart of South Burnaby, tucked in the corner where Kingsway meets Edmonds Street.The master plan spans six different properties owned by the City of Burnaby, BC Housing and BC Hydro

Currently on the property at 7264 Kingway are the HallTowers, two midrise residential buildings with 331 non-market apartments owned and operated by BC Housing.

The master plan proposes to replace the HallTowers with five highrise towers between 33 and 52 storeys.

Continued on page 3

Grand Entry: The Simon Fraser University First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Association hosted an inaugural powwow on Burnaby Mountain Saturday to celebrate the end of the school year and honour the achievements of Indigenous students past and present. See story, page 9 PHOTO Jennifer Gauthier

Citynow

HowwouldBurnabyschoolsdealwithashooter?

School district is hosting a parent information session on May 8 about response to emergency situations

CorneliaNaylor cnaylor@burnabynow com

What would happen if an active shooter showed up at a Burnaby school? What if there was an explosion or an aggressive bear on the playground?

Those are some questions the Burnaby school district plans to answer during an information session for local families next month

Being Prepared: School

Safety During Critical Incidents takes place on May 8

Critical incidents come in many forms, and schools respond in a variety of ways, including evacuations, lockdowns and holdand-secure procedures

Those scenarios are simulated during drills with students at schools, but now parents will get a chance to find out more, ask questions and give feedback.

“It’s obvious that it’s important to everyone, parents and students and

staff,” Nick Christofides, the school district’s director of safe and caring schools, told the NOW, “and our hope is increased awareness, increased dialogue, being open about how we train, what we’re trained in and why we’re doing what we’re doing ”

Christofides said there has been “a ton” of interest in the information session, and the district expects about 1,000 attendees so far.

“There have been a number of high-profile cases in MetroVancouver and across North America involving teen safety, many of them outside of school,” he said “That, understandably, has parents more concerned Providing context about just how rare it is to have a serious threat in a Burnaby school, and what we do to prepare in the event of that rarity to keep people safe can be empowering for families,” he said

Last school year, there were six hold-and-secures,

but no lockdowns or evacuations at local schools, according to the district.

So far this year, there have been one hold-andsecure, two lockdowns and one evacuation.

While the district debriefs with students, staff and parents after such incidents, Christofides said the parent information ses-

sion will provide a chance for more fulsome discussions about why the district does what it does including not always providing as much information as parents would like

“Often, when we can’t give all the information, maybe because there’s police involvement and it’s not our information to

give, parents obviously want to know more, but there’s a limit to what we can offer sometimes”

Christofides said

The use of cell phones during a school emergency is another topic the session will cover Christofides noted students texting parents to tell them they’re OK might be a good thing, but use of a cell phone during a lockdown could also put students and staff in danger or spread unnecessary panic with incorrect information

The parent session will be led by the district’s safe and caring schools team, who are trained by the North American Centre forThreat Assessment andTrauma Response and the Centre forTrauma Informed Practices, according to Christofides

For parents who want to go deeper into the subject, Christofides said there will be another session in September led by Kevin Cameron, the executive director of the Centre forTrauma

Informed Practices.

Cameron led the crisis response during the deadly W R Myers High School shooting inTaber, Alta just eight days after the April 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Columbine, Colo.

In partnership with the RCMP’s behavioural sciences unit, Cameron developed Canada’s first comprehensive, multidisciplinary violence threat risk assessment training program one of the programs the Burnaby school district uses for training, according to Christofides. More information about that event will come out at a later date.

In the meantime, parents who want to attend the May 8 session are asked to register using a link sent to families on April 14

Depending on the number of registrations, the location will be at either Burnaby Central Secondary or the Michael J. Fox Theatre from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Plan’smarkethousingis‘baselinebusinesscase,’ cityofficialsays

Continued from page 1

But the makeup of housing ownership in the plan drew the concern of Burnaby Citizens Association Coun. Alison Gu.

The city proposes the Burnaby-owned lands be made up of 1,076 market strata units, 300 market rental units and 233 rental units rented at 20 per cent below the market median, according to the master plan report.That would

mean two-thirds of the city’s lands would be market condos, 18 6 per cent market rental and 14 5 per cent below-market rental

Gu expressed dissatisfaction with that ratio at a council meeting on April 24.

“I personally don’t think that there should be virtually any strata condominiums that the City of Burnaby builds on our own space,” Gu said at council

She asked how to direct staff to prioritize affordable housing options, including suggesting co-op housing as an example.

The city’s general manager of development, Ed Kozak, said the unit makeup presents a “baseline business case ”

“You establish a business case, you can understand how much other forms of tenure might be subsidized through those decisions,”

Kozak told council “You need to understand what level of investment is required in order to secure a level of affordability that council may wish to pursue,” he added. Kozak said staff will check back with council before coming forward with a detailed rezoning application

The master plan doesn’t put forward a specific project or tower but guides

further development

applications for future con-

struction

The BC Housing portion of the site would replace the 331 rental replacement units for the tenants who will be displaced by the demolition of the HallTowers and include 875 units rented at 10 per cent below-market rates

The master plan report states BC Housing’s de-

velopment will rely on a “large capital injection” from the province due to the “significant amount of non-market housing proposed.”

The city proposes “various employment uses,” including live-work units, office space, retail and commercial uses, child care and community services

The city also plans to build a road connecting Edmonds with Kingsway.

Lockdown: Burnaby Mountain Secondary was put into a hold-and-secure in February as police responded to a “possible threat” PHOTO Cornelia naYlor

CityConnect

PUBLIC INPUT OPPORTUNITY

Liquor Licence Application #23-02

Applicant: BIRDIES EATS & DRINKS

Subject: Proposed extension of liquor service hours at the subject establishment

Location: 3850 LOUGHEED HIGHWAY

Public Input Deadline: May 3, 2023

Birdies Eats & Drinks has made an application to extend the hours of liquor service past midnight on a new food primary liquor licence. The requested extended hours of liquor service are from 9 am-1:30 am, Monday to Saturday The hours of liquor service on Sundays, from 9 am-midnight, are not considered extended hours. The proposed outdoor patio would close by midnight, daily

Liquor Licence Application #22-06

Applicant: GRAND VILLA HOTEL AND RESTAURANT

Subject: Proposed liquor licence amendment to permit patron participation entertainment at the subject establishment

Location: 4331 DOMINION STREET

Public Input Deadline: May 3, 2023

Grand Villa Hotel and Restaurant has made an application to amend its food primary liquor licence, to obtain an endorsement for patron participation entertainment in four of its eight rooms licenced for liquor service The nature of patron participation entertainment would be primarily dancing, for example, as part of wedding and holiday celebrations, and would be required to end at midnight.

For further information on these Liquor Licence Applications, contact the Planning Department at 604-294-7400

Public input on these applications is invited prior to Burnaby City Council submitting a resolution regarding the application to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.

Please note, all submissions must contain the name and address of the writer which will become part of the public record. Written comments may be sent to the Planning and Development Department by: Letter: 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC, V5G 1M2; or email: planning@burnaby.ca

Deadline for written submissions is 4:45 pm May 3, 2023

N. Best CORPORATE OFFICER

PROPOSED BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW

Notice of a proposed Burnaby Inter-municipal TNS Business Licence Bylaw 2023, Bylaw No 14560

In accordance with the Community Charter, notice is hereby given that Burnaby City Council is considering a new Burnaby Inter-Municipal TNS Business Licence Bylaw in regards to transportation network services (TNS), commonly known as ride-hailing services. This bylaw will add the District of Hope, District of Kent and City of Mission to the regional TNS program. Further detail is available in the report to City Council that may be obtained from Legislative Services at 604-294-7290 or in the April 24, 2023 Council Agenda at Burnaby ca

Those persons who consider they are affected by the new proposed bylaw may provide written submissions to: Legislative Services, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1M2

All correspondence must be received before noon on May 5, 2023.

NEW LOCATION

Connect with your Mayor and enjoy a healthy walk!

WALK AND CHAT WITH THE MAYOR

SUNDAY, APRIL 30 | 9-10 AM

Join Mayor Hurley for a healthy walk around Deer Lake Park, and enjoy a $2 pancake breakfast afterwards in support of the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society. Meet at Christine Sinclair Community Centre (3713 Kensington Avenue, Burnaby)

Mark Your Calendars!

Next walk | May 28, June 25, July 30, August 27, September 24, October 29

OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC INPUT

Temporary Use Permit Application #22-03

6112 Sussex Apartment Holdings Ltd has made an application to the City of Burnaby to propose a temporary use (s) on this site:

Address: 6112 Sussex Avenue

Purpose: to permit the operation of a childcare facility on the subject site for a maximum of 3 years.

@MayorOfBurnaby

The copy of the proposed permit may be inspected at the Planning and Development Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC from 2023 April 19 to May 8, Mondays to Fridays from 8 am to 4:45 pm, and on Thursdays from 8 am to 8 pm.

This application will be presented to Council for consideration at the Open Meeting on May 8, 2023, at 5 pm in Council Chamber, City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby.

Please submit comments related to the proposals via email to legislativeservices@burnaby ca or by mail to: Legislative Services, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1M2.

Submission deadline is 2:45 pm on May 8, 2023

PLEASE NOTE THAT SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED BY COUNCIL.

For further information on these temporary use permit applications, contact the Planning and Development Department at 604-294-7400

N. Best CORPORATE OFFICER

| 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1M2

Suspectinassaultspreeatmallarrested Citynow

Burnaby RCMP looking to speak with at least two other victims of random attacks

JessBalzer

jfedigan@burnabynow

com

A 30-year-old suspect has been arrested in relation to a Metrotown stranger assault spree last week

And Burnaby Mounties are still looking to speak with the other victims and witnesses to the incident

At roughly 9:30 a m on April 20, police got a call about an assault in progress inside the Metrotown mall, according to a statement from Burnaby RCMP

An 89-year-old woman

had been walking through the mall, according to police, when a stranger came up and pushed her to the ground.

She was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening head injuries.

Investigators, after looking at mall security video, determined the suspect had also pushed a man seconds before assaulting the woman.

The suspect exited the mall near the bus loop and then pushed another man before proceeding toward the SkyTrain station, according to police.

Burnaby RCMP said

through tips from the public, police obtained higher-quality images of

the suspect from the day before.

After receiving an-

Bailrevoked foraccused indruggings

other tip from the public, front-line officers located and arrested a 30-yearold suspect on Monday (April 24), according to RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mike Kalanj.

Investigators are still looking to speak with the two other victims and anyone who might have witnessed the incidents

Anyone who witnessed the assaults or was assaulted by the suspect is asked to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999 and quote file number 23-12960

With files from Cornelia Naylor, Burnaby NOW

Bail has been revoked for aVancouver escort accused of drugging and robbing clients in Burnaby, Surrey, Langley and Vancouver.

Jessica Kane, 31, was charged last year with multiple counts. On Jan. 9, she was charged in another alleged drugging and robbery while she was out on bail.

On March 23 she was rearrested for allegedly failing to comply with her house arrest conditions

On April 19, the Crown won a court bid to have her bail revoked

Cornelia Naylor

In custody: Burnaby RCMP have arrested a suspect in connection a Metrotown stranger assault spree last week Photo BC RCMP

Premiers want repeat offenders off the streets

Anew statistic associated with the steady rise of seemingly random incidents of street crime and violence in this province was released last week and it is an alarming one

Preliminary data compiled by the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) shows that more than half of the attempts by prosecutors to seek detention of violent offenders are being rejected by the courts.

That information was released by Premier David Eby after a virtual meeting between all premiers and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police It is also included in a letter Attorney General Niki Sharma sent the same day to federal Justice Minister David Lametti on the issue of much-needed bail reform Sharma’s letter said the data covered two time periods: from Nov. 7 to Dec. 11 last year,

and Feb 27 to March 12 of this year

In her letter, Sharma notes the Crown seeks detention of offenders only in certain circumstances

“It is important to note that Crown prosecutors only seek pre-trial detention of the accused at a bail hearing because they are not satisfied that the risk to public safety posed by the accused’s release can be reduced to an acceptable level by bail conditions,” she wrote Sharma said the fact that more than half of the accused that fit into this category were released on bail over the Crown’s objections is “deeply concerning”

I’ll say.

But while it is a disturbing finding, it is not altogether a surprising one

The dominant issue in the B.C. legislature

for months now has been the broad issue of public safety, often focusing on chronic violent offenders having dozens of interactions with police and yet still routinely being released on bail

A major reason for this unacceptable situation appears to lie in amendments made to the Criminal Code back in 2019, contained in Bill C-75. That legislation emphasizes the “principle of restraint” when it comes to incarcerating accused people

Then there is a 2017 judgment by the Supreme Court of Canada that called Section 11 of the Charter of Rights (it stipulates everyone has the right “not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause”) to be “an essential element of an enlightened criminal justice system”

I suppose this was all done with the best

of intentions, but the word “enlightened” is not one I would use to describe our criminal justice system in the past couple of years.

All the premiers are calling for action, as chronic violent offenders are making many Canadian cities unsafe as they have ever been.

In her letter, Sharma notes that “changes are needed to federal law to ensure that the independent judiciary is empowered and legally required to hold to account those offenders and accused persons who commit repeat, violent offences under the federal criminal law”

The premiers and provincial justice officials are correct. Ottawa needs to act, and act fast KeithBaldreyischiefpoliticalreporter forGlobalBC.

Opinionnow

PSAC workers deserve a ‘fair and just resolution’

Editor:

I am writing to express my full support for the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) strike. As Canadians, we are facing an increasingly high cost of living, and it is imperative that we stand behind those who are fighting for fair wages and working conditions.

The PSAC strike comes at a critical time when many Canadians are struggling to make ends meet. Inflation is at an all-time high, and the rising cost of housing, groceries and other essentials is putting a significant strain on our wallets

We need to acknowledge that the workers who provide essential services to our communities are also feeling the pinch

The PSAC strike is not just about fair wages and benefits; it is also about ensuring that our public services are adequately funded and staffed. We rely on these services every

day, and it is essential that the workers who provide them are compensated fairly for their hard work and dedication.

I myself have been working for 31 years for the federal government, and my net pay is no longer covering all of my expenses (house insurance, car insurance, gas, food, mortgage, internet and phone) I have no Disney Plus! I do admit to Netflix because I could no longer afford cable

It is not fair that hardworking Canadians should have to choose between paying for groceries or paying for rent The PSAC strike is an opportunity for us to stand in solidarity with those who are fighting for a better future for all Canadians

I urge our elected officials to listen to the voices of the PSAC workers and work towards a fair and just resolution to this strike. We must prioritize the needs of workers and ensure that they can continue to provide essential services to our communities without fear of financial instability

Lori Williams

The BurnaBy now welcomes leTTers To The ediTor We do, however, edit for taste, legality and length Please include a phone number where you can be reached Send letters to: The editor, #201a–3430 Brighton ave , Burnaby, B c , V5a 3h4, email to: editorial@burnabynow com (no attachments please) or fax to: 604-444-3460 Letters to the editor and opinion columns may be reproduced on the Burnaby NOW website, www burnabynow com

May 13 & 14 | 11 am-4 pm

Deer Lake Park & Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

May 27 | 11 am-4 pm

Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area

Entertainment Featuring:

Eco-artists

Workshops

Eco-sculptures

Plus: family activities, talks and tours, plant sales, community groups, Burnaby Farmers Artisan Market and more!

Full schedule and pre-register for activities: Burnaby.ca/Blooms

SFUbringsfirstpowwowtoBurnabyMountain Communitynow

Inaugural event held on Simon Fraser University campus celebrates Indigenous students and culture

AbhinayaNatesh anatesh@burnabynow com

In a first-of-its-kind event on Burnaby Mountain Saturday, April 22, students from Simon Fraser University’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Association hosted an inaugural powwow to celebrate the end of the school year and honour the achievements of Indigenous students past and present

The event was several years in the making, partly because it was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was successfullly staged in no small part because of the efforts of sisters Kali King Stierle and Raven King Stierle.

The sisters, or “the dynamic-duo,” as they call themselves, are both SFU students

Kali, a fifth-year student and treasurer of the association, joined hands with her older sister, Raven, who is FNMISA’s In-

digenous community and external affairs and special events co-ordinator, to bring the traditional Indigenous powwow ceremony to Burnaby Mountain

The King Stierles, who are of Métis, Cree and German descent from Peepeekisis Cree Nation in Treaty 4 territory, Saskatchewan, spoke to the NOW about their experience organizing the ceremony, to which people of all ages, races and communities were invited

“We wanted that opportunity to have a public event where we can build bridges between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community, and show the amazing work that’s being done by Indigenous students,” Kali said.

For Kali, the experience organizing a traditional powwow ceremony felt like “walking in two worlds” because she is balancing reconciliation and the Indigenous ceremonial aspect of it with the commu-

nity aspect and the logistics of hosting an event of this scale

“There’s a teaching where you, as an Indigenous person, sometimes have to learn the balance and the art of walking into

worlds ” she said “Because you’ll be a student, you carry your cultures and teachings from your community Yet, you’re also sometimes walking in a world that is unfamiliar to you, an institution that’s

not normally designed for Indigenous hearts, minds and bodies Carrying both parts of yourself ”

The sisters said while powwow ceremonies are not traditional to theWest Coast, they were able to

work along with the host nations of the territories in the west to organize this event.

The powwow began with a grand entry and offered traditional dance, an Indigenous dinner and vendors for clothes, arts and crafts.

The sisters said they are proud of being able to create a safe space for the Indigenous community to celebrate their culture and have the non-Indigenous community to celebrate with them

“It’s been such a fulfilling and exciting experience,” they said. “We’ve been engaging Indigenous students all throughout like our head lady dancer, which is a very honourable position in our community, is an Indigenous student at SFU.The head man dancer is an alumni

“We’ve got students at all levels throughout this process ”

They hope the powwow will be the first of many

Celebration: A participant joins in the Honouring Indigenous Students Powwow’s grand entry Saturday at Simon Fraser University, to celebrate the end of the school year and honour the achievements of Indigenous students past and present. PHOTO Jennifer Gauthier

NOTICE OF ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING

The Board of Directors of Vancouver Airport Authority announces that the Annual Public Meeting will be held to present the Airport Authority’s 2022 Annual & Sustainability Report and financial statements

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023

East Concourse, U.S. Departures Level 3 (near the Fairmont Airport Hotel)

Vancouver International Airport

12:30 p.m registration / 1:00 p.m meeting begins

Please join us for the meeting in person or virtually; the meeting will be live streamed at YVR.ca/APM

The 2022 Annual & Sustainability Report will be available at YVR.ca at the end of April.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions at the meeting. Questions may also be submitted in advance to community relations@yvr ca or via Twitter using #YVRAPM To be answered during the meeting, questions must be submitted by 5:00 p.m on Wednesday, May 3.

All members of the public are welcome.

Vancouver Airport Authority operates Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in service of the community and economy that supports it.

AVIS D’ASSEMBLÉE PUBLIQUE ANNUELLE

Le conseil d’administration de l Autorité aéroportuaire de Vancouver annonce la tenue de l’assemblée publique annuelle pour présenter le rapport annuel et de développement durable 2022 ainsi que les états financiers de l Autorité aéroportuaire.

Hall Est, niveau 3 des départs des États-Unis (près de l’hôtel Fairmont Airport)

Aéroport international de Vancouver

12 h 30 inscription / 13 h la réunion commence

Joignez-vous à nous pour cette rencontre en personne ou virtuellement ; celle-ci sera diffusée en direct sur YVR.ca/APM

Le rapport annuel et de développement durable 2022 sera disponible sur YVR.ca à la fin avril.

Les participants auront la possibilité de poser des questions lors de la rencontre. Les questions peuvent également être soumises à l’avance à community_relations@yvr.ca ou via Twitter en utilisant #YVRAPM Pour obtenir une réponse lors de la rencontre, les questions doivent être soumises avant 17 h. le mercredi 3 mai.

Co-workerswin$7Minlottery Citynow

LaurenVanderdeen lvanderdeen@burnabynow com

Coworkers at a Burnaby-based production company have seven million reasons to celebrate

On April 10, a group of 24 colleagues won the Daily Grand top prize of $1,000 a day for life and took a lump-sum payment of $7 million for their reward

Group spokesperson Iuliana Petrovici, who co-ordinated the lottery purchase, said she learned of the win late at night

“It was 10:30 p m at night, it was late, but I still called a few in the group,” Petrovici said in a statement “They were excited

and said, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s us!’”

“I was at home, and I got goosebumps all over my body! I started shaking and I asked my husband to double-check.”

Members of the group hope to use their winnings

to buy new cars, go on vacations and renovate their homes They also plan to host a company-wide lunch

The winning ticket was purchased at Save-OnFoods on MarineWay and Byrne Road in Burnaby

Discover your perfect hearing aid with Oticon Own, tailored for your unique needs

ultimate comfor discreet design, and an amazing sound experience

As an independent family business serving the lower mainland for over 52 years, Lloyd Hearing Solutions

lifestyle and budget. Choose us for personalized care and exceptional service.

Windfall: 24 Burnaby coworkers have won $7 million in the lottery Photo BCLC/ContriButed

LAutorité aéroportuaire de Vancouver exploite l aéroport international de Vancouver (YVR) au service de la communauté et de l économie qui le soutient.

LUNDI 8 MAI 2023

thurSday, april 27

SANSEI: THE STORYTELLER

In this powerful performance, Sansei: The Storyteller, creator and performer Kunji Mark Ikeda (who grew up in Burnaby) blends dance, spoken word, historical audio, family audio and unexpected humour as Ikeda examines the internment and dispossession of tens of thousands of Japanese Canadians living on the West Coast of Canada.

With a scathing flick of an eyebrow, Ikeda casts their gaze on a shameful part of Canada’s history and still describes The Storyteller as “the most fun you’ll ever have learning about the Japanese Internment,” and still profoundly personal.

WHEN: Thursday, April 27 from 2 to 3 p.m.; Friday, April 28 from 8 to 9 p.m.’ Saturday, April 29 from 8 to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (6450 Deer Lake Ave.)

COST: $25, tickets available online through tickets. shadboltcentre.com

Saturday, april 29

EVENING PEACE SPRING CHORAL CONCERT

Join the Amabilis Singers choral group in an evening of song, as the group presents its spring concert, Evening Peace.

The repertoire will move through time and genre, from works by Victoria and Brahms to Lauridsen, Childs, Aguila and Tate. You can also enjoy the contemporary sounds of Barnwell’s Wanting Memories, made famous by Sweet Honey in the Rock, and There is a Light, by Alcorn and Nickel The choir is directed by Frank Lee

WHEN: Saturday, April 29 at 7:30 p m

WHERE: New Westminster Christian Reformed Church (8255 13th Ave , Burnaby)

COST: $25 plus tax; tickets and information at www amabilissingers org

YOUTH WEEK PLAZA PARTY

Youth Week is kicking off on Saturday at Edmonds Community Centre

Youth age 10 to 18 years old can join in the festivities at the Edmonds plaza, with a host of activities and games including a mini-golf course and tournament, open mic, art, a DJ and barbecue. This is your chance to make new friends and win some cool prizes

Youth Week runs from April 29 to May 7 with a variety of

fun events all around the city for youth and teens check out the city’s Youth Week website at www.burnaby.ca/ youthweek for more info.

WHEN: Saturday, April 29 from 2 to 5 p m

WHERE: Edmonds Community Centre (7433 Edmonds St )

COST: Free

SPRING FORWARD CONCERT

With a range of musical repertoire spanning from classical, jazz and pop to new, original pieces, this multimedia performance will delight the senses. Celebrate the musical talents of Raskin School of Music with performances from Alina Raskin, Victoria Raskin and Armen Martirosyan

WHEN: Saturday, April 29 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (6450 Deer Lake Ave )

COST: $38-$45, tickets available online through tickets. shadboltcentre ca

all weekend

JOB FAIR

Looking for a summer job? The Metropolis at Metrotown job fair is happening Friday, April 28 to Sunday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. You can apply directly with 18 different retailers hiring for a variety of summer roles Bring your resume and good luck!

WHEN: Friday, April 28, Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Grand Court, Metropolis at Metrotown mall (4700 Kingsway)

COST: Free

Compiled by Lauren Vanderdeen

PHOTO CREDIT: Marc J Chalifoux Sansei: The Storyteller, a powerful performance by Kunji Mark Ikeda, is coming to the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts this weekend

SouthAsianexhibittoopenatBurnabymuseum City

AbhinayaNatesh anatesh@burnabynow com

South Asians in Burnaby have a long, rich history but their stories often get tucked away and lost

The BurnabyVillage Museum will be launching a new exhibit,Truths Not OftenTold Being South Asian in Burnaby, on May 6 It will explore the “diverse experiences of Burnaby’s South Asian Canadian communities,” according to a City of Burnaby press release

In a parks, recreation and culture commission meeting on April 11, the exhibit’s curator, Jane

Lemke, noted it was a multi-year research project to record and present the diverse experiences of Burnaby’s South Asian Canadian communities that make up the exhibit, which will feature recorded poetry, plays, family photographs, cultural belongings and commissioned art by renowned South Asian visual artist Jag Nagra.

Dr. Anushay Malik, a Simon Fraser University visiting faculty member and co-curator of the exhibit, noted that in the past, South Asians were frequently represented by mainstream media in an “exoticized and carica-

tured manner ”The exhibit, however, will focus on underrepresented South Asian stories told through counter-storytelling, which “helps us radically rethink the ex-

periences of marginalized people, including how their representation changes the story.

“By flipping the script this way, [we] develop a more holistic understand-

ing of history … so what we have done is we have tried to focus on Burnaby as part of colonial history the story as part of the British Empire.”

The exhibit will take the public through the stories of the South Asian community in an interactive way, Lemke explained.The exhibit, she said, has been made possible through relationships fostered by community conversations last year about “what it means to be South Asian living in Burnaby.”

“We wanted this exhibit to be felt like the community was represented that they felt like they were

represented through these stories ”

In addition to the exhibit, which runs from May 6 to Sept. 4, the museum will also hold several programs for the public, including henna and rangoli workshops, block batik printing and Kirtan at the Museum during the period.

truths not often told

Where: BurnabyVillage Museum (6501 Deer Lake Ave )

When: May 6 to Sept 4; 11 a m to 4:30 p m , (Tuesdays to Sundays, including statutory holidays) Cost: Free admission, carousel rides: $2 65

Hidden history: A new exhibit will share the stories of underrepresented South Asian communities. Photo: City of BurnaBy

Citynow

Activistseeksreturnof

CorneliaNaylor cnaylor@burnabynow com

A transgender pride flag with a storied history has gone missing in Burnaby,

and its owner is making a plea for its return

Leada Stray, a Metro Vancouver drag entertainer, trans activist and self-proclaimed “thorn in

the side of anyone who tries to do bad things,” bought the pastel pink, blue and white flag 20 years ago at Little Sisters Bookstore inVancouver

Stray had hung it in the front window of their Capitol Hill home after two decades of bringing it along on activist adventures around the world

“It’s waved above the heads of queer freedom fighters for the last 20 years,” Stray told the NOW “It’s seen every major Canadian human rights fight in the last 20 years It’s travelled to places like Australia, Moscow Pride, NewYork City, Europe It’s gone everywhere ”

On April 19, however, Stray found their front window open and off its track – and the flag nowhere to be found

“It was shocking that somebody would actually break into my house,” said Stray, who is concerned about a rise in transphobia across the globe and especially in North America

As a leader in the community, Stray feels responsible to protect the history of the flag and is putting out a call for its return

Anyone with information about the flag’s whereabouts is asked to email Stray at transpride flagrecovery@gmail com

Burnaby’slastbowlingalleysoldtodeveloper City

of

by Keltic Canada Development

LaurenVanderdeen

lvanderdeen@burnabynow com

The last bowling alley in Burnaby is about to fall.

The land where Revs Entertainment bowling alley has sat for more than 60 years has sold to a developer.

Keltic Canada Development purchased the 4.28acre property at 5502 Lougheed Hwy , right next to Holdom SkyTrain station in Brentwood

RobTaylor, vice-president of Revs Entertainment, said the company is sad to sell but couldn’t survive high property

taxes.

“The property taxes have been astronomical for many years,”Taylor said “We’ve been taxed based on ‘highest and best use,’ which is not a bowling centre, it’s residential and commercial ”

“So unfortunately, the property tax has been killing us for many years, and kind of the final straw that broke the camel’s back was COVID-19 and centre closures.

“We couldn’t survive anymore in that location, so we had no choice but to sell.”

JulianWard, Keltic’s

vice-president of development, said the developer was interested in the property due to its location.

“We thought it was a

great location in between the Brentwood centre and the Holdom SkyTrain station, so it’s the pocket in between that the city is

looking to densify,”Ward said

While the architectural designs are still in the very preliminary stages,Ward said the plan is to build highrise towers

“What we envisage probably is, not confirmed yet, obviously, two, maybe three highrise towers in between 35 levels and 55 levels, storeys, with associated podiums,” he said, adding the company is looking to include commercial retail.

What about the bowling alley?

“The bowling alley’s not going to go straight away,”

Ward said

Revs, which has the bowling alley, a bar and restaurant, will be able to operate during the development cycle of processing and permitting, which Ward estimated would be at least a year “and a bit,” before demolition.

Taylor said bowling alleys are in decline.

“Bowling centres in general are disintegrating, simply due to property taxes in general,”Taylor said, adding many bowling centres, which sit on large plots of scarce land, are being bought and redeveloped

Memory lanes: Revs Entertainment, a bowling alley in Burnaby, will be demolished soon, as the property has sold to a developer.

PHOTO Lauren Vanderdeen

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AS WE AGE Celebrating Seniors

Twoinfivepeopleover55don’texercise:poll

MarioCanseco

Glacier Media columnist

Exercise can be a crucial component of our daily routines.

When Canadians first learned about COVID-19, gyms were among the first establishments to be shut down. Sports leagues professional and amateur also cancelled games and tournaments. For those who sought to maintain a decent level of physical fitness, the prospects were murky

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that adults accumu-

late at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorousintensity aerobic physical activity per week.This month, Research Co. and Glacier Media asked Canadians about their adherence to these guidelines before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. When Canadians look back at the state of affairs in late 2019 and early 2020, only 24 per cent acknowledge meeting the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines every week. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, from March 2020 to November 2022, only 20 per

cent of Canadians were able to exercise for 150 minutes every week

Now that gyms are open and there are no restrictions on capacity or mask mandates, the country’s fitness level is not where it used to be. Only 21 per cent of Canadians claim to have met the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines every week for the past three months

The demographic analysis shows trouble for Canadians aged 55 and over. While 34 per cent of the country’s oldest adults had already eschewed the exercise guidelines before

COVID-19, the proportion grew to 37 per cent during the pandemic and to 39 per cent in the past three months

Part of the problem can be traced back to residents forgetting that fitness options do not require a gym membership Only 30 per cent of Canadians aged 55 and over took specific action to exercise during the pandemic, whether it entailed following workouts or routines online, acquiring weightlifting equipment or a cardio machine for their home, or taking up a sport that did not require equipment In stark

contrast, 57 per cent of Canadians aged 35 to 54 and 75 per cent of Canadians aged 18 to 34 did something to remain active.

The generational divide is also present when Canadians ponder their current state of fitness The youngest adults are more likely to say that they are doing better now than before the pandemic (28 per cent) Only 15 per cent of those aged 55 and over issue the same judgment.

There are some regional disparities as we trace the fitness level of Canadians over the past three years

British Columbia and Ontario are bastions of composure, with fluctuations that are not dramatic across all three stages In British Columbia, 25 per cent of residents met the exercise guidelines before the pandemic, 24 per cent maintained them during COVID-19, and 26 per cent have been active in the past three months Ontario’s curve is comparable: 22 per cent followed the guidelines before COVID-19, 21 per cent at the height of the pandemic, and 22 per cent since the end of 2022

Continued on page 18

Continued from page 17

There are some regional disparities as we trace the fitness level of Canadians over the past three years British Columbia and Ontario are bastions of composure, with fluctuations that are not dramatic across all three stages In British Columbia, 25 per cent of residents met the exercise guidelines before the pandemic, 24 per cent maintained them during COVID-19, and 26 per cent have been active in the past three months Ontario’s curve is comparable: 22 per cent followed the guidelines before COVID-19, 21 per cent at the height of the

pandemic, and 22 per cent since the end of 2022.

In Alberta, just over a third of residents (34 per cent) say they met the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines every week before COVID-19.

During the pandemic, only 25 per cent kept at it. In the past three months, just 24 per cent have exercised every week for a least 150 minutes

At the national level, there is a worrying trend The country has gone from 23 per cent of residents never meeting the guidelines before the pandemic, to 26 per cent at the height of the pandemic, and to 28 per

cent over the past three months.

At a time of heightened concerns about the state of the health care system, it is discouraging to see that almost three in 10 Canadians have apparently chosen to abandon exercise altogether including almost two in five of those aged 55 and over.

Results are based on an online study conducted from Feb. 16-18, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada.The data has been statistically weighted for age, gender and region.The margin of error –which measures sample variability – is plus or minus 3 1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20

AS WE AGE Celebrating Seniors

Sexualhealthchatsforseniorsurged

CarolEugenePark

Glacier Media

It’s always better to be safe than sorry, no matter a person’s age. This is the reason behind documentarian Jane Johanson’s daughter of Canadian sex expert Sue Johanson partnership with Jems, a condom brand, on the “F---ing Old” campaign to invite Canadian seniors to talk about safe, protected sex. In particular, the campaign encourages younger Canadians, who are comfortable with talking about sex,

to educate seniors on sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Despite popular belief that seniors might not be as sexually active as young people, the BC Centre for Disease Control reported

that in recent years, the rate of STIs has increased in the older Canadian demographic.

According to a Statistics Canada report, between

Continued on page 20

Frank talk: “There needs to be more support by providing education and supplies if needed for safe sex” photo HalFpoint images/ moment/getty images

AS WE AGE Celebrating Seniors

GreydivorcesafactorinSTIrise

Continued from page 19

2010 to 2019, there was about a 90 per cent increase among Canadians older than 60 per 100,000 population for chlamydia; about a 168 per cent increase for gonorrhea; and about a 218 per cent increase for syphilis

The increase in STIs among Canadian seniors is attributed to the fact that many who are single are ready mingle, in part due to grey divorces

“They grew up in a time when it wasn’t as open to talk about things like that and despite what their sexuality might be they most likely have been in monogamous heterosexual rela-

tionships for the majority of their adult life and now they are exploring more freedom and a sense of acceptance in that exploration,” said AnnWelch, the education manager of Positive Living North

“We can’t assume that sex is not happening for the older population, and there needs to be more support by providing education and supplies if needed for safe sex.”

To foster honest converstions, Jems created a collection of hard candies under the F---ing Old label, “inspired by the longtime association between hard candies and seniors.”

The organization stated

in a press release that all proceeds will be donated to Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights

“Ultimately, the candies are a sweet prompt to help bridge the gap and promote healthy sexual habits amongst seniors,” saidWhitney Geller andYasemin Emory, cofounders of Jems

“Instead of your grandma giving you a hard candy, this is a chance for you to give her one and ignite a conversation about sexual health and the spread of STIs, amongst a generation who is at risk ”

With files from Christine Dalgleish, Prince George Citizen

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