Burnaby Now July 6 2023

Neighbours

fight plan for rental development

LaurenVanderdeen lvanderdeen@burnabynow.com

A proposed non-market rental building in EdmondsTown Centre is drawing opposition from homeowners in the neighbourhood

The six-storey development with a childcare facility proposed on public land at 7388 Southwynde Ave would provide affordable housing in a city that has the third-worst rents in the country and has been continually losing purpose-built rental housing.

But some neighbours in the area criticized the project

At a public hearing on June 27, city council heard neighbours’ complaints, including con-

Continued on page 3

PHOTOJENNIFERGAUTHIER

Proposed six-storey non-market building would be‘like a skyscraper,’ homeowners tell council

Citynow

Bail revoked for man facing drug, weapon charges

Burnaby man,35,was awaiting sentencing when he was arrested last month on new charges of criminally harassing his wife

CorneliaNaylor cnaylor@burnabynow.com

Bail has been revoked for a Burnaby man whose sentencing for drug and weapon charges dating back to 2019 was interrupted by his arrest on new charges of criminally harassing his wife

Matthew Borden, 35, was charged in March 2021 after a two-year police investigation into what the province’s anti-gang agency called an “organized crime, drug trafficking organization.”

The probe had led the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit to two properties in August 2019 a home in Sur-

rey and Borden’sVictory Street condo in Burnaby where search warrants turned up a loaded, untraceable semi-automatic handgun, an automatic AR-15-style rifle, 200 rounds of ammunition, 2 25 kilograms of cocaine, 700 grams of heroin, 5 5 kilograms of phenacetin (a common cutting agent), more than $100,000 in cash, jewelry and three vehicles, according to a police news release at the time

Even before charges were approved in the case, the province’s civil forfeiture office launched a civil suit claiming property seized during the raids was

ADDEDOFFENCE:

PHOTOJAMESCHOOPER/MOMENT/GETTYIMAGES

the proceeds of crime and should be forfeited to the government Borden pleaded guilty in December 2021 to two charges: possession for the

purpose of trafficking and possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm, according to theVancouver provincial court registry At the same hearing,

he also pleaded guilty to charges related to his wife, including publishing an intimate image without consent and breaching bail conditions he was under at the time

He had originally been charged with criminal harassment, assault by choking, publishing an intimate image without consent and numerous bail breaches in that case.

His sentencing was delayed because of problems with pre-sentence reports, but a hearing was finally set for June 8 and 9, according to the registry

Before sentencing could go ahead, however, Borden was arrested on new

charges.

On June 5, Borden was charged with two new counts of publishing an intimate image of his wife without consent and another count of criminal harassment, according to registry records.

Borden had been out on bail awaiting sentencing, but B C provincial court Judge Donna Senniw revoked his bail at a hearing on June 23 Information presented at the bail hearing, including Senniw’s reasons for revoking Borden’s bail cannot be published because of a publication ban.

A new hearing has been set for Nov 29, 2023

Continued from page 1

cerns about losing green space, traffic congestion, impacting “residential peace,” concerns the daycare would cause overcrowding on the street and a loss of parking, and concerns about altering “community character ”

Multiple residents also expressed frustration with the recent construction of a nearby development on Byrnepark Drive ChristopherVerhagen, a Southwynde Avenue resident, told council most of the buildings in the neighbourhood are about three storeys above ground level.

“To put a monstrosity of a six-storey building right on the edge of Byrne Creek that is really go-

ing to be an eyesore, not only for the community to have this one building that towers over all the others, but it’s going to make a very uncomfortable transition from the suburban land.”

“This six-storey, relative to the other buildings, is going to be like a skyscraper in here,”Verhagen added. “What is that going to impact the rest of the neighbourhood in terms of property values and everything longterm?”

‘MUCH-NEEDED AFFORDABLE HOUSING’

Ed Kozak, the city’s general manager of planning and development, said the city worked to try to fit the size of the build-

ing in as best as possible to maintain the neighbourhood character.

“But, at the end of the day, part of the decision that drove the height of the building was to provide as much housing on public land as possible in order to address the affordable housing crisis,” Kozak said

Some residents raised concerns the development might have been a profitseeking venture for developers, but the project is a partnership between MetroVancouver and the City of Burnaby.

“There is no economic incentive or agenda to this,” Kozak said.

“This is strictly to provide much-needed affordable housing.”

MetroVancouver Hous-

ing, the regional government’s non-profit housing corporation, wants to build 122 rental units and a child-care facility with space for 37 children, according to a city staff report.

The City of Burnaby would provide the land and lease the site to a non-profit society, housing co-op or government entity for 60 years at a nominal rate (The details will be worked out as the project moves through the rezoning process.)

The project includes one adaptable studio, 52 one-bedrooms (22 adaptable), 56 two-bedrooms (all adaptable), and 14 three-bedrooms (all adaptable)

The rents could be at shelter rates, rent-geared-

to-income, low-end-ofmarket, 20 per cent below market median, “or a combination of rent levels, depending on the funding program achieved,” according to the report

At minimum, the development would include 51 per cent of units at 20 per cent below market median rental rates and 49 per cent of the units at 10 per cent below market rental rates

The city anticipates the affordability would be deepened beyond the minimum

ButVerhagen also noted the development would mean the loss of green space.

“It looks like there may be a bit of a strategy to gradually take away more and more of our park land

in this local area, which is highly concerning,” he said.

But the site of the proposed redevelopment at 7388 Southwynde is already zoned for housing, Kozak said.

“It’s not a park, and it’s not designated as a park,” he told council, adding, “It’s already designated for housing.”

One Southwynde neighbour wrote in support

“I live in this neighbourhood and FULLY SUPPORT this development,” Frances Hamilton wrote.

“This neighbourhood needs more density, more families, and it is such a great option for this type of housing! PLEASE BUILD THIS,” she wrote, followed by seven exclamation points

ABurnabymanawaitingsentencinghasbeen rearrestedonnewcharges.

‘Thisneighbourhoodneedsmoredensity,morefamilies’

CityConnect

Share your voice!

South Burnaby community plans

The City of Burnaby is developing new community plans for Edmonds Town Centre and Royal Oak Urban Village and we want to hear from you! Phase 1 is underway and you’re invited to share your voice. Your feedback will help guide us as we develop the plans to shape how these areas will redevelop over the mid to long term

Take our surveys! Deadline: Monday, July 31, 2023

Share your feedback about the preliminary visioning, goals and plan directions.

Edmonds

Burnaby.ca/YourVoice-Edmonds

Join

Drop in to ask questions, provide comments and chat with staff No registration required.

Edmonds

» Thursday, July 13, 5:30-8 pm

Edmonds Community Centre 7433 Edmonds Street

Royal Oak Burnaby.ca/YourVoice-Royal Oak

Cascade Heights Burnaby.ca/YourVoice-CascadeHeights

Other ways to share your

Royal Oak

» Wednesday, July 19, 5:30-8 pm

Bonsor Recreation Centre 6550 Bonsor Avenue

Note: We held an Open House for Cascade Heights in June If you have any questions or comments, please call or email our staff

Send us your comments via email, phone or mail written to Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1M2

Edmonds edmondsplan@burnaby ca 604-294-7828

Burnaby.ca/YourVoice-Edmonds

Royal Oak royaloakplan@burnaby ca 604-294-7829

Burnaby.ca/YourVoice-RoyalOak

Find detailed information including discussion guides on the project web pages.

Cascade Heights planning@burnaby ca 604-294-7400

Burnaby.ca/YourVoice-CascadeHeights

Edmonds neighbourhood

Royal Oak neighbourhood

Cascade Heights neighbourhood

Citynow Renters fear demovictions under plan for towers

Lauren Vanderdeen lvanderdeen@burnabynow com

“We need your protection ”

That was MariLou Gazzingan’s plea to Burnaby city council at a public hearing on June 27 as she spoke on a redevelopment application that would mean the demolition of her Metrotown rental apartment and her family’s eviction

Gazzingan, a single mom and resident of 6645 Dow Ave , said it was her first time speaking to council.

“I am employed fulltime I’m a single mother of two children, and I’m about to be homeless,” she told councillors Gazzingan isn’t covered

by Burnaby’s tenant assistance policy (TAP), which protects renters displaced by development

She’s not the only renter falling through the cracks of theTAP

TheTAP has developers pay rent top-ups for interim housing while new buildings are under construction, and it requires building replacement units (with right of first refusal for displaced tenants) for all rentals demolished.

But theTAP applies only to renters who live in the building at the time the rezoning application is made

The rezoning application for Gazzingan’s building was made in 2018

She said she wasn’t told

of the rezoning application in her tenancy agreement when she moved into the building in 2020 with her

sons

The developer Peterson (as Dow Beresford Development Limited Part-

nership) is applying to demolish the 112 rental units, across five buildings at 6645 to 6707 Dow Ave , to build two highrise towers, three strata townhomes and a six-storey non-market rental building

‘WHEN THE AXE FALLS’

Renter Jessica Li is in the same situation as her neighbour Gazzingan

“This rezoning process will result in me being kicked out of my home without any kind of assistance or any help with housing thereafter,” Li told council at the hearing

She noted she has a disability that prevents her from working.

“I’ve been trying to find

a place to rent for something close to what I’m renting now. And I can’t find anything that can house me and my cats for anything less than at the very minimum double what I pay now”

“I don’t know of anyone who can afford to suddenly pay three times their current housing costs,” she added.

Li and Gazzingan both pay about $850 per month for their respective one-bedroom rentals, they told the NOW after the hearing

The current average rent for a one-bedroom rental in Burnaby is $2,374, according to Rentals.ca. In the May-

Continued on page 8

APPEALFORHELP:RenterandsinglemotherMariLouGazzingan spoketoBurnabycitycounciltoaskforhelpasherrentalapartmentisslatedfordemolition.

PHOTOLAURENVANDERDEEN/BURNABYNOW

Incumbency shields governing parties from bad press

Just how difficult a task opposition parties face in trying to win power was on display in four recent federal byelections and recent polling in B.C. and Ontario

Despite months of being bashed over the head again and again with such issues as foreign interference in politics, a crumbling health-care system and a rising cost of living, the federal Liberal party was able to hang on to two seats and nearly won a safe Conservative seat in those byelections

And a poll by the Angus Reid Institute showed that although most voters in both B C and Ontario think their provincial government is performing miserably when it comes to handling the most pressing issues, both governments would easily be re-elected to a majority status if a vote were held today

In fact, it’s rather astonishing when you consider that about eight in 10 B C voters give the BC NDP government a failing grade on three critical issues cost of living, health care, and housing yet almost half are willing to vote for the party

The Reid poll put the BC NDP’s support among decided voters at 47 per cent, a huge 18-point lead over the BC United Party.This, despite the NDP getting little credit when it comes to key issues

Of course, the 18-point gap in B C is likely largely attributable to the unfamiliarity with the new BC United “brand,” but that doesn’t explain the NDP’s gaudy level of support at a time when few people approve of the job the party is doing

Also in the mix may be a genuine dislike of what people see from BC United and its leader Kevin Falcon right now The

party is shifting right, and voters may be offside with that Certainly, questions about leadership and right-wing drift abound at the federal level Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s personal popularity numbers are hovering around those for Prime Minister JustinTrudeau (both at around 36 per cent in the latest Reid poll) and he has a particular problem with women voters.

The byelection results magnified a significant vulnerability facing the Conservatives.The party lost badly inWinnipeg-South Centre, the kind of urban riding it needs to win (it held the riding when Stephen Harper was prime minister) if it hopes to gain power

The Conservatives also nearly lost the semi-rural Ontario riding of Oxford, normally a party stronghold.

Byelections are supposed to be easy fodder for opposition parties, particularly when a government is getting dragged through shards of glass on a regular basis. That wasn’t the case last month (in fact, it was the Conservatives that lost ground, not the ruling Liberals).

For now, anyway, voters seem willing to give incumbent governments enormous latitude and a very long runway.

If that mood continues (it appears to have taken hold at the beginning of the pandemic and has yet to disappear in many places), it all adds up to potentially bad news for most opposition parties

Trying to make the case that they are a better fit for government than the incumbent can be a tough sell right now

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC.

Opinionnow

Sports box hurts charm of Confederation Park

Editor:

I’vebeenveryfortunatetoliveadjacent toConfederationParkfor25years.Itis, apparently,Burnaby’soldestpark,andithas agreatcharmtoit.It’saparkthathasalways feltinvitingandwelcomingtooneandall,ina lovelyrusticway

Ihavespentmanyhourswalking,playing bocci,sittingonabenchandtakinginthe soundsofpeopleenjoyingthemselves, watchingteamsofyoungstersplayingfootball andhearingtheoccasionalhootfromthe lacrossecourt

I’vealsobeenverygratefulforthecareand attentionputintothemaintenanceanddevelopmentofthepark(clearingnewareasfor picnickersandsoon),makingitsuchalovely spacetolivenear

RecentlyIwatchedcuriouslyastheytore

THE BURNABY

WELCOMES

downtheoldlacrossecourt,wonderingwhat wastobebuiltinitsplace Thentheexcavationandtheinfoboardwiththeartist’simpressionofthenewadditionofanenclosed sportsbox

ItseemedkindoflargebutIthoughtperhapsitwouldbejustfineandaplaceforfolks toplayballhockeyandlacrosse.

However,nowthattheconstructionhas revealeditsactualsize(itreallyishuge)itappearstodominatethesurroundingpark,thus changingforevertheverycharmofit

Atthispointit’sadonedeal.IdohopeIam wronganditturnsouttobeOK,butevery timeIlookoutonitmyheartsinksalittle.

Iamnotinoppositiontosuchathingasa sportsboxorputtingresourcesintobuilding one,it’sjusttheplacethatwaschosentoput itseemsentirelywrong

Imust,Isuppose,letgoofwhatwasand acceptwhatis,howeverIdofeel,atthispoint itwasabigmistake

PeterMacLachlan

Renter

wood neighbourhood (south of Beresford Street and north of Imperial, including Dow Avenue), one-bedrooms on average are about $2,700, according to Zumper com

Li just missed the deadline to be eligible for the TAP, having moved into Dow Avenue in early 2019.

She said it was “a shock” when she found out the building was going

ineligible for protections

to be demolished

“It causes me a lot of stress, a lot of anxiety and thinking about what’s going to happen and what I’m going to do when the axe falls ”

NO RELIEF UNDER CURRENT POLICY

Li asked why theTAP excludes renters who currently live in the building about to be demolished.

“Why are we not offered the same assistance and

protections or any protections and assistance that our neighbours get?” she asked

Ed Kozak, the city’s general manager of planning and development, told council, “There is no policy that would provide relief” to the tenants ineligible for theTAP

“Unfortunately, staff are bound by the policy, which contemplates those eligible are the tenants that were there at the time of the application, and the replacement units that are generated at the time of the application,” he said

But he added developers and landlords should be notifying new renters about the impending rezoning and demolition, explaining that the previous tenant would have been eligible for the replacement rental unit and tenant assistance

“But we (city staff) don’t review tenancy agreements,” he said.

Kozak said if a developer doesn’t notify the new tenants of upcoming redevelopment, it isn’t fulfilling its obligations under the TAP, and council could

nix the rezoning and development.

Allan Fernandez, a tenant of 6645 Dow Ave who is eligible for theTAP, spoke in support of his neighbours

He said he knows of six previous Dow Avenue tenants who were eligible for theTAP protections but moved to Alberta.

He asked staff if those replacement units the previous tenants were eligible for could be given to four families who are not currently eligible forTAP

Kozak replied that the city “can certainly try and accommodate those needs,” if there are residents who aren’t returning and there are extra units available, and if the developer is willing to work with the city

Li said she was “absolutely crushed” when she learned she wasn’t eligible for theTAP protections

“All I’m asking is for the City of Burnaby, for the council, for the developers, to treat us the same as our neighbours.They deserve the help from the tenant assistance policy We need help too.”

Citynow Kayaker sounds alarm over jellyfish at marine park

CorneliaNaylor

cnaylor@burnabynow

com

A local kayaker is sounding the alarm over stinging jellyfish at Barnet Marine Park

Ann Pickthall and her husband were kayaking the Burrard Inlet near the park and came across what she has identified as lion’s mane jellyfish some as close as 150 metres from the swimming area

“I am very scared for swimmers and especially children,” Pickthall told the NOW “People do not know these cause severe burns on touch ”

Lion’s mane jellyfish, considered the largest jellyfish species in the world, have long tentacles (from nine to 36 metres) which they use to capture, pull in, and eat prey such as fish, zooplankton, sea creatures and smaller jellyfish

Pickthall told the NOW she started noticing the distinctive jellyfish in the winter further out in the Burrard Inlet, but she was alarmed last week when

she spotted some getting close to the Barnet swimming area

“This particular one was drifting toward the beach,” she said

Stings from the tentacles of lion’s mane jellyfish, which can zap you even after they’re dead, are painful but not generally lethal unless the victim is allergic

Allergies and a lack of awareness about lion’s mane stings are what concern Pickthall most about the jellyfish she saw drift-

ing toward the beach.

“In the emergency rooms here, they would never think of a jellyfish sting from a lion’s mane if a child went in in anaphylaxis,” she said.

Pickthall said she emailed the city with her concerns but got the impression “they’re not worried at all ”

TraceyTobin, climate action and energy officer at the City of Burnaby, told the NOW jellyfish in coastal waters is a “great indicator of a healthy ocean ”

While moon jellyfish are more common in Burnaby,Tobin confirmed there are lion’s mane from Salish Sea to Alaska.

“They do have the ability to sting like all jellyfish, but they are in their natural environment,”Tobin said in an email response for comment. “Basically it is a look, don’t touch ”

Pickthall would like the city to do more.

“I’d like to see signs up there so at least parents know,” she said.

OUCH:Thislion’smanejellyfishwasphotographeddrifting neartheswimmingareanear BarnetMarinePark PHOTOANNPICKTHALL

SYMPHONY inthepark

featuring the VSO Saturday, July 15 | 7:30 pm

featuring Vancouver Opera Sunday, July 16 | 7:30 pm

Family activities throughout the weekend. Info and event schedule:

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Call Terrie or Erin today for a tour to see for yourself why Mulberry has been voted the Best Independent Living community in Burnaby.

Communitynow Brentwood tops school district’s $700M building wish list

CorneliaNaylor cnaylor@burnabynow com

Making sure there are enough classrooms for a wave of students expected in the Brentwood area is a major focus of a building wish list approved by the Burnaby board of education last week

Trustees unanimously approved the school district’s fiveyear capital plan submission to the Ministry of Education at a public board meeting June 24.

The document outlines more than $700 million in new projects the district would like the ministry to commit to funding over the next five years, including nine additions at existing schools, three new schools, three replacements of older schools, six seismic upgrades and seven new sites for future schools

“We would hope that within the five years these projects that are identified are funded,” school district secretary-treasurer Russell Horswill told the NOW.

The district’s “big priorities” right now, however, are projects that will increase capacity within the Brentwood town centre, including additions at Kitchener Elementary School and Alpha Secondary School and a new school on Dawson Street, according to Horswill.

Horswill noted a seismic addition at Brentwood Park Elementary already funded and therefore not included on the list is in the works and should be complete within three years

“Those will position us well for the growth we’re seeing in the Brentwood north area,” Horswill said.

A 3.19-acre property on Dawson Street has already been earmarked for a new school, but the district is still working with the city to figure out how it will acquire the site, according to Horswill.

It’s clear the school will have to be bigger than originally anticipated, he said.

In the district’s last five-year capital plan, the board requested just over $34 million to build a 415-student school in the area.

It is now requesting nearly $65 million for an 800-student school.

“As we just continue to look at the development, we’re looking at needing a very large elementa-

ry school on the east side,” Horswill said.

Considering the relatively small size of the Dawson Street site, that means the district will have to build upwards

All of the existing elementary schools near the town centre were already at or over capacity last year, according to the district’s long-range facilities plan.

B C school boards submit their five-year capital plan every June and get a letter from the ministry in March outlining which projects on their lists the provincial government will commit to funding

A number of major capital projects are already in various stages in Burnaby

The ministry has already committed to funding seismic additions at Brentwood Park and Cameron Elementary

A full seismic replacement of Stride Avenue Community School is ready to go to tender, according to Horswill, and major projects at Seaforth and Parkcrest are just wrapping up

The replacement of Burnaby North Secondary is also nearing completion

“All of this is going to require lots of work,” Horswill said of the new projects on five-year capital plan.

DENSITY:CondotowersrisebesideLougheedHighwayinBurnaby’sBrentwoodtowncentre.

PHOTOCORNELIANAYLOR

This community event is proudly sponsored by:

Don’t miss these weekend events & activities!

FRIDAY, JULY 8, TO SUNDAY, JULY 9

BUBBLE TEA FESTIVAL

It’s the second year of this fabulous festival of all things bubble tea Last year hosted more than 20,000 people and this year’s festivities will be just as exciting with food, drinks and entertainment on the theme ofTaste ofTaiwan and an expedition series with the first stop: the Sleepless City ofTaipei

With more than 100 booths, two nights of outdoor movies, free games like bumpers balls and bumper cars and, of course, tons of bubble tea, this weekend is sure to be a blast See story, page 18

WHEN: July 7 to July 9 (Friday: 3 to 10 p.m.; Saturday: noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday: noon to 7 p.m.)

WHERE: Swangard Stadium (3883 Imperial St.)

COST: $9 99 to $14 99 plus GST, children 12 years old and under are free with an accompanying adult; tickets available at https://shorturl.at/zBPW5

SATURDAY, JULY 8

PRIDE BBQ

Burnaby Pride is hosting a community BBQ for 2SLGBTQIA+ families and individuals to hang out at Keswick Park on Saturday, July 8 from noon to 3 p m The Burnaby Firefighters will be on hand and will be cooking up a delicious array of hot dogs (with meat, veggie and halal options), and there will be chips and pop on offer. Bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, water, and remember to dress for the weather

WHEN: Saturday, July 8 from noon to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Keswick Park (9452 Cardston Crt.)

COST: Free For more info see burnabypride com

SUMMER SWING DANCE

Join BC Swing Dance for the last dance until September at Confederation Community Centre. Learn fromWest Coast Swing pros for a rollicking good time. Masks are recommended

WHEN: Saturday, July 8 at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Confederation Community Centre (4585 Albert St.)

COST: Free beginner lesson at 7 p m , social dance from 8 to 11 p m is $12 members, $15 guests, $7 students.

SUMMER

SUNDAY, JULY 9

NIKKEI GARDEN FARMERS MARKET

It’s time to enjoy the fresh aromas of a farmers market at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre With 30 market vendors, and a flea market inside the Hayashi Hall, the day will celebrateTanabata Star Festival with decorations and a kids’ booth where you can write a wish. AppareYosakoiVancouver, a new Japanese dance team, will perform at 11 a m and 1 p m

WHEN: Sunday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre (6688 Southoaks Cres.)

COST: Free admission

GREAT BEAR PUB KARAOKE

This Sunday, the Great Bear Pub is hosting All-Stars Rockstar Karaoke night with Burnaby All Stars Karaoke. Rock your heart out on the mic and sing your fave songs. Rockstar karaoke nights run every Sunday night

WHEN: Sunday, July 9 from 8 to 11:45 p.m.

WHERE: Great Bear Pub (5665 Kingsway)

COST: Free admission

Compiled by Lauren Vanderdeen

PHOTO: simon2579/E+/Getty Images

FUN:The second annual BubbleTea Festival is back at Swangard Stadium for three days of fun and delicious tea this weekend

Communitynow

Get ready for a three-day bubble tea extravaganza

Abhinaya Natesh

anatesh@burnabynow.com

A three-day bubble tea festival will kick off at Burnaby’s Swangard Stadium on Friday, July 7

From Burnaby’s Roots & Blues, Symphony in the Park music concert series

toVancouver Ice Cream festival, Summer Sips festival and more it is festivals galore at this time of the year.

Adding to that extensive roster is the foodie festival that positions itself as Canada’s largest bubble tea festival

Vancouver BubbleTea Festival, an event that quenched the thirst for bubble tea enthusiasts around MetroVancouver last year, is making a re-

turn to Burnaby this year, displaying the taste ofTaiwan in all its glory

TheTaiwanese-inspired beverage festival made a grand debut in Burnaby last year and is expected to host to thousands of guests over three days

The family-friendly festival will be taking place at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby from July 7 to 9, where guests can experience a kaleidoscope of flavours, colours and textures and let the flavours dance on their taste buds.

The festival will feature seven tea brands includingTruedan, Port Coquitlam-based Blend

BubbleTea, Chatime,Teapressu, AsUsual Café, Juicy Green and Gram

Cafe & Pancakes.

In addition to the beloved bubble tea (also known as boba tea or

milk tea), the festival goers can also enjoy treats from Asian-inspired food trucks.

TheTaste ofTaiwan series will stop atTaipei, the Sleepless City, where folks can exploreTaipei’s top four famous streets: Ximending,Yongkang Street, Jiufen Old Street, and Raohe Street through bubble tea and Asian street foods

According to their website, some notable food trucks making an appearance at this year’s festival are Bruno,Tokyo Katsu Sand,TheTacoTigre (Vietnamese inspired street tacos),Takenaka and more.

The festival will also feature live stage performances, fun activities and two nights of outdoor movie nights Spider-Man: No Way Home (July 7 from 8

to 10 p.m.) and Minions: the Rise of Gru (July 8 from 8 to 10 p m ) Tickets to the festival are available online. One-day passes cost $10 and three-day passes cost $15 (plus taxes). Children 12 years and under can attend for free as well as youths 25 years and under with disabilities.

VANCOUVER BUBBLE TEA FESTIVAL 2023

When: Friday, July 7 from 3 to 10 p m ; Saturday July 8 from noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, July 9 from noon to 7 p m

Where: Swangard Stadium, Burnaby Cost: $10 to $15; tickets can be purchased at vanbubbleteafest ca

SIPSOFSUMMER:SwangardStadiuminBurnabywillhostthe VancouverBubbleTeaFestival2023fromJuly7to9.

PHOTOD3SIGN/MOMENT/GETTYIMAGES

Communitynow

Free concerts, dance and art lessons at Brentwood Mall

AbhinayaNatesh anatesh@burnabynow com

Beginning Saturday, July 8, the outdoor plaza at Brentwood Mall will host a series of free summer celebrations for five weeks with its 2023 Summer Event Series.

From complimentary concerts to dance, fitness sessions and art programs there is no shortage of diverse entertainment awaiting visitors to the mall

The five-week event, lasting 26 days, will begin on July 8 with a Multicultural Drum Festival from 1 to 6 p m The annual drumming event is a celebration of multiculturalism and diverse drumming traditions from around the world.

The festival features a variety of performances by 15 teams of drummers and percussionists from a diverse array of cultural backgrounds including African, Aboriginal, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern, showcasing the different rhythms, sounds and styles of drumming from around the world. Music on the Plaza fea-

turing free outdoor performances from local artists including NaRai, Marie Hui, Antonio Larosa, Sound Cinema, Soulstream will return on Sunday, July 9 from 2 to 8 p m and run each Saturday and Sunday until Aug. 6.

OnTuesdays the 11th and 18th from 6 to 7 p m , South Asian women,Yeshiva Mehta and Hasini Basnayake will lead the community along to beginner-friendly dance moves with their inclusive dance community, BollyFusion.

For those interested in other dance forms, salsa dancing will be back every Wednesday, starting July 12 from 6 to 8:30 p m and will run until Aug. 2.

For the non-dancers who want to break some sweat, the Plaza will also be hosting free spin pop-up class by SPINCO on July 13 and 20 from 5 to 8 p m and shadowboxing classes on July 27 and Aug. 3 from 6 to 7 p m by Rumble Boxing

For the artistically inclined, Art from the Heart on July 25, a two-hour guided painting session led by Maria Bertosh, aVan-

couver-based pop-surrealism artist will teach basic painting skills and create an open space for artists of all experience levels to experiment and explore

In addition to these activities, the mall will also

host the second Battle at Brentwood DJ competition on July 21 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. featuring a live talent showcase ofTableTutor DJ community’s students, followed by a live battle with amateur DJs

To wrap up the summer event series, there will be a new Party on the Plaza. On July 28 and Aug. 4 from 5 to 8 p m , the party will include face painting by Oui Entertain and complimentary treats likeYuzu

Lemonade from Earls and an appearance by Bella Gelateria’s gelato cart. For the full summer event series schedule and registrations for select activities, visit theamazing brentwood com

Citynow

Second psych report ordered for man caught with loaded ghost gun

CorneliaNaylor cnaylor@burnabynow.com

Crown prosecutor Ariel Bultz says 21-year-old ArunjitVirk should go to prison for three years for carrying a loaded, illegal ghost gun around Burnaby’s busy Metrotown mall in March 2021

“This is a crime gun; there’s no other way to put it,” Bultz said at a sentencing hearing inVancouver provincial courtWednesday

Defence lawyer David Karp proposed a conditional sentence (a jail term served in the community) of between 18 and 24 months, but Bultz argued that would be an “unfit” sentence given the “dangerousness of the offence.”

He pointed to the fact the Polymer80 kit gun had no safety and there was a bullet chambered in the firearm as he was carrying it around the Metropolis at Metrotown mall on March 28, 2021.

Bultz also notedVirk hadn’t done well on bail since his arrest for that incident, and a psychiatric report prepared in the case had found him a “moderate risk to reoffend.”

But Karp countered by saying the psych report should be thrown out.

He saidVirk’s family had told him the interview that formed the basis of the report had lasted for only 11 minutes via video conference when it should have lasted hours

“This report does nothing to assist the court, so I’m going to be suggesting it should be given ab-

GHOSTGUN:Transitpolice seizedthishandgunduringthe arrestofSurrey’sArunjitVirk, 19,attheMetrotownmallin March2021

PHOTOMETROVANCOUVER TRANSITPOLICE

solutely no value,” Karp said.

But Bultz noted the report writer saidVirk had not been co-operative during the interview

Bultz said the author of the report is a professional with a duty to the court who produced a seven-page document with all the information he was given.

“I think the report stands for this court purpose,” Bultz said. “Mr. Virk’s lack of purported co-operation, while it may be unfortunate for him at these proceedings, it’s a result of his own doing.”

In the end, however, B C provincial court Judge Reginald Harris adjourned the sentencing and ordered three new reports – a psychological assessment, a presentence report and a technical suitability report

“It’s unfortunate that it’s at this stage,” Harris said.

Technical suitability reports are prepared when electronic monitoring is being considered as part of a sentence.

A new sentencing date has been set for Sept 13, 2023.

A Start with our podcast,“It’s Personal Finance Canada”that’s available on all major hosting platforms Already we’re in the top 5% of most followed education podcasts globally on Spotify, not too bad for a couple of Canadians If you want to get information and be entertained in the process, check it out! If you’re looking for more hands-on advice or have something specific you’d like to explore, we can help with financial goal setting with action steps, financial planning, insurance, investments health & dental as well as retirement or estate planning It s nice to have a professional tell you if you’re on track to meeting your goals or what you would need to do to achieve them. We’re there to help you every step of the way, through the different stages of life

Finally, if you’re looking for a place to engage with others about personal finance and ask questions feel free to join our new It’s Personal Finance Canada Facebook group and Facebook discussion group. We take suggestions from the members about what to talk about on the podcast, started a book club, and I recently shared about my seven days no spend challenge It would be great to see you there!”

Q

Why is post-hospital

Canadian seniors make up 40% of all hospitalizations and 36% of them return to the emergency room within seven days postdischarge

While at least 35% of seniors aged 75+ need home care after leaving the hospital, less than half of them start within three days post-discharge

A hospital stay can be a turning point in the life of any person especially if they are aging or at a stage where their ability to function in everyday life has decreased. When preparing to leave the hospital there is a lot to consider Post-discharge care is the best way to ensure patients regain their strength while keeping hospital beds open for new admissions Home care assistance can greatly reduce risk for seniors–even if they don’t feel vulnerable

The best way to support recovery and avoid readmission is to work with an organization who can continue to provide care at home

Contact us before Moving from the Hospital to Home to experience the best recovery opportunity

Andrew Partner Cassady & Company

A UHT is a tax on ownership of vacant or underused housing which took effect January 1, 2022. The rate of tax is 1% of the taxable value of the property It usually applies to non-resident, non-Canadian owners but does extend to Canadian owners as well in certain circumstances If you are an“affected owner”on December 31 of any given tax year, you must file an Underused Housing Tax return or risk a penalty The filing deadline for the 2022 year is April 30th, 2023. If you are a Canadian citizen, you are an“affected owner”if you own property as a trustee of a trust or as a partner of a partnership. Private corporations are also defined as“affected owners”

Even if you are an“affected owner”, your property may be exempt from UHT Exemptions include certain types of affected owners and properties that are newly constructed, not suitable to be lived in year-round, uninhabitable for renovations, a defined vacation property, and in certain situations, the primary place of residence for you or your spouse

Author: Andrew McIntosh, Partner

Q

What is Sponsored Content?

Sponsored Content is a brand-sponsored article that lives on a media publisher’s website It looks and reads like the publications own content but is, in fact, a paid advertisement It positions the brand as an expert by delivering interesting content that is relevant to a publisher’s audience

As we move further down the digital road, it’s important to connect with your audience online Not merely advertise products and services spark interest, answer questions, educate readers with valuable information. One example of this would be for a Realtor to sponsor an article on“How to turn your Basement Suite into a Rental Unit?”A Travel Agency could talk about“5 Best Trips to Cure the Winter Blues!”Maybe a Yoga Studio discusses“The Health Benefits of Maintaining a Good Work-Life Balance?”The general idea is to provide your audience with helpful, interesting, even must read articles sponsored by your business of course! It’s a softer, but more memorable sell, presented in a journalistic style

Sponsored Content builds brand trust & credibility, when used effectively can drive online traffic and engagement by leaps and bounds!!

Q I want to get more knowledgeable aboutmy finances, where should I begin?

Christine Conway CFP, CLU, CHS, CExP. | President Braun Financial Services

All our technicians are personally trained by Tracy Booth the founder and inventor with 35 years of experience in the Gleam Guard dust-free odor-free process

Call and talk with Tracy to get a quote about your cabinets and wood throughout your house

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Do I need a doctor’s referral to book an appointment?

No, just give us a call or visit our online booking site Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Registered Massage Therapists, Naturopaths, and Acupuncturists are considered primary contact healthcare professionals in Canada. This means you can consult them directly, no referral needed! Plus, we offer private treatments, personalized care plans, and direct billing to most insurance companies.

Our team of health professionals are here to help if you’re suffering from pain.

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Canada is going to be commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s 60-year reign as Canada’s Queen. All coins coming out by the Royal Canadian Mint will have her portrait and 1952-2022 on the obverse of the coin. The reverse (what we call the front) will have 2023, thus creating the first triple dated Canadian circulating coins Both the $50 gold and $5 silver Maple Leafs should be here in two weeks, and they will have that “19522022”included on the coin. We also have some of the 2023coin sets and the Silver Dollar The rest of the sets will be in by the end of February There is also a special commemorative dollar, with all four different portraits of the Queen that were used on our coinage It will be available around the end of February

There are many factors that will determine how often you need to have your teeth cleaned For the average patient with good oral hygiene habits, dentists recommend check-ups every 6 months Regular cleaning can help to identify gum disease, screen for other oral diseases and can be an opportunity to discuss ways to prevent gum disease and tooth decay

Professional cleaning by a hygienist cleans your teeth in ways home care cannot Special tools are used to remove stains and hard deposits like tartar and calculus that your toothbrush can’t remove Your hygienist will discuss habits like smoking and high-sugar diets that can have a negative impact on oral health and will lead to needing more frequent professional care A patient with gum disease can require cleanings every 3-4 months, sometimes even needing advanced care with a Periodontist (gum specialist). Talk to your dentist today!

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Check with your Denturist to see if your dentures can be relined It is best not to reline your dentures with overthe-counter reline kits. This procedure which can be done by your Denturist, will enable your dentures to have a tighter, better fit A new impression will be taken to ensure the proper landmark and a new base will be cured to the underside of your existing denture

Rebecca Yu Owner & Founder Royal Treatment Therapeutics

Tracy Booth Gleam Guard

Citynow $200K forfeited from house allegedly used to launder money

CorneliaNaylor cnaylor@burnabynow com

Victims of an elaborate Canada Revenue Agency telemarketing scam in early 2019 may see some money back after the sale of a Burnaby house allegedly used to launder the ill-gotten gains

Former Burnaby resident Haoran Xue, 29, (also known as Charlie Xue) was charged in June 2021 with fraud, theft and other crimes related to a CRA scam allegedly perpetrated by Xue and four associates, according to the RCMP

Posing as representatives from the CRA, RCMP, software companies and banks, they contacted unsuspecting victims and demanded they send money and gift cards to mailboxes in Ontario and B C , according to allegations in B.C. Supreme Court documents.

The fraud involved seven victims who collectively lost $198,700, but $90,000 was intercepted and returned, according to police.

Xue, a Chinese citizen, is wanted on an outstanding warrant as he has yet

INVESTIGATION:BC’scivilforfeitureofficeclaimsthisBurnaby houseat7318FourthSt waslinkedtoaCRAfraudin2019

to make a single court appearance on the charges

He is also wanted on an immigration warrant.

The Canada Border Services Agency arrested Xue after an immigration investigation but released him on a $10,000 surety, according to court documents.

Police believe he has left Canada and returned to China

In the meantime, the province’s civil forfeiture office has gone after a house owned by Xue’s father, Zenggang Xue, at 7318 Fourth St in East Burnaby

In a civil action filed in November 2019, the civil forfeiture office claimed the house really belonged to Charlie Xue and had been bought with proceeds from the alleged fraud and

used to launder the money

Xue’s father denied those claims, saying the house belonged to him and was “the result of his hard work and savings,” according to a response to the lawsuit

Last month, however, Zenggang Xue settled the suit by relinquishing $200,000 from the sale of the house to the civil forfeiture office

Charlie Xue never filed a response to the claim

The $200,000 represents nearly the full traceable amount from the fraud linked to the Burnaby house, according to the RCMP

“The B C Civil Forfeiture Office intends to use the funds to launch a victim compensation program,” stated an RCMP news release this week

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For over 25 years, Anna C. Lu has been involved in all facets of the real estate industry – from sales and leasing to rental and property management. Her experience spans Asia and N. America, building a vast global network of clients She specializes in Land & Strata Assemblies and Institutional properties. kleincommercial.ca/specialists/anna-lu

BetterTable.ca is a benefit company helping hotels and restaurants control food costs to improve the bottom line. Have you increased your menu prices recently? We help with online training, food waste audits, and innovative solutions tailored to the hospitality industry Make your F&B operations more profitable and sustainable. BetterTable.ca

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You’re going to lose access to local news on Facebook and Google.

Dear readers,

Your access to local, provincial and national news is going to be revoked on Google, Facebook and Instagram.

And it’s not because of anything we’ve done

Recently, Canada passed the Online News Act, also known as Bill C-18, which has led to a standoff between the government, Google and Meta the parent company behind Facebook and Instagram

Both Google and Meta have said they plan to cut ties with the news industry in Canada as a result.

This means Meta will block the posting and sharing of our news articles on Facebook and Instagram Google will also remove links to our sites and articles in Google News, Discover and search results. They’ll also cancel significant content licensing agreements already in place with our parent company, Glacier Media

Undoubtedly, this will have a huge impact not solely on us but, more importantly, on people like yourself who may use these platforms to discover what’s happening in your community and to get context to events happening in your own backyard.

We’re not planning on going anywhere, but here’s how you can help:

1. Sign up for our free daily newsletter by scanning the QR code. (And encourage your family and friends to do the same.)

2. Follow us on Twitter.

3. Bookmark our website as the homepage on your devices.

4. Consider becoming a member if you aren’t already. Your support will help us continue to cover local stories, by locals.

5. If you own/operate a local business, consider supporting local by placing ads with 100% Canadian-owned media outlets, like us.

With your help, more people will be able to get their local news from a trusted source. In today’s age of misinformation, that’s more important than ever.

Thank you. We appreciate you.

Sincerely,

The Burnaby Now team

Citynow

Head of charity campaigned for Maxime Bernier

Tax-exempt organization’s website and newsletter filled with endorsements for PPC and its leader despite rules against partisan political activity

CorneliaNaylor

cnaylor@burnabynow.com

The tax-exempt charity of an anti-vax, anti-SOGI ex-Burnaby political candidate from New Westminster has seen revenues skyrocket by more than 400 per cent during the COVID-19 pandemic – but her partisan political activity may be running afoul of IncomeTax Act rules

Laura-LynnTyler

Thompson’s political forays in Burnaby have included a run at school board in 2018 and a federal byelection bid in Burnaby South with Maxime Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada in 2019.

Recently, she was campaigning hard for Bernier in the Portage-Lisgar byelection in Manitoba, a contest some had cast as a referendum on Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre’s grip on his political base

“Vote-in Maxime Bernier; send a message to the Conservative Party of Canada,”TylerThompson said in an interview posted on her website on June 5.

The NOW reached out toTylerThompson for comment about her partisan political activity while at the head of a registered charity

“I’m very familiar with

the charitable act and govern myself accordingly,”

TylerThompson said in an email

CHARITY BOOMING SINCE PANDEMIC

Throughout her political campaigns,TylerThompson has been the face of Sheppard Ministries Society d.b.a. Laura Lynn Ministries

She was one of three directors of the charity in 2021 (the most recent year for which information is available)

Between 2019 and 2021, the charity’s revenue jumped 400 per cent, from $76,211 in 2019 to $395,800 in 2021, according to CRA documents

In 2019, the charity had two employees and paid out a total of $23,991 in compensation In 2021, it had four employees and paid out $149,378.

Travel and vehicle expenses exploded by 760 per cent from $5,510 in 2019 to $47,476 in 2021

The charity’s assets are also up from $55,225 in 2019 to $141,490 in 2021

OnTylerThompson’s website and newsletter, there are multiple ways to donate to fund her online videos, which focus on politics, as well as what she describes as transgender and COVID-19 vaccine “nonsense.”

Clicking on one of two

“donate” buttons will take you the Laura Lynn Ministries (Sheppard Ministries Society) page on canada helps org, a website of Canadian charities where you can donate and get a tax receipt

You can also eTransfer money directly to her Protonmail email address or send a cheque to her NewWestminster post of-

fice box

“Contributions received are used to fund the expenses of Laura-Lynn Ministries, which is operated to advance the outreach of Laura-Lynn,” states the website.

PARTISAN POLITICS

The IncomeTax Act, however, prohibits charities from engaging in partisan politics

Since a change in the law in December 2018, a charity is allowed to carry on unlimited non-partisan political activities (now called public policy dialogue and development activities), but it is still not allowed to use “any part of its resources to the direct or indirect support of, or opposition to, any political party or candidate for public office.”

TylerThompson’s website and newsletter, meanwhile, are filled with endorsements for Maxime Bernier and the PPC and with direct criticism of

Poilievre, the Conservative Party of Canada, Prime Minister JustinTrudeau and the Liberal Government.

And numerous videos showTylerThompson actively campaigning with and for Bernier in Manitoba in the run-up to the June 19 byelection

TylerThompson requested and was sent a list of questions from the NOW about her charity and political activity

Once she got them, however, she said she didn’t have time to answer them

The NOW has also contacted the Canada Revenue Agency with questions about Sheppard Ministries, but confidentiality provisions in the IncomeTax Act prevent it from making any comment on specific charities.

CRA actions or feedback related to registered charities are only made public when it revokes charitable status or otherwise penalizes a charity

CAMPAIGNTRAIL:Laura-LynnTylerThompsonshakeshandswithCanadianPeople’sPartyleaderMaximeBernierduringacampaigneventinMay.

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PARTISAN:CampaignmaterialforMaximeBernierandthePPC hasappearedonLaura-LynnTylerThompson’swebsite.

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