**Please see the last update of this petition below. We did it!  Burnaby city council has voted to cancel the voting process required to remove 21 acres of parkland at Fraser Foreshore Park to make way for a green recycling and organic waste facility. **

Burnaby residents will have until April 28 to voice opposition to the city removing 21 acres of parkland at Fraser Foreshore Park for a green waste facility. 

The City of Burnaby, on its website, currently invites you to "Come down to the riverside for a relaxing walk or an invigorating outdoor workout. Located on the north arm of the mighty Fraser, our riverfront park is home to meadows, marshes, creeks and animal habitats."  However, 21 acres of parkland at Fraser Foreshore Park are now at stake.  

City Council has voted for a process that requires citizens to organize to file their own opposition instead of a public referendum, and on a short turnaround time.  This entire process will be done in EIGHT WEEKS. The deadline for submitting the Elector Response Form to oppose this facility is 4 pm on April 28, 2023. So, let's get organized and give this project the awareness it deserves. Please share this petition, create your own, share news, and most importantly the Elector Form to let Burnaby taxpayers express their opposition.

The City’s own sign at the Fraser Foreshore Ecological Reserve says:

“The eastern portion of Burnaby Fraser Foreshore park is a 16-hectare ecological reserve containing a diversity of habitat types which are becoming scarce on the Fraser River; mature cottonwood forest, river estuary, tidal lagoon, tidal meadow and old field meadow. (...) Some of these habitats are newly restored and are still maturing. The open meadow adjacent to the lagoon is being managed as an ‘old field’ with a mix of grasses providing food and habitat for small mammals such as mice and moles. These, in turn, provide prey for raptors such as hawks and owls. Watch for hunting activities by birds of prey in the meadow and nesting waterfowl in the lagoons. These are signs of a healthy, functioning habitat.”  

Residents of Burnaby and non-residents, let us all please ACT NOW. If you are OPPOSED to the adoption of Burnaby Park Dedication Removal Bylaw 2023, you must sign and submit an Elector Response Form if you meet the qualifications of a resident elector or non-resident property elector in the City of Burnaby. Elector Response Form for residents (page 3) and non-residents (page 4) can be downloaded here Burnaby Elector Response Form.

You can contact Legislative Services to request printed forms and pre-paid envelopes. They've promptly responded to my request and are currently ensuring they fill all orders. I will distribute these in the Edmonds area, if you have time to pick them up at their office and want to organize your neighbourhood, please reach out to them at 604-294-7290 or email them at legislativeservices@burnaby.ca.  I understand there is a 1,000 limit per person but please check. 

Being UNDERESTIMATED is one of the biggest competitive advantages we have. Let's embrace it.