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Burnaby debates: When and where to see local candidates argue their case

The list of local all-candidates meeting will be kept updated
Debate graphic
A poster advertises a debate for the Feb. 25 byelection in Burnaby South.

Want to hear what your wannabe MPs have to offer, straight from the source?

There are several all-candidates meetings planned in Burnaby’s two main electoral districts ahead of the Oct. 21 federal election. Click here for information about planned debates in New Westminster-Burnaby.

This list will be updated as more events are announced and more information becomes available. 

All ridings

  • Meet and Greet

What: Major-party candidates from New Westminster-Burnaby, Burnaby North-Seymour and Burnaby South have been invited to a Meet and Greet organized by the Burnaby Board of Trade. Candidates will take turns introducing themselves on stage and will then be accessibly to talk tto voters at their respective party booths.

Where: Firefighters' Banquet Hall (6515 Bonsor Ave.)

When: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

Who: All candidates representing the major parties in each Burnaby riding (New Westminster –Burnaby, Burnaby North-Seymour, Burnaby South) will be invited to attend. Independent candidates and those representing minor parties will also be invited based on internal criteria, said the BBOT.

  • Eat Think Vote Town Hall

What: A town hall focused on food security organized by the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and moderated by Richard Zussman, Global News legislative reporter. 

Where: Greater Vancouver Food Bank Warehouse and Head Office, 8345 Winston St.

When: Thursday, Oct. 10, 4 to 5 p.m.

Who: Organizers have invited candidates from its catchment area: Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and the North Shore. Confirmed candidates include Svend Robinson (NDP, Burnaby North-Seymour), Neelam Brar (Liberal, Burnaby South), Jay Shin (Conservative, Burnaby South), Brennan Wauters (Green, Burnaby South), Suzanne de Montigny (Green, New West Minster-Burnaby), Judith Zaichowsky (Green, Vancouver South), Louise A Kierans (PPC, Vancouver Centre), Karin Litzcke (PPC, New Westminster-Burnaby) and Neeraj Murarka (Libertarian, New Westminster-Burnaby).  

  • Community debate

What: Candidates from Burnaby three ridings (Burnaby North-Seymour, Burnaby South and New Westminster-Burnaby) will strive to answer this question: "How can we make Burnaby a community for all residents, including those who are most vulnerable?" The debate is being organized by the Burnaby Interagency Council. For more information and (optional) registration, click here.

Where: Maywood Community School gym (4567 Imperial St.)

When: Thursday, Oct. 17. Meet and greet, 6:30 to 7 p.m. Debate, 7 to 8 p.m.

Who: Organizers have invited candidates in all three ridings from the Conservative, Green, Liberal, NDP and People’s parties. 

Burnaby North-Seymour

  • Student issues debate

What: Simon Fraser University’s student societies are hosting a student-focused debate. The event will be free, but attendees must RSVP online.

When: Thursday, Oct. 3. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Lecture hall C9001 at SFU’s Burnaby Mountain campus.

Who: Liberal Terry Beech, New Democrat Svend Robinson, Green Amita Kuttner have all confirmed attendance. The People’s Party has not been invited (organizers said they only invited parties polling above five per cent). Conservative Heather Leung has not responded to organizers or the NOW.  

  • Pipeline debate

What: BROKE (Burnaby Residents Opposing Kinder Morgan Expansion) will host a debate, moderated by SFU professor Tim Takaro, on “pipelines, climate change and our future.” 

When: Friday, Oct. 4. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the debate running from 7 to 9 p.m.

Where: Confederation Seniors Centre at 4585 Albert St. 

Who: Liberal Terry Beech, New Democrat Svend Robinson, Green Amita Kuttner and the People’s Party’s Rocky Dong have all confirmed their attendance. Conservative Heather Leung has not responded to organizers or the NOW.

  • Burnaby Heights debate

What: The Heights Neighbourhood Association is hosting an all-candidates meeting. Lawyer and local resident Sandy Banister will moderate.

When: Wednesday, Oct. 16. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., followed by debate from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Gilmore Community School, 50 Gilmore Ave

Who: Green Amita Kuttner, Liberal Terry Beech and New Democrat Svend Robinson have confirmed their attendance, organizers say. As with other debates, organizers have been unable to contact Conservative Heather Leung.

Burnaby South

  • Climate crisis debate

What: A debate on the climate crisis organized by an unaffiliated group of citizens. “Candidates will be grilled on how they’ll create bold, comprehensive visions for a sustainable and just future for Canadians,” organizers say. The second half of the event will open the floor for people to ask questions from the floor.

When: Thursday, Sept. 26. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., debate from 7 to 8:30 p.m., followed by a meet and greet from 8:30 to 9 p.m.

Where: Burnaby Neighbourhood House Community Hall, 5024 Rumble St.

Who: Green Brennan Wauters, Liberal Neelam Brar and Al Rawdah of the People’s Party have confirmed their attendance. New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian will represent Burnaby South incumbent MP and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who will be unable to attend while running a national campaign. Conservative Jay Shin won't be there. 

  • Comunity town hall

What: Candidates will "discuss the environment, job creation, housing and how they will help a safer, more sustainable and prosperous community in Burnaby," organizers say. Sachi Kurl, executive director of the Angus Reid Institute, will moderate.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 15. Doors open at 8:15 p.m. and the debate starts at 8:30 p.m.

Where: Ismaili Centre, 4010 Canada Way

Who: Conservative Jay Shin, Liberal Neelam Brar, New Democrat Peter Julian (representing Burnaby South incumbent and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh), Green Brennan Wauters and the People's Party's Al Rawdah.