Burnaby Election 2026: Next mayor must oversee city’s fast-growing future

It’s election day in Burnaby as voters head to the polls to choose who will lead them for the next four years.

For everything you need to know about how and when to vote in Burnaby’s municipal election, click HERE.

If you’re still undecided on who to vote for, check out our preview story about the major issues and priorities within Burnaby.

Then follow along our live-blog HERE throughout the day and night for the latest election day news from across the Metro Vancouver region, and check back here where we’ll keep this post updated all night with Burnaby election results and reaction.

Burnaby voters head to the polls Saturday to decide whether Mayor Mike Hurley gets a third term or the city gets a new leader. Housing, property taxes, development and public safety are among the key issues in a six-way mayoral race.

Hurley, who ran unopposed in 2022, faces Burnaby First candidate Heymann Yip and four independents: MichaelAngelo ABC Robinhood, Sabina Hsu, Bill Petrovas and Hanzhi Wang.

The mayor’s race is just one part of a busy election, with 42 candidates competing for eight council seats. The Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA), an NDP-affiliated party that has held a council majority since 1987, is fighting to keep its hold on city hall amid concerns over property taxes, transparency and the pace of development.

The stakes are high in a fast-growing city. Burnaby’s 2050 plan projects more than 146,000 additional residents, 68,000 new homes and 71,000 jobs. Hurley is pointing to his record on housing and public safety, while challenger Heymann Yip has aimed at council’s approach to development, spending and public consultation.

The BCA will be without three prominent incumbents on the ballot: veteran councillors Sav Dhaliwal and Pietro Calendino, and Alison Gu, who received the most votes in 2022.

Coun. Richard T. Lee’s New Burnaby party is challenging the BCA with a promise to freeze property taxes in its first budget and cap increases at inflation for the following four years. Burnaby’s financial plan projected annual property-tax increases of up to seven per cent from 2025 to 2028, although the increase in 2026 was 4.8 per cent.

Public safety is another campaign issue, with candidates backing a stronger police presence and improved recruitment. Hurley has also pointed to the city’s housing initiatives and plans to get the second phase of Burnaby Hospital back on track as part of his case for another term.

Voters will also elect seven school trustees from a field of 16 candidates.

sgrochowski@postmedia.com