Comments on: The best-run city in Canada http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/ Canada's only national weekly current affairs magazine. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:09:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: OneCity http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146323 OneCity Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:29:16 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146323 Burnaby's hands off government with its no deficit and millions in the bank proves how uninvolved it is with best practices related to pedestrian safety; traffic calming; sidewalks; street tree planting and maintenance of small parks and high density streets re garbage pick up and recycling. Burnaby's hands off government with its no deficit and millions in the bank proves how uninvolved it is with best practices related to pedestrian safety; traffic calming; sidewalks; street tree planting and maintenance of small parks and high density streets re garbage pick up and recycling.

]]> By: anonymous http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146322 anonymous Sun, 25 Apr 2010 01:59:34 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146322 LOL BURNABY STINKS! the best city of Canada with only 3 or 4 high schools in it!! ROFL! sucky eh! LOL
BURNABY STINKS! the best city of Canada with only 3 or 4 high schools in it!! ROFL!
sucky eh!

]]> By: Burnabygirl http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146321 Burnabygirl Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:24:18 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146321 Joe Sakic Michael Buble Michael J. Fox Joe Sakic
Michael Buble
Michael J. Fox

]]> By: Burnabygirl http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146320 Burnabygirl Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:23:01 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146320 (continued) THE BAD: I can stand at the intersection of Royal Oak & Kingsway and tell you from my own memory how many people have been murdered around there (more than three people, all gang related) , not to mention the loads of car crashes at that intersection, including that gruesome accident between the RCMP cruiser and the two young fellows... I heard that crash from my home... The hooker from Surrey who stands in front of the Japanese restaurant that used to be Sharkie's Steakhouse and a crematorium. It's parallel to KFC and across the street from IHOP and 7-11... She's there almost everyday according to my mom. So theoretically, you can get a hooker, a bucket of chicken, pancakes, and a slurpee within a few metres. And that is no joke. So depending on who you ask, it might be a good thing. The fact that the closer you get to New Westminister, the crappier it gets, except for Highgate. You can get mugged on your own street by people who live on your street, perhaps the same building as you. Metrotown. (continued)
THE BAD:
I can stand at the intersection of Royal Oak & Kingsway and tell you from my own memory how many people have been murdered around
there (more than three people, all gang related) , not to mention the loads of car crashes at that intersection, including that gruesome accident between the RCMP cruiser and the two young fellows… I heard that crash from my home…
The hooker from Surrey who stands in front of the Japanese restaurant that used to be Sharkie's Steakhouse and a crematorium.
It's parallel to KFC and across the street from IHOP and 7-11…
She's there almost everyday according to my mom.
So theoretically, you can get a hooker, a bucket of chicken, pancakes, and a slurpee within a few metres. And that is no joke. So depending on who you ask, it might be a good thing. The fact that the closer you get to New Westminister, the crappier it gets, except for Highgate. You can get mugged on your own street by people who live on your street, perhaps the same building as you.
Metrotown.

]]> By: Burnabygirl http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146319 Burnabygirl Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:21:07 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146319 (continued) THE GOOD: The mayor, Derek Corrigan (he's been mayor as long as I can remember, must be doing a lot right) SFU BCIT Electronic Arts Research In Motion (Blackberry) Ballard Power Systems Burnaby 8 Rinks Bombardier (Skytrain maintenance @ Edmonds) Park space and lakes (Deer Lake, Central Park, Burnaby Lake, Barnet Marine Park, Burnaby Mountain, Fraser Foreshore, etc) Metrotown (especially the CHQ arcade) National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre (Japanese Canadian museum) Burnaby Village Museum Shadbolt Centre For The Arts The Bridge Studios (Where Stargate SG:1 and related shows are filmed) North Burnaby Grand Villa Casino Lougheed Mall area Burnaby has two Skytrain lines! The transit in Burnaby is really efficent, buses every 10-30 minutes, awesome. The fact that you can get so many different cultures food inside Burnaby, and mostly authentic too. The point where you can be in Burnaby, Port Moody and Coquitlam all at once. You can be in Burnaby and Vancouver at the same time (Boundary Road) (continued) THE GOOD:
The mayor, Derek Corrigan (he's been mayor as long as I can remember, must be doing a lot right)
SFU
BCIT
Electronic Arts
Research In Motion (Blackberry)
Ballard Power Systems
Burnaby 8 Rinks
Bombardier (Skytrain maintenance @ Edmonds)
Park space and lakes (Deer Lake, Central Park, Burnaby Lake, Barnet Marine Park, Burnaby Mountain, Fraser Foreshore, etc)
Metrotown (especially the CHQ arcade)
National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre (Japanese Canadian museum)
Burnaby Village Museum
Shadbolt Centre For The Arts
The Bridge Studios (Where Stargate SG:1 and related shows are filmed)
North Burnaby
Grand Villa Casino
Lougheed Mall area
Burnaby has two Skytrain lines!
The transit in Burnaby is really efficent,
buses every 10-30 minutes, awesome.
The fact that you can get so many different cultures food inside
Burnaby, and mostly authentic too.
The point where you can be in Burnaby, Port Moody and Coquitlam all at once.
You can be in Burnaby and Vancouver at the same time (Boundary Road)

]]> By: Burnabygirl http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146318 Burnabygirl Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:20:32 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146318 I was born in Vancouver and spent my teenage to young adult years in Burnaby. I am now almost thirty and no longer live there for personal reasons. Like any big city, yes Burnaby has it's share of problems. Here's my list of the good and bad. (Continued next post) I was born in Vancouver and spent my teenage to young adult years in Burnaby. I am now almost thirty and no longer live there for personal reasons. Like any big city, yes Burnaby has it's share of problems.
Here's my list of the good and bad.
(Continued next post)

]]> By: Grad Student http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146317 Grad Student Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:12:15 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146317 Which soccer field are you talking about? I think I know which one you are talking about... but the closes houses to that field are on the other side of the Trans Canada highway. I imagine that they already have some noise through out the day from the trans Can. In addition, if the games end before 10:00 pm then there is no problem with the bylaw. Since the noise would be acceptable under the Commercial level section on the bylaw, as long as it is under 60dB. If you're wondering what 60dB is that is about the volume of a lively conversation. The field is far enough from the houses to be reduced to that level. If anyone is curious about the bylaw here it is: <a href="http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:VVUrhvgAKiMJ:<a href="http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/__shared/assets/Environmental_Services_-_Noise_Brochure647.pdf+Burnaby+noise+bylaw&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&client=firefox-a"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/__shared/assets/Environmen...</a> target="_blank">http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:VVUrhvgAKiMJ..." target="_blank">www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/__shared/assets/Environmen... As for walking. There are residential areas that lack side walks... but I can't think of any busy street that doesn't. Lougheed, Hastings, Willingdon, Boundary, Carriboo, Kingsway, Edmonds, Gilmore, North road and that are all the main roads I can think of have side walks and even bike lanes. So I'm not sure what you are talking about. As for the crime rate in this article Burnaby is listed with the 10th highest crime rate in this article, but in March 2008 McCleans didn't even have Burnaby in the top ten crime list. Actually, Saskatoon was 2nd, Edmonton was 5th and two neighbouring cities of New Westminster and Vancouver placed 6th and 9th. True that there has been crime problems in Burnaby, that naturally comes with any highly populated areas. However, when I think of lowermainland gang problems my mind goes to Surrey, NewWestminster and Vancouver. I'm sorry Tim but I don't think the gang crimes in Burnaby are 'suoper' high. However, gang crimes in the lowermainland. Which soccer field are you talking about? I think I know which one you are talking about… but the closes houses to that field are on the other side of the Trans Canada highway. I imagine that they already have some noise through out the day from the trans Can. In addition, if the games end before 10:00 pm then there is no problem with the bylaw. Since the noise would be acceptable under the Commercial level section on the bylaw, as long as it is under 60dB. If you're wondering what 60dB is that is about the volume of a lively conversation. The field is far enough from the houses to be reduced to that level.

If anyone is curious about the bylaw here it is: http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/__shared/assets/Environmen... target=”_blank”>http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:VVUrhvgAKiMJ…” target=”_blank”>http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/__shared/assets/Environmen...

As for walking. There are residential areas that lack side walks… but I can't think of any busy street that doesn't. Lougheed, Hastings, Willingdon, Boundary, Carriboo, Kingsway, Edmonds, Gilmore, North road and that are all the main roads I can think of have side walks and even bike lanes. So I'm not sure what you are talking about.

As for the crime rate in this article Burnaby is listed with the 10th highest crime rate in this article, but in March 2008 McCleans didn't even have Burnaby in the top ten crime list. Actually, Saskatoon was 2nd, Edmonton was 5th and two neighbouring cities of New Westminster and Vancouver placed 6th and 9th.

True that there has been crime problems in Burnaby, that naturally comes with any highly populated areas. However, when I think of lowermainland gang problems my mind goes to Surrey, NewWestminster and Vancouver. I'm sorry Tim but I don't think the gang crimes in Burnaby are 'suoper' high. However, gang crimes in the lowermainland.

]]> By: Edmontonian http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146316 Edmontonian Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:38:52 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146316 Sorry Tim, but I think Burnaby still fares better than Edmonton... Come to the city of never-ending, pointless, seemingly stupid and wasteful construction for some useless interchange that really won't make any difference for traffic by the time it's finished (the 23rd/Calgary Trail interchange, which is over budget, past scheduled completion and is a headache for anyone living in South Edmonton or Leduc coming into the city, and the numerous other over budget projects that Edmonton and the Alberta government like to just throw funding at in random), and where you've got a very liberal, very socialist, tax-hungry civic administration (Mayor Mandel and his wonderful councilmembers love to give themselves juicy raises and jack up residential taxes with no consultation with the city's finance department or committees made up of residents and businesspeople, and to what improved services?), and don't even bother mentioning our pathetic, out-dated transit system, once again the subject of millions in spending by the city and Alberta, but to no avail. Our only real bright point is that we are a culturally inclined city, with alot of diversity, and the fact we have one of the best universities in Canada doesn't hurt either. The crime rate here doesn't rate any better than Burnaby, in fact it ranks worse. This is probably why I'm not surprised that Burnaby comes in on top and I'm surprised that Edmonton actually comes in at 18th and not in the last three. Sorry Tim, but I think Burnaby still fares better than Edmonton… Come to the city of never-ending, pointless, seemingly stupid and wasteful construction for some useless interchange that really won't make any difference for traffic by the time it's finished (the 23rd/Calgary Trail interchange, which is over budget, past scheduled completion and is a headache for anyone living in South Edmonton or Leduc coming into the city, and the numerous other over budget projects that Edmonton and the Alberta government like to just throw funding at in random), and where you've got a very liberal, very socialist, tax-hungry civic administration (Mayor Mandel and his wonderful councilmembers love to give themselves juicy raises and jack up residential taxes with no consultation with the city's finance department or committees made up of residents and businesspeople, and to what improved services?), and don't even bother mentioning our pathetic, out-dated transit system, once again the subject of millions in spending by the city and Alberta, but to no avail. Our only real bright point is that we are a culturally inclined city, with alot of diversity, and the fact we have one of the best universities in Canada doesn't hurt either. The crime rate here doesn't rate any better than Burnaby, in fact it ranks worse. This is probably why I'm not surprised that Burnaby comes in on top and I'm surprised that Edmonton actually comes in at 18th and not in the last three.

]]> By: Tim http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146315 Tim Sat, 25 Jul 2009 02:58:50 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146315 Burnaby best managed City in Canada, not quite The city of Burnaby built a lit soccer field 50 feet from the back yards of residents (this pushed through by Corrigan himself) The City has a noise bylaw but because of the noise generated from the lit soccer field the City is in violation of its own bylaw. Come and visit Burnaby and see the lack of sidewalks. No way is Burnaby a well managed City and if you want proof just come and visit the place. Gang crime is suoper high in Burnaby Burnaby best managed City in Canada, not quite
The city of Burnaby built a lit soccer field 50 feet from the back yards of residents (this pushed through by Corrigan himself) The City has a noise bylaw but because of the noise generated from the lit soccer field the City is in violation of its own bylaw. Come and visit Burnaby and see the lack of sidewalks. No way is Burnaby a well managed City and if you want proof just come and visit the place. Gang crime is suoper high in Burnaby

]]> By: SCG http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146314 SCG Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:54:10 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146314 Alas, Quebec has the lowest birthrate in the country. I cannot help but think that overbearing nanny states are, on some level, not very conducive to marriage and children. I do not wish to suggest that Quebec is the only province to suffer from this - it's pretty grim in most of Atlantic Canada as well. Alas, Quebec has the lowest birthrate in the country. I cannot help but think that overbearing nanny states are, on some level, not very conducive to marriage and children. I do not wish to suggest that Quebec is the only province to suffer from this – it's pretty grim in most of Atlantic Canada as well.

]]> By: Gaunilon http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146312 Gaunilon Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:16:05 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146312 Make your city family-friendly and get government out of the way of business, and it will attract young families. Families tend to grow and consume more per income than individuals. A typical family has 1-2 incomes and 4-5 mouths to feed, as opposed to singles or couples where the ratio is 1:1. Therefore for the same number of jobs, there is greater demand for products. This causes local businesses and the housing market to thrive while tax revenues go up. End result: a good place to live and an easy city to run as long as the bureaucrats don't mess it up with corruption. The east has an aging population, increased dependence on social programs, high business taxes, and a general attitude that raising children is not worth the trouble and contributes to the rape of the planet. No wonder families are heading west. Make your city family-friendly and get government out of the way of business, and it will attract young families. Families tend to grow and consume more per income than individuals. A typical family has 1-2 incomes and 4-5 mouths to feed, as opposed to singles or couples where the ratio is 1:1. Therefore for the same number of jobs, there is greater demand for products. This causes local businesses and the housing market to thrive while tax revenues go up. End result: a good place to live and an easy city to run as long as the bureaucrats don't mess it up with corruption.

The east has an aging population, increased dependence on social programs, high business taxes, and a general attitude that raising children is not worth the trouble and contributes to the rape of the planet. No wonder families are heading west.

]]> By: André http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146313 André Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:57:26 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146313 By "East" you should exclude Quebec. Overall they are probably the most family friendly province in Canada. By "East" you should exclude Quebec. Overall they are probably the most family friendly province in Canada.

]]> By: Gaunilon http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/07/22/the-best-run-city-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-146311 Gaunilon Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:59:36 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=70760#comment-146311 Make your city family-friendly and get government out of the way of business, and it will attract young families . Families tend to grow and consume more than individuals. This causes local businesses and the housing market to thrive while tax revenues go up. End result: a good place to live as long as the city doesn't mess it up with corruption. The east has an aging population, increased dependence on social programs, high business taxes, and a general attitude that raising children is not worth the trouble and contributes to the rape of the planet. No wonder families are heading west. Make your city family-friendly and get government out of the way of business, and it will attract young families . Families tend to grow and consume more than individuals. This causes local businesses and the housing market to thrive while tax revenues go up. End result: a good place to live as long as the city doesn't mess it up with corruption.

The east has an aging population, increased dependence on social programs, high business taxes, and a general attitude that raising children is not worth the trouble and contributes to the rape of the planet. No wonder families are heading west.

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