Burnaby scuttles controversial proposal to build waste facility in parkland
City councillors in Burnaby, B.C., have abandoned a controversial proposal that would have seen parkland paved over for a green recycling and organic waste facility.
During a special meeting Monday, councillors voted unanimously to cancel a public vote on whether to move forward with constructing the facility within Fraser Foreshore Park.
"I'm pleased that city council spoke with one voice in recognition that the public does not support the use of parkland for this project," Mayor Mike Hurley said in a statement.
"We'll continue to explore other locations for this project and will also continue to seek other ways to make rapid progress on climate. We know big, bold moves are needed to achieve our climate action targets."
Officials previously said they had conducted an exhaustive search for lands that would be suitable for the green recycling and organic waste facility, but found nothing else big enough within city limits.
But the proposal to build in Fraser Foreshore Park – which was acquired by Burnaby in 2004 as a wetland habitat – was met with fierce community backlash.
Josh Wong, a member of the SaveFraserForeshorePark campaign, expressed concerns that moving forward with the proposal would set "a precedent for future generations."
"Once a parkland like this is bulldozed over, there's no coming back,” Wong told CTV News last week. “This is one of the most biodiverse parks in Burnaby, which is one of the last standing marshlands situated along the lower Fraser River.”
The public vote was scheduled to take place until April 28, with Burnaby residents able to deliver their ballot by mail or in person. In a news release, the city said it will be issuing notices about the cancellation of the process "as soon as practicable."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Abigail Turner
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prison service to review decision to transfer killer Bernardo to medium security
The federal prison service says it will have a second look at its decision to move convicted killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security facility as political leaders of all stripes react to the news with shock and outrage.
Poor air quality, evacuations in multiple provinces due to wildfires
Wildfire smoke prompted warnings about poor air quality for many regions across the country, stretching from northern Alberta to the Atlantic.
Poilievre threatens to filibuster budget bill if Liberals don't meet demands
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to use procedural tools to delay passage of the federal budget in the House of Commons if the Liberals don't meet his demands.
Premiers need to keep talking about the health-care crisis: medical associations
The Canadian Medical Association and 14 other organizations representing health workers are urging premiers to keep health care at the top of the agenda at their next meeting in July.
'It was tough': World War II veterans return to Utah Beach to mark D-Day's 79th anniversary
World War II veterans shared vivid memories of D-Day and the fighting as dozens returned to Normandy beaches and key battle sites to mark the 79th anniversary of the decisive assault that led to the liberation of France and Western Europe from Nazi control.
Canadians spending 30 per cent more on travel compared to pre-pandemic levels
Canadians are continuing to spend more money on travel as the industry rebounds slowly from pandemic disruptions, according to a recent report — but many are opting for closer destinations, with travel to the U.S. on the rise.
Kiefer Sutherland’s whiskey brand raises more than $100,000 for N.S. wildfire relief efforts
A whiskey brand co-founded by actor Kiefer Sutherland says it has raised more than $100,000 for relief efforts related to the ongoing Nova Scotia wildfires.
Princess Eugenie gives birth to 2nd son
Princess Eugenie has given birth to a baby boy, Buckingham Palace announced Monday.
EXCLUSIVE
EXCLUSIVE | Pride events in Canada facing higher security costs, feds offer $1.5M
The federal government will be providing $1.5 million to Pride organizations across the country for increased security measures at parades and other events this year, CTV News has learned.
Vancouver Island
-
Driver taken to hospital, another charged after early morning crash near Victoria
One driver was taken to hospital and another is facing a charge of driving without due care and attention after a two-vehicle crash near Victoria on Monday.
-
Canadian military plane subjected to 'unsafe' Chinese intercepts, DND says
A Canadian military patrol plane was repeatedly intercepted by Chinese military aircraft while deployed to the Indo-Pacific region last month, just as Defence Minister Anita Anand was preparing to announce a significant increase to Canada's military presence in the region.
-
Uber sets launch date for Victoria, Kelowna
Ride-hailing giant Uber has finally announced its start date for two major B.C. cities.
Calgary
-
Peace officer's vehicle struck during Newell County, Alta., traffic stop
Officials say no one was injured, but an investigation is ongoing after a peace officer's vehicle was struck "at a high rate of speed" during a traffic stop on Friday.
-
Understanding the deal: Critics skeptical of Calgary event centre agreement ahead of Monday’s public meeting
A public meeting will give Calgarians an inside look into the exact details of an agreement in principle that could land the city a new event centre, but critics are already skeptical of the cost breakdown.
-
Calgary '88 Olympic Games leader Bob Niven dead at 80
One of the men who brought the Winter Olympic Games to Calgary in 1988 has died.
Edmonton
-
Homicide unit investigating death at scene of robbery in Forest Heights
A person was killed during a robbery in Edmonton's Forest Heights neighbourhood Monday morning.
-
Edmonton teen missing after being swept away in North Saskatchewan River: police
A 14-year-old swimmer is believed to have been caught in a current and swept downstream in the North Saskatchewan River.
-
2 injured in separate amusement ride incidents in Stony Plain
Two people were hospitalized after being injured during amusement ride incidents in Stony Plain Friday night.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Correctional Service of Canada releases statement on Paul Bernardo's transfer to medium-security prison
The Correctional Service of Canada has released a statement about serial killer Paul Bernardo's transfer to a medium-security prison.
-
What new freedoms could Paul Bernardo get in a medium-security prison?
Paul Bernardo’s transfer to a medium-security facility has led to questions surrounding whether the move will mean new freedoms for the serial killer.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Lockdown being lifted after 'unknown trouble' at Toronto high school
The lockdown at a high school in Scarborough is being lifted and students are being dismissed, the Toronto District School Board says.
Montreal
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING | Montreal organized crime figure Francesco Del Balso killed in daylight shooting
A 53-year-old man was shot and killed in the Montreal suburb of Dorval on Monday afternoon.
-
OBITUARY
OBITUARY | Editor of Montreal's only newspaper for Black community, Egbert Gaye, has died at 67
Community Contact newspaper managing editor Egbert Gaye has died. He was 67 years old. He founded the newspaper 31 years ago to serve Montreal's English-speaking Black and Caribbean populations.
-
Number of Quebec wildfires rises to 164, at least 114 are out of control
The number of forest fires continues to rise in Quebec, while evacuation orders are being maintained for several areas of Sept-Îles, on the North Shore. Minister of Employment and Minister responsible for the North Shore region Kateri Champagne Jourdain said on Monday morning that 164 forest fires were currently burning across Quebec, compared with 156 the previous day.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg bridge construction project cost increasing
The price tag for the St. Vital Bridge project is going up.
-
Here is how much rain fell in Manitoba over the weekend
As thunderstorms touched down in Manitoba over the weekend, a number of communities were hit with more than 50 millimetres (mm) of rain.
-
Vote-counting machines could lead to faster election results in Manitoba
Elections Manitoba is expecting faster results on election night Oct. 3, and has laid out a timeline that appears to be roughly twice as fast as the drawn-out affair experienced in Alberta last week.
Saskatoon
-
Tornado watch issued for western Sask.
Residents of the western portion of the province should be on the lookout for tornadoes, Environment Canada says.
-
Suspicious fire destroys Saskatoon garage
An early morning fire in Saskatoon that destroyed a garage is believed to be suspicious.
-
Reports outline more shortfalls in Saskatoon city budget
The fiscal situation at city hall will require attention again this week.
Regina
-
Trial for Regina man charged with murder of brother delayed due to health
The trial of a man charged in connection to the death of his brother was set to get underway in Regina on Monday but now faces a delay.
-
Saskatchewan landowners fight against illegal drainage washing out land, roads
At the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention in February, reeves passed a resolution asking the Water Security Agency to require those who are illegally draining to remediate their unapproved works.
-
Heat warnings continue for Regina, eastern Sask., tornado watches issued further north
A widespread heat warning remains in effect Monday for Regina and parts of eastern and southeastern Saskatchewan.
Atlantic
-
Weather conditions ground aircraft covering Shelburne County wildfire
Crews fighting an out-of-control wildfire in southwestern Nova Scotia are trying to determine what impact weekend rain had on their efforts.
-
Wildfire areas soaked over the weekend, rainfall warnings in effect
A much needed rain fell over the weekend for much of the Maritimes, including those areas combating wildfires.
-
P.E.I. police search for ski masked man allegedly prowling around Stanley Bridge home
Police in Stanley Bridge, P.E.I., are investigating after a man in a ski mask was captured on a home security camera walking around a home.
London
-
16 year old dies of injuries following fatal collision in Perth County
A 16-year-old resident of Tavistock, Ont. has died after a single vehicle crash in Perth East Township on Sunday.
-
Previously wanted man arrested Monday morning by London police
A man wanted for his alleged connection to a shooting incident in downtown London, Ont. late last month has been arrested, London police announced on Monday.
-
Western University mini satellite launched into space Monday
A satellite built by London, Ont.'s has been successfully launched into space. The micro CubeSat was on board a SpaceX Falcon rocket which left the pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida shortly before noon on Monday where it will link up with the International Space Station (ISS).
Northern Ontario
-
Evacuation notice issued for residents as forest fire burns near Calabogie, Ont.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says the fire in the Centennial Lake area was reported just after 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
-
Here's what Nova Scotia's wildfires look like from outer space
Photos released by NASA taken from International Space Station show the immense scale of the wildfires in Nova Scotia, with billowing smoke engulfing the landscape.
-
Prison service to review decision to transfer killer Bernardo to medium security
The federal prison service says it will have a second look at its decision to move convicted killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security facility as political leaders of all stripes react to the news with shock and outrage.
Kitchener
-
Fatal fire under investigation in Waterloo
Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a fatal fire in Waterloo.
-
Police warn people with this model of car to take extra precautions
It comes amid what police say is a growing number of thefts targeting the model.
-
Air quality statement issued in Waterloo region amid wildfires in Ontario, Quebec
Environment Canada says several groups of people across southwestern Ontario are at a higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.