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Meet Colleen Jordan, Burnaby Citizens Association council candidate

Get to know your candidates by reading their answers to our questionnaire
Colleen Jordan
Colleen Jordan was re-elected to Burnaby city council on Oct. 20.

The Burnaby NOW asked every candidate running for office in the Oct. 20 civic election to fill out a questionnaire. We hope this helps you make an informed decision at the ballot box. 

Candidates were given strict word limits and a deadline to submit their answers. Those who missed the deadline will not have their questionnaires posted and answers exceeding word limits will be cut off.

More candidate questionnaires can be found here and more of our election coverage can be found here.

Name: Colleen Jordan

Current occupation: City councilor

Tell us about yourself:

Lived and worked in Burnaby for over 40 years, moved here after graduating from University of Alberta.  Interestingly, my career has centered within a two-block radius of city hall. At the nearby school district, resource centre, followed by 15 years as an elected official of CUPE across the street, and now serving my 15th year on City Council.  My partner and I live close as well, and share our home with his son and their young family.  I believe that local government is the closest to the people we serve, and am honoured to do so.

What are the top three issues in Burnaby right now and what would you do to fix them? 

4,000 new Burnaby resident, each year for the next 20-years. We need more housing, transportation, public safety, water and sewer services, and expanded parks and recreation. And with the least impact on current residents. Keeping low tax rates low, means drawing funds from developers to pay for the new services.

Protecting our environment by fighting against Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, in cooperation with First Nations and Cities who share the Inlet with us.

Housing affordability is a region wide issue, and we will continue to work with all levels of government towards a variety of solutions.

If you have run for office before, what have you learned? If you have not, why are you running now? 

Having served on city council for 15 years, I have learned that nothing replaces diligence and listening when it comes to decision making. I very much enjoy hearing from residents during public hearings, on both sides of the issues at hand.  I have also learned that making change takes time, sometimes much more time than you can imagine, but that it is worthwhile to keep working towards improving our city.

What is one achievement and one failure of Burnaby council in the last four years?

I am proud that in spite of a lack of support from other levels of government Burnaby now has more than 1000 units of non-market (social/seniors) housing in progress, and 1600 units of market rental under construction. After decades of trying, finally getting rental zoning authority from the province.

I am disappointed that the courts have not been receptive to our arguments in attempting to defend Burnaby’s right to protect our parks against the pipeline/tank farm expansion.

What would make you a good councillor/mayor? 

My experiences in my previous work life, and as a Councillor, have given me the skills and background to challenge where I see things going wrong and the courage to say so, such as standing against the recent Metro Vancouver pay raises issue.

What movie is most relevant to your life and why?

It’s a Wonderful Life.  As a long time credit union Director and supporter, I love the concept of Bedford Savings and Loan, a friend to the ordinary citizens. I encourage my fellow directors and staff to watch it every Christmas, to remind us of why we exist.

How can voters reach you?