A long-serving Burnaby politician has died.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley recently acknowledged the life and passing of Dave Mercier, who served on council, including as mayor, and an MLA in the city. Mercier battled Parkinson’s, according to an online obituary.
“I have some sad news to share tonight,” Hurley told council earlier this month. Dave Mercier has passed away. He was 81 years old. A former City Councillor, Mayor and MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds, Dave served and represented the people of Burnaby for more than 30 years. Those who served with Dave knew him as an intelligent and dedicated public servant.”
Mercier was first elected to council in 1968 for a three-year term, and was elected again in 1977. He then served as mayor of the City of Burnaby from 1979 to 1981.
“As mayor, he was a champion of public transit, and oversaw the approval of Burnaby’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan,” Hurley said. “He prioritized the natural beauty of Burnaby’s major parks, and advocated for the preservation of Deer Lake Park as an area of quiet tranquility. And he believed in that Burnaby’s increasingly diverse population was a great thing for our community. Though he stepped down after one term as Mayor, it wouldn’t be long until he stepped back into public life on behalf of Burnaby residents.
"As a member of the Social Credit Party, Dave represented Burnaby-Edmonds as MLA from 1986 to 1991. Dave believed in our community, and dedicated so much of his life to the people of Burnaby. We are grateful for everything he did for this community. On behalf of Burnaby City Council, I would like to offer our condolences to Dave Mercier’s friends and family.”
