Dear Editor: Re: Metrotown plan passes despite protests, News, Burnaby NOW, July 16.
So it’s come to this. Let me first make clear, I support the idea of vastly increasing density around the four town centres and specifically with creating a downtown out of the Metrotown area. It makes sense, and the population is increasing in the Lower Mainland whether we want it to or not.
But this is a farce. We are forcing people from their homes, and the unwillingness of council to even listen to these people is contemptible. Our elected officials are paid well to be our representatives and to express the views of the citizens, not to shut protesters out of meetings and impose an agenda without care for the effects. Our council literally chose to flee before the protests, when they are paid to put up with angry constituents.
The mayor says that senior governments have to come to the table to help build affordable housing, and he’s right. But if anyone believes council has no options of their own available, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. Vancouver can impose policies to force more affordable housing. So can New Westminster, and they’re governed under the same Local Government Act as Burnaby. Other councils can come up with solutions, why can’t Burnaby? Just read section 482 of the Local Government Act to see how it could be done.
Trevor Ritchie, via email
