Burnaby

Burnaby is a city located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, near Vancouver and New Westminster. It is situated between the Fraser River to the south and the Coquitlam River to the east, and is home to Simon Fraser University, Metropolis at Metrotown, and the British Columbia Institute of Technology. The city is also close to the Port of Vancouver, Vancouver International Airport, and the Trans-Canada Highway. Burnaby is a member of the Metro Vancouver regional district, which includes neighboring cities such as Surrey, Coquitlam, and Richmond.

Geography

Burnaby is bordered by the City of Vancouver to the west, Coquitlam to the east, and New Westminster to the southeast. The city's terrain is varied, with the Burnaby Mountain conservation area offering scenic views of the surrounding region, including Vancouver Island and the North Shore Mountains. The Deer Lake park is a popular destination for outdoor activities, such as walking, cycling, and birdwatching, and is located near the Burnaby Lake Regional Park and the Central Park. The city's proximity to the Fraser Valley and the Pitt River makes it an important transportation hub, with major routes like the Trans-Canada Highway and the Lougheed Highway passing through the city, near the Port Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.

History

The area now known as Burnaby has been inhabited for thousands of years, with the Coast Salish people being the first known residents, followed by the arrival of European settlers in the late 19th century, including Hudson's Bay Company traders and Canadian Pacific Railway workers. The city was named after Robert Burnaby, a Hudson's Bay Company employee who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and was involved in the development of the British Columbia Electric Railway. During World War II, Burnaby played an important role in the war effort, with the Boeing Company and the Avro Canada manufacturing aircraft at the Vancouver International Airport and the Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. The city has also been home to notable figures such as Pierre Trudeau, Kim Campbell, and Gordon Campbell, who have all been involved in Canadian politics and have served in various roles, including Prime Minister of Canada and Premier of British Columbia.

Demographics

According to the Canada 2016 Census, Burnaby has a population of over 232,000 people, with a diverse range of ethnic groups, including Chinese Canadians, Indian Canadians, and Korean Canadians. The city is also home to a significant number of Indigenous peoples, including the Coast Salish and the Stó:lō. Burnaby has a high percentage of residents who speak languages other than English, including Mandarin Chinese, Punjabi, and Korean. The city has a number of cultural attractions, including the Burnaby Art Gallery, the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, which perform at the Orpheum and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Economy

Burnaby has a strong and diverse economy, with major industries including technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. The city is home to a number of major companies, including Electronic Arts, Telus, and GlaxoSmithKline, which have operations in the Vancouver area and are involved in industries such as video game development and pharmaceuticals. Burnaby is also a major transportation hub, with the Port of Vancouver and the Vancouver International Airport located nearby, and is connected to the United States via the Blaine border crossing and the Pacific Highway. The city has a number of shopping centers, including Metropolis at Metrotown and the Lougheed Town Centre, which offer a range of retail and dining options, including stores like Hudson's Bay and Sears Canada.

Government

Burnaby is governed by a city council consisting of a mayor and eight councillors, who are elected by the city's residents, and is a member of the Metro Vancouver regional district, which provides services such as water treatment and waste management to the city and surrounding municipalities, including Surrey and Coquitlam. The city is represented in the House of Commons of Canada by New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Peter Julian, who represents the New Westminster—Burnaby riding, and in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia by New Democratic Party Member of the Legislative Assembly Raj Chouhan, who represents the Burnaby-Edmonds riding. Burnaby has a number of community centers, including the Bonsor Recreation Centre and the Edmonds Community Centre, which offer a range of programs and services, including those provided by the YMCA and the Canadian Red Cross.

Education

Burnaby is served by School District 41 Burnaby, which operates a number of elementary, secondary, and adult education schools, including Burnaby Central Secondary School and Alpha Secondary School, and is home to a number of post-secondary institutions, including Simon Fraser University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology, which offer a range of programs in fields such as business, engineering, and health sciences. The city is also close to other major universities, including the University of British Columbia and Capilano University, which offer programs in fields such as law, medicine, and fine arts. Burnaby has a number of libraries, including the Burnaby Public Library and the Simon Fraser University Library, which offer a range of resources and services, including those provided by the Library and Archives Canada and the Canadian Library Association.