The short answer
Burnaby can act on climate change through the decisions it makes every day: how neighbourhoods grow, how streets connect, how rainwater is managed, and how parks and trees are protected. My approach is practical and evidence-led — set clear goals, work across municipal boundaries, measure progress and report it publicly.
Three things to know
- Traffic, air quality, housing and transportation cross municipal boundaries, so Burnaby must work with neighbouring cities and regional partners.
- Parks, mature trees, wetlands and permeable surfaces can support shade, biodiversity and rainwater management while keeping neighbourhoods livable.
- Burnaby already has climate, transportation and urban-forest plans. The next test is showing residents what was delivered, what it cost and whether it improved daily life.
Why this matters to me
My contribution to climate action began in education. As a science teacher, I organised Enviro-Tech Week, helped establish an environmental club and was later invited to speak at an environmental education conference in Boulder, Colorado. As a director of the Edmonds Business and Community Association, I organised a community cleanup day.
At BC Diabetes, I helped expand virtual care to First Nations communities and clients across the Lower Mainland, reducing unnecessary travel while maintaining access to care. Five years ago, I stopped driving; public transit and walking are now part of my daily life, and this campaign is paperless and conducted by transit. I believe leadership should walk the talk.
My father also taught me something practical. After serving Metrotown for 50 years, he came home to one of the best gardens I have ever seen — tomatoes, grapes and food grown with patience. Sustainability should be practical, local and connected to daily life.
The honest comparison
What residents are asking
- Will parks, trees and infrastructure keep pace as Burnaby grows?
- Are climate programs lowering risk and improving daily life, or producing another report?
- How will Burnaby work with neighbouring cities when traffic, air and water do not stop at a municipal border?
My approach
- Use an Infrastructure Before Development standard so transportation, green space and stormwater needs are identified before major growth is approved.
- Treat parks and public spaces as working infrastructure through trees, rain gardens, wetlands, permeable surfaces and appropriate community food-growing spaces.
- Work with SFU, residents, businesses and regional partners to test practical ideas, publish costs and measure outcomes.
What you can hold me to
- 01Publish a climate results dashboard that connects spending to measurable outcomes such as tree canopy, transportation safety and stormwater projects.
- 02Protect mature trees and identify neighbourhoods where shade, habitat and green-space access need improvement.
- 03Build climate resilience into infrastructure planning, with clear responsibilities, timelines and public progress reports.
Elect Bill Petrovas
For Mayor of Burnaby
“Climate action should be practical, affordable and measurable. Protect what makes Burnaby green, plan before we build, and report the results.”
#Burnaby #ClimateAction #Vision2030 #GreenSpaces
Vote Oct. 17, 2026 · Your vote is your voice
Questions people ask
- What climate action can a city control?
- Burnaby influences land use, local roads and sidewalks, parks, urban trees, buildings, waste services and stormwater systems. Transit and regional infrastructure require cooperation with TransLink, Metro Vancouver and senior governments.
- Does practical climate action mean moving slowly?
- No. It means acting on evidence, understanding costs and measuring results. A clear target with public reporting is more accountable than an announcement without a delivery plan.
- How do parks help with climate resilience?
- Trees provide shade and habitat, while rain gardens, wetlands and permeable surfaces can hold water where it falls and reduce pressure on drainage systems.
Public sources
These official sources provide context for the responsibilities and existing plans discussed in this brief.
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Read the briefA City Hall that answers
How can Burnaby City Hall become more efficient and easier to deal with?
Read the briefAnnouncements are not accomplishments. Debt free is not waste free. Vote Saturday, October 17, 2026 — your vote is your voice.
Burnaby's next chapter needs you in it
Knock doors, host a coffee meeting, put up a sign, or simply pass this page to a neighbour. Every conversation counts before Saturday, October 17, 2026.