Shakeup likely as full slate and challengers vie for Burnaby school board
Sixteen people are vying for seven seats on the Burnaby board of education after nominations closed Sept. 11, setting up a municipal election contest that promises change for the district.
Members of the Burnaby Citizens Association currently occupy every trustee seat. That dominance could be altered: the BCA has put forward a full slate of seven candidates, but only three of the group’s incumbents are seeking re-election, ensuring at least some turnover regardless of party results.
“Fresh faces will be joining the Burnaby school board following the Oct. 17 municipal election.”
The candidates represent four affiliations — the Burnaby Citizens Association, the Restore Burnaby Alliance, the Burnaby Green Party and the New Burnaby Party — plus two independents. With seven seats available and a diverse field, the board’s composition after Oct. 17 will be closely watched for its implications on local education priorities.
Who’s on the ballot
Below is a summary of the candidates by affiliation:
| Affiliation | Candidates |
|---|---|
| Burnaby Citizens Association (7) | Stephen Andrada; Hillary Bergshoeff; Paul Kwon; Jen Mezei (incumbent); Bill Brassington (incumbent); Kristin Schnider (incumbent); Colin Zuo |
| Restore Burnaby Alliance (4) | Benita Sun; Daisy Wei; John Wong; Angel Yen |
| Burnaby Green Party (2) | Jennifer Jang; Jasmine Nicholsfigueiredo |
| New Burnaby Party (1) | Haini Xiao |
| Independents (2) | Diane Pearce; Jenny Yamagata |
What’s at stake for Burnaby
School trustees set local policy, oversee budgets and influence priorities that affect classrooms across Burnaby. With the incumbent slate reduced to three returning trustees from the current council, voters face not just a choice among names but a potential shift in the board’s balance and approach.
Key issues typically before trustees include operating and capital budgets, school catchment and enrolment pressures, facility maintenance, and district priorities such as mental-health supports and special-education services. How newly elected trustees align on those matters will shape board decisions for the coming four-year term.
How the race is shaping up
The Burnaby Citizens Association’s decision to run a complete ticket signals a coordinated effort to retain control of the board. The Restore Burnaby Alliance’s four-candidate slate and the presence of party-affiliated candidates from the Burnaby Green Party and the New Burnaby Party show an increasingly plural field. Two independents add an element of unpredictability.
- Seven seats are up for election on Oct. 17.
- Sixteen candidates filed nominations by the Sept. 11 deadline.
- The outcome will determine whether one group maintains unified control or whether the board moves to a more mixed composition.
Local media outlets, including a special election edition planned for Oct. 1, will be tracking campaigns and publishing additional coverage as platforms and endorsements are announced. Voters should expect candidate outreach, public meetings and other campaign activities in the weeks ahead.
Looking ahead
With nominations complete, attention turns to the campaign period. Voters will be evaluating candidates’ priorities for Burnaby public schools, from classroom-level concerns to district-wide finance and governance. Given that only three current trustees are seeking re-election, the Oct. 17 result is likely to bring new perspectives to the board table and may prompt shifts in local education policy.
Residents can review candidates’ statements and monitor election coverage on local news sites and the district’s election information to make informed choices before ballots are cast.
