Vancouver's Leader in Transition toward Strong, Resilient, Complete Communities

Chickens in Burnaby

I am assuming most people on VV are Vancouverites, but I thought I'd turn the focus on Burnaby for short spell. This past Monday, Gordon World, Dane Chauvel, and I went before the Burnaby City Coucil (it was Gordon's 4th time around) to speak to the benefits of alowing responsible backyard chicken flocks. What resulted was....absolutely nothing.

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Another+voice+Burnaby+getti...

I believe Mayor Corrigan thanked us for coming and made a remark about having "nice visuals," and without blinking an eye, they moved on to the next agenda item.

I couldn't tell whether this was apathy, laziness, opposition, or ignorance, although Mr. World did mention that one of the Councilors had previously accounted once being pecked by a hen as a child.

So Gordon World has decided to run for City Council in Burnaby come November. It sounds like he will run on a progressive platform (not strictly chickens). It was only yesterday that I heard Mayor Corrigan decline to run for leadership of the NDP because he loved being able to get so much done with his unified council in Burnaby. Perhaps a more World-ly view (I had to) could help their council go where it needs to go.

Good Luck Gordon!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ross Moster on March 10, 2011 at 4:47pm

Thanks for posting Duncan. Most VVers do live in Vancouver, but we do have members all over the lower mainland, including perhaps 30 or more in Burnaby. Chickens are legal in most North American cities, and it's really disappointing that their Council is so dismissive.

Permalink Reply by Dane Chauvel on March 10, 2011 at 6:48pm

As Duncan pointed out, I too attended the Burnaby Council meeting and was similarly disappointed in Mayor Corrigan who seemed more interested in preening for the camera during his photo op with the visiting Tibetan delegation. While I have no quibble with politely receiving visiting Tibetans, it would have been nice if he had extended the same courtesy to his constituent who obviously felt passionate enough about changing the bylaw to have made his fourth presentation to Council on the subject. Perhaps it's time for Mayor Corrigan to step aside?

Permalink Reply by Julia Smith on March 10, 2011 at 10:18pm

How frustrating! I'm sorry I couldn't make it. I'm flat out here with the usual craziness and sick kids on top of it. I can't believe what a big deal people make out of this. You can have a pit bull in Burnaby (and I'm typing this with a pit bull asleep on the couch beside me) but not a chicken. Yeah that makes sense. I guess none of the Councilors was ever pecked by a dog.

Permalink Reply by Duncan Martin on March 10, 2011 at 11:02pm

Julia and Ross, you were there in spirit. Ludo too. Each time someone sees a backyard with chickens I think it does a lot to demonstrate how low-key they are. I didn't get a chance to make t-shirts, but that'll happen soon.

Permalink Reply by Stephanie Imhoff on April 19, 2011 at 9:27am

Thanks Duncan, I am inspired to know there are other groups out there trying to change bylaws around backyard chickens. I am part of a group trying to do the same in North Vancouver (city and district). We are hoping to rally some more support and potentially team with groups or organizations in our favor. So far we've been using the Vancouver bylaw as a guideline. I would love to keep hearing about your progress in Burnaby.

Good luck!

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