Burnaby’s first Punjabi Indo-Canadian councillor reflects on why representation matters

When I first ran for Burnaby City Council, becoming its first Punjabi Indo-Canadian councillor was not what motivated me. I had never considered running because I was Punjabi, and I did not see myself as a candidate for my own community. I wanted to serve the whole city, as every councillor should. Only after I was elected did I fully understand what it meant to the community, to me and to Burnaby.

People should be able to see themselves in the institutions that make decisions about their lives. Seeing someone at the council table who shares their background and understands where they are coming from can help them feel they belong and show them that they could one day take on that role themselves, if they wish.

I remember being taken aback by the number of calls I received from people congratulating me and telling me what it meant to them. Over time, others felt more comfortable calling with a question or concern. It was not because they could not speak English; most Indo-Canadians speak very good English. They knew I would understand the cultural and community context behind what they were trying to explain. Being heard, having someone understand the full meaning of what one is saying, and having that message carried accurately into council for discussion are all important.

Representation also appears in smaller moments. When I offer greetings in Punjabi at an event, it tells people their language and culture are part of Burnaby. The same is true when another councillor makes that connection with another community.

I am proud that council now reflects the city much better than when I first joined. Pietro Calendino, who was born in Calabria, brought the experience and culture of Burnaby’s Italian Canadian community to the table. Maita Santiago, born in the Philippines, represents a Filipino Canadian community that has become an important part of Burnaby. James Wang, who came to Canada from Mainland China, has worked to build bridges between Burnaby’s Chinese community and the wider city.

These are only three examples, but they show why different experiences around the table matter. Everyone elected to council must represent all of Burnaby, while each person also brings knowledge that helps council understand the city more completely.

That progress must continue. Burnaby is one of Canada’s most diverse cities and one of the few without a majority ethnic group. More than half of its residents were born outside Canada. Since I first sought election in the 1990s, Burnaby’s Indo-Canadian community has grown larger, become more established and much more visible in public life. In the 2021 census, 15,000 Burnaby residents reported Indian ethnic or cultural origins.

The change is about much more than a number. It is visible in businesses, community organizations, cultural celebrations and places of worship, as well as in the growing contribution Indo-Canadians are making to public life.

The Hindu Temple on Marine Drive was established in 1972. It grew from a small prayer hall in North Burnaby into a 31,000-square-foot temple that opened in 2018. It is now one of Canada’s largest and oldest Hindu temples, providing religious services, language and spiritual education, wellness programs and support for seniors. The redevelopment of the Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha gurdwara on Gilley Avenue is another sign of that growth. It is an important place of worship and gathering for Burnaby’s vibrant Sikh community.

These changes in the Indo-Canadian community are one part of the larger story of how Burnaby has changed as a city.

As I prepare to leave council this month after nearly 24 years, and after many more years of community service, I hope Burnaby continues to celebrate its diversity as one of its greatest strengths. My community work included serving as president of the Burnaby Minor Hockey Association and on the Parks and Recreation Commission.

We must keep working together, from council and City Hall to Burnaby’s many cultural and community organizations, always putting the interests of the whole city first.

Burnaby has changed enormously over the years. It now has four busy town centres: Metrotown, Brentwood, Lougheed and Edmonds. The city also has the financial stability to keep investing and plan confidently for the future.

There are opportunities for continued growth, but it should be focused around those town centres and areas supported by the services, infrastructure and amenities growing communities need.

For example, I would like to see us pursue an SFU campus or another major post-secondary presence in Edmonds, bringing education and opportunity closer to that growing community. In Metrotown, Central Boulevard could be completely rethought and made into a more walkable destination and a real community hub.

The last two terms were the most rewarding of my time on council. Mayor Hurley trusted me with leadership on important committees and gave me the opportunity to bring forward ideas, work closely with staff and help make real change in Burnaby. I hope that approach continues, because giving elected councillors the opportunity to contribute is how the whole council can do its best work.

I wish the next council every success. Burnaby is in a very strong position, and I hope it continues to build on that in the years ahead.

As I sign off, I want to thank everyone I have worked with over the years, including my family, council colleagues, City staff, community organizations and volunteers. Most of all, I thank the residents who trusted me to represent them, called to share their concerns and allowed me to play a part in the life of this great city we call home.

The original also included a link to a piece about affordable housing, wildfire preparedness and discussions related to the Union of B.C. Municipalities, as well as a podcast link about Pietro Calendino’s more than four decades of service to Burnaby, from the classroom to City Hall.