Vincent Tong
Council · Burnaby
BURNABY 8 yrs
About
BUILDING A BETTER BURNABY. BC born and raised, Burnaby resident, homeowner and public servant with 9 years of BC Public Service experience. I’m running as an Independent to bring a practical, community-focused voice to City Council.
Policy commitments
Buildings
We all want healthy, affordable, and comfortable homes. These policies will help to lower energy bills, cut pollution, and improve indoor air quality.
✓
Support electrification of new buildings.
Supportive
✓
Incentivize electric heat pumps and air filtration systems.
Supportive
✓
Incentivize renewable energy, battery storage, and smart-grid technologies in new and existing buildings to improve energy security.
Supportive
~
Scale up energy retrofits for existing homes, businesses, and public buildings.
Neutral
~
Implement a 'right to cool' bylaw to protect tenants during extreme heat events.
Neutral
Climate Justice
Our community is already experiencing the harmful impacts of climate change caused by fossil fuel pollution, and taxpayers are on the hook to upgrade and repair critical infrastructure.
~
Endorse the fossil fuel treaty and commit to phase out fossil fuels.
Neutral
×
Enact a moratorium on AI data centres to protect our energy and water resources.
Opposed
~
Pursue available legal options to recover a fair share of the climate costs facing our community from fossil fuel companies and other big polluters.
Neutral
~
Collaborate with Indigenous peoples as partners in the stewardship of the land, air, and water, and work towards reconciliation.
Neutral
Ecosystems
The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat all rely on healthy ecosystems. Nature can also help protect our community from extreme weather by controlling floods, protecting shorelines, and cooling neighbourhoods. Access to nature improves the health and well-being of residents, and supports biodiversity.
✓
Protect and restore ecosystems, which are essential to human survival, health, and economic well-being.
Supportive
✓
Expand and protect tree canopy, parks, and green infrastructure to cool neighbourhoods, clean air, and manage stormwater.
Supportive
✓
Prioritize native tree planting in all areas, especially those with low tree cover, higher population densities, and more vulnerable residents.
Supportive
✓
Create connected urban greenways for people and wildlife.
Supportive
Land Use
We envision vibrant, walkable communities that protect nature and improve food security.
✓
Build affordable homes near jobs, schools, shops, and transit.
Supportive
✓
Upgrade critical infrastructure for heat, fire, flood, and storm resilience.
Supportive
✓
Increase food security by supporting local agriculture and community gardens.
Supportive
Transport
Connecting neighbourhoods through public transit and active transportation networks will cut pollution, improve public health, and make our communities more affordable (and fun!).
✓
Deliver reliable, frequent, affordable local transit.
Supportive
✓
Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities.
Supportive
✓
Build bike and roll networks that are safe for everyone.
Supportive
~
Expand EV charging infrastructure.
Neutral
Watersheds
Climate change, increasing populations, and overconsumption threaten our water security. Healthy watersheds and forests are critical to support clean drinking water, stormwater management, climate resilience, and biodiversity for future generations.
✓
Implement water conservation plans and educate the public to conserve drinking water.
Supportive
✓
Protect and restore watersheds as vital municipal infrastructure.
Supportive
~
Develop and implement a water security plan.
Neutral
Zero Waste
Zero waste policies reduce pollution, keep waste out of landfills, build resilient local economies, and safeguard public health by shifting society away from a disposable culture toward a sustainable circular economy.
✓
Implement zero waste bylaws to divert organic waste and recyclables from disposal.
Supportive
✓
Support the development of a circular economy to eliminate waste and improve resilience.
Supportive
✓
Implement bylaws to eliminate waste from new buildings, renovation, and demolition projects and to use existing buildings as efficiently as possible.
Supportive
✓ Supportive
~ Neutral
× Opposed
– No response
Climate action
How have you contributed to climate action in your community through advocacy, past work, advisory committees, volunteer work, and/or reducing your personal carbon footprint?
My contribution to climate action has mostly been through everyday choices and past volunteer work. I regularly recycle and compost, separate plastics and other waste, avoid wasting water, and try to make environmentally responsible choices where practical. I also encourage family and friends to recycle, reduce waste and be mindful of their environmental impact.
When I was younger, I participated in community garbage cleanups and volunteered with the Richmond Nature Park and Vancouver Aquarium. Those experiences helped build my appreciation for protecting our natural environment.
Today, I continue to support environmental protection and greener living, although I am not currently involved with an environmental organization or advocacy group. Like many working people, I have to balance these issues with work and other responsibilities. I try to focus on realistic actions I can maintain in my everyday life and encourage others to do the same.
When I was younger, I participated in community garbage cleanups and volunteered with the Richmond Nature Park and Vancouver Aquarium. Those experiences helped build my appreciation for protecting our natural environment.
Today, I continue to support environmental protection and greener living, although I am not currently involved with an environmental organization or advocacy group. Like many working people, I have to balance these issues with work and other responsibilities. I try to focus on realistic actions I can maintain in my everyday life and encourage others to do the same.
Questions for Burnaby
Climate change is already driving up the cost of living (i.e., insurance, food prices, strain on our healthcare system). How will you provide leadership in moving our municipality towards meaningful climate action that addresses this issue?
I believe climate action at the municipal level should be practical, affordable and focused on areas where the City can make a real difference.
I would support protecting and expanding Burnaby’s tree canopy, preserving green space, improving parks and making sure new development includes good environmental planning. As our city grows, we also need infrastructure that can handle extreme weather, including heat, heavy rainfall and other changing conditions.
I support improving energy efficiency in City buildings, expanding practical transportation choices, and working with the Province and other levels of government on larger climate initiatives. New policies should also consider the cost to residents, particularly working families and seniors who are already dealing with a high cost of living.
Climate action and affordability should not be treated as competing goals. I would look for practical measures that reduce waste, protect our environment, prepare Burnaby for future climate impacts and make responsible use of public money.
I would support protecting and expanding Burnaby’s tree canopy, preserving green space, improving parks and making sure new development includes good environmental planning. As our city grows, we also need infrastructure that can handle extreme weather, including heat, heavy rainfall and other changing conditions.
I support improving energy efficiency in City buildings, expanding practical transportation choices, and working with the Province and other levels of government on larger climate initiatives. New policies should also consider the cost to residents, particularly working families and seniors who are already dealing with a high cost of living.
Climate action and affordability should not be treated as competing goals. I would look for practical measures that reduce waste, protect our environment, prepare Burnaby for future climate impacts and make responsible use of public money.
What specific policies do you promise to fight for to address transportation emissions, including making streets safer for walking and active modes of travel?
I support giving people more safe and practical ways to get around Burnaby. That means better sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, cycling routes and transit connections, especially around schools, parks and residential neighbourhoods.
At the same time, major roads need to move vehicles, buses, emergency services and goods efficiently. I support safer, slower streets around schools and neighbourhoods, while improving traffic flow on major routes and reducing unnecessary congestion and idling.
I would also push for better coordination of road construction. Residents should receive clear notice about major changes, and road, utility and transportation projects should be coordinated wherever possible to avoid repeatedly rebuilding the same area. Better planning can reduce costs, construction disruption, traffic and unnecessary environmental impacts.
I also support continued investment in public transit and EV charging. My goal is a balanced transportation system that gives people safe choices while keeping Burnaby moving efficiently.
At the same time, major roads need to move vehicles, buses, emergency services and goods efficiently. I support safer, slower streets around schools and neighbourhoods, while improving traffic flow on major routes and reducing unnecessary congestion and idling.
I would also push for better coordination of road construction. Residents should receive clear notice about major changes, and road, utility and transportation projects should be coordinated wherever possible to avoid repeatedly rebuilding the same area. Better planning can reduce costs, construction disruption, traffic and unnecessary environmental impacts.
I also support continued investment in public transit and EV charging. My goal is a balanced transportation system that gives people safe choices while keeping Burnaby moving efficiently.
How will you improve transit in Burnaby, using tools within your jurisdiction as a municipality?
Burnaby does not operate the regional transit system, so I would focus on the areas where the City can make a difference and work closely with TransLink on the rest.
I support improving access to bus stops and SkyTrain stations through safer sidewalks, crossings, lighting and connections for pedestrians and cyclists. On busy routes, I would support practical transit-priority measures where they can improve reliability without creating unnecessary congestion elsewhere.
I would also advocate to TransLink for better service in areas where population growth is putting pressure on existing routes, including more frequent and reliable bus service where needed. New housing and major developments should be planned with transit capacity in mind rather than adding thousands of residents and dealing with transportation problems afterward.
I would also push for better coordination of road construction so buses and residents are not repeatedly affected by poorly coordinated projects.
My approach would be practical: make transit easier to access, improve reliability, plan for growth and work with TransLink to address gaps in service.
I support improving access to bus stops and SkyTrain stations through safer sidewalks, crossings, lighting and connections for pedestrians and cyclists. On busy routes, I would support practical transit-priority measures where they can improve reliability without creating unnecessary congestion elsewhere.
I would also advocate to TransLink for better service in areas where population growth is putting pressure on existing routes, including more frequent and reliable bus service where needed. New housing and major developments should be planned with transit capacity in mind rather than adding thousands of residents and dealing with transportation problems afterward.
I would also push for better coordination of road construction so buses and residents are not repeatedly affected by poorly coordinated projects.
My approach would be practical: make transit easier to access, improve reliability, plan for growth and work with TransLink to address gaps in service.
What ideas do you have to solve housing affordability and homelessness issues and address climate change at the same time?
I would explore converting suitable vacant or underused buildings into transitional housing rather than always building from scratch. Burnaby has older commercial buildings that may have potential, if zoning, safety and building requirements can be met.
These could provide short-term, substance-free housing with 24/7 staffing and trained social workers who help people access identification, healthcare, employment training, basic life skills and permanent housing.
Reusing suitable existing buildings could get people indoors faster while reducing some of the construction, materials and waste associated with new buildings. I would ask the City to identify suitable properties and explore partnerships with the Province, BC Housing and non-profit providers.
Not every commercial building will be appropriate for housing, but I believe we should look creatively at the buildings and land we already have. The goal should be more than providing a bed. It should be helping people stabilize, rebuild their lives and move toward permanent housing.
These could provide short-term, substance-free housing with 24/7 staffing and trained social workers who help people access identification, healthcare, employment training, basic life skills and permanent housing.
Reusing suitable existing buildings could get people indoors faster while reducing some of the construction, materials and waste associated with new buildings. I would ask the City to identify suitable properties and explore partnerships with the Province, BC Housing and non-profit providers.
Not every commercial building will be appropriate for housing, but I believe we should look creatively at the buildings and land we already have. The goal should be more than providing a bed. It should be helping people stabilize, rebuild their lives and move toward permanent housing.
How can we make our parks and green spaces work harder for us in terms of rainwater management, carbon capture and food production?
I believe Burnaby’s parks and green spaces should be protected and expanded as our population grows. I support planting more trees and protecting mature trees where possible, which can provide shade, absorb carbon and help manage rainwater.
We should also look for opportunities to use natural drainage, rain gardens and other green infrastructure to manage heavy rainfall rather than relying only on traditional drainage systems.
I also support expanding community gardens and food-growing spaces where appropriate. These can give residents more opportunities to grow their own food, bring neighbours together and make productive use of suitable public spaces.
As Burnaby grows, green space should not be treated as leftover land after development. Parks, trees and natural areas are part of our infrastructure and contribute to the health and livability of our neighbourhoods. I would support planning for housing and green space together rather than treating them as competing priorities.
We should also look for opportunities to use natural drainage, rain gardens and other green infrastructure to manage heavy rainfall rather than relying only on traditional drainage systems.
I also support expanding community gardens and food-growing spaces where appropriate. These can give residents more opportunities to grow their own food, bring neighbours together and make productive use of suitable public spaces.
As Burnaby grows, green space should not be treated as leftover land after development. Parks, trees and natural areas are part of our infrastructure and contribute to the health and livability of our neighbourhoods. I would support planning for housing and green space together rather than treating them as competing priorities.
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