Media release: August 26, 2026

MEDIA RELEASE

Burnaby Mayoral Candidate Heymann Yip Signs Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter

Yip challenges Mayor Mike Hurley to join growing regional coalition for reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metro Vancouver, B.C. (August 26, 2026) - Burnaby mayoral candidate Heymann Yip has signed the Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter, adding Burnaby to the growing coalition of mayoral candidates seeking significant reform to the governance and financial oversight of Metro Vancouver.

Yip is a longtime Burnaby resident and founder of Burnaby First. He has been involved in municipal issues for years, including serving on the Burnaby RCMP Community Policing Advisory Committee and as a citizen representative on the City of Burnaby's Public Safety Committee.

“Metro Vancouver is responsible for critical infrastructure and services that affect every Burnaby resident, and with that responsibility must come strong accountability,” said Yip. “Taxpayers deserve transparency, disciplined financial management and confidence that major regional decisions are being made in their best interests. That is why I am pleased to sign the Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter.”

Yip also challenged incumbent Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley to add his name to the Charter.

“Burnaby taxpayers contribute significantly to Metro Vancouver, and our Mayor has an influential voice at the regional table,” said Yip. “I'm calling on Mayor Mike Hurley to sign the Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter and demonstrate that Burnaby is prepared to lead on transparency, accountability and responsible regional governance.”

The Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter calls for significant reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, financial oversight and public accountability at the regional government.

New Westminster City Councillor and mayoral candidate Daniel Fontaine, who co-launched the Charter with Richmond Councillor Kash Heed, welcomed Yip's decision to sign.

“Heymann's decision to sign is another important sign that the demand for change at Metro Vancouver is becoming truly regional,” said Fontaine. “Burnaby is one of the largest municipalities in the region and deserves a strong voice in this conversation. When billions of dollars in public infrastructure and services are at stake, taxpayers should expect transparency, accountability and value for money.”

Fontaine said the growing number of signatories is particularly important because meaningful reform will require cooperation among municipalities following the October election.

“No single mayor or municipality can change Metro Vancouver on their own,” added Fontaine. “That's why we're building this coalition now. If voters elect enough mayors committed to reform on October 17, we can arrive at the regional table with a mandate to actually deliver change rather than simply talk about it.”

Yip said Burnaby residents have a significant stake in the outcome.

“Burnaby is one of the largest municipalities in Metro Vancouver and our residents contribute substantially to regional services and infrastructure,” added Yip. “They deserve strong representation and clear accountability for how those dollars are spent. Reform will require mayors from across the region working together, and I am prepared to be part of that effort.”

A GROWING REGIONAL COALITION

With Yip joining the Charter, support now extends to mayors and mayoral candidates across a growing number of Metro Vancouver communities, reinforcing the message that regional accountability transcends municipal boundaries and political affiliations.

The Charter has attracted support from municipal leaders and mayoral candidates in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Delta, New Westminster, West Vancouver and White Rock.

Richmond City Councillor and mayoral candidate Kash Heed said Yip's addition further strengthens the coalition heading into the municipal election.

“This initiative has always been about bringing municipal leaders together around some basic principles: transparency, responsible financial management and accountability to the taxpayers who ultimately pay the bills,” said Heed. “We're pleased to have Heymann join us and add Burnaby's voice to this growing regional effort.”

The Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter calls for reforms involving stronger financial oversight, enhanced transparency, regional governance reform, independent scrutiny of major expenditures and a renewed focus on core regional services.