To whom it may concern,
Burnaby City Council is badly in need of new leadership and new ideas and this election is a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring Muslim representation, diversity and new ideas to City Council.
The Burnaby Green Party has selected two women Mehreen Chaudry and Teresa Rossiello to bring this much-needed change.
If elected, Mehreen will be the first Muslim woman to be elected in Burnaby and will be a fantastic representative of the Muslim community. She and Teresa will work hard together to bring this much-needed diversity and change to City Council.
Mehreen firmly believes that “As Muslims, we often feel isolated in our faith and culture. We need to have our concerns heard and to have a say in policy-making so our values and rights are safeguarded. We also need to create a sustainable future for our province that preserves our planet as quoted in the Qur’an.
“It is He who has appointed you viceroys in the earth … that He may try you in what He has given you.” (Surah 6:165)
Burnaby, B.C. At a recent Burnaby Green Party meeting Mehreen Chaudry and Teresa Rossiello were nominated as the party’s two candidates for the upcoming municipal by-election. These two women represent a growing interest to improve diversity on City Council in Burnaby.
“I’m very excited to see these candidates nominated knowing what they could bring to this council,” says Joe Keithley, Burnaby Green Party City Councillor. “Mehreen Chaudry was an excellent
Green candidate in the 2020 Provincial election, which saw four Burnaby Green candidates run, and that experience will be a real asset. Teresa Rossiello has been active on civic committees and community-based organizations for more than 8 years. She also knows her way around a campaign having served as the Riding Association Chair for the BC Greens in Burnaby North.”
Both candidates have a passion for local issues like housing affordability, urban green spaces, community planning, poverty reduction, and of course, climate change and the environment. Other key priorities include addressing the need for diversity and maintaining equity in community building and development.
“The Burnaby Green Party and I firmly believe in collaboratively working with our community and facilitating solutions to the challenges facing the city of Burnaby together,” says Mehreen Chaudry, Burnaby Green Party candidate.
“Co-coordinating Burnaby’s homeless count was a rewarding experience that showed me how community members can come together to ensure our most vulnerable neighbours are not overlooked,” says Teresa Rossiello, Burnaby Green Party candidate. Independent Mayor Mike Hurley has worked closely with Councillor Joe Keithley to advance a wide range of policies aimed at tackling Burnaby’s most pressing issues.
“Electing more Burnaby Greens to council means more support for working collaboratively and effectively with Mayor Hurley and other members of council on the issues that matter most to people in Burnaby,” says Keithley. “After decades of inadequate leadership by former mayor Derek Corrigan and the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA), we are now making significant progress on issues the public has asked us to address as we shape a more affordable, inclusive and sustainable future in our city.”
The Burnaby by-election has not yet been called but is expected this Spring. Source:
David Burton, Campaign Communications Coordinator
