Burnaby schools are facing a financial pressure point that district leadership says is without parallel elsewhere in the province. Watch the full explanation below by your DPAC Rep Morten to understand the scope of what is unfolding, as well as a CBC news package on the matter.
in a nutshell:
A provincial payroll-related error, now spanning four years according to district communications, has resulted in approximately $9.4 million in teacher back pay owed by Burnaby School District 41, with no confirmed funding commitment from the Government of British Columbia. The district has indicated this issue is not being experienced in the same way across other regions of the province, making the situation unique to Burnaby.
This new liability arrives on top of last year’s budget shortfall, which the district has previously stated required significant service reductions across schools.
The combined pressure is now being described in stark terms: staffing risk, reduced supports, and further erosion of already strained school services.
These are not abstract accounting issues. They translate directly into what students experience every day in classrooms, hallways, and school communities.
The full picture:
Thanks to the meticulous research by Forest Grove Elementary PAC Treasurer Nicole Gladish, a plain-language guide has been created to help answer parents’ follow-up questions.
The question facing families is simple and unavoidable.
What kind of future do you want for your children?
Below is a sample letter provided by your DPAC. Simply replace the bracketed sections with your information and send it to your local MLAs, relevant cabinet ministers, and Treasury Board members at the addresses provided. Their job is to listen. It’s time to speak up!
To: ECC.Minister@gov.bc.ca
CC: dpacinfo@burnabyschools.ca; Anne.Kang.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Rohini.Arora.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Janet.Routledge.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Paul.Choi.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Raj.Chouhan.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Brenda.Bailey.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Niki.Sharma.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Christine.Boyle.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Mike.Farnworth.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Grace.Lore.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Bowinn.Ma.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Sheila.Malcolmson.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Ravi.Parmar.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Jennifer.Whiteside.MLA@leg.bc.ca; George.Anderson.MLA@leg.bc.ca; George.Chow.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Steve.Morissette.MLA@leg.bc.ca;
Subject: Burnaby students facing cuts without $9.4M provincial fundingHello,
I am a parent/caregiver in Burnaby School District 41. My child, [Name], is in Grade [XX] at [School Name], and we live in [your area].
Burnaby schools are facing an unfunded cost of up to $9.4 million related to a provincially negotiated salary arbitration decision.
Last year, the district already made difficult cuts to stabilize its budget. A funding gap of this size would result in further reductions to classroom supports, staff, and student services.
This cost was not created at the district level. It is a provincial obligation that remains unfunded.
I am concerned about what this will mean for my child’s learning environment next year.
If this is not resolved, the impact will be felt directly by students in all Burnaby schools.
I am asking the Province to fully fund this amount before the May budget deadline, so that students are not affected by a cost they did not create.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[School / PAC, if relevant]
[Neighbourhood or postal code]
MLA for Burnaby South-Metrotown
Paul Choi
Phone: 604-660-0855
Email: Paul.Choi.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Office Address: 5234 Rumble St, Burnaby
Website: paulchoi.bcndp.ca
MLA for Burnaby-Centre
Anne Kang
Phone: 604-775-0565
Email: Anne.Kang.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Office Address: 105-6411 Nelson Ave, Burnaby
Website: annekangbcmla.ca
MLA for Burnaby-New Westminster
Raj Chouhan
Phone: 604-660-7301
Email: Raj.Chouhan.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Office Address: 5234 Rumble St, Burnaby
Website: rajchouhan.ca
MLA for Burnaby North
Janet Routledge
Phone: 604-775-0778
Email: Janet.Routledge.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Office Address: 4270 Hastings St, Burnaby
Website: janetroutledge.ca
MLA for Burnaby East
Rohini Arora
Phone: 604-660-5058
Email: Rohini.Arora.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Office Address: 3-8699 10th Ave, Burnaby
Website: bcndpcaucus.ca/mla/rohini-arora