Early twist in Burnaby mayoral race boosts Corrigan challenger

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – The Green candidate in the upcoming Burnaby mayoral race has stepped aside and thrown his support behind the only remaining challenger to five-time incumbent Derek Corrigan.

In a statement released Friday, Joe Keithley says independent Mike Hurley is the best candidate to achieve positive change in the city.

Hurley is a recently-retired 30-year veteran of the Burnaby Fire Department with little experience in municipal politics. He currently serves as a vice president and board member with the International Association of Fire Fighters union.

“I never consider myself an underdog,” he says. “I’m going to give it my best shot and my team’s working hard, and I think we have a 50-50 chance.”

Hurley says Keithley’s support adds some valuable credibility to his campaign, which currently has around 50 staff members.

They will likely face an uphill battle trying to unseat Corrigan, one of the region’s longest-serving and most influential politicians. In addition to his 16 years as mayor, Corrigan is also chair of the Metro Vancouver Mayors’ Council.

“There’s a huge appetite for change,” Hurley says. “Many people are sick of Corrigan’s arrogant ways and his picking fights with everyone who comes along, including senior levels of government, which in many ways has hindered the city of Burnaby from being able to work with those groups to get the right solutions, especially in the housing issue.”

Housing will likely be one of the major issues of the coming campaign, including the controversial “demovictions” in Metrotown. Hurley’s campaign is currently developing a plan, which he hints may include putting the Metrotown redevelopment on pause until everyone who is displaced by it can be relocated.

For his part, Keithley is planning to run as a seat on Burnaby city council. The Greens will announce their entire council slate later this month.

The writ drops on September 22.