Mike Hurley confirms he will seek a third term as Burnaby mayor | Daily Hive

Mike Hurley. (Mike Hurley)

Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley will seek a third consecutive term in the October 2026 civic election.

Hurley officially announced his re-election campaign today. The former firefighter was first elected mayor in 2018, receiving 26,260 votes. He was the only serious challenger among the four candidates running against longtime incumbent Derek Corrigan, who was defeated after securing 20,333 votes.

Neither the City of Burnaby nor the City of Port Coquitlam held a mayoral contest in the 2022 civic election, as Hurley and Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West were both re-elected by acclamation after no challengers came forward before the deadline for the candidate nomination period. As a result, the ballots in both cities did not include a race for mayor.

However, Hurley will be on the campaign trail for the 2026 civic election. With just over two months to go until voting day, there are at least two challengers to fill the seat of Burnaby mayor, including Heymann Yip of the Burnaby First party and independent candidate Michael Angelo.

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“Over the past eight years, we have shown that we can make significant investments in the initiatives that Burnaby residents care about — such as housing, public safety and community amenities — while keeping taxes down and staying debt free,” said Hurley in a statement today.

“I now want to finish what I started and continue building a Burnaby that works for everyone.”

Before entering politics, Hurley worked for the Burnaby Fire Department for 30 years. He later led the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund and helped organize fundraising for the Burn Fund Centre, which provides temporary accommodations for burn patients and their families.

Hurley has received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, Diamond Jubilee Medal and Platinum Jubilee Medal for his public and charitable service.

Public safety is a key theme for Hurley. During his tenure, the City advanced plans for a larger Burnaby RCMP headquarters, installed a wildfire early-warning system on Burnaby Mountain, and developed a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan covering disasters.

Housing will continue to be a major focus of Hurley’s campaign. He entered municipal politics amid concerns over demovictions, which displaced tenants when older rental buildings were redeveloped — especially in the Metrotown area. After taking office, his administration introduced protections giving eligible tenants the right to return to replacement homes at similar rents.

Hurley’s campaign says about 25,000 homes have been added in Burnaby during his eight years as mayor. The municipal government also created the Burnaby Housing Authority to support the development of below-market and rental housing.

His campaign is also emphasizing major investments in community infrastructure. Amid the pandemic, the City acquired the former Fortius Sport and Health facility and reopened it as the Christine Sinclair Community Centre, while construction is well underway on the Burnaby Lake Recreation Centre, Cameron Community Centre and Library in Lougheed Town Centre, Brentwood Community Centre, and a new performance venue beside the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

Hurley is also highlighting his economic agenda. He created the Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Growth and Resilience and committed to advancing its recommendation for a Burnaby Innovation District focused on technology, research, and high-value industries. His campaign also points to efforts to reduce red tape and speed up municipal permits and business licences.

So far, at least three sitting Burnaby city councillors have announced they will not seek re-election, including Pietro Calendino, Sav Dhaliwal, and Alison Gu. Sitting city councillors Joe Keithley, Maita Santiago, Daniel Tetrault, and James Wang are running again under the Burnaby Citizens Association party.

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