At this year’s Union of BC Municipalities Convention, Delta Council continued their advocacy on key issues impacting Delta residents.
Held in Victoria from September 22 to 26, UBCM is an annual opportunity for municipal and provincial leaders to gather to discuss major concerns impacting BC communities. Delta Council attended productive meetings with BC ministers on a number of topics, including transit, housing, dredging, agriculture, and more.
“Delta Council was proud to attend another engaging UBCM convention, as we work to address some of the important issues facing our community,” said Mayor George V. Harvie. “As local leaders, it’s essential we work closely with every level of government to ensure the needs of Delta residents are being met. From issues like housing affordability and Agricultural Land Commission enforcement, to the need for increased transit service in industrial areas, we raised vital concerns with our provincial counterparts, and we look forward to continued collaboration.”
During the convention, the City of Delta put forward two resolutions that were considered by representatives from across the province. The first calls on the Province to address temporary emergency room closures, and the second advocated for increased funding for the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) to expand its compliance and enforcement team. Both resolutions were adopted by UBCM who will in turn, advocate on Delta’s behalf to the provincial government on these issues.
Meetings with Ministers included conversations on the Province’s housing targets, the need for dredging along the lower Fraser River secondary channels, streamlining Water Sustainability Act permitting applications, and raising the importance of strengthening the ALC enforcement capabilities. A constructive conversation with Translink CEO Kevin Quinn also provided the opportunity to advocate for better transit service in Delta’s industrial areas.
Alongside minister meetings, City staff also met with Ministry staff on a number of topics, including health care. The City looks forward to hearing the results of the Health Ministry’s review of the Delta Division of Family Practice’s Primary Care Network application, and Delta Council will continue to advocate for two new Urgent and Primary Care Centres and more emergency room physicians for Delta Hospital.
Information Sheets on City of Delta Initiatives:
Dredging of the Lower Fraser Secondary Channels
Housing Targets, SSMUH, Federal Infrastructure
Water Lot Leases and Float Homes
Water Sustainability Act Approvals
For more information on this news release, please contact media@delta.ca.