A delegation of municipal officials is in Ottawa this week to meet with federal counterparts on some key issues of concern to Delta.
Mayor Lois Jackson, Coun. Ian Paton and CAO George Harvie will travel to the nation's capital Nov. 5, returning two days later, for meetings arranged by MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
They'll discuss the federal contribution towards the secondary channel dredging program, the proposed amendments to the federal Additions-to-Reserves Policy as well as economic stimulus funding for infrastructure projects. The first two items are considered "matters of some urgency" for Delta.
Although the federal government has contributed money toward the longawaited dredging program, Environment Canada, on the other hand, will charge up to $500,000 for ocean disposal fees to have the dredged materials dumped elsewhere.
Calling it a crazy situation, Paton said Delta is hoping that Environment Canada will waive those fees so the dredging program won't have to be scaled back.
Meanwhile, the proposed policy that could make it easier for First Nations outside Delta to purchase Delta lands and potentially remove them from municipal jurisdiction has caused some angst. Harvie said he's surprised more people aren't aware of what's being proposed and the implications.
Concern has been raised what could happen in Delta if First Nations purchase Agricultural Land Reserve properties and have them removed in the name of economic development.
A report to the Metro Vancouver board last week noted that it's "imperative that this land use concern be raised with the federal government."
The regional board voted to object to the policy changes if they result in the creation of so-called satellite reserves.
The Delta delegation in the upcoming trip will also meet with officials at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to discuss the issue.
A report to Delta council, which gave the go-ahead for the trip last week, notes, "Face-to-face discussions are undoubtedly more effective in conveying the complexities of the issue and identifying potential resolutions than any written correspondence."
The report notes previous trips to Ottawa provided contacts and fostered relations that were key in Delta getting infrastructure funding.
The two-night trip will cost $6,000. The cost is much lower than previous trips, including 2010 when the municipality paid a consultant $22,000 to arrange meetings.
