Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington grilled Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom on Tuesday about the lack of progress on the issue of dredging the secondary channels of the Fraser River.
Echoing the concerns of the Ladner Sediment Group, boaters and property owners, Huntington feels the province has a responsibility to its water lot leaseholders.
"The province needs to be part of the solution and can't avoid its role in the protection of our waterfront economy and property," she said.
"The minister describes a challenging bureaucratic process, with multiple affected parties, engineering reports and various levels of government tying things up. But at the end of the day this is a matter of priorities," said Huntington.
"The government needs to work with the Ladner Sediment Group, the Port of Vancouver and the Corporation of Delta and invest in the basic upkeep of our local waterways."
She said residents complain the silt is piling up, often making it impossible to navigate the channels as well as causing float homes and boats to sit on the river bottom.
In question period, Huntington highlighted the many consequences of inaction, noting the recent case of a commercial fisherman who was unable to reach emergency services waiting at the dock in Ladner Harbour.
"Waterfront leaseholders, boaters and businesses are affected. When a key transportation route like this is cut off, our whole community suffers," she said.
"A week ago, the government committed $50 million to support the container capacity expansion program at Deltaport, $50 million so B.C. Rail can build a rail yard for CN on Canada's finest agricultural land.
"The dredging problem facing the minister's leaseholders could be solved with one-fifth that amount," said Huntington.
