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THURSDAY, APR. 21, 2011
GOVERNMENT PLANS MORE COURT CUTS Final part of the Black Press Justice Denied series runs today PAGE 5
Mission P3 position firm: Atebe Abbotsford votes 7-2 to move P3 application to next stage
CANDIDATES SQUARE OFF The federal all candidates debate was held last Thursday night at the Mission Best Western. PAGE 5
BY KEVIN MILLS AND CAROL AUN Black Press
Abbotsford council’s decision Monday night to proceed with an application to PPP Canada to fund a proposed public private partnership (P3) for a new water supply and treatment plant at Stave Lake will not change Mission council’s position. It’s their own prerogative to make the decision on behalf of their community, but it will not change Mission’s April 4 vote, said Mayor James Atebe. “We did hear clearly from our community that they don’t trust the private sector operating it.” Atebe says it’s too soon to tell how Abbotsford’s decision will affect this community, but he notes Mission will continue to explore other options to address the district’s water needs, including other senior government grants which don’t involve private partnerships. He will also be requesting a special Water and Sewer Commission meeting as soon as possible to examine and assess Abbotsford’s decision and determine its affect on Mission residents. Mission and Abbotsford co-own the current water system, and the two communities have had a partnership for many decades, said Atebe, noting the relationship has to be maintained. Abbotsford council voted 7-2 in favour of moving the revised application forward with Couns. Patricia Ross and Lynne Harris
Water Watch Mission-Abbotsford spokesperson Janet Chalmers was one of several residents who protested outside Abbotsford city hall Monday evening. KEVIN MILLS PHOTO
voting against. The decision does not mean the city will enter into a P3 agreement, but it allows it to fully explore the option, find out if the plan will be accepted by PPP Canada and how much funding (up to $66.5 million) could be provided. Abbotsford staff had to revise the original proposal after Mission voted against the P3 option. Instead of a joint, $300-million project, Abbotsford has decided to act on its own on a smaller, approximately $284 million), proposal. The new plan still includes a pump station and treatment plant at Stave Lake, but no longer includes an expansion to the MacLure reservoir or treatment of water from Cannel Lake.
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In order for us to move forward, we both had to agree. – Coun. Patricia Ross
While most councillors admitted they still needed more information, and had reservations regarding P3s, they saw no reason to delay applying for funding. Coun. John Smith said he “takes comfort in the fact” that this is not the final say and the city could easily decide to change its mind, or
have it changed for them. “In the final analysis, the people will have the final say,” said Smith, referring to the November referendum which would be needed for a P3 to be approved. The most outspoken critic of the plan was Ross, who said she felt the city had a “gentleman’s agreement” with Mission. “In order for us to move forward, we both had to agree,” said Ross, adding that Mission’s decision to abandon the P3 idea should have killed Abbotsford’s plan. She said she was uncomfortable moving forward, considering Stave Lake is located in Mission. See ANTI-P3 Page 2
COMMUNITY MOURNS Hundreds turned out Saturday for former Mission Fire Chief Frank Ryan’s funeral. PAGE 12
ASCOT GALA A NEAR SELLOUT The Mission Hospice Society hosted its annual gala event Saturday evening, which raises money for the organization. The Ascot Gala packed the Best Western. PAGE 13
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