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Assistance needed from both levels of government From A1 Water and Waste Water Fund. The federal government would provide almost $4.2 million, and the provincial government would provide approximately $2.7 million. The district’s share would be just over $1.4 million. With the need for land on both sides of the crossing, the total price of the project was estimated at $12 million. Work is now almost completed on the land portion. However, the total price tag has almost tripled from $12 million to about $32 million. According to a staff report, the scope of work became more complex and expensive. Some of the contributing factors to the cost increase include the inflation of construction costs between 2016 and now, the cost of American steel rising while the value of the Canadian dollar fell, a trade dispute resulting in a 25 per cent steel tariff, an increase of the pipe’s diameter from 750mm to 900mm, environmental assessment reviews and more. Alexis has recently been in communication with MLAs
Simon Gibson and Bob D’Eith, MPs Jati Sidhu and Ed Fast, and other government officials and cabinet ministers in Ottawa, but so far, no new funding has been acquired. “We are, in my opinion, overlooked many times because we don’t fit in the big-city model (and) we don’t fit in the rural; we are kind of in between,” sad Alexis, adding she is being told there is no money available. “We need assistance from both levels of government. We can’t do it by ourselves.” Mission could borrow money to pay for the project, but that would mean a large tax increase. A loan of $20 million translates into about a three or four per cent increase on top of any other increase needed to maintain regular services. It would also take away any other needed improvement projects for the time being. Alexis said she will continue to seek funding from all levels of government and will soon be asking other community politicians, especially those along the Fraser River, to express support for the project.
Mission City Record
Friday, August 9, 2019 A3
MPs must be advocates Kevin Mills Mission Record
ernment, which is probably the bigger concern for Mission.” The lack of funding for Fast said he feels there has the new Mission sewer line been a lack of meaningful is raising concerns from a engagement, “on the part of neighbouring MP. the member of Parliament Abbotsford MP Ed Fast for that riding” in promoting said he’s been following this project and advocating the project and for it in Ottawa. it appear to be “So I’m calling slowly going off out Jati Sidhu for the rails. not advocating “I’m a little strongly enough bit concerned, for this project,” not because this Fast said. is my riding. I’m He also said more concerned his office has because Mission contacted MP and AbbotsFrancois-Phillipe FAST ford have been Champagne, the partners in the minister of infraJAMES Treatment Plant structure and communities, for so many years and this is just part of that system.” and raised this project as The new sewer line would having “environmental signifcross the Fraser River from icance to our communities.” Fast said if there is a Mission to the treatment breach in the line, the result plant in Abbotsford. One of the challenges is a would be an “environmental huge rise in costs – the proj- catastrophe.” “‘My goal is to get this ect is now estimated to cost $32 million – but there is a project done, and the federsecond factor that is worry- al government has to be at the table.” ing Fast. Mission-Matsqui-Fraser “I’m hearing a deafening silence from the federal gov- Canyon MP Jati Sidhu said
A WORLD OF EXPERIENCE, LOCALLY
he also wants to avoid a di- was important and we came saster and his office has been through,” Sidhu said. working with the district on He said he doesn’t know the issue. why the project was delayed “We’ve been all over the for a few years but “every map actually, thanks to year the price has gone up.” To proceed with the projMayor Alexis. She came to Ottawa and met with me,” ect, Sidhu said Mission said Sidhu, adding he was would have to reapply for able to pull Pafunds and get cific Liberal cauthe province on cus chair Gordie board as well. Hogg, the MP “I will stand up for South Surand fight to push rey-White Rock, my ministry to into the meeting. come through. I They also mantalk to them once aged to arrange a week on differa meeting with ent issues. They are fully aware Minister ChamSIDHU pagne to explain and are fully on the issues directboard. ly. “It’s just a matter of time, “At the end of the day, that’s how I see it. I know it when we (the Liberal govern- is very important for Misment) came into the picture sion and people around the in 2015, the prime minister Fraser.” said, ‘Provinces, territories, Sidhu pointed to the tell us what you need.’ ” Highway 1 expansion, to Mission applied for $8.3 264 Street as an example million in funding for the of a joint project that has sewer line to be shared be- moved forward. He believes tween the federal, provincial the same will happen for the and municipal governments. Mission sewer line. “That was the original “Yes, we will come application and we knew it through. No doubt about it.”
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