New Westminster city council is inviting provincial officials to visit the Royal City to discuss a number of pressing issues.
On Monday, city council approved a motion by Coun. Bill Harper to invite Premier Christy Clark, NDP leader Adrian Dix and Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom to New Westminster. Topics to be addressed include funding for the Royal Columbian Hospital expansion, construction of new schools and replacement of the Pattullo Bridge and related transportation issues.
Harper said Lekstrom previously told city officials he would visit the city, so staff is working to set up a meeting in New Westminster.
TransLink has initiated a public consultation process regarding its plan to replace the aging Pattullo Bridge. Instead of taking part in TransLink's consultation process, the City of New Westminster has decided to take a broad look at options for replacing the Pattullo Bridge as part of its master transportation planning process, which is now underway.
The City of New Westminster is also looking for some answers about the status of construction of three new schools in New Westminster.
"We'd like to know, frankly, where it is at," Harper said. "We have completed all our tasks, the school board has completed their tasks."
As for Royal Columbian Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital has submitted a concept expansion and renovation plan to the provincial government that would address the need for more space at the hospital. A Fraser Health spokesperson told The Record in May 2011 that the provincial government was reviewing the plan.
New Westminster NDP MLA Dawn Black and other New Democrats have also pressed the government for answers about the timeline for expansion of Royal Columbian Hospital.
