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City responds to P3 questions on Abbotsford website

A 16-page document answering public questions regarding a proposed P3 water partnership has been posted on the City of Abbotsford website. The report is in response to questions raised during the April 4 public input session at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium. During that meeting, residents became irate when council members did not answer their questions. Mayor George Peary explained they were present to hear input, not engage in debate.

A 16-page document answering public questions regarding a proposed P3 water partnership has been posted on the City of Abbotsford website.

The report is in response to questions raised during the April 4 public input session at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium. During that meeting, residents became irate when council members did not answer their questions. Mayor George Peary explained they were present to hear input, not engage in debate.

The answers are a portion of a larger staff report that will be presented to council on April 18.

Abbotsford is proposing to enter into a P3 (public private partnership)  agreement to create a new water treatment plant and water source at Stave Lake. The new site would be the fourth water source, joining Norrish Creek, Cannel Lake and 19 wells, as part of Abbotsford’s water system.

Originally a joint venture, Mission voted last week to opt out of a P3 deal. Abbotsford decided to continue to investigate the P3 option on its own, instructing staff to review the business case and prepare a new solo plan.

Council will vote on Monday whether to continue forward with the P3 project and request funding from PPP Canada.

If approved, the city still needs to hold a referendum in November to get public consent to enter into the agreement.

“Hopefully some of the people have had their questions answered now,” said Peary. “But I’m sure some of them will never be satisfied by the answers. Their questions were rhetorical.”

The city website is www.abbotsford.ca.



Kevin Mills

About the Author: Kevin Mills

I have been a member of the media for the past 34 years and became editor of the Mission Record in February of 2015.
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