The move of federal Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi to another portfolio last week was a “disappointment,” Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun said Monday at council.
Sohi and Braun met on July 13, at which time the mayor asked for federal support for local infrastructure projects, including the widening of Highway 1.
But just days later, Sohi had a new job as Natural Resources Minister as part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s shuffle of his cabinet.
While discussing an application for a federal grant for the city’s new collector well, Braun predicted a receptive welcome, but also touched on the sudden change in ministers.
“My only disappointment is the minister has changed,” he said. “We had Minister Sohi here just a week ago and talked about this very topic and a couple of others and he was very enthusiastic. So now we have to work with a different minister, but we are certainly up for that.”
Braun and city manager Peter Sparanese had met with Sohi and local Liberal MP Jati Sidhu. A line of back-to-back cars was laid out on the meeting table to illustrate congestion on Highway 1.
Thanks to @MPJatiSidhu, @mayorhenrybraun and the rest of @City_Abbotsford City Council for the warm welcome. Enjoyed our conversation and looking forward to working together to invest in the #infra the community wants and needs. pic.twitter.com/t5ElfeWAY6
— Amarjeet Sohi (@SohiAmarjeet) July 13, 2018