Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy was in Victoria recently, lobbying cabinet ministers for more funding to build infrastructure in one of the province’s fastest-growing cities.
“We regularly go out there for advocacy,” explained Ruimy. “What’s really important now, is with the federal government creating more funds, its imperative that we work with the province to ensure that our priorities are their priorities.”
The Canadian government is making funds available for infrastructure, housing, and public transit, to support municipalities. Starting this year, the Build Communities Strong fund offers $51 billion over 10 years, and the Canada Public Transit Fund offers $3 billion.
So Ruimy needed to reinforce Maple Ridge’s priorities in Victoria, “making sure that they put it at the top of their list as well, so that when they’re working with the feds, they keep us in mind.”
He said key projects are widening Abernethy Way all the way to 256th Street, developing the 256 Street industrial area, the new Langley-Haney Place Bus Rapid stations and route, and the city’s recreational projects.
Help from senior government will be essential.
“When we look at our capital projects for the next five years it’s challenging, because we’re catching up,” said Ruimy.
Sustainable funding for health and social supports – including The HUB and Salvation Army shelter – were also on the agenda.
The city received a good reception from the cabinet ministers.
“Everything we’ve done over the past three and a half years, and the progress we’ve made… it really stands out,” Ruimy said. “I believe we were heard. We’ve got to make sure our voices are carried to Ottawa as well.”
Ruimy met with several officials to advocate for Maple Ridge:
• Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth
• Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure
• Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs
• Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit
• Brittny Anderson, Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities
• Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care, and MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows.
Ruimy has also advocated that the government improve access to Golden Ears Provincial Park, where traffic gets snarled on busy weekends.
“It’s one of the busiest parks – almost a million visitors a year,” he said. “We’re doing our part, trying to wide some of the roads there, and doing a lot of work at Maple Ridge work, which is at the entrance.”
“We know people want to spend time in their backyard, we know they’re not travelling down south, and affordability is a big factor, so a lot of people are staying local.”
He said improvements to Maple Ridge Park are one way to attract visitors, and keep them in Maple Ridge as customers of local businesses.
“We want people to stop at Humble Roots, and Golden Ears Cheesecrafters, and the Patch Brewery,” that’s part of our tourism strategy.”