Abbotsford developer Karen Matty has been named the Chair of the Board of the Fraser Health Authority (FHA). Matty, has long been affiliated with Abbotsford’s business community specifically involving land development.
Matty’s company, Matsqui Developments Co. Ltd., owns several properties on McCallum Rd, and joined the FHA Board in January of 2013. She may face some controversial optics as a lot of seemingly separate but highly charged issues are likely going to face the FHA over the coming months. Matty was also co-chair in 2012, with Councillor John Smith, of the Affordable Housing Fund Technical Advisory Committee.
Homelessness has become one of the primary issues facing the community and neither Matty nor Smith seem to have made much of a dent in the issue, certainly when compared to other communities in the Fraser Valley.
Chief among the issues Matty may have to deal with is the YMCA controversy which many citizens thought had gone away after Fred Thiessen and Henry Braun successfully defeated Banman’s attempt to give millions away to the YMCA and help them build their building with taxpayer dollars as an enticement to have them build it on the Fraser Heath property on MacCallum.
Though many thought that project was defeated and canceled, some worry that it has just been put on hold until a more favourable political climate might accommodate the idea.
From Fraser Health. Karen Matty is the President of Matsqui Developments Co. Ltd., a second-generation family business in the lumber and real estate industries. In 2011, Ms. Matty received the Order of Abbotsford for bringing distinction to the City of Abbotsford in a broad range of endeavors.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Matty earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Eastern Washington State University and served as the Head Nurse of the Pediatric Ward for Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake.
She has served as a member of the Abbotsford Foundation, the Abbotsford Economic Development Board, the Abbotsford Airport Authority and the Abbotsford Police Board. She received an Outstanding Business Award from the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.
Board Chair Message: Appointment of New Board Chair
Dear Fraser Health Staff, Physicians and Volunteers,
As you are aware, when I was appointed your interim Chair on April 9, 2014, I expected it to be for a very short time. In addition to the Fraser Health role, I continued as Chair of Provincial Health Authority , BC Emergency Health Services and Chair of the Chairs of Health Authorities. I have stayed at this interim Fraser Health role longer than envisioned at the beginning of the assignment as I was anxious to help Fraser Health at this important time. My Fraser Health Chair role will end on October 31, 2014.
I’m pleased to share with you today that the Minister of Health has appointed Karen Matty as the next Chair of the Fraser Health Board effective October 31, 2014. I selected Karen to serve as Vice-Chair when I was appointed and during the next 5 weeks Karen will work with me to transition into the Chair role.
I am delighted that Karen has accepted this important role and I know you will join me in welcoming Karen to this position.
As many of you know, Karen has been a member of the Fraser Health Board since 2012. She has been chosen as Chair of the Board for her leadership skills, decision-making abilities and experience. Karen has been involved in health care for many years, as a nurse and as the Head of the Pediatric Ward for Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake. She also brings with her experience as a member of many boards and foundations in the Fraser Valley, including the Abbotsford Foundation, the Abbotsford Economic Development Board, the Abbotsford Airport Authority and the Abbotsford Police Board.
The Fraser Health Review has identified areas where we have important work to do in the coming months and years and Karen will continue the momentum that has started. As your interim Chair, I have deeply appreciated the support that everyone has demonstrated.
I will continue to serve as your Board Chair until October 31 and I will work closely with Karen over the next several weeks to ensure there is a smooth transition as I do not want any of the hard work underway to lose any focus.
Sincerely, Wynne
G.W. (Wynne) Powell, CPA, FCGA, D.Tech (Hon.)
Interim Board Chair
Isn’t this the same woman who was kicking destitute elderly people out of their trailer park homes that were situated on land she owned. At one point, I believe she may have had the electricity and heating cut off with winter approaching.
Karen Matty is a developer and owns land near the old MSA site and
where the trailer park used to be. She will now have an inside track, in terms of development on the old MSA site, which will have impact on
her developments in the area.
She will hopefully be an advocate for positive development on the old MSA site.
She has, also, served on the cities Economic Development Committee and Affordable Housing Committee and Abbotsford Airport Authority.
Maybe this will prevent her from getting first dibs at the old MSA hospital site? You know, conflict of interest.