Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton has updated Mayor Banman on the province’s plans to replace the Abbotsford courthouse.
In a letter dated August 14, Anton says that she is pleased to be able to move to the next stage of the project in order to obtain the information needed to inform further consideration of the project.
[Seriously. See if you can figure out what that means you deserve a government job.]
His Worship Bruce Banman
Mayor of the City of Abbotsford
32315 South Fraser Way
Abbotsford BC V2T 1 W7
Dear Mayor Banman:
BRITISH
COLUMBIAThank you once again for your participation in the Lower Fraser Valley Courts Regional Plan (LFVCRP), which we released publicly in February 2014. The LFVCRP will prove to be the cornerstone for long-term courthouse planning for the Lower Fraser Valley, and could not have been possible without the engagement of partner municipalities, notably representation from the cities of Surrey, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley, and the Township of Langley. As you will recall, the top priority identified in the plan was the expansion of the Surrey Courthouse. The second priority, however, is the replacement of the Abbotsford courthouse.
I am pleased to confinn (sic) that I have received direction in my 2014115 Mandate Letter to begin the implementation of the long-tenn plan to improve courtroom capacity and access to justice for the residents in the Lower Fraser Valley.
Our next phase of plarming work for the Abbotsford replacement project is to develop a concept plan that will integrate the justice needs of your community with the Ministry of Justice’s courthouse replacement and expansion plans. Towards that end, I am once again inviting participation from your city and would suggest that George Murray, City Manager, continue to
work with Kevin Jardine, Assistant Deputy Minister, Court Services Branch, and Mike Blaschuk, Assistant Deputy Minister, Shared Services BC, on the development of a concept plan. Ideally, this work will be completed for our consideration late this calendar year or early next. While any decision by the Province will be subject to the constraints of the fiscal plan and the need for a business case with demonstrable cost savings to the Province, I am pleased to be able to move to this next stage of the project in order to obtain the information needed to inform further consideration of this project.Once again, I wish to thank you for your support of the planning process to date, and look forward to continuing our successful partnership in securing the future justice needs of your community and region.
Suzanne Anton
Yours very truly,Suzanne Anton QC
Attorney General
Minister of Justice
pc: Mr. Mike Blaschuk
Mr. Kevin Jardine
Why has Banman taken just shy of a month to make the contents of this letter known to the public? Is this a part of his failing re-election plan?
If the attached PDF is truly what was delivered to the city by the BC Liberal government, it is very much of a disgrace – it is fraught with spelling errors. I think that the author should either have someone more capable to write letters such as this or, at least, use an accepted spellcheck program.
If the AG can’t even spell how can she and her office plan a future courthouse that will more than likely run in the millions of dollars that is sure to go over budget.
What an embarrassment the BC Liberal Government is.
Shrewd move on Banman’s part to release the letter. Sounds like his is a throw everything including the kitchen sink strategy. And, he’s gonna take down anyone who gets in his way.
Smack down and let the election season begin.
The version provided above, is a poor “re-copy” of the original, which you can find in Monday’s Regular Council Agenda under “Minutes and Correspondence”, if you care to check it out.
That’s why we provided a PDF link to the original Dave.