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BC Chamber of Commerce and UBCM Urge Reinstatement of Fraser River Dredging Program
Vancouver, September 25, 2008 – The Union of British Columbia Municipalities joined the BC Chamber of Commerce today in urging the Provincial Government to assign greater importance to the ongoing maintenance of the Fraser River.
“The Fraser River is vastly important to the economic health of the province,” says John Winter, President & CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. “As a source of employment, a major avenue for marine traffic, and most of all as drainage for the Fraser Basin, it is vital this waterway be maintained in its best possible condition.”
Dredging of the Fraser River was conducted by Public Works Canada until the late 1990s. Now, sediment is building up in the river, affecting safety for marine traffic, and the river’s efficacy at moving debris and providing drainage to the Fraser Basin, an essential component of the province’s economic base.
“If the province wishes to avoid unnecessary flooding, debris build up, and hampered movement of goods,” says Winter. “The dredging program, among other measures, absolutely must be put back into place.”
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For more information contact:
John Winter
President and CEO
BC Chamber of Commerce
D 604.638.8110
C 604.376.3577
E jwinter@bcchamber.org