2016 will be pivotal year in South Fraser region
The year ahead will be a pivotal one in Surrey, Delta, Langley and
White Rock.
The area will keep growing at a steady pace. A recent survey
conducted by B.C. Business magazine shows that Surrey is the seventh-best place
for work in B.C., while Delta was rated eighth. Both are well ahead of
Vancouver, which came in 17th.
Growth in Surrey, in particular, has been very strong for
most of the past decade, with much of the business activity due to construction
in the residential sector. Strong population growth is likely to continue in
2016.
And of course, when there are more people, there is a need
for more services. That means there are opportunities for new businesses, and a
need for more public investment. Schools are needed, and construction of new
schools and additions will go ahead in the coming year.
There is also a need for more road and transit
infrastructure. The defeat of the TransLink referendum this past year was a setback
for extension of rapid transit in Surrey, but it has also been an opportunity
to take a closer look at what was planned. There has been significant concern raised
about the Surrey proposal to build at-grade LRT lines which will not significantly
reduce travel times.
Whether funds can be found for a SkyTrain extension remains to
be seen, given that there isn’t enough money at present to build the LRT lines.
However, the federal government has promised to boost infrastructure spending, and
four of Surrey’s five MPs are part of the governing Liberal party. Hopefully,
they and Delta MP Carla Qualtrough, who is part of the federal cabinet, will
advocate strongly for this region to get significant infrastructure funds.
Another major transportation project is moving ahead, although
construction isn’t set to start until 2017. It’s the new Deas Island bridge,
which will have a significant effect on Delta. Whether it being a toll bridge
will severely affect traffic on the remaining free bridges, notably the Alex
Fraser, will be determined in the future.
Hopefully, Surrey-Fleetwood MLA Peter Fassbender, who now
has responsibility for TransLink, will move forward in the coming year with an innovative
approach to paying for transportation and transit. There needs to be a tolling and
road pricing policy which is fair to all residents, no matter where they live
in the Metro Vancouver region.
The new year will see a significant number of Syrian
refugees arrive in Surrey. The community is ready – many people have
volunteered their homes to house the refugees, and numerous groups have
gathered needed supplies. Education and health services are being organized, even
before the refugees arrive, and it is safe to say they will be well taken care
of here.
There will be little political campaigning in 2016, which is
likely a relief to most people. After a provincial election in 2013, municipal
elections in 2014 and a federal election in 2015, citizens have had their fill
of politicking.
In the backrooms, there will be some significant planning and
preparation for the May 2017 provincial election. Fixed election dates mean
there are longer lead times. Expect some politically-themed ads late in 2016, before
stricter election spending laws kick in.
White Rock will face the challenge in 2016 of managing its
own water system for the first time ever. There has already been concerns
raised over the chemicals used in the water supply, but if the city manages the
water system as well as it has been operated under private ownership, there should
be few problems. What the city may be faced with is more capital costs, given
that portions of the water system infrastructure haven’t been upgraded for
decades.
Overall, it will be a year of growth, change and debate over
all the issues that come with a growing region. One thing is for sure – 2017 will
not be dull.
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