Editor,
I thank Gord Gunner and others for their genuine concern for their community.
Mr. Gunner wrote recently about a continuation of efforts to support the dredging of the Mamquam Channel ("Dredging needed," Sept. 24, 2010).
He and others are aware that many people have worked together on this project, as I have for at least three years.
Squamish has in the past two years benefited from numerous examples of federal stimulus funding: funding for Government Road trunk sewer main ($676,983) and funding for dyke riprap to improve flood protection ($141,666), small craft harbour upgrades, funding for the O'Siem Community Pavilion, affordable housing for seniors, trail funding through a Recreation Canada (RInC) grant, public transit upgrades and art and culture funding through Heritage Canada for the Wild at Art Festival.
Notable was the Squamish West Coast Railway Heritage Roundhouse Project, which had been turned down twice before my staff and I were able to reverse the decisions and secure $2 million in federal funding for the Roundhouse.
For Canadians who believe that an MP's only role in supporting the community is to seek and find funding, my role in the Mamquam Channel matter would have been done upon concluding that no federal funding existed.
However, I have not given up in my resolve to assist the community. With the support of Mayor Greg Gardner, I initiated the founding of the Mamquam Dredging Action Group, in order to ensure that the key stakeholders in the community were communicating and collaborating to find a solution.
I personally approached the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and brought her to see the channel. Among other things, Minister Shea learned about the extent of efforts committed by volunteers in Squamish to bolster fish habitat.
Happily, she also acceded to the district's request to extend the window of time by one year during which dredging may be done in the Mamquam Channel.
This development extends the time within which the Squamish community can find a solution to dredge the channel.
I am confident that a combination of public- and private-sector interests will ultimately get the channel dredged.
The solution of government funding is sometimes available for community projects but it is by no means the only way government representatives serve Squamish.
John Weston, MP
