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DELTA Mayor George V. Harvie met with Bill Blair, federal Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, and Carla Qualtrough, Delta’s MP and federal Minister of Accessibility, and Public Services and Procurement, on Thursday, along with Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord, seeking cooperation and federal government measures to address local issues related to money laundering in casinos, the subsequent odour issues arising from cannabis production facilities, and the establishment of dedicated resources for policing Canada’s ports and waterfronts.
Harvie said: “It is important Delta works with the federal and provincial governments to get a firm commitment to address local health, safety and security concerns in our City. I’m pleased by the strong commitment from Minister Blair to work with the City of Delta and province on these issues. We are all dedicated to working together to resolve public safety issues. I’m also very grateful to Minister Qualtrough for her ongoing advocacy and dedication to increasing the profile of local issues on behalf of Delta.
“With a new Gateway Casino scheduled to open in Delta in the future, it is important to establish an independent regulator and a specialized police force unit dedicated to monitoring Casino transactions and organized crime activities.
“With more than 5 million square feet of greenhouse space in Delta already dedicated to cannabis cultivation in our community it is also important to address ongoing odour issues from these facilities.
“Delta has assembled a strong business case regarding the need for swift measures to address these issues impacting our City. I look forward to continued collaboration with the federal and provincial governments to address these important local issues.”
Delta is also lobbying for the federal government to work with provinces and port municipalities such as Delta to develop a strategic plan to re-establish dedicated resources to police ports and waterfronts – these are essential in helping maintain border integrity and addressing organized crime operating through Canada’s ports.