The Fraser Valley Regional District has rejected Metro Vancouver's offer to consult on the Waste-to-Energy incinerator plan, on the grounds that dialogue won't be meaningful until Metro demonstrates more transparency about the project.
In a brief letter dated July 12, Greg Moore, chair of the Metro Vancouver board of directors, invited three FVRD directors to a meeting to discuss "outstanding issues."
"I would reiterate Metro Vancouver's invitation to consult on the important topic of waste-to-energy in our region," wrote Moore. "Please consider appointments of up to three interested FVRD directors who can meet with the same number of Metro Vancouver directors. This would support a full discussion of outstanding issues."
Moore concluded with his hope of hearing from FVRD "so we may advance this important discussion."
The letter arrived two weeks after Zero Waste Committee chair Malcolm Brodie's visit to FVRD's board meeting resulted in a tense confrontation between Brodie and FVRD directors on the issue of waste management.
At last Tuesday's FVRD board meeting, chair Sharon Gaetz directed staff to draft a reply rejecting Metro's invitation.
The FVRD will not consult with Metro Vancouver on waste-to-energy until FVRD obtains a seat on the WTE third party expert panel, and until Metro shares all WTE-related documents at no charge.
"We have no interest in listening to talking heads and not having meaningful dialogue. We need all the same information that they have in order to have that kind of meaningful consultation," said Gaetz.
Once those two conditions are met, Gaetz assured that FVRD will welcome consultation.
"We will look forward to it, we will be so excited, we will move everything on our calendars to be there, wherever they choose to conduct it."