The University of the Fraser Valley might soon be helping the regional district with its efforts to raise awareness about Vancouver's planned waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator.
Patricia Ross, a director with the Fraser Valley Regional District and an Abbotsford city councillor, has been talking with UFV about partnering on the issue.
"What form that actually plays out into we're not sure at this point. It just came out of a brainstorming session with some folks at UFV who wanted to do something to raise awareness about this issue," said FVRD co-chair Patricia Ross. "They could perhaps conduct some research for us, as it pertains to agriculture or health, or maybe informally, the students would like to rally and do some lobbying efforts."
After UFV offered to help the regional district with its work on WTE, the FVRD board approved sending a formal letter to the university requesting "to create partnership synergies and effective working relationships on air quality issues associated with the proposed incinerator."
Chair Sharon Gaetz was enthused about the idea at the Nov. 26 board meeting.
"That's a huge coup. It's a wonderful thing, and I know the students at UFV are very interested in this issue, and I'm looking forward to having that kind of discussion and that kind of relationship."
The FVRD has been a staunch opponent to Metro Vancouver's plans to build a waste-to-energy garbage incinerator. On Nov. 21, Gaetz said that FVRD was considering legal action against Metro Vancouver to prevent the construction of another incinerator.