The Editor,
Re. “Mental health facility, commercial district are in works for Riverview” (The Tri-City News, Dec. 18).
I demand the B.C. government be honest about its prerequisite of building commercial housing and businesses in private partnerships, and stop wasting the people of B.C.’s time and money on token open houses that will not alter the outcome of BC Housing mandate.
The government should abandon its longtime, well-documented primary plan to “develop” Riverview Hospital site for market housing. This short-term desire for immediate financial gain fundamentally ignores the long history and value of the Riverview lands.
It should dispense with the convenient break-even clause by designating the Riverview lands for the purpose of health services — specifically for those living with mental illness, not-for-profit groups, and protected arboretum and wilderness corridor park.
I am pleased and so thankful for the possibility that outdated health facilities may be replaced by new ones. But I question both the BC Liberal government’s reasons for this announcement at this time.
Still outstanding is an overall intention to preserve the lands and to serve the community it was intended to do.
Gay Mitchell, Coquitlam
