Delta’s call for some kind of police presence at Canada’s ports is being backed by the BC Conservatives who joined in the effort last month.
In an Aug. 23 release, leader John Rustad “commended” Delta Mayor George Harvie for the city’s resolution that comes up at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver, Sept. 16 to 20.
Delta’s resolution asks the province to work with Ottawa to set up a fee that would be charged on every container entering the country, which would pay for port police.
“We know there is a drug problem at our B.C. ports; it’s time to get this done. Whether it’s a dedicated police force, more RCMP resources, or additional resources for Delta Police — there needs to be a mobilization of law enforcement to get drugs out of Deltaport and B.C.’s other ports,” Rustad said in a release.
He said that B.C. Premier David Eby’s NDP government, “has turned a blind eye to the booming drug trade at B.C. ports allowing dangerous criminals to operate with impunity.”
The Ports Canada Police was disbanded in 1997 and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority discontinued its financial contribution to the RCMP-led Waterfront Joint Forces Operation in 2015.
At a presentation to the Delta Police Board last fall, then police Chief Neil Dubord said a small fee for every container could go a long way in addressing the major security concerns at Deltaport.
At Monday’s (Sept. 9) council meeting, Coun. Dylan Kruger moved to withdraw the motion from UBCM because of concerns that a container fee could drive away business from Deltaport. However, he was out voted 4-3.
