Back in January I wrote a short letter titled “Moving our community forward in 2014.”
In it, I wrote about the importance of Abbotsford’s official community plan (OCP) and its relationship to Abbotsford’s community profile, economic growth and strategic land-use planning.
Abbotsford’s OCP is the single most important policy document that shapes the direction and processes by which Abbotsford is governed. It also happens to be under strategic review during the same time as our upcoming municipal election.
Our OCP will lay the groundwork for airport development, the University of the Fraser Valley and social housing, homelessness and recreation. It relates to job creation, protecting agri-business and ensuring our tax dollars are used effectively. In fact, almost every important decision made by the city relates in some way to the OCP.
As candidates begin coming forward with their platforms, consider asking for their take on the document. Whatever their point of view, it should in the least give you a good idea about what they stand for and why they are running.
Brad Vis
Abbotsford
