Liberal MP Hedy Fry condemns Conservative government secrecy over future of Granville Island

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      The Liberal MP for Vancouver Centre says her party will raise a ruckus if the Conservative government tinkers with Granville Island's success.

      Hedy Fry told the Straight by phone that tenants on the island have told her they can't persuade the landlord, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, to make necessary repairs.

      "So I guess this is because this government has made a decision a long time ago that they're moving CMHC out," Fry said. "But I and my party are going to kick up a stink if they try to change the way Granville Island's vision is going to unfold."

      CMHC is a Crown corporation that provides mortgage insurance, conducts housing research, and oversees federal housing policies and programs.

      Media reports have suggested that the Conservatives are prepared to transfer control over Granville Island from CMHC to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (also known as Port Metro Vancouver).

      Fry wouldn't comment on the prospects of the port authority becoming the new landlord.

      But she claimed that the Conservative government is "changing the mandate of CMHC" into a profit-making organization.

      Fry pointed out that Granville Island is the most successful venture of its kind in Canada, attracting more than 10 million visitors per year. 

      "We will absolutely oppose any attempt...to privatize it or make it a commercial entity that is like any other commercial entity," Fry said. "We are waiting to see what happens."

      She added that as the MP whose riding includes Granville Island, she has not been contacted by the government about what might happen.

      "The thing about this government that annoys all of is is they won't tell you what they're doing," Fry charged. "They do it in secrecy. They do it in the dark."

      Granville Island was once a site for heavy-industry. In the 1970s, the federal Liberal government redeveloped the area into a centre for arts, culture, food, and artisans.

      "It's a Canadian gem," Fry said.

      Comments

      8 Comments

      Dollars

      Jul 3, 2014 at 4:04pm

      Where a dollar is to be made you can be certain that the Reform party currently in power will ensure that their friends get the plum.

      Forest

      Jul 3, 2014 at 4:36pm

      @Dollars makes sense. It's highly unlikely that the Reformatories will leave the public jewel of Granville Island alone.

      Loretta

      Jul 3, 2014 at 7:30pm

      Kinda makes me wonder if it's an alternate payment RE: the dirty, soft US coal shipping issue. ....(bunch o' parasites)

      GTO

      Jul 3, 2014 at 8:33pm

      I'm kind of concerned about the secrecy over what the hell Fry does as an MP - for years on end - besides absolutely Jack Squat.

      crusty clowne

      Jul 3, 2014 at 10:49pm

      There will be condos if my guess is even close. The powers to be already have a plan and the average Joe isn't part of it. It's all about the $$$$$$$, nothing less.

      Ken

      Jul 4, 2014 at 6:32am

      Without a doubt handing this over to the port authority the plan will be to have trains if necessary haul raw bitumen to this area and get the tar out to sea. If they cannot destroy the environment with the gateway plan they will do it this way.

      kayak

      Jul 4, 2014 at 11:48am

      understood this is a 'federal' deal but where's Sam Sullivan (MLA Vancouver-False Creek)

      Peter Toy

      Jul 4, 2014 at 1:15pm

      Watch out, if the Harper Cons loses their B.C. seats in the next election, you will be screwed over, guaranteed.