Delta mayor to boycott reception hosted by Chinese government
Posted June 28, 2019 9:42 pm.
Last Updated June 28, 2019 9:44 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The mayor of Delta says he will not be attending a reception put on by the Chinese government at the Union of BC Municipalities gathering this fall.
George Harvie’s statement comes after revelations the Chinese government pays $6,000 to sponsor the event. The reception is paid for by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China.
In a written statement, mayor Harvie says: “The issue of UBCM having a sponsorship agreement with the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China is concerning and I am opposed to foreign influence in our local affairs.”
He says he will be bringing up the matter with Metro Vancouver mayors.
Port Coquitlam mayor Brad West has been raising his concerns about China’s involvement, publishing a letter calling on the UBCM to cancel the reception.
“I think it’s completely unethical and wrong for the UBCM to accept cash from the government of China to provide access to mayors and city councillors. It’s cash for access,” West writes.
-With files from Kurtis Doering
