Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition signed by literally hundreds of residents from White Rock, British Columbia.
The petitioners are concerned that, based on a notice from the federal government's Department of Transportation, the City of White Rock has shut down the public's open access to the beaches of Semiahmoo Bay without prior public consultation and notice.
They are concerned that this will increase the likelihood of risky behaviour such that people will try to cross the railway tracks to get to the beach. It will cause a significant drop in property value and a reduction in business patrons for the marine businesses, as well as other hardships.
Therefore, the petitioners call upon the government to direct the City of White Rock to stop further installation of planned fences and immediately consult with the local public, find mutually acceptable solutions, and then collaborate on sharing costs for the controlled crossings of these tracks.