Lower Mainland mayor says he’s confused about a Fraser Health program and questions whether it is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.
Last year, Fraser Health launched its Planetary health policy, which focuses on the effects of climate change and other environmental factors on health.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West said Fraser Health invited him to some strategy meetings last month.
“They wanted me to come to several meetings,” West said. “And God knows, as mayor, you attend enough meetings that you don’t need to attend anymore. I didn’t really know what they were trying to accomplish.
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Fraser Health did not respond to Global News’ questions about the program, including what the budget is, how many employees work on it and what its goal is.
West said if Fraser Health intends to hold meetings, it should do so on a different topic.
“If you want to organize a roundtable with mayors to figure out how we reduce extreme wait times in hospitals, how to allow more people to have access to a family doctor, how to improve access to healthcare health in general… I will come to this round table. because it is their primary responsibility,” he said.
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