For Immediate Release April 15, 2005 SURREY -- The Provincial Government through Land and Water BC Inc. has sold a 14-hectare portion of Crown Land at the Green Timbers site for $5.75 million to help relocate the RCMP Provincial Headquarters to Surrey. This announcement was made today by Don Bell, MP for North Vancouver, on behalf of the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, Brenda Locke, Minister of State for Mental Health and Addiction Services and MLA for Surrey Green-Timbers, and Rich Coleman, British Columbia Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. "The acquisition of this site reflects the fact that the three orders of government - federal, provincial, and municipal - all recognize the importance of working together to gain savings for the Canadian taxpayer," said MP Don Bell. The RCMP is currently headquartered at multiple worksites in and around the Lower Mainland. In order to meet the evolving needs of the public in the 21st century, the Provincial Headquarters in Surrey will consolidate a number of its operational and administrative functions into a single, newly built facility that will form one of the largest policing contingents in the country. "Relocating the RCMP headquarters means that about 1,800 Provincial and Federal RCMP employees will be based in a single location in Surrey - that's great news for our local economy and for public safety in B.C.," said Locke, who was making the announcement on behalf of George Abbott, minister responsible for Land and Water BC. "The Province is pleased to assist the RCMP in helping improve their valuable public safety services to our community." "Integrating RCMP services under one roof cuts costs by consolidating resources and streamlining communications, leaving more money for direct policing," said Minister Rich Coleman. "Administrative savings means more officers to protect our communities." "City Council unanimously supported the rezoning of the site and is pleased to be able to accommodate the future RCMP Provincial Headquarters," said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. "We look forward to welcoming them to our community." Over the next year, Public Works and Government Services Canada and the RCMP will work together to identify RCMP needs and priorities to help shape the design of the facility. Actual construction of the new RCMP Provincial Headquarters will commence in 2007 with completion expected by 2010. "This new headquarters facility has been an important goal for the RCMP in British Columbia for many years, so it is very encouraging to have achieved such an important milestone today," said Beverley Busson, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Pacific Region and Commanding Officer, E Division. "This complex will enhance an already strong focus on integration and partnerships in this province and position us well to meet the diverse policing needs of the 21st century." The selection of the Green Timbers site was the result of a stringent selection process that evaluated 20 potential sites in Surrey and Langley based on the operational and strategic investment needs of both the RCMP and Public Works and Government Services Canada and their ability to integrate into the chosen community. The land agreement includes a commitment to maintaining the Green Timbers arboretum, commemorative plantation, and inaugural grove, in cooperation with the Green Timbers Heritage Society and the City of Surrey. The new RCMP headquarters site at Green Timbers is located in North Surrey at 140th Street and 98th Avenue. Land and Water BC is a Crown corporation responsible for managing Crown land and water resources to stimulate the B.C. economy through balanced economic and environmental decision-making. - 30 - Contact: Gayle Downey Communications Manager Land and Water British Columbia Inc. (250) 356-7857 Derek Wolff Senior Communications Officer Communications Directorate Public Works and Government Services Canada (604) 775-6849
