Key Initiatives

Agricultural Plan

Developed an Agricultural Plan to protect viable farmland in Delta. The Agricultural Plan identifies actions and innovative approaches to support and maintain a strong and sustainable agricultural industry.

Boundary Bay Airport

Selected a new airport operator for Boundary Bay Airport. Established a new Head Lease at the airport and implemented measures to stimulate economic development of the airport lands.

Burns Bog

Brought together four levels of government to purchase Burns Bog in 2004 and preserve it as an Ecological Conservancy Area.

Ramsar Designation

Burns Bog, along with the Wildlife Management Areas of Sturgeon Bank, South Arm Marshes, Boundary Bay, Serpentine, and the former Alaksen Ramsar Site on Westham Island was designated as a Ramsar Site on September 22, 2012. The new Fraser River Delta Ramsar Site comprises 20,682 hectares of important environmental wetlands.

Climate Change Initiative

Developed an innovative Climate Change Initiative in 2007 in an effort to reduce Delta's environmental footprint. Delta's corporate Climate Change Initiative has two main goals:

• To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from municipal buildings, fleet vehicles and operations; and
• To adapt municipal infrastructure and emergency plans to ensure our community is well prepared for and protected against climate change impacts.
  

Delta Hospital Contribution

In November 2008, Mayor Jackson and Council supported a resolution to make a one-time contribution of $500,000 from municipal surplus funds to the Delta Hospital Foundation towards the purchase of a CT Scanner. The CT scanner became fully operational in April 2009 and has been busy ever since.

Delta's Debt Elimination Plan

Established a debt management policy in 2002 to halt borrowing and gradually eliminate Delta's debt. Since the policy was established, Delta has incurred no new debt and is scheduled to become debt free in 2022.

• View Delta's Debt Balance - { pdf 18KB }
• View Delta's Debt Payments - { pdf 19KB }

Ladner Harbour Dredging

Since 2008, Mayor Jackson has been lobbying the federal and provincial governments for the reinstatement of funding to dredge the Ladner Harbour and other secondary channels of the lower Fraser River.

On December 17, 2012 a joint announcement for the dredging of local river channels was made by the Corporation of Delta, Port Metro Vancouver, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the City of Richmond.

Major Infrastructure Projects

Lead a successful delegation to Ottawa in 2008, which assisted Delta in obtaining infrastructure stimulus and alternative grant funding for a total of 14 major infrastructure projects. Delta undertook the 14 projects worth a total value of approximately $42.5 million at a cost to Delta of approximately $14.8 million. All projects were successfully completed on time and on budget.

North Delta Area Plan

Held three Town Hall meetings in February 2011 to seek input from residents to help guide the future of North Delta and determine how our community evolves. The Town Hall meetings provided information on the North Delta Area Plan Review, which is currently underway. A draft plan is expected to be released in early 2013.

Saving our Industrial lands

Initiated a "Saving our Industrial Lands" campaign in 2006 to stimulate business investment and create new jobs in the River Road East area of Delta.