‘ion. Bud Smith, @.C.
11990 April 10
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The New Westminster Land Title Office has served the County
.Of Westminster for over a century so it enjoys a strong
historical relationship. However, this relationship is not a
mere historical artifact. cur downtown is now served by two
SkyTrain stations with an excellent rapid transit linkage to
downtown Vancouver and across the Fraser River into Surrey.
Our central geographic location serves its ciient base
‘extremely well.

Consolidating both the Vancouver and New Westminster Land
‘Title Offices into one losation serving a majority of the
entire province Ls a centralizing approach we cannot support.
Your government has consistently extolled the benefits of
decentralization, a concept which has considerable merit. We
find it very difficult to imagine a single land title office
Serving the entire lower Fraser Valley east to Hope and north
to Squamish as representing an improved level cf service to
the public or producing measurable savings to the Provincial
, Government.

, However, if your government is committed to consolidating the
two land title offices tegether, New Westminster is the most
,degical location. Its central geographic position, excellent
transportation linkages, strong supportive services and wide
availability of office sites all underline our strengths as a
. regional town centre.

“In conclusion, the Corporation of the City of New Westminster

strongly urges you to retain the New Westminster Land Title
Office and not proceed with its consolidation with the
Vancouver Land Title Office. The New Westminster Land Title
Office is a valued and highly regarded service in New
Westminster which enjoys a strong relationship with adjacent
_degal and financial services, is well regarded within the
community and serves its client base well.

‘Yours truly,

Lpreene. Ea

/¥vonne Cocke

' ACTING MAYOR

¢ Honourable Stan Hagen
Ministers of Regional and Economic Development

Ms. Anita Hagen
MLA New Westminster