~2-

and its Vancouver office would make all arrangements necessary, book
facilities, invite spexkers, issue invitations and circulate any papers
or information arising from the meeting.

Through our staff, our membership currently approaching 1000 persons
and a stable financial situation, we consider ourselves completely capable
of carrying and maintaining such a programme which we would like to
commence in November.

Our objective would be to provide a forum to allow discvssion on matters

of vital concern by persons involved in regional governinent. We hope
through such a programme, to provide a facility whereby the average
alderman and planning commissioner could become more aware of his role
as an individual and as an official in a regional sctting. Particularly he will
be able to see how regional problems are viewed by other interested parties
and how common problems must be faced.

The cost of the evening would not exceed $5 per head (excluding drinks) and
we hope that Councils would consider this forum a quasi-official meeting,
well justifying attendance.

Possibly later, say half yearly, a one or two day seminar could be held in-
voiving the same persons, perhaps at U.B.C. or Simon Fraser University
when papers on key regional topics raised would be given and discussion
encouraged. A number of connected programmes are possible once the facility
of regular meetings has been organized.

It has been suggested that as a follow-up to involve the public, planning
commissions be invited to organize a public meeting in their area and each
give subject presentations, CPAC ‘arranging speakers and preparing 2 regional
_brief on opinions expressed by the public.

I hope it is unnecessary for me to comment that the Community Planning Association
maintains a neutral but informed stance in these matters and that our concern in pro-
posing this programme is merely to produce a general meeting place for politicians

and their officials involved in the government of our region. We have suggested the name
PLANNING CONGRESS for this vehicle but we are open to suggestions if someone has a
more appropriate name.

We have written to each of the Regional District Chairmen concerned and te the
Hon. Dan Campbell who has encouraged us to proceed with the proposed meetings.
We have also invited the aclive participation of the Lower Mainland Municipal
Association in this project.

The type of subject we would expect to cover would be ~ The use of agricultural lead
in the Lower Mainland, service corridors, transportation, housing and allied subjects
which concern the whole of the region. Particularly urgent topical problems will be

presented for discussion.
Yours |sincerely,
no
co NITY PLANNING ASSOCIATION
John D'Eath, Provincial Chairman