Conservative representatives say they were left out of Lougheed Highway event

Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge MP Marc Dalton and Maple Ridge East MLA Lawrence Mok say they were not invited to a Monday event marking the completion of improvements to the Lougheed Highway.

Mok said the upgraded Highway 7 section lies in his provincial riding and that both he and Dalton should have been included. Dalton said he learned about the event online and felt disrespected, adding that he had pushed for highway improvements when he was an MLA.

The $130-million project widened and improved the highway between 266th and 287th streets, removing the final two-lane undivided section on the route to Mission. The federal government contributed more than $30 million.

NDP MLA Lisa Beare hosted the event on behalf of Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth. Attendees included Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy, Mission Mayor Paul Horn, former MLA Bob D’Eith and Liberal MP Ron McKinnon. The News said it had sought comment from Beare’s office.