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Boundary change leaves Chilliwack intact Alina Konevski The Progress
After nearly a year of debate, Chilliwack is most likely to remain as one federal electoral riding, the government confirmed on Monday when it released the “almost final” results of its boundary review. “I’m very happy that the commission heard the people of Chilliwack who indicated very strongly to me, and to the commission directly, that they wished to see Chilliwack remain united in one riding,” says Mark Strahl, MP for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon. The proposed Chilliwack-Hope riding would cover a fraction of the land of the current Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon riding, but would keep Chilliwack united. The riding’s new 92,734 population size would include areas south of Highway 1 such as Garrison Crossing, which were previously at risk of being lopped off and joined to Abbotsford. Most of the current Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon riding’s land would form a new Mission-Matsqui–Fraser Canyon riding, and absorb many communities north of the Fraser River, all the way from Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs, to Ashcroft. Pemberton, meanwhile, would join a new West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country riding, tying the town to nearby Whistler. MPs now have a chance to comment on the report at the House of Commons. “It’s my understanding, based on past redistribution exercises, that the maps don’t change an awful lot,” says Strahl. The final boundaries will be confirmed before the provincial election. The review is part of a regular 10-year reassessment of federal electoral boundaries to reflect population growth. akonevski@theprogress.com twitter.com/WriteInBC
About 75 B.C. Government Employees Union members picketed outside Family Place on Wellington Avenue on Wednesday morning. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Chilliwack parents voice support for striking BCGEU workers Robert Freeman The Progress
Chilliwack parents contacted by The Progress supported Wednesday’s job action by BC Government Employees Union despite the disruption to child care. Lauren Haggerty said she was “disappointed” when she heard that Chilliwack had been targeted for the one-day strike at Chilliwack Community Ser vices, but through Facebook she was able to contact other parents and make alternate arrange-
ments. “We can find something to do for one day,” she said. Haggerty and several other parents took their children to the ‘Go Bananas’ inside playground. “It doesn’t seem to be a major impact on me,” said Keiron Wheeler. Parents had nothing but praise for the staff and the Family Place program. “It’s important for routine and interaction with other kids,” Sarah Merrick said. The Chilliwack job action af fected the Chilliwack
Society for Community Living and Chilliwack Community Services where 232 BCGEU members are employed. None of the Chilliwack parents interviewed felt they knew the issues behind the job action, but all supported a wage increase. BCGEU’s community ser vices chairperson Patsy Harmston said starting wages are $15 an hour, “a dollar less than 10 years ago.” “Many of us have had to take on second jobs or are having to leave the work we love,” she said.
The union with 27,000 members is asking for a 3.5 per cent wage increase in the first year of a new contract, and a cost of living increase in the second. But the B.C. government is holding to its zero wage increase mandate to help balance the provincial budget. The job action Wednesday affected 153 communities across B.C., but union officials said essential services would be maintained. rfreeman@theprogress.com twitter.com/paperboy2
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