The Chilliwack
Progress Wednesday
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News
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Bowls of Hope
Injured
Tractor-train crash injures two.
Feeding the hungry in Chilliwack schools.
Scene
Mozart
Soaring melodies at CSO spring concert.
Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R • F O U N D E D I N 1 8 9 1 • W W W. T H E P R O G R E S S . C O M • W E D N E S D AY, A P R I L 9 , 2 0 1 4
Setting sights to feed a hungry world
Q P LOWING F ORWARD
Premier opens UFV’s new BC Centre for Agriculture Excellence in Chilliwack Greg Knill
The Progress Terisha Mitchell hopes to help find a safe and secure food supply for children like hers. Amir Maan wants to take the business of agriculture to the next level by honing the skills he’s acquired while growing up on his family’s farm. Both students believe the new B.C. Centre for Agriculture Excellence at the University of the Fraser Valley’s Chilliwack campus is video-online] the place to do it. The students were www.theprogress.com just two of the guest speakers that helped open the new $2.7 million centre at Canada Education Park on Friday. More than 300 invited guests toured the buildings before they were opened to the public as part of the UFV’s 40th anniversary celebrations. Premier Christy Clark, whose government committed $1 million to the project, was impressed. “This community has created something very, very special,” she said. “It’s the product of vision, the product of tenacity, and, of course, the product of lots of imagination in making it happen.” UFV was able to fortify the government contribution with $1.1 million of its own, and $387,000 from business and private partners. Another $250,000 came from Chilliwack Economic Partners – the agency that has taken the lead in redeveloping the abandoned Canada Forces Base Chilliwack and turning it into an education and training campus. The first phase of the Centre for Agriculture Excellence includes a 780-square-metre livestock demonstration barn, and a 600-square-metre polycarbonate greenhouse. The buildings are connected to a centralized heating plant that will accommodate future expansion. They will allow UFV to continue growing and enhancing its agricultural programs, providing technical training for students and an important venue for applied research. The goal, said advanced education minister Continued: UFV/ p5
Adam Degenstein of Armstrong, B.C. completes his sixth row during the 92nd annual Chilliwack Plowing Match on Saturday. The event drew competitors in both the animal and mechanical classes, from across the province. See Friday’s issue for results. GREG KNILL/ PROGRESS
Fraser Valley transit drivers vote overwhelmingly to strike CUPE Fraser Valley bus drivers have voted 94 per cent in favour of a strike mandate as part of the negotiating process. The members of CUPE Local 561 gave the mandate at a meeting held Sunday night, meaning they are in favour of their bar-
gaining team taking strike action if negotiations break down. The union would have to serve 72-hour strike notice with the BC Labour Relations Board before taking job action. The First Canada ULC employees are still in bargaining
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with the employer and say that the strike vote is to communicate their resolve to get a new collective agreement. The membership rejected a proposed memorandum of settlement last month. The two sides have met five
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times since the contract expired last summer and the union is seeking a return to the bargaining table for further talks. CUPE 561 represents 134 bus drivers and other workers from Abbotsford, Mission and Chilliwack. Gas Trimmers
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