INSIDE: Abbotsford loses respected dairy & community advocate Pg. 10 T H U R S D A Y
May 19, 2011
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E N T E R T A I N M E N T abbotsfordtimes.com
Weekend warriors roll out
Police preparing for ‘long weekend challenges’
bbotsford MP Ed Fast was appointed International Trade Minister when Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled his new cabinet at Rideau Hall in Ottawa Wednesday morning. “I’m excited to do the job the prime minister has offered me. It’s a brand new challenge and I’m looking forward to undertaking it,” said Fast.
“Given many of [Abbotsford’s] residents have connections to India, I expect there is a lot of interest generated by this free trade agreement.”
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Independent Financial Services 201-2190 West Railway Sreet, Abbotsford, BC V2S 2E2
Among a small handful of B.C. MPs picked for cabinet
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Fast named new Trade Minister ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
CAM TUCKER camtuckertimes@gmail.com olice are urging the public to drive safely this Victoria Day weekend, as people try to take advantage of the favourable weather. The long weekend is designated as National Road Safety Week by the Canada Safety Council, and First reported @ is known nationwide abbotsfordtimes.com for its high number of traffic accidents and fatalities. “Be mindful of the fact that there are going to be people who are enjoying their weekend,” said APD Const. Ian MacDonald. “From a safety standpoint, be mindful when driving and walking.” Early forecasts show warm and dry conditions for Abbotsford and the rest of the Fraser Valley. MacDonald said traffic within the city is typically quiet during long weekends, however the same cannot be said for the various on-ramps that line Highway 1 through Abbotsford. “Particularly at the ends of the weekend, the directions on Highway 1 and the congestion is where you tend to see more of the potential traffic-related issues,” he said. “Because of its nice weather, I have a strong inkling people will be already making preparations for the long weekend and you will have that rush to get to whatever the destinations are.” He added police are also prepared for a potential traffic increase along South Fraser Way because of the Canucks playoff game Sunday afternoon. “We are ready for the weekend’s challenges.” Abbotsford’s Donna Giesbrecht and her husband Randy are waiting until after the long weekend to hit the outdoors in their fifth-wheel. Their main reason is traffic, said Giesbrecht. “It’s too crazy, especially the first long weekend of the year,” she said.
“Bullied kid” fights back
– Ed Fast MP
– JEAN KONDA-WITTE/TIMES
Donna Giesbrecht, with her pup Flash, is getting the fifth-wheel loaded and ready for a road trip, which will happen after the May long weekend with her husband Randy. For those who are doing something outdoors this holiday, local campgrounds are preparing for a busy weekend, again in large part because of the weather. Sun Valley Trout Park, located in Mission, isn’t taking any more reservations for a powered site, but there are some spots left for non-powered sites.
Todd Chretien
Financial Advisor 604-851-4299 todd.chretien@raymondjames.ca
Conservative Investment Advice
B.C. Parks, which has begun its 100th year in operation, has also expanded its website this year to accommodate more reservations. Not all campgrounds within B.C. Parks will be open this long weekend, so people are advised to check out http://www.gov. bc.ca/env/ for more information.
The position means Fast is also responsible for the federal Asia Pacific Gateway initiative. “It’s huge for the West Coast and for providing the infrastructure and resources to get our goods [overseas] more efficiently as well as bringing them into Canada,” said Fast. Of particular interest to Abbotsford, is Fast’s mandate to expand trade relationships. Ottawa is actively pursuing free trade agreements with both the European Union and India. “Given many of [Abbotsford’s] residents have connections to India, I expect there is a lot of interest generated by this free trade agreement,” said Fast. One of the few MPs in the cabinet from British Columbia, Fast, a lawyer, was formally a backbench member who managed to secure a private member’s bill that increased the maximum sentence for those convicted of luring children over the Internet. Other B.C. cabinet ministers include Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan, who remains Minister of Aboriginal Affairs; Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam MP James Moore, who hung onto Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages; and Richmond MP Alice Wong, who was appointed Minister of State for Seniors. see FAST, page A12
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