The Hope
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THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014
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2013 BCYCNA
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WINTER ROADS TAKE THEIR TOLL
Icy conditions prompt RCMP to remind drivers to watch for conditions
12 SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT Local athletes are taking cheerleading way beyond pom poms
Greg Knill / THE STANDARD
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ICE TIME
The Hope & District Skate Club goes under the sea for its annual carnival
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Former Federal Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion (second from the right) met with politicians and business leaders in Hope on Friday, including (left to right) FVRD director Dennis Adamson, Mayor Susan Johnston, councillor Donna Kropp, Hope CAO John Fortoloczky and Chamber of Commerce president Kathleen Alexis.
Federal Liberals hope to make inroads Former party leader Stéphane Dion tours Hope Jennifer Feinberg, Greg Knill Black Press
Hope had the ear of the former leader of the Federal Liberal Party last week. Stéphane Dion, on tour through the new Chilliwack-Hope riding, popped by city hall on Friday to meet with politicians and business leaders. Dion is a Liberal veteran. A member of Parliament for St-LaurentCartierville in Quebec since 1996, he is also the former leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and was Leader of the Opposition from 2006
to 2008. Hope Mayor Susan Johnston said the meeting was a chance to highlight some of the concerns and priorities communities like the District of Hope have. And while federal and municipal responsibilities differ, there are common concerns in areas like fiscal stability and economic growth. The group emphasized the need for continued infrastructure support, she said, particularly in areas like transportation and tourism. And they highlighted concern that continued belt-tightening at
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the federal level inevitably trickles down to the municipal level. During his visit, Dion also met with local First Nations leaders – part of his focus to the region. Friday evening he was keynote speaker at First Voice — an evening at Squiala Community Centre in Chilliwack to “involve, inform and inspire” First Nations youth, sponsored by the Chilliwack-Hope Federal Liberal Riding Association. The Liberal Party is courting the youth demographic, particularly First Nations, by making it clear they’re welcome to bring their ab-
original culture and perspective to the national political scene. “I would say that Canada needs its aboriginal people to succeed,” Dion told Black Press. “Our First Nations represent a large sector and more than ever we need them to be part of the winning team. There is no ‘us’ and ‘you’ in this.” He met with First Nations representatives and with students from University of the Fraser Valley during his tour. “At the university, the topic was Continued Page 9
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