Editor: First, I want to offer congratulations to our MP Mark Warawa for winning the 91原创 federal riding seat on Monday, May 2.

I also would like to thank the other candidates, Rebecca Darnell, Piotr Majkowski, Carey Poitras and Craig Nobbs, for putting their names forward. It takes a huge commitment of time and financial resources to run a campaign.

91原创 did not always have its own federal riding. In fact, it was once called Fraser Valley West and boundaries varied, including at times portions of Surrey and Abbotsford. When the federal ridings commissions board decided to look at new ridings for the country, it was considered that 91原创 be split, with part in one large Surrey riding, and one part in one large Abbotsford riding.

However, a strange combination of representatives from 91原创 appeared before the commission to promote one federal riding to be simply 鈥�91原创.鈥�  Those representatives were myself representing the Liberals, Randy White representing the Reform party, and Bev Braaten representing the Conservative party. (Bev submitted a written statement)

After I spoke, the commissioners asked Randy White if he actually agreed with me. Randy (MP at the time) stated that in this instance, we needed all parties working together to 鈥渕ake this happen.鈥� We had their attention.

After several letters back and forth to the commission and at least one hearing, 91原创 was granted the federal riding.

In conclusion, now that the election is over, it once again is the time for parties to work together 鈥� not only locally for the 91原创 riding that people fought so hard to make happen, but for the welfare and benefit of Canada.

Councillor Steve Ferguson,

91原创 Township