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LUKE MORRIS SIGNS WITH CASCADES Roadrunner standout to play with UFV next season
THURSDAY, MAR. 29, 2012
PAGE 13
DEAL SIGNED AT HEMLOCK The Sts’ailes First Nation and Hemlock owner Ralph Berezan recently penned an agreement. PAGE 3
VANCITY CEO GIVES KEYNOTE
High-flying fun Siblings Jewels and Wolf celebrate Wolf’s 10th birthday at the carnival that was set up during spring break at the Junction Shopping Centre. BOB FRIESEN PHOTO
Tamara Vrooman will be in Mission Saturday as part of the leadership workshop series. PAGE 9
MLAs react to van Dongen departure BY JASON ROESSLE PHIL MELNYCHUK
AND
Black Press
Marc Dalton knew John van Dongen had been discussing his future with the Liberal party previously. But he wasn’t prepared Monday for the Abbotsford MLA’s blockbuster announcement in the legislature that he was resigning from the Liberal party to join their ri-
vals, the B.C. Conservative Party. Dalton along with the rest of the Liberals were told shortly before the official speech in the legislature. “It’s disappointing, for sure,” said Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission. With van Dongen ditching the Liberals and boosting the Conservatives, and splitting the right-of-centre vote, the path could become easier for the NDP and more difficult for the Liberals as an
election approaches next year. “I can tell you one thing, the NDP is cheering the loudest,” Dalton said. “I’m sure they’re licking their chops.” Abbotsford-Mission MLA Randy Hawes regularly carpools back from Victoria with van Dongen and said that he will continue to be friends with the man. “I knew he had contemplated” leaving for a while,” said Hawes, but admitted he was “50/50” if van
Dongen would sit as an independent or join the Conservatives. Hawes said he has not been approached by the B.C. Conservatives, and his only decision is whether to seek a fourth term next year or retire to play golf, since he has turned 65. Dalton himself ran for the Conservatives federally and said he joined the B.C. Liberals to keep the NDP out of power and because of their track record on the economy.
CRASH SENDS ONE TO RCH One woman was airlifted to hospital after a single-vehicle crash Friday afternoon on Lougheed Highway. PAGE 12
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