When our electoral district was created, it was named Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon to reflect the heritage, history and people of this riding.
By MP Jati Sidhu’s personal request, Private Member’s Bill C-402 would rename our electoral district to “Abbotsford—Mission—Fraser Canyon.” He did this without ever consulting us or making his desire to do so known.
Why is he ashamed to say he’s the MP for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon?
Our electoral district was created to reflect the heritage, history and people of this riding.
Mission, the population center, is listed first. Matsqui is listed second, both out of respect for our Matsqui First Nation brothers and sisters and to reflect our long history as a community wholly separate from Abbotsford. Fraser Canyon is listed third, giving voice to everyone in the upper reaches of our riding.
The District of Matsqui was founded in 1892. The Matsqui First Nation dates back centuries longer. This is the heritage and history MP Jati Sidhu seeks to toss in the garbage bin just so he can say he’s “the MP for Abbotsford.”
This is offensive.
C-402 has already passed the House of Commons and second reading in the Senate. If it passes third reading, Mr. Sidhu’s personal request will take place.
Contact Mr. Sidhu’s office immediately and politely demand he withdraw the name change for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon from Private Member’s Bill C-402.
Contact the senators who represent British Columbia — Bev Brusson, Larry Campbell, Mobina Jaffer, Yonah Martin, Richard Neufeld and Yuen Pau Woo — and request they amend C-402 to remove the proposed name change for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon.
-Christopher di Armani, Lytton
Editor’s note: MP Jati Sidhu did not sponsor Private Member’s Bill C-402 — it was actually brought forward by Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism Pablo Rodriguez. However, Sidhu did request the name change within C-402.
The private member’s bill includes name changes for federal electoral districts across the country. The name change for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon is one of three for B.C. The bill is currently waiting on third reading by the Senate. If passed, it would come into effect for the next election.
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