WHITE SEES CHALLENGES AHEAD

Former Abbotsford MP Randy White believes the new minority
Conservative Party government will face an uphill battle to enact
legislation in a number of high-profile areas.

White believes issues including the gun registry, and policies
relating to drugs and justice, will all face barriers from Canada's
three other major parties in the coming months.

A minority government, according to White, "will have some very, very
large challenges," not least because he describes the Liberal Party,
NDP and Bloc Quebecois as being "left of centre."

Much can still be accomplished. White told the Abbotsford News it
will be a case of new prime minister Stephen Harper attempting to
push through policies without legislation.

For example, when it comes to "safe injection sites" to treat drug
addicts, White said Harper could simply cut funding in that area.

"If he wants to get some things done like that, he can," White said,
pointing out Harper may also press to hold an election every four
years, and introduce new policies to elect Canada's senate.

White also said that new Abbotsford Conservative MP, Ed Fast, may
have a valuable role to play in the new Conservative government.
"Stephen (Harper) is going to need all the help he can get in his
caucus," said the 57-year-old.

"Ed is very much a team player. He will, I am sure, be used as one of
the people from B.C. that is considered more team than individual.
B.C. politicians tend to be more individuals."

Looking back on his 12 years as Abbotsford MP, White said he was
proud to have battled justice and drugs issues and brought them to
the forefront.

"But I think the torch has been passed," he said, adding that Fast
has been "well prepared" for the MP's job.

"I think we will be quite pleased with Ed. He's fair, he's firm and
he will do the organization well."

White, however, said Fast will have a different role to the one he filled.

"The difference is that in opposition, I was fairly senior and could
do what I wanted. In opposition you get the flexibility to do that," he said.

"He will be elected to a job, and whatever role he takes on a
committee, he will be concentrating on that. I could bounce around
anything I wanted to."