OVERPASS, DRUG ISSUES IMPORTANT MP ON GOVERNMENT SIDE WILL BE GOOD FOR LANGLEY

What will the federal election results mean for Langley?

For the first time in 13 years, this community will have an MP on the
government side of the House of Commons. That is quite significant.

A government MP can bring the concerns of the community to cabinet and the
minister responsible much more easily, and will be given a sympathetic ear
at the very least.

Mark Warawa has proven to be a hard-working and diligent MP in his first
term, and now he will have more opportunity to press the case for this
community in the hallways of power.

Asked by The Times what the most important local priority for him would be,
he said dealing effectively with the increased rail traffic. That's an
answer that will resonate with most people in this community -- anyone who
regularly comes to the business centre of Langley which centres on
Willowbrook, 64 Avenue, 200 Street and Langley City's downtown area.

Warawa wants to see more overpasses, and he will make the case for more
federal funding for those overpasses. The first overpass at 204 Street will
cost $37 million, yet Ottawa chipped in just $1 million. Yet Ottawa is the
one level of government in Canada that is absolutely brimming with cash.

We need more help from Ottawa for future overpass projects.

Another change that will come with a Conservative government is a more
focused approach to drug problems -- which are a key reason for the
increased number of violent crimes in the Lower Mainland, including
Langley. Drug problems are also a strong factor in the increased number of
homeless people, and crystal meth, in particular, is wreaking havoc on many
young people.

The Conservatives talked quite a bit about tougher sentencing for hardened
criminals, and there are no more hardened criminals than those who make a
fat wad of dough by selling drugs to others. A tougher approach -- which
could also include tight restrictions on the sale of crystal meth
ingredients -- could ease some of the drug problems, but there also needs
to be treatment for those caught up in the spiral of increasing drug use.
Homeless people need help and assistance to turn their lives around, and a
shelter in Langley which offers them some real options would be welcome. It
will happen sooner with some federal help.

There will also be better enforcement of our border, with customs officials
getting more tools to do their jobs, and police or another agency doing
more to stop smuggling - much of which takes place in this community. This
has the potential to reduce gun crimes and drug use.