Passport office could be in Abby’s future?


June 12, 2008 · Updated 1:11 PM 

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Abbotsford MP Ed Fast wants a passport office in his town.

In a letter received by Langley Township council on Monday, Fast says Abbotsford is one of the fastest growing communities in North America and has a population that’s expected to grow to 200,000 by the end of the decade.

Fast says that only Toronto and Vancouver are more ethnically diverse, with Abbotsford leading the country in the proportion of people of South Asian origin per capita.

Fast says many residents travel to and from the U.S. for business and pleasure, and the local economy is fueled by this travel and commerce. Surrey has the closest passport office, a 60-km trip for Abbotsford residents. Waits at the Surrey office are long and unpredictable, and a visit to the office can consume an entire day, Fast said.

He believes an Abbots-ford passport office would make economic and environmental sense, as the 120-km round trip is even further for Hope, Mission, and Chilliwack residents.

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