November 24, 2025
Christmas Dinner: “On Mission Together: Reflections on a Political Life” with the Honourable Ed Fast, PC KC and Mrs. Annette Fast
Diplomats, parliamentarians, business leaders and their guests are invited to begin celebrating the Christmas season by enjoying a festive meal, live seasonal music and inspirational keynote speakers.
When a spouse enters politics, it affects both partners deeply. Ed and Annette Fast speak on how Ed’s 34 years in public life entailed both sacrifice and reward. They address their struggle to manage career, community and family, and how their commitment to serve God informed the many decisions they made along the way.
42nd Christmas Celebration – Full Program
“On Mission Together: Reflections on a Political Life” Keynote Presentation by the Honourable Ed Fast, PC KC, and Mrs. Annette Fast
Christmas Reflection – Mr. Don van Meer
The Honourable Ed Fast, PC KC and Mrs. Annette Fast
The Honourable Ed Fast is a lawyer and spent 24 years practicing corporate and commercial law in Abbotsford, with a particular focus on real estate development.
In 2006, Ed was elected to Canada’s House of Commons as Member of Parliament for Abbotsford. He was re-elected in 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2021. He had previously served two terms as an Abbotsford School Trustee and three terms as a member of Abbotsford City Council, three of those years as Deputy Mayor. In 2011, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel in recognition of his distinguished service and leadership in the legal profession. He has also been awarded both the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and King’s Coronation Medal for service to his community and country.
Among other responsibilities in Parliament, Ed served for three years as Chair of the parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice & Human Rights.
On May 18, 2011, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Ed to his cabinet to serve as Minister of International Trade and for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. For almost five years he led Canada’s most ambitious trade agenda ever, leading negotiations on free trade agreements with the European Union (CETA), South Korea, Ukraine and the original Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries.
Ed was also in the room with Prime Minister Harper when he travelled abroad and met with world leaders like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Benjamin Netanyahu, Shinzo Abe, Narendra Modi, Angela Merkel and David Cameron. Over his many years in public office, Ed has developed an extensive network of contacts within the global trade and investment community and within Canada’s community of political and business decision-makers.
He recently retired from federal politics and is committed to sharing his knowledge and experience with trade-oriented organizations.
Annette Fast has been married to Ed for 44 years, happily and capably taking on the management of family life to allow Ed to be most effective in public life. As mother to their four daughters, she spent many years volunteering as the manager of the professional children’s choir with which their daughters toured. Their daughters have made music and education their vocation.
Annette is also active in women’s ministry in her church. In her spare time she loves to garden and cook farm to table cuisine from the bounty of local Fraser Valley farms. She enjoys reading, her two favourite genres being history and theology.
Annette and Ed have 15 grandchildren who all live close by and are a constant presence in their lives. She counts it a joy to spend time in regular “teaching and training” child care for her working daughters, as the grandchildren grow up around her kitchen table!
Special Music
David Nku, Glinton Hanover and Abigaïl Oreste Hanover
David Nku, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Glinton Hanover from Guyana, and Abigaïl Oreste Hanover from Haiti each arrived in Canada as international students. United by faith and friendship, they are a worship team at the Ottawa Citadel Salvation Army Church that shares a passion for worship and youth ministry. At Ottawa Citadel, they actively participate in youth programs, leading music, organizing events and supporting spiritual growth among young people.
Their diverse cultural backgrounds bring a rich blend of spiritual perspectives to the church community. Whether harmonizing in worship sets, or mentoring younger members, they embody a spirit of unity and service. Their journey reflects cross-cultural connection and a deep commitment to faith. More than performers, they are leaders who inspire others through their authenticity, joy and dedication. Together, they continue to grow in their calling, using their gifts to uplift hearts and build bridges across generations.
The opinions expressed by the speakers and commentators at our events and posted on our website are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Christian Embassy.