PERSIAN TRIBUNE Volume 1, Issue 11 by Persian Tribune

www.PersianTribune.ca • Volume 1, Issue 11

The Great Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh,

an Epic Remix!

The Multicultural Media Landscape in Canada Pipeline Spills Are Good for the Economy! A Portrait of Beauty, Courage and Determination

Nazanin Afshinjam MacKay An exclusive interview with Iranian Born Miss World Canada & Human Rights Activist

ISSN 2291-580X

The Job of an

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In this Issue Feature Story

Nazanin Afshinjam MacKay: A Portrait of Beauty, Courage And Determination

Art

The Great Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh: an Epic Remix!

The Job of an Artist...

People

Person of the Month: Houshang Seyhoun, Architect, Artist and Educator

Community

Communicating Service: York Regional Police

Marketing The Multicultural Media Landscape in Canada

Events

Out and About with Persian Tribune: - Miss Canada Globe Pageant 2014/2015 - The LINK Screening

Building Transforming The Downsview Corridor

Environment Yes Pipeline Spills Are Good for the Economy

20 8 10

Wine

David’s Wine Pick of the month: South African Wine

Real Estate The Benefits of Title Insurance How Could I Know The House Had Mold?

Law 46

MP Costas Menegakis hails introduction of Quanto's Law as landmark legislation Home Sweet Home

Politics

Home Design

16 42

Municipal Elections: Critical to be Involved

Updating your home for fall

Investment Fortress Announces Multi-Party Agreement to Re-Launch Canada's Largest Asian Mall

Food

Rose Reisman’s Family Favourites: Wild mushroom risotto with parmesan and asparagus

From the Persian Kitchen: PISTACHIO BAKLAVA CAKE

Cover & inside photo of Nazanin Afshin-Jam by: Karolina Turek

46 31 35 36 26 27 29 40 18

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• PERSIANTRIBUNE MAGAZINE

Letter from editor Volume 1, Issue 11

nce again the beauty of the autumn season is upon us and we are experiencing the beginning of another colourful cycle in our lives. As we witness the falling of leaves from the trees they should remind us that each leaf could represent a day in our lives. It is up to us either to cherish the beauty of each leaf or to ignore enjoying it. This topic has been discussed in many Iranian literary and philosophical pieces. If we do not enjoy every moment of our lives, it will pass faster than a blink of an eye. So make a promise to yourself that you will take the time to enjoy the intoxicating beauty of nature this autumn to the fullest, since this will pass faster than a falling leaf.

Since our last issue of Persian Tribune magazine, we have witnessed many interesting and pleasurable events. Such as the appointment of one of our good friends and contributors, The Honourable Michael Coteau. At the recent Ontario Provincial Election he was appointed as the Ontario Minster of Tourism, Culture, and Sport. He is also the Minister in charge of 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto. Congrats Michael and all the best to you. Human Rights Activist and former Miss World Globe, Nazanin Afshinjam Mackay, is the main feature interview in this issue where we learn about her life as a new mother, wife, and an avid humanitarian. Also In this issue you will be introduced to a new take on the greatest masterpiece of the Persian Literature, Shahnameh. An eye opening article about the importance of ethnic media and the impact of multicultural landscape in Canada is a must read that you will find of an interest. These are just a few editorials in this issue of Persian Tribune magazine that have been selected for your reading enjoyment during this cool and colourful autumn season. “Paeez Shaad Baad”, or Happy Autumn to all. Kiumars Rezvanifar Editor-In-Chief kiu@persiantribune.ca

Publisher: Persian Tribune Inc.

Editor-in-Chief: Kiumars Rezvanifar

Managing Editor: Courtney Boyden

Creative Director: Ramin Deravian

Associate Managing Editor: Teresa Tiano

Art Director: Courtney Boyden

Copy Editor: Arezou Amin Research: Artemiz Rezvanifar Senior VP Marketing Communications: Tina Rogers Sales & Marketing Director Sandra Peltier Account Executives: Arman Hedayat Nooshin Riahy David Zand Behrouz Ziaci Special Projects Jacques Reiss Social Media Manager: Bharadwaj Thirumalai Web Management: Ramin Emadi

Graphic Designers: Hoda Gharaie Mark Kowalski Shadi Raoufi Intern Rambod Pourgoshtabi Contributing Writers: David Akhlaghi Arezou Amin Robert Atkinson Sarvenaz Barghgir Joobin Bekhrad Michael Coteau, MPP Naz Deravian Steve Forberg Marilyn Garshowitz Costas Menegakis MP Charles Pachter Doris Pontieri Rose Reisman Sara Rezvanifar Rocco Rossi Shamsi Shahrokhi David Suzuki Justin Trudeau MP Bryon Wilfert Dr. Glenn Zederayko Sahar Zomorodi

Persian Tribune magazine is published twelve times a year by Persian Tribune Inc. It is distributed free of charge in libraries, business and cultural centers in GTA. Persian Tribune magazine is an independent publication and its contents imply no endorsement of any product or service. Opinions expressed are those of the writers. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission from the publisher. Canadian Head Office (Toronto) Persian Tribune magazine 25 Valleywood Drive, Suite 12 Markham, ON L3R 5L9 Canada

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An Epic Remix S

hahnameh

Hamid Rahmanian & Ahmad Sadri's Modern Retelling of Ferdowsi's Epic Masterpiece

By: Joobin Bekhrad

horasan, 1010 A.D., after the lamented 200 years of silence brought forth by the Arab invasion of Persia, the Persian poet Ferdowsi forever changed the course of Iranian literature, history, and identity. Along with the quelling of the monotheistic Iranian Zoroastrian faith and the persecution of its adherents, the Arab invaders also strove to impose the Arabic language on the subdued Iranian populace. According to legend, in the mid-10th century, a king from the Samanid dynasty in Khorasan (modern day Eastern Iran and Central Asia) had grown weary of hearing the Arabic language in his court, and longed once more for the sound of his flowery native tongue. Shortly, the Samanids soon emerged as keen supporters of the native Persian language, and instigated what is often referred to as a ‘revival’ of Persian culture. Ferdowsi emerged as a major literary figure with his magnificent epic, the Shahnameh (lit. the ‘Book of Kings’). Serving as an epic retelling of pre-Islamic Iranian myths and legends in Persian from the time of Kyumars and the Pishdadian dynasty to that of the Greek and Arab invasions, Ferdowsi reportedly laboured for 30 years in an attempt to preserve the legends and language of his homeland. "Basi ranj bordam dar in sal-e si; Ajam zendeh kardam bedin Parsi," he famously wrote. "Much have I toiled during this 30 years’ time; the Iranians have I revived with this Persian of mine." Over a thousand years later, the Shahnameh has inspired new generations of creative artists in addition to being oft lauded as one of the world’s great literary triumphs. The most recent testament to Ferdowsi’s 8

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legacy, perhaps, is a new graphic retelling of the Shahnameh by US-based multimedia artist Hamid Rahmanian and translator Ahmad Sadri. I interviewed Hamid, who is the visual ‘DJ’ behind the book about the project and the influence of the Shahnameh throughout the ages. There are also some miniatures from the Ottoman Turkish and Indian Mughal schools. Why did you opt for this approach?

•Art I look at myself in this [context] like a DJ; a DJ takes already existing sounds, manipulates them, changes the composition and tempo, and creates this whole new [piece] of music. I’ve applied this same principle [using] the miniatures and lithographs from the late 14th century to the mid 19thcentury from all the [places] that were influenced by Persian [culture], such as Mughal India, the Ottoman Empire … For instance, the Ottomans were very influenced by the Tabriz and Shiraz [schools], and the Mughals during the reign of Shah Ismail II. Many of the [Persian] masters moved [to India], or were bought by the Mughal court. I have culled together over 8,000 single pieces to create these 500 pages … I’ve included [miniatures from] all these territories because whether you’re Iranian, Arab, Turkish, Afghan, Tajik, or from India or Lebanon – you share the same visual culture. While there are two portions of the epic, why does your version of the Shahnameh only include the first portion ending with the death of Rostam? Actually, there are three parts in the Shahnameh; first is the mythological, then the epic and finally historic portion. The reason we focused on the first two is because all the characters are somehow connected to each other. We chose the first two parts to tell a connected and character-based narrative. What do you think the Shahnameh symbolised, not only in Iran, but in other neighbouring countries where manuscripts were produced and Persian culture had an influence? When you talk about mythology and epic traditions from one [region] … all the characters in these traditions [have been] combined from different characters and different stories. So, these legends in different forms and different stories existed in different territories and have somehow [resurfaced] a few thousand years later. What was interesting to me is influence of the Shahnameh in Ottoman Turkey, given that the Safavids and Ottomans were bitter rivals. Most of the miniature masters from Ottoman Turkey went to Tabriz and trained there. The school of Shiraz was influential. After the demise of the Safavid Empire, all of these Iranian artists moved around the region, to Turkey or India, and established workshops there. It shows the similarity between the two cultures despite being enemies Is the Shahnameh as relevant as it was during the era in which it was written a millennia ago? What does it mean to you? We are connected to our past – not disconnected – and the stories in the

Shahnameh always have something to say. The stories of Fereydoon and Kaveh, were about the battle of the masses against the tyrant king … During the Revolution, people compared Khomeini to Kaveh, because Kaveh was the one who [rebelled against] the Zahhak (being the Shah). Now, [we’re seeing] the same struggle of people who [are fighting for] freedom; these people

identify with the same fight against evil that we see in the Shahnameh. For instance, you had Sohrab A’arabi, who died in the Green Movement … Sohrab is not only an Iranian name, but also resonates [with] the legend of Sohrab, so people connected with it on a different level. This book will always remain [relevant] in the current affairs of Iranians, one way or another.  All the images are courtesy of Hamid Rahmanian ©2014 Joobin Bekhrad is Editor, REORIENT Magazine at http://www.reorientmag.com To read article in full go to: http://www.reorientmag.com/2013/08/shahnameh-hamid-rahmanian/ “Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings” by Ferdowsi, Hamid Rahmanian and Ahmad Sadri (May 21 2013) is now available for purchase at www.amazon.com or at www.amazon.ca For futher information visit: www.theepicofthepersiankings.com PERSIAN TRIBUNE

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â&#x20AC;˘Art

The Job of an By: Doris Pontieri

Life

is a challenge. That can be said for all of us, no matter what age we are. As young children, we are reliant on our parents and caregivers to look after us and we have very few choices we can make about our life. As we become teenagers, we push the boundaries set for us and live life close to the edge, as we feel we are completely fearless. Often we find that it is, in fact, the complete opposite of what we have in our minds, and we begin to slowly grow up and take responsibility for our actions. This begins the fast pace to adulthood, which sets us up for a whole new set of challenges: financial, emotional, physical, and of course all the wonderful and yet difficult parameters of starting our own families. This journey leaves the average person very little room for expressing their innermost emotional and artistic side. Time constraints and obligations of a career, family, and the household takes up most of our precious time each day. So the father will try to squeeze the odd game of golf into their week, while his wife may try to escape to a spa for an hour or two. But this is just a short lived surface fix, and doesn't address the deeper issues we may need to realize and examine. I've always believed that the job of an artist is not only to create art that comes from within and tell a story that is a reflection of oneself, but it is also our responsibility to evoke and bring to the forefront an emotion from the viewer of the art. The person who may not yet have had the opportunity to dabble in the arts and learn to express themselves in a more

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Artist...

vulnerable way than daily life affords us. Art is as important to the person who views it as it is to the artist that creates it. Herein lies the responsibility I speak of. If an artist just paints pretty little pictures, they may be lovely, but do they really reach that deep part of a person who looks at it? Can they connect to something that has no soul? I believe that if the artist can paint or sculpt with passion, and leave something of themselves in that piece, it will be felt by the viewer. In fact, they may connect to the piece on a level they can't even understand, but it will bring their emotion to the surface and allow them a chance to escape life and become one with the piece of art, even for a little while.

â&#x20AC;˘Art

was once told by a woman who purchased one of my paintings that "it sings to me, every time I look at it" and that she thinks of nothing else when she is in that moment. I also feel that way when I look at paintings that I love. My first visit to the Musee D'Orsay in Paris was one of those moments. I approached a painting by Vincent Van Gogh and was overwhelmed with emotion. I felt as if I had been allowed into the heart of this wonderful artist, a private place perhaps, that he was able to express on his canvas. When art affects us in such a way, which can be a good or a bad reaction to the work, then the artist has done his or her job.

mother and that he knew this painting was filled with emotion. This is one of the greatest compliments an artist can hear, that our work has touched someone.

o, this is why I feel that the artist is complete when they have truly done their job, and pushed themselves to leave a little of what is inside them on the canvas. ď Ž

Doris Pontieri is an award winning artist and art teacher. Her work is featured in many galleries in Canada and U.S. Since being invited to exhibit at the Louvre in Paris, she has been awarded the medal for Outstanding Artwork by the Paris Society of Arts, Science and Letters, one of the oldest societies in France.

Mr. Kim Butler with Doris Pontieri

When I was first approached to exhibit at the famed Louvre Museum in Paris, the painting selected was my most emotional piece, reflecting a time in my life I had spent with my beloved mother. The exhibit was opened by Mr. Kim Butler, the Canadian Ambassador to Arts in Paris, and as he approached my painting, he was visibly moved and wanted to know the story behind the piece. As I told him how I had lost my mother many years ago, and the painting was of a time spent with her, he then told me of his PERSIAN TRIBUNE

â&#x20AC;˘ 11

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•Marketing

The Multicultural Media Landscape in Canada W

ith more and more Canadian organizations targeting ethnic consumers, the time has come to review the effectiveness of ethnic media, says Sharifa Khan, president of Toronto-based Balmoral Multicultural Marketing with offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Shanghai, and Mumbai which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. “The lack of media measurement and proliferation of media outlets has been seen as a blind maze for those less knowledgeable. Mainstream agencies often complain about this lack of measurement – but this does not equate to being ineffective in reaching these ethnocultural communities – with the result that many mainstream planners prepare ethnic media plans that often do not scratch beyond the surface.” This is becoming more important with each passing year, she adds. With a steady flow of over 250,000 immigrants, Canada’s ethnic communities are flourishing as are the marketing opportunities. At last count, according to Statistic Canada, there are over six million visible minorities across Canada. In 2017, visible minorities are projected to reach 20% of the total population. These markets now have a spending power of $42.3 billion in retail sales and services alone. "These immigrants have high language retention and prefer to get their primary source of information from their own media," said Sharifa. "Their media keep them up to date about their homeland news and most importantly, what is happening in their communities. Mainstream media across the country has very little content targeted at ethnic communities, so, with such a need to receive news, lifestyle, and entertainment catering to their ethnicity, there has been an explosion of ethnic media which should definitely no longer be considered “third media”. 14

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t last count, there were over 500 print media (newspapers, journals and magazines) addressing ethnic communities across Canada. ”Add to this -- television, radio, cinema, out-of-homes ads, digital media, and events – and we have a vast range of ethnic media targeting Canada’s visible minorities.”

“

Canada’s ethnic communities are flourishing as are the marketing opportunities

”

With their content targeted to ethnic communities, Canada’s ethnic media offer a wide canvas for marketers to connect and communicate with Canadian ethnic consumers. To bridge the divide between Canadian manufacturers of goods and services, the plethora of ethnic media has given rise to a large number of ethnic marketing agencies.

•Marketing There are over 50 ethnic marketing agencies operating in Canada’s media landscape. Some are one-man basement operations, and some are well staffed full service agencies. The more established agencies understand the media landscape well and keep in touch with them on a day-to-day basis, giving them an intimate knowledge of the media habits of these markets.

Some financial institutions, automobile, and consumer goods companies have realized the importance of these every growing ethnocultural markets, and have started to reach out to them in their own languages via their own media. "For those cor porate marketers, institutions and organizations who are still sitting on the fence, they ’re already missing the boat," Sharifa Khan concludes. 

According to Sharifa “These insights have enabled them to develop professional media plans offering the best ROI for clients. As ethnic media is neither audited nor measured via PMB or NaDbank, this is a fine art that has been acquired by these well established multicultural agencies over years in the business”.

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•Building

Transforming The Downsview Corridor By: Sara Rezvanifar

e all know the struggle - as it stands, major places of business and healthcare remain inaccessible because they are difficult to access by any method other than by car. With the University Heights Professional and Medical Centre, and nearby Humber River Hospital opening soon, these new developments might have become part of these inaccessible locations by public transit, however this will all change thanks to the TTC expansion at Finch and Keele. The Finch and Keele intersection in York West is set to become Toronto’s busiest transit hub, with thousands of commuters every hour. TTC and Metrolinx’s transit projects, the new Finch West Subway and Light Rail Transit (LRT), will completely transform the Downsview Corridor. The TTC, with a Federal and Provincial Government pledge of $2.6 billion, is expanding the Yonge-University-Spadina line by 8.6 kilometres. This means 6 new subway stops north of Downsview with train service every 4 minutes. The intersection at Finch and Keele will be serviced by new Finch West Station. Service is expected to begin in the Fall of 2016. Metrolinx is also adding 11 km of LRT lines, which will pass through the area in a dedicated centre lane. 16

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With an $8.4 billion transit plan and construction beginning next year, the system is expected to be up and running in 2020. University Heights Professional and Medical Centre is strategically located in the heart of this new commuter hub, approximately 200 m from Finch West Station and within close proximity to Yorkdale Shopping Centre, the new Humber River Regional Hospital (Canada’s Largest Hospital and North America’s First Fully Digital Hospital), Downsview Park, and York University, with a direct line to Union Station. There are a total of 4 hospitals and 3 courthouses nearby.

The Finch and Keele intersection in York West is set to become Toronto’s busiest transit hub, with thousands of commuters every hour.

•Building

s an office building with ground level retail space, University Heights offers ample parking that is connected to a sun-drenched lobby leading to the office floors. Suites ranging in size from 550 to 2500 square feet are now available for sale.

It will also undoubtedly benefit the community, since it will make a longer stretch of the city connected by subway, a wonderful advantage in the winter months ahead. 

With so many exciting projects set to open near Finch and Keele, it will surely be a relief to commuters to have these buildings be accessible.

Want to know more about the University Heights Professional & Medical Centre? Register today at www.university-heights.ca

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

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â&#x20AC;˘Investment

Fortress Announces Multi-Party Funding Agreement to Re-Launch Canada's Largest Asian Mall T

he crane is swinging again and work has recommenced at the site of a major Asian commercial development, thanks to the ingenuity of some creative executives. "I'm very pleased to announce that we are now part of the King Square commercial development. We are going to have a very busy site as we move towards completion and first occupancy in 2015," remarked Jawad Rathore, CEO and President of Fortress Real Developments. Envisioned by King Square Ltd, the high-end mixed use project boasts over 340,000 square feet of premium shops, restaurants and convention space in the heart of Richmond Hill and Markham's growing Asian population. "This project is 25% bigger than Pacific Mall and will include high end restaurants and shopping to service the growing Asian population and give them somewhere remarkable to shop, dine and play," said Oswin Tong, Planning Manager for King Square Ltd. and the founder of the project. Sales of the shops, stalls and larger retail spaces were brisk when the project launched in 2013 as the development team continued to push forward, pouring

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more capital into the project. A cost consultant report from Altus Group, a prominent real estate consulting firm , showed over $38M of work in place by the time the basement was completed; all this without any construction financing secured. "We knew that to finish the project we would require traditional bank financing," said Tong. "We turned to a top broker to help us arrange the financing." Enter the team from OMJ Mortgage Capital and their principal Omid Jalili. A mortgage broker for more than 15 years, Omid knew that the capital stack would require several pieces to execute this complicated funding . His team carefully diagrammed the financing that

•Investment «

The crane is swinging again and work has recommenced at the site of a major Asian commercial development, thanks to the ingenuity of some creative executives. »

Firm Capital Corporation, a Toronto based mortgage bank, and Aviva Insurance, a deposit bonder, to provide the balance of the funding. "When I looked at this deal, I saw a very attractive offering that had tremendous equity already in it and a low loan to value ratio below 50%. The sales in place offer excellent exposure coverage for all lenders from the first mortgage construction lender all the way to the Fortress Real Capital syndicate mortgage investors," said Margani. "Firm Capital Corporation is looking to do more bank grade deals and King Square certainly fits the bill."

ith all agreements executed, Varcon has recommenced work on the massive site on Woodbine Avenue just north of 16th Avenue. "We have liked this deal from the start and have already injected $3.5M of our own capital into the site to get it going again," shared Vince Petrozza, Fortress COO. "This is why we're the best in the syndicate space. We have the best combination of skill, capital and experience. It's how we built our reputation and we're very proud of that." A limited number of units are still available and occupancy of the first level is expected in late 2015. 

would be needed and started projecting which players would need to be involved. "This is a great deal and it needed a great team to make it happen. I'm very pleased that OMJ has helped facilitate the re-start of this landmark project," said Jalili. "King Square Ltd. was prepared to contribute more equity and I knew I'd need another equity player to get us to the finish line. Other syndicate mortgage providers tried to get involved, but I knew that only Fortress had the ability to deliver the capital and could also bring valuable development and financing experience to the table." Jalili teamed up with Frank Margani, EVP at Fortress Real Developments, and the financing plan started to come together. Using his years of experience and relationships, Margani brought in PERSIAN TRIBUNE

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•Feature

Nazanin Afshinjam MacKay A Portrait of Beauty, Courage and Determination By: Courtney Boyden

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

Photo: Karolina Turek

As a former Miss World Canada, Na z anin Afshinjam MacK ay is breaking the mold of the stereotypical definition of the word “beauty queen”. From a young age, Nazanin involved herself with human rights issues and felt compelled to question things that many turned a blind eye to. Because of this, she is now an established international human rights activist, published author (“The Tale of Two Nazanins”, 2012), and co-founder of “Stop Child E xecutions”. She has lectured audiences at the UN, parliaments and other organizations around the globe, and is the recipient of several human rights awards.

•Feature

an you tell us a little about your childhood where you born, raised and educated?

I was born in Tehran at the height of Iran’s Islamic revolution (1979) and a year later my family was forced to flee after my non-political father was arrested, tortured by the Revolutionary Guards and nearly executed under Khomeini’s new regime. We immigrated to Canada. I was raised in West Vancouver, spent a few years in Toronto and back to Vancouver for high school. Having top grades and being involved in extracurricular activities like sports, theater, and various clubs including initiating a global issues club didn’t make me popular among some peers and as a result I was bullied for several years. In grade ten I had the unique opportunity to participate in the “Trek Program” where students finished their academics in ½ a year and spent the other ½ being immersed in outdoor education such as hiking, skiing, kayaking, camping and environmental studies. Meanwhile I was a cadet in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets where I obtained my private pilot’s license and glider’s license and ended up as the Squadron Commander with top rank of Warrant Officer First Class. My university was split between the University of B. C. , The International Study Centre (Herstmonceux Castle) in the U. K. and L’Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po) in Paris. I obtained a BA in International Relations and a Master’s in Diplomacy with a concentration in International Conflict Management from Norwich University in Vermont. What were your dreams/goals growing up?

As a young girl, I wanted to be a dentist. As a teenager I wanted to be a nun and humanitarian. Now I am happy with my role as a mother and advocate for human rights. Throughout my entire life, I have had the same desire to want to try and help alleviate suffering in both humans and animals.

ho or what influenced you when you were a child?

In an exclusive interview with Persian Tribune, she discusses her life, political activism, her new role as a wife and mother, and her hopes for the future.

There are moments that stand out in my mind. For example, the day my Sunday school class at church went to Vancouver’s downtown East side to work at a soup kitchen. I was around 8 yrs. old. Feeding the homeless and destitute people changed my sheltered perspective. From that moment on I questioned everything I found unfair, particularly after learning the backstory about the scars on my father’s back. In my impressionable years as a teen however, Joan of Arc and Mother Theresa were at the top of the list. You’ve won several titles in the Miss Canada and Miss World pageants, in what ways did these achievements change your life?

Miss World’s motto is “beauty with a purpose” and they have raised close to $ 600 million for children’s charities. PERSIAN TRIBUNE

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•Feature I entered the competition to gain a platform to advocate for issues that I was concerned about. It truly helped me gain a stronger voice and media attention to shine light on human rights issues, like in the example of a teenage girl, Nazanin Fatehi, who was sentenced to death in Iran for stabbing 1 of 3 men that tried to rape her. As a result of all the international pressure surrounding her case, she was given a new trial, exonerated of the murder charges and eventually released from prison. I learned the power of the individual and how each and every one of us has the capacity to make great changes in this world.

good friend and in January 2012 we got married and in April 2013 we had our son Kian. Has becoming the wife of a high profile politician changed you?

It hasn’t really changed me as a person but I have had to develop a thicker skin because of the political games that are played by opposition groups and media reporters. I still speak my mind and advocate for issues close to my heart even if they differ with the policies of the

ow do you think having an Iranian background has shaped you as a person?

I am most grateful for the fact that Iranians are very family oriented. Our family is very loving and close knit. While some may regard communal decision making as ‘codependency’, I enjoyed having a support base and bouncing board for sober second thought. Education is of utmost importance for our culture as well. This is necessary for the advancement of any civilization. The Persians are known for their attention to beauty, poetry and art. They are also very generous and genuinely warm people. The women are strong and opinionated, and are called “Shirezan” (Lioness) for a reason. I am very proud of my heritage and the influence it has had on my life. What drives you?

Seeking justice, improving lives of others, particularly those most vulnerable in the world and being a voice for the voiceless. You have had so many changes in your life in the past few years, becoming the wife of Minister Peter MacKay, your human rights activities, the release of your book last year, and also having a child. What do you do to help you keep everything balanced?

I learned the hard way...after years of working from morning until night on other people’s problems, I almost burned out. As a result I learned that it is important to not neglect one’s own health and happiness in order to be strong and proficient for other people. How did you meet your husband?

I presented a speech on Iran’s human rights situation in the Canadian Parliament’s subcommittee on International Human Rights. After, I scheduled meetings with several Ministers including Peter who was the Foreign Affairs Minister at the time. I raised the issue of several children who were at imminent risk of execution. He actually followed up and pressured Iran to give these children a stay of execution. As a result several children were spared from death and I gained much appreciation and respect for him. For several years he also helped on various Iranian human rights issues. He became a very 22

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

existing government. I am blessed to have a husband that supports me in all I do. I used to conduct my advocacy more publicly with demonstrations and speeches, a lot of the work I do now is behind the scenes in direct one-on-one meetings which can be at times even more effective. Being married to a cabinet Minister has inadvertently given me access to some high profile people that have influence on world issues. How has becoming a mother changed your views/ goals in life?

Becoming a mother has completely changed my life. My priority is to meet all his (Kian's) needs by nourishing him in mind, body and soul. My goal is to do my best to raise him to be the best he can be. As he gets older and less dependent I will incrementally increase my human rights work.

hat has helped shape you into the person you are today?

The love my parents have given me and all the sacrifices they made for my sister and me, as well as my faith in God have helped shape me into the person I am today. How do you view or describe yourself?

Happy. Loving. Dedicated, Passionate and Motherly. Who do you look up to now? Your idols?

Aung San Suu Kyi has been a long time idol. I had the privilege of presenting a poem and testimony to her at an Amnesty International tribute concert in Dublin just after her release from house arrest where she spent 15 years of her life.

•Feature Another idol and role model has been Nasrine Sotoudeh. Through my organization Stop Child Executions, we used to speak by phone in regards to children facing the death penalty. She was so dedicated, hardworking and smart. I look up to her with so much respect and admiration. She was jailed for defending political prisoners, juveniles and women who had been wrongly convicted. Despite all she has gone through she is still a fierce leader and is unafraid of standing up for what is right and what she believes in. She is a true heroine.

the plight of girls and women who suffer from obstetric Fistula. Dr. Hamlin founded this hospital 40 years ago and has provided treatment to over 30,000 patients. She sends each woman home with a new dress symbolizing a new life because she not only fixes their physical ailments but helps restore their dignity and family relationships. She has completely changed so many lives. She is such an inspiration and a woman I will never forget. What is your favourite Persian Food? Eating or cooking? Or both?

I haven’t learned yet how to cook the intricate dishes my mother made us every night. It is so hard to decide but it is a tossup between khoresht bamieh , khoresht bademjoon and aash reshteh. For desert zoolbia all the way - don't be sneaking in any bamieh! (laughs) . I also love the way Sohan feels under my teeth. Now my mouth is watering. What are your goals in the future?

To be the best mom I can be to my son, Kian . To develop the newly registered “The Nazanin Foundation”, and develop my idea on “United People” which I touch on in my book The Tale of Two Nazanins. Generally speaking, leaving this earth just a little better.

ith all these achievements and activities is there any one thing that you would like to do but cannot?

Now that I am a mother I will think twice before taking on thrill seeking activities (which I love) like skydiving and doing acrobatics in stunt planes. I look forward to Kian getting bigger so we can travel the world together. From all the important people that you have met in the world, who has left a lasting impression on you?

Dr. Catherine Hamlin. In 2004 I went to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia to raise awareness about

o you have a message for our Persian Tribune readers?

“If you have a dream make it a GOAL."

One of my goals is to help fund a women’s shelter and space for vocational training for women in need in Iran, particularly in Kurdistan. If you are in Toronto, on September 20th, you are invited to the charity comedy-show fundraiser for the Nazanin Foundation put on by Comics Without Borders at the Saint Lawrence Theatre. There is a red carpet and cocktails before the show and a great line up of comedians.  For more info on the September 20th event, go to : http://www.stlc.com/event/comics-without-borders-2/ PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 23

â&#x20AC;˘Community

Communicating Service:

York Regional Police E

thnic media were invited to attend the York Regional Police Meet and Greet Barbeque. The event took place in June at the new headquarters at 47 Hillock Drive, Aurora.

By: Marilyn Garshowitz

ne of the challenges for York Regional Police falls with the speed of influx of immigrants who are coming from countries where the corruption within the authorities are a daunting issue. It is quite natural and understandable that there be mistrust for the authority here in Canada. Admittedly, it is not as if there are no systemic problems within Canada, however, there is an ability to address concerns more beneficially here than abroad. In turn, communicating and working together, these Canadian opportunities may then positively affect change around the world.

The informative and enjoyable event was hosted by Chief Eric Jolliffe, Corporate Communications and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Bureaus. York Region is part of the Greater Toronto Area and encompasses five districts. Within these districts are the following cities and townships: Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Whitchurch-Stouffville, and Vaughn. It is a vast, predominantly rural area with a significant proportion of its population being new Canadians. Having such a diverse population brings with it the need for plenty of education, understanding, respect and support of and for differences to develop a strong safe community for all. The responsibility of integrity and safety falls upon everyone and is done by building healthy relationships among individuals and groups.

The event was a fantastic opportunity for ethnic media to tour the $72.5 million building to later report on the impressive services. And this is key: YRP is about the services provided for care of, to and for community rather than a force to be reckoned with.

he building opened in November 2010 for Central Services and expanded to include the Regional

â&#x20AC;˘ PERSIANTRIBUNE

•Community Headquarters in December 2013. The new building is updated and more sufficient providing specialization to assist and/or oversee district investigations for major crimes and crimes against children as well house support services. Among the support services are: the Canine Unit, Forensic Identification, Collision Reconstruction, Emergency Response Unit departments, and the Air Support Unit. Each department incredibly impressive in its ability to save lives and support integrity and well-being.

According to Kiumars Rezvanifar, president of Canadian Ethnic Media Association who was in attendance at the event, ”The Chief of York Region is walking his walk by opening up the facility to members of the ethnic media. I was impressed with the amazing developments with services. Through transparency and good communications there is a great opportunity in building a strong, safe, and ethical community for everyone”. Kiumars’s comment of the tour captures the essence of the police services available and provided within York region. 

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 25

•Law

MP Costas Menegakis hails introduction of Quanto's Law as landmark legislation MP

Costas Menegakis hailed the introduction of Bill C-35 or “Quanto’s Law” as landmark legislation that protects law enforcement and service animals, and lets criminals know that those who commit violence against them will pay the consequences. “Our Government recognizes the special role that law enforcement, military and service animals play in protecting our communities and in improving Canadians' quality of life,” said MP Menegakis. The Justice for Animals in Service Act (Quanto's Law) would ensure that those who harm law enforcement, service and military animals, will face serious penalties. The legislation was introduced in the House of Commons May 12 by Justice Minister Peter MacKay. The proposed legislation is aimed at denouncing and deterring the willful harming of specially trained animals used to help law enforcement officers, persons with disabilities or the Canadian Armed Forces.

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

“The introduction of this legislation fulfills a commitment made by the Government in the 2013 Speech from the Throne to recognize the daily risks taken by police officers and their law enforcement animals in their efforts to protect Canadians and communities,” said MP Menegakis. Quanto’s Law was originally inspired by a Private Members Bill introduced last year by MP Menegakis. “I was touched by constituents who had shared their

“

•Law

Our Government recognizes the special role that law enforcement, military and service animals play in protecting our communities and in improving Canadians’ quality of life.

”

views with me on the tragic tale of Brigadier,” said MP Menegakis at the time. “Many individuals have been calling for stronger punishments for those who deliberately injure or kill a law enforcement or service animal. Quanto’s Law will honour the memory of Edmonton Police Service dog Quanto, Toronto Police Service horse Brigadier, and other animals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.” The legislation proposes Criminal Code amendments that would create a new offence specifically prohibiting

the injuring or killing of animals trained and being used to help law enforcement officers, persons with disabilities or the Canadian Armed Forces. Persons convicted of such an offence could face up to five years’ imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum sentence of six months in prison in cases where a law enforcement animal is killed while assisting a law enforcement officer in enforcing the law and where the offence is prosecuted by indictment. The Justice for Animals in Service Act (Quanto’s Law) applies to law enforcement animals, service animals such as guide dogs, and Canadian Armed Forces animals. The new legislation would extend to dogs, horses and other kinds of animals trained as service animals to assist people with disabilities.

he development of the Justice for Animals in Service Act (Quanto’s Law) is part of the Government’s Plan for Safe Streets and Communities. This Plan focuses on tackling crime, enhancing victims’ rights, and ensuring a fair and efficient justice system. 

Costas Menegakis is the Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 27

Municipal Elections: Critical to be Involved

•Politics

By: Bryon Wilfert

n October 27th, people across Ontario will go to the polls to elect Mayors, Members of Council, School Trustees, etc. and these individuals will play a critical part in the daily lives of their communities for the next four years. Throughout history, cities have been the cornerstone of societies. Cities are a prism for the genius of civilization, supporting the tapestry of our economic, political, social, and cultural evolution. In the words of Lewis Mumford, “cities are a symbol of the possible.” Municipal governments are said to be the government closest to the people. Municipal leaders face daunting challenges of economic development, poverty alleviation, job creation, public transportation, urban safety, affordable housing, protection of the urban environment, and fiscal stability. The federal governments withdrawal from many policy and program areas has compromised the economic and social stability of urban governments. This trend accompanies a provincial devolution of financial responsibilities without a significant expansion in local autonomy. We need to amplify that increased responsibility requires an equal and parallel increase in capacity. Reliance mainly on the property tax will not and cannot address the financial needs of municipal governments. Municipal governments require enabling legislation that will expand the jurisdiction and capacity of local government as the primary public agent of our quality of life and the engine of our national economy.

s a former Councillor for Richmond Hill, and a former President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), I know all too well, how other orders of government impact on municipal governments and the demands that local citizens put on municipal councils to respond to the growing issues of today. It is easy to compose a list of public expectations but far more difficult to end it. There is no question that the public demands good municipal government, good public services at a reasonable cost, integrity in its elected officials, and so on. People expect to be consulted on issues that affect their local communities. With growing communities, the informal conversations of the past – meeting over coffee or on the street has moved to formal presentations, such as “white papers” on a topic. Public consultation takes energy and time, both of which seem generally stretched to the limit among elected officials. That is a price most of us are willing to pay if the advantages are clear.

The glare of spotlights may not always be the best environment for wise decisions. Intelligent, honest, committed politicians may have nothing to hide in their thought processes. Frankness and concentration on the key issues are not necessarily served if the Member of Council speaking must weigh every word, while wondering whether a media representative is waiting to misinterpret or quote out of context. Not only council members, but also private citizens, may hesitate to bring up relevant points of a personal or business nature in completely public meetings. These concerns apply less to public consultation meetings, because they are not occasions for decision-making. They do, however, risk being hijacked by well-organized special interest groups. That danger is far less in municipal government than elsewhere. Councillors generally know their public relatively well. Not only can they weigh comments accordingly, but they can manage the agenda fairly so that the less vocal, the less organized voters also get their points across. The importance of public engagement and public participation is critical to ensure well run and efficient municipal government.

owever, historically in Ontario and indeed in other parts of the country, voter participation locally has declined to alarming levels in some cases. In Ontario, where organization political parties do not run candidates – therefore, it is very easy for anyone to register as a candidate. You must be a Canadian citizen, 18 years or older and live or own property in a particular community, and then you can register as a candidate and pay $100 - $200 if seeking the position of Mayor. The fundamental issue is that since anyone can run, many do without any community involvement, or experience that would qualify them to run a municipal government. Since many people do not know the backgrounds of the candidates, and do not see municipal affairs as “sexy” compared to the federal scene as an example, voter turnout is often below 30%. It is therefore, imperative, that in this election, people become engaged. Attend municipal forums, all candidate debates; get to know who will be spending your tax dollars. If people sit at home they allow a minority of people to determine who will govern them over the coming years. As an example – 30% of the people voted but 100 percent complained after the municipal election!

et`s stop that by becoming engaged and informed. Your quality of life and the quality of life of your family will depend on electing solid candidates who have the interests of the community at heart. 

The Honourable Bryon Wilfert P.C., ICD.D was just recently appointed Honorary Consul to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 29

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* No credit history required for a credit card, car loan or home mortgage. For an RBC Royal Bank credit card, newcomer must be a permanent resident who arrived in Canada within the last 12 months. Provided you meet all of Royal Bank of Canada’s eligibility and credit criteria, you may be eligible for a secured or unsecured RBC Royal Bank credit card even if you have no Canadian credit history. Automotive and residential mortgage products are available to permanent residents and foreign workers without a Canadian credit history, provided you meet eligibility and credit criteria. To take advantage of these offers you must show proof of entry into Canada and provide supporting documents such as a passport and landing papers or permanent resident card. For full terms and conditions visit rbc.com/newcomerterms. 1 No annual fee is available on select RBC Royal Bank credit cards. See branch for details. 2 Offer only available to First-Time Home Buyers who obtain a 4, 5 or 7 year fixed interest rate closed or a 5 year variable rate closed residential mortgage with Royal Bank of Canada or on one RBC Homeline Plan® mortgage segment. To qualify for this offer, clients must have or open a mortgage payment account with RBC Royal Bank. To be eligible: (i) the mortgage application date must be on or after March 10, 2014 and mortgage funds must be fully advanced within 120 days from the commitment start date, and (ii) client must have a minimum mortgage principal amount of $100,000. Not available in combination with any other offer. 3 Conditions apply. To get an Apple iPad mini device, you must be a new Eligible Personal Client, open one of the Eligible Personal Deposit accounts with RBC Royal Bank during the promotional period and complete the criteria. Offer is not available to existing clients who had a Personal Deposit Account with RBC Royal Bank before April 14, 2014. Offer available from April 14, 2014 to July 31, 2014. Apple is not a sponsor of, nor a participant in, this promotion. For full terms and conditions visit www.rbc.com/termsandconditions. † Based on market capitalization. Other conditions apply to all offers. Each of these offers may be withdrawn or amended at any time without notice. For complete Terms and Conditions visit any RBC Royal Bank branch or visit rbc.com/newcomerterms. Personal lending products and residential mortgages are offered by Royal Bank of Canada and are subject to its standard lending criteria. ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. 26770 (05/2014)

David’s

Wine Pick

•Wine South African Wine

of the month By: David Akhlagi

Executive Director at The Wine Cave

Please visit us online @ www.winecave.ca. 

407

Upland

400

Today, South Africa is the ninth-largest producer of wine in the world, with some 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) under vine. More than 250,000 people are employed in the industry and South African wine has enjoyed international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles.

Bayview

It was Nelson Mandela who helped to reinvigorate the wine industry when trade sanctions were placed on the country in the 1980s due to its apartheid policies. : wines from the Rust en Vrede estate in Stellenbosch were served at his 1993 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony dinner in Oslo, Norway.

Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio from South Africa This Crisp, fruity and delicious this Tiger Horse is a medium white of real quality. Flip open and drink in the tropical fruit aromas savouring the lovely tastes of peach and apricot wrapped in a touch of zingy lime. Great with Chinese take-away. You can lead a Tiger Horse to water but, er, we'll drink this gorgeous Chenin Pinot Grigio if it's all the same to you. There's the best of both worlds here with the two-grape blend in this gorgeous fruity but fresh South African dry white. The Chenin Blanc brings lovely light yellow colour and zestily refreshing mix of sweet tropical fruit and pineapple while the Pinot Grigio adds a touch of peaches and cream and just enough citrus zest to put a smile on your face. Crack a bottle as a Friday night 'getting ready' tipple or get all grown-up and serve with Thai and Chinese food.

Yonge

outh Africa is one of the most prominent wine-producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. With more than 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as bridging the gap between the Old World and New. The majority of wines are made using New World winemaking techniques, but often have more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts.

Bathurst

Royal Orchard

Clark

Clark Steeles

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 31

•Food

Rose Reisman’s Family Favourites

Wild mushroom risotto

with parmesan and asparagus

By: Rose Reisman Wild mushroom risotto

Directions:

1. Lightly coat a saucepan with cooking spray add the oil and set over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté for 5 minutes or until the onions are just tender and lightly browned. Add the mushrooms and sauté for about 8 minutes or until the mushrooms are no longer wet.

love risottos but the restaurant versions are loaded with butter, cream or cheese. This risotto is easy to make and has little fat and few calories by comparison. For a more elegant risotto try substituting truffle oil for the olive oil.

•• {serves 4} Ingredients: 2 tsp vegetable oil 1 cup finely chopped onion 2 tsp finely chopped garlic 4 cups chopped wild mushrooms (try oyster, shiitake and/or portobello) 1 cup arborio rice 3 1/2 cups vegetable (or chicken) stock 1 cup chopped asparagus (cut into 1-inch pieces) 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese pinch of salt and pepper 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

2. Add the arborio rice and sauté for 1 minute. Add 1 cup of the stock and simmer until the stock has just been absorbed. Continue adding 1/2 cup stock at a time, stirring until absorbed; repeat until all the stock has been used (about 20 minutes in total). Add the chopped asparagus with the last 2 cup stock and cook until the asparagus is tender-crisp, about 3 minutes, and the liquid is absorbed. 3. Add all but 2 Tbsp of the grated Parmesan cheese and the salt and pepper and mix well. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan and the basil. Serve warm. per serving Calories 196 • Protein 11 g • Carbohydrates 29 g • Fiber 3 g • Total fat 4.9 g • Saturated fat 1.4 g • Cholesterol 5 mg • Sodium 450 mg • prep time 10 minutes • cook time about 35 minutes • make ahead • A classic risotto is always best made just before serving, but the onions and mushrooms can be prepared early in the day. • nutrition watch One cup of arborio rice is a good source of iron, which is important for providing active children with energy. 

•Food

From the Persian Kitchen...

PISTACHIO BAKLAVA CAKE By: Naz Deravian

aklava cake has the same flavors as traditional baklava - nuts, fragrant rose water - but without all the work of turning out layers of flaky puff pastry. Traditional baklava is also quite rich and decadent. This cake version is much lighter – it is intended to be moist so it really depends on being covered in a simple syrup glaze once it's out of the oven. The great thing about this Pistachio Baklava Cake is that it easily freezes for months. I like to serve it cut into small rectangles - cold out of the fridge or thawed out of the freezer. Ingredients for the cake (makes 9x13 cake): 2 cups raw unsalted whole shelled pistachios 1 cup whole grain pastry flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 eggs 1/2 cup coconut palm sugar (or regular cane sugar) 1/2 cup coconut oil , melted and cooled to room temperature 1/2 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon cardamom 2 tablespoons rose water Ingredients for the glaze: 3/4 cup mild flavored honey 1/2 cup water 1 tablespoon rose water Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F with rack in the middle position. Lightly grease the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan with oil/butter. Line the pan with parchment paper with overhang so that you can easily lift the cake out. 2. Grind up the pistachios in a food processor into a fine meal. You should have about 2 1/4 cups total meal. Set

aside 2 cups of pistachio meal. Set aside the remaining 1/4 cup meal for sprinkling the top of the cake. 3. In a small bowl mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. 4. In a mixing bowl & electric mixer beat eggs & sugar until creamy. Add in oil, milk, cardamom and rose water. Add flour mixture & 2 cups pistachio meal to the wet ingredients. Do this in batches. Mix until just combined. 5. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the pan comes out clean. About 35 - 40 minutes. 6. While the cake bakes prepare glaze. In a small pot over medium heat combine honey & water. Bring to a gentle boil. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add rose water. Stir to combine, set aside. 7. When cake is ready remove from the oven and place on cooling rack. Pour half of the glaze over the cake. Make sure to cover the entire cake with the glaze. Allow the cake to absorb it. About 10 minutes. Using the parchment paper overhang GENTLY lift the cake out of the pan and place on a cutting board. Cut the cake about every 2 inches. 5 vertical cuts and 3 horizontal cuts. Pour the rest of the glaze over the cake. Let the glaze get into the cuts. Watch that glaze doesn't run off the cutting board! Sprinkle the top with remaining 1/4 cup of ground up pistachios. Allow the cake to cool. Cut cake into smaller pieces. Make about 4 more cuts horizontally ending up with 1/2"x 2" rectangular pieces. Serve right away or store in the fridge for up to 3 days. It freezes for up to 3+ months. If freezing make sure you line each layer with parchment paper.  PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 33

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•Real estate

The Benefits of Title Insurance

By: Sarvenaz Barghgir

hese days, obtaining title insurance has become standard practice across Canada. In fact, the Law Society of Ontario now requires all lawyers, when acting for buyers, to inform clients about title insurance. Title insurance covers the condition of the title or the ownership of real estate property at the time that it is issued. It provides ownership protection for a buyer against losses or damages suffered as a result of title problems. Title insurance is obtained prior to closing a purchase for the benefit of the buyer.

Traditionally buyers would have depended solely on their lawyer's "legal opinion“ that they have a "good and marketable title". Unfortunately, no lawyer can absolutely guarantee that there were no errors in the government records, undisclosed claims, true signatures, or lack of prior forgery on the title. If there are any problems with the title or any undisclosed claims arise, a buyer can, through title insurance. avoid any unforeseen legal or financial costs. Having title insurance does not mean that there is no longer a need for a lawyer, it is rather an added protection for the buyer against such claims. In fact, your lawyer still has to certify the status of the title before a title insurance policy can be issued. Title insurance typically protects the buyer against: ♦♦ Defects that would have been revealed by an accurate up to date survey ♦♦Unmarketability of the title

♦♦Defects in the title ♦♦Liens ♦♦Contravention of subdivision, development and other agreements ♦♦Fraud or forgery ♦♦Contravention of municipal zoning bylaws ♦♦Solicitor error, omission of fraud The typical policy often provides the insured with reimbursements: ♦♦Payment of legal fees and costs to defend the title ♦♦A "no fault" method to resolve title problems ♦♦Indemnity for actual loss or damage for the amount of policy which is often the price of the property increasing with inflation and rising value over time to a coverage which can be double the price paid. The typical cost depends on the type of residential property and in particular the purchase price. As municipalities continue to increase their fees for zoning, subdivision and tax searches, title insurance is becoming an increasingly competitive option. While we can do our best to avoid being in the midst of a legal mess, as the result of issues with our property, we can never avoid such issues completely. It is like that old saying, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

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• 35

•Real Estate

How Could I Know The House Had Mold?

very house has problems, and most of the time it’s an insignificant issue like a toilet overflow, loose shingles, or a creaky door. Most of the time home owners fix it and buyers never know or care that it happened. Now, what happens when a Seller tries to hide something more significant about their house from buyers? Would buyers care if someone died in the house? If the home was used to manufacture drugs? What if it was owned by someone involved in a sex scandal? Every year there are homes that are used as gardens for marijuana growers. They cut holes in floors and walls, hijack the electrical meter and send humidity levels in the house soaring. Most real estate agents can spot these homes in a visit, but many times the seller of the home will put a declaration on the listing stating it was a grow-op since they know that there are a wide variety of possible problems with the house. There’s the case of the seller who had mold in their house. They were concerned about the impact it would have on selling their home so they hired a professional company to get rid of it. The company came into their home with hazmat suits (think Walter White in Breaking Bad) and removed the mold, and after careful inspection declared it was no longer there. When the sellers agent became aware of the problem his initial statement was much like the buyers; “It’s been cleaned so no problem.” A real estate agent in my office recalled the buyers who purchase a home with a beautiful backyard, perfect for their growing family. The year after they moved in

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

By: Robert Atkinson

they decided to put in a pool and imagine their shock when the backhoe unearthed chunks of concrete a few feet underground. Apparently the previous owners no longer wanted their pool and decided to bury it rather than remove it. The end result was that the buyers ended up footing the bill for the removal, and the sellers and their agent found themselves in court fighting over these costs! The agent in the second case was able to avoid penalties as he was never aware of the problem, however the sellers were very upset as they ended up paying for hiding their pool. In the first case the agent was able to get counsel from brokers and lawyers who advised them “Disclose now or you may find yourself in court later. Imagine it sells and the buyers become ill due to mold. If they find out it was there, even though it was fixed, you may find yourself being responsible for their health issues.”

ottom line is that issues which can’t be seen, that may cause some buyers to walk away from your home, SHOULD be disclosed by sellers but MUST be disclosed by Realtors® if the realtor knows. Obvious or “patent” defects (sagging floor, puddle of water in the living room, stained ceiling) fall under the umbrella of buyer beware but “latent” or hidden items, once known, need to be disclosed. When handled correctly buyers will appreciate your candor and offer you a fair price, and it will ensure the sale stays a sale and not a lawsuit. 

Robert Atkinson is a Real Estate Sales Rep serving the GTA and works for Century 21 Leading Edge Realty Brokerage. For more information visit his website at www.RobertAtkinson.ca

•Law

By: Sahar Zomorodi

hether you are a new homebuyer or more experienced, purchasing a new home is a significant acquisition; for many it is the single most expensive asset they will buy in their lifetime. Embarking upon the process involves a myriad of decisions, but the most imperative aspect is learning how to identify the trivial factors from the critical ones. So what are the secrets to being a successful homebuyer? What do I need to know before buying/selling a property? Both buying and selling can be a complicated process which involves canvassing a number of legal issues at the outset of making an offer. These legal issues include the terms and conditions that form part of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, Legal Title, Latent and Patent Defects, Survey related issues, Representations and Warranties, Family Law Act issues, Tax concerns, and many more. Each transaction is unique, and requires the expertise of a lawyer. In Ontario, a lawyer is required to complete every real estate transaction and therefore it would be wise to bring your lawyer into the process from the onset.

Other items to be mindful of include checking the property for structural or other defects prior to closing. Making the Agreement conditional upon obtaining an inspection is an effective means of ensuring the appropriate remedy before closing. Be sure to incorporate provisions relating to additional visits to the property. On average 2 to 3 further visits will allow you to inspect the property prior to closing. Where a seller knows of a defect related to the property, but fails to disclose this to the buyer, the seller may be held accountable for any and all costs of repair relating to the defect. However, the principle of caveat emptor (“let the buyer beware”), should guide the purchaser to be cautious and alert to the possibility of being cheated for the quality of the real estate being purchased. Ready to make an offer? Ensure that you have reviewed your offer with your lawyer and arrangements have been made to obtain suitable financing. What are my costs on the closing date?

What should I do before signing any documents? Review the Agreement for Purchase and Sale with your lawyer to ensure the right terms and conditions are negotiated to protect your interest. The Agreement of Purchase and Sale is a binding contract, and similar to any other binding contract, it sets forth the obligations of the seller to the buyer and vice versa. The contract sets out pertinent information about not only the respective parties (i.e. buyer and seller) but also details regarding the purchase price, closing date, and other information surrounding the property. PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 37

•Law The cost of the transaction is one of the top driving factors when it comes to deciding to purchase a home. Often these costs can prove to be quite the onerous burden for many buyers. Therefore it is imperative that you do your homework. Gather estimates on commissions and fees from other agents involved in the process, including your realtor, mortgage lender and your lawyer. Additional costs may also include: ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

Lawyer’s fees & disbursements Land Transfer Taxes (“LTT”) Transfer & Mortgage registration fees Title Insurance Appraisal & Inspection fees GST/HST

Let us isolate taxes for a moment. Land Transfer Tax (“LTT”) is applicable on a purchase of or interest in land in Ontario under the Land Transfer Tax Act. Properties located in Toronto are subject to both a provincial and municipal LTT, both of which are calculated based upon the purchase price of the property and any amount remaining on a mortgage or debt assumed by the buyer. If you are a first-time homebuyer, you may be entitled to a tax rebate for all or part of the tax up to a maximum of $2,000 on the provincial LTT and $3725 on the municipal LTT, which will offset the LTT payable. Different costs, such as property taxes and common expense fees for condominiums, will be apportioned

between the parties, dependent on the particulars of a given transaction. Therefore, it is prudent that you review these costs with your lawyer as the purchase price is not the only cost a buyer will incur in a transaction. Why do I need a lawyer?

he reality is that there are a number of potential problems that can arise in what may seem like a straight forward transaction, it only takes one mistake to jeopardize everything. For example, in the case of Pilon v. Rosu (2014) the failure of either party to review the document prior to closing, resulted in two different purchase prices, ultimately rendering the agreement void and leaving the parties with limited means of redress. This case serves as a cautionary tale for all prospective homebuyers: what may appear as a relatively simple task in actuality bears a set of complexities and implications that ought to be tended to diligently. The legal details are complicated and you are well advised to seek a lawyer from the very beginning to assist you. Your lawyer’s role in the aforementioned matters will not only alleviate many of the concerns you may have but ensure that you get what you bargained for. 

Sahar Zomorodi, practicing real estate law in Richmond Hill

Anastasia Tsouroupakis for

Thornhill Public School Board Trustee Ward 1 & Ward 5

Putting the ! t s r i F m o o r s s a l C

Vote for change on October 27th 38

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

•Home Design

UPDATING

your

Home for FALL

Accessories Change Everything! By: Steve Forberg, CEO Decorium

all is a great time to think about our homes; it’s an opportunity to bring the outdoors inside and connect with nature. Our cozy sweaters and warm hues become the latest and hottest trends. It is a great time to make a few simple changes that accessorize the feeling of fall in the home.

t’s amazing what a difference a new room configuration can make. Try moving couches, armchairs, cushions, and accessories. Changing symmetries, depths, heights, and room divisions can create a different type of physical space as well as a new social setup for conversations. It can also help you figure out what you no longer have space for and what needs to be replaced.

erhaps you have outgrown the brass and glass end tables your great aunt Sandy bought you, and your cream rug has seen better days. Replacing a few items in your space can update the whole look without breaking the bank. This type of renewal can be done every couple of years to keep a home exciting and on trend.  At Decorium our large space boasts endless rooms, styles, and color palettes. Visit either location: 363 Supertest Rd, Toronto or 1212 Yonge St. Toronto.

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

•Environment

Yes Pipeline Spills

Are Good forthe Economy The company will make money , the government will reap some tax and royalty benefits and a relatively small number of jobs will be created. But the massive costs of dealing with a pipeline or tanker spill and the resulting climate change consequences will far outweigh the benefits. Of course, under our current economic paradigm, even the costs of responding to global warming impacts show as positive growth in the GDP — the tool we use to measure what passes for progress in this strange worldview.

Destroying the environment is bad for the planet and all the life it supports, including us. But it's often good for business. (Credit: Maureen)

By David Suzuki with contributions from Ian Hanington, Senior Editor

nergy giant Kinder Morgan was recently called insensitive for pointing out that"Pipeline spills can have both positive and negative effects on local and regional economies, both in the short- and long-term." The company wants to triple its shipping capacity from the Alberta tar sands to Burnaby, in part by twinning its current pipeline. Its National Energy Board submission states, "Spill response and cleanup creates business and employment opportunities for affected communities, regions, and cleanup service providers." It may seem insensitive, but it's true. And that's the problem. Destroying the environment is bad for the planet and all the life it supports, including us. But it's often good for business. The 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico added billions to the U.S. gross domestic product! Even if a spill never occurred (a big "if", considering the records of Kinder Morgan and other pipeline companies), increasing capacity from 300,000 to 890,000 barrels a day would go hand-in-hand with rapid tar sands expansion and more wasteful, destructive burning of fossil fuels — as would approval of Enbridge Northern Gateway and other pipeline projects, as well as increased oil shipments by rail. 42

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

And so it's full speed ahead and damn the consequences. Everything is measured in money . B.C.'s economy seems sluggish? Well, obviously, the solution is to get fracking and sell the gas to Asian markets. Never mind that a recent study, commissioned by the Canadian government, concludes we don't know enough about the practice to say it's safe, the federal government has virtually no regulations surrounding it and provincial rules "are not based on strong science and remain untested." Never mind that the more infrastructure we build for polluting, climate-disrupting fossil fuels, the longer it will take us to move away from them. There's easy money to be had — for someone. We need to do more than just get off fossil fuels, although that's a priority. We need to conserve, cut back and switch to cleaner energy sources . In

â&#x20AC;˘Environment

Canada, we need a national energy strategy. And guess what? That will create lasting jobs! But we must also find better ways to run our societies than relying on rampant consumption, planned obsolescence, excessive and often-pointless work and an economic system that depends on damaging ways and an absurd measurement to convince us it somehow all amounts to progress.

Destroying the environment is bad for the planet and all the life it supports, including us. But it's often good for business.

Having built our cities and infrastructure to accommodate cars rather than people, we can't turn around overnight. But we can stop wasting our precious resources. By conserving and switching to cleaner energy, we can ensure we still have oil and gas long into the future, perhaps long enough to learn to appreciate the potential of what's essentially energy from the sun, stored and compressed over millions of years. If we dig it up and sell it so it can be burned around the world, we consign ourselves to a polluted planet ravaged by global warming, with nothing to fall back on when fossil fuels are gone. Scientists around the world have been warning us for decades about the consequences of our wasteful lifestyles, and evidence for the ever-increasing damage caused by pollution and climate change continues to grow. But we have to do more than just wean ourselves off fossil fuels. We must also look to economic systems, progress measurements and ways of living that don't depend on destroying everything the planet provides to keep us healthy and alive. ď Ž

Photo: Kent Kallberg

It's not about going back to the Dark Ages. It's about realizing that a good life doesn't depend on owning more stuff, scoring the latest gadgets or driving bigger, faster cars. Our connections with family, friends, community and nature are vastly more important. Yes, we need oil and gas, and will for some time.

Dr. David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author, and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. He is Companion to the Order of Canada and a recipient of UNESCO's Kalinga Prize for science, the United Nations Environment Program medal, the 2009 Right Livelihood Award, and Global 500. Dr. Suzuki is Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and holds 27 honorary degrees from universities around the world. He is familiar to television audiences as host of the long-running CBC television program The Nature of Things, and to radio audiences as the original host of CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks, as well as the acclaimed series It's a Matter of Survival and From Naked Ape to Superspecies. His written work includes more than 52 books, 19 of them for children. Dr. Suzuki lives with his wife, Dr. Tara Cullis, and family in Vancouver, B.C. Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org PERSIAN TRIBUNE

â&#x20AC;˘ 43

Become. Go beyond.

BECOME. BEYOND. TMS School goes far beyond the

ordinary to help prepare our students to realize their potential as happy and

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Our educational experience integrates challenge and inspiration, seamlessly combining a flagship Montessori program (18 months to grade 6)

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•Events

Events

Out and About with Persian Tribune Miss Canada Globe Pageant 2014/2015 Highlights

The LINK screening

www.theLinkWithLisa.ca

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 45

•people

Persian Tribune

Person of The Month Houshang Seyhoun

Architect, Artist and Educator

1920-2014

r. Houshang Seyhoun was born in Tehran, Iran in 1920. Throughout his early years, his family exposed him to music and art. While in secondary school he excelled in fine arts. In 1941 he was admitted to the newly established Faculty of Fine Arts at Tehran University, where his passion for drawing extended to design and architecture. His graduation project was awarded the Insignia for the Arts. In the following years, Mr. Seyhoun won several other contests and awards for his architectural designs .He was eventually commissioned to prepare the design for Avicenna’s Monument and Mausoleum in Hamedon, Iran. In 1946, Mr. Seyhoun attended the Ecole Nationale Superiere Des Beaux Art where he received the degree of Diplome’ Par le Gouvernement, “Achieving Maturity” in the Field of Architecture and Painting.

Mr. Seyhoun was later recognized as one of the foremost architects and designers of Iran. He was appointed Professor of Architectural Design in The Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture at Tehran University. In the following years he designed both of the mausoleums for Omar Khayam and Nader Shah.

At the invitation of the French Government, Mr. Seyhoun left Tehran for Paris in 1980 where he continued to paint and hold several exhibitions. In 1989 he was honored by the city of Los Angeles for an exhibition of his works and also received a commendation plaque from the Mayor of Los Angeles.

In 1962, Mr. Seyhoun became Dean of the faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture at Tehran University, where he introduced new academic disciplines including Musicology, Urban Planning and Dramatic Arts.

Mr. Seyhoun’s works can be found in private collections at Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Washington University, Berkley and Hors du Temps Museum in the South of France.

His works of art have been exhibited throughout the world.

Mr. Houshang Seyhoun’s creations and designs are bright stars in the fields of Art and Architecture and have become an outstanding gift to eternity. 

In 1972, at an exhibition in Massachusetts his work was presented along with the works of Picasso and Salvador Dali. In 1974, he exhibited in Paris, France with the publication of a book of drawings of urban and rural areas that was released in Paris and Tehran.

Omar Khayyam Mausoleum (Nishapur) 46

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

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