PERSIAN TRIBUNE Volume 1, Issue 9 by Persian Tribune

www.PersianTribune.ca â&#x20AC;˘ Volume 1, Issue 9

Max Amini A portrait of an Improv genius

an Exclusive Interview with the U.S. born Iranian Comedian

Celebrating Norouz, The Iranian New Year Ethan Bond-Watts the Persian Inspired American Artist Justin Trudeau

on Senate Reform

SHIRA Z

Wines of Australia

Ontario's First Immigration Act introduced by Michael Coteau Is Canada Trading Water for Fuel?

ISSN 2291-580X

Choosing Your Politician Like Your Medical Doctor 9 772291 580004

UL RE

BEAUTIFUL FURNITURE

BEAU FURN

NT S®

DISCOUNT PRICES ®

DISC PR

LIVING • BEDROOM • LEATHER • HOME OFFICE • HOME THEATRE • LIGHTING DINING • YOUTH • HOME ACCENTS • AREA RUGS • BEDDING • STRESSLESS GALLERY 363 Supertest Rd. Toronto | 1212 Yonge St. Toronto | decorium.com | Shop Online 24/7

UTIFUL NITURE AT

COUNT RICES ®

The moment you arrive, you’ll appreciate the difference. Here, you’ll experience a huge selection of today’s trends, inspiring design suggestions and discount prices, making Decorium Toronto’s rarest furniture find.

PRESENT THIS AD FOR AN EXCLUSIVE PERSIAN TRIBUNE OFFER!

Definitely,

Volume 1, Issue 9

10 41

8 History

Celebrating Norouz The Iranian New Year

10 Art

20 Cover photo of Max Amini by: Danish Saroee Inside photo of Max Amini by: William Cole 4

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

The Crash of the Real Estate Market

31 Book Review

Ethan Bond–Watts, The Persian Inspired American Artist

How to Have a Persian Wedding When You Have No Idea What Persian Means

12 Poetry

32 Wine

14 Law

34 Food

Believe in the Spring!

Pre-Nuptial Agreements: Is all is Fair in Love and War?

17 Politics

Australia's Shiraz

Potato Corn Chowder

35 Food

Ontario’s Immigration Act

From the Persian Kitchen: Khoresh Fesenjan

18 Politics

37 Home Design

20 Main Feature

38 Finance

On Senate Reform

30 Real Estate

an Exclusive Interview with the U.S. born Iranian Comedian MAX AMINI

25 Politics

2014 Design Trends

Top 6 Reasons you should own a Tax Free Savings Account

41 Business

Voter Turnout – How to Increase It?

The Beginning of a New Era for Electronic Marketing in Canada

26 Opinion

42 Environment

29 Real Estate

46 People

Choosing Your Medical Doctor and Choosing Your Politician

Getting your Home Ready to Welcome Spring!

Trading Water for Fuel is Fracking Crazy

Person of the Month Professor Fazlollah Reza

Letter from editor It is OVER. Yes…, this year’s very cold and a very long winter season is finally over, or at least it seems that way on our calendars in North America. For us Iranians the first day of spring brings New Year and Norouz celebrations that last for thirteen days. Norouz is a time of rejoicing and renewal. It is a time to celebrate and share our happiness with family and friends. It is time to forgive and forget and look forward to all the best that life has to offer. So on behalf of all of my colleagues at Persian Tribune, I would like to wish you a happy and memorable Norouz celebration and a healthy and prosperous Iranian New Year. “NOROUZETAN SHAAD BAAD." In this issue we read about the History of our Norouz celebration, its importance in the Persian culture, and how it was viewed by the ancient Persians more than 3000 years ago. When it comes to comedy, it is no surprise that U.S. born Iranian improv genius, Max Amini has become a household name. He has been named one of the hottest rising comedians of the year. Not only is he creatively funny, but he is also a serious actor. In this issue we had an interesting and exciting chat with Max about who he is, what he’s doing, and where he is going with his fame and stardom. In this issue the Honourable Michael Coteau, the Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration informs us about Ontario’s first Immigration Act, and the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau MP, writes about his views on reforming the Canadian Senate.

Volume 1, Issue 9 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 Graphic Designers: Hoda Gharaie Omid Jesmi Mark Kowalski Shadi Raoufi

Copy Editor: Arezou Amin Research: Artemiz Rezvanifar

Print Production Manager: Omid Jesmi

Senior VP Marketing Communications: Tina Rogers Sales & Marketing Director Sandra Peltier Director Business Development Nader Ansari Account Executives: Arman Hedayat Mehri Rahimian

With Federal, Provincial, and Municipal elections on the way in Canada and Ontario, the article “Choose Your Politician Like Your Medical Doctor” can be a very handy and interesting piece to read. Also if you are planning an upcoming wedding there is an important article in this issue that you do not want to miss.

Special Projects Jacques Reiss Social Media Manager: Bahradwaj Thirumalai

As always there are also several informative and entertaining articles in this issue and I hope that you enjoy reading them. I look forward to receive your views and comments at: contact @persiantribune.ca Once again, “Norouzetan Shaad Baad."

Director of Advertising and Promotion: Saba Sajadi Web Management: Ramin Emadi

Contributing Writers: David Akhlaghi Behrouz Anouzgar Arezou Amin Robert Atkinson Sarvenaz Barghgir Michael Coteau, MPP Naz Deravian Steve Forberg Costas Menegakis MP Charles Pachter Pejman Par David Pascal Doris Pontieri Rose Reisman Rocco Rossi Mei Shao David Suzuki Tina Tehranchian Justin Trudeau MP Roshni Vora Bryon Wilfert H K Winston Mehdi Zohouri Sahar Zomorodi

Kiumars Rezvanifar Editor-In-Chief kiu@persiantribune.ca 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

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

Dubai Office PO Box 17851, MO 0668 Jebel Ali Freezone Dubai UAE 0971502520204

Paris Office Mme. Niloufar Manii 9, rue de Chartres 92200 Neuilly Sur Seine, FRANCE

U.S. Office (Los Angeles) Persian Tribune magazine 22726 Ventura Blvd., Suite C Woodland Hills, CA 91364, U.S.A.

License # 11288

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

CONSTRUCTION

OMJ Mortgage Capital is a boutique Broker in the GTA specializing in Residential, Commercial and Construction Financing. Our hard earned reputation speaks for itself.

Omid Jalili Dr. Finance Broker, President

The Cure For your Financial Needs

Residential, Commercial, Construction Mortgages

416-915-LOAN

www.omj.ca

3621 HWY 7 East Suite 412, Markham, Ontario L3R 0G6 Tel: 905-482-9393 Fax: 905-482-9389

â&#x20AC;˘History

Celebrating

Norouz the Iranian New Year

By: Mehdi Zohouri

orouz (New Day) is the name of the Iranian New Year which is celebrated on the first day of spring, or the spring equinox (called vernal equinox for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere). This occurs when the sun is directly over the equator resulting in equal amounts of day time and night time. On the calendar it falls between March 19th and March 21st and its roots go back over 3000 years, when it signalled the start of the planting season for farmers. Norouz is not exclusive to Iranians; other cultures celebrate Noruz including Afghans, Parsis in India, Albanians, Kazakhs, Tajiks and many more. Many other cultures from Western Europe to Eastern Asia celebrate the spring equinox, or vernal equinox. It was originally a Zoroastrian festival. The Zoroastrian religion is an ancient Iranian religion, and was the official religion of the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanid Empires, all which were centred in modern day Iran (each is also known as the Persian Empire). With the Islamic conquest of Iran in 651 AD, Zoroastrianism lost its official status and many of its followers, but many of

â&#x20AC;˘ PERSIANTRIBUNE

its festivals are still celebrated by Iranians, the most important one being Norouz. While there is no mention of Norouz in Achaemenid records, there is historical evidence that the Achaemenid Empire (550 to 330 BC) celebrated Norouz, and that in parts of the world famous Persepolis complexes were specifically built for the celebration. There is also the historical account of Xenophon (430 to 354 BC), the ancient Greek soldier and historian, which provides a detailed account of Norouz festivities that were part of Achaemenid culture. Norouz is mentioned in the records of the succeeding Iranian empire, the Parthian Empire (247 BC to 224 AD), specifically from the records dated to the reign of King Vologases I, but the records are lacking in details. The Parthians celebrated Norouz during the autumn equinox which falls in September, and another Zoroastrian festival, Mehragan, was celebrated during the spring equinox.

•History

The following Iranian empire, the Sassanid Empire (224 to 651 AD), held Norouz festivities during the spring equinox once more. It is from the reign of the Sassanid Empire that historians have the first detailed records of Norouz. The Sassanid Empire made Norouz the most important day of the year during its reign; gifts were exchanged, the king would meet with his people and prisoners were pardoned. With the conquest of the Sassanid Empire by the Islamic Caliphate, the majority of Iranians gradually over time converted to Islam for various reasons. However they maintained some of their Zoroastrian traditions, including Norouz. Later when Iranian-Muslim empires, such as the Samanid Empire and Buyid Empire, replaced the Arab-Muslim Caliphates, Norouz was once again a very important and official festival. For modern Iranians, Norouz is a time to get together with the entire family and to celebrate the renewal of life on Earth. The high point of Norouz for many is when the whole family gets together, just as winter is about to turn to spring, to count down the last seconds of winter. This is immediately followed by an exchange of greetings, hugs, kisses, and the older members of the family give gifts to the younger members. Another tradition involves paying respects to the eldest members of the family by visiting them at their homes. An important figure in the festivities is Haji Firuz, who jovially proclaims the coming of Norouz to the people in the streets while singing, dancing, and playing the tambourine. However the most recognized symbol of Norouz for Iranians is the Haft Seen (Seven S’s) table. This involves decoratively placing seven items that have Farsi names starting with the letter S (or Seen in Farsi) on the table, along with other symbolic items. The items are Sabzeh

(wheat sprouts), Samanu (sweet wheat pudding), Senjed (sweet dried oleaster), Seer (garlic), Seeb (apples), Somaq (sumac), and finally Serkeh (vinegar). The items represent rebirth and renewal of nature, wealth (not money, more like family and a good life), love, health, beauty, sunrise (also represents the spice of life), and finally age and patience. The seven S’s for the most part were added after the conquest of the Sassanid Empire by the Islamic Caliphate during the seventh century AD. After the Arab Muslim conquest, Arabic influences entered the language of ancient Iranians, and Haft Chin became Haft Seen. The original Haft Chin (now Haft Seen) was decorated with seven items that represented different aspects of Zoroastrianism. The seven items were a mirror symbolizing the sky, apples symbolizing the earth, candles symbolizing fire, golab (rose water) symbolizing water, sabzeh (wheat sprouts) symbolizing plants, gold fish symbolizing animals, and painted eggs symbolizing fertility and humanity. For most modern Iranians Haft Seen decorations also include the items that were part of Haft Chin, and other items such as coins, flowers and books. In this way Haft Seen and Norouz not only bring Iranians together in celebrations, but they are also a reminder of the long journey of Iranian culture from its birth in ancient times to its continuation in modern times. In conclusion I would like to wish all readers of Persian Tribune “Norouz Shaad Baad” or a Happy Norouz. 

Mehdi Zohouri is a teacher who was born in Iran and raised in Canada. He has a Master degree in History, a B.A. in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University. When he is not teaching he goes on canoe trips. PERSIAN TRIBUNE

•9

•Art

Ethan Bond–Watts The Persian Inspired American Artist By: Doris Pontieri

s an artist and a writer, I spend much of my time traveling the world, exploring the history of art, and viewing great masterpieces along with new works worthy of the distinction “fine art”. As well, I have the great fortune of meeting many inspiring and creative people in the arts community. I'm constantly intrigued by the stories told to me, and the passion of so many wonderful young artists who believe in the beauty of original art. Recently, I had the pleasure of getting to know Ethan Bond-Watts, a glass blower who lives in Vermont, but has strong ties to Canada. Ethan tells me that his love for this art form began with Persian glass.

Sassanian, or Persian Glass, is the glassware produced from the 3rd to 7th centuries within the limits of the Sassanian Empire. This includes Iran, Northern Iraq, and Central Asia. This is a silica-soda-lime glass production characterized by thick glass-blown vessels relatively sober in decoration, avoiding plain colours in favour of transparency, and with vessels worked in one piece without over elaborate amendments. The fact that the craft dates so far back has not impacted the influence this beautiful craft has had on modern art. This ancient art form has been elevated by artist's like Ethan. Trained for five years in classical glass blowing, certified and apprenticed with American glass maestro Alan Goldfarb, he has taken this craft and infused it with emotion, and his own brand of creativity. "Art is visual language. It is a universal language. I am influenced by traditions across history. A watershed 10

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

moment in my development as an artist came from Islamic Spain. My parents took my brothers and I to Spain when I was ten. We visited the Al Hambra in Granada. It is a palace resplendent in gardens, fountains, and sculpture. I internalized the spiritual power of visual art. In the palace, the connection between organic and geometric forms was seamless. There were mesmerizing patterns of ideal shapes and proportions, they flowed into sensual animal and plant forms. I was completely seduced. It was a coming of age. The art, architecture, and gardens all worked together in a dance to envelop the viewer in a magical environment. We entertain daydreams in spaces like that. We internalize connections between nature and culture, tradition, and evolution. I

•Art

knew then that I wanted to create and share spaces and experiences like those I found at the palace."

his piece is a success, as the viewer projects his or her own ideas in the space.

Working in Vermont with his brother and assistant Tucker, the relationship between conception and creation of each piece of blown glass is a fine balance. Because the work must be completed swiftly, it can be both scary and exhilarating, so it helps that the two brothers know each other so well and can anticipate the next move. In addition to more traditional pieces, Ethan creates large glass installations, many times working live with audiences, for corporations desiring a one of a kind piece. He loves to work in spaces that inspire daydreaming and often views his work as if for the first time. His installations are filled with movement, colour and energy and I find myself lost in these pieces for lengthy periods of time, not wanting to walk away. Ten viewers may look at the same piece, all of them with different responses to the sculpture. That is when Ethan feels

Now available in Canada, one of his most recent installations, along with several other pieces, can be seen at Artworld Fine Art, 365 Evans Avenue in Toronto. Ethan tells me that working with Donna Child, owner of Artworld, has coaxed something out of him artistically and he is excited about his work now finding a home in Canada. Along with organic outdoor creations like nothing I have ever seen, visiting his website wwww.ethanbondwatts.com will take you on an artistic journey you won't soon forget. In my opinion, any form of art or artistic expression is most effective when it is built from raw emotion. Training and understanding of the medium and principals of art are of course necessary, but once the artist has the skill, it is now the time to step away from what is known and just create. I love to visit museums and art galleries and come upon a work that surprises me. Something that makes me think only of what I am looking at, loosing the concept of time and space around me. This is when artwork is more than just a recreation of life for me, it is when the work is also a reflection of the artist. The person who left a little of themselves in the piece for me to see. I'm often asked what makes an artist, and that is how I answer. It may seem simple, but it requires much trust and intuition to accomplish this. "Hot glass is all about riding the fine line between tight control and loose movement. Too hot, and everything drips onto the floor. Too cold, and the glass doesn’t move at all. When you get it just right, the glass seems to make itself." Ethan Bond-Watts, a true original.  www.ethanbondwatts.com 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. PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 11

â&#x20AC;˘Poetry

Believe in the Spring! By: Freydoun Moshiri

Open the windows For, the kind breeze is celebrating the birthday of the beautiful flowers And spring, On each and every branches Close to each young leaf, Has turned on lovely candles! All swallows have come back Singing the lovely song of freshness Our narrow street is filled with spring songs And the cherry trees Are all blossoms To celebrate the birthday of every flower Open the window my friend! Do you ever remember That a wild thirst burnt our earth, And all the leaves faded away? Do you ever remember What the bad thirst did with the liver of the soil? Do you ever remember What the hands of the bad cold did with our grapevines, And what the unkind wind did with our flowers In the middle of the dark nights? Do you ever remember that? Now, believe in the miracle of the rain And look at the generosity In the eyes of the green meadow And see the affection In the soul of the kind breeze That, with all her empty-handedness, Is celebrating the birthday of the young flowers The soil is alive again Why have you turned into silent stones? Why are you so frustrated? Open the windows And believe in the spring

â&#x20AC;˘ PERSIANTRIBUNE

Art of the SteAl

eNeMY

the f WorD

CAS & DYlAN

the ColoNY

CottAGe CoUNtrY

eMPIre of DIrt

SIDDArth

the MortAl INStrUMeNtS: CItY of BoNeS

herMAN’S hoUSe

QUAlItY BAllS: the DAVID SteINBerG StorY

WAterMArK

BoMB GIrlS

CrACKeD

DeGrASSI

SAVING hoPe

flAShPoINt

MUrDoCh MYSterIeS

orPhAN BlACK

rooKIe BlUe

rUBY SKYe P.I.

VIKINGS

SPlAtAlot

SPACe JANItorS

VerSUS VAlerIe

AlMoSt NAKeD ANIMAlS

roCKet MoNKeYS

JUStIN tIMe

roB the roBot

SCAreDY SQUIrrel

OMDC suppOrts OntariO’s sCreen-baseD inDustries OMDC’s programs and services are helping to create a thriving, multi-billion-dollar industry and a wealth of opportunity. Ontario’s creative industries produce film, television, books, magazines, interactive digital media and music that the whole world enjoys. Congratulations to all Ontario’s nominees and winners of this year’s Canadian Screen Awards. Be part of it. OMDC.on.ca

We’ve got it going

•Law

PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS:

IS ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR? By: Roshni Vora

“A

wife lasts only the length of the marriage, but an ex-wife is there for the rest of your life” Woody Allen

Do I need a pre-nuptial agreement? The majority of the population associates pre-nuptial agreements as an area entertained exclusively by celebrities as well as the wealthy and affluent. However, there are surprising statistics that would encourage the average person to consider a pre-nuptial agreement before saying “I do." But first, let's back up. To understand the purpose of a pre-nuptial agreement, one must understand how the institution of marriage has evolved, for this transformation above all else has shaped how pre-nuptial agreements are dealt with today. The institution of marriage initially was predicated on an economical exchange between families, such as a dowry; however, today, romantic notions, such as love are more likely to spark the decision to get married. The result? The marital landscape has shifted. The Divorce Act entitles couples to a “no fault divorce”, which has resulted in a society where, in Canada, 40% of couples who enter into marriage inevitably end in divorce, with a staggering 71,000 divorces in 2012 alone. So what exactly is a pre-nuptial agreement? A pre-nuptial agreement, also referred to as a “domestic contract” or “marriage contract”, is an agreement outlining rules regarding marriage including the procedure to be followed in the event of a breakdown (i.e. divorce). Under Section 52 of the Family Law Act, “two persons who are married to each other or intend to marry may enter into an agreement in which they agree on their respective rights and obligations under the marriage or on separation, on the annulment or dissolution of the marriage or on death”. Parties, under the Act, are empowered to make salient decisions regarding the ownership and division of property, support obligations, or any other matter related to the settlement of their respective affairs. These decisions, however, are to be exercised within limits. According to the Family Law Act under section 56(4), the courts are given the power to set aside a pre-nuptial agreement in whole or in part, in instances, where for example, parties fail to disclose significant assets. Couples considering preparing a pre-nuptial agreement are well advised to take note of the following cautionary tale. In the case of McCain v. McCain, recent uproar has arisen regarding marriage contracts, where the Ontario Superior Court had ordered all sections related to spousal support in the marriage contract be 14

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

nullified and replaced with a court ordered amount. It is clear, that the courts are not hesitant to overturn provisions in marriage contracts, the practice being that couples are given the power to make decisions, so long as these decisions are made within reason. For instance, attempts made to limit spousal rights to the matrimonial home will not be enforceable. The question you really should be asking yourself is “do I own anything of value”? Social exchange theory postulates that marriage is predicated on this idea that two people come together with the aim of maximizing the benefits for one another and minimizing costs. It would follow that any person in possession of personal or business related assets prior to getting married should seek to protect those assets. A pre-nuptial agreement is a means by which this may be accomplished. The Civil Marriage Act defines marriage as “the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others”, this includes the unionization of assets as well. If pre-nuptial agreements are a practical and effective means of protecting oneself, why is it that roughly less than 10% of Canadian couples are entering into these agreements? The reasons stem from a myriad of sources, including cultural background, economical background, and personal beliefs and values, but the reality is that divorce is still often seen as a cultural taboo. It appears people find even the mere discussion of a pre-nuptial agreement to signal insecurity towards the success of one’s marriage. The reality is that the cost of a divorce in Canada, according to a Canadian legal fees survey, averages to $1,353 (uncontested) and $12,875 (contested) in legal fees, with cases going to trial costing upwards of $50,000. With a pre-nuptial agreement these costs can be significantly reduced. The reasons for ending a marriage are countless, be it infidelity or financial issues, the reality of it is that all relationships have the possibility to simply run out of steam. Thus, although your personal views of marriage may be entirely different from the person sitting next to you, enlisting a lawyer to draft a pre-nuptial agreement is a practical means of protecting yourself where these expectations fail to materialize. 

Roshni Vora is a Student-at-Law completing her articling program at the Law Office of Sahar Zomorodi in Richmond Hill.

Happy Norooz from Scotiabank Fariba Ertebati

Venus Mohajerin

Kaveh Nourmofidi

Ross Emami

Rene Khalafian

Senior Personal Banking Officer Vaughan Business Banking Centre Vaughan

Financial Advisor Richmond Hill Main Richmond Hill

Senior Personal Banking Officer University & Elm Toronto

Financial Advisor Yonge & Hillcrest Toronto

Branch Manager Eglinton & Bathurst Toronto

905-850-6867

905-884-1770 Ext. 2010

416-866-7870 Ext. 4201

416-590-0678

416-784-3340 Ext. 4000

Talin Moosaian

Leyla Hamidi

Mahtab Naderi

Farzad Shafieian

Sahar Bobash

Manager Personal Banking Yonge & 16th Richmond Hill

Account Manager, Small Business Richmond Hill Main Richmond Hill

Financial Advisor Sheppard & Bathurst North York

Account Manager Health Care Professional Banking Centre, Toronto

Senior Personal Banking Officer Yonge & 16th Richmond Hill

905-770-6425 Ext. 4200

905-884-1770 Ext. 3001

416-638-1644 Ext. 4201

416-866-3921

905-770-6425 Ext. 4205

Roozbeh Farhadi

Hadi Islamivatan

Vida Biglari

Branch Manager Yorkdale Shopping Centre Toronto

Financial Advisor Bathurst & Teston Maple

Financial Advisor Yonge & Yonge Blvd Toronto

416-784-5126 Ext. 4000

905-832-5750 Ext. 4201

416-485-7034 Ext. 4202

速 Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia.

Reza Moridi, MPP Richmond Hill

May Nowruz 2014 bring you blessings of happiness, prosperity, health and renewed life as we welcome Spring and its freshness and revival back in to our homes. Nowruz-e-tan Pirooz Har Rooz-e-tan Nowruz!

9891 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 1V1 T: 905-884-8080 rmoridi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org www.rezamoridi.onmpp.ca facebook.com/moridi | @rezamoridi

•Politics

Ontario’s Immigration Act By: Hon. Minister Michael Coteau, MPP

t has been a busy winter as we continue to move forward on Ontario’s Immigration Strategy. This February, we introduced Bill 161, the first-ever Ontario Immigration Act. Federal decisions over the last several years have reduced the proportion of economic immigrants coming to Ontario from 64 per cent in 2001 to 50 per cent in 2013. The average for all the other provinces combined is 70 per cent. Immigration is an economic imperative for Ontario — we want and need a greater role in immigrant selection. The introduction of the proposed Ontario Immigration Act is the beginning of a new chapter in our immigration story. Our province has welcomed and relied upon immigrants from its earliest beginnings — and we continue to do so today. With the exception of our Aboriginal population, everyone in this province has an immigrant past. Some have been here for as little as two weeks, while other families have been here for 200 years. I wholeheartedly believe that much of Ontario’s future economic prosperity relies on global talent. But aside from that, immigrants also strengthen our province socially and culturally. Diversity and multiculturalism are two of our province’s greatest strengths. This legislation, if passed, would reinforce the cultural and social importance of immigration in our society. We want immigrants who will plant deep roots, build strong communities, and become great citizens — just like the Persian community has done, along with so many others. If passed, the proposed Ontario Immigration Act would strengthen our role in immigrant selection, confirm our commitment to settlement services, and directly support the goals and targets set out in Ontario’s Immigration Strategy.

The proposed legislation would also improve the accountability, transparency and management of our Provincial Nominee Program. This program helps us attract more skilled workers to Ontario, and helps employers gain the skill sets needed for today’s knowledge-based economy. The proposed legislation is a necessary first step we must take if we are to chart our own course when it comes to attracting more skilled immigrants to drive our economy and keep Ontario strong. It is a building block for a stronger, more prosperous future. As an immigrant myself, Ontario has provided me with the opportunity to obtain a world-class education, to find work and start a family of my own. I believe that a great deal of Ontario’s future success will rely on new generations of immigrants coming here to find success like my family did. Ontario is a place where we look after each other and support one another through great public education, reliable health care and dedicated volunteerism. It does not matter where you come from, how much money you have, the colour of your skin, your gender, sexual orientation or personal religious beliefs. What matters is that if you work hard and contribute to our province, you will be able to build a successful life for yourself and your family, as thousands of Persian immigrants here in Ontario have done. This is the Ontario we are proud of, a place where people know they are protected and provided with countless opportunities. 

Michael Coteau is Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 17

•Politics On

Senate Reform

By: Justin Trudeau, MP

anadians want their leaders to be open and straight with them, to tell them the truth. They expect us to come forward with practical solutions that address problems directly. The Senate has become one of those problems. Canadians have made up their minds: the Senate is broken, and it needs to be fixed. At the same time, Canadians do not want to open the Constitution. They do not want a long, rancorous, and likely pointless debate that would distract us from solving more important problems. We are all poorly served by the way in which Senators are appointed. Canadians are especially disenchanted with the antiquated convention that sees Senators appointed by one person: the Prime Minister.

That’s why, effective immediately, only elected Members of the House of Commons will serve as members of the Liberal Caucus. The thirty-two former Liberal Senators are, as of January 29th, independent of the Liberal Caucus. I would welcome the Prime Minster to match this action. As the majority party in the Senate, immediate and comprehensive change is in Conservative hands. The Prime Minister should do the right thing. Mr. Harper would still have you believe that he is a reformer at heart, despite 8 years of hard evidence to the contrary.

The Senate of Canada is a public institution. It should not be run like the Prime Minister’s private club. Over eight years ago, Mr. Harper railed against this convention as Leader of the Opposition, and committed to change it.

As for Mr. Mulcair, his promise to abolish the Senate and overhaul the Constitution is either deliberately and cynically misleading, or empty and foolish.

As Prime Minister, he has made 59 appointments, despite his promise to appoint none.

I believe the actions we have taken offer the most meaningful action possible without changing the Constitution. If the Supreme Court says more can be done, we will be open to doing so.

I have now committed that, if I earn the privilege of serving Canadians as their Prime Minister, I will put in place an open, transparent, and public process for appointing and confirming Senators. No longer will Senators serve as a reward for services rendered to the Prime Minister and his party. The process will be more like the selection of Members, Officers, and Companions of the Order of Canada. Built on consensus, open to input from Canadians, and not solely reliant on the whims of one person. 18

If the Senate serves a purpose at all, it is to act as a check on the extraordinary power of the Prime Minister and his office, especially in a majority government. Partisanship within the Senate is a powerful, negative force – and under Mr. Harper we have seen it at its worst.

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

At our best, Liberals are relentless reformers. When public institutions fail to serve the public interest, we take bold steps to change them. We want to build public institutions that Canadians can trust, and that serve Canadians. This requires real, positive change. These proposals are the next step, but they will not be our last.  Justin Trudeau is the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Hire Robert, an agent who puts your needs above all others. Buyers and Sellers need an agent they can TRUST when they want to make a move, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m that agent.

Robert Atkinson | Sales Rep Century 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc. www.RobertAtkinson.ca

•Feature

A portrait of an Improv

genius!

Max Amini

Photo: Danish Saroee

an Exclusive Interview with the U.S. born Iranian Comedian

By: Arezou Amin It’s safe to say that a great number of Iranians across the globe have at least heard the name “Max Amini”. The American-born Iranian stand up comedian has sold out shows worldwide, and garnered a huge online presence, with visits to his YouTube channel surpassing tens of millions of hits. Though trained as an actor, he has spent the past 12 years doing stand up comedy as well, with great success. His vibrant, non-stop manner of telling stories relatable to people of any background has contributed greatly to the warm reception fans give him at any of the packed theatres he plays to. He recently sat down with Persian Tribune to discuss his beginnings, his inspirations and his philosophy on life.

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

•Feature For those who don’t know Max Amini, tell us a little bit about yourself, where you were born & raised, and where you went to school. I was born in Tucson, Arizona. I graduated from high school in the state of Maryland, from Walter Johnson High School. I was raised mostly in the States.

Education plays an important role in raising children in the Iranian community, since most Iranian parents want their children to become a lawyer, doctor, or engineer. How did you become a comedian? Well, I was very lucky in the sense that my parents were very supportive of me choosing entertainment. My dad told me that “I want you to major in something when you go to college that you really like”. He told me, “You should choose a subject in college where after you graduate, you work in that world”. So I told him I wanted to become an actor and he was very supportive and so I chose acting. I graduated from UCLA, and while I was there I started stand up comedy, and that’s where my comedy career started.

In being a comedian, what has been your biggest obstacle? In the beginning, it was juggling my time. The challenge was to balance my time between school, work and performances at night, because as a stand up comedian you have to perform as often as possible, and obviously, when you’re younger in the game, if you don’t have a lot of money, you have to have a job, and it restrains your time from performing. On top of that, imagine having to go to school, so that was the biggest challenge; I had to manage it all.

How long have you been performing stand up comedy? This year will make it 12 years.

How do you develop your material, what inspires you? Every artist, has to connect to who they are. When they learn that, and learn more about themselves, his or her perspective becomes clearer. So for me, the development of my material, the inspiration, comes from growing as an artist and finding out more about who I am and how I feel about the world around me. An example would be most of the things you hear me talk about in my stand up comedy. If I talk about family, I connect to how I feel about my mom or dad, or about the way I was raised. I connect to those emotions and find my perspective and direction of how I feel about that subject, I develop that idea and that becomes my show.

You’ve performed all over the world. Where or what has been the most memorable, and why? I would say the most memorable for me... not because this is a Canadian magazine, but I would say Toronto. The most memorable show would be my very first show in Toronto. The reason it became so memorable is because I sold out a thousand seats, and the day of my show, there was a huge storm that took place in the city.

Photo: William Cole PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 21

•Feature

Photo: Danish Saroee

I was driving towards the theatre at about 4pm and the theatre called me and said “Max, we should probably cancel your show”. I said “Really?”, and the lady said “Yes, because they’ve closed down the metros and we don’t think people are going to come to the show”. I said “Look, we’ve sold a thousand tickets, the majority of my audience are Iranians and they don’t take the metro! They’ll be driving down with their BMW’s and their Mercedes Benz’s to the show, so let’s be hopeful”. That being said, I was so lucky that a couple of hours later, the storm slowed down, the winds stopped, and at about 8pm when the show started every seat was taken. It was one of the most incredible memories, the energy in the audience was sensational, absolutely great, and so it left me with a great memory.

What do you want people to take away from your performances?

Photo: Stries Casallo

It rained so hard that all the underground stations in downtown Toronto were flooded and they closed down. There were hundreds of people walking in the streets, the cops had blocked all the streets and were helping people get out of the city. It was raining hard, it was windy, and it was just absolute chaos.

What has been the reaction from your audiences? I would say very warm, very loving. My audience is the reason I’m in business, they’re the reason I sell out theatres and my numbers have doubled and tripled in the past 2-3 years. So I would say they’re incredibly positive, loving, and supportive.

Recently you had 3 shows in Toronto, 2 in English, 1 in Farsi. What is the difference, if any, performing in Farsi and then English? The difference is the language! (Laughs). The difference is when I do the show in English, it’s not restricted to just Iranians. Any race, anyone who speaks English can come and will really enjoy my show. The topics I talk about are very universal, very family oriented, so everyone can enjoy the show and that’s what’s special about it and that’s what brings us Iranians and other people in the world together. That’s the power of comedy. My Farsi show covers topics that are very specific to Iranians, and about cultural topics that we all grew up with. It’s fun, and it’s specific to its own because of that.

Photo: Sina Shaaf

Number one, I want them to feel like they’ve spent a couple of hours away from all their problems and daily struggles, that they let loose and laugh. I want them to hear me out, and hopefully relate to some of the things I say in my comedy. I would also like them to find a positive message.

Photo: Danish Saroee

What are the main elements for making a great live performance?

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

First of all, a great location. You want a great theatre, and a nice setting, that’s important. As a performer, one of the elements that would really help your live performance is to be prepared. You want to know your intentions, and what you’re trying to accomplish out of your show. For example, I really put my focus and energy on connecting with the audience. I tell myself I’m going on stage, and all I want to do is to be honest, and completely let loose. I do a lot of improvisation, and in order to do that as a performer you have to be fully connected to your senses and imagination. These are the main elements for me.

•Feature What do you think differentiates you from other comics in style and material? What differentiates me from other comedians is my energy. It’s the way my brain works, I guess. I do a lot of improvisation within my material. When I say “energy” it means I give all I have, I leave everything I have on the stage and really perform from the heart. That doesn’t mean other comedians don’t do that. What separates me from other comedians is my perspective towards life, and that’s what makes every comedian different from one another. A good comedian, a good artist is a person who has a specific opinion, and point of view towards life.

Photo: Martin Amini

Photo: William Cole

What are your other interests and hobbies? My interests and hobbies are my work. That’s the absolute truth. I do what I love, so I work 24/7 in that department. I’m very busy writing, creating concepts for TV shows, for movies. I write scripts, I’m working on a TV show of mine currently, and that’s all I do. It makes me happy. My main hobby is creating.

You’ve been active in the film industry as well. We understand you have a starring role in the soon-to-be-released film “Beyond Paradise”, which is a drama. Can you tell us why you took on the role? Like I mentioned earlier, I’m an actor. I started as an actor at UCLA, I enjoy both comedy and drama. Just because I’m a stand up comedian doesn’t mean that I can’t do drama. So I did this movie, “Beyond Paradise”. It was a very challenging role, and I had to prepare extensively for it. Any role you have to prepare for, and find the character within you. I shot the movie last year and enjoyed working on it. So it’ll come out this year, and you guys get to see it.

Do you support any causes or charities? Yes, I support many charity events every year. Every other phone call I get through my agency is for a charity gig (laughs). I pick a few charity events a year, and I’m very happy to be able to give back.

Photo: Manoosh Nabavi

What message do you have for our readers?

How do you view the world? I view the world, as a place where we grow in every department of life: spiritual, financial, family, educational, etc. I think that’s what the world is about. No matter what part of the world you’re in, and who you are, you want to grow, and feel like you’ve experienced life. I think that sums up my philosophy, and my perspective on the world and living.

Live life to the fullest! Read this magazine! (Laughs). Follow your heart! No matter what your work is, try to really grow in your career by just reading for an hour regarding the world you’re involved in. That’s something that helped me a lot. If you read, or look at material that’s about your career, and about the world you’re working in it’s going to make you grow so fast. That’s about 30 hours a month and that’s a few books a month right there. Oh! Another good message I can give you is to go on Facebook and find me! I write funny stuff that may put a smile on your face! My link is facebook.com/maxamini (Laughs).

Any final thoughts? Thank you Canada, I can’t wait to come back next time and have more awesome shows and experiences with you guys!  www.maxamini.com PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 23

•Politics

Voter Turnout – How to Increase It? By: The Honourable Bryon Wilfert P.C.

n increasing issue in Canada at all orders of government – Federal, Provincial and Municipal, is the decline in the number of Canadians voting. The electoral system in Canada has changed little since 1867 (exception: women can vote) while Canada as a country has changed significantly. Since the 1980’s voter turnout in Federal Elections has fallen significantly from 75% in 1988 to 61.1% in 2011 Election. Lowest voter turnout is among the youth (18 to 24 years of age) around 25%. Studies have indicated that many youth who do not vote remain disconnected with the political system as they get older and do not vote. Senior citizens however, voted in the 70% range, because they see it as a duty and an obligation. One factor that has been recognized about voting is that the more educated you are, the more likely you are to become involved in the political system. The education system in Ontario is not helpful in this regard, as you only require a half credit in high-school civics. If you have a strong civics background, you are more likely to be interested in political affairs. One area that has changed and that politicians need to utilize more is social media to reach out to voters – especially the young. Technological changes mean that the use of Twitter, Facebook, Web Sites and other avenues are essential to engaging people. In 2003, Elections Canada published Explaining the Turnout Decline in Canadian Federal Elections: A New Survey of Non-voters. The report surveyed non-voters in the 2000 Federal Election to determine why people did not participate in the political process. Essentially

people indicated that they were disinterested or apathetic. People did not like the candidates or parties. Reforming the political system is one way to encourage participation. The current “first past the post” system, where the person with the most votes wins, discourages people from voting in ridings or wards where the incumbent candidate is almost assured of winning. Proposal representation is a system that tries to balance the results (seats won) based on percentages of votes received. For example having 5% of the vote across the country would mean about 15 seats for the Green Party. This system encourages people to go out and vote, since they would feel their vote really does matter. Online voting such as we have seen in Markham for the municipal election also encourages people to cast their ballot. When it is that simple even the most apathetic person can take the time to vote. Ultimately, our political leaders need to connect and demonstrate relevancy with the electorate. Cynicism is rampant and addressing voter participation is one way to ensure a more healthy and viable political system. Canadians have died for our freedoms, and one of the most important is the right to choose our leaders by voting. Let’s all do our part to ensure we reach 50% in the 2014 municipal election. 

The Honourable Bryon Wilfert, P.C.,ICD.D is a former MP who was Liberal Party Critic for Foreign Affairs/Defence. Currently Senior Strategic Advisor at Tactix Government Relations/Public Affairs in Ottawa. PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 25

•Opinion

Choosing Your Medical Doctor and Choosing Your Politician By: H. K. Winston

ny country that its citizens participate in civic engagements is destined to progress and grow. Civic engagement means being involved in the political and social process of the society, that one lives in. Canada being a country where a great number of citizens are immigrants, could only properly progress when new Canadian citizens actively participate in civic engagement. Getting involved in local political party associations voting that is the most valuable right of each of citizen in democracy – and nominations are some of the essential elements of civic engagement. The elected politicians and political parties are those who govern our local, provincial and federal governments. The local governments – and the city councillors – have the most immediate effect on and involvement in Canadians day-to-day life. The condition of roads, sewage, garbage collection, construction permits and zoning, policing, maintaining parks and recreation centres, transit – and looking after most of the city level infrastructure and community centres are the responsibilities of the city councillors. 26

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

The provincial government and MPPs have a less immediate effect in the day-to-day life of the citizens. Their responsibilities are: education, healthcare, local courts, hydro, provincial energy strategies, provincial police, taking care of provincial highways and roads, environment and economy of each province. The federal government of Canada has the least immediate impact on the day-to-day life of Canadians. It is unlikely that the average citizen would need to contact his Member of Parliament, MP, on a regular basis. Some of the responsibilities of federal government are: Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, National Defence, Attorney General, Natural Resources, Finance, Environment and Northern Development and other similar jurisdictions. The federal government of Canada's responsibility is to create the laws that affect the federal operations and jurisdictions. Whenever trying to choose which candidate is a suitable candidate for each respected office, first, it is important to know what level of government the election is about.

•Opinion

“

The smart, reasonable and wise person votes for the most qualified and experienced political candidates based on merit, exactly the same way when someone chooses a medical doctor to save his life.

”

If it is a city councillor then the candidate needs to be approachable and make himself available, since the city counsellor is someone who has the most immediate effect in people's day-to-day life.

to promote themselves abroad - making trade agreements with various countries, National Defence and National Security of Canada in terms of protecting the Canadians' interests at home and abroad.

If the candidate is a Member of Provincial Parliament, MPP, then it is important to realize whether the candidate is capable of taking directions from his constituents - when it comes to reflecting their concerns regarding education, healthcare, price of electricity, economic growth and jobs in the province - then address them on the floor of the Legislative Assembly of the Province.

It is necessary to choose the most qualified candidate for each office. Part of such a process is to avoid voting for any candidate because he belongs to the same community.

The most important duty of the of the MP, in the House of Commons, is to defend and protect the national interests of Canadians at home and in the world such as International Affairs - International Trade by facilitating Canadian exports and industries

The smart, reasonable and wise person votes for the most qualified and experienced political candidates based on merit, exactly the same way when someone chooses a medical doctor to save his life. 

Nobody who is rational and wise would choose a medical doctor to operate on her because the doctor comes from the same country or community as she does. People choose the most qualified doctor who can save their lives.

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

Digital versions available worldwide!

Now on

issuu www.issuu.com/persiantribune

published across all digital platforms ipad pc mac visit us online at: www.persiantribune.ca

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 27

407

400

Bayview

Yonge

Bathurst

Upland

Royal Orchard

Clark

Clark Steeles

•Real Estate

Getting your Home Ready to

Welcome Spring! By: Sarvenaz Barghgir

It is once again spring, and as every Canadian knows, this is indeed one season to prepare for the unexpected. As a home owner, there are many things that you can do to prepare your house for the fluctuating weather.

furnace, and last but most important of all, your kitchen.

Maintain or Upgrade your Furnace It is highly recommended to stock up on furnace filters, and change them regularly. Meanwhile you can also ask professionals to inspect your furnace, or even change your thermostat for a programmable one, if not done already.

Don't forget to replace the fire extinguishers if older than 10 years.

A 2002 Annual Report of Fire Losses in Canada has found that 30% of all fires involved homes, with cooking being the leading cause.

Check Your Fireplace Make sure that your chimney is screened to prevent unwelcome visits from rodents. Clean your chimneys to insure there are no blockages. Remember that blockages are often one of the most common cause of indoor fires. Check your Doors and Windows Check for cracks and exposure entry points, and inspect your old basement windows. New doors and windows are often necessary. Old basement windows are often the cause of basement floods. Inspect, Replace, or Install New Fire Detectors Make sure you always have one installed near you garage, water heaters,

Maintain your Roof Replace worn roof shingles or tiles. It is also possible to purchase “ice and water shields”. These are rubberized sheets applied to the roof that help prevent water seeping between the shingles from flowing into the house as a result of an ice storm. Maintain your Landscaping If the recent power outage in the GTA, and some outer suburbs taught us anything, it was the importance of maintaining our outdoor environment. You can trim tree branches if they are too close to the house or the electric wires. Also, to avoid winter injury, ask your gardener when to prune the trees. May these home maintenance tips help transition you and your loved ones into an enjoyable, memorable, and safe spring. 

Looking to SELL or BUY a

HOME or CONDO ? Then call the leader in Real Estate

Prestige World Realty Inc., Brokerage 55 Misty Cres., Toronto, ON M3B1T2 TEL: 416.331.8987 DIR: 416.908.8692 FAX: 416.331.8503 barghgir@gmail.com

●

www.prestigeworldrealty.com

●

Your # 1 Real Estate Sales Broker

● ●

SARVY BARGHGIR

Broker of Record

Not Intended to Solicit Buyers or Sellers Currently Under Contract With a Broker

Call for more investment properties or Visit www.Prestigeworldrealty.com

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 29

•Real Estate

The Crash of the Real Estate Market By: Robert Atkinson “These prices are not realistic”, “The market is overpriced!”, “It has to crash soon and when it does....then I’m going to buy!” Have you heard people make these kinds of statements over the last 5 years or so? Have you made these statements at some point? A lot of people have and if you’re one of them you’re not alone. It seems inevitable. Home prices just can’t carry on like this as they are simply just too high. The latest statistics show that it will take almost 7 times your annual salary to buy a home in Toronto. When I bought my first home back in 1987 I paid just under 4 times my annual salary and interest rates had just dropped from 21% to 14%, rates which we considered a deal at the time! Fast forward 25 years and the affordability index has more than doubled which to many is a disturbing fact. However interest rates would have to go up about 460% to put us on equal footing! Compare this to the cost to service the mortgage then vs. now.

1987

2013

Interest Rate

14%

Home Value

$200,000

$543,000

$2,297

$2,356

Payments

What you are looking at is the difference in monthly payments, over 25 years is really the cost of your morning coffee at Tim Hortons! Toronto is a world class city, ranking #4 in North America behind Los Angles, New York and Mexico City. When you look at how much a home costs in contrast to your income you get a ratio that tells you how many years of income you need to own your home. When you compare this number to other North American world class cities Toronto is still much more affordable. Compare it with London, England with 4 times the population of Toronto packed into just over 2.5 times the same amount of land and we still come out ahead. London

New York

Los Angeles

Toronto

Average Home Price

$425,000

$475,000

$438,300

$523,036

Average Income per person

$58,652

$55,929

$46,148

$76,000

7.2

8.5

9.5

6.9

Years of Income Needed To Buy The Avg Home

What does this mean to those of us looking to buy or sell a home this year? It means people see the GTA as a relatively inexpensive place to buy a home and we should prepare ourselves for higher prices and continued bidding wars. If you are considering a home purchase, don’t take chances with your money; speak with a qualified realtor who can advise you on the best strategy to achieve your home buying goals. 

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 30

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

•Book Review

Everything You Need To Know About Having

A Persian Wedding

By: David Pascal The Persian Wedding Book: How to Have a Persian Wedding When You Have No Idea What Persian Means is your practical guide to preparing, having, and enjoying a Persian (Iranian) wedding. This guide is intended for brides, grooms, families, and guests alike. It covers all associated parties and ceremonies from start to finish: such as Ashnaei, Khastegari, Baleh-Baron, Namzadi, Jahaz-Baron, Hana Bandan, the Jashn-Aroosi (The Grand Reception), and even Pagosha and Madar Zan Salaam in detail. The planning family will particularly enjoy the almost 100 dazzling full color pages on preparing the Sofreh Aghd step by step, complete with advice on how to make your own sofreh and how or when to hire a designer. The non-Persian bride will appreciate Dr. Behzadi’s advice on making a great impression on your future Persian mother-in-law, must-know Persian courtesies, and wedding etiquette. The author, Dr. Christen Behzadi, M.D., is an American-born bride married in a Persian wedding ceremony, and she beautifully sprinkles her own story through the explanation of the customs & ceremonies, allowing brides-to-be and wedding planners to follow the process step-by-step and learn all they need to know to make their own wedding ceremonies an exquisite success. The Persian Wedding Book is packed with valuable real-life tips about what

“

Even non-Iranian brides seeking new and exciting ideas to individualize their weddings can find ideas on every page; but for the Iranian bride or family planning a truly Persian wedding in any city in the world, here is all the information needed to fashion their own unforgettable ceremony.

”

to do, what order to do it in, how to find vendors, what expected dress standards are, how to learn the appropriate dances, what foods to feature, what gifts to bring, what courtesies to show (and what social mistakes to avoid), and much much more. Even non-Iranian brides seeking new and exciting ideas to individualize their weddings can find ideas on every page; but for the Iranian bride or family planning a truly Persian wedding in any city in the world, here is all the information needed to fashion their own unforgettable ceremony. The Persian Wedding Book is a joyous celebration of Persian weddings, rich with photographs of dazzlingly beautiful items unique to Iranian wedding ceremonies, and sparkling with historical facts, explanations of symbolism, and moments of poetry that honor this great Iranian tradition.  The Persian Wedding Book is available on Amazon.com. For more information visit www.weddingpersian.com Contact Dr.Behzadi at EasyPersianWedding@gmail.com PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 31

•Wine

David’s

Wine Pick

of the month

s a n n arr y W naw

o o C

By: David Akhlaghi Executive Director at The Wine Cave

appy Norouz everyone! I hope that you and your family have great celebrations and enjoy your favorite wine and champagne without indulging too much at the expense of arriving home safe. Here we are in 1393(Persian New Year). Time passes by fast! Here is my wine pick of the month. Wynns Shiraz-COONAWARRA Coonawarra - which is an Aboriginal word meaning 'honeysuckle' - is an isolated region 450 kilometers away from Melbourne, and 380 kilometers from Adelaide. Coonawarra is renowned for its unique geological and climatic features - ideal for growing vines bearing the highest quality grapes. TERRA ROSSA - Coonawarra's fame comes mostly from a freakish natural phenomenon called the terra rossa. Meaning literally 'red earth', the terra rossa is a low, cigar-shaped ridge of soil some 15 kilometers long and up to 1 kilometer wide. Terra rossa topsoil is rich and free draining but thin - from just 5 centimeters to 100 centimeters deep. It is one of the best soils for growing vines in Australia; ideal for creating small, well colored berries that develop in optimal sunlight. The end result is a yield of intensely flavored grapes that are perfectly suited for making premium wine.

CLIMATE - Like all great wine regions of the world, Coonawarra's climate is cool and marginal. It is South Australia's southernmost wine region, positioned just 80 kilometers from the chilly southern ocean and cold Antarctic winds. The vines are assured a long, cool ripening period that builds up the intensity of flavours slowly in the grape and ensures a balanced acidity. The resulting wines will always be among Australia's finest for their richness, intensity, flavour and longevity. WYNNS COONAWARRA - Vineyards in Coonawarra's very limited terra rossa soil have become highly sought after, valued at approximately $100,000 per hectare. Wynns Coonawarra Estate owns approximately 70% of the vineyards planted on the terra rossa soil, and as the pioneer of the region, also has the oldest vines. CABERNET SAUVIGNON is Coonawarra's flagship variety but the region also produces fine reds from shiraz and fine whites from chardonnay and riesling. In particular, the Wynns Coonawarra Estate wines are known as the benchmark from the Coonawarra region. WYNNS SHIRAZ continues to be one of Australia's affordable favorites. Tucked away in the cellar of many budding wine collectors, Wynns Shiraz has all the structure and pedigree of some of its higher priced brothers and sisters. Rich varietal characters of plum, spice and pepper are woven through the minty regional notes and framed by fine, firm tannins. Don’t forget to visit us online at www.winecave.ca. Enjoy this one-stop shop for wine cellars and wine accessories, and keep the spirit of good quality wines alive. 

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

•Food

Rose Reisman’s Family Favourites

Potato corn chowder

By: Rose Reisman

Potato corn chowder

Directions:

{serves 4}

1. Lightly coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set over medium heat. Sauté the corn for about 8 minutes, stirring often or just until lightly browned. Purée half of the corn in a small food processor. Combine the puréed corn with the whole corn in a small bowl and set aside.

Ingredients: 2 cups corn niblets (canned or fresh) 1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 1/2 tsp finely chopped garlic 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper 1 cup peeled and diced potato 2 1/2 cups chicken stock 1/2 tsp hot chili sauce (or finely chopped jalapeño pepper) 2 tsp all-purpose flour 1 cup canned evaporated milk (2%) pinch of salt and pepper 3 Tbsp chopped parsley

Traditional corn chowder is usually prepared with excess cream and butter. My version uses evaporated milk, and you'll be surprised at how creamy and rich the soup tastes. Charring the corn gives the soup a fresher flavor.

•• 34

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

2. Add the oil to a large, nonstick pot and set over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for about 4 minutes. Add the red pepper and sauté for another 2 minutes. Add the potato, stock, chili sauce and corn mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes or until the potato is tender. 3. Whisk together the flour and milk in a small bowl and gradually add to the soup. Add the salt and pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes or until slightly thickened and heated through. Serve in bowls, and garnish with parsley. per serving Calories 211 • Protein 10 g • Carbohydrates 35 g • Fiber 3.9 g • Total fat 3.7 g • Saturated fat 0.9 g • Cholesterol 5 mg • Sodium 565 mg • prep time 15 minutes • cook time 30 minutes • make ahead Prepare up to a day in advance and reheat gently. • nutrition watch Corn is a good source of pantothenic acid. This B vitamin is necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and lipids. This is great for when you are stressed. 

From the Persian Kitchen...

â&#x20AC;˘Food

Khoresh Fesenjan (Walnut and Pomegrante Stew)

By: Naz Deravian

ontrary to popular belief Khoresh Fesenjan is quite simple to prepare, however, it commands our respect. The respect of time and patience and of slowly and lovingly allowing a much celebrated stew of walnuts and pomegranate molasses simmer quietly away for a few hours on your stove on a Sunday afternoon. Warming up your home with its tantalizing aromas - allowing all the flavors to come to life. {serves 6 - 8} Ingredients: 1 lb./450 grams shelled walnuts, ground up to a fine meal water 3/4 cup sour pomegranate molasses (or pomegranate molasses of choice) 1/2 teaspoon turmeric salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground dried rose petals (optional but highly recommended)* 2 1/2 - 3 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken pieces pomegranate seeds, for garnish (optional) pepper * You can grind up dried rose petals in a mortar and pestle or in a spice grinder. You can buy dried rose petals at Middle Eastern markets. Directions: 1. In a medium size bowl mix the ground up walnut meal with 4 cups of room temperature water.

2. Heat a large Dutch oven style pot over medium heat. Add the pomegranate molasses, 1 teaspoon salt and turmeric and stir to combine. Keep a close eye on it. As soon as the molasses starts to bubble and come to a gentle boil add the walnut/water mixture. Stir and allow to gently boil for about 5 minutes. Turn the heat down to low and gently simmer the sauce uncovered. 3. You will be simmering the sauce uncovered for the next 2 hours or so. Add about 1/2 cup of water every half hour or so. You will know it's time to add more water as the sauce starts to thicken and the walnut oil starts to rise to the top. Make sure you stir once in a while making sure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot and your sauce isn't burning. Skim off any oils that come to the surface. The color of the sauce will start turning from a pale beige to a rich brown throughout this process. Once the sauce is ready add the cinnamon and ground up rose petals. Taste and make adjustments. I usually add another 1/4 cup of pomegranate molasses. Hold off on adding more salt because the chicken will be seasoned with salt. The sauce can be made ahead of time up to this point. Or carry on right to the next step. 4. Cut up the chicken into medium sized pieces. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the sauce and simmer with the lid half ajar for 45 minutes - 1 hour until the chicken is cooked through (if the stew starts thinning out remove the lid completely and turn up the heat slightly, (make sure you are stirring so nothing sticks or burns). Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve over rice and garnish with pomegranate seeds if you like. ď Ž PERSIAN TRIBUNE

â&#x20AC;˘ 35

Restaurant

Authentic Persian Cuisine

Come experience fine dining at itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best

www.thepersianpalace.ca

905.737.4900

•Home Design

2014 Design Trends By: Steve Forberg

ecorium is excited to provide 2014 design trends and what’s in store for homeowners, interior decorators and design enthusiasts. Here is a list of our hottest style trends, which includes an embrace of all things retro and refined. Among the trends that can be found on display at both our Yonge St and Supertest locations, are conversational, unique coffee tables that are round in shape or composed of mixed metals and wood materials that create a distinct impression. Earthy accents such as Kilim area rugs and Indian sari silks combined with gold accessories, vibrantly-coloured accents pillows, animal prints and abstract wall décor that packs an eye catching burst of colour to liven up any room.

Lighter-coloured materials have become very trendy while darker wood finishes that have dominated homes and condos have taken the backseat this year. The year ahead however, is not all about severing ties with the past: mod pieces with distinctly Scandinavian flair will help create a range of 50’s inspired looks. Upholstery with feminine curves and luxurious fabrics are sure to make waves amongst homeowners and design professionals. In terms of the big picture, it’s all about mixing and matching genres, materials and styles to arrive at a unique aesthetic – one that will tell the story of an individual rather than a trend.  Steve Forberg, CEO Decorium PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 37

•Finance

TOP 6 REASONS YOU SHOULD OWN A TAX FREE SAVINGS ACCOUNT By: Tina Tehranchian

n 2014 you can contribute a maximum of $5,500 to your TFSA account. If you have never contributed to your TFSA before, you can actually contribute a maximum of $31,000 in 2014 by carrying forward your entitlements since 2009 when TFSAs came into existence. While you cannot deduct your contributions to a TFSA from your income, inside the TFSA, your savings will grow on a tax sheltered basis and you can withdraw the funds on a tax free basis as well. The following are the top 6 reasons you should own a TFSA: 1. If you have maximized your RRSP contributions, the TFSA gives you another way to shelter $5,500 per year of your investments from taxes. 2. TFSAs can be a great place to hold emergency funds as you can hold shortterm interest bearing instruments in a tax-sheltered environment and enjoy tax-free interest income, in addition to being able to withdraw and re-contribute as needed. 3. TFSAs enable you to gift $5,500 per year to your spouse, partner or child (over age 18) without having to worry about attribution of income or capital gains. 38

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

4. If your income is under $40,000 and you expect it to increase over this amount in coming years, you would be better off contributing to a TFSA rather than an RRSP. You can then transfer your TFSA savings to your RRSP when you are in a higher tax bracket and take advantage of higher tax savings. 5. If you are contributing $2,500 per year to an RESP to save for your children’s education and taking advantage of the 20% Canada Education Savings Grant, then the best place to save an additional $5,500 per year for this purpose would be a TFSA. 6. If you are an aggressive investor and expect to have substantial capital gains on your stock or mutual fund investments in the future, you can shelter those gains from taxes by investing in those securities in a self-directed TFSA account. 

Tina Tehranchian, MA, CFP, CLU, CHFC, is a Senior Financial Planner and Branch Manager at Assante Capital Management Ltd. in Richmond Hill Ontario and can be reached at (905) 707-5220 or through her web site at www.tinatehranchian.com. Assante Capital Management Ltd. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and is registered with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.

•Business

The Beginning of a New Era for Electronic Marketing in Canada By: Behrouz Amouzgar

n December 4, 2013, Canada’s Minister of Industry announced that the much anticipated Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) will come into force on July 1, 2014. CASL was introduced in 2010 and has been evaluated and discussed by representatives of industry and consumer groups ever since. While many have criticized CASL as an overly onerous legislation with detrimental effects on Canadian businesses, all agree that the coming into force of CASL is a stark reality which will virtually affect all organizations and businesses as well as many individuals. With penalties of up to $10,000,000 for organizations and $1,000,000 for individuals, many are rolling up their sleeves to take steps towards CASL compliance prior to its coming into force. What is more troubling is that unbeknownst to the majority of Canadians, the scope of CASL goes way beyond preventing what many of us regard as spam. According to a recent Deloitte poll, only 13% of organizations say they understand CASL requirements and have begun to apply them to their business. Studies suggest that spam accounts for 65% of messages transmitted through the internet, and according to the government of Canada, spam costs the Canadian economy more than $3 billion a year. Despite being one of the last developed countries in the world to target this issue by implementing anti-spam laws, Canada is introducing one of the toughest legislations in the world. Moving towards an opt-in system, one of the overarching principles of CASL is that express or implied consent is required prior to sending of commercial electronic messages. So what makes CASL so onerous? As the saying goes the devil is in the details, and in this case it lies in the scope of electronic messages that are covered by CASL, as well as its content and record keeping requirements. While many of us would expect CASL to only apply to mass email messages sent by corporations offering to sell goods or services, you may be surprised to find out that, among other types of messages, the legislation also applies to messages sent by non-profit organizations as well as messages that you send to individuals with whom you have a business relationship or who have been referred to you by a third party. In the case of an existing business relationship, you are permitted to send commercial electronic messages

to people who have purchased a product or service from you for a period of only two years from the time of the purchase and for a period of only six months to people who have made an inquiry from you about the products or services that you offer. After the expiry of these time periods you need express consent from the recipient, and you are not permitted to send an electronic message to obtain such consent. In the case of third party referrals, you are only permitted to send one commercial electronic message to an individual who was referred to you by a third party and in your message you will need to include the name and contact information of the individual who made the referral. CASL requires that all commercial electronic messages include identification and contact information of the sender as well as an unsubscribe mechanism that is set out clearly and prominently which allows the recipient to opt out of all types of electronic communications from the sender. CASL also imposes significant record keeping obligations and requires that the date and time of consent, along with the purpose and manner of consent be recorded in a database. A confirmation of consent will also need to be sent to the recipient as soon as the consent is obtained. So what should we do between now and July of 2014? Obtaining consent from those to whom we wish to send commercial electronic messages is the first step. Now is a good time to send out emails and ask for consent as after July 1, 2014, an email which requests consent will itself be deemed a commercial electronic message. Prior to sending your emails, make sure to carefully review the form and content requirements of requests for consent under CASL. If you are part of a larger organization, consider putting together a team of individuals tasked with monitoring CASL compliance and be wary of liabilities of the directors, officers, and employers who through action or inaction permit commercial electronic messages to be sent in violation of CASL. Finally, consider obtaining a thorough legal assessment of your current operations and note that this text is not intended to replace legal advice. For more information on the topic please visit www.lexpand.com. 

Behrouz Amouzgar is a business and real estate lawyer at Lexpand Legal Professional Corporation. He also holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science from York University. PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 41

•Environment

Trading water for Fuel is fracking crazy worst in 500 years, according to B. Lynn Ingram, an earth and planetary sciences professor at the University of California, Berkeley. That's causing a shortage of water for drinking and agriculture, and for salmon and other fish that spawn in streams and rivers. With no rain to scrub the air, pollution in the Los Angeles area has returned to dangerous levels of decades past.

Drought and fracking have already caused some small communities in Texas to run out of water altogether, and parts of California are headed for the same fate. (Credit : Merinda Brayfield)

By David Suzuki with contributions from Ian Hanington, Senior Editor

t would be difficult to live without oil and gas. But it would be impossible to live without water. Yet, in our mad rush to extract and sell every drop of gas and oil as quickly as possible, we're trading precious water for fossil fuels. A recent report, "Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Stress", shows the severity of the problem. Alberta and B.C. are among eight North American regions examined in the study by Ceres, a U.S.-based nonprofit advocating for sustainability leadership. One of the most disturbing findings is that hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is using enormous amounts of water in areas that can scarcely afford it. The report notes that close to half the oil and gas wells recently fracked in the U.S. "are in regions with high or extremely high water stress" and more than 55 per cent are in areas experiencing drought. In Colorado and California, almost all wells — 97 and 96 per cent, respectively — are in regions with high or extremely high water stress, meaning more than 80 per cent of available surface and groundwater has already been allocated for municipalities, industry and agriculture. A quarter of Alberta wells are in areas with medium to high water stress. Drought and fracking have already caused some small communities in Texas to run out of water altogether, and parts of California are headed for the same fate. As we continue to extract and burn ever greater amounts of oil, gas and coal, climate change is getting worse, which will likely lead to more droughts in some areas and flooding in others. California's drought may be the

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

Because of lack of information from industry and inconsistencies in water volume reporting, Ceres' Western Canada data analysis "represents a very small proportion of the overall activity taking place." Researchers determined, though, that Alberta fracking operations have started using more "brackish/saline" groundwater instead of freshwater. The report cautions that this practice needs more study "given the potential for brackish water to be used in the future for drinking water" and the fact that withdrawing salty groundwater "can also adversely impact interconnected freshwater resources." Although B.C. fracking operations are now mainly in low water stress regions, reduced precipitation and snowpack, low river levels and even drought conditions in some areas — likely because of climate change — raise concerns about the government's plan to rapidly expand the industry. The report cites a "lack of regulation around groundwater withdrawals" and cumulative impacts on First Nations lands as issues with current fracking.

•Environment extraction exacerbate the problems, should make us take a good look at how we're treating this planet and everything on it, including ourselves and generations to come. It's a reminder that we need to conserve energy in every way possible. In the short term, we must realize that we have better ways to create jobs and build the economy than holding an "everything must go" sale on our precious resources. In the longer term, we must rethink our outdated economic systems, which were devised for times when resources were plentiful and infrastructure was scarce. Our highest priorities must be the air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil that provides food and the biodiversity that keeps us alive and healthy.  Ceres' study only looks at fracking impacts on freshwater supplies, and offers recommendations to reduce those, including recycling water, using brackish or wastewater, strengthening regulations and finding better ways to dispose of fracking wastewater. But the drilling method comes with other environmental problems, from groundwater contamination to massive ecosystem and habitat disruption — even small earth tremors — all done in the name of short-term gain.

Photo: Kent Kallberg

It's important to heed the conclusions and recommendations of this study and others, but given the problems with fracking, and other forms of extraction, we must find ways to control our insatiable fossil fuel demand. That burning these — often wastefully — contributes to climate change, and our methods of

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

• 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

fulfilled individuals in university, career and life.

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

and our welcoming International

Baccalaureate program (grade 7 to 12).

Phone 905 889 6882 ext. 254 â&#x20AC;˘ www.tmsschool.ca

•Events

Out and About with Events Events Events Events Persian Tribune Events Events

assante new office opening

ArtWorld Fine Art Gallery

assante new office opening

ArtWorld Fine Art Gallery

assante new office opening

ArtWorld Fine Art Gallery

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 45

•people

Persian Tribune

Person of The Month Professor Fazlollah Reza

A Legendary Man of Letter

An overview of Professor Fazlollah Reza's life and contributions to humanity Edited by: Mei Shao

If one ever wonders how many things a person can achieve in a short life time, Professor Fazlollah Reza is a living manifest of the unlimited human potential one can reach with love, passion and a strong will. Born in the city of Rasht near the Caspian Sea in the North of Iran in 1914, Fazlollah Reza has led a manifold life of a scholar, educator and diplomat. His formal education includes several baccalaureates and university degrees from Iran, a Master of Science degree in Electronics from Columbia University in 1946, and a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of New York in 1948-1950. As a scholar, Professor Fazlollah Reza is internationally recognized for his contributions to the Theory of Electrical Circuits and Systems, Information Theory, Cybernetics and related Applied Mathematics. His scientific contributions, papers and books have received worldwide recognition and his three English books published in the USA were subsequently translated into several languages. His doctoral dissertation on The Synthesis of Two-Terminal Networks, was described by the renowned American scientist Professor E. Weber, President of Polytechnic University of New York, as an "extraordinary contribution". 46

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

As an educator, Professor Fazlollah Reza has lectured at many major academic centres throughout the world, including Iran, USA, Canada and many countries in Europe. He has also published many scientific and literary works in Farsi, French and English. For most Iranians, his greatest achievement as an educator is probably what he did with Iranian scientific institution. During the years when he was Chancellor of Sharif University of Technology (Formerly Aryamehr University) and Tehran University, he succeeded in attracting over one hundred and fifty Iranian scientists and scholars to Tehran, who contributed immensely to the new university orientation and to the academic foundations of science and technology in Iran. He also implemented a rapid and innovative modernization program in the reorganization of academic departments, institutes, curricula and research. This reorientation provided a major impetus towards development of the Iranian scientific nucleus. All these contributions are still deeply felt in the heart of Iranian higher education system.

Fazlollah Reza’s diplomatic career consists of two major posts he has held within the 60s and 70s: Iran's Ambassador at the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) from 1969 to 1974, and Ambassador of Iran to Canada, from 1974 until the end of 1978. During his mission at UNESCO, Fazlollah Reza has advocated an increased participation of scientists in global concerns, in order to enhance the international dialogue between nations by the implementation of scientific concepts, methods and the transfer of technology.

In addition to his scientific career, Fazlollah Reza is a devoted lover for Persian literature, Sufism and philosophy. His books and articles on Persian literature have earned him a place of distinction in Persian literary circles.

He currently lives in Ottawa Canada with his wife Mary Theresa Reza. 

During the past four decades, Professor Fazlollah Reza has remained devotedly active in intellectual pursuit. He has taught in various universities and has participated, chaired and delivered addresses to many international scientific meetings, at academic centres, as well as in UNESCO and UN conferences. He has served at times as a consultant to various government and private organizations including IBM, General Electric, the Scientific Section of the United States Air Force and the Iranian Government.

EVERY PIECE, A WORK OF ART

287 Bridgeland Avenue Toronto M6A 1Z6 (Entrance from Caledonia Rd)

P 416.256.3150 import-temptations.com Mon to Sat 10 am - 5 pm Like us on

IMPORT TEMPTATIONS

At Assante Wealth Management we understand that your financial situation is unique. From investment, tax and estate planning to your retirement. Assante is built to provide the complete solution.

financial advice Tina Tehranchian, MA, CFP, CLU, CHFC, FELLOW OF FPSCâ&#x201E;˘ Branch Manager, Senior Financial Planner Assante Capital Management Ltd. 9130 Leslie Street, Suite 302, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 0B9 T: 905.707.5220 | F: 905.707.1035 | ttehranchian@assante.com www.tinatehranchian.com

Assante Capital Management Ltd. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and is registered with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.