Richmond News March 13 2015 by Richmond News

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With referendum ballots soon in the mail, the Richmond News looks at the pros and cons of a transit tax. See Friday Feature pages 12 & 13

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NEWS

Send story ideas or photo submissions to Richmond News editor Eve Edmonds at editor@richmond-news.com

DEVELOPMENT

Too big for their britches New Westwind Ratepayer Association calling on city to limit house size and character Graeme Wood

Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com

In response to the city’s slow-moving acknowledgement of zoning bylaw loopholes that are “decimating” neighbourhoods, longtime local real estate agent Lynda Terborg has created the city’s first ratepayer association for her Westwind neighbourhood — the Westwind Ratepayer Association for Positive Development. “We don’t want wards, we don’t want a representative for Westwind, we just want (the city) to listen to us and have input, not just sit behind closed doors and come up with a solution of their own,” said Terborg, who is urging other residents to do the same in their areas. A ratepayer association is a group of residents who lobby the city on behalf of its neighbourhood’s interests. They are prominent in other Metro Vancouver cities, said Terborg. At issue is the city’s failure to amend roughly 4,000 land-use contracts — initiated in the 1970s — which allow homebuilders to build three-storey homes on relatively small lots. “It was incomplete language. Who would have known that,” said Terborg, noting now

that property values have risen, developers are taking full advantage of the (land-use) contracts that doesn’t clearly dictate a home’s living space relative to the property footprint. “Developers are already door-knocking here so hard, and they’re not offering owners their due market value.” She points to one recently built home that is listed for $2.4 million after the older, now demolished, home was sold for $784,000. The new, three-storey home has a total floor area of 6,200 square feet, whereas the older home was just 1,600 square feet, on a 5,300 square foot lot. Members say they worry about the future of the neighbourhood due to its unaffordability for new families. “Good people run away when they see bad things happen,” said Terborg. Another problem she sees is the city’s lack of design protocol. She points to builders who have built “French chateaus” next to modest homes. The city claims the land-use contracts were out of the city’s controls. However, last year the province changed laws to allow the city to amend the contracts. Terborg argued that the city could have lobbied the province years ago, and, at least, should do something now. “Now they pretend it’s a provincial problem. Provincial problem — my foot!

Lynda Terborg is joined by (from left) Joel Berman, Lee Bennett, Neil Cumming and Martin Woolford to form the city’s first ratepayer association, which aims to lobby the city regarding regulations on home size and character. Photo by Graeme Wood/Richmond News They had the problem in wording in the first amendment,” said Terborg “It’s almost a whole year later and we aren’t talking publicly about a fix. Look at the escalation of permits. In 10 years, we’ll be decimated,” she warned. Terborg said large homes built under landuse contracts are “out of character” and would be non-conforming under city zoning. The new homes overshadow older ones, robbing them of sunlight, thus causing drainage problems and ruining gardens in

their wake. All-in-all quality of life, for those who wish to remain in their family homes, is being ruined, said Terborg. Coun. Linda McPhail, who lives in the Westwind neighbourhood, concurred that some of the homes “are really pushing the boundaries” and offered to review the bylaws. Joe Erceg, Richmond’s manager of planning and development, has stated the city is in the process of amending the current terms of land-use contracts.

Councillor proposes a home demolition fee Graeme Wood

Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com

Councillor Carol Day wants the City of Richmond to prevent seemingly livable homes from being demolished. “It’s something we need to look at for livable homes. There are beautiful homes being ripped down. You have to wonder if it isn’t reasonable for developers to pay a demolition tax,” said Day. As a result, the city’s planning committee, consisting of Day and councillors Chak Au, Harold Steves and chair Linda McPhail directed city

staff to “examine options to restructure demolition fees and regulate the recycling of demolition material,” according to referral notes. Joe Erceg, the city’s manager of planning and development, told the committee he believes the city’s options are limited. He did say the city may be able to impose recycling fees, however, demolition fees are likely a provincial matter. Last year, the city issued demolition permits for 397 single family homes. So far this year there has been a spike in such demolitions; in January there were

Grade

35 permits issued and in February there were 38. Day said the issue is fostering an unaffordable housing market. Many of the homes are under 30 years old. Some homeowners on arterial roads have bent to market forces and are demolishing homes with appraised building (not property) values of more than $300,000. McPhail said she wants to know what the province can do about imposing special demolition fees. “My concern about that was what can (the city) do under our powers and what

are other tools available at other levels of government,” she said. McPhail said the city has to balance wastefulness and landfill costs with people’s right to build on their properties. McPhail downplayed the impact of demolitions when asked whether they jive with the city’s “green” goals such as reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions 33 per cent below 2007 levels by 2020. “I don’t know if that’s really a problem,” she said. “I haven’t heard, personally, people coming to me (with concerns) that too many houses are being demolished.”

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NEWS

Transit users consider themselves healthy: survey Releasing results now highly political, says Bateman Philip Raphael

Staff Reporter praphael@richmond-news.com

Transit riders, cyclists and good old fashioned pedestrians feel they’re healthier than those who rely on their cars to get them around town. That’s the general findings in the first released segment of Vancouver Coastal Health’s survey called my Health, my Community which covered health and transportation. The survey, which drew responses from 28,000 Metro Vancouver residents 18 and older indicated 55 per cent of them used their own vehicles to commute to school or work. A total of 29 per cent opted for transit, 10 per cent went by foot, four per cent hopped on a bike, while the remaining two per cent listed “other.” When it came to how those commuter groups described their health and health behaviour, cyclists and walkers reported they had a positive association with a lower body mass

chief medical health officer, Dr. James Lu. “It’s not surprising in what people have told us,” Lu said. “I think it’s consistent with the more in-depth research on the way we get to places and how it has an influence on how healthy we are, and how healthy we feel we are.” Jordan Bateman, who is heading up the “No” campaign on the transit plebiscite said the survey’s release now is a “desperate, cynical attempt” to sway public opinion on a transit plebiscite that wold fund transit improvements through a 0.5 per cent sales tax hike.. Calling the information in the survey highly politicized, Bateman said the “Yes” side has moved towards a campaign of fear. “You see it with the suggestion from doctors that voting ‘no’ will cause more cancer, fire chiefs saying that if you vote ‘no’ your house might burn down, and that economic disaster is around the corner,” Bateman said. “It’s a desperate attempt to get this tax through.”

index, and marked high on the survey’s wellness score characterized by a healthy diet, 30 minutes of daily walking, not smoking, and 150-plus minutes of vigorous exercise a week. That group also reported they felt healthy and had a a strong sense of community and belonging. Transit users scored themselves well on the body mass index, wellness score and 30-minute daily walk category, but did not indicate a self-reported excellent or good response to their own health. They also didn’t have a strong sense of community. Another category, listed as Active Transportation — those who combine transit, cycling or walking —also put themselves on the lower body mass index scale, wellness score, daily walking and physical activity scales. The survey also characterized that group as being 33 per cent less likely to be overweight or obese compared to those who commute by car. The findings are pretty logical, said Richmond’s

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NEWS

Immigrant investor data withheld Graeme Wood

Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com

Richmond’s planning committee has asked city staff to “provide council with data related to overseas buyers of property in the city,” according to a referral. However, the Richmond News has learned municipal data from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) on investor class immigrants — those who paid the federal government to enter Canada — is classified. The News asked doctorate student Craig Jones at the University of B.C. Geography Department for the data he is using to research immigrant settlement in Metro Vancouver, but Jones said he is not allowed to release it, per an agreement with CIC. “The terms of this access are fairly restrictive and we are free to publicly share only certain aspects of our work. Our access has a lot to do with a well-established relationship between CIC and the geography department at UBC,” said Jones, who works alongside Dr. David Ley, author of Millionaire Migrants, a book that examines the impact of wealthy migrants on the real estate market, among many other things.

The referral was made after Coun. Harold Steves raised the matter of how wealthy Chinese investors may have impacted local communities as contended in a newly published book, Middle Power Middle Kingdom, by David Mulroney, Canada’s former ambassador to China. Steves submitted a recent Vancouver Sun book review to the committee. “An assertive China is challenging the balance of power in the Pacific, and it is more than willing to reach across borders, including Canada’s, to steal technologies and to confront challenges to its ideology,” notes the book’s introduction. The problem for city planners and councillors, however, is proper data. From 2006 to 2011, according to the National Household Survey, about 18,600 immigrants settled in Richmond. Of those, about 10,400 were from China. But Jones says the household survey — a voluntary survey that replaced the country’s mandatory long-form census in 2011 — is unworthy of being a reliable source of data in which to form policies. “I wouldn’t rely on it,” said Jones. CIC has released data that notes about 60 per cent of investor immigrants were Chinese and roughly

5,000 settled in B.C. annually since 2004. Mulroney claims that Canada is the focus of a Chinese government investigation to track down corrupt former Communist Party officials who have stashed wealth in the form of overseas real estate. But he warns that a much-needed conversation on Chinese migration must be met with facts and not “urban myths,” wrote Mulroney, according to the Sun. At the local level, vacant properties is thought to undermine a neighbourhood’s safety and sense of community. Richmond’s planning committee asked staff to see if the city could impose a vacancy tax on absentee homeowners. While there are many anecdotes of vacant, newly built megahomes, a foreseeable problem for city staff will be how to determine what constitutes a vacant home. Coun. Carol Day said the issue may very well rest with the federal government. “Ultimately, we don’t write immigration policy, we’re just the unfortunate victims of what’s happening with that. (Conservative MP) Alice Wong has been hands off right from the start,” she said.

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Richmond resident Ghalib Walji has been charged with one count of dangerous operation with a motor vehicle causing death after crashing his Acura Vigor in November 2013 and killing a 76 year-old man. Richmond RCMP believe speed was a factor. It’s believed Walji was speeding through the intersection of No. 4 Road and Westminster Highway on Nov. 23 when he struck the other man’s car. Photo submitted

Fire bylaw mulled Richmond Fire Rescue is proposing a bylaw that will give the department new powers to clean up abandoned buildings in the city. “Vacant and abandoned buildings have been and continue to be a problem,” stated fire chief John McGowan. The bylaw would give the city the right to charge property owners for the costs of fires or other incidents on the property. The city claims to have 28 outright abandoned buildings, down from 36 last November. —Graeme Wood

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OPINION

Send your story ideas or photo submissions to Richmond News editor Eve Edmonds at editor@richmond-news.com

EDITORIAL OPINION

Erradicating rink rage

alling Saturday’s dust-up among hockey parents at a North Vancouver rink an embarrassing moment is an understatement. When police get called to a teen hockey game over antics of adult spectators, you’re skating on thin ice in terms of acceptable behaviour. Alarmingly — and likely not coincidentally — the shoving match broke out after an on-ice brawl erupted between young players. But you can’t assign all the blame to the kids when this is the behaviour their parents

demonstrate. Hockey certainly isn’t the only sport plagued with distinctly overzealous parents. What blew up on the weekend is a small but persistent part of sports culture, especially at the elite level. It’s bad enough to see professional athlete role models exhibit unsportsmanlike behaviour. It’s worse to see the antics trickle down to kids and being reinforced by idiot parents. According to an Angus Reid poll released last week,

most Canadians who have attended youth hockey games report they have seen adult spectators verbally abuse both players and referees. That’s hardly a record to be proud of. There is a sign being posted at sports facilities around the world reminding parents their child’s success or lack of success in sports doesn’t indicate what kind of parents they are. What does, the sign notes, is raising an athlete who is coachable, respectful, a good teammate and someone who tries their best.

School districts, B.C. Ferries get squeezed

schools by $30 million (an wo issues have increase largely driven by a sprung to the fore in InTheHouse significant hike in student the opening weeks Keith Baldrey enrolment at independent of the legislature that put Columnist schools). the stingy (some would say The optics, as they say, miserly) ways of the B.C. don’t look good here. Liberal government on full public display. There have been howls of outrage One of them is the never-ending story from B.C. school trustees about these about the funding of public education in pending cuts, but Premier Christy Clark this province, while the other is another has characterized the cost-cutting (or, cost seemingly endless tale — how much “savings” in government parlance) exercise funding the B.C. Ferries system should as merely going after “low-hanging fruit.” receive from taxpayers. That dismissive comment was like Let’s tackle the complex education throwing oil on a long-simmering fire. system first. School districts have been grappling In a classic case of giving with one hand with rising, unfunded costs in the system while taking with the other, the government for years. Things such as inflation, pension has topped up a special learning fund by improvements, rising MSP premiums and $23 million while at the same time cutting BC Hydro rates haven’t been covered by school board budgets by $29 million additional funding for quite a while, thus (followed by a further $25 million chop the making the mandatory achievement of an following year). annual balanced school board budget that But while the public education system is much more difficult to accomplish every being squeezed (yet again), the government year. has topped up the budget for independent Nevertheless, the provincial government

is convinced legitimate savings can be found, either through a greater emphasis on shared “services” between some school districts or simply realizing cost efficiencies and eliminating spending waste. Still, one can’t help but wonder whether there is a hidden agenda at work here: a not-so-subtle push to get some school districts to amalgamate. While it remains to be seen whether that $29-million reduction can occur without hurting classroom instruction, it’s a different case when it comes to forcing “savings” on the B.C. Ferries system. B.C. Ferries has already gone through a significant round of cost-cutting and consolidation, as sailings on many routes have been eliminated. There’s not much more there to cut and B.C. Ferries does not have control over certain cost items. For example, the size of crews on ships — a favourite target of those who like to make apples-and-oranges comparisons to the Washington ferry system — is mandated by Transport Canada, not by B.C.

Our Commitment to You Published every Wednesday & Friday by the Richmond News, a member of the Glacier Media Group. 5731 No. 3 Road, Richmond, B.C. V6X 2C9 Phone: 604.270.8031 Fax: 604.270.2248 richmond-news.com

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Eve Edmonds Editor editor@richmond-news.com 604.249.3343

Ferries, and labour is a huge cost item. A petition with 20,000 names on it was delivered to the legislature last week, calling for B.C. Ferries to return to the full control of the provincial government. Such a move (not that it has much of a chance of happening) is meaningless, since it would do nothing to address the chief problem for B.C. ferry users: high fares that keep getting higher. B.C. taxpayers already generously fund B.C. Ferries, to the tune of about $190 million a year in subsidies. But without any increase to that subsidy, fares will undoubtedly continue to climb, as B.C. Ferries has limited power to deal with two big cost items: labour and fuel costs. And so far, the penny-pinching B.C. Liberals show no sign of even entertaining the idea of boosting that annual subsidy. As I’ve noted here before, there is a disconnect between the ruling party and many regular users of B.C.’s ferries. Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC. He can be reached via email at: Keith.Baldrey@globalnews.ca.

The Richmond News is a member of the Glacier Media Group. The News respects your privacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available at www.richmond-news.com. The Richmond News is also a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body. The council considers complaints from the public about conduct of member newspapers. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint, contact the council. Your written concern with documentation should be sent to 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. www.bcpresscouncil.org.

Reporters: Alan Campbell acampbell@richmond-news.com | Graeme Wood gwood@richmond-news.com | Philip Raphael praphael@richmond-news.com Sports: Mark Booth mbooth@richmond-news.com Integrated Media Consultants: Lori Kininmont lkininmont@richmond-news.com | Kevin Liminsang kliminsang@richmond-news.com | Lynnette Raymond lraymond@richmond-news.com Sales Administrator: Joyce Ang jang@richmond-news.com | Sales Assistant: Veera Irani virani@richmond-news.com

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

LETTERS

TRANSIT REFERENDUM

Handy Dart users say ‘yes’ Dear Editor, We have lived in our home and paid taxes for over 50 years. Due to rezoning for densification we now have severe parking problems. This is worsened by the illegal use of the mandatory garage spaces in each lane house for living space (overlooked by authorities). A “yes” vote would help improve public transit and lessen the need for so many cars. We also desperately need improved HandyDart service. Elizabeth and John Beeching Two HandyDart users

Letters policy The editor reserves the right to edit letters for brevity, clarity, legality and good taste. Send letters to: The Editor, Richmond News, 5731 No. 3 Road Richmond, B.C. V6X 2C9 Fax: 604-270-2248 or e-mail: editor@richmond-news. com

Overhaul TransLink ‘Yes’ side out Dear Editor, The 0.5 per cent added to the PST will be included with regular PST, totaling 7.5 per cent. How is the government going to distinguish what part of this 0.5 per cent actually goes to metro congestion? I fear that these monies will go into general revenue, and the government will dish out what it feels like for metro congestion tax. They say the tax will end after 10 years. Do you really believe this? There will never be enough money for the government and TransLink. They will be asking for more after 10 years. This tax increase is supposedly for Broadway and Surrey lines, an increase in bus service for some areas, bridges and roads. Roads? Which ones are they referring to? Municipalities are responsible for maintenance of residential streets via your property taxes. Some roads and bridges are

the responsibility of the federal government (i.e. Arthur Laing Airport Bridge/Canada Line to the airport). The province is responsible for highways and some bridges (Port Mann/Massey Tunnel etc). So, which roads and bridges is TransLink responsible for? (Editor’s note: The Golden Ears Bridge). Keep in mind, once these bridges are built, we will be paying tolls on them — double jeopardy! One simply cannot trust TransLink, given their track record on spending and the salaries it pays its executives and board of directors. Also, some of the TransLink police are retired officers from other police forces. They are being highly paid by TransLink and may also be collecting pensions from their force. We already pay TransLink tax at the gas pumps, BC Hydro (check your BC Hydro invoice), property taxes, and there’s the good old carbon tax.

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TransLink has taken away discount privileges offered to groups such as WorkSafe BC, school boards, the City of Vancouver, and yet the UPASS (for university students) is untouched. Why? I say it’s time to terminate this privilege. After all, students are the majority of users. The only remedy is to get rid of the entire TransLink board. This board should be elected by taxpayers, just like provincial and municipal governments. The plebiscite’s being mailed out to residents in Metro Vancouver, but at who’s cost? The taxpayer. TransLink is paying huge amounts for the “yes” campaign. These dollars would be betters spent on funding the very projects they are asking about. Stop wasting our hard earned money. Steve Chang Richmond

of touch

To the Editor, I listen to the ads for the “yes” side in the transit referendum saying we need to accommodate another million residents who are coming to Greater Vancouver. And I’m suppose to be happy about this? I don’t think so! We don’t even have the infrastructure to accommodate the existing population, and we passed that point a very long time ago. I don’t know a single person who is in favour of this transit tax, and the appointment of Jimmy Pattison to oversee it should send a huge message to, in my opinion, the very out-of-touch mayors — Brodie and Robertson. I don’t know who advises them, but I think they have isolated themselves from the general population who are fed up with the excessive ongoing, over development — so much so, that mayoralty candidates are campaigning on that issue alone. The Liberal government needs to get in touch with the critical issues of health care, education and housing, which I think should be their priority. The fact it isn’t causes me great concern. Where are the proposals for more health care professionals, hospitals, sewage treatment and increased water supply? Zara Macleod Richmond

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

RICHMOND-NEWS.COM

ARTS & LIFE

Red carpet awaits Richmond actress Philip Raphael

Staff Reporter praphael@richmond-news.com

Richmond’s Mamie Laverock (right) on set of When Calls the Heart with co-star Gracyn Shinyei. Photo submitted

A young Richmond actress is getting her first taste of the red carpet in Los Angeles this Saturday. Ten-year-old Mamie Laverock is one of the nominees in the 36th Young Artists Awards, the equivalent of the Golden Globes for young performers. Mamie, who has a recurring role as Rosaleen Sullivan on the Hallmark Channel’s series When Calls the Heart, has been nominated for best performance in a TV series — recurring young actress 10 and under. The show, about the life of a school teacher in a 1910 frontier town, is shot in and around Langley, wraps its second season at the end of this week. And Mamie, her mother, Nicole Rockmann, her sister, step father, and her father, will all be winging their way down to California for the awards show. “That’s one of the best things about this whole event is that

Mamie will be supported by her entire family,” said Rockmann. One of Mamie’s co-stars, Maple Ridge’s Gracyn Shinyei, has also been nominated in the same category. The awards Young Artists Awards event is quite renowned and counts some current Hollywood heavyweights, such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Dakota Fanning, as previous winners. “It’s quite something to get a nomination, especially as a Canadian actor getting into these awards,” said Rockmann. The past few weeks have been busy ones for Mamie and her family as they arranged flights, booked a hotel and picked out a new dress worthy of an awards show for Grade 5 student at Anderson elementary. Following the whirlwind trip to L.A., Mamie’s schedule doesn’t let up much, as shortly after her return home, she takes up a role in the Lower Mainland shot feature film The Hollow Ones. “That will be quite a departure for Mamie. It’s a horror movie,” Rockmann said.

CONTEST WINNER

Seven-year-old Kendra is one of the latest winners of a $30 gift certificate in Landsdowne Centre’s Minoru the Raccoon colouring contest. Photo submitted

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The Spring Carnival is at Lansdowne Centre from March 27 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29 & March 31 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; April 6. See www.lansdowne-centre.com for carnival hours.

Drop off your coloured entry at Customer Service at Lansdowne Centre before 6:00pm on March 23, 2015. You could win a free wrist-band, good for unlimited rides on either of our Wrist-Band Days; Sunday, March 29 or Sunday, April 5, 2015. No purchase necessary, open to children 12 and under.

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RICHMOND-NEWS.COM

THEFRIDAYFEATURE

What’s in it for Richmond?

More trains on the Canada Line planned if ‘yes’ side wins transit referendum Graeme Wood

Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com

passengers per hour per day. The increased frequency would be staged over time, “as needed,” according to TransLink, with 2030 as the target for five-minute departures. With the tax, TransLink would have 12 new cars (six trains) by 2019 and an additional eight by 2024.

ichmond’s Canada Line stands to be the big winner in Richmond if the 0.5 per cent sales tax dedicated to transit passes a plebiscite in Metro Vancouver. Current average daily ridership on the line is 122,000 passengers on weekdays and 85,000 passengers on weekends. Current capacity stands at 6,100 passengers per hour per direction. By 2045 ridership is expected to grow by about 80 per cent from current levels, according to the Mayors’ Council.

Along with the platform expansions, the capital investment would cost $52 million, with average annual operational costs of $16 million. Under the current service agreement with InTransit BC, 16 trains are used during peak service.

The Mayors’ Council plan calls for three station platform expansions in Downtown Vancouver, as well as 10 new, two-car trains over the next 10 years to increase train departures from Brighouse at peak hours from every six minutes and 40 seconds to five minutes. That would increase capacity to 8,100

However it’s notable that any further upgrades, beyond 2024, will be costly, as a result of costcutting measures approved by TransLink and the City of Richmond when the line was approved in 2004. A single rail track from Lansdowne to Brighouse station and short platforms designed to save money, at the time, will need to be

addressed in subsequent decades to expand capacity. The line has 11 stations, including eight elevated stations, that require platform extensions from 40 metres to 50 to accommodate planned 54-metre two-and-a-half car trains. The plan includes limited funds to explore this option after 10 years, according to TransLink. The regional transportation authority states that it is “not exploring double-tracking the Brighouse segment of the line” and notes it would be “a significant and costly endeavour.” When, or if, double tracking is eventually done, trains could depart every four minutes from Brighouse.

Other Richmond upgrades: New B-Line bus to Metrotown - Costing $3.1 million to start up, a new rapid bus

line can whisk shoppers and workers from Richmond Centre to Metrotown via the Knight Street Bridge. The annual operating cost would be $1.7 million (in 2015 dollars). The line would be introduced by 2019. Expanded 401,402, 403, 407, 410 bus service - Frequent all-day service upgrades would mean buses at least every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Specific costs per bus route and detailed schedules are not included in the plan. More HandyDART service - Disabled people will benefit with 30 per cent more HandyDART service. Regionally the plan will invest $20 million for capital upgrades and another $16 million in annual operating costs. Bike lane upgrades - There are no specific upgrades to Richmond other than better adjacent connections to the Canada Line cycling path. Richmond would be included in a 300-kilometre expansion of traffic-protected bikeways on major streets throughout the region at a capital cost of $131 million and annual operating costs of $1.5 million.

Plebiscite primer: Here’s what you need to know What is going on? Voting in the Metro Vancouver transit plebiscite (a public vote) starts Monday. To participate, you must be a Canadian citizen, a B.C. resident as of Dec. 1, 2014 and a registered voter living in Metro Vancouver. If you are not registered, or have recently moved you may register online at Elections. BC.ca or call 1-800-661-8683 (with multilingual service) by May 15. Mail-in ballots will be sent to homes starting March 16 and must be returned (postage is pre-paid) by May 26. What is being asked of you? The question on the ballot will be: “Do you support a new 0.5 per cent Metro Vancouver

Congestion Improvement Tax, to be dedicated to the Mayors’ Transportation and Transit Plan?” Some Basics: - The 0.5 percentage point increase will be added to the Provincial Sales Tax — on applicable goods and services in Metro Vancouver only — to expand transit services announced in the 10-year Mayors’ Council Plan. - The B.C. government approved the tax last December. The money collected will be put in a dedicated account for transportation. - The account will be publicly audited annually and overseen by a voluntary committee. TransLink will administer the

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money. -The Mayors’ Council consists of Metro Vancouver’s 21 mayors. It appoints TransLink’s board of directors and approves the board’s transportation plans. - TransLink is Metro Vancouver’s regional transportation authority. It operates buses, HandyDART, the SeaBus, the West Coast Express as well as maintains certain bridges, roads and bike paths. It’s unelected board hires TransLink’s CEO, who manages day-to-day operations. - TransLink must factor in provincial government transportation and economic policies when developing its own long-term strategies. For instance, the province has decided to build a bridge at the George Massey Tunnel, but TransLink will be responsible for overall transportation planning adjacent to it. - Over 10 years, the tax should

Residents of Richmond, and throughout Metro Vancouver, will be getting a ballot in the mail soon asking them if they support a 0.5 percent tax hike to help pay for more public transit.

raise $2.5 billion. The Mayors’ Plan needs $7.5 billion and hinges on provincial and federal matching contributions, which have not been confirmed. - The tax will cost you depending on how much you

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spend on applicable items. A $30,000 car will cost you an extra $150, whereas a $10 meal will cost a nickel more. The Mayors’ Council contends the average cost per household will be $125 per year while critics, such as

the B.C. Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation contends it will be more like $258. - Major improvements proposed in the plan include a light rail system in Surrey, a Broadway subway line in Vancouver and a new Pattullo Bridge.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

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THEFRIDAYFEATURE

Barber gives his take on transit tax Graeme Wood

impact sales. (45 per cent of members surveyed by CFIB believed there would be a negative impact while 11 per cent believed there would be no impact.)

Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com

YES - HEALTH Dr. James Lu, Richmond’s chief public health officer, is willing to overlook the perceived negatives of the transit tax in favour of hastening more transit in the region. Lu says a population boom, and more cars, may override past gains the region has made in reducing pollutants by more than half since 1990. Aside from clean air and less risk of respiratory illnesses, Lu said there are fringe benefits to taking transit. “We’re hoping to see (the plan) will have physical health benefits because you have to walk a bit more to a bus or transit stop to get to where you need to go,” he said. YES - LOW-INCOME TRANSPORTATION De Whalen, chair of the Richmond Poverty Response Committee, believes the benefits of increased transit options far outweigh the consequences of increasing a regressive tax, which affects low-income people more. “It is a regressive tax. Generally anti poverty groups are not in favour of that, however, a lot of things (food, children’s clothing) are tax-free,” she said. The most important thing for Whalen is having reasonable transit options for low-income people, whose only choice is to ride the bus, cycle or walk to work and school. An added benefit of the plan is increased Handy Dart service. “If you look at the population that uses Handy Dart, it’s seniors or the disabled. They’re living on a fixed income or a disability pension,” noted Whalen. YES - ENVIRONMENT The David Suzuki Foundation states an additional one million people in the region may mean 600,000 more cars if transit funding remained status quo. The plan aims to foster transit, cycling and walking options for commuters, including low- or zeroemission methods of transport such as B-Line buses, new light rail lines and Canada Line service expansion. “Supporting public transit in Metro Vancouver will go a long way to helping B.C. reach greenhouse gas reduction targets and will support Vancouver’s ambitions to be the world’s greenest city,” states the foundation.

Ryan Lewis cuts Richmond resident Sean Thompson’s hair as they discuss the transit plebiscite at Steveston Barbers. Photo by Graeme Wood/Richmond News

YES - ECONOMY The Richmond Chamber of Commerce contends the plan will improve transportation logistics for the overarching regional economy. “When you talk about the long-term implications of the plan, people are much more open to accepting this,” said spokesperson Matt Pitcairn. The Chamber contends increased transportation options in and around Richmond are vital to the city’s local economy that depends on being a logistical hub for the airport and marine ports. YES - CONGESTION = TIME AND MONEY Mayor Malcolm Brodie suggests that the transit plan will ease congestion and allow for the region to grow. “Less time commuting means more time for your family,” he said. Brodie does note, however, to relieve future congestion, other mechanisms, such as road pricing, will likely need to be introduced. NO - POLITICAL PROCESS Teacher and local environmentalist Michael Wolfe is willing to postpone transportation improvements with a ‘No’ vote to have a better plan and process.

Wolfe states that the provincial government should control transit funding and that it has, to date, abdicated itself of responsibility on this matter. Furthermore the plebiscite process is problematic. “I don’t like being told how to vote on tax increases by people who are funded by our (municipal) tax dollars,” said Wolfe. He said public consultation should have taken place to list transit priorities, as well. For instance, Wolfe disagrees with the plan’s inclusion of the planned bridge at the George Massey Tunnel, which he sees as a precursor to the further industrialization of the Fraser River. Although the tax raised from this plebiscite is not expected to go towards building the bridge, by virtue of including it in the transit plan, Wolfe feels the bridge is being endorsed. Since the bridge was a unilateral decision by the province, it’s another example of disconnect in the governance system. NO - SLOW SALES The Canadian Federation of Independent Business claims members believe the new tax may add administrative costs for small businesses. Furthermore there is concern that the extra tax will

NO - EMPTY POCKETS If anyone has a grasp of what Joe Public is saying, it’s Iain MacKelworth, barber at Steveston Barbers. “Yes, we need more trains, we need more buses; but we want to know our money is being spent properly. They (politicians) have been squeezing the lemon for so long. There’s no more juice to give,” said MacKelworth. “In the last 10 years my customers have started hurting with increases in taxes, fees, you name it. The working class keeps getting it on the chin over and over again,” he said. He and customers question where all the money from development has gone and why city planners didn’t consider the consequences of growth before the region came to this honking standstill. “They’ve gone bat shit crazy in developing this place. Why wasn’t this taken care of 15 years ago when that area (City Centre) was slated for (tens) of thousands of more people?” asked MacKelworth. NO - TRANSLINK Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation spokesperson Jordan Bateman says the plebiscite comes down to TransLink’s wasteful spending, from the organization’s continuous delays of the Compass Card and fare gate system, administrative costs and wasteful projects. “When we give them more money we’re actually reinforcing wasteful behavior from an agency that requires a lot of work,” said Bateman. Furthermore, Bateman notes there is no guarantee that the tax will be reviewed or even that it will remain 0.5 per cent. He suggests development/ growth should pay for future infrastructure. NO - TAXES ARE BAD While the Richmond News’ informal online poll suggests 68 per cent are opposed to the tax, Victor Ho, editor in chief Sing Tao Daily, estimates 90 per cent of his readership opposes the tax. “Generally, I can say our debate on transit tax is mostly negative because the concept of the so-called referendum is asking for more tax and, in the Chinese community, if you increase tax, it’s no good for them. Usually they don’t have the rationale or (understand) the public good or the reason for the public good,” he said.

Apply for a grant of up to $1,000 for projects that make Richmond more connected and engaged. Deadline is March 31. Learn more at

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Saturday Pepper Lunch opens first Canadian location in Richmond this Saturday. The popular Japanese “fast-steak” eatery hosts a grand opening at 11 a.m. at 150-5951 No. 3 Road. The day begins with

RICHMOND-NEWS.COM

WHAT’S ON a performance of Taiko drums, ribbon-cutting, speeches from Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Pepper Lunch Founder Kunio Ichinose, and a lucky Lion Dance.

Upcoming

Steveston Folk Guild presents: Greg Meloche Combining acoustic guitar and bodhran (Celtic drum) with the deep, smooth voice of a troubadour, Greg (pictured at right) will perform many nautical songs, original compositions, traditional

folk, country and 50’s and 60’s pop-rock on March 19. Opening for Greg are the “Nomads” from New Zealand $10 at door. Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site (5180 Westwater Drive). For more, email dave@stevestonfolk.net.

Spring Break in Steveston The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is welcoming families during spring break for some historic fishy fun. The canning line machines will be turned on for demos from March 14-29, every day at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m, and there will be story time for the little ones every day at noon. From March 16-27, fishing-themed drop-in workshops will be offered every weekday (Monday to Friday) from 1-3 p.m, included in regular admission. Visit gulfofgeorgiacannery.org for details.

Gulf of Georgia Cannery Photo submitted At Britannia Shipyards there will be free, guided 15-minute tours of the historic buildings at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. You can also borrow a Family Daypack which will help you discover the history and nature of Britannia with fun activities and tools for little explorers. While you’re there, you can also stop by and say “hi” to the chickens. For more info, call 604-718-8037. Come and enjoy the amazing artistry, plentiful produce, chef in the market and enchanting entertainers Cannery Farmer’s Market inside the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. The market adheres to the “Make it, Bake it, Grow it, Catch it” philosophy. Only approved products that are made, baked, grown, raised, caught or harvested by an approved vendor in B.C.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

RICHMOND-NEWS.COM

COMMUNITY

Science educator tells the curious to ‘keep looking up’

The Richmond News is looking for carriers in all areas.

Richmond resident, Jennifer Kirkey, chair of the physics department at Douglas College, has been named a finalist in the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. “Jennifer’s outstanding commitment has had a lasting impact on science education, instilling confidence in science teachers,” according to the judges. “A physics teacher, community volunteer and role model for numerous aspiring scientists, for 25 years Jennifer has enthusiastically shared her passion for physics and astronomy.” The awards honour individuals and organizations whose outstanding activities and achievements contribute to the wellbeing and future of our community. Since 1984, the YWCA Vancouver has paid tribute to more than 290 award recipients and 1,690 nominees. In addition to the 10 nomination categories, the individual nominees are eligible for the Connecting the Community Award. The nominees will select a YWCA program area in which they are interested and use social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook to promote votes. From April 22 – May 15 the public can cast votes and the nominee with the most votes will receive the Connecting the Community Award. Scotiabank will donate $10,000 to the

If you are young, old or anywhere in between and looking to make some extra cash, apply now… everyone is welcome! Deliveries are twice a week Wednesdays and Fridays. Papers are brought right to your door!!

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Jennifer Kirkey is a YWCA Woman of Distinction finalist. YWCA program area of her choice. Kirkey was commended for spending countiless volunteer hours in classrooms creating excitement for students and teachers alike. She’s known to bring telescopes to public events and encouraging the curious to “keep looking up.” Award recipients will be announced on May 26 during the awards dinner at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

TRAVEL

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Send story ideas or photo submissions to Richmond News editor Eve Edmonds at editor@richmond-news.com

YVR breaks Lloyd Wright’s legacy lives on award record

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Vancouver International Airport (YVR) was named the number one airport in North America for the sixth year-in-a-row by Skytrax World Airport Awards. The premier international airport awards are voted on by more than 13 million passengers worldwide. This is the first time in Skytrax award history that an airport has maintained a number one ranking for six consecutive years. “This recognition for a sixth year-in-a-row is a testament to all the people who contribute to our shared success,” said Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “I want to acknowledge and thank our

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rank Lloyd Wright was once accused by a reporter of using his architecture school to make little Frank Lloyd Wrights. “There’s no such thing as a little Frank Lloyd Wright,” snapped the architect. There’s certainly nothing little about Taliesin West, the combined office, school and winter residence maintained as a shrine to Wright’s memory. (He died in 1959, at 91.) It sits on what has become several hundred million dollars–worth of prime suburban real estate. Now embraced by the sprawl of Scottsdale, a part of greater Phoenix, it was in the middle of nowhere when Wright bought it in 1937 with the fees for the design of one of his most famous houses, Fallingwater. The rather less glamorous architecture school was a combined academy and boot camp. The apprentices worked with Wright to build the complex with their own bare hands. Part of their training also involved building desert shelters elsewhere on the property, for which they had to be client, architect, contractor and fund-raiser all rolled into one. Despite the success of Fallingwater, at the time he built Taliesin West Wright was going through a 20-year drought in commissions partly due to a rather scandalous private life. As a result, the complex of low buildings, embedded into the sloping site and invisible from the main road, has a rough, textured look to many of its surfaces. Qualities that come from using the stones and sand of the site and incorporating found objects from various sources—all products of a lack of funds as much as of invention—are nevertheless pointed out by tour guides as marks of Wright’s genius. Ceramic friezes, a riot of polychrome figures that once ran along the roof

Taliesin West, in Scottsdale, is a shrine to revered American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Built on a shoestring in the 1940s during a period when money was scarce, it is now the campus for the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture and houses the master archive of blueprints for Wright houses, which are still requested by home builders today. Photo by Peter Neville-Hadley/ Meridian Writers’ Group ridges of southern Chinese houses, are incongruously set into rough walls of boulders and cement. These were bought at a discount from an antiques store whose stock had been damaged in an earthquake. Light was filtered in through canvas until Wright’s wife forced him to put in glass. Students arriving at the time began by learning to cut it, although the shortage of funds meant that the glass was usually second-hand, and they’d first spend time scraping off “Sam’s Café” or similar lettering with razor blades. In contrast to that, the overall atmosphere is now monastic and reverential, especially in the hush of the drafting room where current students of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture bend over complex drawings. Many of Wright’s later, more charismatic works were

first drafted here, and the site’s holy books contain 22,000 of his drawings and 350,000 other documents. The foundation that runs the site draws on these to deal with the requests that still come in to build houses from the master’s archive, although some of those plans have to be adapted to modern regulations, such as on ceiling heights. A good thing, too: Wright himself was short, and many a visitor has to duck when passing through doorways to Taliesin West’s cinema, lecture hall, theatre and living spaces.

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For more information on Taliesin West visit the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation website at www. franklloydwright.org. For information on travel in Arizona ,visit the Arizona Office of Tourism website at www.visitarizona.com.

community, passengers, partners and the 24,000 people who work and volunteer at YVR. “We are both proud and humbled and will continue to collectively care for all our customers while connecting B.C. to the world.” Known informally in the travel industry as the Passenger Choice Awards, the Skytrax World Airport Awards are the global benchmark of airport excellence. More than 13 million passenger surveys were independently conducted across 550 airports in 112 countries. The survey measures 39 dimensions of the airport experience including check-in to border clearance efficiency.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

SPORTS

RICHMOND-NEWS.COM

Send story ideas or photo submissions to Richmond News editor Eve Edmonds at editor@richmond-news.com

BASKETBALL FINALS

Eagles soar on opening day Philip Raphael

Staff Reporter praphael@richmond-news.com

While the score may have been lopsided, and with the real test expected to come in the days ahead, Richmond Christian’s win on day one of the B.C. Boys High School Basketball Championships at the Langley Events Centre Wednesday still felt like sweet vindication for a pair of co-coaches. As Shane Tamana and Tim Subion watched their players on the top-ranked, 1A Eagles school run away with a 79-19 result over Mulgrave School from West Vancouver. In other opening day games for Richmond teams at the LEC, 3A action saw the McMath Wildcats edge past Coquitlam’s Charles Best 73-70, while McNair fell 63-52 to Robert Bateman from Abbotsford. In the 2A category, Cambie lost 99-65 to G.W. Graham from Chilliwack. The Eagles’ Tamana and Subion recalled how their school’s basketball program has grown over the past few years, with this year being the team’s first return the provincials in 12 years. Both grads (2008) of the independent

school on No. 5 Road’s “Highway to Heaven,” Tamana said he remembers having to play every league game away from home because Richmond Christian’s gym at the time, that did not have a hardwood floor, wasn’t suitable for basketball. “That was a pretty big disadvantage,” Tamana said. “Plus, our school is mainly known for volleyball. Now, we’re hoping this appearance at the B.C.’s will help with recruitment of players.” Judging by the display Wednesday, it should be a good advertisement. Standouts for Richmond Christian were Grade 12 shooting guard Joaquin Arguelles, who scored 35 points. Also making his presence know was Grade 11 point guard Sam Cabuay. “It’s really his (Arguelles’) leadership that stands out,” Tamana said. “Last year he was a bit tentative with that role — we made him captain in Grade 11. But really, his drive, his focus and his on-court abilities makes him a good, all-round player.” The next test for the Eagles — after the News’ deadline — is a quarter final tilt with Maple Ridge Christian on Thursday evening. Whatever the result in that game, Tamana

Teams from McNair and McMath had differing results as the B.C. Boys High School Basketball Championships tipped off in Langley Wednesday. Photo by Gord Goble/Special to the News said the future looks good for hoops at Richmond Christian, as a strong junior team is coming through and should push the senior players. “Right now, half of our team are Grade 11

students, so there’s an expectation that we should continue progressing,” Tamana said, adding next season Richmond Christian’s rising enrolment numbers will see it earn 2A status.

Midget Blues top Invitational tournament A pair of thrilling playoff victories earned the Richmond Midget A1 Blues top honours at the 2015 Phoenix President’s Day Invitational Hockey Tournament. The Blues squeaked out a 2-1 semi-final victory over Orange County, scoring the winning goal with just eight seconds remaining. It was then more drama in the gold medal game as Richmond needed a shootout to slip past Alberta’s Strathcona Warriors. The result was particularly satisfying for a number of third-year players, participating in their final minor hockey tournament. The team includes: Ryan Smith, Jordan Allen, Connor Coelho, Edvins Jansons, Tyler Hait, Byron Leong, Sam Twaites, Paris Jeyachandran, Mason Rai, Jeremy White, Arjen Badh, Gabriel Mu, Alex Bernardini, Brady Wang, Evan Yang, Jovan Jankovic and Ryan Hart. Injured and sidelined for the tournament were Adam Gilker and Eddie Richardson. The coaches Glenn Wheeler and Harold Hait who were ably assisted in Phoenix by Rob Twaites. The team manager is Jeannette Smith.

Players and coaches from the Richmond Midget A1 Blues celebrate their win in Phoenix. Photo submitted

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Edgewater2014

EdgewaterCasino

Must be 19+. Management reserves the right to change, amend or cancel promotion at any time without notice.

EDGEWATERCASINO.CA

AT THE BUFFET

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WHERE EXCITEMENT LIVES

RAMEN

A TOTAL OF 10 TOURNAMENT ENTRY WINNERS EVERY DRAW DAY**

EDGEWATERCASINO.CA

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MARCH 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26

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(Richmond Public Library),

WIN A TOURNAMENT SEAT WHILE PLAYING ON SELECT BACCARAT TABLES* AT 7PM

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Please be advised that the Annual General Meeting of Seafair Minor Hockey Association will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 7:15p.m. in the Richmond Cultural Centre Performance Hall

MARCH 5 – 29, 2015

EDGEWATERCASINO.CA

604.278.3185

EDGEWATERCASINO.CA

Open returns in August. More information, can be found at www.maplejt.com.

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LPGA for the fourth time this year when the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s

$10,000

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The University Golf Club and The Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam are preparing to welcome some of Canada’s top junior golfers to the most-played junior golf tour in the country for the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s topranked three-day Season Opener on March 14 through 16. Players to watch out for include MJT’s 2014 Girls Player of the Year, Alisha Lau, 15, of Richmond, B.C., MJT 2014 Boys Bantam Player of the Year, Andrew Spalti, 14, of Vancouver, who will be playing up a division in juvenile this year, and MJT 2014 National Girls Champion, Sarah Lawrence, 17, of Duvall, WA. The full field of young golfers will compete in six age divisions, playing the first two rounds on March 14 and 15 on the 86-yearold University Golf Club, a traditional course with long, narrow fairways and towering old growth trees. The third and final round will be held at the prestigious 103-year-old Vancouver Golf Club, which is playing host to the

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

RICHMOND-NEWS.COM

On Select Models

Interest Limited Offer*

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604.278.3185

today’sdrive Evoque remains true to its concept

Philip Raphael

Staff Reporter praphael@richmond-news.com

vividly recall seeing images of the Range Rover Evoque concept, small crossover SUV for the very first time. It was around 2007 and back then it was labelled the LRX concept — the “L” standing for Land Rover, and not the more toney Range Rover brand that has secured four royal warrants which signify British Royalty’s penchant for a particular product. And in the case of the Evoque, you certainly could not fault those “Royals,” because what started out as one of those lofty concept designs actually changed very little when it came to the off-the-production line version — at least on the exterior. That’s not usually the case as most manufacturers play an elaborate shell game, teasing auto fans with a elaborate, let-yourhair-down concept design that goes all too conservative once it reaches the showroom floor. This Evoque concept had sleek, futuristic lines that tossed aside the blocky, slab-like, militaristic profile of previous “Landys” and Range Rovers.

Range Rover’s Evoque lost few of its exterior styling cues from the concept model that debuted in 2007. It carries a base price of $47,695. Photo submitted It was not your father’s all-British, legendary SUV that looked more at home painted with zebra stripes. and on safari No, the Evoque had a gently sculpted snout with an inset cluster of high-tech headlamps and a tapered roofline that sloped rearward into the C-pillar and an almost zero overhang. Pretty much the same design theme was

present in the Orkney grey Evoque l I got to test drive recently. While it lacked the high-tech glitz of the concept’s interior that featured touch screens for just about everything, a cradle for your iPhone, and seats that looked like they came out of an F-35 Lightning jet fighter, it did have a sense of style that straddled Range Rover’s staid sensibilities while adding a few links to its Jaguar

cousins. The first was a transmission selector dial that rises from the centre console when you push the engine start button. The second was an economical feature I first encountered on the super, high performance, Jaguar F-Type RS. It was an automatic engine shut off that cut the power — and fuel burn — when you came to a full stop. The engine would spring to life immediately after taking your foot off the brake. This seemed even more responsive in the Evoque than the Jaguar. Another “Jaguaresque” feature was the Evoque’s off-the-line performance. Now, that’s not something you consider much when talking about Range Rover, at least until after the Range Rover Sport was introduced, and certainly not Land Rover. The Evoque had acceleration most sports cars would deem acceptable thanks to its 2.0 litre, turbo charged engine that winds out 240 horsepower and 250-pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. According to Range Rover’s specs, you can expect a zero to 100 km/h time of 7.6 seconds, but my tester seemed more capable than that.

Wise customers read the fine print: *, ≥, >, §, ≈ The Drive It Love It Sales Event offers are limited time offers which apply to retail deliveries of selected new and unused models purchased from participating dealers on or after March 3, 2015. Offers subject to change and may be extended without notice. All pricing includes freight ($1,695) and excludes licence, insurance, registration, any dealer administration fees, other dealer charges and other applicable fees and taxes. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Dealer may sell for less. *Consumer Cash Discounts are offered on select new 2015 vehicles and are deducted from the negotiated price before taxes. ≥3.49% purchase financing for up to 96 months available on the new 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan/2015 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package models through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Examples: 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan/2015 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package with a Purchase Price of $19,998/$19,998 (including applicable Consumer Cash) financed at 3.49% over 96 months with $0 down payment equals 416 weekly payments of $55/$55 with a cost of borrowing of $2,928/$2,928 and a total obligation of $22,926/$22,926. >3.49% purchase financing for up to 96 months available on the new 2015 Dodge Dart SE (25A) model through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. The equivalent of $7/day for the 2015 Dodge Dart SE (25A) is equal to a Purchase Price of $17,498 financed at 3.49% over 96 months with $0 down payment, equals 416 weekly payments of $48 with a cost of borrowing of $2,557 and a total obligation of $20,055. §Starting from prices for vehicles shown include Consumer Cash Discounts and do not include upgrades (e.g. paint). Upgrades available for additional cost. ≈Sub-prime financing available on approved credit. Finance example: 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan CVP with a Purchase Price of $19,998 financed at 4.99% over 60 months, equals 260 weekly payments of $87 for a total obligation of $22,605. Some conditions apply. Down payment is required. See your dealer for complete details. **Based on 2014 Ward’s upper small sedan costing under $25,000. ^Based on IHS Automotive: Polk Canadian Vehicles in Operation data available as of July, 2014 for Crossover Segments as defined by Chrysler Canada Inc. TMThe SiriusXM logo is a registered trademark of SiriusXM Satellite Radio Inc. ®Jeep is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC used under license by Chrysler Canada Inc.

RICHMOND-NEWS.COM FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

GET $

UP TO

8,100

Starting from price for 2015 Dodge Journey R/T shown: $34,790.§

IN TOTAL

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19,998 $

Starting from price for 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew Plus shown: $34,490.§

WEEKLY≥

19,998

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Drive it

Love it SALES EVENT

CANADA’S CANA #1-SELLING MINIVAN FOR OVER 31 YEARS

2015 DODGE D GRAND CARAVAN CANAD VALUE PACKAGE CANADA PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $8,100 CONSUMER CASH* AND FREIGHT.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

RICHMOND-NEWS.COM

Canada’s Online Lifestyle Magazine

SHEEP-ISH GIFTS FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR

By Adrienne Matei & Noa Nichol

It’s time to say “Kung Hei Fat Choi” in welcome of the Year of the Sheep—or, as it’s come to be known, Year of the Sheep/Goat/Ram (some kind of bovidae is the gist here). Read more on www.vitamindaily.com

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FASHION & SHOPPING

CRAVING THE CAYMAN ISLANDS By Karen Kwan

From pristine sand on Seven Mile Beach to dazzling sunsets, everything in the Cayman Islands is eerily perfect—even the food.

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