The Asian Star news

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www.theasianstar.com m Vol 14

Issue 13 Saturday, April 25, 2015

Tel: 604-591-5423

All the news you need and more... ‘Surrey Night Market is like a mini PNE’ says founder Satbir Cheema

Self-driving cars: How they could take over our roads?

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Asian Star shines at Vaisakhi parade in Surrey

Thousands of people enjoyed ‘gol gappes’ served by the staff and friends of The Asian Star at the Vaisakhi parade in Surrey last Saturday. As usual, The Asian stall was one of the most popular. Photo by Suraj

South Asian trader arrested in ‘Flash Crash’ A futures trader has been arrested in Great Britain in connection with the “Flash Crash” of 2010 when the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 600 points in five minutes. A statement from the U.S. Department of Justice says authorities arrested 37-year-old Navinder Singh Sarao in Britain on Tuesday. Authorities on the same day unsealed a federal criminal complaint filed in Chicago. Continued on page 6

Modi wants Hindu temples to give up $1 trillion Workers for the centuries-old Shree Siddhivinayak Temple here spent hours unpacking gold coins See story on page 29

Bains family devastated by the shooting of their ‘sweet’ son, Arun Lack of jobs for youths and lack of parental involvement in schools cited for youths being drawn into gangs By Umendra Singh urrey-Newton MLA Harry Bains has always been speaking out against crime and gang violence in Surrey, mainly because most of the crime and gang shootings have been in his Newton riding. He always felt personally affected when his constituents were forced to live in fear of drive by shootings ands gang violence in Newton. But he never expected the violence to hit so close to home as when his nephew, Arun Bains, 22, was shot dead last weekend – in a crime that Surrey RCMP claim is related to ongoing gang fight over drug turf in Surrey. Arun Bains was the MLA’s younger brother’s older of two sons.

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“It was totally shocking. I could not believe it,” Bains told The Asian Star of the news he got last Sunday that his nephew was the latest victim of the Surrey-Delta gang war. He tweeted “Another day, another shooting” — not realizing it was his own nephew who had been gunned down “I heard there was a shooting,” Bains told The Asian Star in an interview in his office in the heart of Newton, Surrey. “I heard that one person had died. I had no idea that it was one of our own.” He and his wife only found out later that the victim was his younger brother’s son, Arun, 22. Continued on page 9

2 L Saturday, April 25, 2015

Senate Speaker Pierre Claude Nolin’s dies Leo Housakos to be acting Speaker

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enate Speaker Pierre Claude Nolin died Friday at the age of 64 (pictured). His colleagues say even in his dying days, Nolin continued to work — discussing how to improve security on Parliament Hill and making sure the Senate, which has been marred by scandal, became more accountable and transparent. “I carried the baton for him, but be rest assured he was cognizant up until the last few days. Through him and his staff we executed his wishes,” Housakos said. “Even in his weakest moment yesterday afternoon, his main concern was were we carrying forward in doing what we needed to do. That’s just indicative of his commitment to the institution — and touching.” Housakos said he appreciated Nolin’s vision for the Senate and the need for senators to hold themselves to a “high account.” He added that he believes the Senate “has been very rigid when it comes to making sure rules are followed.” “We reviewed a number of senators, which were suspended not too long ago. You

can’t be any more rigid than that,” Housakos said. “I think in the weeks and months and years ahead, we will continue to be cognizant that we are accountable to the people of this country.” Nolin was appointed to the role of Speaker at the end of 2014, after 21 years as a senator. As speaker pro tempore, Housakos has performed the Speaker’s duties in the upper chamber since Nolin’s health grew worse in mid-March. The Prime Minister’s Office said Housakos will continue to act as Speaker pro tempore until a new Speaker is named. The Senate is scheduled to sit until the end of June. Housakos was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in December 2008. “All I know is that our colleagues will come together and show solidarity behind the principles that Mr. Nolin put forward,” Housakos said. “We will continue to work, to carry on his wish.” Conservative majority in Senate

Senate Speaker Pierre Claude Nolin was appointed to the upper chamber in 1993. He died Friday morning. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press) Nolin’s death brings the number of vacancies in the Senate up to 20 as a federal election approaches. The Conservatives have a comfortable majority in the Senate, with 51 seats. There are 29 Liberals in the Senate and five independents. No new senators have been appointed in more than two years — and the prime minister is facing a lawsuit in Federal Court over the empty seats. The suspension of Mike Duffy, Patrick Brazeau and Pamela Wallin amid expense scandals leaves three more empty seats. One vacancy was caused when former senator Mac Harb stepped down amid his own expense scandal. Brazeau and Harb face criminal charges, while Duffy is in the midst of a high-profile trial in Ottawa. The federal auditor general is in the process of reviewing all senators’ expenses, poring over claims related mostly to travel and housing.

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All dressed up and ready to go to the Vaisakhi Parade. The federal Minister for Defence, Jason Kenny, in a bright turban at the Vaisakhi Parade in Surrey last Saturday. Photo: Chandra Bodalia

NDP MPs demand federal govt help stop gun violence in Surrey Surrey’s NDP MPs are calling on the federal Conservative government to do something to help stop a flurry of shootings in this city. Jinny Sims, NDP MP for Newton-North Delta, said the federal budget tabled Tuesday fails to deliver any solutions to growing gang violence here. She and Jasbir Sandhu, NDP MP for Surrey North, noted the Conservative’s budget doesn’t even mention crime prevention, gangs or Surrey. “It’s such a blatant disregard for public safety,” she said. “I am disappointed the Conservatives didn’t take the opportunity to make protecting our community a priority.” Sims said seniors in Surrey are scared to leave their homes and parents are keeping their children inside because of the shootings. She noted the Conservatives are willing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on fighting in Syria but are failing to protect citizens here at home. Sims also questions why the Conservative government has also stopped conducting random inspections of containers coming into Canada, particularly with gun violence on the street. “They have no control and no oversight of what’s coming into the country,” she charged. On Thursday, Sandhu rose in the House of Commons to question the government on its plan to deal with “a developing gang turf war in Surrey that has so far resulted in an alarming number of shootings and one homicide. “There have been 23 shootings in Surrey and North Delta in the past six weeks alone,” he noted. “Residents are worried about their safety and the safety of their community.” As for Budget 2015, he said, “It doesn’t even mention youth-gang prevention, gangs or Surrey. Conservatives are more focused on balancing the budget off the backs of the vulnerable than they are in making our community safe.” So far the shootings have claimed one life, 22-year-old Arun Bains, the nephew of Surrey-Newton NDP MLA Harry Bains. “At this point, we know very little about what happened,” the grieving MLA said in a written statement Thursday. “We are meeting regularly with the RCMP and we urge anyone with any information about this or any crime to come forward. Justice for Arun will not bring him back to us, but it may spare another family the immense pain we are feeling.” Bains said society must support parents and teachers in “early and effective interventions when a young person is following the wrong path.”

LOCAL

6.1 magnitude earthquake hits West Coast

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 3

The popular Fruiticana stall at the Surrey Vaisakhi parade

QUEEN CHARLOTTE CITY - The mayor of the community closest to a strong earthquake that struck British Columbia’s north coast on Friday welcomes the tremor in hopes it will relieve building pressure. The 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit approximately 167 km southeast of the Village of Queen Charlotte in the Haida Gwaii region at about 7 a.m. Friday. No damage or injuries were immediately reported. The National TsunaLike previous years, Fruiticana had one of the biggest and most popular stalls at the Vaisakhi parade in Surrey. Tony Singh, the owner and mi Warning Centre said a tsunami was president of Fruiticana, and his staff served the all-time community favourite Sarson dah saag and makki dee roti along with other delicious not expected to result from the quake, items, with supporting contribution from Fruiticana’s suppliers. These popular items kept that the many sevadars (helpers) busy and motivated which struck about 10 km under the surface. throughout the day to serve the long line-up of people. Apart from the tasty snacks, the community members also got to meet and be greeted Queen Charlotte City Mayor Greg by Tony Singh himself. Pictured above is the huge crowd getting tasty snacks from the Fruiticana tents. Martin woke up to the quake, which shook his bed and rattled his door, but said the trembling was minor. “We’re quite used to earthquakes here, and frankly, it’s a bit of a relief,” he said.“When we get little ones we think that the pressure is being released and hopefully not building up to the ‘big one.”’ He added that the city is built on a rock foundation and residents there don’t feel the extreme movement that other Haida Gwaii communities often feel in a quake. Martin said the quake is a good reminder that the city must be ready for an imminent future disaster, although emergency preparedness measures are already in place. Experts have said the Pacific archipelago of Haida Gwaii is the likely location of a future large quake and tsunami, with increased pressure immediately south of the islands along the Queen Charlotte Fault. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake * that hit Haida Gwaii in October 2012 was the second-largest quake measured in Canadian history. Billy Yovanovich, the chief councillor of Skidegate Band Council -- a Haida community located about 8 km from Queen Charlotte City -- was also woken Friday to his house shaking, but said it only lasted for seconds. “I was just waking up and my dog, actually, I think heard it coming, and she started shuffling around,” he said. TD Mortgages offer competitive rates, terms and He has previously felt gusty flexible payment features that let you pay off your winds rattle his house just like Friday’s quake. While this most mortgage faster. Trust the right bank for desis to recent tremor felt small, the comdo the right thing. munity is still on edge after the massive quake three years ago, he said. “A lot of people are still quite anxious, still traumatized, over that major one,” he said. “It really throws people off even with these smaller ones.” The Skidegate Visit a branch or community has an emergency preparedness team that has detdcanadatrust.com /mortgagerates veloped tsunami routes and other emergency responses, Yovanovich said. Earthquakes between a 6.0 *Assuming no additional fees are charged, the Annual Percentage Rate is the same as the interest rate. The mortgage interest rate includes a discount off the 5-Year Fixed Term Mortgage posted interest rate. Mortgage interest rate and 6.9 are considered strong calculated semi-annually, not in advance. Applies to residential real estate. Funding must be completed within 120 days of application. Some conditions apply. Offer may be changed, extended or withdrawn at any time without notice. ®The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of the Toronto-Dominion Bank. tremors on the Richter scale.

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OPINION

4 L Saturday, April 25, 2015

Co-operation and resources will end Surrey gun violence By John Horgan, Leader of the BC New Democrats

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was heartbroken to learn Sunday morning that a young man had been shot and killed on the streets of Surrey. That young man was Arun Bains. He was a son, a brother, and a cousin. He was a nephew to my friend and colleague, Surrey Newton MLA Harry Bains. Harry tells me Arun was a fine young man who loved his family and had a bright future ahead of him. I know Harry and his family have been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support from the communities of Surrey and Delta. Visits from other parents who have lost children to violence have been a particular source of courage and strength. Arun’s death comes amid a terrible rise in gun violence in Surrey’s neighborhoods. Criminals have opened fire at people, cars and houses 23 times in the past six weeks. This is a shocking number, a number that seems impossible in a nation of peace. On Tuesday night, I joined hundreds

of parents, educators, police and community leaders in the gym at Tamanawis Secondary School to talk about the way forward from here. I heard anger. I heard longtime residents share their frustration that this problem has dogged the people of Surrey for so long. I heard the anguish of a man who also lost his child to violence. But I also heard tremendous passion for the communities of Surrey and Delta. I heard a young man challenge his peers to program the police tips line into their phones right then and there. We got to meet Jesse Sahota, a young man with a remarkable message of redemption. As a teenager, Jesse was walking down the wrong path, seduced by the cars, guns and clothes of a gang life. But the teachers and counsellors at his school intervened. They set him on the right path and now Jesse is a two-time national wrestling champion and an SFU graduate. Today, Jesse works for the Surrey school district and it’s him that is intervening when a young Continued on page 7

What the Court got right — and wrong — on mandatory sentences for gun crimes By Peter MacKay, Minister for Justice ecently, a majority of the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that our government’s law requiring a mandatory sentence of three years for the crime of “possessing prohibited or restricted firearms when the firearm is loaded or kept with readily accessible ammunition”; and five years for the second or subsequent offences, was unconstitutional. It is important to note that, while the majority struck down the mandatory sentencing law, it did so on very narrow grounds. All nine justices — the six in the majority and the three in dissent — actually agreed that mandatory prison sentences are legitimate criminal justice tools and are appropriate in the vast majority of gun crimes. In fact, the Court upheld the sentences of the two individuals whose sentences were at issue, both of which were longer than the mandatory sentences that the Court struck down. Overall, we are pleased that the Court recognized that our mandatory prison sentences are appropriate tools to fight serious gun crime. However, we agree with the three dissenting judges that it is unfortunate that the majority used a far-fetched hypothetical scenario to stretch a law designed to take gang members and those who seek to commit violent gun crime off the streets into a law that could impact law-abiding firearms owners. Our government has consistently respected the rights of law-abiding hunters, farmers and sport shooters, which is why we eliminated the wasteful and ineffective longgun registry scheme set up by the previous Liberal government at a cost to taxpayers of more than a billion dollars. And we have full faith — as the three dissenting justices do — in the ability of the Crown to use appropriate discretion not to seek the mandatory sentences in cases involving only technical violations of firearms licensing laws.

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www.theasianstar.com # 202 - 7028, 120th Street, Surrey, BC V3W 3M8 Ph: 604-591-5423 Fax: 604-591-8615 E-mail: editor@theasianstar.com Editor: Umendra Singh Associate Editor: Shruti Prakash Joshi Marketing and Sales: Ravinder S. Cheema..604-715-3847 Shamir Doshi..............604-649-7827 Harminder Kaur..........778-708-0481 Amritpal S. Grewal.....778-251-0306 Dal Sanghera.............604-591-5423 Parminder Dhillon.......604-591-5423 Pre-Press: Iftikhar Ahmed Contributing writers: Akash Sablok Kamila Singh Jay Bains Photographer: Chandra Bodalia

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 5

LOCAL

6 L Saturday, April 25, 2015 Story from Page 1... The complaint accuses the trader, from the west London suburb of Hounslow, of using an automated trading program to manipulate the market for E-Mini S&P 500 futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Sarao, 37, is charged with wire fraud, commodities fraud and market manipulation. The crash wiped out billions of dollars of value in U.S. stocks and has long been blamed on high-frequency trading. However, this is

they know who is behind it. The statement says the U.S. is seeking his extradition. with manipulating trades that 2010 when the Dow Jones index dropped by nearly 1000 points within minutes, jolting the panic. Although the market recovered within minutes, investigations by the US Security Exchange Commission (SEC) at that time spoke of ‘’a market so fragmented and fragile that a single large trade could send stocks into a sudden spiral.’’ The inquiry pointed to

South Asian trader arrested in ‘Flash Crash’

challenged. On Tuesday though, US authorities said they had zeroed in on a UK-based trader who it said used a computer algorithm to accelerate an already crisis situation caused by a large

number of contracts. The trader was identi !" # $ % ' der Singh Sarao, 37, of Hounslow, in the UK. Sarao was charged in a federal criminal complaint with one count of wire fraud, 10 counts of commodities fraud, 10 counts of commodities manipulation, and one count of % * % with the intent to cancel the bid or offer before execution. According to the complaint, which was unsealed on Tuesday, Sarao allegedly used an automated trading program to manipulate the market for E-Mini S&P 500 futures contracts (E-Minis) on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). E-Minis are stock market index futures contracts based on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Sarao allegedly em-

ployed a ‘’dynamic layering’’ scheme to affect the price of E-Minis. By allegedly placing multiple, simultaneous, large-volume sell orders at different price points -- a technique known as ‘’layering’’ -- Sarao created the appearance of substantial supply in the market. As part * " orders frequently so that they remained close to the market price, and typically cancelled the orders without executing them. When prices fell as a result of this activity, Sarao allegedly sold futures contracts only to buy them back

From page 4

at a lower price. Conversely, when the market moved back upward as the market activity ceased, Sarao allegedly bought contracts only to sell them at a higher price. Prosecutors said Sarao used off-the-shelf software that he % tions earned him more than $ 40 million. US authorities said Sarao was not solely to be blamed for the crash, but ‘’his conduct was %

ance, which was one of the conditions’’ that led to the crash. They have sought Sarao’s extradition from UK.

Co-operation and resources will end Surrey gun violence

person’s future hangs in the balance. We need more resources in our school system to support the kind of work that Jesse Sahota does. Several parents talked about sleepless nights spent waiting for a young person to come home. They are well aware that their child is heading in the wrong direction, mixed up with the wrong people, and they don’t know what to do or who to call. We need to make sure that everyone – parents, educators, police – have the tools they need to step in as a young person approaches that fateful crossroads. Harry Bains has been a tireless advocate for his community against crime for many years. Over the past year he has championed the Surrey Accord. There are some strong policy ideas in the Accord that would go a long way towards tackling crime in the short term and addressing the root causes of crime. But what’s important about the Accord is not a policy, it’s a principle – co-operation. Police need residents and parents to speak up when they see something amiss. Parents need resources and guidance on

how to speak with their kids. Teachers need people like Jesse Sahota to help cut through the glamorous veneer of gang life to show kids the cruelty and heartbreak that waits underneath. We need to make sure that we don’t let a small number of criminals pit one community against another. And all levels of government – federal, provincial, and local – need to stand united to provide the leadership and resources the community needs. Only hours before Arun’s death, I was on the streets of Surrey with 300,000 other British Columbians celebrating Vaisakhi. I saw the joy and optimism and generosity that bring a community together. I strongly believe that those are the moments that define us. During the community forum, even amid the pain and frustration, I felt that same sense of community and sense of purpose. I am convinced that when we work together, we can take criminals off the streets, set our young adults on the right path, and build the safe, prosperous neighborhoods that the people of Surrey deserve. Let’s get to work.

LOCAL

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 7

Military reports reveal soldiers, sailors busted for drug dealing

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anadian sailors and soldiers have been busted in some serious drug cases, from marijuana grow-ops to importing steroids and trafficking cocaine, according to records obtained by CBC News. Documents released by the Department of National Defence under the Access to Information Act include 25 “significant incident reports” in the last five years, and at least 11 of them record cases in 2014. The heavily censored reports flag serious incidents that could jeopardize the military’s operations or public image. One report reveals a Halifax case where three members were arrested after RCMP seized 170 pot plants, four handguns and three long guns, all unregistered. The report indicates the members had access to “sensitive information.” Arrest outside crack house Another report refers to a member who was arrested outside a known crack house in Victoria while carrying the drug and associated paraphernalia. One sailor on board HMCS Protecteur was returned home in connection with an RCMP and military probe into a marijuana grow-op. A total of 6.8 kilograms of cannabis was discovered in the garage and closets of a home, according to the report, and the house was condemned pending a municipal inspection and reissuing of an occupancy permit. Statistics from the Canadian Forces’ Some of the investigations involve RCMP or local police forces, while others are conducted jointly or exclusively by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, an independent military police unit with a mandate to investigate “serious and sensitive” matters related to military

property and personnel in Canada and around the world. Most include an assessment of how current or future military operations could be affected and gauge potential media interest; in some cases, the reports suggest media interest may increase if it becomes public that the individual involved is a military member. Several refer to a “passive approach, reactive posture” in dealing with the media. Defence Department spokeswoman Jessica Lamirande said the Forces have a zero-tolerance policy for prohibited drugs, and members caught using or selling drugs can face disciplinary, administrative or criminal consequences. The Canadian Forces Drug Control Program includes six types of testing to monitor and detect drug use, from blind and random sampling to mandatory tests where behaviour or incidents warrant. ‘Vast majority’ uphold drug rules Lamirande stressed that the “vast majority” of Armed Forces members uphold the rules around drugs, but there are harsh consequences for those who don’t. “The Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Forces Military Police take all allegations of drug offences by CAF personnel seriously and investigate any alleged instances to determine the facts, analyze the evidence and, if warranted, lay appropriate charges,” she said. Statistics from the Forces’ Provost Marshal show that between April 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014, there were 224 investigations into drug offences. Of those, 142 were for cannabis, 11 for cocaine and 33 for other drugs.

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LOCAL

Former Delhi resident now living here have a unique way of celebrating Vaisakhi. They throw a party. Pictured above are some of the former Delhi residents at a party to celebrate Vaisakhi . Photo: Chandra Bodalia

A huge crowd turned up at the annual Vaisakhi parade in Surrey last Saturday. Photo: Chandra Bodalia

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Jinny Sims wants to know why shipping containers not being inspected

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local New Democrat MP is asking the federal government to explain why shipping containers are no longer being routinely inspected when they arrive at Port Metro Vancouver. “Even random inspections have ceased,” said Jinny Sims, MP for Newton-North Delta and NDP critic for employment and social development. “As I understand it, inspections are only conducted now when there are suspicious containers arriving, or when authorities receive a tip.” Sims has written Steven Blaney, Canada’s minister of public safety, seeking answers. She has yet to receive a response. “At the same time that airport inspections have increased — every individual is scanned and has his/her luggage scanned — I am deeply troubled to learn there have been inspection cuts at Port Metro Vancouver,” Sims wrote the minister. “With such a lack of oversight, and considering the surge of recent gang-related shootings in my riding, I am concerned about the potential for illegal firearms and drugs to be brought into the area via this channel.” NDP wants federal gov’t to help stop gangland shootings Surrey’s NDP MPs are calling on the federal Conservative government to do something to help stop a flurry of shootings in this city. Jinny Sims, NDP MP for Newton-North Delta, said the federal budget tabled Tuesday fails to deliver any solutions to growing gang violence here. She and Jasbir Sandhu, NDP MP for Surrey North, noted the Conservative’s budget doesn’t even mention crime prevention, gangs or Surrey. “It’s such a blatant disregard for public safety,” she said. “I am disappointed the Conservatives didn’t take the opportunity to make protecting our community a priority.” Sims said seniors in Surrey are scared to leave their homes and parents are keeping their children inside because of the shootings.

LOCAL Story from Page 1...

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 9

Bains family devastated by the shooting of their ‘sweet’ son, Arun

“We are all totally shattered, including my brother and his wife,� Bains said. “I try to support them as much as I can. But it’s news that no parent wants to hear or should hear. ' % % child. It doesn’t seem right.� He said. /6 6 6 brought Arun home from the hospital after his birth. My wife was the one who picked his very 8 9 * :: * have to prepare for his funeral. How can parents and family members be expected to take this,� Bains asked. “Arun was such a sweet and bubbly kid. He was always willing to help. He would always come over to talk to you at family gatherings,� Bains said. Bains family members have said that Arun was not a criminal and was not a gang member despite Surrey RCMP’s ambiguous statements that Arun was “known� to police. Arun Bains received a conditional discharge and six months probation on Jan. 29 for marijuana possession, according to Mike Lowe, a spokesper '$< =8 8 8 The marijuana charge related to an incident in Victoria in December 2013 when Arun Bains was attending the University of Victoria, Lowe said. He did not know the quantity of marijuana involved. A conditional discharge does not carry a criminal record. Lowe said Harry Bains only became aware of his nephew’s trouble with the law on Wednesday after reviewing court documents. After Sunday’s shooting, police said Arun Bains was “known to be associated to the people connected to the > the family issued a statement saying he was not a criminal or a gang member. /? % gang member. He did not have lots cash on him. He drove his mother’s car and he borrowed money from his father to pay for his gas. One would think that a gang member would be car. He did not,� Bains told The Asian Star. = 9

% of today’s South Asian youths. He was looking for work, he was unemployed, he was drifting from one university course to another in search of some 8 “He started studying political science at the University of Victoria but gave that up because he found it too boring and dry and was planning to study computers and IT at BCIT. He was very good in computers and wanted to try that,� Harry Bains said. This seems to be a common prob @ F * ! * government programs that help them F

8 A former chairwoman of Surrey’s District Parent Advisory Council told The Asian Star that lack of job opportunities for youths in Metro Vancouver, due to temporary foreign workers or foreign skilled workers taking away job opportunities from local youths, as well as lack of parent involvement in schools, lead youths to gangs and drug 8 “The crime problem is caused way before any of the shootings on the street. It’s caused in Surrey schools. It is no parental involvement in the schools. The things that go on in the schools...� said Patricia Enair, a former DPAC co-chairwoman. Schools have given a blanket “no parents� involvements because of problems with a few parents. So parents don’t know who their kids’ friends are in school. “it is very important for parents to know who are the friends of tehri kids<� she said. It’s in the realm of school, bylaw enforcement, the RCMP and the people of

She said that her son, who is a graduate from this city. Until all those things decide to play together on one team, it’s not going to happen. And one of BCIT’s trades programs, is sitting at home they also need support from the provincial and unemployed for a year. She said companies want federal government, because the biggest complaint cheaper temporary foreign workers and a lot of I have is about employment for our kids.� Youth immigration companies help them get foreign workers by excluding Canadian kids. “They put employment programs are being out advertisements with job descriptions cancelled, she noted, as “they’re which says must have a valid class 5 drivbringing people in under the skilled ing license. Well, with the graduated liworker program by the thousands. censing system, most people between 19 “The reality is, it’s not just the Soand 25 do not have a valid class 5 license malian and South Asian community. so they are excluded right away from There’s a lot of white kids involved these jobs,� she told The Asian Star. in this, and I do mean a helluva lot. Enair said she fears that there will be few It’s coming down to one very simor no jobs for Canadian born youths at Arun Bains ple fact: they can’t get jobs. And if = % % X'Z they can’t get jobs, they cannot feel engaged in the community, because B.C. is very Site C dam project. Apart from the issue of jobs, expensive to live in, right? I mean, hugely expen- there is the issue of associating with other youths. 8 6 “To say that Arun Bains had friends or associations some sort of freedom, and some sort of money to to the drug industry, 70 per cent of the kids in this live on, they’re going to turn to something that is, city do,� Enair said. And just blaming parents is not the answer eiand I’m sorry, but guns and drugs will do it,� she said. Kids are pushed towards trades but there is ther. MLA Harry Bains said his younger brother had no clue about his son’s alleged involvement no open path for them to get trades jobs.

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with any gangs. “Talking to his parents, they had no clue,� Bains said. “They had no clue that he would be involved in any of this stuff. They were as shocked as anybody.� If there was involvement at any level, his parents and family members were totally unaware of it “Who knows when kids are out, who they hang out with and what they do? A lot of times parents are the last people to know what’s going on out there.� Bains said he last saw his nephew about a month ago. “He was bubbly, joking around and having fun,� Bains said. “He was a very happy guy. The guy was so sweet, he was so respectful, he would go out of his way to talk to you. He wouldn’t say ' 8> [ :\ " ' $

March in what police call a drug-dealing turf war between Somali and South Asian drug dealers. MLA Bains said that apart from parents, political leaders have to take concrete action to ensure that drug gang leaders do no look at Surrey and Delta as a lucrative place to sell drugs because of increasing population.

LOCAL

10 L Saturday, April 25, 2015

Convicted war criminal Omar Khadr granted bail But federal government plans to appeal Convicted war criminal Omar Khadr, the Canadian transferred to an Alberta facility after serving time at Guantanamo Bay, has been granted bail. Shortly after the decision was announced, the federal government said it would appeal the decision made by an Alberta judge. Court of Queen’s Bench Justice June Ross, in a 23-page decision, granted Khadr’s bail request Friday morning. He will remain in custody until a hearing is held on May 5 to set out his bail conditions. “Even though the applicant has pled guilty to serious offences, he should be granted judicial interim release,” the judge wrote, “because he has a strong basis for an appeal, and the risk to public safety is not such that it is in the public’s best interest that he remain in pre-appeal detention in a manner that could render his appeal irrelevant.”

Khadr’s Edmonton lawyer, Dennis Edney, said the case will now go back before the courts to work out the conditions of his client’s release, including where he will live and what he will do with his time. “Our court has said that subject to our Constitution, Omar Khadr is entitled to bail pending his appeal,” said Edney. “It obviously means that the judicial system has faith in Omar Khadr. They agreed that he has a meritorious case before the appeal courts in the United States, sufficient to allow him to be released on bail. And they have also indicated that he presents no risk to Canada — all contrary to what our government has been saying for the last number of years.” Trinjan held its annual festival of mothers and daughters ‘Mela Mawn Dhiyan Da’ and a ‘Government plans to appeal’ ‘Women’s Health fair’ at the Dhaliwal Banquet Hall on in Surrey on April 19. Pictured above “We are disappointed and will appeal this are some of the participants. decision,” Steven Blaney, Canada’s Minister of Photo: Chandra Bodalia Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, said in a statement Friday. “Our government will continue to work TELUS STORES to combat the international jihadi Abbotsford movement, which has declared war Highstreet Shopping Centre Sevenoaks Shopping Centre on Canada and her allies. 2140 Sumas Way “Omar Ahmed Khadr pleaded 32915 South Fraser Way guilty to heinous crimes, includAldergrove 26310 Fraser Hwy. ing the murder of American army Burnaby medic Sgt. Christopher Speer. Brentwood Town Centre “We have vigorously defended Crystal Mall Lougheed Town Centre against any attempt to lessen his ™ Metropolis at Metrotown punishment for these crimes.” 3855 Henning Dr. Khadr has been in custody since 4501 North Rd. he was arrested in 2002 when he Coquitlam Coquitlam Centre was 15 years old. He was accused of Westwood Mall throwing a grenade in Afghanistan 1071 Austin Ave. that killed an American soldier. Delta Scottsdale Centre Sent to Guantanamo Bay in 1517 56th St. 2002, Khadr later confessed to an 4841 Delta St. American military tribunal. He 4912 62nd St. Langley was sentenced to eight years beWillowbrook Mall hind bars in 2010. 8700 200th St. Transferred to Canada in 2012, 19638 Fraser Hwy. 20159 88th Ave. Khadr, 28, has been serving what’s 20202 66th Ave. left of his sentence at the Bowden Maple Ridge Institution south of Red Deer, Alta. Haney Place Mall 22661 Lougheed Hwy. Khadr has recanted his confession Mission and sought an appeal of his convicMission Smartcentre tion. Lawyer offers Khadr a place to 32670 Lougheed Hwy. New Westminster live Edney said at his client’s appeal Royal City Centre in the United States, the defence North Vancouver will argue that Khadr is not guilty Capilano Mall of a war crime, and only made his Lynn Valley Centre 1295 Marine Dr. admissions under extreme duress. 1801 Lonsdale Ave. “We had a Canadian governPitt Meadows ment that allowed Omar Khadr 19800 Lougheed Hwy. Port Coquitlam to be in Guantanamo Bay,” Edney 2020 Oxford Connector said. “We had a Canadian governRichmond ment that participated in his torLansdowne Centre Richmond Centre ture in Guantanamo Bay said the 11686 Steveston Hwy. Supreme Court of Canada. Under Surrey torture, Omar Khadr said he had Central City Shopping Centre Cloverdale Crossing thrown a hand grenade. When the Guildford Town Centre government knows there’s not one Semiahmoo Shopping Centre single piece of evidence that he 3189 King George Blvd. 7380 King George Blvd. threw a hand grenade. And then 13734 104th Ave. he faces the rest of his life in GuanVancouver tanamo Bay and is forced to take Oakridge Centre a plea bargain. “We don’t torture Pacific Centre * 220 East 1st Ave. children, and we don’t use the evGet a FREE 40 Samsung Smart TV 551 Robson St. idence derived from torture.” 808 Davie St. when you sign up for Optik TV & Internet for 3 years. Friday’s court decision has noth991 Denman St. 1095 West Pender St. ing to do with Canada’s relationship 1143 Robson St. with the United States, Edney said. 1855 Burrard St. “I’ve heard no evidence, whatsoev2338 Cambie St. 2372 West 4th Ave. er, to indicate that the United States 2706 Granville St. Call 310-MYTV (6988), go to telus.com/freetv is the least bit interested in Omar 2748 Rupert St. Khadr. In fact, my experience in or visit your TELUS Store. 3121 West Broadway West Vancouver Guantanamo Bay is that the UnitPark Royal South ed States wished to return Omar Offer available until June 30, 2015, to residential customers who have not subscribed to TELUS TV or Internet in the past 90 days. Minimum system requirements apply. Final eligibility for the services will be determined by a TELUS representative. TELUS reserves the right to modify channel to Canada much sooner than the lineups and packaging, and regular pricing without notice. Cannot be combined with other offers. The Essentials is required for all Optik TV subscriptions. Offer not available with TELUS Internet 6. HDTV-input-equipped television required to watch HD. *A retail value of $689, based on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, plus a 2 year extended warranty, provincial government eco fees and shipping. TELUS reserves the right to substitute an equivalent or better product without notice. 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Person of the Week

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 11

Surrey Night Market is like a mini PNE says founder Satbir Cheema Shruti Prakash- Joshi

H

enry Ford, the American Industrialist had once famously

said “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success”. This saying couldn’t be more true for Satbir Cheema, one of the driving forces behind the one year old Surrey Night Market. A year ago Satbir came together with a couple of enthusiastic friends Jazz Narula and Gary Grewal and two other partners who don’t wish to be named to organize the first ever Surrey Night Market. The market was undoubtedly a success but as more and more ideas flowed, the three kept together and Surrey Night Market 2015 is on the verge of being an even bigger success, especially with Rogers Media becoming the presenting sponsor. “I always wanted to think outside the box and therefore when the idea of opening the first ever night market in Surrey came up, I knew we had to make it work,” said Satbir Cheema in an interview with The Asian Star this week. Cheema is currently employed

a student to pursue my Masters in Business Administration from University of Manitoba” explained Cheema. After his MBA, Cheema moved back to India only to come again as an immigrant this time in 1994. Cheema chose to move to Vancouver this time and found his first job at Khalsa Credit Union. “I worked with them for a while but then when a position opened up at PICS, I joined the not for profit and have been here since,” said Cheema. “I can say that as a not for profit, PICS has made tremendous strides in the community, and I will always be grateful to the organization for having given me a launching pad and an identity in the community. But I always wanted to do something of my own too and after much debate with my friends and now partners we decided to give Surrey something different and unique,” said Cheema. According to Cheema, Surrey is lacking in good, wholesome fun for families and children, something like a mini PNE and therefore the idea of a night market immediately clicked.

Surrey Night Market

with Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) as Director of Employment Programs and Planning having joined the not for profit as a facilitator way back in1998. With the sheer dint of hard work and dedication, Cheema quickly climbed the ladder becoming a Supervisor, a program manager and finally a Director, a position he has been at for more than a decade now. Cheema was born in Gurdaspur in Punjab, India. Cheema’s early education was at PPS Nabha, a boarding school, after which he acquired an engineering degree from PEC Chandigarh. “I was working with Electronic Systems Punjab Limited before coming to Canada as

“Richmond has something like this and has been highly successful and therefore we thought if they can do it so can we”, said Cheema. And although the concept of the night market is similar to that of Richmond night market, the push here is for it to be more diverse, multicultural and inclusive. And therefore whereas in Richmond the majority of vendors selling wares or food items are Chinese, the Surrey Night Market is much more diverse. “The other great thing about the Surrey night market is it’s fantastic location at Cloverdale Exhibition Grounds. It’s expansive, well organized and has ample free parking, which contributes greatly

Satbir Cheema (middle) at Surrey Night Market

to the positive experience of the market goers,” said Cheema. Each year the organizers want to give the night market a theme and this year’s theme is multiculturalism. “Each weekend will be dedicated to a different culture/community so that it can be showcased in terms of food, merchandise and entertainment. Also this year Surrey Night Market is offering free booths to family members of Canadian Armed Forces and veterans who would be interested in putting up a booth there,” said Cheema. The four key elements that according to Cheema will make the night market successful are food vendors, merchandise vendors, entertainment and activities for kids. And this year the night market would definitely be bigger and better and longer as compared to last year. “In terms of food vendors we already have quite a few, but we are certainly looking for quality merchandise

vendors,” said Cheema adding that since thousands of people visit the night market every night it’s a great opportunity to make money. “I would encourage anyone who has any item to sell to get a booth at the night market”, said Cheema. There will be rides for children and great multicultural entertainment each night that the market is held, providing good wholesome fun for the entire family. “This year we will also dedicate a few weekends to the local participating food banks by collecting non-perishable food items and new toys in lieu of free admission”, said Cheema. The Night Market will open for a total of 51 days opening from 6:00 pm11:00 pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 29 till September 20th. For more information on Surrey Night Market call 604-805-3440, or visit www. surreynightmarket.com. You can also send an email to surreynightmarket@gmail.com.

12 L Saturday, April 25, 2015

LOCAL

Two lanes of B.C. Highway 91 closed after small plane abruptly lands

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49-year-old pilot suffered non-life threatening injuries after an ultralight plane made an emergency landing on a B.C.

highway early Wednesday evening. The small aircraft came to a rest with its nose against the centre concrete medi-

an on Highway 91 with little sign of damage. Delta Police say they responded to a 911 call at about 6:20 p.m. about a small plane that had landed in the southbound lanes of Highway 91 (near 64th Avenue). Police say the pilot was alone in the Amphibian Ultralight aircraft and was taken to hospital for evaluation of non-life threatening injuries. They say the pilot was coming from the King George Airpark and was flying over the Delta area when it is believed that the plane lost power causing a forced landing. No one on the ground was injured as a re-

The palne landed on Highway in Delta sult of the accident and a section of highway that had been closed has since reopened to traffic. Delta Police says it is working with the National Transportation and Safety Board to complete the investigation. According to reports the pilot was warned earlier the plane was unsafe to fly.

6 year old girl hit by driver with learner’s permit, dies of injuries

K

ianna Moreau has been identified as the six-year-old who died fter being hit by a driver with learner’s permit. A sixyear-old girl has died of her injuries, after being one of four pedestrians hit Sunday by an inexperienced driver behind the wheel of an SUV in Port Coquitlam, B.C., police say. “Sadly one of the pedestrians, the six-year-old girl, passed away,” Cpl. Jamie Chung of Coquitlam RCMP said Monday. The girl has been identified as Kianna Moreau, according to her friends and an online memorial fund. A candlelight vigil will be held for her on Friday at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody at 8:30 p.m. PT. The driver,

a woman in her 40s who was just learning to drive, lost control of a Honda CRV while trying to turn right on Shaughnessy Street from Lions Way in Port Coquitlam at about 4 p.m. PT, according to police. She drove up on the sidewalk and struck four pedestrians who were walking in the parking lot of a busy strip mall, said Chung. A vehicle struck four pedestrians April 19 near Shaughnessy Street and Lions Way in Port Coquitlam, B.C. A six-year-old girl died of her injuries and her mother remains in hospital in serious condition. The girl’s mother was also hit, and is still in hospital in serious condition, as is another victim.

LOCAL

Large crowd at Surrey forum to discuss escalating gun violence

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“Our youth are the people they will target t was standing-room only in a Surrey gym Tuesday for a forum held in re- to advance their criminal enterprise,� he said, sponse to escalating gun violence in the referring to the 90,000 students in Surrey — the largest school district in B.C. However, city that took a man’s life over the weekend. The forum at Tamanawis Secondary Fordy said police have received a number School, hosted by the City of Surrey, the Sur- of tips that have helped investigations, but rey School District and multiple police agen- more were needed. Police have had some cies, saw hundreds of concerned parents, success following meetings with the shooting students, teachers, police, politicians and victims’ and intended victims’ families and community leaders pack the gym. Surrey friends. “It is important for me to say and for and Delta have recorded 22 shootings since you to know that the actions of those persons the beginning of March, 14 of which involved that have engaged in this criminal behaviour South Asian and Somali groups involved in do not reflect this community in its entirety,� low-level drug trafficking, police have said. he said to applause. “In terms of the shootSurrey Mayor Linda Hepner opened the fo- ings, you should be concerned, you should rum. “No one in our community should feel unsafe,� Hepner said, calling the shootings unacceptable. Police have worked “around the clock� to make arrests, the mayor said, but those involved have refused to co-operate, “and that is putting it mildly,� she added. “The code of silence we have seen so far will only result in more The concerned citizens gathered at the forum on gang violance heartache.� Hepner referred to early Sun- be troubled — but not fearful.� Sgt. Lindsey day when the turf war became fatal with the Houghton of the Combined Forces Special shooting death of 22-year-old Arun Bains. Enforcement Unit asked the audience to read “It pains me that a life has been lost amid thus through a pamphlet handed out at the event senseless violence and it has to stop — it has containing information about drug-crime to stop before another life is lost,� she said. warning signs, such as youth possessing mulThe mayor said the violence has become a tiple cellphones and an abundance of cash, top priority with all policing agencies, and using records or store sheets and demanding she has been speaking daily with them. “The privacy, and not letting family members into root cause of these shootings is drug use and their room. On Monday, RCMP and the City drug trafficking,� said Chief Supt. Bill Fordy of Surrey announced the launch of a dedicated 24-hour tip line for gathering information of the Surrey RCMP. about the shootings at 604-915-6566.

Flawless diamond sells for $22.1m

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he gem, originally mined by De Beers in South Africa, was snapped up by an anonymous buyer after only three minutes’ bidding. The diamond had taken more than a year to cut, polish and perfect.Only six perfect diamonds weighing more than 100 carats have been auctioned in the past 25 years, according to Sotheby’s. It had a pre-sale estimate of between $19m and $25m.The head of Sotheby’s jewellery department in New York, Gary Schuler, described the diamond as “the definition of perfection�.“The colour is whiter than white, it is free of any internal imperfections and so transparent that I can only compare it to a pool of icy water,� he said before the sale. The gem was the highlight of a sale of more than 350 jewels expected to sell for a total of

The 100-carat diamond on pre-auction show at Sotheby’s in Los Angeles. 25 March 2015 $22.1m at Sotheby’s auction house in New York.

more than $50m. Two years ago, a flawless pink diamond known as the Pink Star set a world record price for a gemstone at auction when it sold for $83m in Geneva.

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 13

‘Arun was not a criminal’: Bains family says Surrey shooting victim wasn’t a gangster

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he family of a young Surrey man gang member. He was loved by everyone killed over the weekend in a violent who knew him,� the statement read. “Arun shooting incident police believe is was a fine young man who loved his family connected to the ongoing gang turf war there and had a bright future ahead of him.� The family thanked everyone who has was a “fine young man� who had a sent condolences and the media “bright future.� for respecting their privacy. And Arun Bains, the nephew of Surthey said they are determined to rey NDP MLA Harry Bains, was support the community’s efforts gunned down Sunday near 88th to end the violence and “spare Avenue and 126th Street. The another family this pain.� “This is 22-year-old’s death is believed to an extraordinarily painful time,� be connected to the recent spate the statement read. “Arun was the of gun violence between two rival Arun Bains heart of our family. We are still trygroups fighting for control of the ing to accept the reality that our son, brothstreet-level drug trade. In an emotional statement sent out Tues- er, cousin, and nephew is gone.� There has day, the Bains family offered a tender picture been a total of 22 shootings in Surrey and of the young man, describing him as the Delta since early last month. Mounties have “heart of the family� and someone who was determined that least 14 of those shootings are related to a clash between a South Asian loved by all. “Arun was not a criminal. He was not a group and a Somali group fighting for control of the drug trade.

14 L Saturday, April 25, 2015

LOCAL Man swallows piece of metal he claims was in Tim Hortons coffee

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man says he is horrified after swallowing an inch-long piece of metal that he claims was inside his Tim Hortons coffee. Kyle Warkentin, 24, was drinking his regular coffee, a large dark roast, on Tuesday morning that he had just purchased at the Tim Hortons on Bridgeport Road near Oak Street when he felt something hard in the back of his throat. A nursing student, Warkentin said he immediately forced himself to vomit and was shocked the find what came up. Kyle Warkentin of Coquitlam claims he swallowed an inch-long piece of metal that was in his Tim Hortons coffee on Tuesday morning. “It was an inch-long piece of metal,� he told Metro. “I was kind of in shock. You don’t expect large pieces of metal to be in your coffee.� Warkentin said he believes the metal, which looks like a covering for a screw, may

A Coquitlam man claims he swallowed an inch-long piece of metal that was in his Tim Hortons coffee have come from the milk dispenser. As he had already left the store, he emailed Tim Hortons’ customer service and sent pictures of the object. Within 20 minutes, he received a phone call from head office that the company is investigating, he said. “They’re obviously trying to figure out what happened,� he said. “But it’s scary. If I swallowed it the wrong way and it went all the way into my system, that can do some serious damage to your intestines.� Although he’s physically OK, Warkentin said the incident was shocking. While he’s impressed that Tim Hortons contacted him so soon after he reported the incident, he said he’s still “in limbo� waiting to see what the company will do. Tim Hortons staff “shouldn’t have to worry about parts falling into coffee,� he said. “They need to realize that that’s a serious issue,� he said. “What if this was a glass of milk for a child, or a senior citizen? It could have been much more serious.� A request for comment from Tim Hortons was not immediately returned Wednesday morning. This story will be updated when more information is available.

B.C. parents win for better Frenchlanguage school in Vancouver The Supreme Court of Canada has upheld a B.C. Supreme Court judge’s ruling that French students in Vancouver do not have access to the same educational services that their English counterparts have. The case centres around Ecole Rose-des-Vents on Vancouver’s west side, where in 2010, parents challenged the government to provide equivalent education for students whose first language is French, as is required under the Canadian constitution. The case only determines that the facilities at Rose-desVents are not equivalent to those offered to English students. It does not provide a remedy or decide who is responsible to meet the constitutional standard. The case will go back to B.C. Supreme Court to determine the next phase, if necessary. In October 2012, the judge declared that parents living west of Vancouver’s Main Street who had the right to have their children taught in French were not provided the facilities guaranteed to them under the charter of rights. But B.C’s Court of Appeal overturned the decision on a technicality, agreeing with the province that the judge hearing the original case failed to take into account the cost of providing better school facilities. The Supreme Court of Canada has overturned the appeal decision and reinstated the original court ruling, along with costs awarded to the parents.

LOCAL

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 15

Fed’s unhappy with Vancouver’s proposal to regulate marijuana retailers Vancouver is proposing $30,000 licensing fee, mandatory distancing requirements proposed which the Pacific National Exhibition pays for city’s medical marijuana shops he City of Vancouver is looking at

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new rules to regulate the booming retail marijuana business, including a $30,000 licensing fee to help recover the cost of enforcement. “In the last two years, the city has seen a rapid growth rate of 100 per cent per year in marijuana-related businesses ... [going] from 60 to 80 in the last four months alone,” said a statement issued by the city. While medical marijuana shops have become commonplace in Vancouver in recent years, there is little in the way of regulations to control them, the statement notes. “Up to now there has been a lack of a clear and transparent regulatory framework from the federal government,” said the statement. “While the city has no jurisdiction to regulate the sale of marijuana, it does have clear jurisdiction to regulate how and where businesses operate in our city.” Vancouver has seen a rapid growth rate of 100 per cent per year in marijuana-related businesses in the past two years, the city said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Stephen

Harper’s government said municipal governments have no authority to regulate and license businesses that sell pot. “I am deeply concerned by reports that the City of Vancouver intends to discuss a proposal to regulate illegal drug dispensaries at an upcoming council meeting,” Health Minister Rona Ambrose told Mayor Gregor Robertson in a letter. Vancouver’s growing sector of dispensaries goes beyond the federal government’s 2013 regulations on the sale of pot for medical purposes, Ambrose said. She dismissed City Manager Penny Ballem’s argument that the city is not seeking to regulate the drug itself and that federal rules have created a “grey zone” leading to an explosion of pot dispensaries. “These regulations are clear and do not provide municipalities with the authority to legitimize the commercial sale of marijuana, which remains an illegal substance,” Ambrose told Robertson. “Storefronts and dispensaries do not operate within a ‘grey zone,’ and the law is clear: they are illegal.”

Federal budget 2015 lacks national auto strategy

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he 2015 federal budget should have included a national auto strategy, says Unifor and the federal NDP. Unifor is the largest private-sector union in Canada and represents hourly auto workers at Detroit 3 assembly plants and several parts suppliers in Ontario. Unifor national president Jerry Dias called it “a disastrous budget for working class people.” Dias claims Canada has lost nearly 400,000 manufacturing jobs with Stephen Harper and the Conservatives as the governing parties. “We really need some strategies as they related to manufacturing. We need to have a strategy for auto on how we bring these jobs back,” Dias said. Windsor West NDP MP Brian Masse isn’t happy there wasn’t more for the auto sector. “Very disappointing and very frustrating coming from our area where we understand the skill level and the economic advantage of having economic assembly,” said Masse. “We’ve just disappeared off the map, going from the No. 2 [auto manufacturer] in the world basically to number 10 or 12, depending on the numbers of any given year.” The budget included a $100 million investment “to support product development

and technology demonstration by Canadian automotive parts suppliers” over the next five years. The money is part of a new Automotive Supplier Innovation Program that “will support our auto parts industry as it meets the constantly evolving demands of automakers and consumers.” Masse claims the problem is the government is taking money from the Auto Innovation Fund and allocating it to the new program. “Unfortunately, with this budget they’re cannibalising the innovation fund to fund the new parts fund,” said Masse. “So we’re taking money away from trying to get new auto manufacturing assembly plants and they’ve redirected that to the parts manufacturing, which is an admission that they should have done something in the first place because if we don’t have those things we’re really at a loss.” Masse described Canada as being in a defensive mode when it comes to its parts industry. “We have some really good value added jobs in the parts manufacturing industry and it would have been fine if we were actually working on getting the actual engines and the actual development design and implementation of an assembly of vehicles, unfortunately we haven’t.”

Ambrose’s unambiguous letter came a day after the city said it intends to wrestle down a growing unlicenced pot dispensary market operating under the guise of providing access to medical marijuana. New rigid rules, if adopted, would control who can operate pot shops and prohibit them from operating within 300 metres of schools, community centres and other dispensaries. Successful dispensary applicants will be charged a $30,000 annual administration fee, the highest in the city’s suite of licence fees it charges businesses. The nearest fee to that is $16,331,

for its annual fair. Vancouver councillor Kerry Jang says the city is acting on concerns raised by the public. “We’ve heard loud and clear from the general public there is a lot of pot shops, and most of them are very close to schools so this is part of the reason,” he told CBC News. “We want to make sure young people are protected. We want to keep them [marijuana shops] away from schools, community centres, and each other.” Jang says coming up with a solution hasn’t been easy. It’s been incredibly challenging and that’s why it took so much time,” he said.

16 L Saturday, April 25, 2015

ALBERTA ELECTION

Governing PCs in trouble in Alberta election

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have polls meant so little to so many

governing party trailing in second place, maybe even third, and with its leader posting dismal approval ratings, would normally set off alarm bells. But this is Alberta, and old habits die hard. After 44 years in power and 12 consecutive election victories, anything but a win by Jim Prentice’s Progressive Conservatives is dismissed by many as nearly fantastical. Even the pollsters are couching their analyses with warnings of the changes likely to come. The Tories may be in dire straits now, but the election is many weeks away. The inevitable will still, probably, come to pass — right? But re-alignments can happen swiftly. Are the polls presaging a historic defeat for the Alberta PCs, or is there good reason to believe that what the numbers show now will not be the same on May 5, when Albertans cast their ballots? The case for the polls ThreeHundredEight.com’s latest aggregation of the polls released Monday show the Wildrose

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Party holds the lead with about 30 per cent support, followed closely by the Progressive Conservatives at 28 per cent and the New Democrats at 26 per cent. The Alberta Liberals bring up the rear with 12 per cent support. This outcome would likely deliver a minority government headed by either Wildrose or the Tories, with the edge narrowly going to Wildrose. It is too close to say anything more definitive. If these results were repeated on election day, it would be the best showing for the NDP since 1989 and the worst for the PCs since 1967. This alone should raise some red flags. But the polls reported in the media have been remarkably consistent. In the three polls conducted by different polling firms since the beginning of April, Wildrose has registered between 30 and 31 per cent, the PCs between 25 and 27 per cent, and the NDP between 26 and 28 per cent. What first looked like a fluke at the end of March has been confirmed again and again.

Alberta could be headed to

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ith polls suggesting Alberta could be on the way to its first minority government, all political party leaders switched their promise machines into high gear this week. In Calgary, Tory Premier Jim Prentice promised to reverse his unpopular plan to reduce the charitable tax credit while Wildrose Leader Brian Jean pledged two hours of free parking at hospitals. In Edmonton, NDP Leader Rachel Notley vowed to help create 3,000 jobs for students this summer by restoring the Summer Temporary Employment Program, eliminated by the PCs in 2013. And Liberal Leader David Swann promised to expand home care, invest in health-care capital projects, primary care and chronic disease management, and focus on disease prevention and cutting waste. The flurry of promises on the campaign trail comes in advance of Thursday’s leaders’ debate in Edmonton which has grown in importance with a Mainstreet Technologies poll showing the Wildrose, NDP and PCs within 10 percentage points in popular support. It had the Wildrose with 35 per cent support among decided voters, with the NDP at 31 per cent and the PCs at 25 per cent. Eric Grenier, who operates the poll-tracking website ThreeHundredEight.com, said if the numbers remain the same on May 5 there will definitely be a minority government in Alberta for the first time in its 110-year history. “It is completely uncharted territory for Alberta and I don’t think anyone has really thought about how these parties would actually work together,� he said. “With the floor-crossing between the Wildrose and the Tories, it’s hard to imagine them wanting to work together and it is hard to imagine either of those two parties working with the NDP.� Veteran political analyst David Taras of Mount Royal Uni-

versity said much can change in the next two weeks of the campaign, but voters’ psychology is shifting with “people saying, what is wrong with a minority government?� “It’s bizarre. It’s the Star Trek election — we’ve never gone here before,� said Taras, who believes Thursday’s debate is critical for all the parties. “Nothing is for granted now. There are possibilities.� Prentice sidestepped the question of a minority government on Tuesday, saying it’s premature to think about it midway through the campaign and he is focused on winning a 13th PC majority. “I trust in the judgment of Albertans and I am campaigning to be a majority government to to provide the stability that this province needs at this point in time,� he said. In Edmonton, NDP Leader Rachel Notley said she would be willing to work with any other party to form a coalition government. “It would be absolutely irresponsible to not open the door to thoughtful discussions with all other parties that are elected after the election,� she said. “That assembly reflects the will of the voters.� Notley said her goal will be to make government work for Albertans. “You hope that you don’t get into a minority government position where everybody is grandstanding for the sake of the next election, and all governance stops,� she said. Liberal Leader David Swann said previously he would welcome a minority government. Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said he won’t co-operate with the Tories. “The only way the Prentice PCs will be able to pass their budget with its record tax increases is with the support of the NDP,� he said. “Wildrose will not be voting to increase taxes on Albertans.� Taras said there are several possible combinations to form a minority government, but he worries the three largest parties may end up dominating a single region each — Edmonton, Calgary and the rest of the province — creating tensions between them.

NATIONAL

Mother, 3 children under 9, killed in Saskatchwan

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mother and three children from Tisdale, Sask., were found slain and police say a suspect in the killings has also been found dead. Police have not released the names, but family members have confirmed the woman who died is LaTasha Gosling, 27. Her children include two girls, Janyaa, 4, and Jenika, 8, and a boy, Landen, 7, who have the same surname. Police made the grim discovery in a mobile home around 1 a.m. CST Wednesday in the east-central Saskatchewan town. The male suspect was tracked to a home in Prince Albert and when police entered the premises at 6:20 a.m, they found him dead, RCMP said. Police would not say how the man died, but said his death was not a homicide. A six-month-old baby was found with him. The baby is now being cared for by family. There were two other adults in the house where the man’s body was found, but they won’t be charged, the police said. Police did not provide the relationship between the man and the woman, but said they were known to each other. The woman and her children had been reported missing the day before ‘Hard-working young family’ A woman who along with her husband

! " ring pimped out girls as young as 15: Cops 0

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oronto - Young people pimping young people has become an ever-increasing criminal activity, the head of Toronto Police’s sex crimes unit says. Toronto Police announced the arrest Wednesday of nine Torontonians and the ongoing hunt for one more suspect following an investigation into a sex-trafficking ring that allegedly recruited vulnerable young women and girls from group homes, dance clubs and schools in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Alberta. Insp. Joanna Beaven-Desjardins said the accused are all affiliated with a Toronto-based gang and would use the girls’ individual vulnerabilities to befriend them, romance them, shower them with gifts, and provide them with drugs and alcohol. The suspects would then lead them into a transient life of prostitution, take their earnings, and frequently use beatings to keep them in line and working, she alleged. The women ranged in age from 15 to 33. Investigators believe there are others who haven’t come forward. This particular group of suspects, rounded up on April 2 during a set of police raids, has an average age of 21 and includes a man as young as 18 and a woman as young as 20. In a separate case, Toronto Police on Tuesday arrested a 19-year-old woman suspected of pimping a 17-year-old girl out of various GTA hotels. And in early March, a 21-year-old man, a 19-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman were charged with luring a 14-year-old girl into prostitution and now face additional charges following the discovery of another victim. Over the years, those who lure, pimp and engage in human trafficking have become younger and younger, Beaven-Desjardins said. “That is a trend, and we’re seeing that,� she said. “It’s a lifestyle. It’s something that they have evolved into because they’ve been around it, they’ve seen it, they’ve seen how lucrative it is.�

Calgary school slapped with $26K # students pray on campus

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owns Wicks’ Mobile Home Park on the north side of the town, said a young couple and children had been staying there. Police confirmed that where the woman and three children died. “I believe it was in one of my trailers cause right now as I look — I have a store right across from there — and I can see several police cars sitting there with yellow tape around the trailer,� said Laurie, who didn’t want her last name published.

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 17

Calgary private school unlawfully discriminated against two Muslim students by refusing to allow them to pray on campus, says the province’s human rights tribunal. The Alberta Human Rights Commission fined Webber Academy a total of $26,000 for distress and loss of dignity after the boys were forced to hide at the school or leave the property during the city’s chilly winter to fulfill their faith’s obligations. Neil Webber, the facility’s founder and president, said he was disappointed with the ruling released Thursday and said an appeal with Alberta’s Court of Queen’s Bench will be filed. “A key pillar of our founding principles is that the school be a non-denominational environment in which children can thrive and focus on their academic success,� Webber said. “This remains our goal.� A human rights law expert at the Alberta Civil Liberties

Research Centre said the ruling is a reminder to providers of public services in Alberta like schools and businesses that there is a duty to accommodate religious beliefs so long as they don’t cause undue hardship to the organization. “It could be a Jehovah’s witness who wants Saturday off from work or a few students who want a space to pray at a school,� Sarah Burton said. “If someone has a protected ground under human rights legislation and you can reasonably work around that request, then you’re obligated to provide it.� The ruling focussed on the treatment of 14-year-old Sarmad Amir and Naman Siddique who were admitted to Webber Academy in late 2011. The tribunal heard undisputed evidence that in the first few weeks they attended the school staff accommodated their request to pray by allowing them to use an empty classroom.

18 L Saturday, April 25, 2015

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 19

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20 L Saturday, April 25, 2015

LOCAL

Quebec teen accused of terror had potential bomb-making materials at home

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ister of teen accused of terror says she overheard, ‘If we can’t go there, we’ll do it here’ The case of two Montreal college students who earlier this week were arraigned on terrorism-related charges will continue in court on Monday. Sabrine Djaermane and El-Mahdi Jamali are accused of intending to leave Canada to commit a terrorist act abroad, but Radio-Canada has reported that they may have been preparing to act much closer to home. A date for a bail hearing was to be set on Friday, but a delay in the prosecution’s delivery of evidence to the defence means that will be postponed until Monday. The two 18-year-olds were arrested April 14 after allegedly trying to go to Syria to join jihadists there. They are facing charges of leaving Canada to commit a terrorist act and building or possessing explosives. Radio-Canada has reported that officers

found ingredients in Jamali’s family home that could be used to make an explosive device, including a pressure cooker and other materials similar to what was used in the Boston Marathon bombings. The sister of one of the accused also told police she heard one of the two teens say, “’If we can’t go there, we’ll do it here.’” Nothing suspicious was found in the school locker that the teens shared, according to Radio-Canada. Some insight into teens’ lives Police also discovered Djaermane and Jamali had recently signed a lease on an apartment in the Montreal borough of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. Their lease extended until July 2016, and they had paid more than $2,000 for the months of April and May up front in cash. Radio-Canada reported that the young couple had told their friends they had just gotten married and wanted to leave their families.

The president of India Club, Dr Preeti Misra, with the Prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, during his visit to the Hindu temple in Surrey last week.

Harper announces support to improve remittance services in Canada

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rime Minister Stephen Harper this week announced the Government’s intention to help provide Canadians with safe, reliable and low-cost services to transfer money to family and friends outside of the country. He was joined by Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) and Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar. These transfers, known as remittances, represent a major source of income for millions of people around the world, and for the poorest and most vulnerable, support a sustainable path out of poverty. The average cost of sending remittances from Canada is currently above both the G-7 and global averages. To help reduce the costs of remittance services, the Government will launch a remittance price comparison website focused on key remittance destinations for Canadians. The website will help users compare services and fees offered by different service providers. As a complement to the price comparison website, the Government will also collect statistics with a view to better assessing the

scale of remittance flows from Canada and understanding the needs of Canadian remitters.The Government will also consult with financial institutions to evaluate possible opportunities that can reduce remittance costs. Quick Facts According to World Bank estimates, remittance flows to developing countries are expected to reach U.S. $440 billion in 2015. Canada ranks among the ten largest outbound markets in the world, with remittance flows totalling an estimated U.S. $23.1 billion transferred in 2014. It is also one of the top remittance sending countries on a per capita basis. At the Brisbane Summit in November 2014, the G-20 re-committed to reducing the global average cost of sending remittances to five per cent of the amount sent. “Our Government understands that many Canadians need and want to send money to family and friends outside the country. We are proud to support Canadian generosity by ensuring that these transfers can be sent in a manner that is safe and less expensive,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper

NATIONAL

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 21

Living expenses meant for Senators who actually pay out of pocket to live in Ottawa

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he Senate’s policy of reimbursing senators for living expenses they incur in Ottawa was meant for those who actually have to pay out-of-pocket to stay here, the Senate’s top financial official testified in Mike Duffy’s criminal trial on Wednesday morning. Duffy is charged with fraud, breach of trust and bribery in connection with numerous expenses he charged to the Senate after Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed the former broadcaster to Parliament’s upper house in late 2008 (he took his seat in early 2009). Those include living expenses Duffy billed to the Senate for the house he’d lived in Kanata for years, which he immediately began claiming as a secondary residence for which he was entitled to compensation – his primary residence being a cottage in Prince Edward Island, the province he officially represented. The compensation is up to $20,000 a year. It can cover hotel bills, an apartment rental, or a daily allowance for a senator who buys

NDP leader wins Alberta elections TV debate It wasn’t even close

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lberta NDP leader Rachel Notley won the debate. Wildrose Party Leader Brian Jean won over voters. And Progressive Conservative leader Jim Prentice won the ire of every female in the room when he turned to Notley and said: “I know that math is difficult.” Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann was also there. On Thursday, all four parties with seats in the Alberta legislature squared off in Edmonton. With the long-governing PCs spiralling in the polls, this was Prentice’s chance to stage a comeback. Instead, all he offered were the standard platitudes he has been hashing out since he launched his budget last month: more talk about getting off the oil and gas roller-coaster, accusing Wildrose’s alternative fiscal plan of not adding up. But the real fight was between Prentice and Notley, and each was eager to score jabs at the others’ expense. From left Wildrose Party leader Brian Jean, Liberal leader David Swann, Alberta Progressive Conservative leader ‘Math’ remark Jim Prentice and could subtract NDP leader Ra- voters for PC’s Jim chel Notley be- Prentice fore their debate in Edmonton on Thursday, April 23, 2015. Prentice criticized the NDP’s plans to raise corporate taxes, start a royalty review, and implement a jobs scheme. “Your plan talks about firing people, not mine,” Notley fired back, noting that while the PCs have been quick to link a one per cent increase in the corporate tax rate to 8,900 lost jobs, they don’t seem nearly as eager to discuss the 1,700 full-time-equivalent positions that would be lost in the health-care system under their budget. When the debate turned to a conversation about the NDP’s plan to raise corporate taxes, Prentice turned to his opponent and said “I know math is difficult.” Combined with frequent interruptions between the two, and Prentice’s habit of mispronouncing Notley’s name — it didn’t go over well. Criticism of the PC leader exploded on Twitter. On the issue of cuts, Prentice pointed out that Alberta already spends more per capita on the health care system, but received poor results — which prompted Notley to counter that those outcomes were a sign of the PC government’s continuing mismanagement. Meanwhile, Jean said he would not raise taxes. He would not vote with anyone who raised taxes.

but Mike Duffy claimed expenses he did not pay

declares that his or her residence is 100 kilometres or more from Ottawa and they incur costs, then they would be provided with that budget.” “And if a senator doesn’t incur additional expenses to come to Ottawa?” asked Crown prosecutor Jason Neubauer. “They would not be entitled,” Proulx said. “The decision to submit the claim is based on the idea that they incur costs. If they did not incur costs, then they should not submit a claim.” Duffy filed annual declarations that his Prince Edward Island cottage was his primary residence, which made him eligible for the allowance. Proulx said many senators who represent faraway places, but who mainly live in Ottawa, either don’t file the form or use it to declare that Ottawa is where they live. The question of Duffy’s primary residence is central to one set of charges among the 31 counts he faces. He’s an Islander born and raised but had lived and worked in Ottawa since 1971.

Mike Duffy

a property in the capital. “The basic principle of the allowance is that it is for senators whose residence, whose primary residence, is outside 100 kilometres from Ottawa and they incur costs,” explained Nicole Proulx,

who was in charge of the Senate’s finance directorate when Duffy was appointed (she’s since been promoted to become its chief corporate-services officer). “So from a finance and administrative perspective, if a senator

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International Children’s Festival For immediate release: April 14, 2015 Surrey, BC – Tickets for the 11th annual Surrey International Children’s Festival go on sale today at 12 noon

< [ ‡ * This year’s festival is being held May )' ˆ )& -

is holding its 4th Annual Mothers Day line performances over three days. Fundraising Gala Event on Friday, May Tickets are $10 each. A Saturday “All 8th, 2015 at 6:30 pm. The Fundraising Access Pass� is also available for Gala allows us to continue our Medical ‰')}

Mission efforts in India and Uganda as z well as support our local community by

* serving lunches to Homeless lunches twice Entrance to the festival is free, as are a month in Vancouver East End. many community performances and art activities. IACS primary objective is to relieve The Surrey International Children’s poverty in developing nations by means Festival exposes children to the arts of promoting, providing and supporting * public health, year’s line-up ranges from preschool safe drinking water and advancement of performances for children as young education. For last 8 years we have hosted Q significant number of medical camps for older children, aged 9 and up. Inin India and in Uganda, and have made ternational and national performancarrangements for provision safe & clean @ @ water in number of village schools in InSecret Life of Walter Manny from BC dia. Our medical camps are largely staffed and Manitoba circus performers The by volunteer Medical professionals a well [ * Š

as non-medical volunteers from Canada, have the once-in-a-lifetime opportuniUK and USA and host countries. ty to experience a traditional puppet theatre performance from Vietnam’s Apart from our work overseas we also pro { ; | vide, food and other assistance to homeless atre. This unique type of storytelling and less privileged in Greater Vancouver. performance features ancient music, For last 3 years we have been serving } ˆ

* homeless once month. This year we have | * increased service to twice a month.

* ]

Z ‡ > QX_%(X'%((QQ* This year during the month of January at [

our annual medical camp in India we exprogramming information. tended our services beyond primary care. -30We treated 1,302 patients, and met surgical For event details contact: needs of 108 patients. Also we screened Maria Danysh 469 school children and and provided Festival Organizer needed treatment to 194 school students. Surrey International Children’s FestiAdditionally we provided water filtration val 604.501.5064 mdanysh@surrey.ca units, coolers to schools and uniforms\ ----------------------------------------------shoes to school students who were coming to our dental clinic with clothes that South Asian Seniors - Cruise barely covered them. to Panama Canal 2015 Meeting of Families on April 5th At Uganda Medical Camp (August 2014) 2015 at 2.00 pm. we served close to 7,000 patients and met surgical needs of large number of patients Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hinin partnership with our host hospital. du Cultural Society Surrey is organizing a 19 days cruise to Panama Canal and a tour In order to continue to support these to Orlando Attractions USA from April initiatives for 2015, we are looking for 15th 2015 to May 8th 2015. The meeting of corporate sponsorship for this Fundraising all the families ( 52 members ) who have Gala event to raise awareness about our already registered for the cruise has been program delivery and to raise funds for arranged for April 5th 2015 at 2.00 pm at ever increasing demand of our services,and Shanti Niketan hall of Lakshmi Narayan specially for upcoming Uganda Medical Hindu Temple 8321 - 140th street Surrey Camp Scheduled for August 2015. BC. Since the day of departure is coming close, hence the meeting has been arranged -----------------------------to know each other and to discuss some important issues regarding the tour, the Excursions, the bus arrangement from the Public Service Announcement Temple and the group photograph for the life long memory etc.. It may take about an hour, tea and light snacks will be served after the meeting. Please contact Surendra Handa Cruise and Tour Organizer Tel. 604 - 507 - 9945 for further information. ---------------------------------The Indo-Africa Charitable Society (IACS)

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Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 23 Multilingual videos available for new immigrants to learn about tuberculosis The BC Centre for Disease Control and the BC Lung Association have created videos in six languages aimed at helping recent immigrants and travellers better understand the difference between tuberculosis disease and inactive (latent) tuberculosis, and how to prevent the disease. The video, ‘TB Germ – A Cunning World Traveller’, is available in English, Mandarin, Tagalog, Korean, Punjabi and Vietnamese, and explains what the TB germ is, how it spreads, prevention of disease, and treatment options. The release of all six videos is in time for World Tuberculosis Day on March 24. Tuberculosis (TB) germs spread through the air from person to person when someone with TB disease in the lungs sends germs into the air by coughing, sneezing or speaking. The TB germs usually attack the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal, even though it is preventable and curable. TB continues to be a health problem worldwide, with 1.3 million TB-related deaths occurring globally in 2012. In Canada, TB is often considered a forgotten disease, and many Canadians are surprised to hear that TB disease still exists in Canada. There has been a steady decline in the disease incidence in Canada since the 1940s but this reduction has slowed over the last several years. For most British Columbians, the risk of developing tuberculosis is very low, yet approximately 300 new cases of tuberculosis disease occur in BC each year and many more have latent tuberculosis. Since the 1990s, most of these new cases occur in immigrants who were exposed to tuberculosis disease in their birth countries. The goal of the new, multilingual videos is to provide immigrants with a clear understanding about the risks of tuberculosis, and the steps that can be taken to protect individuals and families. Immigrant organizations, general practitioners, nurses and others who are in contact with new immigrants or travellers are encouraged to share these videos in the appropriate language. The videos and more information on tuberculosis can be found here: http://www. bccdc.ca/dis-cond/a-z/_t/Tuberculosis/ TBVideos/default.htm The BC Centre for Disease Control, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, provides provincial

Business / Finance

24 L Saturday, April 25, 2015

Canadian dollar above 82 cents US and getting stronger

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he Canadian dollar opened above 82 cents US on Friday after a week in which strengthening oil prices drew the currency higher. The loonie was trading at 82.17 cents US at mid-afternoon, after hitting a peak of 82.61 earlier in the day. It’s been strengthening along with oil, which has seen rising prices since the beginning of April. On Friday, the West Texas Intermediate crude contract was trading at $57.02 US a barrel, down from its high over $58 on Thursday. But Brent crude continued a climb that has seen it up two per cent this week, hitting $65.02 US at midday. There are further signs Friday of slowing production in the U.S. oilpatch. The number of rigs drilling for oil in the U.S. declined again this week, according to oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. There were 703 active U.S. rigs, down

by 31. In Canada, there were 79 rigs, down by one from last week. Morgan Stanley has said that the count will bottom in about three months. Weakness in the U.S. dollar is partly responsible for the loonie’s rise, according to foreign exchange trader Rahim Madhavji of Knightsbridge FX. “The rise in oil prices and overall more positive outlook from the Bank of Canada are the main catalysts combined

with a lack of momentum in the U.S. dollar,” he said in a note to investors. “Oil prices are in the high $50s, significantly higher than the mid $40ss earlier this year and oil prices seem to have stabilized, which is positive for the Canadian economy. If [Stephen] Poloz keeps singing the more positive tune and oil prices continue to move higher, look for the Cana-

dian dollar to continue to rally.” At the beginning of this week, Bank of Canada governor Poloz signalled another rate cut was unlikely, helping to reassure markets. He also gave a more upbeat assessment of the Canadian economy last week, saying the impact of low oil prices is likely to be short-lived and there would be GDP growth in the second half of the year.

CIBC shareholders vote down compensation-plan motion over CEO payout

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IBC shareholders had their say on executive pay at the bank’s annual meeting Thursday and they let it be known they weren’t happy — voting down the bank’s resolution on its compensation plan. Shareholders voted 56.9 per cent against the bank’s executive pay plan, but outgoing CIBC chairman Charles Sirois said that he

didn’t believe the vote was a commentary “on our overall approach to compensation.” “Based on feedback, we believe this year’s vote result on CIBC’s advisory resolution was significantly impacted by one specific item: the post-retirement arrangement provided to our former CEO,” Sirois said at the meeting in Calgary, his last with the bank before John

Manley takes over as board chair. CIBC’s former CEO, Gerald McCaughey, was paid $16.7 million this year when the bank accelerated his retirement date. Similarly, the lender paid former chief operating officer Richard Nesbitt $8.5 million when it also sped up his departure from the company. Analysts and investors have criticized both severance packages.

Stephen Poloz signals new rate cut unlikely Stephen Poloz answered questions about Canada’s monetary policy at the Bloomberg Summit of Americas on Monday.

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ank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz says he believes the rate cut the bank made in January was “just about right” and that he expects Canada’s economy to recover in the second half of the year. It was a fresh indication, following on his revised assessment of the economy last week, that Poloz is not currently planning another cut to rates. “The interest rate cut we made in Canada we think is the appropriate level to get us back on the track we saw” before the oil price drop, he said in an appearance at the Bloomberg Americas Monetary Summit. Canada’s economy was growing at 2.4 per cent in the last quarter of 2014, but slipped to zero in the first quarter of 2015. Traders want clear signal Panellist Erik Schatzker, a Bloomberg TV anchor, questioned Poloz about the way he surprised markets with that cut, saying that traders are “looking for more communication from central banks around the world,” Poloz dismissed criticism that he should give clearer signals to the market on what is ahead on rates. “Taking a lot of uncertainty out of the market by committing to an interest rate path is a distortion of the market,”

he said. Poloz said the Bank of Canada has been “transparent” about the data it uses to make its decisions and he expects markets to follow the same data. “If the data surprises, the market will be surprised,” he said, adding that he would prefer not to deliver surprises. In response to question about the impact of the U.S. central bank raising rates, he said that would be “positive” for Canada. Canada’s response will depend on what happens with markets, our dollar and trade after the Fed rate hike, currently predicted for as early as June or possibly September. But Poloz said he hoped Canada’s rate path would be “normalized” by 2016. Finance Minister Joe Oliver guided his maiden budget voyage into port Tuesday with a precious cargo of targeted pre-election measures on board — and just enough leeway to keep the federal books above water.

Business / Finance

Tories gov’t balances budget 2015

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he razor-thin $1.4-billion surplus projected this year — the first Conservative surplus in eight years and just the third since Prime Minister Stephen Harper took office riding a $13-billion surplus in 2006 — is entirely dependent on a lengthy series of bookkeeping measures, including asset sales, reduced reserve funds and unrealized collective bargaining gains. “A promise made, a promise kept, Mr. Speaker, this budget is written in black ink,� Oliver told the House of Commons in a budget speech remarkable for its sharp partisan rhetoric. The election subtext was also written all over the 518-page budget document. Popular pocketbook measures for targeted voting blocks, a dominant emphasis on security spending and a play to patriotism are the Conservative election pennants. They’ve also left precious little room for campaign spending promises by their opponents. The template was set months ago, when Prime Minister Stephen Harper pre-empted his government’s 2015-16 spending blueprint by

announcing a five-year, $27-billion package of family benefit increases and targeted tax cuts. The first retroactive cheques from that largesse will arrive in family bank accounts this July, with an election call expected by the first week of September. However, the ship of state almost immediately began leaking revenues after Harper’s Halloween spending binge as global oil prices took a nosedive, and the resulting 2015-16 budget was late arriving and barely afloat. Total program expenses this year are budgeted at $263.2 billion, up from $254.6 billion in 2014-15, while revenues are forecast at $290.4 billion in 2015-16, an increase of $11 billion over last year. Public debt charges are projected to fall by a billion dollars to $25.7 billion. Marginal surpluses are projected for the next five years, topping out at $4.8 billion in 2019-20. “If you want to come to the most important reason that we’re in a budgetary surplus today it’s that we’ve restrained public expenses,� Oliver said at a news conference, pointing to five years of government austerity.

Federal budget is now balanced, but billions in future surpluses wiped out, PBO says

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he federal budget watchdog says the books are already balanced but that tens of billions of dollars in expected surpluses will be largely wiped out by new tax breaks, lower oil prices and reduced EI premiums — possibly leading to small deficits within two years. The Parliamentary Budget Office, in a new report released Friday, says the government’s decision to freeze EI premium rates for the next two years at higher-than-necessary levels “continues to be a concern� and is effectively providing much of the fiscal breathing room to offer billions of dollars in tax breaks. The budget office also projects the government’s recent sale of the rest of its General Motors shares will contribute about $2.2 billion in total toward a balanced budget in the new 2015-16 fiscal year. Based on the current fiscal situation, before any potential new measures are announced in Finance Minister Joe Oliver’s budget on Tuesday, the federal government will post a $3.4 billion surplus in the 2014-15 fiscal year that ended March 31 and a small $1.3 billion surplus for the new 2015-16 year, the PBO says. Going forward, however, the PBO forecasts the government will post a small surplus of $1.3 billion in 2016-17 before returning to small deficits of $2.1 billion, $2.9 billion and $900 million in the three subsequent years up to 2019-20. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said the government will likely post a small deficit in 2014-15 but has promised a balanced budget on Tues-

day for the new fiscal year, just months before a scheduled Oct. 19 election. But the PBO says a combination of billions of dollars in new family tax cuts, lower oil prices and reduction of EI premiums in 2017 will effectively gobble up what was, according to the government just last fall, expected to be more than $30 billion worth of total surpluses over the next five years. “The surplus that was previously forecast over the 5-year outlook has been eliminated by a combination of policy announcements and the impact of lower oil prices on nominal tax bases,� says the report released by the PBO, which is led by Jean-Denis Frechette. “Small deficits are expected beginning in 2017-18. The deterioration is a result of the decrease in the 2017 Employment Insurance premium rates required to eliminate the balance in the operating account that was accumulated by the 2015 and 2016 rate freeze,� the report adds. The government’s income-splitting plan for couples with children under 18 and enhancement of the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) will cost the treasury around $5 billion annually going forward, the report says. The Conservative government projects income-splitting and UCCB enhancement will cost the treasury close to $27 billion between 2014-15 and 2019-20. The PBO notes, however, the projected budget deficits in future years are “negligible� and that it wouldn’t take much manoeuvring for the government to balance the books.

! % Central Bank’s soft landing view

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t the central bank in Ottawa, officials are forecasting a soft landing for the housing market. On the ground in Canada, brokers and homebuyers see prices that keep going up. Re/Max, the country’s largest residential real estate realtor, raised its forecast for home price growth to 3 percent from 2.5 percent on Friday because transactions and values were so high in the first three months of this year. In March, housing sales rallied 4.1 percent, the most in 10 months. “We’re not seeing any� signs of cooling, said John McKenzie, a real estate agent at Royal LePage in Sechelt, British Columbia. Government forecasters are “kind of like weathermen. Quite often they’re just wrong. Sometimes they’re going to tell you it’s pouring rain and you wake up and it’s a nice day.�

Prices in Canada have been rising since 2009, resisting regulators’ efforts to cool the market by restricting credit. In Toronto and Vancouver, values have surged as much as 56 percent in six years. Now as the European Central Bank’s bond buying helps drive down rates to near-record lows in Canada, the housing market is poised to ascend even higher. The Bank of Canada said in its quarterly monetary policy report Wednesday that it sees signs of moderation in the housing market, with starts and resale activity slowing since last fall. Residential investment as a share of gross domestic product is set to drop as Canadians spend less, Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz said in the report. “Despite localized risks, the most likely scenario as the economy gains strength remains a soft landing in the national housing market,� Poloz said.

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 25

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PUNJAB

Gurdaspur vendor’s daughter hits Rs1-cr jackpot

1984 riots: Court fixes June 3 for hearing closure report

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Delhi court today said it would hear on June 3 the CBI’s closure report in a case against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler supplied the copy of the closure report to the complainant in the case and fixed the matter for June 3. On that day, complainant and victim Lakhvinder, whose husband Badal Singh was killed during the riots, is likely to file a protest petition challenging the CBI’s closure report. The court had earlier issued notice to the complainant on the closure report. Complainant’s counsel, however, could not appear in the case as the lawyers are observing strike in all the six district courts here. The court had earlier said “perusal of records revealed that the cancellation report was also filed earlier as

regards accused Jagdish Tytler”. This was the third time that Tytler was given a clean chit in the case by the investigating agency. The CBI had said it had conducted further probe into the case, as directed by a sessions court, and filed a closure report in the matter. In April 2013, the CBI was directed by a sessions court to further investigate the case as it set aside its earlier closure report. Expressing displeasure over the CBI’s move of filing the closure report, senior advocate HS Phoolka, representing the riot victims, had said, “Why is it being done so secretly? Even the complainant has not been informed about it. This shows an attempt has been made to get the closure report accepted by the court in a hush-hush manner.” The closure report was filed in the court on December 24, 2014, and a notice was issued to the complainant.

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urdaspur, Kavita (29) is a woman grappling with life’s many contradictions. While on the one hand destiny has come to her rescue after bestowing upon her Rs1 crore in the form of a Baisakhi draw lottery, on the other hand she does not know what to do with the money. Today it was the turn of bank employees to make a beeline to her non-descript Juhlna Mahal house. “Destiny has changed my family’s life in a single stroke. My father Nathuram has been plying a ‘rehri’, selling an assortment of eatables, near the court complex for the past several years. Everything will change for us now, although we have made no concrete plans for the future,” said a visi-

Kavita (middle) with her parents bly elated Kavita. Kavita, who lives with her parents and runs a beauty parlour from her house, said, “Yesterday evening, an unidentified number appeared on the screen of my phone. Normally, I am a wary of attending such calls. This time, something divine prodded me on to take the call. The next thing I heard was a male voice telling me ‘Madam ji, aapki Rs1 crore ki lottery niklee hai’ (You have won Rs1 crore lottery).”

4 members of a Faridkot family missing in Pakistan The mysterious disappearance of a daily wager and his three family members of Faridkot from Panja Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan has left the police and investigating agencies baffled. Residents of Sadhanwala village in the district, 38-year-old Sunil Singh, his wife Sunita Devi (35), son Umer Singh (16) and daughter Huma Kaur (14) were part of a Sikh jatha that went to Pakistan on April 11 to celebrate Baisakhi at historical gurdwaras there. Police sources said Sunil Singh went to Pakistan with a 10-day validity period (April 11-20) but he and his family members did not return. ntelligence sources said a bag containing some clothes suspected to belong to Sunil Singh was found from room No. 115 at Panja Sahib gurdwara at Hasan Abdal, near Rawalpindi. Their native Sadhawala village is situated at a distance of just 25 km from the Indo-Pak border. There is a military ammunition depot and firing range near the village. The disappearance of the family is thus a sensitive issue for the police and intelligence agencies.

Education deptartment officials charged The alleged negligence and mismanagement in organising a state-level primary sports event at Fatehgarh Sahib recently has landed four senior officers of the Punjab Education Department in trouble. The department has decided to chargesheet them for various lapses. Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema has directed the Principal Secretary, Education, to chargesheet department’s Deputy Director (Games) Sarbjit Singh Toor, games’ organiser Raghbir Singh, District Education Officer (Secondary Education) Navtej Singh, DEO (Elementary Education) Malkiat Singh. “I have told the Principal Secretary to chargesheet these officers for negligence. In the preliminary probe, I have found these officers responsible for various lapses that led to poor arrangements for the games. They have been asked to explain their conduct,” Cheema said. It was Cheema himself who conducted a surprise check and found that the three-day state-level games held on April 11, 12 and 13 were “carelessly organised”. “The participants were not given proper food and a large number of tracksuits purchased for them could not be disbursed among them. Any further action against these officers will be initiated after their response to the chargesheet.

INDIA

Modi wants rich Hindu temples to part with $1 trillion in gold to help Indian economy

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orkers for the centuries-old Shree Siddhivinayak Temple here spent hours unpacking gold coins, heavy wedding necklaces and lustrous pendants from a closely guarded “strong room.” By the time gold buyers began mingling with worshipers at the sweltering sanctuary on Tuesday, the jewelry auctioneers were ready. “This is not a regular gold coin that you would buy from a gold shop — it contains the Lord’s blessing,” a temple board member said, holding up a tiny coin, probably left by a devotee years ago. It eventually sold for four times its face value. Wealthy Hindu temples such as this one are repositories for much of the $1 trillion worth of privately held gold in India — about 22,000 tons, according to an estimate from the World Gold Council. In 2011, one temple in south India was found to have more than $22 billion in gold hidden away in locked rooms rumored to be filled with snakes. Another has enough gold to rival the riches stashed at the Vatican, experts say. But little of it is contributing to the Indian economy, and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is looking to monetize India’s vast hidden wealth. In coming weeks, the government plans to begin a program that will allow temples to deposit their gold into banks to earn interest and circulate in the economy, rather than sit idle in musty vaults. The gold, officials say, would be melted down and sold to jewelers. India is one of the largest consumers of gold in the world, importing almost 1,000 tons each

year. The nation’s leaders have tried in vain to curb the nation’s insatiable appetite. But now the government hopes to coax temples into parting with some of their gold to address the country’s trade imbalance and protect its foreign exchange reserves. Most of this temple gold is neither traded nor monetized, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in a budget speech in February. By contrast, the Indian government’s gold reserves amount to only about 500 tons. “Our hunger for gold had led to a severe current account deficit a couple of years ago because gold was the number two imported item after oil,” said Gnanasekar Thiagarajan, director of a Mumbai-based commodities consultancy called CommTrendz. “Gold has consistently given good returns even as stock market and land prices have fallen, and has been the chosen mode of investing wealth among Indians.” About $2.5 billion is invested in paper gold. “But if the temples start allowing the government to melt the gold jewelry donated by devotees, will it hurt their religious sentiments?” Thiagarajan asked. “Will gold offerings slow down in the future?” Many traditionalists, including the boards of many of the country’s leading temples, prefer to have their gold locked up rather than circulating in the economy. “The jewelry belongs to God. Why should the government melt it?” asked Chandan Male, 42, a businessman and devotee at the Siddhivinayak Temple. “By auctioning it, the jewelry is only circulating among the devotees.” Indians’ love of gold dates back centuries, stemming from gold-giving rituals and gold-buying festivals. Brides are draped with gold, and gold-laden dowries are a traditional gesture that cost a life

savings for many poorer families in rural India. Many ancient temples have basement vaults that are rarely, if ever, opened. During a dramatic court battle in 2011 over the riches in the 16th-century Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the southern state of Kerala, a Supreme Court team discovered $22 billion worth of gold. This huge treasure trove — sacks of coins, diamonds and other jewelry, gem-encrusted ceremonial garb and solid gold idols lying in cavernous cellars — was revealed after the court ordered the vaults opened in response to a petition accusing temple officials of mismanaging the wealth. Much of the gold had been deposited by the local royal family. A popular belief that the gold lay wrapped with dozens of venomous snakes underground kept robbers away. The image of a snake engraved on the wall at the entrance of the vault fueled the popular lore.

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L )!

Farmer hangs himself from tree at New Delhi rally

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farmer has committed suicide in India by hanging himself from a tree during a protest rally in New Delhi. Hundreds of Indian farmers have killed themselves this year after unseasonal rains destroyed their crops. A farmer from India’s western state Rajasthan hanged himself from a tree at a protest rally in New Delhi. The man, Ganjendra Singh Rajput, left a suicide note, in which he said, “My father drove me out of the house because my crop failed. Please tell me, how do I go back home?” Hundreds of Indian farmers have committed suicide this year after heavy rains spoiled their winter wheat produce. The government has not released figures, but media organizations and NGOs estimate the number of deaths between 200 and 600 as of March 2015. Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who organized the rally to protest New Delhi’s new law that made land

acquisition easier for multinational organizations, said they did not sense immediately that the farmer was trying to kill himself when he climbed the tree. “Initially we did not realize what was hap-

pening. Many people climb trees at the rallies at Jantar Mantar [in New Delhi] to get a better view.” Volunteers of the AAP rushed the farmer to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead. Opposition politicians demand government action Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose government has come under criticism.

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SOUTH ASIA

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orced overtime, unpaid wages, and physical assault - two years after the Rana Plaza collapse, garment workers in Bangladesh still face poor working conditions and anti-union tactics, a new HRW report reveals. “They started beating me, slapping me on the ears and punching me, boxing me in the chest, on the sides, and I fell down, and then they started kicking me. I was screaming...� These are the words of a worker at a Dhaka-based factory, describing to Human Rights Watch (HRW) how he was beaten up after he intervened on behalf of a

fellow worker who had been fired without receiving the benefits to which he was entitled. The worker is one of 160 laborers in 44 factories across Bangladesh interviewed by the rights group for its report “’Whoever Raises Their Head, Suffers the Most: ‘Workers’ Rights in Bangladesh’s Garment Factories.� Released on the eve of the second anniversary of the Rana Plaza building collapse on April 24, the authors of the paper criticize the Bangladeshi authorities for failing to stop what they view as an ongoing abuse of workers’ rights in the country’s ready-made garment sector.

Shots fired at Bangladesh leader Khaleda’s car

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HAKA: Shots were fired at a car carrying Bangladeshi opposition leader Khaleda Zia when it stopped at a market in Dhaka, her secretary said on Monday, with television footage showing scores of people attacking her convoy. The attack, a dangerous new twist in the country’s deadly political crisis, came as Zia stopped at the busy market while campaigning for a candidate running in mayoral polls due to take place in the capital later this month. “She survived because it was a bullet-proof car,� Zia’s private secretary Shimul Biswas, who was with her during the attack, told AFP. “But the car still has bullet marks.� Police told AFP they were looking into the claim of gunfire. “Some people said they heard gunshots during the clashes. We’re investigating the matter,� spokesman Jahangir Alam said. Local television footage showed scores of people attacking the convoy Zia

was leading with metal rods, sticks and rocks. Media reports said the attackers were shouting pro-government slogans. Police spokesman Alam blamed the violence on Zia’s supporters, saying they had attacked protesters

Khaleda Zia waving black flags at the opposition leader over violence in the last three months which has left at least 120 people dead. But Biswas said at least six of Zia’s security guards and supporters were injured in the attack.

14 Indian pilgrims die in bus accident in Nepal

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ATHMANDU: At least 14 Indian pilgrims were killed and 25 others injured today when a bus carrying them plunged some 100 metre down from the hilly road at Naubise village in Dhading district, 75-km east of Kathmandu in Nepal. The bus with Indian number plate was carrying around 45 pilgrims from Gujarat who were returning to Gorakhpur in India after a pilgrimage to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Superintendent of Police Bishworaj Pokharel said. Twelve passengers - six men

and six women - died on the spot. Two others succumbed to their injuries shortly after being taken to hospital. The injured passengers have been rushed to Kathmandu for medical treatment. The condition of four of them are critical. Twenty one people are still in the hospital undergoing treatment, according to Indian Embassy sources. The embassy has deputed a team comprising Consular Wing officials to the accident site to better coordinate the rescue efforts, the embassy said in a statement.

NRI

Another Hindu temple vandalised in US WASHINGTON: A Hindu temple in the US has been vandalised with nasty images spray-painted on its walls, the latest such incident in the country. The number ‘666’ and an upside down cross was spray-painted on the door of the temple in Old Lake Highlands, north Texas. Krishna Singh, who is on the temple’s board, said they discovered the graffiti last Monday. “That was a big shock, really...The whole thing has been very disturbing to the community,� CBS Lo-

cal quoted Singh as saying. Dallas police sent out detectives with the gang unit who are still searching for suspects. Now devotees will build a fence around the entire property to keep vandals out. Both Hindus and non-Hindus have offered to help the temple clean the damage. This is the third such incident in the US in three months. Two temples were vandalised in Washington state in February. On February 15, unidentified miscreants sprayed ‘swastika’ and painted “Get Out� on one of the walls of the Bothell Hindu Temple in the Seattle Metropolitan area.

Indian priest jailed 27 years for bank fraud NEW YORK: An Indian-origin former leader of a now defunct Hindu temple in Georgia has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for committing bank and tax frauds, money laundering and using the temple’s income to fund his personal lifestyle. Annamalai Annamalai (49), also known as Swamiji Sri Selvam Siddhar, was in August last convicted for bank and tax frauds following a two-week jury trial. He was also convicted of bankruptcy fraud offences in connection with the Hindu Temple’s petition for bankruptcy protection in August 2009.

INDIA

Storm kills 32 inBihar

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t least 32 people were killed in a storm which hit the eastern Indian state of Bihar late on Tuesday, a government official said. Fierce winds uprooted trees and electric poles and caused widespread damage in three districts.Five other districts near the Kosi river were also affected, a disaster management official said. Reports said several dozen people were injured and the toll was expected to increase. The storm hit the districts of Purnea, Saharsa, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Katihar, Kishanganj, Supaul and Madhepura. Thousands of huts, housing impoverished labourers, were destroyed, along with crops of wheat, maize, and pulses, the Press Trust of India reported. The principal secretary of Bihar’s

disaster management department, Vyashji Mishra, said “communication and electricity have been disrupted and roads are blocked with uprooted trees”.He said the extent of the damage would become clearer after all affected areas had been accessed. Bihar’s director general of police, PK Thakur, said rescue workers were still trying to reach some of the storm-hit areas. Schoolteacher Alok Anand, in the worst-affected Purnea district, wrote on Facebook that the storm was “like a hurricane”.“Many homes have been destroyed and many people have become homeless overnight,” he said.In the past few years, areas along the Kosi river have suffered severe flooding, and scores of people have died.

Met predicts below normal monsoon The El Nino effect: Punjab, Haryana, western UP, central India likely to be worst hit

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or the second successive year, the southwest monsoon is expected to be below normal, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) today predicted as it blamed the El Nino phenomenon for the low forecast. Key growing areas of the northwest — Punjab, Haryana and western UP —and central India are likely to be affected the most. “The monsoon would be 93% of the long period average (LPA) which is below normal,” said Union Minister for Earth Sciences Harsh Vardhan. Last year, India experienced deficient rainfall with 88% of the LPA. As per the IMD parameters, below 90% is defined as deficient, 90-96% is considered as below normal, 96-104% as normal and above it is excess. Vardhan said: “There is a

35% probability of monsoon remaining below normal and 33% of it being deficient. Only 28% chances are that the June-September season will witness normal rains, just 3% that it will be above normal and only 1% that it will be excess.

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 29

AAP expels two founder members

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ndian anti-corruption party AAP has expelled two of its founder members after feuding and infighting following its victory in Delhi’s state election. Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan were removed for “gross indiscipline and anti-party activities”, the party said in a statement. The party also expelled senior members Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha. The AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) staged a spectacular victory in the Delhi assembly in February. Led by Arvind Kejriwal, a former tax inspector who reinvented himself as a corruption buster, the party won 67 of the 70 assembly seats in India’s capital in what was a huge setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kejriwal

promised to bring in good governance, end corruption and make Delhi safe for women. But the party has since suffered from infighting, reportedly between Kejriwal supporters and more left-leaning factions. The decision to sack the rebels was taken late on Monday night after the party said it was not satisfied with the explanations they had given about their “anti-party activities”. A statement by the party said it had “carefully considered” their responses but found them “unsatisfactory”, accusing them of “gross indiscipline and anti-party activities”. Yadav said he was upset by the decision. “I am not surprised as from the past few days the matter was moving in such direction.

Cabinet approves new juvenile justice Bill

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he Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the controversial new Juvenile Justice Bill that allows 16 to 18 year olds accused of heinous offences to be tried like adults. In doing so, the Cabinet rejected the recommendations of a parliamentary committee which had argued against any shift in India’s juvenile law. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) of Children Bill 2015 will now be introduced in Parliament in its current session. The new proposed law also eases rules for adoptions and seeks to reduce the time adoptions take. The entire process of adoption is now sought to be concluded in three to four months as against years which it used to take earlier. Adoption component in the new juvenile law has been relaxed and elements of transparency brought in. Now

all adoption agencies will have to update information regarding prospective parents and children on their websites. However, the marked shift the Bill brings is the government’s decision to seriously view juveniles charged with grave offences like murders, rapes, kidnappings, dacoity and procurement for prostitution. For 16 to 18 year olds charged with grave offences, the law allows trial through a system distinct from the juvenile system in which the maximum punishment any juvenile (anyone under 18) could get was a three years in a juvenile home. “Even if convicted, a 16 to 18 year old will be kept in a place of safety until he turns 21. He will not be sent to an adult jail. Even after he turns 21, the law provides a mechanism to assess his level of reformation. Only if it is felt that he has not reached that level will he be sent to an adult jail,” Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said.

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FIJI

Saturday, April 25, 2015 L 31

Australia’s “most wanted’ terrorist is of Fiji origin

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he Fiji Police Force is working closely with Australian authorities in the search for the most senior member of Islamic State who is believed to be of Fijian and Cambodian descent. Police chief of intelligence ACP Henry Brown said the Fiji Police did not regard Neil Prakash, who is Australia’s most wanted man, as a threat to Fiji. “The Fiji Police Force is in constant communication with our Australian counterparts on what has been transpiring and we can confirm that the said individual has had no direct association with Fijian nationals on the allegations levelled against him being an Islamic extremist,� Mr Brown said. The Melbourne resident, Mr Brown said was not a direct threat to Fiji. But he said they were working closely with Australia regarding any major development. According to The Australian newspaper, Prakash is believed to have stepped into the void left by Mohammad Ali Baryalei, an Australian jihadist who is reported to have facilitated the travel of dozens of young Australians to the Syrian front and into the ranks of Islamic State. The newspaper reported that Prakash, who prayed at the al-Furqan centre before leaving for Syria, provided encouragement to other members who, like scores of other young Australian Muslims, dreamed of travelling to the battlefields of Syria and Iraq. “Instead, Prakash encouraged some of them (young Australians) to stay in Australia and carry out attacks. Prakash did not have any operational control of the alleged conspiracy,� The Australian reported. It

Man arrested for murdering his brother

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community in Saweni, Lautoka, is in shock after a 43-year-old man allegedly killed his 42-yearold brother on Thursday. The family of the late Chandar Bhaskaran, more commonly known as Bobby to his relatives and friends, is in mourning over the incident. The father of the deceased and the alleged perpetrator, Dorsami, said his family was still searching for answers and the reason his son had died. “I can’t believe something like this could happen,� the 65-year-old said. “I wasn’t home at the time of the incident. I was at work and my wife was out of the house as well. “During the day, I received a call from my wife telling me that my younger son was dead.� Dorsami said the ordeal was even harder for his family as both the alleged suspect and victim were brothers and there had never been animosity between them.

$17.3m development

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bout $17.3million was spent for development purposes within the Tailevu Province last year. The revelation was made by Commissioner Central Meleti Bainimarama while opening the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting in Nausori yesterday. Speaking in the iTaukei language, Mr Bainimarama said this was a collated information by Government and NGOs who assisted in such development purposes. The breakdown of the developments’ financial reports, he said, had been circulated to the various government ministries over the past few days. Last year, Mr Bainimarama said Government allocated $131,817.14 for the Commissioner Central’s office for development projects in the province.

is alleged Prakash plotted to massacre police and members of the public in an Anzac Day terror attack. The Australian claimed that Prakash was the ringleader of the Anzac Day plot and that he was in regular contact with Pakistan. “It is understood intercepted communications have linked Prakash, who fights under the nom de guerre Abu Khalid al-Cambodi, to the Melbournians, who allegedly planned to use swords and knives to attack police on Anzac Day,� it further reported. The newspaper reported Prakash had maintained a high public profile, regularly using Twitter and other social media platforms to communicate with his followers. It further stated that as well as promoting violence, Prakash had also been helping men and women join Islamic State, sometimes openly declaring that he was in close contact with the group’s organisers, who helped people cross into Syria. Fiji Muslim League president Hafiz Khan said the league was not aware of Prakash.

No one claims the body of man deported from Canada

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he body of a man that was kept at the Labasa Hospital mortuary unclaimed for more than a month was laid to rest by the Corrections Service. He was Kris Naidu, who was deported from Canada and then moved to the rual town of Labasa. Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service Lieutenant Colonel Ifereimi Vasu called on the public to care for their

loved ones. He confirmed his team in Labasa buried the unclaimed body of Naidu on March 31 at the Vaturekuka Cemetery. Lt-Col Vasu said no one claimed the body that was kept at the mortuary for more than a month. “No one came to claim the body and we were asked so we attended to it as it is a service to the public,� he said. “Families should not hide themselves to claim their bloodline.

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ince its establishment in January this year, the Office of the Prime Minister’s (OPM) Complaints Unit has received about 1000 complaints from members of the public. This was revealed by the OPM acting director corporate services Moape Rokosuka in light of their first evaluation workshop in Suva yesterday. Mr Rokosuka said most of these complaints were to do with land issues and the ongoing freeze on

taxi permits. These complaints, he said, were directed solely to ministries and departments concerned, which they would then follow up on later to see if they were attended to. “For the first quarter of this year, we have gone past the 1000 mark and most complaints dealt mainly with land issues, LTA issues in terms of taxi permits, it’s a freeze in the permits and they (people) are enquiring if the permits could be lifted,� Mr Rokosuka said.

PAKISTAN

32 L Saturday, April 25, 2015

Summons for former President Zardari on corruption charges

Highest civilian award for Chinese president

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akistan has conferred its top civilian award ‘Nishan-e-Pakistan’ on Chinese President Xi Jinping for his outstanding contribution in promotion of relationship between the two countries. The awards-giving ceremony was organised at the President House where president Mamnoon Hussain conferred the award on 61-year-old Xi. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, federal ministers, members of National Assembly and Senate, services chiefs and Chinese delegation.

The award was given for Xi’s outstanding contribution in promotion of China’s relationship with Pakistan. Xi, also the general-secretary of the ruling Communist party, was given warm welcome on his arrival in the president house in a traditional buggy drawn by horses. He also held bilateral talks with Hussain, who later hosted a luncheon in his honour. Xi, who arrived here on Monday on his first state visit to Pakistan, unveiled a $46 billion corridor project.

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n anti-corruption court has summoned former president Asif Zardari (pictured) in an old case against him in which hee was accused of acquiring assets illegally. Accountabilityy court started proceedingss against 59-year-old Zardari for illegally making assets in 1990s when his wife former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was in office. Judge Raja Ikhlaq Hussain of accountability court heard a petition by the National Accountability Bureau, an anti-graft watchdog, which argued that presidential immunity for Zardari has now expired and that the reference can now be reopened. Zardari served as the President of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013. The court

Taliban claim to have successfully test-fired missile called ‘Omar-1’

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ust as Pakistan was celebrating the launch of Chinese investments worth $46 billion in the country, the militant organization Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) this week claimed to have successfully test fired its first indigenously developed missile named as “Omar-1”. To justify its claim, the TTP, which has presence across the country and currently resisting Pakistani troops in the volatile tribal regions on the border with Afghanistan, has issued a statement and posted a video

demonstrating the launch of missile. In the video, different parts of the missile were assembled before its launch. The TTP said that special feature of “Omar-1” is its design. “It can easily be assembled and dissembled in accordance to the situation,” said Muhammad Khurassani, the TTP spokesman. Khurassani said the effectiveness of the specially-designed missile would certainly surprise the targeted enemy. “With the grace of God, you’ll soon see our enemies on the run,” he said.

Islamic State’s chief killed while planting bomb

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ESHAWAR: Islamic State’s Pakistan chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed was killed when a roadside bomb he was planting went off in the country’s restive northwest tribal region, according to a media report. Saeed along with two of his accomplices were killed on Thursday when the bomb they were planting exploded in Toor Dara area of Tirah Valley in the

Khyber tribal region, Express Tribune reported. The security forces claimed one of the men killed in bombing was the Pakistan IS chief, the report said. However, there was no confirmation from the Islamic State (IS) militant group. Saeed hailed from the Aurakzai Agency and was among five leading Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commanders who announced their disassociation from the banned outfit last October.

accepted the petition and ordered Zardari to appear before the judge on April 27. The assets reference was initiated against Zardari and Bhutto in 2001 but its hearing adjourned indefinitely in 2010. According to allegations, Zardari had purchased a number of properties and deposited the money from kickbacks in different Swiss banks. Bhutto’s name was removed as co-accused after her untimely death in a terrorist attack in 2007. The group had joined IS under the leadership of Shahidullah Shahid, a former spokesman of the TTP. The IS high-command through a message last year had declared Saeed as the IS chief for Pakistan.

Pakistani Hindus can apply for long-term Indian visa online

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n yet another relief to Pakistani citizens belonging to the minority community, the government of India has enabled them to apply online for their long-term visa (LTV) and

track the status of their application. The online system, which will also cover processing of the LTV visa application by various agencies, replaces the manual system of accepting such applications. The online application system will help Pakistani nationals belonging to minority community, particularly Hindus and Sikhs, who seek refuge

in India for fear of religious persecution back home. These minority nationals come to India with the intention to settle permanently. The government, sympathetic to their cause, has been taking steps to streamline the procedures to facilitate their stay in India. While the manual system of submission of LTV application by eligible Pakistani citizens will continue along with the online system for a period of three months, with effect from August 1, 2015, all applications for LTV will be received and processed only in online mode.

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Self-driving cars: How they could take over our roads Vehicles capable of driving themselves will be here in 5 years, before we’re ready for them, experts say

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any of us have a vision of the future in which driverless cars will stream efficiently through our streets and highways as we lounge in the back, watching videos and checking email. What’s fuzzier is how to navigate a road to that utopian future.While it sometimes looks like self-driving cars might arrive soon, experts say the transition will be a gradual process, with our cars getting a little smarter and drivers getting a little more hands- off every step of the way. ‘The regu-lation won’t come as fast as the industry can provide the technology.’— Rob Shirra, Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada That’s not necessarily the impression we get from the makers of self-driving car technology. Already, self-driving cars have been tested by Google on the roads of Mountain View, Calif. An Audi Q5 equipped with self-driving technology developed by Delphi Corp. completed a 5,500-kilometre road trip from San Francisco to New York earlier this month, driving itself 99 per cent of the time. Begin with backseat driving But while cars are technologically close to being able to take the wheel on their own, many experts think that in the near future, at least, they’ll mainly be backseat drivers. Already, many cars have features that alert drivers about vehicles or objects behind

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