Asian Star - February 04, 2017 by The Asian Star Newspaper

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www.theasianstar.com AsianStar logo Saturday, April 25, 2015 6:42:48 PM

Vol 16 - Issue 01

Home sales plummet in Vancouver Home sales in Metro Vancouver last month dropped by almost 40 per cent from the year before with the sale of detached houses falling hardest. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says the townhome and condominium markets are more active than sales for detached homes. Just over 1,500 residential properties sold in January, down 39.5 per cent from about 2,500 sales that were recorded in January 2016. Board president Dan Morrison says it has been a “lukewarm” start to the year. “While we saw near record-breaking sales at this time last year, home buyers and sellers are more reluctant to engage so far in 2017,” he said in a statement. Sales last month were also down about 11 per cent from December, when about 1,700 homes sold. Continued on Page 6...

Snow falling - and much more to fall in Metro Vancouver

Upto 15 centimetres of snow may fall over the Lower Mainland and part of Vancouver Island between Friday and Saturday. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the province’s South Coast ahead of a “major shift in the weather pattern” expected to start on Friday. The statement covers east, west and inland Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver, Sunshine Coast and Whistler. Continued on Page 6...

Saturday, February 04, 2017

NDP solidarity in Surrey-Delta not solid after GreenTimbers nomination By Umendra Singh The NDP solidarity in Surrey-Delta has been fractured by the political antics of a few influential individuals trying to get their way in ensuring only their candidate gets nominated in Surrey Green Timbers. The “political antics” has dealt a near death blow to NDP’s chances of sweeping the Surrey-Delta area seats that the NDP is counting on to help it form a government in May’s provincial general election. Continued on Page 4...

Violent crime in Surrey drops by 16% Violent crime in Surrey in 2016 is down by 16 per cent compared to the previous year, including significant drops in attempted murders, assaults and robberies, according to statistics released by the Surrey RCMP. “I think it’s always encouraging when you see the numbers are going down but there is an ebb and flow,” said Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner. “That’s the nature of the business.” Sgt. Alanna Dunlop says using crime analysis data to target repeat offenders is making a difference. “What’s especially significant is when you look at robberies, which had a 37 per cent decrease,” she said. “That can be attributed to a number of factors, including sentences currently being served for a number of cell phone robberies we had in 2015 and a very high clearance rate for bank robberies.” Surrey’s property crime rate didn’t

change much between 2015 and 2016. A decrease in residential break-ins last year was offset by an increase in break and enters at businesses.

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PM Trudeau says all of Canada shaken by ‘brutal and hateful’ attack on Quebec mosque A brutal massacre at a Quebec City mosque has left Canada reeling in shock but also unified the country in solidarity with Muslims, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a funeral service Thursday for three of the six victims. “It is with a heavy heart that we come

together this afternoon to grieve the loss of these innocent lives,” he told the solemn crowd. “But as a community and as a country, together we will rise from this darkness stronger and more unified than ever before -that is who we are.” Abdelkrim Hassane, Khaled Belkacemi and Aboubaker Thabti were devoted fathers who worked hard to ensure their families had a bright future -- a dream Canadians across the country have known and shared for generations, Trudeau said. Several thousand mourners packed the Maurice-Richard Arena to pay their respects to the three men, whose caskets were draped in wreaths and the flags of their homelands. Thabti, 44, was a pharmacist of Tunisian origin who had three children; Belkacemi, a 60-year-old father of two, was from Algeria and was a professor at Universite Laval; and Hassane, 41, was from Algeria. He was a father of three and worked in information technology for the provincial government. There were also prayers at the service for the three other victims -- Azzeddine Soufiane, Mamadou Tanou Barry and Ibrahima Barry. All six were fathers, “like me, like us,” said Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard. “They were sons and brothers and uncles -like me, like us. Friends, co-workers, like us. They were us. They were loved, appreciated, respected, and they always will be. We won’t forget them. “I want to tell Muslim Quebecers: you’re at home here, we are all Quebecers,” he said to thunderous applause and cheers. Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre blamed the deaths on “Islamophobic and racist thoughts” and urged Canadians to stamp out intolerance in their ranks. “The time has come to ensure that after these tragic and terrible events, that we will combat all extremism in any form and that we will be there for all citizens and protect their fundamental freedoms -- freedom of religion and conscience -- so that anyone can fulfil their destiny in safety and security,” he said. The support shown in the wake of the shooting shows “the Quebecois community is a unified community,” said Mohamed Yangui, president of the Islamic Centre of Quebec, the targeted mosque. But the tragedy has also highlighted the need for greater understanding of Muslims

Ex-ICBC employee charged in breach that led to Justice Institute attacks

around the world, he said. A former Insurance Corporation of B.C. her terrifying ordeal. “They must understand that we as Muslims, employee who allegedly accessed customer Brayshaw, whose property was torched in as moderate Muslims, we are not terrorists,” he information that helped track down victims 2011, is angry her personal information was said. “We are not the terrorists. We practise a in an arson and shooting form of Islam...that means we are full-fledged spree six years ago has been and solid members of our community.” charged. Meanwhile, Yangui told the gathering he New Westminster resident received a telephone Candy Elaine Rheaume, 44, call on Wednesday is accused of improperly that one of those obtaining personal critically injured in information off ICBC’s the massacre had computer system prior to supposedly died the shocking attacks, the but was revived 15 province’s gang task force minutes later. announced Thursday. “Pray for him,” he The perpetrator, Vincent said. Cheung, targeted 15 people Fazle Ahmad, over their ties to the Justice Institute of B.C. able to be accessed even though ICBC had who waited patiently between April 2011 and January 2012. been warned about a lack of safeguards by the outside the hockey The Combined Forces Special Enforcement province’s privacy watchdog two years earlier. arena for the doors Unit said all 15 victims’ licence plates were On Thursday, Brayshaw told she’s thrilled to open, said before run by an ICBC employee before the arsons the employee has been charged. She said she going in that “this and shootings were committed. now wants ICBC to be held accountable for terrorist act has “That information was ultimately used not protecting the information of Cheung’s tarnished” Canada’s by the orchestrator to facilitate the brazen victims. good image. attacks,” the task force said in a release. Rheaume, who has no prior criminal “We want to show that Canada is (like) a big The charge against Rheaume was record, was fired by the insurance company family ... I hope that we will make our country announced the day after one of Cheung’s in 2011. She is scheduled to appear in New much better than before,” said Ahmad, who victims, Rhonda Brayshaw, spoke out about Westminster provincial court on Feb. 15. works at Montreal’s Khadijah Centre. Asma Qureshi and Assad Khan brought their young children to the funeral, believing the experience of seeing the community come together would be beneficial to them. “We also want to show that a few bad apples in the community are not (AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL APPROVED AND FUNDED BY MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, B.C.) going to bring us apart,” said Qureshi. “And for the kids to see as well that we get together for times like this and how beautiful this community is and that we’re there for each other.” The bright light in the tragedy is how Canadians have reacted and come together, she said. GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL is serving the community since September 2016 in a brand Another ceremony is new building. Grade 8 will also be added in September 2017. expected in Quebec City on Friday. GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL is centrally located for all communities of Lower Mainland The six victims, aged and FraserValley including Langley and Abbotsford. Bus service is provided in all these areas. between 39 and 60, were killed when a gunman GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL provides high standards of academic education with stormed the mosque and affordable tuition fees (only $90 per month).All teachers are B.C. Certified. opened fire on men who were attending prayer. GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL has dedicated group of young volunteers teaching Punjabi, Authorities have Kirtan, Gatka and Sikh History to more than 600 students during afternoon and weekend refused to specify what classes. type of firearm was used in the mass shooting. GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL takes pride in offering a great sports program to our young Alexandre Bissonnette, generation. 27, was arrested Sunday night following the GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL is accepting registrations for grades KG to 8. Register your massacre in which child as soon as possible for session 2017-18 as seats are limited. 19 people were also wounded, including two who were still in critical Please contact the school office for further details or visit our website. condition on Tuesday. Bissonnette has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and five of attempted murder Ph: 604-930-2122 email: info@gobindsarvar.ca, website: www.gobindsarvar.ca using a restricted firearm.

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Editorial

Saturday, February 04, 2017

NDP solidarity in Surrey-Delta not solid after GreenTimbers nomination Continued from Page 1... It also led to party leader John Horgan scrambling late last weekend to phone and meet with upset heavyweight South Asian supporters in Surrey-Delta to prevent a planned protest at the Surrey-Green Timbers NDP nomination meeting last Sunday at which Rachna Singh was acclaimed as the party candidate. At these meetings, Horgan admitted that the process by which Singh got the nomination unopposed was “not fair” and not the way the NDP would prefer to hold nominations, according to someone who attended the meeting. But since time was running short, it would be difficult to order a nomination meeting and Horgan asked these supporters to swallow their anger at being hoodwinked by an unfair process and support the party candidates in the coming election. Poor Mr Horgan was run off his feet – trying to placate supporters angry at political antics of senior party members and some party functionaries at the headquarters. The protest at the nomination may have been averted but deep divisions remain

among the NDP supporters in Surrey-Delta and Fraser Valley area. Here is a recap of how it all started. Surrey Green Timbers NDP riding association sent out a notice to its members in early December, 2016, announcing January 29, 2017, as the nomination date with the deadline for prospective candidates to file their nomination papers with the party by December 30, 2016. This notice was only sent to current members of the NDP Surrey Green Timbers and Rachna lives in Delta and is not a member of the Surrey Green Timbers NDP and should not have received this notice. However, according to party sources, she filed her nomination papers with the party before the deadline. The question is how? Hammell announced her intent to retire to on January 3 and the news was published on January 4. Hammell told The Asian Star that she does not “recall” if she had “tipped off ” Rachna about her plans to retire before the December 30 deadline for filing nominations. Rachna Singh had earlier told The Asian Star that Sue Hammell started talking to her in mid

December about her plans to retire. She said therefore she sent a letter of intent to NDP before Christmas (December 25) to say she would be interested in seeking nomination if Hammell indeed retired. Rachna said Hammell’s announcement came on January 4 and she submitted her nomination papers to the party on January 5. Continued on Page 7...

Letter to the editor The loss of human life is always to be regretted and mourned. It is even more tragic when this occurs during prayer session at Mosque. Unfortunately, in a recent shooting at Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec City Mosque six Canadian died and more than 19 were injured. It is a horrifying matter that borders on total insanity. Never in recorded history has the Canada witnessed such an orgy of slaughter at a place of worship. What happened in Quebec Mosque is an extremely painful. Hurting the sentiments of entire Canadian community. We condemn and abhor such drastic act of killing on Canadian soil where safety and security is prime concern. Like many other worshiping places Mosque also one of the sacred place where devotee deserve the sanctity and security remain safe and intact. All the world’s major religious have passages in their major teachings rejecting human killings. In this event of tragedy we all Canadians have to stand together with solidarity and sincerity and protect the life and liberty of all Canadians. We offer our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family and dedicate prayers for prompt recovery to those who injured. - Hanif A. Patel, Surrey

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 Parminder Dhillon..........778-859-9234 Layout: Avee J Waseer Pre-Press: Iftikhar Ahmed Contributing writers: Jag Dhatt, Akash Sablok, Kamila Singh, Jay Bains Photographer: Chandra Bodalia Publication Mail Agreement No 428336012 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Dept.

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Saturday, February 04, 2017

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Home sales plummet in Vancouver Continued from Page 1... The benchmark price for detached properties was about $1.5 million in January, down 6.6 per cent over the last six months. The board says townhouse and condominium prices have remained steady. The B.C. government brought in a 15-percent tax on foreign buyers in the Vancouver area last August but some analysts have said the market was already showing signs of softening after months of scorching sales. Last month, provincial government data showed a steep drop in real estate transactions in the Vancouver area after the tax came in. Tax revenues from property transfers in Metro Vancouver indicate there were almost

15,000 transactions in a seven-week period ending Aug. 1, but the number declined to a low of about 4,700 in October. The number of foreign buyers fell from about 1,970 in the period ending Aug. 1, to 60 in the rest of August. In November, about 200 property transfers involved foreigners. The board says the number of new listings for detached, attached and apartment properties also dropped by almost seven per cent last month compared with January 2016. The inventory of homes listed for sale grew by about 14 per cent in January compared to December. Royal LePage recently forecasted an 8.5 per cent price correction in Greater Vancouver this year.

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Continued from Page 1... The weather agency said a weak warm front heading north from Washington will bring a band of light snow to the South Coast on Friday. A low pressure system is expected to follow closely behind, bringing heavier snowfall on Friday night and into Saturday morning. he weather statement forecasts a snowfall of between five and 15 centimetres in affected areas as a result. Snow may switch over to rain, or a combination of the two types of precipitation, by Saturday as milder air blows over the area. Freezing rain is possible in the Fraser Valley and Sea-to-Sky corridor when the warm air begins, the statement says. A second storm is expected Sunday, which will bring more snow and rain to the same areas. Colder temperatures are expected early next week, and more snow may fall during that time as well. Environment Canada

warns that slippery roads can be expected while the snow is falling, with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark. The City of Vancouver is preparing for possible snow and ice by “brining” the streets with a salty mixture, officials said in a statement online. The brine activates when cars drive over the snow, and helps the snow to melt. The city’s stores are fully stocked with salt, and crews are closely monitoring the forecasts for any sudden changes. Warming centres have been opened since Tuesday, and will remain open as required. Residents of Vancouver are advised to lay down salt on sidewalks and driveways prior to the snowfall, and to shovel new snow as soon as possible to prevent build-up. Those choosing to drive during the storm are asked to ensure their vehicles have the proper tires. If a snowy or icy area requires the city’s attention, reports can be made through 311.

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NDP solidarity in Surrey-Delta not solid after GreenTimbers nomination Continued from Page 4... When reminded that her January 5 filing would have missed the deadline of December 30, Rachna said: “But I sent my letter of intent before Christmas.”. BC NDP deputy director, Glen Sanford, maintains Rachna filed her nomination on December 24 and says she followed up with a letter of intent on January 4. He said the party will maintain that despite what Rachna told The Asian Star, she had in fact filed her nomination papers before the December 30,2016, deadline and she was the only person to do so. No proof or documentary evidence has been provided to support this claim. Critics say even if Rachna filed her nomination before December 30 deadline, it proves their claim that she was given an unfair advantage with Rachna getting insider information that Sue Hammell was retiring and she should file her nomination – well before anyone else had the opportunity to do so. This is the unfair advantage that has upset so many NDP supporters leading to finger pointing. Who gave Rachna the unfair advantage? Fingers are being pointed at outgoing MLA Sue Hammell, for tipping off Rachna in advance to give her an unfair advantage, NDP candidate in North Delta, Ravi Khalon and Newton MLA Harry Bains, both of whom allegedly did not want Rachna seeking nomination against Khalon in North Delta, where Rachna lives, and asked her to move to Surrey Green Timbers to be assured of a nomination.. Bains has denied the allegations saying he was not part of any conspiracy to give Rachna an advantage and Kahlon could not be reached by press time. Critics are also sharply critical of Rachna’s inability to win the Surrey Green Timbers due to what they say is her lack of name recognition or community work within the South Asian community and Surrey Green Timbers.

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SFU classes cancelled due to snow in Metro Vancouver B.C.'s South Coast isn't done with the snow just yet — and traffic in Metro Vancouver is snarled as a result. TransLink said bus routes were disrupted Friday morning as snow accumulated downtown and across the rest of the region. Spokeswoman Anne Drennan said at least four buses were involved in accidents by 9:30 a.m. PT, but no one was injured. Classes at Simon Fraser University's Burnaby campus are cancelled due to weather from 12:30 p.m. onward.

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Anjali Dosa: A Garden of aromatic delicacies

outh India is one of my favorite destinations to visit. I could still feel the aroma of tempting spices that was in the air during my first train trip to Bangalore, India. Oh my! apart from being a holiday time for my mind it was also the happiest time for my tastebuds. Coconut chutney, sambar, dosa, wada, lemon rice.. Slurp! I am sure the names themselves have made you go to the nearby food joint and grab a plate of one or maybe all. I like to explore various food joints, and especially when it comes to South Indian delicacies, I would definitely not restrain myself from going to a new place. However, lately I was craving hard for the cuisine and on one of my friend’s suggestion, I stopped by at Anjali Dosa Garden in Surrey. Like everybody I was a bit hesitant as it was a new name to be explored, and on the top of that I got a guest with me too. So, we stepped inside the food place and the vibe felt similar to one of the local and very traditional eating places in Vijayanagar, Bangalore (that became my favorite place for lunch for the whole week during my trip there). The only difference I could experience here was the topping of the warmest guest service. Usually if I am not sure of what to order, I would simply go for idli and sambar but because I had a guest

alongside, I simply asked their specialty, and there we go, Our table had a whole bunch of South Indian delicacies, that were quiet enough to calm down my craving. Every bite of idly dipped in sambar, and crispy rava onion dosa with the side of soft potatoes and chutneys would take me back to times of my holiday trip in India. I could feel my taste-buds blessing the chef till the last morsel.

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need for delivering the authenticity of actual South Indian Cuisine around the area as food is a major element in showcasing and preserving the culture”, smiled Dhinakaran. His vibrant personality makes people come over again to Anjali’s Dosa Garden. “Providing food is my passion! not just food, but a delicious mixture of nutrients”, said Dhinakaran. I bet anyone who once tastes the food at Anjali’s Food Garden, cannot abstain from going there again. Apart from cooking what’s in the menu, they do cater to the customized needs of their clients too. Also, the freshness of the food can be felt with the first bite. “We cook fresh here. Everything that needs to be served on a particular day will be cooked that very day”, told Dhinakaran. Not to forget, if one orders something and it’s not freshly prepared in Anjali’s Dosa Garden,

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mastermind behind the business. “I love cooking! Its like an art to me and my inspiration has always been from my home”, told Dhina . Dhinakaran belongs to the core of Southern India, Tiruchirapalli, and comes from the farmer background. That makes him understand flavors and food even more. His more than 15 years of experience in the field of cooking can be experienced well in the food he serves you. Dhinakaran is a Hotel management Graduate and has also served in various restaurants around the world. “I still feel that there is a

Dhinakaran will genuinely advise the client to change the order. It felt like home away from home. I couldn’t believe I was in Surrey, Canada; instead it was a short time travel to South India. The vibrancy of the place and pleasing service of chefs will definitely pull one over and over again. Another interesting thing is that, they do catering too and their team is adept enough to cater food for 1000 and more people as well. If you are South Indian cuisine fan, actually, if you are a food fan like I am, do treat yourself at Anjali’s Dosa Gardens. For details, contact: 604-596-7211.

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Saturday, February 04, 2017

BC NDP promise to bring in federal carbon pricing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;graduallyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; starting in 2020 If elected later this year, the B.C. NDP says it will bring in federal carbon pricing â&#x20AC;&#x153;gradually and predictablyâ&#x20AC;? starting from 2020, and double the number of British Columbians who are currently able to receive a rebate on the carbon tax. While B.C. currently has a carbon tax of $30 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that all provinces will have to reach a pricing of $50 per tonne by 2022. On Thursday B.C. NDP leader John Horgan said that his party would raise the tax by $6 starting in 2020, then $7 the following year and then an additional $7 to reach a total of $50 in 2022. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to bring in the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carbon pricing gradually and predictably so that families and businesses can plan for that, starting in 2020, rather than hitting [them] with a one time shot,â&#x20AC;? Horgan said. B.C. Liberal Premier Christy Clark, whose government did not raise the carbon tax when it announced its climate change plan last August, previously told CBC News that she would raise the carbon tax when other provinces act. The B.C. Liberal Party implemented Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first carbon levy in 2008. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to see the rest of the country catch-up, when weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all at the same level, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all move up together at a reasonable and affordable price,â&#x20AC;? she said. Horgan said that his party has â&#x20AC;&#x153;a made-in-

B.C. solutionâ&#x20AC;? to help families with the tax increases. He said that in the NDPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan 80 per cent of British Columbians will be eligible for a â&#x20AC;&#x153;new climate action rebate.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Currently if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re making less than $38,000 a year you get a tax credit from the provincial government, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about 40 per cent of British Columbians who have access to that,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Families are already going paycheque to paycheque and they shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to pay for Ottawaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s increases. We want to cushion that impact and at the same time make sure that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re reducing carbon pollution, creating good jobs and starting the new economy for the future of British Columbia.â&#x20AC;? Horgan said the NDPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan also includes measuring the provinceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carbon reductions and using revenue from the carbon tax increases to create jobs. In a statement, the leader of the B.C. Green Party Andrew Weaver called the NDPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan â&#x20AC;&#x153;more of a communications exercise than substantive policyâ&#x20AC;? and said he was disappointed in both parties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Neither party are asking: What do we really need to do to address climate change and how do we get it done? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The B.C. Liberals have largely abandoned their climate leadership under Christy Clark, while the NDP are only committing to do the bare minimum that is required by the federal government,â&#x20AC;? Weaver said.

Person of interest in custody after man fatally stabbed in Stanley Park Vancouverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crown jewel has become a crime scene after a man was stabbed to death in Stanley Park. A 61-year-old man died shortly after being found suffering from â&#x20AC;&#x153;obvious stab woundsâ&#x20AC;? on the seawall in the area between Second and Third Beach around 11 p.m. Wednesday night. A person of interest was taken into custody â&#x20AC;&#x153;within walking distanceâ&#x20AC;? and was brought in for questioning, said Const. Jason Doucette. He said police have not yet determined what connection, if any, he has to the victim. Doucette would not say if the person was considered a suspect in the homicide. The deceased is a Vancouver resident. His name is being withheld pending next of kin

notification. The violent homicide, which marks the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second of the year, sparked a massive police probe on one of the most popular stretches of seawall. VPD officers conducted a grid search around the homicide scene Thursday morning, aided by K9 teams. Officers from the marine unit in snorkels and fins searched the pool at Second Beach. Part of the seawall was closed from Second Beach to Siwash Rock. Anyone who was in the area around Second and Third Beach who may have information is asked detectives at 604-717-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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LOCAL

Saturday, February 04, 2017

BC Liberals undercut NDP’s climate plan with leaked copy B.C. NDP leader John Horgan watched helplessly Thursday as a major plank of his party’s upcoming election platform was leaked behind his back to his political enemies, sparking questions of party loyalty and campaign tactics just three months before the provincial election. Horgan’s detailed communications plan somehow ended up in the hands of the B.C. Liberals, who jumped at the chance to blindside their opponent by releasing details of the NDP’s climate proposal 90 minutes before Horgan could unveil it himself at a Vancouver news conference. The leaked material included Horgan’s speaking notes, his planned rebuttal to questions, his key messages for supporters and even the slogan the party had crafted to display on a sign at the podium. The Liberals added their own commentary, using it to mock how the NDP were proposing actions they’d once campaigned vigorously against — such as raising the carbon tax and issuing rebate cheques to voters. Horgan nonetheless charged ahead with his unveiling, professing to being “delighted” that he was reading verbatim sections of already leaked documents. “The more people that know what we want to do, the better,” he said. “If the B.C. Liberals don’t have a plan, I’m happy they are talking about mine. My opponents want to play games. I want to make life better for

people.” But there was no disguising the damage done. “I would think the alarm bells have already gone off inside the leader’s office,” said University of Victoria politics professor Michael Prince. “It’d be very concerning, absolutely.” It’s also a sign that the unofficial campaigning for the May 9 election has long since begun. “Fasten your seat belts,” said veteran political scientist Norman Ruff. “This leak by somebody, I think is just the beginning of what’s likely to be a particularly kneecap, take-no-prisoners campaign.” Both experts stopped short of saying the leak reflects directly on Horgan’s control of his party or his staff. Nor is it particular to the NDP — which suffered so many prodigious leaks during its time in government in the 1990s that at one point then Premier Mike Harcourt hired a private detective to ferret out the malfeasance. The B.C. Liberals have also suffered their share of leaks and defections the past few years, including the triple delete email controversy, the quick wins ethnic outreach scandal and leaked emails on political interference over Burnaby hospital plans. “I wouldn’t say it’s a trait of the NDP. One gets fratricide within any party, and it’s very bitter,” said Ruff. “You can’t help speculating: What was the motivation?”

House prices stabilize in the Fraser Valley, and fall by six per cent in Greater Vancouver While Greater Vancouver housing sales fell in January, along with its benchmark price, Fraser Valley’s housing market remained stable, according to January numbers from area real estate boards. Greater Vancouver house prices fell by an average of 6.6 per cent over the last six months, according to the newest report from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. The current benchmark price for detached properties in the area is $1,474,800. This represents a 0.6 per cent decrease compared to December 2016. Sales in January also dropped in the Greater Vancouver region, by nearly 40 per cent, compared to the same month in 2016. “From a real estate perspective, it’s a lukewarm start to the year compared to 2016,” Dan Morrison, REBGV president said. “While we saw near record-breaking sales at this time last year, home buyers and sellers are

more reluctant to engage so far in 2017.” Meanwhile, in the Fraser Valley region, where home buyers have looked for prices more within their reach, more sellers entered the market, increasing listing numbers

between December and January by 162 per cent. “This is a great time to list in the Fraser Valley; buyers are looking at a wider range of homes and the market is still lacking inventory needed to match demand,” said Charles Wiebe, Board President.

Govt seeks victims of telemarketing scam after $100,000 forfeiture The B.C. government has put out a call looking for victims of a telemarketing scam, after the province seized $101,403 from two B.C. companies following a fraud investigation. Last August, the Port Moody police referred a file to B.C.’s Civil Forfeiture Office, involving a “criminal organization with international ties targeting U.S. citizens in a lotterysweepstakes scam,” according to a government release Thursday. The Civil Forfeiture Office, which goes after proceeds of unlawful activity through court actions, sought and obtained forfeiture of bank accounts in the names of two B.C. companies, CNM Communications

Inc. and Easy Padala Inc. Now the government is looking for victims who can apply to be compensated, at least in part, for their losses. The government has contacted the known victims, and is looking for others, including those who may be in the U.S. People who may have been victimized can make applications for compensation by contacting the Civil Forfeiture Office at CivilFO@gov.bc.ca or 250-356-1560. At least five victims in the U.S. filed police reports involving the alleged scam, Thursday’s release said, and cops are investigating, but there are currently no suspects.

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Budget watchdog warns slow infrastructure funding puts economic stimulus goals at risk The Liberal government has brushed off renewed criticism of the slow movement of billions in new infrastructure spending that threatens to put economic growth projections at risk. In a report released Thursday, the parliamentary budget office said that of the $13.6 billion in infrastructure money announced in last year’s budget and slated to be spent through March 2018, departments have only identified $4.6 billion worth of projects. Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi said the government is confident cities and provinces will complete projects by the end of next March, with the exception of a few whose funding flows in 2019 and beyond, even as the budget watchdog warned of “a significant gap” to meeting that target. The timing of spending is critical to federal economic projections and the ensuing effect on federal finances. The Liberals’ first budget predicted that the infrastructure work would boost the economy by 0.6 per cent over two years, but to meet that target, the government would have to see

roughly $11 billion worth of federally funded work done by next March. Sohi said the federal government has had to prod provincial officials to finalize the list of projects they want funded. Federal officials are still poring over project proposals with the expectation that the government will approve them for funding over the coming months. Sohi himself has approved about 1,200 of the almost 3,900 projects being funded through the Liberals’ infrastructure plan, but the PBO report says that getting details of the spending has proven difficult. The budget office said the Liberals have not provided any performance measurement framework to make sure the money is meeting its intended goals. Nor have all 31 departments and agencies responsible for the money provided enough information about where the money is being spent, the report said. “We do have reporting milestones to which they have to abide by and we will be seeing some more information come our way,” Sohi said.

Warning issued after convicted sex offender Jeffrey Goddard moves to Surrey High-risk sex offender Jeffrey Goddard is now living in Surrey, the B.C. Ministry of Justice said in a public notification issued Wednesday.

Goddard, 27, has a criminal history of offences against male youth and adults, the provincial corrections branch said in their

warning. “Goddard has maintained a pattern of sexual offending against male youth and adults and communicating via computer to lure male and female youth, in both an opportunistic and predatory manner,” it read. Goddard originally moved to Vancouver after being freed from jail in 2015. He has been convicted three times for sexual offences perpetrated against children. He also has other convictions for arson, mischief and violating the terms of his release. Goddard’s release is subject to close monitoring and 21 court-ordered conditions including: • A curfew between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. • Not communicating with anyone under the age of 18. • Not going to parks, schools, community centres. • Not creating or accessing any social media accounts. • Not using smartphones or any device that can access the internet.

Suspect in mosque shooting a moderate conservative turned extremist, say friends, classmates A shy chess-player, a bullied introvert, a moderate conservative turned far-right troll — these are the descriptions being offered of Alexandre Bissonnette since he was accused of perpetrating a deadly shooting at a Quebec City mosque. Bissonnette looked nervous during his brief court appearance on Monday. He didn’t say a word and shuffled in his handcuffs; before being escorted out, he was charged with 11 counts of murder and attempted murder. He could still face more charges as the RCMP examine whether to add terrorism to the list of offences. Police believe the shooter entered the Islamic cultural centre in the Quebec City suburb of Sainte-Foy just before 8 p.m. on Sunday, equipped with a long gun. The gun jammed, police sources told Radio-

Canada, prompting the shooter to leave and return with a nine-millimetre handgun. Bissonnette was arrested later that night, on a bridge heading to Île d’Orléans, an island outside Quebec City. In his car, the sources said, officers found a nine-millimetre handgun registered to Bissonnette. That gun had a 15-round capacity. Bissonnette grew up in Cap-Rouge, a suburb southwest of Quebec City, where his parents still live. Neighbours remembered him as a “closed-off young man.” Slender and quiet, Bissonnette stuck out for the wrong reasons in high school. “He was treated badly, that’s for sure,” said Toma Popescu, a classmate between eighth and tenth grade at Les Compagnons-de-Cartier.

LOCAL

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Coquitlam man charged after machete incident at SkyTrain station A man has been charged after an incident at the 29th Avenue SkyTrain station late last year.

Vancouver police say Christopher Lee Boyda, 37, has been charged with assault with a weapon and uttering threats. On Dec. 19, transit police responded to

reports of a man wielding a machete and threatening commuters on a train around 8:30 a.m. PT. O f f i c e r s evacuated the SkyTrain car and tried to negotiate with the man still inside, but he was ultimately shot by police when he allegedly refused to drop his weapon. The man was taken to hospital in serious but non-life threatening condition. Const. Jason Doucette said Boyda, a Coquitlam resident, has been released from hospital and is in police custody.

Vancouver police investigate homicide at Stanley Park seawall Vancouver police are investigating a homicide on the Stanley Park seawall after a man died Wednesday night. Const. Jason Doucette said officers responded to a report of someone suffering from stab wounds between Second and Third Beach around 11 p.m. PT. Paramedics pronounced the 61-year-old Vancouver man dead at the scene. A person of interest found nearby has been arrested for questioning, Doucette said, but hasn’t been named as a suspect. A portion of the seawall between the two beaches remains closed Thursday morning as officers canvass the area. The Vancouver Police Major Crimes

Section is handling the investigation. Police are asking anyone who was in the area

Wednesday night to contact the unit at (604) 717-2500 or Crimestoppers to remain anonymous. Officials say this is the city’s second homicide of 2017.

Costs are a factor in filling prescriptions for older Canadians: UBC study Canadians are the second most likely to skip a drug prescription among residents of wealthy nations, according to research from

the University of British Columbia. Data from an international survey found that one in 12 Canadians did not fill a drug prescription because of the cost, said Steve Morgan, senior author of the study and professor in UBC’s school of population and public health. The 2014 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults collected data from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the

U.S. The study was published in the journals BMJ Open and CMAJ Open. “When it comes to accessing medicines, Canada is the second worst health care system of the 11 comparable systems we looked at,” he said. Canadians fared the worst among the 10 nations that have universal health care. In the United States — the only surveyed country without a publicly-funded system — one in six people reported skipping medication because of financial barriers. “We have a considerable rate … of people choosing not to fill prescriptions at all or choosing to modify the way they take their medicine so they stretch their prescriptions out longer,” he said.

A separate analysis of the Canadian data found that those aged 55 to 64 face the most significant barriers to filling prescriptions and that one in eight skipped filling a prescription for that reason. That drops to one in 20 at age 65 when public coverage for drugs kicks in in many provinces. B.C. has discontinued age-based prescription coverage, instead offering Fair Pharmacare coverage based on income. Detailed data for B.C. was not available. “When patients stop filling their prescriptions, their conditions get worse and they often end up in hospital requiring more care, which in the long run costs us more money,” said Morgan.

LOCAL

Saturday, February 04, 2017

12 year old does fund raising for community

Gursher Singh wanted to do something special for the community this year on his birthday. It does take a lot of courage for a 12 year old to put his entire gift money received from friends and relatives to help his community. Very soon he realizes that his entire gift money of $300 is a good start but not enough and he needs to come up with better ideas to make it bigger. He thought of raising some more by doing a bottle drive and collected recycling from various kind donors of our community. He also thought of going to Ross Street Gurudwara( Sikh Temple) on a Sunday morning to raise more money to help the food bank. He got lucky to meet our Honourable Defense minister Mr Harjit Sajjan at the Gurudwara and got words of encouragement to carry on from here and never stop this noble cause. He also met Honourable Mayor Malcolm Brodie to

present the cheque for the food bank. He got more motivation from this meeting as Mr Brodie told him that he is proud of this little volunteer. Its amazing how words of encouragement can make you more focussed on the cause as this happened with Gursher at an early and tender age of 8 when he did a fund raiser to raise money for his school playground at Whiteside Elementary and raised the highest amount by selling raffle tickets every evening for 3 weeks. He wanted his school to have a playground. He was recognized for his hard work by his teachers and Principal. Those words of encouragement he received that day motivated him to move on to his next projects of doing a lemonade stand, toy drive for Christmas. Now he wants to do this regularly to keep doing this noble cause and also motivate other youngsters and peers to build a strong volunteer force.

Nurse pleads guilty to child porn charges after ‘extensive’ collection found in BC A registered nurse has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography after B.C. investigators discovered his “extensive” collection of criminal videos and photos in Victoria. David Stallcup — then known as David Robert — was first investigated by the Victoria Police Department’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) officer in June 2014. In early 2015, Victoria police found nearly 800 videos and more than 27,000 photos of child pornography in Stallcup’s possession. It was one of the largest collections the ICE investigator “had ever seen,” according to a police statement. An arrest warrant for Stallcup was issued in April of that year, but it was discovered that he was in an Oregon state jail under David Robert false name. He was extradited to Canada to face charges related to the Victoria case in November

2016. He pleaded guilty the next month and is currently in police custody pending sentencing. Officials say Stallcup, a U.S. resident, had assumed several false identities for more than

a decade as he evaded U.S. authorities for other offences. Under the name Robert, he was certified as a registered nurse in the Northwest Territories and had worked at a “local facility” in Victoria before his arrest.

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High-risk sex offender arrested in Vancouver High-risk sex offender Michael Wayne Carpenter is back in custody just weeks after he was the subject of a public warning. Carpenter, who was living at a Vancouver halfway house, was arrested without incident yesterday after the Vancouver Police High Risk Offenders Unit observed him breaching parole conditions. Details of the breach were not released. The 46-year-old Carpenter is currently serving a 10-year supervision order. He was convicted of several counts of sexual assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and uttering a death threat to cause bodily harm. In 2005 Carpenter attacked two female hotel workers in Kamloops. Vancouver police had previously warned

the public that Carpenter poses a risk of “significant harm” to the safety of female children, youths and adults. Carpenter’s supervision order includes a long list of conditions. He is not permitted to consume, purchase or possess alcohol or drugs, and own, use or possess a computer or any technological device that would allow access to the internet. He is not permitted to be in the presence of any female children under the age of 18, except in certain conditions. Carpenter may not purchase, acquire, possess or access pornography or sexually explicit material. He must report all friendships, sexual relationships and intimate relationships with women.

LOCAL

Saturday, February 04, 2017

BC Zika cases rise to 47 including 3 pregnant women The number of confirmed Zika cases continues to rise in B.C., with 47 people now diagnosed with the virus after travelling including three pregnant women, according to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. Zika is a virus that’s carried and transmitted by mosquitos in a number of countries, including Mexico, most of Central and South America, and parts of Florida and Texas. Most people who get Zika have no

symptoms, but in pregnant women, infection can cause severe birth defects in a developing fetus, including microcephaly or an abnormally small head. That’s why pregnant women, women who may want to become pregnant and their partners are warned against travelling anywhere with active Zika transmission. “Pregnant women should really consider seriously whether their travel is necessary,” said Dr. Eleni Galanis of the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. “I think it’s very much an individual decision, but to my own patients and to my own family members and if I were pregnant, I would not take that risk.” All of the 47 B.C. Zika cases were acquired while travelling — some in resorts, some off the beaten path and some on extended stays, said Dr. Galanis. Mexico was the most commonly cited country among the travellers, she said. Travellers can and should take precautions to avoid getting bitten by mosquitos, such as wearing insect repellant and long-sleeve clothes, especially at dawn and dusk, said Dr. Galanis. But that might not be enough given

the potential for severe complications, she said. “Even with all the greatest precautions in the world, you probably will get bitten once or twice. So then it’s your decision to make about whether or not you want to take that risk.” Each month, the B.C. CDC is seeing between zero and eight new Zika infections, out of the 200-300 tests conducted on returning travellers. Zika does not cause birth defects in all or even most cases. One U.S. study found birth defects in six per cent of babies born to women with possible Zika infection, Dr. Galanis said the rate could be closer to one percent — small, but “not insignificant.” “There is so much unknown still about Zika and its effects on pregnancy,” said Dr. Galanis. “The concern is warranted until we can get further clarity.” The outcome of the three B.C. pregnancies, including whether the fetuses had Zikarelated anomalies, and whether the women had abortions, is not known. Across Canada, at least 439 people have been diagnosed with Zika after travelling, including 23 pregnant women, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Anyone returning from a country with mosquito-borne Zika virus who displays symptoms including fever, headache, pink eye, skin rash and joint and muscle pain is advised to get tested. As well, any woman who is pregnant — or wants to get pregnant — and is returning from a country with Zika transmission should get tested, whether or not she is sick, said Dr. Galanis. Health officials strongly recommend women infected with Zika wait at least two months before becoming pregnant, for the virus to clear their system. Men are strongly recommended to wait at least six months before trying to conceive or having sex without a condom — a longer duration, as the virus can linger in semen for an extended period.

Khouri Green sentenced to life with no parole for 17 years in death of Surrey realtor It was a tragic and senseless crime that ended in the second degree murder of Colin Hill said B.C. Supreme Court Justice John

Harvey as he sentenced Khouri Green to life in prison with no parole for 17 years. “Seventeen years is not enough. It won’t bring my husband back. They have to make the law tougher,” said Hill’s wife, Becky Zhou, as she wiped away tears outside the New Westminster courthouse. Hill, 42, was shot to death on July 12, 2015 as he tried to protect his family and house guests from an intruder. In his reasons for sentencing, Justice Harvey said Green had driven in a stolen vehicle to the 165th Street and 64th Avenue area of Surrey, B.C. Residents noticed him walking around for over an hour. At the Hill house, Green rang the doorbell wearing a face mask and a backpack on the front of his body. A motion detector surveillance camera caught everything on tape. When Hill came to the door, Green pointed a restricted semi-automatic handgun at him and tried to barge in. As Hill warned his family about the gun, Green shot him. There was a struggle and four more shots were fired. One hit Hill in the back and he died at the

scene in his young son’s arms. Later that day, Green broke into a van and an apartment in Burnaby, before he was arrested. In a surprise move in Nov. 2016, Green pleaded guilty to second degree murder. “The only reason he pleaded guilty is because the evidence is so overwhelming against him. He really had no other choice,” said Hill’s stepfather, Gordon Lamb. Now 24, Green has a lengthy criminal record over a short period of time, dating back to 2009. Lamb told reporters Green has been a human predator for a very long time. “It’s fortunate that his activities have finally come to an end, but I’m very sorry that it had to involve my son getting killed,” said Lamb on the courthouse plaza. The judge described Green as a high school dropout who hasn’t worked since he was 17 years old and has supported himself through crime. According to the judge, Green has deeprooted anger that he finds difficult to manage. His rehabilitation in jail “hasn’t been fruitful,” said the judge. At the time of Hill’s killing, Green was on parole and in breach of numerous court orders. Walking away from the courthouse, a woman who only identified herself as Marcia, said she was Green’s mother. “It’s OK. There’s no reaction. Yes, I am satisfied,” she said in response to Green’s sentence. Hill’s family thanked the RCMP and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) for their hard work.

Metro Vancouver drug users testing positive for deadly carfentanil C.S.T. Consultants Inc.

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Carfentanil, a deadly synthetic opioid nearly 100 times more toxic than fentanyl, is increasingly present on Lower Mainland streets, the provincial government said Wednesday. And Vancouver police, who have attributed one death so far to the drug, is reviewing other drug-related deaths to determine if any were caused by carfentanil. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing a number of deaths due to advanced screening that can be attributed to carfentanil around the province,” said Staff Sgt. Randy Fincham. “We had one case (in Vancouver) where a person died and carfentanil was detected in that person’s toxicology screening. We had another incident where a person was arrested in possession of a pill that contained carfentanil. “We’ll look at previous files in Vancouver to determine if they’re linked to carfentanil.” The ministry of health said carfentanil was present in 57 of 1,766 urine drug tests conducted from Jan. 10-24.

LOCAL

Saturday, February 04, 2017

“I have proof my community loves me,” says Muslim solidarity rally participant Hundreds of people gathered in Victoria Tuesday at a rally to show support for and solidarity with Muslims. Hana Alkadafi, a member of the city’s Muslim community, was in the crowd. “I am so happy because I can see the love and care of my community,” Alkadafi said.

“I am Canadian. I believe my community loves me, that my community cares about me. Today, I have proof of that. I have concrete proof. “People leave their school and work to come and say they are here for me. People brought flowers, their love, their hugs, so I can feel secure. I am home.” Alkadafi moved to Canada seven years ago as an international student from Libya. She says she has never experienced racism in Canada.

Canadian Taxpayers Federation accuses TransLink of hiding court costs

“I haven’t had experience with fear or injustice or discrimination, but lately what happened in Quebec, it is really something unacceptable. I didn’t expect it.” Alkadafi says she was surprised that the fatal shooting at a Quebec mosque would happen in a place like Canada. The six people were killed two days after Trump announced a travel ban on visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries. “I was banned by the Trump travel ban. I don’t fear him. I don’t want to go to a place where I am not welcome,” Alkadafi said. Victoria’s mayor, Lisa Helps, also attended Tuesday’s rally. She says shortly after the shooting was reported in the news, people started calling and asking to hold a gathering. “The community wanted to come together to show support and solidarity for Muslim brothers and sisters, neighbours and friends,” Helps said. Helps echoed the message of the imam who spoke at the rally. “The best thing we can do in these uncertain times is to love each other well, treat each other with kindness,” Helps said. “Love is more powerful than fear or hate or the differences that people are trying to use to divide us.”

2 people charged following street level drug crackdown Three people have been arrested and two charged in connection with last month’s seizure in Surrey of thousands of dosages of street-level drugs, including fentanyl, and about $16,000 in cash. In November 2016, RCMP launched a twomonth investigation following a high number of overdose deaths, with the investigation focusing on traffickers in the 135A Street area of north Surrey. As a result, a search warrant was executed on Jan. 13 in the 10100-block of

127th Street, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 240 doses of suspected heroin/ fentanyl, 21 doses of methamphetamine packaged for sale, and approximately $13,000. A 30-year-old Surrey man was arrested. A subsequent search on Jan. 26 in the 9500-block of 127th Street resulted in the seizure of 3,600 doses of suspected heroin/ fentanyl, 500 doses of methamphetamine, and 410 doses of crack cocaine, all packaged for street-level sale. Also seized was $3,000.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on TransLink to reveal the legal costs it incurred while prosecuting a college student for fare evasion. In December, more than three years after Inna Danylyuk inadvertently boarded a bus with her boyfriend’s U-Pass instead of her own valid U-Pass, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Elaine Adair reinstated a ticket against the former Langara student. “The case is done,” said Canadian Taxpayers Federation spokesman Jordan Bateman. “They should tell us how much was spent prosecuting this $173 dollar fine and let the taxpayer decide if it was money well spent. Back in December, Bateman filed a FOI request asking for the legal fees related to the case. Bateman said TransLink officials denied the request, citing solicitor-client privilege. “It’s another example of how TransLink likes

to talk about accountability but doesn’t like to actually walk it out,” said Bateman. A spokesperson for TransLink said no one was available for an interview.

In a statement, TransLink said it “complies with the legislation for enforcing fare infraction tickets and the process for reviewing disputed tickets.” “The B.C. Supreme Court’s decision supported our interpretation of the legislation, preserving our overall ability to enforce fares and serving as future guidance to the courts.”

Woman denies advising her husband to kill himself A woman on trial for pushing her husband to kill himself denied the allegations in a Cranbrook, B.C., court while admitting to having marriage troubles. Terri Reimer is accused of counselling her husband, Bill Reimer, to commit suicide as well as administering a noxious substance with the intent to endanger. He survived and is expected to be one of several witnesses the Crown will call to testify. Provincial court has previously heard that RCMP responded to a report of a suicidal man with a gun on March 22, 2016. Terri Reimer testified Thursday that her husband had a history of depression, recounting two other times she believed he was considering suicide.

Reimer told the court difficulties in their marriage over the past year stemmed from her infidelity and a $300,000 gambling debt she accumulated, but she denied counselling him to kill himself. “I would never tell him to commit suicide,” she said. “I love him too much. I still do.” Rhonda Reimer, who was with the RCMP for three decades and is the sister-in-law of Bill Reimer, testified earlier in the day. She told the trial she was on the phone with him for hours on the night in question. He was distraught and crying, testified the sister-in-law, who said she overheard the accused calling him a “coward” and telling him to “go ahead and just do it” and that she would get him the gun.

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Saturday, February 04, 2017

Man who beheaded Manitoba bus passenger wants to live on his own

A man who beheaded a fellow passenger on a Greyhound bus in Manitoba has changed his name and wants to leave his group home to live independently. Vince Li appeared before a Criminal Code Review Board on Monday under the new name of Will Baker. Baker killed Tim McLean during a bus trip on the TransCanada Highway near Portage la Prairie in July 2008. He was found to be not criminally responsible for the murder due to mental illness — schizophrenia. Baker was originally kept in a secure wing at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre, but the board has granted him increasing freedoms starting with supervised walks on the hospital grounds and eventually escorted trips to nearby communities. His medical team is now asking the review board to let Baker live on his own, albeit with several conditions that would include daily monitoring to ensure he continues to take his antipsychotic medication.

The board heard from Baker’s doctors on Monday that he has been a model patient and has always taken his medication. Crown attorney Brian Sharpe said Baker would continue to be monitored “for the foreseeable future” and did not object to the request for independent living. “There have been no issues. He’s described in positive terms by the staff,” Sharpe told the hearing. “As far as I can tell, he’s done everything that’s been asked of him.” A decision by the board is expected by the end of the week. Baker, 47, sat next to the 22-year-old McLean on the Greyhound bus after the young man smiled at him and asked how he was doing. Li said he heard the voice of God telling him to kill the young carnival worker or “die immediately.” Li repeatedly stabbed McLean who unsuccessfully fought for his life. As passengers fled the bus, Li continued stabbing and mutilating the body before he was arrested.

Vancouver’s chief housing officer fired The City of Vancouver has fired its chief housing officer, Muktar Latif, according to a statement from city communications staff. The decision to terminate Latif ’s employment contract was made by city manager Sadhu Johnston.

In a statement, Johnston said “the City of Vancouver has made a change to how it implements affordable housing in Vancouver.” The change means Latif is no longer chief housing officer, nor the CEO of the Vancouver

Affordable Housing Agency, said Johnston. The city said it won’t discuss the decision, calling the matter “personal and confidential.” The city and Latif are still in discussion over severance pay, according to the statement. Sadhu thanked Latif for his contribution to the city. “In his role as CHO, Mukhtar ... support[ed] the development of significant affordable housing policies, such as family housing and the development of an Aboriginal housing strategy.” “He brought innovative building solutions to Vancouver, such as modular housing and got 1,000 units under development.” Latif had been with the City of Vancouver since October 2013. He will be replaced immediately by Luke Harrison as interim CEO of VAHA. The city says it will review the position of chief housing officer, as part of a review of its housing and homelessness strategy.

BC Islamophobia hotline receives a number of ‘upsetting’ calls Lawyers with the Islamophobia Legal Assistance Hotline in B.C. say they’ve received a number of calls in recent days about discrimination toward Muslims. Hasan Alam, community liaison for the hotline, said while they haven’t compiled the exact number of calls, there have been some “upsetting” incidents reported. “They’ve ranged from comments being made on transit, and in one instance, a woman’s hijab was pulled off her head while walking on the street [in Vancouver],” said Alam. Hasan said the hotline was launched in B.C. last March in response to a report by the National Council of Canadian Muslims. It found the number of Islamophobic incidents is on the rise. People can call the hotline to report incidents and receive confidential and free legal advice. “I think British Columbians are by and large tolerant, but I don’t think we can draw dichotomies between tolerance and not being tolerant,” said Alam. “I think there’s a lot of grey there where instances of hate do occur.” Alam pointed to the recent attack at a Quebec city mosque as proof that

Islamophobia exists in Canada. He said policies coming into effect in the U.S. — such as President Donald Trump’s

executive order banning citizens from seven-majority Muslim countries — could make the situation worse. “Canadians are being further exposed to a similar but more extreme form of Islamophobic and xenophobic rhetoric from the Trump administration in the U.S.,” said Alam. “These sorts of rhetoric give tacit approval for anti-Muslim bigotry and have contributed toward making Muslim Canadians more vulnerable.”

Vancouver resident concerned over live wires left exposed at busy intersection A Yaletown resident is concerned about electrical wiring that was left exposed by City of Vancouver crews at a busy downtown intersection. Eric Wilk said he tested at least five of the wires in different corners at Davie Street and Pacific Boulevard earlier this week. Using a multimeter, the engineer found at least three of them were carrying live electrical current. “If you were to touch them, hopefully it’s just a small shock, but it could go much worse,” said Wiik. “I don’t want

to be overly alarmist about it, but it could be serious … it could be fatal.” Wiik said the wires posed a number of safety hazards for people in the area, which are close to a

community centre and elementary school. He said it’s very unusual to see wires exposed after a light pole is replaced, as cables are normally buried under the concrete. “There’s probably 20 people who show up to switch the pole around, including electricians,” he said. “It’s very strange that these particular cables would not be done at the same time.” Wiik said he filed a complaint with the city about the wires on Jan. 11, but was later told by a 311 operator that someone had checked the area and said it was fine. “I disagree with that assessment,” Wiik said. “As a professional engineer, my paramount duty is to uphold public safety … when I see this kind of stuff, I’m obligated to act on it and make sure something is done about it.” On Thursday, officials said the exposed wires were a result of work done by the city and Coast Mountain Bus Company crews. Tobin Postma, Vancouver’s strategic issues manager, said the cables were “vandalized” after crews left them overnight. He said workers have been dispatched to fix the issue, and that engineering staff would be conducting a safety review as a result of the incident.

Saturday, February 04, 2017

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Saturday, February 04, 2017

‘We saw what happened in the airports’: Asylum seekers from U.S. surge into Manitoba The temperature dipped as low as –12 C on Friday as a group of three refugees crossed from Minnesota into Manitoba, the end point of a long journey from Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. “It was dangerous. We were afraid that maybe, we didn’t know what would happen. The wildlife and the city, something can happen,” said one of the refugees, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “But we were telling each other to keep up.”

The number of refugee claimants scrambling across the Canada-U.S. border, cutting through snowy fields to seek asylum in Manitoba, has soared since Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency, Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council staff say. The recent refugee and his wife flew into Minneapolis 26 days before for a new life and freedom. But when Trump signed an executive order on Friday, putting a four-month hold on allowing refugees into the States and some other Muslim-majority countries, the refugee said he lost hope their applications would ever be accepted. “We saw what happened in the airports and that’s why we … tried to cross the border,” he

said. In the past three months, Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council staff said they have met with more than 80 applicants looking to open refugee files. The normal number for an entire year is 50 to 60. The council opened 10 new files on Monday alone, executive director Rita Chahal said, noting that most claimants came from Djibouti, while a few are from Somalia and one is from Eritrea. Eight walked over the border, while two others entered the country at the Niagara border crossing in Ontario and were transferred to Winnipeg because they have family there, said Ghezae Hagos, a paralegal with the council. “They’re arriving in a variety of ways. Many of them are walking through fields and finding other ways to get in; not stopping at the border, but coming straight to Winnipeg,” Chahal said. “Others are making a claim at the Emerson border and then either find a ride to Winnipeg, or in some cases, we have gone down to the border and picked up clients and brought them here. But a lot of them are walking, yes.” The Emerson border crossing is about 100 kilometres south of Winnipeg. Chahal can’t speak about specific cases for privacy reasons, but said the majority of refugee claimants are concerned about their safety in the U.S., and specifically afraid of deportations. “The act of closing a border might be illegal but what they are doing is not illegal,” Hagos said. “They are asking for a refugee claim and the chance to be heard and treated fairly.

Trudeau abandons pledge to reform Canada’s elections Prime Minister Justin Trudeau abandoned his promise to reform Canada’s electoral system on Wednesday, claiming no consensus has been found on an alternative system. Only two months after recommitting to electoral reform, Trudeau told newly appointed Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould that replacing the first-pastthe-post system was no longer on the table. Trudeau’s decision shelves months of work by a special House of Commons committee, two separate public engagement and consultation exercises, numerous MP town hall meetings and one crosscountry ministerial tour. The move was called a “betrayal” by the opposition New Democrats, who accused Trudeau of lying to progressive voters when he made electoral reform a central promise in the 2015 election. “Rather than keep his word to the millions of Canadians who voted for him and the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who engaged in good faith … over this question of how to strengthen and broaden our democracy, Mr. Trudeau chose today instead to spit in their face,” New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen told reporters. In the House of Commons, Trudeau said not only is there no clear consensus on a new voting system — which citizens weren’t actually asked to weigh in on — but the issue

itself is not a priority for Canadians. Burlington MP Karina Gould, sworn in as minister of democratic institutions on Jan. 10, is no longer charged with replacing Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system. “There is no consensus among Canadians on how, or even whether, to reform our electoral system,” Trudeau said during question period. “We are moving forward in a way that will focus on the things that matter to Canadians. That is what Canadians elected us to do.” But only two months ago, Trudeau told the Star’s editorial board that he heard “loudly and clearly” that “Canadians want a better system of governance, a better system of choosing our governments.” Trudeau went on to say he wouldn’t abandon his promise to replace firstpast-the-post — which gave the Liberals a majority government with less than 40 per cent of the popular vote — simply because it was difficult to do. “I make promises because I believe in them,” Trudeau said on Dec. 2. “Canadians elect governments to do hard things and don’t expect us to throw up our hands when things are a little difficult … No, I’m sorry, that’s not the way I was raised. That’s not the way I’m going to move forward on a broad range of issues, regardless of how difficult they may seem at a given point.”

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Stéphane Dion accepts role as ambassador to EU and Germany, as he and John McCallum depart House In farewell statements to the House of Commons, former foreign affairs minister Stéphane Dion and former immigration minister John McCallum told MPs they are leaving Ottawa to continue serving the public as the respective ambassadors in Europe and China. Dion said he had accepted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s offer to become Canada’s “senior diplomat to Europe” by taking on the dual role of ambassador to the European Union and Germany. MP John McCallum also said goodbye to the House as he readies himself to become Canada’s ambassador to China. Both were shuffled out of the federal cabinet earlier this month. Dion said that after the cabinet shuffle he had to consider whether to return to teaching or to remain in public service. Thanking

the University of Montreal for giving him a tempting offer, Dion said he had instead decided to join the diplomatic corps. “I will do my part to strengthen Canada’s relationship with Europe. It will be an honour

to join the Canadian diplomatic corps,” Dion said. McCallum’s early days in China are expected to be dominated by preliminary

talks that the Liberal government expects to eventually deliver a free trade deal between the two countries. “As I stand in this place for the last time, I naturally do with mixed emotions,” McCallum told his colleagues, adding that the more he thought about it, “this China assignment is the perfect job for me and I am grateful to the prime minister for his confidence.” McCallum said the immigration portfolio “is in good hands” because new minister Ahmed Hussen is a “quick study” and has a “big heart.” Regarding his most memorable moments in the House, McCallum spoke particularly of nominating the late South African president Nelson Mandela for honorary Canadian citizenship. McCallum said the work he did over

NAFTA is out of date and needs to be brought into the 21st century, says one of the trade agreement’s original negotiators and most ardent champions, adding his voice to the explosion of commentary following the election of Donald Trump. Mickey Kantor was the negotiator brought in by Bill Clinton to finalize the deal in 1993,

between neighbours. But don’t count him among all the people hand-wringing about changes to NAFTA. He says it and other agreements he reached in the 1990s were tailored to an economy that no longer exists, and require modernization. “There was no Internet. There was no cloud. There was no problem with data transfer. We had a whole different world,” Kantor told a symposium organized this week by the libertarian Cato Institute. “No agreement — certain none I ever negotiated — is perfect. They all need to be updated.” Kantor said he would advise a Trump administration to make that among its top priorities. Indeed, Trump has promised to renegotiate or scrap the treaty, which has caused some anxiety among U.S. neighbours who send the overwhelming majority of their exports to the U.S. Both Canada and Mexico have responded to the election result by saying they’d be willing to sit down for a discussion, prompting more debate about whether they’ve weakened their negotiating position with Trump. But another trade veteran at the symposium wholeheartedly agreed with Kantor. Susan Schwab was a U.S. trade representative with the Republican administration under George W. Bush. “NAFTA is an ancient trade agreement. It’s

hopelessly out of date. That’s not to say it’s a bad agreement,” Schwab said. She saluted the Canadian government’s approach: “I thought that was a very, very clever response.” A third former U.S. trade representative, Robert Zoellick, has suggested inviting the United Kingdom into NAFTA — especially as that country seeks new trade relationships in light of its vote to leave the European Union. There are pros and cons to talk of reopening NAFTA, said Canadian trade lawyer Mark

E-mail: khushpal@sovereignlaw.ca E-mail: kam@sovereignlaw.ca

when the then-rookie president promised to add side agreements on labour and the environment and appointed Kantor as his first U.S. trade czar. He remains a huge booster of the pact — he says it has promoted economic growth in all three signatory countries, in addition to encouraging more harmonious relations

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the last year to bring nearly 40,000 Syrian refugees to Canada was another highlight of his political career, especially since it was done when so many other countries were “closing their doors” to refugees, he said. Looking to China, McCallum said he would work very hard as ambassador to help vulnerable Canadians in China who need consular assistance. In his parting words to MPs he said, “Have the capacity to govern our country well, and have the wisdom to make Canada even better in years to come.” Dion, most recently Canada’s foreign affairs minister and a one-time Liberal leader, was replaced at Foreign Affairs by Chrystia Freeland, who had held the international trade portfolio. Since the Jan. 10 cabinet shuffle, Dion had been tight-lipped about his future, but McCallum seemed to let the news slip out in

Time to reopen NAFTA, trade experts agree

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No plans to change refugee target in wake of U.S. travel ban: immigration minister As MPs debate U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban in the House of Commons, Canada has already confirmed it will not hike its refugee intake target in the wake of a contentious immigration and travel crackdown in the U.S., says Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen. Under pressure by the NDP, human rights groups and refugee lawyers to bring more asylum-seekers to Canada, the minister said Canada’s plan will not change in response to an executive order by Trump that suspends the U.S. refugee program and bars entry to nationals from seven Muslimmajority countries. “Our immigration levels plan has an allocation that is historically high for refugees,” Hussen said. “We intend to maintain that plan.” Hussen also rejected calls to suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement, a pact which considers asylum-seekers safe in both Canada and the U.S. “All the parameters of that agreement are in place and there is no change at this time,” he said. MPs held an emergency debate Tuesday evening, which concluded around midnight,

on the U.S. immigration and travel directives,. Noting that the U.S. has now agreed to allow in 872 refugees who were already screened and in transit, and were previously denied entry, Hussen said that’s a sign the situation is evolving fast. He added that Canada will closely monitor developments. “The responsible thing to do is to maintain contact, to continue to engage and make sure we monitor the situation closely to make sure we provide information to Canadians,” he said. NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan, who requested the emergency debate, held a news conference Tuesday morning urging the government to lift a cap on privately sponsored refugees and to fasttrack refugee claims. The B.C. MP laid out a number of proposed “special measures” ahead of the debate. “There is no question that this ban promotes hate and intolerance,” she said. “This ban will have a disastrous effect for thousands of innocent travellers and refugees.” Calling it “absolutely shocking,” Kwan said the Trump travel ban will have a huge negative impact on the economy, as well as cultural and academic development.

Ottawa hears opposition to taxing health perks The Liberal government isn’t ruling out imposing budget measures to tax employerprovided health benefits but opposition to the plan may be giving finance officials second thoughts. The finance department has been weighing the possibility of making employer-provided health and dental plans a taxable benefit, a move that could add more than $1,000 to the income tax bills of the 13.5 million Canadians who have such plans. Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose pressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the issue Tuesday, demanding to know whether his government was serious about the tax proposal. “People rely on these for prescriptions and much-needed health programs. . . . Is he seriously going to put a tax on the health and dental plans of millions of Canadians?” Ambrose said in question period. Trudeau sidestepped the question, saying only that the upcoming budget would help “Canadian families. “We’re looking at ways within that budget to help Canadians, to invest in their future, to lower the cost of everyday goods and pharmaceuticals they need,” Trudeau said. In a typical benefit plan, an employer contributes up to $3,500 a year — an amount that is currently not taxed, said Stephen Frank, senior vice-president of policy for the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association “If it becomes taxable, then the employee has

to pay tax on that amount,” Frank said, adding that it could add about $1,300 a year to an individual’s tax bill. Such a move could generate close to $3 billion in additional tax revenues annually, an attractive target for a government currently in the red. But the proposal carries political risk — saddling taxpayers with an additional tax would undercut the Liberals’ narrative of wanting to help the middle class and could undo some of the benefits of an income tax cut brought in last year. Industry groups also worry that such a tax

would make health benefits less attractive, prompting companies to forgo offering such plans to employees, who would be left having to purchase extended coverage on their own. “The middle and lower class are the ones who would be hit the hardest, by far,” Frank said.

Canada pressing forward with marijuana legalization amid U.S. uncertainty Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould says the Liberal government is determined to bring forward legislation to legalize and regulate the recreational use of pot this spring, despite the fact it is working overtime to manage many unknowns associated with U.S. President Donald Trump. Wilson-Raybould says Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale is talking with U.S. counterparts about any potential impacts of the government’s plans. There are concerns introducing marijuana legislation in Canada could create problems with the U.S.

Wilson-Raybould says the Liberal government is seriously considering a report presented by a special task force late last year. Among more than 80 recommendations, the panel suggested Canadians 18 and older should be allowed to buy recreational cannabis through storefront and mail-order sales. The world is watching Canada as it moves to greenlight recreational pot because no other major western country, with the exception of Uruguay, has fully legalized the drug.

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Washington state suing President Trump over his immigration ban Washington state’s attorney general declared Monday that he was suing U.S. President Donald Trump over his temporary ban on immigration from seven countries with majority-Muslim populations, making it the first state to announce a legal action against the Trump administration over one of its policies.

Trump’s executive order also suspended the United States’ entire refugee program and set off nationwide protests over the weekend, including one that drew 3,000 people to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. “If successful it would have the effect of invalidating the president’s unlawful action nationwide,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson said at a news conference. Read more: Trump downplays chaos caused by his Muslim ban, blames unrelated airline computer glitch Ferguson was one of 16 state attorneys general who released a statement Sunday calling Trump’s immigration action “unAmerican and unlawful.” Trump has repeatedly said Friday’s order suspending immigration for citizens of the seven countries for 90 days is aimed at protecting the nation against extremists looking to attack Americans and U.S. interests. Attorney General for Washington state

Bob Ferguson announced his lawsuit Monday, becoming the first state attorney general to announce a legal action against the Trump administration over one of its policies. Ferguson said the lawsuit against Trump, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and high-ranking Trump administration officials would be filed later Monday in federal court in Seattle. The complaint seeks to have key provisions of the executive order declared unconstitutional, Ferguson said. The state is also asking for a temporary restraining order against enforcement of the order. “We are a country based on the rule of law and in a courtroom it is not the loudest voice that prevails, it’s the Constitution,” Ferguson said. “At the end of the day, either you’re abiding by the Constitution or you are not. And in our view, the president is not adhering to the Constitution when it comes to this executive action.” Declarations of support from Amazon and Expedia — two Washington state-based businesses — will be filed with the lawsuit, said Ferguson, who was joined at the news conference by Gov. Jay Inslee. The complaint claims that Trump’s actions are separating Washington families, harming thousands of state residents, damaging the state economy, hurting Washington-based companies “and undermining Washington’s sovereign interest in remaining a welcoming place for immigrants and refugees,” Ferguson said. Inslee said the “inhumanity” of Trump’s order is obvious. “This is un-American, it is wrong, and it will not stand,” Inslee said. “The clear intent of this executive order is to discriminate against one faith amongst all God’s children.”

Trudeau says Canada will take refugees banned by US Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has a message for refugees rejected by U.S. President Donald Trump: Canada will take you. Trudeau reacted to Trump’s ban of Muslims from certain countries by tweeting Saturday: “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada.” Trudeau also posted a picture of him greeting a Syrian child at Toronto’s airport in late 2015. Trudeau oversaw the arrival of more than 39,000 Syrian refugees soon after he was elected. “The Prime Minister is looking forward to discussing the successes of Canada’s immigration and refugee policy with the President when they next speak,” Trudeau spokeswoman Kate Purchase told. Trudeau is expected to the visit the White House soon. The prime minister has refrained from criticizing Trump to avoid offending the new president. More than 75 percent of Canada’s exports go to the U.S. Toronto Mayor John Tory also weighed in,

noting that the city is the most diverse in the world. “We understand that as Canadians we are almost all immigrants, and that no one should be excluded on the basis of their ethnicity or nationality,” Tory said in a statement. Trump signed a sweeping executive order Friday that he billed as a necessary step to stop “radical Islamic terrorists” from coming to the U.S. Included is a 90day ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen and a 120-day suspension of the U.S. refugee program. Trump’s order singled out Syrians for the most aggressive ban, ordering that anyone from that country, including those fleeing civil war, are indefinitely blocked from coming to the United States. The Syrian refugee crisis became a major issue in Canada’s election in late 2015 because of the haunting image of a drowned 3-year-old Syrian boy washed up on a Turkish beach. The boy had relatives in Canada. Trudeau’s tweet quickly received more than 150,000 likes. “Welcome to Canada” trended in Canada.

NATIONAL

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Saturday, February 04, 2017

Stop sending Indians on H-1B, start hiring US locals: Narayana Murthy tells IT companies Indian software companies need to stop sending people on H-1B visas+ and focus on local hiring in the US, Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy said amid rising concerns over Donald Trump administration’s proposals to restrict inflow of foreign workers. Stating that by and large Indian mindset is always to take the “soft option”, Murthy — one of the pioneers of India’s IT outsourcing industry — said becoming multi- cultural is not easy and is a “very, very hard option”. “They (Indian software companies) must recruit American residents in the US, Canadians in Canada, British people in Britain etc. That’s the only way, we can become a true multinational company and in order to do that, we should stop using H1-B visas and sending a large number of Indians to those countries to deliver services,” Murthy told. He added that recruitment from colleges should be done and local people be trained to add value to Indian companies. The proposed overhaul of popular H-1B visa regime+ by US President Donald Trump has raised concerns among the Indian IT firms. Also, the recent introduction of a US

bill (Lofgren Bill) that proposes doubling of the minimum wages of H-1B visa holders to $130,000 from $60,000 has made the industry worried. Any changes in the visa regime may result in higher operational costs and shortage of skilled workers for the $110 billion Indian outsourcing industry. “I think even if the executive order comes, we should look at it more as opportunity for Indian companies to become more multi-cultural than we have been, rather than looking at it as a lacuna,” Murthy said. The US contributes nearly 62 per cent of the exports. Analysts are of the opinion that Indian tech companies could easily witness around 60-70 per cent rise in salaries of H-1B visa dependent workforce, leading to a 5-10 per cent hit on the margins, depending on the total base of employees currently on H-1B visas. Asked why Indian companies were in panic over the protectionist stance of the new US administration, Murthy said Indian companies will have to learn to work with non-Indian professionals and become more multi-cultural.

Ustad Imrat Khan declines Padma Shri

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Noted Sitar and Surbahar player Ustad Imrat Khan has turned down the Padma Shri award as he believes it comes “too late” and is not “parallel” to his “worldwide reputation and contributions”. Imrat, 82, said he has mixed feelings about getting a Padma Shri when his “juniors” have already received the Padma Bhushan. “At the last moments of my life at the age of 82 the Government of India has chosen to recognise me with the Padma Shri award. “While I acknowledge the good intentions behind this move; I have mixed feelings about it without holding any prejudice, to the purpose of this award which comes perhaps many decades late — while my juniors receive the Padma Bhushan,” he said in a response to Indian Consulate in Chicago who had contacted him after the announcement on the eve of the Republic Day. Imrat, who lives in St Louis, says he made great contributions to propagating

Indian classical music worldwide, particularly the Sitar and his ancestral Surbahar. Having performed with stalwarts like his older brother Ustad Vilayat Khan, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Ustad Amedjan Thirakwa Khan and Pandit VG Jog, Imrat says he does not want to compromise by accepting Padma Shree. “My music has been the centrestage of my life and I have put it on the highest pedestal with a lifetime of devotion to its art refusing any form of corruption to its form and essence. “I do not expect at this moment in my life that my devotion and contributions be diminished to a level lower than my followers, students and sons — by age or reputation. “I have never compromised in my life. Why should I compromise now when this award presented to me is not parallel to my worldwide reputation and contributions in the name of the pure arts and culture of India?,” he said.

Kuwait imposes visa ban too, including Pakistan Moscow (Russia): Following the Muslim ban in the US, Kuwait has now suspended the issuance of visas for travellers native to Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Tourism, trade and visitor visas from the above mentioned nations have been restricted following an order from the Kuwaiti Government to slap a “blanket ban” on possible migrants. Scandal threatens Fillon’s French Prez bid Paris: French presidential candidate Francois Fillon attempted to fight back on Thursday as pressure mounted on him to quit the race with some lawmakers from his own side urging him to drop his scandal-tainted

bid to save the conservatives from defeat. Le Canard Enchaine newspaper reported the former PM had paid his wife thousands of euros for work she may not have done. reuters US judge rules in favor of banished Yemenis Los Angeles: In yet another challenge to Trump’s travel ban, a California federal judge has issued a court order barring the US government from preventing more than two dozen Yemenis with valid visas from flying to Los Angeles. US District Judge Andre Birotte handed down his temporary restraining order on Tuesday following an emergency motion filed the same day.

SOUTH ASIA

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Bangladesh resurrects plan to move Rohingya refugees to flooded island

Doctors in Bangladesh will form a medical board to assess a 10-year-old girl with barklike warts growing out of her face, believed to be tree-man syndrome, a rare genetic hereditary skin disorder. A six-member medical board will be formed to assess Shahana Khatun’s illness, Dr Samanta Lal of Dhaka Medical College Hospital said, adding that her treatment will be free of cost, according to a media report today. Shahana Khatun’s father Shahjahan Mia, a farmer became concerned when a growth previously thought to be prickly heat rashes started to spread and grow on his daughters face, The Daily Star reported. “This appears to be similar to Tree-man disease that affected Abul Bajandar, hailing from Khulna,” Samanta Lal Sen, coordinator of Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit said. A class-3 student of Baluchora Government Primary School, Shahana lost her mother four years ago and was raised by her grandmother and aunt. At the age of one, she appeared to have what was then thought prickly heat rashes on her face. These started to grow about three years back, her father said. Previously, Abul Bajandar, 26, also known as “tree man” has undergone at least 18 operations at the same hospital where Shahana is receiving treatment. Tree-man disease is a rare skin disorder, which covers limbs with warts, making them look like tree branches. A Romanian man was first diagnosed with the disease in March 2007. Another case was reported in Indonesia in November the same year in a 35-year-old fisherman.

SAARC members to meet in Nepal Senior officials of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) are scheduled to meet in Kathmandu this week for the first time since the summit was postponed last year to discuss various issues. The meet on February 1-2 to attend the Programming Committee will be the first meeting of the SAARC member states since the postponement of the 19th SAARC that was supposed to take place in Islamabad November last year, a Foreign Ministry official said. During the meeting, SAARC member states will discuss a number of issues, including the budget of the SAARC Secretariat and five regional centers of SAARC, according to Foreign Ministry sources. The matter relating to rescheduling the next SAARC summit will also come up during the meeting, to be attended by joint secretaries of

the SAARC countries. Nepal, current chair of the SAARC, had decided to postpone the SAARC Summit until further notice after four nations Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India requested to postpone the summit in

Islamabad scheduled for November 9 and 10 last year, following escalation of tension between India and Pakistan.

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Muslims, which the country fears could lead to law and order issues as they mix with residents. Dhaka was preparing a list of the people to be temporarily moved to Thengar Char before being sent back to Myanmar, it said. “There’s a fear that the influx of Rohingya Muslims from time to time will lead to a degradation of law and order situation, spread communicable diseases ... and create various social and financial problems,” it added.

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Bangladesh has resurrected a plan to relocate thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in Myanmar’s northwestern Rakhine State to a flooded island in the Bay of Bengal to prevent them from “intermingling” with Bangladeshi citizens. The United Nations says around 69,000 people have fled the Muslimmajority northern part of Rakhine to Bangladesh since attacks that killed nine Myanmar border police on Oct. 9, sparking a heavy-handed security response in which scores were killed. Bangladesh first proposed the idea of sending the Rohingya to Thengar Char, which floods at high tide, in 2015, prompting anger among rights groups. In a Jan. 26 notice on its website, Bangladesh’s cabinet said several panels were set up to examine the influx of Rohingya

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Defence Ministry weighs right-sizing Weighed down by rising establishment costs as well as salaries and pensions, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has decided to seek formal comments of the Army, Air Force and the Navy on “right-sizing” the services and also explore cutting costs from within. Right-sizing has been suggested by the highpowered Lt Gen DB Shekatkar Committee and its report was submitted to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on December 21 last year. The cost of just salaries and pensions of the three services and civilian employees under them is Rs 1,93,670 crore, which is about 53.81 per cent of the entire spend of Rs 3,59,854 crore. This includes Rs 2,74,114 crore as budget and Rs 85,740 crore as pensions. The cost of running the establishment is further enhanced when some other components are added namely salaries of research scientists

(Rs 3,126 crore), establishment costs of smaller wings within the MoD (Rs 8,040 crore) and salaries of ordnance factories (Rs 6,582 crore). The Budget includes a capital outlay of Rs 86,488, which works out to be 24 per cent of the overall spend. This money is meant for new equipment, weapons, aircraft, naval warships and Army vehicles. Amit Cowshish, who retired from defence finance wing, says “reduction in manpower is directly proportional to infusion of new technology”. The Shekatkar committee was appointed by the government to enhance the combat potential of the armed forces and re-balance defence expenditure. It has recommended a series of measures to trim, redeploy and integrate manpower under the MoD to have an effective military.

Budget 2017: Packed with small, big In a pre-election Budget aimed at softening the demonetisation blow, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today halved the basic income tax rate to 5 per cent and lowered the rate for small companies, while boosting spending on rural employment, agriculture and infrastructure. Jaitley presented a merged railway and general Budget after advancing the dates by a month that provides a record outlay of Rs 3,96,135 crore for infrastructure schemes, besides a capital expenditure of Rs 1.3 lakh crore on railways and Rs 64,000 crore on highways. The Budget seeks to provide a record Rs 10 lakh crore in loans to farmers, boost funds for rural employment guarantee programme, bring one crore households out of poverty and promised to build one crore houses by 2019 for the homeless ahead of the crucial elections in five states. While the tax rate for income between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh has been lowered to 5 per cent, a 10 per cent surcharge has been slapped on income between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore. The tax liability of all persons below Rs 5 lakh would be reduced to either zero (with rebate) or 50 per cent of the existing liability. In order not to have duplication of benefit, the existing benefit of rebate available to them is being reduced to Rs 2,500 available only to assessees up to income of Rs 3.5 lakh. In the case of senior citizens above 60 years, there will be no tax up to Rs 3 lakh, while the exemption will be up to Rs 5 lakh in case of citizens above 80. Both the categories will attract a tax of 20 per cent on income between Rs 5-10 lakh and 30 per cent for income above Rs 10 lakh. BANKING SECTOR: Rs 10,000 cr To be injected into state-owned banks as capital in the coming fiscal as compared to Rs

25,000 crore budgeted for the current year Agriculture: Rs 51,026 cr To be used to double farmers’ incomes in five years and set up two dedicated funds of Rs 13,000 crore to promote micro-irrigation

and dairy processing Health: Rs 48,853 cr To ensure availability of specialist doctors at the secondary and tertiary levels, creation of additional 5,000 post- graduate seats every year Defence: Rs 2,74,114 cr Out of this amount, Rs 86,488.01 crore is for capital outlay meant for acquisition of assets such as aircraft and tanks for the defence services In the case of senior citizens above 60 years, there will be no tax up to Rs 3 lakh, while the exemption will be up to Rs 5 lakh in case of citizens above 80. Both the categories will attract a tax of 20 per cent on income between Rs 5-10 lakh and 30 per cent for income above Rs 10 lakh.

Centre may not relieve BJP ‘CM face’ Parrikar Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar may have been a star campaigner of the BJP and its unofficially declared chief ministerial candidate, much at the cost of severe criticism from the Opposition which saw his deep involvement with the Goa Assembly polls as dereliction of his official duty as a senior Cabinet Minister in the Centre. But, as much he may have personally endorsed the idea, Parrikar is unlikely to be relieved of the highprofile job he currently holds at the Centre if his party does win the state, again. “It is unlikely that a high-profile union minister would be sent back as the CM of a small state like Goa. In any case, the decision is the discretion of the Parliamentary Board. He can

always serve as a mentor for the new CM,” says a senior BJP leader in Delhi. Striving to keep supporters engaged, the BJP has refrained from announcing incumbent CM Laxmikant Parsekar as its face. The BJP is facing a tough contest in the state. Its Parsekar-led government is in contest with the AAP, Congress and Shiv SenaMaharashtrwadi Gomnatak Party (MGP)-Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) alliance. Elvis Gomes, a former bureaucrat, is the AAP face. Though BJP leaders discount any tough challenge to the party courtesy Gomes and Velingkar, they agree that Parrikar is more popular than Parsekar. Campaigning drew to a close today as the state goes to the polls on February 4.

Indian arrested in Jaisalmer for spying for Pak agencies An Indian national was held on Thursday for allegedly sharing defenserelated information with Pakistan-based intelligence agencies for the last ten years at Sam in Jaisalmer district. The accused was identified as Sadik Khan who was living at Changania ki Basti, Sam tehsil, IG of Special Security Cell of Rajasthan Police Gurucharan Rai said here. Sadik got Pakistan visa recently and

was about to board the Thar Express in Bhagatki-Kothi railway station in Jodhpur on January 27, when the cops arrested him, Rai said, adding Sadik was a frequent visitor to Pakistan. During interrogation, the accused revealed important defenserelated information which he allegedly shared with various intelligence agencies of Pakistan.A case under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 was registered against him.

SUPERSTORE

Saturday, February 04, 2017

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INDIA

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Police trapped Veerappan using his businessman contact, says new book An influential businessman who had secret links with Sri Lanka-based Tamil radicals was helping forest brigand Veerappan with information and, probably, arms. What’s more, the same man, when threatened with exposure over his Lankan links, helped the Special Task Force trap and gun down the bandit 12 years ago. Veerappan ruled the forests across three states for more than three decades, poaching elephants, felling sandalwood trees and killing just about anyone who came in his way. He was killed by the STF on October 18, 2004. Sources part of the operation told that the businessman in question was a well-respected citizen. An STF informer, who had managed to gain access to Veerappan and acted as a messenger for the gang, stunned the cops by dropping the “bombshell” of the businessman’s name. The 52-year-old bandit, whose eyesight was failing, had wanted the businessman to procure some guns and arrange for a cataract surgery.

CBI ex-chief Sinha tells SC it has adopted double standards

Ordered to face CBI probe for allegedly scuttling investigations into coal block allocation scam cases, former CBI director Ranjit Sinha told the Supreme Court on Thursday that it had erred in adopting “double standards” in judging entries in two sets of controversial diaries. In an application seeking recall of the SC’s January 23 order directing CBI probe+ into alleged meetings between him and those accused in the coal scam on the basis of entries in the visitors’ diary at his official residence, Sinha said the evidentiary value of the diary entries was far worse than the entries in diaries found on executives of Birla and Sahara groups revealing alleged payment of “bribes” to politicians. Sinha’s application, settled by senior advocate Vikas Singh, drew attention to the court’s January 11 judgment rejecting to take cognisance of diary entries of corporate executives on the ground that “the court has to be on guard while ordering investigation against any important constitutional functionary, officers or any person in the absence of some cogent legally cognisable material”. Referring to the unverified visitors’ diary entries which formed the basis of the SC order directing inquiry into his alleged meetings with accused without the presence of investigation officers, Sinha said if the same principle was applied to the corporate diary entries naming top politicians as purported receivers of corporate bribes, then registration of FIRs against them became imperative.

When the informer called the businessman and gave the password Veerappan had given, the businessman asked him to come to a guest house in another town. The STF wired up the informer for the meeting and listened in to the conversation. Referring to Veerappan as Anna (elder brother), the businessman inquired about his health. When the informer told him that the bandit needed a cataract surgery and some weapons, the businessman agreed to send word through his man. The moment the informer left the guest house, an STF team in plainclothes stormed in and threatened the businessman that his links with Lankan extremists would be out. When the STF men offered him an amnesty scheme if he helped them nab Veerappan, the businessman readily agreed.

13 lakh accused of ‘shady’ deposits after note ban As the Income Tax Department uses Big Data to catch evaders, it is asking taxpayers to verify online the deposits they made in their accounts post-demonetisation and respond to queries of any mismatch. The department is using data analytics for comparison of deposits made after the November 8 decision to scrap high-value banknotes with information in its database to identify taxpayers whose cash transactions do not appear to be in line with the taxpaying profile. With a view to avoiding undue harassment, it has now enabled online verification of these transactions to reduce compliance cost for the taxpayers while optimising its resources. To help taxpayers, it has now brought out a user guide. The cash deposited in an assessee’s account can be verified using the link ‘Cash Transactions 2016’ under ‘compliance’ section of the website. “The details of transactions related to cash deposits during November 9 to December 30, 2016, will be displayed,” it said. The taxpayer needs to confirm that the

bank account relates to his PAN. In case the account does not relate to the PAN, a suitable option can be selected and information will go to the tax department. If the account belongs to the PAN holder but the value of deposit is incorrect, a correct entry can be submitted online. The website also provides for the taxpayer to explain the source of cash deposit digitally without visiting the income tax office, it said. The user guide says the taxpayer is required to give details if cash is claimed to be withdrawn from the bank account. Details should also be mentioned if the cash is received from other persons in the form of cash sales, loan, gift or donations. In case the cash is claimed to be out of receipts exempt from tax (agricultural income etc but excluding cases of gift and donation), further details can be provided under remarks. “If receipts exempt from tax are not in line with the taxpayer profile or other available information, the case may be selected for verification based on risk criteria,” the user guide said.

FIJI

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Government of India donates $2.7M to ‘Adopt A School’ program

FWCC decries strip search report The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has condemned the alleged police act in stripping naked a couple in Labasa. FWCC co-ordinator Shamima Ali said the Constitution’s Bill of Rights protected the rights of everyone, including those of detained people. FWCC called on police to have an independent team to investigate the alleged matter. “Unfortunately, incidents of police officers behaving in violation of people’s human rights are becoming frequent,” she claimed. “We totally condemn such actions by any of the security forces.

“Detained people are entitled to be treated humanely.” The FWCC has conducted training with senior police officers and is working on training recruits on violence against women and human rights. “The police leadership must be firm and must send a very clear message that such actions will not be tolerated.” Labasa vendor Ranjita Devi claims she and her husband were allegedly stripped naked by police on January 21 during a drug raid. Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said investigations are continuing.

The Indian government has donated $2.7 million dollars for the government’s ‘Adopt A School’ programme. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama thanked the Government and people of India for their contribution while receiving the cheque donation from India’s High Commissioner to Fiji Vishvas Sapkal yesterday. Bainimarama has given his assurance that the money will be used to rebuild schools that were affected during Tropical Cyclone Winston. The Government of India had pledged to adopt 20 schools through the ‘Adopt A School’ Programme.

White House visit for Rabuka Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) leader Sitiveni Rabuka is in the US, where he is expected to meet the President Donald Trump. Party general secretary Adi Litia Qionibaravi said Mr Rabuka’s trip followed an invitation from the White House to attend the National Prayer Breakfast, formally known as the Presidential Prayer Breakfast. Adi Litia refused to reveal any finer details of the trip, saying she did not know what was on Mr Rabuka’s agenda if he met Mr Trump. However, the general secretary also confirmed that the party leader had other trips planned for the year to

the US where he would meet with Fijians to discuss the party’s plans ahead of the 2018 general election. The National Prayer Breakfast is an yearly event held in Washington D.C. on the first Thursday of February each year. The breakfast is typically attended by about 3500 guests, including international invitees from over 100 countries. The National Prayer Breakfast is hosted by members of the United States Congress and is organised on their behalf by The Fellowship Foundation. Every US president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has participated in the annual event.

Arts, Ravula and Waqabaca reappear in court on charges of inciting communal antagonism of February to file further documents on behalf of his client. It is alleged that Arts, Waqabaca, Ravula, Wesley and The Fiji Times Limited made, or caused to be published, a statement in the i Taukei language in Nai Lalakai newspaper that is likely to incite dislike, hatred, or antagonism of the Muslim community.

Fiji Times Publisher Hank Arts, Editor Fred Wesley, Nai Lalakai Editor Anare Ravula, contributor Josaia Waqabaca and The Fiji Times Limited who are charged with inciting communal antagonism, reappeared in the Suva High Court today. High Court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe has given Waqabaca’s lawyer, Aman Ravindra Singh until the 7th

68 families receive Approval Notices for 99 year residential land leases 68 families of four settlements in Navua had a reason to smile today as they were given their Approval Notices for 99 year residential land leases. These families are from the settlements of Vakacegu, Naitata, Tokotoko and Wainividio. Minister for Lands Faiyaz Koya says these families will no longer have a hard time thinking about the legal status of their land. Koya says some of the residents have lived in their homes for more than 40 years without the comfort and dignity of land ownership.

A 33-year-old man who fled the scene of an alleged fatal accident last night was arrested this morning by officers from the Ba Police Station. The man was allegedly driving a vehicle that tumbled several times along Kings Road in Nailaga, Ba last night resulting in the death of a 30-year-old man. Two women aged 22 and 19 years were also travelling in the vehicle. All three victims were taken to the Ba Mission Hospital by bystanders where

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the 30-year-old man from Varoko was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver fled the scene of the accident and an overnight search resulted in his arrest this morning at his home in Nailaga, Ba. The vehicle also damaged the front porch of a 49-year-old man’s home. Investigators are now trying to determine whether the driver was speeding. The current road death toll stands at 5 compared to 5 for the same period last year.

PAKISTAN

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Pakistan’s ‘most wanted’ gang leader killed in encounter Pakistani security forces on Thursday killed the country’s ‘most wanted’ gang leader, Baba Ladla, who was involved in several terrorist incidents and heinous crimes, in a shootout here. Pakistan paramilitary Sindh Ranger launched an operation in the city’s Lyari area early this morning after being tippedoff about the presence of Ladla, leading to an intense exchange of fire with gangsters in which the wanted gang leader and his two accomplices were killed. The gangsters opened fire and lobbed hand grenades at the paramilitary personnel in which two constables were killed. Ladla alias Noor Muhammad was a symbol of terror in the impoverished Lyari neighbourhood, which is known for lawlessness, gang wars, drugs and other crimes in Karachi. Ladla and the two other gang members

killed in the encounter were involved in numerous terrorist incidents and heinous crimes, a Rangers statement said. One Kalashnikov, a 9mm pistol, a 9mm mauser and a hand grenade were also recovered from their possession, officials said. According to Rangers, Ladla was wanted by police in more than 74 cases. The Lyari gang war ring leader was operating several torture cells in Lyari. The Sindh government had placed a head money of Rs three million on him in 2012. According to official sources, the killing of Ladla will go a long way in improving security of Karachi where an operation against criminals and militants have been going on since September 2013. Lyari has been in the grip of gangs since 1980s and several gangsters surfaced in the period. The area is stronghold of Pakistan Peoples Party of Asif Ali Zardari.

Pakistan to file FIR against Hafiz Saeed A top official of the Pakistan government said on Wednesday that an FIR would soon be lodged against Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, currently in house arrest under an anti-terrorism law. The crackdown on the Mumbai attack mastermind and others was described as “cowardly” by assorted terror and militant groups, with Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin saying it was “painful”. Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan said all state institutions were on board before action was taken against Saeed, adding, “The charges against him will be known in a few days.” Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah said more activists of JuD and its front Falahai-Insaaniyat (FIF) would be booked soon.

“We’re monitoring the activities of JuD and FIF workers. More activists will be detained under the fourth schedule of the antiterrorism law,” Sanaullah said, telling reporters that Saeed’s Kashmir policy was at variance with Pakistan’s. “We won’t compromise on our national interest. Our policy on Kashmir is different from JuD’s,” the minister said. Syed Salahuddin issued a statement saying the arrest not only sent “a negative and disappointing message” to the people in “India-held Kashmir”, but also showed

UN report blames Pakistan for delay in resolution of Indus water issues with India Pakistan has neglected to resolve transborder water issues and delayed presenting the cases of dispute with India to the Water Commission related to the Indus Waters Treaty, a United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) report said on Tuesday. The report titled “Development Advocate Pakistan”, released in Pakistan, said, “Pakistan’s negligence in conducting a sound analysis of transboundary water issues and delays in presenting the cases of dispute with India to the Indus Water Commission or the World Bank on the issues related to the Indus Waters Treaty have caused the issues to linger on and remain unaddressed.” “Pakistan has gone as far as calling the treaty an inefficient forum for resolving water issues,

elevating the water issue to a “core issue” and including it in the composite dialogue. But India has refused to include the issue in the composite dialogue because it is not ready to discard the treaty,” the report said. “The treaty permitted India to create storage on the western rivers of 1.25, 1.60 and 0.75 million acre feet (MAF) for general, power and flood storages, respectively, amounting to a total permissible storage of 3.6 MAF,” it added. “The treaty fails to address two issues: the division of shortages in dry years between India and Pakistan, when flows are almost half as compared to wet years, and the cumulative impact of storages on the flows of the River Chenab into Pakistan,” the UNDP report said.

“Pakistan’s weak role in the ongoing freedom struggle” of Kashmiris. He urged the Pakistani government to revoke the detention, which led to a few pro-JuD demonstrations in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. “Kashmir’s freedom movement demands the Pakistani leadership rise above compulsions and fears and take a firm position. Saeed has

always called the international community to break its criminal silence on Kashmir,” said Salahuddin, who also heads the United Jihad Council (UJC), a conglomerate of 12 terror groups. Pakistan army, which allegedly used Saeed and his militant outfits for years as proxies against India, has said his arrest was in national interest. October last, the Sharif government had informed the military leadership of Pakistan’s growing international isolation over failure to curb terrorists, and sought consensus on several key actions against non-state actors.

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Saturday, February 04, 2017

Can’t afford another term of Akali govt: Rahul

On the Badals’ turf, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today made five time-bound promises with the people of Punjab “to put the state back on track”. Amid cheering and clapping, he announced to curb drug menace and put those selling “chitta” behind bars within a month of forming the government. The Congress government, he promised, would accord 33 per cent share of panchayat land to the poor within two months. Other promises were jobs to the unemployed youth in the government and the private sectors within three months, revival of industry in Punjab, and free medical facilities for all within four months. In his speech at Man Singh Stadium, Rahul drew a big applause when he invoked Guru Nanak while hitting out at Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. “The first Sikh Guru believed in selfless service (‘sab tera tera’), but Sukhbir acts out of self-interest (‘sab mera mera’). Sukhbir accumulated wealth by expanding his business empire, ignoring people’s welfare,” he said. The Congress leader alleged the Badals were responsible for ruining the state. “So, vote for Capt Amarinder Singh, who will be the next CM, and see getting Punjab transformed within days.”

Amarinder challenged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal by assuring the audience of putting all halqa incharges behind bars immediately after the Congress formed the government. He claimed the Badals were getting desperate for a win, evident from reports of distribution of money. “Cash is being ferried to Lambi and Jalalabad in unsuspecting ATM vans, trucks and buses. It is strange that these vehicles are not being checked. The Election Commission should ensure checking of all vehicles,” Capt Amarinder said. Sangrur: Interacting with villagers here, Rahul urged them to reject the Akali Dal as well as AAP. “I appeal to Punjab’s residents that they should not shift from one radical party (SAD) to another (AAP). Kejriwal is helping antiPunjab forces,” he said. Rahul spent about 30 minutes at Balian village, 9 km from Sangrur, and had food at the “sanjha chulha” (community kitchen) organised by party candidate from Sangrur Vijay Inder Singla. He also listened to the villagers’ grievances. Some farmers asked him how he would tackle farm crisis. Dalit girl students sought a hike in the scholarship amount.

Veterans playing bigger role, but fraternity divided Ex-servicemen in the state are playing a bigger role in the electoral battle than ever before, but not as a consolidated vote-bank. United over protest on the issue of one rank, one pension, a large section of ex-servicemen now considers that their fraternity could impact the outcome of the elections. With all parties fielding a handful of retired officers as candidates, former soldiers across all ranks are actively campaigning in the state. “Ex-servicemen have never voted en bloc for any party and are just as united or as divided like any other social entity such as farmers or government employees,” said Brig Harwant Singh (retd) of the All-India Defence Brotherhood. “There are also personal agendas where individuals scan be secretive and go any way they please, but yes, this time the participation of veterans is more than before,” he added. Ex-servicemen have in the past, too, tried to play a meaningful role in the electoral process, but have had little impact owing to factionalism, lack of cohesive strategy and indifference. A few years ago, a party

of ex-servicemen was also floated, but it failed to make an impact. “But this time, things are different,” claims Brig KS Kahlon (retd), former Director, Defence Services Welfare. “A lot has happened over the past couple of years where the armed forces have been pushed around and their interests and welfare relegated. This has resulted in more ex-servicemen coming onto the public platform and things are now more organised and better planned,” he added. As far as numbers go, ex-servicemen estimate their potential vote bank to be around 25 lakh. This makes it over 12 per cent of Punjab’s registered electorate of 1.94 crore. Most of the important issues concerning the armed forces and ex-servicemen are beyond the purview of state governments. It is only some matters like welfare schemes, benefits, sales tax on canteen goods and post retirement jobs that can be raised at the state level. Manifestoes of all political parties have promised sops to the service community, but veterans rue the fact that most past promises have remained unfulfilled.

It’s do-or-die battle for all three main parties in fray These elections will be remembered as one of the most fiercely fought in recent times, for it’s a do-or-die battle for the three main parties in the fray. Congress CM candidate Capt Amarinder Singh has declared this election will be his last poll. AAP’s national ambitions may be thwarted if it loses in the state and, for the SAD, this may be its last elections under its 90-year-old patriarch. Losing this one could possibly see the party falling apart. What has been unprecedented is the sheer numbers at AAP’s roadshows. Never has such a popular surge been seen before. On the final day of campaigning today, party workers, wearing topis and carrying the party flag, were lined up along the ChandigarhLudhiana highway. Some were seen campaigning for candidates on motorcycles, tractors and hatchbacks. In

Khamano (Bassi Pathana), buoyed by the “political revolution” promised by AAP, local youths held an impressive roadshow in favour of Santosh Singh Salana. In Ludhiana, a roadshow by AAP and its ally, the Lok Insaf Party, saw huge crowds cheering AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal. But the party’s political rivals are cynical.They say it remains to be seen whether the AAP din will be translated into votes. In Samrala, CM Parkash Singh Badal campaigned for Sant Singh Umaidpur. The Congress roadshow in Sahnewal by party candidate Satwinder Kaur Bittu was impressive and so were those by Kamaljit Singh Karwal in Atam Nagar and Kuljit Singh Nagra at Fatehgarh Sahib. Both the Akalis and the Congress hit out at the AAP for its alleged “terror links”, warning the voters not to get swayed by “anarchists.”

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Saturday, February 04, 2017

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FRUITICANA

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Saturday, February 04, 2017 Saturday, February 04, 2017

Shah Rukh Khan And AbRam Visit The Golden Temple Shah Rukh Khan was in Amritsar today for the post-release promotions of Raees but he had a bigger agenda in mind when he landed in the city. But Shah Rukh had a cheerful looking AbRam on his arm when he entered the gurudwara. Raees producer Ritesh Sidhwani too was by his side. AbRam is a constant companion of his superstar dad these days. The three-year-old cutie was earlier spotted at Mehboob Studios, Bandra, when Shah Rukh was busy promoting Raees. While Shah Rukh was busy giving interviews, AbRam played in the parking lot where

the superstar’s vanity van was parked. The duo has been inseparable and young AbRam has been seen hanging out with his dad during cricket matces, film shoots and meetings. From videos of AbRam dancing on the streets of Lisbon during the shoot of Imtiaz Ali’s The Ring to pictures of the youngest Khan running around on cricket fields, SRK fans can’t get enough of AbRam. And once again, AbRam charmed everyone at the gurudwara by praying, hands folded in front of him, with his superstar dad by his side.

BIG LIAR: Bigg Boss 10 Winner Manveer Is Married! If you are one of those who was rooting for Manveer Gurjar and Nitibha Kaul’s adorable chemistry to blossom into a full-fledged love

story, this news is going to shock and disappoint you. The simple lad from Noida, who

won many hearts during his 3-month stint in the Bigg Boss house, is already MARRIED! Yes, you read that right. It came as a huge blow to his female fans considering that he didn’t mention a thing about his marital status while in the house. In fact, in one of the episodes, he went on to confess that he is DATING someone for the past 3 years. What’s even more surprising is the fact that in a recent interview Manveer’s brother and sister-in-law said that Nitibha isn’t the kind of wife they are looking for Manveer.

Jennifer Winget Gets Up Close And Personal With Kushal Tandon Kushal is seen setting up the romantic feel in the room with scented candles all over. He is later seen smothering Jennifer in haldi all over. Jennifer on her part moves on to tattoo her name on Kushal’s chest. For those who have come in late, Kushal proposed Jennifer underwater in Mauritius. Even though Jennifer was Kushal’s boss at the office, the two started getting close to each other pretty soon in the show, once Kushal stood up for Jennifer against her father (played by Rajesh

Khattar). Beyhadh, which airs on Sony, began last October and is about a love triangle

between the three leads - Kushal, Jennifer and Aneri Vajani.

After Meryl Streep, Now Dev Patel Blasts US President Donald Trump We all remember how Meryl Streep went on stage at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this month, and blasted off US President Donald Trump. Now it’s our very own Dev Patel who has expressed his displeasure on the new President. It all happened at the popular SAG Award functions this morning. The Internet has been taken for a storm since Trump announced the travel ban on Muslims nationals from across 7 Islamic countries to enter US. Dev, who has been nominated for an Oscar for his role in Lion which is a humanitarian film, said he found it “utterly devastating” that Trump had decided to ban nationals from as many as 7 Muslim-majority countries from entering the US.

While talking about the difficulties of promoting his film due to the current political scenario in their country, Dev said, “At times like this, you’re constantly questioning what you’re doing at awards like this or promoting a movie. It feels so

pointless. I look to the people around me and they remind me the message of this film, of the art we’re trying to inject into the world right now. It’s about unification. When I think about that, it makes me have a little bit more strength.”

21 HITLIST

mid-day Thursday, February 2, 2017 | www.mid-day.com | twitter.com/mid_day | epaper.mid-day.com

have you heard? Bollywood

Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan’s space adventure, Chanda Mama Door Ke, YEAR-END starring Saturday, February 04, 2017 Sushant Singh Rajput, will be shot extensively in Allahabad, FLIGHT Varanasi and Agra. Filming is slated to begin by the end of the year

Finishing touches

Why Salim will never pen film for son Salman Veteran writer Salim Khan wouldn’t like to pen his star son Salman Khan’s films. Speaking on an upcoming TV show, he reasoned that he would be blamed if the movie proved to be a box

office dud, but his superstar son would get all the credit if it performed well. Few would know that Salim had written Sallu’s 1991 film, Patthar Ke Phool, which did fairly well. The veteran feels that time

has come for scriptwriters to get their due as stars usually pocket credit when a film does well. Just like son Salman, dad Salim too does not believe in mincing words. Cheers to that.

Months after posting snapshots of Baywatch’s wrap up party on social media, Priyanka Chopra was back on the set shooting for some more footage for the film. Her return makes us wonder what this bit is for. We could think of two probable reasons — one, that PeeCee’s growing popularity in the US compelled the makers to increase her screen time, (and you thought this only happens in Bollywood); two, that some scenes needed to be reshot. Or is it that the film only needs patch work? Guess we’ll have to wait and watch. Priyanka is busy juggling the shoot of Quantico in New York and Baywatch in Los Angeles.

Keeping up the eccentricity Veteran singer Kishore Kumar was known for his eccentric streak and fetish for frightening movies. Now, son Amit Kumar is emerging a chip of the old bohemian block. The singer-composer is set to release his latest popromantic-album, which sees him chilling in an open coffin as he croons his title track, Zinda hoon main. The lyrics of the album have been penned by Kishoreda’s actress-wife Leena Chandavarkar. “It also implies that these days I sing ‘live’, mainly for concerts. I can’t ‘Rest-In-Peace’, unless I perform ,” chuckles Kumar Jr. Amit will pay vocal tributes to his ‘Baba’(KK) as he releases the tracks next weekend. It is an interesting concept, we think!

Fan girl croons for Anushka While shooting for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan recently, Anushka Sharma discovered that her young co-actor is also her fan. The little girl confessed to Anushka that the latter’s Jag Ghoomeya from Sultan (2016) is her favourite track.

TELLY TATTLE

Wah janaab Aishwarya Sakhuja, who is seen in Trideviaan, had to don the garb of an old man in an upcoming track on the show. What were the side effects? A sore throat from talking in a gruff voice, and a bad back from acing the posture. Maybe, applause from the audience will cheer her up.

Jan

Kaabil

*ing: Hrithik Roshan, Yami Gautam

Jan Raees

*ing: Shah Rukh Khan Mahira Khan

She even crooned the song for the actress later. Well, the look on Anushka’s face says it all.

Be on top of celebrity gossip with www.mid-day.com

The countdown has begun Ahead of their nuptials on February 9 in Udaipur, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Rukmini Sahay have done a pre-wedding shoot. The groom-to-be posted the snapshots on social media writing, “Mine forever.” Neil also nudged fans to upload similar snapshots of themselves. A reception in Mumbai is slated for Feb 17.

New Released Bollywood Films Feb Alif

*ing: Neelima Azeem, Hussain Bhavna

Feb

Jolly LLB 2

*ing: Akshay Kumar, Huma Qureshi

Feb Irada

*ing: Arshad Warsi, Naseeruddin Shah

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Bollywood

Britney Spears’ OBSESSED male fan undergoes 90 plastic surgeries, spends $80,000 to look like her! Bryan Ray, a huge fan of singer Britney Spears, has reportedly spent over $80,000 on 90 plastic surgery procedures to make himself look like his idol. Ray, who is from California, has always been obsessed with Spears. He started emulating the “Make me…” singer by having veneers to match her smile. Ray has undergone 90 procedures to look like the pop star, reports aceshowbiz.com. Ray has spent over $80,000 in total for a nose job, fat injections, laser hair removal, lip fillers, botox injections and many more. Additionally, he keeps his skin looking youthful by splashing out $500 a month on lotions and creams. The owner of a marijuana edibles company said that the singer helped him understand himself better while growing up. He dubbed his

Sonam comes out in support of Harshvardhan after he was trolled

Harshvardhan Kapoor stirred a controversy when he took to Twitter to express his disappointment over the fact that the Filmfare Award for Best Debut went to Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh for his perfect portrayal of a young police officer in Udta Punjab. His point was Diljit is already a huge star in Punjabi cinema and shouldn’t be considered a debutant in Hindi cinema. He also mentioned how he was a part of a Hindi movie in the past, back in 2008. While we researched about that particular Hindi film but couldn’t find one that featured in Diljit Dosanjh and was released in 2008. However, Diljit was a part of Riteish DeshmukhGenelia Deshmukh starrer, 2013’s sleeper hit Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya. But that was only an appearance in the song Peepa Peepa which he sang as well. Harshvardhan Kapoor faced the ire of many on social media later. Now his sister Sonam Kapoor has come out in support of her brother and she states how he was misunderstood. She says, “He’s not that kind of a person. Harsh is the sweetest, gentlest, kindest soul I’ve met. And to troll him just because he made a point about the debutant’s award is just too unfair. He was speaking out of conviction. And according to me, he was not speaking out of line.” Also clearing the air that his stand wasn’t against Diljit Dosanjh she said, “Harsh is one of Diljit Paaji’s biggest fans. Harsh’s objection was on technical not on creative grounds. Our father (Anil Kapoor) has always taught us to be appreciative of other actors’ works.

idol a “perfection” in his eyes. Ray used to perform in nightclubs in West Hollywood, doing her songs along with the dance choreography he has mastered. He was even referred to as ‘Britney’ among his friends as they greeted him with the star’s infamous line “It’s Britney, b***h!”. “I love making modifications to my face and body with the art of plastic surgery, fillers and countless other cosmetic procedures,”

Ray said. He added: “Ever since I was young there was something about Britney Spears and the qualities she had that I thought was the perfect package. I was obsessed, I watched all her interviews, learned all her choreography and then paid to have the same perfect smile as, I felt that during that time we were very similar.”In the beginning, I was trying to look like Britney Spears, my surgeons who designed my veneers asked me which celebrity smile I wanted to base mine on and it was hers.”

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Bollywood Horoscope Aries

Libra

March 21 - April 20

Sept. 24 - Oct 22

Don’t lend or borrow money or belongings. If everyone wants to do their own thing, let them. Don’t let coworkers get wind of your ideas or they might try to take credit for your hard work. Be discreet and don’t present your ideas until you’re certain that they’re foolproof. Your lucky day this week will be Friday.

Pamper yourself; the self esteem it brings you will be most gratifying. You might be overly emotional when dealing with your partner. Arguments with relatives may lead to a split in the family. Don’t let friends convince you that you should contribute to something you don’t believe in. Your lucky day this week will be Sunday.

Taurus

Scorpio

April 21 - May 20

Oct 23 - Nov 22

You’ll have problems with authority figures if you don’t play by the rules. Someone may be trying to pull the wool over your eyes. Don’t make large purchases or investments. Some of your new friends may not be that trustworthy. Your lucky day this week will be Sunday.

You will enjoy travel and getting together with peers. You can make the most headway if you put in some overtime. Don’t get intimately involved with a coworker. Stick to doing things that will make you a better person both physically and mentally. Your lucky day this week will be Saturday.

Gemini

Sagitarius

May 20 - June 21

Nov 23 - Dec 22

You will feel the limitations if you have been overdoing it. Try to compromise rather than having an all out battle. One sided attractions are likely. Your mind is on moneymaking ventures. Your lucky day this week will be Thursday.

Someone may not be thinking of your best interests. You should be trying to clear up legal contracts that have been pending. Find out all the facts before you jump to conclusions. This will not be the best day to initiate change. Your lucky day this week will be Sunday.

Cancer

Capricorn

June 22 - July 23

Dec 23 - Jan 20

Be careful not to exaggerate when interacting with your lover. Get out and enjoy some entertainment. Take your time and try not to overload yourself. Travel and social activity will bring about interesting talks, not to mention contacts. Your lucky day this week will be Tuesday.

Leo

Try to satisfy both of your needs. Don’t overspend on luxury items. Your words will be taken out of context if you’re evasive with coworkers or employers. It will be all around you. Your lucky day this week will be Monday.

Aquarius

June 24 - August 23

Jan 21 - Feb 19

You can get into weight loss programs or go out and change your image with a new look in clothing, hairstyle, and attitude. If they want help that’s great, but if they try to take credit for your work, you will have to set them straight. Your lucky day this week will be Monday.

Virgo

You can convince anyone of anything. Use some diplomacy to get your point across delicately. Try not to hurt your partner’s feelings. Misunderstandings at work could easily lead to your demise. Your lucky day this week will be Friday.

Pisces

August 24 - Sept 24

Feb 20 - March 20

Opportunities for advancement at work are apparent. Use some diplomacy to get your point across delicately. Correspondence may not clear up issues. Try to make arrangements with close friends or relatives to spend a few days away. Your lucky day this week will be Wednesday.

Your ability to work with detail could help you achieve your goals. Travel will be enjoyable but could be expensive. Get proper medical attention and confront your situation decisively. You can make progress professionally. Your lucky day this week will be Saturday.

We have all deets of Priyanka Chopra’s next Bollywood project Yes, Priyanka Chopra has decided her next Bollywood film. Sources close to the actress have suggested that Priyanka will soon announce two Hindi films she will start work on next. And while the details are still a big secret, we at BollywoodLife managed to dig a little deep to find out more about PC’s next venture. So buzz was that Priyanka would collaborate with Shah Rukh Khan for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gustakhi based on Sahir Ludhianvi biopic. Well, one part of this story is indeed true, Priyanka will be working with the Bajirao Mastani helmer again. And this time the duo collaborate for a project that might just be one of the strongest roles portrayed by Priyanka on silver screen. A source revealed that Priyanka has given a nod to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s project based on a book. It’s a gritty tale of a prostitute and a hard hitting account of the life in brothel. Our source also informed us that Bhansali had originally approached Rani Mukerji for

this role and the actress had even given her nod. However, people close to the actress advised her against taking up a role that she

had already portrayed on screen before. The role has now landed on Priyanka’s lap and she seems pretty happy with the part and working with SLB again added our source.

Movie this week: Kung Fu Yoga Jackie Chan’s film Kung Fu Yoga released this Friday which has the international action star’s signature comedy and stunts with a hint of Bollywood. The actor even promoted the film on the Kapil Sharma Show. We don’t know how many of you will be watching it, but it is our duty to tell you what you can expect from the film. So here it goes. Film: Kung Fu Yoga Star cast: Jackie Chan, Sonu Sood, Amyra Dastur, Disha Patani. Synopsis: Jack played by Chan, is a renowned archaeologist who teams up with his Indian counterpart Amyra Dastur to look for a treasure that belonged to the Magadha Kingdom. But when a trusted aide and the descendant of a rebel leader thwart their plans, things go haywire. Will Jack manage to get the treasure or it will stay with the wrong people? Review: Bollywoodlife gave the film 3 stars. Our critic Anusha writes, “It’s not a film that you must watch but if you do, you’ll definitely enjoy it. It’s a must watch

only if you’re a Jackie Chan fan. The film promises and man, there’s action! Watching Jackie Chan’s Kung Fu movies is worth all

the money you spend on the film. The film is also visually good and there is humour at the right places. The second half of the film will literally make you nostalgic if you were a 90s kid who loved the idea of solving crimes or puzzles. Or if you loved watching those game shows on television where participants would have to unlock mysteries to find the hidden treasure.

Bollywood personalities’ birthdays

Sophoe Chaudhary February 8

Amrita singh February 9

rahul roy February 9

iqbal khan February 10

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Eshwar Shakti

Movie Review

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Kaabil: Hrithik Is As Kaabil As Ever, The Rest Of This Vendetta Drama Certainly Isn’t

Yum,just for starters don’t be glum. Life’s as sweet as a mango. The hero here can cook up a delicious Vegetable Kolhapuri, rescue his lady love from a jampacked shopping mall and break into a neat tango. That’s typical Sanjay Gupta Gyan, pleasure precedes pain as it does in all of his films (the last one was the jeepers creepers Jazbaa). And as it happens, Kaabil, is no exception to this director’s ‘aao revenge karen’ rule. A morsel of dialogue goes to chant the ancient proverb about how an “Eye for an eye” can be sweet. Perfect material for a troll-worthy tweet. Sorry but in this day and age, I beg to disagree. Grabbing the law into one’s hands, showing a rape victim resorting to suicide by hanging,

and at another juncture, such lines are dribbles as, “This couple is so fair and lovely. They will

have gora gora children.” These elements are severely outdated if not regressive. And what’s with the Bollywood movies anyway? Everyday speak is littered with

bombastic punch-lines. Examples” “Darkness cannot light up darkness” and “A dog is loyal even if it has to chew on a bone. So don’t you dare expect a boneless meal.” Strange to say the least. Indeed Bollywood’s gone stir crazy on meaty dialoguebaazi. And come to think of it. this vindaloo is just another tough-to-digest Sanjay Gupta vendetta fest – killings carried at out warehouses, fatal slug-outs at building construction sites and an innocent butcher being stabbed in the tummy at a boulder-studded spot. Located in Mumbai, the usually buzzy city appears to be sound-proof to cries of help, screams and any tender mercies. Our maximum city just snores-‘n’ sleeps through dastardly deeds being committed within ear shot. Now really. Okay so even if you suspend your sense of disbelief, first of all you will have to slap yourself to say, come on, this is just a movie. Make room for dramatic licence dude, just don’t think about those online reports tracing the Kaabil story to the Korean flick Broken and the Netflix series Daredevil. And maybe you can snooze through an item number in a hi-fi club which actually resembles the defunct Capitol cinema. Still, all these forgiveness factors can’t connect you to actually rah-rah the ouchcome. Frankly, a pall of gloom descended over me. Primary reason: neither producer Rakesh

Roshan nor the unarguably gifted actor Hrithik Roshan needed this. Whatever possessed the Roshans to opt for this project which harks back to the jawbone-for-a-jawbone blood-curdlers of the 1970s and ‘80s? Maybe it was viewed as an opportunity for Hrithik to play an empathetic, visuallyimpaired David who turns Goliath in face of gross injustice. But then hasn’t he enacted the challenging quadriplegic before in Guzaarish? Or maybe there hasn’t been a badla movie in ages. Er, say cheese but what about Badlapur please? So there you are with Rohan Bhatnagar (Hrithik, natch) who after a brief courtship weds Supriya aka Sue (Yami Gautam), also visually impaired. The backstories for their sightless condition is kept under wraps. Not necessary in these fast-paced days, presumably. Next: the mohalla baddies (Rohit Roy and an Expressionless Wonder) heckle the newly-weds and subject the bride to rape, not once but twice. Rohan, who’s a dubbing artiste incidentally, now has to employ his flexible vocal chords, mental astuteness and miscellaneous sensory faculties to teach the twosome a deadly lesson. Quite stealthily achieved. A word of caution here: I’m no trade soothsayer. Bollywood movies come with their own destiny and fortune. Strictly for the sake of Hritihik Roshan, who invests seamless conviction and expertise into the vulnerable Rohan Bhatnagar, I wish Kaabil is a commercial upper. Quality-wise, Kaabil, left me igloo cold. So would I recommend a look-see?: For Hrithik yes, for the rest of Kaabil NO.

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Egg Kurma

Ingredients Eggs - 6 (Hard Boiled / Raw) Red Chilly Powder - 1 tsp Coriander Powder - 2 tsp Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp Cilantro - for garnish Salt - to taste Oil - 2 tbsp List I Fried Onions (store bought) - 1/2 cup Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tsp Tomato - 2 List II Grated Coconut - 1/2 cup Fennel seeds - 1 tsp Poppy seeds (kus kus) - 1 tsp Cashew nuts - 5 Method First of all, grind all the ingredients under ‘List I’ and keep it aside. Similarly, grind the ingredients under ‘List II’ and set aside. You can make this kurma in two ways (i) Hard Boil the eggs and add it to the gravy. (ii) Break a raw egg into the gravy and cook it. The recipe is the same for both the kurmas. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan/kadai and add the ground paste of ‘List I’. Saute for 2 minutes on medium high flame and then add the dry spice powders. Next add the ground paste of ‘List II’, about 2 cups of water and required salt. Boil this for about 7-8 minutes till everything is cooked and oil separates. Add the egg at this stage and simmer for 4-5 minutes. If you are adding hard boiled eggs, make few slits for the gravy to be absorbed (Pic 1). If using raw egg, break open the egg and gently add to the simmering gravy for the egg to get poached (Pic 2). Garnish with cilantro. Egg kurma is ready to be served

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have you heard? Bollywood

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Remember the Henna girl?

Mohenjo Daro actress Pooja Hegde was shooting in Hyderabad with Allu Arjun for the Telugu film, Duvvada Jagannadham. Since it was a long schedule, she had bouts of mad cravings for authentic South Indian thali. A unit hand suggested a popular eatery in the vicinity, and after her first visit, Pooja has turned regular at the food joint.

Ashwini Bhave, best remembered for the 1991 film Henna (recall her dancing in the chartbuster Der Na Ho Jaye Kahin), is back on the scene. After marriage, she had relocated to the US. Now, Ashwini features in Chandrakant Kulkarni’s Marathi film, Dhyani Mani, which has Mahesh Manjrekar as her co-star. The Marathi diaspora, especially in the US and UK, don’t get the chance to catch new Marathi films in theatres, so Manjrekar has tied up with a digital platform to release it on the day it hits Indian screens later this month.

There’s nothing common between Gurdas Maan and Anil Kapoor, but funny man Kapil Sharma pointed out one similarity — both don’t seem to age. Singer Gurdas was on Kapil’s show to promote his new album, Punjab. Kapil told him that he has been seeing the singer for years and he still looks the same.

icon Mammootty’s son, Dulquer Salmaan, will be launched in B-TOWN South Saturday, FebruaryBejoy 04,Nambiar. 2017 Dulquer is currently shooting Bollywood by filmmaker CALLING for the Malayalam-Tamil bilingual, Solo, helmed by Nambiar

Don’t count the calories

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Ageless brigade

Friday, February 3, 2017 | www.mid-day.com | twitter.com/mid_day | epaper.mid-day.com

When Kat turned Mario’s muse Katrina Kaif with Peruvian fashion and portrait lensman Mario Testino, who was on a visit to the country. Kat is the first Bollywood actress to do a photoshoot with Testino.

Bare truth

, m i t c i v a n e e B ‘ it’s traumatic’

Jigariyaa (2014) debutant Harshvardhan Deo has gone dare-bare. Keen to shed his boy-next-door image, he hit the gym with a vengeance. After getting into ship shape, he shed his inhibitions for a nude photo shoot in which he covers his modesty with a bedsheet. Harsh says, “I want to show another side of me. I want to be daring and bold. I do not want to limit myself. I am a greedy actor and want to do drastically different roles.” Erotic thrillers, anyone?

‘I’m l blog post, nk to a vira sages And Voice li e th g in Shar Mes y Ex’s Dirty Me No Choice’, Leaking M eft L s e’ H se ud of Notes Becau has tweeted, “So pro you z r ru ve ’C D oe h a Ilean this. W o exposed shared that a n ea Il the girl wh t.” e said, ad respec are lady, m faced harassment. Sh d an as g h in o, as to she, eve-te a victim of I’m lucky I “I’ve been traumatic. me ’s it d an t harassmen l parents who gave fu have beauti ed it.” hen I need strength w

TELLY TATTLE

Sick and soaked Down with fever, Niti Taylor was hoping to take a day off from the shoot of daily soap, Ghulaam. But, it was a luxury she couldn’t afford. She made it to the set only to realise the scene being shot required her to be drenched. Twenty-one pots of cold water were poured on Niti. Questioning your career choice?

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Saturday, February 04, 2017

Career

Boost your Career with a Professional Designation The right credentials could help you land that big promotion Are you stuck in your job? Getting a promotion or moving into a new field can be difficult for anyone, but new Canadians may find it particularly challenging. On top of competing against other qualified candidates, they often encounter additional hurdles, such as a lack of job knowledge specific to Canada or unfamiliarity with Canadian workplace customs. Earning a professional designation in your chosen field through continuing education studies could make the difference and get your career moving in the right direction. Professional designations are more than just letters after your name, says Lee McTavish, program director of business programs and partnerships at the University of the Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies (the “School”). “Think of a professional designation like a stamp of approval. You earn it from a professional association in your chosen field. By obtaining the appropriate professional designations for the job you’re seeking, you send a strong signal to potential employers that you’ve achieved a standard of excellence in your industry and are committed to keeping your skills current.” According to McTavish, the School’s market research has validated that professional designations are vital to career success. “Our findings show that nearly half of the School’s students in business and professional studies are motivated to take continuing education courses that are aligned to earning a professional designation. Although pursuing a

designation takes time and commitment, it’s an investment you’re making in yourself. And it pays off by giving you a professional edge that makes you more attractive to employers.” The requirements to obtain a professional designation vary by association. McTavish explains that the process typically involves a defined education program to acquire the “body of knowledge,” working in the field to gain experience, completing a qualifying exam and becoming a member of the professional association. Once a professional designation has been earned, continuing education is usually required to maintain its currency over time. The School currently has collaborations with 20 professional associations and offers 120-plus courses that link to more than 30 professional designations. Information about professional designations and matching courses can be found on the School’s website. “There’s a lot of information out there, making it difficult for people to know where they stand. An important part of what we do is to help prospective learners quickly understand their options, make good decisions and move forward in the most effective way for their needs and circumstances,” McTavish says. Academic credential assessments Not sure what additional educational credentials you may require in your field beyond those you’ve already earned? Through its Comparative Education Service (CES), the School can provide you with an academic

credential assessment report, showing how your academic credentials from abroad compare to those offered by Canadian institutions. You can use the report when applying for employment or professional certification, pursuing further education, dealing with immigration matters or, simply, for general information. As a bonus for individuals who take advantage of its service, CES offers a one-time $200 tuition discount towards any course available at the School. Flexible study For some newcomers, the question isn’t whether they need to upgrade their credentials, it’s how and when they can do so. To ensure its courses fit into busy lives, the School offers classes both “in person,” during evenings and on weekends, and online at anytime via computer. In addition, students can choose a hybrid course model, which combines face-to-face learning with an online component. Currently, one in five courses are offered online, and the School has tripled its hybrid course offerings since 2014. The University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies is conveniently located at three campuses: U of T Mississauga, U of T Scarborough and downtown St. George. Learners can mix locations — as well as in-class, online and hybrid formats — to create a flexible learning plan that works best for them. Visit learn.utoronto.ca to learn more about how to further your career and advance your lifelong learning.

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Classifieds JOBS

JOBS Mechanic

Nanny Required We need a nanny or a student to take care of our old mother immediately at our Richmond home. Salary will be based on experience. Resident will be provided If required. Please call :604-2703875 ------------- Dec 31-2016 Vacancy for Diesel Mechanic A trucking company, Planet Pride Logistics, located at 11411 Shell Road, Richmond BC V7A3W7 has immediate vacancies for Diesel

Job Title: Diesel Mechanic Number of positions:1 Term of employment: Full time, Permanent Position with 40 hours per week Job location: 11411 Shell Road, Richmond BC V7A 3W7 Hours of work: 40 hours per week Shifts: Weekdays, Weekends, Evenings Salary: $30 per hour for 40 hours per week, overtime after 40 hours at the rate of 1.5 times Benefits: Two weeks of paid vacation Requirement: Completion of High

Bus Driver required urgently Gobind Sarvar School, located at 8820 – 168 Street, Surrey, B.C. is looking for a school bus driver living in Abbotsford area. If you are licensed to drive a school bus, please email your resume and driver’s abstract to: info@gobindsarvar.ca or call Jaspreet at 604-930-2122 for further details.

South Indian food cook wanted

Required South Indian food cook immediately Please contact:

604-312-9297

JOBS

MATRIMONIAL

school with minimum of 2 years of experience as Diesel mechanic

and alignments including bearing loads, gear tooth contact, valve mechanism, governors, oil systems, control linkages, clutches and traction units. • Verifies vehicle performance by conducting test drives; adjusting controls and systems.

Language : English Work location: 31792Harris Road Abbotsford BC , Canada. Wage Rate: $ 15.00/ hour . 40 hrs. week . 4 % Vacation pay .

Duties: • Determine truck condition by conducting inspections and diagnose tests to detect faults and malfunctioning. • Keep truck available for use by completing preventive maintenance schedules such as changing oil, checking batteries, lubricating machinery, installing components and part upgrades. • Diagnose faults by using computerized and other testing equipment to determine the extent of repair • Correct equipment deficiencies by removing, repairing, adjusting, overhauling, assembling, disassembling, and replacing major assemblies, subassemblies, component parts or system, such as power and drive train, electrical, air conditioning, fuel, emission, brake, steering, hydraulics; making adjustments

How to Apply: Please send your resume at planetpride.logistics@ gmail.com or fax at 778297-4402 Only those who meet our basic expectations will be contacted for an interview. We thank you for your interest in our company! ------------- Dec 24-2016 Crown Farms Ltd. located at Abbotsford BC is looking for 1 f/t permanent Farm Supervisor to join us as soon as possible . Number of Positions: 1 Job type: full time, permanent Education :Requirement: Completion of high school or equivalent Experience :Requirement: 2 years related experience

Job Duties: - Co-ordinate and supervise the work of general farm workers and harvesting labourers - Supervise and oversee growing and other croprelated operations - Develop work schedules and establish procedures - Ensure farm safety and bio-security procedures are followed - Maintain quality control and production records. Work Conditions: Outside, Physically demanding . Job involves walking , standing and bending frequently. Security : Criminal record check required . Contact Person : Sukhwinder Sidhu Ph: 778-908-7091 Interested applicants please email resume at crownfarms@outlook. com . Only shortlisted applicants will be called for interview . No walk in please . --------------- Nov 19-2016

LOOKING FOR CLASS 1 TRUCK DRIVER A trucking company, Planet Pride Logistics, located at 11411 Shell Road, Richmond BC V7A3W7 has immediate vacancies for 5 Long Haul Truck Drivers. Term of employment: Full time, Permanent Position Shifts: Weekdays, Weekends, Evenings Salary: $23.50 per hour for 50 hours per week, overtime after 60 hours of the rate of 1.5 times with Vacation pay of 4%. Requirement: Class 1 driving license with Air brake endorsement

Duties: Drive and operate company’s long haul trucks within all over Canada, receive and relay information to central dispatcher, maintain log book, bill of landing. Do pre-trip, en-route, posttrip inspection for any mechanical or body defect, reports incidents to the manager immediately and accurately. Please send your resume at planetpride.logistics@ gmail.com or fax at 778-297-4402 Gill to Furmaan Kaur Gill

Saturday, February 04, 2017 South Asian Seniors - Bingo On The House January 15th 2017 ( Sunday ) from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm. Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian Adults/ Senior members and non members also to come and play Bingo for the sake of fun during and make some new friends, on January 15th 2017( Sunday ) from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm at Shanti Niketan hall 8321 - 140th street Surrey B.C. Please bring only two dollars with you to play 2 games, do not worry if you do not know how to play, members will explain you the game just for the sake of fun. Tea & light snacks will be served after the game is over. Please contact Surendra Handa Coordinator at 604 - 507 - 9945 for further details. Project funded by Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program for Hindi speaking Seniors. -----------------------------------------Free Self Employment Program offered by PICS Are you unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week? Are you thinking of launching your own business? Join PICS for an information session on PICS’ Self Employment Program at one of PICS Offices: Suite 205, 12725 80th Ave, Surrey – Every 2nd Wednesday of the month OR 8153 Main St (near Marine Dr), Vancouver – Every 3rd Wednesday of

the month All info sessions are from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM This program offers • Business Start-Up Training • Business Plan Writing • Business Advisor Support • Networking Events • Support During Business Launch Period Seating is limited. To attend a session, please pre-register at Katarina.Low@ pics.bc.ca or 604-596-7722 Ext 150 -----------------------------------------Dear Devotees and Well Wishers of Sri Ganesh Temple, Please be advised that due to prevailing weather conditions, the temple administration has decided to alter the start time of Thiruvempavai to 7 am instead of 5 am, every day. The Abishekam for tomorrow has also been moved to 6 am instead of 4:30 am. On behalf of Sri Ganesh Temple Society of BC, Shankar Velupillai, Secretary -----------------------------------------South Asian Seniors are planning to visit Australia & New Zealand through 13 days cruise and 2 days extra tour of Sydney (Australia) total 16 days including travel time. The cruise itinerary starts from Sydney (Australia) on November 17th 2017, one day visit at each of these ports, Melbourne (Australia), Burnie (Tasmania- Australia), Wellington (New Zealand), Napier (New Zealand),

FOR LEASE Two retail units 3000sqft #130/140 - 304785 Cardinal Ave Abbotsford

(604) 725-6734 / (604) 595-1445

Community News Tauranga (New Zealand), Auckland (New Zealand), Bay of Islands (New Zealand) and back to Sydney (Australia). Every port the ship Norwegian Jewel will stop, all seniors will go for city tour by bus. All arrangements will be made for your air travel from Vancouver to Sydney (Australia) and return from Sydney to Vancouver, Cruise bookings, all port city excursions, city visits of Sydney (Australia), hotel stay in Sydney, food ( Pure Vegetarian or Non Vegetarian as per your choice) during Sydney City visits, also local bus pick up from Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple Surrey to Vancouver airport & back to Temple on return from Vancouver airport. The total tour will be of 16/ 17 days including travel time from 14th November 2017 to 2nd December 2017. The travel insurance with Medical Coverage, Cancellation, Interruption and Baggage loss is a must, which you can arrange yourself or get the one we arrange for the whole group Insurance at a reasonable price to cover Basic Medical Coverage, Cancellation, Interruption, & Baggage Loss etc. The maximum cost for the whole trip to cover everything including return air tickets will be approximately $ 4,500.00 US Dollars per person. All staterooms are Double occupancy, so you should select your partner to share the stateroom with you on the ship. If you are interested to join South Asian group of Seniors, you should be in good health to walk independently, can afford the Luxury in life for 16/ 17 days, then only call. The

entire amount $ 4,500.00 US Dollars or Equal ant Canadian Dollars as per present Bank rates will be spent on you only and will be taken from you in 4 installments with intervals. You will have to pay me $ 750.00 US Dollars per person for Cruise deposit to confirm your stateroom, and if you don’t have your travel insurance as mentioned above then you have to pay me $ 205.00 US Dollars per person for group travel Insurance in addition to cruise deposit. Please remember the Travel insurance once purchased can not be cancelled or transferred to somebody else. The final payment for the cruise is due by 20th June 2017 and you will be able to pay through your credit card directly to Cruise Web. For the other payments for Air Travel, Port City Excursions and hotel stay & food expenses etc. you will be informed time to time. The prices I have negotiated for the cruise are the rock bottom prices which can not be held for long and we are getting two amenities free, Gratuity for 13 days Cruise is Free and Cocktail Drinks are free for 13 days of Cruise for Ocean view cabins and above. Inside cabins will have only one Amenity Free of your choice. I have only room for two more couples or 4 friends to share two cabins on the ship, So don’t miss the chance of enjoying the Luxury in life for 16/ 17 days to visit Australia & New Zealand and call Surendra Handa Organizer/ Tel. 604 - 507 - 9945.

19 mid-day

Friday 03.02.2017

how pAri prepped for Singing debut »P23

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Movie

Actor on carb-heavy diet to gain weight for Padmavati’s next schedule, reveals trainer

‘He will have to put on at least five to 10 kilos, though the focus is on building muscles through more strength training exercises’ Samir Jaura, Shahid’s trainer

clashes. But Karan Johar, whose Ae Dil Hai Mushkil locked horns with Ajay Devgn’s Shivaay last Diwali, admits he would never compete with Salman Khan at the box office. At the trailer launch of his upcoming production, Badrinath Ki Dulhania, Karan confessed he’d never choose Eid for a film release. “Eid is owned by Salman, and I would never release my film on that festival. Of course, if Salman and I collaborate on a film, I would be happy if it arrived on Eid. Otherwise it is best not to,” he said. Karan's Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhattstarrer will hit theatres on Holi. “We have to strategise our release dates. Our films must hit screens at a time when we can benefit the most. Nowadays, we need to keep an eye on Hollywood releases too,” he added. Varun is ecstatic over the festive release. “I will gradually move on to Diwali and Eid releases too,” said the actor, who will fill Salman’s shoes in the sequel to Judwaa (1997).

Samir Jaura and having little carbohydrate. His meals included steamed veggies along with 50 grams of brown rice. But, his new diet is relatively more carb-heavy. “It was admirable how he didn’t touch bread for over a month. At that time, I had to make sure he eats his veggies — asparagus and broccoli — because he also had to sustain long hours of shoot. Now, he can have 70 grams of rice and/ or three rotis. A major point of difference is that we have broken down his regular meals into six smaller ones. Since he is a vegetarian, we ensure he gets enough protein in the form of pulses, tofu and low-fat paneer. We try different combinations with black or brown rice. We alternate between black dal, rajma and chholay regularly,” adds Jaura.

Now playing at every theatre near you

Why KJo won’t release film on Eid FILMMAKERS often scurry to lock in on a festive occasion to release their films for maximum profit. In fact, the race to narrow in on a holiday weekend often leads to box office

SHAHID Kapoor is a stickler for getting the perfect physicality for his characters in films, be it going bald for just one scene in Haider or the disheveled look for Udta Punjab. The actor is set to do it again for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama, Padmavati. For the film’s last schedule, the actor shot for a few bare body scenes, which required him to look lean and flaunt a sculpted physique. But for the film’s next shooting stint, the actor will bulk up. His trainer, Samir Jaura, tells us, “Since he plays the role of a king (Raja Rawal Ratan Singh), Shahid will have to put on a certain amount of weight to reflect the regal look and complement the majestic costumes. For starters, he will have to put on weight — at least five to 10 kilos, although the focus is on building muscles through rigorous strength training exercises. Earlier, I insisted on outdoor and functional training, but we have cut down on that now.” Besides weight lifting and cardio sessions, the actor has to exercise individual body parts, says Jaura. “Every kind of muscle training is necessary to replicate the look we need. He has been sweating it out, and bulking up without an ounce of fat is a challenge.” Earlier, the actor had gone on a strict diet for 50 days, avoiding sugar and salt for nearly a fortnight

Awareness video on traffic cops with Kalki, Swara and Vivek to hit cinemas

Kalki Koechlin; (right) Swara Bhaskar; (top right) Vivek Oberoi

BEFORE a movie starts in the theatres, a short film is played out to remind you of the hazards of tobacco use. Now, one more awareness video will become part of your movie-going experience. Vivek Oberoi, the anti-tobacco spokesperson for World Health Organisation, has lent his support to a social campaign for a short film, Hawa Badlo, on air pollution. It is also something that will make you question your behaviour towards traffic cops. For this initiative undertaken by his charity founda-

tion, the actor has joined hands with industry colleagues Kalki Koechlin, Vir Das and Swara Bhaskar. Vivek says, “Nobody cares about the traffic cops, ulta sab log unhe gaali dete hain. People have zero respect for them. The amount of polluted air that goes into their lungs is equal to smoking 40 to 50 packets of cigarettes a day. About 59 per cent of them suffer from respiratory problems due to constant exposure to toxic air. Can you imagine what they put themselves through everyday?” Directed by Karmik Varma, the video clip will start playing out in theatres from February 18. But a film without follow-up action may not go far. So, the Hawa Badlo team plans to gift respiratory masks to 10,000 traffic cops in Mumbai next week.

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Saturday, April 2, 2016

i 5

Saturday, 2, 2016 Saturday, April April 2, 2016 i 5i 5

Vol. 6 No. 31 Saturday - April 2, 2016 - Tel: - Tel: 604-591-5423 E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com 604-591-5423 - -E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com Tel: 604-591-5423 E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com Vol. 6 No. 31 - Saturday - April 2, 2016 - Tel: 604-591-5423 - E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com

No. 31 - -February Saturday Vol. 8 No.Vol. 01 -6 Saturday 04, 2017- April 2, 2016

Vancouver’s skyline rise amid an office-tower building boom Vancouver’s skyline toto rise amid an office-tower building boom Tweaks to BC foreign buyer tax too late for telecom ‘Trump risk’ hangs over Canadian real estate market Vancouver’s skyline to rise amid an office-tower building boom next two years due to competition. it Suisse tower is optimistic his building next two years due to competition. it Suisse tower is optimistic his building will will he $240-million $240-million Credit CreditSuisse/ Suisse/ Mr.Mr. Shokri others expect he Shokri andand others say say theythey expect The landlords who will likely suffer The landlords who will likely suffer What is the “Trump risk” to Canada’s that Mr. Trump has revived planscloser. for next two years due to competition. start to fill as the completion date gets worker who lost house after surprise $80K bill start to fill as the completion date gets closer. it Suisse tower is optimistic his building will SwissRealtower tower theheart heart many of the new towers to start signing SwissReal ininthe of of many of the new towers to start signing tenant he $240-million Credit Suisse/ Mr. Shokri and others say tenant they expect

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asresult a result oflandlords thelofty current boom are ownas aeconomy ofand the current boom are markets ownthe real in Franz TransCanada ’s the Keystone XLgets Pipeline, The whoestate will likely suffer Franz Gehriger, CEO of SwissReal Gehriger, the CEO of SwissReal start to fill asCorp. the completion date closer. Vancouver will leases as they getget to completion. downtown Vancouver will be heart leases as they closer to completion. Thattenant tower inbethe of many ofcloser the new towers to startThat signing A mandowntown who lost SwissReal thousands of dollars the tax has already had. ers many of older buildings, Mr. Shokri said. Asare ownbig Canadian cities? which would run from Alberta’s oil sands ers of older buildings, Mr. Shokri said. As as a result of the current boom Group who bought the original historic Group who bought the original historic Franz Gehriger, the CEO of SwissRealto completed ininColumbia less aintroduced so is is partly in Vancouver, completed lessthan than ayear, year,butbut sofar,far, partly because companies intoand Vancouver, downtown Vancouver be because leases ascompanies they getdamage closer completion. Thatnew developments in the suburbs, when British a tax on will “They’ve already done they’vewell, Royce Mendes, senior economist at Nebraska. well, new developments in the suburbs, stock-exchange building in 2002 parters of older buildings, Mr. Shokri said. As stock-exchange building 2002 before partGroup who bought theinbefore original historic only has signed upupthan totomove want to be in energy-efficient onlyone onetenant tenant has signed move in.butwhich which to because benew, in new, energy-efficient completed in says less a year, so far,do do iswant partly companies Vancouver, foreigners buying homes tweaks toin.the already hurt families, including mine.inAnd Iwhich have already experienced higher Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, is one However, Mr. Trump’s threats of tighter nering with Credit Suisse to develop it, said which have already experienced higher well, new developments in the suburbs, The has committed forfor a a10th buildings, tend to work operate short timelines. nering with Credit Suisseinto2002 develop said stock-exchange building beforeit,partThetenant tenant hasone committed 10th of move buildings, tend to operate on timelines. only tenant has signed upof to in.they which do want to inshort new, energy-efficient policy are a good step forward but the harm hope will inon anbe expedited way tovacancy rates inStreet recent years, may may have ofvacancy many Bay grappling withhave the trade restrictions would push the U.S. the main group interested in leasing Vancourates in players recent years, which have already experienced higher the a state AsAs he prices in that the newbeen thenering main group interested in Vancouwith Credit Suisse to leasing develop it,dollar said correct the damage has the370,000 370,000square square feet– –leaving leaving a stateofforofa 10th well, hesaid, said, in new The feet tenant has committed ofwell, buildings, tend toprices operate onthe short timelines. trouble asvacancy compete with each other. Mr.they Mendes the uncertainty up. space these days is the technology ver office ratescompete in recalls recent years, may have troublethey as with each other. emptiness that is unusual for an office sky- buildings willdone, down in that the he question. i Saturday, July 25, 2015 mainspace groupthese interested Vancouvertheoffice daysinisleasing the technology ”July hecome said, adding the is370,000 square feetoffice – leaving of Saturday, Aslikely well, he said, prices in the new emptiness that unusual for an sky- a 4state buildings will likely come down in 4 i 25, 2015 InofVancouver, the co-developer of the CredU.S. election night, when he finally left “If he thickens borders the United sector. Those companies makein their deci- States, scraper in this city. Even so, a huge shift in trouble as they compete with each other. sector. In Vancouver, the co-developer of the Credver office space these days is the technology Those companies make their decihas written to the government emptiness thatso, is unusual for aninoffice sky- buildings will likely come scraper in this city. Even a huge shift 4 i Saturday, July 25, 2015down in the CIBC’s In downtown tower at of3thea.m. U.S. dollar shoots up. He has to recognize business tenancy is expected as the region Vancouver,office the co-developer Cred- thesector. Those companies make their deciasking for compensation. scraperisinexpected this city. as Even a huge shift in business tenancy theso,region Financial markets have been weighing the that.” experiences something it has not seen beDavid Eby, housing critic for impact of President Donald Trump’s tweets business tenancy is expected as the region experiences something it has not seen beThat in turn could do even more damage fore: an office-tower building boom much the Opposition NDP, said the and pronouncements ever since, he says. experiences something it has not seen beto the U.S. manufacturing sector, which has fore: an office-tower building boom much of which is speculative construction rathtax made it more difficult for fore: an office-tower building boom much The new U.S. administration’s impact on already been decimated by the strength of the of which is speculative construction rather than for specific committed tenants. companies to recruit and retain the outlook for the Canadian economy is U.S. dollar. which is committed speculative construction rather“This thanis kind forofofspecific tenants. uncharted territory for Vanemployees because it added a mixed: Alberta could receive a boost from While speculation that the United States er ofthan for specific committed couver, ” said Mehdi Shokri, aterritory principal with “This is kind uncharted for Van- tenants. surprise cost to living in Metro Mr. Trump’s stance in favour of pipelines, Mr. will cut taxes, boost spending and dismantle “This is kind of uncharted territory for Vanthe capital markets team at Avison Young. couver,” said Mehdi Shokri, a principal with Vancouver. Mendes notes, but his couver, said Mehdi Shokri, a principal with “But I don’t markets see a ”big disaster occurring. ” the capital team at Avison Young. “When the government protectionist impulses The Credit Suisse tower is only the most the capital markets team at Avison Young. “But I don’t see a big disaster occurring.” introduced the tax, it actually could put this country at visible and furthest of aasecond I along don’t see big disaster The Credit“But Suisse tower is only thewave mostoccurring.” made housing even more a disadvantage. of new office towers planned fortower VancouThe Credit only the most visible and furthest alongSuisse of a secondiswave expensive for this group of “I don’t think I’ve ever ver and somevisible key suburbs. A first cluster and planned furthest along of a second wave people who want to come and heard him say he would of new office towers for Vancouof towers – some twooffice million square feet –for Vancouof new towers planned live and work here and help build make Canada great ver built and downtown some key in suburbs. Athree first cluster was the past years. ver and some key suburbs. A first cluster has already been done to his family. our province, it made absolutely no sense,” again,” Mr. Mendes told ofAnother towers – 11 some two million square feet office developments are – of towers – some two million square feet – Nic Benner and his family had just moved he said. Eby said his party tried to address a recent gathering of was built downtown in theofpast three years. proposed within blocks Credit Suwas built downtown in the pastfor threethe years. to the Vancouver area from Colorado problem with an amendment when the Sotheby’s International Another 11 tower officeat developments isse’s Exchange Howe and Westare Anotherindustry 11 office developments are his job in the telecom when the tax tax was introduced, but were defeated in Realty Canada agents Pender streets, evenblocks while the office-va-Suproposed within of Credit proposed within blocks of Credit Sucame into effect and were surprised to find it the legislature, where the Liberals hold a and clients. cancy in the tower region atcontinues to inch isse’s rate Exchange Howe and West isse’s Exchange tower at Howe and West would apply to deals that were signed before majority. up as a result of the firstwhile wave the of building. The Bank of Canada, Pender streets, even office-vait was summer. Dealing with the tax was difficult for meanwhile, has its own Penderlast streets, eventhewhile the But announced commercial brokers say city is office-vacancy rate in the region continues to inch Benner to signed arate contract last May for a topeople cancy in the region continues inch who wanted to move to B.C. and be aims: The central bank is warning Canadians regulation has sent equity markets soaring to not be of populated by ghost up about ashome a result the first wave of towers. building. new inup Langley where he and wife part of the community, he said. as a result of the first his wave of building. But commercial brokers saybrokers the city isthe city“Itiswas quite devastating for them and for that the housing market is a major risk, he new records, Mr. Mendes says his forecast for planned to raise four daughters. But Buttheir commercial say points out, and policy makers would like to U.S. economic growth moved up only by a nottax about tonot be populated towers. the added about $80,000 to ghost the price many families in that situation. One of the see the country’s economy move away from barely perceptible amount. about to be by populated by tag, ghost towers. which the family couldn’t afford. things I’m wondering is will the government debt-fuelled investment and real estate. For example, Mr. Trump is promising to “What the government had done was put pay that money back to them as an apology In 2015, housing accounted for one-fifth of bring back jobs to the United States but Mr. us in a position, and I’m sure other families for what they did to these families that were Ontario’s growth in gross domestic product Mendes doubts that he will succeed. in a position, where there was no relief,” trying to help build our province,” Eby said. and one-third of British Columbia’s. “These policies sound great in theory but Benner said in an interview on Monday. The Finance Ministry said in a statement The economy hasn’t been getting the when we work them out, they don’t actually The family walked away from the deal and that details of the regulations were still help from exports that many economists translate into massive economic growth.” has been renting ever since. being worked out, including when the new expected to materialize with the decline of the The United States central bank, the Federal Premier Christy Clark announced Sunday policy will come into effect and whether it Canadian dollar against the U.S. currency in Reserve, has already raised its key interest rate the government would lift the tax for people will retroactively cover people with work the past couple of years, Mr. Mendes adds. and forecasters expect more hikes. In Canada, who have work permits and pay taxes. The permits who have already paid the tax. Even though the loonie has fallen, some many are expecting the central bank’s next 15-per-cent tax was implemented Aug. 2 in It said the tax has been effective. other U.S. trading partners such as Brazil, move will be down. a bid to cool skyrocketing real estate prices “Now that the additional tax has effectively Great Britain and Mexico, have seen steep Mr. Mendes says rapidly rising rates would in Metro Vancouver. cut back the excessive demand we were depreciation in their own currencies, and definitely be a risk to Canadian housing but Amending the policy to exempt people seeing last year, we are in a position to make they have been able to sell more to the United he doesn’t expect that to happen. with work permits is a good step forward, the adjustments necessary to help ensure we States as a result. As for governments on this side of the Benner said, but it doesn’t change the impact can keep attracting highly skilled workers.” Mr. Mendes is forecasting that the dollar border, they need the tax revenue generated will fall to 72 cents (U.S.) by the third quarter by the housing market, so Mr. Mendes figures from its recent level of about 77 cents. politicians will be careful not to tinker too Mr. Mendes acknowledges that it’s difficult much. to forecast around “Trump risk” because of “When policy makers talk about cooling the contradictory signals coming out of the the housing market, they have to worry about United States. But with threats of a border- cooling it too much.” tax adjustment and renegotiation of the Canada likely won’t see higher shortNorth America free-trade agreement, there’s a term interest rates before 2018, Mr. Mendes chance his 72-cent forecast will turn out to be says, and he is not alarmed by the overall too optimistic, he acknowledges. indebtedness of the average Canadian. Mr. Mendes figures that trade with Mexico Only a drastic hike in rates would cause and China will draw more of Mr. Trump’s severe pain, in his opinion. attention because of the U.S. trade deficits A less dizzying climb in prices in the with those countries compared with Canada’s Toronto market would help, he adds, while more balanced trading relationship. markets in Calgary, St. John’s and Vancouver Some market watchers see it as a positive have already cooled.

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Saturday, February 04, 2017

Real Estate

Greater Vancouver housing sales see January slump as slide continues The Vancouver region’s real estate market could be headed for its first year of price declines since 2012 as home sales extend their slide. Average residential prices have risen for four consecutive years in the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s territory. But if

January is any indication of what is in store for the rest of 2017, there will be a pattern of lower prices this year compared with the market’s peak last summer. “The sales-to-active listings ratio for January, 2017, is 21 per cent. This is the lowest the ratio has been in the region since January, 2015,” the board said Thursday. In the Vancouver region, real estate agents consider it to be a buyer’s market below 12 per cent for a sustained period and a seller’s market above 20 per cent. Last month’s ratio places Greater Vancouver barely on the side of sellers, with the pendulum swinging toward being a buyer’s market. The number of sales of detached houses, condos and townhomes fell to 1,523

transactions last month, down 39.5 per cent compared with January, 2016. It marks the 10th consecutive time that sales declined month over month and the seventh month in a row that they fell year over year. Last month’s sales volume rang in 10.3 per cent below the 10-year average for January. Amid falling home sales, prices are sagging. The benchmark price for various housing types slipped last month to $896,000, down 3.7 per cent since July, but still up 15.6 per cent from January, 2016. The benchmark price is an industry representation of a typical property. Since last July, the benchmark price for detached houses sold in Greater Vancouver has dropped 6.6 per cent to $1.47-million. Fewer luxury mansions are selling, dragging down average prices. The average price for detached properties sold in the region tumbled to $1.5-million last month, a 17.8-per-cent decrease from the record high of $1.83-million in January, 2016. Last February, the B.C. government introduced a higher tax rate on the portion of a property that sells above $2-million. In August, the province implemented a 15-percent tax on foreign home buyers in Metro Vancouver, which includes the sprawling suburb of Surrey and most of the Greater Vancouver board’s territory.

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Foreign buyer tax in GTA would be ‘misguided’, T shows Toronto realtors study Vol. 6 No. 31

Saturday - April 2, 2016

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Vancouver’s skyline to rise amid an office-tower building

Vancouver home buyers can expect to spend thousands of extra dollars on new townhomes and low-rise apartments, if the city follows through on a proposed thicker wall bylaw, according to building contractors. A report to city council recommends new changes to Vancouver’s building bylaws, including an increase of an inch-and-a-half in the current width of outside walls for new townhomes and buildings under six storeys, so more insulation can be added to the structure. While the move is meant to reduce energy costs and help Vancouver achieve its greenhouse gas emissions goals, it could also add up to $15,000 to the cost of a unit, according to Chris Gardner, president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association. “What the City of Vancouver is offering is getting in the way of affordable housing for first time homebuyers and young families,” he told. “They’re adding on costs, and I think it’s the wrong approach.” According to the city’s green building

he $240-million Credit Suisse/ SwissReal tower in the heart of downtown Vancouver will be completed in less than a year, but so far, only one tenant has signed up to move in. The tenant has committed for a 10th of the 370,000 square feet – leaving a state of emptiness that is unusual for an office skyscraper in this city. Even so, a huge shift in business tenancy is expected as the region experiences something it has not seen before: an office-tower building boom much of which is speculative construction rather than for specific committed tenants. “This is kind of uncharted territory for Vancouver,” said Mehdi Shokri, a principal with the capital markets team at Avison Young. “But I don’t see a big disaster occurring.” The Credit Suisse tower is only the most visible and furthest along of a second wave of new office towers planned for Vancouver and some key suburbs. A first cluster of towers – some two million square feet – was built downtown in the past three years. Another 11 office developments are proposed within blocks of Credit Suisse’s Exchange tower at Howe and West Pender streets, even while the office-vacancy rate in the region continues to inch up as a result of the first wave of building. But commercial brokers say the city is not about to be populated by ghost towers.

Mr. Shokri and others say they expect many of the new towers to start signing tenant leases as they get closer to completion. That is partly because companies in Vancouver, which do want to be in new, energy-efficient buildings, tend to operate on short timelines. As well, he said, prices in the new buildings will likely come 4 i Saturday, July 25, 2015down in the

next two years due to competition. The landlords who will likely suffer as a result of the current boom are owners of older buildings, Mr. Shokri said. As well, new developments in the suburbs, which have already experienced higher vacancy rates in recent years, may have trouble as they compete with each other. In Vancouver, the co-developer of the Cred-

planner, Chris Higgins, cost to superinsulate new residential complexes will range between $2 and $4.08 per square foot, and homeowners will save money in the long run by reducing heating costs. But Gardner says he’s crunched the numbers, and that it would take up to 120 years of energy savings to make up for the

additional housing costs. He says the city’s goal to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from new constructions by 2030 may be well intentioned, but it’s misguided. “[The City of Vancouver] is missing the point, and they’re not doing anything to deal with the most pressing issue facing young families — and that’s affordability.”

Foreign buyer tax in GTA would be ‘misguided’, Toronto realtors study shows Toronto realtors don’t want a foreign buyers tax and Tuesday morning they released a report they maintain shows overseas buyers have had little impact on the market. The Toronto Real Estate Board commissioned research firm Ipsos in November, 2016 to survey its members, who acted on behalf of home buyers during the preceding 12 months. The results show about 4.9 per cent of Greater Toronto Area transactions, in which TREB Members acted on behalf of a buyer, involved a foreign purchaser. “A foreign buyer tax in the GTA would be misguided,” the board said, in its release. The Ontario government has been watching a decision by the government in British Columbia to impose a 15 per cent additional foreign property transfer tax in metro Vancouver — a move critics say has sped up a downturn in the city which recorded a 34 per cent year over year decline in sales in December. This past Sunday, the British Columbia premier, Christy Clark, backtracked on her foreign tax by saying foreigners with work permits who live and work in B.C. would be exempted. Speculation has swirled that many of the would-be Vancouver buyers would head to Toronto to invest and avoid the punitive tax but the Ipsos results show only two per cent of realtors have been involved in a transaction for a foreign buyer which they knew was impacted by the foreign buyer tax in British Columbia. “An additional land transfer tax on foreign buyers could have unintended

consequences, including tighter market conditions and stronger price growth in neighbouring communities/regions without a tax, less rental supply, because the number of investors looking to purchase and rent out a property could decline and potential negative impact on immigration,” said TREB. “It is important to remember that population growth in the GTA, on net, is driven by immigration.” While Vancouver also has a vacant home tax that went into effect on Jan. 1, the TREB survey found a large majority of foreign buyers in the Toronto area plan to use their homes. Among those buyers, 40 per cent

purchased a home as a primary residence, 25 per cent to rent out to tenants while another 15 per cent bought for a family member to live in. Overall, TREB is forecasting more than 100,000 sales for the third consecutive year in 2017. Between 104,500 and 115,500 home sales are expected this year, with a point forecast of 110,000 – down slightly from 113,133 sales reported in 2016. “While changes to federal mortgage lending guidelines and higher borrowing costs may impact some would-be home buyers, the big impediment will be the lack of inventory,” said Jason Mercer, director of market analysis for TREB.

it Suisse tow start to fill a Franz G Group wh stock-excha nering with the main gr ver office sp sector. Tho

Saturday, April 2, 2016

i 5

Saturday, February 04, 2017 -

Real Estate

Foreign buyers behind only 5 per cent of Toronto home purchases in 2016

Saturday - April 2, 2016

- Tel: 604-591-5423 -

E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com

couver’s skyline to rise amid an office-tower building boom

edit Suisse/ he heart of er will be , but so far, to move in. or a 10th of ng a state of n office skyhuge shift in s the region not seen beboom much uction rathted tenants. tory for Vanrincipal with vison Young. r occurring.” nly the most second wave for Vancoufirst cluster square feet – three years. pments are Credit Sue and West he office-vanues to inch of building. y the city is host towers.

it Suisse tower is optimistic his building will start to fill as the completion date gets closer. Franz Gehriger, the CEO of SwissReal Group who bought the original historic stock-exchange building in 2002 before partnering with Credit Suisse to develop it, said the main group interested in leasing Vancouver office space these days is the technology sector. Those companies make their deci-

Don’t blame overseas investors for the high price of housing in the Toronto area, says the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB). The board is releasing new research Tuesday showing fewer than 5 per cent of the 113,133 residential real estate transactions in the Toronto region last year involved foreign buyers. More than half of those foreign buyers were purchasing homes for themselves or to house family members, according to a November Ipsos survey of TREB agents, who acted on behalf of those buyers. About 25 per cent of the homes purchased by non-Canadians were bought as rental investments. The data suggests that a foreign buyer tax such as the 15 per cent implemented in Vancouver last summer would be misguided, says TREB. A similar tax here could have “unintended consequences” — potentially pushing up prices in communities outside the Toronto area where there is no such tax. It could also further reduce the tight supply of rentals and discourage immigration to the area, said the board. The survey also found that fewer than 2 per cent of TREB realtors had acted in a sale in the Toronto area that was pushed east by the Vancouver tax. The cost of a home in the Toronto region is expected to rise substantially — between 10 and 16 per cent — again this year. That would mean the average price of a

home in December of $730,472 would grow to $825,000 on average this year. That cost was up 20 per cent in December over the same month in 2015. “Detached and semi-detached houses and townhouses will experience the strongest annual rates of price growth, but the condominium apartment market segment will remain tight as well,” said a TREB press release. An Ipsos survey of home buyers found the average purchaser expects to put down 27.6 per cent on a home this year, with first-time buyers expected to put about 24 per cent down on their purchase. While fewer consumers are expected to buy

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Saturday - April 2, 2016

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Asking $109,900 Perfect for a variety of usessteel including daycare, and take Lowf lease high traffic Established custom abrication and dine in business. aluminum eatout.Gr opportunity our area to own run y to be missed! or e Contact mor f martial arts Church use. with welding business withorservices that Central include:location aluminum custom and stock trailers, NEW LEASING OPPORTUNITY Contractand forrepair, more details. Asking $109,000 details. GROCERY STORE FOR SALE IN DOWNTOWN AREA mobile welding service, crane fabrication, fabrication of residential gates, security bars and much The Mann Corporate Centre is comprised of 23,000 square feet of 'A' Class office/retail space great exposure to Scott Rd. Contact for more details. more! Mon– Fri operation closed on weekends. Please contact me for more details on this hard to MORE 1000 Oa custom open floor 12,000 . forTyour preference. AIL S.F The & RET ACEOFFICE SP Ideal business opportunity well established Grocery and convenience store in busy downtown over three floors. A brand new facility with plan come by opportunity! Asking $149,000 FOR flexibility ALEandSallowsASE & LE designed to provide maximum for area. Excellent sales and profit. Full service store including UPS, cigarettes, world wide money Mann Corporate centre has beenAVAILABLE PRIME OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE many types of professional users who are seeking a high quality facility with great exposure. For sale Prime 1489 Sq ft office space for sale in busy retail/office complex in Surrey. transfers withDream Western union, slushies, Pizza or alehot dogs, FS fruits, vegetables, halal meats, atm, general Highlights include: State of the art facility with modern finishes, Underground secured Ideal for a variety office types. Visible from business 152 and centrally Established IndianofSweets and Restaurant locatedlocated. in high Asking traf�ic area of Scott Rd, Surrey. Perfect opportunity o andour own t excellent y lease bossterms surrounded by tons of parking provided. Free on site surface parking, more than 3 parking stalls per 1000 Sq ft. 24/7 groceries,vcleaning supplies more.be Low rent, Wide ariety egetarian v v menu eets. with xpanded Can sw tobe egetarian add e dishes non to the $350,000 with ell this and established w Pizza & turn key Indian 13737 96 ve, Central location entre A with City HD recording privilege. easy access to allCmajor routes. menu. Catering services provided regular clientele. Seating for 50. Complete turn key restaurant residential buildings commercial businesses. Perfect opportunity grab this security with Cuisine in y. unning Langle R successfull y or f FOB access and intercom. Please contact listing realtor for details on remaining space, square footage and pricing details. great business opportunity! Asking $129,000 #705 $465,000, #706 $335,000 PHARMASAVE FRANCHISE money making business it is gone! Contact details. Asking $189,900 the veLast ears before y�ixcellent with yedailfor more sales. Special occasions and even Private plan includes a large living room with gasShowers, f/p which Birthdays, open up ton Anniversaries, the spacious eating area. Extra large kitchen with lots of Wedding ceremonies. Wait...there's more! This beautiful treasure of a cabinets and counter space. Large laundrybusiness room, inoffers floor radiant heat,select extra shelving closets, 2 parking stallslinens, and storage gorgeous apparel,infurnishings, jewelry, gifts, locker. Great location with easy access tovintage shopping,treasures transit & Highway 91 & 99. PleaseA call listing realtor for more info. and home décor. beautiful, breathtaking turnkey operation this is a chance to own a niche business created and Asking $329,900

PAYAL BUSINESS CENTRE - 82 Ave & 128 St

CUSTOM TEELS &ABRICATION F BUSINESSOR ALEFS BUSINESS OR F SALE

PIZZA

INDIAN

Asset Sale- DBA "Pharmasave" well established franchise operating since June 2012. Increasing annual script count of approx 12,000/annum. Approx 2400 sq ft of ground floor space leased space w/5 year, 5yr, 5 yr lease + 1 st right refusal to tenant option to purchase the building. Open six days/week (6) doctor offices, High end Fantastic opportunity to run your own Pizza & Indian Cuisine Kroll software, and Oscarfood, CRM software use. Lease area of 2,400 sq.ft. Customized improvements. business! Excellent rated in4.5/5 by customers open 7 daystenancy a Business is runbusy professionally by atake Healthout Carewith Groupavailability Company- enormous expansionifpotential! Owner will week, very location for seating desired. Tons of tourists central to major sites in Hope provide training. Contact me foryear moreround, details. Asking $899,000

BUSINESS OR F SALE

N LIS EW TIN G

CUISINE

and integral area near grocery stores, city hall, local police station, motels and cinema. Well established, great sales and a complete turn key operation that will not last long! Asking $199,000

UNITS OR F SALE &

BUSINESS PIZZA & CURRY RESTAURANT FOR SALE

Close o ys t Da Inn, estern The & Best W Westward Inn o also eyhound the closeGr t station, taxi op st bus y stand and man Establishednear & turny. keycellent restaurant Prime apartments bPizza &ExCurry location & ey for sale. ation. turn oper location Thisk and is opportunity o not be Asking t missed! $139,900 complete turn key operation. Full kitchen in place and complete take out and

COLLECTION / CREDIT COMPANY FOR SALE- ONE IN A MILLION OPPORTUNITY! delivery service.Reasonable parking for space. Onlinesale ordering, Hair lease alonand S ample Business 23 years Established Credit Company for sale. Retail and Commercial collections, Located on media , Hwy verdale F Cloea,all ell arin place w for established business, y your o full website, raser social presence you! Make maintain, higher monthl y evenue. Asking r $69,900 CONVENIENCE & MINI MAR T entrepreneurial Judgments, Tenancy Order Collection, loansTORE andSoutstanding invoices.Take dreams come true. Contact for more details. Asking $109,000 Don't miss this to run yourbusiness own buyopportunity. ConvenienceAsking store/Mini advantage of chance this unique niche $229,000

mart! This well established business is well or-ganized, excellent set up, with all your essential sundries for sale as well as lottery AND the licensing to sell Pizza at this location! Busy area near parks, schools, residences it is the perfect small business! Ample of Well known and established Lighthouse Franchise on King George & 80th in Surrey. Take out opportunity to add your ideas to an already turn key operation! establishment andgreat Partysmall Orders are also handled. The website for all franchise locations is www.lighthouse.menu and they are on Facebook Don't miss this business prospect! Asking $149,000

BUSINESS FOR SALE

LIGHTHOUSE

INDIAN

CUISINE

as well. This business has been established in 2009 and has been run by the same owner since this time. As it is a take out and delivery. Establishment there is not a liquor license at this location. Asking $549,000

SIGNAGE & PRINTING BUSINESS FOR SALE

8321

CAFÉ FOR SALE

cellent 128 Ex locationSt

Asking in

businesses

uses. Asking

ATTENTION FOREIGN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS!!! 2 BABY ULTRASOUNDUNITS FRANCHISES FOR SALE! OR ALE F S

$349,000

(15299 VE)

$209,000 busy space theClose

space ariousat

Well established .Babyvestment UltrasoundinFranchise, 3D/4D ultrasound (not diagnostic), Private clinic for pregnant moms.ey Excellent opportunity o etail twefront r stor units in al Plaza Full turn key operation this easy to run niche market business e,is perfectStor for oindividuals or couples with is sale. Gr$899,000 Currently ocery leased to this or a Asking units f tw Medical/Health industry backgrounds. Beautifully set up office, low lease rate, excellent hours and easy to run with low overhead expenses. Professionals and New Immigrants with a healthcare background this is a perfect opportunity! Burnaby and Abbotsford locations available. Asking $125,000 each location

INVESTOR Of�ic NEWNG I LIST

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own your own busy Lighthouse Indian Cuisine Franchise! Prime location in Brickyard Station Plaza this fantastic business has Take out and dine in, beautiful décor, quality kitchen, Full Liquor license and full Indian Cuisine 95Menu. AveComplete & 152 940 sqft. is available for franchise. Contact me today for further turnSt., key operation enablesof�ice you to bespace your own boss with this established lease 2nd �loor including 3 small of�ices, meeting room info. on Asking $389,000 and reception. Also available 9400 sqft. space for lease. LOTS OF EXPOSURE.

UNIT FOR SALE

In Mughal Garden plaza 2 units available, approx 4875 sqft.Already leased to long term tenants, to be sold together. Asking $1.25 million

Contact for more info on this opportunity. Asking Only $69,000

17358

104A VE

RES TAURANT OR F ALE S

SURREY VERAS BURGER FRANCHISE FOR SALE

building

to be your own boss! Contact listing realtor for more details. Price : $339,000

J.J AINI S

PLAZA

VERAS BURGER FRANCHISE

8077 eas t KING GEORGE BLVD. The perfect retail

corner unit in busy plaza move in ready. Approx 1200 sq ft perfect for fast food, of�ice or retail Looking close for the perfect franchise well look no more! Established and award space. Easy access to highway, to all winning Vera's in busy Meadow Town Center with major anchors like amenities on Busy King George Hwy.Burgers Great Opportunity contact me today. Superstore, Cineplex Odeon, and many major Financial Institutions and major

retailers. Fully turn key operation with extra large patio, good lease, low franchise fees and beer licence. Current absentee owner this business is a great opportunity to be your own boss and take it to the next level! Asking $229,900

AUTO

BOD Y SHOPOR FSALE

Established auto y or bod shop our sale f own y! be boss y toda L NE IST W Well established ell anduto equipped e w Car A Center which IN G offers complete car &epair. truck inspection, service The ect perf opportunity our to own run businessy with a well ecognized r and established ve . automoti center Contact realtor or ef mor Askingdetails. $139,000

AUTO /TRANSMISSION/CAR REPAIR IN LOWER MAINLAND

Over 37 year well established Auto repair / Transmission Repair / car repair in

NEW G IN LIST

OFFICE ACE SP Large OR shop, ASE F3 Bays, LEample storage space available. the Lower Mainland.

8927

St Currently . 1100 of�ice or sqftand models vailable space lease inf a transmissions, services all makes of re manufactured automatic and standard, clutches, This is a confidential listing ar on eet 152nsd ey. in str differentials. Surr

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Guildford

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PAYAL BUSINESS CENTRE - 82 Ave & 128 St Approx.

11925

VE 95

. 4500 of�ice sqft vailable. ec. space Rea, conference oom. ery r V y nicel

D SOLUNIT FOR LEASE

SOL

ara small of�ice, oom andlunch designed and �inished.

growing area makes this an ideal location for your office. Contact listing realtor NEWNG I LIST

Station, restaurant and Public Transit. This space has 2 offices inside and lunch room as well as washroom. Perfect for Accountants, Notary, Great opportunity to get into a Franchised and or other consulting or Lawyer. The space can also be Immigration Located in a busy commercial plaza in the NE ED easy to operate CandyL business! This established IST W DUCuses as well. 1260 Sq. ft. converted INGPark Shopping heart of Surrey. Lots of traf�ic and close to franchise is located in Ocean Centerfor various REretail

NEW FRANCHISE

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE

J.J SAINI PLAZA

BEAUTIFUL TURN KEY A SPALON / OR FSALES

Investment Opportunity in Hope. 7200 Sq. ft large Lot Fully near major anchor Safeway. This rapidly growing franchise currently has 22 locations within BC and Located in the heart in Payal Business Centre, this office is professionally designed. 5 offices, renovated home closeof Surrey to the Alberta. With unique product Imported from the US and UK this franchise is completely turn –key Downtown core.area, 2 separate bed, 2lunch bath reception room and full washroom. 1200 Sq ft Gross lease +gst. This easy to run and $20.00/sq full trainingftprovided. business is perfect for a couple and for those 850 sq.ft home to use as a rental Established auto body shop for sale be your own boss today! wanting to try their hand at being an entrepreneur. Asking $79,900 property. Asking $349,000 Well established and well equipped Auto Care Center which offers complete car &

OFFICE SPACE FOR SALE QUIZNOS FRANCHISE FOR SALE

Excellent opportunity to own your own franchise! Well established and recognized

Established Indian Sweets and Restaurant business located in high Quiznos Subs in Port Coquitlam will enable you to achieve your entrepreneurial traffic area of Scott Rd, Surrey. Wide variety vegetarian menu with dreams! Busy plaza with Earls, Safeway, Scotiabank, McDonalds, Bosley Pet Valu and much more! Residences and commercial businesses all around sweets. Can be expanded to add non vegetarian dishes to the menu. makes this an ideal location. Owners have run it for several years Catering services provided regular clientele. Seating for 50. Complete and are now ready to retire. Contact me for more details regarding turn key restaurant great business opportunity! Asking $129,000 this business opportunity. Asking $119,000

and

sqft

UNIT OR FASE LE ON T 72 & 132 Available for lease. Opp JR Furniture. Good mix of warehouse and of�ice space. Centrally can be run from home or elsewhere. The exclusive Franchise territory for Maple Ridge, Pitt plaza Banquet in Halls, Surr DONAIR BUSINESS located in light industrial zoning. APARTMENT Meadows and Mission is for sale. Fantastic recession proof business that enable children Of�ice for eat vestment sale! In Gr from 3-13+ learn and build withALE Lego bricks. FOR S Teach the fundamentals of S.T.E.M. (science, FOR ALE S #1 1016 Sq cellent xposure, Ft e 12,000 op S.F. ExRETAIL t �loor of�ice y space Khalsa within the MORE 1000 TO & OFFICE SPACE technology, engineering & mathematics). This unique business offers in School Workshops, Amazing opportunity to be your own boss! ,6960ey Surr 120 St Cent er x. comple ull ea F ar eddesignat or oom f classr space and addition Established After Schoolving EnrichmentliClasses, Week long Summer camps, Birthday Parties, preDonair School food outlet in prime busy Business AVAILABLE FOR SALE & LEASE Perfect space with of�ice space. ake vantage T ad ons of ofxposure t om visual fr . 128th e af�ic High st tr area in Langley. Already steady clientele from Classes and the Kidz Night1000 out programs. Realtor for128 more info2 on this cornerPlease of listing ft and 84. CD zoning allows v over sq contact gr in opportunity . $325,000.00 the ous numer businesses ounding, surr tons complexof eat vestment unique opportunity. Asking $79,000 bedroom with den 2traf�ic and lots of opportunity to expand the #2. 1920 sq ft of second vate �loor of�ices, droom,of�iceboar space. bath corned unit in business further. Low lease, and great area reception ea,ar chenette. kit cellent Ex xposure, e op t �loor of�ice y space wit Harleen dens. Gar make this the perfect turn key operation to own Khalsa Business er Cent x. comple ake vantage T ad ons of of xposure t visual fr e om 8077 KING GEORGE BLVD. Great unit available for lease facing King Asking location. centr busy $289,900 Surr your own business today! Asking $99,000 The perfect second floor office space for lease Within busy Triton Centre. Busy and 128th af�ic xcomple eat tr tovestment gr inGas opportunity . $550,000 George Blvd.. Greatstvisual and High retail exposure. Close shopping,

forORTUNITY more details. 1985 Sq.ft. OPP

Approx. 3100 SF of office space available for sale in the busiest plaza in Surrey. Close to Banquet Halls, retailshops & offices. Asking $749,000

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Two adjoining of�ices in a new across om fr SMH. ht Can or be boug Wellleased established Vera's busy Fraser ogether t Burger orfFranchise otal located a onspace t Highway of in an Cloverdale. Well maintained. establishment full turn key operation ready for you 1600 sqft ate. or separ

a busiest to

CENTRE oom/of�ice showr r Center

2590 sqft . etail R ande CUISINE space for LIGHTHOUSE sale INDIAN Asking $649,000

N LIS EW TIN G

LEARNING CENTRE FOR SALE

ACE VAILABLE SP A

., Surrey. -

ITALIAN

units long

Unique and established opportunity to make your entrepreneurial dream come true! This beautiful Café in the heart of White OFFICE Rock is a small business owners ACE SP OR ALE F S dream! Tastefully decorated 3100 excellent breakfast and lunch fmenu ofandsalerarely Approx. vailableSFor of�ice in ey. found…Liquor license as well! Outdoor seating back and front of premises, retailshops & Asking tons ofof�ices. $749,000 parking and many, many more high rises coming in the area currently make this a business owners dream come true.UNIT Turn keyORbusiness you! BUSINESS ALE Fready T and S waiting AA forKHALS Confidentiality agreement to be signed beforeopportunity! viewing the Take vantage ad will eat of have vestment in this gr business. ound Ideal etail/�loor Gr high $149,900 ceilings eys in busy Surr Khalsa Business Asking

OPPOR

Large loading door at the back of the unit. name with two locations in Whistler and one in Squamish this turn key operation will enable you to develop your passion into a profitable career. With excellent Fully carpeted office space lots windows support from the founders, this BC based company is looking for individuals who allowing plenty of light, security alarm believe in health and are community driven and are wanting to utilize that to let Entrepreneurial juices Contact cuisine for more details on the Green Moustache Atheir treasure gem offlow! Italian tucked away and 2 bathrooms. Contact for NEmore W info. term in tenants, to be sold Franchise and joining the Green Moustache family on W.4th! Asking $99,000 Hope! Open for lunch and dinner this quaint LISTING restaurant serves traditional Italian classics in a fantastic atmosphere and ambiance. Perfect casual dining for locals as well as tourist traf�ic. Attention centers,ready Early Childhood related businesses, Teachers and others with Educational backgrounds that Turn keylearning operation for youEducation to implement plaza. enjoy dreams working with Your dream to own your business has arrived. Reputable and your as children! a restaurant owner! Asking $219,000 established Bricks 4Kidz Franchise has over 320 franchises worldwide! This unique business

TOWING COMPANYOR FORFSALES UNIT ALE

Established and reputable towing company that serves clients throughout In den Mughal plaza Gar 2 theavailable, Lower Mainland. to run your ownsqft turn key business to oxIdeal opportunity appr .Already 4875 leased AskingAsking $279,900 $1.25 million in a niche market. Contacttogether. for more details.

FRANCHISE TUNITY

PIZZA BUSINESS FORDSALE SOL LD

GREEN MOUSTACHE FRANCHISE FOR UNIT AT 83tAVE & 130 ST Fully �inished y sideata sideSALE b orunits str otalFORaLEASE f Are you passionate healthy lifestyle? you ready to takesqft of ox.about appr 5540 . Arevailable A or f sale. o unit in anClose t Ample Corner excellent location. your passion and belief in healthy organic foods and juices to the Port K and joinIndustrial y Eas o access t and in the warehouse. next level??ells Look no further The Greenea. Moustache ar Family space bothboth office with their latest franchise locationaci�ic on 1 W. 4th in Vancouver. Already an established ossing. Highway hway Hig and Ptruck cr

N LIS EW TIN G

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own your own busy Lighthouse Indian Cuisine Franchise! Prime location in Brickyard Station Plaza this fantastic business has Take out and dine in, beautiful décor, quality Great opportunity to run your own signage and printing business! This established turn key operation offers all kitchen, Full Liquor license and full Indian Cuisine Menu. Complete varieties banners and signs, vehicle wraps, lettering LED Channel & 3D letters and awning turn keyof operation enables you window to be graphics your &own boss with this canopies and window graphics. Establishedme for five years,for low lease, built upinfo. clientele make this a great business established franchise. Contact today further Asking opportunity! Contact me for more details. Asking $99,000 $389,000

RETAIL

GREAT

Great ranchise F opportunity ed! yjust Bus list Coquitlam Cent er Mall or location oss Chop N Be your own boss! Established Pizza business for sale. Excellent location fin South Surrey withont tons to expand andlong! grow. Only $69,000.00! Franchise! W of opportunity last Asking $158,800

LE ASE

ITALIAN RESTAURANT FOR SALE

A treasure gem of Italian cuisine tucked away in Hope! Open for lunch and dinner this quaint restaurant serves traditional Italian classics in a fantastic atmosphere and ambiance. Perfect casual dining for locals as well as tourist traffic. Turn key operation ready for you to implement your dreams as a restaurant owner! Asking $219,000

INVESTOR OPPORTUNITY

Investment Opportunity in Hope. 7200 Sq. ft large Lot Fully renovated home close to the Downtown core. 2 bed, 2 bath 850 sq.ft home to use as a rental property. Asking $349,000

public transportation, restaurants, of�ice and retail shops. Established recently the spa and salon offers modern décor up to date equipment/furnishings. Excellent turn key operation. Asking R $60,000

AUTO BODY SHOP FOR SALE

truck inspection, service and repair. The perfect opportunity to run your own business with a well recognized and established automotive center. Contact realtor for more details. Asking $109,000

EDUCED29/07

Office for sale! Great Investment #1 1016 Sq Ft Excellent exposure, top floor office space within the busy Khalsa Business Center complex. Full area designated for classroom space and additional office space. Take advantage of tons of visual exposure from 128th st. High traffic complex great investment opportunity. $325,000 #2. 1920 sq ft of second floor office space. Includes 10 private offices, boardroom, reception area, kitchenette. Excellent exposure, top floor office space within the busy Khalsa Business Center complex. Take advantage of tons of visual exposure from 128th st. High traffic complex great investment opportunity. $550,000

27/01