The Asian Star December 12 2020

www.theasianstar.com Vol 19 - Issue 45

Saturday, December 12, 2020

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Why Indian farmers believe new laws are believe new laws are rigged to favour India’s richest man rigged to favour Why India’sIndian richestfarmers man

T

housands of Indian farmers are protesting against three new farm laws—and two of the country’s richest men. On Dec. 5, protesting farmers in Punjab’s Amritsar burnt effigies of prime minister Narendra Modi, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, and Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani. The farmers believe the new laws brought in by the government will favour the two industrialists, who are

Indian-American Dr Murthy to serve again as Surgeon General of US: Biden US President-elect Joe Biden has nominated Dr Vivek Murthy as his Surgeon General, exuding confidence that the renowned Indian-American physician will be a key voice on his response to the coronavirus pandemic to restore public trust and faith in science and medicine.

Murthy, 43, served as Surgeon General of the United States during the Obama administration and had to leave abruptly when Donald Trump became the US President. “Dr. Murthy will be one of my most trusted public health and medical advisors, and I’m grateful for his continued public service,” Biden said on Tuesday as he announced Murthy’s nomination. “A

widely believed to be close to Modi. Why experts are sounding the alarm about the hidden dangers of gas stoves.

How do Ambani, Adani stand to gain?

Ambani and Adani have lately been eyeing India’s farm sector. In 2017, Ambani shared his ambitions to invest in the agriculture sector. At present, his Jio Platforms is banking on a partnership with Facebook to expand into the agritech domain with the JioKrishi app, which will facilitate a farmto-fork supply chain. The company is said to have sourced 77% of its fruit directly from farmers.

NIA files charges against 16 alleged ‘Khalistani’ separatists, key members of Sikhs for Justice The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Wednesday filed a chargesheet against 16 foreign nationals from the US, Canada and UK for allegedly launching a “concerted secessionist campaign” under the banner of ‘Referendum 2020’ for the creation of a ‘Khalistan’. According to the NIA, all 16 are members of the secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). Among those

chargesheeted include some key SFJ members such as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Paramjit Singh — all three already designated as ‘terrorists’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Gurpatwant also has several other cases filed against him under the UAPA in Punjab and Haryana.

Surrey Imam who misrepresented himself to immigration officials jailed for sexual assault The emotional wounds from a sexual assault at the hands of a Lower Mainland imam four years ago continue to affect the daily life of his victim, who says if immigration officials and the B.C. Muslim Association had intervened sooner, the attack may never have

happened. The woman, whose identity is protected by a B.C. Supreme Court order, says she has received no community support for her turmoil and is being shamed as a victim.

Continued on page 10

Hindu & Christian women ‘marketed’ by Pak as ‘concubines’, ‘forced brides’ in China: USA

renowned physician and research scientist.

A trusted national leader on health care, and for me, a trusted advisor during this campaign and transition. This will be his second time serving as America’s Doctor, having served in this role under President Obama. During his tenure, he took on some of the most pressing public health issues we Continued on page 8

Pakistan is marketing Hindu and Christian women as “concubines” and “forced brides” to China, according to the top US diplomat for religious freedom, Samuel Brownback.

One of the sources of “forced brides” for Chinese men are “religious minorities, Christian and Hindu women, being marketed as concubines and as forced as brides into China”, Brownback told reporters on Tuesday.

That was happening “because there’s not effective support and there’s discrimination against religious minorities that make them more vulnerable,” he said.

He mentioned this as one of the reasons for designating Pakistan as a country of

particular concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act. Because of the one-child policy imposed

by China for decades, there is an acute shortage of women given the cultural preference for boys leading to Chinese men importing women from other countries as brides, mistresses and labourers.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) had recommended placing India also on the CPC, citing among other issues the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejected the suggestion when Continued on page 6

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Saturday, December 12, 2020

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Vol 19 - Issue 45

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Canada adds 6,292 new coronavirus infections as country approves vaccine

Budget officer blasts lack of detail in Liberals’ $100B stimulus plan Parliament’s budget watchdog is raising red flags over the lack of details in the Liberal government’s $100-billion stimulus plan, suggesting Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s phone is likely “ringing off the hook” from lobbyists wanting a piece of the action.

Freeland presented last month what the Liberals have described as a plan to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by opening the spending taps over the next three years to build a greener and more inclusive economy.

Parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux says he is concerned by the lack of detail offered by the government on its plan, telling reporters during a briefing Thursday: “For an amount of that magnitude over three years, I’ve never seen that. “And I’m surprised the government went for that because that exposes the government and the minister of finance to significant lobbying,” Giroux added. “I can only imagine how (Freeland’s) phone must be ringing off the hook.” The government has said it cannot provide more details on its plans now because the money will start to roll out only after the pandemic is under control and the economy

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is ready for new investments to boost jobs and growth. “Given the uncertainty of the virus, and our eventual recovery, it is premature for anyone to project exactly how the recovery will play out, or when spending will need to be wound down,” Freeland’s spokeswoman Katherine Cuplinskas said in an email. Yet the parliamentary budget officer also suggested that if the Liberals’ spending plan is meant to help the economy return to pre-pandemic levels, it risks missing the mark. The government has said the tap will remain open until several “fiscal guardrails” tied to the labour market are met. Those include improvements in employment, unemployment and total hours worked, though the Liberals have not revealed specific targets for each. Giroux predicted each of those guardrails will return to pre-pandemic levels within the next 18 months, which “would suggest that the size and timing of the planned fiscal stimulus may be miscalibrated.

In other words, it could be too much and too late.” However, he added, if the purpose of the spending “is to make structural changes to the economy, that’s a different story.”

Health officials in Canada reported 6,292 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the country’s total case count to 434,967.

Another 116 people have also died after testing positive for COVID-19, authorities said.

Since the virus was first detected, it has claimed 12,983 lives in Canada.

However, 350,011 people have recovered after contracting the respiratory illness, while 15,792,288 tests have been administered.

On Wednesday, there were also a total of 3,121 people hospitalized due to COVID-19, surpassing the number of hospitalizations during the first wave of the p pandemic. and dem de miic The previous record was set in early May, when 3,056 people were in hospital.

The new cases come as the federal government announced Health Canada has approved a COVID-19 vaccine from American pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

“The availability of a safe and effective vaccine will reduce the spread and severity of

COVID-19 disease and reduce its social and economic consequences,” Health Canada said on Wednesday, adding the data confirms the vaccine is roughly 95 per cent effective, and was “well tolerated” with no serious safety concerns.

S t o r y continues below advertisement Click to play video ‘Health Canada approves use of Pfizer C O V I D - 1 9 v a c c i n e ’ 1:33 Health Canada approves use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Health Canada approves use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, who is leading Canada’s vaccine distribution plans, said he expects Pfizer will ship the vaccines from Belgium on Friday and the doses could begin arriving on Monday or Tuesday.

According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 30,000 doses are expected to arrive soon.

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OPINION

Saturday, December 12, 2020

$2 billion(!) payment to dairy farmers all about politics Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau chose a Saturday, hours before a long-awaited federal economic update, to offer more non-COVID19-related compensation to Canada’s supply-managed farmers. Eighty-one per cent of dairy farmers are located in Quebec and Ontario. Compensation was expected but how it was done was a little strange.

Few in the industry knew what was going on before

the announcement. And when giving money away, governments generally want as much press as possible.

Not this time. It was done hours before Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s update on Canada’s dreadful deficit, due Monday. So one must wonder if these sums aren’t intended to be blended with other COVID-19-related expenditures.

What’s $2 billion in funding when the deficit is over $400 billion?

It’s just noise at this point and it all seemed strangely improvised. Egg and poultry farmers are getting what was expected: $691 million over several years. This is compensation for recent concessions the federal government made with Europe and Asia when trade deals were ratified. These sectors are highly integrated and competitive, so funds will be used wisely.

But dairy farmers are getting a holiday bonus.

Instead of waiting seven more years to get the $1.75 billion promised last year, they’ll receive the bulk of their compensation package by the end of 2023. Direct payments will be given, more than $50,000 per farm per year.

As an increasing number of Canadians try to make ends meet when feeding themselves and their loved ones during the pandemic, each of us is giving $36 to asset-rich dairy producers. The average dairy farm in Canada is worth almost $6 million.

That’s why the announcement was made so quickly and on the weekend.

Farmers in other sectors like grains – also affected by embargoes and other trade issues – still get nothing.

And their farms aren’t worth nearly as much.

In the dairy sector, the ones directly affected by trade with Asia and Europe are processors and artisan cheese makers. Since we’re seeing more foreign products at retail, small artisan cheese makers, dairy processors, goat cheese makers and other Canadian-made specialty products are losing market share.

But with this announcement they still get nothing, not one dime. And that’s simply because they don’t benefit from an effective lobby like dairy farmers have.

Dairy farmers have a marketing budget exceeding $130 million a year. Dairy Farmers of Canada is a monster organization, although very few Canadians appreciate this.

Supply management is designed to compensate farmers for actual losses. But when unpacking pricing formulas, compensation given to dairy farmers is purely based on hypotheticals. The potential losses are unclear, at best.

Our entire dairy production system will essentially be overcapitalized. Make no mistake, this is about politics, pure and simple.

Funds should have been used to encourage some farmers to exit the industry right away to help the sector become more competitive.

But the funds will do the complete opposite and underperforming dairy farmers will remain in the system for a few more years. Canada may end up making too much milk and we’ll witness the horror of milk dumping yet again.

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Saturday, December 12, 2020

Canadian firms sign global pledge to make plastic packaging more recyclable Canadian companies including Loblaw Companies Ltd. L-T -0.93%decrease , Metro Inc. MRU-T -1.11%decrease , Save-On-Foods and Maple Leaf Foods, have signed a global pledge alongside some of the world’s largest retailers and manufacturers, promising to redesign plastic packaging to make it more recyclable.

The pledge is part of a plastic waste initiative by the Consumer Goods Forum, an industry group. Its members include some of the world’s largest consumer packaged goods companies, such as the Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo Inc., Unilever plc, Nestlé S.A. and others, as well as retailer Walmart Inc. The companies are pledging by 2025 to improve the design of plastic packaging for everyday products such as shampoo, household cleaners and soda bottles. Among their priorities are to use transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which is easier to recycle than opaque coloured packaging. The group also wants to strip out elements that make packages difficult or impossible to recycle, such as certain adhesives, black plastic, and materials that degrade into microplastics.

“We’re in a really exciting period for tackling the plastics problem,” Loblaw executive chairman Galen Weston said in an interview Wednesday. He cited government pressure to improve recycling systems, growing consumer demand for sustainable products, and pressure from investors for companies to articulate sustainability policies. “You have a combination of forces all looking to deliver the same objective that leads to, I think, better policy and more decisive action.”

Plastic is a popular material for product packaging, because it is low cost to produce and lightweight, making it cheaper to ship.

But it has a high environmental cost at the end of its life. In Canada, only 9 per cent of the three million tonnes thrown away each year is recycled. As part of its announced goal to reduce plastic waste, the federal government has signalled a plan to establish requirements for recycled content in product packaging.

According to a study by Deloitte for the federal environment department, 47 per cent of total plastic waste discarded in Canada in 2016 came from packaging.

The members of the initiative include companies that produce a significant amount of plastic waste currently. In a recent audit of more than 340,000 pieces of plastic waste in 55 countries, advocacy organization Break Free From Plastic identified 63 per cent that were

marked with an identifiable brand name.

The group released the results this week.

The three top waste producers identified in the survey were Coca-Cola, Pepsico and Nestlé. Other members of the coalition were also named in the study.

In addition to designing packages that have a better chance of being recycled, the industry group also hopes to work on developing more “circular” systems for plastic waste. That means reusing materials, not just recycling them.

For example, a number of major companies are testing out a packaging return-and-reuse program called Loop, which was developed by Trenton, N.J.based recycling company Terracycle.

Similar to the old milk or beer bottle returns, Loop wants to divert used packages from landfills, sanitize them and return them to the companies that produced those packages to be reused. Some consumer packaged goods companies have redesigned products in more durable packaging to test out the system. Loblaw is planning its own test with Loop – originally scheduled for this year – starting in early 2021.

Companies must invest in significant reduction of plastic waste and in reusable packaging, Agnès Le Rouzic, oceans and plastics campaigner at Greenpeace Canada said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that more recyclable plastics are not a sustainable solution to the problem.

“It’s crystal clear that the priority should be about phasing out single-use plastic in the first place, yet these companies continue to invest in false solutions like recycling when they know recycling infrastructure for plastics has very limited capacity to process the massive amount of plastic packaging they produce and sell all year long,” Ms. Le Rouzic said.

Questions about environmental, social and corporate governance, or ESG, are becoming more common in meetings with investors, Mr. Weston said.

“Any company that is unable to effectively speak to its ESG policies, measurements and action plans, struggles with investors. And I think that will increasingly be the case,” he said.

Many retailers play a role both as buyers of products, and as manufacturers because they sell their own private brands, such as President’s Choice at Loblaw stores and Great Value at Walmart.

“We have to do this for our own private brands but we absolutely can influence our suppliers,” said Rob Nicol, vice-president of corporate affairs at Walmart Canada

Bank of Canada keeps key rate at 0.25%, maintains QE policy The Bank of Canada on Wednesday left its key interest rate unchanged at 0.25%, as expected, and said it would maintain its current policy of quantitative easing.

The central bank reiterated that it would leave rates unchanged until some point in 2023. It made the comments in a regular rate decision statement.

“No real surprises.

It seems like they are pretty comfortable with the level of policy stimulus that was in place. They are taking a wait and see approach on the impact of COVID(-19) on the economy this winter and on the roll out of vaccines,

which I think is all that could have been expected; so really a pretty balanced statement.”

“It will be possible that markets might read into the comment about how they could adjust QE (quantitative easing) as necessary but that’s always implicitly been the case. So I don’t think they meant anything by that … they are just reinforcing this notion that they are going to keep watching the economy.”

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Saturday, December 12, 2020 British Columbians drinking more alcohol during COVID-19 pandemic, study finds

W

hile many activities dropped off during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in B.C., one appears to be on the rise — drinking alcohol. An analysis by the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research found a rise in alcohol consumption along with a significant increase in alcohol purchased in private liquor stores.

The research, which used sales data from the BC Liquor Distribution Branch and population data from BC Stats, noted a 40-per-cent jump in sales in mid-March when COVID-19 measures were put in place. The first phase of

the pandemic, which lasted from mid-March to mid-May, saw the largest increase in alcohol consumption, which then declined during subsequent phases, including the third phase which kicked off in the summer, perhaps due to a decrease in tourists visiting the province.

Not surprisingly, alcohol consumption in bars and restaurants, which historically account for around 15 per cent of alcohol consumed in the province, dropped off a cliff in April and May, researchers found, as establishments were closed for in-person dining.

Hindu & Christian women ‘marketed’ by Pak as ‘concubines’, ‘forced brides’ in China: USA From page 1 whenheannouncedthedesignationsonMonday.

Brownback, however, said that Washington was watching the Indian situation closely and “these issues have been raised in private discussions at the government, high government level, and they will continue to get raised”.

The CAA expedites citizenship for Hindus, Christians, Buddhists and Sikhs fleeing religious persecution in neighbouring Islamic or Muslim majority countries but do not prevent Muslims from getting citizenship after following the usual procedures.

The US has a legal provision similar to the CAA which is known as the Specter A m e n d m e nt that is tucked into budget bill giving asylum to some non-Muslim minorities from Iran, w h i l e pointedly excluding Mu s l i m .

Asked by a Pakistani reporter if there was a double standard in Pompeo giving Pakistan the CPC designation and not India, Brownback s a i d

that while in Pakistan, a lot of the actions against minorities are taken by the government, that was not the case in India.

“Pakistan has half of the world’s people that are locked up for apostasy or blasphemy,” he said.

He said that in India, some of the actions like the CAA are taken by the government but there are others like “much of its communal violence” and then when they take place, “we try to determine whether or not there has been an effective police enforcement, judicial action after communal violence takes place”.

“That doesn’t mean that we don’t have problems with the statute (CAA),” he said.

“The violence is a problem. We will continue to raise those issues.” “Those are some of the basis as to why Pakistan continues to be on the CPC list and India is not,” he said.

“These are issues that people spend a great deal of time reviewing and we review extensively the situation in Pakistan in both countries,” added Brownback, whose formal title is Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom.

Answering an American reporter’s question why Pompeo did not follow the USCIRF recommendation to designate India as a CPC, Brownback said, “I can’t go into the decisionmaking process that the Secretary went through.”

But, he said Pompeo is “well aware of a lot of the communal violence that is happening in India as well as aware of the statutes that have been enacted and some of the issues associated with the (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi government and, as I said, he has raised at the highest level, but just decided at this point not to place them on a CPC or a special watch list”.

Brownback said that there were also “several recommendationsmadebythecommissionthatthe Secretary did not follow, and this was one of them”.

Pompeo did not follow the recommendations to designate Russia and Vietnam as CPCs. In addition to Pakistan, Pompeo put China, Myanmar Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan on the CPC list.

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Saturday, December 12, 2020

BC’s top doctor goes viral for ‘happy dance’ ahead of vaccine rollout British Columbia’s top doctor has caused a stir on social media for a candid moment caught on camera ahead of the province’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout announcement on Wednesday.

The moment was captured when provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, Health Minister Adrian Dix, Premier John Horgan and vaccine coordinator Dr. Ross Brown arrived atypically early for the afternoon briefing.

Network cameras were already rolling and the event was already being streamed live. When told there would be a twominute wait before the briefing started, Henry performed a tap-inspired dance move to the jazzy “hold” music playing in the Victoria press theatre.The moment was captured by people at home who were already watching the live stream, prompting one Twitter user to quip “Protect Dr. Bonnie Henry at all costs.”

Many people responded that Henry, who has been the public face and authoritative voice on the province’s COVID-19

Money-laundering inquiry frustrated by federal government agencies: Commissioner Justice Austin Cullen, the commissioner for the inquiry into money laundering in British Columbia, says he’s been frustrated by a “lack of engagement” by various federal government agencies with his team.

Cullen said these agencies have “fallen short of expectations,” and in some instances he cannot fully trust the validity of federal government documents submitted to him and his counsel.

Furthermore, he says he has been denied inperson interviews of federal employees. Cullen expressed his concerns in an interim report Thursday. The report largely outlines the issues the inquiry will be exploring in its second phase, following a first phase that explored moneylaundering topics via professional testimony.

But Cullen explained that “many federal agencies have been slow to comply” with their obligations to the inquiry – after the Canadian government pledged cooperation when the inquiry was created by the provincial government in May 2019.

Cullen said, “One area of particular concern involves Canada’s compliance with its obligation to identify the nature and character of documents in its possession or control.”

“For example, FINTRAC’s initial list of documents was composed entirely of materials that were publicly available on its website, despite the fact that it generates a wide range of specialized strategic research for regime partners, policy makers and businesses,” said Cullen. “Another concern is that many of the documents produced

by Canada have been redacted to the point that they provide no meaningful information.

“While Canada has revisited some of these redactions in recent months, the copious redactions in its original production impeded the work of the Commission.”

He continued, “Moreover, the significant discrepancy between its original production and the revised version of these documents casts doubt on the validity of the original redactions.

“Finally, I note that Canada has refused to allow Commission counsel to conduct inperson interviews with members of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Instead, it has asked that Commission counsel submit any questions in writing,” stated Cullen, conceding the inquiry’s terms of reference allow for the Crown having discretion to not discuss specific investigations or transactions.

response, deserved a moment of joy after 10 months of stress and bad news. Others pointed out that the reaction showed humanity, calling back to the several times that Henry has become visibly emotional when announcing COVID-19 and overdose

deaths. However, not everyone had the same reaction, highlighting how the provincial health officer has become a lightning rod for polarized opinions in the province.

A number of people took to social media to criticize the doctor for what they said was unprofessional behaviour, given the continued surge in cases and restrictions being imposed over the holidays.

Others responded with their frustrations over the province’s COVID schools plan.

Several argued that dancing ahead of a briefing that would announce 16 new COVID-19 deaths was cold.

Southern Alberta woman arrested after mask dispute at Revelstoke restaurant A 43-year-old Altberta woman received the first face covering ticket issued by the Revelstoke RCMP after she allegedly refused to wear a mask at a Tim Hortons in the B.C. town.

Sgt. Chris Dodds says officers responded to the store on the morning of Dec. 6, just before 5:30 a.m., after staff notified police of a maskless customer who refused to leave.

The woman, who was alone, was still in the Tim Hortons when RCMP members arrived and, according to Dodds, refused to comply when officers asked her to leave. She was arrested for causing a disturbance in a public place, escorted outside, ticketed and released. The accused, whose name has not been released, faces two $230 violation tickets under B.C.’s COVID-19 Related Measures Act for failing to wear a face covering in indoor public space and abusive/belligerent behaviour.

Dodds says the face covering ticket is the first issued in Revelstoke since the order went into effect on Nov. 13.

Officers have responded to approximately 10 mask-related or social distancing calls to local businesses or reports of gatherings since the order was implemented but they were all resolved through education and did not warrant tickets.

8

Saturday, December 12, 2020 Indian-American Dr Murthy to serve again as Surgeon General of USA From page 1

we face — from the opioid crisis to threats to America’s mental health,” Biden said.

Biden said he had asked Murthy to serve again as Surgeon General, but with expanded responsibilities. “He will be a key public voice on our COVID-19 response, to restore public trust and faith in science and medicine. But he will also be a key advisor to me and help lead an all-government approach to broader public health issues — mental health, addiction and substance use disorders, social and environmental determinants of health, and so much more,” he said. “Above all, he will help restore faith in this country as a place of possibilities. A son of Indian immigrants, who raised their children to always believe in the promise of America,” Biden said. Dr Murthy was previously confirmed by the Senate to serve in the same capacity, holding the post as ‘America’s Doctor’ between 2014 and 2017.

A trusted national voice on health issues and a long-time advisor to Biden, he currently serves as co-chair of the Presidentelect’s COVID-19 transition Advisory Board.

In his remarks, Murthy said that he will dedicate himself to caring for every American, will be driven always by science and facts, by head and heart — and be endlessly grateful to serve one of the few countries in the world where the grandson of a poor farmer in India can be asked by the president-elect to look out for the health of the entire nation.

“That is a testament to the promise of America — one that I will work to fulfil every day as Surgeon General,” he said. Murthy said that in this moment of crisis, when so many Americans have fallen sick and lost loved

ones when people are losing jobs and struggling with childcare, he feels grateful to be able to do everything he can to end this pandemic.

“While this is a daunting task, we absolutely have what it takes to get the job done. We have world-class scientists. We have courageous medical professionals who are risking their lives to care for the ill. We have companies on the cusp of delivering vaccines, and we are blessed with generous, compassionate people all across America who are stepping up to help those who are struggling,” he said.

“If we all work together, we will overcome this pandemic and return to our lives,” he said, adding that COVID-19 is not the only health crisis the country is facing.

“If anything, it has underscored a host of other epidemics that are devastating families and shortening lifespans: addiction, the opioid crisis, and spiralling mental health concerns; glaring racial disparities and high rates of diabetes and heart disease,” he said.

These challenges are both caused and exacerbated by broader societal issues — from the economic strains families face to the disconnection and loneliness Americans feel, he said. “In my new, expanded role, I will work to bring a health perspective to our policies across government so that our schools, workplaces, and communities can be forces for strengthening our health and well being,” Murthy said.

Murthy was born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire to immigrants from Karnataka. In 1978, the family crossed the Atlantic to Newfoundland, where his father worked as a District Medical Officer. When he was three years old, the family relocated to Miami, and his parents established their medical practice.

BC sets sombre record with 28 COVID-19 deaths, 723 new cases British Columbia has set a sombre new record in its COVID-19 pandemic response, with 28 deaths in a 24-hour period.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the fatalities, along with 723 new cases of the virus, during her Thursday briefing.

Twelve of the deaths were in the Fraser Health region, 15 were in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and one was on Vancouver Island. All but two of the new deaths were in residential care facilities, Henry said.“These are family, these are friends, these are people who had interesting and challenging lives,” she said.“This is a profoundly difficult day for every single one of those families, for the community and for all of us,” added Health Minister Adrian Dix.“It underscores our point, I think, that even as we receive the vaccine and see potentially a better future in 2021, that our work to save lives must and will continue for some time to go.”

It means 587 people in B.C. have now died of the virus so far — 146 of whom were reported in December alone. Both Henry and Dix pointed to the numbers in urging people to respect the provincial health orders restricting social

gatherings, and not to seek loopholes in the rules heading into the holidays. The province is aiming to vaccinate the first health-care workers against COVID-19 next week, with an emphasis on people who work in residential care homes, where 57 active outbreaks remain.

“We don’t want to fall back just as we are beginning this push forward into the final leg of what has been a gruelling and long challenge,” Henry said.

“It is when we are tired when we may stumble.

And now, when we have a finish line that is in sight, we need to pace ourselves and we need to continue working together.”

Most of Thursday’s new cases were in the Fraser Health region (456) and Vancouver Coastal Health region (135).

Eighty-two were in the Interior Health region, 40 were in the Northern Health region and 10 were on Vancouver Island. The province also had a record 83 people in critical or intensive care, part of the 346 people in hospital with COVID-19. There were 9,524 active cases in B.C., and another 11,947 people isolating due to possible exposure.

Rapid testing for COVID-19 coming to some B.C. care homes An official at Interior Health says COVID-19 rapid tests could be available for long-term care homes in the Kamloops area starting next week.

Dr.Karen Bloemin, the interim vicepresident of pandemic response, says the health authority received the supplies for rapid testing this week. The rapid tests were rolled out in

several Lower Mainland long-term care homes this week as part of a pilot program, though provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said they’re not as accurate as traditional swab tests. erry Lake, president of B.C. Care Providers Association, says the rapid test should have been available two months ago and could have saved lives in some parts of the province.

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Woman found shot dead in car in Surrey identified A woman found shot dead in a car in Surrey last week has been identified as 29-year-old Lisa Ellie Marie Baines. Homicide investigators now believe that her death wasn’t tied to drugs or gangs. Baines was found dead inside her vehicle in the alleyway of the 13700-block of 75A Avenue last Thursday.

Surrey RCMP responded to a call about a single-car collision just after 5:30 a.m. When officers arrived, they found the woman with critical injuries. First responders were unable to revive her. IHIT said Thursday that evidence gathered to date suggests that this was an isolated incident, and not related to drug or gang activity.“There is no reason to believe there is further risk to public safety as a result of this incident,” said IHIT spokesman Sgt. Frank Jang. “The investigation is progressing quickly and we are well on our way to building a strong case. We have spoken with many of Ellie’s friends and family but we are also aware there may be someone who we have yet to speak with that may have information about her recent activities. We urge that person to come

forward.” The woman’s family is appealing for the public’s help for info about her homicide and her mother, Heidi Baines, issued a statement through IHIT on Thursday. “On Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, our family was shocked and saddened to be informed that our beautiful daughter Ellie had been tragically and violently taken from us,” said Baines. Baines said her daughter was driving home from dialysis in the early hours of the morning. Her car was later discovered off the road where she was found with gunshot wounds. “That is not how we would like to remember our daughter. She was much more than a victim of a homicide,” said Baines.

Ellie Baines was born in Surrey in 1991. Her life from the very beginning wasn’t easy and she spent many years in foster homes in the Fraser Valley, according to her mom. Her name then was Lisa Marie.

“In 2002, we were blessed to have her come home to her forever family. She in fact chose the name Ellie,” said Baines. “She was your typical strong-willed teen that liked to tug at the reins.”

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Saturday, December 12, 2020

Surrey Imam who misrepresented himself to immigration officials jailed for sexual assault

“When people see me, they think I am not good woman,” she said. “I got with priest and put him in the jail.” Pakistani national Abdur Rehman Khan, 46, is serving a three-year sentence on one count of sexual assault and will remain a registered sex offender for 20 years.

In 2017 he was charged with assaulting the woman, whom he came to know through his work in the Muslim community in Surrey, B.C. His story shows the lengths he went to in misleading immigration officials to stay in Canada and the lack of intervention provided by the B.C. Muslim Association, which described his criminal case as a “personal matter.”

The assault happened in July 2016, three months after he had been ordered to leave the country.

‘Nobody support me’ His victim is outraged that Khan continued as an imam at Masjid-UrRahmah after he was charged and granted bail, as well as after he was convicted and awaiting sentence. She also doesn’t understand how he was able to avoid discovery by immigration officials for years. She, in the meantime, has had to give up her job and many activities to avoid being ostracized by some people in the Lower Mainland’s Muslim community.

“Nobody support me,” said the woman who has no family in the country.

Multiple names and attempts to immigrate. Abdur Rehman Khan’s attempts to live in Canada span almost three decades.

In 1993, he was included as a dependent in an application by his brother Mohammad Tayyab to sponsor their mother to Canada but when Khan’s application for permanent residency was denied, he appealed but didn’t wait for a decision.

During the appeal process, Khan successfully obtained a visitor visa under the name Abdul Rehman and once in Canada, in February 1999, he made a refugee claim under the name Ibuhuraira Khan.

The claim was refused in October 2000.

One month later, Khan tried again to stay here through the sponsorship of a wife. At an immigration hearing, Khan conceded the marriage was not genuine and solely for immigration purposes.

In September 2001, he was deported from Canada, under the name Ibuhuraira Khan.

It was only after he’d been removed from Canada that in 2003 he was actually accepted for permanent residency to Canada under the original 1993 application.

Abdur Rehman Khan was an imam at Masjid-UrRahmah, in Surrey, until August 2020 when he resigned after he was sent to prison for sexual assault.

Upon his arrival, in Vancouver, in April 2003, as Abdur Rehman Khan, he was asked by immigration officials if he had ever been “convicted of a crime or offence, refused admission to Canada or required to leave Canada.”

Khan said no according to transcripts of his immigration hearings.

Officials did not know he’d been to Canada before, used other names, had travel documents in those names, nor that he’d made a previous refugee claim and had been deported.

In 2014, Khan’s past caught up with him

when the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) received word that the information he had provided officers was false.

In June of that year when asked directly if he’d ever used any other names, including nicknames, he stated “no.” When asked whether he knew the name Ibuhuraira Khan, he said “no.”

In April 2016, the Immigration and Refugee Board issued an exclusion order against Khan but he appealed the order on the basis of humanitarian and compassionate considerations.

A year later, in April 2017, the Immigration Appeal Division dismissed his appeal and at that point it was up to the CBSA to execute his removal order.

Two months later, though, when Khan was arrested and charged with sexual assault the removal process was stalled.

Surrey Police Board member posed for photos with Hells Angels A member of the Surrey Police Board was photographed posing with two fullpatch members of the Hells Angels at a 2018 memorial service. The photos of board member Harley Chappell and White Rock Hells Angels Brent Milne and Douglas (Doc) Riddoch were posted on a Facebook tribute to Carla Newman, who died in 2018. Newman was a relative of David (Clap) Newman, who is a former member of the Angels’ White Rock chapter. Surrey Police Board member posed for photos with Hells Angels Another ex-member is Chappell’s father, Philip, who left the club in 1992. On his own Facebook page last year, Harley Chappell posted a birthday tribute to his dad that included an old photo of Philip Chappell wearing his “colours” — the vest and the patch indicating membership in the Angels. Harley Chappell, the elected Chief of the Semiahmoo First

Nations, didn’t return phone or text messages Wednesday asking him about the photos. But he issued a statement to Postmedia News via email later Wednesday that said he attended the August 2018 funeral service for Newman because she is “the mother of a childhood friend.”“Members of the Hells Angels were also present. Any photos taken of me were with my father’s friends from his past,” Chappell said. “It has been well-documented and disclosed many times over the past 20plus years that my father was a member of the Hells Angels. “He left the club in 1992 when I was a child and I have never been associated to the club in any way,” the statement said.“To this day I have had no relationship or association with the Hells Angel club in any way. I have never denied or had any reason to deny my father’s history, nor does this impact my personal values or ethics as a First Nation leader or a Surrey Police Board member.”

Saturday, December 12, 2020 Trudeau invited PLA for winter exercises: report Could you possibly imagine this …

China’s People’s Liberation Army, the mighty PLA, the same military force that Pentagon officials have demonized as part of a larger movement to take over the world as we know it, carrying out military winter exercises, with Canadian Forces?

As strange as that may seem, and according to top-secret documents, it almost happened.

In fact, according to a report in The Globe and Mail, the Department of Global Affairs pushed back against a decision last year by Canada’s top soldier to cut back

on interactions with the PLA, warning Beijing might consider this a reprisal for the arbitrary arrest of two Canadians.

Government documents, seen by The Globe and marked secret and for Canadian Eyes Only, show that officials at the highest levels of Global Affairs were alarmed that General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff, had cancelled winter military exercises with the PLA in 2019.

Understandably, the United States raised concerns about joint military exercises that could benefit the

PLA, according to the documents.

“Should Canada make any significant reductions in its military engagement with China, China will likely read this as a retaliatory move related to the Meng Wanzhou case,” a February, 2019, memo to Ian Shugart, then deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, outlining the case for a letter he would be sending to Jody Thomas, deputy minister of the Department of National Defence, The Globe reported.

A senior government official said General Vance, on the urgings of the US, cancelled winter exercises with the PLA and later all military interactions.

According to Canadian rightwing news outlet Rebel News, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly raged at the Canadian Armed Forces for cancelling the training mission after China arrested the “Two Michaels,” The Globe reported.

Vance did allow Canadian Armed Forces personnel to compete at the 2019 Military World Games held in Wuhan, China, that October. The Globe is not identifying the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly about national security issues.

Shugart is now Clerk of the Privy Council, the country’s top bureaucrat, who reports directly to Trudeau. The memo was written just months after CanadaChina relations went into a tailspin.

Beijing had locked up two Canadians, former diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor, in apparent retribution for Ottawa’s arrest of Wanzhou, chief financial officer at flagship Chinese tech firm Huawei Technologies, in December, 2018.

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LOCAL

Saturday, December 12, 2020 TELUS launched Mobility for Good for Seniors, which provides Canadian seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) access to a free smartphone and subsidized mobility rate plan. Available now, Mobility for Good for Seniors includes a freerefurbished smartphone, unlimited nationwide talk and text, and 3GB of data for only $25 per month. Mobility for Good for Seniors will ensure more seniors have access to the technology they need to help address feelings of isolation, manage their mental wellbeing, stay connected to loved ones, enjoy their favourite online games and books, and access important healthcare resources and information. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At a time when the human connection has never been more important, TELUS remains committed to ensuring all Canadians can stay connected to the people and information that matter the most,â&#x20AC;? said Darren Entwistle, TELUS President and CEO. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Throughout the pandemic, our globally leading network has enabled Canadians to work and learn remotely, access critical government resources, receive medical support and stay in touch with family and friends. Our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seniors havecontributed significantly to the fabric of this nation, having built and supported the

2.2 million Canadian seniors on the Guaranteed Income Supplement can now get a free smartphone and subsidized rate plan from TELUS infrastructure, economy and social services that we enjoy today. Disconcertingly, these same elderly Canadians have been disproportionately impacted throughout the health emergency as many have had to isolate from loved ones and support networks in order to stay safe. Through Mobility for Good for Seniors, we are providing some of our most vulnerable Canadians with access to the vital tools and resources they need to stay safely and meaningfully connected, and in time for the holiday season.â&#x20AC;? Across Canada, 2.2 million seniors receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement from the federal government, and are eligible for TELUS Mobility for Good for Seniors. This program is entirelysubsidized by TELUS, and comes at no cost to the government or taxpayers. To get set up, program participants are required to provide proof of receiving the GIS benefit and then will receive a unique code.

Participants are also encouraged to download the Federal Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Covid-19 Alert app to stay updated on critical health information.

Additional details and instructions on how to apply are available at telus.com/mobilityforgood . â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year in particular has demonstrated how

Health Canada approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine The federal government has given the green light to Pfizer-BioNTechâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s COVID-19 vaccine, a key step toward launching the biggest inoculation campaign in Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history.

Health Canada announced the approval Wednesday after scientists finished a two-month review of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clinical trial data. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The data provided supports favourably the efficacy of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as well as its safety,â&#x20AC;? the department said in its report authorizing use of the vaccine in Canada for people over the age of 16. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The efficacy of the vaccine was established to be approximately 95 per cent. The vaccine was well tolerated by participants and has no important safety concerns. The benefit-

to-risk assessment for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is considered favourable.â&#x20AC;?

Canada is just the third country in the world to authorize the vaccine, after the United Kingdom and Bahrain.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will decide tomorrow whether the vaccine is safe for use in the United States.

Dr. Howard Njoo, Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deputy chief public health officer, said Wednesday 249,000 doses of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine will be on hand by yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end â&#x20AC;&#x201D; shots primarily earmarked for long-term care home residents and the staff working there. Njoo said as many as six million doses will arrive in the first three months of 2021.

critical it is that more older Canadians have access to virtual healthcare options that can help them to stay healthy and safe,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto. â&#x20AC;&#x153;TELUSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mobility for Good for Seniors will significantly increase access to virtual healthcare technology, such as video conferencing from a smartphone, for older and low-income Canadians who may have previously faced barriers to accessing and affording a smartphone. Beyond being able to better access health services, information and apps, a smartphone can be a critical tool in allowing older Canadians to more safely navigate their communities and help prevent the mental and physical health challenges associated with isolation and loneliness, particularly as more older Canadians are staying home and increasingly avoiding gatherings to protect their health.â&#x20AC;? As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved earlier this spring, TELUS donated more than 14,000 free mobile devices and $0 rate plans, valued at $9 million,

13

to hundreds of organizations across the country including long-term care facilities in support of seniors. TELUS Mobility for Good for Seniors is part of the TELUS Connecting for Good portfolio of programs that gives Canadians in need access to TELUSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worldleading technology. Additional programs JODMVEF t 5&-64 *OUFSOFU GPS (PPE offering high speed broadband Internet to qualified low-income families and people livingwithdisabilitiesforonly$9.95permonth; t 5&-64 .PCJMJUZ GPS (PPE GPS ZPVUI offering a free smartphone and a fully subsidized 3GB data plan to youth transitioning out of foster care for two years; t 5&-64 5FDI GPS (PPE IFMQJOH EJÄ&#x152;FSFOUMZ abled Canadians facing challenges using smartphones and tablets with assistive technology and training that help them live more independently; and t 5&-64 )FBMUI GPS (PPE FOBCMJOH TELUS mobile health clinics to bring primary healthcare directly to people in need and living on the streets in urban centres across Canada.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com

14

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Former North Vancouver School District employee arrested for child porn A former employee of the North Vancouver School District has been arrested on allegations of possession and distribution of child pornography.

In a statement, the district said on Dec. 7 it was informed by the RCMP about the employee.

It is not releasing the person’s name but said they are no longer an employee of the district.

It also confirmed the employee did not work directly with students.

Click to play video ‘How to protect your children while they are online’ 4:58 How to protect your children while they are online How to protect your children while they are online – Feb 17, 2020 The investigation is ongoing.

MLA Raj Chouhan becomes first South Asian legislature speaker in Canada Burnaby-Edmonds MLA Raj Chouhan has become the first person of South Asian heritage to be elected speaker in a Canadian legislature.

“Never ever thought that one day I would be in this position when I emigrated to Canada in 1973,” he said Monday when a new session resumed at the B.C. Legislature. “I want to salute the pioneers who paved the way for a better future for all of us.”

Premier John Horgan notes Chouhan is also the first Sikh and the first person who speaks Punjabi to hold the position after a remarkable journey from first working on farms after emigrating to Canada. “From your arrival in Canada in 1973, and your beginnings as a farmworker fired for speaking up for the rights of your colleagues, later forming the Canada Farmworkers’ Union to represent the most vulnerable in our population at that time,” he said. “To have you now sit in that chair coming from the fields and now sitting overseeing the Commons for all British Columbians is truly extraordinary.”

Care-home staff screened for COVID in rapid-test pilot project Rapid tests for COVID-19 are being used in a pilot project to screen long-term care workers in B.C., says Health Minister Adrian Dix. The screening is taking place in longterm care homes in Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal where there are high rates of transmission. If the rapid tests prove to effectively screen health-care workers across the province, “there would be no reason not to do them,” Dix said Tuesday. There are currently about 57 outbreaks in long-term care, with more than 1,000 residents and 600 staff sick.

“That’s why we’re doing a pilot project, to see if there’s some way that these can be added in to our layer of protections, effectively.”

B.C. seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie has been calling for weeks for routine rapid-test screening of health-care workers, particularly

in the Lower Mainland. She said the pilot projects are a good thing, but only a start.

“I think we could be doing more care homes, more quickly,” Mackenzie said Tuesday. “We’ve still got some time before we get the vaccine.”

During question period in the legislature on Tuesday, B.C. Interim Liberal Leader Shirley Bond said everyone feels “heartbroken” about the transmission, outbreaks and deaths in long-term-care homes, yet so far, the government has only announced “the limited use of rapid tests in a small number of longterm-care homes in two health authorities.”

Bond called on the government to commit to the implementation of a rapid-testing program in long-term-care homes across the province.

You can apply for the B.C. Recovery Benefit — worth up to $1,000 — starting Dec. 18 - government says

Chouhan is also a founding member of the BC Organization to Fight Racism. For 18 years he was the director of bargaining for the Hospital Employees’ Union and also served as a member of the Labour Relations Board of B.C., and the Arbitration Bureau of B.C. Chouhan’s first session of the legislature as speaker will be shorter than usual. Horgan says it will last just two weeks and deal mainly with priorities around the pandemic, including a one-time payment to families.

It’s the first session since the provincial election in October.

The Benefit is based on 2019 income, so higher earners who lost jobs during the pandemic won’t qualify. British Columbians will soon be able to apply for a little bit of extra cash this Christmas.

BC government introduced legislation on Tuesday to secure funding for approximately 3.7 million British Columbians to receive the tax-free B.C. Recovery Benefit.

According to the province, all eligible adults in the province will be able to start applying for funds starting Dec. 18.

Families with incomes under $125,000 will be eligible to receive $1,000 and families earning up to $175,000 will qualify for a reduced amount. Single-parent families also qualify for these benefit amounts.

Single people earning less than $62,500 qualify for a $500 payment and individuals earning up to $87,500 will qualify for a reduced amount.

But as the opposition B.C. Liberals

have pointed out, the income criteria are based on 2019 tax returns, so people who had higher incomes but lost their jobs during the pandemic may not be eligible.

“We understand that this recovery benefit will be useful to so many British Columbians, however, we cannot let the government pass this off as a recovery plan — it is short term relief and does not make up for John Horgan’s lack of a comprehensive long-term plan to get people back on track,” Liberal finance critic Mike Bernier said in a news release.

According to the province, British Columbians receiving income assistance and disability assistance will also be eligible for extra cash under the B.C. Recovery Benefit.

However, the people who depend on those forms of assistance will see their COVID-related benefits slashed in half, from the current $300 a month to $150 per month from January to March 2021. The same is true of the seniors’ supplement.

NDP Recovery Benefit rollout lacks a real plan Press release

BC Liberal Finance Critic Mike Bernier is raising concerns about the NDP’s COVID-19 Recovery Benefit, which was introduced with no plan for long-term economic recovery.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on our province and there is no question that government needs to provide families and businesses with relief, however, we need to make sure the right relief is going to those who need it most,” said Bernier, MLA for Peace River South. “Without an economic recovery plan, John Horgan is essentially telling B.C. families that they will have to stretch this onetime payment through to May of next year.”

The B.C. Recovery Benefit of $500 for individuals and up to $1,000 for families was promised by John Horgan as part of the NDP platform in the recent election. In addition

to the $2 billion supply bill tabled in the legislature, the Government is also proposing legislation that would delay the Provincial Budget to April 30th. This means that people and businesses in B.C. will have to wait until May of 2021 for an economic plan and any government supports to come with it.

“We understand that this recovery benefit will be useful to so many British Columbians, however, we cannot let the government pass this off as a recovery plan — it is short term relief and does not make up for John Horgan’s lack of a comprehensive long-term plan to get people back on track,” concluded Bernier. “Short term relief is a piece of the puzzle, but we need government to provide real answers on what they are going to do next. The people of B.C. will still need support long after they have spent the $500 benefit.”

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, December 12, 2020

15

BC to immunize 400,000 people against the coronavirus by March 2021 BC plans on immunizing 400,000 people against COVID-19 by March 2021, with priority given to residents and staff of longterm care homes and health-care workers.

Health officials said on Wednesday that level of immunity — around 10 per cent of B.C.’s population — will not stop the pandemic but will save lives and prevent the province’s healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed.

“Today is an important day for everyone in B.C. Today we are talking about COVID-19 vaccines, vaccines that are real and approved for use here and across the country,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, calling the vaccine’s rollout the “most complex and comprehensive immunization program ever delivered in B.C.”

As more doses of the vaccine become available, priority will be given to seniors over 80, people with underlying health conditions, people who are underhoused, and people living in remote and isolated Indigenous communities.

By April, front-line workers including teachers, grocery store workers, firefighters, and people working in food

processing plants will be prioritized.

As doses increase, Henry says vaccines will be distributed, moving down the population age range in increments.

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been approved inCanada.Here’swhatyouneedtoknowaboutit.

Just under 4,000 doses of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine, approved in Canada on Wednesday morning, are set to arrive in B.C., carried on four trays of 975 doses.

Despite promises, NDP continue to mismanage Massey Tunnel replacement Press release

The BC Liberals are raising further concerns about the NDP’s mismanagement of the Massey Tunnel replacement after newly-appointed Transportation Minister Rob Fleming failed to confirm whether a replacement of any kind will be built within the next decade.

“After cancelling the existing plans for this much-needed project when they first came into office, the NDP have consistently dragged their feet and knowingly delayed the process of finding an alternative solution for commuters,” said Michael Lee, Transportation Critic and MLA for VancouverLangara. “The Massey Tunnel is the worst traffic bottleneck in B.C. and a replacement for the aging crossing should have been started years ago. Now, we see that the new Transportation Minister cannot even reassure British Columbians that there will be a replacement built within the next ten years.”

The NDP promised that a business case for the tunnel project would be completed this fall, but it has yet to be made public. During the most recent election campaign, the NDP also promised that federal funding would be in place by the end of this year, however, there have been no updates on the status of this funding. “Commuters in Delta and other communities south of the Fraser have been waiting years for a replacement to the congested and seismically-unsafe Massey Tunnel,” said Ian Paton, MLA for Delta South. “It is extremely concerning that after making more promises to my community during the election, all signs point to the NDP further delaying this project.

A Massey Tunnel replacement is long overdue, and it is time for this government to honour its commitments to this region.”

7832 120 ST #106 - 7565 132 St. SURREY BC Surrey, BC BUS:604.572.3005 604-572-3005

14103 110 AVE., N.SURREY

11360 RIVER ROAD, N.SURREY W NE ING T LIS

Truly delightful huge basement entry app. 7200 sqft. home sits on rectangular 9965 sqft. lot. House features 11 bedrooms & 10 washrooms build by good reputation builders. Main floor has 5 bedrooms & 4 bath with huge family room,living room,kitchen,& spice kitchen.Ground level basement has 27'x15' media room with bar & washroom for upstairs use.House has 3 spacious ground level basement suites (3 bed.+3 bed & bachelor suite).Total rent of the suites is $3500/month.Very nice tenants.Easy access to Pattulo bridge, Port Mann bridge & shopping center.Motivated sellers.Easy to show.

View! View! Truly delightful 3 storey 4200 SF home sits on over 6200 SF lot in Royal Heights.House has spacious 8 bedrooms & 7 bath,lots of Parking,1 year old hot water tank & brand new washer & dryer.House has 3 basement suites (2 bed+1 bed+ 1 bed.)for mortgage help.Stunning view of New Westminister downtown,Fraser River,mountains & much more.Easy access to Alex Fraser & Pottullo Bridges.Priced to sell.A must see.Call now.

$1,779,000

$1,175,000

26964 28 AVE., LANGLEY

#125 32850 GEORGE FERGUSON WAY, ABBOTSFORD

Truly delightful fully renovated 6 bedroom basement entry home sits on rectangular 7920 sf flat lot in most demanding area Aldergrove Langley.Main floor features 3 bed ,2 bath with new kitchen /island ,new flooring,new tiles , new woodwork,new fixtures,splash back,granite counters,new tiles,new cabinet, new windows,new zebra drapes,4 new washrooms & much more .Newly built 3 bedroom unauthorized basement suite with rear separate entry.Excellent renovated covered 333 sf Patio & deck.Landscape front & fully fenced back yard.Storage shed.Walking distance to both schools,shopping,community center with pools,water Park,ice arena,playing fields& to all major routes.A must see to appreciate.

Hot deal! First Time Buyers or Investors, great investment property with reliable tenants, centrally located in a great neighbourhood. 2 bedroom and 1 bath spacious ground level apartment. Well maintained complex, with many updates on the complex over the last couple of years including, roof, windows, balconies, boilers, security cameras, fob access systems and landscaping. There is shared laundry on every floor. Wheelchair access, elevators secure underground parking. Close to Bus stop, walking distance to shopping, restaurants, banks and much more.

$920,000

$210,000

5843 180 STREET, CLOVERDALE 6559 CLAYTONHILL PLACE, CLOVERDALE

$912,500

Solid family home on almost 10,000 square foot rectangular lot in Cloverdale with loads of potential. Large open lot offers plenty of space for a pool, playground & trampoline; or use the extra space to build your dream home. Great central location close to shopping, transit & schools. Same owners since 1987. Three bedrooms up, one down in partially finished basement (just needs a closet). Walkout basement with its own entrance offers potential for two bedroom suite. Large covered patio off the living area overlooks the private, sunny backyard. Transform it into a modern, functional family home

$1,695,238

Welcome to CLOVERDALE'S NEW MASTERPIECE with beautiful VIEWS which is built in the prestigious and quiet Claytonhill neighbourhood. With almost 6000 sq. ft. of spacious living, this family home features 9 BEDROOMS & 9 BATHROOMS and is situated on a 6875 sq. ft. lot. Open concept main floor with decks offering views of BC's mountains, A/C, HRV, security system & more! Beautiful tile floors and engineered wood is carefully placed throughout the home.

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Saturday, December 12, 2020

Treatment of protesting farmers undemocratic: Former judges

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Making it clear that peaceful protest against a grievance was constitutionally protected right of every citizen, three former judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued a joint statement asserting that the treatment meted out to the farmers peacefully moving to Delhi by the Haryana Police was not only undemocratic, but brutal as well.

Former Acting Chief Justice, Justice Mehtab Singh Gill, Justice Ranjit Singh and Justice Nawab Singh asserted the indiscriminate use of water cannons in harsh cold winter, batons and other means would put any democratic government to shame. In return, the farmers could be seen offering water and food to the baton-yielding police.

Questioning the urgency displayed by the Central government in introducing the farm laws by first issuing the ordinances, the former judges asserted the whole nation was then in lockdown condition and fighting the serious pandemic engulfing the entire world.

“Was there any urgency or emergency to take the route through ordinances? We see none. Such law could have waited for consideration in detail during the Parliament

session. The government then bulldozed it way through to pass these laws in Parliament. The Bills were passed in the Rajya Sabha in a very questionable manner by voice vote against the demand of division,” the judges asserted.

They added it was imperative for the government to take into consideration the concern of the farmers before enacting these

laws. Their apprehension that these laws would benefit the corporates could not be easily discounted. As such, the government was required to realise the difficulty of the small and marginal farmers to deal with the big corporates. “Corporates, maybe a few, would benefit. But struggling farmers burdened with unending debts would lose their land and livelihood”, they added.

Saturday, December 12, 2020

INDIA

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Centre govt says we yielded, farmers insist repeal key demand After six rounds of talks, involving over 20 hours of deliberations, protests on the streets of Punjab, Haryana & Delhi, farmers were back to underlining the same item.

This lack of movement has hardened the divide and poses the main challenge as both sides work on their next steps.

Officials in the Government claimed that they had “yielded” and given “assurances” based exactly on what the farmers had asked for during the talks in Vigyan Bhavan.

“They asked for assurances on MSP and tax parity and the court process. If repeal was the only demand, then what was there to discuss over six rounds?” said a top government official. “We have given the assurances that the farmers were asking for.”

Not quite, say farmers.

In fact, they underline that the repeal demand has been a consistent one along with hardwiring MSP into the law and it is the government that has been equivocating.

In the first round of talks with the Centre held between 29 representatives of the farm unions of Punjab and Union Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal on October 14 in Krishi Bhawan, farmer leaders had made a string of demands.

These included repealing the farm laws and the Electricity Amendment Act, 2020; legally ensuring government procurement on minimum support price; withdrawal of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020; withdrawal of cases registered against activists and protesters; and implementation of Swaminathan Commission report to fix MSP with C2+50 percent formulae.

Said Jamhuri Kisan Sabha general secretary Kulwant Singh Sandhu: “In the first round of talks we had given a letter to the Secretary, stating our eight demands.

These demands included repealing of three farm laws.” He said that this was never taken off the table.

Even a memorandum signed by about a dozen farm union representatives and submitted to Agarwal on October 14, mentions this as among their demands.

Farmers’ protest |What is the role of a arhtiya, or commission agent?

After the fifth round of talks with the Centre on December 5, farmers reiterated the repeal demand.

Even when Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar announced that the government was willing to reconsider some of the provisions of the farm laws to bring samyata (level playing field) between the APMC mandis and private markets, farmer leaders hardened their stance.

“We had mobilized people on the issue of repeal.

We resolved not to come back until the repeal of three laws and withdrawal of two bills,” Sandhu told The Indian Express.

Earlier, as protests spread across the Malwa region of Punjab, on July 27, as many as 11 unions had travelled on tractors from their respective villages and submitted memorandums to their MPs against the then far, ordinances.

The protests got a big push when on August 19, all 31 farmer unions of Punjab, including khet mazdoor (farm labourer)

unions, decided to work in coordination.

Their memorandums to the PM and Punjab government also largely focused on the issue of repeal of the ordinances and guarantee on MSP. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar spoke to the media outside Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on December 5, 2020. The protests start after three laws were passed. On September

23, all 31 farmer unions announced ‘rail roko’ agitation from October 1, along with dharnas outside malls, petrol pumps of corporates and

even outside the residences of BJP leaders.

This was again accompanied by growing demand for repealing the three laws. There was also a consensus that if the government were to guarantee the continuation of MSP – via law — and APMCs besides making amendments to regulate the private players, the farmers would be appeased.

Centre appeal to farmers: No ego, willing to talk, end stir

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INDIA

Saturday, December 12, 2020

China gave 5 differing explanations for LAC build-up: MEA External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said China had given India “five differing explanations” for deploying wellequipped security personnel in large numbers at the LAC. The minister, however, did not reveal India’s position on disengagement and restoration of the May status quo by limiting himself to mentioning multiple layers of communication with China.

“C ommunication is not the issue. The issue is that we have agreements and those agreements are not being observed,” said Jaishankar when asked how New Delhi is dealing with the LAC stand-

off. The minister was speaking at a webinar with Australia-based Lowy Institute, chaired by its Executive Director Michael Fullilove.

Jaishankar reiterated his statements such as terming the relationship as at its “most difficult phase” and the violation of bilateral pacts

by China as having “significantly damaged” bilateral ties. He did not elaborate on the five “different” explanations from the Chinese side.

Asked about some perceptions of India moving in an illiberal direction, Jaishankar questioned their motives and understanding of the new political regime in Delhi.

Teflon Modi does not have one Achilles heel, but two Modi & Amit Shah government projects invincibility. Its public image is that it doesn’t trip or get spooked easily – not by CAA-NRC, JNU, Rohith Vemula, or Kashmir protests.

In the wider public opinion, Modi-Shah apparently don’t have an Achilles heel.

But if you listen to the protesting farmers from Punjab and Haryana, they speak as if they have already achieved a never-before success. After all, they have managed to drag the Modi government to the negotiating table, they say. The government has never bothered to reach out to leaders of any of the previous protests. This is a government that is impervious to public pressure.

But now, just the optics of six rounds of talks with farm leaders – first Rajnath Singh, then Amit Shah – the Modi government is showing it is vulnerable to the constituency of farmers, at least in the perception politics. This, in spite of the fact that Modi has displayed absolute conviction in the rationale of the farm laws when

he said that old laws of the past century have become a “burden”. And yet, his government is engaging in talks, which it hasn’t with other protesters. By contrast, he didn’t flinch even once after the draconian demonetisation.

The only other instance of an otherwise unyielding government relenting was on the land acquisition ordinance in 2015. This was after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi drummed up a campaign around farmers’ security. He tagged the Modi government as the ‘suit-boot ki sarkar’ and it hurt. In his radio programme Mann ki Baat, while withdrawing the ordinance, Modi told the “farmer brothers and sisters” that he is “open to all views and suggestions”.

In the past six years, PM Modi has gone through a series of controversial decisions not caring for the tremendous opposition – demonetisation, abrogation of Article 370, CAA-NRC, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and so on. Confident in his political hold and charisma, Modi rarely blinks.

Opposition party leaders called on the President, want agriculture laws withdrawn A delegation of the opposition parties met President Ram Nath Kovind in Delhi and backed demand of farmers’ unions to repeal agriculture laws terming them retrograde and a nt i - d e m o c r at i c .

The delegation c o m p r i s e d NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI general secretary D Raja and DMK’s TKS Elangovan.

Speaking after the meeting, Rahul Gandhi said that the farmers were not going to end their agitation until the government agreed to rescind the new laws.

“We raised couple of issues, including the manner in which these laws were passed in the Parliament without any discussion with Opposition parites,” he said.

Farmers reject Centre govt’s proposal over agriculture law Farmer leaders rejected Centre government ‘s proposal to amend Agricultural laws and said they would intensify their agitation with nationwide protest on December 14.

They also said that they would “choke” national Capital by December 12 by blocking Jaipur - Delhi and Delhi-Agra express-ways and all other roads enterting into Delhi if their demands were not met.

Terming the proposal an “insult” to the farmers of the country, they, however, said if the government sent a fresh proposal of talks, they may consider it.

In a draft proposal sent to the 13 farmer unions whose representatives Home Minister Amit Shah had met late on Tuesday, the government proposed to give a “written assurance” that the existing minimum support price (MSP) regime for procurement will continue. It proposed to make necessary amendments on at least seven issues.

In the proposal, sent by Agriculture Ministry Joint Secretary Vivek Aggarwal, the government said it was ready to consider with an open

heart the objections raised on the farm laws.

Addressing the media later, farmer leaders, including Jangvir Singh Doaba, Rakesh Tikait, Shiv Kumar Kakka, Darshan Pal Singh and Dr Ashok Dhavle, said there was nothing new in the proposal and Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had offered the same to them at earlier meetings.

It was “completely rejected” by the ‘Sanyukta Kisan Committee’ (united forum of farmers), a body representing various farmers’ unions, they said. Doaba said the Jaipur-Delhi and the Delhi-Agra highways would be sealed to “choke” the Capital. The nationwide protest on December 14 would be organised at the district level, he said. “The farmers will gherao BJP leaders and the party’s offices,” he said.

Kakka said they had informed Shah about their “deadline” to repeal the three “black” laws and for a legal guarantee on the MSP. The unions have also decided to boycott the products of certain corporate houses whom they feared the Centre wanted to benefit through the farm laws.

‘Corruption-free India’ under BJP govt is just a sham India has the highest bribery rate in Asia according to the Global Corruption Barometer published by Transparency International. The report released on the eve of International Anti-Corruption Day, December 9, shows that nearly 50% of those who paid bribes in India were asked to, while 32% of those who used personal connections said they would not receive services like healthcare and education otherwise, without bribing. The findings are a scathing indictment of the anti-corruption claims of the ruling dispensation, which came to power on the plank of a ‘Bhrashtachar mukt Bharat’ (corruption-free India).

It is a fact widely acknowledged that unlike many countries, where corruption is restricted to the highest echelons, in India the malaise goes down to the lowest level of administration. While big-ticket corruption grabs eyeballs, it is the everyday petty corruption that haunts the common person.

Decentralised corruption cannot be tackled through any centralised fix. What is needed is to empower ordinary people to expose and report corruption locally, and systems that act promptly on these complaints to hold corrupt officials accountable.

Some Indian farmers are finding diamonds worth millions on their land More than 60 percent of India’s population is dependent on farming. But few have the luck of Lakhan Yadav, the 45-year-farmer who became a millionaire overnight.

Last year, Panna National Park in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh was classified as a national forest and tiger reserve. Yadav was one of the many indigenous people who were forcibly evicted from their homes inside the Park. He arrived at a small village in Panna district and began doing odd jobs, mainly farming and selling his produce, to keep a steady income.

On Dec. 5, he was tilling a plot he had leased last month for INR 200 ($2.71) when a sparkling object amid the dust and dirt caught his attention. “I was digging the land and it looked like a shiny pebble,” Yadav told VICE World News. Later, Yadav would know that he had discovered a 14.98 carat diamond worth INR 600 million (about $8 million).

Lakhan Yadav diamond digging panna madhya pradesh India Lakhan Yadav, who also works as a farmer, became a millionaire overnight after chancing upon a diamond on his land.

“I finally have the money to get my children educated. I also bought a motorbike for myself after riding a bicycle my entire life.

Interestingly, Panna is India’s biggest center for mining diamonds. It’s also known for its “diamond diggers” -- people who avail a license from the government to search for diamonds in a designated area of land.

“Every year, the government gives out about 500 licenses for these people to find diamonds. On an average, around 15 end up finding valuable diamonds every year.”

Anupam Singh, a diamond valuator from Panna, told VICE World News. “Some people have to search on their land for years,

FIJI

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Punjab UK author Anita gets prize for story on Jallianwala Bagh British Indian journalist and author Anita Anand’s book that tells the story of a young man caught up in the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar has won a prestigious history-literary prize in the UK. ‘The Patient Assassin: A True Tale of Massacre,

Revenge and the Raj’ beat six other titles for the PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize for History 2020, awarded annually for a non-fiction book of specifically historical content.

The judges described it as a “genuine historical classic” that would be read for decades to come.

Akal Takht: Bid to malign peaceful farmers’ movement Akal Takht has taken cognisance of the Centre’s “stubborn” attitude towards resolving the impasse with the farmers over the farm laws and has demanded that the newly enacted farm laws should be repealed.

During a press conference, officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said that attempts were being made to malign the farmers’ peaceful protest by tagging them as “Khalistanis”.

He said that the government was for the people and laws were to be formulated for people’s benefit. If the people were not ready to accept those, those should be repealed unconditionally.

“The farmers’ agitation is being defamed as if it was anti-national. A major portion of the media has become a puppet of the Centre and is tagging farmers as ‘Khalistanis’ to divert

Sunny Deol faces flak over remarks on support to farmers, Centre Gurdaspur MP Sunny Deol’s statement that he was “with the Centre and also with farmers” has evoked laughter not only among the Congressmen, but also among his own colleagues, many of whom advised him to “think before he leaps” to avoid embarrassment for his party in the future.

MP Deol’s statement, which went viral on social media, has been termed “bamboozler” by Cabinet minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. “During his

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Opposition leader Rabuka resigns from the Parliament

campaign in the 2019 General Elections, the actor came up with many side-splitting quotes while touring my segment (Dera Baba Nanak). People used to bring such gaffes to my notice, but I never believed them. I held a belief that Deol after all is a mature man. How can he stand by the government and be with farmers at the same time? Either he is with the government or he is with farmers.

He cannot sail in two boats,” said Randhawa.

Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka has resigned as a Member of Parliament.

Speaking in Parliament this morning, Rabuka announced that he will no longer be a Member of the House. “I hereby Mr Speaker Sir tender my resignation as a member of this House representing the people of Fiji to make way for his Excellency the President. I ask the Prime Minister to work with the new Leader of Opposition and the members of the Opposition and take us forward.”

Article continues after advertisement “I will no longer be an obstacle to the bipartisan approach to be taken by the leaders

of Fiji to create harmony and progress and unity in Fiji and I with respect Mr Speaker Sir tender my resignation from Parliament.”

Rabuka said that he remains an ordinary member of the Social Democratic Liberal Party.

Outrage after cop, investigated for child rape, stayed on duty Public outcry has come after a top Police officer, who is being investigated for child rape, remained on duty and was only sent on leave yesterday.

Reports that the officer was still on duty broke around midday. At 6pm, Police notified the media that the officer in question had been asked to take his pending leave.

Fiji Human Rights and Anti Discrimination Commission director Ashwin Raj said this raised serious questions about

the independence of the investigation.

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre confirmed that a report was lodged two months ago with the Fiji Police Force.

The centre said it was alleged that the Police officer who was in charge of a key Police station raped the girl, a daughter of a friend.

The Police officer received a medal while under investigation. This has caused an uproar with human rights and women’s rights bodies.

Students to do exams in quarantine Plea seeks FIR against Kangana for posting ‘defamatory’ An application under Section 156 (3) of the CrPC has been filed against actress Kangana Ranaut for posting a ‘defamatory tweet’ and mocking a woman protester on the Delhi border.

The application was filed in the court of Ilaqa Magistrate, Fatehgarh Sahib, by the former president of District Bar Association and advocate AS Dharni after the expiry of the

legal notice that he served to the actress seeking an ‘unconditional apology’ for her remark.

In the application, he said necessary direction may be issued to SHO, Police Station, Bassi Pathana, to register a case against the actress and to take appropriate action in accordance with law after verifying the facts.

In the legal notice, Dharni has sought an apology from Kangana and has also mentioned

Pakistan PM Khan warns opposition parties not to hold public rallies amid Covid-19 Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday appeal to the nation and to oppostion parties not hold their rallies in an effort to stem spread of Covid-19 pandemeic, as opposition parties refusing to back down over and hold public rallies, specially a jalsa on Sunday in Lahore.

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s appeal comes amid second wave of Covid-19 pandemic aand political parties protests against his govt.

He said that 64 per cent of the beds allocated for Covid-19 patients are now tottaly occupied.

Govt determines to buy out and renovate ancestral homes of Dilip Kumar & Raj Kapoor Government of Pakistan determines to buy out and renovate ancestral homes of actor Dilip Kumar & Raj Kapoor in Preshawar at the cost of 80,56,000 and 1,50,00,000 Rs respectively.

Provincial govt of KPK decide to purchase the ancestral homes of Dilip Kumar and Raj

Kapoor also declared as national heritage.

Deputy Commissioner Peshawar M. Ali Asghar, following a report of the Communication and Works Department, offered prices of Dilip Kumar’s house for Rs 80,56,000 (USD 50,259) while Raj Kapoor’s for Rs 1,50,00,000 (USD 93,529).

Oposition party memers will resign to paralyse the govt says Molana Fazal Molana Fazal, head of the opposition alliance announced Wednesday that their MNAs will resign en masse by the end of December from the Parliament to paralyse govt and force Prime Minister Khan to call early elections.

The decision was taken after PDM parties, held a meeting with its members.

PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman

announced that a consensus was reached on resigning from parliament.

“All lawmakers will submit their resignation letter to their party chiefs by 31st December,” he said, flanked by PML-N leader Maryam Safdar and PPP’s Bilawal Zardari.

The exact timing of stomping out of assemblies would be decided later, said Rehman.

Pak, China the nations of concern on religious rights: US The US has designated Pakistan and China among eight other countries that are of particular concern for violation of religious freedom, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said.

Pakistan and China along with Myanmar, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan were placed in the list for engaging in or tolerating “systematic,

ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom”, Pompeo said in a statement on Monday.

The State Department placed the Comoros, Cuba, Nicaragua and Russia on a Special Watch List (SWL) for governments that have engaged in or tolerated “severe violations of religious freedom”.

“The US once again took action to defend those who simply want to exercise freedom,” Pompeo said.

Four high school students who are part of the 21 people taken into quarantine over the weekend will be doing their external examinations in quarantine.

The Year 12 and Year 13 external examinations started yesterday.

Permanent secretary for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong said arrangements had been made for these students to sit the examination

and he had not heard of any problems.

The students were close contacts of people who came in contact with two sailors onboard the MV Island Chief, who tested positive for COVID-19. This takes the number of people with COVID-19 in border cases to nine.

The ministry will also operate at reduced capacity until it is established that there was no risk of transmission in the community.

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Saturday, December 12, 2020

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Saturday, December 12, 2020