The Asian Star March 30 2019

www.theasianstar.com

Vol 19 - Issue 9

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Tel:604-591-5423

PM Trudeau now has lower approval rating than Trump, with Tories way ahead: Ipsos poll

P

M Trudeau appears to have suffered more damage from the SNC-Lavalin scandal than U.S. President Donald Trump has from the Russia investigation, hush money payments to a porn star, alleged campaign finance violations, threats of impeachment proceedings and the litany of new investigations launched by Democrats.

That’s according to a new Ipsos poll, conducted exclusively for Global News,

which found that Trudeau’s approval rating (40 per cent) has now slipped below Trump’s (43 per cent), even as the Conservative Party established a double-digit lead over the Liberals. The Liberal government’s federal budget did little to quell the damage, the poll found, with most Canadians indifferent about it and only a small minority impressed

by Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s offerings.

The Conservatives are now sitting pretty in crucial provinces Ontario and British

Columbia, with Trudeau managing to fall behind among two of the key demographics that swept him to victory in 2015, women and young people. If an election were held tomorrow, the Conservatives would receive 40 per cent of the vote among decided voters, according to the poll of 1,002 Canadians conducted between March 25 and 27. That’s unchanged since Ipsos’ last poll on March 4.

Continued on page 6

CRA executes search warrants on Vancouver properties in Panama papers case The Canada Revenue Agency says its investigators executed search warrants on two properties in Vancouver today — part of an effort to find further evidence in a $77 million tax evasion case related to the Panama Papers. The CRA says 40 criminal investigators took part in the operation.

The agency says investigators uncovered a series of transactions involving offshore tax havens linked to an alleged attempt by a non-resident to avoid paying tax he was Continued on page 2

Owner of trucking company involved in Humboldt Broncos bus crash fined $5000 only The owner of the transport truck involved in the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash has admitted he did not follow provincial and federal safety rules in

the months leading up to the collision.

Sukhmander Singh of Adesh Deol Trucking was not in court Wednesday when his lawyer Continued on page 7

South Asian Calgary political insider alleges voter fraud in UCP leadership campaign Alberta’s election commissioner has ruled that Hardyal Mann made irregular political contributions, and the Calgary political operative alleges the existence of a plan to commit voter fraud in order

to secure the election of Jason Kenney as United Conservative Party leader — a controversy that’s erupting in the midst of a provincial election. Hardyal (Happy) Mann does not Continued on page 3

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There is no better way to get ahead in this world than to get a university education. But this is easier said than done because of the prohibitive cost of post-secondary education.

For most Canadian parents struggling with the high cost of living and trying to pay monthly bills for housing and food, lack of money stops them from achieving the dream of sending their children to colleges and universities.

Continued on page 6

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From page 1

Search warrants on Vancouver properties in Panama papers case withholding. Investigators relied on various sources, including records obtained through the Panama Papers leak, according to a news release. “These complex investigations can take months or years to complete and I’m encouraged and very pleased with the search warrants that were executed this morning,� said National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier in a written statement. The Panama Papers are the millions of documents leaked in 2015 that revealed financial and lawyer-client information for more than

200,000 offshore entities. The CRA says this investigation is one of 52 international and offshore tax evasion cases in which it is involved, including cases involving five taxpayers named in the Panama Papers.

Citing confidentiality rules under the Income Tax Act, the agency would not comment further on the status of the investigation, provide details on the exact location of the searches or reveal where the non-resident man in question is from.

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www.theasianstar.com

Vol 18 - Issue 9

Saturday, March 30, 2019

BC Liberal MLA Jas Johal withdraws Punjabi remark made in legislative assembly Liberal MLA Jas Johal raised a few eyebrows when he deployed a Punjabi term to describe his NDP colleagues in the legislative assembly Monday.

Johal, who represents RichmondQueensborough, was speaking during oral question period about the issue of changes to the agricultural land reserve. He accused the minister of agriculture of not meeting with an association of farmers from Surrey. Directing his comments to

Ph: 604-503-3853

NDP members from Surrey, B.C., Johal said they were “not taking care of their members and their constituents.� “There’s a word in Punjabi called chamcha,� Johal, who is of Punjabi heritage, said. “It means sycophant. There’s no better term to describe these Surrey MLAs — a bunch of chamchas.

They’ve done nothing to advocate for those farmers.� BC Liberal MLA Jas Johal uses the Punjabi term chamchas to describe his NDP colleagues.

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South Asian political insider alleges voter fraud in UCP leadership campaign

From page 1

dispute the commissioner’s finding in relation to irregular donations. But he says in a March 24 formal response to the commissioner obtained by CBC News that he “trusted Kenney, his campaign team, and their judgment� and that he never thought they would “risk breaking any laws.� Alberta NDP calls on Kenney to pen sworn statement on voter fraud and ‘kamikaze’ campaign allegations “Mr. Kenney and his associates, who were equal participants, will assume high elected seats in our government,� he wrote. “However, those of us who did the work for them are left with fines, charges and

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shame. That is not fair.� The controversy is erupting in the midst of a provincial election, with Albertans set to vote on April 16, and Kenney’s UCP leading by a wide margin in recent polls. A cache of leaked documents obtained by CBC News show Jason Kenney’s campaign for UCP leadership collaborated with the campaign of his supposed political opponent, Jeff Callaway, left, to discredit Brian Jean. A letter obtained by CBC News that was sent to Mann outlining the findings of commissioner Lorne Gibson’s investigation says Mann — a broker in Calgary’s IndoCanadian community.

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4

OPINION

Saturday, March 30, 2019

By Tony Dean, It’s time the Senate worked efficiently, for all Canadians Senator The Senate of Canada has several key roles been through extensive debate and approvals specified that important community-level and makes important contributions to the on both sides of Parliament, are getting sports sponsorships, programs like Timbits development of the country’s most pivotal caught in the crosshairs of increasingly heated hockey would not be affected. public policy initiatives. But lately, several key partisan rhetoric.

Over the past two and a half years, Bill government and private members’ bills have Bill S-228 is a perfect example of this.

S-228 has been studied, debated and already suffered the consequences of political theatre Introduced in September 2016 by former approved by the Senate and the House of as we enter into the throes of an election year.

Conservative Sen. Nancy Greene Raine, Bill Commons. It’s been through two committee In recent months, we’ve seen a growing S-228 aims to protect children by limiting studies – one in the Commons and one strategy by some of our more partisan marketing of food and beverage to our kids. in the Senate. As a former member of the colleagues to delay Senate approval of integral This bill is important because Canada Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, bills, presumably to ensure they die on the is in the midst of a health crisis caused by Science and Technology, I participated in the order paper when Parliament is dissolved later consumption of foods and beverages high in study of the bill. this year. Some bills – notably government sugar, salt and saturated fat. Our children are After some important and substantial bills that make important changes to aspects at special risk because so many have spent amendments, it’s back in the Senate needing of energy regulation and rules related to their lives eating highly processed foods and one final approval. Its broad support should firearms – are facing delays in the chamber are vulnerable to certain types of advertising. have at least ensured an expedient final vote and in committee. In the absence of business Children are bombarded from numerous – but unfortunately this has not been the planning and scheduled debate, it’s becoming sources with marketing for unhealthy foods. case. Bill S-228 has now been back before the increasingly challenging to make sure that The legislation awaiting Senate approval Senate for five months – and if the first two important pieces of legislation get the fulsome would restrict such marketing to children weeks of Senate sittings are any indication of study Canadians expect and deserve from us.

12 and under, though the government has what’s to come, there’s considerable concern it Other bills, some of which have already won’t proceed to a vote before the pre-election break. If Canada’s Senate is to be recognized as a modern and important part of our legislative process, it must work efficiently.

This means devoting time to providing constructive improvements to important legislation while passing promptly those bills that have already gone through due process, such as Bill S-228. This is good business planning and our children and our families are counting on it.

And we know, business planning and scheduling debates work. Bill C-14, dealing with medical assistance in dying,challenged the Senate’s usual approach to debate and benefited from thoughtful planning. Before my appointment, I followed those debates in the Senate closely with millions of other Canadians. It was an historic and highly successful project that saw senators working together to ensure that the best interests of Canadians were protected.

www.theasianstar.com # 202 - 8388, 128 St., Surrey, BC V3W 4G2 Ph: 604-591-5423 Fax: 604-591-8615 E-mail: editor@theasianstar.com Editor: Umendra Singh Associate Editor: Chhavi Disawar Marketing and Sales: Ravi Cheema........604-715-3847 Shamir Doshi....................604-649-7827 Harminder Kaur...............778-708-0481 Parminder Dhillon..........604-902-2858 Pre-Press: Iftikhar Ahmed Design: Avee J Waseer Contributing writers: Jag Dhatt, Akash Sablok, Kamila Singh, Jay Bains

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Saturday, March 30, 2019

The Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation (CST) can make your dream come true

From page 1

The Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation (CST) can make that dream come true, says Peter Lewis, Vice President of CST. And he says that both the provincial and federal government are chipping in to help out parents and students. The BC government has a program where by children between the ages of six and nine can get up to $1,200 (as of 2006) and there are federal grants of up to $7,200. “Parents and students have to take

programs - with almost $2 million awarded since CST began. Through innovation, advocacy and by sponsoring the Canadian Scholarship Trust Plans that families use to save for their children’s post-secondary education, CST continues to deliver upon its mission. Lewis said that CST is continuing to lobby provincial and federal government to put in more money for Canadian students university education. One of the things he

advantage of these funds” Lewis said while on his annual tour of BC recently. “You can’t just let it slip away. And the best away of taking advantage of provincial and federal funding is to get in touch with your local CST advisor or agent, he added. A CST advisor or agent will advise your family the best way to save for future education for your children. Founded in 1960, The Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to helping Canadian families save for their children’s post-secondary education.

In addition to its focus on education savings, the Foundation rewards hard working and community minded Canadian students through scholarships, bursaries and awards

would like to see is that the $1,200 per child funding in BC to be doubled at least. “Quebec is putting up $3,600 per child so I don’t see why BC can’t double its contribution per child to at least $2,400,” Lewis said. Talking about his organization and how students benefits, he said in 2018, CST paid out $166 million to 40,000 students for post-secondary education. “We are safe, we are sound and we are the best in business with the lowest management fees,” Lewis said, adding that CST has over $4.7 billion in assets. CST also has the most experience; having started in 1960 and helped the federal government start the registered education savings plan (RESP) program in 1970.

PM Trudeau now has lower approval rating than Trump, with Tories way ahead: Ipsos poll The Liberals would receive 30 per cent of the vote — down one point — while the NDP would receive 21 per cent and the Bloc Quebecois five per cent. “Whatever this SNC-Lavalin thing is, it seems to have settled in. We’re creating a new normal in which the Conservatives are consistently ahead of the Liberal Party,” said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. “People in Ottawa can say what they want about the significance of the scandal — ‘there’s no sex, there’s no money, what is this all about?’

“But Canadians are sitting back and saying this has really caused them to reconsider supporting a combination of this prime minister and this Liberal government.”

The province-by-province breakdown makes for worrying reading for the Liberals.

In seat-rich Ontario, the Conservatives (40 per cent) have opened up a 12-point lead over the Liberals, who are tied with the NDP at 28 per cent. The Tories also enjoy a double-digit lead in British Columbia, where the Liberals and NDP are in a scrap for second place.

Alberta looks to be a foregone conclusion, with the Conservatives (63 per cent) lightyears ahead of the Liberals (17 per cent) and NDP (15 per cent). “When you take a look at where the Conservatives are leading, they’re now leading everywhere you need to lead,” Bricker said. “They really don’t need anything else to beat the Liberals.” Indeed, the only province in which the Liberals are in pole position is Quebec, where they have the support of 38 per cent of respondents.

However, the Conservatives (25 per cent) and Bloc Quebecois (23 per cent) appear to have enough strength to prevent the Liberals

from truly taking advantage of their Quebec share as they did in 2015. The NDP, with only 12 per cent of the vote support, is poised to lose most if not all of its seats in Quebec. But it’s not the Liberals who stand to gain from Quebecers deserting the NDP, Bricker said.

“These are not people who are LiberalNDP switchers. These are probably Bloc Quebecois voters who couldn’t vote Bloc last time because of all the problems they were having, combined with people who voted for the Coalition Avenir Quebec,” Bricker said.

Compounding the Liberals’ misery is the fact that their leader is now bleeding support among some of the core constituencies that helped sweep him to power in 2015. Forty per cent of women now say they would vote Conservative, compared to just 28 per cent for the Liberals (the Tories enjoy a similar lead among men). Among younger voters aged 18 to 34, the Conservatives (34 per cent) hold a slight lead over the Liberals (31 per cent).

The only key subset among which the Liberals lead is the university-educated, with 44 per cent approval compared to 30 per cent for Conservatives. “What’s happened is that the brand that Trudeau had — he had a strong appeal among young people, and there was a gender gap that worked in his favour — all seems to be gone,” Bricker said. Indeed, Trudeau’s individual approval rating as prime minister now sits at 40 per cent, three points lower than that of Trump in the U.S. “In spite of all the issues that they’ve had to deal with in the United States, the likelihood that the president of the United States will get re-elected is higher right now than the prime minister [of Canada] being re-elected,”

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Saturday, March 30, 2019 From page 1

Owner of trucking company involved in Humboldt Broncos bus crash fined $5000 only

pleaded guilty on his behalf to five charges.

Singh, 37, was fined a total of $5,000. The Calgary-based trucking company is no longer in business.Crown tells court this trucking company no longer exists. The crash sparked an investigation into the company– logs were pulled from Jan 1/18- March31/18 and the inspection revealed there were numerous days where no daily log was provided #yyc The convictions include failing to keep a daily drivers log, neglecting to ensure his drivers complied with safety regulations and having more than one daily logbook. Singh also pleaded guilty to not having or following a written safety program. Court documents showed the offences occurred between Jan. 1 and March 31 — prior to the fatal crash on

April 6. “This should serve as a warning to other owners of truck companies. This is a serious business, and we see why with tragic results,” said Judge Sean Dunnigan. “I’m satisfied that .. (this) meets the objectives of the sentencing particularly as a general deterrent.

“This is the end of a very, very sad tale.” Sixteen people were killed and 13 were injured when the Broncos junior hockey team bus and a semi owned

by Singh collided at an intersection in rural

Two dead after hostage taking ends with gunfire in Surrey

S a sk atche w an .

M i c h e l l e Straschnitzki, whose son Ryan survived but is paralyzed, said the fine isn’t much of a disincentive.

“It’s good but not exactly a hardstance deterrent,” she said.

“However, the limitations to our legal system are what they are. Maybe the actual laws and lawmakers need to be revisited.” Crown prosecutor Deanna Smyth told court that the fines are much lower than the maximum allowed, but noted Singh had no previous record and his

offences weren’t criminal.

“I understand that there’s a lot of attention with this being related to the Humboldt crash accident. In fact, these charges are not actually related to that offence,” Smyth said.

Singh’s lawyer said her client needs until the end of next year to pay the fine.

“He is the primary breadwinner for the family. He tells me he’s currently unemployed and unable to get any work because of the media attention from Humboldt,” Sadaf Raja told the judge, who granted the request.

Raja said her client is remorseful. “We were all saddened by what took place. Everybody because of the type of case — it’s hockey, it’s Canada — we all related to it in some way.” The driver, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, was sentenced last Friday.

One man & one woman are dead after a hostage situation ended in gunfire this morning in Surrey.

A police watchdog has been called to investigate after the deadly standoff in north Surrey ended this morning with what a neighbour describes as “at least 15 or 20” gunshots.”

The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is investigating after an estimated two dozen police vehicles, as well as an armoured vehicle, surrounded a home in a residential neighbourhood at 132A Street and 100A Avenue. In a release, IIO said at about 7:30 a.m., members of the Emergency Response Team went in and a “confrontation with the barricaded male ensued.” The man was shot and was killed, IIO says. A woman was also found in the home with serious injuries and was later pronounced dead at hospital. No police officers nor any other members of

the public were injured, IIO says. Chief civilian director of IIO describes details in Whalley standoff involving deaths of man and woman.

The standoff started at about 9:30 p.m. on Thursday (March 28) when Surrey RCMP responded to a report of man with a gun and a possible hostage situation, IIO says.

Officers evacuated a number of people from nearby homes and properties.

A containment area was established and the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team was called in. “Multiple efforts” were made throughout the night and into the morning to “peacefully resolve” the situation, IIO says. According to a tweet from Surrey RCMP, “Police have the situation contained, but ask residents to stay away from the area of 133 Street and 98A.” Sherri Lewis, 25, lives nearby and said she heard “at least 15 or 20” gunshots.

Heavy police presence at 133 and 98A Ave. In Whalley as Sherri Lewis, 25, gives her account of hearing shots fired. She said it was like a movie. Another neighbour who didn’t want to be named, told the NowLeader that “all night,” every 20 minutes or so, she heard police on the bullhorn saying, “Let the woman go,” and was asking if she was still alive. Then, she said, she heard a gunshot at about 7:30 a.m. to

8

Saturday, March 30, 2019

The ink with a ‘secret formula’ that powers the world’s biggest democratic exercise It is the classic picture flashed across the world during every Indian general election – smiling voters coming out of a polling booth, holding up a finger daubed with blue ink, flaunting it as a badge of honour for having voted in the world’s largest democratic exercise. Voting in this year’s general election kicks off on 11 April and, because of the size of the country, will last for six weeks to ensure that some 900 million Indians get the chance to cast their vote. The Election Commission has been girding its loins for some weeks now in preparation for the mammoth logistical exercise.

But its first order of business – as it has been for decades – wasto get in touch small

company in Mysore, in the country’s south, and order vast amounts of a special kind of ink. The ink is essential to the nation’s democratic process. It is indelible, thus preventing electoral fraud and double voting. Drawn with a brush or stick on the nail and cuticle of the forefinger of the left hand, it is designed to last for weeks, until a new nail grows. The government-owned company Mysore Paints & Varnish has been making the ink, based on a secret chemical formula, since 1962,

when, in the run up to the third general after independence, the Election Commission asked the company to make an ink that could not be rubbed or washed off.

This year, about 100 employees are working on the batch, which is made up of more than 2.6 million 10ml plastic vials. The vials used to be made of glass but breakage was an issue. What hasn’t changed, however, is the secret formula.

Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited in the city of Mysore, India.

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Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited in the city of Mysore, India. Photograph: Amrit Dhillon “I don’t know what the secret formula is myself!” said Mysore Paints & Varnish managing director Dr Chandrashekhar Doddamani. “I am not allowed to know.

Only two of our chemists at any given time know the secret and pass it on when they retire.” Is it kept in a vault, like the Coca Cola formula? “No, not a safe, but only two of our chemists know where it is,” he said.

One of the ink’s ingredients is known to be silver nitrate, which stains the nail on exposure to ultraviolet light. It cannot be washed off with soap, detergent or chemicals.

Security at the plant is strict. Frisking, CCTV cameras, passwords to enter certain areas and a ban on bringing lunch boxes are among the measures used to protect the formula. When ready, the ink will be dispatched to one million polling booths across India. But that is not the only place it goes. The company exports the ink to 30 countries from Thailand and Malaysia to Afghanistan and Nigeria.

Mysore Paints & Varnish was founded in 1937 by one of the richest men in the world at that time, Maharjah Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, to create jobs for his subjects.

Prime minister Narendra Modi shows his ink-marked finger to his supporters after casting his vote in 2014 Known as a “philosopher-king” for his commitment to education and welfare and to making Mysore a modern, model state, he suffered from the Rolls Royce fixation that afflicted most Indian maharajas. He even ordered Rolls Royces to ferry his staff around the palace and town.

In 1947, after Indian independence, the government took over the company.

From 1962, it has been the only company authorised to make the ink for all elections, local or national. Despite being 82 years old, the company is not a slave to tradition. It is currently testing marker pens that could end up replacing the ink in a bottle. “It will be easier to use, no need to open a bottle or use a brush. It will also be easier to pack.

But we have to finish our tests first,” said Doddamani. As a civil servant, Doddamani has served in many posts and headed many corporations but being at the helm of Mysore Paints & Varnish is more than a run-of-themill job for him. “It’s an honour to play a role in the functioning of Indian democracy. And it’s a real achievement for everyone in the company to have kept the formula a secret for all this time,” he said.

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Saturday, March 30, 2019

BC health minister looking into funding for charity spreading anti-vaccine claims BC’s health minister says he’s following the news that a Vancouver charity with a history of spreading anti-vaccine disinformation has received provincial funding for more than a decade, the Health Action Network Society (HANS) has received $428,500 in Community Gaming Grants since 2007, the earliest year included in online records for the program.

Health Minister Adrian Dix told reporters Thursday that he was aware of the news.

“I’m looking into it,” he said. “What I try and do is not make this a debate [with] a very small group of people who are opposed to immunization, but to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get immunized so we can raise the levels for everybody.”

The grants come from gambling revenue and are administered by the housing ministry.

Housing Minister Selina Robinson says she has directed staff to review the funding for HANS. “Any time an organization goes against government policy, in this case, against vaccination policy, it certainly raises concern,” she told reporters. She said she’s currently waiting for further information on why HANS has been awarded these annual grants. The grant program has been around since 1998.

HANS representatives have not responded to CBC’s question about what the grant

money was used for. Last year, a $40,000 gaming grant amounted to about one third of the charity’s revenue.

Ted Kuntz, the president of the board for HANS, said that he is simply fighting for informed medical consent and more research into vaccine safety. He denied that the organization is anti-vaccination.

“I’m fighting so children don’t die from vaccines,” he wrote in an email. “I’m simply asking the question — is what we are doing working?” HANS has also posted a response on its website to CBC’s reporting, which it described as an “inaccurate and defaming portrayal of HANS as an anti-vaccination organization.” The charity says it disputes any association with an anti-vaccination stance.

The Health Action Network Society promoted this 2013 event hosted by the firmly anti-vaccine Vaccine Resistance Movement. (Facebook) However, in the years the group has received the gaming grants, it’s often shared anti-vaccine posts on its social media channels and promoted antivaccine events from groups like the Vaccine Resistance Movement. HANS also hosted the Vancouver premiere of the notorious anti-vaccine film Vaxxed, a documentary that tried to prove the long-debunked theory that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine causes autism.

Surrey woman who killed her mother sentenced for second murder while serving time A Surrey woman who killed her mother has been sentenced for a second murder.

Gloria Zerbinos received an automatic life sentence in B.C. Supreme Court Thursday and will not be eligible for parole until 2031 for the second-degree murder of April Peregooda. She was convicted in Nov. 2018.

According to Crown prosecutor Jay Fogel, Zerbinos killed Peregooda in 2013 while remanded to Alouette Correctional Centre for Women in Maple Ridge.

At the time, Zerbinos was on trial for killing her mother, Panagiota Zerbinos in 2012. Fogel said Zerbinos has already been convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced for that crime: an automatic life sentence and parole ineligibility until 2024.

Woman arrested in death of B.C. jail inmate

According to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, Peregooda, 51, was found unresponsive by jail staff in Nov. 2013 and taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Peregooda, who lived in Vernon before incarceration, had been in jail for seven months.

Surrey woman charged with mother’s murder As part of her sentence, Zerbinos will also have a weapons ban for life and must provide a DNA sample. In Canada, the minimum sentence for second-degree murder is life in prison with no parole for 10 years, but sentences can be as long as life in prison without parole for 25 years.

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Major changes to B.C.’s auto insurance industry come into effect on April 1 as part of the province’s attempt to stop ICBC from bleeding money.

The new rules include a $5,500-cap on pain and suffering payouts for crash victims with minor injuries, such as whiplash, sprains or strains. Small settlement cases are being moved out of courtrooms and will now be heard by the Civil Resolutions Tribunal.

The B.C. government also aims to trim ICBC’s bloated legal bills — which make up nearly a quarter of the corporation’s total annual costs — by limiting the number of experts who can file reports in settlement cases.

ICBC lost ‘unsustainable and unacceptable’ $860M in just 9 months B.C. Attorney General David Eby says the measures will help cut ICBC’s losses from $1.3 billion in the 2017-18 fiscal year to $50 million in 2019-20. B.C. is the last province in the country to introduce limits on pain

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Big changes to auto insurance coming in April and suffering compensation for people who sustain minor injuries in crashes.

Medical bills, legal costs and lost wages due to minor injuries fall under a separate category, so they’re not affected by the cap.

Richard McCandless, a former civil servant who has written extensively about ICBC, says the change should have been made years ago.

“We should have moved away from it years ago when Alberta did, for example, back in 2004,” he said. “It just became too expensive.”

The cost of an average claim was just over $8,000 in 2012, according to figures from ICBC. By 2016, the number rose to more than $30,000 and the average payout for pain and suffering for minor injuries was $16,500.

The Civil Resolutions Tribunal, which currently resolves strata disputes and other small claims issues, will now also take on ICBC settlement disputes of $50,000 or less.

If a crash victim has a dispute with a

settlement offer from ICBC, they can fill out a form online and have their case resolved by a CRT adjudicator instead of a judge. The province argues the CRT will handle cases more quickly and the streamlined process will make hiring lawyers unnecessary for many plaintiffs.

B.C. drivers paying up to 60% more for vehicle insurance than Albertans, says new report McCandless says

if plaintiffs don’t hire lawyers, ICBC will save a bundle on legal fees, too.

“The whole idea is to try and get lawyers out of the business,” he said. “They’re going to save a ton of money.”

Many lawyers are critical of the new system, saying the new measures make it harder for crash victims to get fair compensation for their injuries. The Trial Lawyers’ Association of B.C. also takes issue with the new cap on the number of experts who can file reports in settlement cases.

One person hospitalized, roads closed after ‘serious’ police incident in Surrey One person has been taken to hospital after a “serious” incident in Surrey Central area reported overnight. Officers were called to a home in the 13300 block of 98A Avenue around 9:30 p.m. PT on Thursday.

The BC Ambulance Service confirmed one person was taken to hospital just before 7:45 a.m., but did not specify the extent of their injuries. On Friday, an RCMP statement said “the scene and situation” were contained and

that there is no further risk to the public, but that there will be road closures in the area for a “significant” amount of time as the investigation continues. Drivers and the public are asked to avoid the area. Cheryl Lewis said she heard police shouting around midnight as an incident unfolded at her neighbour’s home on Thursday night.

Man dies kayaking at Burnaby’s Barnet Marine Park Police say a man died kayaking in the waters of Barnet Marine Park in Burnaby Thursday afternoon.

Burnaby RCMP, in a statement, said first responders attended the park at around

2:15 p.m. PT for reports of a kayaker who had capsized and not resurfaced.

He was found dead about an hour later.

Police say the man likely drowned and foul play is not suspected.

Officers are continuing to investigate.

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Saturday, March 30, 2019

Former police officer wins court case A former Surrey Mountie who was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder related to his “overwhelming” exposure to child pornography while working on the Child Abuse and Sexual Offence Unit has won a court battle against the federal and provincial governments.

Michael Wardrope, the plaintiff, became a constable with the Surrey detachment in 2007, and worked on general duty patrol until he joined CASO in March 2009. He transferred from that unit to the Youth Services unit in 2011.

The case was hearing in Supreme Court in Vancouver, with Justice Heather MacNaughton presiding. The defendants, Minister of Justice for the Province of British Columbia and Attorney General of Canada, tried unsuccessfully to have Wardrope’s lawsuit dismissed, arguing his claim for damages is statute-barred.

Wardrope claims damages on the

basis that the defendants had a duty to ensure that his health was protected and he was free from harassment in his employment as an RCMP officer.

“He alleges that, due to the negligence of his former RCMP supervisors in CASO, he suffered mental and physical ailments and disabilities,” MacNaughton noted in her reasons for judgment, delivered March 27.

“He also alleges that, during his recruitment to CASO, misrepresentations were made to him about the amount of overtime he would be expected to work and the extent of the child pornography that he would be required to review.”

The judge noted these issues were important to Wardrope, “as he was a father of young children and he was concerned about the impacts of accepting a CASO position on him and his family.”

Federal crime reduction minister says it’s hard to get fix on money laundering The amount of money laundered annually by organized criminals in Canada is difficult to estimate, but heightened efforts are underway to halt the flow of dirty money, Organized Crime Reduction Minister Bill Blair said Wednesday.

The former Toronto police chief said the federal government pledged to create a multi-agency task force in its budget to fight money laundering.

“I worked in organized crime for very many years and it’s always been difficult because organized crime doesn’t share their spreadsheets with us,” said Blair. “In knowing the full scope of it, we have to really rely on intelligence and the analysis of that intelligence.”

Last year, an international anti-money laundering agency said organized criminals used an underground banking system in B.C. to funnel up to $1 billion annually from the proceeds of crime through casinos.

B.C. moves closer to money laundering public inquiry; feds vow ‘crack down’ A report last June by former RCMP officer Peter German on money laundering in B.C. concluded the province’s gaming industry was not prepared for the onslaught of illegal cash at the facilities and estimated more than $100 million was funnelled through them.

“There are a number of estimates that have been made, but I can say with absolute certainty money laundering is a serious criminal offence that does take place in this country,” said Blair.

Blair said the federal government was taking money laundering seriously and the

latest federal budget was a step in the right direction with several important measures.

“Not just for improved prosecutions and investigations, but also new legislative measures which are in direct response to concerns that have been raised by the attorney general,” he told CBC on Wednesday morning.

“There have been a number of significant investigations conducted.

Those investigations and prosecutions revealed areas that required improvement and significant new investments.

“I’ve been given that responsibility and, for the past several months, we’ve been working tirelessly on this.”

The federal minister and B.C. Attorney General David Eby attended a news conference at the B.C.Legislature to reinforce their commitments to join forces to fight money laundering.

Eby said B.C. should be in line for the bulk of federal money and resources available to attack money laundering, regardless of how big the problem is in the province.

“Whether it’s $100 million or a billion dollars, whatever it is, it’s very hard to know what the actual number it is,” said Eby. “What we need to do is close the loopholes and ensure we’re addressing the systematic issues that are leading to a lack of prosecutions, a lack of convictions in B.C. on this issue.”

Eby said B.C. is waiting for the delivery of two government commissioned reports before deciding whether to call a public inquiry into money laundering at some Metro Vancouver-area casinos.

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Mother and 2 sons killed in Surrey crash Friends and neighbours have identified the man who usually drove that dark coloured car as 22-year-old Davy Hao. His mother and older brother, Mike, were also found dead in the vehicle.

The car crashed into the Highway 99 overpass over the 32 Avenue diversion in Surrey, B.C., at about 10:30 a.m. PT, according to police.

All three people in the vehicle were dead when officers arrived.

Police say they subsequently determined there was something suspicious about the accident and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team was called in.

had been to the home in recent days.

According to BC Assessment, the home is owned by Anna Chao.

Neighbours describe the woman who lived in the house as a nice person who liked to garden.

They say they have not seen her since Saturday.

Mike Hao was one of the three people found dead in the car. (Facebook) Police canvassing the neighbourhood have been asking if anyone noticed or heard anything on Monday night.

Friends of Davy Hao posted that his behaviour had become increasingly erratic and he seemed to be suffering

Davy Hao

The occupants of the car involved in Mike Hao Tuesday’s fatal collision were all from the same family from mental illness. In recent Instagram The Hao brothers lived in a house posts, Hao said he was being impersonated just blocks away from the accident on online and his identity had been stolen.

35th Avenue in West Rosemary Heights.

“My electronics & others electronics are Neighbours say there was an older being monitored by a super powerful person couple there and two young adult men. that is spreading rumours ...” he wrote.

The two-storey home on a cul-de-sac Friends had reached out to Hao in has been behind police tape since early recent days, encouraging him to seek help.

Tuesday. On Wednesday, forensic teams were Friends posted that they had encouraged him on the scene combing through the house. to get help. The IHIT investigation continues.

Area residents said the police

Tickets: $25 / person

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Saturday, March 30, 2019

“$10, Abbotsford airport soars to new heights” Just two decades after it was sold for a $10 bank note, the Abbotsford International Airport has enjoyed two consecutive record breaking years, while revenues have soared beyond expectations.

More than 840,000 people travelled through YXX in 2018, marking a 24 per cent over 2017. Revenues for the year were $800,000 above expectations.

In total, the airport enjoyed $3.8 million in profits, up from $2.3 million in 2018 — and if you ask the town’s mayor, Henry Braun, there’s no signs of slowing down.

“We’re investing in the future growth of this airport. We just finished an expansion,” he said, referring to a 14,000 square foot extension of the main terminal.

“With a few minor modifications, we will be able to go two-and-ahalf million passengers with this configuration. After that, we’ll have to

push this terminal out to the south.”

Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun says the airport has been on an even keel, never going into debt, since it was purchased for $10.

Just two decades ago, the Abbotsford airport was in the hole.

Built during the Second World War, the site was originally used to train pilots but remained a private airspace for decades.

By 1992, it was losing $200,000 per year, said Braun.

With the federal government looking to get rid of it in hopes of saving money, the municipality — led by former mayors George Ferguson and Dave Kendall — purchased the airport for just $10 on the condition it remained an airfield.

Wave of no-frills airlines spurs interest in flying to and from smaller Canadian cities The airport was transferred to the City of Abbotsford on January 1, 1997.

A lawyer for a convicted killer and United Nations gang member wants the federal government to honour a settlement offer made last summer after a jailhouse beating eight years ago.

Tonia Grace wrote to the Federal Court of Canada on March 19 saying that she had visited Michael Newman at Kent prison six days earlier to prepare

for his coming trial over the 2011 attack.

“It quickly became apparent the plaintiff is suffering from severe medical issues affecting his ability to participate in trial,” Grace said.

She said she contacted lawyers for the federal government on March 14 to inform them of Newman’s medical problems and to let them know he had “decided to accept a settlement offer previously made by the defendant.”

Port Moody mayor Rob Vagramov charged with sexual assault, takes paid leave of absence Port Moody Mayor Rob Vagramov is taking a paid leave of absence after being charged with sexual assault relating to an incident alleged to have taken place four years ago.

“When the allegation surfaced during the election campaign last year, I was horrified and taken completely by surprise,” Vagramov told reporters on Thursday afternoon. “I want to be absolutely clear: This allegation is false. I intend on fighting it every step of the way, including filing a suit for defamation for this continued attack on my character.”

Vagramov said he had taken a lie-detector test and passed the results on to “authorities”.

“As someone who has been in contact with victims of sexual assault, I hope this does not take away from the validity of other cases. I am thankful to live in a place where the police take such claims extremely seriously,” he said.

“I look forward to clearing my name in court.”

The charge was sworn in B.C. provincial court on Wednesday, and announced by the B.C. Prosecution Service in a statement on Thursday. Vagramov’s first court appearance is scheduled for April 25 in Port Coquitlam.

The assault is alleged to have happened on April 1, 2015.

Vagramov was first elected to council in 2014, and was voted in as mayor during the municipal election last October. He was 26 years old when he became mayor.

“Obviously, it’s quite shocking and disappointing to see that this has happened,” said Coun.

Meghan Lahti, who has served on council for 20 years.

“From my perspective, as a member of council, the most important thing for me is the business of the city needs to be the priority of council and we not get sort of wrapped up in something that is superfluous to council.”

Vagramov will also stand down from his position on the Port Moody Police Board.

According to the B.C. Prosecution Service, senior Vancouver lawyer Michael Klein was appointed as special prosecutor in the case in December. Assistant deputy attorney-general Peter Juk appointed Klein because “he considered it in the public interest to do so.”

“The appointment of a special prosecutor is intended to avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice in light of the nature of the allegations and the identity of the accused as an elected municipal official.

UN gang killer fighting for settlement for 2011 prison beating She was told the offer was no longer on the table because Newman had not accepted it at the time.

But she pointed out in her letter this month that the offer was never “revoked or withdrawn.”

And she said that if the government “does not confirm settlement, the next step would be for the plaintiff to bring a motion to force settlement.”

Grace said the government

suggested they need medical evidence of Newman’s unfitness for trial.

“The plaintiff is in the care and custody of the defendant and he does not have immediate access to his own health records,” she said. Her letter did not elaborate on Newman’s medical condition.

A hearing on the matter is now scheduled for April 11 before Federal Court Judge Sandra Simpson.

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Saturday, March 30, 2019

15-year-old in critical condition after crashing BMW SUV into tree in Surrey: police A 15-year-old boy is facing “life-threatening injuries” after crashing an SUV into a tree in Surrey overnight, according to police.

It happened around 4:15 a.m. on Thursday near 137A Street and 33 Avenue, where the teen failed to negotiate a corner and crashed into a tree.

Witness to crash that seriously injured 15 yr old driver took this photo. Says he saw two other teens pull the driver out of the burning BMW SUV at 32 & 137A. RCMP are investigating and looking for dash cam or home surveillance video from the area. pic.twitter.com/cMamf1CfpG Surrey RCMP says witnesses pulled the teen and his 16-year-old male passenger from the vehicle, which caught fire.

Both boys were taken to hospital, police said.

Neighbour Michael Chen’s security camera caught what he believes is the

vehicle that crashed driving past his driveway five times.

“I measured the distance and the time, frame by frame, and it’s faster and faster,” he said.

“The last one might be around 90 [kilometres per hour]. Ninety, at this corner, it’s impossible to turn.”

Two people were in the vehicle when it failed to negotiate a corner in Surrey, police said.

Investigators say speed may have been a factor in the crash, and are looking to speak with any witnesses and collect any dash cam video shot in the area at the time.

The Surrey RCMP Criminal Collision Investigation Team is leading the case, with assistance from the Integrated Collision Analyst and Reconstruction Services.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey RCMP, or Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.

Drivers offering illegal ride-sharing on Craigslist could face steep fines, government says As British Columbians continue to wait for the government to allow ride-hailing companies to operate on the roads, some drivers appear to be taking matters into their own hands.

A quick scan of Craigslist reveals many people in Metro Vancouver are offering private car and driver services for a fee.

The ads are mixed in with the many posts in the “ride share” section that are clearly carpooling opportunities — in which people are typically planning a long trip and looking for someone to share the cost of gas.

Some of the ads are vague, and the true nature of the service can only be learned by emailing the driver.

Here’s why companies say ridehailing for B.C. is ‘nearly impossible’ One post titled “RIDES RIDES RIDES” advertised “safe sure rides at a reasonable price. Please email detailing ride required for a quote.”

Another titled “I’ve got your Ride” stated: “If you need a ride I can help. Just let me know when and where you need to go and

be picked up at. Email for quick quote.”

An ad titled “have vehicle - will travel (port coquitlam)” listed a phone number and offered local travel 24 hours a day.

CBC News called the driver, who said, “I don’t want to talk to you,” and hung up.

A quick scan of Craigslist’s ‘ride share’ section in Metro Vancouver turns up many ads for rides, from legitimate carpooling opportunities to offers that appear to cross legal lines.

One ad offered “Vehicle and driver avail anytime! willing to drive anywhere for gas and reasonable fare.”

The poster, Derek Gardner, gave his phone number and was willing to speak about his service. He said he has a roofing company and does other trades that are generally more lucrative than driving strangers around town.

“It’s not a full-time service,” said Gardner. “There are some guys that do [it full time] on Craigslist, but not for me.

It’s just more of like an additional expense for fuel, you know?”

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More than 700 distracted drivers fined in Surrey in March Surrey Mounties issued more than 700 tickets for distracted driving in March during a month-long targeted campaign.

“I believe it’s high, and we don’t want to see it that high, of course,” Sergeant Chad Greig said. “We want people to put their phones down and concentrate on driving, not texting.”

ICBCsaysoneinfourfatalcrashesinBCinvolve distracted driving, killing 77 people each year.

The RCMP and ICBC staged the first of three road checks to catch distracted drivers – texting and on their cellphone – on the afternoon of March 1 at 72nd Avenue and King George Boulevard.

The others were on March 13, and 27.

“It happened throughout the entire month but we had three days where we did coordinated, extra patrols, and targeted areas,” Greig said.

Results from this month’s distracted driving campaign are now in. Over 700 violation tickets have been issued for distracted driving so far.

Too many drivers still not getting the message.

He’s still waiting for a final tally of tickets.

“We could have more by the end of the month,” Greig said Thursday (March 28).

According to ICBC, more than one in four fatal crashes in the provinces involve distracted driving, killing an average of 77

people every year. Of those, 27 are killed in the Lower Mainland, 10 on Vancouver Island, 28 in the Southern Interior and 13 in B.C.’s North Central region.

Attorney General David Eby noted that distracted driving not only endangers lives with “devastating effects for families and communities,” but also puts “significant pressure” on insurance rates.

“That’s why we introduced tougher penalties for distracted drivers last year.

Improving road safety is key to creating a sustainable auto insurance system with more affordable rates for everyone.”

If you’re caught using an electronic device while you’re driving, be it for emailing, texting or talking on your cell phone, expect a $368 fine. There’s also a “driver risk premium” to consider, escalating from $444 on the second conviction to $1,356 on the 10th, and continuing to rise beyond that.

Neil Dubord, chairman of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee, said that since 2010 police have issued a whopping 370,000 tickets for distracted driving related to using electronic devices.

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Saturday, March 30, 2019

Medical wait times cost Canadian patients more than $2 billion in lost wages in 2018 Long waits for surgery and medical treatment cost Canadians $2.1 billion in lost wages last year, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, nonpartisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

It’s estimated more than one million Canadians waited for medically necessary treatment in 2018.

“Waiting for medically necessary treatment remains a hallmark of the Canadian healthcare system, and in addition to increased pain and suffering—and potentially worse medical outcomes—these long waits also cost Canadians time at work and with family and friends,” said Bacchus Barua, associate director of health policy studies at the Fraser Institute and co-author of The Private Cost of Public Queues for Medically Necessary Care, 2019.

The study finds that the estimated 1,082,541 patients who waited for medically necessary treatment last year each lost $1,924 (on average) due to lost wages and reduced productivity during working hours, or $2.1 billion combined.

When including the value of time outside the traditional work week—evenings and weekends (excluding eight hours of sleep per night)— the estimated cost of waiting jumps from $2.1 billion to $6.3 billion, or $5,860 per patient.

The study draws upon data from the Fraser Institute’s Waiting Your Turn study, an annual survey of Canadian physicians who, in 2018, reported a median wait time from specialist appointment to treatment of 11 weeks—three weeks longer than what physicians consider clinically reasonable.

Crucially, the $2.1 billion in lost wages is likely a conservative estimate because it doesn’t account for the additional 8.7-week wait to see a specialist after receiving a referral from a general practitioner. Taken together (11 weeks and 8.7 weeks), the median wait time in Canada for medical treatment was 19.8 weeks in 2018.

“As long as lengthy wait times define Canada’s health-care system, patients will continue to pay a price in lost wages and reduced quality of life,” Barua said.

Kamloops trafficker of fentanyl and cocaine jailed four years A Kamloops man who was convicted of possessing large amounts of fentanyl and other drugs has been sentenced to four years in prison.

In October last year, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Warren Milman found Chad Aaron Bissat, 30, guilty of multiple drug-related counts and several counts related to the possession of a loaded, prohibited firearm.

Police arrested him while he was out riding his bicycle on March 24, 2016. When they searched his backpack they found baggies containing 120 grams of cocaine, 195 g of methamphetamines and 60 fentanyl pills.

When police executed a search warrant at his home later that day, they found a large cache of drugs including 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 573 fentanyl pills, 8.2 kg of the date-rape drug and 58 g of heroin/fentanyl.

The bulk value of the drugs was estimated to be $120,000, with the retail value set at

about $200,000. The firearm was found underneath his pillow in the home.

Police also found cash, cutting agents, scoresheets, a measuring cup and scales in the home. Before the trial, Bissat lost a challenge to the admissibility of the evidence seized from the backpack.

The accused was found by the judge to be a mid-to-high-level drug trafficker. He told court that he was a “mover” — someone entrusted with large quantities of drugs in his house and tasked with moving them from place-to-place to allow them to be sold.

The trial heard that Bissat, who had no prior criminal record, saw his life go in a downward spiral after the death of his father. Suffering from depression and anxiety, he began to take drugs with the drug use beginning to interfere with his ability to keep a job.

North Surrey to be sprayed to eradicate gypsy-moth An aerial spray will start in May to attack on gypsy-moth infestation in North Surrey.

The Forests Ministry announced Wednesday that 62 hectares of residential and municipal park land will be sprayed beginning in May and ending June 30.

The aerial spraying aims to eradicate a growing population of the introduced pest and minimize the risks they pose to forests, farms, orchards and trees.

The ministry says a gypsy-moth population is establishing itself in the Fraser Heights area of Highway 1, near the Port Mann Bridge.

The same area that was ground-sprayed in 2017 and 2018, but the ministry says it’s now apparent that the ground spraying wasn’t effective, likely due to limited site access.

A single gypsy moth in its voracious

caterpillar stage can chew through 1,000 square centimetres of foliage a day, the equivalent of 15 oak leaves, according to the ministry.

The ministry has been issued a pesticide-use permit to aerial spray and is planning up to four applications of the biological insecticide Foray 48B over the two-month period to control the moth.

“Foray 48B is used in organic farming and contains bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk),” the government said in a news release.

The ministry says BTK doesn’t harm humans, mammals, birds, fish, plants, reptiles, amphibians, bees or other insects and only affects caterpillars after they have ingested it.

Highest-paid City of Vancouver employees Vancouver’s latest financial update shows the city’s payroll, which makes up about a third of the city’s $1.4-billion operating budget, has grown faster than either the rate of inflation or population growth over the last 10 years.

The city’s annual financial statement, which will be before council next week, provides a look at the city’s finances, including the salaries of the municipality’s highest-paid city employees.

“The city’s financial position remains strong,” said a city news release, calling its credit ratings “among the best for Canadian municipalities.”

The city’s total payroll for last year came to about $520 million, with another $1.7 million in employee expenses. By comparison, that’s an increase of about 21 per cent over the payroll 10 years earlier, which was about $428 million after adjusting for inflation. During that same period, employee expenses have doubled, and the city’s

population has grown by about 10 per cent.

Last month, staff delivered a report to Vancouver’s new mayor and council about compounded wage increases, showing that public-safety (fire and police) wages had grown almost 19 per cent above the consumer price index, a standard measure of inflation, while Canadian Union of Public Employee wages had grown 10 per cent above CPI. That report attributed recent increases in staffing to union agreements, additional hiring to provide better service in the permit and licensing department, regularization of temporary staff and “increased capital plan activity to support renewal and growth.”

As usual, the highest earner last year was the city manager. As the city’s senior bureaucrat, city manager Sadhu Johnston oversees the city’s $1.4-billion annual operating budget and more than 7,000 employees.

Last year Johnston’s salary was $350,003, representing a raise of about three per cent — or $12,000 — over the previous year.

Johnston’s salary, and those of other senior Vancouver staffers, are roughly in line with senior officials in other big Canadian cities.

Johnston’s salary is roughly double the mayor’s salary, which was listed at $178,376 for last year. Councillors’ remuneration for last year ranged between $91,703 and $115,997, with more going to those who filled additional duties such as deputy mayor.

Johnston’s predecessor in the city-manager role, Penny Ballem, earned $334,617 in 2014, her final full year on the job, which would be closer to $357,000 adjusted for inflation.

Some of the city’s other top earners last year included: t $IJFG ĕOBODJBM PďDFS 1BUSJDF Impey ($295,360), who came to the city in 2009 after a career as a senior financial officer in the private sector. t (FOFSBM NBOBHFS PG QBSLT BOE SFDSFBUJPO Malcolm Bromley ($292,884), who came to Vancouver in 2010 after almost three decades working for the City of Toronto. t $JUZ TPMJDJUPS 'SBODFT $POOFMM ($292,388), who has spent two decades as the chief legal adviser for the mayor, council and senior city staff. t $IJFG FOHJOFFS +FSSZ Dobrovolny ($291,851), a 30-year veteran of Vancouver City Hall. t $IJFG QMBOOFS (JM ,FMMFZ ($287,680), from San Francisco.

BC BUDGET

Saturday, March 30, 2019 Two BC men in International fugitive linked to BC men prison in China & Chinese authorities alleged the crime Thailand on drug charges were allegedly working for an international fugitive group planned to send hundreds of kilos wanted in both Canada and USA. of methamphetamine to Australia, hidden Khamla Wong, a United Nations gang within plastic pellets concealed in tires.

Wong was arrested in Thailand in 2016 on associate and former Abbotsford resident, has beenheadingtheinternationaldrugoperationfor drug-trafficking charges. He was mysteriously years, according to police in B.C. and California. released some time later without explanation.

Postmedia has learned that Wong is And while he has managed to avoid arrest despite facing charges on both sides of the also alleged to be behind the Thai-based Canada-U.S. border, Robert Schellenberg drug-smuggling operation that led to the and Blair Stephens have not been as lucky. arrest in January of Stephens, a former Schellenberg, also a former Abbotsford Okanagan man well-known to police in B.C. A joint Thai-Australia task force man, was sentenced to death in China in January after he appealed a 15- intercepted suspicious packages mailed year jail term handed to him last fall. to Australia that contained heroin-laden Critics charged the death penalty was shock absorbers. Police tracked the package being used to retaliate against Canada back to Stephens, who is also facing a after the Vancouver arrest of Huawei potentially lengthy sentence if convicted.

B.C. gangster Blair Stephens is facing executive Meng Wanzhou, who the U.S. wants extradited on fraud-related charges. drug-smuggling charges in Thailand.

B.C. gangster Blair Stephens is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed drug-smuggling charges â&#x20AC;&#x153;extreme concernâ&#x20AC;? about Schellenbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harsh facing Thailand.

Thai National Police sentence, and Canada has asked for clemency. in In B.C., Wong faces one count of conspiracy Schellenberg told the court at his January retrial that Wong was in fact to traffic 121 kilograms of cocaine, another the man behind the international drug count of conspiracy to import 97 kilograms of syndicate in which he became ensnared cocaine, and one count of possession of a firearm.

He was charged in 2012 after a lengthy after travelling to China as a tourist.

charged in China and Thailand investigation by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit in B.C. CFSEU Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said this week that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not surprising that Wong has been linked to international drug-smuggling operations in both China and Thailand.

Houghton said several gangs that originated in B.C., such as the UN, have expanded â&#x20AC;&#x153;to become these global drug-trafficking

15

brokers and kingpins almost, living off the grid in many cases like Khamlaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.â&#x20AC;?

He said the kingpins involved are â&#x20AC;&#x153;more than happy to let these underlings several layers removed take the fall for them.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unfortunate that a guy who is on the run from North American authorities with Interpol warrants out for him, who at one time in the last few years was in custody of a police agency.

# $ + ' * - . '* % 3 4 '(

Why did Liberals give refugee status to woman who sheltered Edward Snowden in Hong Kong A woman who escaped violence and human trafficking, and helped shelter former CIA whistleblower Edward Snowden when he fled to Hong Kong, has arrived in Canada with her daughter after being granted refugee status.

Vanessa Rodel and her seven-year-old daughter Keana arrived in Toronto on Monday before travelling to Montreal, where they will settle in an apartment provided to them by a non-profit group that filed her 2016 asylum application.

Keana rides atop the luggage cart of her mother Vanessa Rodel as lawyers and refugee resettlement workers wait for the pair at the Toronto airport after landing in Canada on a flight from Hong Kong.

Keana rides atop the luggage cart of her mother Vanessa Rodel as lawyers and refugee resettlement workers wait for the pair at the Toronto airport after landing in Canada on a flight from Hong Kong.

Rodel said as soon as the plane lifted off, she felt as though she could relax and begin to think of her new life in Canada. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel so great and I feel like Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m free,â&#x20AC;? she said after arriving at Torontoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pearson International Airport.

Her lawyer, Robert Tibbo, said Rodelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrival in Canada is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;first victoryâ&#x20AC;? in a saga that began in 2013. Rodel was part of a group that became known as Snowdenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Guardian Angels.â&#x20AC;? They helped the fugitive at Tibboâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request in 2013, when the whistleblower fled the United States to Hong Kong after leaking classified information about the U.S. National Security Administration.

Five other people in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Angelsâ&#x20AC;? group represented by Tibbo â&#x20AC;&#x201D; three adults and two children â&#x20AC;&#x201D; remain in Hong Kong. They fled Sri Lanka years ago, and their applications for asylum in Hong Kong have been rejected.

Rodel said she her thoughts are with those who remain in Hong Kong who also helped Snowden.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also sad because they are still left behind,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are still stuck for many years in Hong Kong. They have so many troubles in their lives. ... Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m hoping they also can come to Canada and (have) a better life.â&#x20AC;?

Tibbo urged the federal government to intercede and bring the remaining refugees to Canada. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are, though, very concerned that the other families have been left behind and we would like to see Mr. Trudeau and his government take necessary steps to decide the cases now,â&#x20AC;? he said.

# $ % &' ( )* + , ** - . ) * - . ' ). $ - . ' % & /0. ' ' 1 2

! ""

16

Saturday, March 30, 2019

43 overdoses in a single night in Vancouver A local official posted a startling statistic on Monday about the overdose crisis in Vancouver.

There were 43 overdoses in a single night in the city, Deputy Fire Chief Tyler Moore said. The overdose calls all came in overnight Friday, he said.

Moore posted the number in response to a message posted on Twitter by the Vancouver firefighters union saying weekend crews received 75 calls over a 24-hour period in the city’s Downtown Eastside.

“Sadly many of those were drug overdose calls,” the tweet from the union read.

“Incredible work of all first responders including (BC Emergency Health Services) and volunteers at the #OverdosePrevention Society.”

The latest data from the BC Coroners Service suggests an average of three people die from illicit drug overdoses each day in the province.

Ninety people died in the month of January.

However, while the number is still high, it represents the fewest deaths per month since 2016.

“I’m hopeful that maybe we’re turning the corner…

Cautious optimism,” Andy Watson of the BC Coroners Service said earlier this month.

Fentanyl and other highly potent opioids like carfentanil were found in 87 per cent of cases last year, when 1,310 people died of overdose.

The Friday night numbers come at the same time as paramedics are speaking out about a shortage in staffing.

The same night, 17 ambulances were out of service in the Lower Mainland, a union representative told CTV News over the weekend, because there weren’t enough people to staff them.

Cameron Eby, president of Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of B.C., said low staffing is taking a toll on employees. Paramedics and dispatchers are feeling fatigued and burnt out, and some are experiencing occupational stress injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Eby said there are vacancies in several cities across the region, and until those jobs are filled, people requiring an ambulance may have to wait longer.

BC Emergency Health Services said it is working to fill shifts, and is aware that paramedics are responding to more calls than ever as a result of the aging population and overdose crisis.

People who use drugs and live in rental housing in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside are at risk of being unlawfully evicted and often end up homeless as a result, says a new study by B.C. researchers.

And those arbitrary evictions make people more vulnerable to illness, problem drug use and even death.

“I think one of the saddest outcomes of this study was how difficult it was to find people for follow-up,” Ryan McNeil said on Tuesday. Dr. McNeil is a research scientist at the B.C. Centre on Substance Use and a co-author of the study.

“So first and foremost, we need to understand evictions as an event that can precipitate an immediate, sustained and sometimes fatal decline in health,” he added.

The study, published Tuesday in the International Journal of Drug Policy, was based on interviews with 56 people who use drugs and who

had been recently evicted from rental accommodation in the Downtown Eastside.

Participants in the study had lived in both privately-owned (for profit) and nonprofit housing in the neighbourhood.

Researchers found nuisance complaints, such as noise violations and breaches of building policies, were among the most commonly cited reasons for eviction, with participant accounts indicating such policies were “prejudicially enforced” among people who use drugs.

Researchers also found there was a “lack of clarity” over which non-profit housing was subject to B.C.’s Residential Tenancy Act, which sets out mandatory procedures for landlords who want to end a tenancy, including serving notice and returning security deposits.

That means tenants in some nonprofit buildings may be unaware of their rights under the act, the study concluded.

Fired BC farmland commission chair backs NDP rule changes

Horgan’s NDP has extended its lead over BC Liberals, poll suggests New poll results suggest Premier John Horgan’s New Democrats have widened their lead over the Liberals “and would be close to winning a majority if an election were held today.”

Data released Monday by Mainstreet Research shows that 39 per cent of decided and leaning voters polled said they supported the NDP, while only 32.4 per cent said they favoured Andrew Wilkinson’s Liberals.

The results are from what Mainstreet calls an “UltraPoll” – the combined of the results from 10 provincial surveys.

“This is the first time that we have seen some distance between the NDP and the BC Liberals beyond the margin of error in some time,” Mainstreet President and CEO Quito Maggi said in a statement.

“The good news continues for John Horgan after the NDP win in the Nanaimo byelection as both his favourability

Study suggests drug users in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside targeted for eviction

numbers and his party numbers are up since the beginning of the year.”

Among decided and leaning voters, support for the NDP was greatest on Vancouver Island (47.8 per cent) and Metro Vancouver (40.9 per cent), while the party was behind the Liberals by nearly six per cent among those polled in B.C.’s Interior.

Support for the New Democrats was evenly split among age groups and sexes, although the NDP was most popular among women and those aged 18-34.

In the UltraPoll results, the Green Party had support from 13.3 per cent of those surveyed, while the Conservatives only had 12.1. Maggi said those results aren’t unheard of in cases where a minority government is being propped up by another party the way the NDP is being supported by the Greens.

Former B.C. Agricultural Land Commission chair Richard Bullock has come out in favour of the NDP government’s changes to commission rules, arguing that the farmland protection organization is facing too many applications for exclusion.

Richard Bullock was fired by the B.C. Liberal government in 2015 after he resisted their use of regional panels to decide on secondary uses and land exclusion applications. Bullock sent a letter to Black Press Media Monday, supporting the latest changes tabled by Agriculture Minister Lana Popham to eliminate the regional panels and make property owners apply through their local government, rather than directly after local government input.

“Having reviewed the proposed legislation and read the media coverage, as I understand it, individual landowners will continue to be able to apply for subdivision and non-farm uses in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR),” Bullock wrote. “During my tenure, and I believe it is still the case today,

[subdivision and non-farm use applications are] a very low proportion of applications to the ALC, less than 10 per cent.

“As chair, I observe that the large majority of the exclusion applications were not from farmers and ranchers but instead from folks looking to make a substantial gain from paving over good agricultural land.”

The most recent ALC archived decisions are from 2016, the year after Bullock was replaced by former Saanich mayor Frank Leonard. After Leonard was appointed, secondary use rules were relaxed for areas of B.C. outside southern Vancouver Island, the South Coast and Okanagan regions where the vast majority of farm revenues are generated.

In the South Coast region, the main focus of development pressure since the ALR was established in the 1970s, decisions for 2016 show the opposite of Bullock’s description.

For that year, there were 88 applications for secondary residences and subdivisions of farmland, and only 10 for excluding land.

Woman who took part in scheme to avoid immigration rules receives $300,000 Despite participating in a scheme aimed at avoiding immigration rules and getting permanent residency status in Canada, a Korean woman has been awarded more than $300,000 in damages.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Dev Dley found Me Hee Kim, a 50-year-old mother of two, to be unsophisticated and to have been duped by Ae Sun Choi, a Courtenay woman, into paying a large sum of money for operational expenses at a local restaurant in return for her bid for residency.

“This case highlights greed and opportunism capitalizing on the vulnerabilities of immigrants who seek residency in Canada,” the judge said at the beginning of the ruling.

The trial heard that Kim wanted to immigrate to Canada with her young children and get away from an abusive husband. One way to enhance her application for residency was to show that she had a specialized skill that was needed by an existing Canadian business.

In 2013, Choi, who owned the struggling Hana Korean Restaurant and was awaiting completion of her own application for permanent residency as an entrepreneur.

Kangana Ranaut to Play Jayalalithaa in Biopic ‘Thalavi’ Kangana Ranaut, last seen on screen in “Manikarnika,” will be playing late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in the

official statement that she has been roped in to play Jayalalithaa. The film, announced on the occasion of 71st

u p c o m i n g multilingual biopic “Thalaivi,” its makers have announced.

On the occasion of Kangana Ranaut’s birthday on March 23, it was announced through an

birthday anniversary of Jayalalithaa in February, will be directed by Vijay. To be produced by Vishnu Induri, “Thalaivi” will start rolling from April. “When producer Vishnu Induri approached me with an offer to direct this biopic, I felt a sense of responsibility more than excitement. This

was a story of an achiever; a story of one woman who fought for her place in a male-dominated world. It was meant to be told with honesty. The stature of this tall leader and her courage inspired me to say yes as soon as I was offered this o p p o r t u n i t y,” Vijay told IANS. The film has music by GV Prakash Kumar while Nirav Shah will crank the camera.

“Bahubali” and “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” writer has been brought on board to supervise the writing process.

“It took us around nine months of research and over 20 drafts to finally lock the script.

We are delighted to have it

18

Saturday, March 30, 2019

‘Tera Intezaar” hei aaja Tera Intezaar: A naturally gifted yet undiscovered painter and an art gallery owner have a torrid affair. Things go South when the gallery owner’s clients want to own the talented artists’ paintings against his will. Tera Intezaar Review: On paper, ‘Tera Intezaar’ is a romantic-thriller.

But on screen, it is an unintentional comedy of epic proportions.

Veer Singh Rajput (Arbaaz Khan) is an insanely talented painter who paints the woman of his dreams over a four-day painting binge. She turns out to be Ronak (Sunny Leone) who is an art gallery

owner. He bumps into her and shows her the painting; Convenience or serendipity, who can say? A song and a few making out scenes later, Ronak introduces Veer to her clients who turn out to be classical, money hungry wolves masquerading as humans which include Arena (Bhani Singh), Vikram (Arya Babbar), Bobby (Salil Ankola) and Janasheen. They decide to kill the golden egg laying hen and make away with the paintings.

But things go awry in the process. With Veer missing, Ronak involves a clairvoyant (Sudha Chandran) to track her missing lover.

Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira Khan with her alleged boyfriend are breaking the internet

604-566-3111

7233 - Fraser St., Vancouver, BC

Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira Khan has grabbed eyeballs for her latest Instagram photos with her alleged boyfriend Mishaal Kirpalani. Ira shared photos of her spring break from Santa Barbara, California with Mishaal and wrote: “Hope your Spring Break was sunny and smiley as

@mishaalkirpalani’s, which of course, I piled onto (sic)” In one of the pictures from the set, Mishaal is seen planting a kiss on Ira’s forehead and well, that sent netizens into a tizzy. Fans are still wondering if the starkid is dating Mishaal. Well, Mishaal is definitely someone special in Ira’s life. Her Instagram page is filled with pictures of hers with Mishaal plus the

Saturday, March 30, 2019

HOROSCOPE

Moon Moon Sen turns 63 Moon Moon Senâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real name is Srimati Dev Varma.

She is the daughter of legendary actress Suchitra Sen and Dibanath Sen. Moon Moon Sen is from a royal family. Her father was the son of one of the wealthiest businessmen of Kolkata, Adinath Sen. Her great-grandfather Dinanath Sen was the Diwan or a Minister of the Maharaja of Tripura. An alumnus of Loreto Convent, Shillong and Loreto House,

Kolkata, graduated from Somerville College, Oxford where her classmate was cricketing legend-turnedPakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. She completed her Masters in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University, and learned painting from Jamini Roy, considered one of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest artists

Aries

March 21 - April 20 Although you may feel more in control of your destiny with the sun in your sign, sweet Venus enters a more secluded sector of your chart on Tuesday. Her presence here could encourage fate to play its hand regarding a relationship that has been a bit of a mystery so far. At the same time, lively Mercury in your spiritual sector has slowed down prior to turning direct on Thursday.

During this time, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to avoid signing anything of importance or purchasing big-ticket items. Mercury can go into trickster mode

Taurus

April 21 - May 20

Varun Dhawanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fanboy moment with Sunny Deol will melt your heart Varun Dhawan was at a popular studio in Santacruz and the First Class actor bumped into Sunny Deol Varun Dhawan, who is currently promoting his upcoming movie Kalank, was spotted at a popular studio in Santacruz, Mumbai. While on his way, the actor bumped into Sunny

Deol, and he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop fanboying after meeting the Gadar actor.

Varun Dhawan was elated on meeting Sunny. The actor greeted Sunny Deol and was pleased to share this moment when they bumped into each other.

As the sun moves more deeply into a private sector of your chart, you may feel as though youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve let go of the reins and something else has taken over. Areas of your life may seem less under your control than usual, and yet destiny could bestow its gifts on you in the coming weeks. At the same time, lovely Venus, your guide planet, moves into your social sector to encourage you to spend time with your favorite friends or groups.

Gemini

May 20 - June 21

Alia Bhatt clocks 30 million Instagram followers, thanks fans Actress Alia Bhatt has crossed over 30 million followers on Instagram.

Celebrating it and thanking her fans for making her reach the mark, Alia on Wednesday uploaded a special video on the photo-sharing app. The one minute-video gives a glimpse of her seven-yearlong film journey.

Along with the video, she wrote: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a wonderful journey so far... but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just the beginning.

30 million.â&#x20AC;?

Mixing and mingling is good for the soul at this time and can put you in touch with people who can help you have fun and reach your goals. On Tuesday, convivial Venus graces your sector of goals and responsibilities. Her presence here could see you connecting with others who share your ambitions. Discussing experiences can help you just as much as it helps them. Indeed, one encounter could prove to be a turning point for you, especially midweek.

Cancer

June 22 - July 23

Sunita Kapoor birthday bash: Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Kapoor gatecrash â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;only ladies affairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Are you ready to be in the spotlight?

With the sun now at high noon in your chart, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to promote your message or business. Enjoy the limelight because this is your opportunity to make your mark. On Tuesday, delectable Venus moves into Pisces and your sector of travel and study. Her presence here can make you more aware of beauty, and perhaps the work of a certain artist or the art of a region will work its magic on you.

Leo

June 24 - August 23 With the sun, your personal planet, in the lively sign of Aries and your sector of new discoveries, you could be in your element.

Whatever obligations you need to contend with, be sure to give yourself time for new discoveries and the chance to expand your horizons. On Tuesday, lovely Venus brings an additional focus to a more intense sector of your chart. Her presence here could inspire you to draw closer to someone in a more intimate

Virgo On Monday, Sunita Kapoor turned a year older. She hosted a birthday lunch at a Juhu hotspot. It was a ladies only affair. Hubby Anil Kapoor and brother-in-law Sanjay Kapoor decided to gatecrash the party, which had family members and close pals in attendance.

Later, Mr Jhakaas insisted on posing with

19

Bollywood

Sunitaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s girl gang. The party would not be complete without him.

Sunita Kapoor rang in her birthday by indulging in a cake-cutting spree. A video of the celebrations was shared by Sanjay Kapoor on Instagram. Naresh Goyal is seen among the guests

If your mood is more intense than those around you, it may be because the sun is in a deeply emotional sector of your chart. Here, it shines a light on those areas that need unravelling so that you can be more at peace with them and eventually let them go. If you need to talk things over with a good friend or even of a life coach or therapist, this can be one of the better times to connect.

Libra

Sept. 24 - Oct 22 Lovely Venus moves into your lifestyle sector on Tuesday, which could bring a warm and friendly ambience to your work life and everyday interactions. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the possibility that you could strike up a romance at the gym, when shopping, or while doing anything that makes up your myriad daily activities. In fact, an encounter on Wednesday could set your heart racing, and you might be eager to follow it up with another meeting.

Scorpio

Oct 23 - Nov 22 As sweet Venus enters your leisure zone from Tuesday, the opportunity for romance is very much in the cards. This can be one of the better times to ask that special person out on a date and get to know each other better. At the same time, with Mercury in its retrograde phase aligning with hazy Neptune, it would be just as well to remember that all that glitters is not gold.

Someone may seem perfect for you but have a

Sagitarius Nov 23 - Dec 22

The sun continues its journey through your leisure sector, lighting up a desire for adventure and fun. The coming weeks could see you enjoying a chance to kick

that you do so because this release enables you to recharge and feel restored. Meanwhile, sweet Venus enters your home and family sector where her presence can be a call to beautify and perhaps clean your place. If certain areas are looking a bit drab after the winter, choose some colors that brighten the mood and leave you feeling upbeat while improving the general ambience.

Capricorn Dec 23 - Jan 20

As sobering Saturn moves closer to potent Pluto in your sign, your plans and projects could begin to feel even more urgent than usual. However, before you go ahead, the cosmos encourages you to think very deeply about your priorities, especially your relationships. How does one interface with the

youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re obsessing about a goal, it might be time to pull back a little.

Aquarius

Jan 21 - Feb 19 The sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence in your sector of talk and thought could make you very animated and eager to connect with others who share your goals and ideas. The coming weeks can be important for research and discovery, especially concerning matters that can help move your life forward.

increases as lovely Venus moves into your personal money zone on Tuesday.

Pisces

Feb 20 - March 20 With delectable Venus moving into your sign on Tuesday, this week this can be an opportunity to pamper yourself. Indulge your love of spa treatments, massages, facials, and whatever else leaves you feeling uplifted. And if you want to invest in new clothes or a new hairstyle, go ! and better able to face life.

20

Saturday, March 30, 2019

South Asian Seniors - Antakshari songs competition March 31st 2019 (Sunday) 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm at Shanti Niketan Vedic Seniors Parivar Center of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian Adults, Senior members & nonmembers also to join us for Antakshari Songs Competition with Hindi songs on March 31st 2019 (Sunday) from 2.00 pm to

3.30 pm at Shanti Niketan hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple 8321 - 140th street Surrey BC. The participants will be divided in to two groups, could be male members against female members or combined both. The game is of singing song with ending words of the

song sung by the last singer, to continue singing the song by the next singer of the opposite group, if one group fails to sing for the last word of the song then the opponent member can sing the song and the group who fails to sing is eliminated, No song is repeated in the game by both groups. Tea &

snacks will be served to all participants after the game is over. Project funded by Government of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Horizons for Seniors Program for Hindi speaking seniors. Please contact Surendra Handa Coordinator Tel. 604 - 507 - 9945 for further information.

Saturday, March 30, 2019

21

Press release

NDP maintains its record of mismanagement Kamloops MLAs are demanding the NDP intervene in a decision to move historical documents from the Kamloops Land Title Office to Victoria— a choice that will result in direct and indirect job losses, the elimination of local expertise, and potential damage to critical, original title records.

“Government has been less than forthright about this issue, sidestepping actions that should precede such a decision, despite a clear obligation that the Land Title and Survey Authority had to consult First Nations,” said KamloopsS o u t h Thompson MLA Todd Stone.

“The records in the Kamloops office serve a quarter of the province and provide necessary information for numerous groups. Now, all of these groups and individuals will have to route through Victoria, increasing costs and timelines.

It is becoming increasingly clear that this government does not care about rural British Columbians, their livelihoods, or preserving local knowledge.”

When asked about this decision in the Legislature today, Doug Donaldson, the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development brushed off the rightful concerns put forth by numerous MLAs and reinforced through correspondence from three First Nations

chiefs. After repeated questions from the Opposition highlighting his ignorance on the file, Donaldson reluctantly agreed to look into whether the Land Title and Survey Authority had the obligation to consult First Nations before moving these records.

“The minister and the NDP claim to be champions for First Nations, yet here is a case where they simply contradict their own talking points,” said Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar. “There was no consultation with First Nations, local officials, or other regional governments— just another arbitrary decision that makes no sense.

After two years in power, you would think this minister would have a handle on his file. Yet today’s question period proved quite the opposite.”

“Thousands of transactions are done annually in the Kamloops Land Title Office and the records kept there cover a considerable regional footprint that staff in Victoria are simply not knowledgeable about,” added Milobar. “What is even more questionable is that the Kamloops office was recently renovated to include a climate-controlled vault for the safekeeping of records. So why suddenly move these precious documents away from the region and local First Nations?”

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Saturday, March 30, 2019

Press release

23

Cutting costs and fees to make life better for you and your family

By John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia One of the largest tax cuts in B.C. history is one step closer for B.C. families. Our government introduced legislation this week to eliminate MSP premiums entirely on January 1, 2020, saving families up to $1,800 per year.

It’s part of our work to make life better, and more affordable for you and your family. For too long, people in B.C. were left struggling to afford to live here and access the services they need. Our government is making different choices. We’re taking steps to reduce costs and fees, so that you have more money in your pocket for essentials, or to save for the future.

To help families and communities stay connected, we announced this week that ferry fares will remain frozen on major routes and the 15% discount on smaller routes implemented in 2018, will continue through 2019. Ferries are now free for seniors from Monday to Thursday, and we’re increasing service on 10 ferry routes that were cut in 2014, restoring 2,700 round-trip sailings to better serve coastal communities.

We’re working hard to reduce costs for people across the board, so they have more money left over at the end of the month.

We’ve eliminated unfair bridge tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges, and we cut MSP premiums by 50% in January 2018.

We’re taking strong steps to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable

housing for B.C. families, with 17,000 new affordable housing units complete or underway, and a total of 114,000 over 10 years.

Our government made the largest investment in affordable housing in B.C.’s history – more than $7 billion over 10 years. Our $1 billion investment in child care has lowered costs for families, increased the number of licensed spaces, and delivered the highest quality of care. Families in B.C. earning up to $111,000 are saving up to $15,000 per year, per child, through the Affordable Child Care Benefit. For parents of children in licensed care, we are reducing costs by up to $350 per month, $4,200 per year, for more than 52,000 child care spaces in B.C. We eliminated interest on all new and existing British Columbia student loans, so students can focus on their education and graduates can focus on their future. We eliminated Fair Pharmacare deductibles for people with low incomes and invested $42 million to cover more drug options.

Budget 2019 also introduced rent banks to support renters across the province who need an immediate, short-term loan to prevent unnecessary eviction. And

Republic day of Pakistan celebrations in Vancouver

AA AAAA

Republic day of Pakistan was celebrated on Saturday, March 23 at the residence of Consul General of Pakistan in Vancouver.

through CleanBC, British Columbians can save up to $6,000 when purchasing an electric vehicle and approximately $1,500 per year in gas costs.

Starting in October 2020, through the Child Opportunity Benefit, families will

be able to build a better, brighter future for their kids up to the age of 18. Families with one child will receive up to $1,600 per year, those with two children will receive up to $2,600, and those with three children will receive up to $3,400.

To help lift 140,000 people out of poverty, TogetherBC, British Columbia’s new Poverty Reduction Strategy, aims to reduce the overall poverty rate by 25% and the child poverty rate by 50% over the next five years.

The problems facing B.C. families didn’t appear overnight, and they won’t be fixed overnight. Our government is working collaboratively to tackle challenges facing people in B.C. and deliver solutions, every day.

We’re going to keep working hard to make life better and more affordable for people, and build a brighter future for B.C.

24

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Vol. 10 No. 9

Saturday - March 30, 2019

Tel: 604-591-5423

E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com

Burnaby tops real estate list with highest average deal value Increases in B.C. real estate prices have been so large that the value of 2018â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top 100 real estate deals in the province (biv. com/lists) jumped 61.1% to an average of $65.4 million from $40.6 million in 2017.

Over the past five-year period, the average deal on the top-100 list grew 67.9%; most of that growth occurred over the past year, because in 2015 and 2017, the average value for the top 100 largest real estate deals declined. That erased some of the gains made in previous years.

Since the low in 2016 of $30.7 million, the average deal value has grown 113.2%.

The median real estate deal value grew The benchmark price of a detached home in Metro Vancouver fell nearly 10 per cent year over year as more sellers listed properties, the local real estate board says â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but house hunters continued to take their time in February.

The total number of homes sold in the region last month fell to 1,484, down more than 30 per cent from the sales recorded in February 2018 and more than 42 per cent below the 10-year February sales average.

117.7% in 2018 to $30.4 million from $14 million in 2014. This suggests that smaller real estate deals grew more than larger deals on the list.

Vancouver is consistently home to the lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share of top100 real estate deals, but for the past two years, it has not broken into the top five cities when it comes to the average deal value.

In 2018, Burnaby had the largest average deal value ($86.2 million), followed

by Tsawwassen, West Vancouver, Langley and North Vancouver.

Vancouver was sixth, with an average deal value of $54.6 million. However, with the exception of North Vancouver and Burnaby, the cities in the top five gained their position as a result of having a single high-value real estate deal in the top-100 list.

Slow months for home sales The composite benchmark price for a home, which includes detached properties, townhomes and condominiums, went down less than one per cent from January to land at $1,016,600.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a six per cent decrease over the past six months, according to data from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV).

B.C.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest housing spike is happening in a city 6 hours from the Lower Mainland

The numbers reflect a market that increasingly favours buyers over sellers, with cheaper properties and less competition.

Home sales in the region hit their lowest level in nearly 20 years last year, recording the lowest annual total â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 24,619 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; since 2000.

Metro Vancouver home sales fall to lowest total since 2000 REBGV president Phil Moore has called 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x153;a transition periodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s housing market, which moved away

Burnaby was the big winner in 2018. It increased its average top-100 real estate deal value by 205.9% from $28.2 million in 2014. Despite this large increase in average deal value, Burnaby had the same number of deals (10) in the top 10 as it did in 2014.

Even though it had fewer top-100 deals, North Vancouver recorded larger growth than Burnaby in its average deal value, increasing 303.2% to $55.8 million in 2018 from $13.9 million in 2014.

Vancouverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s average top-100 real estate deal value was 63.3% that of Burnaby, the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leader. Vancouverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s average deal value increased by 56.7%, to $54.6 million in 2018 from $34.8 million in 2014. from sellersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market conditions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;High home prices, rising interest rates and new mortgage requirements and taxes all contributed to the market conditions we saw in 2018,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said.

Vancouver home sales fall nearly 40% in January as prices pull back The housing market in the Fraser Valley also saw a slowdown in 2018. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board said sales dropped 30.2 per cent last year, down to 15,586 total sales â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the lowest since 2013.

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25

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Over 11% of Vancouver condos have a non-resident owner, says new CMHC report

#106 - 7565 132 St. Surrey, BC 604.572.3005

Over 11 percent of Vancouver condos have at least one non-resident as an owner, a number that jumps to more than 19 per cent when it comes to newer built condos.

The information is contained in a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation housing market insight report which also found that non-residents â&#x20AC;&#x201D; defined as someone who

doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have their principal residence in Canada â&#x20AC;&#x201D; tend to own more expensive properties than residents, especially in Vancouver.

Some of the other findings: 7.2 per cent of all Vancouver properties have at least one non-resident owner.

Non-resident ownership is highest in

26

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Looking for work?

Cleaning company wanted workers for clean up job in Coquitlam For more details please call 604-902-2858

Matrimonial Punjabi Bansal family seeking a suitable mach for their 31 year old,â&#x20AC;? son, Height 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;.11, Handsome,Sober, soft spoken, vegetarian currently in Patiala Punjab India. He has done studies in BTech Computer Science and working in Judicial Department as IT Analyst in Patiala. Girl should be well educated and family oriented freferably Canadian citizen or Canadian Permanent resident.

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27

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Home equity line of credit largest contributor to non-mortgage consumer debt - survey A home equity line of credit may be a cheap and easy way to borrow money to pay off your lingering holiday bills or consolidate high-interest debt. But experts caution that you need a plan to repay the money.

They say it is all too easy to only make the minimum monthly payments to cover the interest and never make any progress on reducing the amount you owe.

Getting a home equity line of credit can be a smart way to pay off debt.

But you need to understand all the details, especially how you’ll repay it.

Getting a home equity line of credit can be a smart way to pay off debt. But you need to understand all the details, especially how you’ll repay it. (Dreamstime) “It is so easy to stay in debt for a long, long period of time,” says Scott Hannah, chief executive of the Credit Counselling Society.

Hannah says consolidating highinterest debt using a home equity line of credit that charges a lower rate of interest can be a good plan — but you need to understand how much you can afford to

borrow, the interest rate you are going to be charged and how you are going to repay it.

Too often, he says, a HELOC is used by those who are spending more than they earn to cover daily expenses.

“It can really mask spending behaviour, it can really mask the fact that a person may not be managing their financial affairs well,” Hannah says.

A HELOC is secured by the value of your home while the interest rate charged is normally linked to the big bank prime rates and fluctuates as that rate changes.

The Bank of Canada has raised its key interest rate target five times since the middle of 2017, moves that have driven up the cost of borrowing.

A report on a survey taken by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says HELOCs are the largest contributor to nonmortgage consumer debt, more than double that of either credit cards or auto loans.

However, Michael Toope, a spokesman for the agency, says the survey found many consumers don’t understand how the lines of credit work.

Plummeting home prices, lack of foreign buyers is Real estate numbers show further softening of Metro Vancouver real estate market, and nowhere is that effect more dramatic than on Vancouver’s West Side.

One realtor says a lack of foreign buyers is why homeowners who bought in the pricey part of the town a few years ago are now selling for huge losses.

“The West Side housing market… became very reliant of foreign capital flowing in,” said Andrew Hasman, the realtor for an owner who finally managed to sell their 1920s character home after

more than a year on the market. “All of those buyers have kind of hit the sidelines and without those buyers, prices can only go one way and that’s down.”

The property in question was first listed for $2.7 million.

It then dropped to $2.4 million and then $2.2 million. Hasman said the home finally sold a couple of weeks ago for less than $2 million—$612,000 less than the owner paid for it 20 months ago.

A different home located nearby is currently listed at $2.5 million. In June 2016, it sold for $4 million.

Prices dropping across the region Last month, a detached fixer-upper in East Vancouver was listed for just shy of $1 million, a price that has been unheard of in the city for years.

While devaluing has been the most dramatic on the West Side, the trend extends right across Metro Vancouver, with most detached homes selling for well under their assessed value. Townhome

My neighbour’s sexual trysts literally shake me awake. I’m elderly and my health is at stake: Ask Ellie My neighbour’s sexual trysts literally shake me awake. I’m elderly and my health is at stake: Ask Ellie Christopher Husbands had a big smile after his manslaughter convictions for the Eaton Centre shooting. It’s easy to see why Christopher Husbands had a big smile after his manslaughter convictions for the Eaton Centre shooting. It’s easy to see why How do I heal from my boyfriend’s cheating: Ask Ellie How do I heal from my boyfriend’s cheating: Ask Ellie “People are not very familiar with the terms and conditions of the loans, these lines of credit, and they generally don’t have great plans for paying them back,” he said.

Just 15 per cent of HELOC holders knew that a financial institution can increase an interest rate at its discretion, while 45 per cent knew there are fees to transfer a HELOC to another institution.

The FCAC survey also found that one in five HELOC holders borrowed more than they intended.

The most popular use of a HELOC, according to the survey, was for home renovations at 49 per cent, while 22 per cent said they used their HELOC for debt consolidation.

Toope says if you are going to use a HELOC, you need to know what the money is going to be used for and how you are going to pay it back.

“You need to know why you are borrowing that money or why you need that line of credit,” he said.

28

Saturday, March 30, 2019

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DREAM CARPET

29 17

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Vancouver police seek witnesses in ‘vicious’ assault on senior Vancouver Police are asking people to check their vehicles’ dash-cam footage after a 64-year old man was assaulted near JoyceCollingwood SkyTrain station Saturday night.

The Burnaby man was walking along Euclid Avenue near Tyne Street around 10 p.m. when police say he was “viciously attacked.” Two witnesses rushed to help the man, and the suspect fled on foot.

The man was later sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

A suspect was arrested later that night in connection with the incident and was released pending further investigation.

Police say the victim and suspect knew each other, and there is no risk to the public.

Vancouver Police Const.

Jason Doucette said the incident may have been captured on a dash-cam.

“Anyone in the area around the time of the assault, especially with dash-cam footage, may unknowingly have information that is important to our investigation and we’d like to hear from them,” Doucette said.

Anyone driving in the area bound by Tyne Street on the west and Aberdeen Street to the east, and Crowley Drive to the north and Euclid Avenue to the south, between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, is asked

Mayor and province at odds over Maple Ridge homeless plan A quiet tug-of-war is underway between the province and the City of Maple Ridge over a plan to house dozens of homeless people in a modular housing complex. Mayor Mike Morden didn’t hold back Monday morning when asked by reporters about the province’s recently-announced plan to house some of the city’s homeless in a 51 unit supportive housing complex on Burnett Street just off the Lougheed highway. When asked if he supports the province’s plan, he said simply, “I do not.”

Morden is focused on more comprehensive drug-treatment services in place for the homeless in the community, saying the issue is “primarily a fentanyl problem.”

“What we do want for people in addicted

and compromised positions in their live to ensure they get treatment services [like] detox, as well as long-term recovery programs,” Morden said. “Because that’s going to move them forward in their lives, as opposed to putting them behind four walls and leaving them there.” He says he’s working with city staff to quash the construction of modular housing for the 51 “temporary supportive homes” on Burnett Street, which will house many of the people who had been living at the now dismantled “Anita Place” homeless camp. But the housing minister is standing firm with the plan, despite protesters showing up with signs opposing “low barrier shelters” and proclaiming “harm reduction doesn’t work.”

Friends, teammates remember Deborah Seol, Coquitlam girl killed in crash The teenager who was struck and killed in a collision in Coquitlam earlier this week has been identified.

Deborah Seol, 13, died Monday just blocks from her Coquitlam home.

On Wednesday, Seol’s basketball teammates and coaches gathered at her parents’ home and then walked to the crash site where they held a vigil for their friend.

“Deborah was a really tough one,” said Julia Robledano. “When we go back to playing, we’re going to play for her, and with her at heart.”

The mourners cried together, held hands and lit candles in Deborah’s honour. Flowers, cards and photos piled up at a memorial.

RCMP says the teen was struck after two cars collided at Mariner Way and Riverview Crescent.

One of the cars spun onto a raised traffic island where Seol and four other children were waiting to cross the street.

Girl killed in Coquitlam crash was 13 years old, RCMP say A six-year-old boy was also taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The incident has shaken the local community.

Neighbours and parents were among those leaving messages of love and support at the crash site.

“My son crosses the street and buses by himself, and when he’s walking here, we’ve trained him to be really safe on the streets and to be aware of everything but... it’s scary,” said Shelley Jung.

Seol’s basketball team’s spring season is about to begin and teammates say Deborah was a key player.

Cards, balloons, flowers, stuffed animals and cards were left by Deborah’s friends and teammates — and by complete strangers.

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Toronto police find kidnapped Chinese student Wanzhen Lu after three-day search Canadian police have safely located a missing Chinese student, three days after he became the victim of a brazen stun-gun kidnapping at the hands of a violent gang.

Wanzhen Lu, 22, was found with minor injuries by police in Gravenhurst, Ontario, a city 180km (110 miles) north of Toronto on Tuesday evening.

A homeowner had called police after a young man matching Lu’s description approached him and asked for help. Lu was taken to a nearby hospital, said York regional police spokesman Andy Pattenden.

Lu was the victim of a violent abduction on Saturday evening. As he and a female friend walked through the underground parking lot of his condominium, three men attacked him, with one of them using a stun gun.

Police initially described the attack –which was caught on security cameras – as violent.

Lu was dragged into a waiting black Dodge Caravan by the three men. A fourth suspect was seen waiting in the vehicle.

Lu’s friend was left unharmed, but police say she was traumatised by the encounter.

Pattenden did not provide any explanation on how Lu ended up more than an hour and a half north of Markham, Ontario, where he was abducted.

Lu studies business administration at Yorkville University, reported the CBC. Lu is also known for his collection of

expensive cars, which include a Rolls Royce, Lamborghini and Range Rover.

The brazen and seemingly unprovoked attack prompted an intense search, with police deploying aircraft as they tried to locate the missing student. Police also asked the public for possible information that might help locate Lu. A number of tips led police to the black van on Monday.

Pattenden said Lu’s parents, who travelled to Toronto after receiving news of their son’s abduction, were relived by the news of his safety. “Our investigators have been able to provide this great news to the family,” he said.

On Tuesday morning, police announced the arrest of a 35-year-old Toronto man in connection with the kidnapping. He has since been released and no charges have been laid. Police declined to comment further on what prompted the arrest.

Pattenden cautioned the investigation – which has drawn upon organised crime and intelligence units – remained ongoing, with the four suspects still at large. “We’re very concerned that they’re still out there,” said Pattenden.

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Gunman opened fire in Seattle killing two & injuring two including a bus driver One man was fatally shot and another killed in an automobile crash Wednesday afternoon after a gunman opened fire on vehicles in a Seattle neighborhood, authorities said.

Two people also were injured, including the driver of a Metro bus who was shot.

Deputy Police Chief Marc Garth Green told reporters: “We believe it’s a random, senseless act. We’re outraged at what this suspect did.”

The chaotic scene unfolded in north Seattle just after 4 p.m. Police said in a statement that a man approached a female driver in the street and shot her.

He then walked on and fired at a Metro bus, striking the driver, who was able to turn the vehicle around and drive away, authorities said.

The gunman then approached a second motorist and opened fire, killing a man in his 50s. After police arrived, the gunman fled in the victim’s vehicle, police said. He

then collided with another car nearby, killing the 70-year-old male driver.

The suspect was taken into custody after a brief standoff. He was transported to a hospital.

King County Metro said on Twitter that at 4:05 p.m. a bus operator on Metro Route 75 hit their emergency alarm and reported he had been shot. Preliminary information was that none of the 12 passengers on board was injured, the agency said.

The bus driver was hit in the torso, but able to walk to a gurney to be taken to a hospital by paramedics, said Kenneth Price, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587.

Susan Gregg, spokeswoman at Harborview Medical Center, said her facility had received a man and woman in their 50s, and a 33-yearold man following the shooting and crash.

She said none suffered life-threatening injuries.

LOCAL / NATIONAL

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Justin Trudeau sells housing plan in visit to Metro Vancouver’s hot real estate market Housing a major issue for many, particularly young people trying to get into the real-estate market at a time when prices are soaring in some major cities Prime Minister Justin Trudeau touted efforts by the Liberal government to help first-time homebuyers put more down on their mortgages during a visit to a region of the country Monday that is facing a housing squeeze.

In its budget last week the government introduced measures that would allow Ottawa to pick up a portion of new homebuyers’ mortgage costs and it increased the amount they can borrow from their retirement savings for a down payment.

Housing has emerged as a major issue for many Canadians, especially young people who are trying to get into the real-estate market at a time when prices are soaring in some major cities.

During a visit to Maple Ridge, Trudeau said the budget contains measures to help first-time buyers by allowing them to withdraw $35,000 from their RRSPs, up from $25,000, to help lower their borrowing costs.

It also brings in a means-tested incentive that would see the government pick up part of the costs of the mortgages of those eligible for the program to lower their monthly payments.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens while being introduced before a post-budget housing

announcement at a townhouse development in Maple Ridge on Monday, March 25, 2019.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens while being introduced before a post-budget housing announcement at a townhouse development in Maple Ridge on Monday, March 25, 2019. Trudeau said housing is also a concern for parents who are worried their adult children won’t be able to live in the neighbourhoods where they grew up.

“Owning a house is a big achievement.

It’s where you raise a family and set down roots. But far too many young people are worried that they won’t be able to reach that dream.

Housing prices in the Lower Mainland are some of the highest in the country and rising.”

Trudeau said the government has also tried to spur new building and keep prices from rising through its national housing strategy to help increase supply.

“We just can’t treat the symptoms of skyhigh housing prices,” he added. “We have to deal with the causes as well. When there aren’t enough properties on the market, more people are competing for the same places, which forces the costs up for buyers and renters.”

Last Tuesday’s budget also included $10 billion more for a program to fund the construction of new rental units — the third time the Liberals have expanded the program, which aims to create 42,500 units over 10 years and now carries a $50-billion price tag.

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

By fanning flames while offering panaceas, Jason Kenney acts as both arsonist and firefighter The United Conservative Party’s official campaign slogan is “Alberta Strong and Free,” but it could just as easily be “More Alberta, Less Ottawa.”

Mind you, that second slogan has pretty much been co-opted by the province’s Freedom Conservative Party, but the UCP and its leader Jason Kenney have been known to bandy it about. That’s because the Alberta election campaign isn’t just Kenney and the UCP fighting against Rachel Notley and the NDP, it’s Kenney and the UCP fighting against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government.

It’s even Kenney and the UCP fighting against parts of Canada.

“We need to create some new political facts

that Ottawa and other parts of the country have to respond to,” Kenney said in Red Deer last weekend. “That’s exactly what Quebec has done.”

Under a UCP government, those new political facts would include Alberta having its own parole board, turning off the oil taps to British Columbia if necessary, launching a constitutional fight against the federal Bill C-69, holding a referendum, according to the UCP campaign website, “on removing equalization from the Constitution of Canada,” and pressing Ottawa to cut its tax rates as a “powerful way of shrinking Ottawa’s control over Alberta.”

If you’re getting a sense of deja vu right about now, that’s understandable.

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Vernon overdose prevention site expected to open by summer Vernon will be the home to interior BC’s next overdose prevention site, and local health authority would like to see it up and running by summer of this year. “Vernon, like other areas in BC is being impacted significantly by illicit drug overdose death,” Dr. Karin Goodison, medical health officer for Interior Health said.

24 people died in the city last year due to illicit drug overdose, Goodison said

Vernon overdoses highlight challenge of reaching drug users in small communities Interior Health is providing the funding and will oversee the operations of the site, but it is looking for proposals from agencies in the community that can provide overdose prevention services, including monitoring people using drugs and administering naloxone in the event of an overdose.

A paradox in Canadian Housing market – Stress Test or interest rates There are three basic requirements of life; food, clothing, and housing. Housing is the most expensive necessity to meet in comparison to food and clothing. To own a house is a requirement for everyone (family). In other words, if it is difficult to meet the housing requirement in developed economies, then it cannot be said that the economy is able to meet its individuals both ends meet.

Housing is the essential requirement to meet the basic need in the world. In Canada, it can be said as a pillar of the economy where many jobs are attached with this sector directly or indirectly.

In Canada, where there is a continuous incoming flow of migration from the rest of the world, no doubt housing demand will continuously persist.

During the past decade, due to very low rate of interest, housing became more affordable. This led to commercialization and some affordable families became able to purchase more than one house as renters are available in the booming market and rents are high. This led to per capita increase in the household debt. Now the situation became intolerable where the economic indicators convey that especially in big cities like Toronto and Vancouver, the Canadian household debt has increased much more than the disposable income. We can ourselves examine the outcome of the economy when such situation arises.

The worst impact Canadians had to face, the needy people living in these cities and their adjoining ones, were not able to meet the affordability to purchase their dwelling while the big players as well as foreigners occupied the housing market for their commercial interests.

If there would have been different parameters for the control over the foreigners to enter this market, then there would have been a different situation as it is today. In this way, housing ability continued to remain away from the needy Canadians where the gap continued to rise in the housing prices and their affordable income.

During the past decade, the prime rates of interest have been historically low in Canada (the lowest prime rate in Canada was 2.25 per cent that remained between April 22, 2009 to June 10, 2010). Many home buyers availed this excellent opportunity to invest in the real estate industry and it became commercially a profitable business for whoever invested in this sector due to low cost of credit and increasing home prices.

Ultimately low cost of credit and increase in home prices turned this requirement to the commercial business as the low cost of credit was affordable with renting out the invested property.

Investment in this sector continued ignoring the increase in per capita debt that ultimately resulted in increase in home prices that kept those buyers away from the market who were deadly in need for a house because it was difficult to afford the housing prices in Canada for them especially in big cities like Vancouver or Toronto including their adjoining cities where purchasing power became out of control of the common man.

Now the policy makers have taken steps to curb the housing prices by increasing prime rate of interest and making qualification for mortgage difficult through the stress test. Prime rates have increased five times since July 2017. All high ratio insured mortgages are being stress tested using 5 years qualifying rate (qualifying rate is five years benchmark fixed rate published by the Bank of Canada or contracted mortgage rate plus 200 bps whichever is higher) since Oct 2016 but this rule has been implemented now on uninsured mortgage loans also since January 2018.

The new Stress Test has begun on January 1, 2018 that requires even all conventional mortgages (having more than 20 per cent equity in purchase price) with fixed rate of interest to be stress tested, it has made the couple to qualify for only $ 313759.00 amount otherwise the couple with 3.69 fixed rate of interest, could have qualified for $ 382840.00 for 25 years amortization period without stress test. Consequently, the stress test makes a decline of $ 69081.00

By Harjit Singh Nagi in the affordability

778-317-5146 this example.

If we have a look at increase in interest rates, with 1.00 percent increase in rate of interest (assuming from 3.00 per cent to 4.00 percent at fixed rate) for 25 years amortization period, the monthly increase in installment is from $ 475.52 to $526.02 for $ 100000.00 principal amount. If loan amount is five hundred thousand, there has been an increase of $ 252.50 in monthly installment, no doubt which a hefty increase is but if it is compared with increase in prices, we can certainly conclude that unreasonable increase in home prices during the past decade has very much adversely affected the affordability of the first-time home buyers. Thus, the situation became so vulnerable that the policy makers had to take strict steps like Stress Test which even does not seem more viable for the five years fixed rate of interest term to many professionals in the industry. It can be a considerable point in variable rate of interest term where the rate of interest fluctuates with the prime rate.

Many professionals in mortgage industry think that stress test may have a meaningful purpose in the variable mortgage loans, but it should not be implemented in fixed mortgage loans where the rate of interest does not change during the term of the loan. No doubt, the policy makers may have made this decision to curb the per capita loan in the real estate industry.

No doubt, the stress test and increase in interest rates have reduced the excess to the borrowing funds, but it has helped to curb the inflation in home prices.

It can be said that increase in rate of interest may affect the investors in real estate industry because their profit margins may decline or it may become difficult to cover the credit cost including their personal funds, additional maintenance and miscellaneous expenses with renting out the property but it gives a good sign for the needy home buyers as there is a reduction in the competition of home buyers. Moreover, if there is an increase in the cost of borrowed funds for them, the decline or stability in home prices will support them to enter in the market.

At the present situation, the relaxation in the Stress Test rules especially with fixed mortgage rates along with increase in amortization period seems a positive alternative to move the real estate industry on the right track. The buyers would at least think to create an equity and ownership in their residences in stead of spending on monthly rents. At present there are not many concerns for unemployment and demand in housing as there has been a continuous immigration in Canada from abroad. It is only the qualifying issues for residential mortgage which have halted the growth in real estate industry.

in

Saturday, March 30, 2019

PM Trudeau apologizes for response to protester Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologized for a “lack of respect” he showed towards a protester who confronted him about mercury contamination in a First Nation community during a Liberal fundraiser in Toronto.

During a media scrum in Halifax on Thursday morning, Trudeau said he always tries to be respectful and to engage with protesters in a “positive” way, but admitted he didn’t do that the night before. “Last night I lacked respect towards them and I apologize for that,” he said. On Wednesday night, hecklers at a fundraiser, organized by the Laurier Club that requires a minimum contribution of $1,500 to join, called out Trudeau’s handling of mercury poisoning on the Grassy Narrows First Nation. In response,

he thanked them for contributing to his party’s coffers. “Thank you very much for your donation tonight, I really appreciate the donation to the Liberal Party of Canada,” Trudeau said to cheers from the crowd.

“Obviously we will be fully refunding the contributions made by those individuals last night,” he told reporters. “They wanted to express their concerns about an issue, and I do take that seriously.”

A Twitter account that appears to be run by the protesters posted a video of the interaction and accused Trudeau of “failing to help” Grassy Narrows. The account also reacted to Trudeau’s comments, tweeting “smugger words have never been said.”

BC NDP table bill that provides tax breaks on LNG projects British Columbia’s NDP government has tabled legislation that would offer tax breaks for liquefied natural gas projects, a move that is testing its alliance with the Green Party.

The legislation would repeal two LNG acts introduced by the previous Liberal government and instead reduce B.C.’s corporate income tax rate to 9 per cent from 12 per cent for corporations that meet several conditions, including climate commitments.

Finance Minister Carole James, who tabled the bill on Monday, said it is the

final piece of the fiscal framework needed to move ahead with LNG Canada’s proposed $40-billion megaproject in northern B.C.

social

“As a government, we recognize the importance of a strong, diverse economy that provides jobs and investments in every corner of British Columbia,” Ms. James said in Victoria.

“And we also recognize the importance of balancing our economic, environmental, and reconciliation priorities.”

The first reading of the bill passed 80-3, with Green Party MLAs opposed. If passed, it would come into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

Canadian farmers face uncertainty after China escalates Canola feud and Liberals do nothing Canadian farmers are facing an uncertain future after China escalated its feud over canola on Tuesday. “There is a lot of confusion amongst farmers about what is able to be exported,” said David Quist, executive director of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers.

China blocked canola shipments from a second Canadabased producer on Tuesday over alleged contamination issues.

A statement on China’s General Administration of Customs website said officials detected several hazardous organisms in canola shipments from Reginabased Viterra Inc. Viterra, which is part of Glencore Agriculture, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Winnipeg-based Richardson International Ltd. had its export permit revoked in March due to hazardous organisms allegedly found in the company’s product.

Since then, the Canola Council of Canada said all of its members have reported that Chinese importers are unwilling to purchase their products. The result is uncertainty at the cusp of planting season, which begins in mid- to late-April for many farmers.

Quist said farmers have a lot of questions: “Therefore, a lot of people are saying: ‘What should I be planting? What should I be putting in the ground? Is there going to be a market for my product by the end of harvest season when it’s coming off the field?”

“When China injects uncertainty, it makes

growers question whether they should grow food for Chinese people, said Brian Innes, vice-president of public affairs with the council. Canadian producers will make decisions that are best for their farm, he said.

One canola farmer, David Reid, told The Canadian Press late last week that the reports of a purchasing block

by China on Canadian canola will make him think about other options.

“We don’t want to grow something we can’t sell,” he said, adding there aren’t many other crop options in the part of Alberta where his farm is located.

Other options available to him tend to sell for less than canola traditionally has, he said.

Both the wheat and canola groups called on the government to send a delegation to China to address the issue. China — a major market for Canadian canola that accounts for about 40 per cent of Canada’s exports of canola seed, oil and meal — is the sole country to raise a technical issue with the product, said Innes.

Authorities in Canada’s other export markets, including the U.S., Mexico, the European Union, India and Japan, have not raised any issues, he said. “We’re very perplexed because we’re confident in the quality of our Canadian canola.” But China raised a technical concern and there needs to be a technical solution, he said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned the possibility of sending a delegation, in response to questions from reporters during a stop in Winnipeg on Tuesday.

Budget 2019

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INDIA

Saturday, March 30, 2019

PM should apologise to country for comparing opposition parties to liquor: Congress The Congress on Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for comparing three opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh to liquor, saying that by doing so he has made fun of the entire democratic system and should apologise to the people for it. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the prime minister, like a “flop film actor”, was making acronyms from the names of opposition political parties to compare them to liquor.

He said that such statements did not behove the office of the prime minister. “By comparing three political parties with liquor, Modi ji has made fun of the entire democratic system. You should

apologise to the 130 crore people who believe in the democratic system, otherwise the country and Uttar Pradesh, will never forgive you,” Surjewala said. Addressing a rally in Meerut, Modi hit out at the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal and Bahujan Samaj Party alliance, calling it ‘mahamilawat’ (adulterated). The first letters of the three parties stand for ‘sarab’ (the Hindi word for liquor is ‘sharab’), which is bad for health, he said. Reacting to the remarks, Surjewala asked, “Does this kind of talk befit a prime minister? Is this within the boundaries of democracy? You are calling three political parties sharab?

Samajwadi Party makes sexist remarks against Jaya Prada Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday directed party workers not to make indecent comments against women after the National Commission for Women (NCW) pulled up a party leader for allegedly making sexist remarks against actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada.

SP Sambhal district president Firoz Khan had allegedly said Jaya Prada would “enthral the people of Rampur with her ghungaroos and thumkas”.

In a short video clip, Khan is heard saying “Rampur ki shaamein rangeen ho jaayengi ab jab chunavi mahual chalega (Rampur’s evenings will turn colourful this election season)”, seemingly referring to Jaya Prada, who recently joined the BJP. Taking note, the NCW issued a notice to Khan, seeking an explanation from him for the remarks. Following the incident, Yadav issued a statement saying, “The SP has always given priority to the honour of women and believed in equality of men and women.

PM Modi visits Chhattisgarh area Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a brief stopover at Jagdalpur airport in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh on Friday, on his way to Odisha.

PM Modi arrived at Jagdalpur airport around 10.30 am by a special aircraft. He was there for a few minutes before proceeding to neighbouring Odisha, a local BJP leader said.

BJP leaders, including Bastar MP Dinesh Kashyap and former MLA Santosh Bafna, welcomed Modi at the airport.

The PM took stock of the preparation of Lok Sabha polls in Bastar, the only constituency that will go to polling in the state in the first phase on April 11, he said.

“The PM left for Jeypore in Koraput district of Odisha at around 10.40 am,” he added.

On his return journey from Odisha, the PM will again land at the Jagdapur airport in the afternoon and after a brief break of about 10 minutes, he will leave for his destination, the BJP leader said.

Former BSF DG removed from top police observer’s job in Bengal and Jharkhand Following objections from the Trinamool Congress and CPI(M), the Election Commission of India on Thursday removed retired BSF DG K K Sharma from the job of Special Central Police Observer and replaced him with Vivek Dubey, ADGP, Andhra Pradesh Police.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the appointment of Sharma as SCPO for West Bengal and Jharkhand, questioning his neutrality since he had attended an event organised by an outfit that is said to have got connections with the RSS. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also wrote to the ECI seeking Sharma’s removal on the same ground.

The event in question was organised by ‘Seemanta Chetana Manch’, an NGO, in Kolkata in February last year.

On Wednesday, while releasing her party’s manifesto, Mamata Banerjee displayed a photograph and pointed out that Sharma, seen in uniform in the photograph, had attended the event and that RSS member Rantidev Sengupta, who is now contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Howrah constituency on a BJP ticket, was also present there. The poll panel had appointed Sharma, a 1982-batch IPS officer, as SCPO for West Bengal and Jharkhand to oversee the deployment and other security related issues in these two states.

In its letter to the ECI, the CPI(M) had alleged that the move was “patently questionable and would raise the question of political partisanship”.

HDFC Bank opposes State Bank of India’s plea to liquidate 6.6 million USL shares A day after the SBI-led bankers consortium raised Rs 1,008 crore by selling 7.4 million pledged shares of United Breweries, their bid to recover more money by liquidating shares of United Spirits faced opposition from HDFC Bank which moved the special PMLA court here against it.

The special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court did not take up the petition and fixed April 2 for the next date of hearing.

At Thursday’s closing price of Rs 532.20 on the BSE, these 6.6 million shares could fetch the banks over Rs 350 crore.

Banks are seeking court permission to liquidate 65.85 lakh shares of United Spirits which were pledged by two Vijay Mallya companies— United Breweries Holdings (UBHL) and Kingfisher Finvest, the holding company of the defunct Kingfisher Airlines—as collateral for loans from HDFC Bank.

The banks are trying to part-recover the Rs 6,203.35 crore of dues along with annualised interest of 11.5 per cent payable since 2013, by liquidating the confiscated assets of Mallya, who is awaiting an extradition case at the London High Court now.

170 farmers among 443 candidates in fray for Telangana LS polls Sticking to their guns, over 170 farmers remained in the fray in the Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency from where Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s daughter K Kavitha is seeking re-election with withdrawal of nominations coming to an end Thursday.

Election officials said 60 nominations were withdrawn out of the 503 valid nominations.

A total of 443 candidates remained in the fray with Nizamabad topping the list with 185 candidates, they said. Telangana, with 17 Lok Sabha constituencies, goes to the polls in the first phase on April 11.

The farmers had filed their nominations protesting the alleged failure of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi to ensure minimum support price for turmeric and red jowar (sorghum) produce.

They are also demanding setting up of a turmeric board.

A total of 648 nominations were filed in the State of which 145 were rejected and 503 nominations were found to be in order after scrutiny, a release from Telangana Election Commission said on Wednesday.

A farmer leader said they have been seeking a remunerative price for turmeric and red jowar crops and for ensuring MSP for their produce for the past several days.

On the turmeric farmers issue, Kavitha had earlier said that she had worked hard for setting up of a turmeric board. “I have introduced private member bill (in Parliament). No government cared for turmeric farmers.

Only the TRS government cared for turmeric farmers. The TRS government gave Rs 2 lakh subsidy on boilers worth Rs 4 lakh. KCR (as Telangana CM is referred to) worked for the welfare of farmers but Prime Minister Narendra Modi never cared for them,” she said.

PUNJAB

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Youth Akali Dal’s Majithia takes on Bhagwant Mann SAD general secretary and Youth Akali Dal (YAD) patron Bikram Singh Majithia on Thursday came down heavily on Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann for his “drinking habit”.

Though Mann had recently declared from stage in his mother’s presence that he had shunned liquor, SAD leaders are in no mood to accept it.

“Bhagwant can never shun liquor. The man who goes to Parliament drunk cannot shun liquor,” Majithia said while addressing a YAD rally here. Majithia also requested the Sangrur residents with folded hands not to “repeat their 2014 mistake”.

“I know the Sangrur voters were fooled by Jhanda (referring to Mann). But this time, I request all with folded hands not to fall into Jhanda’s trap. You sent an alcoholic to Parliament. Beware this time,” said Majithia. SAD’s likely candidate from Sangrur Parminder Dhindsa said the Punjab government had failed to keep any promises made to the voters.

“Farmers, teachers and all other sections are fed up with the state’s Congress government.

The SAD-BJP will win all 13 seats in Punjab in the general election,” Dhindsa said.

Former SSP involved in both police firing incidents: SIT Former Moga SSP Charanjit Singh Sharma was again sent to judicial custody till April 3.

Sharma was in police remand for the past two days after the SIT brought him on production warrant from Patiala Central Jail on March 25. After the end of his remand, the Judicial Magistrate (1st Class) sent him back to jail.

After nominating him in Kotkapura police firing case of October 14, 2015, the SIT wanted to ask Sharma on whose directions he had reached Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura in Faridkot, revealed sources. The SIT believes that besides his direct involvement in police firing at Behbal Kalan in which two persons were killed on October 14, 2015, Sharma was also hand-in-glove with suspended IG Paramraj Singh Umranangal in Kotkapura police firing incident also in which many persons had sustained serious injuries.

The SIT claimed that the questioning of Umranangal, the then IGP Ludhiana, revealed that Sharma had reached Kotkapura from Moga with police force. So besides his

Former army man held for murder after 5 years Ferozepur police today nabbed a former Army driver who had absconded after killing a Chandigarh resident while attending a relative’s marriage five years ago. He was staying with a changed identity in Ludhiana for the past five years. Sandeep Goyal, SSP, said the accused identified as Ranjit Singh, who was booked in a murder case five years ago, had been working as a driver in 11 Fd unit of the Army in Bathinda in 2014.

The SSP said Ranjit had gone to attend his cousin’s marriage on December 11, 2014, in Makhu where he allegedly killed Gulshan Dhiman of Chandigarh with his licensed revolver following an altercation.

After committing the crime, Ranjit reached Bathinda Military Station, where he continued his service in the Army for the next three months. When the police reached Bathinda, Ranjit escaped. Later, he was declared as Proclaimed Offender (PO) on August 7, 2015. Subsequently, he was declared PO by the Army also due to his continued absence.

For the next five years, Ranjit kept evading arrest and continued to dodge the police, the SSP said. “At present, he was working as a driver with a local businessman from where he was nabbed,” the SSP added.

direct involvement in Behbal Kalan incident, he was also involved in unprovoked police firing at Kotkapura.

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Sunil Jakhar clear contender for Gurdaspur seat Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar is a clear frontrunner for the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat while two sitting Congress MPs — Ravneet Bittu and Santokh Choudhary—are likely to be retained in Ludhiana and Jalandhar, respectively. Punjab CM Amarinder Singh’s wife Preneet Kaur will be the party nominee from Patiala. A broad agreement on potential nominees was reached at the second meeting of the party ticket screening committee here today. There is no clarity on who will contest

from Amritsar. An AICC source said, “After former PM Manmohan Singh declined to fight from Amritsar owing to ill-health, we had to revise our strategy. Discussions are still on.”

The sitting Amritsar MP is Gurjeet Aujla.

Another probable is city Mayor Karamjit Rintu.

Sources said the party could consider state minister Navjot Singh Sidhu’s candidature from any seat, including Amritsar, if he so wanted, which is unlikely.

Accused in 2006 Jalandhar blast arrested An accused in April 2006 bomb blast in Jalandhar was arrested by Counter Intelligence and Jalandhar police on Thursday. He is associated with Khalistan Commando Force and Khalistan Zindabad Force. The accused has been identified as Amrik Singh, alias Manga, of Sarih village in Jalandhar who is now a citizen of Uganda and was staying here illegally for the past two years, having entered

from Nepal.

Three persons got killed in the blast that took place at the Jalandhar bus stand.

In a press release, AIG Counter Intelligence, Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh said the accused was wanted in twin blasts case carried out by Satnam Singh, alias Satta Lasuri, on April 28, 2006, and May 24, 2006.

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INDIA

Saturday, March 30, 2019

India says it shot down a fast-moving satellite, declares itself a ‘space power’ India successfully test-fired an anti-satellite weapon on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an unexpected announcement just weeks before a general election.

Modi said in an address broadcast live that Indian scientists had destroyed a low earth orbit satellite with a missile, demonstrating India’s capacity as a “space power” alongside the U.S., Russia and China.

Pallava Bagla, a science writer at the New Delhi Television Channel, said that by successfully hitting the fast-moving satellite, India had crossed a “very significant threshold.”

“India demonstrated that we can, if threatened, bring down an enemy satellite in space,” Bagla said.

The announcement is Modi’s latest bid to flex India’s military muscle as his party seeks to retain power in polls beginning April 11.

After 40 Indian soldiers were killed in a February suicide bombing in disputed Kashmir, India said it retaliated with a “surgical strike” on a terrorist camp in Pakistan.

Afterward in an air skirmish, Pakistan shot down one of India’s Soviet-era fighter jets, prompting scrutiny of India’s aging military hardware.

Modi said Wednesday that the new capability is “not against anyone,” and that India’s policy remains against the use of weapons in space.

Earlier this month, acting U.S. Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan argued for a 2020 Pentagon budget shaped by national security

Liquor seller shot dead following altercation over the price A 25-year-old salesman at a liquor shop was shot dead allegedly by two men in Greater Noida following an argument over a difference of Rs 10 in the rate of beer, police said on Thursday.

The incident took place around 9.30 pm on Wednesday when the two men arrived at the shop in Aichar area under Kasna police station limits, a senior official said.

Prime facie there was an argument between Surendra and Raju and salesman Kuldeep Nagar over the rate of beer. The difference was Rs 10, Superintendent of Police (Rural)

Vineet Jaiswal said.

“The argument reached a level where the inebriated accused, who were carrying guns, opened four shots with two bullets hitting Nagar in the body, leaving him dead,” he said.

The body was sent for post-mortem and an FIR under Sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC was registered against them, police said.

The two accused are absconding and searches were under way to nab them, Kasna Station House Officer Ajay Kumar said.

Hema Malini & Dharmendra are rupee billionaires Fighting for the Mathura Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket, the sitting MP and film actor Hema Malini is a billonaire with the value of her assets having increased by a whopping Rs 34.46 crore in the last five years, discloses an affidavit filed by her with the poll panel.

The affidavit shows Hema Malini presently owns total wealth including bungalows, jewelleries, cash, jewelleries, shares and term deposits worth over Rs 101 crore, while five years ago before the 2014 general elections, her total assets had been valued at nearly Rs 66 crore. The value of her actor-husband Dharmendra Singh Deol’s assets grew to Rs 12.30 crore during the corresponding period, according to Hema Malini’s affidavit, detailing her assets and liabilities along with those of her spouse.

The affidavit was submitted by her to the Election Commission of India while filing her nomination as Lok Sabha candidate from the Mathura parliamentary constituency.

The affidavit, accompanied by her income

tax returns for the last five years, reveals that the couple earned Rs 10 crore each during the last five years. In her IT returns, Hema Malini has shown an income of Rs 15.93 lakh in 2013-14 against that of over Rs 1.19 crore in 2017-18.

The affidavit shows her income to be Rs 3.12 crore in 2014-15, Rs 1.19 crore in 2015-16 and Rs 4.30 crore in 2016-17. Thus, as per the affidavit, the yesteryears’ ‘Dream Girl’ earned over Rs 9.87 crore, and her ‘he-man’ husband nearly Rs 9.73 crore in last five years. The affidavit disclosed that Hema Malini has two cars, including a Mercedes bought for Rs 33.62 lakh in 2011. The other car is a Toyota that, she said, she bought for Rs 4.75 lakh in 2005.

The details of Dharmendra’s assets in the affidavit indicate his passion for ‘vintage’ cars. That may be the reason why he has not disposed his Range Rover car bought just for Rs 7,000 in 1965. His other old vehicles include a Maruti 800 car and a motorcycle.

Ten-year-old Tamil Nadu boy swims across Palk Strait A ten-year-old boy from Theni district of Tamil Nadu swam across the Palk Strait from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka to Dhanushkodi here covering 32 km in ten hours and 30 minutes. According to officials, Jaswant started swimming from the Urumalai sea coast at 4 am and reached the International Maritime Border line at 9 am.

The coast guard officials monitored him

from the IMBL, and he reached Dhanushkodi in this island at 2.30 pm. For a boy of his age crossing the Palk Strait in over 10 hours was a great achievement, officials said.

The boy survived on health drinks and water while swimming. DGP Shylendra Babu and Coast guard officials welcomed and congratulated Jaswant on his completing the feat. —

India says space debris from anti-satellite test to ‘vanish’ in 45 days Officials say debris from an Indian anti-satellite weapons test conducted earlier this week will likely burn up and ‘vanish’ in a matter of weeks, amid outcry over its potential to the already pressing issue of space junk in Earth’s vicinity.

Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Thursday he expected debris from the destroyed satellite test to eventually burn up in the atmosphere instead of creating a lasting debris field that could threaten other orbiting craft.

The comments came after an estimation by India’s top defense scientist that the debris would burn up in about 45 days.

While Shanahan said he could not confirm any particular timeframe, he said the material likely wouldn’t survive long in the atmosphere.

‘But in terms of threats to other objects, that’s consistent with what I’ve heard,’ that it

will burn up in the atmosphere, Shanahan told reporters traveling with him in Florida.

The comments came a day after India said it used an indigenously developed ballistic missile interceptor to destroy one of its own satellites at a height of 300 km (186 miles), in a test aimed at boosting its defenses in space.

Few satellites operate at the altitude of 300 km, from which experts say the collision debris will fall back to earth, burning up in the atmosphere in a matter of weeks, instead of posing a threat to other satellites.

‘That’s why we did it at lower altitude, it will vanish in no time,’ G. Satheesh Reddy, the chief of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation, told Reuters in an interview. ‘The debris is moving right now. How much debris, we are trying to work out, but our calculations are it should be dying down within 45 days.’

Saturday, March 30, 2019

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SOUTH ASIA

Saturday, March 30, 2019

USA & China in bitter showdown at UN over sanctions on Masood Azhar

19 dead, many injured in Dhaka high-rise building fire Desperate workers leaped to their deaths as a huge fire tore through a Dhaka office block Thursday, killing at least 19 people and trapping others in the latest major inferno to hit the Bangladesh capital. Rescue workers warned the death toll could rise sharply as fire fighters recovered charred bodies from the complex where an unknown number of office workers were engulfed by intense smoke and flames. At least six people died after jumping from the 22-floor building, officials said. Dhaka police chief Asaduzzaman Mia told reporters at least 73 people were injured and being treated in hospitals across Dhaka. People were seen screaming for help as hundreds of panicked onlookers crowded the streets of the upmarket Banani commercial district.

Some workers slid down a television cable on the side of the building. Others grabbed ropes lowered by emergency

service helicopters which pulled them out of the blaze. The inferno erupted barely a month after at least 70 people were killed in Dhaka apartment buildings where illegally stored chemicals exploded. The latest disaster brought new scenes of horror amid fears that the toll would rise. More than 100 ambulances were parked in streets around the building. Shoikot Rahman heard colleagues raise the alarm and ran to safety before smoke and flames engulfed the building. “When I heard a fire broke out in the building, I quickly rushed out,” he told AFP. “Many of my colleagues are still trapped in the office.” Firefighters on long ladders smashed windows to create escape routes.

More than one hour after the blaze erupted people could still be seen on the 13th and 14th floors desperately waving for help amid clouds of black smoke.

The US and China seem headed for a showdown at the UN over Jaish chief Masood Azhar with Beijing accusing Washington of “forcefully moving” a resolution in the Security Council intended to force China to make public its reasons for stalling efforts to tag him as a “global terrorist”.

With China persisting with

Malaysia has become hub for Iranian activity, western intel suggests Led by a corrupt, proudly anti-Semitic prime minister who supports Islamist groups, Southeast Asian country’s longstanding connection with Hamas gets a new twist Under cover of the predawn darkness of April 21, 2018, two tall, burly men lay in wait for Fadi al-Batsh.

He took no special precautions as he left his apartment building to head for the mosque where he often prayed. Spotting him, the two men approached and shot him 14 times at close range. He didn’t stand a chance. The security cameras in the area did not pick up anything, and the pair – who were carrying false passports

Tamils demand foreign judges in Sri Lank war crimes probe Sri Lanka’s main minority Tamil party demanded Friday that foreign judges be included in a special court to investigate war crimes, a day after the UN again granted Colombo more time for a much-delayed probe Government troops have been accused of killing at least 40,000 ethnic Tamil civilians in the final months of the island nation’s 37-year civil war in 2009. No one has been prosecuted for war crimes in the decade since.

With no measurable progress, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday gave Sri Lanka two more years to set up a credible investigation, the second time it has been given an extension. The probe is meant to include a special “hybrid” court involving both local and foreign judges and prosecutors. But on Wednesday in Geneva, Sri Lankan foreign minister Tilak Marapana said the country’s constitution did not allow foreign judges.

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a “technical hold”, preventing the sanctions committee of the UNSC from designating the Jaish-e-Muhammed chief as a terrorist, the US has sought to raise the heat by seeking a discussion in the council — inviting a sharp Chinese retort that Washington should act with caution.

from Serbia and Montenegro – fled on a motorbike. Then they switched to another vehicle and somehow made their way out of the country. Israel was said to be behind the assassination. Born in the Jabalya refugee camp in Gaza, al-Batsh later moved to Malaysia where he married and had three children. He had a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and taught the subject in his new country of residence. This knowledge also helped him in another role. Al-Batsh was a Hamas engineer who took part in the development of Hamas’ drone project and also helped to improve the accuracy of Hamas’ rockets.

Awami League leader shot dead in Dhaka Awami League leader has been shot dead in Dhaka’s Badda area.

The deceased, Farhad Ali, was the Badda Union Awami League secretary.

He was shot dead after Jumma prayers, Badda police station Inspector (investigation) Nazrul Islam told Dhaka

Tribune a short while ago today, Friday.

The inspector said the assailants shot Farhad as he came out of a mosque in Badda’s Alir Mor area. Later, they fled the scene.

He said police are trying to arrest the killers.

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FIJI

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Cane payment of $8.15 per tonne to be paid out The third cane payment of $8.15 per tonne for the 2018 season will be paid out to the sugarcane farmers.

The Fiji Sugar Corporation paid farmers $39.65 per tonne for the first cane payment and $13.22 per tonne for second cane payment.

This now brings the total payment for the 2018 season to $61.02 per tonne of cane.

The FSC says a guaranteed cane price of $85 per tonne is payable to growers in respect of the 2018 cane crop and the balance of the guaranteed price will be payable to farmers later this year.

Meanwhile, the Sugar Industry Tribunal in accordance with the Sugar Industry Master Award certified that the total sugar sale for 2018 is $79,159,011.

Warrant issued for Baba accused of making false statements A bench warrant has been issued for Jale Baba who is charged with a count of making a false statement.

Baba’s case was called before Suva Magistrate, Liyanage Wickramasekara however neither him nor his council, Filimoni Vosarogo made an appearance.

The matter has been adjourned to the 24th of May. Baba is alleged to have published falsified Voter Lists and other false information related to that list on social networking site Facebook between August and October last year.

He was released on bail on the 26th of October last year.

Elderly woman attacked by bus driver in Suva The bus driver that allegedly hit and injured an elderly woman as she crossed along a foot crossing at the Suva Bus Stand this afternoon is being questioned by Police.

The incident happened at around 1.30pm today.

According to Police, the driver had stopped at the foot crossing for pedestrians to cross when the woman came from the side and crossed in front of the bus. Police say the woman received lacerations on her left foot and is currently admitted at the CWM Hospital.

You are a shame to the society and can not be forgiven judge tells man who raped his step daughter “You are a shame to society and you cannot be forgiven for what you have done.” These were the words of High Court Judge, Justice Sunil Sharma while sentencing a 58-year-old man from Ba who raped his 13-year-old step daughter multiple times.

The man was charged with 8 counts of rape and has been sentenced to 20 years and 4 months imprisonment. The incident took place from the 1st of January to the 3rd of October, 2015. It was heard in court that the victim was 12 years old when the incident

occurred. While passing the sentence, Justice Sharma says rape of a child is one of the most serious forms of sexual violence and offenders should be dealt with severely and there is no two ways about it. It was also revealed in court that these incidents occurred in the victim’s home several times when her mother was not at home and twice in the bushes. It was said that in all the incidents, the accused always threatened the victim with the knife not to tell anyone.

Family fears couple was in tow truck that fell into Sacramento River A family is seeking answers truck is in the water, and about two missing people hopefully we can recover them who they believe were in as soon as possible. But so far, a tow truck that plunged there is no help -- there is no off the Pioneer Bridge and help.” Help for the recovery into the Sacramento River mission has been delayed Tuesday night. The crash because the Sacramento happened around 8:30 p.m.

River is running too fast on on westbound Highway 50, Wednesday for divers to go just west of Interstate 5. The in the water. “River flows California Highway Patrol are currently estimated to be Roselyn Sharma and said a big rig crashed into the between 5 and 6 knots; the Shalvinesh Sharma tow truck, catapulting it over fast currents allowable in in the bridge’s guardrail and into public safety diving are between 1 and 3 the Sacramento River. The bridge is about knots,” the Sacramento Drowning Accident 100 feet above the river. Shalvinesh Sharma Rescue Team said in a statement to KCRA. and Roselyn Sharma are the owners and Finding the exact location of the tow truck operators of Justin’s Towing of Sacramento. is challenging in the swift water, so the Family members believe the married couple Sacramento County sheriff ’s marine unit was in the tow truck when it fell into the has been asked to help. “One of our boats river. Search crews located the tow truck is equipped with a size-scan sonar unit, and about 30 feet under the water Tuesday night, that allows us to scan the water in different but had to call off recovery efforts because ways and get a different angle on maybe an water conditions were too dangerous, West object in the water,” Sgt. Shaun Hampton Sacramento Fire Department Battalion Chief said. In the meantime, it’s an agonizing wait Scott Pfeifer said. Donald Singh, Roselyn for family members hoping that Shalvinesh Sharma’s brother, said he fears the worst. The and Roselyn somehow survived the crash.

GPS on the couple’s tow truck showed they “Are they alive or not? We just want to were driving west on Highway 50, toward know that because their kids are waiting,” Pioneer Bridge at the time of the crash. said Usman Batcha, the brother-in-law of “We located the GPS. It says we lost the Shalvinesh. signal at 8:30 p.m.” Singh said. “The tow

National Youth & Sports Conference held at the FMF Gymnasium Around 400 youths who were part of the National Youth and Sports Conference held at the FMF Gymnasium had a say and input and decision making in future plans the government has in-place for them.

The Conference that was officiated by the Minister of Youths and Sports Parveen Bala was a three day journey for 50 youths from the Northern Division, 150 from the Central Division, 100 from the Eastern Division and 100 from the Western Division.

Speaking to Fijivillage, the youth delegates at the conference applauded the initiatives government has brought in for them as many

of young people have progressed through the grants provided by the Ministry.

The youths felt they have been appreciated and heard as they believe without support from the government; this would have not been possible. While these 400 youths took these initiatives into consideration and adopted the outcomes of the conference, there were about 20 youths boycotting the decisions.They had sent out a statement beforehand that they will boycott Minister Bala’s closing ceremony and will protest outside the gymnasium.

Man ran away after raping his 80-year-old mother-in-law A Nausori man in his 30s is on the run after he allegedly raped his 80 year old mother-in-law last week and the matter was reported by the victim on Tuesday.

It is alleged the incident occurred inside the elderly

woman’s home last Friday morning when the two were alone.

Since the alleged incident the suspect has been missing and investigators are pursuing information on his whereabouts.

PAKISTAN

Saturday, March 30, 2019

41

No terror camps on 22 locations shared by India at the border: Pakistan Pakistan hands over “preliminary findings” to India over last month’s suicide bombing in Pulwama, adding it would now seek more evidence from India for its investigation into the bombing. Pakistan has denied any role in the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers, and Prime Minister Imran Khan offered cooperation in investigation if credible evidence was provided by India.

“The Government of Pakistan has shared preliminary findings with the Government

of India after examining the Indian report on Pulwama incident,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement. “We have sought further information/evidence from India to take the process forward,” it said without giving further details including the nature of evidence sought. The information was shared with the Indian high commissioner, who was summoned to the Pakistani foreign ministry for the purpose. “While 54 detained

Minister brands US envoy in Kabul ‘little pygmy’ as Twitter row continues A minister in Pakistan has branded US ambassador to Kabul a “little pygmy” in a high-level diplomatic Twitter row that erupted over ongoing peace talks between Washington and the Taliban in Afghanistan. The furore underscores the delicate balance of regional tensions as the US steps up a push to find a way out of Afghanistan, more than 17 years after the invasion. It began after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan reportedly suggested an interim government in Afghanistan to help smooth the talks process, making the comment during a briefing with local reporters on

Monday. Khan’s comments caused uproar in Afghanistan, which has long held neighbouring Pakistan’s shadowy intelligence services responsible for supporting and training the Taliban. Kabul recalled its ambassador on Tuesday, and the Pakistani foreign office tried to downplay Khan’s comments on Wednesday, saying they had been reported “out of context... leading to an unwarranted reaction”. But shortly after US ambassador to Afghanistan John Bass issued a tweet rebuking Khan while alluding to his past as captain of Pakistan’s World Cupwinning cricket team and numerous cheating

individuals are being investigated, no details linking them to Pulwama have been found so far. Similarly, the 22 pin locations shared by India have been examined. No such camps exist. Pakistan is willing to allow visits, on request, to these locations,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said.It said “all aspects of the information provided by India have been thoroughly examined including the confessional video of Adil Dar”, who drove a mini-van laden with explosives beside a

CRPF convoy and detonated it. “Whatsapp and Telegram numbers used to share videos and messages in support of Pulwama attack (have been examined)... Service Providers have been requested for data including relevant details of activities and contacts of the GSM number provided by India. A request for assistance from Whatsapp has also been made to the US government,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

Prime Minister Khan opens new Gawadar International Airport Prime Minister Imran Khan laid foundation stone of new Gawadar International Airport at Gawadar on Friday. Earlier, Prime Minister reached Gwadar accompanied by COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Jam Kamal Khan, CM Balochistan, Federal Ministers and Parliamentarians.Gawadar airport project was inducted as an early harvest high priority project of CPEC program in January, 2014.

Government of People’s Republic of China has agreed to assist Pakistan for implementation of New Gwadar International Airport Project under Chinese Grant Assistance.

The NGIAP project is part of overall infrastructure development of Balochistan.

The airport will be developed as a greenfield airport with all modern facilities for safe operation.The airport will be able to accommodate large aircrafts such as A380.

A modern terminal building will be part of project with cargo terminal having initial handling capacity of 30,000 tons per year.

An MoU regarding establishment of Pakistan and China Vocational Training Institute and Pak-China Friendship Hospital were also signed during the ceremony .

Another Hindu girl kidnapped in Sindh A fresh case of an underage Hindu girl being kidnapped in Pakistan’s Sindh province has come to the fore, even as uproar continued over the alleged kidnapping, forcible conversion and marriages of two teenage girls from the minority community.

According to a handout issued by the Sindh Information Department, Minorities Affairs Minister Hari Ram Kishori Lal took note of a news that went viral on social media, regarding the kidnapping of a 16-year-old Hindu girl, who belongs to the Meghwar community, from Tando Bagho

in Badin district. The victim’s father has approached SSP Badin, Sardar Hassan Niazi, to register a case against suspects. It was, however, not clear when the girl was kidnapped. Mr Lal has directed authorities to register an FIR of the abduction and provide protection to the girl’s family. He said that the marriage of underage girls is banned in Sindh under the Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act 2013, adding that it was a criminal act to marry a girl who was below the age of 18 years.

US lawmaker demand Pakistan take action on eliminating safe haven for terrorists A resolution demanding action by Pakistan on eliminating safe haven for terrorists was introduced in the US Congress on Thursday by a lawmaker.

Introduced by Congressman Scott Perry in the US House of Representatives, the resolution also condemned the Pulwama attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) suicide bomber on February 14 that killed 40 Indian

paramilitary jawans.

“Enough is enough.

Now is the time to hold the Pakistani government accountable,” Perry, a Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania, said after introducing the resolution.

“Pakistan has a long history of harbouring terrorists and terrorist sympathisers, despite continued American efforts to root out bad actors in the region,” he said.

42

NRI

Saturday, March 30, 2019 Five richest Indian billionaires in UAE

NRI nurse from Austarlia kidnapped and strangled in Punjab A pregnant Australian nurse father Harvinder Singh told who was kidnapped outside her the Hindustan Times that his parents’ home in India has been daughter was strangled - but this found dead in a canal. has not been confirmed. Indian Ravneet Kaur, who lives on the Inspector Mohit Dhawan told Gold Coast, went missing from the Gold Coast Bulletin: ‘She the village of Bagge Ke Pipal on was murdered on the day she the Pakistan-India border on 14 was kidnapped and her body was March. Her body was found on disposed of in a canal.’ Indian authorities are now working with Monday night in a canal 200km the Australian High Commission away in Lehragaga. Police believe in New Dehli, police said.

Ms Kaur, 29, was sedated, driven away and killed before her body Ravneet Kaur, a pregnant Ravneet Kaur went missing Australian nurse (pictured from the village of Bagge Ke Pipal was dumped. When she was with her husband) arrived abducted at 11.30am, Ms Kaur in India, on February 27 to on the Pakistan-India border on was on a video call with her visit her friends and family, 14 March. Her body was found on Monday night in a canal 200km husband Jaspreet Singh who was found dead. back in Australia, police said. away in Lehragaga Ravneet Kaur went missing from the village of Officers have arrested a woman in connection with the crime. The Bagge Ke Pipal on the Pakistan-India border Indian-born woman was meant to return on 14 March. on March 22.

Ravneet Kaur’s devastated

India-born former McKinsey chief says the jury that convicted him was “suspicious of immigrants” After years of reticence, Rajat Gupta has a lot to say—and some regrets about what he wishes he’d said sooner. The former managing director of consulting firm McKinsey & Company, who was convicted in a high-profile insider trading case in 2012, wishes he had testified in court during his trial. He shares this regret, and more, in his memoir Mind Without Fear, published yesterday (March 24).

Gupta’s legal fate intertwined with that of Raj Rajaratnam, a hedge-fund billionaire currently serving an 11-year sentence for conspiracy and securities fraud. The former McKinsey chief was the most prominent of the 25 individuals—21 of whom pleaded guilty— convicted of being part of Rajaratnam’s

network of informants. Seventy-year-old Gupta, however, always maintained his innocence, and still does, well after his 2016 release following his two-year prison sentence.

Prosecutors pursued Gupta for a 2008 phone call that he, then a director of the investment bank Goldman Sachs, made to Rajaratnam in the seconds after a board meeting ended. The prosecution claimed Gupta had passed along key corporate secrets.

Gupta said he had called the hedge-fund titan only to follow up on a soured business partnership. Gupta’s conviction sent ripples through the Indian community in the US, as some felt a pioneering figure of theirs had fallen from grace.

Yusuff Ali, retail tycoon

Micky Jagtiani, retail magnate

BR Shetty, healthcare tycoon

Five Indian expats in UAE have been named in the Forbes’ billionaires list for 2019. The combined worth of the five expats, including three from Kerala, is a whopping $15.1 billion (Rs 1.04 trillion). Yusuff Ali, retail business tycoon who ranks at 394 on the list, is the richest Indian expat in UAE with assets estimated over $4.7 billion.

Sunny Varkey, philanthropist

PNC Menon, property developer

Micky Jagtiani, owner of the Dubai-based Landmark retail stores group, worth nearly $4 billion. BR Shetty, his assets worth $2.8 billion.

Sunny Varkey, philanthropist from Kerala, the fourth richest UAE expat with assets worth $2.4 billion.

PNC Menon, a property developer worth $1.1 billion.

Mueller discovering collusion could have ‘led to civil war’ - Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard appeared relieved that Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation did not establish a case that the Donald Trump campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 election and urged her Democratic colleagues to move on. The Hawaii congresswoman, who has centered her fledgling 2020 campaign on her anti-war views, raised the possibility that the discovery of collusion could have set in motion a “terribly divisive crisis,” and even a civil war.

“If the president of the United States had been indicted for conspiring with Russia to interfere with and affect the outcome of our elections, it would have precipitated a terribly divisive crisis that could have even led to civil war,” Gabbard said in a statement Monday night. “[W]e all need to put aside our partisan interests and recognize that finding US president is not guilty of conspiring with a foreign power to interfere with our elections is a good thing for America.” Tulsi Gabbard

What Donald Trump told Google’s Sundar Pichai President Donald Trump said he met Wednesday with Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai to discuss the US military amid an extended political furor over the tech giant’s efforts in China. The meeting didn’t appear on Trump’s official schedule. Pichai planned a meeting Wednesday in Washington with General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the

Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Google extended the invitation after Dunford criticized the search giant’s artificial intelligence work in China, which he said “indirectly benefits the military.” Trump said in a subsequent tweet that he and Pichai also discussed “political fairness and various things that Google can do for our country.

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