The Asian Star December 26 2015

www.theasianstar.com Vol 14

Issue 48 Saturday, December 26, 2015

Tel: 604-591-5423

2 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

B

LOCAL

BC Hydro signs $1.75 Billion deal for Site C dam

BC Hydro set to sign Site C dam construction contract Initial estimates pegged the work at about River Hydro Partners build the earthen $1.5 billion when the Crown corporation dam, foundation, two diversion tunnels announced last month that ACCIONA and spillways in the province’s northeast.

Infrastructure Canada Inc., Petrowest Corporation and TELUS STORES Samsung C&T Canada Ltd. Abbotsford were the “preferred proponents.”

Highstreet Shopping Centre Sevenoaks Shopping Centre “We said on Nov. 25 that 2140 Sumas Way the cost would be ‘more than 32915 South Fraser Way $1.5 billion’ and that a final Aldergrove 26310 Fraser Hwy. value would be known once Burnaby we had concluded a contract,” Brentwood Town Centre said BC Hydro spokesman Crystal Mall Craig Fitzsimmons in an email.

Lougheed Town Centre Metropolis at Metrotown “With a contract in place, we 3855 Henning Dr. now have a confirmed value.”

4501 North Rd. ™ The contract’s duration is .

Coquitlam eight years, and at the peak Coquitlam Centre Westwood Mall of construction, about 1,500 1071 Austin Ave. people will be working on Delta the main projects, BC hyScottsdale Centre 1517 56th St. dro said in its news release.

4841 Delta St. BC Hydro said the work will Langley create about “8,000 person-years Willowbrook Mall of employment,” and it is plan8700 200th St. 19638 Fraser Hwy. ning a series of job fairs and 20159 88th Ave. “business to business network20202 66th Ave. ing sessions” in the new year.

Maple Ridge “The sessions will provide Haney Place Mall 22661 Lougheed Hwy. an opportunity for local, reMission gional and aboriginal busiMission Smartcentre nesses and job seekers to meet 32670 Lougheed Hwy. the main civil works team and New Westminster Royal City Centre other project contractors.”

North Vancouver The B.C. Building Trades Capilano Mall Council said in a news release Lynn Valley Centre 1295 Marine Dr. that it was shocked by the an1801 Lonsdale Ave. nouncement, claiming as many Pitt Meadows as 1,500 jobs may go to workers 19800 Lougheed Hwy. from Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Port Coquitlam 2020 Oxford Connector Council president Lee Loftus Richmond said hundreds of Alberta workers Lansdowne Centre are already working on the dam.

Richmond Centre “Only when every quali11686 Steveston Hwy. Surrey fied B.C. construction worker Central City Shopping Centre who wants a job on this projOnly Optik TV™ lets you enjoy the most South Asian channels.

Cloverdale Crossing ect has been hired should BC Guildford Town Centre Hydro even consider lookSemiahmoo Shopping Centre 3189 King George Blvd. ing outside the province for 7380 King George Blvd. workers — and that’s sim13734 104th Ave. ply not the case today at all.”

Plus, get a FREE 40" Samsung Smart TV Vancouver Oakridge Centre Opposition New DemoPacific Centre when you sign up for Optik TV & Internet for 3 years†. crat Leader John Horgan also 220 East 1st Ave. criticized the announcement, 991 Denman St. claiming the contract is a 1095 West Pender St. 1143 Robson St. $250-million increase over last 1855 Burrard St. month’s estimate and there’s 2338 Cambie St. no guarantee how many jobs 2372 West 4th Ave. will go to British Columbians.

2706 Granville St. 2748 Rupert St. Call 310-MYTV (6988), go to telus.com/freetv “When you’re spending bil3121 West Broadway or visit your TELUS Store. lions of dollars of the public’s West Vancouver money, I believe any responPark Royal South sible premier of B.C. should Offer available until December 31, 2015, to residential customers who have not subscribed to TELUS TV or Internet in the past 90 days. Minimum system requirements apply. Final eligibility for the services will be determined by a TELUS representative. TELUS reserves the right to modify channel lineups and packaging, ask how many jobs can be and regular pricing without notice. Cannot be combined with other offers. The Essentials is required for all Optik TV subscriptions. Offer not available with TELUS Internet 6. HDTV-input-equipped television required to watch HD. †A retail value of $689, based on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, plus a 2 year extended warranty, provincial government eco fees and shipping. TELUS reserves the right to substitute an equivalent or better product without notice. A cancellation fee applies for early termination of the service agreement and will be the value of the promotional gift received in return for your term commitment, guaranteed for British Comultiplied by the number of months remaining in the term (with a partial month counting as a full month), divided by the total number of months in the term, plus applicable taxes. TELUS, the TELUS logo, Optik, Optik TV, the future is friendly and telus.com are trademarks of TELUS Corporation, used under licence.

Samsung and the Samsung logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Samsung Canada. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2015 TELUS. lumbians,” he said in a release.

ritish Columbia’s power utility will pay a electric dam in the province’s northeast. consortium of three companies about $1.75 billion to build the largest compoThe contract agreement announced on TEL20150805_Q3_Asian Star_JrPg:Layout 1 15-11-02 4:23 PM Page 1 nents of the controversial Site C hydroMonday by BC Hydro will see the Peace

Miyan hovey ya biwi sub da favourite Optik TV. Optik TV lagwao te sub da man parchao

www.theasianstar.com

Vol 14

Issue 48 Saturday, December 26, 2015

Google talking to Ford about self-driving cars, report says

19

Maitri Bhavan

9

South Asian man killed in store robbery

South Asian man is one of the two Mac’s store workers shot dead in a robbery in Edmonton last weekend. The victims have been identified as Karanpal Singh Bhangu, 35, who moved to Edmonton from Indianwith his son this summer, and Ricky Massin Cenabre, 41, who had come to Canada from the Philippines to work, and recently filed papers to bring his wife and family here too . “(Ricky was) a simple guy. Humble. No fuss. He just wants to have a good life in Canada,” said friend Richard Vale. David

Karanpal Singh Bhangu, 35, (left) is shown with his son Royce and his wife Kiran.

Windsor doctor will use lottery to decide who gets free fertility treatments

A

Condo owner files human rights complaint after board holds meetings in Mandarin

Page

Page

A

Tel: 604-591-5423

Windsor fertility specialist says he’ll run a lottery to choose the four women who get free government-funded in vitro fertilization at his clinic each month, because desperate demand will massively outstrip the available spots. “Because it’s so limited, inevitably it’s going to be unfair to many women,” said Dr. Rahi Victory (pictured), whose Victory Reproductive Care clinic in Windsor annually performs about 100 of these baby-making treatments, which up to now cost patients between $8,000 and $10,000 when all the fees are added in, plus the cost of fertility drugs. His success rate is above 60 per cent, he says. The Ontario government’s announcement that it will fund 5,000 IVF treatments a year has been applauded as a “significant milestone” for the many women who can’t

afford IVF and must give up on their dream of having children. “I think (the government’s) heart is in the right place, but this is going to be very difficult for us to implement fairly,” Victory said.

He said he expects demand for the service will quadr uple, to 20,000 a year provincially, now that it’s free.

He’s getting funding to do four IVF treatments per month, 10 months of the year. He could easily help 20 to 25 patients a month, he said. “They come in excited.

They all think they’re going to get funding and I have to tell them, ‘I can’t promise you funding at all,’ and the tears start and it’s just heartbreaking.”

Continued on page 6

Eifert, who works with Bhangu’s wife at Progressive Academy, said bringing her family to Canada was “the sole goal of her life.” Bhangu was working at Mac’s while waiting for certification to work in security. “This was kind of a dream for the family, to be together again in Canada,” Eifert said. Fundraising efforts have swelled in the day since the homicides, with donation pages set up for the families of both Cenabre and Bhangu.

Accused in the case are Colton SteinContinued on page 6

Sajjan backs off Liberals promise to dump F-35 jets

C

anada’s new defense minister backed off a campaign-trail pledge by his Liberal Party that Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 jets would be excluded from a competition to replace the country’s aging fleet of military aircraft. Harjit Sajjan said during a conference call with reporters his focus is finding the best aircraft to replace the CF-18 jets before they become obsolete. He was asked twice whether the F-35 is being excluded from bidding, and both times he sidestepped the question. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said while campaigning for the October election Canada “won’t purchase the F-35” because they’re too expensive. Canada still needs to set the terms of a new competition for replacement aircraft, ones that can be available “in a timely manner” and be able to work on missions with U.S. and European allies, Sajjan said Monday. The previous government had invested in F-35 development contracts without signing a final purchase Continued on page 7

A

ndreas Kargut, a townhouse owner in Richmond, was shocked with the reply he got when he and a neighbour emailed their condo board this month asking to attend their next meeting.

The board president replied they were

welcome to attend as observers.

“However, please understand the council team for this fiscal is using Mandarin as the preferred language for communication,” he went on. “Therefore we have no intention of using English during the meeting on Dec. 8.

That’s the most efficient way for the team this year.” Kargut , one of the original owners in the 54-unit Wellington Court complex, built in 2004, said he felt discriminated against and filed a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal. “This isn’t like a social club.

It’s a legal entity. And the legal language in Canada is English and French,” he said Tuesday. Reached by phone, Ed Mao, the condo board president, confirmed the proceedings were conducted in Mandarin. However, he said all official documents, including contracts and minutes, are written in English.

He disputed the assertion the board was being racist or discriminatory.

Continued on page 7

Season’s Greetings

4 i Saturday, December 26, 2015 As our holiday greetings move away from Happy Holidays to Happy New Year, we start wondering about the prospects for employment and income that a growing economy brings.

The prospects are not in what Jock Finlayson of the Business Council of British Columbia calls the industrial sector. That sector consists of B.C.’s traditional resource industries, forestry, mining, energy and food, and all the downstream processing and manufacturing generated from them.

The industrial sector will not be thriving in B.C. in 2016, not only because of weaker world demand, but also because this province has uncompetitive tax rates (the PST and the carbon tax) and is losing its competitive advantage of cheap energy as the cost of energy falls elsewhere in Canada.

We often consider tourism as the poor cousin to industry. This is a mistake. In its World In 2016 issue, The Economist magazine sees respectable global growth of 3.5 per cent across all sectors with total trade growing at three per cent. Tourism is one of the few sectors significantly above the average, rising at 3.9 per cent. Only entertainment

OPINION

Tourism is B.C.’s great hope for 2016 and information technology come close.

Last year, tourism made up 10 per cent of world GDP, generating US$7.6 trillion and 277 million jobs. At the time, global tourism was growing at 3.5 per cent when total global growth was 2.3 per cent. In Canada, tourism generated $23.1 billion and more than one million jobs - 12 per cent were in B.C. alone.

Tourism is going to be even bigger and more important in 2016 for three main reasons: First is the poor performance of our traditional industrial sectors.

Second, our weak Canadian dollar makes us a very attractive destination, especially to holiday-makers from the U.S. They get real value for money in a country that is close, speaks English and offers all the comforts of home. On the other hand, a low Canadian dollars means that more Canadians will spend their holidays in this country and often in beautiful British Columbia.

The third reason is, unfortunately, security.

Until recently, most people who could afford to indulge in international travel did not have to worry excessively about their personal

safety. Sure, you had to take your shoes off at airports, watch out for pickpockets and avoid some hot spots, but this did not cause most vacationers to cancel their planned trips.

Now Paris, in many years the world’s biggest tourist destination, has become a spot to be avoided, adding to a growing list of destinations that have experienced violence or may reasonably expect it. Halifax airport has seen some unexpected extra flights arrive. These are intercontinental flights to Europe that have received bomb threats and need to check for explosive devices. The threat has been enough for some passengers to cancel their planned excursion and head home.

In B.C., many of the people I know and likely many of the people you know are thinking of staying closer to home in 2016.

The trend began last summer when many tourism operators had their best season ever.

Expect even stronger growth in tourism in B.C. and Canada in 2016. Many in the global baby boom generation still have travel on their bucket lists and a bank account to pay for it, but their funds are not unlimited and their concerns for security are real. As the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia become less secure, Canada becomes ever more attractive.

With a little effort, we can ensure the tourism industries of B.C. and Canada benefit. If we were full to capacity in many facilities last summer then we need to expand that capacity to gain from growth.

We also need to make sure that potential travellers know we are here and what we have to offer. It is called marketing. There also must be enough people with the right skills and attitudes to fill the jobs that a growing tourism industry will generate.

That should not be too much of a problem. Almost none of the other sectors will be doing as well.

Troy Media B.C.’s Business columnist Roslyn Kunin is a consulting economist and speaker.

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i 5

Local

6 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

Windsor doctor will use lottery to decide who gets free fertility treatments From page 1 Health Minister Eric Hoskins said in a statement to the Star that he understands Victory’s clinic is raising concerns about demand potentially outstripping supply. “But I really do hope that we don’t lose track of the thousands of families that will benefit from the program.” He said clinics are expected to manage their own wait lists using criteria for prioritizing patients based on their clinical expertise and judgment. Clinics will also report their wait times to the ministry “so we can continue to evaluate this program as it evolves,” Hoskins said. The government on Monday named the 50 clinics across the province receiving funding, including Victory’s clinic, ONE Fertility Windsor run by Dr. Anthony Pattinson, and ASTRA Fertility Centre in Chatham. “It means pure joy, honestly,” Windsor mom Jennifer Glover said of fact the government is now funding IVF. Glover and her husband Jerry spent four years trying to have a child, spending $35,000 for four IVF cycles and seeking expert opinions from as far away as Barbados, before they

South Asian man killed in store robbery

From page 1

the homicides, with donation pages set up were finally successful. Their son Sterling is for the families of both Cenabre and Bhangu. now 14 months.

Accused in the case are Colton SteinhauThe fact that other people had to give up on er, 27, Laylin Delorme, 24, and a 13-year-old having children because they couldn’t afford boy, cannot be identified under the provisions treatment is an unbelievable injustice that the of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Each is new funding should help address, said Glover, charged with two counts of first-degree murwho works in marketing at Caesars Windsor. der, and a raft of gun and robbery-related She said Victory’s lottery may be the most charges. The string of violence began early fair way to decide who gets the treatment, “but on Friday morning, when Bhangu was shot in at the same time, you’re going to have wom- the stomach while working at a Mac’s store at en who age out,” she said, referring to the fact 32nd Avenue and 82nd Street in Millwoods. that the government won’t fund IVF for wom- Police were called to the store with a panic en once they reach age 43. alarm at about 3:30 a.m. on Friday morning.

Victory said he’ll address the issue by allo- After three phone calls to the store went uncating one or two of his four spots per month answered, an officer drove to the store and to women ages 39 to 42. IVF is a complex pro- found Bhangu seriously injured. Bhangu died cedure in which the egg is retrieved from the in hospital a short time later. A deliveryman woman, fertilized by the man’s sperm in a lab walking into another Mac’s store at 109th and the resulting embryo is implanted into the uterus. Good fertility clinics can achieve success rates in the 50-60 per cent range for IVF. The government program is for people with medical issues causing infertility as well for From page 1 people — such as same-sex couples or single people — who have non-medical issues.

A visibly frightened 13-year-old boy wept in the prisoner’s box Monday morning as the charges against him in the killings of two convenience store clerks were read aloud to court. The youth swayed on his feet and wiped tears from his eyes as a court clerk read the charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of Ricky Massin Cenabre and Karanpal Singh Bhangu. Both men were shot to death early Friday while they worked at Mac’s stores in south Edmonton.

The boy said nothing as his defence lawyer Akram Attia reserved his plea. Two sheriffs lead the boy from youth court.

“I love you,” a supporter called out before they quickly left the courtroom. The 13-year-old cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Instagram InstagramPolice have charged

Street and 61st Avenue found a trail of blood on the floor leading to a storage room. He called police, who found Cenabre in a backroom, dead of a gunshot wound. Knecht said it appeared the attackers had dragged Cenabre into the backroom. An alert then went out to all police based on security footage from the first store, describing the three suspects and the stolen Honda Element they were driving. Officers also began checking other Mac’s stores in the city, and the suspects were spotted outside a Mac’s in Callingwood at about 5 a.m.

The group fled police and a chase ensued, which ended when the driver of the Element lost control on Whitemud Drive, hit a guardrail and crashed into a barrier under the Terwillegar overpass. Three people inside the vehicle were arrested without further incident.

Knecht said the motive for the murders was robbery, and that three men are suspects in other city robberies as well.

Boy weeps as he faces murder charges with two adult men for store killings

aman@ewfinancial.ca

Laylin Delorme, 24, and two other suspects who were arrested in connection with two armed robberies and fatal shootings at two different Mac’s stores on Dec. 18, 2015.

Twenty minutes earlier, in a different courtroom, the youth’s co-accused, Laylin Cole Alex Delorme, 24, and Colton James Steinhauer, 27, made their first appearances by closed-circuit television. Both clad in orange jumpsuits, the men kept their hands clasped behind their backs and said little as court heard both need to retain lawyers to face the murder charges against them.

All three face two charges of first-degree murder. The youth will be back in court on Jan. 4, 2016. Delorme and Steinhauer are scheduled to return on Jan. 11. The killings occurred just before 3:30 a.m. Friday, after a panic alarm was pressed at a Mill Woods convenience store.

LOCAL

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i 7

Condo owner files human rights complaint after board holds meetings in Mandarin From page 1 “We’re a bunch of people trying to make (the board) work. We are new and have learning to overcome,� he said. “What has happened in the past was not working, that’s why lots of change happened.� The squabble is the latest example of community tensions that have arisen in the wake of a huge demographic shakeup in the suburb south of Vancouver. More than half the population is ethnic Chinese. The city recently posted a job opening for an inspector whose job would be to encourage businesses to comply with bylaws requiring signs to contain at least 50 per cent English. This requires someone with an “ability to perform under pressure and deal with contentious and challenging situations in a diplomatic manner,� the posting said.

Kargut said there had never been problems with the condo board until last year when most non-Chinese speaking members were ejected after one owner gathered a large number of proxy votes. He added he also became alarmed because the board only met a few times in the last fiscal year and cut ties in July with its long-time property manager, FirstService Residential. Kargut said when he showed up on Dec. 8, the entire 1½-hour board meeting, which he says he recorded, was conducted in Mandarin, a language he

From page 1

does not speak. When the board members reached the end of the meeting, they asked Kargut if he wished to ask any questions.

Kargut said he replied no. “Where do you start? They were all leaving. How can you question when they’ve been talking a whole hour and a half (in Chinese)?� he said. The human rights complaint, which Kargut says he filed for about 10 owners, asks that all meetings be carried out in English and a special meeting be held to elect a new council with each homeowner entitled to only one proxy. It also asks for a “written apology from the (condo board) describing their conduct as discriminatory.� “We are going to ask for financial retribution due to significant emotional distress.� Officials at AA Property Management, the complex’s new property manager, declined to comment. Tony Gioventu, executive director of the Condominium Homeowners’ Association, told the Richmond News a few language problems have arisen in the suburb over the years that were resolved with English-to-Mandarin translation being provided but not the other way around. A spokeman for the provincial housing ministry told the Richmond News the Strata Property Act does not specify what language condo board meetings should be conducted in.

Sajjan backs off Liberals promise to dump F-35 jets

agreement. “My focus isn’t about F-35 or any other aircraft; my focus� is about replacing the CF18s, Sajjan said on the call. “We will open it up to an open process.�

Trudeau pledged during the campaign to “immediately� launch an open bidding pro-

cess to buy a cheaper plane. Canada has previously considered Boeing Co.’s F/A-18 Super Hornet, Saab AB’s Gripen, Dassault Aviation SA’s Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon, produced by a consortium including BAE Systems PLC,Airbus Group SE and Alenia Aermacchi SpA.

DMJ Painting Ltd.

Just one call for your all painting needs * Old & New Homes * Town Houses Appartments * Commercial & Residential * Interior & Exterior * Any kind of Paint Job

* Stucco Paint * Spray Painting * Pressure Washing * Sky Paint for Ceiling * Fence Painting * Rolling Painting

 Â? Â? Â

Over

10 Years of Experience

Free estimates - Fast and quality work

Mandeep

604-767-4954

Jagdeep

604-338-7147

8 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

T

LOCAL

Royal Ontario Museum caught up in looted antiquities investigation

he Royal Ontario Museum insists it followed strict internal guidelines when it purchased a Buddhist stupa from Subhash Kapoor, a Manhattan art dealer who has since been charged by the Indian government with trafficking in stolen artifacts.

The stupa — a small stone urn used to house the remains of monks — and the ROM have now become caught up in an international investigation by U.S. immigration and security officials, who are also investigating a large illegal antiquities operation allegedly directed by Kapoor, the ROM acknowledged when queried by CBC News. In 2004, Toronto’s ROM paid Kapoor $125,000 for the miniature reliquary, money that came from private donations.

Deepali Dewan, a senior curator at the ROM, described Kapoor as a “reputable and respected dealer of South Asian art,” which was a common opinion at the time among museum curators.

Dewan also provided CBC News with a redacted copy of the ownership history of the item and said she had spoken personally

with the individual who hattan art dealer now claimed to have held the under investigation piece in his personal for dealing in stolen collection since 1969 — antiquities. (CBC) a key date when it comes U.S. Immigration to the trading of ancient Customs Enforcerelics. CBC has since ment and Homeland obtained an unredacted Security Investigacopy of the ownership tions are also delvdocument signed by the ing into Kapoor’s owner, Dr. Leo Figiel, a antiquity empire, in prominent U.S. collecan investigation they Subhash Kapoor, Manhattan art deal- have called Operator of South Asian artifacts who died in 2013. er, charged in India with trading in illegal tion Hidden Idols. temple relics An ancient stone urn Since 2012, that is believed to have once held the remains U.S. agents have seized over 2,600 arof Buddhist monks was purchased by the tifacts valued at approximately $150 Royal Ontario Museum in 2004 from a Man- million from Kapoor’s warehouses.

A

And last month, officials with ICE-HSI reclaimed a bronze sculpture of Shiva and Parvati from the David Owsley Museum of Art at Ball State University in Indiana.

The museum had purchased the piece from Kapoor in 2005, but ICE-HSI officials say the idol was “sourced illegally from India under the direction of Subhash Kapoor and smuggled into the United States.”

In a Nov. 17 press release, ICE-HSI also said the sculpture had a “fraudulent provenance attributed to Leo Figiel,” a provenance that said it was part of Figiel’s private collection since 1969.

The date on the provenance is important because in 1970 a UNESCO convention came into effect that prohibited the illicit import, export or transfer of ownership of cultural property.

UBC student Ann Makosinski wins $50K for phone-charging mug

first-year University of British Columbia student has won $50,000 for inventing a phone-charging travel mug that harnesses heat from hot beverages to create energy. Ann Makosinski, 18, won the Quest

Climate Change Grant, along with five other Canadian recipients, on Dec. 16. The teenager invented the heat-powered mug when she noticed two pervasive problems among her friends: depleted batteries on their smart

phones and coffee too hot to gulp down between classes. “I decided to combine both of those problems and find a solution with my e-drink,” Makosinski said.

Indian-origin footballer Dhanda gets Liverpool contract

Yan Dhanda has become the first player of Indian heritage to sign a professional contract with English football powerhouse Liverpool.

LIVERPOOL: Yan Dhanda has become the first player of Indian heritage to sign a professional contract with English football powerhouse Liverpool.

The England youth international recently turned 17 and has entered into a two-and-a--half-year contract with the Anfield club, bbc.co.uk reported on Friday.

He is the second British Asian with a professional contract at the top level after Swansea’s Neil Taylor.

Dhanda was born in Birmingham. He joined Liverpool’s academy in July 2013 from West Bromwich Albion club.

The attacking midfielder has played for England at the Under-16 and Under-17 levels and won the up-andcoming player category at the Asian Football Awards in 2013.

He is the second British Asian with a professional contract at the top level after Swansea’s Neil Taylor.

He joined Liverpool’s acadWIND_Q4_GVA_AsianStar_8x10_ENG.indd 1

15-12-16 11:51 AM

PERSON OF THE WEEK Chhavi Disawar “

W

hen I was completing my Hotel Management degree, I was thinking about working in 5-stars but when you get into the hotel industry, you have a totally different prospect. You meet different people from politics, Bollywood and other renowned industries. I myself have done personal butler service for well-known celebrities including Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt and Sonam Kapoor,” smiled Narasimha.

Narasimha is a perfect example of a steady achiever who, like thousands of South Asians, came to this land of opportunity with a dream and studied Hotel Management from Sprott Shaw College. With his passion and dedication for Hotel Management and after gaining Canadian experience working with

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i 9

The Food’s Paradise- Maitri Bhawan

nounce in the menu but it was at 65th no. on the list, so people started saying it Chicken 65. Also it was originated during the time of Second World War, i.e. in 1965. That is how the name was developed.”

“You will find this dish in many of the restaurants but the authenticity of the dish is lacking in most of them. We let people taste the authentic flavours and leave it to them to decide”, said Narasimha.

On asking about the name of the restaurant ‘Maitri’, Narasimha told that he wanted the name to be welcoming for all, and word Maitri means friendship, that is our nature and the nature of our service.

I personally would quote that the name justifies their behavior and service very well.

From preparation to service to taking care of customer’s needs, everything is 5-star. Cherry on the cake is their pleasing and warm

smiles that keeps the environment lively and one feels like going back again.

After trying their egg dosa and idli I would say the food is flavoursome and feels like a delight to one’s taste-buds.

Apart from this, if you are a Biryani-fan and want to pamper your taste-buds with authentic Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, Maitri Bhawan is the perfect match to your wishes.

It took Narasimha two-years for ground research to come up with this promising concept of Maitri Bhavan. On asking people about their reviews on the restaurant, it was observed that people are in love with the food and service provided by restaurant. “99% of our customers leave the place with smileys on their faces and that is something which boosts our confidence and keep us going”, smiled Narasimha. “Our vision is to make Maitri Bhawan a chain of restaurants and we are looking forward to expand one restaurant per year”, smiled Narasimha Presently there is 10% off on take-out food and if you are not sure about the place for this year’s for Christmas get-together, then try Maitri Bhawan.

For details, contact: (778) 565-5337

some renowned chains, Narasimha, with his four other friends have started a South Indian Restaurant named Maitri Bhawan in Payal Business Center, Surrey.

Are You An Immigrant Looking For Work?

“We are five of us and we have been together for over a decade. We have worked together in India for renowned chains including Hayatt, Leela Palace, Taj hotels etc., and also in Canada for all big Franchisee chains including Red Rock, White Spot, A n W to name a few. We have all been at the position of regional Manager, General Manager, Restaurant Manager and our chef is from Southern part of India and has over 35 years

Let us help you connect with great employers Available Free Services Include:

The Skills Connect for Immigrants Program delivered by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is a FREE program funded by the Provincial and Federal Government.

• Employment & Skills Assessment

Many BC immigrants possess skills in occupations where there are shortages, but face numerous barriers to attaining work aligned with their pre-arrival skills, qualifications, and experience. Key barriers are a lack of Canadian work experience, insufficient language proficiency, nonrecognition of qualifications and difficulty navigating an unfamiliar labour market. The Skills Connect for Immigrants Program helps immigrants overcome these barriers.

• Personalized Career Planning & Counselling • Skills Upgrading • Training Subsidy • Career Seminars & Workshops of experience in South Indian Cuisine. He has worked in 3-star hotels in Vishakhapatnam, and also holds 15 years of experience working in Canada”, told Narasimha in an interview with The Asian Star.

The cooking experience of the Chef speaks in Maitri Bhawan’s food itself. Apart from the food items available in the menu list, one can order other South Indian dishes too. Apart from dosa, idli, sambar, vada, there is much more to the menu list for the guests to try.

“In Surrey, people only know about Dosa, Idli, and Sambar as South Indian food. However, the real authenticity of South Indian food is vegetarian and non-vegetarian food cooked together. As of appetizers, there is a huge variety of South Indian appies including Chicken 65, which is way different from pakoras and have originated in Chennai’s Military Canteen”, told Narasimaha.

On asking about the logic of no. 65, he spoke,” The name of the dish was hard to pro-

• Workplace Orientation • Job Mentoring & Matching

For additional information or to register, contact: Priya Pandit, Program Manager CME Skills Connect

Who is Eligible? You may be eligible if you:

• Are a new Immigrant with Permanent Resident status in the last 5 years • Have related foreign work experience in your profession • Have intermediate to advanced level of English language proficiency • Are under-employed or unemployed • Are not receiving Employment Insurance (EI)

If you are eligible, we will:

• Provide financial support for skills upgrading, including: courses, certification fees and licensing • Provide skills, qualifications and experience assessment • Personalized career planning & counselling • Job mentoring and matching Employment counsellors will provide you with free services and support to start your career in BC!

Get Connected With Great Employers!

(604) 713-7806 priya.pandit@cme-mec.ca bc.cme-mec.ca

This project is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia

10 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

Local

Canada poised to be hub of Islamic finance

I

slamic banking is being touted as the next big thing for Canada’s financial services sector, but experts say it’s up to the new federal government to demonstrate that it welcomes Shariah-compliant investments. “It’s absolutely fundamental that the Canadian government signal that, in fact, it is open to Islamic finance,” says Walid Hejazi, an associate professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

They could do so either by issuing sukuk – Islamic bonds – or by making a public statement, Hejazi says, noting that the previous government was on record as saying it welcomed such investments.

ANALYSIS: Why Halal may be the biggest investment opportunity in the world for Canada “If there is a risk that a change in government is going to change its view on that kind of investment, that spooks investors,” he said. “So the government must be clear to say . . . ‘We’re open to Islamic finance, we welcome it,”’ Islamic finance – which bans interest payments and investments in gambling, pornography, weapons, alcohol, tobacco and pork – is a fast-growing niche in the financial services industry. A study released earlier this month by the Toronto Financial Services Alliance and Thomson Reuters says Canada has a number of advantages – including a growing Muslim population, a stable banking system and a favourable regulatory environment

– that make it well positioned to become a North American hub for Islamic banking.

“Islamic finance is one of the fastest growing kinds of finance in the world,” said Janet Ecker, president and CEO of the TFSA. “There are opportunities here which should be explored. Toronto is an international financial centre. ... This is another way to keep our reputation and our capabilities growing.” Hejazi says the Islamic ban on interest doesn’t mean consumers borrow money for free – it just requires loans to be structured more like partnerships between financial institutions and borrowers.

“The whole idea or the concept is to avoid people becoming buried in debt because, back in the days of the Prophet, ... when people weren’t able to pay their debt they were enslaved or exploited,” he said. In the case of commercial loans, that means both the bank and the borrower must have a vested interest in the success of the underlying business.

“If the underlying business does well, they share in the profit,” Hejazi says. “If it does poorly, they share in the losses. That’s the fundamental difference; this idea of shared risks, and nobody can have a guaranteed return.” The report commissioned

by TFSA says there are a number of opporContinued on page 11

Jolly Arts -Custom painted wall murals for home, office or commercial establishments.

-Interior and decorative wall painting along with decorating design ideas.

Custom Designs Kids Room - Living Spaces - Offices - Wallpaper Install

Tejpal Singh Mann

778-885-2197

By Appointment

www.facebook.com/tejpalsingh.mann

For Traditional & Modern Hand Paintings

TSM Gallery 9353 - 120 St. Delta

778.395.5354

LOCAL

T

Compassionate care leave to be extended to 26 weeks from Jan 3

he Trudeau government is following through on a Conservative plan to extend compassionate care leave for the care of terminally ill loved ones from six to 26 weeks starting Jan. 3, 2016.

But the government says it plans to rework the program later in the year to expand the number of people who can take advantage of the enriched employment insurance plan “These changes were brought in by the Conservatives. They’re good,” explained MaryAnn Mihychuk, minister of employment.

“The [new regulations] have some flexibility, but they don’t go far enough,” she added. The Liberals committed to go further during the campaign, she said.

How far the Liberal government plans to go remains to be seen, but Mihychuk has some ideas. “[We want to be] more generous. So, if your partner, your child has serious cancer [you could qualify]. It doesn’t mean necessarily it’s terminal,” she said.

The regulations coming into effect on Jan. 3 apply specifically to people caring for a terminally ill loved one. The Liberals are looking at providing support to individuals who

leave work to care for family members.

The government will begin consultations and committee hearings in the new year. Mihychuk doesn’t expect changes until later in 2016.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is one of the groups that expects to speak with government about any expansion of the Compassionate Care Benefit.

It’s a tricky issue for small business, said Dan Kelly, the federation’s president.

“Most small firms already do things like this without having any legislative framework around it. If they have an employee who is caring for a sick relative they try to accommodate as best they can,” Kelly explained.

As well, the number of people who took advantage of the shorter sixweek program was smaller than the government expected, said Kelly.

In the 2013-14 fiscal year, 6,003 people claimed compassionate care

11

TRC promise puts Liberals on track to repeal spanking laws

C

ommissioner Justice Murray Sinclair shakes hands with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the release of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation commission, which includes a call to repeal the so-called ‘spanking’ law. Liberals’ promise to repeal so-called spanking law fuels debate Canada’s spanking laws are set for an overhaul as part of the Liberal government’s promise to adopt all of the recommendations stemming from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

One of the 94 “calls to action” after the six-year inquiry into widespread abuse at residential schools for indigenous children was to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code, which allows parents and teachers to discipline children with “reasonable” force. “At this point, we cannot speculate on potential legislative or policy ap-

proaches to address this issue. However the government is committed to implementing all of the 94 calls to action,” said Christian Girouard, spokesman for Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. The “spanking law” was upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2004, but set guidelines outlining “reasonable limits” to the act. In that decision, the court ruled that reasonable corrective force can be used against children between the ages of two and 12 years old. The TRC recommendation has revived a heated national debate on the issue. “If we hit a child, we’re hitting creation, and that’s something that’s just not on. That is something that is not a traditional teaching or a traditional practice,” he said.

Moran said the commission likely foresaw the potential broader consequences for all Canadians.

ARE YOU

Canada poised to be hub of Islamic finance

IN DEBTS?

From page 10 portunities for Islamic banking to expand in Canada. Some Muslim Canadians desire Shariah-compliant solutions to their personal finance needs, including mortgages, insurance and investment opportunities. The Canadian government could also issue sukuk, or Islamic bonds, which are structured in such a way that they generate returns without the use of interest payments, to help fund its planned infrastructure spending, according to the report. “The new federal government has an opportunity to demonstrate Canada’s openness to foreign investment from markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia by encouraging investments either in a conventional or an Islamic-compliant manner,” said Jeffrey Graham, partner and the head of the financial services regulatory group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. “Other governments who have been seeking to do the same thing have issued sovereign sukuks, or Islamic bonds, to help promote their financial sectors.”

However, a spokesman for the Department of Finance appeared to throw cold water that idea, saying in an email that “there continues to be very strong demand for regular ‘plain vanilla’ Government of Canada securities.” Meanwhile, one of the obstacles to the growth of Islamic finance in Canada is the lack of what Hejazi calls “human capital.” “We need to have people across the country that understand Islamic finance, which we don’t have,” said Hejazi, who teaches a course onIslamic finance, now in its fifth year, at Rotman. Last year the course was full, with 40 students on the waiting list.

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i

REDUCE YOUR DEBTS UPTO

75%

Stop Worrying! It Is Easy If You Let the Professionals Deal With Your Debt Problems

Make one Interest free monthly payment

to all of your Bills

We Save All Your Assets

We give You A Solution Without Bankruptcy

WE HELP IN

• CREDIT CARDS DEBT • LINE OF CREDIT • BUSINESS LOANS • REVENUE CANADA DEBT (GST, PST, PAYROLL, TAXES) • ICBC • STUDENT LOAN

Tahir Malik

Registered Credit Consultant Email: tahir@tahirmalik.ca

SURREY: 208-9200, Scott Road

NO MORE

• COLLECTION CALLS • LEGAL ACTIONS • GARNISHMENTS • SEIZURE OF ASSETS • INTEREST ON PAYMENTS • NEED TO DO BANKRUPTCY

Call Now For A Free Confidential Appointment

604-909-2277 www.NewLifeDebt.com

2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER

ABBOTSFORD: 200 A 2451 Clearbrook Rd

ALSO PROVIDING SERVICES FROM TORONTO, MONTREAL, WINNIPEG, EDMONTON & CALGARY

We Provide Hope to the hopeless... We are your bridge to a DEBT FREE LIFE !

12 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

Brunei has made celebrating Christmas a criminal offence

A

nyone found illegally celebrating Christmas in Brunei could face up to 5 years in jail, according to a reported declaration by Sultan of the oil-rich state. Brunei introduced ban on Christmas last year over fears that celebrating it “excessively and openly” could lead its Muslim population astray.

Anyone found illegally celebrating Christmas in Brunei could face up to five years in prison, according to a reported declaration by the Sultan of the tiny oil-rich state.

Brunei introduced its ban on Christmas last year over fears that celebrating it “excessively and openly” could lead its Muslim population astray.

Christians and others can celebrate Christmas, but must do so in private and have to first alert the authorities.

Local Islamic religious leaders have promoted the ban, warning that adopting the trappings of Christmas is tantamount to imitation of another faith, pro-

hibited in some interpretations of Islam.

Officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs have also reportedly visited local businesses to ensure they are not displaying Christmas decorations, including Santa hats and banners with Christmas greetings.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has ruled the former British colony for nearly 50 years, introduced the ban on Christmas in 2014, the same year Brunei adopted a stricter penal code, based on Islamic sharia and including punishments such as stoning and amputation.

The Christmas ban is justified under the new laws - the punishment for celebrating Christmas is a fine of $20,000 or up to five years in prison, or both.

The ban has encountered some resistance - the social media campaign #MyTreedom, which encourages Christians and other in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran to post images of themselves celebrating Christmas, includes several contributions from Brunei residents.

LOCAL

Surrey woman must serve at least 12 years for killing mother with a kitchen knife

N

a, na, na, na. Na, na, na, na. nos was arrested by Vancouver poHey, hey, hey.

Goodbye.” lice at No. 5 Orange, a strip club where Those lyrics rang out from the she had worked the previous year.

Verhoeven said Panagiota was described gallery of a New Westminster courtroom in victim-impact stateon Monday after Gloments and at trial as ria Crystle Zerbinos was kind, vibrant and much sentenced to life in prisloved, and her family on with no chance of and friends suffered a parole for 12 years for profound and devastatkilling her mother, Paing loss when she died. nagiota “Yota” Zerbinos.

“Ms. Zerbinos herThe judge had left self has also suffered the room and Zerbi- Gloria Zerbinos, was sentenced Monday to a great loss, but I’m nos was speaking to life in prison with no chance at parole for 12 not sure whether she years for fatally stabbing her mother Panagher lawyer when one of iota Zerbinos, left, 24 times with a kitchen fully comprehends Panagiota’s male sup- knife in a Surrey basement suite in 2012. that,” Verhoeven said. porters broke into song.

Verhoeven said it’s unclear what motivatZerbinos, 31, was convicted in Septemed Zerbinos to kill her mother and what ber of second-degree murder. The conhappened just before the killing took place. viction carries an automatic life sentence, Verhoeven said there is no evidence that however the period of parole ineligibilPanagiota provoked her daughter — in fact, ity can be set between 10 and 25 years. she was afraid of her, likely due to her erratJustice Frits Verhoeven said that considic behaviour as a result of her mental illness, ering the nature and circumstances of the and would have avoided provoking her. offence and the character of the accused, Zerbinos suffers from a personala 12-year period of parole ineligibility was “fit and proper.” The more than three ity disorder and psychotic disorder, years she has already spent in custody and she has abused drugs and alcohol. will count toward her parole eligibility. Verhoeven said the killing is somehow rootOn the afternoon of Nov. 8, 2012, Pa- ed in Zerbinos’s mental illness, although he nagiota went to her daughter’s basement ruled during the trial that Zerbinos was not suite to drop off some clean laundry. suffering from a mental disorder when she There was a brief altercation and Zerbi- stabbed her mother and could not be found nos stabbed her mother 24 times with a not criminally responsible for her actions.

Verhoeven said the likelihood of Zerbikitchen knife. Zerbinos then covered her nos becoming a productive member of mother’s body, changed her clothes and society in the future is tied to her willingleft the suite with her young son and dog. ness to be treated for her mental illness.

She walked to her grandmother’s house, Zerbinos refused to be evaluated by the where she dropped off her son and dog, Crown’s psychiatrist, presentence and psythen went back home. She left a short chological reports were not prepared pritime later, locking the door behind her. or to sentencing and no letters of support Panagiota’s body was discovered latwere submitted.

Verhoeven said he has er that day by her husband’s brother. no information about whether Zerbinos Two days after the murder, Zerbiis undergoing treatment or her prognosis.

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i

A

Homeless Keno winner Steve Borik refuses offers of charity

homeless man in Vancouver who can’t claim his $25,000 Keno prize because he doesn’t have ID says thanks, but no thanks, to offers of financial help that have come in since he shared his story with CBC.

McBryan, noticed Borik was wearing one of the airline’s hoodies and offered to put him in a hotel for Christmas.

“I got a pay cheque — 1,100 bucks on Friday. And I spent 800 of it on a hotel myself,” said Borik.

“So, I do have lodging for the next cou“I don’t want ple of weeks.” charity. I just Then another ofwant them to fer came in, this cash my ticktime because of et so I can his hat. Somego on with one at Burnaby’s my life,” said Scott ConstrucSteve Borik. tion saw the “That’s more company’s logo or less of it. on Borik’s baseI’m not lookball cap and ofing for any- Homeless construction worker Steve Borik says he’s fered him a job. thing from been overwhelmed with the offers of support he’s “I used to a n y b o d y .” gotten, but he would prefer to get by on his own work for them Borik, 57, for a little lives in makeshift homes he builds him- bit there a couple of summers ago, I self from discarded materials. He won guess,” said Borik. “I appreciate that. the prize in July, but he doesn’t have any I must have done something right.” official documents to prove he’s the winBorik said he’s been surprised by the ner. Borik was caught in a vicious bu- outpouring of support. “I’m very apreaucratic circle, until CBC stepped in to preciative. I didn’t think it would go like help him file paperwork that would get this to tell you the truth. I’m kinda overhim his birth certificate from Montreal. whelmed by the whole thing,” he said.

After the story aired, others offered to Still, he feels confident he can get by on help as well. his own until his birth certificate arrives First came the offer from Buffalo in Vancouver in about three weeks.

Airways, in Northwest Territories. The “I’ll be okay,” he said. “I’m a survivor.” company’s general manager, Mikey

Canadian regulator: 4.6 magnitude quake caused by fracking

A

4.6 magnitude earthquake emanating from the gas fields in northeast British Columbia during the summer was caused by hydraulic fracturing and is the largest induced seismic event ever recorded in the province, the BC Oil and Gas Commission has confirmed.

It surpasses two 4.4 magnitude induced earthquakes in Alberta and one of similar magnitude in B.C. last year that have been attributed to gas drilling activities, adding to growing concerns about a relatively new and controversial extraction process commonly known as fracking.

Understanding shale oil and the controversial practice of ‘fracking’ The commission, which regulates the industry, confirmed in August that

fracking caused last year’s 4.4 event. It said in a statement this week that it has now determined the 4.6 earthquake “was caused by fluid injection during hyrdraulic fracturing from an operator in the area.”

“More and bigger,” is how John Cassidy, a seismologist with the Geological Survey of Canada, describes the pattern of earthquakes triggered by gas extraction.

“The overall pattern is that there’s an increase in the number of induced earthquakes – and there is an overall or average increase in the magnitude as well.”

The 4.6 earthquake was big enough that workers at the drill site reported their pickup trucks shook and power poles swayed.

Dr. Cassidy said the growing number of earthquakes is not a public-safety concern because most are so small.

13

Man found sleeping in wrong Surrey home

P

olice in Surrey are seeking more in- Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann, in a formation regarding a man found release. “Police would like anyone who may sleeping in the home of a stranger. have seen someone in that area acting susOn Sunday morning, Surrey RCMP re- picious to give our investigators a call. This sponded to a home in the area of 64th is a good opportunity to remind people, Avenue and 121st even when they Street after receivare at home, ing a complaint of to ensure their an unknown male ground levwho entered a resiel doors and dence and fell asleep. windows are The man is believed secure.”

Surto have gained enrey RCMP ask try into the home anyone with sometime between information to the hours of 4:20 On Sunday morning, Surrey RCMP responded to contact them a.m. and 7:20 a.m. a home in the area of 64th avenue and 121st street at 604-599When the com- after receiving a complaint of an unknown male 0502, or to call plainant woke who entered a residence and fell asleep.

Crime Stopup the male, pers at 1-800he immediately fled. 222-TIPS if they wish to remain anonThe suspect is described as an ab- ymous. As the investogation moves original male, approximately 22 forward, Surrey RCMP say sexual asyears old, 6-feet tall and with a slim sault may have been a motivating factor. build. He was wearing a black sweat- A similar incident occured in North Vaner and a black and grey baseball cap. couver in October, when a resident found “We’re not sure what the motive was,” said a drunk stranger snoozing in his bed.

14 i Saturday, December 26, 2015 Rev. David McLauren, Ph.D.

C

hristmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Son of God, and the savior of all people. It offers the promise of new life, joy of sins forgiven and the hope of eternal life.

The Bible says, In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of this father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob

LOCAL

Merry Christmas

forever, his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. In those days Caeaser Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And every one went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the

town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid,. I bring you

good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and don earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Jesus shall not perish but have eternal life.

Mosaic Community Church meets every Saturday evenings 6:30 pm in Surreyand Abbotsford. You’re invited to celebrate with us. Our Services are in English, Punjabi and Hindi. For more info, please call or email at dmclaruen@gmail.com, 604 897 4224

Marcus Richardson is, in the eyes of the law, a criminal

N

ever mind that a judge ruled the six kilograms of cannabis police found in his car was for severely ill patients at a medical marijuana dispensary.

Or that the same judge imposed only a minimum sentence because anything more would fail to maintain “a just, peaceful and safe society.”

He’s a criminal — and so are scores of other Canadians who face barriers to travel and work because they were caught with a drug that the government now intends to legalize.

“My charge wasn’t like, ‘He was practising civil disobedience at a place that was helping sick and dying people improve the quality of their last days on earth,”’ Richardson said.

“If the charge read like that, I’d have no problem with it. It reads like, ‘I’m a marijuana trafficker.”’

Canadians with criminal records for marijuana crimes are eagerly waiting to see if Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will offer pardons when pot is legalized. Tens of thousands are charged with possession every year, and if convicted face consequences that can be devastating.

Richardson was driving across Vancouver’s Lions Gate Bridge in 1998 when police stopped him at a roadblock and found several kilograms of marijuana and $6,000 in his trunk.

A judge found the drugs were intended only for B.C. Compassion Club Society members and the money was a “float” Richardson carried to pay growers.

He was convicted of possession for the purpose of trafficking and received a suspended sentence and six months’ probation.

Today, the 42-year-old father of three holds a federal licence to grow and possess marijuana and runs a business selling equipment for medical cannabis users.

Richardson is often asked to share his expertise with companies in the U.S., but he’s barred from crossing the border. He’d also like to volunteer on his kids’ field trips, but administrators conduct criminal record checks.

LOCAL

Two new investigations launched into Victoria police chief

V

Victoria police chief temporarily steps aside

ictoria Police Chief Frank Elsner stepped aside today after two investigations into his conduct were ordered by B.C’s. police complaint commissioner. He will go on paid leave until the investigations are complete.

Elsner will be the subject of two public-trust investigations — probing social-media messages he sent to the wife of a subordinate officer, as well as allegations of workplace harassment, says B.C’s. police complaint commissioner.

The investigations must be conducted within six months.

Complaint commissioner Stan Lowe reviewed an internal investigation of the chief led by the Victoria and Esquimalt police board from August through November and determined it failed the test of fairness, accountability and transparency under the Police Act. He has ordered a new investigation.

During the commissioner’s review this month, more allegations of misconduct — related to workplace harassment — by four employees of the Victoria Police Department were brought forward by the police union on Dec. 11, triggering a second investigation, the commissioner said.

The harassment allegations from the rank-and-file members came on the heels of a unanimous vote by 115 police union members last week that the membership had lost confidence in both the chief and the police board. Simon Fraser University criminology professor Rob Gordon said it was an extraordinary statement he had not seen before in Canada.

The dual investigations come as another blow for Elsner, Victoria’s third chief in a decade to be investigated. Elsner, 52, is on vacation. The investigation of a chief constable is “rare” in Canada and two investigations doubly so, said commissioner spokesman Rollie Woods. The commissioner removed Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins and Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, the co-chairs of the police board, as the discipline authority for the Elsner cases and replaced them with retired judges.

The discipline authority for the public-trust investigation into direct personal messages exchanged on Twitter between Elsner and a Saanich officer, who is the wife of a police officer under Elsner’s command, is retired judge Carole Baird Ellan, former chief judge of the B.C. provincial court.

The discipline authority for workplace harassment allegations against Elsner will be retired Supreme Court justice Ian Pitfield.

Both investigations will be led by RCMP Chief Supt. Sean Bourrie with the help of an integrated unit of senior investigators from the Vancouver Police Department. “They are going to commit a significant number of resources to try to get this thing investigated properly in a reasonable

amount of time ... as quickly as possible,” Woods said. “I think it reflects the seriousness of it that the police have committed that number of resources to this investigation.” The commissioner’s order allows for six months for the investigation.

“Everybody is hoping it will be done as quickly as possible,” Woods said.Today’s announcement by the commissioner is intended to maintain public confidence in the civilian oversight of law enforcement through enhanced transparency and accountability, said the commissioner’s office. The announcement included criticism of the actions of Desjardins and Helps and their handling of an internal disciplinary investigation — rather than a formal public-trust investigation — conducted by Vancouver labour lawyer Patricia Gallivan.

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i

Abbotsford homeless shelter opens

A

new temporary winter shelter will open on Monday in Abbotsford, which could be a step towards a better relationship between vulnerable people and the city.

The 40-bed winter shelter — partly funded by the municipality — is made up of six construction trailers joined together.

“Originally it was really difficult for us to find a site that was going to work based on the community and based on our needs as well,” said Jodi Sturge with the Lookout Emergency Aid Society, which will fun the facility.

“City engineering staff in particular worked really hard and tirelessly to find a solution and the solution that they have come up with is quite innovative.”

The city provided $750,000 to build the temporary shelter while BC Housing is paying $450,000 for operating costs.

Homelessness contentious issue in Abbotsford Homelessness has been a contentious issue for years between the city and those living on the street.

In 2013, city workers spread chicken manure on land used as a homeless camp. The mayor apologized, but advocates for those living in the camp took the city to court.

In October, 2015, B.C.Supreme Court struck down city bylaws prohibiting people from erecting temporary shelters.

When the temporary shelter was announced in late Nov. 2015, Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun called it a great day for the community in a release.

The 40-beds will be available until April, 2016 however a planned permanent shelter for Abbotsford isn’t expected to open until 2017.

Injured in an accident?

ICBC claim?

We can help.

More than 60 lawyers and staff are available to you. We cover all litigation expenses and if there is no recovery, there are no fees to you. Legal services also available in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu.

AweI.sI.bI.sI. Aqy prsnl ieMjrI klym swfw 40 qoN v`D vkIlW dw stwP quhwfI syvw ivc hY[ muk`dmw nw ij~qx qy koeI PIs nhI leI jwvygI[ AsIN pMjwbI, ihMdI Aqy aurdU ivc g~l krdy hW We handle accident issues related to: Brain and spinal cord injuries Fatality claims Chronic pain Soft tissue injuries All economic damages and losses Slip and fall injuries For a fair settlement for your claim, call Mandeep Randhawa today.

PERSONAL INJURY BUSINESS STRATA hammerco.net

mrandhawa@hammerco.net

604-269-8500 1-888-LAW-5544

15

Mandeep Randhawa, Partner

LOCAL

16 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

J

Immigration Minister proves defying Canadian laws pays off

Deportation order withdrawn against Jose Figueroa in time for Christmas he’s not a threat El Salvador’s homicide ose Figueroa is going to have a lot rate soaring with gang truce no longer in to celebrate next week: his birthday, effect Not a terrorist group When Figueroa Christmas and his liberation. The Langley man has been living in the Walnut claimed refugee status in Canada in 1997, he was open about his involvement with Grove Lutheran Church for the past two Farabundo Marti National Liberation years, after he took sanctuary when the Front (FMLN) a player in the Salvadoran Canadian government moved to deport Civil War that morphed into a left-wing him for his political activities in El Salpolitical party after peace accords were vador nearly two decades ago. Yesterday signed in 1992. But in 2010, years after he learned he can stay in Canada, and Figueroa came to Canada and had three plans to leave his sanctuary on Dec. 23, children, immigration officials ruled him his birthday. Minister of Immigration, “inadmissible “and moved to deport him.

Refugees and Citizenship John McCalHis wife and Canadian-born son and lum found “sufficient humanitarian and daughters were allowed to stay, but he was compassionate considerations” in his case told to return to El Salvador and parent to warrant an exception. “As you can

by Skype, according to his lawyer. “Finally imagine, after two or more years being locked up in the church, me and my family after 18 years we will be home.” and anybody who is supporting us, there is - Jose Figueroa Instead Figueroa, who had so much joy,” said Figueroa. Jose Figueroa lived in Langley 16 years, refused to leave waits in sanctuary as courts decide his fate his family and took refuge in the church.

Failed asylum seeker from El Salvador says Continued on page 17

C

Canada appoints its first transgender judge

co-chairing the Canaanada’s first transgendian Bar Association’s der judge has been sexual-orientation appointed to proand gender-idenvincial court in Manitoba. tity conference Kael McKenzie, a Crown from 2012 to 2014. attorney from Winnipeg, Mr. McKenzie is also was officially designated a serving as vice-presijudge on Dec. 17 and will Manitoba appoints first transgendent of the Manitoba begin his new job immeder judge Kael McKenzie Bar Association execdiately. With his appointutive committee, the Manitoba chair of the ment to provincial court, Mr. McKenzie Canadian Bar Association, and president becomes the third openly trans judge of the Rainbow Resource Centre – which now practising in North America. The serves Manitoba’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and first, Victoria Kolakowski, of Alameda two-spirit communities.

He also served on County, Calif., was appointed in 2010. the Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council.

Many are calling Mr. McKenzie’s appointment “a Canadian milestone.” Mr. McKenzie was chosen from six canBefore his promotion, Mr. McKenzie was didates by an independent judicial coma Crown prosecutor for five years in fami- mittee that included three communily, commercial and civil law. He graduated ty representatives, members of the Law from the University of Manitoba in 2006 Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba and has been an active member of both branch of the Canadian Bar Association. the legal and LGBTQ communities since, Provincial Attorney-General Gord Mackintosh, who announced the appointment, said the Manitoba government has made an active effort to enhance the diversity of the court since 2001.

“It is so important to not only help ensure the respect of the court and its acceptance by the people, but it enriches the bench in terms of insights,” he said of the initiative.

“It makes for a stronger judiciary, there’s no doubt.”

What made Mr. McKenzie’s appointment particularly attractive was his background in criminal and civil law, his indigenous ancestry, and a rich background in serving the community, said Mr. Mackintosh.

“It’s exciting that he’s also trans. I think that was an added strength,” he said.

While he says he’s been transgender all his life, Mr. McKenzie formally transitioned in adulthood. “I was able to deal with it a lot easier when I was in the military or when I worked as a security officer and doing non-traditional female roles,” he said.

“When I moved into law, things got a little bit difficult because there are certain dress and behaviour expectations as you progress in your career. More conformity, if you will.” He made the decision to info@eyelevelrichmond.com come out while in private practice with www.eyelevelrichmond.com Chapman Goddard Kagan. “I thought my career was over,” Mr. McKenzie said.

S R I CH OWDES HW ARI AS T ROLO G Y C EN TR E

• Bringing Loved Ones Back

Wal k i n we lc o me ca l l fo r a p p o in tme n t

604-761-6610

7 2 Ave and 122 A St , Sur r e y B C

O pen 7 day s a week 9: 00 am t o 8: 00 pm

LOCAL

Bipolar man on verge of deportation to a country he left as a baby — 57 years ago

A

57-year-old man who immigrated to Canada as a baby is on the verge of being deported from the only country he’s known because of a string of crimes triggered by severe mental illness.

Len Van Heest — diagnosed with bipolar disorder in British Columbia at age 16 — is just the latest, dramatic example of a growing trend, say some immigration lawyers.

Increasing numbers of adult immigrants who came here as small children and developed psychiatric or neurological conditions now face removal after the previous government toughened the law on non-citizen criminals, they say.

The Canada Border Services Agency detained Len Van Heest last Wednesday and plans to send him to the Netherlands, though he doesn’t speak Dutch and has not lived there since he was in diapers.

We’re just dumping someone in another country . The Vancouver Island man neglected to become a Canadian citizen, so falls under legislation that lets the government expel immigrants who commit serious crimes.

A Federal Court judge has just upheld the denial of Van Heest’s application to remain on humanitarian and compassionate grounds — and rejected his claim that deportation to the Netherlands would be cruel and unusual punishment.

Immigration Minister From previous page Figueroa said he became a target because of his affiliation with FMLN, a group involved in the insurrection movement against El Salvador’s former military dictatorship. “I do not regret having given my support to the FMLN in El Salvador. The Canadian government they know about my involvement with the FMLN since 1997. It seems the C.B.S.A. officers who were assessing my file didn’t have any knowledge about what we El Salvadorans faced during the civil war. The violence in that country still continues,” he said.

Figueroa’s situation changed on Dec. 21 when he got a letter from immigration officials, granting a rare exception: “On May 5, 2010, you were found inadmissible to Canada...for being a member of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front, an organization that, on reasonable grounds, is believed to have engaged in terrorism.” “On Dec. 16, 2015, the Hon. John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship found that there are sufficient humanitarian and compassionate considerations in your case to warrant an exemption.” Fighting deportation 2:48 Lawyer Peter Edelman said the use of this type of exception is exceedingly rare, and was almost phased out under the Conservative government.“What happens with terrorism provisions is ...

You have given the officers this hammer and they run around looking for nails.

They try to find somebody or something to use this section on. In this case they found Mr. Figueroa,” Edelman said .

“I don’t think it’s fair at all,” said Peter Golden, his Victoria-based lawyer.

“I don’t think we can treat someone who has these vulnerabilities just like we treat everybody else …We’re just dumping someone in another country.”

Golden said he is worried that his client will end up on the streets in Holland, without his required drug treatment.

T

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i

17

Canadian regulator: 4.6 magnitude quake caused by fracking

he earthquake struck on August 17, 2015 about 110 kilometers northwest of Fort St. John in British Columbia. Its epicenter was close to a fracking site operated by Progress Energy Canada Ltd. Workers at the drill site reported their pick-up trucks shook and power poles swayed by the quake prompting the natural gas production company to temporarily halt operations. British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission, which regulates the fracking industry, had launched an investigation into the cause of the quake.

It released a report last week stating that the 4.6-magnitude earthquake was caused by fluid injection during hydraulic fracturing from an operator in the area. Ken Paulson, chief operating officer of the OGS, said:

“Progress Energy Canada Ltd., followed regulations and stopped operations as soon as the magnitude was known.We allowed them to continue operations with a reduced pump rate, but if another event were to occur of 3.5 or greater, you have to shut in again and we’ll try something different.”

Honn Kao, a research scientist with Geological Survey of Canada, said that the quake could very likely be the largest fracking-caused earthquake in the world.

“If this is proven to be linked to hydraulic fracturing, this would be a world record in terms of size. In theory, a bigger injection of fracking fluid can certainly trigger a bigger quake.” Recent studies have shown that fracking-induced quakes are shallow, triggering stronger ground motion and shaking which may become damaging in places without much earthquake preparedness.

18 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

Salman turns 50 on Sunday, December 27th.

S

T

R&

S

TYLE

Saturday - December 26, 2015

d o o M j a A ‘ s ’ ’ i i h a s H k c i a l n o o h S q h Is

E

ver since Priyanka Chopra crooned to In My City, many other actresses like Alia Bhatt and Shraddha Kapoor have dabbled in singing. And with the success of Dheere Dheere starring Hrithik Roshan and Sonam Kapoor, music companies are pushing for celeb-oriented music videos. The latest to join this camp is Sonakshi Sinha, who recently shot for her debut single, Aaj Mood Ishqholic Hai in Go“It’s all about being high on

S

tar-studded event, at the Reliance Jio Gardens here on Monday night, which saw superstar Salman Khan-starrer "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" win three awards - it was named the Best Film of the Year; won the Best Director of the Year for Kabir Khan; and Harshali Malhotra took home the Breakthrough Performance by a Child Artist honour. The Filmmaker of the Year title was shared by two women -- Meghna Gulzar for "Talvar" and Shonali Bose for "Margarita With A Straw". Shefali Shah and Anil Kapoor won the Best Actors in Supporting Roles Award for their performance as husband and wife in "Dil Dhadakne Do"; Randeep Hooda emerged as the winner in the Best Actor in Negative Role category for "Main Aur

Stardust Awards

Sonakshi Sinha

Salman in auto-ricksha

love. Love makes the world go round; it gives you a rare kind of heady feeling and this song reiterates that,” Sonakshi stated. She’s always been interested in music and has even learned to play the guitar and drums. “I would download the lyrics of new songs, memorise them and then record them in my voice and make CDs for anyone who cared to listen,” reveals the actress.

On being asked who her favourite star singer is, the actress had this to say: “I particularly like Priyanka’s (Chopra) voice. She sounds super sexy.”

Charles"; Kartik Aaryan won the Best Actor in Comic Role title for "Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2"; the Best Debut - Female Award was deservingly received by Bhoomi Pednekar for "Dum Laga Ke Haisha", and Sooraj Pancholi's "Hero" act won him the Best Debut - Male Award. Veteran actor Jeetendra was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award; actress Zeenat Aman was rewarded with Timeless Diva award; and actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who made her comeback in showbiz with "Jazbaa" was awarded with the Power-packed Performer of the Year. Actress Parineeti Chopra, who has slimmed down a lot, was named the Style Icon Of The Year, while the young and talent-

Continued on page 3

Star & Style

2 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

2015: The year of heroines in Bollywood

Horoscope Aries

March 21 - April 20 What you secretly (or not so secretly) yearn for is to be applauded by everyone around. This is your peak time of year where work or community activities are concerned so recognition is likely if you strive hard to get your talents out on display. You’ll have a real twinkle in your eye as you aim to get the goodies of life. You’ll be putting out such charm

Taurus

April 21 - May 20 You are thinking about loftier topics than usual since your wide ranging mind is attracting you to fascinating new ideas.

You’ll be promoting your pet causes to all and sundry with a great deal of evangelical zeal. Enthusiastic Jupiter is in aspect with Venus which wants all the sparkly, sociable, things of life.

Gemini

May 20 - June 21 You are feeling more secretive than usual at the moment. You won’t readily divulge what you are feeling or planning to any but your nearest and most intimate partners.

You’ll be daydreaming about holidays, even if you can’t go on one instantly. Venus and Jupiter emphasised this week favour anything to do with leisure activities. You will definitely avoid anything that smells like too hard work. So take the chance to wind down and feel good

Cancer

June 22 - July 23

Maybe you will feel slightly more vulnerable than usual with the Sun in your opposite sign, but there is support around if you look. Ask for what you need, but be prepared to compromise as well, since relationships always mean give and take. Find reliable, energetic mates on whom you can lean. Venus in aspect to Jupiter this week is a rather superficial, frivolous influence.

So you’ll want to be sociable as well as indulgent.

Leo

June 24 - August 23 If you think you’re absolutely right about eTreat your body like a machine that needs the right treatment, with good fuel and maintenance stops along the way.

You need to be fit to crack on through the chores that are piling up in front of you.

Your good feelings will rub off on the people around you. That clearly is going to make you feel better. If they’re happy, you’re going to be happy. So there will be a significant amount of affection and good

Virgo

August 24 - Sept 24 A real party animal at the moment, you will be playing spontaneously and not settling down routine chores easily. Feeling happy go lucky, outgoing and romantic, you want to allow your exuberance out on display as much as possible. You’re attracting the kind of people who’ll make your life easier and more light hearted. You just want to be out there eating particularly rich food. This week won’t be great for diets or saving money.

Deepika

Libra

Sept. 24 - Oct 22 You yearn to feel rooted, to belong to a familiar place and with the people who make you feel most relaxed. You also now have a chance now to work out how best to improve your intimate surroundings. What you want is a beautiful home with an atmosphere of elegance and comfort. Personal relationships will run smoothly. If there has been any stresses and strains recently, you’ll be able to wave a magic wand to clear things up

Scorpio

Oct 23 - Nov 22 More letters and phone calls than usual are keeping you on your toes, and a good many short distance trips will keep boredom well at bay. But you may be skimming the surface and cutting corners, since there will be less time for detail than usual.

You will definitely be in the mood for frivolous fun. It’s certainly not a week for selfdiscipline. So forget about getting important chores done. You’ll much prefer to flirt.

Sagitarius Nov 23 - Dec 22

The key thing at the moment is to learn the lessons of handling cash successfully.

Maybe you are flashing it around a little too extravagantly to boost your self esteem.

You want to impress everyone around, but try to save for security as well. Glowing with warm feelings you’ll be at peace with the world, wanting to share your happiness with everyone you meet. So friends will be particularly happy to be around you this week

Capricorn Dec 23 - Jan 20

This is the start of your birthday month so you fully intend to suit yourself. This is the time of year to lay down plans for the next 12 months. You need to work out what will suit you and then get cracking with plans. You will be lucky where cash is concerned, although you’re likely to let it go as soon as you get it. You’ll be spending on luxuries, indulgences, and presents. You want to spread your good fortune around.

Aquarius

Jan 21 - Feb 19 You may feel happier in your own company than usual at times as you could be a touch overwhelmed by having too many people around you, so give yourself space.

Later in the week there’s a real chance to enjoy life. So give yourself permission to let your hair down. You’ll feel very optimistic. In all your relationships, you’ll soothe and smooth over any ruffled feathers, wanting to keep things calmer and more

Pisces

had a third successful year in a row. The actress, who was once considered just a pretty face, took the lead in “Piku” with megastar Amitabh Bachchan playing her cantankerous father and Irrfan Khan also in a key role. The movie had an exceptionally good run at the box office while her ex-boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor’s “Roy” and “Bombay Velvet” bombed. She did not have a big role in Imtiaz Ali’s “Tamasha” but it was enough for critics to applaud her performance. It is yet to be seen whether she makes a hat-trick at the box office with her period drama “Bajirao Mastani”, which is pitted against “Dilwale”, fronted by superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who launched her in “Om Shanti Om” and worked with the actress again in “Chennai Express” and “Happy New Year”. Deepika is the only woman to break into the top-10 list of Forbes India’s highest earning celebrities, which was dominated by male stars. It has been an eventful year for Deepika, who went public about her fight with depression and starred in a woman empowerment video.

She has also been vocal about the pay disparity, calling it unfair. She is now all set to make her Hollywood debut opposite “Fast and Furious” star Vin Diesel.

Kangana Ranaut

Another actress, who has challenged the established order of things in Bollywood, is Kangana.

Her candid and devil-may- care attitude may not have earned her many friends but Kangana has come a long way to be counted among the best actresses that Bollywood has today. Kangana’s road to stardom has not been easy and in recent times she has called out the industry for its harsh attitude towards women. “When I was struggling people treated me so badly. What happens is that a heroine is always dependent on the producer or the hero. So no one thought, ‘What if someone becomes Kangana Ranaut and then she will never work with me as producer or actor’. They should have some shame before they treat women badly. They assume ‘kya karegi’. She is just a girl’,” Kan-

Feb 20 - March 20 You will be in your element in group efforts at the moment, keen to see that everyone pulls in the same direction. Venus is close to Jupiter which will make for a very agreeable week. Your social life will be pleasant and frivolous. You’ll yearn for affection and indulgence, though won’t be inclined to do much to make it happen.

You’ll expect it all delivered on a plate. And you could be lucky, so enjoy whatever comes your way.

A

gana had said in an interview to PTI. The actress, who won her career’s second National award this year, is also not happy with the existing pay gap between male and female stars. After giving blockbusters like “Queen” and “Tanu Weds Manu Returns”, which was one of the most successful movies of the year, Kangana says she deserves to get paid at par with her male counterparts.

Priyanka Chopra too spoke against pay disparity and the actress is doing well internationally by becoming the first Bollywood actress to have her own TV show in the US with “Quantico” where she plays an FBI recruit. “Dil Dhadakne Do” and “Bajirao Mastani” are Priyanka’s only two releases this year. She next has Prakash Jha’s “Jai Gangaajal” and Reema Kagti’s “Mr Chaalu”. “Dum Laga Ke Haisha”, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and first-timer Bhumi Pednekar, an unusual love story between a loser and his overweight wife, was another movie where female character took the lead. Though a rank newcomer in the company of wellestablished performers, Pednekar’s turn as overweight but spirited Sandhya redefined Bollywood heroine in a big way.

Anushka Sharma

“NH10”, produced and fronted by Anushka, a road thriller about a couple’s runin with a group of men out to murder the daughter of their family for marrying outside of her caste, earned well. The actress, however, could not sustain the good run with her ambitious second screen outing “Bombay Velvet” sinking at the box office.

She had a great but small appearance in Zoya Akhtar’s dysfunctional family drama “Dil Dhadkane Do”. Kalki Koechlin’s performance in disability drama “Margarita with a Straw” was another highlight of the year. Kalki played a girl with cerebral palsy in the movie. Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made her comeback this year with Sanjay Gupta’s thriller “Jaazba”. - See more at: http://www. mid-day.com/articles/2015-the-year-ofheroines-in-bollywood/16778185#sthash.

C87mUkzX.dpuf

Anushka and Ayushmann team up

nushka Sharma ,who forayed into film production with NH10, has three new projects kicking off in 2016 - one with Navdeep Singh, a laugh riot with Akshat Verma and a rom-com with Anshai Lal. Now, the buzz is that Anshai Lal’s rom-com will feature both Ayushmann Khurrana and Anushka Sharma. Speaking on the film, Anushka said that the film is hilarious and loaded with content and technique and will roll in mid-2016.

Ayushamann, who had debuted with Vicky Donor, the first production of John Abraham stated that though the process is tricky, he’s always been lucky with debut directors and first-time producers.

Bollywood personalities’ birthdays this week Anil Kapoor 24 December

Raju Shrivastav 25 December

Naghma 25 December

Salman Khan 27 December

Twinkle Khanna 29 December

Star & Style

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i 3

Where Bollywood prays

Aamir Khan meets fan suffering from progeria

From page 1

Stardust Awards

the Style Icon Of The Year, while the young and talented Varun Dhawan was appreciated with the Sansui Entertainer of the Year Award. The Best Costume Design award went to Niharika Khan for her period-inspired work in "Bombay Velvet". As for the Best Screenplay category, Varun Grover walked away with the honour for "Masaan"; while Sriram Raghavan and Arijit Biswas were feted with the Best Story trophy for "Badlapur".

In terms of the song categories, the Best Lyricist was once given to Varun Grover for

"Masaan" again. The Best Playback Singer - Female went to Palak Muchhal for "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo", and among the men, Armaan Malik got it for the track "Hero". The Best Music Director Award was given to the versatile Amit Trivedi for "Shaandaar", and the Best Music Album went to "Roy". The Best Choreographer Award was given to Remo D'Souza for his dance-based film "ABCD 2". The red carpet of the gala witnessed the presence Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan,

Kajol, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Sonam Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Jacqueline Fernandez, Shahid Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, Richa Chaddha and Nimrat Kaur.

Even power couple Nita and Mukesh Ambani came together to applaud the cinematic achievements of Bollywood in 2015.

Shah Rukh, Kajol, Alia, Shahid and Ranveer staged stupendous performances, and the entertainment quotient was taken to another level by Riteish Deshmukh and Farah Khan.

Other hosts who kept the audiences in splits included Nimrat Kaur, Manish Paul and Krushna Abhishek.

A

amir met Bitla following a Facebook post, where it was mentioned that the latter wanted to meet the “PK” star and thank him for the 2007 film “Taare Zameen Par”, which gave him courage.

Thereafter, Aamir shared that he was keen to meet his 14-year-old special fan, and he ensured they met. Progeria is an extremely rare genetic disorder wherein symptoms resembling aspects of ageing are manifested at a very early age.

Aman Verma gets engaged

EYEGLASSES

CONTACT LENSES

SUNGLASSES

Vision Test and Eye Examination Available

T

elevision actor Aman Verna, who has appeared in movies like ‘Baghban’ and ‘Sangharsh’, finally got engaged to his girlfriend, television actress Vandana Lalwani. The couple has been dating for quiet some time. Last seen on the famous television reality show ‘Bigg Boss 9’, Aman Verma was evicted in the early weeks itself. After his eviction, the actor broke the news of his engagement on Twitter sharing pictures where we can see him exchanging rings with his lady love Vandana.

ingHw tYst krvwaux leI jgjIq isMG DwlIvwl nUM Pon kro

We are located in Royal Square Mall

Serving the community for the last 16 years We Carry Major Brand Name Eye Glass Frames and Sun-Glasses, including:

# 26 C - 800 McBride Boulevard, New Westminster, BC V3L 2B8 (Near Safeway on 8th Ave., & McBride Blvd.)

Please call to book an appointment:

Ph: 604-525-3737 E-mail: nulookopticians@telus.net Web: www.nulookopticians.com

‘‘

4 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

GARRY GREWAL

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i 5

604-614-3400

Sutton Group Medallion Realty 7832 - 120 St., Surrey, BC V3W 3N2 Ph: 604.572.1211 Fax: 604.572.3216

Commercial Medallion Club Memeber Vol. 6 No. 17 - Saturday - December 26, 2015 - Tel: 604-591-5423 - E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com

I

Professional and Award Winning Service

The days of easy money in the housing market are over

f you recently bought a home in Toronto or Vancouver solely to make a quick financial gain, you probably just made a mistake. We humans are averse to loss, and real estate in Canada’s two biggest cities has looked like easy money for several years now. But as behavioural economist Richard Thaler reminded me recently in the pages of his latest book, asset prices inevitably revert to their historical mean. “Recent momentum in prices in Toronto and Vancouver may increase the likelihood of a correction in house prices, which could affect vulnerable households,” Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz said at a press conference in Ottawa on Dec. 15.

City slickers, you’ve been warned.

What about the roughly 26 million people who live in the rest of Canada?

Many of them already have been reminded that the real estate market is subject to gravitational forces. The Teranet-National Bank index of house prices in the country’s 11 largest metropolitan regions rose 6.1 per cent in November, yet only four cities—Toronto, Hamilton, Vancou-

ver and Victoria—actually posted gains.

Values in the other seven contracted.

“The Canadian real estate market already is in correction mode,” said Krishen Rangasamy, an economist at National Bank Financial in Montreal.

But is there really a Canadian real estate market? It’s a question that tends not to receive the attention it should. Before the U.S. housing meltdown, authorities there dismissed the idea of a national housing market. One of the reasons officials in the George W. Bush administration were blasé about the housing bubble was because they believed surging prices in Arizona, Florida and California were the result of local factors, negating the perceived utility of a one-size-fits-all re-

sponse by Washington. The Bank of Canada seems to see things roughly the same way.

Poloz’s press conference followed the release of the central bank’s December financial system review (FSR), which concluded that a record household-debt burden 4 i Saturday, July 25, 2015 makes Can-

ada vulnerable to a housing crash, although policy-makers see little reason to think that will happen. The governor was asked whether someone in a place such as Moose Jaw, Sask., should worry about the value of his or her home being pulled down by a correction

in Toronto and/or Vancouver. “I think not,” Poloz said. There are fundamental reasons prices are elevated in those cities, he said; employment is strong and populations are growing faster than the housing stock. “I think of it as a local phenomenon,” he said

6 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

O

Will 2016 be the year the Vancouver housing bubble bursts?

utspoken U.S. short-seller Marc Cohodes uses frightening words to describe his outlook for Vancouver real estate in 2016.

Since The Province’s story in June featuring Cohodes — a prominent investor who bets on the collapse of speculative bubbles — the stock price of the Canadian subprime lender he is targeting has been cut in half. And that loss was despite double-digit price gains in Vancouver and Toronto homes.

But for several reasons Cohodes and a group of U.S. investors believe a rot of bad loans will spread and drag home prices down in 2016.

They believe their Canadian housing research was validated in December when the federal government announced policy changes aimed at reducing excessive borrowing and fraudulent loans.

The root of the federal government’s concern is that housing prices, especially in Vancouver and Toronto, have soared far above wages in the past decade.

In addition to Ottawa’s tightening mortgage rules — with CMHC requiring a 10 per cent down payment on

the portion of mortgages it insures over $500,000 — Canada’s Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions said mortgage fraud is a key threat to Canada’s economy.

A m o n g measures meant to reduce risks the office said it could require banks in Vancouver and Toronto to retain more cash. The idea is that bank capital hasn’t kept pace with the relentless paper gains on the mortgages loaned. But if prices suddenly reverse banks will scramble to cover failed loans.

The result of increased capital requirements would be less money flowing into real estate. But banks will be less vulnerable to collapse and taxpayer-funded bail-

sive Ontario-based mortgage lender, Home Capital Group. Two weeks after The Province’s story was published, the company announced it was cutting ties with 45 mortgage brokers because of suspicious loans.

The company eventually acknowledged the group of brokers was responsible for $1.9-billion in mortgages, and its stock price fell from about $45 to about $25. The company says it is reviewing “income verification” on suspect loans and taking “corrective action.”

Also, since June the Canadian dollar has collapsed as Cohodes and others predicted, tumbling nearly 20 per cent against the U.S. dollar.

The second factor Cohodes and similar analysts note is that interest rates

outs.

Cohodes believes Ottawa’s unstated intent is to remove “moral hazard” — meaning risky financial behaviour encouraged by easy money and government-backed mortgages — from Canadian housing.

“What all this means to me is Canada is putting the risk back in the market,” Cohodes said in an interview.

“But when you take the booze away after a 10-year party there will be a magnificent hangover. So I think 2016 will be a debacle. The speculators and money launderers will get burnt. But it will be good for younger people and the economy in the long-term.”

As The Province wrote in June, Cohodes and other investors who warned of the 2008 U.S. housing crash are aggressively betting against Canadian lenders and the Canadian dollar.

Cohodes specifically targeted the mas-

were raised last week in the United States for the first time in 10 years.

Cohodes and others believe volatile market forces could push interest rates higher in Canada.

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i 7

D

London house prices will nearly double within a decade

o you think Britain’s house prices are out of control right now?

Well, it’s only going to get worse. A housing research report commissioned by an estate agents group says that property prices are going to rise by 50% within the next decade.

However, London house prices are predicted to nearly double within 10 years.

That’s right, if you thought spending £531,000 ($795,155) on average for a place in Britain’s capital was an impossible task at the moment, then you’re in for a shock when it comes to 2025.

The National Association of Estate Agents and the Association of Rental Letting Agents pegs the average house price in Britain at £280,000 and says prices will rise to £419,000 by 2025.

Their numbers are pretty similar to the Office for National Statistics, which places the average cost to buy a house right now in Britain is at £287,000.

That means in 10 years time, it will cost £430,500 to buy a place in the UK. London house prices are predicted to nearly double to £931,000.

“House prices are only going to go

T

one way, and unfortunately that is up. For so many already priced out of the market, this is news aspiring house buyers will not want to hear,” said Mark Hayward, managing director of the NAEA, in the report.

“Ongoing house price inflation, combined with low wage inflation, tighter lending restrictions and a shortage of affordable housing, means owning a home will continue to be a distant dream for many.

“Increased rental costs will also make it more difficult for current renters to save for a house deposit; as much of their income will be eaten up in rent.”

What’s even worse is that Britons will feel the knock-on effect from a rise in rent because more people will be priced out the market.

The report said that rent will rise by 27% to £171 per week.

Today’s report seems incredibly bullish but it does fall neatly in line with a range of other data out there.

In November, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said in its RICS Residential Survey for October that UK house prices are expected to rise by 4.5% per annum over the next five years (a cumulative increase of around 25%). The chief economist at RICS said that property will become increasingly “unaffordable” during this time.

Paratha

hese breads, called parathas, are flaky and somewhat more elaborate than chapattis or rotis. The dough is rolled out and brushed with ghee or oil folded and brushed with ghee or oil again and folded again to form a layered slice. This is then rolled out again. This is then put on a hot griddle and brushed with oil. The heat makes the layers of dough swell and puff, resulting flaky, pastry like flat breads. They may also be used as snacks, lunch-box favourites, light brunch items or travelling munching companions. Allow 1 or 2 per person.

Ingredients: 2.5 cups chapatti flour 1 cup water at room temperature 1 cup chapatti flour ghee for brushing the bread Method to roll out the dough Prepare Basic dough and allow to rest for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. To make triangularshaped parathas, divide the dough into peach-size balls. With a rolling pin, roll out 1 ball to a circle 5 inches in diameter. Brush the circle of dough with ghee, and fold in half to from a crescent then brush again with ghee and fold into a triangle. Seal the edges well. Dust the paratha with finely sieved whole wheat flour and roll into a large, flat triangle or round paratha. Try to make the edges slightly thinner to ensure uniform cooking. Rather than shaping all the parathas at one time, cook each one as the next one is rolled out.

Method of cooking the paratha Preheat a cast-iron tawa over medium heat. Place the rolled dough on the palm of one hand and flip it over on to the tawa. When the colour changes on the

top and bubbles appear, brush ghee over the surface of the paratha and turn it over. Repeat the process of brushing the paratha on the other side. Keep flipping it over till both sides are browned and spots appear on the paratha.

With experience the paratha will puff on the tawa.

To keep the parathas warm as they are cooked, place them in a towel-lined bowl and fold over the sides of the towel. Serve hot.

Coconut Curry Soup Ingredients

Recipe

2 cans (14-ounce/400 mL each) of premium coconut milk 1 heaping tablespoon (20 mL) of Thai curry paste the tender stems of 1 bunch of cilantro, rinsed well2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced, 2 cups (500 mL0 of chicken broth, 1 carrot, shredded, 4 or 5 lime leaves, 2 stalks of lemon grass, halved lengthwise, woody leaves removed2 tablespoons (30 mL) of fish sauce the zest and juice of 2 limes a small knob frozen ginger, a handful bean sproutsa 8 ounce (225 g) package rice noodles 1 bunch of cilantro leaves, rinsed well 2 or 3 green onions, thinly sliced a sprinkle or two salt or soy sauce Methord: Scoop coconut cream from the top of just one of the cans into a large stockpot set over a medium-high heat. Melt the cream, add the curry paste and stir for a few minutes until they begin to sizzle.

Add the cilantro roots and chicken and sauté until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Add the coconut juice from the first can and all the contents of the second can along with the chicken broth, carrot, lime leaves, lemon grass, fish sauce and lime zest and juice. Grate the frozen ginger into the broth with a Microplane grater or standard box grater.

Simmer for 20 minutes or so. Stir in the bean sprouts. Add the rice noodles, gently pushing them beneath the surface of the broth. Turn off the heat and let stand until the noodles soften, about 5 minutes.

Rice noo-

dles don’t need to simmer like pasta to cook; they simply need to rehydrate in the hot liquid.

Stir in most of the cilantro leaves. Remove the lemon grass stalks. Taste and season with a touch more salt (or soy sauce) as needed. Ladle into large bowls and garnish with the green onions and remaining cilantro leaves.

8 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

AUTO

I

Forget VW diesels, make electric cars instead, says Elon Musk

t will cost a huge sum, likely billions of dollars, to make Volkswagen fix all of the 482,000 TDI diesel vehicles it has admitted use “defeat device” software to ignore emission laws.

Indeed, it may not be practically possible for VW to modify 325,000 of those cars–and it would cost the company less simply to buy them back and scrap them instead.

That’s a huge waste of money, say 45 environmental leaders and Silicon Valley executives.

Why not use those funds instead to force VW to build zero-emission vehicles? That’s the gist of a letter the group sent yesterday to Mary Nichols, chair of the influential California Air Resources Board, releasing it to the media at the same time.

CARB has to sign off on any fixes for all 482,000 cheating diesels that’s proposed

by Volkswagen to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Among the signatories: Elon Musk (CEO of electric-car maker Tesla Motors), Lawrence Bender (producer of climate-change movie An Inconvenient Truth), and Michael Brune (executive director of the Sierra Club).

“For a significant fraction of the non-compliant diesel cars already in the hands of drivers, there is no real solution,” says the letter.

It calls the idea of retrofitting selective catalytic reduction (SCR, or “urea”) after-treatment systems “cost-

ly and impractical,” and suggests that while some cars may be fixed, “many won’t–and will be crushed” instead.

The proposal suggests that in California, Volkswagen be released from its obligation to fix those non-compliant TDI diesel cars already on the roads.

Instead, use the state’s existing zero-emission vehicle credits program to “direct VW to accelerate greatly its rollout” of cars with no emissions at all.

It suggests that the appropriate ratio would be a 10-for-1 reduction in emissions, over five years, compared to the excess emissions associated with the diesel cheating.

That, pres u m a b l y, would mean that Volkswagen would be required to sell tens of thousands of Volkswagen e-Golf battery-electric cars, or other VW Group electric vehicles, from 2016 through 2020.

In some ways, the proposal is analogous to an article published by Green Car Reports in September, just a week after the EPA revealed Volkswagen’s admission of cheating.

Electric-car advocate Tom Moloughney wrote that some portion of the fines VW will ultimately have to pay should be used to create a nationwide DC fastcharging network that would allow plugin car owners to travel longer distances.

The fate of the proposal is unclear, but it adds a new dimension to the very public discussion over the Volkswagen diesel cheating.

G

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i

Google talking to Ford about selfdriving cars, report says

oogle is said to be in talks with automaker Ford Motor Co., to help build the Internet search company’s autonomous cars, Automotive News reported, citing a person with knowledge of the project.

The contract manufacturing deal, if finalized, is expected to come during the annual International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas during the first week of January, Automotive News said.

A Google spokesman told Automotive News that the company would not comment on speculation, although Google officials confirmed that the company is talking to automakers.

Earlier this year, Google began discussions with most of the world’s top automakers and assembled a team of traditional and

A

19

nontraditional suppliers to speed efforts to bring self-driving cars to the market by 2020.

In June, Google began testing tiny, bubble-shaped self-driving prototype vehicles of its own design on public roads around Mountain View. The company has also started testing self-driving prototypes in Austin.

Google is expected to make its self-driving cars unit, which will offer rides for hire, a stand-alone business under its parent company, Alphabet Inc, next year, Bloomberg reported earlier.

Ford, although lagging behind most competitors, ramped up its pace to develop self-driving cars earlier this year and said it would expand advanced safety technology, including automatic braking, enabling hands-free operation of cars under certain conditions by automating such basic functions as steering, braking and throttle.

California police pull over self-driving Google car for going too slowly

police officer pulled over a car in California recently with the intention of giving the driver a ticket, but there was one problem: there was no driver. The officer in Mountain View, Calif., pulled over the car as it was driving along El Camino Real on Thursday because it was driving 24 miles an hour — 38 kilometres per hour — well below the posted speed limit, and causing a backlog behind it.

Ready or not, self-driving cars will be on Canadian roads soon Google’s self-driving car has 1st accident involving an injury But when he pulled it over, he discovered the vehicle in question was an autonomous one specially made by Google, that drives and makes decisions

without the need of a human driver — although two humans were in the car taking notes and able to manually override and take over the controls if necessary. “The officer stopped the car and made contact with the operators to learn more about how the car was choosing speeds along certain roadways,” a police statement on the incident said, “and to educate the operators about impeding traffic per 22400(a) of the California Vehicle Code.” The officer sent the car on its way with a warning to not impede the flow of traffic. Google’s self-driving cars are legally allowed to drive on California roads with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour (56 kilometres per hour) and under.

20 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

U

NATIONAL

Some of China’s most wanted live openly in U.S. and Canada

.S. and Canadian officials have pledged to work with China to track down and repatriate Chinese fugitives living abroad. But that cooperation is proving to have clear limits.

So far, only one person on China’s Operation Sky Net list of 100 most wanted fugitives - 46 of whom were believed to be in the United States and Canada - has been returned to China from either country.

Another woman on the list chose to return to China from the U.S. herself, and at least one more is in a U.S. immigration detention center awaiting deportation.

Reuters found that many of the remaining North American suspects on the list, like Florida businessman Wei Chen and British Columbia mushroom farmer Wang Qingwei, are living openly as legal immigrants

and have heard nothing from the U.S. or Canadian governments since the Sky Net list was published in April.

“The list has ruined my life, but I’m not hiding,” said Chen, a U.S. citizen since 2005, in an interview with Reuters. “I don’t know about the other 99 people, but I didn’t do what they said.”

Liu Jianchao, China’s minister in charge of repatriating corruption suspects, told Reuters that 17 of 100 Sky Net fugitives

have been returned so far, mostly from countries with close ties to China, including Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Uganda.

Neither the United States nor Canada has an extradition treaty with China, partly because they question the integrity of its judicial system and treatment of prisoners. That has meant that the only people on China’s list who have so far faced deportation in North America are those found to have committed crimes or immigration violations since arriving.

One of them, Yang Xiuzhu, 69, told Reuters she entered the U.S. on a fake passport. She is in custody awaiting deportation proceedings and has filed for asylum.

The one corruption suspect on the wanted list returned to China from North America so far was Yang’s brother, who was deported for U.S. immigration violations in September.

The United States has carefully calibrated its public statements on the assistance it will offer China. A spokesman for the Department of Justice said the U.S. will “vigorously pursue prosecutions” against fugitives sought by China “where there is alleged money laundering or other criminal activity in this country.”

However, U.S. officials have also made clear that they would need to see China’s evidence of crimes before offering full cooperation. A former U.S. security official, who asked not to be named, said China has provided virtually no evidence so far against the alleged fugitives.

Canada, which elected a new federal government in October, has said it will continue to work on a deal with China to return corrupt officials in exchange for a share of the assets seized, which would be considered proceeds of the individual’s crimes While Canada does not have an extradition treaty with China, if an individual is found to have lied on a visa application – as in falsely stating that money brought into the country was obtained legally when it was not– residency can be revoked.

At least one corruption suspect in Canada and one in the U.S. have been awarded citizenship, and many more have been granted permanent residency. Those located by Reuters questioned why they were on the list.

Miami businessman Chen is accused by China of misappropriating public funds while working at the state-owned Haomen Group. Chinese authorities declined requests from Reuters to elaborate on the charges.

Speaking publicly for the first time, Chen denied the allegations to a Reuters reporter. Chen said he suspects that officials blame him for the overall decline of Haomen’s business after it entered into a poorly-fated joint venture with French company Danone group.

He said he expected to hear from U.S. officials after finding himself on the list but has not. He received a call last month from a Chinese anti-corruption officer only after Reuters made inquiries about his case there. Chen said the official would not elaborate on why he is on the list.

Huang Hong, Chen’s ex-wife, is also on the Sky Net list. Chen confirmed that Hong is in the U.S. and said she had not been contacted by either Chinese or U.S. officials.

He said she never worked at Haomen but declined to talk more about her. Hong did not reply to messages left by Reuters.

Evaluating Chen’s assertion of innocence or China’s accusations is difficult, since the events took place more than 20 years ago.

Another of the corruption suspects, Wang, wanted by China for alleged accounting fraud, operates a small mushroom farm in the Canadian town of Chilliwack. He was out making deliveries when Reuters visited, but his brother confirmed that Wang is the man on the Sky Net list and said he was unaware of Wang having been contacted by authorities.

When asked about the allegations against Wang, the brother declined to comment, but gestured toward a sagging 1920s farmhouse, its back porch littered with inexpensive children’s shoes and muddy work boots.

“He’s a farmer,” he said. Another man on the list, wanted for alleged corruption and bribery, lives in a modest townhouse outside Seattle. He asked not to be identified because he didn’t want to attract additional attention to his situation. His wife, who answered the door to two reporters recently, said he has not been contacted by Chinese or U.S. authorities. She declined to comment on the charges except to say, “If you offend the leadership, the leadership will retaliate.” To be sure, some individuals on the list have been pursued more aggressively. Canadian authorities for years denied Vancouver property developContinued on page 24

POLITICS

I

Justin Trudeau is Canada’s newsmaker of the year

t’s been quite the year for Justin Trudeau.

He scored a stunning come-from-behind election victory, became the first offspring of a prime minister to ascend to the top job himself and the first federal leader to vault his party straight from a distant third place into office, circled the globe and created an international sensation. All in the last three months of 2015. “Trudeau was the runaway choice of news editors and directors across the country,” said Stephen Meurice, Editor-in-Chief of The Canadian Press. Fully 87 per cent chose Trudeau as the top newsmaker in The Canadian Press’s annual survey of newsrooms across the country. Rachel Notley, the NDP leader who put an end to the four-decade Conservative dynasty in Alberta, came a distant second, chosen as top newsmaker by just seven per cent of those surveyed. Little Alan Kurdi, the toddler whose lifeless body on a Turkish beach put a human face on the Syrian refugee crisis and pushed the issue smack into the midst of the federal election campaign, was one vote behind Notley. It was “no contest,” wrote Carl Fleming, managing editor at the Cape Breton Post. “Everybody is talking about Justin.”

Historic win Elections are always big news

P

but it was the historic nature of Trudeau’s win that made him so compelling to some newsroom leaders. “Trudeau’s victory was historic on a number of levels,” said Tim Kucharuk, senior reporter at CKRW The Rush in Whitehorse. It’s a sweeping come-from-behind tale that alters the Canadian political landscape.- Elisha Dacey, managing editor of Metro Winnipeg “First to go from third party to government, first to complete father-son duo as PM. Came up with some of the most quoted lines of the year ... ‘Sunny ways’ and ‘Canada is back.’ The victory turned Ottawa upside down after 10 years of Conser vative power.” Others were impressed by the way in which Trudeau, contemptuously derided as an empty-headed pretty boy by the Conservative attack machine and trailing in the polls at the start of the campaign, managed to exceed expectations and leave his more experienced rivals in the dust. “Expectations were so low for this son of an iconic Canadian leader that his rivals once scoffed he’d score debate points from the public if he just ‘came on stage with his pants on,”’ said Margo Goodhand, editor of the Edmonton Journal.

Provinces push for health-funding changes in Ottawa summit

rovinces are trying to push the federal government’s $36-billion health-transfer program onto the agenda of this week’s finance ministers’ meeting in Ottawa, with some calling for a new formula that shifts more cash to provinces with older populations. However, the host of the meeting, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau, said health transfers are not a focus of this particular gathering and that he wants to talk about the economy and pension reform.

The formula for federal health transfers changed last year so they are distributed on a per-capita basis, a change that led to a major increase for Alberta at the expense of other provinces. Quebec Finance Minister Carlos Leitao says he and some of his provincial colleagues will work to have that formula change again in order to reflect the demographics of each province. “The health-care transfers should not be simply on a per-capita basis but should include a formula, a ratio, indicating that [citizens] 65 years and over should get a different weight than those under 65,” he told The Globe and Mail.

The minister said there is significant support for the idea. “A lot of provinces, including Ontario, are willing to go in that direction.

West of Ontario, they’re perhaps a little less enthusiastic. But those are things that we can negotiate,” he said. Mr. Morneau played host to his provincial and territorial counterparts for dinner Sunday evening and the ministers

will meet again Monday. The official agenda includes issues such as the state of the economy and potential reforms of the Canada Pension Plan.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

i 21

Senator Mike Duffy earned $91,000 for speaking at events hosted by lobby groups and trade associations

I

n addition to the expenses for which he stands accused of fraud, Sen. Mike Duffy topped up his $132,000 annual Senate salary by charging as much as $15,000 per event to speak to lobby groups and trade associations.

The suspended senator’s calendar, entered into evidence in his ongoing trial on fraud, breach of trust and bribery charges, records numerous references to speaking gigs with organizations representing car dealers, agricultural industry groups, police services boards and municipalities.

During cross-examination last Thursday, Crown prosecutor Mark Holmes pressed Duffy for details of speaking events he performed after his appointment to the upper chamber.

Duffy’s speaking work was featured in a 2012 Citizen report that showed, nearly three years after his Senate appointment, that he was continuing to offer his services as a paid orator through two speaker booking agencies, The Speakers Spotlight and the National Speakers Bureau. At the time, Duffy told the Citizen he did “very little” paid speaking and that it had all been approved by the Senate ethics officer. Until his calendar became public through the trial and testimony, the number and identity of the organizations and the fees they paid him were not known.

Based on calendar references and his testimony in court, the Citizen has identified at least $91,000 in speaking fees paid to Duffy by 11 different groups since he became a senator, and four other events that were arranged through a speakers’ agency but where the amount of fees paid, if any, is unknown.

Two of these groups have confirmed they paid Duffy but either would not or could not say how much. We were questioning whether or not it was appropriate to have Duffy re-

ceive compensation while he was a publicly paid senator Some of the events were booked before Duffy was named to the Senate in late December 2008. While MPs and senators are allowed to earn extra money on the speaking circuit, the practice of parliamentarians charging for work similar to their official duties has become contentious. In 2013, the Conservatives repeatedly denounced then-Liberal MP Justin Trudeau when the Citizen reported he had accepted payment for numerous speeches after he became an MP but before he ran for his party’s leadership. Multiple notations in Duffy’s calendar refer to events with the citation “MDMS” — in reference to Mike Duffy Media Services Inc., which he described in his 2012 Senate conflict-of-interest declaration as “a corporation involved in media consulting and public appearances.” During cross-examination last week, Duffy said he had formed MDMS when he worked as journalist, long before he became a senator. In February 2009, the month after he was sworn in, Duffy travelled to Saskatoon where he gave two speeches, one to the annual meeting of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association for $10,000, and another to Junior Achievement, which promotes youth entrepreneurship, for another $5,000. Duffy told the court Thursday that he donated the fees from the Junior Achievement speech because he felt it was his “new-found duty as a senator.”

22 i

CLASSIFIEDS

Saturday, December 26, 2015

C

L

A

S

Matrimonial

JOBS

Parents looking match for their Canadian 27 year old very handsome, jat sikh boy, 5’9”, graduate , well establisehd businessman.

Girl must be well cultured, educated, Canadian citizen or permanent resident .

Contact after 6pm 604-598-1987 - 778-387-1672

using woodworking machines, power tools and hand tools; Build exterior doors, interior doors, custom doors with jams; Install hardware such as hinges, handles, catches using hand tools and power tools; Repair doors & replace panels of doors.

Job requirement: High school with 2-3 years of experience.

Trade certificate will be considered as an asset. If interested send resumes by email at westerndoormanufacturing@gmail. com ------------- September 5, 2015

JOBS Vacancy for In-home Caregiver Balwinder Singh Singhmaar, resident of 15095 92Ave, Surrey, BC V3R 5V8 has a vacancy for Inhome Child caregiver for infant child and 9 years old son. Full Time, $11 / hour, 40 hrs/week.

Applicant must have high school with minimum of one year of related experience within last three years or six months of full time training in caregiving.

Job Duties includes Supervise and care for children, prepare formulas and change diaper of infant, feeding, bathing, dressing, prepare children for rest period, escort child to school, prepare and serve nutritious meal and snacks, accompany to and from activities & appointments, light housekeeping, laundry, maintain safe environment at home, keep record of day-to-day activities, health and progress of children.

Send resumes by email at balwinderssinghmaar@gmail.com -------------- Oct 31 2015

Western door manufacturing Ltd. located at #109-8250 124Street, Surrey BC V3W 3X9, has an immediate vacancy of Carpenter. We design and manufacture high end solid wood exterior doors, solid wood interior doors and custom doors.

Full time permanent job position with wages of $25per hour.

35 to 40 hours per week.

Job Duties includes Read & interpret drawings & sketches to determine specifications; Estimate height, width, length, & other proportions; Measure, cut, shape, & assemble materials

Jun13_155 Long Haul Truck Drivers Reqd. Sal:$23.00/hr, 40hr/wk, +1yr exp. & Class A 0r 1 license reqd., FT/PT Duties: Operate, drive straight or articulated trucks to transport goods & materials on local routes or over long distances.Plan trip logistics & obtain required documentation to transport goods.

Perform pre-trip & post-trip inspection of vehicle systems.

Record cargo information, hours of service, distance travelled & fuel consumption.May perform emergency roadside repairs.

Lang: English. Work at various location in Canada & USA. Contact: Balwinder from Metro Transport ltd.12772 82nd Ave, Surrey, V3W 3G1 E-mail your resume at metro_transport@yahoo.ca.

------------------------------Jun13_15

1 Optical Frame Fitter Reqd.

Sal: $22.00/hr, 40hr/wk, +1yrs exp. or certification reqd., FT/ PT Duties: Obtain specifications for eyeglasses or contact lenses from a prescription. Assist clients in selecting eyeglasses. Grinding & polishing of lenses. Cut & edge lenses & fit lenses into frames.

May supervise or manage activities of other opticians. Lang: English. Location: 12841 96 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3V 6V9 Contact: Imran from Eye See 2020 Optical at opt_eyesee@yahoo.ca.

------------------------------Jun 06_15 Dosa Corner Restaurant

S

I

F

JOBS

Ltd in Vancouver Looking to hire an authentic south indian chef .

This is a full time permanent position. $18.50/hr. 40hrs/week. Must have at least 3-5yrs experience in south indian cuisine & specialized knowledge in Dosas.

Duties include Prepare & cook meals.kitchen management. Plan menus & quality. Orders food supplies. Mail your resume to selvamm164@ gmail.com or apply by person at DosaCorner Vancouver. 110-8248 Fraser Street.

Vancouver. B.C.. V5X 3X6 Ph: 604-324-3672.

-----------------------------------Seamstress required Seamstress (Tailor) needed Foam & Décor is looking for Full Time or Part Time Seamstress ( tailor) for drapery in Surrey.

Salary will be provided @ 12 per hour. Please call 604-594-1882 Mayuri Indian foods inc is looking to hire an Ethnic Food Cook in Surrey BC. F/T & Perm.$17/hr.

Must have at least 2-3 yrs experience in South Indian cuisine & specialized knowledge in Indian spicing. Duties: Prepare & Cook meals; Supervise Kitchen helpers; Plan menus; Ensure quality & determine food proportions; Monitor & order food supplies; Set up & oversee buffets; Manage kitchen operation. Mail resume or apply by person Mayuri indian cuisine , Unit 102A,12677 80th Ave., Surrey BC V3W 3A6 Fax: 604-572-3281 ------------------------------------English Classes for Adults Register for classes September 2-8 For more information,Visit: www. victoryesl.com Call: 604.755.7976 E-mail: victoryesl1@gmail.com ---------------------------Cook Require Curry junction Restaurant in White Rock need cook immediately, This is a full time permanent position for a experienced person, Depending on experience salary will be upto $21 per hr. with other benefits. Call:604-729-6741 or

I

E JOBS

D

604-385-1558 ---------------------------Transworld Security located at 2nd Floor, 5050, Kingsway, Burnaby BC V5H 4H2 is looking for a Static Guard, Static Guard Supervisor, Mobile Supervisor and Field Manager.

These are permanent full-time positions. Static Guard pay rate is $13.00 per hour plus vacation pay. You would be required to patrol industrial and commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows and gates. Answer alarms and investigate disturbances.

Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors and guests. Call police or fire departments in cases of emergency. Circulate among visitors, patrons and employees to preserve order and protect property.

Static Guard Supervisor pay rate is $14.00 per hour plus vacation pay. You would be required to oversee and supervise Static Guards. You will need to ensure the duties of the Static Guards you supervise are being completed and the client’s needs are being met. Field Manager pay rate is $18.00 per hour plus vacation pay. You would be required to report to the Director of Operations and you are responsible for supporting, mentoring and supervising the security officers in the field. You will be required to manage the company’s field operations and resources after business hours. Mobile Supervisor pay rate is $18.00 per hour. You would be required to provide ongoing leadership, direction and training. You need to ensure all standing orders and scheduled daily activities are carried out for each shift. You will be required to discipline staff when necessary and ensure proper documentation is passed onto head office.

You will have to investigate alarm responses and respond in a timely manner. You will need to communicate any concerns/ issues with Site Supervisor/ Coordinator. The above opportunities suit candidates willing to

S Basement for Rent

One bed room basement suite is available for rent from 1st of January 2016. Rent $ 600 including utility & internet .

Walking distance to Bell Centre, Elementary & High School and Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib. Call 778-628-4473 travel all over the lower mainland and from Squamish to Hope.

We also have opportunities in Edmonton, Alberta.

Minimum qualification for these positions are completion of secondary school and BST Justice Training of BC. Past experience is preferred but we are willing to train candidates who show eagerness to learn. For more information please visit our website at www.transworldsecurity.ca.

Please email you resume to hr@ transworldsecurity.ca.

------------------------------------Retail Sales Supervisor (6211); Saim’s Communication Inc.,Surrey, British Columbia, (6211); Salary: $17:50/Hourly; Positions Available: 2; Type: FullTime; Minimum Education: High School; ,Description : Assign sales workers to duties and prepare work schedules, Authorize payments by cheque and the return ofmerchandise , Sell merchandise to customers, Resolve problems that arise, such as customercomplaints and supply shortages, • Maintain specified inventory and ordermerchandise, Prepare reports regarding sales volumes, merchandising and personnel matters, Hire and train or arrange for the training of new sales staff,

For more info. Apply by email: saimscomm@yahoo.ca -----------------------------

To PLACE YOUR AD IN THE ASIAN STAR CLASSIFIEDS Section Please

Call: 604-591-5423

COMMUNITY Emotional Health & Stress Management Workshop Christmas and holiday season is a time for family and friends’ gathering. For new immigrants, it is exciting to celebrate the festivals in Canada, but it may be stressful as they are away from their home country. This workshop will provide information about how to manage your mood with limited winter daylight hours, maintain good health and make friends so that we can move forward in 2016 ---------------------------------------------January 6, 10am–12pm New Westminster Public Library Main Branch, 716–6th Ave Angel 604 438 8214 ext 104 ---------------------------------------------Legal Information Workshops: WorkSafe Standards Learn about workplace safety and protecting yourself. Topics include certification and training; bullying and harassment; first aid; WHMIS; personal protective equipment (PPE); road safety; mental health in the workplace; violence prevention.

For adults: January 10, 1:30–3:30pm For youth: January 23, 1:30–3:30pm ---------------------------------------------MOSAIC Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway 604 438 8214 ext 211 Canadian Citizenship Preparation January 18 & 19, 5:30–8:30pm Tommy Douglas Burnaby Public Library, 7311 Kingsway Angel 604 438 8214 ext 104 ---------------------------------------------English Conversation Circle for Newcomers Tuesdays, 1–2:30pm, January 19–February 23 MOSAIC Vancouver Language Centre, 304–2730 Commercial Dr Paeony 604 254 9626 ext 288 ---------------------------------------------Public Service Announcement Registrations start now for MOSAIC Seniors Club Winter Term.

MOSAIC Seniors Club provides free activities for immigrant seniors age 55 and above. We also provide workshops and individual support on topics relevant to seniors including. We run activities such as English Conversation Circles and Taichi class. Come make new friends, practice English, get information and have fun!

Burnaby South: 5902 Kingsway 604 438 8214 ----------------------------------------------English Conversation Circle (Beginners): Starting January 18, Mondays, 9:30–11:30am English Conversation Circle (Upper Beginners): Starting January 18, Mondays, 9:30–11:30am Knitting Circle: Starting January 19, Tuesdays, 2–3:30pm

----------------------------------------------Burnaby North: 2055 Rosser Avenue || 604 292 3907 English Conversation Circle (Beginners): Starting January 20, Wednesdays, 9:30–11:30am Wai Dan Gong Exercise: Starting January 22, Fridays, 9–10am Taichi: Starting January 22, Fridays, 10:30am–12pm English Conversation Circle (Upper Beginners): Starting January 22, Fridays, 12:30–2:30pm ----------------------------------------------Vancouver: 1720 Grant St || 604 254 9626 ext 273 Priority for Permanent Residents.

English Conversation Circle (Lower Beginners): Starting January 14, Thursdays, 10am– 12pm English Conversation Circle (Beginners): Starting January 14, Thursdays, 12–2pm English Conversation Circle (Upper Beginners): Starting January 14, Thursdays, 2–4pm ‘Wai Dan Gong’ exercise: Starting January 22, Fridays, 11am–12pm ------------------------------------------------------Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian Adults/ Senior members and non members also to come and play Bingo for the sake of fun and make some new friends, on November 22nd 2015( Sunday ) from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm at Shanti Niketan hall 8321 - 140th street Surrey B.C. Please bring only two dollars with you to play 2 games, do not worry if you do not know how to play, members will explain you the game just for the sake of fun. Tea & light snacks will be served after the game is over. Please contact Surendra Handa Coordinator at 604 - 507 - 9945 for further details.

-----------------------------------LCA of BC Celebrates Jalaram Jayanti in Burnaby and Surrey 1. Keshyapbhai Ruparel & Family (Bharat Jewellers) cordially invites all to 216th Jalaram Jayanti celebrations with bhajans and kirtans on Saturday November 21, 2015 at VHP Temple, 3885 Albert Street, Burnaby.

Priti Bhojan 5.30pm Bhajan\Satang program 7.00pm For Further Information Please Contact: Kaushikaben Pabari: 604 945 5640 VHP Temple: 604 299 5922 -----------------------------------------------------------Hetsi and Keshvi Vithlani & FAMILY cordially invites all to 216th Jalaram Jayanti Celebrations with Bhajans and Kirtan on Sunday November 22, 2015 at 10.30 am at Laxminarayan Temple, 8321 140th Street, Surrey. Bhajan Program will be Presented by Highly Talented Local Group.

Priti Bhojan After Arti.

For Further Information Please Contact: Mansukhbhai Thanki (604) 518-1557.

----------------------------------------------------------Secret Asian Super Singer to Support S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Seniors Service S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Goodwill Ambassador Charity Night will be held at 6:00 pm , Monday, November 2, 2015 at the River Rock Show Theatre, Richmond.

The event aims to raise $ 110,000 to support the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Seniors Care Home expansion and maintenance project. The festivities include a VIP reception, an exclusive dinner, entertainment and fundraising karaoke. The night will feature an acclaimed popular artist from Hong Kong as a secret guest performer.

A group of artists from AM1320 will present a mini concert and a Beijing Opera from Sunshine Troupe Association will perform as well. The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and other elected officials will join the event. The Goodwill Ambassador Council is a group of passionate volunteers of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society.

Established in 2006, the Council hosts fundraising events every 2 years to support the Society to improve the quality of life for the seniors. Incorporated in 1995, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society was established to provide linguistically and culturally appropriate care for seniors in our community.

------------------------------------------------------South Asian Seniors - Iron Deficiency & Dipression Dr. Pargat Bhurji - Nov. 15th 2015 - 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm.

Vedic Senior Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian Adults/ Senior members and also non members to attend a presentation on - Iron Deficiency & Dipression - by Dr. Pargat Bhurji a Pediatrician and a well known Person in the South Asian Community, on November 15th 2015 ( Sunday ) from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm at Shanti Niketan hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple 8321 140th Street Surrey BC. Dr. Pargat Bhurji will answer your health related questions, tea and light snacks will be served after the presentation.

Please contact Surendra Handa Coordinator Tel. 604 - 507 - 9945 for further details.

-----------------------------------The Global Hindu Foundation with support of SMH will celebrate Diwali -the Festival of Lightson November 9,2015 at Main Cafeteria from 1.00-2.30 PM. The guests will be served with sweets and snacks. This celebration is in the true spirit of multiculturalism and interfaith of Canada. ALL ARE WELCOME. For further information call to Acharya Dwivedi-604 507 3099 or Deepa Sharma 778 388 9024 ------------------------------South Asian Seniors - Clinical Prevention Workshop, 8th Nov. 2015, 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm.

Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian Adults/ Senior members as well as non members to attend Clinical Prevention Workshop presented by Dr. Virendra Sharma MD, MPH, Project Coordinator with Fraser Health Authority on November 8th 2015 ( Sunday ) from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm at Shanti Niketan hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple 8321 - 140th street Surrey BC. There will be questions & Answers session after the workshop and you can ask questions about Clinical Prevention. Tea and light snacks will be served after the workshop is over. Please contact Surendra Handa Coordinator Tel. 604 - 507 - 9945 for further information.

-------------------------------

Public Notice

All foreign governments may deny visa or

i 23

entry into country on Non-machine readable passports’ with effect from 24.11.2015 because of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s(ICAO) decision to entirely phase out all ‘Non-machine readable passports’ by 24.11.2015.

Accordingly, Indian citizens residing in India and abroad with handwritten passports as well as 20 year validity passports, valid beyond 24.11.2015 are advised to apply for re-issue of passports in order to obtain ‘Machine readable passports (MRPs) before 24.11.2015 to avoid any inconveniences in obtaining foreign visa or immigration problem.

Schedule of Consular Camps ------------------------------Surrey - 1st November 2015 Col. Darshan Singh Sidhu, Indian Ex-Servicemen Society, Surrey, 201-8212-128 Street, indianexcervicemen@yahoo.com darshansidhu08@gmail.com 6045963327 -----------------------------------Vancouver - 1st November 2015 Mr.Kuldip Thandi, President, Ross St. Gurdwara 6047196800 kdsross@live.com ----------------------------------------Kamloops - 25th October 2015 Mr. Kulwinder Singh Kular, President, Sikh Cultural Society, kal@topdriver.ca Cell:2503768285 ------------------------------------Abbotsford - 8th November 2015 Mr. Jatinder Singh Gill Recording Secretary, Heritage Gurudwara, Abbotsford Bhajan Singh Toor 6048647700 kds@canadiansikhheritage.ca -------------------------------------------------------------Free English for the Workplace Classes at PICS PICS’ new Project Based Language Training Program (PBLT) is now offering free English classes for the Labour Market. It helps immigrants overcome language barriers that hinder new immigrants’ path to employment. The priority for this project is to attach clients to Labour Market and help them actively seek employment or prepare them to enroll in a training course or move to an enhanced Labour market program.

Students will learn and develop soft skills, job search, resume writing, interview skills, networking and much more. To avoid disappointment, please register for classes by calling 604-5967722 ext 138 ASAP. Free Childminding on site.

----------------------------------------------------------Free Community Workshops & Activities November 2–8 Free Drop-In English Conversation Circle for Temporary Foreign Workers Meet new people and give support to your fellow TFW’s. Ask questions about housing, health, and employment concerns.

Mondays, 6:30–8:30pm until December 14 MOSAIC Vancouver Community Room, 1720 Grant St 604 254 9626 ext 487 -----------------------------------------Public Speaking Without Panic: Learn Effective Strategies to Communicate with Confidence Learn strategies and techniques for building self-confidence to communicate your ideas and opinions in a group setting. Tuesdays, 6–8pm until November 10 1522 Commercial Drive, Vancouver 604 254 9626 -----------------------------------------------English Conversation Circle for New Westminster Newcomers

24 i

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Business / Finance

Federal deficit shrinks to $941 Million in October

T

he federal deficit shrank to $941 million in October compared with $3.21 billion in the same month a year ago, thanks mainly to higher revenue, the Finance Department reported Tuesday. In its monthly fiscal monitor, the department said revenue increased 11.1 per cent year over year in October, boosted by higher personal income tax and Goods and Services Tax revenues. Finance minister projects $3B deficit in fiscal update Personal income tax revenues were up $1.6 billion or 16.5 per cent from a year ago, when they were hit by a $1.6-billion downward adjustment due to the introduction of the Conservative government’s income-splitting plan for

families and a doubling of the children’s fitness tax credit. The newly elected Liberal government has announced it will end income splitting for families for next year. Corporate income tax revenues were up 4.4 per cent, while excise taxes and duties were up 19.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, program spending for October increased by 0.4 per cent and public debt charges fell 6.4 per cent. For the April to October period, the government posted a surplus of $634 million compared with a deficit of $3.95 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Revenue for the first seven months of the fiscal year was up 8.7 per cent, while program spending was up 6.6 per cent.

Public debt charges fell 3.6 per cent.

C

CIBC sells stake in American Century for $1-billion

anadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has agreed to sell its minority position in American Century Investments for about $1-billion (U.S.), adding some confusion about the lender’s reported interest in expanding its operations in the United States. “Recognizing that a path to control was not going to be available over time, we made the decision to work with ACI to monetize our investment,” said Victor Dodig, CIBC’s chief executive officer, in a statement. “Through this divestiture we will further strengthen our strong capital position and we are moving forward with a clear set of strategic priorities to drive our long-term growth.” Nomura Holdings Inc., Japan’s biggest brokerage, said it would buy a 41-per-cent stake in the privately held investment management firm. CIBC had stated on many occasions this year that it was interested in acquiring a U.S.-based wealth manager to complement its stakes in American Century and Atlantic Trust. However, the lender’s executives have also stated that they were in no rush to make a deal as valuations rose.

The fact that the Canadian dollar has fallen sharply against the U.S. dollar this year, to decade-lows, no doubt also complicated the matter.

With the sale of its stake in American Century, it is unclear whether CIBC is still interested in acquiring a wealth manager.

The lender said that the sale is subject to regulatory approval, and will generate a gain of about $170-million after taxes, or an 11 per cent internal rate of return. The sale will raise CIBC’s common equity tier one ratio – a measure of financial health monitored by regulators – by about half a percentage point, or 50 basis points.

The ratio was recently 10.8 per cent, or above regulatory requirements.

Meny Grauman, an analyst at Cormark Securities, believes that the proceeds from the sale of American Century will be earmarked for further expansion into the U.S. “This then is a case of management taking one step back in order to hopefully take two forward,” Mr. Grauman said in a note.

“However, until CIBC announces a deal to buy something in the U.S., this sale leaves it with less U.S. exposure than the limited exposure it had before. It also leaves the bank with less wealth exposure than it had before.

And it leaves it with having to answer the key question of why it did the American Century deal in the first place.”

Some of China’s most wanted live openly in U.S. and Canada

From page 20

developer Michael Ching Mo Yeung citizenship, which he claimed in a lawsuit was because of corruption charges leveled against him by China. He has since applied for refugee status. Yang Xiuzhu, the woman arrested and held since last year on immigration violation charges, spoke to Reuters recently at a New York detention facility. Wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, Yang said she was arrested at her sister’s New York apartment just a month after she arrived in the United States on a false passport last year.

Yang, accused of stealing $39 million while deputy mayor of Wenzhou, in Eastern China, denied the charges against her.

She called the list a political document targeting enemies of the current regime rather than a roster of true criminals.

“I suspect I am a pawn between U.S. and Chinese negotiators,” she said.

When her brother was returned to China, state-owned media showed him handcuffed, flanked by policemen, being led off a private jet at Fuzhou airport in southeastern China.

He has not been seen in public since.

Business / Finance

Evolving B.C. tech startups threaten to disrupt ‘dinosaur’ industries

O

ne technology startup is using artificial intelligence to save people who book online flights up to 80 per cent. Another helps farmers boost their crop yields with a mobile app that manages operations from seed to sale.

A third new technology firm aims to replace conventional bank accounts with only a card and an app. They’re all samples of a boom in digital-technology startups in Vancouver that are revolutionizing traditional industries with tech savvy.

The companies are challenging old methods of doing business, and they’re out to “disrupt” everything from travel to agriculture to financial services. “You adapt or you die,” said Ray Walia, CEO of Launch Academy, a leading non-profit firm that trains and mentors such startups. The organization has helped entrepreneurs start more than 350 companies, raising about $57 million in funding and creating over 635 jobs across 15 industries. They include TripDelta, Farm At Hand and Koho. Walia said employers outside the technology world must change the mindset that “bleeding-edge” advancements don’t matter to their own industries.

“It’s an economic stimulus for the entire country. Because it’s those technology companies that are going to help those incum-

bents — those dinosaurs — stay alive and avoid the asteroid that’s coming.”

The youth-propelled trend is also flourishing in the technology hubs of Toronto and Montreal, and is considered most prolific in San Francisco’s Silicon Valley.

About 84,000 British Columbians were employed by over 9,000 tech companies in 2014, according to the provincial Technology Ministry — more than in mining, forestry, and oil and gas combined. Earlier this month, Premier Christy Clark announced the province is betting on startups as engines for job creation by establishing a new $100-million venture capital fund to launch in 2016.

It’s the first prong in a multi-year government strategy to enhance the industry’s role in the provincial economy. Plans to attract new talent and open markets are expected to be announced in January, when the province hosts the B.C. Tech Summit, its largest-ever technology business conference aimed at mingling entrepreneurs with those in established industries. Vancouver is home to more than a dozen “incubator” facilities and “accelerator boot camps,” which provide crash courses for early-stage companies on taking technology ideas to market. Millennials are strongly represented, with many aspiring to hatch the next company valued at $1 billion

Province of BC and Quebec concerned about Ottawa’s plans to expand CPP

B

ritish Columbia and Quebec are expressing concerns about Ottawa’s plans to expand the Canada Pension Plan, but neither province is going as far as Saskatchewan in directly opposing the idea. Finance ministers from across the country arrived at 7 Rideau Gate in Ottawa Sunday evening for a dinner hosted by federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau. The discussions are scheduled to continue throughout the day Monday before they announce in the afternoon whether any agreement was reached on the pension issue.

The federal Liberal government was elected on a campaign to expand the CPP, but it is a promise that can’t be delivered unilaterally. Reforming the Canada Pension Plan requires the support of at least seven of the 10 provinces representing two thirds of the Canadian population.

Over the past week, only Saskatchewan has said it is firmly against the idea, arguing that higher pension premiums would be bad for the economy at a time of weakness triggered by the drop in commodity prices. That raises the question of whether Saskatchewan will be able to persuade other provinces to side with its point of view and block the federal government’s plans. Ahead of the meeting, the positions of British Columbia, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador were unclear.

The remaining provinces said they were generally supportive of Ottawa’s plans.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Finance Minister Cathy Bennett did not stop to talk to reporters Sunday evening ahead of the meeting. However, Quebec Finance Minister Carlos Leitao and his B.C. counterpart Mike de Jong did share their concerns, without taking firm positions.

“We are open to taking a look at what the federal government will be talking

about. I’m not quite sure what it is,” said Mr. Leitao. “But the federal government has also indicated they are open to examining the issue, perhaps going with a modest and targeted approach to improving the CPP. We’re okay. We can talk about that. But we already have a voluntary system in place in Quebec which we think works well. But again, we’re not closing the door. We’ll be taking part in the discussions [Monday] on that.” Mr. de Jong said his concern is the impact a change may have on the economy.

“It’s pretty clearly on the agenda and we’re going to have a discussion about how to proceed, when to proceed and what the options are.

It’s obvious that the new federal Finance Minister is interested in taking some steps. Other provinces are and we’ll have a good discussion,” said Mr. de Jong. “The economy is fragile. I think you’ve got to be careful about when you pull the trigger on a change like this and that’s part of what we are going to be discussing is when is the appropriate time to [make] the change and what’s a logical change to make.”

For his part, Mr. Morneau did not have much to say on the issue as he headed into the meeting.

“What I am hoping for is we have a broader discussion about many issues. So I’m hoping that we’ll start out by talking about economic growth and the challenges facing Canadians and how we can work together in a spirit of collaboration to meet up to those challenges,” he said. “CPP is one of the agenda items and it’s one that we’ll try to get some consensus on.”

Saturday, December 26, 2015

i 25

26 i

P

PUNJAB

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Epidemic threat looms large over Batala

Political parties shun liquor baron charged with murder of a Dalit youth

olitical parties seem to have disowned liquor baron Shiv Lal Doda after he was booked in the gruesome murder case of Dalit youth Bhim Tank. The youth was killed on Doda’s sprawling farmhouse on the outskirts of Abohar.

The Akalis, who have been defending him so far, have disowned him. Doda has been referred to as an Akali Dal halqa in charge in the media with his picture being pasted, alongside Ferozepur Akali MP Sher Singh Gubaya, outside the SAD office in Abohar.

Akali Dal spokesperson Daljeet Cheema said Shiv was never a member of their party. “Abohar is a BJP constituency. As per our understanding with our alliance partner BJP, we have not posted any halqa in charge in any constituency represented by the BJP.” On Shiv Lal Doda having been described as the area development head on some foundation stones, Abohar circle in charge Ashok

Ahuja insisted that Doda was a BJP member.

He said Doda’s picture was pasted outside the SAD office because he was a prominent leader of the region. The BJP has also stated that Doda wasn’t a member of the party even though documents showing his membership of the party are being circulated.

Tarun Chugh, BJP national secretary, who is also spearheading the membership drive of the party in the region, said the party had nothing to do with Doda. “Doda being a BJP member is false propaganda. He was never our member. He sought a ticket in 2012, but it was denied to him,” he said.

On the alleged membership receipts bearing the name of Shiv Lal, his son Gagan Doda and nephew Amit Doda (a co-accused in Bhim Tank’s murder), Chugh said, “The receipts in the name of Shiv Lal and Amit Doda are of collection funds.”

T

he threat of an epidemic looms large over Batala as several tonnes of garbage are lying in the open as the Municipal Committee (MC) has “not been able” to find a dumping ground.

Health experts said if the garbage was not disposed of within the next 42 hours, an epidemic in the form of gastroenteritis is sure to hit the city. Doctors warned that this time the epidemic would be more severe than the one that hit the city’s Gandhi Camp area in 2012. At that time the disease was confined to just one area of the town. The MC is controlled by a BJP man, but the halqa in charge is a SAD leader. Both have been at loggerheads with each other for the last several years and now both are blaming each other for the issue. To compound matters, there is

Now, power bills Will include water bills in Punjab The Punjab Cabinet cleared the imposition of user charges on water supply and sewerage on all sections of urban consumers in the

SERVING COMMUNITY SINCE 1982

Gill Int'l Travel NOW SERVING YOU FROM OUR NEW, BIGGER & BETTER LOCATION IN SURREY

NOW YOU CAN REDEEM YOUR RBC AVION AND CIBC AEROPLAN POINTS WITH US !

CUSTOM TOURS/PACKAGES TO INDIA

Golden Triangle

3 NIGHTS 4 DAYS

Starts From

$399pp

Jewel of Rajasthan with Goa

3 NIGHTS 4 DAYS

1 Nt Delhi, 1 Nt Agra, 2 Nts Jaipur, 3 Nts Goa

Budget Package

$799pp

Deluxe Package

Starts From

$999pp

VISIT FOR ALL PACKAGES: www.HolidayIndia.ca

10 OFF

$

Best of Kerala & Goa

Experience Goa

7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS

$499pp

23 NIGHTS / 24 DAYS

2 Nts Kovalam, 2 Nts Kumarkom, 1 Nt Thekkady, 2 Nts Munnar, 3 Nts Goa, 2 Nts Mumbai

Budget Package

Deluxe Package

$1800pp

$2060pp

*Fare based on double occupancy. * Prices mentioned are in Canadian Dollar.

Special Comprehensive Travel Insurance

/per ticket with this ad.

Limited time offer.

604-589-9000 #101-9360, 120th St., Surrey 604-324-3000 (Corner of 93A Ave. & 120th St) 1-800-667-2661 HEAD OFFICE - SURREY

We have offices in Ontario, Alberta and India Also.

a SAD Chief Parliamentary Secretary who throws a “spanner into the works” every time a solution is in sight. A former BJP MLA is also trying to work out a solution in his own way. The MC had brought 2 acres of land on lease near Rangar Nangal village, 13 km from the city, where a dumping ground was to be set up. However, when MC trucks go to dump garbage, they are met with stiff resistance from villagers who have the “backing” of a SAD leader. The CPS initially helped the villagers, but later withdrew after there was a backlash from villagers who claimed that “he was actually helping Batala residents throw their garbage in their village.” The village falls in the limits of the Vidhan Sabha seat of Sri Hargobindpur represented by the CPS.

Starts from

$16

CALL US FOR

PAKISTAN YATRA (NANKANA SAHIB)

state, though the Akalis’ coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party managed to soften the blow by keeping the rate low.

The Akali Dal leadership wanted to impose a flat 7-10 per cent cess on electricity tariff, to be collected as water and sewerage charges, but the BJP, which has its vote bank in urban areas, remained adamant on keeping the rates low between 2-4 per cent.

4 arrested in Ludhiana jeweller’s murder

T

he Jagraon police claim to have cracked the kidnapping and murder case of a Ludhiana-based gold trader, Dr Rajinder Kumar Verma, within hours of the recovery of his body from his Innova.

The vehicle was found alongside the canal near Dhadhahoor village in Barnala district early in the morning. The deceased, who was a former vice-president of the district Congress committee of Ludhiana, is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. Dr Verma owned a jewellery showroom, SR Jewellery, at Sarafa Bazar in Ludhiana. He was also a qualified homeopathic doctor and operated a clinic in the city. He was apparently killed with sharp-edged weapons as there were several injury marks on his body. The police have ruled out the possibility of old enmity, claiming that robbery was the sole motive behind the kidnapping and murder.

Dr Verma was kidnapped near Toose village on the Ludhiana-Barnala highway yesterday evening while he was coming back from Barnala after supplying gold items to his clients.

CHB launches housing scheme

P

roviding major relief to owners of more than 3,000 commercial properties under the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB), the CHB in its board meeting today decided to start the ‘Tatkal’ Scheme from tomorrow.

As per the scheme, the property will be transferred within a period of seven days of receiving the application. Allottees will have to pay Rs 1 lakh for the transfer of convenient shops and small booths and Rs 2 lakh for bay shops/ shops-cum-flat.

Besides starting the ‘Tatkal’ Scheme, the CHB also approved the new housing scheme in Sector 51 in which a total of 128 2BHK flats will be constructed. The city residents have been pushing for a general housing scheme for a long time now, which will be coming after a gap of seven years in the southern belt of the city.

fOOD INDIA

6 i Saturday - April 4, 2015

T

Saturday, December 26, 2015

i 27

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visits Russia

he PM will leave for a two-day visit to Russia today where he will hold summit-level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Modi is likely to be in Kabul only for a few hours during which he will inaugurate the Parliament building. This will be Modi’s first visit to the war-torn state of Afghanistan.

During his brief visit to Kabul, Modi, apart from inaugurating the Parliament building, will also finalise arrangements for the handover of four Mi-25 ground-attack helicopters to Afghanistan’s armed forces.

The new Parliament building in Kabul has been built with assistance from India at a cost of $90 million. It has missed three deadlines in the past and was supposed to

have been completed by 2011. The building is a gift from India and symbolises the friendship between the two nations. The Parliament building has Wolesi Jirga or the Lower House with a seating capacity of 294 and a 190-seat Meshrano Jirga or Upper House. It also has other features like conference rooms, dining halls, press room, library, auditorium and parking facilities. For India, Afghanistan has great strategic importance. India has invested around $ 2 billion on aid and reconstruction in Afghanistan. India enjoyed a great relationship with Afghanistan when Hamid Karzai was the President. However, ever since Ashraf Ghani became the President, the relationship has seen a downward trajectory with Ghani choosing Pakistan over India in a number of cases.

Youngest convict of 2012 Delhi gang rape case released

T

Ingredients • 250g boneless chicken • 2tbsp rapeseed oil • 1 medium red onion • 3 large tomatoes • ½ cup cashew nuts • 100g tomato puree • 1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves • 100ml low fat cream • 1tsp garam masala • 1tsp red chilli powder • 1tbsp ginger- garlic paste • 2tbsp thick low fat yoghurt • salt to taste

he youngest been handed over to convict in the a charity, where he notorious 2012 will remain because of Delhi gang rape case has fears over his safety. been released from a Four adult convicts in correctional centre, his the case are appealing lawyer said. Legal chalagainst death sentenclenges failed to prevent es. A fifth died in pristhe release. The victim’s on. he BBC’s Sanjoy parents were among those Majumder in Delhi detained later at a rally. says the release has The rapist, who cannot be been opposed by many named as he was a minor people, including the Procedure: at the time of the crime, parentsforof20the victim.

Marinate the chicken with the ginger garlic paste and the yoghurt min. soak the cashew in warm water for 15 minutes.chop the onions and tomatoes. Heat 1 tbsp was sentenced to a maxiThey wereside prevented oil to a pan. sear the chicken pieces in the hot oil for 1 minute on each to a golden colour. remove the chicken pieces. in the same pan, add 1tbsp oil and the chopped mum three years in a refrom holding a protest rally in central Delonions. saute till a translucent pink.

Add the tomatoes, red chili powder, garam masala powder and cook on medium flame till the tomatoes are tender (approx. 4-5 form facility in August 2013. The rape and hiaearlier onwith Sunday and when theytolater minutes). remove from flame and run in blender the soaked cashews make a smooth paste. return to the pan and add the tomato puree. Bring to a boil and add the subsequent death of the woman caused joined scores of protesters nearAdd India Gate, the chicken pieces. simmer for 4-5 minutes till the chicken is cooked. the low fat cream and simmer for 2 minutes. Broil the fenugreek leaves on a pan. crush the global outrage. Although the convict is now theyfrom were fire. among a number detained by pofenugreek leaves over the curry and remove serve hot. an adult, he was tried as a juvenile and has lice, who broke up the demonstration. served the full sentence allowed. He has now

chicken (no butter) Masala Your favourite butter chicken but without the butter and added calories!

28 i

Saturday, December 26, 2015

We are Happy to Help you manage your health.

At Real Canadian Superstore速 we have qualified and well trained Pharmacist -not only to fill your prescriptions, but to help those medications work best for you.

That is why when you come to us, we can discuss potential side effects of prescriptions, avoiding Interactions with other medications, over-the-counter products and the food you eat.

350 SE Marine Drive, Vancouver T: (604) 322-3727

Fax: 604-322-3744 Store Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30AM-8:00PM Sat 9AM - 5PM & Sun 12PM - 5PM Contact for more assistance:

Remo Mastropieri Store Manager

Saturday, December 26, 2015

i 29

Now Open

M ADRAS CLUB HOUSE Authentic South Indian Cuisine

Unit 130 - 13737 - 72nd Ave., (opposite Newton bus exchange) Surrey, BC

More than 30 varieties of dosa and south-norht south-north Indian curries Everyday Specials are available

2

Buy Special dosas Get 1 dosa FREE

OR

Any Dosa $5.99 Monday and Tuesday

Dine In / Take Out Open 7 days a week

We offer catering for all occasion *Terms and conditions may apply

604-592-2865

30 i

Saturday, December 26, 2015

INDIA Juvenile Justice Bill gets nod Juveniles aged 16 years and above will now be prosecuted as adults for heinous crimes after Parliament today passed a Bill in this regard. Passed by the Lok Sabha in May 2014, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill was today discussed in the Rajya Sabha against the backdrop of uproar over the release of a juvenile convict in the gang-rape and murder of 23-year-old Nirbhaya on December 16, 2012. Nation: ‘Bill a step forward, but...’ The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha with voice vote after a walkout by Left parties

which wanted it to be sent to a select committee. Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said the earlier legislation was a “nuanced” one and needed to act as a “deterrent”. She said the incidents of heinous crimes by juveniles aged 16 years and above were on the rise. She cited statistics to support her contention. She said there was a two-level check to determine whether a child should be tried as an adult. “If someone below 18 commits a crime that falls in heinous category, that includes rape, murder and arson.

Arun Jaitley sues rival Arvind Kejriwal for slander

F

inance Minister Arun Jaitley sued Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for 100 million rupees ($1.51 million) on Monday for slander, escalating a battle between the ruling party and the opposition that has stalled key reform legislation in parliament. Jaitley’s office said he filed civil and criminal defamation cases against Kejriwal and five members of his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Kejriwal, who routed Prime Minister Na-

rendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in state elections this year, accused Jaitley last week of allowing fraud at a cricket association he ran from 2003 to 2013. Kejriwal’s team said Jaitley should resign or be removed to clear the way for a new investigation, and that they were planning to file a police case against Jaitley “very soon”. Jaitley, a top member of the BJP, has said the allegations are baseless and absolutely false.

Kejriwal demands PM’s resignation over ‘flop’ CBI raids

M

ounting a fierce attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today demanded his resignation over what he termed was a “flop raid” by the CBI at the Delhi Secretariat to “protect” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the alleged DDCA scam.

Calling December 15, when CBI conducted the raid at the office of his Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar, a “black day”, Kejriwal tore into Modi and dared him to act against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, his Rajasthan counterpart Vasundhara Raje and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Kejriwal also defended Rajendra Kumar against allegations of graft

committed in his official capacity under the erstwhile Sheila Dikshit government. “He’s being mentally harassed. CBI has got nothing against him in the last eight days. If I can remove my minister and babu for committing corruption, it is also my duty to protect honest officers,” he said participating in a discussion in the state Assembly on the situation arising out of the raid at the Delhi Secretariat and alleged corruption in Delhi and District Cricket Association under Jaitley’s watch.

Kumar was seated in the officers’ gallery of the Assembly during the proceedings. “Prime Minister should be ashamed of himself ” over the raids, Kejriwal said and went on to take a series of jibes at Modi over “Rs 10 lakh suit” and foreign trips.

Modi backs Jaitley in DDCA graft case Defending Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the DDCA controversy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his ministerial colleague would come through “with flying colours” against charges of corruption levelled against him by the Opposition, as it happened with party stalwart LK Advani in the Hawala case. However, opposition parties turned the PM’s Advani analogy to suggest that Modi signalled Jaitley to quit office. Supporting Jaitley, who is accused of financial irregularities in the Delhi cricket body when he headed it, Modi at the BJP’s

parliamentary party meeting hit out at the Congress for levelling “wrong and manufactured” allegations to “defame” the government.He, however, made no reference to similar charges levelled by BJP MP Kirti Azad, who was not present in the meeting today. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu quoted Modi as having said that BJP leaders such as Sushma Swaraj, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhara Raje had similarly faced such “wrong” charges from the Congress earlier.

Stone arrives for Ram Temple

V

117 Street and 80th Ave., (near Scott Road).

ishwa Hindu Parishad international secretary general Champat Rai has played down the arrival of the first lot of stone to re-start carving for construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, terming it a routine affair.

There has been no indication of a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya by the Modi government, he asserted.

He said that since 1990, thousands of truckloads of stone had arrived in Ayodhya. “After carving, these are kept in the Ramghat workshop. Thousands of devotees come here every day to look at these carved stones and no law and order problem has occurred till now.”

Describing president of the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas Nritya Gopal Das as a law-abiding citizen, Rai said that it was the stand of the VHP that a law should be passed in Parliament paving the way for the construction of Ram Temple.

Earlier, Das had declared that the time for building the Ram temple had come while performing “shila pujan” of the fresh lot of stone.Meanwhile, despite the VHP playing down the arrival of stones in Ayodhya after a gap of eight years, the political environment has warmed up. Former CM Mayawati attacked the Samajwadi Party government for allowing such activity in Ayodhya.

FIJI

T

$74M FNPF deal

he Fiji National Provident Fund has increased its shareholding in the Amalgamated Telecom Holdings Group after purchasing $74.02million worth of Government shares in the telecommunication giant yesterday. FNPF, which already owns 58.3 per cent of ATH, has increased its shareholding to 72.6 per cent. The Government has divested more than half its shares in ATH at three cents less the current share price thereby reducing its shareholding from 34.6 per cent to 17.3 per cent in a “special crossing” transaction with the South Pacific Stock Exchange. It earned about $89m from the sale of the shares with Unit Trust of Fiji buying $13m worth of shares and BSP Life buying around $2m worth. Special Crossing, as explained by the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPSE), are bilateral deals on the sale and purchase of larger quantities of shares in a security which are one-off transactions.

The current price of ATH shares is $1.25 per share but yesterday’s dealing was at $1.22 per share. Because of the special crossing, SPSE said the current market price of ATH shares will remain unchanged at $1.25 per share.

FNPF chief investment officer Jaoji Koroi explained last night that this acquisition gave them the opportunity to consolidate their position and truly be a strategic investor in the ATH Group of companies.

A

When asked why the acquisition of $74.02m, Mr Koroi said this was the consideration of the shares offered for sale by Government. For FNPF members, he said, the additional shares meant additional dividend income immediately. “There is opportunity to create more value within the group, which needs to be realised in the medium term,” Mr Koroi added.

The increase from 58.3 per cent to 72.6 per cent shareholdings according to him was based on the shares sold by Government.

Last week, ATH shares on SPSE were being sold at $1.23 per share. Public Enterprises Ministry permanent secretary Shaheen Ali said he would provide a response to our queries sent last night on the Government’s decision to divest its shares. The ATH Group of Companies comprises ATH, Telecom Fiji Ltd, Vodafone Fiji Ltd, FINTEL, Fiji Directories Ltd, ATH Kiribati Ltd and Datec (Fiji) Ltd. It was established by the Soqosoqo Vakavulewa ni Taukei Government in 1997 after it consolidated all its telecommunication companies. In 1998, it divested 49 per cent of its shares, which was bought by the FNPF at around $250m. Since, then it has been divesting most its ATH shares to FNPF. In 2013, ATH bought Government’s 51 per cent ownership in FINTEL for $9m.

Investment opportunity

ny Fij i a n wishing to become a shareholder in the Ba Provincial Holdings Company Ltd can now do so under its Class B shareholding facility. This was revealed by board chairman Joeli Bulu during the company’s annual general meeting in Lautoka last week. “Previously, shareholding was limited to members of the Ba Province alone. Under the Class B structure that we have introduced, any Fijian can now purchase shares in the company.” Mr Bulu said reforms undertaken since 2011 had resulted in a number of positives — shareholders had increased from one to two categories.

“Class A has 596 shareholders and there are many others in Class B. “The authorised capital

has also increased from $5million to $100m. “The share drive exercise was quite extensive and lengthy because of the sheer logistics of the numbers involved, the geographical terrain and also because of the newness of the concept of investment among landowning trusts,” he said.

Mr Bulu also revealed that Ba Provincial Holdings Company Ltd had posted a profit after tax of $87,295 for the year ending December 31, 2014. “Given that the re-stated 2013 net profit after tax was $27,756, profitability has increased by $59,539 or 214.5 per cent.”

He added at 2014 year-end, the company had a net working capital deficit of $2,898,844 with net assets totalling $3,674,367. fees and charges raised with the head of the BAF had not been addressed so far. Association president Rizwan Khan said the 100 per cent check imposed by BAF on commodities had cost exporters several hundred thousand dollars in unnecessary fees. “New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries requires only 600 unit level inspection,” Mr Khan said.

“The self-regulated 100 per cent check — without proper consultation and collaboration with exporters — is an overkill.

High cost halts export

Fruit and vegetable exporters will not be exporting any fresh produce beginning today because of what they claim are high fees and charges imposed by the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF). At stake is $40million in produce export earnings and the livelihoods of fruit and vegetable growers in the Western Division if the issue is not resolved with urgency.

The Fiji Fresh Produce Exporters Association, an organisation representing 19 exporters and 250 farmers, said issues and concerns about non-consultation prior to increasing

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i 31

Heavy rain alert remains in force

A

Lthough the chance of a tropical cyclone forming in Fiji in the next five days is very low, a heavy rain alert remains in force for the whole of Viti Levu, Yasawa and Mamanuca group, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands. The Fiji Metereological Service (FMS) said a trough of low pressure lay slow moving over the country with occasional rain and a few thunderstorms over those areas.

A flood alert is also now in force for all low lying areas adjacent to Nabukaluka station and downstream of Waidina River as the FMS continues to monitor the major rivers. It says it will issue any warning if necessary. “All communities are advised to be updated with the latest weather forecast and take note of any alerts or warning issued by the weather office in Nadi at all times,” the Ministry of Infrastructure said in a statement. “During heavy rain, members of the public are advised to stay away

from flooded drains and creeks and remain indoors when thunderstorm is overhead.”

The ministry said there was no warning in force for mariners at this stage.

It reported Easterly winds of up to 15 to 20 knots, and moderate to rough seas is expected with poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms. “Mariners are advised to keep updated with the latest marine weather forecast before planning the journey and make careful decision.”

Meanwhile, in its situation update as at 4pm yesterday, the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) detailed closure, flooding and damage to road infrastructure in some parts of the Central Division. The FRA stated road crews were still assessing priority areas with cleaning crews dispatched for clearing and reinstatement works. It said costs of damage were yet to be known as damage assessments continued.

Man sought by police found in hospital

A

man wanted for questioning by police in connection with the death of a woman at a guest house in Suva last week remains admitted at the Lautoka Hospital. Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said 57-year-old Anil Dutt was yet to be questioned as investigators await clearance from medical authorities. Ms Naisoro said said Dutt was arrested in Lau-

L

toka and was hospitalised after attempting to take his own life.

Meanwhile, a 28-year-old man alleged to have caused the death of a woman who was found on a vacant piece of land in Nadi last week has been charged.

The accused faces one murder charge and he was produced at the Nadi Magistrates Court yesterday.

Torture complaint filed

autoka lawyer Aman Ravindra Singh has lodged a formal complaint with police about the alleged torture of two people closely linked to him by members of the security forces.

Mr Singh revealed at a press conference the complaint was lodged at the Lautoka Police Station yesterday. In response, Criminal Investigations Department director SSP Kishore Kumar confirmed the complaint of alleged torture of Mr Singh’s colleagues.

“This is not only a case of alleged assault, but it’s an allegation of torture,” he said. “One was abducted and the other was allegedly brutally bashed.” According to Mr Singh, on the night of November 21, a staff member of his law firm was allegedly abducted, taken to an undisclosed location and tortured.

On the same night, the second victim, a woman, received serious head injuries when

she was allegedly assaulted by a group of men. Mr Singh said he was called out in the media by the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum for not lodging a police complaint. “It is my prerogative to report the matter to whoever I want to report the matter to,” Mr Singh said. “Secondly, we should have an answer from police as to why similar cases have yet to be addressed.”

He said he had lost confidence in security agencies that were meant to protect civilians. “The reality is there have been many instances of such allegations in Fiji and many of these investigations have not been concluded. “Many of these cases have not seen the light of day. “So how much confidence are we supposed to have in our police force if these sorts of things have been happening?

PAKISTAN

32 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

P

Don’t speak against India, Nawaz Sharif tells ministers

akistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has stopped his ministers from giving anti-India statements so that the peace process is not hit, an official said.. A close aide to Sharif said on Friday that the ministers and senior officials had been asked not to issue any statement that could damage the peace process.. “There will be statements only that encourage the dialogue process rather than digging out the past. The PM has asked the close aides and cabinet members to

P

Military still plays a role in Pakistan politics: Hina Rabbani Khar

promote peace,” The Nation quoted an official as saying.. Climate change?

Modi, Sharif go into brief huddle in Paris. He said Sharif was optimistic about better ties with India, which would benefit the whole region..Sharif was annoyed by statements from India that New Delhi only wanted to discuss Pakistan occupied Kashmir in talks, but understands this is not Inidan government’s policy, the official added.

Police uncover women-led IS fundraising network: Official

olice port city of Karachi said on Monday they were hunting a network of women from well-off families acting as fundraisers for the Islamic State group, highlighting its growing appeal among the country’s middle classes. . Raja Umar Khattab, chief of the Counter Terrorism Department of Sindh province, said the hunt was launched after police arrested the suspected financier of a gun attack on a bus that left 44 people dead in May. . The attack on the bus, which was carrying members of the city’s Shiite Ismaili minority, was the first inside Pakistan officially claimed by Islamic State, which has proclaimed a “caliphate” over territory it has seized in Iraq and Syria and is seeking to expand its global reach. . Khattab said the suspect, whom he named as Adil Masood Butt and who was arrested last week, confessed to police that his wife had established a religious organisation in the city called ‘Al Zikra Academy’. .“The academy has no organisational structure or offices,” Khattab told AFP. . .“A group of 20 women, all from well-off families, distributed USBs (computer memory sticks) containing Islamic State videos,

and also preached in support of terror organisations. They also arranged marriages among the group’s followers,” he added. . He said the group collected funds for terrorists in the name of Islamic charity which were later handed over to the accused.

Former minister for foreign affairs Hina Rabbani Khar (pictured) has said that Pakistan’s military still plays a bloated role in the country’s politics, claiming that the democratically elected prime minister has “much less freedom than he ought to have.” . Khar, Pakistan’s first female FM, made these remarks on Al Jazeera English’s ‘Head to Head’ segment at a time when the military appears to be more powerful and assertive. Her Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which ruled the country from 2008-13 after the assassination of its leader Benazir Bhutto, was generally considered complacent with the powerful military establishment during its rule. Except on few occasions, when the PPP regime differed with the military, otherwise, it was a smooth sailing all along. Khar, herself, was elevated as foreign minister, after resignation of her predecessor Shah Mehmood Qureshi following a row with PPP high command over less

World Bank to give $35mn to Pakistan for Indus River Basin

T

he World Bank has approved an additional financial assistance of $35 million to support improved management, planning and development of water resources in the Indus River Basin in Pakistan. “Water sector issues are enormous and complex and addressing them will require a strategic engagement over the medium and long term,” said Patchamuthu Illangovan, World Bank Country director for Pakistan. $35 million is in addition to the $38 million given earlier towards improvement of water resources management in the Indus River system, the Bank said. “The Bank has a long history of partnership and collaboration with the Government of Pakistan in the water sector and this additional financing will support water management and distribution, benefit sharing mechanisms, and capacity strengthening for improved water resources management across the country,” Illangovan said. The more important question is how the military and political leaders going to divide this unforseen loot? Since it is ... Read Moreandy jorgensen. According to Bank, the project aims to strengthen the Indus system’s institutional and regulatory framework and bolster the technical capacity of the Ministry of Water and Power, the Indus River System Authority, the Water and Power Development

proactive approach in dealing with American violations of Pakistani airspace on its western border. . She also spoke on Kashmir issue, saying that she “would be very happy if the Kashmiri people get the choice to choose between Pakistan, India or even an independent state” — a third option, which is not included in the United Nations Security Council Resolution on the dispute. . Khar further said that Pakistan was ‘guilty of being incompetent’ when it came to the presence of Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad. She denied any role of the previous Zardari-led PPP regime in protecting the slain al Qaeda chief. She also dismissed last year’s claim by former Defence Minister, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar that his government knew about the presence of Bin Laden in Pakistan. She said Mukhtar “doesn’t know the first thing that he’s talking about.”

“He knows nothing about the defence, or the foreign policy of Pakistan,” she remarked.

Mukhtar, a senior PPP member who remained two-time federal minister in past governments, is still considered as close buddy of Mr Zardari.

I

Airline lets mom fly on child’s passport, fined

n another embarrassment to Pakistan’s national carrier, UAE authorities have slapped a fine on Pakistan International Airlines for a major security breach when it allowed a woman passenger to travel to Dubai on her son’s British passport. PIA spokesman Athar Awan said that the immigration and PIA officials at the Lahore airport allowed Afshan Siddiqui to board a flight for Dubai on the passport of her son on December 16. The Dubai immigration authorities sent her back home on on December 17 and slapped a fine of $1,361on the airline.

DUECK’S CONNECT & WIN EVENT!

EVERYONE IS A WINNER! UP TO $10,000 IN CASH CREDITS Minimum of

NEW 2015 CHEVY CRUZE LT

Automatic, A/C, rear vision camera, 10 airbags, XM Radio, remote start, OnStar, XM radio, Tire pressure monitor

COME IN & PLAY

OR

MSRP $23,610 CASH PURCHASE DISC. $3,000 CONNECT & WIN CASH $1,050* #5CR0096

DUECK CASH PRICE:

$19,560

Taxes and $549 Documentation fee excluded. Customer can only play connect to win once. Cadillac Excluded. Offer ends January 4th, 2016

SELECTION

VALUE

CALL AMIN OR KULDIP ON MARINE

DL:8430

TRUST

604.324.7222 400 S.E. MARINE DR.

S H O P 2 4 / 7 O N L I N E @ D U E C KG M . CO M

NRI / USA

A

Indian arrested in Portugal for bomb attack and murder

n appeal court in southern Portugal decided to continue the detention of an Indian national, Paramjeet Singh, wanted by New Delhi for a homicide and bomb attacks. “The judge decided to wait for a formal extradition request from the Indian authorities,” Singh’s Portuguese lawyer Manuel Luis Ferreira told AFP. He was arrested on an international warrant Friday at a hotel in southern Portugal’s Algarve region, where he was staying with his wife and four children

aged between seven and 11. According to Indian media, Singh is a hardline Sikh activist who is wanted for conspiracy in two 2010 bomb attacks in northwest India, and the 2009 killing of Rulda Singh, the head of the Hindu nationalist movement Rashtriya Sikh Sangat. Paramjeet Singh lived in Britain, where he obtained political asylum in 2004, the lawyer said. He will be held in preventative detention in the Beja prison until at least January 4, Ferreira said.

Indian-American named secretary of Texas’s engineering board

A

n Indian-American has been appointed as the Secretary of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers that licenses qualified engineers and regulates the practice of professional engineering in the US state.

Houston-based Kannappan also serves as a board member of the Society of Piping Engineers and Designers and an advisory board member of the Asia Society’s Texas centre.

The Indian-American engineer will be signing all newly-issued licenses, TBPE said in a statement.The board issues, monitors and renews roughly 57,000 licenses for engineers.The board’s role in the protection of the public is to license qualified engineers, enforce the Texas Engineering Practice Act

and to regulate the practice of professional engineering in Texas.

Kannappan is a mechanical engineering graduate of Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu and received his MS in mechanical engineering at the University of Texas in Austin.Previously, Kannappan also served as a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Gas Pipeline Safety Research Committee, which defends Houston against bio-terrorism.Additionally, from 2006 to 2011, he was on the Texas On-Site Wastewater Treatment Research Council. Throughout his career, Kannappan has received a number of honours and awards, including an award from Crystal Dynamics group of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland for improving laser measurement accuracy.

Obama to present US’ highest science award to Indian-American

P

resident Barack Obama will felicitate a 65-year-old Indian-American professor at the Harvard Medical School with the US’ highest honours for achievement and leadership in advancing the fields of science and tech-

nology, the White House has said.

Dr Rakesh K Jain, an IIT-Kanpur alumnus and professor of tumour biology at Massachusetts General Hospital in the Harvard Medical School, will receive the National Medal of Science at a White House ceremony early next year.

Jain is among the nine latest recipients of the National Medal of Science. Eight persons have been chosen for the latest

A

National Medal of Technology and Innovation.The White House yesterday announced the recipients of the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation, America’s highest honors for achievement and leadership in advancing the fields of science and technology. “Science and technology are fundamental to solving some of our Nation’s biggest challenges.

The knowledge produced by these Americans today will carry our country’s legacy of innovation forward and continue to help countless others around the world. Their work is a testament to American ingenuity,” Obama said. Jain has received numerous awards for his work on tumor biology, particularly research on the link between tumor blood vessels and improving the effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Sikh boy jokes about bomb in backpack in US, spends three days in custody

12-year-old Sikh boy was kept behind bars for three days for allegedly joking to a classmate that he has a bomb in his backpack, the boy’s cousin wrote in a Facebook post this week. “A bully in class thought it would be funny to accuse him (Armaan Singh Sarai) of having a bomb, and so the principal, without any questioning, interrogation, or notification to his parents, called the police,” Sarai’s cousin Ginee Haer wrote in her post.

“They kept him behind bars for three consecutive days, before finally releasing him on

Monday, December 15th,” Haer wrote in the Faecbook post that has been shared by thousands of people. “Worried & frightened at home, his family was concerned as to why he had not reached home right after school. They started calling every police department in the area, only to find out he was sent to a Juvenile facility,” she added. According to media reports, police said they indeed went to Nichols Junior High School in Dallas, Texas, after a student told a teacher that Sarai told him he was planning to blow up the school.

A

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i 33

Indian-origin software engineer wins UK award

n Indian-origin software engineer has won a prestigious award in the UK for creating an innovative electronic smart key system which enables the creation and management of keys and locks that cannot be copied or picked.

Nandagopal Lakshminarayanan, who has been working as a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) associate at Lincoln Security Ltd for the past two years, won the Business Leader of the Future award at Innovate UK’s ‘KTP Best of the Best Awards 2015’ at a ceremony in London last month, but the announcement was made public on Monday.

The project was a result of a partnership between the university and the security firm under the UK’s national KTP scheme, set up to help businesses innovate and grow by linking them with academia to work on a specific project. The software for the electronic locking system, called eLOQ, has been created jointly by the University of Lincoln’s School of Computer Science and Lincoln Security under the KTP. “The project has enabled me to get involved in both the academic and business sides. The KTP project has presented a unique challenge because it was not just about innovation and technicality but also about creating awareness of a new product,” said Lakshminarayanan, who studied previously in India and Singapore and hails from

Tamil Nadu. Lincoln Security has now established a separate company, Dynamic Access Solutions in order to take the product to market, the University of Lincoln said in a statement. “The project has been very fortunate to have recruited Nanda. He came with a predominantly embedded hardware background which meant that although he had good programming skills, there was a lot for Nanda to learn,” said John Murray, principal lecturer at the School of Computer Science. “However, very quickly he had taken up the challenge and has been one of the most enthusiastic and diligent people I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” Murray said. He said due to the nature of the KTP there were many changes and developments in the objectives of the project.

“Where other associates might not have been so accommodating, Nanda took this as an opportunity to expand his learning and deliver excellent project outcomes,” Murray said. eLOQ enables the creation and management of electronic keys and locks that cannot be copied or picked. The locks contain no batteries and do not require rewiring as all of the power is taken from the key and allows all areas to be controlled. “The launch of this product comes at a time when only two other similar products are available, our solution offers customers not only cost savings but also greater flexibility,” said Peter Corlett, managing director for Dynamic Access Solutions Ltd.

34 i Saturday, December 26, 2015

A

SOUTH ASIA

Jalalabad c i t y .

At a - u rRahman alias Hanzala and Abdullah alias Qari Ismail were arrested with a 30-KG bomb before reaching to their target, Khaama Press reported, citing a statement released by NDS on December 14. In a footage sent to media together with the statement by NDS, one of the suspects identifying himself as Ata-ur-Rahman says they were told to plant the landmine on the side of the road to target vehicles of the Indian Consulate. Indian Consulate is located close to the area from where the suspects were rounded up. When asked to comment on these arrests, External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup in New Delhi said that it once again shows the security situation in Afghanistan and the need to be ever-vigilant against such attempts. In June this year, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency had arrested a group of Haqqani network militants who plotted terror attack from Pakistan on a popular guest house in Kabul that killed 14 people, including four Indians.

Attack on Indian mission foiled

fghan security forces have arrested a would-be suicide bomber and thwarted his plan to attack the Indian Consulate in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad city, bordering Pakistan, second such incident within a week.

Citing Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS), officials today said the forces yesterday arrested the suicide bomber who was planing to attack the Indian Consulate in Jalalabad, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province. The bomber, identified as Nasir, is a resident of Tagab district of north-eastern Kapisa province, Attaullah Ludin, a spokesman for the provincial governor, was quoted as saying by the Tolonews. He said Nasir had recently joined the Taliban and confessed to his plot during investigations. There was no comment from the Taliban on the incident.

Last week, security personnel arrested two ISIS terrorists who had planned to attack vehicles of the Indian Consulate in

N

Nepal’s Madhesis decide to press on with protests on India border

epalese policemen use tear gas to disperse ethnic Madhesi protesters in Gaur, 160 kilometres south of Kathmandu, on Sunday. (AP photo) Nepalese policemen use tear gas to disperse ethnic Madhesi protesters in Gaur, 160 kilometres south of Kathman... Read More Ethnic Madhesis in Nepal have vowed to continue with protests at border crossings with India after rejecting a government plan which they said did not meet their call for a redrawing of internal boundaries or offer adequate national representation.

The landlocked Himalayan nation, which serves as a natural buffer between China and India, adopted its first post-monarchy constitution in September hoping this would usher in peace and stability after years of conflict.

But some Madhesi groups launched a strike in the southern plains, blockading a key traffic across a border with India. Many Madhesis have close linguistic and cultural bonds with

Indians across the border.

About 50 people have been killed in police shooting and arson attacks by protesters who are demanding that the entire southern plains region, Nepal’s breadbasket and business hub, not be split into more than two provinces as the government plan envisages.

The government said at the weekend it would task a panel to settle internal boundaries of federal provinces on the basis of political consensus within three months.

Court orders arrests over Bangladesh factory disaster

S

enior judicial magistrate Mohammad Al Amin issued the warrants after his court accepted the murder charges against the 24 fugitives for the collapse in April 2013, one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. “The court accepted the charge sheet against 41 people who have been charged with murder over the Rana Plaza disaster. The court issued arrest warrants against 24 of them as they have absconded. It also ordered the seizure of their property,” prosecutor Anwarul Kabir told AFP.

Taliban insurgency intensifies near Bagram

A

suicide attacker rammed an explosives-laden motorcycle into a joint NATO-Afghan patrol Monday, killing six American troops in the deadliest attack on international forces since August. Two US troops and an Afghan were wounded. The attack happened as Taliban fighters overran a strategic district in southern Helmand province, the scene of some of the deadliest fighting between the Taliban and international combat forces prior to the 2014 withdrawal, adding weight to Pentagon predictions that the insurgency is gaining strength. The soldiers were targeted as they moved through a village near Bagram Airfield, the largest US military facility in Afghanistan, NATO and Afghan

80 missing, 3 dead as waves sink boat

R

escuers have pulled out 39 survivors and three dead from a passenger boat that sank in central Indonesia after being buffeted by high waves, and resumed efforts on Monday to reach scores of others still missing. The fibreglass ferry was on its way from Kolaka in Southeast Sulawesi province crossing the Gulf of Bone to Siwa town in South Sulawesi province, when it was overwhelmed by waves more than 3 metres high during stormy weather on Saturday, said Roki Asikin, head of the search and rescue agency in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi. The boat was carrying 110 passengers and 12 crew members, Asikin said. The passengers included 14 children. Operational chief of the local search rescue agency Ivan Ahmad Rizki Titus said the National Search and Rescue Agency was deploying a helicopter and boats, while the navy was sending in warships to join the rescue efforts. He added that a CN-235 aircraft of the air force joined the search on Sunday. Earlier, six rescue boats and ships were dispatched after they received a distress call from the crew.

Saturday, December 26, 2015 i 35

36 i Saturday, December 26, 2015