The Asian Star November 14 2015 by The Asian Star Newspaper

www.theasianstar.com Vol 14

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Issue 42 Saturday, November 14, 2015

My work is more of an ethical responsibility: Tahir Malik

Canadian auto sales up 5.1% in October

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Check Inside for Details

Foreign buyers pushing up luxury housing prices: CMHC says

investment may be more mobile and subject he chief executive officer of the Canato capital flight. This would increase volatilda Mortgage and Housing Corp. says ity in domestic housing markets,” Siddall said. foreign buyers may be playing a role He said CMHC needs a better understandin overvaluation in the Vancouver and Toroning of the extent of foreign ownership in Canada to housing markets and says the federal agency and plans new studies to collect this data. Last is seeking new data on real estate ownership. year, it studied foreign ownership in “In Vancouver and Toronto, it the condo sector and found it was is very possible that foreign buyvery low — just 2.4 per cent. Siddall ers account for a substantial porreferred to a Sotheby’s report that intion of the demand for pricier, ternational buyers accounted for 40 luxury single-family homes,” per cent of total luxury home sales in CMHC CEO Evan Siddall said Vancouver and 25 per cent in Toronin a panel discussion Tuesday. to and to Vancouver urban planner Foreign buyers may be conAndy Yan’s recent account of foreign tributing to an overvaluation of activity in the Vancouver market, residential real estate, especially in Evan Siddall which some have criticized as racist. the luxury segment, Siddall said. He said much of the evidence is anecdotal or has CMHC has said 11 of Canada’s cities are seequestionable methodology, and says better data ing some level of real estate overvaluation. is needed. CMHC has begun asking property Foreign owners also present a risk for managers to provide information on the numthe CMHC, which is responsible for keepber of condominium apartment units owned ing Canada’s housing markets stable. by people whose primary residence is outside of “While both domestic and foreign investCanada. It also is looking for broader-based data ment activity can be speculative, foreign

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Fruiticana Diwali Shopping Festival 2015

s Fruiticana celebrates all the community events in a bigger way. This year’s second Fruiticana Diwali Shopping Festival 2015 was very popular. The prizes that were given away this year were small home appliances, Blue Topaz diamond ring, iPhone 6, other cell phones and a grand prize which was 2015 Honda CR-V. During the Tony Singh of Fruiticana (right) giving the key of event there was a storewide sale on Diwali 2015 Honda CRV to the grand prize winner, Junaid and other items. The event began on Sep Saini. More pics are on page 10. Photo: Chandra Bodalia 25th and continued till 11th Nov. During the took place on the 11th Nov at Surrey Honda event everyday there was a winner of a small who sponsored the 2015 Honda CR-V. home appliance. Fruiticana Diwali ShopContinued on page 10 ping Festival 2015 prize distribution event

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“Inappropriate comments” posted on Facebook about Minister Harjit Sajjan

he Canadian military is investigating one of its members from Quebec after “inappropriate comments” were posted on Facebook about Harjit Sajjan, the new minister of national defence. A spokesperson for the Canadian Armed Forces would not reveal the content of the message, which was reportedly quickly removed from the social media site. But in a statement, Daniel Le Bouthillier wrote that “racist attitudes are not compatible with military ethos and with effective military service.” The offensive comments appeared less than 24 hours after Sajjan — an observant Sikh who is a former Vancouver Police officer and a decorated soldier who served three tours in Afghanistan and another in Bosnia — was sworn in as defence minister in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government on Nov. 4. A source in the department of national defence said the member of the

Minister Sajjan meeting soldiers. military who allegedly wrote the Facebook post is a non-commissioned officer from CFB Valcartier, near Quebec City. “We have had an incident in which a highranking member of military posted negative comments on a Facebook page about our minister,” wrote Chief Warrant Officer Kevin West, the military’s top-ranking noncommissioned officer in an email to troops on Nov. 5 that was obtained by Le Droit. “It’s totally unacceptable. We already deal Continued on page 6

Thousands without power after storm hits Metro Vancouver

eavy rains wreaked havoc on city streets such as the corner of 45th Avenue and Ross Street in South Vancouver. Thousands of residents were still without power on Friday morning, after a nasty rain storm swept through the southern coast of B.C. late Thursday. In the early hours, there were than 4,500 BC Hydro customers with outages in Metro Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast, but by mid-morning that number was down to just

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Local

2 i Saturday, November 14, 2015

Surrey schools brace for rush of refugees

Surrey man wanted for kidnapping woman in Chilliwack

he Surrey School District is anticipat- ists will be necessary. As well, transportation ing 500 or more new students will en- costs could also be an issue as families may not ter local classrooms as an influx of Syr- find homes near schools that have space for new students. “We’re a pretty full school district, but ian refugees come to B.C. in the coming weeks. Surrey is expected to be the number-one desti- we do have schools that can accommodate more nation for refugees coming to the Metro Vancou- students, so it’s a matter of where the families are ver area. About 3,000 are expected by the end of located and settled,” Strachan said. “We will enthe year, with approximately one-third predicted sure that the students can get an education.” As to reside in Surrey. A large percentage of those reported in The Leader last week, there are major school space constraints in three areas of Surrey are expected to be school-aged children. School district communications manager – Clayton, South Newton and Grandview. OutDoug Strachan said staff at the district’s Welcome side those neighbourhoods, there are available Centre have been examining the logistics of tak- classroom spots. With an overall enrolment of ing in so many new students since shortly after 70,000, bringing in 500 more teens and kids is the federal election. “We’ve been doing the best “something we can manage,” assured Strachan. we can, but it has been difficult without having Still, it’s by far the largest influx of refusolid details,” said Strachan. gees the Surrey School District has had to The Welcome Centre has been around for the manage. In the past – such as when refugees past six years and has settlement and multicul- were fleeing Burma’s civil war about seven tural workers who help immigrant and refugee years ago – the district welcomed maybe 60 families new to the community and local schools. to 80 at one time. “Some of this will have to Staff there assess student needs and assist in setting them up in classrooms with appropriate sup- play out,” said Strachan when asked if more ports. “We’re prepared,” said Strachan, “however, teachers would be required. “Our main focus we need resources given the volume we expect.” right now is getting them settled and into the schools.4:23 ” PM Page 1 1 15-11-02 HeTEL20150805_Q3_Asian said more language andStar_JrPg:Layout assessment special-

Surrey man is wantmale who told police he had been ed for the alleged assaulted by the suspect who had abduction of a Chilforced his way into the home and liwack woman at a residence in abducted a female from the house. Yarrow on Thursday. Supported by RCMP investigaMontgomery James Ash, 21, tors of the General Investigation is wanted for break and enter Support Team, and the UFVRD with intent to commit offence, Serious Crime Unit police initiassault with a weapon, atated a multi-jurisdictional search Montgomery tempting to choke to overcome for the missing woman. She was James Ash, 21 resistance, kidnapping, assault found approximately one hour causing bodily harm, and uttering threats to later in Surrey. Both victims were examined cause death or bodily harm. Ash is described for non-life threatening injuries and released as a caucasian male, 175 centimetres (5’9”) from hospital. Chilliwack Victim Services is tall, 77 kilograms (170 lbs), blue eyes, brown engaged with the victims. “The suspect is hair with short shaved hair and an athletic known to the victims and the incident was build. He also has a lot of tattoos including targeted,” Chilliwack RCMP spokesperson one of a stylized crown on the right side of Cpl. Mike Rail said. “Police caution anyone his neck. The warrant of arrest stems from who thinks they have seen Ash not to apthe investigation of a report made to police proach him and urge you call police or 911.” on Nov. 5 at approximately 4:15 a.m. of a Anyone with any information as to the break and enter and abduction at a residence whereabouts of Montgomery James Ash is in Yarrow. General Duty officers imme- asked to contact their local police or, to rediately arrived at the address and located a main anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at

1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

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Police release sketch of South Asian home invader

olice are hunting for a man

who tried to break into the North Surrey home of 15-yearold girl last week. Surrey RCMP are asking for public assistance in identifying a man who tried to push his way into the girl’s home in the 13300-block of Sutton Place on Friday. At about 2:15 p.m., Surrey Mounties responded to a report of a home invasion. A man apArtist’s rendering p r o a c h e d of a man suspected the teen of trying to break into a North Surrey outside her home. home, spoke with her and attempted to force his way into her home.A minor struggle ensued, and she called out for help. The man then fled in his vehicle. The teen is uninjured, but distraught. “We do not believe this to be a random act and as a result have taken steps to ensure the victim’s safety out of an abundance of caution,” said Cpl. Scotty Schumann. “Anyone with further information about this individual or incident is asked to contact our investigators.” The suspect is described as South Asian male, 25-30 years old, approximately 5’8” tall, with a medium build and unkempt black hair. He was wearing a long sleeved black jacket with blue jeans and sandals. His vehicle is described as an older model compact black car, possibly a Honda Civic. Anyone with further information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca quoting file # 2015-159742.

LOCAL

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Two separate trials for trio accused in Surrey mom’s 2007 murder

hree people accused of murdering a Surrey mother of three in 2007 are scheduled to be tried separately next year – nine years after the killing. Amanpreet Kaur Ba- Amanpreet Bahia . hia’s husband, Baljinder Singh Bahia, as well a Surrey woman named Tanpreet Kaur Athwal and Burnaby’s Eduard Viktorovitch Baranec, are charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death. Amanpreet was 33 when she was found dead in a pool of blood in her Newton home. Police called the fatal attack “brutal” and “violent.” It was late morning Feb. 7, 2007 when some family members returned from an outing to find Amanpreet in the downstairs suite of the two-storey green house near 125 Street and 58 Avenue. The youngest two of her three young daughters were home at the time, left

Charged are Amanpreet Bahia’s husband Baljinder Bahia, Eduard Baranec and Tanpreet Athwal (From left to right)

alone for three hours with their mother’s lifeless body. Police said Amanpreet’s husband and other family members were interviewed by investigators at the time and were “fully cooperative.” Arrests did not come quickly. It wasn’t until four years later – in February 2011 – that police announced Bahia, Baranec and Athwal had been charged in the murder. Police revealed the husband had been a “person of interest” early on and that the investigation had been advanced in late 2010 by information provided by the Saskatche-

Thousands without power after storm From page 1 over 1,100. Environment Canada’s heavy rainfall warning continued Friday morning, though the wind warning had been lifted. Some areas of the region, including Howe Sound and the Gulf Island, saw wind gusts of up to 70 km/h overnight. The agency says a moist Pacific frontal system will move southward across the south coast Friday morning, bringing further rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 millimetres for Metro Vancouver and Howe Sound. The heavy rain also continues in the Fraser Valley where an additional 30 to 50 millimetres are forecast by the afternoon. Vancouver’s park board members tweeted early Friday that they are expecting heavy rain with strong winds until Sunday, and asked people to avoid parks and stay inside. Flooding also forced the Vancouver Aquatic Centre to close Friday.

wan RCMP. The trio was ordered to stand trial after a preliminary hearing of the evidence in Surrey Provincial Court in May 2012. The trial was then scheduled to begin in

January 2014, but was delayed. Now, court records indicate there will be two separate juried trials for the accused murderers. While Bahia and Baranec are scheduled to

go to trial beginning Feb. 1, Athwal’s trial is slated to start May 2. It’s believed both will trials will take place in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster.

4 i Saturday, November 14, 2015

EDITORIAL

Trudeau gov’t should come up with the money to fund school spaces and housing for Syrian refugees

he Surrey School district is concerned where to put at least 500 students who will arrive as part of 25,000 refugees that Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to bring into Canada by year end. About 3,000 to 5,000 of the refugees being brought in by Trudeau are expected to settle in BC, most of them in Surrey and Metro Vancouver, putting more strain on housing and class room spaces. The Surrey School system is already tight for space with a higher than expected enrollment this year. How will Surrey and other school districts find resources to accommodate more students in the middle of the school year? There is a similar situation for housing as settlement agencies are looking for housing for the expected refugees in a real estate market that has seen locals being driven out of the housing market – due to high prices. “We’re prepared,” said Strachan, “however, we need resources given the volume we expect,” says Surrey School district communications manager Doug Strachan

He said more language and assessment specialists will be necessary. As well, transportation costs could also be an issue as families may not find homes near schools that have space for new students. “We’re a pretty full school district, but we do have schools that can accommodate more students, so it’s a matter of where the families are located and settled,” Strachan said. “We will ensure that the students can get an education.” Apart from the influx of refugees, nearly four times the number of expected new students flowed into Surrey schools this fall. While the district predicted overall enrolment to rise by about 250 students this year over last, 950 new children and teens showed up. The Trudeau government should provide funds and other resources to Surrey and other school districts, as well as to low cost housing agencies, to accommodate the arrival of new refugees. After all, this is a Trudeau initiative and his government should not expect local agencies to foot the

OPINION

Western Canada wants out - into the world’s markets By Trevor McLeod Director of the Centre for Natural Resources Policy Canada West Foundation The election is over and we’ve got a Trudeau in Ottawa. Western Canadian issues haven’t changed much, however, since the last Trudeau. The West still needs to get our food, energy and materials to the world market and we are afraid that Trudeau will get in the way. The energy sector is most concerned - there is a reason that the dark blue on the electoral map almost perfectly traces western oil and gas deposits (with some exceptions in our cities). If you listen carefully, you can hear the echo of the old western alienation rallying cry: “The West wants in!”

Yet, this is not 1980. The new West is stronger and more confident. The rallying cry of the new West sounds more like: “The West wants out!” To be clear, we don’t want out of Canada. Rather, western Canada wants to compete in the world for market share. Canada has had it pretty good over the years. Democracy and the rule of law are non-negotiable. Our natural resources endowment is unsurpassed. And, we won the location lottery - we have had preferential access to the world’s most voracious consumer, the United States, for decades. For years, this was enough to ensure economic success. But the world is changing and Canada is going to have to learn to compete if our children are to enjoy the quality of life

Continued on page 6

bill (and take the stress) for grand Liberal ideas. If the Trudeau government wants to make good on its election promises, it should be ready to pay for it. After all, Trudeau did promise to run up to a $10 billion deficit so there should not e a problem in coming up with the money and –adding on the debt for future generations to pay.

Letter to the Editor November 13, 2015 Dear Editor,

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Canadian government must be commended for opening Canada’s doors to 25,000 Syrian refugees. This is a very desirable, noble and compassionate gesture to help those in need. Though the time line is bit tight yet, with all of the resources at the disposal of the government, it shouldn’t be that much of a problem. Richmond is a very caring, inclusive and compassionate community. It is likely that we will be getting quite a few of the Syrian refugees. In this context, it may be appropriate to mention that Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS) has been serving this community in the area of settlement and integration of newcomers and refugees for over thirty years. As a matter of fact, RMCS celebrated its 30 th anniversary last week. This non-profit community based organization is well experienced and equipped to help new comers and refugees settle in this community. Hopefully, RMCS will get an opportunity to be an active participant in this process. Sincerely, Balwant Sanghera Richmond Multicultural Community Services

Saturday, November 14, 2015 i 5

Local

6 i Saturday, November 14, 2015

“Inappropriate comments” posted on Facebook

Chinese student found guilty of killing mother, stuffing body in suitcase

From page 1 with conduct problems on a daily bases in our ranks and it’s our duty, and that of our leaders, to put an end to it immediately. I was made aware of this incident and to say that I am mad is not the word.” West’s email to the troops was written in English and translated into French by the newspaper. In the message, West apologized for sending an English-only email but explained that he wanted to get his message out urgently. But Le Droit reported that the unilingual warning apparently displeased some francophone troops and a complaint has been filed with the Official Languages Commissioner’s office, which enforces breaches of the Official

Languages Act. Nelson Kalil, a spokesperson for commissioner Graham Fraser could not comment on the report or confirm whether a complaint had been filed because the office was closed for Remembrance Day. The military statement explained that the individual’s commanding officer who must decide what further action, if any, is required. Other disciplinary measures can include ordering the individual into counseling, a probationary period, suspension from duty or even a recommendation of release if the incident is deemed sufficiently serious.

he son of a Chinese woman whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase in 2012 on an island northwest of Vancouver has been found guilty of second-degree murder. Yuan Xi Tang was charged following the discovery of Lianjie Guo, 47, in a suitcase on Harwood Island, north of Powell River, B.C. Guo was declared missing on June 7, 2012, the day she was scheduled to fly back to China after she and her husband visited their son in Vancouver. Tang was charged with her first-degree murder and counselling to commit an indictable offence. The investigation included the RCMP’s liaison officer in Beijing, and police were in continuous contact with the Chinese consulate. Police said Yuan Xi Tang came to Canada on a student visa in 2006.

Western Canada wants out - into the world’s markets From page 4 are accustomed to. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will give nine other countries preferential access to the U.S. market. It will also open other Pacific markets for Canadian goods and services. Put simply, Canada has the food, energy and materials that the world needs and we have ready access to these markets but we have to be willing to compete. Despite our distinct advantages (or, perhaps, because of them) we struggle to compete. Our production and transportation costs are too high. We need better rail crossings, border crossings, highway corridors, ports and intermodal hubs. Our essential skills (literacy, math and communication skills) need to improve. We need better performance on global innovation indices. We can’t compete if we don’t fix these things. It isn’t enough to bring costs down. We also need to rebuild public support for our natural resources economy. Sometimes this means reminding central Canada that western dollars flow east to subsidize their social programs. It also means taking a good look in the mirror. The Canada West Foundation’s research shows that Canadians understand the economic argument; they get that the natural resources sector provides good jobs and economic benefits to the country. Many Cana-

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dians, however, do not believe that we have struck the right balance on greenhouse gas emissions. Many also believe we have not done enough to align Canadian economic interests with the ambitions of Aboriginal, rural and northern communities. All of this means that we have trouble building new power lines and pipelines. Western Canada is at the epicentre of these debates and a strong and confident western Canada should lead the way. This means developing smart climate policy that shows Canadians (and the world) we are addressing the issue while ensuring our economic competitiveness. Perhaps we should implement aggressive climate policy and offset it with equally aggressive cuts to corporate tax or royalties. After all, no one at Paris will care about our corporate income tax rate - they will, however, care deeply about how we price carbon. We also need to find new ways to align Canadian economic interests with the ambitions of Aboriginal, rural and northern communities - communities that want to share in the benefits derived from selling our food, energy and materials to the world. None of this will be easy, but it is possible. 2015 is not 1980. The West has grown up. The new West is stronger, more confident and ready to lead, regardless of who lives at 24 Sussex Drive.

LOCAL

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Prime Minister Trudeau orders Minister Sajjan to withdraw Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s combat mission from Iraq, Syria Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given new defence minister his marching orders â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and Harjitt Sajjanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top priority is to end Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s combat mission in Iraq and Syria. The Nov. 6 letter, released Friday in a package of so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;mandate lettersâ&#x20AC;? from the prime minister to his cabinet members, was also notable for what it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say in terms of the other thorny defence issues facing the new Liberal government. While it makes reference to â&#x20AC;&#x153;refocusing Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts in the region on training local forces and humanitarian support,â&#x20AC;? it does not spell out what that will look like. The Conservative opposition was quick Friday to challenge Trudeau to hold a debate and a vote in Parliament on his plans to change the military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIL or ISIS. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We heard from the prime minister almost immediately following the election that he told President Obama that Canada would be pulling out of the allied air strike mission against ISIS,â&#x20AC;? said Opposition Leader Rona Ambrose. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m asking the prime minister to follow the leadership of Conservatives on this issue, and commit to a debate and vote on any changes to the mission against ISIS.â&#x20AC;? Sajjan was told to work with Public Services and Procurement Minister

Judy Foote on an â&#x20AC;&#x153;open and transparentâ&#x20AC;? competition to replace Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CF-18 fighter jets, but the letter makes no reference to excluding the F-35 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; something Trudeau promised during the election. The letter to Sajjan also makes no reference to overhauling National Defence along the lines of retired lieutenant-general â&#x20AC;&#x201D; now Liberal MP â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Andrew Leslieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transformation report. Implementing everything in that report, which aimed to give defence less administrative tail and more operational teeth, was also a Liberal promise. Re-engage in United Nations peacekeeping The letter does flesh out what the Liberals have in mind when it comes to re-engaging in United Nations peacekeeping. The Trudeau government is prepared to make available â&#x20AC;&#x153;Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specialized capabilities â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from mobile medical teams, to engineering support, to aircraft that can carry supplies and personnel â&#x20AC;&#x201D; on a case-by-case basis.â&#x20AC;? Sajjan will also be expected to co-ordinate with Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion to help the UN â&#x20AC;&#x153;respond more quickly to emerging and escalating conflicts and providing well-trained personnel to international initiatives that can be quickly deployed, such as mission commanders, staff officers and headquarters units.â&#x20AC;?

Foreign buyers pushing up luxury housing prices: CMHC says From page 1 Siddall referred to a Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report that international buyers accounted for 40 per cent of total luxury home sales in Vancouver and 25 per cent in Toronto and to Vancouver urban planner Andy Yanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent account of foreign activity in the Vancouver market, which some have criticized as racist. He said much of the evidence is anecdotal or has questionable methodology, and says better data is needed. CMHC has begun asking property managers to provide information on the number of condominium apartment units owned

by people whose primary residence is outside of Canada. It also is looking for broader-based data from realtors and land registry offices. Siddall also addressed concerns raised about the exposure of the federal government to mortgage risk if there is a major correction in the housing market. He said CMHC has â&#x20AC;&#x153;stress-testedâ&#x20AC;? its own financial health in a scenario like the 2008 U.S. housing market crash, when there was a 30 per cent decline in house prices and a five percentage point increase in unemployment.

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8 i Saturday, November 14, 2015

LOCAL

Hindu Temple Burnaby Diwali Cultural Evening

The Hindu Temple Burnaby celebrated Diwali with a cultural evening at Michael J. Fox theatre in Buranby on November 7th with performances by several groups pictured here. Photos: Chandra Bodalia

Trudeau orders reopening of Vancouver’s Kitsilano Coast Guard station

rime Minister Justin Trudeau has directed the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to reopen the Kitsilano Coast Guard station. The Conservative government closed down the station amid much controversy and criticism that doing so would cost lives. In a mandate letter made public by Trudeau to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Hunter Tootoo, Trudeau states that the station is to be reopened. The prime minister had promised to reopen the station during the election campaign. Mayor of Vancouver Gregor Robertson called it “great news for our city.” In a statement Friday, Robertson said he spoke to Trudeau two weeks ago about how the decision was one of Vancouver’s top priorities for the federal government. He said that it is “very encouraging to see this commitment being enacted” and that this direction by the prime minister shows that the new federal government takes Vancouver’s voices very seriously and is committed to enhancing safety in our local waters.” New Democrat MP Fin Donnelly, an outspoken critic of the Conservatives’ decision to close the station, also welcomed the news, but questioned how long it would take the Liberals to make it happen.

“Every day the station remains closed, response times are delayed. We can’t delay any further, the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station needs to be reopened as soon as possible,” he said, in an emailed statement. The Conservative government shuttered the station in 2013 to save cash. The party said at the time that it would move its coast guard auxiliary station in Indian Arm to a new location under the Second Narrows Bridge to assist in boating emergency calls in that area. It also said it would fund a new inshore rescue boat off Stanley Park, operated by part time staff. At the time of the abrupt closure, critics, such as B.C. Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair, warned that people would die if the station remained closed. It was also decision that some experts say left the coast guard slow to respond to — and unequipped to contain — a toxic fuel spill in English Bay earlier this year. The Kitsilano station typically responds to the majority of marine distress calls to the region — about 300 calls per year, compared with 250 received by the larger coast guard base on Sea Island in Richmond, according to a city of Vancouver report. One-third of the calls relate to a life-anddeath situation, with most emergencies in the winter months.

Crude oil tanker traffic moratorium for B.C. North Coast: Justin Trudeau

n his mandate letter to Canada’s transport minister, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling for a moratorium on crude oil tanker traffic for B.C.’s North Coast.

The letter states that Transport Minister Marc Garneau formalize the agreement with three other ministries: fisheries, natural resources and environment.

PERSON OF THE WEEK

Saturday, November 14, 2015 i 9

My work is more of an ethical responsibility: Tahir Malik

Chhavi Disawar wise quotation goes,” Never spend your money before you actually have it”, however in today’s era this line hardly provides meaning to our lives. In the late 20th century, with the evolution in standard of living and increase in people’s greed, an advancement happened. This advancement was mobile and alluring. People started using it for fulfilling their desire for luxuries. I am sure you would have got to know that here we are talking about our best friend credit card. They say excess of everything is bad but I am sure that the ones who say this are no virgin to the fever of this little magical rectangle.

Particularly talking about Canada, people are so addicted to credit that they don’t realize the fact that for transient joy they not only get themselves in trouble but also their family members as the debt never ends. Credit card is just one form of debt but there are many others that people face in Canada. The reason I chose to elaborate on credit cards was my enlightening meetup with Tahir Malik, a certified BIA counselor. Born in Pakistan and raised in Canada, Tahir initially never thought he would be working as a BIA Counselor. Like other South Asian youngsters Ta-

hir dreamt of becoming a cricketer. As they say, ’Man proposes and God disposes’, had Tahir been into the cricket team, we would not have gotten a professional and genuine guide like him. Tahir owns his debt solutions company named as New Life that gives a new hope to people who have been working hard to get themselves out of debt. New Life Debt Solutions was started in 2004 by Tahir’s elder brother Ahmed Malik with a vision to help people give their lives a fresh start. Tahir was highly inspired by his brother’s idea and joined him in 2007. “Money is one thing and you can earn it through different platforms or professions but positive of my profession is the contentment you get after helping someone at the time when all near and dear ones back out. My work is more of an ethical responsibility”, smiled Tahir. “As a professional I always follow my ethics and help these people in a legal way and help them with starting their life again. I not only suggest them the way outs but also provide them with the counseling sessions in order to make them understand the situation in a better way.” As per Tahir, his client becomes similar to his family member rather than an investment. “I expect my clients to be crystal clear with me”, told Tahir to The Asian Star. In some of the debt cases, people do not open up with their counselors and tell the important details at 11th hour. “Honesty is the best policy, if you are not hiding anything

from the system and creditors, there won’t be issues upfront. Hiding your details can actually make the case worse”, added Tahir. Tahir is his clients’ favorite. We can pick that from the fact that 70%-80% of his new clientele comes through the references of his existing clients. “It’s a matter of

Tahir Malik

proud when someone gives you the reference of your existing client. It fills you up with confidence”, quoted Tahir. “We don’t look at people thinking about dollars at the back of our minds instead we heartily help them”, said Tahir. There has been cases when Tahir just guided new people without any monetary conditions. Talking about the kinds of bad debts Tahir pointed,” We don’t realize but Credit card debt is the worst debt. People get out of debt from line of credit but they hardly get out from visa card”. “Sometimes people start diagnosing things by themselves, but that can be hazardous many times. Leave these diagnoses into the hands of professionals like us because once the problem evolves in the case, the creditors do not accept it”, said Tahir. Tahir highly emphasizes on budgeting. “If you are making budgets according to your pocket, that’s just a favor to yourself ”, said Tahir. Budgeting allows a person to make decision wisely on their income and reduce their chances of being in debt. Tahir’s counselling session are free of cost. Apart from dealing with credit/visa debts, Tahir specializes in ICBC, student loan, GST accounts, money mart debts etc. Tahir is a welcoming young professional who is very open and happy to help people. With his knowledge and attitude, he is already giving back to the society. For any query or setting up an appointment Tahir Malik E-mail: tahir@tahirmalik.ca Ph: (604) 909-2277

Los Angeles to Host Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention

os Angeles, a famed global hubfor entertainment and films, is set to host the latest edition of the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas this weekend which will be attended by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swarajand hundreds of Indian-Americans from across the US. “There is great deal of excitement related to the holding of Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Los Angeles on the 14thand 15th. There has been a great response not only at thelocal level, but also

from all over the US. “We are expecting a participation of almost a 1000 people there,” Indian Ambassador to the US Arun K Singh said. To be inaugurated by Swaraj today (Saturday, November 14), the theme of thetwo-day event is ‘The Indian Diaspora: Defining a New Paradigmin India-US Relationship,’ which aims to capture the ethos ofthe India-US relationship. Los Angeles is only the second US city to host theRegional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (RPBD), after New York.

Previous venues for RPBD events were London, Sydney, Toronto,Singapore, Durban, Mauritius and The Hague. “There would be very focused discussions related to thepolicies in India, economic opportunities in India, the plansof the government, measures taken on ease of doing business,make in India, digital India, startup India and various otherinitiatives – Swachh Bharat Mission... and to see how we canalso involve the Indian diaspora in these schemes,” he said. “The

External Affairs Minister will also be there at theevent. We hope, based on the discussions, we will also workout various follow-up measures,” he said. An eminent Indian-American community leader from LosAngeles and key member associated with the planning of theevent, said the objective of the convention is to connect theIndian diaspora with India, to provide a platform to theIndian community and to contribute to the Indo-US ties.

10 i Saturday, November 14, 2015

Fruiticana Diwali Shopping Festival 2015

Tony Singh of Fruiticana (second from left) with the winners of Fruiticana Diwali Shopping Festival 2015. Photo: Chandra Bodalia

Happy winners with their prizes at the Fruiticana Diwali Shopping Festival 2015. Photo: Chandra Bodalia Happy winners with their prizes at the Fruiticana Diwali Shopping Festival 2015. Photo: Chandra Bodalia

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All the winners of the home appliance and for other items were invited to the event. There were refreshments for everybody and everyone extremely enjoyed the nice weather and the prize distribution event. All the winners were really happy and everyone present there went home with a prize and some other gift hampers.

BC man convicted of promoting hatred against Jews on website

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BC man Arthur Topham has been convicted of promoting hatred against Jews through his website, RadicalPress. com, which the Crown said demonized Jews and forwarded anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. On Thursday, a jury in Quesnel, B.C. agreed, convicting Topham of one count of communicating statements that wilfully promote hatred against Jews. “It’s a very important decision,” said Harry Abrams of Victoria, who alerted B.C.’s Hate Crime Unit to the website. “It’s important to have a distinction beArthur Topham tween what’s fair and reasonable and what is simply abuse and should not be tolerated in Canada by anybody,” Abrams added. During the 10-day trial Topham’s lawyer defended the website as free speech, arguing that an article calling for the sterilization of all Jews was satire. Support from white supremacists Topham, 68, is a grandfather who has lived and worked in Quesnel, Cottonwood, and Bella Coola. Over the years, he’s worked as a teacher, carpenter, placer miner, newspaper columnist — and as the publisher of RadicalPress.com. His case attracted support from several Canadian white supremacists, including Paul Fromm, who attended the trial and helped fund the defence. “We’ve supported Arthur Topham since the first time he got in trouble,” Fromm said. “He got a complaint from a Jewish leader in Victoria for postings he had on Zionism (in 2007).” Topham was charged with two counts of communicating statements that promote hatred. The jury convicted him on one count, which dealt with material from 2011 and 2012. He was found not guilty with regard to material from 2013. Tophamwillbesentencedin2016.Thisisthefirst internet hate crime conviction in B.C. since 2006.

LOCAL

Saturday, November 14, 2015 i 11

Thousands of Syrian refugees expected in BC by end of the year

ewly-appointed Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship John McCallum said on Saturday his department is working “around the clock” to get the refugees to Canada by the end of the year. It’s expected that British Columbia is going to be welcoming about 10 per cent of them and some of them will start arriving in B.C. as early as the next few weeks, according to Chris Friesen, settlement services director with the Immigrant Services Society of B.C. “We’re busy looking for hotels, motels throughout Vancouver area that could accommodate refugees in the short haul,” said Friesen. During the initial stages he expects it to look a lot like the images coming out of Germany, with temporary housing set up at military basis and school gymnasiums. “This is by far the largest movement to British Columbia of refuges since the South East Asian crisis in 1980,” he said. Friesen says once the refugees arrive, one of the biggest challenges will be finding affordable long-term housing. “Finding accommodation on shelter allowance is next to impossible for B.C. residents. Let alone an influx of up to 3,000 Syrian refugees,” he said, referring to the federal income support monies that Syrian refugees are supposed to get. The society is asking the public

to help them with housing leads — whether it’s rooms in homes or space in churches. Another issue will be finding accommoda-

Surrey’s best businesses, according to SBOT

ictured (right) are representatives of the six of Surrey’s best businesses recognized by the Surrey Board of Trade at its 17th annual Surrey Business Excellence Awards with 400 people in attendance last week at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel. The recipients of this year’s honours, include: 1-10 Employees Winner South Point Pet Hospital 11 - 40 Employees Winner: Viva Care Inc. 41+ Employees Winner: Canuel Caterers New Business of the Year Winner: Crown Building Supplies .”Not-for-profit Winner: John Volken Academy Society Business

bility Recognition Award Mansonville Plastics (B.C.) Ltd. & Group of Companies.

Person of the Year Winner: Andrew Westlund Corporate Social Responsi-

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Liberals create cabinet committee to help bring 25,000 Syrian refugees

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he Liberal government has created a cabinet committee to figure out how it can quickly get 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship John McCallum announced the group Monday. They are: Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, Chair; Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Vice-Chair; Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs; McCallum himself; Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board; Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie ; Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence; Maryam Monsef, Minister of Democratic Institutions. The committee will hold its first meeting Thursday. The announcement came as Air Canada told the Liberal government it can help airlift Syrian refugees. The airline contacted the government immediately after the election, saying it has a window of opportunity before the Christmas rush to assist. The company is now working with government officials to see what can be arranged.

will mean school boards also have work to accommodate the children who will be entering in the middle of the school year.

tion that is close to health care and schools. As Friesen estimates 40 per cent of the refugees will be under the age of 19, which

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12 i Saturday, November 14, 2015

LOCAL

‘Abusive’ B.C. pimp handed 23-year sentence for luring vulnerable teens into prostitution

pimp and human trafficker whose what shorter total sentence, I find the reducconduct was described by a judge tion of the total sentence to 23 years properly as bordering on “psychopathic” to- reflects Mr. Moazami’s overall blameworwards one of his vulnerable female victims thiness for his egregious misconduct and was sentenced Tuesday to 23 years in jail. the serious harm caused to the complainFollowing a lengthy and difficult trial, Reza ants,” said the judge in a 47-page ruling. Moazami, 30, was convicted of 29 prosti- “In addition to Mr. Moazami’s miscontution-related offences involving 11 girls duct during the periods of the offencbetween the ages of 14 and 19 years old. es charged ... he subjected these young, Court heard that he lured his vicmarginalized women to the tims into prostitution with promisfear, stress and aggravation es of life in high-end condos, spendof a long trial; he re-victiming money and unlimited drugs. ized the complainants and he Once the girls were working for lied to the court under oath.” him, he used a variety of strateMoazami, whose “miscongies, ranging from coercion and duct” included firing his lawintimidation to humiliation and yers and thus delaying the trial outright violence to ensure they process, had little reaction to continued to make money for him. the sentence as he sat in court. He even violently assaulted a Outside court, Crown coundog he purchased for the vicsel Kristin Bryson agreed A sketch of tims and threatened to kill the with a comment by the Reza Moazami animal when two of the girls did judge that it was a unique not return to his employ as prostitutes. and extraordinary case in Canada. One of the girls, identified only as H.W. “This was a monumental undertaking by a due to a publication ban, he tried to sell lot of people. The police did a fantastic job. to another pimp over the Internet, not- “For all of those young womed B.C. Supreme Court Justice Catherine en who came forward and spoke Bruce as she imposed sentence Tuesday. the truth, incredibly difficult.” “Mr. Moazami’s treatment of H.W. was Bryson said it’s often difficult for victims abusive, callous and borders on psy- of such crimes to come forward because chopathic,” said the jduge. “She was they’re indoctrinated by pimps such as Moahis property to sell and to misuse.” zami to believe police are the enemy and The judge imposed a total sentence of that prosecutors won’t believe their stories. 48 years in prison, but applying what Bryson’s co-counsel Damienne Darby said is known as the “totality principle,” she hopes the sentence provides a deterrent cut the overall sentence to 23 years. and a message not just to pimps but also to That 23-year sentence, which was reduced the johns buying the sexual services of teens. further to just under 18 years following “When those ads are posted saying they are credit for pre-sentence custody, is believed 19, as Mr. Moazami did with these victims, to be the longest ever for a prostitution case. one of them was 19. All of the others were unBruce’s sentence even exceeded derage. And when the ads say they’re indethe jail term sought by the Crown. pendent, they’re not. There’s a pimp behind “Although the Crown has proposed a some- that, keeping some if not all of the money.”

Canada’s climate change agenda can be pushed forward by premiers, says lawyer

anada has won the Fossil Award year after year for its inaction on climate change, but an environmental lawyer in B.C. believes provinces and cities can help Canada redeem itself as an environmental leader again. Especially since Canada’s premiers have taken up Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s invitation to December’s climate change summit in Paris. “This is going to be a major chat feast,” said lawyer David Richard Boyd, also author of The Optimistic Environmentalist. “The real work will happen not in Par-

is, but in Ottawa when delegation returns.” Boyd says environmental policies from provinces and cities need to be a lesson in national change. “Lots of positive things are happening locally,” said Boyd, pointing to the end of coal-burning power plants in Ontario and British Columbia’s carbon tax. “We need to put prices on carbon, like B.C., but we need a national price,” he said. “B.C.’s carbon tax was really innovative, but more than 40 countries have carbon tax and many have set it at a higher level.”

Another Canadian couple found dead in Mexican hotel

he bodies of a Canadian couple have been found at a hotel in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera, a spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Department said. “Canadian consular officials in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information and are providing consular assistance to the family and friends,” he said. The couple have been identified as Charles MacKenzie and his wife, Dorothy, of Baddeck, N.S. They were in Mexico to attend their daughter’s wedding, which was due to take place Thursday, a family friend said. The bodies were found on Monday. The Associated Press, quoting an official in the prosecutors’ office, said the couple was found dead at the Playacar Palace Hotel near the resort city of Playa Del Carmen. The official, who is not authorized to be quoted by name, said the couple was found dead in a whirlpool spa. The AP quoted the official as saying there were no signs of violence and that autop-

sies indicated the man died of a heart attack and the woman died of asphyxia by submersion. She said the deaths appeared to be accidental and linked, suggesting the man’s heart attack may have somehow caused the woman to drown. A spokesman for the hotel told the Canadian Press the deaths are still under investigation. David Rubeo dismissed earlier media reports that suggested the couple had been electrocuted in the hot tub of their room. “The room was perfectly fine. All the equipment was working perfectly,” he told The Canadian Press. “What the family mentioned was a heart attack.” Rubeo said the couple’s family was still staying at the hotel and was being assisted by hotel staff. “We are treating them as our own family,” he said, noting that staff were helping the Canadians deal with local authorities. “All the group is very calm, in the best way they can be.”

LOCAL

Saturday, November 14, 2015 i 13

Surrey braces for influx of Syrian refugees

n estimated 2,700 Syrian refugees are expected to arrive in B.C. by the end of the year and it’s likely more of them will settle in Surrey than any other municipality in the province. “The city has a history of welcoming refugees and my understanding is nearly 30 percent of refugees that come to British Columbia end up settling in Surrey,” says Councillor Judy Villeneuve. That means roughly 800 Syrians could end up making Surrey their home, if past trends are any indication. “There’s a reason for that. The housing in Surrey is less expensive than Vancouver, Richmond or Burnaby,” says Villeneuve. The new federal government is expected to reveal details of its plan to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada, after today’s cabinet meeting in Ottawa.

But organizations that help immigrants and refugees integrate into the community, such as Surrey-based Umoja Compassion Society, say their budgets are already stretched thin. Founder Amos Kambere says he has seen refugees end up on the streets of Surrey before, and more funding from the federal government is needed to support the new wave of refugees from Syria. “If the government does not come to us and ask what we need, and they just provide us with refugees, it is going to be tough,” Kambere says. Outreach workers in homeless shelters and soup kitchens in the Whalley area say they have seen an increase in refugees and immigrants in recent years. The Surrey Food Bank Society has noticed a similar trend and says its clients speak 37 different languages.

Quebec mansion fetches record $13.25M, Royal LePage says

oyal LePage says one of its brokers has sold the most expensive property recorded on the Multiple Listing Service in Quebec — a 20-room, stone-sided mansion that fetched $13.25 million. The realtor says the house in the province’s Estrie region is situated on a more than 280,000 square-foot property, surrounded by lake and mountain views. The main residence has a geothermal energy system, a heated indoor pool, a

home theatre, a gym, a ping pong room and a wine cellar and tasting room. It also includes five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, three kitchens, five fireplaces and a library. There is even a dressing room equipped with an elevator, a receptionist office and a mezzanine area. Royal LePage says the grounds on which the estate is situated also contain three guest homes, a private dock and an outdoor terrace area. Marie-Yvonne Paint, a broker with Royal LePage Heritage, sold the property.

A tash (card playing) tournament was held in Vancouver on November 7 in memory of Piara Singh Cheema, who used to play cards with his friends in Vancouver’s Moberly Park for the past 30 years before he passed away last year. His son, developer Bob Cheema, organized the card tournament in his father’s memory.

BC anti-gang squad report shows rise in gang shootings

fter several years of declining activity, gang shootings are on the rise again this year, according to British Columbia’s anti-gang squad. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit has released its annual report aimed at discouraging involvement in gangs, especially for young women who get drawn in by luxury gifts and the illusion they’re immune to violence. According to the report, in the first half of 2015, there were 30 gang-relat-

ed homicides and attempted homicides in B.C. — more than the total amount for the whole year in 2013 or 2014. Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton says the increase this year is mostly due to the gang conflict this spring in Surrey and Delta. Houghton says the shootings appear to have ended, mostly because some of the suspects have fled to India, while others have decided the police and media spotlight was too bright to remain involved.

14 i Saturday, November 14, 2015

LOCAL

Prime Minister Trudeau’s gov’t expected to drop niqab appeal

ustice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is expected to formally withdraw the federal government’s request for an appeal of a court decision that had a huge impact on the recent federal election campaign. The Conservative Party decided in mid-campaign to fight a Federal Court of Appeal decision allowing women to wear face veils such as the niqab at citizenship ceremonies. It sought leave to appeal at the Supreme Court of Canada. The Conservative Party’s former leader Stephen Harper also said his government would consider banning public servants from wearing face veils at work. Former citizenship and immigration minister Chris Alexander filed the notice of application for leave to appeal on September 21, 2015. The federal government has, under the Supreme Court Act, 60 days from the day of the judgment to file all supporting materials. That’s tomorrow. Speaking to reporters today, Wilson-Raybould said it’s on her radar, “I will update in the next day or two.” Few believed the Supreme Court would agree to hear the case as the Federal Court of Appeal was unanimous in upholding the earlier

Federal Court Justice Keith Boswell’s ruling that declared the niqab ban unlawful. The case started with a lawsuit from Zunera Ishaq, a devout Muslim who moved to Ontario from Pakistan in 2008 to join her husband. Ishaq agreed to remove her niqab for an official before writing and passing her citizenship test two years ago, but she objected to unveiling in public at the oath-taking ceremony. In his ruling, Boswell said the government policy, introduced in 2011, violates the Citizenship Act, which states citizenship judges must allow the greatest possible religious freedom when administering the oath. Boswell asked how that would be possible, “if the policy requires candidates to violate or renounce a basic tenet of their religion.” The niqab issue became a huge issue in the election campaign as the Conservatives used it as a wedge issue that didn’t help them outside of Quebec. In Quebec, the issue is widely seen to have harmed New Democrats after Leader Tom Mulcair made it clear that he supported the courts’ decisions to allow women to wear the niqab at citizenship ceremonies.

Canada ready to re-engage with Russia, Iran, despite differences, Dion says

oreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion says Canada will be more constructive in its diplomatic dealings with Iran and Russia, but that caution and assertiveness will remain central to its approach. In an interview with the Citizen on Wednesday, Dion said the new Liberal government also won’t shy away from criticizing either Israel or the Palestinians when it comes to actions that threaten Middle East peace. And he wouldn’t rule out Canada running for a seat at the United Nations Security Council. “I cannot tell you when we will ask to come back to the council,” he said. “But it is certainly something that we need to consider because the world needs Canada to be at the core of the decision-making process.” One of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s first promises after last month’s election was that Canada would have a more

“compassionate and constructive voice in the world” under the Liberals after a decade of Conservative rule. As Trudeau’s new foreign affairs minister, it will be up to Dion to implement that vision. A key part of the previous Conservative government’s approach to international affairs was to take a hard stand against perceived foes. That included severing diplomatic relations with Iran in September 2012. Trudeau first promised in June that a Liberal government would re-engage with Iran. Dion said that remains the plan. “Not because we agree with this regime,” he added. “We need to do it with eyes wide open. But it’s the approach of the other G7 countries. “If you don’t speak to Tehran, in which way are you helpful to the people of Iran?” he added. “How are you helping the other countries in the region when Iran is more and more involved in the fighting in Syria? With what is happening in Iraq? In what way does it help Israel that Canada cannot speak to Iran at all?” Dion said cabinet has not discussed exactly how re-engagement will occur, including what to do about the fact the previous government listed Iran as a state sponsor of terror. And he said the government will approach Iran “with a lot of cautiousness.” “But the bottom line is we need to engage much more than before, even with the regimes that we have difficulty with,” he said. The foreign minister also indicated a new approach to Russia is coming. Dion said Trudeau is “certainly not happy” with Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and the new government will reiterate that point with Moscow. But he added: “We also need to think about our national interests because Russia is our neighbour in the Arctic.” The previous Conservative government took an even tougher line than the U.S. and many European countries by suspending virtually all contact with Moscow after Russia invaded Crimea in March 2014 and began supporting rebels in eastern Ukraine. Dion wouldn’t say whether Canadian officials would start sitting down with Russian counterparts, as some, such as former prime minister Jean Chretien, have previously urged. But he did say while the U.S. and other G7 partners have continued to engage with the Kremlin, “they were not less committed to helping Ukraine. We are aware of that. “The prime minister will be very assertive, very determined to have positive results for Ukraine,” Dion added. “And he will find the best ways to do it in our relationship with Russia.” The previous Conservative government was also a staunch supporter of Israel. Then-prime minister Stephen Harper proudly boasted that Israel had no greater friend on the world stage than Canada, and refused to criticize Israel in any way. Dion described Israel as a “friend” and “ally,” but said the foundation of Canada’s engagement in the Middle East will be finding an enduring peace “because Israel will benefit from peace.” That includes speaking against the construction of Israeli communities, or settlements, on land the Palestinians claim as their own. “The official policy of Canada is that the settlements are not helpful for peace, and I have no problem repeating that,” Dion said.

LOCAL

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says Canadians needn’t fear ISIS

anada’s new defence minister, Harjit Sajjan, says the country must contribute to the defeat of ISIS, but he rejected the idea that Canadians should be afraid of the jihadist organization. “ISIS is a threat, no doubt about that. Should we fear it? No. The Canadian population should have full confidence in all the security services to keep us safe.” In an interview, Sajjan said the government is in discussions over what role Canada will take in the fight against ISIS, but that there was no date yet for withdrawing Canada’s fighter jets from the U.S.-led coalition in Syria and Iraq. Asked whether the Canadian flights might continue to the end of the current commitment in March 2016, Sajjan said Canada is in discussions with its allies. Pressed whether Canada has been asked to continue its contribution to the bombing mission, Sajjan again said he wanted “to make sure that we have good discussions with our allies before we make a decision.” The Department of National Defence said in a statement today that two Canadian fighter jets took part in coalition air strikes earlier in the day in support of Iraqi forces, striking an ISIS ammunitions cache near Sinjar in Iraq. Capt. Kirk Sullivan said Canada’s mission would contin-

Racist tirade against Calgary cab driver results in no charges — again

he RCMP has apologized to a Calgary cab driver, but says charges will not be laid against a passenger who unleashed a racist tirade caught on video before ripping the camera out of the taxi’s dashboard in a case that attracted the national spotlight. The decision comes as the results of an RCMP review looking into the incident were released Thursday. The RCMP officer who originally responded to the call in Airdrie in 2013 did not charge the passenger at the time, instead encouraging him to pay the driver for damages after the camera mounted on the taxi’s dashboard was ripped out. The passenger did so. The investigation was reopened after a video surfaced showing the exchange surfaced in July. “You son-of-a-bitch, you f—ing (expletive), go back to where you’re from, take your wife and four kids,” the passenger yelled. But the taxi driver, Sardar Qayyum, filed a formal complaint with the RCMP’s Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) over how the matter was handled. Investigators determined that a charge of mischief for wilful damage to property may have been warranted before the investigating officer intervened to negotiate compensation for the cabbie, but not after. “The quid pro quo that arose when the passenger paid the driver money for the damages to his taxi upon the understanding that he would not be charged and prosecuted raises a significant issue respecting the passenger’s Charter Rights,” said the RCMP in a release. Cpl. Sharon Franks, the RCMP’s spokesperson for southern Alberta, said she is unsure precisely how much Qayyum was paid by the abusive passenger.

Saturday, November 14, 2015 i 15

Diwali celebrations at Surrey Memorial Hospital

ue “for the time being under the mandate previously directed by government.” “The Canadian Armed Forces stands ready to implement government of Canada direction when it comes and will liaise with coalition partners to investigate options, and transition our military operations in the region,” Sullivan said. Sajjan said that in confronting ISIS, there is more that can be done. “We need to get better as an international coalition … better at looking at the threats early on, to making sure that we identify them early so they don’t balloon into these big threats,” he said. “They were smaller at one time, we need to get better at identifying the subtle indicators so we might be able to have dealt with it diplomatically.” Training key to ‘long-term solution’ Sajjan is a former military reservist who did three tours in Afghanistan and worked also with the U.S. part of the coalition. He spent more than a decade with Vancouver’s police, much of it as a detective. Going forward, he reiterated Canada’s experience with training other forces like Afghani-

stan’s national army and police.

The Global Hindu Foundation with support of Surrey Memorial Hospital organized Diwali in hospital where more than 400 service providers were served with greetings of happiness, peace and prosperity and gifts of sweets and snacks on Monday 9th November, 2015 from 1.00-2.00PM. The event was sponsored by ACC, Raja Jeweller and Nanak Foods.

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16 i Saturday, November 14, 2015

Burnaby council votes to rezone area near Metrotown to make way for condos

o some, it may seem like the “wrong” side of the tracks. The area just south of the Metrotown SkyTrain station has numerous three-storey, mostly affordable rental apartment buildings. But it’s become a hot zone for redevelopment, and a coalition of three groups– The Alliance Against Displacement, Metrotown Residents’ Association and ACORN–is fighting the latest rezoning. They say 109 residents in two low-rise rental apartment complexes at 6380 and 6420 Silver Avenue face eviction if the rezoning passes second reading at Burnaby Council. Rick McGowan of the Metrotown Residents’ Association said the rents would be an “average of about $1000 [a month], according to the CMHC. It’s relatively affordable, affordable because it’s old. But they’re also larger units, compared to the new,

smaller ones.” The demonstrators, who held a news conference at the corner of Beresford Street and Silver Avenue Monday afternoon, said the Silver Avenue buildings would be replaced by a 30-storey highrise that would be mostly condos, with a small number of rental units most locals cannot afford. “There are people who are working at McDonald’s in low paid jobs for $10 or $11 an hour,” said ACORN’s Shirley Sinclair. “How can they afford new market rates in the new tower that’s going to go up? They cannot- -they’re gone, and they are exiled from Burnaby. That’s just not right!” On Monday night, just a handful of protesters showed up at Burnaby City Council, seemingly resigned to the fact that council would approve rezoning.

Mulcair tells B.C. convention NDP ready for ‘real change’

ederal NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair says his party is on the right side of the public mood for change that resulted in the ousting of the former Conservative government, suggesting New Democrats will advance a progressive approach to such issues as an inquiry for missing and murdered indigenous women and electoral reform. Mr. Mulcair made the declaration Sunday in a speech to hundreds of provincial New Democrats in British Columbia gathered for their last convention before the 2017 provincial election in which the governing B.C. Liberals will be seeking a fifth consecutive mandate. The NDP Leader found a sympathetic audience. As federal New Democrats come to grips with falling from second to third place in Parliament, their B.C. counterparts continue to deal with the outcome of the 2013 provincial election they were widely expected to win, but lost to a jobs-focused cam-

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paign by B.C. Liberal Premier Christy Clark. “Canadians voted for change. We embrace that desire. We’re ready to work together to bring real change, concrete change to Ottawa because there is, indeed, so much that needs to be done,” Mulcair told about 800 delegates, who greeted him with sustained applause. He cited an agenda that includes ending the first-pastthe-post electoral system, a “respectful” nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations, and an inquiry on murdered and missing indigenous women. He acknowledged he expects the Liberal government will act on that file, “but we need to get it done right” by working with families. Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, appointed to cabinet last week, appears to agree. “It needs to be done right,” she said of the in-the-works inquiry in an interview with The Globe and Mail last week, calling for a “respectful” process that will generate something “substantive” for affected families. “A meaningful exercise is something that, in my mind, is created in partnership with indigenous communities, the families of the murdered and missing indigenous women and girls,” she said. A reference to the Trans-Pacific Partnership elicited boos from the audience and Mr. Mulcair went on to call for the immediate release of the full text of the deal including side agreements. Talking to reporters after the speech, Mr. Mulcair said he had not yet had a chance to speak at length with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after the election, but that he especially looks forward to working with Mr. Trudeau and his government on climate change. Mulcair told New Democrats he would be “proud” to travel with the new government to Paris for the upcoming conference on climate change, but results would depend on establishing and achieving “hard targets.” In last month’s federal election, New Democrats in British Columbia held their vote from the 2011 election with a 33.3-per-cent share of the popular vote – on par with the 32.5 per cent four years ago when Canadians last went to the polls. At dissolution, the NDP had 12 of British Columbia’s 36 seats.

LOCAL

Missing South Asian woman found safe

young Burnaby woman who was reported missing in Surrey last weekend has been found safe. Alyssa Amarshi, 25, was located overnight, according to Surrey RCMP. Police had said there

was concern for her well being because it was unusual for her not to check in with her family. Mounties are giving thanks to the public for their help in tracking down Amarshi. Alyssa Amarshi

Review after $30M winning Lotto Max ticket sold in New Foundland

he Atlantic Lottery Corporation

has confirmed that a couple has come forward to claim a $30 million lottery prize won over the weekend in Newfoundland and Labrador, but they will have to wait to get the money. In an advisory issued on Saturday morning, the corporation said there were two winning tickets for Friday night’s Lotto Max draw. The $60-million jackpot will be evenly split between a winning ticket in Edmonton and another sold in Conception Bay South. On Monday, the Lottery Corporation said it may be 30 days before the Newfoundland winner is confirmed. Spokesperson, Tracey Shute said that’s because the ticket holder is what’s called a “related party.” That means they are either a retailer, an employee who sells lottery tickets, or a family member of someone who does. Shute said the winner is not an employee at the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. She said there should be more in-

Man dies in plunge from Surrey building

olice are seeking witnesses after a man fell from an upper floor of a Surrey building and died on Wednesday morning. Surrey RCMP received several calls around 10 a.m. about a man who had fallen from what’s believed to be the 13th floor of a building in the 10600 block 151A Street. Surrey RCMP officers and investigators who arrived on scene found a 44-year-old man unresponsive on the ground near the rear of the building. First responders attempted to revive him but were unsuccessful and he was declared dead. Police have identified the man only as a resident of the building. No further information has been released. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the plunge or who may have interacted with the man or have information about his actions just prior to the fall to contact police at 604-599-0502.

formation before Christmas. It was just a few days ago that Alana Langdon of C.B.S. won more than $700,000 in last week’s Lotto Max draw. Atlantic Lottery says details on Friday’s prize winner will be released as soon as they come forward to collect their prize.

Saturday, November 14, 2015 i 17

Surrey Mounties probe shooting at Newton intersection

CMP are investigating a shooting Sunday afternoon in Newton. Mounties said they received several calls just after 2:30 p.m. about shots being fired at a vehicle stopped at the intersection of 72nd Avenue and 124th Street by occupants of another vehicle. The vehicles were described as a dark-coloured SUV with Alberta plates K80469 and a dark-coloured Honda. It is unclear which vehicle was responsible for opening fire, and which one was the target. Witnesses told police both vehicles sped away westbound on 72nd Avenue. Surrey RCMP and Delta Police launched an extensive search for the vehicles, but without success. Two other vehicles not involved in the daytime shooting were struck

and damaged by one of the suspect vehicles, RCMP says. No one in those vehicles were injured. Police said no one had come to local hospitals with gunshot wounds. Shell casings were found on the street, as officers canvassed the neighbourhood for witnesses and any surveillance video. “Regardless of the motive for this incident, violent crime suppression continues to be the top priority for this detachment,” Cpl. Scotty Schumann said in a statement. “We’re appealing to anyone who may know the suspects or have further information to come forward.” Anyone with information can contact Surrey RCMP directly at 604599-0502 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477

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Housing price drop would sink young homeowners, study finds

ne in 10 homeowners younger than 40 would be underwater on their mortgages if real estate prices crashed, according to a new study that warns the country’s red-hot housing market is disproportionately putting young Canadians at financial risk. Nearly 260,000 Canadians would see their

Vancouver housing trend higher due to lower inventories

ousing starts in the Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) were trending at 21,595 units in October compared to 21,455 units in September, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The trend is a sixmonth moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR) (1) of housing starts. “Housing starts trended higher this month as townhome and apartment construction increased,” said Richard Sam, CMHC Principal, Market Analysis for Vancouver. “Lower inventories of newly completed and unsold condominiums have prompted builders to add more supply to the market,” said Sam. CMHC uses the trend measure as a complement to the monthly SAAR of housing starts to account for considerable swings in

monthly estimates and obtain a more complete picture of the state of the housing market. In some situations, analysing only SAAR data can be misleading in some markets as they are largely driven by the multiples segment of the markets which can be quite variable from one month to the next. The standalone monthly SAAR was 24,781 units in October, up from 18,082 units in September. Actual year-to-date starts were nine per cent higher than last year’s levels. Housing starts in the Abbotsford-Mission CMA were trending at 843 units in October, up from 837 units in September. An increase in single-detached apartment condominium starts moved the trend higher.

net worth wiped out if home prices dropped 20 per cent, the study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives found. The drop in prices is larger than most bank economists are predicting, but it represents the midpoint in the Bank of Canada’s estimates that the country’s home prices are overvalued by 4 i Saturday, July 25, 2015 anywhere from 10 to 30 per cent, the study’s

author, economist David Macdonald, writes. Of those homeowners pushed underwater by a major real estate crash – owing more than they have in assets – more than half would be in their 20s and 30s, the age group that has gone the deepest into debt to buy a home. Canadians in their 30s carry debt worth an average of four times their incomes. Their

debt-to-income ratio is the highest, and has risen the fastest, of any age group, Mr. Macdonald writes. Thanks to the fact that they are highly leveraged, young Canadians would see 20 per cent of their net worth wiped out for every 10-per-cent drop in home prices, so that a 20-per-cent price drop would destroy 40 per cent of their net worth. Continued on page 2

2 i Saturday, November 14, 2015 From page 1

real estate / finance

Housing price drop would sink young homeowners, study finds A price drop of 30 per cent, meanwhile, would wipe out 61 per cent of the net

worth of the youngest homeowners. “The most at-risk families are those who are heavily leveraged, with all their wealth in their house and who arrived late to the real estate party,” he notes. The situation would be “dramatically worse” in high-cost cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, where young homeowners are taking on the largest mortgages, the study says. Middle-aged homeowners in their 40s, 50s and 60s would stand to lose the most money. Mr. Macdonald estimates they will lose an average of $70,000 to $80,000, as a result of owning more expensive homes. But that would only represent 23 per cent of their net worth, given that older Canadians tend to have more equity and less debt, and have less of their net worth tied up in real estate than younger homeowners. For those in their 60s and 70s, a 20-per-cent fall in prices would mean a drop of only 10 per cent of their net worth. Governments must prioritize helping Canadians reduce their high levels of household debt if they hope to protect young families from the devastating effects of falling home prices when mortgage rates eventually begin to rise, Mr.

Macdonald writes. “We need to recognize that young families are the most likely group to be plunged underwater by a nasty housing correction,” he says. “There is still time to plan for that tidal wave.” Federal programs introduced in the United States after the 2008 housing downturn gave unemployed homeowners the option to stop paying their mortgage for up to 12 months while they looked for a new job. Others programs allowed homeowners who were deeply underwater on their mortgages to walk away from their home with less of a hit to their credit score than a foreclosure. A program that reduced the principal on the mortgages of struggling homeowners to reflect the new, lower value of their homes could be used to bail out Canadians in the same situation, Mr. Macdonald writes. The U.S. Federal Housing Administration’s Refinance for Borrowers with Negative Equity program flopped south of the border in the face of resistance from mortgage insurance companies – only 4,600 out of a million eligible homeowners ultimately qualified. Such a program could benefit young homeowners here, but it would likely need buy-in from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. to be successful, Mr. Macdonald says.

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Saturday, November 14, 2015 i 3

Shah Rukh Khan at Bachchan Diwali bash The media and fans outside Amitabh Bachchan’s residence, Jalsa went berserk last night when Shah Rukh Khan turned up at Amitabh Bachchan’s star studded Diwali bash. The superstar was in a super jovial mood as he walked shoulder to shoulder with Abhishek Bachchan. And guess what? He even pouted for the shutterbugs. Check it out.

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he night is clearly still young for the Khans, who have been bonding quite fiercely over the last few weeks. And their camaraderie reached the next level when the cast of Dilwale - Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon and Kajol helmed by Shah Rukh Khan, performed the highly popular steps of Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, which have become something of a viral sensation. But it didn’t end there and gladly so. Salman got together with the team of Prem Ratan Dhan Payo - Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Deepak Dobriyal - danced to Tujhe Dekha from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in a happy response. And to no one’s surprise, they’re trending nationwide on social media already. Wow! We’ve got no words for this star studded exchange!

BOLLYWOOD / film

Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji reunite

he Bachchan family Diwali bash was more than memorable for a number of reasons. Whether it was the candid moments between Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her parents or the numerous selfies people took at the do. Of the many, the one that stood out was the oh-so adorable picture of

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Preity Zinta with Rani Mukerji, who was seen with a pregnant glow. Having reduced the number of appearances she makes, it was great to spot Rani, looking gorgeous and all smiles, spending quality time with her co-star of many films.

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Anil Kapoor wants six pack abs

Yes, you heard it right. The actor who’s close to touching 60, is all set to give the young guns a run for their money. Anil Kapoor is obsessed with fitness and his latest target is to achieve the well documented six-pack abs. He’s exercising like a maniac and straight after his exercise regime he goes for long runs in the bylanes of Juhu, with his security and car following him. Whatta player!

Kareena Kapoor work with directors like Abhishek Chaubeyi. Saying that she was looking to step out of her comfort zone and it looks like Udta Punjab will have her do just that.

areena Kapoor Khan was snapped by the paparazzi as she shot for an intense sequence for Abhishek Chaubey’s Udta Punjab, near the Cotton Green railway station in Mumbai. Riding a bike with co-star Diljit Dosanjh riding pillion, the scene required the actors to run and jump onto a moving truck. The film, based on the rampant substance abuse and drug trafficking in Punjab, went on floors in March. Kareena Kapoor had earlier mentioned that she would love to

8 i Saturday, November 14, 2015

AUTO

Toyota to make RAV4 in plant that lost Corolla production

oyota Motor Co. has announced it will produce the RAV4 sport utility vehicle , including its hybrid version, at its plant in Cambridge, Ont., beginning in 2019. That’s the same plant that earlier this year learned it had lost production of the Corolla to a plant in Mexico. Toyota announced Tuesday that its Cambridge and Woodstock, Ont., plants would be a North American hub for sport utility vehicles, with the Lexus RX made in Cambridge and the RAV4 in Woodstock and Cambridge. The Cambridge North plant was rated the best quality auto plant in North America by J.D. Power earlier this year, based on its low number of defects per vehicle. Toyota said it would make “significant new investment,” but did not give a dollar figure. It also did not reveal how many people would remain employed at the plant. Toyota currently employs 8,000 people at three plants in the Cambridge area

and has given assurances that employment will be maintained, according to company spokeswoman Suzanne Baal. Toyota said production of the Corolla would end in 2019, with RAV4 production to begin the same year. The RAV4 is the most popular cross-over SUV sold in Canada. More than 220,000 of the vehicles are currently made each year at its Woodstock plant, the newest of three plants Toyota has in Ontario. But that production doesn’t meet North American demand, Baal said. Sales of the RAV4 in the U.S. alone exceeded 260,000 last year. “This is a hugely growing segment of the market,” Baal said. The company is rolling out a new production process across its global operations and will begin that process in Canada with the Cambridge North plant. The new process involves designing vehicles with standard parts, working toward high fuel efficiency and improving quality across the production process.

Toyota wants to virtually eliminate gas engines by 2050

oyota, under ambitious environmental targets, is aiming to sell hardly any regular gasoline vehicles by 2050, only hybrids and fuel cells, to radically reduce emissions. The automaker promised to involve governments, affiliated companies and other “stakeholders” in its push to reduce average emissions from Toyota cars by 90 per cent by about 2050, compared with 2010 levels. Electric cars weren’t part of their vision, outlined by top Toyota Motor Corp. officials at a Tokyo museum on Wednesday, striking a contrast with rivals such as Nissan Motor Co., which has banked on that zero-emissions technology. Toyota’s commitments come at a time when the auto industry has been shaken by a scandal at Germany’s Volkswagen AG, in which it admitted it cheated on diesel emissions tests covering millions of cars. Toyota projected its annual sales of fuel cell vehicles will reach more than 30,000 by about 2020, which is 10 times its projected figure for 2017. ‘You may think 35 years is a long time. But for an automaker to envision all combustion engines as gone is pretty extraordinary- Kiyotaka Ise, Toyota senior managing officer Fuel cells run on hydrogen and are zero-emissions. Toyota’s Mirai fuel cell went on sale late last year. Toyota has received

1,500 orders for the Mirai in Japan, and it just went on sale in the U.S. and Europe. Annual sales of hybrid vehicles will reach 1.5 million and by 2020 Toyota would have sold 15 million hybrids, nearly twice what it has sold so far around the world, it said. Cautious about electric vehicles Hybrids switch back and forth between a gasoline engine and an electric motor to deliver an efficient ride. The Toyota Prius, which went on sale in 1997, is the top-selling hybrid, with about four million sold globally so far. Toyota is promising to develop a hybrid version in every category, including gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicles, as well as luxury models. “You may think 35 years is a long time,” Senior Managing Officer Kiyotaka Ise told reporters. “But for an automaker to envision all combustion engines as gone is pretty extraordinary.” Ise acknowledged some gasoline engine cars would remain in less developed markets, but only in small numbers. He and other Toyota officials insisted on the inevitability of their overall vision, stressing that the problems of global warming and environmental destruction made a move toward a hydrogen-based society a necessity. Experts agree more has to be done to curtail global warming and pollution, and nations are increasing-

Canadian auto sales up 5.1% in October

anadian consumers bought 163,053 new vehicles in October, with sales up 5.1 per cent from last year, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants. Canadian auto sales are on track to top 1.9 million units in 2015, setting a new record and proving consumers are still willing to spend despite somewhat slower economy. That would follow on record sales for 2014. Once again, light trucks are the hot sellers, with more than 104,300 rolling off the lot in October. Despite the scandal over a cheat device installed in its diesel engines, Volkswagen continues to do well in Canadian sales. It sold 5,715 light vehicles in October, up 8.3 per cent from last year.

Brands enjoying double digit growth included Nissan, up 24.4 per cent, Infiniti, up 22.8 per cent, Honda, up 14.7 per cent and Volvo, up 12.3 per cent. General Motors was the sales leader, selling 23,268 light cars and trucks, a 5.8 per cent improvement from last year. Fiat Chrysler sales were ahead by 0.2 per cent at 22,384 vehicles with truck sales totalling 18,889 on strong numbers for Jeep and Ram. Ford sales edged up 0.2 per cent to 22,080, while Toyota and Scion sold 4.2 per cent more at 16,891. Despite somewhat lower gas prices, Canadians are still buying hybrids, Toyota said. In October, it sold 1,020 hybrids, a 9.3 per cent increase, including 605 Prius vehicles.

Saturday, November 14, 2015 i 19

Volkswagen set to make deadline for emissions whistleblowers to come forward

erman automaker Volkswagen is set to announce on Thursday a deadline for internal whistleblowers who have information about the diesel emissions scandal to come forward without fear of reprisal. German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported Wednesday that the company is trying to increase pressure on its employees to help VW get to the bottom of the scandal that has engulfed the company and its many brands. The newspaper did not provide details of what the automaker proposes to do with an employee who comes forward with information about the emissions rigging after the deadline, which will reportedly be at the end of this month. VW has hired advisory firm Deloitte and U.S. law firm Jones Day to investigate the circumstances surrounding the installation

of software into diesel cars that changed engine settings to reduce emissions whenever the vehicle was put through tests. The paper said the initial results of the amnesty program were encouraging, as some useful information has come to light. The revelation earlier this month that the company’s cars, including some gasoline-powered ones, were emitting more carbon dioxide than previously thought reportedly came from information from an employee who came forward under the whistleblower program. VW is promising staff they will keep their jobs and will be exempt from damage claims if they shed light on the scandal, but board members and levels of management directly below them are to be excluded from the scheme. The automaker was not immediately available for comment.

20 i Saturday, November 14, 2015

NATIONAL

Federal Court judge under review for berating sex assault complainant

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he council announced Monday it will review the behaviour of Robin Camp during a 2014 case he adjudicated while serving as an Alberta Provincial Court judge. The case involved the alleged rape of a 19-yearold woman by a Calgary man, whom she accused of sexually assaulting her over a bathroom sink during a house party. The review comes after a complaint from four law professors at Dalhousie University and the University of Calgary who described Camp as “dismissive, if not contemptuous” toward sexual assault laws and the rules of evidence. In the 11-page complaint, Elaine Craig, Jocelyn Downie, Jennifer Koshan and Alice Woolley said that in the 2014 case, Camp asked the complainant, “Why couldn’t you just keep your knees together?” and, “Why didn’t you just sink your bottom down into the basin so he couldn’t penetrate you?” The complaint alleges Camp “showed disregard, if not disdain” for the rape shield provisions of the Criminal Code, the legal definition of consent to sexual touching and other Criminal Code provisions. “His articulated disrespect for these legal rules was, in some instances, combined with a refusal to apply them,” the complaint states. “Consistently, the legal rules that Justice Camp took issue with were those aimed at removing from the law outdated and discredited stereotypes about women and sexual violence. In a dismissive manner, Justice Camp repeatedly referred to the legal rules requiring that these stereotypes not be relied upon as ‘contemporary thinking.’” Professors: Case undermines public confidence in justice system The professors said the events “undermine public confidence in the fair administration of justice.” The Federal Court issued a statement noting Camp is “fully co-operating” with the review and that he will not be assigned any new cases related to sexual conduct. Camp issued a statement through the court apologizing for causing “deep and significant pain” to the complainant and to all women whom he might have dissuaded from reporting sexual abuse and whom he caused to feel “anger, frustration and despair.”

“I am speaking particularly to those who hesitate to come forward to report abuse of any kind and who are reluctant to give evidence about abuse, sexual or otherwise,” the statement said. “To the extent that what I have said discourages any person from reporting abuse, or from testifying about it, I am truly sorry. I will do all in my power to learn from this and to never repeat these mistakes.” The Federal Court said Camp is taking steps to learn from his behaviour. “Furthermore, Justice Camp has volunteered to undertake a program of gender sensitivity counselling at his own expense and on his own time in order to understand more fully the implications and significance of his comments before the Provincial Court of Alberta, and he will ensure that he does not make similar comments in the future,” the statement reads. Camp was appointed to the Federal Court by former Conservative justice minister Peter MacKay on June 26, 2015. New trial ordered for alleged offender Alexander Scott Wagar was acquitted in the 2014 sexual assault case, but last month, Alberta’s Court of Appeal ordered a new trial. Woolley, one of the four academics who filed the complaint to the judicial council, said Camp’s behaviour is unworthy of a judge. “I have never seen a judgment, and certainly not one in the past decade, which showed such shocking statements that are so out of keeping with modern Canadian values,” she told CBC News. Since the issue is also about Camp’s refusal to apply the law, it is not only a matter of gender sensitivity, she said. “Taking him off cases with a sexual aspect to me doesn’t really address the problem,” she said. “I don’t know why his apology is directed to women. Men are also affected by things that bring the administration of justice into disrepute.” The council is chaired by the chief justice of Canada, currently Beverley McLachlin. There are 38 other council members, who are the chief justices and associate chief justices of Canada’s superior courts, senior judges of the territorial courts and the chief justice of the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada. The council’s executive director, Norman Sabourin, said a chief justice and a member of the conduct committee will investigate the case, which could lead to a dismissal of the complaint.

POLITICS

MPs, failed candidates set to get more than $32 million in rebates from taxpayers

anadian taxpayers will soon be spending about $32 million to reimburse election expenses for failed and successful candidates who received at least 10 per cent of the vote in their ridings in the recent campaign. A total of 984 candidates met that threshold on the Oct. 19 vote — although recounts may change that number slightly. As soon as the validated writs of election are returned, Elections Canada instructs the Receiver General of Canada to send out cheques to all eligible campaigns for 15 per cent of the riding’s maximum spending limit for the election. That’s just an initial installment of the full refund of 60 per cent of eligible expenses.

Rona Ambrose chosen as interim Conservative leader

ona Ambrose has been chosen as the Conservative Party’s interim leader and says her team is prepared to work hard to return to power. “I’m extremely proud to be leader of the Opposition,” said the Alberta MP and former health minister. Ambrose, 46, said the Conservative caucus has deep experience and diverse talent and will hold the new Liberal government to account while being “extremely constructive.” She congratulated the Liberals on their successful campaign. Ambrose has held eight different cabinet posts since 2006, including environment and public works. Asked about the sharply partisan tone that characterized the Conservative Party in the past, Ambrose said, “Well, I’m here. I’m not sure if that’s a reflection of a new tone, but my colleagues chose me, and they put their trust in me.” Harper speech ‘well received’ Earlier in the day, outgoing leader Stephen Harper addressed the caucus in a speech that was “well received,” according to sources. He took responsibility for the election defeat, and listened to others voice their thoughts on the campaign — both good and bad. Ambrose described Harper’s address as “incredibly passionate, emotional and touching” as he said his goodbyes. “We had a wonderful meeting where we were able to hear from our colleagues that aren’t with us any longer, incredibly gracious comments, and the biggest message of all was that we have an incredibly strong, optimistic party,” she said. “We feel very optimistic about our chances in the next election, and we are going to be working hard to come back to power.” MPs, senators vote for interim leader Ambrose was chosen following voting under a preferential ballot process. MPs decided earlier in the day that Conservative senators could take part in the vote. Conservative MPs and senators met behind closed doors Thursday to dissect the party’s electoral loss and to map out a path to rebuilding the party. The senators had lobbied to have some role in the selection of the interim leader. Under the Reform Act, a bill drafted by Conservative MP Michael Chong and passed last spring, the MPs could have voted to adopt a provision that only MPs vote for the interim leader.

The first payments are expected to go out by mid-November. Since all 338 elected Members of Parliament obviously exceeded the 10 per cent threshold, it means there are an additional 646 failed candidates who will also see their campaign war chests partially replenished. Liberals stand to get most back The refunds, it should be noted, belong to the respective parties’ registered electoral district

association and not the individual candidate personally. Which means that if a candidate was dropped after the nomination deadline, the riding association can still get a refund.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

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Stephane Dion replaces portrait of Queen with two paintings by Quebec artist that were removed by Baird

loured paintings ... depict he Queen Elizsome of the best of Canada abeth portrait is and are an excellent way to out and twin paintings welcome Canadians and by Quebec painter Alguests to Global Affairs fred Pellan are back in. Canada.” Former LiberOn Monday, a week after al foreign affairs minister Liberals swept into powJohn Manley called the er, the paintings Canada move entirely appropriate West and Canada East are and said displaying such A portrait of the Queen (left) at the entrance back on display on the of the Foreign Affairs building in Ottawa was a large portrait in such a wall in the front reception replaced by twin paintings by prominent location sent area at the Foreign Affairs Alfred Pellan from Quebec. “the wrong message.” “The building in Ottawa, four Queen plays a constituyears after they were taken down and replaced by tional role in Canada, but Canada should be a giant portrait of the Queen. recognized by all the people who come in to the John Babcock, a spokesman for the newly department of foreign affairs or global affairs, named Global Affairs Canada, said the re-instalbuilding for the modern, independent country lation of the pair of paintings represents “continthat it is,” he told CBC News. 1st commissioned ued interest in representing the best of Canada at every opportunity.” “Global Affairs Canada for Brazil The paintings were originally comis committed to showcasing Canada, our art missioned for the first Canadian mission and our culture in all of our facilities, whether at in Brazil for its opening in 1944, and were home here in Canada or abroad in our embas- painted just after Pellan had returned from sies, high commissions and consulates,” he wrote Paris and the Second World War, Babcock in a statement to CBC News. “These brightly co- said.

Canada forges ahead with rapid refugee resettlement plan

he Canadian government is forging ahead with its pledge to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year, honoring an audacious campaign promise made by newly-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canada will need to take in refugees at a rate of around 500 people per day if it is to meet that mark, a pace that has resulted in some aid agencies questioning whether the government can accomplish the difficult feat without sacrificing care for refugees. The government has remained steadfast in its commitment, though, with Minister of Immigration John McCallum reaffirming this week that officials are doing all they can to ensure the government properly achieves its goal. “We’re committed to do this fast, but we’re also committed to do it right, to do it well,” McCallum told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The details of how Trudeau’s administration aims to deal with the numerous practical concerns associated with

resettlement will be revealed Thursday, when the prime minister and his cabinet review a roadmap for final approval. But while media and officials wait to comb through the government’s plan -- and question how much it will cost -- companies, aid groups and ordinary citizens are already rallying in cities across the country to help build a robust additional support system for refugees once they arrive in Canada. Their work is focusing on issues ranging from housing and health care to simply finding ways of transporting into Canada the thousands of refugees currently in countries neighboring Syria. The nation’s Air Canada airline has offered to provide its commercial planes to airlift refugees, and begun communicating with the government on how they might cooperate in the effort. Authorities are currently considering a mix of military and commercial aircraft to deal with transportation needs, as well as the possibility of ships. Private groups and individuals -- in addition to government services -- are get-

ting ready to provide aid once the thousands of refugees are in Canada. In Toronto, one doctor has started running roving clinics geared towards helping newly arrived refugees with their medical needs, including treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. In Ottawa, Canada’s capital, refugee advocates and health care workers are collaborating on outreach for newly arrived Syrians to guide them through how the country’s health care system functions. On top of the increased focus towards aid, some private groups are hoping to sponsor Syrian families and individuals, as a way to relocate even more refugees to the country in addition to the 25,000 the government plans to bring in. One of the agencies providing support for private groups and families who want to sponsor refugees is Toronto-based Lifeline Syria, which has been working since the summer to aid in the process of sponsorship.

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CLASSIFIEDS

Saturday, November 14, 2015

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, $10.45/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

“Balwinder Singh Singhmaar, resident of 15095 92Ave, Surrey, BC V3R 5V8 has a vacancy for In-home Child caregiver for infant child and 9 years old son. $10.25/hrs, Full Time, 40 hrs/ week. Applicant must have high school with minimum of 1 year of related experience within last 3 years or 6 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. Optional accomodation is available at no charge but this is not a condition of employment” -------------- August 13 2015 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 con-

JOBS

sumption.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 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

E JOBS

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:604729-6741 or 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 super-

S vise 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 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. -------------------------------------

To PLACE YOUR AD IN THE ASIAN STAR CLASSIFIEDS Section Please

Call: 604-591-5423

COMMUNITY 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 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 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

Saturday, November 14, 2015

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 Wednesdays, 10–11:30am until December 2 Fraserside Community Services Society,

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2nd floor, 519–7th St, New Westminster 778 558 9011 Let’s Talk! Support Group for Newcomer Parents Learn about Canadian culture, multicultural parenting, financial literacy, leadership skills and mor Thursdays, 1–2:45pm, until December 3 Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary School, 1714 8th Ave, New Westminster Yumi 604 345 7737 ---------------------------------------------------Seniors Club: Taichi Class Fridays, 9:30–11:30am Brentwood Community Resource Centre, 2055 Rosser Ave, Burnaby 604 292 3908 Crossing the US/Canadian Border November 4, 10am–12pm New Westminster Public Library, 716 6th Ave 604 438 8214 ext 114 ----------------------------------------------Ways to Improve Job Search Skills for \ Work Permit Holders November 7: Creating effective résumés November 28: Different styles of cover letters December 5: Interview skills December 19: Stress management Saturdays, 10:30am–12pm MOSAIC Vancouver Community Room, 1720 Grant St ‘ Lam 604 254 9626 ext 258 ------------------------------------Legal Information Workshop: Employment Standards Learn about your rights in the workplace! The

Self-Employment Programs

Are you A Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident, and Unemployed or Working less than 20 hours per week  Thinking of launching your own business 



Join us for an Information Session at

PICS Head Office - Unit 205, 12725 80th Avenue, Surrey on Wednesday, November 18, 2015; from 2:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. You will learn how PICS could help you gain entrepreneurial skills through its entrepreneurship program, including developing a business plan, a marketing plan, arrange start-up funding and managing your cash. Eligible participants may receive financial support, mentorship and guidance. Seating is limited; To attend the session you must pre-register at deshpal.grewal@pics.bc.ca / sunil.rawat@pics.bc.ca or Call: 604-596-7722

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Saturday, November 14, 2015

TransCanada wins contract for natural gas pipeline in Mexico

ransCanada has won a contract to build, own and operate a $500 million US natural gas pipeline for Mexico’s state-owned power company. The Calgary-based company says the Tuxpan-Tula Pipeline will help meet Mexico’s increasing demand for natural gas as the country shifts to the cleaner-burning fuel. The company says the pipeline should be completed by late 2017 and it has a 25-year contract with the Comision Federal de Electricidad to operate the line. The 250-kilometre pipeline will run

from the state of Veracruz to natural gas power plants in central and western Mexico, supplying up to 886 million cubic feet of gas a day. TransCanada already owns and operates the Tamazunchale and Guadalajara pipeline systems in Mexico and is working to complete the Topolobampo and Mazatlan pipelines. By 2018, the company says it will have invested about $3 billion US in the country and continues to look for more opportunities in Mexico.

Business / Finance

Molson Coors to double in size after $12 billion beer deal

olson Coors will nearly double its size once it completes a $12-billion US purchase that secures full ownership of its U.S. beer business and gains worldwide control of the Miller brand name. Canada’s share of total Molson Coors revenue will drop to 15 per cent, from 24 per cent, while the U.S. share will grow by 20 percentage points to 64 per cent. Europe will account for 18 per cent and other markets will be three per cent. Molson Coors CEO Mark Hunter said the “game-changing” transaction to acquire full ownership of Miller Coors — formerly a partnership with SAB Miller — will allow the company to invest more in its brands and increase consumer choice. “This is a compelling strategic and financial opportunity that catapults Molson Coors to the next level,” Hunter said during a conference call. ‘Evolving industry’ “It creates a leading North American brewer with a unique portfolio of iconic brands. This is a rapidly evolving industry and this transaction gives us opportunity to materially strengthen our U.S. business.” The Molson Coors purchase of SABMiller’s 58 per cent stake in a U.S. joint venture, formed in 2008, is separate but related to an even bigger deal that will combine the world’s two biggest brewing companies. SABMiller has agreed to a $107-billion US takeover by industry leader Anheuser-Busch InBev, maker of Budweiser beers, and agreed to sell its share of Miller Coors to reduce regulatory concern that one company would control the U.S. market. Molson Coors is also buying the global rights to the Miller brand, giving the company greater access to established markets in Canada and Britain, emerg-

ing high growth markets like Panama and new countries such as Argentina. The transaction effectively reverses last year’s termination of a longstanding agreement to distribute Miller products in Canada, and also gives Molson Coors full control on how to produce, market and sell those brands. Canada is part of the $70 million US in earnings and $200 million US in annual revenues derived from the Miller international brands. Expects cost savings In Canada, the beer market has long been dominated by Molson Coors and AB InBev, through its ownership of Labatt, although the two beer giants have increasingly been challenged by the popularity of smaller local craft brewers. In addition to the Miller brands, the deal gives Molson Coors perpetual royalty-free U.S. licences for SABMiller import and license brands including Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, Fosters and Redd’s. Much of the deal’s financial contribution is tied to US$250 million in tax benefits over 15 years and at least US$200 million in annual cost savings, although analysts expect cost savings could reach US$300 million to US$400 million. Brittany Weissman of Edward Jones said the deal likely won’t change much for Canadian consumers. “Most of the way that that landscape changes is going to be behind the scenes in terms of cost savings,” she said in an interview. Molson Coors will become a stronger player to withstand further market consolidation or lead the acquisition of another brewer, she said. But John Colley, professor at Britain’s Warwick Business School, says brewers will need to beef up to spend more on advertising to compete with the big brands. “Molson Coors may not be independent for long,” Colley said in a report.

Business / Finance

Canada’s economy shedding high-paying jobs, report suggests

espite official data proclaiming Canada is creating more jobs every month, a new analysis from Capital Economics suggests the economy is losing good high-paying jobs — a first since the recession that began in 2008. Economist David Madani said in a research note Tuesday that recent headlines proclaiming new jobs being created belie a deterioration in the job market. “The trend among the prime working age cohort, those aged between 25 and 54, has slowed dramatically,” he said. Over the past six months, the job market for people in that age group has been effectively flat, with a net of zero new jobs created, on average, every month. “Prime-age workers are often the highest paid,” Madani notes, so that’s a trend that’s bound to have an impact beyond those people themselves. “We’re a little concerned about what this means about the broader economy,” he said in an interview Wednesday. Indeed, another data point on the job arket shows dark clouds on the horizon. Statistics Canada’s survey on employment payroll and hours for October showed that in the year ended that month, the number of high-paying jobs shrank for the first time since the 2008-

2009 recession. The timeline is roughly in line with the slump in oil prices, and Madani’s analysis suggests that trend is likely to continue as long as oil prices stay low. “There’s also a slowdown in hiring professional, technical and scientific jobs,” Madani said. “And while we’re watching an expected fallout in energy, we’re not seeing some positive offset from other sectors like manufacturing.” Essentially, Canada’s economy may be creating more jobs every month, but they’re predominantly low-paying or part-time ones — not the type that tend to spur an improvement in the broader economy. Sectors that should be doing well in the current era of cheap energy aren’t making enough new jobs to offset those lost in oil’s slowdown. “With non-energy exporters still struggling and energy producers slashing investment and hiring, we expect net job creation to be modest in the coming year, with the unemployment rate rising to 7.5 per cent by the end of 2016,” said Madani. “Overall, if the economy struggles to cope with the worsening fallout from the oil shock as we expect, then the amount of labour market slack will grow.” -

3 charged for hacking in largest data theft in U.S. financial history

wo men held in Israel and one U.S. citizen believed to be living in Moscow have been charged with stealing the contact information of more than 100 million customers of U.S. financial institutions to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in illegal profits, authorities said Tuesday. The summer 2014 theft of data such as names, addresses, emails and phone numbers of more than 83 million customers of JPMorgan Chase & Co., the nation’s biggest bank by assets, was described at a news conference by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara as “the single largest theft of customer data from a U.S. financial institution ever.” In a release, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch said the defendants “perpetrated one of the largest thefts of financial-related data in history — making off with the sensitive information of literally thousands of hard working Americans.” An indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court said identifying information on millions more customers was stolen in cyberattacks from 2012 to last summer against several other financial institutions, financial services corporations and financial news publishers. Since 2007, one or more of the defendants also engaged in other criminal schemes, including U.S. securities market manipulation schemes and the operation of at least a dozen Internet casinos that violated U.S. laws, the indictment said. “In our view, the conduct alleged in this case showcases a brave new world

of hacking for profit,” Bharara said. “In short, it is hacking as a business model.” The indictment said some of the massive computer hacks and cyberattacks occurred as the men sought to steal the customer base of competing Internet gambling businesses or to secretly review executives’ emails in a quest to cripple rivals. Authorities said they used about 200 fake identity documents, including over 30 fake passports supposedly issued by the United States and at least 16 other countries, as they operated their criminal schemes and laundered the proceeds through at least 75 shell companies and bank and brokerage accounts worldwide. Charged in the indictment were Gery Shalon, 31, of Savyon, Israel; Ziv Orenstein, 40, of Bat Hefer, Israel; and Joshua Samuel Aaron, 31, a U.S. citizen living in Moscow and Tel Aviv, Israel. All three men were charged in July with related crimes, though the hacking crimes were not specified then. Aaron was labeled a fugitive while Orenstein and Shalon were arrested in Israel in July. Bharara said the U.S. was seeking their extradition. Among charges in the indictment were computer hacking, conspiracy to commit computer hacking, securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud. A related indictment unsealed Tuesday in Atlanta also named Shalon, Aaron and a third unidentified person. They are charged in a scheme to hack into E-Trade Financial Services Corp. and Scottrade Financial Services Inc. to steal personal information from millions of customers with the intent to build their own securities brokerage.

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PUNJAB

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Mand delivers parallel address outside Akal Takht

n an unexplained development, former MP Dhyan Singh Mand, who had reportedly been put under house arrest today by the police, appeared in the Golden Temple complex 30 minutes after Jathedar Gurbachan Singh concluded his address from Darshani Deodi. He was accompanied by a few of his supporters. Mand, who was nominated to take charge in the absence of jailed Jagtar Singh Hawara, who has been named Akal Takht jathedar by the radicals, delivered his parallel ‘Bandi Chhor Divas address’ standing below Akal Takht. After delivering the message, Mand and his followers entered Akal Takht and paid obeisance. Attacking the Badal government, Mand appealed to the

Dhyan Singh Mand delivering his parallel address outside Akal Takht

Sikh community to protest against the detention of Panthic leaders, including Simranjit Singh Mann and Mohkam Singh. He asked the community to socially boycott Badal. While Mand was reported to have been put under house arrest, it was not clear how he managed to reach the Golden Temple.

Good News!

Fire incidents mar Diwali festivities

round a dozen fire incidents on Diwali rung alarm bells in Jalandhar district. Over 4,660 tonnes of pulses out of total 1.33 lakh tonnes seized from hoarders in raids across India have been offloaded in the open market in five states that will help boost availability and bring down dal prices. Though seven fire tenders were pressed into service, each one had to make 15 to 20 rounds to get water refills from Rubber factory on fire in Jalandhar various sources. Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav, AddiWitnesses said the fire initially broke at tional Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan, Kanhaiya Rubber factory but later spread Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police to the adjoining Kanhaiya Utpadan factory. (ADCP) Amneet Kondal, ADCP J Elanche- Rajinder Sharma, Fire Safety Officer, said zhian and MC Joint Commissioner Rajeev though the actual cause of the fire outbreak is Verma, besides officials from electricity and yet to be known, it seemed to have occurred industry department s too reached the spot. due to a short circuit.

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Sikh, Hindu holy books found torn, burnt

ncidents of sacrilege of holy books continue unabated with reports of burnt and damaged pages of Sikh and Hindu scriptures having been found from a canal near Kachha Ghal Kalan road on the outskirts of Moga city on Wednesday evening, police sources said today. Local officials of the police and representatives of both the communities reached the spot after knowing about the incident and took the burnt and damaged religious scriptures in their safe custody. Officials of the civil and police departments were of the view that it was a handiwork of anti-social elements and aimed at disturbing peace in the state.

Jakhar targets Badal over ignorance about PM’s visit

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Abohar: Leader of the Opposition Sunil Jakhar on Thursday targeted Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal over his ignorance about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Amritsar visit to Sunil Jakhar celebrate Diwali with jawans. He said the CM had lost credence with New Delhi besides faith among the people. “Is it not surprising that Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, who holds the Home Affairs portfolio, did not have any idea about the PM’s state visit?” he said.

SAD leader held in Rs 5 lakh fraud

zila parishad member from Fatehpur Manian zone in Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s home turf Lambi has been arrested for a fraud of Rs 5 lakh. A woman from Lalpura village in Gurdaspur district had lodged a complaint against him with Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on October 1 during his public meeting at his residence. She had alleged that SAD’s Sahib Singh, zila parishad member from Fatehpur Manian zone, had duped her of Rs 5 lakh on the pretext of assuring a job for her son and, that too, after using Sukhbir’s name. Sukhbir had marked a probe to the Muktsar SSP, but nothing took place even after a month. Thereafter, the accused SAD leader, Sahib Singh, gave five cheques of Rs 1 lakh each to the woman in an attempt

6 i Saturday - April 4, 2015

fOOD INDIA

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India & UK sign nuclear deal

ndia and the United Kingdom today signed deals worth 9-billion pound as they inked a civil nuclear pact and decided to collaborate in defence and cyber security, besides launching a railway rupee bond in London market. The decisions were announced during a joint press interaction by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart David Cameron here after their 90-minute wide- ranging talks at 10 Downing Street. “The conclusion of the civil nuclear agreement is a symbol of our Speaker John Bercow (L) listens as PM Narendra Modi addresses British Parliament mutual trust and our resolve to combat climate change,” Modi said while issuing partners to finance the immense economic a joint statement. “The agreement for coop- vision Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and eration in India’s Global Centre for Clean En- make London the centre for off-shore rupee ergy Partnerships will strengthen safety and trading with the launch of 1-billion worth of security in the global nuclear industry,” he bonds including the first government-backed said. Modi, who flew into the British capital rupee denominated bond,” Cameron added. on his much- anticipated three-day visit, was “We want to forge a more ambitious, modaccorded a guard of honour by the 48-mem- ern partnership,” he added, noting that India ber F Company Scots guard accompanied by has more investments in Britain than in the the regimental band of Irish guards. rest of the European Union combined. Modi Cameron described the Indo-UK relations highlighted plans for India to use London as as a “new dynamic modern partnership” and a financial base for fundraising. “We are goreiterated his country’s support for India’s ing to use the London market for fundraising permanent membership of the UN Security even more and I am happy to announced that Council. “We want to become the number one we are set to launch a railway rupee bond in

chicken (no butter) Masala moment’ for UKbut and India the Your‘Huge favourite butter chicken without urrent negotiations between the UK first by an Indian prime minister in a decade, butter and added and India are a “huge moment calories! for our said India’s relationship with the UK was of

Saturday, November 14, 2015

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two great nations”, India’s PM Narendra Modi “immense importance He also said that India has said on his visit to Britain. In a speech to viewed the UK as its “entry point to the EU”. Procedure: Parliament, he said two countries “Yespaste we are to otherfor European Marinate thethe chicken with theneeded ginger garlic andgoing the yoghurt 20 min.counsoak the cashew in warm water for 15 minutes.chop the onions and tomatoes. Heat 1 tbsp to create “one of the leading global partnertries well, we willon continue to consider oil to a pan. sear the chicken pieces in the hotasoil forbut 1 minute each side to a golden colour. remove the chicken pieces. in the same pan, add 1tbsp oil and the chopped ships”. onions. Mr Modisaute and David Cameron are dueAddthe UK as our entry pointpowder, to the EU as farmasala as till a translucent pink. the tomatoes, red chili garam powder and cook on medium flame till the tomatoes are tender (approx. 4-5 to signminutes). deals between Indian and UK firms possible, ” hewith added. Mr Modi said the UK a smooth paste. return to the pan and add the tomato puree. Bring to a boil and add remove from flame and run in a blender the soaked cashews to make worth the more than pieces. £9bn. simmer The leaders said and till India “twois strong andfat cream and simmer for 2 minutes. Broil the fenugreek leaves on a pan. crush the chicken for 4-5 minutes thewere chicken cooked.economies Add the low they would collaborate on issues including two from innovative societies” fenugreek leaves over the curry and remove fire. serve hot.but he said their refinance, defence, nuclear power and climate lationship “must set higher ambitions”. change. Mr Modi, whose three-day visit is the

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INDIA

Delhi Diwali pollution hits hazardous levels

Saturday, November 14, 2015

On Diwali, Modi salutes war heroes in Punjab

rime Minister Narendra Modi paid a surprise visit to the border towns of Ferozerpur and Amritsar on Diwali to pay tributes to the heroes of the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war at Ferozepur’s Barki Square and at the Dograi war memorial at Khasa in Amritsar. The PM also interacted with jawans. Modi’s visit was kept under wraps by senior defence authorities as even senior civil and police officials were caught unawares. Residences of both Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police are located close to the Barki Square where the PM arrived around 2.40 pm es-

Delhi on the night of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights

ollution soared to hazardous levels in Delhi on the night of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, reaching 40 times the limit recommended by the World Health Organisation, reports say. Massive quantities of fireworks go up in smoke during the festival. On Wednesday night, the levels of PM10 particulates, which are very hazardous to health, rose to 2,000 micrograms per cubic metre, reports said. The WHO recommends a maximum of 50 micrograms per cubic metre. Ahead of the festival, the government in Delhi had appealed to residents to stay away from fireworks. ‘Drastic deterioration’ The Times of India reported that the air quality in the Indian capital “deteriorated drastically” on Wednesday evening “breaching all safety standards by several times”. The newspaper said that PM10 levels in many parts of the city had crossed 1,000 micrograms per cubic metre, with Delhi’s most

polluted area Anand Vihar, recording a high of 2,000 micrograms per cubic metre. In stark contrast to Beijing where levels of PM10 (particulate matter up to 10 micrometres in size) decreased by about 40% between 2000 and 2013, Delhi’s PM10 levels have gone up by about 47% from 2000 to 2011. Levels of sulphur dioxide, which can lead to a spike in asthma, bronchitis and bronchiolitis, were also found to be very high in many areas. A World Health Organization (WHO) survey in 2014 found that 13 of the most polluted 20 cities in the world were in India. Delhi was the most polluted city in the world, the survey added. Air pollution is also a leading cause of premature death in India, with about 620,000 people dying every year from pollution-related diseases, says the WHO. Apart from fireworks on Diwali, Delhi’s pollution in winter is aggravated by a drop in temperature which leads to the city’s poor burning rubbish at night to stay warm.

Gokaran appointed to IMF board

of tenure at IMF has not been he government has clarified in the government orcleared the name of der, has in past served as Depformer RBI Depuuty Governor of the Reserve ty Governor Subir Gokaran Bank of India, Chief Econoto replace Rakesh Mohan on mist of global rating agency the Executive Board of the Standard and Poor’s (S&P) and International Monetary Fund head of CRISIL’s Research and (IMF). His appointment as Information business and also the Executive Director on the a nominee Board Member of board was confirmed by the Subir Gokaran the State Bank of India. He was IMF today. Gokaran will repreappointed Deputy Governor of RBI in 2009 sent India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan for a term of three years and had a distincon the Washington-based IMF’s Executive tion of being the youngest Deputy Governors Board, which is responsible for conducting of the central bank at that time. The IMF the day-to-day business of the multilateral inBoard is composed of 24 Directors, who are stitution. The name of 56-year-old Gokaran appointed or elected by member countries was cleared by Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra or by groups of countries, and the ManagModi earlier last week, as per an order issued ing Director, who serves as its Chairman. by the Department of Personnel and Train- The Board meets several times each week ing. Rakesh Mohan’s three-year tenure ends and carries out its work largely on the basis this month. Mohan has also been a Deputy of papers prepared by IMF management and Governor at RBI while current RBI Governor staff. The grouping of India, Bangladesh, Sri Raghuram Rajan has incidentally been Chief Lanka and Bhutan would be represented by Economist at IMF. Gokaran, whose length Gokarn with a total casting vote of 2.8%. This includes more than 2.3% for India.

Bangladesh ‘hands over’ Indian rebel leader

ndia says Bangladesh has handed over a jailed separatist rebel leader whose group has been fighting Indian rule in the north-eastern state of Assam. Junior home minister Kiren Rijiju said Anup Chetia, a leader of the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa), was being brought to India from Dhaka. Chetia was jailed in 1997 for illegal entry into Bangladesh and possessing huge amounts of foreign currency. The rebels have fought for a separate Assamese homeland since 1979. Mr Rijiju told reporters on Wednesday that a team of Indian federal investigators were bringing back Chetia. However, according to the AFP news

agency, Bangladesh’s Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said he had no information that Chetia was being handed over to India. The Press Trust of India news agency reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina to thank her for handing Chetia over to the Indian government. In 2009, the government in Bangladesh launched a crackdown on Indian separatists operating out of its territory. More than 50 rebel leaders and activists have been handed over to India since then, while others have been arrested while trying to enter Bangladesh to avoid capture in India.

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corted by Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh Suhag, Lieutenant General KJ Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command, Lieutenant General JS Cheema, GOC Vajra Corps, and Major General Vijay Pingale, GOC Golden Arrow Division, besides senior officials from Vajra corps. This was the second visit of the PM to Ferozepur within a span of eight months. He last visited the place on March 23 to pay tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on “Shaheedi Divas”. After paying floral tributes to the martyrs at Barki Square, Modi interacted with all ranks and extended them Diwali wishes.

Modi’s BJP decimated in Bihar

he Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) is likely to stake claim to form the government in Bihar after electing its leader at a legislature party meeting scheduled to be held on Saturday. It has already been announced that alliance leader Nitish Kumar will lead the new government, but the formal process is yet to be completed. Newly elected legislators of the JD(U), RJD and the Congress will formally elect their leader at the legislature party meeting. The grand alliance has won 178 of the 243 Assembly seats in the state. The RJD won 80 seats, JD(U) 71 and the Congress 27. Before the formal process for the government formation begins, the state cabinet has to dissolve of the Bihar Assembly. The state cabinet will meet on Saturday and might recommend dissolution of the House. “A legislature party meeting of the Mahagathbandhan will be held on Saturday afternoon to elect its leader. The date and venue for the oath-taking ceremony will also be decided at the meeting,” Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said when he came out after meeting Governor Ram Nath Kovind at the Raj Bhawan yesterday.

Whether an RJD leader will become the Deputy Chief Minister; if the Deputy CM’s post goes to RJD, who will hold the post are the questions doing the rounds in the political corridors. Nitish did not answer any queries on the issue. “You will be told everything on time,” he said. The swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place at Gandhi Maidan on November 20, after Chhat. Many leaders, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal etc, are expected to attend the ceremony.

Nitish Kumar visits Ganga ghats

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited Ganga “ghats” on Thursday to take stock of the preparations for Chhat festival to be celebrated on November 17 and 18. He was accompanied by Director General of Police (DGP) PK Thakur and Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar.

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NRI

Indian-American appointed to key university position in Texas Padma Shri awardee Indian-American Ashok Mago has been appointed as a member of Board of Regents of the University of North Texas in the US. Dallas-based Mago was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott for a six-year term ending on May 22, 2021, said a statement issued by the Governor’s office on Monday. Mago is the founding chairman of the Greater Dallas Indo American Chamber, now known as the US-INDIA Chamber, and

board member of the Primary Care Clinic of North Texas, advisory board member of BBVA Compass Bank in Dallas. He is member of Dallas Regional Chamber Board, Salvation Army Advisory Board of Dallas County, and the Dallas County Community College District Foundation Board, and is a former board member of 1st Independent National Bank. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2014. Mago received a bachelor’s degree from Delhi University, India, and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Dallas.

Indian-origin father killed wife, twins over family row in UK

n Indian-origin father who was found hanging here earlier this year strangled his wife and twin teenage daughters before committing suicide following a violent row over his in-laws allegedly “cheating” him out of money, a UK court has been told. Rethish Pullarkattil Kunjunny murdered wife Shighi Padmanabhan and his 13-year-old daughters Niya and Neha at their family home in Essex, north-east of London, in May. Two days later, the 44-year-old’s body was found near a reservoir in east London with a note which said: “My mother in-law cheated me.” During an inquest last week at Walthamstow Coroners Court, it emerged that in the week before the murders Kunjunny attacked 37-year-old Shighi following a dispute about a property in India. Detective Sergeant John Logan, who investigated the deaths, said: “She (Shighi) had been punched and kicked and she had done the same back in retaliation.” Then on the day of the murders, May 10, a friend went round to the family home in the afternoon when Shighi said the “marriage was over” and they would be getting a divorce. “During that visit Kunjunny said words to the effect of ‘if she wants a divorce that is what she can have’. The friend offered her a place to stay but she refused citing work

commitments,” Logan told the court. The family of four had moved to the UK in 2005 from India and lived in Chadwell Heath area where the girls went to school. Kunjunny, a chef, was sending money back to build a house which his in-laws were handling. It is believed Kunjunny murdered his wife and children by strangling them and then placed their bodies in two bedrooms of the home. Coroner Ian Wade concluded: “It seems to me Kunjunny was a man of ordinary reasonable maturity, who had a job and a wife and two growing teenage daughters.” “He also seems and appears to have had the deeply held the view, the obsessively held view, that he was being cheated by members of his wife’s family... does not explain or justify what followed,” Wade said. “It perhaps indicates he was man who was deeply self-obsessed and had no proper insight into the collective interests and welfare of those he should have been responsible for. It appears to me he was driven to the point where he wielded the criminal urges which overwhelmed him to take the lives of his wife and two daughters,” Wade said. “I think it reasonable to conclude Kunjunny had committed a despicable act on his wife and children, and perhaps in part he was overwhelmed by the consequences of that, and he felt he must take his own life,” Wade said.

Indian-origin woman charged with making false declarations of salaries

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n Indian-origin woman director of a Singapore company was on Thursday charged with making false declarations of foreign employees’ salaries to the government to obtain Employment Passes (EPs). Parmjit Kaur, a former director of bar and dining chain Harry’s International, was charged with 20 counts of making false declaration of salaries in the work pass applications to the Controller of Work Passes. The Ministry of Manpower said Kaur made the declaration between April 8 and September 2, 2013. Investigations reported that Kaur instructed her subordinates to declare that the fixed monthly salaries of the foreign employees would be 3,100 dollars, salary requirement to obtain EPs. Kaur allegedly knew that the 20 foreign employees would be paid less than what was declared in their work pass applications, the ministry said.

Her case has been adjourned to December 10. If found guilty, she faces a maximum fine of 20,000 dollars and could be jailed for up to two years. The ministry said it conducts stringent checks to detect and enforce against false applications. The ministry is currently investigating other similar false declaration cases involving 241 foreigners hired by 95 employers. The EPs allows foreign professionals, managers and executives to work in Singapore. Candidates need to earn at least 3,300 dollars qualifications. In April 2014, the ministry charged eight employers who were franchisees of convenience store 7-Eleven for making false declarations and fined them between 8,000 dollars and 56,000 dollars. In November 2014, the ministry also recovered 32,000 dollars as fine from the director of Indian restaurant Blue Diamond for making false declarations.

FIJI

Major General Jioji Konrote appointed new President of Fiji

ajor General (retired) Jioji Konrote is the new President of Fiji, replacing Ratu Epeli Cakobau, himself a former commander of the Fijian army. Current and former army officers now have a stranglehold on the government positions in Fiji, with Konrote as president, former military commander Admiral (retired) Frank Bainimarama as prime minister and a the cabinet dominated by current and former army officers. Even senior level of the bureaucracy and public service commission is dominated by former and current army officers, all appointed by the government of Bainimarama since the military coup in 2006. Major General Konrote was appointed to the presidency earlier this week – but

some elected MPs from the Opposition benches boycotted the event. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, Cabinet ministers, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives from the business community witnessed a historic moment at Government House. It was an emotional moment as well for immediate family members who turned up to witness the historic occasion. Former president Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, in his final official statement on Tuesday, called on all Fijians to support Konrote. “I reiterate my appeal for greater unity and for all Fijians both here and abroad to give your fullest support to the incoming President, Major-General Jioje Konrote,” Ratu Epeli added.

PM slams anyone who opposes his government

rime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says the country cannot allow a small group of people to hold the nation to ransom by misrepresenting the country and circumstances to the rest of the world and disrupting industries and services. While explaining his perspective on the matter before the International Labour Organization, he said, Fiji was a small and vulnerable nation that needed to be protected. “We are not a developed nation that can afford the luxury of our essential industries and services being disrupted and whether it is our ports, airports or our national airline, all these things must be kept open at all times for the benefit of every Fijian,” he said. “We simply cannot allow a relatively small group of people to hold the nation to ransom by misrepresenting us and our circumstances to the rest of the world and disrupting our industries and services. “Some union leaders are going to the ILO claiming that this is a restriction on workers’ rights, but this is

simply not the case. “Employees under the amended provisions have the right to choose to join a union or not whether they are in the essential industries or not, employees in all sectors have the right to collective bargaining, employees in these sectors, like others, have the right to have their union dues deducted from the check off system. “The only difference is that those in essential services need to give notice if they want to go on strike. “And the notice period we have agreed will be reduced to 14 days from 28. “We have even created a tripartite tribunal that can quickly dispose of matters or disagreements arising out of these essential services and sectors. But in pursuing these rights, unions and unionists have no right to damage the jobs of other workers and damage the Fijian economy. “The Government has a wider responsibility and that is to the nation as a whole,” Mr Bainimarama said.

Saturday, November 14, 2015 i 31

Budget is deceptive, says Chaudhry

he Fiji Labour Party has labelled the 2016 National Budget as “a blow to the poor” and “deceptive”. In a statement released yesterday, former prime minister and party leader Mahendra Chaudhry said the deception lay in the Government’s planned imposition of 9 per cent Value Added Tax on basic food items and prescription medicine — previously not subject to VAT. “The imposition of 9 per cent VAT on basic food items will now force 45

per cent of our people who live in or on the verge of poverty to pay more for food and medicine from their meagre incomes,” he said. “It is a highly-insensitive move against the poor, who spend a large part of their income on putting food on the table for their families. Why was it not possible to reduce VAT without hitting food and medicine?” Mr Chaudhry said basic food items were VAT and general service tax free in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United States and the UK.

Five men in early morning terror attack

“When they couldn’t ive men beget what they wanted lieved to have they started throwbeen intoxicating stones at the cars. ed with alcohol allegedly “They damaged about stoned and damaged five five cars.” He said the cars parked at a home in estimated damage to Velovelo, Lautoka, early the vehicles was beWednesday morning. tween $5000 and $6000. Brothers Raynil and Police west spokesSaynil Kumar claimed to man Wame Bautolu Saynil Kumar shows the damage to his car have fought off the group at Velovelo, Lautoka. said initial investigations of men who harassed the were carried out. “We have collected our refamily for money. ports and for now investigations continue,” “We were just waking up when we heard he said. He added that people should limit them shouting outside,” said Raynil Kumar. their intake of alcohol to avoid such inci“They were really drunk and were asking us dents. “The festive season is round the corto buy some more alcohol for them. “One of ner and there will be more people going to them was really violent and tried to punch parties but it is always advisable that people me and my brother.” The brothers, who run control their drinking. “These incidences can a garage from their Velovelo residence, said be avoided if people monitor the amount of five cars were damaged by the drunkards. alcohol they take.”

Police Commissioner cites “military interference” as reason for quitting

ilitary interference is one of the reasons behind his resignation as Commissioner of Police, Ben Groenewald said yesterday. Responding to queries on a report by ABC News that he resigned because of interference from the military, Groenewald said: “Yes that’s one of the reasons, but not all of the reasons.” “There are many reasons and I cannot give it in one sentence,” he said. He said he would make a press statement to explain his reasons for resigning. The Australian media reported Groenewald had been pushing for police and military officers involved in a case of alleged brutality to be investigated, but claims the military stopped him from doing so.

“The fact is I don’t agree with the way they’re interfering with policing. “I’m a true-blooded police officer and I’m not satisfied with the way that they’re interfering in policing,” Groenewald told the Australian media. Government confirmed that Groenewald had resigned for personal reasons and that RFMF Land Force Commander Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho would act in the position. The statement confirmed the appointment was made following advice from Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama as the chair of the Constitutional Offices Commission. eanwhile Acting RFMF Commander Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto has refuted the claims made by Groenewald.

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Pakistan, a nuclear nightmare, By NYT Editorial Board dangerous to the world

ith as many as 120 warheads, Pakistan could in a decade become the world’s thirdranked nuclear power, behind the United States and Russia, but ahead of China, France and Britain. Its arsenal is growing faster than any other country’s, and it has become even more lethal in recent years with the addition of small tactical nuclear weapons that can hit India and longer-range nuclear missiles that can reach farther. These are unsettling truths. The fact that Pakistan is also home to a slew of extremist groups, some of which are backed by a paranoid security establishment obsessed with India, only adds to the dangers it presents for South Asia and, indeed, the entire world. Persuading Pakistan to rein in its nuclear weapons program should be an international priority. The major world powers spent two years negotiating an agreement to restrain the nuclear ambitions of Iran, which doesn’t have a single nuclear weapon. Yet there has been no comparable investment of effort in Pakistan, which, along with India, has so far refused to consider any limits at all. The Obama administration has begun to address this complicated issue with greater urgency and imagination, even though the odds of success seem small. The meeting at the White House on Oct. 22 between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan appears to have gone nowhere. Yet it would be wrong not to keep trying, especially at a time of heightened tensions between Pakistan and India over Kashmir and terrorism. What’s new about the administration’s approach is that instead of treating the situation as essentially hopeless, it is casting about for the elements of a possible deal in which each side would get something it wants. For the West, that means restraint

by Pakistan and greater compliance with international rules for halting the spread of nuclear technology. For Pakistan, that means some acceptance in the family of nuclear powers and access to technology. At the moment, Pakistan is a pariah in the nuclear sphere to all but China; it has been punished internationally ever since it followed India’s example and tested a weapon in 1998. Pakistan has done itself no favors by refusing to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and by giving nuclear know-how to bad actors like North Korea. Yet, it is seeking treatment equal to that given to India by the West. For decades, India was also penalized for developing nuclear weapons. But attitudes shifted in 2008 when the United States, seeking better relations with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies as a counterweight to China, gave India a pass and signed a generous nuclear cooperation deal that allowed New Delhi to buy U.S. nuclear energy technology. U.S. officials say they are not offering Pakistan an India-like deal, which would face stiff opposition in Congress, but are discussing what Pakistan needs to do to justify U.S. support for its membership in the 48-nation Nuclear Supplier Group, which governs trade in nuclear fuel and technology. As a first step, one U.S. official said, Pakistan would have to stop pursuing tactical nuclear weapons, which are more likely to be used in a conflict with India and could more easily fall into the hands of terrorists, and halt development of long-range missiles. Pakistan should also sign the treaty banning nuclear weapons tests. Such moves would undoubtedly be in Pakistan’s long-term interest. It cannot provide adequate services for its citizens because it spends about 25 percent of its budget on defense. Pakistan’s army, whose chief of staff is due to visit Washington this month, says it needs still more nuclear weap-

Did ex-wife Reham try to poison Imran Khan?

as a bid to slow poison 62-yearold cricketer-politician Imran Khan to grab his political legacy the last straw that led him to divorce his journalist wife, Reham Khan? This is one of the theories making the rounds since the two announced their split on October 30. The two are yet to divulge reasons for parting ways, fuelling a barrage of speculative reports about the divorce. Journalist Arif Nizami’s revelation about the Imran Khan attempted poisoning citing intelligence sources has been among the most dramatic. “Intelligence agencies conveyed to Imran through his close friends that Reham’s intentions were not right. It was feared she could poison Imran to grab his party’s reigns,’’ Nizami told Pakistan’s News 24 channel. His theory carries weight as he is known

sniffing out scoops and breaking news. Nizami had broken the story about Imran and Reham’s marriage in December 2014 as well as the divorce last month. In September , he said the couple had reached a point of no return and were about to part ways. The journalist said Reham had made Imran’s life hell and the decision to annul the marriage was not mutual. According to Nizami, the couple had frequent fights. Nizami told Reham Khan the channel the two fought bitterly two days before the divorce was announced after Reham told Imran she would tell him how to run his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He said Reham was then sent to London on the pretext of attending a conference when Imran emailed her the divorce notice much to her shock.

Hundreds of teachers sacked from ‘ghost schools’

akistan authorities have halted funding to hundreds of “ghost schools” and fired 450 absentee teachers, with officials vowing on Tuesday to launch a crackdown on the practice in the southwestern province of Baluchistan. “We have detected and stopped funds to some 650 ghost schools and sacked 450 teachers who never taught at any school but were drawing sal-

aries,” Abdul Saboor Kakar, the provincial education secretary told AFP. He said most of the schools only existed on paper, while others had been abandoned as there were no teachers or students attending them. Raza Mohammad Braich, the provincial minister of education, confirmed the details and said authorities had detected several hundred more schools and teachers that would come under the clampdown.

ons to counter India’s conventional arsenal. The competition with India, which is adding to its own nuclear arsenal, is a losing game, and countries like China, a Pakistan ally, should be pushing Pakistan to accept that. Meanwhile, Narendra Modi, India’s

prime minister, has done nothing to engage Islamabad on security issues, and he also bears responsibility for current tensions. The nuclear arms race in South Asia, which is growing more intense, demands far greater international attention.

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SOUTH ASIA

Obama calls Myanmar president, endorses election as Suu Kyi eyes majority

S President Barack Obama called Myanmar leader Thein Sein to congratulate him on Thursday on the staging of a historic general election, in which democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi trounced the ruling camp. Suu Kyi’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) has won more than 80 percent of the seats declared so far in the lower house, a result that puts her on course to form the new cabinet, and is well ahead in the upper house and regional assemblies. If the full results confirm the trend, Suu Kyi’s triumph will sweep out an old guard of former generals that has run Myanmar since Thein Sein in ushered in sweeping democratic and

economic reforms four years ago. “US President Obama... congratulated the president and the entire government on having been able to hold a historic free and fair general election,” said presidential spokesman and Information Minister Ye Htut on his Facebook page. “He said America would continue cooperating with the Myanmar government.” Obama has visited Myanmar twice in the past three years, hoping to make its transition to democracy a foreign policy legacy of his presidency. Thein Sein and the powerful army chief Min Aung Hlaing have already endorsed Suu Kyi’s victory, congratulating her on Wednesday on winning the majority of the seats in the first free election in 25 years.

Baby with two heads born in Bangladesh

octors at a Bangladesh hospital were treating a baby girl born with two heads, medical officials and the newborn’s father said. The baby was born late Wednesday and is now being treated for breathing difficulties after being shifted to the intensive care unit of the country’s largest hospital in Dhaka. “When I saw my baby, I was awestruck. She has two fully developed heads. She is eating with two mouths and breathing with two noses,” her father, Jamal Mia, said. “Still, I thank Allah that she and the mother are now okay,” Mia told AFP. Abu Kawsar, owner of the Standard Hospital of Total Healthcare where the baby was born by Cesarean section, said initial tests showed she only has one set of vital organs. “Except for having two heads, the newborn has the rest of her organs and limbs like a normal newborn,” Kawsar told AFP.

Thousands of people thronged the hospital in Brahmanbaria, where she was born, some 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of Dhaka, after news spread of the “miracle newborn”. “The entire town poured into the clinic. There were thousands of people with some of them coming from the nearby villages,” he said. It is purely a miracle.. Gods creation... They are blessed with all given by God. Congratulations. God bless you with everything.Ankush Mujoo “It’s good that the baby has been shifted to Dhaka. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for us to control the crowd.” Her father, Mia, a poor farm labourer, said he was concerned about how he would manage to care for the baby if extra expenses were needed. “I feel sad for her. She has been born to a poor man. I don’t have money to even properly treat her mother,” he said. A baby was also born in Bangladesh with two heads in 2008 but later died.

Protests across Afghanistan demanding better security Afghanistan: Protests calling for better security in Afghanistan broke out in several cities on Thursday, a day after an estimated crowd of 10,000 descended on the presidential palace in Kabul in response to the brutal killings of seven people from the minority Hazara ethnic group. Hundreds of demonstrators marched through the streets of major cities in Balkh province in the north, Herat in the west and Nangarhar in the east, holding aloft banners with photos of the Hazaras who were found beheaded on Saturday in rural southern Afghanistan. The protesters demanded for better security for all Afghans. The Hazaras’ coffins were carried through the streets of Kabul on Wednesday in one of the largest-ever demonstrations in the city, attracting participants from all of Afghanistan’s ethnic groups. Harazas, a predominately Shiite minority, have been the victims of a number of large-scale abductions this year, raising fears that insurgents were attempting to stoke ethnic and sectarian divisions.

Bangladesh police boost security for writers, bloggers

prominent Bangladeshi academic and other secular writers, bloggers and intellectuals have been given increased security, police said today, amid fears they could be the next victims of violence blamed on Islamic militants. Tensions are running high in Bangladesh after suspected hardline Islamists hacked to death four secular bloggers and a publisher of secular books this year. Anisuzzaman, a university professor known for supporting secular writers and who goes by one name, alerted police after receiving a death threat via an anonymous text message, a police spokesman said. “We’ve provided security to those who’ve informed us that they’re facing security risks,” Dhaka metropolitan police spokesman Muntashirul Islam told AFP, adding that police were also acting on tipoffs. The comments come after a branch of Al-Qaeda allegedly published a hit-list of 34 top Bangladeshi writers, bloggers, actors, secular activists and intellectuals on a little-known website over the weekend.

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