www.theasianstar.com Vol 15
Tel: 604-591-5423
Issue 15 Saturday, May 14, 2016
How can a student buy a $31.1 million mansion in Vancouver?
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he majority owner of a Point Grey mansion that was sold earlier this year by Canaccord founder Peter Brown for a record $31.1 million is a “student,” property records show. Land title documents list Tian Yu Zhou as having a 99-per-cent interest in
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the five-bedroom, eight-bathroom, 14,600 square-foot mansion on a 1.7-acre lot at 4833 Belmont Ave. Zhou’s occupation is listed as a “student.” The other owner of the property, which boasts sweeping views of the North Shore mountains and Vancouver, is listed as Continued on page 6
India bans unofficial maps & satellite photos
ndia is introducing legislation to ban maps or satellite images of the country unless they are approved by government. The new bill, which would affect digital maps from Google, Apple, and Uber, is facing stiff opposition from campaign groups. It is seen as an attempt to reign in Google
and Apple from publishing maps of India which are not approved by the Indian government and which many show disputed territories as not part of India. Google and Apple have already fallen in line, and use only gov’t approved maps. It also
Continued on page 7
Local Sikhs help Fort McMurray fire victims
Members of the Metro Vancouver-area Sikh community help organize and load donations heading for Fort McMurray fire evacuees in Edmonton. See full story on page 11
72-year-old Sikh woman gave birth using an in-vitro fertilization treatment
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Sikh woman gave birth to her first child at the age of 72 after undergoing fertility treatment at a controversial IVF clinic. Daljinder Kaur gave birth to a healthy boy last month at the National Fertility Centre in Haryana state, which offers treatment to women decades past their menopause. Although her exact date of birth is unclear, Kaur told doctors she was about seven years younger than her husband Molinder Singh Gill, 79. If correct, that would make her the world’s
Mohinder Singh Gill, 79, and his wife Daljinder Kaur, 70, pose for a photograph as they hold their newborn baby boy Arman at their home in Amritsar on May 11, 2016.
Continued on page 7
Surrey approves redevelopment for land near Green Timbers Urban Forest
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urrey city council has voted unanimously to rezone five hectares of land next to the Green Timbers Urban Forest — a 183 hectare park made up of wetlands, lakes, a fishing dock and grassland meadows. The city plans to develop the land to make room for a homeless shelter, transition housing, health care facilities and government offices. “I can understand the city needs these kind of facilities to help those who Cyclists, walkers, fishermen, joggers, naturists, are in most desperate need in our society. It’s just unfortuGreen Timbers urban forest nate that they’ve decided to use this particular land,” said Don Schuetze, president of the heritage forest, but many people consider it Green Timbers Heritage Society. “The forest- to be one and the same. “To my mind someed areas, the green spaces, the natural areas — thing like this is so obviously part of what you can’t get those areas back, they’re gone.” is historically considered Green Timbers,” Green Timbers heritage site The city’s il- Schuetze said. The provincially-owned lustration of the site overlaid on top of a property was sold to the city in 2014 and a The parcel of property isn’t technically in the
Continued on page 7
2 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
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4 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
OPINION
While thousands of locals are unable to afford a home in Metro Vancouver, foreign students can easily purchase multi million dollar properties Umendra Singh
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$31.1 million Vancouver property was bought by a “student,” according to reports that came out this week. And this one report shows the weakness in the system that is denying local residents the ability to purchase homes. Another report, also released this week, states that both the federal and provincial governments are “complicit” in allowing or helping foreign buyers, specially those from China, to use Metro Vancouver real estate as a cash safety box, using real estate here to safely keep money earned in Asia while not paying any taxes in BC – and in the process crushing the dreams of local taxpayers who want to buy homes. Also this past week, Finance Minister Mike de Jong has come up with a weak-kneed solution – barring realtors from “shadow flipping” - in other words selling one property many times without the knowledge of or without any benefit to the property owner (realtors keep the cash in shadow flipping). Shadow flipping is a minor problem in the real estate industry – compared to the inability of locals to purchase homes. Opposition NDP leader may be right when he says de Jong’s solution is only fixing a symptom but
not fixing the problem itself. But how can poor de Jong be expected to take any strong action when his political boss, Premier Christie Clark, has openly declared she does not want to interfere in the real estate industry. Meanwhile, the issue of the student buying a multimillion dollar property has led to anger among those unable to buy a homer in the city they live and pay taxesin. The majority owner of the Point Grey mansion that was sold earlier this year by Canaccord founder Peter Brown for a record $31.1 million is a “student,” property records show. Land title documents list Tian Yu Zhou as having a 99-per-cent interest in the five-bedroom, eight-bathroom, 14,600 square-foot mansion on a 1.7-acre lot at 4833 Belmont Ave. Zhou’s occupation is listed as a “student.” The other owner of the property, which boasts sweeping views of the North Shore mountains and Vancouver, is listed as Cuie Feng, a “businesswoman.” Feng has a one-per-cent interest in the property, which was assessed this year as having a total value of about $25.6 million, records show. NDP housing critic David Eby said the fact that a student was able to buy one of the most expensive homes in the city contra-
dicts the government’s messaging that “everything is under control in the Vancouver real estate market.” Eby said it also links to a theme uncovered in a 2015 study by Andy Yan, an adjunct professor at the University of B.C., which found homemakers and, to a lesser extent, students, are often the listed occupations of the owners of many newly purchased multi-million dollar Vancouver properties. “It’s incredibly strange that a student would be able to afford such a luxurious and multi-million-dollar property,” said Eby. “This is part of a trend of homemakers and students mass-buying property. I don’t know how that can be possible with the income of homemakers and students typically have, which is close to zero.” Mortgage documents attached to the land title papers show that a mortgage of $9.9 million was taken out by Zhou and Feng from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce on April 28. The bi-weekly payments are listed as $17,079.41. Eby said the government’s messaging and slow response to the housing crisis in Metro Vancouver could be because party donors, like Brown, are directly benefiting from the red-hot market. According to financial records, Brown has donated $62,500 to the B.C. Liberal Party in the past two years, and Eby further noted that Brown is a longtime Liberal fundraiser. “I think we shouldn’t underestimate the connection between the government saying there is no issue with the real estate market in Vancouver at the same time one of their major fundraisers is selling his home to a student for $31 million and significantly over the assessed value,” said Eby. “The government’s donors are directly profiting from this crazy real estate market while a lot of hardworking families are suffering.” Eby may be on the right track. If he is not right, then the Liberal government should explain why he is not right. In any case, both the federal and provincial governments should take immediate action to ensure that locals are able to afford homes in their own cities and province.
www.theasianstar.com # 202 - 7028, 120th Street, Surrey, BC V3W 3M8 Ph: 604-591-5423 Fax: 604-591-8615 E-mail: editor@theasianstar.com Editor: Umendra Singh Associate Editor: Shruti Prakash Joshi Marketing and Sales: Ravinder S. Cheema..604-715-3847 Shamir Doshi..............604-649-7827 Harminder Kaur..........778-708-0481 Parminder Dhillon.......778-859-9234 Pre-Press: Iftikhar Ahmed Contributing writers: Akash Sablok, Kamila Singh, Jay Bains Photographer: Chandra Bodalia
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Saturday, May 14, 2016
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6 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
Local Student buys a $31.1 million mansion
From page 1
Cuie Feng, a “businesswoman.” Feng has a one-per-cent interest in the property, which was assessed this year as having a total value of about $25.6 million, records show. Efforts to reach Zhou and Feng through the lawyer listed on the land title documents were not successful, and realtor Cherry Xu, who reportedly served as the buyer’s agent, did not want to comment on the sale, citing privacy considerations. NDP housing critic David Eby said the fact that a student was able to buy one of the most expensive homes in the city contradicts the government’s messaging that “everything is under control in the Vancouver real estate market.” Eby said it also links to a theme uncovered in a 2015 study by Andy Yan, an adjunct professor at the University of B.C., which found homemakers and, to a lesser extent, students, are often the listed occupations of the owners of many newly purchased multimillion dollar Vancouver properties. “It’s incredibly strange that a student would be able to afford such a luxurious and multi-million-dollar property,” said Eby. “This is part of a trend of homemakers and students mass-
buying property. I don’t know how that can be possible with the income of homemakers and students typically have, which is close to zero.” Mortgage documents attached to the land title papers show that a mortgage of $9.9 million was taken out by Zhou and Feng from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce on April 28. The bi-weekly payments are listed as $17,079.41. Eby said the g o v e r n m e n t ’s messaging and slow response to the housing crisis in Metro Vancouver could be because party donors, like Brown, are directly benefiting from the red-hot market. According to financial records, Brown has donated $62,500 to the B.C. Liberal Party in the past two years, and Eby further noted that Brown is a longtime Liberal fundraiser. “I think we shouldn’t underestimate the connection between the government saying there is no issue with the real estate market in Vancouver at the same time one of their major fundraisers is selling his home to a student for $31 million and significantly over the assessed value,” said Eby.
Local
Saturday, May 14, 2016
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72-year-old Indian woman gave birth using an in-vitro fertilization treatment From page 1 oldest mother. Indian mother Daljinder Kaur, 70, holds her newborn baby boy Arman as she arrives home in Amritsar on May 11, 2016. The current, verified record is held by Maria del Carmen Bousada de Lara, who was 66 when she gave birth to twin boys in Barcelona in 2006. “Everyone asked me to adopt a baby but I never wanted to. Now I have my own child,” said Mrs Kaur. “We will raise him and give him a proper education. I had faith in the Almighty that I will have my own baby, and Waheguru answered my prayers,” she said, using the Sikh term for God. The pair, from Amritsar in Punjab state, have been married for 46 years, and tried IVF after seeing an advertisement for the clinic in a newspaper. Kaur underwent three rounds of in-vitro fertilization treatment using anonymous donor eggs. She gave birth by caesarean section on April 19. Post-menopausal births are increasingly common in India, where couples are often under intense social pressure to have children, and IVF treatment is cheap and largely unregulated. The full cost for a cycle of fertility treatment can be as low as 100,000 rupees (pounds 1,000), around half what it would be in Britain. Dr. Anurag Bishnoi’s National Fertility Centre in particular has created headlines in recent years over the age of his patients. Its website lists several cases of elderly couples conceiving through treat-
India bans unofficial maps From page 1 bans “wrong” information, including disputed international borders. The government said the rules would not create barriers to business if the bill became law. The bill bans all types of geospatial information, maps, raw data or photographs, acquired by any means, including satellite photography. Offenders could be fined up to 1bn rupees The bill comes on the heels of the terrorist attack on Pathankot airbase earlier this year, unnamed government officials said. Security agenvcies say terrorists from Pakistan use Google maps to help them plan attacks in India. The new bill also requires anyone who has already gathered such information to apply for a licence to keep it.
Surrey Green Timbers Urban Forest From page 1 plan to bulldoze the area has been controversial. A city development report notes two other alternate sites were considered, but were deemed unsuitable because of location, purchase price and other constraints.
ment, including that of Rajo Devi, a woman thought to be 70 who gave birth to a baby girl in 2006. There is growing pressure for regulation of the sector. India’s medical council has lobbied for a ban on fertility treatment for women aged 50 and above, citing health concerns for both mother and child. Supporters expect a bill to be passed in parliament within six months. Some senior members of India’s medical community last night denounced the treatment offered to Kaur. Dr. Hrishikesk Pai, head of India’s federation of gynaecologists, said: “We condemn this totally. With science, you can make a 90-year-old person pregnant. The question is not about technicalities, it’s about ethics. Our responsibility is to the patient.” Dr. Aniruddha Malpini, who runs a fertility clinic in Mumbai added: “This gives IVF doctors a bad name.” But Dr Bishnoi said: “Reproduction is a fundamental right. The government cannot prevent that.”
The British Columbia Chapter of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, held a celebration dinner last week in Vancouver after receiving the “Best Chapter Overseas Category I Award” from its parent body in India. Indian Consul General was among the dignitaries who attended the celebration in Vancouver. Pictured above and below are some of the guests at the celebration. The original award was presented in New Delhi on February 11, this year. Photo by Chandra Bodlia.
LOCAL
8 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
Billions change hands as April home sales set record in BC $9.64 billion changed hands in April, a leap of almost 53 per cent compared to April 2015. More property sales records tumbled in April according to the British Columbia Real Estate Association. A release from the association says a record 12,969 homes were sold last month in B.C., a 30 per cent increase over the same period last year. Sales also eclipsed the record of 12,560 units set in March. The release says $9.64 billion changed hands in April, a leap of almost 53 per cent compared to April 2015. Year-over-year sales dollar volume rocketed to $31.2 billion, up 64 per cent. The real estate association reports the average price of a home in B.C. nudged $744,000 last month, a 17 per cent hike in one year. “Housing demand is exception-
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ally strong across the southern regions of the province,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA chief economist. The Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley and Thompson/Okanagan regions are particularly active, he said. Modest movement away from Vancouver came as sky-high prices and a lack of properties were blamed by the Canadian Real Estate Association for a minor sales dip in the city in March, but experts see no end to healthy sales in B.C. “Strong employment growth is helping underpin consumer confidence,” said Muir. The BCREA points to statistics showing the provincial economy employed more than 78,000 additional workers during the first four months of 2016, up 3.5 per cent compared to last year.
Water restrictions in Metro Vancouver start this weekend
etro Vancouver is implementing Stage 1 water restrictions this Sunday, two weeks earlier than last year. The restrictions will also run two weeks later — to Oct. 15 rather than Sept. 30 — regardless of the weather, according to the district. As of May 15, residential lawn sprinkling will be allowed on alternating days at these times: • Eve n - nu mb e re d addresses: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. •Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. Non-residential lawn sprinkling will be allowed at the following times: •Even-numbered addresses: Monday and Wednesday mornings from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. •Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. •All addresses: Friday mornings from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. Other Stage 1 water restrictions will also take effect. Outdoor car washing and boat washing will only be allowed with
hoses that have spring-loaded shut offs. Stage 3 restrictions? Last year, the hot dry summer brought the region into “uncharted territory” when it came to water conservation — with Metro Vancouver banning lawn sprinkling entirely with Stage 3 restrictions by mid July. Metro Vancouver’s director of water policy and planning is hopeful that won’t be the case this year. “We are moving in a much better situation,” said Inder Singh. He said the water reservoirs are currently at full capacity and unlike last year, rainfall is in the forecast. Watch out, violators Singh said this season there is an expectation that municipalities will be tougher on violators. Especially those watering in the evenings. Singh noted that enforcement will vary based on jurisdiction but ultimately bylaw officers will be on the lookout for violators and will be serving violation notices.
Early morning fire destroys North Vancouver home
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couple was forced out of their home on Maplewood Crescent in the Norgate neighbourhood of North Vancouver after a big fire broke out early Friday morning. Crews arrived shortly after 7:30 a.m to find the house fully involved with large flames threatening to ignite the wood structure house next door. Firefighters were able to get the fire
under control and contain it to the one residence. A man and a woman escaped without injury, but according to District of North Vancouver Assistant Fire Chief Brian Hutchinson, the home appears to be completely destroyed. Heavy smoke from the fire was visible from the Lions Gate Bridge.The cause of the blaze is still under investigation
Fire crews near the home appears to be completely destroyed in North Vancouver.
BCLiberal candidate battles backlash over ‘racist’ tweets
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newly announced B.C. Liberal candidate will stay on despite backlash around controversial tweets he has posted in recent years. Randy Rinaldo (pictured), a realtor and B.C. Liberal Party board member, was named Tuesday as the party’s candidate for the riding of BurnabyLougheed heading into next year’s provincial election. The riding was held by the Liberals until 2013, when NDP candidate Jane Shin defeated Liberal candidate Ken Kramer by 743 votes. Within 24 hours of being tapped as a candidate, Rinaldo, 33, was facing heat after a series of tweets he posted in 2012 and 2013 resurfaced. The tweets, many of which were directed at NDP affiliates and supporters, have been described as racist and in poor taste by critics. “Just leaving this here,” wrote Vancouver School Board
trustee Patti Bacchus on Wednesday morning, before sharing a screen capture of a tweet Rinaldo posted in 2012. In response to something Bacchus had posted, Rinaldo had written: “Child poverty is a cultural problem not a system problem, many people out there shouldn’t be having kids #irresponsible” In 2013, VancouverKingsway MP Don Davies shared on Twitter a link with information about immigration and Roma. Rinaldo responded to Davies’ tweet with, “U know gypsies believe they have the god given right 2 others peoples belongings? & your party wants to roll out the red carpet?”
Saturday, May 14, 2016
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Man found dead in Abbotsford blueberry field
omicide investigators are looking into the death of a man found in a blueberry field in Abbotsford, B.C. Police say they received a call about a man down just before 5 p.m. PT on Wednesday. When officers arrived at the field near Boundary and No. 3 roads they determined the man was dead. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team will be taking Blueberry field where the victim was found is near No. 3 over the case. Police say they Road and Boundary Road, Abbotsford. have not identi in the blueberry field homicide fied the victim,
Vancouver man in serious condition after shooting
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ancouver police continue to investigate a shooting in East Vancouver Wednesday afternoon that sent one man to hospital. Police said that at 3 p.m., officers were called after reports of gunfire near Nanaimo and Dundas Street. A 19-year-old man was found with gunshot wounds and taken to hospital in serious condition. No arrests have been made and investigators continue to speak with witnesses and canvass for any video in the area to help identify potential suspects. While still early in the investigation, the shooting is believed targeted and drug-related. “Shootings are usually targeted at individuals who are involved in high-risk behaviour
associated to guns, drugs or gangs — this attack appears no different� said Cst. Brian Montague. “However, when they take place in the middle of the day and in residential neighbourhoods, they put everyone at risk.� A woman at the scene told reporters Wednesday that her daughter’s boyfriend was the shooting victim. She said he was shot in the lane behind her apartment building. Mark Cunningham, who lives in the 2400-block of Triumph Street close to the shooting scene, said he heard what he believed were six gunshots in an alleyway behind his house, but didn’t know anything about the circumstances or victim. “I opened the back door and heard two males shouting.
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10 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
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RCMP release video of suspect in sex assault of real estate agent
urrey RCMP are releasing video of a sus- groomed beard. Speaks with an accent. pect fleeing after he sexually assaulted a At the time of the attack he was wearfemale real estate agent at an open house ing dark pants, a light shirt, and in late April. Police are also asking for help light grey jacket and a white turban. identifying the suspect the victim managed to fight off. They say she didn’t know her attacker and she wasn’t injured in the incident. The attack took place near 128th Street and 92nd Avenue. A photo shows the suspect running northbound on 128th Street after the incident, and surveillance video shows him heading westbound The suspect running northbound on 128th Street after the sexual assault took place in Surrey on 92nd Avenue. He is described as: South Asian male. Police say their investigation continues to In his late 20s to mid 40s. Five feet be a top priority. They have spoken to resifive inches to five feet eight inches tall. dents of the area where the assault took place Brown eyes and a dark brown, well- and are conducting a forensic examination.
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Police searching for missing man Karamjit Khangura
olice are searching for Karamjit Khangura of New Westminster, who went missing Wednesday morning. The 35-year-old was last seen leaving for work, but never arrived at his workplace. His vehicle was located in Delta, but he was nowhere to be found. Police describe Khangura as:
A South Asian male, Slim build, 5 feet, 8 inches, 165 pounds, Wearing a blue shirt, blue pants and a blue hat. Anyone with information on Khangura’s whereabouts is asked to call the New Westminster Police Karamjit Khangura Department at (604) 525-5411 or their local police department.
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Newcomer forum in Surrey aims to demystify police role in Canada
ounties in Surrey are working to build trust with refugees and other newcomers to Canada. “The countries that they were from, there was genuine mistrust or outright avoidance of the police,” said Sgt. Paul Hayes with Surrey RCMP. Officers held a forum in Arabic at Guilford Park Secondary on Wednesday night to help address those issues and answer questions from the audience of about three dozen people. Hayes has been working with Syrian refugees since they started arriving and says trust has been one of the biggest hurdles. He said the goal of the forum was to help them understand who is on their side and how they can help keep their community safe. Sam Jaroudi, a civilian member of the RCMP who has been travelling across the country to help police connect with Syrian refugees, also led the workshop. “We just wanted to put a positive image and show that police are approachable and they are there to help,” Jaroudi said. “They are a part of your community, they coach hockey, they coach soccer,
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The workshop for refugees and other newcomers to Canada. they are your neighbour.” Syrian refugees Eman Elhalaqa and her husband attended last night’s event. Speaking through an interpreter, she said people back in Syria told her any interaction with police in Canada would mean losing her four kids. But once she arrived in Surrey, she was put at ease. Eman Elhalaqa, a Syrian refugee, said people in her home country warned her about interacting with police in Canada.
BC’s voting age should be 16, says Green Party leader
reen Party leader Andrew Weaver introduced a private member’s bill Wednesday to lower the province’s voting age to 16. Weaver says it’s a common misconception that 16-year-olds aren’t informed and engaged on political issues. He says they should have a say in politics because they will inherit what current leaders leave behind.
He says there is a lot of research suggesting the younger people are when they cast their first ballots, the more likely they will be to vote throughout their lives. Lowering the voting age has been on the table in the past. In January, an NDP MP introduced a private members bill to lower the country’s voting age to 16. In 2010, then BC Liberal leadership candidate, Mike de Jong, also advocated for lowering the voting age. He is now the province’s finance minister.
LOCAL
Local Sikhs send help to victims of Alberta wildfires
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he Sikh community of Metro Van- parts of the northern Alberta town. “You can’t couver has send a tractor-trailer load believe an entire town goes up like that,” he full of donations to Fort McMurray, said. “We said something needs to be done Alta., to help victims of the massive wildfire. to help them.” The truck leaves the Fruitcana Avtar Gill, who is coordinating the dona- warehouse in Surrey Monday afternoon. tion drive, said the region’s Sikh temples and Another trailer of donations for the fire schools have been busy accepting donations victims will be sent off as well. This Satto help those who have lost their homes and urday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., canned personal items due to the wildfire. The truck items, diapers pillows, toiletries and other took the items to Edmonton where the goods non-perishable food is being collected. will then get delivered to those who are displaced from the massive fire that swept through the region last week. The donation drive has been widely broadcast on the ethnic radio stations, and people have come through, said Gill. “This has been a collective effort from the Sikh community,” he said of the campaign. “This effort is entirely being done based on their need,” he said of the fire victims, many who have yet to find out if their homes are still standing. Gill, like others in the Sikh com- Community members load up large food and supplies for Fort McMurray fire victims, inside the Fruiticana munity, said it was shocking to watch warehouse in Surrey the footage of the fire destroying many
Vancouver city may have breached policy with $95K contract to Vision Vancouver consultant
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he City of Vancouver appears to have breached its procurement policy after Vision Mayor Gregor Robertson reportedly approved a contract worth almost $95,000 for a prominent supporter of his party, according to a legal expert. Documents obtained through freedom of information show the “sole source” contract for developer, Vision political funder and consultant Bob Rans-
ford — with payments of $94,838 over four months — was awarded “to provide support to Vancouver’s referendum staff team” in the 2015 transit tax vote. As an experienced political campaigner and media-savvy lobbyist for developers, Ransford made headlines in the 2011 Vancouver city election by publicly endorsing Vision and Robertson after campaigning against Robertson for the NPA in the 2008 election.
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Foreign buyers crushing home dreams in Vancouver: study
he Canadian and British Columbia governments are complicit in fuelling Vancouver’s housing crisis as foreign Chinese buyers continue to shut local residents out of the market, a new study says. Josh Gordon, the study’s author and assistant professor in the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University, said people whose dreams of owning a home are being crushed because they can’t compete with foreign investors no longer accept “distraction” excuses such as low interest rates for the state of the super-heated market. “People recognize what’s going on, and they’re willing to call a spade a spade,” he said, stressing that such views are based on reality, not racism. His report compiles a number of other studies, including data on home-buying trends, population density, the cancelled immigrant investor program, and American research on the same issue. Gordon said his report blames Vancouver’s housing crisis on foreign buyers, particularly from China, because “this is where the evidence points, not because of some anti-Chinese animus.” Chinese investors have also spiked home prices in the Toronto region, but Vancouver has seen the highest rise in real estate due to the influx of foreign money reaching an unprecedented level in the last year, he said. Gordon noted that other countries, including Australia and Singapore, have created policies for foreign homebuyers to protect their own citizens but that hasn’t happened in Canada. The average sale price of a single-detached home in Metro Vancouver was $1.4 million in April, a 30-per-cent in-
crease from a year earlier, according to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. The report, titled “Vancouver’s Housing Affordability Crisis: Causes, Consequences and Conclusions,” says political inaction has allowed the problem to grow. “By linking the crisis unambiguously to foreign ownership and investment, documenting the major harms of the affordability crisis, and proposing a policy route out of the current mess, the report hopes to harness the city’s resentment and dispel its resignation.” Mobilized and informed residents can ideally hold political leaders accountable, the report says. Nazma Lee said she and her husband Lloyd have become increasingly frustrated because they can’t afford a home as they continue renting a two-bedroom condo with their two children. Lee, a lawyer, and her husband, an engineer, were born and raised in the Vancouver area but fear that like other residents they may have to leave to buy a home elsewhere. “I do think Vancouver is being affected by massive amounts of foreign investment,” she said. Lee said it’s time for the B.C. and federal governments to take “drastic measures,” including tracking the source of money for real-estate investment to deal with possible money laundering. “I feel like there’s a little bit of wilful blindness and people know what’s going on but nobody wants to look into it because so many people are making money off real estate in Vancouver,” she said. In March, Premier Christy Clark said the province will impose regulations to end the “shady” practice of contract flipping, al-
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Strong Action For Safer Communities A three-year, $23-million commitment by the Government of B.C. builds on the Guns and Gangs Strategy with the B.C. Anti-Gang Unit, RCMP and Crime Stoppers to support B.C. communities like Surrey to prevent gang and gun violence. Key elements include: $450,000 to support Crime Stoppers’ proven Cash for Tips on Illegal Firearms and to promote awareness of the Gang Tip Line Enhancement of the End Gang Life Program Continued funding for the Gang Prevention Surrey Wraparound (Wrap) Program More outreach to youth Dedicated Crown counsel on priority files in Surrey that involve alleged offenders with ties to guns and gangs
You could receive a cash reward of up to $2000.
More police, with the addition of two 10-person teams New Office of Crime Reduction and Gang Outreach Illegal Firearms Task Force
2016_Surrey Crime Stopper Print_Asian Star BW H.indd 1
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LOCAL
Judge refuses strata corporation’s application in civil case linked to Surrey Six murders
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judge has refused a severance application for two defendants in a lawsuit filed by the mother of one of the Surrey Six murder victims. Eileen Mohan (pictured), whose son Christopher was one of the six men murdered in a 15th-floor suite of the Balmoral Towers in October 2007, filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court for damages, naming as defendants the strata corporation, the property manager, the landlords and the men criminally charged. Mohan alleges that the strata, the property managers and landlords were negligent in various ways, including failing to warn her about the criminal activities of Cory Lal, a drug dealer who resided in the building and was one of the six victims. The strata corporation and Atira Property Management Inc., the property managers, applied to have the allegations against them severed from, and heard in a separate trial from, allegations against the
other defendants. They made a number of submissions, including that there was a risk of relevant evidence being lost due to the passage of time. They also argued that the issues of liability with respect to them were different from, and not interwoven with, the issues of liability of the criminal defendants. But in a ruling released Wednesday, B.C. Supreme Court Justice William Ehrcke dismissed those arguments. The judge noted that to prove the liability of the civil defendants, Mohan must first prove that the murder of her son occurred as a result of the conduct of the criminal defendants. “Those facts have been specifically denied in the pleadings of the strata corporation. It cannot be maintained, therefore, that the issues in relation
to the civil defendants are distinct and not interwoven with the criminal defendants.” The judge also noted that the plaintiff must establish that Atira and the strata council believed or reasonably suspected that there was drug dealing activity in the murder suite, and that they were negligent. Much of the police evidence would therefore likely be relevant, added Ehrcke. “I find therefore, that if the liability of the applicants were severed from the other defendants, there would likely be the necessity of multiple trials with extensive overlap and duplication in the evidence that would be called at each trial. “This would not be an efficient
use of court resources, but in addition, it would leave open the possibility of inconsistent findings of fact.” In additional to the civil defendants, the suit alleges that James Kyle Bacon, Cody Rae Haevischer, Matthew Johnston, Michael Le, Sophon Sek and a man only identified as Witness X in the Surrey Six trial carried out or conspired to carry out the murder of Lal. The estate of Lal is also named as a defendant. Bacon is awaiting trial in the Surrey Six murders. Haevischer and Johnston were convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the slayings. Le pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder part way through the trial. Sek pleaded guilty to helping the killers gain access to the building. Witness X pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Foreign buyers crushing home dreams Continued from page 11 in Vancouver: study lowing real estate agents to flip a property multiple times at higher prices before a deal closes as they continue making commissions while buyers avoid paying property taxes. This year’s federal budget allocated $500,000 over the next year for Statistics Canada to develop methods to track ownership of Canadian homes by foreign homebuyers. The Opposition New Democrats have put forward two private member’s bills, one calling for a two-per-cent speculation tax and the other to close a loophole allowing investors to avoid paying property transfer tax. NDP housing critic David Eby said the province’s commitment to reintroduce a requirement for homebuyers to disclose their citizenship on land title documents is unlikely to make any difference.
“The idea that if people are misrepresenting their residency on antimoney laundering forms are going to suddenly give you frank and honest information on land titles form is a bit silly.” Eby said he has met with business owners who are struggling to recruit and retain professionals because the high cost of housing is deterring people from moving to the city. “Housing is going to be a central issue for us,” he said of the matter that will potentially drive the NDP’s election agenda before voters go to the polls in May 2017. “It’s not just Metro Vancouver that’s facing this challenge,” he said. “There are rental vacancy rates across the province of less than one per cent.”
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said the arrests occurred in relation to attacks at the University of B.C., Vancouver, North Vancouver and Burnaby. “These terrible, unprovoked crimes justifiably scared people,” said Chief Supt. Jodie Boudreau, operations officer for the Lower Mainland District RCMP.
BC Children’s Hospital postpones surgeries due to nursing shortage
C Children’s Hospital has temporarily closed two of its eight operating rooms and is postponing dozens of kids’ elective surgeries due to a shortage of nursing staff. The ORs were closed May 2, and at least 56 surgeries have been postponed so far, said Linda Lemke, chief operating officer for the hospital. “My heart goes out to families who are waiting on these lists,” she said. “We are doing everything we can to rectify this problem, but of course, this is stressful for families.” Over 1,600 new nurses to be hired across B.C. B.C. nursing shortage a crisis, union says It’s not clear when there
will be enough trained pediatric nurses at the hospital to reopen the ORs, and the hospital is reassessing week to week, Lemke said. She stressed that no emergency or very urgent cases would be impacted by the closures. In any operating room, nurses require a specialized set of skills — and pediatric surgery is even more specialized, making it difficult to recruit and train new staff, says B.C. Children’s Hospital’s chief operating officer. The shortage of nurses in B.C. is nothing new, and the hos-
Six year jail for Ontario daycare operator convicted in child’s death
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Six charged in series of Metro Vancouver sex assaults and stranger attacks
olice say they have charged six people in relation to a series of unrelated sexual assaults and violent attacks which have occurred in communities across the Lower Mainland in the last three months. At a joint press conference between RCMP and Vancouver Police, officers
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Toronto-area daycare provider convicted of manslaughter in a toddler’s death has been sentenced to six years in prison. April Luckese was found guilty in March in the death of 14-monthold Duy-An Nguyen after The end-unit townhouse and daycare centre on Asta Drive in Missisa judge detersauga where an infant suffered injuries which resulted in her death mined she lost her patience and assaulted the child, caus- he has no doubt that Luckese “is a good ing a skull fracture. The little girl was dis- person who did a bad thing.” But he also covered unconscious and unresponsive said Luckese and her family were only one in Luckese’s home — an unlicensed day- half of a tragedy, as Duy-An’s parents lost care centre — on Jan. 5, 2011. She died their first child through no fault of theirs. Taking into account time spent in prein hospital two days later. Justice Gordon trial custody, Luckese has to serve a term Lemon, in delivering his sentence, said of five years and 11 months in prison.
Police released this map of the sexual assault and stranger attacks. Although police called the press conference to announce
what appeared to be a major break in their investigations, at least three of the arrests had been previously announced.
LOCAL
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Surrey RCMP investigating shots fired in Newton
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Police believe this was a targeted incident, rather than road rage.
urrey RCMP are investigating a report of shots fired in the Newton area Monday night. Police received the call around 7:45 PM P.T. and found evidence at the scene, in the 7200 block of 151 Street, that two vehicles were involved in the incident. Police located the vehicle they believe was the target of the shooting. No one was shot but one male victim had minor injuries from glass fragments in the vehicle,
said Surrey RCMP in a written release. 72 Avenue from 150 to 152 Street was closed for several hours Monday night to allow officers to gather evidence. Surrey shootings: where they took place — and when There have been more than 30 shootings in Surrey since January. Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or, if they wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.
Suspect sought after ‘road rage’ stabbing Suspect last seen fleeing on foot near 75th Avenue and 121st Street in Surrey
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ounties in Surrey, B.C., are asking for help from the public to identify the suspect in what appears to be a road rage incident that ended with a stabbing on the weekend. “What started as a simple traffic incident quickly escalated into a life-threatening situation for the victim,” said Cpl. Scotty Schumann. Police say several witnesses phoned 911 reporting “road rage” involving two vehicles on 72nd Avenue near 121st Street in Newton at 3:30 p.m. PT on Sunday. The victim was punched by the male suspect in a parking lot near the intersection, say police. RCMP say the suspect then attacked the victim again and stabbed him. The victim collapsed, and the suspect was last seen fleeing on foot near the intersection of 75th Avenue and 121st Street. The suspect is described as having: Dark hair, Dark beard, Wearing black shoes, blue jeans and a white tank top,Driving a Mazda 3 hatchback. “When faced with a ‘road rage’ incident, stay calm and call police when it’s safe and you’re able Have you seen this man? Surrey RCMP say to pull over,” said Schumann. he may have been involved in a road rage Anyone with more information is asked incident on Sunday. (Surrey RCMP) to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-5990502 or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS.
LOCAL
Canada Revenue Agency hacker pleads guilty, says he had best of intentions
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tephen Solis-Reyes is the 21-year-old pleaded one of those brainiac guilty in an Ottawa courtcomputer whiz kids room to four charges. who, it seems, was a little Two were for mischief too smart for his own good. — one for the Canada Two years ago, when the LonRevenue breach, another don, Ont. man was just 19, for exposing security and with what he maintains breaches in JerseyMail, were the best of intentions, the now-defunct online he was able to steal 900 social arm of the postal serinsurance numbers from the vice in Jersey, one of the files of the Canada Revenue Channel Islands off the Agency. He says he wanted Stephen Arthuro Solis-Reyes coast of Great Britain. to demonstrate its online vulThe two other guilty pleas were to one count nerability to the Heartbleed computer bug. each of unauthorized use of a computer The result was a sudden, panicked and obstructing a police officer by swiping shutdown of the agency’s website for information off a computer at his arrest. four days that sent techno-fear shiv“I want to express to Your Honour ers about online security across Canada my most sincere regret and remorse and prompted the CRA to extend Ca- for the wide-reaching effects of damnadians’ tax-filing deadline by a week. age and harm my actions have caused On Friday, now a top-notch computer to many different people and organizascience student at Western University, tions,” he wrote in a letter to the court.
Day parole granted for man who arranged to have BC sisters murdered in 1993
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BC Liberals announce new rules to end real estate ‘shadow flipping’
C Finance Minister Mike de Jong announced new rules Tuesday aimed at ending the controversial practice of ‘shadow flipping’ by eliminating a means for anyone but the seller of a house to profit from real estate contract assignment. The province also unveiled new forms designed to collect information about the role of foreign capital in B.C.’s red-hot real estate market and the nationality of the buyers driving prices into the stratosphere. “There are lots of theories about what is contributing to steadily escalating values of real estate values in British Columbia,” said de Jong. “The objec-
tive here is to get beyond the conjecture and the speculation and actually have hard data.” The new rules for contract assignment will take effect on May 16. Premier Christy Clark first announced her intention to crack down on ‘shadow flipping’ after a series of media reports earlier this year. Contract assignment is the process through which a person can assign their part in a contract of purchase or sale to someone else. The practice has a legitimate role in real estate, but ‘shadow flipping’ involves the assignment of contracts and the immediate resale of a home for a higher price without the seller’s knowledge.
NDP says new ‘shadow flipping’ rules treat a symptom, not the problem
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he BC NDP says shadow flipping is the result of a major housing affordability crisis in the province, and new regulations designed to thwart the practice will do nothing to address the underlying issue. John Horgan, leader of the B.C. NDP, characterized the announcement as a largely political move that will target a specific practice without addressing the circumstances that cause it. Finance Minister Mike de Jong announced Tuesday that as of May 16, realtors will be required to notify sellers of any assignment that takes place before a sale closes. “Shadow flipping is a symptom of a market out of control,” Horgan told Early Edition host Rick Cluff. “That’s a narrow band, in my opinion, of rogue realtors who are taking advantage of a hot market.” ‘Shadow flipping’ refers to the assignment of a real estate contract before completion of the sale, at a higher price, where the realtors in-
volved are implicated in benefiting from the sale. In addition to the assignment rules, de Jong also announced yesterday that, starting in June, owners who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents must show where they do hold citizenship when registering property in B.C. The move is intended to provide government with hard data on foreign ownership of B.C. real estate, which is often seen anecdotally as the main driver of house price increases, particularly in the Lower Mainland. Horgan said this data collection is a move in the right direction, saying that Vancouver has become “a safety deposit box for offshore capital” in recent years. But he said the government needs to be more forthcoming in what it plans to do with that information to resolve what he calls the biggest issue on the minds of British Columbians. “People are looking at their city and saying, I can’t live here anymore.”
prisoner advocacy programs, has convicted killer who been treated for a drug addiction was allowed to apand has successfully completed ply for early parole monthly escorted temporary abunder the “faint hope clause” sences for the past two years. He was granted day parole last has spousal and family support. month. Brian Gerald West, West’s most recent psycho66, is serving a life sentence logical assessment notes that his for first-degree murder and current risk to reoffend is at the conspiracy in connection with An undated family photo of low-to-moderate level, a reducthe 1993 death of 19-yeartion in risk from past assessments. old Sian Simmonds. To West’s case management team supdate, he has served 23 years behind bars. In May 2013, a jury decided that even though ported his application for day parole as a West was sentenced to life with no parole eli- next step toward community reintegragibility for 25 years, he could apply for early tion, and noted that he has no instituparole under the faint hope clause, or sec- tional programming needs and his current tion 745.6 of the Criminal Code of Canada. risk level does not require incarceration. The section allows offenders serving a life sentence with a parole ineligibility period of more than 15 years to apply for parole after serving 15 years in prison. It was repealed on Dec. 2, 2011, but remains available to those sentenced before that date. In 1991, Simmonds and her older sister Katie complained to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C., alleging misconduct by their family doctor, Josephakis Charalambous. A hearing was scheduled for March 1993, and Charalambous planned to have the sisters killed so they could not testify. Start saving for your child’s future He enlisted West, a longtime associeducation in a Registered Education ate, to hire a hit man. West — who claims he did not know the victim and thought Savings Plan (RESP) and receive up to he was hiring someone to assault her, not $8,400 in government grants.1 kill her — hired David Schlender, who Open a CST RESP now and you’ll start receiving the owed him more than $5,000 for cocaine. Canada Education Savings grant (CESG). The CESG On Jan. 27, 1993, Schlender went to the basement suite Simmonds shared with can add up to $7,200 to your child’s RESP. her sister, claiming he had accidentally scratched her car. While inside her home, When your child turns six, they can receive an Schlender shot and bludgeoned Simadditional $1,200 from the B.C. Government. monds. Katie was not home at the time. Schlender admitted to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life with no chance Surjit S. Madhopuri of parole for 20 years. He died in prison in Branch Manager January 2006. Charalambous was convictC.S.T. Consultants Inc. Branch 888 ed of first-degree murder and conspiracy (604) 377- 4171 / (604) 594 - 7200 and was given the same sentence as West. surjit.madhopuri@cstresp.com During his time in prison, West has complethttp://www.cstresp.com/6117 ed a number of steps toward rehabilitation. The parole board decision states that he 1 The Canada Education Savings Grant matches 20% of the first $2,500 you contribute to your child’s RESP each year up to a lifetime maximum of $7,200. BC Training and Education Savings Grant (BCTESG) is a one-time $1,200 grant available to BC resident children born on or after January 1st, completed his correctional plan, was com2007. Children are eligible for the BCTESG on their sixth birthday. You have until the day before your child’s ninth birthday to apply for the BCTESG. pliant with institutional rules, maintained Conditions apply. a job, made meaningful contributions to
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Open a CST RESP today!
The CST Plan is only sold by Prospectus. You can get copies of the prospectus from www.cst.org or by calling 1.877.333.RESP(7377).
16 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
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LOCAL
Third man charged in 2014 gang murder in Richmond
C’s anti-gang agency announced charges Friday against a third suspect in the October 2014 targeted murder of Theoren Poitras in Richmond. Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton, of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, said 25-year-old Edmonton resident David Nguyen has now been charged with firstdegree murder in Poitras’s fatal shooting. Last year, Sean Jacob Lee Jennings, of Edmonton, was charged as the alleged shooter, and Peter Edmonds was charged with accessory after the fact in Poitras’s murder. Poitras was found face down in a pool of blood in the northwest corner of RC Talmey Elementary School, in the 9500-block of Kilby Drive after area residents reported hearing shots fired. Houghton said CFSEU worked with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and with the Edmonton Police Service on the case. Houghton said Nguyen has been in custody since his arrest in March 2015 and is facing
a total of 20 criminal charges in Edmonton, including break and enter, robbery with a firearm, unlawful confinement, aggravated assault and various other firearms charges. “This collaborative effort by the CFSEUBC, IHIT, and the Edmonton Police Service leveraged the expertise and abilities of each agency to most effectively target some of the most violent, prolific offenders operating in B.C. and Alberta in order to obtain successful criminal charges and get these individuals off our streets,” CFSEU Chief Supt. Kevin Hackett said. IHIT Supt. Dwayne McDonald said the new charges against Nguyen “speaks to the tenacity our investigators show in their pursuit of evidence to solve gang related homicides which put the public at risk.” Edmonton Insp. Peter Bruni-Bossio said the cross-border cooperation was essential in the case “to prevent further violence, and hold individuals accountable for their behaviour.”
Surrey house fire leaves one dead, one in hospital
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man is dead and a woman is in hospital with serious injuries after an early morning fire in Surrey. First responders were called to the house in the 9000-block of 148 Street, just before 1:00 a.m. Wednesday. Police tape off a house on 148 Street after a man was found dead following an early morning fire. They arrived to find a 55-year-old man suffering from burns, who died at the scene. A middle-aged woman was also found suffering from
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smoke inhalation. She was taken to hospital in serious condition. Cause of fire not suspicious. The cause of the fire is currently unknown and Surrey RCMP’s Serious Crimes section was leading the investigation early Wednesday morning. But police later released a statement deeming the event “non-suspicious.” “Anytime there’s a death involving a fire, the Serious Crimes section will take over until they can make a determination as to what the cause would be,” said Staff Sgt. Dave Macdonald.
Life in prison for wife’s murder
Prince George man has been sentenced to life in prison for his wife’s murder, after thirteen years but the couple’s adult children remain conflicted about her death. Wendy Ratte was 47-years-old when she disappeared while
shopping in downtown Prince George in August of 1997. Her remains were never found, and the case remained unsolved for more than a decade, until her husband Denis Ratte was charged in 2008, after he confessed to police during a so-called ‘Mr Big sting’.
15 months jail for drunk driver who killed 21 year old student
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computer science student from India was sentenced to 15 months in jail after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of his good friend. Amandip Kaur Sidhu, 21, died instantly
early on Feb. 23, 2014, when Anurag Grover sped down Blanshard Street, lost control of his car and hit a light standard at the intersection of Blanshard and Bay streets. “The circumstances are clearly tragic. A young woman with a bright and promising future has been killed and the many who loved her will have to deal with her senseless death for the remainder of their lives,” Victoria provincial court Judge Carmen Rogers said at Grover’s sentencing hearing last week. “And the life of a young man, also with a promising future, has been forever altered, although through his own choice and actions.” Court heard that the two University of Victoria students had been at a house party, where Grover drank one shot of liquor. Shortly after midnight, they decided to go downtown. It had been snowing and the road conditions were bad. Sidhu got into Grover’s car. Grover drove south from Uptown shopping centre where the speed limit is 50 kilometres an hour. A tow-truck driver saw the car speed through the intersection of Blanshard and Finlayson streets at an estimated 70 to 80 km/h. A few blocks south, a Victoria police officer saw the car travelling at an estimated 130 km/h and sounding like it was still accelerating. Soon after, a pedestrian at the corner of Bay and Blanshard streets saw Grover try to slow down. He lost control of the car and hit a raised traffic median with a light standard. Photographs show devastating damage to the passenger side of the vehicle with little remaining of that side of the car, Rogers said. An analyst found that the car was travelling at speeds of up to 130 km/h. The car also had very worn rear tires with the steel belts showing.
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Saturday - May 14, 2016 loyal? Stay single or tell your partner that you are not serious about it. Many people go for open relationships. Peo-
Nargis Fakhri
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argis Fakhri played a kickass round of rapid fire for Filmfare magazine, where she candidly spoke about Uday Chopra, kissing on the first date and penises. Check out the funniest answers she gave – On kissing on the first date – Yeah why not? And if he sucks at kissing, he’s definitely not getting another date. On her take on infidelity – What’s the point of being in a serious relationship when you can’t remain
ple shouldn’t forget that honesty and Continued on page 3
Is “big p......” important to Nargis Fakhri?
Is iulia Vantue ready to be Salman Khandaan’s bahu?
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e’ve got fresh news on the Salman Khan-Iulia Vantur love story, right from the Mumbai airport where the drama unfolded a few minutes ago. If what we saw is any indication, Iulia seems to have made her place in the ‘Khan’-daan firmly. Salman, who returned from Ludhiana this evening, walked out of the airport and headed straight
Diljit Dosanjh, Alia Bhatt in ‘ikk kudi’ song
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ost the energetic number ‘Chitta ve’, actress Alia Bhatt has launched the second song titled ‘Ikk Kudi’ from her forthcoming film ‘Udta Punjab’ at an event in Mumbai. Her co-star Diljit Dosanjh joined in from Chandigarh via video conference. The
film brings a story of prevalent drug menace in Punjab. Shahid Kapoor is seen essaying the character of a high-ondrugs, rockstar Tommy Singh, who sings with glee and abuses with impunity. Continued on page 3
to his car. Surprisingly, the car stayed put even after the Sultan star had sat inside. Five minutes later, the suspense was cleared. Salman’s steady date Iulia stepped out of the airport lounge with his mother Salma and sister Alvira. Not just that, Iulia held Salma’s hand as they made their way towards the car and even helped her sit inside the vehicle. Only once Salma was comfortably seated inside the car did Iulia get in as well. Hmmm...Iulia is surely playing the role of an adarsh bahu-tobe quite well. Marriage on the cards?
Salman’s new romance Romanian model Lulia Vantur (right) and Salman Khan’s mother Salma (middle).
Bollywood
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Emraan Hashmi’s thriller ‘murder4’
mraan Hashmi says he will star in the fourth part of the popular thriller “Murder” after being a part of the first and second installment. The first part of “Murder”, directed by Anurag Basu, released in 2004 saw Emraan starring opposite Mallika Sherawat. It was a breakthrough film in the “Jannat” actor’s career, who had made his debut in “Footpath”. “’Murder 4’ is on the pipelines, they are working on the script. It is going to happen for sure but I don’t know exactly about when the film will begin,” Emraan said.
Sharmila Tagore
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ctress Sharmila Tagore feels a real man is one who shares household work load with his wife, and says such a move would promote participative relationship, bringing in happiness and peace at home. “It’s in everybody’s mind that this load sharing and this household chores need to be shared, do the laundry at home and help in household chores,” Tagore told reporters at a promotional event here today. “Now we are all working women. Things are now changing and now we are ready and we want men to come forward and share the load.
Irfan’s ‘Madaari’ trailer out
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irected by Nishikant Kamath, ‘Madaari’ is inspired by true life events. Irrfan will be seen playing the lead protagonist in the film. ‘Madaari’ at its heart is a father and son story, and delivers a heart-touching and sensitive concept. Irrfan has ventured into production with this film. The ‘Piku’ star wanted to be more involved in the film than just as an actor and he said that the strong story line led him to try and do much more for the film. ‘Madaari’ also features Jimmy Sheirgill in a pivotal role and is set to release on June 10.
Saturday, May 14, 2016 i 3 Bollywood New released Bollywood films Sonam all set for Cannes Film Festival
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onam Kapoor, who is all set to walk the red carpet on 15th & 16th May, made one last stop to Manchester completing her final round of fittings before heading for Cannes Film Festival. The actress rocked an all black look as she paired a black skirt with a crop top in the same hue. Black stockings and heels completed her look.
1920 London Thriller, Horror, Director : Tony D’Souza Actors: Sharman Joshi, Meera Chopra
COD Comedy, Thriller, Director Tinu Suresh Desai Actors: Sharman Joshi, Meera Chopra
Boney Kapoor advises son Arjun to stop meeting Malaika
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rjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora’s proximity has caused friction between the Chhaiyya Chhaiyya girl and her husband Arbaaz Khan. The two have been seen together on a few occasions, the most recent being in the last week of April (Last night, Malaika Arora and Arjun Kapoor were together, Apr 23). And it’s not just Arbaaz or the Khan family who isn’t happy about this ‘friendship’. Arjun’s father Boney Kapoor has jumped in to salvage the situation. We hear,
Thriller, Director Rajesh Pillai Actors: Manoj Bajpai, Jimmy Shergill, Divya Dutta, Kitu Gidwani, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Sachin Khedekar the producer has told his son in no uncertain terms to maintain his distance from Malaika. Boney is worried that Arjun’s career might take a beating if he rubs Salman Khan the wrong way. And looks like Arjun is taking his daddy dearest’s word seriously.
Why Amy wants Nawaz to teach her hindi?
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Amy Jackson
ctress, model Amy Jackson wants to take her co-star Nawazuddin Siddiqui to a lonely planet so that he can teach her Hindi. Asked at the fifth ‘Lonely Planet’ Magazine awards ceremony if there is anyone whom she wants to take to a lonely planet, Amy said: “Probably Nawaz (Nawazuddin) because I’ll learn my Hindi quickly then. I just finished a film with
Nawaz-ud-din
Nawazuddin so I’ll take him to learn Hindi quicker.” New film “Ali” is directed by Sohail Khan, it is a romantic comedy where Nawaz plays the title character and reportedly will shake a leg with Amy Jackson in the film. Talking about her other projects, she said: “My next film is ‘2.0’ which is with Rajinikanth for which we are shooting currently” .
Azhar
Biopic, Director : Tony D’Souza Actors: Emraan, Nargis Fakhri, Prachi Desai, Gautam Gulati, Huma Qureshi, Lara Dutta
Bollywood
4 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
Horoscope Libra
Aries
Sept. 24 - Oct 22
March 21 - April 20 Is your love life surprisingly quiet in the first part of the week? Enjoy the calm before the storm, because there is definitely a storm coming. You start to feel avalanche effects after letting a few key friends know that you’re ready to start dating again, but it’s not a bad problem to have. Having so many social invitations to choose from over the weekend makes you feel self-confident and desirable.
Taurus
You have a great chance to find your perfect match when you’re learning new things. Reading up on the subjects that most interest you allows you to meet like-minded individuals who could have an intellectual connection with you, which could in turn lead to romance. A dating faux pas might be embarrassing at week’s end, but live and learn. It’s nothing you can’t recover from, so don’t be afraid to pick yourself up and try again!
Scorpio
April 21 - May 20
Oct 23 - Nov 22
You love to spoil your secret crush in the first part of the week. Splurging on something that you know will make this person happy makes you just as happy - if not more! The weekend brings feelings of dread and/or intimidation, but don’t let that stop you from experiencing a romantic moment. Put all of your inner fear aside in order to approach, flirt, and ask out the person of your dreams.
Gemini
May 20 - June 21
Are you having a hard time getting an ex off your mind? Or are you so filled with thoughts about your secret crush that you can’t focus on anything else? Maybe the word “obsessive” is a bit too harsh, but you definitely have a one-track mind at the start of the week. You don’t call attention to yourself when you’re in a crowd over the weekend, but you still get plenty of admiring glances. Your allure is legendary.
Sagitarius
The first part of the week offers you a chance to show what you’re really made of. Anyone can talk a good game, but when you put your money where your mouth is, you let your secret crush know that you mean business. You might not get as much done as you’d like at the end of the week, but your love life should be your top priority. Looking nice is important, but being nice is even more so.
Nov 23 - Dec 22
Are you saying so much about yourself that you’re forgetting there’s actually another person across the table? Find a way to focus your attention on what your date has to offer to the conversation in the beginning of the week. Humor gets a first date off on the right foot over the weekend, but try not to be insensitive or sarcastic. Keeping the mood light opens the door for romance.
Cancer
June 22 - July 23
Lean on your friends in the beginning of the week. No one knows exactly what you’re going through, but listening to their stories of love gone bad helps you realize that you can overcome just about anything. Having a great personality is important, but make sure you look your best when you go out later in the week. You never know who you’re going to meet or where you’re going to go!
Capricorn Dec 23 - Jan 20
What qualities are you looking for in a potential mate? Are you being realistic or are you searching for perfection? The right person is out there, but he or she might not match your picture of “right” at first glance. Your life gets difficult at the end of the week, but your crush’s smile improves your mood despite what’s going on around you. Is it time to make your move?
Leo
June 24 - August 23
Aquarius
You have a lot of self-interest, but dating is a two-way street. Take the opportunity to get to know a date better over coffee or a meal instead of just talking about yourself all the time. A dating disaster has you feeling panicky over the weekend, but luckily you can count on your friends come to your rescue. Be sure to offer to return the favor if the situation is ever reversed.
Virgo
August 24 - Sept 24 You have a pessimistic outlook at the beginning of the week, which doesn’t help your love life. Try to find an example of a romantic success story that you can look to when you feel yourself worrying about your future. There isn’t one right or wrong way over the weekend, so give a date the benefit of the doubt. Just because you don’t see the world exactly the same way doesn’t mean you aren’t a match.
Jan 21 - Feb 19 You don’t do things like everyone else does, which makes you quite the valuable catch. Just because your ex didn’t appreciate your little idiosyncrasies doesn’t mean your next lover won’t. You’re always searching to better yourself, and your quest for self-knowledge could lead to an exciting romantic encounter later in the week. You don’t have any set rules, so follow your whims and desires. Letting go of your inhibitions is freeing.
Pisces
Feb 20 - March 20 Do you feel like the person you’re interested in doesn’t even know you’re alive? Find a new way to get his or her attention at the start of the week. Be subtle, but leave no doubt as to what your intentions are. Feeling good is at the top of your list over the weekend, and joining a new gym or taking a fitness class helps you meet other like-minded people. And yes, romance could be a potential outcome!
Asha Bhosle to perform at border posts for paramilitary jawans
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inger Asha Bhosle will perform for soldiers serving in in Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu. The 82-year-old singer, who has dominated the Hindi film music for six decades with her melodious voice, has herself offered to entertain the soldiers with her songs in forward areas. Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, said that the singer made the offer to him during
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a function in Maharashtra recently. “I am deeply touched, she offered me to sing for our soldiers at border. Hopefully, we could take her to
some of the forward border posts in September-October,” he said. Details of the itinerary are being
Fit frame has now become essential : Soha Ali Khan
oha Ali Khan, whose mother Sharmila Tagore donned a bikini on-screen in the 1960s, says hitting the gym may not have been a trend back then, but a fit frame has now become essential in the movie industry. The 37-year-old, who is blessed with a small frame, believes a lot has changed over the decades. “My mom wore a bikini, but back then nobody went to a gym. It’s good to be fit. You should try to be healthy. If that means to go to the gym, that’s a good thing. Soha
You can see in the industry… people are fitter,” Soha, who was in the capital for The Beauty Debate powered by Dove on ‘Evolving ideals of beauty in India’ at a summit, told IANS. But she isn’t in favour of abruptly losing weight by relying on supplements just for a song or a scene. “It should be more about a lifestyle change and not done suddenly,” said the “Mr Joe B. Carvalho” actress, who added that even make-up has evolved in Bollywood. “Now, we have gone into HD definition. It’s all about looking natural where you can
Bollywood personalities’ birthdays SUNNY LEONNE MAY 13
WAHEEDA REHMAN MAY 14
ZARINA WAHAB MAY 14
MADHURI DIXIT MAY 15
Saturday, May 14, 2016
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6 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
Bollywood
Love affair on reality shows is a farce!
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been there, done on’t we all love that. a love story? Gautam GulatiEspecially Diandra Soares when it’s played out Bigg Boss 8 winin graphic detail on ner Gautam took our TV sets. Karishma home the trophy Tanna and Upen but not the girl. Patel were recently Gautam and model in the news when the Diandra’s intimate two announced their moment inside the Karishma and Upen break-up over Twitter Bigg Boss house (Shocking! Karishma became the talking point among the audiTanna-Upen Patel part ways this month ence. However, Gautam insisted that he on May 7. However, Upen later tweeted and Diandra were “just friends”. Well, their that they were just going through ups and ‘friendship’ never really blossomed. downs. Mallika Sherawat-Vijay Singh Yet, sources insist that Karishma and Mallika got her 15 minutes of fame when Upen’s relationship is on its last leg. It’s she found herself a husband in Vijay been rumoured that Sooraj Pancholi is Singh, on The Bachelorette India in 2013. the new angle come in this love triangle (Is Sooraj Pancholi the reason behind Karishma-Upen split?, May 8). Karishma and Upen are not the first and certainly won’t be the last reality show couple to get together and break up in the public eye. Here’s a list of couples who’ve
Mallika Sherawat-Vijay Singh
Gautam Gulati-Diandra Soares
Vijay got his Khayalon Ki Malika, but soon lost her once the one-year contract was over. Coincidence? Something tells us, not. Gauahar Khan-Kushal Tandon Gauahar and Kushal or Gaushal, as their fans called them, were one of the main reasons people tuned into Bigg Boss 7.
After the show ended, Gaushal participated in another reality show - Khatron Ke Khiladi and even appeared in Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s music video. However, in late 2014, the two parted ways after dating for
Sara Khan-Ali Merchant almost two years. Ashmit Patel-Veena Malik On the sets of Bigg Boss 4 in 2010, Ashmit and Pakistani model Veena’s PDA was for all to see. What happened once they got out of the house? You guessed it – the chemistry soon fizzled out. A few months down the line, when Veena was asked about her alleged love affair with Ashmit, she coolly replied, “Who’s Ashmit?” Sara Khan-Ali Merchant Sara and Ali had a wedding attended by millions of viewers when they got married on Bigg Boss 4. However, a few months down the line, they separated with accusations thrown both ways. Aryan Vaid-Anupama Verma
This duo set the trend of hooking up on Bigg Boss. In season 1 of the reality show in 2006, Aryan and Anupama set the TRP soaring with their sizzling chemistry. Needless to say, their relationship ran exactly as long as the show. Rahul Mahajan-Dimpy Ganguly The troubled Rahul Mahajan met model Dimpy Ganguly on the reality show Rahul Dulhaniya Le Jayega. The two even had a fairytale shaadi. It’s a different story that the marriage and the subsequent divorce was a nightmare, with Dimpy accusing Rahul of being physically abusive. Tanishaa Mukerji-Armaan Kohli Kajol’s sister Tanishaa found love in Armaan Kohli during Bigg Boss 7. Tanishaa stood by the former actor even as he turned into the most hated contestant in the house. Once the show ended, it looked like their love story would continue with the two often spotted in each other’s company. However, the two called it quits after dating for a year.
Tanishaa Mukerji-Armaan Kohli
Bollywood
Saturday, May 14, 2016
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Salman and Kapil buy rights of the same film ! Bollywood’s Bhaijaan and Indian Television’s most loved Comedy Star have set their eyes on a Marathi comedy
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hile Salman Khan is busy finishing his upcoming Eid release Sultan directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and Kapil Sharma is sweating it out to put his competitors in serious trouble in the TRP game, the two have ended up buying the rights of the same film, a Marathi comedy – Shah-
anpan Dega Deva. Sources close to the development told SpotboyE, “Salman bought the rights of the film to make it in Hindi. Kapil has bought the rights to make the film in Punjabi.” Now that both have the rights of the same film, we wonder who will end up making the movie first!
venkyshanky23@yahoo.com
Gautam Gulati: I rejected Ekta’s XXX The actor reveals that he was offered the erotica by the TV czarina but had to turn it down
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fter a dream run in Bigg Boss 8, Gautam Gulati is gearing up for his Bollywood debut with Ekta Kapoor’s Azhar. You may recall that the Bigg Boss winner was supposed to make his foray into B-town with Udanchoo. But he walked out of the film leaving the producers high and dry, when mentor Ekta came knocking on his door with a 3-film contract. But did you know that Ekta had first approached Gautam for the Ken Ghosh-directed erotica XXX? The TV actor turned the film down as he was uncomfortable with the nudity clause, which Ekta had made mandatory for all actors starring in the film. Gautam said, “I was offered XXX. But I said no to the film because people know that I am a good guy and that is the way they want to see me. I felt that my fans would be upset if they see me doing nude scenes.”
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Auto
8 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
Auto sales in Canada hit record in April, consultant says
Canada could still top due to the strength of sales so far.
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utomotive Consultants says Canadian monthly auto sales hit a record in April, topping 200,000 for the first time. The automotive consulting firm says sales of cars and light trucks totalled 200,327, up six per cent from 189,072 in the same month last year. Light truck sales totalled 127,753 for April, up 16.3 per cent from 109,814 a year ago, while car sales slipped to 72,574 compared with 79,258 in April 2015. The April figures bring the sales total for
concept cars
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e’ve rounded up few of our favourite experimental cars, from the very first concept car ever to 21st century automotive pin-ups – and just about everything in between. So – in no particular order – let’s
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the year to date to 603,223, up from 557,645 in the first four months of 2015. Auto sales in Canada set at record last year with 1.9 million light vehicles sold. DesRosiers said Tuesday it did not expect the record pace to hold for the remainder of 2016, but it added that Canada could still top 2015 due to the strength of sales so far.
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Few great concept cars
get on with the show. Ford probe Built to achieve better aerodynamics than a jet fighter, named to sound like an uncomfortable medical procedure. Seriously, though, the Probe was a four-seater with a lower drag coefficient than any production car today. It also looked like it was hovering, from a certain angle.
Alfa romeo caimano A
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sportier version of the small Alfasud saloon, the Caimano offered great views of the sky and trees if you were inside it, and if you were outside it you got a great view of some people feeling uncomfortably hot inside their airless fishbowl of a car. It did look rather cool, but best driven at night. Ferrari 512 s modulo In 1970, after a decade of increasingly bizarre concept designs, Ferrari decided to make a car that was almost completely flat - and as a result,
almost completely impossible to drive. It is beauitfully aerodynamic, but very few people would actually be able to get inside the Modulo, let alone pilot it. Still, it’d look nice in the drive, until you accidentally parked on top of it. Italdesign aztec Sculpted from carbon fibre, Kevlar, aluminium and pure, distilled madness, the Aztec is the height of ‘80s automotive lunacy. The driver and passenger sit in separate cockpits, so if you want to have a conversation you need to use an intercom.
Concept cars
s there anything more annoying than those “concept cars” that never seem to show up on the dealer’s lot? For those of us waiting for the automotive revolution touted in weekly headlines,
a drive to the dealership can be a bit of a let down. As I recently discovered, buying the car of the future is expensive and for most of us, well, still in the future. As we wait this week to see if the Canadian car-buying boom continued in April, there is already something we can count on. Internal combustion still hot From personal research, I can reveal now that in April, the vast majority of Canadian
new car buyers were shelling out for vehicles powered by the fossil-fuel burning internal combustion engines that were a brilliant modern invention about 160 years ago. The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor. Ford’s gas-burning F-150 remains a Canadian hot seller. (Reuters) A trip to my nearest car lot, a Toronto GM dealership, shows that there is really nothing else being sold. Literally. My motivation was not just journalistic. As some of you may recall, my family was one of those caught up in last year’s Volkswagen diesel scandal that came as a such a disappointment to lifelong VW drivers. •VW’s personal betrayal a sad lesson in business morality Diesel engines are known to last a long time and, with careful maintenance, we had counted on our TDI
wagon running for at least ten years. Still waiting We had to spend a little more for what we thought was an environmental fuel sipper. We thought the 10year lifetime would have taken us well into the brave new world, when VW and its competitors would have turned the corner with practical cars that didn’t burn fossil fuels at all. Volkswagen is showing off its BUDD-e electric vehicle but if you’re trying to
replace your smoky Jetta — so sorry, not available. Canadian VW owners still don’t know the details of the offer, but suddenly we have to consider that our best option could turn out
Auto
Saturday, May 14, 2016
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Tesla Model X makes global auto show
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esla’s Model X, an allelectric SUV, is making its auto show debut at the Canadian International Auto Show, which begins Friday in Toronto. The vehicle can go 400 kilometres on a single charge,
and has seating for seven passengers and their gear, the company said in a release. Although it was announced in September, the unveiling in Toronto is the first time the Model X has been shown at any auto show, anywhere in the
world, organizers said. Featuring falcon-wing doors that open upwards, the Model X can go from 0 to 100 km/h in as little as 3.4 seconds when the car is set to “ludicrous mode,” according to California-based Tesla.
in 2015, and plans to expand quickly. So far, all of Tesla’s vehicles have been priced in the high five figures to compete with luxury rivals such as Mercedes and BMW. But key to the company’s expansion will be its next model, called the Model 3, set to be released within the next 12 months. The cost of owning a Model 3 will start at around $35,000 US. The CBC’s Aaron Saltzman is at the auto show and gives us an early look at the Model X.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors Inc., introduced the Model X car at the company’s headquarters on Sept. 29, 2015. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/ Associated Press) The Model X is the third vehicle Tesla has made, after the sincediscontinued roadster, and the Model S sedan. Tesla sold 50,000 vehicles in a year for the first time
sica Caldwell, Edmunds’ director of industry analysis. U.S. auto sales hit a record of 17.5 million last year. As sales r e a c h those historic peaks, however, the overall pace of growth is slowing.
Import cars leading auto sales throughout the month
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S love trucks and SUVs helped push most automakers to healthy sales gains last month as Honda and Nissan reported best-ever April sales. Ford posted record SUV sales, while Toyota broke a record for SUV and truck sales. Honda led major automakers with a 14.4 per cent sales increase as both its cars and SUVs sold well, while Nissan’s sales rose 12.8 per cent. Fiat Chrysler was up 6 per cent on record Jeep sales, and Ford rode an April record for SUV sales to a 4 per cent increase. Toyota sales rose 3.8 per cent largely
because of the RAV4 small SUV, which broke a monthly record with sales up nearly 32 per cent. Only General Motors and Volkswagen saw sales declines, with GM blaming a 3.5 per cent drop on a strategy of cutting low-profit sales to rental car companies. VW sales fell almost 10 per cent as its emissions scandal continued. Sales have tum-
bled nearly 12 per cent for the year. Ford said it sold more than 65,000 SUVs, the best April in company history, led by the Explorer with a 22 per cent increase. At Niss a n , c a r s a n d SUVs pushed sales u p , while F i a t Chrysler was led by a 17 per cent increase in sales of Jeep SUVs. It was FCA US LLC’s best April since 2005. “The industry had its strongest April in more than 10 years, possibly a best-ever month,” said Bill Fay, general manager of the Toyota Division. Analysts expect U.S. sales of new cars and trucks to be up 4 per cent over last April when companies are done reporting figures on Tuesday. Car-buying site Edmunds.com predicts April sales of more than 1.51 million, beating the previous record for the month set in 2005. The strong showing for April — traditionally a month of calm before the hot summer selling season — indicates that 2016 could be another record year for the U.S. auto industry, said Jes-
N PE O O N W
S N D E E K WE AND HOLIDAYS FEATURING
SAVE UP TO $5 ON PLAYPASSES AT:
10 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
JOBS Planet Pride Logistics Ltd. of Richmond, BC is urgently seeking an Office Manager on f/time, perm. basis. Must have min. high school education and either min. 2 yrs. exp. in clerical/secretarial/office admin. or a university degree or college diploma in business admin. Duties incl. manage office staff and assign tasks as needed; analyze internal processes and recommend / implement procedural or policy changes to improve operations; establish work priorities; manage office supply inventory and maintain office equipment repairs. wage btwn $22.25 $24/hr (depending on exp). Please email resume to planetpridelogist@gmail.com. No phone calls or drop-ins please.
“Vacancy for Stock Supervisor A1doors and mouldings, located at 12625 – 80th Avenue Surrey, BC, V3W 3A6 has an immediate vacancy of Stock Supervisor Term of employment : Full time, Permanent with 35 to 40 hours per week
Classifieds JOBS
Salary : $18/hour Job duties : To supervise and coordinate activities of stock staff, plan and organize the display of stock in the showroom, identify outdated & defective stock, ensure orders are executed & delivered in time, maintain inventory and order merchandise, prepare periodic inventory reports, assign duties to stock clerks, providing stock clerk with the training, information, guidance encouragement &recognition needed to meet expectation, investigating, resolving & escalating customer issues as appropriate. Requires : Completion of secondary school with one year of related experience. If interested please send resumes by email at resume@a1doors.ca”
Optical Store Manager required at:
Clear Cool Optical - 2450 McCallum Raod, Abbotsford, BC, Canada, V2S 6R9 For details check website: http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/jobposting.do?id=19833072
JOBS - ---------------- Apr 23 2016 Vacancy for In-home Caregiver
Balwinder Singh Singhmaar, resident of 15095 92Ave, Surrey, BC V3R 5V8 has a vacancy for Inhome Child caregiver for infant child and 9 years old son. Full Time, $11 / hour, 40 hrs/week. Applicant must have high school with minimum of one year of related experience within last three years or six months of full time training in caregiving. Job Duties includes Supervise and care for children, prepare formulas and change diaper of infant, feeding, bathing, dressing, prepare children for rest period, escort child to school, prepare and serve nutritious meal and snacks, accompany to and from activities & appointments, light housekeeping, laundry, maintain safe environment at home, keep record of day-to-day activities, health and progress of children. Send resumes by email at balwinderssinghmaar@gmail.com -------------- Oct 31 2015
Baker / Sweet Maker wanted
Nirala Sweets and Restaurant in Surrey BC needs fully qualified Pakistani style Baker/Sweet maker (Mithai). Responsibilities will include Sweet making for retail and banquets, training of employees, labour & food cost control and
Required urgently for beauty salon in Burnaby We have a great opportunity to add a new member to our team. We are looking for someone who is professional and confident in there waxing and threading skills. Our salon has an amazing reputation in these services and would love the right professional for the job. Please message for more info. 604-723-7553
JOBS supervision. Must have at least three years experience as a Pakistani Baker. Knowledge of Urdu an asset. ourly salary $15.50/hr. Contact Pasha 604 593 7323 or send resume at anwarpasha786@hotmail. com --------------- Jan 23 2016
Cook for Pakistani cuisine wanted
Nirala Sweets and Restaurant in Surrey BC needs experienced chef for Halal Northern Pakistani style dishes. Must be expert in making kababs and tandoori dishes. Must be able to handle halal meats. Responsibilities will include menu design and planning, cooking for individual customers and banquets, training of employees, labour & food cost control and supervision of kitchen staff. Must have at least 3 years experience as a Pakistani cook. Knowledge of Urdu and asset. Hourly wage $17.00 per hour. 40 hours per week. Contact Pasha at 604 593 7323 or send resume at anwarpasha786@hotmail.com ---------------- Jan 23 2016
Perfect Space corner unit available for office
Descriptions: Perfect Space corner unit with gorgeous view for Law office, as this corner on 72nd and 120th Street, has lots of traffic, with numerous medical doctors and all the top five
Matrimonial
Parents are looking a suitable match for their Indian 31 year old divorced daughter , fair complexions, 5.5” tall, well educated. All family is well settled in Canada. Call 778-322-5242 major banks in the area. There is no law office presence in the vicinity. Perfect opportunity for a law office to provide ICBC claims, and/ or solicitor services to the financial area. Whether an exisiting law office looking for a satellitespace, or new lawyers wanting to establish their presence in this busy area. Please phone 604 581 8400 for Shahin Soheili Managing Director Sutton Group or email: shahin@sutton.com
---------------- April 16 2016
Need Janitorial Helpers
Surrey Janitorial Services urgently require helpers for Surrey and Abbotsford and Vancouver. Experience not a requirement but will be preferred. Please call 778859-9234 ------------------- Feb 06 2016
Basement for Rent
One bed room basement suite is available for rent from 1st of January 2016. Rent $ 600 including utility & internet . Walking distance to Bell Centre, Elementary & High School and Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib. Call 778-628-4473
To PLACE YOUR AD IN THE ASIAN STAR CLASSIFIEDS Section Please
Call: 604-591-5423
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Community News Maha Harinam Picnic Saturday May 14th 12:00 - 3:00 PM @ Grandview Park 1657 Charles Street @ Commercial Drive more info contact: Manu das 604 600 4527 Sunday Feast May 15th 5:30 PM ------------------------------------------------South Asian Seniors - Visiting 6 Scandinavian Countries of Europe From Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple Surrey, 12th May to 28th May 2016. South Asian Seniors have gone to visit Europe though 12 Nights Cruise & 3days tour of Amsterdam Holland on 12th May 2016. The Cruise Itinerary is as follows- Starts from Amsterdam Holland, first stop 1 day visit Berlin Germany, 2nd stop for 1 day visit Tallinn Estonia, 3rd stop 2 days visit St. Petersburg Russia, 4th stop 1 day visit Helsinki Finland, 5th stop 1 day visit Stockholm Sweden, 6th stop 1 day visit Copenhagen Denmark and back to Amsterdam Holland the 13th day morning. All arrangements for Air Travel, Cruise bookings, all Excursions for all ports and Amsterdam City, Hotel stay & food in Amsterdam
and also pick up service by Bus from Surrey Temple to Vancouver airport and back to Temple from Vancouver airport on return have been organized by Surendra Handa Coordinator Vedic Seniors Parivar Center of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey.. The Cruise is by Ship Celebrity Silhouette from May 14th 2016 to May 26th 2016. All 56 South Asian Seniors will be back in Surrey Temple from Tour/ Cruise of North Europe on 28th May 2016. ----------------------------------------“Sanskriti Cultural Awareness Society of BC” invites you with your family and friends to a specially designed evening, full of laughter and humor to celebrate Holi a festival of joy, happiness and participation with legendary poets from India and North America coming to make everybody laugh and giggle. Program would be followed by dance and a lavish dinner. This is an family event. For queries contact: Janardan Pandey Prachand at 604-889-2204 , Sanjeev Sharma at 604 767 4366 Sanskriti Cultural Awareness Society of BC 15165 91Ave, Surrey BC V3R 1B6 PH: 604 767 4366 E:mail: humarisanskrit2@gmail.com www.humarisanskriti.ca
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Don’t give fraudsters an extra “tax” this season With March being Fraud Prevention Month and residents making final preparations to their tax returns, the Surrey RCMP is reminding residents to be extra vigilant when it comes to protecting their personal and financial information. As frauds involving the Canada Revenue Agency are on the rise not only in Surrey but across the country, tax season is prime time for fraudsters to prey on unsuspecting victims. Residents need to be vigilant if they receive fraudulent communications from these agencies and report it to authorities immediately if they suspect they are a victim. “This time of year serves as a good reminder for residents to check their mail regularly when sensitive financial and personal information may be arriving daily in your mailbox,” says Surrey RCMP Corporal Scotty Schumann. “If criminals are able to access this information they can fraudulently use it to gain access to bank accounts, apply for loans and credit cards, or engage in criminal activity that ultimately becomes associated to you.” Surrey RCMP has also noticed a trend in fraudulent telephone calls claiming to be from debt collectors for unpaid phone, cable, hydro, or other utility bills. Most of the reports involve complainants who have lost their wallets or purses within the last year and have not reported it to authorities. Scams like this are good reminders to cancel and replace all important cards once lost and to routinely check your credit report to ensure you are not a victim of identity theft. Another scam that residents should be aware of that is making the rounds locally is the “black” or “white” money scam. This sophisticated counterfeit scheme comes in multiple forms but usually involves currency that on initial appearance has no colour but can apparently be washed with a chemical that makes it a legitimate bank note. In most cases, the victims are usually conned into making an initial investment into this counterfeit money with the promise of large returns. “Surrey is a very diverse community that includes many residents
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who are new to Canada,” says Cpl. Schumann. “Unfortunately those who are unfamiliar with how our institutions and businesses operate can be more susceptible to these frauds. We ask that residents take this opportunity to discuss these recent fraud trends with family members who may not be aware.” For more information on fraud prevention please visit the Scams & Fraud page on our website. If your business or community group would like to host an info session on fraud prevention please contact the Surrey RCMP’s Economic Crime Unit at 604-5990502. If you are the victim of a fraud, please contact your local police and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or at 1-888-495-8501. ------------------------------------------------Train-the-Trainer workshop for Hepatitis and other communicable diseases at PICS, Surrey Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) is hosting Train-the-Trainer Workshop for Healthcare Providers to make them aware about Hepatitis C and other related communicable diseases in high risk Immigrant ethnic communities. PICS is part of the Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis Coinfections project undertaken by Canadian Ethnocultural Council, Ottawa and will provide training in the Metro Vancouver region. In Canada, STIs and TB continue to be public health concerns, however; very little information is available on the prevalence of these diseases in the selected ethnic populations and therefore; appropriate training is a must. What - Train-the-Trainer Workshop for Healthcare Providers Where – PICS Surrey, #20512725-80th Avenue, Surrey When October 7th 2015 at 10 am – 11:30- Who can attend – healthcare providers, settlement workers and community leaders. For more information & registration, please call 604-596-7722 ext. 107 -----------------------------------------------Mosaic Networking Are you new to the country/ looking to meet new friends or seeking networking opportunities? You are invited! Refreshments will be served! Mosaic Church meets on Saturday evening 6:30 pm in Surrey/Abbotsford.
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12 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
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GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL 8820 – 168 STREET SURREY BC V4N 6G7
• GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL is a brand new technologically advanced school in a state of the art building to serve the community. • GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL is centrally located for all communities of Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley including Langley and Abbotsford and provides bus service in all these areas. • GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL provides high standards of academic education with affordable tuition fees and all teachers are B.C. Certified. • GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL has a closed campus policy and drug and alcohol free environment where your child will excel academically and be safe. • GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL excels in building strong, self – confident, young Sikhs that are the future of our community. • GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL aims to provide academic and spiritual learning environment. B.C. curriculum is complemented with teachings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Punjabi, Kirtan (including Tanti Saaj), Gatka, Sikh History, Gurmat and Sikh Way of Life. These programs provide a challenge for each student to achieve the highest level of performance in body, mind and spirit. • GOBIND SARVAR SCHOOL is accepting registrations. Register your child as soon as possible for session 2016-17. For Kindergarten registration, the child must be born on any day in 2011 as per Ministry regulations. • Please contact the school office for further details or visit the website to download the registration package.
Ph: 604-930-2122
Email: info@gobindsarvar.com, Website: www.gobindsarvar.com
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Vol. 6 No. 37
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Saturday - May 14, 2016
- Tel: 604-591-5423 -
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E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com
Real estate brokers prepare to release secretive sales data after tribunal rules against TREB
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the tribunal decision will influence real estate agent Mayur Arora. he era of real estate Using data to predict prices real estate boards across the country. agents guarding coveted While the tribunal irons out the “I’m waiting for the mosales data may be comdetails, Mamourian is hunkered ment,” says Vancouver-area
ing to an end, starting in Toronto. That’s what many agents predict. In anticipation, they’re getting ready to release online long protected and precious industry information — more than anything, the actual selling price of homes. “I immediately called my web developer so we can get this process started,” says Ara Mamourian, owner of Toronto’s Spring Realty. Earlier this month, the federal Competition Tribunal sided with Canada’s Competition Bureau over a long, drawn-out dispute with the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB). The tribunal ruled TREB was stifling competition by limiting access to some home sales data. The tribunal has yet to lay out how the ruling will change current TREB rules, under which real estate agents can only dole out the most coveted information to personal clients. But the expectation is that Toronto real estate agents will soon be allowed to post online what everyone buying or selling wants to know — the selling price of homes. And real estate agents in other regions are watching closely. Many anticipate they too will eventually get to unleash selling price data, believing
4 i Saturday, July 25, 2015
down at his Spring Realty office. The broker is designing a website where he’ll use past sales data to calculate what homes will actually sell for. Continued on page 15
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Vancouver millennials have lowest discretionary income according to a Vancity report. in Canada after buying property: Vancity ies, Researchers found the average
ost millennials who buy a home in Metro Vancouver will go deeper into debt every year, according to a Vancity survey released Wednesday. The report found a typical millennial couple in Vancouver will accumulate $2,745 in debt each year — including additional expenses — if they buy property. It found Vancouverites aged 25 to 34 have less pocket money that their counterparts in 10 other Canadian cities. “We found...Vancouver was the hardest place for a millennial to set down roots and have disposable income left over after paying for the key expenses and be able to have a high quality of life,” said William Azaroff, vice president of community investment at Vancity.
B
He hopes this data will push the conversation of affordability forward. “We want to present some data to get the conversation going at a deeper level because it’s a stage in life when people are settling down
roots. We want people in this cohort to set down roots in Vancouver.” Vancouverites aged 25 to 34 have the least amount of pocket money compared to their counterparts in 10 other Canadian cit-
cost of owning a home in Vancouver is about $44,354 per year. The average Vancouver millennial couple earns $72,291 a year, which is the second lowest in the country, according to Vancity. When researchers took into account other expenses like taxes, clothing, healthcare, food, public transportation, and utilities, households were in the red. The report states millennial couples who buy condos are better off, acquiring an average of $16,422 in disposable income. The situation becomes much more difficult if couples want to raise children. In that case, the report shows only by living in a condo, can an average family make ends meet.
Hot housing isn’t only thing Vancouver, Toronto have going; they also created jobs, economists say
listering hot housing markets aren’t the only things currently setting Toronto and Vancouver apart from the rest of Canada — the two cities also accounted for all of the job growth in Canada, economists say. “Yes, that means the rest of the country has created precisely no new
jobs in the past year,” BMO chief economist Douglas Porter in a recent commentary. The situation is “extremely unusual” given that two cities account for 25 per cent of total employment in Canada, Porter said. He added that this highlights the “extreme regional divergence” that the Canadian economy
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is now seeing, and that the strong job growth in Toronto and Vancouver “at least partly explains the strength in their housing markets.” BMO also pointed out in an earlier report that B.C. posted annual job growth of almost five per cent, and the province has seen its jobless rate drop to a national low of 5.8 per cent in April. That’s the first time on records dating back to 1975 that the province has had the lowest unemployment rate in the country, BMO said. “And why not? We’re expecting 3.3 per cent real GDP growth in the province this year, more than twice the national average,” said Robert Kavcic, senior economist
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at the bank. Kavcic added that B.C. created 110,000 of Canada’s 144,000 net new jobs in the past year through April, and the labour force is surging on the back of population inflows and rising participation rates. Overall employment in B.C. jumped 4.9 per cent in the past year, while Ontario was second in the country, but “way back” at 1.4 per cent, Kavcic said. Recent numbers from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver indicated that the benchmark price for a detached home in the Vancouver has climbed 30.1 per cent, to $1.4-million, in past year.
New rules to end ‘shadow flipping’
he province unveiled new forms designed to collect information about the role of foreign capital in BC’s real estate market and the nationality of the buyers driving prices into the stratosphere. In a latest move Finance Minister Mike de Jong announced new rules aimed at ending the controversial practice of ‘shadow flipping’ by eliminating a means for anyone but the seller of a house to profit from real estate contract assignment. “There are lots of theories about what is contributing to steadily escalating values of real estate values in British Columbia,” said de Jong. “The objective here is to get beyond the conjecture and the speculation and actually have hard data.” The new rules for contract assignment will take effect on May 16. Premier Clark first announced her intention to crack down on ‘shadow flipping’ after a series of media reports earlier this year. Contract assignment is the process through which a person can assign their part in a contract of purchase or sale to someone else.The practice has a legitimate role in real estate, but
‘shadow flipping’ involves the assignment of contracts and the immediate resale of a home for a higher price without the seller’s knowledge. Premier Clark promised to crack down on the real estate practice of ‘shadow flipping’ after a string of media stories in March. In
some cases, real estate agents in the middle of the deals were accused of taking the profits. According to de Jong, under the new rules, Realtors who draft offers to buy property must include two separate terms about contract assignment in an offer: “one that requires the seller’s consent to transfer the contract; and one that requires any resulting profit to be returned to the seller.”
Saturday, May 14, 2016
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Housing starts drop to lowest level since January
he pace of new home construction slowed to its lowest level in three months in April as builders took their foot off the gas pedal. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said Monday that the seasonally adjusted rate for housing starts last month was 191,512 units — down from 202,375 units in March and 212,594 units in February. Most places saw slight upticks in building, but that was offset by big slowdowns in Ontario and Quebec. Ontario’s seasonally adjusted
rate for urban starts fell to 62,672 starts in April, down from 85,518 in March while Quebec’s urban starts fell to 27,423 from 29,696. “Condo construction is slowing down in Montreal as builders are managing inventories by channelling demand to units that have been completed but remain unsold,” CMHC economist Bob Dugan said. In terms of types of housing, urban multiple-dwelling starts fell by 4,945 to 177,851 and single-detached housing starts fell by 3,522 to 56,959.
Real estate brokers prepare to release secretive sales data after tribunal rules against TREB From page 13
“Some places might as well be listed for a dollar,” Mamourian jokes. Based on what other homes have recently sold for in a neighbourhood, his website aims to provide a home’s estimated true selling price. Mamourian’s planned real estate website will include estimates of what a home will likely sell for, based on recent sales data. “It’s going to help you save time,” he says. “You’ll be able to zoom in on those places you can actually afford.” Mamourian also plans to offer up what a home has sold for over time. But he’s not sure yet how detailed that history can be and can’t launch his website until the tribunal gives the green light.
“We’re building the technology so all we have to do is flip a switch,” says the broker. This is Mamourian’s second attempt to publicly release inside information. Last year, in defiance of TREB’s rules, he started emailing recent selling prices in select Toronto neighbourhoods to anyone who signed up. “It’s 2015, not 1980 anymore. The way people expect to receive information has changed, and we’re just simply giving people what they want,” he told CBC News at the time. But he stopped his service after receiving a threatening letter from TREB. “They could have immediately shut down our brokerage,” admits Mamourian. Now the broker is optimistic he won’t face any more obstacles.
“We’re pretty happy about it.” Broker aims to go public Toronto broker John Pasalis is also pleased about the tribunal’s ruling. His current real estate website provides information such as sales history and length of time a home has truly sat on the market — but only to personal clients, not the general public. The president of Realosophy Realty says he’s always believed the information should be open to everyone. “People want to do some of their own research,” he says. John Pasalis Realosophy Realty real estate John Pasalis with Realosophy Realty in Toronto says he’s ready to make public on his website what was once protected real estate data. (Realosophy Realty) So as soon as he has permission, Pasa-
lis plans to make his site available to all. “Anything that we can make public, we will make public, including sold prices,” he says. B.C. agent says price data may clean up industry Real estate agent Mayur Arora is also anticipating his website will eventually offer up selling price data. But Arora doesn’t live in Toronto — he’s across the country with OneFlatFee in Surrey, B.C. However, the agent is convinced the tribunal’s ruling will influence other regions to stop guarding information. “It is 99 per cent sure in my mind that it’s going to be all across Canada.” Real estate agent Real estate agent Mayur Arora Real estate agent Mayur Arora in Surrey, B.C., says he is getting ready to unleash data on the selling prices of homes.
16 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
PREC PREC
DIAMOND AWARD
DIAMOND AWARD
WINNER OF FVREB’s TOP ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Sutton Group - West Coast Realty
WINNER COMMERCIAL OF FVREB’sMEDALLION TOP ACHIEVEMENT CLUB MEMBERAWARDS
FOR SALE
14.827 ACRES HOME FOR SALE 14.827 ACRES HOME FOR SALE
Spectacular! Estate home on 14.827 Acres of high yield Spectacular! Estate home on 14.827 of high front yield blueberry farm. Luxury unfolds with Acres the stunning blueberry farm. Luxury unfolds with the stunning front foyer, dual staircases, and elevated catwalk. The regal great room is situated next to a gourmet chef kitchen w/ separate foyer, dual staircases, and elevated catwalk. The regal great wok kitchen & walk in pantry. A media room, yoga/ exercise room is situated next to a gourmet chef kitchen w/ separate room, 8 bedrooms & multiple entertaining rooms round out wok kitchen & walk in pantry. A media room, yoga/ exercise this spectacular home. Gaze out upon south views of Mt. room, 8 bedrooms & multiple entertaining rooms round out Baker or the north views of the North Shore Mountains from this spectacular home. Gaze out upon south views of Mt. outdoor patios situated both upstairs and down. This is true Baker or the north views of the North Shore Mountains from luxury at its best! The farm features healthy mature outdoor patios situated both upstairs and down. This is true blueberry varieties Duke, Elliott, and Reca ensuring steady crops the The season. automated irrigation. luxury throughout at its best! farm Fully features healthy mature Too much to list! Book a showing today! Asking $4,999,900 blueberry varieties Duke, Elliott, and Reca ensuring steady
crops throughout the season. Fully automated irrigation. Too much to list! Book a showing today! Asking $4,999,900
ONE IN A MILLION BUSINESS FOR SALE
FOR LEASE
PREMIUM OFFICE SPACE PREMIUM OFFICE SPACE FOR SALE FOR SALE
8318 Scott Road is offering medical and 8318 Scott Road is offering medical and other professionals an opportunity to other professionals an opportunity to purchase premium office space in Surey, BC. Set to be completed by fall 2016, this purchase premium office space in Surey, state if the art steel and concrete BC. Set to be completed by fall 2016, this building will offer a mixture of retail and state if the art steel and concrete office space to professionals looking for a building will offer a mixture of retail and long term home for their business. Space office space to professionals looking for a is limited. Call today for more details.
CUSTOM STEEL & FABRICATION BUSINESS FOR SALE
operation this is a chance to own a niche business created and established with love and a business owners delight don't miss this opportunity! Please do not approach staff, contact listing realtor for any Established custom steel and aluminum fabrication business. Great opportunity to run your own info required. Asking $75,000 business with services that include: aluminum welding and repair, custom and stock trailers, mobile welding service, crane fabrication, fabrication of residential gates, security bars and much more! Mon– Fri operation closed on weekends. Please contact me for more details on this hard to come by opportunity! Asking $149,000
CUSTOM STEEL & FABRICATION BUSINESS FOR SALE BUSINESS FOR SALE
Established custom steel and aluminum fabrication business. Great opportunity to run your own business with services that include: aluminum welding and repair, custom and stock trailers, mobile welding service, crane fabrication, fabrication of residential gates, security bars and much Established Indian Sweets and Restaurant business located in high traffic area of Scott Rd, Surrey. more! Mon– Fri operation closed on weekends. Please contact me for more details on this hard to Wide variety vegetarian menu with sweets. Can be expanded to add non vegetarian dishes to the come by opportunity! Asking $149,000 menu. Catering services provided regular clientele. Seating for 50. Complete turn key restaurant
BUSINESS FOR SALE
great business opportunity! Asking $129,000
UNIT FOR SALE
Established Indian Sweets and Restaurant business located in high traffic area of Scott Rd, Surrey. Wide variety vegetarian menu with sweets. Can be expanded to add non vegetarian dishes to the menu. Catering services provided regular clientele. Seating for 50. Complete turn key restaurant In Mughal Garden plaza 2 units great business opportunity! Asking $129,000 available, approx 4875 sqft.Already leased to long term tenants, to be sold together. Asking $1.25 million
UNIT FOR SALE
UNIT FOR SALE 82nd Ave & 124 Ave, 2350 sqft. office space is available for sale. Ready to move in. Asking $645,000 In Mughal Garden plaza 2 units
available, approx 4875 sqft.Already leased to long term tenants, to be sold together. Asking $1.25 million RETAIL SPACE AVAILABLE
8321 - 128 St., Surrey. Excellent location in busy plaza. Asking $209,000
UNIT FOR SALE 12837 76 AVE 82nd Ave & 124 Ave, 2350 sqft. office space is available for sale. Ready to move in. Asking 2986 sqft. Warehouse including offices and kitchen available in Newton area of Surrey. $645,000 Asking $360,000
RETAIL SPACE AVAILABLE OFFICE SPACE FOR SALE
8321 - 128 St., Surrey. Excellent location in busy plaza. Asking $209,000 Approx. 3100 SF of office space available for sale in the busiest plaza in Surrey. Close to Banquet Halls, retailshops & offices. Asking $749,000 12837 76 AVE
WAREHOUSE WITH LOADING DOORS FOR SALE
2986 sqft. Warehouse including offices and kitchen available in Newton area of Surrey. Asking $360,000 #303 8675 130th St. OFFICE SPACE FOR SALE Approx. 2800 sqft. warehouse for sale. 12’x14’ ceiling. Full Approx. 3100 SF of office space available for sale in the busiest plaza in Surrey. Close to washroom. Ready to move in. Adjoining unit is also available. Banquet Halls, retailshops & offices. Asking $749,000
17358 104A AVE WAREHOUSE WITH LOADING DOORS FOR SALE
Fully finished side by side strata units for a total of approx. 5540 sqft. Available for sale. Close to Port Kells Industrial area. Easy access to both #303 8675 130th St. Highway 1 and Pacific Highway truck crossing.
Approx. 2800 sqft. warehouse for sale. 12’x14’ ceiling. Full washroom. Ready to move in. Adjoining unit is also available.
long term home for their business. Space
site available in the City of Regina, GREAT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY! Saskatchewan. Prime location, not
4 acres, Hotel and development to be missed! Contact for more site available in the City of Regina, details. Saskatchewan. Prime location, not to be missed! Contact for more details. PIZZA BUSINESS FOR SALE
BUSINESS FOR SALE
BUSINESS FOR SALE
Great opportunity. Non Stop Pizza Franchise available in various locations throughout the Lower Mainland. Contact for more information.
PIZZA BUSINESS FOR SALE
Laundry Business for Sale. Well established coin laundry on Scott Rd. and 94 Ave. Very profitable, heavy duty washers and dryers. Good lease terms. Great opportunity. Non Stop Pizza Franchise available in various
locations throughout the Lower Mainland. Contact for more information.
Baby ultrasound franchise, 3D ultrasound private clinic for pregnant moms is available for sale. Easy to run with low overhead. Located across Surrey Laundry Business for Sale. Well established coin laundry on Scott Rd. and Memorial Hospital in a medical building. Asking $169,900
94 Ave. Very profitable, heavy duty washers and dryers. Good lease terms. Non Stop Pizza and Curry Business for Sale
Baby ultrasound franchise, 3D ultrasound private clinic for pregnant moms is Very well running Non-Stop Pizza and Curry Restaurant for sale in Cloverdale - available for sale. Easy to run with low overhead. Located across Surrey 191 and 72 Ave. Don’t miss it. Asking $179,900 Memorial Hospital in a medical building. Asking $169,900 Hair Salon Business for sale
Located on Fraser Hwy, Cloverdale area, well established business, easy to Non Stop Pizza and Curry Business for Sale maintain, higher monthly revenue. Asking $69,900
Very well running Non-Stop Pizza and Curry Restaurant for sale in Cloverdale - 191 and 72 Ave. Don’t miss it. Asking $179,900 GREAT FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY
Great Franchise opportunity just listed! Busy Coquitlam Center Hair Salon Business for sale Mall location for Chop N Toss Franchise! Wont last long! Asking $158,800
Located on Fraser Hwy, Cloverdale area, well established business, easy to maintain, higher monthly revenue. Asking $69,900
BUSINESS FOR SALE
Excellent established ladies Apparel and jewelry GREAT FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY wholesale business for sale. Well established clientele with Great Franchise opportunity just listed! Busy Coquitlam Center showroom and full online business. Mall location for Chop N Toss Franchise! Wont last long! Great Opportunity for this turn key Asking $158,800 operation. Asking $125,000
2010
2010
FOR SALE
4020 272 ST, LANGLEY 4020 272 ST, LANGLEY NEEW W ING LINST ING
Magnificent luxury estate situate don 8.5 acres with over 8100 sq. ft of living space. Home includes 6 bdrms, 8 washrooms, a separate guest house and fruit stand. 5 acres has blueberry plants as well. This stunning home possesses every luxury possible with high ceilings, crown molding, stainless steel Magnificent luxury estate situate don 8.5 acres with over 8100 sq. ft of living space. Home includes 6 appliances,Granite counter tops, open floor plan, large gym room, grand patio, sundecks, built in vacuum, bdrms, 8 washrooms, a separate guest house and fruit stand. 5 acres has blueberry plants as well. This top of the line security system, separate wok kitchen and much more! This gorgeous home is situated in the stunning home possesses every luxury possible with high ceilings, crown molding, stainless steel middle of serene farmland yet only two minutes away from Aldergrove Town centre and with quick access appliances,Granite counter tops, open floor plan, large gym room, grand patio, sundecks, built in vacuum, to Hwy #1. The second house is rented as well as fruit stall.Rare opportunity to advantage of this stunning top of the line security system, separate wok kitchen and much more! This gorgeous home is situated in the home! Call today for a personal viewing.
middle of serene farmland yet only two minutes away from Aldergrove Town centre and with quick access to Hwy #1. The second house is rented as well as fruit stall.Rare opportunity to advantage of this stunning home! Call today for a personal viewing.
PAYAL BUSINESS CENTRE - 82 Ave & 128 St PAYAL BUSINESS
CENTRE - 82 Ave & 128 St MORE 1000 TO 12,000 S.F. RETAIL & OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SALE & LEASE
UNITS FOR SALE & LEASE MORE 1000 TO 12,000 S.F. RETAIL & OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SALE & LEASE 13737 96 Ave, City Centre
UNITS FOR SALE & LEASE
#705 $465,000, #706 $335,000
Two adjoining offices in a new building across from SMH. Can be bought or 13737 96 Ave, City Centre leased together for a total space of 1600 sqft. or separate. #705 $465,000, #706 $335,000
UNITS FOR LEASE
Two adjoining offices in a new building across from SMH. Can be bought or 9453 120 St., leased together for a total space of 1600 sqft. or separate. Approx. 1200 sqft, space available for lease. Located on Delta side of Scott Road. Lots of exposure.
UNITS FOR LEASE
9453 120 St., OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE
8927 152 St.,Approx. 1100 sqft. office space for
Approx. 1200 sqft, space available
lease available in Guildford area on 152nsd street for lease. Located on Delta side of
in Surrey. Scott Road. Lots of exposure.
93 AVE & 120 ST
OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE Units available on busy Scott Road at 93rd Ave & 120 St. Approx. 750 to 1700 sqft. space available on main floor, second floor and basement. 8927 152 St.,Approx. 1100 sqft. office space for Ready to move in!
lease available in Guildford area on 152nsd street in Surrey.
11925 95 AVE
93 AVE & 120 ST Approx. 4500 sqft. office space available. Rec. area, small office, lunch room and conference room. Very nicely designed and finished.
BUSINESS FOR SALE
DONAIR BUSINESS FOR SALE
Units available on busy Scott Road at 93rd Ave & 120 St. Approx. 750 to 1700 sqft. space available on main floor, second floor and basement. J.J SAINI PLAZA Ready to move in! 8077 KING GEORGE BLVD. Units available for lease in one of the best
Excellent established ladies Apparel located plazas. East access to highway and close to all amenities. 11925 95 AVE and jewelry wholesale business for Amazing opportunity to be your own boss! Established Donair food sale. Well established clientele with outlet in prime busy area in Langley. Already steady clientele from Approx. 4500 sqft. office space available. Rec. area, small office, lunch UNIT FOR LEASE ON 72 & 132 ST showroom and full online business. the numerous businesses surrounding, tons of traffic and lots of room and conference room. Very nicely designed and finished. Available for lease. Opp JR Furniture. Good mix of warehouse and office Great Opportunity for this turn key opportunity to expand the business further. Low lease, and great space. Centrally located in light industrial zoning. operation. area make this the perfect turn key operation to own your own Asking $125,000 business today! Asking $99,000
BUSINESS FOR SALE DONAIR BUSINESS FOR SALE 2590 sqft. Retail and Office Well established Pizza Franchise on Scott Road & 93 Ave. Amazing opportunity to be your own boss! Established Donair food 17358 104A AVE Located in a busy area with great exposure. Reputable and space for sale Asking $649,000 outlet in prime busy area in Langley. Already steady clientele from complete turn key operation. Recent renovations done only a D Fully finished side by side strata units for a total SOL
area make this the perfect turn key operation to own your own business today! Asking $99,000
BUSINESS FOR SALE 2590 sqft. Retail and Office Well established Pizza Franchise on Scott Road & 93 Ave. space for sale Asking $649,000 Located in a busy area with great exposure. Reputable and complete turn key operation. Recent renovations done only a D
95 Ave & 152 St., 940 sqft. office space is available for lease on 2nd floor including 3 few months ago. Great business opportunity. Ideal location on SOL small offices, meeting room and reception. Also available 9400 sqft. space for lease. busy Scott Road lots of traffic both drive by and walk in. Near LOTS OF EXPOSURE. to school, business and residential and commercial area.
J.J SAINI PLAZA
8077 KING GEORGE BLVD. Units available for lease in one of the best BEAUTIFUL TURN KEY SPA / SALON FOR SALE located plazas. East access to highway and close to all amenities. Located in a busy commercial plaza in the heart of Surrey.
95 Ave & 152 St., 940 sqft. office space is available for lease on 2nd floor including 3 few months ago. Great business opportunity. Ideal location on the numerous businesses surrounding, tons of traffic and lots of of approx. 5540 sqft. Available for sale. Close to small offices, meeting room and reception. Also available 9400 sqft. space for lease. busy Scott Road lots of traffic both drive by and walk in. Near opportunity to expand the business further. Low lease, and great LOTS OF EXPOSURE. Port Kells Industrial area. Easy access to both to school, business and residential and commercial area.
Highway 1 and Pacific Highway truck crossing.
2006-2007 2004-2005 2011, 2012 2008-2009 2011, 2012 2008-2009 2013-2014 2013-2014
LIST
is limited. Call today for more details. ONE IN A MILLION BUSINESS FOR SALE ACREAGE FOR SALE IN REGINA - SASKATCHEWAN GREAT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY! ACREAGE FOR SALE IN REGINA - SASKATCHEWAN 4 acres, Hotel and development A very rare opportunity to own a beautiful Parisian feel Salon/Café in Historic Abbotsford. Well established, with a loyal client following this beautiful establishment offers all day brunch, Lunch and Afternoon Tea. In addition, this beautiful café offers so much more! Reservations for A very rare opportunity to own a beautiful Parisian feel Salon/Café in Showers, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Special occasions and even Private Historic Abbotsford. Well established, with a loyal client following this Wedding ceremonies. Wait...there's more! This beautiful treasure of a beautiful establishment offers all day brunch, Lunch and Afternoon Tea. business offers gorgeous select apparel, furnishings, jewelry, linens, gifts, In addition, this beautiful café offers much more! Reservations for vintage treasures and home décor. A so beautiful, breathtaking turnkey Showers, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Special occasions and even Private operation this is a chance to own a niche business created and established with love Wait...there's and a business owners don't miss this Wedding ceremonies. more! This delight beautiful treasure of a opportunity! Please do not approach staff, contact listing realtor for any business offers gorgeous select apparel, furnishings, jewelry, linens, gifts, info required. Asking $75,000 vintage treasures and home décor. A beautiful, breathtaking turnkey
MASTER AWARD
MASTER AWARD
2006-2007 2004-2005
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Lots of traffic and close to public transportation, restaurants, office and retail shops. Established recently UNIT FOR LEASE ON 72 & 132 ST the spa and salon offers modern décor up to date Available for lease. Opp JR Furniture. Good mix of warehouse and office equipment/furnishings. Excellent turn key operation. Asking $80,000 space. Centrally located in light industrial zoning. 13/05
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Located in a busy commercial plaza in the heart of Surrey. Lots of traffic and close to public transportation, restaurants, office and retail shops. Established recently the spa and salon offers modern décor up to date equipment/furnishings. Excellent turn key operation. Asking $80,000 13/05
18 i Saturday, March 26, 2016
Saturday, May 14, 2016
i 17
18 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
LOCAL
Red Cross dispersal of donations for Fort McMurray includes $600 for each adult, $300 per child
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he Canadian Red Cross will soon start you are eligible, we will support you as well,” providing emergency funds of $600 per Sauve said. Initial estimates said Canadians adult and $300 per child from the milhad donated $60 million to help evacuees, but lions raised so far for Fort McMurray, Alta., the figure is $67 million. And more money residents forced from their homes by the wildwill come from matching funds provided by fire. The funds will be transferred electronithe federal government. The Alberta govcally, within the next 24 to 48 ernment will match hours, to individuals who have donations from Alberalready registered with the Red tans. “It’s the largest Cross. The transfers represent domestic appeal in our $50 million of the $67 million history to date,” said donated by Canadians. Red Jenn McManus, viceCross chief executive Conrad president Red Cross, Sauve said this is first phase of Alberta and Northwest helping evacuees. More funds Territories division. will be provided down the More than 700 Red road. “This is the most imporCross staff and trained tant cash transfer we have done volunteers from across in our history and the fastest Canada are in Alone,” he said. Premier Rachel Conrad Sauve, president and CEO berta to help evacuNotley also announced preees at shelters, with of the Canadian Red Cross loaded debit cards with $1,250 registration, famfor adults and $500 for children will be availily reunification and to help meet urable at 2 p.m. today in Edmonton at the Unigent, basic needs, McManus said. versity of Alberta’s Butterdome, at the Bold The Red Cross is working alongside emergenCentre in Lac la Biche. and in two locations cy preparedness staff with the City of Edmonin Calgary: Red and White Club at McMahon ton, in Calgary and in Lac La Biche, she added. Stadium and BMO Centre at Calgary StamSome evacuees have been frustrated that the pede Park The province will make the cards Alberta government won’t have a timeline for available at other locations in the coming days. a return to Fort McMurray for another 10 days. Notley said officials are working “furiously” Notley said officials need to fully evaluto get a second location open in Edmonton. ate the soundness of the city’s infrastrucThe premier urged people who don’t need the ture before lifting the evacuation order. She funds right away to wait a day or so to allow understands people are anxious to return people who are most in need of help. “There home, but says she thinks it would be hardare enough debit cards for every evacuee,” er on them emotionally to give them a date. Notley said. More than 80,000 evacuees have “I don’t want to give them a definite timeline, registered with the Red Cross. People who have them build their hopes around that defihaven’t yet registered can still do so, Sauve nite timeline, and then discover an infrastrucsaid. Anyone who doesn’t have access to electure deficit that we didn’t previously know tronic banking can get their money through about that delays things by a week or two. vouchers, money orders or cash cards. “If
PNE dates may change because of weather
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NE organizers are considering holding the fair earlier in the summer because of “regional weather patterns that have dramatically affected B.C.’s largest ticketed event.” Fair organizers say they plan to poll British Columbians about a potential date change for the fair, which has long been held at the end of summer. Any potential date change would not happen before 2018, organizers said in a statement. “The fact is, the weather patterns are changing and over the past 25 years, late August is consistently receiving more rain and experiencing cooler temperatures,” PNE
spokesperson Laura Ballance said in a statement. “Our long-standing tradition that has us ending on Labour Day may no longer make sense from a weather perspective.” The organizers’ statement said the 17-day fair, which curently ends on Labour Day weekend, now experiences an average of twice the amount of rain than the last two weeks of July. They also say the average daily temperature in late August is dropping slightly, while increasing in late July. PNE organizers will begin online polling on their webpage. For many, having the fair in the last two weeks of August brings up feelings of nostalgia.
BC gang associate arrested in Alberta
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United Nations gang associate from Traverse was already bound by a lifetime fireB.C. has been arrested in Alberta after arms prohibition at the time of his latest arrest. police there found an arsenal of guns, “Three of the guns seized had their sedrugs and stolen property inside a rural home. rial numbers defaced, including a restricted Robert Cletus Traverse, 35, was picked up AR15 semi-automatic carbine,” Tucker said. with five others after police executed a search New charges laid against Traverse inwarrant May 1 at a house near Fairfax, Alta. clude possession for the purpose of trafTraverse “remained armed and barricaded ficking, possession of an explosive subinside the home for three hours” after the stance and several firearms charges. Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team arThe other five arrested are Stephanie Cathrived, ALERT spokesman Mike Tucker said. erine Payou, 28, David Lee Williams, 32, Traverse eventually surrendered to Charles Victor Morris, 26, Dean Allen Stafan RCMP emergency response team. ford, 34, and Tyler Allan Metz, 34. They face Insp. Chad Coles said ALERT’s Grande dozens of charges related to firearms, drugs Prairie unit conand stolen sulted with B.C.’s p r o p e r t y. anti-gang ComOn August bined Forces Special 2014, TraEnforcement Unit verse was about Traverse’s susarrested on pected cross-border a rural Dawcriminal activities. son Creek “Traverse is an inproperty afdividual who is well ter another known to police dramatic and has warrants takedown by in various jurisdicB.C.’s antitions across the gang police. country,” Coles said. When CFTraverse wanted in B.C., Alberta “Traverse was SEU officers and Newfoundland allegedly inarrived, Travolved in criminal activity between the verse burst out of a stolen travel trailer bareAlberta-B.C. Peace Region corridors, and foot and took off on an all-terrain vehicle. he now faces 25 charges related to drugs, With the help of an RCMP helicopter, police dogs guns, and stolen property,” Tucker said. were finally able to corner him four hours later. During the search of the rural property He was found allegedly carrying “a bag police found nine firearms, an improvised that held a loaded Smith & Wesson .22-caliexplosive device, $50,000 worth of stolen bre handgun, approximately $35,000 in property, and small amounts of crack cocaine cash, five ounces of crack and powder coand fentanyl. “But it is believed that most caine, about half and ounce of methamof the drugs were destroyed during the ex- phetamine, and several opiate pills,” CFSEU ecution of the search warrant,” Tucker said. S. Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said at the time.
POLITICS
Saturday, May 14, 2016
i 19
Canada officially adopts UN declaration on rights Grand Chief Edward John, who was also here were cheers in the United Napresent for Tuesday’s announcement. of Indigenous Peoples tions as Canada officially removed John said that by adopting the UN declara-
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its objector status to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Tuesday, almost a decade after it was adopted by the General Assembly. “We are now a full supporter of the declaration, without qualification,” Bennett said, as she addressed the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations in New York City on Tuesday. “We intend nothing less than to adopt and implement the Indigenous Affairs Minister, Carolyn Bennett declaration in accordance with marks a beginning to what could be a the Canadian Constitution.” The declaration recognizes Indig- long process of “harmonizing” Canada’s enous Peoples’ basic human rights, as laws with the standards set in the decwell as rights to self-determination, lan- laration, and improving the country’s guage, equality and land, among others. relationship with Indigenous Peoples. “The declaration is much like the Bennett — who received a standing ovation for her statement — is treaties, it calls on us to work toat the United Nations with Jus- gether,” he said. “Today would not be tice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. too late to start the journey together.” “It was a very emotional moment for Bennett told the UN that Canada is in a unique me,” said Chief Wilton Littlechild, a Cree position to implement the declaration. lawyer and former commissioner of the Carolyn Bennett at the United Nations ‘Canada is now a full supporter of the [UN Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada who was at the UN on Tues- Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous day. Littlechild has been involved with the Peoples] without qualification,” Indigenous UN for nearly 40 years and said he’s rarely Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett told the seen anyone receive a standing ovation. United Nations in New York on Tuesday. Littlechild said today’s announcement “Through Section 35 of its Constitution,
Vancouver Canuck player Linden Vey embroiled in family murder plot
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he father of Vancouver Canuck Linden Vey will soon face trial after being charged with conspiracy to commit murder in an alleged plot to kill Vey’s mother and another man in Saskatchewan . Curtis Vey, 51 and co-accused Angela Nicholson, are alleged to have conspired to murder their respective spouses Brigette Vey and Jim Taylor in 2013. hi-melfort The murder conspiracy trial of co-accused Curtis Vey and Angela Nicholson begins May 24 at the Melfort, Sask. provincial courthouse. Vey and Nicholson were reportedly having an affair at the time of the conspiracy. The trial begins on May 24 in Melfort, Saskatchewan. Nicholson’s lawyer Ron Piche said 22 witnesses will be called.
“The case, we anticipate, will consist largely of audio, both some surreptitious audio recorded in one of the homes and some undercover audio taken by an officer,” said Piche. Vey and Nicholson were charged in 2013. Linden Vey finished last season minus-14 with 4 goals in 41 games with the Canucks Linden Vey, from Wakaw Saskatchewan, opened up to Vancouver Province hockey reporter Jason Botchford, calling it a “tough situation”. Vey, 24, was acquired by the Canucks from the LA Kings two years ago in exchange for a second round draft choice, and has struggled to establish himself as a full time NHL player.
Canada has a robust framework for the protection of Indigenous rights,” she said. “By adopting and implementing the declaration, we are excited that we are breathing life into Section 35 and recognizing it as a full box of rights for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.” Bennett also said implementing the UN declaration in Canada will require the full co-operation of Indigenous Peoples and the support of all provinces and territories. Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer also attended the UN meeting. “It can’t be done unilaterally,” said B.C.
tion, more than ever Canada must now consult with Indigenous Peoples on any laws or administrative measures that affect them. “Indigenous governments are not some inferior form of authority,” John said. “They are the original form of authority over their lands, resources and territories.” Shortly after the 2015 federal election, Bennett pledged that the new Liberal government would implement the UN declaration as part of its effort to rebuild its working relationships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
20 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
Business / Finance
Libereal govt is putting off small business tax cut worth $815M a year by 2020-21, PBO says
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he parliamentary budget officer has calculated that the decision in this year’s budget to defer a scheduled small business tax cut will have a relatively small impact on real gross domestic product, but could mean an extra $815 million a year in federal revenue within five years. The final federal budget of the previous Conservative government legislated a gradual decrease of the tax rate and corresponding effective dividend tax rate for small businesses to nine per cent from its current 10.5 per cent by 2019. The rate was scheduled to be cut by 0.5 per-
centage points per year for up to $500,000 of active business income. The general tax rate for business income is otherwise 15 per cent. PBO Fiscal Outlook 20160419 Parliamentary Budget Officer Jean-Denis Frechette’s assessment found the tax-cut deferral could mean 1,240 fewer jobs for the economy. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press) Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre asked budget officer Jean-Denis Fréchette’s office to study the economic and fiscal implications of the new Liberal government’s decision to defer this change for an unspecified amount of time.
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Liberals plan to change Canada’s voting system upsets many
aving promised that the last federal campaign will be the last one conducted under the first-past-thepost voting system, the Liberal government is proposing that a special committee study the alternatives and report back to the House of Commons by Dec. 1. A motion to create the committee was unveiled on Tuesday night. Democratic Reform Minister Maryam Monsef (pictured) and Government House leader Dominic LeBlanc explained their government’s plans on Wednesday morning. The committee would consist of 10 voting members: six Liberals, three Conservatives and one New Democrat. One Bloc Québécois MP and Green MP Elizabeth May would be members of the committee, but not allowed to vote. “In a multi-party democracy like Canada, first past the post distorts the will of the electorate. It’s part of why so many Canadians don’t engage in or care about politics,” Monsef told reporters. “While there’s no such thing as a perfect electoral system, we can do better.” 5 principles The committee would be asked
to “identify and conduct a study of viable alternate voting systems, such as preferential ballots and proportional representation, to replace the first-past-the-post system, as well as to examine mandatory voting and online voting.” Options would be judged on the basis of five principles: The committee would invite every MP to conduct a forum on electoral reform in his or her riding and file a report on the discussion by Oct. 1. And the committee itself would conduct a “national engagement process,” including written and online submissions. ‘Elections should unite Canadians’ The motion to create the committee would still have to be adopted by the House of Commons before a committee could begin its work. “Our electoral system must ensure governments appeal beyond a narrow base of Canadians and encourage the building of a national consensus,” Monsef said. “We need to move beyond a system that pits neighbour against neighbour.
Justice minister promises ‘quick process’ for selecting judges in bid to end courts backlog
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ustice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said she is crafting a “quick process” to appoint much-needed judges while her department completes a comprehensive review of the appointment process. The minister made the comments during question period in the House of Commons today when pressed by Tory MP Michael Cooper over why no judges have been appointed since WilsonRaybould joined the federal cabinet. “The minister has found plenty of time to attend pay to play fundraisers but hasn’t found the time to appoint a single judge,” Cooper said. “This at a time when our courts face an unprecedented backlog and all the minister can say is she’ll get around to it. Justice system can’t wait for judicial appointments review, say judges Alberta’s judge shortage at ‘crisis’ level but feds have no timeline for resolution Alberta judge shortage at ‘breaking point,’ causing trial delays “When will the minister stop fundraising and start appointing desperately needed judges,” Cooper asked. Wilson-Raybould said she recognized the importance of making appointments based
on merit and diversity and her department was crafting a comprehensive process that would rewrite the way judges are appointed. “Having said that, I do recognize that there are a number of positions that need to be filled in the very immediate future and we are undertaking a quick process in order to be able to do that,” she said. The minister provided no timelines Tuesday on when the first judges would be appointed. Neil Wittmann, chief justice of the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, has previously said the nine vacancies in his court have led to a number of criminal cases being thrown out. “We had one in Red Deer about two weeks ago where a pretty serious fraud charge was stayed due to court delays and there are other motions pending,” Wittmann said. “Sooner or later there’s going to be a serious delay in a serious offence, by that I mean a violent crime.” There are currently at least 46 vacancies for federally-appointed superior court judges.
Business / Finance
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Big banks react to sharing economy fintech threat by cutting fees, modernizing
echnology firms have turned several industries on their head. The way people buy books, hail a ride home from the bar or find a room for the night while on vacation have all changed. And now financial technology or fintech firms are turning their sights on the banking industry, but Canada’s big banks aren’t going to give up their dominant position without a fight. Joanna Rotenberg, head of personal wealth management at BMO Financial Group, says the needs of customers are shifting and clients are seeking out digital tools to access and manage their money. In response, earlier this year the Bank of Montreal launched its SmartFolio investment service, which offers a professionally managed portfolio online for a low fee. “It’s for clients who want support from human professionals,” Rotenberg said. “It’s not a robot behind the scenes, but people who want to be able to access that digitally versus needing the hand-holding and face-to-face support.” The BMO offering comes as companies like Wealthsimple, Nest Wealth and ModernA-
dvisor look to take a bite out of the big players by making easy-to-open accounts online and cheaper by using exchange-traded funds. Rotenberg says it has been more than just digital-savvy millennials opening accounts with the new BMO service, adding that it has attracted the attention of a wide range of clients in both age and amount of savings they have to invest. “You can’t stereotype people in terms of
who is interested. It really is about people who are looking for something that they can use on their smartphone, but they are going to get the money management support that they need,” she said.
Canada’s Big 5 banks sign up for Apple Pay
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pple Pay is becoming much more useful in Canada, as the mobile payment system welcomes the partnership of all five major banks. The mobile payment system allows customers to upload credit and debit card information to their smartphones and use it at stores and restaurants to make purchases of up to $100. Royal Bank and CIBC customers, as well as holders of Canadian Tire Bank and ATB Financial MasterCards, were able to use Apple Pay as of Tuesday. TD Bank says it will be making the service available for Interac and Visa cards in the coming weeks. The Bank of Montreal and Scotiabank have indicated they will roll out Apple Pay in the coming months. The system launched in the U.S. in 2014 and in Canada late last year, but hasn’t had much pickup because the big banks had been reluctant to sign up. Apple Pay used to only work with non-bank American Express cards, which are rare in Canada. The company took that tack specifically because Amex is both the card issuer and
payment processor, and thus easier to coordinate. Visa and MasterCard typically offer cards tied to financial institutions. Compatible with iPhone 6 Apple Pay is available with the various iPhone 6 iterations and iPhone SE in compatible apps and stores. Apple Watch (paired with iPhone 5 or later) works in stores, and four different iPads (Pro, Air 2, mini 4, mini 3) work in apps only. Processing payments firm Moneris said in a statement that twenty-five per cent of its transactions are through contactless cards or devices — a number that has doubled year over year. “With the support of two of the largest banks in Canada, BMO Financial Group and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), consumer adoption of Apple Pay is expected to increase significantly,” the statement said. “Many of Moneris’s largest customers, including McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited, are 100 per cent contactless enabled and ready to accept Apple Pay.” London Drugs, Tim Hortons, Canadian Tire, Petro-Canada, and Pizza Hut are among the stores ready for Apple Pay, according to Apple’s website.
Krispy Kreme doughnut chain gets $1.35B US takeover bid from Keurig-owner JAB
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he German owner of Keurig coffee wants to take doughnut chain Krispy Kreme private in a deal worth $1.35 billion US. JAB Holding Co. said Monday it will pay $21 for each share of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. That’s about a 25 per cent premium to the Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based company’s Friday closing price of $16.86. Krispy Kreme has more than 1,100 shops in more than 26 countries, including a handful in Canada. German conglomerate JAB has beefed up its holdings in recent years and now owns recognizable brands like French cosmet-
ics maker Coty, and luxury shoe and apparel line Jimmy Choo. As it does with many of its acquisitions, JAB says Krispy Kreme will continue to be independently operated from its current headquarters. Krispy Kreme’s board unanimously approved the transaction, which is targeted to close in the third quarter. The company said that it will postpone its annual shareholders meeting, which was originally set for June 14. Its shares climbed almost $4 or about 25 per cent to $20.83 on the New York Stock Exchange.
Saturday, May 14, 2016
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PUNJAB
State told to pay Rs 5 lakh to father of missing youth
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bout three decades after a youngster was allegedly picked up by the police and then went missing, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the victim’s father. The court castigated the state for not making an effort to trace him. The developments took place on a petition filed against the State by Mohinder Singh of Sullar in Patiala. He alleged that the then in charge of Patiala CIA staff, Surjit Singh Grewal, had illegally taken away his son Surjit Singh on May 15, 1989. The police officials of the CIA had conducted a raid at his residence at Kiratpur before taking away his two weapons. Thereafter, the police brought his son to the CIA, Patiala, where he was allegedly tortured. Since then, his son’s whereabouts were unknown. Respond-
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ing to the notice, the State in its report claimed the allegations levelled in the complaint were found to be false during an inquiry. The CBI, meanwhile, insisted evidence would not be available to prove the alleged crime as 27 years had passed. Taking up the matter, Justice Kuldip Singh asserted there was no motive on the complainant’s part to level false allegations against a police officer. Even if it was assumed that Surjit was missing, the State was duty-bound to trace him. “From the date he was picked up by the police, he is not traceable and is presumed to be dead. Apparently, the police was to answer as to what has happened to petitioner-complainant’s son.” Justice Kuldip Singh added the complainant was entitled to compensation for the loss of son.
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Kairon’s ‘adviser’ owns no truck, yet got transportation contract: Congress
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ongress leader from Patti constituency Harminder Singh Gill (pictured) has demanded that the Centre should fix responsibility for the missing foodgrain worth Rs 12,000 crore. He also accused Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon of helping his ‘political adviser’ get the contract for transportation of wheat stock from mandis to godowns. At a press conference here today, Gill, who had narrowly lost the Assembly election to Kairon, said, “Kairon’s political adviser Gurmukh Singh Gulla Bler managed to get the contract for 144 mandis in three districts; Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur even though he doesn’t own a single truck.” Gill alleged that the contracts were awarded to him even though he had quoted 90 per cent more rates than last year for nine
mandis of Bhikiwind cluster, 60 per cent for seven mandis of Khemkaran, 120 per cent for seven mandis of Jhabal, 165 per cent for nine mandis of Patti, 100 per cent for eight mandis of Harike and 275 per cent for four mandis of Tarn Taran cluster. “In all, the contracts were granted to a person who had quoted Rs 11.04 crore more than his competitors for the same job,” alleged Gill, showing the documents procured by him. He alleged that the Food and Civil Supplies Minister had helped his ‘political adviser’ get the contract which resulted in small transporters losing business.
Probe ordered on former Pilibhit MLA’s insistence At a meeting on January 8,1995, the then CM, Mulayam Singh Yadav, had ordered a CB-
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22 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
CID probe into the Pilibhit jail deaths and ordered that a charge-sheet against the guilty be filed within 10 days. Convener of the newly launched Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Party Singh VM Singh, who was the Janata Dal MLA from Puranpur in Pilibhit (1993-1996) when the custodial deaths took place, recalled that he had staged a dharna in front of the Vidhan Sabha to put pressure on the Mulayam government to order a CB-CID probe. Being an elected representative from Pilibhit, he was ex-officio visitor to the Pilibhit jail. In that capacity he had visited the jail the very next day the custodial deaths took place and had found the police theory that the deaths had occurred during a clash as completely fraudulent. Other convicts told me that the TADA prisoners had been tortured to death in the most gruesome manner,” Singh recalled. Moved by the death of another prisoner, Mohammad Hasan, exactly a month later on December 9,1994, Singh decided to put pressure on the Yadav government by sitting on a dharna in front of the Vidhan Sabha that eventually brought the CM to the negotiating table on January 8, 1995.
Travel agent flees after ‘duping’ youths; SSP orders inquiry
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travel agent has allegedly fled after duping about 500 youths of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh of various amounts ranging from Rs 21,000 to Rs 50,000. He allegedly promised them a job with a good pay in Kuwait. Many of the victims have filed a complaint with the Hoshiarpur SSP, who has ordered an inquiry. At a press conference, these youths alleged that they were in touch with the agent for about six months and he had promised them a job in Kuwait. They alleged their passports were still with the agent. Victims Narinder Kumar of Chintpurni, Malkiyat Kumar and Vinay Kumar of Hoshiarpur, Amandeep of Mukerian, Sukhdev Kumar, Surinder Kumar, Ranjit Singh and Harvinder Singh of Mahilpur said in December last year, they came across a pamphlet which promised a simple way of going to Kuwait for jobs with good salaries. When they reached the given address near the government college in Hoshiarpur, the people present in the office told them that they needed to go for a medical examination, for which they were made to pay Rs 5,000 each. Those found fit in the medical examination were made to pay Rs 10,000 each for contract charges. Then they were sent to Delhi, where a man took Rs 15,000 each from them for final medical examination before issuing visa and signing a contract.
INDIA
‘Bring Priyanka’ chorus gains momentum in UP
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he ‘bring Priyanka’ chorus gained further momentum in UP with over 600 block presidents backing her for the top job and claiming that she alone could turn the fortunes for the party in 2017 polls. The block presidents, who were interacting with Congress party’s election strategist, Prashant Kishore, in Lucknow on Tuesday, felt that the party stood a fair chance to win the polls only with Priyanka Gandhi at the helm. Confirming this, Agra District President, Dushyant Sharma, who was also present at the meeting said almost everyone was of the opinion that Priyanka could be a po-
tent face for the party, which has been struggling for long to regain its lost ground in UP. Sharma said many block presidents were of the opinion that the party’s vote share could increase considerably, giving it the muchneeded fillip to win a large number of seats. He said Prashant listened to everyone but did not make any comments on this issue. Incidentally, Prashant has been the one who has been pressing upon the Congress high command to make Priyanka the face for the party in UP rather than limiting her to Raebareli and Amethi, represented by her mother Sonia Gandhi and brother Rahul, respectively,
Rs 36,000 crore dues is fraction of Subrata Roy’s wealth, why not pay: Supreme Court
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hy would a man like Sahara 36,000 crore financial liability, of which he group chief Subrata Roy suf- has already deposited Rs 12,000-odd crore fer two years of incarceration with market regulator Sebi. Sibal presented in Tihar if his dues did not add up to even a sealed cover document to a bench of Chief a fraction of his personal wealth? Why Justice T S Thakur and Justices A R Dave and would such a wealthy perA K Sikri listing Roy’s personal son not just settle his dues? wealth including immoveThese were pointed quesable assets in India and movetions the Supreme Court able assets abroad, including posed on Wednesday gold and other precious items when it scanned details of valued in euros, dollars and Roy’s wealth while hearing pound sterling. Awestruck, his plea for an extension the bench was about to blurt of his interim bail to six out the total value but Sibal months after the business stepped in at the right time to magnate was released on stop the court. “Please keep custodial parole on May it secret and in sealed cover. Subrata Roy 11 to complete rituals If Roy is released for six more linked to his mother’s death. Roy’s counsel months he will pay every penny that is Kapil Sibal showed a list of personal wealth due from him. Market regulator Sebi can and assets to assure the court Roy would independently sell the assets,” he said. not run away from the court-fastened Rs
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Chances of getting Vijay Mallya back home now are next to nil
he British government’s refusal to deport Vijay Mallya will now make it almost impossible for India to repatriate him to be tried in Indian courts. India will now have to go through the painfully long and tortuous extradition process, which is a judicial one, and is likely to be challenged in courts by Mallya’s lawyers. The chances of success in this process are next to nil, notwithstanding the seriousness of Mallya’s actions. Basically, it means Mallya gets to stay in the UK until his visa expires or the British have a change of heart. India had asked for his deportation because it is effected by executive action and would
normally be an easy way of getting him back, particularly after the government had revoked his passport. The British cited an old law by which Mallya had entered the UK on a valid passport with a valid visa. Therefore, by law, he should be allowed to stay on until his visa expires. The British explanation for the refusal said Mallya would be within his rights to challenge his deportation by citing this particular law. After the Lalit Modi fiasco, India should have expected that a deportation request would not be easy. He not only escaped a deportation request by India, the UK even granted him a travel document for him to visit Portugal for his wife’s cancer treatment and them to Ibiza to party.
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NIA gives clean chit to Sadhvi, dilutes charges against others in Malegaon blast case
n a U-turn, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday dropped all charges against Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and five others in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, while charges under the stringent MCOCA law have been dropped against all the other 10 accused, including Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit. During investigation, “sufficient evidences have not been found against” Pragya Singh Thakur and five others, the NIA said, adding it has submitted in the chargesheet “that the prosecution against them is not maintainable”. Seven persons were killed in the blast, when they were coming out of prayers during Ramzan on September 29, 2008. There have been a lot of twists and turns in the probe
into the Malegaon blast, which was described as a handiwork of people associated with Hindu right-wing groups. The case was investigated initially by Joint Commissioner of Mumbai’s ATS Hemant Karkare, who was killed during the 26/11 Mumbai attack. Before the NIA took over the case in 2011, the ATS had booked 16 persons but filed chargesheets on January 20, 2009, and April 21, 2011, against 14 accused in a Mumbai court. Purohit and Pragya had moved several applications before the Bombay High Court and Supreme Court challenging the chargesheet and applicability of stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the case.
INDIA
24 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
ED seeks Interpol Red Corner Notice against Mallya
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fter Britain declined India’s request to deport Vijay Mallya, the ED has now sought an Interpol arrest warrant against the liquor baron to make him join investigations in connection with a money laundering probe case. Officials said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has written to the CBI to obtain a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Mallya from the global police body. The CBI acts as the nodal office for execution of Interpol warrants in India. An RCN is issued “to seek the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action” in a criminal case probe. Once the said notice is issued, the Interpol seeks to arrest the person concerned in any part of the world and notifies that country to take his or her custody for further action at their end. The agency has been wanting to make Mallya join investigations “in person” in the over Rs 900 crore IDBI loan fraud case in which it registered a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) early this year. It has virtually exhausted most of the legal options to make Mallya join the probe including issuance of a non-bailable warrant against him from a Mumbai court based on which it made the requests for the revocation of his
passport and subsequent deportation bid to bring back the businessman from the UK. However, Britain has made it clear that Mallya cannot be deported and asked India to seek his extradition instead. The British government said it acknowledges “the seriousness of allegations” against Mallya and was “keen to assist” the Indian government in this case. The ED is also mulling attaching domestic assets and shares worth about Rs 9,000 crore owned by Mallya in this case. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had yesterday said in Parliament that India will now have to initiate extradition process after a charge sheet is filed to bring back the embattled tycoon to face money laundering charges as well as recovery of the Rs 9,400 crore of loans to his defunct Kingfisher Airlines. Cancellation of passport “does not result in automatic deportation, that is the stand taken by UK,” Jaitley had said. Officials, however, had said filing a charge sheet is a time-consuming process and hence some other legal options will surely be mulled to make Mallya join probe in India, not only by the ED but by the CBI too. Mallya had left India on March 2 using his diplomatic passport.
India has 4 of world’s 5 most polluted cities: WHO
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ndia is home to four of the five cities in the world with the worst air pollution, the World Health Organisation said on Thursday. But while WHO experts acknowledge India faces a “huge challenge”, many countries are so bad that they have no monitoring system and cannot be included in its ranking. The dirtiest air was recorded at Zabol in Iran, which suffers from months of dust storms in
the summer, and which clocked a so-called PM2.5 measure of 217. The next four were all Indian: Gwalior, Allahabad, Patna and Raipur. India’s capital New Delhi was the survey’s ninth worst city, measured by the
amount of particulate matter under 2.5 micrograms found in every cubic metre of air, with an annual average PM2.5 measurement of 122. Tiny particulate matter can cause lung cancer, strokes and heart disease over the long term, as well as triggering symptoms such as heart attacks that kill more rapidly. The WHO says more than 7 million premature deaths occur every year due to air pollution, 3 million of them due to outdoor air quality. New Delhi was ranked worst in 2014 with a PM2.5 reading of 153. It has since tried to tackle its toxic air by limiting the use of private cars on the road for short periods. Maria Neira, head of public health, environmental and social determinants of health at the WHO, praised India’s government for developing a national plan to deal with the problem when others have been unable to. “Probably some of the worst cities that are the most polluted ones in the world are not included in our list, just because they are so bad that they do not even have a good sys-
Nirankari spiritual head dies in road accident near Montreal Baba Hardev Singh (pictured), spiritual head of Sant Nirankari Mission, died in a road accident in Montreal, Canada, an official of the organisation said here on Friday. Three persons travelling along with the spiritual head in the ill-fated car also received injuries and are reported to be out of danger. The injured included his Chandigarh-based sons-in-law Avneet Setya and Sandip, and New York-based Vivek Sharma. Baba was travelling from New York to Montreal. The accident took place about 40 km before Montreal. Kripasagar, the person in-charge of the mission’s press and publicity, said they were deeply saddened by the news of Baba Hardev Singh’s death. He was 62. “It was sudden and sad news for us,” Kripasagar said. “It was around 5 in the morning when his car met with an accident and he died,” the official said. He said ar-
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rangements were being made to bring the mortal remains of the spiritual head to Delhi and details about it would be known soon. “With profound pain and sorrow, this is to inform you that His Holiness Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj has merged into this Almighty God,” said an official statement issued by the mission. The sect, with millions of followers across the world, has also requested them not to rush to the mission headquarters in New Delhi to avoid unnecessary inconvenience. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other political leaders expressed their condolences over the death of Baba Hardev. Baba Hardev Singh’s demise is a loss to the nation. He was doing a lot of service for the people. I have personally seen his ‘Samagams’.
SC orders SIT probe against naval officers accused of sexual assault
he Supreme Court today directed the Kerala Police chief to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) headed by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Inspector General to probe wife-swapping and sexual abuse allegations levelled by a woman against her husband and five other naval officers. A Bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur, however, rejected the alleged victim’s plea for a CBI probe, observing that this could be done only if there was any real apprehension that the state police would not do its job. Married in March 2012 to a naval officer posted in Kochi, Sujatha Ravi Kiran lodged a complaint against her husband, parents-in-law and sister-in-law alleging physical and mental cruelty, besides levelling sexual abuse charge against the five naval officers and the wife of one of them. Sujatha also pleaded with the SC to transfer the ac-
cused naval officers’ petitions for quashing the complaint against them from the Kerala High Court to the Delhi HC. The apex court Bench, which included Justices R Banumathi and UU Lalit, also rejected this plea, but asked the Kerala State Legal Services Authority to nominate a senior counsel to represent her in the HC. The SC noted that the Kerala Police had filed an affidavit that there was no laxity in the investigation being conducted by a Deputy Commissioner of Police. As many as 71 witnesses, including her friends and doctors, had already been examined. Also, the probe was being monitored by the HC. “The facts and circumstances in which the offence is alleged to have been committed can be better investigated by the state police,” the Bench held. The apex court directed the SIT to complete the probe within three months.
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INDIA
26 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
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s Rajya Sabha bade farewell to 53 retiring members, the House saw voices against the alleged “encroachment” by judiciary on the rights of legislature, with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley pressing the need for preserving the supremacy of Parliament in the making of law and Budgets. “This House (Rajya Sabha) and the Lok Sabha has the primacy in law-making and budget-making. Law-making and Budget-making cannot be decided by any third party,” Jaitley said, in an apparent reference to the judiciary. “If the right to law-making and Budget-making goes out of here, it will weaken the parliamentary democracy as well as democracy itself,” the Leader of the Upper House warned. He said the “seriousness” of this issue has to be
MPs speak against ‘encroachment’ by judiciary considered by all segments of the society. “I believe that the maturity of institutions in the country will one day decide the way forward keeping the logic of Constitutionmakers in mind,” the Minister said. The comments came just two days after he made some scathing remarks in the House against the judiciary, saying it was “step by step, brick by brick” encroaching upon the legislature. His remarks had come after the Supreme Court had directed the government to set up an additional fund, besides
the NDRF and SDRF, for drought mitigation. Jaitley’s views were echoed by some other members in the Rajya Sabha. Samajwadi party leader Ram Gopal Yadav said Parliament members are concerned over “encroachment” on legislature’s rights by judiciary. Constitution, he said, has given Parliament the right to legislate laws and make budget. “If that is done by the judiciary, what is the relevance of Parliament,” the retiring member
wondered and said the issue should be discussed during the next Monsoon session. Parliamentary honour, strength and supremacy has to be maintained, he said. “Constitution has drawn clear lines.” BSP chief Mayawati, an arch rival of Samajwadi Party, also raked up the issue and said “we should act unitedly, especially on important issues” and rise above political affiliations. “We would have to look within” why judiciary is taking advantage, she said. Senior SAD leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa made a case for special session of Parliament to discuss judical reforms. Among other issues, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav raised the issue of accountability of the media and pitched for striking a balance on the issue of freedom of speech.
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Supreme• Court upholds 250g boneless chicken • 2tbsp rapeseed oil criminal defamation • 1 medium red onion law
• 3 largetioners tomatoes would continue The Supreme Court on Fri• ½ cupfor cashew eight nuts weeks to enable day upheld the Constituthem to approach the • 100g tomato puree tional validity of criminal high Courts challenging • 1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves defamation laws as provided the summons and seek• 100ml low fat cream under Sections 499 and 500 ing quashing • 1tsp garam masala of FIRs. of the Indian Penal Code. The powder Supreme Court • 1tsp red chilli A Bench headed by Jusalso advised trial • 1tbsp gingergarlic pastecourts tice Dipak Misra ruled that to be extremely • 2tbsp thick low fat yoghurtcauParliament had deliberately • salt totious taste while entertainkept criminal defamation ing such complaints. alive even after enacting civil Among those who had defamation laws to protect challenged the two sections Procedure: the reputation of individuals. were DelhiHeat Chief1 tbsp Minister Marinate the chicken with the ginger garlic paste and the yoghurt for 20 min. soak the cashew in warm water for 15 minutes.chop the and tomatoes. “The reputation of onions individuArvind Kejriwal, Congress oil to a pan. sear the chicken pieces in the hot oil for 1 minute on each side to a golden colour. remove the chicken pieces. in the pan,atadd als cannot besame crucified the1tbsp oil and the chopped vice-president Rahul Ganonions. saute till a translucent pink. Add the tomatoes, red chili powder, garam masala powder and cook on mediumaltar flame tomatoes are tender (approx. 4-5 of till the the right to freedom dhi and BJP leaders Subraminutes). remove from flame and run in a blender with the soaked cashews to make a smooth paste. return to the pan and add puree. Bring to a boil and add of speech, ” the the tomato court held. manian Swamy and Varun the chicken pieces. simmer for 4-5 minutes till the chicken is cooked. Add the low fat cream and simmer for 2 minutes. Broil the fenugreek The Bench said the leaves stay on a pan. crush the Gandhi, besides business fenugreek leaves over the curry and remove from fire. serve hot. of trial granted to the petitycoons and journalists.
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Pakistan
28 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
Musharraf declared ‘absconder’ in treason case
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ormer president Parvez Musharraf was declared an “absconder” by a special tribunal trying the former Pakistani dictator for high treason as he failed to appear in person despite repeated summons and directed authorities to produce him before the court within 30 days. The three-member court headed by Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Minakhel directed the government to publish advertisements in newspapers declaring Musharraf an absconder, and also place similar posters outside the
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court and the former military ruler’s residence. 72-year-old Musharraf this month flew to Dubai for purported medical treatment after the Supreme Court lifted the ban on his foreign trips and it is believed that he may never return to face a slew of several high-profile cases against him. The court - which had earlier asked the government to give a written explanation as to why it allowed Musharraf to go abroad without its consent - declared him as “absconder” after he failed to appear in person despite several summons.
Three women murdered in “honour killing”
hree young women in one family were shot dead by male relatives who suspected them of having “illicit relations” with other men, police in eastern Pakistan said Wednesday. The women, aged 22, 28 and 29, all lived in the same house in the city of Faisalabad. “The men suspected that the three women had illicit relations with other men and shot them in the chest and face and fled after the murders,” po-
lice investigator Mohammad Ayub told AFP. Police have launched a manhunt, he said, added that it appeared to a case of “honour killings”. Officials at the local police station confirmed the account. Last week a teenage girl in the country’s northwest was strangled and her body set ablaze.
Son of former Prime Minister Gilan rescued after 3 years being abducted by Taliban
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joint raid by US and Afghan forces rescued the son of a former Pakistani prime minister from a three-yearlong Taliban captivity in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said. The Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar told PakiAli Haider Gilani stan’s foreign affairs adviser, Sartaj Aziz, in a telephone call that Ali Haider Gilani was found during the raid in Ghazni province and that arrangements were being made for his transfer to Pakistan,
according to the statement from the Pakistani Foreign Office. Gilani, believed to be in his 30s, is the son of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani whose secular anti-Taliban Pakistan People’s Party’s led several major offensives against Islamic militants. The elder Gilani, who served as prime minister from 2008 to 2012, said last year that the kidnappers demanded the release of several al-Qaida prisoners in exchange for his son. He also said that the captors had let his son talk to him by phone for eight minutes, and that he was being held somewhere in Afghanistan. Gunmen kidnapped the younger Gilani in May 2013, several days before the general elections in his central Pakistani hometown of Multan. There was no immediate comment from US or Afghan officials.
Panama Papers show 259 more with offshore companies
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akistanis, including senior officials and the mother of a woman filmmaker who won two Oscars this year, have been listed in the biggest-ever global data leaks as having offshore companies. According to the details given by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) through an online searchable database, at least 259 Pakistanis have been named with links to offshore companies.
They include several influential people including Abdul Sattar Dero, former general manager of the Port Qasim Authority; Shaukat Ahmed, the ex-president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI); and Saba Obaid, mother of renowned filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. The Dawn reported that the database contains ownership information about companies created in 10 offshore jurisdictions including the British Virgin Islands, the Cook Islands and Singapore. It covers nearly 30 years until 2010.
Pak-origin MP signs petition against annexation of Gilgit Baltistan
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russels Capital Region lawmaker Dr Manzoor Zahoor Ellahi has signed a petition extending his support in creating awareness regarding the proposed annexation of Gilgit Baltistan and the construction of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Ellahi, a lawmaker of Pakistani origin and a member of the Socialist Party of Belgium (Parti Socialiste), also happens to be the doctor of Pakistani embassy in Brussels. He signed the petition along with Motaher Chowdhury, the local councilor for Ixelles-Brussels. The Europe-wide signature campaign is being organized by Junaid Qureshi, a Kashmiri writer, international human rights activist and a senior leader of the Jammu Kashmir Democratic Liberation Party (JKDLP).
NRI
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Saturday, May 14, 2016
Indian-origin man elected to Singapore parliament
n Indian-origin lawyer from Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) has been elected member of the parliament following his victory in the by-election held at suburban Bukit Batok constituency. Murali Pillai garnered 61.21 per cent of the votes, while Singapore Democratic Par-
ty’s Chee Soon Juan got 38.79 per cent of votes. The Elections Department on Saturday said a total of 24,192 votes were cast, including 622 rejected votes, which made up 94.03 per cent of the 25,727 registered electors. Chee, a vociferous opposition leader, had challenged the ruling party in the one-on-one contest.
Andhra government sets up ‘Non-Resident Telugu Society’
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ndhra Pradesh government on Tuesday established the “Andhra Pradesh NonResident Telugu Society” (NRTS), headed by the chief minister, to promote “Brand AP” among the Telugu communities settled abroad and encourage their active participation in the development process of the state. The NRTS will promote and seek investments in various sectors in Andhra Pradesh from non-resident Telugus and foreign invest-
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ment agencies and industrialists. It will also act as a platform to address the concerns of nonresident Telugus on relevant issues and strengthen social and cultural bonds among NRIs, according to state chief secretary Satya Prakash Tucker. “There is a huge interest among non-resident Telugus towards meaningful contribution for the growth and empowerment of people living in Andhra Pradesh.
Indian-origin stockbroker charged in $131 million market scam
stock broker of Indian descent has been charged in an alleged $131 million stock manipulation scheme after investigations by a task force set up for President Barack Obama’s war on financial crimes, federal officials announced. Pranav Patel of Tamarac, Florida, participated along with eight others in the multistate scam “through a dizzying round of unauthorized trades” to pump up the share price of a company with no business operations, Robert L. Capers, the federal prosecutor in Brooklyn
said. The 35-year-old Patel was scheduled to appear later on Wednesday in a federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for legal proceedings to bring him to Brooklyn for trial. The case involved the NASDAQtraded stocks of ForceField Energy Inc., which claimed to be a worldwide distributor of LED lighting products. The nine from four states across the US were charged with securities fraud, conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and making a false statement to law enforcement officials.
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30 i Saturday, May 14, 2016
SOUTH ASIA
Bangladesh hangs Islamist party chief for war crimes
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angladesh hanged Islamist party leader Motiur Rahman Nizami on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday for genocide and other crimes committed during the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan, the law minister said, a punishment that risked provoking an angry reaction from his supporters. Nizami, head of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, was hanged at Dhaka Central jail after the Supreme Court
rejected his final plea against a death sentence imposed by a special tribunal for genocide, rape and orchestrating the massacre of top intellectuals during the war. Nizami, 73, a former legislator and minister, was hanged at 12.01am local time, law minister Anisul Haq told Reuters. He had refused to seek presidential clemency. A police officer who witnessed the hanging said that a civil surgeon declared him dead after the body was kept hanging for over 20 minutes.
Bangladesh PM may visit India this year
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angladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may visit India later this year. Whether this would be a standalone visit or part of the BIMSTEC summit in October is yet to be decided, but sources said Bangladesh is keen to have a reciprocal visit after PM Narendra Modi made his first trip to Dhaka in June 2015. Meanwhile, foreign secretary S Jaishankar will be in Dhaka on Wednesday to lay ground for the joint consultative commission meeting which will likely be attended by foreign minister Sushma Swaraj in July.
Jaishankar’s visit also comes after Jamaat-eIslami leader Motiur Rehman Nizami was convicted of war crimes and executed, which has already seen heated exchanges between Dhaka and Islamabad. Modi govt took ONE step n needs to follow up else Bangladesh will go Nepal way too Sainath Kalpathy While India and Bangladesh are arguably at one of their best periods bilaterally, there is growing concern about the continued targeted killings by Islamist outfits - IS and al -Qaida.
BJP MP’s Nepal attack triggers war of words
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JP and Congress MPs had an angry exchange over Nepal on Wednesday after BJP member Nishikant Dubey mounted a sharp attack on the country in the Lok Sabha. Dubey said Nepal, a “small country which is dependent on India” is now seeking to “threaten” India after getting support from China. Congress members, led by Jyotira-
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ditya Scindia, protested against Dubey’s remark, saying a neighbouring country should not be spoken about in such language. This led to counter protests by BJP, with Dubey alleging that it was the “wrong” policies pursued by former PMs Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi towards Nepal that had created the present problem.
India, South Asian nations discuss ways to end violence against kids
epal and several other South Asian countries have held a discussion to set strategies and identify priorities to end violence against children ahead of the 4th SAIEVAC Ministerial Meeting here tomorrow. Organised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the three-day ‘Technical Meeting and 4th Ministerial Meeting of South Asian Initiative’ to end Violence against Children (SAIEVAC)’ seeks to assess the progress and developments in the past decade. The 4th
SAIEVAC Ministerial Meeting will held here tomorrow. The ministerial meeting is being preceded by a two-day Technical Preparatory Meeting which is being held since yesterday. The government and civil society organisations delegates from other countries participating in the event are from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “Day one of the technical meeting included an inaugural and various business sessions,” an official statement from the ministry said.
Climbers nearing Everest summit after 2 years of disasters
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limbers are making good progress on Mount Everest and the first group could reach the summit as early as Thursday, following two years of disasters on the world’s highest mountain, a mountaineering official said on Tuesday. Nearly 300 foreign climbers and their guides are attempting to reach the 8,850-metre summit. Nepal Mountaineering Department official Gyanendra Shrestha, who is stationed at the base camp, said that the last camp at South Col has been set up and the route to the summit was being fixed on Tuesday.
Rodrigo Duterte, the Filipino Donald Trump, elected president
For quick results, please call:
One calls Mexicans rapists; the other jokes about gang rape. One vows to build a wall at the Mexican border; the other threatens to “butcher” criminals. Both have used stump speeches to brag about the size of their manhoods. And both have had rows with the Pope. Much has been made of the similarly between Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte, the controversial mayor of Davao City in the southern Philippines, who was elected the Southeast Asian nation’s new President by a landslide on Monday. Both have run populist campaigns that have provoked international concern. Trump’s plan to halt Muslim immigration to the U.S. prompted half a million Brits to sign a petition that called for him to be banned from the U.K. Duterte’s appalling remarks that he “should have been first” in the 1989 gang rape of an Australian missionary drew censure from the U.S. and Australian ambassadors. (Duterte responded by telling both to “get out” and threatening to sever diplomatic relations.)
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