The Asian Star November 30 2019

www.theasianstar.com Vol 19 - Issue 44

Saturday, November 30, 2019

1 in 3 foreign study-visa holders in Canada are not in school One in three people who entered Canada on student visas do not appear to have been enrolled at educational institutions in the country, Statistics Canada reports.

A recent StatsCan analysis could not find indications that 30.5 per cent of people in the country on post-secondary study permits in 2015 were signed up that year at a Canadian college or university. The StatsCan study,

by Marc Frenette, Yuquian Lu

and Winnie Chan, echoes the findings of an internal Immigration Department report that revealed 25 per cent of would-be foreign students in Canada in 2018 were likely not complying with the conditions of their visa or were just not being monitored by school administrators. The high noshow rate comes as there is a rising trend toward “eduimmigration” to Canada.

EPL champ Manchester City invests big in Mumbai City FC English Premier League champions Manchester City’s parent company City Football Group on Thursday bought a majority 65 per cent stake in Indian Super League franchise Mumbai City FC. Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson of Football Sports Development Limited and Reliance Foundation, said, “Today, we welcome a global football powerhouse to India, to Indian Super League and Indian football. “For the first time ever, a European club will be acquiring majority stake in an Indian club.” The CFG will become 65 per cent majority stakeholder of the club, alongside existing shareholders, actor Ranbir Kapoor and Bimal Parekh, who will keep remaining 35 per cent. Other clubs in CFG stable include New York City,

Tel:604-591-5423

BC budget balanced again, faces risk from ICBC debt The B.C. government is forecasting a surplus of $148 million-- $31 million lower than projected last quarter-- but ICBC’s finances present a risk to the province’s bottom line.

In presenting the province’s second quarterly report, Finance Minister Carole James insisted the economy was resilient, pointing to B.C.’s Triple A credit rating, the lowest unemployment rate in the country, and wage growth.

Ready to crash those expectations is ICBC. ICBC lost more than $1 billion last year. It was supposed to essentially break even with a $50 million loss. That loss is now pegged at Continued on page 7

Bal Thackeray’s son sworn-in as Maharashtra CM with help of Congress & NCP Shiv Sena party chief Uddhav Thackeray sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister at a grand event in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park where his father Bal Thackeray founded the party more than 53 years ago. The first in the family to hold political office, Thackeray (59) was sworn in

by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. He will head a coalition government under the banner of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

Continued on page 34

Canadian industrialist Erwin Singh Braich makes $1.2 bn bid for India’s Yes Bank: Report Canadian industrialist and philanthropist Erwin Singh Braich, founder of The Braich Group of Companies and Trusts, has made a $1.2 billion bid for Yes Bank, according to a report. On September 25, 2019, Yes Bank announced its capital raising plans and said it has received “strong interest” from multiple foreign as well as domestic private equity

and strategic investors for the capital raise.

However, early indications from the Reserve Bank of India seem unfavourable for Braich’s bid. Sources said the central bank will not make an exception to allow an individual to have over 15 percent voting right.

Institutional investors like HDFC MF have also reportedly bid for the private lender.

Father of Indian girl killed in BC says ‘‘we hate Canada” A family from Punjab is grieving the loss of 21-year-old Prabhleen Kaur Matharu, whose body was found in Surrey last Friday. Police are investigating the death of the international student who, her father recalls, begged him to send her abroad so she could be successful. Her body was one of two found in a residence in central Surrey shortly before 5pm on November 21. Police said the woman’s death appears to be a homicide and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is investigating.

Prabhleen Kaur Matharu came to Canada in 2016 to study business at Vancouver’s Langara

College, according to friends and family.

The woman’s father, Gurdial Singh Matharu, confirmed that a Punjabi-speaking RCMP officer called the family to inform them of her death.

Reports in Indian news media confirmed the women’s identity and the suspected homicide. Prabhleen Kaur Matharu, 21, came to Canada to study in 2016, according

Exercising? Dieting? But no results?

Just can’t seem to get rid of those stubborn areas of fat?

to her family.

Monday morning, IHIT tweeted that the bodies were of a 21-yearold woman from India and an 18-year-old man from the Lower Mainland. “We are working hard to gather evidence to identify the events surrounding this tragedy,” wrote IHIT Const. Harrison Mohr. News of the young woman’s death has devastated her family in India, said her 64-year-old father.

“My daughter was so happy. We were happy.

But after this happened ...

Continued on page 7

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www.theasianstar.com Vol 18 - Issue 44

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Power restored to thousands after high winds knock out power across South Coast Power has been restored to thousands of residences in the Lower Mainland after high winds knocked out electricity overnight, though wind warnings are still in effect for a number of regions on the South Coast. According to BC Hydro, customers on Bowen Island, the Sunshine Coast, the North Shore and in the TriCities area had outages overnight due to fallen trees and downed power lines.

The North Shore was hardest hit, with around 19,000 customers without power at the outage peak. Power had been restored to more than 10,000 people by midday. A dozen elementary and high schools in North Vancouver opened later than usual due to the outage on Wednesday. Power was restored to all but two, Braemar Elementar and Dorothy Lynas Elementary, and those schools will be closed for the rest of the day. The utility dispatched a number crews to affected areas but has not given exact times for when power may be fully restored.

The outages began as gusting wind knocked down trees and branches, which brought down power lines and power poles overnight. Crews will need to re-

string power lines and re-install power poles in order to restore electricity. “Those repairs, unfortunately, do take some time,” BC Hydro spokesperson Tanya Fish told CBC’s The Early Edition on Wednesday morning. Anyone who comes across a downed power line should stay back at least 10 metres and phone 911. Police have warned motorists to drive carefully, with some traffic lights out and the potential for icy roads.

Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Greater Victoria and Southern Gulf Islands. Winds could reach 90 km/h in the central and western portions of the Valley as well as the southeast sections of Metro Vancouver, including Surrey and Langley. Winds over Howe Sound, Greater Victoria and the Gulf Islands are gusting between 70 km/h and 90 km/h. The agency said damage to buildings is possible, particularly for roof shingles and windows.

Environment Canada is maintaining special weather statements from Metro Vancouver east to the central Rockies and north to the Peace region, as a blast of Arctic air plunges temperatures in the Interior to as low as –25 C.

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4

OPINION

By Ray Pennings Vice-President Cardus Disagreement is normal, if not necessary, in a healthy democracy. Being intolerant and disrespectful toward those with whom we disagree, however, is fatal to that democracy.

Historically, Canadians have had the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (and the Bill of Rights before it) for protection. That’s especially important for racial, religious, political or sexual minorities, among others.

So it’s worrying to see streaks of disrespect toward some minorities showing up in new Angus Reid Institute (ARI) survey data, collected in partnership with think-tank Cardus just after the October federal election.

Take, for instance, the finding that almost one-third of voters say it’s unacceptable for a political leader to be personally anti-abortion even if the leader’s views don’t influence policy.

Granted, the finding came following a campaign in which Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer struggled to handle a barrage of media questions and political attacks on abortion. Even so, almost one in three voters is prepared to tell political leaders not to bother

Saturday, November 30, 2019

A respectful Canada has room for disagreement putting their names on the ballot if they aren’t vocal supporters of the status quo in Canada – the absence of any law around abortion.

This view was especially strong among Bloc Quebecois voters, though it also showed up significantly in Liberal and NDP support.

Regardless of where we fall on the spectrum of opinions on abortion, is it not concerning to see some Canadians are willing to reject candidates simply based on one of their personal beliefs about what could be a very difficult issue? A tolerant and respectful Canada makes room for disagreement. Streaks of intolerance and disrespect also appeared when the pollster asked for a reaction to “the idea of a political candidate being a person of faith.” Shockingly, 22 per cent of respondents said the idea “repels” them.

Among Bloc voters, half are repelled by religious people running for office, followed by just more than a quarter of Liberal voters.

Thankfully, six in 10 voters say they’re neutral on the question. Still, there remains a significant portion of voters apparently willing to discriminate against candidates simply because of political hopefuls’ religious beliefs.

Even so, most Canadians seem to have a growing appreciation for one of the best guarantees of a tolerant and respectful society: religious freedom. It’s a hopeful sign that 62 per cent of Canadians agree that religious freedom makes Canada a better country. That’s up seven per cent since Angus Reid asked about it in 2017.

Meanwhile, just 12 per cent say religious freedom makes Canada worse, which is a twopoint drop over two years. Amid these hopeful signs, it’s possible that Canadians like religious freedom conceptually but grow concerned when the rubber hits the road in a clash with culture. So, in the thick of a federal election campaign with hot-button issues like abortion and same-sex marriage showing up, Canadian support for the Charter-protected, fundamental human right of religious freedom gets softer.

Consider the findings that almost seven in 10 Canadians told pollsters they were aware of media coverage of the religions of Scheer, a Roman Catholic, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, a Sikh. Much smaller proportions recalled coverage of other party leaders’ faiths.

Fully 51 per cent of respondents said the coverage of Scheer’s religion left them with a worse opinion of him, while just 24 per cent said the same of Singh. If anything, the coverage of Singh’s religion slightly helped him: 27 per cent say it improved their view of him, while coverage of Scheer’s Catholicism had a net negative effect. The fact that Singh’s views matched majority opinion on hot-button issues, but Scheer’s did not, may have overridden any Canadian commitment to Charter rights.

But if that’s the case, we’re poorer for it.

The type of thinking that can’t stand even private disagreement on abortion or samesex marriage, or is repelled by candidates who happen to be religious, is not only anti-Charter, it’s fundamentally a violation of the guiding principles of a free and democratic society.

Closing politics and public life to those who are religious leaves us with a less tolerant society that brings fundamental freedoms into question. Frankly, it’s just as bad as closing the public square to the non-religious or to LGBTQ+ Canadians.

Ray Pennings is executive vice-president of the think-tank Cardus.

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Saturday, November 30, 2019

Father of Indian girl killed in BC says ...

From page 1 we hate Canada,” said Matharu, speaking in Punjabi on a phone call from India on Monday.

He said his daughter grew up with her parents and brother in the village of Chitti, near the city of Jalandhar in the state of Punjab. She was due to head back home this January. Her local community in Vancouver is also grieving her.

“Everybody from our village, we have 40, 50 families here, everyone is upset,” said Kashmir Singh Dhaliwal who attended the same school as Matharu’s father.

Kashmir Singh Dhaliwal is a friend of the family of Prabhleen Kaur Matharu, whose body was found in Surrey, B.C., last week. (CBC) Dhaliwal says her parents are planning on bringing her body back home to India.

“We will try to help the family when they come here,” said the family friend. “We will take care of them. We will make all the arrangements and we will try to raise some funds for sending the body back home.”

Matharu said his wife Manjit has been

unable to speak since learning of the death of her daughter, whom he described as happy, bright and full of promise. Manjit Matharu visited her daughter in B.C. a few months ago.

Matharu said police informed his family of the suspected homicide in a phone call, but gave no further details.

He said the family, which does not have a lot of money, had already scraped together what they could from relatives to send their daughter to Canada.

Now they’re awaiting a letter confirming her homicide so they can get visas to travel to Canada and find out what happened to her.

A candlelight vigil is planned for Saturday evening for young Langara international student Prabhleen Kaur Matharu whose death last week in Surrey is being investigated as an apparent murder-suicide.

The gathering for Prabhleen Kaur Matharu will be held at Holland Park in Surrey at 5 p.m. on Nov. 30, according to an online posting by One Voice Canada, a non-profit group formed this year to advocate for international students.

Pedestrian killed in Delta marks third fatal Lower Mainland crash in three days Delta Police say a pedestrian is dead following a crash in Ladner on Thursday evening.

It is the third pedestrian fatality in the region in as many days. First, an 88-yearold woman was killed in Burnaby crash on Wednesday afternoon around 1:15 p.m. near the intersection of Willingdon Avenue &

Beresford Street. Then on Thursday morning, a woman was struck and killed crossing the street around 5:00am in Abbotsford.

Delta Police closed the area to investigate.

According to the freelancer, the driver remained on scene and is co-operating with police. Police say they will provide an update.

From page 1

BC budget balanced again, faces risk from ICBC debt

but it doesn’t account for the hit the public insurer took after a recent court decision. ICBC wanted to limit the number of expert reports in auto insurance court claims as a way to reduce costs by about $400 million in this budget year, but a B.C. Supreme Court decision found that restriction was unconstitutional. “We have $500 million in the forecast allowance. We projected this court case could have an impact of $400 million, but ICBC is looking at options to be able to mitigate the court decision,” said James in a press conference in Victoria Tuesday.

James didn’t say whether those numbers would be available prior to February’s budget.

Six months into the current budget, the government is forecasting a surplus that is $100 million less than at the beginning of the fiscal year. There’s also $1 billion in contingencies and forecast allowances. The B.C. Liberals are critical of the NDP government, insisting there is no way it can make good on several election promises, including the $400 renters’ rebate.

“We’ve got projects or promises like the elimination of portables, like $10 a day daycare, things they aren’t going to be able to deliver on in the time they promised,” said Liberal finance co-critic Stephanie Cadieux. The Liberals have calculated $800 million worth of capital projects, including schools, roads, and hospitals, as being delayed. They say that’s evidence of bad fiscal management. ICBC isn’t the only area seeing a decline in revenue. The B.C. Lottery Corporation is seeing a drop due to less activity in casinos, and B.C.’s Liquor Distribution Branch is also seeing a dip as cannabis sales have been slow. The forestry sector is also losing money, with two companies announcing temporary closures due to market conditions just in the last week, affecting thousands of employees. Global economic uncertainty is also a risk to the province’s bottom line. After taking several steps to mitigate pressure on the housing sector and address speculation, revenue from property transfer taxes is up by $35 million,

8

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Former PM Harper’s ex-campaign director joins voices calling on Scheer to quit party leadership Staying on wouldn’t be ‘in his best interests or the best interests of the party’ -says Jenni Byrne.

As his foes within the Conservative Party mobilize to get Andrew Scheer out of the leadership well before the spring, former prime minister Stephen Harper’s ex-campaign director is warning him not to cling to the job.

“It looks like Andrew right now would like to remain as leader. I do not think, though, it is in his best interests or the best interests of the party,” Jenni Byrne said. Byrne’s comments reflect what seems to be a belief shared by many Conservatives opposed to his leadership — that they can’t afford to wait until the scheduled leadership review vote at the party’s next convention in April. Party sources say that if Scheer can hang on until April, his odds of staying in the leadership are pretty good.

If he gets a bare majority of party members at the convention to vote for his continued

leadership, nothing in the party’s constitution says he can’t stay on.

This morning, Scheer announced the names of the MPs forming his inner circle of advisers and insisted again that he’s “staying on to fight the fight that Canadians elected us to do.”

“Now is not the time for internal divisions or internal party politics. That is an unfortunate part of the Conservative tradition in this country, but it’s essential that we stay focused on the task at hand,” he said.

“I will be making the case to our members that we need to stay united and focused, and will be seeking a mandate to do that in April.”

‘Byrne suggested it might be too late to stifle the internal debate over Scheer’s fate that is “consuming” the party. “More people are talking about it more. There’s more chatter, there’s more people on the phone lines, there’s more people that are willing to publicly come out and say, ‘Although we like Andrew, we also want to be c omp e t it ive in the next election,’” she said. “Myself as well as other Conservatives would rather spend the time focusing on the Liberals ... and not having internal discussions about Andrew’s leadership, because it’s just consuming the party right now.” Byrne said she doesn’t have a preferred candidate in

mind, adding those discussions can’t happen until Scheer is gone. She also said she’s known Scheer for 20 years and insisted her position isn’t based on personalities. “We were, you know, kids in the Reform Party when we first met,” she said. “But I also care about the party and I do not think it is in the party’s interests to spend the next five months having a debate about our internal leadership politics.” Efforts to eject Scheer seem to be ramping up. A new website bent on orchestrating his immediate ouster was launched Wednesday night. The website Conservative Victory is intended to trigger a cross-country movement to convince Scheer to step down before April. The website was co-founded by Jeff Ballingall, who helped establish the Ontario Proud and Canada Proud websites that worked to defeat Justin Trudeau in the recent election.

BC’s political parties forgo partisanship to support key legislation in fall session Shouts are heard, fists bang on tables, fingers point accusingly across the aisle.

The dramatic scene known as question period lasts about 30 minutes every day when the B.C. Legislature is in session.

A spectator watching from the gallery might easily be fooled into thinking the harsh heckling is the only thing that happens in the chamber. But beneath the stage play lies an undercurrent of co-operation.

Bills are debated. Legislation passes.

In fact, some of this session’s most highprofile laws originated from across the aisle, in the Opposition benches.

“There are opportunities to work together,” said Attorney General David Eby. “Just because a good idea comes from another party doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea.”

Last March, B.C. Liberal MLA Linda Larson formally introduced a private member’s bill that would see B.C. stay on permanent daylight time.

Fast forward eight months and the NDP solidifies the hugely popular idea through the Interpretation Amendment Act. In April, BC Liberal MLA Todd Stone put forward a private member’s bill suggesting changes to the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act to keep addictive products out of the hands of kids. This month, the NDP morphed the idea into legislation headlined by tighter regulations and higher taxes.

Just because a good idea comes from another party doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea.

In an interview with CBC, Eby also cited the example of a B.C. Liberal amendment to the Trespass Act that was adopted right then and there on the floor.

“The Opposition raised the issue of responding to farmers concerned about people trespassing on farms ... We took that feedback, and in the middle [of debate], quickly drafted the amendment and included it in the new bill.”

This spirit of co-operation has its roots in the earliest days of this government. Fresh off its win in the last provincial election, the NDP vowed it would do things differently.

In 2017, for the first time ever, the New Democrats decided to offer professional legal resources to the other parties to help them draft their own private member’s bills. That offer still stands today.

“So when they make proposals, they can be well drafted and they can actually be adopted because they use legislative language and they don’t have to be edited,” said Eby, adding they’re trying to govern in a different way.

The image that crystallizes the all-party co-operation is an emotional moment in October when history was made.

Continued on page 10

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Woman struck by pickup truck in Abbotsford dies A woman in her 40s is dead after she was struck by a pickup truck in Abbotsford early Thursday morning.

Abbotsford police say it happened shortly after 5 a.m. at the intersection of Clearbrook Road and Peardonville Road.

The woman in her 40s was taken to hospital

by Ambulance Service, where she died.

Police say the driver, who was not hurt, stopped and was co-operating with the police.

The cause of the collision has yet to be determined, however, police say impairment was not a factor.

Police will not be releasing the name of the woman who died

Fatal stabbing Vancouver’s 9th homicide of the year Vancouver police are investigating the city’s ninth homicide of 2019 after a 43-year-old man was stabbed near Main and Hastings Thursday morning. The victim made his way to the the area of Robson and Denman streets in the West End where he collapsed. Police were called out for

a man in distress around 10 a.m. The victim was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

New trial for Surrey man, possessing stolen truck conviction overturned A Surrey man is getting a new trial after the B.C. Court of Appeal overturned his conviction for possession of stolen property over $5,000 involving a stolen semi-truck in a residential cul-de-sac A Surrey provincial court judge had found Jörg Rautenberg guilty on Oct. 26, 2o17. He filed his appeal on the basis that the trial judge erred by relying on the time of the year to reach her decision that he had the requisite mental state for conviction. The court heard police acting on a tip spotted the truck stopped in the middle of the street at 10:35 p.m. on June 11, 2016. Two men were trying to jump-start the vehicle. Rautenberg told police he was helping his friend get his vehicle started, and the officers let him leave the scene. After Rautenberg left, the court heard, one of the constables noticed damage to the ignition below the steering wheel and to a radio above the windshield. “Wires were dangling from both,” Appeal Court Justice Mary Saunders noted, following a hearing in Vancouver.

“The police also observed other items and a

piece of identification in the centre console in the name of the man in the passenger seat. In time it was learned that the vehicle was stolen, and the appellant was charged with the single count before us.” The trial judge convicted Rautenberg, finding he knew or was wilfully blind to the truck having been stolen because the lighting at that time of year was sufficient for him to see the dangling wires. The appeal court heard she wrongly stated the police arrived at 10 p.m. The constable testified the scene was relatively dark, illuminated only by driveway lights and “residential lighting kinda thing.” Both police cars had their lights on, with the blue and red emergency lights flashing on one of them. The trucks headlights or interior lights weren’t on.

Saunders found that the provincial court judge’s decision to convict, based on the constable’s testimony that the lighting would have been adequate for Rautenberg to see the wires, and also taking the time of year into account, “reflects a misapprehension of the evidence.”

BC has highest per-capita EV sales in North America: province The B.C. government says a new milestone has been reached on the road to vehicle electrification in the province. There are now more than 30,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on B.C.’s roads, 10 years after the first EVs landed in the province in November 2009.

The latest data from the province show there are approximately 31,200 light-duty EVs registered in B.C. The B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources says EV sales made up nine per cent of all light-duty vehicle sales in the first

nine months of 2019. That’s up from four per cent in 2018. The province now boasts the highest per-capita sales of electric vehicles in North America, surpassing Quebec at seven per cent of all vehicle sales, and California at eight per cent. “On the 10th anniversary of the first electric vehicles hitting B.C. roads, it’s great to see that B.C. drivers are going electric in record numbers,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources in a statement Thursday.

LOCAL

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Premier Horgan confident ride-hailing ‘just around the corner’ in BC Premier Horgan says even if ride-hailing doesn’t make it to the province by the holidays, it’s still a success. John Horgan says he is still hoping British Columbians will get ride-hailing by Christmas, saying he’s convinced “goodwill will get us there.” He says everything from insurance, to licensing, to safety all had to be figured out from the ground up, and there have been twists and turns the government didn’t predict.

“I don’t think it’s a failure if we get to end results,” he said Thursday, but added it has been a long road.

“We started from scratch, had to amend half a dozen or more bills, and that took more time than we expected. I am confident ridehailing is coming to British Columbia in a fair and transparent way.”

He says the Passenger Transportation

Board is busy working overtime to process the mountain of paperwork they received with applications.

“I still remain convinced that goodwill will get us there. We’re not yet in December. 20 companies want to operate here. They are doing all they can to be ready for that,” he says. He says even if they don’t hit the holiday season deadline, it’s not a failure. Those concerned with the ride-hailing timeline include Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart who says he’s worried people are expecting ride-hailing to be

part of their holiday transportation plans.

Stewart blames politicians in Victoria for not following through on promises to have the service in place by Christmas, and is accusing

the provincial government of protecting the existing taxi monopoly in the region.

Butter chicken tops the list for most Skip the Dishes orders in Regina It seems people in Regina really enjoy their butter chicken. Reginians ordered the popular Indian dish more than 7,800 times in 2019, through Skip the Dishes.

Cheeseburgers were second with close to 7,600 orders, followed by caesar salads, ordered nearly 6,000 times.

Butter chicken pizza is very famous also.

Nationally, butter chicken remains on top of what’s ordered the most, followed by poutine and dynamite rolls.

In Regina, Skip the

Dishes saw a 31 per cent increase in orders in 2019 compared to 2018. Among the 250 hometown restaurants using the delivery service, Hachi Sushi, Trifon’s Pizza and Red Swan Pizza were most popular.

Regina’s biggest order included 21 BBQ samplers and 42 pieces of cornbread. It cost $630.

Canada’s biggest order rang in at $4,004.

The person who did the most ordering in Regina this year ordered takeout 353 times.

In Canada, the most frequent client has 764 orders to date.

BC’s political parties forgo partisanship to support key legislation in fall session Every single politician in the chamber stood in applause as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was formally introduced as legislation for the first time in the country.

“When you’re talking about people’s basic human rights, that’s never a time for partisanship,” said B.C. Liberal House Leader Mary Polak in an interview.

“There were still important questions to be asked, and we ask those questions, but I think the characterization of this was the legislature coming together to right some wrongs.”

Polak said there is one idea she’s disappointed the government didn’t hear: her own private member’s bill allowing a married

couple to hyphenate their last names without having to file for a costly legal name change.

“I don’t know why they didn’t call it forward for debate, but I’ll try again next session,” Polak chuckled.

Unity aside, there’s no place for naivety; by nature, the makeup of a minority government forces compromise. And that’s most explicitly obvious in the power-sharing agreement struck by the NDP and the Greens after the last election. “[That dynamic] created the beginnings of a real cultural shift,” said Green Party House Leader Sonia Furstenau. “It opens up the space for more collaboration and less partisanship in the work that we’re doing here,”

11

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Khalsa Business Centre

128th Street, 84th Ave., Surrey, BC

12

LOCAL / NATIONAL Council postpones decision on North Delta highrise project

After nine hours of public hearings over currently zoned as “medium density residential,” two consecutive days, Delta council has a designation intended for low-rise multi-family put off deciding the fate of a contentious structures no more than six storeys high. For 35-storey highrise proposed for the the highrise to go forward, city council would corner of 75A Avenue and Scott Road. have to approve an amendment to the OCP and a rezoning of the property.

At around 11 p.m.

Stemming from the on Wednesday night tension and anger of the (Nov. 27), council voted previous night’s comments, to postpone further several speakers threw discussion of the project, accusations of ageism, including whether or entitlement and thinlynot to give the proposal veiled racism at their third reading, until its opponents, while others next regular meeting, attempted to bridge the to be held on Monday, divide by opening their Dec. 2 at North Delta’s remarks with an apology Kennedy Seniors’ on behalf of others in Recreation Centre. their camp for some of The proceedings were things said on Tuesday. a continuation of the Still, many younger previous evening’s public supporters categorized hearing, and over 50 those who are opposed to people came out to the the project as belonging North Delta Recreation to older generations and Centre on Wednesday called on council not to night to share their make a decision that would concerns with council. force Millennials and Speakers in favour of seniors who can’t afford and opposed to the current housing prices out project touched on most of North Delta entirely. of the same themes and The project as issues as the day before, proposed would add 335 namely affordability, residential units to the housing needs, traffic area, with 20 per cent concerns, liveability earmarked as “affordable and the proposed dwelling units” under BC The proposed 35-storey highrise at 75A amendment to the official Avenue and Scott Road.

Housing’s Affordable Home community plan (OCP).

Ownership Program (AHOP).

The OCP, which was AHOP is an initiative that last updated in 2016, provides interim construction financing at calls for high-density mixed use “nodes” along Scott Road, namely at 72nd, 80th, reduced rates and leverages contributions from 88th and 96th, as well as medium-density project partners (such as the City of Delta) to mixed use “nodes” at 64th and 84th avenues. ensure units are made available for eligible home However, the property at 75A Avenue is buyers at five to 20 per cent below market value.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Jagmeet Singh takes on Indigenous Affairs in NDP’s shadow cabinet NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he’ll be his party’s critic on Indigenous matters and on intergovernmental affairs.

The idea is to emphasize how important the concerns of people who feel ignored by the federal government are to the New Democrats, with their party leader taking charge of files the Liberals have divided among four people.

In revealing the NDP’s shadow cabinet in Ottawa, Singh criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for naming a minister for middle-class prosperity as empty symbolism.

Instead, the New Democrats will have a critic for income inequality and affordability: veteran Ontario MP Charlie Angus.

They’ll also have one for democratic reform to promote changes to the federal voting system, though Trudeau nixed that as a distinct ministry last week.

The party’s last MP from Quebec, Alexandre Boulerice, remains Singh’s deputy leader.

The NDP’s numbers in the House of Commons were cut sharply in the Oct. 21 election, from 39 MPs to 23. With 36 ministers in the Trudeau government, plus a need for whips and caucus officials, practically all of Singh’s critics are doubling or even tripling up with their responsibilities.

BC municipal group bans foreign sponsorship at convention The Union of B.C. Municipalities executive has responded to protests against China’s sponsorship of a reception for mayors and councillors, banning foreign sponsorships for future conventions.

The issue came to a head at the UBCM’s September convention in Vancouver, where some mayors attended and a group called Canadian Friends of Hong Kong staged a demonstration at the China reception. The event has been sponsored for several years, with the Chinese government paying $6,000 for permission to invite 2019 delegates for snacks, drinks and speeches by Chinese consular officials about the China-Canada relationship. “Foreign governments will

not be permitted to sponsor/finance any UBCM convention events such as receptions and other networking opportunities,” the UBCM said in a statement, following a review of its financing and sponsorship.

Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West delivered boxes of doughnuts to the door of the Chinese reception on Sept. 25, with the names and photos of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, two Canadians who remain in Chinese custody on suspicion of espionage. Their arrests were widely seen as a reaction to the arrest of Chinese technology executive Meng Wanzhou at Vancouver airport in December 2018.

LOCAL

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Surrey’s new emergency shelter almost full after one week Operators of Surrey’s newest emergency shelter say it’s almost full less than a week after opening its doors.

“If we weren’t full last night, we were very close. We will fill up soon,” Michael Musgrove, executive director of the Surrey Urban Mission Society (SUMS), said.

SUMS has been chosen as the operator of the new facility at 10607 King George Blvd., which has been dubbed “The Cove.”

42-bed shelter opened on November 19 in a building that was renovated after a motorcycle

shop closed its doors earlier this year.

“It’s going really well,” said Musgrove.

“The feedback on the location is great, it’s a really nice looking facility. It’s bunk beds. It’d be nice to have twice as much space, but

Temporary emergency shelter facility, located at 10607 King George Blvd.

Woman witnesses vicious beating of senior at Abbotsford bus stop ‘The old man didn’t or couldn’t fight back’.

A woman from Chilliwack sitting in her vehicle at an intersection on Sunday morning in Abbotsford, witnessed what she described as an “awful scene out of a movie.”

The woman, who asked to not be named, noticed an elderly man waiting for the bus.

“The man was dressed in his Sunday best suit,” she said. “It was 9:45 a.m. I was across the street admiring this old man standing tall facing the sunshine.”

And there was another, much younger man standing about 10 metres away.

“I noticed the younger man to start to run at the older man,” she said. “I hoped he would run past, but he stopped and started viciously punching him in the face repeatedly. The old man didn’t or couldn’t fight back, and he eventually went down.”

The woman said the driver of a vehicle tried to stop the assault by driving closer and honking the horn. That’s when the assailant fled into the path of the car. He rolled off and kept running.

Other witnesses followed the young man until Abbotsford police officers arrived on the scene and took over.

“The old man was bleeding, with his teeth and dentures broken,” she said.

“He was taken away in an ambulance.”

Abbotsford police Sgt. Judy Bird said the incident in the area of 33555 South Fraser Way west of Bourquin Crescent East led to the arrest of a 19-year-old Chilliwack man.

The victim was an 85-year-old man who suffered cuts to his face in addition to the dental damage. The two men didn’t know each other, police said.

Arrested in a ravine nearby was Brandon William Janveaux who has been charged with assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm.

Bird said she did not know what weapon Janveaux is alleged to have used, but more than one witness said it was brass knuckles.

Janveaux currently has two other serious charges before the courts. He is set to go to trial on Jan. 16, 2020 on charges of occupying a vehicle knowing that a firearm is present, possessing a firearm without a licence, and carrying a weapon or prohibited device on Sept. 30, 2018 in Chilliwack.

He also faces a trial March 20, 2020 for two counts of assault with a weapon and two counts of breaching his bail conditions on June 17 of this year in Chilliwack.

He is next due in court in Chilliwack on the Abbotsford assault, and likely to face new breach charges, on Dec. 3.

Canada’s nursing shortage unlikely to get better, report finds ob vacancies for Canadian nurses have risen substantially in recent years, but employment growth has tapered off, resulting in a labour shortage that “shows no signs of easing” as the country gets older, a new report finds.

The number of nurses per 10,000 Canadian

adults has stagnated at roughly 113 since 2016, after a period of robust growth, according a report by hiring site Indeed Canada. It found the slowdown has taken place in most provinces and coincides with tepid wage growth for nursing positions relative to the broader labour market.

the bunk beds are fantastic for bunk beds. It’s got a nice back area, a covered area. The city did a great job of putting stuff together.”

Shelter manager Marty Jones said things have gone well in week one, which has proven

13

to be an extremely cold week. But the capacity is far from what’s needed, he said.

“I bet you 20 to 25 times a day someone is knocking on the door asking, ‘How do I get in? Is there room?’ We direct them to the workers at SUMS,” he said.

“This was never designed to be long-term.

In the months and times ahead, we need more permanent housing,” Jones said, referring to the promised 250 units that are set to replace the temporary 160 modular living spaces set up in Whalley in summer of 2018.

Andrew Weaver to step down as Green Party leader in January Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver says he’ll step down as party leader in January but will stay on as the member of the legislature for the Victoria-area riding of Oak Bay-Gordon Head.

Weaver, whose party recorded a historic election breakthrough in May 2017 by winning three seats, announced in October he would not seek re-election in the next British Columbia election.

Weaver says he expects an interim leader will be selected to replace him as the leadership contest gets underway in mid-January.

Andrew He says an interim leader could be someone who does not have a seat in the legislature.

Weaver explains why he’s stepping

down, comparing it to hockey player Wayne Gretzky and the New York Rangers: Andrew Weaver stepping down as B.C. Green Party Leader in January Andrew Weaver explains why he’s stepping down with a sports metaphor. 0:45 Green MLAs Sonia Furstenau and Adam Olsen have not said whether they will seek the leadership.

B.C.’s minority New Democrat government remains in power with the support of the Greens, but Weaver’s decision will not affect the NDP’s hold on power because he will remain on the opposition benches of the legislature.

J. Andrew Weaver says he’ll step down as B.C. Green Party leader

14

LOCAL

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Corporate profits by BC doctors key in private-care trial, says federal lawyer Profit for doctors providing surgery in private clinics is at the heart of a trial that threatens to undermine Canada’s universal health-care system and its principles of equity and fairness for everyone, regardless of whether some patients’ bank accounts allow them to jump the public queue, a federal lawyer says.

B.J. Wray, representing the attorney general of Canada, told the B.C. Supreme Court that an orthopedic surgeon’s legal challenge aiming to strike down provisions of the province’s Medicare Protection Act is based on increasing income because doctors enrolled in the public system are prohibited from also charging patients for medically necessary services in private clinics.

She said doctors don’t have to enrol in the Medical Services Plan if they wish to work in the private system but that is not in their best interest.

“We say that the only conclusion one can draw is that the corporate plaintiffs want the impugned provisions gone so they can implement their preferred business model and increase their bottom line,” Wray said Monday.

Dr. Brian Day opened the Cambie Surgery Centre in 1996 and filed a court action against the British Columbia government in 2009 over sections of the Medicare Protection Act, arguing patients have a constitutional right to pay for services if wait times in the public system are too long.

Wray disagreed, saying an argument based on Sections 7 and 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms does not apply in the case being fought for the benefit of the wealthy at the expense of the vast majority of Canadians.

“The corporate plaintiffs want to make steady money in the public system and then make more money in the privately funded system,” she told Justice John Steeves.

The main issue in the case is not wait times but whether provisions in the provincial act have caused any of the four patient plaintiffs any harm, Wray said.

Her mom was being beaten, police say, so she called 911 and ordered pizza. The plan worked

Lumber giant Canfor announces it’s cutting back on mill operations in BC over the holidays Canfor says stagnant lumber markets are behind its decision to curtail all its sawmill operations over Christmas.

The company says in a statement that it is curtailing operations from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3 for all its mills except the WynnWood sawmill in central Kootenay, which will be closed for five days.

The forestry giant has 12 sawmills around the province.

West of the oilsands, another sector suffers its own ’existential crisis’ Canfor board supports Jim Pattison’s bid to take company private, even as ‘momentum’ against deal builds

‘I’d work forever, but that’s not fair’: Interfor announces leadership change amid headwinds Canfor did not say how many workers are affected by the decision.

The company could not be reached for comment.

It says in a statement that the cuts are due to the high costs of fibre and continued weak lumber markets, making operation in the province “uneconomic.”

Dozens of mills around the province have either closed or scaled back operations this year over weak markets and lack of timber due to forest fires and a pine beetle infestation.

BC first to endorse UN Indigenous rights legislation After sometimes acrimonious debate, the B.C. legislature has unanimously endorsed North America’s first bill to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

B.C.’s framework legislation was examined at length Tuesday, before a vote that had support of the NDP, B.C. Liberals and B.C. Greens. The UN doctrine of “free, prior and informed consent” from Indigenous inhabitants for land development has been much discussed,

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with critics noting that the many overlapping territorial claims in B.C. create investment uncertainty.

The province has signed hundreds of agreements to share forest, mining and other resources on Crown land, as modern treaty talks drag on for most of the more than 200 identified Indigenous groups in B.C. Adopting UNDRIP was a term agreed to by the B.C. NDP and Green parties in their minority government support deal in 2017.

In debate on the historic bill, B.C. Green MLA Adam Olsen said Indigenous consent is a key to stopping energy projects like the Trans Mountain oil pipeline and Coastal Gaslink line for gas exports.

Skeena B.C. Liberal MLA Ellis Ross argued thatIndigenousconsentalreadyexistsincaselaw.

“That’s why we have LNG,” said Ross, a former chief councillor of the Haisla Nation.

“That’s why we have peace in the woods.”

Vancouver city votes to fase out lastic straws and plastic bags Vancouver city council has voted to phase in a ban on plastic straws and plastic shopping bags.

The Wednesday night vote came after a staff report was presented to council recommending new rules for single-use items, including cups and utensils.

Plastic straws will be banned starting in April.

A bylaw banning plastic shopping bags would come into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.

Victoria moved to ban plastic bags almost 2 years ago. Why have so few B.C. cities followed suit?

City manager Sadhu Johnston reminded council about the amount of waste even one type of singleuse item creates per year.

“There’s 25 [million] to 30 million plastic straws disposed of every year in the city,” he said Wednesday. “It’s a major amount of waste and a lot of it, as you know, ends up in the streets, gutters.”

After the plastic bag ban is enabled, businesses will be allowed to offer paper bags for 15 cents each for the first year, before it increases to 25 cents a bag.

There will also be a 25-cent charge for

disposable coffee cups.

A couple of exemptions have been built into the plastic straw ban: Businesses will be able to provide bendable straws upon request, to accommodate people with disabilities.

There is a one-year exemption for wider straws served with bubble tea to allow businesses time to find alternatives.

Come April, businesses will also be required to only provide single-use utensils when requested.

Straws suck for pollution, but other items harmful too, say researchers Not everyone agrees with the city’s move.

Greg Wilson with the Retail Council of Canada argued there will be extra costs to small businesses.

“These bylaw amendments confer an advantage on big business,” said Wilson.

“I represent both big and small business, but I feel very safe in saying that they confer a significant advantage on big business that should be unacceptable to council.”

City staff are expected to launch outreach campaigns in the future to raise public awareness about the bylaws.

LOCAL

Saturday, November 30, 2019 It is report card time for Premier Good grades for Premier Horgan, John Horgan and the NDP, and The Greens’ outgoing he should be fairly pleased with his marks. Andrew Weaver scores A poll from Insights West shows Horgan’s 38 per cent, Andrew approval rating is about as high as it has Wilkinson from the ever been, but the provincial government B.C. Liberals scored 35 is getting criticism in some key areas. per cent, and the B.C. “Here we are, two and a half years into Conservatives’ Trevor premier John Horgan’s mandate, and he has Bolin gets a 20 per the benefit of some pretty high popularity cent approval rating. ratings,” says president Steve Mossop.

“Overall, the “When you have 51 per cent of the public government scores highly on some core approving of a premier’s performance, pillars,” adds Mossop. “When it comes to those are pretty good numbers.” healthcare (42%), education (40%), the That is a slight increase from 48 per economy (40%), employment (39%), and cent in June and Horgan continues to rate the environment (38%) they score really much higher than other party leaders.

NDP, but criticisms in key areas well. These four or five are always at the top of the list and we haven’t seen any slippage in those over the last two years.”

But the report card finds British Columbians are not so happy with the NDP government on the issues of housing prices and affordability (58% disapproval rating), homelessness (56%), poverty (51%), and the province’s energy and pipelines.

Major shakeup in regulation of health professionals proposed in BC to improve patient safety Patients in British Columbia could soon know about every single action taken by professional colleges in response to complaints about health-care workers, rather than just a select few.

That’s just one in a substantial list of proposals for reforming B.C.’s system for regulating health professionals, released by a cross-party government committee on Wednesday morning.

The committee is recommending reducing the number of regulatory colleges in B.C. from 20 to five, revamping the makeup of college boards, making the complaint process more transparent and creating a new oversight body that would perform routine audits and systemic reviews of the colleges.

“These changes will help ensure health professions are regulated more thoroughly and transparently, so that they are providing British Columbians the best care when they need it most,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said.

He revealed the proposals alongside Liberal health critic Norm Letnick and Green Party health critic Sonia Furstenau, who described the proposals as non-partisan.

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“The BC NDP has always struggled in these key areas. We’ve been tracking for about eight years on pipelines and the government performance there is 29 per cent approval and 51 per cent disapproval.

Those numbers have been going down over the last two years,” he explains.

Transportation is also a theme with a 57 per cent disapproval rating for how the government is managing changes at ICBC and 49 per cent for ride sharing.

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The news comes seven months after a critical report from international professional regulation expert Harry Cayton that recommended a complete overhaul of B.C.’s system, charging that the current system lacks transparency and consistency.

“There is a lack of relentless focus on the safety of patients in many but not all of the current colleges. Their governance is insufficiently independent, lacking a competency framework, a way of managing skill mix or clear accountability to the public they serve,” Cayton wrote.

Rip up current system and start over, recommends review of B.C.’s professional health colleges

Surrey cops looking for Guildford groping suspect suspect to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599Surrey Mounties are trying to identify 0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. a man accused of groping staff at a Guildford area business back in September.

This is alleged to have happened on Sept.

15, in the 10300-block of 152nd Street.

Police say they received a report that a South Asian man believed to be between the ages of 50 and 60, with a long beard and wearing an orange turban, “groped and kissed” a woman there.

Constable Richard Wright said the suspect then allegedly “ m a d e inappropriate comments towards her before leaving the business.

“These incidents can have a profound impact on the victims and their loved ones,” he said. “Police are asking for help to identify this suspect to further the investigation and to bring a measure of closure to the victim.”

Police ask anyone who can identify the

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Saturday, November 30, 2019

Saskatchewan to join class-action lawsuit started by BC against opioid industry The Saskatchewan government is joining other provinces that are supporting a classaction lawsuit against the opioid industry.

Health Minister Jim Reiter says doing so is appropriate given the cost of opioid addiction to his province’s health-care system.

Reiter is to table the Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act on Tuesday.

Similar legislation was recently introduced in the Alberta legislature to allow the province to recoup health costs on an aggregate

basis and regardless of when damages occurred.

British Columbia, which also has opioid cost recovery legislation, filed the proposed class-action lawsuit last year.

It alleges drug manufacturers falsely marketed opioids as less addictive than other pain drugs, which helped to

Report from BC’s police complaint review committee shows 38 recommendations A special committee of the B.C. legislature reviewing the province’s police complaint process makes 38 recommendations to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and accessibility of the complaint process. The five member all-party committee held public hearings last June and met with representatives from the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Committee Chairwoman New Democrat Rachna Singh says among their 38 recommendations are ensuring supports are available to allow complainants to initiate complaints in respectful and safe environments.

The committee review also recommends the commissioner continue to promote dispute resolution to resolve complaints and it suggests changing the Police Act to ensure a retired judge is the discipline authority for a police chief or deputy chief facing complaints.

The report says audited results from the commissioner were positive with 65 per cent of the complaints filed being completed within six months, compared with 45 per cent in 2012.

The Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner says in a statement it commits to including its expanded complaint resolution and mediation programs into future plans.

trigger a crisis that has killed thousands.

“Everybody that’s read the news in the last months or years anywhere in the country has seen the toll that opioids have taken,” Reiter said Monday.

“When, as health

minister, I look at the cost to the health system that we all pay for that opioids have caused … it’s only appropriate that we’re part of that.”

The lawsuit seeks costs from manufacturers and distributors dating back to 1996, when the pain drug OxyContin was introduced in the Canadian market.

Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Alberta have already announced their support for the lawsuit.

Can you identify this robbery suspect?

Surrey RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance to identify a robbery suspect from an incident that took place inside Central City Mall in August. On August 25, 2019, at approximately 2:30 pm, a man entered a jewelry store in Central City Mall and requested to view high-end jewelry. When it was removed from its display case, the man grabbed the jewelry from the employee’s hand and fled from the store. Surrey RCMP Robbery Unit have conduct of the investigation and are releasing a photo of the suspect in the hope that the public will be able

to identify him. The suspect is described as a black male, 20-30 years old, with a slim build, and was wearing a beige fedora, beige pants, blue and white checkered dress shirt, black and white shoes, and was carrying a black purse.

Anyone who can identify the suspect or who has information about this incident that hasn’t already spoken to police is asked to call the Surrey RCMP at 604599-0502 or, if you wish to make an anonymous report, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www. solvecrime.ca.

BC has highest per-capita EV sales in North America: province The B.C. government says a new milestone has been reached on the road to vehicle electrification in the province.

There are now more than 30,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on B.C.’s roads, 10 years after the first EVs landed in the province in November 2009.

The latest data from the province show there are approximately 31,200 light-duty EVs registered in B.C. The B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources says EV sales made up nine per cent of all light-duty vehicle sales in the first nine months of 2019. That’s up from four per cent in 2018.

The province now boasts the highest percapita sales of electric vehicles in North

America, surpassing Quebec at seven per cent of all vehicle sales, and California at eight per cent. “On the 10th anniversary of the first electric vehicles hitting B.C. roads, it’s great to see that B.C. drivers are going electric in record numbers,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources in a statement Thursday. “Thanks to our CleanBC plan, British Columbia is the leader in Canada for clean energy and on track to meet our targets for getting more electric vehicles on the road years ahead of time.” The province estimates the roughly 30,000 EVs on B.C. roads will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.8 million tonnes over their lifetime.

There are now more than 1,700 electricvehicle charging stations around the province, many of them free to use, and more are being added every month, the province said.

Vancouver city raising empty homes tax by 25% The City of Vancouver will be raising its empty homes tax by 25 per cent for the 2020 tax year, with further increases planned for the following two years, in an effort to tackle a crisis in the lack of long-term rental housing. Mayor Kennedy Stewart says he has directed staff to use additional revenue from the tax hike starting in 2020 to strengthen efforts to provide affordable housing for households with an annual income of less than $50,000.

The tax, currently set at one per cent, will rise to 1.25 per cent for 2020.

The city says the empty homes tax has generated $39.7 million in net revenue since it was launched in 2016 to fund affordable housing initiatives for tenants, who face a vacancy rate that is less than one per cent. In February, the city said statistics from 2018 showed the number of vacant properties had fallen by 15 per cent in one year and just over half of those previously empty homes had been returned to the rental market.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

A

tunnels and some more probing with the meter in hand that sonographs .. a few on the side injectables .. at various locations on this mine field of a body .. some venus strips punctured and the fluids dripped in .. a few hard core instructions to follow .. and back to the grind, despite the stethoscope dressed messengers from heaven giving strong warnings of work cut off .. or else…”

Amitabh Bachchan says that his body is sending out the message that he must retire

mitabh Bachchan had recently said that the doctor had advised him to rest and cut back on work. The actor, who updates his Tumblr blog every day about his life, said that his body is asking him to retire.

Amitabh Bachchan is currently in Manali shooting for the upcoming film Brahmastra. Talking about the town he was shooting in, the actor wrote, “Tranquil .. essence of the freshness

Sunny Leone rules!

S

unny Leone rules the net with whatever she performs, be it her motivational gym routine, or her fashionable outings, her Instagram profile is testimony to the fact. The diva has been hitting the gym regularly, giving us all inspiration to drag our lazy bodies on to the healthy road. Recently, taking to her Instagram, Sunny posted a

picture of her doing multiple stretching exercises and she pretty much nailed the whole routine. She posted her goal-worthy pictures saying, “When @ rahulsuryavanshi27 decided it was a good idea to try this and by the look on my face I’m just as amazed at seeing my foot above my head!”

In July 2017, Leone and her husband Daniel Weber adopted their first child from Latur, a village in Maharashtra.

The baby girl, whom they named Nisha Kaur Weber, was 21 months old at the time of adoption. Actress Sherlyn Chopra first confirmed the news by writing a congratulatory message on social media on 20 July 2017. “Never in my life did I think that I want to adopt a child. People doing such amazing work at the orphanage changed my mind,” said Daniel.

.. the winter feel, the purity hopefully of the air .. and a rest after 5am to now .. there is great humility and joy of felicitations en route .. the simplicity of the smaller town reigns supreme .. as does the generous hospitality .. we can never match their honesty and simplicity.”

Talking about his health, he said, “another new environ and another readjustment to room and its accoutrements”, the actor added, “I must retire .. the head is thinking something else and

the fingers another .. its a message.”

Amitabh Bachchan recently wrapped up the shoot of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 11. The actor who has multiple films lined is also filming for Chehre and Gulaabo Sitabo.

The actor is currently shooting for Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra along with Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.

Few weeks ago, the actor in his blog wrote, “The tunnel at the NSSH .. indeed several

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Bollywood

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Salman Khan’s ‘Munna Badnaam Hua’

“Dabangg3” song “MunnaBadnaamHua” and it is revealing that Salman & Warina in “Dabangg 3” song will burn the dance floor, it is reported that even director Prabhudeva will be seen grooving with the duo in the song. Interestingly, while shooting the last leg of the song, Khan came up with the idea to have the directoractor-choreographer join him in the dance.

Any step that Khan does become a hookstep, and given that Prabhudeva is nothing less than a dance icon, “Munna Badnaam” is set for a sparkling run. Also, on the sets, Khan called his styling team to see if there are similar jackets that can be worn by him and Prabhudeva (now back to a spelling minus the “h” after “d”!) and once they were sourced, the duo, along with Hussain, finished the song.

“Sharing screen space with Salman in a song after “Mera Hi Jalwa” from “Wanted” was like a magical moment for me,” says the director. “I can never refuse his request. Hopefully, people

Anil Kapoor & buddy Bazmee in laughter Anil Kapoor who stayed relevant 37 years after his lead debut in film. The other is a writer of over 28 years’ standing who has been a director since 1995 and remains relevant Anis Bazmee. Anil Kapoor, who is also a producer and a singer, has been acting in cameos since the late ‘70s but made his first mark in his 1983 home production “Woh 7 Din.” Since then, the variety has been mindboggling, as widely known, and there is virtually no genre he has not done, no role he has not played. Rather proud of himself, he smiles cockily when we mention that we recall his characters very vividly, come Lakhan, Munna, Eeshwar, Majnu and more.

Anees Bazmee has written or cowritten so many hits including “Shola Aur Shabnam” and “Aankhen” before directing films like “Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha” (1998), “Deewangee” (2002) and “Singh Is Kinng” (2008) and “Ready” (2011) besides crazy ensemble comedies like “No Entry” (2005), “Welcome” (2007), “Welcome Back” (2015), “Mubarakan” (2017) and now is set to release “Pagalpanti.” The two insist on giving the “Pagalpanti” interview together, and Kapoor has been a part of all of Bazmee’s ensemble cast comedies. Q: Anees-ji, you have made many comedies with single heroes, but whenever you have an ensemble comedy, this gentleman—Anil (Kapoor)-sir walks into it.

Anil Kapoor: You are not feeling bad about it, na? You are also not trying to remove me from his future films? Anees Bazmee: Whenever I make a film, I have to deal with 25 different temperaments among the actors, and at that time, you feel you must have a kindred soul that walks with you! Someone who will defend you and take your side in an argument with another artiste! (Grins) That’s Anil! And I don’t think any actor can play Kishan in “No Entry” or Wi-Fi Bhai in “Pagalpanti” better than Anil.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

SRK announces new production ‘Bob Biswas’ starring Abhishek Bachchan Shah Rukh Khan took to Twitter to announce his new production “Bob Biswas,” starring Abhishek Bachchan.

The character of that name was seen in the 2012 film “Kahaani.”

Bob Biswas was the assassin in that Sujoy Ghosh-directed film.

Despite limited screen time, the character is remembered for his trademark line, “Nomoshkar, ek minute,” just before he killed anyone.

After a gap of seven years, we have Bachchan playing his role.

Khan wrote, “#BobBiswas is coming to ‘kill it!’ Happy to associate with Bound Script Production to bring #BobBiswas, played by @ juniorbachchan and directed by Diya Annapurna Ghosh. @RedChilliesEnt @ gaurikhan @sujoy_g @_GauravVerma.”

Director Sujoy Ghosh also used Bob Biswas’s “ek minute” line in his tweet: @sujoy_g “need your blessings and

good wishes...and a minute of your time � #BobBiswas” While “Kahaani” was directed

by Sujoy Ghosh, this film will be directed by his daughter Diya Annapurna Ghosh,

Horoscope Aries

March 21 - April 20 While you may be busy with financial affairs and career decisions, the sun in upbeat Sagittarius can be a call to explore new options. This can be especially so with lively Jupiter in the last degrees of this adventurous sign. If you bypassed an opportunity in recent months, you might decide to take advantage of it before it’s too late. The new moon in the sign of the Archer on Tuesday suggests you might be eager to take the plunge before your focus shifts.

Taurus

April 21 - May 20

who assisted him in “Badla” earlier this year.

Buzz is that “Bob Biswas” will be a prequel of sorts to “Kahaani,” a genre that is seen in part in “Dabangg 3.” It can also be called a spin-off, like “Naam Shabana” was of “Baby.”

19

Bollywood

You’ll be eager to expand your options regarding your personal desires, money matters, and creative ventures. With your ruler Venus moving into ambitious Capricorn, you’ll want more out of life, and with the right approach, you can have it. Are you looking for a love adventure? It might now be possible.

There is also a more intense focus with the sun journeying through a deeply emotional sector for some weeks yet. In fact, with the new moon in the sign of Sagittarius on Tuesday, this can be a time of change if you want it to be.

Gemini

May 20 - June 21 As sultry Venus moves into your sector of finance, business, and intimacy, her presence can enhance your love life. Both cautious Saturn and potent Pluto are already in this zone, so things may not h As sultry Venus moves into your sector of finance, business, and intimacy, her presence can enhance your love life. Both cautious Saturn and potent Pluto are already in this zone, so things may not have been straightforward in this area.

Cancer

June 22 - July 23

Romantic options look more promising as delectable Venus moves into Capricorn and your relationship zone. Her presence here can help offset any difficulties you may have experienced by enabling a more understanding approach.

Still, with this seductive planet angling toward restless Uranus this week, you may be looking for more stimulating and exciting encounters. Thursday could bring such a meeting your way, and you may feel all the better for connecting with this person.

Leo

June 24 - August 23 A lot of activity takes place in three key areas of your chart: domestic sector, leisure and romance zone, and lifestyle sector. With dynamic Mars continuing its journey through Scorpio, this is a great opportunity to get moving on those jobs around the house that you’ve been avoiding. Sweet Venus moves into your sector of work and wellness early this week, encouraging you not to be so hard on yourself. If you’ve been toiling away at plans and projects and being disciplined

Virgo

August 24 - Sept 24 This week’s new moon in your domestic sector could inspire a fresh start or perhaps a clean sweep. If you’re eager to get your place shipshape for Thanksgiving, this is the time to get serious.

Equally, if you’ve been thinking of adopting a pet or making other key changes, do it now.

In the meantime, lovely Venus moves into your leisure and romance zone, which can bring ease and grace to this area. If you’ve been pushing yourself to accomplish certain things, delicious Venus encourages you to slow down and connect with your feelings.

Libra

Sept. 24 - Oct 22 Are you eager to get your finances organized? A lingering tie between dynamic Mars and electric Uranus suggests that you should be a little careful because impulsive buys are still possible. Money can flow in and flow out just as easily, so setting a budget and saving when you can could make a big difference.

Do you have any issues with your home life?

As tactful Venus moves into Capricorn and your home zone, her presence can help smooth any troubled waters. This is the time to initiate discussions and find solutions

Scorpio

Oct 23 - Nov 22 Feisty Mars in your sign can make you more determined than ever, but just as you’re getting into your stride, someone could tip the applecart. Be prepared to be flexible this week, because you never know what might happen.

Still, as convivial Venus moves into your sector of talk and thought, it could be easier to negotiate and get along with others in general. The presence of sobering Saturn and no-nonsense Pluto here could mean you come across as intense. Sociable Venus can help with this.

Sagitarius Nov 23 - Dec 22

A focus on your sign can revitalize you and give you a boost. And with a new moon here on Tuesday, you’ll have an opportunity to initiate some of your hottest projects. Get moving on whatever is most meaningful to you and the moon tide can give you additional momentum.

Jovial Jupiter is currently in the last degrees of your sign, so if you feel that you’ve failed to act on a life-changing opportunity, now is the time to do so. From next week, adventurous Jupiter moves into Capricorn and your focus could shift, so make the most of it while it lasts.

Capricorn Dec 23 - Jan 20

he week begins on an upbeat note as sweet Venus moves into your sign and encourages you to reach out and connect. Are you thinking about changing your image? This is an opportunity to explore this idea and see where it leads. There is also a powerful focus on your spiritual zone with the new moon here on Tuesday. This can be an opportunity to begin a spiritual practice that increases your peace of mind.

Aquarius

Jan 21 - Feb 19

Dynamic Mars powers through a more prominent zone of your chart, so you’ll have an opportunity to pour your energy into your latest project. You might need to be flexible, though, because unexpected events at home could disrupt your plans.

Still, with luscious Venus moving into a private zone on Monday, you may be eager to spend more time with yourself. This is a chance to relish some “me” time and relax and recharge. You might also enjoy helping others in a very practical way by performing small tasks and random acts of kindness.

Pisces

Feb 20 - March 20 As sweet Venus sashays into your social zone on Monday, it can help bring a more positive and uplifting energy to your interactions. Are you looking for romance? You could find it in a formal setting or at a business event.

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, the new moon in your sector of ambition on Tuesday could help kick-start this process. This is also your chance to enjoy the limelight and let everyone know more about your skills and abilities.

20

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Bollywood

Karan Johar is Ambassador at Macao Film Fest The 4th International Film Festival and Awards Macao will be held at Macao from Dec. 5-10. This year, Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar has been appointed one of the festival ambassadors along with Chinese filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai and South Korean director Kim Yong-Hwa, it was revealed by the IFFAM Organizing Committee. The festival will kick off with Taika Waititi’s new black comedy “Jojo Rabbit” in its fourth edition.

In this edition of IFFAM, Hong Kong

Mon-Fri 12:00 - 9:30 Sat-Sun 12:30 - 10:00 WEDNESDAY CLOSED

filmmaker Peter Chan is president of the competition Jury. Korean K-pop star Suho, of the boy band EXO, and acclaimed Chinese actress Carina Lau have been nominated as Talent Ambassadors for the 2019 edition of the festival.

This year, IFFAM will feature a new competition section, “Shorts.”

The festival was launched with the intent of recognizing extraordinary contributions in the Asian film world and also pay tributes to classics.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Press release

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BC Liberals to continue advocacy as legislation to curb youth vaping becomes law BC Liberal MLA Todd Stone is expressing cautious optimism that actions are now beginning to unfold to address the rapid rise of vaping in B.C. However, he continues to reiterate that actions must be implemented quickly, and there needs to be maximum transparency and accountability to ensure that any PST collected on new vapour

products is invested in robust education programs.

“While the Taxation Statutes Amendment Act, 2019, is one component of a comprehensive action plan needed to reduce vaping rates among British Columbia’s youth, we were disappointed to see the NDP government strike down several of our proposed amendments,”

says Stone, MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson. “It’s critical to ensure the revenue collected from increasing the PST on vaping products actually goes into programs to lower vaping rates, with a particular focus on youth, and that this process is done with transparency.The Official Opposition introduced three

amendments to the government’s bill, all focused on transparency and accountability, which would have either created a designated education fund from vaping PST revenue, put all revenues into the existing Special Health Account, or at a minimum, require an annual report out to the legislature of total PST revenue collected and how the revenue was spent.

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Saturday, November 30, 2019

Press release

Fraser Health advises public to discard products purchased from Dutta Health Centre Ayurvedic Clinic in Surrey

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Fraser Health is alerting clients of Dutta Health Centre Ayurvedic Clinic in Surrey (the “Dutta Clinic”) to discard any ayurvedic products they purchased from the Dutta Clinic as some have been tested and found to contain higher than acceptable levels of heavy metals (including lead and mercury), or are not licensed as natural health products by Health Canada. Products sold by the Dutta Clinic could pose serious health risks.

Fraser Health issued the owner of the Dutta Clinic, located at Unit 109, 12888 – 80 Avenue in Surrey, BC, a health hazard order pursuant to the Public Health Act (Division 4), following an investigation into lead exposure. Health Canada has issued an advisory regarding the Dutta Clinic.

Consuming products that contain high levels of heavy metals can lead to severe illness and even death. Fraser Health is aware of one individual becoming ill from lead poisoning after consuming ayurvedic products from the Dutta Clinic.

If you have bought or consumed products from

the Dutta Clinic and have concerns about your health, please see a physician and inform them of any products you have used. The BC Drug and Poison Information Centre is available to work with your physician on any diagnosis or treatment. You may also report any health product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.

Symptoms of lead poisoning include: • Anemia • Headaches/irritability/ slowed thinking • Constipation • Stomach pain • Miscarriages/stillbirth Symptoms of mercury poisoning include: • Mood swings • Memory loss • Muscle weakness If you have any questions or need more information, please call Fraser Health’s Surrey Health Protection office at (604) 930-5405 Local 765612.

Minister’s statement on passage of fuel price transparency act

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Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, has issued the following statement on Bill 42, fuel price transparency act, 2019: As a result of this new legislation that was passed on Nov. 27, 2019, people can expect more transparency in the prices of gasoline and diesel fuel. The fuel price transparency act will allow the British Columbia Utilities Commission to collectinformation from oil and gas companies on the market conditions involved in setting prices. This act was developed in response to the commission’s investigation that found an unexplained 10- to 13-cent-per-litre premium charged at the pumps in British Columbia.

People are finding it incredibly frustrating to watch the prices of gasoline shoot up for no reason, and they are tired of feeling ripped off whenever they fill up their vehicles. This new legislation will make oil and gas companies accountable to British Columbians for unfair markups and will discourage cost increases that seemingly cannot be explained. If there is a reason for charging premiums, prove it. Moving forward, this legislation will also produce a common set of facts, allowing us to evaluate if other policy measures are needed.

The act will require companies to share data on refined fuel imports and exports, and fuel volumes at refineries and terminals, as well as wholesale and retail prices. It has safeguards in place to ensure that the information provided by the companies is complete, accurate and reported regularly. The information will be made available to the public, including consumer and watchdog groups.

MLA Isaacs re-introduces legislation to reduce risk of influenza among seniors Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Joan Isaacs is re-introducing legislation today that would provide access to the High-Dose Flu Vaccine for seniors living in long-term care homes and eliminate the cost of highdose flu shots for seniors who currently pay out of pocket. “Seniors experience 70 per cent of influenza-related hospitalization cases,” says Isaacs. “If seniors are forced to keep paying such high prices for the extra protection these vaccines offer, we will continue to see alarming rates of influenzarelated illnesses and deaths among seniors.

This legislation will provide access to the high-dose flu vaccine for seniors living in long-term care homes.” First introduced

by Isaacs in October of 2018, John Horgan and the NDP government never called the bill for debate. “We have a readily-available solution for seniors across B.C.,” says Isaacs.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

23

24

Vol. 10 No. 44

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Saturday - November 30, 2019

Home sales in every BC region to recover in 2020 - a forecast. Total home transactions across province expected to rise 11 per cent versus 2019, with average sale prices also predicted to increase in every area.Although every region in B.C. is expected to see lower home sales in 2019 than in 2018, sales will more than recover in

Tel: 604-591-5423

Housing market forecast through 2020

2020, according to a September 5 forecast by the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA).Overall in 2019, residential transactions across the province are predicted to be five per cent lower, at about 75,000 units, than the 78,505 sales of 2018.

Every one of B.C.’s 12 boards is expected to

report a year-over-year decline in total sales across 2019, with drops ranging from one to 14 per cent. However, BCREA forecasted that every board will see considerable sales jumps in 2020, totalling a province-wide increase of nearly 11 per cent to 82,700 homes — which the association said would be just below the

E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com 10-year annual average. “B.C. markets are showing signs of recovery after nearly a year and a half of policy-induced declines,”

said Brendon Ogmundson, BCREA’s deputy chief economist. “We expect that recovery to continue into next year, with home sales normalizing around long-term averages.”

BCREA BC home sales forecast Sept 2019 Having seen the steepest annual sales declines in 2018, and a forecast drop of

housing market to see modest price growth in 2020 and 2021, predicts CMHC

The Metro Vancouver housing market will remain “balanced” over the next two years with home prices expected to increase in line with population growth, according to the latest housing market outlook report from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Housing sales and prices have dipped recently as a result of multiple factors — including rising mortgage rates and new taxes — but the CMHC predicts that starting in 2020 and through 2021, there will be a modest increase both in prices and sales volume.

Attached homes, condos and apartments priced under $700,000 are expected to generate the strongest demand because “homes in this price range can be accessible to buyers making a purchase based on their income compared with properties requiring substantial equity for a down payment,” says the report. The report says housing starts are expected to remain high, especially multi-family homes, which currently account for 88 per cent of unit starts.

25

Saturday, November 30, 2019

R

Reasons why Canada’s apartment building owners are happy

ental apartment building market in Canada is trongest it’s ever been, especially from the perspective of apartment building owners.

Buildings are practically full across the country, rental rates are at or near 10-year highs in nearly every market, and average national rents have climbed 4.4 per cent annually over the last two years, according to a new report by commercial property brokerage house CBRE. This rapid rise of rental rates is earning more money for building owners. Total annualized returns for the Canadian multifamily sector were 9.8 per cent as of the first quarter of this year, just behind the industrial sector. Canada’s national average rental apartment vacancy rate ended 2018 at 2.4 per cent, below the 10-year average of 2.6, CBRE said in its national multifamily mid-year update.

Investors are lining up to get into the market in most cities. Multifamily investment volume reached record levels for four consecutive years, including an all-time high of $8.3 billion in 2018.

Apartments are traditionally viewed as stable and defensive assets to own, said CBRE Canada vicechairman Paul Morassutti. “(The asset class) never displays great amounts of volatility,” he told Postmedia last week. “Very rarely would you have declines in rental rates or net operating income. Typically, things would go up in a

slow and steady fashion and it was always a favoured asset class for all those reasons.”

Here are other main drivers that Morassutti and his firm believe will continue to stoke demand for apartment buildings in Canada. Population growth: Canada’s population is expected to grow by nearly one per cent annually over the next four years, surpassing growth in all other G7 countries, the report said. Much of this momentum is being fuelled by immigration, which accounted for 80.5 per cent of the country’s population growth last year. The government has a plan to welcome one million new immigrants between 2019 and 2021. Much of that new population is settling in the Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver regions, with Toronto and Vancouver experiencing the sharpest annual apartment rental price growth of 5.0 per cent

and 7.1 per cent, respectively, over the past four years.

Shortage of new supply Canada’s big cities are not building enough new rental apartments to keep up with demand, when compared to global peers, the report said.

The largest rental market in Canada is Montreal with just under 600,000 units. Toronto follows well

behind with 313,000 units, and Vancouver trails with just 109,000 units. Units on the secondary market, including privately rented condos, do close the gap, but it’s clear that renters across the country need more options, or else rents will continue to climb.

While we are seeing increased construction of rental units more recently, the overall number remains relatively low, Morassutti said.

Rising cost of home ownership An expanding proportion of Canada’s big-city dwellers can’t afford to buy a home. This factor, above all others, is probably having the greatest effect on stoking apartment rental prices, while spurring investors to buy buildings, Morassutti said. “In Toronto, if you want to buy a detached house or semi-detached house, you need to have a household income of close to $200,000,” he said. “The average household income in Toronto I believe is something like $100,000.” (According to the last Canadian census, the average household in the Greater Toronto Area earned $87,993 after tax.) That leaves residents with only a couple of choices. They can buy a condo, or they can rent.

“As affordability has become more of an issue, and it’s an issue that I don’t believe is going to go away in (Vancouver and Toronto), that will continue to underpin strong rental growth — especially when we really don’t have a lot of supply in purpose-built housing coming on stream,” Morassutti said.

Condos, the ‘future of our communities,’ now cost more per square foot than a detached home Condominiums may be the “future of our communities” but per square foot, they are hardly a bargain. According to a Royal LePage report released today, aside from Vancouver and Calgary, every major city’s condo price per square foot has increased. With the exception of Vancouver, the median price per square foot of a condo is now higher than that of a single family detached home nationwide. Canadian home prices are up — but by the smallest amount in

a decade. Seven reasons Canada’s housing market is stronger than it looks Vancouver’s housing market is dismal — but you still need six-figure income to get your foot in the door “While condo units are smaller, they are the present and future of our communities. With more development opportunities, they can meet both the growing need for housing and lifestyle expectations of homebuyers,” said Phil Soper, the president of Royal LePage in a

press release. The Greater Ottawa condo price per square foot appreciated the fastest among the cities that were measured, rising 17.9 per cent year-over-year to $395, while the Greater Vancouver price actually declined the most by 8.3 per cent to $764. “We are seeing significant interest in Ottawa’s south and west ends from residents working in the nearby military and technology hubs,” said Kent Browne, broker

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

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

The information is contained in a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation housing market insight report which also found that non-residents — defined as someone who

doesn’t have their principal residence in Canada — tend to own more expensive properties than residents, especially in Vancouver.

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

Non-resident ownership is highest in

and owner of Royal LePage TEAM Realty. The city of Vancouver remains the most expensive condo market in the country, with homebuyers paying $1,044 per square foot for a condo and $1,279 per square foot for a single-family detached home. Greater Calgary offers the lowest condo price per square foot, with a fall of 6.7 per cent to $313.“For the fourth consecutive month, condo inventory in the region declined compared to last year.

26

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Saturday, November 30, 2019

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Vedic Seniors Parivar Center of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey is going to celebrate Seeking match for a Canadian Citizen,BSC Nursing, good family value, 31 the Christmas with Bollywood Music- A social get together on December 28th 2019 (Saturday) years old girl from a reputed family, Boy must be well educated & Vegetarian. at Shanti Niketan hall of Lakshmi Narayan Temple 8321 - 140th street Surrey BC from 11.00 Call 1-236-332-9415 am to 3.00 pm. There will be live entertainment program with hilarious jokes and Bollywood music. Appetizers will be served in the beginning, Vegetarian Pizza and dessert will be served for lunch. We have invited well known Musician of South Asian community, Dr. Sunil Bhatt, who has kindly accepted our request to entertain all of us with his melodious old Bollywood Parents are seeking suitable match for for their British born son of 31 year age, holding Hindi songs. Please be an important guest of the celebration, Your presence will be very much Master degree in Marketing and he is in Canada on work permit. appreciated by all seniors. Please contact Surendra Handa Coordinator / Organizer Please contact by Email vazir@talk21.com Minnegill@gmail.com Tel. 604 - 507 - 9945 for further information.

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Child care provider required at a private home Location Surrey, BC - Salary $14.50 to $14.75 / Hour (To be negotiated) Permanent, Full time 40 Hours / Week Start date As soon as possible Job requirements Languages English Education College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma from a program of 1 year to 2 years Experience 1 year to less than 2 years Additional Skills Assume full responsibility for household in absence of parents, Perform light housekeeping and cleaning duties, Shop for food and household supplies, Travel with family on trips and assist with child supervision and housekeeping duties, Wash, iron and press clothing and household linens Children’s Ages School age (6 - 12 years), and 2 - 3 years Specific Skills Bathe,

dress and feed infants and children, Discipline children according to the methods requested by the parents, Prepare infants and children for rest periods, Keep records of daily activities and health information regarding children, Sterilize bottles, prepare formulas and change diapers for infants, Maintain a safe and healthy environment in the home, Take children to and from school and to appointments, Tend to emotional well-being of children, Instruct children in personal hygiene and social development, Organize, activities such as games and outings for children, Prepare and serve nutritious meals, Supervise and care for children, Help children with homework Work Setting Employer’s home How to apply By email: umendrasingh@hotmail.com By phone: 604-537-3551

27

Saturday, November 30, 2019 Press release

B.C.’s Q2 numbers show John Horgan can’t meet election promises without raising taxes MLAs Shirley Bond and Stephanie Cadieux, BC Liberal Finance Co-Critics, are sounding the alarm after today’s second quarterly results show John Horgan’s NDP government has zero hope of paying for their billions in unfulfilled promises without piling more taxes onto hard-working British Columbians. “John Horgan promised to help make life more affordable for British Columbians, but with 19 new and increased taxes, no plan to grow the economy and no sign of a jobs plan — the largest revenue generator for the NDP continues to be the taxpayers of British Columbia,” said Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount. “John Horgan’s government has no more money to pay for the billions of dollars of promises they made like $10-a-day childcare, the $400 renter’s rebate, and the elimination of school portables, these are all broken NDP promises. Today’s alarming financial

Deepika’s ‘chhapaak’ Deepika might be away from the celluloid after her stunning performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s periodic drama ‘Padmaavat’ but the diva is all set to return as an acid attack survivor in Meghna Gulzar’s film ‘Chhapaak’.

Well, that’s not all as the ‘Piku’ star recently revealed about her next dark

project. Talking about the project at an event in Mumbai, Deepika said, “I have found a film which I am likely to do early next year but it’s not light, it’ll be quite dark but it’s still in the romance zone.” Deepika & Ranveer, one of the most loved couples. They have been giving us major relationship goals for a long time now. Their Instagram feed is proof that they are in love, truly madly deeply!

The duo will be celebrating their first marriage anniversary in November this year. And during a recent interview, the actress opened up about her future kids.

Talking about the same, Deepika said that she and her sister had working parents and they gave their angels every aspect of their lives, time and dignity.

statements have nothing to do with global uncertainty and everything to do with poor economic management by the NDP. “After multiple budgets with no plans to grow the economy, John Horgan has squandered the best provincial economy in Canada that was built by the BC Liberals and now hardworking British Columbians are facing job losses, increased costs of living, and the heavy burden of the NDP’s raft of new taxes,” added Cadieux, MLA for Surrey South. “The fact that the NDP are slow-walking over $800 million of important capital investments in the areas of transportation, education, and housing, in the middle of an affordability crisis shows the NDP have no idea how to manage an economy.

British Columbians can’t afford any more of John Horgan and the NDP.”

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BC Helps Parents Boost their Education Savings!

Start saving for your child’s future education in a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) and receive up to $8,400 in government grants.1 Open a CST RESP now and you’ll start receiving the Canada Education Savings grant (CESG). The CESG can add up to $7,200 to your child’s RESP. When your child turns six, they can receive an additional $1,200 from the B.C. Government.

SURJIT S. MADHOPURI Sales Representative C.S.T. Consultants Inc., Branch 789 Tel: 604.594.7200 / Cell: 604.377.4171 Email: surjit.madhopuri@cstresp.com http://www.cstresp.com/6117

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, 2006.

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. Conditions apply. ™ The Canadian Scholarship Trust Plan is a registered trademark of the Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation.

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).

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Saturday, November 30, 2019

1 in 5 homes bought by newcomers - survey One in every five homes in Canada is bought by newcomers to the country, according to a Royal LePage survey released on Wednesday.

The Royal LePage Newcomer 2019 Survey, which was commissioned by the real estate company, found that newcomers spend about three years in Canada before buying a home and that 75 per cent of newcomers arrive with savings or cash to help buy a home. About 1,500 people, all of whom arrived in Canada within the last 10 years, were interviewed by public opinion polling and market research company Leger for the survey and it was conducted online in August.Phil Soper, president and CEO of Royal LePage, said in an interview with CBC’s Radio-Canada that the survey found that newcomers represent about 21 per cent of all homebuyers in Canada. That

number suggests people new to the country are contributing “significantly” to real estate demand, he said.“We know that Canada is a country of immigrants and we know that newcomers to Canada are an important part of our economic growth. What surprises us in the data is just how important they are to Canada’s real estate market,” Soper said on Tuesday.If current international migration levels are maintained, Royal LePage estimates that newcomers are expected to buy 680,000 homes in Canada over the next five years.

The projected home sales was calculated using historic migration levels from Statistics Canada, the survey’s home ownership rate of newcomers and Canadian Real Estate Association and Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation unit sales data.

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Canada housing market bouncing back, but not to boom times: Reuters poll Canada’s housing market has turned the corner and prices will increase modestly faster over the coming few years, a Reuters poll of economists and property market analysts predicted, but with no return to boom times any time soon. After an eight-year period of rising house prices that culminated in near double-digit gains in 2017, the market slowed significantly, particularly in urban hotspots Toronto and Vancouver, partly thanks to government efforts to curb property inflation.

But a strong domestic economy, rising immigration and lower mortgage rates have helped the housing market make a comeback in the second half of this year. The Nov. 4-20 Reuters poll of 18 economists predicted average national house prices to beat the current inflation rate of 1.9% and rise 3.0% next year and 2.9% in 2021, a significant upgrade from 1.8% and 2.0% expected in an August poll. Those were the most optimistic

views since polling began for those periods early this year. “The pillars strongly supportive of housing demand in Canada have remained intact: remarkable job creation, superior wage growth and a very low interest rates environment,” said Sebastien Lavoie, chief economist at Laurentian Bank. “The low and stable housing starts to labour force increase ratio is one of many metrics indicating no risk of over-building and refuting overblown concerns about the Canadian housing market.” Over 80% of poll respondents who answered an additional question, 14 of 17, said housing market activity was more likely to rebound than slow down over the coming year. “The same ingredients that were present in some housing markets three years ago - namely strong underlying demand, tight supply and low interest rates - are present again,” said Carolyn Wilkins, senior deputy governor of the Bank of Canada

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Mother calls for change after finding used needles on Vancouver playground A Vancouver mother is raising concerns after she found used needles on a local playground this weekend.

Katie Lewis has lived in the Strathcona neighbourhood for more than three years. She takes her four-year-old twins to MacLean Park almost every day, but was forced to make it off limits on Saturday.

“We found that the park was just strewn with needles,” Lewis said, pointing to an area under the slide.

Photos show drug paraphernalia, garbage, and about a dozen exposed needles scattered in the sand.

“My husband called 311 and they told

him that they contract out the service and it would take around one business day for them to come and clean up needles that all over our kid’s playground,” Lewis said.

That meant the sharp objects would remain on the playground for at least another 48 hours. She decided to block off the area and use gloves and tongs to remove them herself.

“I don’t think that’s acceptable,” Lewis said. “This isn’t a candy wrapper on the ground. This is dangerous for kids.”

Some of her neighbours share her concerns.

“It should be faster than that for sure,” said Matthew Macret, as he pushed his toddler on the swings at MacLean Park.

Others are more worried about the stigma addicts face.

“The danger of getting something transmittable if you happen to get poked with a needle is very minimal. I think people are obviously looking out for their kids of course,” said Carter Dumanowski, who lives nearby.

Vancouver Coastal Health says it “understands the frustration and concern of community members.”

“The risk to the public is extremely low; no one has ever acquired HIV, or any other pathogen, from a needle-stick injury from a discarded needle in a park or any other public place in Vancouver,” said the health authority in a statement.

They said it’s a part of growing up in the neighbourhood. One teen said she was taught not to throw snowballs or jump in piles of leaves, because of what may lie underneath.

Lewis started teaching her twins about needle safety when they were just twoyears-old. She says it’s important to tell kids what to look for so they can stay clear.

“It makes me sad, but it’s also part of the reality,” Lewis said.

8.2% property tax jump proposed in Vancouver’s draft budget The City of Vancouver has released its draft financial plan for 2020 and the $1.6 billion budget proposes an increase in multiple fees for residents.

A special council meeting is being held to discuss the budget next Tuesday, with three funding categories up for consideration: fixed costs, service gaps and investments for council’s priorities. One item to be discussed is an 8.2 per cent property tax increase, which would be the city’s highest increase in the last decade. Last year’s property tax jump was 4.5 per cent.

Property fees and taxes won’t be finalized until the final budget is approved by council after its meeting on Dec. 10, however.

The city says property tax increases have been comparatively low in Vancouver in recent years.

“Over the past 10 years, the average annual property tax increase in Vancouver has been below the average for Metro Vancouver municipalities, and the 2019 combined property tax and utility fees for a median single-family home in Vancouver were also below the average of other Metro Vancouver municipalities,” the city said

Province won’t say whether $400 renters rebate will still happen

The B.C. NDP made it a cornerstone campaign promise in the last election: a $400 annual rebate for every renter in the province.

It was part of the government’s answer for an affordability crisis that was dashing hopes of would-be homeowners and hitting renters squarely in the chequebook every month.

The New Democrats have had precisely 2.5 years in power to deliver on that promise, and so far, they have not. And now it’s unclear whether it will ever come to fruition.

A resolution urging the government to implement the renters rebate was voted on by delegates, but did not pass, at the NDP’s weekend convention in Victoria.

Follow-up questions to B.C.’s finance minister about a possible reversal failed to produce any clear answers.

“We’re continuing the work we started when we were elected,” Carole James told CBC on Monday. “How much money we have, how long that takes, whether things are phased in — those are the kinds of options we have to look at.”

James was pressed further on whether that means the rebate might not happen. “I’m certainly not ruling anything out,” she replied.

The rebate was a prominent platform promise of 2017, heralded high on the NDP’s first page of key policies.

But critics were quick to question how a relatively small chunk of change to renters would solve the root issue of housing affordability.

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Saturday, November 30, 2019

Semi-truck driver stopped for driving with missing wheels: police A truck driver is facing multiple charges after a strange and dangerous incident near Saskatoon.

Corman Park Police posted photos on social media of a semi-truck’s trailer missing some of its wheels.

Police said the truck was found on Grasswood Road on Sunday around 8:30 p.m.

The driver made the trip with Semi-truck’s trailer missing some of its wheels. only four out of eight wheels on the The driver was charged was driving trailer and then lost a set during the route, with a major defect, operating a Corman Park Police said in a Facebook post. vehicle with no safety inspection and The driver continued to drag the trailer displaying an unauthorized license plate. before being pulled over, police said.

Province won’t say whether $400 renters rebate will still happen From page 30 The B.C. Green Party, whose three-member caucus is propping up the minority government, has said that money could be better targeted where it’s needed most. Leader Andrew Weaver has called it poor public policy in the past.

James acknowledged she continues to hear some of those same debates today about whether it’s the most effective way to offset sky-high rents in parts of the province.

“We know a large portion of people in British Columbia are tenants and they don’t see the same kind of support, for example, that a homeowner does with the Home Owner Grant,” she said.

“People had all kinds of ideas and approaches [at the NDP convention] that we could look at; it was a really good discussion we’ll take into our decision making.”

Rebate dependent on budget

The finance minister made it clear that following through on the rebate depends largely on the money that is — or is not — available.

“We’re in the budget process now, that goes through until the end of December and the beginning of January, and then we’ll make those choices,” said James.

She said a definitive answer on the renters rebate should be expected in the next provincial budget in February.

But the forthcoming financial forecast could shed some light on where the province intends to pull purse strings.

On Tuesday, James is set to reveal the province’s second quarterly report for 2019-2020.

The last fiscal update showed B.C.’s books are currently balancing on a razorthin surplus of $179 million, down from the $274 million forecast in February.

BC open to public coverage of dental care, but not without federal funding: finance minister The BC government is intrigued by the idea of rolling dental care into the health care system but insists the federal government would need to substantial help with funding.

Finance Minister Carole James says the province has been looking at the idea but does not have the financial capacity to do it alone.

“I certainly think it’s area we should look at across the country, with support,” James said.

“It’s tough to take on as an individual province, but there is no reason why we shouldn’t be talking about this as part of the national conversation.”

NDP’s Singh vows to cover dental care for families earning less than $70K NDP members supported a resolution over the weekend at the party’s convention to support dental care being rolled into provincial health coverage.

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SNC-Lavalin paid more than $118 million to a shell company: witness A forensic accountant who analyzed SNC-Lavalin’s financial statements says the firm transferred more than $118 million to Swiss bank accounts tied to a shell company established by a former executive.

Of that money, Sophie Déry said on Monday, $14 million was transferred to former vice-president Sami Bebawi and another $11 million was sent to his uncle’s bank account.

Riadh Ben Aissa, the former executive behind the shell company, received $35 million.

“The amounts went in and out almost on the same day,” Déry told jurors. “It was an account used only as an extra layer when distributing money.”

Déry was hired by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to investigate the firm’s dealings in Libya between 2001 and 2011.

She testified Monday during Bebawi’s fraud and corruption trial at the Montreal courthouse.

Déry told the jury she spent 1,500 hours looking through the firm’s finances.

The accountant looked into several bank accounts in play, including two belonging to Bebawi, converting the different currencies the firm used to make payments — Euros,

U.S. dollars, Libyan dinars and Deutsche Mark. The money all came from contracts the firm signed in Libya, Déry said.

“We wanted to know where the money went and what, specifically, was done with each amount,” she said. “There were a lot of bank accounts and a lot of transactions.” The jury has heard how the company in question, Duvel Securities Inc., was established by Ben Aissa while he acted as SNC-Lavalin’s main executive in Libya.

The Crown argues the money paid to Duvel was used to pay bonuses and kickbacks, including to Saadi Gadhafi, son of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Déry told jurors Monday roughly $27 million of the money transferred to Duvel was used to buy Saadi Gadhafi a yacht.

Ben Aissa has testified it was Bebawi who was instructing him what to do in Libya, pressuring him to settle a claim the firm had filed over a money-losing contract. He later pleaded guilty in Switzerland to charges of corrupting a foreign official and laundering money.

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Saturday, November 30, 2019

Bank of Canada to hold rates through 2020

The Bank of Canada is now expected to hold rates through to the end of next year, according to a slim majority of economists in a Reuters poll, with forecasts on whether or not the central bank holds or cuts sitting on a knife’s edge through 2020. The latest Reuters poll of over 30 economists taken Nov. 19-26 showed the BoC will hold its key overnight interest rate at 1.75% this year and next, flipping from equally narrow expectations for a rate cut early next year in the last poll.

That change in expectations was primarily driven by comments from BoC officials Governor Stephen Poloz and Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Wilkins - who spoke last week at separate events about Canada’s monetary conditions being “about right” despite global

trade tensions. Every respondent in the poll expected rates to remain on hold at the conclusion of the BoC’s Dec. 4 meeting, in line with market expectations. . When asked if the Canadian economy actually needs a rate cut

before the end of next year, a slim majority of economists - 13 of 24 - said no. Just a month back, a similar set of economists were slightly inclined toward a cut. “The Bank is going to be patient here and not going to be in a great rush. ... I think they will want to save ammunition for when the situation potentially deteriorates more significantly, which I am not expecting anytime soon,” said Helmut Pastrick, chief economist at Central 1 Credit in Vancouver.

BC provided $830M in fossil fuel subsidies in 2017-18: report

BC gov’t gives hundreds of millions of dollars annually in subsidies for fossil fuel, including an estimated $830 million in the 2017-18 fiscal year, a new report says.

Most of the money goes to fossil fuel producers rather than consumers, says the

report released Monday by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, an environmental think-tank. The subsidies include royalty reductions, provincial tax exemptions and direct investments, undermining B.C.’s action on climate

change including its long-standing carbon tax, says co-author Vanessa Corkal.

“If you have a boat and you’re trying to use the carbon price to bail water out of the boat, fossil fuel subsidies are kind of like the leak in that boat,” she says in an interview.

“As long as you’re funnelling money to an industry that is going to increase use and production of fossil fuels, a carbon price is only going to do so much.”

Royalty reductions made up a major portion of the approximately $830 million in subsidies given in 2017-2018, the most recent year for which data is available, the report says.

The report says oil and gas companies are

required to pay royalties meant to provide benefits to B.C. residents, including by helping fund health care and education.

But every year, it says companies claim credits to reduce the royalties they pay. The report estimates B.C. has amassed at least $2.6 to $3.1 billion in outstanding royalty credits.

Provincial tax exemptions covered a smaller chunk of the subsidies in 20172018, the report says. While a large portion of tax exemptions go to fossil fuel consumers, that doesn’t just mean average residents trying to heat their homes - airlines, cruise ship companies and the agriculture sector also benefit.

Majority of Canadians plan to spend less this holiday season as debt scales new heights In advance of Black Friday more than half of Canadians (55 per cent) say they will be spending less on holiday gifts this year, according to a recent survey* by Equifax Canada. This comes following Equifax Canada’s Q2 Consumer Credit Trends Report, which showed total debt per consumer rose by +1.9 per cent at the end of the second quarter in 2019.

According to the survey, women were more likely to say they would be spending significantly less at 61 per cent versus 48 per cent of men. Canadians under the age of 55 were significantly more likely to agree they will limit their spending because they are already carrying too much debt, and they have a lot of anxiety about their current level of debt. Survey respondents between 35-44 had the most concern about current debt levels (58 per cent compared to 46 per cent for the general population) and the most anxiety (49 per cent compared to 39 per cent for the general population).

The majority of people surveyed, however, are working towards being financially fit for the holidays with 58 per cent of them

planning to prepare a holiday budget.

“These survey results illustrate that many people are feeling the pinch and plan to rein in their holiday purchases this year,” said Julie Kuzmic, Equifax Canada’s Director of Consumer Advocacy. “If there’s a silver lining here, it’s the fact that most Canadians remain conscious of their debt obligations and want to avoid adding too much debt heading into the new year. This is not surprising, as we have seen higher interest rates impacting consumers over the last 18 months. Bankruptcies have also jumped significantly and even credit card spending growth has tailed off in 2019.”

When asked how long it would take to catch-up on their holiday spending, one-inthree (36 per cent) of survey respondents said it takes them a month or more. As a further indication of where Canadians stand with their debt obligations, Equifax Canada’s Q2 Consumer Credit Trends Report found the rate at which consumers were missing monthly payments was higher and bankruptcies also continued to rise as compared to last year. Newfoundland (+11%),

Cities ask for gas-tax fund boost in 100-day wish list for Trudeau government Canada’s cities are asking the federal Liberals for more money and new ways to fund municipal projects as part of their newly released wish list for the first 100 days of the Trudeau government’s second mandate.

The document urges the Liberals to boost annual increases to the gastax fund that gives money directly to cities to pay for work on roads, bridges, highways, transit and water systems.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is also asking the Liberals to permanently double the value of the program, funded by taxes that drivers pay at the pump, after the government gave the fund a one-time boost in the 2019 budget.

‘I am staying on to fight the fight’ says Scheer amid more calls for resignation McKenna dons hard hat, vows to pick up pace of infrastructure projects Scheer maintains core parliamentary

team, names new deputy leader The group also wants the government to eliminate caps on funding for transit rehab projects, allow other spending to help cities upgrade their council chambers and administrative buildings, and double the money for projects that help communities adapt to climate change.

The requests come at the tail end of the federation’s meeting in Ottawa this week, which will include a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this afternoon.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna told the gathering of municipal leaders on Wednesday that getting projects built quickly is her top priority.

This report was first published by The Canadian Press on Nov. 28, 2019.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

How BC NDP resolutions could change the future of elections in the province If B.C. New Democratic Party delegates have their way, the province could see some ground breaking policy changes such as lowering the voting age in the province. Over the weekend, around 700 delegates attended the party’s fall convention, which featured the debate and passing of several resolutions that will form the party’s platform for the next election.

Delegates voted in favour of a resolution to lower the voting age to 16 for civic and provincial elections. “We’re very proud of the fact that our government has set out a bold platform,” said party president Craig Keating.

The resolutions are non-binding, meaning they won’t automatically be acted upon by New Democrat MLAs, but do help set values for the provincial party. The B.C. Green Party

made lowering the voting age to 16 part of their 2017 election platform. In November, changes announced to B.C.’s election laws would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to register to vote so they are automatically on voters’ lists when they turn 18. B.C. Liberal Opposition House Leader, Mary Polak, says she would not support lowering the voting age to 16.

“You have to look at just exactly what voting is and how informed a person needs to be to cast a vote and in my view I think 18 is a reasonable age, I don’t think 16 is,” she said.

The Liberals are supportive of the legislation that registers 16- and 17-year-olds and gets them in the system. Another passed resolution at the convention was to end parking fees at hospitals,

Scheer vows to fight for his job, picks former Liberal MP Leona Alleslev as his deputy

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is vowing to fight for his job after a bruising electoral defeat and has picked as his new deputy leader a former Liberal MP who crossed the floor to join his party. Torontoarea MP Leona Alleslev was picked for the high-ranking job more than one year after she left the governing Liberals over their handling of the economy, foreign affairs and what she called “inadequate” military funding. “Leona was a former Liberal

MP who came to our side in the last Parliament because she believed in my vision, and the Conservative vision, for Canada,” Scheer said at a news conference Thursday morning in Ottawa.

“She represents a diverse GTA (Greater Toronto Area) riding and I will depend on her to help hold the government to account while I’m on the road and to help expand our party in Ontario.

Ottawa won’t explain how Trans Mountain pipeline will raise $500 million in tax revenue as it’s claimed

Finance Minister Bill Morneau will not explain how his department estimated that finishing the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion will bring another $500 million in corporate tax revenue into the federal government’s bank account. The figure was cited by the government when it approved the project a second time last June and was also included in the Liberals’ campaign platform as they attempted to show how they intend to pay for various election promises. Economist Robyn Allan says she has been trying to get Ottawa to explain its numbers for months to no avail. Trans Mountain’s biggest obstacle looks set to drag the long-running pipeline saga

well into 2022 Liberals say Trans Mountain pipeline could fund $500 million a year in clean energy projects Trans Mountain received $320 million in government subsidies this year and more than half of that was not clearly disclosed to taxpayers, report says A spokesman for Morneau says the $500 million is a Finance Canada estimate but did not answer questions about how that estimate was created. Allan says the government is using the figure to generate public support for the project and Ottawa has a responsibility to explain its origins. Canada bought the Trans Mountain pipeline from Kinder Morgan Canada in 2018.

Economically speaking, BC is killing it You’ve most likely heard about the BC NDP Government’s budget with it’s sweeping taxation of real estate. The focus has been much on the “Speculation Tax” where owners of secondary and mostly vacant homes will be subject to an annual tax of .5% of property value for 2018 and then 2% for 2019 and beyond. It’s been said that this is focused on people who pay “little or no tax in BC” and thought to be applicable mainly to Albertans but also anyone outside of BC. That part of the plan is true. What is not so clear with many is the implementation of the tax. According the the BC Government “The speculation tax

will initially apply to the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Capital and Nanaimo Regional Districts, and in the municipalities of Kelowna and West Kelowna”. They go on to say “The speculation tax will target foreign and domestic speculators in BC. These are homeowners who have removed their units from BC’s long-term housing stock”. So, “removed their units from BC’s long term housing stock” what does this mean? Does it mean that the govt can dictate your use of the property regarding whether you want to rent it out or not? Not according to your freehold rights of property ownership!

Senate won’t appeal ruling that it violated man’s language rights by using unilingual drinking fountains The Senate of Canada will not appeal a court ruling that found the upper house violated a francophone man’s language rights by utilizing English-only push-buttons on Parliament Hill drinking fountains.

The Federal Court last week ordered the Senate to pay former public servant Michel Thibodeau $1,500 in damages and to cover his $700 in court costs.

Thibodeau complained in 2016 that water fountains in the hallways of Parliament Hill’s East Block — which houses some Senate offices and committee rooms and is open for public tours during the summer

— required thirsty folk to push a metal button embossed with the word “push.”

Some even included that instruction in braille but none included the French word “pousse.”

Justice Luc Martineau concluded in last week’s ruling that there is “no place in the buildings of Parliament” for “relics of the past” that give preponderance to “one official language to the detriment of the other.”

Upon receiving Thibodeau’s initial complaint, the Senate immediately posted bilingual signs above all drinking fountains in East Block, which remains open despite undergoing renovations.

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INDIA

Saturday, November 30, 2019 From page 1

Uddhav sworn-in as Maharashtra CM with help of Congress & NCP Thackeray took over as chief minister over a month after results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections were declared on October 24. Eknath Shinde, Subhash Desai (both Shiv Sena), Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal (both NCP), Balasaheb Thorat and Nitin Raut (both Congress) were sworn in as ministers.

Uddhav took oath as the 18th chief minister of Maharashtra.

Thackeray, 59, became the third Sena leader after Manohar Joshi and Narayan Rane to occupy the top post.

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered oath to Thackeray and the six ministers at the ceremony held at Shivaji Park, the venue of Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rallies. Congratulating the Shiv Sena chief, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Congratulations to Uddhav Thackeray Ji on taking oath as the CM of Maharashtra. I am confident he will work diligently for the bright future of Maharashtra,” he tweeted.

Those present at the ceremony included NCP chief Sharad Pawar, senior Congress leaders Ahmed Patel and Mallikarjun Kharge, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, MNS chief Raj Thackeray and DMK leader MK Stalin.

Former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, his cousin and MP Supriya Sule, Uddhav Thackeray’s wife Rashmi, his MLA-son Aaditya and industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s wife Nita were also among those who attended the ceremony. The Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress formed the government after the Thackerayled party fell out with pre-poll ally BJP over sharing the chief ministerial post. The Assembly election was held on October 21 and its result was declared on October 24. The BJP emerged as the single largest party winning 105 seats.

The Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress won 56, 54 and 44 seats respectively in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly.

Google says Lahore is ‘Khalistan’s capital’ Internet search engine Google has thrown up some interesting and amusing searches over the years, but this one certainly takes the cake. Look for the capital of ‘Khalistan’ and Google comes up with word ‘Lahore’, which is the capital of Punjab province of Pakistan.

The results also highlight Sikh insignia ‘Khanda’ on blue and yellow background.

A Twitter user tagged a screenshot of the search engine result and wrote: “#Pakistan is for sure shocked to see #Lahore as the capital of #Khalistan on Google. #Khalistanis, this could be true on ground too.” One remarked, “Congratulations to all those demanding #Khalistan. Google says your country’s capital

is #Lahore #Pakistan...Leave #India alone now.”

One user wrote: “I do not oppose the idea of #Khalistan. I oppose the immoral advantage taken by #Pakistan-backed #SFJ in the name of #Khalistan to strike against #India. “Practically, it’s #Pakistan whom we should be demanding #Khalistan as it comprises more than 50 per cent of it.” One Twitter user commented: “If they (#Pakistan establishment) are ready to make #Khalistan in their country and make #Lahore its capital, then let it (be), at least it’s not in #India.” She explained: “Google results are based on certain key words, which indicate that a majority of people must be talking about making #Lahore the ‘capital of #Khalistan.’”

B SE EST RV IC E

Cong-led opposition to move censure motion against Pragya Thakur The Congress-led opposition parties intend to submit a censure motion against BJP’s Pragya Singh Thakur for describing in the Lok Sabha the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi as a patriot. Congress MPs have signed the motion and UPA members are currently in the process of signing it.

The motion will be submitted to the Lok Sabha Speaker and demands that Thakur either apologise for her comments or withdraw from the House for disrespecting the Father of the Nation. Text of the motion being drafted and accessed by The Tribune says, “The House unequivocally condemns the statement made by Pragya Singh Thakur, BJP member from Bhopal, calling Nathuram Godse

a patriot and the Indian National Congress a terrorist party during the debate on the Special Protection Group Amendment Bill, 2019, on Wednesday. Such remarks scandalise the dignity of the House and deserve our severest censure. She must apologise for her unwarranted utterances.” The motion is being planned after the opposition walked out of the Lok Sabha on Thursday morning following Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s strong statement that no disrespect to the Father of the Nation would be condoned. As a punishment, the BJP sacked Thakur as member of the parliamentary consultative committee on defence.

BJP getting paid back for its arrogance: Mamata on Bengal bypoll results West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said the TMC’s victory in the Assembly bypolls was in favour of “secularism and unity” and a “mandate against NRC”.

The TMC chief said the BJP is getting paid back for its “arrogance” and for “insulting” the people of the state, after the party won two seats and took an unassailable lead in another.

Tapan Deb Sinha of the TMC won the Kaliaganj seat by defeating his nearest rival Kamal Chandra Sarkar of the BJP by 2,417 votes, EC officials said.

TMC candidate Pradip Sarkar won the

bypoll to Kharagpur Sadar seat by defeating BJP’s Prem Chandra Jha by 20,788 votes.

The ruling party has also taken an unassailable lead in Karimpur with its candidate Bimalendu Sinha Roy leading over BJP’s Jay Prakash Majumdar by over 23,000 votes. “We dedicate this victory to the people of Bengal. This is a victory in favour of secularism and unity and is a mandate against NRC. The BJP is getting paid back for its arrogance of power and for insulting the people of the state. “This mandate is against the politics of arrogance and people have outright rejected the BJP.

Govt extends ban on Assam-based insurgent outfit ULFA for 5 years

CAN-AM LUMBER

The Centre has extended the ban on the Assam-based insurgent outfit ULFA for five years for continuing subversive activities, including killings, kidnapping and extortions.

In a notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the ULFA has been indulging in various illegal and violent activities intended to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India in furtherance of its objective of liberating Assam.“Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the central government hereby declares the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as an unlawful association,” it said. A ministry official said the ban has been

extended for five years. The home ministry said in its notification that the ULFA has aligned itself with other unlawful associations of Northeastern region to secede Assam from India and in pursuance of its aims and objectives, engaged in several unlawful and violent activities during the currency of its declaration as an unlawful association. The central government is of the opinion that the unlawful and violent activities which are attributed to ULFA include about 70 incidents of violence, either individually or in alliance with other insurgent groups of the Northeast, killing of 32 persons -- 25 civilians and seven security forces personnel—during the period from January 1, 2015 to July 31 2019. The outfit has also indulged in a spate of extortions and secessionist activities, and endangering the lives of innocent citizens, in addition to

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Google sent out over 12,000 warnings to users globally, including 500 in India, between July and September this year to sound them out against being targeted by “governmentbacked attackers”. The disclosure comes close on the heels of messaging giant WhatsApp stating that an Israeli spyware called Pegasus had been used to spy on journalists and human rights activists globally, including 121 people in India.

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Saturday, November 30, 2019

Punjab set for FASTag road tolls on state highways With FASTag electronic toll collection becoming mandatory from December 1 across national highways, the Punjab Government is set to extend the system at its 18 toll barriers on state-operated roads.

FASTag is a simple-to-use reloadable tag that enables automatic deduction of toll charges from a linked prepaid or savings account and lets a vehicle owner pass through a toll plaza without stopping for cash transaction. The tag employs radio-frequency identification technology and is affixed on the vehicle’s windscreen. The Punjab Public Works Department has already sent a related file to Chief Minister Capt

Amarinder Singh for his approval.

Once okayed, the department would sign an agreement with the company entrusted with the electronic tax collection (ETC).

Of the 24 toll plazas on the stateowned roads, the PWD would start the ETC on 18.

PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla said the Union Ministry for Road Transport and Highways had asked the states to enter into an agreement for introducing the ETC on state highways too. After December 1, one hybrid lane will be provided on toll plazas to allow cash transactions for heavy-duty vehicles.

Any vehicle minus FASTag will have to pay

Punjab and Haryana High Court gets six judges Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha on Thursday administered the oath of office to six additional judges of the High Court, comprising a couple.

They are Ashok Kumar Verma, Sant Parkash, Meenakshi I. Mehta, Karamjit Singh, Vivek Puri and Archana Puri. Among them, the Puris -- Vivek and Archana -- are a married couple. The High Court witnessed a rare occasion of a husband-wife duo

Longowal gets third term as SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal has been reappointed president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)for the third time in a row.

A general house meeting of the Sikh body was held at Teja Singh Samundri Hall here today. A section of SGPC members, including Balwinder Singh Bains, Mahinder Singh Hussainpur, Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, Amrik Singh Shahpur, Sarbans Singh and Gurpreet Singh Randhawa, expressed resentment over the decision and staged a walkout.

Punjab suspends two Jail Supdts over graft charge The Punjab Jails Department on Wednesday suspended five officials, two of them serving, for the Sangrur jail bribery case last year. The officials were serving in the Sangrur jail when a video of inmates shot inside the jail went viral, alleging the officials were seeking bribe from them in lieu of facilities. As per orders issued by R Venkatraman, Principal Secretary, those suspended are Sangrur jail Superintendent Iqbal Singh Brar, Ropar Jail Superintendent Amrik Singh, Assistant Jail Superintendent Parduman Singh, Nabha (new) Jail Superintendent Jagtar Singh and Sangrur jail head warden Jaswinder Singh.

Malerkotla man back after spending 16 yrs in Pak jail Sadikan (77) had lost all hopes to see her son Gulam Farid (41) alive, but luck favored her and finally Farid crossed over to India from Pakistan and reached his home here this morning. After the expiry of his passport, the Pakistani authorities allegedly registered a case against him and put him in Kot Lakhpat Jail. “I had gone to Pakistan in 2003 to meet my relatives, but the authorities there registered a case against me after the expiry of my passport and refused to listen to me. The court sentenced me to 13 years in jail. But I was released after 16 years that too after the Indian authorities raised the issue with Pakistan,” said Farid.

taking the oath together. The six names were recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium in September.

35

HC favours firm identity proofs for property registration In an order that will change the way properties are registered in the state, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that it wanted the buyers, sellers and even the witnesses to come up with concrete identity proofs such as a passport or PAN. The Bench also favoured the installation of high-definition CCTV cameras in every registration office across the state. The High Court has, in fact,

asked the Chief Secretary to explain why it should be not made mandatory for every vendor, vendee and witnesses to show firm proof of their identity such as passports or PAN cards. Justice Amol Rattan Singh asserted that numberdars & others unfortunately and too often appeared and identified witnesses to be persons they were not resulting in the initiation of criminal proceedings by one side or the other.

Capt gets clean chit in City Centre scam

A sessions court today gave a clean chit to Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and 30 others in the 12-year-old City Centre scam case involving Rs 1,144 crore. This was the only corruption case pending against the CM. Sessions Judge Gurbir Singh accepted the closure report moved by the Vigilance Bureau in August 2017 and absolved the accused of graft charge. In its order, the court observed no case of corruption was made out against

any of the accused prima facie. Former chairman of Ludhiana Improvement Trust Paramjit Singh Sibia (since deceased) also did not indulge in corruption though he might be accused of disobeying his senior’s orders, it held. The alleged recovery of Rs 40 lakh shown from LIT’s former executive officer DC Garg could not be proved as bribe money, nor could the properties purchased by the CM or his family in their name be held as benami,

36

INDIA

Saturday, November 30, 2019

India’s financial services firm Paytm raises $1B Paytm said on Monday it has raised $1 billion in a new financing round as the Noidaheadquartered firm, which once dominated the local mobile payments market, attempts to fight back giants Google, Walmart’s PhonePe, and Facebook. The company said the new financing round, dubbed Series G, was led

by U.S. asset manager T. Rowe Price. Existing investors Ant Financials (contributed $400 million), SoftBank Vision Fund (contributed $200 million), and Discovery Capital also participated in the round, which valued the company at about $16 billion — higher than any other local startup and some of the high-profile Asian startups such as Grab and Gojek. Paytm mobile wallet

enables users to transfer money to each other, pay for food delivery and clear utility bills, buy train and movie tickets as well as secure small loans. One97 Communications, which operates Paytm, has raised more than $3.3 billion to date. Paytm founder and chief executive Vijay Shekhar Sharma (pictured above) said the firm will use the fresh capital to court merchants as the company looks to expand its presence among small and medium-sized businesses. The company will also work on expanding its financial offerings such as lending and insurance.

Paytm, which also offers its mobile wallet service in Japan, has amassed 15 million merchants, most of whom have come online in recent years, in India, he said.

Adobe appoints Nanda Kambhatla to head India research team Software giant Adobe on Wednesday announced it has appointed Nanda Kambhatla to head the Adobe Research team in India.

Based out of Bengaluru, Kambhatla will lead Adobe’’s research initiatives in the region, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning (ML), BigData Analytics and Insight, and Content Intelligence technologies, the company said in a statement.

“Over the years, the Adobe Research team in Bengaluru has made a significant impact on Adobe’’s industry-leading products and solutions, through worldclass research. With Dr Kambhatla’’s appointment, we further strengthen

Adobe’’s commitment to transforming digital experiences, through innovation,” said Shriram Revankar, Vice President and Fellow, Adobe Research.

With more than 20 years of research experience, Kambhatla worked as Vice President of Enterprise AI at SymphonyAI. He has also worked at the IBM Research in various capacities. With more than 5,500 employees contributing to over a third of the company’’s overall Research and Development, India is a strategic market for Adobe from an innovation and business standpoint. The Adobe Research team in Bengaluru involves some of the industry’’s top research talent that delivers innovation around new-age technologies.

Ashok Leyland bags order from Tamil Nadu for 1,750 buses Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group, said it has bagged an order from TN STU (Tamil Nadu State Transport Undertakings) for 1,750 buses.

This order comes close on the back of other orders received from various state transport undertakings recently, the company said in a communiqué to stock exchanges.

“We are very happy to receive the confirmation of this order from TN STU. Our ability to bring value, combined with

our superior technology and innovation, will help us maintain our leadership position in buses in lndia,” Anuj Kathuria, COO, Ashok Leyland, said in a statement.

Sanjay Saraswat, President - MHCV, Ashok Leyland, said with the order win, the company’s orderbook for State Transport Undertakings has enhanced significantly.

Ashok Leyland is currently the fourth largest manufacturer of buses in the world and India’s largest bus manufacturer.

BJP condemns Pragya’s remarks on Godse, removes her from defence panel Cracking the whip on its serial-offender MP Pragya Thakur, who hailed Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse in the Lok Sabha, the BJP on Thursday barred her from attending its parliamentary party meeting in the ongoing Parliament session and removed her from the consultative committee on defence. BJP working president JP Nadda announced the disciplinary action against her and condemned the controversial Hindutva leader’s remarks in a bid to defuse the political crisis triggered by her remarks in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Nadda said Thakur would be removed from the consultative committee on defence, to which she was recently appointed. “The statement given by MP Pragya Thakur is condemnable. The BJP never supports such a statement and we do not support this ideology. We have decided that Thakur will not attend meetings of the BJP parliamentary party during the session,” he told reporters.

Thakur created a controversy on Wednesday

with her remark in the Lower House during DMK member A Raja’s narration of a statement by Godse before a court on why he killed the Mahatma. However, after opposition members protested against Thakur’s remarks, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said only the DMK leader’s speech during the discussion on the Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill would go on record. Opposition parties targeted the government, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the PM’s “inaction” against her proved his latent support to “Godse’s sinister thought”.

The opposition party said Thakur’s remarks were a “perfect representation” of the BJP’s “deplorable hate politics”. “We are very clear about it that we condemn her statement and we do not support this ideology,” Nadda, who was accompanied by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi,, said. During the Lok Sabha election campaign, Thakur had described Godse as a patriot, triggering a huge political storm.

The Indian Rupee is getting crushed by RBI The Reserve Bank of India’s efforts to support the flagging economy are turning out to be a bane for the rupee. The currency is the worst performer in emerging Asia this quarter, and analysts say that’s because the central bank is mopping up dollars gushing into local stocks and bonds. The RBI bought has about $18 billion of foreign exchange since the end of September, according to estimates by Bloomberg Economics. While the purchases have propelled reserves to a record, the rupee has fallen about 0.7% since Sept. 30. Weakness in the rupee despite robust inflows is seen as a sign the central bank wants to curb a sharp appreciation in the currency that can hurt exports. With slew of data pointing to weak economic activity, boosting shipments is high on agenda for the government.

“Part of the rupee’s under performance is deliberate,” said Mitul Kotecha, a senior

EM strategist at TD Securities in Singapore.

“Higher reserves prove that the central bank is probably making determined efforts to keep the rupee’s competitiveness.”

The RBI has said it does not target any particular level of exchange rate and steps in only to curb undue swings in the currency.

Though, as the rupee was heading for its worst quarterly decline in a year in the three months ended September, Governor Shaktikanta Das said September 19 that the currency is fairly valued, indicating tolerance for a weaker rupee.

India’s exports have shrunk for three months in a row, contributing to further deepening of a growth slowdown. A report on November 29 is likely to show gross domestic product grew 4.6%, which would be the weakest pace of expansion since the first three months of 2013.

INDIA

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Man kills wife for posting TikTok videos in Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Police have arrested a man who killed his wife for posting videos on social media app TikTok despite his objections.

According to police, Siddala Chinna Nasaraiah strangled his wife Gorrapati Suvartha (19) and later burnt her body in a cremation ground at Potluru village of Savalyapuram block in Guntur district.

Though the incident occurred on November 17, the police cracked the case 10 days later after thorough investigation. The couple, working as salespersons in a leading private company, had a two-year-old daughter.

Suvartha had the habit of making TikTok videos but her husband was unhappy over this. He also doubted her fidelity.

Police said Suvartha had recently left the house and after leaving their daughter with her

parents she was living in a hostel in Sattenapalli town in Guntur district. She reportedly continued to post TikTok videos, further angering her husband. Nasaraiah persuaded her to return home on November 14. Three days later, he, along with his younger brother Chinna Venkaiah, committed the crime. Police said Nasaraiah strangled her with a piece of cloth. Later, they took the body on a twowheeler to a cremation ground near the village and burnt it. Police took up the investigation after complaints that an unidentified person was burnt. The investigators identified the victim from ornaments. The CCTV footage at the local petrol pump revealed that Nasaraiah was the only one to buy petrol in a bottle on the night of November 17. They grilled the accused, who confessed to the crime. His brother was also arrested

Sri Lankan President on his first official visit to India Newly-elected Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived here on Thursday, in his first foreign visit after taking reins of power in the island nation.

On Friday, he will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on deepening further expanding ties between the two countries.

Last week, India said it was looking forward to work closely with the new Sri Lankan government and hoped that it would be able to

37

BJP making shameless attempts to subvert democracy: Sonia Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said her party along with the Shiv Sena and the NCP was united in its resolve to defeat BJP manipulations in Maharashtra.

Addressing the first meet of the Congress Parliamentary Party in the winter session today, Gandhi hit out at the BJP accusing it of making “shameless attempts to subvert

democracy” in Maharashtra and to blatantly sabotage the three-party alliance from coming to power in the state.

She accused Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari of acting under the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, adding “the Governor acted in an unprecedented and

3,017 Indians in US detention centres for illegal immigrations

As many as 3,017 persons of Indian origin are currently lodged in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centres.

This information was provided by the US immigration department in reply to a query by the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) under the Freedom of Information (FOIA) Act. Sharing copies of the official data received today, NAPA executive director Satnam Singh Chahal said of the 3,017 individuals detained till October, 84 were women and 2,033 men.

Of these, six women and 156 men were convicted detainees, while a woman and

86 men were facing criminal charges. As many as 77 women and 2,691 men had been detained because they were facing violations in immigration laws.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) definition of criminal convictions encompasses immigration violations such as illegal entry as well as minor infractions of the law, including simple traffic rule infringements.

Chahal said the presence of such a large number of Indian-origin individuals in detention centres dealt a significant blow to the image of Indian-American community.

SAD takes up issue of Sikh pilot asked to remove turban

fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil community in that country.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar requesting him to look into an incident, where an Air India pilot was asked to remove his turban at Madrid airport.

Sirsa revealed that the pilot—Captain Simranjeet Singh Gujral—was asked to remove his headgear by airport officials, despite crossing the metal detector. He said that he was “subjected to racial discrimination”. In the letter, Sirsa said: “I wish to share with you the harassment faced by an Air India official, Captain Simranjeet Singh Gujral, at Madrid airport. He was subjected

to racial discrimination because of his turban.

The Madrid airport officials demanded him to remove his turban and asked for a manual check-up of his turban which is an offence in the eyes of a Sikh.” “All this happened despite Captain Gujral clearing the metal detectors.

Truly, this is a case of bias and racial attitude towards Sikhs at the Madrid airport,” he said.

“As you are well aware, the turban is the essence of a Sikh’s identity and it is important to create awareness at the global level about how sensitive Sikhs are about their turban.

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SOUTH ASIA

Saturday, November 30, 2019

The man behind China’s detention of 1 million Muslims After bloody race riots rocked China’s far west a decade ago, the ruling Communist Party turned to a rare figure in their ranks to restore order: a Han Chinese official fluent in Uighur, the language of the local Turkic Muslim minority. Now, newly revealed, confidential documents show that the official, Zhu Hailun, played a key role in planning and executing a campaign that has swept up a million or more Uighurs into detention camps. Published in 2017, the documents were signed by Zhu, as

then-head of the powerful Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Communist Party in the Xinjiang region. A Uighur linguist recognized Zhu’s signature scrawled atop some of the documents from his time working as a translator in Kashgar, when Zhu was the city’s top official. “When I saw them, I knew they were important,” said the linguist, Abduweli Ayup, who now

lives in exile. “He’s a guy who wants to control power in his hands. Everything.” Zhu, 61, did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Long before the crackdown and despite his intimate familiarity with local culture, Zhu was more hated than loved among the Uighurs he ruled. He was born

in 1958 in rural Jiangsu on China’s coast. In his teens, during China’s tumultuous Cultural Revolution, Zhu was sent to Kargilik county, deep in the Uighur heartland in Xinjiang. He never left.

Zhu joined the party in 1980 and moved up Xinjiang’s bureaucracy, helming hotspot cities. By the ’90s, he was so fluent in Uighur that he corrected his own translators during meetings. “If you didn’t see him, you’d never

China threatens ‘counter-measures’ after Trump signs Hong Kong Bill

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trade war. The legislation requires the State Department to certify, at least annually, that Hong Kong retains enough autonomy to justify favourable US trading terms that have helped the territory grow as a world financial center. It also threatens sanctions for human rights violations. Beijing warned that the United States would shoulder the consequences of China’s counter measures if it continued to “act arbitrarily” in regards to Hong Kong, according to a foreign ministry statement.

China warned the United States on Thursday it would take “firm countermeasures” in response to US legislation backing anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, and said attempts to interfere in the Chinese-ruled city were doomed to fail.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed into law congressional legislation which supported the protesters despite angry objections from Beijing, with which he is seeking a deal to end a damaging

Sri Lankan spin king Muralitharan to be appointed as governor of Northern Province

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Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan is set to play a different innings as governor of the country’s Tamil-dominated Northern Province after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa “personally invited” him to accept the post, a media report said on Wednesday.

The 47-year-old ace spinner, the record holder for highest wickets in Test cricket (800),

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Nepal PM Oli undergoes appendicitis surgery Nepal Prime Minister KP Oli has undergone an appendicitis surgery after complaining of pain in the abdomen and will remain in the hospital for a few days for observation, doctors have said, amid growing concerns over his worsening renal health. Oli (67) *See website for Price Match terms and conditions.

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South East Asian-Canadian, a Taiwanese model and actor Godfrey Gao has died after collapsing on set while filming a variety show in China. According to Entertainment Weekly, the 35-year-old actor was shooting for the Chinese reality competition series “Chase Me” in the city of Ningbo. The game show involves a series of elaborate physical tasks for its contestants. Its producers said Gao fell and lost consciousness while running in a team event. He later died at a hospital.

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Saturday, November 30, 2019

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Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appoints more cabinet ministers Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday expanded his Cabinet by appointing 35 ministers of state and three deputy ministers, all men and none from the Tamil and Muslim minorities, to run his newlyelected government until the parliamentary polls next year. The President named his eldest brother Chamal Rajapaksa, who was already part of his limited 16-member Cabinet, as the new minister of state for defense. However, Namal Rajapaksa, the President’s nephew and son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, was

not given any position.

There are no women and and no members from the Tamil and Muslim minorities among the 38 new ministers.

However, the 16-member interim Cabinet included two Tamils and a woman.

“These positions should not be treated as

Thieves steal onions worth Rs 50,000 from Bengal shop, leave cash box behind With their prices breaching the Rs 100 per kilo mark in West Bengal, onions have seemingly become more alluring for thieves than cash, at least going by the claim of a vegetable seller whose shop was burgled in the state’s East Midnapore district.

Akshay Das, who has a shop in Sutahata, found things scattered all around when he opened his outlet on Tuesday morning.

Realising that thieves could have sneaked into the shop on Monday night, Das was in for a shock when he counted his losses.

While the money kept in the cash box was intact, several sacks containing onions were missing.

According to Das, the thieves had escaped with onions worth Rs 50,000, beside some garlic and ginger.

Bangladesh to shut brick kilns as air quality soars to world’s worst Bangladesh said on Tuesday it will shut hundreds of soot-belching brick kilns around its capital Dhaka as part of measures to reduce thick smog enveloping the city and pushing air quality levels to among the world’s worst.

Residents in several other cities in South Asia, including India’s capital New Delhi and Lahore in Pakistan, have also been breathing toxic smog in recent weeks amid uncontrolled emissions and crop burning. Air Visual, an independent online air quality index (AQI) monitor, pegged Dhaka’s air quality as the poorest in the world on Monday. “The

situation is very critical. Just a few days ago air quality of Dhaka was the third or fourth worst in the world. But now it tops the ranking,” Environment Minister Mohammad Shahab Uddin told reporters. Uddin announced a range of measures to combat the severe pollution levels, including shutting down illegal brick kilns and sprinkling water on major roads and construction sites twice a day. Waste burning would be halted at dozens of sites and trucks carrying construction materials such as sand would have to be covered, he added.

privileges, these are all positions to fulfil our manifesto promises and implement our work for the betterment of people,” Gotabaya Rajapaksa said while addressing a gathering.

His administration would function as a minority government heading to the next parliamentary election. Gotabaya Rajapaksa

can dismiss the current assembly after February 20 next year. The fresh parliamentary election is expected to take place after April.

The President will embark on his first official visit to India on Friday at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders are expected to hold talks on a wideranging issues during the visit deemed as a “fresh start” between the two governments after the bilateral ties were strained during the previous Rajapaksa regime that was tilted more towards China. Meanwhile, the assembly

Bangladesh court sentences 7 to death for deadly 2016 café attack A special anti-terrorism tribunal in Bangladesh sentenced seven members of a banned militant group to death Wednesday for their involvement in an attack on a Dhaka café that killed more than 20 people, mostly foreigners. Judge Mojibur Rahman found the men from the Jumatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh group guilty of various charges, including planning the attack, making bombs and murder. An eighth defendant was acquitted. Rahman announced the decision in front of a packed courtroom amid heavy security. Five militants took hostages and opened fire on the Holey Artisan Bakery on July 1, 2016. Twenty hostages were killed, including 17 from Japan, Italy and India.

The five militants, including Bangladeshiborn Canadian Tamim Chowdhury, were killed by commandos during a 12-hour standoff.

Police have said Chowdhury was the main planner of the group.

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack, but

the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rejected it, saying the domestic group was behind it, and that ISIS has no presence in the country. The attack in the Muslimmajority nation followed several years of smaller attacks targeting scores of individuals deemed by extremists to be enemies of Islam, including secularists, writers, religious minorities, foreigners and activists.

The full verdict was not immediately available Wednesday, but the judge said the men acted against the sovereignty of the country and its constitution in executing the plan for such a big attack, in which foreigners had been targeted and killed. The defendants, who have maintained their innocence, can appeal the verdict.

Investigators found 21 people, including the five gunmen killed at the scene, were involved in the attack. In addition to the eight men who went on trial, eight other suspects were killed in security raids after the attack.

40

FIJI

Saturday, November 30, 2019

24 children dead as Samoa’s measles outbreak worsens Authorities said Monday that a measles epidemic sweeping through Samoa continues to worsen with the death toll rising to 25, all but one of them young children. “We still have a big problem at hand,” Samoa’s Director General of Health Leausa Take Naseri said in a video statement. He said more than 140 new cases of people contracting the virus had been recorded within the past day, bringing the total to about 2,200 cases since the outbreak began last month.

He said there are about 20 critically ill children who remain in hospital intensive care units.

Samoa declared a state of emergency nine days ago, closing all its schools, banning children from public gatherings and mandating that everybody get vaccinated. Teams of people have been travelling the country administering thousands of vaccines. The government also shut down a private clinic and is investigating how hundreds of vaccines were taken without authorization and then sold for a fee.

The median age of those who have died is 13 months, according to government figures. The

deaths include 24 children under the age of 5, 11 of whom were infants under 12 months.

The other person who died was in their 30s.

In all, 679 people have been admitted to Samoan hospitals with the disease, accounting for two-thirds of all recent hospital admissions. A majority have been discharged, with about 183 remaining in hospitals.

“These hospitals are not designed to deal with this,” Dr. Scott Wilson told Newshub in the capital, Apia. “The minute you get hospitals running at 200 to 300 per cent capacity — I think it speaks for itself. It’s incredibly serious.”

Figures from the World Health Organization and UNICEF indicate that measles immunization rates among Samoan infants have fallen steeply from over 70% in 2013 to under 30% last year.

Helen Petousis-Harris, a vaccine expert at New Zealand’s University of Auckland, said the Samoan government halted its immunization program for several months last year after two infants died from a medical mishap involving a vaccine.

Western division records the highest number of road fatalities this year - SSP Mishra Western division has so far recorded the highest number of road fatalities this year as 29 of the 55 fatalities happened in the Western Division.

This was highlighted

by Director Traffic SSP Mahesh Mishra.

Mishra says last year 45 road fatalities from the 65 happened in the Western Division.

He adds that road condition is not to be blamed.

Mishra says they are ramping up operations heading into the festive season.

Fiji National University graduation postponed due to measles outbreak The Fiji National University’s 2019 December graduation has been postponed due to the current measles outbreak.

FNU say that they are just following an

advisory for the Health Ministry in taking precautions.

They say that they do not have a specific date when they will be having the graduation.

President of Shree Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha welcomes High Court decision on appointments of heads of schools The President of the Shree Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, Sarju Prasad has welcomed the decision of the Suva High Court and says that it is only right that appointments of heads of schools should be acceptable to the organisations that run the schools. In the civil action case between the Ministry of Education and Vatuvonu SDA College and five trustees of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Fiji, Justice A.L.B Brito-Mutunayagam had ruled the government is required to appoint a civil servant as Principal of Vatuvonu SDA College in terms of the Open Merit Recruitment

Selection process and in a manner consistent with the constitutional right in section 22(4) which means that the proposed appointment must be acceptable to the Church.

The section states that every religious community or denomination, and every cultural or social community, has the right to establish, maintain and manage places of education whether or not it receives financial assistance from the State, provided that the educational institution maintains any standard prescribed by law. Prasad says the organisations who run the schools should have some say regarding the appointments for

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade gives $3.5 million grant to USP The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have confirmed that they have released $3.5 million grant to the University of the South Pacific this month, following their decision to appoint a commission.

The USP appointed Commissioners to look into allegations of abuse of office at USP earlier this year.

The Commission’s work will be focused on the development and implementation of an action plan to support outcomes for a stronger USP. Australian Foreign Affairs says that they anticipate further payments

to USP early next year and the funding will return to its usual schedule in the first half of 2020. They say that DFAT and USP have jointly agreed to modify the schedule of payments to support reform actions by the University following the BDO report to USP Council and their decision to appoint an independent commission. This is after USP Vice Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia had stated before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Affairs that the Australian Government had withdrawn funding following the allegations.

Fiji has a measles vaccine coverage of 94% based on the 2018 WHO and UNICEF joint report Fiji has a measles vaccine coverage of 94% based on the 2018 WHO and UNICEF joint reporting process that takes into account the results of administrative data and periodic vaccination coverage surveys. The Ministry says people are best protected if you received two doses of the measles vaccine or have had measles in the past. They say that Fijians born before the 1980s when the measles vaccines was first introduced are generally considered immune as measles used to be very common childhood illness. The Health Ministry is also urging people to avoid non essential travel to Serua/Namosi and avoid holding or attending large gatherings as measles can spread very easily in large groups of people if they are

not immune. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the second phase of the measles immunization campaign will begin next week which will target those people who may not be fully immunized and are most at risk of the measles infection.

200,000 measles vaccines are expected to arrive this weekend. They say that across Fiji it will target any child in Fiji who has not received 2 doses of a measles vaccine, any child aged 12 and 18 months who is scheduled for their routine measles immunization, any person in Fiji travelling overseas, all health care workers and all airport and hotel staff.

The Health Ministry states that in the Central Division only, the campaign will also target all

Number of seats in Parliament in the next general election will be determined by 2021 - Saneem Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem has stated that the number of seats in Parliament in the next general election will be determined by 2021. Saneem highlighted this during their submission to the Parliamentary Standing

Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights at their Head Office in Toorak. Saneem says they had minimised the number of seats in the 2014 general election from 71 seats to 50 seats. It was increased to 51 seats based on the population in the 2018 general election.

Use electricity sparingly due to below-average rainfall at the Monasavu and Nadarivatu Hydro Dams - Patel Energy Fiji Limited CEO, Hasmukh Patel is urging everyone to use electricity sparingly as there has been below-average rainfall at the Monasavu and Nadarivatu Hydro Dams. Patel says this has resulted in a low inflow of water.

He says water level is not at a critical level but the prediction from the Meteorological Department is that there may be belowaverage rainfall in the next few months.

He says the low inflow would result in more diesel fuel being burned as EFL is spending $130 to $140 million a year on fuel importation. Patel is also appealing to customers and especially cane farmers in the

Western Division not to light fire close to EFL infrastructure especially near wooden poles.

Patel says burnt EFL infrastructure is costing the company hundreds of thousands of dollars to the economy as customers do not have power supply and may not be able to conduct their business. He also says it is costing EFL thousands of dollars to replace power poles and other infrastructure that has been damaged. He adds that people are not giving any attention to EFL assets in the vicinity as they simply light the fire and go away. He also adds that it is not easy to prosecute people who burn EFL infrastructure because they do not have the proof about who

PAKISTAN

Saturday, November 30, 2019

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Contempt plea against prime minister rejected The Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed a plea accusing Prime Minister Imran Khan of contempt of court over his recent remarks on the judiciary. Earlier in the day, the High Court had reserved its order on the maintainability of the petition.

The plea, filed by Advocate Saleemullah Khan on Monday, stated Khan had committed “serious contempt”.

Addressing a

Supreme Court hesitantly extends Army Chief’s tenure Pakistan Supreme Court granted permission preparedness for war of the Army and is the to extend Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Chief Executive in General Headquarters, Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure by six months after we, while exercising judicial restraint, find it being assured by the government that it would appropriate to leave the matter to the Parliament legislate on the army chief ’s appointment and and the Federal Government to clearly remuneration within six months. “We exercise specify the terms and conditions of service our patience and leave this matter of the COAS through an Act of to the parliament,” the court said in Parliament and to clarify the scope the verdict. “The parliament should of Article 243 of the Constitution now legislate on the army chief ’s in this regard. Therefore, the appointment according to Article current appointment of General 243 of the Constitution.” “During Qamar Javed Bajwa as COAS shall this time, COAS General Bajwa will be subject to the said legislation continue to hold his position,” the and shall continue for a period of court added. A three-member bench six months from today, whereafter of the apex court, headed by Chief the new legislation shall determine Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa and General Bajwa his tenure and other terms and comprising Justice Mazhar Alam conditions of service.”

Khan Miankhel and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, The chief justice, during the hearing, asked announced the verdict in a short order after Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan hearing a petition challenging the extension to present the notifications regarding the of COAS General Bajwa. The written order of extension in the tenure of former army chief the court stated: “”Considering that the COAS (retd) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and is responsible for the command, discipline, retirement of (retd) General Raheel Sharif. training, administration, organization and

Female journalist shot dead by husband for not quitting job A 27-year-old female Pakistani journalist was killed here on Monday allegedly by her husband, also a scribe, for not quitting her job.

The couple got married seven months ago but then the relations turned sour soon, according to an FIR. Urooj Iqbal was associated with an Urdu daily and was entering her office situated in Qila Gujjar Singh in central Lahore when her husband Dilawar Ali shot her in the head, leaving her dead, Dost Mohammad, a senior police officer said.

Though Urooj was taken to hospital, it was too late. “We have registered an FIR against

the victim’s husband working in another Urdu daily, on the complaint of Urooj’s brother Yasir Iqbal,” Muhammad said. In the FIR, Iqbal said her sister had a love marriage with Ali seven months ago but soon after their relation turned sour over various domestic issues, including Ali’s repeated demand of quitting her job. He said that Ali used to torture Urooj over the issue and recently had got a complaint lodged against Ali. However, no action was taken by the police, he said. Urooj, a crime reporter, was living in a room adjacent to the newspaper office in the same building after her relation with her husband deteriorated.

Court stops special court from announcing verdict in Musharraf treason case A Pakistani court on Wednesday stopped a special court from announcing its judgement in the high treason case against former military dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, according to a media report.

The special court on November 19 concluded the trial proceedings in the case against 76-year-old Musharraf for declaring a state of emergency on November 3, 2007, and had ruled that a verdict would be announced on November 28. The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday stopped the special court from issuing the ruling in the case against Musharraf, Dawn News reported. The Pakistan government had filed a petition in the court

on Monday to stop the special tribunal from issuing its verdict on November 28. If found guilty, Musharraf could be sentenced to death or imprisonment for life. The high treason case was filed during the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government. He was booked in the treason case in December 2013. Musharraf was indicted on March 31, 2014, and the prosecution tabled the entire evidence before the special court in September the same year.

Musharraf, who is living in Dubai in selfexile, challenged the special court verdict in the LHC on Saturday and sought suspension of his trial in absentia.

gathering in Abbottabad’s Havelian a few days ago, Khan said there was a “perceived disparity in how the powerful and common people were treated in the country’s judicial system”.

He asked Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa to restore public’s confidence in the judiciary.

Khan’s statement came after the Lahore High Court allowed former Nawaz Sharif to travel abroad for four weeks for medical treatment. —

Prime minister reappoints Law Minister Prime Minister Imran Khan reappoints Senator Farogh Naseem as federal law minister, two days after he resigned from his post to represent a case before the Supreme Court regarding extension of army chief Genenral Bajwa in his tenure. The Supreme Court on Thursday approved a conditional extension in army chief ’s tenure for an additional six months who was set to retire on November 29.

The three-judge bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa in a short order said it was granting the COAS a conditional extension of six months, giving parliament time to clarify the constitutional guidelines under which an army

chief ’s tenure could be prolonged.

“Considering that the (army chief) is responsible for the command, discipline, training, administration, organisation and preparedness for war of the army … we, while exercising restraint, find it appropriate to leave the matter to the parliament,” Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa told the court. According to sources, Farogh Naseem will be sworn in as Federal Minister for Law and Justice on Friday.

President Arif Alvi will administer the oath at his official residence in Islamabad after which the Cabinet Division will issue a notification of his appointment.

NRI

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Saturday, November 30, 2019

90 more students, mostly from India, held from fake US university Federal law enforcement agencies have arrested 90 foreign students, mostly from India, enrolled in a fake university established by the US government to check immigration fraud, a media report has said.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has so far arrested more than 250 students, who were lured to enroll in the now-closed University of Farmington in the Detroit metropolitan area by the Department of Homeland Security.

The ICE had in March arrested 161 students from the fake university established by it. When it was closed in March, there were 600 students, mostly Indians, enrolled in it.

The latest news of arrest of additional 90 students in recent months, first reported on Tuesday by the Detroit Free Journal, has resulted in outrage with #AbolishICE hashtag gaining ground on Twitter and other social media platforms on

Wednesday.

According to an ICE spokesperson of the 250 students arrested so far, “nearly 80 per cent were granted voluntary departure and departed the United States”. Of the remaining 20 per cent, about half of them had received a final order of removal, the official was quoted as saying.

51-member panel to protect interests of Sikhs abroad The SGPC has proposed to widen its sphere to safeguard the interests of the Sikhs settled abroad. For the purpose, a 51-member advisory panel would be constituted under the SGPC president’s leadership to fight against racial discrimination and other issues being faced by the community overseas. This was among other resolutions passed during the general house meeting at Teja Singh Samundri Hall today.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal

said prominent personalities from various countries where Sikhs reside would be part of the panel which would meet at least twice a year. He said the move would help the SGPC remain connected with the Sikh community abroad. Besides condemning the racial attacks on Sikhs due to mistaken identity, the house criticised the forced conversion of Sikhs in Afghanistan. The Centre was urged to approach its counterpart.

Singapore Hindus hailed for harmony

Hindu leaders were commended by a senior Singaporean minister for playing an active role in promoting inter-faith harmony, including nurturing strong networks with their other faith counterparts in Singapore.

“Inter-ethnic and inter-faith tensions are a heightened feature of today’s world,” said Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the 50th anniversary of Hindu Endowment

Board (HEB) dinner on Sunday. “For us in Singapore, that must mean that we put even more effort into cultivating peace and harmony and building social trust,” he stressed. Commending the volunteers working with the community, Tharman said many have worked hard “to make things better than what you saw and to elevate the lives of Hindus”.

4 health company executives accused in $1B fraud in USA Four former executives of a Chicago-based health-information company are accused in $1 billion fraud scheme. An indictment unsealed in Chicago federal court says Outcome Health billed clients for full ad campaigns when only some ads were placed. The company allegedly falsified ad performance statements, later using them to help secure millions in loans.

Those charged with mail, wire and bank fraud include 33-year-old CEO Rishi Shah and 34-year-old president Shradha Agarwal, both of Chicago.

Shah and Agarwal co-founded Outcome Health, then ContextMedia, in 2006 when they

were Northwestern University students.

Rishi Shah’s attorney says Shah “is being scapegoated for the wrongdoing of others.” Agarwal’s lawyer says she’ll “fight to protect her good name.”

Outcome Health mainly works with pharmaceutical companies whose ads appeared on tablets in doctors’ waiting rooms.

Billionaire NRI wins ruling threatening public beach access Billionaire venture capitalist Vinod Khosla’s long-running fight to block public access to a stretch of Pacific Ocean beach adjacent to his property got new life thanks to an appeals court ruling that could make it harder for surfers and sun seekers to get to the crescent-shaped cove an hour south of San Francisco. The beach had been open to the public for decades before Khosla bought the 89-acre property in 2008 for $32.5 million and shut off the lone road leading there. Many thought Khosla had hit a dead end last year when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to take up his cause, but the ruling Monday breathed life into it, finding the prior owners’ willingness to let beach goers

use the road didn’t amount to a “public dedication” because they collected fees for parking. That strengthens Khosla’s position if and when he obtains a permit from the California Coastal Commission to restrict the hours when a gate at the top of the road is open. The Friends of Martin’s Beach, which has been sparring with the billionaire for years, wanted the court to find there was a long-established precedent for keeping the road open. Instead, the threejudge panel upheld a trial judge’s ruling in Khosla’s favor, finding there was substantial evidence that the previous owners didn’t intend to dedicate the road for public use because they charged fees.

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