Indo-Canadian Voice Main - Apr 1 2023

Victim’s mother says she was told her son was stabbed after he asked the attacker not to vape near his daughter

INDERDEEP Singh Gosal, 32, has been charged with second-degree murder following a stabbing outside a downtown Vancouver Starbucks on Sunday evening.

Vancouver Police are seeking additional witnesses to the crime.

“We believe this homicide was witnessed by dozens of bystanders, and there may be people with information who have not yet come forward,” said Sgt. Steve Addison on Monday.

“We particularly want to hear from anyone who was present in the moments before the stabbing, or anyone who has cell-phone video of the incident.”

The fatal stabbing occurred around 5:40 p.m. on Sunday, following a brief altercation between two men outside the Starbucks at West Pender and Granville streets.

A VPD constable patrolling in the area was flagged down moments after the stabbing, and arrested the suspect at the crime scene. Additional VPD officers attempted to save the victim’s life by performing first aid, however he succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to hospital.

Paul Stanley Schmidt, 37, has now

been identified as the victim. He is Vancouver’s sixth homicide victim of 2023.

Investigators do not believe the victim and suspect knew each other, however the circumstances that led up to the fatal stabbing remain under investigation.

THE victim’s mother, Kathy Schmidt, told the CBC from Kelowna that her son Paul was picking up his wife from work. Their three-and-a-half-yearold daughter was with them.

According to her, Paul’s wife went into Starbucks to buy drinks while

he remained outside with their daughter.

Kathy told the CBC that when the victim’s wife came out, the other person was in Paul’s face and told her to grab her daughter.

The two men then started to fight with Paul being stabbed.

Kathy told CTV News that she was told that the attacker was standing beside the daughter’s stroller vaping. Paul asked him not to smoke in front of her and that led to the altercation.

A man who witnessed the incident told Global BC that the attacker then entered the Starbucks and he heard

people screaming.

A video of the fight shows that it took place just outside the West Pender entrance to the Starbucks.

There was a massive Vancouver police presence on Sunday evening at the scene of the crime just outside Starbucks that had been cleared of all customers. Blood could also be seen on the west side of Granville Street at West Pender Street that had been taped off.

Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604-717-2500.

A GoFundMe has been set up by the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society of Vancouver to support Schmidt’s family: www.gofundme.com/f/pleasesupport-the-family-of-paul-stanleyschmidt

On Tuesday, the organizer said: “We are in touch with the Paul’s wife’s family as our Executive Director is close with the cousins. We would like to kindly ask everyone out there to be respectful to the family’s wishes and not circulate the horrific video footage that has been shared on social media.”

Inderdeep Singh Gosal. Photo: Twitter Paul Stanley Schmidt. Photo: GoFundMe Page

A patch of blood on the road on the west side of Granville Street at West Pender Street that was taped off.

Photo: VOICE staff

newsdesk@voiceonline.com

Tribunal awards $6,000 to immigrant who moved to Canada because of caste discrimination and suffered humiliation here

THE B.C. Human Rights Tribunal in a March 15 decision ruled that Manoj Bhangu was discriminated against by co-workers Inderjit Dhillon and Avninder Dhillon “based on his ancestry, place of origin, religion, and race when they both used the slur [“chamar”] towards him during a physical altercation” at the Christmas party of their taxicab company.

Tribunal Ajudicator Sonya Pighin noted: “Mr. Bhangu provided evidence that he is Hindu, he practices the religion known as Hinduism, and he is a member of the Ravidass Sabha in Vancouver, which is a religious organisation.”

Pighin also noted: “Mr. Bhangu provided evidence regarding the social, political, and legal status aspects of others labelling him as a member of the Slur [“chamar”] caste group. Mr. Bhangu provided evidence that as a child his friend’s parents kicked him out of a playground and told him that Slur people could not use that playground. Other children chased and beat him up for being a Slur caste member. His friend’s parents gave him a glass to drink out of and said in front of him that they would throw the glass out later because he was from the Slur caste, and he had drunk out of it. Last, people kicked him out of temple areas for being from the Slur caste.”

She also wrote: “Regarding the connection between Mr. Bhangu’s religion and the Slur caste, Mr. Bhangu provided uncontested evidence that only people who are Dalit can be members of the Ravidass Sabha community. The Slur caste is a subgroup of the Dalit caste. Mr. Bhangu also provided uncontested evidence that people in India would know he is from the Slur caste based on the temple that he goes to for washing.”

Pighin said: “Mr. Bhangu provided uncontested evidence of how the use of the Slur towards him by Inderjit

and Avninder adversely impacted his psychological health, reminding him of his negative experiences growing up in Punjab. Inderjit and Avninder are of the Jatt caste, making them non-Slur caste peoples. I am prepared to accept that the adverse psychological impacts Mr. Bhangu experienced in relation to Inderjit and Avninder’s use of the Slur in the second altercation is connected to Mr. Bhangu’s position as a member of the Slur caste and both Inderjit and Avninder being non-Slur caste peoples.”

Regarding Bhangu’s social context, Pighin noted: “Mr. Bhangu’s social context includes that he is an immigrant to Canada who came from a place where he experienced caste discrimination. A part of why Mr. Bhangu moved to Canada includes that he and his family can live without caste discrimination.”

Pighin wrote: “Mr. Bhangu provided uncontested evidence that he experienced shock and embarrassment immediately after the discrimination occurred. Immediately after the discrimination, Mr. Bhangu went to Tim Hortons with some other shareholders, and they spent a few hours together. They spent at least some of that time debriefing about what had happened. Mr. Bhangu then went home and spent additional time discussing what had happened with his wife and children. Mr. Bhangu described it being very difficult for him to explain what happened to his children.

“Mr. Bhangu also provided uncontested evidence about the feelings he experienced in relation to the discrimination after it occurred. Mr. Bhangu was not able to sleep for a couple of weeks afterwards. He found it very difficult to go to work and interact with his colleagues who had observed the discrimination. He felt insulted and humiliated in front of them and

being around them reminded him of the discrimination. Mr. Bhangu did not provide evidence regarding how long his feelings of insult or humiliation in front of his colleagues lasted, or how long afterward being around them continued to remind him of the discrimination. According to Mr. Bhangu, at some point he told his kids that he does not want to live in this world anymore due to the humiliation and he worried about what “would happen to his kids if he did something.” He did not provide evidence of when this occurred, so I am unable to make any findings about how long after the discrimination he experienced those unwanted thoughts. Last, Mr. Bhangu described observing his kids not wanting to go to Taxi Company events anymore and said this was a disturbing experience. Ms. Mahl also provided evidence that herself and Mr. Bhangu did not continue to attend social events put on by the Taxi Company, which is something they did before the discrimination

took place.”

Pighin also pointed out: “In summary, the discrimination was short in duration but involved violence which exacerbates the severity of it. Mr. Bhangu was not in a position of powerlessness in relation to the respondents. However, his history of caste-based discrimination in India intensified the severity of the impact he experienced regarding the discrimination. Mr. Bhangu provided evidence that his dignity, feelings, and self-respect were impacted negatively but that evidence was vague, and he did not provide enough evidence to show those impacts lasted more than a couple of weeks.”

Pighin ordered Inderjit Dhillon and Avninder Dhillon to pay Bhangu $6,000 as an appropriate remedy for injury to his dignity, feelings, and selfrespect, plus $3,755.81 that Bhangu paid for a report and a transcript.

For the full ruling, please visit our website voiceonline.com

BURNABY RCMP on Friday announced that Manveer Singh

Dhesi, 28, who was wanted on a BC-wide warrant, has turned himself in at Vancouver Provincial Court.

On March 31, Dhesi attended Vancouver Provincial Court in relation to charges including assault, uttering threats and mischief. This matter remains before the courts.

On Monday, Burnaby RCMP had issued a press release seeking public assistance in locating Dhesi, stating that he was known to reside in Surrey but spend time

in Burnaby.

Burnaby RCMP had appealed for tips on his whereabouts as investigators worked to locate him.

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Manveer Singh Dhesi, 28, wanted by Burnaby RCMP, turns himself in

Manveer Singh Dhesi. Photo: Burnaby RCMP

2023 Canadian Wrestling Championships (U19, U17, U15) in Vancouver

THE 2023 Canadian Wrestling Championships (U19, U17, U15) opened up on March 24, from Canada Place in Vancouver with the U17 men and women and U15 women in action. It was a great

turnout as fans of all ages came out to support the next generation of wrestlers.

U17

When all the matches were

complete it was British Columbia who took home the Provincial Team Award on the women’s side. They finished with an impressive haul of five gold medals in the division. As for the

men, it was also British Columbia who captured the Provincial Team Award capturing eight gold medals.

Burnaby RCMP investigating mischief after Gandhi’s statue damaged at SFU; Vancouver’s Indian Consulate General condemns vandalization

BURNABY RCMP on Tuesday launched an investigation after a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi located at Simon Fraser University was significantly damaged in what appears to be a deliberate act of vandalism.

Burnaby RCMP were contacted around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27 after someone noticed the statue had been vandalized, with the head having been removed.

Burnaby RCMP investigators are in the early stages of the investigation, with officers canvassing for witnesses and video.

It is not yet known when the vandalism happened. It’s believed a power tool was likely used.

“Burnaby RCMP is aware that Gandhi statues have been damaged in other areas of Canada in the past. Police are looking at all aspects of this incident, including the possible motivation,” said Cpl. Mike Kalanj. “We are urging any witnesses, or anyone with information, to come forward.”

On Thursday, Burnaby RCMP announced that they had set up a special phone information line in relation to the vandalism.

“ We are appealing for assistance from the public as we believe there are people that have information that could help our investigators,” said Cpl. Mike Kalanj. “Anyone with information is asked to call the dedicated phone information line.”

People with information can contact investigators by calling the dedicated phone information line at 604646-9511.

MEANWHILE, the Indian Consulate General in Vancouver reacted strongly at reports on Monday of the vandalization of Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial bust at SFU’s Burnaby campus. The head on the bust has been removed.

The Consulate General tweeted: “We strongly condemn heinous

crime of vandalizing the statute of harbinger of peace Mahatma Gandhiji, @SFU Burnaby campus. The Canadian authorities are urged to investigate the matter urgently and bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.”

SFU’s Institute for the Humanities noted on its website: “Mahatma Gandhi and his legacy have been honoured at Simon Fraser University since the unveiling of his memorial bust in the Simon Fraser Peace Square in l970. Each year the Gandhi Jayanti celebration brings members of the local Indo-Canadian community together with others who wish to salute his memory and honour his ideals.”

The Thakore Visiting Scholar Award that is sponsored jointly by the India Club of Vancouver, the Thakore Charitable Foundation, the Institute for the Humanities and the J.S. Woodsworth Chair in the Humanities at Simon Fraser University is also presented each year on the occasion.

Gandhi’s racist views when he was a young man have resulted in some demanding that his memorial bust be removed.

But the Gandhi Jayanti website (https://gandhijayanti.com/) said in an “Acknowledgement”: “On the celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday in 2020, we took a moment to reflect on what this event means to us given recent world events, particularly with respect to the ongoing

Doug McCallum’s Surrey Langley

SkyTrain project moves ahead as firms shortlisted for second contract

violence and injustice being faced by the Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour (BIPOC) members of our community and around the world.”

It added: “At its heart, Gandhi Jayanti is a celebration of the principles of truth, non-violence, equality, selfsufficiency and sustainability. It is also a time for self-reflection and action where those involved find ways to carry forward and incorporate these principles into their lives.

“To embody these principles also means being upfront and honest about unpacking the complexities of Gandhi’s life. Much has been said about Gandhi’s early views on Black South Africans and his writings during his time in South Africa. In his 20s and at a time when he was practicing as a lawyer in South Africa, Gandhi held racist views towards Black South Africans. Later in his life, he came to realize that the struggle for equality and freedom that he sought for India was a fight for justice that included all marginalized peoples, and he became vehemently anti-racist.

“ We disagree with Gandhi’s early views on race and they do not align with the values of this event.”

The website said that it acknowledges:

* Gandhi’s early racist attitudes towards Black South Africans run counter to humanity’s pursuit of justice and equality for all.

* His ability to recognize his bias and educate himself about the social injustice he was perpetuating, and the eventual positive evolution of his views on this important issue are things we will learn from.

It added: “In the spirit of learning and evolving our views, we commit to continually re-evaluate and adjust this event as we learn more about how we can best embody the principles of truth, non-violence, equality, self-sufficiency, and sustainability in today’s world.”

TWO pre-qualified teams have advanced to the request for proposals (RFP) stage to design and build eight new stations for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain, as well as cycling and walking paths around the new stations as former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum’s project keeps moving ahead.

As part of the competitive selection process, the request for qualifications (RFQ) was posted on BC Bid and closed on January 5, 2023. After a thorough evaluation of the submissions, the teams invited to participate in the RFP stage are:

South Fraser Station partners

* Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc.

* Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc.

* Pomerleau BC Inc.

* AECOM Canada Ltd.

SkyLink stations partners

* Dragados Canada, Inc.

* L edcor Construction Investments Ltd.

* SYSTRA International Bridge Technologies Inc.

* IBI Group Architects (Canada) Inc. The Province anticipates the pre-

ferred proponent will be announced in early 2024.

The Surrey Langley SkyTrain project is a 16-kilometre extension of the Expo Line from King George Station to Langley City Centre, the first rapid transit expansion south of the Fraser River in 30 years.

Once complete, the project will provide high-quality and low-cost transportation for people in Surrey, Langley and across Metro Vancouver. Major construction on the Surrey L angley SkyTrain project is expected to begin in 2024.

The Surrey Langley SkyTrain project is being delivered through three separate contracts. On January 3, 2023, the RFP for the first contract, which includes the elevated guideway, roadworks and utilities, and active transportation paths along the extension, was issued to two shortlisted teams. The contract award is expected in late 2023.

The third contract, for the design and installation of SkyTrain track work as well as the design, installation, and integration of electrical systems is in the RFQ stage. The list of shortlisted firms to advance to the RFP stage will be announced later this spring.

Then-Surrey mayor Doug McCallum (centre) and his Safe Surrey Coalition councillors at the time (left to right) Doug Elford, Allison Patton, Laurie Guerra and Mandeep Nagra who kept their promise of a Surrey-Langley SkyTrain

Gandhi’s bust at SFU’s Burnaby campus before the vandalism.

THE Five Rivers Community Services Society (FRCSS), which presently consists of 12 charitable religious societies and individual members with a total of 57 delegates, on Sunday said in a statement that the management would like to assure all the members of the community that the Riverside Funeral Home in Delta is not for sale.

It added that the funeral home is run under the principle of first-come first-serve with no strings attached.

The FRCSS noted that its main objective originally was — and still remains the same — “to have the community-based funeral home and operate it on the principle of reasonable and affordable funeral services and cremation of our dear ones.”

It noted: “The Riverside Funeral Home in Delta is the prime example, and it started the services in June 2002. A number of times, rumours surface in community about the ownership, the disciplined operation set out by the management and equally adhered to by the qualified staff.”

The FRCSS said that with the increase in population, the Delta facility alone can’t keep up with the demand of performing the last reli-

gious rites of our dear ones in a dignified way. Therefore, the Five Rivers Community Services Society has undertaken the task to build a second facility at 9280-9350 168 Street in Surrey in the near future.

It added that the architectural and engineering work started last year and in due course, other services will be engaged.

The FRCSS asserted: “Five Rivers Community Services Society is solidly committed to the completion of the community owned and operated second facility known as “Riverside Funeral Home in Surrey.””

MEANWHILE, the election of Five Rivers Community Services Society and the Five Rivers Management Services Society Board members took place in the March 26 General Meeting.

The following directors of both boards were elected unanimously and will take over charge from April 1:

FRCSS Executive Board:

President: Lamber Rao

Senior Vice President: Sukhwant Singh Takhar

Vice President: Dr. Preeti Misra

General Secretary: Joginder Singh Sunner

Recording Secretary: Karnail Singh Sihota

Joint Secretary: Kirpal Singh Dhinjal

Joint Treasurer: Jograj Singh Nijjar

P.R.O: Amrik Singh Nijjar

Internal Auditor: Tarsem Singh Banga

Audit Committee Member: Harbhajan Singh

Atwal

Audit Committee Member: Sohan Singh Mangat

FRMSS Executive Board:

President: Lamber Rao

Vice President: Balbir Singh Parhar

General Secretary: Joginder Singh Sunner

Joint Secretary: Lakhbir Singh Khangura

Treasurer: Avtar Singh Dhillon

Joint Treasurer: Joginder Singh Gill

Internal Auditor: Surindar Singh Jabal

British Columbia dominated the championships

CONTINUED FROM 3

On the men’s side, Guru Gobind Singh Wrestling Club topped the team standings with 23 points, narrowly beating Saskatoon Junior Huskies who finished with 22. Guru Gobind Singh finished with a trio of gold medalists Michealjeet Grewal at 92kg, Jagroop Dhinsa at 110kg, and Mehtab Rai at 125kg.

Based on winning gold in the 49kg weight class, Taranpreet Dhillon, from Canadian Mal, was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler on the women’s side. As for the men, the honour went to Ryan Dahcha who took gold in the 55kg weight class.

U15 Women

The U15 women’s division saw British Columbia take the Provincial Team Award. In total, B.C. had five gold medalists. The Club Team Award went to Canadian Mal Wrestling Club, who tallied 15 points. That was three better than second place Warriors Wres-

tling Club. Canadian Mal featured two gold medalists in Gurleen Dhillon at 50kg and Tanya Sanghera at 80kg. Canadian Mal’s Dhillon was also named the age group’s Most Outstanding Wrestler thanks to her gold-medal performance.

THE Championships (U19, U17, U15) continued on March 25, from Canada Place in Vancouver with the U19 men and women and U15 men in action. Day one was dominated by British Columbia athletes and clubs, so the rest of the field was looking to challenge that dominance on the second day.

U19

At the end of day two it was British Columbia who took home the Provincial Team Award on the women’s side. They finished with an impressive haul of four gold medals in the division. As for the men, it was also BC who captured the Provincial Team Award also with four gold medals.

Winning the U19 women’s Club Team Award was Coast Wrestling Academy.

On the men’s side, Rustom Wrestling Club topped the team standings. Rustom had two gold medalists in Jastej Mundi at 92kg and Aykam Takhar at 125kg.

U15 Men

The U15 men’s division saw British Columbia complete the sweep and take the Provincial Team Award. In total, British Columbia had eight gold medalists, winning gold in all but four weight classes.

The Club Team Award went to Guru Gobind Singh Wrestling Club, who featured two gold medalists in Gurshaan Kahlon at 52kg and Manjot Dhaliwal at 68kg.

With his performance in the 52kg weight class, Kahlon was also named the age group’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.

(For more information and photos, please visit our website voiceonline.com)

SHARNJIT Singh Gill’s Surrey-based Verico Superior Mortgage Inc., is a finalist for this year’s Mortgage Awards of Excellence’s Best Regional Brokerage – BC.

The honour comes just after Gill was named in the prestigious Broker of the Year (Regional – British Columbia) category of the 2023 Canadian Mortgage Awards (CMAs) a month ago. The winners will be announced on April 20 at Toronto’s Westin Harbour Castle.

Now Gill’s company has been selected as a finalist for the Mortgage Awards of Excellence from over 1,000 nominations.

The Mortgage Awards of Excellence recognizes achievement and leadership in the Canadian mortgage industry.

Gill said: “We are honored to become finalist for The Best Regional Brokerage – British Columbia. Indeed, it is an honor to receive another award Mortgage Awards of Excellence.”

He added that serving the community with honesty and with high efficiency has brought a raft of recognitions to their team.

“We are a small team of five but the power of one,” says Gill. “Educating the community and our clients are main reasons for our selection as a finalist for this award.”

Five Rivers Community Services Society: Funeral home in Delta not for sale; second funeral home in Surrey soon

Verico Superior Mortgage Inc. is a finalist for Mortgage Awards of Excellence’s Best Regional Brokerage – BC

YOU would have to be living on another planet to not realize that Surrey — the ONLY large city in Canada that does not have its own municipal police force – really needs to carry on with the ongoing transition from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service.

Of course, if your son is an RCMP officer in Surrey – like in the case of former Mountie Rob Stutt, the Surrey Connect Councillor who never disclosed that fact while voting to keep the RCMP in Surrey or even during or after the municipal election – you may vehemently disagree with this writer.

But this involves the very lives of the residents of Surrey!

The final report of the Mass Casualty Commission on the

worst mass shooting in Canadian history in which 22 people lost their lives in Nova Scotia just three years ago “has pointed a stern finger at a litany of RCMP failures and inadequacies,” as the Toronto Star put it.

It said that the final report “outlines the RCMP’s failure to act on previous red flags related to the gunman, its lack of preparedness for a mass casualty event, its response to the incident itself and the force’s communication with the public and with victims’ families during and after the shootings.”

And The Globe and Mail reported: “The report was critical of the RCMP’s operational tactics, decision-making and supervision and said the mass shooting demonstrates the need for faster responses to critical incidents, improved 911 commu-

nications, better air support during manhunts and a clear policy prohibiting alcohol consumption by officers responding to calls.”

It added: “It calls for a transformation within the force, starting with recruiting and training – and says the current 26-week model of training in Regina no longer meets the complex demands of policing. The academy should be replaced with a three-year,

degree-based model of education, as exists in Finland.”

Commenting on the report, federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said that it “confirms what many Nova Scotians already suspected: that the RCMP failed to prevent or contain the gunman’s rampage, and that their response was inadequate and disorganized.”

He also noted: “The culture of systemic racism within the RCMP will never be addressed until the government implements these reforms [that had been recommended by the Public Safety committee] and appoints a commissioner who is committed to real change.”

In other words, the RCMP is in a COMPLETE MESS.

And we definitely do NOT need such a force to mess up Surrey!

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and her Surrey Connect councillors

“COUNCILLOR docked pay for ‘vociferously’ endorsing Hamilton police budget as son is staff sergeant: report.”

That was the heading of a CBC story on Wednesday with the subheading: “Ward 7 Coun. Esther Pauls acknowledges she was in the wrong and won’t vote on the police budget Wednesday.”

Pauls was reprimanded by Hamilton’s integrity commissioner for not recusing herself from past votes because her son is a staff sergeant with the Hamilton Police Service (HPS), whose salary is included in the police budget. Pauls is a member of the police services board, the CBC reported.

What made all of this pretty disgusting is that the integrity commissioner’s report found Pauls had debated “with vigour” and “vociferously” endorsed and voted for the police budget at the board meeting in late 2022.

Pauls admitted her conflict of interest, but said she had done so “unknowingly and unintentionally.”

Really?

But then, she IS a politician, no?

Why do I question her truthfulness?

Because the integrity commissioner report said Paul had been warned by the staff three times about her conflict of interest. They told her NOT to participate in the debate and NOT to vote.

She can remain on the board, but she has to be especially vigilant on declaring conflicts, the CBC reported.

THAT brings us to Surrey where the Surrey Police Union revealed that Surrey Connect Councillor Rob Stutt had “never disclosed that the RCMP employs his son in the Surrey Detachment, nor has he ever declared that his daughter is assigned to the RCMP via secondment from the City of Surrey” and submitted a formal request to the Office of the Surrey Ethics Commissioner to investigate Stutt’s alleged breach of the City of Surrey’s rules around conflict of interest.

As The VOICE wrote on March 1: “On November 14, 2022, Stutt voted in favour of a motion to end the transition from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service. If he had recused himself – as he should have ethically done – that motion would not have passed.”

What is more, Stutt was appointed the chairman of the Public Safety Committee, “which she claims will offer a new standard for accountability and oversight over the RCMP should it remain as Surrey’s Police of Jurisdiction,” as the SPU put it.

We pointed out that Stutt in an interview with a local Surrey paper never mentioned the fact that his son is a Mountie.

We then asked a series of questions:

“Why, Stutt, aren’t you proud of having a Mountie son?!

“You didn’t even mention it in your bio on

Report on Nova Scotia massacre provides overwhelming proof as to why Surrey needs municipal police force

must learn ethics from Hamilton, Ontario case

VOICE OPINION COLUMN VOICE OPINION COLUMN

Rob Stutt

Movie

goers pepper-sprayed

in

Guildford movie theatre screening Sinhalese movie

SURREY RCMP are investigating an incident where multiple people were pepper-sprayed in a movie theatre in Guildford on Saturday evening, and asking for anyone with dash camera footage from the surrounding area to contact police.

On March 25 at approximately 5:34 p.m.,

Surrey RCMP received a report that pepper spray had been deployed inside a movie theatre located in the 15000-block of 101 Avenue.

The incident occurred at 5:28 p.m. in Theatre 6 where approximately 20-30 people, including children, were watching a movie in Sinhalese (Sinhala) with English subtitles.

Sinhala is primarily spoken by the Sinhalese

people of Sri Lanka, who make up the largest ethnic group on the island, numbering about 16 million, according to Wikipedia.

The male suspect entered the theater, sprayed viewers and fled the scene.

Police and Emergency Health Services attended and all persons who were contaminated were treated on scene. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries.

“Our General Investigation Unit is actively working to identify the suspect, and while the motive for this incident is not yet known, this was a disturbing assault on movie theatre patrons, that will be fully investigated by police,” said Surrey RCMP Media Relations Officer Cpl. Vanessa Munn on Tuesday.

PLEA appeals to Surrey parents to opt for Punjabi for their kids

THE Punjabi Language Education Association is appealing to Surrey parents to choose Punjabi as a second language for their kids in elementary school.

The PLEA said in a statement that survey forms had been sent by the Surrey elementary schools to parents of grade 4 students who are going into grade 5 this September. These forms are sent to parents so they can choose what second language their children should learn from grade 5 to 8, as it is compulsory for students in these grades to learn a second language. If no other language is requested by parents, then by default, French is taught.

Punjabi is one of the five other languages that can be taught in BC schools; however, the request to teach the language must come from parents, and there should be sufficient enrolment in each school to begin a class.

The PLEA said that it is important for parents to complete the forms and express their interest as it will have a direct result on whether or not Punjabi classes at the grade 5 level will be offered. This is an excellent opportunity for parents to play a role in promoting Punjabi in schools and offering their children the chance to learn Punjabi. These forms must be returned before the end of April.

The PLEA noted that it has been promoting Punjabi language instruction in BC’s public schools, colleges, universities and community. It said it strongly believes that getting children interested in their mother tongue Punjabi at an early age is extremely beneficial to them not only in their communication skills but also in staying connected with their heritage. As such, the PLEA would like to urge parents of grade 4 students to choose Punjabi for their child and return the forms to their child’s school as soon as possible.

For further information they can contact Balwant Sanghera (PLEA President) at 604836-8976 or Sadhu Binning at 778-773-1886.

CONTINUED FROM 6

the Surrey Connect site — or anywhere else?

“Or were you trying to hide something?

“And why?

“In any case, why didn’t you tell your fellow Surrey Connect councillors and [Surrey Mayor Brenda] Locke about your son?

“Or did they all know about it, but kept quiet?

“If they all knew about it, then they too are guilty of deception, aren’t they?

“Locke, didn’t you know that Stutt’s son was a Mountie?

“Didn’t you ever ask him what his kids do when you accepted him as a Surrey Connect candidate? (That’s called “due diligence,” by the way!)”

On March 7, the City of Surrey announced that the City had chosen a new ethics commissioner – lawyer Peter Johnson.

We will have to wait and see what Johnson’s ruling will be in Stutt’s case.

But we would advise him to take a good look at the Hamilton case because all of Canada will be watching his ruling.

“We are aware of two other recent similar incidents in other provinces and will be liaising with the investigative agencies.”

Anyone who was in the theatre and has not yet spoken with police is asked to contact Surrey RCMP. Investigators are also seeking dash camera footage from the area

surrounding the theater between 5:20 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. on March 25. Anyone who has any information regarding this incident is requested to call 604-599-0502.

If you wish to make an anonymous report, you are requested to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.

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PLEA representative Gurinder Mann can also be contacted at 604-710-9106.

Vancouver Police arrest 217 in 3-week shoplifting crackdown; $79,679 in stolen merchandise recovered

VANCOUVER Police made more than 200 arrests and recovered $80,000 in stolen merchandise during a threeweek crackdown on chronic and violent shoplifters throughout the city.

“Retail crime is growing in major cities throughout North America, and in Vancouver we continue to see an alarming trend of repeat offenders and people using violence to commit their crimes,” said StaffSgt. Mario Mastropieri of VPD’s Operations Division on Wednesday.

“Business owners are frustrated by the financial losses and by the danger employees face for merely coming to work to earn a living, so we’re doing everything we can to help everyone feel safe again.”

During the three-week operation, called Project Barcode, VPD officers worked closely with management, staff, and security at stores throughout the city to identify and arrest chronic and violent

offenders. VPD officers were positioned outside participating retailers while staff inside the businesses watched for known

offenders and other shoplifters. As the thieves made their way toward the exits, staff notified the waiting officers, who took

the suspects into custody.

The cooperation between police and store staff allowed VPD to easily apprehend thieves, while minimizing the violence retail employees often face when attempted to stop people from stealing.

Project highlights:

* 28 retailers participated in the project

* 280 thefts were investigated

* 217 people, with a combined total of 4,695 previous convictions, were arrested

* 278 criminal charges were recommend to Crown counsel

* 47 repeat offenders were arrested

* $79,679 in stolen merchandise was recovered and returned to store shelves

* 24 weapons were seized

“This operation is a very good example of applying solutions in areas where it is most needed”, said Tony Hunt, General Manager for London Drugs Loss Prevention. “We need this work to continue. We also need the support from government, police, and community organizations so frontline retail workers don’t have to face violence and abuse.”

Mid-sized businesses like London Drugs, along with grocery stores, dollar stores and clothing retailers, were among the widest targeted by thieves during the three-week anti-shoplifting blitz, which ran February 15 to March 10.

Incidents of note:

- A man with 37 prior criminal convictions dating back to 2015 allegedly entered a dollar store near Granville and Dunsmuir, pulled out a knife to threaten staff, then exited the store with the merchandise he stole. The same man then went to another dollar store one block away, brandished a knife, and committed another theft. VPD officers arrested the suspect near Main and Hastings that same day. The suspect has been charged with possession of a weapon and uttering threats. He has been released from custody.

- A man walked into a downtown clothing store and threatened to kill staff with a knife before taking store merchandise and leaving the store. The suspect was arrested a short distance away from the store, taken to jail and charged with assault with a weapon, theft over $5,000, and two counts of fail to comply. He has since been released from custody. This suspect was arrested four times during the duration of this project by the project team.

- After stealing $1,100 in store merchandise from a home hardware store in East Vancouver, a suspect threatened store security with a machete. Officers located and arrested the suspect, who has been charged with robbery and has been released from custody.

“We appreciate the focus on shoplifting by the Vancouver Police Department, because we need a real change if we want to see our business districts thrive,” said Walley Wargolet, Executive Director Gastown Business Improvement Society.

“The impact of shoplifting is devastating to our members, especially those smaller owner operator shops whose sole livelihood for their families rests on the success of their businesses.”

Though still vastly unreported by retailers, shoplifting incidents in Vancouver rose more than 30 per cent in 2022, compared to the previous year. On average, there were more than 20 violent shoplifting incidents reported to VPD each month last year. Violent shopliftings – incidents where weapons and physical force are used during the commission of an offence – decreased 19 per cent during Project Barcode, and are down 45 per cent overall so far in 2023.

Increase in sextortion cases targeting boys and men in New Westminster

THE New Westminster Police Department on Thursday warned of an increase in sextortion cases targeting boys and men.

These victims are contacted on social media platforms by someone using a fake account and typically posing as female. They set their location to be somewhere near the victim and ask the victim to send sexually explicit photos, then threaten to release the illicit images unless a ransom is paid.

Demands for money often come from international organized criminal networks, say police. According to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, 91% of sextortion victims are male and 79% of sextortion incidents occurred on Instagram and Snapchat. In New Westminster, the number of sextortion files rose from 12 in

2021 to 29 in 2022.

“Victims rarely have any idea what to do. They’re in a state of panic and are often dealing with tremendous fear, shame, and significant financial loss,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “We believe this is an underreported crime and we’re asking anyone who is a victim of sextortion to report it to police.”

The New Westminster Police Department recommends that victims get help instead of paying money or complying with the fraudsters.

Investigators also suggest that victims block the fraudster, but not to delete any messages or your social media profile and then speak to someone they trust.

Victims can the contact New Westminster Police Department by calling 604-525-5411.

Prolific offender rearrested in Abbotsford within 24 hours after conviction

ON Saturday, March 25, Abbotsford Police patrol officers located a stolen Toyota 4-Runner in the 2800-block of Victoria Street. Plainclothes officers covertly followed the stolen vehicle until it stopped in the 31900-block of South Fraser Way.

The male driver of the stolen vehicle attempted to flee on foot but was arrested after a brief foot pursuit. The female passenger was arrested at the scene but later released. The driver, identified as 47-year-old Albert Fontaine, was noted to be impaired by alcohol as well as breaching numerous conditions of his conditional sentence order.

Charges of possession of stolen property, impaired operation of a motor vehicle, refusal, breach of release order, and driving while prohibited have now been approved.

At the time of Fontaine’s arrest, he had

Man arrested after crashing stolen truck in Ladner

ON Monday, March 27 at 12:45 p.m., the Delta Police Department received a call regarding an unknown person passed out behind the wheel of a pickup truck in the 4900-block of Westminster Avenue in Ladner.

A concerned citizen checked on the man to ensure his welfare. Once the man was awake, he drove away. Approximately four blocks later, the driver crashed the truck into two parked cars.

When the dispatchers inquired about the license plate, they learned the truck had been stolen from Tsawwassen that same

morning.

Following the crash, the suspect driver attempted to flee the scene but was detained by witnesses and Delta fire fighters until the arrival of the responding police officers.

Delta Police said that charges will be forwarded including possession of stolen property, impaired operation of a motor vehicle, fail to remain at the scene of a collision, and assault. The suspect’s name will not be released until charges are formally sworn. There were no significant injuries from this incident.

Two people seriously injured in Chilliwack targeted shooting

CHILLIWACK RCMP are seeking the public’s help after a shooting near the Vedder Rotary Loop Trail parking lot on Saturday night that left two people injured.

On Saturday, March 25 at approximately 8:15 p.m., police responded to multiple reports of a disturbance followed by a number of gunshots at the entrance to the parking lot just south of Peach Avenue in Chilliwack.

While the investigation is in the early stages, Chilliwack RCMP believe the incident was targeted and may be linked to the ongoing Lower Mainland Gang Conflict.

Police are looking for anyone with information on a white Dodge Ram pickup truck seen travelling to and from the area around the time of the shooting.

just been convicted of possession of stolen property, which involved another stolen vehicle. He had been released back into the community on a conditional sentence order less than 24 hours before being rearrested.

“AbbyPD continues to ensure that those committing crime and victimizing citizens of our community are brought before the courts to be accountable for their actions,” said Sgt. Paul Walker.

When police arrived, they found two victims with multiple gunshot wounds. Police immediately applied first aid until Emergency Health Services arrived. The victims were transported to hospital with serious injuries.

If anyone has any information on the shooting or has dash cam / CCTV video footage from the area around that time, they are asked to call the Chilliwack RCMP 604-792-4611 or call Crime Stoppers at 1800222-8477 (TIPS) solvecrime.ca.

The investigation is active, police said.

91% of sextortion victims are male and 79% of sextortion incidents occurred on Instagram and Snapchat

Photo: Abbotsford Police

Photo: Delta Police

Surrey Teachers’ Association calls on Surrey School Board to protect elementary school library services

JATINDER Bir, President of the Surrey Teachers’ Association, on Thursday urged Surrey school trustees and local MLAs to put the brakes on a Surrey School Board decision that will significantly reduce library services in elementary schools.

She said it is a mistake to pull teacher-librarians away from their core duties to give classroom teachers the prep time they are entitled to— instead, the Surrey School Board should be investing in recruiting more staff.

In their last round of bargaining, the BC Teachers’ Federation negotiated a 10-minute weekly increase in preparation time for elementary school teachers, bringing the weekly prep time to 120 minutes, which is still well below the national average.

Prep periods are used by classroom teachers to plan and prepare lessons, while their classes are taught by specialist teachers such as music teachers, French teachers, or teacher-librarians.

The additional funding for staffing the increase in prep time will be allocated to all school districts, including Surrey, by the Ministry of Education starting in September 2023.

The Surrey Teachers’ Association advocated for the additional 10 minutes to be added to elementary music teacher staffing, in order to enhance music education for their young students. Instead, the Surrey School Board decided teacher-librarians would cover the additional prep time for all primary classes, without increasing staffing levels for teacher-librarians.

Bir said these additional duties for teacher-

librarians will be devastating to the level of library service they can provide for the entire school population. The losses will be particularly felt in intermediate classes for students aged 9 to 13, who face losing their only access to collaborative time with teacher-librarians in school libraries. If the Surrey School Board goes ahead with this decision, students will lose out on far more than simple book exchanges; they will lose out on integral learning opportunities.

A reduction to teacher librarian collaboration time means losses to learning opportunities such as:

* A safe space for diverse and marginalized learners, where they can see themselves reflected in curated literature,

* Applied Design, Skills, and Technology opportunities such as working with robotics or other innovative technologies,

* Essential lessons on digital citizenship, fake news, media literacy, and the safe use of online tools,

* Deep dives into inquiry and research skill development through project-based learning, and

* Class work in collaboration with teacher–librarians on District equity initiatives such as race, ability, and gender. Surrey Schools Library Learning Commons won a prestigious national award from Canadian School Libraries just this fall, in recognition of teacher-librarians’ innovative, creative and collaborative work in their schools.

“It is very disappointing that this incredible work by our teacher-librarians has been recognized nationally but does not seem to be valued by our school board,” said Bir.

She added: “The district told us they are making this decision because finding additional music teachers would be challenging. The truth is that many qualified music teachers in Surrey are not currently teaching music because they cannot find full-time music assignments.

“Increasing music teacher entitlement would make the position of elementary music teacher much more appealing to qualified music teachers. Retention must be about more than just numbers; it must also be about creating positions that teachers want to be in.”

The Surrey Teachers’ Association said that there is no doubt that there is a teacher shortage at this time, but this plan is a regressive solution to a short-term problem that will have long-term devastating consequences to their elementary schools. The Board seems to want to move libraries back to a time when they were merely places for book exchanges.

It said that it is astounded that the Surrey School Board would choose to not use the funding that was collectively bargained to support the work of award-winning teacher-librarians. It’s hard to imagine why the Board would have passed up the opportunity to enhance elementary music education and is choosing instead to harm awardwinning and innovative library programs, it added.

REACTING to the Surrey Teachers’ Association’s press statement, Ritinder Matthew, Associate Director, Communication Services, Surrey Schools, told The VOICE in an email that

“several options were considered, and after thoughtful review and stakeholder engagement, we selected the option that best fit the needs of our district.”

She added: “If an individual school requires a different approach, as always, we would work with the school to navigate the situation.”

Here is her full statement:

“Teacher librarians are integral to our elementary and secondary school communities and play an important role in supporting education and literacy. Generally, their jobs are divided between two responsibilities – one is teaching primary students while their teacher is on prep and the second is flexible time where teacher librarians work with other teachers to plan lessons, coteach, or attend to library administration.

“Currently, weekly preparation time for elementary teachers who teach kindergarten to grade 3/4, is covered by core music teachers (60 minutes) and teacher-librarians (50 minutes). For teacher librarians this generally means that students will attend the library or learning commons, allowing the classroom teacher to do their prep work.

“The new collective agreement that was ratified in December includes 10 additional minutes of preparation time for elementary teachers for a total of 120 minutes per week. This September, to meet the requirements of the collective agreement, the district will increase the prep coverage time for teacher librarians by an additional 10 minutes, for a total of 60 minutes per enrolling teacher for kindergarten to grade 3/4 classes. Teacher librarians will still maintain an average of about 50% of their schedules for noninstructional time focused on collaboration and library administration.

“Several options were considered, and after thoughtful review and stakeholder engagement, we selected the option that best fit the needs of our district. We know that hiring a large number of specialized teachers by September wouldn’t have been feasible given the rapid growth that our district is experiencing, as well as the shortage of teachers in this province.

“We currently have 34 elementary teacher vacancies posted, 18 of which are for specialized teachers, like music. We need to balance all of this to ensure we can continue to provide safe and engaging learning environments for our students.

“If an individual school requires a different approach, as always, we would work with the school to navigate the situation.”

GIVEYOUR CHILDTHE BEST START TO THE REST OF HIS LIFEWITH AN RESP

Jatinder Bir. Photo: STA

Pattullo Bridge closed on Easter long weekend

THE Pattullo Bridge will be closed to traffic in both directions during the Easter long weekend to allow for work being conducted by the Government of British Columbia, as part of the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project.

The closure is necessary to complete work including soil densification activities, paving, and relocation of the seismic warning system. The warning system will be temporarily disconnected during this time and must be completed with no traffic on the bridge, to ensure the safety of motorists.

TransLink will also be conducting bridge work during this period, including speed sign relocation, line painting, concrete patching, and inspections requiring rope access onto the overhead bridge truss.

To ensure this work is conducted safely, a full Pattullo Bridge closure will be in place (both directions) from Thursday, April 6 at 10 p.m. until Tuesday, April 11 at 5 a.m. The bridge will remain open to pedestrians,

Unexplained wealth orders crackdown on organized crime

cyclists, and first responders at all times.

Pattullo Bridge users are encouraged to take the Port Mann or Alex Fraser bridges as alternatives. N19 NightBus trips affected by the closure will be rerouted over the Alex Fraser and Queensborough bridges between New Westminster and Scott Road stations. Customers should plan for up to 30 minutes of additional travel time.

Visit pattullobridgereplacement.ca for more information.

THE B.C. government announced on Thursday that it is targeting organized crime by creating a new suite of tools to seize proceeds of crime, such as fast cars, glamourous homes and luxury goods, making gang life unprofitable Government is making a number of amendments to the Civil Forfeiture Act, including the creation of unexplained wealth orders (UWOs). These orders will require people to explain how they acquired their assets if there is suspicion of unlawful activity. They are a powerful tool that will help the government pierce common moneylaundering techniques, such as hiding assets with family members or associates, and removing the benefits of organized crime.

“Money-laundering schemes have become increasingly sophisticated, and unexplained wealth orders will be a key tool in our toolbox to combat organized crime,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “By exposing property for forfeiture actions, we are removing this incentive and sending a clear message to anyone involved in organized crime that crime doesn’t pay.”

UWOs support government’s Safer Communities Action Plan and help target organized criminals responsible for a toxic drug supply that drives repeat violent offending by people with mental-health and addictions issues. UWOs help the Civil Forfeiture Office (CFO) build stronger cases against assets used in organized crime, drug trafficking and money laundering.

The amendments are based on recommendations from the Cullen Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia, which was released in June 2022. Other amendments include:

* making it easier to access information from public bodies and organizations such as real estate boards;

* targeting the illegal cannabis market;

* eliminating the limitation period on forfeiture proceedings; and

* making it easier to target financed vehicles.

“The Cullen Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering devoted considerable

attention to the forfeiture of assets and money that are the product of crime,” said Brock Martland, senior counsel to the Cullen Commission. “One of the keystone recommendations in the commissioner’s final report was that the provincial government implement unexplained wealth orders. It is heartening to hear that this is being done. I believe UWOs will prove a powerful and effective tool in combating and deterring money laundering and financial crime.”

The funds collected from the sale of forfeited assets support crime prevention and victim services programs and are also used for victim compensation. Since 2006, the CFO has disbursed $70 million in grants to support these programs.

“Unexplained wealth orders will be a very useful tool for the Civil Forfeiture Office to go after unlawfully obtained assets,” said Will Ng, Assistant Commissioner, Criminal Operations Officer, B.C. RCMP. “Every day police see the toll organized crime and money laundering take on communities across B.C., and by targeting ill-gotten proceeds of organized crime, we are making gang life less attractive. This legislation will disrupt and deter organized crime, keeping our neighbourhoods more secure and allowing the police to focus on other publicsafety issues.”

The Safer Communities Action Plan is strengthening enforcement to keep repeat violent offenders off the streets of British Columbia and strengthening services to build safe, healthy communities for everyone.

Mike Farnworth

Public registry would end hidden ownership in private

AMENDMENTS introduced to the Business Corporations Act will create a new, public registry for beneficial owners to give British Columbians more confidence that B.C. private companies are not being used for money laundering or other criminal purposes.

“We’ve all heard about money launderers using numbered companies and complex corporate structures to hide their illegal activities and identities,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Finance, on Wednesday. “By creating a registry for beneficial owners, we’re rooting out money laundering and strengthening how we detect, deter and relentlessly disrupt illegal activity in B.C.”

B.C.’s Expert Panel on Money Laundering in Real Estate report identified disclosure of beneficial ownership as the “single most important measure that can be taken to combat money laundering.”

This action expands on the existing requirement for private B.C. companies, incorporated under the act, to identify their beneficial owners and keep a list of these individuals in their corporate records. The registry is expected to be launched in 2025. Once it is up and running, businesses will be required to submit and confirm this information once per year and any time there is a significant change in ownership or control.

A centralized registry will provide law enforcement and other authorities with more efficient and timely access to information and give them access to information without the need to go directly to individuals for their corporate records. This change will prevent bad actors from being prematurely aware that they are being investigated.

By enabling the sharing of this information, the Province is setting up a foundation to support the establishment of a multijurisdictional beneficial ownership registry that can act as a single hub for corporate beneficial information.

“Money laundering isn’t a victimless crime – it fuels things like gang violence and the toxic drug crisis. We know money launderers work across jurisdictions –

making their illegal activities harder to detect,” Conroy said. “We look forward to working with cross-jurisdictional partners to further combat money laundering throughout Canada, and potentially beyond.”

Through the creation of the new registry, the B.C. government is acting on a recommendation from the Cullen Commission to create a publicly accessible cross-jurisdictional registry of corporate beneficial ownership.

Quick Facts:

* A beneficial owner is a person that holds, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the shares of a corporation.

* British Columbia is the second province, with Quebec as the first, to establish a central, partially public corporate beneficial ownership registry.

* The creation of a beneficial ownership registry builds on the Land Owner Transparency Registry, to help end hidden ownership by providing a clearer picture of who is purchasing land in British Columbia.

* The registry will follow similar privacy practices as the Land Owner Transparency Registry, and select only information that will be available to the public.

More youth with developmental disabilities get help finding work

YOUTH with developmental disabilities will get extra help to transition from school to work through a $2-million provincial grant.

Impact, run through the Delta Community Living Society, helps youth between 15 and 19 with developmental disabilities find employment through supports and services. As many as 360 more youth could get jobs through the three-year grant, which expands the program’s reach to 10 B.C. communities.

“We want youth with developmental disabilities to have work options where they are valued and can grow,” said Sheila Malcolmson, B.C. Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, on Wednesday. “We’re funding programs, like Impact, to help young people get jobs that matter to them.”

Impact and supporting youth with developmental disabilities is further supported through the recently released Re-imagining Community Inclusion Workplan, which was developed with community partners and people with lived experience. The workplan includes a 10-year vision that sees people with development disabilities thrive fully and equally, as well as work to ensure access to meaningful employment, while contributing to a more inclusive and barrier-free economy.

“Getting into the Impact program and get-

ting a paid job greatly increased my confidence in myself,” said Matt Pettengell. “I learned a lot of things about what it’s like to be employed by the government. I look forward to working at my job again this summer.”

The $2-million provincial grant to extend and expand Impact comes from the 202223 Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement. Under the agreement, the Province receives more than $300 million each year to fund employment services and supports, including those provided through the 102 WorkBC centres throughout the province.

Katrine Conroy

Sheila Malcolmson

Conservative Leader Poilievre: Trudeau’s $43-billion bonanza hurts hard-working Canadians

CONSERVATIVE Leader Pierre Poilievre on Tuesday slammed the Liberal Government’s Budget 2023, saying: “After eight years, Justin Trudeau’s inflationary taxes and spending have created a cost-of-living crisis that is hurting the hard-working people of this country. Conservatives demanded that this budget must work for the people who work.”

He said the Conservative Party had three clear demands:

1. Bring home lower prices by ending the inflationary deficits and spending.

2. Bring home powerful paycheques with lower taxes and scrap the carbon tax so hard work pays off again.

3. Bring homes people can afford by removing government gatekeepers to free up land and speed up building permits.

Poilievre said: “This budget meets none of these demands. It is a $43 billion bonanza of new inflation, debt and taxes. All that Justin Trudeau has delivered for Canadians is more debt, more inflation and more costs on the backs of the hard-working and beleaguered people of this country.”

He added: “During last year’s budget, [Finance] Minister [Chrystia] Freeland said she was ‘absolutely determined that our debtto-GDP ratio must continue to decline. Our deficits must continue to be reduced…This is our fiscal anchor. This is a line we shall not

cross. It will ensure that our finances remain sustainable.’ Here we are. A year later, Justin Trudeau has crossed that red line.

“Trudeau’s war on work continues. Canadians are living in desperation, skipping meals, living in their parent’s basements, unable to drive to work, falling into depression, and even considering suicide because they cannot afford the pressure and the bills that this Prime Minister has imposed after eight long years. This budget makes all of those pressures, all of those pains, and all those costs even worse.”

Poilievre said: “Conservatives work for those who work. And that’s why we will vote against Justin Trudeau’s inflationary budget.”

SURREY Mayor Brenda Locke’s Mounties are going to cost the City $30.85 million more – just for their back pay --- as the federal government will not cover that increase after their latest collective agreement.

The Vancouver Sun reported that the Mounties’ new agreement includes a $25,000 annual pay raise for sergeants and $20,000 for constables.

FEDERAL

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Tuesday released Budget 2023—A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future.

She said that Canada has made a remarkable recovery from the COVID recession and its economic growth was the strongest in the G7 over the last year, and today, 830,000 more Canadians are employed than before the pandemic.

Inflation in Canada has fallen for eight months in a row, the unemployment rate is near its record low, and, supported by a Canada-wide system of affordable early learning and child care, the labour force participation rate for women aged 25 to 54 reached a record high of 85.7 per cent in February, she noted.

Freeland said that the Budget 2023 builds on this important progress.

Through the new Grocery Rebate, Budget 2023 delivers targeted inflation relief for 11 million Canadians and families who need it most, with up to an extra $467 for eligible couples with children; an extra $234 for single Canadians without children; and an extra $225 for seniors, on average.

The government also takes action to crack down on hidden junk fees and predatory lending, lower credit card transaction fees for small businesses, and help Canadians keep more money in their pockets.

Freeland said that to strengthen Canada’s universal public health care system, Budget 2023 delivers $198.3 billion to reduce backlogs, expand access to family health services, and ensure provinces and territories can provide the high quality and timely health care Canadians expect and deserve.

In Budget 2023, the government also

introduces a new Canadian Dental Care Plan, to benefit up to nine million Canadians and ensure that no Canadian has to choose between taking care of their health and paying the bills at the end of the month. Budget 2023 makes transformative investments to build Canada’s clean economy, fight climate change, and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses and Canadian workers. This includes significant measures that will deliver cleaner and more affordable energy, support investment in our communities and the creation of good-paying jobs, and ensure that Canadian workers are able to produce and provide the goods and resources that Canadians and our allies need.

Freeland said that with a responsible fiscal plan that will see Canada maintain the lowest deficit and the lowest net debtto-GDP ratio in the G7, Budget 2023 will help to build a Canada that is more secure, more sustainable, and more affordable for people from coast to coast to coast.

Federal government: Budget will support a stronger middle class, an affordable economy, a healthy future for Canadians

Chrystia Freeland Photo: Twitter

Pierre Poilievre Photo: Twitter

Surrey-ites have to fork out over $30 million just for RCMP back pay

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke (right) with RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards.

NDP used its power in this minority government to make life better for people: MP Bonita Zarrillo

BONITA Zarrillo (MP for Port Moody-Coquitlam), federal NDP Critic for Disability Inclusion and Infrastructure and Communities and Deputy Health Critic, said this week: “In Budget 2023, the NDP used their power to secure the biggest Universal Healthcare expansion in a generation. The Dental Care plan is a big win for Canadians. By the end of this year seniors, persons with disabilities and all youth under 18 will be eligible. Seniors and the disabled community are two groups disproportionately impacted by poverty in this country and providing them with essential dental care will be life-changing for millions of Canadians. New Democrats are proud of this win.”

She added: “As the NDP Critic for Disability Inclusion I share the community’s disappointment that the Liberal promise for a Canada Disability Benefit did not materialize in this budget. The government has failed to live up to their commitment of financial support for persons with disabilities living in poverty. Persons with disabilities continue to be ignored by this government and an interim emergency benefit is now more urgent than ever as housing and food prices skyrocket.”

Zarrillo said in a statement: “The increasing price of food was top of mind for NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and the NDP Caucus as we pushed for another GST Rebate, which the Liberals accepted and branded as a “Grocery Rebate”. This is a win for Canadians and will help people pay their bills.

Housing was a big miss by the Liberal government in this budget. This shows that the government does not understand the urgency of the crisis happening in our communities. Fortunately, the NDP secured investment in Indigenous Housing in urban, rural and northern communities, yet more is needed. These communities are facing unprecedented challenges with affordable

TransLink commits to first real estate development project

TRANSLINK and PCI Developments (PCI) on Wednesday announced a new partnership to build a proposed mixed-used development near the future Arbutus SkyTrain Station, on West Broadway and Arbutus.

Located next to the future terminus of the Broadway Subway, an incoming bus loop, and the Arbutus Greenway mixed-use walking and cycling path – this is the first development under TransLink’s Real Estate Development Program. This transit-oriented development will improve people’s access to sustainable transportation options, generate new long-term funding for transit services, and provide much-needed housing options.

“This partnership will help us build a new transit-oriented community, where people can more easily take transit, walk, or cycle,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “This program will generate much-needed long-term revenue to expand and improve vital transit services, while aligning with local and provincial government goals to increase housing supply.”

TransLink and PCI own adjacent plots of land on the southeast corner of Arbutus and Broadway and have entered an equal development partnership. The proposed development would include:

* 30 storeys of mixed-use residential and commercial space

* Street-level retail and over 200 residential rental units, 20 per cent of which will be rented at below market rates and secured for moderate-income households

* Community space that will serve as the future home of the Ohel Ya’akov Community Kollel, a Jewish cultural, education, and neighbourhood centre

housing and homelessness. It is essential that a “For Indigenous, By Indigenous” strategy is developed in addressing these challenges.

“The work of the NDP has also resulted in new investments in a clean energy economy in budget 2023. These investments will create good-paying union jobs while tackling the climate crisis. As the Liberals continue to support fossil fuel subsidies the NDP have shown them how to transition to green econ-

omies and still support workers. The NDP will continue to stand alongside workers. My NDP colleagues and I have used our power in this minority government to make life better for people, and we will continue to use our power to support people as there is still more work to do.”

Chrystia Freeland Photo: Twitter

BC-India Business Network (BC-IBN) in partnership with the Consulate General of India in Vancouver, organized a members dinner on March 18 in Surrey. BC-IBN Founder and President Emeritus Vivek Savkur and President Sobhana Jaya-Madhavan welcomed and thanked the guests. Indian Consul General Manish made a presentation on opportunities in the education sector and the Year of the Millet. Dr. Mark Husbands, President and Chancellor of Trinity Western University spoke on his very first trip to India. He saw the potential India has in the education sector. For more information about BC-IBN visit bcibn.com.

South Asian Adults and Seniors Programs

* Yoga classes in person for members only at Shanti Niketan Hall at Lakshmi Narayan Temple, 8321 140 Street in Surrey conducted by yoga instructor Ashwini Bansal on every Monday and every Thursday from 10 to 11:15 a.m. on both days. This is only for participants who have been double vaccinated for COVID-19. They should bring facemasks and a yoga mat and maintain social distancing. Pure vegetarian lunch is served in the dining hall of the Temple to all seniors every Thursday after the yoga class. Please contact Surendra Handa Coordinator, Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre, at 604-507-9945 for registration and further information

* Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society of BC invites South Asian adults and senior members to play Bingo on the House on Sunday, April 2 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Shanti Niketan Hall. Please bring only 2 dollars with you for 2 games. Members will explain the game to you. Please maintain social distancing while seated for everyone’s safety. Tea and light snacks will be served.

For more stories and breaking news, please visit our website voiceonline.com WFALIAOODSA(W DIVISION OFALIA EL .)S NTERPRISESTDINURREY IS LOOKING FOR A DRIVER

Federal government to help employers hire skilled refugees, other displaced individuals

SEAN Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, on Monday announced during a keynote speech to business and sector leaders, NGOs and civil society organizations in Toronto that Canada will launch a new economic pathway under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) to help employers hire skilled refugees and other displaced individuals.

The EMPP pairs skilled refugees and other qualified displaced individuals with Canadian employers who need to overcome labour shortages in key occupations. This allows Canada to welcome vulnerable people, while giving Canadian employers access to an untapped talent pool from which they can attract and retain employees with the skills they need to help grow the economy.

The Government of Canada is expanding the EMPP by creating a new federal pathway. The new pathway, which will complement existing EMPP pathways, will open this summer.

The new federal pathway will give employers more opportunities to fill a wide range of indemand jobs, including nurse aides, personal support workers, long-term care aides, software engineers, web designers, mechanical and electrical engineers and technicians, teachers, tourism and hospitality workers, and truck and delivery service drivers.

The EMPP gives employers another avenue to address their labour market needs, while offering EMPP candidates an opportunity to restart their careers and their lives in safety with their families here in Canada.

In addition, the EMPP will now include a more flexible approach to eligibility by allowing other displaced people who lack a durable solution and are in need of international protection to apply.

As these individuals rebuild their lives and careers, they help fill gaps in the labour force, contribute to local economies, and enrich communities, according to the federal government.

More information on the new federal pathway, including eligibility criteria, will be available on the EMPP webpage in the coming weeks.

QUICK FACTS:

* Through the EMPP, seven NGO partners help skilled refugees overseas connect with employers who need to overcome critical labour shortages. Once candidates receive a job offer, they can apply to immigrate to Canada through existing regional economic programs. After the relevant province, territory or community approves the application, candidates can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence, using EMPP measures that remove barriers refugees may experience due to their displacement.

* The application process for the new federal pathway will be easier and faster thanks to standardized eligibility criteria and the fact that only one application needs to be submitted. In most cases, applications are expected to be processed within six months, so EMPP newcomers will be able to move to and start working in Canada quickly.

* EMPP facilitation measures include waiving some fees, making it easier to validate work experience, and letting candidates use loans to fund travel costs, settlement needs, start-up costs and fees that cannot be waived. An NGO partner provides lowinterest microloans to eligible EMPP candidates who do not have the minimum funds to meet settlement requirements.

* Canada has set ambitious targets for the EMPP—over the next few years, Canada will continue to expand it and welcome 2,000 qualified refugees and other displaced individuals to fill specific labour shortages in high-demand sectors, such as health care, skilled trades and information technology.

* NGO partners are working with provinces, territories and communities to engage employers across the country, for example by organizing job fairs to connect them to qualified candidates overseas.

* With the new federal pathway, employers will be able to hire refugees and other displaced people who qualify under any National Occupation Classification 2021 category (TEER 0–5).

* The Government of Canada will work closely with partner organizations and communities across the country to raise awareness of the new pathway among employers and sector leaders so they can factor skilled refugees and other qualified displaced people into their recruitment plans.

* The new pathway will build on ongoing measures to expand the pilot. In December 2022, IRCC announced new funding for partner organizations to build their capacity in key areas, for example by identifying qualified candidates overseas and supporting candidates and employers throughout the interview, hiring and immigration processes. Canada has also started rolling out a more flexible process with trusted partners to make it easier for qualified candidates to apply to the EMPP.

New images of Chinese Cultural Centre arson suspect released by Vancouver Police

VANCOUVER Police on Thursday released new images of a suspected arsonist who caused thousands of dollars in smoke and water damage to the Chinese Cultural Centre last weekend.

“Arson investigators from our Major Crime Section have been working since Sunday to collect evidence in this case, and we’re now releasing these images with hopes someone recognizes the suspect,” said Constable Tania Visintin. “This fire caused extensive smoke and water damage to the building, and it has been extremely upsetting to the community. Thankfully, no one was injured.”

Vancouver Police and Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services responded to reports of a fire in the rear lane of the Chinese Cultural Centre just before 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 26.

VPD detectives worked with VFRS investigators to determine the cause of the fire, and launched a criminal investigation once it was determined that it was deliberately set. During that investigation, VPD uncovered video that appears to show one woman allegedly setting the fire.

“We are asking anyone who recognizes this woman to call our investigators,” said Visintin.

Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604-7172541, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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Sean Fraser. Photo: Twitter

Changes to Family Law Act will make it easier for separating couples, says Province

PROPOSED amendments to the Family Law Act will clarify the law around pets, property and pensions to better meet the modern-day needs of separating couples, the Province said on Monday.

“Going through a separation or divorce can be an incredibly difficult experience,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “To help make life easier for couples going through a separation, we’re introducing amendments to the Family Law Act that better reflect the priorities and values of people today, including making sure the important role pets play in families is considered in the separation process.”

If passed, the amendments will provide more guidance for parties and judges when determining how to address ownership and possession of pets. The act will require

consideration of factors such as each person’s ability and willingness to care for the animal and the relationship a child has with it, as well as if there is a risk of family violence, threat of cruelty to an animal, and more.

“These amendments reflect how pets are valued as unique family members by society rather than as inanimate property like furniture,” said V. Victoria Shroff, animal law specialist at Shroff and Associates. “Having relevant factors to consider for these difficult decisions will bring more clarity and is a welcome change.”

Another amendment will make it easier to equitably divide property by preventing the use of the outdated principle of the “presumption of advancement” to decide how property is divided under the act.

TransLink’s Municipal Funding Program will benefit 20 communities

TWENTY communities across Metro Vancouver will benefit from TransLink’s Municipal Funding Program in 2023.

The $128 million program consists of 106 infrastructure projects, including improvements to greenways, cycling paths, walkways, multi-use paths, bridges and roads, in addition to maintenance of the Major Road Network.

Through the Municipal Funding Program, TransLink contributes up to 75 percent of funding for upgrades benefitting local governments throughout the region. For projects improving the efficiency of bus operations or some priority cycling infrastructure, TransLink funds up to 100 percent of the project costs.

This program is funded by TransLink and is part of the 2022 Investment Plan, supported by the Government of British Columbia. Examples of infrastructure improvements being funded from this program include:

• Surrey Nicomeckl Bridge Upgrade ($2 million) Replace existing bridge structure due to sea level rise

• VancouVer Arbutus Greenway–Kerrisdale ($1.75 million)

Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, said: “Developing and improving cycling paths, walkways, bridges, and roads is important to ensure more families have safe and convenient ways to travel every day. This infrastructure means people can more easily choose to walk, cycle or roll instead of driving, which reduces traffic congestion, makes roads safer, improves air quality and leads to a healthier and more sustainable community.”

Cycling and walking improvements along the 8.5-kilometre Arbutus Greenway

• coquitlam

Guildford Multi-Use Pathway: City Centre to Port Moody ($1.16 million)

Extending the Guildford Greenway from Port Moody to Pinetree Way

In total, the 106 investments consist of 62 walking, cycling and multi-use paths, an additional 31 roads, structures, and bus speed upgrades and overall operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of the Major Road Network.

Historically, this principle applied only to property transferred from husband to wife,

not a wife to their husband, or between same-sex spouses or unmarried spouses.

“Times have changed, so it’s important that our legislation does as well. During a separation, outdated presumptions aren’t helpful in solving today’s challenges and only serve to remind us of the inequities deeply rooted in society,” said Kelli Paddon, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity. “Removing the presumption of advancement reaffirms that we’re taking action to build a better, more inclusive province for everyone.”

Changes to the act also include updates to sections that govern the division of pensions to align with the current practice of pension-plan administrators based on recommendations from a BC Law Institute (BCLI) report.

Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society’s ambitious goal: 100 new drivers region-wide in 100 days

Since starting with just a handful of drivers in 2016, the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society (VCDS) has expanded its service exponentially throughout the Lower Mainland. With an urgent need for more volunteers, it has set a goal of seeking “100 new drivers region-wide in the next 100 days”.

VCDS delivered 6,000 rides at no cost to cancer patients in its startup year. The demand has been trending upward ever since and is forecast to reach 29,000 ride requests this year.

VCDS has recruited almost 350 member drivers, largely from the eastern side of the region, south of the Fraser and in the Fraser Valley. All of them volunteer their time and are offered a vehicle allowance by VCDS to help cover car costs.

But only one-fifth of those drivers are in the City of Vancouver, while the BC Cancer outpatient centre there and nearby VGH Blackmore Pavilion account for almost half of all the rides VCDS provides.

“We’re grateful for each and every one of the volunteer drivers who help us with this vital need,” says Bob Smith, President of the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society. “Many cancer pa-

tients can’t get to their appointments on their own due to any number of factors including age, medical condition, having no nearby family members or an inability to drive. With the growth of our program, we simply need more volunteers. If we could get ‘100 drivers in the next 100 days’, we’d be in much better shape.

“Perhaps Vancouver residents have fewer cars per capita, or it might be demographics. But whatever it is, we need more drivers right across the Lower Mainland, and especially in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and the Tri-Cities. Otherwise, we’re forced to dispatch drivers from other areas like Surrey or the North Shore. For a not-for-profit like us, we need to avoid the extra time and cost of those kinds of trips.

“We believe access to essential cancer treatment shouldn’t be an additional burden for cancer patients and their families,” Smith adds. “We are dedicated to helping all cancer patients in need, so we really need help from more drivers.”

Anyone wishing to become a volunteer driver can find more information at volunteercancerdrivers.ca.

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Niki Sharma

Province takes actions to prevent shortage of diabetes drug

THE Province said on Tuesday that it is taking actions to ensure that diabetes patients in B.C. do not experience a shortage of the diabetes drug semaglutide (Ozempic) in an environment where surging demand in some jurisdictions is creating shortages.

Ozempic is an injectable prescription drug designed to treat Type 2 diabetes mellitus and contains the active ingredient semaglutide. To date, British Columbia has not experienced any shortages of the drug.

B.C.’s PharmaNet data indicates that an unusually high percentage of the dispenses of Ozempic are being purchased by U.S. patients from pharmacies located in British Columbia. In January and February 2023, 15% or 15,798 of Ozempic dispenses in B.C. were sold to U.S. residents. U.S. residents made up 19% or 12,816 of all patients who were dispensed the drug by a pharmacy in the province. The average of other drugs sold to Americans is 0.4%.

“The purpose of procuring the drug Ozempic for British Columbia is not to turn around and export it to Americans. It is to make sure patients in British Columbia and Canada requiring the drug to treat their Type 2 diabetes can continue to access it,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “For this reason, we are taking action to ensure Type 2 diabetes patients maintain access to Ozempic.”

To protect the supply of this drug for residents of B.C. and Canada who need it, the Province intends to amend regulations to limit the sale or dispensing of Ozempic to non-Canadian residents in situations where there are potential supply issues.

BC PharmaCare provides limited coverage for Ozempic as a second line therapy for Type 2 diabetes to help patients manage blood sugar levels when metformin, another diabetes drug, is not effective. Ozempic is not approved for weight loss. Given the significant dispensing volumes, the Ministry of Health is asking the respective colleges to ensure that physicians prescribing and pharmacies dispensing Ozempic are compliant with the product’s approved indication and

Vancouver’s single-use cup by-law and cup fee repealed effective May 1

VANCOUVER City Council on Tuesday enacted a by-law that repeals all singleuse beverage cup requirements from License By-law No. 4450.

Effective May 1, businesses will no longer be required to:

* Charge a minimum of 25 cents on single-use beverage cups;

* Report the number of single-use beverage cups when renewing their business licence;

* Accept customers’ clean reusable cups for drinks ordered in-store.

Food vendors are encouraged to remove the cup fee from their in-store, online, and mobile point of sale systems, menus and receipts by May 1.

their customers and employees, the City will be updating posters, toolkits, FAQs and making these available online or via mail.

The repeal of the cup requirements in License By-Law No. 4450 does not impact existing by-laws for shopping bags, straws, utensils and foam cups/ containers.

The City encourages businesses to continue adopting reusable options to reduce single-use cup waste, including:

* Accepting reusable cups for all hot and cold drinks (in-store, mobile apps, and drive-thrus) and offering discounts to customers who bring in their own cup

that they are meeting the colleges’ clinical practice requirements for prescribing and dispensing medications.

Increasingly, U.S. customers are turning to Canadian online pharmacies to buy drugs at prices lower than can be obtained domestically. Currently, pharmacies in B.C. can fill prescriptions for patients written by U.S. doctors if they are co-signed by a Canadian practitioner.

The data indicates that two B.C. pharmacies were responsible for 13,197 of the 15,798 dispenses to U.S. residents, which represents 88% of all dispenses to U.S. residents in January and February 2023. Of these prescriptions, 95% were written by one or more prescribers who identified themselves as a practitioner from Nova Scotia.

“The number of prescriptions emanating from one or more practitioners in Nova Scotia is concerning. As a direct result of the review of PharmaNet data, I am writing to all provincial and territorial health ministers in Canada, as well as the Minister of Health for Canada, Jean-Yves Duclos, to review and take appropriate actions,” Dix said.

City staff are taking steps in the coming weeks to inform businesses, residents and other impacted stakeholders regarding this change. A letter explaining the repeal of the cup requirements will be sent to all Vancouver food vendors with information on how to get help in other languages. To help food vendors communicate these by-law changes to

* Serving drinks ordered to stay in reusable cups

* Offering returnable cups that customers can borrow for drinks ordered to go

Staff will be reporting back to Council by end of 2023 with recommendations for potential policies and strategies to help reduce single-use cups.

Adrian Dix Photo: BC Government

Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer: “An INDYCAR Wolf!

Review by Veeno Dewan

Markham, ON - While hybrid power units officially debut in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2024, race fans and car enthusiasts alike will be treated to a “sneak preview” of the incoming technology with the debut of the Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer at Aprils seasonopening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

“It’s kind of an INDYCAR ‘beast’ in Honda CR-V ‘sheep’s clothing’,” said David Salters,

Nissan Ariya unveiled for epic Pole to Pole expedition Adventure

of America Racing Team (HART) group at ADC, the CR-V Hybrid Racer places a 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged, electrified Honda V6 INDYCAR power unit and transmission under 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid bodywork to create the “rolling laboratory” for the continued development of electrified technology by Honda and HPD. The CR-V Hybrid Racer runs on Shell’s 100% renewable race fuel: and features world-leading Skeleton Supercapacitors and Empel MGU hybrid motor technology.

Review by Veeno Dewan

REYKJAVIK, Iceland – Set amongst Arcticlike conditions, the Pole to Pole expedition team and Nissan recently unveiled an adventure-ready version of the new Ariya electric SUV, which will undertake a 27,000km trip from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole.

president and technical director for Honda Performance Development, the North American racing arm of American Honda and Acura. “This project is our ‘rolling electrified laboratory,’ to investigate where the talented men and women of HPD and Honda could go with electrification, hybrid technology and 100% renewable fuels. It epitomizes Honda’s fun-to-drive ethos, showcases electrification and it just rocks our car culture roots and racing heritage! We present the CR-V Hybrid Racer – aka ‘The HPD Beast’!”

Conceived and designed at Honda Performance Development (HPD) in California and built at Honda Automotive Development Center (ADC) in Ohio by the Honda

While under development, the project carried the appropriate code name “The Beast,” with looks reminiscent of the silhouette GT racing and Group B rally cars of the 1980s and ‘90s. But the technology under the skin is strictly 21st century.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer strengthens the connections between HPD, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Honda passenger vehicles; creates additional awareness around the new INDYCAR hybrid powertrain coming in 2024; showcases the fun and power available from Honda electrified powertrains; and spotlights the innovation, creativity and capabilities of both Honda Performance Development and Honda Automotive Development Center.

During this epic adventure aiming to kick off this March, the Ariya will need to cope with breath-taking but extreme terrains and environments, including ice fields, deep snow, steep mountain climbs and inhospitable desert dunes. Arctic Trucks, specialists in polar expedition vehicles, have collaborated with Nissan design and engineering teams to prepare the Ariya for these tough conditions.

Modifications to the car have been intentionally minimal, with no changes to the battery or powertrain, but the most recognisable difference is the adaption of the suspension and addition of 39-inch tyres. When coupled with e-4ORCE, Nissan’s advanced electric all-wheel-control technology, these modifications will enable the expedition car to tackle extreme terrains whilst giving Chris and Julie the necessary comfort and control to reach the South Pole.

Chris Ramsey, Pole to Pole EV Expedition

Leader, commented: “One of the things that underpins all the adventures we do is that we take a standard production EV and aim to make minimal changes to clearly demonstrate its real, everyday capabilities, regardless of where you are driving it. Our Nissan Ariya is no different as the vehicle’s drivetrain and battery has remained factory standard, demonstrating just how capable and versatile the production Ariya is. We’ve modified the suspension and widened the wheel arches so we can benefit from the stable platform and support of the 39-inch BF Goodrich tyres. I’m incredibly excited to get behind the wheel of what was already a brilliant vehicle, but now feels equipped to take on the ends of the earth in style!”

Julie Ramsey, co-driver on Pole to Pole, commented: “The planning and preparation for Pole to Pole has been such a big part of our lives over the past four years so I am really looking forward to getting the expedition underway in March. We’re going to discover so many interesting initiatives from communities and individuals who are taking positive action against climate change and I’m looking forward to sharing these experiences and stories with everyone. We are doing something that has never been attempted before, a world-first, and ultimately that is what makes it so exciting.”

Until Branches Bend (PG) ****

Standing Tall!

I, Sehajleen Kaur Saini, daughter of Gurvinder Jit Singh Saini, holder of Indian Passport No. U7810690, issued at Chandigarh, on 17/11/2020, resident of H.No. 43, Jeewan Preet Nagar near octroi Post, Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana, PIN: 141012, Punjab, India and presently residing at 13342 79 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3w 8H4, do hereby change my name from Sehajleen Kaur to Sehajleen Kaur Saini, with immediate effect.

How nice it is for a Canadian movie to be eventful. Wonders never cease to amaze me. Why even more impressively Telefilm Canada got it right by helping finance Until Branches Bend. Besides helping local film crews get work this small town Canada tale has lots of gravitas and heart. At its core it shows just how one person can make a difference. Stand up and believe in your convictions is one of the main themes

raised in this jarring drama from Pender PR definitely worth checking out at the Vancouver International Film Centre on Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver and certain other local theatres. Go to VIFF.org to find showtimes. Made in the Erin Brockovich spirit without all the glamour of Pretty Woman Julia Roberts Until Branches Bend spends a day ( or month or two) in the life of small town resident Robin. Portraying this blue collar worker is Grace Gowicky in a starmaking performance. We all know how life in a small town can be. So when Robin “accidentally” discovers some wrongdoing she is front and Centre as all those community pressures come a tumbling down on this lone crusader.

Besides trying to expose some nefarious goings on in her picturesque Town in British Columbia’s scenic Okanagan Valley Robin also has a score of personal issues to deal wife. With friendships starting to unravel this woman must make some life-altering choices which will have audiences waiting with baited breath to see the outcomes.

Original, effective and emotional Until Branches Bend proves that sometimes home grown talent and a local story can grip you and has both National and international resonance. In short, this a terrific little small town drama from going places director Sophie Jarvis that wears its heart on it’s sleeve and ranks high in the inspiring do the right thing message.

Wanted for:Breach of Release Order

CRIMEOFTHEWEEK

CRCMP HILLIWACKSEEKINGSUSPECTS ANDVEHICLESFOLLOWINGSHOOTING UnsolvedCrime:Shooting;Date:March26th,2023;Location:Chilliwack;Details:File#11336

TheChilliwackRCMPisseeking publichelpafterashootingnear the Vedder Rotary Loop Trai parkinglotonSaturdaynightthat lefttwopeopleinjured.

OnMarch25,2023at approximately8:15p.m.police respondedtomultiplereportsofa disturbancefollowedbya number ofgunshotsattheentrancetothe Rotar yTrailparkjustsouthof PeachavenueinChilliwack.When policearrived,theyfoundtwo victimswithmultiplegunshot wounds.

Policeimmediatelyappliedfirst aiduntilEmergencyHealt h Servicesarrived.Thevictimswere transporte dtoh ospitalwith seriousinjuries. Whiletheinvestigationisinthe

earlystages,theChilliwackRCMP believetheincidentwastargeted andmaybelinkedtotheongoing LowerMainlandGangconflict. Policearelookingforanyonewith informationonawhiteDodge Ram pickuptruckseentravellingtoand fromtheareaaroundthetimeof theshooting.

Ifanyonehasanyinformation ontheshootingorhasdashcam/ CCTVvideofootagefromthearea aroundthattime,theyareaskedto calltheChilliwackRCMP604792-4611

Phone: 604-502-6100

Fax: 604-501-6111

Email: voiceclassified@gmail.com

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Ramdasia Sikh Mehton family seeks a suitable match for their son, 29 yr., 5-11 tall, post graduated, handsome, non-smoker, non drinker from an educated family working as sale manager in India. The girl should be Canadian citizen /PR / work permit, educated and beautiful. Sister with family is well settled in Canada. Contact: 6045056176 or write2rkj@gmail. com.

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A Saraswat brahim Canadian citizen 27 year old living in Port Coquitlam, BC is looking for a decent girl. Boy is working as appliances technician. Horoscope 12 December 1995, Time 10:35am, 5 ft 9 in, POB Ludhiana. Contact 6049997125.

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Seeking a beautiful girl for a Ramgarhia boy, Canadian Citizen, brought up in India, 36, 5’11”, commercial pilot, based in Vancouver, never married. Girl should be from a respected family, Canadian Citizen/PR from Surrey/Vancouver region, tall, educated, respectful to elders, and loving towards the family members. For more information, contact 604-729-8123.

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Sikh Family looking a suitable match for their handsom, 29 old years old son, 5;10”, well settled in a government job. Girl should be a Canadian PR or citizenship. Work permit will also be considered. Caste no bar. Please contact 604-562-4473. *********

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Well settled Punjabi Aggarwal boy, 5’-10” 74 born, issueless divorcee, USA Citizen, Own logistics business in California looking for a Hindu girl. Please Contact at 925-200-6838 (whatsapp) Email: manish_22us@yahoo.com

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Seeking a suitable match for Amritsar’s very beautiful, 5’6”, dentist, 31 years old girl. The boy must be handsome and a permanent resident of Canada. Girl’s siblings are settled in Canada and parents are also in Canada who can help her in every possible ways. For more details, please contact: 778-708-2931 or 011919872745614

Ramdasia Sikh Mehton family seeks a suitable match for their son, 29 yr., 5-11 tall, post graduated, handsome, non-smoker, non drinker from an educated family working as sale manager in India. The girl should be Canadian citizen /PR / work permit, educated and beautiful. Sister with family is well settled in Canada. Contact: 6045056176 or write2rkj@gmail.com.

Sikh Family looking for a suitable match for their Canadian born, good looking girl. Age 29, and 5’7” tall. Boy should be Canadian Citizen and able to speak good English as well. Call 7782226692.

Looking for educated working professional as suitable match for well educated Hindu female (‘81 Canadian born, never married) working with government. Caste no bar. Connect at m23vancouver@gmail.com

Hindu Punjabi Parents are looking a suitable match for their daughter, 29 years old, 5’6”, beautiful, well educated, permanent resident, lives in Surrey. Boy should be well educated and a Canadian Permanent Resident. For more information: please contact 778388-5008 *********

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Suitable match for a Saraswat Brahmin girl, 31 years old, 5’3”, Birthtime: 5:30 PM, diploma in computer Engg., BSCIT, MCA, MA in English. Contact: +91-9780616051 (India), +1-604-999-7125. We consider Divorce too. We need Canadian PR or Citizen boy. *********

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Ecosystem Biodiversity Important to Human Health and Nutrition COMMON SENSE HEALTH

THE routine of modern-day life for most of us involves regular trips to the grocery store and three meals a day. The regular patterns of our diet can be a source of comfort or a rushed necessity. But is eating the same familiar foods – often the same recipes, products, brands, over and over, day by day – good for us?

As nutritious as a “well-balanced” diet may be, there are good reasons to strive for a more diverse diet.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the acclaimed Nigerian writer, was not referring to plant and animal ecosystems when she wrote, “Diversity is not about feeling included, it’s about feeling valued.” Yet, she’d surely agree. Unless biodiversity is valued, it will lose ground, quite literally.

Now, new research is showing that valuing diversity in the natural world has important implications for human health.

A study in the journal PNAS examines the relationship between aquatic biodiversity and human health. Researchers found that aquatic ecosystems, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, provide a wide range of nutritional benefits to human populations.

According to the study, consuming a diet that includes a variety of fish, seaweed, and other aquatic foods can help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, these foods are rich in important nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, and iron, which are essential for human health.

The researchers also found that consuming a diverse range of aquatic foods can have positive impacts on the environment. By promoting the consumption of a wider range of fish and other aquatic foods, fisheries and aquaculture can diversify their operations and reduce pressure on overfished species.

Protecting the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems is essential for continued access to nutritional benefits. Yet, climate change and human activities have already impacted the health of the world’s water. Conservation and sustainable use simply haven’t been the priority.

Land surfaces, where humans live, haven’t fared any better. Scientists are concerned about the health of the soil, grasses, and forbs that many animal species depend on for their dietary nutrition.

Dr. Forest Isbell, professor of ecology at the University of Minnesota, notes, “Land use changes and overexploitation are driving changes in biodiversity and ecosystems in many parts of the world.”

Isbell has closely read the research published in PNAS and thinks the findings are likely to be replicated in other ecosystems. He’s involved in studies that test the effects of biodiversity in grasslands that provide essential forage for grazing livestock. “It’s an important question,” he says. “Due to widespread farming and overgrazing by livestock, we have seen significant biodiversity loss in many grasslands. Just as people benefit from a diverse diet, so too do our livestock. By studying how biodiversity of grasses affects nutritional content of forage for herd animals, for example, we will be better able to inform policies and practices designed to protect land-based ecosystems.”

Human health depends on a diverse diet that delivers vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, water, and carbohydrates. It’s essential to place high value on the availability and quality of these components, as demonstrated by growing evidence of a vital relationship ecosystem biodiversity and human health.

Sadly, a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that 95 percent of the calories consumed worldwide come from a mere 30 species. Farmers cultivate only about 150 of the

30,000 edible plant species. And 90 percent of the food from domesticated livestock comes from only 14 animals.

What can health-conscious consumers do? In the next trip to the grocery store, think about the choices and try pick out a diverse range of foods, including from

aquatic sources. Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_ gifford_jones

Diana

writes in collaboration with her father under the pen name, Diana Gifford-Jones. Diana is Special Advisor with The Aga Khan University. She worked for ten years in the Human Development sectors at the World Bank, including health policy and economics, nutrition, and population health.

Dr. Ken WalKer (GifforD-Jones) is a graduate of the University of Toronto and The Harvard Medical School. He trained in general surgery at the Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University and in Gynecology at Harvard.

MacKay

How Trump's indictment will play out in court

New York (IANS): Millions of Americans, who support or hate former President Donald Trump, wonder how his indictment by a grand New York jury of a lower Manhattan court on "tax fraud" and "hush money" to an adult star play out in court -- like any defendant or look very different.

Most Republicans in the GOP from former Vice-President Mike Pence to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who has been at the but end of severe and harsh criticism by Trump, however, have rallied round Trump denouncing the sealed indictment by the jury as "political persecution: Trump and his son Eric, Vice- President of the Trump businesses, have called the indictment a political witch-hunt".

Most GOP members feel the indictment would brighten Trump's dim prospects of nomination in the primaries for the 2024 presidential run, media report said.

A CNN report said that the Manhattan grand jury's indictment of Trump will set in motion a criminal process that will in some ways work like that of any other defendant, and in other ways, look very different.

In the US when a person is indicted, the charges are sometimes kept under seal until the defendant makes his first appearance in court. At present, the charges against the former President voted for indictment and trial by the grand jury of New York are under a sealed envelope and kept secret, though a 30-minute testimony has been leaked.

A spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that Trump's attorney has been contacted to coordinate his

surrender before the court.

"Trump's lawyer has been informed that the District Attorney's Office notice for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment will remain under seal. Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected," Bragg added in a statement.

A first appearance in court in US courts are usually public proceedings and in some cases the facility for self-surrender for the defendant is made with his lawyers. That's voluntarily turning themselves into law enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, the New York police has been issued an internal memo to be ready in uniform to be on duty when the possible surrender takes place, media reports said.

The country is said to be on the edge and going into a frenzy with supporters, with actions similar to January 6 when Trump makes his appearance in court.

Trump's attorneys were informed of the grand jury's vote shortly after the indictment was publicly reported. Trump will in all probability be given the allowance of turning himself in voluntarily, according to multiple sources quoted by CNN.

Proceedings in a first appearance of a defendant, as in Trump this case, can vary entirely.

A first appearance is also considered an arraignment, when a plea is expected to be entered. Release conditions are discussed -- such as travel restrictions or home confinement -- at a first appearance and defendants are informed of their rights. The lawyers for the government and the defendant also often enter their appearance at this stage of the court proceedings, media reports said.

Trump is not likely to be treated differently or given extra privileges because he is a former President, but he will have to go through the same processes that any defendant must go through when a charge is brought.

However, Trump's status as a former President and nominee for the 2024 Presidential run will invite additional security. Whatever travel Trump must take for his arraignment will need to be coordinated with the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies, reports said. Those conversations between the Secret Service, the US Marshals Service and the New York Police Department have

already begun, a senior NYPD source told CNN.

Meanwhile, Trump, who wants to turn his arrest or surrender as a public spectacle to garner sympathy among his supporters and possible voters, has told his advisers that he wants to be handcuffed when he makes his appearance in court, should the indictment follow suit in the hush money case involving an adult star Stormy Daniels in the 2016 pre- poll campaign.

Trump believes if he has to go to the courthouse to surrender, he would be fingerprinted and have a mugshot taken for police records, the sources close to him said, he may as well turn everything into a "spectacle".

Trump's insistence for being handcuffed for a perp walk arises from reasoning that he wants to project a certain strong defiance against an unfair prosecution hoping that would galvanize his base for his 2024 presidential campaign.

People close to Trump said that at the same time Trump was deeply anxious of special arrangements -- his first court appearance -- by video link or his skulking into the court room would render him weak and project him as a loser.

Trump's legal team has balked at his personal appearance asking he be allowed to quietly turn himself in next week in a scheduled remote appearance. Lawyers cited guidance from his Secret Service detail about potential security concerns.

Media reports said Trump told various allies over the weekend that he didn't care if someone shot him -- he would become "a martyr".

Trump added if he got shot he would probably win the presidency in 2024, the sources said.

Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh appears in new video while on the run; close aide Papalpreet no longer with him

Jalandhar (Punjab): Khalistan sympathizer

Amritpal Singh who is on the run appeared in a new video just a day after he had released his first video, according to Indian media.

In his first video he had claimed he was in high spirits. In his second video he asserted he was not afraid of being arrested – probably because he has been mocked as a coward who had run away.

Amritpal remains untraceable since March 18, when he gave the slip to a police dragnet in Jalandhar, switching cars and changing appearances.

This has proved to be a huge embarrassment to Indian police and intelligence services – both federal and state. It has become some kind of a joke. Many wonder why it took so long for the state and federal governments to take action against Amritpal Singh.

Amritpal Singh in his video stressed he was not a fugitive and would soon appear before everyone. He termed his 13-day escape from the police as a ‘period of revolt’.

The Facebook live video came out on Thursday evening, five hours after he released an audio message at around 4 pm. Unlike Wednesday, he did not wrap a shawl around him and is seen in a white kurta and black turban.

“Those who feel that I have turned fugitive and I have left my associates, they should not keep this illusion in their mind. I do not fear death,” he said in Punjabi.

“And soon I will appear before the world and will also be amongst the ‘Sangat’,” he said, according to the Tribune newspaper of Punjab.

In the video, Amritpal again made an appeal to Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Harpreet Singh, for holding a ‘vaheer’ from Akal Takht, Amritsar, and conclude it at Damdama Sahib on Baisakhi by holding Sarbat Khalsa there on that day.

“This is your testing time. The Sikh community is watching as to how serious you are for their cause. You face blame for

your affiliations to a family. But this is the time to get out of such blame,” he said.

Amritpal said he would surely come out in public soon. He trashed the views of some people that he could get his hair shorn again. He stated, “I will get my head removed before I do that”.

“We should understand that today is the time for the entire community to come together,” he added, calling for “unity” among Sikh bodies.

He also referred to some media reports suggesting that he had put conditions for his surrender, including that he should not be subjected to torture. He has not spoken to anyone over offering arrest, and there have been no conditions put by him, the fugitive said.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has informed the Akal Takht that almost all the people taken into preventive custody – 348 out of 360 – during the crackdown against Amritpal Singh and his ‘Waris Punjab De’ outfit have now been released.

MEANWHILE, Papalpreet Singh, the close aide of Amritpal Singh, is learnt to have gone on a different route since the Innova

SUV they were travelling in from Phagwara to Hoshiarpur got intercepted on March 28 evening, Indian media reported.

As the intelligence teams of the Punjab Police started chasing them from Rawalpindi police station on that evening while they were on their way to an interview with a news channel in Hoshiarpur, the four persons on board abandoned the Innova car outside a gurdwara in Marnaian village, scaled a wall and fled away.

While Amritpal Singh and another person fled towards one side, Papalpreet and driver Joga Singh ran in another direction. While the police kept on searching the village, Papalpreet and Joga Singh took refuge in a dera at Hoshiarpur.

The police have gathered a CCTV footage of Papalpreet casually walking within the compound of this dera and connecting link roads on March 29 morning. Having found clues to their stay in Hoshiarpur itself, the police teams used drones to track any suspicious movement in the area but it perhaps was quite late.

The police officials said that from fresh leads emerging, Papalpreet and Joga Singh had moved towards Sahnewal. Here too

they had a stopover at a gurdwara. While Joga Singh is learnt to have been detained (on the basis of phone location that he kept on using), Papalpreet has reportedly escaped yet again.

Notably, Joga Singh was the driver of the Scorpio getaway vehicle from the gurdwara in Uttarakhand and had brought Amritpal and Papalpreet back to Punjab, the Tribune newspaper said.

Police sources said Amritpal had escaped from the spot on foot and he too could be in a dera. Since he could not join Papalpreet while on the run, he kept releasing his audio and video messages. The video has been shot by Amritpal on selfie mode since he reportedly is alone at some location and has been desperately pleading Akal Takht jathedar for announcing Sarbat Khalsa.

The cops who have been tracking him closely and following all the developments are of the opinion that it would be easier to catch Amritpal now since he has lost his mastermind. He could be at loss of resources and make a mistake. They, however, did not also rule out the probability of both somehow getting together and plan their next moves.

Amritpal Singh

Papalpreet at a dera.

Federal Budget Lacks Meaningful Housing Supply Initiatives

On March 28, 2023, federal Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland announced the 2023 Federal Budget which focused on inflation relief for lowincome families and incentives for the green economy.

The Budget outlined several housing-related measures but fell short of what is needed to improve housing attainability for Canadians.

Below are the highlights from the federal 2023 Budget affecting the housing sector.

Consumer Protection and Home Buyer Assistance

Measures

As of April 1, 2023, financial institutions will be able to start offering the Tax-Free First Home Savings Account to Canadians.

The federal government has committed to consulting on changes required to remove regulatory barriers for homebuyers from diverse communities seeking access to alternative financing products.

Through the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, the Feds have also published a guideline to protect Canadians with mortgages who are facing

exceptional circumstances.

They propose provision of $31.7 million over three years, starting in 2023-24, to Public Safety Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to work with the Department of Finance Canada to create a low-cost flood insurance program, aimed at protecting households at high risk of flooding and without access to adequate insurance.

Budget 2023 proposes to provide $15.3 million over three years, starting in 202324, to Public Safety Canada to create a publicly accessible online portal where Canadians can access information on their exposure to flooding.

The federal government also reiterated their commitment to tackling the financialization of housing through existing measures and remains committed to developing a Home Buyers’ Bill of Rights, stating they will work with provinces and territories to create this plan.

Housing Supply Measures

The recent announcement also included the stated intent to support the reallocation

of funding from the National Housing Co-Investment Fund’s repair stream to its new construction stream, as needed, to boost the construction of new affordable homes for the Canadians who need them most.

Budget 2023 proposes to commit an additional $4 billion, over seven years, starting in 2024-25, to implement a codeveloped Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy.

While BCREA welcomes the federal Budget 2023 housing initiatives, the details of their implementation are yet to be determined, and there remains a notable lack of meaningful supply-side solutions to significantly improve housing attainability for Canadians.

BCREA will continue to advocate for more impactful supply-related solutions and proactive, fulsome reliance on sectoral expertise to inform government housing policy.

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