Indo-Canadian Voice Main - Apr 29 2023

Province “strongly” recommends transitioning to Surrey Police Service

McCallum thanks Province for supporting SPS transition and ensuring no tax increases

THE Province on Friday announced that it is “strongly” recommending the City of Surrey continue its transition to the Surrey Police Service, because it ensures public safety for people in Surrey and throughout British Columbia, while offering financial assistance to protect Surrey taxpayers.

The recommendation comes after a systematic report by the director of police services concerning plans put forward by

the City of Surrey, RCMP and the Surrey Police Service (SPS). Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has agreed that the best way to achieve public safety in B.C., especially given the ongoing RCMP vacancy challenges, while putting this difficult time behind Surrey, is with a municipal police force.

Currently, there are approximately 1,500 RCMP vacancies

FORMER Surrey mayor Doug McCallum on Friday thanked the Province of British Columbia and Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth for making the “right decision” to recommend continuing with the transition to the Surrey Police Service (SPS), a move that McCallum calls a victory for the people of Surrey and believes is in the best interest of Surrey and its taxpayers.

“The Province has recognized that the transition to SPS is the best option for Surrey and the entire province,” said McCallum. “I want to thank Minister Farnworth and the Province for their support in this important matter. With the ongoing RCMP vacancy challenges, it is clear that a municipal police force is the best way to ensure public safety in our community.”

McCallum also emphasized that it is time for the City to

move forward and focus on implementing the SPS. He said: “The people of Surrey deserve a safe and secure community, and with the Province’s financial assistance, we can ensure that there will be no additional costs to Surrey taxpayers. It’s time to put this debate behind us and work together to make Surrey an even safer place to live, work, and raise a family. This is a victory for Surrey residents who deserve the best modern urban police force.”

McCallum also explained why the RCMP is not the best option for Surrey. He pointed out: “The RCMP has faced recruitment and retention challenges that have led to a shortage of officers, which is not something we can afford in Surrey. We need a police force that is fully staffed, diverse and dedicated to serving our community’s needs. The SPS

will provide us with that level of service, professionalism and more boots on the ground.”

The Province has pledged financial support to the City of Surrey in the transition to SPS to ensure that there will be no significant property tax increases for residents. “It’s important to note that going back to RCMP will be a bigger financial burden for taxpayers compared to continuing with SPS. The transition to the SPS is well advanced, with approximately 400 officers and support staff already hired,” added McCallum.

“This is a positive step forward for Surrey and the Province,” said McCallum. “We are grateful for the Province’s support, and we look forward to continuing to work together to ensure that Surrey remains a safe and welcoming community for all.”

(L-R) Councillor Doug Elford, then-councillor Allison Patton, Surrey Police Service Chief Constable Norm Lipinski, then-Surrey mayor Doug McCallum, then-councillor Laurie Guerra and Councillor Mandeep Nagra in June 2022.

Mike Farnworth.

Province offers financial assistance to protect Surrey taxpayers during transition

Members of

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke slams Solicitor General

SuRREY Mayor Brenda Locke slammed Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth on Friday, accusing him to being “incredibly disrespectful” and saying that “politics and not public safety in Surrey” appeared to be behind his recommendation to continue with the municipal police transition. She wondered why Farnworth was now willing to spend money for the transition when previously he had said

Mike Farnworth

the City would not get any financial help.

Locke said the Surrey City Council’s decision made five months ago to retain the RCMP as the police of jurisdiction in the city had not changed.

She criticized Farnworth for the “heavily redacted” report she had received just 2O minutes earlier. She said that the Council would review this information and act in the best interest of the citizens of Surrey.

Reverting to RCMP would cost the City of Surrey approximately $72 million

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

throughout the province. The report states that Surrey reverting back to the RCMP would exacerbate the challenges faced by municipalities and Indigenous communities by increasing demand for officers and aggravate public-safety concerns. Filling RCMP vacancies is the responsibility of the federal government.

“Everyone deserves to be safe in their community and all British Columbians deserve secure, stable policing they can count on,” said Farnworth. “The people of Surrey are very frustrated by years of uncertainty over this debate, but we must move forward without reducing police presence when we need it the most. Now is not the time to put public safety at risk in Surrey or in any community in the province.”

Answering questions from reporters, Farnworth emphasized

that the Province was “strongly” recommending the transition to SPS.

He also made it clear that the Province would not give the City of Surrey any financial help if it wants to revert to the RCMP, which would cost the City of Surrey approximately $72 million.

The report (see link below) by the director of police services details how the transition to SPS can be safely undertaken. The report also details concerns about the RCMP’s current retention and recruitment challenges and outlines potential implications on the RCMP police presence in other regions of the province if the transition is reversed.

The Province has offered financial support to the City of Surrey in the transition to a municipal police force to ensure no additional costs to Surrey residents.

“This path forward will ensure safer policing for all regions of the

province, including the people of Surrey, and provincial support will help keep them from paying significant property tax increases,” Farnworth said.

QuiCk FACtS:

* Under B.C.’s Police Act, a municipality with a population of more than 5,000 has the authority to provide its policing and law enforcement by means of establishing its own municipal police department.

* In 2018, City of Surrey council decided to move away from Surrey’s RCMP police model and opt for its own municipal police department, the SPS.

* The Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General approved the transition plan in February 2020 and the City of Surrey has been implementing the transition since that time.

* In November 2022, the City of Surrey’s newly elected mayor

and council decided to maintain the RCMP as its police model and reverse the transition.

* The transition to the SPS is well advanced, with approximately 400 officers and support staff hired.

* The ministry commissioned an independent financial analysis of the submissions that concludes the SPS plan to staff 734 officers will cost approximately $30 million more per year than the RCMP.

* Additionally, the analysis confirmed the costs of severance from disbanding the SPS and reverting to the RCMP would cost the City of Surrey approximately $72 million.

LEARn MoRE:

To read the director of police services’ report, see: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/ Police_Model_Transition_Report. pdf

newsdesk@voiceonline.com

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be justified to replace RCMP with SPS

Brenda Locke displays the “heavily redacted” report at a press conference.

Two arrested, Canada-wide warrant issued for Dharam Dhaliwal in homicide of

Pawanpreet Kaur

Dharam Dhaliwal, who intentionally went missing in September 2022 as part of murder plan, could be in B.C., say police

ONTARIO’S Peel Regional Police have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant in relation to an incident in Mississauga that led to the death of a woman in December 2022.

On Saturday, December 3, 2022, at approximately 10:39 p.m., police received information that a woman had been shot in the area of Britannia Road and Creditview Road in Mississauga.

Police located the victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Lifesaving measures were attempted; however, the victim succumbed to her injuries.

The victim was identified as Pawanpreet Kaur, a 21-year-old woman from Brampton.

The Homicide Bureau has identified the person responsible for this fatal shooting, and a Canadawide arrest warrant has been issued for 30-year-old

Dharam Singh Dhaliwal for the offence of first-degree murder.

Dharam Dhaliwal intentionally went missing in September 2022, but investigation has revealed that this was part of a plan in the murder of Pawanpreet Kaur.

Dhaliwal is described as a South Asian male, 5’8”, 170 lbs and has a tattoo on his left hand. Police say he should be considered armed and dangerous. If observed, do not approach and call police immediately.

Police say it is likely that Dhaliwal has changed his appearance and is possibly using a new name to avoid them. He is known to have ties to British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Winnipeg.

Peel Regional Police strongly encourage Dhaliwal to seek legal counsel and turn himself in. Anyone found assisting or harbouring him will be charged accordingly.

On April 18, two family members were arrested in Moncton, New Brunswick.

For more photos and information on this case, please visit

Pritpal Dhaliwal, a 25-yearold man, and Pritpal Dhaliwal, a 50-year-old woman, were charged with accessory to murder after the fact.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Dharam Dhaliwal or has any further information that may assist with this investigation, you are requested to contact investigators at 905-453-2121 extension 3205. Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS (8477), by visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.

The many faces of Dharam Singh Dhaliwal. Photos: Peel Regional Police Dharam Singh Dhaliwal’s tattoo

Pawanpreet Kaur Pritpal Dhaliwal, 25Pritpal Dhaliwal, 50

All photos by SUKHWANT DHILLON / AM600 Sher E Punjab Radio, except some from Twitter and B.C. Government.

The Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade organized by Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar returned to the streets of Surrey on Saturday, April 22, with an estimated 700,000 people in attendance.

S. (Steve) Mattoo

Sharnjit Singh Gill and team win B.C. Mortgage Broker of the Year at Canadian Mortgage Awards

SHARNJIT Singh Gill, President and CEO of Surrey-based VERICO Superior Mortgage Inc., last week bagged the prestigious Broker of the Year (Regional – British Columbia) award of the 2023 Canadian Mortgage Awards (CMAs).

His company’s Raj Gill and Sunny Bal received the award on his behalf on April 21 in Toronto.

“It’s great to be recognized in front of other mortgage brokers and lenders,” they enthused. “There are over 18,000 mortgage brokers in Canada. We have this awesome feeling of winning as Mortgage Broker of the Year for B.C.”

Sharnjit Gill and his team were ranked among Canada’s Top 26 Mortgage Brokers in 2022.

In fact, they have been ranked one of the Top Mortgage Brokers for the last 12 years, clearly demonstrating their consistent performance.

One of their team members, Sunny Bal, was selected as one of Canada’s Rising Star of Mortgage by Canadian Mortgage Professional (CMP) at the age of 23.

Sharnjit Gill, who is highly experienced, served as Financial Services Manager, Bank of Montreal, in Surrey and Abbotsford from 1996 to 2001, when he decided to start his own business.

A string of success

followed, with both Sharnjit Gill and Raj Gill being recognized as Top Mortgage Broker with Envision Credit Union in 2002 and 2003 and also in 2018 and 2019.

They were ranked Top Mortgage Broker with Coast Capital Savings in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

In India, Sharnjit Gill had served as manager of UCO Bank in India at branches in Alamgir (Ludhiana district), Nawanshahr Doaba, Moga, and Phagwara. His skills and hard work were rewarded when he was appointed manager of UCO Bank London (UK).

Regarding his team’s secret of success, Sharnjit Gill tells The VOICE: “We add value to our services and demonstrate the same to our clients, thus getting 85% repeat clients.”

VERICO Superior Mortgage Inc. has branches in Surrey and Vancouver, and deal with construction mortgage and commercial mortgage. (Surrey: 604-5071000 / Vancouver: 604-564-1000).

Taljinder Khangura of Surrey: Off to Mexico with family after winning $500,000

TALJINDER Khangura of Surrey was ‘extra’ excited to video call her daughter after winning the $500,000 Extra prize from the April 12 Lotto 6/49 draw, says BCLC.

As soon as she learned she won, Khangura video called her daughter and then told the rest of her family.

“Everyone was so happy!”

The Surrey resident purchased and validated the winning ticket at the lottery kiosk at Scottsdale Centre in Delta.

“I asked Tony [my lottery retailer] if he can check my two tickets,” recalled Khangura. “One was not a winner, and the other was a winner, then I saw the prize amount!”

Khangura plans to bring her

family to Mexico for a vacation. On how it feels to win the lottery?

“This has been a big financial assistance. This will make me less stressed.”

Taljinder Khangura.

Photo: BCLC

Raj Gill and Sunny Bal with the prestigious Canadian Mortgage Award in Toronto.

(Sitting: L to R) Sunny Bal, Sharnjit Singh Gill and Raj Gill; (Standing: L to R) Pankaj Bhardwaj and Gurman Bhathal. Photos submitted

Indian Consul General Manish participated in various events of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Symposium on Emancipation between April 21 and 26 hosted by Chetna Association of Canada, Ambedkarite International Coordination Society and other organizations that were held across the Lower Mainland. Manish was also a panelist in

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THE Burnaby City Council passed a motion on April 24 to add caste as a protected category in its equity policy framework.

The Executive Committee of Council, at its meeting held on April 5, had received correspondence from the Chetna Association of Canada, advising that on February 21 the City of Seattle banned caste-based discrimination in businesses and other public settings.

“The Committee expressed concern that casteism, a social hierarchy passed down through families that has been outlawed in India since 1948, is still being practiced in Canada and where some South Asian populations exist,” councillors Sav Dhaliwal and Richard T. Lee wrote to the mayor and councillors on their “Proposed update to the City of Burnaby Equity Policy.”

It added: “Arising from discussion, the Committee passed a motion requesting Council include “caste” as a protected category in the existing Equity Policy framework.

“As the Equity Policy is currently under review by Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) staff, a report and updated policy will be brought forward to Council as soon as practicable.”

The Chetna Association of Canada congratulated the City of Burnaby for providing this leadership and being the first city in Canada to pass such a motion.

The association pointed out that the City of Burnaby is also the first city in Canada to proclaim April 15 as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality.

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Burnaby Councillor Sav Dhaliwal with portrait of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the background.

the session “India’s Legal Framework and how it enables Human Emancipation” organized as a part of this symposium. He conveyed his greetings to delegates participating in the symposium and highlighted the role of Babasaheb Ambedkar in India’s freedom struggle, the drafting of the Indian Constitution and his social, political and economic vision to empower people. Photos: Consulate General of India

Burnaby City Council passes motion to include caste as protected category in equity policy framework

At least 47 South Asians among 119 charged in Toronto Police auto theft investigation

AT least 47 South Asians figure among 119 people whom have been charged in Project Stallion, an ongoing investigation into vehicle and catalytic converter thefts in Toronto’s west end.

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw, Superintendent Ron Taverner, 22 and 23 District Commander, and Detective Sergeant Peter Wehby of the Organized Crime Investigative Support Team (OCIS) told the media that in November 2022, 22 and 23 Divisions, in collaboration with OCIS, launched an ongoing operation to reduce the number of catalytic converter thefts, and the number of stolen vehicles.

So far, Project Stallion has resulted in the recovery of 556 stolen vehicles worth more than $27 million and 314 charges laid against 119 people.

“Vehicle thefts in Toronto have more than doubled since 2019, making it a significant issue in our city and across the GTA,” said Demkiw. “Project Stallion is an example of the actions Toronto Police are taking in our local communities to tackle this growing problem. The Toronto Police Service, including our OCIS team and police divisions, are working in alignment to recover stolen vehicles and hold people who commit these crimes to account.”

He added: “The success of this investigation so far is the result of the dedication of our investigators and their countless support staff in 22 and 23 Divisions, units across the Service, and our partners in law enforcement, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and CISO.”

Like in many parts of the GTA, vehicle thefts in Toronto have increased substantially over the past few years. In 2022, almost 2,000 vehicles were stolen in 22 and 23 Divisions, many of them Honda CR-Vs and Ford F-150 trucks. The same two divisions also saw over 300 catalytic converter thefts. Thieves are using highly sophisticated methods to steal vehicles, and are using those vehicles to carry out other crimes or to ship them overseas, where they are resold for well above their value.

The South Asians among those arrested

between November 7, 2022 and April 11, 2023 [there are also many whose names suggest they are either of South Asian origin or West Asian origin but they are not included here; and there are also many minors who have been charged but cannot be named]:

Nirmal DHILLON, 47, of Caledon, Sukhwinder GILL, 40, of Woodbridge

Jagjit BHINDER, 40, of Brampton

Iqbal HAYER, 50, of Toronto

Pardeep GREWAL, 38, of Brampton

Jiten PATEL, 31, of Toronto

Varinder KAILA, 32, of No Fixed Address

Gurveen RANOUTE, 26, of Brampton

Ramanpreet SINGH, 29, of Mississauga

Sucha CHOHAN, 45, of Brampton

Gagandeep SINGH, 23, of No Fixed Address

Sandeep TAKHAR, 36, of Brampton

Satwinder GREWAL, 29, of No Fixed Address

Princedeep SINGH, 25, of Brampton

Varinder KAILA, 32, of No Fixed Address

Amrit KLER, 28, of Cambridge

Ajay KUMAR, 23, of Brampton

Khemnath SINGH, 58, of Toronto

Steven SINGH, 21, of Brampton

Inqlab SINGH, 26, of No Fixed Address

Harpreet SINGH, 35, of No Fixed Address

Manpreet GILL, 36, of Brampton

Mandeep S. TOOR, 44, of Mississauga

Dilpreet SINGH, 23, of No Fixed Address

Tridev VERMA, 33, of Brampton

Joga SINGH, 31, of No Fixed Address

Dilpreet SAINI, 32, of Brampton

Princedeep SINGH, 25, of Brampton

Manpreet GILL, 37, of Brampton

Dilpreet SAINI, 32, of Brampton

Gauravdeep SINGH, 22, of No Fixed Address

Jasdeep JANDA, 25, of Mississauga

Harshdeep SINGH, 28, of Brampton

Ravi SINGH, 27, of Brampton

Navjot SINGH, 27, of Brampton

Diljot DHILLON, 24, of Niagara Falls

Sunil MASOUN, 42, of No Fixed Address

Sukhvinder SINGH, 42, of Toronto

Alambir SINGH, 23, of Toronto, Deshan YOGARAJAH, 23, of Toronto

Thishaanth SATKUNARAJAH, 23, of Toronto

Jasraj BRAR, 18, of No Fixed Address

Mehkash SOHAL, 18, of No Fixed Address

Dilpreet SAINI, 32, of No Fixed Address

Amanjot SANDHU, 19, of Brampton

Manpreet GILL, 36, of Brampton

Jasdeep SINGH, 25, of No Fixed Address

For all names and charges, visit: www.tps.ca/media-centre/newsreleases/55906/

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Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw. Photo: Toronto Police Service

Suspect arrested in assault of Uber driver Aman Sood

of Abbotsford

ABBOTSFORD Police announced on Friday that a suspect had been arrested in Tuesday’s assault of Uber driver Aman Sood of Abbotsford.

On April 18 at 6:47 a.m., Abbotsford Police patrol officers responded to the 2300-block of McCallum Road for an assault on an Uber driver. Prior to police arrival, the suspect fled the scene on foot. Patrol officers conducted extensive patrols in the area, but the suspect was not located.

The victim was injured and extremely shaken due to the suspect’s violent actions. Officers worked with Uber and law enforcement partners to identify and arrest the suspect.

On April 27 at 7 p.m., officers located and arrested 38-year-old William Tickle of Abbotsford without incident.

The BC Prosecution Service has approved charges of assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats. Tickle remains in police custody, awaiting a court appearance on Friday.

“Abbotsford is not immune to random violent attacks. However, thanks to the timely and full cooperation from Mr. Sood and Uber, we swiftly arrested this violent

offender. Incidents like these remain a top priority for AbbyPD in bringing these offenders before the court to be accountable for their actions,” said Inspector Kevin Murray.

Meanwhile, Sood is demanding better safety measures for the ride-hailing service. Part of the attack was captured by the camera mounted on Sood’s dashboard. He says he has been unable to drive on a regular basis since the incident.

Brampton homeopathic doctor, Sunil Anand, charged with sexual assault

ONTARIO’S Peel Regional Police investigators from the Special Victims Unit have arrested and charged Sunil Anand, a 62-year-old man, in relation to a sexual assault investigation.

On April 23, police received information that a young person had attended a clinic in Brampton to see a homeopathic doctor. During the medical examination, it is alleged that the young person was sexually assaulted.

Following an investigation, Anand, a 62-year-old man from Brampton, was arrested and charged with sexual assault

and sexual interference.

He was held for a bail hearing and attended the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

At the time of the incident, Anand was employed as a homeopathic doctor working in Brampton. Sunil also works at a separate homeopathic location in the Toronto area.

Investigators are appealing for anyone with information, or anyone else that believes they have been a victim, to contact officers from the Special Victims Unit at 905-453-3311, extension 3460.

One dead in Highway 1 collision involving three commercial vehicles in Hope

ON April 25 just after 4 p.m., officers of BC Highway Patrol South Coast, Chilliwack, responded to a report of a collision involving three commercial vehicles on Highway 1 eastbound near Hunter Creek.

Members of the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Services (ICARS), BCEHS, Hope Fire Department, Hope Search and Rescue, and the BC Coroner’s Service were also in attendance.

Sood told the media that the passenger became abusive after he took a right turn instead of a left. So he pulled over and told the passenger that he would cancel the ride. The video shows the passenger assaulting him in the car. Both then exit the vehicle and sounds of fighting can be heard. Sood then returns to his car without his shirt or jacket.

Sood met with Labour Minister Harry Bains on Wednesday to demand more protection for workers in the gig economy.

The driver of one of the commercial vehicles was pronounced deceased at the scene. No further details on the deceased are being released at this time pending identity and next-of-kin notification, police said on Wednesday.

While still in the early stages, initial investigation points to the commercial vehicle driven by the deceased driver rear-ending one of the other commercial vehicles that had been stopped in construction traffic at a high rate of speed.

Two 22-year-old South Asians arrested in Brampton attempted murder case

ONTARIO’S Peel Regional Police have arrested and charged two men after a break-and-enter to a residence in Brampton.

On Saturday, March 5 at 6:19 a.m., six victims were present in a residence in the area of Mayfield Road and Marysfield Road in Brampton when multiple suspects allegedly broke in, broke windows and property, and assaulted the victims. One victim was transported to a local hospital in serious condition after being struck with a machete. The other victims suffered minor injuries and were cleared at the scene by paramedics.

On Tuesday, April 25, investigators from the

21 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau arrested and charged two men from Brampton. Abhishek Abhishek and Harmandeep Behleem, both 22 years old, are each charged with the following offences:

* Break and enter with intent to commit indictable offence

* Mischief under $5,000

* Utter threat to cause death or bodily harm

* Attempt murder

* Assault (two counts)

* Mischief over $5,000 (three counts) Both were held for bail hearings and appeared at the Ontario Court of Justice Brampton.

The deadline for this week’s newspaper was Friday morning. For more stories, breaking news and updates, please visit our website voiceonline.com

2023 HONDA

THE Honda Celebration of Light – the world’s longest-running offshore fireworks competition is set to return with a thrilling line-up of pyrotechnic performances featuring teams from Australia, Mexico and the Philippines.

“I join the hundreds of thousands of people who are eagerly awaiting the return of the Honda Celebration of Light,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, on Monday. “This iconic event has become more than a dazzling display of fireworks. It’s become a gathering place for people of all generations and backgrounds for a celebration of music, food, and culture – and a true summer highlight in B.C.”

“The Government of Canada is proud to support the return of the Honda Celebration of Light as an anchor summer experience for locals and tourists alike,” said Parm Bains, MP for Steveston—Richmond East. “This iconic event has become an economic driver for local businesses and a gathering place for people of all generations and backgrounds to celebrate music, food, and culture.”

Stephen Gaskin, Senior Vice President, Scotiabank, said: “To celebrate our new position as the sponsor of the Concord Pacific Grandstand, we will be giving away

CELEBRATION

OF LIGHT: Australia, Mexico and the Philippines on July 22, 26 and 29

200 grandstand seats to West End and Downtown seniors, families, and individuals. Concord Pacific is also covering the cost of available accessible grandstand tickets for all three nights of the festival.”

administered by Roundhouse Community Centre staff on June 1 and the winners’ names will be posted by noon on June 2.

TEAMS

Saturday, July 22: Australia – Howard & Sons Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics are leaders in pyrotechnic innovation for a reason. From producing a firework display for the opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 and the Opera House in 1973 to winning silver in the Celebration of Light in 2016, producing the highest quality fireworks in the world is what they continue to do best.

Blue Peacock Fireworks is regarded as one of The Philippines’ promising names in the pyrotechnic industry and has won more awards than all competing companies. Their team not only became part of history by culminating the 100th Philippines Independence Celebration but also was the first ever team to set up a pyro-musical show using the SkyRanch Eye, the tallest Ferris Wheel in The Philippines, so be ready for a colourful show.

Individuals seeking accessible grandstand tickets should contact the festival directly as these tickets are limited and first come, first served.

Concord Pacific will hold a lottery to distribute 100 tickets for West End and Downtown seniors for the first performance (July 22) and 100 families and individuals for the third performance (July 29). For details, visit concordpacific.com. The draw will be

Wednesday, July 26: Mexico – Grupo AVACON Grupo AVACON has been providing the highest quality pyrotechnic shows since 2009. Their extensive experience has given Grupo AVACON the opportunity to show their talent internationally and participate in some of the most popular contests and festivals in Mexico, while also performing almost every day of the year for the best hotels and companies in the country.

Saturday, July 29: The Philippines – Blue Peacock

At 10 p.m. each night the fireworks will begin from barges located in English Bay. Music simulcast can be heard on CFMI Rock 101. The winning team will be announced on Tuesday, August 2.

The event also welcomes back the Red Bull Air Show, a spectacular pre-show performance happening on all three festival nights.

Tickets to all three viewing areas can be purchased online: www. hondacelebrationoflight.com. Pre-Sale for this year’s Honda Celebration of Light will start on April 24th at 11 a.m., and end Thursday, April 27 at 8:59 a.m. Tickets will be on sale to the public starting at 9 a.m. on April 27. Subscribe here for access to the pre-sale.

PNE embarks on search for sponsors on amphitheatre project

THE Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) on Wednesday opened a call for sponsorship partners, including naming rights, for its amphitheatre project.

The project, which has been in the planning stages for several years, is anticipated to be one of the most spectacular venues of its kind on the West Coast of North America when completed in 2026.

“The amphitheatre will be a jewel in Vancouver’s crown of spectacular venues,” said PNE President and CEO Shelley Frost. “The project will be designed to showcase British Columbia building products and engineering while adhering to the highest standards of environmental sustainability.

“When complete, the venue will be used

to host a wide variety of music and culture events – ranging from our incredibly popular Summer Night Concerts at the PNE Fair, to arts and culture performances by symphony’s, cultural innovators, community organizations and others.

“With the beautiful BC mountains in the background, with a clear-span wood roof that is not only striking but also engineered to act as a significant sound barrier to mitigate noise bleed into the surrounding community, we believe there will not be another venue like this anywhere in Canada.”

Designed by renowned Vancouver-based architecture company Revery Architecture, construction on the amphitheatre is anticipated to begin in early 2024 with completion in summer 2026.

“We wanted to create a unique experience for both the audience and performers, in a world-class amphitheatre,” says Venelin Kokalov of Revery Architecture. “Our architectural solution was an elegant

structure that will cover the amphitheatre, gracefully landing on three points into the landscape. This gesture will frame vistas to the mountains and the surrounding context, creating transparency at the human level and an intimate atmosphere under the warmth of the wood.”

The PNE will be meeting with interested parties to discuss mutually beneficial sponsorships, including naming rights, for this exciting amphitheatre redevelopment, a project anticipated to cost $65 million. For more information and early visuals of design options, interested parties should visit pne.ca/amphitheatre.

For more information on the PNE visit: pne.ca.

Photo: PNE

Medical Services Commission, Telus Health reach agreement on LifePlus program

THE Medical Services Commission of British Columbia and Telus Health have reached a settlement regarding Telus’s LifePlus program, the Medical Services Commission announced on Wednesday.

Telus Health has worked with the commission and committed to make agreedupon operational changes to its LifePlus program to ensure its compliance with the Medicare Protection Act.

As a result of the pending modifications to the LifePlus program, the commission has suspended its pursuit of an injunction.

“We are pleased with the collaborative efforts between the Medical Services Commission and Telus Health to reach a settlement that upholds the principles of the Medicare Protection Act,” said Dr. Robert Halpenny, Chair of the Medical Services Commission. “Telus’s commitment to amending its LifePlus program helps maintain the integrity of public health care in British Columbia.”

The settlement addresses concerns raised by the commission in its petition for injunction filed on December 1, 2022, and ensures compliance with the Medicare Protection Act.

The injunction application was filed to prevent Telus Health from contravening Section 17 of the act by facilitating access, or priority access, to Medical Services Plan benefits through its LifePlus program.

The commission said it is committed to upholding the principles of the Medicare Protection Act. This settlement should serve as an indicator to others who may be offering expensive patient-funded health-care programs, that charging for access, or priority access, to medically necessary health care will be investigated.

QUICK FACTS:

* The Medical Services Commission is an independent, government-appointed body in British Columbia.

* Its role is to oversee the administration and operation of the Medical Services Plan

(MSP) in the province.

* The MSC ensures fair and equitable access to medically necessary health-care services for all people in British Columbia.

* Section 17 of the Medicare Protection Act addresses extra-billing practices.

* Extra-billing is the practice of charging patients for benefits, or for priority access to benefits already covered by MSP.

* Section 17 prohibits health care practitioners from extra-billing patients to maintain the integrity of public health care in British Columbia.

MEANWHILE, Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a statement:

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold the Medicare Protection Act, which is in place to preserve our publicly administered health-care system in British Columbia. In 2018, we strengthened the MPA to include new protections for patients to prevent extra billing, clarify the rules for medical practitioners and establish consequences for those who break the rules.

“By strengthening the MPA, the Medical Services Commission is provided additional powers to act decisively against those who disregard the rules and pose a threat to our public health-care system, ensuring the best interests of patients are prioritized and safeguarded.”

Charges approved against man after alleged indecent act

BURNABY RCMP announced on Thursday that charges have been approved against a 60-year-old man after an alleged indecent act near Maywood Community School last November.

On November 10, 2022, a man allegedly exposed himself to children near Maywood Community School in Burnaby.

On November 11, Burnaby RCMP released information, including photos of a person of interest, in hopes that someone in the public could identify him.

A second plea was made when police learned the person of interest was nearly

struck by a passing vehicle moments after the alleged indecent act.

With the public’s assistance, Burnaby RCMP’s High Risk Offender (HRO) Unit was able to identify a suspect.

On April 6, 2023, after a months-long investigation, BC Prosecution Service approved charges against 60-year-old Karoly Molnar.

Molnar faces two charges in relation to this incident: indecent act, and exposure of genitals to a person under the age of 16.

Molnar has numerous conditions he must abide by while he awaits his court date.

Single vehicle rollover in Surrey

ON Saturday at approximately 10:53 p.m., Surrey RCMP responded to a single vehicle rollover collision on 192 Street, north of 82A Avenue. The vehicle involved was traveling northbound on 192 Street, and went off the road to the right and struck a ditch, which caused the vehicle to roll over.

Surrey RCMP members arrived on scene,

and the driver was subsequently transported to a local hospital for medical assessment. For investigative purposes, police closed 192 Street to traffic. It is unknown whether speed or alcohol were a factor in this incident.

Anyone with more information, including dash cam footage around the area, is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.

Adrian Dix. Photo: BC Government.

Why it would be justified to replace RCMP with SPS

THE Surrey Police Service put it so felicitously in one of its reports to the government last year: “Three hundred and seventyfive employees applied for and accepted SPS positions in good faith, knowing that the Province had carefully considered and evaluated Surrey’s proposal to transition to a municipal police service.”

Just look at just the first four points that the Surrey Police Service mentioned in its report to the government in its rationale:

1. The transition has been underway for four years with the last two years placing SPS officers on the frontline. Reversing the transition would be time consuming, complicated, and costly.

2. SPS has hired 375 employees. Reversing the transition would require terminating their employment. Many officers are from outside British Columbia. These officers moved their families to Surrey in good faith, incurred debt, and started a new chapter in their lives.

3. Two unions have been formed: Surrey Police Union (SPU) and Surrey Police Inspectors’ Association (SPIA). Reversing the transition would require dissolving both unions.

4. The SPB employs 23 exempt civilian employees who are not members of CUPE 402. Reversing the transition would

require that the SPB be dissolved, resulting in these employees being terminated.

Also, 275 of 293 SPU frontline officers signed a pledge containing the following emphatic statement: “I declare that if the Surrey Police Service ceases to exist, I have no intention to apply to nor join any RCMP detachment as my next career move.”

It is highly pertinent to note as The VOICE had highlighted time and time again that the Surrey Police Service was established after Doug McCallum of Safe Surrey Coalition won the 2018 municipal election on that mandate with 40 per cent of the total votes cast — as compared to the 28 per cent of the total votes cast for Brenda Locke in 2022 on her pledge to keep the RCMP in Surrey.

What is more, Locke of Surrey Connect won by fewer than 1,000 votes! Locke bagged 33,111 votes as compared to McCallum’s 32,338 votes — a difference of only 973 votes.

THE VOICE consistently highlighted these facts over the past four years:

1. Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum and seven of his Safe Surrey Coalition members (including Brenda Locke and former RCMP officer Jack Hundial) won the election fair and square four years ago on the pledge that they would form a Surrey police force to replace the RCMP. In fact,

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

all the eight new Councillors, including the lone one (Linda Annis) from Surrey First, voted to ditch the RCMP at the very first Council meeting.

2. Among the tactics that the pro-RCMP forces started resorting to was the call for a referendum on the change in policing. However, legally, only the City could authorize such a referendum – not the Province or the federal government. So they finally organized a joke of a referendum. The result? The referendum inspired and paid for by the RCMP’s National Police Federation could not even garner as many votes as McCallum won as mayor! The Surrey Police Union said it was pleased to see that at least 88% of registered voters in Surrey did not sign it. The National Police Federation paid more than $104,000 of the total of $118,264 that was used to carry out the so-called referendum, better known as the Surrey Police Vote initiative. In other words, the real people forked out just over $14,000, according to financial documents filed to Elections BC.

3. Meanwhile, Surrey voters delivered a slap in the face of those who want to keep the RCMP in Surrey in the 2020 provincial election when they not only re-elected all six incumbent NDP MLAs – Jinny Sims (Surrey-Panorama), Rachna Singh (Surrey-Green Timbers), Jagrup Brar (Surrey-Fleetwood), Harry Bains (SurreyNewton), Bruce Ralston (Surrey-Whalley) and Garry Begg (Surrey-Guildford) – but also booted out Marvin Hunt (SurreyCloverdale) and replaced him with the

NDP’s Mike Starchuk in spite of the BC Liberals and RCMP supporters making the police transition the hot issue in the city in the election. That made the new BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon assure Punjabi journalists at a press meeting that he supported the municipal police transition.

4. As The VOICE wrote on November 21: “Indeed, McCallum and his Safe Surrey Coalition would have won the municipal election but for the RCMP harassment of charging McCallum with public mischief –whereas the RCMP did nothing to charge their supporters with criminal harassment as they heaped abuse on McCallum, his SSC councillors and supporters day and night.” The judge ruled in McCallum’s favour. Interestingly, a retired RCMP sergeant wrote this before the verdict: “I also find it amazing that the RCMP thought it would be prudent, or ethical, to investigate this matter, knowing that the alleged victim of public mischief was in fact part of a group that was funded by the RCMP union.” He added: “Knowing what we know about the affect of bias and prejudice on the investigative process, would it have been wise to have another police agency investigate this?”

EARLIER, this month, The VOICE carried a column by Surrey Police Service (SPS) Chief Constable Norm Lipinski titled “Modern policing for a modern city,” in which he pointed out that currently, 50 per cent of SPS officers identify as a visible minority, including 22 per cent who identify as South Asian.

Lipinski also noted that there are 52 Punjabi-speaking officers and 31 who speak Hindi.

The reality is that 67.1 per cent of people in Surrey identified as a person of colour in 2021, according to Statistics Canada.

(In comparison, only 54.5 per cent of people in Vancouver identified as a person of colour in 2021.)

Also, Surrey is the ONLY large city in Canada that does NOT have its own police force.

Vancouver Park Board approves plans to expand Alcohol in Parks program, pilot alcohol on beaches

VANCOUVER’S residents and visitors will be able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage at more of the city’s parks and beaches from this summer, following changes to Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation guidance.

At Monday night’s meeting, the Board approved amendments to the by-law to designate selected park and beach sites as places where liquor may now be consumed, on a permanent or temporary basis.

From June 1, the public will be able to bring and consume alcoholic beverages at 31 permanent year-round park locations across Vancouver. In addition, 16 parks will become permanent summer-only sites between July 1 and August 31 each year.

Between June 1 and September 4, 2023, beachgoers will also be able to drink at seven of Vancouver’s beaches, following direction from the Board to staff to explore options to pilot the responsible consumption of alcohol at appropriate beach locations.

“After two successful years, we’re delighted to bring back responsible alcohol consumption to many of Vancouver’s most popular public spaces,” said Park Board Chair Scott Jensen on Tuesday. “Our previous pilot programs demonstrated the importance of creating shared spaces for socializing and we saw how effectively Vancouver’s parks and beaches can accommodate safe drinking. I look forward to joining Vancouver’s residents and visitors in having a drink at one of the city’s beautiful parks and beaches this summer!”

For most parks included in the program, drinking will be allowed throughout the park, except in areas like playgrounds, wading pools and splash parks, sports fields and courts, community centres, ecologically sensitive natural areas, parking lots, and offleash dog areas. Maps of where alcohol can be consumed will be posted on our website and on signage installed at each location.

For the list of all the parks and beaches where consuming alcohol will be permitted, please visit our website voiceonline.com.

MP Zarrillo marks 72nd Anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong with Korean-Canadians

NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo (Port Moody— Coquitlam) joined with Korean-Canadians on April 21 to commemorate the Battle at the Gapyeong Stone Korean War Memorial in Langley.

forces, blocked the Chinese advancements toward Seoul, South Korea’s capital. The anniversary event brings together Royal Canadian Legion members, Korean-Canadian veterans, and local high school students.

For all sites, the consumption of alcohol will be allowed between the hours of 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily.

The Board also approved an additional amendment to the by-law prohibiting glass beverage bottles and containers at parks and beaches, in response to concerns over broken glass and potential injury.

“Park and beach users are reminded to act responsibly when drinking alcohol. Please exercise caution when drinking alcohol on beaches and avoid entering the water when intoxicated. We also ask residents and visitors to respect other park users and help keep greenspaces clean by properly disposing of trash or taking it away with them. When consuming beverages in parks and beaches (alcoholic or not), please avoid bringing any glass bottles or containers, and instead bring cans, reusable and/or plastic or paper-based containers,” said the Board.

Park rangers and operations staff will work with the Vancouver Police Department to monitor the beach pilot sites and ensure that they are safe, properly managed and well maintained. Further information on this will be shared soon, the Board said.

“This year marks the 72nd of the Battle of Gapyeong regarded as the most important fought by the Canadian Armed Forces since WWII,” said Zarrillo. “The stone of the Memorial came from Gapyeong, South Korea and is a reminder of the bravery of those who fought, as well as their commitment to upholding freedom and democracy.”

In the battle, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand troops, supported by some US tank

“The efforts of those who created this monument, to keep the memory of this battle alive and to educate the next generation on the sacrifices made during the Korean War, are an inspiration to all of us. There is an eternal friendship between Canada and South Korea that must be celebrated. I thank all the veterans of the Korean war and commemorate the more than 26,000 Canadians who served.”

Bonita Zarrillo (right). Photo submitted

McCallum’s Surrey Langley SkyTrain project: Firms shortlisted for systems, track work contract

AS former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum’s Surrey Langley SkyTrain project keeps advancing, the Province on Tuesday announced that three pre-qualified teams have advanced to the request for proposals (RFP) stage to design, build and install the electrical systems and trackwork.

As part of the competitive selection process for the project, a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the systems and trackwork was posted on the BC Bid website in November 2022 and closed in January 2023. After a thorough evaluation of the submissions, the teams invited to participate in the RFP stage are:

Transit Integrators BC

* Graham Infrastructure LP

* SNC-Lavalin Major Projects Inc.

* SNC-Lavalin Inc.

* Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd.

Surrey Langley SkyTrain Connectors

* Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc.

* SICE Canada Inc.

* Parsons Inc.

Kiewit Infrastructure BC ULC

* Kiewit Infrastructure BC ULC

* Mass. Electric Construction Canada Co.

* Mass. Electric Construction Co.

The contract includes the design and installation of the SkyTrain track work, as well as the design, installation and integration of electrical systems, such as power, telecommunications and

automatic train control.

The Province anticipates the preferred 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 more than 30 years.

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

Scheduled for completion in 2028, the

Surrey Langley SkyTrain is being delivered through three separate contracts for the guideway, stations, and systems and trackwork.

In January 2023, the RFP for the first contract to build the elevated guideway, roadworks and utilities, as well as cycling and pedestrian paths along the extension, was issued to two shortlisted teams. The contract award is expected in fall 2023.

The second RFP, announcing the firms shortlisted to design and build eight new stations for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain, as well as cycling and walking paths around the new stations, was posted in March 2023. The contract award is anticipated in late 2023.

South Asian Health Expo

THE South Asian Health Expo focusing on health, wellness, beauty and fitness is being held in Surrey on Sunday, April 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sikh Academy at 12895 85 Avenue, across from Dashmesh Darbar Gurdwara. The

free event encourages South Asians to be proactive about their health.

What to expect: industry experts on site, free health testing, product demos, free product sampling and tons of prize giveaways. Also, pick up a free copy of the

For more Breaking News and Events

South Asian Health Magazine.

For more information about the South Asian Health Expo or to become a vendor, advertiser, and/or sponsor, contact the event organizer Rina Gill at 778-688-4973 or rina@thehypeadagency.com

EVENTS

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 only on Sunday, April 30 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Temple to play Bingo on the House. Please bring only two dollars for two games. Members will explain the game to you. Please maintain social distancing for everyone’s safety. Tea and light snacks will be served.

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw. Photo: Toronto Police Service

Nurses ratify new provincial collective agreement

Vancouver continues to lead region in housing approvals

VANCOUVER City Council approved over 10,800 new housing units in 2022, a record for the second year in a row, and the highest approvals in recent decades, far exceeding its 10-year average.

Housing Vancouver’s 10-year strategy places an emphasis on creating more of the right kind of homes across a broad spectrum of incomes and housing needs.

Homes approved this year include

* 4,260 new purpose-built market rental units, including 629 new below-market rental units. The highest approvals in several decades and more than double the annual target.

* Over half (56%) of new housing approvals in 2022 were for purpose-built rental or social housing.

* Almost 1,350 units of social and supportive housing, exceeding the annual target by 11%.

MEMBERS of the Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) have successfully ratified a new three-year collective agreement with BC’s health employers, effective April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2025. In addition to the terms of the contract, nurses will now see the benefits of hundreds of millions of dollars in funding agreements reached between the NBA and the provincial government.

In total, 40,526 BCNU members cast a ballot with 61% of NBA members voting in favour of the tentative agreement reached on March 31, 2023. The contract applies to nurses working in acute care, community, public health, long-term care, and other settings within the province’s health-care system.

The agreement includes the following general wage increases for all employees:

* Year 1: $0.25 / hr plus 3.24 per cent, retroactive to April 1, 2022

* Year 2: 6.75%, retroactive to April 1, 2023

* Year 3: 2% increase, plus a potential cost-ofliving adjustment (to a maximum of 3%)

In addition to the general wage increase, the collective agreement includes a significant wage schedule redesign that provides meaningful wage gains including new increment steps at years 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30. There are also significant increases to shift premiums, on-call rates, responsibility pay and isolation travel allowance.

“There are many incentives in this new agreement that will help retain the nurses in the system now and attract the nurses we need in the future,” said BCNU President Aman Grewal. “For too long, nurses have been providing patient care amidst a severe nurse shortage and heavy workloads. This agreement recognizes our members’ dedication and sacrifice and includes significant investments to recruit more nurses into the profession.”

The agreement also includes improvements in job flexibility and access to leaves, and investments in workplace health and safety. New contract language will also advance the principles of diversity, equity and inclusivity to ensure all BCNU members are welcome in their workplace. As well, there is a genuine commitment to truth and reconciliation, cultural safety and addressing Indigenousspecific racism in the health-care system.

“This is a collective agreement that will make health care better for nurses and their patients,” says BCNU interim CEO and lead negotiator, Jim Gould. “It improves nurses’ working conditions, demonstrates a greater respect for the value of this profession, and provides the right mix of incentives to retain those who have been working tirelessly to provide the kind of quality, safe care their patients deserve.”

The ratification of the collective agreement secures the following historic funding agreements reached between the NBA and provincial government:

* $750 million dollars to support the implementation of minimum nurse-patient ratios ($200M, $250M and $300M ongoing), making BC the first province in Canada

* $100 million dollars to establish a nurse support fund and career laddering opportunities for LPNs to become RNs

* $108.6 million dollars in ongoing funding to support retention strategies that include, but are not limited to, mentorship and preceptorship incentives.

The NBA and HEABC reached this agreement on March 31 following months of negotiations that began in December 2022.

BCNU’s bargaining unit consists of nurses from all health-care sectors, including community, long-term care, acute and public health.

* 4,400 new condominiums approved, demonstrating the market is rebounding.

“The City of Vancouver continues to lead the region in new housing approvals, particularly for new rental and social housing developments. These approvals will ensure residents with a wide range of incomes will have homes, including moderate income

families, seniors, and newcomers to our city,” said Theresa O’Donnell, Director of Planning and General Manager of Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability, on Wednesday.

“And while we’re pleased to exceed the targets, we must continue our work to ensure this much needed housing is being built. More housing supply is needed across the region to keep up with steadily increasing demand, and the City is working hard to do our part.”

The City said that building enough housing to meet demand is still a challenge for a

number of reasons, including stubbornly high inflation, supply chain and labor shortages that have caused a number of projects to stall as financing becomes more difficult. Affordability compounds this supply shortage as many families are priced out of the market by rising mortgage rates and rent prices that continue to increase.

“Our city is starting to head in the right direction on housing,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. “While there is still more work to be done, we are confident that our efforts to reduce wait times and work more collaboratively with senior levels of government will result in getting more housing built, quickly.”

The Province’s Homes for People Action Plan will invest more than $4 billion over three years – with a commitment to invest $12 billion over the next 10 years to build thousands of new homes. As well, the plan targets new zoning rules, faster permitting, less red tape and more incentives to create more housing. The Federal Housing Accelerator Fund will invest $4 billion to grow the annual housing supply in the country’s largest cities every year.

Aman Grewal. Photo: Twitter

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim.

Photo: abcvancouver.ca

29-year-old Burnaby man arrested in SkyTrain stabbing in Surrey

METRO Vancouver Transit Police said on Monday that an appeal to the public led to the arrest of a suspect who allegedly stabbed another passenger on board a SkyTrain on April 15.

Just before 1 a.m. on April 15, the male victim and his girlfriend were on board a SkyTrain travelling through Surrey when there was an interaction between the victim and another male passenger. As a result of that interaction, the suspect allegedly stabbed the victim with a sharp object.

The victim was met by Emergency Health Services at Surrey Central Station and taken to hospital while the suspect continued on the train to King George Station, where he exited the transit system.

The suspect, who is known to police, has been identified as a 29-year-old man from Burnaby. Transit Police will be recommending charges of assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose.

The suspect was arrested on Friday, April 21 and has since been released with conditions not to possess knives or to have any contact with the victim. His first court appearance has been scheduled for June 14 at Surrey Provincial Court.

“We thank the media and public for their assistance in sharing the suspect video and photos. Everyone deserves to ride the transit system free from any form of harassment or physical assault. Transit Police would like to speak to any other passengers who were on board the SkyTrain on April 15 and witnessed the interaction between the suspect and victim,” said Constable Travis Blair.

Anyone who witnessed the incident on April 15 can contact the Metro Vancouver Transit Police at 604-515-8302 or text them at 87.77.77 and refer to file 2023-7065.

SURREY RCMP are seeking information on an arson that occurred in Whalley early Tuesday morning.

On April 25 at approximately 2 a.m., Surrey Fire Service notified Surrey RCMP of a fire in the 13400-block of Hilton Road. The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported. There was significant damage to multiple vehicles, a carport and a neighboring building.

The Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit and Arson coordinator are working in partnership with Surrey Fire Service to advance the investigation. The motive of the arson has not been determined and police are actively working to identify the suspect.

Video surveillance shows a person lighting what appears to be a mattress on fire prior to walking away. The suspect is believed to have arrived and departed on foot and can be seen pushing a three-wheel jogging stroller with plastic covering the contents.

“This senseless act placed people’s lives at risk. Thankfully, the neighboring building was quickly evacuated and the fire did not spread to it,” said Surrey RCMP Media Relations Officer Cpl. Vanessa Munn. “Although no one

Surrey

RCMP

in Surrey

was physically injured, this fire negatively impacted building residents, as well as a local business.”

Anyone with information about the fire or anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.

issue another

appeal for CCTV, dash camera footage in April 17 shooting

SURREY RCMP are reissuing an appeal for CCTV and dash camera footage and extending the area of canvassing in connection to the shooting on April 17 in the 7600-block of 148 Street.

Shots were fired at a vehicle at approximately 4:10 p.m. A male suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at an area hospital.

The initial investigation indicated that a white van was seen fleeing the scene.

Police said they would be working to determine if a subsequent vehicle fire found

nearby at 147 Street and 69 Avenue was connected to the shooting investigation. Through the ongoing investigation, police have identified a need to expand the canvassing area. Investigators are seeking CCTV and dash camera footage from anyone who was travelling southbound on 152 street between 80 Avenue and 32 Avenue, on April 17 between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

In addition, if anyone has any information about this incident and has not yet spoken with police, they are requested to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.

Arsonist causes significant damage to multiple vehicles, carport and building

The suspect.

Photo: RCMP

US lawmaker Khanna takes a jab at talk of ‘Hinduphobia’

Washington (ians): Ro Khanna, a US lawmaker of Indian descent, has urged those among the Indian diaspora who have been raising the bogey of growing “Hinduphobia” lately, to focus on unifying issues.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a day-long conference he is hosting on Capitol Hill on India-US elections, the lawmaker also indicated that he will push for an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint session of Congress during his June visit, which, to be clear, has not been announced officially.

Khanna is one of US Congress’s three Hindu Americans and his home state California is currently a battleground for Hindu Americans who are trying to prevent the enactment of a proposed law that seeks to ban caste-based discrimination, which they have blamed on, among other things, those opposed to Hindus.

The phrase “Hinduphobia” is used by these Hindu Americans to describe and define all and any real or imagined slights.

“I grew up Indian American, Hindu American, in the 1980s, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was 97 per cent, white and Christian. And I didn’t know the word Hinduphobia or feel Hinduphobia at any single point in my life growing up,” he said recalling something he said in an earlier conversation with someone. “So now we’ve got all these Hindu Americans and it’s all over the…,” he added, leaving that sentence hanging.

“I think that what we have to focus on as a community is how do we contribute to the American project? How do we be proud of our identity? And obviously if someone feels that they are discriminated against, they should speak up, but my personal experience has been one of great hope for the American people, that they have been very embracing and understanding

Suspect arrested in assault of 89-year-old woman at Metrotown

BURnaBY RCMP announced on Tuesday that they have arrested a suspect in relation to the April 20 assault of an 89-year-old woman at Metrotown.

Burnaby RCMP responded to a report of an assault in progress at Metrotown on April 20. An 89-year-old woman had been shoved to the ground by an unknown man. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and discharged later that day. Burnaby RCMP’s Investigative Support Team (IST) assumed conduct of the file.

Through tips from the public, Police were able to obtain higher quality images of the suspect from a day prior to the assaults.

After receiving another tip from the public, on April 24 at approximately 3:30 p.m., Burnaby RCMP frontline officers located and arrested a 30-year-old suspect.

of people of different faiths. I think you’ve got Indian Americans leading the most important companies in the world. Now, there was a time you know, back in the 1980s, where people couldn’t meet a staffer for a member of Congress. They didn’t cry Hinduphobia.”

The lawmaker clearly has no sympathy for those crying “Hinduphobia”, which include elements of rightwing Hindu Americans tied to the wider sangh parivar.

On Modi’s upcoming visit, Khanna said the India caucus, which he co-chairs, could write to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to invite the Indian Prime Minister to address the joint session of Congress, which is an honour that is not extended to every visiting head of state or government.

Prime Minister Modi first addressed the US Congress in 2016, Khanna’s suggestion, if it goes through, will make him the first Indian Prime Minister accorded this honour twice. All the others had to make do with only one each – Jawaharlal Nehru (1949), Rajiv Gandhi (1985), P.V. Narasimha Rao (1994), Atal Bihari Vajpayee (2000) and Manmohan Singh (2005).

In the early stages of the investigation, police learned the suspect assaulted at least two other victims on April 20. Investigators would still like to speak to these two individuals and anyone else who may have witnessed the assaults.

“We would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance. We asked for help and they stepped up,” said Cpl. Mike

Kalanj. “We continue to urge the additional two victims who have not yet come forward to police to contact our investigators.”

Police are requesting anyone who may have witnessed these assaults and anyone assaulted by this suspect to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999 and quote file number 23-12960.

Ro Khanna. Photo: Toronto Police Service

The suspect.

2024 Mustang - Seventh generation is the most exhilarating Yet!

Review by Veeno Dewan

MaRkhaM, ON - Civic Type R now holds lap records at two legendary racetracks, Suzuka and Nürburgring Nordschleife

The pinnacle of Honda factory performance, the new Civic Type R is the fastest, most powerful Honda vehicle ever offered in Canada.

Sport Cup 2 further enhances the circuit performance of the vehicle, improving dry grip performance and Type R’s wellbalanced handling.

Review by Veeno Dewan

DETROIT – Ford once again sounds a wakeup call for sports car lovers around the world with the introduction of the all-new Ford Mustang.

Behind the chiselled exterior silhouette of the seventh-generation Mustang lies the most technologically advanced, driver-centric cockpit of any Mustang to date. The fighter jetinspired cockpit offers the driver two flowing and curved displays that can be quickly customized to show information the driver wants or needs to see.

The car’s 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster can be customized to display different animated designs and new drive-mode dependent visuals. Based on the same Unreal Engine 3D creation tool used in modern video games, when choosing personalized drive mode settings, the car’s current setup is displayed on the center stack as real-time graphical renderings. Settings can be adjusted by simply swiping the graphic to rotate the car virtually in a true gamified style

Outside the vehicle, animated welcome lighting greets drivers as they approach and, upon entry, Mustang splash screens come to life. And for those who enjoy the sound of a revving engine, Mustang introduces Remote Rev, providing the ability to rev the car’s engine remotely using the key fob.

Higher series models offer an upgraded,

full-leather steering wheel, as well as a choice of color accent stitching and a unique upholstery perforation across the seat inserts, complemented by color-coordinated, asymmetric accent striping on the seat belts.

Its low, horizontal brow across the front emphasizes overall frontal width, while the upper grille design shape is influenced by the original 1960s design. The Tri-Bar LED headlamps continue the Mustang’s classic lighting signature. Its sleek roofline, broad sprinting stance and shortened rear overhang are also true to the authentic proportions of the first generation, while the widened rear haunches point to the power over the wheels in true Mustang style.

It starts with Mustang GT, now powered by an advanced, 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine. The fourth-generation 5.0-liter is set to deliver the most naturally aspirated horsepower of any Mustang GT thanks to an innovative dual air intake box and dual-throttle body design, that helps minimize induction loss by enabling higher air flow rates.

Customers who desire Mustang’s fun-todrive feeling with fuel efficiency benefits can opt for the EcoBoost model, powered by an all-new, four-cylinder turbocharged 2.3-liter powertrain.

The all-new Mustang goes on sale in the U.S. starting in the summer of 2023 and is assembled at Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

The all-new 2023 Honda Civic Type R, the most powerful Honda production vehicle ever sold in Canada, has set a new track record for a production front-wheel drive car1 around the iconic 20.8-kilometre Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany— widely considered the most challenging road circuit ever devised—during testing and performance evaluation.

Hideki Kakinuma, Civic Type R Development Leader said in message, “To our Civic Type R fans all over the world: Under the concept of ‘Ultimate SPORT 2.0,’ we developed the all-new Civic Type R with the spirit of ‘going beyond our past achievements’ and strived for the ultimate FWD sports car by refining the ‘essential value’ and ‘emotional appeal’ unique only to our Type R models. Since the start of sales in Japan in September 2022, we have received numerous customer feedback from all around the world filled with amazement and joy, far exceeding our expectations.

The officially measured new lap record time of 7 minutes 44.881 seconds2 further demonstrates the improved dynamic performance of the new, more powerful Civic Type R compared to its predecessor. For the record-setting lap around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the Civic Type R was fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires jointly developed with Michelin using know-how amassed through the development of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, which is the standard tire on the turbocharged hot hatch. Available through Honda dealers, the bespoke Michelin Pilot

However, we still had one more mission to fulfil, which was to claim the title as the world’s fastest FWD car with a record Nürburgring lap time. Six years after the lap record was set by the previous-generation Civic Type R (FK8), we reached this new dimension as a result of all the passions we poured into and all the advancements we made for this Type R model. Finally, our wish to share this title with all Type R fans all around the world came true. We sincerely hope that all current and prospective owners of the Type R will enjoy and love their vehicle with the pride we share with you.”

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Alfa Romeo 2024 Tonale PHEV offers more than 48 Kms of EV range

2024 Acura Integra Type S Delivers Ultimate Performance

Review by Veeno Dewan

leading power-to-weight ratio of just 10.06 pounds per horsepower.

Review by Veeno Dewan

Windsor, Ontario - Alfa Romeo recently announced the official start of retail production for the all-new 2024 Tonale PHEV. Alfa Romeo’s first plug-in hybrid is built at the Giambattista Vico Stellantis plant in Pomigliano d’Arco, Naples, Italy – one of the Company’s most advanced production sites. The all-new premium compact Alfa Romeo Tonale CUV spearheads a new era of luxury, electrification and connectivity while remaining true to the race-inspired DNA Alfa Romeo is known for with more than 110 years of heritage built into every car.

The Tonale enters the premium compact CUV segment with standard all-wheel-drive, more than 48 kilometres of electric range and a starting Canadian manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $44,995.

“The Alfa Romeo Tonale offers more than 48 kilometres of electric range, best-in-class 285 horsepower and a list of technology features,” said Larry Dominique, Senior Vice President and Head of Alfa Romeo North America.

Canadian pricing for the all-new Alfa Romeo Tonale starts from the Sprint 2.0L model priced at $44,495 with the PHEV trim at $54995. The 2.0L Veloce is $46,495 with the PHEV version at $57,495. Prices do not include a $2,095 destination charge. Tonale PHEV customers will be able to qualify for up

to $5,000 in Canadian EV rebates.

The evolution of performance is led by a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 15.5kWh lithium-ion battery and 90 kW electric motor that delivers an electric range of more than 48 kilometres. The additional 1.3-litre turbocharged engine contributes to a bestin-class 285 horsepower and every Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV includes all-wheeldrive. The all-new Alfa Romeo Tonale also offers a technologically advanced 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder, a member of Stellantis’ Global Medium Engine family, rated at a best-in-class standard horsepower of 256 and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Equipped with a twin-scroll, low inertia turbocharger, direct fuel injection and engine stop-start technology, this engine gives Tonale the brand’s iconic dynamic performance and drivability.

Exhilarating driving dynamics are assisted by a rapid-response Frequency Damping Suspension (FDS) system, engineered to create a comfortable ride and automatically adjust the suspension for spirited driving. The Alfa Romeo Tonale also features a variety of driver assistance systems, Uconnect 5, an allnew connectivity platform with Alfa Connec. and modern Italian styling. The Tonale PHEV will begin arriving at Canadian dealers in June.

Consumers can learn more about the Alfa Romeo Tonale at alfaromeo.ca and align with their preferred dealer to purchase.

FOR those looking to take the Integra Type S even further, the high-performance sedan is available with an extensive list of Genuine Acura Accessories, including a carbon fiber rear lip spoiler, carbon fiber mirror caps, black illuminated front Acura badge, copper metallic finished 19-inch wheels and an Integra Type R-inspired titanium shift knob. The new Integra Type S is substantially wider (71 mm) than the standard Integra, with boldly flared wide body fenders and larger 19-inch wheels and 265/30 R19 tires for a more muscular stance and planted road presence. Distinct from every angle, Integra Type S is also the only vehicle in the premium performance compact segment

A new high-flow exhaust system, exclusive to the Integra Type S, unleashes the full potential of the award-winning 2.0-litre turbocharged (K20C) engine. In combination with software tuning, it gives the 4-cylinder engine its highest-ever horsepower rating in North America, and a class-leading specific output of 160 hp/litre. the Integra Type S features the only manual transmission in its class, a precise, short-throw 6-speed with an automatic rev-matching system

For ultimate road holding and highspeed stability, Integra Type S features an innovative dual-axis front suspension design and significantly wider front and rear tracks than the standard Integra

to offer a flexible 5-door liftback design. A redesigned rear fascia reveals three large center-mounted exhaust outlets, a first for a Type S model. A new gloss black diffuser and a decklid spoiler intensify downforce.

At the heart of the Integra Type S is a high-revving DOHC turbocharged 2.0-litre VTEC® engine with direct injection, unique throttle tuning for quick throttle response and 33% greater displacement than the Integra’s standard 1.5-litre engine. With 320 horsepower (SAE net @ 6,500 rpm) and 310 lb.-ft. of torque (SAE net @ 2,600 to 4,000 rpm) – an increase of 120 hp and 118 lb.-ft. over the standard Integra – the Type S model has both class-leading power and a class-

Tuned exclusively for the Integra Type S is a standard Adaptive Damper System (ADS). Controlled through the Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), with distinct damping characteristics in Comfort, Sport and Sport+ driving modes. The specially tuned ADS provides precise control of ride and handling with optimized damping curves to suit driving conditions.

The driver-focused cabin of the Integra Type S features four-position seating, premium materials and exclusive Type S high-performance details. Heated front Sport seats with perforated Ultrasuede® inserts and firmer seat bolsters better hold the body during high-G cornering.

MATRIMONIAL & PERSONALS

Phone: 604-502-6100

Fax: 604-501-6111

Email: voiceclassified@gmail.com

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.

*********

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.

*********

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.

*********

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.

Seeking a girl for Canadian citizen 35, 5’10 handsome Sikh boy. Post graduated and well settled in his career. Girl should be well educated, 5’3” plus, familyoriented. Caste no bar. Please contact: 7789680771

Suitable match for NRI Kamboj Sikh boy PR,Veg,30 years, 5’11’’ B.Tech, PG diploma from Canada,doing Govt job in BC,Own house in Canada,Parents retired Govt. employee,rural and urban property,upper caste welcome.+1-778-386-2812 *********

Suitable match wanted for an Australian Khatri Sikh boy, 35 years, 6’2”, clean shaven, very handsome, health professional, handsome salary, down to earth, never married, looking for a simple, humble, family-oriented girl, caste no bar. Please contact at 778-919-7948 or kamaljit10@hotmail.ca

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 *********

Tonk Kashatriya Hindu Family seeking a suitable match for their daughter, 44 years old, innocently divorced, 5’7”, well educated. Boy should be well educated and family oriented. Caste no bar. For more information, please call 604-760-3129

GROOM WANTED

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.

Well settled Jat Sikh family looking for suitable match for their handsome, 24 year old, 6’ tall Canadian born son. BBA in Accounting. Working with reputable firm, 2nd year CPA. Girl should be Canadian born, no less than 5’6”, beautiful & family oriented. For more info call 778 895-6866

PERSONAL

40’s good looking male, searching for a female friend. I am fit and attractive, workout and love music. Discretion assured and respected. Call : 604-618-2820

25-30

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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 info please contact 778-388-5008 *********

Canadian citizen 34 , Hindu Arora beautiful girl 5”2 working in Bank Vancouver, Divorced (was a Short term marriage) seeking for a suitable match and boy should be in Canada.For more information please contact 7788953832. *********

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: +919780616051 (India), +1-604-999-7125. We consider Divorce too. We need Canadian PR or Citizen boy. *********

Respectable well established Sidhu Family looking for a suitable match for their daughter born in 1981 in Vancouver, never married, university graduate, working as marketing manager with reputed international company. For more information call: 604-319-0662 *********

Seeking SQM for Indian Born Ravidasia/Girl 31 years old, 5’6”, BPT from India with PR status. Boy should be educated with PR/Citizen status, same caste is preferable. Please send complete biodata and pictures at: doctordass@yahoo.com or doctor_daljit@yahoo. com

Jat sikh family looking a suitable match for their daughter 29 years old, 5,4”, PR applied, education MA Pol Sci, B. Ed diploma in early childhood education, working as registered early childhood education. Boy should be educated, Canadian Citizen, PR or PR applied. Call - WhatsApp: 011-91-9876497111 or 604-817-3276.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. That’s the rationale behind the actions of a group of eco terrorists in the explosive How to Blow Up a Pipeline. With all the hysteria surrounding climate change comes this take action movie from Elevation

Pictures now holding court at select Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres around B.C. They say gas powered vehicles are a thing of the past. Or so die hard environmentalists would like you to believe. Put simply many earth crusaders want the end of fossil fuels and the industry that supports them. So a small group of self appointed saviors are willing to take direct action to right what they perceive is a wrong. Urgency and time is running out is their battle cry and to speed up the end of dirty carbon they advocate for property

destruction and whatever else comes their way. How to Blow up a Pipeline is a chilling film that shows step by step how a determined group of young men and women come together and devise a plot to stop gas from getting to marker Solid direction and great acting depicts the rationale for the beliefs of these criminals. Whether you support their efforts and tactics or not there’s no doubt that this film serves as a wake-up call for Governments of all stripes and the public at large.

For more reviews please visit my website moviereviewssite.com.

I, Gurdev Singh Mann son of Sarwan Singh Mann holder of Indian Passport No. K6183525 issued at Vancouver on 21.10.2013 resident of village Kishanpura Kalan PIN code 142058 near bus stand Tehsil Dharamkot Distt. Moga Punjab India and presently residing at 7477-124 St Surrey Bc V3W 3X2 Canada do hereby change my name from Gurdev Singh to Gurdev Singh Mann from date effect.

I, Gurdial Kaur Mann wife of Gurdev Singh Mann holder of Indian Passport No. K6183524 issued at Vancouver on 21.10.2013 resident of village Kishanpura Kalan PIN code 142058 near bus stand Tehsil Dharamkot Distt. Moga Punjab India and presently residing at 7477-124 St Surrey Bc V3W 3X2 Canada do hereby change my name from Gurdial kaur to Gurdial Kaur Mann from date effect.

I, Arshdeep Singh Sidhu son of Sukhwinder Singh holder of Indian Passport No. L4488191 issued at Amritsar on 27.01.2014 resident of H.No. M1/982, Gali No. 4, Dashmesh Nagar, Near Bharat Palace, Tarn Taran Road, Amritsar, Punjab, India Pin 143001 and presently residing at 13043 63A Ave, Surrey, BC V3X 2E4 Canada do hereby change my name from Arshdeep Singh to Arshdeep Singh Sidhu from date effect.

Steven

Age : 56

Height : 6’0” ft

Weight : 240 lbs

Hair : Grey Eyes : Blue

Wanted for : Unlawfully at Large including Sex Related Offences

CRIME OF THE WEEK

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATION INTO DOWNTOWN NEW WESTMINSTER SHOOTING

The New Westminster Police Department Major Crime Unit is providing an update and asking for public assistance following a shooting in Downtown New Westminster that left one man with injuries on April 18th.

Investigators have learned more about the location of the shooting, which occurred on Alexander Street. Officers have determined that one suspect approached a group of people, pointed a firearm in their direction, and repeatedly fired at the group before fleeing the area.

“I have heard from residents that incidents like this cause people to feel like they can’t go downtown and can’t engage in the things they want and should be able to do,” stated Chief Constable Dave Jansen, “This incident is completely unacceptable in our community. In light of this and other recent events in the Downtown core, I am working with my leadership team to develop an immediate plan of action.”

Unsolved Crime: Shooting

Date: April 18th, 2023 Location: New Westminster

This shooting occurred at approximately noon in a heavily populated area of the Downtown neighbourhood. Detectives are asking the public who live and work close to Alexander Street to contact them if they find physical evidence they believe is connected to this shooting or have CCTV footage of what occurred. Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact the Major Crime Unit by calling 604-529-2430 or emailing mcucrimetips@nwpolice.org.

Amritpal Singh arrested after 35 days on the run

Chandigarh (ianS/other agencies):

After 35 days on the run, Khalistan propagator, Amritpal Singh, was arrested on Sunday from the native village of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed in the Indian Army’s Operation Blue Star in 1984.

As per police, Amritpal Singh was arrested from Rode village in Moga district.

He was moved to Dibrugarh central jail in Assam as the National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against him.

Nine other aides of Amritpal Singh, including his close aide Papalpreet and uncle Harjit Singh, have been lodged in the Dibrugarh central jail since last month.

Law enforcement agencies can keep him in detention for over 12 months.

The 30-year-old Waris Punjab De chief had been on the run after evading arrest on March 18.

He shot to prominence in February after an armed mob led by him clashed with police and laid siege to a police station near

Regarding

claimed that the fugitive reached the native village of Bhindranwale on Saturday night and surrendered before the police in the morning.

A video, viral on the social media, purportedly shown Amritpal Singh addressing from a Sikh shrine and saying last one month “exposed” the real face of the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government. “I may be an accused in the court but not an accused in the court of Almighty,” he said.

Bhindranwale’s nephew Jasvir Rode told the media that Amritpal Singh had informed police the night before that he would surrender on Sunday morning after paying obeisance at the Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sant Khalsa. He surrendered around 7 a.m.

Punjab’s Inspector General of Police, Sukhchain Singh Gill, told the media that police maintained relentless pressure for 35 days to catch Amritpal Singh. Amritpal was arrested at 6:45 a.m. from Rode.

He said: “We had special inputs that he was hiding in Rode village gurdwara. Police had surrounded the village but we didn’t enter the gurdwara as the maryada of a religious place is supreme for us. Amritpal courted arrest as he had no place to run.”

He said that Punjab Police, its Intelligence wing, as well as local units from Amritsar Rural and Moga were involved in the operation, according to Indian media reports.

Google map showing locations of Moga and Rode.

In September last year, Amritpal Singh’s dastar bandi (turban tying) ceremony was held at Rode village, marking his official installation as the head of Waris Punjab De.

Before his arrest, his close aide Papalpreet Singh was arrested in Amritsar on April 10 under the NSA and that six other cases have also been registered against him.

Papalpreet Singh is a Khalistani activist who called himself a journalist before ending up as a media advisor to the radical preacher. A resident of Amritsar, he was earlier arrested for his alleged links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence in 2015. Three days before his arrest, Amritpal Singh’s Britain-origin wife Kirandeep Kaur was stopped at the Amritsar airport and not allowed by immigration officials to board a flight to Birmingham.

After questioning, Kaur was sent to her home in Jallupur Khera in Amritsar district and asked her not to leave the country without informing the police.

Amritpal Singh was not known till last September when he returned to India from Dubai where he was running his family’s transport business.

A resident of Jallupur Khera in Amritsar district, Amritpal Singh had moved to Dubai in 2012.

Waris Punjab De is an organisation that was floated by lawyer-actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu in 2021. One of the accused in Red Fort violence, Sidhu died in a road accident near Haryana’s Sonepat in February 2022.

Unlike Bhindranwale, Amritpal Singh didn’t have any formal religious schooling. A dropout from polytechnic, he cut his hair and shaved his beard while in Dubai.

Police records say Amritpal Singh has been involved in scores of disputes, kidnappings and issuing threats.

Facing criticism for using the Bir of the Guru Granth Sahib as a shield during the clash, Amritpal Singh in March met Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh in Amritsar.

After the closed-door meeting, Amritpal Singh said, “This meeting was about Panthic issues and Sikh youth. Such meetings on current affairs of Punjab should be held regularly.”

Amritsar, demanding the release of one of their colleagues who had been taken into custody in an alleged kidnapping case.

Six policemen were injured in the bloody clash.

his arrest, some media reports

Amritpal Singh.

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On April 20, 2023, the Surrey Board of Trade hosted the Housing Crisis Solutions with Minister Ravi Kahlon event to discuss innovative solutions to British Columbia’s housing crisis with the Minister as he shared his vision to alleviate housing challenges.

FVREB’s Chair of the Stakeholder and Government Relations Committee, Tore Jacobsen, asserted that FVREB is “encouraged that the provincial government recognizes the reality of the crisis and appreciates the funding and strategies aimed at making a lasting impact.”

Nevertheless, some recent policy passed by Premier Eby’s administration demonstrates

the lack of collaboration between the provincial, local, Indigenous governments, and housing stakeholders across the housing continuum. A proactive, consultative process is needed to prevent unintended negative consequences of various housing policies, such as the fallout from the Building and Strata Statutes Amendment Act, which banned age restrictions for any age below 55 in strata buildings. This resulted in even fewer opportunities for growing families and firsttime homebuyers, as some strata corporations have shifted their age limits to 55-plus. This consequence could have been anticipated and perhaps mitigated had the housing sector been properly consulted.

Jacobsen added that as policyminded stakeholders in the housing sector who desire greater governmental consultation on housing policy, we want to be

there to provide guidance and expertise to housing policymakers.

“What we are calling for today is the establishment of a formalized housing roundtable so that when the provincial government is looking at implementing new ideas, they run it past a series of representatives drawn from within the housing continuum,” Hargreaves said.

As the voice of BC REALTORS®, BCREA is dedicated to advocating this recommendation for a permanent provincial housing roundtable and will drive this message forward to elected BC Members of the Legislative Assembly during our annual Government Liaison Days in Victoria, at the beginning of May.

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Stunning Italian kitchen with lots of storage, premium Bosch full-size appliances and quartz countertops. TWO parking spaces with electric plug in and locker. Enjoy f/t concierge service. Resortstyle amenities: ocean view outdoor pool and hot tub, putting green, bbqs, dog area, yoga area and gym. A stunning modern ocean view condo. Video: cotala.com/57657 705 - 15165 THRIFT AVE, WHITE ROCK $995,000 Ocean View Condo, Resort-Style Amenities 2 bed, 2 bath, 927 sqft MLS# R2766006 April 29, 2023 Volume 31 Number 17 Ph.: 604-502-6100 Fax: 604-501-6111 Email: voicerealtyads@gmail.com

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*Subjec ttocreditapproval.Conditionsandrestrictionsapply. CIBCreser vesthe right to amendorterminateany oralloftheproducts, servicesorassociatedoffers,includingpricingorinterest ratesatanytimeandwithoutadvance notice, unlessotherwise requiredbylaw,regulationoragreement.Physician &Surgeon/Dental/Optometryprac tisingprofessionalsmustberegisteredwiththeirrespectiveprovincialprac ticeregulator ybodies,subjec ttoconditions andrestrictions. †ThisLimitedtimecashbackofferisvaliduntil April 30,2022basedonapplication date and available for mor tgageloans fo rsttimehomebuyers,mor tgage loans fornewpurchase,ormortgageloans that are transferred to CIBCfromanother nancialinstitution.Mortgageloansmustbefundedwithin120daysofapplicationdate. Mortgageloanmusthave aprincipal amount of$100,000ormore, andbeeither aCIBCFixed-RateClosed Mortgageloanwith atermof4yearsormoreora 5-yearCIBCVariable Flex Mortgageloan.A personalCIBCchequingaccountfromwhichpre-authorizedmor tgagepaymentsare madeis required.Qualifyingclientswill receive$3,000 on amor tgage

Five-time Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal passes away at 95

Chandigarh (IANS): Five-time Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patriarch Parkash Singh Badal, who was suffering from bronchial asthma, passed away at a private hospital in Mohali on Tuesday evening. He was 95.

Badal is survived by his son and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, and his Member of Parliament daughter Parneet Kaur.

He was cremated on Thursday at his ancestral village in Punjab’s Muktsar district with thousands of mourners and leaders across the political spectrum paying their last respects.

Sukhbir Singh Badal lit the pyre at the funeral held with full state honours.

BJP national President J.P. Nadda, Union Ministers Hardeep Puri and Som Parkash, Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Ministers Bhagwant Mann and Ashok Gehlot, former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Hooda, National Congress leader Omar Abdullah, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, former union minister Praful Patel, among others, attended the

cremation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid his last respects to the patriarch in Chandigarh where his body was kept for public to pay their respect.

Modi had, on Tuesday, described the demise of Badal as a “personal loss” and said he was a colossal figure of Indian politics who contributed greatly to the nation.

Congress leader and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a letter to Sukhbir Badal, expressed his deepest condolences and acknowledged his contributions for the welfare of farmers and weaker sections

Earlier, Akali Dal chief and his son Sukhbir Badal said in a statement that the elderly Badal was “not just a human being, not just an institution, not just an era but it’s like

history halts at a critical juncture and I can barely gather my thoughts or manage words to announce that Sardar Parkash Singh Badal left us at 8 p.m. to embark on his journey to eternal peace at Guru Sahiban’s and Akal Purakh’s feet”.

Describing Parkash Singh Badal as a “towering figure” in Indian politics and a leader who served the people of Punjab with distinction, Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit on Tuesday expressed his condolences on his passing away.

“Badal was a man of integrity, wisdom, and compassion, who devoted his life to the service of our people. He was a true son of Punjab, who worked tirelessly to promote the interests of our state and its people,” he said in a statement.

His contribution to the growth and development of Punjab is immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come, Purohit said, adding: “Badal’s vision and leadership have helped shape the course of our state’s history, and his presence will be sorely missed by all those who knew him and worked alongside him.”

Badal, who started in politics at the age of 21 when he became the sarpanch of his village, remained active in politics till the age of 95 and was always at the centre of politics in his political career of more than 74 years

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and former chief minister Amarinder Singh also offered their condolences and praised Parkash Singh Badal’s contributions to the state and the country as chief minister and union minister. Mann called him an able administrator and, above all, a fine human being with qualities of head and heart. Amarinder Singh said that “Sardar Badal was a towering leader who commanded respect across states cutting across party lines”.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday expressed his condolences on the demise of country’s most “experienced and veteran politician” Parkash Singh Badal.

“The demise of Parkash Singh Badal is an irreparable loss to Indian politics and his name is written in golden letters in the history of the country’s politics,” he said.

He said Badal, who started in politics at the age of 21 when he became the sarpanch of his village, remained active in politics till the age of 95 and was always at the centre of politics in his political career of more than 74 years.

Khattar said the five-time former Chief Minister Badal, became the Chief Minister for the first time at the age of 43.

The Chief Minister said in 2015 Prime Minister Narendra Modi had described Badal as the ‘Nelson Mandela of Independent India’.

He said with the demise of Badal an era of Indian politics has come to an end, which had seen the making and changing of India from Independence till the 21st century. His goodwill and nature of gelling up with the common people used to establish him as a completely different politician, Khattar added.

Parkash Singh Badal.Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays his last respects. Sukhbir Singh Badal (Left).

Make a Stink for Better Public Washrooms

WHEN asked how to become a famous comedian, Steve Martin replied, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” It’s true, bad performers can usually be ignored. But there’s no ignoring bad public washrooms.

Public washrooms have a reputation for abysmal filth, as evidenced by dirty toilets, overflowing trash, empty or broken soap dispensers, sloppy countertops, and door handles not to be touched.

An American survey found that 21 percent of respondents used a public washroom at least six times a week, sometimes over 15 times! The reason was not always obvious.

Youth tend to visit washrooms to use their phones, change their clothes, or “get away”. In fact, 21 percent of youth acknowledge the use of public washrooms to take a mental health break, to avoid someone, and on occasion to cry.

Older people, in addition to using the facilities, also visit public washrooms to check their appearance.

Whatever the reason to visit, how important is it to take precautions? The good news is that some of the germs found in public washrooms are no different than the germs found in many other places, including the bathroom at home.

Take Staphylococcus aureus for example. It will be found in dirty public washrooms. But it is also commonly carried around by 20-30 percent of people on their skin or in the respiratory system. It is an opportunistic pathogen, meaning it starts to cause trouble not when commonly encountered in the washroom but when the immune system is weakened or when the natural balance of bacteria in the gut is altered.

Authorities disagree on how long certain other nasty germs survive or how readily they cause infection. But many bathroom studies have shown remarkable staying power – up to 8 days for E. coli. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu can survive on some surfaces for 48 hours.

Washing hands after using public facilities is a no brainer. Yet a study published in Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control found that handwashing and hand-drying equipment in public washrooms are facilitating infections due to contaminated sink handles and paper towel dispensers. Plus people don’t wash their hands with soapy water for 20 seconds or more.

Even with the best of efforts, some researchers have noted that “adequate hand hygiene may not always be achievable when using public washrooms.” That’s because the door handle used to leave the washroom is covered in germs.

Opting out of using a public bathroom and resorting to “holding behaviour” is not advisable. “Always go to the bathroom when you have a chance,” goes the sage advice of King George V. Royalty have their own reasons. But among common folk, holding urine in the bladder can invite bacteria in the urine to multiply and cause the development of urinary track infections.

When you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go.

But there’s worse news to report. A study published in 2020 in Physics of Fluids described a phenomenon known as “toilet turbulence.” It’s an alarming and repulsive discovery to learn that flushing a toilet can send small droplets of water and aerosols containing fecal germs three feet into the air above the seat!

One public health message advises users to turn away from the toilet when flushing. Good lord! There’s a reason for a toilet seat lid. Put it down before you

flush.

Making a stink about public washrooms that are poorly designed and infrequently cleaned is probably the best course of action. Afterall, what restaurant or community venue wants to be associated

with disgusting washrooms?

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the Human Development sectors at the World Bank, including health policy and economics, nutrition, and population health.