Indo-Canadian Voice Main - Dec 3 2022

More officers hit the streets as Surrey Police Service marks first deployment anniversary

SURREY Police Service (SPS) deployed an additional 33 police officers into policing operations on November 28, bringing the total number of SPS officers deployed into policing operations to 187.

This week also marks the oneyear anniversary of SPS’s first operational deployment, which occurred on November 29, 2021.

This latest deployment is in accordance with the SPS-RCMP Human Resources Strategy and Plan that is currently in effect until May 2023.

Over the past year, SPS sergeants and constables have been deployed into positions on the frontline, as well as into investigative and community-focused positions. The current phase of Surrey’s policing transition involves an integrated policing model with both SPS and RCMP officers responding to calls for service.

“The police and civilian staff of Surrey Police Service continue to provide exceptional service to the citizens of Surrey. We have now been responding to major incidents, saving lives, and making significant contributions to public safety for

one year,” said Chief Constable Norm Lipinski.

“I especially want to acknowledge the very first group of SPS officers who were deployed a year ago –that small group of officers are now part of a very sizable SPS contingent working 24/7 in every Surrey neighbourhood. They perform necessary and important roles in public safety for Surrey

residents.”

SPS has a total of 375 employees, consisting of 315 sworn police officers and 60 civilian employees. The officers who are not deployed are either recruits in training (28) or experienced officers who are awaiting deployment and currently working to support the critical work needed to support the growth and development of SPS.

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke comes up with a joke of a police transitioning plan

for

The

Surrey Police Service Chief Constable Norm Lipinski with SPS officers. Photo submitted

SURREY Mayor Brenda Locke, who won only 28 per cent of the total vote in this year’s municipal election, shamelessly keeps bulldozing her way at the instigation of her buddy, Surrey RCMP’s officer in charge Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards, and his RCMP gang to mock the vast majority of Surreyites (72 per cent) who did not vote

her ‘keep the RCMP in Surrey’ agenda.

City presented a plan on Monday in Council to reverse the police transitioning in Surrey with a hole as big as a galaxy about hiring enough officers for the RCMP to fill the current gap in officers.

RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke having a hearty laugh at a recent funeral of an RCMP officer.

Majority of residents have made it clear they do NOT want RCMP in Surrey

CONTINUED FROM 1

Edwards brazenly claimed that he had 573 operational RCMP officers and that he needed 161 officers whom he could get by the end of 2023 – even though he knows that 275 of 293 SPU frontline officers of Surrey Police Service officers have pledged not to work in the toxic RCMP atmosphere.

As The VOICE has repeatedly pointed out, former mayor Doug McCallum won the election in 2018 with 45,564 votes — 41.08% of the total votes — to kick out the RCMP from Surrey whereas Locke won

with only 33,311 votes — 28.14% of the total votes to keep the RCMP in the city.

Yet, in spite of that massive mandate that McCallum garnered, Locke and her buddy Jack Hundial as RCMP poodles used every trick in the book to sabotage the police transitioning in Surrey.

They – with the support of a section of the dishonest mainstream media – even spread doubts about McCallum’s innocence in the public mischief case that the RCMP brought against him in total violation of any ethical or professional standards. Many did not vote for

McCallum and his Safe Surrey Coalition because of this fake propaganda.

Also, the City’s puppets under Locke are still desperately trying to fudge financial figures after Surrey Connect made the claim that keeping the RCMP would save residents $520 million over the next four years.

The RCMP made sure that their supporters, whose raucous, bullying behaviour is well-known to all Surrey-ites, were present at the Council meeting to cheer on Edwards. Do Surrey-ites really want this kind of an atmosphere in our

multicultural city (67.1 per cent of people identified themselves as a person of colour in Surrey in 2021)?

Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth MUST reject this baloney plan by Locke and Edwards.

The NDP government will lose massive support among South Asians and others in Surrey if they reverse the police transitioning. The reversal will also endanger public safety in the City because the majority of residents – and the vast majority of South Asians – have made it clear that they do NOT want the RCMP in Surrey.

Indo-Pacific Strategy funding will help strengthen Canada’s International Student Program

SEAN Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, on Wednesday announced how investments in the immigration system will allow Canada to grow and prosper as part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

An investment of $74.6 million over five years, and $15.7 million ongoing, will boost the application processing capacity both domestically and in the Indo-Pacific region—including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Islamabad and Manila.

Fraser said these new resources will bolster ongoing efforts to process the high volume of visa applications from the region, contribute to improved processing times, and support people-to-people ties, all with the goal of bringing more people to Canada—whether to visit, study, work or immigrate permanently—and doing it faster.

He noted that what’s more, international students make immense social and economic contributions

to Canada. In recent years, the Indo-Pacific region has accounted for nearly two thirds of the international students Canada welcomes.

Thousands of those students transition to permanent residence in Canada each year, while thousands more return home after completing their education, taking with them a personal connection to Canada.

Funding received through the Indo-

Pacific Strategy will help strengthen Canada’s International Student Program and promote greater diversity in the region among those looking to study here. By giving them access to permanent residence and job opportunities that could lead to staying in Canada, these investments will attract students, who frequently become the highly skilled workers Canada needs to meet the challenges of our economy today and tomorrow.

The Government of Canada recognizes the significant and profound role the Indo-Pacific region will play in the country’s future. By investing in the immigration system and building a strong mutual partnership with the Indo-Pacific, the government demonstrates Canada’s commitment to long-term prosperity for both regions.

Quick Facts:

* The Government of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy is led by

Global Affairs Canada and draws in a number of other departments, including Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada through the various initiatives being pursued.

* The Indo-Pacific Strategy includes new initiatives and investments of almost $2.3 billion over the first five years.

* In 2021, India, China and the Philippines were the top three source countries for permanent residents to Canada, accounting for 44% of admissions combined.

* Approximately 65% of Canada’s international students are from the Indo-Pacific region. As part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, the CanadaASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development program will provide $14.2 million in funding over five years to encourage valuable exchanges and the sharing of expertise, and to introduce more education and research in shared areas of interest.

Sean Fraser

Photo: Twitter

Celebration of India’s Constitution Day at Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha

THE Consulate General of India, Vancouver, in partnership with the Chetna Association of Canada and Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha, Vancouver, commemorated the adoption of the Constitution of India on November 26, 1949, by the Constituent Assembly on Saturday at Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha in Burnaby. Consul General Manish welcomed the Speaker of the BC Legislature, Raj Chouhan, and Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, among other dignitaries.

The panel of speakers included Manish, Prof. Swaran Singh, visiting JNU Professor of the University of British Columbia, Advocate Laveen Gill, and Jai Birdi of Chetna Association of Canada highlighted different aspects of the Indian Constitution. The deliberations focused on the Preamble of the Constitution, the historical context in which Constitution was drafted and adopted, special aspects of the constitutional provisions of India and Canada, fundamental rights and directive principles of state policy.

The attendees also observed silence and paid homage to the victims of the Mumbia Terror Attack on November 26, 2008.

Photos by JAY SHARMA of Mahi Photo Studio and Indian

General

Consul General ManishRaj Chouhan, Speaker of the BC Legislature Jai Birdi Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley with Manish

Surrey RCMP Assistant Commissioner deliberately omits critical information on policing levels

IN response to Surrey RCMP Officer in Charge (OIC) Brian Edwards who on Monday night told Surrey City Council that “[p]ublic safety and making sure all police officers under my command –both RCMP and SPS [Surrey Police Service] – go home at the end of their shifts are my most important duties,” the Surrey Police Union (SPU) said on Tuesday that it is stepping forward to correct the record.

Edwards’ subsequent claim that Surrey RCMP are “locally accountable” is completely contrary to the circumstances surrounding the current and ongoing safety risks that frontline officers in Surrey are facing daily, the SPU added.

Pointing out that local accountability requires the provision of accurate information to elected officials and Surrey residents, the SPU said that the following

is a list of recent statistics confirmed by it that were left out of Edward’s presentation:

* 7 out of 14 shifts (50%) in the past week (November 20 to 26) were below minimum staffing levels as per RCMP’s own standard;

* On November 26, Surrey RCMP was not accepting non-emergency calls due to shortages in the Operations Control Centre;

* On November 26, there were only 18 constables working the entirety of Surrey after 3:30 a.m.;

* On November 23, 12 officers had to be pulled in for overtime, which still was not able to raise staffing levels to meet the RCMP standard.

(See backgrounder for more facts and statistics)

The SPU said it had in the past reached out to Edwards and the National Police Federation to address these alarming shortages, only to

have the request refused.

The resulting dangers for Surrey residents and officers alike are being glossed over in the name of politics, according to SPU President Rick Stewart.

“After watching OIC Brian Edwards’ comments last night, I am very concerned by the deliberate omission of the actual policing scenarios taking place on the ground as a result of RCMP staffing shortages,” said Stewart.

“When there is a regular occurrence of only one to three officers patrolling the entirety of South Surrey and Cloverdale at night, it is clear that the daily threats to public safety in Surrey are not being taken seriously by RCMP leadership.”

He said that the staffing shortage situation became so concerning in the Spring of 2022 that the SPU submitted a request for an im-

mediate investigation by the Labour Program of Employment and Social Development Canada under the Canada Labour Code, and subsequently to WorkSafe BC, in support of the health and safety of both RCMP and SPS officers in Surrey.

“The SPU is releasing this information because it is critical that our elected officials and Surrey residents have accuracy about the realities on the streets of our city before any major decisions are made,” said Stewart.

Backgrounder on RCMP Staffing Shortages

* In November of 2021, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) assigned the first group of 29 sworn officers to the Surrey RCMP. The total number of assigned officers reached 154 at the end of September 2022 and will reach 190 by the end of November 2022

* According to internal guidelines, the Surrey RCMP strives to deploy a total of 42 constables per watch. For each watch, the officers are divided between five

Districts and three separate shift deployment times. Two watches deploy per calendar day

* These guidelines do not establish minimum staffing levels for individual districts or shifts. Therefore, even when the Surrey RCMP deploys 42 constables over the course of a 12-hour watch, there have been early mornings in the City of Surrey where one entire District (ranging between 74,000 to 154,000 residents) has been staffed with a single constable from 3:30 a.m. until 6 a.m.

* Unlike many municipal police agencies, RCMP minimum staffing levels are only a guideline and are not enforced by the collective agreement or letters of understanding with their respective police union. Therefore, it is common for watches to run below these minimums without any accountability or recourse to the police union or the membership

* A review of available data by SPS found approximately 25% or more of RCMP de-

ployments were not meeting minimum staffing levels earlier this year

* To demonstrate these shortages, one day in June of 2022, the Surrey RCMP deployed approximately 31 frontline officers during the day across the entire city

* SPS officers represent between 35-50% of frontline general duty deployments each day across two watches. It has become commonplace for SPS to deploy the majority of officers throughout the various districts;

* SPS staff have observed RCMP members transferred out of frontline policing positions whenever new SPS officers entered the Surrey RCMP assignment. The transfer of RCMP members out of frontline positions has prevented the Surrey RCMP from increasing frontline staffing numbers and has contributed to their inability to consistently meet minimum staffing numbers

* The Operational Communications Centre (OCC), which is responsible for 911 service to the public, strives to have 14 staff members during the day and 12 staff members at night. It is a regular occurrence that OCC is staffed with just 3-4 staff members, which means that nonemergency calls are not responded to

* This non-emergency lack of response policy in times of severe staffing shortages is a significant reason for the falling crime rate that OIC Edwards trumpeted to Surrey City Council in his presentation

the entirety of South Surrey and Cloverdale at night,

taken seriously by RCMP leadership”

Surrey Police Service Chief Constable Norm Lipinski and Surrey Police Union President Staff-Sgt. Rick Stewart. Photo: SPS

Surrey City Council “cannot order the Surrey Police Board and Surrey Police Service to stop hiring employees”

THE Surrey Police Board in its response to the City of Surrey request to stop hiring and spending, said that the City Council “cannot order the Surrey Police Board and Surrey Police Service to stop hiring employees,” adding: “similarly, it cannot freeze SPS’s budgeted expenditures.”

Here’s the letter dated December 1 signed by Jessie Sunner and Cheney Cloke, Vice Chairs of Surrey Police Board:

We write to address your letter of November 15, 2022, in which you instructed the Surrey Police Board (the Board) to suspend all new hiring and expenditures to advance the policing transition to Surrey Police Service (SPS) from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In your letter, you also request that the Board reach out to the RCMP to align both SPS and RCMP 2023 provisional budgets. Although City Council passed the motions set out in your letter, it cannot order the Surrey Police Board and Surrey Police Service to stop hiring employees. Similarly, it cannot freeze SPS’s budgeted expenditures. On November 15, 2022, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General corrected this misunderstanding by commenting publicly on the role and authority of Surrey City Council in relation to SPS, our hiring process and our expenditures. The Vancouver Sun on-line edition (November 15, 2022) reported the Minister’s comments: “B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said Tuesday the City of Surrey does not have the authority to order a spending freeze by the Surrey Police Service before a decision is made on halting the transition from the RCMP. The province has final say on the transition. … ‘They don’t have any authority to freeze spending,’ said Farnworth, responding in Victoria to reporters’ questions. ‘There is a (transition) plan that is already in place. And that plan continues until there is a new plan.’ ” (accessed November 23, 2022 at … )

As you are aware, the Surrey Police Service was established by the Surrey Police Board

in August 2020, after the appointment of the Board members by the Lieutenant Governor in Council of the Province of British Columbia. Pursuant to section 26 of the BC Police Act, the Board established a municipal police department and appointed a chief constable and other constables and employees the municipal police board considered necessary to provide policing and law enforcement in the municipality.

The Surrey Police Board is independent from the City. This is recognized in the City’s own Framework document dated November 24, 2022 which states: “The Board is an independent entity from the City” (at p. 8).

The Surrey Police Board’s independence from City Council is confirmed by the provisions of the Police Act. The first principle under the Act is independence of police services from municipal governments, at both the Mayor and Councillor level and the city administration level. The appointment letters for Board members state, in part:

“Municipal police boards are created independently from municipal councils and from the provincial government. This removes boards from partisan council politics and recognizes that both the municipality and the province have legitimate interests in municipal policing.”

The word “governed” in section 23(1) of the

Police Act is significant. The Board governs SPS, City Council does not. Although the Mayor is the Chair of the Board under section 25(1) of the Act, the Mayor’s position as Chair is ex officio, and the Chair must act in the interests of the Board, voting only in the event of a tie.

Section 26(2) of the Police Act stipulates that the duties and functions of a municipal police department are under the direction of the municipal police board, and that (3) subject to a collective agreement, the chief constable and every employee of a municipal police department must be employees of the board, and must be provided with the accommodation, equipment and supplies the board considers necessary to carry out their duties and functions.

The Police Act further provides specific and clear direction for the preparation and approval of the municipal police department’s budget, including a provision to dispute direction from city council. Section 27(3) states:

If a council does not approve an item in the budget, the director, on application by the council or the municipal police board, must (a) determine whether the item or amount should be included in the budget, and (b) report the director’s findings to the municipal police board, the council and the minister.

This section provides assurance that a city’s mayor and council do not have the authority to over-ride, pause or change the police department’s budget or operations. It is a foundational principle of the governance of municipal police departments in BC that local governments remain arms-length from policing operations, and it is the Board’s duly appointed responsibility to ensure both continued resources and the well-being of our employees.

Your request that the Board work with the RCMP to align our budgets is concerning. City staff are well aware that the RCMP will not readily share information with outside agencies. Having said that, the Board is prepared to share information requested by the City, as indicated later in this letter, and

expects the City will provide the same information it has from the RCMP to the Board. This is both fair and ensures openness. Regarding the Board’s budget, the Board has prepared the 2023 provisional budget for SPS and has submitted it to the City on time as required by section 27 of the Police Act. The alignment of the SPS and RCMP budgets within the overall Policing Operations budget is the City’s responsibility, although the Board is prepared to participate in open, collaborative and constructive processes with both the City and the RCMP as required.

Respecting your request for information related to salary, operating, and capital costs, we have prepared our response in the attached appendix. As stated earlier, it is consistent with openness and fairness that the City provide the Board with the same type of information it has regarding the RCMP. Going forward, the Surrey Police Board and Surrey Police Service will continue to act on the advice and guidance of the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General in these matters.

(For the appendix, please visit our website voiceonline.com)

Jessie Sunner

Cheney Cloke

Photos: Surrey Police Board

Surrey RCMP top cop disputes Surrey Police Union’s claims on operational resources while bringing in his petty politics

ASSISTANT Commissioner Brian Edwards, Officer in Charge of Surrey RCMP, on Tuesday disputed claims by Surrey Police Union that he deliberately omitted critical information on policing levels at Monday’s Surrey City Council meeting.

In a statement in which he exposed his petty politics vis-a-vis former mayor Doug McCallum who won a massive mandate for replacing the RCMP in Surrey, he accused his opponents of making “significant efforts to create fear and misrepresent information publically, at the expense of both public and police officer safety,” adding that “today’s release by the Surrey Police Union which was then supported by Doug McCallum are prime examples.”

What exactly was the need to mention “which was then supported by Doug McCallum” if Edwards was indeed trying to rise above his petty politics that has vitiated the atmosphere in Surrey with his rude and crude pro-RCMP supporters that he has encouraged?

In any case, if you can still believe what the RCMP says when it comes to Surrey policing, here is what Edwards claims:

“It is not common practice for police to release exact breakdowns of operational resources on any given shift. What I can say is that the statistics and numbers provided by the SPU are inaccurate, and in my view, are deliberately intended to mislead the public. I call on the Surrey Police Service Executive to expend all efforts to discontinue this harmful rhetoric from the Surrey Police Union.

“Surrey Detachment is funded for 734 positions, and is currently exceeding that target.

On any given shift, on top of the Frontline resources, we have plainclothes investigation units, uniform gang and bike/foot patrols, traffic officers, uniform community policing officers, as well as a team of on call Serious Crime investigators that are called in during a major incident. We also receive significant operational support from the Lower Mainland Integrated Teams for forensics, police

Former Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum slams lack of transparency at City Council

FORMER Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum on Tuesday said in a statement: “It is an affront to transparency and accountability that only the Surrey R.C.M.P. were invited to speak to the City Council last night,” adding that “the current numbers of frontline officers on the ground in Surrey are alarming.”

dogs, air services, homicide investigations and emergency response.

“Our Watch Duty Officers have 24/7 control to manage resources by utilizing the above noted teams. The ability to quickly scale resources has been key in maintaining an effective and efficient police service through numerous challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, with no increase to our establishment since 2018.

“In regards to our Operational Communications Centre (OCC), we have been impacted by a staff shortage of call takers and dispatchers, like many agencies across BC and Canada. Our OCC staff are City of Surrey employees, and we are working closely with the City to mitigate the affects of these shortages and we will soon have more hires in place.

911 calls have not been impacted, and for non-emergency calls, these have been prioritized or directed to a radio room Constable; alternatively the public can make use of our online reporting tools when necessary.”

McCallum pointed out: “The SPS Union has made a shocking revelation today that under the RCMP there is a regular occurrence of only 1-3 officers patrolling the entirety of South Surrey and Cloverdale at night.” He stressed: “I think it is important for all pertinent information – including current staffing levels by the RCMP in Surrey – to be made publicly available. Withholding such critical facts makes this a manipulated discourse, which is not in the public interest.”

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The way the RCMP went after McCallum regarding the public mischief case against him in their unethical and unprofessional man-

ner that backfired on them makes it very difficult to believe anything they say on Surrey policing.

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum

Photo by JAY SHARMA of Mahi Photo Studio

PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday announced the appointment of Ritu Khullar, a judge of the Court of Appeal of Alberta, as the new Chief Justice of Alberta, Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal for the Northwest Territories, and Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nunavut.

Khullar replaces Catherine A. Fraser, the first woman appointed Chief Justice of a province in Canada, who retired earlier this year.

Trudeau said: “I wish the Honourable Ritu Khullar every success as she takes on her new role. She is a respected member of the legal community and brings a wealth of experience in multiple areas of law to the bench. I am confident Chief Justice Khullar will be a great asset to the people of Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.”

Khullar was born in Fort Vermilion, Alberta, to parents who had immigrated from India. She spent her childhood in the small town of Morinville, Alberta. She and her spouse, Robert, have two adult sons, and one dog.

Ritu Khullar appointed Chief Justice of Alberta

Territories, and Nunavut in 2018.

From 1998 until her appointment to the judiciary, she practised with Chivers Greckol and Kanee (now Chivers Carpenter Lawyers), where she focused on labour and employment, privacy, administrative, human rights, and constitutional law, and served as managing partner for eight years. She appeared before numerous administrative tribunals and every level of court in Canada including the Supreme Court of Canada.

Throughout her legal career, Khullar lectured at the University of Alberta and served on numerous committees of the Canadian Bar Association. She was also a member of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the province of Alberta in 2003, and more recently, she was the Chair of the Government of Alberta’s Advisory Panel on Coal Communities. She also acted pro bono in significant cases, including representing Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) before the Supreme Court of Canada.

Khullar has been active on a number of court committees and has continued to show her commitment to ongoing education through her work with the National Judicial Institute, the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice, and the Legal Education Society of Alberta, as well as speaking to a variety of audiences.

Khullar earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. – Honours) from the University of Toronto. She clerked at the Alberta Court of Appeal and the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench before going into private practice.

* Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices in Canada are responsible for the leadership and administration of their courts. They also serve as members of the Canadian Judicial Council, which works to improve the quality of judicial services in the superior courts of Canada.

* Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of Cabinet and the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Moose Wala murder mastermind Goldy Brar detained in California

Chandigarh/New Delhi (IANS): Gangster Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, the alleged mastermind behind the killing of famed Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, has been detained in California, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed on Friday.

Brar, a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, had moved to the US from Canada, where he was based since 2017.

He claimed responsibility for the brutal murder of Moose Wala on May 29 on behalf of the gang.

Addressing the media in Gujarat, Mann said: “It is confirmed news, and I say this being the head of the state [Punjab], that Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar, who was indulging in anti-social activities and was involved in funding such activities, has been detained in the US.”

Punjab Police had recently got a Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued against him after taking up the matter with the Union Home Ministry, he added. A day earlier, on Thursday, Moose Wala’s

father, Balkaur Singh, had appealed to the Punjab government to announce a reward of at least Rs 2 crore [Rs 20 million] for any information that would lead to the arrest of Brar.

“Recently, a Punjabi man fled from Australia after murdering a woman. The Australian government announced a reward of 1 million dollars for giving information about him. As a result, he was arrested in six days. I pay Rs 2 crore in a year as tax to the government. Still, if the government is not able to pay such an amount as a reward, I am ready to pay it from my pocket, even if I have to sell my land for it. I just want the reward to be announced by the government,” he said.

Brar, a native of Sri Muktsar Sahib, had gone to Canada on a student visa in 2017. He was also a key conspirator in the Dera Sacha Sauda follower murder last month. The killing of Moose Wala was executed by six sharpshooters and four of them were

arrested and two shot dead in a police encounter.

Khullar was appointed to the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta in 2017 and was elevated to the Courts of Appeal of Alberta, the Northwest

Ritu Khullar

Photo: cba.org

Sidhu Moose Wala

Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar

New SFU medical school moves forward

A new medical school on the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Surrey campus is taking a significant step forward with the hiring of an interim dean and provincial funding to support its development.

“While we have made enormous progress to strengthen public health care over the past five years, we know that many British Columbians are struggling to find a family doctor and waiting too long for care on a waiting list or in an emergency room,” said Premier David Eby on Monday.

“That’s why are taking action to train, recruit and retain family doctors now – and taking these steps with Simon Fraser University to train the health workforce we’ll need in the future. This investment in the first entirely new medical school in western Canada in 55 years will mean more family doctors graduating each year to provide care for people.”

A key action in the recently released health human resources strategy is to open a new medical school at SFU. As part of this plan, the Province is investing as much as $4.9 million in startup funding to support activities such as accreditation, curriculum planning, engagement, space planning and professional staff to support the SFU medical school project office.

In addition, SFU has retained an interim dean, Dr. Roger Strasser, who will provide strategic leadership in the planning and implementation of the medical school. Strasser was the founding dean and CEO of the

Baljit

Northern Ontario school of medicine and is a recognized leader in the development of health professional education.

“I am excited to be part of the establishment of a second medical school, which is a huge step toward developing the infrastructure needed to train more doctors, so all British Columbians can access the care they need,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “The development of the Simon Fraser University medical school will help meet the growing demand for physicians in B.C. over the longer term and train the next generation of doctors.”

Singh

The new medical school curriculum will be built on four pillars:

* Educate graduates who are well prepared to provide the prevention and primary care needs of diverse communities and populations.

* Educate physicians to work in team-based primary care settings that are patient-centred and socially accountable.

* Commit to reciprocal community partnerships in the development and implementation of the medical school.

* Embed and equalize Indigenous knowledge systems.

SFU’s medical school will take a focused approach to primary care, based on the university’s strength in community engagement and strong partnerships with the First Nations Health Authority, the Fraser Health Authority, other provincial health authorities and the practice community. Reciprocity, cultural safety and humility will be embedded throughout the school, along with First Nations, Inuit and Métis knowledge systems and perspectives.

“We’re marking a major milestone today in our commitment to train the doctors of tomorrow as work to establish B.C.’s second medical school takes a significant step forward,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “The new SFU medical school will create more opportunities for future doctors to learn, train and stay on to practise in communities throughout B.C. In turn, British

Nijjar, 32, of Surrey charged after Delta Police seize guns

ON November 24 at 4:20 a.m., a Delta Police Officer pulled over a truck for driving without any lights at 80 Avenue and Scott Road. A second officer attended to assist the first officer. From the second officer’s vantage point, she was able to see a handgun in the truck in plain view.

The driver, Baljit Singh Nijjar, 32, of Surrey, was arrested without incident for possession of a firearm. A search of the truck then located a second gun. Both guns were loaded. Of concern to the police is that one gun is a “ghost gun.” A ghost gun is a firearm that is produced or partially produced through the manufacturing of some parts using machining and/or 3-D printing, making the gun untraceable.

Nijjar has been charged with four counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm, one count of unauthorized possession of a restricted oversized magazine, two counts of occupy a vehicle knowing there was a prohibited/restricted firearm and two counts of possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm without license.

Delta Police said Nijjar is known to police and is believed to be connected to the current BC Gang Conflict. He remains in custody until his next court appearance on December 2.

Columbians will have increased access to highly skilled, dedicated doctors close to home.”

This new investment builds on $1.5 million provided to the university earlier this year by the Province to support the development of the business case. A project board has been established to oversee this work.

SFU is working toward its first student intake by September 2026. Establishing a new medical school at SFU complements the more immediate work the Province is doing to train, recruit and retain more family physicians to meet the challenges people in British Columbia are now facing.

This announcement builds on other actions to train and recruit more health-care workers in B.C., including 602 new nursing seats and 322 allied health seats added to public post-secondary institutions throughout the province and recruiting 9,000 people through the health-career access program.

The Province also recently announced a seat expansion at the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) faculty of medicine to train more doctors in B.C. This includes 40 new undergraduate medical education seats and as many as 88 new residency seats at the UBC faculty of medicine, which will be phased in throughout the province beginning in 2023. The expansion will create more opportunities for students and resident doctors to learn, train and stay on to practise in communities throughout B.C.

SFU is working toward its first student intake by September 2026

David Eby

Pistol with 3-D printed frame seized by Delta Police. Photo: Delta Police

More internationally educated family doctors on the way

MORE family doctors will be available to take patients and treat people as the Province expands a program that trains internationally educated doctors, so they can get licensed to practise in British Columbia, the Province announced on Sunday.

“The pandemic has exposed underlying challenges and added new strains to our public health-care system, and too many British Columbians are struggling to find a family doctor,” said Premier David Eby.

“Meanwhile, family doctors trained outside of Canada aren’t able to practise family medicine, because they lack a pathway to be licensed here. We need to fix this. That’s why we’re taking action to help get more internationally trained doctors off the sidelines and into communities where they are so desperately needed.”

The Province is expanding the Practice Ready Assessment program, which is a pathway for internationally educated family doctors to be licensed to work in B.C. The program will triple from 32 seats to 96 seats by March 2024.

The program will triple from 32 to 96 seats by March 2024

“By tripling the number of seats over the next 16 months under the Practice Ready Assessment program, providing a new pathway for international medical graduates to work as associate physicians, and removing barriers for doctors from the United States to work in B.C., we are delivering in our commitment to patients and building strong team-based care for all British Columbians,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.

International medical graduates (IMGs) who are not eligible for full or provisional licensure in B.C. may be eligible for a new associate physician class of restricted registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC). This will allow them to care for patients under the direction and supervision of an attending physician within a health authority acute-care setting.

This is part of government’s work to recruit more health professionals and provide immediate solutions for people who need to access health services. The Ministry of Health is also working with the CPSBC to expand the new

class, so associate physicians can work in community-based primary care settings over the coming months.

The Province is working with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family Physicians of Canada to allow IMGs to start the accreditation process before they arrive in B.C. Doctors interested in moving to B.C. will have increased certainty of being able to practise when they arrive, so they can support doctors and begin treating patients.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC will prepare bylaw changes to allow doctors trained in the U.S. for three years to practise medicine in community settings, such as urgent and primary care centres, community clinics and family practices. These doctors will be able to care for adult and pediatric patients, as well as provide emergency and urgent care. The bylaw changes will be implemented in the coming weeks, with the intent of allowing these doctors to practise medicine in B.C. communities by January 2023.

Dr. Heidi M. Oetter, Registrar and CEO, College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC, said: “British Columbia has a long history of relying on IMGs to deliver competent medical care to patients. The college applauds this important announcement to expand pathways to licensure for IMGs and improve patient access to high-quality health care. With the introduction of the new associate physician class of registration, the college is now able to offer an alternate route for IMGs who may not otherwise be eligible for licensure. Currently, associate physicians can work in collegeaccredited programs in health authorities. We are also pleased to work with the Ministry of Health to develop a structure that enables associate physicians to work in community primary care settings and to seek additional innovative, sustainable solutions to address B.C.’s health human resourcing challenges.”

Learn More:

To learn about the Practice Ready Assessment, visit: https://www.prabc.ca/

BCTF members ratify Memorandum of Agreement with BC Public School Employers’ Association

AFTER three days of voting, the membership of the BC Teachers’ Federation has voted to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement reached between the BCTF and the BC Public School Employers’ Association.

The vote was 94% in favour with 35,559 ballots returned.

Votes for: 33,246

Votes against: 2,299

The total number of eligible voters was approximately 49,684.

In a message sent to BCTF members on November 30, BCTF President Clint Johnston said: “Thank you for engaging in the bargaining process and taking part in this vote. Our union is strong because of our democratic process and member-led decision making.

“With ratification now successful, there is a lot to look forward to that will help members in important areas, such as salary improvements, better extended health benefits, and increases to professional development funding and preparation time.

“Together, we achieved some historic gains that will help members who are struggling with

BCTF

the affordability crisis and will make us more competitive with other provinces to help recruit and retain more teachers.

“There is a significant shortage of teachers in BC and that is negatively impacting our work-

load and the support we are able to provide for students. Too often, specialist teachers like counsellors are being pulled from their important work to cover classrooms, while other teachers are not getting the preparation time they are entitled to. This new deal will help BC be more competitive in terms of salary, but we need the government and school districts to do more, as the employer, to ensure our schools are properly staffed and students get the support they need.

“The BCTF will be working hard in the months ahead to not only get the government to report out publicly on the impacts of the shortage, but to also take meaningful action. “Thank you for your hard work and commitment to your students. You make a lasting, positive difference in the lives of BC’s children and youth every single day.”

ON Thursday, the Province in a press statement said that the ratified agreement includes: * three-year term – July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025

* general wage increases

– Year 1 – $427 added to each step of the grid plus an additional 3.24% general wage increase, and eliminate the bottom step of all grids

– Year 2 – 5.5% general wage increase plus up to an additional 1.25% cost-of-living adjustment, subject to specific criteria, and add 0.3% to the top step of all grids

– Year 3 – 2% general wage increase plus up to an additional 1.0% cost-of-living adjustment, subject to specific criteria, and an additional 0.11% to the top step of all grids

* Important achievements for both the parties in these negotiations include improvements to benefits, such as adding access to registered clinical counsellors and social workers; standard maternity supplemental employment benefits across the province; recognition of teaching experience from schools operated by First Nations in the same way as teaching experience is recognized from public schools; established a minimum level of professionaldevelopment funding across the province; and increased preparation time for elementary school teachers.

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

Clint Johnston

Photo:

BY JAI BIRDI General Secretary Chetna Association of Canada

ON behalf of the Chetna Association of Canada, it is my pleasure to extend greetings on the 74th Constitution Day of India.

Seventy-three years ago on this day, the Constitution was adopted in India. It was implemented on January 26, 1950.

The task of creating a framework that sustains democracy through unity, integrity, justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity for a nation with many cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity was not an easy task. My thanks to the drafting committee and its chairperson, Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar, for producing a document that kept the interests of a “common man” at the core of their heart when resolutions were being discussed and debated. In this spirt, I see and honor Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar as the pioneer in social engineering.

Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar’s passion for emancipation (political, social, and economic) comes out clearly when one reads Articles 14 through 18 on equality.

In terms of gender equality and other measures of social engineering, these and other articles have been tested and challenged

many times since the Constitution was implemented.

It is reassuring to learn that the spirit of democracy that lives through the Constitution has survived these challenges.

The Constitution has proven to be flexible, workable, and amendable to address emerging challenges and leverage newer opportunities.

For example, around 2016 when issues related to transgender were being hotly debated in the public domain, the Government of India was able to work within the Constitutional Framework and pass a new legislation in 2019, “The Transgender Person (Protection of Right) Act.

Ability to leverage the Constitution even after seventy years since The Constitution was adopted, and pass a legislation to address the emerging need, is perhaps another testimony to the far-sightedness of Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar. Perhaps, this is another great reason why Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar is, rightfully so, being revered as the Father and Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution.

Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar’s famous quote, “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved”, is a classic benchmark that provides women the right to vote as soon as the Constitution was adopted in 1950. This action, and other measures of inclusion provided in the constitution, creates many opportunities for women, minorities, and the marginalized or weaker sectors, to be more included and integrated in the public domain.

I appreciate there are many challenges. Concerns related to caste-based discrimination are continuing to surface in India.

With the growth of the Indian Diaspora, incidents of discrimination are also surfacing in Canada and other parts of the world.

At the same time, there are many newer opportunities to partner and collaborate to enhance inclusion globally. This awareness and willingness to collaborate for improving humanity are helping to respond and be proactive.

Observing or celebrating days such as Constitution Day give us the opportunity to reflect, rethink, and remind ourselves of the values the Fathers of The Constitution had in mind. Knowing and understanding these values will undoubtedly influence and shape our thinking to take actions that support unity, integrity, and inclusion. Constitution Day is also a wonderful opportunity for us to see if our path is right or not.

I am thankful to Mr. Manish ji, Consul General of India, for collaborating with Chetna Association of Canada and Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha to host presentations on the Constitution and instigate our collective thinking on this day.

I am also very grateful to many local individuals, academic institutions, media outlets, and community organizations, for becoming a partner in giving a stronger life and meaning to the ideals enshrined in the Constitution. These actions are helping to proactively address many of these challenges and reduce the impact.

More international youth being allowed to work and travel in Canada

SEAN Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, on Thursday launched the 2023 International Experience Canada (IEC) Program with a 20% increase in the number of applicants who can apply.

Applicants will be able to apply as of January 9, 2023.

IEC is a reciprocal program that allows Canadian and international youth to work and travel in each other’s countries. This increase means that nearly 90,000 candidates will be able to work and travel in Canada, including Francophone youth, which will help employers fill labour gaps, including for seasonal work opportunities in Canada’s tourism industry.

By allowing more international youth to work and travel in Canada, the Government

of Canada is helping employers, including those in the tourism industry, find the workers they need.

Canada has a long-standing history of supporting Canadian and international youth to travel and work abroad. IEC helps youth explore new cultures, languages, and societies, all while developing life skills and improving their job prospects for the future.

Fraser said: “Our government is helping more international youth to work and travel in Canada, effectively helping employers, most of those in the tourism industry, find the workers they need. By giving youth the opportunity of international travel and work experience, we are strengthening our economy and helping our businesses succeed, particularly in places like Banff that need

seasonal help.”

Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, added: “International youth bring so much to our country. From building people-to-people ties to helping our businesses succeed, international youth add value to communities right across Canada. Today’s announcement will benefit sectors like the tourism industry, to find the workers they need to fill labour gaps all while providing youth the opportunity to explore Canadian cultures, languages and societies.”

Quick Facts:

* Canada has youth mobility arrangements with 36 countries and foreign territories through the IEC Program that allow youth

from Canada’s partner countries to work and travel in Canada for up to two years. The ages range from 18 to 35 depending on the country.

* There are three categories of participation under the program:

- Working Holiday participants receive an open work permit that allows them to work anywhere in the host country to support their travels.

- International Co-op (Internship) participants receive an employer-specific work permit that allows students to gain targeted experience in their field of study.

- Young Professionals participants receive an employer-specific work permit to gain targeted, professional work experience that is within their field of study or career path.

Prioritize influenza vaccination ahead of holiday season, says VCH Public Health

SINCE B.C. first began offering influenza vaccines this fall, over 340,000 doses have been administered to adults and children in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region.

As the influenza virus has arrived in B.C., VCH Medical Health Officers are issuing a reminder to the public to prioritize influenza vaccination ahead of the holiday season. This year, VCH COVID-19 booster clinics are serving as influenza clinics, along with community pharmacies and many family physician and nurse practitioner offices.

In B.C., everyone six months and older is recommended to get an annual influenza vaccine, especially those at greatest risk from infection including children under five years of age, adults 65 years and older, pregnant people and those with some chronic conditions.

“As we approach the holiday season, we understand people are busier making social plans with family and friends. Getting up-to-date immunizations is both free and easy to coordinate. We strongly recommend those eligible, especially those at greatest risk of serious infection, book their appointment or based on availability, drop-in to a local clinic as soon as possible, as it takes about two weeks for the vaccination to be fully effective,” said Dr. Meena Dawar, VCH Medical Health Officer.

“Parents and guardians can also rest assured that many of our clinics welcome infants six

months and older and young children. We would like to ensure as many infants and children as possible are vaccinated to prevent serious illness and avoidable disruptions to school and recreational activities, which are so important for their health and wellbeing. As a reminder, children under nine years of age who receive their first dose of influenza vaccine ever, need a second dose following a four-week interval. Those children who received influenza vaccination in past years require only a single dose.”

While influenza infections were low in B.C. over the last two years, a higher number of infections

have been reported to date in B.C. this fall, indicating a return to a typical influenza season. For some individuals at higher risk, an influenza infection can cause serious illness which can result in hospitalization or prove life-threatening. Prior to the pandemic, influenza infection was responsible for approximately 12,000 hospitalizations and 2,500 deaths each year in Canada. In addition to protecting your own health, getting vaccinated can protect those around you and reduce visits to hospital emergency

departments.

VCH advises anyone with questions about the influenza vaccine to speak to their family doctor, nurse practitioner, or to call 8-1-1 for free healthcare guidance. For guidance on booking your vaccination appointment at a COVID-19 booster clinic or pharmacy, visit the Government of B.C.’s website. Alternatively contact your family physician or nurse practitioner office for an appointment.

Learn more at vch.ca.

Dental care for kids and sick leave for workers finally a reality thanks to NDP

Working families can now apply for dental care for kids under 12 and two weeks of paid sick leave

ON Thursday, parents and workers will finally be able to apply for support federal New Democrats delivered: dental care for kids and up to two weeks of paid sick leave. Earlier this year, the federal New Democrats used their power to help families and their budgets by giving families with children under 12 $650 per year per child to see a dentist. And after years of pushing the government to bring in two weeks of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers, workers will finally be able to access the support, the federal NDP said in a press release on Wednesday.

It said that after months of the NDP pushing the government to follow through, it’s clear that left to their own devices, the Liberals were never going to act. And at every opportunity, despite Canadians paying for Conservative MPs’ own dental care, the Conservatives tried to stop dental care for kids from

happening.

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said: “Families without benefits will finally be able to access dental care for their kids and workers will finally be able to stay home if they’re sick without worrying about how they will pay their bills. Despite the Liberals fighting these measures at every step and the Conservatives trying to stop this support being sent to families, New Democrats didn’t stop, and now families will be able to access this help and get a break.”

He added: “And this is just the first step, we’re going to keep fighting to make sure all Canadians can access comprehensive dental care as part of our health care system.”

He said that the Liberals teamed up with the Conservatives and voted against dental care twice, but New Democrats persisted, and forced the Liberals to give uninsured families making under $90,000 per year dental

care for their kids under 12. Families will be able to apply for this support on December 1 at canada.ca.

Singh added: “Families are playing by the rules, doing everything right, but still can’t get ahead. Family budgets are stretched thin, and services they count on — like hospitals — are over-packed. We need to urgently get support to people to pay the bills and to support our crumbling health care system so families can get help when they need it.”

Singh said: “It’s clear: without New Democrats, the Liberals were never going to put money back in your pockets. And despite talking about rising costs, the Conservatives are not interested in the fights that help you. New Democrats will always fight for you and your family, and we’re not done. We’ll keep fighting – to help your kids with dental care, to help your family budget, and to help you get ahead.”

Canada Dental Benefit for children under 12 who don’t have access to private dental insurance

PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday launched applications for the interim Canada Dental Benefit for children under 12 who do not have access to private dental insurance. Eligible families can apply right away.

The Canada Dental Benefit will provide eligible parents and guardians with direct, tax-free payments of up to $650 per child, per year – to a maximum of $1,300 per child over the next two years – to help cover outof-pocket dental care expenses for their children under 12.

The benefit is available to parents and guardians with an annual adjusted family net income under $90,000 who do not have access to private dental insurance. This benefit is expected to help up to 500,000 Canadian children get the dental care they need and is the first step toward providing dental coverage for Canadian families who need it most.

Trudeau said that delivering dental care

for children under 12 is a key part of the government’s plan to continue making life more affordable this year and building an economy that works for all Canadians.

Quick Facts

* A third of Canadians currently do not have dental insurance, and in 2018, more than one in five Canadians reported avoiding dental care because of the cost.

* Eligible families can apply for the Canada Dental Benefit starting now through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) My Account portal or, if they do not have internet access, by phone at 1-800-715-8836. To access the benefit, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

- They have a child or children under 12 as of December 1, 2022, and are currently receiving the - Canada Child Benefit for that child;

- They have an adjusted family net income

of less than $90,000;

- Their child does not have access to private dental insurance;

- They have filed their 2021 tax return; and

- They have had or will have out of pocket expenses for their child’s dental care services incurred between October 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, for which the costs are not fully covered or reimbursed by another dental program provided by any order of government.

* Parents and guardians will need to keep the receipts for the dental care services that their child received with the Benefit for six years in case the CRA contacts them to validate eligibility.

* A national dental program is under development, with the goal of expanding dental coverage to under 18-year-olds, seniors, and persons living with a disability in 2023, with full implementation for all families with incomes under $90,000 by 2025.

Jagmeet Singh Official photo

Justin Trudeau

Photo: Twitter

Premier Eby hits the ground running on key issues

By AMAN SINGH MLA for Richmond-Queensborough

LESS than two weeks ago David Eby was sworn in as B.C.’s 37th premier, and he has hit the ground running with major steps to address some of the most crucial issues for people right now: housing and community safety.

Everyone deserves a home they can afford. Last week, we passed legislation to get homes built faster, turn more vacant units into rentals, and remove unfair restrictions that keep families out of strata housing. The Housing Supply Act will help speed up housing projects in communities with the greatest need and fastest population growth, so we can get homes built quicker where they’re needed most.

Changes to strata rules will allow more people to rent out their homes, making more empty units available on the rental market. We also removed age restrictions on stratas, so families have more options of places to live, and those planning to start families won’t be forced to move. The legislation preserves 55+ strata rules, so that seniors can maintain the important communities they have created.

Right now, people across the province have concerns about the safety of everyone in their communities.

We know that addressing safety issues has to start at the root cause of crime and violence. That is why Premier Eby launched the Safer Communities Action Plan with immediate steps that will strengthen enforcement to keep those who commit repeat violent offences off our streets, and strengthen services to build safe, healthy communities for everyone.

Safer Communities Action Plan measures include establishing new repeat violent offender co-ordinated response teams, comprised of police, dedicated prosecutors and probation officers. The plan also includes expanding mental-health crisis response teams into more communities so police can focus on crime, and people in crisis are met early on by health-care workers and community members.

Our government is working with the internationally-recognized experts at St Paul’s Hospital Clinical Addictions Program on a new model of addictions care. This will help people move seamlessly from crisis response in the ER, to detox, and then to treatment and aftercare services.

With an historic investment of an additional $230 million in rural and specialized policing over the next three years, we’re also en-

Transit Police shoot 23-year-old man in Gastown

METRO Vancouver Transit Police officers were involved in a shooting on Monday night after reports were received about a man with a weapon in Vancouver’s Gastown.

On Monday, November 28 just after 10 p.m., Transit Police and the Vancouver Police Department responded to the 300-block of West Cordova Street after several people reported a man with a weapon threatening people.

During the interaction, shots were fired by Transit Police. A 23-year-old man was injured and taken to hospital, where he remains in police custody. No officers were injured during the altercation.

The Independent Investigations Office of BC has been contacted and Transit Police is working collaboratively with them as the investigation continues. FOR MORE STORIES, VISIT

suring that police forces have the resources to do their jobs effectively.

This approach will ensure there are consequences for people who continue to commit violent crimes, while ensuring supports are there to help people break out of that cycle.

In just a few weeks, Premier Eby has taken bold and decisive steps – and our team is right there with him, ready to get to work on these and other priorities.

I think everyone in B.C. can agree that we want communities that are affordable, diverse, healthy and safe. We’re working steadily to make that a reality for everyone.

Medical Services Commission alleges contraventions of Medicare Protection Act by Telus Health

HEALTH Minister Adrian Dix on Thursday issued a statement in response to actions taken by the Medical Services Commission in regard to Telus’s LifePlus program, saying: “Earlier this year, I directed the Medical Services Commission to review Telus Health following complaints made by the public of illegal extra billing.”

He said: “I understand today the commission applied to the British Columbia Supreme Court for an injunction against Telus

Health, in particular, Telus’s LifePlus program, alleging contraventions of the Medicare Protection Act.” Dix added: “It is very important to uphold the Medicare Protection Act, which is in place to preserve our publicly managed and fiscally sustainable health-care system for British Columbia. Access to necessary medical care should be based on need and

Adrian Dix Photo: BC Government

not an individual’s ability to pay.

“That is why we introduced provisions to the act in 2018 that included new protections for patients to prevent extra billing, clarified rules around extra billing for medical practitioners and established consequences for those who break the rules.

“We will allow the legal process to proceed as it should. In the meantime, this government will continue to strongly defend our public health-care system.”

Surrey City Council votes to re-establish Ethics Commissioner Office

SURREY City Council on Monday voted to re-establish an Ethics Commissioner Office.

Council’s Surrey Connect members voted to establish a selection committee to recruit a Surrey Ethics Commissioner instead of re-appointing the former commissioner. The selection committee will be comprised of five voting members and one non-voting member as follows:

* Three members of the public;

* Two City of Surrey Council members; and * One legal professional (non-voting member).

Surrey Council first adopted the Council Code of Conduct Bylaw in May, 2020 and appointed a Surrey Ethics Commissioner that July. The term of the commissioner ended on July 13, 2022, after the previous Council directed staff not to appoint a new Ethics Commissioner. The previous Council also amended the Code of Con-

New Westminster Police Department marks 150th anniversary

The police department dates back to March 10, 1873, when New Westminster’s city council authorized the hiring of its first constable – making the New Westminster Police Department one of the oldest in Western Canada.

“A lot has changed since the New Westminster Police Department was founded 150 years ago,” said Chief Constable Dave Jansen on Thursday. “I’m proud of how the department is working with residents and public safety partners to address the challenges of today. Working to-

Chief Constable Dave Jansen

gether and learning from our past are the foundations of building a police department all can be proud of.”

Since the first constable was hired, over 600 men and women have served or are presently serving the citizens of New Westminster. This

does not include the many civilian staff, reserve constables and volunteers who have dedicated their time to New Westminster.

“The New Westminster Police Department continues to evolve to best meet the needs of the citizens and visitors of New Westminster,” said Mayor Patrick Johnstone. “It is truly a modern department that is guided by the values of professionalism, diversity, and compassion.”

The police department will celebrate the 150th anniversary throughout the year with special programming, tributes and special anniversary challenge coin.

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EVENTS

Dr. Ambedkar Mahaprinirvan Diwas

Mahaprinirvan Diwas of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar will be observed on Tuesday, December 6 at 6 p.m,. at C. K. Choi Building for the Institute of Asian Research, 1855 West Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Dr. Ambedkar died in 1956, less than two months after adopting Buddhism among a gathering of over 500,000 of his patrons. Dr. Ambedkar left a strong legacy and his contributions to the making of the Indian Constitution and thought processes are many. Dr. Swaran Singh, visiting scholar at UBC’s Political Science Department of the will shed light on Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions and legacy. The tribute is being hosted by Chetna Association of Canada and the Center for India and South Asian Research at UBC in association with the Ambedkarite International Coordination Society (AICS). Chetna and AICS have also appointed a Steering Committee to plan the Dr. Ambedkar International Symposium on Emanicipation (ASE) and observe the Dr. Ambedkar Birth Anniversary as the Equality Day. The steering committee will share updates

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on the status of the symposium. Guest of honor for the evening will be Jiwan Kumar, retired Chief Engineer with PUDA (Punjab Urban Development Authority). For information and to RSVP, contact jbirdi@chetna.ca or Dr. Priti Narayan at priti.narayan@ ubc.ca.

South Asian Adults and Seniors Programs

* Yoga classes in person at Shanti Niketan Hall conducted by yoga instructor Ashwini Bansal on every Monday and every Thursday from 10 to 11:15 a.m. on both days. Yoga expert Mahendra Kumar Juneja will also help participants. 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. Contact Sunil Narendra Dev Kaushal, Acting Coordinator, at 778- 866-5139 / email sunil_kaushal11@ yahoo.com for registration and further information.

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THE New Westminster Police Department is marking its 150th anniversary in 2023.

$30 million donation to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation from Jim Pattison

THE Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation on Wednesday announced a donation of $30 million from renowned Canadian philanthropist and business leader Jim Pattison.

This donation will join the combined contributions of thousands of other donors, supporting the second phase of Royal Columbian Hospital’s redevelopment project, focused on the Acute Care Tower—to be named the Jim Pattison Acute Care Tower.

Royal Columbian is undergoing one of the most ambitious hospital redevelopments in Canadian history. The $1.49 billion project represents an unprecedented opportunity – and challenge – to elevate critical care at a hospital that serves one-third of BC’s population. With construction set to be complete in 2025, the Acute Care Tower is the crown jewel of the project.

“We want to express our sincere gratitude to Jim Pattison for this historical donation. Royal Columbian Hospital serves BC’s biggest

health region and this gift, the largest in our region’s history, will ensure we can provide exceptional care to the patients who rely on the Columbian. Upon completion, the Acute Care Tower will further elevate the lifesaving care Royal Columbian Hospital already delivers to patients across the province,” said Jeff Norris, CEO, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. “Major improvements are being made in service to an even larger

vision: ensuring uncompromising care to every single person who needs it. The generosity of Jim Pattison—and all the donors who have answered our call—serves as a source of inspiration for others to help us achieve this vision.” Pattison said: “We are honoured to join the thousands of other donors who have already stepped up to show their support to ensure that its legacy of exceptional care in our province is sustainable for

future generations.”

As the regional referral hospital for cardiac, trauma, neurosciences, high-risk maternity and neonatal intensive care, Royal Columbian provides the highest level of care to some of the most critically ill and injured patients throughout the province. No other hospital in British Columbia provides all these services, at this level of care, on one site.

Building on Royal Columbian’s legacy, the new Acute Care Tower will include an interventional super floor featuring operating rooms and suites for interventional radiology and cardiology, a new Emergency Department with its own imaging unit, and new larger maternity, pediatric, and neonatal intensive care units, as well as multiple floors for acute and critical care patients. With almost double the current footprint, the redevelopment will increase the capacity of Royal Columbian by approximately 50 percent to 675 beds.

Patients, physicians, nurses, and

the entire hospital family will benefit significantly from the updated Acute Care Tower. In addition to a larger footprint, the new tower will feature substantial upgrades in cutting-edge technologies, so healthcare teams can continue to respond to the needs of patients in their most urgent, life-altering moments and deliver the best possible outcomes. The upgrades will include the introduction of innovative, robot-assisted surgery and state-of-the art imaging technology that allows for absolute precision.

“Over the past 160 years, Royal Columbian has always been there to treat patients in their most critical moments,” said Dr. Ken Atkinson, Royal Columbian Hospital, Site Medical Director. “The new Acute Care Tower will transform patient care and outcomes in this province, thanks in large part to Jim Pattison and the thousands of other donors who have contributed to help ensure this vision for the future becomes a reality for generations to come.”

Abbotsford Police’s use of force incident captured on video under review

ON the evening of Saturday, November 26, Abbotsford Police officers were present at the Offspring Rock Concert at the Abbotsford Centre located at 33800 King Road. Police said that after the concert, officers were dealing with a member of the public when a citizen began to interfere with the officers’ investigation.

During this time, the man ignored the police’s direction to disengage. As a result of the man’s actions, police advised him that he was under arrest for obstruction.

During the arrest, the man continued to be noncompliant, resulting in the officer using force on him, striking him twice in the face before taking him into custody and placing him in handcuffs.

Abbotsford Police said on Monday that they were aware that a video of the arrest had been

posted to social media. They confirmed that this use of force incident was under review that is being led by the Abbotsford Police Department’s Professional Standards Section and that the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) was notified about it on Sunday morning.

Abbotsford Police said they were committed to obtaining all information which led to the use of force in this situation, adding, “unfortunately, as this incident is under investigation, we cannot provide further comment.”

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has video is asked to contact Abbotsford Police.

For the link to the video, please visit our website voiceonline.com

Jim Pattison (right, standing). Photo: Jerald Walliser

United Nations (IANS): India took over the presidency of the UN Security Council on Thursday promising to be a "voice of reason and a bridge builder" in a time of global polarisation that has pressed it into inaction.

"One of our strengths is that we are a voice of moderation of voice of reason and a bridge builder and we will walk the talk in the December presidency," India's Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj said after becoming the first Indian woman to head the Council.

She said that during the presidency, India will hold two sessions to highlight issues most important to it: fighting terrorism and reforming the international system, including the Security Council, stuck in the 1940s.

External Affairs Minister S.

New Delhi (IANS): The Delhi Police on Thursday moved the High Court against the discharge of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor by a trial court in his wife Sunanda Pushkar's death case.

The Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet against Tharoor for offences under IPC sections 498A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 (abetment to suicide). The Patiala House Court on August 18, 2021, had discharged him.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma issued a notice on Delhi Police's application seeking "condonation of delay" in approaching the court.

Speaking for Tharoor, Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa objected that even though the trial court's order was passed in August 2021,

Jaishankar will preside over the two meetings, on "New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism" on December 14 and on "Global Approach to Counter TerrorismChallenges and Way Forward", the

next day.

India will also be holding two side events unveiling a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the UN headquarters and organising a group of nations to counter attacks

on peacekeepers.

India faces the daunting task of presiding over a Council that is paralysed on the two most dangerous issues riveting the world, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the North Korean missile launches.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar have spoken to the leadership of both Russia and Ukraine for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, Kamboj said.

"We are among the few countries, dare I say this, which is speaking to both," she said.

Asked by a reporter at her news conference if India could change the direction of the Council, she was candid in expressing scepticism, adding, "Hope that, but certainly we will continue to work with a lot of positivity."

and other trial court judges during the course of the trial, he asserted that no documents of the case should be shared with anyone else other than the parties.

Having said that, the High Court questioned, "But how can this be done? These are public documents.”

The court listed the matter for February 7, 2023.

there is a 15-month delay in filing the review plea. He added that a copy of the plea had also not been served to his client.

As Pahwa submitted various orders passed by the session judge

On January 17, 2014, Pushkar was found dead in a suite at a luxury hotel in Delhi. A year later, the Delhi Police initially registered a First Information Report against unknown persons on charges of murder. The police asked a Delhi court on August 31, 2019, to prosecute Tharoor for abetment to suicide or "alternatively" frame murder charges against him.

The trial court discharged Tharoor of the charges as it observed that there was no prima facie willful conduct on his part that was likely to drive Pushkar to commit suicide. Since there was no sufficient material, it was observed that the defendant isn't required to go through the trouble of a criminal trial. Moreover, none of the reports submitted by doctors and the Autopsy Board confirmed the cause of death as suicide, the special judge observed.

Following the judgment, Tharoor told the court that all these years were absolute torture. He later released a statement saying that his faith in the judiciary had been "vindicated" and his "long nightmare" was over.

Ruchira Kamboj

Tata Sons announces merger of Air India and Vistara

New Delhi: Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Tata Sons announced Tuesday that they have agreed to merge Air India and Vistara, with SIA getting a 25.1 per cent stake in the merged entity at an investment of Rs 2,058.5 crore (US$250 million) in Air India as part of the transaction. This 25.1 per cent stake will be in an enlarged Air India group – it will have Air India, Vistara, AirAsia India and Air India Express – and the merger of all airlines is targeted for completion by March 2024, subject to regulatory approvals. The group is already in the process of merging Air India Express and AirAsia India into one entity that will provide low-cost flight options.

“SIA intends to fully fund this investment with its internal cash resources, which stood at S$17.5 billion as of 30 September 2022. SIA and Tata have also agreed to participate in additional capital injections, if required, to fund

the growth and operations of the enlarged Air India in FY2022/23 and FY2023/24. Based on SIA’s 25.1 per cent stake post-completion, its share of any additional capital injection could be up to Rs 5,020 crore (US$615 million), payable only after the completion of the merger,” SIA said in a statement issued Tuesday.

The actual amount will depend on factors including the progress of the enlarged Air India’s business plan, and its access to other funding options. SIA intends to fully fund any additional capital injections with its internal cash resources, it added. The Indian Express had reported on September 21 that the merger possibility is being discussed with an aim to complete it by 2024.

“Through this transaction, SIA will reinforce its partnership with Tata and immediately acquire a strategic stake in an entity that is four to five

times larger in scale compared to Vistara. The merger would bolster SIA’s presence in India, strengthen its multi-hub strategy, and allow it to continue participating directly in a large and fast-growing aviation market,” the airline further added.

“Tata Sons is one of the most established and respected names in India. Our collaboration to set up Vistara in 2013 resulted in a marketleading full-service carrier, which has won many global accolades in a short time. With this merger, we have an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Tata and participate directly in an exciting new growth phase in India’s aviation market. We will work together to support Air India’s transformation programme, unlock its significant potential, and restore it to its position as a leading airline on the global stage.” Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive

Officer, Singapore Airlines, was quoted in the statement.

“The merger of Vistara and Air India is an important milestone in our journey to make Air India a truly world-class airline. We are transforming Air India, with the aim of providing great customer experience, every time, for every customer. As part of the transformation, Air India is focusing on growing both its network and fleet, revamping its customer proposition, enhancing safety, reliability, and on-time performance. We are excited with the opportunity of creating a strong Air India which would offer both full-service and low-cost services across domestic and international routes. We would like to thank Singapore Airlines for their continued partnership,” Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, was quoted in the statement.

Gujarat Assembly elections: Voting ends in first phase

Gandhinagar: Voting ended for the first phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections in 89 seats across 19 districts of Saurashtra-Kutch and southern regions at 5 p.m. on Thursday. While the final voting figures were awaited, 48.48% turn-out was recorded till 3 pm, the Election Commission said.

Barring a few minor incidents and some reports of problems in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the voting process, which commenced at 8 a.m., remained largely peaceful. The second phase of elections will be held on December 5 and results will be announced on December 8.

Out of the 4.91 crore [1 crore = 10

New Delhi: Manufacturing and mining output contracted year-on-year in the July-September quarter, dragging Gross Value Added growth to a slower-than-expected 5.6%, which together with high inflation and weak exports combined to slow overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to a 6.3% pace, as per estimates released by the National

2.4

5.74 lakh

[1 lakh = 100,000] voters in the age group of 18-19 years, and 4,945 above the age of 99 years, the office of the State CEO said.

Amid allegations and counter-allegations, a long-drawn campaign by the ruling BJP, the Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party, the newest entrant in the political arena in the State, ended in what appears to be a dull election season compared with 2017, when the election was held in the backdrop of two massive agitations by the Patidars and OBCs [Other Backward Classes], respectively, across the State.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has ruled Gujarat for 27 years, is trying to retain power in the State

GDP growth dips as manufacturing slides

Statistical Office.

At a little over Rs. 75 lakh crore, India’s GDP in the first half of 2022-23 was 5.7% larger than the comparable pre-COVID level. The April to June quarter of this fiscal had witnessed GDP growth of 13.5%, with GVA expanding 12.7%. While growth in agriculture GVA quickened to 4.6% in the second quarter, manufacturing

and mining GVA contracted 4.3% and 2.8%, respectively, in Q2 compared with a year earlier. Among GVA components, the sharpest growth in Q2 was reported by the contact-intensive trade, hotels, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting segment.

Bank of Baroda chief economist Madan Sabnavis termed the manu-

facturing sector’s negative growth ‘a disappointment’ and attributed it to low growth at small and medium enterprises and a drop in profits for the organised sector.

Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran, however, said the data confirm that the economy’s recovery from the pandemic continues and is on track to clock between 6.8% to

for the seventh term in a row. If it succeeds, it will equal the record of the Left Front government which won the West Bengal elections for seven consecutive terms till 2011. This time, the BJP faces competition not just from its traditional rival Congress but also the new poll entrant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has tried to position itself as the main challenger of the ruling party. The BJP and the Congress are contesting in all 89 seats.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP is contesting in 88 seats. Its candidate from Surat East constituency had withdrawn his candidature, leaving the party with one less seat to contest in the first phase.

7% real GDP growth this year. “India’s growth rates in real terms of 9.7% in the first half of this year is well above the trend in other countries and is happening amid tightening global financial conditions and the commodity price shock since the Ukraine invasion by Russia,” the CEA emphasised, adding that moderation in growth rates is expected due to base effects.

million] registered voters in Gujarat,

crore are eligible to cast their votes in the first phase of the elections. These include

London (IANS): King Charles III will visit a newly-built Sikh gurdwara on his first trip to Bedfordshire as monarch on December 6.

At the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Luton, the King will speak to the community members to learn more about the initiatives delivered to the locals, like COVID-19 vaccine clinics and free meal (langar) services.

“We are delighted that King Charles will come to officially open our new Gurdwara and recognise GNG’s amazing work supporting local communities -- Langar service, Soup Kitchen, Covid Vaccine Clinics,” the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Luton, said in a Twitter post.

He will also meet the volunteers at the gurdwara’s Sikh Soup Kitchen to understand how they support the local community via their food and health programmes.

The Sikh Soup Kitchen recently reached the 5,000-meal landmark since its opening in November last year, and serves 150 hot vegetarian meals every Sunday outside the Luton Town Hall.

The King will be greeted by

Chandigarh (IANS): The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has decided to deal promptly with the issues and grievances of the Punjabi diaspora. It will organise five programmes called ‘NRI Punjabiyan Nal Milni’ to listen to complaints. These programmes will be held in Jalandhar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Ludhiana, Moga and Amritsar on December 16, 19, 23, 26 and 30, respectively.

After a review meeting with the NRI Affairs Department, the NRI Commission and the NRI Sabha, state NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said issues and complaints of NRI Punjabis will be resolved promptly as well as on the spot during these meetings.

He added that issues of NRIs belonging to Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar and Kapurthala will be heard and resolved during a meeting on December 16 at Jalandhar. Similarly, the programme to be held at SAS Nagar on December 19 during which matters of diaspora belonging to SAS Nagar, Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala districts will be resolved on the spot.

The Cabinet minister further said during the programme in Ludhiana on December 23, issues of NRIs of Ludhiana, Sangrur, Barnala and Malerkotla would be resolved.

He said at a programme in Moga and Amritsar on December 26, and 30 issues related to Moga, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Mukatsar, Fazilka, Bathinda, Mansa and Amritsar, Gur-

daspur, Pathankot and Tarn Taran districts would be covered.

Dhaliwal said the basic facilities at the 15 NRI police stations will be improved.

“Rs 2 lakh [1 lakh = 100,000] will be given to every NRI Police Station and a total of Rs

30 lakh will be released soon,” he added. The minister said PCS-level officers will be deputed as nodal officers, who will resolve the issues and complaints of the concerned with the support of the district administration.

Professor Gurch

Randhawa, member of the Sikh Congregation at the gurdwara.

He will also talk to children learning Punjabi and traditional music, GPs who ran the Vaisakhi vaccine clinic during the pandemic, and

the volunteers who run the 24-hour kitchen, before unveiling a plaque, ITVX reported. Funded by community donations, the construction of the gurdwara started on June 22, and was finished in two years.

Luton’s Sikh community worshipped in a twobedroom house in the town in the early 1980s. The King will also visit the Luton Town Hall and a new passenger transport link to London-Luton Airport.

Multiple charges laid against alleged Wolfpack drug traffickers in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

THE Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) has approved 11 counts of criminal charges, including organized crime-related charges, against a number of alleged Wolfpack-aligned drug traffickers as a result of a Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) investigation.

(Certain groups of the Hells Angels, the Red Scorpions and the Independent Soldiers formed the Wolfpack alliance, as reported in the media, including The VOICE.)

In July 2020, CFSEU-BC began an investigation into the alleged drug trafficking activities of a group of alleged Wolfpack drug traffickers operating in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. As a result, a number of suspects were identified and between October 2020 and May 2021, multiple search warrants were executed on residences at various Vancouver locations.

Seized during the investigation were:

– 7 prohibited and restricted firearms with over 1,000 rounds of

ammunition;

– 10 kilograms of fentanyl;

– 3 kilograms of cocaine;

– 6 kilograms of methamphetamine;

– 72 kilograms of cutting agents, including phenacetin and caffeine;

– $160,000 cash; and

– 3 vehicles

The following people have been charged:

* Joseph Ebert Charles Lowley, a 39-year-old male from Vancouver.

* Vinod Kanna Aruldevarajan, a 27-year-old male from Vancouver.

* Roger Alfredo Bardales Medina, a 30-year-old male from Burnaby.

* Hemen Hewa Saed, a 30-yearold male from Vancouver.

* Diego Maradona Saed, a 23-yearold male from New Westminster.

* Howjeen Saed, a 27-year-old male from Vancouver.

(For details about the charges, please visit our website voiceon-

line.com)

On December 1, Roger Alfredo Bardales Medina turned himself in to authorities, the CFSEU-BC announced on Friday.

Diego Saed and Joseph Lowley have not been located and are currently wanted on warrants in relation to their charges. If anyone has any information in connection to their location, you are requested to contact your local police or Crime Stoppers.

“This lengthy and complex investigation resulted in significant seizures of potentially deadly drugs

and serious charges against those who take advantage of the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Assistant Commissioner Manny Mann, Chief Officer for CFSEU-BC, on Tuesday.

“Our mandate and ability to investigate anywhere across the Province allows us to target gang members and groups who impact public safety in multiple communities. The Wolfpack has been at the center of violence and drug trafficking for over two decades and we will continue to aggressively pursue them.”

Seizure of firearms and drugs, and arrests help prevent expansion of Hells Angels on Vancouver Island

approved 41 counts of criminal charges against a number of alleged drug traffickers, including members of the Hells Angels, as a result of a Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC)-led investigation in partnership with the RCMP’s Federal Serious Organized Crime (FSOC) unit.

The investigation that began in 2018 resulted in the seizure of 22 firearms, over 13 kg of various illegal drugs, and arrests that helped prevent the expansion of Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) Chapters on Vancouver Island.

In June, 2018, CFSEU-BC’s Island team entered into a Joint Forces Operation (JFO) with the RCMP’s Federal Serious Organized

Crime (FSOC) unit targeting the criminal networks of members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in Nanaimo and their support clubs, the “Savages MC” and “Devils Army MC” and their alleged drug trafficking operation on Vancouver Island.

The investigation employed various investigative techniques, gathering information over several months that led investigators to believe the Hells Angels intended to expand their drug trafficking operations and create other Hells Angels chapters on Vancouver Island.

Over a period of approximately 22 months, evidence was obtained that progressed the investigation leading to the PPSC approving a total of 41 charges against four individuals on November 30.

seized by police. Photos: CFSEU-BC

Diego

Seized during the course of the investigation:

– Cocaine – 7.75 kg

– Methamphetamine – 1.9 kg

– Cannabis – 4 kg

– Pills – 248 Oxycodone

– Other Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) (can be buff, etc) 1.2 kg (cutting agents)

– Hand guns – 1 Uzi, 5 pistols

– Long guns – 12 Rifles, 4 shotguns

– Magazines – 6 oversized prohibited

– Ammunition – in excess of 4,500 rounds

– 25 electronic devices

– 5 tubes of commercial emulsion explosives

In addition, one residence has been restrained and three motor vehicles were seized as offence-related property.

The following four individuals have been charged:

– Sean Oliver Douglas Kendall, a 44- yearold male from Port Alberni.

– Kristopher Stephen Smith, a 44-year-old male from Nanaimo.

– William Bradley Thompson, a 58-year-old male from Ladysmith.

– William Karl Paulsen, a 51-year-old male from Campbell River.

(For details of the charges, please visit our website voiceonline.com)

Arrest warrants were issued for Smith, Paulsen, and Kendall. On Friday, the CFSEU-BC announced that Paulsen had been arrested and released awaiting the court process.

If anyone has any information in connection to the location of Smith and Kendall you are requested to contact your local police or Crime Stoppers. Thompson has been arrested and was released awaiting the court process.

The results of this proactive joint investigation led by the CFSEU-BC disrupted an alleged significant drug trafficking network

Catalytic converter thief arrested after foot chase

ON November 28 at approximately 3:50 a.m.,

New Westminster Police Department officers were called to a parking lot near the 800-block of 6th Avenue after a witness saw what they believed to be someone cutting a catalytic converter off a vehicle.

When officers arrived, witnesses pointed them in the direction the suspect. Officers located the suspect in Moody Park and the suspect then fled from police. After a brief foot chase, the suspect was arrested without incident.

Catalytic converters are part of a vehicle’s exhaust system and are sought by thieves for the precious metals found inside them. “We’d like to thank the witnesses who played a key role in this suspect being located and arrested,” said Sgt. Justine Thom. “If anyone knows about catalytic converter thefts in the city, please get in touch with NWPD. As the value of the precious metals contained within the catalytic converters continues to increase, so do the number of thefts of these devices.”

The New Westminster Police Department strongly recommends people witnessing a catalytic converter theft in progress to call 9-1-1.

and the Hells Angels from expanding on Vancouver Island.

“This lengthy and complex investigation spanned over four years and included over 50 dedicated resources resulting in significant seizures of potentially deadly drugs and serious charges,” said Assistant Commissioner Manny Mann, Chief Officer for CFSEU-BC, on Thursday. “Our mandate and ability to work with our partner agencies to

investigate across multiple jurisdictions allows us

to investigate gang members and groups who impact public safety in multiple communities.”

“By successfully bringing this joint force operation to prosecution, BC RCMP FSOC, and CFSEU-BC have demonstrated our

collective ability to effectively collaborate across federal and provincial lines in order to fulfill our shared mandate of protecting BC, against the most serious threats,” said Superintendent Richard Bergevin, Officer in Charge of BC RCMP Federal Policing – FSOC Major Projects.

MarkhaM, ON: The all-new 2023

Honda HR-V compact SUV has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest accolade, the 2022 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) rating. The new HR-V, Honda’s smallest SUV available in North America, achieved the Institute’s highest possible crashworthiness ratings in all evaluated categories. In addition, the HR-V’s standard front crash prevention system earned “SUPERIOR” ratings from IIHS in vehicleto-vehicle and daytime vehicle-topedestrian avoidance tests.

With this award, a combined seven Honda models have earned 2022 TSP ratings or better, with the 2022 Accord, the 2022 Civic Sedan and Hatchback (evaluated as separate models), the 2023 HR-V, the 2022 In-

sight (not available in Canada) and the 2022 Odyssey all achieving the pinnacle TSP+ rating. The outgoing 2022 CR-V, when equipped with specific headlights, was also recognized with a 2022 TSP award, while the allnew 2023 CR-V has yet to be evalu-

ated by IIHS.

Based on Honda’s long standing “Safety for Everyone” approach, which focuses on advancing safety for everyone sharing the road, all HR-V models are equipped with the

Ford Introduces Mustang Dark Horse Street and Track Killer!

Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies, which includes Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) with Pedestrian Detection, evaluated by the IIHS as a “front crash prevention” system; Forward Collision Warning; Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) incorporating Lane Departure Warning (LDW); Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS); and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

Honda Sensing® is now standard or available on all new Honda models.

All Honda vehicles also benefit from Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, designed to help protect occupants in a wide variety of frontal collisions, along with advanced supplemental restraint systems.

To qualify for a 2022 TOP SAFETY

will deliver the highest level of performance in the all-new Mustang family.

PICK+ award, a vehicle must earn “GOOD” ratings in six crashworthiness evaluations, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. TSP+ also requires “ADVANCED” or “SUPERIOR” ratings for vehicleto-vehicle and daytime vehicle-topedestrian front crash prevention, as well as “ACCEPTABLE” or “GOOD” headlight ratings across all trim levels.

In addition to IIHS testing, every Honda model that has been fully evaluated in the NHTSA’s 2023 model year NCAP testing has received a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score1. While not yet evaluated, it is anticipated that the 2023 HR-V will earn this distinction.

projecting 500 horsepower – Mustang Dark Horse expands the lineup and sets a new benchmark for North American street and track perfor-

mance that could only come in a Mustang. The heart of Mustang Dark Horse is its unique 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine, specially modified with piston connecting rods first introduced in the 760-horsepower Ford Performance Mustang Shelby GT500. Mustang Dark Horse

Mustang Dark Horse comes standard with a unique six-speed TREMEC manual transmission that connects to the driver through a standard 3D-printed titanium shift ball. The manual also includes a special Mustang Dark Horse transmission oil cooler. Drivers also have the option to choose Ford’s advanced 10-speed automatic transmission with sport paddle shifters for fast and precise shifting – from the highway to the race circuit. Stopping is courtesy of 19-inch Brembo front 6 piston brakes with 13.9-inch rotors. For ultimate street-legal and track performance, the available Handling Package improves aerodynamics even further with the most downforce of any all-new Mustang thanks to a unique rear wing that includes an integrated Gurney Flap, Finally, for no compromise track performance, customers can equip Mustang Dark Horse with lightweight carbon fiber wheels The Mustang Dark Horse infuses even more performance style and functionality into the all-new seventh-generation car’s technologically advanced, driver-centric cockpit.

At the front, a bold, shadow graphic sur-

rounds the darkened LED headlamps, which compliments a unique, gloss black grille with trapezoidal nostrils and Mustang Dark Horse-unique lower front bumper with high gloss ‘fangs.’ Lower side skirts and, to the rear, a fixed rear wing, new race-inspired diffuser and darkened quad exhaust tips demonstrate the car’s track-focused design cues.

New Mustang Dark Horse badges were designed for this performance version of Mustang to visually separate it from other models., unique Mustang Dark Horse badging is featured on the instrument panel and digital display screens, and each car features an individual chassis number.

Unique to Mustang Dark Horse is Blue Ember metallic paint, a cool, dark shade that emits a warm glow when it catches the light, setting the tone for the car’s overall look. A choice of applied or painted feature graphics along the roof and down the hood are also available in a variety of colours and styles. The optional Appearance Package includes dark Notorious Blue Brembo brake calipers with a brighter Grabber Blue logo. This car is highly anticipated and pricing is still to be announced.

By Veeno Dewan

The funky looking Kia Soul hatchback continues to offer superb value and sees a few changes for 2022/23. The shape is still the same but has become more softer and less angular than the original. There is new grille and bumper designs. The headlamp and taillights design has been revamped. and there are also new 17- and 18inch wheels. Kia’s new futuristic logo on the front, and a 10.3-inch infotainment display with navigation is now offered on all but the base model. Also, inside is a new steering wheel and instrument cluster. More sound-absorbing materials have been added for a quieter cabin as well.

The 2022 Kia Soul is available in a range of trim levels with a 147hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which comes paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). One great feature is how Kia allows buyers customization such as with two-tone paint options, graphic packages and a plethora of interior color schemes and options features.

The Soul GT-Line as tested differentiates itself with the 147 horsepower Turbo engine, 18 -inch wheels, body-coloured exterior mirrors and door handles, gloss black mesh grille, Sport front and rear bumpers, plus GT-Line Exterior gloss black and chrome accents. A centre exhaust and exclusive Surf Blue exterior paint option also feature.

Interior GT-Line extras include leather trim interior accents, Leather-wrapped D shape sports steering wheel, Remote keyless entry, Obstacle-detecting front windows Smart cruise control, Heads-up display system, Duallevel cargo floor, Ambient mood lighting, Red interior accents, stitching and door accents plus fancy light-up speaker sings.

Infotainment includes - Touchscreen interface with Apple Car-

Play and Android Auto capability is standard across the board, Choose a model with the 10.3-incher and you’ll get niceties such as SiriusXM satellite radio, real-time traffic updates, in-dash navigation, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Most models come with a six-speaker stereo, but a Harman/ Kardon setup is standard on the top-spec model. The excellent Uvo3 tech interface with voice recognition is a standout with excellent connectivity features.

The Soul GT-Line as tested is powered by a multipoint injection 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Nu Atkinson engine producing 147 horsepower with torque at 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm teamed with Intelligent Variable Transmission. In terms of safety, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Hill-assist control (HAC), Drive Mode Select, and Idle ‘Stop & Go’ technology are all standard.

Interior –wise, the Kia Soul offers a versatile and practical interior.

First off, the tall doors and cabin height make getting in and out of the Kia Soul easy for all ages. Putting in children’s car seats is also a breeze. You sit taller in the Soul than in a car, so gain great road visibility. The large windows, high roof, and optional panoramic sunroof also enhances the sense of light and space. I like the dash with its easy-to-use primary controls that are logically placed. Kia‘s optional Uvo3 touchscreen interface, not only looks good, but it also responds to command quickly, and is easy to use.

The Soul’s, bright airy interior offers a range of colors and textured door-panel inserts and nice feeling trim. Ad-

ditional goodies on offer include ambient lighting, a smartphone charging pad, a head-up display, push-button ignition with keyless entry, and heating for the seats and steering wheel.

The rear seats are especially roomy, with the easy exit/ingress, and plenty of head- and legroom

for taller passengers. The trunk offers 532 litres of cargo volume with rear seats up and 1,402 litres with split-folding rear seat. rear seats folded down. A low rear loading sill and the light easy to lift rear hatch, are advantages.

On the road, acceleration is decent enough, the turbo spools up quickly with little lag, adding some spice to the Soul’s perkiness. The steering feels good and is well weighted, and the Kia offers good stable, positive handing with decent enough agility around corners. Braking is also up to par with firm stops and good pedal modulation. Downsides are few, the engines performance won’t set the world on fire, but is good for everyday driving and there is no four - wheel drive option.

However so much to recommend in the Kia Soul. The GT Line offers a sporty look and is worth the extra cos, but it’s a bargain no matter which Soul model you buy. All Souls come with an excellent 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. Overall, fantastic value for money, and comes highly recommended. 2023 Kia Soul Base priced from $22,595 - $27,095.

Kia Soul GT- Line: Priced from $29,395. More info at www.kia.ca

Life on the farm will never be the same after watching Pearl. Totally original and at times brutal in a kinky sort of way Pearl does the trick of turning people on and driving them to the edge in this stylish descent into the macabre . If scares are you thing then be brave and venture down to numerous Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres around B.C. courtesy of VVS Films and A24.. With a title that has nothing)no to do with jewelry our Pearl is a young woman transplant trying to eke out a life in rural America in a small town. Radiant and deadly actress Mia Goth is brilliant and seductive as a sweet and innocent girl trying to make ends meet under the thumb of your her rather domineering mom Ruth played with conviction by Tandi Wright while her invalid dad seems content just sitting back as a living vegetable. This crazy disjointed family is rather reminiscent of the clan from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre which tells you the direction Pearl is heading in, You can only push someone so far. Our young Pearl wants to escape the clutches of her mom and finds solace in

the movies. If there’s a lesson to be learned from this film is that parents sometimes need to listen to their children or things can go off the rails. Watch with awe as Pearl’s personality takes a turn for the worse. Actions speak louder than words so heaven help anyone that gets in this lady’s way.

Extremely stylish Pearl is a dark tinged classic that will keep you on edge throughout. Movie buffs will get a kick when learning that this movie is a prequel to X, which was a rousing sexy

thriller about some Texas film buffs making an adult movie that led to all sorts of wickedness and horror. Don’t kid yourself - writing matters. When you have a good fresh story and superb actors playing their craft with restraint and panache then Pearl fits the bill. And when the killing starts you just know this little lady is primed and ready to go.

Director/writer Ti West achieves here a terrific blend with atmosphere and chills complete with a memorable soundtrack.

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Need Suitable match for Punjabi Ramgharia boy [Clean Shaven], 1987 born, 5’8”, MBA, IT Project Manager in MNC in India. Sister Canadian PR. Contact 604-727-5680 *********

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 , family-oriented. 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

Well settled Jat Sikh family looking for suitable match for their handsome 27 years old , 6’ Canadian born clean shaven son working as a software engineer. Girl should be Canadian born,well educated, beautiful and family oriented. For more info call 604 585 7777. *********

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

Suitable match for Manglik/Non-Manglik Permanent Resident Brahmin Boy 30 years, 5’ 6”, fair complexion, electrical tradesperson, looking for well educated girl who values family and career. Please contact bhartikamboj@hotmail.com, 604-440-2756. Caste no bar. *********

Suitable match for a Saraswat Brahmin boy in India, 30 years old, 5’8”, Birth time : 5:32 PM, D.O.B. 16.07.1991, diploma in Mechanical Engineering. Contact: +16049997125 (Canada), (+91) 9888291112 or (+91) 9780616051. *********

Canadian Citizen Bahia Jat Sikh boy, 6” ft, 90 born with good job, well settled family in Canada BC, seeks educated Canada BC based girl. Contact with photographs WhatsApp no: Harminder 778-892-1500

GROOM WANTED

NRI match for Canadian Tonk Kshatriya PR girl, 1996/5’5”, beautiful, fair complexion , well educated, homely girl doing govt. job in a hospital.

Seeking a suitable match for Amritsar’s very beautiful, 5’6”, dentist, 30 years old girl, on a visitor visa in Australia. The boy must be handsome and a permanent resident of Canada. Girl’s siblings are settled in Canada and parents are also in Canada who can help her in every possible ways. For more details, please contact: 778-708-2931 or 011919872745614

Suitable Match invited for handsome, ambitious, Hindu arora, 6’ tall, 40 years old ( looks 30 to 32) The boy works as warehouse manager, part time owns business his business and holds his properties in India please contact me@778-707- 8293 or email me @rijiya2005@ gmail.com.Thank you

Phone 778 840 3282 *********

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

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: +91-9780616051 (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 further information contact: 604-3190662 18 Sept.

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

Seeking suitable match for a 31 years old, highly educated, working as a COO, Sikh girl. Caste no bar, currently residing in Delhi, India. Contact: 01191-9811129363 (India) or Family in Canada: 778-713-8399 (Baljit)

Wanted a decent man for a 42 years young Punjabi beautiful, looks like 34, well educated, 5”8, with a cute 12 year old child. Contact @604-862-0726.

CLI Falls in Third Quarter 2022

THE BCREA Commercial Leading Indicator (CLI) fell to 149 from 153 in the third quarter of 2022 while the six-month moving average retreated from a record high. Compared to the same time in 2021, the index was down by 0.8 per cent.

It is important to note that while the Canadian economy generally continues recovering strongly, the environment for commercial real estate remains highly abnormal and uncertain. Although the CLI is designed to interpret economic and office employment growth as positive indicators for commercial real estate demand, the recent strong growth of these indicators may not translate as readily into improved conditions in the commercial real estate market relative to the prepandemic period.

The CLI fell in the third quarter due to deteriorations in all three subcomponents of the index. The economic activity index was driven

downwards by inflation-adjusted declines in wholesale trade, retail and manufacturing sales. Rapid appreciation in the consumer price index driven by supply chain obstacles and the war in Ukraine meant that rising nominal values in these economic areas were offset after adjusting for general price growth. The financial component of the index was negative as a result of falling REIT prices.

Spreads between corporate and government borrowing

costs also rose slightly from the prior quarter, contributing negatively to the financial component. The index’s employment component was also negative, with a rise in office employment (finance, insurance and real estate) insufficient to offset a larger decline in manufacturing employment.

As Mickey Mantle, star player of the New York Yankees, remarked, “If I knew I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.”

Such is my worry in my 99th year.

I was recently having more difficulty getting up from chairs and recalling patients who admitted they could no longer stand up from the toilet seat. They had slowly developed “sarcopenia”, weakened muscles from aging that robs one’s independence.

Sarcopenia begins at about age 45 and causes skeletal muscle mass and strength decline at a rate of about one percent a year. By age 65, people who spend most of their time inactive on the sofa watching television have lost half of their muscle tissue! Losing muscle mass equates to getting weaker.

Deteriorating muscles mean less and less mobility. Moreover, weakened muscles are a risk factor for serious injuries, such as from a fall. The harder collapse can make head injuries more likely, for example. For the elderly, this can sometimes mean death in a matter of days.

Women should take great precaution. Why? Because they tend to start out with and maintain less muscle mass than males. More women also live longer than men, so there’s more time to develop sarcopenia.

What did I decide to do about sarcopenia? Certainly not make the mistake of Mickey Mantel and wait too long. Nor is it a good idea to start the wrong type of exercise. For instance, there’s no sense in rushing out to purchase running shoes. Research has shown that joggers are not protected from sarcopenia. In fact, people who were runners in their youth can be at greater risk of sarcopenia if they don’t take up exercises that focus on preservation of muscle and bone. Running is not the answer for the aging body.

I am glad to know this as I’ve never seen a happy jogger. Rather, they always appear as they’re about to leave this planet. The best defence against muscle loss is good nutrition and moderate weight training. For years, I’ve kept small weights on my desk. I’m careful to focus on consistency, not infrequent bouts of lifting too much weight in a show of strength. Research has shown that through moderate weightlifting, people between 62 and 72 years of age can double their strength in 12 weeks of training.

It’s a problem though when boredom sets in with lifting weights. Yet the growing challenge of getting up from a deep sofa can motivate a new routine. I decided to try another method to fight sarcopenia.

I remembered that years ago Charles Atlas, an expert in bodybuilding, created a following of famous people who swore by his method. Joe DiMaggio, the New York Yankee baseball player, was a fan. And who would be foolish enough to pick a fight with another follower of Atlas, heavyweight boxing champion, Joe Louis?

Atlas called his technique “Dynamic Therapy” (DT). I decided to find out how it would affect my biceps muscles.

The good news is there’s no need to purchase equipment. Very simply, DT, now called isometric exercise, pits individual muscles against each other, again and again. Just clench one fist, then the op-

Sarcopenia, not cancer, but a deadly word

posite one, and push against each other for 10 seconds. You can do this simple exercise several times a day. I noticed improved strength in my biceps within one month.

Don’t wait until you can’t get up from a chair. Maintain your strength and enjoy better quality of life.

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

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

Diana MacKay writes in collaboration with her father under the pen name, Diana Gif-

ford-Jones. Diana is Special Advisor with The Aga Khan University. She worked for ten years in the Human Development sec-

tors at the World Bank, including health policy and economics, nutrition, and population health.

CAN you improve muscle mass even as you age?