Indo-Canadian Voice Main - Mar 4 2023

SURREY Connect Councillor

Rob Stutt has come under fire as Surrey Police Union revealed that he never disclosed that “the RCMP employs his son in the Surrey Detachment, nor has he ever declared that his daughter is assigned to the RCMP via secondment from the City of Surrey” while he voted in favour of a motion to end the transition from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service, and when he was appointed by Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke as the Chairman of the Public Safety Committee.

SPU has submitted a formal request to the Office of the Surrey Ethics Commissioner to investigate Stutt’s alleged breach of the City of Surrey’s rules around conflict of interest.

Surrey Police Union President Rick Stewart, in response to media inquiries, on Monday released the following statement:

“The future of policing in Surrey will impact the public safety of residents for generations to come and it is critical that elected officials presiding over the policing transition process are above reproach.

“At the November 7, 2022 City

Council meeting, Mayor Brenda Locke declared that she was bringing back the Office of the Ethics Commissioner to “help protect the integrity of the city and give residents a sense that there is oversight in decisionmaking.”

“City of Surrey Council Code of Conduct Bylaw, 2020, No. 20020 clearly outlines the parameters, rules and expected protocol for City Council Members. Specifically, Section 20 states: “[a] Council Member shall rigorously avoid situations which may result

in claims of pecuniary interest, conflict of interest or bias,” while Section 32 provides that “[a] Council Member shall not attempt to obtain a benefit from the City for a Family Member.”

“The Surrey Police Union (“SPU”) is now fully aware of the way in which Surrey Connect City Councillor Rob Stutt’s conduct since being elected fails to meet these standards.

“On November 14, 2022, Councillor Stutt voted in favour of a motion to end the transition from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service. The final vote tally was 5-4. Further, on January 30, 2023, Mayor Brenda Locke appointed Councillor Stutt as the chairman of the Public Safety Committee, which she claims will offer a new standard for accountability and oversight over the RCMP should it remain as Surrey’s Police of Jurisdiction.

“Throughout the public discourse prior and subsequent to this motion, Councillor Stutt has never disclosed that the RCMP employs his son in the Surrey Detachment, nor has he ever declared that his daughter is assigned to the RCMP via secondment from the City of Surrey. Referencing the Code

of Conduct, Mr. Stutt failed to notify the Chair of all City Council meetings (Mayor Brenda Locke) and recuse himself from participation in the debate and vote on the aforementioned motion.

“As such, SPU submitted a formal request to the Office of the Surrey Ethics Commissioner to investigate Councillor Stutt’s alleged breach of the City of Surrey’s rules around conflict of interest. This is essential to ensure the sanctity of all decision-making surrounding Surrey’s policing future.

“In spite of the ongoing search by Surrey City Council for a new Ethics Commissioner, SPU trusts that this request will still receive the attention it deserves considering the magnitude and timely nature of the matter in question. SPU hopes that today’s (February 27, 2023) Ethics Commissioner Selection Committee meeting will help to expedite this investigation.

“Surrey residents’ faith in public safety is essential to upholding the quality of life within our city. SPU is advancing this request in support of maintaining and enhancing public trust.”

THE RCMP in B.C. that is desperately trying to cling on to Surrey where the new municipal force — Surrey Police Service — has been steadily taking over from the paramilitary force received a rude jolt on Thursday as The Globe and Mail revealed that there are 460 empty positions in this province.

According to a Library of Parliament report released at the end of January shows that the RCMP had 813 empty positions across the country in June 2022, including 460 in B.C. The Globe and Mail said that the force confirmed last week that the overall totals remain roughly the same.

It also pointed out that the numbers don’t include the “soft” vacancies caused when Mounties take extended leave for family or health reasons.

The RCMP are so desperate at this stage that they are also rehiring former Mounties and police officers who want to transfer from other departments.

From The Globe and Mail report it becomes very clear that the Mounties will not be able to fil up vacancies for years.

And, of course, the well-known “toxic atmosphere” in the paramilitary force is not going to help the RCMP get too many young recruits — or others.

Rob Stutt.

Photo: Surrey Connect

Members of :

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and Councillor Rob Stutt MUST come clean!

INDEED, what a circus Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and her Surrey Connect have made the City of Surrey into!

One howler follows another – and now British Columbians are even calling Surrey “Sorry”!

The latest bozo act is the stunning revelation by the Surrey Police Union that Surrey Connect Councillor Rob Stutt “has never disclosed that the RCMP employs his son in the Surrey Detachment, nor has he ever declared that his daughter is assigned to the RCMP via secondment from the City of Surrey.”

The SPU has quite rightly submitted a formal request to the Office of the Surrey Ethics Commissioner to investigate Stutt’s alleged breach of the City of Surrey’s rules around conflict of interest, as The VOICE reported on Monday.

On November 14, 2022, Stutt voted in favour of a motion to end the transition from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service. If he had recused himself – as he should have ethically done – that motion would not have passed.

Remember, it’s not just about technicality when it comes to ethics – it’s the perception, too. That is something that should have been expected from the self-righteous Locke who didn’t lose an opportunity to excoriate the then-mayor Doug McCallum for some real or imaginary breach of ethics.

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

THAT Stutt has kept the fact that his son is a Mountie an absolute secret has blown away everyone.

After all this same former Mountie told a Surrey newspaper last December: ‘We have to restore trust at city hall.”

The article said: “Stutt said he believes Surrey RCMP is the best police force for the city and is the most accountable one.”

“The most accountable one?” Really?

He told that newspaper that “Locke is a woman of her word who listens and has integrity.”

He said: “I feel very strongly that we have to restore trust in city hall. Through accountability, integrity, honesty and work ethic.”

Stutt, did I read that correctly?

“Accountability, integrity, honesty and work ethic”?

The article mentioned that Stutt had three adult children, but it’s quite obvious that Stutt never told the reporter that he as a proud former Mountie had a son who was also a Mountie working here in Surrey!

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

You didn’t even mention it in your bio on the Surrey Connect site — or anywhere else? Or were you trying to hide something?

And why?

In any case, why didn’t you tell your fellow Surrey Connect councillors and Locke about your son? Or did they all know about it, but kept quiet? If they all knew about it, then they too are guilty of deception, aren’t they?

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

Didn’t you ever ask him what his kids do when you accepted him as a Surrey Connect candidate? (That’s called “due diligence,” by the way!) And why are you — a true blue publicity hound –running away from the media now – only very conveniently telling some media you “will not be commenting further while this complaint (by the SPU) is active.” That would mean months!

Meanwhile, I believe the Surrey RCMP is planning to transfer Stutt’s son to another detachment or some integrated team to try and help the beleaguered councillor.

COVID-19 vaccine update for children under five

PEOPLE with children aged six months to four years are advised that Canada’s current supply of the infant Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine expires on March 8, the Health Ministry announced on Monday.

British Columbia does not yet have a confirmed date for the arrival of a new supply of the infant Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. Based on information from the federal government, B.C. is expecting supply of this infant vaccine starting on April 11.

newsdesk@voiceonline.com

Those parents or guardians who have booked appointments for their children aged six months to four years for a COVID-19 vaccine between March

9 and April 10 will be contacted to discuss their options for rebooking. Parents or guardians can also reschedule the appointment themselves by calling the call centre at 1-833-838-2323. For children who are booked for both COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, they can proceed with the influenza vaccination and return at a later date for the COVID-19 vaccine. If more than eight weeks have passed since the child’s first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, their appointment for a second dose to complete their vaccination series can be moved up to before March 9. If their previous dose was less than eight weeks ago, they will be assisted in rebooking an appointment after April 11.

The infant Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is also available and safe to substitute for the infant Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer infant series requires three doses at eight-week intervals as opposed to the two-dose Moderna infant vaccine series. Children who have already received their first dose of infant Moderna can receive infant Pfizer as their second dose. However, they will require a third Pfizer dose to achieve full vaccination. There is currently no booster dose for children aged six months to four years.

The COVID-19 vaccine for infants continues to be the best protection against severe illness associated with the COVID-19 virus.

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Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke

South Asian boys win 21 medals, girls bag 5 medals at 2023 BC School Sports Wrestling Championships

• Outstanding Match: Male 51 kg — Gurshar Johal of Rick Hansen vs Jared Wiebe of Nechako Valley Secondary

• Outstanding Match: Female 51 kg — Alice Clements of Elphinstone vs Tanya Dhillon of Semiahmoo

SOUTH Asian male students once again stood out at the BC High School Wrestling Championships, bagging nine gold, four silver and eight bronze medals at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum on Saturday.

Results:

• 41 kg

1. Gaurav Bahi of Earl Marriot

• 45 kg

1. Karanjot Dhillon of Tamanawis Secondary

• 51 kg

1. Gurshar Johal of Rick Hansen Secondary

2. Harkirat Dhillon of Semiahmoo Secondary

• 54 kg

3. Gurshaan Kahlan of Eugene Reimer

• 57 kg

3. Riley Jhuty of McNair

• 70 kg

1. Omrao Dhadda of W J Mouat Secondary

2. Prithvi Mann of Queen Elizabeth Secondary

3. Harjot Shergill of Panorama Ridge Secondary

• 74 kg

2. Sartaj Sanghera of Khalsa

• 78 kg

1. Rohit Bal of Tamanawis Secondary

• 84 kg

1. Tejvir Dhinsa of W J Mouat Secondary

2. Justin Lalli of Tamanawis Secondary

3. Udaypartap Billen of Princess Margaret Secondary

• 90 kg

1. Jastej Mundi of Tamanawis Secondary

2. Michealjeet Grewal of WJ Mouat

• 110 kg

1. Jagroop Dhinsa of W J Mouat Secondary

3. Jagvir Bains of Frank Hurt Secondary

• 130 kg

1. Aykam Takhar of Fleetwood Park

2. Manjot Sangha of Tamanawis Secondary

3. Rajanvir Hayer of Enver Creek Secondary

Tamawanis Secondary (Surrey) with 94 points, WJ Mouat Secondary (Abbotsford) with 67

points and Queen Elizabeth Secondary (Surrey) with 30 points bagged 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, respectively, among the male teams.

sOutH AsIAN GIRls BAG

2 GOlD, 1 sIlVeR, 2 BRONZe

• 51 kg

1. Tanya Dhillon of Semiahmoo Secondary

• 57 kg

3. Diksha Chaudhary of Princess Margaret Secondary School

• 60 kg

3. Meira Bhatha of John Oliver Secondary

• 90 kg

1. Rupinder Johal of Robert Bateman Secondary School

2. Anmol Sahota of Enver Creek Secondary School

Maple Ridge with 54 points, Elphinstone with 29 points, and Frances Kelsey with 25 points bagged 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, respectively, among the female teams.

Tamanawis Secondary (Surrey) win their 4th consecutive Provincial wrestling title. Photo: Surrey Schools

Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade on Saturday, April 22

THE Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade, the largest in the world, will return to the streets of Surrey on Saturday, April 22, following three years of cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press statement.

Event organizers Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar expect the parade will draw in excess of 500,000 guests from around the world to gather along the route. The parade itself features a colourful and entertaining procession of over 2,500 participants representing 20 community organizations. Hundreds of booths along the route, sponsored by local businesses and families give away free food and treats to onlookers.

“After having to cancel the parade and the other weekend celebrations for the past three years, we know that the community locally in BC as well as guests who travel from as far away as across the US, Europe and Australia will be thrilled to hear that the 2023 Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade is definitely back on,” says Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar

President Gurdeep Singh Samra.

“We are expecting significant crowds to gather to celebrate this important event in the Sikh calendar, and we look forward to welcoming people of all ages and ethnicities to celebrate along with us at this free, familyfriendly event.”

The Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, along with a number of supporting agencies includ-

ing Fraser Health, the Surrey RCMP, and the City of Surrey (including City of Surrey Bylaws office) are reminding businesses and individuals participating in the parade-route kiosks and stands to observe safe practices. All of these practices and other detailed information, including the parade route map, can be found outlined in detail on the parade website at: SurreyVaisakhiParade.ca

The parade will begin at the Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar Temple (12885 85th Avenue in Surrey). The parade, which features a variety of floats, community groups, live music and dancers and performers, will travel along 124 Street, turn left onto 75 Avenue, continue on 76 Avenue, onto 128 Street, then back to the Temple.

Amar Dhesi will resume his path to return to 2024 Games at Canadian Wrestling Championships March 9-12

Waterloo, Ontario: The slate is now set for the 2023 Canadian Wrestling Championships (Senior, Junior, Cadet).

The Championships are happening March 9-12 at the RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex in Waterloo and will showcase close to 600 of the country’s top wrestlers in Senior, Junior and Cadet categories.

This is a key event in determining the athletes who will go on to represent Canada at the upcoming Pan Am Games and World Wrestling Championships, as well as identifying the top Canadian wrestlers in each weight category. The 2023 Canadian Wresting Championships are also an opportunity to see future Olympians in action as they start on their path to the podium.

“ Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) is excited to be hosting the 2023 Canadian Wrestling Championships in Waterloo,” said Tamara Medwidsky, WCL Executive Director. “We know the passion that the region has for sport and we are honoured to be part of it. This is such an important year for Canadian wrestling as it is

the first step to Paris 2024. With the stakes being so high, it means the best wrestlers in the countr y will be competing, resulting in exciting action for fans, families and friends.”

Wrestlers who will be competing at the Canadian Wrestling Championships include former Olympian Amar Dhesi who will resume his path to return to the 2024 Games. Dhesi,

from Surrey, B.C., represented Canada at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics at 125kg. The 27-yearold had a strong 2022 season capturing gold at the Commonwealth Games in England and gold at the Pan-American (Pan-Am) Championships in Mexico.

“ We’re proud to play a role in the journey of these athletes as they aim to compete on the international stage representing Canada,” says Allister Scorgie, Director of Sport Hosting, Explore Waterloo Region. “An event of this magnitude requires a large number of partners at all levels of the sport. Wrestling Canada Lutte, Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association, Sport Canada, the Province of Ontario, and here in Waterloo Region, Matmen Wrestling Club and Explore Waterloo Region. Everyone has a role to play in delivering a world class event for these athletes.”

For more information on the 2023 Canadian Wrestling Championships, go to www.wrestling.ca

For more on this story, please visit our website voiceonline.com

Photo: SurreyVaisakhiParade.ca

Amar Dhesi being greeted by Khalsa Wrestling Club members and supporters.at Vancouver International Airport last August on his return from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, where he won a gold medal in the 125 kg category.

Photo by SUKHWANT DHILLON / AM 600 Sher-E-Punjab Radio

Ignite 2023 motivates youth at Vancouver’s David Thompson Secondary School

OVER 600 students at David Thompson Secondary School in Vancouver on Wednesday took part in a career exploration event — “David Thompson Secondary School’s IGNITE 2023. ‘Your Journey: How did you get to where you are today?’” — about different paths that lead people to their chosen careers.

The 7th annual IGNITE career day event was all about professionals sharing what ignited a spark within them to their career path. This was the first IGNITE event organized in Vancouver. This year’s IGNITE planning committee wanted presenters to share the journey they took to choose the career they are in now.

By hearing from a variety of professionals in the community, the hope is that it sparks an interest for youth to pursue. By professionals sharing their personal story, the organizing committee hoped students would learn a variety of ways to be successful in a career

that makes them happy.

The administration and staff of the school, along with the Association of South Asian Professionals of British Columbia (ASAPBC), provided the students with an opportunity to hear from over 40 presenters from various organizations in over 11 breakout sessions for students in grades 10 and 11.

Throughout the morning, the grade 10 and grade 11 students attended different breakout sessions with speakers from a variety of careers including: health, sciences, business/accounting, athletics/sports science, criminal justice, public safety, arts, graphic design, education, government, politics, law, tech and real estate. This event could not have been a success without all the following organizations dedicating their time to take part: Kids Play, Surrey Eagles Hockey team, City of Vancouver, Future Ready Minds, Just Cakes Bakeshop, River District Physio, Walmart Pharmacy,

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, Transit Police, South Vancouver Community Police office, Vancouver Police Department, ICBC and many others.

Principal Nick Akrap noted: “The event was very well received by students. It was great to welcome community members to David Thompson who want to make a difference and get youth motivated for their future. The presenters did a wonderful job engaging students in a variety of ways.”

Jindy Bhalla, President of ASAP, said: “After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, ASAP is pleased to have been part of the return of the annual IGNITE career exploration event for youth. This year the conference focused on presentations about the different avenues that led people to their chosen professions and what ignited that spark within. In addition, by presenting young people with exposure to a wide range of diverse career options, our hope

is to ignite an interest in them in careers which they may not have thought of.”

If you are looking to make a difference and would like to be involved in this type of event, you can con-

tact Harvey Kooner, Association of South Asian Professionals of BC, at harveykooner1@gmail.com

For more information and photos on this story, please visit our website voiceonline.com

The presenters.

Photos by David Thompson student photographer - Yuki Wong

IGNITE organizing committee (L-R): Principal Nick Akrap, Rupy Dhaliwal, Harvey Kooner, Stephanie Tsui.

Top mortgage broker Sharnjit Singh Gill finalist for Broker of the Year (Regional – BC) award

Also, Gill’s VERICO Superior Mortgage is a finalist for the Centum Financial Award for Brokerage of the Year (Fewer than 25 Employees)

SHARNJIT Singh Gill, President and CEO of Surrey-based VERICO Superior Mortgage Inc., is a finalist in the prestigious Broker of the Year (Regional – British Columbia) category of the 2023 Canadian Mortgage Awards (CMAs).

And his VERICO Superior Mortgage Inc. is a finalist in the CWB Optimum Mortgage Award for Brokerage of the Year (25 Employees or More) category.

The winners will be announced at the CMAs on April 20 at Toronto’s Westin Harbour Castle.

Gill told The VOICE: “Being named an excellence awardee is an incredible honor. It is a recognition of the hard work and dedication that we have worked very hard to earn. It is a testament to our commitment and passion toward our clients and also for the pursuit of excellence.”

Indeed, those honours are the product of a long, illustrious career of 54 years in banking and mortgages in three countries - India, UK and Canada.

After all, as Gill once told The VOICE: “We get 85% of our business from the repeat clients.”

The father (Sharnjit Gill) and son (Raj Gill) team became Top Producer with Envision

Credit Union in 2003 with both receiving individual awards.

Gill also noted: “We take pride in mentoring the very young students at the age of 16 years and three of them are very successful brokers. Sunny Bal got an award as a rising star in 2021.”

CBSA seizes large quantities of prohibited weapons imported from China

BORDER services officers at Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Commercial Operations, Vancouver International Airport District, intercepted several parcels containing large quantities of prohibited weapons last January.

The parcels, destined for addresses in Chilliwack, were imported from China using a false declaration.

This case was referred to the CBSA’s Pacific Region

Criminal Investigations team.

On January 25, CBSA investigators arrested a Chilliwack resident for suspected offences under the Customs Act and the Criminal Code. A number of prohibited weapons and firearms were also found during the arrest.

On January 26, CBSA investigators executed a search warrant on a residence in Chilliwack, where numerous additional prohibited weap-

ons were seized.

In total, over 1,350 prohibited weapons and 13 prohibited firearms were seized including:

* 360 stun guns

* 422 prohibited knives

* 171 stun batons

* 7 spring-loaded batons

* 390 brass knuckles

* 13 conducted energy weapons (Tasers – classified as prohibited firearms).

The CBSA is reviewing all evidence and charges are pending.

Verbal altercation results in 3 men being stabbed in downtown Vancouver

VANCOUVER Police are investigating after three men were stabbed near Nelson and Granville on Thursday night.

Three men, all in their early 20s, got into a verbal altercation in the west lane of

Granville Street at Nelson just before 7:30 p.m. The argument escalated and turned violent, resulting in all three being stabbed. The men were taken to hospital by ambulance and are expected to sur-

vive.

The three suspects are known to each other. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call VPD investigators at 604-717-4022

WorkBC will help you find training, resources and financial support to advance your career. Learn more at WorkBC.ca/FindYourPath.

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Sharnjit Singh Gill

Photo: CBSA

Memorial vigil on March 5 will spotlight farmworker safety

About the Golden Tree Farmworkers’ Monument: Located in Abbotsford’s Friendship Garden, behind the Clearbrook Library, the Golden Tree Farmworkers’ Monument was seven

years in the making. It honours the memory of the three women who were killed in the 2007 van crash as well as the work done by all farmworkers. It was designed and built by local artists Dean and Christina Lauzé.

THE safety and livelihoods of BC farmworkers will be front and centre as families, community organizations, labour and political leaders gather to remember the 2007 van crash that killed three farmworkers.

The annual memorial service honours Armajit Kaur Bal, 52, Sukhvinder Kaur Punia, 46, and Sarbjit Kaur Sidhu, 31. They died when an overloaded van carrying them to work skidded out of control on the Trans-Canada Highway near Abbotsford.

Multiple investigations revealed that the van was illegally overloaded and had only two seat belts, was riding on mismatched and bald tires, had a wooden bench in the back, and was driven with a fraudulent safety permit by someone who did not have the proper license.

This year, the service will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 5 at 12:30 p.m. at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium in Abbotsford, with an Indigenous welcome ceremony followed by a series of speakers. Participants will then walk to the nearby Golden Tree monument, where they will hold a candlelight vigil, according to a BCFED statement.

Details:

Sunday, March 5 at 12:30 p.m.

Matsqui Centennial Auditorium 32315 South Fraser Way 1st floor Abbotsford

Langara College exposer convicted

A man accused of exposing himself to an employee at Langara College last March has been convicted of an indecent act and sentenced to jail.

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Christopher Ram, 36, pleaded guilty to the March 27, 2022 offence, as well as another indecent act that occurred April 17 at Foster Park, near Kingsway and Boundary Road. He was sentenced last week in Provincial Court.

The 36-year-old was sentenced to 30 days jail and 18 months of probation, in addition to time already served since his arrest. Ram was arrested by VPD officers last May.

Photo: www.goldentree.ca/

Photo of the suspect released by VPD last year.

Consulate General of India in Vancouver celebrates International Year of Millets 2023

IN celebration of the International Year of Millets 2023, the Consulate General of India in Vancouver organized a special event on February 23 to promote usage of millets.

Consul General Manish spoke on the benefits of millets and made a presentation on the various initiatives of Government of India and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) to promote millets. He highlighted the health benefits of different varieties of millets and suggested that everyone include millets in their daily food. He also presented ‘seven sutras’ of the Government of India to popularize the usage of millets.

Aaron Stephen, co-founder of Nature’s Path, one of the world’s largest independent organic cereal brands manufacturers, praised the efforts of the Government of India to promote the usage of millets. He remembered his visits to India in the early 60s and being introduced to the millet growing area in Rajasthan and also eating millet foods. He pointed out that millet is cultivated in the Saskatoon region of Canada and are widely used. He also noted that his company uses millets to produce value added products and has shown interest to import ragi millet from India.

Dr. Arun K Garg, President, Canada-India Network Society, and health practitioner, spoke on the medicinal value of millets and its impact on an individual’s health. He requested guests to use millets, which are useful in controlling several diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

The event was attended by about 120 guests, which included members of the Consular Corps, the business community, the media and friends of India. Guests were served food made of millets, which was greatly appreci-

ated by the guests.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video message on #IYM2023 was also screened. At Modi’s initiative, the Government of India had proposed to the United Nations to declare 2023 as International Year of Millets (IYOM).

The Indian proposal was supported by 72 countries and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 as International Year of Millets (IYOM) in March, 2021. Millets are important by virtue of their contribution to livelihood generation, food and nutritional security in various parts of the world. India is a major producer of millets, accounting for 80% of Asia’s production and 41% of global production. India’s average yield of millets (1,239 kg/hectare) is also higher than global average yield of 1,229 kg/hectare. India itself is a major consumer of millets and accounts for nearly 38% of the consumption of its domestic produce.

The humble millet has been grown in the Indian subcontinent for 5,000 years. There are many different kinds of millets, each with its own benefits and ways to include them in one’s diet. Indian millets are mainly classified into two types based on grain size – Major Millets (Sorghum, Pearl Millet, and

Finger Millet) — which require minimal processing after harvesting and can be directly used after being washed — and Minor Millets (Foxtail Millet, Proso Millet, Kodo Millet, Barnyard Millet and Little Millet) — which are husked grains and come with an indigestible seed coat which is separated prior to consumption as a part of post-harvest processing. For more photos on this story, please visit our website voiceonline.com.

Visitors can continue to apply for work permits inside Canada, temporary policy extended by 2 years

FOREIGN nationals who are in Canada as visitors and who receive a valid job offer will continue to be able to apply for and receive a work permit without having to leave the country, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced on Tuesday. Visitors applying under this public policy who held a work permit within the last 12 months will also continue to be able to request interim work authorization to begin working for their new employer more quickly.

Set to expire on Tuesday, this COVIDera temporary public policy has been extended by two years, until February 28, 2025. Leaving this temporary policy in place makes visitors an option for employers in Canada, as many are facing significant labour shortages during this period of economic expansion.

Prior to this temporary policy change, those applying to work in Canada would typically need to apply for their initial work permit before they came to Canada. If they were already in Canada with visitor status when they were approved for a work permit, they would need to leave Canada to be issued their work permit. With this policy in place, leaving Canada isn’t necessary.

To be eligible to apply, an applicant looking to benefit from this temporary public policy must

* have valid status in Canada as a visitor on the day they apply

* have a job offer that is supported by a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment

* submit an application for an employer-specific work permit no later than February 28, 2025

* meet all other standard admissibility criteria

Applicants who currently have visitor status but who have held a valid work permit in the past 12 months can follow special instructions to get interim work authorization to start working for their new employer before their work permit application is finalized.

Indian Consul General Manish

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Sean Fraser Official photo

The silent pandemic in a pandemic: Gender-based violence in Canadian South Asian community

By The Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA) and Partners

GENDER-BASED violence

(GBV) is violence that an individual faces due to their gender, gender expression, or gender identity. The survivors of GBV tend to be disproportionately women, though men can also be subject to it.

GBV is a global issue and exists in all communities. Racialized, immigrant and/ or newcomer communities face disproportionate risks of GBV and unique challenges when seeking help due to the barriers that they face. These include language barriers, lack of knowledge of available services and legal rights, precarious immigration status, poverty, systemic discrimination, and so on.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, GBV increased

starkly. Recently, we did a study on GBV specifically in the Canadian South Asian community. We focused on one type of GBV, namely, domestic violence.

In our study, the following were found to be among the reasons for increased domestic violence in this community: work from home arrangements that kept women stuck at home with their abusers and little personal space, stresses caused by job loss, children schooling at home, a lack of

support of extended family due to isolation measures, and immigration application delays.

The taboo of speaking about GBV, the stigma of separation/divorce, lack of knowledge of legal rights and services, the transition to online services, the lack of comfort of survivors with technology, the lack of support from police, lack of culturally sensitive mental health services, language barriers, delays in the legal system, and poverty were some of the barriers

survivors faced in seeking help for their situation.

GBV can fall into any of the following six categories:

* Physical abuse – intended to cause pain, intimidation, and bodily harm

* Financial abuse – control or misuse over another person’s money or bank account

* Psychological / emotional abuse – words or actions meant to control a partner emotionally or through lowering self-respect

* Sexual abuse – any situation where non-consensual sex is forced or threatened out of an unwilling person

* Technological abuse – use or blocking of technology to gain power

* Spiritual abuse – use of religious or spiritual beliefs to manipulate and gain control

There are service providers who are available to help:

* Shelters – provide temporary housing if you and your children need to leave an abusive situation

* Agencies – provide various types of support, such as, teaching their clients how to use cell phones and computers, applying for housing

and social assistance, teaching English, counseling, providing referrals to other agencies

* Legal clinics – provide legal support for free. You have to earn under a certain income amount to be eligible for the services. If your immigration status is tied to your partner (for example, in a situation where your partner has sponsored you to be a permanent resident), your status can be at risk if you leave the relationship. If you are already a permanent resident, you won’t lose your status just because you left the relationship. Even if you are not a permanent resident, contact a legal clinic to see what your options are –you may have more options than you think.

In an emergency, call 9-1-1 if you are able to.

For more information about agencies, shelters, and legal clinics in your area, including their websites, phone numbers, and emails, please visit https:// ornatestudios.com/cassa/ gbvstudy/

Suspect in Chinatown senior assault arrested

VANCOUVER Police announced on Monday that they have located a man wanted province-wide for the aggravated assault of a Chinatown senior last fall.

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

Henry Paul Wiens, 52, was arrested early Saturday morning by VPD officers working in the downtown core.

Wiens had been wanted since February 15 for

the alleged assault of a 93-year-old man who was knocked to the ground on Main Street on October 11.

He was transported back to jail.

Bhangra dancing improves heart health of South Asian children

IN Canada, South Asians are the largest and most rapidly growing visible minority group. They also bear a greater risk of heart disease as early as childhood. Studies have found that South Asian children have been shown to have higher blood sugar levels, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) when compared to children of other ethnic groups. BMI is a variable that indicates if an individual’s weight is healthy for their height, age and gender. Early lifestyle intervention to improve cardiorespiratory health can help lower the risk of heart disease in adulthood. Bhangra is a form of dance that is deeply rooted in the Punjabi community, originally performed by boys and men to celebrate the harvest and reflect the strength and endurance needed for farming activities. This traditional folk dance is a great cardio workout to get the heart pumping and oxygen flowing through the lungs as it can

A bhangra session.

burn up to 500 calories in a single session.

A team of researchers, led by BC Children’s Hospital investigator Dr. Tricia Tang, trialled a seven-month Bhangra dance program, called Project Bhangra, for South Asian children. This is the first time in B.C. that a culturally appropriate exercise targeted at South Asian children in the school setting has been researched as a way to improve cardiorespiratory fitness for this population.

The team recruited 172 children in grades three to six from four elementary schools in the greater Surrey area, home to the largest Punjabi Sikh settlement outside of India. Eligible participants had at least one South Asian parent who they communicated with in English, Urdu, Hindi or Punjabi.

For seven months, the children had afterschool Bhangra dance sessions twice a week. The 45-to-60-minute sessions were led by in-

32-year-old Vancouver male dies in Highway 3 collision

ON Sunday, February 26, at 4:45 p.m., a collision between two vehicles on Highway 3 south of Moyie left one passenger deceased. BC Highway Patrol, along with Cranbrook RCMP, responded to a collision between a Subaru and a commercial tractor trailer south of Moyie. The initial investigation has found that the southbound Subaru lost con-

trol on snowy roads, rotating into the oncoming commercial vehicle.

The front passenger of the Subaru, a 32-yearold male from Vancouver, was determined to be deceased on scene. The driver of the Subaru was seriously injured and transported to hospital. The driver of the commercial vehicle was not injured.

Photos: BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute

structors who were trained to teach elementary school children by the Royal Academy of Bhangra. At the beginning, participants were introduced to simple dance routines that gradually increased in complexity and pace, while accommodating each individual’s learning ability.

The program maintained excellent participation across the four schools. Usually during the

late fall and early spring, which is when the study was conducted, many South Asian families in B.C. will travel to India for up to eight weeks at a time. Despite this, the program maintained an attendance rate of 74 per cent and retention rate of 87 per cent.

For the 148 participants who remained, fitness levels improved significantly. In the 20-metre shuttle run test, average laps increased from about 20 to 28, an indication of much better aerobic capacity. The children were also able to vertically jump higher as a result of increased muscle strength and power. As well, waist circumference decreased by an average of 1.49 cm.

The program also reduced barriers for this community. In Surrey, cost and safety are among South Asian parents’ greatest concerns for their children. Bhangra classes, offered at no cost in a safe, familiar school setting, provided parents an attractive option for their children.

“Research has often focused on mainstream interventions that are not culturally specific. Different communities have unique needs, and we must start tailoring our research to meet these needs,” says Dr. Shazhan Amed, a BC Children’s Hospital investigator on the research team.

– BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute

Dr. Tricia Tang, study team lead of Project Bhangra.

Growing Communities Fund: Grants will reflect population size and growth; Surrey: $89.9M, Vancouver: $49.1 M

LOCAL governments are receiving a $1-billion boost through one-time funding to address the needs of their growing communities and the grants will be distributed to municipalities and regional districts using a funding formula that reflects population size and growth. Surrey will get $89,928,000 while Vancouver will receive $49,119,000.

“Our communities are growing and this puts more pressure on community centres, parks and swimming pools that families rely on. To help, we’re providing the single largest provincial investment in communities in B.C.’s history,” said Premier David Eby on Friday.

“The new Growing Communities Fund will help local communities get building. Growing communities need our support and this fund-

PROPOSED amendments to the Election Act will make it easier for voters in B.C. to cast their ballots, while continuing to combat disinformation, increase transparency and strengthen third-party advertising rules in the provincial electoral process. The amendments respond to recommendations made by the independent chief

ing will make a big difference for everyone.”

On February 10, government announced the Growing Communities Fund, which provides a one-time total of $1 billion in grants to all 188 B.C. municipalities and regional districts. Grants will be distributed using a formula that incorporates an initial $500,000 per municipality or district, and further adjustments for population size and per-capita population growth between 2016 and 2021, based on BC Stats data. This method considers the impacts of service and amenity demands on smaller and rural communities and the additional pressures experienced by faster-growing communities. Grants will be distributed to local governments by the end of March 2023.

“I know that our local governments are

electoral officer in the 2020 report Digital Communications, Disinformation and Democracy, and the 2022 report Recommendations for Legislative Change.

If passed, the amendments will support the ongoing work of Elections BC to maintain fair and impartial electoral processes in B.C. in an increasingly digital world.

working hard to keep up with the growing demands of their communities. Through cross-government co-operation, we can address the unique needs in each community to ensure they can thrive into the future,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs.

“These grants will support projects that each community needs the most, like new affordable housing and child care facilities, road improvements or recreation centres.”

All local governments are required to report on the use of funds in their annual audited financial statements. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs will provide further guidance to municipalities and regional districts on the use of their funds in the coming weeks.

“The transfer of these funds provides mas-

“Maintaining the integrity of our elections is fundamental to our democracy,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General, on Thursday. “With these changes, we’re building on our work to get big money out of politics, protecting our electoral process from the alarming increase in disinformation available online and ensuring online platforms do their part to support transparency throughout the electoral process.”

The proposed amendments include:

* placing restrictions on intentionally making false statements about objective biographical information about candidates and senior officials of political parties;

* cracking down on the spread of deliberate disinformation about the electoral process, such as including disinformation about voting eligibility, dates, times and locations; and

* streamlining the vote-by-mail process to make it more accessible for people.

The amendments will authorize the chief electoral officer to require all digital platforms that publish election advertising to remove non-compliant content within a specified timeframe. Platforms that fail to remove non-compliant content may also face significant and meaningful fines.

sive investments for every local government in the province,” said Jen Ford, president, Union of B.C. Municipalities. “This new funding will allow communities to accelerate the replacement of aging systems, and expansion to current services to better meet the demands of growing populations. The approach of providing funding upfront will ensure that these funds are directed to the most urgent priorities identified in each community.”

Learn More:

For a breakdown of funding by local government, visit:

https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BG_CommunityGrants.pdf

Although mail-in voting has been an option for more than 30 years in B.C., the 2020 provincial general election was the first election in which more voters voted at advance voting or by mail than on general voting day.

The proposed amendments complement extensive amendments made to the Election Act in 2019 to implement voting modernization and in 2017 to amend campaign financing rules.

Tandoori Chicken Fish PakoraChicken Tikka

Niki Sharma

Federal government and B.C. announce agreement in principle to improve health-care services

THE Government of Canada and British Columbia announced on Wednesday an agreement in principle to improve health-care services across B.C. through $3.3 billion over 10 years of new bilateral funding focusing on shared health-care priorities, and $273 million through the immediate, one-time Canada Health Transfer top-up to address urgent needs, especially in emergency rooms and pediatric hospitals, as well as long wait times for surgeries.

Premier David Eby, Health Minister Adrian Dix and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside said in a statement: “After months of negotiations, we welcome this positive step by the federal government, which will assist the significant actions already underway to improve health-care services in B.C., including improving access to cancer care, primary care, seniors care, acute care and mentalhealth and substance-use services for British Columbians.

“The agreement in principle supports shared health-care priorities such as expanding access to primary health care including in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities; reducing waitlists; supporting our health-care workers; improving access to quality mental health and substance use services; and modernizing

health systems with health data and digital tools.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada on furthering B.C.’s health-care priorities and building a health-care system that people can count on.”

The federal government said in a press release:

“The Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia are taking the next step by announcing an agreement in principle for a shared plan that will invest $27.47 billion in federal funding over 10 years in British Columbia including $3.32 billion for a new bilateral agreement focusing on the shared health care

priorities and $273 million through the immediate, one-time CHT top-up to address urgent needs, especially in pediatric hospitals and emergency rooms, and long wait times for surgeries. This will further help provide British Columbians with improvements in health care.”

It added: “By reaching an agreement in principle, Canada and British Columbia are committing to the plan laid out on February 7, 2023, which includes shared commitments to collect, use and share depersonalized health information and to inform Canadians of their progress with key common headline indicators. Work will now begin on a bilateral agreement based on an initial three-year action plan that will detail targets, timelines and additional common indicators related to the shared health priorities in each jurisdiction.

“As part of this collaborative health plan, Canada will work with British Columbia to streamline foreign credential recognition for internationally educated health professionals and advance labour mobility for key health professionals. Furthermore, British Columbia commits to an integrated, inclusive approach to investments in health service teams, the health workforce, and data and digital tools that will help to meet the health and mental health needs of Canadians.”

$150-million to fund upgrades to B.C.’s 911 emergency communications system

THE Province announced on Wednesday that it is working with local governments to build stronger communities through upgrades to critical emergency communications services that will help keep people safe and improve emergency responses.

The Province’s $150-million investment will fund upgrades to B.C.’s 911 emergency communications system, which is aging and increasingly incompatible with evolving technologies. The upgrades to Next Generation 911 will allow people the choice to contact 911 through new options, such as real-time text, and caller location features.

“When people experience a life-threatening emergency, they need to know they can count on an accessible and reliable 911 system,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Next Generation 911’s advanced technology will help ensure safer and co-ordinated emergency responses. Our $150-million invest-

ment will support local governments through a transition to Next Generation 911 to help ensure the safety of people throughout B.C.”

Special Sunday Service

V E R Y

S U N D AY

E-Comm, which handles 99% of B.C.’s 911 call volume, is leading Next Generation 911’s implementation in most B.C. municipalities. Pending approval by the legislative assembly, the Province’s $150-million investment will help offset local governments’ costs for transitioning to Next Generation 911 and be divided into two parts:

* $90 million will be provided to E-Comm for technological upgrades; and

* $60 million will be provided to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to defray costs, such as staffing, training and quality assurance. The Province says that Next Generation 911 will improve public safety and confidence in the 911 network. Its features will make the 911 system more accessible for people who choose to communicate confidentially with emergency services, and for people with disabilities who will be able to use different text media to interact with operators. The technology’s capacity to provide real-time accounts of

domestic violence and other emergencies and unfolding events will help dispatchers and improve emergency responses.

“Keeping people safe is a core value of government,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “Working together with municipalities, regional districts and First Nations to improve emergency communications is vital to enhancing public safety for people living in and travelling through the most remote parts of the province. We are working to improve connectivity in B.C. because everyone deserves to have access to the services they need, especially emergency services, no matter where they live.”

The implementation of Next Generation 911 and the Connecting Communities BC program support government commitments to provide high-speed internet services and enhance 911 services in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

Premier David Eby with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (far right) and MPs Sukh Dhaliwal and John Aldag.

Photo by SUKHWANT DHILLON / AM 600 Sher-E-Punjab Radio

Mike Farnworth

Canadians must champion the valuable work of women in the Care Economy

BY BONITA ZARRILLO

NDP MP for Port Moody—Coquitlam

CANADA’S theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is Every Woman Counts. But the reality is that this is still only a hope for too many women in Canada today. Too many women continue to be sidelined by poor pay, multiple jobs, and a lack of choices – in childcare, in education, and even in employment.

Canada’s Care Economy – which includes the healthcare system – is in crisis. But the Care Economy is the backbone of Canada’s economy and employs 1 in 5 Canadians. The physical, psychological, and emotional care of people is encompassed by the Care Economy. Without it, society simply cannot function.

Women are overrepresented in the Care Economy. According to Statistics Canada, they comprise 80 per cent of workers in health occupations, hold 68 per cent of teaching roles and professorships, and more than 95 per cent of childcare workers are women. All are typically paid less than men in the same roles.

Along with gender discrimination, racism is intertwined within the Care Economy’s systems. Immigration policies targeting care workers are designed to control access to status or citizenship. At the same time, newcomers, undocumented and low-income women are especially vulnerable to exploitation and precarious working conditions.

Black and Filipina women are overrepresented within the Care Economy and they are some of the most exploited within care work. The collective prejudice towards care has resulted in a “common-sense” understanding or shared belief that care work is unskilled work and therefore can receive low compensation. This is wrong.

Now is the time for the federal government to step up and end that discrimination. It is time for them to do the work required to improve the working conditions of nurses and other Care Economy workers across this country.

We trust our care safety net in Canada, but it has not received the recognition, support, or respect it deserves for a very long time. Whether a Canadian is seeking healthcare, long-term care, childcare, education, dental care, or needs a personal support worker, they expect that quality care will be available, along with the workers, institutions, and systems that enable the delivery of that care. Our society is dependent on the emotional and physical work of those in the Care Economy: we need to recognize and value this essential work and treat fairly those who take care

of us. Crucial policy actions to bring equity to the Care Economy include better and faster credential recognition for training received outside Canada; raising hourly wages of care workers; guaranteeing paid sick days; and supporting access to affordable childcare, mental health supports, dental care and Pharmacare. At no other time in history have the consequences of biases and approaches towards care been as visible as they are today. In the past three years, many have made the choice (or been forced) to change the way they work, and this has exposed the inequities that both paid and unpaid care workers face. We can build a better future by uplifting the Care Economy, recognizing its significance in government budgets, and properly remunerating the people behind it – those who are dedicating their lives to caring for us and our families. On this International Women’s Day, I urge Canadians from coast to coast to coast, to champion the valuable work of women in the Care Economy by calling for better pay and working conditions. When we achieve that, Canadians will know that Every Woman Counts.

City of Burnaby donates $5 million to help fund Burnaby Hospital’s future Emergency Department

BURNABY Hospital Foundation celebrated the naming of Burnaby Hospital’s Emergency Department at a reception attended by Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, Burnaby City Council members, and Foundation staff. In honour of the City of Burnaby’s $5 million gift, the upgraded and expanded Emergency Department will be named the Burnaby Community Emergency Department.

“Emergency care is on the forefront of the minds of our residents and there is no place more deserving of support than our own Emergency Department, which plays such an essential role in addressing our community’s immediate medical needs,” says Hurley. “The City’s leadership, on behalf of all the residents in our city, are proud to invest in the future of Burnaby by supporting what our community needs – a modern, expanded Emergency Department.”

Burnaby Hospital’s Emergency Department is the second largest in the Fraser Health Authority, seeing 83,000 patients in a space

that was designed for 54,000. Phase One of the redevelopment will add additional space, making it possible to expand and reconfigure the current department, and allow for purchase of innovative equipment and technology. In addition, the hospital will take another step forward in patient care with private treatment bays, offering separation between patients.

Upgrades and modernization of the Emergency Department will continue through multiple phases of the redevelopment and, once complete, the Emergency Department will be able to service patients more effectively and accommodate a greater capacity.

Construction of Phase One, which will upgrade and modernize emergency care, surgery services, maternity and mental health at the hospital is set to be completed as soon as 2025. Learn more about the redevelopment of Burnaby Hospital at bhfoundation.ca/brightfuture

Councillors Maita Santiago, Richard T. Lee, Alison Gu, Daniel Tetrault, Pietro Calendino and Joe Keithley; Mayor Mike Hurley; Kristy James, President and CEO, Burnaby Hospital Foundation; Councillor James Wang; and Steven McKoen, Chair, Burnaby Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees.

iCON 2023 South Asian Health Forum: Living well together with diabetes

IN support of multicultural communities, patients and caregivers, UBC intercultural Online Health Network (iCON) is hosting the 2023 South Asian Health Forum: “Take Charge of Your Health: Living Well Together with Diabetes” in collaboration with City of Surrey, on Sunday, March 5 at Surrey City Hall.

This forum is designed to help participants optimize their quality of life by empower-

ing them with knowledge and resources to manage diabetes.

Through a series of presentations and discussions, health experts from the community will educate and engage with the audience, providing an introduction to diabetes self-management tips (on nutrition, mental health, fitness, etc.) for living well with diabetes, as well as share community resources. This free South Asian Health Forum will

be delivered in Panjabi, with simultaneous interpretation in English. Walk-ins are welcome with limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Date: Sunday, March 5

Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. PT

Admission: Free to attend

Language: Panjabi and English

Format: Either online or in-person with boxed lunch served

In-person location: Surrey City Hall, 13450 104 Avenue, Surrey, BC

Virtual location: A Teams link will be emailed to registered participants

Social media: iCON Facebook: @iconproject

UBC DigEMTwitter: @UBCdigem

UBC DigEM Instagram: @ubcdigem iCON LinkedIn: @interCultural Online health Network (iCON)

Several youths taken into custody after 16-year-old male stabbed in Delta

ON Monday a 16-year-old male reported that he had been attacked by several individuals wearing masks in and around Annieville Park. The victim was threatened and punched before being stabbed several times by one or more of the suspects.

Delta Police officers located and provided emergency first aid to the victim until Delta Fire and Emergency Health Services arrived. The victim was taken to hospital and is being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He is expected to make a full recovery.

As this attack happened within the proximity of several schools, members of the Delta Police worked with the Delta School administration and placed Delview Senior Secondary, Annieveille Elementary and Gibson Elementary into a precautionary ‘secure and hold’ until the police could take all necessary actions to locate the

suspects.

The police investigation quickly determined that the incident was a targeted attack. The victim appears to be currently involved in a dispute with other individuals he knows from school. This incident is not believed to be connected to the BC Gang Conflict or gang-related.

Several youths involved in the attack were located by police and taken into custody. The potential suspects were students who went to school with the victim. The school administration has been working with investigators to assess this incident’s impact on all students at the school.

All of the suspect youth’s parents have been notified of the incident, and the school administration is taking all necessary steps they deem necessary by sanctioning the involved students as the investigation continues

Investigators are at the preliminary steps of gathering evidence with the intention to forward a report to Crown Counsel seeking charges against those involved related to this incident.

EVENTS

South Asian Adults and Seniors Programs

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

* Filing Income Tax Returns Free: Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey informs South Asian seniors that during the tax filing period it can help you to file your income tax returns for the year 2022 free of cost through the community volunteer program of Canada Revenue Agency, from March 4 to April 30 if you are living in Surrey / Delta. The eligibility criteria:

1. Single individual with annual income limit up to $35,000.

2. Couples with annual income up to $45,000. 3. Three persons with income of $47,500. 4. Four persons with income of $50,000. 5. Five persons: add $2,500 for each additional member. Interest income not over $ 1,000 and this income will be

included as total eligibility. With no investment income, no rental income, no business or partnership income, no selfemployed income and no capital gain or loss. SIN Card and photo identity will be required to prove the documents. If you are eligible for free tax filing, or want to register for yoga class, contact Surendra Handa, Coordinator, Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre Surrey, at 604-507-9945 for further information.

Mahalakshmi Temple - Holi Show 2023

Shree Mahalakshmi Temple is organizing its annual Holi Show at Michael J. Fox Theatre on Saturday, March 18. It kicks off with dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m., while the cultural show starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 & $25 including dinner. For info and tickets, contact Surinder Vashisht at 604671-5612 (phone /text) or the Temple at 604-874-0175.

Jalaram Bapa 2023 Punya Tithi

Lohana Cultural Association of BC invites all to Jalaram Bapa Punyatithi with bhajans and kirtans on Saturday, March 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Shiv Mandir, 5600 Dorset Street, Burnaby. Priti Bhojan after Arti. For further information, contact Vasant Lakhani at (604) 987-1925.

Supreme Court rules panel of PM, Leader of Opposition and Chief Justice of India for appointment of Chief election Commissioner, Election Commissioners

New Delhi (IANS): The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that appointment to the posts of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Election Commissioners (EC) should be done by the President on the advice of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India.

The top court noted that a pliable Election Commission, an unfair and biased overseer of the foundational exercise of adult franchise, which lies at the heart of democracy, who obliges the powers that be, perhaps offers the surest gateway to acquisition and retention of power.

A five-judge constitution bench, headed by Justice K.M. Joseph and comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy, and C. T. Ravikumar, said: "We are concerned with and the devastating effect of continuing to leave appointments in sole hands of the executive on fundamental values, as also the fundamental rights, we are of the considered view that the time is ripe for the court to lay down norms."

"We declare that as far as appointment to the posts of Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners are concerned, the same shall be done by the President of India on the basis of the advice tendered by a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister of India, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and, in case, there is no such leader, the leader of the largest party in the opposition in the Lok Sabha having the largest numerical strength, and the Chief Justice of India. This norm will continue to hold good till

a law is made by the Parliament."

The bench, in its 378-page judgment, said there cannot be any doubt that the Election Commission is to perform the arduous and unenviable task of remaining aloof from all forms of subjugation by and interference from the executive. "One of the ways, in which, the executive can bring an otherwise independent body to its knees, is by starving it off or cutting off the requisite financial wherewithal and resources required for its efficient and independent functioning," it noted.

Making an appeal for a permanent secretariat for the EC, the bench said that a vulnerable commission may cave in to the pressure from the executive and, thus, it would result in an insidious but veritable conquest of an otherwise defiant and independent commission.

Emphasising on Parliament making a law, the bench said the vacuum exists on the basis that unlike other appointments, it was intended all throughout that appointment exclusively by the executive was to be a mere transient or stop gap arrangement

and it was to be replaced by a law made by the Parliament taking away the exclusive power of the executive. "This conclusion is clear and inevitable and the absence of law even after seven decades points to the vacuum," it added.

Justice Joseph, who authored the judgment on behalf of the bench, said: "Criminalisation of politics, with all its attendant evils, has become a nightmarish reality. The faith of the electorate in the very process, which underlies democracy itself, stands shaken. The impact of 'big money' and its power to influence elections, the influence of certain sections of media, makes it also absolutely imperative that the appointment of the Election Commission, which has been declared by this court to be the guardian of the citizenry and its fundamental rights, becomes a matter, which cannot be postponed further."

The bench added that criminalisation of politics, a huge surge in the influence of money power, the role of certain sections of the media where they appear to have forgotten their invaluable role and have turned unashamedly partisan, call for the unavoidable

and unpostponable filling up of the vacuum.

"Even as it is said that justice must not only be done but seen to be done, the outpouring of demands for an impartial mode of appointment of the members require, at the least, the banishing of the impression, that the Election Commission is appointed by less than fair means," noted the bench.

It added that political parties undoubtedly would appear to betray a special interest in not being forthcoming with the law and there is a crucially vital link between the independence of the Election Commission and the pursuit of power, its consolidation and perpetuation.

"As long as the party that is voted into power is concerned, there is, not unnaturally, a near insatiable quest to continue in the saddle. A pliable Election Commission, an unfair and biased overseer of the foundational exercise of adult franchise, which lies at the heart of democracy, who obliges the powers that be, perhaps offers the surest gateway to acquisition and retention of power," said the bench.

The bench noted that the demand for putting in place safeguards to end the pernicious effects of the exclusive power being vested with the executive to make appointment to the Election Commission, has been the demand of political parties across the board. The top court's judgment came on a batch of petitions filed by Anoop Baranwal, Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, NGO Association for Democratic Reforms and Jaya Thakur seeking an independent mechanism for appointment of CEC and ECs.

BJP coalition retains Tripura, Nagaland, to back NPP in Meghalaya

New Delhi: As the BJP and its alliance partner Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) crossed the majority mark by winning 37 seats in Nagaland, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 2 thanked the people of the state. Modi said that the double-engine government will keep working for the state’s progress.

In Tripura, the BJP won 32 seats along with coalition partner Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura, which won one seat, in the 60-member Tripura assembly, securing its return to power in the state for the second time in a row. The BJP will support Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party in Meghalaya, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said. “The BJP’s good performance in the assembly elections in three northeast states shows people’s solid trust in democracy and the democratic process,” said Modi in a speech at the BJP headquarters here.

Modi thanked the people of all three states, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura, saying that their vote was for ‘progress and stability’.

The Prime Minister said that the secret of BJP’s performance lies in a ‘Triveni’ -- a combination of three things -- 1. The work done by the BJP governments, 2. Ethics of the BJP governments, and 3. The helping nature of the BJP workers.

“This ‘Triveni’ enhances the power of BJP by 1+1+1 which equals to 111 times,” Modi said.

The previous governments used to run away from hard work and tough tasks “but we chase challenges”, he added.

Meanwhile, Left Front-supported Congress

candidate Bayron Biswas sprang a surprise on March 2 by defeating Trinamool Congress nominee Debasish Banerjee in the by-election for Sagardighi Assembly constituency in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district by a margin of 22,986 votes. The bypoll results are significant not only because the Congress party will have a representative in the State Assembly but also because Trinamool Congress lost in a constituency where it had registered three consecutive victories since 2011.

Majority of voters not keen on Indian-origin Harris as president: Poll

New York (IANS): Even though US President Joe Biden has accidentally referred to Kamala Harris as President at least six times, a majority of voters are unenthusiastic about his Vice President’s potential presidential run in 2024, according to a latest poll.

According to The Telegraph, Biden’s Indianorigin second-in-command has struggled to gain traction among Democrats nationwide amid her poor public approval ratings.

But what shocks more is that the majority of these voters are from California -- a Democrat bastion and Harris’ home state.

Between February 14 and 20, a poll conducted by the Berkeley Institute of Government Studies and The Los Angeles Times asked 7,512 registered voters about Harris running for President if Biden decided not to seek a second term.

It found that 59 per cent of registered voters were hesitant about Harris seeking the country’s highest office.

Some 18 per cent said they were “not too enthusiastic” about the idea, and a clear plurality of 41 per cent said they were “not enthusiastic at all”.

Only 16 per cent said they would be “very enthusiastic” about Harris taking on the role, while 21 per cent said they would be “somewhat enthusiastic”. Four per cent of those surveyed gave no opinion.

Bringing some cheer to Harris, 56 per cent of Democrat voters said they would be keen on Harris’ candidacy.

But what was an immediate dampener was that about 40 per cent of Democrats in her home state did not want to see her run in

2024.

A few Democrats have privately expressed concerns that Harris could prove a liability for the party, citing her struggles as a communicator, The Telegraph report stated. They also think that Biden, 80, is too old to run for a second term by the end of which he would be 86.

Biden has not formally declared a run but speaking to NBC News at the Munich Security Conference last month, Harris said the US President “has said he intends to run for re-election and I intend to run with him as Vice President”.

The latest poll also found Biden’s approval rating improving in California, with him holding a 57 per cent yes and a 39 per cent no in the state.

2 Indians among 5 arrested for illegally crossing into US

New York (IANS): The US Border Patrol agents arrested five foreign nationals, including two Indians, during a smuggling attempt near Algonac in Michigan state.

Border Patrol dispatchers monitoring the Remote Video Surveillance System on February 20 observed a vessel on the St Clair River cross the international border near a known smuggling route and immediately contacted

agents in the area.

The station agents responded to the area and immediately encountered five people in the vicinity of where the vessel was observed heading towards the shoreline, according to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

All the five admitted to having just crossed the border from Canada by boat.

The agents from the Detroit Sector also ob-

served two migrants completely drenched and shivering due to the frigid temperature. They said during interrogation that they had fallen into the river while climbing out of the boat.

The agents identified two subjects from India, and the remainder from Nigeria, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.

“The smuggler tried to take advantage of dark-

ness and freezing temperatures to mask his criminal activity. Bad people will go to great lengths to avoid arrest, placing themselves and others in danger. Thankfully, Detroit Sector agents and communication specialists are protecting our Nation around the clock, even in adverse weather,” said Chief Patrol Agent Robert Danley. All five of them are being processed for US immigration violations.

Kamala Harris

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being garlanded by and Union Home Minister Amit Shah (L) and BJP President JP Nadda.

New Delhi: Shortly after the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to intervene in a petition filed by Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia, challenging his arrest in the Delhi excise policy case, Sisodia and Satyendar Jain resigned from the Cabinet. AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj told the media that said resignations were given so that the development works of Delhiites won’t be affected. Sisodia — number 2 in the party and the government — was in charge of 18 departments. He was allocated charge of depart-

ments that were with Jain after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last year in an alleged

money laundering case. The BJP had been demanding that both ministers be dropped

from the Cabinet after Sisodia was arrested by the CBI in connection with the allegation of irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the nowscrapped 2021-22 excise policy case.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court refused to intervene at this stage in a petition filed by Sisodia challenging his arrest and advised him to approach the High Court.

The Supreme Court told Sisodia’s lawyers that just because something has happened in the national capital does not mean the issue has to be directly brought to the apex court.

holders had been living in Canada and the US since long, and that during the NRI sammelan organised by the Punjab government last December, these NRIs sought the commencement of these flights.

The state minister said there has been a persistent demand for providing direct air connectivity between Amritsar and Canada.

Meanwhile, the BJP said the development was a “victory for the city”, and demanded Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation. In response to the attack mounted by the BJP, the AAP said it was standing behind its leaders and added that Sisodia and Jain were victims of vendetta politics. The Congress also attacked AAP and said Sisodia’s was an “openand-shut case of corruption”. The party demanded that Kejriwal should also be arrested for his alleged involvement. In response, the AAP chief spokesperson said the cases against the AAP leaders were “frivolous and fabricated”.

Stressing that it is of utmost significance to make direct flights operational from Amritsar to Canadian cities, the minister said presently travellers both from Amritsar and Canadian cities are hugely inconvenienced, as they have to travel to or from New Delhi or other cities in India to reach their destinations.

New Delhi (IANS): Punjab Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Wednesday demanded that both the Amritsar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Mohali be included for direct flights to Canada and the US.

He said the commencement of the direct flights would ensure great facility to a large number of travellers from both sides. Calling on Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia here, Dhaliwal told him that a large number of Punjabis and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card

Budget 2023 takes action on issues that matter most, says B.C. Government

B.C. Budget 2023 invests in improving health and mental-health care, creating more affordable housing, growing a clean economy and delivering more help with costs – especially for families and British Columbians most affected by global inflation, says the Province.

“B.C. is a great place to live, but people are facing real challenges – not only from global inflation and the pandemic, but from ongoing and systemic challenges,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Finance, on Tuesday. “This year’s budget helps protect people who can’t afford today’s high prices and takes action on the issues people care about, like finding affordable housing and accessing health care.”

Almost $6.4 billion in new investments over three years will strengthen public health care and help people find and stay connected to the care they need. This includes funding to significantly improve cancer care, build up B.C.’s health-care workforce with new training seats, and create better supports for health-care workers and family doctors. This also includes $1 billion in new funding to expand mental-health and addictions services.

Budget 2023 takes more action to get people into homes they can afford, providing an additional $4.2 billion in operating and capital funding over three years – the largest three-year housing investment in B.C. history – for more homes for people who rent, Indigenous people and middle-income families, along with new actions to tackle homelessness.

B.C. is also helping to ensure safe communities by boosting funding by $462 million over the fis-

cal plan for policing, enforcement, intervention services and access to justice throughout the province.

As global inflation and higher prices stretch people’s budgets, Budget 2023 helps reduce people’s costs and offers extra support to those who need it most. Following almost $2.4 billion worth of temporary cost-of-living supports since summer 2022, the Province will invest another $4.5 billion over the next three years in new spending measures and tax credits to help people with the effects of rising costs and establish stable, sustainable support.

Approximately $1.3 billion in new investments over three years will help support reduced costs for people. This includes giving free prescrip-

tion contraception for B.C. residents, expanding existing K-12 school food programs, and providing more financial supports for post-secondary students, people receiving income and disability assistance, and foster families and other caregivers.

Moderate- and low-income renters in B.C. will be eligible for as much as $400 a year through a new income-tested renter’s tax credit starting in 2024. The credit will help more than 80% of renter households.

Approximately 75% of families with children are eligible for the BC Family Benefit. Starting in July 2023, these families will see a 10% increase in their monthly payments. Single parents will receive as much as an additional $500 per year on top of the 10% increase, also to be delivered in July.

The Climate Action Tax Credit will be expanded to help people with low and moderate incomes offset the carbon tax, which increases in April 2023 to meet federal requirements as part of B.C.’s transition to a low-carbon future. A significant majority of people are projected to receive more through the enhanced credit than they pay in increased carbon tax by 2030. Payments are higher for people with lower incomes. Prior to the increase, a four-person family could receive a maximum of $500 a year. Starting July 2023, the same family could receive a maximum of $900.

Budget 2023 focuses on ways to manage and care for the province’s natural resources, including old-growth forests, to support economic prosperity in a way that aligns with environmen-

tal, social and cultural objectives. New funding will also help communities develop safe, accessible and convenient modes of active transportation, and support them to adapt and prepare for potential climate-related emergencies.

This year’s budget supports the Future Ready plan to make post-secondary education and skills training more affordable and accessible, and to respond to the biggest challenge heard from businesses – the need for people. Future Ready investments will add thousands of training seats and offer a new grant for short-term training programs to help people get trained and working in high-demand fields. The plan also includes new funding to assist small and medium-sized businesses in finding and implementing technology and practical solutions to current labour market challenges and prepare for a changing global economy.

“We know there are some economic headwinds ahead of us as the global economy shifts in response to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and rising costs,” Conroy said. “That’s not a signal for our government to pull back and cut services – it’s a signal that we need to keep making smart investments so that we can continue to be there for British Columbians and build the stronger, more secure future we all want.” Budget 2023’s three-year fiscal plan presents declining deficits, with a projected $4.2-billion deficit in 2023-24, declining to $3 billion in 202526.

(For five backgrounders on Budget 2023, please visit our website voiceonline.com)

Surrey RCMP and BC RCMP Recruiting host career information sessions

SURREY RCMP will host the BC RCMP Recruiting Team at Surrey Detachment for two upcoming career information sessions on Wednesday, March 8.

You can hear first-hand from both Surrey RCMP officers and recruiting officers from the BC RCMP about what a career with the RCMP has to offer.

Officers from specialized teams within Surrey Detachment, including the Surrey Gang Enforcement Team and Serious Crime Unit, will be in attendance to share their experiences in policing. BC RCMP recruiting officers will be there to answer questions about the application process, timelines and requirements.

When: Wednesday, March 8, 2 p.m. or 6:30 pm (1 hour approximately)

Where: 14355 57 Avenue (detailed instructions to be provided upon registration)

Pre-registration is required. To register, call 1-877-726-7472 or email lmd_proactive_recruiting@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. Be sure to include the following information:

* Your name

* Email address or phone number

* Date, time and location of presentation

* Please arrive 15 minutes prior to presentation with identification

“I encourage anyone with an interest in policing as a career to attend the upcoming infor-

mation session and learn more about a career with the RCMP. For me, I had dreamed of becoming a police officer but it was only when I moved to Canada from India that, through hard work and determination, the dream became a reality,” says Constable Sarbjit Sangha, Surrey RCMP Media Relations Officer.

“After spending the majority of my career working Frontline patrols, Major Crime and with our Drug Unit, I can say that no two days are the same. I’m proud to represent the RCMP now as a spokesperson in both English and my mother tongue Punjabi, to help keep the community informed about policing and public safety issues. It’s given me a chance to

speak to youth about law enforcement and hopefully help to inspire the next generation of police officers.”

RCMP Career Information Sessions

March 8, 2 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. 14355 57 Avenue, Surrey

Come hear first-hand from Surrey RCMP officers and the recruiting team with the BC RCMP about career opportunities with the RCMP. This is a chance to learn about the job directly from police officers, hear details of the recruiting process and application steps. Pre-registration is required. E-mail lmd_proactive_recruiting@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or call 1-877726-7472.

Katrine Conroy

BC Liberals: Budget 2023 delivers much rhetoric, few results

THE BC Liberals said on Tuesday that in Premier David Eby’s first budget, the NDP has once again proposed record-high spending while delivering record-low results for British Columbians.

“Despite what David Eby and the NDP may argue, Budget 2023 offers very little for everyday people,” said BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon. “This budget may come with glossy new packaging, loud fanfare, many uses of the word “record” and a shiny new Premier, but it isn’t fooling anyone. This is the same old NDP rhetoric and the same promised NDP priorities that have left our province in concurrent crises and with some of the worst results in the country.”

The BC Liberals said that in the NDP’s seventh budget, they have failed to deliver on their promises to British Columbia:

* Life has never been more unaffordable, with the highest housing costs in North America — and the NDP is no longer prom-

ising 114,000 housing units over ten years.

* People are literally dying because they can-

not access basic healthcare, and emergency rooms are shutting down in every corner of the province — and there’s nothing to suggest more funding will lead to better results.

* Violent prolific offenders are committing vicious random assaults daily due to David Eby’s catch-and-release justice system — but there’s nothing of substance in this budget to support victims of crime.

* While people struggle to access mental health and addictions support, there is no target to reduce wait times for care.

* People desperately need complex care supports, but there won’t be enough staff available to open and operate these facilities once built.

* Despite schools bursting at the seams, too many students in portables, and hospital builds way behind schedule — the NDP’s cost overruns on their Community Rip-off Agreements mean there are no new major capital projects in this budget.

“People are exhausted, anxious about the future, and tired of waiting for this government to deliver on the vision they promised six years ago,” Peter Milobar, Official Opposition Critic for Finance. “Budget 2023 is pessimistic and uninspiring. It provides no reassurance to British Columbians that this government has finally figured out how to address the problems they face every day. From housing, to affordability, to health care, and crime, never before has a government spent so much money to achieve so little. And according to the NDP’s own budget documents and forecasts — today is as good as it gets. It only gets worse from here.”

(For reactions to the budget from BC Teachers’ Federation, BC Chamber of Commerce, BCFED, Metro Vancouver, and David Suzuki Foundation, please visit our website voiceonline.com)

BC Greens: Budget fails to shape a better future for British Columbians

THE BC Greens said on Tuesday that the BC NDP government’s 2023 Budget acknowledges the current challenges in British Columbia but fails to shape a better future for British Columbians.

“It takes courage to make lasting changes that support people over the long term, not just cheque by cheque,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens. “This premier’s first budget makes some good investments but keeps British Columbians dependent on oncea-year tax credits from the government, instead of actually making the cost of living more manageable.

“Premier Eby seems to be sprinkling money around to a lot of existing programs and spending big on affordability cheques, but we’re not going to solve the underlying issues that are driving big problems. What an opportunity this premier had; he could have made this moment a reshaping of the future, like his predecessor Dave Barrett 50 years ago.

“We were disappointed to see no major investments in community health centres, public transit, preventive mental healthcare, climate, or the environment, help for small businesses, or significant improvements to social services and supports.

“We are pleased to finally see free contraception – which we have been calling for since 2020 – expanded food programs for children, Indigenous Guardian programs, investment in cancer care, and a carbon tax increase. We are especially pleased to see this government invest in expanding the Red Fish Health Centre model, and hope that this signals better investments into mental health and addictions care going forward.”

The following key areas were lacking in Budget 2023, according to the BC Greens:

* Primary care.

* Mental health

* Public transit

* Restoration economy.

* Housing

* Well-being

* Small Business

(For details on the above, please visit our website voiceonline.com)

Kevin Falcon

Photo: BC Liberals

Sonia Furstenau

Photo: Twitter

The all-new BMW M2: Purebred driving pleasure!

RichmOND hill, ON: The second generation of the celebrated BMW M2 excites and delights with all the elements of a classic high-performance sports car, with fresh intensity and cutting-edge technology. The new M2 encapsulates the sheer joy of driving; compact dimensions, an inline 6-cylinder engine, a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, and advanced technology are all central to its appeal.

Its expressive character is reflected in a visually powerful design that makes no secret of the car’s capability before it even turns a wheel.

The M2 is most obviously differentiated from the BMW 2 Series Coupe by the Mspecific design features necessary for cool air intake and routing and aerodynamic balance. Customers can specify the new BMW M2 with an M Carbon roof as an option. Using this lightweight material for the roof reduces vehicle weight and lowers the centre of gravity, enhancing handling agility.

Standard on the new BMW M2 are exclu-

sively-designed M double-spoke light-alloy wheels in a Jet Black finish; 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear.

With 453 hp at 6,250 rpm, the S58 engine in the new M2 outguns the unit in its predecessor by 48 hp. It combines the latest M TwinPower Turbo technology with the highrevving character drivers have come to ex-

Ford Increases Mustang Mach-E EV Capacity in 2023

pect of an M car. The engine’s peak torque of 406 lb-ft is produced between 2,650 and 5,870 rpm. Urgent response, an appetite for revs, and linear power delivery into the highest reaches of the engine speed range define the performance experience in the new BMW M2. The engine revs to a maximum 7,200 rpm.

Mustang Mach-E even more accessible to customers and keeping it competitive in the marketplace.

Two mono-scroll turbochargers supply compressed air to the combustion chambers. The turbocharging system also features an indirect intercooler and an electronically controlled wastegate. Other elements of M TwinPower Turbo technology include High Precision Injection with maximum pressure of over 5,000 psi, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double-VANOS fully variable camshaft timing.

M2 Models feature: Track-spec cooling and oil supply systems, and an M-specific exhaust system. The standard eight-speed M Steptronic transmission either in 6-speed manual format or an automatic.

The 2023 M2 features newly designed M Sport seats with more pronounced side bolsters. They are upholstered in Vernasca leather with perforated surfaces and can be ordered in either Black or Cognac. Their integral head restraints feature an illuminated M logo. The M Sport seats likewise come with electrical adjustment, including for the height of the head restraints.

ening Ford’s position as the No. 2 U.S. EV manufacturer as it continues to scale that part of the business.

DEARBORN: With its new EV supply chain coming online, Ford is significantly increasing production of the Mustang Mach-E this

year to help reduce customer wait times and to take advantage of streamlined costs to reduce prices across the board, making

The production increase is a key part of the Ford+ Plan, underscoring the company’s commitment to lead the EV revolution by increasing the value of its EVs for customers, continuing to position Mustang Mach-E as a compelling option for those looking for an electric SUV, and growing market share. Ford already offers EV customers a full-size truck, SUV and van – and has secured the batteries and raw material to scale production of all these models in 2023. Mustang Mach-E delivers the 0-60 thrills with an available EPA-estimated 300+ mile (480 KM) range and zero tailpipe emissions. Almost all of Mustang Mach-E’s growth to date is incremental to the brand with twothirds of Mustang Mach-E customers coming from competitor brands. The Mustang Mach-E was the No. 3 EV model in the U.S. in 2022 and the updated pricing is part of Ford’s plan to keep the SUV competitive in a rapidly changing market, while strength-

Canadian Mach E’S arrive in four available models: Select, Premium, California RouteOne and GT. Equipment levels as standard are high and include: FordPass Connect that enables cellphones to operate as a key, a 15.5-inch infotainment screen, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Also included is Ford’s CoPilot360 suite of safety tech. This includes reverse brake assist, reverse sensing, blind-spot information with cross-traffic alert, pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. The $5, 690 worth of options on our tester included: the super bling Cyber orange metallic paint, Co-Pilot360 Active system, with a semi-autonomous driving mode. 20”-inch machine -faced wheels, magneride damping system, panoramic fixed-glass roof, interior protection package, bluecruise system, 360-degree camera, all-wheel drive with electric motors front and rear, and an upgraded B&O audio system.

Review by Veeno Dewan

The GMC Sierra pickup is one of the American brands most popular pickup trucks with its mix of luxury, cargo hauling, towing, durability, and All -Terrain chops. For 2023, GM has upped the ante offering more luxury and performance. There isa a choice of engines, including a diesel, and V-8s with varying power outputs, It remains a handsome truck with its big beefy all-American broad-shouldered looks, a plethora of trim lines, upgrade packages and a range of off-road ready suspension options packs.

The Sierra 2023 model’s changes includes the dual-projector LED headlight design with C-shaped daytime running lights, while exterior approach light animations are added. Also available is the world’s first six-function MultiPro tailgate and over 40” inches of combined driverfocused digital displays. The top models feature such niceties as full-grain leather seats and trim with contrasting piping and stitching, plus real ash wood trim and a host of advanced technology.

The Sierra range starts with the Elevation model at: $64,347 with a 2.7L Turbo highoutput engine delivering 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The optional engine is an available 5.3L V8 engine or alternative 3.0L Duramax Turbo Diesel engine with 10-speed automatic transmission. The SLT trim at $70,947 adds the 5.3L V8 engine or 3.0L Duramax Turbo Diesel engine or available 6.2L V8 engine with 10-speed automatic transmission. Upgraders to the infotainment system with a 13.4” centre touchscreen and 12.3” Driver Information Centre.

The AT4 version at $83,647 ups the grade with the addition of a 2-inch factory lift with off-road suspension and Rancho® monotube shocks. There is a Jet Black interior with Kalahari accents and heated and ventilated perforated front leather seating surfaces 2-speed AutoTrac transfer case, automatic locking rear differential and underbody skid plates.

The as tested AT4X model starting at: $93,203 adds a standard 6.2L V8 Engine delivering 420 horsepower & 460 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic

2023 GMC Sierra AT4X

Highly Effective All-Terrain Truck

tomatic transmission with transfer case. The 420 hp offers ground pounding acceleration and unlimited torque, making short work of any terrain. Long distance cruising is easy and comfortable. In urban areas, the light steering is good. Luckily, various sensors parking aids and cameras are handy for parking and maneuvering this big truck.

On rough terrain the AT4benefits from all the suspension upgrades with the new Multimatic DSSV shocks featuring increased suspension travel all-around plus an off-road mode that allows for one e-pedal crawling and an extra front limited-slip differential as well as one in the rear. Also helping the rough terrain performance department over hills, bumps, dips, and obstacles is the AT4X’s 25.5-degree approach angle and a 23-degree departure angle. The AT4X’s total ground clearance is 11.1 inches.

transmission. There is the Sierra-first application of Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers combined with front and rear elocking differentials—a combination not offered on any competitor in its class according to GMC. The AT4X model features a bumper with tow hooks. There is a special wheel and tire combination with 18inch wheels and 32-inch off-road tires.

Interior upgrades include heated and ventilated 16-way power front seats with massage feature, full-grain leather seating with technical grain leather accents, authentic Vanta Ash wood trim and a 12-speaker Bose® Premium Series with Centerpoint® surround sound. The top dog models are the Denali and the Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate Crew Cab at: $104,092 which are even more luxurious, packed to the gills with extra features. Our luxurious AT4X weighed in at a mighty $95,233 with all options plus taxes and a $2,095 destination charge.

Interior wise, the Sierra cabin has a more exclusive upmarket look Seats are big, comfortable and occupant areas are wonderful with room to stretch out and relax on long drives. Quality, fit, and finish is particularly good. Moving to the pickup bed, a six-function MultiPro tailgate is standard, and there is an optional arbonPro carbon fiber composite body option.

This big heavy truck is no shrinking violet and the AT4X arrives with the 6.2-liter V-8 engine good enough to haul a total payload of 1,420 pounds and has a towing capacity of 8,900 pounds- good news if you have a trailer or boat.

On the road, This AT4X version Sierra motivates with GM’s 6.2L V8, paired withs four-wheel drive system via a 10-speed au-

To sum up, the ATX4 is a lot of truck and expensive in this particular trim line. However , it has impressively capable all-terrain ability, a powerful engine and comes very well equipped. Highly recommended. 2023 GMC Sierra AT4X Priced as tested$95,233 with all options plus taxes and a $2,095 destination charge.

More info at www.gmc.ca

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Spy vs. spy is alive and well in the sparkling Hidden Blade. With apologies to beloved American cultural icon Mad Magazine there is nothing remotely humorous in the newest Well Go USA Entertainment dvd Blu-ray release. Full of history and espionage Hidden Blade is just a rousing espionage saga that is engaging from start to finish.

Sorry James Bond but Hidden Blade goes for the realism as opposed to the Sean Connery fantasy laced antics that ruled the world in the 1960s. Back in time we go to the late 1930s where China is facing deep danger from Japan. When the Japanese decide to “move” on China and Manchuria in the late 1930s a covert core of Chinese operatives try to derail the Japanese occupiers, Many players play key roles in the power struggle to free Shanghai and the rest of China from the Imperial Army who do whatever they can to retain their grip on the Chinese population. Just like what happened in Vichy France there are also Chinese collaborators who work for the Japanese rulers. You almost need a scorecard to follow all the machinations that occur in this mov-

ie. Be aware of a Mata Hari type woman who may have her hooks into more than one eligible suitors within the ranks of the police/intelligence agencies who are making life exceedingly difficult for the local population. Apart from all the clerical back channels and planning there is lots of room for man to man heroics as the suspicions and tensions rise to the boiling point. What a great late 1930s atmosphere this Chinese made movie with English subtitles features outstanding performances. Told with smart flashbacks all the plots and subplots are a bit con-

I, Sehajleen Kaur Saini, daughter of Gurvinder Jit Singh Saini, holder of Indian Passport No. U7810690, issued at Chandigarh, on 17/11/2020, resident of H.No. 43, Jeewan Preet Nagar near Octroi Post, Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana, PIN: 141012, Punjab, India and presently residing at 13342 79 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3W 8H4, do hereby change my name from Sehajleen Kaur to Sehajleen Kaur Saini, with immediate effect.

I, Gurvinder Jit Singh Saini, son of Harmesh Singh Saini, holder of Indian Passport No. R8141403, issued at Yerevan, on 04/07/2017, resident of H.No. 43, Jeewan Preet Nagar P.O: Rajguru Nagar, P.S: Pau, Ludhiana, PIN: 141012, Punjab, India and presently residing at 13342 79 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3W 8H4, do hereby change my name from Gurvinder Jit Singh to Gurvinder Jit Singh Saini, with immediate effect.

fusing at times. And there is a spectacular fight scene as good as any recent superhero confrontation and at times es is remiscentof the classic Sean Connery fight aboard The Orient Express in 1963’s blockbuster From Russia With Love - until one of the principles simply refuses to die like the Everready Energizer Bunny or Jason. But these quibbles aside Hidden Blade is truly a smartly made, brilliantly acted thriller that deserves to be seen.

For more reviews please visit my website moviereviewssite.com.

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

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

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

CLI Falls in Fourth Quarter 2022

IN the fourth quarter of 2022, the BCREA Commercial Leading Indicator (CLI) dropped to 148 from 149, and the six-month moving average continued its downward trajectory. Compared to the same quarter in 2021, the index was down by 2 per cent.

It is important to note that the environment for commercial real estate remains highly abnormal and uncertain. The CLI is designed to interpret economic and office employment growth as positive indicators for commercial real estate demand. However, the recent strong growth in these indicators may not translate as readily into improved commercial real estate market conditions due to structural changes in the economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decline in the CLI during the fourth quarter was mainly attributed to a deterioration in the economic

activity subcomponent of the index. The economic activity index was driven downwards by inflation-adjusted wholesale trade, retail, and manufacturing sales declines. High inflation has meant that real or inflation-adjusted figures are still negative despite solid nominal growth. The index’s employment component was slightly negative as shrinking office employment (finance, insurance, and real estate) offset ris-

ing manufacturing employment. Spreads between corporate and government borrowing costs also rose slightly from the prior quarter, contributing negatively to the financial component. However, rising REIT prices canceled this out, causing the financial component to have zero net effect on the CLI.

*Subjec ttocreditapproval.Conditionsandrestrictionsapply. CIBCreser vesthe right to amendorterminateany oralloftheproducts, servicesorassociatedoffers,includingpricingorinterest ratesatanytimeandwithoutadvance notice, unlessotherwise requiredbylaw,regulationoragreement.Physician &Surgeon/Dental/Optometryprac tisingprofessionalsmustberegisteredwiththeirrespectiveprovincialprac ticeregulator ybodies,subjec ttoconditions andrestrictions. †ThisLimitedtimecashbackofferisvaliduntil April 30,2022basedonapplication date and available for mor tgageloans for rsttimehomebuyers,mor tgage loans fornewpurchase,ormortgageloans that are transferred to CIBCfromanother nancialinstitution.Mortgageloansmustbefundedwithin120daysofapplicationdate. Mortgageloanmusthave aprincipal amount of$100,000ormore, andbeeither aCIBCFixed-RateClosed Mortgageloanwith atermof4yearsormoreora 5-yearCIBCVariable Flex Mortgageloan.A personalCIBCchequingaccountfromwhichpre-authorizedmor tgagepaymentsare madeis required.Qualifyingclientswill receive$3,000 on amor tgage loanamountof$750,000ormore, $2,000ona mortgageloanof$500,000-749,999,$1,200ona mor tgageloanof$300,000-$499,999,or$1,000on amor tgageloanof$100,000-$299,999.Cashbackwillbedeposited inthepersonalCIBCchequing account6-8weeks afterfunding.Other conditionsandrestrictionsapply. Askusfordetails.CashbackofferendsApril30,2022. Offerissubjec ttocreditapprovalandmaybechangedor withdrawnatany time, without notice. If youhaveaneligiblehigh ratio mor tgage, youmay alsoqualify foraspeciallowrate. Talk to us to ndouthow. TheCIBClogoisatrademarkofCIBC.C0031206/21

PLEASE CALL FOR MORE INFO. DEEP ONLINE CLASSES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE WE TEACH YOU IN PUNJABI ALSO.

PEOPLE often ask me, what’s my secret to a long and healthy life? This week, I start my 100th trip around the sun. So I must acknowledge that Lady Luck has been on my side. But it’s not just good luck, or good genes. As a medical doctor, I learned early that the best way to stay

100th Trip Around The Sun

healthy is to avoid getting sick.

Doctors can occasionally work miracles. But these are rare, and you should not count on them as a strategy for a long and healthy life.

Your physical body is your only vehicle on this journey of life. It’s been said, “If you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live?”

So take this to heart. Rule #1 for good health and longevity is to follow a sound lifestyle starting early in life. And Rule #2 is, never forget rule #1.

Even so, problems can creep up.

Over many years now, I’ve told readers to be wary of pharmaceutical drugs. When I suffered a heart attack at 74 years of age, I chose a high dose vitamin C regimen to combat buildup of plaque in coronary arteries. Twenty-five years later, my ticker and cardiovascular system are still going. Doctors advised me to take statins. They said I wouldn’t live 5 years without them. But I prefer to focus on the fundamentals, not to treat the symptoms. So here are a sample of the common-sense ingredients for good health:

1. Get regular exercise including aerobic and strength training to maintain physical and mental health.

2. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Avoid processed foods, sugar, salt, and ex-

cess alcohol.

3. Manage stress using techniques that ease your mind, whether it be meditation and mindfulness, a workout, or a favourite comedy show.

4. Sleep well, enabling the body and mind to rest and recharge.

5. Schedule regular medical check-ups, especially to get access to screening tests that help identify and treat heath issues early on.

I have expressed frustration at times when people fail to do these simple things to protect their health. But I’ve also acknowledged that changing behaviours can be difficult.

So I’ve argued that people should build simple and regular habits that promote good health. One of them is stepping on the bathroom scale every day. It never lies. On matters of another scale, it confounds me greatly that humankind can be so cruel and misguided. War, pollution, and poverty are among the features of our social landscape that will condemn the chances of many people to reach a healthy old age. But I don’t know how to stop the madness.

In light of it all, there’s little chance of a healthy, long life if you are not happy. Enjoyable social connections with family and friends are undervalued among the determinants of health. The effects of laughter on physical and mental health haven’t been studied enough. But a life of laughter is good practice for old age, when for all its benefits, you also need coping mechanisms –and there is none better than a good laugh.

As I journey for my 100th trip around the sun, I would like to thank all my readers for your birthday greetings and especially for the feedback regarding how this column has occasionally been helpful to you. I always aim to write in a way that is both informative and thought-provoking. And I am not done yet!

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