Indo-Canadian Voice Main - Nov 26 2022

Former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum NOT GUILTY of public mischief

been enough to cause a distortion of memory regarding errors in his statement to police.

McCallum was charged of lying to police in connection to a September 4, 2021 incident in which he had alleged that Debi Johnstone, who opposed his plan to replace the RCMP with a municipal police force, had deliberately run over his foot in a supermarket parking lot in Surrey.

The judge said that he believed the medical and physical evidence proved that Johnstone did run over McCallum’s foot and that the shock of the incident would have

Harris said: “In my view, his statements reflect reasonable perceptions and not evidence capable of supporting an inference of misconduct.”

CCTV footage didn’t show McCallum’s foot as it was covered by a shrub.

In fact, the judge found Johnstone had run over McCallum’s foot and that was backed up in part by the video that showed her stealthily making her way through the parking lot before calling out to the former mayor.

He said: “In my view, there is ample, objectively verifiable evidence confirming Mr. McCallum’s assertion regarding his foot.”

The judge, noting that McCallum himself had told police to check out the CCTV footage, said: “In my view, it defies logic that Mr. McCallum would deliberately mislead the police and then immediately suggest they get evidence … that would show him to be a categorical liar.”

The judge also noted: “The presumption of innocence is crucial,” adding: “This is essential in a society committed to fairness and social justice.”

Former prosecutor and RCMP lawyer Tony Bhullar says Doug McCallum has recourse to sue RCMP

FORMER Surrey mayor Doug McCallum should sue the RCMP for the shamelessly biased manner in which they went after him and ruined his chances of being re-elected – just because he was replacing them with a municipal police force.

In fact, former prosecutor and RCMP lawyer, Tony Bhullar, who was also a BC Liberal MLA, told The VOICE on Wednesday in an interview: “The question now is what happens because legally Mayor McCallum may have won the election had these charges not existed, adding: “In my humble opinion, Mayor McCallum has the recourse to sue the RCMP.”

Bhullar noted: “He would not be the first. The RCMP has the [federal] Department of Justice defend them in most cases and the payment is on an annual basis somewhere in the eight-figure range that the RCMP pays out for wrongful acts. And the Department of Justice in British Columbia has two full-time lawyers that defend the RCMP.”

THE VOICE had asked Bhullar for his opinion about the case before McCallum’s trial on a public mischief charge got underway. This newspaper

sent him the warrant in the case and the CCTV footage of the incident that showed a bush blocking the view of McCallum’s foot – and he called back to say that McCallum would be acquitted.

(McCallum was charged of lying to police in connection to the September 4, 2021 incident in which he had alleged that Debi Johnstone, who opposed his plan to replace the RCMP with a municipal police force, had

CONTINUED ON 2

PROVINCIAL Court Judge Reginald

Harris on Monday found former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum not guilty of public mischief.

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum.

Photo by Jay Sharma of Mahi Photo Studio

Screenshot of CCTV video from Save-on-Foods shows the moment when Johnstone ran over McCallum’s foot

Tony Bhullar.

Mehakpreet Sethi, 18, of Surrey identified by IHIT as Tuesday’s homicide victim

THE Integrated Homicide Investi gation Team (IHIT) on Wednesday identified 18-year-old Mehakpreet Sethi of Surrey as the victim of Tuesday’s fatal stabbing outside Ta manawis Secondary School in the 12600-block of 66 Avenue in an ef fort to advance their investigation. A 17-year-old man was arrested af ter the stabbing.

IHIT said that at this time, it is be lieved that the suspect and the vic tim were known to each other and that this was an isolated incident and is not believed to be associated to the Lower Mainland Gang Con flict.

On November 22 at approximately 12:08 p.m., Surrey RCMP respond ed to a report of a stabbing outside of Tamanawis Secondary School. Officers arrived within minutes and located the victim suffering lifethreatening injuries. Despite the best efforts of respond

ing officers, the victim succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter. As a result of the quick action of the police, a 17-year-old who was iden tified as a suspect by witnesses, was located and taken into custody.

The Integrated Homicide Investiga tion Team (IHIT) took conduct of the investigation and continue to work closely in partnership with the Surrey RCMP, the RCMP Foren sic Identification Service and the BC Coroners Service.

Tamanawis Secondary School’s Acting Principal Ian McGennis in a letter to parents and guardians of the students on Tuesday said the incident occurred during lunch and emergency personnel attended im mediately.

He said: “The incident involved an altercation that resulted in one in dividual sustaining serious injury.

This individual is not a member of our school community.”

He added: “Shortly, after the in cident occurred, our school was placed in a hold and secure, which involves everyone remaining inside the school as exterior doors are se cured.”

IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti said on Wednesday: “We know there were many students in the area around the time this tragedy took place. If you or one of your loved ones has information that could help shed light on why this young man was killed, please contact IHIT immedi ately.”

IHIT is asking that any witnesses or anyone with any information regarding the homicide, to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitin fo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

charge against the former mayor should not have proceeded to trial and should not have been approved in the first

CONTINUED FROM 1

deliberately run over his foot in a su permarket parking lot in Surrey.)

On Wednesday, Bhullar said: “I was asked by The VOICE to give my opinion. The VOICE paper did in fact sent me material which I exam ined … in my opinion and my legal opinion, there was no case against Mayor Doug McCallum. If it was me, I would not have approved the charges.

“There is a two-tier test for the ap proval of charges which I have done so in my capacity as a prosecutor and the test is ‘Is there a substantial likelihood of conviction? and ‘Is it in the public interest?’

“Those two criteria are necessary in order to bring a prosecution. Neither were present in the (case) of Mayor Doug McCallum.”

Bhullar went so far as to bluntly state: “In fact, Mr. McCallum could have

had a second-year law student and he would have got acquitted. There was not sufficient evidence. Never mind being beyond a reasonable doubt, it did not even reach the level of balance of probability test, which is just above 50 per cent. It was not there. The charge against the former mayor should not have proceeded to trial and should not have been ap proved in the first place.”

Bhullar added: “If he had not been Mayor, nothing would have ever been done. It’s unfortunate because there are quite often facts that are similar to this where a false report is made to police and no action is taken. So I am concerned that Mayor McCallum was singled out and there was a conflict of interest on part of the RCMP which were in the middle of a transition phase and had in my opinion perhaps a personal animus against Mayor Mc Callum because of his decision to

move to a city police.”

Bhullar made it clear that he was not opposed to a new police force nor did he care if the RCMP re mained – he did not see it as a high priority.

He noted: “However, it was Mayor McCallum’s choice – he was elect ed and duly elected and should have been provided the opportunity to be able to transition the police force if he so chose.”

BHULLAR also pointed out: “There is a great concern amongst lawyers that I have spoken to as well as my own opinion that we need a model such as they have in England where they have the Director of Public Prosecution and the prosecution process is completely removed from the government of the day. The reason for special prosecutors is that there is a concern that the attorney general or no one else in

the political level interfere with the prosecution.

“Justice must be seen to be done. And that is why they have the spe cial prosecutors. But special pros ecutors are tasked with making this decision and more often than not they proceed with the trial even though that criteria is not met. So I have great concern about the cur rent status of prosecution.

“It is better to have a Director of Public Prosecution system and a director should be chosen by a committee of say the attorney gen eral, the chief justice of the province and maybe a couple of citizens but there should be a committee to ap point the director and it should be non-political. And it is very impor tant that everyone is treated equal before the law.”

Bhullar added: “The prosecutors are to act as Ministers of Justice and without passion or prejudice.”

Mehakpreet Sethi

Photo: IHIT

“The

place”

Conservative MPs call upon Air India and Air Canada to establish direct flights between Canada and Amritsar, Punjab

along with Conservative Deputy Leader Tim Uppal (MP for Edmonton Mill Woods, Alberta), Conservative Critic for Finance Jasraj Singh Hallan (MP for Calgary Forest Lawn, Alberta) and Conservative Critic for Transport Mark Strahl (MP for ChilliwackHope, B.C.) are calling for airlines to establish direct flights between Canada and Amritsar, India.

Last week the Canadian and Indian Governments renegotiated the Canada-India Air Transport Agreement that grants new rights to airlines including repealing the previous limit of 35 flights per week to unlimited flights between nations.

“As Conservative MPs, it’s our mission to empower people and cut unnecessary bureaucratic red tape. Thanks to the over 14,000 Canadians who signed my petition to establish direct flights between

Canada

government is clearing the way for take-off,” said Vis.

Now it’s up to airlines, added Vis.

Uppal, Hallan, Strahl and Vis wrote to Air Canada’s President and CEO Michael Rousseau and Air India’s CCO Nipun Aggarwal on fulfilling high market demand and bolstering bonds between Canada and India.

The letter:

As Canadian Members of Parliament representing vast and diverse communities, we write to highlight the significant economic and social value in establishing direct flights between Canada and the state of Punjab.

With the recent renegotiation of the Canada-India Air Transport Agreement under Canada’s Blue-Sky policy, new rights have been granted for airlines to use immediately including unlimited flights between our two countries,

expanded from the previous limit of 35 flights per week. This new expansion recognizes the need to facilitate faster and easier travel between Canada and India.

This year, over 14,000 Canadian citizens and permanent residents joined an official parliamentary petition calling for the creation of a direct flight from Canada to Amritsar, India in the heart of the state of Punjab. Many families living in Canada have direct ties to family, friends and businesses in the Punjab, however current travel between destinations is lengthy and arduous.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the significant need of flights from Amritsar directly to Canada. At the time of initial lockdowns, 30,000 Canadians were in India when border closures and flight cancellations took effect forcing the federal government to instate 37 repatriation flights, many directly out of Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport to

Airport

There are currently no direct flights between Canada to Amritsar, India, requiring travellers to make multiple stops along their journey. As the city of the Golden Temple and an important pilgrimage site for hundreds of thousands of our constituents establishing a direct flight would lend to stronger relationships between our countries.

As elected members of Parliament representing Canadian-Punjabi constituents, we encourage Air India to establish direct flights between Canada and Amritsar recognizing the high demand and market opportunity which would symbiotically bolster tourism, trade and empower families to stay connected.

We look forward to your response.

BRAD Vis, MP for Mission— Matsqui—Fraser Canyon in B.C. and Conservative Critic for Small Business Recovery and Growth,

and Amritsar,

Pearson International

in Toronto. The pandemic has shown us that direct flights from Amritsar to Canada is both feasible for airlines and met by a high demand for travellers.

Brad

Photo: Twitter

Tim Uppal.

Photo: Twitter Jasraj Singh Hallan. Photo: Twitter Mark Strahl. Photo: Strahl’s website

the RCMP in Surrey” fined $250 for sponsoring election advertising without authorization statement

ELECTIONS BC on Wednesday announced that “Keep the RCMP in Surrey” had been fined $250 for “sponsoring election advertis ing without an authorization statement” in connection to this year’s municipal elec tion.

In a letter to Ivan Scott of Keep the RCMP in Surrey (KTRIS) as a registered third party sponsor in the 2022 General Local Election, Elections BC’s Director of Investigations, Adam Barnes, on November 22 wrote: “Elections BC provided you with a copy of the Investigator’s report into this matter, which included his preliminary findings. You have not provided a response to the in vestigation report.”

He said: “On September 2, 2022, Elections

BC received a complaint regarding flyers that were distributed by KTRIS, that lacked an authorization statement.

“Elections BC’s Compliance team remind[ed] your campaign to include all information required in an authorization statement going forward. The file was then forwarded to the Elections BC Investiga tions team for follow up.

“The Elections BC Investigator reached out to you and requested copies of the invoices for the ads, copies of the original ads and images of the ads.

“Your response indicated that KTRIS distrib uted both postcards and flyers that lacked an authorization statement. The cost for the post cards was $1,750, and the cost for

the flyers was $1,774.40. While KTRIS com missioned 2000 post cards and 1000 flyers, only a few hundred were distributed before the error was caught. The cards and flyers directly oppose the re-election of Doug Mc Callum for Mayor of Surrey.”

Barnes in his “analysis and determina tion” said: “I have carefully reviewed the Investigator’s report, and I concur with his preliminary conclusions. The cards and fly ers clearly oppose the re-election of Doug McCallum as Mayor of Surrey, they [were] distributed during the pre-campaign period, and they lacked an authorization statement as required by section 44(1) of LECFA (Lo cal Elections Campaign Financing Act]. “I find that paying to print, and subsequently

RCMP MAKE AN ASS OF THEMSELVES – AGAIN!

distribute, the post cards and flyers contra vened section 44(1) of LECFA.”

He noted: “Because of my finding above, s. 68.25(1) of LECFA requires me to issue an administrative monetary penalty against you, of up to $10,000.”

Taking into consideration various factors, Barnes said he made the finding that “Keep the RCMP in Surrey, registered third party sponsor, contravened section 44(1) of LEC FA, and must pay a penalty of $250 to the Chief Electoral Officer of BC, under section 68.25(2)(b) of that act.”

He said Scott could request a review of this determination by an adjudicator or he could seek relief from the BC Supreme Court from the monetary penalties.

I just couldn’t believe what I was reading in Tuesday’s Vancouver Sun. I am talking about the front page story titled “Cop tally on Surrey streets unclear” with the subheading “RCMP won’t disclose number on the job as transition stalls.”

I just laughed my guts out!

The RCMP just made asses of themselves in the case of former Doug McCallum – just as they had made asses of themselves in the case of former solicitor general Kash Heed when they went after him, too, some years ago because he wanted to kick them out of B.C. Ah, history repeating itself!

The Vancouver Sun report high lighted the fact that while the Sur rey Police Service has released staffing numbers, the RCMP con tinues to hide their numbers. What!

Did I read that right?

Why on earth would they be so scared of the truth?

The BC RCMP spokesperson looked worse than pathetic com ing up with a slew of excuses in cluding this ludicrous one: that the staffing numbers had to be kept secret because of operational rea sons!

The well-know professor emeritus of criminology at SFU, Rob Gor don’s reaction was hilarious.

He told the Vancouver Sun: “[The RCMP] make up all sorts of stories like, ‘We don’t want the bad guys to know how many officers are out there on the street.’ As if (the criminals) are going to say, ‘OK, there are 300 officers, all right, we are going to do a bank robbery.”

Everyone knows that the RCMP has had major problems with staffing for years and they have been absolutely deceitful about it. And they will blame everyone but

themselves about their woes. And these are the pathetic char acters who just want to stay on in Surrey even though ONLY 28 PER CENT of voters want them as the vote for their chosen candidate Brenda Locke shows! McCallum had the support of 40 PER CENT of the voters to kick the RCMP out of Surrey.

And, by the way, lawyers and po lice officers have told The VOICE that McCallum (who was declared innocent on Monday by the court in the public mischief case) can now sue the RCMP, and some sug gest that he can also sue Locke — only that Locke’s legal bills will be paid by the taxpayers!

AND by the way, I found this re sponse by Andre Holley to CBC reporter Jason Proctor’s story, “Former Surrey mayor Doug Mc Callum found not guilty of public

mischief,” just brilliant (dumb Locke should read this a million times!):

SO, McCallum has been found not guilty. The current Mayor Brenda Locke has stated that the city will not pay McCallum’s legal fees be cause he was at the store on per sonal business buying groceries and not city business.

I think he has a good possibility of winning a case for reimbursement from the city after being declared not guilty.

1. He had approval from Council at the time to pay his legal fees.

2, As soon as Debi Johnstone con fronted Doug McCallum asking for his resignation the interaction be tween the two was that of a surrey citizen confronting the mayor of Surrey. This is now Surrey’s busi ness.

3. You must ask the question. If

Doug McCallum was not the may or of Surrey would this incident have taken place? If the answer is no, then the interaction was that of being between the mayor and Debi Johnston is now Surrey’s business.

4. Is the job of the mayor 24 -7? When is the mayor not the mayor? Like him or not you have to put your personal opinions aside and look at the facts.

“Keep

“The cards and flyers clearly oppose the re-election of Doug McCallum as Mayor of Surrey”

THE shameless harassment of former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum by supporters of the RCMP in Surrey and then-opposition coun cillors, especially the current mayor, Brenda Locke, because he wanted to replace the Surrey RCMP with the Surrey Police Service was nothing short of CRIMINAL in our opin ion.

(It is also a shame and a SCANDAL the way MOST of the mainstream media reporters dis torted facts in covering McCallum in general and the public mischief case in particular. Their reporters should be ashamed of them selves! They behaved worse than pimps! A few, however, like Jason Proctor of the CBC, were objective.)

Indeed, McCallum and his Safe Surrey Coali tion would have won the municipal election but for the RCMP harassment of charging Mc Callum with public mischief – whereas the RCMP did nothing to charge their supporters with criminal harassment as they heaped abuse on McCallum, his SSC councillors and supporters day and night.

Locke has lost all legitimacy and should step down as mayor if she has even a modicum of shame. Surrey-ites will have no respect for this “28-per-cent” mayor and they should start demanding that she quit.

(All, that Locke could say on Monday was: “The City will continue to explore its options in relation to Mr. McCallum’s legal issues and I am expecting an update in the next few weeks. I will also be asking for a review of the Indemnification By Law so it can be im proved to ensure this won’t happen again. This matter will be brought to Council for consideration at a future date.” Shame on you, Locke!)

(Incidentally, when I fired off an email on Wednesday to Locke and the City of Surrey about the legal fees of Locke and Councillor Linda Annis over the past four years, I got this statement from the City’s Corporate Services: “Information concerning Councillors’ legal

fees is privileged and confidential informa tion and therefore we cannot disclose this information.” Hey Locke, what happened about your transparency? Locke and Annis can release their information on their own — and they know that!)

Surrey Connect’s Locke bagged 33,111 of the votes as compared to McCallum’s 32,338 votes — a difference of only 973 votes. And it is a well-known fact that many Surrey-ites who would have voted for McCallum voted for other candidates and some did not even cast their votes because they were led to be lieve by an endless barrage of propaganda by his detractors that he would be convicted for sure after the election.

Also, RCMP bosses in B.C. and Surrey should be removed from their posts. They have lost the respect not only of Surrey-ites but also of all British Columbians. They have NO cred ibility left after having gone out of their way to try and get McCallum convicted in a petty case – they had SEVEN officers on the case!

As The VOICE wrote on November1 in an opinion piece titled “Doug McCallum case: Surrey-ites laughing at their RCMP!”:

“The RCMP had seven members investigating the case, as was revealed in a Surrey court … The highly respected defence lawyer Richard Peck described it as “a minor hit-and-run.” He asked Crown witness Sgt. Andre Johnny if this wasn’t “pretty extraordinary.”

“How many of you have had seven Mounties investigate any of your minor or major com plaints, guys?

“Now we know why even gang members mock the RCMP!”

Indeed, McCallum’s acquittal reinforces the demand to kick out the RCMP from Surrey. They have no sense of PRIORITIES!

Surrey-ites must also start demanding that a fresh election be held for their City. Equally appalling is the fact that McCallum was charged at all — it was a clear case of VINDICTIVENESS by the RCMP and experts say that the charge approval standard or threshold was quite obviously not met. The special prosecutor, many say, should have known better!

It is also pointed out that when Crown wit ness Sgt. Andre Johnny was asked by Peck: “To this day you cannot say conclusively whether the foot was run over?” all that the pathetic Mountie could say was: “No I can not.” In the video of the incident, McCallum’s feet are concealed by a shrub. That itself should have made it clear to any intelligent cop that this was a hopeless case to pursue. But then, Mounties are not exactly known for

BY the way, one reader sent me an obser vation from a retired RCMP sergeant who wrote before Monday’s verdict: “I also find it amazing that the RCMP thought it would be prudent, or ethical, to investigate this mat ter, knowing that the alleged victim of public mischief was in fact part of a group that was funded by the RCMP union.”

He added: “Knowing what we know about the affect of bias and prejudice on the inves tigative process, would it have been wise to have another police agency investigate this?”

Wow, didn’t either the BC RCMP boss Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald or the Sur rey RCMP boss Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards realize that SIMPLE fact?! Or were they completely blinded by their INTENSE HATRED of McCallum?

Shouldn’t they resign – if they have even an iota of integrity or self-respect?

What respect can their fellow RCMP officers have for such characters?

(VOICE opinion)

Traffic delays expected near Vancouver International Airport during Black Friday sales event

RICHMOND

Richmond RCMP are recommending to those

traveling to the Vancouver International Air port to give themselves extra time to catch their flights this weekend.

Richmond RCMP will have additional officers on the roadways around the mall and airport

to assist with traffic flow. Ensure you follow the directions of officers/flag persons on scene. The following are the key dates and times when higher volumes are expected:

* Saturday, November 26: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

* Sunday, November 27: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Richmond RCMP recommends following @ yvrairport or visiting yvr.ca for updates regard ing impacts for those travelling to the Vancou ver International Airport.

their brilliance, are they?

Brenda Locke: What happened to your “transparency”? Official photo

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald: Shouldn’t you step down? Photo: Twitter

RCMP are anticipating higher than normal traffic on Sea Island as a result of the Black Friday sales event at McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Mall.

“Working people in British Columbia are confronting extraordinary challenges and opportunities. And we’re facing them with extraordinary solidarity and unity,” Skidmore said. “We’re honoured by the confidence this convention has placed in us.”

“My union taught me to fight for workers’ rights, and that’s the fight I’m bringing to the BCFED,” Kailley said. “Working people need a strong, united voice now more than ever.”

First elected as the BCFED’s secretary-treasurer in 2018 and re-elected in 2020, Skidmore previously served for five years as executive vicepresident of the BCGEU. She is the federation’s first out and queer president.

Skidmore is the national treasurer for the New Democratic Party of Canada and a vice president of the BC NDP.

Kailley is the first South Asian BCFED secretarytreasurer. His first involvement with the labour movement began when he helped organize his fellow Vancouver Fringe Festival workers with

person Jasvir Parmar

Jasvir Parmar was last seen on November 21 in the 6600-block of 133 Street. Her last contact with family was in the early morning hours of November 22. Since then, efforts to find her have been unsuccessful. Police and family are concerned for Parmar’s well-being. Parmar is 5’5”, 130 pounds, with long straight black hair and brown eyes. She is currently driving a gold-coloured 2013 Toyota Corolla, license plate AN9 26V.

Anyone with information that could assist police with locating Parmar is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.

Essem Textiles is a modern boutique fabric store that carries a range of fashion fabrics,quilting cottons and notions. We are located on the historic downtown Cloverdale strip.We carry fabrics at a ordable prices such as cotton, knits,sequins,lace,satin,brocade, georgette,chi on,net, velvet, men's suiting & more - come and see for youself !We can't wait to help you get started on your next project.

SUSSANNE Skidmore will be the BC Federation of Labour’s new president, and Hermender Singh Kailley will serve as secretary-treasurer. Delegates at the BCFED’s 60th convention acclaimed them to two-year terms on Thursday morning.

Hermender

Jasvir Parmar

THE Province is making changes to help keep British Columbians safe, launching a new Safer Communities Action Plan with im mediate steps that will strengthen enforce ment to keep those who commit repeat vio lent offences off our streets, and strengthen services to build safe, healthy communities for everyone.

The new measures respond to a rise in re peat violent offending linked to unintended impacts of federal law changes and sub sequent Supreme Court decisions, and

increased mental-health and addiction challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pan demic and the toxic drug crisis.

“Being compassionate, concerned and tak ing action on mental-health and addiction is sues does not mean that we have to accept repeated criminal behaviour or violence,” said Premier David Eby on Sunday.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their com munity. We are making changes to bring key groups together to keep people and commu nities safe – ensuring those who commit vio

lent acts face consequences, and creating as many opportunities as possible for them to address mental-health and addiction issues to break the cycle of a life in and out of jail.”

The Safer Communities Action Plan lays out concrete steps at the provincial level to make communities safer under two tracks: enforcement, and intervention services. Each initiative is structured to improve coordination between law enforcement, com munity service organizations, justice system actors, health providers and people who are recovering from addiction and mental-health challenges in a collaborative, co-ordinated approach to address the issues people are seeing in their communities.

New measures announced include:

* launching new repeat violent offender coordinated response teams, made up of po lice, and dedicated prosecutors and proba tion officers;

* expanding mental-health crisis response teams into more communities so police can focus on crime, and people in crisis are met early on by health-care workers and com munity members;

* taking the next steps in creating a new model of addictions care at St. Paul’s Hos pital so people can seamlessly move from crisis response in the emergency room, to detox, to treatment services, in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health and Provi dence Health Care, with plans to expand this model in the future;

* opening 10 new Indigenous Justice Cen tres to provide culturally appropriate sup port for Indigenous Peoples involved in the justice

* going after the houses, cars and luxury

goods of high-level organized criminals who profit on misery by introducing “unex plained wealth order” legislation in spring 2023; and

* building public confidence in the prosecu tion system with new direction from the at torney general to prosecutors to implement a clear and understandable approach to bail for repeat violent offenders within the exist ing federal law. (The new policy took effect on November 22.)

The plan includes other co-ordination mea sures, such as better support for people with acquired brain injuries through overdose or other injury – with a focus on those involved in the criminal justice system – through increased funding for the Brain Injury Alli ance, more integrated information sharing between justice and community partners to strengthen case management and expand ing the use of technology to guide police in gathering, and sharing information with doctors and nurses during mental-health crisis situations.

These actions align with recommendations from a number of reports on community safety, including the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act, the First Nations Justice Strategy and the Investigation into Repeat Offending and Random Stranger Violence.

The Safer Communities Action Plan comple ments the B.C.-led action with other prov inces and territories to pressure the federal government to address the consequences of changes to the federal bail system that have made it more difficult to hold people who commit repeat, violent offences in cus tody while they are waiting for trial.

Premier David Eby outlines actions to make communities safer in B.C. at Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Park Viewpoint on Sunday. Photo by SUKHWANT DHILLON / AM 600 Sher-E-Punjab Radio

Surrey Hospitals Foundation shines a light on shortage of children and youth health care services

THE Surrey Hospitals Foundation is hosting “SHINE”, its inaugural holiday light display fun draising event. This year, the event will spot light children and youth health care services at Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH).

Surrey Memorial Hospital will launch a sixweek festive outdoor light show display. It will be projected on the outside walls of the hospi tal during the holiday season of giving. (The festive outdoor light show that had been planned for Tuesday has been postponed until further notice.)

“Surrey is a city of celebration with our resi dents honouring cultural holidays like Diwali, Gurupurab, Hanukkah and Christmas in the fall and winter months. For years we’ve want ed to host a holiday light display at Surrey Memorial that celebrates our diversity. 2022 is the Foundation’s 30th anniversary which makes us very excited to launch our inaugural ‘SHINE’ fundraising event, and this year we’re illuminating the need for more pediatric ser vices at SMH,” said Jane Adams, President and CEO of the Surrey Hospitals Foundation. Based on the latest Statistics Canada 2021 Census data:

* Surrey is the fastest growing large city in Western Canada, with a growth rate of 9.7 per cent and a total population of 568,322 com pared to 2016.

* Of the total population in Surrey, 23 per cent are children and youth under the age of 19 at 129,040.

* In 2021, Surrey mothers delivered more ba bies than any other city in BC with 6,010 births.

* SMH has the only pediatric ER department in the entire Fraser Health region, which ac counts for 41 per cent of BC’s children and youth at almost 400,000.

Investment in health services for children and youth have lagged behind Surrey’s population

growth. The figures speak for themselves:

* In 2001, SMH had 24 funded pediatric inpa tient beds, and in 2021, it had 16.

* Of the total 442 pediatric inpatient and men tal health beds in BC, Surrey only has 36 which only represents 8 per cent when 41 per cent of BC’s children and youth live in the Fraser Health region.

* When SMH’s pediatric ER first opened in 2013, one of only 2 in BC, it was built for 20,000 pediatric visits. In 2019, it saw 44,233 pediatric visits, more than double its capacity.

* SMH’s general pediatric program is staffed by 13 pediatricians, out of a total of 184 hospi tal-based pediatricians and sub-specialists in

BC, with only 3 added in the last 5 years.

* In 2001, SMH’s family birthing unit had 38 funded beds and in 2021, it had 42, an in crease of only 4 in 20 years.

* In 2014, SMH opened a 48 bed NICU but in 2021, only 32 of the beds were funded and open.

“The numbers really speak for themselves and shed light on just how few services we have for our children in Surrey. We know it’s best practice to provide care close to home for children but due to lack of services we must send our children to other cities every day to get the specialized health care they need,” pointed out Adams.

Indecent act near Delta high school

ON Friday, November 18, Delta Police re sponded to a report of an indecent act that had occurred earlier in the day near Burns view Secondary School.

At approximately 11:37 a.m., a witness ob served a man committing an indecent act in the wooded area behind the school. Upon being seen, the male ran away. The suspect is described as a South Asian

or dark-skinned male, 25-30 years old with a short beard, large nose, large lips, and ap proximately 5’8” to 6’ tall. He was wearing a black puffer jacket, red t-shirt, black jeans, black shoes, black toque with a brown bob ble on top, and with AirPods in his ears.

Investigators are requesting anyone who was in the area of Burnsview Secondary School on November 18 between 11 a.m.

and 12 p.m. and who may have seen this male, to contact Delta Police at (604)9464411. If you have dash camera video or sur veillance video from your home in the same area, you are also asked to contact investi gators. Reference file number 2022-26112. On January 21, the Delta Police had re sponded to a similar incident in the same area. In that instance, the suspect was de

“When I gave birth to my twin boys at 29 weeks, I had to go all the way to BC Women’s because they didn’t have the necessary spe cialized health care at SMH,” said Rani Seng hera, a Surrey mother of twin boys. “I then got transferred back to SMH but they had no room in their NICU for my premature babies so had to go into their general pediatric department. We really need more health care services in Surrey, especially for children, so that we can serve our incredibly fast growing community and stay closer to home.”

The Surrey Hospitals Foundation together with its donors and supporters have raised $6 mil lion to renovate the Children’s Health Centre that was first built in 2001, as well as fund in novative medical equipment, research initia tives and capital projects for SMH. This year alone in pediatrics, the Foundation invested in art and music therapy programs and pur chased infant warmers and handheld oxim eter for their NICU, funded additional youth mental health programs and spaces, and put in additional spaces to accommodate the fu ture hiring of pediatric specialists.

“The need is profound for more facilities, more specialists and more services,” said Ad ams. “We are asking donors to step up and join the Foundation to support children’s care in BC’s fastest growing city. Our goal is to help raise the funds and awareness that more in frastructure and services are needed to treat children closer to home in Surrey.”

From November to January, the Surrey Hos pitals Foundation’s “SHINE” light display will celebrate donors, supporters and the diversity of its community. Proceeds from the seasonal display will support the health and wellness of children and youth in the Fraser Health region. For more information, visit www.SurreyHospi talsFoundation.com.

scribed as a South Asian male, aged 20-30 years old, 6 feet tall, with broad shoulders, and wearing a sky-blue toque with a gray zip-up hoodie, black windbreaker, and blue jeans. (Refer to file 2022-1444).

While the two incidents are not confirmed to be connected, the possibility is being considered and evidence from both files is being compared.

Rani Senghera (right) and her family are calling for more health care services closer to home in Surrey. (From left) Gurpreet, nine-year-old twins Jora and Kesar, and Rani Senghera. Photo submitted

Premier Eby announces standalone ministry

HOUSING will become its own standalone ministry as part of Premier David Eby’s plan to address the housing crisis in British Co lumbia.

The minister of housing will be named when Eby announces his cabinet on De cember 7.

Eby said on Tuesday: “For too many British Columbians, owning or even renting a good home feels out of reach. The housing crisis deserves the attention of a full ministry and the resources that come with it. As premier, I am committed to making meaningful progress to make sure everyone in B.C. can afford a good home.”

Eby made the announcement during a speech to about 1,400 attendees at the Housing Central Conference at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel in Vancouver. The annual conference on affordable housing is held by the BC Non-Profit Housing Association, the Aboriginal Housing Management Associa

Surrey RCMP: Help locate missing person Satpal Lanji

SURREY RCMP are requesting the pub lic’s assistance with locating a 65-year-old South Asian man last seen in Vancouver.

On November 15, Satpal Lanji was report ed missing. He was last seen in Vancouver in the 300-block of Powell Street on No vember 15. Although it is not uncommon for Satpal to be out of contact, the length of time that has passed is concerning to his family.

Surrey RCMP Missing Persons Unit has been following up on all investigative av enues since he was reported missing, but have not been able to locate Lanji, so they are requesting the public’s assistance. Lanji, who also goes by “Rai” and “Ray” is described as a South Asian male, 5’7”, 140 lbs, slim build, short grey hair, and brown eyes.

Anyone with information that could as sist police with locating Lanji is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or www. solvecrime.ca.

47-year-old man shot in Burnaby

ON Monday, just before 11 p.m., Burnaby RCMP responded to reports of shots fired at a home on Nithsdale Street near Smith Avenue.

Police found several people at a home, in cluding a 47-year-old man who had been shot in the arm and leg. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Burnaby RCMP said on Tuesday that they are still investigating the circumstances, however, there are early indications the shooting was targeted and may have in volved several suspects who fled the area. Investigators are still gathering details from witnesses who were at the home at the time of the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to con tact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999.

housing crisis

David Eby

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

Ramin Salam, 25, of Coquitlam identified as one of the victims in Wednesday’s Coquitlam shooting

quitlam.

Efforts are still being made to confirm the identity of

At this time, investigators believe this to be a targeted shooting relating to the ongoing Lower Mainland Gang Conflict, said IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti.

On November 23 at 7:45 p.m., Coquitlam RCMP responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Dawes Hill Road and Mundy Street in Coquitlam. Officers found multiple shell casings and located two unresponsive men inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds.

One victim was pronounced deceased on scene while another was transported to hospital and later succumbed to their inju ries.

A third victim was located suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

IHIT said it is working closely in partner ship with Coquitlam RCMP, the BC Coroners Service and the RCMP Integrated Forensic Identification Section (IFIS).

IHIT is asking anyone with dash camera footage or information regarding the homi cides to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitin fo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Five more charges laid against Surrey RCMP Cpl. Peter Leckie

SURREY

Charges were laid against Leckie on June 29 and a media release was issued seeking ad ditional information.

Three additional counts of breach of trust, one additional count obtaining computer services by fraud and one count of sexual assault were laid on November 23. The ad ditional charges are in relation to allegations of misconduct between January 2014 and December 2021.

Leckie has a scheduled court appearance in relation to the new charges on December 14. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP Professional Standards Unit at 604-599-7887.

Wednesday, identified one of the homicide victims as 25-year-old Ramin Salam of Co

the second victim.

Sgt. Timothy Pierotti

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

RCMP announced on Wednesday that five additional charges have been laid in the ongoing investigation into Cpl. Peter Leckie.

Cpl. Peter Leckie

Photo: Surrey RCMP

Housing Supply Act and Building Strata Statutes Amendment Act passed in House

THE NDP said on Thursday that Premier Da vid Eby’s action to speed up

devel opment and increase housing supply had passed in the B.C. Legislature and become law.

The Housing Supply Act is designed to kick start new housing construction by giving the provincial government the ability to set mu nicipal housing targets. It gives the Minister of Housing the authority to ensure compliance to make sure housing gets built, should mu nicipalities with the highest need struggle to deliver enough housing.

The Building Strata Statutes Amendment Act prevents stratas from banning rentals in their buildings and ends unfair age restrictions. In areas where government has data through the Speculation and Vacancy Tax, there are approximately 2,900 empty condos that can not be rented out because strata rules pre

vent them from renting out their condo – and we expect there are more in other areas of the province.

The NDP said Kevin Falcon’s B.C. Liberals voted against both bills at earlier stages be fore flip flopping on the Housing Supply Act and voting against the Strata Statutes Amend ment Act.

Falcon’s Finance Critic Peter Milobar criti cized the Strata bill, warning it means “that your neighbour, whether you like it or not, could be a renter.”

B.C. Liberal MLA Dan Ashton called to “post pone” Housing Supply Act and Renee Merri field also criticized the bill, saying we don’t need “a heavier hammer” on housing afford ability.

The NDP said in a press statement that while the B.C. Liberals try to delay and stand in the way of action, other British Columbians are

lining up to support it.

THE BC Liberals hit back, saying that while the fall legislative session has ended, the David Eby era of stifling debate and eroding democracy to suit his own needs has begun. “After cancelling four days of session last week to throw the new Premier a party, Eby and his NDP government have now shut down debate on significant pieces of leg islation so they can ram them through with virtually no scrutiny,” said Opposition House Leader Todd Stone. “The people who elect us deserve to know that laws that impact them have been thoroughly debated and put through vigorous questioning — but Premier Eby and the NDP aren’t allowing that to hap pen.”

The BC Liberals said that among the bills rushed through the House were Eby’s much-

hyped housing bills, 43 and 44. The BC Lib erals voted against second reading of these bills, in protest of the NDP limiting debate to less than three hours per bill.

“While some NDP members try to mischar acterize our intentions, let’s be clear — we voted against David Eby and the NDP not allowing democracy to unfold as it should,” said Stone. “Bill 44 in particular, which im pacts strata rental and age restrictions, will affect one million British Columbians who live in stratas — but the NDP won’t let us de bate the potential unintended consequences which could include strata insurance rates continuing to skyrocket. It’s shameful.”

The BC Liberals said that the other bills rammed through by the government without adequate debate were Bill 36, the Health Pro fessions and Occupations Act, and Bill 37, the Energy Statutes Amendment Act, 2022.

Fiscal update shows B.C. well-positioned amid economic uncertainty

BRITISH Columbia remains well-positioned to continue supporting people and navigating emerging global economic headwinds with an improved second-quarter fiscal update, the Province announced on Friday.

Consistent with other jurisdictions, the Second Quarterly Report confirms a fast economic re covery has led to stronger-than-expected rev enues in B.C.

The Province’s operating surplus is $5.7 billion, an improvement of $5 billion over the First Quarterly Report. The change was primarily driven by a significant update from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for 2021 personal and corporate income tax results.

“The Second Quarterly Report shows that we have experienced a faster economic recovery than private- or public-sector economists ini tially forecasted,” said Selina Robinson, Minis ter of Finance. “The changes we’re seeing are primarily due to updated income tax revenue data from the Canada Revenue Agency here in B.C. and across the country – far beyond what was forecasted when we built our budget.” B.C. continues to introduce new cost-of-living measures, including the new BC Affordability Credit announced by Premier David Eby last week. The total cost-of-living measures rolled out since the summer cost approximately $2 billion:

* $395 million for ICBC rebates delivered in summer 2022

* $64 million for the School Affordability Fund in fall 2022

* $1 billion for Climate Action Tax Credit and BC Affordability Credit increases in October 2022 and January 2023

* $320 million for a one-time BC Hydro bill credit for BC Hydro customers this winter

* $100 million for enhanced BC Family Benefit payments from January to March 2023

In addition, families will begin saving up to

$550 per month in child care costs starting in December 2022.

“We’re in a strong position to continue using the resources we have to deliver results on the issues that matter the most to people: housing; public safety; health care; climate change; and building a sustainable economy,” Robinson said. “No matter what is on the horizon, our government will continue to be here to sup

port people in B.C.”

In the coming weeks, and as part of the budget process, the minister of finance will meet with members of the Economic Forecast Council and the ESG Advisory Council to discuss issues affecting the province’s economy and future forecasts. The Third Quarterly Report, includ ing an economic forecast, will be released with Budget 2023 on February 28.

Selina Robinson

Photo: BC Government

BC Liberals: Leaked report buried by Eby reveals NDP ignored serious mismanagement at BC Housing

THE BC Liberals on Tuesday called on Pre mier David Eby to explain why he buried a now-leaked report that outlines severe fi nancial and organizational mismanagement at BC Housing and Atira Women’s Resources Society, B.C.’s largest housing provider.

BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon said: “As Housing Minister, Premier David Eby ignored the findings of a now-leaked BDO report that showed considerable financial mismanage ment by Atira Women’s Resources Society. Whistleblower documents show that NDP housing ministers David Eby and Selina Robinson consistently supported Atira with record levels of funding, despite knowing its track record of questionable financial prac tices. There is no way Eby was unaware of the situation at BC Housing and Atira, and yet he chose to bury the report and hide that in formation from the public — all while pour ing hundreds of millions of public dollars into an organization that not only couldn’t be trusted to manage money, but was also failing to look after vulnerable British Colum

bians.”

The leaked report reveals that Atira’s board was making decisions based on, “incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information,” and operated under “assumptions that [budget] overages will be covered by BC Housing.”

The ongoing dysfunction at Atira led staff to “look for ways to reduce the pressure on cash flow with other downstream con sequences.” Media reports and FOI docu ments show that before the deadly fire at the Winters Hotel in Gastown, fire extinguishers were empty and had not been replaced by Atira staff.

The BC Liberals said that the leak of the BDO report, commissioned by the former BC Lib eral government but delivered to govern ment after the NDP came to power, comes in the wake of an Ernst and Young review, released on June 30 which found significant and widespread mismanagement prob lems within BC Housing had spread under Eby’s watch. At 6:34 p.m. on Friday, July 8, Eby quietly announced he had fired seven members of B.C. Housing’s NDP-appointed board.

Mike Bernier, BC Liberal Critic for Housing, said: “Eby was well aware of the ongoing mismanagement at Atira and BC Housing, and did little to address the disastrous situa

tion. These reports paint a clear picture of an organization in chaos, including one where the NDP-appointed Board of Directors al lowed the CEO of BC Housing to personally approve more than $100 million in property acquisitions without requiring any docu mented due diligence. It’s no wonder that the NDP has utterly failed to reach their hous ing goals when they cannot even address the mess that BC Housing has become on their watch. It’s time for a full, top-to-bottom audit of BC Housing and for the Premier to finally be honest with British Columbians.”

The BC Liberals said that since learning about the financial mismanagement at Atira, the NDP government has provided the or ganization with more than $120 million in funding via BC Housing grants for programs ranging from housing to childcare. However, recent information has come to light show ing that only 7.5 per cent of Atira’s annual budget goes to direct supports. As of this month, Atira CEO Janice Abbott has refused to disclose her taxpayer-funded salary.

AutismBC report an indictment of NDP’s autism funding clawback: BC Liberals

THE BC Liberals said on Monday that Au tismBC was at the Legislature to present their report, Parent and Caregiver Per spectives on Family Connections Centres, and to urge Premier David Eby to reverse the NDP’s callous and harmful decision to end direct funding for children with au tism, as 96 per cent of survey participants want continued access to the program.

Karin Kirkpatrick, BC Liberal Critic for Children, Family Development and Child care, said: “AutismBC has done the re search that the NDP should have done before announcing their ill-thought-out policy change more than a year ago, and it’s time for David Eby to show some re spect to the families before him and im mediately reverse the autism funding

clawback.”

She added: “For the past year, the autism community has held multiple rallies, in cluding two in front of David Eby’s office, to voice their fears that forced transition to the Family Connections Centres will be traumatic for children and families, create another waitlist and make families com pete against one another for resources and services in a system they are already struggling with. If the Premier wants to do good by these parents, he must stop the top-down approach now.”

The survey of 1,563 participants shows that parents and caregivers of autistic children overwhelmingly anticipate the change in service model to have a nega tive impact, and are concerned about

having current connections with service providers disrupted. Based on the find ings, AutismBC urges the NDP to maintain all existing supports and services, until a formal policy review can be conducted to get the best support in place for all neuro divergent and disabled children.

Kirkpatrick said: “The BC Liberals have opposed this unfair funding clawback from day one but the NDP have simply re fused to listen, leaving thousands of fami lies scared for their future. This report has valuable feedback regarding the avail ability and accessibility of supports for children and families. It is my hope that David Eby will do the right thing, adopt the recommendations and give families the support they need and deserve.”

Kevin Falcon

Photo: BC Liberals

Karin Kirkpatrick

Premier Eby celebrates return of more than 4,600 health workers to public sector

AT a ceremony in the Parliament Buildings’ Hall of Honour on Thursday, Premier David Eby joined health-care workers and mem bers of the legislative assembly to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the passing of Bill 47.

Since then, 4,601 health-services workers have returned to the public system, result ing in more stable, consistent and supportive patient care for people throughout the prov ince.

“The people who clean our hospitals and care homes, provide food and care to our loved ones, deserve to be treated like the valued members of the public health team that they are,” said Eby. “This anniversary is an important milestone in the work started by John Horgan and Adrian Dix to reverse the failed privatization policies of the past, deliver fairness to workers, and better care for people. To all those coming back to the public sector, I say: Welcome home.”

The change comes after almost 20 years of these workers having their services con tracted out to private companies. This paved the way for years of contracting out, contract flipping and layoffs that saw 9,000 people, mostly women, lose jobs and benefits.

“Environmental and food-service workers within the public health system play a vital role in our delivery of seamless, high-quality care to patients across our province,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “I am deeply proud of the accomplishments our govern ment is able to make under Bill 47, because bringing back justice, respect and fair wages for these workers was a key priority for our government. Today, we celebrate every single one of the 4,601 workers whose lives have changed for the better now that they have stable, well-paying jobs.”

Since the bill was passed in November 2018, workers have been repatriated across health authorities and Providence Health Care:

* Fraser Health – 1,163 workers at 31 sites

* Island Health – 967 workers at 12 sites

* Providence Health Care – 551 workers at 7 sites

* Provincial Health Services Authority – 247 workers at five sites

* Vancouver Coastal Health – 1,673 workers at 44 sites

“I could not be happier with all the progress made since the legislation was passed back in 2018,” said Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and LongTerm Care. “Bringing these workers back in house is benefiting not only them, but also their families, the patients they care for and communities as a whole. Today is a great day.”

Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, said: “All workers deserve stable employment that treats them with dignity and respect, but that was not the case for thousands of healthcare workers whose jobs were privatized and contracted out, leading to job loss and decreased pay and benefits. For the past four years we have been welcoming those work ers back to fair wages, benefits, job security and a supportive workplace, and we will continue to improve supports and protec tions for all workers.”

Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO, Fraser Health, said: “All Fraser Health staff and med ical staff play valuable roles and are integral to providing the care people need in the communities we serve. Over the past four years we are proud to have worked closely with our partners to repatriate staff working in our hospitals and in our community and long-term care sites back to Fraser Health. I am pleased to celebrate this milestone and acknowledge the talents, skills and contri butions from more than 1,000 staff who are now part of Fraser Health.”

Work to bring health-care service workers back into the public system began in 2019 with the passage of Bill 47 (Health Sector Statutes Repeal Act). Bill 47 repealed the Health and Social Services Delivery Improve ment Act (Bill 29) and the Health Sector Part nerships Agreement Act (Bill 94), which had

facilitated contracting out in the health sec tor and caused significant labour impacts. To address inequality and enhance work ing conditions for employees in health-care

facilities, government is ensuring workers have the benefits, pension and wages that they deserve to be able to help patients. Evi dence has shown that employees who feel

secure and safe in their jobs provide higherquality care for people and, in turn, employ ers can attract and retain staff at a higher and more consistent level.

Health Minister Adrian Dix

Photo: BC Government

Pictures of 15 more suspects from Breakout Festival riot at PNE released

VANCOUVER Police announced on Thursday that they have updated their list of most wanted suspects from September’s Breakout Festival riot at the PNE, releasing photos of 15 additional suspects who allegedly destroyed property and put other concert-goers in danger. (Please visit our website voiceonline.com to see the pho tos.)

“With tips from the public, we’ve already identi fied several people who participated in danger ous and destructive behavior during the Break

out Festival riot,” said Constable Tania Visintin. “Now, we’re again asking everyone to look hard at these newly released pictures to help us hold these additional suspects accountable.”

Vancouver Police immediately launched a crim inal investigation after the last-minute cancella tion of a headline act at the Breakout Festival sparked fights, assaults, and widespread prop erty damage around the PNE Amphitheatre and in the surrounding neighbourhoods on September 18. Led by VPD’s Major Crime Sec

tion, investigators have spent weeks reviewing dozens of videos posted online and submitted tips.

“On November 1, we released pictures of our 10 most wanted, and in just over three weeks we’ve positively identified almost all of those suspects,” said Visintin, adding that some of the suspects turned themselves in after seeing their pictures online.

Laura Ballance, spokesperson for the PNE, said: “The PNE is very appreciative of the at

tention and focus the Vancouver Police De partment has brought to this investigation. We continue to provide any assistance we can to aid VPD in their investigation, and encourage anyone with information on this latest group of suspects to come forward”.

Pictures of the 15 additional riot suspects are posted online at VPD.ca, along with an online submission form to make it easy for anyone who knows the suspects to inform investiga tors.

“Historic commitment to invest in core RCMP police funding”

THE Province announced on Wednesday that it is taking action to deliver stronger public safety services to protect people in urban, rural, and remote communities across B.C. through new funding that will help specialized units and rural police forc es staff up and help keep streets safer for everyone.

As part of the Safer Communities Action Plan, the Province is enhancing investments in core police funding that will sustain and strengthen enforcement and crime preven tion capacity throughout British Columbia. The funding will ensure adequate and effec tive levels of policing and law enforcement, particularly in rural, remote and Indigenous communities, and in a wide variety of spe cialized teams that investigate and prevent complex, violent and organized crimes. The funding will also provide support to pros ecutors and probation officers with respect to violent, high-risk offenders.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe, and my government is working on every front to protect our communities and make them stronger,” said Premier David Eby. “As part of our Safer Communities Action Plan, we will help ensure that the RCMP can operate to its full capability to keep people safe. The actions today will help stabilize policing and provide our provincial police force with the staff resources they need to address public safety concerns head on.”

Through an investment of $230 million over three years, the Province will tackle key public safety issues, including:

* filling long-standing vacancies in rural po lice detachments in communities of less

than 5,000 people;

* allowing provincially funded regional RCMP units to reach their fully authorized staffing levels of 2,602 officers;

* hiring additional officers in specialized units, such as the major crimes section, the sexual exploitation of children unit, and the BC Highway Patrol. These units serve rural and urban communities throughout the province and can help alleviate some work of municipal police forces, freeing them up to focus on other crime; and

* creating a strong foundation to address anti-money-laundering recommendations from the Cullen Commission.

Staffing up these units will improve public safety by increasing the overall capacity of homicide and missing persons investiga tions where foul play is suspected, and deterring the causes of motor vehicle fa talities, such as speeding, distracted driving and impairment.

“This historic commitment to invest in core RCMP police funding is a massive under taking that took two years to achieve,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Sustained core fund ing will provide a strong foundation for po lice resources, enabling the police to focus on violent crimes and other pressing public safety issues, while also actioning the im plementation of the Safer Communities Ac tion Plan and other public safety initiatives.”

Since 2017, government has taken steps to prevent money laundering and organized crime that fuels the toxic drug crisis by pro viding resources to police, reversing cuts to sexual assault centres, increasing crime

prevention and victim support services funding, and making record investments in housing, mental health and poverty reduc tion.

Quick Facts:

* The Safer Communities Action Plan lays out concrete steps at the provincial level to make communities safer under two tracks: enforcement and intervention services.

* The plan improves co-ordination between law enforcement, community service orga nizations, justice system actors, health pro viders and people who are recovering from addiction and mental-health challenges in a collaborative, co-ordinated approach to ad dress the issues people are seeing in their communities.

* The Safer Communities Action Plan also includes:

– launching new repeat violent offender coordinated response teams, made up of po lice, dedicated prosecutors and probation officers;

– expanding mental-health crisis response teams into more communities, so police can focus on crime and people in crisis are met early by health-care workers and com munity members; and

– building public confidence in the prosecu tion system with new direction from the at torney general to prosecutors to implement a clear and understandable approach to bail for repeat violent offenders within the existing federal law.

Learn More: To read more about the Safer Communi ties Action Plan, visit: https://strongerbc.gov. bc.ca/safer-communities

EVENTS

South Asian Adults and Seniors Programs

* Yoga classes in person at Shanti Niketan Hall conducted by yoga instructor Ashwini Bansal on every Monday and every Thurs day from 10 to 11:15 a.m. on both days. Yoga expert Mahendra Kumar Juneja will also help participants. This is only for participants who have been double vac cinated for COVID-19. They should bring facemasks and a yoga mat and maintain social distancing. Pure vegetarian lunch is served in the dining hall of the Temple to all seniors every Thursday after the yoga class. Contact Sunil Narendra Dev Kaush

al, Acting Coordinator, at 778- 866-5139 / email sunil_kaushal11@yahoo.com for registration and further information.

* Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society of BC invites South Asian adults and senior members to play Bingo on the House on Sunday, Novem ber 27, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., at Shanti Nik etan Hall. Bring only two dollars for two games. Members will explain the game to you. Please use a facemask and maintain social distancing while seated for every one’s safety. Tea and light snacks will be served.

Police officers and alleged robbers exchange gunfire in Coquitlam

LATE Tuesday night, Coquitlam RCMP said in a press release that they were investigating a crime spree that started at a car dealership near Lougheed Highway and Dominion Avenue in Port Coquitlam.

Police responded to the area shortly after 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday for a report of a robbery involving firearms and four suspects. The suspects were observed stealing a vehicle from the dealership. The suspects fled in the stolen vehicle before there was an exchange of gunfire with responding officers. Neither the suspects or responding officers were shot. It is unknown at this time if the outstand-

ing suspects were injured.

The stolen vehicle crashed on Highway 1 near the King Edward overpass where the suspects fled on foot. One suspect was located on scene where he was arrested by responding officers.

Another suspect carjacked a nearby vehicle before fleeing to Surrey.

Police responded to a location in Surrey where the suspect was arrested.

Police are actively searching for two outstanding suspects.

Coquitlam RCMP Major Crimes Team has assumed conduct of the investigation. Victim Services has been engaged.

“We would like to thank our po-

licing partners in Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, Vancouver, Maple Ridge and the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team (ERT) for their assistance,” said Media Relations Officer Cpl Alexa Hodgins. “We appreciate and thank the public for their assistance in adhering to police directions. This was a very dynamic investigation with multiple crime scenes which required additional assistance from numerous jurisdictions.”

Anyone who witnessed this incident or may have video footage is asked to contact the Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550, and quote file number 2022-30931.

Surrey RCMP seek information following assault with firework

SURREY RCMP on Wednesday released a photo of a vehicle involved in shooting fireworks at pedestrians and requested anyone with information to contact police.

On Tuesday, November 22 at approximately 12:38 a.m., a youth attended the Surrey RCMP police detachment located at 10395 148 Street after being hit in the face by a firework a short distance away. The victim and a friend were on 148 Street near the intersection of 104 Ave-

nue and 148 Street when a small, white, 4-door hatchback (with a sunroof) drove slowly past them and an occupant of the vehicle fired a firework directly at the two pedestrians. The firework hit the victim’s forehead and he suffered minor injuries.

The investigation is in early stages and based on current information appears to be an isolated incident, police said.

Investigators have reviewed the traffic camera footage from the intersection and released a photo of the suspect vehicle.

There were two other vehicles in the area that may have witnessed this incident.

Police are asking for anyone in the area who witnessed the incident or has dash camera footage to contact police. The suspect vehicle was travelling south on 148 street at 12:34 a.m. when the firework was shot off and then the vehicle turned right (westbound) onto 104 Avenue.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.

Coquitlam RCMP return cash found at IKEA to owner

COQUITLAM RCMP announced on Tuesday that the money lost at IKEA located at 1000 Lougheed Highway in Coquitlam on September 11 has been returned to its rightful owner.

Police handed over the cash to Pantelis Sarris last week on Friday at the Coquitlam RCMP detachment.

In September, Sarris shared his Weekend Regret with a local radio station, Jack FM. Sarris stated that the bundle of cash fell out of his pocket while he was furniture shopping for his daughter at IKEA.

It was after the Coquitlam RCMP media re-

lease on November 14 that the connection was made between the Weekend Regret and Sarris.

“This is the outcome that we hoped for and are very pleased to see,” said Media Relations Officer Cpl. Alexa Hodgins. “It’s really nice to see how the community came together to reunite Pantelis with his lost cash. Without the genuine integrity of the finder turning the money over to the police, this ending would not be possible.”

If you or someone you know has lost or found property or had it stolen, contact your local police station to file a report.

Screengrab For a video of the shooting, visit our website voiceonline.com

The suspect vehicle.

Islamabad (IANS): Pakistan

President Arif Alvi on Thursday approved the summary sent by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the appointment of Lieutenant General Syed Asim Munir as the next Army Chief, and Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the new Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), ending days of speculations, local media reported.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee is an inter-services forum that works for coordination among the three armed forces. The CJCSC also serves as the principal military adviser to the prime minister and the National Command Authority.

The development came following the President's meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan at Zaman Park, Express Tribune reported.

Footage of the President's caravan arriving at Khan's Lahore

residence was shared on social media by the PTI amid claims that the two would discuss the party's plan of action ahead of the appointment for the Army's top seat.

According to Express News, President Alvi also held a meeting with legal experts at the presidency and signed the summary following the meeting with Khan.

Earlier in the day, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, taking to Twitter, had said that PM Shehbaz Sharif had sent the summary to the President.

"Using his constitutional powers, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has decided to appoint Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Lt Gen Syed Asim Munir as the Chief

of the Army Staff," she said.

As per the seniority list, Lt General Asim Munir, Lt General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Lt General Azhar Abbas, Lt General Numan Mahmud, and Lt General Faiz Hameed were in contention for the job of CJCSC and Army chief.

According to dawn.com, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, told the media in Islamabad that the advisory sent to President Alvi by the government has been approved. “The president has signed [the summary],” he said, calling it a “good omen”.

The defence minister said the process of the army chief’s appointment had “caused unrest” in the country but the matter was now “settled”. “I believe that all the people, especially politicians, should bring their behaviors under the ambit of the law and Constitution.”

Sharif said that his decision was made based on merit, according to a media report.

New Delhi (IANS): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Monday that it has arrested Kulwinderjit Singh alias Khanpuria, a most-wanted terrorist carrying a bounty of Rs 500,000, from the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here.

Khanpuria, who had links with terror outfits like Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF), was held on Friday after he arrived at Delhi from Bangkok. He had been absconding since 2019.

The arrested terrorist was allegedly involved in many terror cases, including conspiracy to carry out targeted killings in

Indian police claimed that Khanpuria was the chief conspirator for carrying out terrorist attacks by targeting establishments connected to Dera Sacha Sauda, as well as police and security establishments in Punjab.

Besides, he was also allegedly targeting senior officials of Bhakra Beas Management Board in Chandigarh, with an objective of creating terror in Punjab and other parts of the country. He had also carried out reconnaissance of some of the targets.

The case against Khanpuria was initially registered by the police in Amritsar in 2019, before it was reregistered by the NIA.

While he was abroad after fleeing from India, Khanpuria had allegedly first conspired with Harmeet alias 'PhD', and the with Pakistan-based ISYF chief Lakhbir Singh Rode to use his India-based terror associates for targeting identified individuals as well as establishments. Khanpuria was declared a proclaimed offender (PO) by a special NIA court in Punjab, following which a red corner notice was issued by the Interpol against him.

The NIA had also announced a cash reward of Rs 500,000 for information leading to his arrest.

He was chargesheeted as an absconder in November 2019.

Punjab. He was also involved in a bomb blast in Connaught Place and grenade attacks in other states in the nineties.

Kulwinderjit Singh

Punjab, Haryana hold potential for strengthening ties: South Korean envoy

Chandigarh (IANS): South Korean Ambassador to India Chang Jae-bok on Thursday said Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh hold enormous potential for strengthening the South Korea-India partnership.

Speaking at the South Korea-India Economic Cooperation Forum 2022 at the CII [Confederation of Indian Industry] Northern Region Headquarters here, he said: “I am happy to say that the year 2023 will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and India. This region has excellent human resources, capacity of scale and is at the centre of the future of the agriculture and manufacturing pool.

“With CII’s help and the amalgamation of innovation and technology along with topnotch human resources available in this region will create great synergy for the bilateral relationship between the two countries.”

Various recent government policies resulted in the liberalisation of several key sectors, paving the way for foreign counterparts to set up joint ventures with Indian parties. As a result, nearly 700 Korean companies have

Jae-bok

entered the Indian market and increased their investments, he said.

Sharing the details on the partnership between the two countries, Yonggi Kim, Secretary (Economic), Embassy of South Korea, said: “In the last 10 years, the trade volume between the two countries increased by 116 per cent. The upgrade in the countries’ bilat-

eral trade agreement -- the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) -- is the most desirable and efficient way to enhance trade relations between both countries. The goal is to reach $50 billion worth of bilateral trade by 2030.”

He said the sum total of South Korea’s foreign direct investment into India from April 2000 to March 2022 is valued at 5.28 billion dollars, making South Korea India’s 13th largest investor.

South Korea has already invested about $137 million for six months this year.

Hargunjit Kaur, Secretary (Industries), Chandigarh administration, in her address proposed to the Ambassador to partner on a twin city initiative wherein Chandigarh is actively looking for a sister/twin city in South Korea that has a similar size and topographical features which can allow the Administration to learn and collaborate through focused deliberations in trade, tourism, development, etc.

Talking about strengthening ties between Punjab and Korea, Dilip Kumar, Principal Secretary, Investment Promotion and Indus-

tries and Commerce, Punjab, said Punjab exported $71.45 million worth of goods to South Korea in FY 21-22 for yarn, fabric, bulk drugs, residue chemical and allied products, rubber products, hand tools, cutting tools, etc.

“A key take away from the Korean industry is that brands and universities work as partners for improved industry-academia linkages. If we bring this to Punjab, it will help us enhance trade and cooperation between Punjab and Korea. We would be happy to collaborate and set up more Korean manufacturers in the state to further the ties between our two nations.”

Rajiv Kaila, Chairman, CII Chandigarh, said: “With K-Pop and other Korean web content gaining popularity among the Indian youth, interest of Indian people in Korean culture and language is steadily growing. In milestone developments, Korean history was included in Indian school textbooks in 2018 and the Korean language was offered as a foreign language in Indian secondary schools in 2020.”

Supreme Court questions 24-hour procedure appointing Arun Goel as Election Commissioner

New Delhi: The Supreme Court, after inspecting official files on November 24, said the appointment of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner was done with “lightning speed”, the procedure taking less than 24 hours from start to finish on November 18.

A Constitution Bench led by Justice K.M. Joseph had asked Attorney General R. Venkataramani on November 23 to produce the files concerning Goel’s appointment after petitioners alleged that it was “hurriedly” done, in fact, the very next day after the court started examining the need to insulate the Election Commission of India (ECI) from political influence by setting up a “neutral and independent mechanism” for appointment of Election Commissioners.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, for the petitioner, said that Goel was a Secretary in the government on Friday. He took voluntary retire-

ment that day and was appointed as Election Commissioner on Saturday and took charge on Monday.

“It was done with such haste… with a tearing urgency… You did not require time to contemplate?”

Justice Joseph asked the government side.

Justice Ajay Rastogi, on the fivejudge Bench, said the Election

Commissioner’s post was vacant from May.

“The vacancy was there from May to November 18… Now, what prevailed on the government that everything needed to be done within the shortest possible time… This superfast mechanism… We know that where there is a will there’s a way, but here the notification was brought out on the same day, the application was given the same day, it was accepted the same day and the appointment was made the same day… The file has not travelled even 24 hours! Lightning speed… What kind of evaluation was there?” Justice Rastogi asked. Venkataramani said that he could show a whole number of appointments made after 2015 which had taken a maximum of two to three days. “Are we finding fault with quick appointments?” Venkataramani asked.

Justice Aniruddha Bose pointed

out that Goel had taken voluntary retirement and was appointed Election Commissioner the very next day. “Does it happen like that?” Justice Bose asked.

Venkataramani replied that it could have been a “coincidence”.

Justice Joseph said Goel’s records show an excellent academic record, but asked whether brilliance and competency was enough of a guard against docility.

The Attorney General said ‘docility’ was subjective and depended on the lens through which the court wanted to view a person.

“It is not that we find some docile person lurking there and decide to appoint him,” Venkataramani shot back.

Justice Joseph said Goel’s name was picked from a panel of four names prepared by the Law Minister. The court questioned the process by which the Law Minister had zeroed in on these four names

from the entire database of the Department of Personnel and Training.

The court pointed out that the law required both the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the two Election Commissioners (ECs) to have separate six-year tenures. The court said the government has reduced the scope of candidates to just bureaucrats and moreover ensured that neither the CEC nor the ECs serve their full term. The government said Election Commissioners were “elevated” as CECs.

“A CEC is a person to be appointed in his own right. You have made it into a promotion source. You are supposed to appoint a person directly as CEC. You have made ECs a feeder category. The Founding Fathers contemplated a CEC who will hold office for six years independently… not as a promotion,” Justice Joseph addressed the government.

South Korean Ambassador Chang

Arun Goel

Los Angeles (IANS): K-pop su perband BTS member Jungkook has set a new US record and swept iTunes charts with his World Cup song ‘Dreamers’. Being tapped to perform at the opening ceremony in Qatar, the ‘Euphoria’ singer debuted the fullEnglish song on Sunday, ahead of his live performance of the song. As soon as the song was released, it shot to the top of iTunes charts in numerous countries all over the world, reports aceshowbiz. com.

New Delhi (IANS): The National Investi gation Agency (NIA) on Thursday brought gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to Delhi from Punjab after getting his ten days custodial remand in connection with the gangsterterror nexus case.

Bishnoi was in a Punjab jail. Here, he will be grilled at the NIA’s headquarters.

“Investigations have revealed that Law rence along with his brothers Sachin and Anmol Bishnoi and associates including Goldy Brar, Kala Jathedi, Kala Rana, Bikram Brar and Sampat Nehra were also raising funds to carry out all such terror/criminal activities through smuggling of drugs and weapons and widespread extortion,” said an NIA official.

The investigations have revealed that a ter rorist, gangster and drug smugglers’ syndi cate led by Bishnoi was involved in many targeted killings and extortion from busi nessmen and professionals including doc tors and this had created terror among the public at large.

Such criminal acts were not isolated local incidents but part of a deep-rooted con spiracy amongst terrorists, gangsters, drug smuggling cartels and networks, operating from both within and outside the country.

It was found that most of the conspiracies were hatched from inside the jail by Law rence Bishnoi and were executed by an organized network of operatives based in India and abroad.

“The arrested gangster is involved and

Just 13 hours after it first dropped, the single had already reached No. 1 on iTunes Top Songs charts in at least 102 different regions, including the world’s eight big gest music markets, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ja pan, France, Canada, Australia, Germany and Italy.

Additionally, ‘Dreamers’ set the new record for the fastest official FIFA World Cup song to hit No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in the United States.

The song took only 2 hours and 11

minutes to top the chart, accord ing to South Korea’s News Herald.

Jungkook later performed ‘Dreamers’ at Albaite Stadium in Alcor, Qatar. Kicking off the per formance solo, he was joined onstage Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi halfway through the song. Clad in a sparkly black jacket, he showed off his energetic danc ing moves along with a bunch of backup dancers.

“Look who we are, we are the dreamers. We make it happen, ‘cause we believe it,” he sings in

the motivational single.

“Look who we are, we are the dreamers. We make it happen ‘cause we can see it.”

Besides Jungkook, who was billed as the main act, and Fa had Al Kubaisi, the World Cup opening ceremony featured Hol lywood actor Morgan Freeman, who delivered a speech about the “emotions that connect us all now.”

He added: “We gather here as one big tribe and Earth is the tent we all live in.”

Both the singers were interrogated about the Bambiha Gang and Lawrence Bishnoi. They were also asked about a few of their projects.

In October, the NIA grilled Punjabi pop sing er Afsana Khan, an associate of late Moose wala.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang allegedly killed Moosewala to avenge the death of Vicky Middukhera. But before killing Moosewala, a number of persons from the Punjabi pop industry were threatened, while a few were also attacked.

Sources said they were also trying to probe

the links between the gangsters and the Punjabi pop industry.

The Delhi Police Special Cell and the Punjab Police have arrested over a dozen gangsters in connection with the murder of Moosewa la. During the probe the agencies came to know about the gangsters-terrorists nexus.

The Ministry of Home Affairs took the mat ter seriously and asked the NIA to investi gate it thoroughly.

The sources have claimed that in the com ing days a few more members of the Punja bi pop industry could be summoned to join the investigation by the NIA.

wanted in many cases, including the con spiracy to carry out targeted and sensation al killings in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi since more than a decade,” the NIA said.

The NIA has learnt that a number of Punjabi pop singers were on the radar of gangsters who wanted to carry out killings like that of Siddhu Moosewala.

The NIA has also claimed that the gangsters were getting arms and ammunition from Pakistan.

In the first week of November, the NIA had questioned two Punjabi singers Dalpreet Dhillo and Mankirat Aulak for hours at its Delhi headquarters.

Approximately one-third of homicide victims in 2021 were racialized people

IN 2021, 247 homicide victims were identi fied by the police as being racialized per sons, according to Statistics Canada’s report “Homicide trends in Canada, 2021” released on Monday.

This represented 32% of the 762 victims for whom information about racialized groups was available. These numbers resulted in a homicide rate of 2.51 per 100,000 racialized people, 38% higher than the rate for the rest of the population (1.81).

Among racialized homicide victims, approx imately half (49%) were Black, and nearly one in five (19%) were South Asian.

In 2021, police services reported 788 homi cides in Canada. This represented 29 addi tional homicides compared with the previ ous year and a third consecutive increase since 2019. Consequently, the national ho micide rate rose by 3% to 2.06 homicides per 100,000 population, compared with 2020. Despite these recent increases, homicides remained relatively rare events, as reported

historically. They accounted for less than 0.2% of all police-reported violent crimes in 2021.

National increase largely the result of growth in Ontario, B.C.

Increases in homicides in Ontario (+37; 277 homicides) and British Columbia (+25; 125 homicides) from 2020 contributed the most to the overall rise in 2021.

However, these increases were partially off set by sizable decreases in Alberta (-23; 118 homicides) and Nova Scotia (-14; 23 homi cides). It should be noted that the observed decline in Nova Scotia follows an unusually high homicide count in 2020 because of a mass shooting in the province.

Among the provinces, Saskatchewan had the highest homicide rate (5.93 per 100,000 population) in 2021, up 9% from 2020 and a third consecutive yearly increase.

In 2021, there were 117 homicides in To ronto, the highest homicide count among

census metropolitan areas (CMAs). How ever, as Toronto is the most populous CMA in the country, it ranked 17th in terms of the homicide rate (1.81 homicides per 100,000 population).

The highest homicide rates were recorded in the Regina (5.67), Thunder Bay (5.63), and Winnipeg (5.39) CMAs. Trois-Rivières and Guelph were the only CMAs with no ho micides reported by police in 2021.

Highest gang-related homicide rate since 2005

Police reported 184 gang-related homicides in 2021, accounting for nearly one-quarter (23%) of all homicides.

In 2021, there were 33 additional gang-relat ed homicides compared with 2020, resulting in the highest rate (0.48 per 100,000 popula tion) recorded in Canada since comparable data were first collected in 2005. This change was attributable to increases in several provinces, including Ontario (+13;

65 gang-related homicides), British Colum bia (+13; 39 gang-related homicides), and Quebec (+6; 21 gang-related homicides).

Gang-related homicides tend to be concen trated in urban areas; as a result, increases at the provincial level largely reflect rises in CMAs.

In 2021, Vancouver (+13) and Montréal (+11) had the largest increases among CMAs in the number of homicides involving gangs compared with the previous year.

However, when the size of the population was accounted for, the highest gang-related homicide rate among the provinces was ob served in Saskatchewan, at 2.12 per 100,000 population, a 9% increase from the previous year.

Likewise, Regina had the highest gangrelated homicide rate among the CMAs, at 3.03 per 100,000 population. This rate was nearly three times higher than in 2020 (1.14) and well above its previous 10-year average (1.10).

Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market sees record numbers

THE City of Surrey hosted over 18,000 attendees at the 12th an nual Surrey Tree Lighting Festival at Surrey Civic Plaza this past Sat urday. Attendees watched Mayor and Council flip the switch to light Surrey’s 60-foot Christmas tree, which will illuminate Surrey Civic Plaza until January 2.

“The Surrey Tree Lighting Fes tival has become a wonderful, free holiday tradition for resi dents and visitors,” says Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke. “We are proud to have record attendance this past weekend for this everpopular and ever-growing event. I would like to thank staff, artists, vendors and sponsors for mak ing this year’s event such a col lective success.”

Presented by Concord Pacific, the annual event featured live performances by many Surrey artists including the Pat Chessell and Friends Celtic Christmas, Kwantlen Park Glee Club, West

There were free photos with Santa, a letter writing station, and various family activities in side Surrey City Hall. Enchanted Boulevard on University Drive was lined with food trucks, free rides, and hosted dance battles

in the Candy Cane Dance Tent. Attendees shopped the expand ed Holiday Market that show cased local vendors and small businesses from Surrey. New to the event this year were the Concord Pacific ‘Giving Trees’, where every pledge from at tendees was matched with a $1 donation to the Surrey Food

Bank. Over $1,000 was donated to those in need.

“Thank you to everyone who vis ited the Concord Pacific booth at the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival to make a holiday pledge. On behalf of our Surrey communi ty, we are pleased to donate to the Surrey Food Bank and help make a difference for those in

need during the holiday season,” says Peter Webb, Senior Vice President of Concord Pacific De velopment.

Attendees can take a survey to provide feedback on the festival for a chance to win a $300 gift card to Guildford Town Centre. For more information visit sur reytreelighting.ca.

Coast Harmony Chorus, North Surrey Breakers, and Salish Sec ondary Dance.

Photo: City of Surrey

Photo: Surrey Police Service

AG’s report highlights government’s inaccurate financial reporting, rising disaster costs, COVID-19 benefit recoveries

A new report to the legislature from Auditor General Michael Pickup flags key areas of interest and concerns after his office’s audit of the Province’s financial statements for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

The Summary Financial Statements consoli dating the financial results of over 160 public entities (government ministries, Crown orga nizations, health authorities, universities, col leges, and school districts) were released by the finance minister in August.

It included a qualified independent auditor’s report based on three material misstatements that fall outside of public sector accounting standards. Except for these misstatements, the summary financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects. The audit found misleading errors or omissions, includ

ing:

* The Province’s accounting of funds from other governments, and for externally re stricted funds received from non-government sources.

* Incomplete disclosures of future contrac tual obligations.

* Its accounting of a revenue-sharing agree ment between the BC Lotteries Corporation and B.C. First Nations.

“As an independent officer of the legislature, it’s my role to provide accurate, objective information, and independent assurance to assist the legislative assembly in holding government accountable,” Pickup said on Tuesday. “I’m the fourth successive auditor general to issue a qualified opinion on B.C.’s financial statements based on how the prov

ince reports revenue received from other gov ernments.

“Public sector accounting standards are de signed to enable the government to faithfully report their finances, including any volatility that occurs. The B.C. government is obscur ing its financial position by applying an ac counting policy designed to smooth earnings out over long periods of time,” Pickup said.

“Our concern is that this opens government accounting up to possible future financial statement manipulation. It also hinders fi nancial statement users, such as MLAs, from engaging in healthy, informed debate about government’s finances.”

Tuesday’s report provides additional informa tion on financial matters of interest, including: * Rising wildfire, flood and landslide costs of

$5 billion in 2021 – more than the previous 19 years combined.

* Government’s ongoing review of payments made under the COVID-19 benefits programs had, as of June 30, identified over $10 million in overpayments that are now out for recov ery from ineligible recipients.

* Significant control weaknesses and risks (“management letter points”) were identified for government entities to improve financial policies and processes.

After reading the report, MLAs and the public may wish to ask how the government plans to resolve material misstatements, address management letter items, and if it has finan cial processes and resources to effectively manage future weather-related disasters, said Pickup.

Fraser Health reminds people that smoking toxic substances is as risky as injecting them

AS the overdose public health emergency continues to claim lives throughout Brit ish Columbia, Fraser Health is reminding people who use substances that smoking toxic substances carries the same risk of overdose as injecting them. The unpredict able nature of the highly toxic drug supply means all forms of ingesting substances come with a heightened risk of overdose. To further spread this important message among people who use substances, Fra ser Health has launched a new advertising campaign on social media and in transit locations throughout the region to raise awareness and point people to supportive resources, such as prevention, recognizing, and responding to an overdose, as well as how to access drug checking services.

“Our government continues to confront this emergency from every angle, making the large, systemic changes necessary to turn the tide on this crisis,” said Sheila Mal colmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, on Friday. “We have rapidly scaled up the number of overdose pre vention services from one site to 42, in cluding 13 sites offering inhalation servic es. Fraser Health’s information campaign is a critical part of our work to ensure

people are aware of the risks associated with substance use, and the measures they can take to protect themselves and others.”

Fraser Health data shows smoking was the mode of consumption for 50 per cent of the 45,968 visits to overdose prevention and consumption sites between January and September 2022 – up from 35 per cent for the same period in 2021.

“We know there is a perception that smoking may be less risky than injecting substances –primarily opioids – but that is not the case,” says Dr. Maulik Baxi, Medi cal Health Officer, Fraser Health. “We’re seeing a trend toward more people smok ing rather than injecting substances as the number of overdose deaths tragically continues to rise.”

The trend towards smoking rather than injecting substances is reflected in the BC Coroners Service Death Review Panel re port, which shows that 44 percent of peo ple who died of a toxic drug poisoning in B.C. in 2021 had smoked substances, compared with 36 per cent in 2017.

To support people in making informed decisions about their substance use, Fra ser Health is encouraging people who use

substances to get their drugs checked and not use alone. Naloxone continues to be an effective medication for reversing overdose, regardless of whether some one has used substances via inhalation/ smoking, or injection route.

Three portable Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) machines are in use at supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites in the region. FTIR testing

can detect the chemical makeup of many substances, including opioids, stimulants and other psychoactive drugs.

Between April and June 2022, 94 per cent of opioid samples checked in the Fraser Health region tested positive for fentanyl and 48 per cent contained benzodiazepines as well.

For more information, visit fraserhealth.ca/ overdose.

With a striking debut, Toyota is re imagining the full-size sedan with the all-new 2023 Toyota Crown.

Built to deliver an intuitive driving experience, this new premium se dan brings powerful acceleration and confident handling, along with supreme comfort for a sophisticat ed ride, all wrapped in a bold new design. The Crown first debuted in 1955 as the “Toyopet Crown”, Toy ota’s first mass produced passen ger vehicle. It was also one of the first Japanese cars to hit Canadian shores back in 1965, last being sold in North America in 1972.

Toyota’s Crown has a raised over all height that’s nearly four inches higher than Camry. Altogether, the Crown package is a combination of innovative style, performance, and

function.

Available in three grades: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, Toyota Crown will offer a choice of two different hybrid powertrains: HY BRID MAX or the fourth generation

toronto, on: Kia Canada announces full specification for the brand’s fourth vehicle to be launched under its Plan S strategy, the allnew 2023 Niro. The next-generation Niro has been designed from the ground up to meet and exceed the expectations of eco-minded consumers. With striking styling cues and a commitment to sustainability and connec tivity throughout, the 2023 Niro will launch in Canada in Spring 2023 with three highly efficient, electrified powertrains: all electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid elec tric (HEV).

Inside and out, the 2023 Niro features bold design inspired by the “Opposites United” philosophy ‘Joy for Reason.’ The choice of colors, materials and finishes aim to strike the perfect balance between an environmen tally responsible approach to mobility and a future-oriented passenger car vision. The internal environment of the all-new Niro is modernized with a minimalist and slim de sign but in contrast, is high-tech and intuitive, with user-friendly control configurations. The vehicle comes standard with a 4.2-inch Super Vision Cluster paired with an 8-inch LCD au dio display, or an available 10.25-inch MultiMedia Display with an easy-to-use graphic

Toyota Hybrid System (THS). The HYBRID MAX powertrain, exclusive to the Platinum grade, is Toyota’s all-new performance hybrid that puts out a manufacturer estimated 340 net horsepower. Paired with a

interface, that comes with split screen ca pability for multi-tasking of entertainment, navigation and personalized settings. An impressive 10.25-inch Supervision cluster is also available (on HEV/standard on EV), and when paired with the 10.25” Multi-Media Dis play provides customers nearly 21” of display screen.

The second-generation Niro completely rede signed, available in all electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid (HEV) further ad vancing Kia’s Plan S electrification initiative

The all-new Niro EV has a a 64.8 kWh bat tery and 150 kW motor with DC fast-charging capability and up to to 407 kilometers of range (increase of 22 kilometers over outgoing model)

The Niro HEV – arrives with a 1.6L hybrid en gine with 32kW high-efficiency electric mo tor and 1.32kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. 6-speed DCT transmission.

Niro PHEV – has a 1.6L hybrid engine 180hp with 62kW high-efficiency electric motor and 11.1kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, 6-speed DCT. Using a level 2 charger, the battery can be charged in under 3 hours and there is up to 55 kms of all electric range (increase of 13 kilometers over outgoing model)

2.4-litre turbocharged engine and a direct shift 6-speed automatic transmission or an electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) on XLE and Limited grades., HYBRID MAX produces powerful torque at low RPM for sporty, exhilarating driving and has a manufacturer-estimated combined city/highway fuel con sumption of 8.4 L/100 km. XLE and Limited grades are equipped with THS, a highly efficient hybrid sys tem with a newly developed, highoutput bipolar nickel-metal hydride battery that can achieve a manufacturer-estimated combined city/ highway rating of 6.2 L/100 km.

The 2023 Toyota Crown comes standard with Toyota’s Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive.

All Toyota Crown models feature Toyota’s all-new, North Ameri can developed Toyota Multime

dia system. Featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen, the system offers an improved user experience and a wide range of enhanced connec tivity and convenience features, including being Over-the-Air (OTA) updatable. Users can interact with the new system’s design through touch and voice activation.

The cloud-based native naviga tion system also offered through Drive Connect allows for real-time Over-the-Air updates for mapping and Points of Interest (POI), and Google POI data is integrated to ensure up-to-date search capabil ity. All Toyota Crown grades come standard with the fully compre hensive Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0),

Pricing for the 2023 Crown will be announced later, and it is expected to arrive in Toyota dealerships later this year.

Kia Canada introduces secondgeneration 2023 Niro

A limited number of Niro EVs will be available for pre-sale on October 11th, with a $1000 de posit to secure the first of this all-new model arriving in Spring 2023.

Complete pricing of all powertrains will be

announced closer to the on-sale date, howev er pricing for the all-new Niro EV is expected to start in the mid $40,000s.Full specification is now available at Kia Canada EV certified dealers.

IRVINe, CalIf.: Rivian has started delivering R1 vehicles in British Columbia, the first out side the United States and the beginning of the company’s international market expansion.

Certified by Transport Canada for sale, deliver ies of both the all-electric R1T pickup and R1S SUV will take place through the end of 2022 and ramp further in 2023.

Rivian celebrated this milestone with an Open House event in Vancouver on Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20—welcoming more than 1,500 local customers and their fam ilies for a first look at the company’s flagship vehicles and the chance to interact with team members who work and live in the region.

During the two-day event at Vancouver’s Rocky Mountaineer Station, visitors learned about the features and capabilities of Rivian’s elec tric adventure vehicles, from the Gear Tunnel to Camp Mode, with expert guidance from the company’s service and delivery teams. Down load images from the event here.

“We’re thrilled to begin deliveries in British Columbia, not just because it’s a great place

The all-new 2023 Honda Accord will reenergize the midsize sedan segment with an elegant and sophisticated design, and an advanced hybrid-electric system that’s more powerful for a fuel-efficient, sporty, and ex hilarating driving experience. Accord hybrid models are positioned at the top of the 11th generation Accord line-up and will eventually represent about 50 percent of sales.

Accord will be available in three trim levels, starting with the turbocharged EX and topped by the hybrid-powered Sport and Touring. With 247 lb.-ft of torque from Honda’s new 4th-generation two-motor hybrid system, they’re the most powerful Accord hybrid models ever.

Under the hood of the EX, Accord’s 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with VTEC® variable valve lift technology has been updat ed with additional refinement and improved emissions performance. Enhancements in clude an upgraded direct-injection system and new cold-active catalyst, plus a high-ri gidity crankshaft and oil pan to reduce engine noise.

to use our products, but because many of our Canada-based employees working in software and customer engagement call Vancouver home,” said Tony Caravano, Rivian’s Senior Di rector of Customer Engagement. “We’re look ing forward to forming new relationships and

celebrating as our customers in B.C. embark on their own R1 adventures.”

Starting in British Columbia and expanding to other provinces over time, Rivian is dedicated to providing a comprehensive ownership ex perience for Canadian customers as it builds

out its network of service centers in the coun try.

With over 150 employees in the Vancouver area, Rivian has established a strong and growing foothold in the region with a focus on building the software that powers the owner ship experience from mobile app to in-vehicle systems. The company has engaged with local universities and educational institutions to cre ate a robust co-op program, leaning on the re gion’s status as a tech hub to shape the future of vehicle ownership.

About Rivian: Rivian exists to create products and services that help our planet transition to carbon neutral energy and transportation. Rivian designs, develops, and manufactures category-defining electric vehicles and acces sories and sells them directly to customers in the consumer and commercial markets. Rivi an complements its vehicles with a full suite of proprietary, value-added services that address the entire lifecycle of the vehicle and deepen its customer relationships. Learn more at www.rivian.com.

The continuously variable automatic trans mission (CVT) for the 1.5-litre turbo has been updated to reduce noise. Significant drivabil ity and performance improvements were also made and include Step-Shift programming that simulates gear changes at full throttle.

Drivers can seamlessly switch between four selectable drive modes to optimize the Ac cord’s driving experience for various condi tions. Econ, Normal, and Sport (hybrid only) modes feature pre-set performance settings for powertrain response, steering assist level, gauge cluster layout and adaptive cruise-con trol settings. Hybrid models (Sport, and Tour ing) also feature a new Individual mode that enables customization of the driving experi ence.

Inside, a new sporty and modern interior of fers fine craftsmanship, high-quality materials and must-have tech features including Hon da’s largest touchscreen ever and Honda’s first integration of Google built-in for seamless on-the-go connectivity. Accord is also more comfortable, with new front Body Stabilizing Seats that reduce fatigue on long drives.

Standard class-leading safety features include a new Honda Sensing® safety and driver-as sistive technology, next-gen front airbags, as well as new front knee airbags and rear sideimpact airbags.

Accord hybrid models (Sport and Touring) feature an all-new, more powerful 4th-gener ation two-motor hybrid-electric system with a pair of electric motors that are now mounted side-by-side and an all-new 2.0-litre Atkin

son cycle 4-cylinder engine that adds direct fuel injection. This new configuration allows for the use of a larger propulsion motor with increased torque output. Combined system output is 204 hp1, while traction-motor peak torque is 247 lb.-ft. of torque (up 15 lb.-ft.).

Changes to the hybrid control system also im prove the management of engine and electric power in different conditions for a better driv ing experience.

Run Time: 124 minutes

Ready for a creative thriller that’s original? Now that may be an oxymoron if there ever was one. Just relax and power up with the devilishly delicious Missing. Made In Japanese with English subtitles this rather “eventful “ movie from Dark Star Pictures and EG PR may well foster up some sleepless nights at certain Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres around B.C. as well as out on all major VOD platforms come Nov 18 before being available on Blu-ray after Dec 6

Modern Japan is the setting for mayhem - and murder. Citizens are scared silly as a mysterious serial killer may be on the loose. To trap the fiend the police are going all out with the inevitable monetary reward used as one of many incentives for help. So a struggling father way down on his luck de

cides to go after the elusive killer. Much to everyone’s surprise the man goes missing - sending his young school age daughter in a tizzy. Ah, but this is just the start of a bizarre chase story with the hunt for a predator on everyone’s mind. Nothing is as it appears and everyone is

on edge in this superbly act ed dark tinged thriller from director Shinzo Katayama that’s grimy, moody, sophisti cated and more than unpre dictable.

For more reviews please visit my website moviereviewssite.com.

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Housing prices remain soft, sales flat, throughout the Fraser Valley

SURREY, BC: Fraser Valley housing market sales for October remained relatively unchanged from last month as prices dipped slightly across all categories.

In October, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed 901 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), an increase of 0.4 per cent compared to last month and a 53.5 per cent decrease compared to this time last year.

The Board received 2,186 new listings in October, a decrease of 3.8 per cent compared to September, and on par with October 2021. The month ended with a total active inventory of 5,642, a decrease of 2.8 per cent from last month but up 63.7 per cent compared to October 2021.

With a sales-to-active listings ratio of 16 per cent, the overall market was again balanced for the fifth straight month after a prolonged sellers’ market earlier in the year. (The market is considered balanced when the sales-to-active listings ratio is between 12 per cent and 20 per cent.)

“These trends suggest that the market is looking to re-establish equilibrium in the wake of last year’s intense activity and in the face of continued interest rate pressures,” said Sandra Benz, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “With sales continuing to lag and new inventory slow to come onstream, we’re seeing a holding pattern regarding whether to buy or list a property and expect this to continue through to yearend.”

Prices continued to soften, with month-overmonth Benchmark prices down slightly across all property categories. For detached homes,

prices are on par with October 2021 levels, while townhomes and apartments are up 7.7 per cent and 11.5 per cent, respectively, over 2021.

“With interest rates at their highest levels since 2006, it’s understandable that buyers and sellers are hesitant,” said Board CEO Baldev Gill. “Accordingly, they look to Fraser Valley REALTORS® for area knowledge and market expertise and analysis before making such a significant investment decision.”

The average number of days spent on the market before selling was relatively unchanged for detached homes and apartments compared to last month (34 days and 31 days, respectively).

Townhomes moved more quickly at 27 days (compared to 32 days in September).

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $1,436,400, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home decreased 1.8 per cent compared to September 2022 and decreased 0.8 per cent compared to October 2021.

Townhomes: At $809,800, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome decreased 1.5 per cent compared to September 2022 and increased 7.7 per cent compared to October 2021.

Apartments: At $527,900 the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/ condo decreased 0.5 per cent compared to September 2022 and increased 11.5 per cent compared to October 2021.

THIS week entails a visit to the Gifford-Jones archives. What follows is an excerpt from a column on diabetes published thirty years ago. What has changed in society? You be the judge.

November 1992:

Diabetes results from an abnormal handling of food by the body. Normally some food is converted into a sugar called glucose. This stimulates the secretion of the hormone, in sulin, which acts as a “key” to allow glucose to enter the cells. Glucose is then used as “fuel” to provide energy.

There are two types of diabetes. Type I is in herited. It usually occurs before 30 years of age. In these cases, the pancreas produces little or no insulin. It’s believed that the im mune system in some people gradually de stroys the pancreatic cells which produce insulin.

Type II normally strikes after age 40 and these patients are often grossly overweight. The pancreas still produces some insulin, but it’s like a tired, overworked horse that’s been badly treated for many years. The little insulin produced is also less able to pen etrate the cells, a condition called “insulin resistance”.

Too many people have been misled by Sir Frederick Banting’s discovery of insulin in 1921. This hormone, like a blanket that puts out a fire, prevents diabetic coma and even tual death. But insulin cannot extinguish the smouldering diabetic ashes which may cause a variety of catastrophic complica tions later in life.

This smouldering condition affects the large and small arteries of the body. Like plumb ing coated with rust, the arteries become narrowed. This is known as atherosclerosis. Prime targets are the coronary arteries re sulting in premature heart attack.

Diabetics also suffer more often from dia betic retinopathy. The arteries at the back of the eye become more numerous, weak ened, and often rupture releasing blood into the vitreous chamber of the eye. This causes adhesions which tug on the retina and may cause detachment of the lining which sends images to the brain.

About 30 per cent of Type I diabetics and 5 to 10 per cent of Type II diabetics develop chronic renal disease. High blood sugars cause degenerative changes in the nerves triggering numbness and pain in the feet. Damage to blood vessels and nerves also causes impotence in males.

Families must ask themselves a paramount question. Is self-indulgence worth this ter rible price? If the answer is “no”, the next point is equally vital. Weight loss under normal conditions is not easy. But when diabetes strikes, losing pounds becomes a delicate balancing act. Blood sugar must be controlled while at the same time shedding pounds.

Prevention of Type II diabetes by controlling weight gain is the only sensible route. A first step to avoid obesity is to buy a scale. The next is to step on it every day.

Avoid sugar like the plague. The problem is that hidden sugar wears a coat of many co lours. It’s disguised in packaged foods, ce reals, and soft drinks. Indirectly it’s a major source of obesity and Type II diabetes. Don’t compound the problem by adding more sug ar to your food and beverages.

Eat whole grain foods such as pasta along with fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods slowly release sugar into the blood following

What have we learned in 30 years?

a meal and place less stress on the pancreas. Exercise, exercise, exercise.

Don’t expect help from the government or public health associations. They’ll protect you from dirty restaurants, but not from Type II diabetes. Their failure to take an aggressive stand on this matter is the most flagrant lapse of responsibility in the history of medicine.

Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, con tact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us on Insta gram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones

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

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

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

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