Indo-Canadian Voice Main - Oct 22 2022

Locke faces serious challenges in reversing police transition even as Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum refuses to concede election

BRENDA Locke, who won Saturday’s mayoral election in Surrey by only 973 votes, has come under massive pressure for misleading voters that reversing the police transition was a piece of cake and that all that had to be done was to merely transfer the Surrey Police Service officers to the RCMP or back to their former police forces.

(Meanwhile, the Safe Surrey Coalition announced on Monday that with less than a 1,000-vote difference in Saturday’s count in the municipal election, Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum “is not conceding at this point in time.” It added: “Our legal advisors are currently reviewing The Local Elections Act section 148 for a judicial recount. The Act outlines rules for requesting a judicial recount through the B.C. Supreme Court.”)

Solicitor General Mike Farnworth wants to see a clear plan from Locke as to how she intends to go about that. He made it clear that the plan would have to be made public because people want to know how it would be carried out.

Others have pointed to the huge cost of compensating

SPS officers if the transition is reversed – and now we are learning that tax payers will have to pay more than $66 million.

Government sources told The VOICE this week that the Province has no appetite for reversing the police transitioning process at this stage.

It is also important to note that Locke will be completely under the RCMP’s control as she won with their support and that of their union and the Keep the RCMP in Surrey group.

Surrey-ites are also pointing out that McCallum won the election in 2018 with 45,564 votes — 41.08% of the total votes — when he started the

policing transition from the RCMP to Surrey Police Service.

So, they want to know how Brenda Locke with just 28.14% of the total votes and merely 33,311 votes (just 973 votes more than what McCallum bagged) can be taken seriously by the Province when she wants to reverse the ongoing policing transition.

And four years from now, will another mayor once again demand a municipal police force if the RCMP remain in Surrey?

Doing away with the Surrey Police Service is bound to anger the vast majority of South Asians and any government that agrees to reverse the ongoing police transition will have to face the voters’ wrath. Remember, the BC Liberals actually lost a seat in Surrey in the last provincial election on this issue. They only won in Surrey-White Rock and Surrey South ridings.

As The VOICE reported earlier, the Province has no intention to reverse the course as the Surrey Police Service now has 352 employees with

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

David Eby, who was officially declared the Leader of the BC NDP on Friday after Anjali Appadurai was disqualified on Wednesday as a party leadership candidate for violating the rules, will be the next Premier of British Columbia. Photo: davideby.ca

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participated in some arts and crafts in preparation for Diwali at Cedar Hills Elementary School in Surrey on Thursday.

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

STORY INSIDE

STORY IN DIWALI SECTION

Jinny Sims won merely 14,895 votes (12.58%), Dhaliwal got only 9,629 votes (8.13%)

CONTINUED

298 sworn police officers and 54 ci vilians and already they constitute 20 per cent of the functional police force in the City of Surrey, as the Solicitor General’s ministry pointed out to the Vancouver Sun last week.

LOCKE (Surrey Connect) defeated McCallum (Safe Surrey Coalition) by only 973 votes. With all polls report ing, Locke bagged 33,111 (28.14%) of the votes as compared to McCal lum’s 32,338 votes (27.31%).

McCallum won such a large num ber of votes in spite of the massive prejudice and slanted reporting against him by the mainstream me dia.

Interestingly, after Locke had de livered her victory speech and

gone home and McCallum had conceded defeat, the difference in votes narrowed to only around 500 as the results of the last two polls were being counted. That caused some dread in Locke’s camp. But then Locke’s lead started increas ing again and she won by 973 votes.

Gordie Hogg (Surrey First) came third with 24,916 votes (21.05%).

A total of 118,908 votes were cast –a turnout of only 34.54 %.

Meanwhile, both NDP MLA Jinny Sims and Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal — who in spite of having been ad vised by many well-meaning South Asians not to run as mayoral candi dates — were badly humiliated as, Sims (Surrey Forward) garnered only 14,895 votes (12.58%) and Dhaliwal (United Surrey) bagged just 9,629 votes (8.13%).

SURREY Connect won four seats on Council, while Surrey First and Safe Surrey Coalition bagged two each:

Linda Annis (Surrey First) — 35,222

Harry Bains (Surrey Connect) — 33,708

Mike Bose (Surrey First) — 30,763

Gordon Hepner (Surrey Connect) — 27,586

Rob Stutt (Surrey Connect) — 25,699

Pardeep Kooner (Surrey Connect) — 25,118

Doug Elford (Safe Surrey Coalition) — 24,658

Mandeep Nagra (Safe Surrey Coalition) — 24,406

Safe Surrey Coalition incumbents Allison Patton and Laurie Guerra lost, as did incumbent Steven Pet tigrew who had deserted the SSC.

The three South Asians on Council:

* Harry Bains (Surrey Connect) is a corporate and real estate lawyer. He earned a business degree at BCIT and a law degree at UBC.

* Pardeep Kooner (Surrey Con nect) has over 20 years in account ing. A Trinity Western University alumnus, she owns her own audit and tax services firm.

* Mandeep Nagra (Safe Surrey Co alition), who won a second term, is a well-known businessman.

MEANWHILE, Surrey First Educa tion bagged all six School Trustee posts once again with incumbents Terry Allen, Laurie Larsen, Garry Thind, Shawn Wilson, Bob Holmes and Gary Tymoschuk.

Ontario’s Peel Regional Police Constable Sukhdev Sangha charged with robbery and suspended

AFTER an extensive investigation, members of Ontario’s Peel Regional Police Professional Standards Bureau have charged Constable Sukhdev Sangha with robbery stemming from an off-duty incident that occurred on

January 29 within the area of Queen Mary Drive and Sandalwood Parkway, in Brampton.

Sangha, a two-year employee, has been charged with one count of rob bery and was suspended with pay, as

per the Ontario Police Services Act provisions.

Sangha is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice Brampton on December 12.

Additionally, Karanveer Sangha of

Brampton, Sukhdeep Kandola of Brampton and Ms. Jasmeen Bassi of Markham were all previously charged with one count of robbery each, stem ming from the same incident. Those charges are currently before the court.

Harry Bains

Pardeep Kooner

Mandeep Nagra

Garry Thind

Photos: Surrey Connect / Safe Surrey Coalition / submitted

Kash Heed wins council seat in Richmond

THE Achieving for Delta team made history this election as Jennifer Johal and Jessie Dosanjh became the first people of colour ever elected to Delta Council in the City’s 143-year history.

“It is vital that Delta’s elected officials represent the diversity of our community,” said Delta Mayor George Harvie on Monday. “When different perspectives are represented at the council table, we are able to make better decisions.”

“For too long Delta Council has not been representative of the community it serves,” said newly elected Councillor Johal. “I am honoured to be a part of this historic victory for the Achieving for Delta team and all Delta residents.”

KASH Heed, former solicitor general, was elected as a Councillor in the City of Richmond on Saturday.

The other seven candidates who got elected to Council were Chak Au, Carol Day, Bill McNulty, Alexa Loo, Michael Wolfe, Andy Hobbs and Laura Gillanders.

Meanwhile, incumbent mayor Malcolm Brodie easily won reelection.

Ken Hamaguchi, Donna Sargent, Alice Wong, Heather Larson, Debbie Tablotney, David Yang and Rod Belleza were elected school trustees.

In August, Heed and former Richmond councillor Derek Dang formed Richmond Rise to run for City Council. Dang, however, did not win a seat.

“Mayor George Harvie has assembled the most diverse and qualified council team in Delta’s history,” said new Councillor Dosanjh. “I am honoured that the people of Delta have delivered us a strong mandate to move forward with our team’s vision for the future.”

DELTA Mayor George V. Harvie won a resounding victory on Saturday as

he was re-elected with 77 per cent of the total vote.

Harvie bagged 17,050 votes, while his nearest rival, Peter Van Der Velden got merely 3,751 votes (16.94%).

Harvie’s Achieving for Delta slate won all six seats on Council: Alicia Guichon: 16,533 Dylan Kruger: 14,242 Daniel Boisvert: 14,130 Jennifer Johal: 12,788 Rod Binder: 12,626 Jessie Dosanjh: 12,582

Alicia Guichon and Dylan Kruger are incumbent councillors, Daniel Boisvert and Jessie Dosanjh are incumbent School Board Trustees, Rod Binder is the Parks and Recreation Commissioner, and Jennifer Johal is a business leader.

Achieving for Delta’s Erica Beard, Val Windsor, Ammen Dhillon, Masako Gooch, Nimmi Daula and Joe Muego were elected school trustees along with and Nick Kanakos.

Sean Fraser.

Photo: Twitter

Delta Mayor George Harvie (centre) with his council team. Photos submitted

Kash Heed. Photo submitted

Jennifer Johal

Jessie Dosanjh

of Surrey Police

FOLLOWING the recent municipal elec tion, Surrey Police Service (SPS) said on Sunday that it is looking forward to work ing with the new mayor and Council who have been elected by Surrey residents. Part of this work will involve updating the new Surrey City Council on the continuing development of SPS and the status of the policing transition, which is progressing well under the direction of the three levels of government.

The SPS said that while it understands that not all members of the newly elected City Council are supportive of the policing tran sition, and specifically the process under taken by the previous council to change Surrey’s policing model, it reiterated that it is focused on public safety, not politics. The SPS pointed out: “The building of SPS is

as it focuses on public safety, not politics

place, 350 staff employed by the Surrey Police Board, and over 150 SPS officers providing operational police service to Surrey. We welcome fulsome discussions with Mayor and Council, however, any de cision to change course on Surrey’s polic ing model would require the approval of the Province of BC, who approved Surrey’s change to a municipal police service in 2019.”

It added: “SPS is confident in what it has built over the past two years. SPS is gov erned by an independent civilian board and has been built through the hard work of hundreds of individuals who are com mitted to creating a police service that is tailored to Surrey residents.”

SPS Chief Constable Norm Lipinski said: “I offer my congratulations to Surrey’s new

Surrey Police Board says it looks forward to onboarding new Chair

THE Surrey Police Board, while congratu lating mayor-elect Brenda Locke and all the successful council candidates in Saturday’s civic election, said on Sunday that it wants to provide a full briefing to her on the impor tant role as Chair of the Surrey Police Board and the status of the policing transition pro cess as soon as possible.

Melissa Granum, Surrey Police Board Ex

ecutive Director, said: “We know that the subject of policing was prevalent during the election period. The Board is looking forward to open communication with the mayor-elect as soon as possible to highlight the extensive work that has taken place, re garding the transition from the RCMP to Sur rey Police Service, under the direction of all three levels of government.”

She pointed out: “Today there are more than 350 SPS staff members employed by the Surrey Police Board, and any change to Surrey’s police transition process would be determined by the provincial government.”

Granum added: “The Board is confident that the smooth transition to a municipal police service in Surrey will continue.”

The Board said that it would like to thank the civilian and sworn staff of Surrey Police Service for their continued professionalism during the election period.

Melissa Granum Official photo

mayor and Councillors. I firmly believe Council will see the benefits that munici pal policing brings to Surrey and realize the significant financial and human invest ments that have been put into making Sur rey Police Service a reality. In 2020 we re ceived a mandate to create a local police service tailored to Surrey’s public safety needs, and we will continue to move for ward in fulfilling that mandate.”

The SPS said that as the second largest mu nicipal police agency in BC, it continues to build a modern police service that focuses on community policing, meaningful public engagement, and taking care of our people so they can take care of the community. For more information on Surrey’s polic ing transition, visit www.surreypolice.ca/ SPSpolicing-transition.

Surrey residential fire closes down street

SURREY RCMP on Thursday advised the public that as a result of a residential fire, 140 Street was closed in both directions be tween 100 Avenue and 102 Avenue.

On Thursday, October 20 just before 8 a.m., a police officer discovered a residential fire in the 14000-block of 100A Avenue while passing through the area. Surrey Fire Ser vice was notified and police worked quickly to evacuate neighboring residences. Multi ple persons have been displaced as a result of this fire.

The Surrey RCMP Arson Unit, General Inves tigation Unit and the Fire Inspector were all on scene working to determine the cause of the fire. Initial indications were that the fire may have originated in an abandoned house and spread to the neighboring resi dence.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604599-0502, or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.

SPS Chief Constable Norm Lipinski

Photo submitted

Vancouver

first Chinese Canadian mayor – Ken Sim

KEN Sim made history on Saturday by be coming Vancouver’s first Chinese Canadian mayor — and his wife Teena

is South Asian.

Sim (ABC Vancouver) soundly defeated in cumbent mayor Kennedy Stewart (Forward with Kennedy Stewart), bagging 85,732 votes as compared to Stewart’s 49,593 votes.

Colleen Hardwick (TEAM) won 16,769 votes, Mark Marissen (Progress Vancouver) got 5,830 votes and Fred Harding (NPA) bagged 3,905 votes.

Sim, who was born and raised in Vancou

ver, is an entrepreneur and the co-founder of two successful Vancouver-based com panies: Rosemary Rocksalt and Nurse Next Door. With over 8,000 team members, Nurse Next Door now serves over 200 loca tions across three countries.

Sim’s ABC Vancouver party also won a solid majority on Council (seven out of 10 seats) and Park Board (six out of seven), and a majority on School Board (five out of nine seats).

Council: ABC Vancouver candidates:

* Sarah Kirby-Yung: 72,545

* Lisa Dominato: 70,415

* Brian Montague: 68,618

* Mike Klassen: 65,586

* Peter Meiszner: 63,275

* Rebecca Bligh: 62,765

* Lenny Zhou: 62,393

Others:

* Adriane Carr (Green): 41,831

* Christine Boyle (OneCity): 38,465

* Pete Fry (Green): 37,270

Park Board winners:

ABC Vancouver’s Scott Jensen, Angela

Haer, Laura Christensen, Marie-Claire How ard, Jas Virdi and Brennan Bastyovanszky, and Green Party’s Tom Digby.

School Board winners:

ABC Vancouver’s Victoria Jung, Alfred Chien, Josh Zhang, JK Christopher Rich ardson and Preeti Faridkot; along with Jen nifer Reddy (OneCity), Suzie Mah (COPE), Lois Chan-Pedley (Green) and Janet Fraser (Green).

Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA) wins six of eight Council seats, Sav Dhaliwal re-elected

THE Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA) won six of eight Council seats on Saturday.

Mike Hurley had already been ac claimed as mayor as there was no other candidate for the position. Those who were elected:

* Alison Gu (Burnaby Citizens As

sociation): 17,340

* James Wang (Burnaby Citizens Association): 13,024

* Pietro Calendino (Burnaby Citi zens Association): 12,494

* Sav Dhaliwal (Burnaby Citizens Association): 12,335

* Joe Keithley (Burnaby Green

Party): 11,383

* Maita Santiago (Burnaby Citizens Association): 11,347

* Richard T. Lee (ONE Burnaby): 11,231

* Daniel Tetrault (Burnaby Citizens Association):10,891

The BCA won all seven School

Trustee posts: Gary Wong, Jen Me zei, Kristin Schnider, Bill Brassing ton, Peter Cech, Mikelle Sasaka moose and Larry Hayes.

Sav Dhaliwal

Photo by Sukhwant Dhillon / AM 600 Sher-E-Punjab Radio

Amrik S. (Steve) Mattoo amrik@mattoolaw.com

Ken Sim with victorious ABC Vancouver candidates. Photos by SUKHWANT DHILLON / AM 600 Sher-E-Punjab Radio

Ken Sim

Bandits President Dylan Kular announced as

THE Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that Vancou ver Bandits President Dylan Kular has been named the league’s 2022 executive of the year.

The award recognizes a senior front office executive that has excelled in their role by enhancing their club’s connection with the community and local basketball ecosystem through business development, grassroots partnerships, noteworthy ticket sales and an exceptional game day experience.

This is Kular’s second consecutive time re ceiving the prestigious recognition, which he previously won last fall after being promoted to president of the Bandits in September 2021.

“Since we first hired Dylan nearly five years ago we knew that his tireless work ethic, commitment to the league, Bandits and Metro Vancouver communities would result in tremendous success on and off the court.

For a second time his peers have recognized those efforts with this prestigious honour – making him a shining example of what it takes to be a leader. I look forward to contin ued success for Dylan and the Bandits well into the future,” said CEBL Commissioner and co-founder Mike Morreale.

In his first year as Bandits President, Kular relocated the team to Langley Events Centre (LEC) and continued his dedication to the community by elevating the Bandits’ collabo rations with partners across the province and ingraining the club with local stakeholders. Kular and fellow Bandits staff members have created one of the fastest growing sports and entertainment brands in BC. The club’s evo lution captured the interest of Kevin Dhaliwal and Bryan Slusarchuk – two season ticket members that have been woven into the club’s family as sponsors since its early be ginnings. Dhaliwal and Slusarchuk elevated their investment in the Bandits and became co-owners to grow the team’s presence in the community and to help it reach new heights.

The Bandits became the first of the CEBL’s inaugural six-member clubs to be sold to lo cal ownership and rebranded from Fraser Valley to Vancouver as part of Dhaliwal and Slusarchuk’s territorial acquisition of Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley as CEBL mar kets.

“This award is a reflection of the hard work that our front office, game day staff and vol unteers have contributed to help the Bandits ascend to new heights. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with like-minded partners and leaders in the community who believe in the power of basketball and the in clusive platform that we are building through sport,” Kular said.

“Thank you to my peers at CEBL head office for this tremendous honour and recognition, as well as our fans for supporting us. I am ex cited to work with our ownership group and fellow staff to make 2023 our most memo rable season to date.”

Prominent events led by Kular from the Bandits’ 2022 season include setting backto-back league-wide attendance records on June 7 and 18, respectively, when the team welcomed 13 schools from across Metro Vancouver for its inaugural “School Day Game” versus the Honey Badgers on June 7. Less than two weeks later on June 18 the Bandits hosted the first-ever BC Basketball Festival; which featured 200 adult and youth teams from across the province competing within a divisional format before enjoying a Bandits game against the Scarborough Shooting Stars.

In addition to leading the CEBL in sponsor ship revenue generated for its 2022 season, Kular and the Bandits focused on celebrating and giving back to the province’s basketball landscape.

The Bandits’ community department at tended more than 90 events between Janu ary and October and has made more than 40 school visits to elementary, middle and secondary schools throughout the Lower

Executive of the Year

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Mainland this year. Further bolstering the club’s local ties was the launch of the Indigenous Basketball Col

lective in partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Coun cil (I∙SPARC). The partnership set the stage for the reveal of a reimagined Bandits team

logo designed by Kwantlen First Nation art ist Jeff Dickson, as well as a commitment to host basketball camps and programs for In digenous youth.

Bandits President Dylan Kular

Photo submitted

Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver Accomplishments and Goals of

Election Manifesto Goals

1. We honour the top most center of the Shabad Guru, Shri Akal Takhat and we will continue doing so.

2. The tradition of eating the Langar using chairs and tables started by the Gadri Babas shall continue.

3. Guru Amar Dass space will be re-zoned. A full - edged high standard Elementary School will be established in the name of Guru Amar Dass ji. And also e orts will be made to open a nursing home and a care center for seniors.

4. Punjabi is being taught in ve schools around Gurdwara Sahib. Punjabi classes are going to re-start in next few months. Punjabi is being taught for two days in a week at Gurdwara Sahib also.

5. Brilliant students from eight schools were awarded scholarships. More students will be awarded scholarships starting next year.

6. Counselling will be provided on the issues being faced by the community like drugs, alcohol, and gang war. Appropriate e orts will be made.

7. Nagar Kirtan will be held on a large scale like every year and a boost will be given to Amrit Sanchar campaign based on the code approved by the Panth.

8. Every year an annual sports festival, including Kabaddi, Wrestling, Athletics, Soccer, Volley Ball and Hockey will be held by the Gurdwara in the memory of Bubbar Martyrs.

9. We try to end the di erences among the Sikh congregation between Sahajdhari and Amritdhari Sikhs and we will continue doing so.

10. An electronic board will be installed on Marine Drive, Khalsa Diwan Road and information will be displayed on that there.

11. The Gurdwara makes the social services, like tax ling, preparation for citizenship test, application for passport and many more available through Resource Center and it will be continued.

12. Health services programs provided by the Gurdwara will be improved as per needs of the congregation.

13. To run the management of the Gurdwara in a better way, sub-committees will be formed.

Committee

Accomplishments

1. In 1997 Gurdwara debt was 37 lacs. Currently Gurdwara Sahib has a mortgage of only 9 lacs and 86 thousand after all the renovation and extension and a new oat expenses. There are more than $ 6 lacs in the Gurdwara Sahib’s bank account. If we get the congregation’s co-operation in the same way, with the blessings of Waheguru, Gurdwara Sahib will be debt free within next few months.

2. A full renovation and construction was completed at the Gurdwar, in which air-conditioning, sprinkler system, elevator for seniors, new lights and new black top in parking lot, new neat, clean washrooms, new TV screens and 68 security cameras were installed. A 7500 square feet extension outside the Langar hall. A new roof was installed. A beautiful landscaping was also done.

3. A new oat for Nagar Kirtan prepared with a cost of 1 lac 50 thousand dollars and an appropriate parking prepared to securely park it.

4. From the sale of Gurughar of Khalsa Diwan Society Port Alberni, an amount of 2 hundred thousand dollars were donated to Port Alberni hospital, where four rooms will be constructed in the name of Khalsa Diwan Society Port Alberni. And 25 thousad dollars were donated to Indo-Canadian Funeral home there.

5. An Inter-Faith seminar was held on the occasion of 550th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev ji. Kirtan Darbar, Dhadi Darbar, Kavi Darbar and Katha Darbar were held.

6. During the Covid pandemic hundreds of students were provided with food packages and needy people were given free food.

7. Special equipment was provided to the doctors, nurses working on frontline during Covid. All kinds of help were provided.

8. During the Covid, with the co-operation of other Societies 1 lac 58 thousand dollars were collected and sent to Delhi Gurdwara to help the patients struggling with Covid and the money were spent appropriately.

9. 22 persons took Amrit on the occasion of birth of Khalsa in 2022.

10. With a lot of e orts it was managed to rename Ross Street as Khalsa Diwan Road between Marine Drive and 57 Avenue.

11. A machine has been ordered to make rotis.

12. With a lot of e orts a grant of 94 thousand dollars from the Federal Government and another grant of I lac 10 thousand dollars from the Provincial Government were secured.

13. Five refugees of Indian origin were from Afghanistan were brought here and help was provided as per their needs.

MOHAN SINGH GILL SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT

Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver ELECTIONS

On November 5, Vote for the Moderate Sikh Slate, committed to the ideology of Bubbar Martyrs and Shahid Bhai Mewa Singh Lopoke, lead by S. Kuldip Singh Thandi and provide the Slate with an opportunity to serve.

S. Gill came to Canada in 1969. He is in close relationships with Khalsa Diwan Society since 1970. He always remains ready for any kind of service at the Gurdwara.

KASHMIR SINGH DHALIWAL GENERAL SECRETARY

Having a Master degree in History, S. Dhaliwal came to Canada in 1983. He served as Chaiman of steel workers union. He remained on front lines of Moderate Group in 1996-1997. He served as President from 2007 to 2011. He was honored with Queen Elizabeth Gold Medal by the City of Vancouver.

KULDIP SINGH THANDI PRESIDENT

JAGDIP SINGH SANGHERA VICE_PRESIDENT

S. Sanghera came to Canada in 1975. He got his education in Prince George and at Langara College. He is Senior Vice-President of Five Rivers Funeral Society. He is active with the Moderate Group since 1996.

JARNAIL SINGH BHANDAL ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY

S. Bhandal, having a Master degree in Economics, came to Canada in 1970. He received a degree as Sikh Missionary in Canada. He has been working in real estate and development eld since 1992. He served on the board of directors of the College of Dental Surgeons of BC. He was honored with Queen Elizabeth Gold Medal by the Government of Canada.

S. Thandi came to England in 1962. Came to Canada in 1972. He is committed to the ideology of Moderate Group since last 47 years. He appeals to the congregation to vote for the whole Moderate Sikh slate and give him the opportunity to serve as President.

S. Jhooti has been living in Canada since 1973. Having a course in Architect and Design from BCIT, he worked in this eld from 1979 to 2012 (32 years). He worked as a volunteer in renovation and extension of the Gurdwara for last 10 years. He has been serving as Vice-President for the last three years.

S. Sunner holds a Master degree in Economics. He came to Canada in 1983. He has been serving on the Executive Board of steel workers union for the last 25 years. He served as General Secretary in the past.

ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2022 VOTE FOR MODERATE SIKH SLATE

S. Hayer came to Canada in 1984. He passed his BA from Khalsa College. Working in the construction eld since 1995. He has been volunteering in children’s ice hockey and soccer sports since the last 20 years. Currently he has been serving as Assistant Secretary.

HARSIMRAN SINGH AUJLA ASSISTANT RECORDING SECRETARY

S. Aujla holds a Mechanical Engineering degree. He came to Canada in 1994. He served on various gurdwara committees in India. He was Recording Secretary in 2017. He has been in close relationships with Khalsa Diwan Society since 28 years.

Jarnail Singh came to Canada in 1987. He has been running his own framing company since 1992. He is a member of Team Seva and also serving with the Langar services.

GURDIAL SINGH GADEY MEMBER

S. Gadey came to Canada in 1972. He started his own plumbing business. He has been serving since last six years. He did a lot of volunteer plumbing work during the renovation and construction of the Gurughar. He is a sel ess servant of Gurughar.

S. Kular came to England in 1963 and came to Canada in 1974. He worked as a Carpenter for 15 years. He has been serving tirelessly and sel essly for the last three terms.

INDERJIT KAUR UPPAL MEMBER

SShe has been in close relationships with Khalsa Diwan Society for the last 35 years. She remains always ready for any kinds of services at the Gurughar. She has served on the Committee earlier also.

SUKHPAL SINGH JHOOTI TREASURER

BHUPINDER SINGH NIJJAR SENIOR ASSISTANT TREASURER

S. Nijjar came to Canada in 1968. He worked in the mills and as a truck driver. He has been serving as Senior Assistant Treasurer for the last 3 years.

JOGINDER SINGH SUNNER RECORDING SECRETARY

GURDIP SINGH HAYER ASSISTANT SECRETARY

RAGHVIR SINGH KULAR MEMBER

JARNAIL SINGH MEMBER

KULVIR SINGH SHOKER MEMBER

S. Shoker cam to Canada in 1999. He started his own painting business in 2004. He sel essly did a lot of volunteer work during the renovation of Gurughar. He is a member of Team Seva.

Burnaby RCMP Constable Shaelyn Yang killed in the line of duty

BURNABY RCMP Constable Shaelyn Yang was on Tuesday killed in the line of duty.

The BC RCMP on Tuesday evening said that they had notified the Independent Investigations Of fice of British Columbia (IIO BC) of an incident where a police officer died and the suspect was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

On October 18, Burnaby RCMP were dispatched to a complaint near the intersection of Canada Way and Curle Avenue.

While there, the attending officer became en gaged in an altercation with a man which re sulted in the officer being stabbed and the man being shot.

Emergency Health Services transported both to hospital, but the officer has since succumbed to their injuries.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has been deployed and will assume con duct in the investigation of the officer’s death. The IIO BC will concurrently investigate the ac tions of police.

On Tuesday, Jongwon Ham, 37, of Burnaby was charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Yang. He was remanded in custody. His next court appearance is set for November 2.

“I understand this tragedy has a profound effect, not only for Constbale Yang’s family and friends but for the entire community,” said Superinten dent Mandeep Mooker, Officer-in-Charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).

“This is a time to come together and support one another. We send our condolences to Con stable Yang’s family, friends and colleagues.”

IHIT is asking that anyone who was in the area of the Broadview Park, off Canada Way, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on October 18, or who has any information regarding the homicide, to con

tact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

ADDRESSING the media at the Burnaby RCMP detachment, BC RCMP Commanding Officer, Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, said: “It is with a deep and profound sadness that I must advise the public of the homicide of Burnaby RCMP Constable Shaelyn Yang that oc curred this morning in the line of duty.

“This is an extremely difficult and tragic day for the BC RCMP and members of Burnaby Detach ment.

“I have spoken with acting RCMP Commission er Brian Brennan and he has kindly offered any and all support necessary.

“It is with deep sorrow that I stand here today with Burnaby’s Officer-in-Charge, Chief Super

intendent Graham De La Gorgendiere to an nounce this terrible news.

“I join with him and the Commissioner in ex pressing our heartfelt condolences to Constable Yang’s family and extended family, friends and colleagues.

“Constable Yang lived in Richmond and was an active volunteer. She started her career volun teering part time with the Richmond RCMP’s Victim Services unit later as a full-time volunteer.

“In 2019, she decided to become a police offi cer and entered training at Depot in June of that same year. Constable Yang graduated in Decem ber as a member of Troop 8 and was posted to Burnaby Detachment. She was a loving wife, sister and daughter.

“Those she worked with before joining the RCMP and her police colleagues today, describe Constable Yang as a kind and compassionate person, which makes her death even more dif ficult to accept.

“As to the investigation, there are few details we can provide at this time, but what I can tell you is, at approximately 11:05 a.m., Constable Yang, partnered with a City of Burnaby employee, and was engaged in her duties at a homeless camp on Gilmore Way. An altercation took place, and Constable Yang was fatally stabbed. Emergency responders attended the scene and despite their best efforts, Constable Yang succumbed to her injuries.

“The suspect associated to the file was also shot and injured – they remain in hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. I can also tell you that Constable Yang died bravely; she answered the call to duty and paid the ultimate price. The In dependent Investigations Office of BC (IIO BC) is now investigating the incident.

Bhavkiran (Kiran) Dhesi manslaughter case: Harjot Singh Deo gets seven years in prison

HARJOT Singh Deo, 25, this week was sentenced to seven years in prison in con nection with the 2017 manslaughter of his girlfriend Bhavkiran (Kiran) Dhesi, 19, and interfering with her body.

Earlier this month, Crown counsel told B.C. Supreme Court Justice Jeanne Watchuk that though the shooting was accidental, Deo had a high degree of moral blame worthiness because he regularly carried a

dangerous firearm. Also, his moral blame worthiness was high for the charge of com mitting an indignity to a human body, Crown counsel wanted Deo to receive six years for manslaughter with a firearm and four years for covering up the crime, to be served consecutively.

Defence counsel had argued for six years for both offences.

Watchuk said that the most aggravating fac

tor was Dhesi’s extremely reckless use of a firearm but also took into account the fact that Deo was now leading a different life with different goals.

She said that Deo acted out of panic and a lower degree of planning and deliberation. Watchuk imposed a sentence of six years in jail for manslaughter and one year in jail for interfering with the victim’s body. The sen tences will be served consecutively.

“A concurrent investigation into the murder of Constable Yang is also underway and will be conducted by the Integrated Homicide Investi gation Team (IHIT).

He added: “The loss of Shaelyn will be felt by so many. Her death impacts her family, friends, the wider RCMP family, and the vulnerable com munity she so passionately served. Her loss is immeasurable.”

THERE has been an outpouring of sympathy from all across the province and the country for the slain officer.

For more details, visit our website voiceonline.com.

BC RCMP Commanding Officer, Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald addressing the media at the Burnaby RCMP Detachment. Photos by SUKHWANT DHILLON / AM 600 Sher-EPunjab Radio

Constable Shaelyn Yang

Photo: BC RCMP

50 years later, Ugandan Asian refugees in Canada

THE BC Ugandan Asian Resettlement Com mittee is presenting “Kampala to Canada,” an exhibition that acknowledges 50 years of Ugandan Asian Resettlement in Canada. “It’s a commemoration and not a celebra tion,” says the curator of the exhibition, Tas lim Samji, a self-taught artist who studied at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. “Many Ugandan Asians experienced incred ible loss, suffering and trauma due to the forced exodus issued by President Amin in 1972.”

As many as 80,000 Asians (referring to those whose ancestors were originally from India and Pakistan) were given 90 days to leave Uganda. Thousands arrived in Canada, pen niless, uncertain. After Amin’s reign, the Ugandan government made efforts to wel

come Asians back. Only a few returned. “Since then, Ugandan Asians have given back to Canada – economically, socially, and culturally,” says Samji. “We have profiled sev eral Ugandan Asian Canadians in the exhibi tion. They are among land developers, hote liers, entrepreneurs, educators, doctors, all of whom call Metro Vancouver home; they are generous supporters of community and so cial initiatives with their time and resources.”

This four-day exhibition runs October 24 through 27 at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre, Vancouver. The opening reception is on October 25 from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“With over 40 Canadian artists taking part

Taslim Samji

in this exhibition, from Uganda, Iraq, Philip pines, Malaysia, China, Kenya, Tanzania, Af ghanistan, India and Pakistan, there are many stories, perspectives, and expressions to be shared,” says Samji.

“This was the last project he worked on,” ex plains Zool Meraly, longtime friend of the late John Halani. “John was a Ugandan Asian who owned hotels on Robson Street, downtown Vancouver, for many years. He gave gener ously with his heart, time, and resources.”

He is one of the Ugandan Asians profiled in the exhibition.

“As we commemorate 50 years of Ugandan Asian Resettlement in Canada, we acknowl edge that the place we now call home is also on unceded lands,” says Samji. “Colonializa tion has left lasting effects across the globe.”

Dr. Ambedkar symposium on emancipation and ‘Day of Equality’ next April

ON October 14, the date now popularly known as the Diksha Day when the architect of Indian Constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, embraced Buddhism in 1956, representatives of Ambed karite International Coordination Society (AICS) and Chetna Association of Canada an nounced their plans for hosting a symposium on emancipation and celebrating Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality on April 22 and 23 next year in Vancouver.

gram in Buddhism and Contemporary Society at University of British Columbia.

As organizers for these events are in the ini tial stages of its planning, information will be shared as it becomes available.

A steering committee to lead the planning of

these events includes:

* For AICS: Param Kainth, Anand Balley, Har jinder Mall.

* For Chetna Association of Canada: Surjit Bains, Harmesh Chander, and Jai Birdi. Other committees will also be established as

further requirements are identified.

Those interested in becoming involved, volun teering, sponsoring or attending, can register using the page provided on the website: www. ase2023.ca or email at ASYME2023@gmail. com.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

The symposium plans to provide a forum for thinkers to gather and reflect on the progress made and challenges experienced over the past 20 years since the International Dalit Con ference was hosted in Vancouver in May 2003.

Specific areas of focus for the Dr. Ambedkar Symposium on Emancipation will be:

* Access, opportunities, and challenges for so cial and economic development of the youth, both in India and abroad.

* Reflecting and building on strategies devel oped through prior conferences and research for taking the caravan forward and advancing political, economical, and social interests of marginalized communities.

* Evaluating the role of Buddhism for eman cipation and re-strategizing in context of the emerging realities.

The symposium will be held on April 22, 2023. Various venues for the symposium are being explored.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality to observe Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti will be on April 23 at Fra serview Banquet Hall in Vancouver.

Dr. K.P. Singh, who was chairperson for In ternational Dalit Conference of Vancouver in 2003, said he believed the Dr. Ambedkar Sym posium on Emanicipation will provide “excel lent opportunity to rethink and strategize our approaches for the next 20 years.”

He added: “I think the symposium will be ex tremely dynamic and thought provoking. The structure of the symposium seems to be apt and pragmatic.”

Academic institutions, many of those who lead in delivering the Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Lec ture in the Vancouver area, that have already confirmed their support for the symposium include:

* Institute for the Humanities at Simon Fraser University.

* Center for India and South Asian Research at University of British Columbia.

* Dr. Hari Sharma Foundation.

* David Lam Center at Simon Fraser University.

* The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Pro

Photo: Dr. B.R Ambedkar Thoughts Facebook

Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation; Labour Minister Harry Bains; George Chow, Minister of State for Trade; Rachna Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives; and MLA David Eby, former Attorney General.

BC-IBN Founder and President Emeritus Vi vek Savkur received special recognition from Premier John Horgan for his invaluable con tributions to strengthen bilateral trade rela tions between British Columbia and India.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent special Diwali greetings and Kahlon brought Diwali greetings from the Premier.

BC-IBN President Sobhana Jaya-Madhavan said: “Vivek ji has worked tirelessly to build a strong bridge between BC and India. This recognition is only fitting for a business lead er who cares deeply about the bond and the future of trade between the two countries.”

Vivek said he is committed to strengthening bilateral trade relations and reminded guests that India is a market that is not only large but also full of partnership possibilities.

Dr. Andrew Petter, President Emeritus of SFU, received the BC-IBN Leadership Award for his extraordinary contributions to the BC-In dia relations and the post-secondary educa tion sector. He was recognized as someone who put BC on the India map. The award was given by Kahlon and Sakur, and received on Dr. Petter’s behalf by SFU’s Vice President of External Relations, Dr. Joanne Curry.

The guests enjoyed a festive night and many very delighted to win prizes, including two return tickets to India.

Shots fired at South Surrey residence

SURREY RCMP are seeking video surveillance from a South Surrey neighborhood following shots fired at a residence. The occupants of the residence are not known to police.

On October 19, just after midnight, Surrey RCMP received the report of shots fired at a residence in the 12700-block of 27A Avenue.

Police located evidence consistent with a shooting. The residence was occupied at the time of the shooting, but no one was injured.

The Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit has conduct of the investigation. At this point in the investigation, it has not been deter mined why this residence was targeted, or if the residence was the intended target.

“Investigators have been in the area over the past few days working to obtain any available video surveillance in an effort to identify the suspect vehicle,” said Surrey RCMP Media Re lations Officer, Cpl. Vanessa Munn.

“We are requesting that anyone in the area who has not yet spoken with police and has video surveillance to call Surrey RCMP at 604599-0502.”

Vivek Savkur receiving a certificate of recognition from Premier John Horgan: (L-R) George Chow, David Eby, Vivek Savkur, Ravi Kahlon, Harry Bains and Rachna Singh. Photo submitted

WORKSAFEBC recently im posed a penalty on Surrey employer J & J Framing for $100,040.80 for repeated, high-risk violations.

Since 2014, this employer has received 11 adminis trative penalties, totaling $255,155.10, WorkSafeBC said on Monday.

Firm: J & J Framing Ltd..

Worksite: Surrey

Current amount: $100,040.80

Date imposed: September 2

This firm was framing a three-storey house. Work SafeBC inspected the site and observed three work ers, one of whom was a supervisor, at the leading edge of the second level. No form of fall protection was in place, exposing the workers to a fall risk of 3.7 m (12 ft.).

The firm failed to ensure fall protection was used, a highrisk violation. The firm also failed to provide its work ers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to en sure their health and safety. These were both repeated violations.

Firm: J & J Framing Ltd.

Worksite: Abbotsford

Current amount: $50,020.40

Date imposed: March 1

This firm was working on the construction of a twostorey house. WorkSafeBC inspected the site and ob served five workers sheeting the sloped roof. The workers were wearing fall protection harnesses but were not con nected to lifelines. No other form of fall protection was in place, exposing the workers to a fall risk greater than 7.6

m (25 ft.). The firm failed to ensure fall protection was used, a repeated and highrisk violation.

Firm: J & J Framing Ltd.

Worksite: Mission

Current amount: $29,425.60

Date imposed: May 14, 2021

This firm was working on the construction of a twolevel commercial building.

WorkSafeBC observed one worker on a narrow ledge, installing roof sheeting. The worker was not using a per sonal fall protection system and no other form of fall protection was in place. This exposed the worker to a fall risk of about 6.7 m (22 ft.).

WorkSafeBC issued a stopwork order. The firm failed to ensure fall protection

was used, a repeated and high-risk violation.

Background on penalties: • WorkSafeBC’s penalty da tabase allows you to search for penalties by employer

Background on Fall Protections:

• Falls from heights, even relatively low elevations,

can result in serious inju ries.

• Falls from elevation con tinue to drive the serious injury rate in construction.

• The proper use of fall protection equipment — in addition to planning, super vision, and training — can reduce or eliminate the risk

of falling.

• The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation re quires workers to use fall protection systems when they could fall from a height of 3 m (10 ft.) or more, or where a fall from a lesser height could result in seri ous injury.

OBITUARY

AMANJIT SINGH (ANDY) LIDDER

You are hereby informed that our beloved Amanjit Singh (Andy) Lidder (son of Jatinder Pal (Paul) Lidder) has passed away at the Guru’s feet on October 10, 2022, after being blessed by Guru Maharaj.

His funeral will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Riverside Funeral Home, 7410 Hopcot Road, Delta at 12:30 p.m.

After that, for his spiritual peace, the Bhog and final prayers of Shri Sahaj Path Ji will be held at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, 7050 120 Street, Surrey at 2 p.m.

All are welcome to join.

In the name of God

Jitinder Pal Singh Lidder (Father): (604) 644-6465

Paramjit Kaur Lidder (Mother): (604) 599-6624

Daisy Lidder (sister): (778) 227-4461

And the entire Lidder family.

after a fire at Surrey’s Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar on Wednesday, the

the phone at the gurdwara told The VOICE on Thursday. Screengrab

is

BY HARRY S. LALI Former NDP minister

THE ouster of BCNDP leadership hopeful Anjali Appadurai by the panic-stricken and calculating BCNDP brass is shocking and revolting. The BCNDP is afraid of a young, energetic, intelligent, articulate, photogenic 32-year-old woman of Asiatic descent with her ability to skillfully hold her opponents’ feet to the fire in debates. By disqualifying her, the BCNDP makes a mockery of its “eq uity policy.”

Past leaders David Barret, Michael Harcourt and Glen Clark welcomed and encouraged open debate by rank-and-file members on important and, sometimes, controversial issues at Party conventions and meetings. They believed in lively policy discussion and debate – a fundamental right of card-carry ing members and supporters and a neces sary bed-rock principle of the New Demo cratic Party. But, not in today’s BCNDP! Policy debates at BCNDP conventions are a thing of the 20th Century, long since re placed by boring filler speeches, workshops and individual MLA glorification. Party “pol icy” is pre-determined by the Leader’s Of fice and a select few establishment figures behind closed doors and presented at con vention as a fait accompli under carefully orchestrated “rules” that prevent amend

ments from the floor or honest debate. The establishment’s preferred or ‘anointed’ leadership candidate gets to dictate the rules and control the agenda for the lead ership race, Party Constitution be damned!

Energetic, ambitious, upstart individuals with fresh new, dynamic ideas like Ms. Ap padurai, are suspiciously seen as a threat by those who wield power.

The ugly use of a sledge-hammer by the BCNDP to disqualify Ms. Appadurai is mindboggling. Elizabeth Cull, the BCNDP’s chief electoral officer, was given a pre-deter

parents’

mined conclusion in search of “evidence” against Ms. Appadurai and her campaign. Her rationale for recommending disquali fication for Ms. Appadurai is suspect. The Party should be making the time and re sources available to do a proper audit of the membership list. The current BCNDP is flush with money (forcibly taken from con stituency associations’ per-vote Elections BC rebates) and say they can’t find the time and resources to do a fair investigation and audit??? Unbelievable!!!

During BCNDP leadership races in 2000 and again in 2011, the Party brass found the time and resources (in times when the BCNDP was nearly broke), performed audits and threw out any illegal memberships. Given that there were huge abuses by a campaign in 2000, such as signing 58 members at one address in Burnaby, no one was disquali fied. In 2011, a campaign team brought in thousands of memberships without funds (which arrived separately in bags and en velopes after the deadline for submitting memberships and money had passed). The dollar notes were stapled to forms the next day, but no one was disqualified from the race. Instead, the Party turned a blind eye to these abuses of rules because they were “preferred” candidates. The question to ask is: What would the BCNDP brass have done if David Eby’s campaign had been accused instead of Ms Appadurai’s?

Gone are the days when informed grass roots input and debate evidently informed BCNDP policy. Gone are the days when

Anjali Appadurai Photo: Twitter

BCNDP Executive and leadership positions were filled through free and fair elections at convention. That was the BCNDP of my par ents and the one I grew up with; first voted for in 1975; and later joined and proudly served as MLA and Cabinet Minister in. That BCNDP is long gone. The current rendition of the BCNDP is not your parents’ or my par ents’ Party. If Dave Barrett and my own par ents were alive today and saw how a young, female, Asiatic leadership hopeful was be ing treated by the BCNDP in an unjust, con temptuous and undemocratic fashion they would hang their heads in shame.

(EDITOR: The views expressed here are those of Harry S. Lali and do not necessarily reflect The VOICE’s opinion.)

Suspect charged in Surrey’s Ocean Park area robberies

CHARGES have been laid against a robbery suspect in connection with a number of alleged robberies in Surrey’s Ocean Park area in April and May.

Between April 24 and May 8, Surrey RCMP responded to three separate re ports of robberies to food service busi nesses in the area of 128 Street and 16 Avenue.

Surrey RCMP Robbery Unit took conduct of the investigations and through exten

sive evidence gathering linked all three robberies to one suspect.

On June 28, a suspect was arrested and a search warrant was executed at his place of residence in Surrey.

On October 4, BC Prosecution Service approved three charges against 35-yearold Daniel Richardson Lloyd: two counts of robbery and one count of attempt rob bery. Lloyd has been given a court date to appear before the courts.

David Eby is the next Premier of B.C. after Anjali Appadurai disqualified from NDP leadership race

BC NDP President Aaron Sumexheltza on Wednesday night announced that the BC NDP Executive had voted to support the Chief Electoral Officer’s recommendation to disqualify Anjali Appadurai as a party leadership candidate as a sanction for vio lating the rules.

As a result, David Eby was officially de clared the Leader of the BC NDP and Pre mier-designate on Friday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratu lated Eby on becoming the Leader of the BC NDP and the next premier of British Columbia.

In his first address as Premier-designate, Eby said: “During this campaign, I have met so many incredible people from across the province. Everywhere I go I hear that while our government has accomplished a lot, there’s much more we need to do be cause so many people are truly struggling. The cost of housing, the strain on health care, and the impacts of climate change on our communities — we must confront the big challenges people are facing.”

In his first hundred days as premier, Eby committed to launching initiatives to sig nificantly expand available and affordable housing, create safer communities, redi rect fossil fuel subsidies to clean energy, and improve access to healthcare. These actions will require meaningful partner ships with First Nations, municipal and regional partners as well as non-profits, service providers, and homebuilders.

“We need to keep moving forward to build a healthy province where everyone has a good place to live,” Eby said. “But Kevin Falcon and the BC Liberals want to take us backwards by welcoming speculators into our housing market, giving handouts to big money donors, and ripping up BC’s climate plan. We’ll be paying those tolls for generations.”

Eby added: “So much of our province’s success depends on people having an af fordable place to call home. Our economy depends on providing housing for the peo ple who make our province run and de liver essential services such as healthcare in rural communities. With the impacts of climate change arriving at our doorstep, our homes can be part of the solution, and need to be protected from fires, floods and drought.”

Eby now begins transitioning into govern ment, where he will receive in-depth brief ings from all ministries on the pressing is sues facing British Columbians, ahead of his swearing in as premier in the coming weeks.

REACTING to that announcement, the BC Liberals said in a statement: “Following months of backroom deals and manoeu vring, David Eby and the NDP have suc ceeded in forcing out the only obstacle to his coronation as the next Premier of Brit ish Columbia.”

BC Liberal MLA Elenore Sturko said: “It’s disheartening to see the NDP subvert the democratic process within their leader ship contest by terminating the candidacy of the only real challenger to the heir-ap parent, David Eby, and slam the door on the thousands of British Columbians who joined the NDP to support Anjali Appadu rai.”

She added: “The NDP’s entire 57-seat Cau cus sat back and allowed those voices to be shut out of the democratic process and a young woman to be disqualified from running against Eby by a party that picks and chooses when it applies an equity mandate to candidacies. It’s clear that in the NDP it’s all about who you know and who you strike deals with and has noth ing to do with merit or even the number of supporters you can sign up. David’s dirty deeds have revealed that it’s all a sham.”

Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Green Party, said: “This is a sad day for democra cy. Ms. Appadurai’s campaign spoke hon

estly about the overlapping health care, climate, and affordability crises that British Columbians are facing and this govern ment’s failure to make progress on them.

It’s no surprise that so many people were inspired by her message. To those who joined Anjali’s campaign with so much hope: please don’t give up on politics. The stakes are too high. It’s important that your

voice is heard and we are listening.”

(For more details on statements by the BC Liberals and the BC Green Party, visit our website voiceonline.com)

David Eby

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

Rotary Club of Surrey Newton & Pacific Oral Health Society: Free oral cancer screening

Rotary Club of Surrey Newton along with Pacific Oral Health Society is organizing the 5th Annual free oral cancer screening on Sunday, October 23 at Unit 300-15850 24 Avenue, Surrey.

Why attend this free oral cancer screening: Oral cancer is more common in South Asian men and women than in the general population due to habits such as chewing betel quid and smokeless tobacco, smok ing and alcohol use. Early detection and treatment of oral cancer saves lives.

For registration, contact Dental Clinic at 604-536-2700, Sarb Walia (President of Rotary Club of Surrey Newton) at 604-8390850 or Sukhbir Kaur at 778-552-0793.

South Asian Adults and Seniors Programs

* Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society of BC invites South Asian adults and seniors to come and play Bingo on the House on Sunday, October 23 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Temple, 8321 140 Street, Surrey. Bring only two dollars with you for two games. Members will explain the game

to you. Please use facemasks and maintain social distancing for everyone’s safety. Tea and light snacks will be served.

* 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 par ticipants who have been double vaccinated for COVID-19. They should bring facemasks and a yoga mat and maintain social distanc ing. Pure vegetarian lunch is served in the dining hall of the Temple to all seniors ev ery Thursday after the yoga class. Contact Surendra Handa, Coordinator, at 604-5079945 email surendra_handa@hotmail.com for registration and further information.

Lohana Cultural Association of BC

* Lohana Cultural Association of BC cor dially invites all to Jalaram Jayanti with bhajans and kirtans on Saturday, October 29 at 4 p.m. at Hindu Temple, 5420 Marine Drive, Burnaby. Program will commence promptly at 4 p.m. Priti Bhojan after Arti. For further information contact Vasant Lakhani at (604) 987-1925.

Celebrating our local businesses

BY AMAN SINGH MLA for Richmond-Queensborough

THIS week, we celebrate small businesses across the province for their hard work, per severance, and the positive impacts they have on communities.

There is no doubt that Richmond-Queensbor ough is home to many vibrant small business es. However, my story begins in Hong Kong, where I grew up.

At this time, my family owned a small travel agency, where my “boss” and “co-workers” were also family. It was here that I spent many of my days as a courier. If you are familiar with central Hong Kong, you will know of the steep hills, and the feat it is to climb to the top. In the days before the internet, I would spend my days trekking up and down the hills to deliver Cathay and Air India tickets. Besides my fam ily providing for me and taking care of me in every way they could, I looked forward to be ing compensated with scrumptious Malaysian chicken curry lunches.

As I sit here and reflect, I know that even my earliest days in that job have played an integral part in my work serving as MLA for RichmondQueensborough. As I continue to advocate for my community, I am grateful to have learned first-hand the tremendous work that goes into keeping a small business afloat.

Here in B.C., the majority of businesses are small businesses. Combined, they employ more than one million British Columbians. The last few years have been challenging for people, and I know that small businesses have also struggled with the impacts of the pandemic, extreme weather, global labour shortages and economic uncertainty.

Over half a billion dollars in grants were pro vided to help businesses weather the pan demic. Additionally, we are supporting res taurants in saving up to 20% by allowing them to purchase alcohol at wholesale prices, and have recently made the food delivery fee cap permanent. Continuing to support small busi nesses in our communities helps ensure a strong economic recovery and stable econo my going forward. This is a key component of our StrongerBC Economic Plan.

We’re eaxpanding internet access to more rural and remote communities, and provid ing more affordable, accessible childcare so parents can pursue further education or open a business. This week, we announced that the capital tax limit for small businesses will increase from $15 million to $50 million. It’s initiatives like these that make our province a great place for businesses to grow.

By continuing to invest in people and busi nesses, we are creating a B.C. where all can thrive.

Man re-arrested just two hours after being released from jail

REPEAT offender Mohammed Majidpour is back in custody after Vancouver Police saw him commit a new crime – just two hours after being released from jail.

Two Vancouver Police officers were patrol ling in East Vancouver around 3 p.m. on Sunday when they spotted the man walking near Main and Hastings. The officers were familiar with the man, because they’d ar rested him the day prior for a different of

fence.

The officers followed the man into the downtown core, where he entered a retail store, allegedly stole $330 worth of leggings, and was promptly re-arrested. At the time of his arrest, the suspect had been out of cus tody for two hours, 18 minutes.

Majidpour, 45, has been charged with theft under $5,000 and remains in custody. His next court appearance is October 27.

FOR

PRIVATE MORTGAGES

TIME

Combined efforts in Surrey lead to large seizure of firearms, drugs and cash

SURREY RCMP’s Gang En forcement Team (SGET) and Combined Forces Spe cial Enforcement Unit’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (CFSEU-UGET) have seized 26 firearms, five imi tation firearms, several bear sprays, knives, a Taser and ammunition in a two-month joint violence suppression initiative that commenced in August.

Officers impounded or seized 28 vehicles for vari ous offences and four are in the process of being forfeit ed through the Civil Forfei ture Office. Approximately $25,000 in cash was seized.

Fourteen people are facing charges that include breach of conditions, warrants, obstructions of peace of ficer, carrying a concealed weapon, unauthorized pos session of a firearm, care less use of a firearm, dan gerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession for the purposes of trafficking, and personating a police officer.

There were 43 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act investigations;162 Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Clubhouse checks; 226 curfew checks; 307 Inadmissible Patrons Program (IPP) checks; and 11 Inadmissible Patrons Pro gram (IPP) ejections.

The two-month initiative focused on enhanced en forcement and interdic tions, specifically target ing individuals involved in the Lower Mainland Gang Conflict and individuals identified as Provincial Tac tical Enforcement Priorites (PTEP).

Help us give them the care they need in Surrey Donate today at SurreyHospitalsFoundation.com/donate

Three of the 26 firearms seized.

Photos: Surrey RCMP

Seized imitation firearms, bear spray and a variety of illicit drugs.

A seized firearm, magazine and ammunition.

New Delhi: The Interpol has sent back India’s request seeking a Red Notice against the US-based founder of pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, with a set of queries, according to reports in the Indian media.

London (IANS): The ruling Conservatives will race to find a new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in a week, after Liz Truss dramatically, though not unexpectedly, resigned as head of government on Thursday after only 45 days in office - the shortest period for any British Premier in history.

"I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative party," Truss declared standing in front of the door of her office cum residence - 10 Downing Street. In effect, Britain will have an incredible and unprecedented third Prime Minister in three and a half months.

Truss added she had agreed

with Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee - the body that conducts internal elections in the Conservative party - that the leadership election will be completed within a week.

What an election of a new Prime Minister in a week means is the vote is unlikely to be extended to the rank and file of the party and may be restricted to Conservative MPs only.

Speculation was swirling in Westminster and Whitehall about

the Indian origin former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak - who lost the contest to Truss in the summer - once again throwing his hat into the ring. There was, however, no confirmation of this from him. He has of course made enemies within his party for being instrumental for the downfall of Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister before Truss, and has been lying low since his defeat.

Apart from Sunak, the names of Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State

for Defence, Penny Mordaunt, Leader of the House of Commons, and even Johnson are doing the round. Wallace refused to bid for the leadership in the summer, but could be a unifying figure and thereby a frontrunner, if he stands.

Mordaunt said she will "keep calm and carry on". Another figure of Indian descent, Suella Braverman, who resigned as Home Secretary on Wednesday, could also have ambitions.

Johnson supported Truss against Sunak. It was rumoured he did so because he knew her limitations, expected her to implode soon, which would pave the way for his return. Nicknamed the "human hand-grenade", she has certainly self-destructed in record time.

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labour party and their prime ministerial candidate, called for an immediate general election. He said: "The Conservative party has shown it no longer has a mandate to govern."

Labour party appoints its first turban-wearing Sikh to House of Lords

London (IANS): India-born Kuldip Singh Sahota has become the first turban-wearing Labour peer and the only Sikh on the Labour benches in the House of Lords.

Sahota, 71, who has served as Councillor at Telford and Wrekin council since 2001 for 21 years, was nominated by Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and will thus be addressed as Lord Sahota.

Sahota was on former UK PM Boris Johnson's resignation honours list for his public service.

In the UK, peers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister to serve for life.

"Kuldip becomes the first-ever dastar-wearing Sikh on the Labour benches in the House of Lords and will serve as a role model for Sikhs

across the community," said Neena Gill, Chair of Sikhs for Labour, a group that promotes shared values of the Labour Party and the Sikh community.

He has also served as chair of

the West Midlands Labour Party Regional Board and has stood as Labour candidate for police and crime Commissioner.

Sahota was born in Garhdiwala, in Punjab's Hoshiarpur and moved

to the UK in 1966 to join his father. He is married with two grown-up sons and two grandchildren, all of whom live in Telford. Sahota has also been volunteering in a number of roles across the community in the West Midlands in addition to being a member and activist of the Labour Party for over 25 years.

Members of the House of Lords are sometimes referred to as peers. Most members are Life Peers although 92 sit by virtue of hereditary title.

Lord Singh (Indrajit Singh) of Wimbledon was the first peer to wear a turban. He was made a cross-bench life peer in 2011 and Lord Suri (Ranbir Singh Suri) was the second when he was made a Conservative life peer in 2014.

Sunak

Christians demand arrest of Sikh activist Amritpal Singh, lodge protest in Jalandhar

Jalandhar: The Christian community on Monday organized a massive one-hour protest at PAP Chowk here blocking the traffic of commuters from Amritsar, Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur, besides Jalandhar. The protest was organized by the Masih Action Committee over the recent alleged comments made by Sikh activist Amritpal Singh against Jesus Christ. The protest saw a huge participation of women holding placards reading ‘Stop atrocities against Christians’ and ‘Masih Ekta Zindabad’.

New Delhi (IANS): A man disguised as an advocate was allegedly caught by the police security detail of a main witness in the 1984 Sikh riots, Abhishek Verma, in front of the CBI court at Rouse Avenue here while he was taking pictures of them. However, the man, identified as Pranav Verma, was released after four to five lawyers intervened in the matter.

The police personnel deputed for Verma’s security, Head Constable Parveen and constable Rajpal, wrote down the entire incident in a police report at Hauz Khas police station.

As per the police report, at around 9.30

a.m. on Tuesday, he along with Verma had arrived at the Rouse Avenue court for the hearing.

“While they were waiting for a scheduled court hearing at CBI court in the complex, at around 9.45 a.m., a man wearing a lawyer’s robes came there and started clicking pictures of Verma and police personnel with him,” the report stated.

“He even asked police personnel about Verma and later, at some distance, started clicking more pictures. However, being suspicious of the activities, HC Parveen and constable Rajpal asked him to show his identity card which he could not produce.

It was decided in a meeting at a church in Khambra last evening that they would only hold a protest along the chowk on the service lane and not block the traffic.

At around 10 a.m., they started gathering at the PAP Chowk but as the number of people started swelling, they chose to block one lane of the road from Rama Mandi Chowk side to PAP Chowk for an hour around 1 p.m.

Several vehicles, including buses, cars and school vehicles, started getting stuck.

Deputy Commissioners of Police Jagmohan Singh and Jaskiranjit Singh Teja reached the site and tried to pacify the protestors. Hamid Masih, president of the Punjab Christian Movement, said, “We demand that an FIR [First Information Report] be lodged against Amritpal Singh under 295A of the IPC for hurting our religious sentiments and trying to disturb communal harmony. We met Police Commissioner later in the evening and he assured us of arranging a meeting with the DGP or Chief Secretary.”

“An advocate, Aman Pathak along with some other lawyers intervened in the matter and Pranav was released,” stated the DD entry, adding that a written apology and assurance to not share the pictures were given by Pranav.

Verma is the chief witness in the CBI versus Jagdish Tytler case.

Earlier, on September 28, Verma had reported to the police that some men in a car had clicked photos of his house and run away. The entire incident was captured on the CCTV camera.

In March this year, Verma had filed a complaint about facing threats. The complaint was filed in the Maidangarhi police station in South Delhi which says that he received a threat on email to withdraw as a witness.

Verma said the threat was explicit that he and his family would be blown up by a bomb if he did not do as directed in the threat.

When asked about why he was clicking photos, the reply of the 22-year-old Pranav, a resident of Kamla Nagar in Agra, was not satisfactory,” the police report stated.

“There were around 20 to 25 pictures clicked by him in his mobile phones. They were deleted by the police officials,” said a source.

“Later, when police officials strongly questioned Pranav, he told them that he is working for C Edmonds Allen and Jagdish Tytler and on their direction he came here to click pictures,” said the source.

The mail sent to Verma said that however strict security may be provided to him, but Verma will not be allowed to reach the court premises to depose in the matter.

“If he does not withdraw as a witness, then his car and house will be blown up by RDX explosives,” the mail had read.

The Delhi High Court in September last year directed the police to continue providing three security personnel round the clock to controversial arms dealer Abhishek Verma, a witness in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, as he was receiving threats.

Tandoori Chicken Fish PakoraChicken Tikka

Naan Masala Dosa

Surjit Bhandal

Jagdish Tytler

woo voters,

Chandigarh (IANS): Eyeing to woo the electorates well ahead of the panchayat polls and bypoll in the Adampur assembly, the BJP ruling Haryana government has released self-styled jailed godman and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who is undergoing a 20-year sentence for raping his two disciples, Rahim was granted parole for 21 days last week, third time this year.

Since his release on October 15, politicians have either been lining up for his blessings or even opting to have blessings ‘virtually’ to convey a message to his followers as he plays a gamechanger role in vote politics in every election -- be it the parliamentary or the legislative assembly or the panchayat.

He has been lodged in Haryana’s Sunaria jail since 2017 after being convicted in rape and murder cases. He has a large number of followers in Haryana.

Ram Rahim has always claimed to be apolitical, but his outfit Dera Sacha Sauda had launched its political affairs wing in 2007.

Earlier, the Haryana government had granted furlough for 21 days to meet his family members in the run-up to assembly polls in Punjab on February 20.

This time after the parole, he is staying in his sect’s Dera in Bagphat in Uttar Pradesh.

New Delhi: Mallikarjun Kharge was on Wednesday elected as the new Congress President after he received 7,897 votes, while his rival Shashi Tharoor managed to secure only 1,072. A total of 416 votes were declared invalid.

Kharge’s supporters broke out in dance and burst crackers outside the AICC headquarters here. He is likely to take charge next week a day after Diwali (October 23).

For the first in over two decades, the Congress will get a non-Gandhi President.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim

Not just the BJP, but almost every political party -- the Congress, Punjab’s Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) -- have been hobnobbing with sect heads to gain votes in their favour through consensus.

This time, Haryana Deputy Speaker Ranbir Gangwa was among the politicians who listened to his online discourse and took blessings.

Gangwa said he would arrange a big venue with more capacity of people so that every-

line up before convicted godman Ram Rahim

one should pay respect to the self-styled godman. He was heard confessing that a situation that the administration or police cannot control, can be controlled by Ram Rahim, besides inviting Ram Rahim to attend the gathering physically and bless the people.

The other BJP leaders to vow their loyalties include Karnal Mayor Renu Bala Gupta along with Deputy Mayor Naveen Kumar and Senior Deputy Mayor Rajesh Aggi. Likewise, Hisar Mayor Gautam Sardana’s wife and candidates for Panchayat elections to be held in nine districts on November 9 and 12, came to seek his blessings.

Earlier, Ram Rahim was granted 30-day parole in June, during which he stayed at his Dera Sacha Sauda Ashram in Baghpat.

Justifying the government decision to grant parole, state Jail Minister Ranjit Chautala told the media that he was granted parole as per the jail manual. “It is the legal right of a convict, who becomes eligible to seek parole or furlough after he has completed three years of conviction.”

Reacting to his furlough, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the body responsible for the management of gurdwaras, asked the Haryana government to refrain from releasing a criminal respon-

sible for several killings from the jail.

Before this conviction, Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh were among the prominent leaders who several times visited his Dera based in Sirsa district of Haryana.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the subsequent Haryana assembly polls, Dera Sacha Sauda, with the state’s prominent sect at Salabatpura in Bathinda, had issued a public appeal for people to vote for the BJP.

In the 2017 Punjab assembly polls, the sect, which claims to have 60 million followers pan-India of which 4 million are in Punjab alone, supported the Shiromani Akali DalBJP alliance, but the party lost to the Congress. However, the sect had supported Congress in the previous Punjab Assembly polls in 2012 and 2007.

Last year Ram Rahim was granted parole on his wife Harjit Kaur’s plea that his mother Naseeb Kaur, 85, suffering from a heart disease was seriously ill.

In June 2019, Ram Rahim had withdrawn his parole plea after the state BJP government was cornered by opposition parties for favouring the self-styled godman, who sought parole for 42 days to tend to his agricultural fields at his sect’s headquarters in Sirsa town.

Mallikarjun Kharge elected as the new Congress President

ultimately strengthen the party. It gives me immense personal satisfaction that this has clearly been the case. Our democratic contest has galvanised vibrancy at all levels and has prompted a healthy and constructive discussion on change, which I believe will serve the party in good stead in the future,” he wrote in a letter.

Tharoor thanked his supporters, and said that the elections will galvanise the party and its revival has begun. “I have always expressed the

view that these elections, irrespective of the outcome, must

He thanked his volunteer team of party colleagues “for their amazing efforts against impossible odds to keep our campaign going and congratulated the Chief Election Authority, Madhusudan Mistry, and his colleagues for their efforts to make this possible.”

“It is our duty to lead the nation to the bright democratic future envisaged by the founders of our Republic. The ideals of a pluralist, prosperous and egalitarian India that inspired Mahatma Gandhi, Nehruji and Dr Ambedkar must be fought for with renewed determination in the face of the onslaught on our most precious values by the ruling party and the forces it has unleashed,” he added.

Tharoor said he looks forward to working with the Congress colleagues to face the challenges ahead.

“I believe the revival of our party has truly begun today,” Tharoor said after losing to Kharge.

D.Y. Chandrachud

Vishal Walia, 38, identified as homicide victim at Vancouver’s

THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) on Tuesday identified the victim of the targeted shooting at Vancouver’s University Golf Club as Vishal Walia, 38, in hopes of fur thering their investigation.

Investigators believe this to have been a tar geted shooting in relation to the Lower Main land Gang Conflict.

Police sources confirmed to The VOICE that he had connections to the United Nations gang.

On October 17 at 9:49 a.m., University RCMP received reports of a shooting at the Univer sity Golf Club, located in the 5100-block of University Boulevard on the University En dowment Lands.

Officers located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts by the of ficers, the victim succumbed to his injuries.

IHIT took conduct of the investigation and continues to work closely in partnership with the University Detachment, BC Coroners Ser vice and the RCMP Forensic Identification Section.

At 10:02 a.m., a vehicle fire was reported in the laneway located in the 4000-block of West 20 Avenue in Vancouver. IHIT is working with the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) to determine if the two incidences are con nected.

“IHIT is urging anyone who had contact with Mr. Walia in the days leading to his death, to

please contact police, as we continue to build a timeline of events,” said IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti. “We are still appealing to anyone with dash cam video to secure the footage and to contact us immediately.”

IHIT is asking that any witnesses or anyone with dash camera video who attended the area of the University Golf Course between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. or who was in the 4000-block of West 20 Avenue or who has any informa tion regarding the shooting, to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Vancouver arson suspects Balraj S. Basra and Iqbal S. Kang arrested and charged after collision on Highway 91 in Richmond:

Three occupants of a vehicle were taken into custody by Richmond RCMP following a three-vehicle collision that occurred on High way 91 at approximately 10:45 a.m. on Mon day.

The collision involved a police vehicle from the BC Highway Patrol, a commercial vehicle, and a vehicle believed to have been associ ated to a suspicious fire that occurred in Van couver earlier Monday morning.

The driver of the commercial vehicle was transported to hospital for treatment of nonlife-threatening injuries. Three occupants from the third vehicle involved were taken

into custody, and were held for investigation. The following day, two of the three arrested — Balraj Singh Basra and Iqbal Singh Kang, both around 22 years old — were both charged on October 18 with arson damaging property (Vancouver); and dangerous opera tion of a conveyance, flight from police, and possession of stolen property (Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Richmond). Their next court appearance is on October 21, according to the Richmond Provincial Court registry. remain in custody, according to the

Richmond Provincial Court registry. They re main in custody. Police have not said whether they were in volved in the Vancouver Golf Club shooting incident, though the Integrated Homicide In vestigation Team announced on Friday morn ing that it would be “providing an update on arrests and charges laid in relation to the murder of Vishal Walia” on Friday afternoon (which is past the news deadline for this pa per; however, you can read about it on our website voiceonline.com).

Kiesha Garie and Umair Kasim of Coquitlam identified as victims found deceased in Burnaby

THE Integrated Homicide Inves tigation Team (IHIT) on Wednes day identified the victims who were found deceased inside a vehicle in Burnaby on Monday as 31-year-old Kiesha Garie and 30-year-old Umair Kasim of Co quitlam in hopes of furthering their investigation.

On October 17 at 1:45 p.m., Burnaby RCMP officers locat ed a vehicle containing a de ceased man and woman in the 900-block of Alpha Avenue. IHIT took conduct of the investigation

and has been working closely with the Burnaby RCMP, the BC Coroners Service and the RCMP Forensic Identification Section.

Both Garie and Kasim had been recently reported missing to the Coquitlam RCMP. IHIT is work ing with the Coquitlam RCMP and the Burnaby RCMP to build a timeline of events connecting when Garie and Kasim were last seen to when they were located on October 17.

One media report had said that the two were engaged.

“This is a complex investiga tion that spans multiple jurisdic tions,” said IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti of IHIT. “There are peo ple out there who have seen Ms. Garie and Mr. Kasim over the past week, and we are urging them to come forward immedi ately.”

IHIT is asking that any witnesses or anyone with information re garding the homicides, to con tact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

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

Kiesha Garie

Umair Kasim

THE BOLO program on Tuesday, in coopera tion with Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, announced a reward up to $250,000 for any information leading to the arrest of escaped killer Rabih (Robby) Alkhalil.

The reward is available only until May 1, 2023, and the tipster will have one year from the date of arrest to claim the reward.

BOLO warns on its website: “Take no action to apprehend Alkhalil yourself. He may be armed and dangerous.”

It also warns: “Anyone offering Alkhalil assis tance in evading arrest may be considered an accessory after the fact and face charges. Section 240 of the Criminal Code of Canada states that “everyone who is an accessory after the fact to murder is guilty of an indict able offence and liable to imprisonment for life.””

The website states: “During the evening hours of Thursday, July 21, the RCMP were called to the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam for the escape of Rabih Alkhalil, a high-profile prisoner.

“Alkhalil was standing trial for murder when he escaped with the assistance of two ac complices posing as contractors.

“Alkhalil is wanted on Canada-wide warrants for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and being unlawfully at large. He is a very dangerous criminal with a lengthy criminal

record and extensive ties to organized crime. An Interpol Red Notice has been issued for him.

“In 2017, an Ontario judge sentenced Alkhalil to life in prison for the first-degree murder of a man in a Toronto coffee shop. He was also given a concurrent sentence of 20 years for conspiracy to commit murder.

“In 2020, in Quebec, Alkhalil was sentenced to eight years in prison for drug trafficking.

On August 30, 2022, after his escape from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre, a jury found Alkhalil guilty of first-degree murder, the crime for which he was standing trial in B.C.” (A B.C. Supreme Court jury found Hells Angel Larry Amero guilty of conspiracy to commit murder in the shooting death of Sandip “Dip” Duhre at Downtown Vancou ver’s Sheraton Wall Centre on January 17, 2012, and the homicide of Sukhveer (Sukh) Dhak who was gunned down along with his bodyguard, Thomas Mantel, in the lobby of the Executive Hotel and Conference Center in the 4200-block of Lougheed Highway in Burnaby on November 26, 2012. Alkhalil was found guilty of conspiracy and first-degree murder in Duhre’s death and guilty of plot ting to murder Dhak.)

Other info:

Born: May 8, 1987

Cultural background: Middle Eastern

Nationality: Canadian

Languages spoken: English, French, Arabic

Height: 5 ft 10 in / 178 cm

Last known weight: 165 lbs / 75 kg

Build: Small to medium

Eye colour: Dark brown

Last known hair colour: Black

Also look for two birthmarks on left cheek.

Faint scar above nose (near left eyebrow).

The website states: “It is unknown if Rabih Alkhalil is still hiding in Canada or has been successful in fleeing the country. Alkhalil is known to use fake identity documents and passports.”

Submit your tip to RCMP Coquitlam De tachment at 1-877-687-3377 / coquitlambolo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) / solvecrime.ca.

ALKAHLIL’S aliases include Rabi, Robby, Robbi, Rabih Al Khalil, Philip Betencourt Furtado, and Philip Bettenecourt Furtado.

Rabih (Robby) Alkhalil

Sandip Duhre

Sukh Dhak

Rabih (Robby) Alkhalil

Photos: BOLO

2023 Acura Integra Elite A-Spec: Performance Legend is Back!

Auto review by Veeno Dewan

The famous Integra model is back in the Acu ra performance lineup. For the uninitiated, the 1980s and 1990s Integra was an iconic performance two- door coupe. Highly antici pated and sure to sell out fast, the 2023 ver sion of the legendary Acura Integra is a new Sportback four -door sedan with the sporty Honda Civic Si underpinnings. No retro styl ing, only the distinctive “Integra” lettering stamped into the front and rear bumpers. The upper -level A-Spec model has more accentu ated sportier bodywork, and 18-inch wheels. The new Integra is a distinctive looking car with its pentagon grille and sleek light treat ments.

The Integra is powered by; a 1.5-litre tur bocharged inline-4 with VTEC producing 200 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and Torque at 192 lb.-ft. @ 1,800 – 5,000 rpm. The transmission choice is either a Sport-tuned Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Paddle Shifters or an optional six-speed manual (Hooray!)with a mechanical limited slip dif ferential. There is also optional adaptive sus pension.

There are four trim levels to choose from in the model line up: base Integra, ($34,350), A-Spec ($37,050), Elite A-Spec Package ($42,550) and the as tested Elite A-Spec Pack age with 6-speed manual. The A-Spec model adds an Individual drive mode to the Integra’s drive-mode selector switch which allows drivers to save a customized setting. The A -Spec Elite model is the most desirable with its body kit, 18-inch wheels, and the avail ability of the six-speed manual transmission..

The Elite A-Spec (as tested) has the adaptive dampers set up, re-tuned suspension and a 5% stiffer chassis.

Standard features across the range include heated sport seats and steering wheel, sun roof, power driver’s seat, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster which provides re configurable information for the driver. The Integra comes with a 7.0-inch infotainment display as standard with a larger 9.0-inch unit available as an option. There is also blindspot monitoring, and forward-facing driver assist technologies, such as adaptive cruise control, that uses a new camera system. All models feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Technology package adds features such as an adaptive suspension system, a 10.2-inch digital gauge display, a 16-speaker ELS stereo system, suede seat inserts, wire less smartphone charging, wireless connec tivity, a 5.3-inch head-up display, and three USB-C charging ports in the cabin.

The A-Spec Elite also has an “individual” mode to customize throttle response and steering feel, and also transmission mapping if equipped with the CVT.

Based on the Honda Civic Si performance model, the Integra shares much of its interior with just a few minor changes around the air vents. Added is premium materials, and re vised extra safety airbags. There’s also a de cent amount of legroom in the back, but less headroom due to the sloping roof. However, there is a stellar 680 litres of rear cargo space.

The Integra A-Spec Elite trim adds a more premium interior with high class leatherlook sports seats, imitation leather door trim, faux carbon fiber on the dash, along with chrome and metal accents and cool speaker grilles for the ELS premium audio system. The optional Technology package also adds faux-suede inserts to the seats as well as 12way power adjustments for the driver and four-way power adjustments for the front pas senger.

On the road, the 2023 Integra, much like the original version is satisfyingly sporty to drive. Its turbocharged 1.5L engine likes to rev and offers quick acceleration in a smooth, linear manner. A stand out feature is the optional six-speed manual transmission as equipped on our test car. The clutch action is well modulated, while the short- throw shifter snicks into up and down shifts with a

satisfying engagement. . the manual transmis sions auto rev-matching function is wonder fully accurate and precise in operation.

The steering is well weighted and direct erring on firm for excellent cornering with

controlled weight transfer. Meanwhile, the adaptive dampers set up can switch from normal to driver preferred comfortable cruis ing mode or a performance-oriented firmer setup for more precise cornering. Ride and

handling is also good with a tuned nicely engineered chassis. The three-stage adaptive dampers have driver selectable Comfort, Normal and Sport modes. Each of the Adap tive suspension settings combine with throttle and steering parameters when used. Comfort offers looser steering, and throttle control and a more relaxed ride. Sport sharpens throttle response; firmer steering and a firmer road feel for more driver feedback.

Downsides are few, the lack of rear head room being one weakness in particular. All in all, the 2023 Acura Integra is a very engag ing, fun to drive sports coupe and can be had with one of the best manual transmissions around. A very competent and highly recom mended sports car for the demanding fun ori entated driver.

2023 Acura Integra priced from: $34.350. A-Spec Elite model as tested priced from: $42,550.

More info at www.acura.ca

Running a time: 1h 45min

Growing pains. Illicit love, sudden loss and a host of other issues highlight the surprisingly good The Sto ried Life of J.K. Firky. Three hanky movies are often reserved for the ladies. Ro mantic fare can be engag ing and this little number from 504 Pr is designed to warm peoples hearts and does so With flying col ors. Take your sweetie or a friend to enjoy the his heart felt romance now making waves at select Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres around B.C. Cour tesy of Route 504 PR.

Book fans may realize that this new movie is based on the hit New York Times bestseller. Early on we meet the rather cantanker ous man himself A.J. Fi kry . Solid in The part of a solitary bookseller on the rough around the edges side is Kunal Nayyar.

Knowledge oozes from this man’s demeanor which often is more sour than sweet, Sparks fly when a New York

publishing rep comes a calling on this small town shop owner. Hot to trot and eager to get her books on Firky’s shelves is up start Amelia. Let’s just say these two don’t hit it off - at least at first. Time heals all wools and a sense of lone liness and Road weariness sets in. So all bets are off as to whether this differing age couple will hit it off let alone get it on.

Oh, there’s more. Lots more. Throw into the mix other conniving authors, child abandonment and the gossip so common in small towns and The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry becomes a neat mystery of the heart with lots of nice touches and emotional payoffs.

For more reviews please visit my website moviereviewssite.com

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Respectable well established Sidhu Family looking for a suitable match for their daughter born in 1981 in Vancouver, never married, university graduate, working as marketing manager with reputed international company. For further information contact: 604-3190662 18 Sept.

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

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

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

British Columbians Face Diverse Housing Challenges in Northern and Island Communities

In advance of the 2022 General Local Elec tions, BCREA discussed housing challenges faced by mayors and community stakehold ers in several of BC’s unique municipalities. While at first glance, problems may seem less er in areas like Vancouver Island or northern B.C., where the average home price is ‘only’ $430,000, there is an array of unique challeng es preventing would-be renters and buyers in these regions from attaining housing. The problem is quickly worsening, as nearly half of all municipalities saw their average home prices increase by over 50% between 2016 and 2021.

Unique Housing Challenges

Outside Metro Vancouver

Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen outlined challenges potential buyers can face in ob taining mortgage financing in many of BC’s small communities. Banks and credit unions make mortgage approval decisions based on statistics, but when a town’s population is too small to provide meaningful statistics, the in stitutions become more risk-averse. Another challenge in small communities like Vanderhoof is getting the insurance that is often required for mortgages. Insurance can be increasingly expensive or challenging to obtain due to wildfires and other natural di sasters.

The housing crisis has knock-on effects for other issues and in other areas. Northern Health has identified housing issues as a prob lem in recruiting doctors, nurses and other professionals to smaller communities. When these issues persist, they can result in reloca tion and even homelessness in larger cities like Prince George.

“When you don’t address problems in rural areas, the problems get pushed to urban ar eas,” Thiessen says.

Issues like labour supply shortages, which are a challenge in communities big and small, can also have unique nuances in different areas.

In Nanaimo, for example, labour shortages impact not only the building sector but also city staff.

City of Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog explains, “a good year for housing development used to be about $200 million in building permits. By 2019, that doubled. Finding staff to manage two times the applications is a challenge.”

BCREA and real estate boards share many of the same concerns as these mayors.

“Northern communities face many of the same housing supply challenges seen across the province,” says BC Northern Real Estate Board CEO Alex Gos eltine. “In seeking so lutions, they can face unique obstacles.”

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LONELINESS is worse for health than obesi ty – as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It can increase the risk of death by 26 percent and of cognitive decline on the way. But a recent story on the Good News Network of fered a heart-warming take on loneliness among older men.

At 67 years of age, “Phillip Jackson moved back to England from Australia,” the story reads, “and immediately felt like a stray dog in his native town.” He may have felt out of place, but he should not have felt alone. There is an abundance of people who feel isolated, even when they are living in vibrant communities.

Age UK’s report All the Lonely People fore cast the number of people over 50 in Eng land experiencing loneliness to reach 2 mil lion people by 2026. How terribly sad that the same organization found “half a million people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all.”

According to a global survey, about 33 per cent of adults experienced feelings of lone liness worldwide. Brazil, the seventh most populous country in the world, has the loneliest adults, with 50 percent of the sur vey’s respondents declaring that they felt lonely some of the time, often or always. Less than a third of Australian adults feel that way. It might be because they’ve found an interesting solution. Phillip Jackson learned about the Australian Men’s Shed Association, a rapidly expanding network of mostly men but some women too who appreciate getting together to do wood working.

These Men’s Sheds, now numbering over 1,200 groups in Australia, are basically a social club in disguise. On the surface, members get together and make things out of wood. But the role these groups play in helping otherwise lonely people connect with peers for a common purpose is not to be underestimated.

Other similar groups exist. MensGroup, for example, has podcasts, a YouTube chan nel, self-improvement courses, and even adventure retreats.

Makings new friends at any point in life can be challenging. A study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relation ships estimated it takes about 90 hours with someone to make them a real friend, and 200 to become “close”.

For some men, making friends can be tough. Josh Glancy, a British journalist, wrote in Men’s Health, “Many of us find it easier to talk about football or politics than to admit to suffering from a low sex drive or feeling undervalued at work. We don’t know who to tell these things, or how to say them.”

He made the apt comparison of loneliness to hunger. “It’s a lack of emotional suste nance, the physical pleasure of being in the company of someone who cares about you.”

Getting older inevitably means losing the hard-earned friends made over a lifetime. It’s a sad irony that the older one gets, the fewer friends remain who share the same memories and interests.

A study in the American Journal of Men’s Health offers good advice. Have a purpose in life. In this regard, researchers have good news. People can, they say, develop a sense of purpose even when faced with significant adversity. And more good news, one’s life purpose can change. It doesn’t have to be the same purpose from start to finish.

Loneliness among men

Grandfathers have been known to counsel their grandchildren, “Go sit on the beach until you know what you want to do with your life.” Maybe it’s time for the old fellows to take their own advice.

If the beach is distant, then there might be a Men’s Shed around. Better still, start up another one.

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 policy and economics, nutrition, and popu lation health.

COMMON SENSE HEALTH – W. GIFFORD-JONES, MD AND DIANA GIFFORD-JONES