Indo-Canadian Voice Main - Dec 31 2022

Surrey RCMP and CFSEU-BC warn public against

and Harkirat Jhutty

SURREY RCMP in partnership with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) on Friday issued a public warning due to an increased threat to public safety posed by two individuals involved in gang activity and the violence associated with it.

“Due to a signi�icant threat to the public posed by these individuals through their connection to criminal activity and high levels of violence, police believe that anyone connected to or in proximity to them may be putting themselves at risk,” police said.

Police said they were issuing a public warning and identifying them in order for family, friends, associates, and the public to take measures to increase their own personal safety.

Police are warning against interactions with:

* Karnvir Garcha, 24, of Surrey

* Harkirat Jhutty, 22, of Surrey

“The individuals identi�ied have been informed by police of credible threats to their safety, but the threat doesn’t just place them at risk, it poses a risk to anyone who associates with them or anyone who

is in proximity to them,” said Surrey RCMP’s Major Crime Team Lead, Inspector Bal Hansra. “Due to their association with gang activity, the drug trade, and violent acts such as shootings, these individuals have put themselves, their families, and the community at risk.”

“Despite the threats to their lives and the safety of others around them, these individuals have shown little regard for public safety in our

communities,” said Staff-Sgt. Lindsay Houghton of CFSEU-BC. “We are working closely with all our policing partners, including the Surrey RCMP, through enforcement and suppression efforts to send the clear message that gang-related violence will not be tolerated.”

Police are asking the public to report any information about recent incidents of violence or suspicious activity to police by calling 9-1-1.

Will NDP government betray Surrey Police Service employees –just as then-BC Liberal government betrayed health workers?

THE then-BC Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell in a desperate bid to get rid of the NDP government blatantly lied to health workers union that he would not privatize health services – and then ended up doing just that when he won to bene�it his rich pals.

“The privatization policies of the previous B.C. Liberal government devastated the lives of thousands of workers in a sector that was overwhelmingly female and highly racialized. It fragmented health care delivery, undermined wages and working conditions, and made our hospitals less safe for workers, residents and patients,” said HEU secretary-business manager Meena Brisard on October 28 as over 800 health care workers in Vancouver Coastal transferred from private companies back to the public sector thanks to the NDP government repealing in 2018 the BC Liberalera legislation that cleared the way for the mass privatization of hospital support services starting in 2002.

A vast number of these employees were South Asian

women and they and their families suffered terribly while the rich pals of the BC Liberals celebrated.

Then on November 24, at a ceremony in the Parliament Buildings’ Hall of Honour, Premier David Eby joined health-care workers and members of the legislative assembly to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the passing of Bill 47. Since then, 4,601 health-services workers have returned to the public system, resulting in more stable, consistent and supportive patient care for people throughout the province,

Karnvir Garcha and Harkirat Jhutty. Photos: Surrey RCMP.

The NDP government will have NO credibility left if it reverses this process

CONTINUED FROM 1

the government said.

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

Campbell was finally kicked out in disgrace in 2011 when British Columbians felt that they had had enough of his deceptions (remember the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)?)

NOW, everyone is waiting to see if the Eby government will act treacherously like the BC Liberals and ditch more than 300 Surrey Police Service employees after allowing them to be hired from all across Canada to form the new municipal police force in Surrey – the ONLY major city in Canada that does NOT have its own police force.

Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth has the final say on the matter.

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

If the NDP government ditches these employees, then the vast majority of South Asians and others will have their trust

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

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

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

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

4. The SPB employs 23 exempt civilian employees who are not members of CUPE 402. Reversing the transition would require that the SPB be dissolved, resulting in these employees being terminated.

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

Indeed, the NDP government will have NO credibility left if it reverses this process.

It is highly pertinent to note as The VOICE has highlighted time and time again that the Surrey Police Service was established after Doug McCallum of Safe Surrey Coalition won the 2018 municipal election on that mandate with 40 per cent of the total votes cast — as compared to the 28 per cent of the total votes cast for Brenda Locke in 2022 on her pledge to keep the RCMP in Surrey. What is more, Locke of Surrey Connect won by fewer than 1,000 votes! Locke bagged 33,111 votes as compared to McCallum’s 32,338 votes — a difference of only 973 votes.

Even that section of the mainstream media that had been highly biased against McCallum is now questioning Locke’s move to keep the

RCMP in Surrey.

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

1. Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum and seven of his Safe Surrey Coalition members won the election fair and square four years ago on the pledge that they would form a Surrey police force to replace the RCMP. In fact, all the eight new Councillors, including the lone one (Linda Annis) from Surrey First, voted to ditch the RCMP at the very first Council meeting.

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

3. Meanwhile, Surrey voters delivered a slap in the face of those who want to keep the RCMP in Surrey in the 2020 provincial election when they not only re-elected all six in-

cumbent NDP MLAs – Jinny Sims (Surrey-Panorama), Rachna Singh (Surrey-Green Timbers), Jagrup Brar (Surrey-Fleetwood), Harry Bains (Surrey-Newton), Bruce Ralston (Surrey-Whalley) and Garry Begg (Surrey-Guildford) – but also booted out Marvin Hunt (Surrey-Cloverdale) and replaced him with the NDP’s Mike Starchuk in spite of the BC Liberals and RCMP supporters making the police transition the hot issue in the city in the election. That made the new BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon assure Punjabi journalists at a press meeting that he supported the municipal police transition.

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

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

Mike Farnworth and David Eby.

Photo: BC Government

Karanjot Singh Sodhi, 41, of Butala (Amritsar) one of four people killed in Highway 97C accident

ONE of the four killed in Saturday night’s accident on the Highway 97C Okanagan Connector between Merritt and Kelowna was Karanjot Singh Sodhi, 41, of Butala (Amritsar), Punjab.

Punjabi journalist Gurpreet (Lucky) Singh Sahota was the �irst to identify him as one of the victims in a tweet on Sunday.

Sodhi had come to Canada on a work permit in September and was employed as a chef at Masala Bistro at Kismet Winery in Oliver.

He leaves behind a wife, a sixyear-old son and a two-year-old daughter.

A GoFundMe page set up to help his family (gofund.me/12d0661a) had collected more than $31,800 by Thursday morning.

His friend and coworker Anshul Thakur told Global News that Sodhi’s only dream was to get his family here. “He �inally felt like everything was coming into place. All the pieces were coming together,” he added.

Sodhi called Thakur shortly before the crash as he wanted to make sure that Thakur had made it home safe after dropping him at the bus depot.

Global BC said that Kismet chef Howard Collince Michael Samy said colleagues began to worry when they learned Sodhi hadn’t arrived at his destination. The RCMP informed them about the tragedy and they had to then inform Sodhi’s wife.

His colleagues praised Sodhi as a person whose happiness was infectious.

The CBC reported that Sodhi’s cousin Kalwinder Singh, a truck driver, told then that he was looking forward to celebrating the holidays with him. The two were on a video call that Singh believes ended about

30 minutes before the crash.

At about 10 p.m., when Sodhi hadn’t arrived in Surrey, Singh told the CBC that his wife began to worry. Sodhi wasn't answering his phone and Singh began calling the police.

An hour later, the family heard of the bus crash and that some of the passengers had died. Singh then began calling the hospitals in the area to try and get information about Sodhi.

The police called him on Sunday to inform him that his cousin had died.

THE BC RCMP said on Tuesday that although the E-bus in the single vehicle collision on Highway 97C was equipped with seat belts, unfortunately, it appears the

majority of passengers were not wearing them.

At this time, investigators believe the bus was occupied by 45 passengers and the driver. Investigators are attempting to con�irm this number. The BC RCMP said they could con�irm that four passengers were found deceased at scene.

It is believed that 22 passengers were transported to the Kelowna hospital, six to Penticton hospital and 13 to Merritt hospital. The four deceased were transported by the BC Coroners Service. No passengers were left at scene. The area around the collision was searched by �irst responders.

On December 24 at approximately 6:14 p.m., the BC Highway Patrol

and Merritt RCMP were advised of a single vehicle collision around Loon Lake on Highway 97C east of Merritt. Police and emergency services responded and located a commercial E-bus that had gone off road to the left and rolled onto its passenger side coming to rest in the eastbound lanes.

BC Highway Patrol investigators have learned that the E-bus was travelling west along Highway 97C from Kelowna towards Merritt when it encountered adverse road conditions. The E-bus went off road to the left, crossed the median and �lipped onto its passenger side, coming to rest in the eastbound lanes.

Passers-by and local residents provided assistance by allowing passengers to warm up in their vehicles and providing blankets while emergency services arrived. All passengers were transported by BC Ambulance Service to local hospitals. There were no other vehicles involved in the collision.

The passengers were a mix of local and non-local people and foreign nationals. This was a regularly scheduled commercial bus trip from Kelowna to Vancouver.

The road conditions were �luid, transitioning from clear wet roads to frozen with ice and snow on the road surface due to the time of day and changing weather conditions. Rain and hail were falling. RCMP collision re-constructionists attended the scene.

This matter is still under active investigation. The E-bus remains in RCMP custody pending the investigation. The BC Highway Patrol is working with E-bus to return luggage and personal effects from the bus to the passengers.

“IT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!”

That was the response from former Solicitor General Kash Heed when The VOICE asked him if the ongoing transition from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service (SPS) could be reversed at this stage – as Surrey mayoral hopeful Brenda Locke has been claiming.

The SPS now has 352 employees, with 298 sworn police officers and 54 civilians and Surrey-ites, especially the important South Asian community has whole-heartedly welcomed them. In fact, it will be a highly volatile situation if any mayor tries to halt or reverse the ongoing policing transition.

Heed noted: “[The transition] is on its way and Surrey Police Service, whether you like it or you don’t like it, it is going to be an independent municipal police agency. They are well on their way and the Province is not going to pull it back. It will be an irresponsible move if they pulled it back regardless of the political environment that is out there right now.”

Heed added: “Police leaders across the Lower Mainland understand that and are preparing themselves with respect to Surrey having its own standalone independent municipal police agency.”

After high-profile gang and drug enforcement

commands with the Vancouver Police Department, Heed was West Vancouver’s Chief Constable for two years before being elected to the BC Legislature in 2009 as the MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview. Immediately after, Heed was appointed to serve as BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

WHEN The VOICE asked him about the controversy about transition costs. Heed bluntly pointed out: “Yes, the transition is going to be

costly at the outset; however, it is going to be transitioned. Matter of fact, if you try to pull it back right now, you will be absolutely wasting excessive dollars, not realising that you have hired well over 200 people that you will have to deal with in some kind of severance pay when you try to pull it back.”

He added: “You got to look at the overall cost of what is taking place. You are better off moving forward, containing cost as much as you can. What has happened is the resistance from the RCMP, resistance from other policy-maker agencies that have cost the taxpayer in Surrey. “This resistance will now subside and we will start to see a smoother, more efficient process because everyone knows this is now going to be a standalone, independent municipal police agency.”

When The VOICE noted that the Solicitor General could always refuse any request for a reversal of the policing transition, Heed said: “The power for policing lies with the provincial government. If you look at the way the Constitutional Act is in Canada, the responsibility for the policing comes to the Province. The Province takes upon itself to delegate the authority to municipal government. But the Province is overall is in charge of policing within its jurisdiction.”

WHEN The VOICE pointed out that Locke was

making the ridiculous suggestion that the SPS officers could just be absorbed into the RCMP or return to their previous police departments, Heed replied: “It will not happen. You’ve got to remember the RCMP is a federal police agency. If in fact you wanted to be a member of the RCMP, there is a process you have to go through to be a member. You’ve got a chief of police, you’ve got deputy chiefs of police, you have superintendents, you have inspectors, you have staff-sergeants, sergeants and constables. You are not going to absorb them within a federal police structure.”

And what about the other police departments? Heed said: “They are not going to take them back, I can tell you right now. They are not going to take them back because many of them have retired. They were able to take retirement. They will not go back as they have retired from those police agencies, whether you have retired from the RCMP or you’ve retired from a different police agency, you won’t go back as a regular member. You’ve already retired from that agency.”

Heed then noted: “You’ve heard me say that it was a very costly venture, but you are going to waste more of the taxpayers’ dollar now if you try and pull this back. And I know that the Solicitor General and the rest of the cabinet in Victoria have no appetite to stop this and pull it back. … I can tell you it’s not going to happen!”

New Westminster Police warn about sextortion scam

NEW Westminster Police are issuing a public warning regarding the exchange of intimate photos or engaging in intimate encounters online after recently receiving several reports of sextortion.

Sexting material can be used to exploit, bully and blackmail individuals. Sexting is when an individual sends a sexually explicit photo, video, or message to another person by phone or computer. Sextortion is when someone threatens to send your sexually explicit photo, video, or message to other individuals if you do not provide them with more sexual content or financial compensation.

It is illegal for an adult to distribute any intimate image of another adult without that

person’s consent. Sharing a sexually explicit image of a child is always illegal.

“Often, sextortion cases remain unreported due to the sensitive nature of the images and the victim may often be too embarrassed to file a report,” said Sgt. Justine Thom, “Youth may also be hesitant to seek adult assistance and will often comply with threats to try and manage the situation on their own.”

Parents and guardians are encouraged to have conversations with their children about the risks associated with using technology to experiment sexually and the potential risk of extortion. Parents should also talk with their children about deleting and blocking unsolicited messages or communications from un-

known persons online, as well as being careful who they add to social media.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are being extorted:

* Immediately stop all communication. Deactivate (but do not delete) any of the accounts you are using to communicate with the individual.

* For youth – Ask a parent or guardian for assistance.

* Do not comply with the threat. In other words, never pay money and never send additional photos. The situation will not get better by doing either of these things. If money has been paid, check to see if it has been collected and, if not, quickly cancel the payment.

* Keep the correspondence. Keep information such as the person’s username(s), social media account information, a copy of the communications, along with any images and/ or videos that were sent.

More information regarding sextortion and sexting, including downloadable resources for parents, is available at www.cybertip.ca. Other resources for youth:

* CMHA Distress Line – 403-327-7905 or toll free 1-888-787-2880

* Kids Help Line – 1-800-668-6868

Anybody who believes they have been a victim of sexual exploitation can report it to the New Westminster Police Department at 604525-5411 or, call 9-1-1 if in an emergency.

Kash Heed

Photo submitted

Shock and disgust at Brenda Locke and Surrey RCMP officer in charge’s behaviour at constable’s funeral

[November 3, 2022 – The secondmost popular story on our website voiceonline.com]

A photo circulating on social media that shows Surrey mayor-elect Benda Locke and Surrey RCMP officer in charge Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards laughing in an unrestrained manner at Wednesday’s regimental funeral of Burnaby RCMP Constable Shaelyn Yang is causing deep resentment among police officers in B.C.

Decent British Columbians are expressing their shock and disgust at this highly inappropriate behaviour and are demanding an unconditional apology.

Surrey-ites in particular are highly

embarrassed.

“This is the woman who said on her election victory night that she was going to make Surrey great. Is this how she is going about it!” said one angry Surrey-ite.

“She is so excited about having achieved her goal of being mayor at all costs that she probably couldn’t help herself!” said another Surreyite.

What has angered British Columbians is the shameless manner in which the RCMP snubbed Premier John Horgan and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth by seating Locke in the front row while giving Horgan and Farnworth seats further back.

“This clearly shows Locke is in the RCMP’s pocket,” noted one Surrey-ite.

Municipal police transition in Surrey cannot be reversed

the sources that suggest that Locke is being highly irresponsible.

ONE reader sent a number of questions to The VOICE. Here are some of them:

1) Brenda Locke was clearly a guest of the Surrey RCMP contingent. How is that invite appropriate for a funeral for a fallen Burnaby RCMP officer?

2) Why are Edwards, National Police Federation President Brian Sauvé and Locke joking and carrying on at such a solemn event?

3) They were in the first row, seated very close to the Yang family. The Premier and Solicitor General, however, were seated further back. Why did they make this choice? Was it for a public show in front of the cameras?

BRENDA Locke is so desperate to be mayor that she is coming up with all kind of distorted claims regarding the current municipal police transition in an effort to scare Surrey voters.

However, the provincial government will not reverse the process that has reached such an advanced state, government sources say.

The Province does not want to get involved in any controversy because of the October 15 municipal election, but the fact is that any reversal of the process is just not possible or practical at this stage.

The Surrey Police Service now has 352 employees with 298 sworn police officers and 54 civilians and Surrey-ites – especially South Asians – have warmly welcomed them.

“It will be extremely difficult and extremely expensive to reverse this process,” point out

That is apparently why Locke in her desperation has come up with fantastic dollar figures that she claims will cost taxpayers to complete the transition. And that is why the Province has never taken Locke seriously over the past years.

The sources also note that even if a new Council makes a request to reverse the current transition, the Solicitor General can refuse to do so. The Solicitor General has the ultimate authority as the chief law enforcement officer in the province to decide the issue.

Locke’s claim that all those currently in the Surrey Police Service will just go back to their former police posts or be incorporated into the RCMP is considered to be downright ridiculous.

The SPS officers have already made career choices, leaving the RCMP and municipal police forces, the sources point out. This is not some kind of a joke.

Locke is only exposing her political immaturity and manipulation by pro-RCMP forces who are still dreaming of somehow keeping the RCMP in Surrey. They have used every kind of disruptive tactic, even behaving like hooligans in Surrey City Hall.

Also, any attempt to reverse the transition process will for sure lead to massive unrest and confusion that could result in even more resentment against the RCMP and endanger the law and order situation.

Locke has a long history of being a political loser at all three levels – municipal, provincial and federal – and in her desperation she will apparently say anything to try and win.

Also, that is probably why her party member Councillor Jack Hundial – a former RCMP officer — started his own transition to leave Surrey with his family. He apparently had started planning for that a couple of years ago. But Hundial and Locke kept that a secret from Surrey-ites until a few months ago. Talk about transparency!

Surrey Connect's Jack Hundial and Brenda Locke: Former RCMP officer Hundial transitioned himself out of Surrey!

RCMP deliberately snubbed Premier and Solicitor General by giving Locke front row seat!

Surrey mayor-elect Benda Locke and Surrey RCMP officer in charge Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards find it so funny!

Consulate General of India in Vancouver pays homage on “Veer Bal Diwas”

ON “Veer Bal Diwas” (December 26), to pay homage to the courage of the “Sahibzades” – the martyred sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Sikh Guru: Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh — for their unparalleled sacrifices, the Consulate General of India released a digital exhibition (visit our website voiceonline.com to view it.)

Paying tributes on Veer Baal Diwas, Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma (see photo on the right) inaugurated a photo and digital exhibition on the glorious life of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji at the High Commission in Ottawa.

An exhibition has also been organized at Khalsa Diwan Society’s Ross Street Sikh Temple for a week, starting on Tuesday, December 27

The Consulate General noted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the birth anniversary of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on January 9, 2022, had announced the celebration of ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ to pay homage to the courage of the ‘Sahibzades.’ Accordingly, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs issued a ‘Gazette notification’ declaring December 26, 2022, as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ to pay tribute to the unparalleled sacrifices made by the sons of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

The exhibition at the Indian Consulate General in Vancouver (left) and at Khalsa Diwan Society’s Ross Street Sikh Temple (right).

RENTERS and landlords in B.C. will soon benefit from more timely and efficient supports and services as government takes action to speed up and strengthen residential tenancy dispute resolution, the province said on Wednesday.

“Renters and landlords have been clear that the current residential tenancy dispute resolution process isn’t working fast enough to address their needs,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “We hear you and we are taking action to speed up service and strengthen enforcement to address things like repeat or serious offences like illegal evictions, so renters and landlords can get the fair treatment and timely support they deserve.”

Government is increasing the Residential Tenancy Branch’s (RTB) operating budget and staffing by 40%, adding as many as 50 new fulltime employees to cut waiting times and doubling the size of the Compliance and Enforcement Unit (CEU). The CEU was launched in 2019 to investigate complaints and take action on repeat or serious residential tenancy offences, such as illegal evictions, and levy monetary penalties, if necessary.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and overall demand from more people moving to B.C., the RTB has received a high volume of applications. Waiting times for dispute resolution remain long. This new investment of as much as $15.6 million over three years is a significant injection of new staff and resources to improve service delivery and speed up waiting times for hearings.

“As tenants grapple with the ongoing housing and eviction crises, it is essential that they can access and enforce their rights at the RTB,” said Robert Patterson, lawyer, Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (TRAC). “This additional support for the RTB will mean that tenants whose landlords are ignoring the law can have their urgent concerns addressed sooner. TRAC hopes that adding more staff will mean not only that tenants’ cases will be heard more quickly, but also that arbitrators will have the time and support they need to give well-reasoned decisions. We also applaud the government’s investment in the Compliance and Enforcement Unit, which has been an incredible resource for tenants, by preventing illegal evictions and taking meaningful action against bad-faith landlords.” Doubling the size and increasing the capacity of the CEU will improve its ability to address serious issues and ensure people are getting fair treatment. It will also allow the CEU to intervene earlier and prevent the need for hearings in the first place, and also take on more cases, which will reduce matters that escalate into multiple requests to the RTB for arbitration. “Not only will this new investment alleviate financial concerns for landlords by allowing them to solve rental disputes faster, but it will also ensure that their unit is available to provide housing to people in B.C. at a time when it’s needed most,” said David Hutniak, CEO, LandlordBC. “We are pleased to see this government take action to resolve a process they recognize isn’t working. We look forward to continuing to work alongside them to create better solutions for landlords and renters in our province.”

In addition to hiring more staff, the RTB will continue to revitalize its dispute resolution processes to make those processes more userfocused and easier to navigate. This includes an increase in early intervention to resolve disputes without a hearing. The RTB is in the process of making enhancements to its online service portal, which has sped up the application process.

The Province said that this funding builds on actions it has taken to better protect renters since 2017, including capping rent increases below inflation at 2% in 2023, banning illegal renovictions, launching Canada’s first provincewide rent bank, closing the fixed-term lease loophole, ending all strata rental-restriction bylaws and limiting age-restriction bylaws in strata housing with the exception of 55 and older.

BACKGROUNDER

Facts about the Residential Tenancy Branch

Each year, the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) receives approximately 200,000 calls requesting information or assistance and more

than 20,000 applications for dispute resolution.

* The RTB’s applications for dispute resolution have increased 21% since 2018.

* In 2022, the branch received an average of 1,811 dispute resolution applications per month compared to 1,496 per month between

2018 and 2020.

The RTB has 118 full-time-equivalent employees.

* With the hiring of as many as 50 new employees, the staffing contingent will increase

by 42%.

The RTB’s 2022-23 budget is $11.533 million.

* This investment means the budget will increase by approximately $15.6 million during the next three years.

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Ravi Kahlon

North Vancouver RCMP warn about replica firearms after road rage incident

ON December 25 at 6:15 p.m.,

North Vancouver RCMP received reports of a road rage incident near Lonsdale Avenue and East 13th Street in North Vancouver between two motorists. During the interaction it is alleged one of the passengers in one of the vehicles flashed what appeared to be a handgun during the verbal altercation.

Officers immediately flooded the area and located the suspect vehicle nearby. The occupants of the vehicle were ordered out and an investigation ensued. Officers discovered the rear passenger was in a possession of an airsoft gun

which resembled a real gun.

“Frontline officers treated this extremely seriously, following all the protocols in place for responding to incidents involving firearms,” said Constable Mansoor Sahak.

“Thankfully, it turned out to be a replica, but at the time, passengers in the other vehicle believed it was real.”

Police say they want to caution youth about the dangers of playing with imitation guns in public places. Replica guns like these are indistinguishable from the real thing. While they may seem harmless, they can cause panic and will elicit a police response.

THE year 2021 was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, while 2022 has been largely marked by economic concerns, including inflation, interest rate hikes and increasing

prices. With the year drawing to a close, Leger surveyed Canadians and Americans to explore whether they feel 2022 was better than 2021, and how they think 2023

will compare to 2022, revealing a tinge of optimism for the year ahead.

* 31% of Canadians and 28% of Americans felt 2022 was worse than 2021.

* Fewer Canadians (22%)

and Americans (19%) think 2023 will be worse than 2022.

* Even when presented with a list of potential global challenges, Canadians and Americans are overwhelmingly most worried about higher inflation / interest rates / prices and economic recession in 2023.

* The greatest proportion of Canadians and Americans plan to spend the same amount as last holiday season on food, alcohol, entertainment, hosting and gifts. The exception is travel, on which the greatest proportion of Canadians plan to spend less.

This web survey was conducted from December 9 to 11, 2022, with 1,526 Canadians and 1,006 Americans, 18 years of age or older, randomly recruited from LEO’s online panel.

A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey. For comparison, a probability sample of 1,526 respondents would have a

margin of error of ±2.50%, 19 times out of 20, while a probability sample of 1,006 respondents would have a margin of error of ±3.09%, 19 times out of 20.

Surrey RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards hits back at Surrey Police Service

ASSISTANT Commissioner Brian Edwards, Officer in Charge of Surrey RCMP, on Friday hit back at Surrey Police Service in connection to their report that they have submitted to the Province to be the police of jurisdiction in Surrey. Here is Edwards’ statement:

THE Surrey Police Service (SPS) recently issued a public report they submitted to the province regarding their readiness to become the Police of Jurisdiction. Their report makes sweeping and broad generalizations about the RCMP, dedicating a significant portion of their narrative seeking to discredit the RCMP, and questioning the RCMP’s ability to deliver effective policing in Surrey.

It is truly unfortunate the transition has gotten to a point where SPS continually resorts to fear mongering and I need to respond.

However, it is my obligation to ensure residents of Surrey know that Surrey RCMP has and will continue to provide effective policing in

this city.

It is equally integral that all the officers and staff under my command, including deployed SPS officers, know that they have my support in the outstanding work

they do each and every day. It’s through their efforts we’ve continued to drive down crime, while providing numerous programs and initiatives specifically to meet the needs of Surrey.

SPS is a start-up police agency that is utterly dependent upon the RCMP, and is, at the same time, seeking to advance a narrative that questions whether the RCMP can effectively police Surrey. It is astoundingly arrogant and is a disservice to the policing community.

As for their comments on RCMP recruiting – they handpicked recruiting statistics from 2020 and 2021. This was, of course, during a worldwide pandemic. What wasn’t mentioned is that prior to the pandemic, in 2019 RCMP Depot graduated 1,059 Cadets – a record amount. With our pre-posting cadets to their home provinces and new Collective Agreement – we’ll get right back there. Just watch.

I can also say that multiple SPS Officers have confidentially approached the RCMP indicating their desire to come over if the RCMP remains in Surrey. To now, I’ve held back on this but again, the continued narrative that 94% will not patch over or will seek to

end their policing careers is utterly divisive and zero sum. To what end I ask?

The people of Surrey don’t need this – they should have confidence in whichever policing model is utilized in Surrey. SPS’s continued focus on discrediting the RCMP is unprofessional and unbecoming of a police service aiming to serve the second largest city in BC. What I’d like to see, and what we should all expect to see, is an approach to managing the transition that puts public and police officer safety at the forefront. I’m yet to be convinced SPS understands their role in this.

Operating this detachment is my responsibility. I remain privileged to do so. I am committed to continuing my operations – with SPS Officers as valued partner – as we’ve progressed to date, with public and police officer safety as the priority in all we do. We’ve consistently delivered on this, and intend to continue doing so as long as the RCMP remains in Surrey.

First permanent delivery-fee cap in Canada will help B.C. ring in new year

CANADA’S first permanent cap on fees charged to restaurants by food-delivery companies will go into effect in British Columbia on January 1, 2023, giving restaurant owners more certainty about their costs.

“We all have a favourite local restaurant, somewhere we celebrate as families and friends, eat our favourite foods, or get a taste of home,” said Brenda Bailey, Minster of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, on Thursday. “When restaurants were being charged unfair fees, our government acted fast to implement a temporary cap on delivery-service fees. We’re excited to bring in a permanent cap in the new year that will provide more support to restaurants.”

The Food Delivery Service Fee Act was passed on November 3, 2022, in response to delivery companies charging fees to restau-

rants as high as 30% of an order’s value during the pandemic. It followed a temporary cap put in place in December 2020, and extended in September and December 2021. The new permanent cap limits the fees that delivery companies can charge restaurants to no more than 20% of the dollar value of an order. The act also allows delivery companies to offer optional, enhanced services for restaurants to opt into at their discretion.

To ensure drivers are treated fairly, the act prohibits delivery companies from downloading costs onto drivers, ensuring employees and contractors will continue to be paid their wages and gratuities. “We’ve seen dramatic growth in app-based delivery work in recent years,” said Janet Routledge, Parliamentary Secretary for

Labour. “But we need to ensure workers are treated fairly. It was a priority to include protections for food-delivery workers in this legislation that prevent the costs of the delivery-fee cap from being downloaded onto them.”

This permanent cap is in addition to the B.C. government’s ongoing supports for the industry, such as:

* the ability of bars and tourism operators with liquor licences to permanently purchase beer, wine and spirits at wholesale prices;

* the authorization of thousands of temporary patios; and

* increasing access to the small-business corporate income tax rate by raising the ceiling from $15 million to $50 million in taxable capital.

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

Brenda Bailey

RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards

Photo by Jay Sharma of Mahi Photo Studio

Preliminary results show influenza vaccine providing substantial protection against infection during early wave

PRELIMINARY findings show the vaccine has cut the risk of influenza illness by about half during this season’s early and ongoing influenza A epidemic.

“The earlier-than-usual influenza epidemic this season has enabled us to assess vaccine effectiveness earlier than usual,” said Dr. Danuta Skowronski, physician epidemiologist at the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and lead of the Canadian Sentinel Practitioner Surveillance Network (SPSN). “We will update our analyses in the new year, but these interim findings show a substantial reduction in the risk of influenza illness for vaccinated people who seek medical care.”

The early findings come from the SPSN. Headquartered at the BCCDC, the SPSN includes hun-

Image: BC Government

dreds of primary care providers within the four largest provinces of Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. For more than a decade, the SPSN has provided mid-season influenza vaccine effectiveness estimates, typically in

January or February, based upon specimens and data collected from patients seeking care for flu-like illness.

“Vaccine protection is especially important for people at higher risk of severe complications and for a health care system that is managing the circulation of multiple respiratory viruses at the same time as we enter the holiday period.”

In B.C. and across Canada, the majority of influenza cases this season have been due to the H3N2 subtype of influenza A. The H3N2 subtype is often associated with more severe epidemics and with lower vaccine effectiveness than for other kinds of influenza A or B. The SPSN vaccine effectiveness estimate this season is comparable or higher than measured in previous seasons against

the H3N2 subtype.

“Vaccination ahead of the epidemic peak provides the most benefit,” said Skowronski. “Although surveillance data suggest we are currently on the downslope of the epidemic curve, the virus will continue to circulate for several weeks, with the possibility of more spread during the holiday period. A secondary wave due to influenza B also sometimes follows later in the season. If you have not yet been vaccinated against influenza, now is the time.”

“Vaccines are available for everyone six months and older in B.C. and these preliminary findings show how vaccination remains our best defence against respiratory illnesses. By getting vaccinated against influenza, you can help protect our public health system

Hazardous work for youth rules come into effect January 1

NEW regulations on the types of work that are not suitable for young workers take effect on Sunday, January 1, 2023.

Following public and stakeholder consultations and analyses of injury data, a number of jobs within several industries were identified as too hazardous for young workers. This includes some jobs within construction, forestry, food processing, oil and gas and power, and asbestos removal.

Amendments to the Employment Standards Regulation were announced in October 2022. The new rules outline certain jobs that require a minimum age of 18, such as work as a logger, jobs in smelters, in oil drilling or where there is a risk of exposure to certain harmful materials. For construction work, fish processing and some animal processing work, a minimum age of 16 is deemed appropriate.

To ensure youth can still access important apprenticeship and training opportunities, the age restrictions do not apply to industry training programs overseen by SkilledTradesBC. As well, current employees who reach the prescribed age by April 1, 2023, are excluded from the age requirements.

With an effective date of January 1, 2023, employers have been provided time to adjust the work performed by existing young employees.

Quick Facts:

* In B.C. the average annual injury rate in 2021 was 2.2 per 100 workers, but some jobs have

much higher injury rates. For example:

* framers in the construction industry have an injury rate of 7.8 per 100 workers;

* workers in abattoirs have an injury rate of 15.7 per 100 workers; and

* manual tree fallers/buckers have an injury rate of almost 20 per 100 workers.

* Between 2012 and 2021, WorkSafeBC data revealed more than $26.4 million was paid out in job-related disability claims for workers who were aged 16 to 18 at the time of their injury.

BACKGROUNDER

New regulations define work hazardous for youth

Following public and stakeholder consultations, government has amended the Employment Standards Regulation, effective Jan. 1, 2023, to prescribe minimum ages of 16 or 18 for certain types of work that is too hazardous for younger workers:

– A minimum age of 16 to undertake the following activities: * construction;

and the young children and elderly people around you,” said Adrian Dix, B.C. Minister of Health. Take prevention measures during respiratory season:

* Get all recommended vaccines including the annual influenza vaccine and COVID-19 boosters.

* Stay at home if you feel unwell and stay away from people at higher risk of serious illness if you have symptoms.

* Cough and sneeze into a tissue and dispose of it immediately. If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your elbow.

* Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms or are recovering from a respiratory illness

* Clean your hands frequently with soap and water or with hand sanitizer.

* silviculture;

* forest firefighting; and

* working from heights that require fall protection.

– A minimum age of 18 to undertake the following activities:

* tree falling and logging;

* using a chainsaw;

* work in a production process at a pulp, paper, saw, shake or shingle mill;

* work in a production process at a foundry, metal processing or metal fabrication operation, refinery or smelter;

* powerline construction or maintenance where an electrical hazard exists;

* oil or gas field servicing and drilling;

* work with dangerous equipment in fish, meat or poultry processing facilities;

* silica process/exposure to silica dust;

* work in which a worker is or may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of asbestos;

* exposure to harmful levels radiation;

* working in a confined space or underground workings; and

* work requiring a respirator.

Labour Minister Harry Bains

“Merry Christmas, everyone!

“Like millions of Canadians, my family is excited to gather around the Christmas tree and spend some quality time together. It’s the time of year when things slow down a little bit, when Christmas movies – including Die Hard – are on repeat, when some of us keep an ear out for the sound of reindeer on the roof, and when we all take a moment to appreciate those who make our lives special.

“This year, I’m thinking of Canadians who go the extra mile to make our country a better place. I’m thinking of members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are protecting our country and the values we share. I’m thinking of the doctors, nurses, and first responders who will be working throughout the holidays. And I’m thinking of everyday Canadians who find ways to show up for their friends and neighbours.

“2022 was a challenging year, and for many this holiday season won’t be easy. But I’m confident that Canadians will continue to be there for each other in 2023 – because that’s just who we are. We show up for each other. And when times are tough, we stand together.

“We’ve been through a lot as a country, but

through it all Canadians have demonstrated the true meaning of generosity, kindness, and hope. For Christians, this is a special time where we celebrate the birth of Christ and the promise of peace and joy that comes with it. No matter your beliefs, these are values you can bring as you celebrate the season.

“So, as we come together under the twinkle of Christmas lights, as we share a glass of good cheer with friends and colleagues, as we welcome the cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews we haven’t seen in so long, and as we celebrate those unique traditions that reflect Canada’s diversity – let’s remind ourselves how fortunate we are to live in a country of peace.

“Canada is a country where families can live out their faith and be proud of the communities they represent. As we look ahead to the new year, let’s continue to stand together as we build a better future for all Canadians.

“From my family to yours, Sophie, Xavier, Ella-Grace, Hadrien, and I wish you joy, health, love, and peace this holiday season.

“Merry Christmas.”

around the world will celebrate Christmas.

Many will attend church services and rejoice in a message of peace and love.

“Christmas is a time when people gather with friends and family to share food, exchange gifts and enjoy the many traditions of the season.

“We have so much in British Columbia to be grateful for. I encourage British Columbians to reflect on the blessings in our lives, while also celebrating the season’s values of charity, compassion and generosity. “I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and happy holidays!”

PIERRE Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, released the following statement on Christmas: “‘Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy!’

“Today, Christians around the world are celebrating the arrival of the Christ Child – the one who would bring redemption to the world.

“Across all faiths and traditions, the holiday spirit of Christmas fills our communities with cheer and offers incredible peace in the midst of hard times. Christmas is a

time for fellowship and thanksgiving, where families come together and reflect on their blessings. Despite the cold weather outside, it is a time where we witness warmth and generosity as Canadians offer a helping hand to the people in our lives who are struggling to make ends meet.

“On behalf of Anaida and our family, and our entire Conservative team, merry Christmas! May your heart be filled with joy and peace on this most blessed day – the birth of Jesus Christ.”

“Tomorrow, many people in British Columbia, including a few at our home, and

PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday issued the following statement on Christmas:

PREMIER David Eby issued the following statement:

Noah and Olivia front-runners for most popular baby names in B.C. in 2022

Liam, Theodore, Jack, Emma, Lucas, Leo and Sofia, according to the Vital Statistics Agency’s preliminary figures for 2022.

In 2021, the top names for babies born in B.C. were Olivia, Liam, Noah, Emma, Jack, Theodore, Benjamin, Charlotte, Oliver and

Ava.

Only names that occur five or more times are listed.

From January 1 to December 8,

Farm workers who hand-harvest crops get rate increase January 1

FARM workers and producers are reminded that the minimum wage for agricultural piece rates will increase by 2.8% on Sunday, January 1, 2023.

The increase applies to 15 agricultural crops that are harvested by hand, as specified in the employment standards regulation, including peaches, apricots, Brussels sprouts, daffodils, mushrooms, apples, beans, blueberries,

cherries, grapes, pears, peas, prune plums, raspberries and strawberries.

The increase is based on B.C.’s average annual inflation rate in 2021 and is consistent with the 2.8% increase to the minimum hourly wage that came into effect on June 1, 2022.

Quick Facts:

* Piece rate farm workers harvest

crops, such as blueberries and mushrooms, by hand.

* Each of the 15 crops has its own minimum pay rate.

* Farm worker piece rates in B.C. were previously increased by 11.5% in January 2019.

* B.C.’s farm worker minimum piece rate system has been in place for more than 40 years, established in 1981.

Detainee dies at Immigration Holding Center in Surrey

ON December 25, first responders were called to the Immigration Holding Center in Surrey after a detainee was found unresponsive, according to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

On-site staff and medical personnel attended to the detainee, conducting resuscitation maneuvers until first responders arrived. All efforts to revive the detainee were unsuccessful, and

the detainee was sadly pronounced deceased by first responders, said the CBSA.

The identity of the person will not be released due to privacy considerations. The person’s next of kin have been contacted.

The CBSA said that as in all cases of death of a person in their custody, provincial authorities are engaged, in this case the Surrey

RCMP Police Services and the BC Coroner. The CBSA will also conduct a review of the circumstances of the incident.

“The health and safety of those in our care is of paramount importance to the CBSA. We take this responsibility very seriously. The CBSA will not release additional information while the investigation is ongoing,” the CBSA added.

2022, 37,801 babies were born in B.C.

In 2021, 44,073 babies were born in this province.

OBITUARY

GURMIT KAUR GILL (MEETO)

July 13, 1940 – December 25, 2022

Family and Friends, it’s with an extremely heavy heart I wanted to share the news of my Mom’s passing on December 25.

Funeral services will commence Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Riverside Funeral Home, 7410 Hopcott Road, Delta, at 11 a.m.

Immediately proceeding the cremation there will be a service at York Gurdwara Sahib Society, 7938 128 Street, Surrey, at 1 p.m.

Anyone that wants to pay their respects please do so at the above locations on January 7.

Gurmit Kaur Gill came from District Multan, Chuk #107, Punjab, in present-day Pakistan.

She was married on November 18, 1954, to Kehar Singh Gill.

She came to came to Canada on April 4, 1967.

Son Meva Singh Gill

Daughter Sue Mattu

Daughter Valerie Samra

Son Ben Gill

Daughter Oogie (Darcy) Banbait

Surrey youth arrested for firing shots into Delta house

ON Thursday at approximately 3:25 a.m., Delta Police responded to reports of shots fired in the 5300-block of 4A Avenue in Tsawwassen. Officers confirmed that shots had been fired into a residence. While the home was occupied, the residents were not harmed. A youth from Surrey, known to the police, has been arrested for this shooting and will be facing several firearms charges. The Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits the release of information that can lead to the identity of the youth involved.

Acting Inspector James Sandberg said, “Our officers are continuing to investigate. Although a house appears to be specifically targeted, the investigators currently believe that this residence and its occupants are mistaken targets. The occupants are not known to the police and have no apparent connection to organized crime or the youth involved in the shooting. There are indications that the previous resident of this house is the intended target of this morning’s shooting.”

Officers in the area continue to collect evidence. They are also conducting a door-todoor canvass for video collection and witness identification.

Shooting in Surrey’s Newton

AT approximately 9:05 p.m. om Thursday, December 29, Surrey RCMP responded to a report of shots fired in the 12400-block of 79A Avenue.

Police are working to determine the possible motive for the shooting.

Officers are conducting neighbourhood canvassing and speaking with witnesses to obtain further information. The investigation is still in its early stages.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502. If they wish to remain anonymous, they should contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.

RCMP seek suspects following altercation at basketball court in Port Coquitlam

COQUITLAM RCMP are appealing for public assistance following an altercation that left a man with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Coquitlam RCMP frontline officers received a report of an altercation that occurred at the basketball court of Citadel Middle School located at 1265 Citadel Drive in Port Coquitlam shortly before 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 17.

The victim had been involved in an altercation with a group of young men before the assault. He was transported to hospital to be treated for his injuries.

One of the suspects is described as:

– White male

– Between 16 and 18 years old

– 5’5 to 5’7 tall

– Short, light brown, curly hair

Police are asking anyone who may have observed a group near the basketball court at Citadel Middle School around 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 17 to contact the Coquitlam RCMP.

Cpl. Alexa Hodgins said: “Due to the inclement weather at the time of the incident, there was limited foot traffic in the area, which means that this group may have stood out in the minds of the public.”

Anyone who has any information, witnessed this incident or may have video footage is asked to contact the Coquitlam RCMP at 604945-1550, and quote file number 2022-33305.

At Vedic Senior's Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society of BC’s Christmas get-together and group birthday on Monday, December 26 at Ultimate Banquet Hall in Surrey. Photo by Girja Shankar Sharma

Considerations for Purchasing Life Insurance as a Gift

BY SANDEEP AHUJA President Operations Punjab Insurance Agency Inc. Western Canada

PURCHASING life insurance as a gift can be a meaningful and thoughtful way to show your concern for someone’s well-being and financial security. However, it’s essential to carefully consider the needs and preferences of the recipient and choose a policy that fits those needs. Here are some key points to consider when purchasing life insurance as a gift:

* Different types of life insurance: There are several types of life insurance to choose from, including term life, whole life, and universal life. Each type has its features and benefits, and it’s essential to consider the best fit for the recipient.

* Term life insurance: This type of insurance provides coverage for a specific time, or “term,” such as 10, 20, or 30 years. It’s often a good choice for people with a temporary need for coverage, such as covering a mortgage or other financial obligations.

* Whole life insurance: This type of insurance provides coverage for the entirety of the policyholder’s life as long as premiums are paid. It also includes a savings component, which accumulates cash value over

time. This can be a good choice for people who want a policy that provides long-term financial protection and has the potential to grow in value.

* Universal life insurance: This type of insurance is similar to whole life insurance, but it offers more flexibility in terms of premium payments and the ability to adjust

the death benefit. It’s a good choice for people who want a policy that can be customized to fit their changing needs.

* Consider the recipient’s needs and preferences: When choosing a life insurance policy as a gift, it’s essential to consider the needs and preferences of the recipient. For example, a term life policy might be a good fit for someone with a temporary need for coverage. In contrast, a whole life or universal life policy might be better for someone interested in building cash value over time.

* Cost of the policy: Life insurance can be expensive, especially for people with preexisting health conditions or who are older. Make sure you choose a policy you can afford and that the recipient is comfortable with the terms, including the length of the period, the coverage amount, and any exclusions or limitations.

* Reasons to purchase life insurance for a child: There are several reasons why someone might consider purchasing life insurance for a child. These include:

1. To provide financial protection for the child in the event of a tragedy: If the child were to pass away, the life insurance policy would pay out a death benefit to the beneficiary, which could be used to cover funeral expenses and other costs.

2. To establish a savings account for the child: The savings component of a whole

life insurance policy can accumulate cash value over time, which the child or the child’s parent or guardian can access for various expenses or goals, such as education or retirement.

3. To provide financial security for the child as an adult: If the child is the primary beneficiary of the policy, they may be able to access the cash value of the policy or use the policy as collateral for a loan when they reach adulthood.

As an independent insurance advisor working through Punjab Insurance Agency and dealing with different insurance companies, I can explain to you in detail the features of this helpful insurance plan. I will assist you in availing of the best insurance coverage suitable for your needs and resources. Besides, I can also help you to purchase mortgage insurance, super visa insurance, disability insurance, critical illness insurance, extended medical plans, group medical plans, RESP, RRSP, travel insurance, TFSA accounts, health and dental plans, and estate planning suitable for your needs and resources. For a no-obligation appointment, please call me at 604-9966862 or email me at sandeepahuja@punjabinsurance.ca.

This article is © copyrighted 2022-12-18 and can be reproduced only with prior permission.

South Asian Adults and Seniors Programs

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

EVENTS* Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society of BC invites South Asian adults and senior members to play Bingo on the House on Sunday, January 1 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Shanti Niketan Hall. Bring only two dollars for two games. Members will explain the game to you. Please use facemasks and maintain social distancing. Members already vaccinated with at least two doses against COVID-19 should join for Bingo and yoga classes. Contact Surendra Handa, Coordinator, at 604-5079945 or email: surendra_handa@hotmail. com, for registration and further information.

2-year-old dies in US crash, Indian-origin mother battles for life

(IANS): Police in US’ Nevada are investigating a fatal Christmas day crash that left a two-year-old Indian-origin child dead and his mother battling for life in a hospital in the US.

Shravya Muthyala, her husband Ravinder Muthyala, and son Aarav met with a deadly accident while returning from Las Vegas, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help the family.

The accident occurred at Las Vegas Boulevard, a major road in Clark County, according to the Nevada State Police Highway Pa-

trol.

Ravinder Muthyala survived the accident with minor injuries, the fundraiser page reported.

Following the accident, the Nevada State Police Highway Patrol closed the Las Vegas Boulevard at mile marker 12 to investigate the fatal crash. No other details were available.

“In this hour of inexplicable pain and grief, we want to support the family and reduce some of the financial distress that her family is currently facing,” the fundraiser page, set up on behalf of Ravinder Muthyala, read.

“We are organizing this fundraiser to support Shravya and her family during these tough times,” it added.

The money raised will be used for Shravya’s medical expenses. A day before this accident, a 26-year-old man from Haryana died in a multi-vehicle crash that occurred in Pennsylvania following ice and snow storms across the mid-Atlantic region.

On December 26, three IndianAmericans drowned after falling through the ice while walking on a frozen lake in the US state of Arizona.

British-Indian in Dubai to be extradited to Denmark for $1.7 billion tax fraud

Dubai (IANS): A British citizen of Indian-origin, accused of money laundering and committing tax fraud to the tune of $1.7 billion, will be extradited to Denmark, a Dubai court ruled.

Sanjay Shah, 52, a British hedge-fund trader, is accused of masterminding a scam, which ran for three years since 2012, has been described as one of the largest fraud cases in Denmark’s history.

Shah’s fraud scheme involved submitting thousands of applications to the Danish Treasury on behalf of investors and companies from several countries around the world in order to receive dividend tax refunds, the Dubai

Police said in a statement.

Essam Issa Al Humaidan, Attorney General of Dubai, to the Dubai Court of Cassation, against a previous ruling of the Dubai Court of Appeal rejecting a request for Shah’s extradition, according to a media statement released on Thursday.

The Court of Cassation decided to return the case to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration by a different judicial body.

This Court ruled to extradite him to the Danish authorities.

Dubai Public Prosecution submitted to the Court of Appeal all papers and documents

submitted by the Danish authorities against Shah, which showed his involvement in fraud and money laundering, according to the statement.

Shah, who lived on The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, was arrested earlier this year following an extradition request from Danish authorities.

His lawyer Ali Al Zarouni said his client will appeal against the extradition ruling made by Dubai Court of Appeal.

The arrest and ruling align with Dubai’s commitment to combat illegal financial activities, including money laundering.

Indian-American named to National Space Council advisory group

New York (IANS): Indian-American Rajeev Badyal is among 30 members selected by US Vice President Kamala Harris to serve on the National Space Council’s Users Advisory Group (UAG).

Badyal presently leads Amazon’s Project Kuiper -- an initiative to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites to provide lowlatency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world.

As a selected member of the UAG, Badyal will serve to enable the Biden-Harris Administration’s effort to maintain a robust and responsible US space enterprise and preserve space for current and future generations, ac-

cording to a White House statement. The UAG will provide the National Space Council advice and recommendations on matters related to space policy and strategy, including but not limited to, government policies, laws, regulations, treaties, international instruments, programmes, and practices across the civil, commercial, international, and national security space sectors, the statement further read.

The candidates selected by Harris, who is Chair of the National Space Council, represent a cross-section of companies and organisations that support the US’ large and highly skilled space workforce; users of space services, including climate scientists and ag-

riculture providers; individuals focused on developing the next generation of space professionals; and leading experts in space.

The members are currently awaiting their official appointment by Bill Nelson, Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The board will be chaired by retired US Air Force general Lester Lyles, Harris had announced at a space council meeting in September. Lyles also serves as chair of the NASA Advisory Council.

Before joining Amazon, Badyal was the vice president of Satellites at SpaceX. He has a Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oregon State University.

New York (IANS): The death of an Indian man who fell trying to climb a border wall into Texas has put a spotlight on illegal immigration from India to the US which has shown a sudden surge along the border with Mexico in the last two months.

US Border Patrol caught 4,297 Indians crossing the Mexican border in October and November, compared to 1,426 during those two months last year and 16,236 in all of the fiscal year that ended in September, according to American government data.

Overall, the number of Indians apprehended by US authorities right on the border and elsewhere has more than doubled since last year.

US authorities encountered 63,927 Indians who had entered the country illegally, during the 2021-22 fiscal year that ended in September, a 109 per cent increase from the 30,662 they found the previous fiscal year, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data.

In just the last two months, a total of 13,655 illegal immigrants from India were caught compared to 6,865 during those two months in 2021, the data showed.

In the fiscal year 2019-20, the number of Indians illegally in the US who were apprehended by the CBP was only 19,883, according to the agency.

Indians are only a part of the phenomenon of illegal migration to the US that has been spiralling since the election of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been tasked to

stop the flow of migrants from Latin America.

Although Harris has asserted that the border is "secure", US authorities have registered 2.77 million encounters with people of different nationalities illegally in the US during the fiscal year that ended in September, up 41 per cent from the 1.96 million in the previous period. In 2019-20, there were only 646,822 encounters.

The illegal migration numbers are only of those caught by the CBP and several more would have successfully evaded authorities and those who entered legally but overstayed their visas making their presence in the country illegal are not included in the data.

In the 2019-20 fiscal year, the latest period for which data is available, 14,389 Indians were suspected of overstaying, up from 13,203 the previous year, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

On the northern border with Canada, where an Indian family of

four were found frozen to death about a dozen metres from the US border in January, 84 Indians have been apprehended in the last two months.

During the US fiscal year ending September 237 Indians had been caught there, compared to 42 in the previous 12 months and 129 in the period before that.

Most of those caught by US authorities are released, usually with a notice to appear before an immigration judge, but with little or no follow-up and few are detained.

According to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), a database maintained by Syracuse University, 34,230 asylum cases of Indians were pending before Immigration courts last month.

People can ask for asylum on various grounds including fear of religious or political persecution, domestic violence and threats due to sexual orientation but will have to prove it to a judge.

In the fiscal year 2019-20, the latest period for which data is available from the Homeland Security Department, 1,337 Indians were granted asylum, down from the 2,256 who received it the previous year. In 2017-18, 1,302 Indians received asylum, according to the Department.

TRAC provides a breakdown by languages spoken by those whose asylum cases are pending and Punjabi-speakers, who could be from India or Pakistan or elsewhere, numbered 21,961.

There were 6,770 Hindispeakers, 6,315 Bengali-speakers, who could be from India or Bangladesh or elsewhere, and 376 Tamil-speakers, who could be from India, Sri Lanka or other countries.

In addition, TRAC listed 222 Haryanvi-speakers, 166 Teluguspeakers and 32 Marathi-speakers.

According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 2,312 Indians were deported from the US during 2019-20, and 1,616 in 2018-19.

Prime Minister Modi takes part in program marking ‘Veer Bal Diwas’

New Delhi (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took part in ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, a program organised in remembrance of Sahibzadas, sons of Guru Nanak Dev, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Modi participated in a ‘Shabad Kirtan’ performed by some 300 ‘Baal Kirtanis’.

On the historic occasion, the Centre has organised an interactive and participative programs all over the country to inform and educate the citizens, especially the young children, about the story of exemplary courage of the Sahibzadas.

Prime Minister tweeted,

“On Veer Baal Diwas, we recall the courage of the Sahibzades and Mata Gujri Ji. We also remember the courage of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji”.

Essay writing, quiz competitions and other activi-

ties have been organised in schools and colleges across the country to mark the day. Digital exhibitions have also been set up at public places like railway stations, petrol pumps, airports, among others.

Programs have been organised across the country where dignitaries will narrate the life story and sacrifice of the Sahibzadas.

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister had declared that 26th December 26 would

henceforth be marked as “Veer Baal Diwas” to pay homage to the courage of the “Sahibzadas”, the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the last Sikh guru.

While all four were martyred, the date has been

chosen as it was the day observed as the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, who were killed at the ages of six and nine in Sirhind (Punjab) by Mughal forces.

inspire humanity: Punjab CM

New Delhi (IANS): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said the unprecedented and supreme sacrifice made by the children and mother of the 10th Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, will ever inspire humanity to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice.

Addressing a gathering at a function organised here at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, the Chief Minister said Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the children of the 10th master of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, attained martyrdom at a tender age, adding they showed exemplary courage and fearlessness to stand up against the might of the Mughal Governor of Sirhind.

He said the Sahibzadas had inherited the traits of valour and selfless service from

glowing tributes to Chotte Sahibzadas for their unparalleled sacrifice in the history of the world.

Eulogising the supreme sacrifice of younger Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri, the Chief Minister said these sacrifices were unprecedented in the annals of the history of mankind across the globe.

He said the entire world was proud of this unique and unparalleled sacrifice which was a matter of great honour not only for the Punjabis or the countrymen but everyone living across the globe.

Mann said the history of Punjab was replete with countless sacrifices that had derived inspiration from the great Gurus like Guru Arjun Dev, Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh, who laid down their lives for the sake of mankind.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for organising this event, the Chief Minister said it will go a long way in perpetuating the glorious legacy of Chotte Sahibzadas to the younger generations.

Mann also thanked the Prime Minister for holding two sessions of the G-20 summit on education and labour in the holy city of Amritsar.

He said the state is renowned all over the world for its warm hospitality and no stone will be left unturned for welcoming the guests from participating nations during these events.

Mann said these sessions will be held at the sacred land of Amritsar where lakhs of devotees daily pay obeisance at Sri Darbar Sahib, Durgiana Mandir, Sri Ram Tirath, Jallianwala Bagh and others.

Dashmesh Pitaah, who fought relentlessly for the sake of humanity.

Mann said today the entire world is paying

Bhagwant Mann

New Delhi (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother Heeraben Modi passed away at the age of 100 early on Friday morning. She was admitted to Ahmedabad’s UN Mehta Hospital after her health deteriorated.

UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre said in a statement, “Heeraba Modi passed away on December 30 at 3.30 a.m. (early morning) during the treatment at UN Mehta Heart hospital.”

Modi wrote with a heavy heart, “A glorious century rests at the feet of God. In Maa, I have always felt that trinity, which contains the journey of an ascetic, the

symbol of a selfless Karmayogi and a life committed to values.”

The Prime Minister met his

mother for the last time at the hospital where she had been admitted on Wednesday.

Chandigarh (IANS): Tens of thousands of devotees on Thursday visited the holiest of Sikh shrines, Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple in Amritsar, to pay tributes to Guru Gobind Singh on the occasion of the 365th birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh guru.

The Golden Temple was decked up in festive spirit. Braving the chill, since early morning thousands of devotees turned up to offer prayers at the shrine and take a dip in the holy sarovar at Golden Temple.

The Sikh devotees participated in Nagar Kirtan at Harmandir Sahib ahead of the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.

Elsewhere in Punjab, people thronged various shrines in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala and other towns. The festival spirit could also

be seen in Chandigarh and towns and cities in Haryana.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Guru Gobind Singh.

“His unparalleled courage would continue to motivate people for years to come,” Modi tweeted, and posted a previous clip of his speech

lauding the guru.

“On the sacred occasion of his Parkash Purab, I bow to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and recall his contribution towards serving humanity. His unparalleled courage will continue to motivate people for years to come,” the Prime Minister said.

Surjit Bhandal

Punjab Police arrest two smugglers, seize 10 kg heroin

Chandigarh (IANS): In another success against trans-border smuggling, Punjab Police have arrested two drug smugglers after recovering 10 kg heroin from their possession, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said here on Wednesday.

Those arrested have been identified as Harshdeep Singh of Thaman village in Gurdaspur and Sarwan Singh, alias Sabba, of Shahur Kalan village in Gurdaspur. The police have also recovered two .30 bore foreign-made pistols, four magazines and 180 cartridges

from their possession.

The development came three days after the police busted a trans-border drug smuggling cartel with the arrest of its two kingpins and recovered 10 kg heroin and one sophisticated drone from their possession.

The DGP said following inputs, police teams of Counter Intelligence (CI) Pathankot carried out a special operation near Thaman village and arrested both the accused, when they were walking to their home after retrieving consignment of drugs and weapons

pushed by Pakistan-based smugglers through the fence with the help of a pipe at Border Outpost (BOP) Chauntra in Gurdaspur.

Preliminary investigations revealed that both the accused were in contact with Pakistanbased smuggler, Rehmat Miyan, he added.

Additional Inspector General of Pathankot, Amarjit Singh Bajwa, said the accused Sarwan is a notorious drug smuggler and had even served seven years imprisonment before being bailed out in 2018.

British Indian Army memorial coming up in Glasgow

London (IANS): A city council in the UK has approved plans to erect a memorial in Scotland to recognise the service and sacrifice of more than four million Indian soldiers in the British Army.

The plans for the memorial, which will come up near Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, were submitted by Colourful Heritage -- a group that captures first-hand accounts of firstgeneration South Asians in Scotland, The Glasgow Times reported.

The Glasgow City Council approved the plan subject to conditions, which include full details of the designs and content of carvings into the stone.

Samples of the materials for the pavilion and surrounding blocks have also been submitted for approval, according to the paper.

The upcoming structure will feature a ‘Chattri’ (dome)

design for the roof and Locharbriggs sandstone columns, matching the Kelvingrove architecture.

Pillars will be carved creating a South Asian design, and cherry trees will be planted along with benches for people to sit and reflect.

The Indian Army soldiers in the UK were from modern day Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

The memorial will represent

the diversity of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Gurkhas who fought alongside British troops during the First and Second World Wars.

It will also highlight the special link between Scotland and Force K6 -- the all-Muslim Punjabi regiment that escaped from Dunkirk during World War II and made their way to Scotland, The Glasgow Times reported.

Congress alleges Delhi Police failed to provide appropriate security to Rahul

New Delhi (IANS): The Congress on Wednesday alleged that the Delhi Police failed to provide security to former Congress President Rahul Gandhi when the Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Delhi on December 24.

Party General Secretary K.C. Venugopal in a letter to Home Minister said, “The security of the Bharat Jodo Yatra was compromised on multiple occasions, and the Delhi Police completely failed in controlling the surging crowd and maintaining a perimeter around Shri Rahul Gandhi, who is assigned Z+ Security.”

He said the situation was so severe that the Congress workers and the Bharat Yatris walking along with Shri Rahul Gandhi had to form the perimeter. At the same time, the Delhi Police remained as mute spectators.

“Furthermore, to harass par-

ticipants and prevent eminent personalities from joining the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Intelligence Bureau is interrogating many people who participated in the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Moreover, we filed an FIR dated 23rd December 2022 at Sohna City Police Station Haryana regarding unknown miscreants, belonging to Haryana State Intelligence, illegally entering Bharat Jodo Yatra’s containers in Haryana,” he

alleged.

He said that according to Article 19 of the Constitution, every citizen has a constitutional right to assemble and move freely throughout the territory of India.

“Bharat Jodo Yatra is a Padyatra to bring peace and harmony to the country. The government should not indulge in vindictive politics and ensure the safety and security of the Congress leaders.”

VOICE WORLD

Punjab sees decline in murders, kidnappings: Police official

Chandigarh (IANS): The crime rate in Punjab has witnessed a decline this year with the fall in number of murders and kidnappings, Inspector General of Police Sukhchain Singh Gill said on Monday.

Quoting the crime data, he said the number of murders this year fell to 654 from 723 in 2021, whereas kidnappings decreased from 1,787 in 2021 to 1,645.

Similarly, theft-related cases have also fallen from 8,417 in 2021 to 8,407 in 2022 and cases related to the Excise Act have decreased from 10,745 in 2021 to 9,104 in 2022.

The data also shows a significant decline in the total number of first information reports (FIRs) registered in the state from 73,581 in 2021 to 71,827 in 2022.

Recounting the achievements, Gill said during 2022, Internal Security has busted 18 terror modules with the arrest of 119 terrorist and radicals and recovered 43 rifles, 220 revolvers and pistols, 13 tiffin improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 24.5 kg RDX and other explosives, 37 hand grenades, two sleeves of disposed rocket launcher, 22 drones, and 23 vehicles.

He said similarly the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), since its formation on April 6, has succeeded in busting 111 gangster and criminal modules after arresting 428 gangsters and neutralising two. A recovery of 411 weapons, 97 vehicles used in criminal activities, 44.21 kg heroin, and Rs 13 million cash was made.

The IGP said from January 1 to December 20, five major incidents have taken place in Punjab, including an IED blast at a police post in Ropar, the RPG attack at Intelligence Headquarters building at Mohali, murder of Punjabi singer Shubhdeep Singh, alias Sidhu Moosewala, killing of Bargari sacrilege accused Pardeep Kumar, and RPG attack at a police station in Tarn Taran.

He said the government is committed to making Punjab a drug-free state and extensive anti-drug drives have been launched by Punjab Police to combat the menace of drugs in the border state.

Giving yearly updates on drugs, he said from January 1 to December 25, the police have arrested 16,798 drug smugglers or suppliers, including 2,316 big fish, after registering 12,171 FIRs, including 1,374 commercials.

He said the police have recovered 582 kg heroin from across the state after carrying out

Man held in Delhi for threatening to blow up Ludhiana five-star hotel

After receiving a threat on Tuesday afternoon, the Ludhiana police had to get the whole hotel vacated to comb the entire premises but no bomb was recovered.

“Around 4 p.m. information was received from Ludhiana police regarding a bomb threat received by a hotel in Ludhiana. Based on the phone number shared with us, we tracked the suspect to a flat in Dwarka,” Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dwarka, M. Harsha Vardhan said.

“The man was found to be a 24-year-old undergoing treatment for some behavioural disorders. Ludhiana police team has been informed for further enquiry,” he added.

A senior Punjab Police official in Ludhiana said that within hours, the accused was rounded up in Delhi in a joint operation with Delhi Police.

As soon as the Ludhiana police received information about the bomb threat, multiple teams had rushed to the spot along with the Bomb Disposal Squad and the hotel was completely evacuated.

“After evacuation, an anti-sabotage check was completed with the help of the bomb disposal team. The accused man had used some words like ‘bomb attack’ in his threatening message,” said the official.

Sukhchain Singh Gill

said that the police have also recovered 690 kg opium, 1,396 kg ganja, 518 quintals of poppy husk, and 6 million tablets, capsules, injections and vials of pharma opioids from across KULWANT ATWAL PREC

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All-New 2024 Ford Mustang redefines Driving

DETROIT: Ford once again sounds a wakeup call for sports car lovers around the world with the introduction of the all-new Ford Mustang coupe and convertible. The seventh generation is the most exhilarating and visceral yet, with its s fighter jet-inspired digital cockpit to new advanced turbocharged and naturally aspirated engines to its edgier yet

RICHMOND HILL: In the summer of 2021, Mazda communicated a global update for our future technology and product plans toward 2025, in support of the company’s long-term environmental vision, called “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030”. Mazda Canada Inc. announces its updated plan for a sustainable and electrified future towards 2030 in Canada. Mazda’s Updates for its Electrification Plans for Canada , starting with the CX-90 and CX-70 in 2023 r and looking toward 2025, Mazda will introduce a range of new electrified products which will be based on our SKYACTIV Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture.

By 2025, Mazda will launch a total of eight new hybrid (HEV), plugin hybrid EV (PHEV), and battery electric vehicle (BEV) models in Canada, in addition to the MX-30

timeless exterior design.

Behind the chiseled exterior silhouette of the seventh-generation Mustang lies the most technologically advanced, driver-centric cockpit of any Mustang to date.

The car’s 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster can be customized to display different animated designs and new drive-mode de-

EV currently on sale in Quebec and British Columbia. These new models will include the CX-50 hybrid, CX-70 PHEV, CX-90 PHEV, four new hybrid models, and a new BEV SUV to be introduced in 2025. Additionally, sales of MX-30 BEV will expand nationally next year, and two core crossover models will also include mild hybrid (MHEV) powertrains for increased efficiency and improved emissions.

“We are very excited to be sharing more details about our electrified future in Canada, focused on the right vehicles in the right segments that our customers are asking for,” said David Klan, President and CEO, Mazda Canada. “The CX-90 and CX-70 PHEV models coming next year will bring a level of performance above anything we’ve ever offered in Canada,

pendent visuals. Based on the same Unreal Engine 3D creation tool used in modern video games, when choosing personalized drive mode settings, the car’s current setup is displayed on the centre stack as real-time graphical renderings. Settings can be adjusted by simply swiping the graphic to rotate the car virtually in a true gamified style.

The all-new Mustang delivers an even more exciting drive experience with new and advanced engine technologies. It starts with Mustang GT, now powered by an advanced, 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine. The fourth-generation 5.0-litre is set to deliver the most naturally aspirated horsepower of any Mustang GT. Customers who desire Mustang’s fun-to-drive feeling with fuel efficiency benefits can opt for the EcoBoost model, powered by an all-new, four-cylinder turbocharged 2.3-litre powertrain.

Ford has saved the manual transmission for a

new generation and the 5.0-litre V8 continues to offer a standard six-speed manual transmission. Ford’s advanced 10-speed automatic transmission is available, and it almost instantaneously reconfigures its shift patterns to match the selected drive mode.

Mustang GT and EcoBoost models are both available with an optional Performance Pack, which adds a host of track-focused features, including a front Tower Brace, Torsen® Limited Slip differential and optional MagneRide active suspension, wider rear wheels, and tires, and larger Brembo brakes. The GT Performance Pack adds brake ducts for even more enhanced cooling and a standard auxiliary engine oil cooler. Performance Pack also offers optional Recaro® seats and active exhaust.

Each model in the Mustang lineup carries its own unique front end. New for the 2024 model year is the Mustang Design Series, with special wheels, more paint options, and cosmetic upgrades.

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

Mazda updates Electrification Plans for Canada

along with electrified efficiency, and the craftsmanship our customers expect from Mazda.”

By 2030 in North America, Mazda’s target is for its r fleet is to be 100% electrified, which will include a mixture of battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid, hybrid, and mild hybrid vehicles in line with regulatory requirements and customer demand.

With this fleet of models offering different electrification approaches we will assure that all our customers can find the right model for them based on their individual needs and market nuances.

During this period up to 2025, Mazda is additionally developing a new and dedicated platform for EV, which is called SKYACTIV EV

Scalable Architecture and will be used exclusively for EV models.

This new platform will be highly flexible, enabling our subsequent generation of Electric Vehicles to be available in various sizes and

with many different body types. That new platform will allow us to significantly broaden our pure EV offer at the time that we expect major growth in EV sales, between 2025 and 2030.

DEARBORN, Mich: The new luxury 2023

Lincoln Corsair SUV has a number of changes and segment-first features. The exterior gains a new and larger grille and wing-shaped daytime running lamps give Corsair a fresh face and a more dynamic, youthful presence.

Interiors feature a streamlined lower instrument cluster below the center stack screen creates a spacious front row, making placing and accessing items in the media bin effortless. A new available backlit applique shines light through a perforated star light pattern, providing Lincoln’s signature constellation effect. Interior wise , there are new trim color palettes and the center stack screen grows to an impressive 13.2 inches, and features SYNC®4 technology and Lincoln Enhance software updates. The driver’s 12.3-inch LCD cluster will also come standard, with the Lincoln-unique Constellation digital interface. Corsair will also offer the Alexa Built-in hands-free experience with complimentary connectivity to Alexa for three years.

The Corsair will be available in both 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine with a 250-horsepower rating and as the 2.5-liter

plug-in hybrid Corsair Grand Touring with a 266 combined horsepower rating and an . intelligent all-wheel drive system allows for enhanced all-weather capability.

New safety and technology includes segment first features such as: available Lincoln ActiveGlide 1.2 hands-free features for speeds up to 80 mph. The new 2023 Corsair is the first vehicle in the segment to get advanced, hands-free ADAS features for highway driving. Lincoln ActiveGlide 1.2 introduces new available features to Corsair, including:

Lane Change Assist can help drivers move through traffic on the freeway with more confidence while using ActiveGlide. The system will perform a hands-free lane change when the driver taps the turn signal, and it can even suggest a lane change in slow-moving traffic.

Predictive Speed Assist automatically and smoothly adjusts the speed as drivers approach a sharp curve and will signal the driver ahead of time when a speed change is about to occur.

In-Lane Repositioning makes the handsfree highway driving experience feel more

natural, keeping the vehicle in its lane while subtly shifting it away from vehicles in adjacent lanes – especially helpful when next to bigger vehicles.

Intersection Assist 2.0 helps clients avoid potential collisions with pedestrians while turning. Drivers can further customize Cor-

core computing, connectivity, and electrification to optimize safety, efficiency, and aesthetics.

sair with Lincoln’s signature

A true seven-seater, all-electric SUV that further raises standards in safety and a more sustainable lifestyle: the new 2024 Volvo EX90 represents the start of a new era for our company in which we set a de-

cisive course for a fully electric future. The Volvo EX90 defines the principle of form following function. It’s a versatile, stylish family car with modern proportions, combined with cutting-edge technology in

The standard safety in the Volvo EX90 is also higher than any Volvo car before it. It’s designed to understand you and its surroundings to help keep you, your loved ones, and others in traffic safe. It can also get smarter and safer over time, as it learns from new data and receives updates. The Volvo EX90 has an invisible shield of safety enabled by our latest sensing technology, inside and outside. State-of-the art sensors like cameras, radars and lidar are connected to the car’s high-performance core computers, where NVIDIA DRIVE runs Volvo Cars’ in-house software to create a realtime, 360-degree view of the world. A 14.5-inch center screen is your gateway to one of the best infotainment systems on offer, with Google built-in. Google apps and services including hands-free help from Google Assistant, Google Maps navigation and more of your favorite apps on Google Play all come built in. The displays

in the Volvo EX90 help you keep your eyes on the road by offering you the right information at the right time. The Volvo EX90 will also be compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay.

The Volvo EX90 will also come with phone key technology as standard. Your smartphone serves as your car key and automatically unlocks the car and starts a personal welcoming sequence as you approach. Your personal profile will also be loaded automatically as you enter the car.

The initially available twin-motor all-wheel drive version is powered by a 111kWh battery and two permanent magnet electric motors together delivering in its performance version 370 kW (496 hp) and 671 lb. ft. of torque. In combination with the brand-new chassis, this creates a great and smooth driving experience. Expected to deliver up to 480 kms of tailpipe emission-free driving range on a single charge, it charges from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. More information on the exciting Volvo EX90 is expected.

drive modes: Normal, Excite, Slippery and Conserve. Two additional modes enhance the plug-in hybrid electric driving experience.. Ordering for the new 2023 Corsair is now open at www. lincoln.com and will begin arriving in showrooms in early 2023.

Running time: 2h 18m

Sports fans beware. The title of todays review has nothing to do with boxing - unless murder, mystery, mischief and mayhem are on the menu.People come in all shapes and sizes. So do killers. Experience the Chinese justice system at its best ( or worst) in The Sparring Partner. Now it’s true confessions time for me. Even I didn’t know that this movie is based on actual events. How sad but important to cover to get inside the minds of some wackos. Intense fun indeed is this slick courtroom drama replete with an effective and engaging story. Now out on video on demand contact your cable company or internet provider to watch this thriller from Well Go USA Entertainment.

Long the capital of the freedom loving gun toting community apparently the United States doesn’t have a monopoly on crazy people - or demented killers. Character development takes us into the tangled life of an in the surface decent guy and his slow thinking friend Lead by example is the modus operandi for lean and on the surface oh so likable Henry Cheung with all his

boyhood charms. In a chilling portrayal Yeung Wai-lun gets under your skin as the creepy go lucky charmer who along with new boy toy Angus Tong are apprehended by the Hong Kong police after a search for some. Issuing locals. Cast as the sad sack loser Tong is Pui Tung Mac in a heroic representation of a not too swift accomplice in way over his head. These two totally different men make quite the team and once caught the movie and our villains (?) wind up in a packed courtroom where the tension rises to a

crescendo. Courtroom antics and jury deliberations bring back memories of the classic 12 Angry Men as both sides do their best to get at the truth. New Westminster born Raymond Burr ( aka Perry Mason) would be so proud. Powerful performances abound in The Sparring Partner, a gripping thriller though despite being a bit long will leave you on edge throughout. Case closed. In Chinese/ mandarin with English subtitles.

For more reviews please visit my website moviereviewssite.com

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New listings lag as Fraser Valley real estate market sees third month of declining sales

SURREY, BC: With sales down almost seven per cent from October, and new listings off by more than 20 per cent, the Fraser Valley housing market continues its slowing trend heading into the holiday season. Despite the market slowdown, opportunities are available, as evidenced by brisk turnover time frames.

In November, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed 839 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), a 6.9 per cent decrease compared to October and a decrease of 57.5 per cent compared to November 2021.

“The trends we’ve seen over the past several months will likely continue through to year-end,” said Sandra Benz, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “While rate hikes have effectively put many buyers and sellers in a holding pattern, we’re still seeing relatively quick turnover for all housing categories, indicating robust opportunities for properties that are strategically priced.”

The Board received 1,703 new listings in November, a decrease of 22.1 per cent compared to October 2022 and a decrease of 18.8 per cent compared to last year. The month ended with a total active inventory of 5,330, a 5.5 per cent decrease compared to October, and 74.9 per cent more than November of last year.

“The market continues to tighten in response to rising interest rates,” said Board

Baldev Gill. “As a result, individuals are facing additional levels of uncertainty regarding the decision to buy or sell a home, underscoring the importance of seeking advice and guidance from a local REALTOR® to mitigate the risks involved.”

Across Fraser Valley in November, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home was 34 days and a townhome was 28 days. Apartments took, on average, 27 days to sell.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $1,404,900, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home decreased 2.2 per cent compared to October 2022 and decreased 6.3 per cent compared to November 2021.

Townhomes: At $799,400, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome decreased 1.3 per cent compared to October 2022 and increased 3.3 per cent compared to November 2021.

Apartments: At $518,400, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo decreased 1.8 per cent compared to October 2022 and increased 5.2 per cent compared to November 2021.

Courtesy: fvreb.bc.ca

CEO

WHAT should we conclude when health experts say people over 45 should not shovel snow? That’s a young age! What could be so threatening about clearing the snow to people in the prime of life?

A winter storm may inspire some to curl up under a blanket. But for others, it’s a call to arms. Driveways must be cleared. Sidewalks too. And there’s no point in doing only half the job.

But caution is the order. Shoveling snow can be a dangerous activity. Several years ago, the Canadian Medical Association Journal reported on the link between heart attack and snowfall. Researchers matched weather data against hospital data for the 65,000 heart attacks in Quebec between 1981 and 2014. Among men, who tend to do more shoveling than women, they found a heavy snowfall of 20 cm was associated with a 34 per cent relative increased risk of death!

In the United States, between 1990 and 2006, almost 200,000 individuals made emergency department visits for snow shovel–related incidents, averaging about 11,500 individuals annually. Cardiac arrest was the deadly result of shovelling for 1,647 people. Other hazardous results included soft tissue and lower back injuries. The exertion of shoveling was not the only concern. Slips and falls while shovelling accounted for one of five patients. A further 15 percent of patients had been hit by a shovel! Heavy snowfall does make for uncommon risks, even among northern dwellers. In Finland, in 2010, quite astonishingly, there was an epidemic of accidental falls from rooftops by people attempting to clear snow. During a three-month period, just one hospital saw 46 victims.

In Japan’s northern Akita prefecture too, between December 2009 to March 2012, 352 people required emergency department visits because of falls from heights while clearing snow, and of these 16 died. Even after a public service campaign about the hazards, between December 2015 and March 2018, another 168 people fell from heights while clearing snow. Seven of them died.

Most people don’t stop to consider the risks before setting out to clear snow. But an explanation might get them thinking. Dusting off the deck after a light snow is probably not going to cause a cardiac event. But shovelling heavy snow even for a short time is akin to a hard workout. To do it on a single occasion, without gradually working up to that heavy level of exertion, is inviting trouble.

People with high blood pressure should be especially cautious, as should those who are overweight, smoke or have an inactive lifestyle. Why? Because shovelling will raise both blood pressure and heart rate. These are the conditions that invite plaque build-up in the arteries to rupture, forming a blood clot that causes a heart attack. What’s the solution? Common sense and moderation.

Don’t shovel after eating or drinking alcohol, just as you wouldn’t go for a heavy workout at such times. Would you work out in a snowsuit? Probably not, so be ready to take layers off as your body heats up. Unless you’ve prepared for a heavy workout, approach the task in smaller pieces. Take breaks and drink water.

Experts also recommend another lifesaving measure – everyone should learn CPR. When heart attack occurs, bystanders can significantly improve the chance of survival

by starting CPR quickly.

One final recommendation might be the most sensible one. Make arrangements with someone under 45 to shovel your snow!

The youthful age limit relates to research showing that 85 percent of U.S. adults aged 50-plus already have underlying coronary artery disease.

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

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

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

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