TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2015
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Talented Errington sisters earning honours for their musical talent
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TERRORIST ATTACKS IN PARIS
‘Scary’ and ‘terrifying’ The reaction of former spy overseer from Qualicum CANDACE WU
news@pqbnews.com
All eyes are on Paris in the wake of a series of horrific explosions and shootings killing more than 120 people in the French capital. Worldwide, “Peace For Paris” started trending on social media networks last weekend. Many international landmarks, including Toronto’s CN Tower, lit up in blue, red and white — the colours of the French flag — after Friday night’s deadly attacks. “Terrifying,” said Qualicum Beach’s Deborah Grey, former chair of the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC). “It’s scary,” she told The NEWS from her Qualicum Beach home. “I’ve done a fair bit of security work and it makes you very nervous… It was like 911 — what’s going to happen next?” Grey retired from her position with SIRC earlier this year, where she was in charge of the committee overseeing Canada’s spy service, CSIS. “We made sure CSIS was following the law,” she said. “And I have nothing but utmost respect for CSIS, they work very hard and are very busy.” MP Gord Johns called the attacks “an absolute tragedy” vowing to stand in solidarity with Paris and the people of France. “It’s devastating,” Johns told The NEWS from Ottawa Saturday. “Like all Canadians and people across the world, my heart goes out to the people of France. We will certainly be watching very closely.” Premier Christy Clark issued a statement Friday saying she was “shocked and sickened” by the tragic series of events. “For centuries, France has been a beacon of light and example for the world, and remains one of our closest friends and allies.” See CANADA STANDS WITH FRANCE, page A6
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WOW!: Gavin Ward, 5, of Qualicum Beach seems impressed by the selection of Coombs crafter Margaret Inder during the Christmas in Coombs Craft Fair in Arrowsmith Hall on Saturday.
NEW MP OFFICIALLY SWORN IN SATURDAY
Johns gets small biz critic role CANDACE WU
news@pqbnews.com
New Democrat MP Gord Johns was officially sworn into office Saturday afternoon in Ottawa, where he was appointed to serve as the critic for small business and tourism in the NDP shadow cabinet. “It was pretty cool to be honest,” Johns told The NEWS from Ottawa Saturday, hours after being sworn in. “It was really exciting to partake in history, signing in the book along with
every other Member of Parliament since the beginning of Confederation. What an honour to join the likes of my predecessors.” Johns, who represents the Courtenay-Alberni riding that includes Parksville Qualicum Beach, said he’s been on the go since he was elected to office Oct. 19 with 38.1 per cent of the popular vote. “It’s been extremely busy and certainly it’s a big adjustment,” he said. “It feels like it’s still at the pace of
the campaign.” But Johns has hit the ground running. “We had the tragedy in Tofino literally the first week in and right away I went back to the West Coast to support the community so it’s been a mixed bag.” During the last few weeks, Johns has been through orientation, which he describes as “boot camp for MPs” where he learned the ropes of everything from finances to human resources to security. See PARKSVILLE MAY GET, page A19
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