Burnaby’s first and favourite information source
Delivery 604-942-3081 • Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Flying the flag for Barbadians
PAGE 3
Novice girls in lax action
PAGE 21
Your source for local sports, news, weather and entertainment! >> www.burnabynow.com
Dancers delight at powwow
SEXUAL TOUCHING
City man nets four charges
ECONOMY
Cities need global say on free trade
Alfie Lau
staff reporter
Burnaby resident and former Coquitlam school teacher Aleksandr Plehanov has been released on $400 bail after Crown counsel laid four charges of sexual touching against him in relation to incidents that occurred in Coquitlam schools dating back to October 2009. Coquitlam RCMP spokesman Bert Paquet said Monday that a fourth complainant came forward after Mounties stated on May 3 that Plehanov, 35, had taught in 31 Coquitlam schools since 2007. The RCMP had recommended nine counts involving three girls aged seven and eight, including charges of sexual interference, sexual exploitation and sexual assault, but Crown counsel approved only the counts of sexual interference. Paquet said the investigation is still active. “We are not in a position to get upset if fewer charges are laid,” he said. “We just bring our best case forward.” Paquet said Plehanov appeared in court on May 13, posted $400 bail and was released. Plehanov is subject to several stringent release conditions, including not being anywhere near children, and he must “report all intimate relationships” with parents or guardians of children. Neil MacKenzie, a senior Crown counsel who speaks for the B.C. Criminal Justice Teacher Page 5
Mayor Derek Corrigan warns about impact of European Union trade agreement Janaya Fuller-Evans
staff reporter
Jason Lang/burnaby now
Powwow: One of the dancers in the grass dance at the Stoqw’eylem Powwow last weekend, held at Burnaby Central Secondary. The annual event is one of the biggest powwows in the Lower Mainland, and draws people from all over North America.
International trade agreements affect Canadian cities, and municipal governments should have a say in what trade the agreements allow, according to Burnaby’s Mayor, Derek Corrigan. Corrigan was speaking specifically about the federal government’s trade agreement with the European Union, and how this agreement, which is in negotiations, could affect municipal contracts. The agreement could give European companies full access to municipal, hospital, post-secondary institution and provincial contract bids. Corrigan was speaking in his role as a director of Metro Vancouver, the regional government, and as a director of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. In March, Burnaby council voted to ask the federation to get involved and fight the plan to give European companies access to municipal contracts. Corrigan is also concerned about the North American Free Trade Agreement, and concessions made with the United States for its Buy American policy. “The federal government is making agreements that indicate that our local municipalities will have to give an even playing field to all multinational corporations that wish to bid,” Corrigan said. He added that this is bad news for smaller, local businesses, which aren’t able to bid on contracts in Europe or the U.S., and lose out. He called the agreements an “international Trade Page 8
Three locations to serve you: BUSINESS CENTRE SOLUTIONS AT LAKE CITY 501-3292 Production Way, Burnaby
Downsizing or Outgrowing your Business? A business centre could be the solution for you. You run the business... we run your office! Helping Businesses Succeed For Over 25 Years
604.415.4788
HEADQUARTERS OFFICE SERVICES INC. 211-3030 Lincoln Avenue, Coquitlam
604.942.6322
NORTH ROAD OFFICE SERVICES LTD.
Contact Irene Barr at 604 942 6322 to view our three locations, two in Burnaby and one in Coquitlam.
9912 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby
604.420.6322
www.businesscentresolutions.com