WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2015
YOUR SOURCE RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
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The Wildcat’s meow McMath’s upand-coming senior girls basketball team is already ranked seventh in the province.
Sales • Lease • Management Your Richmond Specialist www.interlinkrealty.ca email: info@interlinkrealty.ca Twitter: 604.271.3888 @therichmondnews Facebook: facebook.com/RichmondNews
Page 10
FUNDRAISING
HOSPITAL
Birth tourism rates smash earlier records One-in-10 born to non-residents Graeme Wood
Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com
Elizabeth Marshall was among many who got a top class trim Sunday during the 4th annual Hennessey Hair ‘Do’ at Richmond Centre, which raised around $20,000 for Wigs for Kids B.C. For more on the event, see story on page 4 and richmond-news.com for an online photo gallery. Photo by Gord Goble/Special to the News
Workers support strike vote There’s no disruption of service yet, but Canada Line employees have voted overwhelmingly in favour of job action. The 150 workers, who belong to the BC Government Employees Union, voted 99 per cent in favour of job action Thursday. But they vow to resume bargaining with ProTrans BC and a mediator in an attempt to reach a negotiated settlement before taking any job action.
“The strength of the strike vote reflects the commitment of our members to negotiate a fair and reasonable collective agreement,” said Paul Finch, BCGEU treasurer, in a press release. “We are committed to meaningful negotiations with the help of a mediator later this month. “However, if mediation fails, we are Canada Line workers have prepared to increase pressure to negotiate been without a contract since an agreement.” December 2013. Photo submitted
Roast Leg of Lamb $
20.95
Tender ender boneless slices of lamb leg, savory lamb stuffing, Felicos lamb mint sauce, roast potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. Available Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Limited Quantities
OPEN NEW YEAR’S DAY 604.276.8282 • 8140 LESLIE ROAD
Open for Lunch Monday-Saturday
2014 was a record-smashing year for births by nonresidents at Richmond Hospital, which may very well be ground zero for birth tourism in the country. Over an eight-month period last year, just over one in ten babies delivered at the hospital were from nonresident mothers. From January to September 2014, 160 non-residents gave birth at the hospital, with data for the year-end yet to be tabulated. The hospital has set new benchmarks every year since 2010. From 2004 to 2010 the hospital helped birth, on average, 18 new Canadians per year from non-resident mothers. The rise in non-resident births coincides with an approximate doubling of total births in the same time period — in 2004 the hospital birthed 936 children while in 2013 it birthed 1921. In 2004, non-residents accounted for 1.5 per cent of births; in 2014, they accounted for 10.7 per cent (of 1484 total births up to September). This baby boom has drawn criticism from many hospital employees, according to one worker, who spoke to the Richmond News on behalf of others and on the condition of anonymity. “The (hospital workers) said that, though they treat these patients with the same compassion and care that they treat everyone with, it is frustrating for them because they know that B.C. residents, contributing to (the Medical Services Plan), are being deprived of beds because of the hospital’s/ obstetrician’s insistence that these ‘self-pay’ clients be
Rack of Lamb Chops & Lobster $
26.95
Two tender grilled rack of lamb chops, 4 oz lobster tail, drawn butter, roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Dinner Everyday from 4:30pm
see SELF-PAY CLIENTS › page 3
Sterling Silver Flat Iron Steak and Lobster
26.95
$
7oz Alberta Sterling Silver Butler Steak, 4oz lobster tail, drawn butter mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables
BE DANCLLY ING Jan
ua Reserv ry 17 e N ow
www.felicos.com • Full Menu On-Line
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