The Asian Star April 20 2019

www.theasianstar.com

Vol 19 - Issue 12

V

aisakhi is a time for big crowds and big business. When the annual procession moves through Surrey today, millions of dollars will have been put into the local economy. In 2014, it was estimated Surrey’s Vaisakhi weekend generated $30 million in spending. That was when the event was small, attracting only about 200,000 people. In the past five years, crowds have more than doubled. The thousands of people attending Vaisakhi mean there are thousands of mouths to feed.

For Tony Singh, president of grocery chain Fruiticana, keeping his giant warehouses stocked full of produce is key to keeping up with demand. “We start [planning] right after Vaisakhi for the next year. So we start a year Continued on page 7

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Community celebrates benefits of Vaisakhi

Tony Singh, president of Fruiticana, getting ready to serve people at the annual Vaisakhi parade in Surrey today.

Health Canada issues second warning on Surrey herbal clinic products

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Ross Street Gurdwara in Vancouver last Saturday during Vaisakhi parade, accompanying him is Dr Gulzar S. Cheema.

PM Trudeau and his Liberal MPs participated in the Vaisakhi parade.

Police identify latest shooting victim in Vancouver as Manoj Kumar Vancouver police are looking for witnesses after a Vancouver man was gunned down in his vehicle in Kitsilano on Tuesday night.

Manoj Kumar, 30, died near West Fourth and Burrard around 8:30 p.m. after someone opened fire on his white BMW. “Based on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, this

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appears to have been a targeted homicide,�

VPD Const. Jason Doucette said. “Although it’s very early in the investigation and we are still working to identify a motive, I can confirm that Mr. Kumar was not known to police and does not have any obvious connections to a criminal lifestyle.�

Continued on page 6

A Surrey herbal clinic is once again the subject of a Health Canada warning. If you have any products from A1 Herbal Ayurvedic Clinic Ltd. (31-8430 128th St. in Newton), including through its website, Health Canada advises you to “stop using them immediately.� The Now-Leader tried to contact the clinic on Wednesday, but its phone number was out of service.

This latest Health Canada advisory is dated April 12. “Consult your health care professional if you have used any A1 Herbal Ayurvedic products and have health concerns,� it states. “Properly dispose of the products according to municipal waste guidelines. Report any health productrelated adverse reactions or complaints to Health Canada.� The first health warning was issued on Jan. 28 after the BC Centre for Disease Control advised the public to discard products purchased from the clinic after they were found to contain lead and Continued on page 6

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Surrey Board of Trade confident about sound & effective approach in evaluating Surrey’s Policing Transition Plan

Sikh leader critical of federal terror report says his Sikh Liberation Front and its AK-47 logo don’t promote violence Moninder Singh has been outspoken in his criticism of a controversial recent federal terrorism report: despite its reference to alleged Sikh extremism, he says he’s aware of no one in Canada who espouses using violence to win Punjab’s independence from India.

And that, he argues, includes people associated with a provocatively named group he helped found two years ago — the Sikh Liberation Front. “To those who scream ‘peace … peace,’ I want to ask, where and how will this peace come? Khalsa jee, peace will come from the bullet leaving the barrel of the gun,” reads a quote from 1980s

militant Jugraj Singh Toofan that Singh posted last year.

Singh has been at the forefront of opposition to the Public Safety Canada terrorism report, which for the first time last December suggested “Sikh (Khalistani) extremism” was a threat. He and other Sikh “After speaking to Minister Farnworth, it leaders say there’s no evidence of extremist was made very clear to us that there will be a activity, and that the document unfairly considered and thoughtful provincial process smeared the whole community. As president to evaluating Surrey’s policing plan.” of a gurdwara — a Sikh temple — in Surrey, B.C., Singh had vowed to bar Liberal politicians from speaking at the city’s Khalsa Day parade Saturday, touted as the largest outside India.

The government eventually agreed to remove the report’s references to Sikhs and Khalistanis — those advocating for a Sikh homeland in Punjab state. Story continues below The Sikh Liberation Front logo. sikhliberationfront.com In an interview with the National Post, Singh said the SLF’s use of Kalashnikov imagery was not meant as a call to arms, merely as an emblem of resistance. Some national flags, including Mozambique’s, include firearms, he said.

“It’s always been seen as a symbol of rebellion,” he said.

“Anything I’ve ever done in this country, anywhere in the world has always been pushing the idea of diplomacy, resolution,” said Signh.

“But at the same time, we see the right of our people to defend themselves when needed in Punjab. It has nothing to do with Canada.”

Not everyone in the Sikh community, though, sees the SLF and its branding as innocuous.

“AK-47s aren’t symbols of peace, they’re devastating weapons of mass destruction in the hands of terrorists,” said Ujjal Dosanjh, a former federal cabinet minister and steadfast opponent of the Khalistani movement. “If … you’re a Khalistani and you want to dismember India, AK-47s aren’t symbols of peace.”

Dosanjh said he’s seen rap videos posted by Sikh Canadians in B.C. “waving around AK-47s” and vowing to bring about a Khalistani homeland. Meanwhile, he found that on a recent visit to Punjab itself most Sikh Indians he met thought the movement was a “joke.” The High Tired of paying outrageous bills? Switch to Freedom Mobile Commission of India in Ottawa did and get 10GB of fast LTE data for only $50 a month. not respond to a request for comment on the SLF. Asked about the group, Public Safety Canada said it does not comment on “specific threats or security operational matters.”

On an Instagram page now made private, Singh says the SLF was *With Digital Discount. set up in 2017 with activists from freedommobile.ca the U.S. and U.K. as a group that *Learn more at freedommobile.ca/digitaldiscount. Digital Discount promotion is subject to change or cancellation without notice. To be eligible to receive the $5/month Digital Discount, you must (i) be “overtly supports the establishment subscribed to a Prepaid or Postpaid line on an “Eligible Plan” (any of our current in-market plans), (ii) sign up for Auto Pay (pre-authorized payments), (iii) have an active and valid Auto Pay method on file, and (iv) redeem the “Digital Discount” promo code at a Freedom Mobile retail location or through your My Account. The promo code can only be applied once to each eligible line. A $5 monthly discount will start to be of Khalistan by any means necessary applied on your next top-up date following promo code redemption (for Prepaid customers), or on your next bill following promo code redemption (for Postpaid customers). Postpaid customers must complete the above eligibility requirements on the same day you activate your Eligible Plan to ensure the discount is received on your first/next bill. If you are not eligible for the promotion during any month, that monthly within the spectrum of Gur-sidhant discount will be entirely forfeited and cannot be made up. If you qualify for the discount in the months following the ineligible month, you will receive the discount in those subsequent months. Movement between Eligible Plans will not result in the loss of the monthly discount. Your service will no longer be eligible for the discount if you: (a) Change your rate plan to a non-Eligible Plan, or (b) Port your (the Guru’s teaching).”

The Surrey Board of Trade met with BC’s Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister, the Honourable Mike Farnworth, on Monday, April 15, 2019, and other re pre s e nt at i v e s at the Vancouver Cabinet office to discuss Surrey’s policing transition.

“The Surrey Board of Trade reiterated our position in support of keeping the Surrey RCMP, harnessing existing resources, creating a holistic model for public safety that not only included the RCMP but other supports for youth, mental

health, and more,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade.

The Surrey Board of Trade discussed public engagement, cost impacts to business taxpayers, public safety as it relates to business sustainability and attraction, interim issues on technology, training.

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Vol 18 - Issue 12

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Man seriously injured in collision after driving wrong way on Highway 17 Surrey RCMP’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team (CCIT) has been engaged following a collision which occurred on April 16, 2019.

On Tuesday afternoon, shortly after 3:00 pm, Surrey RCMP Frontline officers observed a Hyundai Accent driving southbound in the northbound lanes of Highway 17 from 104 Avenue. The vehicle struck a transport truck which was merging on to Highway 17 from the Highway 1 off ramp. The vehicle then

continued to drive into oncoming traffic as it entered the Highway 1 off-ramp and collided with a Toyota Camry before coming to a stop.

The drivers of the Hyundai and the Toyota were both transported to the hospital with injuries. The driver of the Hyundai sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the transport truck was uninjured.

The Surrey RCMP’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team has taken conduct of this investigation, which is still in its early stages, as investigators continue to look into all possible contributing factors.

Sikh leader critical of federal terror report says his Sikh Liberation Front and its AK-47 logo don’t promote violence

From page 2

Its logo includes words from Sikh scripture that mean “brave is the one who fights for the faith, willing to be cut to pieces but never abandoning the arena.” Singh said neither he nor the SLF support the use of force to promote the establishment of Khalistan.

But the situation in the region was different in the 1980s and 1990s, as the independence movement was met with brutal tactics by security forces, including extra-judicial killings and “disappearances,” he said.

After Sikh bodyguards killed Gandhi in 1984, Hindu rioters encouraged by officials of the ruling Congress party went on a rampage,

Ph: 604-503-3853

murdering over 8,000 Sikhs. A year later, Canadian Sikh terrorists bombed Air India flight 182 — Canada’s deadliest terror attack.

Those Punjab-based militants who fought back against repression then — even when committing what many Indians viewed as acts of terrorism — reacted in a “completely valid” way, said Singh. “The last resort, the picking up of arms, is what we’re mandated to do within the Khalsa, once you’ve gone through the process of trying everything you can,” he said. “We’re not talking about doing any of those things in the present day.

HARINDER DAIL Notary Public, M.A. (ALS) M.B.A. B.Sc

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Kapil Dev in Surrey to launch book on Sikhs International cricket legend and India’s captain of the 1983 world cup champion team Kapil Dev was in Surrey this past week to launch a book ‘We The Sikhs’. He also held a press conference on Thursday morning.

Photo courtesy: Aziz Dhamani

Surrey Libraries Partnering with Google to Support IT Training

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OPINION

Elmira Aliakbari

Saturday, April 20, 2019 Instead, the federal government chose to override the price signals and announce a multimillion-dollar subsidy.

And this isn’t an isolated incident. The Loblaws subsidy comes from the $500 million Low Carbon Economy Challenge, a federal program that offers funding to provinces, territories, municipalities, nonprofits, businesses and Indigenous groups for “innovative projects” that reduce carbon emissions.

Unfortunately, the federal government’s initiative violates almost all the principles of an efficient carbon tax.

All of the revenue collected from a carbon tax should be used to reduce other taxes that impose larger costs on the economy. Many economists believe that reducing personal and business income taxes is the ideal use of revenue from a carbon tax.

And yet only about 90 per cent of new revenue from the federal carbon tax will be returned to taxpayers in lump-sum rebates.

And personal income tax rates have increased for professionals, entrepreneurs and business owners. Existing regulations imposed on carbon-based activities should be eliminated since they impose enormous costs on the economy. The idea behind the carbon tax is to rely on the higher cost of carbon emissions to change behaviour rather than imposing rules.

Yet the federal government continues to add regulations on carbon activities.

So the carbon tax will be added on top of existing regulations, directly contradicting the basic elements of an efficient carbon tax.

Properly designed and implemented, a carbon tax can work to improve the economy and better regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

The decision to provide $12 million to Loblaws for new refrigerators demonstrates that the federal government has little interest in implementing an effective and efficient carbon tax.

Elmira Aliakbari is associate director of natural resource studies and Ashley Stedman is a senior policy analyst at the Fraser Institute.

Loblaws subsidy underscores Canada’s flawed climate plan

The federal government announced recently that it will provide up to $12 million in subsidies to Canadian supermarket giant Loblaws Inc. for new energy-efficient refrigerators. Unfortunately, the subsidy proves again that the nation’s climate plan is severely flawed.

According to the government’s news release, the subsidy will help Loblaws reduce its total annual emissions by approximately 23 per cent. Here’s why this taxpayer-funded subsidy is problematic. The centrepiece of the federal government’s climate plan is a carbon tax, which most economists (including us) agree – when done right – can reduce emissions while limiting costs.

The core idea behind a carbon tax is that individuals, both in their professional and personal lives, will change behaviour when faced with higher prices for carbonintensive products. The tax on carbon is meant to induce changes to consumption and

production decisions.

To limit the economic costs and distortions of a carbon tax, economists generally agree that other policies need to be introduced simultaneously. For example, revenue collected from a carbon tax should not be used to support alternatives (including other forms of energy production or, in this case, other refrigerators). The idea behind a carbon tax is to rely on the pricing of carbon to induce investments by individuals and businesses in alternatives. But rather than relying on carbon pricing to make things happen, the federal government is picking winners (Loblaws) and losers, as well as specific alternatives – by replacing old refrigerators and freezers.

If a functioning and effective carbon tax were in place, Loblaws would decide to avoid the tax by investing in energy-efficient technologies without government subsidies.

This profitable company would find new ways to reduce its carbon footprint.

www.theasianstar.com # 202 - 8388, 128 St., Surrey, BC V3W 4G2 Ph: 604-591-5423 Fax: 604-591-8615 E-mail: editor@theasianstar.com Editor: Umendra Singh Associate Editor: Chhavi Disawar Marketing and Sales: Ravi Cheema........604-715-3847 Shamir Doshi....................604-649-7827 Harminder Kaur...............778-708-0481 Parminder Dhillon..........604-902-2858 Pre-Press: Iftikhar Ahmed Design: Avee J Waseer Contributing writers: Jag Dhatt, Akash Sablok, Kamila Singh, Jay Bains

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Saturday, April 20, 2019

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Saturday, April 20, 2019 Health Canada issues second warning on Surrey herbal clinic products

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From page 1 mercury. Fraser Health issued a closure several countries because it is associated with order pursuant to the Public Health Act, liver damage.� after an inspection, and seized products, Ayurvedic medicinal products are used ingredients and equipment. in traditional Indian healing practice, and The latest advisory are often imported indicates that further from India. testing has also found Of affected arsenic and nimesulide. products, the latest “Arsenic, lead and advisory indicates, mercury are heavy Fat Go Super metals that pose Slim, Ashoka 50%, serious health risks,�

Punarua 50%, C-24 the advisory notes. “Ingestion of excessive 500 mg, KAM Extract, and Triffla 50% are amounts of arsenic, lead or mercury may contaminated with lead. accumulate in vital organs of the body.

ARS K RAS, Chirita 50% and Amba Haldi Children are most susceptible to the toxic 50% contain arsenic, lead and nimesulide, effects of heavy metals. Nimesulide is a drug and Daru HLDI 33%, Punarua 33%, Amla that is not authorized for sale in Canada 33%, DESI Extract, Giloy, Tulsi and K-Guggal and has been withdrawn from the market in Extract contain nimesulide.

Police identify latest shooting victim in Vancouver as Manoj Kumar From page 1 Nor is Kumar related to Amrendra Vijay it flees the scene, we are interested in looking Kumar, another 30-year-old man gunned into that vehicle to see if there is any evidence down in Surrey last week who was also in there — forensic evidence — to see if it completely unknown to police. Doucette said could lead to a suspect or suspects,� Doucette police received several 911 calls about the shots said. “Our main goal here is public safety and fired in the busy Kitsilano neighbourhood we want to hold the people accountable.� He across the street from a movie complex. said police can still get forensic evidence from Doucette said police received information a burned vehicle, despite “certain challenges� about “a vehicle leaving the scene. A that are posed. “We also have other tools in description was provided.� “And just around our tool belt that may allow us to pull evidence midnight, we were made aware by Vancouver from that. We are not going to rule anything Fire and Rescue Service of a vehicle on fire on out. We are going to go over that with a fineWest 22nd near Arbutus,� he said. tooth comb,� he said.

Police have now seized the vehicle for Investigators are hoping that witnesses who forensic analysis, although it has not been saw anyone near the burning SUV or fleeing directly linked to the shooting. the area will contact police, Doucette said. “Any time that there is a vehicle involved and

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Saturday, April 20, 2019 From page 1

before: how many people we served and what else we can do better for the next year,” Singh said from Fruiticana’s 90,000 squarefoot-main warehouse. The company has about 130,000 square feet of storage across its two warehouses. Part of that planning involves looking at what products are more popular. Key ingredients include mangoes, channa flour and oil for cooking, and disposable trays and cups.

“For mangoes for example, [demand] doubles that one weekend, and for all the trays and channa flour and atta, it goes up to 30 to 40 per cent higher this Vaisakhi weekend than the rest of the year.”

To manage demand, Singh doubles his warehouse staff from roughly 30 to 60 workers during Vaisakhi. The spike in shopping sales begins the Tuesday before the big parade, but the numbers don’t peak until the following Monday.

Mangoes are one of the most popular products during Vaisakhi, with demand doubling during the festival’s weekend.

He remembers a time when the parade was attended by a few thousand people.

Now, hundreds of thousands of people flood the streets.

“Ten years ago, when I walked the street on Vaisakhi, I could walk freely, there were maybe hundreds of people. Now I cannot walk through the same street.”

Looking fresh for the festival.

Just like Singh, the owners of Patiala Fashions begin preparing for Vaisakhi long in advance. “November to January is our slow time, so we start preparing then because it’s such a crazy time for us,” said Rhubina Dharni, who runs the store with her mother. “We need at least eight weeks to get in our shipments from India.”

Rubina Dharni sees the same customers at her family-run clothing shop every

Community celebrates benefits of Vaisakhi

year. She thinks it’s because people want to

look fresh for the festival. Dharni knows why it gets busier. “Every year I feel like every person wants to get a new suit for this event. We’ll see the same customers… they’re all coming in to shop here.”

Patiala Fashions carries suits in a range of colours — particularly traditional Sikh Khalsa colours like orange, blue and yellow, reflecting its diverse set of customers.

“We have people coming in from Seattle, Calgary, Alberta, Kelowna, Salt Lake City — from all over the map. It’s really crazy,” said Dharni.Building relationships through business Perhaps the busiest of them all is Harpreet Sihota, owner of Vancity Tent Rentals. As one of the larger tent providers in the city, Sihota works with businesses both big and small. In fact, his company

provides the tents for Fruiticana.

If you want to rent one of his 50 tents this close to the festival, you’re probably out of of luck. In order to keep up with demand during Vaisakhi, Harpreet Sihota’s company bought a smaller tent provider to supplement his supply. “I’m pretty much booked out. You probably heard my phone ringing about two minutes ago, that was probably someone asking for a tent coming up for this Thursday.” The festival is seen as an opportunity to connect with each other.

“You see a lot of small businesses renting out tents; free food, free everything, advertising their businesses but at the same time giving back to the community,” said Sihota. “I’ve also been able to build multiple relationships with all sorts of different people. That’s really helped my network as well.”

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Saturday, April 20, 2019

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f you’re a Metro Vancouver driver, you already know you’re paying an awful lot for gas with prices hovering around $1.70 a litre. You’re well aware that oil and gas companies and refineries all want to make a profit, so that’s factored into the cost.

You also know that a hefty chunk of what you spend goes toward tax.

Taxes alone, however, don’t explain why B.C. has the most expensive gas in the country and have nothing to do with sudden fluctuations in price.

So, the next time you’re at the pump cursing about how much you’re spending, here are some things to keep in mind.

Well, yeah. There’s a lot of tax Tax isn’t the only reason gas is so expensive in B.C., but a big piece of what you

Why do you pay so much for gas? Here’s a hint: It’s not just taxes pay at the pump goes to Victoria and Ottawa.

Here’s a list of all the taxes you pay on a litre of gas in B.C.: Provincial motor fuel tax — 7.75 cents. B.C.’s carbon tax — 8.89 cents.The B.C. Transportation Finance Authority tax — 6.75 cents. TransLink tax (If you live in Metro Vancouver) — 17 cents, increasing to 18.5 cents on July 1.

Transit tax (If you live in Victoria) — 5.5 cents.

Federal excise tax — 10 cents.

Finally, pay the five per cent Goods and Services Tax on top of the total price.

When you add it all up, you’re paying more than 50 cents a litre in tax if you live in Metro Vancouver.

BC has two oil refineries — one in Prince

George that produces about 12,000 barrels a day and one in Burnaby that has a capacity of about 55,000 barrels a day.

A man fills up his taxi at a gas station in Vancouver.

The Burnaby refinery provides gas to Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, but it can’t come close to meeting the region’s fuel demands. To make up the difference, B.C. brings in petroleum

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from Alberta through the Trans Mountain Pipeline or from other countries.

The Cherry Point Refinery in Washington State is also a major source of gas for B.C. When refineries close or scale back production due to mechanical problems or scheduled maintenance, it chokes the supply of fuel to B.C. As a buyer in a seller’s market, this puts B.C. in a difficult spot.

The province now has to find other sources for its gas and diesel and it’s competing against other regions for that fuel.

If multiple refineries in the Pacific Northwest scale back production at the same time, competition for fuel increases and the price goes up.

Not all fuel is created equally and B.C.’s emission standards are some of the highest you’ll find anywhere.

All gas and diesel that is sold in B.C. must include renewable materials and meet the province’s carbon targets.

Jason Parent with the petroleum consulting company the Kent Group says this adds to the refining cost which ultimately gets passed along to consumers.

“We’ve seen that cost increase as regulations become more stringent over the years,” he said.

“That’s a cost that is raising the wholesale price of gasoline.”

Other factors — such as global markets, time of year and the strength of the Canadian dollar — also affect the cost of gas.

Food-delivery drivers warned to watch out for IHIT’s ‘most wanted’ fugitive

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safety advisory has gone out to staff at food-delivery service Skip the Dishes, alerting them that fugitive murder suspect Brandon Teixeira may be using their services. “Information surfaced through the investigation that he used those services at one point,” said Frank Jang, spokesperson for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). Delivery drivers are advised not to approach Teixeira and to call 911 if they come across him. Skip the Dishes, which bills itself as Canada’s “largest food delivery network,” delivers food from local restaurants to people’s homes. In a statement, a spokesperson for the company said: “After being contacted by the RCMP, we were happy to support their efforts on this matter, as the safety and security of our network is our top priority.” Skip the Dishes delivers food from local restaurants to people’s homes. (Skip the Dishes) Teixeira has been charged with first-degree murder in the September 2017 shooting of Nicolas Khabra in Surrey, B.C. On April 3, IHIT stepped up efforts to capture Teixeira by offering $55,000 for information leading to his arrest. “He is IHIT’s most wanted person right now and we are asking the community to please help us try to find him,” said Jang.

Saturday, April 20, 2019 2 injured, many out of their homes as Burnaby firefighters battle house fires Two people were taken to hospital and several others were forced out of their homes after two houses caught fire in north Burnaby overnight. Neighbours living near the house on Pender Street, near Boundary Road, called 911 just before 3:00 a.m. PT Friday when they saw smoke and flames coming out of its roof. “Somebody was screaming, ‘Fire, fire, fire,’” said Mike Svatek, who lives near the homes that burned. “The flames looked like they hit up to 8 to 12 metres ... from the roofs.” When fire crews arrived, flames had spread to the roof of

the house next door, which had already been evacuated. The fire had spread to a neighbouring house after burning through the first building. Residents suffered smoke inhalation. Burnaby fire officials said two people living in the first house were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Three others in the second house escaped uninjured, but couldn’t return home for the night. “A challenging fire for our crews, but our men and women are doing a great job,” said Deputy Chief David Samson early Friday morning.

Death of woman found in Maple Ridge creek now deemed suspicious The death of a Maple Ridge woman found in the riverfront area of a Maple Ridge park in March is now being considered suspicious.

May Cunningham, 52, was found dead near the trails at Kanaka Creek Regional Park, close to the creek and a few hundred metres from the park entrance early on March 22. “The circumstances surrounding her death are suspicious in nature and police are continuing with their investigation,” Ridge

May Cunningham, 52

Meadows RCMP said in a news release Wednesday.

Police are interested in speaking to anyone who may have been in the area of the park, specifically the Kanaka Creek riverfront area, between March 21, at around 8 p.m. and March 22, at around 8 a.m.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cpl. Chad Raymond at 604476-6936 or Const. Beth Williams at 604-476-6919, or Crime Stoppers.

Man sentenced to 5.5 years for 1999 rape at Abbotsford music festival A man convicted of a 1999 rape at an Abbotsford music festival has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison.

James Redden, 51, formerly of Nanaimo, was sentenced Tuesday in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster on three charges with which he was convicted after his trial: sexual assault, unlawful confinement and uttering threats. The assault occurred on Aug. 7, 1999 during the 11th annual Sumas Mountain Happening outdoor rock festival on an 11.5-acre property in the 37200 block of Ward Road in Abbotsford. Sometime around midnight, the victim, then 21, walked back to her vehicle and was grabbed, dragged into the woods and sexually assaulted. She was choked to the point where she nearly lost consciousness, and she was threatened with death. Evidence was gathered following the attack, but the case remained unsolved until December 2013. At that time, the officer who first investigated the case re-opened the file

and sent clothing obtained from the scene for DNA analysis. In early 2014, a DNA profile was discovered and a suspect was identified.

Before then, there was no match because Redden was not in the DNA database. It then took some additional time for police to gather further evidence to back up their case, leading to charges being laid against Redden on Dec. 17, 2015. This was not the first time that Redden had been charged with sexual assault. In 2008, he went to trial – and was acquitted – on charges of sexual assault with a weapon and uttering threats from an incident that occurred in Nanaimo in November 1995.

The complainant in that case testified that she had been walking along the road when she was attacked from behind, taken into a ditch, raped and threatened with death. She was not able to identify her attacker. Redden was arrested and charged with the attack 12 years later, in 2007, but was acquitted at trial.

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, April 20, 2019

of police and The Supreme Police don’t need warrant to carry out child luring sting operations - Supreme Court of Canada d e m o n s t r at e s Court of Canada Police officers used that this is communicating has ruled that sexually explicit online a screenshot program with someone major child protection issue,” she said in a messages exchanged with a minor are not to capture and record he believed to statement to CBC News. “It is of fundamental private and can be used in undercover copies of the email be a child, who importance that individuals not be able to police operations without a warrant. In a communications; they was a stranger claim a ‘reasonable expectation of privacy’ unanimous 7-0 decision, the justices upheld did not obtain judicial to him, and to shield their communications and allow Sean Mills’ conviction for child luring. authorization to intercept the undercover them to act with impunity as they actively Justices were divided on their reasons, but a communications. Mills’ officer knew this target those who need our protection most – majority ruled that police do not need judicial home was searched after when he created our children.” Mills’ St. John’s-based defence authorization to intercept communications his arrest under warrant, her,” Brown wrote lawyer Rosellen Sullivan argued police should for investigations involving child predators. and two computers were seized. He took his have obtained a warrant once it became clear The majority said Mills did not have a case all the way to the top court, arguing his in his judgment. The Canadian Centre for that ages had been established and her client reasonable expectation of privacy. constitutional right to privacy was violated Child Protection welcomed the court ruling, was considered a suspect in the ongoing Mills was found guilty of one count of child and that police did not obtain a court order calling undercover police work “essential” to investigation. Sullivan said it’s important luring in 2014 after an undercover operation for intercepting private online exchanges. proactively protecting children online.

The organization’s general counsel, to have rules on when police can and can’t by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. Sex offender high-risk to abuse children obtain communications without a court Investigators had set up fake Facebook and again without effective treatment: psychiatrist Monique St. Germain, said Statistics Canada order.

“I’m not saying, ‘Oh, let’s protect Hotmail accounts, posing as two teenage girls. Police charge man with posing as teen, reported more than 1,300 incidents of child internet predators,’” she said. “I’m saying this Mills engaged in sexually explicit exchanges trying to lure girl through Instagram Justice luring last year. “This number only includes protection has to be available to everyone.” with the 14-year-old persona “Leann” and Russell Brown reasoned that Mills had no the incidents that came to the attention eventually arranged a meeting in a local park. reasonable expectation of privacy. “He was

PBO launches new service to cost out party platforms, despite the political risks

The next federal election isn’t happening until October but one federal institution is starting its election countdown in June — with a novel experiment in democracy that’s fraught with political risks. The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) will suspend its normal functions on June 23 to take on a new, temporary task: costing out election platforms for parties seeking a neutral and objective estimate of what their policies might cost taxpayers.

The new platform-costing mandate was promised by the Liberal Party in the 2015 election and quietly became law through an omnibus bill in June 2017.

“Canadians will have a credible, nonpartisan way to compare each party’s fiscal plans,” Justin Trudeau’s Liberals promised during the campaign.

Armed with $500,000 in special funding, the PBO has been gearing up for months and meeting individually with party representatives to set ground rules. Its challenge is to immunize the exercise from political gameplaying and partisan sparring. “We will not be costing proposals that have as their main goal to embarrass another party,” said Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux.

“There may be accusations of political bias.”

A platform-costing service could be abused for partisan purposes. For example, one party could introduce a platform and choose not to have the PBO cost it. A rival party could then submit that platform to PBO costing in order to humiliate the party that authored it. The PBO has said it will not cost any party’s platform unless the party specifically requests it.

Saturday, April 20, 2019

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Saturday, April 20, 2019

Defence questions cop’s ‘mistake’ at trial of BC dad accused of killing girls A defence lawyer has questioned a police officer’s “mistake” of leaving an apartment after he saw blood-smeared walls and discovered a badly injured young girl lying on a bed.

Oak Bay Police Const. Piotr Ulanowski was the first officer to enter Andrew Berry’s apartment in the southern Vancouver Island city on Christmas Day in 2017.

Andrew Berry, centre, appears in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on Tuesday, the first day of his trial where he is accused of second-degree murder in the deaths of his daughters. His trial continued Wednesday.

Andrew Berry, centre, appears in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on Tuesday, the first day of his trial where he is accused of second-degree murder in the deaths of his daughters. His trial continued Wednesday.

Berry has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the deaths of his daughters, Chloe Berry, 6, and

Aubrey Berry, 4. His trial began in British Columbia Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Ulanowski has testified that after he saw the chaotic scene inside the apartment, he left, closed the door and called for a higher-ranking officer to join him because of safety concerns.

Berry’s lawyer Kevin McCullough questioned Ulanowski’s decision on Wednesday.

He noted that Ulanowski walked to the lobby to wait for the sergeant, leaving the door to the suite and an exit door next to it unattended.

“Would you agree with me, Const.

Ulanowski, you made a significant mistake walking away from that door, which you just identified as a crime scene?” McCullough asked.

“And the reason that you didn’t go in was because of that (crime scene) and your safety because someone could attack you from that scene?

Options presented for Abbotsford students displaced by seismic upgrades Parents at an Abbotsford high school slated for seismic upgrades are considering appealing to the local business community to avoid students being displaced during the construction work.

Abbotsford School District’s board of education heard a presentation last week on options for accommodating students displaced by seismic upgrades at Abbotsford Traditional Secondary School.

Situated on the same campus as Abbotsford Traditional Middle School, the board of education heard that, during the construction, there will a shortfall of six rooms on the campus that would require portables to fit all ATSS and ATMS students on campus.

About 94 per cent of 770 responses to paper and digital feedback forms filled out by parents/guardians and students preferred to keep students on campus in portables. At a school board meeting, parents expressed concern that students may not return to traditional schools if temporarily displaced to Rick Hansen Secondary School (RHSS).

“There will be heavy attrition here, and

your decision here could rip apart this school group,” parent Kuljit Sangha told the school board. “Another destination for families pulling out of traditional will eventually be private schools. We will be taking some of the best and brightest permanently out of the public system.”

Carelle McKellan said in an interview after the meeting that she’s appealing to nearby warehouse owners to donate space to temporarily house shop classes such as woodwork and other trades.

“I’m sure there’s someone that has a warehouse close to ATSS that could accommodate all the woodworking and welding equipment on their site and allow the teacher from the high school and the students to go there for less than a year,” McKellan said.

“Abbotsford is a very giving community and a very open community, and to see students suffer, I think, would be a real loss.”

At a school board meeting, assistant superintendent Gino Bondi presented several options for accommodating students, “leaving no stone unturned,” officials said.

Private clinics are a ‘substantial risk’ to public health care, lawyer for Canada argues The attorney representing Canada has begun his defence of the public health care system in an ongoing legal battle with a Vancouver-based private clinic.

Cambie Surgeries Corporation launched a constitutional challenge against the province in 2009, arguing for the constitutional right of patients to choose private health care. At the crux of the case is the practice of extra-billing, in which a doctor charges an insured patient extra fees for medically necessary services. Cambie Surgeries owner Brian Day has denied doing so.

A lawyer for the Attorney General of Canada argued that allowing private clinics to extra-bill patients would result in longer wait times in the public system.

A lawyer for the Attorney General of Canada argued that allowing private clinics to extra-bill patients would result in longer wait times in the public system.

The lawyer for the Attorney General of Canada, Ken Manning, began his defence on Monday by arguing that allowing private clinics to continue to bill the province through extra-billing and user fees — a related

charge on medical services — would reverse progress toward an equitable health system.

He said a decision in the plaintiff ’s favour could “turn back the clock” on Canada’s health care system to a time before universal health care, to a time when extra billing and user charges were rampant, resulting in a two-tiered system.

“Canada has deliberately chosen to embrace need over ability to pay when it comes to the provision of and access to these services,” said Manning, referencing the 1980s enactment

of the Canada Health Act, the legislation on which provincial health care systems are based.

Under the act, provinces are penalized for extra-billing through the loss of healthcare transfer payments from the federal government. For 2015-16, B.C. was fined $15.9 million in lost transfer payments.

Manning also said that allowing extrabilling would put the quality of public health at “a real and substantial risk” and would create new problems such as the “siphoning of resources from the public system.”

LOCAL

Saturday, April 20, 2019

School-bus crash in Surrey, drivers injured A school bus full of children was involved in an accident with a sedan in Newton Wednesday afternoon (April 17).

The crash happened near 68th Avenue and King George Boulevard, between a school bus and a sedan, shortly after 3 p.m.

Police said none of the children in the bus were injured, but the drivers of the bus and the sedan were both taken to hospital with minor injuries. Writing on the side of the

Singh,

police said, was last seen wearing a blue turban, black jacket and black pants.

Surrey RCMP said Amritras is “known to frequent temples located in Surrey and Canada Place in Vancouver.”

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of this person is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or solvecrime.ca, quoting file number 2019-54102.

BC Transit ordered to pay blind woman $11K after driver fails to call out stops BC Transit has agreed to pay more than $11,000 to a legally blind woman who was mistreated by Kamloops bus drivers.

Helen McFadyen filed a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal following a pair of incidents — one in late 2017 and the other in early 2018.

On both occasions, McFadyen said she was a passenger on a Kamloops transit bus.

She said on one occasion, her driver failed

to call out stops, as required by BC Transit policy, and on another occasion the driver announced stops in a “disrespectful” manner.

BC Transit acknowledged McFadyen’s complaints and apologized to her. The transit provider also agreed to pay McFadyen $10,000 “for injury to dignity, feelings and self respect,” as well as $1,500 for expenses.

McFadyen has since moved to Victoria from Kamloops.

Liberals extend deadline for Trans Mountain pipeline decision to June 18 The federal government is putting off plans to pass judgment on the reconsidered Trans Mountain pipeline expansion proposal for nearly a month in order to finish its consultations with Indigenous groups, says Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi.

The deadline is being pushed back — from May 22 to June 18 — on the recommendation of Indigenous communities and former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci, who is advising the government on the consultation process, Sohi said Thursday.

“The government has consistently said that a decision would only be made on the project once we are satisfied that the duty to consult has been met,” he said in a statement.

Funeral announcements

bus read “G.A.D. Elementary School,” which is Guru Angad Dev Elementary School in Surrey. Mel Wong, watch commander for Surrey detachment, said RCMP is investigating the crash and officers are waiting for video evidence. “Our school liaison officers will be investigating the incident and it’s still in the early stages,” said Wong, adding that officers are collecting statements and reviewing video “to see what actually occurred.”’

22-year-old South Asian man found in Surrey Surrey RCMP say 22-year-old Amritras Singh has been safely found.

Surrey RCMP are asking for the public’s helping in finding a 22-year-old man.

Amritras Singh, according to a news release from police Wednesday (April 17), was last seen on April 16 around 7 a.m. in the 6900-block of 122nd Street. Surrey RCMP said he has not been heard from since.

Police described Singh as South Asian, about five-foot-two with a medium build.

He has a black beard and brown eyes.

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The proposal to twin the existing Trans Mountain pipeline between Edmonton and Burnaby, B.C., was first approved by cabinet in 2016. The Federal Court of Appeal rescinded that decision last August, however, declaring that neither the environmental review nor the Indigenous consultations had been properly completed.

After taking into consideration the impact of more oil tankers on marine life off the coast of B.C., the National Energy Board said on Feb. 22 that it still believed the project was in the public interest and should go ahead, subject to 156 conditions and 16 new nonbinding recommendations for Ottawa.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sardar Kashmir Singh Rasoda, son of Sardar Dalip Singh and Biant Kaur, from the village of Menghrowal, Hoshiarpur.

He passed away peacefully on April 12th surrounded by his loving family.

The funeral service will be held at Riverside Funeral Home 7410 Hopcott Road, Delta, on Sunday, April 21th at 3pm. This will be followed by Sehaj Paath da bhog at Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara, 8000 Ross Street, Vancouver.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Parkinson Society British Columbia.

Man injured in Vancouver crash Police are trying to figure out why the man’s car crashed into two parked cars on Main Street last night.

One man is in hospital with serious injuries after a crash Wednesday night in Vancouver.

Vancouver police say it happened near Main Street and East 42nd Avenue at about 9 p.m.

Investigators

say a grey Acura hit two parked cars.

The driver of the Acura, a 28-yearold Vancouver man, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The Vancouver Police collision investigation unit is working to determine what caused the collision.

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LOCAL

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Investigation finds no fraudulent absentee ballots issued in 2018 civic election: RCMP

Minister of Citizens’ Services Jinny Sims (fourth from the left) spoke with members of the Small Business Roundtable April 15 regarding B.C.’s procurement modernization strategy and actions underway to make is simpler, faster and less costly for companies to work with government. Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology Bruce Ralston (second from the right) chaired the meeting.

BC Ferries to pilot selling beer and wine on select routes Travellers on select BC Ferries vessels between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay could soon have the option of enjoying a glass of wine or a beer with their meal.

BC Ferries officials confirm the independently managed, publicly owned company is exploring a pilot project that would allow limited alcohol sales in the Pacific Buffet aboard the Coastal Celebration, Spirit of British Columbia and Spirit of Vancouver Island.

A leaked memo posted on the online news website The Orca says the project could begin sometime in June.

The memo says alcohol would only be available after 11 a.m., passengers would be limited to two drinks and would only be permitted to buy alcohol along with a full meal.

Ian Tostenson, president of the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association, says he approves of the pilot project.

He says he travelled on Helijet, the scheduled helicopter service between Vancouver and several locations on Vancouver Island, and was pleased to be offered a complimentary glass of wine, which he calls and enjoyable “part of the experience.”

“They don’t offer five glasses of wine …. and they control it,” says Tostenson.

A showcase of B.C. wines and craft beers aboard ferries could also offer a good venue for producers, he says.

“If you look at Europe, there’s a couple places that you can dine and have beer and wine, in fact, you have the full bar service.”

“I think it’s a great idea.

The Northern Expedition, the ship making the 22hour trip between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert, already offers beer and wine in its Canoe Cafe and Vista Restaurant, although the BC Ferries website says the Vista Restaurant is only open during the summer.

Surrey RCMP say an investigation into allegations of voter fraud during the 2018 civic election turned up 67 fraudulent applications for absentee ballots, but none of the ballots were mailed out.

The detachment’s Major Crime Section launched its probe in September last year after Surrey’s chief elections officer noted “irregularities” in the mail-ballot registration process, Sgt. Chad Greig said in a news release Friday.

Investigators found that 67 applications for absentee ballots were fraudulent, due to their not being completed or signed by the voter listed on the application.

Two of the applications requested that ballots be sent to addresses not associated with the person named on the application, while the other 65 listed the applicant’s correct address.

But no ballots were sent to the people or residences based on those 67 fraudulent applications, Greig said.

“The process to apply for a mail ballot was amended by the Chief Elections Officer on Oct. 1 to preserve the integrity of the election,” he said.

During the investigation, however, another complaint came in alleging that an elections employee at a polling station tried to influence

a voter. Election officials quickly removed that person from their position, Greig said.

“Officials from Surrey’s Elections Office were routinely updated during this investigation and they acted to ensure that the integrity of the 2018 election was maintained,” Greig said.

“The results of the investigation were shared with the Chief Elections Officer to ensure strategies are put in place to protect further elections.”

A report has been sent to the B.C. Prosecution Service for charge assessment, Greig said.

Last September, anti-crime group Wake Up Surrey sent letters to the Surrey RCMP and Elections B.C. ahead of the election alleging a “well-coordinated election fraud scheme underway within the South Asian community.”

The group said absentee ballots were being fraudulently used and votes were being bought.

Wake Up Surrey claimed one or more political parties were behind the scheme, which involved requesting absentee ballots for voters and casting them without their knowledge, or obtaining absentee ballots from voters and either filling them in for them and forging their signatures, or telling them how to vote.

Vancouver police urge parents to talk to teens about risks at 4-20 pot event Police in Vancouver are asking parents to have a “tough” conversation with their teenagers about the dangers associated with marijuana at a large unsanctioned 4-20 event while city and park board officials call on organizers to pay for policing costs.

Sgt. Jason Robillard said Wednesday the 25th annual event, featuring vendors selling marijuana, baked edibles and drug paraphernalia, is expected to be a big draw on Saturday because of a concert by

California hip-hop group Cypress Hill.

Police will focus on arresting anyone selling marijuana to minors at the Sunset Beach gathering, which typically attracts several thousand people, Robillard said.

He said it’s up to parents to talk to their kids about the overall risks of attending such a large event that may also involve other drugs. Enforcement will take into consideration the safety of

Suspect wanted in attempted gas station robbery in Surrey

Police have released photos in the hopes the public can help find the suspect in an attempted robbery of a Surrey gas station.

It happened on Feb. 28, 2019 at about 1:30 a.m. Surrey RCMP say a man entered a gas station in the 10400 block of King George Boulevard and demanded the employee open the cash register. Police say the suspect then sprayed the employee with bear spray and took off without taking any money.

The suspect is described as Caucasian, about 5’7” with a slim build and short dark hair. At the time of the robbery, the suspect was wearing a black jacket with fur trim on the hood and a grey hoodie underneath the jacket, along with black pants and dark coloured shoes.

Anyone with information about the robbert is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or contact Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or visit solvecrime.ca.

LOCAL

Saturday, April 20, 2019

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Penticton shooting leaves four dead, man faces multiple murder charges

A retired city worker is facing multiple murder charges after a shooting spree left four people dead in Penticton on Monday.

John Brittain, 68 (pictured), was charged with three counts of firstdegree murder and one count of second-degree murder on Tuesday.

Handcuffed, he was led through the back door of the provincial courthouse for a brief, first court appearance at 10:20 a.m. PT and was remanded into custody.

He didn’t respond to reporters’ questions as he was escorted from the courthouse.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning, Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki said Brittain worked for the city’s engineering department for several years until his retirement “due to an illness� in 2016.

Brittain’s current employer The president of Ecora Engineering confirmed Brittain is currently employed by the company, and has worked there as a civil engineer since 2017. “We’re shocked and saddened by the incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the deceased,� said Kelly Sherman, in a statement. “As it’s a criminal matter, the RCMP will be investigating, no further comment.�

The man charged with murder after a shooting spree left four people dead on April 15.

His next court appearance has been set for May 8.

Two women and two men were killed in three different locations in the city during an hour-long shooting spree that began around 10:30 a.m. PT Monday, and ended with Brittain turning himself in at the front desk of the local RCMP detachment.

Mounties said the victims, who were

Okanagan Lake, after receiving reports that a man had been shot at 10:30 a.m. PT. As officers were en route, police received a second call that another person had been shot further south in the city. The public was asked to avoid the downtown area entirely, or stay indoors if they were already there.

De Jager said a man matching the suspect’s

Police escort John Brittain from the Penticton courthouse after his initial appearance on Tuesday in their 60s and 70s, all knew each other and their alleged killer. Investigators believe the shootings were targeted, but a possible motive hasn’t been determined.

Mounties said they won’t be releasing the names of the victims or details on how they knew the accused, as officers don’t believe it will further the investigation, but CBC has learned through friends of Rudi Winter that he is one of the victims.

On Tuesday, RCMPSupt. Ted De Jager said Mounties won’t be releasing the names of the victims or details on how they knew Brittain, as officers don’t believe it will further the investigation. “I can’t speak to the actual relationship and, be mindful, this matter is before the courts,�

De Jager said during a news conference.

CBC News has learned through friends of Rudi Winter that he is one of the victims.

Police forensic officers investigate after the body of a man who was shot was found outside a home near Lakeview Street and Heales Avenue.

On Monday, police were first called to the area of Lakeview Street and Heales Avenue, a residential neighbourhood blocks from

Should BC lower speed limits on side roads to 30 km/h?

A Vancouver city councillor wants speed limits on side roads across the province to be the same as school zones.

In a motion to be put forward next week, Pete Fry said lowering the current speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour to 30 km would create “safer, better engaged, healthier and more inclusive communities.�

His motion follows similar calls made by the government’s BC Road Safety Strategy, the Provincial Health Services Authority, and the Road Safety Law Reform Group.

Pedestrian survival is about 90 per cent if they are hit by a vehicle travelling at 30 km per hour, according to ICBC. That drops to as low as 20 per cent if the vehicle is moving even 20 kilometres faster.

Fry wants the City of Vancouver to present a resolution to the Union of BC Municipalities and lobby the province to make the lowered

speed the default limit, while giving individual municipalities the power to increase speed limits along local streets on a case-by-case basis.

description turned himself in, unarmed, at the RCMP detachment on Main Street at 11:27 a.m. PT. Two victims were found at a home in the 2400 block of Cornwall Drive, near Murray Drive, with a third victim found nearby on Monday.

Investigators found four bodies in three places.

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Saturday, April 20, 2019

Vaisakhi celebrations at India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, Richmond India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, Richmond had a very successful Vaisakhi celebration on Sunday, April 14. The huge congregation appreciated meeting with and listening to special guests. The dignitaries included Canada’s Minister of National Defence Harjit Singh Sajjan, Member of Parliament for Steveston –Richmond East, Joe Peschisolido, BC’s Minister of Labour Harry

Paath Sahib, Kirtan by Giani Tarlochan Singh’s jatha and a brief explanation about Vaisakhi by Giani Amrik Singh. On behalf of Chairman Asa Singh Johal and the Gurdwara Management Committee, Secretary Balwant Singh Sanghera welcomed members of the congregation and special guests. He then talked about the significance of Vaisakhi and invited special guest Harjit Singh Sajjan to

Bains,Rischmond East-Queensborough MLA Jas Johal, Consul General of India Mrs. Abhilasha Joshi, Richmond City Councilor Bill McNulty and Richmond police chief Superintendent Will Ng. The celebration started with bhog of Akhand

convey Vaisakhi greetings to the congregation.

President Balbir Singh Jawanda commended retiring manager Avtar Singh Saddhar for his long service to the congregation and the Gurdwara. Chairman Asa Singh Johal

New Stop of Interest sign celebrates historic Sikh temple A Punjabi translation is included in this release A new Stop of Interest sign has been unveiled at the Gur Sikh Temple and Heritage Museum in Abbotsford, providing travellers with information about the oldest still-standing Sikh “gurdwara” in North America.

“B.C.’s Stop of Interest signs are a way to share our province’s history,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “The new sign will help tell the story of the role this temple played in uniting the emerging Sikh community and easing its integration into Canadian society at a challenging time.”

The sign is located on the grounds of the Gur Sikh Temple and Heritage Museum off South Fraser Way in

Abbotsford, adjacent to the roadway.

“This is an important sign honouring the Sikh community, in Abbotsford and around the province,” said Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds. “People travelling through the area will get a better understanding of just how significant the Gur Sikh Temple is and the role it has played historically.”

The temple was built, starting in 1908, using lumber donated by the Abbotsford Lumber Company and carried by hand to the

along with Harjit Singh Sajjan, Balbir Singh Jawanda and Committee members made a special presentation to Mr. Saddhar.

Mr. Sajjan was followed by other special guests who presented their brief and impressive Vaisakhi greetings to the congregation. Two RCMP officers-Sanj Sidhu and Angela Manuel- in red serge were the special attraction at the celebration. A

lot of adults and children were keen to get their pictures taken with these two popular officers. The celebration concluded with a prayer/ Ardas. Downstairs in the lobby and Langar hall, it was great to see people mingle

with each other and take pictures with the VIPs. Minister Sajjan was kind enough to present specially designed coins to Mr. Asa Singh Johal and his wife Kashmir Kaur Johal for Mr. Johal’s contribution to the community and Canada. The volunteers did an excellent job in taking care of different aspects of the celebration including a very delicious langar.

The Gurdwara Management Committee is very thankful to everyone, including the South Asian media, the congregation and our special guests who made this celebration such a great success. Balwant Singh Sanghera

Premier Horgan announces $1-million grant for Sikh temple in Victoria P r e m i e r H o r g a n announced a $1-million grant for upgrades at the Sikh temple in Victoria during Vaisakhi religious celebrations on Sunday.

The provincial grant for 2018-19, from the Ministry of Premier Horgan, Finance Minister Carole James and Agriculture Minister Lana Municipal Affairs Pophamat, North Delta MLA Ravi Kahlon and Victoria MP Murray Rankin and Housing, at Sikh temple, Topaz Ave in Vicroria. Pictutred above Premier Horgan with will support president of Gurdwara commitee Hardeep Sahota, Raghbir Bains, accessibility and and Gurbaksh Dosanjh. safety upgrades temple) and its community kitchen at to Sikh Khalsa Diwan Society temple’s 1210 Topaz Ave. are an important part kitchen, common areas, main entrances of the Greater Victoria community for and outdoor decks. The gurdwara (Sikh all faiths, said Horgan. “It’s not just the Sikh community that accesses the kitchen here,” said Horgan. “It’s part of feeding hundreds and hundreds of people every month and it’s a great opportunity for us to inject some dollars into the gurdwara for all the work they’ve done for over 100 years now here in the community.”

The Khalsa Diwan Society gurdwara opened in 1912 in Victoria and is one of the two oldest operating gurdwaras in North America. It serves more than 600 free meals to people in need in downtown Victoria each weekend, according to the province. The society also serves meals once a month at Our Place Society, which provides transitional housing, shelter and food to those living in poverty. The province distributed grants for infrastructure projects in four B.C. communities. The one-time grant funding was awarded after organizations submitted proposals detailing the scope, budget and needs of their proposed project.

Dimple Kapadia - Sunny Deol to raise a toast together It’s been more than 3 decades that Sunny Deol and Dimple Kapadia have been close. Their ‘friendship’ sizzled in movies like Arjun, ManzilManzil, Aag Ka Gola, Gunaah, Narasimha, to name a

occasion has happened in India where we spotted Dimple and Sunny together.

But this weekend, you just might get an opportunity to see them under one roof-- thanks to

few. They have never spoken about their association and bonding, even though a video of them vacationing in Monaco did go viral on the Internet in the past.

Not just that, not a single

Dimple Kapadia’s nephew Karan who makes his Bollywood debut with Blank. We have it that a special party will be hosted to celebrate Karan’s arrival to movies and both Sunny and Dimple will be present.

Karen is the son of Dimple Kapadia’s sister Simple, who was also an actress.

Sunny Deol & Dimple Kapadia has a special plan for Karan Kapadia. It is being said that almost the entire Kapadia family along with Sunny Deol will be seen celebrating Karan Kapadia’s debut. For those who’ve come in late, Karan Kapadia is all set to make his Bollywood debut with Behzad Khambata’s action-thriller Blank. Karan will be seen playing the role of a suicide bomber. The film also stars Sunny Deol and Drishyam actress Ishita Dutta.

Kapadia’s involvement in art films happened at a time when she “exhausted her appetite for playing the pretty prop in hero-oriented films”, arguing that they “honed Dimple’s talent for lending fine striations to complex emotions.”

According to Raheja, Kapadia’s casting in Dil Chahta Hai and Leela, in which she played “an older woman who is the object of a younger man’s affection”

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Saturday, April 20, 2019

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*Prices include freight and PDI but do not include applicable taxes or documentation fee of $498. Advertised prices & payments are net of all available rebates. All offers are subject to availability, change or withdrawal without notice at the manufacturer’s discretion. Lease payment examples shown are plus tax and subject to offer acceptance conditions. Lease based on $3,100 down @ 3.99% interest. Total paid on 24 month lease = $15,475; 36 month lease = $21,640; 48 month lease = $29,203 plus applicable taxes. Annual allowance of 20,000 km per year. Additional mileage charge is 16 cents per km. Lease based on $50,499 + doc fee. See dealer for full details. Offer ends April 30, 2019.

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Vibrant Goa Roadshow In Vancouver & Surrey Vibrant Goa Roadshow 2019-Vancouver was organized in partnership with BC India Business Network, and the Consulate General

of India, Vancouver on 10th April, 2019.

The Roadshow was sponsored by Forestry Innovation Investment, Vancouver Economic Commission and Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, BC. Consul General Mrs. Abhilasha Joshi gave the Keynote address. Mr. Vivek Savkur, Convenor of the Vibrant Goa Roadshow and President of the BC-India Business Network, welcomed the guests. Vibrant

Goa Foundation, Chief Mentor Dr. Jagat Shah; Vibrant Goa Foundation Chairman Mr. Rajkumar Kamat and Balashree Foods Pvt Ltd., Goa President Mr. Pranav Aggarwal invited BC Businessmen to participate in the #VibrantGoa Global Expo 2019 Summit which will be held in Goa, India from October 17-19, 2019. Their presentations were followed by a very informative presentation by ICIMPACTS CEO Dr. Nemkumar Banthia, CEO, IC-IMPACTS; Mr. Michael Loseth, CEO, Forest Innovation Investment, and Catherine Warren, CEO, Vancouver Economic Commission.

More than 60 businessmen attended the Roadshow.

An MOU between Rajkumar Kamat, Chairman,Vibrant Goa Foundation and Mr. Vivek A. Savkur President BCIBN was signed during the roadshow to promote

Continued on page 20

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Bollywood HOROSCOPE Aries

March 21 - April 20 As the radiant sun in your sign angles toward cautious Saturn and powerful Pluto, the desire to steer clear of responsibilities and onerous tasks that need doing could reach a peak this week.

You may feel pressure from certain quarters to get a move on, yet despite knowing the urgency involved, a part of you could be resisting doing

situation, you might need to do push through such feelings and do it anyway because things aren’t likely to get any easier.

Taurus

April 21 - May 20 Tuesday brings a romantic quality into the picture, which could see you enjoying a special date with a loved one or connecting with someone you’ve admired for some time.

The days ahead also include more edgy transits, enabling you to see how certain beliefs have been holding you back for some while. The sun in an awkward angle to sobering Saturn and powerful Pluto later in the week could gift you with insights that enable you embrace empowering ideals and beliefs.

Gemini

May 20 - June 21 A focus on the topmost sector of your chart

others and perhaps publicize a charity event or other similar opportunity.

At the same time, you could experience some awkward social situations as the sun in

Saturn and radical Pluto. Certain people may not understand why you’re so secretive and could feel put out that you won’t discuss a key situation with them.

Cancer

June 22 - July 23

While you may dream of faraway places and opportunities to kick back and enjoy a pleasant vacation, this week you might need to knuckle down and tackle key responsibilities. This shouldn’t prevent you from booking a trip, however. It will give you something to look forward to. With the sun angling toward teacher planet Saturn and passionate Pluto in your sector of relating,

progress - at least it could seem that way.

Leo

June 24 - August 23 Adventurous Jupiter goes into reverse in your sector of leisure and self-expression, which could be an opportunity to learn more about yourself. What do you really love to do?

Discovering what brings out your playful side and what recharges you most could help you get better acquainted with your inner child.

When you do, the rewards could be truly heartfelt.

Virgo There seems to be a certain sweetness about a relationship, especially around Tuesday, when

This might be an opportunity to spend quality time with the one you love or go on a date with a new love interest. You want to see change in your life, and yet you resist doing whatever is necessary to make it happen. With the sun in your sector of transformation angling toward cautious Saturn and intensive Pluto, a side of you may prefer sticking with the status quo to embracing the new.

Libra

Sept. 24 - Oct 22

at a developing bond, which could occur at work or in another everyday setting. While this isn’t enough in itself to kick-start a relationship, it could plant a seed.

An awkward tie between the sun, sobering Saturn, and potent Pluto could coincide !

matters. Perhaps your partner or new lover is at loggerheads with family members, which could be a cause of arguments

Scorpio

Oct 23 - Nov 22 A romantic date might have an extra-special quality on Tuesday with a lovely lineup in your

" date or spoken for and hoping to rekindle your bond, you could have a very memorable time.

You could get bogged down in overthinking, though, even though a task should be relatively straightforward. Exercise can help resolve this, especially if you make it a daily habit.

Sagitarius Nov 23 - Dec 22

# $

journey through Gemini and your partnership zone, it could act as a catalyst for all kinds of conversations. It might also stir up ideas, bring up new information, and inspire you to be more socially active. At the same time, generous Jupiter turns retrograde in your sign on Wednesday, which could mean that certain opportunities take longer to come to fruition. The phase could last until August.

Capricorn Dec 23 - Jan 20

You may be ready to change your habits and sharpen up your exercise or diet

$ %

through your lifestyle zone. New information

new ways of getting results, whether at work or on your wellness journey. At the same time, you could experience a clash with family members if

& '

to let go of control in a certain situation.

Aquarius

Jan 21 - Feb 19 $

goals and plans, you may be unconsciously holding yourself back. You could be sabotaging your plans without even realizing it. This week, with the illuminating sun angling toward prudent Saturn and radical Pluto, you could have an insight that allows you to see what’s going on. This revelation could begin a journey that inspires you to heal this issue.

If you need help from a therapist or life coach, get it.

Pisces

Feb 20 - March 20 A delightful tie between sultry Venus and nebulous Neptune on Tuesday is perfect for a romantic evening out or spending time with someone you care about. You may understand each other without having to say much at all, and this could be a very intimate experience.

When it comes to money, you may feel you need to compete with others in your social circle who seem to have it all.

20

Press release

Saturday, April 20, 2019 From page 19

Vibrant Goa Roadshow In Vancouver & Surrey

bilateral trade and culture between BC and Goa. Dr.Jagat Shah announced the establishment of the Vibrant Goa Global Expo Summit Desk in Vancouver under the aegis of the BC India Business Network.

Several businessmen have registered to go to Goa for the Global Expo. Those interested in registering for the Goa Global Expo may contact,Vivek Savkur on 604 728 0971. The Vibrant Goa Foundation will play hosts to the BC Businessmen participating in the Global Expo in Goa. They have given a very interesting invitation to those registering for the Global Expo.

The Surrey Board of Trade also organized the Vibrant Goa Roadshow in its Surrey office earlier in the day. Several prominent Businessmen of Surrey

attended the Roadshow and expressed interest in investing in Goa. Anita Huberman,CEO of SBOT,welcomed the guests and made a presentation of the business and trade activities of the Board in the economic development of Surrey. The Goa delegates were interested in importing infrastructure technology, lumber and building materials from Surrey.

The Surrey Board of Trade organized the Vibrant Goa Roadshow in its Surrey office earlier in the day.

Several prominent Businessmen of Surrey attended the Roadshow and expressed interest in investing in Goa. Anita Huberman,CEO of SBOT,welcomed the guests and made a presentation of the business and trade activities of the Board in the economic development of Surrey.

Saturday, April 20, 2019 ISS of BC selected to improve settlement services for newcomers across Canada Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) works with many partners in the delivery of services to newcomers to Canada, and supports their integration into Canadian communities. IRCC is actively working to improve these settlement services through the Service Delivery Improvements funding stream and will be providing funding of almost $2.6 million to the Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia (ISSofBC). ISSofBC will be delivering important services for three projects: Digital Literacy Training: The objective of this one-year project is to understand the needs of newcomers who require both language and digital literacy training, and provide them with digital skills to fully participate in language training and to use technology in their daily lives.

SPARK and IGNITE: This represents a unique partnership with Settlement Services International of Australia to provide an entrepreneurship program to immigrants and refugees. SPARK is a business-based incubation program aimed at newcomers. The goal is to help newcomers determine if self-employment is right for them and to assist them in refining their business ideas and concepts. IGNITE is an entrepreneurship program that enables newcomers with viable business ideas to launch their businesses in B.C. through training and knowledge transfer. GAR Settlement Research: This is a multilingual, multi-method research project which aims to better understand the settlement, social integration and labour market outcomes of Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs), ages 14 years and older, who arrived in B.C. from January 2007 to December 2016. The project will be guided by a multi-stakeholder advisory committee, comprised of government representatives, service providers, stakeholders,

researchers and former refugees. IRCC’s Service Delivery Improvement Fund is a dedicated funding stream of over $30 million per year, devoted to service delivery improvement, innovation and experimentation to continue to find better ways to deliver services to newcomers, meet the needs of newcomer clients and support the integration process.

2 Quotes “I’m proud that the Government of Canada is working with organizations like the ISS of BC to provide high-quality settlement services for newcomers across the country. Finding new and better ways to help newcomers succeed in their journey benefits all Canadians, by strengthening our labour force and the economy.� – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship “Thanks to the Service Delivery Improvement fund, projects such as these undertaken by the ISSofBC will improve IRCC’s understanding of the needs of entrepreneurial newcomers and support their successful integration into Canadian communities.� – The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence Quick facts t 'VOEJOH GPS UIF projects includes $238,189 for Digital Literary Training, $2,261,194 for SPARK and IGNITE, and $91,364 for the GAR TFUUMFNFOU SFTFBSDI QSPKFDU t 4%* GVOEJOH is a dedicated stream within the Settlement Program of almost $150 million over five years. The funding was allocated to the Department through the 2017 Immigration Levels Plan, and is devoted to testing new approaches to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Program.

Press release

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Saturday, April 20, 2019

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Saturday, April 20, 2019

Press release

Putting people first, and getting results for you and your family

By John Horgan, Premier of BC

W

herever I go, I meet people who have had to make difficult choices to help their family get ahead and thrive. Over the past decade British Columbians have struggled with rising costs and declining services, because of decisions that were made to benefit the few at the top.

Our government is making different choices and putting people first – and that’s starting to yield real benefits for people.

Last Fall, we announced the first phases of our universal child care policy through a $10 a day pilot program.

I was in a room with a group of parents when it was first announced, and the look on their faces was something I will never forget. The relief and joy they felt is something I want for every family in this province.

That’s why we’re working to reducing costs and fees across the board, so that you have more money in your pocket to pay for necessities, or to save for the future.

We’re tackling the housing crisis, providing more affordable childcare for more families, and making sure quality public services like health care and education are delivered in every community.

And we’re working to build a strong, sustainable economy that works for people and creates opportunities now, while meeting the challenges of tomorrow.

People are beginning to see the results

of this work in their daily lives. MSP premiums have been cut in half, saving families up to $900 per year. MSP is disappearing entirely on January 1, of 2020, making this the biggest middle-class tax cut in B.C. history.

Parents are saving up to $15,000 per year per child through the Affordable Child Care Benefit, which is available to all families in B.C. earning up to $111,000 per year. We’re also reducing fees for parents of kids in licensed care - up to $350 per month, $4,200 per year, for more than 52,000 child care spaces.

For B.C. patients waiting for MRIs, we are delivering 37,000 more MRIs this year than last. In addition to funding for more MRIs, machines are being used more efficiently resulting in more than 800 additional MRI operating hours per week around the province.

People are getting the care they need through urgent primary care centres that have opened in Surrey, Langford, Kamloops, Quesnel and Vancouver and five more centres – one in each health region, including one recently announced in Nanaimo – will open by spring 2019. Since opening, the new Urgent Primary Care Centres have had nearly 20,000 patient visits.

We’re also working to deliver a better, more affordable ferry service that people in coastal communities can count on. We’ve frozen fares on major routes, cut fares by 15% on smaller and northern routes, added more round trips per year, and seniors travel free Monday through Thursday.

New classrooms for thousands of students are underway throughout B.C., including new and expanded schools in growing communities to help move kids out of portables and into classrooms.

Vaisakhi Programs: April 22nd to 26th (Mon-Fri)- 6 pm to 8 pm (Rehraas Sahib, Katha & Kirtan) th

April 27 (Sat)– 9 am to 8 pm, (Katha, Kirtan & Dhadi)

April 28th (Sun)– 5 am to 4 pm (Nitnem, Asa Di Var, Kirtan & Dhadi)

Parade (Nagar Kirtan) - Sunday 10 am to 12 pm FREE FAMILY EVENT with Live Kirtan, traditional music, stalls, displays, Sikh martial art & free food GURDWARA SINGH SABHA SOCIETY OF VICTORIA For More Info Please Contact: ΎϮϱϬͲϮϭϲͲϲϯϲϮ͕ ΎϮϱϬͲϴϭϴͲϴϭϳϮ͕ ΎϮϱϬͲϮϭϲͲϴϵϵϯ͕ ϰϳϬ ĞĐĞůŝĂ ZŽĂĚ͕ sŝĐƚŽƌŝĂ ͕ ĂŶĂĚĂ͕ sϴd ϰdϱ͕ ;ϮϱϬͿ ϰϳϱͲϮϮϴϬ

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Saturday, April 20, 2019

Vol. 10 No. 12

Saturday - April 20, 2019

Tel: 604-591-5423

E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com

Real estate sector submits anti-money laundering recommendations to government Organizations representing key professions in the BC real estate sector submitted joint recommendations to the provincial and federal governments today to help protect BC’s housing market from money laundering.

The participating organizations include the British Columbia Real Estate Association, the Appraisal Institute of Canada – BC Association, BC Notaries Association, Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association – British Columbia, and the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.

In their submission, these organizations also commit to shared best practices to help keep the proceeds of organized crime out of the economy. Their efforts focus on helping protect the real estate market from unscrupulous operators and ensuring the public can have full confidence in BC’s real estate market. All of the organizations have fully supported and participated in

the government’s investigations into money laundering and real estate.

A real estate transaction involves multiple professionals.

It will take a coordinated effort by all involved, working in collaboration with government, to stop money laundering. The joint recommendations and best practices submitted by these organizations reflect their commitment to the professionals and consumers they serve.

As a group of real estate organizations representing industry professionals, we are committed to a transparent real estate market and to ensuring that the public can continue to have full confidence in the real estate industry. Illegal funds have no place in BC’s real estate market.

We are supportive of the government’s investigations into money laundering and real estate, having actively participated in Peter German’s review and

A North Shore realtor is Real estate company sued after alleged suing the company she worked romantic feelings for her that she rebuffed. for over allegations she was assaulted by a She says that following this rejection, Hall’s male colleague and eventually forced to attitude toward her changed and he began leave her job. Lisa Eileen Billett claims that behaving in a controlling and erratic manner.

Colin Hall, who formed a partnership with Billet claims that on April 19, 2017, she and her at Sutton West Coast Realty, developed Hall attended an awards dinner put on by

the Expert Panel on Money Laundering.

As an industry, we have come together to commit to shared best practices and make recommendations to government. By aligning as an industry and working in collaboration with government, we can help facilitate an environment in which consumers are wellserved and industry professionals can thrive.

Anti-money laundering recommendations Our collaboration has resulted in a commitment from the undersigned organizations to pursue the following shared best practices and recommendations for government: Accept only verified funds – For sectors of real estate that are not already required to do so, we recommend that they accept funds only in forms that are verifiable through Canadian financial institutions.

North Vancouver assault involving co-worker Sutton West Coast and that as he was driving her home, he demanded that Billett return a letter he had given her stating he was committed to the partnership and addressing some of his previous conduct. In the lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court, she says when she refused to

return the letter, Hall began to wrestle her purse away from her while driving his car in excess of the speed limit and then swerved off the bridge onto the Dollarton off-ramp in North Vancouver and pulled into an empty parking lot.

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Saturday, April 20, 2019

Over 11% of Vancouver condos have a non-resident owner, says new CMHC report

#106 - 7565 132 St. Surrey, BC 604.572.3005

Over 11 percent of Vancouver condos have at least one non-resident as an owner, a number that jumps to more than 19 per cent when it comes to newer built condos.

The information is contained in a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation housing market insight report which also found that non-residents — defined as someone who

doesn’t have their principal residence in Canada — tend to own more expensive properties than residents, especially in Vancouver.

Some of the other findings: 7.2 per cent of all Vancouver properties have at least one non-resident owner.

Non-resident ownership is highest in

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Saturday, April 20, 2019

Deepika’s ‘Chhapaak’ shoot

D

604-566-3111

7233 - Fraser St., Vancouver, BC

eepika Padukone started shooting for her upcoming film, Chhapaak, in which she plays an acid-attack survivor. We hear that post the shoot, at the end of the day, the actress makes sure that she unwinds by watching one episode of the TV series, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, a comedy-drama. Says a source, “Deepika’s role is very demanding and getting into the skin of the character takes a toll when you live the fierce journey of the survivor. So, to relax and divert her mind, she watches the series. It has now become a routine for her.” Padukone was born on 5 January 1986 in Copenhagen, Denmark to Konkani-speaking parents.

Her father, Prakash Padukone, a former badminton player, and her mother, Ujjala, is travel agent. Her younger sister, Anisha, a golfer.

Her paternal grandfather, Ramesh, was a secretary of the Mysore Badminton Association.

The family relocated to Bangalore, India when Padukone was a year old.[6] She was educated at Bangalore’s Sophia High School and completed her pre-university education at Mount Carmel College.

She subsequently enrolled at the Indira Gandhi National Open University for a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology but later quit it due to scheduling conflicts with her modelling career. Padukone has admitted to being socially awkward as a child and did not

have many friends. The focus of her life was badminton, which she played competitively from a young age. Describing her daily routine in a 2012 interview, Padukone said, “I would wake up at five in the morning, go for physical training, go to school, again go for playing badminton, finish my homework, and go to sleep.”

P a d u k o n e continued to pursue a career in badminton throughout her school years and played the sport in national level championships. She also played baseball in a few state level tournaments.

While concentrating on her education and sporting career, Padukone also worked as a child model, first appearing in a couple of advertising campaigns at the age of eight.

In the tenth grade, she changed focus and decided to become a fashion model. She later explained, “I realised that I was playing the game only because it ran in the family. So, I asked my father if I could give up the game and he wasn’t upset at all.” In 2004, she began a fulltime career as a model under the tutelage of Prasad Bidapa.

Early in her career, Padukone gained recognition with a television commercial for the soap Liril and modelled for various other brands and products.

Saturday, April 20, 2019

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Saturday, April 20, 2019

Saturday, April 20, 2019

DREAM CARPET

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, April 20, 2019

How the Alberta election could impact British Columbia As Albertans take to the polls on Tuesday to vote in a highly-contested provincial election, British Columbians can expect the results to have impacts which will flow over the border.

Key election issues championed by the winning party — such as oil and gas, pipelines, carbon taxes, the environment, and Indigenous rights — will have spillover effect in B.C. Whether Alberta’s NDP Leader Rachel Notley wins the Alberta election or her opponent, the UCP’s Jason Kenney, jobs, the environment and Indigenous rights will be affected in B.C. Whether Alberta’s NDP Leader Rachel Notley wins the Alberta election or her opponent, the UCP’s Jason Kenney, jobs, the environment and Indigenous rights will

be affected in B.C. Most Alberta voters will be choosing between two distinct frontrunning parties: Jason Kenney’s populist right-wing United Conservative Party (UCP) and ruling Premier Rachel Notley’s New Democrats, a left-wing government in a historically red-blooded conservative province. A win for Kenney, as predicted by the polls, would mean a return to the right-centre for Alberta, its traditional home since the middle of the last century.

Notley and Kenney have both committed to aggressively shepherding the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project through the federal approval process. The expansion would twin an existing pipeline between Strathcona County, Alta. and Burnaby, BC.

Ottawa-Alberta relationship after Jason Kenney won big The New Democrats’ defeated in Alberta provincial election marked the end of a remarkable chapter in the province’s politics — Alberta’s first-ever NDP government.

The arrival of a new provincial conservative government, meanwhile, could mark the start of a new chapter in federal politics.

Premier-designate Jason Kenney left behind a decade-long stint in federal politics to help create the United Conservative Party and bring it to power. Veteran politics-watchers say his high national profile, and strong ties to provincial and federal conservatives, will ensure he remains an influential player on the national political scene.

Mount Royal University political science

professor Duane Bratt said Albertans saw plentiful signs during the campaign of close family ties between the UCP and the federal party — Kenney sharing a campaign stage in a snowstorm with federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, Kenney campaigning in Calgary with Laureen Harper, wife of former prime minister Stephen Harper, and the former PM himself pitching his weight behind his former minister on social media.

It all points to the considerable clout Kenney wields in the wider conservative family, Bratt said. The intense national media interest in Alberta’s election (certainly more intense than it was in 2015) foreshadows the “huge implications for the rest of the country” of the UCP’s win, he added.

So what will the blue team’s return to power in Alberta mean to the exercise of power in Ottawa? Here are five ways last night’s election could help shape federal politics.

Jason Kenney has said the first bill his new government will introduce will be the “carbon tax repeal act.” Once Premier Kenney moves to eliminate the province’s $30/tonne carbon levy, Ottawa will have to respond by imposing a federal “backstop” carbon tax in Alberta, as it has done with Saskatchewan.

BC & Alberta to try diplomacy first, but Kenney wields a big stick B.C. Premier John Horgan says he’s confident he can work with Alberta’s new premierdesignate Jason Kenney, despite a threat from Kenney that B.C. will face “consequences” for continuing to obstruct oil pipelines.

Horgan said he and Kenney spoke briefly by phone Wednesday, after Kenney’s United Conservative Party won a majority government in Alberta’s election the previous night.

“I know the challenges that he faces, he is seized of the morning after and the work he has to do putting in place a cabinet, going through the transition from one government to another government,” said Horgan.

“We had a positive conversation. We agreed that we’ll meet in the short term. We will be in Saskatoon … at a first ministers’ conference in the months ahead. I’m confident we’ll continue to work in a positive way.”

Kenney too extended an olive branch of negotiations, before repeating Wednesday that he will enact the defeated Alberta NDP government’s so-called turn-off-thetaps legislation and use it as a bargaining chip with Horgan. Cutting off Alberta oil would cause gas prices in B.C. to soar.

Horgan’s B.C. government has said it will use every tool at its disposal to block the expansion of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion project from Edmonton to Burnaby, including court challenges and its own potential legislation to regulate increased shipments of bitumen from Alberta. The B.C. Court of Appeal has reserved decision on the reference case on B.C.’s power to do so.

“I think Premier Horgan knows very well that we are serious about defending our economic interests,” Kenney told reporters in Edmonton. “It’s not our intention to begin reducing energy shipments to British Columbia, but to have the power to do so.

“The Horgan government called the bluff on the Alberta NDP’s turn off the taps legislation. They said publicly that they’d received assurances that the current Alberta government did not intend to use Bill 12.

“We’re going to change that fact by proclaiming into law Bill 12 on the afternoon of April 30. And then I think we sit down with the government of British Columbia with greater strength and clarity about the tools that Alberta can use to defend our vital economic

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Ultrasounds not required before prescribing abortion pills: Health Canada An ultrasound will no longer be required before women are prescribed the two-step abortion drug Mifegymiso, Health Canada said on Tuesday.

The drug, which can be used to end a pregnancy in the first trimester as an alternative to surgical termination, was

approved for use in Canada in 2015.

Previously, the product’s monograph required that an ultrasound be performed to determine how far along the pregnancy was and to rule out an ectopic pregnancy – one outside the uterus.

Prescribing the drug to women who are more than nine weeks pregnant or who may have an ectopic pregnancy could not only make Mifegymiso ineffective, but also harm both the mother and the fetus.

The federal agency said it made the change because of concerns that women were facing needless barriers to accessing the drug. Some pro-choice groups had

raised concerns that the ultrasound requirement could lead to serious delays, particularly in regions where ultrasound services are limited or had long waiting lists.

Health Canada added that the change was made after reviewing information submitted by the drug’s manufacturer, scientific literature and other information about how the drug is used internationally.

“With the changes to the product monograph, prescribers now have the flexibility to use their medical judgement on how best to determine the gestational age and to rule out an ectopic pregnancy,” Health Canada said in a news release on Tuesday. The monograph still recommends an ultrasound be performed if there is any uncertainty over both questions.

Some of Canada’s provinces and territories offer universal coverage for Mifegymiso, a combination of two oral drugs – mifepristone and misoprostol – that are taken individually, separated by 24 to 48 hours.

In November 2017, Health Canada expanded its rules around who could dispense the drug directly to patients to also include pharmacists and nurse practitioners in some jurisdictions.

Kenney’s threat to ‘turn off the taps’ to BC ‘doesn’t make any business sense:’ experts Experts are questioning United Conservative Party (UCP) Leader and Premier-designate Jason Kenney’s pledge to “turn off the taps” of gasoline to B.C. At a campaign rally in Edmonton on the last Friday before the province’s election, Kenney renewed his promise to “turn off the taps” of gasoline “within an hour” of being sworn in as Alberta premier in response to previous promises made by Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart to achieve a carbon-free Vancouver by 2040.

“The NDP mayor of Vancouver said he wants a carbon-free Vancouver by 2040,” Kenney told the crowd, referring to Stewart’s previous role as NDP MP for Burnaby South. “Well, if the B.C. New Democrats continue to block our energy, we’ll happily give them a carbon-free Vancouver by 2020.”

British Columbia’s current leadership has consistently opposed the Trans Mountain pipeline. The federal government decided to buy the pipeline last year in

an attempt to push the project through.

The move has faced backlash in B.C. Experts are skeptical of the feasibility of this plan, and fear even higher gas prices are on the horizon should Kenney follow through.

“I think a lot of what Mr. Kenney’s saying is grandstanding,” said economist Robyn Allan. “There’s a significant amount of revenue involved for Alberta’s oil producers when you’re sending 300,000 barrels a day of crude product and refined product.”

Allan estimates that the federal government, as the owners of the Trans Mountain pipeline that facilitates the transportation of oil between Edmonton and Vancouver, earns roughly $800,000 a day in tolls for use of the pipeline.

“I think the federal government would have a lot to say about almost a million dollars a day in revenue being shut off for the Trans Mountain pipeline that they’re trying to suggest to the Canadian public was a good idea for the public to buy,” said Allan.

LOCAL / NATIONAL

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Jason Kenney’s UCP wins majority in Alberta election It was not a close call. Despite all the hand-wringing, all the reminders that the polls had gotten it wrong in Alberta before, in the end the province’s election unfolded precisely as expected: Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party won, handily.

Just after 4 a.m. MT Wednesday, the UCP led or had been elected in 63 of the province’s 87 ridings, with the NDP, diminished to opposition status after their single term in government, leading or elected in the remaining 24.

The NDP looked set to hold nearly all of Edmonton, with the UCP sweeping much of the rest of the province.

Kenney entered UCP headquarters at Calgary’s Stampede Grounds Tuesday night in the blue pickup truck he made famous on the campaign trail. As a “build that pipe” chant went up in the room, the UCP leader stopped the crowd to correct them.

It’s not just one pipeline we need, it’s several, he said. “It’s build those pipes,” said Kenney.

“Today, we Albertans begin to fight back.”

Kenney on election night at Big Four Roadhouse on the Stampede grounds, Calgary. Kenney’s victory marked the culmination of a years-long plan. The former Conservative cabinet minister left his seat in Ottawa in 2016 — after holding it for nearly two decades — with hopes of uniting Alberta’s fractured provincial

conservative movement. The 2015 election saw the Progressive Conservatives, who had governed the province since 1971, hobbled by a split with the breakaway Wildrose Party.

Vote-splitting between the two right-wing parties allowed Notley’s New Democrats to take power for the first time in the province’s history. “As proud of I am of our record, the

fact is the people of Alberta have spoken,” Notley, fighting a cold, told supporters at NDP headquarters on Tuesday night. It was a fiery concession speech, with Notley, who retained her seat, vowing to assume the role of opposition leader and “make sure that our vision of Alberta endures.” “I believe we have set a much higher standard for ethics and honesty in government.” She could barely get the opening bits of her speech out through the cheering and chants of “Rachel! Rachel!

Rachel!” She thanked the “over-caffeinated, under-showered and overworked” campaign staff and volunteers.

20 32

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Top questions CRA gets at tax time

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Every year around tax time, Canadians call the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) with a variety of questions. See below for our answers to the top questions asked at tax time. A number of these can be addressed by using the CRA’s online services such as My Account or the CRA’s mobile web apps, MyCRA or MyBenefits CRA. How do I change my address?

You can do it online if you are registered for My Account, MyCRA or MyBenefits CRA, or by calling us at 1-800-959-8281.

You can also mail or fax a completed Form RC325, Address Change Request, or a signed letter to your tax centre. Your signed letter must include your social insurance number, your new address, and your moving date.

How do I change my marital status?

You can change your marital status online by using the option “Change my marital status” through My Account, MyCRA or MyBenefits CRA, by calling us at 1-800387-1193 or by sending a completed RC65 Marital Status Change to your tax centre.

What is my balance owing or where is my refund? You can find the amount of your balance owing online by logging into My Account or the MyCRA mobile app. If you have a refund, you can find the refund details online in My Account or using the MyCRA mobile app, which includes the refund method

(direct deposit or mailed cheque), the date it was sent and the amount. You can also call the Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS) at 1-800267-6999 to ask about your refund. TIPS is available from mid-February to December 2019.

How can I get a copy of my notice of assessment or reassessment?

You can get a copy quickly and easily through My Account. If you are registered for My Account you will be able to view and print detailed information on an assessment or reassessment of your income tax and benefit return for the current year and the previous nine years. You can choose to receive your tax correspondence online through My Account or the MyCRA and MyBenefits CRA mobile apps. Register your email address through these services or enter your email address on your tax return. When you register for the email notifications service, you will receive an email when your notice of assessment or reassessment, and other CRA correspondence, is available to view online.

Go to email notifications to find out more.

How do I sign up for direct deposit?

You can sign up for direct deposit online through My Account; by using the MyCRA and MyBenefits CRA mobile apps; through your financial institution (Desjardins members and TD Canada Trust customers); by filling out and sending a Canada Direct Deposit Enrolment Form; or by calling 1-800-959-8281.

Weed prices soar since legalization, illegal pot selling for half the price: StatCan Cannabis prices in Canada have soared since legalization with prices on the black market now reportedly less than half that of licensed dispensaries.

The average cost of a dried gram has rocketed since legalization last October, according to users who voluntarily entered what they paid into a Statistics Canada app.

The difference between legal and illegal prices is even more dramatic, with a gram in regulated stores averaging $9.99 per gram compared to less than $6.40 on the black market, some 36 per cent cheaper.

“When the government tries to restrict and limit access, they increase the prices of the available legal supply but consumers always go where there’s a deal,” according to Vancouverbased cannabis advocate Jodie Emery.

Canada’s priciest pot is in the Northwest Territories where it costs $14.15 per gram.

Legal weed prices have leapt by almost a third in New Brunswick, where it’s $8.27 a gram.

In Manitoba price per gram jumped 28 per cent to $9.14. The cheapest province is Quebec at $6.75 per gram.

“To be honest I’ll probably just continue purchasing from my friends and from (illegal) dispensaries,” a cannabis customer outside The Hunny Pot, Toronto’s first legal store, told CTV earlier this month.

“These prices are ridiculous, they’re $16 a gram.”

The average cost in Ontario now sits at $8.05 per gram, one cent above the national average.

In Alberta cannabis is selling at an average price of $9.07 per gram, according to Statistics Canada data collected up to March 31.

Average usage and low legal purchase levels suggest British Columbians may be sticking with their pre-legalization methods of accessing cannabis – and it isn’t because of a price gap.

Average house price has fallen by almost 2% to just over $480,000 in past year, CREA says The average price of a Canadian home sold last month was $481,745, a figure that has fallen by 1.8 per cent in the past 12 months, the Canadian Real Estate Association says.

The group that represents realtors says that prices were lower, on average, and the number of homes sold was also down by 4.6 per cent compared to March of last year. Spring is typically the busiest time of year for home sales, a trend that sometimes starts as early as March, but this year was the weakest March for home sales since 2013.

“Many prospective home buyers remain sidelined by the mortgage stress-test to varying degrees, depending on where they are looking to buy,” CREA president Jason Stephen said.

CREA says the average price figure can be misleading, because it tends to be overly influenced by activity in large markets like Toronto and Vancouver, which skew it. So instead they say another

number known as the House Price Index (HPI), is a better gauge of the market.

The national HPI declined by 0.5 per cent in March, its biggest decline since 2009.

But even then there were wide variances across the country. The HPI was up by more than five per cent on Vancouver Island, in Montreal, and in the Ontario markets of Ottawa, Guelph and the Niagara area.

CMHC says housing market still highly vulnerable despite slight price drop Conversely, it fell by more than five per cent in Greater Vancouver, in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and Barrie, Ont. Calgary, Edmonton and Regina, meanwhile, were all down by more than four per cent in the past 12 months.

“The home pricing environment will likely remain weak in these cities until demand and supply become more balanced,” CREA said of those Prairie markets.

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Liberals find anti-Trudeau sentiment on campaign trail in Prince Edward Island When voters in Prince Edward Island go to the polls next week, they’ll be making their choice without any input from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Even though polls suggest Wade MacLauchlan’s governing Liberals will need all the help they can get to stay in power, sources close to the campaign say they haven’t reached out to their federal colleagues for support -- a sign Trudeau’s one-time rock-star status on the island has become a political liability.

In the past, Trudeau was always a popular visitor on the island, both as Liberal leader and as prime minister.

His public events typically attracted large crowds of supporters keen for a selfie or a handshake.

But as candidates knock on doors in advance of Tuesday’s election, the voters who answer feel the need to vent about the prime minister, say campaign workers and insiders -- Liberals and Conservatives alike -- who spoke to The Canadian Press on condition of anonymity in order to freely discuss the state of play on the island.

Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Tuesday that no one in the provincial Liberal camp has requested a campaign visit from Trudeau, and no travel to the island is scheduled.

“It would be crazy,” said one senior P.E.I. Liberal operative. “We wouldn’t want them here.”

Tuesday’s trip to the ballot box promises to cap one of the most interesting races that voters in Canada’s smallest province have seen in recent memory, thanks to a dramatic spike in support for the Green party that has altered the political landscape, mainly in the island’s central ridings.

One poll released ahead of the snap March 26 election call suggested the Greens were leading the Progressive Conservatives, headed by leader Dennis King, who’s only had the job since early February. The Liberals, who have been in power for the last 12 years, were languishing in third.

When Trudeau was last in the province in the weeks prior to the election call, he made a jobs announcement and attended a Liberal fundraiser. But a small group of protesters also showed up -- a common feature of the prime minister’s public events elsewhere in Canada, but a rarity for Trudeau in P.E.I. “Before, when Trudeau came to town, it was bedlam because people were so excited when he was around,” said Don Desserud, political science professor at the University of Prince Edward Island, who described him as an asset to his party over the first three years of his mandate.

Canada joins new German-France ‘alliance’ that doesn’t include USA Canada has formally joined a GermanFrench coalition aimed at saving the international world order from destruction by various world dictators and autocrats -and U.S. President Donald Trump.

The initiative is part of ongoing government efforts to shore up international co-operation at a time of waning American leadership and Trump’s outspoken disdain of institutions created after the Second World War, including the G7, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland offered Canada’s support for the Alliance for

Multilateralism during a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Dinard, France earlier this month.

Japan also joined the new alliance during the meeting, and Freeland marked the moment on Twitter posting a photo of herself with Jean-Yves Le Drian, Heiko Mass and Taro Kono, her French, German and Japanese counterparts. “Many of today’s greatest challenges are global and they can only be solved when we work together. That is why Canada stands united with its German, French, and Japanese friends,” Freeland said in the photo’s caption.

Conservative MP Mark Warawa facing cancer battle, asks for ‘miracle’ A Conservative MP from British Columbia says he is undergoing tests to determine if he has pancreatic cancer -- and, if so, how far the disease may have spread.

Mark Warawa, the MP for the suburban Vancouver riding of Langley-Aldergrove, posted a note on his Facebook page saying he was “very sick in hospital” and asking anyone to pray “for a miracle.”

Warawa was scheduled to have a procedure Monday morning, along with additional tests over the coming days to see if the cancer has spread to other organs.

“You can see how yellow my skin is,” he writes on Facebook.

“If it is just in the pancreas, I will (need) surgery and 6 months of chemotherapy. If cancer has spread to other organs, there isn’t anything medically to do and life could be short.”

Warawa says he plans to post updates on his Facebook page so his wife Diane doesn’t have to respond to every inquiry, adding he needs, in his words, “to be in her loving arms.” The couple have five children and 10 grandchildren.

Warawa goes on to express trust in God, saying, “Yes, there has been lots of tears, but the

God who created us has healed me and saved my life before. Most important is I know God loves me and wants me to trust Him.” Warawa is finishing his fifth consecutive term in the House of Commons but announced in January that he would not seek re-election this fall. Before entering federal politics, Warawa spent 14 years as a city councillor in Abbotsford, B.C. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer asked on Facebook for people to let Warawa know they were “fully behind him in this fight.” “Mark and I were elected to Parliament at the same time in 2004. He is truly one of the kindest and most genuine people ever to serve Canadians in the House of Commons,” Scheer wrote on Facebook.

Conservative MP David Sweet shared Warawa’s post, calling his caucus mate “a kind person who has fought passionately for his constituents and for Canada.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote on Facebook that Warawa had the support of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives.

The Canadian Cancer Society says one in every 74 men will develop pancreatic cancer in their lifetime, and a similar ratio will die from the disease.

Budget 2019

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Week after FIR, no arrest in pesticide scam A week after the registration of an FIR in the pesticide scam, the Moga police have failed to arrest main alleged accused Gurwinder Singh, proprietor of the Nambardar Kheti Store, Badduwal (Moga), from whom spurious pesticide bottles were recovered by the Agriculture Department.

The local police officials claimed that the raids were conducted at his house, but he was absconding and his whereabouts could not be known from his family members.

An FIR under Section 420 of the IPC and Sections 3K-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 13 read with rule 10 (4), 17, 18, 29 and 33 of the Insecticides Act, 1968, and Sections 19 and 20 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971, was registered on April 10. The Agriculture Department recovered spurious bottles of “Fame”, a costly pesticide commonly used on various crops.

Informer in missing cash case held, two ASIs still absconding In the case of misappropriation of Rs 6.65 crore during a raid by the Khanna police on the house Father Anthony Maddasery in Jalandhar on March 29, a team of the Samrala police station have arrested police informer Surinder Singh. He along with two ASIs of Patiala, booked in the case, had been on the run. Even after five days of the registration of the case, both ASIs are still at large and no recovery of cash has been made so far. The DIG, Ludhiana Range, RS Khatra confirmed the arrest of Surinder Singh last night.

The Khanna police handed him over to the Special Investigation Team, led by IG, Crime, Punjab, Praveen Sinha. He was today produced in the court of Duty Magistrate Jessica Sood in Mohali. The police have got a remand of the accused for six days till April 23.

MP receives extortion calls; 2 held The police have arrested two persons who had been making extortion calls to Congress MP Gurjit Aujla. When the accused kept calling repeatedly for the last three days demanding Rs 35 lakh, his staff lodged a police complaint. A trap was laid and the accused, Vijay Sharma of Nehru Colony and his accomplice Deepak Kumar, were nabbed by the police. They said they were making the calls through a mobile phone that they had snatched from a gardener. They had initially called for ransom a few days ago. The MP’s personal assistant, Manpreet, who had his mobile phone, did not take it seriously but when the calls were made repeatedly, he

Duggal is Amritsar (Rural) SSP The Election Commissioner of India (ECI) on Wednesday appointed IPS Vikram Jeet Duggal as the SSP, Amritsar (Rural). Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju said in compliance with the orders of the Election Commission of India, Vikram Jeet Duggal, IPS (Telangana-2007), had been posted as the SSP, Amritsar (Rural), in place of Parampal Singh, PPS. He said Duggal had been directed to join immediately and send compliance report.

The cost of 100 ml of “Fame” bottle is Rs 929.

The stickers pasted on these pesticide bottles mentioned that they were manufactured at Saraswati Agro Chemicals India Private Limited, Dera Bassi (Punjab).

This product is marketed by Bayer Crop Science Limited.

The Punjab Government has imposed a total ban on the sale of all products manufactured by Saraswati Agro Chemicals. Meanwhile, Secretary of the Agriculture Department Dr Kahan Singh Pannu said he had instructed senior authorities of the department to minutely check the Punjab Pesticide Industrial Cooperative Society Limited, Kharar (Mohali district), which is also a sister concern of Saraswati Company.

35

Wheat crop flattened, Capt orders girdawari Following reports of damage to wheat crop in various parts of the state due to rain and dust storm, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today ordered a special girdawari for the assessment of crop loss. An official press release said the CM ordered urgent steps to ascertain the extent of the damage to the crops so that due compensation could be awarded to the affected farmers at the earliest. In his directive to the departments and officials concerned, the Chief Minister asked them to immediately commence the process of conducting the girdawari. In Sangrur, heavy rain and hailstorm have damaged the harvested wheat and likely to affect the standing wheat too. Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori has ordered assessment of damage and sought reports from across the district. “Heavy rain and hailstorm in some villages have caused damage to wheat and it will further increase the worries of already indebted farmers of the district,” said Darbara Singh Chajla, Sangrur district general secretary of the BKU Ugrahan. Some farmers alleged that

due to lack of covered space in grain markets, their harvested wheat got drenched, while others alleged that the authorities did not make any temporary arrangement to cover their wheat lying in the grain market despite their requests. “The state government has failed to make required arrangements for farmers in grain markets and today’s rain has again exposed lack of facilities. Had the authorities arranged tarpaulins, hard earned wheat crop could have been saved,” said Govind Singh Chajli, state vice president of the Mukti Mazdoor Morcha. Sangrur DC Thori said he had directed all Sub-Divisional Magistrates of the district to prepare detailed reports of losses. “I will get detailed reports from all SDMs by tomorrow evening. After analysing all reports, we will send that to the government for further action,” the DC added. In Muktsar, the ripe wheat crop has already got flattened in a number of villages. “We were anticipating a bumper crop this year.

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INDIA

Saturday, April 20, 2019

50 ambulance halts, CRPF orders probe Amid mounting anger against the biweekly ban on civilian traffic on the national highway, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has ordered a probe into the incident involving the death of a cancer patient whose ambulance was repeatedly stopped during the convoy movement last week.

Despite orders to allow movement of ambulances during the ban, the driver of the vehicle carrying the patient to Doda after his discharge from a Srinagar hospital last Wednesday was stopped around 50 times on April 10, including a 30-minute halt at Lower Munda.

Abdul Qayoom Banday of Doda was stopped on the Srinagar-Jammu NH near Lower Munda in Qazigund area on April 10 for about 30 minutes by CRPF men.

Ambulance driver Javed Ahmad said the patient died near Batote. “Before that, our ambulance was stopped around 50 times between Srinagar and Doda.”

This is the first casualty due to the biweekly ban on civilian traffic on the 270-km BaramullaS r i n a g a r Udhampur highway imposed on April 3. “A high-level inquiry has been ordered,” the CRPF said, expressing “anguish” over the demise of the patient after a video of the ambulance being stopped surfaced on the social media. The force said: “Strict instructions are in place to enable speedy passage of ambulances and ailing civilians.”

Sadhvi Pragya joins BJP, to take on Digvijay in Bhopal Putting to rest speculation, the BJP today fielded controversial Hindutva leader Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur from the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh against an equally controversial Congress leader — Digvijay Singh — within hours of her joining the party. The BJP also replaced Vidisha MP and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who has voluntarily opted out, with state leader Ramakant Bhargav.

The decision to field Pragya, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, has already drawn criticism. Belonging to Bhind district, she is known for making provocative statements and has long been associated with the Sangh, the BJP’s ideological fountainhead.

Pragya replaces sitting Bhopal MP Alok Sanjar, who said he would ensure her victory.

“No allegation was proved against her. A

woman was harassed. Now it is the time for revenge,” he said.

Meanwhile, Digvijay Singh, one of the key proponents of the “Hindu terror” theory that the BJP wants to destroy with the help of Sadhvi Pragya, “welcomed” her candidature, saying he hoped she would like the “peaceful, educated and civilised” atmosphere of the city. As someone who has often been accused of playing the minority card, Singh recently said his party had decided to give away the land meant for Congress Zila Committee in Bhopal to the Ram Mandir trust.

Singh may have been trying to woo Hindu voters in the constituency that has been sending a saffron leader to Parliament since 1989, but the BJP believes Pragya’s presence will not just influence Bhopal but also adjoining areas in its favour.

Cong-AAP alliance saga spills over to Haryana The ongoing saga of Congress and Aam Aadmi Party’s elusive alliance spilled over to Haryana today with top leaders meeting in the capital to discuss the matter.

AICC general secretary in charge of Haryana Ghulam Nabi Azad met AAP’s alliances incharge Sanjay Singh today. Though he dismissed it as “a mundane meeting between two Rajya Sabha MPs”, its timing wasn’t lost on anyone.

“I don’t know who is talking about a Haryana alliance in Delhi. There is no such thing right now,” Azad said.

Sanjay Singh, however, blamed the Congress for no headway in talks. “In order to stop BJP, we were ready for an alliance, but Congress is not in a mood for any coalition or compromise.

It’s sad.” The meeting came barely three days

after Congress president Rahul Gandhi and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal had a public spat. Gandhi said the Congress was open to offering four Lok Sabha seats to AAP in Delhi and keeping three for itself. Congress’ political line so far has been that there can be no alliance with AAP beyond Delhi because such alliances are not “practical”. AAP is insistent on a comprehensive and reasonable understanding beyond Delhi. In that context, today’s meeting troubled several Haryana Congress leaders in contention for the remaining four seats in the state. AAP wants a Congress-JJP-AAP pact in Haryana, seat understanding in Chandigarh, space in Punjab and Goa. Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who heads the state LS poll coordination committee ruled out any immediate talks of alliance with AAP

Saturday, April 20, 2019

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SOUTH ASIA

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Sri Lanka opens new railway built with China’s assistance

Hundreds of Afghan delegates to meet with Taliban in Doha Afghanistan published on Tuesday a lengthy list of delegates who will meet with the Taliban in Doha this week, including government officials, in what could become the highest-level dialogue between the sworn enemies in years.

A massive roster published by the presidential palace comprises 250 names, including President Ashraf Ghani’s chief of staff, Abdul Salam Rahimi, as well as his election running mate, Amrullah Saleh, the former head of Afghan intelligence.

Other delegates named on the list come from many walks of Afghan life including youth leaders, tribal elders and — significantly — 52 women.

The last time the Taliban met with the Afghan government was at secretive talks in Pakistan in 2015, which were quickly derailed by the news that Afghan Taliban

Sri Lanka has opened a new railway line, built with China’s assistance, connecting its coastal city of Matara and Beliatta in Hambantota, a move that will boost passenger traffic into the island’s deep south.

The 26.75-km long MataraBeliatta railway extension is the first to be constructed in Sri Lanka since 1948, and it has the country’s longest and second longest railway bridges, measuring 1.5-km and 1.04-km, respectively, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The new railway line was declared open on Monday in presence of Sri Lanka’s Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera and other

leader Mullah Omar had died.

The three days of talks in Qatar, scheduled to start on Friday, come amid a months-long push led by Washington for peace nearly 18 years after the US invasion, and as fresh violence rips across Afghanistan.

Any contact between the Kabul government and the Taliban is seen as hugely significant, because the insurgents view Ghani as a US stooge and his government as a puppet regime, and have long refused to speak with them directly.

They have insisted that any government officials attending this week’s talks will be doing so only in a “personal capacity”.

The US, which has cited significant progress after holding direct talks with the militants in Doha several times since September, is not expected to attend.

parliamentarians. The railway extension was financed by the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) and the contract was awarded to the China National Machinery I m p o r t and Export Corporation.

According to Sri Lankan media reports the cost of the project was USD 278 million. A major portion of the construction was carried out by the China Railway Group 5 (CR5) and Sri Lanka’s Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB). China praised the opening of the railway in southern Sri Lanka.

being the person who had The largest number Muslim men abduct, rape, then marry Hindu girls from impoverished families in Sindh facilitated and supported of Hindus in Pakistan the abduction of their live in the southern them and then force them to convert to According to locals, one of the main daughter. Pakistan’s downtrodden Hindu province of Sindh and most of them have no Islam before marrying them. “There is not causes of abductions of underage Hindu community alleges that Mithu provides access to education, health or basic amenities. even one case in which anyone has willingly girls is the support and backing of the alleged shelter and protection to the kidnappers of Their women and children mostly work converted. These men, who are often already kidnappers by prominent and influential their girls and then forces them to accept in the agricultural fields of their landlords married, kidnap the girls, keep them in religious personalities. They help the Islam and marry their abductors. Mithu, all day where everyone can see them. The their custody, rape them, and through abductors by providing them shelter before however, rejects these allegations, stating struggle to earn a livelihood for their families threats and intimidation make the girls say converting the Hindu girls to Islam and that the Hindu girls he had converted to makes many of these Hindu girls vulnerable they converted willingly,” according to Dr marrying them off to their abductors.

Islam were not minors. “The Hindu girls to becoming victims of sexual harassment Vankwani, patron-in-chief of the Pakistan One of the main culprits believed to have who visit us are mature and come of their

by Muslim men, says Dr Ramesh Vankwani, Hindu Council. Forced conversions and converted hundreds of Hindu girls is Mian own free will. The first thing that we do is to a Pakistan National Assembly member who underage marriages of girls are common in Abdul Haq, alias Mian Mithu, a politician call their parents to speak to them. If the girls also heads the Pakistan Hindu Council . Tharparkar and Umerkot districts of Sindh and Muslim cleric from an influential family are not willing to return with their parents, It starts with the abduction of these Hindu where almost 50% of the population is in Sindh. Several years ago, the family of an as a Muslim it is my duty to provide them girls by Muslim men who are often married. Hindu. Such incidents, however, are rarely abducted Hindu girl, Rinkle Kumari, had protection,” the cleric had earlier said.

They keep the girls in their custody, rape reported in the media. filed a petition against him accusing him of

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Karan says he is ready to represent Fiji in the Pacific Games Tavua College athlete, Yeshnil Karan says he is ready to represent Fiji in the Pacific Games.

Karan caused two major upsets in the 2019 Coca Cola Games as he beat the favourite, Petero Veitaqomaki of Marist Brothers High School in the 3000 metres and the Senior Boys 1500 metres. Karan has dedicated his wins to his parents who unfortunately were not able to travel to Suva due to the weather.

Karan says one of the difficulties he endured

during the training was the rainy weather in Yaladro, Tavua.

He says he was confident that he will do something great.

Karan had won the 10 kilometres Suva Marathon Race last year.

Meanwhile, Athletics Fiji’s Albert Miller says it will be good to have an athlete like Karan in the team. Miller also adds that if Karan makes the qualification time for the Pacific Games, it will be easier to make a case to Team Fiji.

Employee of LTA pleads not guilty to bribery An employee of the Land Transport Authority, Apenisa Vunibola has pleaded not guilty for accepting a bribe of $300.

He had been charged by FICAC in January.

The matter has been adjourned to the 31st of next month.

Court case of University of Fiji’s former registrar to continue The first prosecution witness in the trial of former politician and the Registrar of the University of Fiji, Kamlesh Arya told the court that there was a circular sent out to all Secondary and Primary Schools with regards to the implementation of the Free Education Grants given

by Government.

Dr. Brij Lal who was the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education at the time of the incident explained to court that the circular outlined the guidelines for the use of the grant and its specific allocations for the funds.

Lal said that he helped oversee the

implementation of the Free Education Grant by government in 2013.

Arya is charged with a count each of abuse of office and general dishonesty causing a loss.

It is alleged that Arya while acting as the School Manager of Bhawani Dayal Memorial Primary School authorised the Free Education Grant worth $116,500 as loans.

The alleged incidents took place between the 1st of January 2014 to the 31st of December, 2014.

The trial will continue before High Court Judge Justice Riyaz Hamza where the second prosecution witness is taking the stand.

Significant rise of NCDs by 17% from 1970 to 2011 - Health Minister Minister for Health Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete has highlighted that Fiji has been having a significant rise in Non- Communicable Diseases as it increased by 17% from 1970 to 2011. To detect NCD’s, the Chinese Government has aided the Ministry of Health by giving medical equipment worth $17 thousand US dollars.

Waqainabete said that earlier this year a survey was conducted in health centres between Lami, Nausori, Navua and Sigatoka to get statistics on the number of people affected with lifestyle diseases which had a shocking out come as obesity was common amongst teenagers while diabetes and stroke are on the rise amongst the senior people.

The Representative from the Chinese Embassy, Huang Xuehu says that the Chinese delegation always looks forward in helping Fiji develop as they have already sent out many of their doctors to local health centres to provide medicals services.

The equipment handed over consists of scales, stethoscopes, blood pressure checking machines and many more. To continue with this initiative, the ministry of health has been consistently sending out their officials to rural and urban areas for house-to-house visits to educate people on the importance of a healthy life style to combat NCD’s.

Lautoka Court to decide on Justin Ho’s bail application Lautoka High Court Judge Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena will make a decision on the bail application of Justin Ho who is charged with drug related offences on the 26th of this month.

Ho is charged with one count of unlawful importation and exportation and one count of unlawful possession, manufacture, cultivation and supply contrary to the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004.

It is alleged that on the 23rd of December last year, without lawful authority, Ho facilitated in exporting of two parcels weighing to the total of 2.015 kilograms of cocaine and other illicit drugs. Prosecution in the case have been given time until the 1st of May to file information and disclosures.

Ho also has a pending case in the Nadi Magistrates Court where he is charged by FICAC.

PAKISTAN

Saturday, April 20, 2019 Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit China next week to meet its leaders and deliver a keynote speech at the vast Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, the South Asian nation’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday, as economic anxiety grows at home. China has pledged about $60 billion in infrastructure loans for Pakistan, touted as a success story of its Belt and Road initiative, which aims to build road and maritime trading routes across the globe. But Pakistan’s economy has hit serious turbulence over the past year and Islamabad is now finalizing a bailout package with the

PM Khan to visit China next week for Belt and Road Forum International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stave off a balance of payments crisis, despite more than $10 billion in short-term loans from allies such as China and Saudi Arabia. Khan will visit China from April 25, and give a keynote speech at the three-day Belt and Road Forum that starts the following day. The high-profile gathering is one of China’s biggest annual state events. “In

Former PM Sharif may undergo heart surgery Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif may undergo heart surgery, The Dawn quoted his personal physician as saying. Sharif, 69, who has been serving a seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case, is out on bail due to his ill health.

Sharif, who was examined by doctors of Aga Khan University at the Sharif Medical City in Lahore, has a serious heart complication and might need surgery if his angioplasty is not possible, personal physician Adnan Khan told reporters. “Aga Khan University

@AKUGlobal very kindly constituted a high powered team of specialists/experts consisting of Cardiac Interventionist, Vascular Surgeon & Urologist/Nephrologist. They had a detailed consultation & evaluation of former PM #NawazSharif for further management,” Dr Khan later tweeted. Three-time premier, Sharif, who was disqualified from holding political office for life, has been suffering from a heart condition and kidney problems. The Sharif family has accused Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party of mistreating him, a charge the government

US asks its citizens to reconsider travel plans to Pakistan US has suggested its citizens to rethink their travelPakistanbecause of terrorism and asked them to nottravel restive Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), identifiedbecause the most dangerous areas because of terror attacks.

While Pakistannormally has been placed

in “Level Three” classwithin the latest travel advisory issued by the USon Monday, manyelements of the country, together with Balochistan, KPK province, PoK and India-Pakistan border, are placed within the most dangerous “Level Four” class, in whichUScitizensare asked to not travel because of high risk areas. “Due to risks to civil aviation

Five terrorists killed in shootout in Northwest Pakistan Security forces raided a militant hideout in a residential compound in the northwestern city of Peshawar triggering a 15-hour shootout in which a police officer and at least five suspected terrorists were killed. Three other police officers were also injured in the operation, which has been continuing since Monday night against terrorists hiding in a three-story residential building in Hayatabad area. The terror suspects were wanted for

attacks on a judge and additional inspectorgeneral of police, security sources said. The operation was carried out on the basis of an intelligence tip-off regarding the presence of terrorists in the three-story residential building. The operation saw the exchange of heavy fire between security forces and the terrorists. The security forces blew up the main boundary walls of the house and entered the building.

25 killed as rain & dust storms lash Pakistan Widespread showers with thunderstorm across the country and a dust storm in Karachi caused by a westerly wave left at least 25 people dead, scores of others injured, and public and property damaged on Monday.

Intermittent downpour in western, central and northern parts of the country for the past few days has rendered mud houses susceptible to collapse, while land sliding and flash floods in some areas have already made several roads dangerous for travel.

Thunderstorm in Punjab resulted in collapse of several buildings, leaving at least nine people dead. In separate incidents related to the dust storm that hit Karachi in the early hours of the day, four people including two young girls died, an equal number of fishermen went missing and dozens of others suffered injuries, according to officials and rescue services. Gusty winds also uprooted several trees, poles and signboards, broke windowpanes of some high-rise buildings

addition to participating in the Belt and Road Forum, the Prime Minister would also hold bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang,” the ministry said in a

41

statement. The two countries will sign several pacts to enhance cooperation, and Khan will meet corporate and business leaders, it added.

Khan’s visit to Pakistan’s all-weather friend China comes as his government, in power since August.

Imran Khan named among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people Imran Khan has been named among the Most Influential people’ of 2019 by Time magazine, a mass-circulation US magazine, with a senior journalist underscoring his potential to turn Pakistan around towards a

better future. The prestigious list, unveiled on Wednesday, selected the “influential people” under four categories: leaders, pioneers, artists, icons and titans.

42

NRI

Saturday, April 20, 2019 Ex-husband on trial for killing NRI woman in arrow attack in UK A pregnant NRI woman was shot dead with an arrow allegedly by her jealous ex-husband in a “deliberate and calculated act of revenge” last November at her east London home, a UK court was told. According to prosecutors, 51-year-old Indian-origin Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo, armed with two crossbows, burst out of the garden shed at a suburban home in Ilford area of east London, and shot arrows at his ex-wife Devi Unmathallegadoo as she tried to flee upstairs. The 35-year-old Devi, also known as Sana Muhammad after she converted to Islam to marry Imtiaz Muhammad, died of internal injuries after the attack.

The arranged marriage of Devi and Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo ended in divorce in 2014, after which the woman went on to marry Imtiaz. She had three children, aged 18, 14 and 12, with Ramanodge and two young girls, aged five and two, with Muhammad. Her unborn baby was later rescued by doctors in an emergency Caesarean operation following the attack. Ramanodge, who had been arrested and charged soon after the attack, denies the murder and attempted destruction of the unborn child as his trial got underway at the Old Bailey court in London this week.

NRI jailed for setting off Diwali fireworks in Singapore An Indian-origin man has been jailed for three weeks in Singapore and also fined for setting off fireworks near housing blocks during Diwali celebrations last year.

Jeevan Arjoon, 29, bought an assortment of fireworks from Little India Diwali bazaar and unlawfully set off the crackers at 3.30 a.m. on the festival night on November 6, the Straits Times reported on Thursday. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jean Goh said that based

on witness accounts, the fireworks were loud enough to be heard from the surrounding Housing Board blocks of Yishun. The report said that the “illegal pyrotechnics display lasted around five minutes but no one was hurt and no property damaged”. District Judge Marvin Bay said that the detonation of fireworks could have caused serious injuries and posed a risk of fires. Arjoon was jailed and fined 5,000 Singapore dollars.

NRI jailed for life for sexually exploiting minor in USA A 41-year-old Indian-origin man in the US has been sentenced to life in prison for enticing a girl to engage in sexual conduct and 30 years’ imprisonment for production of child pornography. Deepak Deshpande of California, who pleaded guilty in October last year, was sentenced by US District Judge Carlos Mendoza on Thursday. According to court documents and evidence presented during the sentencing hearing, Deshpande contacted the girl in Orlando through an online chat application in July 2017. At that time, Deshpande posed as a modelling agent and persuaded the girl to send him

nude images of herself. In the months that followed, Deshpande contacted the same girl, posing as two other individuals, and threatened to disseminate her nude images if she did not continue producing additional child pornography for him. In September 2017, Deshpande travelled to Orlando in Florida from California to meet the girl in person for the first time. He brought her to a local hotel and filmed himself sexually assaulting the victim multiple times. Between September 2017 and April 2018, he repeated the same conduct during four additional visits to Orlando.

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