QUICK MORTGAGE APPROVAL BANK MORTGAGE Low Rates and Cash Back
PRIVATE MORTGAGE Instant Approval
SECOND MORTGAGE 5-Day Funding
CREDIT LINE CALL TODAY!
www.theasianstar.com Vol 22 - Issue 50
Jeet Singh
Saturday, January 20, 2024
778-320-9494 www.crownfunding.ca
Tel:604-591-5423
Mayors of Surrey & Brampton warn extortion wave hitting South Asian businesses The mayors of Brampton and Surrey, B.C., are warning Ottawa about an alarming “escalation of extortion threats” against South Asian business owners. In a letter addressed to Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke wrote of their “deep concern” that a wave of threats has “instilled
fear in our communities and highlight the urgent need for a co-ordinated response” involving multiple jurisdictions. “We’re asking the minister to do everything he can to protect our communities that are facing this international extortion threat,” Brown told the Star. “We have people terrified in our community.” The letter, which was shared with the
Star, suggests recent reports from British Columbia and Ontario have confirmed links between extortion attempts and violent acts, including shootings. “This alarming development underscores the severity and widespread nature of these threats, which are predominantly targeting members of the South Asian business community,” the letter reads.
Record 86% drop in Indian student visas after diplomatic tension The number of Indian students seeking study permits in Canada has witnessed a significant decline, attributed to a diplomatic dispute between India and Canada over the assassination of a Khalistani terrorist, Reuters reported
citing a senior Canadian official. Official data reveals an 86 per cent decrease in study permits issued to Indians during
Modi’s promised Ram temple to open Frenzied preparations were underway Wednesday in India’s northern holy city of Ayodhya to mark the opening of a grand temple for Lord Ram, Hinduism’s
most revered deity. The Ram Mandir’s opening Monday would fulfill a decadeslong Hindu nationalist pledge that is expected to resonate Continued on page 6
Thanks to Trudeau, Canada is caught in a “population trap” Canada has been cornered into a “population trap” intensified by its immigration policies, states a recent report published by one of
the country’s largest banks. The special report, coauthored by National Bank economists Stéfane Marion and Alexandra Ducharme,
the fourth quarter of 2023. In the late stages of the previous year, only 14,910 students were granted study permits, marking a substantial reduction from the earlier figure of 108,940 students.
UK Consul Generals from Vancouver & Toronto visit PICS Society offices in Surrey
Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) had honor of hosting esteemed UK Consul Generals, Thomas Codrington (Vancouver) and Ms. Fouzia Younis (Toronto), along with MLA Jagrup Brar at PICS offices, for a day of
Continued on page 11
Snow, freezing rain & wind warnings active for some parts of BC Environment Canada has several alerts active for B.C. Thursday morning, including snowfall, wind and freezing rain alerts. However, there are no alerts for the Metro Vancouver area.
The snowfall warning is in effect for central and eastern Vancouver Island. A winter storm warning for central Vancouver Island is also in effect and expected to last into Friday.