TransLink to expand electric bus fleet

Battery-electric buses are the future for TransLink’s bus fleet, and the longstanding practice of acquiring new diesel-powered buses is now a thing of the past.

TransLink’s new Climate Action Plan (CAP) released today provides a blueprint for how Metro Vancouver’s public transit system will incrementally reduce its emissions over the coming decade toward achieving the overarching goal of reaching net zero by 2050.

It reaffirms and overlaps with the public transit authority’s Climate Action Strategy approved by the Mayors’ Council in early 2022 and the Low Carbon Fleet Strategy created in early 2020, which will be replaced by a new Zero-Emissions Fleet

Transition Plan in 2023 and supplemented by a future Net Zero Facilities Strategy.

“While only one per cent of greenhouse gas emissions comes from public transit, we know it’s important to do our part to combat climate change,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. in a statement. “Our aim is to reduce our emissions to zero, while also reducing the number of cars on the road.”

By 2030, under the new CAP, 34% of the existing diesel bus fleet will be replaced with 462 batteryelectric buses, including 15 additional buses to fully electrify Route 100 by 2024, adding to the existing four buses. The first of this order of 15 new buses arrived in Metro Vancouver in November 2022.

Kelowna woman’s murder trial delayed until spring

The trial for a Kelowna woman accused of killing her partner in 2021 has been set back several months as the court works to accommodate pre-trial applications, the BC Prosecution Service said Wednesday.

Billie Jo Bennett was scheduled to face a judge and jury on the charge of second-degree murder Jan. 9, but the trial is now tentatively scheduled to get underway in the spring.

“It is currently set for May 29 but may start sooner if pre-trial matters are concluded,” Dan McLaughlin, with the BC Prosecution Service, said. Bennett, 54, is accused of the seconddegree murder of James Wesley Bennett.

Bennett was charged in early December 2021, though she was first arrested in the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 18, 2021, homicide in the 600 block of Bechard Road. She was released the next day when the BC Prosecution Service didn’t apply charges and Supt. Kara Triance, Kelowna’s top cop, called a press conference on Oct. 22, 2021, to address questions raised in the wake of the investigation, which had seemingly hit an impasse.

The woman was apprehended under the Mental Health Act shortly after, but at that point, RCMP officers were cut out of the loop, Triance said at the time.

Mother of a bullying & assault victim speaks out after sentencings

The mother of a Surrey assault and bullying victim speaking out after two of the suspects involved in the incident have been sentenced.

“It was extremely emotional. I was very frustrated,” the mother said, after hearing the sentencing results.

“I understand that lawyers have to do their part to defend their clients but things that were said (in court) were very upsetting.”

The suspects have been released under conditions. Both the mother’s, daughter’s and suspects’ identities are protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The mother thinks the punishments given do not reflect the crimes perpetrated against her then-15-year-old daughter.

“I feel like has been more about the accused than the victim,” she told Global News.

“My daughter has been handed a life sentence. She’s not going to graduate like other kids, and she won’t be able to live a life like a normal kid.

“There have to be consequences for actions.” Back in May 2022, Surrey RCMP investigated a brutal assault and bullying incident in Surrey, which took place near Hillcrest Elementary School.

The mother said her daughter was lured to the area under the pretext of meeting friends for a birthday cake.

From page 1

Racim alleged at local soccer match

that, with the harsh treatment players experienced at the October game, coaches could not “let it go.”

“We had to step up and stand up for our team and the boys and the parents,” he said.

Sadiq Abubakar, the team’s coach, says by bringing the incident forward he wants not only an apology for his players but an education for the opposing club — as well as all soccer clubs in Metro Vancouver.

“Whatever happened has happened already. We can’t change it,” Abubakar said. CMFSC provided a response to Daily Hive, which was also posted to its website, saying the club does not stand for racism or abuse.

It added this value has been reiterated to players, parents, and team officials.

In regards to the game, CMFSC said it took action as soon as it learned of the claims, which was a day after.

CMFSC added that GVUSC did not identify players, team officials, or spectators in its allegations.

“We met with CMFSC team officials and players, match officials, spectators, and parents, explaining the gravity of the accusations, collecting statements and reviewing game video/audio,” the club statement reads. “The video (with audio),

From page 1 filmed in the stands, does not support the claims of spectator misconduct. The referee and assistant referees reports and interviews provided no independent validation of player misconduct.”

Ram forwarded a video he said was used to review the game to Daily Hive. In the hour-and-a-half-long video, audio only captured spectators’ voices and alleged comments were not audible.

Especially with serious allegations, CMFSC said it would need proof “given our understanding of due process.”

CMFSC told GVUSC on October 21 that it did not find sufficient evidence to back the claims made.

However, the group added it “suggested the independent services of Communities Embracing Restorative Action (CERA) to support both parties work through the situation.”

“ITP Sport, on behalf of BC Soccer’s independent judicial body, communicated on Nov 16th that CMFSC’s internal review was extensive, taken seriously and offered a mediated solution through CERA,” CMFSC added.

Ram said he reported the incident to BC Soccer in hopes the organization might respond but was told nothing could be done.

US, India partnership targets arms and AI to compete with China

counterpart, Ajit Doval, are meeting with senior officials from both countries at the White House on Tuesday to launch the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies.

“The larger challenge posed by China - its economic practices, its aggressive military moves, its efforts to dominate the industries of the future and to control the supply chains of the future - have had a profound impact on the thinking in Delhi,” Sullivan said. Doval will also meet Secretary of State Anthony Blinken during his three-day visit to Washington D.C., which ends Wednesday.

New Delhi has frustrated Washington by participating in military exercises with Russia and increasing purchases of the country’s crude oil, a key source of funding for Russia’s war in Ukraine. But Washington has held its tongue, nudging the country on Russia while condoning India’s more hawkish stance on China. On Monday, Sullivan and Doval participated in a Chamber of Commerce event with corporate leaders from Lockheed Martin Corp, (LMT.N) Adani Enterprises (ADEL. NS) and Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT.O)

Although India is part of the Biden administration’s signature Asian engagement project, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), it has opted against joining the IPEF trade pillar negotiations.

The initiative also includes a joint effort on space and highperformance quantum computing.

General Electric Co, (GE.N) meanwhile, is asking the U.S. government for permission to produce jet engines with India that would power aircraft operated and produced by India, according to the White House, which says a review is underway.

New Delhi said that the U.S. government would review General Electric’s application expeditiously and that the two countries would focus on joint production of “key items of mutual interest” in defense.

The two countries also established a quantum technology coordination mechanism and agreed to set up a task force with India’s Semiconductor Mission, the India Electronics Semiconductor Association (IESA) and the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association

South Asian wife whose husband drove Tesla off the cliff told paramedics, ‘He intentionally tried to kill us’

From page 1

“’He intentionally tried to kill us.’ … We have multiple people who heard her say that.”

Neha, who is still hospitalized, “didn’t get into detail. She was then quickly rendered medical aid and that was the statements from her,” he says.

Wagstaffe says Neha hasn’t been interviewed since then. “She has an attorney and we’re being advised that, through the attorney, that at this point while she’s hospitalized, she does not seek to submit to an interview.”

Wagstaffe says one of the couple’s children was hospitalized with injuries after the crash. The other childsustained“bumpsandbruises,butnoinjuries.”

The crash occurred on a notorious stretch of highway known as the Devil’s Slide in San Mateo County, near Pacifica, along the famous Highway 1, which runs the length of California’s coastline. The Devil’s Slide has been the site of a number of fatalities over the past five decades.

Patel, a radiologist from Pasadena, was arrested after the crash at Stanford Hospital, per an arrest report by the California Highway Patrol that was shared with PEOPLE.

Officials Say It’s an ‘Absolute Miracle’ All 4 People Survived Tesla’s Plunge Over Calif. Cliff

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sgt Brian Moore/ AP/Shutterstock (13744707a) In this photo provided by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, emergency personnel respond to a vehicle over the side of Highway 1 on Jan. 1, 2023, in San Mateo County, Calif. The driver of the car that plunged 250 feet off a cliff in Northern California, injuring his two young children and his wife, has been released from the hospital and jailed on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse. The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office announced, that Dharmesh Patel is being held without bail California Car Falls Off Cliff, San Mateo County, United States - 04 Jan 2023

The CHP said in a news release that it was alerted of “a vehicle over the side of the cliff on SR-1” around 10:50 a.m. local time on Jan 2.

Wagstaffe says that after the crash, authorities spoke to “two separate drivers behind him who watched what occurred and were able to provide information about lack of brake lights,” he says.

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Authorities also found video from the nearby Tom Lantos tunnels that “clearly shows his car coming out of the tunnel, going up the hill, making a right turn off the road into a dirt area at the top,” he says. “And then a sharp right turn down and over the edge and down the cliff.”

Wagstaffe says investigators are still trying to determine a possible motive.

“There were three people that we believe he was trying to kill,” he says. “He also wanted to kill himself, obviously. And so, that was an effort to be a murder-suicide.”

“Why would he do this? I’m now convinced that this was an intentional act by him,” he says. “But then, why did he do this? Why did he want to kill the three people he, one would assume, loved the most in human life?”

The Tesla is currently being examined by the California Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team [MAIT]. “They’re doing the full examination of it to see, ‘Did the brakes go out? Do we have flat tires? Whatever they could determine from the vehicle… But there was nothing immediately that would indicate any type of vehicle disability or problem.”

“I am convinced that, on the evidence we have at this point, that it was an intentional act,” he says. “Now, again, multiple things could occur, and this happens in criminal cases where the family comes forward and they give us a description of some things that put a different light on it. Or the wife comes forward and says, ‘Let me tell you what occurred and to explain it.’”

Adds Wagstaffe, “Or the CHP MAIT team comes back and says, ‘Look it, there was a mechanical difficulty with the vehicle.’ So the facts, the whole story, is not out yet. It’s just the story we have right now, it certainly appears this was an intentional act to us and that’s why we filed the charges. But we’ll learn, we’ll find out hopefully more as time goes on.”

Emergency SOS via satellite on an iPhone 14 has replaced ‘search’ from ‘search and rescue’ for two happy Canadian women. They got stuck in snow on a logging road in BC.

Rescuers said they thought it was BC’s first use of the feature. And the way the women’s location was pinpointed could have potentially saved the women’s lives without the need for a time-consuming search.

Emergency SOS leads rescuers directly to two women stranded in the Canadian wilderness

With no cell service or WiFi available, one woman activating Emergency SOS via satellite on her iPhone 14 allowed emergency services to pinpoint a location rather than conduct an expensive and timeconsuming search. The service will be expanded to more countries after its launch.

It all began when the two women, on their way back to Alberta, encountered a road closed due to an accident outside of the town of McBride, according to a report in the times colonist. The incident occurred on December 23, 2022.

The women looked for an alternative route on Google Maps, which took them onto a forest road. Little did they know it was only partially plowed. And just over 12 miles later, they got stuck in a “wall of snow.”

“Then it was basically a wall of snow, and when they tried to get through, they got stuck,” explained Dwight Yochim, senior manager at BC Search and Rescue. “There is no cellular service there but one of them happened to have the new Apple phone which includes the SOS and has the SOS activated and to my knowledge this is the first use of the SOS in British Columbia.”

When a user activates Emergency SOS, it notifies an Apple call center, which relays information to regional emergency services. The information includes a GPS location.

Prince George Mounties charged in 2017 death of Indigenous man

4 of the 5 officers remain on active duty, according to RCMP.

Two RCMP officers in Prince George, B.C., have been charged with manslaughter in connection with the 2017 death of an Indigenous man, Crown prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Another three have been charged with attempting to obstruct justice related to the events immediately after Dale Culver’s death in police custody on July 18, 2017, according to a news release from the B.C. Prosecution Service.

Manslaughter charges have been sworn against Const. Paul Ste-Marie and Const. Jean Francois Monette, while Const. Arthur Dalman, Const. Clarence (Alex) Alexander MacDonald and Sgt. Bayani (Jon) Eusebio Cruz face attempted obstruction charges.

According to B.C. RCMP spokesperson Dawn Roberts, Ste-Marie, Monette, Dalman and Cruz remain on active duty, subject to ongoing assessment, while Macdonald is on administrative leave for reasons unrelated to Culver’s death.

Thousands of ‘potentially fatal doses’ of fentanyl seized from Surrey business: RCMP

A search warrant executed at a Surrey business allegedly being used as “a front for drug trafficking” led to the seizure of thousands of potentially fatal doses of illicit drugs, according to Mounties.

In a news release Thursday, Surrey RCMP said four people were arrested in connection to a drug trafficking network being operated at a business in the 5800 block of 176 Street.

Mounties said the investigation began in late 2022 and officers were able to obtain a search warrant on Jan. 26.

“This drug seizure is significant as not only has it disrupted a drug trafficking network, there are now over 73,000 potentially fatal doses of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine off our streets,” Sgt. Jag Saran said in the release. “We will continue to work alongside the property management company and City of Surrey bylaws to address the issues pertaining to the business.”

Plan to target catalytic converter theft in play, Surrey mayor says

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says there’s a plan in the works to curtail catalytic converter theft in Surrey, which is “significantly” on the rise and makes up almost 45 per cent of thefts from autos in this city.

“It’s not only a very costly challenge for members of the public it is a tremendous inconvenience and it can be dangerous,” Locke noted. She said she’s spoken with Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards about the problem and the Surrey RCMP is working on a strategy to be implemented by the end of February.

“So it is my ask that Surrey, the city, work closely with the RCMP to create the stringent bylaws we need to curtail this criminal activity in our city,” Locke said at Monday’s council meeting, during her mayoral proclamations. Meantime, Surrey RCMP’s most recent crime stats to date indicate there was a nine per cent drop in violent crime in the city in 2022 compared to 2021, down to 6,621 recorded offences from 7,310.

BC announces funding program to support more accessible taxis

Community members around B.C. who use wheelchairs or have other accessibility needs will soon have better access to taxis.

The B.C. government has announced that additional funding has been allocated to launch its Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program.“ The program will help offset the extra costs that taxi owner-operators face in providing wheelchair-accessible vehicles, which will help to increase the number of accessible taxis available,” Ministry of Transportation staff said in a release.

The minister of transportation, Rob Fleming, said the new program will help facilitate a stronger transportation system that will make it easier for those living with accessibility issues to get around their communities. “Promoting equity in passenger transportation is an important way that we’re working to build a better, stronger future for all British Columbians,” he said.

“By investing in a more inclusive transportation network we are helping people participate more fully in their communities by connecting with friends, attending appointments and getting to work.” Around $3 million of funding is available for the implementation of the program, according to the province.

Inquest into VPD officer’s suicide makes 12 recommendations aimed at police, Vancouver hospital

An inquest into the suicide of a Vancouver police constable four years ago has returned 12 recommendations aimed at better hospital communication on mental health files as well as improved police training and psychological assessment. The recommendations include mandatory annual psychological check-ins for officers and explicit action to curb rumours within the Vancouver Police Department.

Const. Nicole Chan took her own life on Jan. 27, 2019, amid an investigation into complaints she had made about inappropriate relationships with two senior officers.suicide

Over the seven-day inquest, jurors heard from 30 witnesses and lawyers who raised questions about Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver General Hospital policies.

The inquest heard that Chan was found hanged from her bedroom door the day after she had been taken to hospital – but was not admitted – amid a mental health crisis.

The night before her death she had been frantic about the investigation into her complaints, had threatened to take her own life, and had fabricated a noose from a dog leash and hidden knives inside her home, the inquest heard.

Several witnesses testified that she had felt blackmailed into sex by Sgt. Dave Van Patten, a human resources officer and her superior, and was upset that she had been placed on stress leave and felt ostracized in the department while he was allowed to keep his job.

Federal departments failed to spend $38-billion on promised programs, services last year

The federal government failed to spend tens of billions of dollars in the last fiscal year on promised programs and services, including new military equipment, affordable housing and support for veterans.

Federal departments are blaming a variety of factors for letting a record total of $38 billion in funding lapse in 2021-22, including delays and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. They also say much of the money remains available for future years.

The unspent funds also played a big part in the Liberal government posting a smaller-than-expected deficit in the year ending March 31, 2022.

Canada rang up a $90.2 billion deficit -- $23.6 billion less than had been projected in the budget.

The unprecedented amount of lapsed funding, much of which has been returned to the federal treasury, has one observer suggesting it is a sign of long-standing challenges delivering on big federal projects for the country.

The amount of lapsed funds across government is spelled out in the most recent iteration of the public accounts, a report on federal revenues and spending by every department and agency tabled in the House of Commons every year.

The $38.2 billion that was reported as lapsed in the last fiscal year marks a new record over the previous year, which was $32.2 billion. That was a dramatic increase over the previous record of $14 billion in 2019-20.

5 of 16 appointments to Surrey’s Select Committees of Council go to Mayor Locke’s team

Fifteen of 16 appointments to Surrey’s Select Committees of Council have been assigned to Mayor Brenda Locke’s Surrey Connect slate.

Locke revealed the appointments at Monday’s council meeting.

On Monday, Surrey Connect Coun. Rob Stutt was appointed chairman of the Public Safety Committee and Surrey Connect Coun. Pardeep Kooner its vice-chairwoman.

Surrey First Coun. Mike Bose was appointed chairman of the Agricultural and Food Policy Committee and Surrey Connect Coun. Harry

Bains was appointed its vice-chairman. Kooner is chairwoman and Stutt vice-chairman of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

Locke is chairwoman of the Environment and Climate Change Committee and Surrey Connect Coun. Gordon Hepner is its vice-chairman.Kooner is chairwoman of the Livability and Social Equity Committee and Stutt is its vice-chairman Hepner is chairman of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Advisory Committee, and Kooner is the vice-chairwoman.

Bains is the chairman of Surrey’s Investment, Innovation and Business Committee, and Locke is its vice-chairwoman.

Trudeau government spent $6.8 million on Calgary COVID hotel for just 10 people

Between April 1 and Oct. 30, 2022, the Trudeau government spent $6.8 million booking a single Calgary hotel to accommodate just 10 people for COVID quarantine. It’s a shocking waste of taxpayer money that should leave everyone asking how many more hotels saw similar cases of egregious waste. Paying $6.8 million for just 10 people from April to October, an average of $680,000 per person, is indefensible and makes Justin Trudeau’s $6,000 per night London hotel rooms look like a bargain.

Any time the Trudeau government has been asked to explain outrageous COVID spending, they have deflected by saying they had Canadians backs during the pandemic. This isn’t having anyone’s back; this is picking our pockets for wasteful spending.

The Calgary Airport Westin was named a Designated Quarantine Facility under the Quarantine Act on June 22, 2020. Between that date and when the contract expired last October, the federal government paid the hotel $26.8

Economy grew by 0.1% in November, Statscan says

Canadian economy loses steam, expected to slow further amid high interest rates

Housing market gaining steam in the GTA

A new report from Re-Max finds that despite rising interest rates, the average homeowner in many major markets is saddled with less debt.

The Canadian economy lost steam as 2022 drew a close, setting the stage for a continued slowdown this year as high interest rates weigh on spending.

Statistics Canada’s preliminary estimate for real GDP in December indicates the economy neither grew nor contracted, suggesting the economy grew at an annualized rate of 1.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year.

In comparison, the economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2022.

RBC assistant chief economist Nathan Janzen said the latest GDP report adds more evidence that the economy is indeed losing momentum. And that trend is expected to continue, he said. “The key when you look forward is really that a lot of the impact of interest rate increases from the Bank of Canada to date, haven’t yet flowed through fully to household purchasing power.”

Side deals on health funding may be reached alongside national agreement: Premier Eby

Premiers have expressed optimism about striking an improved national health funding deal with the federal government, ahead of next week’s meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said in Ottawa Wednesday that he believed the federal government would present the provinces and territories with details of a health transfer agreement that could lead to a national deal, but he was open to side talks specific to B.C. These could include discussions about mental health and addictions treatment programs, increasing the numbers of family doctors and expanding home care.

“We’ll be talking about core funding for the provinces, but with the ability for provinces to have discussions with the federal government about key areas of provincial priority,” he said at a news conference in the capital.

“I am convinced that B.C.’s priorities are not necessarily the same as Quebec’s or Nova Scotia’s or Newfoundland’s.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also said Wednesday he was hopeful the provinces could reach a health-care deal with the federal government after next Tuesday’s meeting with the prime minister.

Last month, Ford said the provinces wouldn’t be signing individual deals with the federal government.

Premiers and health ministers across the country have called on Ottawa to increase its share of health-care costs to 35 per cent, up from the current 22 per cent.

BC govt’s new doctor payment model comes into effect

A new family physician payment model has come into effect to help more family physicians start or continue their practice and ensure people throughout the province have access to primary care.

Patients will benefit from family physicians having greater flexibility in their practices, both in-person and virtually, compared to the previous payment model. Patients will also have the option of discussing multiple issues with their physicians, who will now have more time for patient care as administrative pressures are relieved by the new model.

Referred to as the longitudinal family physician (LFP) payment model, this new approach came into effect on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, through close collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Doctors of BC and

BC Family Doctors. The payment model incorporates feedback from family physicians, supports the Province’s primary care strategy, meets the needs of physicians and ensures patients have access to the care they need.

The new payment model includes three elements: in a day; physician’s patient panel; and direct clinical care, indirect clinical care (such as reviewing lab results or coordinating specialist referrals); and on clinical administrative tasks (such as maintaining an accurate and up-to-date list of patients on an electronic medical record).

House of Commons returns with focus on economy, health care and the number eight

Although Trudeau and Poilievre do not agree on much, each cited affordability as a top concern, heeding economists’ warnings that Canada could be headed toward a recession at a time when prices on goods like groceries are already high.

Such was the backdrop for Monday’s question period, which Poilievre led by pressing Trudeau on his spending decisions — particularly the amount his government has paid in contracts awarded to consulting firm McKinsey and Company, which is under scrutiny at a parliamentary committee.

Trudeau defended his government’s record on social programs such as national daycare and said all MPs “know well that Canadians are facing tough times.”

Instead of offering “real solutions,” the prime minister charged, Poilievre “stands up, crosses his arms, throws up his hands and says, ‘everything is broken.’”

Trudeau also faced questions Monday from the New Democrats on his commitment to publicly-funded health care, after he touted Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s plan to allow more publicly-funded surgeries in private clinics as an innovative solution.

Saying that this meant Trudeau was flip-flopping on a position he took during the 2021 federal election campaign, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called on the House of Commons to have an emergency care. The Speaker denied that request.

Singh told reporters that he was set to discuss the issue of private health care with Trudeau on Monday afternoon, as the prime minister prepares to host premiers for negotiations on federal health transfers.

Singh and Trudeau are meant to meet regularly under the supply-andconfidence agreement signed last March, a deal in which the NDP agreed to support the governing Liberals on key votes in exchange for movement on priorities such as federal dental care.

A new health-care funding deal is a big-ticket item for the governing Liberals in the weeks ahead, as is their proposed legislation on banning handguns and models of what are defined as “assault-style” weapons.

Thelegislationhasbeenmetwithbacklash from the Opposition Conservatives, as well as many firearms owners and First Nations hunters who say the bill would ban commonly used hunting rifles.

Conservatives say the Liberal government’s approach to gun violence and crime overall is failing.

On Monday, Melissa Lantsman, one of the party’s two deputy leaders, called on the House to hold an emergency debate on the recent violence seen on board Toronto’s subway system. The Speaker also denied that request.

To kick off its 2023 legislative agenda, the government began the sitting with a debate on Bill C-35, which was tabled last December.

Energy raises expected cost of Coastal GasLink project to $14.5 billion

North American pipeline operator TC Energy Corp on Wednesday raised its cost estimate more than expected for completing its troubled Coastal GasLink project, sending share prices sharply lower.

First announced in 2018, the 670km pipeline will transport natural gas from northeastern British Columbia’s Peace River region to the Shell PLC-led LNG Canada facility on the northwest coast of B.C., which is Canada’s first liquified natural gas export terminal.

The long-delayed pipeline, owned by private equity firm KKR & Co Inc, Alberta Investment Management Corp and TC, has been dogged by problems including protests over environmental concerns, inflation and mountainous terrain that has forced TC to move pipe with ski lifts.

The company attributed the cost increase to a labour shortage, poor work by contractors and adverse weather. Costs could continue to rise: Analysts

Coastal’s costs are now up 30 per cent to to C$14.5 billion, from the project’s previous estimate of C$11.2 billion, which was already raised by 70 per cent in July from the initial budget. Analysts at BMO, Scotiabank and RBC said the latest increase was slightly higher than expected.

Costs could increase by another C$1.2 billion if construction extends well into 2024, TC added.

“Given the history of cost overruns ... we believe that the cost and timing of the project will be an overhang for the stock,” said RBC analyst Robert Kwan, in a note.

The LNG Canada plant will receive natural gas from near Dawson Creek, B.C., via the 670-kilometre Coastal GasLink pipeline. In Kitimat, the LNG Canada plant will liquefy and export the gas overseas. (CBC News)

Declaration

I, Darshan Singh Sohi born on June 01,1968 presently reside at 9232-126 A Street Surrey British Columbia V3V 5G2 Canada Do Solemnly Declare that:

Earlier I got divorced from Gurmeet Kaur on April 13, 2012. One daughter Jarpreet Kaur born November 09,1999. But since 2014 June/July Gurmeet Kaur and Jaspreet Kaur did not disclose their whereabouts and I am not aware about any whereabouts of Gurmeet Kaur and Jaspreet Kaur. We have no relation with each other. We have not spoken with each other since June 2014. I have no control over Jaspreet Kaur and Gurmeet Kaur. Jaspreet Kaur is not entitled to anything from my assets. I have disinherited Jaspreet from my all movable and immoveable assets all over the world. Both Jaspreet Kaur and Gurmeet Kaur have not any right to claim anything upon all my assets all over the world.

And I make this solemn declaration, conscientiously believing it to be true and knowing that it is of the same force and effect as if made under oath.

Kareena Kapoor organised a birthday bash for her friend Amrita Arora at her home in Mumbai.

Kareena Kapoor proved she is a great best friend to have as she threw a cosy birthday bash for Amrita

Kareena’s

bash for her

buddy’s

birthday Arora at her own home. Kareena decked up her new Mumbai home in balloons and flowers and threw a party. In attendance were all these best friends and even singer-rapper AP

Kartik Aaryan & Kriti Sanon to give the best contestant

‘Shehzada Crown’ honour in Indian Idol

Kriti Sanon told ‘Indian Idol 13’ contestant Sonakshi Kar that her voice resembles with late legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar’s when she sings.

The Saturday episode of the singing reality show will be welcoming the cast

Sanon for the ‘Girls vs Boys’ special episode. While Kartik Aaryan will support the ‘Boys’ team, Kriti will root for the ‘Girls’ team.

Rakhi Sawant Exposes Husband Adil Khan Durrani Of An Extra-Marital Affair, Warns The Other ‘Ladki’ Involved In Their Marriage: “Jo Biwi Ka Nahi Loyal, Wo Kisi Ka Nahi”

The Kapil Sharma Show: After Bharti Singh & Krushna Abhishek, Sidharth Sagar Quits The Comedy Show Due To Monetary Issues, Says “Kuch Nahi Bol Sakta” [Reports]

To make the competition even more playful and interesting, the contestant who gives their best performance will be given

One of the forerunners in the bid to win this crown was contestant Sonakshi Kar from Kolkata who will be paired with ‘Wadali ki Shaan,’ Navdeep Wadali from Amritsar.

Community news

Ladder Toss Balls ( Bolas) Game, New Game at Shanti Niketan on February 5th 2023 (Sunday) from 2,00 pm to 3.30 pm.

In Person Yoga Classes will continue for members only at Shanti Niketan hall every Monday and every Thursday by expert Yoga Instructor Mr. Ashwani Bansal from 10.00 am to 11.15 am both the days. Mr. Mahender Kumar Juneja a Yoga Expert will also be there to help & advice corrections to make sure all seniors are doing correct Yoga.

For more info call: 604 - 507 - 9945 for registration or further details.

Dhillon. Kareena wore a black tank top for the occasion with a large cross around her neck. Amrita also wore a black outfit. Her big sister Malaika Arora was seen in a black top with sheer details and a pair of beige pants. She was joined by her boyfriend Arjun Kapoor, who arrived in casual clothes. Also spotted outside Kareena’s home was her big sister Karisma Kapoor in a red printed dress. AP Dhillon was seen in a white silk shirt. Also present for the party were Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar; and Ritesh Sidhwani with his wife Dolly Sidhwani. Kareena Kapoor with Amrita Arora.

‘Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani’

Not in April, mark your dates in July! Filmmaker Karan Johar’s much-anticipated love story Rocky Aur Rani ki Prem Kahani will now hit the theatres on July 28. Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Karan Johar dropped the new release date of the movie with a sweet message. He wrote, “They say ‘sabr ka phal meetha hota hai’, so to increase the mithaas of this incredibly special story - we’re coming with a whole lot of love! Rocky aur Rani ke parivaar ho rahe hai taiyyaar, aur ab dekhiye yeh anokhi kahani of pyaar! Following Karan’s post, the lead pair of the movie has also shared the release dates on their social media handles. Taking a cue from KJO’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham tagline, Ranveer Singh captioned his post, “Kyunki it’s all about loving your family!”

After Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, this movie marks the second collaboration between

Bachchan will be seen in pivotal roles in this movie. It also marks the return of Karan as a director after ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ (2016). Initially, the movie was supposed to release on the eve of Valentine’s day this year. But later the makers pushed the date to April. Karan posted a long caption back then, “After 7 years, it’s time for me to return to my first home - the cinemas.

Bigg Boss16: Drama, emotions & entertainment?

Finale: February 12, 2023

Bigg Boss 16 offers drama, emotions and a whole lot of entertainment every day. In the latest episode of the reality TV show, Archana Gautam made Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia cry by throwing chilli powder at her. It all happened during the torture task. Archana Gautam, Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and Shalin Bhanot were given a task where they had to torture members of the other group – Shiv Thakare, MC Stan and Nimrit – to secure their positions in the finale. Sumbul Touqeer Khan was not involved in the task. In a video uploaded by a fan on Twitter, one can see Archana Gautam taking an extreme route and throwing chilli, as well as haldi powder on Nimrit’s face. This leaves Nimrit Kaur furious and she shouts back at Archana Gautam, asking her to not cross her limits. However, it does not stop Archana Gautam. She justifies her actions by saying that it is all a part of the task. Soon, Nimrit breaks down into tears. She then accuses Archana of hurting her. In the video, which has grabbed the attention of all Bigg Boss fans, Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and Shalin Bhanot are also seen pouring buckets of water on contestants. In the last episode, Shiv Thakare and Nimrit Kaur targeted Priyanka Choudhary, Archana Gautam and Shalin Bhanot and poured soapy water and ice packs on them as a part of the torture task. When Shalin Bhanot noticed Shiv Thakare getting personal with opponents, he slammed him, “Shiv, personal ho raha hai tu (Shiv you’re getting personal).”

Shailendra, the great lyricist

August 30, 1923 – December 14 ,1966

One of the best lyricist of Indian cimema

Shailendra was born as Shankardas Kesari-lal on August 30th, 1923 in Rawalpindi (Pakistan). His ancestors were basically from Arrah, a district in Bihar.

He lost his mother and sister at a very young age. His village in bihar mostly comprised agricultural laborers then Shailendra’s father decided to shift to Rawalpindi and find work at a military hospital.

Shailendra came in contact with Indra Bahadur Khare at the Kishori Raman Vidyalay in Mathura. Both started composing poems, sitting on the rock at the bank of a pond near railway lines. Afterwards Shailendra moved to Bombay for films and Indra Bahadur Khare got his fame in Raashtreey Kavita. Shailendra started his career as an apprentice with Indian Railways in Matunga workshop, Bombay in 1947. He started writing poetry during these days.

The filmmaker Raj Kapoor noticed Shailendra, when the latter was reading out his poem Jalta hai Punjab at a mushaira (poetic symposium).

Kapoor offered to buy the poem Jalta Hai Punjab written by Shailendra and for his movie Aag (1948). Shailendra, a member of the left wing Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA), was wary of mainstream Indian cinema and refused. However, after his wife became pregnant, Shailendra himself approached Raj Kapoor in need of money. At this time, Raj Kapoor was filming Barsaat (1949), and two of the film songs had not yet been written. For ₹ 500, Shailendra wrote these two songs: Patli kamar hai and Barsaat mein. The music for Barsaat was composed by Shankar–Jaikishan.

The team of Shailendra, Shankar–Jaikishan & Raj Kapoor, went on to produce many hit songs.

The song “Awara Hoon” from the 1951 film Awaara, written by Shailendra, became the most appreciated song outside India at the time.

Kiara Advani & Sidharth Malhotra’s wedding dates and venue revealed

Cute couple Kiara Advani & Sidharth Malhotra will tie the knot this weekend at Jaisalmer, sources have confirmed to indianexpress.com. Kiara and Sidharth have been rumoured to be dating for several years, but neither has overtly confirmed this.

In fact, they continued to avoid answering questions about the wedding even as recently as last month, when they appeared before the media prior to the release of Sidharth’s latest film, Mission Majnu. Earlier this week, Kiara was spotted at designer Manish

Malhotra’s house, for what was rumoured to be a last-minute fitting. Sidharth, on the other hand, landed in Delhi. Also read |Amid Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani’s wedding rumours, a look at their relationship timeline The wedding will take place on February 4 and 5, at the Suryagarh hotel. The property is described as ‘the gateway to the Thar Desert’ on the official website, and offers 83 rooms, two gardens and courtyards, and air connectivity to Jaisalmer for weddings.

Shailendra had penned down plenty of Urdu songs for Raj Kapoor’s films.

Film Shree 420 released in 1955 is one of them.

All songs of the film were super hit and popular till date in all walks of life. One can easily understand the power and magic of Shailendra’s lyrics from the song “Pyaar hua iqaraar hua hai”, is evergreen golden classic song till date.

In 1961 Shailendra invested heavily in the production of ‘Teesri Kasam’ (1966), directed by Basu Bhattacharya and starring Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman.

The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.

However, the film was a commercially flop.

It paved the way to Shailendra’s falling health resulting from tensions associated with the film production and anxiety due to financial loss, coupled with alcoholism, ultimately led to his early death.

Suhaana & Disha in a dazzling Dubai party

We chanced upon a picture-perfect click of Suhana Khan and Disha Patani and it has been trending quite a bit. The aforementioned picture, curated by multiple fan pages, happens to be from Dubai. Disha Patani and Suhana Khan were in Dubai for the grand launch of the luxury hotel Atlantis

The Royal in Palm Jumeirah last month. In the picture, Disha Patani looks stunning as ever in a Yousef Al Jasmi outfit with a dash of bling. Suhana Khan looked gorgeous in a

A few weeks go, Suhana Khan shared a couple of pictures from the Dubai event. The album also features her mom Gauri Khan and friend BFF Shanaya Kapoor. She captioned the post: “Thank you Atlantis The Royal.” During her time in Dubai, Suhana Khan also attended Kendall Jenner’s tequila brand launch, where she was accompanied by Shanaya Kapoor. The picture was shared by a couple of

Bollywood fan pages.

Disha too shared back-to-back posts of her OOTD at the grand Dubai party. Take a look at some of the posts here: In terms of work, Disha Patani was last seen in the thriller Ek Villain 2, alongside Arjun Kapoor, John Abraham and Tara Sutaria. Disha Patani, who began her career as a model, is best-known for starring in films such as Baaghi 2, co-starring Tiger Shroff, and Kung Fu Yoga, among others.

Disha Patani made her big Bollywood debut with the 2015 sports biopic MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, co-starring late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Suhana Khan, daughter of superstar Shah Rukh Khan and film producer Gauri Khan, completed her higher studies from New York. She will make her Bollywood debut with Zoya Akhtar’s adaptation of The Archies. The film will also star late actor Sridevi and film producer Boney Kapoor’s daughter Khushi Kapoor, and Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda. The film is slated to release on Netflix this year.

Ottawa’s ambitious target to substantially lift the number of new immigrants has raised concerns about whether Canada has enough housing to accommodate them.

The housing shortage in this country is well known and governments on all levels have released plans to bolster the supply.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimated in June that an additional 3.5 million housing units needed to be built by 2030 to achieve affordable housing for everyone living in Canada. That’s on top of the 2.3 million units it expected to be built by that time at current rates of construction.

“Canada’s approach to housing supply needs to be rethought and done differently,” CMHC deputy chief economist Aled ab Iorwerth said in the report. “There must be a drastic transformation of the housing sector, including government policies and processes, and an ‘allhands-on-deck’ approach to increasing the supply of housing to meet demand.”

But what is that demand?

CIBC deputy chief economist Benjamin Tal suggests in a recent report that Canada’s actual increase in housing demand is far higher than official estimates.

Ottawa is aiming to increase the number of new immigrants by 75 per cent over pre- pandemic levels by 2025. But saying 465,000 new immigrants in 2023 does not mean net population growth due to immigration and thus demand for housing will rise by 465,000, he said.

Tal argues that it’s not the number of new immigrants that should be used to calculate housing demand, but the number of new people coming into the country from abroad. And these numbers, he says, have been vastly underestimated.

Amid the pandemic in 2021, about 70 per cent of new permanent residents were already living in Canada, and didn’t need housing.

In 2022 that share plunged to 42 per cent. Tal said officially the net increase in new immigrants in 2022 compared to the year before was 31,000 or 7.6 per cent. But because more of the immigrants came from outside of Canada the actual net growth in housing demand was 131,700 or 108 per cent.

“Statistics Canada’s population forecast has underestimated NPRs over many years and by no less than 100,000 in 2022,” he said.

The number of non-permanent residents coming into the country has swelled after COVID travel restrictions were lifted due to student visas, work permits and the Canada-

Vancouver home sales to flatten while prices inch up, forecast says

Home sales in Greater Vancouver are predicted to stay in line with last year’s slower pace, while prices inch up slightly.

The forecasts are contained in the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s outlook for 2023 released Tuesday.

Historically, the report says rapidly escalating mortgage rates haven’t had as big a negative affect on prices as they have had on sales in Metro Vancouver.

It predicts 28,500 home sales in 2023, a 2.6 per cent decrease from last year. While the current downturn has resulted in a price decline of about 10 per cent, the forecast says steady population growth in Metro Vancouver will underpin prices and maintain or even increase values.

It says the average home price this year for apartments, attached and detached homes is expected to climb slightly to $1.2 million, a 1.4 per cent increase.

However, the report says the risks to its predictions are an economic recession and even higher mortgage rates.

“The precise impact of a recession on the Metro Vancouver real estate market is difficult to predict since it largely hinges on the severity of the recession and the Bank of Canada’s policy response,” the report says.

Toronto, Vancouver homeowners have best loan-to-value ratios: Re/Max

Ottawa’s ambitious target to substantially lift the number of new immigrants has raised concerns about whether Canada has enough housing to accommodate them.

The housing shortage in this country is well known and governments on all levels have released plans to bolster the supply.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimated in June that an additional 3.5 million housing units needed to be built by 2030 to achieve affordable housing for everyone living in Canada. That’s on top of the 2.3 million units it expected to be built by that time at current rates of construction.

“Canada’s approach to housing supply needs to be rethought and done differently,” CMHC deputy chief economist Aled ab Iorwerth said in the report.

“There must be a drastic transformation of the housing sector, including government policies and processes, and an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ approach to increasing the supply of housing to meet demand.”

CIBC deputy chief economist Benjamin Tal suggests in a recent report that Canada’s actual increase in housing demand is far higher than official estimates.

Ottawa is aiming to increase the number of new immigrants by 75 per cent over prepandemic levels by 2025. But saying 465,000 new immigrants in 2023 does not mean net population growth due to immigration and thus demand for housing will rise by 465,000, he said. Tal argues that it’s not the number of new immigrants that should be used to calculate housing demand, but the number of new people coming into the country from abroad. And these numbers, he says, have been vastly underestimated. Amid the pandemic in 2021, about 70 per cent of new permanent residents were already living in Canada, and didn’t need housing.

In 2022 that share plunged to 42 per cent. Tal said officially the net increase in new immigrants in 2022 compared to the year before was 31,000 or 7.6 per cent. But because more of the immigrants came from outside of Canada the actual net growth in housing demand was 131,700 or 108 per cent.

Alsowhilethefocushasbeenonnewimmigrants, non-permanent residents (NPRs) represent a larger share of new arrivals, said the economist.

“Statistics Canada’s population forecast has underestimated NPRs over many years and by no less than 100,000 in 2022,” he said.

Thenumberofnon-permanentresidentscoming into the country has swelled after COVID travel restrictions were lifted due to student visas, work for Emergency Travel program. The CUAET provides eligible Ukrainians with temporary residency and an open work visa for three years.

Home owners with variable rate mortgages have been taking a hit over the past year with the Bank of Canada increasing its key overnight lending rate eight straight times.

Last week the Bank of Canada increased its rate 25 basis points to 4.5 per cent, with the major banks following suit.

“Not too long ago we were talking about how many people were only $200 away from a serious financial hit in their family and with interest rates rising the way they have, we’ve seen people’s payments jump by $200 or $300 a month in some cases,” said Aaron