The Asian Star February 24 2018

Vol 17 - Issue 4

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Atwal fiasco derails Trudeau’s India trip Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flatly denied Friday ever raising the spectre of Quebec separatism in a meeting with state leaders in India, and promised a “conversation” with the Liberal MP who has claimed responsibility for inviting a failed assassin to a pair of highlevel receptions. That said, his ongoing trip to India has been and continues to be “excellent,” Trudeau insisted as he did his level best to tamp down persistent talk of an exercise in international relations that has gone utterly off the rails. His first question, in French, was about

Save some dough on naan.

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10 things to know about the BC budget

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he NDP has delivered a balanced budget for 2018, while committing to significant spending to meet a number of campaign promises centred around “making life more affordable in B.C.” NDP government introduces new speculation tax, eliminates MSP premiums in its 1st budget “Budget 2018 lifts people up,” said Finance Minister Carole James in her address to the legislature. Here are 10 initiatives from the NDP’s first full budget that stand out. 1. Speculation tax This new, annual property tax will apply to foreign and domestic homeowners who do not pay income tax in B.C., including those who leave their properties vacant.

The new tax will initially apply to homes in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and capital regional districts in Victoria and Nanaimo, Kelowna and West Kelowna. In 2018, the tax rate will be 0.5 Save some green on veggies. per cent of assessed value. In 2019, it will rise to Save moola on mooli.

2.0 per cent of assessed value And hundreds of other new items.

2. Enhanced foreign buyers tax: Effective Now in our Delta Supercentre, Wednesday, the government will increase the 7155 120 St. and Surrey West foreign buyers tax from 15 per cent to 20 per cent.

Supercentre, 12541 88 Ave. While it’s currently only in Metro Vancouver, Where everyone saves on apne faves. media reports based on a summary from the Punjab government of a it will be extended to the Fraser Valley, the capital meeting Wednesday with Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. It regional districts in Victoria and Nanaimo and said Trudeau cited “the separatist movement in Quebec” in saying “he had dealt with such threats all his life and was fully aware of the dangers of violence, which he had the Central Okanagan Regional Districts. “We think that foreign buyers should contribute more enjoy in our province,” said always pushed back with all his might.” “The reports are false; I said nothing of the sort,” Trudeau for the high quality of life they James. 3. Student housing The budget allocates $450 told the news conference. housing program that will “On the contrary, I have always said I’m very proud of the lessons Canada and Quebec million to a new student institutions to borrow have to share on allow public post-secondary student housing projects differences of from government to finance allowed in B.C. The idea is opinion shared — something not previously campuses to free up spaces in peaceful ways to get more students housed on NDP says it is making a and pluralism elsewhere. 4. Child care The in child care in the province. and diversity that “historic” $1 billion investment benefit worth $1,250 per is positive for It will create a new child-care September.

James says our community.” month, per child starting in families in the province, From there, the it will apply to up to 86,000 questions turned while the existing child-care subsidy only went to 26,000 families. The government is also reducing fees, to the saga of child-care 22,000 Jaspal Atwal, the adding child-care convicted failed new assassin who was spaces and creating invited to a pair p r o g r a m m i n g of receptions with to help support who the prime minister providers and was even want to become Also p h o t o g r a p h e d licensed. with Sophie starting on April Gregoire Trudeau 1, parents with Save some annas on bananas.

-- a fiasco for children in licensed Save some bread on chawal. which Liberal care will be eligible And hundreds of other new items. b a c k b e n c h e r to receive between Now in our Delta Supercentre, Randeep Sarai $60 and $350 7155 120 St. and Surrey West has accepted full per month in fee Supercentre, 12541 88 Ave. r e s p o n s i b i l i t y. reductions.

Where everyone saves on apne faves.

5.

MSP “The situation was p r e m i u m s Continued on page 9 eliminated The budget will eliminate Medical Save dimes on limes.

Service Plan Save some loot on fruit.

Following his Mumbai visit, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has landed in Amritsar.

And hundreds of other new items. premiums on Jan. He was received by Hardeep Singh Puri and Navjot Singh Sidhu at the airport. Preparations by Now in our Delta Supercentre, 1 2020. As part the Punjab government were on in full swing for this visit. Mr Trudeau is scheduled to pay 7155 120 St. and Surrey West of eliminating the obeisance at the Golden Temple along with his family. A thick security blanket has been put in Supercentre, 12541 88 Ave. premiums, the Where everyone saves on apne faves. place in and around the Golden Temple. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met Justin Continued on page 10 Trudeau in Amritsar for a one-on-one meeting.

Save some green on veggies.

Trudeau meets Punjab Chief Minister at Amritsar

Save some moola on mooli.

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Saturday, February 24, 2018

A

fter the embarrassing revelation that a convicted attempted murderer with links to a Sikh terrorist group was invited to dine with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his official visit to India, the Liberal government has been quick to describe the incident as a mistake caused by a backbencher. “Obviously we take this situation extremely seriously. The individual in question never should have received an invitation and, as soon as we found out, we rescinded the invitation immediately,” Trudeau told reporters in India. “The member of Parliament who included this individual has, and will, assume full responsibility for his actions.” But Jaspal Atwal, who was photographed with SophieGrégoire Trudeau and Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi at an event in Mumbai on Tuesday, already had something of a history of inserting himself into Canadian Liberal politics before he was invited to the event on Thursday

by MP Randeep Sarai. Here’s what we know about Atwal, including his criminal history and his ties to federal and provincial politics.

Jaspal Atwal’s history with the Liberals

Atwal was once a member of the International Sikh Youth Federation, an extremist group aiming to establish an independent Khalistan that was banned in Canada as a terrorist group in 2003. He was one of four men who shot and wounded an Indian cabinet minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986, and was convicted of attempted murder for his part in the attack. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but the Toronto Sun reports that he didn’t serve jail time “because CSIS was found to have obtained evidence through an improperly obtained warrant.” Atwal was also charged with a 1985 attack on former B.C. premier and Liberal MP Ujjal Dosanjh, a vocal opponent of the Sikh separatist movement, but was later acquitted.

More recently, in 2010, Atwal was found to have been part of an automobile fraud ring that cheated the Insurance Corporation of B.C. by falsely reporting vehicles as stolen, changing their identification numbers and re-selling

them. Atwal was a car salesman at the time and helped convert of one of the stolen vehicles, a judge found. He lost an appeal in 2012.

This isn’t the first time Atwal has caused embarrassing headlines for Canadian politicians. In 2012, Atwal was invited to watch the budget speech in the B.C. legislature, leading to the resignation of a Liberal official and a review of the invitation process after he was noticed in the gallery. At the time, former premier Christy Clark claimed she’d been unaware of Atwal’s background. At the time, Atwal had a position on a federal Liberal riding association executive in Surrey, the Vancouver Sun reported, which he’d held since at least March 2011. Atwal has made other attempts to insert himself into federal and provincial politics. Aside from this week’s photos with Grégoire-Trudeau and Sohi, older photos have surfaced of Atwal posing with prominent Canadian politicians, though dates and

locations are not always clear. Photos shared on social media show Atwal with Trudeau at a Liberal Party event in Vancouver in May 2015, as well as with Public Services Minister Carla Qualtrough, Ignatieff and Brampton Liberal MP Sonia Sidhu. An older photo shows Atwal with a long-haired Trudeau, presumably taken before he was elected Liberal leader.

This photo was taken at a Liberal Party of Canada roundtable event with Metro Vancouver South Asian media, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on May 28, 2015.

Sarai has taken responsibility for putting Atwal on the guest list for Thursday’s dinner, to be hosted by Canadian high commissioner Nadir Patel. In a statement, Sarai said he acted alone and “should have exercised better judgment.” Reports from Indian media say the Indian government is looking into how Atwal obtained a visa for the trip.

In text messages, Atwal told the Sun that he travelled to Mumbai on business for Media Waves, a Surrey online radio station. The prime minister’s office has said he is not part of the official delegation.

Officials correct Trudeau’s bogus $1B trade deal claim

Where is car insurance headed if the system doesn’t change?

C o s t of f u l l i n s u r a n ce

By 2019, B.C. drivers could pay an average of $400 more for insurance.

A big part of this is the increasing cost of car repairs and minor injury claims (for things like aches and strains), which have reached record levels. Put simply, premiums aren’t enough to cover the cost of payouts.

Learn more about what we’re doing to change the system, at ICBC.com/change

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “misspoke” when he claimed his trip to India netted $1 billion in trade deals for Canada, officials said Wednesday. Officials from the Prime Minister’s Office corrected the statement, explaining how Canada will be on the short end of the trade deal: India will invest $250 into Canada while Canadian businesses will spend $750 million on financial ventures in India.

Toronto’s Brookfield Asset Management is accounting for $480 million of the Canadian portion, buying office space in Mumbai India. Brookfield’s media relations department did not respond to numerous queries from The Daily Caller regarding the anticipated purpose of the office space. The other major Canadian investor is Fairfax India Holdings Corp., which is spending $200 million for a majority share in the Catholic Syrian Bank in Kerala, India. In return, Valiant Communiations has promised begin operations in Canada, Clarion Pharmaceutical committed to producing naturopathic health products and Vision Controls will expand to Ontario.

Trudeau was nonetheless upbeat about the possibilities, claiming, “This was really a win-win morning, a win-win day for all of us and I’m excited for the opportunities in the Canada-India friendship,” Trudeau told Chanda Kochhar, CEO of the Industrial Credit and Investment Corp. of India.

The prime minister’s trip has been fraught with controversy. Upon arrival, Trudeau was not met by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who sent a minor cabinet official in his place.

www.theasianstar.com Vol 17 - Issue 4

Quebec’s court upholds kirpan ban at provincial legislature

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uebec’s top court has upheld the right of the national assembly to prohibit people from entering with a kirpan.

Two members of the World Sikh Organization of Canada were challenging a unanimous motion adopted in the national assembly in February 2011. The motion stated that security personnel had the right to refuse entry to anyone who did not

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Family of murder victim still praying for answers, one year later The family of a young man killed into the world for an extremely exactly one year ago in Abbotsford short period of time, yet manage to leave behind the is appealing to the public for more information related to his death. greatest impact — Satkar can Satkar Sidhu, 23, died after be described as one of these people,” the family wrote. being shot multiple times in the 30500 block of Steelhead Court “We hope this public in Abbotsford on Feb. 20, 2017. statement will help bring At the time, three men Satkar Sidhu, 23 him, and our family, the justice he deserves.” suspected of fleeing the scene were Sidhu did not have a criminal record taken into custody but later released.

In a statement, his family says despite but police said he was known to them.

The Integrated Homicide the fact that a year has passed, it is still “praying for answers” and grappling with Investigation Team (IHIT) believes the “horrible” circumstances of his death. his death was linked to other gang They describe Sidhu as driven, passionate violence in the Lower Mainland.

Anyone with any information is asked and as someone who had the “kindest heart.”

“There are very few people who come to contact IHIT or Crime Stoppers.

Canadian gov’t was tipped off about Atwal in advance

want to remove the religious symbol.

Balpreet Singh and Harminder Kaur did not want to part with their kirpans as they headed into a legislature hearing to submit a brief in January 2011.

Originally, they argued the motion was unconstitutional but then changed their position to say it was legal but non-binding. But Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Patrick Healy rejected their arguments in a decision Monday as he upheld a lower-court ruling that said the national assembly has the right to establish its own rules in accordance with parliamentary privilege. Superior Court Justice Pierre Journet affirmed the authority of the legislature to “exclude kirpans from its precincts as an assertion of parliamentary privilege over the exclusion of strangers.”

Continued on page 7

Canada’s spy agency was provided information by invitation to attend a dinner with the Trudeaus a concerned citizen last at the Canadian week about the optics of High Commission convicted gunman Jaspal in New Delhi on Atwal attending events Thursday night. But with the prime minister that was rescinded in India.The tipster, who after media reports asked not to be identified of Atwal’s history. The for fear of retaliation, outcome embarrassed confirmed speaking to an Trudeau, who had agent from the Canadian taken efforts in India Security Intelligence to insist Canada Service on Feb. 17, hoping is not soft on Sikh to alert the Canadian separatism and Atwal with PM Trudeau’s wife Sophie government to Atwal’s believes in a united criminal history. The person said to the CSIS agent India.

The Surrey man was convicted of that “this is an embarrassment for the prime minister attempted murder for the 1986 shooting of a and (CSIS) should send a note to the prime minister’s visiting Punjabi cabinet minister on Vancouver office. And they sent a note.” A separate source said that Island. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. some members of the Punjabi-language media in Surrey His target, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, survived the sent news reports about Atwal’s history to the Canadian B.C. attack but was later assassinated in India.

High Commission in New Delhi on Feb. 20. The source Atwal was charged and acquitted in the vicious said it was widely known that Atwal, a former member beating of Ujjal Dosanjh, later a B.C. premier, of the terrorist International Sikh Youth Federation, was in Vancouver in February 1985. After the going to India to attend some of the events with Prime controversy erupted Wednesday, Surrey Centre Minister Justin Trudeau and the Canadian delegation.

MP Randeep Sarai issued a statement saying he Despite the warnings, Atwal attended a reception on “alone” was responsible for getting Atwal access Feb. 21 in Mumbai where he was photographed with to the events in India. “I should have exercised Trudeau’s wife Sophie Gregoire and Infrastructure better judgment, and I take full responsibility for Minister Amarjeet Sohi. Atwal also received a formal my actions,” Sarai said.

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OPINION

By Raymond Wong

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Youth pay the price for British Columbia’s real estate crisis

Resorts need young people. They are needed to tend bar and wait tables. They are needed to landscape and to provide strength for labour work. They are needed to fix computers, check in hotel guests and to guide visitors throughout the property. At times, they are allowed to sell real estate, but most often are not able to buy real estate themselves.

Sound familiar? British Columbia is at a crossroads. Are we a resort province? The path we’ve taken over the past 10 years would suggest that’s the goal. From Parksville to Prince George to Penticton to Port Moody to Powell River, young people are faced with an uncertain housing situation primarily a result of the heavy influence of outside money in the Lower Mainland real estate market. Notice I didn’t say foreign or overseas, I said outside. If you analyze the census data, it becomes incredibly clear that a large portion of the money being used to purchase real estate in Vancouver has not been earned in Vancouver.

We are told that outside buyers are a small but significant portion of the purchases in the market. But these statistics don’t include

properties where the beneficial ownership is transferred via a bare trust after being purchased by a numbered company. They don’t include homes purchased by money laundered through casinos or banking channels and then transferred to local citizens. Quite simply, these statistics are inaccurate and incredibly misleading. But now we have a new NDP minority government, supported by the BC Greens. Both ran on platforms that stated the goal was to make life more affordable for the average citizen, with a particular focus on fixing our out of control housing market.

What we have received since the NDP took control in Victoria on July 18, 2017, has been inaction, and smoke and mirrors. While the housing crisis gets worse every day, we hear Premier John Horgan speaking in front of real estate developers and taking a cue straight from his predecessor, Christy Clark, talking about protecting “earned equity.” We hear the Housing Minister Selina Robinson answer a question about foreign-buyer numbers: “You know, I haven’t thought about that.” And we hear Finance Minister Carole James stand up in the legislature and talk about a “comprehensive

housing strategy” coming in February. Why the wait? Every day, someone in British Columbia is faced with a rental increase that has the potential to force them into homelessness.

Every day, a hard-working person with an above-average income is faced with a decision on how far they will have to commute to work every day if they want to purchase a property.

And every day, a couple is forced to put their goal of having a family on hold, waiting for some kind of government action that will increase the affordability of the primary expense in everyone’s life, their home.

Raymond Wong is a member of HALT – Housing Action for Local Taxpayers.

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Letter to the Editor

Pay It Back Campaign Dear Editor, On December 20, 2017, for the first time in Canadian history, a sitting Prime Minister was found guilty of breaking federal ethics law.

That’s inexcusable. Yet it does not stop there -Canadians have been stuck with the $200,000 bill Justin Trudeau spent in order to illegally travel. No one begrudges the Prime Minister the usual security costs when he travels for official business. But Justin Trudeau needs to respect the tax dollars he relies on. Sadly, he did not – in fact, he showed Canadians that he is even willing to spend their tax dollars on illegal trips. All this at a time when Canadians are paying even more for his spending choices while the Liberal government continues to raise their taxes. Canada’s Conservatives have always been the voice of the taxpayer. That’s why we’re demanding Justin Trudeau pay it back: Canadians deserve to have the $200,000 used to fund this illegal travel returned to them. They deserve no less.

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LOCAL

Saturday, February 24, 2018

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From page 1

Vancouver Film School announces new Mumbai campus Vancouver Film School announced this week that they will be opening a new campus in Mumbai, India.

The new campus, which is scheduled to open in July of this year, will be housed at the Mackichan complex of Wilson College in Mumbai, the most populous city in India.

Students who attend the new program will also have the option of transferring to the Vancouver campus upon the successful completion of the VFS Mumbai offerings, allowing them to bring their new skills to a city with connections in both the Hollywood and Bollywood film industries.

This will only serve to grow the relationship between Vancouver and India’s film and television sector. The announcement follows September’s news that Mumbai-based entertainment company Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. would be setting up a production company in Vancouver, becoming the first Indian broadcaster to do so in Canada.

VFS will be working in partnership with Digital India, a campaign launched by India’s government to improve online infrastructure and increase digital literacy in the country.

“To have VFS now in India is going to be a game changer for both the local economy and the global industry at large,” said Ashish Kulkarni of Digital India. “Everyone here is very excited about the possibilities.”

The announcement came as part of Justin Trudeau’s visit to India, as VFS and Digital

Alberta suspends ban on BC wine after Horgan seeks court ruling on bitumen Premier John Horgan, Thursday, stepped back from the brink of an all out trade war with Alberta by promising to let the courts settle jurisdictional questions about a proposal to ban expanded bitumen shipments through the province.

Horgan declared the measure wasn’t about backing down, but about trying to take politics out of the process on an issue that drew an explosive reaction from Alberta Premier Rachel Notley with her boycott on B.C. wine and the threat of escalating sanctions if the province didn’t drop the proposal. “This is intended to have cooler heads prevail,” Horgan said. “We believe the rule of law is important in this country. We believe the rule of law is paramount to the people of British Columbia.”

B.C.’s proposed regulations were viewed by Alberta as a threat to Kinder Morgan’s $7.4 billion Trans Mountain Expansion project, which would cost the province thousands of jobs and $1.5 billion per year in revenue to its treasury alone. Notley, however, interpreted Horgan’s move differently, and decided that it was enough to suspend the B.C. wine boycott and re-start talks on electricity trade with B.C. “In shelving (the proposed bitumen ban), and asking the courts to give it a right that it does not have, B.C. is stepping back from the brink and abiding by the law,” Notley said during a media conference in Edmonton.

www.theasianstar.com

India members met with Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and others in the prime minister’s delegation at Taj Majal Palace Hotel.

“VFS India initiative comes at a time when India is poised to create its own media and entertainment global brands,” said VFS cofounder James Griffin. “The access to worldclass education in the space of film, animation, VFX, gaming, VR, performance capture and sound design will help create new bench marks for India’s future talent.”

In addition to the new campus, Vancouver Film School has announced a scholarship competition for all students across India in the fields of film production, 3D animation and VFX, game design and digital design. A total of 36 scholarships will be made available to student applicants, including one specifically for women

Quebec’s court upholds kirpan ban at provincial legislature In his decision, Healy referred to a Supreme Court ruling that said a provincial legislature could invoke the privilege to exclude strangers to prevent journalists from filming in the precincts of the assembly. You might be interested in The Canadian women’s hockey team will take on the U.S. in Wednesday’s final starting at 11:10 p.m. ET. It’s Canada and the United States for women’s hockey gold The reality that Toronto’s mass transit system is out of date was illustrated by huge delays at peak times from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2. Toronto’s latest sign of decline: senior civic servants leaving in drove Josh Donaldson, a season away from free agency, has been watching as teams balk at long-term deals. Blue Jays make an offer Donaldson could refuse “The Supreme Court confirmed that these general principles formed part of Canadian constitutional

law and held specifically that the privilege to exclude strangers is entrenched in the Canadian Constitution,” Healy wrote on behalf of a three-member panel. “I make no comment whether the assembly’s exercise of the privilege to exclude the kirpan is a wise decision. “I say only that it is a legal exercise of this category of privilege. If the appellants wish to challenge it, the proper forum is the assembly itself.”

On Tuesday, Singh said an appeal is being considered. “We haven’t reached a decision,” he said in an interview. “Obviously, the judgment just came out yesterday (Monday) and we received it late in the day yesterday, so we’re still reviewing it. “But an appeal is certainly one of our options and we’re considering it very seriously.” Julius Grey, one of the lawyers who represented the plaintiffs, also said he is not ruling out an appeal with the Supreme Court.

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LOCAL

Saturday, February 24, 2018

$153 million in federal cash to fund child care and education training in BC Help is on the way for cash-strapped British Columbia parents struggling with expensive daycare fees and long waiting lists, say federal and provincial politicians after signing a bilateral child care agreement Friday. The federal government’s investment of $153 million was announced in B.C.’s budget this week and is part of the province’s three-year plan to make child care more affordable as it works toward establishing a universal system.

“We all know that child care is expensive and hard to find, and for too long it’s been left to get worse,” said Katrine Conroy, B.C.’s children’s minister, speaking in a Vancouver family centre while toddlers squealed and played. “That’s left too many parents feeling squeezed because they can’t afford to take time off and they can’t afford the child care.”

The agreement will create 1,370 new infant and toddler spaces, help care providers administer low-cost programs and apply new funding streams to train early childhood educators over three years. It will also expand child care for Indigenous children and kids with special needs. Jonathan Wilkinson, the member of Parliament for North Vancouver, said the investment is similar to what the federal government has committed to other provinces as part of its $7.5 billion child care investment over the next 11 years. But he noted B.C. has unique challenges. “Just like in the rest of Canada, raising a child in British Columbia can be very costly, and perhaps here in the Lower Mainland and in many other parts of British Columbia more costly than many other parts of the country,” he said.

Vancouver releases heat map showing clusters of undeclared properties The City of Vancouver released a heat map Thursday showing the distribution of residential properties where owners haven’t yet made a declaration to avoid its new empty-homes tax, and the highest concentration is in condo-rich Yaletown.

The city says about 182,000 residential property owners — about 98 per cent — have submitted their declarations but another 4,000 still haven’t. Most of the undeclared properties are in the downtown core and the highest concentrations are in Yaletown, Coal Harbour and the West End. Homeowners in the three condo-dense neighbourhoods who have not declared occupancy risk paying a one per cent tax on their properties’ assessed values. Assessed values of residential strata units — such as condos — in Metro Vancouver skyrocketed this year by five to 35 per cent.

Residential property owners had until Feb. 2 to declare occupancy, however, the city extended the deadline to March 5 in order to give the 4,000 who had not declared a chance to avoid penalties and fines. The empty-homes tax, a nationwide-first, was approved by councillors in 2016 as a tool to spur owners to rent out their empty homes. Any property owner that fails to declare by March 5 is subject to the tax plus a $250 fee. Declarations will be subject to an audit process and false declarations could result in fines of up to $10,000 per day, according to the city.

“With a near-zero vacancy rate in Vancouver, our key goal is to shift empty or under-used housing into the rental market.

The city has done extensive advertising and notifications about the Empty Homes Tax for more than a year — all homeowners should know that they have to file a declaration, or their homes will be considered empty by default,” Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a news release.

Andy Yan, director of Simon Fraser University’s City Program, who has been researching the distribution of empty homes in Vancouver, said the city’s heat map matches well with a map he generated from city data identifying private dwellings not occupied by usual residents. It also matches closely with a map of population density he prepared based on 2016 census data.

But Yan questions whether the city will have any luck collecting declarations from the 4,000 property owners represented in its heat map.

He believes some owners may not understand the implications of non-filing, have political motive to not respond as a form of protest or simply may not have received notices because the homes are, in fact, unoccupied.

“Are these people even home? Is there even somebody to receive the notice: ‘Are you an empty home?’” he said.

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Snow storm wallops Metro Vancouver Snowfall warning in effect all across region; all schools closed in Sunshine Coast district. City crews are preparing for ice, snow and cold temperatures with snow in the forecast for much of the South Coast.

Flurries started in Metro Vancouver, Whistler and the Fraser Valley, as well as on the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island, shortly before 9 a.m.

Snowfall warnings are in effect for: Metro Vancouver, Howe Sound (Sea to Sky), Sunshine Coast, Fraser Valley Environment Canada said the snow will affect road conditions and is likely to impact rush-hour commutes. Snowfall amounts will vary, with up to 20 centimetres expected at higher elevations. Vancouver International Airport also issued an advisory in anticipation of the snow, reminding passengers to check for updated flight information before leaving home and to allow for extra travel time.

School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast) said all public schools in the area would be closed Friday. Several school districts are already closed Friday for Pro-D days, including: Abbotsford Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Delta, LangleyNew Westminster, North Vancouver, Richmond The City of Vancouver says crews have

been brining and salting many streets all week in preparation for the weather weather.

“We also pull crews from other departments, such as water and sewer construction crews, to help support salting and snow removal and sidewalks and bus stops,” the city’s director of streets, Taryn Scollard, said in a statement. Vancouver has added to its equipment for dealing with snow since last year, the statement read, with additional snow plow-equipped dump trucks and garbage trucks able to navigate snowy lanes. The city said warming shelters at Britannia, West End and Carnegie community centres will remain open through the weekend. In Surrey, all of the city’s 62 snow plows and trucks are on the road in anticipation of the snow. The City of Burnaby said it also had crews out overnight.

“We hit the whole city,” said Ray Kerr, Surrey’s engineering manager.

Atwal fiasco derails Trudeau’s India trip From page 1 was unacceptable; this individual never During Friday’s telephone briefing, the official should have been invited,” he said. “The MP said Atwal has, since his conviction, been on responsible has taken responsibility, and I a list of people banned by India from getting a will be having a conversation with that MP visa to visit the country because of their ties to in Canada next week.” Atwal was convicted Sikh separatist and extremist groups but that in the 1980s of attempting to kill an Indian he was suddenly removed from that blacklist cabinet minister who was travelling in last summer -- long before Trudeau’s trip was Canada. planned.

Earlier Friday, in a telephone briefing Canada played no part in getting Atwal arranged by the Prime Minister’s Office, a off the blacklist or getting him a visa to visit government official suggested that Atwal’s India, said the official. Nor was he ever part of presence was linked to factions within the the official delegation.

Indian government who refuse to believe The official said Atwal poses no security risk there is no risk posed to a united India by Sikh and no longer has any known ties to extremist separatists living abroad. causes. His invitation was withdrawn, The official, who spoke on condition of however, because of the diplomatic nightmare anonymity in accordance with what has it posed to Trudeau, who has spent much become standard practice for such briefings, of this trip trying to assure the Indian says those factions are trying to prevent Prime government that Canada does not support Minister Narendra Modi’s government from Sikh separatism and will do whatever it can getting too cosy with foreign governments to rout out extremist elements if there is any they believe want to undermine a united evidence they exist. The official said it was India. Despite all of that, however, Trudeau “very interesting” to Canada that, after days of was sticking to his message-track guns. “This Trudeau and other cabinet ministers insisting has been an excellent trip that has been an the Canadian government supports a united opportunity to deepen people-to-people ties, India, this issue suddenly blew up. Many highlight the deep friendship on political, incorrect facts were fed to various media cultural and business levels between India outlets to push the story, the official said. and Canada,” he said in response to a pointed The tip to some media that the RCMP in question about Atwal.

Surrey, B.C., knew about Atwal’s invitation “This is something that we’re continuing before the trip started and warned the Prime to work on, obviously the business Minister’s Office is completely false, he said. announcements we made of $1 billion in The first anyone in the Canadian government back-and-forth investments, of close to heard about it was from intelligence sources 6,000 jobs created in Canada has been the the morning after the Mumbai reception, he focus of this week for us.” Conservative added.

Leader Andrew Scheer issued a statement He said if the Surrey RCMP had received seizing on the turmoil and painting the such a tip it would not have gone to the PMO Liberals as lightweights on serious matters but rather to RCMP headquarters, who would of international trade. “Instead of working have dealt with the investigation. with his Indian counterparts to secure vital The official said Atwal has close ties to some market access for our Canadian farmers, Indian diplomats in Vancouver, which may be manufacturers and small businesses, the the route he used to get off the blacklist, but prime minister prioritized photo-ops and used said it is for the Indian government to explain taxpayer dollars to fly a celebrity chef halfway how that happened. around the world to serve his Liberal friends.”

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LOCAL Schools close, traffic slows as snow hits Metro Vancouver

Traffic in Richmond was inching along in the snow Friday morning. See story on page 9

Saturday, February 24, 2018 From page 1

10 things to know about the BC budget

province will put in place a new payroll tax for employers starting on Jan. 1, 2019.

Businesses with a payroll of more than $1.5 million will pay a tax of 1.95 per cent on their total payroll. Businesses with a payroll between $500,000 and $1.5 million will pay a reduced rate. Those under $500,000 will not pay at all.

“We believe this is a fair process,” said James.

“We believe this is manageable.”

Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland have similar taxes. Ontario’s rate is 1.95 per cent while the others are higher.

6. PST luxury surtax on passenger vehicles worth more than $125,000 If you drive a really expensive car, you are going to pay more for it starting April 1. The new tax rates will apply to new and used vehicles.

The tax on passengers vehicles with a purchase price between $125,000 and $149,000 is being increased to 15 per cent from 10 per cent. Vehicles with a purchase price of $150,000 and above will be taxed at 20 per cent up from 10 per cent. 7. BC Ferries fare freeze The

province says it will freeze fares on three major routes, linking Nanaimo and Victoria to the mainland. It will also roll back fares on small routes by 15 per cent and restore the Monday to Thursday fare discount rate for seniors.8.

Indigenous languages Finance Minister Carole James says Indigenous languages in the province are under threat and points out B.C. is home to 60 per cent of First Nations languages in Canada.

To support their preservation and revitalization, the budget includes $50 million in this fiscal year for programs 9. Health care The province says it will spend more than $1.5 billion in health-care-related spending.

Initiatives include improved care for seniors, such as increased hours of residential care and money to help residents find a family doctor.

10. Wildfires The government says it is also accounting for unpredictable costs due to the impacts of climate change. Specifically, it says it will set aside $72 million for wildfire recovery and resiliency activities.

Two women in custody in Victoria after separate alleged assaults on police The Victoria Police Department says two of its officers were assaulted in separate incidents.

One officer required hospital treatment after intervening in a struggle in downtown Victoria early Friday morning. Police say a young woman involved in the struggle allegedly attacked the officer and was taken into custody as other constables arrived to break up the fight and arrest the other combatants.

A news release from the department doesn’t

describe the injuries but says charges of assaulting a police officer and assault causing bodily harm are being recommended against the woman.

Only a few hours earlier and just blocks away, police say two officers approached a young woman who was camping illegally and offered her a ride to a legal campsite but she was aggressive toward both officers, allegedly assaulting one.

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Saturday, February 24, 2018

BC housing taxes could put recent buyers underwater on mortgages British Columbians who bought homes last year in an attempt to borrow before a federal tightening of mortgage rules could be most at risk if the NDP government’s new housing taxes leads to a drop in prices.

Finance Minister Carole James reiterated Thursday her desire to “moderate” B.C.’s housing market with a new speculation tax unveiled this week, as well as an expanded foreign buyer tax, and a tax hike on home sales and school taxes for properties worth more than $3 million. James has said her intent is to try to lower the price of housing. If

successful, it could mean some recent buyers would find themselves holding mortgages for which they owe more money than they could recoup by selling their properties.

“The most worrisome is the people who bought in the last year,” said a University of B.C. professor and economist, Tom Davidoff. “If you bought three years ago, it doesn’t matter because prices have gone so high it’s very unlikely you’d go ‘underwater’.

But if you bought in the last year you are at risk. And that year is the most worrisome.”

Continued on page 12

Liberals write off $200 million in outstanding student loans The federal government is writing off more than $200 million in outstanding student loan payments that officials will never be able to collect.

Recently released spending documents show the government won’t collect $203.5 million in debts from 34,240 students. It is the third time in the last four years that the government has had to write off outstanding student loans even as officials make concerted efforts to round up more money from borrowers.

The government annually has to write off some of the $19 billion owing in student loans for a number of reasons: a debtor may file for bankruptcy, the debt itself passes a six-year legal limit on collection, or the debtor can’t be found. The Liberals have looked to make it easier for graduates to pay off their loans – and the government to collect the cash – by increasing the minimum annual income they have to make before they are required to make

debt payments. The limit is now set at $25,000.

The most recent annual report on the Canada Student Loans Program said that in the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the government provided 489,000 full-time students with $2.7 billion in loans and a further $20.9 million in loans to 12,100 part-time students.

Borrowers typically take between nine and 15 years to fully pay off their loan and the period usually overlaps with when Canadians are most likely to start a family. The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations called on the government late last month to also give new parents a break from student loan payments when they are on parental leave, even if they are receiving employment insurance benefits.

Student groups have also asked the Liberals to make higher education more affordable, including requests to provide more financial help to Indigenous students.

BC’s system to catch money laundering early is ‘woefully deficient,’ attorney general says B.C.’s attorney general says the province’s system to catch money laundering in its early stages is “woefully deficient” because officials turned a “blind eye” to suspicious activity for too long. David Eby said that means schemes aren’t flagged until it’s too late.

His comments come after The Globe and Mail published an investigation alleging that drug traffickers are using B.C. real estate to clean their dirty drug money. B.C. to investigate how fentanyl dealers’ money is allegedly laundered through real estate The report alleged that dealers loan their cash at illegally high interest rates to wealthy Chinese newcomers, who put up Canadian property as collateral. When the borrowers repay the loan, or when the property is sold, the alleged drug dealers are repaid in clean money — dirty cash in, clean cash out.

The Globe also noted that the problem is

likely widespread, as alleged laundering schemes only leave an accessible paper trail when they go wrong and end up in court. Eby said B.C. doesn’t have adequate infrastructure to catch the schemes before that point.

“The infrastructure for detecting, preventing and prosecuting money laundering is woefully deficient,” he said.

“Where I lack confidence is our ability to detect this activity sufficiently early and to bring it forward until it’s far too late, when people have made hundreds of millions of dollars and there’s been lives destroyed — and obviously the link to fentanyl here is incredibly troubling.” Using money laundering in B.C.’s casinos as an example, the attorney general said the detection problem stems from officials turning their backs for too long.

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Saturday, February 24, 2018 From page 11

Taxes could put recent buyers underwater

Underwater is a term meaning the mortgage owing on the home is higher than its market value. Some of those buyers rushed to secure mortgages for more money than they’d otherwise be allowed to borrow under stiffer interest rate stress test rules that Ottawa introduced on Jan. 1. Those owners are particularly vulnerable to both interest rate increases and a decline in housing prices, said Davidoff. It’s unclear how many mortgages in B.C. would be underwater if housing prices dropped. The most recent statistics were calculated by the Bank of Canada in 2016. That suggested a 15 per cent drop in housing prices would put one in eight mortgages in Greater Vancouver underwater, and a 25 per cent drop would put one in four mortgages underwater. The bank said Thursday those remain its most current calculations. The B.C. Ministry of Finance could not provide statistics. “If there are people underwater, as long as your payments happen, it doesn’t matter,” said Davidoff. “Where it matters is when people can’t make payments … and then people start walking away. When people start walking away from their properties, that’s where you get the vicious cycle.” B.C. is still a long way off from such a scenario. And it’s an unlikely outcome of a market correction anyway, said Troy Resvick, president of the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association,

British Columbia. “If there is a decrease in values, for the existing owner I don’t think it’ll make a difference,” he said. “They’re not going to run away from their home because the price dropped by 10 per cent. They still have the utility of needing a place to live.”

There also remains default insurance for mortgages that go under, said Resvick.

“Could they potentially lose something there if the market adjusted? Yeah they could, but it would take a pretty heavy hit for most people,” said Resvick. “It would take a job loss or marital breakdown or something like that.” Resvick worried instead about people continuing to be pushed out of the market because a drop in prices could spur more activity. A potential drop in property value isn’t the only concern for homeowners.

Retired economics professor David Tha and his wife Paula Maisonville, also a retired teacher, own a home in Vancouver’s tony Point Grey neighbourhood that they bought 31 years ago for $370,000. Now, the house is worth almost $6.5 million, making them eligible to pay higher school taxes. Under the new measures introduced in Tuesday’s B.C. budget, properties valued at higher than $3 million will be subject to 0.2 per cent tax on the value between $3 million and $4 million, and 0.4 per cent tax on the assessed value over $4 million, beginning next year.

Vancouver police say shots were fired near Langara Thursday night Vancouver police were called out to the area of Cambie and West 48th Avenue near the Langara Canada Line station on Thursday night after receiving a report of shots fired.

Police say there were no reports of any injuries and officers determined the incident

took place at least 45 minutes prior to the first 911 call at 8:30 p.m. Investigators from the VPD’s forensic identification unit are processing the scene while other officers continue to investigate what happened.

Trudeau flew Vikram Vij to India at taxpayer expense so he could cook for him & his entourage The Government of Canada flew Vancouver celebrity chef Vikram Vij to India at taxpayer expense so that he could cook for a series of events that would be attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other ministers.

And a communications strategist with a major consulting firm called it a “small, small investment” to stir trade activity. Vij, the co-founder of Vancouver’s popular Vij’s restaurant, was flown to India as Trudeau conducted a weeklong trip in the country in an effort to foster business connections and grow trade. Vij was thanked for dinner at a meeting between the Canadian High Commissioner and a delegation to India

that also included Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains.

Kamal Khera, parliamentary secretary for national revenue, tweeted about that meeting on Monday. Vij also cooked for a reception hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner on Thursday. “The Feb. 22 reception at the reception of Canada’s High Commissioner is a prime opportunity to showcase Canada to India’s economic, political, cultural, academic and communities leadership,” said a statement from Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Elizabeth Reid.

TransLink to roll out 80 more SkyTrain, Canada Line cars by 2020 Move is expected to increase space for an additional 8,200 passengers per hour TransLink will add 80 cars to its SkyTrain and Canada Line networks over the next two years.

The transit authority is accelerating delivery of 56 cars to the Expo and Millennium lines. The first 28 cars will be delivered by early 2019 and the remaining will come by the end of 2019.

The SkyTrain cars, which are supplied

by Bombardier, are coming three years ahead of schedule as part of the first phase of the Metro Vancouver mayors’ 10-year transportation vision. Another 24 Canada Line cars will be made available in 2020 as part of a procurement agreement with Rotem. The move is expected to increase

space for an additional 8,200 passengers per hour on the SkyTrain network.

“We wanted to make it a priority to get relief for our customers as quickly as possible,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond at the Friday announcement, which was attended by government officials including Premier John Horgan. The Expo Line’s capacity will grow by 10 per cent, he said. The Millennium Line’s capacity will increase by 23 per cent, while the Canada Line will see up to 30 per cent growth. Desmond said commuters will experience shorter wait times and fewer pass-ups from full trains. Transit ridership in Metro Vancouver has seen “back-to-back record years,” Desmond said.

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Record-breaking cold temperatures sweep through BC Interior S e v e r a l BC Interior communities saw their lowest temperatures ever recorded on February 20, according to Environment Canada.

Burns Lake reached –32.9 C on Tuesday, smashing the previous record of –26.7 C set more than 60 years ago in 1957.

Blue River hit –31.2 C, breaking a record from 1949. Clinton and Penticton also set new record low temperatures. B.C. Interior hit hard by record-breaking snowfall “An Arctic ridge over B.C. has given clear cold conditions the last few nights,” the Environment

Canada bulletin said.

Environment C a n a d a m e t e o ro l o g i s t Doug Lundquist said the cold air is flowing down into the Interior from the North Pole. “It’s a fairly late season,” Lundquist said.

“Usually by now we’re starting to warm up.” That cold air has even reached California, where the National Weather Service has issued freeze warnings. Lundquist said cold temperatures are expected to stick around for a couple days, but things will warm up toward the end of the week, with some snow expected for the Kamloops area.

Richmond immigrant says his chosen English name isn’t accepted for ID purposes What’s in a name?

When it comes to your BC Services Card, it could depend on where the name comes from.

Richmond resident Pat-Shing Tung, who immigrated to Canada 40 years ago, would like to have his chosen English name “Kenneth” on his BC Services Card.

Pat-Shing Tung says his chosen name, ‘Kenneth,’ appears on all his legal documents, even his passport.

But now that B.C. has combined the driver’s licence and medical card into the new B.C. Services Card, he has been asked to switch to Pat-Shing.

But he says, since the drivers licence combined with the medical services card, he can’t — not without legally changing his given name. Vancouver woman petitions against dual name crackdown on new IDs “When I renewed [my driver’s licence] at ICBC, they asked me to remove my English name. Otherwise, I have to do a legal name change,” Tung told On The Coast guest host Michelle Eliot.

“On my citizenship card, I have the English name on it. On my passport, I have my English name on it. But if we want to keep it … they will not allow until we do our own legal name change.” The B.C. Services Card has seen some hiccups around nomenclature since it was introduced in 2013. Tung says B.C.’s combined driver’s licence and medical services card does not allow an immigrant’s chosen English name to be printed. But 15 years ago, at an earlier renewal, he says he was given the option by ICBC to put his chosen name on it, which he

did for the sake of convenience.

But now, Tung is worried about legal ramifications if his current ID does not match his other accounts. “That means in the last 15 years, all my legal documents: my bank, my will, whatever, I must change it.” He also says he’s worried about what the lack of a Services Card will mean if he has an emergency and has to go to the hospital. ‘Your name is no longer valid’: B.C. residents with hyphenated names blocked from renewing ID Tung says choosing an English name when coming to Canada is a common practice among numerous immigrant communities.

But the time and effort required for a legal name change for the new Services Card — $137 dollars for the change, plus the cost of new documents, as well as a criminal record check and, in some cases, the need to provide fingerprints, according to a provincial website — is punishing those immigrants, Tung says.

“Using the name on the ID for so long, we don’t want to change it. We want to keep it but without going three places and taking time off and paying the fee,” Tung said.

“If ICBC set up one location to do all this part, declaration and also criminal check requirement and then one fee then people would save time and energy and money on it.”

Tung says since going public with his problem he has been contacted by hundreds of others in a similar situation. He says he is raising the issue with local MLAs and MPs.

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BC BUDGET 2018

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Massey Tunnel replacement omitted from transportation spending plans Spending for major transit and infrastructure projects in Metro Vancouver was outlined in B.C.’s budget on Tuesday, but one of the biggest transportation bottlenecks — the George Massey Tunnel — was conspicuously absent.

The previous B.C. Liberal government had intended to replace the 59-year-old tunnel with a $3.5-billion, 10-lane bridge, but that idea has been put on hold by the NDP. In September the government decided to hire a consultant to explore whether it’s a better idea to build an altered ridge, a twinned tunnel or some other kind of replacement. The review, which could cost up to $1 million, is due in the spring.

The absence of a line item in the budget related to the tunnel project has raised questions from business and construction groups about the government’s commitment to easing congestion on Highway 99. The Surrey Board of Trade said it was concerned by the lack of budget numbers for the Massey Tunnel.

“We recognize for goods and movement through the Lower Mainland, the Massey Tunnel has to be replaced as well,” said board

CEO Anita Huberman.

The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association said the Massey Tunnel project was “completely deleted” from the budget. Under capital spending, there is $4 billion in provincial funding set aside for transportation, including $1.179 billion set aside over three years for transit infrastructure — $318 million in 201819, $474 million in 2019-20 and $387 in 202021 — and $605 million for the Pattullo Bridge replacement. The almost $1.2 billion in funding for transit relates to the commitment the NDP made during its campaign to fund 40 per cent of capital projects in the second phase of the Mayors’ 10-Year Vision for transportation in Metro Vancouver. That phase of the vision includes major projects such as a subway line in Vancouver, at-grade light rail in Surrey and SkyTrain upgrades. What it does not address is the $60 million to $70 million annual funding gap that the region still needs to cover to make the plan a reality. In addition to the province kicking in money for projects.

Surrey Board of Trade praises ‘balanced’ budget, but wants an LRT commitment The Surrey Board of Trade is praising the new NDP government’s “balanced” budget. “There are a number of Surrey Board of Trade policies that we have championed for years,” said CEO Anita Huberman in a release. “We have long advocated for investments in the social infrastructure to alleviate the pressures on businesses to fill those gaps. This budget reflects many of our statements over the years.”

Huberman said the business group will be “monitoring closely is how the shift in taxes more towards the business sector will be implemented.” “We appreciate the efforts to keep the budget balanced and ensure financial stability for the next two to three years. However, balancing the budget through increasing business-focused taxes, such as the new Employer Health Tax, will be a hard

sell to our members,” said Huberman.

While the Surrey Board of Trade noted the B.C. budget was “silent” on infrastructure spending for the Mayors’ 10 year plan, it said that the funding is in place: nearly $1.2 billion for the next three years.

“What we need for Surrey is certainty,” said Huberman. “We have businesses, who overwhelmingly support Surrey’s LRT, waiting to move forward on their plans in conjunction with the development of transit.” Huberman referenced a recent SBOT Surrey Road Survey result where 86 per cent of respondents supported both phases of LRT. The Surrey Board of Trade says it is pleased to see that the government is moving ahead with the Pattullo Bridge replacement, but was concerned by the lack of numbers for the Massey Tunnel.

Families earning less than $45,000 a year will pay ‘little or nothing’ for licensed daycare The NDP’s first budget pledges $1 billion over the next three years to create an affordable child care system in B.C., although one without its major campaign promise of a $10-a-day rate.

Instead, it has promised a combination of two measures that will reduce child care costs for some families with kids in licensed facilities, and which will together help low-income earners the most. According to the budget, approximately 27,000 families with annual incomes under $45,000 will eventually pay little or nothing for licensed child care. “(The budget) makes an historical investment to take care of our children,” Finance Minister Carole James said on Tuesday. She would not confirm whether the NDP has abandoned its $10 campaign promise, despite its absence from the government’s first major budget. “We are continuing to work on the (child care) program and it will roll out over the next 10 years,” she said. “As we go along, there will be people paying less than

Natacha Beim, a childcare and education advocate who sits on BC’s Provincial Child Care Council

$10 a day.” Sharon Gregson, the lead advocate with B.C.’s $10-a-Day Coalition, said she is less concerned about that particular fee structure being reached, and more relieved by the big financial investment and the improvement in child care policies. “We’re so pleased,” she said.

“They really have turned a corner on child care.”

BC to require anonymous land owners to reveal their true identities While the rest of the country debates privacy issues, British Columbia has boldly proclaimed that all owners of land in the province will have to publicly reveal their identities. In a budget revealed Tuesday in Victoria, finance minister Carole James announced the country’s first public register of land owners, which will require those behind numbered companies to reveal themselves. “Lack of transparency in the land registry means it is not clear who owns nearly half of Vancouver’s more expensive properties. This is wrong,” states the provincial budget document.

“The concealment of beneficial ownership can be part of international webs used to facilitate tax evasion, money laundering, corruption and other criminal activities.”

“Having a registry means we’ll know who owns what,” the budget states. While B.C.’s announcement falls short of a public registry of all corporate owners, which is currently available in the U.K. and will soon be implemented across the EU, it is the first time those who own real estate in Canada will not be allowed to hide behind numbered companies or private family trusts.

BC BUDGET 2018

Saturday, February 24, 2018

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NDP gov’t takes aim at housing costs with tax measures Stabilize, crack-down, build and protect — key tactics the provincial government says it will use to put a dent in B.C.’s housing crisis.

On Tuesday, B.C.’s NDP unveiled its first full budget since taking office seven months ago and along with it came a separate 33page publication on how the government plans to make housing more affordable. “The problem has been ignored for too long and the consequences are being felt throughout B.C. with housing costs skyrocketing,” said Finance Minister Carole James as she presented the budget in the legislature.

Recent statistics from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver show the average price of a detached home was $1.6 million and the average price of an apartment was $665,400.

Vacancy rates for renters are at one per cent or lower in most cities across B.C., including Victoria and Kelowna. The government says it will take bold steps to curb demand, reduce tax evasion, close real estate loopholes and target property owners who do not pay taxes in B.C. It will introduce a speculation tax in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and regional districts in Nanaimo and Victoria along with Kelowna and West Kelowna.

It applies to foreign and domestic home owners who do not pay income tax in the province, including those who leave their homes vacant. James admits the tax is a “bold move,” but one that will penalize people who park their capital in B.C.’s housing market simply to speculate, which she says drives up

NDP gov’t introduces new speculation tax, eliminates MSP premiums in its 1st budget The BC government delivered on a wide variety of promises from its election platform and throne speech in its first budget, forecasting a $219 million surplus for the upcoming fiscal year on the strength of a strong economy. “A budget shouldn’t stand alone, because a budget is more than revenue and expenses. It’s about people,” said Carole James, outlining the first NDP budget in British Columbia since 2001.

“The choices that we’ve made in this budget focus on a path to prosperity for everyone.”

Those choices include billions more in spending over three years, focused primarily on education, child care, health and social programs, along with freezing ferry fares on major routes and reducing them by 15 per cent on smaller routes.

10 things to know about the B.C. budgetBut it also increases revenues through new taxes directed at the housing market, a new employer health tax and includes hikes to the carbon and tobacco taxes.

That, combined with strong GDP growth (predicted to be 2.3 per cent for 2018), allows the government to forecast a surplus, even with deficits still projected for ICBC in the years ahead. “The expectations that we will do everything in our first budget are huge. So it’s even more important … to focus in on our priorities,” said James.

“There is no time to lose.” MSP premiums eliminated Perhaps the biggest surprise in the budget was the announcement that Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums would be completely eliminated on Jan. 1, 2020 — over a year ahead of the government’s self-imposed deadline.

“It will take some pressure off people’s pocketbooks. And it will help make our tax system more fair and progressive,” said James.

To replace the revenue lost from the premiums, which were generally paid separately by individuals, the government will create a new employer health tax.

Budget has child-care rebates, spaces but not $10-a-day child care Those thumbs might be stained from finger painting, but still, child-care advocates are largely giving two thumbs up to the B.C. NDP’s first budget.

One of the biggest items in Finance Minister Carole James’ 2018 plan was $1 billion in child-care spending over the next three years.

That includes a new child-care benefit available to 86,000 families worth $1,250 per month, per child, starting in September.

‘Ignored for too long:’ B.C. NDP government takes aim at housing costs with tax measures The budget also includes 22,000 new child-care spaces, a reduction in fees and increased funding to license more providers.

“Child care is such a struggle for so many people across the province,” Sharon Gregson, spokesperson for Coalition of Child Care Advocates of B.C. told On The Coast guest host Laura Lynch.

“To see some relief on affordability, to see investment in a substantial number of new spaces, to see investment in the early childhood educator workforce, it’s very good news for B.C. families.”

Gregson’s praise was echoed by groups like Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the nurses’ and teachers’ union and even the

Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, which was otherwise fairly critical of the spending plan.

prices and removes rental stock. Beginning this year it will cost $5 per $1,000 of assessed value. In 2019, that rate rises to $20 per $1,000 of assessed value. 10 things to know about the B.C. budget The province will also expand the existing 15-per-cent foreign buyers tax, which was introduced in 2016 in Metro Vancouver. It now rises to 20 per cent and

will expand to include Nanaimo, Victoria, the Fraser Valley and the Central Okanagan.

Principal residences and long-term rentals will generally be exempt. Other measures put in place to curb rising prices include increasing the property transfer tax on homes worth more than $3 million from three per cent to five per cent, and increasing the school tax on homes assessed over $3 million.

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2-year-old breaks leg after escalator accident at Vancouver airport over and she A Calgary mom has a message for started to cut the toddler parents after her loose. two-year-old son broke his leg when “His leg was so twisted and it was caught in trapped, and an escalator in Vancouver on they didn’t know what was Friday, February going on with 16. his foot at that Andrea Diaczok took her toddler, Julian Diaczok, 2, was treated for his injuries after his foot was point, so I just Julian, down stuck in an escalator at Vancouver International Aiport last week. started to say, ‘We need to the escalator at Vancouver International Airport. She held his find some scissors,’ “ Diaczok said. “I started to see a bit of blood and I just started telling for hand as they rode side-by-side in the middle.

“I heard a squeak, looked down and the sole someone to make sure there was tourniquet of his boot was just disappearing down the in the medical kit because I wasn’t sure what side,” she said Tuesday. “It just started to eat into was going on at that time inside his boot,” the the side of his boot.” Diaczok started yelling for mom said through tears. “He was screaming. someone to push the emergency stop button, I think I was screaming too.” Julian ended up unable to reach it herself from the middle of the with a broken leg as well as some swelling and escalator. An airport staffer reached the button bruising.Diaczok said he also wakes up with before Diaczok and her son got to the bottom. nightmares if his feet aren’t covered by blankets, Someone called 911, Diaczok’s husband ran talking about what he calls “the big twist.”

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Victoria police seek suspect they believe stalked & sexually assaulted 12-year-old girl Victoria Police He then ran from are seeking a the mall and was seen changing his suspect they believe stalked and sexually appearance as he assaulted a 12-yearfled, according to police.

The victim old girl inside a shopping mall. was physically Police say the male unharmed.

The suspect is described suspect followed two Police are seeking this suspect who they believe girls inside the Bay stalked and sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl as: Caucasian or Centre just after noon Aboriginal male, 40 on Sunday, waited until they were alone and years of age, Average height with a medium then assaulted one of the girls. build, Short facial hair.

Surrey RCMP search for suspect after taxi driver robbed at knife-point Surrey RCMP have released surveillance photos of a man wanted in connection with the robbery of a taxi driver earlier this month in South Surrey. The incident happened at 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 1. Police say a passenger, who was picked up in the 2200 block of 160th Street, pulled a knife on the cab driver, stole his money and then fled on foot in the area around 160th Street and 20th Avenue.

The driver was unharmed.

The suspect is a described a white man, who stood 5-feet-8 with a medium build. He was wearing a black jacket, black

cap and black rimmed glasses. Surrey RCMP is asking the public to help identify a man who allegedly robbed a taxi driver earlier this month in South Surrey. “Investigators are confident someone will recognize the suspect from these high quality pictures,” said Surrey RCMP Const. Scotty Schumann.

Anyone with information can contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Police identify shooting victim

IHIT says the fatal shooting appears to be targeted

Coquitlam RCMP have identified the victim of a fatal shooting Friday night near Sylvan Place and Riverview Crescent.

Burnaby resident Donald Kelly, 45, was found in a vehicle with gunshot wounds.

He died of his injuries in hospital. Homicide team investigating Coquitlam shooting Police said in a statement that a darkcoloured Chrysler 300 was found on fire nearby and are urging witnesses to come forward with any information.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, which is handling the case, believes Kelly was targeted but says it does not know what happened in the hours leading up to his death. “There are people who have information about what happened,” said Cpl Frank Jang. “I urge these individuals to come forward and speak with IHIT so that we can hold those responsible to account.”

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Police say that a 2018 Chrysler 300 was found on fire close to the scene. (RCMP)

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Speculation taxes, affordability and foreign investment in BC after budget 2018 Call it speculating about speculation taxes.

Developers, vacation homeowners, agents and academics are musing and arguing about how housing measures unveiled this week by the B.C. NDP government will unfold.

There has been much cheering for the bold moves aimed at improving affordability.

They include taxes on speculation and also widened taxes for foreign buyers and luxury properties. At a breakfast discussion hosted Thursday by the Urban Development Institute, there was, on the sidelines, also some quiet head shaking about future prospects, some concern over how effective these taxes will be, and vocal protest by a development industry that accounts for, by some estimates, over

a third of economic growth in the province in the last few years. “We did expect to see a number of tax measures, but I don’t think we were expecting the full suite of taxes that we saw,” said UDI president and CEO Anne McMullin. “I think somebody said, ‘(it was) a bit of a pile on.’” “I think (what) concerned us the most is that the government did not signal that they are prepared to address processing times with local governments and so, unless they are prepared to influence or compel local governments to speed up processing times, we see it is going to be very difficult to build the 114,000 (condo and townhome housing) units that they have promised over the next 10 years.”

Continued on page 19

Calgary police use DNA technology to give a face to mother of baby found dead in December Police have released a high-tech image they say is a likeness of the mother of a baby girl found dead in a dumpster on Christmas Eve. They have also released a composite sketch of the baby. Police say the mother’s image was produced by a company in Virginia that specializes in DNA phenotyping, which can predict physical appearance and ancestry from unidentified DNA. It’s the first time Calgary police have used the technology.

‘It’s a tragic situation’: Calgary police

searching for mother after body of baby found Sudbury police using new technology in effort to solve 1998 homicid “They have had success in the United States,” Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta of the homicide unit said Wednesday. “This technique actually has been publicly utilized in Canada twice already in Ontario — in Windsor and Sudbury.” Police said they received numerous tips after the baby was found in the northwest community of Bowness, but all were investigated and ruled out. “We have exhausted all other investigative inquiries,” said Schiavetta. “We are really at an investigative standstill.”

As part of that investigation, police found biological material at the scene that they sent in for the DNA phenotyping. The results indicate that the mother is likely to be of mixed race — possibly of Métis or Indigenous descent — with fair skin. Her hair is described as dark, probably brown or black, and her eyes are hazel that may also appear green. Schiavetta said the technology cannot predict age, weight, height or hairstyle. “This is a scientific approximation and obviously a mother’s — or anyone’s — physical appearance can change,” he said. “Concentrate on the hair colour, the eye colour and the ethnicity.” Schiavetta said investigators hope the image will lead to tips that help find the mother. An autopsy showed the baby was breathing on her own at some point after being born. Police said identifying the mother will help determine what led to the baby being placed in the dumpster. They still don’t know whether the death is suspicious, so the mother is not being sought as a suspect. “We have some really difficult and challenging questions to ask the mother, but please do not assume that the mother placed the baby there,” said Schiavetta. Anyone who may know the identity of the woman in the Calgary case is asked to call the homicide tip line at 403-428-8877 or the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234.

Albertans who own vacation properties in B.C. face new tax Albertans with secondary properties in some parts of British Columbia are facing a tax hike. The B.C. government announced a new levy in its budget this week aimed at property owners who don’t pay taxes in the province and leave homes empty. By 2019, the speculation tax rate will be two per cent of the assessed value and will include properties in the Lower Mainland, Victoria, Nanaimo and Kelowna. It’s difficult to put an exact number on how many Albertans own real estate in those areas.

According to the Okanagan Real Estate Board, Albertans made up 10.2 per cent of buyers last year in that region — which includes Kelowna.

Cameron Muir, chief economist with the B.C. Real Estate Association, says the new tax could make potential buyers look elsewhere. “Obviously that’s going to impact future sales in those regions as Albertans will likely look for adjoining regions that aren’t subject to the tax,” he said. “It could possibly act as a red flag for many recreation buyers from other parts of Canada in terms of their commitments to buy recreational property in areas of British Columbia.”

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The world is wondering whether Justin Trudeau just got snubbed in India Prince William might have preferred a snub from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose legendary bone-crushing handshake left the prince’s hand bright red with white lines where Modi’s grip had cut off the blood circulation. Ditto for U.S. President Donald Trump, who seemed bewildered when receiving the customary Modi bear hug — as has just about every other world leader who has endured that awkward ritual. But while Justin Trudeau may be relieved to have so far avoided the discomfort of such a greeting, Indian media and Canadians watching from afar are now wondering whether the Canadian prime minister has been deliberately slighted by his Indian counterpart. The Telegraph of India noted that Modi was not there to greet Trudeau when he landed in India on the

weekend, beginning an official trip accompanied by half a dozen of his government’s ministers.

Instead, a junior minister of the Indian government met Trudeau at the airport. While the Telegraph says Modi’s diplomacy is “symbol-laden,” the prime minister has only actually ventured out to the airport to greet world leaders on six occasions, and usually for significant events, like Barack Obama’s final trip as U.S. President. However, the paper also points out that Modi has, so far, declined to send out a tweet welcoming Trudeau to the country. The possibility of a snub is attracting international headlines — and, if it is a deliberate insult, observers

Quebec man charged with second-degree murder in 2002 death of Alberta woman RCMP announced on how media has treated him’ Monday they have charged Brantford residents were being Stephane Parent, 49, with evacuated due to flooding along second-degree murder the Grand River after an ice-jam in the death of Adrienne upstream of Parkhill Dam sent McColl.

McColl was 21 a surge of water downstream when she was reported on Wednesday. Grand River missing around Valentine’s flooding forces Brantford to Day 2002. Her remains declare state of emergency were discovered three days Tessa Virtue and Scott later by a rancher tending Moir embrace after their recordSixteen years after Valentine’s Day setting skate in the ice dance to his cattle near Nanton, 85 kilometres south of Calgary. slaying of Adrienne McColl (right), short program.

Mounties arrest Stephane Parent, Friends of Alberta woman 49, her former boyfriend and suspect Virtue and Moir melt the ice slain 16 years ago said they with raw, sensual performances in cold case. had lost virtually all hope police would solve and we can’t look away Parent’s lawyer, Jeanthe case. Parent, who friends say was McColl’s Pierre Rancourt, said his client was arrested boyfriend, was arrested in Gatineau, Que., on eight years ago, but was freed a couple of Saturday — 16 years to the day since McColl’s hours later without explanation. “He was very body was found. “I really do truly believe that surprised to see that for a second time he’s all of us had given up,” said Laurie Heard, who arrested for the same thing Saturday morning, worked with Parent and McColl at the now- so he was in shock,” said Rancourt. Rancourt shuttered Calgary bar Studio 82. Heard said said his client was flown to Calgary on Monday police recently took fingerprints of some of and will ask to be released on bail, as it could be McColl’s friends and suggested there was new a year or two before trial. RCMP said Parent evidence in the case. bought a one-way ticket to Ottawa shortly But she said she didn’t believe the renewed after McColl’s death and was considered a efforts would amount to anything. I just person of interest at the time. He has lived in thought that it was a make-work project and Ontario and Quebec ever since. Heard said how could they possibly get anywhere 16 years McColl and Parent had a volatile relationship later? Hearing the news this morning stopped and she doesn’t understand what her young, my heart and I am so happy,” said Heard. bubbly friend saw in a man more than a decade Genevieve Gualtieri and Patrick Brown in her senior. Heard said people were drawn to August 2015 at Orillia Rib Fest. The two have McColl. “She was light. She was sunshine. She been on-again-off-again couple, friends say. was everything happy and pretty in this world.”

Patrick Brown’s girlfriend says it’s ‘wrong

have pointed to one possible motive in particular. Last year the Chief Minister of Punjab, Amarinder Singh, refused to meet with Canadian defence minister Harjit Sajjan after declaring Sajjan a Khalistani sympathiser. The Khalistan movement is a separatist campaign devoted to creating an independent Sikh state in what is now north-west India, and has been an issue simmering in the background of domestic Canadian politics.

In 2015, Sajjan became the first Sikh to be named defence minister and Trudeau has three other Sikhs in his cabinet. Two years ago, Trudeau even bragged that his own

cabinet had more Sikhs in it than Modi’s cabinet. For that, he was criticized and warned about “stepping on the minefield of the extremely sensitive domestic Indian politics and damaging bilateral relations with this key country,” by Ramesh Thakur, an expert on international affairs.

As Trudeau spent the weekend visiting the Taj Mahal with his family and attending meetings, Singh tweeted that he was looking forward to meeting with Trudeau. Meanwhile, however, Indian media unleashed a torrent of critical stories. The Hindustan Times took note of Trudeau’s light itinerary on the trip, quoting an anonymous Indian diplomat who said he had never experienced a visit with so few official meetings on the schedule. In response to reports about the flimsy itinerary

Speculation taxes, affordability and foreign investment From previous page Andrey Pavlov, who specializes in real estate finance at Simon Fraser University, told the breakfast crowd he was skeptical about the speculation taxes unveiled by the NDP improving affordability, even though he and some 50 other business professors and economists had, in 2016, called for a tax on sales that involve the flipping of properties by buyers who don’t pay income tax. He explained that affordability is based on “income to (real estate) price ratio” where there is change if incomes are raised or prices are reduced.

“The point of the original proposal was to shift some of the tax burden from the local

population to people who are benefiting from our society, but not contributing to it financially. This seems like a very reasonable approach. Instead, the NDP budget, together with the mini-budget last year, increases taxes or costs on just about everyone, including the locals. So even if real estate prices fall, as they likely will, this does not improve affordability since everyone is poorer.” Jock Finlayson of the Business Council of B.C., which estimates that over 35 per cent of economic growth in the province in the last few years is attributed to home building and renovation activities, was asked about the future of foreign investment in residential real estate.

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PM Trudeau, Wilson-Raybould draw lawyers’ ire over remarks in wake of Stanley verdict A criminal-lawyers group is accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould of undermining the jury system through their remarks and actions after a not-guilty verdict in the Gerald Stanley trial in Battleford, Sask., this month. The Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers says in a letter to Mr. Trudeau and Ms. Wilson-Raybould that their comments, their meetings with the family of Colten Boushie and their subsequent focus on jury reform sent a

clear message “that this jury got it wrong.”

The comments in particular, made in tweets after the verdict, were “unprecedented, inappropriate and quite frankly dangerous,” the council said. It demanded that the Prime Minister and Justice Minister apologize to the jurors. In a case that raised racial tensions in the community, Mr. Boushie, a 22-year-old Cree man, was shot dead on Mr. Stanley’s farm in 2016. Mr. Stanley, who was charged with murder, testified that the gun went off by accident and was acquitted.

The verdict has provoked protests in several cities. It has also galvanized the federal government, which has promised to look at ending the use of peremptory challenges – rejections of potential jurors without explanation – to screen out individuals on racial lines. In Mr. Stanley’s trial, his lawyer used some of his 14 challenges to reject those who looked Indigenous. But little organized response had been heard from the legal community until the letter from the defence-lawyers

group. (Board members of the group, formed in 1992, include prominent lawyers David Bright of Nova Scotia, Lucie Joncas of Quebec and Deborah Hatch of Alberta.)

“We are shocked at the initial comments made after the verdict in the Stanley case, ‘we can do better,’” the group said in its letter, signed by its chair, William Trudell of Toronto, and obtained by The Globe and Mail. “There can be no argument that this was and is interpreted by many in this country, as at least criticism of the verdict, perhaps even disappointment.”

BC launches formal challenge against Alberta’s ban on wine over pipeline dispute BC gov’t notified Alberta that it is requesting consultations under the Canadian free trade agreement’s dispute settlement process. The challenge comes

after Alberta announced a boycott of BC wines in retaliation for regulations that could block a west coast oil pipeline.

The boycott of BC wines threaten the

lives of families that have worked to build the province’s wine industry, said Trade Minister Bruce Ralston. The boycott of BC wines threaten the lives of families that have worked to build the province’s wine industry, said Trade Minister Bruce Ralston.

The BC government said Monday it notified Alberta that it is formally requesting consultations under the Canadian free trade agreement’s dispute settlement process.

The latest salvo is part of an increasingly bitter political tussle over the expansion of bitumen shipments through the Trans Mountain pipeline and the potential environmental consequences. Alberta’s actions threaten the lives of families that have worked to build B.C.’s wine industry, said Trade Minister Bruce Ralston. “I think what is important is standing up for B.C. wineries, B.C. businesses and B.C. jobs,” he said during a news conference. The ban has

implications across the country, Ralston added.

“The Canadian Free Trade Agreement is an agreement signed by all provinces and all territories, so it has national scope and it’s our view that this dispute engages questions that should be considered by every jurisdiction in the federation.”

Initial discussions will take place between officials from both governments, Ralston said, and if they can’t resolve the dispute within 120 days, the issue will go to a tribunal. Under the rules of the trade partnership agreement, a dispute can be referred to binding arbitration after all other means to resolve the problem have been taken. Two members of a three-member panel are chosen by each province and they have to agree on a third member to act as a chairperson.

Where your tax dollar goes?

As we prepare for next week’s federal budget, here’s an interesting exercise: How much money does Ottawa spend and what are its biggest expenses?

Most people think it’s health care or provincial transfers. Most people are wrong. The federal government spent $311 billion in the fiscal year 201617.

The biggest single expense was elderly benefits. This includes Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Unlike the Canada Pension Plan, OAS and GIS are not independently funded.

Money comes from general revenues. Last year, these cost $48.1 billion, or 15 cents of every tax dollar. You can spend hours reading through hundreds of pages from the last budget. You’d read all about the Liberal plan to “build a stronger middle class.” There are entire sections on “skills and innovation” and “tax fairness.” But to find the basics upon which the budget is built, you have to go to page 256, to the first annex and sift through to the seventh table. And even that only flushes out part of the picture. All this matters a great deal, if only because it’s awfully hard to truly debate what should be in (or out) of any budget until we know where all the money goes in the first place. “The most profound conversation we should be having,” says economist Armine Yalnizyan, “is what do we get for our money and what are the

benefits of how we’re spending.”

Wiggle room Budgets have evolved from economic planning to political documents.

They are printed into tidy books and given titles like an “Economic Action Plan” and “Building a Stronger Middle Class.” It’s hard to blame politicians who try to spin whatever spending measures they’re introducing. The brutal truth of public finances is, governments don’t really have much wiggle room.

Canada won’t be ‘impulsive’ responding to U.S. tax cuts, Morneau says Much of the spending is baked into the plan long before any politicians even get elected. In general terms, about a quarter of any budget goes to transfers to individuals (those elderly benefits we started with, but also Employment Insurance and Children’s Benefits). Another quarter of the pie goes to the provinces (including the Canada Social Transfer and the Canada Health Transfer). Crown corporations, public debt charges and national defence combine for another 18 per cent. Peeling the onion That’s nearly 70 per cent of a budget all but spent before you even get to your ideas around jobs, innovation, tax cuts or whatever buzzwords dominate that year’s leadup to the budget.

Governments inevitably focus the budget on that discretionary chunk of spending. But can we have a proper, informed debate on public spending when all those sunk costs are buried

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Those who misuse religion to divide will not be tolerated, says Indian PM Modi Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he and Justin Trudeau agreed to fight terrorism and those who misuse religion to divide people when they met in New Delhi.

Modi rolled out reams of red carpet and a horse honour guard, and hugged Trudeau upon his arrival at the presidential palace.

Their meeting comes near the end of a trip to India by Trudeau and his family that has been dogged by criticism. Critics have said the trip was mostly a Trudeau family vacation in fancy Indian clothing. As well, a convicted attempted assassian was invited by an MP to a Trudeau reception, and then the invitation was rescinded. Trudeau forced to address media storm in India over Canada House invitation for former extremist Rogue Indian political elements may be trying to make Canada look weak on Sikh extremism: source Trudeau has also spent much of this trip trying to dispel Indian concerns that his government is sympathetic

to Sikh separatism, and Friday’s meeting included discussions of the issue and putting the finishing touches on a framework to counter terrorism and violent extremism.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, greets Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau, centre, Trudeau’s wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. and their sons Xavier and Hadrien and daughter Ella-Grace upon their arrival at the Indian presidential palace in New Delhi on Friday.

This was the sixth meeting between Modi and Trudeau, and there were clear signs of affection between the two, with Modi saying Trudeau’s visit was long awaited and very pleasant. Trudeau’s wife and three children accompanied him for the welcome ceremony and once again, three-year-old Hadrien stole the show, putting his hat over his face during a family photo and shaking hands with everyone in the receiving line long after his family had moved forward.

Jagmeet Singh gets 91% support in 1st NDP leadership review Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s first leadership review vote ended positively, with 90.7 per cent of delegates at the convention in Ottawa voting against holding another leadership race.

Ballots were distributed immediately after he finished his keynote address at the conference earlier in the afternoon. Attendants then voted to decide whether or not to support Singh as leader of the party — a sign of how members think he’s handling his new role so far. Jagmeet Singh doesn’t want to be timid, but it’s still not clear how bold he will be The outcome contrasted with the last party leadership vote in 2016, in

which half of Tom Mulcair’s New Democrats voted in favour of naming a new leader.

Mulcair’s lacklustre result was the first time a federal party leader failed to secure the minimum level of support from his party.

Singh’s results are par for the party, with Jack Layton securing around or above 90 per cent for each of his three reviews. Mulcair’s first leadership review vote in 2013 was 92 per cent. Generally, a well-liked leader will get results of 90 per cent or higher. Results under 80 per cent have historically led to party leaders resigning.

Canada urged to take more action after sanctioning Myanmar general for Rohingya abuses The federal government is being urged to sanction more officials in Myanmar after using its newly passed Magnitsky law to target a top military general Friday.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Major-General Maung Maung Soe was sanctioned for his “significant role” in the violence and persecution that has forced nearly 690,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee Myanmar over the past six months.

The general is the 53rd person – and the first from Myanmar – to be targeted by Canada’s Magnitsky law, which allows the government to impose asset freezes and travel bans on humanrights abusers around the world. “Canada will not stand by silently as crimes against humanity are committed against the Rohingya,” Ms. Freeland said in a statement. “Myanmar’s military and civilian leaders have an obligation to respect the human rights of all people and

those responsible for these atrocities must be held to account.” Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior government official said Canada relied on two reports in its decision to sanction Maung Maung Soe, the former chief of the army’s Western Command in Rakhine. The first was an April 25, 2017, Reuters report that confirmed the general was in charge of a clearance operation that involved gross human-rights violations in northern Rakhine state, where the Rohingya live. The Canadian official said the government also relied on an October, 2017, Amnesty International report, which included witness accounts from northern Rakhine. Witnesses consistently said the individuals inflicting violence against the Rohingya wore the Western Command patch on their uniforms, confirming the involvement of Maung Maung Soe’s unit in attacks. The

Elections commissioner examining Liberal MP Majid Jowhari’s fundraiser The office of the elections commissioner is examining a fundraiser organized by Liberal MP Majid Jowhari that is opposed by his own Richmond Hill riding association but endorsed by federal party headquarters. Mr. Jowhari, an Iranian-born Canadian who has advocated for closer ties to Tehran since his election in 2015, has organized a $150-a-plate fundraiser scheduled for Feb. 23 at Le Parc Dining and Banquet in Markham, Ont. The fundraiser and its expenses were not authorized by the Richmond Hill Liberal riding executive. In mid-February, the executive adopted a motion in opposition to the event. “The board voted on a motion

regarding the fundraiser,” riding president Richard Rupp said in a recent e-mail. “I am not at liberty to discuss what concerns board members had.” A source told The Globe and Mail the fundraiser is being examined by the Commissioner of Canada Elections for possible breach of Section 475(2), regarding association expenses. The investigation was launched after a complaint from Liberal Party members in the riding, the source said.

Section 475(2) of the Canada Elections Act says “no person or entity, other than an electoral district agent of a registered association, shall incur the registered association’s expenses.”

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First solo sortie by IAF woman pilot Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi (pictured) of Indian Air Force (IAF) has created history by becoming first Indian woman pilot to fly solo in a super-sonic fighter jet. She flew her first solo sortie in a Russian made MiG-21 fighter, thus creating history.

She is from the first batch of women fighter pilots of the Air Force.

Flying Officer Chaturvedi still has a few steps to walk before she is considered to be “fully operational” and can be deployed. Her unit is deployed close to the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan.

The feat was accomplished on February 19 when Flying Officer Chaturvedi took off from the Jamnagar Air base in Gujarat and successfully completed her mission.

The solo sortie in a fighter jet is the first step towards becoming a fully operational fighter pilot.

The first sortie lasted for about 30 minutes

in the MiG-21 Bison fighter, which is considered a difficult platform to handle.

Flying Officers Chaturvedi, Bhavana Kanth and Mohana Singh were the first woman cadets to be admitted into the fighter stream of the IAF in 2016.

Till then, the Air Force’s fighter stream was a “male only” domain.

Flying Officers Chaturvedi and Kanth have been assigned to MiG-21 squadrons.

2 AAP MLAs sent to Tihar jail Even as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party cried foul over the arrest of two of its MLAs — mentioning them as being from the “Dalit and minority communities” — for allegedly attacking Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal today submitted a report to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in this regard.

A senior MHA official said: “The criminal aspects of the case are being taken care of by the Delhi Police, while the ministry is looking into administrative issues like misbehaviour with a government servant.”

Based on the report, the official said the ministry “is also looking into the working relations between bureaucrats and the political executive” of the Delhi Government. The official refused to divulge details, but while referring to Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement yesterday said “justice will be done”.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police got a jolt with

a city court rejecting its plea for custodial interrogation of arrested AAP MLAs. The two were sent to judicial custody in Tihar Jail till tomorrow, when the court would hear their bail pleas, as the police sought time to reply.

The court said the grounds for judicial custody were justified as there were numerous cases against the accused MLAs. Earlier, a medical report confirmed that the Chief Secretary sustained an injury on the lower lip, had pain in the neck and ears, and mild swelling on the right side of the face.

Rejecting the assault charge, AAP leader Ashutosh said the top bureaucrat had not produced evidence against the MLAs, and yet the two were arrested. AAP MP Sanjay Singh said the police were yet to take action over the assault on Minister Imran Hussain and Delhi Dialogue Commission’s vice-chairman Ashish Khetan at the Delhi Secretariat despite video proof.

Army commando injured in gunfight with militants in J&K An Army commando was on Thursday injured in a gunfight with militants, who managed to escape, in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, sources said.

Security forces launched a counterinsurgency operation in the Hajin area of Bandipora on Thursday morning following

informationaboutthepresenceoffourmilitants there, sources said. As the troops were laying a cordon in the area, the militants opened indiscriminate fire at them and fled the spot.

One Army commando of 31 Rashtriya Rifles was injured in the firing, sources said.

Govt must get free hand to probe fraud, orders Supreme Court The government must get a free hand to probe the over Rs 11,000 crore PNB fraud case, allegedly involving billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi, the Supreme Court said today.

The top court said it would step in only when agencies fail to carry out the investigation properly.

The Centre, represented by Attorney General KK Venugopal, vehemently opposed a PIL, seeking an independent probe and deportation of Nirav Modi, before a Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra saying “the inquiry has started and the FIRs have been registered”.

“If the government does not do things that are required, then you (petitioner) can come.

It is not that the government agencies are not acting,” the Bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, said, adding that the government must have “a free hand” to probe the scam.

Lawyer Vineet Dhanda, who has filed the PIL, said either notice be issued or a status report called from the Centre as “the whole country was watching that the government had not done anything” in the past in a similar case relating to Vijay Mallya.

“Speeches have no impact on the court.

We will hear the legal issue and not the emotional aspect,” the Bench said, adding “this is not the way you argue a petition. The purpose is to gain publicity.”

Major fire erupts in Mumbai’s mill near Goregaon A major fire broke managed to douse the flames out in a cloth mill in suburban Goregaon on after about five Wednesday morning, hours, he said, but no casualty was adding that no one was reported reported. The blaze erupted on the ground hurt. The cause of the fire is yet floor of the three-storey to be ascertained, building in the Italian Industrial Estate near Fire breaks out at Todi Mills Compound in Lower Parel he added. On Oberoi Mall, an official of the Brihanmumbai January 19, a massive fire had broken Municipal Corporation’s disaster out at the Navrang studio in the Todi management unit said. The fire brigade Mills Compound in Lower Parel area. On control room received information about January 8, there was a fire on the third the fire at 7.19 am, he said. Eight fire engines floor of the sessions court building which along with water tankers and ambulances had been accorded a heritage status. rushed to the spot. The fire brigade personnel

No proof CBI let off Gujarat former DG Police to different investigation Former Gujarat agencies. It also pointed out incharge Director that the investigating officer General of Police PP Pandey was today did not take permission from the state to prosecute discharged in the and file chargesheet against Ishrat Jahan alleged Pandey, which is required fake encounter case by a special as per Section 197 of CBI chargesheeted PP Pandey, who was CBI court for accused of conspiracy, kidnapping, murder of Criminal Procedure Code.

Pandey becomes the first want of evidence.

Ishrat Jahan and three others in 2013 accused in the case to be Disappointed by the verdict, the family members of Ishrat discharged. Pandey had spent 19 months Jahan have decided to move the High Court. in jail till February 2015 in the case. He Special CBI court judge JK Pandya allowed was reinstated as ADGP (Law and Order) Pandey’s discharge application on the ground and later as DGP incharge of the state. that there was no evidence against him related He, however, was forced to resign as head to kidnapping and murder of Ishrat Jahan and of the state police in April, 2017, after his three others. The court stated that the witnesses promotion was challenged in the Supreme in the case had given contrary evidences Court by former top cop Julio Riberio.

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Trudeaus perform ‘sewa’ at Golden Temple Clad in a white kurta-pyjama and head covered with a saffron-coloured cloth, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered prayers at the Golden Temple.

Trudeau was accompanied by his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, who was wearing a traditional turquoise kurta, and two of his three children, who also wore traditional Punjabi outfits.

They all greeted devotees with folded hands.

The slogan, “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal”, could be repeatedly heard as they entered the complex.

As part of “sewa” (volunteer service), he and his family members rolled chapattis at the shrine’s langar hall to make his visit more “meaningful” as Sikhs constitute a large segment of people of Indian origin settled in Canada.

Besides the Canadian premier’s personal security, the Punjab Police and the SGPC taskforce had formed a three-tier thick security cover.

The Trudeau family along with a delegation of his ministers and MPs reached the Golden Temple straight from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport around 11:55 am.

A red carpet was laid out for the dignitaries by the SGPC. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal received Trudeau at the entrance.

The Trudeau family then took a round of the “parikarma”. His Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan and Federal Ministers Navdeep Singh Bains, Amarjit Singh Sohi and Bardish Kaur Chaggar accompanied him.

25 get three-yr jail in Moga passport scam Chief Judicial Magistrate Deepti Gupta today sentenced 25 persons, including three policemen, 19 travel agents and an employee of the Regional Passport Office, to three years of imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 11,000 on each of them after having found them guilty in the Moga passport scam.

As many 44 accused persons were, however, acquitted by the court after no concrete evidence of their involvement was found in the scam. However, in the evening all convicted persons were released on bail by the court after they furnished their bail bonds and deposited the fine amount.

The scam was first highlighted by The Tribune on July 22, 2008. An FIR under Sections 420, 465, 468 and 471 of the IPC, Section 2/8 of the Passport Act and Sections 13 (2) and 88 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered in the scam in July 2008.

Three former policemen Jaswinder Singh, Ranjit Singh and Gurdial Singh, Municipal Council employee Ranjit Singh, postman Om Prakash and former employee of the Regional Passport Office (RPO), Chandigarh, Didar Singh were the kingpins of the scam.

The policemen posted in the passport branch of the local SSP office were dismissed from service when the scam came to light.

During the course of investigations, at least 395 passports were found to have been made on forged documents in connivance with the accused persons and 19 travel agents.

The scrutiny of records for the year 2006-07 revealed that 387 passports issued by the RPO (Chandigarh) were made by tampering with the official records, forging the documents of age, education, address proofs, marriage certificates and others.

Congress expels 28 rebels The Congress expelled 28 rebels who are contesting the February 24 MC elections as Independents after failing to get the party ticket. District Congress Committee president Gurpreet Singh Gogi said the party had zero intolerance towards leaders switching loyalties for vested interests.

Those expelled are: Davinder Handa, Jasdeep Kouke, PD Yadav, Parminder Singh Pappu, Ashu Ranna, Nareena Miglani, Nek Chand, Ashwani Aggarwal, Mehru, Paramjeet Singh, Hardeep Singh, Lakhvir Singh, Ram Chander, Mehtabh Singh, Sona Rani, Amritpal Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Mandeep Kaur, Jasbir Singh, Poonam, Baljinder Singh, Ruchi, Monika, Gurpreet Kaur, Sushma Puri, Parvesh Tikka, Suman and Anita Sharma.

The main chargesheet in the case was filed by the local police in the District and Sessions Court at Faridkot on June 4, 2011 against

Prime Minister Trudeau with his family at the Golden Temple

Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri and state Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu were also present at the shrine. Only

two SGPC officials, chief secretary Dr Roop Singh and information officer Jaswinder Jassi, were allowed to accompany the dignitaries.

24

INDIA

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Trudeau cancels dinner invite to convicted Khalistani terrorist, say India media Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cancelled a dinner invitation to convicted Khalistani terrorist, Jaspal Atwal, after a photograph emerged in which the latter is seen posing with the PM’s wife during a February-20 event in Mumbai, reported ANI. Jaspal Atwal, a convicted Khalistani terrorist who was active in the banned Int’l Sikh Youth Federation Atwal, a member of the nowbanned International Sikh Youth Federation, was convicted for 20 years in prison for trying to kill the then Punjab cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu in Vancouver Island in 1986. Atwal later confessed that he was the shooter. Atwal was also seen in a photograph with Canadian minister of infrastruture and communities Amarjeet Soni during the event in Mumbai. Following the controversy, the invitation to Atwal was cancelled. “We have

rescinded Jaspal Atwal’s invitation (for dinner reception with Canadian PM #JustinTrudeau in Delhi). We do not comment on matters relating to the PM’s security,” the Canadian High Commission said.

Atwal clarified his presence at the Mumbai event, where he was photographed with the PM’s wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, saying that he was in Mumbai on Business, reported Vancouver Sun. BJP MP Subramanian Swamy reacted to the invitation extended to Atwal.

“It was our foolishness that we didn’t check his (Atwal’s) background. The Canadians who say that they do not support pro-Khalistan groups, how did they allowed him?” He was quoted saying by ANI. The photograph comes at a time when Canadian Prime Minister, who is currently on a visit to India, has been criticised for being soft on pro-Khalistan

Actor Kamal Haasan introduces his new political party calls it ‘Centre for People’s Justice’

Kamal Hassan sits with Mohammed Maraicker, elder brother of former President APJ Abdul Kalam in Rameswaram on Wednesday.

Actor Kamal Haasan launched his new political party, calling it “Makkal Needhi Mayyam,” and unfurled its flag that symbolises the strength of unity. “I am not your leader, I am your tool... this gathering is full of leaders,” he said moments before announcing the party’s name that roughly translates to “Centre for People’s Justice”. “This is a party made for you, for the people,” he said to thunderous applause. The top actor told his supporters that they have a duty, reminding them that this was not a “one day event.”

“This is going to become a way of life for us, let us remember that.” He asked his followers to realise that they have a big responsibility and they had to be pioneers. “I am not a leader to give advice. I am a worker to listen to your advice,” Haasan said.

Besides Kejriwal, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti, farmers’ leader PR Pandian were among those who were on the dais for the launch event. In his address, Kejriwal described Haasan as a real life hero who is honest, has a vision and for starting a

new party as a political alternative. Lashing out at the DMK and AIADMK, he alleged that they were corrupt parties. “Now you can vote for a honest party for Kamal Haasan,” he said.

The party flag was unveiled just before Haasan announced the name of his party with a brief pause heightening the dramatic effect as the huge crowd roared its approval. The flag in white background has six hands joining together with shades of red over three hands and rest with white along with a star in between surrounded by a star like background in black.

Colours black and white has a political significance in Tamil Nadu, which forms part of the flags of the two big parties of the state — AIADMK and DMK—and the shades are also seen as a pointer to the Dravidian ideology.

Citing a Tamil proverb of ‘Oru Soru,’ which means a small example of a whole lot, he said the launch was just the first step for ‘makkal atchi,’ (people’s rule).

Supreme Court refuses to stay summon against Karti in money laundering case The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay a summon order issued by the Enforcement Directorate against Karti Chidambaram in the INX Media money laundering case, after the CBI said he was “not a common criminal” but his plea for quashing the notice was a guise for an anticipatory bail plea.

However, the top court asked Karti to request the competent authority for postponement of ED summons seeking his appearance on March 1. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, and Justices Amitava Roy and D Y Chandrachud said it will hear the matter on March 6 after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Karti Chidambaram, sought time to file a proper application to challenge the ED proceedings.

During the brief hearing, Sibal said Karti was not a common criminal that he was being called by the ED “month after month” and made to sit for “hours and hours”.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for CBI, said that ED was not a party before the apex court and the respondent (Karti) should file a proper application challenging the proceedings in the money laundering case. “I agree that he (Karti) is not a common criminal.

But has the court allowed a common criminal to move such an application? This is sheer abuse of the process of law,” Mehta said and added that his plea for stay of the summon was “a guise of anticipatory bail application.” Sibal said Karti had appeared twice before the ED on January 18 and February 15 and was made to sit for hours.

“They have details of my bank accounts and property. They have all my details. I am not running away but still they issued summon for appearance on March 1. I will be returning to India on February 28 and then on March 1, I have to appear before the agency. What is this going on,” he asked. The senior advocate said the ED case emanated from the same CBI case but there was no predicate offence as there was no proceeds of crime. Mehta again objected to the submission saying that without the ED being a party before the court, there can be no arguments in the case. When Sibal asked “So, are you planning to arrest him,” Mehta responded saying “I not saying that he will be arrested”. “This is CBI’s case which is listed today. There can be no argument on the ED matter.

Pakistan troops violate ceasefire in J&K’s Uri sector Pakistan Army on Thursday restored to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing in Jammu and Kashmir’s Charunda Uri sector.

As of now, no casualties or loss of property have been reported.

Pakistan Army on Thursday restored to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing in Jammu and Kashmir’s Charunda Uri sector.

25

Saturday, February 24, 2018

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SOUTH ASIA

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Saturday, February 24, 2018

Want to deepen ties with China to get more leverage in dealings with India: Nepal PM Nepal’s new prime minister KP Oli has said he wants to deepen ties with China to explore more options and get more leverage in his dealings with India “in keeping with the times”.

Oli, widely regarded as pro-China, also said he wants to “update” relations with India “in keeping with the times” and favours a review of all special provisions of the Indo-Nepal relations, including the long-established practice of Nepalese soldiers serving in India’s armed forces.

“We have great connectivity with India and an open border. All that’s fine and we’ll increase connectivity even further, but we can]t forget that we have two neighbours.

We don’t want to depend on one country or have one option,” he told Hong Kong’s

South China Morning Post in an interview.

About how he plans to work out relations with India, Oli said, “we’ve always had excellent relations with India. There were some elements in the Indian establishment that caused some misunderstanding, but Indian leaders have assured us that there will be no interference in the future and we will respect each other’s sovereign rights”.

Oli, 65, who had also served as the country’s prime minister from October 11, 2015 to August 3, 2016, was forced to resign following the political crisis in the Himalayan nation over the Madhesi issue.

Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, had been demanding amendment of the new Constitution to address their concerns over representation in Parliament.

‘Deeply dismayed’ over extension of Emergency in Maldives: India India on Wednesday said it was “deeply dismayed” by the extension of Emergency in neighbouring Maldives by 30 days.

It also expressed concern over the “manner” in which the extension was approved by the island nation’s Majlis (Parliament) “in contravention of the Constitution of Maldives.”

“It is important to ensure that all democratic institutions are allowed to function in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with the Constitution,” the ministry of external affairs (MEA) added in a statement.

Maldives on Tuesday extended the state of Emergency by 30 days,+ in the presence of only 38 MPs, despite the requirement

that 43 MPs be present during voting.

Emergency will now end on March 22.

India had yesterday voiced its expectation that the Emergency declared by Maldives on February 5 will not be extended,+ hours before it was supposed to expire.

It had stressed that the island nation needed to resume normalcy so that “the political process in Maldives can resume with immediate effect.”

“It is important that Maldives quickly returns to the path of democracy and the rule of law so that the aspirations of Maldivian people are met and the concerns of the international community are assuaged,” the MEA had said in a statement.

Rohingya in ‘no man’s land’ to be sent back to Myanmar

Saturday, February 24, 2018

SOUTH ASIA

27

Former Bangladeshi PM appeals her 5-year jail Rohingya in ‘no man’s land’ to be sent back to Myanmar Myanmar agrees to resettle as many as 6,000 Much of the border is secured to control sentence in graft case Rohingya refugees who are trapped in “no migration and the journey by water is a perilous.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia appealed a five-year prison sentence in a corruption case on Tuesday, with her lawyers arguing that the verdict was politically motivated and influenced by the government.

Her conviction means that Zia, the opposition leader and archrival of the current prime minister, could be barred from running in December national elections.

Zia was convicted on Feb. 8 of misusing power in embezzling some $250,000 in donations meant for an orphanage trust established when she first became prime minister in 1991.

The court also sentenced Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, and four others to 10 years in prison

for involvement in the case.

Moudud Ahmed, a top aide to Zia and one of her counsels, told reporters after appealing to the high court on Tuesday that the verdict was doctored by the authorities.

The government has denied the allegation.

Bangladesh law says anyone imprisoned for more than two years cannot run for office for the next five years.

The chief election commissioner recently said that because of the verdict Zia is ineligible to run, but that the final decision would depend on the higher court.

man’s land” between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Bangladesh had argued that Myanmar should take them back as they hadn’t yet crossed the border after fleeing violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

“After Tuesday’s meeting, the Myanmar side (accepted) our position, and agreed to take steps to repatriate and resettle these people,” Bangladesh’s Relief and Refugee Repatriation Commissioner Abul Kalam said.

More than 688,000 Rohingya refugees have fled Rakhine State since August, when armed militants attacked security forces in the region.

The Burmese army responded by carrying out socalled clearance operations targeting terrorists.

Those who have fled have told gut-wrenching stories of systematic mass rape, murder and the burning down of entire villages. The UN and the US say they believe the violence constitutes ethnic cleansing. Myanmar denies most of the allegations.

Hundreds of Rohingya have died attempting to cross the Naf river to enter Bangladesh.

Sent home from no man’s land Kalam, the Bangladeshi commissioner, said the people trapped in no man’s land would be moved as part of a United Nations-supported repatriation effort to return the Rohingya Muslims back to Myanmar, though no timeline was given.

The UN estimates there are roughly 5,300 people stranded between the two countries.

Exact figures aren’t known because the refugees haven’t gone through a verification process.

The United Nations refugee agency said Tuesday that representatives of the stranded group had indicated they fear returning to Myanmar and said that “people who have fled violence in their country must be guaranteed safety and protection, and must be consulted on their future.”

India has nothing to worry about China-Bangladesh ties: PM Hasina India should not be worried about Bangladesh’s growing ties with China, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said, asserting that the cooperation with Beijing was meant only for the country’s development.

Hasina said her government was only concerned about the development, and is ready to cooperate with any country that helps Bangladesh’s growth.

Bangladesh is the largest least developed country (LDC) in terms of population and economic size, according to the UN. The country is likely to leave the LDC category by 2024, propelled by better health and education, lower vulnerability and an economic boom, the UN said in its report last year.

“We want investment and cooperation from whoever offers it. We want development of the country... We have to think about our people as they are the beneficiaries of the development,” Hasina on Tuesday told a delegation of visiting Indian journalists at her official residence. She said India, China, Japan and even the Middle Eastern countries were coming to Bangladesh for cooperation.

“India has nothing to be worried about it,” Hasina said. “I will (rather) suggest India should have good relations with its neighbours, including Bangladesh, so this region could be developed further and we can show the world that we all work together,” she said. Hasina, 70, said Bangladesh and India shared “excellent” ties and the two countries have set an example of solving problems like maritime and boundary disputes. “If there is any problem, we could solve it through discussions as we did it in the past. We want to build a peaceful South Asia,” Hasina said.

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FIJI

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Biman responds to PM’s statement on cheap politicians The National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad says yes they are cheap.

While responding to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s comments on cheap politicians and trade unionists that are influencing striking ATS workers, Prasad says that they are cheap in the sense that they are not on a salary of over $328,000 annually.

He says they do not get an average of $3000 daily in allowances for overseas travel and always fly first class when travelling overseas like Bainimarama. Prasad says they are cheap because they earn only $50,000 per year, because they use their personal resources to help the needy in whatever little form they can and have

provided humanitarian assistance to the ATS workers to bring smiles to their faces.

While opening a rural electrification project in Navuca, Tailevu, Bainimarama said while the workers are being misled to continue with the strike, the unionists and politicians are going back to their homes and continue with their plan to build their campaign platform for the election.

He has called on all Fijians to think carefully for themselves. The Prime Minister has asked people not to buy into false promises from people such as high earning trade union officials and politicians who do not understand your situation.

FLP leader complaints about police brutality Lautoka lawyer and Fiji Labour also claims that the officers also Party’s Assistant General Secretary, attempted to rape one of the youths.

Aman Ravindra Singh says he will Singh says he was alerted about file a complaint with the Police it last Friday and he is taking the statements and photographs and Commissioner by next Monday as he says he has a report of alleged getting all the medical reports ready.

Police brutality in Nadarivatu in He confirms that he will file the complaint by Monday. Singh says January this year. Singh is alleging that 9 Police Officers apprehended Aman Ravindra Singh they will also give the names of the Police Officers to Commissioner, 9 youths at Waikubukubu Village and took them to Nadarivatu Community Sitiveni Qiliho. He says what the Commissioner Police Post on January 26th this year. He claims does after the complaint is his prerogative. that the 9 youths were tortured by the Police Fijivillage has sent questions to Police. They Officers while they were seeking information say that they will respond to the allegations later on marijuana cultivation. The Lautoka lawyer today.

200 vehicles donated to Fiji by Chinese government 200 vehicles have been handed over to the Fijian government by the Chinese government today. The $17.5 million donation by the Chinese government includes 50 school buses, 30 ambulances, 50 police cars, 50 minibuses and 20 panel vans. The 30 ambulances will be designated to the Ministry of Health while the panel vans will be used to cart equipment and cargo and they will be given to the ministries that need them. While officiating at the handover ceremony, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama acknowledged the Chinese Government and the Chinese Embassy for arranging the delivery of the 200 vehicles. He says that having more vehicles means they can respond more quickly to emergencies, address urgent needs of ordinary Fijians and keep delivering on their agenda for

rural outreach and economic development.

Bainimarama says the reality they face in Fiji is that some Fijians are separated by great physical distances, and government has made special efforts to bring services, infrastructure and development to all of our people, everywhere in Fiji. Bainimarama says government will not allow these communities in rural pockets of the country to languish on the sidelines of our economic development. The Prime Minister adds that government needs vehicles to continue all of the important work in our rural communities. Bainimarama adds that these vehicles will immediately be put to use and integrated within their existing government fleet under the management of the Fleet Management Team within our Ministry of Economy

NFP does not want coup culture National Federation Party says no one in Fiji wants a coup because it would mean instability.

Party leader Professor Biman Prasad made the comment after being questioned at a meeting in Labasa about the possibility of another coup if the NFP formed the next Government.

Supporters and community members of Naleba in Labasa raised a lot of questions with party officials during a talanoa session on Tuesday night.

A community member who preferred to remain anonymous asked the party members whether a coup was possible if they came into power after the election this year.

In response, Prof Prasad said no one wanted a coup in Fiji. He said people should not think about instability, but should talk and think about better changes that should be done at the polls

this year. “We have said this many times and are saying it again in this election that the NFP will fight the election on its own,” Prof Prasad said.

“FijiFirst party fought the election on the basis that everybody is a Fijian and everybody is equal. If that’s the case, why are people asking that question?” Prof Prasad said whether a Chinese or part European or iTaukei prime minister was chosen, then the question (possible coup) would never be asked.

“You create this fear of unknown,” he said.

“Nobody wants a coup in this country, nobody wants instability. Those people who go and talk about instability, they are creating fear and I am not talking about instability.

“We are not talking about coup, we’re talking about change in government at the ballot box.”

Farmer becomes Lawyer after lengthy struggle The struggling years of having to sell livestock with his parents to support his tertiary studies finally paid off for John Jainendra Prasad of Lojonia, Labasa, yesterday.

He was among the 20 lawyers who were admitted to the Bar before Chief Justice Anthony Gates at the High Court in Suva yesterday.

Mr Prasad, 27, had earlier taken a break from school to help his family save for his education.

“I come from an average family, my mother has worked for the past 29 years and my father worked for the past 37 years,” he said.

“I am grateful for their unwavering support; my church has been my foundation, both

spiritually as well as in terms of my direction.

I went through a lot of struggles during my studies. “I started in 2010, and had to take a break because we had some financial difficulties.

“I had to help my parents sell live goats and pigs in order to earn money for my savings to help me get back with my studies.” He said he was proud to be the first person from his extended family to have graduated in law and now admitted to the Bar. Mr Prasad hopes to join the Legal Aid Commission in future. “I want to serve the communities, people who go through hard times financially, I’ve been there and I know.”

Indian engineers to assess Fiji’s railway network A team of technical expertise from India will be deployed to Fiji in a few weeks to assess the island nation’s railway network. The Indian team will comprise civil and mechanical engineers, including traffic management experts.

A Government statement issued last night stated that Fiji secured this railway infrastructure development assistance from the Indian government at the World Sustainable Development summit held in New Delhi.

Attorney General and Minister for Transport Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum attended the meeting

held from February 15-17. The statement said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum met Indian Minister for Railways Piyush Goyal where he expressed the urgent need for revolutionising the existing Fijian railway network to not only cart cane by rail to the mills but extend it to transport everyday passengers and cargo.

“Using an upgraded rail system in such a manner will relieve pressure on Fijian roads and is fundamental to the long-term sustainable development of Fiji,” the statement quoted the AG as saying.

Maravu settlers evicted Residents of Maravu Settlement at Centrepoint, Nasinu are still pondering where to move next after the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) issued them eviction notices to relocate by end of this month. 45 year-old Shobna Devi had been living for nearly two years at the settlement, plans on where to move next for her

family was something she was more worried about. “We just moved here and now we have been told to move and find a place somewhere else because WAF needed to do some of their development works around where we live,” Ms Devi said. “We just bought this home for $10k and moving means well have to dismantle our

PAKISTAN

Saturday, February 24, 2018 Pakistan today said it has conveyed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) its intention to subscribe to the guidance on the import and export of radioactive sources.

The Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) said in a

Pakistan to follow IAEA guidance on trade of radioactive material statement that the guidance supplements the code of conduct on the safety and security of radioactive sources which, although not legally binding in nature, is an important component of

at No. 23 in the Pakistani Schedule Castes Ordinance-1957. “The honour to nominate first-ever non-Muslim Senator is also enjoyed by the PPP, which elected a Dalit, Dr Khatumal Jeewan, as Senator in 2009 on a general seat.

Likewise, Engineer Gianchand is the second Dalit to be elected as Senator in 2015 by the PPP also on a general seat,” the spokesman said.

Bilawal Zardari led PPP also nominated and elected Hariram Kishorilal as Senator on seat reserved for non-Muslims in 2012.

Pakistan is riskiest country for newborns: UNICEF The UN children’s agency in a report released Tuesday singled out Pakistan as the riskiest country for newborns, saying that out of every 1,000 children born in Pakistan, 46 die at birth.

“It’s abysmal,” said Dr. Ghazna Khalid, a leading obstetrician in Pakistan’s northwestern

of safety and security. “Pakistan has been voluntarily adhering to the code of conduct since 2005 and has put in place all the necessary arrangements and systems consistent with the recommendations of the code,” said the FO.

Banned Hafiz Saeed ‘charities’ pose challenge for Pakistan

First Hindu woman to be appointed Senator Senate elections are due on March 3, Kirshna Kumari Kolhi from Thar region will become the first-Hindu woman Senator in Pakistan, People’s Party officials said. Election Commission of Pakistan accepted the papers of 39-year-old Kolhi who was nominated by the ruling PPP for a Senate seat on minority from Sindh Assembly.

The election will take place on March 3. “Kolhi will be the first-ever Dalit woman in Pakistan who becomes a Senator,” a PPP spokesman said in a statement. Kolhi’s caste is mentioned

the global nuclear safety and security regime.

The code of conduct seeks to help countries ensure that radioactive sources are used in a manner consistent with the highest standards

Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Province. “We don’t need front-line medical doctors. We have plenty of them. We need skilled midwives.” The report, with its dismal figures that show South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa as the worst places for a child to be born, is part of UNICEF’s new

“Disqualified person can’t head of a political party” Supreme Court rules against former PM Sharif Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled former premier Nawaz as party that a person disqualified under Article chief stand null and void. Article 17 of the Constitution gives 62 and 63 of the Constitution cannot right to form a political party head a political party. A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed with legal conditions are also included in it, the SC judgement

by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and reads. The Chief Justice remarked comprising Justice Umer Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsen was hearing that it was mandatory for chief into the petitions, challenging the of political party to fulfill the requirements of Articles 62 and controversial Election Act 2017. In its judgement, the three-member bench 63 of the Constitution. Former ruled that former premier Nawaz Sharif prime minister Nawaz Sharif Nawaz Sharif does not qualify to serve as the PML-N was disqualified by the Supreme president. Election Act 2017 case: Parliament Court in the Panama Papers case last year under can’t enact law against Constitution basic Article 62 of the Constitution for failing to structure, says SC As a result of the SC ruling, declare his receivable salary as an asset. all decisions including Senate tickets issued by

vast network of Islamist charities Saeed, who is designated a terrorist taken over last week by Pakistan’s by the United Nations, shows how difficult it will be for the government government includes a horsebreeding stable, a fleet of 4x4 trucks, to even run the network, let alone a swimming academy, martial arts track and take control of all their sources of income and funding. classes and tens of thousands of staff and volunteers. Gov’t hopes that by Reuters visited three of JuD’s main Hafiz Saeed seizing control of the Jamaat-udfacilities - protected by close-circuit TV cameras, huge iron gates and Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) charities, which the United stout-built, bearded guards - including a States says are terrorist fronts, it can stave off+ sprawling 200-acre headquarters in Muridke being included this week on a global watchlist just outside the eastern city of Lahore. A few of country’s deemed to be doing too little to government representatives were on site and curb militant financing. But the sheer scale new signs hung to rename the facilities, but and diversity of the charities founded by Hafiz little else appeared to have changed

US motion to put Pakistan on terror financing watchlist differed Bid to put Pakistan on the global terror financing watch-list as member states could not reach consensus during an ongoing Financial Action Task Force (FATF) conference in Paris.

Undoubtedly, Pakistan has made determined efforts to avoid US unjustified bid to place the country on the global list of countries that finance terrorism.

The country made serious diplomatic approach to to avert being added to the watch-list, winning a last-minute reprieve at the Financial Action Task Force’s meeting.

Pakistan has sent top officials to plead its case in Financial Action Task Force meet in Paris.

T h e announcement came from Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif as he tweeted early on Wednesday thanking ‘friends’ who helped Pakistan avoid a bid of major international embarrassment.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif tweeted that the US has failed in its bid against Pakistan, adding that there was ‘no consensus on nominating Pakistan for the list’ and that he was ‘grateful to the friends who helped’ in the process.

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Saturday, February 24, 2018

Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president of North America removed over â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;inappropriate behaviorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Raj Nair (pictured), Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president of North America, is out after an internal investigation into reports of â&#x20AC;&#x153;inappropriate behavior.â&#x20AC;?

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll leave the company immediately, Ford (F) said on Wednesday.

The recent review found that â&#x20AC;&#x153;certain behaviorâ&#x20AC;? by Nair violated Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s code of conduct, the company added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We made this decision after a thorough review and careful consideration,â&#x20AC;? CEO Jim Hackett said in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ford is deeply

committed to providing and nurturing a safe and respectful culture and we expect our leaders to fully uphold these values.â&#x20AC;?

Nair has been head of Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North America division since June 2017. Before that, he served as Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head of global product development and chief technical officer. He first joined Ford in 1987 as an engineer, according to a company bio.

Indian-American lawmaker forms Congressional Solar Caucus Indian-American lawmaker Raja Krishnamoorthi has formed a bipartisan Congressional Solar Caucus to advance issues relating to the renewable energy and solar technology production sectors.

Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat, co-funded the Congressional Caucus along with Republican Ralph Norman of South Carolina.

A Congressional Caucus comprises a group of members of the US Congress that meets to

pursue common legislative objectives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Solar Caucus will work on a bipartisan basis to find common ground to tackle issues facing solar business and communities,â&#x20AC;? said Delhiborn Krishnamoorthi, a Member of the US House of Representatives from Illinoisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 8th district. As the former president of a solar firm in the Chicago suburbs, he is the first Member of Congress to come from the solar industry.

Indian-origin illegal moneylender jailed in UK An Indian-origin businessman who ran an unauthorised money-lending service in the UK has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of crimes under the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial regulations.

Dharam Prakash Gopee, charged under the the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Consumer Credit Act 1974 and the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, has also been issued with a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO), which will severely restrict the 64-year-oldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to carry out any illegal money-lending activity in future.

The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said this was the first case where it had sought such an order, which underlines the seriousness of the case. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The court is sending a very clear message that deliberate and repeated offending will lead to long periods of imprisonment. The FCA will continue to take whatever action is necessary to bring offenders to justice and protect consumers,â&#x20AC;? said Mark Steward, Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight at the FCA. Between 2012 and 2016, Gopee acted as an illegal lender despite being refused

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Priyanka terminates contract with Diamond Jewelry brand

Priyanka Chopra was the global brand ambassador for diamond jeweler brand Nirav Modi whose owner is accused of multi-crore scam, now Priyanka Chopra

has decided to cut ties with billionaire diamond trader Nirav Modiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand following the news about the alleged banking fraud carried out by him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the light of recent allegations, Priyanka Chopra has chosen to terminate her contract with the Nirav Modi brand,â&#x20AC;? a spokesperson of Chopra, who was the global brand ambassador for Nirav Modi, said in a statement issued on Feb. 23. As the news about the multi-crore scam involving Nirav Modi came to light earlier this month, a statement from the actress read that she was seeking legal opinion on her contract.

There were also speculations that she is suing the brand for non-payment of dues.

But her spokesperson denied this. The termination news comes in the wake of actresses Kangana Ranaut and Bipasha Basu accusing Mehul Choksiowned Gitanjali Group of breaching the contracts with them and not paying their dues.

Rani releases new song from film at her alma Mater Rani Mukerji went back to her alma mater, Maneckji Cooper High School, to launch the promotional video, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oye Hichki.â&#x20AC;? Sung by Harshdeep Kaur with lyrics

by Jaideep Sahni and music by Jasleen Royal, it is choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant.

The song sees Mukerji call out the prevalent social â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hichkisâ&#x20AC;? (hiccups) like preference for fair skin, looking down at people with disabilities, girls not having the right to choose their life partners and so on.

This video highlights the different types of discriminations prevalent in our society today that exists in each of us and urges everyone to identify them

and overcome them one by one.

Mukerji plays the character of Naina Mathur in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hichki,â&#x20AC;? who has Tourette Syndrome, a nervous s y s t e m disorder that forces an individual to make i nv o l u nt a r y repetitive movements or sounds. The film focuses on turning disadvantages into opportunities and staring down at challenges that life throws at one and ultimately winning over them. Directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra and produced by Maneesh Sharma, the film releases Mar. 23.

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Bollywood

Saturday, February 24, 2018

HOROSCOPE Aries @ ( ' $ ' With four planets now in your spiritual sector, this is the time of year when the cosmos encourages you to kick back

that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re more deeply connected with your feelings, particularly those that have been bubbling beneath the surface for a while.

Dreams could also be important and may even contain valuable guidance.

Taurus $ ' @

' Feisty Mars continues its journey through your sector of change and transformation, and this could stir up issues that may have been holding you back. Taking the time to process through these could be very helpful in clearing away blockages and allowing you to be more productive. A powerful focus on your social sector hints that your friendships and love life could sparkle.

However, as chatty Mercury aligns with ethereal Neptune over the weekend.

Gemini @

' P ' As lovely Venus combines with nebulous Neptune midweek in your career sector, it might

blend of energies could see you giving away too much in terms of time, money, or other resources. Thankfully, chatty Mercury and its tie with sobering Saturn can encourage a more realistic perspective, enabling you to do whatever is in your best interests. Over the weekend, an encounter suggests you may be eager to get to know someone better

Cancer P '' P '; There is a powerful focus on your sector of far horizons and travel this week, which could see you indulging in escapist tendencies.

However, romantic options show up, too, suggesting that if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re traveling you could meet someone special and form a close romantic bond. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also an emphasis on study and self-improvement. Indeed, as both inquisitive Mercury and the sun align with cautious Saturn over this week, a desire to study could lead to promising opportunities

Leo P ' $ '; The idea of change could appeal to you, but nothing will happen unless you do something about it. With a major focus on a sensitive area of your chart, you might connect with feelings that have been buried for some time, and this can encourage you to process through them.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be in too much of a hurry, though, as a gentle approach may work best. On another note, with lovely Venus angling toward feisty Mars, a desire to hasten a romantic relationship may not be helpful.

Virgo $ ' 0 ' Other people could have a very strong

be due to having four planets in your sector of relating. There are times over this week when you

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certainly help you. You may not see eye to eye with a family member over the weekend

Libra 0 ' Q( '' The temptation could be to give until you feel overwhelmed. The focus on the sign of Pisces and your sector of work and service suggests that you feel itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your duty to help others regardless of your own needs. This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sustainable.

And with both lively Mercury and the sun aligning with cautious Saturn this week, the cosmos is encouraging you to set

Scorpio Q( '; S + '' Your sector of leisure and romance sparkles this week, with a full lineup encouraging you to indulge in your favorite hobbies or spend time with that special person. And with lovely Venus linking to dreamy Neptune midweek, this can be the perfect opportunity for a special date.

However, a quarter moon in Gemini on Friday

milestone of a new relationship, perhaps by taking things further. Trust your instincts.

Sagitarius S + '; 2 ( '' A very homey focus could see you stepping back from life and viewing it from a fresh perspective. With a major focus on your family zone, the cosmos is encouraging you to take the time to nurture yourself with good food, plenty of sleep, and a chance to completely unwind. Although you might have a busy life, scheduling such activities into your week can help you feel refreshed and be more productive.

$ opinion, but you admire people who remain true to themselves.

Capricorn 2 ( '; P ' Communication can be the key to success this week, although clarity is essential, too. If someone has something important to tell you, you might need to read between the lines to understand whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really being said. However, with sobering Saturn involved in the mix, you

especially if you ask the right questions. With lovely Venus aligning with feisty Mars, you might be drawn to someone you sense is on the same wavelength even if it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t obvious.

Aquarius P ' 8 Although the focus is on money matters, the emphasis is also on the sign of Pisces, which suggests that spiritual values could

cosmos encourages you to draw a line, because there could be a tendency to be a little bit too generous to various charities. % $ you might have to change your approach.

The sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s link with cautious Saturn may help

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resources.

Pisces 8 ' @ ( ' Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be truly in your element this week with the sun, chatty Mercury, lovely Venus, and ethereal Neptune all in your sign. Your imagination could be very much to the fore, and this can be excellent for creative activities and romance as well. However, with ties to cautious Saturn, the cosmos is encouraging you to think about the practicalities of a project or new #

it could turn out very well for you.

When Hema Malini recreated iconic â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sholayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; scene on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dance India Danceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Zee TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dance reality show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dance India Dance,â&#x20AC;? had a special treat for its viewers as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dream Girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hema Malini was there as the celebrity guest on the show.

The actress captured everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hearts once again as she stepped on to stage draped in a beautiful golden saree. In the presence of the legendary actress, the contestants were excited to display their talent and win her praise. Malini showered each contestant with praises and commended their passion. Master Mudassar Khan, who is Maliniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s huge fan, requested her to enact an iconic scene from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sholay.â&#x20AC;?

Sportingly, the actress hopped onto a Tanga and recreated the magic of the scene where Basanti first comes faceto-face with Jai and Veeru.

Master Mudassar and Master Marzi played Jai and Veeru r e s p e c t i v e l y.

Marzi and Mudassar even danced to her song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jab Tak Hai Jaanâ&#x20AC;? from the film and dedicated the performance to her. They also thanked the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dream Girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for giving them an opportunity to be a part of the scene with her.

Divya Bharti ivya Bharti February 1974 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 April 1993). Divya starred in a number of successful Hindi and Telugu

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Bollywood Personalitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Birthdays

POOJA BHAT FEBRUARY 24

SHAHID KAPOOR FEBRUARY 25

DIVYA BHARTI FEBRUARY 25

SANJAY LEELA BHANSALI FEBRUARY 24

Bollywood

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Pareshaan Parinda: Cast: Meeraj Shah As Neel, Sakshi Singh As Mini, Pankaj Kumar As Raja Bhai, Avtar Singh Bhullar As Jai, King B Chouhan As Veer, K P Sandhu, Ricky Sapuran Singh, DS Dave, Sahil Sood, Sammy Gill and Naz Gill.

Pareshaan Parinda is an upcoming romantic thrilling drama. Starring Meeraj Shah, Sakshi Singh, Pankaj Kumar, Avtar Singh Bhullar, King B

Film: ‘ Pareshaan Parinda ’

Chouhan, KP Sandhu, Pallavi Sharma, Sadia Nabila, Ricky Sapuran Singh, DS Dave, Sahil Sood, Sammy Gill and Naz Gill. Two complete strangers, a young man and a young girl wake up in bed together. Neither of them can remember the previous night’s events and cannot recollect how they got there in the first place. Neel an average middle-class IT professional with a steady girlfriend finds himself involved with Mini who isn’t your average young girl. She’s the daughter

of a crime boss. Little did Neel know this was a fatal mistake getting involved with the underworld?

To add to the confusion Mini’s trio ruthless uncles and gang lords come to her rescue and take Neel to task.

The uncles will do anything for Mini’s happiness and get her pride back. The gangster Uncle’s demand that Neel make a honourable woman of their niece Mini or else. Pushed to the wall what options does Neel have? Under the banner of Dreamz Productions, Devesh Pratap Singh has directed the film. The story, concept and producer is Dr. Rachel Singh. The major part of the film is shot in Sydney (Australia) and bits in Singapore.

Feb

23

Welcome to New York *ing: Karan Johar, Diljit Dosanjh, Lara Dutta

Feb

23

Pareshaan Parinda *ing: Meeraj Shah, Sakshi Singh

New Released Bollywood Films Feb

16

Feb

16

Jaane Kyun De Yaaron *ing: ARaghu Raja, Abhishek

Feb

16

Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz

Note Pe Chot at 8/11

*ing: Zain Khan, Geetanjali Thapa

*ing: Ajay Kuundal, Ranbir KallsiSobhita

3

4

Bollywood

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Asha Bhosle honoured

Jaipur’s narrow street becomes set of Dev’s new film A narrow street here lined with vegetable, jewelry shops, and a few bikes parked on both sides, served as one of the set of British Indian actor Dev Patel’s new film, tentatively titled,

“The Wedding Guest.” Patel, who rose to fame with Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire” in 2008, was spotted here Feb. 22 shooting for the Michael Winterbottom’s directorial in a pair of blue jeans, grey shirt with rolled up sleeves and brown shoes. In one of the images captured

by IANS, he is smiling and interacting with a

crew member.

Patel was also caught by the cameras giving an intense look while holding on to his black and grey backpack and walking down a busy street in the Pink City. Like at any other film’s location, some of the locals stepped out to check out the shooting as the cameras rolled. The film’s team, including Indian actress Radhika Apte, started shooting for the movie earlier this month here. Patel had earlier visited India for his Hollywood projects, “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Lion,” and “Hotel Mumbai.” Earlier in an interview with IANS, Patel said that he wanted the world to “embrace stories from India.” Patel started his journey as an actor by essaying a Muslim teenager Anwar in the American TV show, “Skins,” after which he bagged the role of Jamal Malik in the Oscar-winning film, “Slumdog Millionaire.” He also played Sonny Kapoor in “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” Saroo Brierley in “Lion,” and Arjun in “Hotel Mumbai.”

Veteran singer Asha Bhosle was conferred 5th Yash Chopra Memorial Award

A

sha Bhosle was conferred the 5th Yash Chopra Memorial Award, instituted by philanthropist and Member of Parliament Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy in association with Anu Ranjan (president, Indian Television Academy) and Shashi Ranjan (chief managing director, ITA School of Performing Arts), at the JW Marriott Hotel on Feb. 17. The chief guests for the evening were governor of Maharashtra, Chi. Vidyasagar Rao and actress Rekha, who received the award in 2016. The award held in the memory of Yash Chopra has the blessings of his wife Pamela Chopra, who is part of the jury. The jury this year also comprised Boney Kapoor, Padmini Kolhapure, Madhur Bhandarkar, Honey Irani and Alka Yagnik,

besides Dr. Reddy himself.

Bhosle said, “Yash-ji was like my younger brother. It is unfortunate that he is not here anymore. I had a long association of close to 50 years with him. Once I complimented him on his choice of songs and melodies and told him that his ear for music has greatly improved with time. That’s when Yash-Ji told me, ‘I will tell you the secret if you will not share it with anyone – that it is actually my wife Pam who decides the songs in my movies.’ It is an emotional moment for me to receive this honor in his name.” Added Rekha, “I absolutely adore the Mangeshkar sisters. Between them, they have sung close to 90 percent of the songs in the Hindi film industry, and that’s just phenomenal.

Aamir Khan to shoot ‘Thugs of Hindostan’ climax in Rajasthan Aamir Khan’s big release this year “Thugs of Hindostan” - is nearing completion as the superstar says the last leg of shooting remains, which will be wrapped up in Rajasthan by the end of next month.

Produced by Yash Raj Films, the Vijay Krishna Acharya film brings together Aamir and megastar Amitabh Bachchan for the first time on screen.

“I am going abroad for a few days. Once I am back, we will resume shooting the climax in Rajasthan. The film will be completed by March end,” Aamir told reporters when asked about the status of the film. Last year, pictures of Aamir and Bachchan’s looks had leaked from the film set.

Aamir had then said, “Ideally, the pictures should not have been leaked” and he maintains that the first look will only be put out with an official poster.

“My look is still (being) kept under wraps. Of course, I am wearing the earrings and the nose ring, but my hair is quite long in the film and that will be out with the poster,” he said. “Thugs...” also star’s Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh.

The actor was speaking at the success bash of his last production “Secret Superstar” here last night.

Commenting on the massive success of the film not only in India, but also in China, Aamir said, “Some of my films have released in China and I’ve realised their emotional

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Kanganaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s look from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; revealed

K

angana Ranautâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upcoming film which is based on the life of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi and her war against the British East India Company, during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, is touted to be one of her most ambitious projects.

Now a picture of Kangana from the sets has gone viral wherein you can see her in a royal avatar. This is not the first time that a picture from the set has gone viral, but what caught our eye was her royal look which is so captivating that you just cannot take eyes off her. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is helmed by Krish who previously made his directorial debut with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Gabbar Is Backâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in Bollywood. Kangana was born on 23 March 1986. She established her career in Bollywood and is one of the highest-paid actresses in

India. Ranaut is particularly known in the media for expressing her honest opinions in public and is frequently credited as one of the most fashionable Indian celebrities. She is the recipient of several awards, including three National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards in four categories.

!

Bollywood

5

Rohit Shetty goes â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;smallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Little Singhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Rohit Shetty Picturez has ventured into animation series with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Little Singhamâ&#x20AC;? as the animated version for kids of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most successful super-cop franchise directed by Rohit Shetty. Rohit Shetty Picturez, Reliance Animation and Discovery Kids will be launching this new animation series inspired by the Ajay Devgn films â&#x20AC;&#x153;Singhamâ&#x20AC;? (2011) and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Singham Returnsâ&#x20AC;? (2014).

The original kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s content series in India will be aired in four languages- English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Targeted at kids belonging to the age-group of five to eleven years, the introductory line of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Little Singhamâ&#x20AC;? is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Police ki vardi, sher ka dum / Naam hai mera â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Little Singham (I am little Singham wearing a policemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s uniform and having the strength of a lion)!â&#x20AC;? The animated show will make its debut on television on Apr. 2018 on the completely revamped Discovery

Kids channel. This is probably one of the largest deals in the animation industry with the first season to go on air with 156 episodes and five tele-features. Said Shetty, â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Singhamâ&#x20AC;? was hugely loved by the kids, and a show like this will not only take the franchise ahead but will also become a source of entertainment for the kids and audiences who love the character and his films so dearly.â&#x20AC;?

Shibasish Sarkar, Reliance Entertainment, added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This series will set a completely new benchmark for animation in India. With Rohit also mentoring the animated series, we are confident of taking the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Singhamâ&#x20AC;? franchise to newer heights.â&#x20AC;? Speaking on the occasion, Uttam Pal Singh, Head â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Discovery Kids, Discovery Communications, India, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Little Singham,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the original make-inIndia super hero series, is a very bold and at scale attempt by Discovery Kids.

6

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Guess who Big B is following?

Of late, Amitabh Bachchan has started following several Congress leaders on Twitter. Netizens have been quick to take note of it. Tongues have been wagging as the veteran actor was once close to the Gandhi family.

After following Rahul Gandhi, he began following P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal, Ahmed Patel, Ashok Gehlot, Ajay Maken and Jyotiraditya Scindia among others. Manish Tewari, one of the Congressman followed by the actor, wrote, “Thank you Shri Amitabh Bachchan for following me... we grew up watching first day, first show every new release of yours. Those days in late ’70s and early ’80s a balcony ticket in Chandigarh was 3.

Unbelievable today (sic).” Big B sure loves to spring surprises and keep fans guessing about what he is up to.

Kapil’s act at Pak tourney condemned Kapil Sharma finds himself mired in another controversy. On Wednesday, the comedian performed at the opening ceremony of Pakistan Super League 2018 T20 tourney in Dubai. Considering the Indo-Pak political climate and the ban on participation of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League, certain right-wing groups were quick to condemn him.

They alleged that he was playing with India’s honour for earning money.

Let’s chat

ON THE SET

Is she PeeCee’s twin?

Priyanka Chopra is busy shooting for Quantico 3, while the actor’s online fans are tied up finding the similarities between her and American model Megan Milan. Yesterday, Twitterati went berserk about PeeCee’s doppelgänger. They felt Megan could pass off as their screen idol with her full lips and similar jawline. Megan, 22, is from Michigan and moved to New York over a year ago to pursue a career in modelling and acting. Fans are hoping the two come face-to-face as both are in New York currently.

Tied up

In the frame Akshay Kumar has begun shooting for Kesari. He shared a pic on social media from the set and wrote, “Innocent smiles galore on set. Shooting with these lovely children playing Afghani kids (sic).”

The film is based on the 1897 Battle of Saragarhi.

Just when we thought Taimur Ali Khan needed a haircut, we came across a snapshot of the munchkin, which had his hair in a tight ponytail. He is seen looking at dad Saif Ali Khan’s photograph, while sitting in his nursery. Looks like he was missing his busy daddy.

Rajniesh Duggall, who is heading one of Ekta Kapoor’s box cricket league teams, can’t do without glares. An amused Ekta wrote on social media, “Some players are wearing shades in indoor cricket box set and chashma still on even while bowling (sic).” If not the sun, it is the glaring lights that get the stars!

Mehr, Namrata ganged up against Malaika During a conversation with Neha Dhupia on her chat show, Malaika Arora confessed that during her early days of modelling, Namrata Shirodkar and Mehr Jesia, who were then known names, had bullied her. Malaika said, “Back in the day, the girls backstage were kind of ganged up by the seniors.

They were not mean, but they ganged up against me.” Namrata, who is married to Telugu actor Mahesh Babu, prefers leading a quiet life in Hyderabad. While Mehr and hubby Arjun Rampal, too, prefer living away from the glare. Wonder what they have to say?

Tannaz Irani has now turned chat show host with Tango with Tannaz. The web show had Manoj Bajpayee as her first guest.

After spending decades as an actor on the big and small screen, she feels colleagues will open up to her. One of her next guests is Chunky Pandey. This should be fun.

No more fears

Be on top of celebrity gossip with www.mid-day.com

TV actor Kavita Kaushik’s bikini pictures went viral yesterday. The FIR actor, who shared her holiday pi from Goa, says women should celebrate their flaw rather than be conscious about their bodies.

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Finance

7

Smart planning for the future By: Sandeep Ahuja Life is transitory/ uncertain. We don’t know what future has in store for us.

It’s important that we make our family secure by taking necessary steps for our family after we cease to exist. This will ensure that our loved ones are protected from financial and legal problems during the time/ emergence of any unforeseeable circumstance.

By taking below mentioned necessary steps we can get our affairs in order. Have life insurance, disability insurance and critical illness insurance Purchase adequate life insurance policy which may save your family from any financialcrisis even if you are not there to protect them. Also, if you are working in a field involving physical risk, it is essential that you purchase coverage for disability insurance. In addition, critical illness insurance protects you against 25 lifethreatening diseases. To understand your requirements, it is vital that you seek the help of a qualified insurance professional from Punjab Insurance Agency Inc. Always keep your address and phone number updated.

This will enable various financial institutions/ other agencies to be in constant touch with you.

In a country like Canada, we all know that the place of residence is usually not stable. Most

people move to different places and change their contact number accordingly. If by chance, the insurance premium cannot be deducted from your bankaccount due to non-sufficient funds or any kind of technical reason/error, in order to keep your policy active, there is a grace period.

After the grace period, your policy becomes voided and necessary steps need to be taken to reinstate it. In this situation, it is very essential that the insurance company and insurance agent should be able to reach you in a timely manner. It will be possible only if they have your updated address, bcontact number and email.

Always keep your contact details updated.If the mortgage amount changes, you can change the mortgage insurance You can change the amount of mortgage insurance if the mortgage amount changes. We usually tend to upgrade our house with the passage of time. If you upgrade your house, then the mortgage amount also needs to be updated. You may need to adjust your mortgage insurance accordingly. It is suggested to stay in touch with your Insurance Advisor on annual basis, who is local to you. Always check your insurance regularly for your designated beneficiary Your family composition may change with the passage of time. The unmarried individuals get married in future and may want to designate their spouse or children as their beneficiary while those already married may have added new family members. Also, a divorce may lead to other changes. Thus, you may want to modify the beneficiary in the insurance policy. Always keep the beneficiary information updated by

regularly monitoring your policy.

Keep your insurance updated for any change in your medical condition It is vital that you must keep a close check over your health for any emerging major health issue. If you experience any such health issue, to cover the corresponding risks, you may want to convert your term coverage to permanent coverage so that you are protected during times of need.

In case of any unforeseeable deterioration in yourmedical condition/health, the document becomes even more vital for you. You should always keep your insurance policy in a secure place. Because, due to deterioration of health, the chances of getting a new policy would become even bleaker. Specify where important financial and non-financial information is located Always keep a list of your financial documents such as bank account numbers, savings and retirement plans, insurance policies, mortgage, college funding plans and non-financial information such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, propertypapers, passports, jewellery etc. It should then be placed in a fireproof place such as a file cabinet, bank safe, home safe etc. Prepare a list of professionals who help you manage your financial and legal matters such as accountant, lawyer, and insurance agents.

Have a will and keep it updated It is vital that you should have a will in which you will designate your executors, guardians and trustees. Keep the document in a fairly obvious place so that your executor may

locate it when required. It is better if you keep it in a sealed envelope labelled with your name and ‘Will’. It should then be placed in a fireproof place such as a file cabinet or home safe. Have a power of attorney Name your spouse, relative or a close friend to have power of attorney for you.

This decision/step will enable him/her to manage your affairs in case you are unable to handle them. Have a health care directive You write this directive in advance to specify your preference for treatment decisions that should be followed in case you are unable to give directions for the same. This document is also known as a ‘living will’. In a country like Canada, where we are seeing increasing instances of people with psychological problems, to ensure proper treatment during any unforeseeable illness, you must have a health care directive. Make arrangements for final rites such as burial/cremation and donation of organs. In this manner, you will bring a ray of light in somebody’s life and will pass over your legacy to future generations. By undertaking such simple measures, you will be able to ensure the well being of your loved ones even when you are not around to fulfil their needs.

As an independent insurance advisor working through Punjab Insurance Agency, I deal with different insurance companies offering plans for different types of insurance. I can explain to you in detail, various insurance plan options and coverage that are suitable for your needs and resources. For a no obligation appointment, please call me at 604-996-6862 or email me at sandeepahuja@punjabinsurance.ca This article is © Copyrighted 2018-02-15 and can be reproduced only with prior permission.

Trudeau meets business community in India

8

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Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Saturday, February 24, 2018

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Saturday, February 24, 2018

Saturday, February 24, 2018

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Saturday, February 24, 2018

Parents workshop in Abbotsford, a huge success

We invite you to

An Evening Filled with Hope & Inspiration

5,000 Years of Civilization Reborn

Shen Yun’s unique artistic vision expands theatrical experience into a multi-dimensional, deeply moving journey through one of humanity’s greatest treasures—the five millennia of traditional Chinese culture.

Featuring one of the world’s oldest art forms—classical Chinese dance—along with patented scenographical effects and all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a civilization of profound wisdom and divine beauty.

“There is a massive power in this that can embrace the world. It brings great hope. It is truly a touch of heaven.”

—Daniel Herman, Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic

“These beautiful, gifted people are expressing something that’s both pure and good.”

—Philadelphia Weekly

“Epic! One of the greatest performances ever existing on the planet.

I will remember it for the rest of my life.”

—Arion Jay Goodwin, veteran music producer

“They’re performing through their spirit. It’s a breath of fresh air.

I felt a sense of happiness and peace.”

—Elvis Stojko, world champion figure skater & Olympic medalist

“The spirit of hope, beauty, and blessing ... it’s a fabulous gift to us.”

—Sine Mckenna, Canadian award-winning Celtic singer

All-New Program from New York with Live Orchestra

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Another successful Parent Workshop which took place this weekend in Abbotsford.

Great collaboration between CFSEU-BC and Abbotsford Police to raise awareness on Internet Safety, Mental Health and Gang Prevention. It was nice to see so many

different agencies come together for this educational event. Thank you Abbotsford Awareness Team for organizing this event and a sincere thank you to the management of Gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib Abbotsford for always supporting and hosting such events.

Vol. 9 No. 4

Saturday - February 24, 2018

Vancouver’s hot housing market just got tougher for wealthy Chinese Vancouver, one of the hottest housing markets in North America, is getting a little tougher for wealthy Chinese buyers.

British Columbia Finance Minister Carole James announced measures targeting foreign buyers and speculators in the first budget since her government was elected on a pledge to make housing more affordable for residents of Canada’s Pacific Coast province.

Starting Wednesday, foreigners will pay the province a 20 per cent tax on top of the listing value, up from 15 per cent now, and a levy on property speculators will be introduced later this year, according to budget documents

released Tuesday. The government will also crack down on the condo pre-sale market and beneficial ownership to ensure that property flippers, offshore trusts and hidden investors are paying taxes on gains.

Premier Horgan faces formidable demands after taking power in a fiercely contested election last July. His New Democratic Party made expensive promises to topple the Liberals, whose 16-year-rule brought the fastest growth in Canada, but also surging property while incomes stagnated.

Public outrage has surged amid perceptions that global capital seeking a stable sanctuary, especially from China, is driving doubledigit gains in Vancouver, the country’s most expensive property market.

B.C. unveils housing plan that raises foreign buyers levy and taxes speculators What can $500,000 get you in Toronto’s property market? A one-bedroom condo half the size of a badminton court Foreign buyers’ influence on Toronto and Vancouver housing markets is rising: report “The expectations that we will do everything in our first budget are huge,” James told reporters in the capital Victoria.

“Our goal is fairness — fairness for the people who live here, who work here and pay their taxes here.”

Continued on next pages

Tel: 604-591-5423

E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com

14

Real Estate

Cost of housing increases in greater Vancouver The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation says demand for less expensive condominiums and apartments in North Delta, Surrey and Langley has inflated prices at a sharper rate than in Vancouver.

The CMHC’s latest Housing Market Assessment for the first quarter of 2018 shows that year-over-year increases in property sales under the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) were 15 per cent compared to 10.4 per cent under the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.

The largest increases were for apartments or condominiums, some of which increased more than 50 per cent, according to the CMHC. The increases are based on the benchmark price composite, which tracks changes to middle-range or typical homes and excludes extreme high-end and low-end properties.

‘Most affordable units’ Eric Bond, a regional analyst with CMHC, says people are seeking out property in the Fraser Valley for a simple reason.

“Those municipalities have some of the most affordable units in the region, particularly for condos,” he said.

“For first-time buyers, given the price increases we’ve seen in the rest

of the region, often those units are what’s most interesting to them.”

The prices in CMHC’s report are further evidence that people are scrambling to find something affordable

outside of Vancouver or other areas.

‘This is an ugly market’: A look at Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack real estate However, it now appears that moving to the Fraser Valley is no longer an option to avoid sticker shock.

Statistics from the FVREB from December show the benchmark price for a townhouse went from $417,200 in 2016 to $513,100 in 2017.

Apartments increased from $276,600 in 2016 to $388,600 in 2017.

Saturday, February 24, 2018 From page 13

Vancouver’s hot housing market just got tougher for wealthy Chines James said a raft of new measures are intended to “moderate” the surge in housing prices, which she said had emerged as one of the top concerns of both residents and businesses struggling to recruit workers due to the high cost of living.

B.C.’s real estate market should not be used as a stock market The new speculator tax takes effect this fall and will apply to foreign and domestic investors who don’t pay income tax in the province.

It will start at 0.5 per cent of the property’s assessed value in 2018 and rise to 2 per cent thereafter. Primary residences and homes leased as long-term rentals will be exempt.

“B.C.’s real estate market should not be used as a stock market. It should be used to provide safe and secure homes,” said James. “That’s why we’re cracking down on speculators who distort our market.”

The levy, she said, will also capture “satellite families” — a term with Chinese origins to describe those families where the breadwinner remains in the home country while the children and spouse reside abroad to take advantage of educational and employment opportunities.

The foreign buyers’ tax will also be extended beyond the Va n c o u v e r region to properties in Victoria and other parts of the province.

Taxes on the p r o v i n c e’s most expensive properties will also rise — homes worth more than $3 million will pay a 5 per cent property transfer tax when sold, up from 3 per cent.

An Airbnb Canada ad for a Coal Harbour studio view in Vancouver. Airbnb Canada Separately, the government and Airbnb Inc. have reached an agreement requiring the company collect an 8 per cent provincial sales tax and as much as a 3 per cent local tax on short-term rentals, according to budget documents.

Public outrage has been further stoked by fresh media reports alleging Vancouver casinos and real estate have become vehicles in recent years for laundering the illicit proceeds of highrolling Asian gamblers and drug dealers with links to the Chinese fentanyl trade.

Vancouver vigilantes take housing matters into their own hands Freedom of Information request to determine what enforcement is being taken. Mr. Smecher’s is only one type of activism. Others vigilantes seek to spread information about fraudulent behaviour, map out empty houses or petition government. They share a common sense that things have gone wrong in Vancouver and government inaction means they’ve got to act. Mr. Smecher wonders whether politicians fully comprehend the situation.

Unless you’ve searched for housing in the past couple of years, he says, you wouldn’t really see how dire it is. “I’ve been living in a onebedroom with my five-year-old daughter, looking for years now for suitable long-term housing.

I want to play in my band, show my art, I want to set down longterm roots and I’m constantly bounced around units, with a feeling of uncertainty about where I’m going to live next year,” he says. “Everyone is in the same boat, unless you happened to hit the lottery two decades ago. My kind of activism is what people have to do, but in their own way. “People are feeling a frustration, an inability to act, and really, a bottled up anger that they aren’t finding an outlet for. And that’s got to go somewhere.

I really fear for the election coming up, if people aren’t given a sense that things are changing.” Mr. Smecher, who’s in his 30s, lives in his one-bedroom apartment near Commercial Drive, an area he’s lived in his entire adult life – although it’s becoming increasingly difficult. His daughter’s bed is

a nook in the living room, partitioned off with a curtain. As she grows older, he knows he’ll need a bigger space and he worries he won’t be able to find one. His previous rental was a nice $2,250-a-month basement unit that was sold after he’d lived in it for 10 months. He’s been on a co-op waiting list for several years.

He’s got his challenges, he says but he sees others who are worse off, such as people living in cars and vans around a nearby industrial area. They’re the ones getting bumped out entirely.

Raymond Wong, a 42-year-old

technologist who lives in Burnaby, launched a petition demanding the provincial government set up a 2-per-cent speculation tax, create a special task force on corruption, work with Canada Revenue Agency to tackle tax evasion and money laundering and ban developers from marketing overseas, among several other measures. Mr. Wong is a member of citizen group Housing Action for Local Taxpayers.

He has about 900 signatures on his change. org petition so far, which he plans to present prior to the February provincial budget. A lot of people have high expectations for the budget, he says.

Real Estate

Saturday, February 24, 2018

15

Condo developer demands 15% more money from buyers after project hits delays in New Westminster

A

group of prospective homeowners in New Westminster are crying foul after being told they need to pay tens of thousands dollars more for their presale condominiums or risk losing their future homes — despite signing a contract nearly two years ago. Earlier this month, Jago Development notified buyers of the Westbourne Residences project at 5th Avenue and 13th Street that the purchase price of their homes would be increasing by 15 per cent to cover unforeseen cost overruns caused by major delays. It was gut-wrenching news for Laurie Macleod, 55, who had poured his life savings into his dream one-bedroom condominium after renting his

whole life.

Worried your presale condo might be cancelled? Research the developer first “If I do not live here in this development, I will never be able to buy a home again. I won’t be able to afford a down payment,” he said holding back tears. The cost increase means another $40,000 out of his pocket — money he doesn’t have.

The 55-unit project was sold in 2016 at about $475 per square foot, according to the developer. Prices in nearby developments are now closer to $600 and as much as $700 per square foot depending on proximity to the Fraser River.

Westbourne Residences was expected to be complete in the spring or

summer of 2017. That date has been pushed back until this summer.

In a statement, Jago Development vicepresident Jennifer Tung wrote she was “deeply troubled” by the turn of events and that the company was doing all it could to complete the project while keeping the best interests of its clients in mind. It blames factors beyond its control for the delays, including the discovery of an underground stream, the icy winter of 2016/17 and a labour shortage.

All are circumstances that Macleod says an experienced developer like Jago should have had contingency plans for. He and other homeowners are now mobilizing in hopes of

Property assessment data shows big increases for many condo and townhouse owners Condominium and townhouse owners throughout Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley will likely get a shock when they open their property assessment notices this week, thanks to a region-wide increase in strata property values. On Tuesday, B.C. Assessment released its 2018 property assessment data, that showed across Greater Vancouver there were assessment increases in the five- to 35-per-cent range between July 1, 2016 and July 1, 2017. In the Fraser Valley, the increases ranged from 10 to 40 per cent. “The strata market is quite different. It’s been very robust — it’s really outstripped the single-family market,” said B.C. Assessment spokesperson Tina Ireland.

Last month, the authority sent warning letters to 67,000 homeowners, telling them to expect above average increases on their 2018 property assessment notices.

According to B.C. Assessment data, Vancouver strata homes went up on average 15.2 per cent over the previous year’s assessment, while in Surrey they went up 23.8 per cent. The City of Langley saw an even bigger jump — 26.2 per cent. A typical strata townhouse in Whistler Village went up 30 per cent, while a townhouse in Squamish’s Garibaldi Estates saw a 20-per-cent increase. “I think the extent to which things really cooled down in single family but not in condos was very, very striking because we tend to think of condos as something where you can add more supply, and single family it’s harder to add more supply,” said Tsur Somerville, professor and director of the University of B.C.’s Centre for Urban Economics and Real Estate.

Since the assessments took place on July 1, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver president Jill Oudil said the trend has continued. “Detached has calmed a bit, although it’s still what we consider a balanced market,” she said. “Condos and townhomes

haven’t changed as far as both being in high demand.” Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore, who also chairs the Metro Vancouver board of directors, said it’s not a surprise to see condo and townhouse assessments going up. It happened in Vancouver a number of years ago, and now the suburbs are catching up. Strata residential values went up about 20 per cent in PoCo, and a typical low-rise condo in the city’s downtown saw a 28 per cent increase. “What I hear most about is not necessarily the assessment percentage going up, it’s how unaffordable it is for people to now even afford a condo in the suburbs,” Moore said. Somerville agreed that the affordability of condos and townhomes is “worrisome.” “When you see a lot of price appreciation in the thing that’s really the entry level product, then you’re really more concerned about people being shut out, particularly when you see these kind of increases out in the Fraser Valley,” he said.\ The single-family home market was “really quite stable, especially in the core areas of Vancouver — Vancouver, Richmond, North Shore, Burnaby,” said Ireland.

Urban areas of Greater Vancouver saw changes that ranged from a decrease of five per cent to an increase of 15 per cent. Rural areas of Greater Vancouver saw a similar range, with the upper end hitting 25 per cent.

For example, in Vancouver single-family home assessments went up on average 1.6 per cent, Richmond went up 2.5 per cent and Burnaby went up 2.6 per cent.

“We start moving out to the Fraser Valley — so even out Coquitlam way, into Surrey and Abbotsford — seeing more in the 10- to 20-per-cent range for the 2018 assessment,” Ireland said. Detached homes in the Fraser Valley saw anything from a decrease of five per cent to an increase of 25 per cent.

#106 - 7565 132 St. Surrey, BC 604.572.3005

finding an alternative solution. Some have even posted signs on nearby posts to round up others like them. “I don’t want to lose my unit,” he said. Buyers have until Feb. 28 to agree to pay the extra money. For those who give up their purchase, the developer is offering options that promise some return on investment in recognition of the “sacrifice” buyers made.

Buyers can choose to take back their deposit and receive an additional 50 per cent. Or, if they are willing to wait until the units are sold to new homeowners at a higher price, they can get 40 per cent of the difference between the new and original sale price, minus administrative costs such as taxes, legal fees and commissions.

16

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