Indo canadian voice main jan 06 2018

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Canada has among the best educational and economic outcomes for children of immigrants in the western world “The children of immigrants from many Asian countries such as China and India register remarkably high educational outcomes”

The following are selected extracts

by Lexbase from this internal IRCC [Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Richard Kurland Canada] report: “Educational Outcomes in Canada”: “Canada fortunately has among the best educational and economic outcomes for the children of immigrants in the western world. This success sets Canada apart from most European nations, and to some extent, the U.S. But there is tremendous variation by country of origin. The children

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of immigrants from many Asian countries such as China and India register remarkably high educational outcomes.”

“As a very general statement, the children from Asian families tend to have the highest educational outcomes, those from American and European families tend to look somewhat more like Canadians, although they still register higher educational outcomes than Canadian families on average, and those from Latin America and the Caribbean tend to display lower levels of educational attainment, but still roughly on par with children with Canadian-born parents (from 23% to 28% completed university).” “[E]ducational attainment may work through a number of other factors. Parents, expectations regarding education matters, and immigrant families, particularly Asian families, tend to have higher educational expectations for their children, on average, than families with Canadian-born parents.

Immigrants’ place of residence also matters. They are more likely to live in large cities than Canadian-born families, where educational attainment is higher.

The factors mentioned so far refer to the family, but the group to which the child belongs also play a role. The tendency of young members of an ethnic group to have

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LEXBASE, Canada’s leading immigration publication under well-known lawyer Richard Kurland, has obtained under Access to Information a very revealing internal report authored by Garnett Picot, Research and Evaluation, CIC [Citizenship and Immigration Canada] - “The Educational and Labour Market Outcomes of the Children of Immigrants: A Success to be Preserved.”

Lexbase calls it “a candid analytical summary of empirical data” that “discloses Canada’s successes to date, and some challenges ahead.” It states that the report evaluates the performance of Canada’s immigration system over the long term, in terms of the educational and economic outcomes of children of immigrants. It says that a key disclosure is: “Within the second generation visible minority population, Blacks fared the worst in terms of economic outcomes, and the Chinese the best.”

The VOICE feels that this report is a slap in the face of white racists who are always spreading false propaganda – often carried in mainstream media – against immigration. Immigration to these white racists nowadays means “non-white immigration.”

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Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

The Indo-Canadian

VOICE

‘On average, children of immigrants do as well or better economically than their counterparts with Canadian-born parents’ CONTINUED FROM 1

The earnings gap for visible minorities relative to Whites is reduced across generations; it is greatest among the arriving generation. And it remains true that on average the children of immigrants do as well or better economically than their counterparts with Canadian-born parents.

This success is not evident in most other western nations, notably in Europe.

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the advantages associated with more highly educated role models in their group and strong networks also plays a role. And the school system itself no doubt plays a role.

The quality of education received depends less on the socio-economic background or place of residence of the family in Canada than in other countries such as the U.S.” “Family income does not seem to play a role; the likelihood of going to university does not depend upon family income in the immigrant community. This is important because many immigrant families struggle economically.”

“Labour Market Outcomes in Canada”: “visible minority groups tend not to do as well in terms of economic outcomes as one might expect given their higher average levels of education.”

“Within the second generation visible minority population, Blacks fared the worst in terms of economic outcomes, and the Chinese the best.”

“However, the gaps in economic outcomes between the second generation visible minority groups (relative to Whites with Canadianborn parents) are not large when compared to the much larger economic deficit experienced by their immigrant parents. It may be that for some, economic integration is a multi-generational process. The earnings gap for visible minorities relative to Whites is reduced across generations; it is greatest among the arriving generation.

And it remains true that on average the children of immigrants do as well or better economically than their counterparts with Canadian-

born parents. This success is not evident in most other western nations, notably in Europe.”

“WHY are Outcomes Better in Canada than in Europe? In general the data required to answer this question are not available. There is one exception, Switzerland. And this is a reasonable comparison. Immigration plays a major role in Swiss society as it does in Canada, since immigration rates are comparable.

And until recently, many Swiss immigrants tended to have low skill levels and come from poorer countries, as is traditionally true for many European nations. But in general the educational outcomes (and hence economic outcomes) of the children of immigrants in Switzerland are much poorer than those of students with Swiss parents, whereas in Canada the opposite is true. Why? Recent research focusing on the 2000s found a few answers.”

“First, in Switzerland the children of immigrants did much poorer academically in high school than did students with Swiss parents. This difference in secondary school

academic achievement accounted for virtually all of the gap in college and university attendance. The children of immigrants were less likely to go on to post-secondary education because they did not have the marks to do so. In Canada, there was no difference in the high school performance of the children of immigrants and students with Canadian-born parents, so high school achievement played no role in Canada.”

“Why did the children of immigrants in Switzerland do poorly in high school whereas in Canada they did fine? Socio-economic background, including parental educational attainment, source country and ethnic group of the parents, played a major role. In Switzerland, from 50% to 75% of the difference in high school performance between the children of immigrants and those with Swiss-born parents was related to differences in socio-economic background. This factor is of course driven to a great extent by the immigration system, since it relates to the types of immigrants who enter the country.

Switzerland has recently altered its immigration policy to focus on more highly skilled immigrants, in part to confront this issue. Part of the reason for poorer secondary outcomes in Switzerland also related to the ‘streaming’ process in secondary school and the fact that children with an immigrant background tended to be streamed into the less academic streams which do not lead to post-secondary education, even if their academic performance was comparable to that of the students with purely Swiss backgrounds.”

“In Canada there is no such streaming process. In fact, as noted ear-

lier, among students with poorer secondary school outcomes in Canada, those with immigrant backgrounds are much more likely to obtain post-secondary education than students with a purely Canadian background. Differences between Switzerland and Canada in the source country of immigrant families no doubt play a role here.”

“In Canada, if differences in secondary school performance do not explain the higher university attendance rates among the children of immigrants, what does?”

“It relates to higher parental expectations among immigrant families, the higher educational attainment of immigrant parents, where they live, and ‘ethnic group’ effects related to networks, role models and expectations. Canada obtains a larger share of its immigrants from countries that place a very high premium on education, such as China and India, than does Switzerland (or most European countries). “…couple of very important successes are often overlooked. The first is the success of the children of immigrants, and this is somewhat unique to Canada. It is not observed in most European nations, and to a lesser extent in the U.S. The second is Canadians’ positive perception of immigrants and the need for immigration. This too is somewhat unique to Canada, as negative reactions toward immigration are more evident in many European countries, the U.S. and Australia.”

“HOW do we ensure that the success regarding second generation outcomes continues in the future?

The first step is to recognize that changes in immigration policy -

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Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018 | Indo-Canadian Voice

Thunder from Jalandhar is crowned Heavy Weight Champion of All Star Wrestling SURREY resident Parmvir Singh Atwal stole the thunder at the All Star Wrestling event last Friday (December 29) at Cloverdale as he defeated the all-American Azeem the Dream much to the delight of the spectators.

Parmvir – better known as the Thunder from Jalandhar – is now the Heavy Weight Champion of ASW. Parmvir, 37, was born in Edmonton, Alberta. His family is originally from Jalandhar in Punjab, India.

Parmvir, who runs his own electrical company, told The VOICE: “I signed up for wrestling just to do something different with my life … you know, the childhood dream to be a wrestler one day.”

So he called up ASW’s Mark Vellios and Nathan Burke.

“They brought me in and the first day I was there, they asked me if I would mind being a Punjabi character. I said ‘no problem.’ So I got all trained up in six months,” he said.

shows a month at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. They also have shows now and then in Abbotsford, the Sunshine Coast, Squamish, Chilliwack, Vancouver and Richmond.

He said the ASW has family-friendly sports entertainment with less violence and more theatrical-type wrestling.

All photos submitted

He signed up in January 2015.

“I did a different [Punjabi] character [at first] … but then the Thunder from Jalandhar was born September 22, 2016,” he added.

IMMIGRANTS particularly immigrant selection - can influence the educational economic and social outcomes of the children of immigrants.

Immigration policy has a number of objectives, of which the outcomes of the second generation should be one.”

“Continued focus on more highly skilled immigrants will also help ensure future success, as since this is an important determinant of second generation outcomes. Cul-

He debuted in Abbotsford. “It took off the first day and the crowds loved it with Punjabi music and Bhangra dancing as an entrance,” said Parmvir.

Vellios told The VOICE that the ASW runs two

tural differences among immigrants from different countries are also important, but typically are not considered in immigrant selection for obvious reasons.”

“Taking steps to maintain the positive attitude of Canadians towards immigration can also help, since a population backlash can negatively affect second generation outcomes. These steps might include continuing to ensure that immigrants are selected such that they contribute positively to the social and economic development of the country (and are perceived to be doing so,

and avoiding events that weaken Canadians’ belief that immigration does not have significant negative social or economic effects. For example, Canada is one of the few western nations where researchers, policy developers and the public are little concerned about immigrants ‘stealing’ the jobs of Canadians. This is a prominent issue in most western nations. But a few highly publicized events demonstrating that employers are selecting immigrants (temporary or permanent) in the place of Canadian workers could change this perception. This would

negatively affect the populations view of immigration and hence of immigrants (and their children). But European research has shown that it is more a concern regarding the effect of immigration on social structures, religion and social outcomes, rather than negative economic effects, that fuels a negative view of immigration. Avoiding such concerns in Canada will also assist in maintaining the positive outcomes of the children of immigrants and the very positive view of immigration that is currently held by Canadians.”

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Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

B.C.’s first baby of 2018 born to Manpreet Nijjar and Hardip Shergill of Surrey

SURREY mom Manpreet Kaur Nijjar and dad Hardip Singh Shergill were the proud parents of the first baby born in B.C. in 2018. She is their first child.

The baby girl was born just nine seconds after midnight at Surrey Memorial Hospital. She weighed eight pounds, seven ounces.

The baby will be named only later in the

week when the parents visit a gurdwara for the formal name-choosing ceremony. The couple moved to Canada from India just two years ago.

The baby was actually expected on Christmas Eve and doctors had to perform a C-section.

NEXT BC LIBERAL BOSS

are weighted equally. The case when Christy IN BRIEF preferential ballot system Clark got elected. will add more mystery The last leadership debate takes place on January 23 in Van- to the whole affair as voters can rank six couver and voting will be from February 1 candidates. When someone’s preferred to 3 online and over the phone. Mass sign- candidate loses, their second choice kicks ups in some ridings will prove to be of little in. The six would-be leaders are the five value because all of the 87 electoral districts MLAs – Mike de Jong, Andrew Wilkinson, Todd Stone, Sam Sullivan (former Vancouver mayor) and Michael Lee – and former Conservative MP Dianne Watts (former Surrey mayor).

the street while others he sexually assaulted in their apartments. He used a weapon in four attacks. He was declared a dangerous offender in 1994. He was released on day parole in November 2006, but that was revoked in January 2008 when he tried to pick up a prostitute when he was supposed to be at work. He was classified as a minimum-security offender in May 2016 and last year he was allowed escorted temporary absences with his family. Last month, the Parole Board of Canada found that he poses an andue risk to re-offend and denied him day as well as full parole. But the board said that he did not pose a risk to re-offend if he is permitted unescorted absences with relatives under special conditions such as not to drink, to report all intimate sexual and nonsexual relationships and friendships with women, not to drive, and not to have any direct or indirect contact with his victims or their families.

IN less than a month’s time - on February 3 - we will know who’s going to be the next leader of the B.C. Liberal Party, though it won’t be terribly exciting because that person will be just the Leader of the Official Opposition – not the Premier as was the

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MARPOLE RAPIST BACK IN NEWS GARY Jagur Singh, 62, was convicted of sexually assaulting 11 Vancouver women, aged 19 to 51, mainly in Vancouver’s Marpole area between January 1988 and August 1991. DNA evidence linked him to the crime scenes. Some women he grabbed off

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6

Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

Pedestrian who died in Richmond accident identified as Esthersita Anthonyraj Achari THE 27-year-old female pedestrian who succumbed to her injuries last week on December 28 after being struck by a Canada Post semi-truck shortly after 2 p.m. on December 27 in the area of Garden City Road and Sea Island Way in Richmond was Esthersita Anthonyraj Achari.

She had come from India and was working in a long-term care home while pursuing her studies to become a licensed nurse. Her parents live in Mumbai and they had reportedly sold off their house to pay for their daughter to come to Canada.

A Gofundme account set up for her (gofundme.com/funeralfundforesthersita) had collected more than $20,000 by Thursday morning,

showing the amazing generosity of people.

Police said neither speed nor alcohol is believed to be a factor in this fatal collision.

According to the Gofundme page set up for her: “Esther came to Canada in hopes of fulfilling her family’s dreams. She was a nurse back home at Hiranandani Hospital in Mumbai, India. She had been going to school for over a year to get her nursing license in Canada. She just recently got her care aid license and was working at Minoru Residency part of the Richmond Long-term care facility. She was in her final stages of exams to obtain her Canadian RN license. Her parents had sold their family home to send Esther to Canada. After finally

being employed fulltime Esther insisted on her parents buying an apartment and started taking care of their needs. This loss has affected her parents beyond what words can describe.

“Her college friends adored and cared for her as if Esther was their own sister. She was most cautious one out of the bunch. They are shocked that this would happen to her. “She is the type to take a long way around, just to follow the rules.”

“The college, the Tamil association, and family members are raising money to lift the burden of the funeral expense on the parents in India. We are trying hard to send her remains by flight to India in a timely manner so that her parents can rest her in peace.”

MPs, mayors from Indian diaspora to attend first ‘People of Indian Origin’ (PIO) event in New Delhi New Delhi (PTI): Over 140 MPs and mayors of Indian-origin from 23 nations will converge

here as part of a conference which will be inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra

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The first ‘PIO Parliamentarian Conference’ will be held on January 9 at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra at Chanakyapuri, Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) in the Ministry of External Affaird, Dnyaneshwar M Mulay, told reporters.

He said invitations were sent to 30 countries after getting feedback on diaspora presence there from various Indian missions and “23 have confirmed their participation”.

Mulay added: “A total of 141 public representatives from these countries are scheduled to participate. 124 MPs from the UK, Canada, Fiji, Kenya, Mauritius, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and other countries are slated to take part.

“Besides, 17 mayors, including from the US, Malaysia, Switzerland, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago are also scheduled to join the daylong event here.”

When asked why no members of the U.S. Congress were participating, he said it was because of the ongoing session of its Senate.

“Except Sri Lanka, no invitation was sent to any other SAARC [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] country,” he said, when asked about SAARC countries’ participation.

Asked if the conference could provide a platform in furthering the government’s efforts towards making Hindi as one of the official languages of the UN, Mulay said, “We do give a lot of priority to Hindi. And, when participants from countries like Fiji and Mauritius will come and speak in Hindi, it will, on its own give it the right push.”

The event will have two thematic sessions, the first one will have as special guest senior Congress leader and chairman of the parliamentary committee on external affairs, Shashi Tharoor. The session will be presided over by Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

The second session will have Parliamentary Affairs minister Ananth Kumar as a special guest which will be chaired by Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Mulay said the idea of this event is essentially to “break the barriers” that may have existed due to the lack of communication between us and any of the other countries.”

“It will also be an occasion for those countries to upgrade their idea and image about India.

Many people outside may still carry the image of slums and other such images of the country. It will tell them the journey of India and its growth story,” he said.

“Also, many of these PIOs would be coming to India for the first time. We want to help them reconnect with the land of their ancestors in the true spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbukam’ [The world is one family.] And, this would also give us an assessment about the size of the Indian diaspora globally,” Mulay added.

There will be some tourism, cultural and sightseeing activities also for the visiting members.

Indian Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will close the conference during the valedictory session alongside Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

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Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018 | Indo-Canadian Voice

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Indo-Canadian Voice |

Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

Ontario Gurdwara Committee justifies ‘trespass notice’ for Indian officials THE Ontario Gurdwara Committee (OGC), in partnership with the gurdwaras, will be hosting an information session and press conference on Saturday about the ‘trespass

notice’ for Indian Government officials that recently went into effect at Ontario gurdwaras. The OGC said: “In light of the recent uptick of interference of Indian Consular

and Indian Government officials in the lives of Canadian Sikhs, Gurdwara Management Committees across Ontario have jointly taken the decision to bar the entry of these officials [to] gurdwaras pursuant to the Trespass To Property Act (1990).”

It added: “The presence of these officials makes members of the Sikh community uncomfortable in gurdwaras as they continue, among other things but not limited to, meddling in local community events, the use of bullying tactics of Indian visa denial,

pressure on members of the congregation to not support certain politicians, and efforts to silence members of ethnic media on Sikh issues; as such proactive steps have been taken to ensure that Sikhs attending local gurdwaras can do so without the interference of Indian agents/consular and/or government officials.”

The press conference will take place at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Malton (Malton Gurdwara), 7280 Airport Road, Mississauga.

Avtar Dhammi of Brampton arrested for first-degree murder AVTAR Dhammi, 38, of Brampton was arrested and charged with first-degree murder by investigators from Peel Regional Police’s Homicide and Missing Persons Bureau on Sunday in the region’s 16th homi-

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On December 31, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Peel Regional Police responded to a pedestrian struck at a plaza on Torbram Road and Peter Robertson Boulevard in the City of Brampton. Police arrived on scene and located the male who was rushed to a local hospital. The victim, a 34-year-old male from Caledon, succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was struck by a pick-up truck which remained on scene.

Major Collision Bureau and Forensic Identification Unit attended the scene and, due to the suspicious circumstance involving the incident, Homicide and Missing Persons Bureau was contacted and attended the scene.

On Sunday, Dhammi was arrested and charged in the homicide. He appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton the same day and was remanded into custody.

Male shot in Cloverdale in targeted incident A male was shot in Surrey’s Cloverdale area in the early hours of Thursday.

On January 4, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Surrey RCMP responded to a report of shots fired in the 17400-block of 64th Avenue. Police subsequently located a male inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot injuries at that location.

The male was transported to hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The suspect or suspects fled the scene in a vehicle prior to police arrival. There are no suspect descriptions available.

Officers canvassed the neighbourhood and spoke with witnesses to obtain further information. Police said that this was likely a targeted incident. They added that it was too early to determine if this incident was related to drugs or other shootings.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 and quote file #2018-1547.

If you wish to make an anonymous report, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or go to www.solvecrime.ca.

FOR MORE NEWS ANY TIME VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.VOICEONLINE.COM

9

Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018 | Indo-Canadian Voice

Trudeau: ‘We must … make sure everyone has a real and fair shot at success” PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau in his New Year’s message said: “The 150th anniversary of Confederation was also a chance to reflect on the moments Canada has not lived up to its ideals. Indigenous Peoples, and many Canadians, have faced prejudice and oppression in our history. In the New Year and the years to come, we must continue to work to right these wrongs, and make sure everyone has a real and fair shot at success.”

He added: “In 2017, we made real progress toward these goals. Our government took action to build a better future for families across Canada – from taking steps to strengthen the Canada Child Benefit and investing in early learning and child care, to creating new opportunities for young people, to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and protecting the rights of LGBTQ2 communities. We made gender equality a priority at home and abroad, and took strong steps to fight climate change and protect our environment, for generations to come. We launched Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy and lowered the small business tax rate – and together, we continued to create jobs, grow our economy, and strengthen the middle class.”

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RATTAN’S RUMBLE: FROM THE PAST

Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

EDITOR’S NOTE: With another week of scarcity of news, thanks to the Holiday Season, I decided to carry some of my past pieces of commentary from Rattan’s Rumble / Me Thinks that were not on crime or politics as such: * Gori / gora; Caucasian / white; East Indian / Indo-Canadian / South Asian; Asian / East Asian / Southeast Asian; and so on (December 2015) * Two white dudes in turbans rock Brampton! (June 2014) * Interesting reactions from readers (June 2016) * Cellphone radiation may lead to poorer sex life – BUT why VOICE Editor has never had a cellphone! (April 2014)

Gori / gora; Caucasian / white; East Indian / Indo-Canadian / South Asian; Asian / East Asian / Southeast Asian; and so on The term “gori” is NOT racist, says B.C. Human Rights Tribunal

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[This commentary was first published in December 2015 – an expanded version of stuff I had written on different occasions in the past on this topic.]

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Gill kept calling her “gori” in spite of her insistence that he use her name.

Gill told the tribunal that she never told him that she found the word to be racist or disrespectful and that he used the word “gori” because he couldn’t pronounce her name.

IN a country – and a world – that is getting more and more multicultural, it is useful to learn what is derogatory or racist or negative in any way.

Incidentally, I have always argued that a word itself may not be racist, but what is more important is how the person uses it and what REALLY lies in that person’s HEART. Unfortunately, only God can read our hearts and so we are left wondering who really is racist or not racist. People, white and non-white, are very good at covering up their racism, especially with the notorious preface: “I am not racist, BUT ...” and then they go on to say the most racist of things!

Or they use the usual angle of “Oh, I have (white / black / South Asian / Chinese / etc) friends” and then go on to say racist things, as though having one or more friends of that race or religion or background justifies what negative things they utter!

I also find that a lot of people who say some stuff that appears to be racist are not really racist but just ignorant and readily apologize when someone points out that they are being offensive.

So it’s nice to forgive and be forgiven – remember that, for nobody is perfect.

THAT brings me to the terms “Caucasian” and “white” – with American media using the term white and a lot of Canadian journalists and others using the term Caucasian. White is white (just as I am a BROWN guy – and proud of it in a nice way) and it is better to use the term white as the word Caucasian is also used in a technical way to include people from West Asia and even north India. When you say white, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind what you mean.

Canadians are more often using the term ‘white’ now.

Incidentally, the term brown can be very confusing because it could refer to someone from India or West Asia / Middle East or someone who is Hispanic / Latino and so on – not very helpful when police are looking for a suspect!

CONTINUED ON 12

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Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018 | Indo-Canadian Voice

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RATTAN’S RUMBLE: FROM THE PAST

CONTINUED FROM 10

(I won’t go into the colour complex of my fellow South Asians many, if not MOST, of whom are obsessed with how “fair” or “white” one of them is – that fair or white really refers to how LIGHT BROWN someone is. When I was a crime reporter in New Delhi with The Times of India newspaper, I remember how the police would use terms such as “fair” (very light brown) and “wheat-ish” (a darker brown) and “dark” (dark brown or very dark brown) to identify suspects or others.

In Bollywood, the term “gori” generally refers to a beautiful girl or woman – because being fair-skinned is supposed to be beautiful!

So guys, LIGHTEN UP (pun intended)! It’s okay to laugh at oneself also!

SO what term to use for people from India – and other South Asian countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh?

What is becoming increasingly acceptable is the term South Asian – especially as in Canada people from these countries are becoming less and less divisive and more and more accepting of each other and avoiding politics from back home. Of course, there will always be some losers.

The term “East Indian” is definitely outdated, though some dinosaurs in the RCMP and other organizations still use that term. My advice to them: avoid using that term.

Sometimes though it is necessary to identify one more precisely and then people use terms such as Indo-Canadians or PakistaniCanadians – and even Canadian Sikhs or Canadian Muslims. It depends on the context – and there is nothing wrong with it as long

Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

as you don’t use them to cause divisions and racism.

THEN there is the term “Asian” that is unfortunately used too narrowly in Canada, but not in the U.S. where an Asian is a person from the continent of Asia – from Turkey and Syria to India and Pakistan to Vietnam and the Philippines to China and Japan.

In Canada, the term Asian is INCORRECTLY used ONLY for people from East and Southeast Asia. That is why I use the term “East Asian” to refer to people from East Asia and Southeast Asia – or I use Southeast Asian when being more specific, if required.

MISUNDERSTANDINGS are also bound to happen in a multicultural society – so don’t be too eager to take offence. Even in India, where so many different languages are spo-

ken, there are misunderstandings because a word that may mean something quite okay in Hindi, for example, may be an abuse in Tamil, spoken mainly in the south India state of Tamil Nadu. Sometimes a business has to actually change the name of their product to sell in a different state!

One of my white pals, Candy, complained to me a few years ago that she found it rude how her South Asian boss and other South Asian employees at a printing business kept talking about her in Punjabi. When I asked her a few questions about it as I suspected there was some misunderstanding here, it turned out that whenever they used the Punjabi word for “she says” or “she said” – “wo kandhi” – she thought they were using her name “Candy”!

We all had a jolly good laugh at that!

Two white dudes in turbans rock Brampton!

[This piece was first published in June 2014. Interestingly, it also mentions Jagmeet Singh, who is now the leader of

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the wedding of my best friend, Amarjit Ahluwalia’s younger son, Sabir, who was born in India before my friend and his wife, Reena, moved to Canada in 1989. I followed them here in 1990 and stayed with them in Toronto before moving to Vancouver the following year.

Indeed, how time flies!

Anyway, what really made this wedding so exciting for me, besides meeting with some friends after 14 years and some others after 24 years, was the experience I had traveling around with two young white guys who had gone to school with Sabir – Anders Robinson, who flew in from Alberta, and Jonathan Brown.

Both Anders and Jonathan wore spiffy “achkans” and fancy traditional Indian shoes usually worn at weddings – and turbans.

And they were all smiles, so proud of their appearance.

I decided to go with them in their vehicle as we headed from my friend’s house in Brampton to the wedding ceremony. They were in the front seats and I was in the back. At a red light, I noticed a white guy two lanes away staring at them with a quizzical expression that I found terribly amusing. I did expect him to blurt out something and told Anders and Jonathan to be prepared for it.

We weren’t disappointed as he soon rolled down his window, stuck out his head and yelled: “You guys aren’t from India, are you?”

We all had a good laugh as the lights turned green and we had to move on.

Then on our way back home after the wedding, we stopped at a Starbucks and all the customers looked really amused. The white woman in front of us in the lineup was all excited and asked them why they were wearing turbans and the Indian dress and shoes.

“Are you a boy band? … Just tell me your name – I know most of them,” she inquired in an excited tone.

“And why aren’t you dressed like them?” she asked me, as I was wearing a regular suit.

I told her I was their security guy and to keep a distance from them, much to everyone’s amusement.

CONTINUED ON 14

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Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018 | Indo-Canadian Voice

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RATTAN’S RUMBLE: FROM THE PAST

CONTINUED FROM 12

We finally told her about the wedding and then she asked them if she could take a photo. As she focussed her camera on them, her daughter whispered something in her ear. I asked her what

It was also neat meeting popular Punjabi singer Gursewak Mann, brother of Harbhajan Mann, who is a relative of Sabir’s wife, Gurpreet. He even sang at the wedding reception. He told me he was also a pilot and had actually grown up in the Lower Mainland in B.C. He and his brother are working on a new album.

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Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

her daughter had told her and she replied that she wanted their fancy shoes to be included in the shot as she had been focussing primarily on their turbaned heads.

Then at another red light, a black guy rolled down his window and politely asked Anders and Jonathan if he could take a photo of them, and they posed for him with big smiles.

On the other side, some South Asian guys took out a camera too, but then the lights changed and everyone had to move on.

Anders and Jonathan were so thrilled with all the neat attention that they refused to take off their turbans all day!

This got me wondering why they had attracted so much attention because here in B.C. I guess it wouldn’t have been such an “adventure.”

Sikh groups have been organizing turban-tying events besides doing turban-tying at mainstream events, among other things. This kind of activity helps break down prejudice. I guess Sikhs in Brampton need to do more to reach out to other communities.

It was also neat meeting popular Punjabi singer Gursewak Mann, brother of Harbhajan Mann, who is a relative of Sabir’s

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I also got to meet with the NDP’s star MPP (as MLAs are called in Ontario), Jagmeet Singh, at the wedding. He had just been re-elected last Thursday from Bramalea-Gore-Malton.

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RATTAN’S RUMBLE: FROM THE PAST

Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

ME THINKS: Reactions from readers [These reactions were first published in June 2016.]

HOODIE – NOT TURBAN!: This week I

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in my reporting about the murder of developer Amarjit Singh Sandhu on June 4. I had written that a witness told Richmond News that the killer was wearing a hoodie. The caller said his friend had sent him The VOICE report on the murder and told him that I had incorrectly used the word “hoodie� instead of “turban.� When I explained what a hoodie was and told him that criminals often wore them to hide their faces, he said words to the effect: “Oh, I understand now. My friend told me that you had made a mistake – the word should have been turban. I was wondering because I didn’t know what a hoodie was.�

ANTI-INDIA? ANTI-KHALISTAN?: Phew!

I keep getting accused of being anti-India or anti-Khalistan and so on - depending on the news article or comment / analysis. The fact is that The VOICE reports what it believes to be the truth and is always ready to give the other side of the story as well. It does not believe in sucking up to anyone. However, when comments in reaction to our stories on our website are inappropriate (lies, distortions, abusive language, personal attacks and so on), they are deleted.

One reader wrote offensive comments - using dirty abuses in Hindi - against pro-Khalistan Sikhs which were naturally not approved, and he finally asked: “Are you pro anti-India newspaper that you do not have the guts to post my comments?� Another reader in reaction to another news story accused “Indian agents� of a crime and ended his rather long comment with: “God bless.

KHALISTAN FOREVER!� Of course, that comment – as well as another from him making a personal attack on a community leader – were also deleted.

ANTI-MALE, PRO-FEMALE?: On June 1, I posted a story from Ontario’s Peel

Regional Police about a Brampton public school teaching assistant Nakeshia Lowe being arrested for sexual offences. In editing the piece in a bit of a hurry (I single-handedly manage all the stories on the website as well as in the print paper!), I referred to Lowe as “he�. Within minutes of posting that story, I received this nasty email: “Hello Rattan. You’ve identified Nakeshia Lowe as a male.

She is in fact female. Not sure why you did this, but I find it a bit disturbing you may have presumptively assumed a person charge with sexual assault is male.

Perhaps give your head a shake, come to your senses, check your bias...and report stories a bit more accurately.� I corrected the story and replied to his email: “Thanks for your polite correction.� [He didn’t respond to that email!]

ANGRY ANTI-CRIME MALE: Then there is this guy who religiously makes strong anti-crime comments – only that almost all of them are a bit TOO strong – abusive and even hate-crime types. But maybe I should have allowed this comment in reaction to a story about a young white male who allegedly attacked two female seniors for no apparent reason: “Find the scum and then send the scum to me. My size 13 steel-toed boots need a REAL good workout!�

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RATTAN’S RUMBLE: FROM THE PAST

Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018 | Indo-Canadian Voice

17

Cellphone radiation may lead to poorer sex life – BUT why VOICE Editor has never had a cellphone! [ I had written on this topic earlier, too, and decided to add a commentary to a new item in April 2014.]

scale, the researchers concluded that the results indicated a need for larger-scaled studies.

New York (IANS): Do you eat, sleep and drink your mobile phone, literally? Limit your WhatsApp or Facebook urge as men using cell phones for over four hours a day are at a greater risk of impotency than those who use it for less than two hours, an alarming research has indicated.

Two new studies in Austria and Egypt have linked daily cell phone use to erectile dysfunction (ED).

The researchers believe the damage could be caused by the electromagnetic radiation emitted by handsets or the heat they generate.

For the study, the researchers recruited 20 men with erectile dysfunction and another group of 10 healthy men with no complaints of ED. There was no difference between either group regarding age, weight, height, smoking, total testosterone or exposure to other known sources of radiation.

Scientists found that men who had erectile dysfunction carried switched-on cell phones for an average of 4.4 hours daily, whereas the men without erectile dysfunction averaged 1.8 hours.

“Men who use mobile phones could be risking their fertility,” said the researchers in a report published in the latest newsletter of Environmental Health Trust (EHT).

A non-profit organisation, EHT focuses on raising awareness on the negative impacts of unsafe cell phone use and performing cutting-edge research on cell phone radiation.

However, neither study found sperm count was affected.

“Our study showed the total time of exposure to the cell phone is much more important than the relatively short duration of intense exposure during phone calls,” the researchers noted.

Since the preliminary study was small-

Editor Rattan Mall adds: Why I have NEVER kept a cellphone!

I am (perhaps) the ONLY journalist on earth who does NOT keep a cellphone and steadfastly refuses to do so – even though my bosses over the years have offered to pay for one!

In fact – are you ready for this? – I have NEVER owned a cellphone!

I know the Guinness World Records is trying to include my name – but I have threatened to sue them (just kidding!)

I just HATE the idea of being on what I call a “dog leash” all the time. It’s like respond-

ing to a dog whistle! And being a journalist, I would be “threatened” with an endless barrage of really unnecessary calls – and I’d hate that on the weekends when I want to just unwind.

So if there’s anything really important, folks can email me or call me at the office during workdays – close friends can do so on my personal email or call my home landline and leave a message (I’m hardly ever at home, being single and restless!)

And I get back to people when I want to.

A couple of years ago, Tina Dacin, a Queen’s School of Business professor, said: “[Wire-

less] isn’t going to take over landlines anytime soon.” She said there wasn’t enough trust across the board in technology.

Landlines are more reliable, have greater call security, do not have the dubious health associations of cellphones, and are still the safest option in an emergency, she noted.

WHAT bugs me the most is the thoughtless, uncultured way that people keep texting while walking, without the slightest regard for others. You have to avoid bumping into them on the sidewalks, in the malls and shops, and even on SkyTrain platforms!

I must confess that I have to quite often fight the urge to knock down their “idol” or “god” and stomp on it!

That old warm spirit of greeting people and interacting in public seems to have died out.

And let’s not mention all those BONEHEADS who still speed down the street while chatting away on their cellphone even though they know it’s illegal and dangerous. I have almost been knocked down downtown on several occasions.

UNFORTUNATELY, technology that we were told would make life simpler and easier and happier for us all has in fact done just the OPPOSITE! The technological advances have just spawned ruthless competition that does not give a damn for the good old values of decency, compromise and caring. It’s always ‘ME FIRST’ – and to hell with everyone else.

It’s always grab, grab and grab!

I know there are those who try and give back to society – but compared with all the dog-eat-dog businessmen and the greedy, corrupt politicians they control, their efforts are really the proverbial drop in the ocean.

So try and keep your life balanced. Just remember, as Shakespeare put it, time and tide wait for no man. This time is not going to come back – and you’ll regret not having lived your life the way you really should have. (You youth, don’t waste your life on booze and drugs and gangs!)

And when you finally die (we all have to!), you have to leave EVERYTHING behind – yes, that includes your precious cellphone or iPhone or whatever!

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart,” as the Bible puts it.

Have a great weekend folks – I will be in Seattle – WITHOUT a cellphone!

[NOTE: I finally decided to get an iPhone last year (2017) but have been using it primarily for taking photos – some of which have appeared in The VOICE. The other factor that made me change my mind after all these years was the realization that I may need to use it for emergencies (9-1-1) just in case someone was being attacked or if there were an accident or medical emergency.]

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Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

Greater Vancouver property assessment: Modest change for majority “THE majority of residential home owners within the region can expect a modest change compared to last year’s assessment,” said Acting Assessor Paul Borgo. “The single family home market is very stable while the residential strata market is quite robust this year.”

For Greater Vancouver region’s estimated typical range of percentage changes to 2018 assessment values by property type compared

to 2017, visit our website voiceonline.com.

Overall, the Greater Vancouver region’s total assessments increased from $825.2 billion in 2017 to $907.1 billion this year. A total of almost $13.2 billion of the region’s updated assessments is from new construction, subdivisions and rezoning of properties. The BC Assessment Greater Vancouver region includes Vancouver, University Endowment Lands, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port

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For a summary of estimates of typical 2017 versus 2018 assessed values of residential homes throughout the region, visit our website voiceonline.com. The examples there are actual individual assessment examples and are not averages and demonstrate market trends for both single-family and strata residential properties by geographic area.

BC Assessment’s website at bcassessment. ca includes more details about 2018 assessments, property information and trends such as lists of 2018’s top valued residential properties across the province. The website also provides self-service access to a free, online property assessment search service that allows anyone to search, check and compare 2018 property assessments for anywhere in the province.

“Property owners can find a lot of information on our website including answers to many assessment-related questions, but those who feel that their property assessment does not

reflect market value as of July 1, 2017 or see incorrect information on their notice, should contact BC Assessment as indicated on their notice as soon as possible in January,” said Borgo.

“If a property owner is still concerned about their assessment after speaking to one of our appraisers, they may submit a Notice of Complaint (Appeal) by January 31, for an independent review by a Property Assessment Review Panel,” added Borgo.

The Property Assessment Review Panels, independent of BC Assessment, are appointed annually by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and typically meet between February 1 and March 15 to hear formal complaints.

The Greater Vancouver BC Assessment office is located at: #200-2925 Virtual Way Vancouver, BC V5M 4X5 During the month of January, office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Property owners can contact BC Assessment toll-free at 1-866-valueBC (1-866-825-8322) or online at bcasssessment.ca.

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Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018 | Indo-Canadian Voice

Fraser Valley property assessment: Strong demand in residential strata market IN the next few days, owners of more than 485,000 properties throughout the Fraser Valley region can expect to receive their 2018 assessment notices, which reflect market value as of July 1, 2017.

“The majority of residential home owners within the region can expect an increase, compared to last year’s assessment,” said Assessor Laura Schwagele on Tuesday. “This year, we have seen a strong demand in our residential strata market and this has resulted in a larger increase compared to the residential single family detached homes.”

BC Assessment collects, monitors and analyzes property data throughout the year. For the table indicating Fraser Valley‘s estimated typical percentage changes to 2018 assessment values by property type compared to 2017, visit

our website voiceonline.com.

Overall, the Fraser Valley’s total assessments increased from $430.1 billion in 2017 to $492.2 billion this year. A total of almost $10.6 billion of the region’s updated assessments is from new construction, subdivisions and rezoning of properties. The BC Assessment Fraser Valley’s region includes properties in Richmond, Delta, and Surrey and throughout the rest of the Fraser Valley up past Hope and Boston Bar. For a summary providing estimates of typical 2017 versus 2018 assessed values of residential properties throughout the region that demonstrate market trends for both single-family or strata residential properties by geographic area, visit our website voiceonline. com.

The Property Assessment Review Pan-

Homeowner grant threshold set at $1.65 million for 2018 THE Province is raising the 2018 homeowner grant threshold to $1.65 million, ensuring the same percentage of British Columbia homes are below the threshold as in 2017.

Eligible homeowners must apply for the homeowner grant each year. To be eligible for a grant, the home must be used as the owner’s principal residence. The homeowner grant is automatically calculated on a homeowner’s property tax notice.

The homeowner grant amounts are: * $570 for the basic homeowner grant. * $770 if the home is located in a northern or rural area. * Up to $845 for homeowners who are 65 years or older, or the homeowner is a person with a disability. * Up to $1,045 for homeowners who are 65 years or older, or the homeowner is a person with a disability if the home is in a northern or rural area.

Some low-income owners, such as seniors or people with disabilities, can apply to supplement their homeowner grant if it has been reduced or eliminated because of the high assessed value of their principal residence. Homeowners may also be eligible for property tax deferment if they are 55 years or older, or are financially supporting a dependent child.

els, independent of BC Assessment, are appointed annually by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and typically meet between February 1 and March 15 to hear formal complaints.

The Fraser Valley Region Assessment offices are located at: * Surrey Office 100 – 5477 152 Street Surrey BC V32 5A5

* Abbotsford Office 240 – 31935 South Fraser Way Abbotsford BC V2T 5N7 During the month of January, office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Property owners can contact BC Assessment toll-free at 1-866-valueBC (1-866-825-8322) or online at bcasssessment.ca.

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Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

Jwada Hedar-Kadhim of Burnaby was Tuesday’s homicide victim JWADA Hedar-Kadhim, 47, of Burnaby was Tuesday’s homicide victim. He was known to police and was convicted for criminal harassment in 2016. In 2012, he was convicted for assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats.

On January 2, just before 9 p.m., the Burnaby RCMP were called to the 6500-block of Telford Avenue after a report of an altercation in the lobby of an apartment building.

Police located an adult male victim suffering from wounds sustained during the alter-

cation. Despite all attempts to revive the individual, he succumbed to his injuries while at scene and his death was deemed a homicide. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) now has conduct of the file.

IHIT Cpl. Meghan Foster said on Thursday: “Police are looking to speak with anyone that knew Mr. Hedar-Kadhim.”

It remains early in the investigation, but police believe there was a conflict leading up to the homicide and that this was not a random act of violence.

IHIT continues to work with the Burnaby RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Section, and the BC Coroner’s Service to gather and process evidence. Investigators will remain in the area as the evidence gathering phase is still underway.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448), or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc. gc.ca. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact CrimeStoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Jwada Hedar-Kadhim

Record-breaking CEO pay now 209 times more than average worker FOR the first time, Canada’s 100 highest paid CEOs netted 209 times more than the average worker made in 2016, according to a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

The report shows the country’s highest 100

paid CEOs on the S&P/TSX Composite index now make, on average, $10.4 million — 209 times the average income of $49,738, up from 193 times more in 2015.

“Canada’s corporate executives were among the loudest critics of a new $15 min-

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someone who makes $15 an hour. If shareholders can afford this year’s CEO pay hike, they should absolutely be endorsing higher wages at the bottom as well.”

Among the report’s findings about the highest paid 100 CEOs in Canada: * Average CEO pay shot up to $10.4 million, from $9.6 million the year before. That’s up 8 per cent, and represents a new high in this data series since the 2008 global recession; * Breaking yet another record, they earn the average wage ($49,738) by 10:57 a.m. on January 2, the earliest ever since the CCPA has been tracking this measure; * The average worker will have to work fulltime all year to earn that amount; * Minimum CEO pay required to be on the richest 100 list jumped from $3.7 million in 2015 to $5.2 million in 2016, a raise of $1.5 million in a single year; * On an hourly basis, that means the minimum wage for the richest CEOs rose $713.88 an hour to $2,489.62 an hour in 2016; * The glass ceiling still exists in this elite club: only three women made it in the top 100 rankings in 2016, up from two in last year’s report.

Two dead in Sea to Sky Highway collision on Tuesday RCMP announced on Wednesday that two people were killed in a serious collision on Highway 99 at the Cheekye River Bridge between Squamish and Whistler on January 2 at about 7:30 p.m.

Police said that a northbound pickup truck, being driven by a lone occupant, crossed the centre line and collided with a southbound minivan with seven occupants. It was subsequently confirmed that the driver and one passenger from the minivan were dead at the scene.

Four of the five remaining occupants suffered injuries from minor to serious, but non-life threatening. The fifth minivan occupant was transported to hospital and remains in critical condition. The driver of the pickup truck is in serious condition in hospital.

The highway was closed for several hours while Squamish RCMP, Sea to Sky Traffic Services and the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service continued to investigate this collision. Police have located and notified next of kin for the dead individuals, however their names will not be released. The highway was re-opened at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Police said they would like to remind the motoring public to ensure their vehicles are equipped with proper winter tires and be mindful of rapidly changing road and weather conditions as they travel.

Anyone with information regarding this collision, or the events that preceded it, who have not already spoken to police are asked to call Sea to Sky Traffic Services at 604-892-6100

21

Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018 | Indo-Canadian Voice

Operation Red Nose: A safe ride home for 71,430 motorists in Canada OPERATION Red Nose has wrapped up its 34th annual road safety campaign which ended with great success again this year. The 2017 campaign brought together no less than 51,261 volunteers in 100 Canadian communities, 3,341 of which were in 11 British Columbia host communities, who proudly wore the famous red vest over the holiday season.

Their engagement to help make roads safer for everyone has allowed Operation Red Nose to provide 71,430 safe rides across Canada, of which 4,765 were provided in the province.

Together with its provincial partner, ICBC, Operation Red Nose said it is proud of the positive impact the campaign has had on road safety in the many communities across Canada. Next year, the program will be back for its 35th annual campaign.

If Operation Red Nose is now considered a classic holiday tradition in many communities, it would simply not be so without the participation of thousands of people who have continuously breathed life into the program for 34 years. Year after year, these people do-

Senator Lynn Beyak kicked out from Conservative caucus for not removing ‘racist’ comments online

nate their time, for one or more than one evening, to provide what has become Canada’s largest safe ride service.

“Even after 34 campaigns, I always find it very inspiring to witness the commitment of thousands of volunteers, which allows Operation Red Nose to exist and bring people safely home. The generosity of these people towards their community makes a real difference, and I want to thank them for their outstanding participation. The success recipe for Operation Red Nose is a combination of three key ingredients: the participation of conscientious motorists, that of first class partners and, first and foremost, that of exceptional volunteers”, declared Jean-Marie De Koninck, Founding President of Operation Red Nose.

He added: “No wonder we often refer to the volunteers of Operation Red Nose as a big family. Indeed, nights of operation are excellent opportunities to create new friendships that will often last beyond the campaign. In addition to enjoying a rich human experience, volunteers say they also feel that they make a

difference and are proud to have been able to do so for their fellow citizens.”

Through donations provided by motorists who use the safe ride service, Operation Red Nose also considerably impacts many non-profit organizations across Canada. Each year, $1.5 million is given to youth or amateur sports organizations. Moreover, the sums amassed are entirely redistributed in the communities where they were raised, thus supporting local organizations.

Over the past few weeks, numerous volunteers, as well as motorists, used Operation Red Nose’s free mobile application powered

by ICBC. During the 2017 campaign, no less than 99,049 uses were registered in Canada.

Operation Red Nose is a non-profit organization with a mission to encourage responsible behaviour with regard to impaired driving in a non-judgmental manner, by enabling communities to provide a free and confidential chauffeur service to their members. The money it raises is redistributed to local organizations dedicated to youth and amateur

sports, and invested in responsible drinking and road safety awareness campaigns.

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CONSERVATIVE Party Leader Andrew Scheer on Thursday announced that Senator Lynn Beyak had been kicked out of the party’s caucus for not removing ‘racist’ comments online.

In a statement, Scheer said: “On Tuesday, January 2, 2018, I learned that Senator Lynn Beyak posted to her Parliamentary website approximately 100 letters from Canadians in support of her position on residential schools.

“While the vast majority of letters focused on the history of residential schools, other letters contained comments about indigenous Canadians in general. One of these comments stated: “‘I’m no anthropologist but it seems every opportunistic culture, subsistence hunter/gatherers seeks to get what they can for no effort.

There is always a clash between industrial/ organized farming culture that values effort as opposed to a culture that will sit and wait until the government gives them stuff ’.

“Promoting this comment is offensive and unacceptable for a Conservative Parliamentarian. To suggest that indigenous Canadians are lazy compared to other Canadians, is simply racist.

“I demanded Senator Beyak remove this content from her website. She refused.

“As a result of her actions, the Conservative Senate Leader Larry Smith and I have removed Senator Lynn Beyak from the Conservative National Caucus.

“Racism will not be tolerated in the Conservative Caucus or Conservative Party of Canada.”

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Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

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Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

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Applicants must be able to lift up to 60 lbs.

Ability to work in a fast paced environment , ling hours with repetitive tasks. Cabins available if needed. For more information call 604-574-1564. Please email resume to greenwayfarms@shaw.ca or mail to 5040-160 Street Surrey BC V3Z1E8. **** dec16-jan6 Guneet Raiwal and Sanjeet Raiwal resident of 27754 Pullman Avenue, Abbotstford BC Canada V4X 0A2 is looking for a Nanny for their child, it is a pmt F/T position (40hr/ wk, $12.00/hr), High School Req, minimum 6 months exp or training in child care or related field. Able to supervise and care in the absence of parents, bathe, dress and feed, prepare meals, maintain hygiene, laundry child clothes. Email Resumes to jobsatraiwal@gmail.com. *****jan 6 Virk Kitchen Cabinets Ltd. Located at 1213136, 84 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3W 1J1 Canada is looking for a Office Administrative Assistant, it is a pmt F/T position (40hr/ wk, $22.50/hr), High School Req, diploma (1 to 2 years), and some clerical exp. Able to oversee, coordinate office procedures, answer phone calls and relay messages, schedule appointments, arrange travel schedules, prepare correspondences, report forms, set up manual and computerized filing systems, handle incoming mail, perform data entry tasks. Email Resumes to virkjobs@gmail.com *****jan 6 Hothi Enterprises Ltd. dba Subway at 145-12477 88 Avenue, Surrey BC Canada V3W 1P8 is looking for a Food Service Supervisor for a pmt F/T or P/T position (40hr/ wk, $14.00/hr), Exp Req: either post-sec edu in related field OR 1-2 years Exp in related field. Must be able to supervise staff performance, assign duties, explain responsibilities, perform store opening/closing, resolve complaints, handle conflicts, schedule staff to ensure shifts are covered, practice inventory control standards, maintain cheerful, welcoming environment, maintain professional appearance. Email resumes to s s u b w a y. r e s t a u r a n t @ g m a i l . c o m . *****jan 6 Torrential Dynamics Ltd. (Esso Gas Station) at 1503 5th Avenue, Valemount, BC Canada V0E 2Z0 is looking for 2 Retail Store Supervisor, pmt F/T, High School and 1 yr exp req (35-40hr/wk, $18.50/hr). Must be able to supervise staff performance, assign duties, explain responsibilities, maintain an up-to-date understanding of prod-

AD DEADLINE: THURSDAY 5 P.M.

ucts, perform store opening/closing, resolve complaints, handle conflicts, schedule staff to ensure shifts are covered, maintain cheerful, welcoming environment, and maintain professional appearance. Resumes to essovalemount@gmail.com.*****jan 13 Hothi Enterprises Ltd. dba Subway at 14512477 88 Avenue, Surrey BC Canada V3W 1P8 is looking for 3 Food Counter Attendants for a pmt F/T or P/T (40hr/wk, $12.00/hr), No Edu, No Exp (training provided). Able to take and prepare customer orders, menu understanding, greets customers, account for cash flow and inventory. Resumes to ssubway.restaurant@gmail.com. *****jan 13 Job Description D & H PROJECTS LTD. Located at Unit 110-805 Boyd Street, New Westminster BC V3M 5X2 currently requires Full Time/Permanent Retail Store Supervisor.JOB DUTIES: • Supervise and co-ordinate sales staff and cashiers.

• Hire and train new staff.

• Maintain inventory and order merchandise as required.

• Resolve problems, such as customer complaints and supply shortages • Enforce safety rules and regulations • Sell merchandise to customers • Deal with all kind of work problems like customer complaints, supply shortages etc.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Education: High School Experience: Minimum 1 Year Experience Required Languages: Basic knowledge of English required Salary: $22per hour Job Type: Full time/ permanent Position Available: One Start Date: As soon as possible Email: dandhprojectsltd@gmail.com We welcome new immigrants, youth and aboriginal people. *****jan 27 ACCOUNTANT NEEDED Looking for an accountant. Must have some experience. Full-Time / part-time job.Please contact on 604-767-5794 ******* Till fnsan DISHWASHER/KITCHEN HELPER La Piazza Dario Ristorante looking for: Dishwasher/ Kitchen Helper Part-time, $12/hour Available lunches and/or dinners No experience needed Starting as soon as possible Applications can be sent to:

lapiazzadario@gmail.com *****

vcTFN

CLEANUP CREW Front Desk Helper and Cleanup crew required for motel in Surrey. Full time job. Good pay according to experience. Must speak in English.

Call for more details/apply Phone: 604-599-8430, 604-842-1358 *****TFN RECEPTIONIST NEEDED Receptionist needed for mortgage office. Must have some experience in the field. Should be fluent in punjabi and English. Computer skills required.

Contact 778-929-7864 ******* fnsan Looking for full-time warehouse worker.

Duties include:-Operating forklift, Measuring and cutting carpet, Displaying carpet and area rugs, Loading and unloading carpet rolls and underpad, General warehouse cleanup Wage$11.50/hour Dream Carpets Ltd. Email: dreamcarpetsltd@gmail.com Phone: 604-572-8788 8385 Scott Road Delta, BC ******

svTFn

CLEANUP CREW Front Desk Helper and Cleanup crew required for motel in Surrey. Full time job.

Good pay according to experience. Must speak in English. Call for more details/apply Phone: 604-599-8430, 604-842-1358 *****

TFN

Looking for full-time warehouse worker.

Duties include:-Operating forklift, Measuring and cutting carpet, Displaying carpet and area rugs, Loading and unloading carpet rolls and underpad, General warehouse cleanup Wage-$11.50/hour Dream Carpets Ltd. Email: dreamcarpetsltd@gmail.com Phone: 604-572-8788 8385 Scott Road Delta, BC ******

svTFn

CLASSIFIEDS

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Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018 | Indo-Canadian Voice

25

CLASSIFIEDS The Indo-Canadian Voice #102 - 9360 - 120th St., Surrey, BC V3V 4B9

Phone: 604-502-6100 Fax: 604-501-6111 Email: voiceclassified@gmail.com

IMPORTANT: Tear Sheets requested by advertisers will strictly be charged extra $10 per week. Tear Sheets are available FREE at www.voiceonline.com

ALL ADS MUST BE PREPAID

AD DEADLINE: THURSDAY 5 P.M.

TOWNHOUSE FOR RENT 4 BEDROOM 2 FULL WASHROOM

NEW ONE LEVEL TOWNHOUSE (12837 88 AVE.) FOR RENT RENT: $2100 Open layout double car garage and big balcony Stainless steel appliances Wooden floor and In suite laundry Master washroom has Jacuzzi.

Heat control in all bedrooms and washrooms.

There is also an elementary school at about two blocks away. There are four bus stops on all four corners of the intersec on including one in front of this building. All Major Ameni es are walking distance very convenient loca on.

Rent includes water and strata fees.

AVAILABLE NOW, PLEASE CALL @ 604 729 1500

ABHI INSURANCE AGENCY HIRING Abhi Insurance Agency is hiring Bookkeeper to start for full-time position as soon as possible in Surrey.

Wage rate: $16/hr E-mail resume at: info@abhifinancial.com or contact at 604 996 6862

HIRING

LONG HAUL DRIVERS & OWNER OPERATOR Reliance Logistics Inc. in Surrey now Hiring Long Haul Drivers and Owner Operator for Canada and US Routes. Duties includes maintain Log Books, perform pre trip/post trip emergency response, be able to go long distance in a team driver.

On Job Training wages $25/hr - 50 hrs/week PLEASE SEND RESUME SEND / FAX RESUME AT

14684-64 AVE SURREY, BC V3S 1X7 • PH: 604-590-6000 FAX: 604-590-6076 • WWW.RELIANCELOGISTICSINC.COM

ASSISTANT REQUIRED

RENOVATION COMPANY LOOKING FOR A WORKER WITH OR WITHOUT EXP. WORK IN SURREY PLEASE CALL (778) 929-7864

HAIRDRESSER / AESTHETICIAN REQUIRED We are looking for a new team member for our growing business. We need a Hairdresser / Aesthetician with experience in Threading and Waxing. Experience in India will be considered as well.

Please Email your resume at sumansbeauty@gmail.com or Call us at 604.850.1376 / 604.897.4035

WE’RE HIRING

CARE AIDES • VANCOUVER • CHILLIWACK • MAPLE RIDGE • ABBOTSFORD AND MISSION

We are looking for a young Administrative Assistant to assist the team in day-to-day tasks of marketing and managing real estate transactions. Ideal candidate will be a high energy, self starter with abilities to manage their time and help the team achieve success.

• Candidate must be fluent in both English and Punjabi and possess strong communication skills.

• Must have some computer knowledge.

• General office work: filing, data entry.

• Maintaining an excellent relationship with clients.

• Must be able to multi-task.

• Ability to adapt and learn quickly; work in a very fast paced environment.

• Great attitude, commitment and willingness to learn.

If you are interested please call

604-808-3888

TO APPLY:

Email your resume or any questions to

careersbc@wecare.ca

FOR LATEST UPDATES AND NEWS LOG IN TO VOICEONLINE.COM

26

EVENTS

(These are FREE listings. Submit your event at EditorVoice@gmail.com)

Surendra Handa, coordinator, at 604-5079945 for registration.

South Asian Seniors: Group Birthday Celebration Vedic Senior Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian senior members to attend the group birthday celebration of 20 senior members born between October 23 and January 6 on Saturday, January 6 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 140th Street, Surrey.

There will be snacks and drinks along with live entertainment. There will be a cake and vegetarian lunch with dessert. Registration is required for non-members. Contact

Bright Nights Christmas Train The Bright Nights Christmas Train is celebrating the 20-year partnership between the Vancouver Park Board and the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. The attraction features displays with more than three million lights, train decorations, entertainment, and Santa Claus. A quarter of a million people enjoy this seasonal attraction each year. The matinee and evening Bright Nights train runs until Saturday, January 6.

Advance tickets are available at ticketleader.ca or by calling 604-252-3700. Same-day tickets are available at the Stanley Park Railway Plaza starting at 10 a.m. daily. A portion

Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018 of each day’s tickets is set aside for on-site sells. Special live shows and visuals will be performed by Mortal Coil Performance Society. Donations in bins at the front gate and partial proceeds from train admissions support the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. Donations are also accepted for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

VanDusen Festival of Lights The 33rd annual VanDusen Festival of Lights (FOL) until Sunday, January 7. More than 15 acres of the Garden decorated with millions of lights. FOL includes the Dancing Lights show on Livingstone Lake, indoor Festival Stage with entertainment, licensed fireside lounge, and the Air France carousel.

A wide selection of food trucks will be on site. FOL will be partnering with Make-AWish Foundation for the 17th consecutive year. Donations in the candle grotto and sales of glow star necklaces help make children’s wishes come true. To save money and skip the lineup, buy tickets online.

More information: vandusenfestivaloflights. ca. People who buy tickets for FOL also will also receive a free ticket to Holiday Heights at Bloedel - Arctic Oasis, which runs until January 7. More information at vancouver. ca/holidayheights

Tree Chipping and Bottle Drive at Surrey School North Surrey Secondary School (96th Avenue and 160th Street) will be hosting a tree chipping and a bottle drive on Saturday, January 6 and Sunday, January 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days. Donations will benefit the school’s 2018 Dry Grad fundraising committee. “Dry Grad” is a parent subcommittee of the school PAC that organizes an event that occurs after the school dinner and dance for the grads. Parents work together to provide the graduates with an evening filled with fun and entertainment in a safe, drug and alcohol free, parent supervised environment.

Richmond: Recycle Christmas Tree Richmond residents can recycle their Christmas tree to help support fire prevention, reduce waste and turn waste into resources. The City of Richmond offers multiple tree recycling options - remove all tinsel and decorations before recycling. * Residents with curbside Green Cart collection may cut up, bundle the pieces and place it at the curbside on their regular collection day. The tree should be cut and bundled to a maximum size of three feet by two feet and four inches in diameter. * The City’s Recycling Depot, located at 5555 Lynas Lane, accepts trees between 9 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday. Note the depot is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and statutory holidays. * Drop off at Ecowaste Industries, which is located at 15111 Williams Road. For hours of operation, call 604-2771410 or visit www.ecowaste.com. * You can also keep the holiday spirit going by bringing your tree as well as a donation to the Richmond Firefighters Association’s annual Christmas tree chipping event. Firefighters will be accepting trees from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 6 and Sunday, January 7 at Garry Point Park. For more information, visit www.richmond.ca/recycle, call 604-276-4010 or email garbageandrecycling@richmond.ca.

2018 Motorcycle Show – Vancouver Dates: January 19-21. Location: Tradex – Fraser Valley Trade & Exhibition Centre, Abbotsford. Hours: Friday 12-9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission: Adults $15; Juniors (6-14) $12; Seniors (65+) $11; Children (5 and under) Free with adult purchase; Family Pass $40 (2 adult & 2 junior passes). SHE Rides Night ½ price ladies only after 5 p.m. on Friday Night. Free parking for all motorcycles. To buy tickets, visit: Vancouver Motorcycle Show at http://www.vancouvermotorcycleshow.ca. Tickets can also be purchased on site during event days.

English Conversation Circle MOSAIC: Facilitator: Jane Shim. Topics: Federal and provincial government * Illness and medical care * Banking * Library and post office * Work * Food. Language requirement: Minimum English Level 3.

Wednesdays, January 10 – February 14, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Contact: MOSAIC at 304-2730.

Commercial Drive, Vancouver. Shaima: 604438-8214. sjaff@mosaicbc.org George Mackie Library, Delta At 8440 112th Street, Delta. Tuesday, January 16, 7-8:30 p.m.: Get Ready for Tax Season! Various strategies and tax tips will be reviewed that could be implemented prior to the end of the year in order to minimize income taxes. Topics will include the selling of investments with accrued losses to offset capital gains realized in the year or the previous three years; advantages of contributing to an RRSP and TFSA; and, paying certain expenses before year end to maximize tax deductions and credits. In addition, tax tips for business owners will be discussed. * Get together over tea and cake on Wednesday, January 17 from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. and become more familiar with the one thing we

will all experience one day – death! Come to the Death Café and be ready to talk or listen about death. All beliefs will be honoured and no agenda will be forced upon you. All are welcome, at no cost.

Punjabi Language Celebration Punjabi Language Education Association’s (PLEA) 15th Annual International Mother Language Day on Saturday, January 20 at North Delta Recreation Centre, 11415 84th Avenue, Delta. Doors open 1:30 p.m.; Function 2-4 p.m. * Discussions: Recent survey done in the Surrey’s elementary schools and ongoing efforts to promote Punjabi language education. Garry Thind from the Surrey School Board will be present. * Guest Speakers: Jag Khosa will share his experiences about the usefulness of Punjabi in

27

EVENTS / NEWS

Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018 | Indo-Canadian Voice his community work. Dr. Sadhu Singh will talk about the richness of Punjabi language.

Sukhwant Hundal will shed light on the importance of Punjabi Wikipedia on the Internet. * Special Honour: PLEA will honour Gian Singh Thind for his contribution to Punjabi language in Canada. Two local teachers will be honoured for their dedication to promoting Punjabi schools. Young Punjabi learners will share poetry, songs and ideas.

PLEA invites everyone to come and be part of the annual celebration of their mother tongue Punjabi. Free event. Refreshments served. For more information, contact: Balwant Sanghera at 604-836-8976, Sadhu Binning at 604-437-9014, Parvinder Dhariwal at 778-838-1121 or Paul Binning at 778-8898255.

Travelling Exhibition of Indian Art Surrey Art Gallery (13750 – 88th Avenue) is the only stop in Canada for you to see the travelling exhibition Many Visions, Many Versions: Art from Indigenous Communities in India that runs from January 20 to March 25. Curator’s talk and opening reception: January 20, 6:30−9 p.m.

This collection of boldly coloured and vibrantly patterned paintings features the work of 24 contemporary artists from four major indigenous artistic traditions in India: the Gond and Warli communities of Central India, the Mithila region of Bihar, and the narrative scroll painters of West Bengal.

Free admission.

5th Annual Delta Idol Competition Delta Parks, Recreation & Culture is cur-

rently accepting auditions for the 5th Annual Delta Idol Competition – Delta Idol 2018.

Auditions are currently being accepted until Sunday, January 21. Live event: Friday, February 23 at Tsawwassen Arts Centre, 1172 56th Street, Tsawwassen. If you have a passion and talent for singing, auditions, 2018. Full contest rules and audition submission information can be found at delta. ca/events. The contest is open to Delta residents 12-18 years of age. Interested in attending as an audience member? Tickets go on sale January 2. Call 604-943-9437 to purchase in advance, $11 each.

(For more events, please visit the “Events” section of our website voiceonline.com)

City of Vancouver achieves 98% of four-year target to create 1,000 new childcare spaces AFTER only three years, the City of Vancouver has achieved 98% of its four-year target to create 1,000 new childcare spaces across the city.

pansion and affordability.”

Additionally, the City of Vancouver recently partnered with the provincial government to fund three childcare projects that will create 175 new licensed spaces for children

under three years old, as well as 50 replacement spaces for preschool and school-age care.

The 2018 City Budget, approved by Council on December 12, 2017 provides $24 million

in childcare funding to go towards the construction of childcare projects in partnership with the Vancouver School Board, and opening new childcare facilities in Marpole, Kitsilano and Downtown Vancouver.

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Gregor Robertson Photo by Chandra Bodalia The City said on Thursday that this target represents a record investment to expand childcare options in Vancouver and provide much-needed support for families with young children.

A total of 78 childcare spaces opened their doors in 2017, with City Council approving a further 106 new spaces, and 111 more spaces are set to open this year in Marpole, Kitsilano and Downtown. In just three years, the City has delivered 982 of its four-year target of 1,000 new child care spaces.

“I’m pleased that the City is set to surpass our goal of one thousand new childcare spaces in Vancouver – our investment of $30 million in the last capital plan was 10 times the amount set aside in 2008,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.

“We need to do all we can to make sure that families across our city have access to affordable and high-quality early education and childcare. This not only sets our kids up for success now and down the road, but it also provides more options for parents who are looking to re-enter the workforce.

With a new BC government that has signalled they’re committed to investing in and expanding affordable childcare, I’m confident that we’re going to see a big boost for new childcare in the years ahead.”

“Vancouver is a leader across Canada in dedicating resources and remaining committed to working with community, the VSB [Vancouver School Board], and developers to create licensed childcare spaces for families with young children,” said Sharon Gregson, Co-Chair, Vancouver Joint Childcare Council. “Now that the provincial government has signaled it will be making significant investments we can look forward to more opportunities for ex-

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Indo-Canadian Voice | Saturday, Jan. 06, 2018

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