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Narinder Serown gets Corrections Exemplary Service Medal

Photo: www.theravive.com
Photo: www.theravive.com

CORRECTIONS Exemplary Service Medals, which recognize two decades or more of exceptionally commendable service, represent the most prestigious national decoration for professionals in the sector, including correctional centre and probation office staff.
And Narinder Serown of Kamloops Community Corrections was one of 17 public safety leaders who received the award from Janet Austin, B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor at a ceremony at Government House.
“These skilled and compassionate professionals really are unsung heroes of public safety,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Helping clients to gain insights into their offending behaviours, to build life and career skills, and to get the supports they need to live crime-free in the community, are just some of the ways these staff foster profound, personal changes that make B.C.’s streets safer for all of us.”
The Corrections Exemplary Service Medal marks 20 years; the Corrections Exemplary Service First Bar, 30 years. This year, 14 B.C. Corrections staff received the medal and three received the first bar.
For 35 years, the Governor General of Canada, through B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor, has awarded the medals and bars to deserving corrections staff upon recommendation from B.C. Corrections.

Narinder Serown’s citation reads:

Narninder has clearly demonstrated exemplary performance and continues to be an excellent example for aspiring probation officers and public servants.
His career has spanned 26 years in both custody and community settings. Narinder worked as a youth corrections officer at High Valley Youth Detention Centre from 1992 to 2004. When the centre closed, Narinder transferred to Kamloops Community Corrections after a brief placement as an employment assistance worker. As a probation officer, Narinder was able to demonstrate his professionalism and leadership skills.
Narinder has consistently demonstrated, good judgment and dependability in varying situations. Other staff look to him as a role model. In 2012, Narinder’s leadership skills were further recognized when he won the position of senior probation officer in Kamloops. He is a well-regarded senior probation officer.
Narinder has worked extensively with clients with mental health needs. He has worked as part of an inter-agency collaborative project to better address the needs of this unique client group. Narinder’s ability to work collaboratively, share ideas and understand the objectives of multiple agencies has benefitted his clients and his work unit.
In his non-work time, Narinder completed his Master’s Degree in Educational Counselling at Thompson Rivers University in 2013. He is an accredited counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors.
First and foremost, Narinder is a devoted husband and father. He and his wife Gulwant are regularly travelling all over BC to support their two sons, Bhavin and Bavraj’s, aspiring hockey careers.

Agriculture Minister says farmers with building permits in place will be grandfathered under old system

Lana Popham
Lana Popham

AGRICULTURE Minister Lana Popham reassured farmers in the House on Tuesday that an amendment to Bill 52 will mean that “people who have their permits and authorizations in place when the regulations are approved in the new year will be grandfathered under the old system.” They will no longer also be required to have substantially started construction of the foundation, she added.

Popham told the House: “I believe we can all agree that the highest and best use for agricultural land is for farming and ranching. As we work to protect the ALR, we want to ensure that we are also supporting farming families. We know how important multi-generational farming families are to our vibrant farming sector. I also know some of them may need houses larger than 5,400 sq. ft. to accommodate their families and support their farming operations.”

She added: “We are a government who listens. The Surrey MLAs brought a number of concerns to my attention. This amendment is in response to those concerns to ensure fairness for people.”

Pophan noted: “Regardless of this amendment, it is also important to emphasize that farming families – no matter what stage of application or planning they’re at – will be fine. We’ve ensured that all farming families who need the extra space to farm have a path forward at the ALC for them to build a house larger than 5,400 sq. ft. That is in the legislation. In response to concerns I’ve heard from my colleagues, I spoke to the Chair of the ALC. She told me those applications for houses larger than 5,400 sq. ft. will be decided quickly – less than 90 days on average.”

Pophan said: “The ALC will treat people fairly, transparently and will make decisions in a timely manner based on straightforward criteria. We’re working on those criteria right now to come in the new year through regulations. We’re looking at including things like the importance of multi-generational housing, good-faith investments that have been made, and applications and permits in process. Most importantly, the criteria will be specific, and will be designed to ensure there is a path forward for farming families needing extra space to support their farming work. We are committed to making sure this process works for multigenerational farming families who need the extra space. We’re going to continue to listen to people.”

Former Liberal MP Raj Grewal’s gambling activity has been under RCMP investigation for months, reports Globe and Mail

Raj Grewal
Raj Grewal

FORMER Brampton East MP Raj Grewal, who the Prime Minister’s Office announced last week resigned from the Liberal caucus and as MP because of “a gambling problem that led him to incur significant personal debts,” has been under RCMP investigation for months, The Globe and Mail newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The RCMP have been tracking the millions of dollars in transactions that Grewal reportedly spent and sometimes even his movements, sources told the newspaper.

Grewal spent millions of dollars over the past three years, including at the Casino du Lac-Leamy, which Loto-Québec runs across the Ottawa River from Parliament Hill, The Gloeb and Mail reported.

His “gambling activities triggered the disclosure requirements of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), under which casinos must report transactions of more than $10,000 a day,” according to the newspaper.

It also said that sources said the RCMP recently informed the House of Commons of their investigation as they wanted Grewal’s parliamentary records.

The newspaper also reported: “In January, Raj Grewal and his girlfriend, Shikha Kasal, bought two condo suites at 311 Bay St. in Toronto for $1,295,575, secured with an HSBC Canada mortgage of $1,499,999.

“Mr. Grewal and Ms. Kasal, also a lawyer, married on July 22 and, by early August, a Brampton, Ont.-based numbered company, 2206492 Ontario Inc., placed a lien against one of their suites. Ms. Kasal was discharged from the lien on Nov. 16, less than a week before Mr. Grewal resigned, meaning she is no longer accountable for it.

“Beyond the lien against the condo suite, three other 2018 liens list Mr. Grewal as a co-debtor. In late April, Mr. Grewal and another man leased a 2018 Jeep Wrangler valued at $45,802; and in mid-November, Mr. Grewal and the other man leased a 2019 RAM truck valued at $56,421.”

The Globe and Mail said that last August, Grewal and ZGemi Inc., a Brampton construction company, secured a Bank of Nova Scotia loan for a 2017 Land Rover valued at $116,824.

The Ethics Commissioner is holding an inquiry under the Conflict of Interest into Grewal’s invitation to Yusuf Yenilmez, who heads the Brampton construction company, Zgemi Inc., and who was paying Grewal for legal advice, to a reception that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended during his India visit last February.

The VOICE reported last May that in a letter to NDP MP Charlie Angus, the Ethics Commissioner said he decided to launch an inquiry into Grewal after he “carefully considered” written submissions from the Brampton East MP and other documents his office had gathered.

Angus told a newspaper that he still wants the Ethics Commissioner’s findings to be made public.

 

THE Globe and Mail also reported that even as the RCMP were investigating Grewal’s gambling activities, he, as a member of the House of Commons finance committee, was questioning senior officials in the RCMP and other law-enforcement agencies earlier this year about how they investigate money laundering.

“Grewal was interested in the ability of federal agencies to investigate and prosecute money-laundering activities, asking how many convictions were obtained in a given year,” the newspaper reported.

Back in February, Grewal asked: “How many resources does FINTRAC have to go after each little $10,000 transaction? If I’m money laundering, I’m not doing transactions in the millions to catch attention. I’m doing them at the $10,000, $15,000 limit to get away with it.”

Grewal also asked officials: “How is the data collection by FINTRAC? Is it easily accessible when they’re submitting data to you guys? Can you guys slice and dice it the way you need to, or are there shortcomings that we could improve on the FINTRAC side?”

In May, Grewal asked FINTRAC officials about their ability to decide which transactions – out of the 19 million that they analyze every year – deserve special attention, the Globe and Mail reported.

He asked them: “You’re seeing electronic fund transfers. That’s $10,000 or more sent by a wire transfer in or out of this country. What if it’s a cash transaction, or a certified cheque that’s being withdrawn? Is that the exact same thing? If I’m buying a car and I take a certified cheque from my bank account, is that sent to FINTRAC as well?”

 

 

 

 

 

ONTARIO: 18-year-old arrested in Mississauga double fatal collision

PEEL Regional Police’s investigators from the Major Collision Bureau have made an arrest in relation to a Mississauga collision that claimed two lives and left a third occupant in critical condition.

On November 1 at approximately 2:04 a.m., a grey Hyundai was travelling northbound on Mavis Road, when it collided with a black Nissan that was travelling eastbound on Burnhamthorpe Road. As a result of the collision, Saket Dogra, a 33-year-old father, suffered life-threatening injuries and remains in hospital. His wife Khushbu Aroro, 31, and their two-year-old son Prakrit Dogra from Mississauga, both died from their injuries.

On Tuesday, November 27 investigators from the Major Collision Bureau arrested 18 year-old, Evan Campbell of Orillia.

Campbell has been charged with two counts of Criminal Negligence Causing Death and one count of Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm.

Campbell has been held for a bail hearing to take place on Wednesday, November 28 at the Ontario Court of Justice in the City of Brampton.

Investigators are interested in speaking with any witnesses who may have seen the collision, have video footage of the incident or anyone who may have information regarding the actions of the driver prior to the collision to contact investigators with the Major Collision Bureau at (905) 453-2121, ext. 3710. Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.

Liberals 40, Conservatives 32, NDP 15, Green 7 in latest Nanos federal tracking

Justin Trudeau PMO photo
Justin Trudeau

THE latest Nanos federal ballot tracking (November 23) has the Liberals at 39.6 per cent support, followed by the Conservatives at 31.5 per cent, the NDP at 14.5 percent, the BQ at 2.4 per cent, the Greens at 6.9 per cent and the newly formed People’s Party of Canada (PPC) at 1.1 per cent.

Asked whether they would consider voting for each of the federal parties, 49.8 per cent of Canadians say they would consider voting Liberal, while 46.1 per cent would consider voting Conservative. Roughly one in three (34.3%) would consider voting NDP, 31.4 per cent would consider voting Green, 11.6 per cent would consider voting for the People’s Party and 23.7 per cent would consider voting for the Bloc Quebecois.

Justin Trudeau is the preferred choice as Prime Minister at 38.2 per cent of Canadians followed by Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer (21.9%), NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh (5.8%), Green Party Leader Elizabeth May (5.7%) and PPC Leader Maxime Bernier (2.3%). Twenty five per cent of Canadians were unsure whom they preferred.

More than half of Canadians (55.7%) believe Trudeau has the qualities of a good political leader, while 40 per cent believe Scheer has the qualities of a good political leader. Close to three in 10 (28.0%) say Jagmeet Singh has the qualities of a good political leader, while 31.3 per cent believe the same about May. One in six (14.5%) believe Bernier has the qualities of a good political leader and one in five (20.4) say BQ Leader Mario Beaulieu has the qualities of a good political leader (Quebec only).

 

The Weekly Nanos Tracking is produced by the Nanos Research Corporation. A random telephone survey of 1,000 Canadians is accurate ±3.1 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20.

Peel Regional Police have located women and child in good health

Gill

PEEL Regional Police investigators from the 11 Criminal Investigation Bureau have located the women and child they were looking for in connection with a childbirth in good health.

On November 26 at 3:50 p.m., police were contacted regarding suspicious circumstances at Sugar Maple Woods Park in the City of Mississauga. Police attended and found blood, forceps and other evidence consistent with a childbirth.

On November 27, a 27-year-old women from Mississauga contacted police regarding a home birth that she had a year ago in Brantford. Part of the afterbirth was preserved and kept for holistic purposes and was returned to nature on Monday.

 

B.C. Green nomination meeting for Nanaimo by-election scheduled for Saturday, December 15

Michele Ney

THE B.C. Green Party announced on Tuesday that Michele Ney and Duane Nickull are seeking the party’s nomination for the upcoming by-election in Nanaimo. Ney is a retired teacher with School District 68, and Nickull is a renewable energy consultant. This is Ney’s first campaign for political office. Nickull previously ran as a candidate for the B.C. Conservative Party in 2013.

“I am thrilled that party members in Nanaimo

Duane Nickull

have the opportunity to choose between two capable and passionate contestants who want to serve them as their candidate and MLA,” said B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver. “We are excited to offer our vision for British Columbia to the voters of Nanaimo and I am looking forward to campaigning with the successful candidate.”

A nomination meeting will be held in Nanaimo on Saturday, December 15 from 1:30-5 p.m. with a location to be confirmed. Party members in the riding of Nanaimo will be able to vote online and in-person at the nomination meeting. Weaver will be in attendance at the nomination meeting.

23-year-old Surrey man arrested in murder of 87-year-old Elizabeth Poulin of Vancouver

VANCOUVER Police have arrested a man in relation to the murder of 87-year-old Elizabeth Poulin. The suspect, a 23-year-old Surrey man, was arrested on Monday in Surrey, and he is in custody.

A relative discovered Elizabeth dead in her apartment around 8 a.m. on November 24. VPD Homicide investigators are continuing with the investigation and working to establish a clear motive.

The identity of the suspect cannot be released until charges are approved by Crown counsel.

Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area of Kingsway Avenue and Kerr Street from Friday evening to Saturday morning is asked to call detectives at 604-717-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Canada wants perpetrators of November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai to be brought to justice

Two Canadians were killed during attack

 

GLOBAL Affairs Canada on Tuesday in a statement in remembrance of the Mumbai terrorist attack which happened 10 years ago this week, said: “This week we recall the cowardly terrorist attacks that unfolded over four tragic days in November 2008, in several locations across Mumbai. The attack caused hundreds of fatalities and injuries. Two Canadians were killed during the attack.”
“Our thoughts are with the survivors of the attacks, as well as the families and loved ones of the victims, whose lives were changed forever. Canada remains dismayed that the perpetrators of this violence have not yet been held responsible and call for them to be swiftly brought to justice.
“We must work together to defeat terrorism in all its forms. We stand in solidarity with the Indian government and the people of India in the ongoing fight to prevent radicalization and fight terrorism, at home and aboard.
“Together, we must renew our commitment to protect the freedom found in societies that promote unity, openness and inclusion and to build a world where we can all feel safe and secure.”

 

DEEPAK Obhrai, Conservative MP for Calgary Forest Lawn, in a statement in Parliament said: “Mr. Speaker … I would like to acknowledge that today is the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack on Mumbai, where two Canadians lost their lives.
“During a state visit with the former governor general, the Right Hon. David Johnston, whom I accompanied to India, we visited the Taj hotel, which was one of the places that came under severe attack. We paid our respects at the memorial that was set up in the hotel. We talked to the survivors of that terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were killed and to the people of India. Just a note to my colleagues, the masterminds of that terrorist attack are still free.”

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting launches Surrey campaign to save Canadian media

A campaign to save Canadian media will be launched this week in Surrey by the watchdog group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.

“Without action from the federal government, much of Canada’s media landscape could soon disappear, taken out by Facebook, Google and other foreign internet giants with help from Ottawa,” said Friends’ Executive Director Daniel Bernhard.

The campaign coincides with the run up to the federal election scheduled to take place in October next year.  Friends is launching similar local campaigns in swing ridings across the country.  In Surrey, this grassroots campaign is focused in the riding of South Surrey-White Rock.

“Politicians tend to listen more intently to their constituents come election time, especially in ridings where the outcome of the election is too close to call,” Bernhard said.

Friends’ supporters from the Surrey area will be assembling this week to discuss campaign strategy and sign up volunteers.

While the Trudeau government says it is serious about protecting Canadian media and journalism from imminent extinction, recently announced measures do not address the root causes of this crisis, and the federal government continues to spend most of its advertising budget online.

“It’s bad enough that disgraced companies like Facebook are polluting Canadian democracy,” says Bernhard, “Ottawa is helping them to do so at the direct expense of Canadian media outlets, eroding our last line of defence against fake news and foreign interference in Canadian democracy.”

Friends’ research has found that Google and Facebook now control nearly 80% of the digital advertising market in Canada, a market which has historically financed credible, Canadian journalism that secures Canada’s democracy.

“If the government was serious about protecting truthful, trustworthy, Canadian journalism, they would stop showering democracy-killing companies like Facebook with billions of dollars in tax breaks and regulatory exemptions,” Bernhard said.

Since the 1960s, companies advertising with foreign media have paid tax penalties for doing so, but Ottawa has neglected to close a loophole that exempts internet advertising from these provisions. The result is $1.3 billion in annual tax breaks for companies that advertise with Google and Facebook, against the spirit of Canadian law.

In addition to giving Facebook and Google a free ride, Ottawa also bestows special status on foreign companies like Netflix which flood Canadian screens with foreign shows while enjoying tax-free status and no obligations to fund Canadian programs.

Analysis by Friends shows that Ottawa spends nearly twice as much to finance subsidies and exemptions for internet giants like Google, Facebook, and Netflix as it spends on the CBC.

“If these are Ottawa’s priorities, Canadian democracy faces a bleak future,” says Bernhard, adding that “Canada seems unwilling to apply the law to the big tech companies. Why are we helping the richest companies on Earth to get even richer while they undermine Canada’s way of life?”