‘Caps continue offensive onslaught as Davies enjoys record afternoon
VANCOUVER: Alphonso Davies scored a goal and tallied a new club MLS record three assists to lead Vancouver Whitecaps FC (6W-5L-5D) to a wild 5-2 victory over Orlando City SC (6W-7L-1D) at BC Place on Saturday afternoon.
Kei Kamara recorded a brace, and Yordy Reyna and Nicolás Mezquida each slotted a goal apiece for the ‘Caps, whose five goals tied their club MLS record for most in a single match, previously set last October 25, 2017 in their Knockout Round victory over San Jose Earthquakes in the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The white-hot ‘Caps offence has now tallied 16 goals in their last six matches.
The ‘Caps opened the scoring when Felipe initiated a counter attack with Davies going on an amazing run from halfway to the Orlando penalty area, before setting up Kamara in the 36th minute.
The Lions went down to 10 men in the second half after Mohamed El-Munir brought down Jake Nerwinski on the right flank in the 58th minute, resulting in the City left back’s second yellow card of the match, and an automatic send-off. El-Munir will have to sit out two matches for yellow card accumulation and the red card.
Orlando City evened the scoring at 1-1 in the 64th minute after forward Josué Colman played the ball out wide to Tony Rocha, whose low cross was met by Sacha Kljestan, placing his shot in the bottom-right corner.
The ‘Caps retook the lead in the 76th minute after a determined Nerwinski did well to keep the ball in play in the Orlando box with his sliding effort, which found Jordon Mutch at the top of the box. The Englishman’s low shot was parried but Davies was on hand to pick up the pieces from close range.
Vancouver were then awarded a penalty kick when Reyna drew a foul from City centre back Amro Tarek inside the box less than 10 minutes later, which Kamara took care of with a cool finish for the 3-1 advantage.
But the ‘Caps weren’t done there. Davies continued his attack into the Lions defence, setting up Reyna and Mezquida for a pair of goals in the 87th and 90th minutes to put the match away. Orlando received a consolation goal in added time after Dom Dwyer came on late to score from close range, making the final tally 5-2.
Whitecaps FC now go on a two-week break for the FIFA World Cup. They are back in action on Saturday, June 23 when they visit Philadelphia Union at PPL Park. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. live on TSN and TSN Radio 1040.
The ‘Caps are back home on Canada Day, when they host Colorado Rapids on Sunday, July 1 at BC Place. Visit whitecapsfc.com for ticket information.
MCMILLAN ‘CAPS CORNER KICK DONATIONS
For every ‘Caps corner kick at home, McMillan donates $100 to the United Way. An additional $500 is donated for every goal scored off a corner kick. This match McMillan Corners for Kids has donated $100 for a running total of $4,200.
MATCH DETAILS
Budweiser Man of the Match: Felipe Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero Attendance: 22,120
Scoring Summary
36′ – VAN – Kei Kamara (Alphonso Davies)
64′ – ORL – Sacha Kljestan (Tony Rocha, Josué Colmán)
76′ – VAN – Alphonso Davies
85′ – VAN – Kei Kamara (penalty kick)
87′ – VAN – Yordy Reyna (Alphonso Davies)
90′ – VAN – Nicolás Mezquida (Alphonso Davies)
90’+4′ – ORL – Dominic Dwyer (Chris Mueller, Josué Colman)
Statistics Possession: VAN 48.8% – ORL 51.2% Shots: VAN 16 – ORL 13 Shots on Goal: VAN 9 – ORL 6 Saves: VAN 4 – ORL 4 Fouls: VAN 13 – ORL 16 Offsides: VAN 2 – ORL 0 Corners: VAN 1 – ORL 6 Duels won: VAN 51 – ORL 47 Tackles won: VAN 15 – ORL 13
Cautions
12′ – ORL – Will Johnson
27′ – ORL – Mohamed El-Munir
33′ – VAN – Brek Shea
45′ – ORL – Cristian Higuita
50′ – ORL – RJ Allen
58′ – ORL – Mohamed El-Munir
70′ – VAN – José Aja
IN many ways, it mirrored that of last week’s win in Calgary. After struggling out of the gate, Jonathon Jennings and the BC Lions used a big third quarter to take down the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34-21 in their final pre-season tune-up at BC Place on Friday night.
Trailing by one, Jennings found Bryan Burnham for a 23-yard touchdown and Otha Foster‘s 62-yard interception return on Winnipeg’s next play from scrimmage proved to be the big turning point.
Although Jennings will admit the pre-season starts were not ideal, the starting quarterback believes they have already begun to improve on some of the things they didn’t do so well in 2017.
“We’re going to pride ourselves on being consistent and making sure that we finish out games,” said Jennings after the victory.
“I think that was something that we didn’t do last year and obviously that hurt us a little bit. Sometimes we got off to a fast start and wouldn’t finish so we have to make sure we go out there and finish games.”
Jennings took advantage of both the second half and his heavier workload than last week, completing 17 of 24 passes for 182 yards and the touchdown strike to Burnham that helped kickstart the turnaround.
Ricky Lloyd then came in and engineered a big scoring drive of his own to salt it away. His one-yard touchdown plunge with 12:08 remaining gave them their biggest lead of the night. The Lions outscored the Blue Bombers 22-8 in that big second half.
“I thought we just missed on a couple of things early on in the game,” added Jennings.
“Like I said, we’re working out some of the kinks and once we got those figured out we got rolling a little bit.”
Once again, the defence came up big. Along with Foster’s pick-six, a fumble return touchdown by Odell Willis on the game’s opening drive got the ball rolling. Fellow newcomer Davon Coleman orchestrated that play, sacking former Lions’ pivot Alex Ross and creating the key turnover.
“I really like our defence, ” said head coach Wally Buono.
“When you look at us acquiring Coleman it was kind of a hole in the defence that was filled. We know he can play, we know he can affect the quarterback and to get a caliber of player like him at this point was a big plus. The defence played like it’s been playing. Big plays, gets after the quarterback and doesn’t give up a lot. That’s three defensive touchdowns in two games and if you can get one touchdown in every other game that’s going to be a big plus.”
“We started good from the beginning,” said Foster of the defence.
“Odell started with a touchdown, we had a couple of sacks and we had a few plays that we wished we could have had back, a couple of missed tackles, but overall I think we did a pretty good job.”
A couple of the guys were joking that they have lost a step after committing just the two turnovers, down from the seven in last week’s victory over the Stampeders. Nonetheless, they left the fans with a sense they can be a nasty piece of business this season.
Overall, was it a work of art? Far from it. To a man though, they will all take a sense of accomplishment from going undefeated in their exhibition season, the first time for this franchise since 2015.
“It felt like pre-season, it looked like pre-season,” added Buono.
“Offensively, I still think we’re a little bit out of sync. But as I say over and over again, professional football is about winning. It’s good to win. It continues the momentum that you built from last week and obviously as the season starts you want to start off on a positive note.”
Key Numbers
105– total number of yards after the catch by Lions’ receivers, equalling 43 percent of the passing yards by Jennings and Lloyd (262). We talk about field position all the time. Those yards play a huge role.
72– the number of yards for Emmanuel Arceneaux, who led all receivers in this one.
0.8- the average number of yards by the Bombers on second down, compared to 6.2 for the Lions.
Quotable
“It was a good feel for the game because it had been awhile since I played. It will get me ready for next week when the real season starts. Every pre-season, every year they always call them back. So I’ve been used to it. Someone owes me a burger.”- Chris Rainey on having two touchdowns called back: a 73-yard punt return in the second quarter and a run on the play before Lloyd’s major.
Bake’s Takes
Was it somewhat concerning that the Lions’ projected ‘A’ lineup let a Blue Bombers ‘B’ squad hang around for as long as they did? Yes and no. Keep in mind a majority of the home squad had not played in Calgary and on the other side, you saw many guys competing for starting jobs in blue and gold.
Those penalties aside, Jeff Reinebold’s special teams unit meant business. Frederic Chagnon had a big 1st half punt block and nearly got his hands up for another one later in the game. The kick coverage has shown all the signs of being improved.
A quick nod to the running game. Brandon Rutley averaged 6.8 yards per rush, benefiting from an offensive line that played much better in the second half, and Sean Wick had a team-high eight carries for 40 yards.
Foster and Willis will garner most of the attention on defence, but a tip of the cap to Gabe Knapton and Anthony Orange for their performances. Marcell Young recovered nicely after getting beat on a long touchdown by Reuben Randle that gave Winnipeg the lead in the second quarter.
Next Up
The Lions will cut down their roster to 56 players this weekend and then get set for next Saturday’s regular season opener at home to the Montreal Alouettes.
HEALTH experts from Canada and India will converge on SFU’s Surrey campus on Saturday (June 9) and Sunday (June 10) to share details on how innovation and technology are advancing health care in these countries.
Organized by the Canada India Network Society (CINS) and co-hosted by Fraser Health and SFU, the 3rd CINI conference (others were held in 2014 and 2010) will focus on Health Civil Society: Building links between Canada and India via Sustainable Health through Patient engagement, social innovation and technology.
International participants include members of the Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. The event’s goal is to bridge efforts in both countries through the exchange of ideas and new collaborations.
CINI 2018 Chair Dr. Arun Garg is CINS president and an adjunct SFU professor.
His hope is that CINI 2018 “will declare war on lowering the burden of diabetes, introduce mental wellness as prevention, learn from cross-cultural attitudes on end-of-life quality care, and provide holistic integrative modes of care, all with enhanced leadership, quality and best use of emerging technology.”
SFU health sciences faculty are also part of the event and can address areas such as social innovation and alternative health practices. Experts from Fraser Health and other institutions and organizations are also among participants.
Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Tania Bubela, on the event’s steering committee, will also co-chair a session on leadership and health. She says: “CINI 2018 will strengthen links in areas of research strength for both the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University and partner institutions in India. We share a commitment to creating sustainable and equitable health systems that address the needs of our respective populations, including the most vulnerable in our communities.”
OFFICERS from Peel Regional Police 21 Division have arrested a male for being in possession of a handgun during a traffic stop in Mississauga.
On Friday (June 8) at 8:45 p.m., police investigated a motor vehicle in the area of Derry Road East and Rexwood Road in Mississauga. During the traffic stop, investigation revealed that the occupant in the vehicle was in possession of a 9mm caliber handgun. Also located in the vehicle were marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin with a total value of more than $200,000.
Gurmilan Matharoo, a 27-year-old male from Toronto has been charged with numerous firearm- and drug-related offences.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact investigators with the 21 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at(905) 453-2121, ext. 2133.Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.
VANCOUVER Police have arrested a teenaged girl for the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle following an alleged hit-and-run and a reckless tour of downtown early Saturday morning.
At around 3:20 a.m., a hit-and-run involving a white van was reported in the area of East 12th Avenue and Victoria Drive, where two people received minor injuries. About 15 minutes later, officers working in the Downtown Eastside spotted the same van driving erratically throughout the area. When they tried to pull the vehicle over using emergency lights and sirens, the driver allegedly sped up and refused to pull over for several blocks. Out of concern for public safety, attempts to stop the van were abandoned.
The driver parked on East Hastings and Carrall Street just before 4 a.m., and she was arrested as she walked away. There was no one else in the vehicle. Charges related to the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle have been recommended against the 16-year-old girl from Mission. The vehicle has been seized by police. The investigation into the hit-and-run continues.
Presents Youth Empowerment Forum on Thursday, June 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Surrey City Hall. The keynote speakers are Theresa Campbell from Safer Schools Together and Andrew Bacchus from Ministry of Ontario Child and Youth Services. Andrew is considered to be a national gang expert. The purpose of this forum is to find out which strategies other school districts, cities and provinces are implementing to manage these issues within the community. The agenda will consist of presentations, workshops, breakout sessions and a speaker panel discussion. We encourage community members to join us and share their thoughts, opinions and stories openly. The SAFA Youth Empowerment Forum is a free admission event. Feel free to RSVP in advance by calling Suki Grewal at 778-688-3996 or Rina Gill at 778-688-4973.
VETS Canada Coast to Coast Tour of Duty
Saturday, June 9. The Vancouver Walk is set to start at 9 a.m. at Victory Square (at the Cenotaph on Cambie and Hastings Street). The annual, national Walk with a dual purpose: to encourage countrywide awareness and dialogue regarding Veteran homelessness / Veteran homelessness prevention, and to locate Veterans in crisis from coast to coast. This year, Walks will be led by teams of VETS Canada volunteers in 21 cities across Canada: St. John’s, Sydney, Halifax, Charlottetown, Moncton, Fredericton, Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, Barrie, Cambridge, Windsor, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria and Whitehorse.
George Mackie Library
At 8440 112 Street, Delta. The ancient Chinese believed that true health comes when body, mind and spirit work together in harmony. Join us for an interactive Tai Chi Demo, an ancient art presented by Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi on Saturday, June 9, 1-2 p.m. * You are invited to register for a Food and Finance presentation on Wednesday, June 13 from 7– 8:30 p.m. Learn from the Credit Counselling Society how to create healthy and financially sustainable meal plans and get tips on frugal meal plans. * Looking for a job but not sure where and how to start? Job Seeker Success, a free workshop hosted by WorkBC Delta will answer everything you need to know on Thursday, June 14, 5-6:30 p.m. Topics include career goals, transferable skills, cover letters, resumes, personal branding, and social media. The Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) will attend to provide support for newcomers seeking to understand the Canadian workplace. * Have you ever wondered why we have those messy emotions? On Wednesday, June 20, 6:45– 8:30 p.m., join Lara McIntyre, a local Registered Professional Counsellor for an interactive workshop on Human Emotions on the importance of having, recognizing and listening to your emotions for a healthy life.
South Asian Seniors
Vedic Senior Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults, seniors as well as nonmembers to attend a power point presentation on “Advance Care Planning for Loved Ones” by Jas Cheema, a well-known community advocate representing Surrey Hospice Society & The BC Center for Palliative Care, on Sunday, June 10, 2-3:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 140th Street, Surrey. Get detailed information and all your questions will be answered by Jas Cheema. Tea and light snacks will be served. Contact Surendra Handa, Coordinator, at 604-507-9945 for further information.
South Asian Seniors: Chair Exercise & Chair Yoga
Vedic Senior Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian seniors who are over 55 years of age to come and join other members for Chair Exercise & Chair Yoga for flexibility, strength and balance exercises, free for Yoga Month of June. The one-hour class is conducted by a trained instructor on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 140th Street, Surrey. Chair Exercise & Chair Yoga effectively assists elderly individuals who have joint problems or who are at risk of falling to exercise and it may also help them to cope with feelings of isolation. Contact Surendra Handa, Coordinator, at 604-507-9945 for early registration.
South Asian Studies Institute
Opening reception and launch of the latest exhibit, titled Desis in the Diaspora, on Sunday, June 10, 3-5 p.m., 3-5 p.m., at Sikh Heritage Museum, National Historic Site Gur Sikh Temple, 33089 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford. A new Legacy Hall will be unveiled. All are welcome. This exhibit features the work of Jagdeep Singh Raina, a Canadian artist from Guelph, Ontario. The exhibit also features four youth photographers whose work was selected as part of a nationwide call for artists. The opening reception will include an artist talk by Jagdeep Singh as well as a talk by Buncy Pagely, in legacy of her father Sardar Mahinder Singh Beadall. Feel free to send this invitation to others.
World Sikh Organization
The World Sikh Organization is hosting an inter-community dinner on Sunday, June 10, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at Bollywood Banquet Hall (#201 – 8168, 128th Street, Surrey). The cost of the dinner is $25 / person and you can pre-register by contacting Jasmeen Kaur at 778-895-2272 or emailing bcteam@worldsikh.org.
Italian Day on The Drive
Sunday, June 10, 12-8 p.m. on Commercial Drive (from Venables Street to Grandview Cut). Cost of admission: Free. A vibrant cultural street festival celebrating Italian culture, heritage and community with over 150 street participants, comprised of partners, merchants, vendors and community organizations – and an estimated 300,000+ attendees of all ages and cultures. Delicious Italian street food — including pasta, panini, meatballs, arancini, pizza, panzerotti, fried Italian donuts, cannoli, gelato, coffee, and espresso based drinks. For more info: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianDay
Newton Business Improvement Association
Thursday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Greek Corner: Do you have questions and concerns about what’s happening in the Newton Town Centre? Looking for a chance to connect with other businesses and organization in the town centre? Newton Talks is a monthly networking forum for businesses and community to establish a voice for Newton that improves business opportunities, revitalize the area, and creates a sustainable future for the community. Each month the discussion will focus on a different area of concern. Registration required. Open to the Community. Lunch will be provided. June guest: MLA Harry Bains, Minister of Labour. This will be an open forum for you to bring up your questions and / or concerns regarding the Newton Town Centre.
Surrey Fest Downtown
Delicious bites, children’s activities and crowd-pumping music await you at Surrey Fest: A Celebration of Community. Start the summer with this family-friendly favourite on Saturday, June 16 at Holland Park at 13428 Old Yale Road, Surrey, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Families will love the Kids’ Zone where they will enjoy a variety of fun activities. A bouncy castle will have children jumping with excitement. Channel your creativity at the crafts area or showcase your inner artist through henna, glitter tattoos and face painting from A-Star Art Parlour. Local artists at the main stage. This year’s lineup includes the lively John Welsh and Los Valientes, the soulful yet spirited Mazacote and the well-loved Springman Family Band. To keep you energized, you will be served free popcorn at the event. A barbecued lunch will be provided courtesy of the Surrey Central Lions Club.
Surrey Walk for ALS
Volunteers, families and friends are gathering once again to raise funds and awareness for people living with ALS. Among the 15 walks happening this year, the Surrey Walk will be held on Saturday, June 16 at Bear Creek Park. Registration will be at 11 a.m. and the walk will start at 12:30 p.m. Volunteers will also be organizing various activities for participants of all ages. Proceeds from the Walk for ALS go to the ALS Society of BC to provide support services for people living with ALS in BC, and to the Canadian ALS Research program. Register today at www.walkforals.ca
Movies Under the Stars
Every Saturday in August (4, 11, 18, 25) at Holland Park (13428 Old Yale Road, Surrey).Entertainment starts at 5 p.m., movies begin at dusk. This all-ages event is free for everyone to attend. All you need are your lawn chairs and blankets to cozy up while enjoying the film. There will be free popcorn courtesy of Prospera Credit Union. Attendees are encouraged to arrive earlier to find a good spot and to enjoy the pre-show entertainment. Starting at 5 p.m., there will be fun activities before the movie begins. The lineup starts with Ferdinand on August 4 as you follow the adventures of a giant bull with a big heart. On August 11, witness the hype about Coco and how it won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. The magic continues on August 18 where you will be charmed by the comedic Paddington 2. End the month with Wonder on August 25, an inspiring story about compassion and acceptance.
(For more events, visit the “Events” section of our website at voiceonline.com)
IMMIGRATION, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Friday, in order to support the growth in study permit applications, announced the Student Direct Stream (SDS), which is available to students applying for a study permit from China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Students from those countries who demonstrate upfront that they have the financial resources and language skills to succeed academically in Canada will benefit from faster processing times.
Similar programs have been in place in these four countries for a few years. IRCC said they are aligning them together into one program to ensure consistency.
IRCC said they are also working on expanding SDS to Africa and are looking at options in Kenya and Senegal. Expansion to Senegal would be in line with the department’s focus to attract more French-speaking students to Canada.
To qualify for SDS, applicants need to meet additional requirements, in particular language levels that are stricter than regular study permit requirements. Students who do not have all of the additional information required for SDS can apply through the regular study permit application process, either online or at a Visa Application Centre.
The SDS complements the Express Entry system as these students will be well placed to continue on the path to permanent residence and Canadian citizenship after completing their studies in Canada, if they wish to.
IRCC said they are committed to finding ways to improve their International Student Program by making their services faster, easier and more accessible. The success of the SDS program will be evaluated with the intention to expand the program in 2019.
Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said: “IRCC recognizes the tremendous economic, cultural and social benefits that international students bring to Canada. We are committed to improving client service for all applicants, including students, as we continue to find new and efficient ways to reduce processing times.”
Students applying for SDS must first be accepted at a Canadian learning institution that is designated to host international students. In addition, they must satisfy key criteria, such as submitting proof upfront of:
tuition payment for the first year of study at a designated learning institution in Canada,
purchase of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000,
completion of an upfront medical examination,
a qualifying score of at least 6 for English (IELTS), or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens score of 7 for French (TEF), or graduation from a Canadian-curriculum high school.
Additional July 22 artists include Khanvict and Ricky Kej Live in Concert
Where and When 11 a.m.-10 p.m., July 21 & 22 Holland Park, Surrey
Free Admission
Ranjit Bawa Photo: Ranjit’s Facebook
SURREY Fusion Festival has announced Punjabi singer Ranjit Bawa as the Sunday night headliner of its 11th annual festival. He will be joined on Sunday, July 22 by Pakistani-Canadian DJ and producer Khanvict and India’s Ricky Kej live in concert.
Ranjit Bawa rose to fame from his single “Jatt Di Akal,” with his debut album Mitti Da Bawa awarded Best World Album at the 2015 Brit Asia Awards. His songs “Ja Ve Mundeya” and “Yaari Chandigarh Waliye” each have over 32 million views on YouTube.
Asad Khan, also known professionally as Khanvict, returns to Surrey Fusion Festival for his second year, and will open the stage for Ranjit Bawa. Having arrived as an immigrant in 2001, Khanvict explores his roots through his music, blending elements of classic Bollywood, Sufi and Panjabi music with Bass, Moombahton and Trap.
“Surrey Fusion Festival’s Sunday, July 22 lineup will celebrate the best of the world’s entertainment,” says Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner. “We are excited to celebrate the City’s diversity as we welcome another great South Asian headliner, Ranjit Bawa, to the stage, with support from Grammy awards winners, plus international and local performers.”
Ricky Kej Photo: Surrey Fusion Festival website
Sunday evening will see another major performance from world-renowned environmentalist Ricky Kej. He will bring his Shanti Samara mega concert, featuring the Surrey City Orchestra and choir, to the SFU Celebration Stage—a first of its kind for the festival. The performance will feature six international Grammy awardees from India, Canada, USA, Ghana and Vietnam.
“To have someone of Ricky Kej’s calibre, fellow Grammy nominees and the Surrey City Orchestra all perform together at this year’s Fusion Festival makes this an event not to be missed,” says Steve Dooley, Executive Director of SFU’s Surrey campus. “Not only will artists from around the world engage with local artists right here in Surrey, they will also share a message of environmental stewardship that will resonate beyond the music experience.”
ANDREW Weaver, Leader of the B.C. Green Party, on Thursday issued the following statement of congratulations to Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner who was elected as Ontario’s first Green MPP in the provincial election.
“Today, Mike Schreiner and his team made history for Ontario. Every time Greens have been elected in Canada, they have represented change away from the status quo and brought a powerful new approach to politics that emphasizes evidence-based decision-making and a principled, forward-looking vision. I am absolutely thrilled that Ontario finally has a Green MPP who will demonstrate that in Queen’s Park.
“Mike is a generous, intelligent and dedicated person who is undoubtedly going to serve his constituents in Guelph with distinction. His campaign championed small business, the clean economy and a basic income. The road of the 21st century may appear to be full of challenges, but leaders like Mike are driven by a vision of turning those challenges into opportunities. I am proud to congratulate MPP-elect Mike Schreiner on his historic election in Guelph tonight.”
DOUG Ford is the next Premier of Ontario as the Progressive Conservatives won a solid majority in Thursday’s provincial election.
Andrea Horwath’s New Democrats will be the Official Opposition.
Premier and Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne, who was re-elected in Don Valley West, announced she will step down as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.
Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell met with Ford on Friday and invited him to officially assume the position of Premier of Ontario and form a government.
Ford announced that he has selected a transition team and has already begun briefings on government activities and the decisions necessary to choose his Cabinet. Premier Wynee and Ford have agreed that the transition of power will take place on June 29.
“I have accepted the invitation of the Lieutenant Governor and look forward to assuming the job as the Premier of Ontario,” said Ford. “I will be working with my team to fulfill my campaign commitments and deliver change for the people.”
Prominent Liberal cabinet ministers such as Charles Sousa, Yasir Naqvi, Steven Del Duca and Glenn Thibeault lost their seats.
The PCs will have 76 MPPs [MLAs are called Members of Provincial Parliament or MPPs in Ontario] and the NDP will have 40 MPPs, while the Liberals will have only seven – one short of official party status. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner won his party’s first seat.
Ford’s message that he would cut taxes, the price of gas, hydro rates and beer, and eliminate the deficit while spending billions on transit and infrastructure projects quite obviously resonated with Ontario voters.
But we will have to wait and see what all Ford actually delivers.
Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau in a statement said:
“Ontarians have chosen to elect a majority government led by the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I offer my sincere congratulations to Doug Ford who will have the honour and privilege to serve as Premier.
“I look forward to working with the new provincial government to create good, middle class jobs, make Ontario a world-leading centre for innovative and sustainable technologies, and build infrastructure that meets the needs of Ontarians.
“Together, we will continue to work to grow Ontario’s economy and address issues of importance to Ontarians and all Canadians.
“I also thank Kathleen Wynne for her years of service as Premier.”
Here are the South Asian winners (seven PC and three NDP)
PC: Prabmeet Sarkaria – Brampton South
PC
Prabmeet Sarkaria (Brampton South)
Prabmeet is currently a corporate and commercial Associate at Miller Thomson LLP. He has a law degree from the University of Windsor as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University where he majored in Finance. Prior to going into law, he worked at TD Securities.
Passionate about community service, Prabmeet is an active volunteer. He serves on the City of Brampton’s Property Standards Committee and helped establish Hockey for Humanity; a non-profit organization that holds annual charity hockey tournaments.
Prabmeet is also an active board member for KarmaGrow; a non-profit organization that builds community gardens in the Greater Toronto Area.
Prabmeet is an avid sports fan who enjoys playing and watching hockey, basketball, baseball, and football.
PC: Deepak Anand – Mississauga-Malton
PC
Deepak Anand (Mississauga-Malton)
Deepak Anand currently owns a small and successful business which supplies auto parts across the country.
A chemical engineer by trade from India, Deepak also has a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the prestigious Schulich School of Business with a focus on sustainable business practices.
Deepak was on the Board of Telecare Brampton and Indus Community Services.
Furthermore, he is currently a director for the Canadian Federation of Truckers which defends Trucker Rights and is the Co-Chair of the Malton Building Community Project which is an umbrella organization that represents various community agencies. Deepak is also the founder of Meaningful Media which is an organization that focuses on bringing different charities and social agencies together and bringing light to social issues. Moreover, he is also the producer and host for Radio Saanjh which is a weekly radio show that is aired on 770AM, in which he discusses local social issues and highlights the different community work people are doing throughout the region.
Some of the other projects Deepak is proud of include: e-Seniors in which he and a team of a few youths taught basic computer skills to seniors during the summer, Colours Can Talk which was an interactive program that engaged children with autism and he is a mentor for many new immigrants and students.
NDP: Gurratan Singh – Brampton East
NDP
Gurratan Singh (Brampton East)
A lawyer by profession, Gurratan’s unique upbringing has fueled his passion for justice and equity
He has spent over a decade serving the Brampton communities through pro–bono legal advice, youth mentorship, organizing and advocating for young people
A community champion, Gurratan is the City of Brampton’s Chair of the Equity and Inclusion, founding member of Sikh Heritage Month Foundation and a Board Member of Peel Art Gallery
He was an instrumental figure behind [his brother] Jagmeet Singh’s ascent to MPP and leader of the Federal NDP and is determined to fight for change for the better and bring Brampton East the leadership people need in order to access better health care, seniors care and education
PC: Amarjot Singh Sandhu – Brampton South
PC
Amarjot Singh Sandhu (Brampton West)
Born in Punjab, India, Amarjot first moved to Canada in 2008 to further his studies. He holds a bachelor degree in computer science and engineering from Punjab Technical University India, and also post-graduated in wireless networking from George Brown College in Toronto.
Amarjot spent three years working as a network analyst with a telecommunications company before becoming a realtor with Royal Lepage Flower City in Brampton. As a realtor, Amarjot understands how unaffordable life has become for families under the Wynne Liberals.
As a long-time political volunteer, Amarjot knows how to deliver results. Amarjot is passionate about his community, and wants to build a better future for all. He wants to deliver better health care, education, and jobs to the people of Brampton West.
NDP: Sara Singh – Brampton Centre
NDP
Sara Singh (Brampton Centre)
Born and raised in Brampton, Sara is a multilingual Ph.D. candidate at Ryerson University with a Master of Arts in International Development Studies
She has a long history of local advocacy being the founding director of Broadening Horizons, Board Director at Community Living Ontario, and former vice-president Brampton Caledon Community Living
She has been a strong fighter of local businesses, workers’ rights and she’s committed to bringing families in Brampton-Centre change for the better
Sara is also committed to putting an end to sky-rocketing auto insurance rates and postal code discrimination
PC: Parm Gill – Milton
PC
Parm Gill (Milton)
First elected to the House of Commons in 2011, Parm is an experienced legislator who knows how to deliver results for his community.
During his time on Parliament Hill, Parm served on several different committees, including the Standing Committees of Public Safety and National Security, Health, Canadian Heritage, and Veterans Affairs and International Trade.
As a Member of Parliament, Parm introduced a Private Member’s Bill, Bill C-394. The bill helps to keep our streets, neighbourhoods, and communities safer. He introduced his bill because the safety and security of his community is a top priority. His bill received unanimous support from the government and is now law.
In addition to this, Parm served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veteran Affairs as well as to the Minister of International Trade.
Parm is proud to call Milton home along with his wife and three children. Prior to his election into public service, Parm was involved in several family businesses in the manufacturing and hospitality industries. Parm studied at the Ivey Business School of Western University and completed his studies in the executive MBA program.
PC: Nina Tangri -Mississauga-Streetsville
PC
Nina Tangri (Mississauga-Streetsville)
Nina is a tireless advocate for improving the welfare of Ontarians in her daily life.
To aid in improving healthcare, she has served as Vice-Chair on the Board of Directors at the Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga. She is also a cabinet member of Erinoak Kids, Ontario’s largest treatment centre for children living with disabilities, Nina is also a supporter of many sports and cultural clubs, spending countless hours working volunteering within in Mississauga-Streetsville and beyond.
In acknowledgement for her dedication to the community, Nina has been awarded the Global Peace and Friendship Award, the National MacDonald Cartier award for outstanding volunteer work, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award.
Professionally, Nina has over 30 years experience in financial management. She is currently the CEO of Tangri Insurance & Financial Group, and President of Tangri-BMT Insurance Brokers. Her skills in financial planning, business management, and legal acuity are an asset not only for her business, named one of the top insurance brokerages in Canada by “Insurance Magazine” in 2016.
Married with three children, Nina is passionate about giving back to the community she is proud to call home. She is a supporter of many sports and cultural clubs, and spends countless hours working in a volunteer capacity.
NDP: Doly Begum – Scarborough Southwest
NDP
Doly Begum (Scarborough Southwest)
Doly came to Canada as a child with her hard-working parents and younger brother. She has lived in Scarborough most of her life.
She is a graduate of the University of Toronto and has a Masters in Development, Administration & Planning from University College London.
As Co-Chair of the Scarborough Health Coalition and Vice-Chair of Warden Woods Community Centre, she has worked hard to make lives better for the people of Scarborough.
Doly was the chief coordinator of the province-wide Keep Hydro Public campaign that successfully stopped the privatization of Toronto Hydro and Wasaga Distribution.
[Doly is originally from Bangladesh]
PC: Vijay Thanigasalam – Scarborough-Rouge Park
PC
Vijay Thanigasalam (Scarborough-Rouge Park)
Vijay is truly passionate about the community and genuinely cares about the well-being of future generations.
Vijay has been an active member of the Scarborough community for over a decade.
He completed his Bachelor of Commerce in Finance at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) in Oshawa, and works as a financial advisor with one of Canada’s leading banks.
He has been an advocate for youth development and employment opportunities, and wants to build an Ontario where young people can pay less and get ahead.
Vijay has a proven track-record of success, and is a leader that will bring true representation to Scarborough-Rouge Park and its youth to Queen’s Park.
[His family fled Sri Lanka during the civil war and settled in the area in 2003.]
PC: Logan Kanapathi – Markham-Thornhill
PC
LOGAN KANAPATHI
Markham-Thornhill
Logan came to Canada in the late 1980s as a refugee, and eventually started his own successful insurance firm.
He was first elected as a councillor for Markham in 2006, becoming the first Canadian of Tamil descent ever elected to public office. He was re-elected in 2010 and 2014. During his time as a councillor, Logan has been a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility and currently serves as Chief of the Budget Committee.
A long-time community activist, Logan is an Advisory Board Member of several charitable organizations such as the Canadian Tamil Medical Association, South Asian Autism Awareness Centre, and Cherish Integrated Services.
For nine years Logan has been a strong voice for his community, and as MPP he will work tirelessly so that Markham-Thornhill families pay less and get ahead.
