Want to become a Surrey RCMP volunteer?

29 January 2018

SURREY RCMP are now accepting volunteer applications from individuals with a keen interest in public safety and making a positive difference through community and crime prevention programs.

Applications will be accepted from January 29 to March 2 through the Surrey RCMP website.

Volunteers participate in a variety of crime prevention programs and play a key role at events across the city, hosting Surrey RCMP information booths and providing public safety information.

This past year, volunteers donated over 43,000 hours of their time to Surrey RCMP community initiatives. Volunteers checked over 150,000 vehicles at targeted locations through Speed Watch, ran 70,000 license plates through the Stolen Auto Recovery Program, conducted 9,000 vehicle audits through the Lock Out Auto Crime program, and made 1,200 visits to local businesses.
“Our volunteers form the backbone of our community programming and ensure that our connection to local residents and business remains strong,” says Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann. “Surrey is a growing city and we are looking for dedicated individuals who can help us deliver important public safety information to enhance the safety and security of Surrey.”

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

19 years of age or older
Canadian Citizen (or permanent resident for a minimum of 5 years)
Valid Class 5 driver’s license
Reliable and have integrity
Available to attend all training sessions
Available to volunteer a minimum of 16 hours per month for one year
Pass a suitability interview
Successfully pass a security background check
Complete a six-month probationary period

Visit www.surrey.rcmp.ca to learn more about volunteer opportunities with the Surrey RCMP.

Prime Minister Trudeau: ‘We will continue to fight Islamophobia’

29 January 2018

PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday in a statement on the first anniversary of the fatal shooting at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec said that the federal government will continue to fight Islamophobia.

Trudeau said: “One year ago tonight, a senseless attack at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec in Ste-Foy claimed the lives of six worshippers and seriously injured nineteen more.

“On this solemn anniversary, I join Canadians across the country to remember and honour those who were taken from us too soon. Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those who still live with the pain and trauma caused by the attack. We also honour the first responders, whose courage and professionalism saved lives that night.

“This was a terrorist attack against all Canadians, meant to test our resolve and weaken our values. It failed. In the wake of the shooting, a solidarity movement formed across the country as Canadians united to condemn the attack and counter hatred with hope.

“A year later, our message has not changed: We are stronger together. No matter our faith or where we were born, we are equal members of this country. We will not let an act of intolerance divide us and make any Canadian feel less at home.

“The Government of Canada stands in solidarity with Canada’s Muslim community. We will continue to fight Islamophobia and take action against it and all other forms of hatred and discrimination, and defend the diversity that makes Canada strong.”

Province taking action against illegal ride-hailing services

29 January 2018

23 fines of $1,150 have been given to drivers identified as operating without a licence

ALL those seeking to provide commercial passenger transportation services in Metro Vancouver, or anywhere in B.C., must respect the current regulatory and legal system in British Columbia, the Province said on Monday.

New “ride hail” services and passenger transportation options cannot operate at the expense of passenger and driver safety.

Several companies operating under the names Longmao, Udi Kuaiche, U Drop, RaccoonGo, GoKabu, Dingdang Carpool and AO Rideshare have developed ride-sourcing apps. These companies have been recruiting drivers to operate their personal vehicles as commercial passenger-directed vehicles on the Lower Mainland.

The Province said that it is important that drivers providing commercial transportation services through these social media apps understand they are assuming all of the risk related to providing the service. It is the driver, not the app companies, that are operating illegally and are subject to penalties and fines of $1,150. These drivers are subject to possible further sanctions for not disclosing the commercial use of their vehicles to lease and insurance providers.

Passengers must know that when they hail a ride in a vehicle through these apps, they are choosing to take a trip in a vehicle that has not been licensed to operate legally in British Columbia. Current provincial and municipal regulatory requirements include:

a regular, government-approved safety inspection of the vehicle;
insurance that will cover the carrying of paying passengers; and
a police background check for drivers.

The Passenger Transportation Branch continues to investigate and issue penalties to these operators. To date, over 20 cease-and-desist orders have been issued and 23 fines of $1,150 have been given to drivers identified as operating without a licence.

If you have questions or concerns, or want to make a report about these services, contact the Passenger Transportation Branch at 604 527-2198, or email: passengertransportationbr@gov.bc.ca

ICBC posts net loss of $935 million for first nine months of fiscal year

28 January 2018

ICBC on Sunday posted a net loss of $935 million for the first nine months of its current fiscal year (April 1 to December 31, 2017).

“This is obviously a sizeable and significant loss, and is further evidence of the growing financial pressures we are under from the rapid increase in the number of crashes occurring across B.C., the surge in claims and the massive growth in the costs of those claims. Our projected net loss for our full 12-month, fiscal year (ending March 31, 2018) now stands at almost $1.3 billion,” it said in a statement.

The number of crashes occurring across B.C. is continuing to escalate year-after-year. As a result, the number of claims ICBC is receiving is growing by thousands each year. On top of that, the costs of those claims are ballooning. After only breaking through the $2 billion threshold as recently as 2014, its injury claims costs are now closer to $3 billion a year. This is not to mention the increasing cost of vehicle repairs and the emergence of additional, major pressures, said ICBC.

In recent months, ICBC said it has seen the emergence of many more, large and extremely costly claims which run into hundreds of thousands of dollars each. In particular, older claims – some dating as far back as 2010 – which were initially presented as minor injury claims have since emerged as more complex and costly, large loss claims. Over the past 12 months, ICBC said it has experienced an unprecedented 80 per cent growth in large loss claims which have an average cost of $450,000 per claim.

“Added to this, despite substantially adding to our claims staff to help deal with the increasing volume of claims being reported to us, claims have been closing at a slower rate. This has particularly been the case with represented claims, which are taking even longer to settle. The longer a claim takes to settle, the more expensive it becomes,” said ICBC.

ICBC’s net claims costs for the first nine months of its current fiscal year totalled $4.25 billion.

“Simply put, the amount of premiums we are collecting from customers is not covering the ever-increasing amounts we are paying out in claims costs. This is not sustainable,” said ICBC.

“We are working hard alongside government to take the steps necessary to bring about long-term solutions which will put ICBC back on a stable financial footing, one that will create a sustainable auto insurance system for B.C.”

Premier Horgan recognizes first anniversary of terrorist attack on Quebec City mosque

28 January 2018

PREMIER John Horgan on Sunday issued the following statement recognizing the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec on January 29, 2017:

“One year ago, Canadians joined together in shock and horror in the aftermath of an attack that claimed the lives of six men at a Quebec City mosque, and injured many others.

“We honour the memories of those who were cruelly taken from their friends, their families and their communities in this act of terror: Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzedine Soufiane, and Aboubaker Thabti.

At the roundtable meeting held on behalf of Premier John Horgan by Minister Harry Bains and Parliamentary Secretary Ravi Kahlon with representatives of the Muslim faith and community leaders to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Quebec mosque shootings.

“These men were murdered because they were Muslim. This attack was the first time in Canadian history people who were gathered in a place of worship were targeted with violence. We must make sure it is the last.

“We stand with the Muslim community and every British Columbian attending vigils, sending prayers and taking action to fight hate, bigotry and Islamophobia. Together, we will build a stronger province and stronger communities united in love and compassion, not divided by hatred and fear.”

On Monday, January 29, from 5 to 11:59 p.m., the B.C. Parliament Buildings’ archway and fountain will be illuminated green — a colour traditionally associated with the Muslim faith — to honour the lives lost in Quebec City, and to raise awareness about Islamophobia.

56-year-old man in custody after sexual assault of 21-year-old woman on Transit

27 January 2018

A 56-year-old man is in custody following an alleged sexual assault on the transit system early Saturday morning.
Just after midnight, January 27, a 21-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted on the SkyTrain between Broadway and Joyce Street SkyTrain stations, and allegedly again at the Joyce Street Station bus loop.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police broadcast a suspect description resulting in a man being taken into custody a short while later by Vancouver Police Department officers. The suspect was turned over to Transit Police investigating officers.
This is an ongoing investigation.

Kalwinder Thind, 23, dead after trying to break up fight at downtown Vancouver nightclub

27 January 2018

VANCOUVER Police Homicide investigators are looking for witnesses to an early morning Granville Street fight that claimed the life of 23-year-old Kalwinder Thind, who was working at the club.

Thind stepped in to break up the fight. He was stabbed and died in hospital.

Just before 2:30 a.m. a fight broke out inside the Cabanna club at 1159 Granville Street, and then spilled onto the street.

Several people have been arrested and homicide investigators are currently trying to piece the evidence together.

Investigators are appealing to any witnesses and anyone who has information about this incident to call detectives at (604) 717-2500 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8478.

The investigation is ongoing.

A police spokesperson said that it seems to have been an alcohol-fueled fight.

Thind was until recently a sales consultant at Richmond Chrysler and was featured on their website until Monday (January 29).

OBITUARY: AJIT SINGH GILL

26 January 2018

Ajit Singh Gill, 21, of Surrey suddenly passed away on January 21.

He was the son of Baldev Singh Gill (Churchuk village, Moga district, Punjab) and Kulwant Kaur Gill, and grandson of Gurnam Singh Gill.

His funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 27 at 10 a.m. at Five Rivers Funeral Home in Delta.

Bhog will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, Delta-Surrey.

Contact: 604-596-9861 (Home) / Gurnam Singh Gill (grandfather) at 778-240-4090

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT B.C. LIBERAL PARTY LEADER?

26 January 2018

BY RATTAN MALL

ON February 3, we will know who the next leader of the B.C. Liberal Party – and perhaps, the future Premier of B.C. – will be.

The six contenders – former Surrey mayor and former Conservative MP Dianne Watts, MLA and former Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan, MLAs Andrew Wilkinson, Todd Stone and Mike de Jong, all former ministers, and MLA Michael Lee – tell The VOICE why they should be the leader, whose name will be announced on February 3.

The main show will be at the Grand Ballroom of Sheraton Wall Centre at 1088 Burrard Street in Vancouver on February 3 with doors opening at 4 p.m. and the program kicking off at 5 p.m.

At around 5:30 p.m., the first ballot results (if multiple ballots are required) will be announced. Results will be delivered ballot by ballot with brief intervals in between.

By 6:30 p.m., the final ballot result is expected to be announced, followed by the winner’s speech.

B.C. LIBERAL LEADERSHIP CANDIDATE: DIANNE WATTS

26 January 2018

BY DIANNE WATTS

ON February 1, 2 and 3 members of the BC Liberal party will elect the new leader of the party, and I’m hoping for your support.

As BC Liberals we need to ask ourselves: what kind of future do we want for our Party and for our province?

I want a BC Liberal Party that connects with people, builds livable communities, creates opportunities and ignites hope for the future.

I want our Party to offer something to British Columbians that they can connect with and support, something that impacts their lives in a direct and positive way, beyond just triple-A credit ratings.

Like a growing number of BC Liberals across the province, I do not believe we can go into the next election led by voices from the past. We need a fresh start.

I also believe that our free enterprise platform needs to be built by, and belong to, all of us, not just the leader, or a select few.

New leadership is key to facing those challenges, and winning the next election.

So, I am asking for your support, and your vote, on February 1-3 to build a new BC Liberal Party, one that will deliver on the promise of an even better BC for you and your family.

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