Arctic blast arrives Saturday night for the South Coast

16 February 2018

ENVIRONMENT Vancouver on Friday issued a special weather statement in effect for:

City of Vancouver – including Burnaby and New Westminster
Metro Vancouver – northeast including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge
Metro Vancouver – southeast including Surrey and Langley
Metro Vancouver – southwest including Richmond and Delta
North Shore – including West Vancouver and North Vancouver

An Arctic blast arrives Saturday night for the South Coast.

An area of low pressure will arrive Saturday morning over the South Coast. After the low exits Saturday night, a cold front will sweep across bringing snow, and a strong surge of Arctic air from the BC Interior in its wake. The potential for snow will continue on Sunday as conditions will remain cold and unsettled.

The surge of Arctic air will continue through the mainland valleys and inlets on Sunday ushering in the coldest air of the season for the inner South Coast. There is potential for wind warnings due to the outflow for southern sections of Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, Fraser Valley, and Howe Sound on Sunday.

The Arctic air will linger into the work week with daytime highs slightly above freezing and overnight lows approaching minus 10.

WSO rejects Indian allegations of ‘Sikh radicalism’ ahead of Trudeau visit

16 February 2018

THE World Sikh Organization of Canada on Friday strongly rejected allegations of “rising Sikh radicalism in Canada.” These allegations have been reported in the Indian media prior to Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit to India, scheduled to begin on Saturday. It has also been reported that the allegation of rising Sikh radicalism in Canada will be raised with Trudeau during the visit.

The WSO said: “Since 2007, every bilateral meeting between Canada and India has seen the issue of “rising Sikh radicalism” raised by the Indian side. Most recently, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh accused Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and numerous other Sikh members of the Liberal caucus of being “Khalistani” separatists.

“Allegations of “Sikh radicalism” are not supported by actual facts and are used as a euphemism for speech that India finds disagreeable. Indian officials have repeatedly categorized legitimate activities of Sikh political activists in Canada in support of human rights or a separate Sikh state, as radicalism, and have resorted to labeling speech they find offensive as ‘extremism’.

“In response to similar allegations in November 2012 during his visit to India, then Prime Minister Stephen Harper said, radicalism and violence shouldn’t be “confused with people’s right in Canada to advocate a political position. It may be a political position that both the Government of Canada and the Government of India disagree with. We can’t interfere with the right of political freedom of expression,”

“Many members of the Canadian Sikh community, including current and former elected officials, have been denied visas to visit India due to their having spoken out about human rights abuses in India. These Canadian Sikhs have been added to a “black list” of Canadian Sikhs who are not permitted to visit family and friends in India due to having exercised their Canadian right of freedom of expression.”

WSO President Mukhbir Singh said, “We are confident that Prime Minster Trudeau will defend the reputation of Canada’s Sikhs and in the absence of any actual evidence, will reject allegations of rising radicalism. The Sikh community in Canada is incredibly engaged in every facet of Canadian life and there is nothing to indicate any rise in radicalism. It must be understood in no uncertain terms that speaking out against human rights abuses and peacefully advocating for political causes cannot be confused with or tarnished as radicalism. These bizarre allegations made against Canadian Sikhs are incredibly damaging and result in actual harm against the community.”

WSO Senior Vice President Bhavjinder Kaur said, “India undoubtedly has serious issues with its human rights record. Individuals who call India to account are in no way radicals. We hope that the Canadian delegation will raise the issue of human rights with India including persecution of religious minorities and lack of justice for the victims of the 1984 Sikh Genocide. While increased Canadian trade with India will be beneficial for both countries, Canada has a responsibility to encourage India to meet its international human rights obligations.”

National Security Advisers of Canada and India met ahead of Trudeau’s visit

16 February 2018

New Delhi (PTI): India’s concerns over rising Sikh radicalism in Canada are understood to have figured during a meeting between National Security Advisers of the two countries this week, and the issue may figure during Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s talks with the Indian leadership here.

Trudeau is beginning a seven-day India visit here on Saturday with an aim to further boost overall bilateral ties with a focus on enhancing defence and counter-terror cooperation.

In response to a question on whether India will take up the issue of rising pro-Khalistan radicalism in Canada during Trudeau’s visit, India’s External Affairs Ministry indicated that it may be raised.

Canadian diplomatic sources, while talking about the meeting held between the two NSAs here a couple of days ago to prepare the ground for Trudeau’s visit, indicated that New Delhi’s concerns over Sikh radicalism in Canada figured in the meeting.

“This is an important visit. All issues, which are of interest to us … which are of bilateral interests will be up on the agenda,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, when asked whether the issue will be taken up by India during Trudeau’s visit.

On trade, the sources said Canadian investments in India were likely to decline in the absence of a mechanism to protect them and Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may deliberate, during their talks on February 23, on making progress in firming up the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries.

The negotiators of both the countries met last week to overcome the hurdles in finalising the pact, the sources said, adding Canadian investments in India were around USD 15 billion in the last couple of years, and a free trade pact will further encourage investors from that country.

In 2017, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and India amounted to USD 8.4 billion, split equally between exports to and imports from India (USD 4 billion each).

A number of Canadian pension funds are also keen to invest in India.

The sources said the objective of the Canadian prime minister’s visit here would be to expand overall ties between the two countries with a focus on defence and security, counter-terror cooperation, trade and investment and tackling climate change.

Both sides are also expected to deliberate on enhancing cooperation in the civil nuclear sector.

A number of Trudeau’s cabinet colleagues including Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, Science and Sports Minister Kirsty Duncan and Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi are also visiting India.

When referred to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh calling Canadian Defence Minister Sajjan a “Khalistani sympathiser” ahead of his visit here last year, the diplomatic sources called the remarks “disappointing and inaccurate”.

“This will be an opportunity for the prime minister to promote Canada-India cooperation on a range of issues and highlight Canada’s support for a strong, united, diverse India and to further strengthen the vibrant strategic partnership,” said a Canadian diplomatic source.

Besides his engagements in Delhi, Trudeau will visit Agra, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Amritsar.

Officials said Trudeau’s visit to Gujarat will be first by a Canadian prime minister.

Trudeau, who will be accompanied by his wife and three children, is schedule to visit the Taj Mahal on February 18, and the next day he will travel to Ahmedabad where he will visit Sabarmati Ashram. He will visit Akshardham temple in Gandhi Nagar and participate at an event at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA).

On February 20, he will visit Mumbai where he will hold meetings with top business leaders and meet representatives of Indian film industry to explore various opportunities in the field of cinema.

On February 21, Trudeau will travel to Amritsar where he will visit the Golden Temple. He will return to Delhi the same day.

Trudeau is scheduled to visit Jama Masjid and a cricket ground here on February 22 besides delivering a lecture at a gathering of Canadian and Indian business leaders.

He will hold wide-ranging talks with Modi on February 23.

The next day, he is scheduled to address a conference of young change-makers before wrapping up his visit (see poster).

The ties between India and Canada have been on an upswing. Approximately 1.4 million Canadians are of Indian heritage and India is Canada’s second largest source of immigrants.

Canada is also a leading education destination for Indian students, and India is the second largest source of international students, an estimated 124,000 in 2017, as per official figures.

Secret ICBC pages: Media releases what B.C. Liberal Leader Wilkinson refused to release

16 February 2018

A major media outlet has done what the leader of the B.C. Liberals refused to do – released the full version of the B.C. Liberal-suppressed 2014 ICBC report that would have saved British Columbians billions of dollars at ICBC, the NDP said on Friday.

“British Columbians paid for this report and deserve to see the recommendations that the B.C. Liberals rejected and hid from the public,” said New Democrat MLA for Delta North Ravi Kahlon. “If the B.C. Liberals had implemented some of those recommendations instead of playing political games for their own partisan purposes, they wouldn’t have left ICBC in such a financial mess for British Columbians.

“There needs to be accountability, and it’s upsetting but not surprising that Andrew Wilkinson, the new B.C. Liberal leader, refused the Attorney General’s request to release the deleted and hidden pages.

“Instead of doing the right thing for people, Andrew Wilkinson is doubling down on the B.C. Liberal record of putting themselves ahead of British Columbians.”

Wilkinson refused to ask Mike de Jong to exercise his authority as former finance minister to waive cabinet privilege so the public could read the report. The public was eventually able to see the pages only because the Vancouver Sun did what Wilkinson refused – release the pages.

B.C. Liberal MLA Todd Stone, who was the minister responsible for ICBC at the time, made it clear that Wilkinson bears significant responsibility for the B.C. Liberals’ bad choices at ICBC. At the November 19 B.C. Liberal leadership debate, Stone told Wilkinson: “I would remind you that you were sitting at the cabinet table with me for the last four and a half years, as we discussed ICBC many, many times.”

Kahlon said the Attorney General and New Democrat government have been working hard to fix the B.C. Liberal mess, and noted many of the recommendations that were rejected and kept secret several years ago match with some of the steps the New Democrat government has initiated.

“This emphasizes the fact that if the B.C. Liberals had just implemented those changes years ago, the mess wouldn’t have grown to such catastrophic proportions,” said Kahlon. “Those were several lost years that the province will have to work overtime to make up for and fix.”

The full report can be viewed here: http://vancouversun.com/news/politics/read-the-icbc-report-the-b-c-liberals-didnt-want-you-to-see

Surrey man fatally shot in Vancouver West Side identified as realtor Kaminder Rai

16 February 2018

VANCOUVER Police on Friday identified the victim of Thursday’s homicide on Vancouver’s West Side as 32-year-old Kaminder Rai of Surrey.

Rai, who was listed as a real estate consultant with Planet Group Realty Inc., used to advertise in South Asian newspapers.

Just before 1 p.m. on February 15, Vancouver Police received a report of shots fired in the area of Marguerite Street and West 49th Avenue n the Kerrisdale neighbourhood. Officers arrived and found a man on the street suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition and died hours later.

Police later towed away a black Hummer SUV.

Based on the initial investigation, police have determined that the shooting was not random. No arrests have been made.

“This is Vancouver’s sixth homicide of 2018 and it’s only the middle of February,” said Constable Jason Doucette. “Crime does tend to fluctuate throughout the year, but it’s concerning any time we have a homicide in Vancouver — targeted or not. We’re continuing to work with our partners throughout the region to solve these crimes and prevent future violence.”

Officers will be in the area today canvassing for witnesses and additional evidence. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call investigators at 604-717-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Ontario introducing new learning resources on Sikh heritage

16 February 2018

ONTARIO is helping students to understand Canada’s diverse history and people with the development of new resources on Sikh history and heritage.

Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister of Education, joined by Harinder Malhi, MPP for Brampton-Springdale and Minister of the Status of Women, was at Sandalwood Heights Secondary School in Brampton on Friday to make the announcement.

The new voluntary curriculum-linked resource, developed in partnership with the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada, will support learning in a variety of subjects and courses for elementary and secondary students, covering topics such as:

Sikh celebrations in Canada and diverse viewpoints on maintaining cultural practices
Sikh perspectives on global warming and climate change
The history of Sikh pioneers in Canada and human rights

These tools will provide all students with the opportunity to embrace Canada’s history and diversity, further develop transferable skills, such as critical thinking, and increase their understanding of global issues.

Quick Facts:

These voluntary curriculum-linked resources are being developed by the following four subject associations: The Ontario Elementary Social Studies Teachers Association, The Ontario Art Education Association, The Ontario Association of Geographic and Environmental Educators, and The Ontario Library Association in partnership with the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada.
The resources will be distributed through the subject associations’ networks in spring 2018.
The Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada is located in Mississauga, Ontario, and is a Canadian organization celebrating the unique history, culture and legacy of Sikh Canadians. It is dedicated to advancing and promoting knowledge, understanding and preservation of the cultural and religious life of Sikh people in Canada through quality museum exhibits, lectures and special programs.
Ontario designated April as Sikh Heritage Month in 2013.

$1.377-billion bridge to replace aging Pattullo Bridge

16 February 2018

FRONT — The $1.377-billion bridge that will replace the aging Pattullo Bridge.

The $1.377-billion bridge that will replace the aging Pattullo Bridge.

SAYING it’s time to build a safe, reliable crossing for thousands of daily commuters, Premier John Horgan on Friday announced that the B.C. government is moving forward with the construction of a $1.377-billion bridge to replace the aging Pattullo Bridge.

“This is an essential transportation link that British Columbians rely on, and it’s our job to make sure it’s safe and gets people moving better,” Horgan said. “Replacing the Pattullo Bridge will help people get home to their families quickly and safely, while creating good jobs for local workers.”

The Pattullo Bridge replacement project will be delivered solely by the Province. The project includes a new Pattullo Bridge that will be located upstream of the existing one, network connections in Surrey and New Westminster, and the removal of the existing bridge. The new Pattullo Bridge will be owned, operated and maintained by the Government of British Columbia.

“By stepping up to own and deliver a new Pattullo Bridge, our government is making sure all people who use the bridge can benefit from a safer crossing and easier connections into New Westminster and Surrey, whether by walking, driving or cycling,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

“We’re working in partnership with Metro Vancouver mayors to deliver on the things that matter to people,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “By taking ownership and leadership over the Pattullo Bridge, we’re solving one of the region’s biggest transportation problems.”

The new bridge will be four lanes that will be built to modern safety standards, featuring a centre safety median barrier and wider lanes to accommodate both passenger and commercial vehicles. The bridge will also have walking and cycling lanes, separated from traffic, on both sides of the bridge.

There will also be smoother connections on and off the new Pattullo Bridge with new direct road connections between the bridge and East Columbia Street in New Westminster, and a new direct off-ramp from the bridge to westbound Highway 17 in Surrey.

The Province will proceed with the request for qualifications (RFQ) phase of a competitive procurement process later this spring, with start of construction in summer 2019. The bridge will be open to traffic in 2023.

Opening in 1937, the Pattullo Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in Metro Vancouver. The bridge was designed for a 50-year life, which has been exceeded by 30 years.

Vancouver Police warn public following groping of 12-year-old girl

15 February 2018

VANCOUVER Police are warning the public after a 12-year-old girl was groped on Tuesday morning on Vancouver’s West Side.

At around 7:45 a.m. on February 13, a young girl was walking along West King Edward Avenue at Pine Crescent when she stopped at the southwest corner to use her phone. A man ran up to her and quickly groped her before running southbound on Pine Crescent.

The man is described as white, late 40s to early 50s, with grey stubble on his face, and he may have had a noticeable freckle on his cheek by his right eye. He was wearing a black toque, a t-shirt, tight black yoga-style pants, and a black backpack.

“The VPD have been working to identify this man since receiving the report on February 14,” said Constable Jason Doucette. “We want to encourage people to watch out for one another and to report any suspicious behaviour to 9-1-1 immediately.”

Anyone who was in the area of West King Edward Avenue and Pine Crescent on February 13, between 7:40 and 7:50 a.m., and who may have information about this incident, is asked to call detectives at 604-717-9218 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Police called to Delta’s Sands Secondary as student brings starter pistol

15 February 2018

POLICE DELTA CRIS LEYKAUF — Cris Leykauf

A Delta Police school liaison officer was contacted on Thursday (February 15) at 10:07 a.m. by staff at Sands Secondary School regarding a student who may have brought a weapon to the school.

Police were at the school a minute later. Officers quickly located the student, who was taken into police custody. Police said the student was in possession of a starter pistol.

“The situation involved a dispute between students. The student in question apparently felt threatened and decided to carry the starter pistol as a deterrent,” said Cris Leykauf, public affairs coordinator for Delta Police. “Though this was an unfortunate decision, our officers were pleased the incident was resolved quickly and safely.”

Sands Secondary was placed into a Code Yellow while the matter was investigated. The Code Yellow was lifted by 10:45 a.m. The Code Yellow procedure allows the school to continue with a normal school day, but forbids outside activity. Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to enter the building.

“The Code Yellow procedure worked very smoothly, and our thanks to teachers, students and the administration for their cooperation. Our police officers train regularly for these situations with schools,” says Leykauf.

The matter remains under investigation and the school liaison officer will continue to work with school administration regarding this issue.

Weaver: ‘No reason why B.C. shouldn’t have ride hailing by year’s end’

15 February 2018

ANDREW Weaver, Leader of the B.C. Green Party, on Thursday welcomed the release of the all-party committee report on ride hailing. The committee was struck after Weaver introduced a Private Member’s Bill to enable ride hailing in B.C. for the third time last fall.

“This report represents exactly how our legislature should work: Members from all parties examining the evidence, engaging with the public and stakeholders and collaborating constructively towards a consensus,” said Weaver.

“The recommendations in this report should provide government with a useful guide towards a regulatory regime that all parties can support. It is essential that B.C.’s regulatory regime include considerations for public safety, workers’ rights, consumer protection and insurance. The government is also undertaking an effort to modernise the taxi industry – this can and should be done concurrently with the introduction of ride hailing.

“Earlier today, Abacus Data released a poll indicating that 64% of British Columbians support bringing in ride-hailing by the end of this year. Only 9% of British Columbians are opposed. 6 years after ride-hailing companies first attempted to enter the B.C. market, Vancouver remains the largest city in North America without access to this service.

“Government has all the pieces it needs to move forward. There is no reason why B.C. should not have ride-hailing by the end of the year.”

E-Papers

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

INDO-CANADIAN VOICE - ABOUT US

FOLLOW US