INDIA is fast emerging as the most dynamic economy and the opportunity to do trade with India is now, said Peter Hall, Vice President and Chief Economist, Export Development Corporation Canada (EDC), at an event organized by BC India Business Network (BCIBN) recently.
The event, “High Tea with Peter Hall,” opened with remarks by Catherine Sas, President of BCIBN.
Peter Hall
Vivek Savkur, Chairman Emeritus of BCIBN, introduced Hall and Clark M. Roberts, Deputy Minister, Ministry of International Trade and Minister responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism.
“It is BCIBN’s mandate to bring to its members events which are beneficial to them in furthering trade with India. Mr. Hall is a greatly respected economist who has deep insight into the Indian economy and who is here to share his views with us,” said Savkur.
Addressing the audience, Hall said India was going to be the next China in the coming economic cycle. “Prospects with India are very great and unique and Canada has many of the solutions that India needs to grow its infrastructure and fulfil some of the aspirations of Indians,” he added.
Hall said that one of the key areas that B.C. could carve a niche in is in the field of agro foods. “I am pleased to note that B.C. has the most diversified trade with India, but it is not enough. Considering the potential that exists out there, this is the tip of the iceberg,” he pointed out.
Apart from BCIBN members, the event was also attended by Indian Consul Abha Gosain Consul and other prominent members of the Indian community.
Results will be updated regularly while initial count takes place at over 1,300 voting locations throughout British Columbia. Ballots cast at advance and general voting are counted during initial count.
Preliminary results will include:
the number of votes cast for each candidate,
the percentage of the popular vote for each candidate,
the number of ballot boxes reported, and
the total number of ballot boxes.
Absentee ballots will be counted during final count between May 22 and 24. Final results will be available on the Elections BC website after the conclusion of final count.
Initial count is the preliminary count of ballots for the election.
Ballots from advance and general voting are counted at initial count.
Results are reported as soon as they become available after voting closes at 8 p.m. Pacific time.
Ballots are counted by the election officials responsible for each ballot box. Results reporting may take longer for areas which experienced high voter turnout on General Voting Day or during advance voting.
What happens after initial count?
After initial count, district electoral officers verify the results reported at initial count, and send certification envelopes containing absentee ballots to the voter’s district of residence to be considered for final count.
District electoral officers also review certification envelopes to see if they will be considered for final count. Certification envelopes remain unopened if they do not meet the requirements of theElection Act. For example, a mail-in ballot would remain in its certification envelope if the voter was not registered to vote.
What is final count?
The absentee ballots for the election are counted at final count.
Absentee ballots counted at final count include votes cast by voters outside of their electoral district, in a district electoral office, or by mail.
Final count will take place from May 22 to May 24.
Final voting results for the election are announced after the conclusion of final count.
When will voter turnout figures be available?
Elections BC will publish a preliminary voter turnout figure after every electoral district has reported their preliminary results from initial count. When this figure is available will depend on how long it takes to report preliminary results from initial count, which will depend on voter turnout.
Only a preliminary voter turnout figure will be available in the days after General Voting Day because:
o the number of voters who registered on General Voting Day will not be known; and
o the number of valid absentee votes will not be known until after the conclusion of final count.
Elections BC is a non-partisan Office of the Legislature responsible for administering electoral processes in British Columbia in accordance with the Election Act, Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, Recall and Initiative Act and Referendum Act.
IF Green Party voters come to the realization that another victory for the B.C. Liberals under Christy Clark will mean a Site C Dam and pipelines that they bitterly oppose and switch over to the NDP — just as the federal NDP supporters switched over to the federal Liberals to bring the federal Conservatives down in the last federal election — then the B.C. Liberals are doomed.
Andrew Weaver
So it will be interesting to see what happens today (Tuesday).
ONE of the most awaited cultural programs of the year, “Rangla Punjab 2017,” organized by the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) was celebrated with great enthusiasm to the degree of a Vaisakhi festival in Punjab by the local community participants of all ages, mostly born and brought up here, that electrified a Chicago audience for more than four hours at Meadows Clubs in Rolling Meadows, a northwest suburb of Chicago. Despite a wet and rainy weather, more than 1,000 were in attendance at this sold out event, with about 200 participants, more than 32 items, and 50 organizers. The parking lot was full and cars overflowed to the neighboring lots and driveways.
This memorable family show encompassed a record-breaking number of vibrant, robust, authentic Punjabi folk dances and cultural performances one after the other, 32 in all, with participating teams hailing from Chicagoland and neighboring states of Wisconsin and Indiana. Most of the participants were trained by PCS volunteer instructors and coordinators, who themselves were young participants here at one time.
The audience was welcomed by Board of Advisors Surinder Singh Sangha. The evening started with a prayer – “Shabad” – by children of Gurmat School S.R.S. Palatine, followed by colorful dancing and singing performances staged by local artists of all age groups. Children from as young as five years old through teenagers and adults put on an unforgettable show. Bhangra and Gidha along with the signature Punjabi “Dhol” drum beats and ‘Boli’s’ mesmerized the audience and they couldn’t help but respond by cheering, foot tapping and clapping along the melodious and lively bhangra beats. The kaleidoscopic ambiance highlighted by the authentic colorful costumes and turbans worn by the young and old alike – seemingly transported everyone to the villages, fairgrounds, or a university youth festival in Punjab.
The program divided in four parts was well compeered by four emcees: Raskirth Singh, Parvinder Singh Nanua, Mona Bhalla and Paul Singh Lail. Rajinder Singh Mago, one of the event organizers, introduced the dignitaries and distinguished guests to the audience. Mementos were presented to outgoing president Gurmit Singh Dhillon and the outgoing chairman Harkewal Singh Lally. Incoming President Sukhmel Singh Atwal and Chairman Hardial Singh Deol were introduced. Atwal welcomed everyone, introduced his 2017 Board of Directors, and thanked the organizers and the supporters.
“As always the PCS Team, backed by the hard working participants with support of their families and friends, came through with their exceptional talent of organizing a great show. What a way to pass on our Punjabi Virsa (heritage) to next generations. Young participants will cherish these memories for the rest of their lives,” said Deol.
Grand sponsor of the program, Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini, and the chief guest Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, along with several other gold and silver sponsors were honored with plaques.
Saini of Advanced Pain Management of Milwaukee credited PCS for keeping the Punjabi culture alive through such celebrations in Chicagoland. Saini, while making mention of the efforts and resources needed for such events said, “These things do not come cheap. I assure the organizers of my continuous support to this great cause.”
Dhaliwal and wife Debra Dhaliwal, of Dhaliwal Enterprises from Wisconsin, long time supporters of P.C.S., shared stage with guests of honor the Indian Consul in Chicago, D. B. Bhati, representing the Consul General Neeta Bhushan, and the Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, who brought along his Punjabi-speaking wife to enjoy the Punjabi culture in Chicago.
Mago introduced Tirmizi and requested his government’s help in maintaining the Sikh heritage monuments and Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s kingdom’s historical sites in Pakistan. “After partition in 1947, about 80% of Sikh heritage sites remained in Pakistan, and nearly 70% of those are close to destruction. Those are Pakistan’s history as well,” Mago said. “These could be maintained and turned into tourism economy for Pakistan, where Sikhs and other tourists from all over the world would come to visit, Pakistani people in general are great hosts.” Mago also requested for easier access and security for the tourists.
It was a nostalgic moment as the Meadows Club hall became the microcosm of the Punjabi culture and entertainment; it felt as if the spectators were sitting in Punjab amidst all the kaleidoscopic view of its heritage and colorful suits, dupattas and turbans surrounding them. Ecstatic parents and grandparents were untiringly clicking pictures of their colorfully dressed children performing on the stage.
Gidha was performed by, to name a few, Bollywood Arts Academy, Shaunkana Chicago Diyan, Milwaukee Gidha and Chicago Girls Gidha and so on. Bhangra teams included all age groups like Navi Paneeri, Punjabi Kaum, Warriors Bhangra and many more. Chicago’s renowned singers Mahijit Virdi, Mona Bhalla, Maddy Singh, Parina Mehrotra, and Ashley Singh made everyone dance to their melodies.
The venue lobby was crowded with guests at all times socializing, snapping photos, and checking out the merchandise and refreshments vendors. A complimentary table for bone marrow donor search for Kapil Vij was also setup. World Wars I and II Sikh soldier’s posters were also displayed.
The inauguration ceremony of a Punjabi book “Siyastdaan” by author Matt Singh Dhillon was also held on the stage in the presence of the guests of honor.
The event gold sponsors were Bhupinder Singh Dhaliwal and Hardial Singh Deol while the silver sponsors were Mohina Ahluwalia, Harkewal Lally, Sukhmel Singh Atwal, Sunny Kular, Punjabi Cultural Society of Michigan, Avtar Singh Bhaura Transport Indianapolis, Jaswinder Singh Sandhu U.S.Oil, Nick Balwinder Singh, Major Gurcharan Singh Jhaj, Gurdeep Singh Nandra (Motorola), New York Life, Onkar Singh Sangha (All State Insurance). Other sponsors included Nick Gakhal, Jaidev Singh Bhathal, Dr. Amarjit Singh, Dr. Harjinder Singh Khaira, Gulzar Multani, Salwan Trading, Suga Builder, Santokh Singh DC, Jaspal Singh Kaler, Amrikpal Singh (Mortgage Co.), and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu, Lakhvir Singh Sahota and Jagjit Singh Dhindsa.
The event was organized by P.C.S. board with the help of many item coordinators and volunteers including Iqbal Singh, Joti Parmar, Jaspal Midha, Sandeep Singh and Ajit Singh Dandona among many others, who will be recognized at a special appreciation dinner on June 11.
“Truly, Chicagoland will be waiting with bated breath for the next Rangla Punjab from Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago in 2018,” said Prachi Jaitly the coordinator of Bollywood Gidha.
PCS’ upcoming events are “PCS Youth Graduation Night” and “Rangla Punjab Participants Appreciation Night” on June 11 at Viceroy of India Restaurant, Lombard Illinois, “PCS Sports Festival” in August, “PCS International Bhangra and Gidha Competition” in November, and “Thanksgiving Day Parade” in November.
The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is an all volunteer not-for-profit community service organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts, education, good citizenship, healthy lifestyle, and sports in the metropolitan Chicago area and beyond. For further information:
AGE, gender and regional differences have pushed the two main contending parties in the British Columbia provincial election into a tie, as the BC Green Party is poised to have its best showing ever, a new Insights West poll conducted for CTV Vancouver has found.
The online survey of a representative sample of British Columbians shows that the approval rating for all three leaders improved as the campaign progressed. Andrew Weaver of the BC Green Party heads to tomorrow’s election with the highest numbers (46%, +11 since the first Insights West survey conducted in April). Opposition and BC New Democratic Party (NDP) leader John Horgan stands at 42% (+5), while Premier and BC Liberals leader Christy Clark is at 38% (+8).
Andrew Weaver
Weaver is the only leader with a positive momentum score of +13 (28% say their opinion of the BC Green leader improved since the start of the campaign, while 15% say it has worsened). Horgan is at -15 (with 34% saying they now have a worse opinion of him) and Clark at -29 (with 36% saying they now have worse opinion of her).
When asked who would make the best Premier of British Columbia, Clark is in first place with 33% (+8), followed by Horgan at 28% (+6) and Weaver at 17% (+5). The level of undecided respondents on this question has dropped from 41% in April to 21% this month.
Horgan is still seen as the best person to deal with health care (40%), education (39%), housing, poverty and homelessness (37%) and accountability (26%). Clark leads on handling the economy and jobs (47%, +9), energy and pipelines (41%) and crime and public safety (33%), while Weaver is regarded as the best leader on environmental issues (49%).
Large proportions of British Columbians say Premier Clark shares their views on creating jobs (43%), managing the province’s finances (41%) and transportation projects (33%), while Horgan is first on the issues of child care (34%) and seniors care (32%).
Horgan began the campaign as the leader who connected best on two other issues, but now trails Clark on helping residents become homeowners (Clark 28%, Horgan 24%, Weaver 11%) and Weaver on fundraising for political parties (Weaver 22%, Clark 20%, Horgan 19%).
“Our mid-campaign poll showed that residents aged 55 and over are decidedly in favor of the governing party on financial matters,” says Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, at Insights West. “The campaign has helped solidify the position of the BC Liberals as economic managers, as evidenced by the double-digit improvement for Premier Clark on some of these questions.”
The most important issue facing the province continues to be housing, poverty and homelessness (35%, -3), but now the economy and jobs has climbed to second place (24%, +8) followed by health care (19%, =).
Among decided voters, the two main parties are backed by about two-in-five decided voters, with 41% (+1) saying they would or have cast a ballot for the BC NDP candidate in their riding, and 41% (+3) saying they supported or will support the BC Liberals. The Green Party is third with 17%, while 2% would vote for other parties or independent candidates.
Men (47%), voters aged 55 and over (49%) and those in the Okanagan and the North (52%) are more likely to cast a ballot for the BC Liberals, while women (43%), those aged 18-to-34 (46%) and those aged 35-to-54 (also 46%) are more likely to back the BC NDP.
The two main parties are keeping about four-in-five of their voters from the 2013 provincial election (79% for the BC Liberals, 80% for the BC NDP).
Only 13% of decided voters say they may change their mind before tomorrow’s election. While at the start of the campaign, only 52% of BC Green Party voters were committed to their choice, the proportion has increased to 77%, greatly improving the party’s chances of having its best showing ever in a provincial election.
Among British Columbians who voted for the Liberal Party in the 2015 Canadian federal election, the BC Liberals continue to lead (51%) with the BC NDP a distant second (32%). Three-in-four federal Conservatives (76%) intend to vote for the BC Liberals, while four-in-five federal NDP supporters (81%) will vote for the BC NDP.
BC Liberal voters say they are motivated primarily by the party’s ideas and policies (38%), a desire for stability (29%) and the party’s candidate in their riding (13%). Supporters of the two main opposition parties place their emphasis on ideas and policies (36% among NDP voters, 39% among Green voters), desire for change (33% among NDP voters, 25% among Green voters) and disgust with other contending candidates (14% among NDP voters, 23% among Green voters).
It is important to note that only 5% of decided voters say their main motivator for their vote is the party leader. In the last federal election, this indicator stood at 14%, and climbed to 18% among the British Columbians who voted for the Justin Trudeau-led Liberal Party.
Regardless of the election’s outcome, the province is staunchly divided. Across British Columbia, 49% of residents say they would be “very upset” if the BC Liberals form the government again, while 46% claim they would be “very upset” if the BC NDP wins the election.
The sentiment for a change of government in the province has dropped slightly, from 64% in April to 61% this month. This measurement differs from what Insights West observed before issuing accurate forecasts in two recent provincial elections where incumbent governments were defeated: Alberta 2015 (82%) and Manitoba 2016 (67%).
ON February 2, 2009, Surrey RCMP attended a shots-fired call located at an apartment complex in the 13300-block of 105A Avenue and found 25-year-old James Ward Erickson dead from a gunshot wound.
In the initial stages there were persons of interest that were identified, but there wasn’t sufficient evidence to support charge approval.
In May 2013, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) Cold Case Team took conduct of this investigation and began a thorough and meticulous file review. Six months into the file review a suspect, identified as David Sadler, was arrested and sufficient evidence was obtained to meet the threshold for charge approval.
On May 7, over eight years following the homicide of Erickson, justice was served as a jury convicted 31-year-old David Sadler for first degree murder and he was handed a mandatory sentence of 25 years in prison.
“IHIT’s cold case team has been exceptionally successful in seeing these tragic cases to the end, despite time passed. It is extremely rewarding for the investigators to see justice served as a result of their commitment and perseverance and there is no greater testament to this than a conviction for first-degree murder,” said Staff-Sgt. Jennifer Pound.
A Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC (CFSEU-BC) investigation, related to the targeted attacks on people associated to the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC), has resulted in a guilty plea by 44-year old Candy Elaine Rheaume of New Westminster.
Rheaume has now pleaded guilty in New Westminster Provincial Court to one count of unauthorized use of a computer. She received a suspended sentence of nine months of probation and 40 hours of community service.
Between April 2011 and January 2012, 15 innocent individuals were targeted in a series of offences which occurred in multiple jurisdictions. Their homes, vehicles, and property were the target of shootings and arsons.
The joint-forces investigation that spanned multiple jurisdictions resulted in the arrests of two men in 2015, one of whom police identified to be the orchestrator of the attacks, and the other who police alleged to be someone contracted to carry out one of the arsons.
The investigation, in addition to identifying the two men already charged, established that a then-ICBC employee had queried the 15 victims’ license plates and accessed their personal information. That information was ultimately used by the orchestrator to facilitate the brazen attacks.
That former ICBC employee, who was terminated in 2011, was charged by the CFSEU-BC in February 2017.
SURREY RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying an alleged robbery suspect from an incident that occurred in early April in the City Centre area.
On April 6, just before 4 p.m., a man walking in the 10900-block of 132nd Street was robbed at knife-point and threatened by a suspect who made off with the victim’s cell phone and wallet. The victim was not injured and was able to contact police shortly after the incident. The suspect fled the area prior to police arrival and has not been identified.
Surrey RCMP General Duty officers are leading this investigation. Using the victim’s description of the suspect, a composite sketch was created by a forensic artist. The suspect is described as a light-skinned African American male, in his late teens, 6′ tall, 150 lbs, with curly bleach blonde and black hair. The suspect was wearing a black hoodie, tight black jeans, black shoes, a purple and white bandana over his mouth, and a nose ring and diamond earrings (see sketch).
“If you see this suspect, call 9-1-1 immediately,” says Cpl. Scotty Schumann. “When walking alone make sure you’re aware of your surroundings. Walking with confidence and knowing where you’re going will reduce the likelihood of being victimized.”
Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or CrimeStoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.
ACF Director of Coaching Jatin Patel (2nd from L) and WCC founder and owner Dr. Ajith Silva (2nd from R) join some of the newly certified coaches and Instructors.
THE Washington Cricket Center based in Laurel, MD (Between Baltimore and Washington DC), recently hosted a weekend-long American Cricket Federation (ACF) Level 2 and Level 1 Instructor cricket coaching certification clinic. The recent coaching clinics were conducted by ACF’s Director of Coaching Jatin Patel that produced 6 Level 2 coaches with Level 1 instructor capabilities with plans to offer year round Level 1 coaches training at the WCC. It is a crucial first step towards providing an adequate number of trained coaches to help develop the potential of the youth and women cricketers in the Washington DC and surrounding areas. WCC is aiming to provide year around academy support for all who need to explore their skills and capabilities.
Interest is very high in youth and women’s cricket in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC and surrounding areas. Youth after school cricket programs and in-school cricket instruction programs are increasing rapidly in the area. However, this new development is being hampered by the lack of certified cricket coaches in the area. Encouraging and expanding the number of coaches is a vital part of WCC’s mission to promote cricket in the area and the USA. The coaching clinic held by ACF was an attempt to address that deficit.
The Washington Cricket Center and its non-profit arm, the Washington Cricket Center Academy (WCC Academy) were founded in 2014 by Dr. Ajith and Dr. Priyanthi Silva. WCC Academy is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization under section 501(c) (3) of the revenue code. They began this initiative with a vision to promote the game by providing state-of-the-art facility support and opportunities to learn, play and enjoy the world’s second most popular sport. The WCC currently owns both indoor and outdoor facilities to support cricket development and year around training. WCC facilities are recognized as being among the finest in the country. The complex has its own indoor and outdoor facilities with four side-by-side cricket fields, all with newly built natural turf pitches with (Bermuda grass) and is about to add a fifth cricket field in the same complex that can be used for youth and women’s cricket. It also has matting pitches and one ICC approved non-turf match wicket, practice nets and a clubhouse.
WCC’s activities are geared to achieving its formal mission: To promote the sport of cricket by conducting games and tournaments for cricketers nationally and internationally, and to enhance development opportunities for cricketers in general and youth and women cricketers in particular.
About the American Cricket Federation Cricket (ACF) Coach Certification Program
The ACF Cricket Coach Certification Level 1 program was launched in May 2014, followed by the Level 2 certification program one year later in June 2015. Since the launch, 19 States can now boast of having certified ACF cricket coaches, with nine states having certified instructors for Level 1 coaches.
