PREMIER Christy Clark on Thursday visited some of the men and women who will be building B.C.’s largest transportation infrastructure project, the George Massey Tunnel Replacement.
“As people continue to vote with their feet and build a bright future for themselves in Canada’s leading economy, the Lower Mainland is going to grow by a million people in just 30 years,” said Clark. “The George Massey Tunnel is already the biggest bottleneck in the province – and we’re the only party with a plan to replace it with a new, seismically safe bridge.”
The Ironworkers Local 97 and Local 712 – many of whose members will join the 9,000 people who will help build the new bridge – were on hand to support the project, and endorse the Liberals in the upcoming election.
“The opposition parties say they support working people – but they never support projects that get people working,” said Clark.
She pointed out that the Liberals are the only party with a plan to replace the George Massey Tunnel with a new bridge – a plan that will:
· Create 9,000 direct construction jobs and another 5,000 indirect jobs
· Make people safer on the highway;
· Save 80,000 rush-hour commuters 30 minutes every day – about 125 hours per year – they can spend with their families instead;
· Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing idling and adding HOV and transit lanes.
· Support the movement of $25 billion a year in vital goods shipped through the Asia Pacific Gateway
She noted that the George Massey Tunnel replacement project has taken shape after four years of consultation with First Nations, local governments, and key stakeholders. It includes over $500 million in transit infrastructure, and will include a multi-use pathway that will make walking and cycling viable options to cross the Fraser. Other safety benefits of the project include additional lanes, making merging and reducing collisions by an estimated 35 per cent, and wider lanes and shoulders that will improve safety and emergency response times.
The BC NDP and Green Party oppose the replacement project and would keep the seismically at-risk tunnel. They would leave drivers stuck, idling, in gridlock – and kill 14,000 direct and indirect jobs, said the Liberals.
Manraj Aulakh with Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich. Photos submitted
MANRAJ Aulakh, a grade 4 student of John Maclure Elementary, this week bagged the “top poster” prize in Abbotsford’s “Youth Making Positive Choices” program.
The top student entries were announced at a community Parent Forum hosted by the Abbotsford Police Department, School District 34 and the Abbotsford Police Foundation.
Bryce Matties and Russell Peters from ASIA Sumas won the “top video” prize.
The Abbotsford Police Foundation was able to fund this new APD initiative as a result of the generous donations from citizens and sponsors. The 2017 program was developed by the APD in partnership with School District 34 and was designed to engage youth in the community, empowering them to make good life choices.
The program educated students on the dangers of drug use, supported youth in developing critical thinking skills, and encouraged teens to create their own messages that inspire peers to make positive choices.
“This is a very important initiative that will help our youth stay safe,” said Kevin Boonstra, President of Abbotsford Police Foundation. “I was pleased to see so many excellent entries from across our community.”
“Parents, please, it is so important that you talk to your children about this crisis. They need to know the facts,” urged Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich. “The dangers of using illicit street drugs has never been greater.”
Kevin Godden, Superintendent of Schools for Abbotsford School District, added, “Through our partnerships with the police department and health authority officials, we are discovering that today’s youth are learning about drug use at an earlier age than ever before. It is important that as educators we do our part to ensure active conversations take place around the impact and prevention of drug use. Our district distributes educational information to counsellors, administrators and youth-care workers, who work directly with our students to answer questions and clarify misconceptions.”
The APF supports Abbotsford Police Department community programs and helps enable the APD to achieve their goal of making Abbotsford ‘the Safest City in BC.’ The APF motto ‘Together for a Safer Abbotsford’ embodies their key focus areas – building positive relationships, connecting police with community, and funding engaging programs.
The Abbotsford Police Foundation needs continual support in order to be able to fund APD programs that help reduce crime in our growing community. Your contribution helps them connect police with the community; builds positive relationships; and enables them to fund engaging APD initiatives. If you wish to purchase tickets to the Crime is Toast fundraiser, sponsor the event, or make a donation, visit the APF website: www.abbypf.ca
AFTER Thursday’s radio debate, people are hailing BC NDP Leader John Horgan for speaking out passionately for the people who have been hurt by Premier Christy Clark and her BC Liberal government for 16 years, noted the NDP on Friday as the party quoted mainstream media.
About John Horgan:
“For a lot of people who are angry at Christy Clark, he stood up for them.”
– Rob Shaw, Vancouver Sun
“If you’re mad at the government, if you think 16 years is enough, if you think it’s time for a change and you looked at that debate, I think you’re very much going to go: John Horgan, there he is right there in front of you. If you want to get rid of Christy Clark, that’s the guy you go for.”
– Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun
“Every time she started bragging about the B.C. economy… Horgan rhymed off the Liberal increases in Hydro rates, ICBC premiums, tuition fees and ferry fares. … “It may be like that in the first-class lounge, Ms. Clark, but in the rest of the world people are struggling,” he said.”
– Mike Smyth, The Province
Premier Christy Clark
About Christy Clark:
“She seemed to be struggling to get her message out. I was struck by how often she had to consult the hefty briefing book in front of her. Even with that backup, her answers were weak on issues like the health firings.”
– Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun
“The stale and hackneyed Liberal platform … contains almost no new promises [and] has forced her to try to fight back using the tired, Liberal strategy of drumming up fear… “It’s April, 2017,” Horgan said at one point, shutting down the attack. “What are you going to do for people today?””
– Nancy Macdonald, Macleans
“Christy Clark I think has to be a little better prepared than she was today. She seemed to wing it with a number of answers.”
– Keith Baldrey
“She did not seem as prepared… It was a bit flabbergasting to see her reading from notes at points during the debate.”
– Gary Mason, Globe and Mail
Andrew Weaver
About Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver:
“Andrew Weaver was largely on the sidelines.”
– Ian Bailey, The Globe and Mail
“Weaver made a big mistake by taking such a backseat role… I think the low-key approach he took means he didn’t get the attention he could have.”
– Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun
“On the strength of Thursday’s performances by the respective leaders, I expect most voters who want to get rid of Clark would see Horgan as the stronger bet to accomplish the goal.”
Chandigarh (PTI): Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan inaugurated the new office of the Consulate General of Canada here on Friday and said nations do not build relationships, people do.
“I am very proud of the work being done by the Consulate-General of Canada in Chandigarh in strengthening people-to-people ties between Punjab and Canada. Nations do not build a relationship, people do,” he said.
Amid tight security arrangements, Sajjan reached the Elante office complex here shortly after 9 a.m. and inaugurated the new office of the consulate, which offers a wide range of services, including assistance to the Canadians, helping companies to do business with Canada, and visa services.
The Indian-born Canadian defence minister who is on a seven-day visit to India from April 17, later held a meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at Chandigarh airport, officials here said.
On Thursday, Sajjan had paid obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar and also visited the All India Pingalwara Charitable Society on the outskirts of the city, where he met under-privileged children. Later that afternoon, he visited a girls’ orphanage in Jalandhar.
Sajjan also went to his native village of Bambeli in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab where he was accorded a warm welcome by the villagers.
VANCOUVER Police are investigating a broken window at a Vancouver business following an overnight shooting.
Around 5 a.m., police were called to a business located at 3263 West Broadway following a report of broken glass. Officers arrived to find the front window of Kingdom Photo broken. Further investigation determined that the smashed window was the result of gunshots.
Investigators will be at the scene throughout the morning working to determine a motive for the shooting.
Anyone who has information about the shooting, or noticed anything suspicious in the area early this morning, is asked to call the Vancouver Police or CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.
Group photo of panelists with Kids Play volunteers. Photos: Rhiannon Foster and Indira Prahst
BY INDIRA PRAHST
Instructor of Race and Ethnic Relations
Department of Sociology
Langara College
Vancouver
THE International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, was commemorated Wednesday in Surrey at the annual “Stop Racism” event organized by Kids Play and with Asian Pulse TV on board. Over 400 community members, students, scholars, and MLAs packed the room.
Kamilla Singh thanks Alana Anderson as Kal Dosanjh looks on.
Kal Dosanjh, who is a police officer and one of the founders of Kids Play, recounted the story of a young teenager he found doing drugs in an alley at three in the morning while he was on duty and said: “No young child should be subjected to this kind of life.” This is why Kids Play is so important in making a difference in a young person’s life, to empower them and steer them away from gangs, he pointed out.
Five panelists presented on the subject of racism. Tony McAleer, Executive Director of “Life After Hate” and a former organizer for the White Aryan Resistance (WAR), spoke about what led him on the path towards Neo-Nazi activity, how he left and the work he does to help youth stay clear of Neo-Nazi groups through his group. His lived experiences captivated the youth especially as he advocated for compassion and the danger of hatred.
Panelists: Harinder Mahil, Tony McAleer, Indira Prahst, Bhai Hari Nam Singh Khalsa, and Sim Sidhu.
I presented on geopolitical climates, such as the war on terror and how the “construction of the enemy” has impacted Sikhs, Muslims and others to freely express their identities without being stigmatized and how racism expresses itself in silent ways through a “violent gaze” – one which both dehumanizes and humiliates.
Bhai Hari Nam Singh Khalsa, host and producer of Insight into Sikhism, spoke about remaining positive and how Sikhi teaches love and tolerance. He said we should focus on our attitude about “what is right with each other” and “look through the eyes of love.” He noted that “the scar of a sword can be healed, but the cut of a word cannot.”
Ken Herar
Sim Sidhu, who’s with Crime Stoppers, informed the youth about how that organization began, how tipsters are anonymous and that there are rewards of up to $2,000 for information that can lead to an arrest. She also presented some stats, revealing that in 2016 some 5,000 tips were reported, and one million dollars in drugs and property were seized.
Harinder Mahil, who was chief commissioner of the former B.C. Human Rights Commission, gave a positive talk, starting with: “If you want to be a Prime Minister, you can, with support and determination.” He spoke about working on a farm and in the saw mills, and the history of the farm workers and their influence on legislation.
Racist material that was distributed in Abbotsford and neighbouring areas.
He told the youth: “If you face racist behaviour, don’t let it sit … We each have a part to play” in eliminating racism.
After the panelists had spoken, Ken Herar with Cycling 4 Diversity informed the community about their program. He also showed the audience the racist Ku Klux Klan (KKK) flyers that were distributed in Abbotsford and neighbouring areas.
There was a draw for six scholarships worth $500 each for students towards their education. This was followed by a recognition ceremony with acknowledgments and plaques of appreciation, bouquets and Langara goodie bags.
Indira Prahst (3rd from left) and Kal Dosanjh (far left).
The event was officially opened with a drum ceremony and prayer by Alana Anderson, originally from the Campbell River reserve and daughter of the current Hereditary Chief. She spoke about preserving her ancestral traditions, and how despite struggles resulting from colonialism, we need to practice love and respect.
Kamilla Singh, Director and Producer of Asian Pulse TV said: “I feel that it is important to continue to hold forums which we have been doing for the past 10 years because racism has not gone away and the youth need to find new ways to come up with solutions.”
In closing, part of the solution to tackle racism, is to continue to educate about it making important connections between power, colonialism and imperialism. Also, there is an urgent need to critically examine the current media discourses on the war on terror – what they conceal and legitimate, and their impact.
The organizers of the event, Kids Play, and the youth who volunteered their time are to be commended for a successful, informative and inspiring event.
WITH the growing public concern regarding recent hate-motivated incidents in the community, Peel Regional Police Chief Jennifer Evans wants to assure the public that community safety is our number one priority.
If you feel you have been the victim of a hate crime contact our Hate Crime Hotline at 905-456-5905.
According to the Criminal Code the definition of a “hate/bias crime” is as follows:
“Hate/bias crime” means a criminal act committed against a person or property, which is motivated solely or in part, by the offender’s hate/bias or prejudice based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or similar factor.
Hate crime investigations are highly complex. Following an investigation, the Crown Attorney is provided with full disclosure in order to determine if incidents meet the criteria noted above.
It is critically important to strengthen relationships and awareness between religions, and communities, ensuring equality, acceptance and mutual respect. Our Diversity Relations Bureau has been tracking trends and patterns and in conjunction with community partners such as our Community Advisory Committees, working to educate the public and raise awareness about incidents of hate-motivated crimes.
The latest statistics will be released via the Police Services Board.
ON Saturday, April 22, the Surrey RCMP will once again participate in the Surrey Vaisakhi Day Parade, one of the largest Vaisakhi celebrations in the world outside of India. Last year, over 500,000 people participated in this fun and safe family event.
“This is my 6th year at the Surrey Vaisakhi and it is always amazing to see the generosity and spirit of seva celebrated so openly by the South Asian community,” says Constable Charanjit Marjara from the Surrey RCMP Diversity Unit. “This Nagar Kirtan provides an opportunity for everyone, including the Surrey RCMP, to proudly celebrate the rich diversity of Surrey.”
Surrey RCMP’s Diversity Unit will have an information booth on site with resources about programs and initiatives. Many RCMP officers in attendance will be wearing their traditional red serge. RCMP volunteers will also be engaging with children by providing stickers and tattoos at 76A Avenue and 128th Street.
A number of road closures will be taking place in the City of Surrey this weekend due to the parade. Police ask that members of the public make arrangements to use alternate routes. Road closures will be in place from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the parade. Increased delays may be expected for travel through and within the area between 72nd Avenue to 88th Avenue, and Scott Road to King George Boulevard. For a full list of road closures and route details, visit the City of Surrey’s website.
The Surrey RCMP typically responds to dozens of incidents of missing children or elderly persons who have become separated from their parents or group at this large event. Fortunately all missing people are eventually reunited with their families.
“The Surrey RCMP reminds parade participants that it is important to have a plan in place with your family prior to the event to reduce your risk of separation and what to do if in fact this does occurs,” says Marjara.
A plan may include these simple tips:
* Familiarize your family members with their surroundings and have a pre-planned meeting place
* Equip your family members with some form of identification and your contact information
* Make sure everyone in your party is aware of the location of the Surrey RCMP missing person’s tent and the location of emergency personnel
* Keep a current photo of your child on you in case you need to describe them to police
* Keep your children within eyesight at all times
The Surrey RCMP wishes everyone a very safe Vaisakhi Day!
Kaden Phi (centre, first in junior category of BC Region 1) flanked by Abhay S. Chahal and Idan Chinnik.
STUDENTS of Khalsa schools in Surrey (Newton Campus, and Old Yale Road Campus) performed exceptionally well in this year’s BC Regional Spelling Bee. There were 163 contestants from 27 schools (public and private) of B.C.
This year, BC was divided into two regions and the competitions were held on April 2 and April 9 for BC Region 1 and BC Region 2, respectively, in Khalsa School’s auditorium. Sponsors, local community leaders, parents, grandparents, teachers and administrators observed the championship on both days. The winners received cash awards, trophies, medals and certificates plus the appreciation from the audience.
Primary Category Champions of BC Region 2 with parents and guests.
The competitions were very tough as the words were very difficult for young children to spell.
The BC Champions (all those in first place in the various categories) will now compete in the Spelling Bee of Canada Championship on May 7 in Toronto.
BC Region 1 (April 2)
Maanyia Dinesh Sadarangani (BC Champion of Junior Category of BC region 2) with Surrey MLA Harry Bains (far right). Photos submitted
Primary Category:
Simran Kaur Sandhu (Khalsa School, Newton Campus) – BC Champion
Mehar Kaur Sahota (Grade 7, Khalsa School, Old Yale Road Campus) (She won the Spelling Bee of Canada Championship in 2015 and was second place in 2016 in Toronto. She is Vice President of her school’s Student Council) – BC Champion
Amrit Kaur (Grade 7, Khalsa School, Old Yale Road Campus) (She is President of her school’s Student Council)
(tie) Anantchahat Kaur Sandhu (Grade 7, Khalsa School, Old Yale Road Campus) (She is Co-Vice President of her school’s Student Council)
PREMIER Christy Clark on Thursday visited some of the men and women who will be building B.C.’s largest transportation infrastructure project, the George Massey Tunnel Replacement.
