WITH the provincial government still refusing to put the necessary funding on the table to reach a reasonable deal on issues like class size, composition, staffing levels, and fair wages for teachers, the BC Teachers’ Federation will continue rotating strikes, according to BCTF President Jim Iker.
The rotating strikes will occur on Monday, June 2, Tuesday, June 3, Thursday, June 5, and Friday, June 6. Every school district will be closed down for another full day.
“BC teachers are committed to negotiating a fair and reasonable settlement at the bargaining table,” said Iker. “That agreement, however, needs to include adequate funding to make improvements to important learning conditions, which are teachers’ working conditions. It’s time for Premier Christy Clark to free up the resources that will bring the two sides closer together and ensure students start the next school year with smaller classes, more support for children with special needs, and extra one-on-one time.
“We also expect the government to be flexible on their wage demands and show some good faith and willingness to move. Teachers know that bargaining is about compromise, but we cannot be the only ones expected to move. Collective bargaining is about compromise and moving forwards, not backwards.”
Strike schedule:
Monday, June 2
#35 – Langley
#37 – Delta
#38 – Richmond
#42 – Maple Ridge
Tuesday, June 3
#33 – Chilliwack
#36 – Surrey
#41 – Burnaby
#44 – North Vancouver
#45 – West Vancouver
Thursday, June 5
#34 – Abbotsford
#43 – Coquitlam
Friday, June 6
#39 – Vancouver
#40 – New Westminster
#75 – Mission
School District #93 (Conseil Scolaire Francophone) schools will be closed with others in their local communities throughout the week.
A published story in the Globe and Mail on Wednesday reported the views of members of the BC Liberal caucus on the arms-length relationship between government and the Agricultural Land Commission in relation to Bill 24 which would amend existing legislation that would redefine the Agricultural Land Reserve in BC. In the exposed email exchange, MLA Pat Pimm made racist comments with respect to indigenous citizens, notes the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.
“The comments from MLA Pat Pimm, especially as an appointed member of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, are completely repugnant, reprehensible and downright racist. We certainly hope this type of ‘Donald Sterling’ characterization of ‘Indians’ is not a shared view of the BC Liberal Caucus. To say that Indigenous Peoples do not vote and governments continue to ‘give Indians more money,’ is not only inaccurate but fundamentally discriminatory and bigoted. The misinformation with respect to the place of Indigenous citizens in this Province is exemplified in Pat Pimm’s comments and we sincerely hope that these sentimentalities are not shared among BC Liberal Caucus members,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC). “The UBCIC calls for a full apology and a formal repudiation of this shocking comment from the BC Liberal Caucus Chair Michelle Stillwell.”
VANCOUVER Police issued a warning on Wednesday as “distraction thieves” targetted the elderly in two recent incidents in the city.
The first incident happened on Monday, May 26 around 3:30 p.m. An 85-year-old East Asian woman was walking through the east lane of Victoria Drive near 36th Avenue when a stranger approached her, held onto her, placed fake jewellery around her neck and removed her necklace and rings. The robber was last seen escaping in a dark-coloured sedan.
The second incident happened on Tuesday, May 27 around 2 p.m. A 98-year-old South Asian woman was walking in the east lane of St. George Street near 51st Avenue when she was approached by a stranger who placed fake jewellery around her neck. The woman was in the process of stealing her gold earrings when she was scared off by the victim’s screams for help.
Since December 2012, police have had over 215 reported incidents of distraction theft, 111 of those incidents have been reported in Vancouver. Victims have lost over $250,000 in irreplaceable jewellery.
“These thieves continue to prey on the most vulnerable, our parents and grandparents, and are robbing them of valuable family heirlooms,” said police spokesperson Sergeant Randy Fincham.
The Vancouver Police Department would like to remind the public of the following tips:
* if you wear jewellery in public, conceal valuable items under your clothing
* don’t allow anyone you don’t know into your personal space
* clearly tell the person that you are not interested, and for them to leave you alone
* draw attention to the situation by calling for help
* call 9-1-1 and report the crime to police
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Vancouver Police Major Crime Section at (604) 717-2541 or CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.
Toronto: On Saturday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m., Sampradaya Dance Creations is presenting the rare opportunity to see two South Asian classical dance forms not as regularly seen or performed together – Manipuri and Odissi dance along with live Hindustani vocals by acclaimed international guest artists Enakshi Sinha (Odissi), Bimbavati Devi (Manipuri) and Srijan Chatterjee (Vocalist) in a performance piece called Devi – The Divine Core.
Set to take place at Sampradaya Theatre in Mississauga, this intimate theatre space is the perfect spot to experience these ancient arts forms up close and personal.
Presented by Sampradaya Dance Creations under their signature series, the Kalangan Series: World of South Asian Art which brings notable South Asian artists from around the world to the local community – Devi- The Divine Core is a collaborative work between Manipuri dance (originating from northern India, this dance style embodies delicate, lyrical and graceful movements, dancers do not wear ankle bells and it is regarded as a spiritual experience), and Odissi dance (originating from the temples in Orissa, eastern India , it is distinguished from other classical dance forms by the importance it places upon the independent movement of head, chest and pelvis) has been blended with the added layer of live Hindustani vocal music to create this one of a kind mixed dance program.
Devi – the Divine Core explores the concept of “Devi” or “the Feminine Divine”. Devi represents the female counterpart that balances out the male energy. The Divine sees both male and female energies as equal and one cannot exist without the other. Devi is often characterized to embody the active energy and power of male deities. The performance will interpret the strength, power and beauty of the male and female energies through skilled dance movements and dynamic vocals.
“Having a chance to discover Manipuri is really a special opportunity as it is something you can’t easily find on stages in North America, not to mention seeing a dance program that has also incorporated Odissi dance and live vocals into the same piece, says Lata Pada, Artistic Director for Sampradaya Dance Creations. This performance will give our local audience the opportunity to experience these dance forms and will also offer the chance to interact with the artists in a talk-back session that will follow the show.”
Tickets for the May 31 performance are on sale now – Adults: $20, Students/Seniors $15 and can be purchased by calling 905-607-8434 or by email at [email protected]. Tickets will be sold at the door on a first come basis. Space is limited. For more information, please visit – sampradaya.ca
Sampradaya Dance Creations is a Canadian, Mississauga-based professional dance company specializing in the creation and production of classical and contemporary dance works based in the tradition of Bharatanatyam, a South Asian dance form. Founded in 1990 by Lata Pada, accomplished dancer and choreographer, the Company continues to inspire audiences with annual productions produced locally and internationally, while continuing to nurture the talents of emerging young dancers.
Sampradaya Dance Creations receives funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, City of Mississauga- Arts & Culture Division.
Fans may vote online HERE through July 11 at 12 p.m. PT and via Twitter from July 2-6. Eleven players – one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards – with the highest combined votes will be named to the All-Star Fan XI.
The 11th player – a forward – will be determined by the AT&T/EA SPORTS™ “More than a Vote” Challenge. Fans have the opportunity to vote one forward into the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game by scoring goals in EA SPORTS FIFA 14 on the Xbox One, PlayStation®4, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. The forward with the most votes – one goal equals one vote – on July 11 will occupy the final forward spot on the All-Star Fan XI.
All-Star head coach Caleb Porter of Portland Timbers will choose the game day roster and the starting lineup against Bayern Munich on August 6. The first marquee MLS event to be held at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, will be broadcast live in Canada on TSN and RDS, starting at 6:30 p.m. PT.
A total of 32 All-Stars are named each year, per the collective bargaining agreement. Media, fans, players, the All-Star coach and MLS Commissioner Don Garber all contribute in the All-Star selection process.
The 32 players named 2014 AT&T MLS All-Stars will be selected in four phases:
1) Ballot creation: Media members determined the field of players – eight players per team – who are most deserving of consideration for this year’s AT&T MLS All-Star Game. Those players are eligible for fan voting.
2) Fan voting: From May 28 through July 11, fans will select the “Fan XI” All-Stars. Fans can vote via any of three platforms:
a. At MLSsoccer.com: vote for your starting lineup of 11 players, beginning May 28
b. Via Twitter: from July 2 at 6 a.m. PT until July 6 at 8:59 p.m. PT; full details of Twitter voting will be released on MLSsoccer.com in the near future
c. Via the AT&T / EA SPORTS “More than a Vote” Challenge: fans will score as many goals as possible with their favorite MLS All-Star forward candidate in FIFA 14, with one goal equaling one vote. The forward with the most votes will occupy one of the forward spots on the All-Star Fan XI.
3) Team selection: The MLS All-Star head coach will select the game day roster from the pool of eligible players, consisting of the Fan XI, MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s two selections and players who received votes from at least two players.
The Commissioner selections and game day roster will be announced on July 19 or 21.
4) Player selections: MLS players will determine the remainder of the 32 All-Stars named annually per the CBA (known as the “inactive roster”).
The final list of 32 All-Stars (4 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 13 midfielders and 7 forwards) will be announced on MLSsoccer.com on August 6.
2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game Voting Timeline
May 28: Fan voting begins
July 2-6: Fan voting – Twitter Window
July 11: Fan voting closes
July 16: Fan XI unveiled
July 19 or 21: Game day roster and Commissioner’s picks announced
Aug. 6: MLS All-Stars vs. Bayern Munich at Providence Park at 6:30 p.m. PT (TSN, RDS)
THE City of Surrey is providing a variety of activities on Thursday May 29th in response to the BC Teachers’ Federation one-day strike. Below is a list of one-day camps for preschool and school-aged children at our Recreation Centres.
Available Camps:
Cloverdale Recreation Centre
Fun Zone Day Camp (with after camp care) – Barcode 4376381
Guildford Recreation Centre
Fun Zone Day Camp – Barcode 4376330
Fraser Heights Recreation Centre
Fun Zone Day Camp (8:30am-3:00pm) – Barcode 4376595
ONThursday, May 29, Surrey teachers will be joining their colleagues around the province on picket lines. Teachers say they didn’t make this decision lightly. “Teachers are frustrated by the lack of progress at the bargaining table,” said Surrey Teachers’ Association, President Jennifer Wadge. “They feel they have no choice but to take a stand. The provincial government and the BC Public School Employers’ Association have been unwilling to offer any real improvements on the critical issues for teachers.”
Of particular concern, is the government’s refusal to table any improvements to class size, class composition, and staffing levels for specialist teachers. “Surrey teachers gave up salary increases in previous rounds to ensure good working conditions and support levels for students. That language was stripped from our agreement and twelve years later, we are still waiting for it to be returned,” said Wadge.
Surrey teachers have been fighting for class size improvements since the 1970s. In 1974, prior to unionization, Surrey teachers travelled to the legislature, with then president Lloyd Edwards, to protest large class sizes. We were successful in pressuring the government of the day to negotiate a commitment to reduce the Pupil Teacher Ratio in the province by one in each of the next three years. This resulted in a huge improvement to classroom conditions across the province.
“We are at a critical juncture, yet again,” said Wadge. “Surrey is a growing district, yet we are facing a funding crisis. The district is making $8 million in cuts. There are decreasing resources, overcrowding, and a huge number of layoffs, double previous years. Several helping teacher and teacher librarian positions have been permanently cut. We expect more cuts to come.” Meanwhile, per student funding in BC lags $1000 behind the national average. If BC funded Surrey schools to that average, the budget would be increased by $70 million in this district alone.
“Teachers are committed to reaching a fair deal at the negotiating table that respects our work and provides better support for our students. The way to ensure labour peace is by offering teachers a fair deal. We’ve been at the bargaining table for 16 months. Christy Clark needs to give her negotiating team the mandate to get a deal done,” said Wadge.
New Delhi (IANS): Punjab’s ruling Shiromani Akali Dal will get the Nanavati Commission report on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots implemented to bring those behind the riots before law, newly appointed Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said Tuesday.
Harsimrat, who assumed charge as minister, said that justice has eluded victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots for the last nearly 30 years.
“The NDA government under prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had constituted Nanavati Commission to investigate the riots but unfortunately its report was not implemented by the Congress government. The Akali Dal would get this report implemented in letter and spirit to bring all those perpetrators of this heinous crime behind the bars,” she told media persons after taking charge.
Hundreds of Sikhs were targeted and killed in Delhi and other places across India by mobs in the aftermath of the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her two Sikh security guards in October 1984.
Several senior Congress leaders were accused of instigating mobs to target Sikhs during the riots.
Harsimrat, the wife of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, said the days of the central government’s discrimination with the state have ended with the formation of the new NDA government at the centre.
“Punjab would be immensely benefitted with the development oriented policies of the (Narendra) Modi government,” she said.
VANCOUVER – An AIDS-free B.C. is in sight, as Premier Christy Clark along with UN under-secretary and executive director for UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, and Dr. Julio Montaner, director for the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, and Health Minister Terry Lake announced that ward 10C at St. Paul’s Hospital will no longer be used as a dedicated AIDS ward.
“This is a proud day for British Columbians as we mark another milestone in our leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” said Premier Clark. “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the community, those at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and health professionals across the province, a ward that once served those dying from AIDS, now supports those living with HIV.”
Ward 10C at St. Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver was originally opened as an AIDS ward in February 1997 during the peak of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the city, when approximately one person was dying of AIDS every day. Earlier diagnosis of HIV, along with advances in treatment and care, has resulted in a significant decrease of AIDS. Patients living with HIV will continue to receive world-leading treatment and care. The focus of the ward will include treatment related to addictions such as various bacterial and viral infections like chronic hepatitis.
“British Columbia’s dedication to the fight against HIV/AIDS has meant that we have reduced AIDS cases in Vancouver by over 80% since 1996,” said Lake. “With continued focus on providing care, treatment and support for those living with HIV and related diseases, more British Columbians will live longer, healthier lives.”
“There was a time when there weren’t enough beds to care for the numbers of people living with HIV,” said Sidibé. “The pioneering work of Dr. Montaner and the leadership of British Columbia have helped to ensure that people living with HIV live longer, healthier lives and as a result HIV clinics are starting to close. This is an important milestone towards ending the AIDS epidemic,” he added. UNAIDS also announced that Montaner has agreed to serve as senior advisor on HIV to the executive director of UNAIDS.
British Columbia is recognized as a world-leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with innovative programs that have reduced HIV/AIDS-related deaths by greater than 80% since 1996. British Columbia has taken an aggressive approach to addressing the HIV epidemic through programs such as the Seek and Treat for Optimal Prevention of HIV/AIDS (STOP HIV/AIDS) pilot. Beginning last year, the B.C. government provided $19.9 million in annual funding to expand this program across the province. The BC Centre for Excellence’s Treatment as Prevention strategy has been adopted by France, Brazil, Panama, China, UNAIDS and in cities in the United States.
“It was not that long ago that HIV/AIDS was a death sentence and those who came to this ward at St. Paul’s were here to die,” said Dr. Montaner. “Today, ward 10C will provide treatment, support and care for those living with HIV-related issues. We have worked hard to make this day happen and I commend everyone who has supported our efforts.”
St. Paul’s Hospital is an acute-care teaching and research hospital in the heart of downtown Vancouver. It is home to many world-class medical and research programs including the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, which is dedicated to improving the health of British Columbians with HIV.
New Delhi (IANS): It was an action-packed Day One for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From holding “good and substantive” meetings with leaders of seven SAARC countries, including his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, to announcing an SIT to investigate about black money stashed abroad, the 63-year-old leader set a scorching pace after formally assuming office Tuesday.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader took charge as India’s prime minister at South Block office at 8 a.m. and soon proceeded to the stately Hyderabad House to meet Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai.
In the nearly 30-minute meeting beginning 9.30 a.m., the two discussed, among other things, India’s commitment towards a “prosperous and sovereign” Afghanistan.
Between 10 a.m. and 12 noon, Modi then held a series of meetings with the heads of the neighbouring countries who had come at his invitation to attend his swearing-in Monday at Rashtrapati Bhavan or the presidential palace.
He met Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam and Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.
As he spent some time with each of these leaders, his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif began behind schedule at 12.10 p.m.
In the nearly 45-minute-long meeting, he discussed with Sharif a wide-range of issues including terrorism. Both sides, however, hoped to start a new chapter in their strained bilateral ties.
He then met Bangladeshi parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin and pressed for border management. He also hinted that India was not averse to holding talks with the neighbouring country over the Teesta water sharing agreement.
After his diplomatic engagements, Modi then went and met former prime minister Manmohan Singh at his 3 Motilal Nehru Marg residence.
He then chaired his first cabinet meet at the South Block.
Law Minister and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad later announced that the BJP-led government has decided to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money with retired Supreme Court judge M.B. Shah as its head.
“It is a matter of great satisfaction that we have constituted an SIT to bring back black money as per Supreme Court orders,” Prasad said.
“The highest level of financial, revenue and economic management of the country are members of the SIT. This indicates the commitment of the new government of India,” he said.
“We are committed to fighting black money,” he added.
Although there is no official figure, various estimates put the quantum of black money stashed abroad at up to $1.4 trillion.
The BJP in a report in 2011, when it was in the opposition, had estimated India’s black economy to be between $500 billion and $1.4 trillion. The BJP in its poll manifesto had also promised to bring back black money.
Modi rounded up his chock-a-block day at 7.15 p.m. when he returned to Gujarat Bhavan — his temporary residence till he finally shifts to 7 Race Course road, the official residence of the prime minister.
But the day was not yet over for him. He held another round of meetings with officials.
New Delhi (IANS): A day after taking oath of office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday held wide-ranging discussions here with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on a range of issues including terrorism with a hope to start a new chapter in their strained bilateral ties.
The first meeting between India’s new prime minister and Sharif was held at Hyderabad House here with the two sides agreeing that their foreign secretaries will be in touch to discuss the future roadmap for talks.
Modi clearly articulated India’s concerns on terrorism at the meeting which was described as a “good, substantive and constructive” meeting by Indian officials.
Sharif, who interacted with media before going back to Islamabad, said he had “a very good meeting” with Modi and it was time to open “a new page” in bilateral relationship.
Modi “underlined his concerns on terrorism and expressed the hope that Pakistan will abide by its commitment to not allow its territory or territories controlled by it to be used for terrorist activities against India,” Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh told media.
Modi also called for a speedy trial of Pakistanis accused of masterminding the Mumbai terror attack of 2008.
The bilateral relationship between the two countries has been bedevilled by what India views as Pakistan’s hesitation in taking action against the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
Sharif had Monday joined leaders from SAARC countries at the swearing in of Modi as India’s prime minister. He met Modi Tuesday for what was called a “courtesy meeting” by officials.
In a statement which he read out, Sharif said he had underlined that India and Pakistan needed peace to build their economies.
He said his 45-minute meeting with Modi was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere.” He told Modi that he desired to take forward the peace process that he had initiated with then Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 until it was derailed by a military coup.
“I intend to pick up the threads of the Lahore peace declaration.”
The Pakistani premier said his own election and Modi’s electoral victory – both “with a clear mandate” – “should be a historic opportunity for both our countries” to meet hopes and aspirations of people on the two sides.
Sharif said he urged Modi “to strive to change confrontation to cooperation” and added his government was “ready to discuss all issues in a spirit of cooperation”.
“After all we owe it to our people … to rid the region of instability and insecurity that has plagued us for decades.
“Accusations and counter-accusations will be counter productive… We must end the legacy of mistrust. Modi warmly reciprocated my sentiments,” Sharif said.
Sujatha Singh termed the meeting between the two prime ministers as “very constructive”.
“Both sides were trying to address each other’s concerns,” she said.
“We want peaceful relations with Pakistan. However, for such relations to proceed it is important that terror and violence is brought to an end,” she said when asked whether the meeting could open a new chapter in bilateral relations.
The foreign secretary said that India’s “concerns on terrorism were clearly articulated”.
Singh did not confirm or deny if Modi had raised with Sharif concerns about involvement of terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba in the attack on the Indian consulate in Herat in Afghanistan last week.
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has stated that, according to information given to his government by a Western intelligence agency, Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the attack on the Indian consulate.
Asked if Modi raised the issue of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim who is said to be living in Pakistan, Singh said she did not want to go into details.
On Kashmir, she said India’s stand was well known and foreign secretaries of the two countries will meet and discuss the way forward. She said Modi has been invited to Pakistan and he had accepted the invitation but no dates had been fixed yet.
Asked about India getting NDMA (non-discriminatory market access) status from Pakistan, she said that there was also discussion on trade.
