MALCOLM PARRY HITS 70 - AND IS STILL GOING STRONG!
(By RATTAN MALL)
I first met Vancouver Sun columnist Malcolm Parry - who really needs no introduction - when I was a reporter with The Vancouver Sun in 1994 and he became a close friend, mainly because of his delightful sense of humour. I have always envied his wonderfully succinct style of writing with knockout lines laced with puckish humour.
He's by far the most popular and well-known figure from the Vancouver Sun in town. He has had more scoops on a mind-boggling variety of topics than any other journalist in town. He's a prolific writer who truly delights in churning out high quality social and business columns. I have had the privilege of figuring in his columns several times.
We have some things in common. One of them: both our dads were police officers, his in Britain and mine in India.
Well, this week Malcolm was toasted by the Vancouver Board of Trade on his 70th birthday. The Board threw him a society page soiree on Wednesday night at Century Plaza Hotel & Spa.
Regulars from his columns turned out in force to celebrate and raise funds for the B.C. Cancer Foundation and the Vancouver Board of Trade Foundation. He was presented with a giant birthday card signed by all his well-wishers and a congratulatory certificate from the Vancouver Board of Trade.
Malcolm appears to be as sprightly as ever - I am sure he'll still be as lively as ever when he hits 80.
HOCKEY STAR TEAMS UP WITH SOUTH ASIAN CHARITY
(Contributed)
Former NHL goalie, and popular host of "Hockey Night in Canada" is teaming up with a BC charity to raise money for children.
It's been 18 years since the Janta Sewak Society, which means community services in Punjabi/Hindi, has been providing education and healthcare to the world's most vulnerable citizens.
Kelly Hrudey is joining high-profile South Asian television personality, CTV reporter Renu Bakshi, at a fundraising dinner on Sunday, November 5. Over the years, Bakshi's charity dinner has become the most anticipated South Asian fundraiser of the year, attracting an array of local personalities, including Bill Good and Tamara Taggart.
Hrudey played for the LA Kings, NY Islanders and San Jose Sharks during a stellar 15-year NHL career. "I'm proud to help a respected person like Renu. It's my pleasure helping with the charitable causes the Society contributed to. I'm looking forward to the event."
Bakshi, who is a reporter for CTV News at 6, is a co-founder of the Janta Sewak Society. She has organized a fundraising dinner for the past 11 years. "We are all volunteers who get together every year, invite 500 of our closest friends, and raise money for kids. I believe we all have an obligation to give back to the community, particularly to children."
The charity has given a total of more than $400,000 to B.C. Children's Hospital, memorial scholarships at local high schools, and the education and healthcare of orphans through the International Red Cross. Other children in the Lower Mainland have been helped through the Janta Sewak Society too. Hungry special-needs children have received hot meals through the JSS, and numerous children have received electronic wheelchairs.
Hrudey says, "The Society's commitment to helping children in need follows the philosophy by which I think we all should live."
"Having Kelly Hrudey join us this year is not only an honour, it's a big boost to the charity's profile," says Bakshi. "With his profile, we will be able to raise even more money, and take on more causes."
The dinner, which is by donation, is being held at Ravi Banquet Hall in Surrey on Sunday November 5. For further information, contact Renu Bakshi directly at 604-787-1873 or rbakshi@ctv.ca
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS
"Spring forward, Fall back," as the saying goes for Daylight Saving Time.
Now that it's the last Sunday of October, its time to FALL BACK an hour.
So, on October 29 at 2 a.m. - or before you hit the sack on Saturday night - put your clocks/watches back an hour to 1 a.m.
And remember that the time difference between B.C. and India will now be 13.5 hours when you call up someone there - one hour more than before.
Next year, the US (and B.C.) will be extending DST by a week to the first Sunday of November. And DST will begin on the second Sunday of March, instead of the first Sunday of April.
And if you are feeling depressed because of the shorter days and longer nights, remember there are only about eight weeks to go until we hit the Winter Solstice, when the days will start getting longer again.
So, cheer up!
DST WARNING: TRAFFIC-RELATED DEATHS INCREASE
At 2 a.m. on Sunday, October 29, Daylight Saving Time comes to an end. Setting time back one hour will result in many commuters finding themselves making their way home in the dark. Various studies indicate that the lack of daylight during the evening commute home often sees an increased number of traffic related deaths and serious injuries.
Darkness at the end of a long workday often causes drowsiness, which dulls concentration and slows reaction time. A driver's reaction depends on vision. In the dark, depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision are compromised resulting in a slower and less accurate response.
The BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation (TSF) is reminding drivers and pedestrians to practice caution during their commute home at the end of the day and offers a few tips to help prevent crashes and injuries.
For Drivers:
* Turn on your headlights. Most daytime-running light systems don't automatically illuminate the taillights.
* Inspect headlights, taillights and signal lights regularly, cleaning, replacing and re-aligning as needed.
* Change windshield wiper blades before their effectiveness is reduced. No matter how carefully one drives, it's impossible to avoid crashes if you can't clearly see the road.
* Check your vehicle's air circulation system is functioning properly to quickly defrost or defog windows. Keep a combination snowbrush / squeegee / scraper handy to ensure windows are free of dew and frost before setting out.
* Slow down as you drive through residential areas - 10 km slower can make a big difference in an emergency stop.
* Watch out for slippery leaves. Just as treacherous as patches of ice, fallen leaves retain large amounts of water and can create a slippery surface. Drive slowly through them and avoid hard or panic braking.
* Slow down when it's raining. When roads are slick with water, vehicles are susceptible to hydroplaning and take longer to stop. Use extra caution when driving on the first day of rain after a prolonged dry spell because oil tends to rise to the surface, making for extra slippery conditions.
* This is the worst time for pedestrian accidents and the TSF encourages pedestrian to be more aware as well.
For Pedestrians:
* Wear light or reflective clothing to make you more visible in dark conditions. Carrying a flash light will also make you more visible and help you see your way in the dark.
* Never step out from between parked cars. Always cross at a designated intersection, looking both ways and make sure drivers see you before you cross.
* If there is no sidewalk, always walk facing traffic and as far off the road as possible.
* Plan the walking portion of your commute along well-lit streets.
With a little caution, the safety of all users of the road can be enhanced during the change in seasons.
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
As the days get shorter, the weather conditions worsen and Halloween approaches, the Delta Police Department are reminding parents and children of some important safety rules.
Stranger Safety:
1. You can't tell who is a nice stranger and who is a dangerous stranger. Treat all strangers as if they are dangerous.
2. Strangers sometimes try to trick children by asking for directions, showing a private body part, asking for help finding something that is lost, offering gifts or candy or asking you to go somewhere with them. If you are approached by a stranger, you should run the other way and immediately find a safe place or a safe adult.
3. Schools, libraries, friend's houses, police and fire stations and stores are all safe places.
4. Always walk with someone else. Groups are better.
5. NEVER let a stranger take you anywhere, walk with a stranger, or take gifts or food from strangers. Run away from strangers that offer these types of things.
Parents: Teach your child these tips in a matter of fact way. Do not scare them. For those older children that remain home unsupervised on occasion review safety rules/tips for answering the telephone and the door.
Halloween Safety:
1. Kids should carry a flashlight, stay in familiar neighborhoods, avoid wearing masks and wear clothing with reflective tape or markings and stay on sidewalks.
2. Parents should make sure that children are accompanied by an adult and although tampering is rare, inspect candy that is brought home before it is consumed.
3. Homeowners should make sure their yard is well lit and is free of any items that could trip young ones. Candles used in pumpkins should be placed away from where trick-or-treaters are standing and flammable yard decorations. Keep in mind pets get frightened on Halloween. Protect them and keep them in a quiet area of the house.
CANADIAN FARMWORKERS UNION ORGANIZING PROTEST
Canadian Farmworkers Union (CFU) is coordinating a rally at the Bombay Banquet Hall located at 7475-135th Street in Surrey on Friday, November 10 from 1 to 3 p.m.
The purpose of the rally is to demand civil and human rights for the farm workers and make the Liberal government understand the issues and return the legitimate rights of the farm workers, such as statutory holidays, overtime after 60 hours of work, and elimination of the piece rate as it is not used effectively and correctly by the employers.
A Mexican farm worker will be paid $12.50/hour compared to our local farm workers who get paid less than minimum wage an hour for the same amount of work at the same farm. Why are our local farm workers not treated equally? Why do our farm workers not receive their basic rights? The Canadian Farmworkers Union says it hopes to address these concerns at the rally and to get their voices heard.
The CFU have invited both Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Federation of Labour, and Fred Muzin, President of the Hospital Employees' Union, to attend. Both have confirmed their attendance and are very interested in supporting and promoting the CFU to achieve their goal to obtain farm workers rights. The CFU invites all friends, community members and supporters to attend the rally.
CANADA WELCOMES GLOBAL CENTRE FOR PLURALISM
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced this week that the federal government is partnering with the Aga Khan to establish the new Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa.
Har[per said: "We are honoured that His Highness, leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, and one of the world's best known philanthropists, has chosen Canada as the home of this institution. Pluralism is the principle that binds our diverse people together. It is elemental to our civil society and economic strength."
The Centre will promote pluralism internationally as a means to advance good governance, peace and human development. It will support academic and professional development, provide advisory services, and support research and learning in developed and developing countries.
At a signing ceremony in the historic Reading Room of Centre Block on Parliament Hill, the partnership agreement was signed by the Aga Khan and the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, Beverly J. Oda. The agreement provides for the Centre to be funded through an endowment seeded with $30 million from the federal government and $10 million from the Aga Khan Development Network. It will be governed by a Board of Directors that will report annually to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The government intends to conclude a lease agreement that will see the Centre located in the Sussex Drive landmark that was the former home of the Canadian War Museum. The Aga Khan has committed to renovating the building to include fully-wired classrooms, an innovative research library, and a professional theatre that will support and showcase the Centre's research and learning programs.
MLA GENTNER CELEBRATES DIWALI IN NORTH DELTA
Last Saturday, NDP MLA for Delta North Guy Gentner attended Diwali celebrations at North Delta's George Mackie Library. The event was well attended by grandparents, parents, and children of all ethnicities and ages.
The Diwali celebrations included an art display featuring the paintings of Jarnail Singh, sari-tying demonstrations, a mehndi slide show, and a very entertaining performance by the NDSS Bhangra Dance Team.
"It is wonderful to see such a myriad of faces from all cultures celebrating Diwali in the heart of North Delta. I want to thank George Mackie Library for organizing and hosting such an enjoyable event," said Gentner.
"I want to commend the NDSS Dance Team for an exciting demonstration of bhangra dancing. I really enjoyed their performance," said Gentner. "This time of year many cultures celebrate the gift of light and it is great that people share their celebrations with our community in such an entertaining and educational way."
EMERSON HOSTS CANADA-INDIA BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
Minister of International Trade David Emerson on Monday hosted a Canada-India Business Roundtable that explored ways of strengthening commerce between the two countries. India is rapidly becoming a world economic power and is a priority market for Canada.
"Although Canada-India bilateral trade has reached record levels, there is still significant room for growth in our commercial relations," said Emerson. "New bilateral agreements on science and technology and air travel are laying the foundation required to bring trade ties to a new level."
He noted that Canada is in the process of negotiating a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement with India that should further stimulate Canadian participation in India's rapid development.
He also thanked the Canada-India Business Council and the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce for continuing to foster closer economic ties between both countries in many ways, including assisting in the organization of the roundtable. Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, also participated in the roundtable.
Canada-India bilateral trade reached $2.9 billion in 2005. Canada exported $1.08 billion in goods to India, much of which was concentrated in paper products, vegetable products, machinery and chemicals.
DHALIWAL SUPPORTS BILL TO RESTRICT REPLACEMENT WORKERS
Sukh Dhaliwal this week announced that he will be voting in favour of Bill C-257 (Replacement Workers) when it comes before the House for second reading this week.
"This bill addresses a concern that the Canada Labour Code provision puts an unfair burden on unions to prove that replacement workers are trying to undermine the union. Bill C-257 would remove the onus and would put in place an important protection for workers, in particular striking workers, whose bargaining powers could be limited by an employer's ability to use replacement workers. Passage of Bill C-257 would allow workers to fully exercise their democratic right to collective bargaining. It provides for a healthy work environment during disputes and prevents protracted strikes or lockouts. Bill C-257 is a measure that is long overdue," said Dhaliwal.
A similar Bill (C-263) was introduced by the Bloc in the previous session and narrowly defeated (143-131) at second reading on April 13, 2005. The re-introduced Bill is different from its predecessor in two regards: section 2.2 creates a managerial exemption and a clause in section 2.1 prevents employers from using the services of an employee to discharge the duties of an employee he employees in the establishment to discharge the duties of an employee who is a member of the bargaining unit on strike or locked out. As well, the bill specifically protects the jobs of employees after a strike or lockout (unless the employer has good and sufficient cause) and sets a fine amount ($1,000 per day) for failure to comply with the proposed Act.
Dhaliwal said: "I have received many letters from concerned citizens in my community and I also had the opportunity to sit down with representatives of the Newton-North Delta and Westminster District Labour Council to discuss several issues including Bill C-257. I agree with the argument for the need for federal legislation on replacement workers in order to protect working families and this Bill is a step in the right direction."
NEW B.C. VIRTUAL SCHOOL, LEARNNOW BC
Education Minister Shirley Bond joined members of the Vancouver Giants hockey team this week to launch a new interactive virtual school called LearnNow BC, which provides students throughout B.C. with more course choices and flexibility.
"Rural and remote students often find it hard to get the courses they want, and many students in larger communities can't get courses that fit their timetable or lifestyle," Bond said at the Rural Educators' Conference, where LearnNow BC was unveiled. "Now students throughout B.C. can take courses outside the classroom and start courses more times throughout the year. LearnNow BC makes it easy for students to learn at any time, at any pace and from any place."
LearnNow BC includes a one-stop website available at www.learnnowbc.gov.bc.ca that links students in grades 10 through 12 to distributed learning courses offered by 47 B.C. school districts. The new virtual school also provides a host of services for students, parents and educators, including:
* A course finder - this search tool helps students find available distributed learning courses and tells them which school districts offer the course they are looking for.
* Online tutoring - tutors will be available for students enrolled in Math 10 and Science 10 distributed learning courses.
* Academic advice - services, including a toll-free number, will be provided to help students with course planning and options, graduation requirements and preparation for post-secondary admissions.
The province has invested nearly $1 million in LearnNow BC. Another $5 million has been earmarked to expand the website and improve services in the coming years. LearnNow BC fulfils the province's throne speech commitment to provide B.C. students with a virtual school with high-quality instruction.
The school was officially opened in a ceremony at the Rural Educators' Conference with a group of distributed learning students. The students included Lance Bouma and Mitchell Czibere, members of the Western Hockey League's Vancouver Giants hockey team, and Diana Waldron and Christina Schell, Grade 11 dance majors at the Langley Fine Arts School.
"It's important to me that I do well in school, as well as excel at playing hockey," said Czibere, who plays centre with the Vancouver Giants. "The new virtual school is a flexible way for me to keep up with my studies and still pursue my hockey career."
The province is partnering with the private sector, communities and First Nations to ensure that 366 B.C. communities identified by the Premier's Technology Council will have access to high-speed Internet services by the end of 2006. To date, the Province has upgraded 600 B.C. schools to high-speed Internet.
Distributed learning is one of the most rapidly growing segments of B.C.'s education system, creating new opportunities for students by eliminating geographic barriers and time constraints. Currently, there are 17,000 students enrolled in distributed learning courses throughout the province, making British Columbia one of the largest providers in North America.
LIBERALS: CONSERVATIVES MUZZLING OFFICIALS
The Conservative government must respect Parliament and allow government officials to testify before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, Liberal Treasury Board Critic Navdeep Bains and MP Omar Alghabra said this week.
"First the government muzzles its Cabinet, then it muzzles its caucus," said Bains. "And now this minority Conservative government has pushed its agenda of secrecy and unaccountability to a new low by censoring non-partisan government officials from testifying before a parliamentary committee."
Bains was responding to the Harper government's decision to thwart the committee's request to hear from officials from Treasury Board Secretariat, Public Works and Government Services, and Human Resources and Social Development on the $1-billion budget cuts that were announced on September 25. The officials' appearance would have followed Treasury Board President John Baird's testimony before the committee last week on Tuesday and would have marked the first time officials could have publicly testified on the controversial cuts.
"I am astounded by the government's decision to muzzle departmental officials from answering committee questions," said Alghabra. "We tried to get answers from the President of the Treasury Board, instead the committee members were patronized."
"Mr. Harper's government has once again proven they would rather obstruct parliamentary democracy than respond to legitimate questions many Canadians have about the recent budget cuts."
KWANTLEN MEN'S SOCCER TEAM QUALIFY FOR BCCAA PROVINCIALS
It's been three seasons in the making, and the Kwantlen University College Eagles men's soccer team has emerged from the bottom of the 2005 British Columbia Colleges' Athletic Association (BCCAA) ladder to qualify for the 2006 Provincial Championships in fourth place.
Kwantlen University College's men's and women's soccer teams were introduced into the BCCAA league in 2004-05 and for the past two seasons both teams have struggled through the rankings list. With only five players returning to the 2006 men's squad, this young team consisting of 13 first year players has been working hard on building a winning combination.
The men's team started the 2006 season off in lightening form, winning their first two games on the road against Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack and the Okanagan Lakers. In 12 league games, the Eagles posted their most successful season to date (5-5-2), with Chetan Jhooty (Surrey), Harpaul Bolina (Surrey), and Milad Rahmati (North Vancouver) finishing in the top 10 leaderboard for scoring. Additionally, Harpaul Bolina scored 3 goals on the weekend, which takes his tally to a total of 9 in just 6 games.
"This year our team has exhibited great depth," said head coach Dan Dapic. "Chetan, Harpaul and Milad are clinical finishers on the front line scoring technically superior goals. The team has been supported all season by a hard working defensive and midfield line that includes Anthony MacLean, Surnpreet Dhaliwall, Justinder Atwal, Shaminder Sangha and Erman Ozkan in goal."
The men's team will head to Kamloops this weekend to prepare for their first round game against the Douglas Royals who are two-time defending BCCAA Provincial champions and 2005 CCAA National Champions. Game time is 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 28 at Hillside Stadium, Kamloops.
Another triumph earlier this season is that the men's soccer team ranked fifth place in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA). Last year at this time the men's soccer team weren't even a consideration in the CCAA Soccer rankings.
Kwantlen's varsity athletics teams are the Kwantlen Eagles. In basketball, soccer, badminton and golf they compete in international intercollegiate leagues. The Men's basketball team has ranked in the top 15 national teams and fifth in BC. That's only the beginning for these young teams: as the rankings reflect, they constantly strive to achieve their best.
For more information on the Kwantlen Eagles, visit kwantlen.ca/eagles
BAINS WANTS TO SEE FULL 2010 BUSINESS PLAN
NDP MLA Harry Bains says he is disappointed the B.C. Liberals and VANOC continue to provide false assurances to taxpayers instead of telling them the real story on the 2010 Olympic planning process.
Bains, the NDP Olympics Critic, was responding to the update by VANOC.
"This latest so-called update is typical of the B.C. Liberals and VANOC - it is more about cheerleading than accountability," said Bains. "Instead of being real with the taxpayers, VANOC has once again chosen to paint a rosy picture of a process that many describe as hugely problematic."
Bains wrote a letter to minister Colin Hansen demanding that the full business plan for the 2010 Olympics be completed and released to the public, a B.C. Liberal promise overdue by 18 months.
Bains said the update only looks at a small slice of the overall Olympic planning process and fails to account for millions of additional dollars that experts have pointed out the 2010 Olympics will consume.
Bains said: "The B.C. Liberals' own hand-picked Acting Auditor General tells them the Games will cost over $2 billion. And even that fails to wake them up.
"The piecemeal approach adopted by VANOC and B.C. Liberals does not go far enough. Only a full business plan will tell the whole truth about the planning of the 2010 Olympics.
"…I repeat what the New Democrats have been demanding for years - the B.C. Liberals must immediately release the 2010 Olympic business plan. Taxpayers deserve to know the whole truth."
CELEBRATING CANADA'S CITIZENSHIP WEEK
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Monte Solberg says that when Canada's Citizenship Week wrapped up on Sunday, 4,635 newcomers had become Canadian citizens. Across the country, 53 special citizenship ceremonies had been held in communities, and 160 municipal proclamations of Canada's Citizenship Week had also been featured.
"Canada's Citizenship Week reminds all Canadians to take the time to appreciate our shared rights and responsibilities," said Solberg. "It also reminds us that newcomers choose to come to Canada for a thousand different reasons, but all come because they see in Canada a better life for themselves and for their families."
Solberg launched Canada's Citizenship Week on October 16 by attending a citizenship ceremony at the Terry Fox Canadian Youth Centre, headquarters of Historica Encounters. He was joined in welcoming 35 new Canadians by students from across the country, as well as Ed Komarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship and Immigration, and fellow M.P.s Jim Abbott and Art Hanger.
"It was a great privilege for all of us to share the happiness and excitement of the new Canadians," said Solberg. "We proudly welcome newcomers with all their energy, talents and dreams."
As part of Canada's Citizenship Week activities, Solberg also spoke at a special reception held by the Dominion Institute to celebrate the success of the institute's Passages to Canada project. The Passages to Canada Speakers' Bureau is a national storytelling initiative that highlights the contributions immigrants and refugees make to Canada.
Minister Solberg also released a special edition of the CIC Insider newsletter celebrating citizenship. To read the CIC Insider or to get more information on Canada's Citizenship Week and ongoing citizenship ceremonies throughout the year, visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site at www.cic.gc.ca.
MAILING OF INERT OR REPLICA MUNITIONS NOW ILLEGAL
Canada Post has announced amendments to the Non-Mailable Matter Regulations prohibiting the mailing of inert of replica munitions into Canada, out of Canada, or within Canada. The new regulations became law effective October 4.
In recent years several inert or replica grenades and artillery shells were found in the mail stream which resulted in numerous evacuations of postal facilities. These evacuations cause stress for employees and have a significant impact on mail processing and delivery standards.
Canada Post applied for and received approval for amendments to the Non-Mailable Matter Regulations, prohibiting the mailing of inert or replica explosives. The change was published in the Canada Gazette Part II on October 4.
Canada Post said that the continued exposure to these replica or inert munitions posed a real danger and de-sensitized Canada Post and Canada Border Services Agency employees to instances where there could be a genuine explosive device. It hoped that the new regulation amendments would serve as a deterrent to those who may consider sending these items through the mail.
KIDS 'N' CRIME REPORT WANTS EARLY PREVENTION
A new report by the Vancouver Board of Trade looking at how criminal tendencies develop says Canadians can either pay now, and develop a committed and coordinated approach to addressing the factors children face that could lead to criminal development, or pay much more later when dealing with the consequences of these children growing up to become criminals.
The report, called "Kids 'N' Crime: Report on Development of Criminality Among Children and Youth," outlines a number of harmful factors children face from birth to adulthood, which contribute to criminal development, including poor reading skills, poor nutrition, learning disabilities, illicit drug use, adolescent peer pressures and poor parenting. Factors typically fall into five categories: prenatal environmental factors, postnatal environmental factors, education and learning factors, transition-to-adolescence factors, and substance abuse factors.
"While each of these types of developmental risk factors could lead to chronic criminal activity, they really need to be seen as a continuum," said Dave Park, Assistant Managing Director and Chief Economist, Vancouver Board of Trade. "The more risk factors are present, the more likely that child will become a criminal. Take a look at our prison population and you'll see an overwhelming overrepresentation of these factors. We need to focus on prevention and deal with these negative influences as early as possible in each child's life."
The Board is calling for greater emphasis on interdisciplinary research and discussion to address criminal development from many perspectives throughout youth and adolescence, as well as research on outcomes for combinations of risk factors. In addition, The Board is also calling for a review of delivery of support at all levels (family, community, government) so a more coordinated approach among service providers, characterized by earlier intervention, treatment and risk mitigation, can be developed.
"While there are many risks in childhood and adolescence, thankfully, there are many opportunities to minimize those risks," said Park. "The benefits of risk reduction go beyond a drop in criminal activity to include more cohesive families, better-functioning schools, a larger skilled workforce, and less reliance on health services and social services. The positive impact of risk reduction is far-reaching and needs to be a priority."
Kids 'N' Crime was prepared by Alasdair Maughan, a UBC Psychology graduate and MBA candidate, under the direction of economist Dave Park. To view the full report, visit www.boardoftrade.com.
BOARD ISSUES 'REPORT ON CRIME' UPDATE
Despite a modest reduction in crime rates, a Vancouver Board of Trade update on crime in Canada and Vancouver shows Greater Vancouver has held on to its title as Canada's worst major metropolitan area for property crime and bank robbery capital of Canada thanks, in large part, to drug addiction, inadequate treatment facilities, insufficient police and prosecution resources, and weak sentencing.
In 2005, more than 140,000 property crimes, costing $125 million, were reported in the City of Vancouver, with approximately half of those losses involving thefts of vehicles, thefts from vehicles and vandalism of vehicles. As in years past, a relatively small number of criminals are responsible for a large majority of the property crime in the city with the use of and trafficking in illegal drugs underlying most crimes.
"Although we have made some progress thanks to amendments to the Trespass Act and passage of the Safe Streets Act, when you consider we still had 45 car break-ins every day last year in the city of Vancouver, and that a third of all crimes in Canada are not reported, you can see we still have a long way to go," said Dave Park, Chief Economist and Assistant Managing Director, Vancouver Board of Trade. "While the modest increase in the number of police officers is helping meet the challenge of officer retirements, we still have fewer police than we should in relation to our population and our high crime rate means their caseloads are much too high."
On the positive side, Park pointed to developments such as: the proposed community court, which is planned to open within a few months; the Street Crime Working Group, which has worked to formulate solutions to street crime by addressing its root causes; and Operation Cooperation, a periodic cooperative exercise involving police and security personnel in the downtown area, focusing intently on particular types of crime and known criminals.
In an effort to reduce property crime rates, the Board called for additional Crown Counsel resources, longer sentences for repeat offenders, along with more resources to prevent and treat drug addiction and help drug addicts who also have mental health problems.
"This isn't about finding cosmetic solutions for 2010," said Park. "This is about finding innovative long-term solutions and resources to tackle the root causes of homelessness and drug addiction which drive our high property crime rates. Police, courts and politicians must demonstrate determination to overcome the crime/property crime problem in Vancouver."
STOCKWELL DAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT SECURITY FORUM
Minister for Public Safety Stockwell Day will be the keynote speaker at a public forum about security and our community at UCFV's Abbotsford campus on November 4.
Day is one of Canada's leading voices in advocating democratic reform, and presently serves as Vice Chair of the International Democrat Union, and Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, as well as Chair of the Conservative International Institute (Canada).
Organized by Dr. Kuldip Gill, UCFV writer-in-residence and a member of the Cross-Cultural Roundtable on Security, the forum will engage the citizens of the Fraser Valley and Canadian government agencies in a dialogue about national and personal security in our increasingly pluralistic society.
Representatives from the Ministry of Public Safety, the Attorney-General's office, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Provincial Emergency Program (Emergency Management BC) will represent the integrated approach that the Canadian public sector is taking towards security.
The public is welcome and encouraged to attend and participate in this forum. It will be of interest to civic, provincial and federal organizations, inter-faith groups, the non-governmental sector, educators, and any individual concerned with national security in our diverse society.
The event takes place on Saturday, November 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the lecture theatre (Room B101) on UCFV's Abbotsford campus. Lunch and breaks are included in the agenda. Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. RSVP: kuldip.gill@ucfv.ca
Full details about the forum are available online at www.ucfv.ca/ccrs
NO SUPPORT FOR $287 MILLION IN EXPECTED REVENUE
(By DAVID SCHRECK, political commentator and former NDP MLA)
How reliable are the quarterly financial statements that Finance Minister Carole Taylor provides in September, November and February? Table 1.1 in the First Quarterly Report, made public September 15 , showed that higher "own-source" revenue from school districts and health authorities would add $109 million to the province's bottom line this year, $115 million next year and a further $63 million two years from now. On September 17, I submitted a freedom of information request asking for any documents that comment on or explain the increase and for any details that might be available by school district or health authority. The request also asked for any details that might be available on the composition of the own-source revenue, for example, how much is due to vending machines, student-fees or charges for diagnostic procedures.
On October 23, I received two letters dated October 18 from the Ministry of Finance informing me that my request had been transferred to the Ministries of Health and Education because the records are in the custody and/or control of those ministries. In other words, the Ministry of Finance is reporting an unexpected cumulative gain of $287 million over three years but it doesn't have the custody or control of the records that document what it has reported. That should be cause for some concern. I have asked the Ministry of Finance to double-check whether it really has no documents that support its inclusion of $287 million in unexpected revenue in its First Quarterly Report.
As a consequence of sitting on my request for 22 of the 30 working days allowed under the Information and Privacy Act for a response, before deciding to refer my request to other ministries, the deadline for responding is now postponed from October 31 to 30 working days after the ministries receive the referral. Presuming they received it when I was notified, that would extend the deadline to December 4, several weeks after the Second Quarterly Report must be tabled by Taylor. If past experience is any indication, I expect an appeal to the Commissioner will be necessary before the request is honoured; I would be delighted if the Campbell government, which campaigned with the promise of being open and honest, would prove me wrong. In the meantime, the Ministries of Finance, Health and Education can expect a similar request for information based on what its Second Quarterly Report says with respect to own-source school and health revenue, especially since that revenue will likely be affected by the recent court ruling on student-fees. A truly transparent government would make such information available on its website so freedom of information requests would not be necessary.
(David Schreck is webmaster of http://www.StrategicThoughts.com)
CANADA POST'S 2006 HOLIDAY STAMPS
This year, Canada Post will issue its holiday stamps: three stamps to please contemporary tastes at the domestic, U.S. and international rates, and one very traditional stamp at the domestic rate. Since the holidays are a time for families and friends to express their well wishes, these stamps will deliver the spirit of the season in your choice of style. The stamps will go on sale at post offices on November 1. Official First Day Covers will read NOEL, NS.
The three-stamp set is based on the 1931 William E. Coutts Company, Ltd. Painters of Canada Christmas card series. The illustrations are a tribute to the greeting card art form of that era and a respectful nod to well-known Canadian artists Edwin Holgate, J.E. Sampson and Yvonne McKague Housser, says designer Peter Steiner. The winter scenes selected include Holgate's Contemplation, Sampson's Winter Joys and Housser's Snowman.
The 51-cent stamp measures 30 mm x 35 mm (vertical) and will be sold in a booklet of 12. The vertical 89-cent (30 mm x 35 mm) and $1.49 (30 mm x 35 mm) stamps will be sold in booklets of six. Canadian Bank Note printed 30 million of the domestic rate stamp, and 6.9 million of the US and 6.7 million international destination stamps using 7-colour lithography on the domestic and international booklets, and 6-colour lithography on the US booklets, on Tullis Russell Coatings paper.
The fourth holiday stamp, Vierge à l'Enfant, is the work of 19th century Québec-born painter Antoine-Sébastien Falardeau. This traditional stamp will be sold at the domestic rate. Falardeau is one of many artists to capture the image of the Madonna and Child. His painting is inspired by works of Italian Baroque artist Carlo Dolci.
The challenge for designer Pierre Fontaine was to crop the image of Vierge à l'Enfant to integrate its essential elements in a respectful way within the space constraints of a modern postage stamp.
The 24 mm x 24 mm stamp will be sold in a booklet of 12. Lowe-Martin printed 35 million of the stamps, using 6-colour lithography plus varnish on Tullis Russell Coatings paper.
Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the Newsroom section of Canada Post's website, and downloadable high-resolution photos of the Christmas stamps are in the Newsroom's Photo Centre. Stamps and Official First Day Covers will be available at participating post offices, can be ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's website www.canadapost.ca, or by mail-order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA call toll-free: 1 800 565-4362 and from other countries call: 902 863-6550.
LIBERALS SLAM CONSERVATIVES ON AFGHANISTAN
The recent visit to Afghanistan by the Minister for International Cooperation Josée Verner was little more than a photo-op and did nothing to advance the goals of development and reconstruction, Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Dr. Keith Martin and CIDA Critic Dr. Bernard Patry said this week.
"What the Canadian people need is the Conservative government to clearly explain what our development and reconstruction plans are for Afghanistan. What they have received are vague statements and public relations stunts," said Dr. Martin.
"We don't even know where the money for the recent aid announcements is coming from. Is it from the $100 million budgeted for Afghanistan by CIDA or is it in addition to that?"
Verner's surprise visit to Afghanistan over the past weekend was supposed to provide an opportunity for the minister to visit many of the Canadian-funded projects that have been discussed in the news recently. Instead, the Minister was sequestered to secure compounds where she was briefed by CIDA officials, who themselves are unable to go into the field.
"We hear from sources on the ground that progress on aid and reconstruction efforts has been very slow, and that funds are not flowing as quickly as promised, but Minister Verner has not provided Parliamentarians with sufficient information as to why this process is not being carried out in a timely manner," said Dr. Patry.
Recent appearances before the House of Commons and Senate committees by government ministers have failed to provide many details and have only added to the confusion surrounding development plans for Afghanistan.
The Conservative government has not put forward any recommendations with respect to the drug trade, or to deal with the insurgency coming from beyond Afghanistan's borders, or to train Afghan security forces and police.
"If the issues are not dealt with now, the situation in Afghanistan is bound to worsen and we will have failed our Canadian Forces troops and the Afghan people," said Dr. Martin.
'CONSERVATIVES' ENVIRONMENT POLICY ALL SMOG & MIRRORS'
(By JOHN GODFREY, Official Opposition Critic for the Environment)
Last week the Conservative government tabled its Clean Air Act, calling it Canada's first ever concrete steps to address pollution and global warming in an integrated way.
It sounds great, except for one fact: it isn't true.
What the Conservative's aren't telling you is that Canada already has some of the toughest environmental legislation in the world. The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) allows the federal government to regulate all greenhouse gasses, all air pollutants, and all toxic substances in Canada under one statutory and regulatory regime. Emissions limits can be set, offenders can be punished, and standards can be made tougher at the drop of the hat by cabinet order.
You don't have to take my word for it. In her report to Parliament, tabled last month, Canada's Environment Commissioner stated that the federal government already has all of the powers that it needs to fight both air pollution and global warming.
What is even more perplexing is that the bill doesn't create a new Clean Air Act at all - even though that is what the Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment promised. The bill only tinkers with CEPA, removing all of the global warming and air pollution elements out of the main structure, hiving them off into their own discrete corner of the act.
This, of course, invites the question: how does the government's approach become more integrated - as they claim - when the bill actually separates air pollution and global warming from CEPA's comprehensive structure?
One immediate result of this legislation, quite naturally, is that Canadians are confused about the government's direction on the environment. We are faced with a bill that claims to take strong action on clean air by giving the government powers that it already has. And at the same time, the act claims to achieve an integrated approach to clean air by fragmenting what was under the previous Liberal government a holistic approach to the environment.
Why would the government take these bizarre steps? One legitimate theory is that they are praying that this bill will never pass.
Throughout the spring this government cut proven, successful programs to fight global warming and pollution. They've cut $540 million to help close coal fired electricity plants in Ontario - gone. They've shelved support for wind power and renewable fuels. They've discontinued advertising to encourage Canadians to save energy. And they've cancelled funding for Canadians to make their homes more energy efficient. Every protest against every program cancellation has been met with the same response: Don't worry, our made in Canada plan is coming.
Now, after a spring and summer of cuts, has come the "action". And what do we have? A bill that the government knows will be opposed by the opposition parties because they know it does absolutely nothing for the environment, and is in fact a step back from the integrated approach that Canada already had. The government is praying that the bill will die so it can report to Canadians that the Liberals, NDP and BQ wouldn't let them implement their environment "plan."
Canadians have a right to be concerned. When it comes to the environment, this government is all smog and mirrors.
CANADIAN POPULATION IS AGEING
Canada's population keeps getting older, as is the case for almost every other developed nation in the world. As of July 1, the median age of the population reached a record high of 38.8 years, compared to 38.5 a year before and 37.2 in 2001, according to Statistics Canada.
Generally speaking, the data showed an east-west split among the provinces in patterns of ageing. The Atlantic provinces and Quebec have an older population with a median age higher than the national level, while Ontario and the western provinces, as well as the territories, have younger populations and a lower median age.
The single exception to this general pattern was British Columbia, where the population was relatively older due to a fertility which has been among the lowest in Canada since the mid-sixties.
The population estimates are based on the 2001 Census, adjusted for net undercoverage, and updated between censuses from migration, fertility and mortality information coming from administrative sources. Data on age and sex from the 2006 Census are scheduled for release during the summer of 2007.
According to medium-growth scenarios of Statistics Canada's most recent demographic projections, released in The Daily on December 15, 2005, the median age of the population in 2056 would be 46.9 years.
This year, the oldest of the baby boomers, the generation born during the 1946 to 1965 period, started to turn 60 years old. By the end of the year, more than 400,000 of Canadian boomers, almost 1,100 a day, will have celebrated their 60th birthday.
The ageing of the Canadian population was observed for most of the 20th Century. Temporarily stopped by the baby boom, it continued thereafter under the combined impact of a fertility rate that was below the replacement level and a steady increase in life expectancy.
Net international migration has been the main engine of population growth in Canada since the beginning of the 1990s. However, it has had little impact on the population's age structure. The only way the ageing process can be reversed is through a fertility rate that is permanently above the replacement level.
Among the G8 nations, Canada's median age is the third lowest behind United States and Russia.
Seniors represent growing proportion of the population:
These population estimates show that the proportion of seniors aged 65 and over in the population continues to grow.
As of July 1, 2006, seniors accounted for an estimated 13.2% of the country's population, almost double the proportion of 7.2% at the outset of the baby boom in 1946. Meanwhile, the proportion of individuals aged 20 to 64 increased from 56.3% to 62.8%.
At the same time, Canada has undergone a substantial decline in the number of children and young people. As of July 1, 2006, the age group 0 to 19 accounted for less than one-quarter (24.0%) of the population, down from 36.6% in 1946. This decline will continue for the next 50 years. By 2056, it is projected that youth in this age group will represent less than 20% of the population.
The importance of seniors in Canada will accelerate in 2011 and will be exacerbated until 2031, the year when the last of the baby boom generation will reach the age of 65. According to projections, seniors could account for more than one out of every four individuals in the population by 2056.
Ageing process fastest in Atlantic Canada:
With a few exceptions, the older populations in Canada are found east of Ontario, while the population west of Quebec and in the territories is younger. While differences are mainly generated by different fertility levels, migration also plays a role.
In the Atlantic region, out-migration of young adults is accelerating an ageing process already fueled by a persistent lower fertility. As of July 1, 2006, all four Atlantic provinces had a population older than the national median. Except for Prince Edward Island, their median age was over 40 years.
The oldest province was Newfoundland and Labrador with a median age of 41.3 years. Between 2001 and 2006, the median rose by 3.2 years, the fastest increase in the country.
Quebec, with a median age of 40.4 years, is the only province outside of the Atlantic region to post a median age higher than 40. This was mainly due to a fertility which had been steadily lower than the rest of the country over the first 25 years following the baby boom. However, the recent increase in fertility, if maintained, could slow the province's ageing process.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan have relatively young populations. A strong Aboriginal presence has helped both provinces maintain higher fertility rates. These have offset important losses of young people through interprovincial migration and, at the same time, slowed the ageing of their population.
Because of a persistent higher fertility and the steady, strong inflow of young Canadians from other parts of the country, Alberta had the youngest population amongst provinces, with a median age of 35.5 years. Between 2001 and 2006, Alberta's median age only went up by 0.8 years, the smallest increase among the provinces.
In British Columbia, the median age was 39.8 years, making it the only western province with a median above the national level. This was the result of decades of lower fertility that offset the effect of strong migratory inflows.
The population was also younger in the three territories. The lowest median ages in the country were in Nunavut (23.2 years) and the Northwest Territories (30.9 years) caused by their fertility rates which are Canada's highest.
The Yukon, with a median age of 38.0 years, just below the national level, was an exception in the North. This is because it has fertility rates lower than the two other territories.
Immigration does not stop Canada's ageing:
Even a substantial increase in the number of immigrants could not stop Canada's population ageing. For example, if Canada was to admit four times as many immigrants per year, the population's median age would still increase, from the current 38.8 to 44.1 years in 2056. This would mean an average of about one million immigrants per year for the next 50 years. Regardless, the proportion of seniors would increase from the current 13.2% to 22.3% in 2056. These results are obtained from the medium-growth scenarios of Statistics Canada's most recent demographic projections and by adjusting the number of immigrants by a factor of four.
As it is the case in almost all G8 countries, the only way to stop the Canadian ageing process is to increase fertility. The sole exception among the G8 countries is the United States, with a fertility of nearly two children per woman.
However, there is little to indicate that this will occur in Canada, where the current rate is just over 1.5 children for every woman, whereas the replacement level, above which the ageing process would stop, is 2.1 children per woman.
For example, during the baby boom, when the fertility rate reached up to 3.9 children per woman, the median age of Canada's population fell from 27.7 years to 25.4.
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