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Saturday August 9, 2008

ÿþ <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="95%" align="center"> <tr> <td width="100%" align="center"> <a class="NewsTitleBlack">NEWS ROUND UP</a></td> </tr>  <tr> <td width="100%" class="RoundBody"> #1. GANDHI JAYANTI CELEBRATIONS AND MAHATMA GANDHI ANNUAL STUDENT AWARD The 18thThakore Visiting Scholar Award will be presented to Free the Children and internationally renowned child activists Craig and Mike Kielburger in the Images Theatre, SFU, on October 2. The Kielburgers are well known for starting Free the Children, an organization that has created the largest network of children helping children through education. Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations to honour the memory of Mahatma Gandhi is supported by the Institute for the Humanities at Simon Fraser University, in co-operation with the Thakore Foundation and India Club. The garlanding ceremony will be held at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the Science Complex, Simon Fraser University. (For more information visit www.gandhijayanti.com.) There will also be the presentation of the Mahatma Gandhi Annual Student Award. All students attending or planning to attend Simon Fraser University are invited to apply for this award valued at up to $1,500. It will be granted annually to a current or newly admitted full-time SFU student in good academic standing on the basis of demonstrated community service and leadership. Applications packages must include: a) A one-page description of the student s volunteer work which should include why you chose volunteer work in the area of your choice, your experience as a volunteer, and, lastly, speak of how effective you feel your volunteer work was. b) At least one letter of reference from a person in the organization or group with which you volunteered. c) A resume which includes all of your paid and volunteer work to date. Complete application packages must be received no later than August 31 of each year. Recipients will be recognized at the Gandhi Jayanti each year. Apply by visiting http://students.sfu.ca/forms/UGprscap.pdf #2. GURU GOBIND SINGH KABADDI CUP ANNOUNCED AT GURDWARA SAHIB SUKH SAGAR SPORTS EVENT On Sunday, August 3 and Monday, August 4, the Khalsa Diwan Society New Westminster held its second annual Kabaddi Tournament at the Queensborough Community Center, in New Westminster. Over 700 people attended this event, which was dedicated to Indo-Canadian pioneers that settled in Canada over 100 years ago. The long weekend festivities began with wrestling and tug-o-war matches and youth kabaddi on Sunday, followed by basketball, kabaddi and final wrestling and tug-o-war matches on Monday. The highlight of the tournament was the youth kabaddi where players aged 16 and under battled it out on the kabaddi field. This year, the first non-British Columbian team, Shaheed Bhag Singh Kabaddi Club from Edmonton, Alberta, participated in the Open Kabaddi competition. The 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament took place on August 4 at the Queensborough Community Centre where over 20 teams participated in the 3 on 3 basketball tournament with youth and adult divisions. Five kabaddi clubs from B.C. and Alberta participated as did many local wrestling and tug-o-war clubs in the events. The Sukh Sagar Gatka Team also performed the Sikh martial art in the afternoon and wowed the crowd with their skills. The tournament guests of honor were Principal Sarwan Singh of Toronto and Professor Makhan Singh. Both have been involved in kabaddi for a long time. Everybody enjoyed the friendly atmosphere, especially the families and some of the local Queensborough residents who came to watch the tournament at the invitation of the Gurdwara Sahib and watched the kabaddi tournament for the very first time. In addition to this, the Guru Gobind Singh Kabaddi Cup was announced, which will be a new annual event. The first one takes place on Saturday, July 4, 2009 and will have a first prize of $10,000 sponsored by Purewal Blueberry and Family and hosted by Khalsa Diwan Society New Westminster. After many months of careful planning the concept of the cup was created to recognize and develop the sport of kabaddi and encourage local youth to become kabaddi players. The recognition ceremony for the tournament was held late afternoon on Monday, where trophies and prizes were handed out to the winning teams and all players were commended for the sportsman s attitude throughout this family event. #3. SAHAITA FOUNDATION S THIRD ANNUAL DINNER A RESOUNDING SUCCESS Sahaita Foundation s third annual dinner held recently at Surrey s Grand Taj Banquet Hall was a resounding success. The guests were cordially greeted by doctors at the entrance and handed flyers and books regarding the services of the foundation. The ICICI Bank, which put up a stall at the banquet hall, donated $20 to the foundation for every new account that was opened at the function. The province s health department also organized stalls at the function, distributing literature regarding health awareness. Dr Rajinder Singh, eye surgeon, and Dr Gurnam Singh from India, and Dr. Harkesh Singh Sandhu, President of the Sahaita Foundation, from the U.S. came here especially for the event. Many important people from across the Lower Mainland were also present. Volunteers of Sahaita Foundation had worked hard for the last two months to ensure the program s success. Param Sanghera, Gurmeet Dhaliwal, M.P. Singh, Hardeep Gill, a realtor with Sutton, and Jolly Bhardwaj deserve special mention in this regard. The program was emceed by Sahaita Foundation s supporter Sherry Boyal who made everyone feel welcomed. The program started with a Gurbani shabad by Gurmeet Dhaliwal. Following this, Dr. Jogi, head sevadar of Sahaita Foundation welcomed all the guests. The presence of children on the stage highlighted the purpose of the function which was organized for needy orphans and other poor children and adults. Kaka Hardeep Singh Virk sang three songs. Then Dr. Rajinder Singh informed the guests about all the work that Sahaita Foundation has been carrying out in India. The guests generously donated money for the foundation. Artists from Gurdeep Arts Academy then regaled the guests with their talented performance. All the guests appreciated the performance of Nikki Noor, Harleen, Manjot and Jagjot. The sequence performed by Nikki and Harleen was choreographed by Gurmehar Gill. Dr. Gurnam Singh then gave an emotional presentation about the services that the foundation was rendering to innocent, helpless orphaned children in India. All the donations would be used for this cause. Dr. Harkesh Singh Sandhu, who is known for his selfless service to humanity, applauded the sincerity of Dr. Jogi and other people of Vancouver. After this, Kaka Jagpreet Bajwa, who can t see, enthralled the guests with five or six songs. He s a famous performer with a beautiful voice. Gurmeet Dhaliwal then shared his experience in Sahaita camps in India. Well known realtor Jagmohan Singh also spoke on the occasion. After Billa Gill performed a song by Shiv, Banta Singh Sabharwal spoke about Dr. Jogi and the Sahaita Foundation. M. P. Singh thanked all the guests present. The food was entirely vegetarian and no liquor was served as the Sahaita Foundation is against alcohol and drugs. The foundation actually organizes camps to get rid of alcohol and drugs. The Sanghera brothers (Radio Red FM and Ravi Video) donated an acre of land on Jalandhar-Nakodar Road in Mudha village to Sahaita Foundation. Harpreet Sahota and family donated two acres of land near Garhshankar town to Sahaita Foundation for an orphanage. The Sahaita Foundation thanked the Sahota and Sanghera families for their generosity. #4. CHARIOT FESTIVAL EXPECTED TO ATTRACT THOUSANDS On Sunday, August 10, Vancouver's 35th Annual Chariot Festival of India Parade in downtown Vancouver will attract over 10,000 people, and feature 30-foot high chariots, Chinese Lion Dancers, Clydesdale Horses, live theater, free vegetarian lunch and more. The Chariot Festival of India Parade is celebrated annually in major cities across the world such as New York, Paris, Toronto and Moscow, to a name a few. The parade will start under the Granville Street Bridge and proceed along Beach Avenue at English Bay, arriving at its final destination at Second Beach in Stanley Park. Schedule: 11:30 a.m.: The parade will begin on Beach Avenue at Howe Street and will proceed along Beach Avenue to Second Beach in Stanley Park 12:30-1 p.m.: The parade will be approaching the corner of Davie Street. 1 p.m. to dusk: Free vegetarian feast for 10,000 people/ There will be 20 large tent exhibits: yoga and meditation, vegetable cooking demonstrations, multimedia exhibits, gift shops, fashion displays, performing artists on two stages with live theatre, music, classical dance, comedy skits and other acts, children s activities such as face painting, clowns, puppet theatre, balloon artists and henna tattoos. Admission is free. #5. STEPHANE DION ON INDIA S INDEPENDENCE DAY Statement by Stéphane Dion, Leader of the Opposition, on India s Independence Day: On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our parliamentary caucus, I would like to extend my best wishes to the Indian community in Canada and around the world as you celebrate the 61st anniversary of India s Independence Day. Canada has enjoyed a long and productive relationship with India and this close relationship is built on a foundation of shared values like democracy and respect for diversity. This partnership has been further strengthened by our long established, and growing, Indo-Canadian population. Canadians of Indian descent have played, and continue to play, an important role in shaping the history and development of Canada. Indo-Canadians have contributed unique perspectives, cultural traditions and languages that have enriched the fabric of our country. Canadians understand that the prosperity of our country is built upon the strength of our multicultural spirit. Over the years Indo-Canadian immigrants have overcome culture shock, competition in the labour market, and language barriers to build strong families, communities and businesses that contribute so much to the shared success we all enjoy as Canadians. So today we celebrate not only the founding of modern India, but also our own vibrant Indo-Canadian community. In addition to the rich cultural ties that Canadians of Indian descent continue to foster between our two countries, you also provide an important link with one of the worlds fastest growing economies. I look forward to building upon Canada s robust and long-standing relationship with India in a way that will enrich both our countries. Today, let us celebrate the birth of India as a nation and the bright future that our two great countries can realize together. #6. SWAMI RAMDEV S VISIT TO B.C. A SPECTACULAR SUCCESS Swami Ramdev s visit to British Columbia was a spectacular successful. Over 4,500 people attended the five-day yoga camp. Despite one day of rain, the number of people attending the camp never faltered and participants attended religiously. Locals were very much impressed by his visit and his secular approach, and especially by his powerful messages given in simple, easy to understand language, which he backed up with many examples. Over 30 people testified that they lost two to four pounds after only two days of yoga. Surrey Mayor Diane Watts, who was present at the yoga camp, said that she felt proud to have a yoga camp conducted in her municipality, and after only one day of participating she felt refreshed and hoped to continue with her yoga every day, practicing the things that she has learned at the camp. There were many other dignitaries, Sikh temple leaders, and political figures present at the yoga camp, including Newton-North Delta MP Sukh Dhaliwal, who participated for three days with Swami Ramdev. A man of integrity, Swami Ji s moral, social, and religious values and beliefs are for all mankind. He clearly stated that he loves all religions, and is not present in British Columbia to convert people, but only wants to convey messages to the public to live healthy lives and enjoy good health. He came out as a humanitarian who works for humanity and its well-being. His care and regard for people came across very strongly and he gained a lot of respect from people who came to participate in his yoga camp. People from interfaith organizations and associations came to see him and speak to him, and later gave him lots of credit for being respectful to all cultures and religions. During his visit to BC, Swami Ji visited Sikh temples, Hindu temples, and other religious institutions. He was wholeheartedly interested in seeing how First Nations people lived. Organizers took him to a Lil wat reserve where he met with elders in the longhouse and spoke to them about their spiritual beliefs. Upon learning more about the cultural and religious beliefs of the First Nations, he found many of the First Nations rituals similar to that of the people of India, including the way they conduct their prayers and the strong feelings of respect for elders. As positive as his visit to British Columbia was, some of his remarks about communism led to some controversy and some local people peacefully protested. We believe Swami Ji has the right to freedom of speech. On the other hand, Canadians regardless of what political party they belong to have the right to protest if they feel offended by his comments. Clarification on his comments was later provided by Swami Ji over the local radio stations. He explained that he did not mean that people should leave their countries if their opinions do not agree with the majority. He explained to everyone how important it is to live a respectful social and family life and provided a simple formula as to how much time should be devoted to yoga and how much of it should be shared with families. He described in detail that after six to seven hours of sleep, there are still at least 14 hours to work which should be sufficient for everybody to earn a living. In the meantime, yog and spirituality should not be forgotten. Swami Ji held a meeting with over 100 local physicians. He again told physicians the benefits of yog and pranayam breathing exercises and advised them on how to give more oxygen to the body and how cancer and other diseases can be cured through these practices. Swami Ji believes he has cured thousands of patients who suffer from cancer when they ve come to him during the early stages of their cancer. Although he feels that because of the color of his skin he is being discriminated against all over the world, especially in India, many Western research centers are working with him to see how effective his medicines and yoga are in curing diseases. Hopefully in a couple of years, after working with various institutions, he can work towards curing more ailments. (Contributed by Charan Gill) #7. LANGLEY FESTIVAL FEATURES INTER-CULTURAL SOCCER TOURNAMENT Langley s International Festival (LIF) will return to Douglas Park this year on August 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., adding a new initiative an international mini-soccer tournament to their multicultural event. Adults from across the Lower Mainland, representing more than 18 countries, will play in this competition to celebrate their culture in the Langley community as part of the festival fanfare. Some of the players in the tournament who will celebrate their ethnic heritage are from Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, India, Afghanistan, Africa, Spain, Germany, England, Ecuador, Fiji, Luxemburg, and Thailand. LIF Soccer tournament coordinator Jose Ingunza, who has played soccer since the age of 10 in his home country of Peru, says that he s always had a passion for the sport. Since moving to Canada 15 years ago, he continues to enjoy the game both as a spectator and now plays Saturdays in a recreational league. Jose has always had an appreciation for cultural heritage as well as a love of soccer. When he heard of an opportunity to create an inter-cultural soccer tournament for Langley s International Festival, he couldn t resist getting involved. We have many soccer fans in Peru where I come from. It is exciting to bring a mini tournament to Langley for people to enjoy. We ve worked very hard for the past couple of months to bring the players together. The soccer tournament will be professional with uniforms, standard rules, referees and a trophy donated by the Irish Heritage Society. It s my hope that we can include a children s tournament in the festival next year. It s important that we appreciate and recognize where we all originated from as well as enjoying the sport, says Ingunza. Shar Dubas, International Festival Coordinator, says that the mini-soccer tournament ties in nicely with the goals of the festival, supported by Langley s Anti-Racism and Multiculturalism Task Force. Its mandate is to focus on ways to create ongoing multiculturalism dialogue, awareness and education. Dubas says that support for this year s event has been tremendous. Sponsors for this year s festival include the City of Langley, Township of Langley, Shaw Multicultural Channel, Langley Times, Douglas Park and Recreation Centre, local merchants, and other community groups and businesses. Partial net proceeds of the event will go to the Langley School District Foundation for their International Students program for the Karen Refugee students from Myanmar. For more information, visit the festival website at www.internationalfestival.ca or contact Coordinator Shar Dubas at 604-530-4661. #8. LIBERALS: GOVERNMENT MUST ADDRESS PAKISTAN-TALIBAN CONNECTION The Conservative government must clarify how it is responding to reports that Pakistan's intelligence agency is actively working with the Taliban, Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae said this week. "Has the government called in Pakistan's ambassador about this? Are Canadian military intelligence officers working with other friendly intelligence services, or are Canadians only reading about this in the newspapers?" Rae asked. "This is very serious, and Canadian lives are at stake." Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has long had a relationship with the Taliban, but last week reports said the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had conclusive evidence from intercepted communications that the ISI helped the Taliban plan the July 7 bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul, which killed 54 people. American officials also said the ISI is increasingly providing militants with details of the American military campaign against them. A key recommendation of the January report by John Manley on Canada's role in Afghanistan was that Canada should make forceful representation to neighbours such as Pakistan to reduce security risks. Rae said the Harper government has been silent on this recommendation. "Serious questions have been raised about the degree of control that Pakistan's civilian government has over the ISI," said Rae. "The evidence is now convincing that the ISI is undermining international efforts to bring stability to Afghanistan. The role of Pakistan's ISI must be addressed, particularly as it affects the men and women in the Canadian Forces." #9. ORGAN DONATION HELPS FAMILIES OF DONORS, SAYS NEW B.C. STUDY A new BC research study recently published in Clinical Transplantation provides compelling evidence to suggest that families of deceased organ donors actually benefit from the knowledge that their loved one donated their organs. This important study suggests that the families of deceased patients benefit from organ donation, which helps to heal not exacerbate their feelings of grief and depression, says Dr. Eric Yoshida of BC Transplant, one of the study s authors. Knowing this, by not offering the opportunity to proceed with donation, we may be denying the families of potential organ donors real benefit. I am deeply impressed, and most appreciative, that almost all of the donor families reported that they would make the same decision if they had to do it again. The purpose of this five-year retrospective, multi-disciplinary study was to explore the effects of organ donation on the bereavement process for organ donor families, by measuring indicators such as depression, grief and post-traumatic stress. Despite the standardization of transplantation as a treatment for organ failure over the past 20 years, little is known about the effect, whether positive or negative, on the families whose loved ones have donated. To try and gain some understanding of the impact of donation, confidential questionnaires were sent to the next of kin of 196 families of deceased donors with questions related to their experiences and bereavement. Taking into account the surveys that were sent to incorrect/outdated addresses, the response rate was 46%, with interesting results from the 73 completed surveys. Pia Henriksson s son, Len, donated his organs when he suffered a fatal aneurism six years ago. It was devastating to lose Len so suddenly and unexpectedly says Pia, and every day has been a struggle to accept his loss in our lives. But in the darkest moments, when I think of the five individuals whose lives were saved by Len s generosity, it s the one thing that has offered true comfort. Knowing that something positive came from our loss somehow makes it seem less meaningless. Seventy-seven percent of participants in the study had previously discussed organ donation with their loved one a fact that definitely made the decision to donate much easier. Seventy-one percent wanted some good to come from a tragedy, and more than 97% of respondents would make the same decision again. More importantly, the majority of the families stated they felt comforted by the donation process; these families tended to report fewer symptoms of depression. #10. NDP CRITIC CHANGES AS SOME MLA S DECIDE NOT TO RUN AGAIN NDP Leader Carole James announced new opposition critic assignments this week, saying: Over the last three years, the NDP Opposition has held the Campbell government accountable for ignoring the needs of average families. The Premier can change ministers and shuffle portfolios to hide problems, but we won t waver. With (these) reassignments my caucus will continue to hold the government accountable. New critic assignments include: * Education Norm Macdonald, Columbia River-Revelstoke * Finance and Economic Development Bruce Ralston, Surrey Whalley * Mental Health and Homelessness Jenny Kwan, Vancouver-Mount Pleasant * Agricultural and Lands and Municipal Affairs Charlie Wyse, Cariboo South * Housing and Consumer Affairs and Arts and Culture Diane Thorne, Coquitlam-Maillardville * Olympics and Sports Harry Bains, Surrey-Newton * Advanced Education and Tourism Rob Fleming, Victoria-Hillside James said the MLAs without critic duties have made decisions not to run in the next provincial election. They include Corky Evans, David Cubberley, David Chudnovsky and Michael Sather. James thanked them for their hard work, passion and the enormous contribution each made to the success of the NDP team. Corky Evans, David Chudnovsky, David Cubberley, and Michael Sather have made enormous contributions to our caucus. They will continue to represent their constituents and fight for the values we share, said James. I appreciate their personal decisions and they should be proud of their accomplishments. These new assignments ensure we continue to press hard on these issues while continuing our work on the priorities of ordinary families. Everyday the Campbell government provides a new example of how arrogant and out-of-touch it is. Our caucus will continue to expose the government s arrogance while providing solutions to the problems average families face, problems this government doesn t even recognize. #11. PREMIER PROMOTES B.C. AT BEIJING OLYMPICS Premier Gordon Campbell is cheering on B.C. athletes and promoting the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in British Columbia while attending the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. I know all British Columbians and all Canadians join me in cheering on our athletes as they get set to go for the gold in Beijing, said Campbell. The energy and enthusiasm of the Games is incredible to see, and as the next Olympic hosts, British Columbia is sharing in that excitement. Premier Campbell and VANOC executives are attending numerous Olympic-related events while in Beijing. With only a year-and-a-half until the eyes of the world are on our province for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are here in Beijing promoting B.C. not just as a place to visit during the games, but also as the best place on earth to live, work and invest, said Campbell. #12. B.C., TRANSLINK AGREE ON EVERGREEN LINE DELIVERY The province of British Columbia will be the project lead for the $1.4-billion Evergreen Line rapid transit project, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon and TransLink board chair Dale Parker announced this week. The Evergreen Line gives people in the Tri-Cities a clean and green transportation choice, said Falcon. Our ministry has a proven track record of delivering large infrastructure projects on time and on budget, and I m absolutely confident the Evergreen Line will be no different. People in the northeast sector have seen plans for the Evergreen Line turn into commitments and our next step is to turn commitments into construction, said Parker. This partnership between the province and TransLink gets us a major step closer to getting shovels into the ground. The province and TransLink have signed an agreement outlining the responsibilities of each in connection to the Evergreen Line. The agreement also identifies requirements for the line, including the use of advanced light rapid transit (ALRT) technology and the integration with SkyTrain s Millennium and Expo lines. The Evergreen Line project board is made up of representatives from both the provincial government and TransLink. The 11-kilometre Evergreen Line will extend from the SkyTrain station at Lougheed Town Centre in Burnaby to Coquitlam Town Centre via Port Moody. The province and TransLink are establishing a project office along the route later this year. Construction on the line is expected to start in 2010, with the line completed and operating by the end of 2014. #13. NDP: GOVERNMENT MUST DISCLOSE PAYOUTS TO ICBC EXECUTIVES The government must come clean about pay-outs given to executives fired in the wake of the ICBC scandal now that Information and Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis has confirmed the details could be disclosed, New Democrat Solicitor General critic Mike Farnworth said this week. Loukidelis stated in a letter to Farnworth that public bodies like ICBC can proactively disclose information about senior management severance packages to cabinet ministers and their staff. The Solicitor General is responsible for ICBC, and there is no reason why he should keep the details about pay-outs for ICBC senior managers from the public, said Farnworth, the MLA for Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain. Despite a damning PricewaterhouseCoopers report released last month that found a lack of ethical accountability among senior managers and problematic corporate policies at ICBC, the government has refused to disclose full details about the car repair scandal at ICBC s Materials Damage and Research Facility. British Columbians deserve to know what happened at ICBC following this scandal, and it s time the Campbell government came clean, said Farnworth. Loukidelis also noted that information on severance packages may be requested through a Freedom of Information request, which Farnworth has now filed. #14. CONSERVATIVES SLAM LIBERALS FOR SHOWING CONTEMPT FOR SENIORS Conservatuves say that this week Liberal MP Robert Thibault (West Nova, Nova Scotia) displayed a shocking contempt for older Canadians when he claimed his Conservative opponent, former Nova Scotia Finance Minister Greg Kerr was not a "credible candidate", saying: "If they wanted to take me out, I would think you'd get someone who's looking forward to building a political career, not somebody who's at the age where he's considering retirement. You're not building for the future here. This is a candidate who's lost provincially, lost federally, and is what, 62, 63 years old?" Senator Marjory LeBreton, Secretary of State for Seniors, took exception to Thibault's comments. "Seniors worked hard and have built Canada into the country it is today," said LeBreton. "Seniors have a lifetime of talent and experience and we should be encouraging them to remain in public life, not treating them as an after thought. As a senior myself, I find Mr. Thibault's comments offensive." Thibault's comments fit into a larger Liberal pattern of brushing off older Canadians. The Globe and Mail reported on September 6, 2006, that leadership candidate Stephane Dion met with representatives of a seniors group and quickly rejected their call for a cabinet minister for the elderly, saying: "Please, do we have a better topic?" Ironically, Thibault was a supporter of 61-year old Michael Ignatieff's bid for the Liberal leadership. Arch-rival Bob Rae is 60. "It's strange that Mr. Thibault would make such a comment about Mr. Kerr at a time when many Canadians are choosing to stay in the workforce past the traditional age of retirement," added LeBreton. "Clearly, Mr. Thibault and the Liberals don't appreciate older Canadians. Seniors need to feel welcome in the workforce because with labour shortages in many parts of the country, Canada is going to need the talent of our older workers now more than ever." #15. SURREY: STUDENTS HELP BEAUTIFY SEPRPENTINE GREENWAYS Surrey s Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP) Watershed Enhancement Team, in consultation with a biologist from Dillon Consulting Limited, have designed a plan to enhance a small creek that flows through Serpentine Greenways natural area. This portion of the creek provides important food and nutrients to fish that live downstream of the enhancement site. An excavator was brought to the creek at 125th Street and 68th Avenue on Wednesday August 6 to help with major channel enhancements, such as building ponds within the channel, removing invasive plants and creating an area for native wetland plants. Post-Secondary Team leaders involved in SHaRP gained valuable career-oriented experience while working closely with the biologist to learn ways of enhancing a creek and make key decisions on what the new look of the channel would be. The students designed the channel to have two small ponds and to incorporate over 300 native plants in order to improve the water quality for salmon living downstream. There are a total of 23 post-secondary and local high school students involved in SHaRP this summer enhancing Surrey s salmon while also receiving meaningful, career-related experiences. The creek enhancement project was to be expanded on Friday, August 8 to include the local community, and additional environmental enhancement groups, during a Watershed Showcase event. This project ties in with a two-year initiative with the City of Surrey and the Evergreen Foundation to enhance this natural area and to increase community involvement. The SHaRP Watershed Team also received funding support from the Evergreen Foundation through their Wal-Mart Green Grant initiative. #16. WATER SAVING TIPS FOR YOUR LAWNS AND GARDEN For most Canadians, summer means watering lawns, washing cars and filling swimming pools. As a result, during the hot summer months, water use in most Canadian cities can double - placing stress on municipal water systems, increasing the chances of municipal restrictions on water usage and increasing the cost for both taxpayers and water users. This summer, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has a variety of tips you can use to help your lawn and garden cope with dry conditions, while minimizing water use: - Before watering, always take into account the amount of water Mother Nature has supplied the week before. Leave a measuring container in the yard to help monitor rainfall (making sure to empty it once a week) and bear in mind any watering restrictions that may apply in your city. - Lawns do not normally need more than about 2.5 cm of water once a week. If you've received this amount or more in rainfall for the week, you can skip a week of watering. To measure the right amount, for example, place an empty tuna can on your lawn while watering evenly. Then time how long it takes to fill the can so you'll know how long to run your sprinkler for. If you set your timer for this amount of time, the water will shut off automatically. - If you use a sprinkler or hose, position it to avoid watering hard surfaces such as driveways and patios. Otherwise, you could be sending water - and money - down the drain! - To reduce evaporation, water in the morning before 9:00 am, and on less windy days. - Water slowly and thoroughly to avoid run-off and ensure the soil absorbs the water. Thorough deep waterings are preferable to superficial, frequent ones. - Regularly check your hose or irrigation equipment for leaks or blockages. - Collect rainwater from your roof and down spouts in a rain barrel or other container, and keep it covered with an insect screen. - Don't cut your lawn any shorter than six to eight centimetres, so that the roots are shaded and better able to hold water. Also avoid mowing when the lawn is dry or dormant. - Apply a layer of mulch around garden plants, shrubs and trees to retain moisture, moderate soil temperature, control erosion and suppress weeds. - Select plant species that are well suited to the soil, sunlight and moisture conditions on your property. For dry, sunny spots, select drought tolerant, sun-loving plants. Drought tolerant lawn species include fescues and white clover. - Finally, choose an efficient irrigation system. Place a soaker hose on the ground at the base of trees, shrubs, perennials, flower beds and vegetable gardens, or use a drip or trickle irrigation system. They apply water directly to the soil rather than to the leaves, while significantly reducing evaporation. Also, use a timer to automatically set the required watering time, which will help you avoid overwatering. For more information or a free copy of the "About Your House" fact sheet Water Saving Tips for Your Lawn and Garden or other fact sheets on owning, maintaining or renovating your home, visit website at www.cmhc.ca, on call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642. #17. PREMIER S STATEMENT ON BRITISH COLUMBIA DAY AND BC150 Premier Gordon Campbell released the following statement in recognition of B.C. Day 2008, and the 150th anniversary of British Columbia s inception as a British Crown colony: This year our province marks a milestone 150 years of achievement, cultural diversity and community strength since the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858. The people and events that have shaped British Columbia are unlike any other, and have contributed so much to our nation and our world. I proudly join all British Columbians in pausing to take stock of the challenges and triumphs of our history, and in looking forward to our future. This is a time to reflect on the strengths of our province. The blending of traditions and cultures in an exceptional and evolving multi-cultural mosaic, including our First Nations heritages, has helped create this unique society. We are all fortunate to live in British Columbia, a place of natural riches and beauty, of prosperity and of opportunity. Today we think not only about how far we have come as a province, but also about what kind of province and what kind of world we want for our children, and their children. The founders of British Columbia, and all those who have followed, rose to the challenges of their day. They laid the foundation for our province and entrusted us with their legacy of leadership. Together we look towards a future of excitement and prosperity for all British Columbians. With the eyes of the world turning to our province in 2010, we will show them a British Columbia that is proud, dynamic and working together to build strong communities that support our children, seniors, and families with some of the longest life expectancies and best education outcomes in the world, a province of opportunity where people from around the world come to live, to work, and to raise a family. As we move forward into the next chapter of our history, we will rise to today s challenges and leave for our children and grandchildren a province that is just as full of opportunity and optimism as it was 150 years ago. #18. PRIME MINISTER JOINS BRITISH COLUMBIA S 150TH CELEBRATIONS Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined British Columbians on Monday to celebrate BC s 150th birthday celebrations. The following is an abridgement of his remarks: 150 years ago Sir James Douglas read the proclamation announcing the establishment of the Crown Colony of British Columbia. That day in 1858 will forever remain one of the most significant dates in our country s history. "British Colombia has changed a lot since 1858. Today British Columbia has grown to become the third largest province in Confederation. It boasts a dynamic and growing economy and one of the most cosmopolitan cities of the world. And today BC continues to have a quality of life unrivalled around the world. "But for all that British Columbia has changed, its essential beauty remains the same. Today, British Columbians are still pushing out to new frontiers as Canada s Pacific Gateway. At the same time British Columbians are equally comfortable in playing a leadership role within a strong, proud and united Canada. "As a Westerner myself, I have always admired the contributions British Columbians made to our region and to our country. And although I live just on the other side of the Rockies, it s clear to me and so many other Canadians that our success as a country will be forever linked with the optimism, ideas and energy of the people who call British Columbia home. On behalf of your government in Ottawa, and indeed all Canadians, happy birthday British Columbia! #19. NEW STAMP CELEBRATES BRITISH COLUMBIA S 150TH ANNIVERSARY Canada Post has issued a domestic rate commemorative stamp to celebrate British Columbia's 150th anniversary. The stamp recognizes the pivotal role of the Fraser River Gold Rush in the province's creation and celebrates the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858. The year 2008 marks 150 years since rumours of gold changed the fate of the Pacific Northwest, accounting for British Columbia's status as a Crown colony. The province, which spans roughly 950,000 square kilometers or 366,000 square miles, is the third largest in the country, and boasts a population of 4,310,500, half of which live in the Victoria / Vancouver area. The stamp designed by Matthew Clark and Roy White of Vancouver's Subplot Design Inc., features a gold-panning image in which the rugged hand of a panner outlines the province's eastern border. The photograph is superimposed over a modern-day map of B.C., including Vancouver Island, which was not part of the colony 150 years ago. The stamp pane's header, created by illustrator Adam Rogers, depicts the province's evolution in silhouette, capturing mountain ranges, a longhouse, totem poles, and the Lions Gate Bridge through to a modern-day Vancouver skyline. The reverse side of the stamp pane includes eight historic photographs; which tell the intriguing story of British Columbia's coming of age. #20. LIBERALS WANT INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO BERNIER AFFAIR The failure of a Department of Foreign Affairs review to uncover key facts concerning the mishandling of confidential documents by former minister Maxime Bernier proves that an independent investigation with full inquiry powers is needed to get to the bottom of this issue, Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae said this week. "This departmental review didn't even have the authority to get answers from Julie Couillard. It is totally inadequate," said Rae, noting that the departmental review was not able to compel testimony from key witnesses like Bernier s former girlfriend Couillard, leaving many questions unanswered. "This review clearly demonstrates why an investigation that can rely upon all the powers of the Inquiries Act is necessary to assure Canadians that national security has not been jeopardized," he said. "We now know we are talking about documents that is some cases were stamped 'secret' and 'NATO restricted.' Were these documents copied and disseminated to other people? The government doesn't know. Did Ms. Couillard have access to other classified information? The government doesn't know," said Rae "If the government is seriously suggesting that Ms. Couillard stole these documents out of the Ministers briefcase, what steps have they taken to account for all classified documents that were in Mr. Bernier's possession while he was Foreign Affairs Minister?" he added. Rae noted that although the government seems to have concluded that Couillard had two other opportunities to tell Bernier about the documents, the department's investigators never spoke with Couillard and could not even ascertain whether she was aware that the documents were at her residence on the occasions she spoke to Bernier. "Even the government seems to be embarrassed by how useless this review was in uncovering key facts, since they clumsily tired to downplay it by releasing it at 6 p.m. on the Friday before a long weekend," said Rae. Rae underlined that one of the few facts that can be definitively proven by the departmental report is how badly the Harper government mismanaged security concerns involving Bernier. "The reports reveals that the Prime Minister's chief of staff was told of Ms. Couillard's past ties to organized crime weeks before this was in the media, but the government didn't take this seriously enough to do a proper investigation," he said. "It is also shocking to learn from this report that both Mr. Bernier and his chief of staff immediately recognized how serious the failure to secure these classified documents was, and yet they both chose to wait nearly 24 hours to inform the Prime Minister or his office, despite the fact Mr. Bernier attended a meeting with the Prime Minister the very next morning." Rae said the report calls into question the judgment of the Prime Minister and his staff who hand picked Bernier to become foreign minister and assigned his chief of staff to work for him. "Canadians will not be satisfied by the Harper government's decision to rely on an internal investigation of itself. Only an independent inquiry will assure Canadians and our international allies that the government is prepared to take national security seriously," he said. #21. LIBERALS SLAM CONSERVATIVES ON SAFE INJECTION SITES ISSUE The Conservative government's refusal to support critical harm reduction strategies shows its callous disregard for the health of Canadians and is contrary to volumes of scientific evidence, Liberal MPs said this week. "The World Health Organisation (WHO) supports safe injection sites. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV / AIDS (UNAIDS) supports safe injection sites. Scientific study after scientific study supports safe injection sites. Provincial governments and local communities support safe injection sites. Yet this Conservative government opposes it," said Liberal Health Critic Robert Thibault. This week, the Conservatives again refused to accept the clear science of harm reduction while at a WHO event that promoted safe injection sites as a "priority intervention" in the global battle to stop the HIV/AIDS crisis. The WHO included safe injection sites as part of a "how-to" manual for fighting the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. "Since coming to power, the Conservative government has consistently ignored and denied the clear evidence about how effective safe injection sites are at reducing harm. Is the government now saying that the rest of the world should ignore the evidence too?" said Thibault. "The Harper government is once again choosing ideology instead of science," said Liberal Public Health Critic Dr. Carolyn Bennett. "The WHO and public health practitioners have the science proving that harm reduction saves lives. Health Minister Tony Clement is embarrassing Canada on the world stage by his ideologically driven position. He opposes supervised injection sites yet says he supports needle exchange which makes no medical sense. "After the SARS crisis, the Liberal government created the role of the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada so 'Canada's Doctor' could speak directly to Canadians without political interference. The Minister should take the doctors' advice and stop playing with peoples' lives." Liberal MP Dr. Hedy Fry, who is an ardent supporter of Vancouver's InSite program, said safe injection sites can be the beginning of a pathway out of addiction. "They help keep addicts from overdosing, contracting HIV / AIDS, and encourage users to get off drugs. Which parts of that does Mr. Harper oppose?" she said. She added that the Conservative government's position is counterproductive to protecting the health of Canadians. "Harm reduction programs like InSite don't just help addicts - they also help countless numbers of Canadians who are affected by loved ones suffering under the grip of substance abuse," she said. #22. BOOT CAMPS PROMOTE ACTIVE AGING Seniors in Campbell River will be the first in B.C. to participate in a free physical activity program designed to connect them with sports they played in their youth, Healthy Living and Sport Minister Mary Polak announced this week. The 12 communities that will host camps include Surrey, Campbell River, Saanich, Salmon Arm, Kimberley, Prince George, Kelowna, Nelson, Vancouver (False Creek), Fort St. John, Kitimat and Williams Lake. B.C. s seniors are leaders in physical fitness and healthy living. Still, only half of our seniors over 65 are active enough to reap the health benefits, said Polak. The Boomers Plus Boot Camps provide seniors with a fun way to participate in a sport or get back into a sport they used to play. Boomers Plus Boot Camps can help seniors train for sports featured in the 2008 BC Senior Games in Prince George, and also allow them to participate in recreational activities including walking, stretching, strength, mobility and other activities. The camps are held over a six-week period throughout B.C. and are designed for men and women aged 55 to 70 years. They are targeted for seniors who regularly do a moderate level of physical activity. Each camp will include 10 to 30 participants. The camps were developed through a one-time $75,000 grant from the government to the BC Recreation and Parks Association to design and implement the program throughout the province. They support healthy, active lifestyles for seniors, as well as the Province s physical activity goals through ActNow BC. The Boomers Plus Boot Camps are helping seniors in communities throughout B.C. get physically active by involving them in recreational activities and sport, said Suzanne Allard Strutt, chief executive officer of the BC Recreation and Parks Association. We are proud to deliver a program that promotes healthy living and will involve seniors in communities throughout B.C. ActNow BC is the provincial government s healthy living initiative aimed at encouraging British Columbians to eat healthier, increase physical activity, eliminate tobacco use and ensure healthy pregnancies. For more information on healthy living tips and to take the ActNow BC Healthy Living Pledge, visit www.actnowbc.ca. #23. PROVINCE WELCOMES INPUT ON ADAPTABLE HOUSING STANDARDS Proposed adaptable housing standards that will benefit people with limited mobility are now available online for public input, Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman announced this week. The proposal provides adaptable housing standards that would be included during construction of new residential, multi-unit buildings. Creating adaptable suites means that accessibility features can be added more easily and inexpensively to the home after construction. For example, the proposed standards would provide extra reinforcement in bathroom walls to allow grab bars to be installed if needed later. Also included in the proposed standards are: wider doorways; accessible entranceways; and easy-to-use light switches, door handles, faucets and other hardware. Adaptable housing features will benefit anyone whose mobility is limited due to age, disability, illness or accident by making it easier for them to function more independently in their home. Representatives from the building industry, local government, and health care and seniors groups helped guide development of the proposed standards. The model standards, which local governments can chose to adopt through bylaw, would apply to new multi-unit residential buildings with single-storey suites. The public can review and comment on the proposals online at www.housing.gov.bc.ca/building/publicreviewadaptableHousing.htm. The deadline for commenting on the proposed standards is September 22. #24. PROVINCE RECEIVES CLIMATE ACTION TEAM RECOMMENDATIONS British Columbia s Climate Action Team has presented its recommendations for strategies and interim emissions targets for 2012 and 2016 to assist the Province achieve its emission reduction target of 33 per cent by 2020, Premier Gordon Campbell announced this week. The Climate Action Team has developed economically viable interim targets and recommended comprehensive strategies that will bridge the gap to our 2020 goal, said Premier Campbell. I want to thank the members of the team for their invaluable expertise and their commitment to helping us set a plan that will reduce emissions in British Columbia and create a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. Independent modelling by M.K. Jaccard and Associates Inc. was used to estimate the emission reductions of some of the recommended policy options put forward by the Climate Action Team. Based on the same conservative assumptions used in the Climate Action Plan, the modelling suggests these policies could reduce emissions by a further eight million tonnes by 2020. In addition, the Climate Action Team has recommended the following interim targets for 2012 and 2016: By 2012, the growth in emissions must be reversed and emissions must begin to decline significantly, to between five and seven per cent below 2007 levels. By 2016, the decline in emissions needs to accelerate. Emissions should fall to between 15 and 18 per cent below 2007 levels. We believe that British Columbia has a tremendous opportunity to lead and succeed in the new low-carbon economy and environment of the future, said Cheryl Slusarchuk, chair of the Climate Action Team and president of the Premier s Technology Council. The team s recommendations build on the strong actions government has already taken to address the challenge of climate change while developing clean technology and innovation in our province. The Climate Action Plan, released in June, outlines initiatives that will take British Columbia approximately 73 per cent of the way to the 2020 target. The Climate Action Team has put forward additional strategies in areas such as emissions pricing, transportation, buildings, agriculture, forestry, and energy, to fill the remaining gap. As we committed when the Climate Action Team was announced last year, our next step is to seek comments from the public on the recommendations put forward by the team, said Environment Minister Barry Penner. I look forward hearing what British Columbians have to say, which will help us shape the final interim targets by the end of this year. The team s report is available online for public comment for at least 60 days until Monday, October 6. As required by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act, the interim targets for 2012 and 2016 will be set into law, through regulation, by the end of this year. To view the Climate Action Team report and for more information about the Climate Action Plan, please visit: www.LiveSmartBC.ca #25. SIDAK LEADERSHIP PROGRAM COMPLETES SIXTH YEAR Very few learning experiences invoke this type of reaction from students, however Sidak Faith. Courage. Discipline is a unique program that did just that. Participants from across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom attended the sixth annual, two-week summer program run by the Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI), which concluded on July 26. This year s program was the largest to date, with 30 participants, including school students, college students, and young professionals. SikhRI offers three separate programs: Sikh+ 101, Sikh+ 201, and Gurmukh+ 101. Participants in all three tracks partake in lectures, presentations, workshops, and group discussions to explore Sikh+ thru the confluence of bani (scripture), tvr+kh (history), and rahit (lifestyle), explained Lakhpreet Kaur, this year s Sidak Coordinator, We try to diversify the instructors, modes of learning, and content to keep Sidak engaging and interactive. Sikh+ 101 participants studied an overview of Sikh history and theology, while Sikh+ 201 students delved deeper into the same subjects thru rigorous reading and discussion. Gurmukh+ 101 focused on composition, structure, and language of Gurk Granth Shib. Sikh+ 101 focused on the bani of s K+ Vr, along with investigating a range of Sikh topics. The explication and interpretation of s K+ Vr was taught daily by Inderpreet Singh (Director of Emerging Technologies, Siemens). Santhi classes were taught by Gurmeet Singh and Sukhwinder Kaur, in which students practiced the proper pronunciation of the bani. History classes were taught by Darshpreet Singh, a graduate of the Sidak program. Angad Singh Chadha, a high school student of Placentia, California, shared his thoughts on Sikh+ 101: I thought the program was thoroughly eye-opening. It exposed me to aspects of Sikh+ that I had never known about. The program (and the institute) also urges practicing Sikh+ on an extensive, personal level, which I really appreciate. Comparable to college seminars, Sikh+ 201 participants were assigned extensive readings on topics such as Gurks and Revolution, Gurk Granth Shib, Gurk Khls Panth, Conduct of Life, Operation Bluestar, November 1984 Pogroms, and Post 1984 Punjab. Students thoroughly read notable Sikh writers including Puran Singh, Teja Singh, Kapur Singh, and Jagjit Singh. Tying together readings, participants personal thoughts and Sikh history, Harinder Singh (Executive Director, SikhRI), and Gunisha Kaur (Medical Student and a former Sidak participant) moderated group discussions and activities. When asked what she would take away from this experience, Rupinder Kaur, a Sikh+ 201 participant said: A total life experience, tools to help me with my future, with Gurbani and an open mind and heart. A new view for Sikh+, and hopefully get more involved with Sikh community. Students in the Gurmukh+ 101 track concentrated exclusively on developing skills necessary for the self-study of Gurk Granth Shib. This involved learning Gurmukh+, building vocabulary, and observing linguistic and grammatical patterns. Simran Singh taught classes on language (phonology, suprsegementals, inscribed elegance, etc.) and grammar (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, postpositions, interjections, conjunctions, etc.) in Gurk Granth Shib. Inderpreet Singh taught classes on Secondary Texts in Sikh+, including Gurbils, Skh+ / Parc+, Janamskh+s, and the Vikhi tradition. To strengthen their reading and writing skills, Gurmukh+ 101 students had a learning lab (reading, writing, and comprehension) each day with Jasmeet Kaur and Gurpreet Kaur. Angad Singh, a professional from New York, was a Gurmukh+ 101 student and found his classes to be motivating: I feel like I ve developed a closer relationship with the Gurk by learning how to transcribe and translate gurbani, while learning about panthic issues. I now have an itch to start being more active at my local gurdur. Sidak has also inspired me to continue reading the Gurk Granth Shib and ho