building a good life in ontario getting harder, thanks...

CIRCULATED THROUGH : TORONTO, MARKHAM, SCARBOROUGH, RICHMOND HILL, VAUGHAN, WOODBRIDGE, ETOBICOKE, NORTH YORK, MALTON, REXDALE, BRAMPTON, MISSISSAUGA, OAKVILLE, HAMILTON, MILTON, STONEY CREEK, BURLINGTON

We must have justice for victimsof the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, but itis not genocide: Deepak Obhrai

MPP HARINDER MALHI'S MOTIONON SIKH VIOLENCE PASSES IN

ONTARIO, INDIA REJECTS

BUILDING A GOOD LIFE IN ONTARIO GETTING HARDER,THANKS TO THE LIBERAL POLICIES: ANDREA HORWATH

I CONTD. ON PAGE 7

INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI WELCOMED BANGLADESH PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH HASINA AND THE AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTERMALCOLM TURNBULL DURING THEIR VISITS TO INDIA AND DISCUSSED MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.

DESK REPORTONTARIO - The legislative assembly of Ontario passed on April 6 amotion extending the official recognition to the 1984 riots as genocideof Sikhs in India. The motion was presented by Harinder Malhi, MPPfrom Brampton Springdale.Malhi's private member`s motion was passed by 34 votes in favourand 5 against. But some members of the Liberal party did not suppor tit and remained divided as Minister of Seniors Affairs MPP DeepikaDamerla and former Ontario Education Minister Liz Sandals votedagainst the motion while MPP Amrit Mangat was absent on the occa-sion. Others such as MPP Vic Dhillon and MPP Harinder Takhar votedin favour of the motion.Ontario NDP Deputy leader Jagmeet Singh also suppor ted the mo-tion. It is wor th noting that all major leaders such as Ontario PremierKathleen Wynne, PC leader Patrick Brown and NDP leader AndreaHorwath were not present on that occasion.Rejecting the motion, India's External Affairs Minis-try spokesperson Gopal Baglay said India'sviews have been conveyed to the government andpolitical leadership in Canada. "We have notedthe passage of a private members' motion inthe legislative assembly of Ontario on April6. We reject this misguided motion which isbased on a limited understand- ing of India, itsconstitution, society, ethos, rule of lawand the judicial process.Our views have beenconveyed to the gov-ernment and politi-cal leadership inCanada."BY SHAZIA MALIK

MISSISSAUGA - Rising Hydro rates are worrying people especially se-niors and young families and the Liberal plan of privatizing Hydro Onewill saddle the next generation with problems. This was stated by OntarioNDP leader Andrea Horwath during an exclusive interview with YudhvirJaswal, Group Editor and CEO of YMedia on Southasian PULSE radio.Andrea maintained it is not a likeable plan as the amount of money spenton it will create fur ther problems and transfer about $40 billion extra tothe next generation. Therefore Hydro rates should come down. They shouldbe reduced but the Liberal government does not seem to have a plan. Sheclaimed the NDP system if applied is a good plan as people need relievebut how they are doing it so stubbornly has messed off the system.Andrea worried that the current Hydro plan will make the next generationof Ontarians - our kids and grandchildren pay for it.However, if an NDP plan is implemented it will slash Hydro rates by 30%.The NDP will do it by getting rid of certain charges. Due to this people nomore will be required to arrange their lives around specific timings forlaundry and cooking and get a chance to live a normal life. Andrea main-tained privatization of government bodies must stop and selling them atloss, costs heavily. Hydro should be brought back to public hands so thatpeople stop paying higher rates in future while stopping profit transfer toforeign companies. She claimed if the NDP comes to power, it will buy

back Hydro One's shares that can be done by engaging experts over thenext eight years. The dividends thus attained will be used to buy backshares from that company.Andrea said in this way about $7 billion can be brought back to theprovince and the company will again be owned by people. The Liberalgovernment is saying their system works like a mortgage but once youpay the mortgage, you own the house. However, with the Liberal systemone cannot own it even after 30 years. Andrea moaned the fact that life inthe Ontario is becoming too expensive and no measures have been takento help people. It is not only high Hydro bills but also housing, high rents,lack of good jobs are also some of the major issues.Andrea specially hit at temporary agencies saying they are creating un-certain work situation. Today in the province people do not have afford-able housing, renting or purchasing a house is getting difficult, andhealthcare facilities is getting scare. She acknowledged that the newlyopened Brampton hospital has been built but it is already getting overcrowded. It has the busiest emergency. So, she said as Bramptonin par ticular and the Peel region in general continues to grow,services are not being kept up. It requires more hospitals, ser-vices for seniors need to be addressed and that is why NDP isanxiously waiting for the new budget but no date has been announced bythe provincial government as yet.

INDIA STRENGTHENS TIES WITH BANGLADESH, AUSTRALIA

CHANNEL Y TEAM COVERED VAISAKHI CELEBRATIONS ON PARLIAMENT HILL IN OTTAWA. SEEN HERE IS NAVDEEP BAINS, MINISTER OFINNOVATION, SCIENCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH SIA AND NARINDER LAKHANPAL WHO INTERVIEWED HIM DURING THE EVENT.

I DETAILS ON P4 AND P5I CONTD. ON PAGE 7

I DETAILS ON PAGE 12

OTTAWA - Member of Parliament Deepak Obhrai has expressed deepconcern about a motion passed last week in the Ontario Legislature callingthe 1984 Sikh riots in India a genocide. "Motion M-46 is a divisive motion thatwill only bring disharmony to the Indo-Canadian community," Obhrai said."Today, there is outrage in the greater Indo Canadian community that a motionwas passed by the Ontario Legislature (the only one in the whole world)calling a terrible universally acknowledged criminal tragedy a genocide. Tocall this tragic event a genocide only gives political fuel to a Sikh separatistmovement that has been around for some time now, and will cause irrepa-rable damage not only between India and Canada, but also within Canada'sown Indo-Canadian communities."Furthermore, I am deeply disturbed that this motion was passed by only 34out of 107 MPPs of Ontario legislature and was done so without any researchor due diligence. All that any of the MPP's needed to do was to contact ourGlobal Affairs Canada and these facts would have presented themselves,preventing this misguided outcome."Therefore I call upon Premier Kathleen Wynne and opposition leaders PatrickBrown and Andrea Horwath to put forth a motion correcting this by amendingthe Motion saying that 'The 1984 incident was a terrible riot where innocentpeople lost their lives, and call upon the perpetrators to be brought to justice'."During my tenure as Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, this sepa-ratist movement made numerous attempts to recognize this situation as agenocide, and I can tell you that the world community, including the UnitedStates, collectively believes that while this was a terrible event, it does notmeet the universal definition of genocide, and to allow the use of this term tobe used for a political agenda will set precedence that will harm those com-munities that are facing real genocide."The majority of Indo-Canadians agree that thiswas a terrible tragedy, targeting one com-munity. It is commonly believed this was in-stigated by a few political leaders but is also com-monly acknowledged that the greater Indian commu-nity, made up of Hindus, Muslims, Christians andBuddhists, all rallied together to protect theirSikh neighbors. "I myself can attest to this conductas my own friend in India, SohilChawala, made sure that hisSikh neighbors, employees andfriends were safe.

2 MidWeek MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY

TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017

MidWeek 3MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY

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MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY



TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017s p e c i a l r e p o r t

Y Media team covered Vaisakhi celebrations atParliament Hill in Ottawa. Images from the event



MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY

TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017 s p e c i a l r e p o r t

Channel Y team covered Vaisakhi celebrations at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Images from the event



MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY

TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017 c o m m u n i t y

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto,Ontario holds annual Women's Conference

Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities was at Vaisakhi celebrations on Parliament Hill and participated in a Kirtan.

SPECIAL EVENTS WERE HELD ON THE OCCASION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF VIMMY RIDGE IN BRAMPTON. SEEN HERE IS MAYORLINDA JEFFREY, COUNCILLOR GURPREET DHILLON, BRAMPTON'S CITY COUNCILLOR MARTIN MEDERIOS ALONG WITH OTHERS.

Working smoke alarms save livesONTARIO - This sounds simple yet it is something that many familiesoften don't take into consideration when thinking about fire preventionwithin the home and ways that they can keep their families safe. Re-cently at an apartment, located on Goreway Drive in Mississauga, firebroke out because the unit had working smoke alarms, the lives ofthree people including children were saved. Without working smokealarms, this story could have had a very different and tragic outcome. Itis also important to remember that unattended candles are extremelydangerous. Battery operated candles provide the same calming andsoothing effect but are safe to everyone in the home, including childrenand pets. Working smoke alarms aren't just a 'nice to have' in the home.The law requires working smoke alarms on every storey of the homeand outside all sleeping areas. Many tragic fires can be pre-vented with very little effor t.

TORONTO - The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto, Ontarioheld its annual Women's Conference recently themed, Resolutions:Bonds that Liberate. The conference centred on positive resolutionsthat transform lives by transforming habits: accepting ownership,performing hard work, and making sacrifices. Distinguished speak-ers discussed how one's resolve to take ownership, per form hardwork, and make sacrifices can strengthen character and develop grit.Special guests who attended the conference included Kirsty Duncan,MP (Etobicoke Nor th), Minister of Science; DipikaDamerla, MPP(Mississauga East-Cooksville), Minister of Seniors Affairs and IndiraNaidoo-Harris, MPP (Halton), Minister of the Status of Women andMinister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care.On behalf of Kathleen Wynne, Ontario Premier, MPP Dipika Damerla,MPP read out a message: "I thank the organizers and volunteers ofthis conference and the members of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandirfor their commitment to engaging and empowering women in theHindu community."

MPP Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister of the Status of Women and Min-ister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care, added: "Every timeI walk through the doors of the Mandir, my spirits rise and I feelprivileged and lucky to be here. Today, we are focusing on the themesof responsibility, sacrifice, and how freedom changed for us and fu-ture generations. This is an impor tant conversation now than everbefore because the strides our mothers and grandmothers made areimpor tant for today's world."Congratulatory messages for the conference were also received fromMP Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism andfrom MPP Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education. Hunter in her mes-sage said: "I appreciate the work that you are doing as a organization.It is gratifying to see organizations like your working so hard to lift upindividuals, families, and communities across the globe - suppor tingtheir success, and allowing them to follow their dreams."Seema Bhatia, wife of Dinesh Bhatia, Consul General of India alsoattended the conference.

Ontario Improving Transparency andAccountability in Police OversightONTARIO - Ontario will immediately begin building a moretransparent and accountable police oversight system to strengthentrust between police and the communities they serve. Last year, theprovince appointed Justice Michael H. Tulloch to lead an independentreview of Ontario's police oversight system to improve the transpar-ency and accountability of the province's three police oversight bodies,while ensuring their mandates are delivered effectively and efficiently.After extensive consultation with more than 1,500 people from acrossthe province, Justice Tulloch's final report includes 129 recommenda-tions to help Ontario transform police oversight so it is more transparentand accountable, and has the confidence of both the public and thepolice. "I would like to thank Justice Tulloch and his team for theirthorough review of Ontario's police oversight bodies. The status quoneeds to change to strengthen public confidence in policing, and a bigpart of that will be taking an open-by-default approach. Justice Tulloch'srecommendations will be our government's guide as weimmediately begin building a more open, transparent andaccountable police oversight system in Ontario that hasthe full confidence of both the police and the public they serve."- Yasir Naqvi, Attorney General.

Ontario Gurdwaras Committeeand Ontario Sikhs & GurdwarasCouncil welcome M-46BRAMPTON - A joint press release that was received by YMediafrom the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee (OGC) and the OntarioSikhs & Gurdwaras Council (OSGC) on behalf of Ontario's Sikhcommunity showed that both organizations have welcomed pas-sage of MPP Harinder Malhi's motion M-46 in the parliament.Amarjit Singh Mann, Spokesperson Ontar io GurdwarasCommittee, and Bhupinder Singh Ubhi, Chairperson OntarioSikhs & Gurdwaras Council (OSGC) said in a statement:"We are delighted to hear that motion 46 put forward byLiberal MPP Harinder Malhi passed today."We also acknowledge the great work done by NDP MPPJagmeet Singh on this issue as well. We thank all theMembers of Provincial Parliament and their leaders whosuppor ted this historic motion. We are proud to live in aprovince that shows such bold leadership on human rightsand the pursuit of justice. We look forward to celebratingwith the Members of Provincial Parliament who supported thismotion at this year's annual Khalsa Day Parades."

CONTD. FROM PAGE 1Andrea once again reiterated the families are struggling but the next generation can built a good life here with an NDP government. She also thought that GTAand Hamilton's housing market should cool down. NDP is watching this debate closely and listening to experts as to what measures the Liberal governmentis considering. In the light of this the NDP is putting together a plan that will be released for party platform before next elections. It will have a package of initiativesto stop high prices taking over the rental market. She said an immediate change is required in the market as renters are giving notices to tenants and doublingrents but they are forgetting that salaries or pensions are not doubling.When questioned about Wynne 12% approval rating compared to hers who is popular unlike her party NDP that lacks popular support, Andrea replied NDP islistening to what Ontarians have to say. People want to see a great province, a great place to live but it is becoming harder to build a good life here. They are tiredand disappointed by Wynne's choice. Andrea added people also know that conservative Patrick Brown only believes in making cuts and privatization as hasbeen done in the last 17 years. He does not know much. He is constantly changing his mind, changing position, and has done nothing. He lacks vision andcommitment, she claimed.She said Ontario is a great province and people deserve to have good life, good jobs, have extra money to go on vacation, buy a new car. Thus with this in mindNDP will keep on doing what it is and prepare for the next election campaign. When asked with all these drawbacks the PC party is still ahead of the game, Andreathought it was quiet interesting as most of the time Ontario was either ruled by the Conservative or the Liberal parties except for once. They are also saying againwhat they have to offer but not asking people what they want. This is making people nervous. So it is not that NDP cannot win. It can and is working to win holdinghope for the future of this province where people can thrive, their kids and next generation can thrive.About youth employment, Andrea said it is frustrating for the youngsters who have been to the university and to the college but once they come out of thoseinstitutes there is nothing for them. NDP is putting together a youth employment programme to get youth on the job experience. Currently with the work-integratedlearning, only 30% students are taking part what is called the co-op placements but all students should be able to do this - that is academic and real work placeexperience. She informed that soon they will table a private members bill in the parliament that students should be provided work experience.This, she said will also help employers chose students for work. Currently students are searching job but because they do not have work experience, they donot get a proper job so this needs to fix it and there are ways to do it and that is exactly what NDP will do. On the future course, Andrea said people have seena Liberal government and a Conservative government but people were unhappy with both. So in future now, Ontario would know where to go - to a party thatbelieves in no more cutting of private service, energy, or healthcare. So people are careful with what change they want and NDP is thechange that will make Ontario a better place to live and give people a chance to succeed, Andrea concluded.

BUILDING A GOOD LIFE IN ONTARIO GETTING HARDER,THANKS TO THE LIBERAL POLICIES: ANDREA HORWATH

We must have justice for victimsof the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, but it isnot genocide: Deepak ObhraiCONTD. FROM PAGE 1The former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, himself a Sikh,had said that this was a shame on India and on behalf of allIndians apologized. In addition the Supreme Court of India con-tinues to address this issue, as we all want justice to be given toall of the victims. "Finally the recent democratic elections inIndia show that the Sikh community consider themselves as apart of India. This proves that the labeling of this riot as geno-cide is nothing more than a political agenda using Canada as thespringboard. This motion has the potential to bring Inter commu-nal divide, and must be avoided at all costs. Sikhs have been anintegral part of India since its inception."Sikhs have always been held in high respect in the Indian Soci-ety, from Presidents to Prime Ministers to Military Leaders toSoldiers and every other aspect of society; today the Chief Jus-tice of India is a Sikh, J.S Khehar. They have played and areplaying an exemplary role. My own ancestors came from theprovince of Punjab, a home to Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. Sikhswill always remain part of my own personal family, political andsocial mosaic," Obhrai said.Meanwhile, Punjab's former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir SinghBadal said: The party is grateful to authorities, people of Ontariofor this very touching gesture. They havecalled this shameful chapter by its right nameand they deserve our thanks. Every Indian,except those guilty of this tragedy, regards itas genocide.BJP Vice-President in Punjab Harjit SinghGrewal has denounced Ontario's motion say-ing Canada should not interfere in Punjab's internal affairs. Hesaid Canada needs to revisit its policies on Red Indians.Congress leader Raman Subramaniam has said such a resolu-tion will disturb peaceful state in India.AAP leader Phoolka: BJP must clear its viewpoint on the issue.He also welcomed M-46 for declaring 1984 as Sikh genocide.Several prominent Indo-Canadian organizations such as theCanada-India Foundation have disapprovedof the motion. They wrote a letter to OntarioPremier Kathleen Wynne and her party tooppose the motion. The Canada-India Foun-dation said it strongly objects to and de-nounces this divisive motion. "We wouldlike to warn you of the serious implicationsof this motion," the statement said.


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WHO WILL SUCCEED AMARINDERCONGRESSMAN OR 'OUTSIDER'?

BY JAIDEEP SARIN

Rahul Gandhi 'non-serious' leader, Congresswill get 20 seats in 2019: Vishwajit Rane

BY SIDHARTHA DUTTA

With Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh having declared that hewill not contest any more elections, the Congress, which returned topower in the state last month after a decade, has two impor tant is-sues to mull over.As Amarinder Singh settles down in his second innings as Chief Min-ister (his earlier stint was from 2002-2007) to run the Punjab govern-ment and fulfil the promises that he and his par ty made to the elector-ate, the Congress not only has to worry about the new government'sperformance but also about grooming a suitable leader who can takeover the mantle for the 2022 assembly elections.In Amarinder's new cabinet, the biggest, and perhaps politically tall-est, names are those of cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhuand Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal. The two have alot going in their favour, especially age -- both are in their early 50s.Sidhu enjoys the status of a national celebrity who is popular in Punjabtoo, has a completely clean image, is a good orator, has mass appealand is quite full of energy.He is, moreover, a Jat Sikh, Punjab's politically-dominant commu-nity, and identifies with the youth too. Earlier in the Bharatiya JanataPar ty (BJP), he remained MP from Amritsar from 2004 to 2014. Hejoined the Congress only this January. Manpreet, also a Jat Sikh, isthe estranged nephew of five-time Punjab Chief Minister ParkashSingh Badal, is quite well-known in Punjab with the family surnamethat he carries, and appeals to some sections of people.Having fallen out with his uncle and cousin, Sukhbir Singh Badal, in2010, Manpreet char ted his own course through a new political par ty-- People's Par ty of Punjab (PPP). Both Manpreet and the PPP faredbadly in the 2012 assembly polls and the par ty became politicallydefunct. Manpreet joined the Congress last year after Amarinder came

to the helm in Punjab Congress affairs. But both Sidhu and Badal alsohave a major negative in the Congress set-up.Both are "outsiders" in the Congress scheme of things - having beenin the par ty for just a few months and over one year, respectively. Itwill take a lot of courage for the Congress to opt for these "outsider"leaders at the cost of its own leadership in the state. The par ty, whichswept the recent assembly polls -- winning 77 of the 117 assemblyseats -- also saw some of its stalwar ts being defeated or not contest-ing at all.

Former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, one of the seniormostCongress leaders, lost the election, as did the suave Sunil Jakhar.Another senior leader, Lal Singh, opted out this time to pave the wayfor his son. None of the top Congress leaders, except for Amarinder, has themass appeal across Punjab to take the party to another victory. Sidhu definitely hasan edge in that, with Badal coming a close second. It's up to theCongress to opt for a new generation of leaders or settle for the oldguard in a state that has provided the only light of hope for the party inan otherwise BJP-dominated electoral scene in several states.

Vishwajit Rane, who quit the Congress to join the BJP lastweek, says that par ty Vice-President Rahul Gandhi is "non-serious" and an inaccessible leader and under his leadershipthe grand old par ty would be reduced to just 20 seats in the2019 general election."Congress has a non-serious leader called Rahul Gandhi.He isnot serious about the people of the state who give you amandate, not serious about government formation. He is noteven accessible. Seriousness of a leader is very impor tant fora par ty to grow," Rane, son of former Goa Chief MinisterPratapsinh Rane, said in an interview to IANS.Rane, who was elected from the Valpoi assembly constituencyin the February 4 polls, resigned from the Congress accusingthe par ty leadership of letting go the oppor tunity to form agovernment despite emerging as the single-largest par ty with17 MLAs.Later, he also quit as Congress MLA. He had gone missing during atrust vote in the House last month, which the Manohar Parrikar-led BJPcoalition won with 22 MLAs backing his government, while theCongress got the support of 16 legislators.Rane said if Rahul Gandhi continues to be the leader of the Congress,then in the 2019 general elections the par ty would be reduced to20 seats in the Lok Sabha.He said the Congress was "heading in no direction" under RahulGandhi. "If this is the nature in which you want to take the par tyforward, then I am confident in 2019 from 44 they will bereduced to 20," he said."I don't see any such leader emerging in the Congress par ty. Idon't see any future for theCongress par ty in the next 10 years,"Rane said, asked if there was any leader in the par ty who couldchallenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019.Continuing his attack on Gandhi, Rane said: "Rahul Gandhishould have been available on his phone when there wereserious issues happening in Goa like election of the CLP leader,deciding unanimity and bringing everybody together, talking tothe probable candidates."

He blamed Rahul Gandhi and par ty General Secretary in-chargeof Goa Digvijaya Singh for the "mess up" in Goa, and blamedGandhi for being "inaccessible" in times of need."The whole mess in Goa was done by Digvijaya Singh. I feel hewanted to see the Congress out of power. He did everythingpossible to ensure that the Congress sits in the opposition."And he has put the final nail in the coffin by electing a CLPleader, Babu Kavlekar, who did not attend a single meeting ofthe Congress Legislative Par ty (CLP) in the past fiveyears..That was the end of Congress par ty in Goa," said Rane.However, he had good things to say about Congress PresidentSonia Gandhi. "Sonia Gandhi is different. She was much moreapproachable and hands-on," said Rane. Rane said even hisfather was not happy with the present day functioning of theCongress."I don't think even he is very happy with the functioning of theCongress in the state. A man (Kavlekar) was made the leader ofopposition by Rahul Gandhi who never attended a single CLPmeeting in the last five years.. A man (Pratapsinh Rane) whohas won 11 times has to sit as an ordinary MLA, which is quiteinsulting," he said.Rane, however, rejected the possibility of his father joining theBJP. "He has accepted the idea of my joining BJP. My father'sblessings are there with me... I have informed him but hisviews are different politically and mine are different. I havetaken a different political course.. Sometimes, in life there aresome changes in course."

Seriousness of a leader is very important for aparty to grow," Rane, son of former Goa ChiefMinister Pratapsinh Rane, said in an interview toIANS. Rane, who was elected from the Valpoiassembly constituency in the February 4 polls,resigned from the Congress accusing the partyleadership of letting go the opportunity to form agovernment despite emerging as the single-largest party with 17 MLAs. Later, he also quit asCongress MLA. He had gone missing during a trustvote in the House last month, which the ManoharParrikar-led BJP coalition won with 22 MLAsbacking his government, while the Congress gotthe support of 16 legislators. Rane said if RahulGandhi continues to be the leader of the Congress,then in the 2019 general elections the party wouldbe reduced to 20 seats in the Lok Sabha.



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Prime Minister of Canada onUS strikes in SyriaOTTAWA - Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued the follow-ing statement today on U.S. strikes in Syria: "Canada fullysupports the United States' limited and focused action to de-grade the Assad regime's ability to launch chemical weap-ons attacks against innocent civilians, including many chil-dren. President Assad's use of chemical weapons and thecrimes the Syrian regime has committed against its ownpeople cannot be ignored. These gruesome attacks cannotbe permitted to continue with impunity. "This week's attackin southern Idlib and the suffering of Syrians is a war crimeand is unacceptable. Canada condemns all uses of chemicalweapons. "Canada will continue to suppor t diplomatic ef-for ts to resolve the crisis in Syria."

Partnering with Tech Leadersto Improve Public ServicesONTARIO - Ontario is par tnering with tech leaders to co-found Code for Canada, a new not-for-profit organization thatwill develop digital solutions to make government servicesmore user-friendly and easier to access. Deb Matthews,Minister Responsible for Digital Government, was joined bypar tners from the tech community today at Shopify to launch theorganization. Code for Canada will connect coders and designers withgovernments to enhance digital literacy and develop technology-basedsolutions to improve peoples' lives. Code for Canada is part of a networkof "Code for" organizations that operate world-wide, including in theUnited States, Germany and Australia. "People in Ontario deserve gov-ernment services that are simpler, faster and easier to use. Code forCanada creates a valuable oppor tunity to connect government,technology sector and community innovators to deliver thebest user experience for people." - Deb Matthews, MinisterResponsible for Digital Government and Minister of AdvancedEducation and Skills Development.

Canada to welcome moreFrench-speaking skilledimmigrants with newchanges to Express EntryMONCTON - Canadians are building a world-leading innova-tion economy. One way to do this is by making improve-ments to Express Entry-Canada's flagship skilled-workerimmigration application management system. Programsmanaged through the Express Entry system attract high-skilledforeign workers and former international students who wantto live in Canada permanently and whose in-demand skills are neededby employers across the country to help build businesses and grow theeconomy. Starting on June 6, 2017, additional points will be awarded tocandidates who have strong French language skills. These additionalpoints represent an important change that will contribute to the growth,vitality and prosperity of Francophone minority communities acrossCanada. Other changes to the Express Entry system planned for Juneinclude points for candidates with siblings in Canada and voluntaryregistration with Job Bank. "Increasing Francophone immigration and growing Francophone com-munities across Canada remains a priority for the Government of Canada.Canada's greatest strength is its skilled, hard-working, creative, anddiverse workforce. I am pleased that with my announcement today,Canada will welcome more French speakers and others with skills andexperience that will help our economy and communities grow". - AhmedHussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship."With these changes to Express Entry, I am pleased that Canada willwelcome many more high-skilled Francophone immigrants. They willhelp grow Francophone minority communities across Canada andstrengthen the economy as they build their new lives here." -Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

MINISTER DUGUID ON COMPLETION OF THECANADIAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

JUSTIN TRUDEAU WITH UNITED NATIONS' DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL AMINA J.MOHAMMED IN NEW YORK AT THE WOMEN IN THE WORLD SUMMIT.

ONTARIO - Brad Duguid, Ontario Minister of Economic Develop-ment and Growth, who served as Chair of the Internal TradeRenewal Negotiations, issued the following statement regardingthe completion of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA):"The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) is an ambitious,balanced and equitable agreement that makes Ontario and all ofCanada more competitive in a fast-changing global economy.Removing interprovincial trade barriers will increase economicactivity, and it could raise Ontario's GDP by up to one per centby 2025, or more than $9 billion dollars. Ontario businesseswill have improved access to more markets to sell their goodsand services. Ontario workers will have more job oppor tunitiesand more flexibility over where they can work. And Ontario

consumers will have more choice at lower prices.The CFTA replaces the 1995 Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)and is more comprehensive, covering nearly all sectors of theeconomy. Unlike the previous agreement, the CFTA will be ableto keep up with technology and innovation, as the agreement'srules will automatically apply to new, emerging areas of oureconomy.This agreement makes Canada the first country in the world tohave a binding process to harmonize or mutually recognize ourexisting regulations affecting trade, and it also has a frameworkthat enables a common approach to any new regulationsimpacted by trade. The CFTA will also align domestic traderules with international trade agreements such as the Canada-

E.U. Comprehensive Economicand Trade Agreement (CETA).Creating this agreement wasthe result of more than twoyears of tremendous effor t,including 21 rounds ofnegotiations and countlesshours of work by provinces,territories and the federalgovernment. However, this isonly the beginning. More workremains to be done - forexample, the CFTA sets aframework for all par ties tostar t work on enhancing tradein alcohol and financialservices within Canada. Iwould like to thank mycolleagues across the provin-cial, territorial and federalgovernments for their coop-eration and suppor t in deliver-ing the CFTA for the people ofCanada. I look forward to theagreement taking effect onJuly 1, 2017, a fitting tributefor the 150th anniversary ofConfederation."



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DELHI CHIEF MINISTER AND AAP CHIEF ARVIND KEJRIWAL CAMPAIGNING IN RAJOURI GARDEN.

IF PAK EXECUTES JADHAV, IT'LL BE APREMEDITATED MURDER: INDIA

NEW DELHI, (PTI) Reacting strongly, India today said it will regard as "pre-meditated murder" if Pakistan carries out the death sentence, awarded to itsnational Kulbhushan Jadhav "without observing basic norms of law andjustice." Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Pakistan High Commis-sioner to India Abdul Basit and gave a strongly-worded demarche, whichsaid the proceedings that have led to the sentence against Jadhav were"farcical" as there were no "credible evidence" against him.Reacting to a press release by Pakistan military's media wing Inter-ServicesPublic Relations (ISPR) on Jadhav, India said he was kidnapped last yearfrom Iran and his subsequent presence in Pakistan has never been explainedcredibly. India, through its High Commission in Islamabad, has repeatedlysought consular access to him, as provided for by international law and 13such requests were formally made between 25 March 2016 and 31 March2017, the demarche said."This was not permitted by the Pakistani authorities," it said. The proceedingsthat have led to the sentence against Jadhav are "farcical in the absence ofany credible evidence" against him, it said, adding it is significant that IndianHigh Commission was not even informed that Jadhav was being brought totrial. "Senior Pakistani figures have themselves cast doubt about the ad-equacy of evidence. The claim in the ISPR release that Jadhav was providedwith a defending officer during the so-called trial is clearly absurd in thecircumstances."If this sentence against an Indian citizen, awarded without observing basicnorms of law and justice, is carried out, the government and people of Indiawill regard it as a case of premeditated murder," the foreign secretary said in

the demarche. Jadhav was "arrested" on March 3 last year by Pakistanisecurity forces in the restive Balochistan province after he reportedly en-tered from Iran. Pakistan has alleged that Jadhav was "a serving officer" inthe Indian Navy and deputed to the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).The Pakistan Army had released a "confessional video" of Jadhav after hisarrest. India has acknowledged that Jadhav served with the navy but deniedhe has any connection with the government.

MCD POLLS: SP RELEASES MANIFESTO,29 CANDIDATES IN FRAY

NEW DELHI, (PTI) The Samajwadi Par ty released its par ty manifestofor the Delhi civic polls this month in which it has promised constitu-tion of a municipal development board and regularisation of contrac-tual employees. A total of 29 candidates are in the fray for the pollsdue on April 23 and the par ty has lined up star campaigners for it."Our par ty chief Akhilesh Yadav is tentatively scheduled to address arally each in east, south and nor th Delhi on April 18-20. Other maincampaigners would be canvassing ahead of him," SP's Delhi unitchief Usha Yadav said. The par ty said all its 29 candidates are fight-ing on 'cycle' symbol. SP had earlier targeted a big number of contes-tants. "We want to have candidates who are serious and understandour vision for Delhi. In 2012 MCD polls, we had fought on 104 seatsand won three seats. This time we want to have a more focussedapproach. "As per our manifesto, we will constitute a municipal de-

velopment board to resolve vari-ous long-standing issues, includingdevelopment of people residing in JJcolonies, solid waste management.

NDA to fight 2019 Lok Sabhapolls under Modi's leadershipNEW DELHI, (IANS) The National Democratic Alliance(NDA) on Monday passed a resolution to fight 2019 LokSabha elections under leadership of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, sources said. "To continue with the devel-opment and poor welfare programs, NDA urges the citi-zens of the country to be determined to give huge majorityto NDA under the leadership of Prime Minister NarendraModi in 2019," the resolution said.Earlier, a Bharatiya Janata Par ty (BJP) leader, who attendedthe meet ing at the Pravasi Bharat iya Kendra atChanakyapuri in New Delhi's diplomatic enclave said, "TheNDA leaders decided to work together to succeed in 2019Lok Sabha elections under Modi's leadership. Union Min-ister Ram Vilas Paswan made the proposal for fighting LokSabha election under Modi and it was accepted unani-mously," the BJP leader added.The NDA meeting was attended by 33 par ties includingShiv Sena and Akali Dal but there was no discussion on theupcoming presidential or vice presidential elections. ShivSena Chief Uddhav Thakrey and Akali Dal's Prakash SinghBadal represented their par ties. Addressing the media, Fi-nancial Minister Arun Jaitley said the NDA meeting en-dorsed the policies of the government specially its "pro-poor policy.""Despite the bad shape of economy, the government did agood job and headed towards development. There was nota single corruption charge against the government in itslast three years' reign," he said. The minister also said thatnew allies have joined NDA and this is the symbol of thisgovernment's popularity. Asked if there was any discus-sion about the presidential elections, the minister categori-cally denied it, saying "No."

India strengthens ties withBangladesh, AustraliaNEW DELHI - India and Bangladesh on Saturday signed 22pacts in key sectors including defence and civil nuclearbut the long-pending Teesta waters sharing agreement re-mained elusive though Prime Minister Narendra Modi con-veyed his government's commitment for an "early solu-t ion". Af ter holding comprehensive ta lks with hisBangladesh counterpar t Sheikh Hasina, Modi announced anew concessional Line of Credit of USD 4.5 billion for theneighbouring country and an additional assistance of USD500 million to help its military procurement."We in India rejoice in our ties with Bangladesh. Ties thathave been forged in blood and generations of kinship. Tiesthat seek a better and secure future for our people," Modisaid at a joint media event with Hasina.Delhi and Canberra sought to provide a boost to trade andsecurity ties in a meeting between PM Narendra Modi andhis visiting Australian counterpar t Malcolm Turnbull evenas the much-awaited free trade agreement remained elu-sive. The two countries signed six agreements, includingone for expanding counter terrorism cooperation, but couldnot conclude negotiations for Comprehensive EconomicCooperation Agreement (CECA) which they have been ne-gotiating. "We had a very good discussion about the CECA,and I think it's fair to say that progress has not been as fastas either of us would like it to be," said Turnbull after themeeting. The discussions also veered around energy withTurnbull saying that Australia is ready to supply uranium toIndia as soon as possible.



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MADRAS HIGH COURT HAS ORDERED TO WAIVE OFF ALL LOANS OF FARMERS AMID THEIRPROTEST TO COMPENSATE FOR CROP FAILURE.

'Kejriwal shattered my dream': Anna Hazarereacts to Shunglu Committee ReportNEW DELHI (IANS) Veteran anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare said on Friday that he waspained to read about the allegations against Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the ShungluCommittee Repor t. "He was my colleague in the fight against corruption... At that time, I felt theeducated, new generation could help rid the country of graft. But it was a big dream -- and mydream lies shattered," Hazare said in an anguished note. Hazare said when Kejriwal launchedthe (Aam Aadmi Par ty) political outfit, it was the Lord who gave him wisdom to keep away (fromKejriwal) or even "my reputation would be ruined. Since then, and even after he became the chiefminister, I never felt a desire to meet him. Now, I understand why he always used to address meas his 'Guru'. The Lord has saved me," the 79-year-old said in a statement from his villageRalegan-Siddhi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.

Cow vigilante: Cong questions Modi's silenceNEW DELHI, (PTI) The Congress questioned today the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modion repeated incidents of violence in the name of cow protection, and asked whether safeguard-ing Indians was the priority of the government. Referring to the Alwar incident in Rajasthan where a personwas killed after a cow vigilante group beat him up, Congress spokesperson Kapil Sibal termed it as "unfortunate"and said there is a need for setting up a "Manav Raksha Vahini", a group for protection of human beings. "You savethe cow, but at least humans should also be protected alongside," the senior Congress leader said, adding "thegovernment should try and safeguard the rule of law". Sibal said there have been various incidents of suchkind happening in different par ts of the country, but the Prime Minister has remained silent.

Farooq Abdullah: In J&K Bypolls people willgive befitting reply to BJPSRINAGAR, (PTI) Opposition National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah today said theLok Sabha bypolls in the Valley were a test of the integrity of the people in ridding the state of the"opportunistic and unjust" PDP-BJP alliance. The upcoming parliamentary polls would test theintegrity and resolve of the people in ridding the state of the "oppor tunistic and unjust PDP-BJPalliance which has devoured our youth and alienated the people like never before," Abdullah saidspeaking to his party suppor ters after offering Friday prayers at Hazratbal here.


TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017w o r l d

US Syria strikes show necessary'resolve' after attack: EUBRUSSELS, (AFP) The US missile strikes on a Syrianairbase demonstrated "needed resolve" against chemicalattacks, EU President Donald Tusk said. "US strikes show neededresolve against barbaric chemical attacks," tweeted Tusk, who repre-sents the 28 EU member states, adding the bloc will work with the USto "end brutality" in Syria. Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the Euro-pean Commission, the EU executive, expressed his support for the USdecision. "President Juncker has been unequivocal in his condemna-tion of the use of chemical weapons," a Commission statement said."The repeated use of such weapons must be answered. He under-stands efforts to deter further attacks," it said. Juncker made "a cleardistinction" between US missile strikes on a military base and the useof "chemical weapons against civilians." He also urged diplomaticeffor ts to end the six-year war in Syria "be redoubled" asonly a "political transition" can achieve lasting peace.

Two killed in Californiaelementary school shootingWASHINGTON, (IANS) Two people were killed in a shooting at anelementary school in San Bernardino city of California on Monday,media reported. San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said thatfour people were shot and the victims included a teacher and twostudents. Citing the fire officials NBC Los Angeles reported that it wasnot immediately clear whether the teacher and two students wereamong the deceased. Fire officials confirmed that two people weredead. The shooter was "possibly down," said Chief Jarrod Burguan. Atleast two students were among the wounded, the chief added.

At least 1,032 people were executedin 23 countries in 2016: AIWashington - At least 1,032 people were executed in 23countries in 2016. In 2015 Amnesty International recorded1,634 executions in 25 countries worldwide - a historicalspike unmatched since 1989. Most executions took placein China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan - in thatorder. China remained the world's top executioner - but thetrue extent of the use of the death penalty in China is un-known as this data is considered a state secret; the globalfigure of at least 1,032 excludes the thousands of execu-tions believed to have been carried out in China. ExcludingChina, 87% of all executions took place in just four coun-tries - Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan.For the first time since 2006, the USA was not one of thefive biggest executioners, falling to seventh behind Egypt. The 20executions in the USA was the lowest in the country since 1991.During 2016, 23 countries, about one in eight of all countriesworldwide, are known to have carried out executions.

US SYRIA STRIKE LARGELY BACKEDBY WORLD; IRAN, RUSSIA CONDEMNLONDON/MOSCOW, (PTI) The US military strike on Syria was widelyhailed by the world community today with nations like the UK andIsrael backing it as a "just" response to the chemical attack by PresidentBashar Al-Assad's regime, but Russia and Iran strongly condemned the unilateralmove. The UK government said it "fully supports" the US missile strike against anair base in Syria over a suspected chemical weapons attack on Khan Sheikhun onTuesday in which 86 people, including 27 children, were killed. A 10 DowningStreet spokesperson said, "Overnight, the US has taken military action against theSyrian regime, targeting the airfield in Shayrut which was used to launch thechemical weapons attack earlier this week. "The UK government fully supportsthe US action, which we believe was an appropriate response to the barbaricchemical weapons attack launched by the Syrian regime, and is intended to deterfurther attacks." UK defence secretary Michael Fallon told the BBC that the UK hadbeen in "close contact" with the US over the last few days and that British PrimeMinister Theresa May had been "informed throughout". China condemned thedeadly chemical weapons attack in Syria adding "we support the independent andcomprehensive investigation conducted by the relevant UN agencies into ... theuse or suspected use of chemical weapons so as to reach a conclusion that standsthe test of history and facts on the basis of solid evidence," Foreign Ministry

spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahusaid he supports the "strong and clear message" adding "Israel fully supportsPresident Trump's decision and hopes that this message of resolve in the face ofthe Assad regime's horrific actions will resonate not only in Damascus, but inTehran, Pyongyang and elsewhere." Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbullsaid, "The Australian government strongly supports the swift and just response ofthe United States." Russia said it considers the US strike as "aggression against asovereign state" which will further harm US-Russia ties. "President Putin consid-ers American strikes on Syria aggression against a sovereign state in violation ofinternational norms, and under an invented pretext," Kremlin spokesman DmitryPeskov said. "The Syrian army does not have any chemical weapon stockpiles,"Peskov said. Russia also called for an emergency meeting of the UN SecurityCouncil to discuss the US missile strikes.Iran also "strongly condemned" the military strike. German Chancellor AngelaMerkel and French President Francois Hollande issued a joint statement in re-sponse to the US air strike and blamed Assad for the US action. Italyalso gave its suppor t to the US action. European Union PresidentDonald Tusk said the US missile strikes demonstrated "needed re-solve" against chemical attacks.

THOUSANDS OF SOUTH AFRICANS ARE PROTESTING AGAINST CURRENT LEADER JACOB ZUMA DEMANDING HIS DEPARTUREAFTER HIS RECENT CABINET RESHUFFLE.



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