SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME
67
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ISSUE
WHAT’S INSIDE:
NO.
34
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S U M M E R L A N D,
B.C.
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T H U R S D AY,
AUGUST
21,
2014
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16
PA G E S
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$1.15
INCLUDING
GST
‘Deplorable conditions’ Two Mexican farm workers relocated
by John Arendt
Top wine region
WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
Two Mexican farm workers at a Summerland farm have been relocated following allegations of workplace violations. Earlier this month, Bob Cowles, a Canadian worker who was also
working at the farm, said conditions were deplorable for the Mexican workers. “They’re not cattle. They’re not livestock. They’re human beings,” Cowles said. Pictures taken at the farm showed the outdoor cooking area just metres away from the portable toilet. The garage where the men were housed had no
lights, no electricity and no water. The two men, both in Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, met with Mayor Janice Perrino and MP Dan Albas late last week. “This is not acceptable in Summerland. It’s a real stain on our community,” Perrino said. “I was embarrassed and ashamed that some-
one in our community felt that they could treat
unacceptable.” She added that the Seasonal Agricultur“What happened to these two al Worker men is completely unaccept- P r o g r a m , w h i c h able.” Janice Perrino af al rl mo ewr ss to bring other human beings in in international workers the fashion in which during harvest, is a good they were treated. What program which needs to happened to these continue. two men is completely See INVESTIGATION Page 2
A recent survey lists the Okanagan Valley as one of the world’s top wine regions.
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Epilepsy website
A student-created website with information for people living with epilepsy has received international recognition.
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Musical ensemble
Musicians are volunteering their time to sing and play at seniors’ facilities in Summerland.
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Basketball action
A three-on-three basketball tournament will raise money for outdoor courts.
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Sprint Triathlon
The 15th annual Summerland Sprint and Kids of Steel Triathlon will bring athletes from around the region.
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YOUR SMILE A clear conscience is usually a sign of a bad memory.
Search and rescue effort
Carla McLeod Special to the Review
Volunteers with the Penticton and District Search and Rescue were out on the Trout Creek Trestle on Saturday assisting with a search for a missing hiker. From left are Ryanne Volrich, Marlene Kearsley, Cindy Smith and Ian King. They were monitoring the Swift Water Team, who were down in the canyon, searching Trout Creek, looking for the hiker.
Hiker found after five days by John Arendt
A hiker, missing from a Summerland orchard, was found near the Summerland Research Centre on Sunday morning, five days after he had last been seen. On Wednesday evening, Julien Landry, 25, a
worker at a Summerland orchard, had left to go hiking in the Trout Creek canyon area. Two days later, coworkers reported he was still missing. On Saturday, RCMP and Search and Rescue conducted a search in the canyon, using a heli-
copter, an airplane and searchers. Despite an extensive search on Saturday, Landry had not been located by the end of the day, Cst. Jacques Lefebvre of the Summerland RCMP detachment said. On Sunday at 10:39
a.m., a man walking near the Research Centre found Landry lying in the grass, injured. Landry was taken to hospital with a concussion and back injuries. Lefebvre said Landry told police he had been chased by a bear. He then climbed a tree
to escape. He stayed in the tree and fell asleep there. Landry fell from the tree, into the creek. He then made his way to the grass, where he was found on Sunday. By Tuesday, he was still in hospital but recovering, police said.