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Mayors of Surrey & Brampton warn extortion wave hitting South Asian businesses The mayors of Brampton and Surrey, B.C., are warning Ottawa about an alarming “escalation of extortion threats” against South Asian business owners. In a letter addressed to Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke wrote of their “deep concern” that a wave of threats has “instilled

fear in our communities and highlight the urgent need for a co-ordinated response” involving multiple jurisdictions. “We’re asking the minister to do everything he can to protect our communities that are facing this international extortion threat,” Brown told the Star. “We have people terrified in our community.” The letter, which was shared with the

Star, suggests recent reports from British Columbia and Ontario have confirmed links between extortion attempts and violent acts, including shootings. “This alarming development underscores the severity and widespread nature of these threats, which are predominantly targeting members of the South Asian business community,” the letter reads.

Record 86% drop in Indian student visas after diplomatic tension The number of Indian students seeking study permits in Canada has witnessed a significant decline, attributed to a diplomatic dispute between India and Canada over the assassination of a Khalistani terrorist, Reuters reported

citing a senior Canadian official. Official data reveals an 86 per cent decrease in study permits issued to Indians during

Modi’s promised Ram temple to open Frenzied preparations were underway Wednesday in India’s northern holy city of Ayodhya to mark the opening of a grand temple for Lord Ram, Hinduism’s

most revered deity. The Ram Mandir’s opening Monday would fulfill a decadeslong Hindu nationalist pledge that is expected to resonate Continued on page 6

Thanks to Trudeau, Canada is caught in a “population trap” Canada has been cornered into a “population trap” intensified by its immigration policies, states a recent report published by one of

the country’s largest banks. The special report, coauthored by National Bank economists Stéfane Marion and Alexandra Ducharme,

the fourth quarter of 2023. In the late stages of the previous year, only 14,910 students were granted study permits, marking a substantial reduction from the earlier figure of 108,940 students.

UK Consul Generals from Vancouver & Toronto visit PICS Society offices in Surrey

Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) had honor of hosting esteemed UK Consul Generals, Thomas Codrington (Vancouver) and Ms. Fouzia Younis (Toronto), along with MLA Jagrup Brar at PICS offices, for a day of

Continued on page 11

Snow, freezing rain & wind warnings active for some parts of BC Environment Canada has several alerts active for B.C. Thursday morning, including snowfall, wind and freezing rain alerts. However, there are no alerts for the Metro Vancouver area.

The snowfall warning is in effect for central and eastern Vancouver Island. A winter storm warning for central Vancouver Island is also in effect and expected to last into Friday.

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Heavy snowfall hits Metro Vancouver & Fraser Valley Trecherous roads conditions create hazard for Metro Vancouver commuters

Heavy snowfall of the season in Metro Vancouver saw schools closed and flights impacted on Wednesday morning as weather experts predicted heavy snowfall and frigid winds sweeping across the Pacific Coast Canadian city. As Western Canada is emerging from blast of arctic temperatures over the weekend, federal meteorologists forecast 10 to 15

centimeters (4-6 inches) of snow and a wind chill of minus 7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Vancouver International Airport said weather conditions had some impact to its flight schedules. Some flights were canceled at the airport, according to flight tracking service.The federal weather agency also warned of hazardous conditions in the Fraser Valley, due to winter storm.

Pedestrian struck by snowplow in Abbotsford after leaving his crashed vehicle - BC A driver in Abbotsford died after he left his crashed vehicle on Highway 1 and was struck by a snowplow. When police arrived, they found a 31-yearold man suffering from life-threatening

injuries, and he was rushed to the hospital. Abbotsford police confirmed the driver died a “short while ago” at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday. Abbotsford police said the driver’s vehicle spun out on the freeway.

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Saturday, January 20, 2024 Shaun Hildebrand

Asking rents in Canada surge nine percent in 2023

Alberta leads growth in asking rents in Canada. B.C. maintains highest rental prices Asking rents for all residential property types in Canada experienced a substantial nine percent increase in 2023, according to the latest National Rent Report. The report – jointly released by Rentals.ca and

Urbanation – reveals that the average asking rent reached a historic high of $2,178 in December 2023, marking an impressive 8.6 percent surge from the same period in 2022. Over the past two years, the Canadian rental market has witnessed a remarkable 22 percent increase in asking rents, translating

to an average monthly increment of $390. The 8.6 percent year-over-year increase in 2023 follows a 12.1 percent surge in 2022 and a 4.6 percent rise in 2021. “The rate of rent growth in Canada was stronger than expected in 2023, mainly due to a surge in non-permanent residents, a resilient economy, and a sharp pullback in home buying activity,” said Shaun Hildebrand, President of Urbanation. “While rents are expected to continue rising in 2024, there should be less upward pressure on the market this year as demand increases at a somewhat slower speed and more supply is added.” Breaking down the data by property types, traditional purpose-built rental apartments reached an average asking rent of $2,076 and experienced the most rapid growth in 2023, posting a substantial 12.8 percent increase. In contrast, condominium and house rentals saw relatively slower annual growth rates of 6.9 percent and 5.9 percent, respectively, with average rents of $2,340 and $2,354 as of December. The report also highlights changes in asking rents for different apartment sizes. One-bedroom apartment rents grew by 13 percent in 2023, reaching an average of $1,932, while studio rents followed closely behind with an 11.9 percent increase, averaging $1,552 in December. Twobedroom apartments witnessed a 9.8 percent annual increase, reaching an average of $2,301, while three-bedroom rents rose by 9.9 percent to reach an average of $2,579. Alberta emerged as the province with the fastest-growing rents for purpose-built and condominium apartments in 2023, recording a remarkable 15.6 percent annual increase to reach an average of $1,691. British Columbia maintained its position as the most expensive province for apartment rents, averaging $2,500 in December despite a slight 1.4 percent year-over-year decrease. Ontario recorded a 3.7 percent annual increase, with average apartment rents slightly below B.C. at $2,446. Quebec experienced faster rent growth for apartments in 2023

www.theasianstar.com # 202 - 8388, 128 St., Surrey, BC V3W 4G2 Ph: 604-591-5423 Fax: 604-591-8615 E-mail: editor@theasianstar.com Editor: Umendra Singh Associate Editor: Chhavi Disawar Marketing and Sales: Ravi Cheema......................604-715-3847 Shamir Doshi....................604-649-7827 Harminder Kaur...............778-708-0481 Parminder Dhillon..........604-902-2858 Pre-Press: Iftikhar Ahmed

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Saturday, January 20, 2024 From page 1

Thanks to Trudeau

for a county’s potential GDP, “all good things have their limits.” The term “population trap” can be defined as a scenario where increases in living standards aren’t possible because the population is growing so fast that all available savings are utilized to maintain the current capital-labour ratio, notes the report.

The economists pointed to Canada’s population growth in 2023 as 3.2% — five times higher than the average of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This type of growth was seen in all ten provinces, which saw their population increase twice as fast as the OECD average.

From page 1 Modi’s promised Ram temple to open voters during the upcoming national some Indian embassies across the world. election expected in April or May. Modi will be in attendance, alongside Several sprawling tent cities were being several Hindu priests, for the consecration erected nearby to accommodate tens of ceremony in which a statue of Ram is to thousands of devotees who are expected to be placed in the temple’s inner sanctum. attend. Dozens of private jets will fly India’s Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist BJP powerful elite, including top industrialists, Bharatiya Janata Party has long campaigned movie stars and celebrities, to Ayodhya to for the temple to replace Babri Mosque see the ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra that was demolished by Hindu mobs in Modi’s government has planned live 1992, sparking nationwide riots that killed screenings across the country, as well as at more than 2,000 people, mostly Muslims.

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Woman arrested for driving dangerously through Surrey, Langley & Abbotsford A woman is in custody after police allege she failed to stop for officers in South Surrey then drove dangerously through several cities as she was tracked by an RCMP helicopter. Surrey RCMP said the woman in a green Toyota Corolla ignored a traffic stop at about 1:15 p.m. Tuesday and continued driving recklessly through Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford. While still being monitored by the police aircraft, the driver returned to Langley

where she crashed with another car near the intersection of 208th Street and 51B Avenue. The driver was arrested by a police dog and treated for minor injuries at the scene by paramedics. The other driver wasn’t injured. Police were still investigating late Monday afternoon and motorists were encouraged to avoid the area. Anyone who has information is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502

PM Trudeau defends free vacation with family at luxury resort in Jamaica Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending his free vacation at a luxury resort in Jamaica, comparing his trip to stay with friends to the way “many Canadian families” spent the holidays. Speaking in French, Trudeau told reporters in New Brunswick on Wednesday that “all the rules were followed” when it came to his family’s decision to travel once again to Prospect Estate, a trip his office has stressed was cleared by the ethics commissioner’s office. “Like many Canadian families, we went to stay with friends during the

Christmas holidays,” he said in his first public comments on the matter. Trudeau’s defence came as MPs on the House ethics committee unanimously agreed to summon the interim conflict of interest and ethics commissioner to answer questions on rules for MPs’ gifts, vacations and travel, including the prime minister’s trip to Jamaica. At issue for opposition MPs isn’t that the Trudeaus went on the vacation, but who paid for it — family friends of the Trudeaus, and not the prime minister himself.

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Saturday, January 20, 2024

South Asian man convicted in 2019 hit-and-run in Burnaby Mounties say a 34-year-old man has been found guilty of four charges after a hit-and-run crash that injured two police dog service officers in 2019. Police say Jason Kirupakaran was convicted of two counts each of criminal negligence causing bodily harm and failing to stop after an accident causing bodily harm.

RCMP said at the time of the crash on March 4, 2019, the officers were in a vehicle pulled off to the side of the road when a stolen car hit their vehicle. The officers were seriously injured and taken to hospital. The Burnaby detachment’s officer in charge, Chief Supt. Graham de la Gorgendiere, says while the conviction doesn’t take away pain

Vancouver hate crimes up 30% in 2023: VPD Vancouver has seen a sharp increase in hate crimes, police say, as reported incidents jumped over 30 per cent in 2023 compared to the year prior. The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) shared Tuesday that it investigated 265 hate crime reports last year, adding that “increased reporting from the 2SLGBTQ+, South Asian, and Jewish

communities – fueled largely by geopolitical tensions – were all major factors.” The police force also explained that “tensions” from the Israel-Hamas war have contributed to an increase in reported hate crimes, along with protests. The VPD says the war is the “single biggest reason” for the increases.

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Saturday, January 20, 2024 Mayor’s Statement: SPS running a deficit budget of over $26M

Press release

The 10 officers hired by the Surrey Police Service in December were neither approved nor budgeted for. In early 2023, Surrey Council approved the SPS budget at $48.7M. At the end of 2023, SPS had spent $75.4M, resulting in a massive budget overrun of $26.7M. Put another way, the SPS’s out of control spending in

2023 was 55% higher than what they were approved to spend. Rather than working within the budget that was approved by the City, SPS made expensive hires that it could not afford, including up to 100 people on payroll that are not deployed on the frontline. In other words, Surrey taxpayers are paying for SPS officers that are not deployed to keep Surrey safe.

Premier Eby announces $36-billion plan to expand BC’s electricity system Premier David Eby has announced a push to expand the province’s electricity system that could see billions in extra spending on infrastructure projects. Eby made the announcement at the B.C. Natural Resources Forum in Prince George. The 10-year capital plan for Crown utility B.C. Hydro has been updated to include

Canada to ink security agreement with Ukraine Ottawa has already handed over a draft of a bilateral security agreement to Kyiv, but the two sides have yet to agree on terminology. Canada uses the term “an agreement on security assurances.” However, after the negative experience of the 1994 “Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances,” in which Russia “assured” that it would safeguard Ukraine’s future security, Ukraine wants the stronger, more legally

binding term “commitment” to be used. Nevertheless, Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Natalka Cmoc, said in an interview with European Pravda that, while the draft agreement provided by Canada refers to “security assurances” for Ukraine, rather than “security guarantees”, she doesn’t see this as an insurmountable problem and believes the two countries will be able to sign the document within a few weeks.

almost $36 billion in spending on community and regional infrastructure projects in the province between 2024-25 and 2033-34. The government says that figure represents an increase of 50 per cent over B.C. Hydro’s last 10-year capital plan, and includes nearly $10 billion for projects involving electrification and emissions reduction.

BC to close loophole allowing prohibited drivers to get ICBC auto insurance The provincial government has vowed to take steps to close a troubling loophole that allows prohibited drivers to buy vehicle insurance in their name through ICBC, following Global News reporting. Roy Heide was a prohibited driver

with no licence before he earned the dubious distinction of holding what the Abbotsford Police Department believes is the worst impaired driving rap sheet in Canadian history.

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Saturday, January 20, 2024 Press release

UK Consul Generals from Vancouver & Toronto visit PICS Society offices in Surrey

UK Consul General Thomas Codrington (Vancouver, 4th from left) and Ms. Fouzia Younis (Toronto, 5th from right) with MLA Jagrup Brar (middle) and Satbir Cheema (4th from right) PICS CEO with board members in Surrey. for a day of engagement and exploration that is a journey we can all learn from.” remarked. Mr. Codrington also highlighted an opportunity for the Consul Generals at the PICS head office and PICS Assisted Mr. Thomas Codrington commended the the sense of community and collaboration, and MLA Mr. Jagrup Brar to witness Living. Ms. Fouzia Younis expressed wide array of services provided by PICS to stating, “It is great to see the community firsthand the impactful work being her deep appreciation for the warm the community, emphasizing the significance coming together and providing services done by PICS Society. The Consul welcome, stating, “Coming here at PICS of the connections between Surrey and the for each other to help each other integrate Generals were impressed by the growth made me feel like I was back at home. I UK. “It is great to see all the services that and make the most out of life in Canada.” and evolution of PICS over the years was so honored and inspired by PICS’ PICS provides to the community.” He was The meet and greet session at PICS head and acknowledged the organization’s journey, finding out that you grew from amazed to see the links between people office and PICS Assisted Living provided dedication to community service. $80 in 1987 to nearly $24 Million, and in Surrey and the people in the UK. he From page 1

Community news Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society of BC invites South Asian Adults and Senior members( Total 60 members) going on Cruise to South Africa in February 2024 for a meeting to be held on 21st January 2024 (Sunday) from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm at Shanti Niketan hall.

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New changes will make family law work better for families Press release

Changes coming into effect Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, will reduce some of the difficulties for families going through separation or divorce in B.C., including those with pets. British Columbians will also have the opportunity to provide input into further changes to make family law work better for families. Work is being done to update family law in phases. On Jan. 15, changes from the first phase concerning companion animals come into effect to better help people determine ownership and possession of companion animals following a separation

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or divorce. Public engagement also begins, allowing people to share their experiences with family law to help inform changes that will ensure that the health, safety and well-being of children continue to be at the centre of every decision. “Going through separation or divorce is already difficult for couples and children. Our justice system should be there to help, not make it harder,” said Premier David Eby. “These changes include putting the health, safety and well-being of kids at the centre of every decision and using the actual experiences of families in the system to improve it.

Saturday, January 20, 2024

INDIA US hails India as extra ordinary success story

Eyewitness identifies Yasin Malik as shooter behind 1990

Forum Annual Meeting 2024, he also said killing of 4 IAF men the US-India relations have reached a new JKLF chief Yasin Malik lifted his ‘pheran’, high with efforts from both Prime Minister Former IAF corporal Rajwar Umeshwar Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden. pulled out his gun and opened fire at a Singh, who survived the terror attack in At the same time, a regular part of the group of Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel, which four IAF personnel were killed, conversation between the two countries has an eyewitness deposed before a special CBI pointed to Malik in the courtroom as the court on Thursday while narrating what main shooter. Malik attended the court Govt employees will get paid day-off for Ram Temple happened in Srinagar on January 25, 1990. proceedings on video from Delhi’s Tihar Jail

Describing India as an “extraordinary success story”, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the “remarkable achievements” of the Modi govt have materially benefitted and positively impacted so many Indian lives. Speaking here at the World Economic

opening ceremony

All Central Government offices will be closed for half day on January 22 on the occasion of the ‘Pran Pratishta’ ceremony of Ram Lalla idol at the Ram

Temple in Ayodhya, the government announced on Thursday. “The Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya will be

India’s business community can help move the needle on climate change In June 2023, temperatures in several parts of India soared to over 45 degrees Celsius. In a little over two decades, the country’s climate is estimated to exceed survivability limits. Its water crisis continues to escalate, with experts

warning that India’s groundwater table risks steady depletion over the next two decades – this has a cascading effect on irrigation, agricultural production and livelihood.

Vivek Ramaswamy exits US Presidential race In a big twist, Indian-American Vivek Ramaswamy has stepped back from running for president in 2024. Instead, he’s supporting ex-president Donald Trump, who just won big in the Iowa caucuses, making him the top Republican candidate.

The Iowa caucuses are a major deal in the race for US president. But for Ramaswamy, a businessperson in biotech, things didn’t go well. He ended up trailing behind Trump, who had been impeached twice, and his

Farmers using artificial intellegence for agriculture purpose in India The fields had been freshly plowed. The furrows ran straight and deep. Yet, thousands of farmers across Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Karnataka waited to get a text message before they sowed the seeds. The SMS, which was delivered in Telugu

and Kannada, their native languages, told them when to sow their groundnut crops. In a few dozen villages in Telengana, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, farmers are receiving automated voice calls that tell them whether their cotton crops are at risk

India’s main opposition party begins cross-country march ahead of crucial vote Thousands of members of India’s main opposition Indian National Congress party and its supporters began a 2-month cross-country march Sunday in a bid to regain some of the popularity it has lost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist party ahead of a crucial national vote this year. The march led by Rahul Gandhi, scion of the influential

Gandhi family, began from the northeastern Manipur state’s Thoubal district. The “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,” or “Unite India Justice March,” is scheduled to cover 6,713 kilometers (4,171 miles) in 67 days, mostly in buses but also on foot, while passing through 110 districts in 15 states, the party said in a statement.

16 children & teachers drown as boat capsizes In a terrible tragedy, 16 people including 14 school children and two teachers, died on Thursday as the boat they were on overturned

in the Harni Lake on the outskirts of Vadodara in Gujarat. The boat was carrying 27 students accompanied by their teachers who were

Saturday, January 20, 2024

India’s markets are turning into an inexorable force Anyone wondering whether the India juggernaut is sustainable will find the answer in bonds, which have a penchant for discerning the way of the world and telling every other market what to do. At least $1 trillion of government securities traded daily in the most populous nation and biggest democracy is poised to become the darling of international investors when India this year joins the benchmark for emerging-market debt compiled by JPMorgan Chase & Co. India’s entry following Russia’s exclusion after Vladimir

Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine (and 2014 seizure of Crimea) and when China’s sovereign debt is losing its luster, will make Asia’s thirdlargest economy a beneficiary of as much as $40 billion of inflows during the next 18 months, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. How big a deal is that? Consider that foreigners, who are currently prohibited from owning more than 6% of India’s sovereign debt, held as little as 0.4% last March

India could become the world’s 3rd largest economy in the next 5 years 2024 begins at a critical and delicate juncture. While the global economy has managed to stave off recession, albeit narrowly, it has suffered significant volatility and unpredictability during the past year. Devastating conflicts have stoked geopolitical fractures, economic fragmentation and financial turbulence. With new global challenges emerging, urgent progress is needed to address existing vulnerabilities, including fragile energy and food security, inclusive growth, and the intensifying climate emergency. Effective multilateral cooperation is key for the world to come to a common understanding to tackle these interlinked issues. Amidst a challenging global scenario, India has emerged as a significant economic and geopolitical power. Its

actions in the coming year could lay the groundwork for the country to become the world’s third largest economy in the next five years and a developed nation by 2047, setting an example on inclusive, sustainable economic growth, digital development and climate action. A landmark year 2023 marked a landmark year for India as it assumed presidency of the world’s highest profile global economic assembly, the G20, and showcased its economic prowess and diplomatic finesse to the world. India’s emphasis on a rule-based international order, advocacy for collaboration to solve common issues, and commitment to upholding democratic values positions makes it a stabilizing force

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Changes to Education Act on priority list Changes to the Education Act are on the priority list of the Attorney-General’s Chambers for 2024. In an interview with The Fiji Times, AttorneyGeneral Siromi Turaga said he would meet senior education officials to discuss the review. “They know the challenges facing the Education

Act and in implementing it,” said Mr Turaga. “Especially with all the reform that needs to be done because now they have come up with their five-year and 10-year strategic plans. “So, now we have to review the law so that it goes along with these strategic plans.”

Former Attorney General Khaiyum denies allegations Former FijiFirst general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has denied allegations that he and former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama did not declare all of their assets to the Fijian Elections Office before participating in any of the general elections.

“I think those complaints are superfluous,” he told the media yesterday. “That is my view because we have been down this path before. We have people from overseas making all kinds of complaints.

‘One of biggest seizures ever’ of meth in Nadi - Police Fiji police have seized over three tonnes of methamphetamine, with the country’s acting top cop confirming it is “one of the biggest seizures ever” in the country. The drugs were stored in 797 mediumsized containers wrapped in brown tape

that were seized from a vacant house under construction in Namaka in Nadi, police said via a statement on Monday. Local police have not put street value on the haul but, based on the NZ drug trend survey, it could be priced in hundreds of millions of dollars .

Call for swift action on expiring land leases Government agencies and departments must make themselves aware of expiring land leases and deal with them, says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. “We are concerned and that is why

government agencies responsible, either Crown lease or iTaukei Land Trust Board, they should have been watching out for this or be aware that this is happening,” he said. “When leases are not renewed and land is left idle, everybody misses out.

Asking rents jump 8.6 % in December to hit record $2,178 on average A new report says the average asking price in December for a rental unit in Canada was a record $2,178 per month, relatively flat from the previous month but an 8.6 per cent jump year-over-year. The data released Monday by Rentals.ca and Urbanation, which analyzes monthly listings from the former’s network, showed the average monthly cost of a one-bedroom

Pakistan condemns attack by Iran Iran launched attacks on Tuesday in Pakistan territory targeting what it described as bases for the militant group Jaish al-Adl, potentially further raising tensions in a Middle East already roiled by Israel’s war

on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Pakistan said the strikes killed two children and wounded three others in an assault it described as an “unprovoked violation” of its airspace.

Woman trolled over ‘Copied’ post for groom taking no luxury car to his wedding

A groom cruising into his wedding procession (Baraat) in fancy car is a scene we’re all too familiar with. However, those who opt for the budget-friendly, no-frills approach are a rare breed. Now, imagine an Instagram post singing praises for a groom who rolled up to his own wedding not in a fancy chariot, but a modest Suzuki car.

Intrigued by this ode to simplicity and the absence of showiness, a Pakistani woman couldn’t help but hit the ‘share’ button on her social media. “This car passed me by yesternight. And I couldn’t help but ask the family to stop and let me just click the car’s photograph. The car is a Suzuki Alto, and has been mildly decorated for a wedding.

Pakistan carries out retaliatory airstrikes in Iran Pakistan Air Force launched retaliatory airstrikes in Iran, allegedly targeting militant hideouts, an attack that killed at least nine people and further raised

tensions between the neighboring nations. The tit-a-tat attacks appeared to target two militant groups with similar separatist goals on both sides of Iran-Pakistan border.

Commission warns of election delay due to ‘symbol dispute’ Election Commission of Pakistan warned hat federal elections may have to be delayed if the process of changing electoral symbols does not stop, asserting that it

could not keep making alterations with the February 8 polls just around the corner. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Real Estate Home sales jumped 9% in December, but

unit in December was $1,932, up 12.7 per cent from the same month in 2022. The average asking price for a twobedroom was $2,301, up 9.8 per cent annually. Rents also increased by an average of 8.6 per cent for 2023 as a whole. This followed a 12.1 per cent increase in 2022 and a 4.6 per cent gain in 2021. Asking rents in Canada over the past two years have increased overall

prices continued to fall National home sales jumped in December but prices continued to drop, and economists said it was too early to conclude the housing market was on a rebound. The 8.7-per-cent bump in transactions from November to December was the first monthly increase since June, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). Last month’s volume was similar

to the spring, when buyers briefly flooded the market in the belief that the Bank of Canada was done raising interest rates. But CREA and bank economists cautioned against reading too much into last month’s sales. “Was the December bounce in home sales the start of the expected recovery in Canadian housing markets? Probably not just yet,” said Shaun Cathcart, CREA’s senior

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Visa rejected twice, youth jumps to death at Kharar A 30-year-old man reportedly jumped to death from the fourth floor of Tower 2 of Skylark Enclave, Kharar, this morning. The victim, Simranjit Singh, a resident of Gurdaspur, had come to his friend’s accommodation last night around 10 pm. He was reported to have been under stress due to the refusal of visa to a foreign country twice. He was unemployed. He is survived by his mother. His friend Parambir Singh said he informed the PCR and a police team reached the spot around 30 minutes later. They took Simranjit to the Kharar subdivisional hospital where the doctors declared him dead. The body has been kept in the mortuary of the Kharar hospital.

CM questions SGPC chief’s silence over Harsimrat’s remarks Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday questioned the silence of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami over the statement by Lok Sabha MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, allegedly equating the election symbol of the Akali Dal with that of the scales of Guru Nanak. “For us, this takkadi (election symbol of SAD) is no less important than the takkadi of Guru Nanak Sahib,” Harsimrat had said while addressing a crowd on Maghi day. The Chief Minister in a statement said it is surprising that though Harsimrat had hurt the Sikhs by giving such irresponsible statements, the SGPC is mum on the issue. Mann said this reflected that Dhami is nothing more than a loyal volunteer of the Akali Dal in general and the Badal family in particular.

Chandigarh mayoral election postponed Municipal Corporation mayoral elections have been postponed as the presiding authority, Anil Masih, is learnt to have been taken unwell. The polls for the posts of mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor were to be held on Thursday. “It is informed that a telephonic message has been received regarding the ill health of Anil Masih, who has been nominated as presiding authority for the meeting scheduled on January 18 for the post of Mayor u/60 (a) read with Regulation 6(1) of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (Procedure and Conduct of Business) Regulation, 1996.

PUNJAB

Saturday, January 20, 2024