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Published Quarterly by The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia

Wally Oppal, Attorney General of British Columbiaand Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism INSIDE: Multiculturalism

These are the characteristics of a BC Notary Public. There are 323 notarial Seals throughout British Columbia. In some communities, Seals are available.

Enjoying the 2006 Fall Conference in Penticton are Vancouver Notary Mario Cipriano, a 25-year member of The Society of Notaries Public of BC, and New Westminster Notary Chris Dupuis, Society President, 2004 – 2006.

What does ittake to become aBC Notary Public?

• Strong entrepreneurial and people skills

• The highest degree of honesty and integrity

• University degree and 5 years’ related experience

• Fluency in English; other languages an asset

• Financial backing

• Dedication to serving the public

As a BC Notary, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding career as an independent businessperson who serves the public, and sets the example of integrity and trust for which Notaries are known throughout the world.

If you have these qualities and are looking for a new career path, consider our two-year program, conducted through the Sauder School of Business Real Estate Program, University of British Columbia.

For more information, please contact: The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia 1-800-663-0343 or visit our Website: www.notaries.bc.ca.

The Right Stuff . . .

P u b l i s h e d b y T h e s o c i e T y o f N o T a r i e s P u b l i c o f b c

Photo credit: www.franceslitman.com

FEATURESExEcutivE DirEctor Storytelling as an Art Form 6Wayne Braid

PrEsiDEntPositive and Exciting Times of Change! 9Chris Dupuis

KEynotEMulticultural Relationships 10Val Wilson

Limits to Multiculturalism? 12Nigel Atkin

Multicultural Calendar for BC 2006 15

Diversity is the Key to Better Business and Stronger Communities 16Jim Abbott

Creating the Environment of Respect, Tolerance, and Acceptance 19Dave S. Hayer

The Sikh Wedding Ceremony 20Raj Sablok

Vancouver Japanese Language School: Celebrating 100 Years of Education and Community Spirit 24Laura Saimoto, VJLS History Committee

The Japanese People in BC 26Roy Cammack

Christmas in Sidney-By-The-Sea 28Laurie Salvador

Floating Happily Together 29Galina Kovalev and Sergei Martynov

Drawing Sets this Victoria Artist Free! 30Lynn Gray

Giving Back to the Community is the Ismaili Way of Life 32

Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is a Family Affair 34Susan Tong

Services a BC Notary Can Provide 8

Fall Conference and AGM 2006 and 80th Anniversary! 42

ProfilE of a Bc notary: surrEy, BcLeda Kwichak Celebrates 25 Years as a Surrey Notary! 46

WhErE arE thEy noW?Noel Martin Enjoys Life in Sidney 47

PrivatE rEciPEsAndrea’s Outstanding Spaghetti Alla Carbonara 48

Rosettes: Laurie Salvador’s Family’s Favourite Christmas Treat 48

Shabnam Sablok’s Butter Chicken Recipe 49

Phyllis Simon Recognized 50

Vancouver Chapter BBQ 50

Correction: David Watts 55

covEr story

Wally Oppal, Attorney General of BC and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism: Already Making a Difference! 36

� The Scrivener Volume15 Number3 Fall2006

sPotlight on gooD WorKs:ProBonoNet.bc.ca: The Little Engine That Can and Does 52Carol Jones and Jamie Maclaren

Board of Governors 54

Published Quarterly by The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia

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THE MIXThe Right Stuff . . . 3BUSINESS TO BUSINESS 45EDITOR’S 51Advertising Opportunity! 51LETTERS 55Wills & EstatEsGifts Made in Contemplation of Death 56Trevor Todd and Judith Milliken QC

BOOKS 58nEW coluMn: you asKED us . . . Q & a on lEgal MattErs The Prefab “Power of Attorney” Form 59R. Trevor Todd and Linda J. Yardley

travElThe Seductive South China Seas 60John Ruttan

youth EDucationTake a Hike Youth at Risk Foundation 62aDult EDucationTeambuilding . . . with Cooking! 64Julie Burke

thE challEngE of changETurning Problems into Refreshing New Possibilities! 66Carla Rieger

taxEsBusinesses Need to Prepare for Impacts of Tax Changes 68Lori Bamber

taxEs Medical Expenses: Tax Credit Offers Some Relief 70Kathryn Edwards

voluntEEringVernon Hargreaves’ Daughter Betsy Gibbons Continues Family Tradition 72Pamela Clarke

aniMal rights Campaign to End Animal Cruelty 74John Hoole

tEchnologyI Didn’t Want to Work in a Pet Shop; I Wanted to be a Race Car Driver in the Wilds of Southern Spain! 76Timothy Perrin with much help on this one from Terre Perrin

honours anD EvEntsPeople 78

For Direct Contact with The Scrivener: Voice: 604 985-9250 Fax: 604 985-0900

email: [email protected] Website: www.notaries.bc.ca

The Scrivener is published quarterly by The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia. Box 44, 1220 – 625 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6C 2T6 604 681-4516

All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or reproduced without written permission from the publisher. This journal is a forum for discussion, not a medium of official pronouncement. The Society does not, in any sense, endorse or accept responsibility for opinions expressed by contributors.

The Scrivener: What’s in a Name?“A professional penman, a copyist, a scribe . . . a Notary.” Thus the Oxford English Dictionary describes a Scrivener, the craftsman charged with ensuring that the written affairs of others flow smoothly, seamlessly, and accurately. Where a Scrivener must record the files accurately, it’s the Notary whose Seal is bond.

We chose The Scrivener as the name of our magazine: to celebrate the Notary’s role in drafting, communicating, authenticating, and getting the facts straight. We strive to publish articles about points of law and the Notary profession for the education and enjoyment of our members, our allied professionals, and the public.

Volume15 Number3 Fall2006 The Scrivener 5

6 The Scrivener Volume15 Number3 Fall2006

Inthisissue,wefocusonMulticulturalisminourbeautifulprovince,showing

someuniquecustomsandtraditionsandhowculturesfitintoCanadiansociety.

As we prepared this issue of The Scrivener for our readers and I reviewed the articles, it was clear we are a province of many stories. I love to listen to stories—narratives, true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader. When we listen to a story, we learn so much about people, their lives, their interests—what they are all about.

Storytelling as an Art Form

Wayne Braid

ExECuTivE DirECTor

My friend Heber wanted to carve me a talking stick.

Heber Reece (left), Wayne Braid, and the Talking Stick with the Eagle at the top, then the Prince and the Frog.

There are really good storytellers—those who have the ability to keep you on the edge of your seat, while other storytellers simply relate life’s activities by way of a tale.

Stories can be sad, humourous, happy, hilarious, motivational, or depressing. A story can teach a lesson. And a storyteller can keep you interested . . . or not.

My friend and colleague Bill Anderson is a great teller of wonderfully funny stories about adventures and lessons learned the hard way—and the easy way! Our President Chris Dupuis is a great storyteller, too. If you listen carefully, you will hear stories handed down by his dad, his grandfather, and other family members.

Volume15 Number3 Fall2006 The Scrivener �

When I get together with my friend Jack, the stories from our youth in Terrace just can’t be held back. My wife is so patient; I am sure she has listened to many of the stories more than once! I notice she has recently started to write them down. I am not sure if that is a compliment or if she is keeping track of how many times I tell the same story!

My friend Heber wanted to carve me a talking stick. A talking stick is used by our native people to signify who has the right to speak during a meeting. While the person speaking has the talking stick, others are to remain silent.

The talking stick is also said to spiritually empower the person holding it with words of wisdom and command! To have the power, the actual talking stick must have a story from the carver, as he designs and brings the piece of wood to life.

Here is a story from Heber.

Enjoy—and keep telling your story!

the talking stick: the Burning of the frog A prince and three companions are travelling by canoe to fish for trout. After they catch their fish, they go ashore to cook them. When a frog jumps on the fish they have cooking, the prince throws the frog into the bush next to the fire.

When this happens several times, the prince gets angry and instead of tossing the frog into the bush, he throws it into the fire. One of his companions takes the frog out of the fire and lets it go.

As the prince and the others start to leave in their canoe, a woman appears on the shore. When they go back to see her, they notice her face is blackened by fire. When they reach her, she changes into a frog. As they are leaving, the woman reappears. This happens three times, but the third time the prince and his companions do not return to her.

The frog woman yells to them, At each point you reach on your way back, one of you will die. When you get back

to your village, only one of you will be left to tell what has happened. Then that person will also die.

Later, the frog woman destroys their whole village but spares the sister of the prince, whom she places safely in a cave before she takes her final revenge.

That is why the Frog is a subcrest of the Eagle Clan. s

Heber Reece was born in the village of Klemtu, near Bella Bella, British Columbia. His family moved to Hartley Bay when he was 12. At this young age, Heber began to explore carving in wood. He continued learning on his own until 1988 when he was enrolled in the K’san School of Native Art where he studied mask carving with Vernon Stephens. Since then, his teachers have included Victor Reece, Henry Greene, Art Sterritt, and Earl Muldoe.

Heber works exclusively in wood to carve masks, totems, and rattles in the Tsimshian style. He recently worked on a 180 ft. totem pole in Victoria, the tallest in the world. His work is on display in galleries across the northwest. He currently lives in Terrace, BC.

� The Scrivener Volume15 Number3 Fall2006

Services a BC Notary Can Provide• AffidavitsforAllDocumentsrequiredataPublic

RegistrywithinBC

• AuthorizationofMinorChildTravel

• BusinessPurchase/Sale

• CertifiedTrueCopiesofDocuments

• CommercialLeases&AssignmentofLeases

• ContractsandAgreements

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• EstatePlanning

• Execution/AuthenticationsofInternationalDocuments

• HealthCareDeclarations

• InsuranceLossDeclarations

• LettersofInvitationforForeignTravel

• ManufacturedHomeTransfers

• MarineBillsofSale&Mortgages

• MarineProtestations

• MortgageRefinancingDocumentation

• Notarizations/AttestationsofSignatures

• PassportApplicationDocumentation

• PersonalPropertySecurityAgreements

• PowersofAttorney

• ProofofIdentityforTravelPurposes

• Purchaser’sSideofForeclosures

• RepresentationAgreements

• Residential&CommercialRealEstateTransfers

• RestrictiveCovenants&Builder’sLiens

• StatutoryDeclarations

• Subdivisions&StatutoryBuildingSchemes

• WillsPreparation

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Some BC Notaries provide these services.• MarriageLicences

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FortheBCNotaryofficenearestyou,pleasecall1-�00-663-03�3

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1-800-663-2524 (ext. 293)email: [email protected]

Anyone can make a legacy gift. Your commitment,

whatever its size, will help make cancer history.

Call the Canadian Cancer Society for your free Will Planning Guide:

Volume 15 Number 3 Fall 2006 The Scrivener �

Serving as President of this great Society for the past 2 years has been both

rewarding and humbling.

Looking back on my tenure as President, I have enjoyed wonderful experiences.

I am truly honoured to have had the privilege of leading The Society’s Board of Directors through such exciting times of change.

We are striving to create greater transparency that is so imperative to maintaining the public’s confidence in such areas as the discipline process, self-audit, and access to information with respect to our Society and the way it is administered—internally and externally. Those are the cornerstones upon which we have built the public’s trust and that grant us the ability to maintain our “Tradition of Trust.”

This year Brent Atkinson and Ernie Janzen are retiring their services from the Board. Both these former Presidents brought great fervour and wisdom to the table when tough discussions and sometimes tougher decisions took place.

In their combined 40 years of service, they have helped shape our Society into what it is today. I will miss both these gentlemen greatly and wish them well with all their new-found spare time.

Their retirement, however, creates a great opening for new people and fresh approaches to the governance

of our Society. I look forward with positive anticipation to this change.

I would like to thank various people for the support they have provided me over the past 24 months.

First, I would like to thank the membership for allowing me the privilege of being your President.

Positive and Exciting Times of Change!

I am truly honoured to have had the privilege of

leading The Society’s Board of Directors through such exciting times of change.

Chris Dupuis

president

Board of Directors of The Society of Notaries Public of BC, 2006Standing: (From left) George Tanco, Akash Sablok, John Eastwood, Bill Anderson,

Chris Dupuis, Michael Kravetz (new Director), Tiah Workman, Ken Sherk, Scott Simpson

Seated: (From left) Trish Fedewich (new Director), Leta Best, Susan Davis, Susan Tong, Laurie Salvador

Missing: Larry Stevens, Sr.

To our Executive Director Wayne Braid: Thank you for your tireless work ethic and unquestioned commitment to this Society.

Thanks to the Board of Directors: I am truly honoured to have served as Chair with individuals who have displayed true dedication and unselfishness. We have shared many great experiences and good laughs. I am honoured not only to have led but to have followed these people.

I would most like to thank my entire family for their unwavering sacrifice and support. I am truly blessed to have their love and patience in my life. s


Themulticulturalismexperiencewasnotpartofmyupbringinginasmall

towninOntario.

Times have changed. Today, Canada’s composition is representative of a global village.

In BC, we have an exceptional opportunity to get to know people from other countries and backgrounds. With our cosmopolitan mix, we are an excellent example of the way various ethnic groups can live together in harmony.

Food is one way we can enjoy our myriad cultures. Many of us regularly dine in Greek, Chinese, East Indian, Italian, and Japanese restaurants—to name a delicious few!

In sourcing our articles, I learned that some of the old customs are being left behind, perhaps because cultures tend to become diluted in a new country.

The wedding of Akash and Raj Sablok (page 20), however, was rich with tradition. Sikh weddings are known to start on “Punjabi time” (late), but the lavish ceremonial activities for this event began right on schedule.

I asked Akash why he had a beard in some of the wedding photos.

“The beard must be worn with the turban as part of the dedication to the Sikh faith,” he said. “I grew my beard in 2 weeks for the wedding ceremony and shaved it off for the pictures in the afternoon!”

In some cultures, names bear significance. In the Punjabi language, Akash means Sky or Horizon and Raj means Royalty or Ruler. In Farsi, my friend Mitra’s name means Goddess of the Sunshine. That is very beautiful and certainly suits her!

respect your differences and celebrate your similarities.

Our Cover Story personality is The Honourable Wally Oppal, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism in BC. Judith Milliken QC shares her thoughts about him . . .

Attorney General Wally Oppal is universally well liked and respected. Born and educated in Vancouver, he has focused his career on improving social justice and community safety. While a judge, he chaired the Oppal Commission of Enquiry into Policing in British Columbia and authored the Commission report.

Known as a good listener, as Attorney General he maintains open channels of communication with the community.

With his keen intellect, friendly manner, and irreverent sense of humour, he is also a very popular speaker. Little wonder both the legal and multicultural community have pride and confidence in Mr. Oppal.

When reviewing the draft of our Cover Story interview, the AG replaced “Mr. Oppal” with the less formal “Wally.” That is an indicator of his approachable style in government. s

Multicultural Relationships

Working and playing together can help build awareness, tolerance,

and patience—and, ultimately, relationships.

Val Wilson

kEyNoTE

BC Notaries represent a wide cross-section of cultures; many speak several languages. On The Society’s new Website—www.notaries.bc.ca—under the Find a Notary “Search” feature, you simply indicate the language in which you prefer to do business and up pops a list of Notaries who can assist you!

Working and playing together can help build awareness, tolerance, and patience—and, ultimately, relationships. When you have a relationship, you can more easily


“ItismydeepesthopethatCanadawillmatchitsnewlegalmaturitywiththat

degreeofpoliticalmaturitywhichwillallowustomakeatotalcommitmenttotheCanadianideal.IspeakofaCanadawheremenandwomenofAboriginalancestry,ofFrenchandBritishheritage,ofthediverseculturesoftheworld,demonstratethewilltosharethislandinpeace,injustice,andwithmutualrespect.”

The Right Honourable Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Prime Minister of Canada April 17, 1982

Multiculturalism in Canada is an ongoing, noble experiment. But times change, and while diversity has been a fundamental characteristic of Canada since its beginnings, there are limits to the concepts of pluralism and how they are played out in our society.

In the world today, Canada is distinguished in its approach to diversity. Each year, approximately 200,000 immigrants choose Canada as their new home because of its opportunity, its quality of life, and its reputation as a peaceful, open, and caring society.

A Peaceful WelcomeCanada has a long tradition of welcoming newcomers. Prior to European settlement, there were more than 56 Aboriginal nations speaking more than 30 languages in the land that is now known as Canada. Long before Columbus and Champlain, in Onondaga Territory, five First Nations leaders planted the Tree of the Great Peace.

“If any man or any nation outside of the Five Nations shall show a desire to obey the laws of the Great Peace…they shall be welcomed to take shelter beneath the Tree,” said Deganawidah, one of the founders of the Iroquois Confederacy. As first the French and then the English colonized these territories, treaties were signed that acknowledged Aboriginal nationhood.

With Confederation in 1867, both English and French were accorded official constitutional

status, and many powers were assigned to member provinces. Today, Canadian laws and policies continue to nurture wider diversity and create an environment where individuals can be treated with respect and allowed to reach their full potential. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Employment Equity Act, the Official Languages Act, the Pay Equity Act, and the Multiculturalism Act all stand as testimony to Canada’s intent of inclusion.

As a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, Canada demonstrates internationally its commitment to pluralism.

This national commitment is reinforced by provincial and territorial laws, human rights commissions, and many programs that promote diversity. This tradition of diversity is championed in many communities and cities through local governments and their associations across this land.

But things are different from when the Bill of Rights was signed in 1960 or when Canada’s Immigration Act was changed in 1962 so that “any suitable qualified person from any part of the world could be considered for immigration to Canada, without regard to his race, colour, national origin, or the country from which he comes.”

Canada has a long tradition of welcoming

newcomers.

Nigel Atkin

FEaTurE

Canada welcomes newcomers and values diversity. Many people have come—and are still coming—to Canada for peace, order, and good government, leaving behind war and other tragedies that have created economic and humanitarian woe.

Limits to Multiculturalism?


Things are different today from 1988 when the Canadian Multiculturalism Act declared it to be the policy of the Government of Canada to foster the recognition and appreciation of the diverse cultures of Canadian society and promote the reflection and the evolving expressions of those cultures.

What is different today is our ability to communicate.

The good intentions of all the laws mentioned above did not envision a world of competing international tribes where communication was instant, impactful, and relentless. It is often difficult for immigrants in Canada and elsewhere to escape the many reasons why they left their homelands for their new opportunities in Canada. The injustices—even war—and their friends and families who remain in distant lands are but a cell-phone call or an Internet click away. Newcomers are often in direct contact with those they left behind and current with events in those lands.

Technology: a Double-Edged Sword Communication technology as it relates to multiculturalism in Canada is a great challenge. The double-edged sword that informs us of the benefits of pluralism can work to retard the awareness, understanding, and acceptance of what it is to be a Canadian by keeping issues of conflict in previous homelands front-of-mind.

These links often foment pain—even hatred—and perpetuate struggles beyond the original initial borders of strife.

Today, Canada is not immune to struggles being carried out in different parts of the world. The Congo, Palestine, Iraq, and Haiti are just a few of the examples drawn from recent news reports.

The Internet, email, other wireless technology, telecommunications, cell phones, and global news coverage have collapsed the distance between residents in Canada and the events back in the land of their origin—troubles that in many cases were the very reasons for their initial escape.

Decades ago, when concepts of Multiculturalism were established, a letter would take weeks to arrive in a new immigrant’s home in Canada. There was no instant access to immediate current events, no simultaneous emotional impact as to what was transpiring in the homeland. The distance from events has been

Communicating, educating, and instilling the open, peaceful, and caring values of Canadian society have not kept pace with the establishment of “global” multicultural societies. At the same time, links between newcomers and their country of origin have increased, making a new start in this new land even more difficult.

Today, Canada is not immune to struggles being

carried out in different parts of the world.

1� The Scrivener Volume15 Number3 Fall2006

eradicated by technology. It is hard to embrace a new country when technology links people to tribal tensions thousands of miles away.

Canada—as is the world, as is the “melting pot” of the United States—is facing a diffusion of interests, ideas, cultures, and beliefs reinforced by global access to communication technology.

Canada, to its credit, nurtures diversity and enshrines multiculturalism in law, but it is not immune to conflict within its borders. Examples are the Air India bombing, recent arrests for fundamentalist terror, and the extortion of money to fund a war in the Indian Ocean.

Admittedly, there are natural and longstanding tensions in Canada that flow from the differences among people. Ongoing land claims and land use issues, sovereignty, and human and other rights provide numerous examples. Generally speaking though, through laws, policies, and the traditional practice of dialogue, Canadians adapt and understand that the differences between us do not have to divide us. This is true in language, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual preferences, age, and range of abilities.

Living the Great PeaceAs for the transient violence that can creep across oceans, across borders into Canada, through immigrants and others, and into the deeds of Canadians, I quote from a song written by Stan Rogers in 1983, called The House of Orange. While conflicts may change over time, his message is universal and seems apropos to issues we face in this nation today. I have nowhere found better ideas to support what Canada means to the individual who is raising his or her family away from war and other strife than in his lyrics:

I took back my hand and I showed him the door No dollar of mine would I part with this day For fueling the engines of bloody cruel war In my forefather’s land far away.

Canada is the great model of dialogue, of inclusion and hope. There are limits to pluralism as framed by ancient and contemporary law and common sense. The limits were clearly stated by the founders of the Iroquois Confederacy. The shelter Canada provides comes with an obligation to understand and live the original teachings of the Great Peace.

The diversity we honour requires a commitment to dialogue, to become better communicators who create a wider understanding and respect for what it is to be Canadian.

To counter the influence of strife in other lands and its manifestation within its own borders, Canada and Canadians need to develop their skills in communication. As the antidote to violence at home and abroad, we need to share and actively promote Canadian values in our communities, with newcomers and externally around the world—If there are wars back home, leave them there. Canada is a model for your new life, for peace and order in your family and community. Welcome.

If we understand, live, and communicate this message, perhaps Canada’s model of diversity in federation can become a model for the world. s

Nigel Atkin,MA,isacommunicationinstructorandconsultant.HeteachesattheUniversityofVictoriaandoffersseminarsoncommunityandpublicrelations,ethics,andAboriginalAwareness.

Voice: 250��-33��[email protected]

Communicating is Key Our longtime contributor Nigel Atkin is passionate about communication—building bridges of understanding between cultures. His Scrivener writings on Aboriginal people and his ideas on preemptive peacekeeping and mediation—and, in this issue, the limits to multiculturalism—mark his respect for people and Canada.

This Fall, armed with a Master of Arts degree in strategic communication, a wealth of stories, a decade of teaching at the University of Victoria, and his working experience from England to Yukon and Cleveland to Victoria, he is offering practical 1-day professional development workshops to share his unique insight.

“I like to cut to the chase in subjects like communication, ethical decision-making, and community relations. With serious labour shortages looming, businesses, governments, First Nations, and not-for-profit organizations all need to build their communication capacity,” he says.

Hosted by organizations such as the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada – Victoria Regional Group, Nigel has recently launched four new workshops.

• Developing Business and Community Relations

• Practical Business Ethics

• Aboriginal Awareness from a New Perspective

• 20 Things I Teach in Public Relations

“I’ve been asked to share my ideas, views, and what I have picked up from mentors, Elders, and others. As our country is at war—and in these times everything changes rapidly—developing dialogue within and between communities seems like the right work for me.

“While we improve media literacy, we are also making people better communicators through critical thinking. The tools and processes we share benefit businesses, governments, communities, and individuals.”


January 2006 1 New Year’s Day (North America, Commonwealth) 11 Eid al-adha (Islam) Feast of Sacrifice (Concludes pilgrimage to Mecca) 13 Lohri (Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh) Festival celebrating fire and the beginning of the harvest season 25 Robbie Burns Day 29 Chinese Lunar New Year (Year of the Dog) 31 Hijra New Year (Islam)

February 2006 Black History Month 12 to 18 Multiculturalism Week 14 Valentines Day 17 National Heritage Day

March 2006 9 Commonwealth Day 15 Holi (Hindu) Festival of Colours 17 St. Patrick’s Day 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racism 21 Spring Equinox 30 Hindu New Year 30 Ramayana to April 6

april 2006 6 Tartan Day (Scottish) 12 Passover 14 Good Friday and Vaisakhi (Sikh) 16 Easter Sunday 23 St. George’s Day 24 Armenian Memorial Day 25 National Day of Holocaust Survivors

(Yom ha-Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day)

May 2006 Asian Heritage Month 5 Cinco de Mayo (Mexican) 12 Birthday of Buddha 23 to 26 Aboriginal Awareness Week 23 Komagata Maru Commemoration Day, Vancouver 29 Heritage Day (Korean) 31 Dragon Boat Festival (Chinese)

June 2006 21 National Aboriginal Day 21 Summer Soltice 24 Saint-Jean Baptiste Day 30 Victoria ICA Folkfest to July 9

July 2006 1 Canada Day 14 to 16 Vancouver Folk Music Festival

august 2006 1 BC Day 16 Birthday of Krishna (Hindu) 17 Birthday of Marcus Garvey (Rastafarian)

septeMber 2006 23 Rosh Hashana 7 Mid-Autumn Festival (Chinese) 21 Autumnal Equinox 24 Ramadan (Islam) to Oct. 23

OctOber 2006 1 Yom Kippur (Jewish) 9 Thanksgiving (Canadian) 21 Diwali Festival of Light (Hindu, Sikh) 22 Vikram New Year 2063 31 Halloween

nOveMber 2006 1 All Saints Day 4 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution 5 Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib (Sikh) 11 Remembrance Day 12 Birthday of Bahaullah (Baha’i) 23 Thanksgiving (American) 29 International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People 30 St. Andrew’s Day

DeceMber 2006 1 World AIDS Day 2 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery 3 International Day of Disabled Persons 5 International Volunteer Day 6 National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women 10 International Human Rights Day 16 to 24 Hannukah 18 International Migrants Day 21 Winter Solstice 25 Christmas

Multicultural Calendar for BC 2006


InFebruary2006,IhadthehonourofbeingappointedParliamentarySecretary

totheMinisterofCanadianHeritage.

As stated by the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Secretaries are an important part of the team that will implement the commitments we have made to Canadians. Parliamentary Secretaries support dialogue by

In that context, these last few months have proven to be a tremendous opportunity to participate in numerous multicultural-related events. The dialogues I have had with organizers and participants have created a tremendous awareness of the issues within the ethnic communities in Canada.

During one of the conferences I attended this year, I spoke on the effects of immigration and diversity on our society in general. Canada is a nation of immigrants. Some have ancestors who came here many generations ago. Some have parents who came here more recently. And others arrived at Vancouver Airport last week. But no matter where we or our families came from, we have one thing in common: The choice was made to start a new life here, in a new land—a land of opportunity.

We are also working to make Canadian institutions more reflective of Canada’s demographics by assisting federal institutions to develop policies, programs, and services that are responsive to and reflective of our diversity. You can rest assured that the federal government will continue to focus its efforts to reach vulnerable communities and support integration activities.

Personally, as someone who has always been committed to helping young people, I am very pleased to say that we support the integration

…we have one thing in common: The choice was made to start a new life here, in a new land—a

land of opportunity.

Jim Abbott

FEaTurE

sharing information and bringing the concerns of Parliamentarians to the Minister and within the government, along with other specific duties delegated by the Minister.

Diversity is the Key to Better Business

and Stronger Communities

The Honourable Jim Abbott (centre), Wayne Braid (left), Laurie Salvador, and Tarlok Sablok at a gathering at the Sablok residence

Volume15 Number3 Fall2006 The Scrivener 1�

of ethnocultural and ethnoracial youth by identifying, funding, and promoting initiatives to address youth marginalization.

Recently, Prime Minister Stephen Harper affirmed the government’s view that Canada’s multiculturalism has been a source of strength. In a speech to the World Urban Forum in Vancouver, he noted that people from all over the world have come to Canada and helped build this nation. He said, “The unique blending of cultures and geography has created one of the most diverse, harmonious, and successful societies on earth.”

The Canadian government is determined to continue to build on the strengths of multiculturalism while continuing to remind Canadians of those values that we all share.

Of course, the government recognizes the sad reality that Canada sometimes failed to be as open and welcoming as we could have wished. One example is the Chinese Head Tax imposed on immigrants from China from 1885 to 1923. The tax caused hardship for many Chinese families who made Canada their home and left a legacy of bitterness in the Chinese community.

To put that legacy in the past, the Prime Minister has recently apologized on behalf of the people of Canada. He told the House of Commons, “And even though the head tax—a product of a profoundly different time—lies far in our past, we feel compelled to right this historic wrong for the simple reason that it is the decent thing to do, a characteristic to be found at the core of the Canadian soul.”

As population growth among visible minority groups outpaces [growth in] nonvisible minority groups, the public and private sectors are taking action to ensure that British Columbia is poised to benefit from this changing demographic. Within the province, and indeed across Canada, we cannot afford to ignore our human potential.

By 2017, 1 in 5 Canadians will belong to a visible minority group. In British Columbia the statistic is even higher: nearly 1 in 3 people will belong to a visible minority group by that time.

A recent academic study estimates that visible minorities possess $76 billion worth of combined purchasing power in Canada and form 39 percent of the

The unique blending of cultures and geography

has created one of the most diverse, harmonious,

and successful societies on earth.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper (centre) with Shabnam Sablok and Tarlok Sablok

Prime Minister Stephen Harper with young Punjabi folk dancers in Surrey, BC


consumer market in Vancouver. In addition to being a considerable market force, immigrants and visible minority groups fill gaps in Canada’s labour force.

Both private and public sector organizations now know that cultural and linguistic differences are benefits that improve customer service, provide a competitive advantage, increase profits, and improve the culture within their organizations.

Newcomers to Canada often face challenges integrating into a new country, community, and labour market. To help with these transitions, Canada’s new government is committed to providing resources for settlement and immigration.

In Budget 2006, the government committed $307 million over 2 years, over and above investments provided in recent budgets, to enhance programs and services in provinces and territories, including British Columbia. This additional investment will allow immigrants to adapt quickly and successfully and have every opportunity to contribute to the economy and society.

Settlement and integration programs that provide services such as language instruction and employment-related support help

supports the new thinking that equity and efficiency go together, assuring Canada’s standing as a world leader.

We all know that as the population of our country ages, we need more young people, and we must help them achieve their full potential. We should not waste the efforts of even one of our citizens.

We can also be a model of how different peoples and cultures can live together in an atmosphere of harmony and respect, where everyone has the opportunity to take part in every aspect of society, as an equal member.

Finally, and most important, in a nation as rich as Canada, we must constantly work to ensure that all of our citizens have the opportunity to help build our common future. The government is committed to building a nation where all Canadians can come together to celebrate our diversity and our common values. s

Jim Abbott isaMemberofParliament,KootenayColumbia,andParliamentarySecretarytotheMinisterofCanadianHeritage.

immigrants overcome the stresses of moving to a new country.

In addition to being a considerable market force,

immigrants and visible minority groups fill gaps in Canada’s labour force.

Presentation of a traditional Indian shawl to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, presented by Tarlok Sablok, Jasbir Sandhu, and Sahib Thind at the Professor Mohan Singh Foundation event in Surrey, BC

Shabnam Sablok with Lorraine Harper, wife of Stephen Harper

The Government of Canada’s Multiculturalism Program conducts a number of activities to remove barriers to participation in Canada’s social, political, cultural, and economic life. Ensuring participation of Canadians of all ethnocultural backgrounds will strengthen the fabric of our society in an era of increasing globalization, and build a world-leading economy driven by innovation, ideas, and talents.

Both Canada and British Columbia have a Multiculturalism Act that requires government to design and deliver programs and services that are sensitive to our multicultural reality.

This legislation yields real benefits to Canada. These efforts by government are mirrored by a private sector that is making adjustments to ensure it responds to the demands and opportunities that diversity brings. The Canadian approach


Multiculturalismandimmigrationisintegraltothesuccessofthe

economyofBritishColumbia.

Over the next decade or so, we will see more than a million jobs created in this province, yet if every high school graduate entered the workforce, we would still be short some 350,000 workers. The only way to fill those jobs is to encourage—and increase—the flow of immigrants to this province.

The encouragement of multiculturalism, of the support for history and heritage of our immigrants, not only generates respect for different ethnicities and curtails racism, it provides a network for new immigrants to become part of the community through language and custom familiarity.

Always a staunch supporter of immigration and cultural identity, our government actively encourages the expression of ethnic difference. Most of our MLAs, and certainly our Premier Gordon Campbell, attend festivals and events throughout the year that honour the diversity of our province.

British Columbia has one of the most diverse ethnic and cultural mixes in Canada, if not the world.

As an immigrant myself, I know and understand how difficult and intimidating it can sometimes be to enter a new world and a new life without proficient language skills. By celebrating our differences here, and encouraging the growth and expression of diversity, we are making newcomers feel more at home, more comfortable, and more quickly able to become full contributors to our society.

This government also expresses its strong advocacy of immigration through such support mechanisms as the Provincial Nominee Program, the encouragement of off-shore investors wishing to locate here, and the support of quicker credentialling of foreign-trained professionals.

But perhaps most significant is the support for people who choose to make a new life here, the encouragement of their differences, and the celebration of those differences through festivals, organizations, and community groups.

There is nothing that makes a new British Columbian feel more welcome than to know that his or her customs and beliefs are not only respected but celebrated in their new land.

These expressions of homeland, culture, and diversity bring about a better understanding of our differences and create the environment of respect, tolerance, and acceptance throughout our great multicultural mix.

The celebrations of difference of people across this province from Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, India, the Philippines, Japan, China, the Middle East, and all points in between are truly heartwarming and certainly in my opinion make British Columbia the best place on earth to live. s

Dave HayerisMLAforSurrey–TyneheadandParliamentarySecretaryforMulticulturalismandImmigrationinBritishColumbia.

Voice: 60�501-3201Fax: 60�[email protected]

British Columbia has one of the most diverse

ethnic and cultural mixes in Canada, if not

the world.

Dave S. Hayer

FEaTurE

As Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and Immigration, I attend events almost on a daily basis; I have visited with representative groups of almost every ethnicity known.

Creating the Environment of Respect, Tolerance, and

Acceptance


IndianweddingsoftheSikhtraditionareknowntobelavish.

Wedding preparations begin well in advance and the whole wedding process is accompanied by many traditional ceremonies. I will give you a glimpse of the traditional Sikh wedding and share some of my experiences.

of the bride-to-be with families and close friends. It is the formal asking of the bride’s hand in marriage by the groom’s family. After a small prayer by the priest, rings are exchanged and a wedding day is fixed.

At our Thaka in September 2005, in the presence of the Guru Grant Sahib—the Sikh holy book—the priest blessed us on our decision to become one. Guests presented us with

I will give you a glimpse of the traditional Sikh

wedding…

FEaTurE

Once the boy and the girl commit to marry, a Thaka or Roka “announcement of engagement” ceremony is performed at the house

The Sikh Wedding Ceremony

Raj Sablok

The Milni Ceremony outside the temple hall. From left: Nidi Sablok from New Delhi (cousin); Shabnam Sablok (mother of the groom); Mrs. Sablok from New Delhi (aunt); Balwinder Grewal (mother of the bride); Akash Sablok (groom); Tarlok Sablok (father of the groom); Arjun Sablok (brother of the groom); Balraj Grewal (brother of the bride); and Dr. Sablok from New Delhi (uncle).


a blessing in the form of money and jewellery. An interesting start of events!

Closer to our wedding date of March 12, 2006, was a party to celebrate and enjoy the happy occasion with singing and dancing.

The Chunni Chadana, a tradition performed by the groom’s side of the family, is the dressing up and blessing of the bride by her future in-laws. Close female relatives of the groom carried in the decorated baskets prepared by my mother-

A few days before the wedding…a paste made

of henna—a natural colouring agent—is applied in intricate designs on the

bride’s hands and feet.

The bride-to-be with the groom-to-be and his parents Shabnam and Tarlok at the Thaka (engagement)

The bride and groom sitting in the temple, in front of the Guru Grant Sahib, right after the marriage ceremony. The bride’s mother and sisters are behind them.

The bride signing the Marriage Certificate. Akash, a Notary, joked that even at his own wedding, he was witnessing a document!

The groom coming on the horse, part of the Baraat

As per tradition, Nidi Sablok adds ornaments to the turban

in-law. They contained mehandi (henna), clothes, jewellery, fruits, dry fruits, dried coconut, dried dates, bangles, sindoor (vermilion powder), and a red dupatta (veil). My mother-in-law performed the ceremony by putting on me the jewellery and dupatta she had selected and blessed me by feeding me the fruits.

A few days before the wedding, in the mehandi ceremony at the bride’s house, a paste made of henna—a natural colouring agent—is applied in intricate designs on the bride’s hands and feet. This step in “decorating” the bride is considered a transition period from her simple life to extravagant married life. For fun, the name of the groom is hidden in the mehandi design; it is up to the groom to find his name on the wedding night. The faster he finds it, the more he is said to love his wife.


Most girls have designs put on their full arms and their legs up to the knees. After 4 hours, I requested the artist to stop at my elbows and feet. Her designs were so intricate, they took a long time. With the excitement, it was hard for me to sit still. I had to spend the rest of the day waiting for the mehandi to dry. I couldn’t move an inch for several hours, but I was spoiled during that time—everything was brought to me and I was spoon-fed.

The day before the wedding is the Mayan or purification ceremony.

already blindfolded and on the horse that would carry him to the temple entrance. A 17-piece band and bagpipers played traditional hymns while the groom’s family and friends, known as the Baraat, danced in front of the horse.

Once the Baraat arrives, a Milni reception is held by the bride’s family. A small Ardaas (prayer) is said by the priest. The bride’s father greets the groom’s father by garlanding him and he is garlanded in return. The bride’s male relatives greet their counterparts in the groom’s family, in sequence.

After a tea-and-snack break, the groom enters the main prayer room in the temple and sits down in front of the Guru Grant Sahib (Sikh holy book). The Ragies (religious singers) perform a simple ceremony and sing hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib as people enter the Gurudwara, the temple. Men and women guests sit on opposite sides of the hall while the ceremony is performed.

The bride walks in and sits beside the groom. In traditional Sikh weddings, there are no bridesmaids or flower girls, but even traditions get updated. We had bridesmaids, flower girls and even ushers at our wedding. The parents of both sides and the bride and groom stand while a prayer is recited.

After Ardas, the guests sit down and the Officiate lectures about the significance of marriage. The couple indicates their agreement to these

Vatna—a mixture of turmeric powder, whole wheat flour, and oil—is applied to the hands, arms, feet, and legs of the bride and groom. The mixture “cleanses” the person, to get him or her ready for life with the new spouse.

Bride and groom are not allowed to see each other after this ceremony. It is suggested that they not leave their respective homes or engage in household duties. It is strictly a time to rest and be pampered.

It is said the Sikh wedding should be completed by

12 noon because that auspicious time will result

in a prosperous union.

The married couple at their reception with guests: Notaries Susan Davis and Laurie Salvador, and Wayne Braid, Executive Director of The Society of Notaries Public of BC

The bride’s maternal uncle performs the Chuda Chadaana, where he decorates her with ivory-coloured bangles and paints them with red colour. The bride will wear these bangles for at least the first month of her marriage.

It is said the Sikh wedding should be completed by 12 noon because that auspicious time will result in a prosperous union. Akash and I promised each other we would be finished before noon. True to our word, we reached the temple on time—he arrived at 9:35 am and I at 9:40. I was one of few brides able to see her groom on the horse, which is considered very lucky. He was

The bride and groom at Minoru Park in Richmond, BC, after the wedding ceremony

Raj’s Mehandi designs


guidelines and principles by bowing before Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The father or another respected male relative of the bride places one end of the groom’s scarf into the bride’s hands to signify the giving away of the bride and the start of her new life with her husband.

The Officiate reads the Lavan (hymn). At the completion of each of four stanzas, the groom, followed by the bride, walks clockwise around Sri Guru Granth Sahib, while the Ragies sing the stanzas to signify the progression of the marriage ceremony and union with the Lord.

The Anand hymn is recited, followed by lectures and a singing prayer. The religious ceremony is formally concluded when the congregation stands for the final Ardas of the marriage.

The Guru reads a random hymn from Sri Guru Granth Sahib as a proclamation of the day’s order for the occasion (hukamnama). To celebrate the completion of the ceremony, a sweet is distributed to all attendees.

After congratulating the couple, friends and family share a traditional meal—Langar—in the community kitchen.

The entire ceremony seemed to run in fast-motion. We had made so many preparations for this day and it went by in the blink of an eye. We left the temple with a feeling of warmth and comfort. My husband describes this feeling as most amazing. “You

(prayer) with a pitcher of water. She makes several attempts to drink the water. The groom must allow his mother to succeed only at the seventh attempt. The bride enters, putting her right foot in the door first, then the Mooh Dikhai ceremony is performed. As close family and friends of the groom’s side are introduced to the bride, they offer gifts as a token of love and play games with the bride to make her feel welcome.

Finally, we had time to get a little rest before the huge reception party, which was hosted by the groom’s side the following week.

For the Punjabi wedding reception, get out your dancing shoes. It’s definitely time to rock the night away! To practise for the dancing, hold your hands up in the air and turn them like you’re screwing in a light-bulb. There! You’ve just taken Reception Bhangra Dancing 101!

The next time you attend a Sikh wedding, you’ll have a better understanding of the events taking place. Please don’t feel shy about asking what the rituals mean and what is going on. People will be more than happy to explain it.

Enjoy the food, ambience, hospitality, and warmth of all the ceremonies. I know we did. s

Raj SablokisthewifeofNotaryAkashSablokanddaughter-in-lawofNotaryTarlokSablok.Abankerbyprofession,sheiscurrentlystudyingCriminology.

enter the temple a single man and walk out in unionship with someone you’re going to spend the rest of your life with.”

I couldn’t agree more.

You enter the temple a single man and walk out in unionship with

someone you’re going to spend the rest of your

life with.

The married couple at their reception with Chris Dupuis (second from left), President of The Society, his wife Janet Dupuis (far left), and Notary Scott Simpson and his wife Jacquie Simpson

A moment for the married couple to sit back and enjoy the entertainment at the reception

After wedding pictures in the park, we drove to my home for the Doli Ceremony. The bride is let into the house but for the groom to get in, he must bribe the sisters and friends of the bride. Lots of pranks are played here, from both the girl’s and the boy’s side.

Once the fun is done, it’s finally time for the bride to leave her parents’ home. This is an extremely emotional moment. The bride throws a handful of rice back over her shoulder to signify repayment of her debts to her parents for having looked after her all these years. Wishing prosperity for her parents and family, she leaves to start a new life, dreams, and aspirations.

The newlyweds are welcomed at the groom’s door, where the groom’s mother performs the pani bharna ceremony with traditional Aarti


of the community. To recognize its critical role as a community and cultural organization, the school was renamed the Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall (VJLS-JH). It became the centre of Japanese language education and social and community life.

When WWII broke out in 1941, the Canadian government confiscated the homes, properties, and businesses of all Japanese Canadians and relocated them to internment camps at least 100 miles from the coast. At that

Laura Saimoto, VJLS History Committee

FEaTurE

The Early YearsIn the late 1880s, new Japanese immigrants to Canada began to settle and work around Hastings Mill, near the waterfront in the Powell Street area—what became known as Japantown.

With the increased concentration of Japanese families, there was a rising demand for a school to teach the children of new immigrants. Thus, in 1905 to 1906, the Japanese Canadian community came together to build a community school. The Vancouver Japanese Language School opened in a new wooden building at the corner of Alexander Street and Jackson Avenue—one block north of Powell Street, which was the main avenue for Japantown before WWII.

Now, for an entire century, we have operated as a nonprofit, community-based organization that is committed to education, culture, and community.

When the school first opened, all regular school subjects were taught—math, history, science, etc., and of course, the Japanese language. With the growth of the school and the Japanese immigrant population, however, in 1919 the school narrowed its focus to teach the Japanese language only after children had attended regular English public school during the day.

In 1928, the school expanded into a new building adjacent to the original structure to accommodate the school population and the needs

Vancouver Japanese Language School: Celebrating 100 Years of

Education and Community Spirit

time, the school—whose population was more than 1000 students—was forced to close its doors.

Japanese Canadians were not allowed to return to the coast until 1949. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of many Japanese Canadians who did return to Vancouver, half the property of the school and hall was returned to the community and the facility was able reopen its doors in 1953. Of all the properties cars, homes, and businesses appropriated by the Canadian government, VJLS-JH is the only Japanese Canadian property to retain ownership after the War.

Rebuilding from ScratchThough starting their lives over again from scratch after the “Lost War years,” many in the community believed that having their children learn Japanese and reopening the school was important

New complex built in Year 2000 (Y2K Project)

…we have operated as a nonprofit, community-

based organization that is committed to education, culture, and community.


for rebuilding the identity and pride of their shattered community.

Many community fundraising events were held to help raise funds for the school; the tradition of volunteerism grew and thrived. This 100-year tradition is carried on today.

Do I have to go J School?Since 1906, thousands of students have attended the school to learn Japanese and, in doing so, learn about Japanese culture.

Pre-WWII school graduates wanted to be out rollerskating or playing baseball with their friends. Today’s generation wants to play soccer or enjoy video games on their laptops. But no matter the generation, you hear the same story: When I was a kid, I hated going to Japanese School. Now I understand the value of the school and am grateful that my parents took me.

Adapting to the TimesVJLS-JH has continued to evolve and reflect the changing needs and fabric of Canada’s multicultural society. With the emergence of Japan as an economic, technological, and cultural leader, the importance of Japanese as an international language and the need for multilingual global communicators and citizens has grown immensely.

To embrace the new century and to fulfill its burgeoning role as a centre for multicultural education and community programs, in 2000 a new spacious facility was built adjoining the original 1928 structure, now a designated heritage building. With an approximate area of 36,000 sq. ft. on five floors, it truly is a permanent legacy for future generations.

We continue to provide education in the Japanese language and culture. In response to changing societal needs, we have developed new and unique programs. One very popular recent program development is the early childhood education Japanese immersion program, Kodomo no Kuni.

Cultural arts programs are also offered at the school to emphasize the holistic approach to education that integrates what we are about: Education, Community, and Culture.

Please join us in celebrating 100 years of education and community spirit. s

Laura SaimotoisChairofPublicationsCommitteeandmemberoftheHistoryCommittee.

Voice: 60�25�-2551Fax: 60�25�-�[email protected]

Schoolchildren in front of the school in 1910. Bloomers for girls and short pants for boys were the “in” style of the time.

Life along Powell Street and Japantown in the 1930s

1953 School Reestablishment Committee, instrumental in fighting to have the school returned to the Japanese Canadian community


In1��ayoungsailornamedManzoNaganowalkedashoreinNewWestminster,

BC,andunwittinglybecameCanada’sfirstofficialimmigrantfromJapan.

I say “unwittingly” because he had stowed away on a British vessel whose destination was unknown to him.

I say “official” because there is evidence that during the 16th and 17th centuries, Japanese fishermen had become shipwrecked in the Queen Charlottes and enslaved by Kyuquot Band.

In any event, this young man worked very hard in his new home as a fisherman, longshoreman, tobacconist, restaurateur, hotelier, and storekeeper. In 1977, Mount Manzo Nagano, near Rivers Inlet, BC, was commemorated in his name.

Soon after the arrival of Manzo Nagano—during Japan’s liberal Meiji Era, when foreign travel was finally permitted—the first wave of Japanese immigrants arrived and the population rose from 5000 in 1901 to over 18,000 in 1907. The majority of these rural immigrants were farmers and fishermen plus a few businesspeople. Very few had any education. Most found local employment in logging, lumbering, mining, and fishing.

The Japanese had no such tax imposed on them but, after the race riots of 1907, the Canadian and Japanese governments agreed to a quota system, admitting only 400 males per year, with no limit on women and children. In 1928 this quota was reduced to 150 individuals per year.

During the Second World War, the entire population of Japanese Canadians—approximately 21,000 people, 80 percent of whom were Canadian citizens—were interned by the federal government as “security threats.” Their assets were seized and their properties were sold.

In 1988, the Canadian government gave redress to the 18,000 survivors.

In addition to the indignities that were put upon the Japanese Canadians, they were not allowed to

hold civil service positions and not allowed to vote (until 1949).

Since 1967, there has been a second wave of Japanese immigrants who, unlike their predecessors, are highly educated and come from urban areas of Japan.

The current population of Japanese Canadians is approximately 90,000, making it the 30th-largest ethnic group in Canada. It is interesting to note that percentages of intermarriages in this community are the highest of all ethnic groups.

The Japanese Canadian community is comprised of 41 percent single ancestries born in Canada, 22 percent single ancestry born abroad, and 37 percent mixed ancestry—a dramatic increase from the 26 percent in 1991. They are the most integrated and assimilated group of all ethnic communities. In British Columbia the Japanese community has a population of approximately 30,000 of which 70 percent are of single ancestry. Famous Japanese Canadians include David Suzuki, Joy Kogawa, Paul Kariya, Jon Kimura Parker, and our Kamloops Notary Seiko Ouchi.

Japan is Canada’s second-largest customer for our exports and was, until recently, when it was surpassed by China, our second-largest source of imports.

With its large Japanese population, Vancouver is an active

The current population of Japanese Canadians

is approximately 90,000, making it the 30th-largest ethnic group in Canada.

Roy Cammack

FEaTurE

During this time, there was a great deal of racism in Canada, particularly on the West Coast. In an attempt to discourage Asian immigration, the Canadian government imposed its infamous head tax on the Chinese.

The Japanese People in BC


community for cultural events. The 30-year-old Powell Street Festival is the largest, attracting over 10,000 visitors. It is held in the area that was historically “Japantown.”

The new heart and soul of the Japanese community can be found at “Nikkei Place” at Kingsway and Sperling in Burnaby, which serves as a community centre, museum, seniors residence, and assisted living centre. At this venue are interesting events such as Mochi (rice cake) making at New Year’s time and Cherry Blossom Viewing in the spring. As well, there are sake and wine tastings and many other trade and cultural events.

As a Japanese speaker, I have been fortunate to be of service to many Japanese clients. Some are located offshore, some are recent immigrants or visitors, and others have been here for many years and seem to have forgotten how to speak English. Throughout all of my dealings in this community, I have found these clients to be the most polite and appreciative of the services that I as a Notary can offer. s

Inhiscomprehensivenotarialpractice,Roy Cammackdealswithallaspectsofrealestateanditsdevelopment.Heofferscustom-drafted“PlainEnglish”WillsandPowersofAttorney.SincebecomingaNotaryin1��2,hehasbeenservingtheSouthSurrey/WhiteRockcommunity.RoyhasmaintainedanactiveroleinhiscommunitywithvariouspositionsontheWhiteRockHospiceSociety,CityofSurreyHeritageCommission,andtheSouthSurrey/WhiteRockChamberofCommerce.

Voice:60�536-�2��Fax:60�53�-��[email protected]

As a Japanese speaker, I have been fortunate to

be of service to many Japanese clients.


IhadoriginallyvolunteeredtowriteanarticleaboutChristmasinItalybut,because

IhavenotactuallyspentaChristmasinItaly—yet,Ithoughtitwouldbenicetotellyouaboutsomethingnearanddeartomyheart—ChristmasinSidney,BC.

From the first of December, the entire town is lit up, each year with a different theme. The storeowners take this very seriously because there is a prize for the most interesting storefront window design.

A 20-foot star lights the way at the end of the main street, just in front of the dock. At the end of our secondary street, in front of the Bevan pier, stands a dazzling 20-foot snowman.

On the last Sunday of November—November 26, 2006—from 5 to 6 pm, we have our Sidney Sparkles Santa Parade. (Yes, we still believe in Santa here.) The streets are packed with families. People come from all over to drink hot chocolate, sing carols, and watch the amazing Christmas parade.

Our coffee shops are open during this time and many Realtors and other business professionals hold open houses at their offices.

Do bring tissues because noses run in the crisp air and it’s hard not to

At the Mary Winspear Centre, 25 real trees capture the spirit of the season at the Christmas Tree Festival. Themes range from traditional to imaginative and visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite tree (November 24 to December 24, 2006).

The annual Touch of Salt Spring Craft Fair (December 1 to 3, 2006) is held at the Mary Winspear Centre,

at the entrance to the town. This is an opportunity to find the elusive gift for that special person on your list. Everything from fudge to Yule logs can be found at this fair.

Throughout the month, especially on Thursday and Friday evenings, carollers can be heard on the main street, wishing passersby a joyous season. And every weekend, a market specializing in festive foods, arts, and crafts is set up.

My favourite place to visit in December is the Italian Bakery on Beacon Avenue. Wafting through the air is the smell of homemade Panettone—a delicious bread made only at that time of year; espresso; and chocolates. People sit at the sidewalk café drinking coffee, enjoying a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of the Season. The bakery is a very social place—a place just to mellow out and visit with friends, new and old.

To welcome the New Year, we have a special First Night Celebration at the foot of Beacon Street that includes free hot dogs and hot chocolate, sparklers, and fireworks.

Christmas in Sidney-By-The-Sea is a 6-week celebration. I encourage you all to come experience that hometown feeling. s

Laurie SalvadorisownerofSalvadorDavisandCo.,NotariesPublic,inSidney-By-The-Sea.Voice: 250656-3�[email protected]

Laurie Salvador

FEaTurE

shed a tear or two with memories of Christmas Past flurrying about.

Our annual Sailpast is held the first Saturday of December (it’s December 2 this year), from 5 to 6 pm. Up to 100 boats, all elaborately decorated with lights, start from one marina and sail past the main street dock and back. People line up to watch on the beautiful public walkway that now skirts our waterfront.

Christmas in Sidney-By-The-Sea

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Asweallknow,Vancouverisamulticulturalcity.

In fact, you could call it a multicultural capital of the world.

To get a rough idea of how many countries and cultures are represented, open the Yellow Pages at the food section.

So how do we—people of various religions, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds—live and work together here without much confrontation? Is it the Westcoast lifestyle, the natural setting, or some undiscovered phenomena that binds us all so peacefully? What magic ingredient makes it all work?

We immigrants had to make a choice: Come here or stay in our country of origin. Whether we are from China, India, or Russia (in our case), we all live here now—and that’s what counts. We were not ordered here by a government or brought in as slave labourers. Quite the contrary. We made a conscious decision to build a better life for ourselves and for our children in a free and beautiful land.

It might seem like a paradox, but the more cultures you mix together in one geographical location, the less chance you have of one (major) culture establishing its dominance over the others, thus producing a conflict. “Too much of one thing is good for nothing.” Wise words, indeed.

Does it really matter if your next-door neighbour goes to a church or a mosque?

Let’s take the best from our diverse cultures, share it with each other, learn more about each other, and respect one another. If we do that, our children and grandchildren will thank us.

After all, no matter who we are or where we came from, we’re all in the same boat called Canada, floating through the great ocean of life, day after day, year after year.

Let’s make it a happy and memorable journey! s

Galina KovalevisaNotarypractisinginVancouver.HersonSergeiMartynovisherofficeadministrator.

Voice: 60�26�-22��[email protected]

…no matter who we are or where we came from, we’re all in the same boat called Canada, floating through the great ocean of life…

Galina Kovalev and

Sergei Martynov

FEaTurE

Were Vancouver, and Canada in general, always so warm and inviting to people of different cultures? The short answer is No. There are dark spots in the history of every country and Canada is no exception. History tends to repeat itself, That is why we must know as much about history as possible. We don’t want to make the same tragic mistakes again.

Floating Happily Together

The real gold is not always the shiny one

From left: Ancsa Kunos, Galina Kovalev, Sergei Martynov, and Lola Aleksandra Kunos-Martynov

Galina: Notary Public and a grandmother!


HowwasIinspiredtodraw?

Perhaps it began growing up in a small Southern Ontario town. My father worked in faraway places with exotic names like Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik, and the DEW line. He brought my siblings and me the most wonderful artwork that made the best “show ‘n’ tell” at school.

Or perhaps it was listening to the family stories about my great grandmother who would be called

Visual Arts college program and my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Victoria, I invested my student loan on travel to Southeast Asia.

I want to understand this world around me that often feels so polarized . . . and so interconnected. I like to think the observer has an important role—perhaps a call to stop and feel and listen in on a world different than our own. In that difference and in my own personal exploration, there is a discovery of commonality in emotion and spirit.

I want to understand this world around me that

often feels so polarized . . . and so interconnected.

Lynn Gray

FEaTurE

in the middle of the night to deliver babies to the Aboriginal mothers who spoke no English.

I would spend countless hours in my room in the house I grew up in, dreaming of becoming a cartoonist, then a photo journalist. Between my

Drawing Sets this Victoria Artist Free!

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The faces of women, youth, and children of colour invoke many emotions within me. Hopefully I capture their joy, sadness, hope, uncertainty, innocence, and wisdom in my drawings.

The process of drawing for me is absolutely paramount. The longer I can “build and bring forward” the images, the more sense I get of lives lived or in progress—my own, their own. Within the drawings is my experience of my internal world, struggles, darkness, light, love, joy, anxiety, confusion, curiosity, and on and on it goes.

I am relentless about the process. I attempt to refine the associated feelings and convey them through expressive portraits. The viewer participates by adding his or her own story.

I mostly use a monochromatic colour scheme simply because when I was in college, it was easier and I felt more bold and impactful, especially in a world dominated with colour. I am exploring colour more recently because a friend said she liked the bit of blue she saw in one of my drawings. That colour had been added by accident, but I went with it. It was good to get out of my comfort zone—that was the purpose of that particular piece! The introduction of colour in some pieces adds to the vivacity.

A spiritual teacher wrote, “Confusion is the only suffering. Put your confusion on paper, investigate it, and set yourself free.” I absolutely loved that. Within the process, I become self-investigating and self-witnessing, hopefully becoming a better me. Am I free? Part of me is! The other part continues to draw the process out. s

Lynn Gray’simagesaredescribedas“fieryethnicportraitdrawings.”Shefeelsitistheviewer’sresponsibilityto“complete”thedrawingthroughself-reflectionandquestioningwhatitmeanstohaveaninclusivecommunityspiritandpresence.Lynn’sworkissoldlocallyandinternationally.

Voice: 250361-1��[email protected]


VolunteeringhasbeenpartofNazirahPremji’sfamilyforgenerations.

Her grandparents, parents, and inlaws have all actively volunteered within the Ismaili Muslim and mainstream communities. Her mentor father taught her that service to others is the rent one pays to live on this earth.

The Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, generally known as the Ismailis, belong to the Shia branch of Islam, one of its two major branches. Sunni is the other.

The last in the Abrahamic family of revealed, monotheistic traditions, Islam appeals to the inherent liberty of the human mind and will to see in all creation, and in one’s own self, the verities of Divine benevolence and majesty, in tandem with the effort to be socially responsible.

The first Ismailis who came to Canada in the mid-1960s were part of a pool of professional and business entrepreneurs. The political changes in many African and Asian countries in the 1970s led to the arrival in Canada of large numbers of Asians, including Ismailis. Settled

throughout Canada, the Ismailis occupy senior positions in the professions and government; many operate successful businesses.

Born and raised in the capital city of Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, Nazirah came to Canada in 1981 to study at the University of Toronto. Accustomed to a tropical clime, all it took was a taste of -30º F Toronto weather to make her transfer to Simon Fraser University (SFU) in BC, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Marketing and Finance. After working with Canada Trust and its predecessor companies for 4 years, she decided to pursue a career as a Notary Public.

Nazirah became a Notary in 1991. After a successful practice in Vancouver for a decade, she moved her office to the New Westminster Quay in 2001.

…Ismailis are a richly diverse community of

people who live in over 25 countries…

FEaTurE

Reflecting the pluralism of the Muslim world generally, Ismailis are a richly diverse community of people who live in over 25 countries across the world, in North America, Europe, Central and South Asia, Afghanistan, Western China, Africa, the Middle East, the Far East, and Australia.

Giving Back to the Community is the Ismaili Way of Life

Nazirah, her husband Akhter, and daughters Zahra and Tasneem WDP members, volunteers, and speakers . . . the team that made it possible


Wherever they have settled, the Ismailis have become known for their ethic of volunteerism, service to society, and support for humanitarian causes. These ethics are put into action by active involvement in the local community. For example, the Ismaili Walk takes place in Vancouver each September and benefits a local nonprofit organization. Founded in 1991, the Walk raises funds to further the mandate of partner nonprofit organizations that have included local hospitals, the Vancouver Public Library, Simon Fraser University, the Food Bank, Habitat for Humanities, the Crisis Centre of Greater Vancouver, and the United Way.

To date the Walk has raised over $2 million for local community organizations. Currently, the Ismaili Walk for Kids supports Success By Six programs and services dedicated to giving children under the age of 6 the foundation they need to get a good start in life.

Another example is the World Partnership Walk. Recently celebrating its 22nd year, the annual fundraising event takes place in Vancouver and nine other cities across Canada on the last Sunday in May. The Walk is the largest and longest-standing event of its kind in support of international development; it raises awareness and funds for the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) to assist those in need, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, or gender.

The Walk makes a profound difference in the lives of the poor. More than $30 million has been raised to date. All funds have been matched by the Canadian International Development Agency.

AKDN is a contemporary endeavour of the Ismaili Imamat to realize the social conscious of Islam through institutional action. Founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, the Network brings together a number of agencies, institutions, and programs that seek to improve the living conditions and opportunities in specific regions of the developing world. They operate within AKDN’s multi-input strategies designed to

enhance local capacities for sustained social, economic, and cultural development. Further information may be obtained from www.akdn.org.

The Ismaili Muslim Community in Canada is governed by volunteers under the aegis of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for Canada, headquartered in Toronto. Local Ismaili Councils are based in BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.

wedding anniversary. They have two daughters, Zahra and Tasneem.

Nazirah is often quoted as saying that Akhter has been her backbone; she is only able to devote her time to volunteering due to his support and guidance. While both spend a lot of time volunteering in the Ismaili community, their daughters—in addition to volunteering—have spread their wings. Each one, through her respective school, has organized a Christmas dinner for 300 needy people and has been involved in numerous food drives, charity fundraisers, and the local Rotary Club.

Tasneem has been an active member of Girl Guides Canada since her preschool days and currently volunteers many evenings and weekends as a junior leader. Zahra recently received a scholarship from the White Rock Rotary Club for her volunteer work; her school honoured her with their service award for 2006.

Nazirah often finds it a challenge to balance work, family, and volunteer work, but says that somehow it all gets done. Each aspect of her life gives her tremendous satisfaction.

Motivational prints adorn the walls of her office. Two that motivate her to serve others are, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give” (Winston Churchill) and “The only gift is a portion of thyself” (Ralph Waldo Emerson). s

Voice: 60�521-��[email protected]

The Ismaili Council for BC is the governing body of the BC Ismaili community; its volunteer members are appointed by His Highness the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims. The Council’s provincial/regional boards operate in the areas of health, education, youth, social welfare, arts and culture, economic planning, and women’s development.

In 2005, Nazirah was appointed for a 3-year term as chair for the Ismaili Women’s Development Portfolio for BC (WDP). Her team’s responsibilities include career counselling and job placement for new immigrant women, support for women with cancer, and network sessions for teen girls, university-age females, and single mothers.

In keeping with their aim to empower women of all ages and all backgrounds, WDP held its first Celebrating Women’s Day on April 30, 2006. Over 500 women attended this full-day event that had local and international motivational speakers, an art exhibition, and interactive booths on health, wellness, and beauty.

Nazirah and her husband Akhter recently celebrated their 20th

Wherever they have settled, the Ismailis have become known for their ethic of volunteerism,

service to society, and support for

humanitarian causes.

Nazirah with Zahra and Tasneem at the World Partnership Walk this year


TheMid-AutumnFestivalfallsonthe15thdayofthe�thmonthofthelunar

Chinesecalendar.

At this day, the moon is at is fullest and brightest, signalling a time of completeness and abundance.

The moon plays a significant part of this festival. There is a saying in Chinese that marriages are made in heaven and prepared on the moon. The old man on the moon keeps a record book with all the names of newborn babies. He is the heavenly person who decides everyone’s future partners and nobody can challenge his decisions. This is one of the reasons why the moon is so important in Chinese mythology, especially at the time of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The most popular folklore involves the woman on the moon. There are so many variations as to how and why the beautiful wife of a famous archer floated to live on the moon. She lives there to this day, accompanied by a

jade rabbit. On the full moon of mid-Autumn, her beauty casts a silvery glow upon the earth and can be seen on the night of the full moon.

The most popular food of this festival is moon cake. The cakes are associated with the overthrow of the Mongol rulers in China during the 14th century. Because group gatherings were banned, it was impossible to organize a rebellion. Knowing the Mongols did not eat moon cakes, the revolutionaries passed messages hidden in moon cakes among the Chinese people. The rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the Mongol government on the night of the Moon Cake Festival.

Most Chinese festivals are wrapped in a combination

of ancient history and folklore; the Mid-Autumn Festival is no exception.

Susan Tong

FEaTurE

Most Chinese festivals are wrapped in a combination of ancient history and folklore; the Mid-Autumn Festival is no exception.

Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is a Family Affair


Traditional moon cakes have an imprint of the moon, the moon goddess, a lucky Chinese character, or the name of the maker. They consist of a thin layer of pastry covering a sweet filling made of lotus seed pastes or bean pastes, with a whole yolk of a preserved egg in the centre to symbolize the full moon. Modern moon cakes may be steamed or fried and may contain various fillings. Some have multiple whole egg yokes in each cake. The more yokes in a cake, the higher the price.

The festival is one of the most important holidays in the Chinese calendar and is a legal holiday in several Asian countries. To celebrate, family members and friends will gather outdoors; some may hike up high mountains or hills to get closer to the moon to eat their moon cakes and admire the bright, round moon. On this night, children are allowed to stay up late and carry multicolored lanterns.

Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as Lantern Festival and Moon Cake Festival. People in different countries follow different customs but they usually give moon cakes as gifts to relatives and friends to wish everyone the best and to express their appreciation before the festival. The day of the festival is a day of family reunions, much like a Western Thanksgiving.

The Mid-Autumn Festival this year

was on October 6.

Moon cakes are expensive and considered a delicacy. If you

are presented with a moon cake, the

tradition is that you cut it into eight small wedges and share with everyone. Moon cakes are also very high in cholesterol; most people would not eat more than three or four wedges at any one time. s

Susan TongisaVancouverNotary.

Voice: 60�6��-�2��[email protected]


The Scrivener: Please tell us about your childhood and where you spent your formative years.

Wally: I was born in Vancouver, the son of immigrant parents who came from India. When I was 4, we moved to Vancouver Island to the Lake Cowichan area, west of Duncan, then to Duncan when I was 17. I have one brother.

My father died when I was 10 and my mother raised us by going to work as a housekeeper. I went to school in Lake Cowichan.

The Scrivener: What did you want to be when you grew up?

Wally: I wanted to play centre-field for the Cleveland Indians, but that didn’t work out. They were my favourite team.

The Scrivener: What was your very first job?

Wally: Well, I worked in a lumber mill when I was going to high school and university to help finance my education.

My son is now 17. A couple of years ago, he wanted to know if I

had ever had a real job, like other people’s dads. “Yes, I used to work in a lumber mill,” I said. “What is a lumber mill?” he asked. “You know, they cut down trees, take them to the mill, and make lumber for housing and newsprint.” “Oh,” he said. “You were destroying the environment by chopping down trees.”

It is a different world today.

Then I had another job. Actually, not many people know about this.

The Scrivener: Outstanding! A scoop for The Scrivener!

Wally: Right. When I was 17, I graduated from high school and attended broadcasting school to become a teenage disk jockey at a Nanaimo radio station. I did that for less than a year, then went to UBC.

The Scrivener: What attracted you to the law?

I wanted to play centre-field for the Cleveland Indians, but that didn’t

work out. They were my favourite team.

CovEr STory

Wally Oppal, Attorney General

of BC andMinister

Responsible for Multiculturalism:

This highly capable man has served as our AG for only a year. “I’m a novice,” he says. From this interview, it is clear he is on the right track for making a real difference in our province.

With Val Wilson

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Already Making a Difference!


Wally: I didn’t know what career path I was going to take. I thought I would take either medicine or law but, because I didn’t like the physical sciences, I applied to law school and got in. I articled for a Vancouver law firm that is no longer in existence—the Schulman Tupper firm. John Laxton, a well-known lawyer, was my mentor at that time.

When I was called to the bar, I left that firm to travel for 6 months with two friends. We started out in Japan; we ended up in England.

Then I went to work for Thompson and McConnell, a firm with offices in Vancouver and White Rock. We did a lot of Crown work in the Fraser Valley where they did special prosecutions. I was fortunate to get on some rather high profile cases. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time.

I left that firm—along with a man named John Campbell, with whom I had gone to law school—to establish our own law practice in South Vancouver. We practised law there for approximately 12 years.

In 1982, I was appointed to what was then the County Court of British Columbia and in 1985, was appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia. In 2003, I went to the Court of Appeal, the highest court in the province.

The Scrivener: Who were your mentors?

Wally: Chief Justice Alan McEachern was a wonderful mentor. Pat Dohm, Associate Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was a very dear and supportive friend. I had the benefit of working with some really great judges. Lloyd McKenzie, Al Mackoff, Craig Munroe, Alan Macfarlane, John Hall, Cathy Ryan, and Bruce Cohen are just some of the excellent people with whom I had the opportunity to work.

The Scrivener: In May 2005, you won the Vancouver-Fraserview riding as a Liberal candidate. Please tell us about your transition from the bench to public life.

Wally: After I was on the bench for approximately 22 years, Premier Campbell approached me to ask if

I would be interested in public life. I had never run for public office before. I remember the day I resigned from the Court of Appeal. A press conference was called the same day to announce my candidacy in the last provincial election. I still recall the large throng of media people.

One reporter asked how long I had been a member of the Liberal Party. “About 45 minutes,” I replied. When they asked if I had ever run for public office before, I said, “Well, I was president of the students council in my high school, so I have plenty of experience.”

multiculturalism in policing, women in policing, public accountability of police, and Aboriginal policing.

At the end of two-and-a-half years, we filed a report in government, entitled “Closing the Gap.” It is the last word in policing in Canada. I’m proud to say that many of the Royal Commission’s recommendations have gone into legislation and policy.

In fact, I get many, many comments about it. The most recent one was this morning. I met with two members of the Vancouver City Police doing a research project; they had read the report. It is required reading in a number of universities.

In the report, we recommended a process for resolving public complaints against the police and the establishment of an independent complaint commissioner who would oversee all complaints against the police. This was a key recommendation because the question of the police investigating themselves was perhaps the most important issue. As a result, the office of the Public Complaint Commission has now been established.

As well, our policy recommendations have been followed regarding the police use of force, the types of guns the police should use, high-speed chases, neck restraints, women in policing, multiculturalism in policing, and Aboriginal policing.

Most of all, it gave me the opportunity to work with members of the community, with multicultural communities. That whet my appetite to do things other than being a judge.

The Scrivener: What are the main challenges of your work as Attorney General?

Wally: The greatest challenges are the ever-present problems of street crime and the aura of the chronic offender. We in the Ministry have decided to follow the recommendations of the Street Crime Working Group, which concluded that over 80 percent of street crime is being committed by less than 10 percent of the people.

The Scrivener: How was your campaign experience?

Wally: I was treated very well. The media were friendly; the public was friendly. Even when I knocked on doors and took part in all-candidates meetings, it was a very positive experience. After I was elected, I was appointed Attorney General.

The Scrivener: What was behind your decision to make such a big career change?

Wally: I thought it was time for me to move on. I had been at all three levels of the court. I was a specialist in criminal law and felt privileged and honoured to have served in both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. I had the benefit of working with some very committed and competent people. It was a terrific experience for me.

I wanted to do something else in my life. In the mid-‘90s, the provincial government asked me to do a Royal Commission on Policing. We examined virtually every issue related to policing, including the selection methods of police officers and the promotion methods, the use of force,

…it gave me the opportunity to work

with members of the community, with

multicultural communities.

Already Making a Difference!


Most of the individuals committing these crimes are repeat offenders who are addicted to alcohol and/or drugs, suffering from mental illness, or homeless. We are going to establish a community court to proactively look at some of the root causes of why people are committing crimes. Those who are good candidates for rehabilitation would be treated immediately upon arrest so that they do not become repeat offenders. Our target date for creating the community court is 6 months.

This method has been tried successfully in 27 different areas in the US—in New York, particularly, where the community court started. We have examined many models. In Seattle, they have a mental health court, a drug court, and a community court.

What it really means is that the criminal justice system must work within the community. We must all work together—the health care system, the corrections, the police, and the courts. And the

housing authorities, so we can have a wraparound approach.

It is simply not good enough to keep channelling the same people into the courts over and over again. They go to jail, they come out, and they commit the same crimes. We want to get at some of the causes of crime.

Wally: Our demographics have changed rapidly. About 26 percent of the population of British Columbia is now foreign-born. Almost 50 percent of the City of Vancouver is now visible minority. Asians make up around 50 percent of the population in Richmond. That means all our institutions—including government, the police, the courts—must keep up to the changing demographics and the changing makeup of the population.

For instance, people who come here from Asia don’t understand our justice system. We have to tell them about it and how they can access the system. Many people come from areas where the system is corrupt or people are expected to pay off the police. When I got out of law school, I remember defending an Asian man on a criminal charge. After I quoted him my fee, he said, “How much for the judge?” I said, “Well, no, it doesn’t work that way here.” We must educate the public about our laws in Canada. We are also going into the schools.

There are many challenges in public life. The public has incredibly high expectations of what we do. We are soldiering onward.

The Scrivener: Please tell us a bit about the multicultural makeup of our province.

About 26 percent of the population of British

Columbia is now foreign-born. Almost 50 percent

of the City of Vancouver is now visible minority.


I was involved in an organization called the Law Courts Education Society, a public legal education society that has developed a worldwide reputation for creative ways of going into communities and teaching people about access to justice. We have a huge challenge right now because members of the public don’t have as much access to the system as they should—the civil courts have become so expensive and so time-consuming.

We must make the law more accessible. We are establishing self-help centres so people can help themselves in civil and criminal matters and family law. For instance, we have after-separation parenting courses that are compulsory. We want to remove the acrimony and some of the negative parts of the adversarial system in family law. We are working on that.

We are also working with counsellors in the area of youth crime. In the Indo-Canadian

community, just under 100 young Indo-Canadians have been killed over the last 15 years. We are very involved now with people in the Indo-Canadian community who are mentoring young kids at the high school level so they don’t fall into gang activity. Premier Campbell is very supportive, as are other members of our Cabinet and Caucus.

me to do something else; I wanted to do something else in my life. I’m fortunate that Premier Campbell gave me this opportunity.

The Scrivener: What is your goal for multiculturalism in British Columbia?

Wally: We want to include multiculturalism in all parts of government so that multiculturalism is not just a ministry in and of itself. With the Olympics approaching and so much happening in British Columbia, we must ensure that all of our government and all of our institutions become inclusive—and that we address and combat racism, and in particular deal with the plights of Aboriginal people. I’m very concerned about those things.

When I speak of working with Aboriginal people, I’m talking in context of my role as Attorney General in the Justice portfolio. Why, for example, is there a disproportionate number of Aboriginal people in jails? I really want to work with that and do something about it.

The Scrivener: Do you miss the courtroom?

Wally: Yes, I miss the courtroom and I miss the people. I miss the people in the courthouses, the court registries, the sheriffs, and the police. They are just great. But I knew it was time for

We want to include multiculturalism in all

parts of government so that multiculturalism

is not just a ministry in and of itself.

�0 The Scrivener Volume15 Number3 Fall2006

Those are some of the reasons I came into government. The toughest part of this job is trying to find enough hours in the day to do all the things that need to be done.

The Scrivener: Have you had time for community service?

Wally: Yes. I have been involved in the Board of Directors of Family Services and was President of Law Courts Education Society. I was on the Board of the court reporters and court interpreters and served on various criminal law committees and the National Criminal Law Program. I am also a former member of the advisory committee of the Law Reform Commission in Canada.

The Scrivener: That’s a significant contribution of time! Do you have other interests?

Wally: I’m a baseball fan and a basketball fan. I still play basketball with a group of lawyers and cops and various other people. We play a couple of times a week. And I work out

physically. I belong to Fitness World. I also coached in the Steve Nash basketball league where my son played.

crime prevention, we really must get involved with our youth. The courts deal with people when it is too late, after the crime has been committed. We must become involved before the crime takes place.

The Scrivener: That could make a very big difference! What is your greatest career achievement to date?

Wally: I can tell you the greatest pride is coming from immigrant parents and a family that had nothing, to being appointed to the highest court in the province, and then being appointed Attorney General.

When I was growing up, with an immigrant mother raising us, if someone had told me I would be a judge on the Supreme Court or that I would be the Attorney General of the province, I would have thought it was easier to go to the moon. It has been a thrill to get here and, along the way, to meet so many good people. s

Thanks to Irene Fix of Charest Reporting for transcribing this interview. (September 18, 2006)

I believe that if we had put family first 20 years ago, we wouldn’t have as many of the young people

coming into the courts.

The Scrivener: What is most important to you in life?

Wally: My family is the most important. I have two children. My son Josh just turned 17 yesterday and my daughter Jasmine is 23.

The Scrivener: Remember 20 years ago, when business professionals were expected to put their job ahead of family?

Wally: Yes, I know. Not anymore, though. I believe that if we had put family first 20 years ago, we wouldn’t have as many of the young people coming into the courts. If we want


Fall Conference and AGM 2006and 80th Anniversary!

AtthePentictonLakesideResortConventionCentreandCasino

BC NoTariES

Conference ActivitiesFridayAnnual Golf Tournament and a Boat Trip/Winery Tour

SaturdayKelowna Land & Orchard Co. Cheese and Cider Agri-Tour and Lunch plus a Visit and Tasting at Carmelis Alpine Goat Cheese Farm Victoria Notary Sabrina Hanousek and son

Nathan aboard the Casabella Princess

The Goat Tour Some of the Goats!

Education SessionsSaturday MorningJamie Taras: First & GoalAttendees learned ways to achieve business goals and personal goals, too. This Grey Cup Champion received a standing ovation, then autographed his BC Lion’s player card for fans.

Saturday AfternoonSgt. Brian Trainor (Ret.), Community Resource Consultant with the Saskatoon Credit Union: Power of Attorney Fraud, Best Practice for Enduring POABrian cited many examples of how people have used a Power of Attorney for fraudulent purposes and provided attendees with numerous tips on how to prevent elder fraud and Power of Attorney fraud.

Donation Presentation Conference attendees raised $1260 for the Penticton Community Soupateria Society. About 150 volunteers work with this 20-year-old independent, nonprofit society. “All our monetary needs are obtained by donation. We do not receive any government assistance! Be assured that the Notaries’ gift is a significant contribution.”Ted Brown, Facility Manager Soupateria Society on Behalf of President Sandra Henson

Notaries’ President Chris Dupuis, Ted Brown, and Penticton Notary Christine Duncan

SundayAGM and Election, with Directors sworn in by Judge Gail Sinclair of Cranbrook

Luncheon and Afternoon Session with Wayne Braid and Todd McKendrickLang Vineyard, overlooking Okanagan Lake, in Naramata, near Penticton

Volume15 Number3 Fall2006 The Scrivener �3

Friday Evening: President’s Welcome ReceptionLively Beach Party, complete with limbo contests, hula hoops, and karaoke!

Susan Tong and Tammy Hoolsema

Fariborz (Fred) Khasha and Trevor Todd

Tracy and Brent Parker Ken MacKinlay, Rob Fedorkiw, and Wayne Braid

Jacquie Simpson, Bill Todd, Bryanne Eastwood, Kay Todd

Quinn Letendre, his mom Joan, sister Paige, and aunt Sherry Carthidge

Sabrina Hanousek and Carmen Langstaff Niki and Larry Stevens, Jr.

Trish Fedewich and her offspring. Her beach costume won First Prize.

Susan Davis, Tiah Workman, and Laurie Salvador

Nancy Schick Skinner

Karaoke singers MaryAnne Galey, Brian Trotter, Terry Fedorkiw, Minnie Loo and Donna Cheeseman from Marsh Canada

Margot Rutherford, Kate Greening, Joyce Grandison, and Glory EwenGail MacDonald and her husband Rod

Sgt. Brian Trainor (Ret.), Rob Fedorkiw, and Gurbinder Minhas

�� The Scrivener Volume15 Number3 Fall2006

Debra Van Beers and Kate Manvell

Sean Braid and his dad Wayne Braid

Scotiabank’s MaryAnne Galey with Leda Kwichak

Jacquie Simpson and Suzanne Simpson

Janice McMath and Brian Willoughby

Saturday Evening: Elegant Dinner DanceWith music by Eragone from Cranbrook

Pat and Peter Reimer at the Sunday Luncheon

Macaulay McColl’s Todd McKendrick and John Burgoyne with Bill Anderson

Joan Phillips, Tiah Workman, and Judy Williams

John and Candida Dias

Colleen O’Keefe and Hans Podzun

John and Bryanne Eastwood and Lucinda and Alex Ning

Rhoda Chapman and her husband Glenn Mitchell

Valorie Harper and Jim Robinson

Stewart Title’s Amanda Magee and Carey Tokash with Nancy Schick Skinner Eileen Smith and George Tanco


WHErE arE THEy NoW?

LedawasborninNewWestminster,BritishColumbia,toMitrofanand

ElizabethYablonski.

At age 6, she moved to Surrey to live on the family farm for 2 years with her grandparents Andrew and Eufemia Trotzuk, while her parents built a new home in Surrey.

As the oldest granddaughter of Ukrainian immigrants, it was her responsibility to translate to the Buckerfield’s driver when he delivered their supplies. He was always amazed at how a 6-year-old could talk to him so knowledgeably about the supplies needed for the farm, after consulting with her grandfather.

other relatives and friends. Their home was always filled with music and dance. Many an evening was spent singing the songs of old. She also recalls long, hot Summers of strawberry and raspberry picking.

Leda attended Surrey’s Grosvenor Road Elementary and Queen Elizabeth High Schools. After graduation, she had the opportunity of working for Notary Jack Best in New Westminster.

care facilities. Since the inception of the Fraser Valley Chapter of The Society of Notaries Public, Leda has served as its Secretary Treasurer, a position she finds most gratifying and rewarding. Always informative, the monthly gatherings are an asset to the Notaries’ practices.

A member of the Government Policies Committee of the Surrey Board of Trade and a Director at Large of the BC Ukrainian Cultural Festival Society, she is also a member of the Practice Committee of the Real Estate Lawyers and Notaries Association of British Columbia.

Leda enjoys cooking and gardening.

“In life we all have daily challenges,” she says. “Some days it is easier to deal with them than others. Overall, I love being a Notary Public. It is an interesting way of life and we can expect the unexpected.

“Many thanks to Mom, Dennis, the Very Reverend Peter Blazuk, my family, friends, fellow Notaries, lawyers, my staff, and clients for your support over the past 25 years!” s

Leda Kwichak Celebrates 25 Years as a Surrey Notary!

I thought it must be a great profession

where you earned money every time you signed

your name.

ProFilE oF a BC NoTary: SurrEy, BC

“I thought it must be a great profession where you earned money every time you signed your name,” she says. For a number of years, she pursued a career as a legal secretary. As time passed, she wanted a change and applied for her notarial licence.

On January 13, 1981, Leda was commissioned as a Notary Public in and for the Province of British Columbia in the Notarial District of Surrey. She has practised on the north side of 96th Avenue for 25 years. A dedicated member of The Society, Leda has attended all our Fall Conferences, except the year when her mother-in-law passed away.

Over the years, she has found it both a challenge and a reward to serve people of different backgrounds and cultures. She enjoys getting out of the office to visit clients in their homes and in hospitals and

Leda with her mom, Elizabeth

Leda and Edmund on their 25th Wedding Anniversary

Leda was blessed by her parents’ and grandparents’ words of wisdom. She always knew when not to do something. Their word was gospel and she was taught that a child did not disobey his or her elders.

She has fond memories of her times on the farm with her brother Dennis, aunts, uncles, cousins, and

Volume15 Number3 Fall2006 The Scrivener ��

NoelwasborninWestHam,Essex,UK,in1�22,movingwithhisfamily

toBarking,Essex,in1�33.

He finished school—or school finished with him, he laughs—at the age of 14. He went to work in the City of London as an Office Boy and 1 year after joining the company, was promoted to Junior Clerk.

Noel Martin Enjoys Life in Sidney

WHErE arE THEy NoW?

Noel returned to his pre-War company as assistant Registrar, staying only until 1947. He then joined a building and structural steel company as accountant and was promoted to company secretary. The company merged with another, which Noel did not know about until after the fact.

Because of the merged company’s financial position, he decided the future did not look promising. On discussion with his wife, Rosina, they decided they would follow friends to Victoria. In September of 1951, they left England for Canada with three daughters, ages 4 and 3 years, and a baby of 6 weeks. In 1954 another daughter joined the family.

Noel lost no time in finding a job as an accountant. In fact, he secured employment the morning following the family’s arrival. Several accounting positions later, in 1959, he joined the old, established company (1871) Rithet Consolidated Limited. In 1965, when Rithet Consolidated ceased business, he became manager of a new company, Rithet Agencies Ltd., and later its President. He was also Director/Secretary to Rithet Investments Ltd.

In 1977, J. H. Whittome & Co., another long-established company, purchased Rithet Agencies Ltd. and Noel became manager of Whittome’s Victoria office, leaving in 1983. Whittome’s went out of business shortly afterward. Noel operated in private practice, using a computer for documentation and accounting until his retirement in 1987.

Noel became a Notary Public in 1973, following a period as a Commissioner for Oaths, because he enjoyed the close contact with the public and liked “legalese.” He says his mentor, who assisted him in his early

In 1939, Noel joined the Militia in the Royal Army Medical Corps and upon the outbreak of WWII was called for active service. He was attached to the 1st Anti-Aircraft Division in the London area. In 1943, “the British Army had had enough and I was transferred to the Royal West African Frontier Force,” he says, which pleased him, because “the pay was better.”

He served in Sierra Leone, India, and in the South East Asia Command until demobilization in 1946.

days as a Notary and to whom he owes a debt of gratitude, was Harry Foster.

Noel obtained the designations RI(BC) and FRI. He served as President of the Credit Grantors Association of Victoria, the Mortgage Investment Association of Victoria, and the Real Estate Credit Union of Victoria, and as Director and Chair of several committees of the Victoria Real Estate Board. For many years he was a member of Kiwanis and also taught Children’s Church.

Since his retirement, Noel has volunteered for the Victoria Community Police Station. He says, jokingly, “As a condition of my volunteer application, I had my photo and fingerprints taken, which completely terminated my retirement ambition of indulging in a little petty larceny and knocking over the odd bank.”

Noel lost his wife of 59 years from Alzheimer’s disease in November of 2005; she lived in the Extended Care unit at Saanich Peninsula Hospital (SPH) for the last 2 years of her life.

Since 1992, he has volunteered in the Sidney Seniors’ Hotline and served 14 years with the SPH, taking care of statistical reports for the Dietitian and accounting for the SPH Lottery Foundation. s

Thanks to Kathie Black of Salvador Davis & Co. for her assistance with this article.

ProFilE oF a BC NoTary: SurrEy, BC


400 grams spaghetti 200 grams pancetta (smoked bacon)4 eggs30 grams parmesan cheese 40 grams butterolive oil, as neededsalt and pepper, as needed

PREPARATIONCook spaghetti in boiling salted water. Spaghetti must be cooked al dente.

As the pasta is cooking, add olive oil to a pan, then add the pancetta cut into small squares. When the pancetta starts to fry, add a little bit of water and cook at moderate heat for about 10 minutes.

Scramble the 4 eggs in a pot as if you were making an omelet. Add the parmesan cheese and black pepper. To this mix, you can add a little of the water from the cooking pasta

In another pot, melt some butter; add

the pancetta to the melted butter, and mix gently. Then pour in the pasta. Add the scrambled eggs and parmesan cheese; stir well.

Serve right away, while the pasta is still hot.

Nice with a bottle of red wine: Chianti or Merlot.

Serves 4.

The dish is very popular in Roma. There are a few theories of its origin but none have been confirmed. You can decide for yourself.

The first theory is it was invented by the charcoal-makers of the mountains around Roma because the ingredients were easy to carry and cooking was easy.

The second goes back to 1837 but the recipe is attributed to a citizen from Naples, Duke Ippolito

Andrea’s Outstanding Spaghetti Alla Carbonara(Bacon and Eggs with Spaghetti)

Cavalcanti, editor of the cook book La cucina teorico pratice—theory and practice of cooking. A recipe very similar to the one used today is included in his book.

Another possibility is from 1945, during the Second World War, when the American soldiers liberated Roma from the Germans. When the soldiers entered the local Trattorie for lunch, they asked for eggs, bacon, and noodles. The Roman chefs were serving bacon, eggs cooked sunny-side-up, and overcooked and tasteless spaghetti. The soldiers mixed the whole thing to make it tastier, not knowing they would create the popular Roman dish.

Andrea Agnoloniisagraduateofthe2006ClassofBCNotariesPublic.

PrivaTE rECiPES

Rosette iron (available at hardware or cooking supply stores)

2 litres canola or peanut oil

Icing sugar in sieve

Combine in a bowl: ¼ cup white sugar ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. ground nutmeg 1½ cups sifted white flour 1 tsp. vanilla (or other flavouring—

orange flower, almond)Add:

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1¼ cups milk

Stir together until smooth. Should resemble pancake batter. Let sit an hour or, if making the day before, let sit in refrigerator.

When ready, heat oil to 375º in deep fryer or 4 litre saucepan.

Heat the rosette head in hot oil, then dip it into the batter, taking care not to let the batter cover the top of the iron. Leave 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown. Loosen the crusty rosette and transfer to a cookie rack with paper towel under it, to absorb excess oil. Reheat the rosette head in the oil before repeating.

Rosettes: Laurie Salvador’s Family’s Favourite Christmas Treat

While rosettes are still warm, put icing sugar in a small sieve and dust the rosettes. Store in a large airtight container. Hide them away because, if anyone finds them, they will be gone in a few minutes!

You should get 2½ to 3 dozen rosettes with this recipe.


Shabnam Sablok’s Butter Chicken RecipeIngredients1 kg. skinless, boneless chicken

breasts (enough for 8 servings)

To Marinate Chicken1 tsp. salt1 T. garlic paste1 T. ginger paste½ tsp. chilli powder½ cup sour cream½ cup yogurt¼ tsp. red food colouring (optional)

For Gravy (Sauce)4 tablespoons olive oil1 tsp. whole cumin seeds1 T. ginger paste1 T. garlic paste6 medium-size red tomatoes (pureed)½ T. sugar½ tsp. salt½ tsp. chilli powder or black pepper1 tsp. paprika½ tsp. garam masala (ground mixed

spices)1 cup heavy cream ½ pound butter (unsalted)

DirectionsMarinate: Put yogurt and sour cream in a bowl and mix well to blend. Add rest of the marinating ingredients and stir to mix. Add chicken. Rub chicken breasts with the marinating mixture fully. Cover and refrigerate minimum of 12 hours, flipping/tossing the chicken 3 or 4 times.

Preheat oven to 375º F (190º C). Take chicken from fridge and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Place marinated chicken breasts on a baking pan and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes. (Check it after 25 minutes with a knife. Chicken should be tender and juicy, not overbaked or dry.) Remove from oven and let it cool. Cut chicken into 1½" cubes. Keep aside.

Gravy (Sauce): Heat the olive oil in a pot with a heavy bottom. Add cumin seeds; when seeds start cracking, add ginger and garlic paste; stir for 2 to 3

minutes. Add tomato puree, salt, chilli powder, garam masala, and sugar.Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until gravy is thickened. Keep stirring frequently.

Add chicken cubes; again bring gravy to boil. (If the gravy is too thick, add warm water.) Add heavy cream and butter; stir for 2 minutes to dissolve cream and butter. Serve hot.

Enjoy with Basmati Rice or Naan with family and friends!

Serves 8.


R oving BC Notary Phyllis Simon recently received the Jan White Memorial Award,

presented annually by Vernon Women in Business (VWIB). A 23-year member, she became President when membership had dwindled and members felt that other service clubs were duplicating the services offered by the organization. Phyllis and a handful of others saw a need for a safe place for women to learn to succeed in the business community—while juggling other important aspects of their lives. They initiated active mentoring, networking, and support to the membership. VWIB now boasts 156 active members! Note: Phyllis says being a Roving Notary is fun! s

BC NoTariES

Phyllis Simon Recognized

The First Annual Vancouver Chapter Summer Barbeque was held Saturday August 12, 2006. Doug Parton, Chair of the Chapter, and his wife Linda Parton volunteered their beautiful home and hobbyfarm for the event.

Some 40 Notaries and guests feasted on Doug’s homegrown beef, wonderful lamb, pork, and salmon prepared with The Secret Terrace Sauce! Participants consumed a few nice bottles of wine, lead by that wine connoisseur, George Tanco. They also

Wayne Braid’s BBQ salmon (with The Secret Terrace Sauce recipe!)

The Hay RideDoug Parton, our Host

Dinner with some of the group

enjoyed a tour of the farm, a hayride, and a bonfire. All who attended appreciated the hospitality of the Parton family and hope they will host the Second Annual . . .

Vancouver Chapter BBQ


EDITOR’S

The page 3 photo of Notary Joan Phillips and her dog Cody on the beach in our Summer 2006 issue was taken by Dave Seath Photography, Ladysmith, BC.

Next IssueThemeforWinter2006:TheUniqueBCNotaries

Our Cover Story Interview features Dr. Bernard Hoeter, Secretary of The Society of Notaries Public of BC from

1969 to 1986; Vancouver Notary Akash Sablok; and Wayne Braid, Executive Director of The Society in a scintillating Q & A about BC Notaries!

The Mix section will offer timely columns on a variety of topics!

These are the characteristics of a BC Notary Public. There are 323 notarial Seals throughout British Columbia. In some communities, Seals are available.

Ladysmith Notary Joan Phillips enjoys walking on the beach with Cody, her Springer Spaniel.

What does ittake to become aBC Notary Public?

• Strong entrepreneurial and people skills

• The highest degree of honesty and integrity

• University degree and 5 years’ related experience

• Fluency in English; other languages an asset

• Financial backing

• Dedication to serving the public

As a BC Notary, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding career as an independent businessperson who serves the public, and sets the example of integrity and trust for which Notaries are known throughout the world.

If you have these qualities and are looking for a new career path, consider our two-year program, conducted through the Sauder School of Business Real Estate Program, University of British Columbia.

For more information, please contact: The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia 1-800-663-0343 or visit our Website: www.notaries.bc.ca.

The Right Stuff . . .

Photo Credit: Dave Seath Photography, Ladysmith, BC

AdvertisingOpportunity!

ShowcaseyourbusinesstothethousandsofAlliedProfessionalsinBCwhoreadThe Scrivener,quarterly!

WinterAdvertisingDeadline:Nov.15

[email protected]: 60��5-�250www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener

Thousands of BC Decision-Makers Read The Scrivener!Thismagazinereachesthefollowingspheresofinfluence,quarterly.

• BCNotaries• LandAppraisers• LandSurveyorsofBC• Lawyers• RealEstateProfessionals• RealEstateBoardsand

Associations• Provincial/FederalCourtJudges• Registrars• MLAsandMPs• LifeInsuranceBrokersand

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Institutions• Mayors• GovernmentMinistries• Libraries:PublicandPrivate,

includingLawSociety,LegalServices,EducationalFacilities

• InvestmentManagementAgencies

• ChambersofCommerce• BCHousing• BCAssessment• BCBuildingsCorporation

AdvertisingDeadlinefortheWinterIssue:November15,2006

Promote your services to our prequalified audience of Allied Professionals!

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notaries.bc.ca


ProBonoLawofBCisasmallorganizationwithabigmission:

to advance access to justice by developing and facilitating opportunities for the effective provision of high-quality pro bono legal services to people and nonprofit organizations of limited means throughout British Columbia.

PBLBC is directed and operated by a 9-member volunteer Board and a 2-person staff comprised of Jamie Maclaren, Executive Director, and Carol Jones, Coordinator.

Jamie joined PBLBC in June 2005, after practising labour and employment law at a downtown Vancouver law firm. Born in Victoria, Jamie grew up in Ottawa and Montreal, and made his way back to BC in 1995 in search of epic snowboarding runs through coastal chutes and glades. Financial reality compelled Jamie into the legal profession and ultimately (and ironically) into a career devoted to pro bono service.

Though delighted to run a nonprofit organization dedicated to a cause near and dear to his heart, Jamie still casts longing glances at the snow-peaked coastal mountains from time to time.

Carol joined PBLBC in September 2003. Also an Eastern transplant

from Montreal, Carol moved to the West Coast with her husband 14 years ago and quickly adjusted to the mild winters. When not dealing with the public and managing the day-to-day administration of PBLBC’s office Monday through Thursday, Carol keeps busy with her two sons and volunteer work.

of the new programs would require more hours than Jamie and Carol could possibly accommodate, so the organization approached the Notary Foundation about a grant to redesign its rather outdated and overlooked Website, ProBonoNet.bc.ca.

The Notary Foundation—in its pleasing generosity—funded the Website revamp and the design firm Jeremedia Digital Solutions went to work on making the Website equal to the task of administering and enabling hundreds of cases of pro bono assistance and representation. Thus ProBonoNet.bc.ca was reborn.

ProBonoNet.bc.ca now serves the following functions.

1. It provides the public, nonprofit organizations, lawyers, and non-lawyer legal professionals (including BC Notaries) with updated news, resources, forms, and links relating to poverty law, nonprofit law, and pro bono legal services.

2. It allows for the input and distribution of hundreds of requests for pro bono assistance from individuals and organizations in all regions of British Columbia. Such requests are vetted by volunteer lawyers, then automatically distributed by email to hundreds of other volunteer lawyers and non-lawyer legal professionals who previously registered for one or more PBLBC programs through the Website.

Spotlight on Good Works:ProBonoNet.bc.ca:

The Little Engine That Can and Does

…the organization approached the Notary

Foundation about a grant to redesign its rather

outdated and overlooked Website, ProBonoNet.bc.ca.

THE NoTary FouNDaTioN

Jamie and Carol happily manage PBLBC’s affairs under circumstances typical to most nonprofit organizations: insatiable demand for services and uncertain levels of funding. Thankfully, they are able to rely on the goodwill of volunteers and the modern wonders of the Internet to get the PBLBC message out and its programs running.

In late 2005, PBLBC launched a series of new programs designed to provide pro bono representation to low-income individuals and organizations where such representation was not previously available. The new programs ambitiously covered such areas as family law, judicial reviews, appeals, nonprofit law, and poverty law. PBLBC knew that the administration

Carol Jones, Coordinator, and Jamie Maclaren, Executive Director


3. Its customized database and case management system track the status of distributed and matched pro bono requests and provide support documents for volunteers. Volunteers are also able to login to view unmatched opportunities.

4. Each month, it features a lawyer or non-lawyer legal professional who has shown exemplary commitment to providing pro bono legal services.

Since its re-launch in January 2006, ProBonoNet.bc.ca has processed over 120 requests for pro bono representation and assistance and has enabled the successful matching of over 70 of those requests. It shows a 300 percent increase in overall usage and averages over 40 unique visitors per day.

Notary Foundation funding also permitted PBLBC to begin development of a second Website featuring an interactive and user-friendly “Google Map” of all free legal services in BC, including pro bono clinics, legal aid programs, courthouse programs, and advocacy programs.

Once the site is launched in October 2006, members of the public will be able to locate all such programs and services (including a breakdown of specific program times, services, and contact information) on a scaleable map customized to each area of BC. Each featured program and organization will have access to the mapsite administration, to add updated information as required.

A visit to ProBonoNet.bc.ca may evoke thoughts of a large, bureaucratic organization with several far-reaching programs, but the reality “behind the curtain” is Jamie, Carol, and a multifunctional Website that harnesses the perpetual willingness of lawyers and non-lawyer legal professionals to help less fortunate individuals and organizations to seek justice. PBLBC is therefore very grateful for the generosity shown by the Notary Foundation and its positive effect. s


The12-memberBoardofGovernorsoftheNotaryFoundationofBCiscomprisedof: • 8 members of the Board of Directors of The Society of Notaries

Public of BC; • 1 representative from the Attorney General’s office in Victoria; • 2 Directors-at-Large, appointed by the Attorney General; and • the Executive Officer.

The 8 members from The Society are elected by the Directors of The Society from among their ranks, for a 3-year period.

Current GovernorsLeta C. Best: ChairWilliam G. Anderson Susan DavisChristopher W. DupuisLaurie SalvadorKen SherkLarry Stevens, Sr. George J. TancoRobert Adamson: the Attorney General’s RepresentativeJennifer L. Harry: Director-at-LargeWayne Strandlund: Director-at-Large

The Governors of the Foundation have the responsibility of guiding the Foundation in its mandate to disperse the funds generated by interest on Notaries’ Trust Accounts for the following purposes.

1. Legal education

2. Legal research

3. Legal aid

4. Education and continuing education for Notaries and applicants who have enrolled to become BC Notaries

5. Establishing, operating, and maintaining law libraries in BC

6. Contributions to the special fund established under the Notaries Act of BC

G. W. (Wayne) Braid, Executive Officer of the Foundation, is responsible for administration of the office, staff, and the diverse investment funds of the Foundation.

The Board of Governors meets quarterly to consider applications for funding from various organizations and to set policy, review the Foundation’s financial status, and provide direction for the administration of the Foundation.

* Contribution to date from the Notary Foundation of BC to the Legal Aid Society of BC.

Source: Interest earned from Notaries’ trust accounts (the Notaries Act of BC)

$13,986,770.97.

12MILLION

10MILLION

�MILLION

6MILLION

2MILLION

�MILLION


I would like to thank you, on behalf of the BC Mediator Roster Society’s Civil and Family Roster members, for your generosity in providing us with complimentary copies of your Spring 2006 issue of The Scrivener, as well as subscriptions to future issues of the magazine.

The Spring 2006 issue, which focused on mediation, was of special interest to all of us—partly because it featured articles written by so many of our Roster members and also because it provided such an excellent example of how well education and promotion go hand in hand.

Please accept our congratulations on compiling such an excellent, diverse, and informative set of articles.

Yours truly,Terry Harris, President

BC Mediator Roster SocietyVoice: 1-888-713-0433

[email protected]://www.mediator-roster.bc.ca

Thank you for including my article on mediation in the workplace in your Spring edition. It was a thrill to be published along with all the other mediators. Your magazine has proven a valuable marketing tool for me. I hand it out whenever I can to clients and potential clients, to spread the word about the value of mediation—no matter the nature of the dispute.

After reading my article in your magazine, one of the announcers with our local radio station called me to request an interview—my first radio interview!

The Scrivener is an excellent magazine. Many thanks for allowing me to become a part of it.

Best regards,Sharon Charboneau,

Cert. ConRes, BA (Crim)Charboneau & Associates, Workplace

Consulting & [email protected]

604 885-6680

Your recent issue of The Scrivener was received with thanks. I attended the first Notary Convention at Harrison Hot Springs Hotel in 1958. In November of that year, I was admitted as a Notary while I was working in the Wills and Estates department of Royal Trust in Victoria.

On January 1, 1961, I took over the practice of an old Notary, J. Arthur Wild. I continued in practice until 1997, when I turned over my practice to my son Robert. They were wonderful years. I am thankful to God that I was able to enter the profession. Please keep the magazine coming so I can keep in touch.

Charles Ellington

lETTErS

Volume 15, Number 1, Spring 2006

What Do You Like?What types of articles do you most

enjoy reading in The Scrivener?Please let us know.

[email protected]

David Watts is the winner of the BDO Dunwoody Award “For the Notarial Student with the Most Consistent Marks in All Subjects during the 2006 Notary Education Program and the Notarial Statutory Examinations”!

Congratulations, David. Well done!

2006 Award WinnersDavid Watts: BDO Dunwoody Award Jimmy Chong: Stan Nicol Award Olive Mclean: Stan Nicol Award Wendy Shum: UBC Award Lu Hong: Bernard Hoeter Award

correction This important announcement was omitted from our Summer issue.

Sharon Charboneau Charles Ellington


Deathbedgiftshappensurprisinglyoften.

It is relatively common for people, during their last days, to make sizable gifts to caregivers and loved ones. Frequently the purported gift is at odds with the Will of the dying person.

Like deathbed Wills, deathbed gifts often result in estate litigation. In fact they occur with such frequency that section 18 of Community Care and Assisted Living Act, RSBC 2002, prohibits agents, designates, and employees of licensed community care facilities from receiving any gifts or inheritances. The ethical code of nurses similarly prohibits same.

The law recognizes that a person may, in contemplation of his or her imminent death, make a gift transferring the ownership of property. Such a gift will take effect only upon the death of the donor and otherwise may be revoked. The legal expression for a gift made in contemplation of death is donatio mortis causa.

There are three requirements for a donatio mortis causa to be an effective gift in law.

1. The gift must have been made in contemplation of death.

2. The donor must ensure there is delivery of the subject matter of the gift to the donee (recipient of the gift).

3. The gift must be made under such circumstances that show that gift may be revoked should the donor recover.

These principles were set out in the seminal case of Cain v. Moon (1896) 2 Q.B. 283. Although this was an English decision, it has been adopted by Canadian courts and is thus part of Canadian law.

they were used to avoid the formal requirements of the law relating to the valid execution of Wills.

The Supreme Court of Canada has described donatio mortis causa as a sort of “amphibious gift, between a gift made inter vivos and a legacy left in a testator’s will.” This description is found in McDonald v. McDonald (1903) S.C.R. 145 at page 161.

A donatio mortis causa is similar to a Will in that it remains revocable up until the donor’s death renders it absolute. The donee’s title becomes absolute only at the moment of the donor’s death. It is also at the moment of death that the personal representative of the deceased acquires title to all the deceased’s assets except, naturally, those that are the subject of a valid donatio mortis causa. Thus where disputes arise, the conflict is usually between the beneficiaries under the Will and the claimant of any purported donatio mortis causa.

Donatio mortis causa need not be proved as testamentary gifts under the deceased’s estate, i.e., there are no formal requirements for execution as there are for a Will. Nevertheless any person claiming to benefit from such a gift bears a heavy onus of proof.

To give effect to the purported gift, the courts will require clear and

Gifts Made in Contemplation

of Death

It is relatively common for people, during their

last days, to make sizable gifts to caregivers and

loved ones.

WillS & ESTaTES

Accordingly a donatio mortis causa is a gift made by a person inter vivos (during his or her life) with the intention that the gift should take effect only upon death. The gift is therefore conditional upon death. Once death occurs, however, the gift takes effect retrospectively and is effective from the date the gift was initially made. Such gifts are a recognized exception to the general rule requiring that all testamentary gifts conform with the provisions of the Wills Act.

The origins of donatio mortis causa are found in Roman law, where

Trevor Todd and Judith Milliken QC


unmistakable proof that the deceased intended to give the property donatio mortis causa. Often the courts will specifically require evidence to corroborate the deceased’s intention.

In this article, I will review some of the leading Canadian cases dealing with the doctrine of donatio mortis causa.

1. Bank AccountsIn the 1993 BC Supreme Court case Slagboom Estate v. Kirby (1993) 48 E.T.R. 219, the deceased was 88 years old when he died. His health had declined rapidly in the last year of his life and he had suffered many illnesses requiring frequent doctors’ visits.

About 5 weeks prior to his death, the deceased had deposited $42,500 in the bank account of the defendant, a longterm friend who provided companionship and assistance in his declining years.

Shortly before the deposit, the deceased told her he wanted her to keep the money so that she could do his banking for him. At the time of the deposit, the deceased told her he did not want his brother to have his money and that if something should happen to him, the money remaining in the account was to be hers.

A couple of weeks later, the deceased made a Will leaving his entire estate to his brother; there remained, however, only $4500 in the estate.

In this action, the plaintiff brother sought recovery of the $42,500, alleging there was insufficient evidence that the gift was made in contemplation of death. The plaintiff claimed the deceased intended only to deposit his money with the defendant so that she could assist him with his banking.

The court awarded the funds to the defendant, however, ruling there had indeed been a valid gift made in contemplation of death. The court found that the phrase “if something happens to me” had been used euphemistically and on the facts of this case indicated a genuine and reasonable contemplation of death.

In Morton v. Dafoe (1926) 30 O.W.N.193, the deceased was hospitalized a few days before her death. She asked for certain documents to be brought to her, including money and her bank passbook. She put the passbook into a bag, which she handed to the defendant, an old and trusted friend. As she did so, the deceased said to her friend, in the presence of witnesses, “Keep it; it is yours if I do not come back.”

plaintiffs brought an action claiming entitlement to all of these assets.

The official administrator defended the action, claiming there was no effective donatio mortis causa because there had been no delivery to the plaintiffs of the subject matter of the gift.

The court found that handing over the keys to the safety deposit boxes did constitute effective delivery because the keys were essential to get possession of the contents of the boxes. Thus the contents of the box passed to the plaintiff as a valid donatio mortis causa. Only the stamps passed in title to the plaintiffs. The court held that neither the state of title certificate nor RRSP receipt was a valid means of effecting transfer of those assets. Therefore they ruled there was no delivery to the plaintiffs of either the land or the RRSP.

This decision was upheld on appeal.

3. Furniture and Personal EffectsIn Re Rosemergey, 49 B.C.R.93, the deceased had employed her housekeeper for many years. When she became ill and learned that her condition was terminal, the deceased had signed and delivered a paper giving her housekeeper all the furniture and personal effects in the house. None of the articles mentioned in the written memorandum were mentioned in the deceased’s Will.

The court held that there was a valid gift in contemplation of death even though there was no actual physical change of possession. The court reasoned that the deceased, so far as possible, had abandoned possession of the furniture and personal effects, while the donee housekeeper had taken and maintained possession of them to the same degree.

4. Forgiveness of a Debt The case of Re Calaiezzi Estate, 1993 Carswell Ont 2724, from Ontario, illustrates the successful forgiveness of a mortgage debt. Six months before his death, the deceased had loaned the sum of $130,000

On these facts, the court held that there had been a valid gift. The court ruled that the gift had been made in contemplation of death in circumstances showing the gift was conditional upon that death. The defendant was thus entitled to the monies on deposit with the bank as represented by the passbook.

2. Safety Deposit Box KeysIn Costiniuk v. British Columbia (Official Administrator), 34 E.T.R. (2d) 199, the plaintiffs claimed the contents to a safety deposit box as a gift donatio mortis causa.

The deceased died intestate with no next of kin. She left an estate worth nearly $1 million. During the last few years of her life, the deceased had lived alone and was frequently ill. The plaintiffs, who had known her for many years, had greatly assisted her. Before the deceased went into the hospital for the last time, she gave the keys to her safety deposit boxes to the plaintiffs, saying that if she ever needed them back, she would ask for them.

The day before she died, in the presence of medical technicians, the deceased told the plaintiffs they were to have everything in the boxes.

The safety deposit box contained stamps worth $2300, an RRSP receipt, and the state of title certificate for her home. The

Often the courts will specifically require

evidence to corroborate the deceased’s intention.


to the defendant. This debt was secured by an unregistered mortgage. Payments were made on the loan; the deceased, however, was heard to tell the defendant to tear up the loan agreement and that she no longer owed the deceased any money.

The deceased specifically said that he was dying and the money wasn’t any good to him. The deceased directed witnesses to this conversation to find the loan agreement and destroy it; they were, however, unable to carry out these instructions because they could not find it.

The deceased’s executors brought an action claiming the balance owing on the loan. The defendant successfully argued that the deceased had forgiven the loan as a donatio mortis causa. The court ruled the deceased knew he was dying when the gift was made and it was so close to the time of the death that the gift was conditional upon that death. The court also found delivery had occurred when the deceased instructed the witness to find and destroy the agreement.

5. Real PropertyAs noted above in the Costiniuk case, it appears that delivery of the state of title certificate was not sufficient delivery to be a valid donatio mortis causa.

Similarly, in Dyck v. Cardon 17 E. T. R. 54, the Alberta Court of Appeal held that delivery of keys to a house was not sufficient to complete a gift.

In fact, it would appear that the weight of Canadian judicial opinion is that real property cannot be the subject of a donatio mortis causa.

The English Court of Appeal, however, has ruled otherwise. In Sen

v. Headley (1991) 2 All ER 636, the deceased handed over the keys of a steel box containing the title deeds to the deceased’s real property.

The court found that in doing so,

the deceased had indisputably made a gift of the house to the plaintiff in contemplation of his death to be effective on his death and his parting with the dominion over the title deeds to the house was sufficient to satisfy the third of the requirements necessary to establish a valid donatio mortis causa.

ConclusionFrom a review of the caselaw, it is clear that the courts are open to upholding donatio mortis causa in appropriate circumstances where they are satisfied, by credible witnesses, that the three essential criteria have been proven.

Gravely ill people frequently mention such things as the forgiveness of debts or the gift of various assets. These declarations are so frequently at odds with the contents of the Will, it is surprising there is so little litigation involving claims of donatio mortis causa. s

Trevor ToddrestrictshispracticetoWills,estates,andestatelitigation.Hehaspractisedlawfor32yearsandisapastchairoftheWillsandTrusts(Vancouver)Subsection,BCBranchoftheCanadianBarAssociation,andapastpresidentoftheTrialLawyersAssociationofBC.TrevorfrequentlylecturestotheTrialLawyers,CLE,andtheBCNotariesandalsoteachesestatelawtonewNotaries.HisWebsiteincludes30articlesonvarioustopicsofestatelaw.

Judith MillikenQChaspractisedlawfor31yearsintheareasofcommerciallaw,criminallaw,andmostrecentlyestatelitigation.SheteacheslegalEnglishandassistsherhusbandTrevorToddinhisestatelitigationpractice.

Voice: 60�26�-��0Fax: 60�26�-��[email protected]

Gravely ill people frequently mention such things as the forgiveness

of debts or the gift of various assets. These declarations are so

frequently at odds with the contents of the Will…

BOOKSVoracious reader Wayne Braid recommends these two titles.

Bill Bennett, A Mandarin’s View by Bob Plecas

I was extremely interested in the author’s insight into the life and times of Bill Bennett. This was the time when I was establishing my career and my business; the economic health of our province was important to me. The politics of the day were always exciting and eventful. Of course Bill Bennett, the leader, was the main focus. The book is not well written in a literary sense and the story “jumps” around on many occasions; the reader needs to know the characters and the issues from that time—or at least that would be helpful.

Flowers for Mei-ling by Lorraine Lachs

This is an intricate story of the life of a woman who, as a young teenager, was a refugee from Mainland China. Despite being exploited into the sex trade, she manages to emigrate to Canada where she finally finds love and hones her entrepreneurial skills into a small fortune. “A moving story—well worth the read.”

Worldview Skills by Jessie Sutherland

This compelling book is about a new and workable way to transform cycles of deep-rooted conflict and create conditions for genuine reconciliation. Drawing on inspiring stories from around the world, mediators will find a fresh way to tackle tough issues—from interpersonal to cross-cultural, as well as local to international. “A fresh and insightful contribution to the field,” says John Paul Lederach, Professor of International Peacebuilding at the Joan B. Kroc Insitute for International Peace Studies and author of Building Peace: Sustainable Reconciliation in Divided Societies.

What are YOU reading?Tell us at [email protected].


Q I bought a Power of Attorney document from Self-Counsel Press. The document seems

the same as the standard short form except for three items. Please give me your comments regarding the validity or usefulness of each of the following.

1. “I revoke any Powers of Attorney I have previously given.” Is there any good reason for including such a clause or does it just confuse things?

2. “I authorize that my attorney is to be completely indemnified against all claims, actions, and costs which arise in connection with the exercise of this Power of Attorney and the administration of my estate undertaken by her/him in good faith.” Isn’t this redundant?

3. “I grant full power to my attorney to substitute and appoint one or more attorney(s) under him/her with the same or more limited powers, and in his/her discretion to remove this substitute.” Does the Power of Attorney Act allow for substitution? If it does, but this clause is not included, can a substitute attorney still be appointed?

I believe the form as it exists in the Self-Counsel kit would not be acceptable for the Land Title Office because it asks for a “Witness” only, not someone authorized under the Evidence Act. I find the Canada Will kit, the Wills from Self-Counsel Press, and this Power of Attorney to be misleading and, for most people, quite inadequate. May I have your comments, please?

AWith reference to your questions about the Self-Counsel Press form of Power of Attorney, my

comments are as follows.

1. I would not normally include a revocation clause in a Power of Attorney.

For one thing, a person may want to have two or more Powers of Attorney exist concurrently, e.g., a general power of attorney and a special power of attorney for an investment account.

Moreover, if a person wishes to revoke an existing Power of Attorney, the revocation clause will not be effective unless the existing attorney is given notice of it.

The proper practice is to have the person prepare a notice of revocation of the existing Power of Attorney and have it delivered to the existing attorney.

2. I would not include the “indemnification” clause for two reasons.

• First, it purports to indemnify the attorney against claims arising from negligence on the attorney's part. Most persons appointing attorneys would not be prepared to do that.

• Second, the Power of Attorney document is intended to be presented to third parties and for that reason should be kept

as simple as possible. Third parties aren't concerned about indemnification issues between the attorney and the person appointing him/her. If there is to be an agreement between them about such issues, e.g., compensation, it should be put in a separate agreement that both of them would sign.

3. I do not normally include a “power to appoint a substitute attorney” clause, simply because most people want to select their attorneys themselves.

The preferable option is to make a “back-up” Power of Attorney, appointing a second attorney in case the first one can't act.

I agree that the witnessing provision in the SCP form is unacceptable. As a matter of course, one should use the execution format required by the Land Title Office.

I hope these comments are of assistance. If you have further questions, please contact me or Trevor Todd. s

Linda J. Yardley isanassociateatR.TrevorToddLawCorporation,EstateLawyers,inVancouver,BC.ShepractisesonthesolicitorsideoftheWillsandEstatesarea.

Voice: 60�26�-��12Fax: 60�26�-��[email protected]

The Prefab “Power of Attorney”

Form

R. Trevor Todd Linda J. Yardley

NEW ColuMN: you aSkED uS . . . Q & a oN lEgal MaTTErS


TheTourCompanysuggestedthatafterourvisittoShanghaiin

March—stillverymuchWinterinthecoastalareasofnorthernChina—thatweshouldspendafewdaysvisitingSanya,“theHawaiiofChina.”

We were assured the temperature would be in the mid to high 20s. Not a fan of cold temperatures, that certainly piqued my interest. A quick search of the map revealed Sanya is in China’s most southerly province—the least-populated province in China, on the southern-most point of Hainan Island in the South China Seas.

Home to some 10 million residents, this large island forms the eastern portion of the Gulf of Tonkin, an area that received media attention

paradise with lush vegetation. It was still mid-morning and the temperature was already in the high 20s.

From the airport to the town of Sanya was a fairly lengthy drive on twisty roads, but glimpses of white sand beaches lined with palm trees made the drive to our hotel quite pleasant.

My experience with various local guides in each city we visited in China was that they all were clearly proud of their respective areas. Our guide in Sanya was no exception. He took particular pride in the fact that in 1999, the UN Environmental Protection Organization made an air-quality survey of 158 cities in the world and Sanya ranked second. (We never did find out which city was first.)

While he has never had the opportunity to travel outside of China, the guide assured us that Sanya was like Hawaii was, 20 to 30 years ago—before myriad tourists invaded the Islands.

The Seductive South China Seas

John Ruttan

TravEl

Beautiful free-form pool and gardens of the Sheraton Resort on Yalong Bay in Sanya, site of the 55th Miss World Final for 2005

Mother and child relaxing in one of the pools at the International Asia Pacific Conference Centre and HNA Resort Hotel in Sanya. The resort covers 10 hectares and features China’s first saltwater swimming pool and 3 freshwater pools.

following a naval engagement in the Vietnam conflict.

Hainan Island was again in the news a number of years ago when a Chinese fighter intercepted an American patrol plane. The resulting mid-air collision between the two aircraft forced the damaged American aircraft to land on Hainan Island.

Our plane descended into a tropical paradise…

In Shanghai, we were greeted by a temperature of 3º C and bitter-cold wind. Our time in and around Shanghai passed quickly and soon we were headed south on China Eastern Airlines on our flight to Sanya. With only one runway, the airport is small by any standard but we were assured the airport is capable of handling aircraft as large as a Boeing 747.

Our plane descended into a tropical


The clean white sand and crystal-clear water of Dadonghai Beach—only 2 kilometres from downtown—stretch for 2.1 kilometres. A number of 4- and 5-star hotels are situated along the beach.

Next we visited the stunning expanse of Yalong Bay. Approved by the State Council, construction for the Yalong Bay National Resort started in 1992 and was completed in 1995. In 2000 this resort area, covering 18.6 square kilometres, was rated as a national “AAAA” scenic spot by the Chinese National Tourism Administration.

Surrounded by mountains, Yalong Bay boasts a gorgeous 7 kilometre white-sand beach and top hotels such as Sheraton, Marriott, Holiday Inn, and many others—including one with the curious name of Underwater World Hotel.

The Sheraton is a beautiful, spacious property with an immense, free-form swimming pool surrounding many of the best ground-floor rooms. Guests can descend a few steps from their large private-patio area, right

into the pool. After your swim, you can return to the privacy of your own patio, then step into your room. Very civilized, indeed.

The Sanya Sheraton has garnered world attention by holding the 2004 Miss World contest with contestants from 120 nations (Miss Peru won). In recent times, Sanya has hosted the Miss World contest three times. Plans are underway to make Sanya the permanent site of this prominent event.

With an annual average temperature of 25º C, Sanya offers swimming, diving, and boating as year-round activities. The highest monthly temperature in July is reportedly 28.4º C; the lowest monthly temperature is in January—a very comfortable 21º C. The yearly sunshine normally totals around 2560 hours and the average yearly rainfall is up to 1217 millimetres.

Several ethnic groups live on Hainan Island—the Han, Li, Miao, and Hui. They each have their own language but most are fluent in Cantonese.

Hainan Island has much to offer those interested in an affordable beach holiday. While very few

residents speak English, their friendly manner and willingness to help overcome many barriers.

The short flight from Hong Kong to Sanya is like flying from Vancouver to San Francisco. An ideal holiday would be to visit Hong Kong for a week, then unwind another week in Sanya.

Time has stood still on Hainan Island. In many ways, it is like going back several decades.

China was a wonderful experience. And I have added Sanya to my list of places to which I intend to return. s

John Ruttan,ownerofNanaimoTravelBureauforover25years,hastravelledextensivelyaroundtheworld,includingCentralandSouthAfrica,SoutheastAsia,CentralandSouthAmerica,andtheSouthPacific.ThisactivescubadiverhasexploredthewatersofTahiti,Fiji,theCookIslands,andKomodoIsland—homeoftheKomodoDragon,largestlizardintheworld.

Voice: 250�5�-1331Fax: 250�5�-1�[email protected]

The beautiful harbour and beach as seen from the balcony of a room in the HNA Resort Hotel on Sanya Bay. The hotel has 611 guest rooms and extensive convention facilities.


TakeaHikeisanalternativeeducationprogramthatenablesat-riskyouthto

changetheirlivesbyengagingtheminauniquecombinationofoutdoorexperientiallearning,academics,counselling,andcommunityinvolvement.

In 2005, Take a Hike opened a Grade 10 classroom. Along with the established Grade 11 and 12 class, the program now has the capacity to help 40 of Vancouver’s at-risk youth.

Youth in the program struggle with personal issues that inhibit their success in the mainstream school system. Their backgrounds can include drug and alcohol addiction, physical and mental abuse, low self-esteem, depression, and trauma.

Take a Hike Youth at Risk Foundation

Adventure-based learning (ABL) is a critical

component of the Take a Hike program…

youTH EDuCaTioN

Adventure-based learning (ABL) is a critical component of the Take a Hike program and is instrumental to the successful turnaround of the students lives. The students take part in weekly outdoor activities and several multiday expeditions each year. ABL uses physical activities to help youth develop self-directed goals, trust, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. It also provides

Kayaking at Twin Islands: students kayaking for the first time

Students in a voyager canoe at Twin Islands


a safe and supportive environment for building self-esteem and self-motivation.

Since September 2000, 84 percent of the Grade 12 students enrolled in the program have graduated. All students have demonstrated measurable improvements in their conflict resolution skills, communication, self-esteem, social skills, and connection to school.

Take a Hike classes go on outings twice a week from September to June, with 3 multiday trips a year: solo hut camping in October; snow cave camping in February; and a 10-day expedition in May. s

Formoreinformation,pleasevisitourWebsite.www.takeahikefoundation.org

One student is blindfolded as the other two guide him through the ropes course with their voices: an exercise to develop trust and teamwork.

A student practises building a debris hut (solo shelter) at UBC in preparation for his first 3-day camping trip in October.

Camping near Powell River. On all trips, students are paired up to share cooking responsibilities and food.

Tim Gale, Take a Hike Co-Founder and Head Teacher, points out something on a hike to the Capilano Dam.

Students built a stretcher from branches and equipment as part of a Wilderness First Aid Course.

Students practise winter outdoor skills at Mount Seymour in preparation for their 3-day camping trip in February where they build their own snow caves for sleeping.


Groundedintheuniversalhumanexperienceof“breakingbread

together,”CulinaryTeambuildingisanexcitingnewconceptincorporate-eventactivitiesthatraisesthebarbyusingcookingasavehicleforcollaboration.

It requires none of the athletic prowess required in other teambuilding programs that put pressure on group members to overcome a physical challenge and it provides an opportunity for everyone in a group to contribute, regardless of their culinary skills.

We believe food is the gateway to the soul and that cooking is an expression of the way we operate in the world. Your personality shows its true colours when the hollandaise breaks or the brandy snaps burn!

Culinary Teambuilding identifies the right fit for the client’s objective. The simple recipe for a spectacular custom-designed event is basing the program on the number of participants, the time of day, and the preferred location.

At an event in Whistler, BC, 35 guests sautéed and baked their gourmet dinner on a culinary circuit. The group cracked BC Crab, rolled sweet dough, and sautéed pink

mushrooms! Using regional ingredients is the preferred route and buying organic enhances the flavour profile.

While some recipes are devised to be daunting, others are meant to be unique in presentation and taste. For example, the goddess Asian Durian

fruit—expensive and luxurious—has a bad rap; it smells like blue cheese. Our team works with groups in the proper way of cutting the fruit—and eating it.

Successful teamcooking requires gentle guidance and a lot of humour from the chefs when handling blowtorches, mandolins, knives, and bubbling sugar. The chefs and the culinary facilitator monitor and blend with the activities to ensure that food preparation and cooking will be completed on schedule. The staff are teambuilding, too, managing their own sets of challenges.

Teambuilding . . . with Cooking!

Your personality shows its true colours when the hollandaise breaks or the

brandy snaps burn!

Julie Burke

aDulT EDuCaTioN

“Too Many Cooks” program in Vancouver, BC, for a Corporate Event

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When working with larger numbers of participants, teambuilding activities can be designed to integrate seamlessly with nonculinary activities. For example, we recently partnered with an equestrian centre to produce and execute an event in Arizona for 100 clients. There were 11 station activities—5 of them were culinary. Grub included a spit of lamb, chili, ginger cake, tamales, cornbread, slaw, and more. Some nonculinary stations included chair massage, a cattle drive, and quick draws.

Culinary Teambuilding suits all types of corporations, conferences, and individuals. The process is fearless but the stakes are high (no pun intended). Males love basting, marinating, and BBQing; women tend to work more effectively with pastry, cutting, and stirring.

There are many reasons why teamcooking should be on everyone’s “to do” list.

• Fun! • Motivational/Inspirational • Competitive

Excellent for . . .

• Integrating new teams • Working outside the cube • Group bonding • Enhancing communication • Maximizing creative talents • Facilitating fractured teams

Food connects with people, places, and potent feelings that we normally don’t encounter when we stick to tried-and-true travel routines. Food creates a bond that is fundamental.

Group-cooking activity takes eating to another level. The results are delicious because you cooked it! Your group will celebrate their efforts together over a gourmet meal in a spectacular setting. s

From1��to1��,Julie BurkeownedEverythingDoneRight,ahighprofilecateringbusinessinVancouver,BC.Underthatbrand,shemanufacturedformulasforover20linesofcondimentsinstoresnationally.

Someofhercitationsincludethe�0Under�0EntrepreneurialAward;Intrawest’sawardforInternationalEventProfessionaloftheYear;andtheSpecialEventIndustryAwardfortheBestCorporateTeambuildingEventinCanada2006.

JuliecurrentlyownsTallOrder,auniqueculinaryteambuildingcompany.

Voice: 60�5��-�2�6Fax: 60�5��[email protected]

“Chef Jeopardy” program in Nice, France, for Texas Instruments


DoBeDoBeDo

I can believe as many six impossible things before

breakfast!

The White Queen, Alice Through the Looking Glass

by Lewis Carroll

When was the last time you believed in impossible things and made them possible? The ability to see or sense something that doesn’t yet

exist is part of your creativity toolkit. All humans have that ability—some people just use it more than others.

How Can You Make the Impossible Possible?The key is found in all those 1950’s classic lyrics, Do Be Do Be Do. To Do the impossible, you need to Be different, so that you can Do different things, which further helps you Be different the next time you face a challenge . . . so that you now continually Do habits that create results.

Sounds simple, right?

Not!

Not if you just try to change your state of Being intellectually. If you are feeling negative about a challenge, does it help for people to say, “Just do it!” or “Lighten up, already”? You want to vaporize them.

Trying to change your state of mind intellectually is like trying to learn ballroom dancing by reading a book. Changing your mindset is a kinesthetic process that requires getting your whole body-mind system involved.

There are several ways to approach it. One way is to change your language from Doing language to Being language.

Three Examples of Changing Your Language1. Time ManagementWhen we lost one assistant at the office, we thought it would be impossible to get all our work done each week without her. Instead of saying we need to Do

Turning Problems into Refreshing New

Possibilities!

Trying to change your state of mind intellectually

is like trying to learn ballroom dancing by

reading a book.

Carla Rieger

THE CHallENgE oF CHaNgE

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You Already Make Impossible Things PossibleSeeing yourself as capable of creating the impossible anchors your ability—and trains your brain to accomplish even more great feats.

For example, maybe you ran a marathon, re-organized the way you work, improved your income, had a baby, moved house, jumped out of an airplane, got an education, put on a conference, wrote a book, got a promotion, or simply developed an attitude of gratitude about life.

Wow! What else can you accomplish?!

When you are faced with a seemingly impossible task in life, wouldn’t it be great to feel the confidence to solve it? Your state of Being makes all the difference.

Four Quick Questions for You1. What seemingly impossible task

would you like to make possible?

2. What Being state would you need to make it possible?

3. What can you do to anchor that Being state kinesthetically? (For example, draw it, visualize it, sense what it would feel like to Be that way regularly, talk about it with others, hang around with people who are like that, etc.)

4. Out of that new state of Being, what are you inspired to Do that is different from what you’ve done before?

Take Inventory! Take Action!Order the Rieger Communication Style Inventory to help you see your natural strengths and weaknesses during states of challenge, change, and conflict. s

Carla Rieger,speaker,trainer,andcoach,helpsindividualsandbusinessesdevelopcreativewaystofacechallenge,change,andconflict.

Voice: 1-�66-2��-2��[email protected]

our work faster, we said, “We want to Be more efficient.” That inspired us to Do different things, such as create a new system for working that eliminated several unnecessary steps.

2. Project ManagementI thought about writing a book for years but never did it. Finally, instead of saying, I need go away for 3 months to Do the book, I said: I want to Be an author. This inspired me to carve out 3 hours a week to write and—lo and behold—after 16 months, the book was written!

3. HealthFor over 15 years, I tried unsuccessfully to lose 10 pounds. Finally, instead of saying, I need to Do such things like go on a diet and jog every morning, I said, I want to Be slender. This inspired me to eat smaller portions of the food I loved and do a variety of activities that I enjoy much more than jogging. The 10 pounds came off and have stayed off now for 5 years.


John Teleske of BDO Dunwoody LLP

Ownersofsmallbusinessesprepareyourselves:Finance

ministersattheprovincialandfederallevelshavespoken.

Recent tax changes have implications for businesses and, in some cases, the news is actually positive.

Average Calgary home prices are up 25 percent over last year as the province’s population continues to grow more than 500 percent faster that the national average. As of July 1, 2006, new home buyers will save enough on the GST on that new home to buy a couch for the family room and enough GST on the couch to buy burgers at the mall.

Owners of small businesses are sceptical about whether that boost in spending power will trigger significant increase in sales, however, and on both sides of the Rockies, they are more than a bit chagrined about the administrative costs of implementing the change.

Eric Pateman, owner of Edible British Columbia, says, “I don’t think a 1 percent tax cut is going to have any impact on people’s finances. Every little bit helps, of course, but from a business perspective we are still competing with Alberta, where there is no provincial sales tax.

John Teleske, a chartered accountant in public practice with BDO Dunwoody LLP, has worked with small- and medium-sized businesses for more than 30 years. He says it is important for businesses to be aware of these changes and to plan for the end of the year now.

In fact, beginning in 2007, some businesses may even be able to cut back on tax installments.

“Tax rates in both British Columbia and Alberta will decrease over the next 2 to 3 years. The amount that qualifies as the annual small business income limit will increase from $300,000 to $400,000 (as of January 1, 2007).

Businesses Need to Prepare for Impacts of Tax Changes

Recent tax changes have implications for businesses

and, in some cases, the news is actually positive.

Lori Bamber

TaxES

“[US visitors] to Granville Island either don’t know or don’t understand it—and, in many cases, have [the tax] refunded when they go home. Whether it is 6 or 7 percent won’t make a bit of difference.”

While the GST cut may not make much of a ripple in business income, other changes introduced in the 2006 federal budget have the potential to keep more money in the till.


In BC, the rate for 2006 – 2007 on that amount is 17.62 percent, declining to 16 percent in 2008, and 15.5 percent in 2009. In Alberta, the current rate is 16.12 percent for qualifying small business income. On a go-forward basis, that will decline to 14.5 percent in 2008 and 14 percent in 2009.”

Mr. Teleske says rates in Alberta are generally 1.5 percent lower that in BC, reflecting the prosperity of the province’s oil industry. “But these are the lowest rates we’ve seen in this part of the country for many years and, given the current economy, there is great opportunity for growth.”

Also important to small business, he says, is the new apprenticeship tax credit. Effective May 2, 2006, it provides a nonrefundable tax credit equal to 10 percent of remuneration paid to qualifying apprentices, to a maximum credit of $2000 per apprentice.

costly to them. It is really the amount of administrative time that a business person has to spend, away from the real reason they’re in business, that is the cost. It is not always reflected in the profit and loss statement, but it is reflected in terms of lost productivity in the organization.”

This report originally appeared in a special information series on Small Business Innovation sponsored by TELUS, published in the BC and Alberta editions of The Globe and Mail newspaper on June 15, 2006. s

Lori BamberisafreelancewriterwhoseworkappearsregularlyinThe Globe and Mail;sheistheauthorofsevenbooksonpersonalfinancialplanningandinvestment,Chatelainemagazine’smoneyexpert,andformerhostofCKNW’sMoneyline.ShehasbeenaregularcontributortoBC BusinessandAlberta Venturemagazinesandisaregularguestofradioandtelevisionprogramsacrossthecountry,includingCBCMarketplace’spopularDebtNation.

…small businesses are unique and have their

own peculiar set of problems

John Winter, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, says anything to do with tax is always important to small business. While a 1 percent GST cut may not be significant to business income, Mr. Winter says he sees it as an indication that both provincial and federal governments are beginning to recognize that a small business is not just a smaller version of a big business, that small businesses are unique and have their own peculiar set of problems.

“One of the things that intrigued me about the budget,” he says, “was a bit of a plea for provinces that aren’t already doing so to harmonize PST and GST.

“[Our members] tell us it is the cumbersome nature of tax (that is)


Mostofusincurmedicalexpensesofonetypeoranotheratsome

pointinourlives.

They may be just for the occasional prescription or they may be for very significant costs incurred relating to a severe or prolonged condition. In any case, if you meet the criteria of Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), a tax credit may be available to reduce your income tax.

Who Can Make a Claim?You may be able to claim the medical expense tax credit if you have sufficient eligible medical expenses to report.

You may claim—on line 330 of schedule 1 of your personal tax return—the eligible medical expenses that were paid for any of the following individuals.

• Yourself

• Your spouse or common law partner

• A child (of you, your spouse, or your common law partner) who had not attained the age of 18 by December 31 of the calendar year

Only expenses in excess of the lesser of a threshold amount can be claimed: $1844 (federal amount for

2005, subject to annual indexing) plus 3 percent of net income. Only the lowest tax rate is applied to determine the amount of the credit, so it doesn’t matter if you are in the highest or lowest tax bracket; the credit (and the tax benefit) will be the same.

person is the child or grandchild of the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse or common law partner.

You must calculate separately the total medical expenses claimed for each dependant included on line 331.

The amount you may claim:

• is limited to the lesser of the threshold amount ($1844, federal amount for 2005) plus 3 percent of that dependant’s net income; and

• is subject to a maximum of $10,000 for each dependant (up from a $5000 limit in 2004).

Tax TipTo maximize the credit, consider grouping all the eligible medical expenses on the tax return of the lower-income spouse. In this way, the nondeductible portion will apply only once and the amount of expenses available for the credit will be greater!

What Medical Expenses Can Be Claimed?You can claim qualifying medical expenses that were paid within any 12 month period ending in the calendar year. If, however, the individual died in the year, you can select any 24 month period that includes the date of death.

Medical Expenses: Tax Credit

Offers Some Relief

…if you meet the criteria of Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), a tax credit may be available to reduce your

income tax.

Kathryn Edwards

TaxES

Additional Claim for Other DependantsYou can claim—at line 331 of schedule 1—the portion of medical expenses that you, your spouse, or common law partner paid for the following persons who depended upon you for support.

• A child or a grandchild (of you, your spouse, or your common law partner) who was 18 years of age or older as at December 31

• A parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew (of you, your spouse, or your common law partner) who was a resident of Canada at any time in the year

Note that the residency requirement does not apply if the


Tax TipIf you don’t have enough eligible medical expenses to make a claim in 1 year, keep those receipts for the following year. Because you can use any 12 month period for your claim, you may incur sufficient expenses in the following calendar year to make a claim possible!

• You cannot claim expenses that were reimbursed or that are reimbursable.

• You cannot claim an expense if it was already included in a prior year’s claim.

• If you failed to make a claim in the last few years but believe you were eligible, you may still make a claim by filing with CRA the form T1-Adjustment Request and attaching your medical receipts.

• Generally, CRA will allow you to amend a prior year’s tax return as long as that year is not “statute-barred.”

A vast variety of expenses, from prescription drugs to cosmetic surgery, may qualify as eligible for calculation of the tax credit. To ensure you are not missing any opportunities, you should refer to CRA’s Website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tp/it519r2-consolid for a fairly comprehensive list of eligible items.

CRA may require receipts to support your claim.

• If you are paper-filing, attach your receipts to your return.

• If you are e-filing, keep your receipts on hand, because they may be later requested by CRA. Failure to provide receipts when required can result in your claim being disallowed!

Tax Tip • If an individual is certified as

eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), the cost of a full-time attendant or full-time care in a nursing home can be claimed as an eligible medical expense.

• If these expenses are claimed for purposes of the medical expense

tax credit, however, the DTC may not also be claimed! For this reason, some consideration should be made to determine the best approach. It can be tricky!

Alternative MedicinesMany approaches to heath care are available today. For tax purposes, however, when making a claim for the medical expense tax credit, you should ensure that the item you wish to claim is eligible for these purposes. For example, nonprescription medications (medications not required to be “recorded by a pharmacist”) are currently not considered eligible by CRA, even though they may be prescribed by a doctor.

A vast variety of expenses, from prescription drugs

to cosmetic surgery, may qualify as eligible for

calculation of the tax credit.

There’s More?Yes! You may also be able to claim an additional refundable medical-expense supplement. To determine your eligibility and calculate your claim, simply complete the chart for line 452 on the Federal Worksheet in the personal tax forms book. You can claim the supplement for the same medical expenses that you included on lines 330 and 331 of schedule 1 of your tax return.

CautionThis article is not intended to provide an exhaustive explanation of claims and criteria for the medical expense tax credit. Each taxpayer’s situation must be analyzed on its own merits, given current rules in place and CRA’s changing policies. Professional advice with regard to your own specific circumstances is always recommended.

KathrynEdwards,CA,isapartnerwithPagnaniniEdwardsLam,CharteredAccountants.

[email protected]


Betsy Gibbons (right), volunteer Chair of BC Women’s Foundation, joins Dr. Elizabeth Whynot (left), President of BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre; Pamela Martin, anchor of CTV News at Six; and Rona Maynard, former Editor-in-Chief of Chatelaine, at the largest annual fundraising event for BC Women’s Hospital: the Illuminations Luncheon.

MakingadifferenceisafamilytraditionforBetsyGibbons,

volunteerChairofBCWomen’sHospital&HealthCentreFoundation.

Daughter of one of BC’s top Notaries, Vernon Hargreaves [now retired], Betsy says she learned about the importance of giving back to her community from her parents.

“Making a commitment to volunteering was the way I was raised. Both my mother and my father served

in their community and taught me that is the right thing to do,” she says. She has passed those values on to her two sons, teaching them “it’s part of being a good citizen.”

Betsy believes that “volunteering provides some diversity to a person’s world.” A Senior Client Partner in the Vancouver office of executive search firm Korn/Ferry International, Betsy has worked in organizations where volunteering is part of the corporate culture. “That suits me well and aligns with my value system.”

voluNTEEriNg

Vernon Hargreaves’ Daughter Betsy Gibbons

Continues the Family Tradition

Making a commitment to volunteering was the way I was raised. Both

my mother and my father served in their community and taught me that is the

right thing to do…

Pamela Clarke


Born at Grace Hospital (now BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre) and raised in Vancouver by Betty and Vernon, Betsy says, “I’m a product of the 1960’s rebirth of feminism, so ensuring the health and success of women has been important to me throughout my life. Because I’ve always been interested in women-related issues and creating opportunities for women, I support BC Women’s as well as Big Sisters.”

Betsy joined BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation in April 1998 and was elected Chair in 2002. She is Chair of the Alumni Campaign for the Segal Centre at Simon Fraser University and a member of the Dean’s External Advisory Board at SFU’s Faculty of Business Administration. She has served as chair of the United Way’s Loaned Representatives Committee; a director of the Simon Fraser University Foundation; a panel member for the YWCA Women of Distinction; and past president and director of BC Human Resources Management Association.

Betsy spends at least 10 hours per week on volunteer activities, mostly for BC Women’s Foundation. In 2005, she devoted well over 500 hours to volunteering—in addition to her demanding career and the time she dedicates to her extended family.

She plays a leading role in the success of BC Women’s Foundation. Competition is keen for donor support; people tend to favour children’s causes, often forgetting about women’s health. Shifting public perception—so

people realize they need to support not only the babies but their mothers, too—is a huge challenge.

Lacking the funds for a massive public awareness campaign, Betsy asks people to talk about BC Women’s to their family, friends, and colleagues. This plan was built on the premise that women talk about what they love. After all, thousands of women have become mothers, grandmothers, and aunts because of the care provided by the hospital.

Thanks to her leadership, donor support has increased significantly. “BC Women’s can only accomplish all the important work that it does—the research and the care uniquely devoted to women and their families—with continuing support,” she says.

BC Women’s Foundation provides funding for the programs, services, and initiatives of BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre. Under Betsy’s leadership, communities and the province benefit from programs to improve health care and life for women and babies.

Reflecting on her years of volunteering at BC Women’s, she says she’s most deeply touched by the personal stories of the women served by the hospital. Their stories reinforce how critical it is to support the Foundation.

“BC Women’s serves women through their many cycles of life—from birth, through their children’s births, and through their senior years. That is good for everyone because a healthy woman creates a healthy family and a healthy community.” s

[email protected]

Vernon Hargreaves, Honourary Life Member of The Society of Notaries Public of BC BC Women’s can only

accomplish all the important work that it does—the research and the care

uniquely devoted to women and their families—with

continuing support…


TheBCSPCAhaslaunchedanadvocacycampaignaimedatdramatically

improvingthelivesofabusedandneglectedanimalsinBC.

The goals of the campaign are threefold:

• to persuade the provincial government to strengthen BC’s inadequate animal cruelty laws;

• to raise public awareness about the plight of abused and neglected animals;

• to obtain adequate and sustained funding to at least partially compensate us for the cost of animal cruelty investigations.

We also hope some estate professionals will help by making their clients aware of the campaign and how they can support it through their life and estate planning.

Although the BC SPCA is not a government agency, it is mandated to conduct cruelty investigations and enforce anticruelty laws. We investigate between 8000 and 10,000 cruelty complaints annually and are involved in every aspect of an investigation, including the initial response to the complaint, follow-up inspections, seizure, rehabilitation, and re-homing of animals in critical distress, and presentation of evidence at a trial.

Fortunately, most of the complaints we receive are resolved with the cooperation of the owners, which involves educating them about the proper treatment of their animals, then follow-up inspections or by the voluntary surrender of the animals.

Campaign to End Animal Cruelty

Under our current laws, animals are property, not

sentient beings…

John Hoole

aNiMal rigHTS

Roanie, a 7-year-old Dalmatian, was bludgeoned on the head and thrown into the icy Fraser River to die. Miraculously, he survived. BC SPCA officers rushed him to a veterinary hospital; he had a crushed skull and severe dehydration. After extensive treatment, Roanie eventually recovered and now has a happy home.


Unfortunately, too many cases of cruelty go unreported and uninvestigated—it is estimated that an animal is the victim of cruelty every hour of every day in BC. The Society spends over $1.5 million annually and needs to increase funding. We have 55 Special Provincial Constables on staff—and at least 7 more are needed to enable us to respond adequately to the overwhelming number of complaints and provide an enforcement presence in the parts of the province without officers.

All of that $1.5 million is spent fulfilling our mandate to enforce provincial and federal laws, but the province provides a mere $71,000 for officer training. By comparison, the Ontario SPCA, which fields a comparable number of complaints, receives over $1 million in provincial funding. The Alberta SPCA, with far fewer complaints, receives $800,000.

Under our current laws, animals are property, not sentient beings; the penalties for breaches of those laws reflect this. For example, a puppymill

operator, raking in enormous profits, couldn’t care less about a fine of $2000—it’s simply an easily paid “business expense.”

Current legislation lacks teeth. For example, there are no penalties for those who abuse animals belonging to others. We hope that campaign will result in the enactment of changes to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to significantly improve protection for animals and provide appropriate penalties for all those found guilty of cruelty.

This is very much a grassroots campaign. We are asking people, especially animal lovers, to do three things:

• sign the Action Letter to the Premier and the Minister of Agriculture and Lands—see the campaign Website www.EndAnimalCruelty.com;

• send an email to family and friends asking them to do likewise;

• buy and wear an Awareness wristband.

Those wanting to do more—or who have clients who wish to do more—can make a gift to the BC SPCA, specifying it is to be earmarked for cruelty investigations and cruelty prevention work. Similarly, a gift could be included in a Will or the BC SPCA could be designated as the beneficiary of an insurance policy, RRSP, or RRIF.

Contact your local BC SPCA shelter; we will send you the appropriate wording to direct the funds to help the fight against animal cruelty.

Violent crimes against animals are not taken seriously in this province. We cannot claim to live in a humane society while atrocities against animals continue.

With your help, we intend to change this.

For further information, please visit www.EndAnimalCruelty.com or contact the BC SPCA. s

Voice: 60�6�1-�2�1or1-�00-665-1�6�(tollfree)


After3hoursofdrivinginthepouringrain,wesplish-splashedour

wayintothehistoriccityofCartagena,mid-afternoon—siestatime—onTuesday,January10,2006.

I had been looking forward to visiting Cartagena for several years, for Cartagena is New Carthage, the home of Hannibal Barca, the man who led a 100,000 man army from this very city across the Alps to harass the Romans for 16 years. And the elephants! Who can forget the elephants.

It was to be a short, disappointing visit.

First, the Mexican restaurant where we stopped for a late lunch was closed. Strike one! Then the Roman ruins museum—despite the sign saying it was open on Tuesdays—was also closed. Strike two! Finally, after climbing what seemed like 1000 wet, uneven cobblestone stairs—but it was probably no more than 950—we found the heavy, iron gate of the city’s magnificent hilltop fortress chained and padlocked. Strike three!

Game over. After two-and-a-half hours, with water sneaking into every possible bodily crevice despite our best rain gear, we had to admit it: we were rained out.

So, we decided to head for home—the faster, the better. I programmed our TomTom GPS navigation system to take us the shortest route back to our base in the fishing village of Carboneras.

We followed TomTom’s directions diligently, turning right and left and right again until, amazingly, about 90 minutes out of Cartagena, we found ourselves on a narrow, muddy dirt road driving through hundreds of acres of side-by-side, ugly plastic structures with not another vehicle in sight.

TomTom was taking us the shortest route all right—cross-country via a mucky goat trail through a labyrinth of shabby, opaque greenhouses, toward an intimidating mountain range that loomed over the edge of the tomato farm. And, in the steady rain, the unpaved lane was getting slicker, steeper, and harder to find by the second.

But we looked at each other and smiled. Now this was fun!

Game on!

Our tires were spinning and mud and rocks were flying. I was steering the van around the plastic shacks like a professional racecar driver, just barely staying on the slippery track. Turns that TomTom wanted us to make no longer existed.

Roads we were on suddenly ended and we had to turn on roads that weren’t on the GPS system. We were forced to scrape along washed-out streambeds, skid across slopes, and squeeze through tight passages made for skinny forklifts, not wide vans.

As we looked ahead, we realized our beloved but gutless van would never make it over the steep mountain path and, besides, it would be getting dark soon.

Game called, on account of impending darkness.

But that is when the fun really started.

As I turned the van around, our back tires got stuck in a deep pool of gooey mud. I shoved the gear shift into reverse, then into first, then into reverse again, trying to rock our way out of this tar-like mess, only to dig us in deeper. Back and forth we rocked like we were riding tandem on a mechanical bull in a Western bar.

With a sudden burst of power, the back tires finally slid free, only to have the mud-filled hole swallow our front tires! Terre and I looked at each and burst out laughing. After more rocking,

I Didn’t Want to Work in a Pet Shop; I Wanted to be a

Race Car Driver in the Wilds of Southern Spain!

…we realized our beloved but gutless van would never make it over the steep mountain path

and, besides, it would be getting dark soon.

Timothy Perrinwith much help on this one from

Terre Perrin

TECHNology


gear grinding, and bronco riding, we were still stuck in the brown goop.

Terre got out to assess the situation and, of course, to take some pictures. She had trouble holding the camera steady as she laughed at the craziness of our “shortest” route plan.

Finally, amid much roaring of the engine and spewing of diesel fumes, the van launched itself backward out of the muddy trap and landed just a few inches from the entrance of an open greenhouse full of tomatoes.

Freed at last, we backtracked as best we could. Five minutes later, Terre spotted some pavement, and sadly, our muddy, cross-country adventure came to an abrupt end.

One more left turn and we would be on our way home.

I pulled over to the side of the paved road and reprogrammed the TomTom, this time for the fastest route—you know, on asphalt with white lines painted down the middle. We both breathed a sigh of relief and then laughed until our sides ached.

TomTom is the GPS navigation system we bought in Holland a few days after we arrived in Europe in August of 2005. We had picked it up after an unfortunate incident on day one. We carefully printed instructions from MapQuest.com to get from the van dealer in Utrecht to where we would be staying that night.

in the unit. It was worth every single, solitary penny!

From that moment on, we got from door to door with flawless accuracy. Well, except for the little tomato patch escapade and one other incident in Belgium where there were two streets in the same area with the same name; the system is only as good as the maps it’s given.

And in most countries in Western Europe—and certainly in North America—it is virtually flawless, taking us turn-by-turn from wherever we are to wherever we want to be. And If we miss a turn, no problem! It just recalculates the route.

Need a hotel? An ATM? A gas station? Want to go to the movies? Go for a swim? No problem! The map database has all these kinds of “points-of-interest,” and many others built in, plus there are other POI databases you can download, including one of every McDonald’s in France. (Not for the food—in France?!—but for the clean and FREE bathrooms!)

There are a variety of makes and models of GPS navigation systems out there—Garmin, Magellan, TomTom, and others. You can install the software and maps onto your Palm Pilot or Pocket PC, add a GPS module, and voila, instant navigation system. Prices start at about $300 and average $600.

Or you can buy a stand-alone like we did. Some use maps on memory cards—they’re cheaper, averaging about $600, but you have to buy new maps when you travel outside the predefined area. For a bit more, you can get a system covering basically an entire continent.

Average price for these is about $850. A good place to comparison-shop features and learn about the various kinds of systems is gpssmart.ca.

One night, in our hotel room, I was checking out the TomTom Website and discovered that for another 10€ I could download a new voice for TomTom. There was the “Shiver me timbers” pirate voice and the “Let me make you an offer” Godfather type, but neither of those appealed to us.

We wanted something a little more familiar. We were tired of Ken from Australia—who had quickly become KenKen—so I downloaded KenKen’s replacement, comedian John Cleese, immediately dubbed JohnJohn.

JohnJohn is one of the funniest actors Britain has ever produced and now we had the pleasure of JohnJohn telling us where to go-go. And trust me, he can do that like no other.

For example . . .

• After 300 metres, bear right; beaver left.

• You have arrived at your destination. You can get out now, but I am not going to help you carry your bags. From now on, you’re on your own.

• Please drive onto the ferry and when you get on board, please get out of the vehicle. I’m afraid our relationship hasn’t worked out as well as I had hoped and I think we could both use some time apart.

• And our favourite: After 800 metres—what I call half-a-mile, but we have to say 800 metres these days because of that little bastard, Napoleon—turn right.

But be careful. I-I have noticed a weird, weird side effect if you listen to JohnJohn on TomTom for too, too long. A person starts to speak in doubles.

Sorry, but I must go-go.

ByeBye. s

Tim Perrinhasbeenwritingthiscolumnsince1��3.Forthefirst5years,hewasalawyerinVancouverandtheBCInterior,thenlefttheprofessionin1��towriteandteach.Nowhe’sreturningtolawwiththefirmofBassett&Co.inWestbank,BC.

[email protected]

By my calculation, we were hopelessly lost within 5 kilometres.

Within a week, we had plopped down 900€, at that time over $1200, for the top-of-the-line TomTom. It came with all the maps of Western Europe already on a hard drive right

Need a hotel? An ATM? A gas station?

Want to go to the movies? Go for a swim? No problem!


Bunny (Beatrice) Parton December 14, 1930 – July 30, 2006

Notary Doug Parton’s mother Bunny has passed away. In 1956, Bunny and her husband, Notary Bill Parton (who died in 2005, after 54 years of marriage), started William Parton Agencies, a real estate business in Kitsilano, which is still run by the family today. An avid volunteer and member of many organizations, Bunny received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. She is survived by 5 offspring and their partners and 8 loving grandchildren.

HoNourS aND EvENTS

Sabrina’s winning “build and display” entry. The Notary Seal actually turns!

Victoria Notary Sabrina Hanousek and her 12-year-old son Nathan recently spent 5 days in the UK and 4 days in Denmark, on “the trip of a lifetime.” The exciting Lego Inside Tour in Billund included meeting and building with several Lego designers; meeting owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, grandson of the original Lego creator; touring the factory to see the molds in action; a behind-the-scenes tour of Legoland; and much more. For the Lego creations they produced for the design contest, mother and son both received trophies—made of Lego, of course. Sabrina’s winning creation was a “build and display” Notary sign!

People

Robin Baskerville-Bridges and his son Aaron at the Strawberry Tea in June

Aaron’s Bright Future Salvador, Davis & Co., Notaries, cohosted a Strawberry Tea at Pier One Restaurant in Sidney, in support of BC Children’s Hospital. Head of Surgery Dr. Geoff Blair spoke about how BC Children’s Hospital provides the best health care possible to children across the province—wherever they live—both at the hospital and through the hospital’s Telehealth services and provincial outreach clinics.

Fourteen-year-old Aaron Baskerville-Bridges from Brentwood Bay talked about receiving life-saving medical treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia—cancer of the white blood cells—for over 3 years, beginning when he was just 6 years of age. He and his father gave very emotional speeches at the event. In thanking the hospital, the boy spoke of his experiences there and how well he was treated.

He wore a necklace of coloured beads that hung down to his waist. Each bead had a significance—a beige bead for a bone marrow test or lumbar puncture, a white bead for receiving chemotherapy, a red bead for receiving blood, a brown bead for hair loss, and so on. His father spoke of their journeys on the ferry, his son’s

nausea, and the talks they had while awaiting treatment.

The son said he had wanted nothing more in life, if he survived, than to travel across Canada with his dad, to golf in every province. At the completion of his treatment in 2001, they did just that.

The boy’s journey has been long and hard. Notary Laurie Salvador says, “Aaron is an amazing speaker; I’ll bet he has more courage than most adults. It was an afternoon to appreciate the incredible resources we have at BC Children’s Hospital, the struggle of those fighting to overcome adversity, and the hope we all share for a brighter, healthier future for all children.” s

This Just In . . .Notary Jim Robinson invites you to attend the Coquitlam Chorale Annual Christmas Concert, December 2 at 7:30 pm and December 3 at 2:00 pm. Evergreen Cultural Centre1205 Pinetree Way, CoquitlamAdults: $18 / Students: $10Please contact Jim for tickets. 604 931-1202