original story
By: Randy Shore

Reflection:

The Simon Fraser University plans to use wood construction waste to power heat and water facilities for its Burnaby campus. The provincial government has provided 4.7 million dollar for this joint venture between SFU, and Corix utilities they are a green energy company that will we responsible and maintain the facilities. This is a great step forward in my opinion because it will reduce SFU's green house emissions by 11,000 tonnes a year stated by premier Christy Clark during the announcement. The plant will turn urban wood waste in to fuel that will generate electricity and thermal heat and will be used to heat the entire campus, the system will generate 36 megawatts of thermal energy and 2 megawatts of electric energy. This utility will provide clean, affordable and reliable heat and hot water to all new buildings to be constructed by UniverCity residential community on Burnaby mountain. The new system will reduce emissions by 60% and UBC also announced a wood waste gasification system the Provincial government provided $5.5 million for the UBC project and the federal government contributed $10.2 million.

Our country is moving forward. This is the very proof of it, we know that we cannot rely on fossil fuels forever and we are making the necessary changes and we are moving forward. You are trying to make a difference and you ask yourself where do you start? In this case you are starting with the generation of tomorrow, setting this system up in universities and showing the students that we have to innovate and change for the better. By doing this SFU has taken a step further and I hope that other universities will follow the example set by SFU and we all work together to make this world a better place, and we started to do that by using our waste to power tomorrow and creating hybrid vehicle and we will continue to move further and I am so relieved that we are  preparing ourselves for tomorrow by using Eco friendly tools and preparing for the day when we wont any fuel left and what we will do them?

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Teen Killer Stands Trial !

original story
By: Sheila Reynolds

Reflection:

Steven Brandon Mulligan is standing trial in connection with an alleged murder of an 17-year-old boy last summer. Adem Aliu was the name of the teen who as killed early in the morning of April 14 2010 on 103 and 141 street. Residents that lived by said they heard sounds of raising voices followed by the sounds of running and then gunfire.Within 15 hours of the shooting Mulligan was charged with second degree murder, Mulligan is known to the police and has a gang lifestyle. Aliu is an Albanian immigrant and isn't known to the police and does not have a criminal record. Police believe he was out with his friends slashing tires and kicking cars before they came face to face with Mulligan and the murder trial was ordered after a preliminary hearing at Surrey provincial court that concluded on April 19 and now the case will continue in the supreme court of B.C  and a date will be set May 19.


I believe that the media doesn't take sides. This article is a very good demonstration of that they explained both sides of the story telling that Mulligan is accused of murder but also explaining that Adem and his friends were out late and up to no good not saying that killing him justifies it, but if you think about it if your out 1 or 3 in the morning hanging out with your friends you not reading the bible you are up to something and this comes back to the parents, don't let your kids out to late. Have a certain timetable when its dinner, chores, so there is discipline and a bedtime so this is one of those things that Adem's parents learned the hard way and lets hope no other parent has to.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUEEN ELIZABETH!!!

original story
By:  French press agency

Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 85th birthday by visiting the London Westminister Abbey in a rehearsal for her grandson William's wedding. She attended the Royal Maundy service where she gave silver coins to the elderly. The easter ceremony was a good rehearsal for the wedding in eight days, everyone gave their equipment a test run and everything went well. The Maundy coin reflects a tradition that dates back to the 12th century when the king would give money to the needy at Easter time. As the queen left the abbey there were crowds of people with signs saying "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" and children were holding union flags. Each recipient got two bags one containing the coins and a red bag that had a five pound coin commemorating prince Philips 90th birthday and also a 50 pence coin commemorating the 2012 Olympics.  The queen has two birthdays her actual birthday and her official birthday in June when the weather is deemed more favorable for outdoor activities.

I believe that this is an important event and we in Canada should celebrate it. We are a commonwealth and Britain was our mother country and the queen was the one to sign the document that patriated our country and that she is part of the royal family.

westminister Abbey Beside London

Canadian newcomers should not vote tories !!!

original story
By: Carmen Chai

Reflections:
Dozens of lawyers and academics all over Canada are saying that new Canadians should not vote for for tories.  The parties policies are "unfriendly" toward the immigrant community.  In a statement signed by 40 of the countries leading lawyers. They say that newcomers to Canada should not believe Conservative immigration minister Jason Kenney, it is said that he is manipulating the statistics to show that the conservatives are doing a good job.  The parties policies concerning immigration isn't friendly to new Canadians and they have used immigrant issues to secure anti-immigrant votes.  Mr. Kenney has fought hard to secure votes from the ethnic groups by telling them that they will welcome new Canadians quickly but the truth is far from this.  The group of lawyers say that since the tories took power the processing time for visa's has increased and also the funding for immigration has decreased. So if you believe in the reunification of family and spouses meeting spouses and children getting to see their grandparents then you should not vote for the Conservative party and this statement is backed up by the professors at the university of McGill and and toronto and many of Canada's top lawyers.

I believe this is true that the conservative are against immigration. Jason Kenney has manipulated the statistics as I was watching the news other party members say that what Jason Kenney is saying is untrue and if you add up everything the process actually takes up around 12 years and that is the true and the number of immigrants coming into this country has decreased rather then increased like the conservatives  claim. So I believe that those who are looking forward to bringing family to Canada they should vote for Liberals because they are focusing on educations and immigration.

map of South Bc where Minister Jason Kenney payed a visit

Alleged Vancouver crime boss trial ends abruptly

original story
The Canadian press

Reflection:

So two years after the police makes high level arrest the leader of the Sanghera crime group and one of its associate are freed. The crown was putting charges against the purported leader of the Sanghera crime group, which the police blamed for most of the gun fire and shootings in the lower mainland in 2009 it is determined that the Sanghera crime group was involved in 20 shootings through out the lower mainland.The men were faced with firearm charges and shortly after their arrest in February 2009 another five associates were arrested including Sanghera's sons. That was a year before the Olympics and was considered a huge achievement in cleaning up the city. So Udham Sanghera and Gordan Taylor were released from the North Fraser Pretrial Center five weeks after the trial in the supreme court. The men have been released but Const. Lindsey Houghton stated that the door is open in respect to new and other charges, and the police have stated they can link up to a 100 shootings with the Sanghera group.

I believe that the two men should have not been released. They can be detained for more than charge. Certainly they have committed more than crime and the police just has to look hard. Also you have to file the charges and the crown should seek time from the accused and payment and stuff like community hours just straight up jail time. With jail time the leader stays off the streets and there will be less shootings and violence since there is no one there to direct them.

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Surrey Students treated like 'second class citizens'

original story
Sheila Reynolds

Reflections:

The Surrey board of education is asking for a one time $ 2 million grant from the government for the CommunityLINK program. Local school board has said the the government has refused to change its funding formula and left many kids shortchanged. For many that don't know the CommunityLINK program helps pay for things like meals for low-income students counseling for at-risk children and youth, and community schools partnerships that run after-school programs and etc. The school board is the largest in B.C it has about 12% of the public schools in the province and receives only a small amount compared to other districts.A good example of that would be the Vancouver district which gets about $8.7 million annually and Surrey gets about $3.7 million and Victoria gets about the same while Victoria is smaller.They say that $400,000 dollars will have to be taken out of the general operating budget to supply the meal program alone.Laurae McNally the chairperson of the board says the government should be ashamed of itself for not upholding its promise and making families a priority. So the board thinks its fair to ask for a one time grant of $2 million dollars.
Do you?

I believe that the board should get this one time grant. Since they have been given less money in the past meaning more money was used in another area that didnt require that much money means there is some left over there are savings. If you can run an area that cost around 8 million with 3 million there has to be some saving and those savings add up. So I believe that it is time that the government gives back to the people and this money will go to the unfortunate and really will help kids and the money would be used on education which the Liberal party believes is very important its in their platform so they should give extra money.

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Gunfire for Syrian protestors!

Original story
By Garrett Therolf, Los Angeles Times April 8, 2011

Reflections: 
Syrian president has fired his cabinet members and and governors and promised citizenship for the minority but that is not enough. The Syrian people want the president to step down. The prime ministers political tactics have failed and tens of thousand fill the streets to protest against him. Also for the first time a large group of people protested on Friday in Aleppo the nations second largest city. In the city of Dara armed forces have killed 22 and wounded hundreds and as described by a human rights lawyer "its another bloody day in Syria".State run media say there was violence in Dara but blamed it on the vandals, the activist estimate more than 130 dead people while the Syrian officials say the death toll is no more than 30. 


I personally feel that the easiest way to resolve this issue is for Assad to step down. He came in power trying to improve the economy of Syria and that has not gone too well. He has tried no one is to say that he didn't but he has failed and now should let someone else try. Also under Assad rule there has been no political freedom.


This affects us Canadians by showing us how lucky we are. They cannot express their political freedom and here in Canada we take it for granted, also the fact that this situation doesn't worse and become the same as the one in Libya. Everyone should try to end this quickly and make sure no more blood is being spilt.


I don't believe our media seems to faovour anyone. They are showing what Assad tried to do and it was a good idea but he had failed and now is causing useless bloodshed. The states  facts like what the people want and what the government isn't giving. our media gives us the whole picture.

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Ex-Senator Spent $32,000 While Waiting For Sentence For Fraud!

Canada.com link to story
By: Althia Raj

Reflections:

Ex-senator Raymond Lavigne charged taxpayers $32 391 in expenses in the three months before an Ontario Supreme court found him guilty of fraud and breach of trust. Lavigne a former liberal who was turfed from the party caucus in Ottawa, retired from office last month before his colleagues would and strip him of his salary and pension. Documents that were released on Friday showed that Lavigne spent $20 281 on staff, $983.74 on hospitality, $6,565.28 on living expenses while in Ottawa and $4 560.91 on travel between Dec 1 2010 and Feb 28 2011 this was less than two weeks before the court had found him guilty. Lavigne is a Montreal area senator and he was convicted for defrauding the government of $10 120.50 in traveling claims and also breach of trust by misusing his office by telling a staff to cut trees on his property. But that isn't all he also spent $315 355 in senate expenses on top of his $132,000 pay cheque despite he not having any participation since 2007. The outrageous part is he will continue to receive his $79 000 pension but he will be sentenced on May 10 and can face up to 14 years in prison. Records that were released on Friday also showed that the 107 senators spent over 5 million dollars in three months when the senate only sat 17 times .( For individual top spenders check link)

This is a simple issue he spent the money he shouldn't have and defrauded the government. I personally feel that all the unnecessary spending that Lavigne Did he should pay that back to the government. Also how much the senate spends in three months is shocking. Of all the money they are spending can help solve many of the issues are society is dealing with like homelessness and the money could be put towards something better.So my personal feeling about abolishing the senate is stronger than ever.

This issue effects Canadians greatly especially now at election time. People aren't sure who is lying and who isn't now Lavigne was a liberalist and this gives liberals a bad rep. Also the Canadians don't know who to trust and how much more unnecessary spending is going on. So it brings up more questions and makes the voters think again who they want in office.

I don't believe the media favors anybody. They are slowly slanted towards the government. because there is nothing in it about Lavigne saying what he spent it on whether he wasted all the money or part of it was necessary and the occasions he used it in was it related to government business.

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Quit talking about hockey B.C Docters are told!

canada.com story link
By: Pamela Fayerman

 Reflections:

 Medical officials are telling doctors to skip the chit chat and not upset patients. Since the playoffs are right around the corner and Canucks are the favorites and there is a lot of hockey chit chat happening in the surgical room. So the college of physicians and surgeons of B.C advised B.C's 11,000 doctors that talking about stuff other than the surgical task at hand is unprofessional and inappropriate and may upset some patients. This all started when the college received a complaint from a patient that his doctor was talking about hockey with the scrubs nurse. The patient had not been given an anesthetic so he was awake the whole time and heard the entire conversation. In the complaint it was written that there was hockey talk through out the surgery and it made him feel uncomfortable because he thought that the doctor could get distracted and make a mistake. The college registrar Dr. Heidi Oetter said in an interview that the surgery was successful and that this is a useful reminder for doctors and surgeons to be discreet not only in the operating room but anywhere they could be heard talking to an associate about something non-medical. Also Oetter added that some doctors create small talk to relax the patient and it is routine for the doctor to also relax but since this is a patient centered environment doctors should focus on the patients and see what they are comfortable with.


I personally feel that it all depends on the patient. As Dr. Oetter pointed out that this is a patient-centered system so the doctors should comply with what the patient is comfortable with. There are patients who will come in and might ask you who is winning the hockey game? So I believe that doctors do this to comfort patients. I would personally prefer a confident doctor who is bonding with me getting to know and doing the surgery meaning he is a professional, he has been doing this for a long time, and that I can trust him. On the other hand if a doctor shows up and is all serious and saying all these scientific words, that will make me a little bit uncomfortable and I would be frighten that my situation is serious. So for me I personally like the calm,and cool doctors 

This issue effects us Canadians because it frightens us of the fact we don't know what the surgeons are doing when they do give us anesthetics. Those going in surgeries have a doubt that is the surgeons going to talk about hockey are they gonna be on the task and if something doesn't go right is this to blame? So a new fear has been created that are the doctors going to be on task or not, how much do they focus on there patients, and its just a matter of time since someone is hurt cause of them not being on task.


I don't believe that the media favors anybody. Because the concern was that the patient thought that the surgeon might get distracted and not be able to perform to the best of his ability, so the patients concern was brought up but the doctors explained why they talk about other things put on music in the background. They use these tools to relax themselves and their patient and actually they might do a better job.

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Surrey rallies around beaten muscian

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Surrey+rallies+around+beaten+musician/4563932/story.html
BY: Tom Zilich Surrey Now

Reflections:

Michael Taylor a musician who is part of an acoustic groove band was attacked at Scott Road bus loop on the weekend. The event took place over the weekend when Michael Taylor was returning from a gig in Vancouver and was attacked on the sidewalk. It is said that he shared the bus ride home with the attackers and he wasn't the only one harassed there was another passenger on the bus who was harassed. Police are saying and recommending charges under abuse and not hate crime and they are reviewing videotapes and questioning the witnesses. The alleged attackers are said to be between the ages of 14 to 18 and there were three boys and two girls. The conflict in the bus was that Mike wasn't the only one harassed but despite being harassed Mike stood his ground.

    I personally feel that this wasn't a hate crime that it was immature teens. Mike want the only one being harassed there were others but the that fact he was attacked changes everything. It was the weekend and maybe they were "buzzed" so that could have affected there judgment so I feel that they were a bunch of immature teens who have no self control. This event affects us as Canadians because it makes Canadians think is it safe for me to step outside. They read this article and they think to themselves here is a man who is minding his own business and was ruthlessly beaten who is to say the same thing wont happen to me. So it creates a doubt among Canadians that am I really safe?

       I don't believe that our media seems to favor a certain party because our media's job is to bring forth the story and what is right and wrong one is able to judge by himself. But there maybe ways that the media might alter the story to make it more interesting, they personally wouldn't feel that they have done something wrong but they also didn't do anything right either.

                                                          " photo by Google"

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Scott+Road,+Surrey,+British+Columbia&aq=0&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=33.601713,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Scott+Rd,+Surrey,+British+Columbia&ll=49.138196,-122.886972&spn=0.004148,0.011362&z=17