CANADA’S MOST RELIABLE NETWORK FEWEST DROPPED CALLS CLEAREST RECEPTION rogers.com/reliable Most reliable network claim refers to call clarity and dropped calls test results as conducted by Rogers and a recognized third-party research company in the majority of urban Canadian centres within the Rogers Wireless footprint, comparing services of other major wireless providers. TMTrademarks of Rogers Communications Inc. used under license. © 2009 Rogers Wireless. Celebrity Buzz Workology Gallagher Rewarding used world of to be a forensic ‘hooligan’ science pg 14 VANCOUVER • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2009 metronews.ca pg 10 Now it’s rain Change tenancy act: MLA and flood warnings Vancouver man cashes in by ‘exploiting system’ to sublet condos to students WEATHER Put away the snow of his former sublet tenants don’t do it … as a business, apartments — where he had the act, it would protect boots and break out the ga- KRISTEN THOMPSON say he’s never returned and this instance is injur- also been subletting the landlords like Fox and the loshes. [email protected] their deposits. ing both the landlord and suite — for not paying rent. sublet tenants. The warm and wet frontal Jenny Kwan, NDP MLA for the tenants.” Messina, who has a crimi- One of the sublet tenants, system that hit B.C.’s south The province needs to Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, Elisabeth Fox, who owns nal record that includes Hyojin Jang, told CBC News coast yesterday morning amend its Residential Ten- said yesterday that Messina the 570-square-foot condo, fraud, told CBC News that he that students like him are will swell local creeks and ancy Act after a Vancouver is “exploiting the system” told CBC News that Messina makes about $1.2 million a vulnerable to this kind of rivers and could potentially man admitted to subletting and the Ministry of Housing hasn’t paid his $1,500 rent year in his sublet operation. situation because they have flood city streets. his one-bedroom needs to amend any loop- in months and when the Vancouver police Const. limited English skills and The Lower Mainland will apartment to five interna- holes in the act that allow Residential Tenancy Board Jana McGuiness said because money, and they don’t receive up to 100 milli - tional students to make a this kind of situation. (RTB) tried to evict him, he Messina isn’t breaking a law, know their rights. metres of rain in 48 hours. profit, says one local MLA. “Subletting in and of it- appealed the decision, buy- their hands are tied. The Fraser Valley will get David Messina, who has self to re-rent, there’s noth- ing more time. Kwan said if the govern- ShareYourViews even more rain, up to 150 sublet several condo units ing wrong with that in most According to RTB records, ment were to amend the act millimetres over the same in Vancouver, is not paying instances,” Kwan said. Messina was evicted from to forbid subletting for prof- [email protected] period. A rainfall warning his landlord rent, and some “But people usually two other it and attach penalties to for both areas was issued yesterday by Environment CaWnaadram.ing temperatures, Dine Out VancouverYew’ll like it KRISTEN combined with the rain, are TH O etixopne scnteodw t oan mde aldt dlo aw c-eolnesviad-- KRISTENKRISTEN MPSON erable amount of runoff to THO THO MM streams and rivers. PSOPSO Lowland rivers in the Fras- NN Blaze hits Gastown /M/M eHra Vtzailcle, yN, iicnocmluedkinl agn tdhe ETRO VAETRO VA heritage building Serpentine, could approach NCONCO NO INJURIES Around 20 resi- flood levels, according to a UVUV dents of a four-storey her- high stream-flow advisory ERER itage building in Gastown issued by B.C.’s River were evacuated from their Forecast Centre on Monday. homes yesterday after an Larger rivers like the early morning fire. Chilliwack, Stave, Co - Firefighters have yet to quitlam and Seymour will determine what caused peak about mid-morning to- the blaze on Alexander day. They are not expected Street, but it likely started to flood. in the building’s ground- In Vancouver, about 800 floor restaurant, called In- city workers have spent the cendio Pizzeria. last two days clearing snow Around 40 firefighters from the city’s 40,000 storm fought the blaze, which drains. spread from the ground Surrey warned of possible floor to the third. road closures today in low- Fire Chief Gabe Roder lying areas. said no one was injured, JEFF HODSON/METRO VANCOUVER but there was a substantial Rafael Gonzalez, executive chef at Yew Restaurant and Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel, shows one of the dishes on the eatery’s Dine Out amount of damage — Vancouver menu yesterday. His is one of 193 local establishments participating in the annual event that starts Jan. 14. Story, page 3 mostly to the restaurant. METRO VANCOUVER UK & IRELAND FLIGHTS DIRECT FROM VANCOUVER $209 Scheduled fl ights to London Gatwick, SUMMER Premium Economy................one way from 2009 Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin $649 Business Class .......................one way from ON SALE Plus taxes Service commences June 2009 N W fl yglobespan.ca Book online, call 1-800-663-8614 or contact your local travel agent AWARD WINNING AIRLINE All prices per person, one way and are subject to availability. Check website for terms and conditions. Prices correct at time of going to press. E&OE. Free Daily News Group Inc., operating as Metro Vancouver Newspapers 1190 Homer Street, Suite 250, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2X6. Publisher: Maryse Lalonde SunAirfares All-inclusive Holidays Holidays Family Holidays PUNTA CANA PUERTO VALLARTA LAS VEGAS ANAHEIM $49 $497 4 NIGHTS 3 NIGHTS $95 $249 * FROM FROM INCLUDES roundtrip airfare, transfers Ixtapa FROM $97 and 7 nights 3-star all-inclusive accom. 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INCLUDES 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise, INCLUDES all accom, transportation, some 3 night Pacific Coastal cruise sailing from LA to onboard meals & entertainment. Sail roundtrip meals and guide on this 18-day small group tour Vancouver. Port charges included. UPGRADE to from Vancouver cruising the Inside Passage, Icy of Egypt and Jordan. HIGHLIGHTS Cairo, oceanview stateroom from $34 per person. Strait Point and Tracy Arm Fjord and visit Skagway Aswan, Nile Felucca, Luxor, Red Sea Beach, Wadi ADD 3-day DisneylandResort Park Hopper Bonus and Juneau. Port charges included. UPGRADE to Rum, Petra and more. Ticket from $158. an oceanview cabin from $18 per night. 1 877 513 5444 | flightcentre.ca Conditions apply. Ex: Vancouver. Air only prices are per person for return travel unless otherwise stated. Package, cruise, rail & hotel prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Prices are subject to availability at advertising deadline and are for select departure dates. Prices are accurate at time of publication, errors and omissions excepted, but are subject to change. Transportation related fees, fuel supplements, taxes and GST are excluded. + Prices are in US$. *Family Special Holidays based on 2 adults and 2 children 11 years and under. † The Perfect Holiday Promise applies to bookings made at Flight Centre shops within Canada. A $100 voucher for future travel will be provided to customers who experience an unwanted deviation from their paid itinerary. For full details visit www.flightcentre.ca or speak to a Flight Centre consultant. BC REG: #HO2790 metronews.ca metro Wednesday, January 7, 2009 Fuel spills into Fraser River 3 A diesel fuel leak at the CN rail yard in Surrey spilled into the nearby Fraser River before it was contained. According to CN’s Kelli Svendson, environmental authorities are still trying to determine how much fuel spilled into the river and how much damage was done. CKNW.COM Surrey SPCA robbed again Local Workers and volunteers arrived at the B.C. SPCA Surrey branch yesterday morning to find a window was smashed and about $1,600 in cash stolen. This is the third time the shelter has been broken into in the last eight months, but it’s the first time the administration office has been hit. On the two previous occasions, rabbits –some still under veterinary care – were stolen. None of the animals have been recovered. METRO VANCOUVER Lift your spirits and Quinn looking to coach News in brief CAVE-IN A storage warehouse Dine Out Vancouver in Burnaby collapsed under the Team Canada in 2010 weight of rain and snow. No one was injured. GUN A 30-year-old man was “We started with 57 sEhaostts oidne t ahned D toawkennt otow hnospital JEFF HODSON JEFF HO KkrRisItSeTnE.tNh [email protected] raegsot,a”u hrea nsatsid . seven years with non-life-threatening [email protected] DSO “People (from abroad) N injuries yesterday. Police say /M One of the city’s most an- say Vancouver’s dining they believe the man was tar- With back-to-back gold ETRO ticipated annual culinary scene is one of the best in geted. METRO NEWS SERVICES medals at the 2008 under- VA events begins next week, the world. When the N 18 and 2009 world junior CO and 40,000 people have al- world celebrates it, we U hockey championships, VER ready taken should as Vancouver’s Big Irishman a sneak well.” “People … say is chaffing at the cuff for peak online Rafael Gon- another shot to coach at the Vancouver’s dining zalez, execu- WHAT’S ONLINE TODAY Team Canada at home in menus for scene is one of the tive chef at 2010. this year’s Yew Restau- best in the world.” VideoNanotechnology cre- “Would I like a crack at Dine Out rant and Bar Rick Antonson ates smell-free socks and something to do during the Vancouver. at the Four germ-free toilets at Olympics? You bet,” said Reserva- Seasons Ho- metronews. Pat Quinn, beaming, but tions for Dine Out Van- tel, said Dine Out Vancou- ca/canada tired, as he arrived at Van- couver, which lets foodies ver gives diners and VideoJim Fla- couver’s airport yesterday. dine at high-end restau- restaurants something to herty previews Quinn coached Canada’s rants for low-end prices, look forward to during budget meas- Olympic men’s team to a are being taken at 193 es- drizzly January. ures to boost gold medal in 2002 and to a tablishments around the “It gets your name out the economy disappointing quarter-final city. there, especially (during) at metronews. elimination in 2006. He Participating outlets of- one of the slowest times ca/canada said he’d relish any involve- fer three-course menus of the year,” he said. ment in 2010. Pat Quinn displays his world junior hockey championship medal for the fixed prices of $18, ShareYourViews “As I’ve said many times, at Vancouver International Airport yesterday. $28 and $38 from Jan. 14 if they want me to carry to Feb. 1. Check online [email protected] the bags, the sticks, sharp- in Ottawa on Monday nothing that you could Rick Antonson, presi- en skates or coach, I’d be night, described the experi- imagine that matches dent and CEO of Tourism (cid:129) For a list of participating glad to do any of them.” ence as a “thrilling ride.” standing there, watching Vancouver, said this is the restaurants, visit tourism- Quinn, who hadn’t gone “It’s such an awesome your flag go up after win- event’s biggest year to vancouver.ca to bed since winning gold treat,” he added. “There’s ning the gold.” date. metro metronews.ca Wednesday, January 7, 2009 4 Canadians stuck in Gaza for at least one more day A number of Canadians will have to wait at least another day in the Gaza Strip because of unsafe conditions before they can make their way into Israel, officials say. Canadian officials and Israeli authorities are working to find a safer departure time. CBC NEWS ONLINE Drive-thrus hit speed bump Canada City council in St. John’s, N.L., has passed a bylaw making it harder for restaurants to open new drive-thrus in that city. The onus will now be on restaurant operators to prove to the city’s traffic department that lineups from any new drive-thru will not spill out onto city streets and cause traffic problems. METRO NEWS SERVICES Semrau appears at military New group created to tackle credit crunch hearing into shooting death ECONOMY A new working omy and certainly the gov- group of bank and govern- ernment has a role to play A witness reported seeing ment, Semrau was the only ment officials is being in that. I encourage the Capt. Robert Semrau fire at soldier in the “proximity” asked to immediate- heads of banks, the a severely injured, of the wounded insurgent ly begin looking at CEOs, to work with unarmed Taliban fighter af- when two shots were heard. ways to make loans the government,” he ter an ambush in October, a The hearing was told that a more accessible to said before heading military hearing was told witness will testify later he Canadian con- into pre-budget con- yesterday. saw Semrau fire at the Tal- sumers and busi- sultations. A synopsis of events intro- iban fighter, who had al- ness, Finance Minis- It was Flaherty’s duced at the hearing and ready been disarmed. ter Jim Flaherty said first comment on a agreed upon by the military Prosecutor Maj. Marylene yesterday. Jim Flaherty meeting he and Bank prosecution and defence Trudel said the Taliban “We all have re- of Canada governor lawyers provided the first fighter’s body was never re- sponsibilities to ensure Mark Carney held behind detailed glimpse of the cir- covered. that the financial system closed doors with bank cumstances that led to the The prosecution believes functions properly in sup- CEOs in Toronto on Mon- 35-year-old Canadian Forces Semrau fired both shots, port of the Canadian econ- day. TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE officer being charged with killing the wounded insur- second-degree murder. gent without lawful justifi- CUPE proposal called anti-Semitic It was read at a hearing Capt. Robert Semrau, front, is escorted by military police after a cation, Trudel said. This is into whether Semrau, a bail hearing at CFB Petawawa, Ont., yesterday. the first time a criminal member of the 3rd Battal- charge has been laid against BOYCOTT A proposal by the president of the Friends of ion of the Royal Canadian d’Auteuil reserved his deci- after the death of the Tal- a Canadian soldier in president of the largest Simon Wiesenthal Center. Regiment, should be re- sion until today. iban fighter in Afghan- Afghanistan involving the union in the province to “It goes against the grain of leased from custody until The charge has provoked istan’s Helmand province death of an alleged enemy boycott Israeli academics academia.” he stands trial. Military controversy because it was on Oct. 19. fighter. at Ontario universi- On Friday, CUPE judge Lt.-Col. Louis-Vincent laid more than two months According to the state- TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE ties is being la- “CUPE has Ontario president belled as anti-Se- Sid Ryan called for no business mitic and an af- the boycott of Is- front to civil liber- boycotting raeli academics ties by prominent academics.” and educators who members of Cana- do not condemn Avi Benlolo da’s Jewish com- the Dec. 29 bomb- munity. ing of the Islamic “CUPE has no business University in Gaza and boycotting academics, “the assault on Gaza in whether they are Israeli or general.” Jewish,” said Avi Benlolo, TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE Talks scheduled in port dispute NEGOTIATIONS Employers ex- spokesman said yesterday. pect to respond Friday to the The two sides would have union’s latest contract offer to issue a 72-hour notice be- in talks aimed at avoiding a fore launching a strike or strike or lockout of dock lockout, and “neither has foremen at Canada’s Pacific been inclined to do that as Coast ports. long as talks continue,” said The threat of a work stop- Greg Vurdela of the British page has hung over the Columbia Maritime Employ- ports since the beginning of ers Association. the year, but the employers REUTERS bargaining group remains cautiously optimistic a deal ShareYourViews can be reached before any job action begins, a [email protected] News in brief SETTLEMENT The B.C. Human return for sex. Kelowna’s Kori Rights Tribunal has ruled in Harrison, 27, was awarded >> Take winter by storm. 2009 smart fortwo coupé favour of a woman whose su- $32,000 yesterday at the con- Monthly lease Down Lease Finance pervisor offered her marijua- clusion of the three-year hear- The 2009 smart fortwo starting from $14,990*. $2pay1me6nt** Pa$ym0ent 5.fo9r% OR 3f.ro9m% na, lingerie and truck tires in ing. for 39 months for 60 months EDMONTON A man found Job At Home Everything’s under control this winter. With its myriad of performance features engineered to keep you on course, the smart guilty of the brutal slaying of fortwo offers innovations such as electronic stability program (esp®) which keeps you in control at all times, and brake assist 13-year-old Nina Courtepatte (bas) which automatically initiates controlled braking. All of which keep you safe and on the straight and narrow in less than $487.68Weekly. has won an appeal conviction. ideal conditions. 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Cost of borrowing is $1,533.00 for a total obligation of $16,500. 18,000km/year allowance ($0.20/km for excess kilometres applies). Freight/PDI, license, insurance, registration, taxes, reimbursement for A/C tax, “green 900 Greenbank Road April 2005 rape and murder of lcehvayn”g aen wdi tshimouilta nr ottaixcees a lnedv iceadn noont t bhee mcoamnubfinacetdu rweitrh ( aifn cyh oatrhgeerd o bffye rthse. Sdeeea lyeoru)r a lnodc aPlP sSmAa arrte c eexnttrrae. fDoera dleerta milasy. slemaasret foorr ftiwnoa nccoeu pfoér m loedsse.l Oshffoewrn i.s O sfufebrj eecntd tso Jaavnauilaarbyi l3it1y, a2n0d0 9m.ay thesmart.ca MVA 0107 SuOitteta #w4a1O5N •, #K921J64-PM6V1 Cdoeaudrt eopna at tgeo, lwf hcoou wrsaes. found METRO NEWS SERVICES metronews.ca metro Wednesday, January 7, 2009 Ex-Nepali ‘slave girls’ demand rehabilitation 5 Hundreds of Nepali girls, rescued after being sold off by their poor parents as domestic help, marched in Kathmandu yesterday demanding rehabilitation-like jobs and an education, activists said. Traditionally girls as young as six from the ethnic Tharu community in five districts of west Nepal were “sold” by their parents for as little as 1,500 Nepali rupees ($20 US).REUTERS World/Business Gaza truce studied Inaugural style Mexico Awareness tour made easy online H EN POLITICSA website laun - RY RO Israel and Hamas studied pushed inside Gaza’s cities ched last month allows MERO / REU acyeenas Etsegeryfdipraetyi ai ntnh tpahtre ow Gpooansz aainl S fstotrari pnat atIsonr daee nrled bf uyr ogIseclkea emcta imssatp lmvso iielnist aai nnbttisdo. A(cid:129) Iisdra ecl osaridr yiedstoerrday it will wgdooowzmenne tsnh otefoy d rwienginlilse wtreser aa wrn hdtoich TERS backing from the U.S. and The Israeli army accused set up a “humanitarian cor- balls being held in con - Europe, hours after Israeli Hamas of using civilians as ridor” to allow Gazans peri- junction with Barack Oba- shells killed 42 Palestini- “human shields” in an at- odic access to vital goods. ma’s swearing in as the ans at a UN school. tack that wounded dozens, next U.S. president. However, Israeli officials and said its troops had Barack Obama broke his si- Founder Andrew Jones also said a major escala- fired at the school after lence yesterday on the cri- said he got the idea for tion of their 12-day-old of- gunmen mortared their sis, saying civilian deaths dressregistry.com from his fensive would be dis- positions from inside. were “a source of deep con- more fashion-conscious cussed. Troops would be U.S. president-elect cern” for him. REUTERS wife. REUTERS Antonio Tomaselli, 30, rides his bike yesterday in Mexico City. Tomaselli started a bike tour eight months ago in northern Alaska, making his way through Canada and the United States, to bring attention to violence against women. Foundation Skills Assessment: Indian PM slams Pakistani inaction parents NEW DELHI Indian Prime chances of co-operation What Minister Manmohan Singh against terrorism. accused Pakistan yesterday Singh’s comments show of acting irresponsibly, say- New Delhi’s growing frus- need to know ing November’s Mumbai tration at what it sees as Is- attacks must have had sup- lamabad’s slowness at port from some of Pak- identifying and arresting istan’s official agencies. the attack’s planners. Pakistan rejected the ac- India blames Pakistan cusation as unacceptable, militants for the organized saying India had begun a strikes by 10 gunmen in propaganda offensive and November that killed 179 such charges jeopardized people. REUTERS Foundation Skills Assessment testing doesn’t help students learn or teachers teach. Instead, FSA results are used by the Fraser Institute for American-style ranking of schools that only erodes confidence in public Business education. Teachers teach their students everyday. We care passionately about their Markets buck that success. We believe in regular assessment and testing, and working with parents to improve learning. gloomy feeling With so much to learn and so many challenges facing our children, why is the provincial government wasting valuable classroom time on a discredited Despite a seemingly end- approach to testing? less tide of bad economic More U.S. rallies If the government really wants to improve student news and forecasts, Cana- dian stocks experienced a (cid:129) Strength in the tech sector achievement, they should keep their promise to sixth straight day of gains boosted U.S. stocks yester- reduce class size and improve support for students When will they learn? yesterday. day, overshadowing data with special needs. (cid:202) (cid:202) The recent rally on the showing slumping factory TSX has raised the index orders and dismal pending 14 per cent from its pre- home sales. Christmas woes. Having closed yesterday the same day Canadian au- at 9,472.09 points, the tomakers said sales had market lows of November plunged 21.2 per cent. (when the TSX dropped to Monday’s gains on the 7,724.76 points) seem to be TSX showed a growing pat- fading into the past. tern in recent weeks on On Monday, Canadian both Bay and Wall streets: bank and commodity The markets seem to be stocks led the way for a rallying on days filled with modest gain in the index. poor economic data. But those gains came on TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE Business in brief TELECOMRogers Communica- net wireless subscribers in the tions Inc. posted strong wireless fourth quarter, up from 183,000 subscriber growth yesterday, a year earlier. But there were (cid:1)(cid:202)(cid:147)(cid:105)(cid:195)(cid:195)(cid:62)(cid:125)(cid:105)(cid:202)(cid:118)(cid:192)(cid:156)(cid:147)(cid:202)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:189)(cid:195)(cid:202)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:62)(cid:86)(cid:133)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:195) but said its weak cable results just 4,000 basic cable (cid:47)(cid:156)(cid:202)(cid:119)(cid:152)(cid:96)(cid:202)(cid:156)(cid:213)(cid:204)(cid:202)(cid:147)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:202)(cid:62)(cid:76)(cid:156)(cid:213)(cid:204)(cid:202)(cid:19)(cid:45)(cid:1)(cid:195)(cid:93)(cid:202)(cid:204)(cid:62)(cid:143)(cid:142)(cid:202)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:202)(cid:222)(cid:156)(cid:213)(cid:192)(cid:202)(cid:86)(cid:133)(cid:136)(cid:143)(cid:96)(cid:189)(cid:195)(cid:202)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:62)(cid:86)(cid:133)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:202)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:202)(cid:219)(cid:136)(cid:195)(cid:136)(cid:204)(cid:202)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:204)(cid:118)(cid:176)(cid:86)(cid:62) point to a tough economy. subscribers — down from Rogers said it added 199,000 20,000 a year earlier. REUTERS metro metronews.ca Wednesday, January 7, 2009 6 LOCAL NATIONAL Assoc MngingEditor, Tarin Elbert Art Director, Laila Hakim Publisher, Maryse Lalonde Group Publisher, Bill McDonald Assoc Night MngingEditor, Jim Reyno National Sales Director, Susan Courtney Managing Editor, Fernando Carneiro Distribution Mgr, George Acimovic Editor-in-Chief, Dianne Rinehart Enter/Lifestyle Editor, Dean Lisk Interactive/Mrktng Director, Jodi Brown Comment & Views Comment Give banks some credit M ICH A EL D E A D D ER Despite war of words, stats show loans are still flowing Money sustained throughout the Matters Even the Bank of Canada admitted in its crisis.” December financial system review that Banks could be forgiven if they were a whole lot Charles “credit growth ... has generally been tighter. Ironically, Ottawa’s Davies sustained throughout the crisis.” bank regulator, the Office of Superintendent of Fi- nancial Institutions, has Veteran Business Writer governor Mark Carney, the Bank of Canada’s own sta- been signalling that it may A banks are shutting off the tistics, Toronto-Dominion raise regulatory capital re- s a onetime in- lending taps just when we Bank argued recently that quirements this year, a mate of the Cana- need credit most. The loans have kept flowing good reason to hoard cash. dian banking sys- banks are charged with through the crisis. From Besides, in a weak econo- tem, I can tell sopping up the liquidity September to November, my, banks normally be- you from first- that Ottawa and the Bank household credit was up come more scrupulous hand experience that of Canada has provided to more than 12 per cent year lenders and boost reserves bankers are prone to ex- stimulate lending and us- to year while business because there’s a greater cesses and lapses in judge- ing it to strengthen their credit rose 13.4 per cent — likelihood of loan defaults. ment. The bank I worked own balance sheets. A war hardly suggesting a credit That’s only prudent, given for — one of the Big Five — of words has been waged squeeze. It’s also been not- that the banks’ first re- has long had an eerie profi- between the two sides ed that Canadian banks sponsibility is to assure vi- ciency at messing up, find- since early December, and made up some of the dif- able operations in order to ing itself covered in goo af- this week Flaherty and Car- ference as foreign banks protect depositors’ funds. ter the bursting of every fi- ney called top bankers in and auto financing arms Staying healthy also helps nancial bubble in recent for a meeting to apply di- fled the market. preserve shareholder value decades. Banks are also the rect pressure. Even the Bank of which affects a majority of institutions we love to On the evi- Canada ad- Canadians who, directly or Letters hate. We may need them, dence, Fla- mitted in indirectly, own bank stock. but there’s always that herty and its Decem- What’s good for them is at sense that, like the unre- Carney ber finan- least partly what’s good for Lives cut short in Gaza about dropping bombs and constructed Scrooge, they don’t cial sys- most of us. missiles on these innocent are gouging us. have tem re- The Israelis have been people, especially the chil- But are they turning us much of view Charles Davies is a veteran business writer bombing the Gaza Strip con- dren? away in our hour of eco- a that and editor who has worked for news organi- tinuously and at such a rap- These children still zations and publications including Business nomic crisis? If you believe case. “credit Week, Canadian Business, Report On Business id rate that everyone is just haven’t had a chance to see Finance Minister Jim Fla- Using growth ... has magazine, Reuters, and Financial Post. in utter shock. anything in the world. herty and Bank of Canada the generally been How can they even think EMAN KADRI, CALGARY Word on the street: What’s your new year’s resolution — and have you already broken it? Jessica Alison Jamie Zach Michelle Jen Simon Karl Rick Lin Araya Hunter Pipes Richardson Galligan Kursa Brook Park age 27, age 30, age 36, age 19, Calgary age 36, Ajax, Ont. age 43, Calgary age 31, age 21, Ottawa age 27, Halifax Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver Edmonton A: I didn’t really A: To save a heck A: Mine is to A: I haven’t bro- A: I’m going to A: To not make A: To get my B.C. A: To take salsa make any this of a lot more hopefully drop A: I wanted to ken it yet. My run a marathon. any mistakes at driver’s licence. dancing classes. year. I never than I have in the 20 pounds. So make sure I do resolution was to Today, I’m going work. I have a I’ve been living I’ve paid my went along with past. I started far, I’m sticking yoga or go to the work out once a to the gym with new job that I here for three money so I’ll it for the last two over the holi- to it. That’s one gym at least week and I’ve my friends – it’s started in Sep- years and have to go. My years I made days, putting a resolution I can three times a still got two my fourth day at tember and it’s haven’t got it. girlfriend won’t them ... so what's limit on each say I didn't week, and I more days to get the gym. really difficult. let me skip out. the point? gift. I’ve stuck to break. haven't broken it a workout in. that. yet. It’s your turn to tell others what you think. E-mail your thoughts and opinions to: [email protected] Letters must include sender’s full name, address and phone number –street name and phone numbers will NOT be published. We reserve the right to edit letters. METRO Vancouver1190 Homer Street, Suite 250, Vancouver, BC V6B 2X6, Tel: 604-602-1002; Fax: 1-866-254-6504; Advertising: 604-602-1002 • [email protected]; [email protected]; News: [email protected] metronews.ca metro Wednesday, January 7, 2009 Brees named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year 7 New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees won The Associated Press 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award yesterday. Brees threw for 5,069 yards and 34 touchdowns this season, coming up only 15 yards short of Dan Marino’s all-time single season record for passing yardage.METRO NEWS SERVICES Beckham makes AC debut Sports David Beckham made his AC Milan debut yesterday in a friendly against Hamburg SV in Dubai. Beckham has joined the Serie A club on short loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy to keep in shape and stay in contention for the England team during the MLS offseason. METRO NEWS SERVICES [email protected] Sundin’s debut? Tonight VS How to play lottery games 7 p.m. TV: Rogers Sportsnet with confidence. Radio: TEAM 1040 The Canucks and Oilers hook up for the fifth time this season with each team winning two of the first four meetings. The lace ‘up tonight against the Oil- Canucks beat the Oilers 6-3 in ers. their only visit to Rexall Place this season, but Edmonton has BAR CREDIT:After backstop- won four of its last five games ping the Canucks to points in his on home ice. first three outings, Jason Labar- IDATION bera gets his fourth straight RETURN OF THE MATS?: start in goal since being Canucks’ fans are holding their acquired from LA. Labarbera is breath in anticipation of Mats 4-1 with a 1.05 goals-against av- Sundin’s debut, which could erage and a .966 save percent- come tonight in Edmonton. age in his five career games ver- Sundin said that if all is well af- sus Edmonton. ter this morning’s skate, he’ll SCOTT RINTOUL/FOR METRO VANCOUVER : : : Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Give winning ticket Retailer pays prize and Enjoy winnings. NHL Once bitten? to lottery retailer. returns winning ticket G ETTY IM stamped PAID with A GES validation slip. BCLC, together with lottery retailers, is continuing to put improvements in place that allow you to play lottery games with confi dence. These changes, and simple measures you can do such as always signing the back of your ticket, are there for your Andrew Peters of the Sabres reacts after allegedly being bitten by the Senators’ Jarkko Ruutu last night. Peters said after the enjoyment of fair, secure lottery games. game that he was bitten, which Ruutu denied. Buffalo won 4-2. One Lion staying put, one going south? Questions? Need information on claiming a prize? T Call toll-free: 1 866 815-0222, or visit bclc.com he CFL’s first ma- York Report jor surprise of the year has come in the first week of Marty the year. Toronto native Mike York Benevides — despite re- ceiving a multi-year head coaching offer that sources [email protected] figured he would gladly ac- cept from the beleaguered fensive lineman Cameron Argonauts — has elected Wake, Edmonton Eskimos to stay on as the BC Lions’ offensive lineman Patrick defensive co-ordinator. Kabongo and Calgary “Can’t figure it out,” an Ar- Stampeders long snapper gos source said yesterday. Pat MacDonald have been “The guy (Benevides) all impressing NFL types dur- but officially signed. We’re ing recent workouts and puzzled. Are we this unde- may be close to bolting to sirable?” the bigger and better-pay- (cid:129) CFLers such as BC de- ing league. metro metronews.ca Wednesday, January 7, 2009 8 Metro Workology exclusive: Curtain Call Don’t miss Curtain Call, Metro’s exclusive feature series in the Workology section. In the realm of death there are some interesting, lucrative and mysterious career opportunities; we will be digging up the stories for you, so check for Workology on Mondays and Wednesdays and Metronews.ca/work as well. Workology EDITOR: DOUGLAS DUNLOP, [email protected] Daily suffering, part of the job NEED A NEW JOB THIS YEAR? gain an important perspec- “Two days later, I had Curtain Call tive on death. “It’s not the aches and pains all over my “We have the training to body and I knew that the enemy.” Fun Call Centre Downtown maybe understand death shock and the trauma of be- Hospital chaplain JON TATTRIE and dying a little differently ing with that family (had fi- Hourly Plus Bonus Flexible Shifts for Metro Canada than somebody who is just Buffy Harper on death nally) hit me.” • hitting it,” Harper says. So why does she keep go- Open 7 Days a Week Start Today Death is a terrifying raider “There’s the acceptance them. Peer support is criti- ing back? Because she can • for most of us, stealing that death is a part of life, cal and the chaplains she ease the suffering. Call 604-630-5008 lives out of the blue, but though that doesn’t make works with use group “The family is just so it’s a close colleague for it any easier.” prayer, yoga, meditation, grateful that you’ve stayed hospital chaplains. From A key part of the job is tai chi or just talking with with them. You didn’t leave breast-cancer patients dy- empathetic listening, each other to get through because it was uncomfort- ing peacefully as a music mixed with a strong dose of the rough days. Spiritual able,” she says. “We see it, therapist plays the harp in professionalism. “We hear strength plays a big role, we know it’s not as trau- THE GOLD STANDARD a palliative-care unit to the (the suffering) and we feel too. matic as you tend to think frantic and often futile ef- it, but you know, it’s not “It’s not just me doing when you only see it once fort to save lives in my mother or my father this: I have faith behind or twice in your life. There intensive care, the end of who’s dying,” she says. That what I do.” is a sense of peace around life is a daily business for steady, calm presence can You can’t be in the mid- it. people like Buffy Harper. be crucial for the family. dle of all that suffering and “It’s not the enemy.” The staff chaplain at the “They don’t need me to be not take your blows. Harper Queen Elizabeth II Health crying with them.” vividly recalls a teenage girl For more of the Curtain Call Sciences Centre in Halifax Harper says the deaths committing suicide. She exclusive series check the says her training in theolo- that hit chaplains hard are stayed with the family all Workology section Mondays and Wednesdays or stop by Accepting applications for our accredited gy, philosophy, sociology ones that touch on some- night as the medical team Metronews.ca/work DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM and psychology helps her thing raw and familiar in tried to save her. For Admissions Tour or Appointment (DOWNTOWN TORONTO) Phone: 416-341-0100 ext 11 or 14 Toll Free: 1-866-666-0481 Email: [email protected] We look forward to meeting you! The economy is slowing, so courses are filling fast. There’s still time to apply for courses starting January 5. LEARN. EVOLVE. LEAD. Accounting Computer Science Linguistics Anthropology Co-op Education Mandarin Applied Science Creative Writing Mathematics Art History Criminology Marketing Develop your leadership and management skills on the job. Asian Studies Economics Philosophy Biology English Physics Business English Language Political Science Canadian Studies Studies Psychology Degree Info Telesession Chemistry Fine Arts Qualifying Studies Complete a Bachelor’s degree in Management Communications French Sociology Thursday, January 8, 1:00–2:00 pm using a leadership curriculum applied in your Computer Business Geography Spanish Systems History Trades and workplace. Work at your convenience with real Join our call from the convenience Computer Horticulture Technology time support from a BCIT faculty coach. of your home or office. To Information Systems Japanese University Studies participate in our telesession, Your learning is online, anytime. Visit kwantlen.ca/apply for a complete listing of available register at bcit.ca/infosessions. courses starting in January 2009. To learn more about our trades and technology programs, visit kwantlen.ca/trades Course availability varies by campus. Apply now to start in January. APPLY NOW TECHNOLOGY kwantlen.ca CHANGES 604.599.2000 Visit bcit.ca, search ‘management degree’ EVERYTHING metronews.ca metro Wednesday, January 7, 2009 workology 9 Stating ‘I quit’ doesn’t always mean you quit Workplace she couldn’t take it any Law longer and that she was A consideration quitting. Believing the mat- Daniel ter was finished, Morton (cid:129) When an employee has never asked if Bru was sure uttered, “I quit,” have they Lublin she wanted to quit or if she been asked to take some was only voicing her frus- time to reflect on the situa- tration. She simply accept- tion and confirm his or her [email protected] ed Bru’s statement and intentions in writing? moved on. pset after a The next day, Bru called the warning signs where an meeting with Morton again to inquire employee blurts out that her boss, Joey whether she still had a job she no longer wishes to Bru said she was but was left with the im- work. By simply accepting quitting. Believ- pression she had already what Bru said and moving ing that she had done just been replaced. on, without more, the deli that, Bru’s employer re- Bru later sued for wrong- ended the relationship, not placed her. But, according ful dismissal stating that Bru. to a British Columbia judge, she had not quit. Rather, Where an employee’s res- even when employees say she argued that by inter- ignation is disputed, consid- they are leaving, they may preting her actions a resig- er the following questions: not have actually quit. nation, the deli had actually (cid:129) Is an impulsive resigna- Fifty-nine-year-old Bru dismissed her. tion out of character for the worked as a deli clerk for Justice Neill Brown of the employee? Or are there any two and a half years at the British Columbia Supreme personal circumstances po- Kelowna, B.C., based Court accepted Bru’s argu- tentially clouding the em- Mediterranean Market. ments that she had not tru- ployee’s decision. Tensions ran high at the fast ly intended to resign but (cid:129) Did the employee make paced deli counter and Bru was in an emotional state of conflicting statements or and her colleagues often upset when she said the demonstrate an intention quarrelled. words “I quit.” to continue to work, such as Having butted heads with In finding that Bru had showing up at work the a co-worker on several occa- been wrongfully dismissed, next day or did she evince a sions, Bru was summoned he found that the deli failed clear intention to leave, to a meeting by her boss, to consider the surrounding such as saying goodbye to Cindy Morton, before her circumstances and instead others? shift started in order to try relied on the pure black let- (cid:129) Has the employer acted to clear the air. Although ter transcript of what Bru in good faith in accepting the meeting went smooth- had stated. Morton knew the purported resignation ly, Bru became annoyed and that Bru had been stressed or was its acceptance sim- left the deli to go home. and that it was out of char- ply an easier way to rid it- She later phoned in to say acter for her to simply re- self of that employee? that she wouldn’t be able to sign. This should have work that day. raised a red flag as to Before her next shift, Bru whether Bru had unequivo- Daniel A. Lublin is an employment called Morton and in a short cally meant to leave. lawyer focusing on the law of dismissal; [email protected]. conversation told her that Employers can’t ignore metro metronews.ca Wednesday, January 7, 2009 10workology Metro Workology exclusive: Curtain Call Don’t miss Curtain Call, Metro’s exclusive feature series in the Workology section. In the realm of death there are some interesting, lucrative and mysterious career opportunities; we will be digging up the stories for you, so check for Workology on Mondays and Wednesdays and Metronews.ca/work as well. In toxicology, the body never lies For a forensic scientist RA Curtain Call who specializes in toxicol- “It gives peace of mind to the family and FA ogy like Gillian Sayer, dis- provides support for the criminal justice EL BRU RfoAr FMAeEtLro B CRaUnSaIdLaOW clloaobtvs e aroinfn agtliy mtzhiene gst prubetnlohto midn e aatnhndes sGyilslitaenm S.a”yer, forensic scientist SILOW/FOR M When the cause of a uanridn eo tshamerp leexst efronr atl oxsuinbs- the presence of alcohol stantaneous results often ETRO CA death isn’t obvious, it’s stances that may have might shed light on why portrayed on popular NA D the job of a forensic toxi- contributed to a death. A someone took a fatal fall forensic television shows A cologist to find the hints lethal amount of a drug in down a simple flight of — like CSI: NY —Sayer in- that lurk in the fluids of the bloodstream can indi- stairs, for example. sists work in toxicology is the body. cate a drug overdose or Unlike the flashy, in- far more methodical, meticulous and time-con- suming. “A big misconception is WE HAVE THE CAREERS that analysis takes five minutes. It’s a much YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES longer process than that, and our puns aren’t near- ly as good as on CSI,” Say- er joked. Sayer, 23, works in the Toxicology Section at the Centre of Forensic Sci- ences in Toronto and says an important aspect of her job is the closure it provides to loved ones. “I think it’s an impor- tant service we provide. It gives peace of mind to the The Canadian Forces offer you over family and provides sup- 100 full- and part-time job opportunities port for the criminal jus- in stimulating environments. tice system,” Sayer said. Sayer got interested in • A wide range of careers in professional forensics through the doc- fields and technical trades umentaries she watched • Training and education programs throughout growing up, like Cold your career Case Files. She studied • A stimulating work environment Forensic Science at the and competitive salary • Opportunities to work close to home University of Toronto and Gillian Sayer in one of the labs at the Centre of Forensic Sciences and abroad secured an internship in Toronto. that placed her at the Come and meet one of our recruiters. Centre of Forensic Sci- qualified toxicologist to thing about finding a ca- Information session on technical trades ences where she still report on her own cases reer in the field of foren- works today. The intern- and testify in the court- sics, for Sayer, has been WHEN: Thursday, January 8, ship let her try her hand room. She loves the daily proving she can do it. from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. WHERE:Canadian Forces at forensics and get her challenge, especially since “I was told once (by an Recruiting Centre Vancouver foot in the door for a job. new drugs and new ways instructor) I wasn’t smart 620 Royal Avenue, New Westminster “The internship course of taking old ones force enough to get an intern- got me exposed to the in- her to stay current. ship here. I thought, ‘I’m FIGHT dustry — I can’t stress “I find the analytical going to do it anyway.’ If WITH THE CANADIAN FORCES how important that was,” work to be really chal- this is something you want she said. lenging. Keeping up with to do, then pursue it whole- Starting out as a foren- what drugs are out there heartedly,” Sayer said. sic technologist who gath- and how people are tak- ered and prepared sam- ing them is crucial. People For more of the Curtain Call ples, Sayer now analyzes will always find novel exclusive series check the Workology section Mon- samples herself as a foren- ways to take drugs,” Sayer WWW.FORCES.CA 1-800-856-8488 days, Tuesdays and sic scientist. She hopes to said. Wednesdays or stop by eventually become a fully The most satisfying Metronews.ca/work JOIN US BCIT SCHOOL OF COMPUTING GRADS GET HIRED. Learn new IT skills and advance your career in computing. Earn BCIT certificates on nights and weekends. Start with just one course in: > Web Development > Databases and Information Systems > Networking and Security > MS Office and Computer Applications > Software Application Development Register online now, our next term starts January 12. Attend an Information Session on January 7 in Burnaby. TECHNOLOGY CHANGES bcit.ca/computing EVERYTHING