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September 23, 2011

Most bike-friendly city in North America

Montreal has placed among the top 10 in a survey of the world's most bike-friendly cities, earning the highest ranking of any metropolis in North America.
The Bicycle-Friendly Cities 2011 index, compiled by urban-planning Danish consulting firm Copenhagenize that specializes in cycling issues, noted that even the survey producers were surprised cities like Montreal, Rio de Janeiro and New York were among the top 20. The firm looked at 80 major cities around the world.
"Montreal is North America's premiere bicycle city and comes in at No. 8.," Copenhagenize writes. "The city has had a bicycle infrastructure since the mid-'80s, which should embarrass other cities on that continent, and the rebirth of bicycle culture is noticeable across the city.
"A strong, successful bike-sharing program has been implemented and a strong advocacy NGO (Vélo Québec), together with some visionary politicians, make the bicycle's future in Montreal look rosy."
Montreal has expanded its bicycle network in recent years, to a total of 535 kilometres, with the intention of increasing it to 800 kilometres by 2015. Bixi, the bicycle sharing network, has proven extremely popular.
The cities that came before Montreal were Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Tokyo, Berlin, Munich and Paris. Among North American cities, only Portland (13), San Francisco (17) and New York (20) made it into the top 20.
The ranking is one of many in recent years to acknowledge Montreal's ascendancy in the bicycling realm, noted Martine Painchaud, a spokesperson for the mayor's office.
"We are very happy about this, but it is important to note that this did not come about by chance," Painchaud said. "It came from a political vision that Mayor (Gérald) Tremblay had to enact policies that would create a culture of cycling in Montreal, and that included cycling as part of its overall transportation plan. . The idea was for it to become not just a pastime, but a means of transportation."
The investments have paid off, Painchaud said, with the number of Montrealers who say they sometimes use a bicycle as a means of public transit jumping from 25 per cent in 2000 to nearly 50 per cent in 2010. And Bixi is up to 40,000 members.
There is still room for improvement, however, note the authors of the index. The infrastructure must be expanded, because "funnelling the many cyclists down single streets is not the best way to encourage more cycling."
Similarly, the authors suggest Montreal graduate from bi-directional on-street bike lanes, and instead put lanes on both sides of the street, for safety reasons.
It also suggests retailers must offer more European-style bicycles with high handlebars and high seats that can be used in regular clothes, as opposed to the racing-type bikes commonly sold.
And offer Bixi year-round, it suggests.
The Copenhagenize Index gave cities marks for their efforts toward re-establishing the bicycle as an accepted and feasible form of transport. Cities were scored on 13 criteria, including bicycle culture (are regular citizens using it?), bicycle infrastructure, presence of a bikesharing program and the level of social acceptance (how do drivers and the community at large regard urban cyclists?).
Montreal's bike network has been experiencing growing pains of late, with the de Maisonneuve bike path considered one of the busiest in North America, and pedestrians, drivers and cyclists all jockeying for space in the changing vehicular landscape, often with their elbows up.
Painchaud noted that with the growth, there is a need to adapt, and the city is in constant evolution.
Copenhagenize CEO Mikael Colville-Anderson said the city must move away from the car-centred culture of the past.
"Montreal is 'crowded' simply because the city still treats bicycle users as second-class citizens, funnelling them down chosen streets instead of providing separated infrastructure on the main arteries," he wrote in an email.
"You must build infrastructure where people want to ride - instead of forcing them to ride where YOU want them to ride. 'You' means the city."
Montreal commuters of all stripes can perhaps gain solace in Amsterdam, perennial front-runner in cycling friendly cities, which has established peace among its many different forms of transit.
"The cycling atmosphere (in Amsterdam) is relaxed, enjoyable, and as mainstream as you can get. This is the one place on the planet where fearmongering about cycling is nonexistent and it shows."

Loonie's fall below parity a double-edged sword for Canadians, companies

TORONTO - The loonie's sudden drop below parity with the U.S. dollar is a double-edged sword for Canadians.
The decline makes Canadian workers and goods appear cheaper, helping to spur the economy, but it also highlights the growing fear of another global recession.
The Canadian dollar tumbled more than two US cents Thursday to 97.33 cents US after going as low as 96.51 cents US — its lowest level in about a year. For automakers and other manufacturers, Canadian-made exports and labourers will appear more attractive if the loonie remains low, which could help keep jobs in Canada.
But the drop in the Canadian dollar comes as investors flock to the perceived safe haven of the U.S. dollar after the U.S. Federal Reserve suggested it expects a deep and persistent downturn.
"You could say the declining loonie is the silver lining to a rather dark cloud," said Jim Stanford, an economist at the Canadian Autoworkers Union.
"The decline in the currency itself is good news for manufacturing and anything else that we sell to foreigners. The bad news is the context for the dollar's fall is the fear of another world problem that would make things worse."
And while consumer groups, the travel industry and manufacturers say so far the decline hasn't been big enough or lasted long enough to make a discernable impact, it highlights the environment of extreme uncertainty that is making it difficult to plan for the future.
A continuation of the downward trend could alter the direction of the economy, potentially reversing the impact of the loonie's strength that sent it as high as US$1.06 earlier this year.
But Bruce Cran, president of the Consumers' Association of Canada, said the loonie is still close enough to parity that it likely won't have much impact on consumer behaviour. Canadians will continue to travel and cross-border shop, even though they're getting less bang for their buck.
"I wouldn't expect that type of drop to have any effect at all, after all, it's been up to $1.04 to $1.06 recently and that hasn't provided any relief for consumers."
For consumers, a loonie below parity raises the cost of both everyday expenses, such as the cost of imported produce at local supermarkets, and sporadic splurges like international travel packages.
Canadian retailers have been hard-hit as consumers rein in spending amid signs of a faltering economy. Statistics Canada reported Thursday retail sales fell 0.6 per cent in July, the biggest drop since April 2010.
If the dollar remains low, it could be a boon for Canadian retailers as it could push more Canadians to shop at home, said Anne Kothawala, spokeswoman for the Retail Council of Canada.
She added the drop in the loonie is timely after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty recently called for an investigation into why Canadian prices are so much higher than those in the U.S.
"It will allow the government ... to better understand that retail prices don't go up or down every time the dollar fluctuates."
A lower loonie isn't necessarily bad for the travel industry because it stimulates the economy, increasing Canadians' willingness to spend on luxuries, said David McCaig, president of the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies.
"A lower loonie may help businesses, which means that you're still employed, which means that you have money and vacation time to go on holiday," he said.
Travel agencies have been reporting strong sales of winter break travel packages, which were booked when the loonie was higher, he said.
"Obviously, if it dropped down to 85 cents or something that's a much different story," he added.
A loonie above parity makes Canadian goods and labour appear artificially expensive, which deters the rest of the world from buying Canadian and makes it difficult to attract investment and save jobs, said Stanford.
"Our products look expensive, Canada looks expensive as a tourism destination, our workers look expensive, not because we are, but because the currency makes us look that way."
In recent months, the loonie has fallen about 10 cents, reducing apparent labour costs in the crucial auto industry by about $6 an hour, he said.
The big three Detroit automakers have identified the strong loonie as a potential reason to reduce investments in Canadian plants and to move jobs to the U.S. or Mexico .
A sustained drop below parity could make automakers reconsider Canada as a lucrative place to invest and provide some relief to Canadian employees, Stanford added.
Derek Lothian, spokesman for the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the issue is not whether the loonie sits at 99 cents or $1.01 US, rather that exporters are concerned about the extreme swings in its value, which makes it difficult to manage risk.
There are so many headwinds for manufacturers — from recovering from the impact of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami to European countries defaulting on debt to the possibility of a double-dip recession in the U.S. — that planning for the future is increasingly challenging, he said.
"If you can plan for it, you can adapt."

Post 9/11 Sikh and Muslim experiences get a hearing

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.: At an event here August 27 to mark the 10-year anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, harrowing stories were related of bullying in schools, workplace harassment, hate crimes based on religious affiliations and persecution by law enforcement agencies due to wearing faith-based hair coverings.

The three-hour hearing, "Unheard Voices of 9/11," dramatically presented the decade-long impact after 9/11 on Arab, Muslim and Sikh American communities.

"Most of the bullying that I faced happened in middle school," said Sarah O'Neal, a young hijab-wearing Muslim at the first panel on school bullying.

"I was called a 'towel head' and some students asked me if I had relatives in al-Qaeda." Currently a junior at Wilcox High School in Santa Clara, Calif., she added, "I felt marginalized, upset and unaccepted. I don't want other kids to experience what I experienced in school because of my religion and because I wear a hijab."

Navneet Singh, 16, of Redwood City, Calif., said, "I have felt isolated from elementary school onwards. In the fourth grade, I got punched in my face by a high school (student). I have been asked if I am related to any terrorist. I feel like I have to walk around with my guard up all the time."

Speakers at the program, organized by state Assemblyman Paul Fong, D-Cupertino, Calif., the Sikh Coalition and the Council on American Islamic Relations, besides voicing their experiences, emphasized the need for policies and ideas to combat bigotry.

"The acts of discrimination, including violence and vandalism of property, harassment and bullying, are likely to increase in the next year, not only because of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, but also because of the upcoming presidential elections," said Islamic Networks Group chief executive Maha El Genaidi.

Cultural sensitivity by law enforcement personnel to recognize both subtle and overt forms of bullying and harassment was emphasized as a necessary step in being both proactive and reactive in dealing with discrimination.

The experts presented alarming statistics on bias crimes against Muslim and Sikh youth to demonstrate the need for effective implementation of "stop bullying" programs.

"It is important to draft policies to restore confidence and trust in our communities both via law enforcement and administration," said Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada, D-Davis, Calif.

"Racism is relentless and the attempts to combat racism also have to be relentless," opined William Wong, a member of the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs.

"Racism will not go away but situations can and will get better with dedicated efforts," he added.

"Not only punishment for perpetuators of bullying and hate crimes but discussion, community service and access to physiological counseling are important," chimed in Veena Dubal of the Asian Law Caucus in a panel discussion on hate crimes.

"Fear of law enforcement is one reason why people do not report hate crimes," the Indian American attorney said. "It is imperative for agencies to create trust for all people irrespective of their religious backgrounds."

"It is critical to track the ethnic identity of the victims of hate crimes for proper resolution," added Amardeep Singh, co-founder of the Sikh Coalition.

"It is absurd and ridiculous that (turban-wearing) Sikhs cannot serve in the police department in the South Bay, as is possible in the cities of London, Toronto and Vancouver," said Rajdeep Singh, director of law and policy at the Sikh Coalition. "It is imperative for policy makers to help pass policies for inclusion of people of diversity in law enforcement agencies."

Harsimran Kaur, legal director of the Sikh Coalition, suggested the media be more responsible in not inflaming public sentiment by abstaining from using terms like "Islamic fundamentalism."

"It seems like we are still living in the shadows of 9/11," said Wajahat Ali of the Center for American Progress. He quoted the center's new study, "Fear, Inc.: The Roots of Islamophobia in America," that reports a growing "Islam-bashing" network in the U.S., with considerable reach to the news media and such well-known politicians as Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann.

The report claims over $42 million have been paid by seven foundations to the Islam-bashing network in the past decade.

Others attending the program included Congressman Mike Honda, San Jose Councilman Ash Kalra, San Jose Police Chief Chris Moore and representatives from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Source: India-West

An Eid to remember for Biharis in Canada

PATNA: Bihar Association of Canada (BACA) and Bihar Foundation, Canada Chapter, celebrated Eid Milan at Centennial Park, Toronto on September 4 with traditional fanfare.

Over 300 NRBs living in Toronto area got together and celebrated Eid Milan just the way it is being celebrated in Bihar for centuries. "We Biharis are very happy to listen good things about Bihar and we pray for the growth and development of Bihar," said Menhaj Khan, vice-chairman of Bihar Foundation, Canada Chapter.

It was a very nostalgic experience for every one present in the park, with traditional Eid Mubarak greeting and feasting on delicacies such as chicken biryani, palak paneer, chicken korma and Bihari ghughni, dahi vada, sewai and many more mouth watering dishes for vegetarian and non-vegetarian crowd to feast on. The food was catered to by a local restaurant owned by a fellow Bihari.

Office-bearers of both organizations were in the park to meet and greet every member and make this Eid Milan a memorable experience for everyone.

It was Bihari brotherhood at its best. Children and adults enjoyed a day full of outdoor activities involving various games and a small "show and tell" about Bihar and its place in Indian history. It confirms that "one can take a Bihari out of Bihar but no one can take Bihar out of Bihari," said Rajesh Jha. It is the passion for our motherland that brought the best of Biharis living in Canada. "Such occasions provide us a platform to remember our common heritage as Bihari, which fits perfectly in a multicultural country like Canada," said Rajesh Nandan Singh, ex-president, BACA.

WWICS chief, son booked for trespass

Mohali, September 23
The Chief Managing Director (CMD) of the WWICS, Col BS Sandhu, his son Devinder Sandhu and estate manager of WWICS Ranjit Bajaj have been booked by the police for tresspassing, causing hurt, and intimidating Drashan Singh Kaler, owner of a piece of land in Karoran village.
Men injured at farmhouse
The complainant alleged that on September 20, Devinder Sandhu, son of Col BS Sandhu, along with WWICS estate manager Ranjit Bajaj and others entered his Sidhu Farm and injured his men present there. They are under treatment at the
Phase-VI Civil Hospital.
The complainant alleged that on September 20, Devinder Sandhu along with Ranjit Bajaj and others entered his Sidhu Farm and injured his men there. They are under treatment at the Phase-VI Civil Hospital. The complaint had moved the Punjab Human Rights Commission against the Mohali Police for not registering a case against those who had trespassed into his land. Following this, the police has booked the above-mentioned persons.aOn the basis of the complaint, the commission had directed the SSP, Mohali, to reply on the matter by September 23. The SP City, Harpreet Singh, is conducting inquiry into the matter. On the other hand, Col Sandhu said that he ownd the land and was falsely implicated. It is learnt that senior Punjab Police officials are also probing the matter.

Rs 1 lakh fine slapped on hospital for deficiency in service


Mohali, September 23
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Grecian Super Speciality Hospital to pay a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to a Chandigarh resident for alleged deficiency in service.
BS Mehandiratta, president of the forum, ordered that the Grecian Hospital and Dr Vinod Nimbran, oncologist, should pay to the complainant a compensation of Rs1 lakh within one month from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order. If this compensation was not paid within the aforesaid period, it would carry interest thereon at the rate of 9 per cent per annum from the date of institution of the complaint till the date of actual payment. The opposite parties were also asked to pay litigation costs of Rs 5,000. Satwant Kaur, resident of Sector 10, Chandigarh, told the forum that she was diagnosed as a case of breast cancer by the Command Hospital, Chandigarh, and advised mastectomy procedure to be performed at the earliest. She was referred to Grecian Hospital, one of the empanelled hospitals under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).
She was advised certain tests but during the process she got the impression that the hospital was allegedly prolonging the time line in order to justify the additional charges. Finally, the surgery was done on September 12, 2009. The complainant , however, got restless and frustrated due to the casual and indecisive behaviour of the doctors and other paramedical staff. A programme for administering her chemotherapy was planned after her discharge.
The complainant further alleged that her first chemotherapy was administered by a nurse without the personal supervision of any doctor amounting to negligence on the part of the hospital. The second cycle was also not carried out in a satisfactory manner.
The complainant alleged that the aforesaid acts of commission and omission on the part of the hospital amounted to deficiency of service. The hospital delayed the action and procedure at every stage, which was sure to have reduced the life span of the complainant and also caused her to bear pain and trauma for removal of her breast.
The opposite parties in their joint written statement have denied the allegations of the complainant. They have stated that in case the complainant was not satisfied with the treatment given by them or with the first cycle of chemotherapy, she could not have visited them again. The fact that she came to them for chemotherapy repeatedly showed that she was satisfied with their treatment. They have denied that at the time of administration of chemotherapy to the complainant, no doctor was present and have stated that Dr Ashutosh Mukharjee, who is MD, radiation oncologist, and was a consultant, had planned and administered the drug in his presence. The husband of the complainant at the time of every discharge filled feed back and satisfactory treatment/investigation certificate form.
The miraculous recovery of the complainant was possible only because of good treatment by the hospital and their doctors. Denying any deficiency of service on their part, the opposite parties have sought dismissal of the complaint. 

Sri Sai Kirpa Immigration firm chief held


Chandigarh, September 23
The special investigating team (SIT) of the UT police arrested the director of  in Sector 8 here in a cheating case today. The police arrested Mangat Ram, while his wife and co-accused Neena Sharma is on the run. The company is in the dock for duping at least 22 of their clients of Rs 22.3 lakh on fake promises of easy migration abroad.
A resident of Ropar, Mangat Ram was produced in court and remanded to three days’ police custody. DSP Anil Joshi said the accused had fled after closing his office in March when complainants approached the police. “The Ford Feista car of the accused has been impounded and we have seized his four bank accounts in Mohali,” said Joshi.
The accused was arrested under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC and 24 of the Immigration Act. The case against him was registered on July 29 on the complaint of Daljit Singh, a resident of Sector 23-D and 20 other complainants who were duped in a similar fashion by the immigration company by taking money from them for sending them abroad.
The complainants alleged that they had applied for work permit visa for Canada through Sri Sai Kirpa Immigration in Sector 8. All complainants had paid Rs 22.3 lakh, but they were never provided any visa nor were they refunded the amount.
It was also alleged that the company gave forged offer letters of Canadian companies to them. The company owners had also taken the passports in original of some of the candidates.
The police had earlier arrested employees of the company Vikram Jaiswal, a resident of Jagadhari district in Yamunanagar, and Tammana, alias Nidhi, also a resident of Yamunanagar.