The Best of The Simi Sara Show - Wed Jan 16th 2019

Chapter 1

🔥🔥 Hot question of the day 🔥🔥

Vote in @simisara980's 🔥 question of the day: The City of Vancouver is exploring extra fees for ridehailing trips to offset the added congestion those journeys would create. @JillReports wants to know if you would like to see this implemented.

Yes, it eases traffic.

No way, I won’t pay!

 

Chapter 2

Breaking: Liberal candidate Karen Wang drops out of Burnaby South byelection

The Liberal candidate running against NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh in the Burnaby South byelection has bowed out of the race.

Karen Wang says she made comments online that referenced Singh's cultural background and her choice of words wasn't well-considered and didn't reflect her intent.

StarMetro Vancouver reported this morning that Wang wrote on Chinese social media platform WeChat that she was the "only'' Chinese candidate in the riding, rather than Singh, who she identified as "of Indian descent.''

She says she "sincerely'' apologizes to Singh and has deep respect for him as the leader of his party and for his public service.

Onus on homeowners to opt-out of speculation tax

Starting later this week, homeowners in Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, and other communities targeted by the speculation tax will be getting notices in the mail with “clear instructions” on how to apply for an exemption.

Yes, that's right: the onus is on YOU to let the province know you're not a real estate speculator.

Guest: Richard Zussman

Global News Online Legislative Reporter

 

Chapter 3

Family of Abbotsford man sentenced to death in China working with local MP to secure fair treatment

The U.S. State Department says China's death sentence against an Abbotsford man is “politically motivated.”

A statement today from U.S. deputy spokesman, Robert Palladino, says US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Canadian Foreign Minister, Chrystia Freeland, spoke yesterday, and spoke about their concerns regarding the “arbitrary detentions of Canadian nationals.”

This is happening because a Chinese court resentenced Robert Schellenberg to death in a sudden retrial of a drug-smuggling case on Monday.

Schellenberg’s family says they are working with their local MP, Ed Fast from the Conservative Party, to ensure the government makes every effort to secure fair treatment for Robert Lloyd Schellenberg.

Guest: Ed Fast

Conservative MP for Abbotsford

 

Chapter 4

City of Vancouver considering congestion charge on ridehailing services

The City of Vancouver is exploring extra fees for ridehailing trips to offset the added congestion those journeys would create.

Staff at City Hall yesterday received a presentation on the topic - and the idea would be to add an additional charge onto journeys in high-traffic areas and at peak travel times.

Guest: Pete Fry

Vancouver City Councillor representing the Green Party

 

Chapter 5

Death penalty sentences a ‘very grave problem’ in China

Canadian Robert Schellenberg remains on death row in China after being found guilty of drug smuggling. Schellenberg was originally sentenced to 15 years in prison, but a Chinese court increased the penalty to a death sentence after stating that the original sentence was too lenient.

Schellenberg’s family says they are working with their local MP, Ed Fast from the Conservative Party, to ensure the government makes every effort to secure fair treatment for Robert Lloyd Schellenberg.

A Canadian lawyer who has fought the government of China over a death penalty sentence says that capital punishment is a “very grave problem” in the country. David Matas headed up the legal team for Lai Changxing, a Chinese national who evaded Chinese authorities and sought refuge in Canada after being charged with corruption and was sentenced to death. After a lengthy political battle, Changxing was extradited to China in 2011, but the success of the extradition was a 2001 diplomatic note from China’s then-president Jiang Zemin to former prime minister Jean Chretien with assurances that Changxing would not be executed if returned to China.

Canada is dealing with another death penalty sentence for Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian man who was convicted of drug smuggling in China. Prime Minister Trudeau has condemned the court's decision, and now the United States has spoken out condemning the death sentence. What lessons did Canada learn from the Changxing case, and what can the government do now to spare Schellenberg’s life?

Guest: David Matas

International human rights lawyer based in Winnipeg

 

Chapter 6

Damage from December windstorm cost $37 million

The windstorm that struck the coast of BC last month has proved to be very costly. The Insurance Bureau of Canada out with the total cost of the damage, pegged at 37 million dollars. That includes damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and the city of White Rock's iconic pier.

Guest: Aaron Sutherland

Vice President of the Pacific Region for the Insurance Bureau of Canada

 

Chapter 7

CTF demands Prime Minister to put an end to policy that allows former governors general to bill taxpayers for their expenses

The federal government's books show that Adrienne Clarkson, who was governor general from 1999 to 2005, has billed more than one-million dollars in expenses since leaving the job.  Besides their pensions, former governors general can get public funding for office expenses and travel. The program has existed since 1979, on the premise that governors general never truly retire.

Simi spoke with National Post columnist Brian Platt about Clarkson’s expenses…

After much public outrage over Clarkson’s expenses, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he will reconsider the perks and supports Canada gives former governors general.

In response to the criticism, former governor general David Johnston released his expense reports, which revealed that he billed taxpayers more than $76,000 in the first six months since leaving Rideau Hall. Johnston was governor general from October 2010 until last year.

The expenses of former governors general has caught the attention of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. The advocacy group delivered a petition signed by more than 46,000 Canadians calling on the Trudeau government to put an end to a decades-old policy that allows former governors general to bill taxpayers for their expenses.

Guest: Aaron Wudrick

Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Chapter 1

🔥🔥 Hot question of the day 🔥🔥

Vote in @simisara980's 🔥 question of the day: The City of Vancouver is exploring extra fees for ridehailing trips to offset the added congestion those journeys would create. @JillReports wants to know if you would like to see this implemented.

Yes, it eases traffic.
No way, I won’t pay!

 

Chapter 2

Breaking: Liberal candidate Karen Wang drops out of Burnaby South byelection

The Liberal candidate running against NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh in the Burnaby South byelection has bowed out of the race.

Karen Wang says she made comments online that referenced Singh's cultural background and her choice of words wasn't well-considered and didn't reflect her intent.

StarMetro Vancouver reported this morning that Wang wrote on Chinese social media platform WeChat that she was the "only'' Chinese candidate in the riding, rather than Singh, who she identified as "of Indian descent.''

She says she "sincerely'' apologizes to Singh and has deep respect for him as the leader of his party and for his public service.

Onus on homeowners to opt-out of speculation tax

Starting later this week, homeowners in Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, and other communities targeted by the speculation tax will be getting notices in the mail with “clear instructions” on how to apply for an exemption.

Yes, that's right: the onus is on YOU to let the province know you're not a real estate speculator.

Guest: Richard Zussman

Global News Online Legislative Reporter

 

Chapter 3

Family of Abbotsford man sentenced to death in China working with local MP to secure fair treatment

The U.S. State Department says China's death sentence against an Abbotsford man is “politically motivated.”

A statement today from U.S. deputy spokesman, Robert Palladino, says US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Canadian Foreign Minister, Chrystia Freeland, spoke yesterday, and spoke about their concerns regarding the “arbitrary detentions of Canadian nationals.”

This is happening because a Chinese court resentenced Robert Schellenberg to death in a sudden retrial of a drug-smuggling case on Monday.

Schellenberg’s family says they are working with their local MP, Ed Fast from the Conservative Party, to ensure the government makes every effort to secure fair treatment for Robert Lloyd Schellenberg.

Guest: Ed Fast

Conservative MP for Abbotsford

 

Chapter 4

City of Vancouver considering congestion charge on ridehailing services

The City of Vancouver is exploring extra fees for ridehailing trips to offset the added congestion those journeys would create.

Staff at City Hall yesterday received a presentation on the topic - and the idea would be to add an additional charge onto journeys in high-traffic areas and at peak travel times.

Guest: Pete Fry

Vancouver City Councillor representing the Green Party

 

Chapter 5

Death penalty sentences a ‘very grave problem’ in China

Canadian Robert Schellenberg remains on death row in China after being found guilty of drug smuggling. Schellenberg was originally sentenced to 15 years in prison, but a Chinese court increased the penalty to a death sentence after stating that the original sentence was too lenient.

Schellenberg’s family says they are working with their local MP, Ed Fast from the Conservative Party, to ensure the government makes every effort to secure fair treatment for Robert Lloyd Schellenberg.

A Canadian lawyer who has fought the government of China over a death penalty sentence says that capital punishment is a “very grave problem” in the country. David Matas headed up the legal team for Lai Changxing, a Chinese national who evaded Chinese authorities and sought refuge in Canada after being charged with corruption and was sentenced to death. After a lengthy political battle, Changxing was extradited to China in 2011, but the success of the extradition was a 2001 diplomatic note from China’s then-president Jiang Zemin to former prime minister Jean Chretien with assurances that Changxing would not be executed if returned to China.

Canada is dealing with another death penalty sentence for Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian man who was convicted of drug smuggling in China. Prime Minister Trudeau has condemned the court's decision, and now the United States has spoken out condemning the death sentence. What lessons did Canada learn from the Changxing case, and what can the government do now to spare Schellenberg’s life?

Guest: David Matas

International human rights lawyer based in Winnipeg

 

Chapter 6

Damage from December windstorm cost $37 million

The windstorm that struck the coast of BC last month has proved to be very costly. The Insurance Bureau of Canada out with the total cost of the damage, pegged at 37 million dollars. That includes damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and the city of White Rock's iconic pier.

Guest: Aaron Sutherland

Vice President of the Pacific Region for the Insurance Bureau of Canada

 

Chapter 7

CTF demands Prime Minister to put an end to policy that allows former governors general to bill taxpayers for their expenses

The federal government's books show that Adrienne Clarkson, who was governor general from 1999 to 2005, has billed more than one-million dollars in expenses since leaving the job.  Besides their pensions, former governors general can get public funding for office expenses and travel. The program has existed since 1979, on the premise that governors general never truly retire.

Simi spoke with National Post columnist Brian Platt about Clarkson’s expenses…

After much public outrage over Clarkson’s expenses, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he will reconsider the perks and supports Canada gives former governors general.

In response to the criticism, former governor general David Johnston released his expense reports, which revealed that he billed taxpayers more than $76,000 in the first six months since leaving Rideau Hall. Johnston was governor general from October 2010 until last year.

The expenses of former governors general has caught the attention of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. The advocacy group delivered a petition signed by more than 46,000 Canadians calling on the Trudeau government to put an end to a decades-old policy that allows former governors general to bill taxpayers for their expenses.

Guest: Aaron Wudrick

Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation