The Premier of BC addressed the S.A. Media

The Premier of BC addressed the South Asian Media on Dec, 7, at Ariya Banquet Hall and Convention Centre in Surrey by a telephonic call. MLA: Hon. Harry Bains, SurreyNewton, Minister of Labour MLA Jagrup Brar, Surrey-Fleetwood MLA: Hon. Jinny Sims, Surrey-Panorama Minister of Citizens’ Services MLA: Rachna Singh, Surrey-Green Timbers, MLA: Ravi Kahlon, Delta North and MLA Garry Begg, SurreyGuildford were the participants at the Roumdtable Media meeting. And Ms. Shruti Prakash-Joshi Media Relations Officer was the moderator. Premier addressed various questions raised by the South Asian community relevant to Surrey and the Lower Mainland. The major concerns and polices discussed primarily ranged, from Education, Environment, Health, Housing along with Safety and Security. The Premiere expressed his concern regarding overcrowding of classrooms in Surrey and pointed to increasing the number of teachers in the School district in order to avoid this issue and provide the students with the attention which is necessary for their growth. The Premier highlighted his commitment towards improving the Education system in Canada “by increasing qualified teachers who have the necessary coaching and life skills along with Language and arithmetic skills” required to assist and nurture the students in order to provide them with a successful future. On a Miracle’s reporter questions about BC Real Estate and Health issues, first he answered on Housing and affordability, the Premiere stated his concerns about the speculation in the “real estate market and the laundering of money through BC Casinos” as a serious issue which is being addressed by the NDP Government and the Provincial Finance Minister. Regards to health and shortage of Health Care Services in Surrey, the Premiere agreed with the concern brought forth by the Media and pointed towards NDP’s government commitment to increase the number of Health Care Services through Private Care and Urgent Care Services center throughout the Lower Mainland and the Province. He also agreed on the need for an increasing number of Medical Professionals, such as doctors who may be foreign educated by integrating them into the Domestic Health Services Sector, through incorporation of their credentials by working with Medical Council of Canada. At Al Ameen’s reporter aquestion, He spooked on the recent Translink incident fueled by Islamophobia against a Canadian teenager, the Premiere urged the need for the communities to unite and denounce such hate crimes. The Premiere voiced that “this is a non partisan issue and we all need to stand up for each other.... all Canadians other than the indigenous people, came from other countries, I myself am son of an immigrant, my father immigrated from Ireland” . The Premier suggested more cooperation with Law Enforcement Agencies and continuous unity against such hate crimes as solutions to this and related issues. Many South Asian Media repoters attended this Roundtable Media meeting with Ministers.