Two-way conversation healthy A talk on the doorstep leads to new friendship
By Timely Opinions
KenHerar
Jul 29 2007
What do you do when the unexpected arrives at your doorstep? The other day my doorbell rang in the middle of the day.
I just came out of the shower and was getting dressed. I ran to the door with my shirt on backwards and looked through the peephole. It was two young men dressed in white shirts and black ties. I wasn't in the mood for a conversation on religion, but yelled through the door I would be back in a minute.
I opened the door fully clothed, and we shared views on Christianity. I explained to them presently I have an empty feeling when it comes to any religion. I told the story of a friend whom I used to play tennis with. He suddenly died from a heart attack on the squash court. I became disillusioned about religion after that and it is still a work in progress with me.
Elder Carlton Taylor, one of the two men, said he plays on the tennis team at the University of Hawaii and was taking a break doing missionary work throughout B.C. I asked where they lived. Elder Taylor replied he was from Utah and Elder Andrew Bristow said he was from Oregon.
Our discussion quickly transformed from religion to sports. I invited them inside, showing my tennis history. I could tell that both Taylor and Bristow were athletes.
After an hour of talking, we set up a time to have a tennis hit and they were off to the next door with a smile. Instead of slamming the door, I am glad I kept an open mind, because Elder Taylor and I have had some great practice hits, preparing me for the Stanley Park Open. Its amazing what can happen when you give people a chance. Allowing people the opportunity to speak and listening to them is a healthy way of living. There is much to learn from each other through dialogue.
Taylor and Bristow said, As missionaries we are called as Elders or teachers, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as (or nicknamed) the Mormon church. Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the message of the restored gospel.
We accomplish this purpose by doing a wide variety of activities such as: giving tours of the local meeting house, going door to door, or offering service. We are called to serve for two years in assigned areas throughout the world. We love serving in an area as beautiful as British Columbia and among such great people.
Taylor said: I met Ken as we were going door to door in the Mission area. We talked to him for a minute about our message and how it has helped our lives. Somehow the topic of tennis was brought up and we found that we both shared this common interest. With this we quickly became friends and have had the opportunity to talk about what we do while playing some great tennis. My friendship with Ken is one of several relationships that I hope will continue well after I go back to college in Hawaii.
My greatest desire is to share the thing that has helped me and my family with other people.
God works in mysterious ways. As I have said before, lets not judge but learn.
Ken Herar is a columnist with the Abbotsford News.
KenHerar@gmail.com
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Like Him or Not: Ujjal Dosanjh is a Political Survivor...
GUEST SHOT Premier parachutist
By Ken Herar
As the federal election gets closer, it was no surprise to see Ujjal Dosanjh step onto the national scene as part of the Liberal Dream Team.I recall having a conversation with Dosanjh last summer about him running as a federal candidate. I told him to take the 10 years in government with the NDP and run with it. I told him that he did a respectable job as our attorney general and in his short stint as premier. He should be proud of his political career and, more importantly, his service to our province.The last premier to make the move to federal politics was Dave Barrett who was premier from 1972-75, and later became an MP. Barrett didn't switch parties, and ran for the NDP both provincially and federally.The news about Dosanjh running didn't surprise me. Dosanjh is an ambitious man who earned his political stripes the hard way during the 70s and 80s. Love him or hate him, he is a survivor.I believe Dosanjh will be a great Liberal candidate for Vancouver South and will be an asset for them in the West, if elected.The question remains "Is he still electable after all the opposition to his candidacy?" I believe he still is, but he is in for a tough fight.I personally don't agree with him being parachuted in as a candidate. This will play a pivotal role in his campaign. Will voters forget or forgive him over this undemocratic appointment?This is the bigger issue, bigger than the fact that he switched parties. He is not the first and won't be the last to switch parties. Switching parties happens all the time, especially from provincial to federal, but getting special privileges to run will be harder to erase during the campaign. Dosanjh can overcome these odds if he immediately distances himself from Prime Minister Paul Martin and becomes his own man until the election. The more he is seen with the Liberal brass, the more he is hurting his campaign and his legacy.He needs to reach out to voters and convince them of his cause. His supporters, both in the Indo Canadian and mainstream community are judging him a bit more cautiously. He needs to do what he is good at talking about issues not just running for political office. For him to become the next Tommy Douglas he needs a universal vision that brings people together.The Liberals in my opinion will have a tough time electing more than a handful of candidates from BC. PM Martin sounds good and is doing a descent job of distancing himself from the previous administration. His attention to the west as he promised has impressed me. But I think it is a little too late. The large majority of people who I have spoken to want the Liberals out. Liberals have been in power too long and its time for a change in Ottawa voices say. The desperate measures they are taking to appoint candidates are only hurting their image especially in the west were traditionally Liberals don't elect a large number of seats.People still respect Dosanjh despite the appointment if he wins his legacy continues if he loses his legacy will be damaged and unrepairable. His critics will be out in full force to damage his creditability but if Dosanjh plays it smooth I believe he can overcome any curves he might face. There is still bad blood out there over the Glen Clark saga within the NDP ranks where many think Dosanjh purposely brought down the premier and went public with the criminal investigation to start his own bid for the top job. The way he pursued this nomination has to be questioned. Will the political baggage of the past and present hurt Dosanjh's quest. He has a lot to prove and he has an opportunity to prove many wrong. I predict at the end of this campaign Dosanjh will one of the very few Liberals voices from BC going to Ottawa.
Ken Herar@gmail.com
By Ken Herar
As the federal election gets closer, it was no surprise to see Ujjal Dosanjh step onto the national scene as part of the Liberal Dream Team.I recall having a conversation with Dosanjh last summer about him running as a federal candidate. I told him to take the 10 years in government with the NDP and run with it. I told him that he did a respectable job as our attorney general and in his short stint as premier. He should be proud of his political career and, more importantly, his service to our province.The last premier to make the move to federal politics was Dave Barrett who was premier from 1972-75, and later became an MP. Barrett didn't switch parties, and ran for the NDP both provincially and federally.The news about Dosanjh running didn't surprise me. Dosanjh is an ambitious man who earned his political stripes the hard way during the 70s and 80s. Love him or hate him, he is a survivor.I believe Dosanjh will be a great Liberal candidate for Vancouver South and will be an asset for them in the West, if elected.The question remains "Is he still electable after all the opposition to his candidacy?" I believe he still is, but he is in for a tough fight.I personally don't agree with him being parachuted in as a candidate. This will play a pivotal role in his campaign. Will voters forget or forgive him over this undemocratic appointment?This is the bigger issue, bigger than the fact that he switched parties. He is not the first and won't be the last to switch parties. Switching parties happens all the time, especially from provincial to federal, but getting special privileges to run will be harder to erase during the campaign. Dosanjh can overcome these odds if he immediately distances himself from Prime Minister Paul Martin and becomes his own man until the election. The more he is seen with the Liberal brass, the more he is hurting his campaign and his legacy.He needs to reach out to voters and convince them of his cause. His supporters, both in the Indo Canadian and mainstream community are judging him a bit more cautiously. He needs to do what he is good at talking about issues not just running for political office. For him to become the next Tommy Douglas he needs a universal vision that brings people together.The Liberals in my opinion will have a tough time electing more than a handful of candidates from BC. PM Martin sounds good and is doing a descent job of distancing himself from the previous administration. His attention to the west as he promised has impressed me. But I think it is a little too late. The large majority of people who I have spoken to want the Liberals out. Liberals have been in power too long and its time for a change in Ottawa voices say. The desperate measures they are taking to appoint candidates are only hurting their image especially in the west were traditionally Liberals don't elect a large number of seats.People still respect Dosanjh despite the appointment if he wins his legacy continues if he loses his legacy will be damaged and unrepairable. His critics will be out in full force to damage his creditability but if Dosanjh plays it smooth I believe he can overcome any curves he might face. There is still bad blood out there over the Glen Clark saga within the NDP ranks where many think Dosanjh purposely brought down the premier and went public with the criminal investigation to start his own bid for the top job. The way he pursued this nomination has to be questioned. Will the political baggage of the past and present hurt Dosanjh's quest. He has a lot to prove and he has an opportunity to prove many wrong. I predict at the end of this campaign Dosanjh will one of the very few Liberals voices from BC going to Ottawa.
Ken Herar@gmail.com
Guru Nanak's Universal message...
By KEN HERAR
Apr 19 2006
Sikhs need to focus on Nanak
THE TOPIC of discrimination is something close to my heart and many issues related to it are very much open for discussion.Some barriers still exist that need to be dealt with to make societies freer of discrimination.Born and raised in Canada. I didn't experience a lot of discrimination in my childhood.For the most part the tolerance level of people was generally high.Most people made an effort to look beyond skin colour and appreciate others for who they are.There were occasional incidents of racial slurs, and turning the other cheek was the best solution to avoid confrontation.Now you're probably thinking here he goes again - writing about how Caucasians discriminate against Indo-Canadians.Well you're wrong. This is not the case.As our multicultural community grows this strength of diversity we see around us is creating barriers and we need to break these down.Clusters of communities are being created not in small but in large numbers, affecting how we communicate.Do Indo-Canadians discriminate? I am hearing more and more incidents every year. What happened to our multicultural mosaic?The Sikh community must step up to the plate and show that we have a high level of tolerance for others.The majority of Indo-Canadians in Canada are Sikhs and have done great work in building Canada over the last century.The early Sikh pioneers (pre-1960) who came to Canada had a different attitude adjusting to their new home.Newcomers who arrive in Canada today have many resources with the large Sikh population often isolating themselves from the mainstream Canadian society.In this process of settling here some settle back to their old cultural roots.As Sikhs immigrate to Canada they should be reminded that many scarifies have been made in their religion to prevent discrimination.The Sikh religion was born more than 500 years ago to prevent discrimination from happening in India.The Sikh religion is living proof that discrimination should not tolerated in our society and if it is, we and the Sikh religion have failed.Living in Canada doesn't mean we should forget our moral principles on how we should live.When I hear of stories of Caucasian people moving from Indo Canadians neighborhoods because they don't want to mix with them or Indo-Canadians discriminating against Indo-Canadians because of different castes, these are all unacceptable ways of living according to the Sikh religion.It is no different if someone calls himself a Christian and doesn't practice what the Bible states.You can call yourself anything you want but are you practising want you preach.As Sikh people we have to rise up and not let the materialistic world around us deflect us from being examples to others on how to live a non-discriminatory lifestyle.It doesn't matter what car you drive or how big your home is or what you do for a living.These identities have no room in the Sikh religion and if people are practising this, they are hurting themselves and their Sikh principles.No one is perfect but we should all try to become that better person. We need to raise the bar to the next level of thinking to something higher and greater than ourselves.Guru Nanak, the first Guru and founder of the Sikh religion, states this clearly in his teachings. He was born a Hindu. He worked for a Muslim as he grew up so he learned about the Muslim religion.Eventually he became a religious instructor, teaching about a new faith using ideas from both Hinduism and Islam.This new religion, called Sikhism, was based on one God and on the equality of all human beings.Nanak traveled far and wide to teach about the new religion.The Sikh faith started as Guru Nanak realized that people were losing sight of God in their lives because of greed and superstition.He set out a list of new rules to bring people closer to God. These were based on the fact that there is only one God, responsible for all and that all people are equal and should have equal opportunities.We should all reflect on Guru Nanak's powerful message and remind ourselves there is only one way to live.Sikh kids who are involved in gangs and drugs should also reflect on this message to change their destructive path.Being Sikh is a full-time commitment.
Ken Herar lives in the Fraser Valley and writes on cultural and other issues.
© Copyright 2006 Terrace Standard
Apr 19 2006
Sikhs need to focus on Nanak
THE TOPIC of discrimination is something close to my heart and many issues related to it are very much open for discussion.Some barriers still exist that need to be dealt with to make societies freer of discrimination.Born and raised in Canada. I didn't experience a lot of discrimination in my childhood.For the most part the tolerance level of people was generally high.Most people made an effort to look beyond skin colour and appreciate others for who they are.There were occasional incidents of racial slurs, and turning the other cheek was the best solution to avoid confrontation.Now you're probably thinking here he goes again - writing about how Caucasians discriminate against Indo-Canadians.Well you're wrong. This is not the case.As our multicultural community grows this strength of diversity we see around us is creating barriers and we need to break these down.Clusters of communities are being created not in small but in large numbers, affecting how we communicate.Do Indo-Canadians discriminate? I am hearing more and more incidents every year. What happened to our multicultural mosaic?The Sikh community must step up to the plate and show that we have a high level of tolerance for others.The majority of Indo-Canadians in Canada are Sikhs and have done great work in building Canada over the last century.The early Sikh pioneers (pre-1960) who came to Canada had a different attitude adjusting to their new home.Newcomers who arrive in Canada today have many resources with the large Sikh population often isolating themselves from the mainstream Canadian society.In this process of settling here some settle back to their old cultural roots.As Sikhs immigrate to Canada they should be reminded that many scarifies have been made in their religion to prevent discrimination.The Sikh religion was born more than 500 years ago to prevent discrimination from happening in India.The Sikh religion is living proof that discrimination should not tolerated in our society and if it is, we and the Sikh religion have failed.Living in Canada doesn't mean we should forget our moral principles on how we should live.When I hear of stories of Caucasian people moving from Indo Canadians neighborhoods because they don't want to mix with them or Indo-Canadians discriminating against Indo-Canadians because of different castes, these are all unacceptable ways of living according to the Sikh religion.It is no different if someone calls himself a Christian and doesn't practice what the Bible states.You can call yourself anything you want but are you practising want you preach.As Sikh people we have to rise up and not let the materialistic world around us deflect us from being examples to others on how to live a non-discriminatory lifestyle.It doesn't matter what car you drive or how big your home is or what you do for a living.These identities have no room in the Sikh religion and if people are practising this, they are hurting themselves and their Sikh principles.No one is perfect but we should all try to become that better person. We need to raise the bar to the next level of thinking to something higher and greater than ourselves.Guru Nanak, the first Guru and founder of the Sikh religion, states this clearly in his teachings. He was born a Hindu. He worked for a Muslim as he grew up so he learned about the Muslim religion.Eventually he became a religious instructor, teaching about a new faith using ideas from both Hinduism and Islam.This new religion, called Sikhism, was based on one God and on the equality of all human beings.Nanak traveled far and wide to teach about the new religion.The Sikh faith started as Guru Nanak realized that people were losing sight of God in their lives because of greed and superstition.He set out a list of new rules to bring people closer to God. These were based on the fact that there is only one God, responsible for all and that all people are equal and should have equal opportunities.We should all reflect on Guru Nanak's powerful message and remind ourselves there is only one way to live.Sikh kids who are involved in gangs and drugs should also reflect on this message to change their destructive path.Being Sikh is a full-time commitment.
Ken Herar lives in the Fraser Valley and writes on cultural and other issues.
© Copyright 2006 Terrace Standard
Figure this out..
Ken,
I am happy to see that you too are disturbed to see the amount of garbage in the street. I am a long time resident of the community and can't say I am thrilled with some of the values that have come to our community along with its diversity. I used to spend most of my exercise time riding my bike along the rural streets of Abbotsford. What I saw in the ditches appalled me. To some people having a clean car is more important than having a clean environment hence the McDonalds or Tim Horton's garbage goes out the window. You refer to the people who people who pick up the garbage as "Heroes" I contend that the opposite to a "Hero" is a "Villain". A few years a go my teenage daughter and I were returning home and as we drove into our subdivision I noticed in my rear view mirror the kids in the following car throwing their McDonalds garbage out the window. I stopped immediately and went back to talk to the boys. They were four well dressed, respectful East Indian boys on their lunch break from High School. I asked them if they would throw garbage out in front of their own home to which they replied no they wouldn't. Then I told them to pick up the garbage which they did. I thanked them and returned to my car. My daughter was horrified by the whole event, she was afraid that the boys may have had guns and would retaliate! It hadn't occurred to me that High School students were packing heat. I don't spend much time riding on the roads now although I am still sickened by the amount of garbage that ends up in the ditches. Now I do my riding on McKee Peak or Sumas Mountain on the trails where there are no cars or McDonalds bags. In your column you mention Diwali. I expect that once again we will see young people celebrating Diwali with Fireworks and Fire Crackers, which happen to be against the law here. This will leave more garbage in the streets and parks. I guess my point is that the different values that different cultures bring to the community bring stresses that affect the way people are treated. I am from here and expect people to behave in a certain way. For all I know where they come from it is normal and accepted to throw garbage from the window of their car. It's not the people I don't like, it's what they do that I don't like.
Peace,
Roy Miller
I am happy to see that you too are disturbed to see the amount of garbage in the street. I am a long time resident of the community and can't say I am thrilled with some of the values that have come to our community along with its diversity. I used to spend most of my exercise time riding my bike along the rural streets of Abbotsford. What I saw in the ditches appalled me. To some people having a clean car is more important than having a clean environment hence the McDonalds or Tim Horton's garbage goes out the window. You refer to the people who people who pick up the garbage as "Heroes" I contend that the opposite to a "Hero" is a "Villain". A few years a go my teenage daughter and I were returning home and as we drove into our subdivision I noticed in my rear view mirror the kids in the following car throwing their McDonalds garbage out the window. I stopped immediately and went back to talk to the boys. They were four well dressed, respectful East Indian boys on their lunch break from High School. I asked them if they would throw garbage out in front of their own home to which they replied no they wouldn't. Then I told them to pick up the garbage which they did. I thanked them and returned to my car. My daughter was horrified by the whole event, she was afraid that the boys may have had guns and would retaliate! It hadn't occurred to me that High School students were packing heat. I don't spend much time riding on the roads now although I am still sickened by the amount of garbage that ends up in the ditches. Now I do my riding on McKee Peak or Sumas Mountain on the trails where there are no cars or McDonalds bags. In your column you mention Diwali. I expect that once again we will see young people celebrating Diwali with Fireworks and Fire Crackers, which happen to be against the law here. This will leave more garbage in the streets and parks. I guess my point is that the different values that different cultures bring to the community bring stresses that affect the way people are treated. I am from here and expect people to behave in a certain way. For all I know where they come from it is normal and accepted to throw garbage from the window of their car. It's not the people I don't like, it's what they do that I don't like.
Peace,
Roy Miller
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Eliminating Racism through knowledge..
Diversity now recognized, celebrated
Ken Herar, Special to the TimesPublished: Tuesday, November 03, 2009
The Times essay contest officially closed last week. Let me extend my appreciation to Times publisher Fred Armstrong and editor Gord Kurenoff for their support in allowing me to reach out to our local youth.
There is no greater reward when you can encourage and guide someone to become a better community individual.
In the last four months, several young people have approached me for advice on their presentations. I am really taken back by this.
The enthusiasm our youth have put in their projects represents a brighter tomorrow for our community.
I recall a special moment this summer when four attendants at a McDonald's drive-thru came running to the window to ask me about their essays. All I wanted was a cheeseburger.
This is my third year hosting this event and it's become very popular with high school students.
I am extremely proud of the work they have submitted and they have recognized the cause that still endures.
Unfortunately, not everyone will be a winner, but I won't forget names and faces of those who participated.
We will feature the top three winners and an honourable mention along with their essays in the Times on Nov. 20.
This year's winner will receive an evening at the Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards, held March 5 in Abbotsford.
Diversity is not just about finding differences, but what we establish through these diverse connections.
Someone recently commented that diversity has always existed.
Yes, it has, but now we recognize and celebrated it as part of our Canadian roots. We are constantly developing and our past and present judgments will shape are future destiny.
I met a childhood friend who I haven't seen in years. I was happy to see him and we chatted for a few minutes.
During our conversation he surprised me. He said: "Ken, I read your columns and wanted to apologize for an incident during school. I am not sure if you remember; I made some racial remarks."
I couldn't pinpoint the exact incident, but obviously he wanted to get that off his chest.
Just as these young brave souls share their brilliant minds they remind us that it is important to eliminate racism. It's that simple childhood quality that we all learned in school that sometimes we overlook.
In the final analysis, the biggest issue that I have gathered from this experience in building an inclusive, diverse community is our lack of knowledge.
We have to stop being so shallow and open our minds and you will be amazed at what you discover.
It is often this lack of knowledge that creates misunderstandings and racism.
Contact Herar at kenherar@gmail.com or see his blog at www.kenherar.blogspot.com
© Abbotsford Times 2009
Ken Herar, Special to the TimesPublished: Tuesday, November 03, 2009
The Times essay contest officially closed last week. Let me extend my appreciation to Times publisher Fred Armstrong and editor Gord Kurenoff for their support in allowing me to reach out to our local youth.
There is no greater reward when you can encourage and guide someone to become a better community individual.
In the last four months, several young people have approached me for advice on their presentations. I am really taken back by this.
The enthusiasm our youth have put in their projects represents a brighter tomorrow for our community.
I recall a special moment this summer when four attendants at a McDonald's drive-thru came running to the window to ask me about their essays. All I wanted was a cheeseburger.
This is my third year hosting this event and it's become very popular with high school students.
I am extremely proud of the work they have submitted and they have recognized the cause that still endures.
Unfortunately, not everyone will be a winner, but I won't forget names and faces of those who participated.
We will feature the top three winners and an honourable mention along with their essays in the Times on Nov. 20.
This year's winner will receive an evening at the Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards, held March 5 in Abbotsford.
Diversity is not just about finding differences, but what we establish through these diverse connections.
Someone recently commented that diversity has always existed.
Yes, it has, but now we recognize and celebrated it as part of our Canadian roots. We are constantly developing and our past and present judgments will shape are future destiny.
I met a childhood friend who I haven't seen in years. I was happy to see him and we chatted for a few minutes.
During our conversation he surprised me. He said: "Ken, I read your columns and wanted to apologize for an incident during school. I am not sure if you remember; I made some racial remarks."
I couldn't pinpoint the exact incident, but obviously he wanted to get that off his chest.
Just as these young brave souls share their brilliant minds they remind us that it is important to eliminate racism. It's that simple childhood quality that we all learned in school that sometimes we overlook.
In the final analysis, the biggest issue that I have gathered from this experience in building an inclusive, diverse community is our lack of knowledge.
We have to stop being so shallow and open our minds and you will be amazed at what you discover.
It is often this lack of knowledge that creates misunderstandings and racism.
Contact Herar at kenherar@gmail.com or see his blog at www.kenherar.blogspot.com
© Abbotsford Times 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Introduced in the BC Legislature..
Official Report of DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
(Hansard)
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1995
Afternoon Sitting
[ Page 13043 ]
Volume 18, Number 5
The House met at 2:05 p.m.
Prayers.
Hon. M. Harcourt: It is with sadness that I rise today to ask all colleagues to join with me in asking the Speaker to forward our condolences to the family and friends of Monique Caritey, who passed away Friday in Vancouver. Ms. Caritey, I'm sure you will all remember, was a journalist in Vancouver with the French service of the CBC for over 20 years. She was born in France just about 50 years ago. She started her journalism career in Lyons with the daily le Progress. After moving to Vancouver in the mid-1960s, she joined the Company of Young Canadians, and in 1970 joined CUSO to teach French and English in Mali.
I think that expresses the essence of Monique, and I think those of you who had the pleasure of knowing her would know that she did have that tremendous international sense about her.
When she returned to Vancouver, she went to work with the current affairs program at Radio Canada, and soon after moved to the TV newsroom. As well, she was a legislative reporter, and, although based in Vancouver -- to show you the respect she received from her colleagues -- she was a full member of the Victoria press gallery for years. Monique covered three provincial election campaigns and, as many of you are aware, numerous NDP, Social Credit and Liberal conventions.
She was always active in her community. She served on the board of day care societies, a food co-op and many journalism organizations. She was also a very good sportsperson -- an avid kayaker and a good skier.
She will be missed by her husband and high school sweetheart, Pierre Caritey, and by her daughter Odelle, her son Rama and so many friends and colleagues by whom she was respected and loved.
D. Lovick: Mr. Speaker, on your behalf today I want to welcome a group of students and their chaperons visiting us from Olympia, Washington. They are taking part in what I understand is a Rotary exchange. Their chaperons are Jim Sigitowicz and Joe Beaulieu, and the students' names are Bryann Lee, Kim Vandelsen, Nicole Coleman, Nathan Chateaubriand and Rohit Rohila. There is also in their group a Belgian exchange student by the name of Edith Vincke. I ask all my colleagues to please make them welcome, wherever they are.
G. Campbell: I'd like to ask the House to welcome Cass Willem and her son, David, to the precinct today. Cass has been very active in the city of Vancouver and was one of the driving forces behind the effort to save the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. I'd like us to make her welcome.
M. de Jong: Joining us in the precincts today from Mission are Mr. and Mrs. Ken Herar. Mr. Herar is the president of the growing group of Liberals in that riding
(Hansard)
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1995
Afternoon Sitting
[ Page 13043 ]
Volume 18, Number 5
The House met at 2:05 p.m.
Prayers.
Hon. M. Harcourt: It is with sadness that I rise today to ask all colleagues to join with me in asking the Speaker to forward our condolences to the family and friends of Monique Caritey, who passed away Friday in Vancouver. Ms. Caritey, I'm sure you will all remember, was a journalist in Vancouver with the French service of the CBC for over 20 years. She was born in France just about 50 years ago. She started her journalism career in Lyons with the daily le Progress. After moving to Vancouver in the mid-1960s, she joined the Company of Young Canadians, and in 1970 joined CUSO to teach French and English in Mali.
I think that expresses the essence of Monique, and I think those of you who had the pleasure of knowing her would know that she did have that tremendous international sense about her.
When she returned to Vancouver, she went to work with the current affairs program at Radio Canada, and soon after moved to the TV newsroom. As well, she was a legislative reporter, and, although based in Vancouver -- to show you the respect she received from her colleagues -- she was a full member of the Victoria press gallery for years. Monique covered three provincial election campaigns and, as many of you are aware, numerous NDP, Social Credit and Liberal conventions.
She was always active in her community. She served on the board of day care societies, a food co-op and many journalism organizations. She was also a very good sportsperson -- an avid kayaker and a good skier.
She will be missed by her husband and high school sweetheart, Pierre Caritey, and by her daughter Odelle, her son Rama and so many friends and colleagues by whom she was respected and loved.
D. Lovick: Mr. Speaker, on your behalf today I want to welcome a group of students and their chaperons visiting us from Olympia, Washington. They are taking part in what I understand is a Rotary exchange. Their chaperons are Jim Sigitowicz and Joe Beaulieu, and the students' names are Bryann Lee, Kim Vandelsen, Nicole Coleman, Nathan Chateaubriand and Rohit Rohila. There is also in their group a Belgian exchange student by the name of Edith Vincke. I ask all my colleagues to please make them welcome, wherever they are.
G. Campbell: I'd like to ask the House to welcome Cass Willem and her son, David, to the precinct today. Cass has been very active in the city of Vancouver and was one of the driving forces behind the effort to save the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. I'd like us to make her welcome.
M. de Jong: Joining us in the precincts today from Mission are Mr. and Mrs. Ken Herar. Mr. Herar is the president of the growing group of Liberals in that riding
Speaking Announcement in Mission..
Lifetime Learning Centre Society'sOral History Catalogue
Interviews and Recorded Programs 1996-2007all items © Lifetime Learning Centre Society
2008
April 26, 2008
Showcasing Mission Writers: Joan Fishleigh, Ken Herar, John Herl, Cathie Marcelllus, Ann Mohs, Gordon Mohs, Doris Paterson, David Pullen, Marion Quednau, Betty Robertson, Gerhard von Rosen, Daphne Sleigh, Shirley Walker, Suzanne Vermeer (MC)
May 28, 2008
60th Anniversary of the 1948 Flood
Nov 4, 2008
WWII – Canadians on the Home Front
Nov 26, 2008
Whispered Voices – the Chinese Community of Early Mission
Dec 08,2008
Christmas Memories
Interviews and Recorded Programs 1996-2007all items © Lifetime Learning Centre Society
2008
April 26, 2008
Showcasing Mission Writers: Joan Fishleigh, Ken Herar, John Herl, Cathie Marcelllus, Ann Mohs, Gordon Mohs, Doris Paterson, David Pullen, Marion Quednau, Betty Robertson, Gerhard von Rosen, Daphne Sleigh, Shirley Walker, Suzanne Vermeer (MC)
May 28, 2008
60th Anniversary of the 1948 Flood
Nov 4, 2008
WWII – Canadians on the Home Front
Nov 26, 2008
Whispered Voices – the Chinese Community of Early Mission
Dec 08,2008
Christmas Memories
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