Saskatchewan, 78,226 Vaccines Delivered
There were 1,662 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered yesterday in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 78,226.
Enforcing Public Health Measures
Enforcement of public health orders is permitted under The Public Health Act, 1994. Public health inspectors will be supported in their efforts to ticket violators quickly to ensure that businesses and events are brought into compliance as quickly as possible, in addition to the enforcement efforts that have been undertaken by police agencies throughout the province.
For more information on the current public health measures or to see the Public Health Order, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-measures
Contents Saskatoon Asian Newsweek
302-914 Heritage View, Saskatoon SK S7H 5T1 4. Saskatchewan , Canada, Vaccine COVID-19 Update www.sask-asiannews.com 5. Worldwide COVID-19 Update 6. SGI To Issue Rebates to Customers Average Payment Of $285 Per Vehicle [email protected] 6. Saskatchewan Pharmacists Key Partner in the COVID-19 Immunization Plan Tel. 306-241-8262 7. Save the Dates - Sask Parks Campsite Reservations Set for April Jon Park: Publisher / Editor 7. Saskatchewan Expanding Rapid Testing Kit Use [email protected] 8. Canada Releases List of Government-Authorized Hotels for Quarantine Edward Park: Editor-in-Chief 9. International Experience Canada (IEC) Pools for Certain Countries Opening For 2021 [email protected] 10. Why Canada’s 401,000 Immigration Target For 2021 Is Achievable Georgina Bone: Senior writer [email protected] 11. Canada Now More Popular Than the U.S. As A Study Abroad Destination Dr. Daniel Huang : Senior Editor 12. Minister of Foreign Affairs Holds First Bilateral Meeting with U.S. Secretary of State [email protected] 13. Pope: Support and Promote the Mission of The Custody of The Holy Land Maria Yoo: Reporter 19. January 2021 Saskatoon Real Estate Market Update [email protected] 20. Public Sector Strike Shakes Military Junta Mary Joyce Malayba: Editor [email protected] 21. Social Media Come to The Rescue of Hải Dương Farmers, Badly Affected by The … Md Majharul Islam: Web & Graphic Designer 21. China Is India’s First Trading Partner [email protected] 22. EU Parliament Says No to Investment Deal with Beijing Without Freedom in Hong … Rebecka Park : Photographer [email protected] 23. Hong Kong, Anti-Government Website Blocked Isagani Fabi: Editor 23. Scholar Committed to Safeguarding All Forms of Life to Receive the Niwano Peace … [email protected] 24. G7, EU, Malaysia, Indonesia Increasingly Critical of Myanmar Coup Teresa Kim: Editor 25. Taiwan Is the Most Democratic Country in Asia [email protected] 25. Beijing Sanctions Pompeo And Dozens of Trump Administration Members Kevin M. Jung: Editor [email protected] 26. Asian / Community info.
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Saskatchewan COVID-19 Update Total Confirmed Active / ICU Recovered Deaths
28,506 1,548 26,573 385
Vaccines Vaccines Confirme Recovere Confirme Recovere Date Deaths Administer Date Deaths Administere d d d d . d Last month 274.2 275.4 3.4 Average per Please adhere to national health guidelines. day per day Wash hands, wear masks, and keep proper social distance. 1494.2 together we can overcome! Per day 171.7 205.4 3.0 Feb 28 n/a n/a n/a n/a Feb 14 161 247 0 1079 Feb 27 162 119 5 6050 Feb 13 244 190 4 1778 Feb 26 153 136 0 6308 Feb 12 195 221 2 525 Feb 25 211 142 1 202 Feb 11 114 147 0 892 Feb 24 56 158 3 1003 Feb 10 180 245 2 850 Feb 23 122 244 4 612 Feb 9 80 253 5 1534 Feb 22 177 195 0 987 Feb 8 171 328 2 691 Feb 21 182 110 4 2919 Feb 7 194 241 3 1042 Feb 20 193 170 3 4794 Feb 6 264 145 4 2544 Feb 19 146 77 3 2565 Feb 5 269 229 3 2183 Feb 18 146 171 0 139 Feb 4 250 232 7 764 Feb 17 124 189 4 485 Feb 3 194 252 8 188 Feb 16 136 529 3 32 Feb 2 223 266 8 128 Feb 15 143 0 0 164 Feb 1 147 310 2 88 Canada COVID-19 Update
Vaccination Doses Administered in Canada
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 4 Worldwide COVID-19 Update Update at:Feb 27, 2021
# Country Confirmed Death Recovered Mortal. Critical Active
1 USA 29202824 524669 19632523 0.018 15084 9045632 2 India 11096440 157087 10773275 0.014 8944 166078 3 Brazil 10517232 254263 9386440 0.024 8318 876529 4 Russia 4234720 85743 3799406 0.02 2300 349571 5 UK 4170519 122705 2846208 0.029 1971 1201606 6 France 3736016 86332 254868 0.023 3430 3394816 7 Spain 3188553 69142 2647446 0.022 3021 471965 8 Italy 2907825 97507 2398352 0.034 2216 411966 9 Turkey 2693164 28503 2565723 0.011 1187 98938 10 Germany 2444177 70589 2243200 0.029 2848 130388 13 Mexico 2084128 185257 1630002 0.089 4798 268869 18 Indonesia 1329074 35981 1136054 0.027 n/a 157039 22 Canada 864194 21960 811377 0.025 567 30864 26 Israel 773335 5732 727802 0.007 760 39801 30 Pakistan 578797 12837 544406 0.022 1538 21554 31 Philippines 574247 12289 524865 0.021 785 37093 33 Bangladesh 545831 8400 496107 0.015 n/a 41324 37 Japan 430539 7807 408020 0.018 440 14712 39 UAE 388594 1213 379708 0.003 n/a 7673 40 Jordan 386496 4675 346287 0.012 284 35534 41 Saudi Arabia 377061 6488 368011 0.017 475 2562 45 Malaysia 298315 1121 270166 0.004 190 27028 65 Palestine 181909 2025 166119 0.011 110 13765 66 Egypt 181829 10639 140460 0.059 90 30730 74 Myanmar 141890 3199 131454 0.023 n/a 7237 84 China 89893 4636 85039 0.052 1 218 85 S. Korea 89676 1603 80697 0.018 135 7376 88 Sri Lanka 82890 464 78373 0.006 n/a 4053 95 Singapore 59925 29 59816 0 1 80 102 Cuba 49161 318 44566 0.006 59 4277 111 Australia 28970 909 26168 0.031 n/a 1893 114 Thailand 25881 83 25022 0.003 1 776 116 Jamaica 22817 417 13318 0.018 20 9082 136 Hong Kong 10984 198 10519 0.018 17 267 143 Bahamas 8519 179 7309 0.021 2 1031 168 Barbados 3038 33 2344 0.011 n/a 661 169 Mongolia 2866 2 2183 0.001 8 681 173 Vietnam 2432 35 1844 0.014 n/a 553 174 New Zealand 2376 26 2285 0.011 n/a 65 185 Taiwan 954 9 917 0.009 n/a 28 186 Bhutan 867 1 862 0.001 n/a 4 187 Cambodia 805 0 477 0 n/a 328 207 Lao People's 45 0 42 0 n/a 3 210 Vatican City State 27 0 15 0 n/a 12 219 Samoa 3 0 2 0 n/a 1
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 5 SGI To Issue Rebates to Customers Average Payment Of $285 Per Vehicle approximately $285 per vehicle or their mailing address is up to date by visiting approximately 26 per cent of an average www.MySGI.ca to confirm or by contacting annual premium in Saskatchewan. their local motor licence issuer. The Auto Fund, which all Saskatchewan Enhanced Benefits for Most Seriously vehicle owners pay into via their insurance Injured Customers Crown Also Enhancing Benefits for Most premiums, maintains the Rate Stabilization SGI is also implementing two significant Seriously Injured Customers Reserve (RSR). Maintaining a healthy balance enhancements for customers who receive in the RSR protects customers against SGI will pass on roughly $350 million in long-term injury benefits as a result of being sudden rate fluctuations due to unexpected earnings to the people of Saskatchewan by injured in vehicle collisions. cost pressures. The RSR is one of the reasons issuing one-time rebates to all registered Customers who require assistance with daily that SGI customers enjoy, on average, the vehicle owners, and also improving injury tasks (i.e., dressing, bathing, cooking, lowest rates for basic auto insurance in benefits for its most seriously injured cleaning and yard care) will see the Canada and have not experienced significant customers. maximum payments for those services rate increases, despite the rapidly rising cost increase to better reflect current market “The Saskatchewan Auto Fund Rate of repairing today’s modern vehicles. Stabilization Reserve is in a very strong rates. This is expected to benefit more than The amount in the RSR is heavily impacted by financial position due to very strong 1,100 SGI customers. the performance of its well-diversified investment returns and – to a smaller degree SGI customers who receive income investment portfolio. After losses last March, – fewer collision claims due to the COVID-19 replacement benefits from SGI and Canada in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, pandemic,” Minister Responsible for SGI Don Pension Plan (CPP) will no longer have the RSR experienced strong investment Morgan said. “As a result, SGI will pass on income benefits from SGI reduced by their earnings over the past fiscal year, especially these earnings to the people of Saskatchewan CPP payment. It is standard industry practice in the last quarter. This allows SGI to absorb by issuing rebates to all registered vehicle to reduce insurance benefits by the CPP the one-time cost associated with issuing owners and by improving injury benefits.” payment. SGI is leading the industry by rebates, while remaining in a position to eliminating this practice, to the added benefit Rebates to be Issued to Vehicle Owners protect customers from significant rate hikes of our most seriously injured customers. It is this Spring going forward. Even with issuing the rebate, estimated that this will benefit The provincial government has approved the the RSR will meet industry standards to approximately 200 people. one-time rebate of $285 million. The amount protect against unexpected cost fluctuations. For more information, please visit 2021 each customer receives will vary, and it will Rebate cheques will be issued in May and Rebates at be calculated based on a proportion of sent through the mail to customers who have https://www.sgi.sk.ca/news?title=2021- vehicle premiums paid in the previous three paid Auto Fund premiums in the past three rebates. years. Details are still being finalized, but it’s years and are residents of Saskatchewan. expected the average rebate will work out to Customers are encouraged to verify that Released on February 26, 2021 ______Saskatchewan Pharmacists Key Partner in the COVID-19 Immunization Plan The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased Saskatchewan is working hard to make sure The government has negotiated a tentative to announce that Saskatchewan pharmacists COVID-19 vaccine is safely delivered into the new pharmacy Proprietor Agreement with are formally on board to play a key role in the arms of Saskatchewan residents through all the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan delivery of the largest mass vaccination possible avenues.” on behalf of all Saskatchewan pharmacies. campaign in provincial history. Pharmacists Details of the plan for pharmacy delivery of The Agreement establishes the fee for will be delivering COVID-19 vaccine through the COVID-19 vaccine are currently under pharmacist delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, community pharmacies in Phase 2 of the development, including which community along with increases in prescription provincial immunization plan. The pharmacies are participating. dispensing fees and influenza vaccine fees. It participation of Saskatchewan pharmacists is for a one year term, beginning March 1, “We are proud to join other health care will significantly increase public access to the 2021. professionals in providing safe, timely access vaccine, improving the rate of vaccination. to COVID-19 vaccinations for Saskatchewan For further information on the COVID-19 “We appreciate that Saskatchewan residents,” Pharmacy Association of vaccine delivery strategy and clinic pharmacists are ready to step up and deliver Saskatchewan Board Chair George Furneaux announcements, please visit the COVID-19 vaccine,” Health Minister Paul said. www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine. Merriman said. “The Government of SK Released on February 22, 2021
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 6 Save the Dates - Sask Parks Campsite Reservations Set for April and their families back to the parks for • April 16 - Bronson Forest, Meadow Lake, another memorable year.” Makwa Lake, Lac La Ronge • April 19 - Saskatchewan Landing, In early 2020, Sask Parks launched a Douglas, Danielson competitive process for a vendor that could • April 20 - Buffalo Pound, Rowan's provide an enhanced reservation and Ravine, Echo Valley, Crooked Lake campground management system. Aspira • April 21 - Cypress Hills was selected as the vendor and comes with • April 22 - Duck Mountain, Good Spirit more than 30 years of experience providing Lake, Greenwater Lake reservation platforms for government park • April 23 - Candle Lake, Great Blue Heron, agencies across North America. Moose Mountain Prior to reservations opening, customers Fee changes for 2021 include a $1 increase in Reservations for the 2021 camping season at should plan to create a new account once the nightly electric sites, now $33 a night, and a Saskatchewan's Provincial Parks are set to site is available in April. Online tutorials will $1 increase in full-service nightly sites, now begin April 12 for seasonal campsites and on be offered to help guide users through this $43 a night. The new full-service seasonal April 14-23 for nightly and group campsites. process. sites offered at Greenwater Lake and “With the recent cold snap across the Customers will also want to note that Meadow Lake provincial parks are $3,400. province, many folks are anticipating reservations will begin at 7 a.m. each day - All other fees remain the same from 2020. summer and this year's camping season,” there is no longer a need to log on at 6:40 a.m. For information related to this year's Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross in order to be placed in the queue. The campsite reservations, visit said. “Our provincial parks provide many complete reservation schedule is as follows: www.saskparks.com. options for safe and local summer vacations, • April 12 - Seasonal campsites for all with so much to see and do. Sask Parks staff Released on February 22, 2021 parks offering seasonal camping are looking forward to welcoming visitors • April 14 - Pike Lake, The Battlefords, Narrow Hills, Blackstrap ______Saskatchewan Expanding Rapid Testing Kit Use
homes and schools. Many of these sectors point of care COVID-19 specimen collection may not have the capacity to use these tests and testing sites from requiring a laboratory on their own, so the Ministry of Health is license when those sites have entered into an working with SaskBuilds and Procurement to agreement with the Saskatchewan Health develop a Request for Pre-Qualifications Authority. (RFPQ) tender for third-party providers to “These changes give us the ability to move deliver testing to these locations. This will swiftly to expand testing options,” Health enhance the number and variety of venues Minister Paul Merriman said. “We know that where rapid testing is offered. testing plays a crucial role in helping to curb The Government of Saskatchewan is Tests will also be available for Ambulance, the spread of the COVID-19 virus and now expanding rapid COVID-19 testing options Fire and Police and participating pharmacies with variants of concern surfacing in our for asymptomatic individuals in a variety of and dental offices. province it is more important than ever that testing is expanded to make it easier, quicker settings across the province. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is also and more convenient to access.” Saskatchewan has created a strategy to looking at pop-up point of care testing sites deploy more than 700,000 rapid point-of- and the ability for health care workers to Any rapid point-of-care tests that return a care tests received through a federal carry out weekly surveillance testing on positive result will need to be retested to government allocation. These safe and themselves. The Ministry of Health and confirm the result using a PCR test with the simple tests will be used in a variety of Saskatchewan Health Authority will work Saskatchewan Health Authority labs. settings including walk-in or drive-thru sites, with various sectors and provider groups to However, negative tests do not need to be mobile testing and pop-up testing sites. ensure training and support is in place to use retested for confirmation, which is expected these testing resources to their full potential. to reduce pressure on provincial lab Along with appropriate training, rapid tests resources. will be offered to Long-term and Personal The Medical Laboratory Licensing Care homes, shelters, detox facilities, group Regulations have been amended to exempt Released on February 25, 2021
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 7 Canada Releases List of Government-Authorized Hotels for Quarantine
These hotels are situated in the four How to book a hotel for mandatory Canadian cities that are currently accepting quarantine international air travel at this time: To book your stay, the Canadian government Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. website says to call these designated phone This is not the full list, as more will be numbers: 1-800-294-8253 toll-free from finalized in the coming days, according to the North America, and 1-613-830-2992 collect government webpage. from outside North America. You will be able List of government-authorized hotels to make special requests, get information for
for 3-day quarantine pets, and address any other accessibility Reports say the estimated $2,000 cost to concerns. travellers was an overshot, and costs to Vancouver International Airport The government will send you an email quarantine for up to three days is actually Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport much lower. confirmation within four hours of booking.
The Canadian government has released a list Travellers are instructed to use the of some of the hotels that are approved to Calgary International Airport ArriveCan app to prove that they have made their reservation. host international air travellers for the Acclaim Hotel mandatory quarantine requirement. Marriot Calgary Airport Starting February 22, international air What are the new quarantine travellers to Canada must take a COVID-19 requirements for air travellers? test upon arrival. They must then await the Toronto Pearson Airport results of this test in a government-approved Before air travellers depart to Canada, they Alt Hotel Pearson Airport facility for up to three days. need to provide a COVID-19 test in order to Four Points by Sheraton and Element board the plane. They will then be tested Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had Toronto Airport again once they arrive in Canada. As per the previously announced the new measure to new measure going into effect on February stop the spread of coronavirus in January. At Holiday Inn Toronto International Airport 22, these travellers must wait for their test that time he estimated the cost to travellers Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto results in one of the previously mentioned would be about $2,000. International Airport government-approved hotels. However, the Canadian Press reports that the Once they get the results, they are instructed cost to travellers is actually much lower. Two to carry out the rest of the mandatory 14-day hotels at Toronto Pearson International Montréal Pierre-Elliot Trudeau quarantine in their homes. From there, they Airport declare that their mandatory International Airport are supposed to take another COVID-19 test quarantine programs go from $319 to $339 Aloft Montreal Airport in the last few days of their quarantine. for a single person. The Calgary Airport Testing kits and instructions will be provided Crowne Plaza Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel, is reportedly before travellers leave the airport. going for $1,272 plus tax, which includes Holiday Inn Express and Suites Montreal Sources CIC food for three days and for security. Airport
Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal
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Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 8 International Experience Canada (IEC) Pools for Certain Countries Opening For 2021 If you are from one of these countries you The jobs must be payed and they cannot be Candidates needed an Expression of Interest have a chance to enter the International self-employed. The work permit under this (EOI) score of at least 70 in order to be Experience Canada pool as of March 1. category is employer-specific, meaning the invited. They also needed work experience in one of the 70 in-demand occupations listed holder must stay with the employer named Canada will be opening up the International on the government webpage. on the permit. Experience Canada (IEC) pool for certain Invited candidates had work experience in at International Co-op countries on March 1. least one of 70 in-demand occupations. Some The International Co-op category is for Those who are selected will be eligible to of the eligible occupations include medical students who need to do an internship or work in Canada. IEC is open to young adults administrative assistants, retail and work placement in Canada to complete their wholesale buyers, and geological engineers who are citizens of foreign countries which studies. among others. have reciprocal agreements with Canada. The eligible age range depends on the Participants will have to stay with the same The SINP uses the EOI system to select the country, but usually falls between 18 and 35 employer at the same location for the candidates that have the most potential to succeed in the regional labour market. in some cases. Moreover, work permits duration of their time in Canada. Sources CIC. Candidates need to demonstrate their under the IEC do not require a Labour Market commitment to settling in Saskatchewan by Impact Assessment. showcasing their work experience, education, There are three different categories under language ability, age, and connections to the the IEC: Working Holiday, Young province. Professionals, and International Co-op. Saskatchewan gives candidates a score out of 100 according to the International Skilled Normally, Working Holiday visa holders do Worker Points Assessment Grid. The highest- not need a job offer to land in Canada, but scoring candidates are then issued an that has changed due to travel restrictions. invitation to apply for a provincial For now, everyone coming to Canada under nomination from Saskatchewan. the IEC needs a valid job offer, and a Letter of As of November 2020, Saskatchewan started Introduction. They must also comply with the giving more EOI points to people who can COVID-19 testing requirements, and speak both English and French. mandatory quarantine. Express Entry sub-category The following pools are scheduled to be open In the latest invitation round, Saskatchewan March 1. The quotas indicate how many only sent invitations to candidates who had profiles will be selected from the IEC pool for profiles in the federal Express Entry pool. each country: (See Chart) The federal Express Entry system manages Working Holiday the pool of candidates for three of Canada’s main economic-class immigration programs: The Working Holiday pathway normally Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal allows participants to come to Canada Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian without a job offer, and to work at any job Briefly overview of each IEC category. Experience Class. they find here. Since the onset of COVID-19, If candidates in the federal Express Entry however, participants must line up a job Saskatchewan PNP pool also filled out an EOI for Saskatchewan, before coming to Canada. Invites 299 Express and they scored 70 on the SINP’s Points Since participants under this program get an Assessment Grid they may have been invited in the latest draw. open work permit, they can work for any Entry Candidates employer in Canada. It allows for a more Express Entry candidates who apply for and Saskatchewan has issued 1,727 customizable experience, as it is possible to receive a provincial nomination from the invitations so far in 2021 change employers, or move locations with province of Saskatchewan are awarded an additional 600 points toward their this permit. . Saskatchewan held a new draw on February 25, inviting candidates to apply for a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Young Professionals provincial nomination for Canadian This award effectively guarantees that they permanent residence. will be invited to apply for permanent The Young Professionals Pathway is residence in a subsequent federal Express The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee designed to hone professional skills. Entry draw. The same goes for any one of Program (SINP) invited 299 candidates from Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs that Accordingly, participants must have a the International Skilled Worker category. are aligned with Express Entry. professional job offer in Canada that falls Only candidates who could be eligible for the under National Occupation Classification SINP’s Express Entry subcategory were Sources CIC (NOC) Skill Levels 0, A, or B. invited in this Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw.
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 9 Why Canada’s 401,000 Immigration Target For 2021 Is Achievable invited were residing in Canada during the the family class, and about 15 per cent under pandemic, and hence, they are less likely than the refugee and humanitarian class. those overseas to face coronavirus-related Here is a summary of how it can be done. immigration disruptions. The economic class target can be met by Once a candidate receives an Invitation to predominantly transitioning those in Canada Apply (ITA) for permanent residence, they now to permanent residence. It can be need to take several steps to complete the supplemented by also welcoming skilled immigration process, including collecting workers currently exempt from the and submitting documents, obtaining police coronavirus travel restrictions. Family class and health clearances, submitting their immigrants are exempt from the travel biometrics, and of course, travelling to restrictions, and some are currently in ANALYSIS: Achieving this target will be Canada. Prior to the pandemic, even those in challenging but we should not rule out the Canada waiting for IRCC to process their Canada needed to “flagpole” to complete the possibility following the remarkable applications. Just under half of Canada’s process (the act of physically crossing the U.S. February 13 Express Entry draw. refugee intake each year is filled by asylum border, and then doing a U-turn and re- claimants who are in the country. That leaves Welcoming 401,000 immigrants this year is a entering Canada to activate their new about 40,000 resettled refugees who Canada steep mountain for the Canadian government permanent resident status). to climb, but it can be done. may struggle to welcome to the country amid All of this has obviously become more the pandemic. IRCC could choose instead to The Saturday February 13 Express Entry difficult in a world of social distancing, use the resettled refugee shortfall towards draw, which invited a stunning 27,332 lockdowns, and travel restrictions. increasing its intake of economic and family candidates to apply for permanent residence, class newcomers. shows that the government is preparing to Minister Mendicino: CEC candidates “are climb the mountain. ready to build their future in Canada” How to achieve Canada’s economic class admissions goals in 2021 In the months leading up to the start of the A key reason this draw makes sense is that pandemic, Canada was inviting around 3,500 plenty of IRCC and Statistics Canada research Under the Immigration Levels Plan, Canada is candidates per Express Entry draw with a shows those with Canadian experience aiming to welcome 108,500 immigrants Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score integrate very quickly into the labour market, through Express Entry this year. It has requirement in the 470 region. Towards the something that is of greater importance already issued 37,986 ITAs in 2021 end of 2020, Canada broke the Express Entry during the difficult economic times we (compared with 10,300 at the same time in draw record by inviting 5,000 candidates, a currently face. 2020). This means that if IRCC is able to issue another 30,000 or so ITAs within the next feat which it achieved four times up until As Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino two months, they should have a strong Christmas. noted to CIC News, “These aspiring chance to achieve their Express Entry target Canadians are already established here, It then topped that record by nearly six times by year’s end. This can be achieved by issuing possess valuable skills and are giving back to when it invited 27,332 candidates to apply at least 5,000 ITAs in bi-weekly draws their communities. They are hard at work in for permanent residence on Saturday. In between now and April. Again, Express Entry some of the most essential parts of our addition to the sheer size of the draw, what candidates have 90 days to submit their economy and are ready to build their future was also unusual was the fact the draw had permanent residence applications and IRCC in Canada.” the lowest CRS requirement ever (75 points), aims to process the applications within six and occurred on a Saturday. Draws tend to The main reason IRCC held this massive draw months. occur on weekdays when government is they believe they can achieve their Beyond hitting its Express Entry target, IRCC officials and immigration representatives Immigration Levels Plan target of 401,000 will need to pursue additional exceptional such as lawyers are working and are able to newcomers in 2021 by focusing on measures to fulfil its 401,000 newcomer goal. serve their clients. Clients currently have immigration candidates currently in Canada. The levels plan calls for Canada to land only 90 days to submit their permanent By inviting 27,332 candidates in February, 80,800 immigrants through the Provincial residence application so each day is precious. IRCC can process their permanent residence Nominee Program (PNP) this year and applications by the end of the year to ensure Why IRCC held this extraordinary Express another 15,500 through other federal these candidates complete their landing and Entry draw programs such as the Atlantic Immigration are counted towards the levels plan target. Given the draw’s magnitude, Immigration, Pilot (AIP). Quebec is also looking to Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) felt Why the 401,000 target is achievable welcome around 30,000 economic class immigrants this year. the need to provide their rationale. The levels plan calls for about 60 per cent of IRCC explained that some 90 per cent of the immigrants to be welcomed under the IRCC could provide the provinces the green Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates economic class, about 25 per cent through light to increase their PNP → → →
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 10 → → → allocations and invite as many Achieving the family and refugee class are working on the front lines in Canada’s candidates as possible who are currently in targets fight against COVID-19. Canada through PNP streams that are aligned Canada aims to welcome 103,500 Canada will still look to candidates who with Express Entry. In recent days, both immigrants through the family class this year are overseas Ontario and British Columbia have held and another 66,000 for refugee and larger draws than usual. PNP-aligned If you are a skilled worker currently overseas, humanitarian purposes. Express Entry streams also have a six month you should not lose sight of the fact that IRCC processing standard for permanent Achieving the family class target is made and the provinces are still processing residence applications which means those easier by the fact that immediate family are immigration applications received from who receive invitations now are in good exempt by the travel restrictions. At the same abroad, and are also inviting new candidates position to complete their landing by year’s time, IRCC will likely need to expedite who are outside of Canada. This is due to the end. spousal applications, which make up the bulk fact that such candidates have the skills and of the family class, as it did at the end of 2020 other characteristics Canada seeks in With the exception of the AIP, however, when it processed up to 6,000 spousal support of its economic and social objectives. processing for most other economic class applications per month. programs tends to take over six months and If you are abroad, you should go ahead and in the case of PNP and Quebec, around two Achieving the refugee and humanitarian submit your immigration application now so years. Given the travel restrictions, IRCC will target will be difficult in light of the travel you can enter Canada as quickly as possible. need to expedite the processing of non- restrictions since most under this class are IRCC is also likely to resume invitations to Express Entry files received from candidates resettled from overseas. candidates overseas without warning, as it currently in Canada if it is to have a realistic did last year, so you do not want to miss out One of the exceptional measures Canada shot of achieving its levels goal for this year. by deciding to delay your application. could employ would be to create new If their projections suggest that the pool of economic class pathways for those with In the meantime, the 401,000 target appears eligible candidates currently in Canada is too Canadian work experience. These pathways daunting, but IRCC has overcome many small to reach their immigration targets, would have unique selection criteria that daunting tasks throughout the department’s IRCC and provinces could agree to relax their complement existing federal and provincial history. Remember that just a few years ago, eligibility criteria during the pandemic. For programs and would enable individuals IRCC welcomed 25,000 Syrian refugees in example, rather than requiring 12 months of already in Canada, such as asylum claimants just 100 days. Similarly, IRCC can achieve Canadian work experience, as is typically the to transition to permanent residence. Canada their 401,000 goal if they put their mind to it. case, IRCC and the provinces could reduce has already used this unconventional Sources CIC this to six months (as an example), so that approach during the pandemic, recently more people have the opportunity to apply launching economic class programs for for permanent residence and obtain it in “guardian angels”— asylum claimants who 2021. ______Canada Now More Popular Than the U.S. As A Study Abroad Destination understand opinions of students on period between January 2018 and October international education. 2020, the percentage of survey takers who selected the U.K as their preferred study Students are not significantly more destination increased from 12.7 per cent to interested in studying in Canada nor the U.K. around 15 per cent. In the same period, than they were before, rather it is the United Canada saw an increase from 10.1 per cent to States’ dramatic decrease in popularity that 13.8 per cent. drove the country to lose its top spot. The U.S. on the other hand, saw an In January 2018, the U.S. was the most The decreasing popularity of the U.S. means incremental decrease from 21.6 per cent popular destination for international that Canada and the U.K. are the two most down to 10.7 per cent. Germany and students. It dropped to the third most popular study abroad countries. Australia were fourth and fifth. France, popular country in October 2020. Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Sweden made Both Canada and the United Kingdom have The decrease in student interest has been up the rest of the top 10. overtaken the United States as the two most fairly constant over this period. This suggests popular study abroad destinations. educations.com is an online platform that that it is not one particular event that drove helps prospective students find relevant This is according to several surveys down interest in the U.S., such as COVID-19. information on their options to study abroad. conducted by educations.com, to better Canada and the U.K. did see a gradual The platform also allows institutions market increase in popularity among students. In the themselves. → → →
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 11 → → → Post-study options an important The most important factors when choosing Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship factor in country choice which country to study in are the cost of Canada (IRCC) continue to process study living as well as language and culture. In permit applications despite the COVID-19 Options to stay after graduation has become addition, safety and socio-political climate, pandemic. an increasingly important factor in choosing and the reputation of the education system a country to study in. This may have played a To study in Canada, you must first select the are other important factors. All four of these role in why the U.S. has become less popular, academic program that you wish to study and factors have consistently been in the top five as the U.S. have more strict visa policies for the institution in which you wish to study. factors that determines a country’s international graduates. After that you must apply to the designated popularity. learning institution (DLI). Canada in comparison is much more Post-study options have increased in welcoming. Graduates have the option to Once you receive a letter of acceptance, you importance over the last two years. It was apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit, an can then begin the application process for a ninth in importance in January 2018, but has open work permit that allows fresh study permit. You will need this document in now jumped to third. university graduates to work for any order to legally study in Canada. Sources CIC employer of their choosing. How to study in Canada? ______Minister of Foreign Affairs Holds First Bilateral Meeting with U.S. Secretary of State
citizens, stabilize economies and address challenges it presents to our collective climate change. interest and to the international rules-based order, including its coercive and unfair As Canada and the United States build back economic practices, national security from the pandemic, Minister Garneau and challenges, and human rights abuses, while Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the need to cooperating with China on areas where it is reject protectionism and preserve their in our interest, such as climate change. They countries’ shared prosperity by protecting agreed to work together to secure the release the integrity of cross-border supply chains. of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor who Agreement was found on the need to are being arbitrarily detained in China. coordinate approaches to the current global Furthermore, Minister Garneau and challenges, notably those presented by China Secretary Blinken discussed the importance and the Middle East, including Iran. Minister of Canada-United States cooperation in the Garneau underlined the importance of Americas. getting answers and justice for the families of the victims of flight PS752. The two discussed the dire situation in Venezuela and agreed to work together Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs As agreed upon by President Biden and alongside the international community Prime Minister Trudeau, both leaders are supporting Venezuelans to address this crisis working on a future joint meeting of foreign Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, and the human suffering it is causing. and defence ministers and secretaries in Minister of Foreign Affairs, met virtually with which continental security cooperation will Both reaffirmed a commitment to address Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, to be discussed in greater depth. human rights and needed reforms in Cuba advance work on the Roadmap for a and to ensure the upcoming electoral process Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership launched Minister Garneau and Secretary Blinken also in Haiti is credible, inclusive and transparent. by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and agreed on a shared commitment to achieve Minister Garneau and Secretary Blinken look President Joe Biden following their virtual collective action and promote democracy, forward to the next Summit of the Americas, meeting on February 23, 2021. human rights and the rule of law through which the United States will host, as an regional and multilateral institutions. This The meeting reinforced that Canadians and opportunity to work together and with includes working together toward a global Americans are stronger when they work others in the hemisphere to set a unifying democracy summit aimed at reversing together. agenda focused on recovering from the negative trends affecting democracies and pandemic’s multi-dimensional impacts and Minister Garneau and Secretary Blinken supporting multilateral organizations that reinforcing democratic governance. Minister discussed the challenges facing people in promote democracy as part of their mandate. Garneau offered Canada’s support in North America and the world due to COVID- As outlined in the roadmap, Minister addressing the root causes of irregular 19. They acknowledged the unprecedented Garneau and Secretary Blinken looked for migration in the hemisphere. action required in Canada and the United ways to more closely align both countries' States to combat the pandemic, support approaches to China, including to address the
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 12 Pope: Support and Promote the Mission of The Custody of The Holy Land
The papal message was sent to mark six support for the Holy Land. This gave rise to centuries of the mission of the Commissaries the position of the “procurator”, the of the Holy Land whose dedication to their forerunner of the Commissar. Over the cause enable "a network of ecclesial, spiritual centuries, the laity were gradually replaced and charitable relations that have as their by Franciscan friars and today all the focal point the land where Jesus lived". commissaries of the Holy Land are appointed by their territorial superior, after On February 14 the Franciscan religious consultation with the Custos of the Holy whose mission is at the service of the Holy Land.They represent a bridge between the Land celebrate a 600-year milestone. Francis mission of the Holy Land and the local writes to them: "I support and bless this Francis writes a letter to mark the 600th churches, and they reassert the importance precious service and I hope that it will be anniversary of the mission of the of support for the Holy Land with the ever more a seed of fraternity". Commissaries of the Holy Land who “Collecta pro Locis Sanctis,” which was through their dedication enable "a Established in 1421 by Pope Martin V with established by Pope Leo XIII on 26 December network of ecclesial, spiritual and the bull “His quae pro ecclesiasticarum”, the 1887 and is taken up each year on Good charitable relations that have as their Commissariats of the Holy Land were created Friday. focal point the land where Jesus lived". to support the missions in the birth place of Currently, there are 67 Commissariats of the Jesus and to procure economic aid for the Holy Land, distributed in 60 nations of the Holy Land. It is from this mission that the world. On February 15, at 6.30, at the Vatican City (AsiaNews) - We must "support, figure of the procurator was born, and later Aedicule of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, promote and enhance the mission of the that of the commissioner. will celebrate the Eucharist in thanksgiving Custody of the Holy Land," Pope Francis The Franciscans, charged with the Custody of and in memory of all the benefactors of the affirms in a letter sent to the Custos of the the Holy Land, initially gave laymen the Holy Land. Holy Land, Fra Francesco Patton. responsibility for “procuring” economic ______Pope: The Pandemic Can Give Rise to A Worldwide Aspiration to Fraternity Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The pandemic has From a crisis, “we come out better or worse, 19 pandemic. For him, the theme chosen for led to the recognition of the dignity of every but we never come out the same,” said the Congress, “Proclaim the promise!” is very person and now “we can resurrect a Francis, because “In crises everyone reveals much pertinent at this “time of crisis”. worldwide aspiration for fraternity among their heart, their solidity, mercy, greatness or In this regard, Francis explained that “we everyone,” said Pope Francis in a video littleness. Crises place us in front of the need need to proclaim and remember that we have message to the participants in the 65th to choose.” God's promise and that God always keeps his Religious Education Congress organised by In order to build the future after the promises.” the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which pandemic, knowing “that suffering will continues until Sunday. Quoting Fratelli Tutti, he adds that “every change me”, and that the suffering of others woman and man, and every new generation, The pontiff went on to say that “We need a requires my involvement, the Pope said that brings the promise of new relational, community that supports us, that helps us “we need everyone’s commitment, strength intellectual, cultural and spiritual energies.” and in which we help each other to look and dedication.” forward” to a tomorrow in which we will In particular, Francis calls on young people to “We must act in the Samaritan’s style, which have to “act in the Samaritan’s style,” that is, hope for “a reality that is rooted in the depths involves letting myself be struck by what I by “letting myself be struck by what I see.” of the human being”. see, knowing that suffering will change me, In the message, in Spanish, Francis notes that that I must commit myself to the suffering of “Dreams,” he added, “must be built together. “the many testimonies of generous and free others.” Let us dream as a single human family, as love” that we witnessed during the pandemic fellow travellers sharing the same flesh, as Francis mentioned that today marks the 50th “have left an indelible trace on minds and children of the same earth, which is our anniversary of Youth Day in Los Angeles, also the social fabric,” teaching “how much common home, each of us bringing the happy about the “long and fruitful road” of closeness, care, accompaniment and sacrifice richness of our beliefs and convictions, each the two initiatives, which were forced to take are necessary to fuel fraternity.” of us with our own voice, all of us brothers place online this year because of the COVID- and sisters.”
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 13
A More Reasonable Approach to China
also the one the former US president Trump Standing up for human rights is good, but it took, which seemed to take the US to a worse needs to be done in a more coordinated and position. Containment is the one Premier positive way. Justin Trudeau takes now, and it seems to
take Canada nowhere, with one issue after As to the human rights issue in Xinjiang, the another like the canola one. Canadian real picture is distorted. From 2010 to 2018, farmers have adjusted quickly, but at a higher the Uyghur population rose from 10.17 cost of financial input and time. Thus, million to 12.72 million, an increase of 2.55 cooperation is left, which is the only million, or an increase of 25%, which was reasonable approach. Below is a game table higher than the 14% increase of Xinjiang’s from which we can see the possible outcome population and significantly higher than the for Canada and China. 2% increase of the Han population. Actually
more than 1000 diplomats, journalists, and Cooperate Contain religious groups have been invited to Dr. Daniel Hwang Senior Editor Confront Xinjiang . There were a few terrorist activities there before, and China solved the Cooperate (1,1) (-1,0) (-3,-1) problem pretty well. Look at Paris, London China is now the second largest economic Contain (0,-1) (0,0) (0,-1) and New York, How did the government power in the world. While every major solve the problem? First, this is not genocide economy is suffering from hard slashes of Confront (-1,-3) (-1,-2) (-1,-1) as a higher than average population growth COVID-19, it is the only major economy that is surely not genocide. Secondly, the issue has a positive growth rate. Moreover, China According to Kevin Carmichael from should not be viewed using double standards. has just recently reached a significant invest Financial Post, Canada should not support As matter of fact, when discussing this with a and trade deal with EU, besides establishing measures against China as put by Michael group of Chinese Canadians, about half of the the AIIB, which has more than 100 members, Chong. Confrontation doesn’t get us participants would like to retire in China due accounting for about 1/3 of global GDP. anywhere, and avoiding unnecessary fights to its safety, peace, ability to travel freely and trying to achieve something is proposing . quality of life. There are three approaches that Canada Canada should be more practical and could have towards China: confrontation, effective as we need to learn from our past In a word, a more reasonable approach to containment or cooperation. Confrontation is experiences. Sometimes lip service will not China should be adopted. the approach that Stephen Harper had only fail in achieving our goals but also adopted previously and later dropped. I is hurting both the other side and ourselves.
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 14 January 2021 Saskatoon Real Estate Market Update
The average sale price for a single-family inventory keeps shrinking with every home in January was $372,998, $11,938 passing month. While at the same time we higher than last years average. have an increasing number of sales every The average sale price for a townhouse in month indicating a strong demand from January was $309,194, $46,856 more than a active buyers. This combination of lower year ago. inventory and increasing demand may put upward pressure on house prices, which is in The average sale price for an apartment style fact exactly what we have seen over the past condominium during the month of January 9 months. The average sale price of a home was $246,141, $39,085 more than the this January is 7% higher than the average average selling price last January. home sale price one year ago. At present there are 1023 homes available If you have some questions about real estate for sale in Saskatoon which is 25% fewer in Saskatoon, are considering buying or than a year ago. Of those 1023 homes, 495 selling a home please give me a call. Make are single family homes and 530 are We as an Association of Saskatoon Realtors sure to ask me about my Magic Toaster story condominiums. listed 557 properties onto the market, when you call. I would be pleased to share approximately 2.5% fewer than the 571 It took an average of 55 days for a home to some tales about the good old days and how listings last January. sell in January, 9 days fewer than January last my experience can help you get the highest year. We also sold 278 properties which was 27% value for the sale of your home. higher than the 219 sold last January. The The Saskatoon real estate market remains average selling price in the month of January strong and has outperformed last year’s Terry Alm was $348,532: 7% higher than the $326,278 market. We haven’t seen a January like this Realty Executives Saskatoon average price last January. since 2012. The number of new listings terry.SaskatoonRealEstateTheATeam.com coming onto the market is down, our
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 19
Public Sector Strike Shakes Military Junta
General Min Aung Hlaing, head of the new deny beating him and said he would be junta, has threatened health staff, but released after he signed a statement. admitted that two-thirds of hospitals are not operating. According to the UN special rapporteur on Myanmar, three quarters of state employees are on strike; a local channel reported that the strike affects all 24 ministries of the new government. Myanmar’s civil society goes on strike: In addition to the lack of services for the doctors, health staff, teachers, students, population, the strike has delayed payments, bank employees, private sector workers, transactions, production, foreign relations, Protests also took place in Mandalay, railway employees, dockworkers. pushing the country towards economic Myanmar's second-largest city, with According to the UN rapporteur on collapse, at a time when it is already reeling Buddhist nuns carrying placards reading Myanmar, three-quarters of state from COVID-19. “Pray for Myanmar,” or “We reject the employees are on strike. The junta could military coup.” The paralysis of the state machine is be dragged down by economic collapse. increasing the generals’ anxiety as they issue Police carry out night arrests, detain A Buddhist group held a prayer meeting in daily warnings against state employees to protesters. Catholic nuns and Buddhist Yangon, in front of the home of Aung San Suu return to work if they want to avoid legal monks support protesters. A Japanese Kyi, who has been under house arrest in action. journalist is arrested. Indonesian Naypyidaw since the first day of the coup. minister calls for respect the wishes of the To break the resistance, every night police Meanwhile, diplomatic activity among people of Myanmar. raid neighbourhoods, with arrest warrants members of the Association of South-East for pro-democratic leaders and protest Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Myanmar is organisers. So far, some 600 people have also a member, is increasing. Yangon (AsiaNews) – Many public servants been arrested and imprisoned. are on strike against the military junta that In recent days, ASEAN leaders have gone In the past, during the 1988 protest seized power in a coup, even at risk of losing from silence, to avoid meddling “in the movement, resistance was mainly their salary and jobs, or going to jail. internal affairs of another country”, to calling concentrated in universities; in 2007, for new elections, in tune with the junta's Doctors and health personnel went on strike Buddhist monasteries played the leading role. agenda. However, Myanmar’s economic on 1 February, when the junta took power This time, opposition to the military is more inertia caused by public sector strikes, is and arrested democratic leaders. They were widespread and encompasses all sectors of driving these countries to seek new followed by teachers and students, bank society. approaches. employees, private sector employees, Last night, around 3 am, when police moved railway workers, dockworkers. At present, In a statement to Reuters, Indonesian in to arrest some young people in a Yangon many hospitals are deserted, trains are idle at Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi today noted neighbourhood, residents tried to stop them stations, and many government offices that “The inclusive democratic transition and even some nuns began arguing with remain closed. should be pursued according to the wishes of soldiers, asking them to “not to do any harm, the Myanmar people.” to listen the voice of the people, be loving and In a previous statement, Reuters cited Retno compassion, and work for the truth.” suggesting that “inclusive democracy” This morning, at least 50 police officers in implied fresh elections, thus stripping Aung riot gear, with shields and sticks, broke up a San Suu Kyi's party of the victory it secured crowd of about a thousand people near a in last November’s election. shopping mall in Yangon, the country's Now ,“Indonesia is very concerned about the economic capital. situation in Myanmar and supports the A few shots were fired into the air to Myanmar people. The well-being and intimidate, while the group chanted, and security of the Myanmar people is the shouted slogans against the dictatorship. At number one priority,” Retno said. least two people were arrested. One of them, by Francis Khoo Thwe Yuki Kitazumi, is a Japanese journalist. Police
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 20
Social Media Come to The Rescue of Hải Dương Farmers, Badly Affected by The Pandemic New Year festivities got underway, which Another retailer, the Central Group, bought a coincides with high season for the sale of hundred tonnes of vegetables, tubers and fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, locally fruit per week from Hải Dương, and plans to and in neighbouring provinces. buy two hundred tonnes soon. MM Mega Market also struck a deal to buy 24.3 tonnes As a result of the disruption in transportation, of vegetables per day. interprovincial travel was suspended, and this has made it hard to trade farm products, All this, however, is not enough for Hải with serious losses for growers and breeders. Dương farmers who still have large quantities of unsold produce in addition to To cope with this situation, companies, fresh crops, and face transportation Hanoi (AsiaNews) – The economic sponsors, but also individual citizens have problems and COVID-19 restrictions. consequences of the pandemic in Vietnam gone on social media to help support Hải are becoming increasingly serious as the Dương farmers. Speaking about these difficulties, Trần Thanh health crisis worsened in recent weeks. Hải, deputy director of the Import-Export Nguyen Thi owns a Gà Dồi (hill chicken) Office of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, This is especially the case of Hải Dương poultry farm in Chí Linh. She explains that noted that Hải Dương is not alone, that province (northern Vietnam), a rich “the most difficult items to sell are chickens business in neighbouring provinces is also agricultural region in the Red River Delta and eggs, which were usually sold on the affected. where the application of science and main streets of Hà Nội (Hanoi), Hải Dương e technology have boosted production. Hải Phòng (Haiphong) in January and In fact many processed products are made at February.” different plants in various provinces. If a Over the past few years, livestock breeding solution is not found to the crisis in Hải has been intensified in eight areas, To help people like her, consumers and shops Dương, the consequences could hit hard benefitting farms of three or more hectares, have taken to social media to support Chí these other places and affect their economic plus aquaculture zones of 10 hectares or Linh poultry farmers, with many retailers development. more, run by farming groups or co- offering support. For example, the Co.opmart operatives. in Hanoi’s Hà Đông district supported sales by Paul Nguyen Hung from cooperatives in the area affected by However, the latest phase of pandemic has COVID-19. hit the area hard, right at a time when Lunar ______
China Is India’s First Trading Partner
by the Modi government to reduce trade with supply chains, which are dominated by the its neighbour following repeated clashes Chinese in manufacturing. between the two countries along their Over the past year, Prime Minister Narendra Himalayan border. Modi banned hundreds of Chinese web According to the latest data from India’s applications as well as investments in key Ministry of Commerce, two-way trade sectors such as technology, energy and between the two countries in 2020 reached infrastructure. US$ 77.7 billion, down from US$ 85.5 billion However, data show that the prime in 2019, but higher than India's trade with minister’s autarchy did not reach the desired the United States (US$ 75.9 billion). Indians depend on Chinese manufacturing. goals. India is still too dependent on Two-way trade stood at US$ 77.7 billion in For strategic reasons, the Indian government importing household appliances, industrial 2020, more than with the United States. Modi’s announced plans for economic self- machinery and telecommunications autarchy has yielded no results. Border sufficiency to reduce dependence on foreign equipment from China. disputes could exacerbate divisions. Joe Biden imports, especially from China. Last year, India’s trade deficit with its is pushing for an anti-Chinese alliance. Like in other countries, the SARS-CoV2 northern neighbour stood at US$ 40 billion. New Delhi (AsiaNews) – China is India's top coronavirus pandemic has generated Total imports from China reached US$ 58.7 trading partner again, this despite attempts concerns about the security of international billion, more than the sum of → → →
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 21 → → → imports from the United States and Since last summer, soldiers from the two counterpart Wang Yi that bilateral relations the United Arab Emirates (India’s second and sides have fought each other – sustaining between their countries have suffered a third trading partners). dead and wounded – at different points on severe blow over the past year. the Himalayan border. India's exports to China grew to US$ 19 For Jaishankar, this is due to "provocative billion (+11 per cent over 2019). The two countries share a 3,488 km border behaviour and unilateral attempts by the in the impervious Himalayan region, over Chinese side to alter the status quo." According to media reports, Modi gave the which they fought a brief but bloody war in green light to a dozen Chinese investments in Then there is the “Biden factor”. To counter 1962. manufacturing: both signs that economic China's advance into the Indo-Pacific, the decoupling from China is difficult to achieve, Delhi claims large sectors of Aksai Chin new US president wants to strengthen ties at least in the short term. (which the Chinese received from Pakistan), with regional allies and partners. whilst Beijing claims the Indian state of However, geopolitical factors might trump One of Washington's main goals is to give Arunachal Pradesh. economic and trade considerations. beef up the Quad, the Quadrilateral Security Analysts point out that the deal is a Dialogue, with India, Japan and Australia. Delhi and Beijing recently reached an temporary. The Modi administration has agreement to demobilise troops near the For China, this is the embryo of an Asian repeatedly stated that India cannot ignore Pangong Tso glacial lake, along the Line of NATO; for Indians, it is a tool to counter the border issues in its relations with China. Actual Control (LAC) that divides India’s growth of Chinese influence. Ladakh region from Tibet. Yesterday Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told his Chinese ______
EU Parliament Says No to Investment Deal with Beijing Without Freedom in Hong Kong MEPs specified that the human rights The accusation against the European situation in the former British colony will be Commission and Germany (the first sponsor taken into consideration when at the end of of the agreement) is that they did not use the the year they are called upon to ratify the negotiations as an instrument of pressure to great bilateral investment agreement preserve Hong Kong's high degree of between the Union and Beijing. autonomy and the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens. The same goes for On December 30, after more than seven years the serious violations of human rights in the of negotiations, the two sides reached an Chinese provinces of Xinjiang and Tibet. agreement in principle to finalize the pact. The EU argues that it will serve to rebalance Press revelations about the existence of economic relations with the Asian giant, labour camps in Xinjiang, where hundreds of accused of taking advantage of unfair thousands of Uyghur and Kazakh Muslims commercial practices, such as subsidies to would be forcibly employed to harvest cotton,
state-owned enterprises and social dumping. seemed to have undermined the conclusion Repression of the democratic movement in the of the deal. former British colony condemned. Calls for For years, Europeans have been demanding targeted sanctions against the officials reciprocity of treatment for their investors. The EU and China have agreed on a formula responsible for the crackdown. The Union had While Chinese companies can operate almost under which the Chinese government to use the negotiations to preserve the freely in Europe, European companies in commits to effectively applying the ILO autonomy of the city state. Defending human China are obliged to create joint-ventures (World Labour Organization) conventions rights also in Xinjiang and Tibet. with local companies and to pass on that it has already signed, and to "work on the technological and industrial secrets to them. ratification" of all the others, especially that on the fight against forced labour. EU deputies have called for targeted Brussels (AsiaNews) - The European Union sanctions against Hong Kong and Beijing The EU Commission defends itself from the Parliament yesterday voted a resolution officials responsible for cracking down on accusations by arguing that the agreement condemning the repression of the pro-democracy protesters. They stressed with Beijing has yet to be ratified: its full democratic movement in Hong Kong carried that the signing of the agreement with China implementation is not expected before two out by local and central government made Europe lose its credibility as a years, during which the Union will verify the authorities. champion of human rights. commitments made by its Chinese counterpart.
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 22
Hong Kong, Anti-Government Website Blocked government website, HKChronicles, citing online. The democratic camp fears that the national security reasons. The news was pro-Beijing executive wants to restrict free confirmed by the Hong Kong Broadband information on the web: a new blow for the Network, one of the servers that hosted the citizens of the former British colony who are site: it is the first time that online content has fighting to defend their democratic freedoms. been blacked out under the draconian Recently, city authorities have intensified the security law set up by Beijing. repression. On January 14, the National The website managers immediately Security Police arrested 11 personalities announced that they had purchased a new including the well-known lawyer Daniel domain name in order to continue their Wong Kwok-tung, Democratic District Authorities claim that HKChronicles violated business. HKChronicles has been targeted by Councilor and tenacious advocate for many national security laws. Website managers: it is censors for collecting information on the young people arrested during the 2019 censorship; we will operate on another protests organized in 2019 by the anti- demonstrations. domain. Democratic field: fears for the extradition movement. To help the On January 6, 1000 security policemen freedom of information online. The authorities Democratic protesters, it also revealed arrested 53 activists from the democratic step up their crackdown. details of police officers and establishment world. Most were then released on bail the supporters responsible for acts of brutality. next day. According to many local and Hong Kong (AsiaNews) – Honk Kong Observers note that while HKChronicles is international observers, the security law is authorities yesterday blocked an anti- banned, a site targeting pro-democracy being used to eradicate democracy in Hong activists and journalists continues to remain Kong.
______
Scholar Committed to Safeguarding All Forms of Life to Receive the Niwano Peace Prize
Born in 1957 in Yangon, Myanmar, Venerable Venerable Shih Chao-hwei is the author of Shih Chao-hwei moved to Taiwan in 1965. more than 25 books and over 70 research She is a professor at Hsuan Chuang papers, including numerous manuscripts on University where she teaches religious nature conservation. studies; she also serves as dean of graduate The Niwano Peace Prize was established by studies at Hong Shih Buddhist College. the Niwano Peace Foundation to honour and In 2004, she founded the Research Centre for encourage people and organisations that Applied Ethics in 2004, She is also the contribute significantly to interreligious founder of the Life Conservationist cooperation, thereby promoting the cause of Association, which promotes animal rights world peace.
legislation. Through its work, the Foundation hopes to Tokyo (AsiaNews) – The 38th Niwano Peace She received the 48th Chinese Literature and improve understanding and interreligious Prize will be awarded to Taiwan's Venerable Art medal for outstanding contributions to cooperation as well as encourage more Shih Chao-hwei in recognition of her work in intercultural dialogue. people to commit to working for world peace. building peace through the safeguarding of all forms of life, promoting gender ethics and She was also awarded the Outstanding The award is named after Nikkyo Niwano, gender equality, and her approach to open- Women in Buddhism International Medal in the founder and first president of the secular minded dialogue with different religious 2009 and the Person of the Year Award for Buddhist organisation Rissho Kosei-kai. leaders and social groups. Social Movements in 2012. The award ceremony will take place in Tokyo, For the Niwano Peace Prize Committee, the Together with the Dalai Lama, she was Japan, on Wednesday, 2 June at 10:30 am. In venerable provides fearless leadership in appointed spiritual mentor and patron of the addition to an award certificate, Venerable promoting sustainable and viable peace International Network of Engaged Buddhists Shih Chao-hwei will receive a medal and ¥ 20 based on her Buddhist faith. (INEB), founded by Thai Buddhist reformer million (US$ 188,000). Sulak Sivaraksa.
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 23 G7, EU, Malaysia, Indonesia Increasingly Critical of Myanmar Coup peaceful protests with violence must be held it was helping the junta by sending soldiers to accou”. and weapons. The G7 demands an end to the "systematic Critics of the coup also include some kidnapping" of demonstrators, doctors, countries of Southeast Asia. The government members of civil society, journalists and of Singapore, the largest foreign investor in demand the lifting of the state of emergency Myanmar, after defining the sanctions as not declared by the junta. “"We remain united in very effective, has declared that it wants the condemning the coup in Myanmar. We call return of democracy. Today Indonesia and again for the immediate and unconditional Malaysia joined. release of those detained arbitrarily, The G7 group condemns the military violence, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi calls for the release of political prisoners and today declared that in Myanmar "the and President Win Myint and continue to supports the "demand for democracy and inclusive democratic transition must be stand with the people of Myanmar in their freedom" of the population. The EU has pursued, according to the wishes of the quest for democracy and freedom," the decided on targeted sanctions and the people". Previously, according to some statement said. blocking of humanitarian aid to Naypyidaw rumours, Indonesia was trying to endorse government. Indonesia’s U-turn (which Yesterday, EU foreign ministers decided to the junta's proposal to hold new elections: a "supports the people of Myanmar"). A impose targeted sanctions against the decision strongly criticized by the population Malaysian court stops the repatriation of military who managed the coup and blocked in Myanmar, after elections last November 1,200 illegal migrants, some in need of the direct development aid to the government of allowed a spectacular victory for the National right to asylum. Myanmar. League for Democracy. "Indonesia - Retno said today - is concerned about the situation EU high representative Josep Borrell also and supports the people of Myanmar". specified that the blockade will not stop trade Yangon (AsiaNews) - More than 3 weeks links with the country, for fear of affecting the Malaysia initially expressed "serious after the military coup and the arrest of the population in general in this way. concerns" over the coup, but days later it country's democracy leaders, criticism of the accepted the junta's offer to repatriate 1,200 junta is also growing among ASEAN Among the Western countries, the United illegal migrants to Myanmar. They include countries (Association of Southeast Asian States, Canada and Great Britain have already members of the Chin Christian community Countries), traditionally silent and not at all launched some targeted sanctions against and Shan and Kachin ethnic groups, fighting eager to enter into the fray of another allied the generals leading the coup. against the army. nation’s “internal affairs". The US, together with India, Japan and Thanks to pressure from humanitarian In London, the group of G7 countries (United Australia (the so-called "Quad", Quadrilateral activists, a Malaysian court today revoked States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Security Dialogue), have declared that they the repatriation order. The UN has asked to Great Britain), together with the High want an "urgent" return of democracy to check whether there are people in need of Representative of the European Union (EU), Myanmar. asylum among the migrants. According to the issued a statement today expressing their China, for its part, first advised everyone not United Nations, there are at least six of them opposition to takeover by the military and to meddle in another country's "internal in need of international protection. criticized their violence. They write: "Use of affairs"; then expressed that it was "not live ammunition against unarmed people is by Francis Khoo Thwe happy" with the coup, officially denying that unacceptable. Anyone responding to
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 24
Taiwan Is the Most Democratic Country in Asia
Taipei (AsiaNews) – Taiwan is the most especially thanks to greater transparency in Technology drove Taiwanese growth. democratic country in Asia, this according to financing of political parties and the According to the Semiconductor Industry the 2020 Democracy Index by the Economist judiciary's independence from government Association, Taiwan is the world's leading Intelligence Unit, which was released this influence. microchips producer after the United States week. with about 10 per cent. Taiwan also set new records whilst the world Taiwan is ranked better than Japan and South experienced an annus horribilis because of Wireless-mapping company Opensignal Korea, and the three countries are the only the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the island is confirmed Taiwan’s hi-tech capabilities in 5G “full democracies” in the continent. among the countries that have better download speed. managed the health emergency. Globally, Taiwan is in 11th position. The top At 272.2 megabits per second (Mbps), it is five are Norway, Iceland, Sweden, New Taiwan's economy grew by 2.98 per cent in third after South Korea (354.4 Mbps) and the Zealand and Canada. The island jumped 20 2020, Taiwan's statistics bureau reported, United Arab Emirates (292.2 Mbps) positions over 2019. doing better than mainland China’s 2.3 per Last July, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen cent for the first time in 30 years, and The country's rise reflects a consolidation of announced that her administration would outperforming all the other advanced positive political and legal development over invest more than US$ 700 million over the economies. the past few years, the report notes, next four years to develop 5G networks. ______
Beijing Sanctions Pompeo And Dozens of Trump Administration Members
Uyghurs and other Islamic minorities living affairs. Beijing maintains their actions have in Xinjiang, calling it a "genocide". undermined the country's interests, offended the Chinese people and damaged Sino- Former National Security Advisor Robert American relations. O'Brien and Kelly Craft, who left her post as UN ambassador, were also targeted. In recent On January 14, in one of his latest acts, Trump days, Craft was due to visit Taiwan, but the authorized new sanctions against a range of trip was cancelled after the heavy grievances Chinese public officials and companies: they of Beijing. Alex Azar has also ended up on are accused of coercion against nations China’s blacklist: last August, Trump's health contesting China's territorial claims in the secretary met Taiwanese President Tsai Ing- South China Sea. wen in Taipei. Since 2018 Trump has launched a campaign Beijing (AsiaNews) - The Chinese Other personalities who were sanctioned to boycott Chinese tech companies, part of a government yesterday imposed sanctions on include Peter Navarro, economic adviser to wider geopolitical conflict with the Asian around thirty members of the Trump the former president, and Stephen Bannon, giant; the most affected are those involved in administration. The announcement was the architect of the tycoon's victorious the development of the 5G internet network made minutes after Joe Biden was sworn in presidential campaign in 2016. Both strongly (Huawei), artificial intelligence and as the new president of the United States. The supported the tariff war against the Asian microchips. measure includes travel restrictions and giant. Lastly, David Stilwell, the head of policy One year ago, in an attempt, a year ago the limitations on the ability to do business in for Asia at the State Department and John two sides signed a preliminary agreement China. A spokeswoman for Biden condemned Bolton, O’Brien’s predecessor to National (the so-called "phase one") with which China the move by the Chinese, considered "cynical Security, were also affected. and unproductive". committed to buying around 184 billion The Chinese Foreign Ministry claims the euros in goods and services from the United Of those sanctioned the most prominent sanctioned US officials are responsible for States by the end of 2021. The target was not personality is former secretary of state Mike planning, promoting and implementing a achieved; Beijing justified itself by arguing Pompeo. On January 19, in his farewell series of "reckless" policies that have that this is due to the effects of the address, he denounced the repression of seriously interfered with China's internal coronavirus pandemic.
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 25 Saskatoon Asian Community Information
Bangladesh Community Association 306-262-6000 Pakistan Canada Culrural Association Zakir Hossain 306-717-3879 306-881-2610 Jawan Hassan Mahamudul Hasan Chowdhury Bangla Heritage Language School Philippines (FILCAS) Association 306-653-4499 Aden Bowman Collegiate www.bhlssaskatoon.org/ 115 3 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1L7 306-292-6452 1904 Clarence Av South, Saskatoon Chinese Language School [email protected] Saskatoon Chinese Christian Church [email protected] Aden Bowman Collegiate 2810 Louise Street, Saskatoon, SK S7J 0P4 306-373-1707 1904 Clarence Av South, Saskatoon 306-373-0368 Confucius Institute at the U. of S. 306-966-1200 Saskatoon Japanese Association 306-280-7245 Rm 205, Arts Building, 9 Campus Drive, confucius.institute Kumiko Klinger Web: confuciusinstitute.usask.ca @usask.ca India - Canada cultural Association 306-281-0039 Saskatoon Japanese Language School Kishore Gali 206-280-0303 1905 Preston Ave S Saskatoon, SK, S7J 2E7 306-280-7245 Korean Church of Saskatoon Saskatoon Vision Korean Church 306-381-3996 306-281-6801 1602 Sommerfeld, Saskatoon, S7H 2S5 401-4th Ave, N. Saskatoon, S7K 2M4 Korean Language School [email protected] Sri Lanka Association of Saskatoon Aden Bowman Collegiate 306-381-3751 Janitha Wasundara 306-717-5850 Korean Saskatoon Association 306-241-0594 Vietnam Saskatoon Association 306-374-6066 David Oh Trung Nguyen / Anh Dinh 306-374-8806
Asian Embassy, Consulate Information
Country Telephone Country Telephone
Afghanistan 1-613-563-4223 Malaysia- Consulate 1-604-685-9550 240 Argyle Ave, Ottawa, ON K2P 1B9 1111 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6E 4M3 Armenia 1-613-234-3710 Mongolia, 1-613-569-3830 7 Delaware Ave, Ottawa, ON K2P 0Z2 132 Stanley Ave, Ottawa, ON K1M 1N9 Bangladesh 1-613-236-0138 Myanmar 1-613-232-9990 350 Sparks St, # 1100, Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8, 336 Island Park Dr, Ottawa, ON K1Y 0A7
Bhutan 1-647-233-6607 Nepal 1-613-680-5513 160 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2H8 408 Queen St, Ottawa, ON K1R 5A7 Brunei, 1-613-234-5656 Pakistan 1-613-238-7881 395 Laurier Ave. E, Ottawa, ON K1N 6R4 10 Range Rd, Ottawa, ON K1N 8J3 Cambodia- Consular Offices 1-647-533-9335 Philippines 1-613-233-1121 60 Caledonia road, Toronto, ON, M6E 4S4 30 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5M4 China 1-403-930-2288 Russia 1-613-235-4341 855 8 Ave SW Unit 200, Calgary, AB T2P 3P1 285 Charlotte St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8L5 Georgia. 1-613-421-0460 Singapore 1-416-601-7979 340 Albert St Suite 940, Ottawa, ON K1R 7Y6 Suite 5300, Dominion Bank Tower 1E6, 66 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON Hong Kong 1-604-331-1300 South Korea 1-613-244-5010 666 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6C 3P6 150 Boteler Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 5A6 India 1-613-744-3751 Sri Lanka. 1-613-233-8449 10 Springfield Rd, Ottawa, ON K1M 1C9 333 Laurier Ave W #1204, Ottawa, ON K1P 1C1 Indonesia, 1-613-724-1100 Taipei, Taiwan 1-416-369-9030 55 Parkdale Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Y 1E5 151 Yonge St #501, Toronto, ON M5C 2W7 Japan 1-613-241-8541 Thailand 1-613-722-4444 255 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 9E6 180 Island Park Drive, Ottawa, ON K1Y 0A2 Kazakhstan 1-613-695-8055 Vietnam. 1-613-236-0772 150 Metcalfe St #701, Ottawa, ON K2P 1P1 55 MacKay St, Ottawa, ON K1M 2E5 Macau 1-613-7893434 515 St.Patrick Street, Ottawa, ON KIN 5H3 1-613-7891414 North Korea : Canada suspended full diplomatic relations in 2010 Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, They are no office in Canada
East Asia : China, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan. South Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. South East Asia : Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, East Timor, Thailand, Vietnam. South West Asia : Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia. Central Asia : Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekista. North Asia: Mongolia, Russia.
Monday, March 1, 2021 Saskatoon Asian Newsweek 26