Lexus, now 12, and dad Christopher Whitbee share happier times in this 2005 photo.

Christopher Whitmee and one other man – believed by police to be the real target of the hit – were both wounded and rushed to hospital after the shooting on May 16, 2009, at around 11 p.m. at a pub on 176^th Street in Cloverdale.

Whitmee died as a result of his wounds while the other person recovered and was released from hospital.

Police said their three-year-investigation has not produced the evidence needed to charge anyone.

“I want to know that the person who stole my dad from me is locked away, and I want to be able to not wonder every day who and where this person is,” said an emotional Lexus in a statement on Wednesday.

“I’d like to talk about how my Dad won’t be there for my thirteenth birthday, my sixteenth birthday, my graduation or my wedding,  He won’t be there to buy me my first car and teach me how to drive it,” she said.

“I have to miss out on a lot of things that most kids dont even have to think about because someone elses decision to go out with a gun that night.

“I just wish that everyone would know that I think of him every single day. I miss him every single day. Whoever did this to my dad and to my family is out there somewhere just living their life like everyone else… maybe even having fun times and doing things with their own kids, and it’s because of them that i’ll never get to do that again with my Dad. I dont want anyone to have to go through what i’m going through,” the child said.

Sgt. Jennifer Pound of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, IHIT, said: “This appeared to be a targeted hit and a case of Christopher being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Since his death his daughter, Lexus Whitmee, has been trying to deal with this loss and misses her dad terribly.”

Pound said Lexus had asked to speak with the media on this anniversary to again ask for the public’s help in identifying her dad’s killer.

“This investigation remains open but because it has the earmarks of a targeted, gang related shooting it makes it difficult to move forward,” said Pound.

“IHIT continue to ask for anyone with information about this homicide to come forward and contact investigators,” she added.

“We are asking anyone with information regarding this homicide to contact the IHIT tiplines by calling 1-877-551-IHIT(4448) or by email at ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.”

• Try Tai Chi. More like a cross between yoga and meditation, this low-key martial art involves slow, deliberate movements that strengthen and stretch muscles with minimal huffing and puffing. What’s more, multiple studies show Tai Chi improves function and reduces pain for people with arthritis. Many community centres, seniors’ organizations and Taoist Tai Chi associations offer low-cost classes.

• Toss a Frisbee. Can’t catch to save your life? No worries—you’ll get more of a workout and amuse your family or friends to boot.

• Dash through the sprinkler. Or start a lively water pistol war.

• Wash your car. Get maximum benefit by scrubbing and rinsing with big, sweeping movements—the extra splashing will bring welcome relief from the heat.

• Mow the lawn. This necessary chore counts as exercise, so you might as well reap the benefits rather than delegating it to someone else. Step up the intensity, and help the environment, by using a manual mower.

To learn more about managing arthritis, visit The Arthritis Society’s website at www.arthritis.ca

The overall death rates dropped by 21 percent in men and 9 percent in women between 1988 and 2007, saving nearly 100,000 lives, said the report Wednesday.

The decline in death rates were seen in all four major cancers: lung, colorectal, breast and prostate, which account for 53 percent of newly diagnosed cancers in both men and women, reported Xinhua.

The decline in smoking rates and improvements in screening and early detection are said to be the primary reasons behind the death rate drop.

“A large body of evidence accumulated over the last 30 years shows that about half of cancers can be prevented,” says Gillian Bromfield, director of Cancer Control Policy of the Canadian Cancer Society.

“Even greater gains can be made in reducing cancer rates if more is done to help Canadians embrace healthy lifestyles and if governments do more to create policies that encourage people to make these changes.”

The statistics also found the rise in the incidence of such cancers as liver, thyroid and kidney, which could be attributed to obesity and growing immigration from countries where hepatitis B and C virus infections and alcohol abuse are more common.

Smoking, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, overweight, alcohol consumption, over-exposure to the sun and exposure to environmental and workplace carcinogens account for a substantial number of cancer diagnoses and deaths each year.

Domestic violence has a profound impact on too many families in communities across the province and our government is taking action to ensure we have the right services in place and that help is always available.

Sadly, domestic violence continues to impact all communities. As a mother and a grandmother, I can’t imagine the feelings of fear and isolation victims of domestic violence experience.
Victims of domestic violence are influenced by their own personal circumstances whether it’s finances, age, family make-up, lifestyle, or cultural background. Cultural and language barriers may add to the feeling of vulnerability and uncertainty for these victims. And knowing where to turn, and who to turn to, can make a huge difference in the lives of a family experiencing violence. That is why it is important that everyone knows the Province operates a multi-lingual, toll-free, 24-hour victim helpline called VictimLink BC that can be accessed anywhere in B.C.
at 1-800-563-0808. Those who have experienced violence can also find important information online at www.victimlinkbc.ca and www.domesticviolencebc.ca.

It is absolutely critical that vulnerable families get the support they need, when they need it. Our government commits more than $40 million a year for prevention and intervention services and programs for victims of crime including domestic violence. As part of this $40 million, the Province funds 12 Multicultural Outreach Service Programs that provide services to 10 communities in BC in up to 24 languages. These programs ensure immigrant and visible minority women receive assistance by workers who speak their own language and are familiar with their culture. Government also spends $32 million to fund transition houses operating on a 24/7 basis across the province which provide safe housing, emotional support, crisis intervention, and safety planning.

A lot of important work has been done over the past few years when it comes to domestic violence, but we know we need to do much more. In March, the B.C. Representative for Children and Youth made several recommendations to the government in her report Honouring Kaitlynne, Max and Cordon: Make Their Voices Heard Now with respect to how government responds to domestic violence. One of the recommendations, which we immediately acted on, was to create the new Provincial Office of Domestic Violence. This office is a priority for government and is being funded through a new investment of $878,000. This money will go towards staffing the office and ensuring there is continued coordination and accountability across government programs and services in all B.C. communities.
Representative’s report by July 31, 2012 with specific measureable actions and timelines.

This will be followed by a comprehensive provincial plan that will continue to strengthen the response to domestic violence by improving the coordination and collaboration across government and with community stakeholders. It is important for government to build on the work to date and lay a strong foundation for the prevention and response to violence against women and children.
While government plays an important role, domestic violence is an issue that we all need to take a hard look at and begin to start talking about openly. I encourage you to engage your communities and reach out to those affected by violence and have this discussion. It is imperative that we work together to promote healthy family relationships and end the cycle of violence and abuse. It is up to all of us to make sure we are doing our part to raise awareness in communities across the province and ensure victims get the help they need. Together, we can work to put an end to violence before it happens and keep our communities and province a safe place to live.

(Mary McNeil is Minister of Children and Family Development)

An initiative of Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), the Walk is Canada’s largest fundraising event of its kind against global poverty. All funds raised (100%) go directly to international development programs.

Last year nearly 40,000 Canadians came together to raise more than $7 million in Calgary, Edmonton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Ottawa, Montreal, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria.
Since the Walk’s inception, individual and corporate supporters, volunteers and walkers have helped to raise more than $70 million in support of international development initiatives.
“For more than 27 years, our participants, volunteers and donors have made a significant contribution to the fight against global poverty,” said Karim Salemohamed, Convener for the World Partnership Walk in Vancouver. “The Walk is a tangible way for Canadians to act locally to create opportunities for the poor of the world to reach their full potential as human beings and to live in civil societies with hope and dignity.”

The Walk provides an experience that is both meaningful and fun for the whole family through activities that inform, educate, celebrate and entertain. Activities include a 5 KM scenic walk; live entertainment, opportunity to record a testimonial on “Why I Walk”, delicious food, kids world and much more!

Registration is Free and can be done online, securely and easily by visiting www.worldpartnershipwalk.com/Vancouver.

Participants can follow the Walk at Twitter.com/WPWVancouver or Facebook.com/WPWVancouver.
 

That’s why it is so puzzling that the federal government has shut down many visa offices overseas, which will make it more difficult for international students to choose to study in B.C. and other parts of Canada. What’s even more puzzling is the fact that the B.C. Liberals are not speaking out against this bad decision that will hurt the B.C. economy and put barriers between international students and our province.

The visa office that is being closed in Japan brings in more money alone than will be saved by closing all of the offices that the federal government plans to close. Closing these visa offices is not just a bad economic decision; locking up visa offices sends the message that we are closing our doors to the world.

The truth is if we start telling students in Japan that they have to apply to come to B.C. through an office in Manila, many will simply look elsewhere for their education. Many other countries know and understand the benefits of hosting international students, so if Canada puts barriers up, many students will choose to go to countries like Australia which will welcome them with open arms.

New Democrats understand that international students don’t just positively impact our economy; they bring diversity and fresh ideas into B.C. communities. It’s impossible to put a price on the positive impact that opening our province to international students brings to cities and towns in every region of the province. From boosting the economy to helping British Columbians connect the dots in an increasingly globalized world, international students are great for our province and our country. That’s why New Democrats recently raised this issue in question period, challenging Premier Clark and the Liberals to do the right thing and stand up to the federal government against these short-sighted visa office closures.

The B.C. Liberals say they want to increase the number of international students studying here. While that’s a good goal to have, they need to take action to make that goal a reality. That’s why it is so disappointing that Premier Clark and the B.C. Liberals are not opposing the federal government’s plan to close visa offices overseas.

Adrian Dix and the New Democrats have raised this issue in the B.C. Legislature and called on the provincial government to stand up for federal programs and services help that British Columbia. That means having a constructive relationship with the federal government without sacrificing the ability to speak out against policies, like the closure of visa offices, which will hurt our province. There is too much at stake for B.C. and it is past time for Premier Clark and the B.C. Liberals to take a strong stand to keep overseas visa offices open.

(Jagrup Brar is the New Democrat MLA for Surrey- Fleetwood)

Benn was admitted to hospital where he later of critical injuries. A post-mortem confirmed death had been caused by multiple gunshot wounds. Anyone with information should call police at 416-808-7400.

The driver of the motorcycle was dead on arrival in hospital. His 53–year-old female passenger sustained non-life threatening injuries. The 41-year-old male driver of the minivan was unharmed.
The name of the dead man is being withheld.

Detectives are trying to reconstruct the events of the collision.

Anyone who witnessed this collision is asked to call Detective Nigel Emaman of the Ottawa Police Service Traffic Collision Investigation Section at 613-236-1222, ext. 2481

The suspect, Jamal Forde Beckles, 23, of Markham allegedly forced a woman, and maybe more victims, into prostitution between August 2010 and April 2012, the period during which the alleged offenses occurred.

He is described as black, 6’5”,tall, weighs 275 lbs., with brown eyes and black hair, possibly in dreadlocks. Ford-Beckles drives a 2008 black Range Rover with an Ontario license plate and is considered dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474.
 

Minister BAL Gosal Minister of State (Sport)

OTTAWA — As Minister of State for Sport, Bal Gosal is excited about the fact that six Canadian cities will host the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup will provide Canadians with the opportunity to witness world-class soccer action right in their own backyards. Interest in soccer is increasing at a rapid pace and awareness is at an all-time high.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, Gosal applauded the Canadian Soccer Association on its efforts to bring the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup to Canada and congratulated the cities of Moncton, Montréal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver, who will be hosting this event and showcasing Canada to the world.