Trump and his Idea to Usurp Canada

Trump continues to argue the case to annexe Canada

A day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation, US President-elect Donald Trump ratcheted up the calls for America to absorb its northern neighbour. 

Today at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump was asked about how he would annexe Canada, if he would do it militarily. 

"No. Economic force, because Canada and the United States, that would really be something," he said. "You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like... it would also be much better for national security."

He also complained about what he perceives as a trade imbalance with Canada.

"In trade deficits, we're losing massive -- we don't need their cars. You know, they make 20 percent of our cars. We don't need that. I'd rather make them in Detroit. We don't need the cars. we don't need their lumber."

But does he understand the two nations are so intertwined when it comes to manufacturing cars that they depend on each other to make them?

And lumber... he may claim the US has lots of lumber, but they still need more from Canada...

Trump also went on to say the US spends "hundreds of billions" of dollars to "protect" and "take care of Canada", saying Canada should become an American state if it receives so much support from the US.

The responses came fast and furious.

Trudeau said on X, formerly known as Twitter: "There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States," he wrote. "Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other's biggest trading and security partner."

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre wrote: "Canada will never be the 51st state. Period."

And the New Democrats' Jagmeet Singh told Trump to "cut the crap". "Your attacks will hurt jobs on both sides of the border. You come for Canadians' jobs, Americans will pay a price."

Tonight Canadian media had a slew of experts on, asking if Trump should be taken seriously or not.

Who would know what's going on in Trump's head except that he sees Canada in a weak position and wants to exploit it. As for his threats being a reality, we can only wait and see...

Trudeau Finally Resigns

Trudeau giving his speech to reporters this morning in Ottawa

Finally this morning Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would step down. 

There was a flurry of excitement on CBC Radio, where a network special would start at 7am Pacific -- no -- at 7.30am Pacific. 

They cut into the morning show to bring Trudeau live from outside his Rideau Cottage, still decked in holiday decorations.

He looked hurt (and maybe cold?) when he explained "internal battles" had made it impossible for him to lead the Liberals in the next election, while also blaming the polarisation in the legislature for not being able to get bills passed.

Just having turned 53 on Christmas Day, Trudeau probably wanted a better celebration, but there was too much pressure mounting on all sides. Inside the Liberal Party there were already calls for Trudeau to resign, but he seemed to ignore the writing on the wall until his deputy and finance minister Chrystia Freeland abruptly quit last month, citing she did not agree with the direction he was taking the country.

Trudeau has also been facing a lot of heat from Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, who constantly chided him with snarky soundbites, and then New Democrat Jagmeet Singh finally said his party was no longer propping up the Liberals anymore -- the Liberals were on their own.

There was also pressure from across the border from US President-elect Donald Trump, calling Trudeau the "governor" of the "51st state", despite the Canadian leader paying at least two visits to Mar-a-Lago to see if there was any chance of talking down Trump from the 25 percent tariffs.

So yes, Trudeau was dealing with a lot of heat on all sides.

"Removing me from the equation as the leader who will fight the next election for the Liberal Party should also decrease the level of polarisation that we're seeing right now in the House and in Canadian politics," he said, "and allow people to actually focus on serving Canadians in this House and with their work, the way Canadians deserve," he said at one point in his speech.

Trudeau's announcement garnered a lot of interest from friends and relatives from San Francisco to Singapore, wondering what my take was on him resigning.

In 2015 we visited Halifax and we bumped into someone was campaigning for him. They hoped he would beat then Prime Minister Stephen Harper and I said, "I sure hope so!"

And he did, but then his majority kept shrinking with each election.

I knew Trudeau would be a lightweight, but he managed to hold his own for almost 10 years. However, he wasn't able to handle curveballs well, like the Meng Wanzhou case that was intertwined with the two Michaels. Trudeau later tried to stand up to Xi Jinping but instead was ridiculed in Chinese state media. 

There were later revelations of Chinese interference in the Canadian elections, and the strange case of Chinese police stations in the country that raised a lot of eyebrows. Not much has happened since the revelations, while other countries have kicked out these police stations.

Hopefully the next leader will take the opportunity to really clean house and get rid of any potential interference by Chinese and Indian state actors. Canada does not need these influences in politics or society.

Another misstep was immigration; the Trudeau government had announced there would be up to 500,000 immigrants let into the country annually which left Canadians flabbergasted -- how could so many be invited to come when they themselves didn't have jobs or places to live. 

The government later backtracked on its numbers, but it was too late -- anti-immigrant sentiment had already set in, not just by native-born Canadians, but also first and second generation immigrants who had benefited from Trudeau's father's immigration policies.

Despite Freeland's ambitions to become the next Liberal leader, her chances are slim because of her long association with Trudeau. While no one has officially thrown their hat into the ring, former Bank fo Canada governor Mark Carney has expressed interest, and same with former BC Premier Christy Clark.

Whoever is chosen by March 24 will have a tough road ahead dealing with not only Trump, but also the possibility of Canadian opposition parties calling a non-confidence vote in the House that could precipitate into an election.

The best case scenario would be a Conservative minority government to keep Poilievre in check. We don't want the CBC defunded, but we do want the budget managed... Trudeau's frivolous spending days are over.

 

Demi Moore's Winning Words

The Golden Globes were handed out tonight, and the big winner was actress Demi Moore for The Substance, a horror film where a fading Hollywood star turns to a black market drug to look younger but results in some scary side effects.

I haven't seen the film, but began watching her in 1985 when St Elmo's Fire came out. The ensemble film is about a coming of age story, young people who just graduated from college in their early 20s trying to figure out their lives and realising it's not straight forward -- we all make mistakes, but it takes courage to keep going.

Moore with McCarthy in St Elmo's Fire in 1985

She played the character Jules who gives the impression she's doing well in her career, but flames out. Jules is fired from her job, is behind on her credit card payments and her possessions seized, and tries to kill herself by freezing to death.

But her friend Billy manages to persuade her to let him into her cold apartment and he tells her they're all in the same boat, trying to make sense of their lives.

Fast forward almost 40 years later, and Moore goes on stage to receive her Golden Globe. She admits she's shocked by the honour, and then gives an eloquent speech about insecurity and having the confidence to rise above it:

"I've been doing this a long time, like over 45 years, and this is the first time I've ever won anything as an actor. And I'm just so humbled and so grateful.

Thirty years ago, I had a producer tell me that I was a 'popcorn actress' and, at that time, I made that mean that this [award] wasn't something that I was allowed to have. That I could do movies that were successful, that made a lot of money, but that I couldn't be acknowledged, and I bought in and I believed that.

Moore glowing on the red carpet

And that corroded me over time, to the point where I thought, a few years ago, that maybe this was it. Maybe I was complete. Maybe I would -- I'd done what I was supposed to do.

And as I was at kind of a low point, I had this magical, bold, courageous, out-of-the-box, absolutely bonkers script come across my desk called The Substance. And the universe told me that you're not done. And I am so grateful to [director] Coralie [Fargeat] for trusting me to step in and play this woman. Margaret [Qualley], for being the other half of me that I couldn't have done without, for looking out for me. To the people who've been with me for over 30 years... all of the people who stood by me, especially the people who've believed in me when I haven't believed in myself.

And I'll just leave you with one thing that I think this movie is imparting is: In those moments when we don't think we're smart enough or pretty enough, or skinny enough or successful enough, or basically just not enough. I had a woman say to me, 'Just know, you will never be enough. But you can know the value of your worth if you just put down the measuring stick.'

And so today I celebrate this as a marker of my wholeness and of the love that is driving me and for the gift of doing something I love and being reminded that I do belong. Thank you so much."

Picture of the Day: Dogs and their Sticks

A golden retriever carrying a large stick

Just before the rain came down this afternoon I took a walk in Pacific Spirit Park and I have a habit of counting how many dogs I encounter.

Today I managed to time my walk just as many canines and their masters were in the forest too.

He proudly sauntered ahead 

And a handful of these dogs were very proud to carry their sticks -- not twigs, but actual large branches like this golden retriever.

He had no problems carrying it in his mouth and he would saunter ahead of his master and me and then stop and turn around to make sure his owner was walking up before continuing his way ahead of the pack, so to speak.

On the way back I encountered a black shaggy dog that was lying down and resting. In front of him was a massive chunk of wood that looked very heavy and he needed a break from carrying his trophy for his master.

His owner meanwhile, praised him for his hard work and let him rest before continuing on...

The Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver to be Demolished

The hotel was attached to Pacific Centre on West Georgia

Back in the early 1990s, a friend was a car jockey at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Vancouver. He had a lot of fun driving and parking luxury and sports cars, and getting a lot of cash tips, while meeting the odd celebrity.

However those days are but a distant memory, now that there are plans to demolish the building that housed the hotel.

Power lunches were held at Yew Restaurant 

For over 40 years it was located on West Georgia Street, attached to Pacific Centre shopping mall, and its Yew Restaurant was where power lunches took place.

But it has stood empty for the past four years after the lease was not renewed because landlord Cadillac Fairview alleged in 2018 the hotel looked "tired" and outdated, not keeping "with typical first-class luxury hotels", though Four Seasons rejected the claims.

After the hotel closed its doors, Cadillac Fairview was planning to renovate the hotel and have another operator come in, but the City of Vancouver confirmed to the CBC that the landlord's development permit application for renovations was withdrawn and instead decided to demolish the structure.

Last month a new application was submitted for the building's deconstruction, which, according to the city, will involve removing the concrete facade, columns, slabs and asbestos abatement. The new permit is currently under review.

The landlord says a multi-use tower will be built

Apparently Cadillac Fairview is looking to replace the 370-room building with a "new, modern, and efficient" multi-use tower that includes a "hospitality offering."

That space was the perfect location for a hotel and now the chances of that happening are very slim. In Hong Kong it's a given to have hotels anchoring shopping malls and why Cadillac Fairview is choosing to go the opposite direction with Pacific Centre is frankly disappointing.

Picture of the Day: Canele

Caneles are the Mt Everest of pastry baking

Caneles. They are a small slightly sweet treat made from vanilla, rum, egg, flour, butter and sugar. They are mixed together, then the batter is left to rest for a few days in the refrigerator for the flour to fully absorb the ingredients before it is poured into small, round copper molds and baked.

The end result is a deep brown colour on the outside, and a knife should be able to make a pretty clean cut, revealing a bubble interior that is almost like custard, slightly soft, yellow and have a hint of alcohol.

Apparently making caneles is not easy -- one food blogger gave the analogy that if making panettone is the Mt Everest of baking, then making caneles is the Mt Everest of pastry baking.

The word canele means "fluted", and this pastry dates back to sometime between the 15th and 18th centuries in Bordeaux, France. Back then winemakers used egg whites to clarify their wine, and the leftover egg yolks giving to nuns to feed impoverished children, while other yolks were used to make caneles.

About a month ago, a new bakery opened in Vancouver called Tona and the caneles there are impressive.

The exterior is slightly crunchy thanks to the caramelised, slightly sweet exterior, while the inside is a fantastic contrast that is not pillowy soft, but rather a moist softness with hints of vanilla and rum, making the taste and texture so complex and beguiling.

While they're a bit expensive at C$4.50 each at Tona, a lot of skill and technique is involved in making these, and the caneles here are irresistible!

A Chilly Plunge to Start 2025

A group of people took the plunge into English Bay today

January 1 not only marks the first day of the new year, but it's also the day for the annual Polar Bear Swim in Vancouver, and in parts of British Columbia.

Thousands of people showed up at the English Bay to either dip their toe into the freezing water, or plunge their entire body into the water. While the outside temperature was 7 degrees, the water was much colder, and it's still chilly even in the summer.

The Polar Bear Swim is in its 105th year

The key to a successful polar bear swim is preparation. Old hands advise having a towel, shoes, and clothes laid out before taking the plunge so that you can quickly get warmed up. It also helps if you have friends or family to assist.

The Polar Bear Swim is in its 105th year, started by Vancouver restaurant owner Peter Pantages in 1920. His granddaughter Lisa Pantages says her Greek immigrant grandfather always swam in the ocean every day -- which is why he decided to make it an event on New Year's Day that year.

"It was sponsored. My grandfather would have people back to his restaurant. Anybody who swam got a free hot meal afterwards," she said in a CBC radio interview.

These days cold plunges are very popular, though there isn't much scientific evidence that claim it eases inflammation and improves mood, among other purported benefits. But it's something about a group of people gathering together and running into the water to start the new year that makes it extra special.

Happy New Year!

Can't believe it's 2025!

For me, 2024 was a challenging year, but came out with some positives: I did a lot more walking than the year before and a bit more swimming. Pilates class is something I am enjoying a lot, where once a week for an hour I get to challenge my muscles and core in a fun way and entertained with dad jokes from our instructor.

I finally got a family doctor and was given a clean bill of health which is a relief, after not having had any comprehensive check-up in years.

This year was great professionally, writing more stories and being able to interview people from around the world.

On the travel front, I was able to fly to Hong Kong and Singapore to catch up with friends and family and had such a memorable trip. I also went on an Alaska cruise for the first time and seeing icebergs and glaciers, and even black bears! I also went to San Francisco to see extended family, and an annual trip to Palm Springs.

I hope to be able to travel again in the new year.

Wishing good health and happiness to everyone in 2025! 

Top 10 Bizarre Emergency Calls

Got a problem with your avocados? Don't call 911 please!

We're a day away from 2025 and the year-end lists have appeared.

Probably the most bizarre one is from E-Comm -- the 911 line that provides emergency communications for British Columbia.

They are the front-line staff who get the calls and then help them get the assistance they need in crisis situations -- like police, fire and ambulance.

But not everyone who calls realises their "emergencies" are not considered life and death critical.

So here is the Top 10 list of calls that did not belong on 911:

10. Domesticated-bunny seen in a park.

9. Requesting help removing a wasp's nest.

8.  Phone left in an Uber.

7. Box of 38 avocados purchased were rotten.

6. Requesting technical support.

5. Complaining the power was out.

4. Seeking directions to a 24/7 Shoppers Drug Mart.

3. McDonald's wouldn't open its doors (at 5am).

2. Dry cleaners stained a shirt.

1. Neighbour wearing too much cologne.

E-Comm also gets a lot of calls from people who accidentally pocket dialled 911 on their smartphone or smartwatch.

"The biggest message [is] that if somebody is accidentally calling into 911, and they noticed, just to stay on the line with us. An emergency police call taker will make sure that they're safe, and then we can disconnect the call," said Laura Fiddler, an emergency call taker.

Making Hong Kong more Pedestrian-Friendly

This elevated walkway in North Point will open next month

When I used to live in Hong Kong, my friend and I would walk from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan -- but with a few detours along the way because the footpaths weren't all connected.

But it's good to hear another section is completed, a 1.1km strip in North Point will be ready for the public by Chinese New Year, or late January.

The harbourfront boardwalk is an elevated road in the Eastern Corridor that cost HK$6.5 billion (US$837.3 million) that is helping to connect Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan in a 13km pedestrian-friendly promenade.

According to Harbourfront Commission chairman Ivan Ho Man-yiu, the boardwalk project is the "last piece of the puzzle" that will complete the promenade connecting from Shek Tong Tsui in Western district to Aldrich Bay in Shau Kei Wan.

Looking forward to trying out this boardwalk the next time I'm in Hong Kong.

Joe Average: No Average Artist

Average lived with HIV/Aids for 40 years

It is sad to find out that LGBTQ+ artist Joe Average died on Christmas Eve. He was 67 years old.

His art was whimsical and colourful

He was well known in the art community for his colourful, upbeat paintings and several murals of his could be found around Vancouver. They were mostly of faces of people, or flowers, or even animals and insects personified with big red lips.

But mostly Average was a symbol of surviving HIV/AIDS. He was HIV-positive at the age of 27, which motivated him to become an artist and advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and LGBTQ+ rights.

"He had Aids for 40 years and he maintained his healthy attitude by being creative," said Michael Harding, a longtime friend. "Creativity is what kept him alive, and the love of the community."

This was evident in him donating artwork to many charitable causes.

Average's artwork made it onto a Canadian stamp, and on a loonie designed for the Royal Canadian Mint.

Average's work was featured on a stamp

In 2021 he was appointed to the Order of British Columbia, and last year the Order of Canada. 

Vancouver is so lucky to have such a talented and giving artist who did so much for the city and its residents through his art.

UBC Under Fire for Renting Space to HK Govt

UBC Robson Square campus recently rented to HKTEO

It was recently reported that the University of British Columbia rented out a room to the Hong Kong Trade Economic Office for a recruitment exam, much to the horror of activists in Vancouver.

On December 7, the HKTEO rented a room at the UBC Robson Square campus to conduct a recruitment exam, and in it were questions regarding the national security law. It is not clear what jobs were being recruited.

The sign says: "Common Recruitment Examination and Basic Law and National Security Law Test Joint Recruitment Examination".

Recruitment exam related to NSL and Basic Law

An organisation called Chinese Canadian Concern Group on the Chinese Communist Party's Human Rights Violations wrote a letter to UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Dr Benoit-Antoine Bacon on December 22 expressing their disapproval of renting the room to the HKTEO.

"Successful candidates for this examination are required to swear allegiance to the Hong Kong, and by extension Chinese governments," said the letter.

"Allowing this recruitment activity on UBC's campus raises serious national security concerns for Canada, especially in the context of potential conflicts between the two governments. Such actions could pave the way for the infiltration of foreign authoritarian influence into our society."

New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan also criticised UBC for renting the space to the HKTEO; while she said the university can rent their space to anyone, it should have some ethical standards when doing so.

Meanwhile UBC acknowledged people's concerns, but said the exam didn't violate any of its rules, and that it rents space out to many groups, but doesn't mean it endorses their views.

Kwan says UBC must have ethical standards

Kwan says the response is "completely inadequate".

"It's just basically saying, well, it doesn't matter. We're blind to all of these issues," she said. 

"As a global institution, which is what UBC is, you would think that they would have a little bit more thought than to say, 'We will just follow the regulations of basic rental requirements.' That's not good enough."

She said the Chinese government is trying to recruit people to work in Hong Kong and China, and the applicants must demonstrate their understanding of the national security law.

"UBC of course can rent their space to anybody. However, from my perspective, I think that you should be looking at some ethical standards that should apply," she said. 

"In the very minimum, one would think that any organisation, any institution that's going to rent out a space to a government that is a regular, persistent, violent human rights violators, that they would apply some standard to it."

Two Canadian Activists React to Bounties

Tay (bottom centre), Ho (bottom right) wanted by Hong Kong

Days after the Hong Kong authorities placed a HK$1 million (C$185,000) bounty on his head along with five others for their arrest, Victor Ho Leung-mau is undeterred and won't be traveling to the city anytime soon.

Ho is accused of planning to launch a "referendum" to elect those in the Hong Kong diaspora to form a virtual "Hong Kong Parliament". 

He plans to do this by having people vote in March 2025 using a secure app in a bid to circumvent any "Chinese interference".

Of the Hong Kong authorities' announcement on Christmas Eve, Ho is defiant.

Written in Chinese on his Facebook page, the former Sing Tao chief editor wrote that he was proud of the arrest warrant and joked it was "the best Christmas present."

"A Canadian citizen like me... has the protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and exercised his right to the freedom of speech."

When Ho announced the plan to elect people to the "virtual" Hong Kong parliament in 2022, the Hong Kong Security Bureau said it would investigate Ho and others for subversion.

"But actually it's the Hong Kong communist authorities meddling in Canada's internal affairs, repeatedly issuing wanted notices for this Canadian citizen. Are they trying for another cross-border arrest? Does Beijing want Canada to become their client/subordinate state?"

Meanwhile Joseph Tay, the former TVB actor who is planning to be a candidate for the federal Conservatives when an election is called, is also on the wanted list.

In reaction to the announcement he wrote on social media:

"On Christmas Eve, an alarming and unbelievable piece of news arrived. Why choose this moment to release such a message? Clearly it was intended to rob us of peace. My wife and I immediately turned to prayer, entrusting these accusations entirely to the Lord. Plans we had made with family and friends for the holiday were instantly disrupted."

There are concerns someone may snitch on the two activists, but Hong Kong does not have extraterritorial powers in Canada. In any event Ho and Tay need to be careful with their movements... kidnapping is not beyond China...

Artful Socks

Socks inspired by Kusama's painting shown at M+

Merry Christmas!

Sometimes it can be hard to think of gifts for people, and this year I gave some people some fun socks from Goods Of Desire in Hong Kong -- one with pandas that look like the Japanese lucky cats, trams and taxis, and junks.

A good friend who visited M+ earlier this year gifted me a pair of socks from the contemporary art museum, a souvenir from Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama exhibition: Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now.

The design of the socks was inspired by Kusama's painting, Time, Not Eternity, Self-Destruction Now, painted in 2020. She is a curious artist, obsessed with dots, and lives in a psychiatric institution through choice.

For her art is a method of healing. "I fight pain, anxiety, and fear every day, and the only method I have found that relieves my illness is to keep creating art. Painting helps me to keep away thoughts of death for myself. That is the power of art," she said.

Is it any wonder that these socks are currently sold out?

Foreign Governments Denounce HK$1M Bounties on Activists

Foreign governments spoke out about the bounties on activists

Reaction to the Hong Kong government putting a HK$1 million bounty on six activists was swift despite it being Christmas Eve and Christmas, depending on the time zone.

United States Consul General Gregory May said Washington denounced the Hong Kong authorities' latest move.

"We call on the Hong Kong government to stop using its national security laws to silence dissent," he said in a social media post.

The European Union spokesman for foreign affairs and security policy Anouar El Anouni posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, condemning "the new round of extraterritorial arrest warrants."

"The EU calls on China to respect its international commitments and the one country, two systems principle. The EU urges the Hong Kong authorities to stop the crackdown on pro-democracy forces and to uphold fundamental freedoms as enshrined in Hong Kong's Basic Law," he said.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy also criticised the move as well, adding the UK government was committed to supporting Hongkongers who had relocated to the country.

"We will not tolerate any attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm their critics overseas, especially in the UK," he said.

"We call on Beijing to repeal the national security law, including its extraterritorial reach. And we call on Hong Kong authorities to end their targeting of individuals in the UK and elsewhere who stand up for freedom and democracy."

Meanwhile Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly criticised the conducting of "transnational repression abroad" and vowed such "threats, intimidation and coercion" against Canadians and those in the country would not be tolerated.

In response, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Canada slammed the "groundless accusations and wilful smear" against the Hong Kong authorities...

Six More Activists with HK$1M Bounties

Six more activists have HK$1M bounty on their heads

Even though the Christmas holidays are upon us, the Hong Kong police are busy putting a HK$1 million (US$128,691) bounty on six more activists, bringing the total to 19 people who have allegedly violated the national security law.

The six are political commentator Chung Kim-wah, Joseph Tay, former TVB actor and founder of Canada-based NGO Hongkonger Station, former convenor of Studentlocalism Tony Chung Hon-lam, Carmen Lau Ka-man, a former district councillor now at Hong Kong Democracy Council, former Sing Tao editor and now YouTuber Victor Ho Leung-mau, and Chloe Cheung Hei-ching from the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation.

Ho is a former editor and in Metro Vancouver

"Their common denominator is betraying their own country and Hong Kong, neglecting Hongkongers' interests, as well as continuing to endanger national security and detriment Hong Kong's interest after fleeing overseas," said Andrew Kan Kai-yan, deputy police commissioner overseeing national security.

He added the force would cut off the six wanted people's funding resources and investigate their confederates and funders.

In addition the Hong Kong government issued a gazette on Tuesday announcing that Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung had revoked the passports of seven activists who had fled the city, including Ted Hui Chi-fung, Kevin Yam Kin-fung, Anna Kwok, Frances Hui Wing-ting, and Elmer Yuan Gong-yi.

Except that Siu, Kwok and Yam have foreign passports and Frances Hui has asylum in the United States.

Yam stated on social media that he never had a Hong Kong passport, so how could his passport be revoked?

Tay is running as a Conservative candidate

Nevertheless Tang said: "The targets of this crackdown are those who have been wanted for a long time, have been absconding overseas and are determined to continue endangering our national security through various means.

"The [Hong Kong] government will certainly use all means to pursue and crackdown on criminals who have fled overseas and endanger national security."

Vancouver's Green Christmas

Vancouver will have a green, not white Christmas this year

It's going to be a very wet Christmas this year and hopefully Santa Claus is prepared with waterproof boots for the downpours in Vancouver.

These few days there are weather warnings from Environment and Climate Chance Canada of strong winds and a lot of precipitation.

Gusting winds are expected to arrive Monday evening, while on Christmas Day there will be a "powerful frontal system" bringing very strong winds and heavy rain.

On Boxing Day there will be a weaker low pressure storm that will bring more strong winds to the south coast.

Climate change has caused Canadian cities to lose many days below zero, which has severely affected winter sports like skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and skating.

Between 2014 and 2023, of all the Canadian cities, Vancouver has lost the most days below zero at 19, followed by Toronto at 13, Montreal 6 and Calgary 5.

In the same period, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been the hardest hit, each having lost up to 23 wintery days.

Last year skiing on Vancouver's local mountains was literally a wash out as it rained so much. Last month the ski season started one week earlier with a lot of snow at first, but now the ski hills are wet instead of cold.

Skiing may soon be one of those sports that may disappear with the lack of snow...

Picture of the Day: Gingerbread Palace

Forbidden City made of gingerbread at the St. Regis Beijing

China may be the world's factory, pumping out clothes, toys, iPhones, and a zillion other things that people want for Christmas, but it is also getting into the holiday spirit -- with Chinese characteristics.

Exhibit A -- this Forbidden City made out of... gingerbread! This picture is from BBC correspondent Stephen McDonnell.

It's on show at The St. Regis Beijing, and includes the dragons in the centre panel, the stairs are dusted with sugar, though the golden roof is not.

Pretty impressive and kudos to the pastry team that must have spent weeks working on it! 

Anyone dare to take a bite?

Canada Line Adds a New Station in Richmond

Capstan Station is now open to transit riders in Richmond

Richmond has a new SkyTrain station that opened today that will hopefully be able to reduce overcrowding during peak hours.

Located between Bridgeport and Aberdeen stations, Capstan Station is operating two years behind schedule, but will now service many residents who live in the area.

A tiled mural by Howie Tsui

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie said when the Canada Line was being built, population density in the Capstan neighbourhood and development area was low, but a plan to eventually build the stop was part of the original Canada Line plan.

"We knew that the time would come. However, with development, we very much do need it [now]." he said.

The station was supposed to open in 2023, but there were delays due to the pandemic and it was assessed the soil was unstable, which meant performing structural upgrades to the station.

The total cost of Capstan Station is C$62 million, with Translink covering $30 million, and the rest by the City of Richmond, with thanks from developers like Concord Pacific, Polygon, and Yuanheng with buildings in the Capstan area helping to kick in some of the $32 million.

There are both up and down escalators at Capstan

Interesting to note the station is one of the first to have both up and down escalators, and it has a tile mural designed by Hong Kong-Canadian artist Howie Tsui. Entitled "The Breath Below", it depicts aquatic life in the Fraser River estuary, in the style inspired by traditional Chinese landscape paintings. 

Metro Vancouver to Hit 4 Million by 2045

Metro Vancouver is projected to have 4 million people by 2045

There are projections that Metro Vancouver will grow to a population of 4 million by 2045, nine years earlier than predicted.

An average of 50,000 new residents come to the city, with most of them from outside Canada. There are expectations there will be more deaths than births by 2035.

To house all these new residents are 21,000 new living units built each year until 2051, with two-thirds of these being apartments, and Vancouver and Surrey absorbing 45 percent of the future growth.

In addition 22,000 jobs will be added annually.

"Accurate data like this helps us work together to better understand the growth pressures our region will face in the future, and help ensure collective planning efforts are consistent with the goals in the regional growth strategy, Metro 2050," said Eric Woodward, chair of Metro Vancouver's regional planning committee in a statement.

And the jobs that will be in the most demand in the next three decades? Professional, technical health and welfare sectors.

Tempting Chinese Delicacy

Very large abalone and fish maw surrounding sea cucumbers

The first time I ate the classic dish Buddha jumps over the wall was back in the late 1990s in Hong Kong in Shang Palace in the Kowloon Shangri-la.

Still relatively new in journalism but keen to try new things, I did a story about Buddha jumps over the wall, interviewing the chef at the restaurant about the ingredients and how the soup got its name.

The broth (top left), with shark's fin (top right)

As the story goes, the smells from kitchen near a Buddhist monastery tempted a monk to "jump over the wall" to eat the dish, which contains meat.

And it's understandable why someone would find it hard to resist with such premium ingredients as sea cucumber, shark's fin, abalone, conpoy, fish maw, chicken, Jinhua ham, ginseng and mushrooms. Some varieties include taro and quail eggs.

The version I tried had thin slices of deer penis in it, geared towards boosting mens' testosterone... The hotel public relations woman and I giggled at the thought of having this ingredient in our soup and we thoroughly enjoyed the dish.

However that evening I find it practically impossible to sleep. I was tossing and turning for hours and by morning was a sleep-deprived wreck.

I called the public relations woman to tell her about my sleepless night and she immediately exclaimed, "Me too!" We had a good laugh.

Conpoy with slices of Jinhua ham

We still have fond memories of this experience decades later.

Fast forward to a few days ago and I got a chance to eat the same dish again in Vancouver, well Burnaby. At Grand Crystal Seafood Restaurant in Crystal Mall, the chef there makes Buddha jumps over the wall that is not presented in individual pots, but in a giant soup tureen and the ingredients carefully arranged and presented on platters.

There were large abalone and fish maw too, but thin sea cucumber, and tiny scraps of shark's fin -- I was surprised to even see that there. We were given two rounds of the soup, one with conpoy and Jinhua ham, the other with a very large, meaty mushroom.

Next came the abalone, fish maw and sea cucumber presented with abalone sauce. 

Needless to say after two bowls of soup and this dish, we were half full already.

Sea cucumber, fish maw and abalone

As Coca-Cola was available I got a glass and was glad I did -- there was quite a bit of MSG in the dishes, and the Coke helped counteract feeling thirsty.

I can say despite the caffeinated Coke I slept quite well that night...

Terry Fox to be Commemorated on $5 Bill

The government says Fox will have his likeness on the $5 bill

On the same day yesterday that a big political earthquake had erupted in Ottawa, a good news story was completely missed.

In the release of the Fall Economic Statement, the federal government will put Canadian hero Terry Fox on the new $5 bill to honour his Marathon of Hope and dedication to raising money for cancer research. 

Fox wanted to run across Canada to fundraise

Fox had one leg amputated in 1977 because of cancer and he had the big ambition of running across Canada to raise awareness for his cause, the Marathon of Hope. He began his run in 1980 in St John's Newfoundland and Labrador.

The 21-year-old basically ran a marathon a day. He didn't get much notice at first, but by the time he reached Ontario he was declared a hero. However, when he reached Thunder Bay, Ontario, Fox was forced to stop due to intense pains in his chest.

"By February 1981, the Marathon of Hope had raised C$24.7 million or $1 for every Canadian," the FES says. "His run was interrupted just past the half-way point when the cancer reached his lungs and ultimately took his life.

"Through his efforts, the 22-year-old showed Canadians the difference that an ordinary person could make through sheer willpower and determination."

Designs for new $5 bill with Marathon of Hope

It's so appropriate that Fox be commemorated on a piece of legal tender. Every year mostly children participate in the Terry Fox run, and millions continue to be raised for cancer research. Every time people see the $5 bill they will see Fox and remind them of his determination, passion and strength.

Fox will replace former Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier, who will move onto the next $50 bill.

 

Trudeau's Days are Numbered

Trudeau doesn't have much time to ponder his future

The federal Liberals are in complete disarray after the shock resignation of finance minster and deputy leader Chrystia Freeland this morning.

This evening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a caucus meeting in Ottawa where 15 MPs spoke up and many of them advised him to resign.

He said he would consider their concerns and reflect on them in the next few days.

Freeland quit before the economic statement

But Trudeau may not have days as the calls for him to step down are getting louder and louder.

Freeland announced she was quitting this morning in a public letter to Trudeau that she posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

At that time reporters were about to go into a lock-up to read over her much anticipated economic statement when they found out she had resigned.

No one in the party knew who was the next finance minister and for hours radio and TV shows were scrambling to find any information they could about this political bombshell that exploded in Trudeau's face.

He did this to himself -- according to Freeland's letter, Trudeau had told her she would be shuffled out of the finance minister position, but could you present the economic statement anyway?

She also claimed that she disagreed with his "political gimmicks", such as scrapping the GST for two months on certain items, and C$250 rebate cheques for specific income groups. 

Trudeau in the closed caucus meeting tonight

There's also the fact that the economic statement revealed Canada is C$61.9 billion in the hole, not the C$40 billion she had promised before.

Nevertheless, Freeland has still left the door open to jump into a leadership race because she is still sitting as an MP.

Political pundits think that while Freeland is trying to distance herself from Trudeau, she has been in his cabinet for so long that she will still have to take the blame for what happened, and she doesn't have much integrity left.

Some felt she didn't communicate policies well, while others thought she was very hard working and personable.

Regardless, the main question now is when Trudeau is going to step down and let the Liberal Party choose its next leader. He thinks he performs better when his back is against the wall, but voters are tired of having a prime minister who is out of touch with people and want someone else to take the reins.

However, the alternatives aren't that appealing either, though the Conservatives under Pierre Poilieve are poised to win the next election which could be called soon.

Already President-elect Donald Trump has weighed in on today's flurry of events.

On his social media platform he wrote: "The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau. Her behavior was totally toxic, and not at all conducive to making deals which are good for the very unhappy citizens of Canada. She will not be missed!!!"

Chinese Money Flows into Hong Kong Again

Hong Kong is again attracting mainlanders with deep pockets

In April this year a huge money-laundering scandal rocked Singapore -- where 10 Chinese nationals were charged with laundering US$2.2 billion involving real estate, watches, luxury handbags, jewellery, and lots of bottles of alcohol.

It was revealed in court that these men, with passports from Vietnam, Vanuatu, Cyprus and Dominica managed to live a crazy rich Asian lifestyle in the Lion City, paid for by money made from scams and online gambling.

The fact that they were able to live in Singapore without any scrutiny for years shocked residents and resulted in a massive review in policies, particularly banks tightening rules, particularly around clients with multiple passports.  

As a result, the Chinese are moving their money by the truckloads back to Hong Kong, where there is less scrutiny of the source of wealth.

How much is coming in? US$44 billion, three times the amount last year. 

With lots of money, come the wealth managers and banks in Hong Kong are on a massive hiring spree these days.

Swiss private banker Julius Baer has expanded its office space by 40 percent to house all the staff they are adding, while Bank of Singapore in Hong Kong is boosting its number of staff by 30 percent. Standard Chartered wants to double its staff in wealth management, and same with Citigroup.

It's also not just the uber wealthy looking to move their money to Hong Kong, but even those with assets ranging from US$5 million to US$10 million.

The Hong Kong government is also enticing the rich to come over -- those who invest HK$30 million in the city can get residency -- and 500 have applied.

However the tricky part is for banks to verify the applicants' assets over the past 24 months, which won't be easy.

Nevertheless, it seems that the wealth management sector in Hong Kong is seeing lots of dollar signs in the long run.

"I'm getting three to four calls daily from clients regarding immigration-related matters including the capital investment entrant scheme," said Patrick Yip, vice-chair for Deloitte China. "Many of the wealthy Chinese are looking for options. They want to be able to travel with a 'user-friendly' passport and get education overseas for their kids."

Picture of the Day: King Charles III is Coined

King Charles is now on the toonie

Earlier this week we happened to get our hands on the new C$2 coins nicknamed toonies with King Charles III side portrait.

It is the first time in 70 years that Canadian currency has a new monarch since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

Montreal-based portrait artist Steven Rosati was chosen from submissions by 350 artists. He is only the third Canadian artist to design the royal effigy for Canada's coinage since 1990.

The design was sent to Buckingham Palace for approval. 

Meanwhile new notes with King Charles' effigy have yet to be unveiled let alone circulated.

So in the meantime we'll just have have him as small change!