Prominent Prince George auto dealers fined

BURNABY, B.C. (6 January, 2006)
Northland Dodge Chrysler Ltd. and Northland Motor Holdings Ltd. of Prince George have been disciplined by the Registrar of Motor Dealers for a consistent pattern of unacceptable business practices. Northland Dodge Chrysler has been fined $50,000. Northland Motor Holdings Ltd., which also does business as Northland Hyundai, was fined $10,000.

In his ruling, the Registrar, Ken Smith, cited a number of violations to the Motor Dealer Act and the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, including a failure to clearly identify dealer ownership in their advertising; incorrect pricing of vehicles on display; the employment of unlicensed salespersons; failure to disclose "total asking price" of vehicles; improper pricing and innumerable "deceptive" advertising practices.

Read the complete press release here

Class action suit seeks repayment of PST on legal fees

(VANCOUVER, B.C., 22 December, 2005) - If a Supreme Court of B.C. class action suit filed here yesterday is successful, the provincial government may have to refund hundreds of millions of dollars in illegally collected sales tax on legal services since 1993.

The suit was filed by the law firm of Poyner Baxter LLP of North Vancouver, which works predominantly in the field of class action suits. The action follows a December 20 majority decision of the British Columbia Court of Appeal, granting "a declaration that to the extent that the Act purports to tax legal services related to the determination of rights and obligations by courts of law or independent administrative tribunals, it is unconstitutional as offending the principal of access to justice, one of the elements of the rule of law."

"This has been a shocking situation... Read the rest of the press release here

Dealer licenses cancelled

BURNABY, B.C. (3 November, 2005) The Registrar of Motor Dealers has cancelled the licenses of Mirage Auto Sales Ltd. of Burnaby and New Westminster, citing that this company has "persistently" operated in an improper fashion, and that "this dealer has little or no respect for the laws in British Columbia as they apply to selling motor vehicles to the general public."

In his ruling, the Registrar, Ken Smith, stated that Mirage principals have been uncooperative with MDC investigators and failed to heed numerous warnings. Named in the Mirage ruling were the owner, Alireza Ghavami and his son Amir Reza Ghavami, (Tony).

The Motor Dealer Council is an administrative authority established pursuant to the laws of British Columbia and has been delegated the responsibility of administering the Motor Dealer Act and related regulations. The legislation requires that all businesses selling motor vehicles to the public in British Columbia, and all salespersons working for those businesses, be properly licensed. The Registrar of Motor Dealers issues and oversees the administration of these licenses.

The Registrar said... The complete press release may be read here

Ownership change at Venue West

(Vancouver, B.C., 22 July, 2005) - Nils and Sue Daugulis have acquired all shares and assets of Vancouver’s preeminent conference management firm, Venue West Conference Services Ltd..

Earlier this year it had been announced that Sue Daugulis, a travel industry veteran and long-time friend of Venue West and its founder, the late Betty Fata, had joined the company in the capacity of vice-president, marketing, and a member of the Board of Directors. She now becomes president, succeeding Lou Cox, one of Venue West's founders. Her husband Nils, a partner in the law firm of Bull, Housser and Tupper, will serve as chief executive officer, while continuing in the practice of law.

"We view this as more of a transition than a departure from Venue West's legacy," Sue Daugulis said. "The three surviving partners will remain as consultants, available as needed, and it will be business as usual for the outstanding staff, clients and international networks."
Read the complete press release here

Boatswain's call launches "The Heritage District"
Former Vancouver mayor Owen named "Honourary President"
(VANCOUVER, B.C., 29 June, 2005) - In a ceremony presided over by former mayor Philip W. Owen, a naval officer sounded a "Boatswain's call" here tonight, to inaugurate "The Heritage District on Hastings West", a neighbourhood offering the most prestigious concentration of luxury retail stores in Western Canada, including some of the world's most renowned brands.

Mr. Owen was assisted by prominent historian Chuck Davis who related some of the history of the street and particularly the 1929 start of construction of the renowned Marine Building. Excavation for that structure commenced when the mayor of the day, W.H. Malkin, blew a golden whistle. Malkin, like Owen, was a noted retailer and wholesaler.

The Hastings Waterfront Business Association was incorporated late in 2004 to represent member businesses, expected to grow in time to include adjacent streets and nearby waterfront locations. Their choice of a marketing brand honours the prestigious history of this area.
See the press release for the whole story & more pictures

Law suit claims Canada Revenue Agency "brazenly"
ignores principles of law  

(VANCOUVER, 15 June, 2005) - A class action law suit filed here today accuses the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) - under its former name the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) - of "brazenly ignoring the principles of law," amounting to a clear effort by public officials to knowingly engage in deliberate and unlawful conduct.

The action was brought in the Federal Court of Canada by Thorsteinssons LLP of Vancouver and Toronto, Canada's largest law firm practicing exclusively in tax law, and Poyner Baxter LLP of North Vancouver, B.C., who practice predominantly in the field of class action litigation.
Read the complete press release

Eli Lilly must treat Canadian Zyprexa
victims the same as Americans
(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C., 13 June, 2005) -Drug giant Eli Lilly and Company announced last week a $US 690 million offer to settle 5,000 claims emanating from the negative side-effects of Zyprexa, a drug prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia and conditions such as bipolar disorder.
See the press release for the whole story

New Bannerman-Nixdorf book, a shocker!
(VANCOUVER, 16 May, 2005) - A new book authored by Gary Bannerman and Dr. Don Nixdorf, a brutally frank indictment of health spending and mismanagement in Canada, will be released near the end of June, 2005...

...Squandering Billions demonstrates that the absolute power of medical doctors, pharmaceutical companies, health bureaucrats and hospital administrators, enshrines mediocrity at the expense of patients. Read the press release - More book details here

 
(VANCOUVER, 24 March, 2005) - At a news conference here today, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC), announced the appointment of Chuck Keeling as Vice-President, Racing Operations, responsible for Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, Fraser Downs in Surrey, Sandown Park near Victoria, and other horse racing interests.
Read the complete press releasee

Woodlands survivors’ class action certified
(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C., 18 March, 2005) - In a judgment released March 17, Madam Justice Nancy Morrison of the British Columbia Supreme Court has certified a class action suit brought against the Government of British Columbia on behalf of an estimated 1,500 former residents of Woodlands School, most of whom are severely handicapped.
See the press release for more

Prominent tourism marketer joins Venue West

Venue West, founded in 1970, has been instrumental in attracting to Vancouver and managing all services related to some of the most prestigious international congresses ever held in Western Canada. Betty Fata, who died early in 2004, was the most publicly prominent member of this professional team, a past-president of the International Association of Professional Congress Organizers.

See press releasee

Government’s sincerity on Woodlands questioned
(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C., 3 March, 2005) - Lawyers behind a class action law suit brought on behalf of an estimated 1,500 former residents of Woodlands School, most severely handicapped, questioned government comments earlier this week in the Legislature.

See release for more

Solara retains communications specialist
As Solara prepares for a public launch, the company has retained a communications specialist, a former broadcaster, journalist and the author of several books, who has served as a consultant to a broad range of corporations since 1989. This Solara release tells more

British Columbia class action suits target Celebrex and Zyprexa
Two more prescription drugs have become the subject of British Columbia class action law suits, with victims claiming that the pharmaceutical companies involved “knew or ought to have known” that these products, proposed to treat certain conditions, had disastrous side effects..
See release for more

An incredible day for B.C. horse racing
The opening of the full casino at Fraser Downs in November, 2004, and a referendum victory focused on the redevelopment of Sandown Park, near Victoria, marked the successful conclusion of an 8-year campaign to win for horse racing fairer levels of taxation, better government policy and permission to participate in the broader gaming environment.

The complete $25 million reconstruction of Fraser Downs will be completed in April 2005. The same modern, high quality redevelopment will soon commence at Sandown, although more modest in scale.

But the big news at year-end was the sale of the business to Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, which had consolidated ownership of Hastings Park and the thoroughbred sector earlier in 2004.
This Fraser Downs news release tells the story.

British Columbians sue Sony
(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C., 22 November, 2004) - Defective Sony wide screen television sets are the focus of a class action lawsuit initiated on behalf of British Columbia consumers.

Read the whole release here

BC Chiropractic Association approves new WCB agreement
(RICHMOND, B.C., 4 November, 2004) - British Columbia’s Doctors of Chiropractic have approved a new four-year agreement with the province’s Workers Compensation Board.

Back injuries and problems related to the spine constitute the second most frequent cause of WCB claims (about 25% of all claims costs), impacting employees, employers and the economy in the hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Claims and disputes involving back issues are by far the most constant and costly faced by the WCB.
Read the whole release heree

American Medical Association magazine presents solution to “doctor shortage.”

Read the whole release here

Vioxx class action Initiated for British Columbians
(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C., 4 October, 2005) - British Columbians who may have been put at risk because of the drug VIOXX, will be represented in a class action law suit filed October 1, 2004, in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

The suit against Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. and associated firms, developers and promoters of VIOXX, was initiated by the law firm of Poyner Baxter of North Vancouver, which works predominantly in the field of class action suits. It will parallel similar litigation worldwide..
Read the whole release here

Law suit launched against BC Government
Bannerline clients Jim Poyner and Ken Baxter have launched a class action law suit against the B.C. government for "callous, arrogant" neglect of students with dyslexia. Read the rest of the story here as a PDF

Exciting Addition to the Harness Racing Sport
Fraser Downs' interim gaming centre opens April 5, 2004, an exciting addition to the harness racing sport for which the venue is famous. Read all about the new events and the vision for this industry in two new publications prepared by BANNERLINE for this client.

Artist impression of new Fraser Downs entrance area (click for detail)

Harness Racing in British Columbia - A New Era Dawns
Sandown Park - Update 2004 (PDF 356kb - March 27, 2004)

Convention industry legend dies
Betty Fata, a Vancouver-based congress and event specialist with an international reputation, died January 18, 2004, following a brief, but stoic, fight with cancer. Few personalities within the Canadian hospitality industry have achieved so much. After an early career at Revenue Canada, in various business promotions and broadcasting, she and business partner Lou Cox realized during the early 1970s that Vancouver would soon outgrow the convention capacity of any one hotel, and would therefore need a specialty service company that could co-ordinate the long list of expert professionals and technicians required to host national and world congresses. Venue West Executive Services was formed in 1973 and the partners surrounded themselves with a talented team of specialists. Soon, long time friends Mae Yee and Olga Nazarchuk joined as partners and the four ultimately evolved today's Venue West Conference Services Ltd. Betty, articulate and fearless in the pursuit of her ideas and her clients’ interests, had a personality rivaling the most enigmatic characters of show business. Not only did Venue West become the foremost convention management firm in Western Canada, Betty Fata became Vancouver’s most effective ambassador and marketing representative, attracting hundreds of events to Canada. Venue West, which currently has offices in Vancouver and Toronto and associates around the world, has a solid team in place to survive the passing of its cofounder, and to build an even more impressive future, but Vancouver will be hard-pressed to replace the force of her dynamic personality. It was a privilege to be her friend and associate. (Gary Bannerman, 21 January, 2004).

 

INTERPRO announces inventory of U.S. Navy turbines
Interpro's Robert Goodrick, one of North America's foremost authorities on steam and gas turbine technology, says that turbines built by General Electric for large U.S. Navy ships during the second world war, are "vastly superior" to modern turbines being installed by industry today. It sounds more fantastic than science fiction. Interpro (www.interprotech.ca) enjoys a strategic alliance with Geothermal Power Company, Inc. (GPC) of Elmira, N.Y., leaders within the geothermal power generation field. This firm owns an inventory of mint-condition high (HP) and low pressure (LP) admission steam turbines, purchased from the United States Navy. Meticulously cared for by GPC, these turbines have been, until now, reserved for geothermal applications. Those installed have delivered flawless performance for the past fifteen years. Through Interpro, these are now available for other industrial purposes.

In order to illustrate this unique opportunity for Industry, Interpro commissioned prominent British artist John Batchelor to paint both the ships and the turbines. One or more of these images will be published in an upcoming issue of Popular Mechanics magazine.

DVBIA welcomes The Bay's Commitment to Downtown
(December, 2003) - Recent BANNERLINE publications for the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association have focused upon major retail developments in the downtown core. In October, the focus was given to new Future Shop and Winner's stores on Granville Street, but the Christmas issue heralded Canada's oldest corporation, Hudson's Bay Company (est. 1670), and The Bay department store's national "crusade" for their downtown locations in major cities.. An interview with HBC's CEO George Heller, highlighted the article.

A PDF of the entire publication can be obtained from the DVBIA web site, www.downtownvancouver.net

Fraser Downs to commence $25 million redevelopment
(December, 2003) Orangeville Raceway Ltd., operators of the British Columbia harness racing centres, Fraser Downs in Surrey, and Sandown Park in Sidney/North Saanich, expect to begin construction at Fraser Downs in early 2004, to create a modern entertainment centre. This will include a slot machine casino. The company has recently reached agreement with the City of Surrey for a new long-term lease on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Final approval of the expansion, including machine gaming, is believed to be imminent. The development is a partnership between Orangeville and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, and parallels similar racetrack developments elsewhere in Canada. The new attraction is expected to greatly enhance purses and improve the sport for both fans and horsemen. 
(www.fraserdowns.com)

Canada Post settles lawsuit: refunds owed to 140,000 customers.

(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C., 14 July, 2003) - Canada Post and two Internet Services Providers have agreed to make refunds to everybody who purchased during 2000 and 2001 what was labeled "ABSOLUTELY FREE INTERNET FOR LIFE" for a one-time price of $9.95. The law firm Poyner Baxter of North Vancouver, which works predominantly in the field of class action suits, and co-counsel Scarfone, Hawkins in Hamilton, Ontario, filed actions against Canada Post Corporation and two Alberta firms, Cybersurf Corp. and 3Web Corp., on behalf of customers who made purchases of CD-ROMs from Canada Post outlets. Read More (PDF)

Ipsos-Reid survey says B.C. chiropractors "own" back care issues in this province

(RICHMOND, B.C., 25 June, 2003) A landmark study conducted by Ipsos-Reid for the British Columbia College of Chiropractors, demonstrates that the profession in this province enjoys overwhelming support, and more credibility in the treatment of back and related problems than any other health provider. Read More (PDF)

Health Care/Wealth Care Initiative

Slot machines approved for British Columbia racetracks

(April, 2003) Years of work by the B.C. horse racing industry, and BANNERLINE projects on behalf of horse racing clients, appears to have finally achieved success. The province's once proud thoroughbred and standardbred industries have been clobbered by nearby casinos, and the fact that every racing jurisdiction in Canada, west of Montreal, except B.C., has been able to enrich purses with slot machine revenues. Chuck Keeling, general manager of Fraser Downs, in partnership with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and the City of Surrey, are now studying racetrack/slot machine operations elsewhere in Canada with a view toward a spectacular new development on the site of the current racing facility.

Farabloc and the chiropractic profession.

(February, 2003) The extraordinary product Farabloc (www.farabloc.com) developed by client Frieder Kempe, continues to impress researchers around the world. New studies from Germany, Australia and Canada demonstrably confirm Farabloc's pain-relief and healing properties for a growing list of ailments. Farabloc is a nylon fabric interwoven with microscopic threads of stainless steel. During late 2002, BANNERLINE brought two clients together, encouraging the chiropractic profession to experiment with Farabloc. About a dozen prominent chiropractors have worked with the product for back, arm, leg, ankle and assorted other conditions, reporting, in most cases, remarkable results. Watch for news soon about this marriage of Farabloc and the chiropractic profession.

Farabloc has been an extraordinary 30-year odyssey for Mr. Kempe, who began experimenting in his native Bavaria, with the 19th century concepts of British scientist Michael Faraday. Early research confirmed Farabloc's effectiveness in treating phantom limb pain, suffered by most amputees. After moving to Canada over 20 years ago and forming Farabloc Development Corporation, Mr. Kempe continued to fund landmark research projects in various universities worldwide.

DVBIA to host International Downtown Association

(January, 2003) The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (www.downtownvancouver.net), which represents 8,000 business members in the heart of Vancouver, will be hosting the 50th Annual Conference of the International Downtown Association in October, 2004. Over 1,000 urban experts from around the world will discuss issues of common interest, Planning is now underway, with a particular emphasis on attracting sponsors.

Batchelor commissioned by Interpro

(January, 2003) Acclaimed U.K. artist John Batchelor is completing a painting of the second world war heavy cruiser U.S.S. Oregon City as part of an extraordinary promotion soon to be announced by Interpro Technical Services Ltd., a firm engaged in steam and gas turbine technology. Also new in the Interpro world is the web site www.interprotech.ca developed by BANNERLINE associates Richard Pitt and Doug Cook.