2 THE DAILY VOICE, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2013 EDITOR GILLIAN HAMES ews & features Visible minorities to become majority by 2031 New UBC study suggests that Caucasians will make up 40 per cent of the area’s population in two decades By ANGIE HOLUBOWICH a region of immigrants, but now a re- cent study has shown their demo- graphic will completely overtake the European-Canadian population in two decades. European-Canadians will make up only 40 per cent of the Lower Main- land by the year 2031, according to projections done by University of Brit- ish Columbia geographer Daniel Hiebert for Citizenship and Immigra- tion Canada. About 60 per cent of the population will be composed of people from South and west Asian, Chinese, Filipino and Korean backgrounds. And while dealing with diversity is nothing new in the Lower Mainland, such sweeping demographic changes are making some locals uneasy. Sara Patton has lived in Vancouver for 34 years and while her experience with immigrants have generally been positive, cultural differences have caused tension. In her experience, that friction has been felt most during business ven- tures. “There can be culture clashes during contract negotiations - this can be a strain sometimes,” said Patton, who op- erates a trucking company. Furthermore, some of her European- Canadian neighbours are apprehen- sive about the idea of being the new visible minority. “For me, immigration is generally quite positive. But such quick growth is bound to cause culture strain. I live ina sea side town [White Rock] with a large senior population,” said Patton. “Older folks can find it quite intimidat- ing, and are very vocal about it. Some- times, I feel like I’m watching an ‘All in the Family’ rerun.” Others however, were indifferent to the study’s findings. “In some parts of town we’ve [Euro- pean Canadians] been the minority for decades already,” said Andra Norton, a lifetime resident of Vancouver. “It’s not a new thing. “The only impact as far as I’m con- cerned is past tense: the huge influx of Asian wealth buying up properties here,” Norton said. “T think that had a huge amount to do with the unaffordability of Vancou- ver property and we’re still dealing with the repercussions.” And while cultural tension is inevi- table when a region is subject to in- creased immigration, there are ways to address it, according to Queenie Choo, the CEO of 8.U.C.C.E.S.S., an immigra- tion work placement service. If cities can integrate immigrants in- stead of keeping them separate in eth- nic enclaves, cultural tension can be kept to a minimum, according to Choo. “T think one of the most important things is to not segregate them,” she said. I: no secret that Metro Vancouver is WIKIMEDIA photo The price of generic-brand drugs will continue decreasing under the Pharmaceutical Services Act implemented by the province. Generic drugs less expensive Government act sets lower costs for no-name pharmaceuticals, but some are concerned quality will be sacrificed to keep prices down 66 The tendency is, if you’re getting less money for something, you tend to neglect it. EDWARD THORPE pharmacist By HAILEY MCDONALD eneric drugs are cheaper than they used to be, thanks to the Pharmaceutical Services Act. The provincial government implemented the first phase of the act this month, making no-name pharma- ceutical drugs 28 per cent cheaper than their brand-name equivalents. The price is expected to decrease further next year. The act allows the government to set amaximum price that drug companies can charge for generic pharmaceuti- cals. “Thanks to this regulation, B.C. fam- ilies will pay less at the till when they fill their prescriptions,” said Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid in a government press release. According to the same press release, generic drugs have the “same quality, strength, purity and stability as their brand name equivalents and are made to the same strict standards.” However, since drug companies will not be compensated by the government for the price difference. “These people are not scientists or medical people. They’re politicians,” said pharmacist Edward Thorpe. “They say things that aren’t necessarily true.” Thorpe, who works at Kripps Phar- macy, said generic brands generally aren’t made with the same quality that their more expensive equivalents are. “The tendency is if you’re getting less money for something, you tend to neglect it,” he said. “For example, the companies may not want to even produce it if it’s cheap- er, let alone produce it with the same quality and care.” However, a spokesman for the Minis- try of Health said that drug quality will not change as a result of the price drop. “(Drug companies] have the same safety requirements under Health Can- ada,” said Ryan Jabs. “They’d be responsible to provide [their product] at the same level of quality.” General studies student Jesse Ho- lowati said she has always been more inclined to go for the cheaper options when filling prescriptions. “I always get the cheaper brand [of birth control] even though there’s a more popular brand name version,” she said. Holowati thought the government should use more effective advertising tactics to inform low-income people of these new affordable initiatives. North Korean aid groups provide help to citizens With tensions escalating between the two countries, more and more are being affected by the conflict By NIALL SHANNON North and South Korea and many groups are working to provide aid to those affected within the region. Promoting Understanding of North Korea (PUNK) is a student group founded at UBC that raises awareness about the suffering of the average North Korean citizen. According to Brian Chung, founder of the organization, the group is non- political, and focuses on the humani- tarian side of the North Korea situa- tion. “[The mass] media often focuses and Tit: are increasing between engages in war, politics and so on,” he said. “Because of this kind of focus, the lack of understanding the humanitari- an side exists.” Current PUNK president Brendan Baek said this attitude also exists in the student population at UBC, but the group is working to change students’ perceptions. “We're a source for humanitarian news that the student population nor- mally doesn’t have access to,” he said. North Koreans suffer from acute food shortages, with two to three mil- lion children regularly unable to re- ceive the necessary amounts of daily nutrients, according to United Nations’ reports. Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) is a North American-based group that rais- es both money and awareness for those wishing to escape North Korea. “The main issue is that the country is run by an authoritarian dictator- ship,” said Kevin Lee, former president of the UBC chapter of LiNK. “People are stripped of their freedom, their lib- erty, the things we take for granted to- day.” Lee said poverty and hunger issues often go unreported in the mainstream media. “These people don’t have religious freedom, they don’t have political free- dom,” he said. “They can’t voice their opinions and thoughts.” LINK has rescued 129 refugees so far, according to the group’s website, with 41 refugees being reunited with their families. The organization esti- mates it costs $2,500 to rescue someone from North Korea. Vancouver-based First Steps works to promote healthy eating and drinking in North Korea. The Christian develop- ment organization provides over 80,000 children with soy milk every day. orth. area in crisis NO FREEDOM OF SPEECH The only voice permitted inside the country is the regime's voice. PRISON CAMPS Five political prison camps hold an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 inmates REFUGEE CRISIS It is illegal to leave the country without state permission. Source: http://libertyin- northkorea.org/