Guyanese-Canadian
2019 Annual Business Directory
CONTENTS
2019
The Annual GuyaneseCanadian Business Directory
FEATURES: 6
80 Year Old Patterson Kaye Resort Thriving Under Guyanese-Canadian Ownership
14
Raymond “Chinny” Lee-own Once A National Cycling Sprint Champ Successful Music Entrepreneur!
28
Robin Singh’s Sandler Training Sharpening Sales Professionals’ Skill Sets!
21
Norman Sue Bakery: A Legacy Continued!
35
Last Lap Lime 2019, A Dress Rehearsal For Its 2020 25th Anniversary!
42
Tropical Nights Impressively Expanding
LEGACIES: 10
Narine’s Bakery Top Guns For Tasty Buns!
18
Sharma & Sharma Law Office: 50+ Years of Outstanding Legal Services
24
Bedessee Imports: A Dynasty Created. A Legacy Ensured.
31
John B Persaud: A Transformative Man Of Value And Integrity.
38
Jay Brijpaul Realty: Talking The Talk! Walking The Walk!
TIER 1 LISTINGS: 45
Ramprasad Engineers Inc. 25+ Years Of Top Rate Professional Services!
46
Laparkan: We Make The Difference!
47
Shiv Misir; Exceeding Expectations For Over 30 Years!
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2019
The Annual Guyanese-Canadian Business Directory
Linking Community & Businesses
TMac Publishing 132 Mullen Drive Ajax, Ontario L1T 2A7 PUBLISHER: Tony McWatt CONTRIBUTORS: Regina Cheong Raymond Lee-own Tony McWatt Kamla Sharma PHOTOGRAPHY: Lynette Balram Tony McWatt GRAPHIC DESIGN: BlueFlower Media
Renewed Calls For the Formation Of A Guyanese-Canadian Business Welcome to this the 2019 Edition of InTouch, the Guyanese Canadian Community’s unofficial annual Directory. I sincerely hope that this Directory’s contents will be of value to you. I also hope that the editorial coverage of all the Guyanese-Canadian owned companies that are featured in this InTouch Issue will invoke in you, our Readers, not only an immense feeling of National and Community pride but also more importantly the desire to support these companies as customers and clients. This 2019 Edition of the InTouch Annual Guyanese- Canadian Business Directory includes repeated features on the five Legacy Companies, the ultra impressive achievements of which had been chronicled in InTouch 2018. As it was noted last year it is hoped that the provided insights to the principles and practices that have guided their outstanding longevity will serve as both an inspiration and worthy example for others to follow. As the Guyanese-Canadian Community’s unofficial annual directory, InTouch’s primary objective remains to foster a greater sense of cohesion, community spirit and pride in our shared national heritage within all Guyanese- Canadians households. Individually and as an ethnically diverse Community, we have made many significant contributions to the betterment of Canadian society. As much is evidenced by the outstanding accomplishments of the companies and business owners featured in both the Legacy and Tier I Listings. Your expressed and ongoing support will be of great value to their continued success. Networking has long since been accepted as an essential strategy to be adopted by any community seeking to realize its full potential. As a community we should therefore always seek to empower ourselves by supporting each other, sharing tips to our successes, generously providing help where needed, always being honest, open and kind in our reciprocal communications. Towards that end I am delighted to report that there has been a renewal of interest and activity surrounding the proposed formation of a Guyanese-Canadian Business Association. As I’d indicated in my Publisher’s Message for the 2017 Premiere Issue of InTouch, such an Association would be a wonderful reflection of the unique numerical strength of the Guyanese-Canadian Business community. As was suggested in InTouch 2017, the Association’s Mission could be to contribute to Guyana’s further economic development through facilitation of the involvement of skilled Canadian Guyanese and the promotion of their investments in Guyana based industries. The Guyanese-Canadian Business Association (GUCABA), as I’d suggested it should be called, should strive to advocate policies, stimulate trade and investment initiatives and provide valuable connections for its members, with the aim of contributing to Guyana’s further development of a stable, sustainable economic and social environment that fosters business prosperity. As was further indicated in InTouch 2017, the Corporate Vision of GUCABA should be that of a private sector umbrella organization comprised of Guyanese-Canadian owned businesses and Associations that are interested in pursuing the benefits that would be derived from enabling and supporting each others’ activities. Having not got off the ground the last time around it will be very interesting to see whether these latest, renewed interest and efforts, result in any real traction. Only time will tell but as the Jamaicans would say “Watch the proceedings!” In the interim, please also take the time to review the provided information on all of the GuyaneseCanadian owned businesses featured in this Issue. Having done so please also do your very best to provide them with your ongoing support as clients and customers as often as possible.
GUCA InTouch Directory is published annually by TMac Enterprises for printing and distribution within Canada. Change of address notices, undeliverable copies and subscription orders should be sent by email to graphiclyn@gmail.com or by mail to 1746 Silverthorn Square, Pickering, ON L1V 5C6. Attn: Tony McWatt. All rights reserved. Reproduction of thispublication in whole or part should be with the Publisher’s permissions only.
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Here’s hoping that the Contents of our InTouch 2019 will be an enjoyable read and a valuable resource for all of its Readers. Cheers Tony McWatt
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80+ year
Patterson Kaye Resort now thriving under
GuyaneseCanadian Ownership
C
anada based Guyanese born Dwarka
Patterson Kay’s potential value, particularly because
Persaud and Jamaican born Julio
of its location. The Patterson Kaye Resort is located
Ramirez have been business associates
in a heavily forested area, right at the mouth of the
for years and friends for even longer. The duo had
Muskoka River. In fact, just meters way from the river’s
been involved in the facilitation of Muskoka area
junction with Lake Muskoka!
property acquisition projects for their clients when they stumbled upon the Patterson Kaye Resort (PKR).
Patterson Kaye is an 82-year-old Heritage property,
The minute they saw it they both fell in love with it
According to its http://pattersonkayeresort.com
immediately. Their mutual love at first sight for the
Website it is the perfect location for anyone seeking to
property was sufficient enough to create the desire to
enjoy an Ontario cottage vacation, or those planning
have it for themselves.
on hosting a wedding or business retreat.
It’s now been three years since they became Patterson
Patterson Kaye Resort has offered the same peaceful,
Kaye Resort’s Caribbean Owners and in Dwarka’s words
picturesque setting for five generations of Ontario
“we have never been happier!”
cottage vacationers. At Patterson Kaye, the hustle and
Persaud and Ramirez were quick to appreciate
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bustle of everyday life can be left at home. The most
Miller House Cottage, which sleeps twelve, or the
important thing decisions to be contemplated would
newly renovated Gatehouse Cottage, which can
be as to whether to go for a cruise on beautiful Lake
accommodate eleven. Each has either a wood burning
Muskoka, take a canoe or kayak trip up the historic
stove or fireplace.
Muskoka River, or simply sit back on the shores of the Lake in one of the Resorts very comfortable Muskoka
All together Patterson Kaye hosts 24 cottages in 14
chairs and read a favorite book. As the day comes to
buildings. With a total capacity of approximately 120-
an end, enjoyment can continue into the evening with
125, Patterson Kaye is regarded as a small boutique
a meal at Patterson Kaye’s elegant Seasons Restaurant
Muskoka based resort. Previously named as Muskoka’s
with its numerous delicious menu offerings.
Best Small Resort three years in a row, it has become known for providing good quality service and ultra enjoyable vacation stays. As a relatively big property despite its small number of cottages, Patterson Kaye offers plenty of opportunity for visitors to personalize their experience by making their respective visits either as busy or as quiet as they would like. Patterson Kaye Resort vacations also provide exceptional value for an affordable price. Patterson
Patterson Kaye Resort also offers daily on-site activities,
Kaye’s Miller cottage can accommodate a family of 12
which simply wouldn’t be found at most other Ontario
for an entire week at a cost of less of under $500 per
vacation destinations, including a range of non-
person!
motorized and select motorized watercraft. Patterson Kaye boasts its own private beach with a water slide and trampoline. Its impressive array of amenities includes shuffleboard, a hot tub, an outdoor swimming pool, a basketball net, mountain bikes, ping pong, as well as a soon to open ultra modern recreational spa center. There are also shared access bar-b-que grills conveniently placed in front of each of the cottages. Patterson Kaye’s Rental rates include use of all nonFishing enthusiasts can also fish directly from off the
motorized watercraft including canoes and kayaks.
docks. Patterson Kaye’s impressive fishing amenities
Also included is the use of all Resort amenities
were recently featured in Fish TV coverage.
including the outdoor pool, shuffleboard courts, hot tub, children’s playground and cozy beach areas. All
In short, Patterson Kaye Resort offers something for
Patterson Kaye cottages are serviced and cleaned on a
the entire family. Its impressive amenities are merely
daily basis by the Resort’s efficient housekeeping staff.
additions to its wide variety of accommodations. Couples can choose units in the comfortable and
PKR has also become known for hosting small to
newly renovated Oaks Cottages. Extended families
medium sized weddings,. The Resort now actually
can choose between the beautiful 3,000 square foot
hosts between 10-12 per year, particularly during the
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months of May, June and increasingly in September,
Canada’s environment which is far superior. PKR’s
With Muskoka breathtakingly beautiful Fall colors on
winter marketing will also be boosted by the historical
offer, Patterson Kaye hosted September weddings
fact that previous winter time visitors have tended to
have quickly becoming a bit off a trend!
fall in love with the natural beauty of its majestic snow capped evergreen trees as well as its tranquility and
At Patterson Kaye Resort’s elaborate wedding
serene peacefulness.
receptions can be hosted the on-site restaurant, “Seasons By The Water” which has been reinvented under its new ownership. There is now a renewed commitment to creating an authentic four season Muskoka dining experience, featuring a dynamic culinary team. The “Seasons” innovative menu of Appetizers, Salads, Pasta, Seafood, and Entrées is rounded off with a large selection of delectable desserts to create the perfect finish to an enjoyable meal.
Patterson Kaye is actually the only Resort within Bracebridge’s immediate environs. The few other
Contrary to the often commonly held perception
Resorts that exist are outside of Bracebridge. PKR is
that Muskoka vacations are only limited to summer,
located just five minutes from the town’s commercial
spring or fall time activities, under Persuad-Ramires’
area, which makes it great for visitors as there’s readily
management PKR has been marketed as a twelve
available access to all the big city amenities, including
month year round Resort. Many of its cottages are fully
restaurants and shopping.
and functionally winterized. Indeed Dwarka and Julio both see enormous potential in PKR’s Winter Tourism
Patterson Kaye can also serve as a jumping off point for
opportunities especially among Europeans.
other area attractions. The renowned Santa’s Village is just down the road. Now in its 40th year of existence
In Julio’s own words “Unlike our Caribbean people
it is a miniature Disney World, to which they’re as
Europeans aren’t afraid to go into the snow it frolic and
admission pricing discounts for Patterson Kaye visitors.
have fun! Just look at the many Ski Chalets and resorts
For golf enthusiasts the Bracebridge area also hosts
that exist in Europe where hundreds of thousands of
several spectacular courses that also offer special
people go each year for winter vacations!”
discounts for Patterson Kaye visitors.
Dissatisfied with the efforts that the Muskoka City
With its Southern Ontario location, its environmental
Council and indeed Ontario Tourism have both
purity that may be largely unfamiliar to urban dwellers
made to date in marketing the region as year round
and its close proximity to all amenities of major city
destination, PKR is now bent on initiating its own
offered within a rural community, Patterson Kaye
Winter vacation marketing strategies, especially to
Resort does indeed provide a peek into a wonderful
potential European visitors. Towards that end there
naturally pristine and peaceful paradise. A now
are packaging opportunities for the numerous winter
Caribbean-owned paradise that can be discovered
activities available in the area, cross country skiing,
after just a 90 minute drive from downtown Toronto.
fat bike riding, snow shoeing all of which are quite
Sufficiently within reach as to warrant exploratory visits
popular in Europe all of which can be enjoyed in
by one and all.
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Naraine’s Bakery Top Guns For Tasty Buns Twenty- five years ago Robin Naraine decided that he wanted to be his own boss. With the help of his father and the
support of his family, he brought the authentic taste of Guyanese baking to Canada. It started off as baking for friends and family out of the basement of their home and evolved into a community bakery. Robin and Padi Naraine have been on a roll with the business ever since. In 1992 the Naraines opened their first Canadian bakery, carrying the name on from the original shop in Guyana that was opened 65 years ago by Robin’s father. “I grew up in the business but I never really thought about getting into it,” said Robin Naraine. “Opening a business in Canada was a new ground but we started
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at a good time. There wasn’t a quality product like ours out in Canada and our name was popular back in Guyana.” With the help of his Dad, Naraine spent about a month fine-tuning the recipe to make it suitable for Canadian ingredients and the climate before beginning production. In the twenty-five years that have passed since it first opened its bakery doors in Toronto, Naraine’s Bakery has become the front-runner in Guyanese baking thanks to the continued support of its customers as well as the Guyanese-Canadian Community. Naraine’s Bakery’s management and staff are fully trained and are always striving to produce only the very best from facilities which maintain the highest health standards. Narine’s Bakery’s quest is to always provide the highest quality products to its customers. That means starting with the best ingredients. The flour that is used for both the breads and pastries is always of the best that’s available in the Canadian market. All of Naraine’s Bakery’s speciality products are also 100% vegetarian, completely free of pepsin, rennet, whey, soy or preservatives. Any monoglycerides used in the Bakery’s vegetable shortening are also only plant based. The Bakery’s whole wheat and multi-grain products are all made authentically and have been approved as “clean label!” Two and a half decades since its initial store opening Naraine’s Bakery has produced and distributed hundreds of products to shops around the GTA each day. From the factory in Scarborough, breads and pastries are sent to the other franchise locations, community shops and even some mainstream stores such as Loblaws. The company’s franchise operations have grown impressively. In addition to the main location at 2691 Markham Road in Scarborough, there are now four
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additional locations, two in Brampton (Jas Foods & Ravi’s West Indian as well as others in Etobicoke (Westwood Supermarket) and North York (Caribbean Island Foods).The Company’s plan is for the addition of further Franchise locations in the immediate future. “People are able to get the quality products they remember from back home and give their children a taste of the culture,” Naraine said. While Naraine is now based in Florida with his wife Padi and their two kids, the business is seamlessly integrated through technology in order to keep him connected to the Toronto based bakery. “Although we’re not here physically, we’re definitely here. I can see everything instantaneously and I can focus more efficiently.”
look forward to whole grain pastries that are in the works. As a certified natural healthcare practitioner, Padi Naraine is a proponent for healthy foods and looks to make the products as nutritious as possible. “We use quality ingredients with no preservatives and no artificial ingredients,” she said. “We understand that it’s important to our customers and we want to create the best products for them.” Naraine’s bakery currently has a line up of around 20 products including tennis rolls, plait bread, and plait loafs that all come in multi-grain options. The Naraines are excited to continue expanding and evolving the business to suit the needs of the
Aside from staying connected through technology, Naraine says the key to the success of the bakery lies in their spirituality. “Spirituality is very important. We implement those teachings every day. We encourage our staff to work with a high consciousness of spirituality and awareness,” said Naraine. Once a week, Naraine has a virtual meditation session with his staff in order to renew their spiritual awareness and create a positive working environment. Along with maintaining a healthy spirit, the bakery is also expanding the product line to include healthier options. With products like multigrain bread and flax seed bread already in the line up, customers can also
“We use quality ingredients with no preservatives and no artificial ingredients” Intouch 2019
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community. Robin says that the last 25 years have given him, the Bakery’s management team and its staff a pretty good idea about what people are looking for in Guyanese baking. From the crust on their breads to the filling in the pastries, they have taken their customers’
input and are constantly looking for new ways to make their Narine’s Bakery products even better! Foremost among Narine’s Bakery’s many signature items that have long since become a customer favorite is their Plait breads: soft, fluffy and popular for its versatility, it’s great for sandwiches, toasting, or just plain with some butter. For a true Caribbean experience, it can also be tried with some guava jam and hot tea. Of course, at Christmas time, Narine’s Bakery’s plait bread is a huge favorite with pepperpot. Cheese Rolls are another of Narine’s Bakery’s much favoured pastries. Flaky and filled with their own special cheese spread recipe, they are best eaten warm for full enjoyment of the melty, cheesy goodness. Cheese rolls are sold in six packs in support of the Naraine’s claim that you can never stop at just one! Then of course there are the Bakery’s everfamous tennis rolls. Slightly sweeter than the plait breads tennis rolls are the perfect size for a busy morning on the go and are an absolute hit with kids of all ages. When paired with a generous slice of cheese they become an undisputed gastronomical delight.
“We have been so blessed to have accomplished all that we have within the past twenty-five years. That will always encourage us to continue giving our customers our very best and to do so humbly and with absolute pleasure” Page 12
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Raymond “Chinny” Lee-own Once A National Cycling Sprint Champ Now A Successful Music Entrepreneur! Western Hemisphere’s best sprinters. His most famous victories included a 1967 win over Trinidad’s Roger Gibbons who had won bronze at the World Championships that year and who was also the reigning Pam Am, British Empire and Western Hemisphere Sprint Champion. In 1967 during what was obviously the peak year of his outstanding career, Leeown also twice defeated Fred Booker, the UK’s reigning Sprint Champion who had also been a 1966 Commonwealth Games gold medal winner. He also boasted a victory over Jim Rossi the American Sprint Champion. In fact Lee-won should have been Guyana’s sprint cycling representative to the 1966 Jamaica hosted Commonwealth Games, but an unfortunate and unnecessary dispute with the then Guyana Cycling Federation prevented him from doing so. Politics also again played an unfortunate role in his non-selection to join Aubrey Bryce as Guyana’s cycling representatives to the 1968 Olympics which were held in Mexico.
Now enjoying life as Owner and leader of Triple Play, one of the Canadian Caribbean community’s most popular and sought after live bands, Raymond Chinny Lee-own was in fact once one of the Region’s very best cycling sprinters. So much so that he was known as the “Sunjet” for his phenomenal speed and reigned undisputed as Guyana’s national sprint champion from 1962-68. Lee-own grew up in the town of Kitty, which is located on Guyana’s East Coast in the county of Demerara. He was part of a family home that included his parents, two brothers and a sister. Having been provided with his first racing bike he was soon pursuing his passion for bike riding, rapidly rising through the ranks of Guyana’s cycle racing fraternity. Lee-own quickly became known for his blinding speed and instantaneous accelerations from near impossible situations in bike races. He had an uncanny ability to always be in the right place, at the right time. This was not just luck but rather a reflection of his innate ability to read a race, anticipate opportunities and position himself to take full advantage of such developments to the detriment of his competitors. During his cycling prime, as Guyana’s reigning sprint champion, Lee-own went head to head with some of the
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Following the 1968 Olympics snub, Lee-own’s mother encouraged him to come Canada and following her advice he migrated that year. He became involved in Canadian cycling very soon after his arrival, competing often and with frequently outstanding success until a freak road accident that left him seriously injured after being struck by vehicle effectively curtailed his cycling career. Deprived of his passionate pursuit of his abundant cycling talents, Lee-own sought other avenues for effective utilization of his time. As such he soon found himself engaged in the pursuit of a musical career as a self-taught guitarist. His interest in music had developed from his involvement as a Band Booking Manager for Toronto’s Mercury Club, which had often served as a Canadian base for Dave Martin’s Tradewinds. Amazingly he, Chinny, was soon getting weekend gigs as an artiste at many of the bars that dotted Toronto’s entertainment landscape of the 1980’s. By the late ‘90’s Chinny’s career as a musician had progressed to his role as leader and lead guitarist of Odyssey, an eight member ensemble that was best described as a show band. Comprised of mainly West Indians, Odyssey very quickly became the Canadian Caribbean community’s most popular live band. They also toured extensively performing at bars and nightclubs throughout North America.
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In 1995 after an extended run as Band Leader for Odyssey, “Chinny” took a self-imposed break from Canada and went to Jamaica for a year. Having been refreshed by the Caribbean’s warmth, he then came back to Canada with the decided intention of having a much smaller band than Odyssey had been. The combination of himself and two other musicians, Victor Shim and Michael Bishop, thus led to the initial formation of Triple Play. Aside from its trio composition the band’s name Triple Play derived from the baseball terminology, signifying a play of three parts. Triple Play’s formation for any given booking has however always been flexible. Dependent upon the gig, the venue and/or the specified wishes of whoever’s doing the hiring, the base trio has often been increased to include one, two at times even three additional members. The latter often occurring with ever increasing frequency within recent times, as a result of requests being received for the inclusion of the band’s brass section. Triple Play’s initial existence was as the house band for the Sheraton Parkway Hotel, which back then was located at Hwy 7 and Don Valley. The band played there every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Triple Play also performed at several other Canadian owned bars to the extent that it was initially perceived to be simply a “bar band!” Triple Play’s evolution as a Guyanese-Canadian community band however began somewhat inauspiciously. The
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initial sources were occasional bookings from members of the Community who had heard the trio’s Sheraton’s performances and wanted to have them play at their own functions. Those sporadic bookings from individuals soon became a steady flow of constant requests for the band to perform at much larger community functions. Guyana Christian Charities (GCC) was one of the very first Community organizations to have started making Triple Play bookings. Triple Play’s popularity with GCC members has remained intact until today, as evidenced by its presence at many of the Charities’ annual functions within recent years. Needless to say, the constant requests that were being received for community organization event performances necessitated significant changes in Triple Play’s repertoire. From playing predominantly R&B, disco and Top 40 hit tunes for its Canadian bar audiences, it soon found itself immersed in an ever increasing diet of soca, reggae and of course given the largely Guyanese-Canadian audience composition slow dance oldies! Under Chinny’s leadership, today’s Triple Play which has since transformed to its most recent version to be arguably now the most popular and best sounding of all the existing Community bands, is however now completely different from its predecessor. Triple Play’s, Version 2 lead singer was a “Soca Reggae Specialist,” which was somewhat restricting on the band’s versatility. His eventual departure subsequently led
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to Chinny’s acquisition of Triple Play’s current lead singer, the very versatile St Lucian born, Lance Charlemagne. Lance’s background had been that of a Cruise Ship “performer,” which was exactly what Chinny wanted. A lead singer who could perform the tunes the band would play, as opposed to merely singing them. With Lance Charlemagne as its lead singer, Triple Play’s current day performances are now much more reminiscent of those of the much larger Odyssey, which had always been regarded as a “show band.” Back in its heyday, the then very popular Odyssey would actually perform two shows nightly, a North American set, followed by that which was authentically Caribbean. Through its current composition of a three man core, boosted occasionally by the on demand addition of its horn section, Chinny has in Triple Play Version New, finally acquired what he’s actually been in search of for well over two decades! A much smaller unit capable of providing show band performances of tunes of any genre, from the Canadian mainstream popular top 40 and R&B hits to the Caribbean soca, reggae and oldies favorites. The New Triple Play now does it all and then some. From one event booking to the next, contrary to most other bands, the New Triple Play interestingly enough does not play from any set play list. The members are sufficiently familiar with each of the tunes in its entire
repertoire as to allow Chinny to simple call tunes based on his perceived reading of the audience in question’s likely enjoyment. The band now therefore plays to the crowd. Versatility most refreshingly personified! Triple Play’s current composition is uniquely Caribbean. Aside from Chinny’s Guyanese heritage and the Lead Singer’s Charlemagne’s St Lucian upbringing, there’s also a Bajan Drummer: Andy Foster, a St Vincentian Keyboard Player: Linweal Ollivierre, Jan Morgan a fellow Guyanese as the Trumpet player and Skel Redhead a Grenadian as the saxophonist. The Chinny led Triple Play’s newfound versatility is also now being reflected in an evolving following which is far more reflective of a wider cross section of the Community. Charlemagne himself has brought members of the St Lucian community as well as many of his mainstream associates, some from as far away as Oakland. As a result of its new sound, Triple Play has also started to attract a younger crowd. As result Triple Plays’ performances since last May have been to audiences that have been quite mixed. Party goers reflective of the young, more mature, Guyanese, Caribbean and mainstream have all delightfully been enjoying Triple Play’s provision of high quality dance irresistible music. In addition to the Community dances Triple Play also plays regularly at the Mansion in Markham and Scarborough’s Spade. Chinny’s plan for 2019 will be to also get back to the Canadian circuit with performances at mainstream bars. Buoyed by the support of his wife Yvette and children Justin and Brittney, Raymond Chinny Lee Own now finds himself enjoying life in a manner most others would envy. For one, he is his own boss at a “job” that simply requires him to do what he loves best, play music for others, Secondly, his band is now sounding as good, arguably better, as it ever has, which is creating such a constant demand for its services as to allow him the luxury of being able to pick and choose where and when he wants to play. Finally his beckoning challenge in the forthcoming new year will be to embark upon a quest to reconquer, this time with his band, the very Canadian mainstream entertainment club scene that had been his haunting ground as a solo performer, when he first started playing music in Canada. To be enjoying all that is ultimately quite in three words: “a triple play!” From cycling champ to successful band manager, quite the admirable transition indeed for the former “Sunjet” now known as Raymond “Chinny” Lee-own!
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INTOUCH 2018.
Roop Sharma’s reputation as a legal and cultural pioneer of the highest order has long since been established. Roop was the winner of a Gold Medal in Public Speaking from the London England’s prestigious Academy of Dramatic Arts. An award that had provided very early evidence of his impressive oratical skills, which are inclusive of an uncommon command of diction and tone of speech. Roop had taken the course out of the a lawyer.
study. His son Ishwar was soon following in his father’s illustrious footsteps, revealing himself to be similarly
Ishwar has always praised his Dad as being the inspiration behind his accumulation of two degrees featured on the walls of the Law Faculty at Windsor Law School, just as my father’s and uncle’s had been!”
Ishwar has also allowed the example set by his father to function as the fundamental guiding principle of his own illustrious career. “My father’s community that’s important. It’s about being happy at the end of the day!” For decades now the Sharma’s have conducted their law business from a solid looking former CIBC Branch building at the corner of Paper and Gerrard Streets. Unpretentious and far removed from the prestigious always been easily accessible to the now hundreds of acquired clients that have made Sharma & Sharma as successful as it is.
testimony to the outstanding success of his law practice.
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covered with the awards he’d collected during his years of study and practice. There was also an ample supply of press clippings of cases he’d won. It was in London, England where Roop Sharma’s legal career had begun. After being admitted to the bar in 1964 he’d decided not long after to return to his native Guyana to practice there. He began his Guyana in the chambers of R.H. Luckhoo who later became an appellate judge in Guyana’s Courts. Sharma served as
Public Prosecution.
Roop Sharma’s private general practice legal service was established in 1977. He was soon making a name for himself as an Immigration Lawyer, representing scores of Clients from within the Guyana’s and Caribbean Canadian communities who were experiencing challenges in that area. Roop would later granting a citizen of Guyana the right to live in Canada under refugee status. The couple who featured in that historic case, Beni Persaud and his wife Indira, became
bid to escape continued victimization and attacks from members of the local police and military. Roop Sharma’s reputation as an international refugee lawyer was further successful acquisition of Canadian Refugee Status for Bangladesh native, Adul Rouf who had been working as a Chef on Toronto City’s Younge Street. Rouf was the such status.
Roop Sharma’s reputation as one of Guyana’s most his involvement in the trial of 22 individuals who had been charged with attempting the country’s Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham. The case received international media attention with Sharma as the focus of many of the plaudits for the manner in which he’d handled the case. Roop Sharma migrate to Canada in 1970 and quickly became fully involved in furthering his reputation as law practice was with one of Toronto’s largest legal he functioned as an estate manager, administering the his Canadian Law Degree at the University of Windsor Law School in a974 he articled with the City of Toronto’s Ministry of the Attorney General.
Listed among Sharma’s many notable community involvements was his service on the Toronto Police Service Complaints Board. He also served as a Board of Directors member for Ward 7, and was the President of the Canadian Hindu Organization for many years as well. Roop is a founding member and legal advisor of the Caribbean Children Foundation and served as Chairman, Canada Pandits Parishad and President of Gayatri Mandir. Roop Sharma has won several awards and accolades
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Appreciation for volunteerism in the community by the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture; the Adyatam
Refugee Status for a St Lucian born female client. The Sharma’s seem to have a penchant for successfully taking on unusual Refugee cases. Ishwar has also attributed much of the outstanding
propagating the Hindu Religion and Culture Overseas; Dharm Ratna, presented by the Canada Hindu Organization and Dharm Bhushan, presented by the Guyana Pandits Council. He was most recently, in June 2017, awarded with June 21, Canadian Association of South Asian Lawyers (CASAL) President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to society and culture in Canada, Guyana, India and England. That presentation was witnessed by Ujal Dosanjh, former premier of British Columbia; Minister Bal Gosal, MP Parm Gil, Dhaman Kissoon, LL.B., and hundreds of South Asian lawyers. Two days later, in front of an audience of thousands at Celebration Square in Mississauga, Sharma was presented his second Lifetime Achievement award by Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, Masood Khan, Chair of the South Asian Canada Day Committee; MP Brad Butt, MP Dr. Kristy Duncan and Councillor Ron Star. The City of Mississauga presentation was witnessed by LL.B.; Astuti Sharma, Kamla Sharma and Mala Singh, who sang Canada’s national anthem before the ceremony. “We thank God for granting our dear father this great honor,” said Ishwar. “He has worked hard all his life and truly deserves these accolades.” Humbled by the accolades, Sharma gave an eloquent acceptance speech and a moving dedication to his late wife, Dhani Sharma, for inspiring him to achieve his goals. He also praised his brother, Chet Sharma, a practicing lawyer who attended the ceremony with his wife, Bhaminee When Roop had migrated to Canada from Guyana in
was only three at the time, has now almost fully taken over the reins of the Sharma & Sharma Legal Services from his Dad. To close your eyes and listen to Ishwar speak, is almost identical to hearing Roop himself. The apple fell that close to the tree. Much like his Dad had done, Ishwar quickly developed his own reputation as a formidable legal advocate. One of his early triumphs was the successful acquisition of
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success Sharma & Sharma has enjoyed over the past forty years to his late mother Dhani, who’d served as the was also an outstanding administrator with a natural talent for preparing legal briefs. Like his father had done before him, Ishwar has grounded his successful law practice on the cornerstones of integrity, honest and generosity. In doing so he’s won the respect of his clients and that of his community as well. “You have to set yourself apart by developing a reputation that will shine through, even at
That’s the mantra he’s adopted over the years as he sought to emerge from the shadows of his father’s outstanding legal career and into his own sell derived limelight. A transition which has since been so successfully achieved as to now guarantee Sharma & Sharma Legal prosperity for years to come. was also an outstanding administrator with a natural talent for preparing legal briefs.
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Robin Singh’s Sandler Training Sharpening Sales andLeadership Skill Sets! Having not completed his high school education in his native Guyana, Singh took the very courageous step of doing so in Canada, at the Leaside High School, soon after his arrival. As part of his educational development, he also attended the Control Data Institute, completing courses in Computer Programming and Computer Operations. Hired by TD Bank in 1977 to work in its Central Computing Facility, he stayed there until 1983, when he left to open his 1st Franchise. Singh owned MicroAge Computer Centre which was based in Hamilton, Ontario. The Franchise was later expanded to an additional branch in St. Catherine’s, Ontario.
Sandler Training’s Owner and CEO Robin Singh was born in Guyana back in the early fifties, September 1953 to be exact. Like thousands of his other fellow Guyanese, he migrated to Canada, August 1973 having been the month and year of his arrival.
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Singh sold MicroAge in 1995 and then took a two-year sabbatical before joining Unisys Canada in Sales in 1997. Later that year Singh moved to Silicon Valley to experience the DOT.COM ERA. During his time in The Bay Area, he worked for a Start-up Company running their North American Channels Division. The experience he gained from that stint he now suggests was arguably “one of a life time,” as a result of the direct exposure he received to the enormous workloads and energy that were being demanded to ensure the survival of the fittest.
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Singh was then recruited to run the Global Channels Division for a Publicly Traded Company. An opportunity that was a lot saner and not nearly as hectic, but which also required extensive travels to Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East and North America. Later he was promoted and assigned the responsibilities of running the European Division of the Company. It was during the European Division stint that he met the lady named Roma, who eventually became his wife. In 2005, Singh returned to Canada for personal reasons and to be closer to his family. That return eventually led to his acquisition and ownership of Sandler Training, a Global company which specializes in providing programmes aimed towards helping companies further develop the efficiencies of their sales personnel. Sandler Training’s programmes are provided at the Company’s Mississauga based Performance Centre, which Singh himself proudly owns. Singh says that at Sandler Training the focus is specific to Sales Performance, Management Effectiveness and Leadership Development. Many Executive Managers and Company Leaders Singh has interacted with have often identified a number of issues around improving company results. Of those three in particular have been repeatedly mentioned, these were as follows: They have a good sales team, but are FRUSTRATED, because the team is not prospecting enough and limiting company growth.
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Some are DISAPPOINTED because when their people do find opportunities, the good deals are slipping away thus missing company and personal targets. The company is experiencing growth, but they are experiencing blind spots and they are not sure how to get around them.” “These and other areas like hiring, process control account management or other business related matters are areas that I am now helping my Clients with,” says Singh. The reputation Robin Singh has developed for himself is that of a successful business leader with over 20 years of experience in driving revenue growth and profitability for diverse regional and global operations. Known for his expertise in channel sales strategies, strategic partnerships and customer relationships, Robin Singh is skilled at building and leading successful teams to exceed personal and company goals. Singh effectively uses a no-nonsense consultative sales approach and management techniques, which produce results while preserving and championing the individual team member’s self respect. Under Robin Singh’s ownership, management and leadership ongoing reinforcement of its acquired clients
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has become an integral component of the “Sandler Difference!” This is provided through the understanding and implementation of a complex set of human attitudes, behaviors and selling techniques, as opposed to the quick fix solutions that are oftentimes presented during one-day seminars. At Sandler Training comprehensive trainings address professional development issues that are critical to success, such as goal setting, action plans, performance evaluations and communications skills are also integral aspects of the Sandler Training methodology. Sandler is a nine-time holder of Entrepreneur Magazine’s #1 Training ranking. As he has pursued his business interests, Robin Singh has also been keen to maintain an admirable life balance through his activity community involvement and family life. In terms of the former he has received numerous awards for the outstanding community contributions he has made over the years. With regards to the latter he has been a devoted and wholly supportive husband to his wife Roma, a very proud father of his son Rishi and an equally so father in law of Sandhya. He now readily confesses though that the loves of my life are his two grandchildren Samaya and Raeya.
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A Dynasty Created. A Legacy Ensured!
The year 2017 will now forever be etched in the minds and memories of all members of the Bedessee family, as well as their friends and well wishers, wherever they may be. On March 11, 2017 the family sadly lost its patriarch, the Bedessee Imports Ltd, Founder, Lionel Moona Bedessee. His sad passing at the age of 83, completely overshadowed the Bedessee Imports celebration of its May 2017 fortieth anniversary as a Canadian
Berbice, Guyana. He was the 4th child of the late Ramnauth and Mary Ramkumarie Bedessee. By the age of 20, he’d made a decision to venture out on his own and start a business. He began selling small household items such as twine, balloons, and rubber bands. After examining the market, he realized that there was a lack of supply of cricket gears and so he began to sell these products also to others within the community. This was the stepping stone for his future business ventures. In the 1950s, Lionel was determined to get his sell many goods throughout Guyana’s Corentyne Region.. One of the stops he would often make was at the Ganga Persaud Family Store. It was there that he would meet his future wife, Evelyn. On April 24th, 1960 Lionel aged 27 and Evelyn 19 were married, vowing to spend the rest of their lives together. Evelyn became his wife, partner, friend, life companion and child mother of almost 57 years. Together they raised and built a successful family business. After the birth of their 7th child, LMB decided to embark on a new journey so he moved to Canada with the 4 eldest children to be of assistance to his older brother, Dr. Manwel Bedessee. Coming to Canada, was challenging for LMB as there were many adjustments that had to be made with respect to climate, culture and business. Despite settling in within Canada, LMB was not
Company. Lionel Bedessee may have passed, but in the forty a family owned business, he impressively created a dynasty and ensured a legacy. Lionel Moona Bedessee (LMB) was born on November 11th, 1933, in Port Mourant, Corentyne, Page 24
and took a course in Appliance and Refrigeration at Conestoga College at the age of 42. Some of his odd jobs included painting the GM factory in Woodstock, making rubber shoes for Kaufman. He even worked at a Twine Factory. At his core though he always wanted to be an employer and in charge of his own business. Being simply a company employee was just not to his liking.
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In 1974, Evelyn and the youngest 3 children moved from Guyana to Canada to reunite with LMB and the family in Waterloo, Ontario. In 1977, the entire family moved from Waterloo and became resident in Toronto, where LMB restarted his entrepreneurial journey. He rented a small retail store on Queen St, West, and that was the beginning of the business operations.
In 1984, Bedessee closed its retail operations and opened up their strictly only wholesale and manufacturing operations in Scarborough, Ontario. LMB was constantly looking for ways to add innovative technology to his business. He successfully did just that by he designing a state of the art chow mein factory, which is now still operational at Bedessee Imports’ Scarborough headquarters.
While running the retail store, LMB was attentive to the requests of his customers. He realized that his customers needed products that were unavailable in Canada. So, being the determined individual he was, he sought out and started exploring more business opportunities within the import and export industry to accommodate the needs of his customers. LMB travelled to numerous countries worldwide in search of well-known Guyanese brands. Some of the countries, at the time, were considered unsafe for travelers but that did not stop LMB, as determined as he was to acquire his customers requested goods and supplies.
ished to now encompass operations in several cities including Toronto, New York, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Kingston, Jamaica.
LMB’s good insight permitted his business in the import and export industry to grow exponentially. As the children began to get older, the family became completely dedicated and involved in the process of operating the business’ day to day activities. The business began growing so rapidly that by the early 80s it had become evident that they needed to relocate to a much larger space. The business was thus moved from its original 1373 Queen Street location to a larger facility at 1429 Queen St. in Toronto. By this time, the company had become incorporated. The family also began making regular commutes to New York to trade various items, such as sporting goods including cricket gears. At that point in time, Bedessee Imports was historically considered to be one of the pioneers for importing West Indian Foods and Spices to North America. Many of us, can remember the times when products were scarce and limited. LMB paved the way to make products such as spices become easily accessible to those who desire them.
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Throughout this entire forty-year period, LMB maintained a simple humble lifestyle. He had the opportunity to live a life of luxury and could have dined at will at expensive restaurants. He prefered instead to enjoy his own self made home-cooked meals. LMB loved cooking and serving the people of his community. He regularly held pooja ceremonies which brought his family and friends together. LMB was known to welcome everyone with open arms and treated everyone like a family member.
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A Dynasty Created. A Legacy Ensured! LMB’s determination to get what he wanted was insurmountable. What he cherished most was to raise a good, hard-working family which would serve as an example to the rest of society. Bedessee Imports Canada is now managed by Lionel’s two Canadian based sons Rayman and Invor. Under the brother’s management, the Compnay’s core philosophy has consistently remained the same – work hard, remain humble and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty, even if it means picking up a pickaxe to break the concrete wall for built - from a bottom house grocery store into a global food distribution giant – by the hands-on approach. Guided by Rayman and Invor’s co-management, Bedessee Imports has expanded its production capacities for its noodles, chowmein, and pasta-style West increased the volume of other food products the
see trades in “thousands” of food items, shipping to 500 stores in Canada and 1,000 in the US. The company has tapped into the niche market of the spreading North American Caribbean Diaspora. “It’s a multi-million dollar business,” Invor admits proudly, if shyly. True to their father’s training, humility has remained a trademark of the Bedessee business philosophy. As it celebrated its 2017 40th year as a Canadian company, Bedessee Imports, has remained true to the mission and philosophy of its patriarch Founder, the now deceased Lionel Moona Bedessee. The unwavering dedication to its value mantra has been has enjoyed. Small wonder that they are indeed “In Your Kitchen More Than You Think!” The legacy of Lionel Bedessee lives through his wife Evelyn, children, Pamela, Rose, Verman, Ravi, Rayman, Chubby and Invor, as well as his 12 grandchildren, Bradley, Brandon, Ariana, Andrew, Amanda, Chris, Sean, Lisa, Elliot, Jenna, Nick and Mark.
“hundreds” of popular food brand names; Bedes-
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Norman Sue Bakery: A Legacy Continued! tradition of mass-producing bread, pastries and other Guyanese goodies to an ever-expanding clientele. The man may have passed but his legacy has definitely lived on. Norman Augustus Sue-Kam-Ling was born in 1947 in Georgetown, Guyana, to a father born in China and a mother whose parents had emigrated from India. Sue’s Canadian baking odyssey started in his kitchen a few years after his 1969 move to Canada, when a brother visiting from Guyana decided to make Guyanese pastries in Sue’s Scarborough home. The batch was a bit too large for the family, so they gave some away to friends. The baking and sharing continued for some time until people started offering to pay for the pastries. The fledgling operation moved as it grew: first to the basement, then to an industrial unit on Nantucket Blvd and later to a plaza at Kennedy Rd. and St. Clair Ave. East. In 1988, the bakery moved to its current location on Ellesmere Rd. near Midland Ave.
This coming October will mark the sixth anniversary of Norman Sue’s passing. He died on October 7, 2013 having lost a courageous three year struggle with multiple myeloma. In the six years that have gone since his passing under the management of his children, primarily his daughters Natasha and Kim, the iconic Norman Sue Bakery that he founded has continued its
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Under Norman’s guidance as its patriarch, the bakery was developed as a family affair involving Sue’s wife, Lynette, and their five children, all of whom were part of its operations. During the years when it was housed in the Kennedy and St Clair Ave East plaza the Sue family even lived right above the bakery. “We grew up in the business,” said Kim Sue, the eldest sibling who along with Natasha had taken over the bakery’s management reins from the time that her dad had first started battling his cancer, back in 2010. Under Kim and Natasha’s management the outstanding community service that had become a trademark of Norman Sue Bakery has continued. Over the past
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six years Norman Sue Bakery has made countless donations of its baked goods to numerous Community organizations local Lions Clubs and Scarborough’s Cricket Leagues. Kim herself has even gone a step further than her illustrious father ever did by becoming an Executive Board Member of one of Scarborough’s Cricket Leagues. In 2018 she was also appointed as a CoChair for organizing Committee of the annual Guyana Independence Festival. Kim and Natasha have also been keen to maintain the very proud reputation their father had developed of being outstandingly kind, generous and supportive of his staff. The reputation Norman had developed was that of having had such a very special relationship with his staff, that they became his extended family.
of them off at their homes after work before returning to the bakery himself. He was always willing to listen to his employees’ problems, oftentimes offering advice accompanied by a warm hug to indicate that everything would be OK!”
“He hired people who other people wouldn’t hire,” Kim fondly reminisces. “He cooked Friday lunches for his employees. He also picked them up on his way into work, and on very cold days would even drop some
Having served as a pioneer who through his bakery brought a taste of Guyana to Toronto, Norman Sue quickly became a household name within Toronto’s Guyanese Community. Many Guyanese-Canadians
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came to know Norman Sue as a very kind and generous man. His larger than life personality also served as an inspiration to others to do better. As a former Scarborough City Councilor once said of him, “As a business leader, he always had time to speak to people and share his experiences and was willing to listen.” It is for those reasons that over the years countless numbers of Guyanese-Canadians and other Toronto residents have customarily trekked to Norman Sue Bakery’s Midland location to engage in direct purchases of the breads, salara, mithai, chinese cakes, cheese rolls, pine tarts, black pudding and other delicacies the bakery has on offer. Even though these items are also available for purchase at hundred of groceries and other outlets across the entire Province, for most of these regulars it’s somehow not quite the same. Perhaps the reason might be that while its products may be readily available at other stores, it is only the Norman Sue Bakery itself that offers the warm, welcoming, comforting feeling of true Guyanese hospitality, which its patriarch founder had created over the years. A legendary atmosphere that Norman’s daughters Kim and Natasha, as well as the rest of the Sue clan have proudly continued to provide and which will hopefully be maintained for coming generations to enjoy!
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He continues to move mountains in his own personal life and the lives of people whom he touches. His day is full of fast paced movement. After surviving a cardiac bypass surgery in 2015, he is even more motivated to live life to the fullest with integrity and honesty like each day is his last. He is easily accessible to his loved ones, family and friends. His phone chimes constantly, and whether the phone call lasts for one minute or one hour he makes the other person feel that they have been heard, helped and their spirits heightened. He disguises his intelligence and vision, with unassuming humor and humility. He is one of our Caribbean gems, a son of Guyana. He is Bodenarine John Persaud.
will always be in exact proportion to his contribution and service to others. “If my actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then I consider myself to be an innovative and creative person. As the founder and CEO of Canadian Superbilt Shutters, innovation has been the process of turning ideas into manufacturable and marketable commodities. As Walt Disney states, you can design, create and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it takes people to make the dream a reality. am a strong believer that vision without action and the right people is only a daydream”. John Persaud
“When you are motivated by a deep desire to achieve a superior quality of service and customer excellence, your business is guaranteed to be successful”. John Persaud The touchstone to John’s charm is his humility and school boy sense of humor. On most days you will philosophers and great leaders. In a New York minute, he will make you laugh from the pit of your belly sharing a joke or creating a rhyme. John uses laughter any sense of social hierarchy with humor. He is a man full of inner creativity and blessed with short and long term vision. John is constantly thinking about his next positive impact. His respect and high standing in our community was not achieved by a sole focus on his academic and professional contributions, but rather based on his steadfast attitude that his rewards in life Intouch 2019
John’s pathway to success was in part due to guiding angels like his mother, countless close and dear family and friends from all walks of life, cultures, religions and professions. As well as his early teachings from his spiritual mentors from Cove & John Hindu College and his current guru Swamiji Bhajanandan. He constantly seeks out the wise and sage counsel of others, but ultimately relies on his gut instincts and common sense John believes that one must diversify their portfolio in success over the last 25 years is based on his keen entrepreneurial strategies with Canadian Superbilt Shutters, real estate investments and day trading in the stock market. Page 31
He keeps his business model simple by always maintaining a commitment to high quality, high standards and integrity. When John is asked to provide a quote on a window covering, it is like a new adventure for him. He is a social being who gets inspired by human interaction. So as he enters the home of a potential client, he approaches the window like a doctor conducting an initial examination. Every measurement must be precise, every recording of the measurements accurate and every proposed recommendation for the window covering the best for the home and client. His approach to his client is consistent. John believes in high quality products like Hunter Douglas and Altex/ Sun Projects, and he believes in providing excellent installation services as if it were his own home. He receives more satisfaction in a job well done than even the client. John takes pride in his work and it shows in his commitment to his successful business.
John and his team made a calculated decision in 2015 to redesign their business model from manufacturing shutters to shifting to a sole focus on installation of progressive forward thinking approach. He critically required to run the manufacturing side of his business and determined it was time for Canadian Superbilt Shutters to shift its production model. He shifted the focus on becoming leaders in light control, energy John believes that if you do not drive your business, you will be driven out of business. For a business to be game. And a key to staying ahead is to always examine your business from a paradigm shift that change is inevitable.
“I don’t believe in thinking outside of the box because I never think from the inside of any box. I approach my business as I approach my life, with a great deal of creativity, innovation and common sense”. John Persaud
Most of his referrals are by word of mouth. His building,
John has applied this thinking to his community and family life as well. At this stage in his life, retirement is not on his horizon. However, as he continues to lead the success of his company; he strategically places equal
brightly lit Queensway is the hub of activity for new and
the man he is today.
Canadian Superbilt Shutters to family, friends and neighbours. As such John has amassed international clients located in places such as reknowned resorts in the Turks and Caicos and more locally at the White Oaks in St Catherines. He’s also done work for the Niagara Falls Casino and for quite a few major celebrities as well. He for Cancer. His success is not a case of luck, it is born of hard work and sweat equity. Another key to John’s success is the team he has built around him. His right hand partner is his youngest brother Eric, along with his sister-in-law Sharmilla. They all bring their unique skills sets to the company which includes a strong work ethic and commitment to making Canadian Superbilt Shutters a sustainable business.
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“I strongly believe that you should never forget your humble beginnings and you should always leave an imprint on society, your own unique footprint”. John Persaud John was raised by a single mother in Essequibo, Guyana. Times were hard and basic survival was the sole focus. He recalls a life changing moment when as a young child, he asked his mother for a penny to buy an ice block Popsicle. His mother replied, “Son, if you it and buy your ice block.”Her hidden message was clear to John. There was no extras; just enough to provide for core basics. John also recalls, later as a teenager, his mother coming to visit him at Hindu College and giving him a dollar for his allowance. When she arrived at his college, she said, “Son, there was a boy on the street
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to John. There was no extras; just enough to provide for core basics. John also recalls, later as a teenager, his mother coming to visit him at Hindu College and giving him a dollar for his allowance. When she arrived at his college, she said, “Son, there was a boy on the street in Georgetown who looked thirsty and hungry. I used some of your allowance and bought him a drink and snack. Here is what is left for you.” These indelible lessons have left an imprint on John. His actions towards community giving and community empowerment are born from these early lessons as a young man. To this day, he gives back to the Hindu College though his weekly sponsorship of Swami’s weekly contribution to the Cultural Centre/temple. His and ‘paying forward’ what he has reaped in life. John
has spearheaded numerous charity events and raised
And Satoro stated “Individually we are a drop, but together we are an ocean”. These words inspire John to strengthen his business and community ties. John has a stellar track record of leading events for decades. His events are sold out and infused with high energy, laughter and positivity. Not only does his net worth business associates and family creates his rich and colourful life. “It has always been my belief that you should surround yourself with people who are going to lift you higher and motivate you to be the best version of yourself. My mentors have taught me that if you want to go been there”. John Persaud leadership. He couples this leadership with a Caribbean
local charities that support artists, poets, politicians and the less fortunate abroad and in his home land of Guyana. He is a man who believes that helping others is how you build a legacy and giving is sowing seeds that will produce great harvest of fruits.
John. He is a progressive complex thinker who wears a mask of unassuming simplicity. So if one were to come across John they would immediately say “he is a good man”. But there is a lot of progressive action and thinking that goes on behind the scene to make him a good man and a great business leader. If you scratch a
His latest manifestation of community development
and the law of karma.
close friends namely “All of Us”. The thinking behind the motto “All of Us” is that together we are stronger and united we are unbreakable. John and his community partners, organize and lead annual events such as New Year’s Dinner and Dance, summer boat cruises and picnics in the park with the sole aim to unite people and create opportunities for people to network with credible and integral community members. John rises by lifting others.
“What you put into your business and life; is what you will get out of it. What you creatively think, you can manifest, if you truly believe. I believe that only those
Mother Theresa said “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things”.
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can go”. John Persaud In the window fashion industry, the secret is light to a happy life. John has been unlocking the secret to a happy life by being a beacon of light to not just homes, but society at large. John is one of our adored and beloved community leaders. He will continue to weave his legacy by bringing people together in unity and joy.
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Last Lap Lime 2019, A Dress Rehearsal For Its 2020 25th Anniversary! For the uninitiated, the Last Lap Lime is an annual event now held jointly by three non-profit Guyanese Alumni Associations, Bishops High, St Josephs High and Queen’s College, resident in Toronto, Ontario. It is the largest annual congregation of Guyanese outside of Guyana. This social event ensures that Guyanese culture remains vibrant in the Diaspora by celebrating what it means to be Guyanese through entertainment, food, drink and ‘liming’. The event also provides a taste of Guyanese culture to the children, grandchildren and friends of Guyanese living in the Diaspora. 2019 marks the 24th year of the Last Lap Lime and as such 2020 will be the event’s 25th Anniversary. The event was started in 1995 by the 5 individual Alumni Associations (Toronto chapters) of St. Stanislaus College, Queens College, Bishops High School, St. Roses High School and St. Joseph’s High School. Within recent years both the St Roses and St Stanislaus Alumni Associations have opted to withdraw from participating in the Lime. As such the three still remaining participating Alumni Associations are those of Bishops High, St Joseph;s High and Queen’s College. The Last Lap Lime’s (LLL) aim is to raise funds in support of higher education in Guyana. The Lime’s annual profits are divided equally and returned to the participating Alumni Associations. Each Association determines what projects they will spend their funds in support of, depending on the requests they receive from Guyana. To date the Lime’s proceeds have been used towards scholarships, building and stocking libraries, restoring school grounds, equipping state of the art computer labs, painting and refurbishing parts of the recipient schools, replacing roofs and windows and countless other worthwhile and necessary projects. From humble beginnings of a few hundred attendees, the Lime now routinely attracts audiences in excess of 4,000 people most years. The Lime’s activities revolve around all day entertainment. Its entertainment usually focuses on Guyana’s culture and heritage as portrayed by steelbands, live music bands, Afro and Indo Guyanese acts and dancers. Guyanese cuisine and beverages are also available throughout the grounds.
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The event takes a full year to plan and execute. In the words of one Lime Coordinator “throwing a party for 4000 people is no simple task – it’s interesting but very time consuming. After 24 years of existence, the Las Lap Lime has now become far more than the humble fundraising event it was originally intended to be. It is now in effect a cultural franchise that Guyanese expect and look forward to. Plans are now made around the Las Lap Lime, travel times and vacations are booked to coincide with the event; reunions of family, friends, associations, schools and independent social clubs are often organized and scheduled so as to coincide with the LLL. One of the outstanding successes the Lime has enjoyed over its now twenty-four-year existence is that of its Corporate Sponsors. Each annual Lime’s start up costs are usually around $30,000. Costs, which have to be met even before a single ticket has been sold. The Lime’s continued existence has therefore been owed to a significant degree to the outstanding generosity of its acquired Corporate sponsors, the financial support of which has ranged in amounts from $110 to $5,000. As such, the Lime’s organizers fully intend for it to continue in its current format, well into the Foreseeable future. They are also however, always seeking to improve its offerings to a much higher level. Throughout the years of the Lime’s existence, the question has often been asked, and rightfully So, “who benefits?” The Las Lap Lime is now owned by the Toronto Chapters of the Alumni Associations of three of Guyana’s top Secondary Schools: Bishops, St Josephs and Queen’s College. After an annual audit, the profit from the Lime is divided equally among the participating Alumni Associations. Prior to this, the respective schools recognize the role that Canada has played in The Lime’s development. As such each school instructs the Lime to donate $500 from the profits to a local charity of their choice. Consequently, a deduction is completed prior to the division of the profits. The local organizations that have benefited from this throughout the Lime’s 24 years are too many to list, but include the Herbie Fund, The Canadian Red Cross, Covenant House, The Canadian Cancer Society, Guyana Christian Charities and many others.
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The recipient schools have benefited enormously throughout the years from the Involvement of the Toronto Chapters of the participating Alumni Associations. Bishops High School’s Alumni, as an example, has estimated to having contributed well over half a million dollars in financial and non-financial aid over their 28 years in existence. St. Joseph’s recently contributed significant sums towards the construction of a basketball hard court and the complete renovation of school’s grounds. The intent is to have the school rent the new basketball court and renovated field to local sports teams and organizations as a revenue generator for years to come. The Queens College Alumni Association has recently been applying for charitable status with the hope of establishing a similar endowment fund. Wireless and wired fully equipped computer labs, photocopiers, libraries, security fences, classroom furniture, bursaries and scholarships, musical instruments and new, fully equipped science labs are but just a few of the benefits the participating Alumni Associations
booth at the Las Lap Lime. All of the participating Last Lap Lime Alumni Associations also have active websites What goes in to organizing a party for approximately 4,000 people? First there has to be a compelling motive. Canada has been a new home to most of us that attend the Lime. It is a country that has adopted us and encouraged us to contribute our various talents to its overall strength as a nation. The talents that Guyanese supply, the work ethic and expertise we proudly bring to this newly adopted country home were nurtured and developed at the respective Secondary schools we attended as youths. These schools, and by association their teachers can lay honest and deserving claim, at least in part, to the fact that they were the driving force behind the adults we have become. We feel that the young minds that are currently in Guyana deserve the same opportunities we had to develop into becoming the very best that they could possibly be. Striving for academic excellence has always been the primary objective of the Alumni Associations that own the Las Lap Lime. There is little doubt that the current and future students in Guyana have the same potential waiting to be developed. The Las Lap Lime, through its member Alumni Associations, provides some of the funds that are desperately needed to develop this potential. Secondly there has to be a method, a tried and tested process for organizing an event of the Lime’s magnitude year after year. Each Annual Lime appoints a designated Project Manager who assumes the primary responsibilities for coordinating the organization of every aspect of the event, an ask which would be virtually impossible for them to undertake on their own. Consider just a few of the organizational realities that are associated with each annual Lime. Throughout the year there are an estimated 300+ meetings, mostly for sub-committees. It takes 40 plus people to deal with logistics, 400 man-hours to run the bar, a small army for security and the gates and incredible organizational and negotiation skills to book and schedule acts from Noon to 9:00 pm. Combined tasks which no individual Project Manager could ever accomplish by themselves during the course of the year that separates one Lime from the next.
have provided their respective schools with over the years. A significant portion of the funding of these projects is provided by Las Lap Lime. The list of benefits throughout the years is too long to mention. Anyone interested in a full list of projects and financial aid to a specific school can visit that school’s Alumni
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As such the Lime’s organizers usually appoint eight extremely skilful and dedicated Portfolio Managers to accomplish most of the identified and required tasks. The eight portfolios that make up the Lime’s Annual Management Team are Security, Food, Bar, Gate, Entertainment, Budget, Treasury & Logistics. These men and women work tirelessly during almost an entire year to ensure that each annual Lime can be an outstanding success. They give willingly without taking, tackling each job with professionalism and a work ethic that is inspiring. They are the reason that each Lime runs as smoothly as it does, working behind the scenes to make that first Monday in August a most memorable day for all involved.
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It would be both nigh impossible and unfair to single out any one person as it takes an army of folks to make this great experience happen. However there is one person in the lead role as the Chair of the Last Lap Lime Board who continues to spread the great word about the lime every chance she gets. Regina Cheong’s vision for the Lime is constantly evolving as she continues to challenge the status quo ad push the Project Team to new heights. Regina is energetic, collaborative and is a true supporter and team player that is always on the lookout for new ways and means of keeping the LLL vision alive. She should be applauded for taking on this level of a challenge, as it is it not always easy to work with volunteers, who have their own
The Lime’s organizers have to design and print 7,000 admission tickets, Last Lap Lime dollars, flyers and posters as well as parking tickets. They also have to identify, approach and secure distribution outlets for ticket sales. They determine strategies for parking 2,000 cars, design and layout tent and gate placements and crowd control. Some of the numbers on food and drink are astounding. It actually takes at least 300 volunteers to host an event of this magnitude which includes 3 full days of work - Day 1 for set up, the actual day of hosting the Lime and a third day for the take down. Lime volunteers serve 750 pounds of black pudding, 3,500 bottles of water, 2,000 coconuts, and 7,000 bottles of beer. Lime vendors sell over 2,300 individual curry and roti meals, 1,500 BBQ chicken dinners and countless traditional Guyanese snacks including patties and pine tarts. The Last Lap Lime also offers a wonderful opportunity for all the kids and grand kids of Guyanese Heritage to participate as volunteers. In doing so they become fully eligible to receive 40 Hour Community Service Completion Certificates from their respective schools.
opinions on how things should work but at the same time looking to achieve gold standard results. Regina’s skills of collaboration, team building and always looking for the best results comes from deep within her DNA, They have been developed from all the years she has been playing and coaching sport at a very high level. Her ambition is to make the Lime be seen and appreciated by all Guyanese, their families and friends an event that we can all not only participate in but be proud of and call it our own. At the same time striving to ensure that more of our Guyanese Business Partners join us on this great journey and continue to support it over the long term. Regina’s intention is to make the 2020 Lime one of the best ever experienced as she and her Board start to lay the foundation this year for next year’s 25th anniversary. Their intention is to work from now to start attracting so much of the Guyanese-Canadian Community’s own young talent, re-introduce the Lime to the good old days and re-creating its evolution at its best.
The last Lap Lime’s ultimate goal is to provide a great experience for all its attendees which begins at the very point of entry. Some of the Lime’s outstanding annual features are as follows: 2 admission offerings regular and VIP; Food and Drinks featuring the very best in the quality of products along with top notch service, there are no long waiting lines and access to purchases is super easy; Pricing remains affordable; The Quality of entertainment is outstanding and the line up speaks to Guyanese culture which encourages participation; The Kids Area has been much improved, which also speaks to both Guyanese and North American culture; there has been an increased alignment with local Guyanese Businesses as well as with with the Guyana Consulate, and all other Associations located in Toronto; The Lime encourages all fellow Associations to participate and offers opportunities to serve as a source of fund raising through ticket sales; The Lime has increased its available sponsorships opportunities as a means of encouraging all local Guyanese businesses to get involved and to ensure that there is a win win for everyone. Last but not least, in order to make all of the above become possible the Last Lime now needs a minimum of 300 volunteers of all ages. The 2019 Lime, serving as it will be as the 24th of its existence and a dress rehearsal for next year’s 25th should be an event that almost every GuyaneseCanadian should want to attend and enjoy as their very own.
The Lime attracts over 4,000 guests annually. Each year, liquor permits have to be applied for and obtained, event and noise permits have to be acquired, contracts have to be negotiated, volunteers have to be assigned and scheduled, police and security have to be booked and sponsorship presentations have to be designed and presented months in advance of the event.
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Canada’s Real Estate Guru
Jay Brijpaul
the Real Estate Institute of Canada (FRI) designation in 1995. In the interim he’d established his “The Brij” team of seasoned Real Estate practitioners in 1994. Performance wise, The Brij Team now consistently ranks within the top 100 Real Estate professionals internationally! It has also long since achieved household name status throughout Canada. Jay unhesitatingly states that service for the customer has been the primary driving force behind all of the success he and his team have achieved to date. Integrity, honesty and direction have been the additional cornerstones upon which that principle has
“All the wealth you can create in your lifetime will not matter much unless some of it is utilized towards the improving the welfare of others!” Having studied Chemistry at the University of Guyana, Jay Brijpaul came to Canada in 1983. While working part-time at a factory, he entered University of Toronto in 1985, intent on acquiring his chemistry degree and pursuing a career in that field. As fate would have it however, Jay’s 1987 purchase of his very first home created an irresistible attraction to the Canadian Real Estate industry. That attraction led to the acquisition of his Real Estate license in 1988 and the embarkation on a career that has since evolved into him becoming one of the industry’s most outstandingly successful practitioners. Jay became a Broker for Remax in 1990 and within five relatively short years, had gained his Fellow of
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been practiced. The manifestation of such practices has been for every customer transaction to be handled as if it were The Brij Team’s very own. The focus is invariably always on what’s best for the Client. Never on what’s in it for them! Jay and his team have also always been guided by the belief that an educated client will make the most well grounded decisions. As a result, The Brij IQ, a Series of free Real Estate Educational Workshops, was established for interested individuals to attend, whether they be clients or not. The Workshops allow for discussions on real estate, investments and related matters and are
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Talking The Talk, And Walking The Walk! held at least six to seven times each year. Jay also hosts a free, one hour weekly podcast: Let’s Talk Real Estate, on different industry related topics. Needless to say, given his immense demonstrated knowledge and experience, he’s also constantly invited to share his thoughts, particularly those on real estate investments, on countless radio and television programmes. A real estate investor since 1989, Jay now owns an ultra impressive portfolio of both residential and commercial properties. A testimony to his knowledge and confirmation of his tendency to not only talk the talk but also walk the walk! He readily shares both his extensive theoretical and practical industry knowledge with his clients and will unhesitatingly provide them with every advice required. Jay’s fundamental advice to young persons seeking to embark upon a real estate career is that “Legacy is more important than currency!” He suggests that they should attempt to build their name and reputation, one client at a time. “Always be willing in to put in the required effort, for you will indeed reap only that which has been sown! Disciplined management of your time and available resources will be key to your ultimate success.
than actually selling properties. To others who may be at the beginning of their respective professional careers, his advice is for them to focus on service. He says that there are abundant opportunities in every field but the key is to be of valued service. Again, work hard with honesty and integrity and good will come to you.
“You can’t put water on a warm stove and expect to get steam!” These are all additional nuggets of advice, he suggests that any budding Real Estate professional would be wise to follow, while insisting that consistent long term efforts will in time produce desired results. He therefore suggests that they should stick to the tasks at hand and not allow themselves to be distracted. Energy breeds rewards he advocates. He also suggests that newcomers to the industry should focus primarily on investing in realestate, Jay says he’s made more money investing in real estate
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“It’s much better to stay as humble as the valley and allow the streams to flow to you than to be as mighty as the mountain and have everything drain from you!” He also suggests that young professionals should develop and practice, as quickly as possible, the habit of making meaningful contributions to their society. Married since 1989, to his wife Nan, Jay is now the very proud father of four children, all of whom are
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www.thebrij.com University Graduated and much like their Dad, charity minded. The apple never falls far from the tree! Jay himself spends much of his outdoor, summer, spare time gardening. He plants an impressive assortment of vegetables to serve his household’s kitchen needs. He and Nan both like to travel. As such they spend
across the Caribbean. In the process it has developed very close ties with the International Children Heart Foundation. Those ties have allowed teams of doctors to visit the Dominican Republic and Guyana, to address the heart surgery medical needs of kids in those two countries. Plans are also now in the making for heart surgery centers to be established in Jamaica and Trinidad, so as to serve the associated surgical needs of kids from all parts of the Caribbean. The Foundation has also enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Toronto’s Hospital For Sick Kids International Patients Department. That continuing relationship allows for kids with more complex surgical needs to be transferred to Sick Kids’ Toronto Hospital headquarters.
as much time as possible abroad, visiting different countries and experiencing various cultures. Now very well known within the Canadian Caribbean community for his outstanding philantrophy, Jay is the founder and President of the Caribbean Children’s Foundation. The Foundation’s activities unofficially began in the mid nineties when funds were being sent to the children’s wards in the Georgetown Hospital, Guyana, to assist in offsetting the associated costs of expensive medical procedures. That initial activity eventually evolved into the 2000 official formation of the Caribbean Children’s Foundation, the mandate for which was to help cover the expenses of afflicted children for services, particularly surgeries, that were not available in their homelands. The Charity has since grown to such an extent that it has now provided assistance for well over 200 children, Page 40
The Foundation also works very closely with the Texas based Spine Hope, which takes care of any spinal injuries. Kids with such surgeries are transported to Spine Hope’s Texas facilities to receive the required treatments. Now still the Foundation’s functioning President and its driving force, Jay says it now has a very solid support base of well over 150 professionals in and out of the Caribbean. The Foundation also enjoys the support of a large group of 500 – 600 other individuals. As an immensely successful Real Estate practitioner, one of that industry’s proven sage investors and for his outstanding philanthropic activities towards the medical needs of afflicted Caribbean children, Jay Brijpaul is truly a Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk, son of the soil of which the Guyanese-Canadian community should be justifiably proud. Intouch 2019
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Tropical Nights’ Impressively Expanding! Under the management of still relatively new owners Nigel Bijulsingh and his partner, Sudesh Ramsood, Tropical Nights has been engaged in an impressive expansion of its business operations. Towards the end of 2018, the brand added two additional locations to its flagship Morningside and Sheppard restaurant. The two additions were the acquisitions of the Kingston Road Ajax restaurant, which had previously operated as Caribbean Sunset and a Pickering (Kinston Rd and Brock) Roti House. Since the acquisitions both locations, the new Ajax based Tropical Nights Sunset (619 Kingston Rd West), as well as the Tropical Nights Roti House and Chinese in Pickering (1660 Kingston Road) have been doing very well, much to Bijulsingh’s obvious relief and delight. Now fully in charge as its part owner and hands on manager, Nigel Bijulsingh’s Tropical Nights involvement started from his having overheard a conversation its former Owner Nizam Ally and the Morningside Avenue building Landlord’s representative. The restaurant was at the time operating under its former name: Leila’s Tropical Nights. His curiosity generated, Nigel’s further discussions with Nizam eventually led to the creation of a business partnership to own and manage Tropical Nights. Initially impressed as he was with Nizam’s demonstrated cleanliness and hospitality, their partnership was formed in August-September 2013.
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To get the partnership off and running, Nigel took the initiative to contact the landlord; he also had to quickly figure out the necessary requirements to get the restaurant started. He established contact with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, the Police, Fire, Health and other City Departments and provided all the necessary documentation. He also brought in a very close friend Sudesh Ramsood as a third partner. As a Avis-Budget Airport Manager, Sudesh brought extensive management experience to the table. Nigel and Sudesh invested 100% of the funding that was required to make TN become operational as a dine in restaurant. It was understood that Nizam would be in the forefront of managing the business and its dayto-day operations, while and Sudesh remained in the background as silent investor partners. The partnership however proved to be both difficult and tumultuous, so much so that it was eventually dissolved three years later, in November 2016. Having parted ties with Nizam and taken full reins of the restaurant’s entire operations, Nigel’s very first move was to hire a new General Manager with the required industry experience. That relationship has developed well in the period since to the extent that the restaurant’s operations now function far more smoothly than they ever did before. There are now systems in place to ensure improved customer service while the quality of food served has been significantly enhanced. There have also been noticeable changes to the restaurant’s décor, both interior and exterior, with the now operational summer patio. There has also been a constant interfacing with TN’s regular core customers as a means of determining what they would most like to have offered at the restaurant. The feedback received has resulted in several live bands being engaged to provide entertainment. Bollywood
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Karaoke has also been added to TN’s offerings, making the restaurant an entertainment staple not only on weekends but during weekdays also. Changes to the cooks and staff have resulted in improvements to both the quality of food and service. The transformation of the restaurant’s upper outdoor area to an attractive licensed patio has worked wonders for TN’s fortunes. It has now quickly become arguably the Caribbean Community’s most favored hang out spot for summer entertainment. Former Scarborough MP Bas Balkissoon was instrumental in acquiring the required permits. His initial attempts at attracting a diverse, mainstream inclusive clientele having failed, Nigel now views TN’s core customer as being distinctly Caribbean. As a City boy from Georgetown, Guyana, Nigel quickly realized that the types of music and entertainment he grew up being accustomed to would not necessarily be identical to that which other “countryside” Guyanese would be
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familiar. One of Tropical Night’s outstanding successes, under his ownership-management, has been its record of attracting deejays and performing bands capable of playing a mix of music that leaves all of its customers happy and satisfied. While acknowledging that Tropical Nights has received admirable support from Toronto’s Portuguese-Guyanese community, he has absolutely no doubt that his core customers, the ones who provide sufficient support as to allow him to “pay the bills,” are now Indo-Guyanese countryside folk. They fact that its core customers also tend to be heavy drinkers has been highly positive for Tropical Nights from a business perspective. It has also however necessitated the employment of full time, seven days a week, security staffing. In Nigel’s own words Tropical Nights security staff are “big, huge, intimidating and fully uniformed!”
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Issues with over indulgent drinkers have been successfully ironed out and Tropical Nights now adheres to a strict no nonsense policy. This has at times resulted in patrons being cut off and others banned completely. A never-ending quest for continuous improvement has been the mantra that Nigel has long since adopted as part of his Topical Nights ownership-management. The improvements he has instituted have included changes to the bar furniture, interior repainting, complete washroom renovations and most recently the acquisition of new patio seating and tables. His objective is for Tropical Nights’ patio to create an island type atmosphere that will allow patrons to feel exactly as they do while on vacation in some tropical paradise. Tropical Nights’ menus have also changed. Beef has been added to the menu, so too has oxtail. Seafood lovers can now enjoy mussels, shrimp, Lobster, calamari and other crustacean delights on “Seafood Thursdays!” Tropical Nights’ menu now caters to more of a cross over audience, so too does its drink offerings with lots of new cocktails having been added. Escape to your island paradise at Tropical Nights’ patio that’s the invitation Nigel issues to the community. He doesn’t intend to stay within the business forever, but he’s essentially proud of how far Tropical Nights has come and what he and his associates have created for the community. As evidenced by its more often than not packed to capacity patronage it now routinely experiences, Tropical Nights has become a place where people can come and enjoy themselves in an attractive, comfortable atmosphere. Good Food, Great Entertainment, Friendly Patrons. A tropical island paradise indeed. The Tropical Nights’ dual mantra of Good Food and Friendly Patrons has also been extended to the two recently acquired additional locations, in Ajax and Pickering. Those who have not as yet experienced Tropical Nights offerings at its additional locations should endeavor to do so.
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Ramprasad Engineers Inc. 25+ Years Of Top Rate Professional Services! Albert Ramprasad is the owner of Ramprasad Engineers Inc. He brings to this dynamic organization over 20 years of experience in civil and municipal design, structural design, mining and utilities design, building inspection, feasibility studies, project management and construction management.
With its clients’ needs and budgets in mind, Ramprasad Engineers always tries to find the most cost efficient route in achieving top quality results. Its high efficiency allows it to lower its fees as much as possible, while providing professional service in the following core areas:
Albert’s professional engineering career started when he was assigned to the position of Mining Production Engineer at Guyana Bauxite Co. Ltd. located in Guyana, South America. After coming to Canada in 1973, he worked as a Junior Structural Engineer in the steel manufacturing plant of Star Steel Limited in Toronto. Upon moving to Alberta in 1977, Mr. Ramprasad worked as Civil Project Engineer at Masters Associated Consulting Engineers Ltd. in Edmonton and as Senior Civil Engineer in the Site Services Department at Syncrude Canada Ltd. in Fort McMurray.
Heavy Industrial Engineering: Addition to chemical manufacturing plant, explosion proof standards, structural investigation
In 1986, Mr. Ramprasad moved back to Toronto where he spent one year with Kofman Engineering Ltd. as Project Manager of several major projects in Western Canada. He then moved on to the position of Construction Manager for the renowned Giffels Enterprises Inc. for 3 years.
Residential Engineering: Flood damage, site inspection, second floor addition, preconstruction survey, leak investigation
Light Industrial Engineering: Design addition to existing building, conveyor housing, new warehouse Commercial Engineering: Structural design, interior design, architectural design, strip plaza addition Civil / Municipal Engineering: Design storm water and sewer system, underground stations for railroad, environmental reports Institutional Engineering: HVAC Systems, construction management, floor resoration, design and project management
In 1991 Mr Ramprasad started his design/build company, Ramprasad Enterprises Inc., which has now merged with E.H. Engineering Ltd. to form Durham Engineering Ltd. Albert has also contributed to the completion of major bridge projects in his native Guyana. Albert holds a B.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of West Indies. He also attended the University of Toronto and the University of Alberta for post graduate studies in Municipal Engineering and Structural Engineering. Under Albert’s leadership Ramprasad Engineers Inc. provides professional consulting engineering, project management and architectural services. Our business is dedicated to provide efficient and effective management of all phases of a project. Services run from concept to completion, including feasibility studies, user requirement studies, assembly of design teams, and construction ‘ management. Ramprasad Engineers Inc. has strong experience in industrial, civil, commercial, institutional, and residential projects. The company also handles heavy industrial projects such as steel mills, petrochemical plants, mining, utilities and transportation. Ramprasad Engineers caters to the special needs of its clients regarding services and reporting. They are flexible in their approach and can tailor to suit all clients’ interests and specific requirements. All projects, regardless of size, receive special attention. Over the past few yeas, Ramprasad Engineers Inc. has progressively refined the provision of engineering services, incorporating all the knowledge gained by decades of professional engineering experience. The Company’s Head Office has been updated to include all the tools and technology necessary to effectively complete your project.
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Laparakan: We Make The Difference
In 1983, three young enterprising Guyanese - John La Rose, Terrence Pariaug and Glen Khan, saw a need to reconnect West Indians who were living overseas, with their families and friends in their respective homelands in the Caribbean and Guyana. The Caribbean communities in the United States of America, Canada and the UK needed a reliable channel to send supplies, gifts and various other items to their families ‘back home’. Thus was born LAPARKAN which is an acronym from the last names of the three entrepreneurs.
Laparkan opened its first office in Toronto, Canada in summer of 1983. The word quickly spread throughout the Caribbean Diaspora and soon there was a demand for offices in other locations. Through hard work and a focused approach, Laparkan quickly established offices in Guyana, New York, Miami and the United Kingdom. The response from the overseas communities was very positive and supportive and within six years, Laparkan had additional offices or agencies opened in Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados. By the early 90’s Laparkan fortified and consolidated its markets and planned another push into other Caribbean
territories such as Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada, Surinam and St. Vincent to name a few. With continuous success and growth, while Laparkan developed its Caribbean presence, it simultaneously expanded its North America operations. Laparkan offices flourished within the communities that they served and became an integral part of their customer base. Today Laparkan can be found in the midst of the Caribbean communities across the USA and Canada. Laparkan’s unique blend of knowledge, expertise and flexibility is deeply rooted in its foundation and structure, offering unparalleled service and products. Laparkan is committed to ensuring total customer satisfaction by providing quality service and making the difference in the lives of its customers, employees and the communities that they serve, thereby ensuring that it can be there for tomorrow, while continuing to serve the Caribbean today. As Laparkan celebrates its 30th year of service to the Caribbean, we are well positioned to handle the challenges which the rapidly changing global trading environment continues to occasion. To this end, within our freight operations we have introduced a state of the art Freight Management System (LFMS), set up several Call Centers as well as acquired a new 160,000 square foot warehouse and office in Miami as part of our ongoing efforts to more effectively and efficiently serve our growing customer base. The employees of the Laparkan Group of Companies in North America and the Caribbean are a vibrant, multi-talented and creative group of more than 1,000 individuals who share a common philosophy...” We Make the Difference!”; This inner call to excellence and service drives Laparkan forward and pushes beyond expectations as the company continues to connect families, yesterday, today and tomorrow.
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Shiv Misir; Exceeding Expectations For Over 30 Years! As a Toronto based Real Estate Broker and Agent, Shiv Misir has been exceeding his acquired clients wildest expectations for over 30 years! Having obtained his license in 1988 Shiv is now in his thirty first year as a Real Estate professional. His now three decades plus involvement in Toronto’s Real Estate industry has been characterized by his outstanding service to his clients, underlined by an invariable willingness to engage in activities, which have allowed him to constantly give back to his community on an ongoing basis.
to fully access commercial and industrial properties, farms, cottages and development lands. Shiv is also a designated commercial agent with countless transactions to his name. In addition to his successful Real Estate practice, Shiv Misir has also become well known and highly admired for his outstanding record of community service. Through Re/Max he has indulged in repeated donations to the Children’s Miracle Network. He has also sponsored and supported many sports teams, charities, church groups, golf tournaments and countless other community activities. Shiv is also involved in volunteering and community work for which he has received numerous recognitions for his unwavering and selfless dedication. Shiv’s extended guarantee to all new Clients is his confident assurance that he will exceed their expectations!
Shiv takes pride in his tendencies to always go the extra mile to ensure that his clients are completely satisfied throughout the process. His trademark slogan, “Service Beyond The Contract” certainly attests to this. The fact that most of Shiv’s business has come from past clients and referrals serves as an undeniable testimonial to their satisfaction. As part of his Real Estate practice during the past thirty plus years, Shiv has worked in all areas in and around the Province of Ontario and especially within Toronto and the GTA. One of Shiv’s specialties has been the new pre construction condos in the downtown Toronto core and its surrounding areas. Through his developed connections, Shiv now receives Platinum VIP discounts for his clients which can more often than not result in significant savings of $thousand$. Within the past few years, Shiv has also received many awards for outstanding sales from the Onni Group and Lanterra Developments on many of their new condo projects. Shiv Misir’s Remax All-Star Realty Brokerage operates from within 10 GTA based locations. This allows him
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Guyanese-Canadian Bussines DIrectory Listings
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Guyanese-Canadian Bussines DIrectory Listings
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Guyanese-Canadian Community Organizations
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