“Mainstream Canadian media loves the noise. It thrives on scandal. It runs loops of federal drama, crime statistics, and headline inflation rates, but rarely goes deeper...”
Using her crown to change the world Gurnoor Dhaliwal
“At 13, I knew I had a platform, so I used it to lead!” The Story of Gurnoor, the girl who chose purpose over popularity
When Gurnoor steps onto a runway, it’s about something much deeper; purpose. At just 13 years old, this international model and reigning Miss Jr. Teen Nation Universe carries far more than a crown.
Born into a culture where modeling wasn’t expected, or always accepted, Gurnoor became the first in her family to walk runways that stretched from Toronto to international stages. What started as a passion for pageants quickly became something greater: a path to: visibility, voice, and advocacy. “People didn’t expect me to do this,” she says, “But I kept going.”
Most 13-year-olds think about school, friends, or what’s trending online. Gurnoor? She’s thinking about women’s rights, human freedom, and global change. That’s the energy behind Fuminity, the movement she founded, an initiative born from: frustration, curiosity, and a deep desire to stand up for what is right.
“I started Fuminity after my first project,” she explains. “I was seeing a lot of inequality around me, and I knew we couldn’t stay silent.” Through handmade bookmark fundraisers, youth-led speeches, and digital campaigns with powerhouse organizations like LEAF and The House of Ottawa, Fuminity became a youthled force for freedom and justice.
It wasn’t easy. Balancing advocacy, modeling, and school life came with stress, and burnout. “I got burnt out early in my career,” she admits. “Now I prioritize my friendships and family. I enjoy my work more because I have balance.”
Somewhere between her bookings, speeches, and events, Gurnoor realized something powerful: leadership doesn’t require age, just
courage. She believes they are the ones who will shift the world.
“We have social media. We’ve seen what happened before, and now we get to use these platforms to do something about it,” she says with confidence. “That’s where our power is.”
That confidence didn’t come overnight; it was earned through experience. “Pageants and modeling helped me find my voice. I’m not afraid to take ownership. It’s about the impact.”
For Gurnoor, leadership also means lifting others. That’s why she launched Runway With Gurnoor, a mentorship program for newcomers in fashion and pageants. It’s her way of giving young talent a soft landing, something she didn’t always have herself.
The world sees the glam: the gowns, the billboards, the crowns, but there’s another side to Gurnoor’s story, one marked by: loneliness, judgment, and hard lessons.
“One of the hardest parts was school,” she shares. “People I thought were my friends started judging me. I learned quickly, not everyone’s your friend, but I kept going, whether they stood beside me or not.”
The pain didn’t stop at school. Some judgment came from within her own community. “I was the first in my family to model, and culturally, it wasn’t expected. Some of my family didn’t understand or support me at first. That was really hurtful, but I realized, the real ones celebrate you.” When people dismiss her because of her age?
“I just keep going,” she says plainly. “The people who doubt you. They are not the ones behind closed doors, watching the work it takes.
You are the one celebrating your achievements.”
Every leader has an anchor. For Gurnoor, that anchor is her mother. “She’s been through so
much,” Gurnoor says. “She always wanted to model and be in fashion, but never got the chance. When I started, she was the one who told me: success is hard. I know I can turn to her for anything.”
It’s a bond built not just on love, but legacy. A mother passing strength to her daughter, and a daughter carrying dreams her mother once held.
At 13, Gurnoor already knows that fame isn’t the goal. For her, success is measured by something deeper. “It’s not about followers,” she says. “It’s about collaboration. It’s about using your platform to make a difference.”
She knows some of her peers might not feel confident enough to lead, but she hopes her journey shows them what’s possible. “I want other young people to see this and know: your dreams are real.”
What would she say to a 10-year-old who wants to change the world? “I would tell them: don’t let anyone stop you. Your dreams aren’t unrealistic. Keep going. Stick to your vision, and don’t let anyone ruin your success.”
Just like that, Gurnoor reveals what makes her story timeless. It’s not the titles or trophies, it’s her unwavering belief that even the youngest voices deserve to be heard, respected, and empowered.
Fifty years from now, people may not remember every crown she wore, but they will remember the girl who wore it differently. Who built a movement. Who turned the runway into a road for others to walk on. Who led not just with style, but with soul. Her name was Gurnoor.
Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News
Photo Credit: OTB Fotografia Photograpy
Is that drink good for you? How industry-funded forum skews alcohol research reviews in its favour
A new study from the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR) reveals just how deeply industry ties can shape public understanding of science. The University of Victoria, located on the coast of British Columbia, is a globally engaged research institution with over 22,000 students. Known for its climate leadership, reconciliation efforts, and collaborative innovation, UVic leads North America in internationally coauthored research.
The research, published in the journal Addiction, analyzed 268 published critiques by the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research (ISFAR) and found a stark imbalance: studies that claimed alcohol had health benefits were 10 times more likely to receive a positive review from ISFAR than those pointing to harm. Let that sink in; ten times.
ISFAR describes itself as an international group of physicians and
scientists committed to balanced, evidence-based discussion. The UVic team, led by renowned substance use researcher Dr. Tim Stockwell, found something else entirely. The forum’s consistent support for alcohol-positive research, combined with its members’ known industry affiliations, raises serious concerns about credibility.
“ISFAR has long-standing ties to the alcohol industry, yet it continues to be quoted as an authority on alcohol and health,” says Dr. Stockwell, professor emeritus of psychology at UVic. “We had noticed a trend, critiques that were favourable to studies promoting alcohol’s benefits, and dismissive of those showing harms. This study set out to test that pattern, impartially and comprehensively.”
Test it they did. Using both human coders and computer-based text analysis, the research team evaluated all ISFAR critiques published online since 2010. Their findings were sobering: the tone of ISFAR reviews had little to do with scientific merit and everything to do with whether the study supported the alcohol industry’s preferred narrative.
The kicker? An independent expert (uninvolved in the project) assessed the scientific quality of each original study. ISFAR’s reviews showed no correlation to that expert’s assess-
ment.
Instead, the forum appeared to cherry-pick findings that aligned with an industry-friendly stance, often downplaying, or dismissing research that revealed the harms of alcohol consumption.
“This confirms what many of us suspected: ISFAR functions more like an echo chamber than a scientific review body,” says Dr. Stockwell. “Their critiques are shaped by preference for conclusions rather than the quality of the evidence. It’s disturbingly familiar; this is the same strategy we saw from Big Tobacco in the past.”
The study’s implications are far-reaching. For everyday people trying to make informed health decisions, it’s a warning: beware the source. Especially when the source is being funded (directly or indirectly) by industries that profit from public consumption.
It’s not just an academic issue. In a media environment where scientific soundbites shape policy and public perception, platforms like ISFAR can influence everything from drinking guidelines to healthcare funding. Misleading reviews lend legitimacy to the myth that moderate drinking improves heart health, for example, a claim increasingly challenged by newer, higher-quality research.
Dr. Stockwell emphasizes
the need for transparency and critical thinking. “We need to ask who’s behind the information we are being fed,” he says. “What is their interest? Who stands to benefit?”
The findings also speak to a broader pattern across harmful industries. Whether it’s fossil fuels downplaying the climate crisis, or ultra-processed food companies funding nutrition research, the tactic is the same: cast doubt, elevate uncertainty, and sow confusion, all while maintaining the appearance of scientific legitimacy.
For UVic, this research builds on its reputation as a leader in substance use and public health policy. The university’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research has long advocated for: stronger alcohol labeling, public education, and regulatory transparency. This latest study strengthens the case for more scrutiny around industry-funded science, especially when lives are on the line.
As for ISFAR? The group continues to operate, publish, and promote its work to media outlets worldwide.
If we’ve learned anything from Big Tobacco, it’s this: when industry money talks, public health often pays the price.
Caring Through the Heat: A Reminder to Look Out for Each Other
Hello
friends,
As summer settles in and the temperatures continue to rise, I wanted to take a moment to remind us all of something simple but deeply important—looking out for one another. This message is especially for those who may not have the comforts we sometimes take for granted, like air conditioning or easy access to cool shelter. It’s for our elders, our neighbours living alone, and those who might be struggling quietly behind closed doors.
Heat like this isn’t just uncomfortable—it can be dangerous. And while some of us can crank up the AC, take a dip in the lake, or escape into a cool car, many others can’t. There are still homes in our community where air conditioning isn’t an option. There are seniors who won’t complain, even as the heat takes its toll. And there are young families doing their best to stretch every dollar, choosing between groceries and utilities.
This is a time to check in. That knock on the door, that quick phone call, that “I’m heading to town, do you need anything?”—these small gestures can mean everything. Our strength as a community has never been measured by what we have, but by how we show up for each other.
When the storm hit just a few weeks ago, we all saw that strength in action. People clearing roads, offering power, food, or even just a place to charge a phone. It reminded us that resilience doesn’t come from systems— it comes from people. It comes from kindness.
That same spirit is what we need now. Because extreme weather doesn’t just affect infrastructure—it affects people. Hot nights make it hard to sleep. Medication can react differently in high heat. And some folks, especial-
ly the elderly, may not realize they’re getting dehydrated until it’s already a problem.
So here’s a gentle ask: if you know someone who lives alone, check in. If you have an extra fan in the garage, offer it. If your power bill allows you to run your AC a little longer, invite someone over for a cool visit. If you’re going to the grocery store, ask a neighbour if they need anything so they don’t have to make the trek in the heat. These aren’t grand gestures—but they’re the kind that make a difference.
And for those who might be reading this and struggling—please don’t be afraid to reach out. Whether it’s to a friend, a neighbour, or even to us here at the paper—we’re part of your community too. There is always someone who cares. You are not a burden. You are not alone.
Let’s also think about our furry friends. Pets can suffer in this heat too. Keep bowls of fresh water out. Don’t leave them in cars, not even for a moment. And if you’re out walking, remember that hot pavement can burn paws quickly.
We can’t control the heat, but we can control how we respond to it. And what better time than now to remind ourselves of what it means to be part of a village.
We’ve seen what community can do when we come together—during storms, during loss, and during celebration. Now, let’s show what we can do in the quiet, everyday moments too. The ones without headlines. The ones that no one sees but the person whose day you just made a little bit easier.
So from our family to yours, thank you for being the kind of people who look out for each other. Thank you for making our community more than just a place—it’s a home. Stay cool, stay safe, and stay connected.
If you’ve ever read the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper for health advice, you’ve been touched by this 101-year-old legend
SIMONE SMITH
simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
I received the email and my heart sank… If you’ve been reading the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper over the past few years, then you know the name Dr. W. GiffordJones, MD. Or maybe you didn’t know his real name was Dr. Ken Walker, a fiery, Harvard-trained gynecologist and medical columnist who somehow kept a sharp pen and an even sharper mind well into his 100s.
He first joined our publication during the pandemic, when clarity and common sense were in short supply. He brought both. His columns, often tailored specifically for Afro and Indo-Caribbean readers, were generous with insight and never afraid to ruffle feathers.
He cared. Deeply. Not just about health, but about people. Our people.
The last note from his family
The message came from his family, written with humour, tenderness, and unmistakable Walker spirit, “It is my father, and not me, who would like to be writing this note to you. He has always had a lot to say to his editors over the years!”
His daughter gently informed us of his passing. Dr. Walker died peacefully on the evening of July 1st, as fireworks lit up Toronto Harbour. He was 101. A centenarian, a weekly columnist, and the oldest contributor to our paper.
He would have already written his final article, “The Toughest Column to Write,” (in this week’s edition) in anticipation of this moment. Only someone with his kind of foresight and wit could stare death in the face and decide it deserved a final word. That’s just who he was.
What you may not know is that Dr. Walker’s medical career spanned continents and decades, from ship surgeon to gynecologist, to pain control pioneer. At 93, he rappelled down 30 stories of City Hall to raise money for Make-a-Wish Kids. In his prime, he fought to legalize heroin to relieve the agony of terminal cancer patients.
He was fearless. He also wrote ten books, launched a professorship in pain and palliative care, and, true story, his most recent hobby was trap shooting. You couldn’t make him up if you tried.
The part of his legacy I’ll miss the most?
How he spoke directly to our readers. He didn’t talk down. He didn’t generalize. He wrote for us, the communities often ignored or misinformed by mainstream health media. His advice was grounded in science, yes, but also in compassion. It wasn’t unusual for him to rewrite a column just to include culturally relevant advice or translate complex health terms into something our readers could use today. He was that committed.
Our conversations, his challenge to me
We talked, usually about writing, always about truth. He challenged me to say what I really wanted to say. To use my platform, not water it down. “Don’t let anyone stifle your voice,” he’d tell me. “There’s power in the pen. Use it.”
His voice gave me courage, especially when I had to speak out on uncomfortable issues. He didn’t care if he was controversial. He only cared that people were receiving accurate information, especially when it came to their health.
As his daughter shared, the “Gifford-Jones” health column won’t stop. She will continue it in his honour, every Tuesday, just as he did for 50 years. Yes. Fifty years. Half a century of weekly wisdom.
It’s rare to find a columnist who stays relevant for five decades. It’s even rarer to find one who understands how to speak to the soul of a community. Dr. Walker did both.
His family’s final words made me smile. They asked us to raise a glass in his memory. Picture him, they said, with a rum and coke in hand, laughing with old friends, and hoping we find a way to solve the world’s problems. I can see it. Can’t you?
To Dr. W. Gifford-Jones (Ken Walker) you changed our lives. You changed my life, and we’ll continue the work, just like you told us to. Raise your glass, and your voice. Let’s keep going.
“We’re Done Whispering!” Black women break the silence on menopause
paul@carib101.com TC
The Black Health and Social Services Hub (BHSS) has been making waves since its official launch on July 31st, 2024. A collaboration between: Roots Community Services, CMHA Peel Dufferin, and LAMP Community Health Centre, the hub is building a permanent home at 19 Rutherford Road in Brampton, with a groundbreaking ceremony that was held in March 2025.
The hub’s mission is clear: provide Afrocentric, culturally affirming primary health care, social services, and mental health support to Black, African, and Caribbean (ACB) communities in Peel. You can learn more at www.bhsshubpeel. ca.
On June 25th, BHSS hosted a
community conversation titled “Menopause and Intimacy” at the Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness. The event tackled a topic often hidden in whispers: how menopause impacts women’s: relationships, self-image, and sexual health.
The conversation was moderated by Karen Peppy Samuels, a medical health advocate and self-love facilitator known for keeping it real.
The panel featured three dynamic speakers:
• Dr. Trudy MacFarlane – Family physician, psychotherapist, and Black Health Lead at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Medicine.
• Pamela Dolphy – Artist and founder of Design Meets Desire, a greeting card and wall art company uplifting Black women through creativity.
• Abbie Absane-Ibrahim – Social entrepreneur and founder of JamaFaceBeauty, a brand that celebrates beauty, diversity, and self-expression.
The panel held nothing back. Dr. MacFar-
lane dismantled myths with medical evidence, particularly those affecting Black women. Her tone was calm, but compelling, offering a refreshing blend of science, empathy, and hope.
Pamela Dolphy shared her personal evolution; she didn’t recognize menopause symptoms at first, but looking back, she saw how subtle changes in her lifestyle were shaped by it. Her openness and vulnerability offered permission for others to reflect deeply.
Abbie spoke boldly, both on the panel and on her Instagram, “We’re done whispering. Your body changes. Your relationship shifts, and no one teaches us this part.”
Growing up, she said, no one talked about menopause. The silence around it felt like a generational wound. In a postevent reflection, Abbie wrote, “The event was nothing short of powerful, honest, and necessary.” She praised BHSS and the William Osler Health System for creating a brave, open space where women could feel seen.
The 7 Strategies for the Midlife Shift
This was the second session in the Menopause and Intimacy series. In March 2025, the first session introduced a planning and reflection worksheet designed by Dr. MacFarlane. Her “7S” framework includes:
• Superfoods and supplements – Fuel your body with nutrient-rich choices.
• Strength Training and Stretching –Move in ways that energize and protect.
• Self-Care and Stress Management –Prioritize rest, peace, and mental clarity.
• Support Systems and Sharing – Break the silence; build your village.
• Sex and Sensuality – Reconnect with pleasure in your evolving body.
• Sleep – Create habits that support deep, nourishing rest.
• Spirituality – Ground yourself in purpose, reflection, and meaning.
Dr. MacFarlane closed the session with this reminder, “There’s no timeline on joy, vitality, or purpose, only new beginnings waiting to be embraced. This is a time of becoming. Honour it. Live it well.”
“Just found out ChatGPT scores higher on emotional intelligence than I do. 100% going to go cry about it.”
That was the joke someone made after reading a Swiss study that found AI models like: ChatGPT-4, Gemini 1.5 Flash, and Claude 3.5 Haiku scored 81% on five emotional intelligence (EI) tests, while humans averaged just 56%. Yes, you read that right.
In structured settings, these Large Language Models (LLMs) are outEQing us, but before you hand your therapist job to a bot, or start questioning your humanity, let’s pause. Emotional intelligence (the real kind) is about navigating: messy, unpredictable, real-life human stuff, and that’s where things get complicated.
Let’s start with how the study worked. Researchers gave LLMs a series of validated EI tests, basically, structured quizzes that ask questions like: “What emotion is this person likely feeling?” or “Which reaction shows the best
Mississauga’s newest private early education centre, Core Education & Fine Arts (CEFA), officially opened its doors on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025, at 6860 Century Avenue. The ribbon-cutting ceremony drew notable guests, including Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and MPP for Mississauga-Streetsville, and Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business.
Founded in 1998 by Natacha V. Beim, CEFA now operates in more
emotional regulation?”
The AI got it “right” most of the time. It even generated new test questions that were rated just as effective as the originals. Statistically speaking, that’s impressive. The machines are learning the rules, but here’s the catch: emotions don’t follow rules.
Human emotional intelligence is about adapting in real-time, reading between the lines, staying present when someone’s falling apart, or making meaning when no clear option exists. It’s about holding space, and that’s something AI hasn’t mastered, not even close.
This is where we need to get real about what AI can actually do.
LLMs are exceptional at identifying patterns in large, clean data sets. They’re trained on millions of examples, meaning they can spot trends, mimic tone, and even offer what sounds like empathy. They can recognize vocal stress in truck drivers or generate supportive replies in mental health bots.
When the lighting changes (literally, or metaphorically) AI gets shaky. A shift in tone, a culturally specific reference, or a conversation that veers into emotional nuance? That’s when you see its limitations, because pattern recognition isn’t presence. Insight isn’t instinct, and emotional cues vary wildly across cultures, genders, and lived experience.
than 40 locations across Canada, from British Columbia to Ontario. The new Mississauga campus promises to offer more than childcare; it delivers a powerful foundation for: academic, emotional, and creative development during a child’s most formative years. “This opening marks more than just a new school,” the organization shared in a press release. “It’s a major advancement for early childhood education in the region.”
CEFA’s curriculum blends core academic subjects like literacy, math, and science with fine arts such as: music, visual art, yoga, and dramatic play. This unique mix supports healthy brain development while encouraging creativity, emotional intelligence, and a passion for learning.
Arno Krug, President of CEFA Early Learning, spoke to guests during
Which raises an important question: Who decides what “correct” emotional intelligence looks like? Introducing… cultural fluency.
AI models are trained primarily on data from dominant groups, often White, Western, English-speaking populations. That means the emotional “norms” they recognize, and replicate reflect a narrow band of human experience. If your cultural response to grief, anger, or joy looks different from what’s in the training data, the AI might miss or mislabel it entirely.
Now imagine those same systems being used in schools, courtrooms, or social services to make decisions about: emotional fitness, mental health, or credibility. It can very quickly become an equity issue.
So, while it’s cool that ChatGPT can ace an EI test, we need to ask: Whose emotions is it trained to recognize? Whose patterns does it prioritize? Who gets erased when data defines humanity?
Can I have this moment to be honest, though.
The fact that AI outperformed humans on these tests says as much about us as it does about the machines. Emotional intelligence isn’t taught in schools. It’s not prioritized at work. In many communities, especially where survival is the baseline, emotional awareness gets pushed aside. You learn
the event. “We believe early education should do more than prepare children for school,” he said. “It should ignite their potential and lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning and discovery. With CEFA Mississauga, we’ve created a thoughtfully designed space where infants, toddlers, and preschoolers can learn, explore, and thrive.”
What makes CEFA different? At CEFA Mississauga, your child isn’t just learning, they’re building the skills they need to succeed in life. Key features of the junior kindergarten curriculum include:
• A balance of reading, mathematics, and STEM alongside the fine arts
• Enrichment activities like drama, dance, music, and yoga
• Experiences that support holistic growth—academic, social, emo -
to: numb, to perform, to keep moving.
So, maybe what’s really being revealed here isn’t that AI is superhuman, but that we have underinvested in our own emotional development.
We’ve treated emotional intelligence like soft skills, when it’s actually the foundation for: leadership, parenting, healing, and justice, and if we’re not careful, we’ll outsource it to tools that can’t feel, while our own capacity to connect gets rusty.
AI has real potential to support emotional wellbeing, especially in places where access to human care is limited. Tools that detect stress in real time or provide culturally responsive prompts can save lives. That’s powerful.
We can’t confuse recognition with understanding. Or algorithms with empathy. We need to stay grounded in what makes us human: mess, contradiction, grace.
So, here’s your challenge: Instead of worrying whether AI is more emotionally intelligent than you, ask yourself if you are practicing emotional intelligence with the people around you.
Are you showing up? Listening? Regulating? Naming what hurts? That’s the real test, and I promise; there’s no multiple choice.
tional, and physical
CEFA programs are designed for children from infancy to age six, with each stage offering developmentally appropriate learning experiences grounded in research and guided by nurturing educators.
Ready to enroll? Parents must complete an application process before admission. Once accepted, your child will meet with classroom teachers, administrators, and the school principal during an intake interview.
To learn more about tuition, visit cefa.ca. Full-time fees range from $1,221 to $3,013 per month, while parttime fees range from $800 to $2,160, depending on your child’s age, schedule, and location.
Explore the full range of programs and curriculum at www.cefa.ca.
How Silence Around Foreign Influence, Corporate Greed, and Surveillance Harms Afro/Indo Caribbean Canadians, and
What we can do about It
SIMONE SMITH
simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Mainstream Canadian media loves the noise. It thrives on scandal. It runs loops of federal drama, crime statistics, and headline inflation rates, but rarely goes deeper. Especially when it comes to the systems quietly suffocating the same communities it claims to cover.
If you’re Afro/Indo Caribbean, or part of any racialized diaspora in Canada, you have likely felt it: the gut sense that something’s off. That there is a deeper story we’re not being told. You’re right. There is.
Today I am going to share with you five urgent, but underreported realities that disproportionately impact our communities, and why the silence surrounding them is not just neglect, but a kind of violence.
Foreign surveillance is real—and it’s racialized
You don’t need to be a diplomat, or hacker to be on someone’s radar. Chinese state actors have been actively targeting diaspora communities in Canada, including Caribbean journalists, student activists, and even small nonprofits, using online harassment, surveillance, and data theft as tools of intimidation.
Canada’s own cybersecurity assessments confirm it: people advocating for global human rights movements like: Falun Gong, Tibetan autonomy, or Hong Kong democracy are being tracked. Not just watched but hacked. Traced. Intimidated, and while the headlines rarely name this as a diaspora issue, it absolutely is. Our
communities are vulnerable, because we are vocal.
Russia’s not far behind. Statesponsored actors have targeted: Canadian government systems, military infrastructure, and private tech firms. Most of this unfolds in quiet cybersecurity reports, or redacted briefings, not in community-accessible media.
Monopolies are crushing economic mobility
I want to talk about money, and power. A small handful of corporations are eating up Canada’s economic pie while community businesses fight for crumbs. Grocery giants lock out Caribbean suppliers with exclusivity clauses and “slotting fees.” Landlords hoard property through shell companies. Tech monopolies dominate municipal contracts.
This is modern colonization in business form, and the impact on Afro and Indo Caribbean entrepreneurs is devastating: fewer contracts, blocked access to retail markets, no leverage with suppliers.
Meanwhile, provincial governments have tools to intervene: anti-monopoly laws, contract audits, transparency mandates, but they rarely use them. Why? Because public pressure is soft, fragmented, and too often uninformed. We have got to change that.
Government security changes are quietly stripping rights
You probably didn’t hear about the revised Policy on Government Security that took effect in January 2025. That’s not by accident.
These kinds of policies often expand the state’s power to: collect, share, or classify information about citizens, and they often hit racialized people hardest. National security is still one of the most convenient cloaks for racial surveillance. Yet, changes like these receive zero realtime public consultation, and little journalistic follow-up.
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra has drawn sharp attention after announcing that four major school boards will be placed under provincial supervision. The boards: Toronto District, Toronto Catholic, Dufferin-Peel Catholic, and OttawaCarleton are now under review for what the Minister calls “Chronic financial mismanagement.”
At a press conference on June 27th, 2025, Calandra said the decision followed financial investigations that uncovered “Growing deficits, depleted reserves, and ongoing mismanagement.”
According to him, these boards have had “Multiple opportunities to address their
If you’re wondering why your nonprofit couldn’t access a grant, why your travel got flagged, or why your data feels less secure, these invisible shifts in security policy may be the reason.
Billions in public money, zero public oversight
Government procurement accounts for 15% of Canada’s GDP. That means one in every seven dollars flowing through the economy is being spent by the state, but who’s getting those contracts? Spoiler: Not us.
Whether it’s tech firms digitizing public services, or construction giants winning infrastructure bids, procurement is an opaque game rigged for the well-connected. There’s minimal public oversight, no guaranteed community benefits clauses, and almost no reporting on whether Afro/ Indo Caribbean-owned firms are even considered.
Public money should come with public accountability, and yet, no major media outlet is asking who gets to profit from taxpayer dollars.
Racialized surveillance is still alive and unaccounted for
The tech may have changed, but the targeting hasn’t.
Racialized communities (especially Afro/Indo Caribbean Canadians) are still disproportionately: flagged, policed, and watched under the guise of “national security.” From algorithmic policing to passive data tracking, our communities are oversurveilled, and under-protected.
This is documented, but unless the headlines read “CSIS targets Caribbean churches,” we won’t see it. That silence protects power and erodes our trust in the institutions meant to serve us.
This is personal. If you are running a small business, your competitors may be subsidized monopolies. If you’re a student activist, your online safety could be at risk. If you’re applying for a government job, or
Ontario’s Education Minister places four major school boards under supervision
structural issues,” but failed. “We are appointing supervisors with a clear mandate to get these boards on track,” he declared.
When asked by CP24 on June 30th, 2025, why the announcement came on the last day of school, Calandra emphasized that “All boards are expected to run balanced budgets.” He added, “Some deficits are allowed with approval, but what we’re seeing are multi-year shortfalls with no credible plan to return to balance.”
He made a stark distinction between the current four boards and the previously scrutinized Thames Valley board, stating: “Thames Valley involved malfeasance and poor decisions. For the four under supervision, it’s about the decisions they’re not making. That’s why we stepped in; to get them back on the right path.”
On Instagram, Calandra doubled down, “All school boards across the province should be put on notice, when decision-making doesn’t prioritize students, or teachers, I will redirect that funding
grant, new security policies might determine access without your knowledge. If you’re raising kids in this country, you must demand better.
If you’re Caribbean-Canadian? Your history, your voice, and your visibility in Canada has always been shaped by systems willing to ignore your pain until it becomes impossible to hide. Let’s not wait for that moment.
So, what needs to change?
• Demand transparency in procurement and security policy. We need public hearings, independent oversight bodies, and data; who’s winning, who’s losing, and why.
• Support anti-monopoly protections. Push your MPP to fight corporate dominance. Encourage Caribbean business coalitions to challenge exclusionary contracts.
• Expose foreign interference for what it is: suppression of diaspora power. Hold federal bodies accountable for protecting vulnerable communities, not just high-level institutions.
• Build alliances with: Indigenous, South Asian, East Asian, and African communities also affected by surveillance and economic exclusion.
Our voices are louder together. We can’t wait for legacy media to catch up. We are the storytellers, the truth-tellers, and the system challengers.
“The PRC cyber program almost certainly continues to support the PRC’s espionage activities against Canada’s private sector, academia, supply chains, and government-affiliated research and development (R&D). PRC cyber threat actors have very likely stolen commercially sensitive data from Canadian firms and institutions.” — Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, 2025
If we don’t name the game, we stay in it, but if we call it out, we can reclaim the future.
back into classrooms.”
Education experts and local stakeholders suggest the province’s actions are politically charged and deflect from deeper issues.
Dr. Sanchin Maharaj, assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Ottawa, told CTV News on June 30th, 2025, that the move “Is about more than budgets, it’s about consolidating provincial control, particularly in urban school districts like Toronto.”
The Toronto & York Region Labour Council also released a statement criticizing the decision as “An authoritarian takeover.” The release argues that these moves mask “Dramatic underfunding of public education” and target boards that resist further cuts.
The Council cited $6.3 billion in reduced funding since 2018 (adjusted for inflation), pointing to the ripple effects:
• Larger class sizes
• Reduced support for special education
• Cuts to outdoor education
• Insufficient resources to meet student needs
Helen Victoros, a local education advocate, voiced concern, “The cuts since 2018 have eroded both working and learning conditions. Why should our students go without basics like music and special education support? Why should classrooms feel like saunas in the heat?”
She argued that the boards have done what they must to protect students in the face of chronic underfunding, “And now they’re being punished for it.”
Even independent assessments call the government’s narrative into question. A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers on the Toronto District School Board found no reckless spending, or governance failures. The Ontario Auditor General’s December 2024 report highlighted a deeper, systemic flaw, “Financial challenges stem from a provincial funding formula that fails to cover the fixed costs of running the Board.”
The hidden crisis wreaking havoc on our bodies and planet
MICHAEL THOMAS
michael@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Could plastic be what’s pushing oncologists to question why more young women with no family history are developing breast cancer?
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment reports that anesthetists in neonatal units are losing sleep over plastics. They worry about the long-term effects on babies’ reproductive health.
Family doctors are sounding alarms too. They are concerned about communities living near plastic plants where cancer and chronic illnesses seem more than coincidental.
If that weren’t enough, we now face constant exposure to: microplastics, chemical additives, and endocrine disruptors. These harmful particles are found in our: placentas, breast milk, and
blood. Plastics have infiltrated every part of human biology.
This isn’t just about waste, or pollution. According to the report, plastic exposure is a full-blown health threat, one that’s quietly damaging: development, fertility, and long-term wellness. It gets worse. Pregnant women exposed to a common clothing dye face a higher risk of gestational diabetes— specifically when carrying male fetuses. That’s the finding of a recent U.S. study.
Gestational diabetes already affects about 8% of pregnant women each year. It raises the risk of babies being born too large and struggling with blood sugar issues, obesity, or diabetes later in life.
Published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, the study is the first to link o-anisidine (an aromatic amine used in dyes) to gestational diabetes.
“The clothes people wear shouldn’t come with this hidden risk to their health,” said Emily Lasher, the study’s lead author and science associate at UC San Francisco’s Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment. First plastic. Then toxic dyes. Now, let’s talk about Forever Chemicals
and the toxic trail they leave behind.
A national report by the Waterkeeper Alliance uncovered sky-high levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in South Carolina’s Pocotaligo River, the most contaminated waterway in the country.
Communities who eat fish from this river, and others downstream, are at risk. Researchers traced the pollution back to an aging wastewater treatment plant in Sumter, which serves nearly a dozen industries. These include metal coating factories, plastic manufacturers, chemical producers, textile mills, and even military bases.
Shaw Air Force Base was named among the culprits, having released PFAS that polluted groundwater near local trailer parks.
Let’s return to plastics, because even marine life isn’t spared. According to ecologist Chelsea Rochman, “Every single piece of plastic we have ever produced is still around today in some form.”
Ocean fish show traces of plastic in one in four samples, but fish caught in Lake Ontario. Every single one contains plastic.
Since 1950, humans have pro -
duced more than nine billion metric tons of plastic, the equivalent of 27,000 Empire State Buildings, or over a billion elephants. Think about that.
What about your drinking water? Guess which U.S. city has the worst tap water? If you said Chicago, you’re right.
Chakena D. Perry, Senior Policy Advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council, remembers what it was like growing up there. “It was just one of these unspoken truths within households like mine (low-income, Black households) that there was some sort of distrust with the water,” she said.
Chicago has more lead service lines than any other U.S. city. Perry now works with a coalition fighting to enforce stricter rules and accelerate the removal of these toxic pipes, but the city is still 30 years behind its replacement timeline. What’s the lesson in all this? We (especially those of us in Canada) must be vigilant about what we wear, eat, and drink.
We are being targeted, whether through corporate neglect, government inaction, or environmental racism, and the clock is ticking.
Why Canada’s most promising motorsport talent is being driven by heart, hustle,
SIMONE SMITH
simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
You think you know speed? Try gripping a passenger seat at 200 km/h while a teenager whips around a professionalgrade motorsport track with ice-cold precision. That’s exactly what happened on June 18th, at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, when Road to Racing (R2R) invited a handful of media insiders to experience the grassroots motorsport movement, hot laps and all.
It’s about giving Canada’s rising motorsport talent a fighting chance in a sport where opportunity is often measured in sponsorships, not skill. “Motorsport is wildly expensive,” says Ryan,
and a hell of a lot of horsepower
a part of the R2R’s family. “We’re talking $50,000 to half a million per season depending on the series. Most families can’t afford that, but these kids? They’re world-class.”
That’s where Road to Racing comes in. A charitable association built to support young Canadian drivers, R2R is carving out a lane for working - and middle-class kids with elite-level potential and making sure their journeys don’t end at the financial pit stop.
On media day, our Community Outreach Journalist Tyrone Steer, met Jonathan Petron, a young driver with a quiet confidence and thoughtful answers. Petron, who discovered racing through karting and a fascination with the movie Cars, is one of over 20 young drivers backed by R2R. When asked what drew him to the track, his answer came with a smile and a shrug, “Driving is just... fun. At that speed, with that level of control, I can’t really describe it. It’s just something you feel.”
He’s not exaggerating. After just
a few laps in the passenger seat, Tyrone said he was drenched in adrenaline, awestruck by the stamina it takes just to stay upright through the turns. “It’s mentally draining,” Petron adds. “After a race weekend, you have to power off completely. Body sore. Mind tired.”
Yet? He wouldn’t trade it for anything. His long-term goal? Racing, or physics. “Maybe space. Something to do with the unknown,” he says.
Ryan is a business student who found his way into the motorsport world through bold networking and pure passion. “I reached out to one of the founders on LinkedIn,” he shares. “Told him I was a fresh grad, hungry to get involved. That conversation changed everything.”
Now, Ryan helps manage business development and sponsorship for R2R, acting as a bridge between donors and drivers. “Every dollar that comes in goes toward helping these kids compete, and this isn’t just today’s talent; we’ve got kids across Canada racing internationally.”
“Motorsport,” he explains, is a tightly knit industry. “Hard to break into, but once you’re in? People show up for you.”
R2R is building a community, and that sense of connection came through in every conversation at Motorsport. Whether it was with Mac Clark and Brady Clapham (two other young stars on the track) or Dionne Bishop, an event partner behind the scenes, one thing was clear: this is a mission. “We’re giving kids with real talent the shot they deserve,” says Bishop. “And we’re building a fanbase that looks more like Canada.” For families who never thought motorsport was even an option, R2R is a lifeline. For the media, it’s a fresh story in a saturated sports world, and for young drivers like Jonathan Petron? It’s the difference between dreaming and doing. If you blinked, you missed it, but if you were there, you will never forget it. Road to Racing is proof that when speed meets strategy, and heart meets horsepower, the future roars.
“A
Launchpad for Dreams!” Malton’s new Sports Complex inspires community pride
PAUL JUNOR
paul@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
On June 9th, 2025, the Peel District School Board (PDSB) and the City of Mississauga unveiled a state-of-the-art outdoor sports complex at Lincoln M. Alexander Secondary School. This new facility marks a bold step toward creating inclusive, accessible, and future-focused community spaces in Malton. The launch (supported by provincial infrastructure funding) celebrates a growing partnership between education and city planning that prioritizes both student success
We need to have a real conversation. Not the kind that gets you likes, or brand deals. The kind that sits in your chest and stays with you, because too many of us (especially those pushing for progress) are confusing representation with liberation. We are mistaking proximity to power for actual systemic change, and while it’s tempting to celebrate our success in elite spaces, we have to ask: Who really benefits?
Let’s get clear on seven truths that matter more than the next diversity campaign.
Representation is not liberation First thing; visibility does not equal freedom. Just because you might see Rhianna’s face, Salman Khan’s face, or Oprah’s face on your
Hope City Brampton continues to transform lives through deep community engagement, spiritual growth, and purposeful action. The church officially dedicated its new building on September 15th, 2024, with Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown in attendance, commending the organization for its meaningful impact. This expansion marked a milestone; the merging of Bramalea Christian Fellowship (BCF) and Brampton Christian Family Church (BCFC). Now under the leadership of Pastors Randy and Jill Neilson and Pastor Susan Kiteley, the united congregation stands stronger than ever.
and community wellness.
The facility boasts:
• A four-lane, all-weather synthetic track for year-round use
• Multipurpose courts for basketball and ball hockey
During school hours, students at Lincoln M. Alexander use the complex for curricular and extracurricular activities. After hours and on weekends, the space is available for public booking through the city’s permit system. This flexibility transforms the facility into a true community asset, open to athletes of all ages and skill levels.
Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, Kinga Surma, praised the collaboration, “Our government is proud to support local infrastructure projects that make a real difference. This facility is part of our ambitious plan to invest more than $200 billion over the next decade to build strong, vibrant communi-
Instagram feed, or a billboard, it doesn’t mean things are changing for the communities. In fact, representation without redistribution can act like a sedative; soothing us with symbols while systems stay intact.
We need more than presence. We need power, and policy, to shift.
Elite solidarity is real (and it ain’t for us)
Class solidarity is about mutual support among working people. Elite solidarity? That’s a whole different game.
When elites (regardless of race) come together, it’s usually to protect status, capital, and comfort. That includes elite Afro/ Indo Caribbeans. Their success stories can look like racial progress, but often align more closely with preserving the status quo than dismantling it.
The Rap Industrial Complex is co-optation in action
Hip-hop started as a raw voice of protest from the working class, but now? It’s a billiondollar industry where only a handful eat, and even fewer reinvest.
The culture that birthed social critique is now a luxury product. The Rap Industrial Complex sells rebellion while silencing revolutionary intent. Some artists make it
ties.”
MPP Deepak Anand of MississaugaMalton emphasized the impact for youth in the area, “This incredible sports complex shows the power of collaboration and community spirit. It gives the youth of underserved Malton a Launchpad to chase their dreams, in sports and beyond.”
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish echoed the sentiment, “Malton is thriving, and this project proves that great things happen when we work together. It’s rewarding to see continued investment in our young residents.”
PDSB leaders shared similar reflections. David Green, Chair of the Board, said, “This complex does more than promote health, it brings people together. Thanks to provincial support, we’ve built a space that fosters connection and inspires active lifestyles.”
Susan Benjamin, PDSB Trustee for Mississauga Ward 5, added, “This is a facility
out, but the communities that raised them rarely see the returns.
Co-optation dilutes resistance
When movements, or messages get absorbed by dominant systems: corporate, political, or cultural, they lose their edge. That’s co-optation.
Think of how “Black Lives Matter” went from street chant to T-shirt slogan. Or how decolonization turned into a buzzword at brand retreats. We have to stay vigilant about who’s using our language, and for what purpose.
Race alone can’t build solidarity
Not all skinfolk are kinfolk, and not all kinfolk are class allies. Caribbean communities, in particular, reflect a range of class backgrounds, even within shared racial identity.
When we assume race equals unity, we overlook the economic fractures that divide us. Sometimes, we need to look beyond identity and build on shared material interests, like housing, healthcare, and labour rights.
Ask: Who’s cashing in on “progress”?
When you see an Afro/Indo Caribbean CEO, ask, “Does their presence shift anything for
our community needs. It stands as a symbol of our commitment to creating spaces where people of all ages can gather, stay active, and support their well-being.”
Rashmi Swarup, Director of Education, underscored the message of inclusion, “Sport is a global language. This complex tells students that sport is for everyone. It gives them new ways to connect, compete, and grow.”
Ward 5 Councillor Natalie Hart tied it all together, “This isn’t just about a new facility, it’s about giving our youth a space where they can stay active and build connections. We’re creating opportunities that will shape Malton for years to come.”
By working together, the PDSB and the City of Mississauga have done more than build a sports complex. They have built a place of hope, health, and possibility, where students and residents alike can run toward something greater.
the rest of us?”
Does it lead to: better conditions, fairer pay, safer schools, or policies that protect our most vulnerable? Or is it just a reshuffling of who sits at the top, while the bottom stays pressed down?
Progress that benefits one while millions are left behind is not the kind of success we can afford to idolize.
Class solidarity is the path to liberation
Real change means we stop clinging to symbolic wins and start organizing for structural ones. That means building bridges across race and culture, on the basis of class.
When: workers, artists, educators, caregivers, and community builders stand together, not as individuals chasing the bag, but as people demanding justice, we tap into a power that no elite circle can buy. Liberation is collective, or it’s not liberation at all.
Let’s stop mistaking inclusion for transformation.
Let’s stop confusing elite access with community progress.
Finally, let’s remember: the presence of wealthy Afro/Indo Caribbean elites should not be mistaken for collective uplift. We deserve more than symbols. We deserve systems that work for all of us.
On June 22nd, 2025, Hope City Brampton celebrated its Annual Graduation Sunday by awarding four $1,000 scholarships to outstanding high school graduates. These scholarships, named in honour of the church’s founders (Peter and Vera Morgan and Harvey and Margaret Kiteley) support students pursuing higher education.
Beyond scholarships, the church runs a 90-unit affordable housing initiative, Hope City Residences, reinforcing its commitment to holistic community care.
BCF began in 1980, launched by Peter and Vera Morgan at John Knox Christian School. After purchasing land, they broke ground in 1983, completing the church building in 1984. In 2005, Pastor Randy and Pastor Jill Neilson stepped into leadership, continuing the Morgans’ legacy.
BCFC originated as a Bible study group in 1981, led by Harvey and Margaret Kiteley. It soon evolved into a formal congregation. Pastor Susan Kiteley assumed senior leadership in 1989 and led faithfully until 2023. The churches officially joined under the Hope City banner, merging decades of faith,
family, and service.
Hope City’s mission is simple yet powerful, “To experience God, equip believers, and serve those around us.”
The church lives this mission daily through worship, outreach, and personal development. Here’s how:
• Worship experiences and spiritual practices help people connect deeply with God.
• Practical resources and mentoring support personal faith journeys.
• Small groups and workshops foster intentional relationships and growth.
• Local outreach and service initiatives respond to real community needs.
• Members use their unique gifts to express love through action and compassion.
The Hope City Brampton Scholarship Program, now in its 12th year, is a powerful testament to the church’s belief in youth potential. The 2025 recipients include:
• Kaela Persaud – Awarded the Vera L. Morgan Scholarship. A Brampton Christian School graduate, Kaela plans to study Mathematics at the University of Waterloo and become a Chartered Professional Accountant.
• Kallai Thomas – Also awarded the Vera L. Morgan Scholarship. A graduate of Woodbridge College, Kallai will pursue Experimental Animation at OCAD University.
• Jaden Townsend – Awarded the Harvey and Margaret Kiteley Scholarship. Another Woodbridge College graduate, Jaden aims to study Urban Planning at the University of Waterloo.
Pastor Randy shared, “We pray for great success for all of the recent graduates as they pursue their next season of study.”
Explore more: Watch services on the Hope City Brampton YouTube Channel or visit www.hopecitychurchbrampton.com.
From Jamaica’s Sound Stage Revolution to Toronto’s Cultural Explosion This Week
simone@carib101.com
Our community is making waves from Kingston to the Harbourfront! Jamaica’s entertainment industry transforms as ‘The Complex’ introduces the island’s first professional sound stage, revolutionizing Caribbean film production. Meanwhile, Toronto’s cultural landscape bursts with opportunity; from the Art Gallery of Ontario’s stunning new Thomas J Price bronze acquisition to Harbourfront’s endless summer programming.
Whether you’re catching flicks and dancing on the square, vibing to live music Thursdays and Sundays, shopping the farmers market, or exploring the Underground Night Market, there’s something for everyone. Unity Fest celebrates our diversity while the Museum of Toronto showcases our stories. Most importantly, the Community Safety Forum launches across the GTA, empowering Black and racialized neurodiverse youth with resources and support they deserve.
What Is a sound stage? Jamaica doesn’t have one but ‘The Complex’ plans to change that Despite being featured in global blockbusters like “James Bond: No Time to Die,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” and many more, Jamaica still does not have a single large-scale sound stage a crucial piece of creative infrastructure used around the world to power professional film, television, and media production.
A sound stage is a purposebuilt, indoor filming environment designed for full creative control of lighting, sound, weather, and set design all in one space. It allows creators to build entire worlds, regardless of time, or location. While major studios in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and London operate dozens of them, In Jamaica, filmmakers and creatives have to continue to rely on small outdoor setups, homes and pieced-together locations limiting the quality, scale, and consistency of productions being developed in Jamaica.
Now, one Jamaican creative is working to change that. “The Complex” is a first-of-its-kind, multi-acre creative and cultural compound currently in development by: producer, content creator, and creative director Kimberly Rhoden, known professionally as The Bougie Brat and founder of independent label Amiere Records.
The project will introduce Jamaica’s first modern sound stage and backlot, while also housing: state of the art recording studios, content creation spaces, coworking zones, wellness areas, restaurants, entertainment areas and private event facilities all designed
to support creatives, entrepreneurs, and storytellers across the Caribbean and diaspora.
Jamaica has long served as the backdrop for global storytelling, but rarely as the homebase. Films like “Shottas,” “The Harder They Come,” and “Dancehall Queen” proved that Jamaican creatives have the talent and vision to lead their own narratives, but consistent access to infrastructure has been a major barrier.
The Complex is expected to generate hundreds, if not thousands, of meaningful jobs not just in tourism or performance, but across:
• Construction, development, and operations
• Film, TV, and commercial production
• Music engineering, production, and A&R
• Content creation, podcasting, and editing
• Wellness, hospitality, and culinary services
• Event planning, logistics, and entertainment
• Marketing, digital strategy, creative business and many more
Supporters can back initiatives by purchasing limited-edition digital artifacts that fund the development process. The Complex is the first Jamaica based project to be curated and for two consecutive Artizen seasons. The project is currently featured in Season 5 and already selected for Season 6.
Backers can receive exclusive rewards ranging from a digital photo collectible pack to executive producer credits, permanent name placement on the site’s Legacy Wall, and even cofounder recognition for top-tier supporters.
“This is about ownership, opportunity, and building something future generations can grow with,” Rhoden says. “Creatives in Jamaica shouldn’t have to leave their country just to chase big dreams. We deserve access to world class opportunities right here at home. The Complex is about making that possible not someday, but now.”
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) announces the acquisition and planned installation of a striking bronze figure by acclaimed artist Thomas J Price
When unveiled on July 30th, Moments Contained (2023) will stand in front of the main entrance of the AGO, facing north and overlooking the intersection of Dundas St. West and McCaul St. The acquisition and presentation of Moments Contained was made possible by the generous contributions of a group of donors, the majority of whom are from Toronto’s Black and Caribbean communities. Lead support for the acquisition was from an anonymous donor, with significant support from David W. Binet and The Haynes-Connell Foundation.
young Black woman, dressed in casual wear. Feet planted on the sidewalk, her demeanour is serene, and she appears outwardly confident, but the hands she hides in her pockets are visibly clenched, suggesting a tension between her inner thoughts and outward expression.
• Etobicoke: Details TBA SIMONE SMITH
Standing 2.7 meters tall and made of lustrous black bronze, the sculpture depicts a contemplative
On Wednesday, July 30th, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the AGO invites the public to join the artist and Toronto musician Shakura S’Aida and a Gospel Chorale led by Kiara Picart in unveiling the sculpture. For more details about this free event, visit ago.ca/events/unveiling-moments-contained.
Thomas J Price joins Julie Crooks, AGO Curator, Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora in conversation in Baillie Court, on Wednesday, July 30th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/thomas-j-price-conversation-julie-crooks.
Hot time in the city
Summer is in full swing at Harbourfront Centre, and July is packed with vibrant dance and music performances, diverse festivals and delicious food. Our fan favourites are back, Free Flicks, Dancing on the Square and Summer Music in the Garden, and this season, they’re better than ever. Don’t forget our day and night markets every Saturday, bringing you the best in local flavours and global vibes.
Catch a flick, dance on the square or chill in the garden
Free films Tuesday nights until August 26th
Featuring eight Academy Award-winning films, starting with Guillermo del Toro’s superb The Shape of Water on July 8th with the film’s critically acclaimed producer, J. Miles Dale, in the house. The Whale and Avatar: The Way of Water round out the month. Admission is free with registration.
Live music Thursdays and Sundays until August 28th
Join us under the willow tree for Summer Music in the Garden. This month, build your summer soundtrack with Indian classical music, Middle Eastern “cyberpunk,” flamenco and modern jazz, all performed by world-class artists in an intimate venue by the waterfront. Admission is free.
Harbourfront Farmers Market
A celebration of local agriculture and homegrown produce, connect directly with farmers and makers showcasing the best in season along with tasty baked goods and delicacies ranging from kettle corn to kimchi. FREE ENTRY
Underground Night Market
Our popular night market is going strong! Bringing bold flavours and delicious drink concepts to hot summer nights, all at $10 and under. With Indie vendors and live DJ sets, come try something new. FREE ENTRY
Unity Fest
Saturday July 19th, 12:00pm
Canada’s national hip-hop festival is back with epic dance battles and performances, a local vendor marketplace, networking events and vibes for all ages. FREE
Museum of Toronto at Harbourfront Home game: Toronto loves basketball until Sunday October 12th
It’s time to experience the heart of the game! This exhibition spotlights our city’s deep love for basketball. From its invention in Canada to the high school gyms of district champs and legends like Vince Carter and Jamaal Magloire, basketball in Toronto is as varied as its communities. FREE
Empowering Black and Racialized Neurodiverse Youth: Community Safety Forum Launches Across GTA
Did you know that Black students in Southern Ontario are twice as likely to be suspended as their white peers, according to a recent study?
To support youth directly impacted by these inequities, Youth Alliance for Intersectional Justice (YAIJ) is launching the Community Safety Forum, a six-part series of FREE events across the GTA from July to September. Designed for Black and racialized neurodiverse high school students, this series equips youth with tools to navigate public safety, build self-advocacy, and connect with peers and community resources.
Each event will:
• Centre peer-to-peer storytelling and lived experiences within the education and legal systems
• Offer practical knowledge on youth rights, public safety, and advocacy
• Connect participants with inclusive, socially conscious resources
• Explore topics like mental health, online safety, and policing in schools
• Include food, refreshments, and short entertainment breaks to create a relaxed, welcoming space
Participants will leave the Community Safety Forum with meaningful connections, shared stories, and practical tools to navigate their communities with confidence. YAIJ is committed to creating safe, empowering spaces where youth can learn, grow, and support one another.
Event Information:
• Scarborough: Saturday, July 19th from 11 AM to 3 PM - Malvern Family Resource Centre
• Pickering: Saturday, August 2nd from 11 AM to 3 PM - Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, O’Brien Room B
• Brampton: Friday, August 8th from 11 AM to 3 PM - Grace Place
• Toronto: Saturday, August 14th from 11 AM to 3 PM - The 519
• Hamilton: Friday, September 12th from 4 PM to 8 PM - Hamilton Convention Centre, Webster AB Room
Seven
things you should know about weather modification before you call it a
conspiracy
simone@carib101.com TC REPORTER
I want to clear the air; literally. If you have ever looked up at the sky and wondered whether that cloud was natural, or manufactured, you are not alone. From TikTok to town halls, people are asking uncomfortable questions about who’s controlling the weather, if they are actually controlling the weather, and why. The knee-jerk response is often dismissal: “That’s just a conspiracy theory,” but what if the truth is more layered?
Weather modification isn’t science fiction. It has been studied, documented, and used by governments for decades. It’s about: pattern recognition, historical memory, and asking better questions. We owe it to ourselves (and our communities) to understand what’s actually going on. So, here are seven things you should know about weather modification before you call it a conspiracy.
out that dropping silver iodide, or dry ice into clouds could make it rain, or snow. It’s called cloud seeding, and it’s the most common form of weather control still used today. Farmers and drought-stricken governments have used it to increase precipitation. Some cities use it to suppress hail. The technique is legit, just limited. It’s not magic, but it is real.
Science confirms it, but draws a line Cloud seeding is supported by meteorological research, though its effectiveness depends on location, conditions, and timing. What science does not support is the claim that we can steer hurricanes or create weather disasters on demand. The real debate isn’t if weather modification exists; it’s how far it goes and who’s in control.
The EPA is talking about it, because the public won’t stop asking
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stepped into the chat, mostly to address the flood of public concern. They now distinguish between geoengineering (like reflecting sunlight to cool the Earth) and weather modification (like cloud seeding). The EPA says there’s no evidence that cloud seeding, or contrails are causing natural disasters, but they are not ignoring the conversation; they are increasing transparency, tracking private experiments (like sulfur dioxide releases), and considering new regulations.
Translation: Something’s up, and agencies know it.
There is a health risk, even if the tech
“works”
Geoengineering and weather modification carry serious risks. The EPA and other scientific bodies warn of:
• Ozone depletion - More UV exposure, more cancer.
• Acid rain and marine damage - Sulfur dioxide = chemical fallout.
• Altered rainfall patterns - Could destroy crops and food security.
• Biodiversity loss - The ripple effect is real, and it touches human health too.
Controlling nature sounds innovative, until nature pushes back.
Weather warfare was a thing, and might still be
This isn’t a sci-fi script. In the Vietnam War, the U.S. ran Operation Popeye, seeding clouds over the Ho Chi Minh Trail to prolong monsoon rains and disrupt enemy movement. It worked. Rainfall increased. Roads turned to mud. Supply lines crumbled. That operation ended in 1972, but similar experiments like Project STORMFURY to modify hurricanes continued into the Cold War era.
Today, ENMOD, a U.N. treaty, bans large-scale weather warfare, but small, local military applications (like fog control) aren’t off the table. So yes, weather was once weaponized, and parts of it still are.
The secrecy fuels conspiracies, but some secrets are real
The issue is what’s been hidden. Many past military and geoengineering programs re -
main classified, leaving room for speculation, and in a world where trust in governments is low, and misinformation is high, secrecy is gasoline on the conspiracy fire.
Let’s not throw out science with suspicion. Both can exist. That is why it’s about asking better questions.
So, what does this have to do with climate change, and agenda 2030? Here’s the part people really want to understand.
Global conversations about climate change have opened the door to “solutions” like solar radiation management, carbon capture, and artificial cooling of the planet. These fall under geoengineering, massive interventions that could, in theory, help meet the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 goals for sustainability and climate resilience. Here is the red flag: while Agenda 2030 promotes equity and ecological balance, it also assumes: global coordination, technological intervention, and trust in powerful institutions to execute plans the public may not fully understand, or consent to.
This is where skepticism blooms, because if weather modification has a secretive military past, questionable environmental impacts, and corporate interest, who really benefits from its future use?
Weather modification is real. Geoengineering is being researched. The environmental risks are documented. The military has already tested the waters. The question isn’t if the science is real. The question is: who’s controlling the clouds, and why aren’t we talking about it more openly?
This is how democracy dies: History’s warning to a sleepwalking society
steven@carib101.com
Here’s another truth: history is circular. Events repeat, though the actors and costumes change. World War I became the breeding ground for World War II. Without it, Hitler may never have risen. Dictators come and go, wars flare and fade, but conflict leaves claw marks on the collective psyche. Trauma doesn’t expire. It lingers in families, nations, and institutions.
Why are Russians always on the defensive: spiritually, politically, and socially? Their history answers that. Centuries of invasion and bloodshed taught them to trust no one. Their worldview is shaped by siege after siege. That fear feeds into present-day policies. Why did Putin invade Ukraine? Why did many Russians support it? History trained them to see outsiders (including Ukrainians) as threats. Pride, loss, and fear created a mindset: guard what’s yours. Even if you have to steal it back.
America’s history spins on a similar axis. The Civil War unleashed generations of hate, violence, and inequality that still choke the system today. Presidents like Lincoln and Jefferson Davis didn’t just fight a war. They
tore a nation apart.
Freedom? That word has been rebranded so many times it’s lost meaning. After slavery ended, Jim Crow stepped in. The illusion of racial democracy was never tested until just before World War II. What Black folks endured in America? It wasn’t new. The European feudal system oppressed masses through strict: class, race, and religious hierarchies. Same story, different continent.
Fast-forward to today. The U.S. is regressing. People are deported, detained, and disappeared, often by agents of a government their taxes helped fund. Brown-skinned families. Catholic immigrants. Haitian and African refugees. The State calls them threats. Then sends ICE, police, and soldiers to remove them.
Why? Why has the Trump era ripped at the roots of America’s soul?
Whatever happened to: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”?
Not long ago, another regime made similar promises, then broke them. Hitler and Stalin shook hands. Then Hitler launched a
genocide in the name of empire, purity, and “efficiency.” Jews, Roma, disabled people, socialists, and dissenters were exterminated. Lives were erased to save costs, tariffs, and pride.
Sound familiar? We are in a dangerous cycle. War, genocide, and oppression thrive in authoritarian states. The biggest casualty? Democracy.
Here’s the truth: once a democracy falls to tyranny, the odds of its return are slim.
Eminem once asked, “If you had one shot, one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted… would you capture it or let it slip?”
So, what’s democracy worth to you? Your community? Your family? Will you stand for the silenced? Will you raise your fist, march, or resist the man in uniform?
If there’s a takeaway here, it’s this: we (especially Canadians) need to pay attention to what we: wear, consume, and surround ourselves with. We are being watched. We are being targeted.
The Toughest Column to Write; “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.”
A few days ago, I departed this planet with great reluctance during this, my 102nd trip around the sun, but I offer these final words to readers. I have never missed a week in over 50 years of writing this column. Possibly this persistence will help me squeeze through the Pearly Gates! Some will say, “Not bloody likely.”
As I look back on my journalism career, it reminds me of the introduction to the book, A Tale of Two Cities. It was the best of
times; it was the worst of times.
There were times when my life was threatened because I took on controversial issues, particularly the right of women to safe abortion. Opponents found fault with my work to legalize heroin for the treatment of terminal cancer pain. One well-known health organization labelled me “A headlineseeking medical journalist.” Other critics lied about the pain-killing advantages of heroin. When finally legalized, some hospitals set up foolish roadblocks to heroin’s use as pain therapy.
Do I have regrets? Yes, the anxiety my work caused my family. I could have avoided trouble, but I would have been an awful hypocrite, and I can’t stand hypocrisy. Besides, my DNA has never allowed me to be a fence-sitter. So, apart from some difficult bumps along the way, being a surgeon and medical journalist has been a wonderful dual ride, and “the best of times”.
Final advice for readers? Remember,
“If you keep going to hell you will eventually get there.” Living with a faulty lifestyle, fools attempt at the end of life what smart people do at the start.
So, don’t fall victim to “pillitis” and take a pill for every ache and pain. Take prescription drugs for the shortest possible time, as they almost always add risks of terrible side effects. Above all, keep in mind what I stressed for years, that many natural remedies in health food stores are: safe, less expensive, and should be tried first before prescription drugs, surgery, or other medical treatments.
I want to mention the vital role that Susan, my wife, played. As my editor, she frequently kept me out of trouble with the words, “You can’t say that!” She was right 99% of the time. I’ll miss her presence, guidance, and love more than I can say. If there is a Pearly Gate, I will be waiting at it for her and my family.
I’m fortunate that my daughter, Di-
Who was here first, and why haven’t
SIMONE SMITH
simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
On July 31st, 2025, the Buffalo History Museum will host a public history seminar designed to shake up everything you thought you knew about the so-called “discovery” of America.
Titled SANKOFA: Africans in America, Before Columbus, the event is the third installation in the 2025 African Enlightenment Seminar Series by the Ancient African Antiquities Research Institute of America (AAARIA). AAARIA is the brainchild of African historian, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author Emmanuel Kulu Jr., a rising voice in the reclamation of Black world history. The three-hour event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. EST and features Kulu as keynote, supported by host Shantelle Patton of That Brown Bag and AAARIA researcher Chey Winston.
The program’s purpose is simple: to retell American history through an African lens, grounded in evidence, legacy, and ancestral memory. The implications are seismic. It asks audiences to wrestle with a bold idea: What if Africans were in the Americas long before 1492?
“Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus) didn’t discover America. He was the last, not the first, to step foot here,” says Kulu. “The New World was only new to Europeans. We were already there.”
This unapologetic assertion, rooted in the work of scholars like Ivan Van Sertima and Cheikh Anta Diop, isn’t new in Pan-African academic circles, but it remains taboo in mainstream education. That’s what Kulu and AAARIA are working to change.
Founded in 2022, AAARIA is a research and curriculum institute that centers Ancient Africa’s untold contributions to world civilization, long before the transatlantic slave trade. Through seminars, resources, and grassroots partnerships, Kulu’s organization aims to reframe global Black history beyond the trauma of enslavement and into the brilliance of civilization-building.
Kulu’s upcoming seminar in Buffalo will spotlight archaeological and anthropo -
Ellengale Public School is getting a fresh start, and so is the community it serves. On June 12th, 2025, the Peel District School Board (PDSB) officially broke ground on a new, state-of-the-art facility that will replace the former Ellengale building in Mississauga. The project is a response to years of overcrowding and reflects a long-term vision: a modern, inclusive, and community-driven learning space.
With demolition now complete, construction is underway. The new school
is designed by CS&P Architects and will be built by Struct-CON Construction Ltd. Thanks to funding from the Government of Ontario, the project is scheduled for completion by January 2027. When finished, the school will welcome more than 880 students from kindergarten to grade eight, but it’s not just the student population that’s expanding, the services are, too.
What the new Ellengale will offer:
• An on-site childcare centre with highquality programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
• A strong focus on early childhood development
• Accessible childcare designed to ease the transition into school life
• An integrated school experience that supports working families
This project also marks a powerful step toward truth and reconciliation. At the ground-
ana, will carry on this column. She was too smart to become a doctor, and that’s why readers will learn a lot from her perspective on health and wellbeing, and about how the world actually works. How I’ll miss my almost daily chats with her.
On a philosophical note, I was convinced long ago that, “The problems of society are caused by so-called intelligent people who are largely fools.” I haven’t changed my mind. Shakespeare was right when he wrote “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” Unfortunately, humans have never learned the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Do I have any last wishes? Yes, I’ve always said, “Freedom of the press only belongs to those who own the newspaper.” So, whatever type of media exists behind those Pearly Gates, I want total ownership. I hope a loving God shares my opinion.
My best wishes to all readers and editors for good health and longevity.
we been taught that?
logical evidence that challenges the Eurocentric idea that civilization, science, and exploration were born in Europe. Chey Winston will add to the conversation by exploring African agricultural practices and trade networks in the Americas before Columbus’ arrival, facts often buried or dismissed in mainstream textbooks.
The seminar is aptly named SANKOFA, a Ghanaian Akan word meaning “go back and fetch it.” For Kulu, that act of returning to ancestral truth is spiritual and political. “We cannot build a liberated future without reclaiming a truthful past,” he says.
Attendees can expect a compelling blend of historical research, cultural analysis, and unapologetic storytelling. It’s a call to unlearn the lies and teach the truth.
Kulu is not your typical historian. The Buffalo-based educator is also a novelist, speaker, and founder of a K–12 African Studies curriculum initiative. His TEDx talk, Untold: The Golden Age of Africa, has been praised for its depth and passion, and his novel I, Black Pharaoh: Rise to Power restores authentic Black imagery to Ancient Egypt, or Kemet.
His mission? To challenge the racial bias baked into Western education systems. “Black history is world history,” Kulu insists.
“If humanity started in Africa, then every culture on this planet should be learning about it, not just Black students.”
Mainstream media is beginning to take notice. Kulu has been featured in Forbes twice: once for his work on DEI in historical education, and again in a 2024 article titled 4 Key Black History Facts That Everyone Should Know, which includes his TEDx talk and vision of African kings and queens as central to global legacy.
In a time when school boards across the U.S. are politicizing curriculum and banning books that center race and truth, AAARIA’s work is both radical and necessary. The SANKOFA seminar challenges mythologies. It reminds us that erasure is never neutral, and it calls Black people across the diaspora, especially in Western New York and Southern Ontario, to reclaim what was always ours: memory, knowledge, and pride.
“If we don’t tell our stories, they’ll keep telling them for us, and wrong,” says Kulu.
Registration for SANKOFA: Africans in America, Before Columbus is open now via Eventbrite. Space is limited. For more information, visit www.aaariaedu.com
breaking, Elder Carolyn King (Founder of the Moccasin Identifier and former Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation) led a traditional blessing of the land.
“This act of ReconciliaACTION recognizes the deep Indigenous roots of the land,” the PDSB stated, “And reinforces our commitment to honouring Indigenous voices and cultures in learning environments.”
David Green, Chair of the PDSB, emphasized the impact of the project, “It’s exciting to see this new school become a reality. Addressing overcrowding and adding services like on-site childcare is a game changer for local families. A big thank you to the Government of Ontario for making this possible.”
Jill Promoli, Trustee for Mississauga Wards 6 & 11, echoed this sentiment, “We’re thrilled to break ground on a new school for the Ellendale community. Government investments like these are crucial to supporting our growing and evolving neighborhoods.”
PDSB Director of Education Rashmi Swarup added, “By investing in this new school, we’re building a future where every child has access to the education they deserve. With on-site childcare, we’re making life easier for families. It’s about setting up the community for long-term success.”
Elder King also highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration, “Ellengale Public School, through its relationship with the Moccasin Identifier, continues to set the example for other schools and boards across the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas on right relations and the importance of education to truth and reconciliation.”
The new Ellengale Public School isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It represents a broader commitment to education, equity, and community care. From early learners to Elders, this school is being built with everyone in mind.
A view into Toronto’s culinary heartbeat with Chef Jerome Robinson
“Jerome Robinson’s journey is more than just a culinary success story; it’s a narrative of passion, perseverance, and profound community impact.”
Toronto’s brilliant culinary landscape boasts many talented chefs, but few have captured the city’s heart quite like Jerome Robinson, affectionately known as “The Heartbreak Chef.” Through his innovative takes on comfort food and unwavering commitment to uplifting his community, Robinson has carved out a unique and celebrated space in Toronto’s gastronomic scene. His journey from catering events to helming a beloved brick-andmortar restaurant is a testament to his skill, passion, and profound impact.
Since 2017, Jerome Robinson honed his craft in various Toronto kitchens like Baking Nation and Mum’s The Word running a successful catering company, also building a loyal following through his appearances at major food festivals like: TasteToronto’s Brunch Fest, and the CNE. His signature style – decadent, indulgent, and deeply comforting dishes – quickly earned him a reputation as a chef who understood the true meaning of satisfying a craving. Fans eagerly awaited a permanent home for his creations, and in March 2020, The Heartbreak Chef opened its doors in Parkdale, just a week before a city-wide shutdown.
Despite the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic, Robinson’s resilience and the overwhelming support from his community propelled The Heartbreak Chef to cult status. Through tireless dedication to takeout and delivery, he managed to not only survive but thrive. The demand for his “Big Ass Chicken Sandwich” and other tantalizing offerings grew exponentially, solidifying his place as a Toronto food icon. The initial Parkdale location, though beloved, soon proved too small for his
expanding operations, leading to a move to a larger space on Dundas West in October 2020. This move allowed for increased capacity and the continuation of his popular comfort food menu, which includes creamy mac and cheese, crispy Brussels sprouts, and perfectly seasoned wedges.
The Heartbreak Chef’s menu is a carefully curated selection of comfort food classics, elevated with Robinson’s distinct flair and Caribbean heritage. Using memories of his family’s Jamaican cuisine, he uses his popularity as a platform to illuminate the delights of West Indian food. Seeing that Caribbean food is nearing a global pinnacle of influence, his dishes are not only enticing but bridges the gap between the many diverse cultures within our city.
“Sometimes explaining my menu is a good icebreaker with new customers and a way to bond despite our often very different backgrounds,” Chef Robinson elaborates.
His Big Ass Chicken Sandwich, featuring two pieces of his famous fried chicken tossed in a Carolina butter sauce, topped with spicy ranch, sweet pickles, and creamy slaw, is a fan favourite. The “Dutty Chicken” offers a spicier kick, with fried chicken tossed in an extra-hot jerk sauce and topped with grilled pineapple and creamy slaw. These dishes, along with his fiveblend mac and cheese and creative tater tot variations, showcase his commitment to flavour and generosity in portions. His partnership with Collective Arts Brewing and other local bars to offer his addictive eats has further expanded his reach, allowing more Torontonians to experience his culinary magic.
Beyond the delicious food, Chef Robinson’s influence extends deeply into the Black community in Toronto. As the owner and operator of a prominent Black-owned restaurant,
he serves as an inspiring figure and a vital advocate. He actively participates in initiatives like the upcoming Black Restaurant Week, a campaign dedicated to shining a light on Black-owned culinary businesses and helping them expand their reach and increase their bottom line. In a CBC News interview, Robinson expressed the importance of such platforms, stating they highlight “great Black chefs in the city” and showcase Toronto’s eclectic food scene. He believes the evolving structure of the food industry, aided by social media, is enabling more Black chefs to carve out their own spaces, and he embodies this progress.
Robinson’s commitment to his roots and heritage is also evident in his culinary philosophy. He draws inspiration from his upbringing, infusing his comfort food with a unique and personal flare. This authenticity resonates with customers and further strengthens his connection to the community. His participation in events like the “Noir Experience,” a dinner series showcasing the cuisine of the Black diaspora, further demonstrates his dedication to celebrating and promoting Black culinary talent and culture. Another contribution was a recent chicken wing eating contest where donations for entry reached over 400lbs of non-perishable food for the Parkdale Food Bank. Another such event involving jerk chicken hot dogs will be taking place soon with higher goals to be achieved.
Chef Jerome Robinson’s online presence, particularly on Instagram (@theheartbreakchef), has played a crucial role in building his brand and connecting with his audience. His social media platforms are a vibrant extension of his restaurant, showcasing mouth-watering dishes, hilarious content engaging with customers, and announcing new specials or events.
This digital engagement has fostered a strong sense of community around The Heartbreak Chef, drawing customers from across North America eager to try his renowned comfort foods. In recent developments, The Heartbreak Chef has relocated to Kensington Market, taking over a space at 170 Baldwin Avenue. This move signifies a full circle for Robinson, as Kensington Market was a crucial neighborhood in his earlier catering days. The new location in the highly Caribbean quarter of Kensington Market maintains the informal, inviting atmosphere with unique decor, including framed artwork and a mural by local artist Paul Glyn-Williams (Sumartist), regularly inviting local DJs playing hip hop, reggae and soca music and even an NBA Jam arcade machine, creating a nostalgic and welcoming environment for diners.
Jerome Robinson’s journey is more than just a culinary success story; it’s a narrative of passion, perseverance, and profound community impact. He has not only delighted Toronto with his “heartbreakingly good” food, but has also become a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating the power of culinary artistry to connect, uplift, and celebrate culture. As The Heartbreak Chef continues to evolve, Chef Jerome Robinson has cemented himself as a vital and cherished figure in Toronto’s diverse and dynamic food scene.
Written by Sean Seurattan Toronto Caribbean News
Photo Credit:
Photo Credit: Sanj P Photography
Alimi A. Banjoko
At six, I calculated how many years i had left with my father. I never expected this
W.
I was six years old when I first calculated how many years I could expect to have with my father. He was 44 when I was born; and therefore 50 when I turned 6. I decided I would be lucky if I got to 35 and still had him. That would be 79 for him, and I felt that was an old age.
Can you imagine how lucky I feel to have had him until 101? I’m grateful beyond words. Now, I am taking up the responsibility of writing the GiffordJones column, not as a doctor, but as a communicator. The immediate necessity is to say something helpful, something
important, about an experience many of us will have during our lives: losing a father.
I investigated the research. No two ways about it, we take a physical and psychological hit. From cellular level aging brought on by the physical impacts of grieving (sustained stress, disrupted sleep, poor diet) to the cognitive effects of loss (depressed mood and outlook, more substance abuse behaviours, anxiety), the death of one’s father is a bundled package of hurt.
What would my father say about it? This is a question I will be asking myself every week going forward.
I know what he did when I was hurt as a child; the kind of hurt that had me crying, a bad scrape on the knee, or the sting of a bee. He would touch me in the affected spot and let his touch linger. “Now,” he said, after a time, “Doesn’t that feel better?” I got his point. Readers will hear echoes of his constant mantra. “Don’t be a wimp. Don’t take pills when
there is an effective, natural alternative.” He practiced what he preached.
When my father turned 90, I started to prepare for the day he would slow down, but he didn’t. He was launching another phase of his crusades, and what for? To fight big pharma. To demand better pain management and end-of-life care. To advocate for natural health, and most of all, to call on all humanity to improve our increasingly lousy lifestyle.
You may recall, he wanted to throw rotten eggs at the Parliament buildings, and he had a few choice words for the newspaper editors who ceased publishing his column.
For the past six years, it’s been an extraordinary collaboration writing this column with my father. He told me, “Don’t be a journalist if you are going to sit on the fence.” On some issues, we had some heated discussions!
The interviews we did together, the visits to natural health food stores, and the talks in communities increasing-
ly closer to home, these are the occasions I enjoyed the most.
Going forward, I plan a few crusades too. I will have my own opinions, and they may not always line up with his. I have a Harvard degree like my father, but even better, I have one from Wellesley. I’ve worked alongside global health experts at the World Bank and in the most impoverished places you can imagine. I am an advisor to the presidents of universities. I know where to find the research and who to talk to. You can count on me to simplify the complexities, identify what’s important, and cut out any baloney, and yes, the advice will be sharp, because some things, thankfully, are hereditary.
For now, like many of you, I am grieving the loss of my father, but I take comfort in knowing how lucky we are to have had him in our lives. Thank you for all your messages, tributes, and personal stories that are pouring in.
Aloo Pie: Trinidad’s Humble Pocket of History, Spice, and Street Food Glory
If you’ve ever walked the streets of Port of Spain or found yourself drawn to a roadside vendor under a tin-roofed stall with a lineup stretching around the corner, chances are you’ve smelled something frying that made you pause. That scent? That golden, savoury, slightly spicy aroma wafting from bubbling oil? That’s aloo pie—one of Trinidad’s most cherished street eats and a masterclass in cultural fusion tucked into a crispy pocket of dough.
It may look like a simple snack. But like most Caribbean dishes with roots in indentureship and ingenuity, aloo pie carries a heavy load of flavour and history. What Is Aloo Pie, Really?
Let’s not overcomplicate it: an aloo pie is a deep-fried dough pocket, stuffed with seasoned mashed potatoes (aloo means potato in Hindi), sometimes peas or meat if the vendor’s feeling generous, and usually sliced open post-fry to make room for chutney, chickpeas, and a good lash of pepper sauce. It’s soft on the inside, golden and crisp on the outside, and unapologetically filling.
It’s the kind of food that doesn’t make a fuss—just wraps up a full meal in your hand, no fork, no fanfare, just pure satisfaction. At around $5–$7 TT (less than a toonie in Canada), it’s affordable, portable, and unforgettable.
Origin: From Samosa to Sidewalk Star To understand aloo pie, you need to look back—not just to Trinidad’s culinary history, but to its migration story.
Between 1845 and 1917, more than 140,000 Indian indentured labourers were brought to Trinidad and other parts of the Caribbean after the abolition of slavery. They came with what little they could carry—but one thing that always made the trip was their food culture. Herbs, spices, recipes, and methods travelled across the oceans, tucked into memory more than luggage.
Out of this journey came an incredible fusion cuisine, blending Indian spice profiles with local Caribbean ingredients. Dishes like roti, curry, choka, and yes—aloo pie—were born out of necessity and resourcefulness.
Aloo pie, in many ways, is the Caribbean cousin of the samosa—a snack that traditionally uses a thin dough wrapper to house spiced potatoes or meat. But where samosas are angular and crisp, aloo pies are longer, softer, and less rigid in structure or form. They adapted to the Caribbean kitchen: thicker dough, shallow ingredients, and a method that relied on frying in oil rather than intricate folding.
It’s a dish made by people who worked hard, with very little. And that’s part of what makes it so powerful—it’s poor man’s food turned street king.
Cultural Identity in a Dough Pocket
Aloo pie isn’t just food—it’s identity
wrapped in greaseproof paper.
You’ll find it at breakfast stalls beside doubles and pholourie, or served hot at a lime outside a rum shop. You’ll see construction workers grabbing one mid-morning, school kids splitting one in half after class, or elders arguing politics at a roadside stand while balancing one in a napkin.
And like most great Trinidadian foods, it doesn’t stand alone. It comes with the full works if you want it done right:
• A scoop of curried channa (chickpeas)
• A drizzle of mango or tamarind chutney
• Some shado beni sauce
• And always a healthy warning about the pepper you just asked for
This isn’t just street food—it’s a social glue, a part of daily life that cuts across class and culture. Indo-Trinidadians made it, but the entire nation eats it. It’s a symbol of the way Trinidad mixes—races, cultures, stories— all in one bite.
The Aloo Itself: Not Just Any Potato
You’d be surprised how much debate there can be around a mashed potato. But aloo pie fillings aren’t just “potatoes”—they’re seasoned to perfection. The right mix includes:
• Cumin (geera) for that earthy undertone
• Garlic and onion, sautéed and folded in
• A little turmeric, not just for colour but balance
• Maybe some chopped pimento peppers or hot pepper
• A dash of green seasoning—Trini homes usually keep a jar of blended herbs ready to go
• Salt and black pepper, obviously
And if you’re lucky? Maybe a few chickpeas or green peas thrown in for texture.
The filling should be soft, smooth, flavour-packed, and not too wet. You’re not making mashed potatoes here—you’re making something that holds its own in hot oil without bursting at the seams.
The Dough: Simple, Stretchy, Perfect
The dough is as humble as it gets: flour, baking powder, water, a pinch of salt. Some cooks add a little yeast or oil for tenderness, but the goal is always the same—a soft, pliable dough that fries into a lightly crisp shell.
Once the dough is kneaded and rested, it’s rolled into small balls, flattened into oval shapes, filled with the potato mixture, folded over, sealed, and set aside. The sealing is crucial. Too loose and it’ll open in the fryer; too tight and it’ll get tough. It takes practice—just ask any seasoned street vendor.
Then it hits the oil—deep-fried
until golden brown and puffed just right.
Toppings & Variations: Make It Yours
Once fried, the real fun begins. Aloo pies are often sliced open along the top, and this is where each vendor adds their twist.
Some of the favourites:
• Curried channa: warm, tender chickpeas in a mild curry
• Cucumber chutney: cool and tangy, a perfect contrast
• Tamarind sauce: sweet, sour, sticky— Trini tambran hits different
• Mango kuchela or chutney: for that spicy fermented kick
• Pepper sauce: house-made, every vendor’s signature
And don’t forget shado beni chutney—a cilantro-like herb that screams “Trinidad” in both scent and flavour. It’s messy. It’s drippy. It might stain your shirt. But you won’t care.
How to Make Aloo Pie at Home (Full Recipe)
Ingredients For the Dough:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup water (more as needed)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (optional, for softness)
For the Filling:
• 3–4 medium potatoes, peeled and boiled
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin (geera)
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1 hot pepper or pimento, minced (optional)
• 2 tbsp green seasoning (optional)
• Oil for frying
• Optional: ½ cup chickpeas or green peas, cooked
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
• In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Slowly add water and mix to form a dough.
• Knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
2. Make the Filling:
• Mash the boiled potatoes in a bowl.
• In a small pan, sauté the onion and garlic in a little oil until soft.
• Add cumin, turmeric, and hot pepper. Cook for 1–2 minutes.
• Mix this into the mashed potatoes along with green seasoning.
• Add salt to taste. Fold in peas or chickpeas if using.
• Set aside and let cool slightly.
3. Assemble the Pies:
• Divide dough into golf ball-sized pieces.
• Roll each ball into an oval (about 5–6 inches long).
• Spoon 2 tbsp of filling into the center of one half.
• Fold over and press the edges together to seal tightly.
• Repeat for all pies.
4. Fry:
• Heat oil in a deep pan over mediumhigh.
• Carefully place pies in the oil (don’t overcrowd).
• Fry until golden brown on both sides— about 2–3 minutes per side.
• Remove and drain on paper towels.
5. Serve:
• Slice each pie open at the top.
• Fill with chutneys, pepper sauce, or curried channa as desired.
• Serve hot and enjoy every bite.
Why This Dish Still Matters
In a world obsessed with culinary trends, fusion food, and five-star Instagram posts, aloo pie doesn’t ask for attention—it earns it. It’s not trying to be cute. It’s not asking for reinvention. It just is. It represents something honest: the journey of people who came with almost nothing, worked with what they had, and created something that’s stood the test of time. It’s the dish you remember after Carnival. It’s the food that lines your belly before a long day. It’s comfort, hustle, and survival—all in one.
And if you’ve never had one hot off the fryer, with your hands sticky from chutney and your mouth tingling from pepper, then you’re still missing one of the greatest culinary joys of the Caribbean.
More Than Just a Pie
Aloo pie might be humble, but its story is rich. It’s more than potatoes. It’s more than dough. It’s a symbol of Trinidad itself: bold, blended, resilient, and proudly unique. Whether you’re making it at home, buying it on the street, or just discovering it for the first time—don’t underestimate this golden little pocket. It’s fed generations. It’s sparked debates over which chutney’s best. And it’s quietly carried the identity of a people who made a new life—and new flavour—in a new land.
From samosas to sidewalk stalls, from Port of Spain to Point Fortin, aloo pie is Trinidad in your palm. And every bite is a tribute.
Photo Credit: Jason Lam| Wikimedia
Controversial truth: What if heaven is already here?
STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com
INSIGHT TO SOCIETY
of Jerusalem, for instance, was described as heaven on earth. Why? Because Muslims and Christians coexisted peacefully there, a rare thing at the time.
Later, various expeditions to the Americas led to religiously centered societies with rigid laws and moral codes, but as the world grew more political and secular, the drive to build a “perfect society” faded.
Still, the search didn’t stop. At the turn of the century, new groups and movements (some called cults) sprang up around the world. Each one revolved around people seeking life’s purpose and meaning. Charismatic leaders called themselves: prophets, guides, or gurus, offering their teachings as roadmaps to a better life. That desire for something deeper, something more meaningful,
still drives us today.
Could “heaven on earth” simply mean finding love, peace, and purpose? Love has always been one of the most powerful forces in our music, our books, and our lives. Falling in love can feel like the end of a long search, the kind of peace people dream about.
So, what is heaven? Honestly, we don’t know. Religion and culture have given us ideas; some say it’s in the clouds, others say it’s a state of being. In the Christian tradition, heaven means eternal life with God, here or elsewhere. It’s still one of humanity’s deepest hopes.
We can’t even manage global peace or stop ourselves from destroying the planet we live on. Maybe that’s why we hope for something beyond our un -
derstanding. Maybe believing in something bigger gives us purpose. It’s been said, “If you can’t say something nice, say something clever and devastating.” So, here goes: What if heaven exists, but it’s not what we think?
What if it’s not far away, but already here?
What if it’s inside us? Maybe heaven is waiting to be discovered and activated in our lives at home, at work, everywhere. We can build it.
The Bible tells us we are made in the image of God. That means we have the power to create something divine here, now. We just need to be selfless, empathetic, and loving, even to strangers. We need to share what we have. Heaven doesn’t have to be a place we wait for. It can be a choice we make.
Regrets? I’ve had a few; Finding peace and contentment in the choices we have made
BY GEORGE SHEPPARD
As I enter the final year of my fifties, two phrases seem to surface: “If only,” and “I wonder.” I recently ran into an old high school classmate, and we went through the usual catching-up rituals: how are the kids, receding hairlines, comparing aches and pains. Then he asked if I have regrets about choices I made. Wait a minute, I need at least three coffees before I can go down that road. While we quickly moved onto something more juvenile, I knew I would revisit this idea. Regrets? Of course. However, maybe I am being too hasty. It seems quite normal to reflect and consider how a different choice may have impacted on our lives. Some may contend we are exactly where we were meant to be, as part of a bigger plan. While this is possible, I do not aspire to this way of thinking. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We get the chance to rethink our choices with the benefit of knowing the outcomes of the choices we did make. If
I had made different choices, financial concerns would never have been an issue, I would have retired at age forty, and clinging to toxic relationships would not have occurred. Our choices seem to change as we grow, our experiences provide us with insight as we move forward. They also give us our mandatory OOPS moments. No one said adulting was easy. Perhaps we get the opportunity to provide a little sage advice to our grown children, only to discover they know best, and our vintage ways are outdated. I think we often confuse regret for the wonderment of missed opportunities. I do not regret not buying a lottery ticket last week, but my numbers came up! Missed opportunity. I do not regret attending the Canada Day baseball game. Despite a loss, it was enjoyable beyond being a baseball fan. While I wish I had a dog growing up, it made me a better dog owner now, so there is no regret. These missed opportunities could have provided more enjoyment,
less stress. However, I do not call them regrets. No one makes a decision thinking it is the wrong one. We make what we consider to be the best decision based on the information we have at that time.
We hear mantras for life such as live for today, plan for tomorrow, and learn from your mistakes. It is debatable whether we can do all three simultaneously. The inevitable pitfalls and hurts life throws at us has led me to believe that all we get is ‘now’. Using life experiences to make each moment better than the last is the only thing in our control. We can anticipate outcomes, but there is no way to avoid all potential pitfalls, otherwise we become a spectator to our own reality.
My true regrets come from choices I made that I knew would benefit me, that fueled my ego, however, may have placed someone else in a more difficult situation. I regret not having spent more time with my brother who passed from cancer at age eighteen, I regret be -
ing consumed by work to the point my frustrations interfered with enjoying funny moments with my boys, there are times I judged others too quickly thus voiding a potentially close friendship. These are regrets that ring true.
All my life I wanted to be a lawyer. I yearned for it. However, I did not make that happen. I thought my greatest impact would resonate in a courtroom, that I would be a crusader for those who live in the margins. Instead, I stood in a school doorway every morning for thirty years, speaking to every student as they entered. I came to see that being passionate for social justice was truly where I was needed. Creating smiles and full stomachs is never regrettable.
In his poem “The Road Not Taken”, Robert Frost said, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.”
Canada does not need another Prime Minister who folds under pressure
BY HERBERT HILDEBRANDT POLITICAL PARLEY
Mark Carney told Canadians he was ready to fight. He entered public life posturing like a prizefighter, elbows up, voice firm, and armed with a technocrat’s contempt for anyone who didn’t buy into his worldview. He sold himself as the adult in the room, the stable genius who would protect Canada from the economic chaos of nationalist strongmen like Donald Trump.
Now Trump is back, and Carney is nowhere to be found. The elbows are down, the rhetoric is quiet, and the same man who built his brand on resisting Trump is now trying to cut quiet deals with him. He has gone from moral crusader to careful concierge of a Canadian economy that cannot afford to offend its southern neighbour with the steady threat of new tariffs if he does not bow.
This is not a pivot. It is surrender, plain and simple. Carney once dismissed
cooperation with Trump as naïve, or even dangerous. Now he is doing it himself while pretending he never said otherwise. His economic realism didn’t arrive until it was no longer brave, only inevitable.
During Trump’s first term, Carney positioned himself as a guardian of the global financial order. He warned against populism, scolded those who dared question international institutions, and dismissed energy independence advocates as backward. Anyone who hinted that Canada would eventually need to accommodate Trump’s demands was treated like a heretic.
Now that Trump has returned to office with more focus and less patience, Carney has quietly changed course. His allies are walking back decarbonization timelines. Carbon pricing is being reframed. New bilateral trade discussions with Washington are underway. Ottawa is considering defense concessions that would have been unthinkable a year ago.
All of it reeks of political self-preservation, not principle.
The contradiction is obvious to anyone paying attention. The same voices that Carney and his media enablers mocked are now watching him implement their recommendations. Industry leaders and political opponents were demonized for saying Canada must prioritize its own survival. Now Carney is following their path, only with better suits and fewer apologies.
Instead of acknowledging the shift, Carney is hoping no one notices. He is relying on the public’s short memory and the media’s selective amnesia, but Canadians do remember. They remember the lectures. They remember the attacks. They remember being told that standing up for Canadian workers was somehow un-Canadian.
We now have a would-be prime minister who used to boast about moral clarity, but now specializes in strategic silence. His elbows are no longer up. They
are tucked in, as he maneuvers behind closed doors to cut deals with the very man he claimed would destroy democracy.
This isn’t leadership. It’s brand management. It’s what happens when ambition outpaces conviction.
Canada does not need another technocrat who folds under pressure. We need someone who can say what they mean and stick to it when the cameras are off. Carney built his campaign image on defiance. What we see now is concession, masked as maturity, but it’s not mature to pretend you were right all along while borrowing your enemy’s playbook. Trump didn’t change. The world did not suddenly become more complex. Carney just blinked, and now he wants credit for holding the line while quietly redrawing it behind everyone’s back. That’s not courage. That’s calculation and Canadians should be smart enough to call it out.
The secret of making time when you don’t have any
simone@carib101.com
You are busy. Not “trendy hustle culture” busy, but real-life, everything-onfire, how-is-it-already-Wednesday kind of busy. Between family, community work, your inbox, and the part of you that’s quietly burning out, you are out here trying to plan your days while the days are planning you.
You have tried. Agenda books with colour-coded tabs. Whiteboard calendars that start off strong in January and fade out by March. Ten different reminder apps that still can’t stop you from forgetting your 3:00 p.m. meeting.
This isn’t a personal failure. It’s a system failure, and the system’s about to change. There is a tool that’s already listening. Already learning from you, and it’s not another overpriced journal, or productivity guru on TikTok.
It’s ChatGPT.
You have probably heard the hype and the horror. “AI is taking over.” “It’s dangerous.” “We’ll forget how to be human.” “Our brains will get lazy.”
Valid concerns. Especially if
you’re someone who values community, connection, and intention. Here’s the thing: the future is already here, and it’s learning how to serve you. The question isn’t whether to use it, but how you use it.
So, let’s stop waiting for the perfect moment and start shaping your days on purpose. Here’s how to get ChatGPT to help you take your time back without giving up your soul to the machine.
Step 1: Start the conversation like you would with a friend
You don’t need a special prompt. Just tell it what’s real. Try: “I’m overwhelmed and need help creating a daily schedule that actually works.”
“Traditional planners don’t work for me; can you help me organize my week around what matters most?”
That one sentence opens the door to a back-and-forth where you stay in control and the tool learns to work with you.
Expect questions like:
• When do you wake up and go to bed?
• What does “me time” look like for you?
• What absolutely must get done today?
• How flexible or structured do you want your day?
Step 2: Make it yours
ChatGPT will likely start with a rough sketch of a day, but here’s where the magic happens. You can talk back. Revise. Redirect.
Say things like: “I always skip workouts—can you schedule in a 10-minute stretch I can actually commit to?”
“I only have 30 minutes and these ingredients. What’s a healthy meal I can cook fast?”
“Can you block off quiet time before my 3:00 p.m. meeting so I’m not mentally crashing?”
What you are doing is building a rhythm that protects your energy.
Step 3: See it, don’t just say it Ask ChatGPT to turn your plan into:
• A time-blocked table
• A simple checklist
• A visual schedule (PDF, Notion, Google Doc)
• A “Theme of the Hour” layout (like Focus Hour, Errand Hour, Rest Hour)
Sometimes the difference between chaos and clarity is just how you look at the day ahead.
Step 4: Use it like a real assistant You can use ChatGPT for daily checkins, Sunday night resets, or even to
auto-prioritize your to-do list based on urgency or effort.
Paste your list in and ask: “What can wait? What needs to happen first?” Let it take that mental load off. You can also build in habit tracking: “Remind me to stretch, drink water, and stop working at 6:00 p.m.” ChatGPT isn’t magic, but it is consistent, and sometimes, that’s the support you need.
Step 5: Build a relationship, not just a routine
The more you interact with it, the more it gets you. A place to unload your thoughts without judgment. A sandbox to test what works.
Yes, AI is learning, but so are you. You are learning how to advocate for your time. How to listen to your body. How to protect your energy, and how to use what’s available to make your life more human, not less. You need tools that honour your reality. You don’t need to trust the machine. You just need to teach it how to support you.
The secret of making time is simple: Ask for help, and then shape that help into something that works for your life. You already do this for others. Now let something do it for you.
The psychology of hope: The fine line between optimism and delusion
DANIEL COLE
daniel@carib101.com
Hope and optimism are critical psychological assets; they sustain resilience and grit, yet their misuse can lead to delusion. Consider Steve Jobs, whose optimism about alternative cancer treatments delayed his conventional care, a choice some deem delusional given medical evidence. Contrast this with Malala Yousafzai, whose hope for education reform, rooted in actionable steps despite threats, ex-
These cases illuminate the spectrum from grounded hope to detached belief. Hope is a dynamic interplay between what is and what could be, a bridge between the “now” and the “not yet”. The psychology of
hope reveals a profound tension inherent to the human condition. Our brains are wired for optimism, a gift fostering resilience and ambition. However, this very wiring contains the seeds of potential delusion when critical faculties are suspended. It walks a fine line. Without reality checks, it drifts into delusion; without imagination, it collapses into despair.
True hope demands the intellectual humility to acknowledge uncertainty, and the rigour to test belief against evidence.
The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once posited that hope prolonged human suffering. He argued that ‘hope, in reality, is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man.’ Really! Is Nietzsche painfully pessimistic, or just bluntly objective? Does hope really prolong our suffering? Could Nietzsche be right?
In contrast, the Austrian Psychologist and Holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl, viewed hope as essential for human survival and well-being, particularly in the face of suffering. In his book “Man Search for Meaning”, Viktor Frankl argues that those who maintained hope in the face of the Holocaust were more likely to survive. Frankl’s existential insights
reinforce the idea that hope is not naïve optimism, but a profound act of meaning-making in the presence of suffering. These two contrasting views beg the question: where does the line get blurry, and at what point does hope become delusional?
Hope is not a mere belief in a better prospect; it must be grounded in reality, planning, and action. Blind, or delusional optimism is denying, or distorting reality to maintain a false sense of certainty. Psychologist Tali Sharot has shown that the human brain is naturally inclined toward optimism bias— our tendency to overestimate the likelihood of positive outcomes and underestimate risks. While this bias can be motivating, it becomes maladaptive when it leads to denial, procrastination, or the avoidance of necessary, but painful truths.
For instance, a terminal patient who refuses palliative care in favour of unproven treatments may be engaging in delusional hope. Likewise, individuals who persist in failing ventures without adapting strategies, or acknowledging limits may be mistaking obstinacy for faith. This psychological tension is what theologian Reinhold Niebuhr captured
in his Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Realistic optimism balances hope with an awareness of potential setbacks. Embracing uncertainty, or setbacks builds psychological flexibility—the ability to adjust course without abandoning purpose. When we set goals with the prospect of a favourable outcome, it must be anchored in reality, not fantasy. Embrace probabilistic thinking (There’s a 70% chance this approach succeeds, based on X, Y, Z) instead of absolute hopes. Always ask, ‘What could go wrong?’ and if things do go wrong, what is the contingency plan? Nonetheless, in a world marked by volatility, inconsistencies, and complexity, the most resilient individuals and cultures will be those who learn the art of hopeful realism— people who dream with their eyes wide open. Those do not substitute optimism for escapism but have the courage to envision a future that cannot yet be seen, and take steps— however small—toward it.
Opportunity Is Everywhere—If You’re Willing to Learn
BY GRANT BROWNING DRIVEN TO SUCCEED
Albert Einstein once said, “The significant problems we face in life cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” And that, right there, is the heart of why learning isn’t optional—it’s survival.
We’re in a world that’s moving at breakneck speed. Industries are shifting, algorithms are rewriting how we live, and what worked yesterday might bankrupt you tomorrow. Yet most people walk around with the same level of thinking they had five, ten, even twenty years ago—and they wonder why nothing changes.
Einstein had another gem: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Let that sink in. If you’re repeating the same habits, using the same mindset, making the same decisions—and still hoping life’s going to improve—it’s time to snap out of it.
Let me put it to you straight: if your mindset, habits, and knowledge are stuck in last season, you’re not just falling behind— you’re voluntarily tapping out.
The Trade-Off That’s Killing Dreams
There’s a quote I keep close to my chest— source unknown, but truth undeniable: “The chief cause of failure and unhappiness in a persons life is trading what you truly want for what you’ll settle for in the moment.”
That one hits hard, because we’ve all been there. You skip the book to scroll
Although disgraced mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted of some of the charges brought against him, his reputation will never be the same again. It also serves as a reminder as to why some victims of sexual assault are scared to come forward.
Instagram. You pass up the conference because Netflix feels easier. You ignore the webinar because you think you already “know enough.”
And in doing so, you just traded growth for comfort—mastery for mediocrity. What most people miss is comfort is temporary. So is coasting. But regret? That one sticks around.
A Lesson in the Backyard
The other day I was stacking wood with my son—he’s 11, and just starting to learn the value of hard work. We were sweating it out when a couple of young guys flew past the house on shiny new dirt bikes. My son lit up, amazed by them. “They’re so cool,” he said.
I took the moment to pause and explain something real. I told him, those bikes aren’t free. Somebody somewhere had to work for them. Maybe the parents hustled hard to build a lifestyle that allowed for those things. Or maybe those kids saved every penny from odd jobs or allowances.
He’s still learning. And I’m doing my best to make sure he doesn’t fall into the trap of “Instagram rich”—that false belief so many young people have today that wealth just shows up out of nowhere. He loves video games, and if left unchecked, he’d sit in front of the television 24/7. So I hit him with something I learned early on: Spectators pay to watch. Players get paid.
You burn fewer calories watching television than just sitting still. Why? Because the brain goes into neutral—it’s literally programmed to receive, not engage. That’s why
they call it television “programming”. And funny enough, last week he learned that lesson for himself. I had to run into town for a few things. He didn’t want to come—too locked into his show. And who do I bump into while I’m out? None other than Mike Hall from the History Channel’s Rust Valley Restorers. Got a photo with him and everything. When I got home and showed it to my son, he was crushed. Loves the show. Couldn’t believe he missed it.
And I said to him, “That’s what I’m talking about, son. Opportunity isn’t in the television—it’s outside.”
CEOs vs. The Average Worker
The average CEO reads about 60 books a year. The average North American worker reads less than one.
Now ask yourself—who do you think is making better decisions? Who’s spotting opportunities sooner? Who’s less likely to get blindsided by change?
Success leaves clues, and one of the loudest is this: the top performers are obsessed with learning. They treat a $30 book like it’s got the blueprint to a million-dollar idea. They don’t see books, courses, or mentorship as expenses—they see them as investments with massive ROI.
Meanwhile, the masses hesitate. “It’s too expensive.” “I don’t have time.” “I’ll do it later.” And then they wonder why they feel stuck.
Some Final Thoughts
Like my son, we all need to realize that we
won’t get anywhere making excuses, scrolling endlessly, or zoning out in front of the TV. If we want to grow, we have to prioritize learning new skills, expanding our thinking, and levelling up the way we approach problems. That’s what opens the door to solutions. And learning doesn’t just mean flipping pages anymore. With platforms like Audible, you can listen to a book while driving, stacking wood, or doing dishes. Someone once told me that audiobooks give you a university degree on wheels—and they weren’t wrong.
YouTube is another goldmine. From tutorials to platform breakdowns, marketing, finance, and strategy—it’s all there if you want it bad enough.
One of my mentors once told me, “The mind is like a parachute—it doesn’t work unless it’s open.” That stuck with me. Since then, I’ve read and listened to hundreds of books, attended seminars, conferences— anything I could get my hands on to learn and sharpen my craft. And I still do. If there’s something I don’t know or something I want to improve on to help my business—you guessed it—I plug in. YouTube, audiobooks, online courses… I’m never afraid to learn. Because if you’re not learning, you’re not growing. And if you’re not growing, you’re standing still while the world moves on without you.
Opportunity doesn’t knock while you’re on the couch. It shows up when you do.
On July 2nd, 2025, Combs was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. However, he was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and could face up to a maximum of 20 years in prison for the lesser charges. He is denied bail and currently awaits sentencing for the lesser charges, with October 3rd, 2025, as the suggested date for sentencing.
In courtroom sketches, Combs is seen dropping to his knees and praying after being acquitted of the charges that would have given him a life sentence in prison.
While the mixed verdict is viewed as a great victory for Combs, his family, defence team and supporters, his reputation will never be the same again. It’s not pleasant to say because Combs had a powerful platform in the
entertainment industry and used it to put countless people at a disadvantage instead of using it to spread positivity. There might be a few people who are still willing to support and work with Combs, but it doesn’t seem like many will be willing to do so.
The verdict came as a huge setback for many, including survivors and advocates. As we continue to navigate through life in the #MeToo era, the mixed verdict is deemed to be a step backward in holding influential men accountable for their alleged sex crimes and seeking justice for victims, even when there’s evidence.
Celebrities took to social media to express their thoughts on the verdict. One thought that stood out to me was made by Aubrey O’Day, a former member of Danity
Kane who has been very vocal about her dislike for Combs over the years. In a statement on her Instagram Stories, O’Day said the following:
“The cultural weight of this decision is immeasurable. It is heartbreaking to witness how many lives have been impacted by their experiences with Sean Combs - only for those stories to fall short in the eyes of a jury. I can only hope these jurors never have to watch someone they love endure what so many survivors have described.”
The verdict will surely cause concerns for victims and their families. It’s heartbreaking to know they came forward with their stories and took the stand only to fall short. As we wait to hear about the sentencing, we can only hope some form of justice will be served then.
Credit: Sadi Hockmuller
The one number on cannabis labels that’s about to change everything (and why it matters more than you think)
statistics grow louder, the very hierarchy of this printed information is poised for a significant re-evaluation.
Health Canada, in its wisdom, mandated a plain packaging regime, devoid of flashy imagery and alluring branding. The goal was clear: prioritize public health and safety, reduce appeal to youth, and ensure consumers receive accurate, unadorned information. So, we have the standardized cannabis symbol, the bold health warnings, and the seemingly precise percentages of Total THC and Total CBD.
For the uninitiated, these numbers (often expressed in milligrams per gram (mg/g) for dried flower or total milligrams (mg) for edibles) are meant to be the cornerstone of an informed purchase. A product boasting “200 mg/g Total THC” screams high potency, while “5 mg Total THC” on an edible suggests a more measured experience. This seemingly straightforward approach, however, has often led to a consumer focus, if not obsession, with the highest possible THC number, often overlooking other crucial aspects of the plant.
Here’s where the plot thickens. Cannabis, as any seasoned connoisseur will tell you, is a biological marvel, a plant whose cannabinoid profile can fluctuate due to a myriad of factors: genetics, growing conditions, curing processes, and even the natural degradation of compounds over time. The single, precise THC percentage stamped on a package, while legally compliant at the time of testing, may not always reflect the exact reality by the time it reaches the consumer’s hand. This inher-
ent variability is precisely what has propelled discussions around a shift to rangebased statistics.
Imagine, if you will, a label that declares “Total THC: 18-22%.” Such a declaration would offer a more realistic snapshot of the product’s potency, acknowledging the natural variations inherent in agricultural products. For the consumer, this could mean a more nuanced understanding, shifting their focus from a singular, potentially misleading, number to a broader expectation. It’s a move that could temper the pursuit of ever-higher THC percentages, potentially encouraging a more holistic appreciation of the cannabis experience, where terpenes, minor cannabinoids, and the entourage effect play a larger role.
Yet, this proposed shift begs a crucial question: how will it impact the consumer’s perception of importance when it comes to packaging information?
Consider the often-overlooked list of ingredients, mandated for cannabis extracts, edibles, and topicals. This is vital information for those with allergies or specific dietary needs. Similarly, the “packaged on” date, while present, often takes a backseat to the potency figures. In a rangebased system, the freshness of a product, and thus the likelihood of it remaining within the stated potency window, could become a more significant factor.
Then there are the subtle clues; the strain name, though not regulated, often offers a hint at the expected effects, thanks to popular knowledge and user reviews. For the discerning, the presence (or absence) of terpene profiles, while optional, can speak volumes about the aromatic and flavour compounds that contribute to a strain’s unique character. These are the elements that, in a world less obsessed with a single THC number, might gain the attention they deserve.
The move to range-based THC stats is not merely a cosmetic change to a label; it represents a philosophical shift in how we communicate about cannabis. It’s an acknowledgement of the plant’s complex nature and an invitation for consumers to embrace a more comprehensive understanding of their chosen product. For Canadian cannabis packaging, this could mean a reordering of priorities, where the overall profile of the plant, its freshness, and its intended effects take their rightful place alongside, or perhaps even above, a single, potentially elusive, potency figure. The conversation has begun, and as always, the consumer stands at the heart of this unfolding narrative, poised to redefine what truly matters on that little package.
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The Smart Investor’s Guide: Key information before buying commercial real estate
If residential real estate is your foundation, then commercial real estate serves as your growth engine. From office buildings to retail malls, warehouses to multifamily units, commercial properties generally offer higher returns and attract more dedicated tenants.
The stakes are also higher. What distinguishes an intelligent investor from a speculative buyer? Strategy, knowledge, and a bit of hustle.
Unlike residential mortgages, where personal income and credit history are key factors, commercial financing primarily focuses on the property’s ability to generate income. Lenders see these deals more as business investments rather than personal loans. Commercial lenders expect you to have a greater stake; a typical down payment is at least 25% and can go up to 50%.
Lenders will request your personal and business income statements, net worth statements, tax returns, and credit history. Usually, you will serve as the guarantor for the company’s mortgage. The lender will also require a list of current tenants and their rents (a rent roll), expected income and expenses, an appraisal, a structural engineer’s report, and an environmental
report.
Rental rules are different: Apart from the basic rent, commercial tenants usually pay additional costs like property taxes, insurance, and maintenance; this arrangement is called a Triple Net Lease (NNN), which is very attractive to investors because it reduces the landlord’s responsibilities. Other common lease types include gross leases, where the landlord covers all operating expenses, and modified gross leases, where costs are shared between landlord and tenant. Understanding the particular lease terms before purchasing a property is important because they directly influence your monthly cash flow and management responsibilities.
In commercial real estate, your tenants are your business partners. Commercial tenants usually sign long-term leases lasting from three to fifteen years and tend to be more financially stable. Their presence can influence the value and overall performance of your property. That’s why it’s essential to carefully evaluate each potential tenant’s financial health and the stability of their industry. For example, a dental clinic, or government office is a much safer investment than a newly opened café.
With commercial properties, every detail matters: Thorough due diligence in commercial real estate is crucial for success. Verify the property’s zoning and permitted uses to ensure they match your plans. Request an Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), especially for industrial, or older properties, to spot any contamination risks. Carefully review all existing leases and tenant obligations, and carry out detailed inspections of key building sys-
tems, including: the roof, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. It’s also vital to consult legal and accounting experts. Missing even one detail can quickly turn a promising investment into a costly mistake.
Managing commercial properties: Managing commercial real estate isn’t entirely passive. As an owner, you’ll be responsible for negotiating leases, maintaining the property, handling vacancies, and ensuring that insurance and legal compliance are current. These tasks can be timeconsuming, especially with larger, or more complex assets, which is why many investors choose to hire professional commercial property managers to oversee daily operations and safeguard their investments.
Commercial real estate isn’t an emotional buy; it’s a business decision focused on income, growth, and long-term potential. When done correctly, commercial investments can generate higher cash flow, longer lease terms, and faster wealth building. I view residential investing as a reliable and straightforward way to buy property, manage it, and build wealth. Once you have a strong portfolio of residential investments, it’s time to use the accumulated equity as a down payment on a commercial property. When purchasing a commercial property, having a trustworthy business partner is a valuable asset.
YOUR HOROSCOPE
YOUR HOROSCOPE
for the week of July 13 – July 19, 2025
THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK: LEO, SCORPIO, AND PISCES
ARIES: You might be right—but is it worth the fight? Let go of the need to prove a point. Listen to your body midweek—it’s whispering something important.
TAURUS: You’ve been carrying too much. This week, someone finally steps up—don’t shrug it off. Let them help. You’re not meant to do it all alone.
GEMINI: Sharp tongue, no filter. Be mindful—truth without timing can still hurt. A money convo later this week needs full focus and zero assumptions.
CANCER: You’re absorbing everyone’s feelings. Step back, clear your space, and move your body. An old connection may resurface—choose how much you let in.
LEO: No more waiting. Speak, act, lead. You’ve been playing it safe— this week asks for boldness. That project? Start now. Momentum matters.
VIRGO: Chaos isn’t failure. Focus on what is working. Money’s tight but clarity’s coming. A needed talk late in the week brings balance.
LIBRA: Stop over-accommodating. Your voice matters, too. A well-placed boundary shifts the dynamic. Respect follows honesty—don’t be afraid to draw the line.
SCORPIO: Someone’s crossing a line—shut it down. Your gut’s right. On the upside, something stuck finally starts to move. Keep showing up.
SAGITTARIUS: You’re craving escape, but pause first. Restlessness can teach if you let it. A bold idea gains traction—just don’t skip the fine print.
CAPRICORN: You’re overdue for a pause. Not everything needs solving right now. A small win reminds you why you started— celebrate it, even briefly.
AQUARIUS: You’re ahead of the curve—stay steady. People will catch up. A breakthrough hits Friday. Also, fix that sleep—you need a clearer head.
PISCES: You’re feeling everything—filter it. Don’t carry others’ weight. Creative energy hits midweek—capture it before it fades. Express, don’t suppress.
CROSSWORDS
HOW TO PLAY :
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.
Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: You must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column, or 3x3 box.
PUZZLE NO. 135
PUZZLE NO. 845
