47th Independence 070313

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VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 10 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 3RD 2013

CARIBBEAN NEWS, EVENTS, HEALTH, LIFESTYLE & MORE

47TH INDEPENDENCE

Commemorating 47 Years of Independence Photograph Courtesy Bobby Ramlagan

TORONTO -- The sun was blazing but that didn’t stop the Guyanese community from coming out to commemorate 47 years of independence.

Hosted on the grounds of Centennial College, Progress Campus on Sunday, the community came out along with their families to enjoy the festivities that lasted all day from noon to 8pm.

Living up to its name, the public definitely got “A Taste of Guyana” with everything from Guyanese music, entertainment, food and of course the most loved sport of Guy-

EMILY SINGH/TORONTO CARIBBEAN

ana; Cricket! The opening ceremony commenced at noon with the ribbon cutting by his Excellency President Ramotar of Guyana. Following the opening ceremony was the annual softball cricket game that drew in an energetic crowd! Running all day was also the Trade and Tourism Expo which showcased the beauty of Guyana with everything from Kaiteur Falls to the natural untouched savannahs. Hailing all the way from Guyana was the Katiwau Dance Group that put on a stellar performance dur-

ing the cultural show.

The day served as not only a celebration of how far Guyana has come in 47 years but also as a way to teach the younger generation about the country and enhance a greater appreciation of where many of their parents came from. On May 26th 1966 Guyana finally gained its independence after being under Bristish colonization.

This truely was a remarkable showcase commemorating how far Guyana has come in those 47 years.

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Bringing Back the Smiles to Haitian Children children.

Emily Singh TC Reporter TORONTO -- There are many types of heroes in this world, however not all of them are decked out in capes and masks, this is certainly the case with Allison Harvey. In the span of three years she has managed to raise thousands of dollars for 12 orphanages across Haiti.

In 2010 Haiti’s capital city, Port-auPrince was decimated by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0, leaving 300,000 dead and 1 million people which is almost 1/10 of the nation with absolutely nothing.

Cherida, half Guyanese and half Antiguan, is currently a student working on her masters in Environmental Studies on sustainable tourism in Antigua.

In her spare time she enjoys nature walks with her dog, the gym, movies and fashion.

Photo Courtesy: www.fashionstudio7mag.com

Following the devastation, Allison Harvey was determined to aid in restoring the nation and helping to provide those newly orphaned children with the basic necessities for a healthy future. Selflessly she has been dedicated to helping the children of Haiti and gives one hundred percent of funds raised directly to Haiti with zero administrative costs.

Can you imagine looking far into the landscape of your homeland and seeing nothing but disaster and destruction? For the children of Haiti this was the horror scene they faced in the days and months following the earthquake. Now imagine being put through such havoc and then being left without parents. This is the harsh reality of many Haitian

As privileged citizens of North America, we can do our part to help restore the smiles of those children overseas. Our means in doing so can start as early as Sunday August 25th for just a small donation of a ten-dollar entrance fee, come out and support Allison Harvey’s mission through “Destination Haiti”.

Come out to DSC Banquet Hall on 30 Gordon Mackay Road starting at noon for a glimpse of Haiti and a chanced to meet event host and former Miss Haiti 2010 Anedie Azael. This fun filled event not only features live entertainment, food and Haitian artwork but also serves as a donation drop off. Donations of gently used clothing, bags, shoes, soccer balls, art supplies, backpacks, toothbrushes, hair brushes and school supplies are welcomed and appreciated. However to fully make this event a success “Destination Haiti” is still in need of vendors, sponsors and of course volunteers.

Your support and donations will help 2000 orphaned children from newborns to young adults create a bright and prosperous future.

This summer Allison Harvey will be working towards providing an orphanage of 65 children with mattresses. This home is in dire need of mattresses as the children currently sleep on pieces of boards.

This year through her Christmas Gifting Program, she aims to provide 2500 children across 8 orphanages with gifts. There are close to half a million orphans in Haiti not mentioning the many children unaccounted and undocumented for.

Reach out and help our Caribbean nation back on its feet through coming out on August 2th to support Allison Harvey and “Destination Haiti. For more information regarding her vision and event details visit www.hopecrossingborders.com or contact Allison Harvey directly regarding volunteering and vendor information at 647-713 3622.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

DropTecʼs Annual Show Nʼ Shine on July 21st needs new kids DVDs to donate to Sick Kids Hospital.

Cindy Ramkumar TC Reporter TORONTO -- For the 4th consecutive year of donating to Sick Kids Hospital new kids DVDs, Sunday July 21st promises to be a fun filled day. A day of events for all ages, all different nationalities, and all persons with one common love. Love for their cars, trucks, vehicles, and a love to give back to the community.

All proceeds from this event goes towards purchasing brand new kids DVDs for Sick Kids Hospital. These DVDs are donated to the hospital, and it enhances the kids’ entertainment library. Most importantly these DVDs, are used by kids in isolation, kids who are not able to leave their hospital rooms. DropTec’s event goal is to ensure there is a variety of updated, current movies that kids at the hospital can enjoy.

DropTec Custom Ride, located on 12-7385 Torbram Road, Mississauga, has entertained the community with its Show N’ Shine event at its business location. This year, the 4th Annual event promises to be bigger and better.

DropTec has teamed up with Ontario Bass Society, to cover the Sound Pressure

Testing (SPL), while the Show N’ Shine, Burnout Competition as well as a Light Show is hosted by DropTec. With a kids area, designed to keep the kids entertained, and monitored by student volunteers of the community, parents can have that comfort that their kids are entertained and are having fun. For the adults who love cars, there is the Show N’ Shine, where they can register their car into various categories and contests. For the audio enthusiast, the Ontario Bass Society would be doing the SPL Testing.

For the others who come out to have fun on the day and be entertained, there is the Sour Candy Eating Contest, Twerk Contest, Best Tassa Wining, Spicy Hot Dog Eating Contest and Shortest Short Pants to name a few.

This event is not possible without the help and support of businesses, organisations, car clubs, sponsors, supporters and car enthusiasts, who come out and show support on the day, showcase their ride with pride and leave with a good feeling that they have helped DropTec achieve its annual goal which in turn, put smiles on faces of kids at the Sick Kids Hospital.

Those wishing to help DropTec Custom Ride reach its goal can donate new kids DVDs to DropTec , by calling 416-2761578, or emailing support@droptec.ca, or dropping off new kids DVDs at its business location, 12-7385 Torbram Road, Mississauga. To find out more about the Show N’ Shine call 416-276-1578 or visit www.droptec.ca for event details.

Warner goes ʻindependentʼ: ʻI will show T&T good governanceʼ TRINIDAD -- Former United National Congress (UNC) chairman and national security minister Jack Warner last evening surprised his supporters by announcing, days before time, that he would officially run as a candidate in the July 29 Chaguanas West by-election. Warner made the statement as he spoke to a group of supporters at the Caroni Community Centre,New Street, Caroni. He said he was still undecided about how he would run as an independent or form his own party but said either way he would battle with the UNC’s Khadijah Ameen and the PNM’s Avinash Singh to represent his former constituents with a fresh mandate.

“I have not decided if I would contest as an independent or form my own party,” he told the audience.

The one thing he had decided officially, he said, was that after tomorrow, he would no longer be wearing the yellow colours of the UNC. Instead, Warner will stage a walkabout through Caroni tomorrow and on Friday he will host a meeting at the Pierre Road Recreation Ground at 7 pm, when he will unveil his new colour—green. He admitted afterwards that a story in Monday’s T&T Guardian, in which UNC election officer Ramona Ramdial noted that he would

be immediately expelled from the party if he chose to run against Ameen in the byelection, had motivated him to make his announcement early.

Warner had initially indicated he would announce his plans at Friday’s meeting.

Monday, he said he had decided to contest the by-election because he wanted to “show T&T what good governance was about”. Warner said he had visited the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) to review his papers and said everything was in order. He said he has chosen a symbol and the colour green and urged his supporters to replace their yellow jerseys with green for Friday. He remained secretive on the symbol.

Warner also knocked his opponents, Ameen and Singh, calling them “little children in a big people race”. (Trinidad Guardian)

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

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2013 Caribbean Music Fest includes the Dragonaires & Triple R Cindy Ramkumar TC Reporter TORONTO -- Since 2005 the Caribbean Music Fest hosts an event which fully captivates the ethnicities of the city showcasing its Caribbean flavours. The Caribbean Music Fest has always provided a safe and secure atmosphere for its patrons while continuing to have sold out events.

This year the Caribbean Music Fest is called a “ Triple R’ Affair” , where soca icons like Barbados Red Plastic Bag, David Rudder, Ronnie McIntosh (Ronnie, RPB & Rudder ) will be in attendance. Included with

the Triple R artiste are the Dragonaires.

This 2013 Caribbean Music Fest will kick off the season act on Friday August 2nd with its Lake Ontario five (5) hour Boat Cruise, on the “Empress of Canada”. In attendance would be Ronnie McIntosh with his “Biting Insects” rendition and Susan G to keep the crowd entertained. Admission to the cruise is $45.00, the boat leaves Port of Toronto, 8 Unwin Avenue, at 2:00 pm.

Following the Boat Cruise, Toronto Double Tree Hotel located at 655 Dixon Road, host the Caribbean Music Fest’s main event, on Saturday 3rd August. The late Byron Lee, conceived the “ Double Tree Saturday”. The Dragonaires will be featured along with the Triple R’s (Ronnie, RPB & Rudder ). Doors will be open at 8.00pm and admission to this event is $50.00 The 2013 Caribbean Music Fest again promises to be a definite source of guaranteed weekend entertainment for the Toronto Carnival

Kamla: He was liability to our party TRINIDAD -- Minutes after Jack Warner announced his intention to contest the Chaguanas West by-election, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said his request to be returned as an MP on a UNC ticket was disrespectful to the party. She admitted too that keeping him in the Cabinet would have caused irreparable damage to the Government, noting he resigned from the Cabinet “on his own volition” because of matters involving him which are still in the public domain.

She said those matters related to Warner’s previous position as a vice president of world football governing body Fifa. PersadBissessar said: “To date he has not provided compelling evidence to refute the allegations.

“You cannot separate those matters from his position as a minister, since it has the potential to do irreparable damage to the Government and the image of our country.” The PM said Warner’s decision to resign was taken unilaterally. “No one asked him to resign. Recognizing the magnitude of what was revealed in the (Concacaf) ethics committee report from Panama, he offered his resignation as Minister of National Security and I accepted, as is my right.”

The PM continued: “Unilaterally, he

returned one of the safest UNC seats that had been given to him on a platter by the UNC, and now he asks you to vote him back. I consider this to be disrespect for the party and for you, and who is to say whether such behaviour would not be repeated in the future.” She asked where was his “loyalty to the party that gave birth to his political career and more so, loyalty to you, members of the UNC and the Partnership”. She noted that Warner also remains the subject of a police investigation into the establishment of a new Flying Squad at the Ministry of National Security. “Serious statements have been made about this matter by those close to it and which statements are also in the public domain.”

According to the PM, Warner also admitted that he and his family are the subject of an inquiry by the government of the US. “I have said that should he clear his name, he will be re-instated,” she said, adding the UNC “cannot support a candidate under the current circumstances,” as further legal challenges can embarrass the country, government and the people of Chaguanas West. She told the crowd that as a National Security Minister, Warner also “refused to travel on Government business on several occasions”. (Trinidad Guardian)

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6 Wednesday, July 3, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Random searches will continue, says Ellington JAMAICA -- The police are to continue the random stop and search of motor vehicles, despite an acknowledgement by Commissioner Owen Ellington that he’s not aware how a recent High Court opinion may affect how the controversial practice is conducted.

“We will continue to do what we are doing and we will examine the ruling to see if it has any significant implication for how we operate. If there are any implications, we’ll advise our members accordingly,” Ellington told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

“At this stage, I’m not even able to say whether what is reported in the paper is correct,” the commissioner added.

The Observer sought the Commissioner’s response in light of a media report on the weekend which highlighted a High Court ruling which said the police have no power under the Road Traffic Act to arbitrarily stop and search motor vehicles.

But the commissioner’s position is being criticised by Dr Carolyn Gomes of the rights group Jamaicans For Justice, who is of the view that the operations — which some say have been conducted in an unconstitutional manner — should be suspended and Ellington inform himself about the ruling made in the Supreme Court.

“It is very unfortunate that this is what the commissioner has said,” Gomes told the Observer. “The minute he saw it in the papers he should have noted it and suspended [all stop and search operations] and inform himself because his duty is not

to interpret the law, but to uphold the law.”

Gomes also criticised the attorney general’s chambers, which she said “fell down on its duty” in not informing the commissioner about what the court said and about the law.

Last month, Justice David Batts noted in a ruling on a lawsuit brought by taxi operator Gary Hemans that under section 58 of the Road Traffic Act, the police have no power to undertake arbitrary motor vehicle searches.

In making his ruling, Batts reportedly noted that lawful reasons must be given by the police for stopping and searching a motor vehicle. He consequently ordered the Government to pay $2.8 million in damages to Hemans who was assaulted by the police when he was stopped in St Catherine in May 2007.

“The request for documents and driver’s licence similarly follow on some existing cause, such as a reasonable suspicion that a crime has been or is about to be committed,” Batts is reported as saying in his opinion.

“The reasonable cause to suspect that an individual has, or is about to commit a crime must relate to peculiar characteristics of the persons or the vehicle he is driving, or the manner in which it is operated, or to information received,” Batts added.

He said the constitution guarantees the free movement of the citizen without being subject to arbitrary or random searches. (Jamaican Observer)

Dominica, St Lucia to make CCJ their final appeal court TRINIDAD -Secretary General of Caricom, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, has announced that Dominica and St Lucia are expected to join other countries in making the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) their final court of appeal. While others—including T&T—have not signed on to make the CCJ their final court for all matters, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran said yesterday if there was one area of concern, it was that Caricom had taken collective decisions that were not implemented on a timely basis.

LaRocque and Dookeran were speaking during a media briefing at the Foreign Affairs Ministry at the Waterfront Complex, Port-of-Spain, about the 34th regular meeting of the conference of heads of government of the Caribbean Community, due to begin in Port-of-Spain tomorrow. Fielding questions from the media, Dookeran was asked whether Caricom, which is heading for its 40th anniversary, faced problems over the implementation of decisions. Saying the issue of the CCJ was “a special one,” Dookeran added: “The original jurisdiction was agreed to by many of the countries and with respect to furtherance of that, it is a matter of each country and in the context of building trust, I believe that would be done over time.”

He said during a retreat of Caricom leaders, expected to take place on Friday, the issue of timely implementation would be examined. “If decision-making

is at a national, parliamentary level and Caricom decisions are at a regional level, where is the locus standi for making such decisions work and implementing them?

“The cumbersome system that exists now has been partly responsible, I would say, for the slowness of implementing decisions in the past,” Dookeran said. “It’s a troubling issue, it’s a vexing issue but it’s an issue resulting from the fact we are all sovereign nations in a collective arrangement of an economic front, and in that sense we have to address those issues,” Dookeran added.

Saying the gathering of regional heads represented 40 years of experience, Dookeran said that was not appreciated by all. The meeting, he said, should be used as an opportunity to acknowledge the strides and look at the challenges of integration.

Dookeran said there was no doubt that Caribbean leaders had begun “an engagement” where they challenged themselves to look at the integration process and that the architecture which was built in the past must be adjusted for the future. He said the major issue which was raised at the last session by St Lucia’s Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony, was that the time had come for leaders to have a “big conversation.” He said: “Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar would be chairing these sessions and therefore would have the onus of opening that conversation.” (Trinidad Guardian)

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Not just Kingston! Logistics hub could benefit all Jamaicans JAMAICA -- hey are far removed from the Port of Kingston, but business leader and academician James Moss-Solomon says communities such as this south-central town must be prepared to take advantage of the planned logistics hub.

“I want to get your minds past a place into a concept,” Moss-Solomon, execin-residence at the Mona School of Business and Management and a former executive of the Jamaican conglomerate GraceKennedy Ltd, told a Manchester Chamber of Commerce luncheon recently.

“A logistics hub goes well beyond simple shipping. Myriad operations go into making a logistic hub work without going to sea or driving a crane,” he said.

As outlined by government spokesmen and planners, establishing Jamaica as “an integrated global logistics hub” over the next few years will involve expanding and integrating port, cargo and maritime facilities and economic zones to take advantage of the expansion of the Panama Canal which links Atlantic and Pacific shipping routes.

Jamaica, situated in the north-central Caribbean, is said to be ideally placed geographically to take advantage of the resultant economic opportunities.

Moss-Solomon told Mandeville’s business leaders that a logistics hub, which facilitates the movement of goods and services in an interconnected way globally, and for which Jamaica is strategically placed, is a way that “entire (communities can get) a chance to move on and achieve a different

level of existence”.

He argued that Jamaica’s position “in the middle of shipping routes” ensures that markets on the east coast of the United States of America — where more than 60 per cent of the population lives - as well as the west coast, could be accessed, in addition to Africa, Europe, the Far East and Central and South America.

Fully explored, he said, a logistics hub can create a range of opportunities for Jamaicans, far greater than the impact of the bauxite industry in its heyday.

“The impact of this industry to Jamaica, in my wild guess, is somewhere between a minimum of 100 times to 1,000 times the impact that bauxite ever was...,” he said.

However, he said business people must be proactive in seizing opportunities that have the potential to create economic growth and development.

“You can’t wait forever and say you (are) waiting on the Government who are waiting (on the International Monetary Fund). Business people need to look about business. We have to take things in our own hands,” he said.

He emphasised that there must be a platform for the possible opportunities of a logistics hub to be realised.

He urged continuous improvement toward more value-added products and services, guidance to ensure that in the supply chain, road, sea, air and rail co-exist, and the commitment of successive Jamaican

governments to administer rules and legislation consistent with international standards.

Moss-Solomon said that parents should encourage their children to think beyond traditional career choices in order to stay relevant.

“If you want to be a part of this action, which is the future of Jamaica, then you need to get up look at what you are doing today and ask yourself, ‘Is the business that we are doing only geared toward insularity or are we geared to an international market?’ Look beyond traditional professions (as) some careers won’t be sustainable in the future,” he said.

Moss-Solomon’s suggestions came amidst “life after bauxite” initiatives of the Chamber of Commerce, including plans for the development of an Information Communication and Technology (ICT)

sector in the parish.

Manchester and neighbouring St Elizabeth in particular have suffered serious economic trauma since the closure of bauxite/alumina plants Alpart and Kirkvine in 2009.

Moss-Solomon assured ‘Manchesterians’ that the logistics hub project — once it is successful — will impact the entire country.

He put into perspective how existing businesses found in Manchester, such as travel services, information technology and security, can fit into the transforming demand and supply force that he expects will be created.

“The concept of saying we are going to have all this opportunity in Kingston is a lie. The offshoots... of the industry (are) everywhere,” he said. (Jamaica Observer)

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Sugar rush - Bernard Lodge houses attract hundreds at HAJ event JAMAICA -Hundreds of Jamaicans descended on the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre at Hope Road on the weekend in hopes of securing one of the housing units to be constructed at the Bernard Lodge Development in St Catherine.

Developers for the project, the Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited (HAJL), told the Jamaica Observer that roughly 1,200 persons applied in person, some of whom started camping out from as early as 5:00 am on Saturday. In addition to that number, in excess of 100 applications were submitted online.

The development is to have a total of 1,584 units: 980 studios going for $4 million each, and 604 one-bedroom houses which will be valued at $4.9 million.

The project is earmarked for low income earners and will be spread out across five phases.

Explaining the rationale for the mass two-day application process, HAJL team leader for sales Kadian Gidden said the housing development attracted a lot of interest and, as a result, a lot of effort was made to ensure that the process was quick.

All applicants were required to present an eligibility letter from either the National Housing Trust or another lending agency as proof that they would be able to pay for the house.

“I know that as far back as two years ago, some persons had brought those letters in,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“We are seeing professionals,

from police, teachers, firemen, other persons in the public sector, and private sector and we have also seen some self-employed persons,” she said.

Ground breaking for the development is set to be later this month, with construction expected to commence in August. Phases one and two are scheduled to be completed by March, 2014, while the other three will be ready by the mid-year, 2016.

Each studio unit will measure 267 square feet and one bedroom units will be 370 square feet. The average lot size will be 3,300 square feet. They will be expandable and will be outfitted with laminate countertops, stainless steel kitchen sinks, UPVC french windows and slab roofs.

“It’s going to be a complete development,” Gidden said. “We are going to have schools, we are going to have a church, we are going to have a police post, and we will also have a commercial area in the development. We are going to have open spaces like parks and all of that,” she added.

Contractors for the development, which has been approved by Cabinet, will be overseas-based Malphrus International, IBC. The selection of succesful applicants will be undertaken by Market Research Services Limited, which had representatives on hand on both days.

“Because of the numbers that we antic pated, it was decided that we

should do an independent selection process so that, at the end of the day, we are not accused that we gave persons preference,” Gidden explained.

Those with whom the Observer spoke yesterday said they were happy about this new housing development coming on stream given what they believe was the high cost of houses in Jamaica for the ordinary working class.

“I don’t think enough is being done to provide houses, and when they do, it’s really in some areas that you don’t want to live in,” said an applicant who gave his name only as Jeffrey.

That notwithstanding, some applicants took issue with the fact that access to the first two phases would be from March Pen Road in Spanish Town, which has seen several deadly gang feuds in the past.

But Vivian Blake, who was assisted to the facility by a friend due to his blindness, said he was happy to finally get the opportunity to try and own his own home. He said that while the NHT does reserve a portion of their housing development for persons with disabilities, like himself, the value of the houses are sometimes out of the reach of many.

“The unemployment rate is so high among those living with disabilities that most of us can’t afford it,” he said.

Selected applicants will be notified in the press later this week, the HAJ said. (Jamaican Observer)

Jack in talks about his future TRINIDAD -- Former Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner is talking to “a lot of people” before he makes up his mind whether he will contest the seat as an independent candidate or not, officials close to Warner said yesterday. Warner failed to answer phone calls yesterday. Officials in his camp were asked about his position following confirmation from the United National Congress (UNC) that he would “automatically expel” himself from the party if he contested the July 29 by-election against UNC’s candidate.

The UNC last week announced Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation chairman Khadijah Ameen as the party’s choice for the by-election. The election arose after Warner resigned from the seat in April after a negative Concacaf report on his tenure as president with the regional governing body for football. UNC elections officer Ramona Ramdial and other party officials have noted the UNC’s constitution, which says members who publicly announce their candidacy for a government or municipal seat when the party already has a candidate in that race will cease to be UNC members. Soon after resigning as MP, national security minister and UNC chairman, Warner signalled he might contest independently if not chosen to contest for the UNC. Officials close to Warner also said last week that Warner had told the UNC’s screening team he would consult with constituents and would “keep

his options open” if not chosen. He has scheduled a public meeting in Chaguanas on Friday to announce his decision.

Yesterday, after the UNC’s statements about expulsion, officials working with Warner said they couldn’t say if he would contest independently or not. “All we know is he’s talking to a lot of people, including on the ground, to inform his decision. Whether he would still contest independently or change his mind on that,

by Friday, we don’t know at this point,” one spokesman added. They maintained,

however, that Warner has much support in Chaguanas West. Warner was doing a walkabout in the seat yesterday. Ameen met yesterday with the Election and Boundaries Commission’s nomination officer in Chaguanas West to do a trial run of next Monday’s Nomination Day exercise.

Campaigning begins in ernest next week after the Prime Minister concludes this week’s Caricom summit here in Port-ofSpain. (Trinidad Guardian)

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Crime threatens Regionʼs development process …Jʼca loses hundreds of millions a year in income, says IMPACS boss GUYANA -- Executive Director of the Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), Francis Forbes, has underscored the real impact of crime and insecurity on the Regional economy.

“Security and development are both flip sides of the same coin,” he stressed in his address to the recently concluded Guyana Investment Conference in Georgetown.

Citing statistics presented in UNDP’s 2011 Caribbean Human Development Report, Mr. Forbes pointed out that the cost of gang-related crime is between 2.8 and 4 percent of Gross Domestic Product in the Region.

He went on to add that, according to the same report, crime costs Jamaica “over 529 million dollars a year in lost income”, while noting, “in Trinidad, a one percent reduction in crime would boost tourism revenues by USD$35 million per year.”

Mr. Francis Forbes is a graduate of the Canadian Police College, the Metropolitan Police College and Bramshill Senior Police College, the latter two of which are located in the United Kingdom. He holds a degree in law, with honours, as well as a diploma in public administration.

The Executive Director, who has been at the helm of CARICOM IMPACS since June 2011, expressed grave concern about the emerging threat to the Region by transnational, organised crime. He identified illicit trafficking in all its aspects, illicit trade in goods and services, money laundering, corruption, as well as cyber and electronic crimes as being among the newer security challenges.

Saying that cybercrime is one of the fastest growing areas of crime, he noted: “More and more criminals are exploiting the speed, convenience and anonymity that modern technologies offer in order to commit a diverse range of criminal activity.”

To underscore the economic impact of cybercrime, Mr. Forbes stated, “In 2007 and ’08, the cost of cybercrime was estimated at approximately USD$8 billion. As for corporate cyber espionage, cybercriminals have stolen intellectual property from businesses worldwide worth up to US1 trillion.”

Cyber criminal trends identified in the Region, he noted, include hacking, credit cards and bank fraud, lottery and telephone scams, identity theft, counterfeiting, skimming, and phishing.

Lottery scams are especially prevalent in Mr. Francis’s home country, Jamaica.

According to the website of the US Embassy in Jamaica, “The American Citizen Services section in Kingston receives frequent enquiries from citizens who have been defrauded of hundreds and even thousands of dollars by (lottery) scammers (who) lead victims to believe they have won a drawing or lottery, but the cash or prizes will not be released without upfront payment of fees or taxes.”

“In 2011, more than 229 sites were hacked,” Mr. Forbes stated in reference to Jamaica, “including governmental agencies, tertiary institutions and private institutions.”

Pointing to enforcement there, he

informed the audience, which included diplomats, government functionaries and international technocrats, that the Cybercrimes Unit of the Jamaican Constabulary Force (JCF) has investigated more than 3,400 incidents of cybercrime within the last two years.

Turning to the issue of corruption, Mr. Forbes noted that the corruption of public officials and law enforcement officers has, over the years, significantly affected the Region’s ability to effectively address these threats to its security.

The significant proceeds of the drug trade has in recent times exacerbated the corruption problem, he said.

“If current trends continue, the future of effective law enforcement and unprejudiced public sector administration, and even the integrity of the judiciary will be threatened,” he warned, even as he pointed out that already public officials have come under the radar for their alleged involvement with drug-trafficking syndicates in gangrelated activities, fraud schemes and whitecollar crimes.

Former Prime Minister, Bruce Golding of Jamaica became one of the Region’s high-profile political casualties of such suspicions when he was forced to step down in 2011 as a result of his alleged links to convicted Jamaican drug lord, Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

Mr. Forbes, a former Top Cop in the JCF, rapped “unscrupulous” security forces personnel, whom, he said, deliberately compromise law-enforcement efforts by providing operational information, as well as service gear and ammunition, to criminal organisations.

Highlighting the economic impact of corruption, the IMPACS head noted that bribery increases transaction costs and uncertainty in an economy, leads to inefficient economic outcomes, and impedes long-term foreign and domestic investments.

“It (bribery) pushes firms underground, that is, outside the formal sector, undercuts the state’s ability to raise revenues and leads to ever higher tax rates being levied on fewer and fewer taxpayers,” he explained.

This, he added, in turn reduces the state’s ability to provide essential public goods, including the rule of law, resulting in a vicious cycle of increasing corruption and underground economic activity.

In addressing money laundering, he described their operations to include investing in real estate, the purchasing of luxury goods and services, engaging in export-import services, and even promotion of social events.

Mr. Forbes is particularly concerned about the money launderers’ support for arms trafficking, narcotics traffickers, human trafficking and even terrorism.

The Guyana Investment Conference, a two- day seminar organised under the auspices of the Canadian High Commission to Guyana, concluded Friday last. (Guyana Chronicle)

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Pollard praises Windies in Sabina thriller KINGSTON -- West Indies’ standin captain Kieron Pollard has praised his side for showing character in a tense one-wicket win over India in the second match of the tri-nation ODI series at Sabina Park on Sunday.

Chasing 230, West Indies lost their ninth wicket with ten needed but Kemar Roach and Tino Best held their nerve to seal their second consecutive win in the tournament.

“At the end, we got over the line and that’s what matters,” said Pollard, who stood-in for the injured Dwayne Bravo.

“In the recent past, West Indies teams would have capitulated completely, so it shows we have a bit of fight and character in this side”.

The modest target seemed challenging for West Indies, who lost wickets due to extravagant strokes, despite being well ahead of the required rate.

Johnson Charles who missed out on his century also perished trying to clear the infield “We are West Indian cricketers. We attack. If we get into our shell, we get out. That’s how we play cricket and it has worked for us,” said Pollard.

“At the end of the day you have to back yourself. We have to be happy for victories. We cannot say we are not feeling so good because No 10 (sic.9) and 11 got us over the line. They are batsmen in the team as

well.”

It took a level-headed partnership of ten runs between Roach and Best to end ended India’s fivematch unbeaten streak in ODIs. However, Pollard has conceded that a lingering setback for West Indies has been the lack of consistency from the middle order.

“It’s just a matter of us doing the things that we haven’t done so well, especially in the middle overs,” he said.

“As middle-order batsmen, we just have to take it upon ourselves and finish it for the team rather than letting No 10 and 11 (win the match).” (Trinidad Guardian)

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Caribbean Pot: Zesty Caribbean pan fried Scardines Something that if fried correctly this turns into a tasty treat!

Chris De La Rosa Caribbean Cooking I remember our mom having this ready for our dad when he came home from work after a long day with dhal (yellow split peas) and rice... always had some sliced cucumber and water cress on the side. My king would be in dinner ecstasy! Fry dry as it was known in our

home, wasn’t something me and my siblings looked forward too as our dad, as we hated the tiny little bones of the sardines. Something if fried correctly will have a slight crunch and can be eaten as well.

Ingredients 1lb sardines 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 clove garlic 1 shallot 2 sprig thyme 2 scallions 1 tablespoon parsley 3 leaves shado beni 1/4 scotch bonnet pepper pinch black pepper

1 lemon (juice) for the marinade 3/4 cup flour 1/4 teaspoon curry powder * about 2 cups of veg oil for frying

If yyou If ouu ccan’t an’’t an ’t source shado beni, use double the amount of cilantro. Remember to not use any of the seeds from the scotch bonnet pepper if you’re concerned about the raw heat. And do wash your hands with soap and water immediately after handling these lethal peppers. * Scale and gut the sardines (if it wasn’t already done for you at the fish market), then wash with the juice of a lime or lemon and cool water. Drain and get ready to marinate.

Place all the ingredients mentioned above (except the flour, curry powder and fish) into a blender or food processor and blend into a paste. Be prepared for a very refreshing (herbal) scent.. you’ll love it!

Pour the P h marinade i d onto the h cleaned l d sardines and mix well. Try to get some into the belly cavity of the fish. Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for 2 hours. If you don’t have a blender, chop the ingredients very finely.

As the vegetable (any oil which can withstand high heat) oil heats on a medium flame, it’s time to make the seasoned flour to roll the marinated sardines in.

Basically all you have to do is place the

flour (all purpose) on a plate and mix in the curry powder (madras blend). Then coat each sardine in the seasoned flour.

Try to keep some of the marinade on the fish as you dust them in the flour. Be sure to shake off excess flour.

Place Plac Pl ace in tthe h hhot he ot ooil iill and cook on each side for about 3-4 minutes… you’re looking for it to go golden in color and crispy. After about 7-8 minutes (I know it sounds like a long time to cook tiny fish.. but we want these crispy) remove, drain on paper towels and do try to serve as hot as you can.

There will be enough here for 3-4 people as a side dish and these crispy fried sardines can also double as a snack. Serve warm, with pepper sauce as a dip.. a garlic sauce would also go well.

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Pranayama and Headaches Geeta Maraj Yoga Headaches can be diminished through breathing techniques known in yoga as ‘pranayama’. This is a Sanskrit word consisting of ‘prana’ which means ‘breath’ and ‘yama’ which translates to ‘length or expansion’. As such, pranayama refers to the extension and control of the breath.

When the body is stressed, it begins to give us signs – like tension of the facial muscles, a feeling of being drained, both mentally and physically. However, we rarely focus on these initial hints of the body as it begins to harbor stress. It is this mental and physical fatigue which reveals itself as various forms of tension headaches. Only when we feel totally incapacitated by this discomfort, do we seek to find a remedy. Prevention is better than cure, however, and through a

basic yoga routine, tension and migraine headaches can become easily avoidable.

In order to diminish headaches through yoga, we must first be aware of the intricate and fragile balance of the body, the mind and the spirit. Any change in this balance is immediately noticed in the pattern of our breathing. Once we understand the complex balance of our mind and body to our breathing, then, we can slowly sense the silent language of the body as it begins to feel tension.

When the mind is disturbed, the breath gets affected, and once we breathe incorrectly, our body becomes stressed. It is this imbalance between the breath, mind and body which creates tension and vascular headaches.

While the yogic breathing, pranayama, can help to prevent and alleviate headaches, it is necessary to understand firstly, how to breathe correctly. Hardly are we aware that we rarely breathe properly. The majority of time, we tend to shallow breathe, permitting very little oxygen to enter the lungs. Equally, we rarely exhale completely, thus, leaving stale, stagnant air at the bottom of our lungs. Given the poor air quality we are already exposed to, combined with poor

breathing habits, we gradually build stress in our body which, often is reflected as tension and migraine headaches.

In order to begin breathing correctly, we need to pay attention to the movement of our body as we breathe. It is the physical movement of the body upon each breath that is most important in mastering correct breathing rhythm.

To breathe with correct rhythm of the body: When we inhale our chest should rise and our abdomen should extend. Similarly, upon exhaling, our abdomen should contract and our chest should fall. Once this body rhythm is mastered, we can then start to practice balancing our breath.

Balanced breathing: A balanced breath means that our in-breath and out-breath must be for the same duration of time. That is, the length of time one inhales must be the same as the length of time one takes to exhale. So for instance, if you inhale to the count of five seconds, then you must exhale for five seconds. Once we are able to balance our in-breath and out-breath, then we are able to control the time it takes to breathe a cycle of breath.

Timing our balanced breath: The length of time it takes to inhale a breath tells the level of stress the body feels. It is for this reason when someone is agitated they tend to breathe very rapidly. Similarly, when someone is at peace, they tend to breathe very slowly. You can start timing your breathing by inhaling for 3 seconds and exhaling for the same length of time. Once you are comfortable breathing evenly for 3 seconds, then you can increase the time by adding an additional second to your breath. Gradually the aim is to accomplish a 30 seconds timing of in-breath and out-breath.

When you are able to control the length of time you inhale to 30 seconds and exhale for 30 seconds, it means you are breathing a single cycle of breath per minute. This comes with time and practice at strengthening the lungs. However, once this is accomplished, it becomes an easy task at controlling your emotions and stress, thereby, preventing headaches from ever becoming an impediment to your day. In addition, pranayama not only helps to control headaches, but by mastering this type of breathing, you equally can reduce the risk of heart disease and hypertension.

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USDA approves horse slaughterhouse to produce meat for human consumption The next burger you bite into might be a horsemeat burger, thanks to the U.S. government approving horse slaughterhouses to produce meat for human consumption.

Valley Meat Co in Roswell, New Mexico, is being green-lighted by the USDA, which will routinely send inspectors to make sure it is slaughtering horses and processing horse meat in a “clean” way.

Additional horse meat plants are expected to be approved by the USDA in Missouri and Iowa. While horse meat can’t legally be sold in the USA for human consumption, it can be used in pet food. It may also turn up in the U.S. food supply despite its legal status because it can be sold to Mexico for human consumption, then relabeled and shipped back into the USA for use as a low-cost meat filler. Horse meat has already been identified in a scandalous food operation in Europe, where meatballs sold throughout European grocery stores were found to be made with horse meat.

Under the Obama administration, horse slaughterhouses became legal again

Where horses really come from for meat production

Horse meat slaughterhouses were banned during the Bush administration, but under President Obama, the ban expired (in 2011), allowing horse meat slaughterhouses to restart operations. Obama says he wants Congress to ban horse meat slaughterhouses in the USA, but then again, Obama says a lot of things he doesn’t actually intend to make a reality (closing of Guantanamo, labeling GMOs, making health care free, reducing the budget deficit, etc.).

So here’s the scary part of this article for those who might be a little squeamish: Most of this horse meat comes from horse owners who decide to have their horses killed for a variety of reasons: illness, injury, or simply economic reasons such as not affording to keep them fed and cared for.

Instead of having the courage to give their own horse a dignified death -- i.e. having the vet administer a lethal injection, saying a prayer and burying it on the land it enjoyed -- many owners call the slaughterhouse to have the horse hauled away and subjected to a terrifying, gruesome death in a meat packing plant, surrounded by other screaming horses who are in the process of being murdered.

Horse slaughterhouses are therefore able to purchase these horses for a dollar amount that’s far below the actual cost to raise a horse. The horses are transported to the slaughterhouse facility (which is ac-

The USDA says, “it was required by law to issue the grant of inspection because Valley Meat met all federal requirements,” reports Reuters, which also says that 130,000 horses are slaughtered each year in Canada and Mexico.

U.S. companies want a piece of that business, it seems, because horses can be acquired for virtually free.

tually the largest cost of the entire thing due to fuel prices) and then their throats are slit to begin the “processing” of the meat.

Yep, Becky’s little pony that she grew up with as a teenage girl ends up bleeding out on the floor of a horse slaughterhouse in New Mexico. When expensive family pets are no longer needed, they’re just sold off for meat.

Keep that in mind if you’re considering buying a horse for your teen daughter or granddaughter. What will happen to that horse once your daughter loses interest in raising horses after discovering that raising a horse requires a tremendous amount of physical labor?

If you’re a horse owner, be a responsible one. Don’t let your horse get slaughtered for food. Because if you do, you not only cause your horse to experience a terrifying ending; you also may end up eating your horse the next time you whip up some spaghetti and meatballs.

(NaturalNews)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Crown and bridges

Dr. Matthew Weekes BSC DDS MTh DMin

Dental

A crown commonly called a cap is a dental restoration that is placed over a tooth that is lacking in natural tooth structure.

This may be the result of cavities, fractured off segments, or severe wear and tear. Some teeth erupt into the mouth underdeveloped as is often seen with peg shaped upper lateral incisors. A crown is often used to transform these teeth to a natural form and size.

To restore small defects tooth matching bonding resins are used, but they are not suitable to restore the form

and function of extensively compromised teeth. A crown is an excellent restoration in this case. It is fabricated to look and function like a natural tooth with ideal anatomy. It is made either of very hard durable porcelain as is often the case for restoring the four front teeth in either arch, or porcelain fused to metal. The posterior teeth which require more resistance to wear are usually made with porcelain fused on the top of a semi-precious metal.

All teeth that have had root canal treatment should be crowned. As these teeth have no vital tissue, they become more brittle as time goes by and hence are more susceptible to fracture. By placing a crown on the tooth soon after the root canal therapy is performed, the strength of the tooth is greatly increased and the chances of fracture is very unlikely.

A bridge is a fixed prosthesis shaped like a single tooth or several

natural teeth and used to replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth.

It is attached and supported by crowns that are placed on the prepared teeth at both ends of the vacant space. Bridges like crowns are aesthetically pleasing and restore the ability to chew your food efficiently. Bridges can either be supported by natural healthy teeth or by implants.

The advantage of a bridge over a denture is that you do not have to take it out at night and it preserves the soft tissue and bone around the teeth much better than a denture. However very often there are several teeth missing and the treatment of choice could be a combination of bridges and partial dentures, a partial denture alone, or a complete full denture if no natural teeth are present.

A discussion with your dentist will determine the best treatment plan for you and the various alternatives to treatment.

Shop Smart: How to buy supplements

Dr. Lydia ND

Health Tips Entering a health food store with hundreds of bottles of supplements can be overwhelming. I observe people daily; eyes glazed over, bottles picked up, considered, and put back on the shelf. It is confusing! Supplement companies want you to think that their product is the best.

How do you compare ingredients, dosages and brands and find what is right for you? Here are some tips: The dosage is very important. All supplements label amounts of ingredients on the side of the bottle. Sometimes these dosages are per capsule and sometimes they are the suggested daily dose; which can be a number of capsules. Often people will neglect this detail and think the dosages given are always per single capsule. In actual fact, you may need to take a number of tablets to get a sufficient

dose of the ingredients. This is helpful when comparing bottles; make sure you aren’t comparing apples to oranges.

Try to avoid “kitchen sink” products. The more ingredients on the label, the smaller the amount of each ingredient will be in the capsule. Getting an adequate dose of the active ingredient is key to reaping the benefits of taking a supplement. Getting a tiny bit of everything essentially means you get nothing.

Choose targeted products with just a few key ingredients; I like less than six. The exception: a multivitamin.

You get what you pay for. There are reasons some supplements are less expensive than others. The way ingredients are manufactured, the amount of filler, the chemical form of vitamins and minerals, and the freshness of herbs are all important. Particularly, herbal or botanical products see declining quality with bargain prices. I am not saying you always have to purchase the most costly product; but pick it up, read the ingredients and see what is closest in your price range.

Avoid proprietary blends. A proprietary blend does not list the amount of individual ingredients. Manufacturers will develop proprietary blends for two

reasons: to prevent the competition from copying their product and/or to prevent telling the consumer that there is very little active ingredients in the product. I avoid these supplements because I feel consumers and prescribing practitioners need to know the dosage of each ingredient. Or, as previously mentioned, you might only get a tiny amount of the active ingredient.

Find a shop with professional lines of supplements. There are some lines of products that are only available to a practitioner with a license. This does not mean that retailers do not carry these products for the public. Generally, they are not found at the large retail chains.

Call around to find a specialized store that is linked with a practitioner; like my dispensary, BN Natural Foods. The professional lines are built on practitioners recommending their products. They know naturopathic doctors will not settle for poor quality products for their patients. By and large, professional lines are quality products.

If you are unsure about what supplements are right for you a naturopathic doctor can point you in the right direction.

The most common weight issues

Monique Bartlett Fitness The amount of people that lose weight, gain it back, lose it and gain it back, keeps growing and growing. There are many reasons for this but in fact serving size is in direct proportion to the waist line. Even eating too much of healthy foods can lead to weight gain.

Ultimately, it’s necessary combine strength training and cardio in order to increase your metabolism and burn fat.

To maximize fat loss the focus should always be exercises that increase lean muscle mass and burns calories. Strength training helps promote fat loss and is important in long term weight management.

Strength training increases metabolism, burns extra calories, and also burns more calories at rest.

The most common weight issues people face are that their clothes become too tight, lack of energy, blood pressure is skyrocketing, can’t sleep, cholesterol is too high, etc, etc. A weight loss goal

that is set and not attainable or realistic will not be the motivator needed in order to keep moving towards the goal. Once new tools and strategies are learned to overcome negative beliefs and form new behaviours, it becomes easier to reach an ideal weight and live a healthier lifestyle.

It’s really not about what you eat; it’s about what’s eating you. Diet and exercise are important to help you reach your ideal weight however, if you don’t believe you can or will be successful, you won’t. It takes time and intention in order to get you started. Once you establish those, you can look forward to a lifestyle of health and happiness.

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Investment property, mortgage insurance & newcomer banking Stephen Mohammed Finance Real Estate - Thinking of investing in real estate? It’s a great idea if you have an entrepreneurial background. It’s like any other business, it takes time and discipline to manage your investment, see it grow, expand, and become profitable. Whether your investment is a renovation to sell for a profit, or as a landlord, you have to be diligent, and research the property.

If you intend on renovating to increase the value of the home before selling, be sure to consider the cost to renovate the property, the market value of comparables in that area and the ability to sell the property in a timely manner and within budget. As a landlord, there are legal binding contracts between a landlord and a tenant. It is important that you know your rights and responsibilities as a landlord and equally important to know and understand the rights and responsibilities of your tenant(s).

Mortgage - Mortgage insurance is an insurance product used to protect lenders in case a borrower defaults on mortgage payments.

Companies such as Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Genworth Financial offer this type of mortgage protection insurance. A high ratio mortgage would require such insurance. A high ratio mortgage is one where the borrower has a

down payment of less than twenty percent of the purchase price or property value.

Whereas, the opposite of a high ratio mortgage is a conventional mortgage where the borrower has a down payment of twenty percent or more. The insurance premium can be incorporated into the mortgage or paid in advance. The premium is based on the loan to value (LTV) and the amount of down payment the borrower has.

There are some general requirements to be eligible for mortgage insurance.

A) The home must be located in Canada. B) The maximum purchase price must be below one million dollars. C) The Gross Debt Service ratio (GDS) should be thirty two percent or less, and D) The Total Debt Service ratio (TDS) should be forty percent or less, with a minimum down payment of five percent for single family and two unit residential homes.

Finance - Every year people immigrate to Canada and are faced with challenges in understanding our financial system. Some financial institutions have taken a proactive approach to assist new immigrants in establishing a credit history by allowing individuals to apply for a credit card without a security deposit or credit history when they hold personal banking products with that institution.

You can also apply for a secured credit card to begin establishing a credit score. Some Financial institutions offer service in different languages to accommodate new immigrants whose first language is neither English nor French. Banking hours are also extended and some are now open on Sundays. If you are a new immigrant, contact a local financial institution or a financial advisor to see what products and solutions are available to you.

Discover Canada citizenship test guide now available as an audio eBook OTTAWA -- Starting June 28, the popular citizenship study guide, Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, is available as an integrated audio eBook download, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney announced today. ““I’m pleased to launch the audio eBook version of Discover Canada just in time for Canada Day,”” said Minister Kenney. ““This is yet another way those studying for the citizenship test can learn about Canada’s history, values, symbols and important institutions.””

read government publications in Canadian history.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada was the first Government of Canada department to produce an eBook, which has garnered almost 60,000 downloads in the past year and a half. This new version combines the convenience of a book that can be read on a portable tablet with an audio guide.

The audio eBook allows people to conveniently hear the text of the guide being read aloud as they follow along on their e-readers, smart phones and tablets.

Well-known English Canadians such as the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson and Mr. Ian Hanomansing, among others, lent their voices for portions of the English eBook and Mr. Jean-Benoît Rainville is one of the voices for the French version. This integrated audio eBook will be particularly valuable to those who are still strengthening their proficiency in French or English.

Since the launch of Discover Canada in 2009, almost one million hard copies have been distributed. In addition, almost 400,000 copies have been downloaded online and there have been over 1.5 million hits to the Discover Canada Web page.

Discover Canada is one of the most widely

““This guide helps newcomers integrate into Canadian society and become fully contributing citizens. It is also an excellent source for established Canadians to find out more about our history and the pioneers that helped to build this great country,”” said Minister Kenney. (CIC)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Superintendent of Bankruptcyʼs Appeal Re: 407ETR further reflections Tammy Flores 407ETR Matters I find it interesting how silent mainstream media has been regarding this appeal. It went ahead June 10th, 2013, but the IKEA monkey is more important than this issue.

Regardless of what the media chooses to report on, this agenda will continue going forward.

We are not giving up and we hope to have support from more Politicians as this case winds its way through the courts. Of course, we are still looking for people to support our petition that can be found at https:// campaign.to/StopThe407EtrsAbuseOfPower/petition/13/ It has been a battle to get politicians onside because everyone has an agenda, but after meeting with a Political Analyst from the states last night, I am hoping this will change.

Jodie Parmar, the architect behind the agreement with this company, maintains we can absolutely reset the agreement with 407ETR. Although he is not for making it a free highway, he is for making it a fair highway.

The crux of 407ETR’s argument was convoluted if you ask me, but in a nut shell: 1) 407ETR’s lawyers were trying to prove there was some sort of public policy

at stake if they didn’t remain viable. There was absolutely no evidence presented about how collecting from bankrupt people would keep them viable. True to 407ETR’s style, they just want to shove what they think down everyone’s throat. As stated in my previous article, if the Province felt there was a public policy at stake they would have made themselves party to the action. How dare 407ETR act as if they represent the province.

This had me stewing in my seat as I sat in the court room.

2) 407ETR’s lawyers were saying the only way for them to protect their business is to be able to control who they give “credit” to. They claim Plate Denial is necessary to control that. I have so many issues with this, but the most prominent is that they signed the agreement and knew full well they were to let the public access the highway. Although it may be in the public interest to keep the traffic flowing on that highway, they can put up a mix of manned toll booths and free access points if they want to protect their business.

3) 407ETR’s lawyers went into great detail about how the 407 Act was part of the Highway Traffic Act and as such made examples of how people who drive without insurance can lose their license and face a monetary penalty. A question asked was does monetary penalties make people better drivers or more responsible drivers? Think about it. Considering it costs you about $5,000.00 if you drive without insurance, normal people won’t risk that, but I would say it’s deterrence over making people safer or more responsible drivers. I think it was a stretch on their part, to put themselves on that level when it comes to people not paying

the tolls claimed against them. Are they in any position to insinuate that everyone who doesn’t pay their tolls they claim are owed are irresponsible? If they want to talk about responsibilities I am sure you can appreciate that I can go into great detail on how they have not been responsible to the public in their billing practices. They never provide proof that what they claim against people is a lawful toll.

As I said, their argument is convoluted! Do Canadians really want “Debtors Prison” back? Consider how the banks and auto sector were just bailed out by the government. This is not the culture that exists, but 407ETR would have you believe this is the new way of thinking for businesses. OUTRAGEOUS! I hope people start to understand what is actually at stake with regards to what this company is doing. Do we want all companies treating people the way 407 does? If we don’t fight this fight now, all that was fought and won in the past with respects to these kinds of debt collection issues will be lost. There are measures in place to protect businesses from abuse of these provisions.

407ETR’s way of dealing with this issue is to thumb their nose at it completely. They don’t even respond when they receive a letter that someone is claiming bankruptcy or are discharged. They thereby forgo any of those protections in place if you ask me.

Hopefully, the Judges can see through 407ETR’s attempt at changing the way Canadians are treated by private enterprise. Please sign and share the petition http://tinyurl.com/ 407petition

Faster removal of foreign criminals act becomes law OTTAWA -Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney welcomed the final passage and Royal Assent of The Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, which speeds up the removal of dangerous foreign criminals from Canada. ““This new law will keep Canadians safer by ending endless appeals and loopholes that were being used by dangerous foreign criminals to delay their deportation, during which time many committed more crimes,”” said Minister Kenney. ““Canadians can now feel more confident in the integrity of our immigration system because violent criminals and fraudsters will be kept out while genuine visitors are welcome.””

The Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, strengthens the integrity of Canada’s immigration system by amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to: 1. Make it easier for the Government to remove dangerous foreign criminals from Canada; 2. Make it harder for those who may pose a risk to Canada to enter our country in the

first place; and 3. Remove unnecessary barriers for genuine visitors who want to come to Canada.

The Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act has received widespread acclaim, including support from the Canadian Association of Police Chiefs, the Canadian Police Association, Victims of Violence and Immigrants for Canada, among many others.

The Government is delivering on its commitment to deport dangerous foreign criminals faster by limiting their access to the Immigration and Refugee Board’s Immigration Appeal Division (IAD). This will reduce the amount of time certain criminals may remain in Canada by up to 18 months, preventing them from committing more crimes against innocent, law-abiding Canadians.

Another change in the legislation ensures that foreign nationals who are inadmissible on the most serious grounds – security, human or international rights violations, or organized criminality – are no longer able to delay their removal by applying for

a program that is meant for cases deserving of humanitarian and compassionate consideration. This change is consistent with the government’s no safe haven policy.

Other changes to protect the safety and security of Canadians include a new Ministerial authority to refuse temporary entry in exceptional cases, and increased penalties for those who try to cheat the system.

The legislation also facilitates the temporary entry of low-risk individuals who would have previously been refused entry because one of their family members was deemed inadmissible for non-security reasons, such as health. ““Canadians are generous and welcoming people, but they have no tolerance for criminals and fraudsters abusing our generosity,”” said Minister Kenney. ““We want an immigration system that is open to genuine visitors, while at the same time prevents the entry of foreign criminals and denies them the ability to endlessly abuse our generosity.”” (CIC)

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Ranjeev (D-Heartbreaker) Ramdeen Vashtie Doorga Entertainment As he walked in to the Rienzi Complex the day before the Semifinals of the Chutney Soca Monarch, he felt a sense of nostalgia. Ranjeev (D-Heartbreaker) Ramdeen remembered that exactly 18 years ago he was named a finalist of Children of Mastana on that very stage, and now he was there as a semifinalist yet again. As a child His mother,Ester John, famous for singing the timeless bhajan “Prabu-Ji” was his driving force, introducing him to the root of music, learning dholak, tabla keyboards singing in temple.

When Ranjeev moved to the US, he decided to join the military September 19, 2001 right after the Twin Towers were hit in New York City. In his 3 years in the Army and 5 years in the Navy, he served a 9 month tour of Afghanistan once, and

Iraq twice, Italy and Bahrain. Coming back home, he mentored troubled kids and shared his experiences reminding them to always go after their passion genuinely, not for name and fame but to live in love and unity.

D-Heartbreaker’s latest entry into the Chutney Soca Monarch, “Take yuh things and Go” has been tore up the airwaves not only in Trinidad but also in New York where he now resides and around the world. He has been on a few tours across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.and is also one of the front line singers of the band G6. Make sure to check out his latest single, “Four Ah We” which is a collaboration with Stinky of the Melobugz, and Neshard Mayroo KI of 3Veni. As he shares one of his most personal memorable moments, the birth of his children and becoming a father, he has learnt to appreciate the simple pleasures in life and cherish the freedom he feels in singing from his heart.

Rudder finds Grand Stand favour at three score David Rudder’s decision to go completely soul, using pop music from the 60s and 70s for the opening segment of his 6.0 concert at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, last Saturday night, generated mixed reactions from patrons, being hailed in some quarters, and criticised in others.

Taking the stage at 9.15 pm, following an energy-bursting performance by 3Canal of a repertoire that ignited the large crowd which included popular favourites Good Morning Neighbour, and Talk Yuh Talk, Rudder, backed by Wayne Bruno and Rapid Response, offered a number of hit songs from the past from artistes such as The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, The Rolling Stones, and a host of others that he alluded to as having had an influence on his chosen career as an entertainer and recording artiste.

Among the selections were Knock On Wood, Satisfaction, Imagine, What’s Going On, and Any Day Now. Comments sourced from among the crowd during the more-than-an-hour-long performance were both complimentary and unflattering.

“People have been saying Rudder sings the same songs on every show, so I find this a nice change,” said a well-known record distributor. “The man is showing off his versatility, and should be complimented,” observed a Culture Ministry official.

“Rudder is just awesome singing those songs,” gushed a young female in the company of a mixed group of attendees. On the flip side, a visitor from Scandinavia was not impressed. “If I wanted to

hear these songs I could have stayed home and played CDs,” she grumbled. “Instead of learning the lyrics of all those songs, he could have learned the lyrics of calypsos from that period and sung those,” opined a member of a popular steel orchestra.

“While it’s Rudder’s concert and he decides what to sing, he could at least have established a Rudder presence first with a few bars of one of his popular compositions before inflicting this foreign stuff on us,” said another patron. After the interval, however, all was forgiven, and Ruddermania reigned.

Popular Barbadian jazz/reggae saxophonist Arturo Tappin played the notes of Rudder’s 1990 from offstage to introduce the star performer, who opened with It Doesn’t Get Too Much Better Than This from the album Zero released

in 2000, and followed with Ganges and The Nile, Soca Music, Trini To The Bone, Bahia Girl, Bacchanal Lady, Nuff Respect, Hoosay, Rally Round The West Indies and Haiti I’m Sorry.

By this time, the huge audience had abandoned chairs and was on its feet, singing along and swaying to the music.

Master musician Pelham Goddard joined the musical aggregation for the songs Jungle Fever, Calabash and Jump Up, which he had arranged for Peter Minshall’s early Carnival presentations, and pannist Yohann Chuckaree provided additional accompaniment for the praise song Dedication.

As he promised, Rudder sang for his fans until almost 2 am Sunday, and almost everyone stayed until the last note was sounded. (Trinidad Guardian)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Wednesday, July 3, 2013 23

Why Should You Get a Website for Your Business?

On average, 139,344 new websites go live each day!

Julie Rambali Business Development As of 2013, more than 2.4 billion people use the internet worldwide and 70% of them use the internet every day. 78.6% of those users are from North America and since the year 2000, the number of internet users has grown by 566%. 38% of media interactions each day are on smartphones. On average, 139,344 new websites go live each day. In an interconnected and interactive world, it’s now more important than ever to have a great website.

On a daily basis, more and more

people are looking for products/services online than ever before. People move to new areas and often depend solely on the internet to learn more about their surroundings, and find out who to go to for what. Many people find their homes and jobs over the internet. It’s now understood that most people are coming to expect that any professionally operated business will have a website.

The more people know about your company, the greater the chances you have for attracting new customers. Maximize your advertising efforts by putting your website address on your business cards, letterhead, and other advertisements. This lets visitors know exactly where to go for answers and where to refer their friends. A website address can also save you on printing costs.

Instead of listing all your products/services on your brochure, you can refer people to your website for more details where you can

make an even better impression with more information and photos of your products/services. People will always easily remember a website address rather than a phone number.

With that said, it’s actually better to have no website than to have one that makes your business look bad. It’s not enough that you just have a website. You must have a professional-looking website if you want to be taken seriously. Since people now research online before making a purchase, your website may be the first chance you have at making a good impression on a potential customer. If your website looks like it was designed by your 11 year old nephew, that good first impression will surely be lost.

Your website speaks volumes about your business. With a well-designed website, your small business becomes competitive both on and off the internet.

Whatever the size of your business,

there should be no doubt that you should have a website. A website presence on the internet keeps your business open 24 hours a day and 365 days of the year so that customers, potential employees, business partners and even investors can find out more about your business and the products/services that you offer. Depending on additional website features, it can be costly to get a website professionally done. However, instead of asking yourself if you can afford a website, ask yourself if you can afford not to have a website.

Next time, I’ll discuss simple and effective marketing techniques which can drive targeted visitors to your website. You can read my blogs on infinitelinx.ca and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Mention Toronto Caribbean Newspaper to receive a 25% discount on your first website.

24 Wednesday, July 3, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Your Horoscope - July 3rd 2013 Aries Horoscope (March 21-April 20): Place yourself on watch. Mercury retrograde can set you back with a family member, home matter, renovation, or personal project. The past, your comfort zone, and security issues are also up for review. Monday’s Sun/Pluto opposition pushes you past a block or helps you to navigate your way through an important revisitation. Tuesday onward, step by step gets you there.

Taurus Horoscope (April 21-May 21): Don’t force it if it isn’t coming naturally.

While Mercury is retrograde, it is okay to let some things slide. Still, make sure to keep a closer watch on what’s important. Indulge on Thursday/ Friday, but watch your vices. On Sunday, something unplanned perks it up. There’s added pressure to contend with on Monday.

By evening and into Tuesday, you’ll have it worked out.

Gemini Horoscope (May 23June 20): Thursday/Friday, you can gain more leeway with the powers that be. Let yourself off the hook, too.

Coast—don’t sweat it. Saturday/Sunday finds you more up and at ‘em. On Monday, revise as necessary. Mercury retrograde can raise concerns over income, savings, expenses, caretaking, safeguarding, and replenishing. Too, you may need, want, or give out more emotional support.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21July 20): Have you noticed your sensitivity to surroundings and people is greatly heightened? Body, heart, mind, and soul will signal stronger now too.

Listen up. On a temporary note, Mercury retrograde can set you back emotionally, health-wise, or financially. Whether it’s a second chance, a makeover, or a complete overhaul, Mercury retrograde also gifts you with extra time to sort yourself out.

Leo Horoscope (July 21Aug. 22): Mercury retrograde presents an ideal few weeks to go off on a vacation, cozy up right where you are, or take extra time to heal and explore new options or budding potentials. Confidence and vitality booster Venus in Leo begins Thursday, but before Venus can bestow the goods, you’ll need to make an attitude shift and visual spruce-up.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug. 23Sept. 22): Over this next year, Jupiter in Cancer will enhance your social and financial potentials. In the short and more immediate term, Mercury retrograde can put you on a relationship or personal backtrack. Plans or goals can change. Take it one step at a time. Thursday/Friday can be smooth running. Socialize. Play up the romance. Saturday keeps the spark well lit.

Libra Horoscope (Sept.

23-Oct. 22): Mercury retrograde could present added challenge with career projects, ambitions, bank matters, family or other official obligations, agreements, paperwork, or contracts. Too, you may find it difficult to stick to your own rules, promises, or commitments. On the plus side, a temporary sidetrack could be quite lucrative. Thursday/Friday delivers a smooth finish to the work week. Saturday to Monday keeps it moving.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Planned or not, the next few weeks of Mercury retrograde can find you revisiting places and faces.

There may be a time lapse or physical distance to cross, but the heart doesn’t skip a beat. You may reconsider something major or previously shelved. Presented with an offer? Take your time to feel it out. A revision can make all the difference.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov. 22-Dec. 20): Jupiter’s oneyear tour through Cancer offers gains through others and can give you more financial and emotional support. Conversely, your need can increase, especially while Mercury tours retrograde. Loving bonds can grow cozier, but if you’re not in unison, Mercury retrograde will keep reminding you of the shortfalls until you figure it out.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec. 21-Jan. 20): Despite the extras on your plate and whatever inconveniences may occur, the beginning of Mercury retrograde could prove to be fairly smooth.

However, by Monday, the sun’s opposition to Pluto can put you under added relationship or financial strains, or find you struggling with yourself. By mid-week, something can snap or suddenly improve.

Perhaps it’s both.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan. 21-Feb. 18): You are on a roll through Sunday. Still, know that Mercury retrograde can set you back with work matters, health, or finances, and/or show you where you have already lost ground. Add extra margins and safeguards, think again before you speak or act, heed intuition or early warning signals, and don’t ingest anything you are uncertain of.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb. 18-March 20): The Pisces moon brings the workweek to a smooth finish. Saturday/ Sunday you’ll be up for more.

Unsure about yourself or concerned about a key family member? Watch for Mercury retrograde to roll it out for you. In the meantime, carve out more time to catch up with yourself or with loved ones. Monday/ Tuesday is a push-pull.

26 Wednesday, July 3, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Putting your best foot foward as a young entrepreneur 7 points to help anyone starting into business

Jim Pagiamtzis Business Development In the journey of building your business there are some fundamental steps entrepreneurs attempt to do (or not do at all) that would affect business, growth, resources or making a profit. Below are areas that they must deal with or get assistance to complete for them to survive.

Fear (False Evidence Appearing Real): Fear is something that society does very well through friends, TV programs and media to instill a lack of confidence, convincing the entrepreneur to think that they are unable to succeed. This is not the case at all.

Procrastination: I hear this a lot “I do not have any time”. This excuse can be used as a mental block, but they are not using their time productively. To much networking, meeting people and failure to follow up is a common rut to get stuck in. Being able to network and share is important. The ability to follow up with your contacts and increase your resources is a very important step.

Self Promotion: Being able to network and offer value is an important priority to accomplish. Self promotion is a key to networking.

Often times in a conversation the entrepreneur does not share what they do. Again it comes from a lack of self confidence issues that they either don’t want to share or they believe it’s not of value to the conversation.

We all have something of value to share, it’s a missed opportunity not to do so.

Connection is Key: The number one thing a person likes to talk about is themselves! Entrepreneurs often attend events, speak with

multiple people, and walk out empty handed.

How is this possible? It comes back to a lack of inner confidence and the ability to be able to share what you do and listen to the other person, and then exchange business cards but fail to make any follow up notes or believe there are no possibilities to further connect.

Follow up - Follow Through: Having a system is an important tool to succeed when you are networking. Going out and collecting business cards and putting them in a box is not a method of success! 24-48 hours is a great rule of thumb when following up with connections. It is a simple process and very easy to do. Not doing this is a big waste of your time and energy yielding no results.

Lack of Habits: This a very common factor that affects entrepreneurs; laziness and not having a plan to execute. You have to be in control of your environment and what you are taking in. You are a direct reflection of those you associate with. Watching

hours of tv, listing to the radio, and spending time ineffectively can negatively affect your thoughts and work ethics. Your willpower and personal abilities do not have the energy to realize they are not doing the right things to improve your day.

No Go-Giver Mentality: Expecting a return every time you do something for others is a sure path to failure. The ability to be able to give is an important trait to have when networking. Bob Burg Author of “Go-Giver” states “Changing your focus from getting to giving, putting others’ interests first and continually adding value to their lives, ultimately leads to unexpected returns.”

Being aware of these mistakes is a great way to start you on the right path for success for you and your company. Following these suggestions will not only affect your business growth, but help your profits soar!