Canada’s Leading Caribbean Newspaper
Volume 15 • Issue 3
Wednesday, March 11 2026
“The sealed documents reportedly include adverse-event reports, medical assessments, internal reviews, and correspondence related to compensation claims filed following COVID-19 vaccination. Health Canada’s explanation is that the long‑term restriction is required to protect personal medical information and is consistent with federal privacy legislation...”
FULL STORY - PAGE 8
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FEATURE
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 11, 2026
CELINA CAESAR-CHAVANNES
Photo Credit: Brian Reilly from West Studio
The woman who refused to disappear
Before the world learned her name, be‑ fore Parliament tried to discipline her spirit, before Canada decided who she should be, Celina Caesar‑Chavannes was a little girl who didn’t yet under‑ stand the politics of being too much. She remembers that child, the one who stood at the top of the stairs, complete‑ ly naked, singing Rod Stewart with the confidence of someone who had not yet been taught to shrink. “Young Sele‑ na… the unapologetic, unfiltered, un‑ bossed… badass version of who I have ever been.” That child wasn’t trying to im‑ press anyone. She simply existed with‑ out permission. Then life happened. Family ex‑ pectations. School systems. Immigrant respectability. The quiet, suffocating rules that tell African Caribbean girls to be brilliant, but not intimidating. Bold, but not loud. Smart, but not too smart. So, she tucked that girl away, because the world made it clear that be‑ ing fully herself came with consequenc‑ es. This is the story of the woman who went back to retrieve the girl she buried, and the power she reclaimed in the pro‑ cess. The messenger who never needed a title Celina has never been seduced by cre‑ dentials. She has said it plainly in in‑ terview’s: “The titles are arbitrary.” Her PhD, her MBA, her political appoint‑ ments, none of them define her. They are tools she picked up because she needed to speak multiple languages: the language of academia, the lan‑ guage of politics, the language of sys‑ tems that only listen when you sound like them, but she never mistook those tools for identity. She calls herself the messenger, “I am the messenger. That is my role.” She learned the tools to expose the ar‑ chitecture of the house. She learned the language of power so she could trans‑ late it for people who were never meant to be in the room. Editor’s Note: If you ever want to understand Celina’s political chap‑ ter through a different lens, the kind that blends rebellion, infiltration, and
the quiet genius of a person of African descent navigating white institutions, go watch “The Spook Who Sat by the Door.” The film gives you the vocabu‑ lary to recognize what it means to sit inside a system that was never designed for you, learn its codes, and still refuse to be owned by it. Now, back to our story… Her public résumé is impressive: Member of Parliament for Whitby, Parliamen‑ tary Secretary to the Prime Minister, bestselling author, global lecturer, award‑winning entrepreneur, but the résumé is the least interesting part of her story. The real story is the internal one, the one most people never see. Pressure, pain, and the opening Politics cracked her open. She calls it “The most painfully beautiful time of my life.” Painful because of the racism, misogynoir, and institutional silencing she endured, the kind of harm that re‑ arranges the nervous system. Beautiful because pressure reveals what comfort hides. She has referenced Aldous Huxley’s Perennial Philosophy in an in‑ terview, the idea that you don’t know water is hydrogen and oxygen until you put it under extreme pressure. That is what politics did to her. It applied pres‑ sure until the façade split and the truth came pouring out. The woman who emerged from that pressure was not the version Canada expected. She was the version she had been suppressing since childhood, the one who refused to be managed, muted, or molded. The moment everything shifted There is a moment she describes (March 2019) when the buried girl inside her rose up and said, “Enough.” Enough shrinking. Enough self‑censoring. Enough pretending that belonging at the table meant safety. She says it bluntly: “You’re not at the table. You’re on the menu.” That moment cost her politi‑ cally, but it restored her spiritually. She admits that during her time in Parlia‑ ment, she was still protecting herself. “I was still censoring myself,” she says. “If
I knew then what I know now, it would be completely different.” Today, she speaks from a place of sov‑ ereignty. She is no longer nego‑ tiating her existence. She is no longer asking permission to be whole. The grace period Celina calls this chapter of her life the grace period, a season defined by spiritual clarity, academic precision, and a refusal to apologize for her magnificence. She describes it as the moment when the acorn becomes more than an oak tree; it be‑ comes a living ecosystem, a place where birds nest, air cir‑ culates, and life expands. Her PhD journey, in which she began to figure out “What was wrong with me,” be‑ came the mirror that showed her nothing was wrong at all. “I found out I was absolutely marvelous.” Not “Fine.” Not “Strong.” Marvelous. She blends spirituality with neurosci‑ ence, telling people that they are mi‑ raculous, and explaining the cognitive pathways that allow them to step into that magnificence. “There’s nothing wrong with you, sis,” she says. “Your neuro‑correlates are messing with you, but you can change that.” A life lived without apology Celina lives with a kind of audacity that refuses regret. She jokes that her tomb‑ stone should read: “All she had left to do was die,” because she intends to ex‑ haust every ounce of her potential. She has run for office, run toward truth, run from nothing. She has travelled the world, stood on glaciers, kissed frogs, made mistakes, made meaning, and made peace with the fullness of who she is. She is not afraid of death because she is not afraid of life. Her legacy is a remind‑ er that African Caribbean women need to remember their magnificence.
Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News
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NEWS & VIEWS
PAGE 3
Saving our children: community power SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Fourteen-year-old Maya, a bright student in Brampton with dreams of becoming a nurse, thought she had found a mentor in an older entrepreneur she met on Instagram. He praised her ambition, sent her small electronic gifts, and slowly began to isolate her from her Caribbean parents, convincing her they didn’t understand her potential. Maya was psychologically groomed in the safety of her bedroom. This is the modern face of human trafficking, a crime of manipulation and control that is quietly targeting our youth. For our Caribbean community in the Peel Region, we must dismantle the myth that trafficking is an overseas problem, or something that only happens to troubled kids. In Ontario, the average age of recruitment into sex trafficking is a staggering 13 years old. Approximately 58% of all police-reported trafficking cases in Canada occur right here in Ontario. In the 2024-25 period, Peel Children’s Aid Society (Peel CAS) identified 166 cases where a child or youth was suspected of being involved in trafficking for sexual exploitation.
This crisis is deeply connected to the “Black Boys Missing” situation in Toronto. When our young African Caribbean and racialized men disappear, they are often victims of a predatory system that exploits their need for belonging and economic opportunity. As a community, we must stop blaming the victims. Trafficked youth are being exploited by experts in deception who use psychological leverage to keep them trapped. The fight against this exploitation is a community movement. This is where nCourage comes in. Peel CAS is helping coordinate our region’s defense through this vital resource. Located at “The Circle: Peel Centre for Child, Youth and Family Well-Being” (also known by its Ojibwe name, Waawiyebii’igan, symbolizing unity), nCourage is a collaboration of over 40 organizations. nCourage removes the institutional barriers that often prevent families from seeking help. Instead of navigating a confusing maze of offices, families can find a holistic, village-style support system under one roof. nCourage coordinates essential services, including: • •
•
Integrated supports: Expedited access to social services, health, legal aid, and education. Survivor centered care: Traumainformed counseling, dental care, substance use support, and family reunification. Collaborative intervention: Realtime partnership between Peel Re-
gional Police, Aboriginal Legal Services, and frontline educators. To protect our children, we must be vigilant. Signs of trafficking often look like sudden behavioral shifts: a child becoming secretive about their phone, coming home with expensive clothes or new hairstyles they can’t afford, or withdrawing from long-time friends. Ontario’s 2025–2030 strategy is investing over $345 million to ensure survivors have the tools to heal and rebuild their lives. We must move from a focus on protection alone to a model rooted in prevention and community-led support.
If you suspect a young person is being groomed or exploited, do not remain silent. You can reach out to nCourage for confidential, low-barrier support at 905-866-2831, or via email at referrals@ ncourage.ca. Our youth are the heartbeat of our community. By recognizing the warning signs and utilizing resources like nCourage, we ensure that every child in our village is shielded by the strength of their community. Together, we can reclaim our children’s futures and stop the cycle of exploitation before it begins.
Peel Regional Police News Your access to the latest alerts, media releases, crime statistics, podcasts and more.
NEWS & VIEWS
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 5
Community Is Not Just a Word; It’s a Responsibility This past weekend we turned the clocks forward for daylight saving time. It’s a small change, but one that always seems to signal something bigger. The days get longer, the sun stays out a little later, and slowly but surely we begin to feel that shift toward spring. For many of us, that extra hour of daylight feels like a reminder that a new season is around the corner. After a long Canadian winter, there’s something refreshing about knowing warmer days are ahead. Spring has a way of waking things up again — not just the trees and flowers, but also our communities. And that’s what I’ve been thinking about this week: community. The word gets used often. We hear it at events, in conversations, and across social media. But when you stop and really think about it, community isn’t just a word. It’s a responsibility. One of the things I have always admired about Caribbean culture is how deeply rooted it is in the idea of community. Whether we are in the Caribbean or living abroad, we carry that spirit with us. It shows up in the way we support one another, celebrate together, and stand beside each other during difficult times. In the Caribbean, community has always meant something very real. Neighbours check in on each other. Families extend beyond bloodlines. Someone’s success is celebrated by many, and when someone struggles, people step in to help. That spirit doesn’t disappear just because we now call Canada home. Across Toronto and the GTA, Caribbean communities continue to build spaces where our culture, traditions, and voices remain strong. You see it in the restaurants serving the foods that remind us of home, the music that fills community halls, the churches that bring families together each week, and the events that celebrate who we are. But communities don’t grow on their own. They grow because people choose to support them. That support can look different for everyone. Sometimes it means show-
ing up to community events and celebrating our culture together. Other times it means supporting Caribbean-owned businesses that work hard every day to serve our community. It can mean mentoring younger generations who are trying to find their place in the world, or simply taking the time to uplift someone who may need encouragement. Every action, no matter how small it may seem, contributes to the strength of the community around us. At Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, we see that spirit of community every single week. We see it in the stories shared by readers, the businesses that advertise with us, the organizations doing incredible work behind the scenes, and the individuals who dedicate their time and energy to making sure our community continues to thrive. It’s a reminder that what we are building together matters. As we move closer to spring, many events and gatherings will begin to return in full swing. Cultural celebrations, community initiatives, and opportunities for people to reconnect will start filling the calendar again. These moments are more than just social events — they are opportunities to strengthen the bonds that hold our community together. Because when people come together, powerful things can happen. Ideas are shared, businesses grow, friendships are formed, and support networks are built. Most importantly, our culture continues to be passed down to the next generation. That’s how communities stay strong. So as we adjust to the longer days and look forward to the warmth of spring, I encourage all of us to think about the role we each play in our community. Supporting one another, showing up, and staying connected are not small things. They are the foundation that keeps our community thriving. Community is not just something we talk about. It’s something we build — together.
CANADA’S LEADING CARIBBEAN NEWSPAPER Selina McCallum TC REPORTER selina@carib101.com
Noel Cunningham FOOD | CULINARY noel@carib101.com
Dave Rankin AFRICAN HISTORY dave@carib101.com
Jay Brijpaul REAL ESTATE jay@carib101.com
TORONTO CARIBBEAN NEWS INC. 55 Rutherford Rd. S., Suite 205, Brampton ON L6W 3J3 647-722-6298 | www.TOCaribNews.com
Simone J. Smith TC REPORTER simone@carib101.com
Dave Rankin TC REPORTER dave@carib101.com
Dr. Vikas Puri HEALTH | WELLNESS drpuri@carib101.com
Paul Junor EDUCATION paul@carib101.com
Fazaad Bacchus FINANCE SPECIALIST fazaad@carib101.com
PUBLISHER | EDITOR Grant Browning grant@carib101.com
Michael Thomas TC REPORTER michael@carib101.com
Christina Gwira TC TECH REPORTER christina@carib101.com
Errol A. Gibbs PHILOSOPHER errol@carib101.com
Brittney Channer SOCIAL JUSTICE brittney@carib101.com
Andrew Stewart FAMILY INSURANCE andrew@carib101.com
EDITOR | PROOFING Alanna Zelau alanna@carib101.com
Stephen Weir TC REPORTER stephen@carib101.com
Paul Junor TC EDUCATION REPORTER paul@carib101.com
Simone J. Smith HUMAN SPECIALIST simone@carib101.com
Christina Gwira TECHNOLOGY christina@carib101.com
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NEWS & VIEWS
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The Unsaid SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Every community has stories that live in the shadows; the ones whispered in kitchens, held in journals, buried under responsibility, or carried quietly in the bodies of women who were taught to endure more than they were ever allowed to express. This March, the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper is breaking that silence. We are opening a door. A real one. A necessary one. Each week, women from our Caribbean and African diaspora will speak with honesty, courage, and the kind of vulnerability that transforms the listener. This campaign is a space for truth. Week 1 - “The Unsaid” The stories women rarely get to tell in public, shared anonymously, powerfully, and without filter. Through anonymous submissions, audio snippets, and short investigative commentary, we are creating a sanctuary where women can finally release what they have been holding for years. No judgment. No consequence. No masks. This is storytelling as liberation. Raw. Human. Unforgettable. This campaign honours the women who keep our communities alive, and the truths they have never been given permission to speak. This month, we listen differently This month, we honour what has been unsaid. Trish Browning | CEO Toronto Caribbean Newspaper So, my unsaid thoughts would be the total lack of support that I have seen and experienced in my career that is related to our community. My role as CEO and Advertising Sales Manager means that I have had direct involvement with key members and stakeholders who are a part of the structure of our community. I have found that not everyone truly
cares about how we all progress. Some people are very self-serving and instead of thinking as a collective they take care of what is serving in this moment without thoughts of the future. I think people underestimate my ability to remember those who have been kind and helpful in the beginning and those who have helped us prepare for what you see today. To some individuals I would say, be honest in your interactions and don’t engage in conversation that you honestly do not intend to further after. Efia Tekyi-Annan | Mother of three | Entrepreneur | International Host | Diaspora Strategist | Community Advocate From the outside, my life can look like momentum. People see the travel. The hosting. The rooms I walk into. The conversations about the diaspora, culture, and community. They see the pictures and assume things are settled, that success has already arrived. What they don’t see is the pace. Most nights I fall asleep around three in the morning. Eight hours of my day belong to a full-time job working for someone else. The rest belongs to my visions. My brain rarely rests. Even when I travel, even when I’m supposed to be on vacation, my laptop is never far away. If I’m not doing something, my mind is already calculating what could have been done. This is the part people don’t see about women building something from nothing. I want a partnership. I want the type of love where someone stands beside you and understands the mission. The truth is that the life I am building does not always leave room for the kind of time and emotional presence that relationships require. My days are full, my mind is constantly moving, and sometimes I wonder if success and partnership are two things that can truly coexist. It is a question many women quietly carry. Can you build something extraordinary and still have the softness of a full personal life, or does one inevitably come at the expense of the other? These are the thoughts that rarely make it into interviews or speeches. The reality is that many of us are walking a tightrope. We are balancing responsibility, ambition, family, identity, and purpose all at the same time. We are building
futures while still carrying the weight of the present. From the outside it may look glamorous. From the inside it often feels like a race against time. Emma Ansah | Media Journalist | PR Specialist If there were no consequences? I would admit that always being the strong one is heavy. Being the go-to, the glue, the peacemaker while trying to stay a good person is exhausting. People admire resilience, but never ask the cost, and when family envy runs deep enough to lie on you and divide people, it can put some very dark thoughts in my mind. Agar St. Rose | Founder, Sprouting Young Minds | Martinique One of the hardest truths I carry is the fear of becoming what I grew up with. I was raised by a mother who could be hostile, verbally abusive, and sometimes violent toward her children. As I have grown older, I have come to understand that much of her behaviour came from her own pain, from ignorance, from trauma, and from being trapped in an abusive marriage. Hurt people often pass their hurt down without even realizing it, but understanding the reason does not erase the impact. The part that often goes unsaid is that breaking those cycles is incredibly hard. Healing is not a moment. It is a daily practice. Sometimes I catch glimpses of my mother in myself, in my tone, my impatience, my reactions, and it stops me in my tracks. That is where the real work begins, because now I am a mother, and I know that the way I speak, the way I respond, and the way I handle my own pain will shape the world my children grow up in. Caribbean women are often known for their strength. We carry families, communities, and generations on our backs, but true strength is the courage to heal and to raise the next generation differently. People often think that breaking generational cycles is a dramatic moment of change. In reality, it is quiet. It is choosing patience when anger feels easier. It is apologizing when you get it wrong. It is learning a new way to love when the example you were given was broken. My unsaid truth is this: every day I am trying to change the narrative. I want my children to grow up in a
home where they feel safe, heard, and valued — not afraid. I want them to know that love does not have to come with fear. Breaking cycles is not perfect work. Some days are harder than others, but every time we choose to do things differently, we are rewriting the story for the next generation. Brenda Foreman | Speaker | Creative Entrepreneur | Image Consultant | Voice Over Artist | Empowering People & Brands Through Style, Storytelling & Strategy There is a moment after violence when the world expects you to simply continue, to smile, to be composed, to carry on as if nothing fundamental has shifted. What people rarely see is the quiet aftermath: the sleepless nights, the vigilance, the questions about safety that never fully leave your mind. What many people misunderstand about these experiences is that survival is not the end of the story. Survival is the beginning of a long road that involves healing, accountability, and the courage to speak even when it would be easier to remain silent. As women, we are often taught to absorb pain quietly so that others can remain comfortable. We are told to move on quickly, to avoid conflict, to protect reputations that are not our own. Silence has never protected women. What I carry today is both the weight of what happened and the responsibility to ensure that the truth is not buried under politeness or fear. I often think about how many women have stories like this, stories they keep to themselves because they worry about consequences, judgment, or disbelief. So, I think about the question: What would I say if there were no consequences? If there were truly no consequences, I would speak without hesitation about the systems that allow abuse to be hidden, about the power structures that protect those who believe they are above the law, and about the ways women are pressured, subtly and sometimes openly, to remain quiet. I would say that accountability should never depend on status, influence, or connections. So, I speak now not only for myself, but for every woman who has been told, directly or indirectly, that her pain should remain quiet. Some stories are difficult to tell, but the silence surrounding them is far more dangerous.
Metrolinx SmartTrack spending sparks accountability demands PAUL JUNOR
paul@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is urging Ontario’s top watchdog to investigate spending tied to Toronto’s troubled SmartTrack transit plan, arguing that nearly $100 million in public money may have been wasted on stations that will never be built. In a press release issued February 24th, 2026, the group called on the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario to examine decisions made by Metrolinx, the provincial agency responsible for planning and delivering regional transit projects across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The call comes despite recent progress on two long-awaited light-rail projects: the opening of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT in early February, six years behind schedule, and the launch of the Finch West LRT in
December 2025. While the projects expand transit access for commuters, critics say they also highlight deeper problems with cost control and project management. According to the CTF, internal documents show that approximately $97 million was spent on early work for two proposed SmartTrack stations that were later cancelled. The documents, first reported by the Toronto Star, indicate that tens of millions of dollars went toward planning and preliminary construction work before the projects were scrapped. Roughly $50 million was reportedly spent preparing for the Finch–Kennedy and Liberty–King stations alone. SmartTrack was originally conceived as a network of five new stations integrated into existing commuter rail lines. The project was delivered through a partnership between Metrolinx and the City of Toronto, with a projected cost of roughly $1.17 billion. However, rising costs forced city officials to cancel two stations after estimates reportedly climbed more than 50 percent above the original projections. CTF Ontario Director Noah Jarvis said the situation raises serious questions about how major transit projects are planned and managed. “It’s unacceptable for Metro-
linx bureaucrats to blow hundreds of millions on projects that probably won’t even be built. Taxpayers deserve accountability when bureaucrats light our money on fire.” Jarvis also criticized the reliability of early cost estimates, arguing that repeated overruns undermine public confidence. “Metrolinx shouldn’t be in the business of building things if we can’t get projects built,” he said. “When Metrolinx provides a cost projection, there seems to be no credibility, and nobody is held accountable when they’re wrong.” The controversy around SmartTrack comes as other large transit projects in the region have faced similar cost escalations. The Eglinton Crosstown LRT, one of the largest transit investments in Ontario, was initially projected to cost $8.2 billion. Final estimates now place the price closer to $13 billion, roughly $4.8 billion over the original budget. The Finch West LRT has also faced cost increases. Early estimates put the project at $2.5 billion, but final costs have been reported at approximately $3.7 billion, about 50 percent higher than originally expected. Transit experts often note that large infrastructure projects can face legiti-
mate delays, and cost increases due to design changes, construction challenges, or inflation. However, critics say the scale and frequency of overruns in the region warrant closer scrutiny. The CTF says a formal investigation by the provincial auditor general would provide independent oversight and help determine how the spending decisions were made. Jarvis argues that a review could clarify whether planning assumptions were flawed, whether cost estimates were unrealistic, or whether governance issues played a role in the cancellations. “Toronto taxpayers can’t afford to be low-balled by bureaucrats while the costs of transit projects soar,” Jarvis said. For many residents, the stakes extend beyond a single project. Transit infrastructure shapes how millions of people travel to work, school, and services across the Toronto region. Ensuring those projects are delivered efficiently, and transparently, remains a central public concern. Whether the auditor general will launch a formal review remains unclear, but as billions of dollars continue to flow into new transit lines across the region, pressure for stronger oversight is unlikely to fade.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News
NEWS & VIEWS
PAGE 7
The recovery is a myth SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
The engine was screaming in low gear, the exhaust pipe gurgling as the vehicle pushed through four feet of murky water to enter the community of Bath. Behind the wheel was Donisha Prendergast, not as a filmmaker or the granddaughter of a global icon, but as a human being answering a call that the state had yet to hear. She had dropped the premiere of her film, Threads of Us, the moment the Category 5 winds of Hurricane Melissa settled, trading the red carpet for the mud of Westmoreland. Alongside photographer Adrian McDonald and a coalition known as Partners for the People, she moved from Kingston across the island, discovering that while the roads were clear, the path to true recovery was blocked by a century of systemic neglect. Donisha Prendergast is the founder of Humanity Ova Vanity (HOV), a social scientist, and a long-standing community organizer who understands that a name only matters if it is used to move the needle for the voiceless. While her lineage as Bob Marley’s granddaughter often precedes her, she navigates this crisis with an intellectual grit that transcends her celebrity. She is not here for the optics, a one of two say she did something; she is here because, as she puts it, “There were no systems created that can prepare us as a people for this moment.” The official narrative would have you believe Jamaica is back. In the urban centers of Kingston and the manicured corridors of the tourism industry, the lights are on, and
the music is playing, but travel further west to Westmoreland, Trelawny, and St. Elizabeth, and the reality shifts. In the rural grassroots, the Maroon enclaves, and the Rastafari communities, the recovery is unfinished and, in many cases, hasn’t even begun. While the government remains tethered to a colonial immersion and bureaucratic inertia, the people on the ground are living in the ruins of a broken 1962 framework. Through HOV and its partners, the work being done is a masterclass in community-based resilience: The Transitional Shelter Project: Actively building Jamaica’s first purposefully built transitional shelter in Petersfield to replace the inadequate use of school classrooms. Water and power: Implementing water purification systems and distributing solar power banks to communities where the infrastructure remains shattered. Direct aid distribution: Mapping and reaching marooned areas in Trelawny and Westmoreland using drones and grassroots contacts to bypass blocked state channels. Community resilience hubs: Creating replicable models for parish-level hubs that provide health, psychosocial support, and administrative services for the displaced. This effort spans the geographic heart of the island’s struggle, from the breadbasket of St. Elizabeth (where agricultural lands were flattened) to the shelter at Petersfield High School, the largest in the parish. The philosophy of Humanity Ova Vanity is simple: it is a prayer in action rooted in the Rastafari creed; let the hungry be fed, the sick nourished, and the homeless sheltered. It is the use of art, film, and culture as a tool for governance. A crisis of intention We must confront an uncomfortable truth, “This is not my job,” Donisha says with a raw,
piercing clarity. It is a moral failure when a private citizen must commandeer land to ensure elders aren’t sleeping on classroom floors while the government moves at a glacial pace. “I realize how dangerous lack of accountability is,” she warns, “And how dangerous it is to be polite.” Politeness in the face of suffering is a silent endorsement of injustice. The resilience we see in Jamaica is not a tribute to the system; it is a rebellion against it. It is the rebellious collaboration of filmmakers, bikers, and farmers who have decided that human survival is the only protocol that matters. They cannot carry the weight of a nation’s recovery on their shoulders forever. The funds are depleted; the needs are changing. Mobilizing the diaspora: A call to action To the diaspora and the global community: your empathy must now transform into intention. We are not asking for things to be sent into a void of uncoordinated distribution; we are asking for the resources to build a new model of coexistence. Direct financial support: Funds are the most urgent need to pay workers and buy materials for the community resilience hubs. Support the work through verified channels like the Humanity Ova Vanity GoFundMe or the Bob & Rita Marley Foundation (earmarked for Donisha Prendergast). Expertise over charity: If you have skills in governance, healthcare, or sustainable engineering, your human resource is the greatest asset you can offer. Active participation: For those who vote at home, demand a national disaster framework that serves the grassroots, not just the elite. Jamaica is not a postcard; it is a homeland fighting for its soul. We have not forgotten. The question is, will you join the rebellion for humanity, or will you stay polite while the water rises?
India–Israel ties reshape Asian power STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com
TC COLUMNIST
India and Israel appear to be testing the boundaries of a deeper strategic relationship. Political leaders from both nations recently engaged in discussions aimed at understanding each other’s political priorities and economic ambitions. The question now is whether this developing relationship will mature into a durable partnership or remain a pragmatic alliance of convenience. These two leaders have just had a meeting of the minds. Behind that meeting lies a wider geopolitical calculation. India continues to emerge as one of Asia’s most influential economic and military powers. With a rapidly expanding economy, a vast population, and growing technological capability, India increasingly positions itself as a counterweight to China’s regional dominance. Israel, for its part, has long pursued strategic relationships that strengthen its security, technological reach, and economic opportunities. The country is known for its: advanced defense technologies, cybersecurity innovation, and intelligence capabilities. These strengths make it an appealing partner for countries seeking both military cooperation and technological exchange. A partnership between India and Israel there-
fore carries clear strategic logic. India gains access to advanced defense technologies, surveillance systems, and agricultural innovations developed in Israel. Israel gains a powerful economic partner with a vast market and growing global influence. Yet, this emerging relationship unfolds within a complicated regional landscape. India’s relationship with China remains one of the defining tensions in Asia. The two countries share a long and disputed border, and their rivalry has intensified in recent years through military standoffs, economic competition, and competing regional ambitions. Both nations maintain large armed forces and expanding naval capabilities, reflecting their desire to secure influence across the Indo-Pacific region. Economic competition adds another layer of complexity. China’s manufacturing dominance and global infrastructure investments have given it a strong foothold across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. India, meanwhile, seeks to position itself as an alternative hub for technology, manufacturing, and digital services. While both economies continue to grow, they are also navigating internal challenges including inequality, demographic pressures, and political tensions. South Asia itself remains volatile. Relations among India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan continue to shift between uneasy diplomacy and open hostility. Long-standing territorial disputes and security concerns keep tensions high. Any conflict in the region carries the risk of broader escalation, particularly given the military capabilities involved. One of the most sobering realities is that several countries in the region possess nuclear weapons. This reality imposes a fragile balance. Even minor confrontations carry the po-
tential to spiral into larger crises if miscalculation occurs. Meanwhile, questions about democratic governance and political power shape debates across the region. Some governments face criticism for consolidating authority or restricting political dissent. Others emphasize national security and stability in response to regional threats. These tensions between democratic norms and centralized power are part of a broader global conversation about governance in an era of geopolitical competition. The role of the United States further complicates the picture. Washington maintains strong ties with both Israel and India and has encouraged greater cooperation among partners in the Indo-Pacific. American policy increasingly focuses on balancing China’s growing influence while strengthening alliances across Asia and the Middle East. Against this backdrop, the India–Israel relationship represents more than a bilateral partnership. It signals the formation of new strategic networks linking technology, security, and economic development across regions. Whether this partnership evolves into a lasting alliance will depend on several factors: regional stability, domestic political pressures, economic opportunity, and the shifting balance of global power. What is clear is that geopolitical alignments are changing. Countries are reassessing old partnerships and building new ones based on shared interests rather than traditional blocs. In a world where power is increasingly distributed across multiple centers, relationships like the one forming between India and Israel may play a significant role in shaping the next phase of international politics.
PAGE 8
NEWS & VIEWS
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Sealing Vaccine Injury Files for 15 Years MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
In an age of information, Canada has chosen to hide its COVID-19 vaccine injury records from its citizens by sealing these files for fifteen years. This flies in the face of the Freedom of Information Act of Canada, and critics are calling this action by Health Canada a cover-up. The sealed documents reportedly include adverse-event reports, medical assessments, internal reviews, and correspondence related to compensation claims filed following COVID-19 vaccination. Health Canada’s explanation is that the long‑term restriction is required to protect personal medical information and is consistent with federal privacy legislation. Transparency groups agree that personal information should be protected but argue that a 15‑year blackout prevents Canadians from understanding how many claims were approved or denied, what criteria were used, and how federal officials made decisions. Advocates are asking Health Canada to shorten the restriction period or release redacted versions of the documents that protect privacy while preserving meaningful information. However, Health Canada maintains that vaccine safety monitoring is ongoing and that serious adverse reactions remain rare. Officials emphasize that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. Let us examine how rare serious adverse reactions from these injections are. Before we even talk about adverse reaction let’s not forget that Pfizer stopped the animal testing on their COVID injections because all the animals died. Think about that.
How many Canadians took this COVID –19 Injection? According to an Ipsos poll from two years ago, 58% of Canadians said they had already gotten the COVID-19 jab recently. Canadians over the age of 55 years (74%) are more likely to have already gotten the COVID-19 vaccine or intend to get one soon. This means that over half of the Canadian population is already the victims of an experiment carried out on them by their government and medical personnel. COVID-19 injection adverse reaction reporting by gender in Canada According to Stats from the Canadian government’s website, overall, most adverse event reports were from females (72.4%). The reporting rate for females was 75.9 reports per 100,000 doses administered, compared to 31.5 per 100,000 doses administered for males. Governments and Big Pharma the world over told their population that the COVID-19 injections were safe and effective. Let’s have a look at the adverse reactions as reported by Stats Canada to determine if this is true: cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, heart attacks, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocarditis/ pericarditis1 (inflammation of the heart muscle and lining around the heart), blood clots, fetal growth restriction, spontaneous abortion, cerebrovascular accident (stroke – includes ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes), Bell’s Palsy1/facial paralysis, hemorrhage (bleeding). Just in case anyone is wondering, death is also on this list of reported adverse effects of the COVID –19 injections, yet Health Canada called this SAFE and EFFECTIVE. Next, we shall examine the enormous death toll here in Canada, especially of Canadian women. Health Canada’s Own report titled, “Heart Health Facts Have Established That,” eight times as many women die from heart disease and stroke as from breast cancer. 40% of all Canadian women’s deaths are due to heart disease and stroke. A woman’s risk of death from
heart disease increases four times after menopause. The rate of stroke also increases dramatically after menopause. Some women may have different symptoms than men, such as indigestion-like discomfort, vague chest pain, discomfort or pressure, nausea, or back pain. These symptoms occur more often in women than in men and should not be ignored. It is important to know that 70% of women have similar symptoms of a heart attack as men, such as sudden, strong, crushing chest pain and shortness of breath. Does it make sense for Health Canada to hide the injection reports from citizens of the Country? Citizens like these women, who would have taken the COVID shot because their jobs were tied to it, and are now experiencing heart problems and heart-related deaths? Do these women not deserve answers? NIH and the National Library of Medicine concluded that Canadian women of Afro-Caribbean ethnicity have greater prevalence rates of stroke and hypertension. In short, there exists an excess burden of cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors in the ethnically diverse Canadian population, inclusive of women. Ethnically tailored prevention strategies are required to reduce these disparities, and more robust, inclusive clinical research in these groups is warranted. Again, how is this research and prevention strategies possible when Health Canada is blocking the very same files these researchers need to investigate for comparisons? How heart problems affect Canadian women Women with heart failure have a sixtimes increased risk of atrial fibrillation (Afib), a 25% higher risk than men. 45% more women die from strokes than men in Canada, and because they live longer, more women live with the effects of a stroke. Women with heart valve disease have a three-times increased risk of Afib (50% higher risk than men).
According to the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 24,000 Canadian women die of heart disease every year. These are women from all walks of life, including Canadian women of Afro-Caribbean ethnicity and community. According to the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre, many people, and some medical practitioners, are still unaware that women have a higher rate of death from heart disease than men, that their symptoms are often different, and that they may require a different diagnostic approach. The result is that women don’t always get the most appropriate treatment because the severity of their illness is underestimated. It is worth noting that according to Statistics Canada, life expectancy increased for the first time in three years in 2023 but remained below levels observed before the announcement of COVID-19. The share of Canadian adults reporting very good or excellent perceived health declined from 61.3% in 2020 to 52.2% in 2023, and no matter how the pie was sliced, women bore the brunt of the beating as opposed to men in the health department. From 2021 to 2022, very good or excellent perceived health declined similarly among men (from 58.9% to 55.6%) and women (from 58.6% to 52.0%), and it further decreased in 2023 (to 53.9% for men and 50.5% for women). Gender differences in perceived health were largest among 35- to 49-year-olds; the proportion of women reporting very good or excellent health was 6 percentage points lower than that of men in 2023. As the numbers and facts in this piece have shown, from experimental injections, covering up of adverse reactions by shelving crucial evidence for decades to come, to the sheer horror of the suffering and deaths incurred by the people, we must use this as a lesson. A lesson in taking control of our health decisions and what goes into our bodies.
Legacy defined by community service SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
The sound of hands meeting, a rhythmic, soulful thunder, filled the room as the name Trish Browning echoed through the speakers. It was a moment of crystalline clarity. As she stepped forward at the 2026 Elite Woman Empowerment Summit & Awards, the atmosphere shifted to profound recognition of a legacy built brick by brick, story by story. This was a coronation of fifteen years of radical, unwavering service to the Afro/Indo Caribbean diaspora. I sat in that room and felt the
weight of the moment. The event, hosted and founded by the visionary Dr. Natasha Bridgmohan, was a masterclass in honouring those who “Give To Gain.” Dr. Bridgmohan, a titan of financial strategy herself, created a space where the brilliance of women was magnified. To see Trish Browning receive the Woman of Excellence award in this setting meant a lot. I was there to witness the alignment of purpose and prestige. Trish Browning, the CEO of the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, has spent over a decade and a half ensuring that our voices are the primary narrators of our own lives. In a world that often tries to edit our complexities, Trish has used media as a tool for community building and empowerment. Historically, Afro/Indo Caribbean communities have relied on grassroots leaders and cultural institutions to survive and thrive. Trish stands in the lin-
eage of those who understood that if you do not tell your own story, someone else will write you out of it. Trish was in remarkable company, joined by other luminaries such as Whitney Hammond (Woman of Impact), Elizabeth Macnab (Woman of Distinction), Jacqueline Dixon (Woman of Influence), and the promising Jennelle Robb and Andrea Wen (Rising Stars). There was a palpable sense of collective pride as MPP Charmaine Williams’ “Woman of Purpose” was acknowledged, reminding us that our leadership spans from the newsroom to the halls of government. I attended this summit because I know that leadership is often a quiet, grueling journey. For fifteen years, I have personally watched Trish navigate the complexities of the media landscape, ensuring that the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper remained a highlight for the community. By giving
her visibility and her voice to others, she has gained a place of honour that can never be erased. Her leadership represents community resilience. As the theme for Women’s History Month 2026 suggests, we are leading the change and shaping a sustainable future. Trish’s work ensures that the future of Caribbean-Canadian media is rooted in equity and justice, systems that support both the people and the truth. As the afternoon concluded it reminded me that we must continue to recognize those who quietly dedicate years to uplifting our community. Trish Browning has shown us that when women thrive, we all rise. Her journey is a blueprint for the next generation of strategic leaders. We celebrate her for the sustainable future she is helping us all design. Together, in the spirit of International Women’s Day, let us continue to Give To Gain
NEWS & VIEWS
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News
What happens when your hair breaks SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
You have sat in that chair. You winced when the stylist pulled the ponytail tighter. You told yourself it was just tension. You said the braids were supposed to feel like that. You watched your hairline retreat, millimetre by millimetre, and called it genetics. It wasn’t genetics. It was Tuesday. It was convenient. It was the same slick bun you have been wearing for three years straight. Yes, this is a first world problem. I’ll say it before you do but guess what; we live in the first world, and in this world, we spend thousands of dollars on our hair, hours in the salon chair, and decades chasing a look that is quietly costing us follicles we will never get back. So, let’s talk about it. The experts at Harley Street Hair Clinic said something that stopped me cold, “Damaged hair cannot be repaired, only temporarily cosmetically improved.” Read that again. Your deep
conditioner is not saving you. Your hot oil treatment is a beautiful lie. Once the structure breaks: the cuticle, the cortex, the protein bonds, that hair is gone until you cut it off. Prevention is the only real solution, and most of us don’t know we are already losing. Here is what’s actually happening to your hair; that sleek bun you love? It’s called traction alopecia waiting to happen. Tight ponytails, slick edges, and braids installed too tight create constant tension on your follicles, especially along your temples and hairline. It is 100% preventable, but you have to know what you are fighting first. Curling wet hair? Wet strands are your most vulnerable strands. Wrapping them around a hot barrel breaks them. The National Library of Medicine documents the damage: breakage, barrier loss, follicle harm. Flat irons above 200°C? You are literally boiling the water inside your hair shaft. The damage is cumulative. By the time you notice the breakage, the trichologist says, you have been doing it for months. Extensions, weaves, locs? Protective styles that aren’t installed correctly aren’t protecting anything. Weight, tension, and time are the trinity of traction damage. The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatol-
ogy confirms it. Your stylist’s qualifications matter more than their Instagram grid. Cornrows? Know the rule: no pain, and never longer than six to eight weeks. Your follicles are not decorative. This is the blind spot I had to call out in myself first. I thought caring about my hair meant styling it. I thought the effort I put in: the appointments, the products, the hours, was love, but effort without knowledge is just expensive harm. The trichologist put it plainly, “We’re treating hair the way we treat our bodies, prioritizing convenience and instant results over long-term health.” That landed, because I know that pattern. I have lived that pattern. Quick fix. Fast result. Pay the consequences later. The women with the healthiest hair? They have adopted what the experts call a slow hair philosophy. Mostly gentle. Strategic heat. Styles that breathe. Rest days built in. Not perfection. Your hair needs a different relationship. It is the belief that looking good and being healthy can’t coexist. That beauty requires suffering. That the tightness means it’s working. It doesn’t. Your hair is not broken. Your information is, and now you have it. Use it!
Canadians, what about us? BY ADRIAN REECE TC REPORTER Following news of Ford changing the state of OSAP, Mark Carney announces funding of 100 million dollars for International Indian students. These students will receive a full scholarship, covering housing, tuition and books and materials for classes at prestigious universities across Canada. Social media has already erupted in an uproar regarding the news. Everybody is questioning why citizens are not receiving the benefits of being Canadian, while other countries are given the benefits of taxpayer dollars. Ford recently said that money doesn’t grow on trees when he changed the OSAP structure to 75% loans and 25% grants. Now it looks like Canada really can find the money, however they simply aren’t interested in using it to the benefit of Canadian Citizens. Canadas interests have been outside of the borders for a while now, with mass immigration and money allocated to other countries, Canadians have been suffering from a high cost of living, low wages and resources going to others who do not contribute to the Canadian economy. Canadians are upset, postsecondary education is a massive stressor to students already, when
they consider the loans, they will have to pay back, not their repayments will be even larger, and instead of further subsidizing Canadian loans for education, money is being given to foreigners. Canadians are fed up with their money being allocated elsewhere; they believe that efforts should be made to improve Canadian problems, and to stop pushing for collaborations and partnerships with foreign countries at this time. This is another slap in the face of citizens. Canadians will be paying back more and more for the same education that is being given freely to Indian students. People who were born in this country and grown up here feel like second class citizens in their own cities and provinces. Thirteen Universities will be in partnership with India for Student and faculty exchanges. University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser, Dalhousie, Algoma, University of Guelph, Brock University and Royal Roads University. They will be partnering with Indian post-secondary institutions in joint academic programming, collaborative research, pathway programs and innovation in emerging sectors like AI and clean energy. Some exchanges that will be included are performing arts, visual arts music, publishing and entertainment technologies.
People are unsure of the direction that the Canadian government is trying to go, decisions made are making Canadians feel like interests are elsewhere, when they should be focused on life within borders before life outside of borders is considered. These decisions are drowning Canadians in more debt and more hardship. As the cost of living continues to rise and immigration continues at high rates, people continue to become frustrated with our political leaders. The repetition of bad decisions has been snowballing for almost a decade, the liberal government continues to put Canadians last, and this is possibly the most frustrating thing for young adults. This is causing many people to lean towards more conservative values and desire a more traditional approach to government, which focuses on Canada first and international interests second. It goes without saying that a country should focus first on ensuring that what happens on its own land is beneficial for those who live there, and then helping and building with others can occur in a way that benefits both parties mutually, however it looks like foreigners are benefiting and Canada is suffering completely.
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NEWS & VIEWS
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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Breaking the AI Burnout Cycle SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
You sit in your home office, the rhythm of the city humming outside your window. As a digital entrepreneur serving both local clients and the Caribbean diaspora, you are the embodiment of the Caribbean hustle. To keep up, you have integrated a suite of AI tools: one for copywriting, another for social media scheduling, and a third for project management. You expected these force multipliers to grant you the freedom to spend more time with your family. Instead, you find yourself staring at a screen at 11:00 PM, responding to urgent prompts that never seem to end. You are experiencing the first wave of AI burnout. In my work at the intersection of mental health and social justice, I see this
pattern repeating across our community. We are told that AI is a tool for liberation, yet for many racialized entrepreneurs and educators, it is becoming a new digital tether. The industry has spent years selling us a version of the future where we work less and achieve more. However, as Dr. Amos Wilson often reminded us, we must look at the psychological and systemic structures behind the tools we use. Recent research published in Harvard Business Review and conducted by UC Berkeley reveals a sobering truth: companies and individuals who embrace AI are at high risk of becoming burnout machines. Researchers spent eight months inside a tech firm and found that when workers genuinely embraced AI, their to-do lists expanded to fill every hour the technology freed up. Work began bleeding into lunch breaks and late evenings, because the tools made more feel doable. For the Caribbean community, this is particularly precarious. We have long used digital entrepreneurship to bypass traditional gatekeepers, as explored in Charlton McIlwain’s Black Software. If we are not careful, we fall into the trap described by one engineer, “You had thought that maybe... you
save some time, you can work less. But then really, you don’t work less. You just work the same amount or even more.” The statistics are telling. One trial found that experienced developers using AI tools actually took 19% longer on tasks, even though they believed they were 20% faster. Another study showed that productivity gains across thousands of workplaces amounted to a mere 3% in time savings, with no significant impact on earnings or hours worked. As Safiya Umoja Noble argues in Algorithms of Oppression, technology is never neutral; it often amplifies existing pressures. In our case, it amplifies the pressure to be always on. We must use emotional intelligence as a journalistic and survival tool. To avoid the fatigue and growing sense that work is harder to step away from, we need a strategy of thoughtful adoption. We must recognize when productivity is merely a code word for increased exploitation of our own time. Practical guidance for the Caribbean diaspora:
gent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown to focus on critical connections rather than critical mass. Know when a project is finished. Audit the time savings If a tool saves you two hours, physically schedule those two hours for rest or community connection. Do not let the seductive narrative of AI fill that space with more tasks. Human-centric boundaries A Hacker News commenter noted that since their team jumped into “AI everything,” expectations and stress have tripled while actual productivity only rose 10%. Break this cycle by communicating realistic timelines to clients that account for human thought, not just machine output. We must remember that our value is not found in how many prompts we can process. By integrating history, psychology, and a clear-eyed analysis of power, we can use these tools to heal our divisions and build our communities, without burning ourselves out in the process. You are the master of the machine, not its fuel.
Define your done state AI can generate endless iterations. Use Emer-
Understanding Power of Sale in Ontario BY JAY BRIJPAUL TC REAL ESTATE REPORTER Let me tell you about a family I met recently, let’s call them the Thompsons. For years, they enjoyed living in a peaceful Ontario suburb, raising their kids, making memories, and never missing a mortgage payment. However, when the economy shifted and property values fluctuated, everything changed. I remember when the Thompsons called me, their voices tense with worry, they had just received a Notice of Sale in the mail. Like many homeowners, they didn’t initially realize how serious it was, but a Notice of Sale marks the start of Ontario’s legal power of sale process. If you miss payments and are in default for at least 15 days, your lender can send you that notice. If the payment remains overdue for three months, the lender can proceed with the power of sale. When the Thompsons asked if they would lose their house right away, I reassured
them that, under the power of sale, the lender doesn’t simply take the home away. Instead, the lender has the legal right to sell the property, and any remaining surplus is returned to the homeowner. I often need to clarify the difference between power of sale and foreclosure. In a foreclosure, the lender goes through the courts, takes full ownership, and you lose both your home and any future equity. With the power of sale, the lender sells the property, and you might recover some equity. It is usually faster and less costly. Foreclosure means the bank owns your house; power of sale means they have the right to sell it, but it is still technically yours until it is sold. In Ontario, borrowers usually have at least 35 days to redeem their mortgage. This means that if you can gather the funds to cover missed payments, interest, legal fees, and penalties, you can bring your loan back into good standing and stop the process. Lenders usually encourage borrow-
ers to contact them early, explore relief options, and provide clear information. None of these protections matter if you don’t answer the phone or open the letter. I always tell my clients: silence is your worst enemy in these situations. Contact the lender immediately. The sooner you reach out, the more options you will have, such as payment deferrals, temporary interest-only plans, or extending your amortization period. You can also explore refinancing before the lender lists the property, sometimes that involves obtaining a second mortgage, a private refinance, or using equity to cover arrears. Once the lender lists your home, costs rise and your options shrink. For some families I have worked with, a controlled sale is the best option, selling the house on your own terms before the lender gets involved. When you decide to sell, you choose your agent, handle your pricing strategy, lower legal fees, and retain more of your hard-earned equity. When the lend-
er sells, their main goal is to recover what’s owed, not to maximize your return. That is a tough truth, but an important one. If there is one thing many homeowners wish they had done differently, it’s preparing for the unexpected. I always advise homeowners to keep 3–6 months of mortgage payments in reserve, avoid borrowing to the max, and, most importantly, open every letter from the bank. Buying a home is only half the journey. Managing it, especially during difficult markets, is the other half of the equation. Power of sale is not an immediate eviction. It is a structured legal process that balances lender efficiency with borrower protection. You have the right to redeem, the right to surplus funds, and the right to fair market value. In real estate, I have seen delays cause families to lose their homes and peace of mind. If you’re falling behind, don’t wait, take action today.
Black excellence shines at Diamond Ball PAUL JUNOR
paul@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
The 11th Annual RBC Black Diamond Ball brought together leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and community advocates on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex. Over the past decade, the event has become one of the most anticipated celebrations closing Black History Month in Canada. Hundreds of guests from Black, African, and Caribbean communities attended, alongside supporters from across the wider Canadian public. The evening honoured excellence across sectors including entertainment, finance, health care, arts, fashion, and law. Organizers described the 2026 theme “Level Up” as a call for individuals and communities to push forward through mentorship, financial empowerment, innovation, and collec-
tive strength. Shawn Coffie, founder of the event, emphasized its broader purpose. “This year’s RBC Black Diamond Ball reflects our theme Level Up, challenging us to grow together and uplift one another,” Coffie said. “At its core, the Ball is about impact and celebrating excellence while standing in solidarity with the community.” Corporate partners also highlighted the importance of the initiative. Roger Cogle, Vice-President of Commercial Financial Services at Royal Bank of Canada, said the event reflects the bank’s commitment to the communities it serves. “At RBC we believe in the communities we serve. We’re proud to champion Black businesses and celebrate artistic excellence. The RBC Black Diamond Ball is not just a celebration but a platform that helps drive community resilience and growth.” The gala was hosted by Sean Jones, a Juno Awards-winning singer, songwriter, and actor. Jones brought humour, style, and energy to the evening as he guided the audience through performances and award presentations. Entertainment throughout the night included music by DJ Donovan, percussionist Marlon Woods, and saxophonist
Joseph Callender. One highlight of the program was The Vocalist, a competition designed to identify the next generation of Canadian vocal talent. Finalists Donte Brown, Deemo Matthews, and Mighloe performed live before the audience. The evening also recognized individuals whose work is advancing innovation, culture, and community leadership. 2026 Black Diamond Ball Award recipients included: • • • •
Innovator Award: Dr. Joseph Omale, founder and CEO of Partyra Community Arts Legacy Award: Kafi Pierre of TO Live Healthcare Award: Dr. Natasha Williams Soul & Unity Award: JRDN, Juno-Awardwinning singer and songwriter
A moving tribute also honoured Patrick Parson, the legendary dancer, choreographer, and founder of Ballet Creole, who passed away in 2025. Organizers recognized his enduring influence on Black dance and cultural expression in Canada. Guests and community leaders also reflected on the importance of gathering spaces that celebrate Black achievement and connection. Marcia Y. Ford shared her
reflections following the event. “Last night was truly inspiring as we had the privilege of being in the room celebrating excellence, culture, and Black brilliance at its best.” Ford noted that conversations with Olivia Chow and community leaders reinforced the power of dialogue, representation, and unity. Funds raised during the event supported the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations, which was recognized for its work empowering Black, African, and Caribbean communities. The organization has also played an important role in coordinating relief and recovery initiatives in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. Sponsors and partners, including Royal Bank of Canada, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Grace Foods, Rogers Sports & Media, and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., helped bring the event to life. The black-tie gala was later broadcast on City TV, extending its reach beyond the ballroom. With its blend of culture, recognition, and philanthropy, the RBC Black Diamond Ball continues to grow as a defining event celebrating Black leadership and creativity in Canada. After eleven years of momentum, organizers say the celebration, and its impact, is only beginning to expand.
NEWS & VIEWS
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 11
Toronto’s Caribbean Community Highlights: Something’s Happening. Are You Ready? SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
This week’s Community Highlight is all about YOU. We are inviting you to slow down and pour into yourself with a powerful journaling exercise designed to check in with your mind, body, and heart. That’s not all; inside you will also find important floodprevention tips to protect your home this snowmelt season, an uplifting tribute honouring the legacy of the late Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., and exciting upcoming events celebrating our vibrant Caribbean, Black, and Indo-Caribbean communities. Wellness looks different for everyone, and this week, we’ve got something meaningful for all of us. You ready to fete… FETE GALA 2026 is here! Tickets on sale now! Join the team for an evening celebrating our Indo-Caribbean community, with delicious appetizers, a delectable dinner and entertainment featuring live performers, including the legendary Terry Gajraj and Hunter. Saturday, April 18th, 2026, at Sts. Peter & Paul Banquet Hall, 231 Milner Ave, Scarborough, ON. Ticket Includes: Reserved seating, Premium dinner including appetizers and dessert • Entertainment by local talent, Terry G & Hunter. DJ and open dance floor. Cash Bar with premium selection of drinks Dress Code: formal attire Theme: Caribbean Royalty (award for best costume/clothing) Get your tickets today!! NOTE: There is a service fee charged for purchases on Square. To avoid this fee, purchase tickets via Interac, E-Transfer (EMT). e-Transfer: finance@indocaribcdn.com
the ages of 18 and 25? Are you interested in sharing your experiences? If you meet these requirements then you can participate in a research study being conducted on IndoCaribbean Canadian young adults’ experiences navigating the mental health system in Ontario. This is a chance to have your story told the way you want, in a judgement free one-on-one interview. Participants will be given a $10.00 gift card for their contribution. If interested, please contact ariana.lildhar@outlook.com. Sickle Cell Warriors Inc. presents The Impact of Sickle Cell Disease on Your Hearing and Balance The association between hearing loss/dizziness and SCD Recent national changes to hearing health care for those with SCD Treatment options and next steps Research update Thursday, March 19th 3:00 PM Pacific | 6:00 PM Eastern Virtual Event Click the link below to Join https://cmich.webex.com/meet/nelso1md Please share to someone living with Sickle cell Celebrating Black Women – Dinner & gathering (youth‑focused) Celebrating Black Women Dinner and Gathering Date/Time: Sunday March 15th, 2026, 6:00 pm Location: 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON. Community/Focus: African, Black and Caribbean youth (ages 16–29) who identify as women. Description: Empowering evening with food, art, culture, and jewellery‑making, designed as a dedicated space for ACB young women to reflect, share stories, and celebrate their identities and creativity.
Via E-Transfer: Please include the following information in the “NOTES” section of the E-Transfer: All Guests First and Last Name, Number of Tickets, Phone Number, Email Address. All sales are final, no refunds.
What’s needed to attend: • Advance registration via Eventbrite; likely free or low‑cost community event (confirm pricing on listing) • Age requirement: 16–29, women‑identifying and ACB (African, Black, Caribbean).
Special call for participants Have you accessed mental health care in Ontario in the past 5 years? Are you between
Tickets can be found on Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.ca/e/celebrating-blackw o m e n - d i n n e r- a n d - g a t h e r i n g - t i c k-
ets-1981864180113. International support and global grieving over the passing of the great Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. On February 27th, 2026, members from the Canadian community gathered at Fort Erie Town Hall to raise the Black History Month Sankofa Flag. Moments before the event, at the request of the organizer, Dewitt Lee III and an executive decision by the Mayor, they agreed to honour the late Rev Jesse Jackson Sr. by approving the lowering of the BHM Sankofa flag to half-mast for the day. This act to honour Rev Jesse Jackson Sr. speaks volumes to the global impact that he has had, and specifically, a great appreciation from the Canadian community, says Dewitt Lee III. He continued by saying, “This is a way for us to say thank you on behalf of the Canadian families who were united, after Rev Jesse Jackson, negotiated with Saddam Hussein the release of several Western hostages, which included Canadians.” “To have the opportunity to pay homage to a global ambassador for peace who built his influence through his intelligence and left a legacy of love that has inspired generations globally is a great honour we all share today. To represent Ontario, Canada, today, during Black History Month, and to be included in the list of places in the USA paying reverence to Rev. Jackson by lowering their flags, is truly emotional and a significant spiritual moment of connection to our ancestors, brothers and sisters in the USA, and we just give honour to God for granting us this opportunity.” How to protect your home from flooding during snowmelt A combination of heavy rainfall, rising temperatures and rapid snowmelt is increasing flood risks across communities in Canada, as waterways swell, and drainage systems are pushed to capacity. With saturated ground unable to absorb additional moisture, runoff from melting snow is flowing directly into storm drains, creeks and rivers, heightening the potential for localized flooding not only in low-lying areas and on roadways, but also in residential basements. For many areas, this is an especially pressing concern, as basements have evolved into fully finished living spaces complete with flooring, furniture, electronics and storage, making water damage far more costly and disruptive. Wolseley Canada recommends the following proactive steps to help prevent basement flooding:
Test your sump pump: Your sump pump is the first line of defense against basement flooding. Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit to ensure the float rises and the pump activates properly. Confirm the discharge line is clear and draining away from the foundation. If your pump is older, consider servicing or replacing it, and ensure you have a battery backup in case of a power outage during a storm. Clear snow and debris from around your foundation and nearby storm drains: As snow melts, water flows toward the lowest point, often your foundation. Removing snow and ice from around your home helps direct runoff away from basement walls. Clearing debris from nearby storm drains can also prevent water from pooling on streets and backing up toward properties. Extend downspouts: Downspouts should discharge water at least two metres away from your foundation. If water is released too close to the house, it can seep into the surrounding soil and increase the risk of leaks or foundation cracks. Ensure window wells and gutters are clear: Clogged gutters can overflow, allowing water to collect along the roofline and foundation. Make sure eavestroughs are free of leaves and debris so melting snow and rainfall can drain properly. Check that window wells are clear of snow, ice and buildup to prevent water from pooling and seeping through basement windows. Move valuables off the basement floor: Even with preventative measures in place, unexpected seepage can occur – particularly in older homes. Store valuables, electronics and important documents off the floor and consider waterproof containers to minimize potential damage during periods of heavy rain and rapid snowmelt. Community Highlight Regular journaling is proven to have some pretty amazing effects on our bodies and minds. So, grab your favorite journal (or open the Notes app) and jot down your responses to the prompts below: • • • • •
What does my energy feel like today? How does my body feel? How does my heart feel? Are there any thoughts on my mind louder than the others? How are they manifesting in my body? What do I want to create today and the rest of this week?
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FEATURE
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Photo Courtesy of Vala Monestime
A CONVERSATION WITH PIERRE ST. ROSE CRUMBS of Heritage, Courage and Vision When Pierre St. Rose greets me, he doesn’t begin by talking about business. He begins with family. “You know,” he says warmly, “Your 20-year-old daughter reminds me of my own 10-year-old.” It is a disarming start to an interview with the owner of CRUMBS Gourmet, the patty business that has been steadily redefining how the Caribbean staple is seen in Toronto and beyond, but that is Pierre. Before entrepreneur, before brand-builder, before television personality, he is a father, and perhaps that is where his story truly begins. Last year, believing that it takes a village to raise and enrich a child, I asked Pierre to employ my daughter part-time at his bakery in Kensington Market. I knew she would earn more than a paycheck under his leadership. Pierre is not simply running a food operation; he is cultivating mindset. He mentors young people to see beyond limits. He encourages them to push forward even when life stalls. He speaks about treating one’s path as unique, never borrowed, never small. “Don’t put a ceiling on yourself,” he tells them. “And make sure whatever you’re doing is giving something back to you: knowledge, discipline, growth.” He often speaks to his own daughters about ensuring they truly want the road they choose, so they don’t give up at the first obstacle. For Pierre, business is not separate from parenting. It is training ground, classroom, and community center all at once. He sees the bigger picture; always. A Mother’s legacy Pierre grew up loving patties, and who from the Caribbean does not? But for him, the patty was heritage and livelihood. His mother was a baker. In 1987, she was even featured in local newspapers for her work. Before baking full-time, she had worked at Consumers Gas until an unfortunate accident shifted her career path. Like many Caribbean parents in Canada, she turned to baking to supplement the family income. “She built something from nothing,” Pierre recalls, his voice softening. She ran two restaurant locations in downtown Toronto: first on Oakwood, then later on the Danforth, moving as times changed and neighbourhoods evolved. He remembers the long hours, the dedication, the resilience. What he does not remember, he laughs, is ever properly learning how to
bake a patty from her. “I learned everything else,” he says. “Work ethic. Customer service. Pride, but not the patty recipe.” His mother eventually passed away from cancer. Her absence left both a personal and entrepreneurial imprint on him. Though he did not inherit her exact recipe, he inherited something far more valuable, a standard. The spark in Jamaica The true spark for patties came later, during his high school years while working in Jamaica. It was at the well-known rum estate in St. Elizabeth that he first heard whispers of juicy beef-and-cheese patties that people would line up for. “I kept thinking, what is this? Why are people so obsessed?” For days, he watched patty trucks. He studied the movement. The demand. The simplicity of the product. Something about it remained with him. Years later, after enduring workplace injuries and being laid off, Pierre faced a crossroads familiar to many immigrants and first-generation Canadians: remain an employee or take the terrifying leap into entrepreneurship. “I asked myself, ‘What next?’” Around that same time, he recalls watching Cityline. Host Tracy Moore was asked about her comfort food. Her answer? Patty and cocoa bread. “I felt like the universe was talking directly to me,” Pierre says, smiling. “Everywhere I turned, patties were coming up.” Even while attending physiotherapy for his injuries, he couldn’t shake the thought. The signs felt persistent. Breaking Into a closed circle The patty business is not easily entered. Pierre knocked on doors across the city. He asked bakers questions. He sought mentorship. What he discovered was that pattymaking, particularly within Caribbean communities, is often a tightly guarded craft, recipes passed from friend to friend, generation to generation. Some jokingly call it the “Patty Mafia.” At one bakery near Bloor and Lansdowne, a woman who knew of his mother’s baking reputation offered him honest advice: go to school and formally learn the culinary business. He applied to Centennial College. It did not unfold as planned. So, he pivoted. “I went DIY,” he says. “YouTube became my classroom.”
He did not rely solely on online tutorials. He combined what he had absorbed from his mother: discipline, presentation, consistency, with his marketing background from working with a liquor company. “That’s where I learned something crucial,” he explains. “You cannot have a great product without two anchors: great customer service and a great customer experience.” He decided that if he could not enter the traditional patty circle, he would create his own lane. From patty factory to gourmet brand CRUMBS was not always called CRUMBS Gourmet. In its earliest days, it operated under names like “Patty Factory” and “CRUMBS Patty.” Pierre quickly recognized something important: the word “patty” came with a price ceiling. “People hear patty and think two dollars. That’s it. They won’t move past that.” If he could do it over again, he admits, he might have removed the word “patty” sooner. Today, the brand leans strongly into “CRUMBS Gourmet” because what he offers is not the standard pocketsized pastry. CRUMBS patties are extralarge. They are egg-washed for a golden finish. The pastry is prepared one day, the fillings another. The dough must rest. It cannot be rushed. “It takes two days,” he emphasizes. “Bakers understand that. You can’t even work the dough properly without patience.” Inside, customers can find creative options: pizza, veggie, and more, along with fresh toppings like lettuce and tomatoes. It is closer to a handcrafted sandwich experience than a quick grab-and-go snack. “We give you more than your average two-dollar patty,” he says plainly. His appearance on Dragons’ Den brought national attention. He did not approach the investors with just a pastry; he approached them with a brand. “You won’t see CRUMBS in a grocery store,” he says proudly. “We’re about experience. Pop-ups. Our Kensington location. Community.” He believes his patties can stand toe-to-toe with global giants: McDonald’s, Subway, or even a slice of pizza, or breakfast sandwich. Not because they are identical, but because they offer something distinct: Caribbean heritage elevated.
The two-dollar debate During his television appearance, investor Wes Hall (the only Dragon of Caribbean heritage) stated he would not pay more than two dollars for a patty and declined to invest, though he offered guidance. Pierre does not take it personally. “Wes is entitled to his opinion,” he says calmly. “We’ve spoken. The industry itself is pigeonholed.” He points out that a custard tart in a mall can cost $2.99. Gourmet popcorn can sell for seven dollars a bag. Empanadas regularly fetch three or more. Yet the Caribbean patty remains mentally fixed at two dollars in many consumers’ minds. “It’s about quality versus old standards,” he says. “People have to look closer.” For Pierre, this is not merely about profit margins. It is about value—placing proper respect on Caribbean craftsmanship. A global vision Pierre’s ambition does not end in Toronto. “Why can’t a patty be seen across the world?” he asks. He envisions CRUMBS expanding internationally, standing confidently among established fast-food chains, representing Caribbean culture on a global stage. He wants the patty to be more than a quick snack in a warming tray; he wants it to be a symbol of innovation and pride. In many ways, Pierre St. Rose is doing what his mother did decades ago: building something from resilience, but he is also doing something more; challenging how Caribbean food is valued. As our conversation closes, I think again of his first words about community and children. For Pierre, business is not separate from identity. It is an extension of fatherhood, legacy, and belief. He is not just selling patties. He sells heritage, wrapped in pastry, layered with perseverance, and bakedPhoto with vision. Credit: Sanj P Photography
Written by Lisa Thompson Toronto Caribbean News
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HEALTH
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 19
Tiny fish offer great nutrition BY DIANA GIFFORD-JONES COMMON SENSE HEALTH This week, I write from Tokyo, where small fish are eaten with remarkable regularity. A traditional Japanese breakfast includes such fish: salted, dried, grilled and served cold, consumed head-to-tail, bones, eyeballs and all. Small sardines are tucked into lunch boxes. Convenience stores sell little fish for snacking. It’s common to add sardines or mackerel to spaghetti sauce. Eating little fish is a way of life. What is it about little fish? A large Japanese cohort study following more than 80,000 adults for roughly nine years found that people who regularly consumed small fish had significantly lower risks of death from all causes and from cancer, particularly among women. Even modest intake of just a few times per month was associated with measurable reductions in mortality. Nutrition science offers an explanation. Small oily fish, such as sardines and anchovies, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, along with minerals and high-quality pro-
tein that support cardiovascular, brain, and bone health. Emerging evidence suggests regular sardine consumption may also improve insulin response and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Eating the head, bones, and organs means the Japanese are consuming concentrated micronutrients such as calcium and vitamin A that are largely lost when fish are filleted. Westerners throw that nutrition away. A reader recently reminded me of the Japanese word kuchisabishii, translated literally as “lonely mouth”. It describes eating out of boredom, not hunger. If mindless snacking is the need, then little dried and crunchy fish are a great choice. A modelling study published in BMJ Global Health estimated that replacing some red-meat consumption with forage fish, species such as sardines, anchovies, and herring, could prevent up to 750,000 premature deaths annually by 2050. These fish are exceptionally nutrient-dense, and in comparison, to any other animal protein, have among the lowest environmental
footprints, if one can say that of fish. In North America, seafood choices tend to centre on large predatory fish such as salmon and tuna. These species are popular and nutritious, but they are also more expensive, accumulate more contaminants over long lifespans, and require greater ecological resources. Meanwhile, vast quantities of small forage fish are processed into animal feed. There is a practical challenge, however. Achieving the levels of omega-3 fatty acids associated with cardiovascular benefit (particularly EPA and DHA) requires consistent intake. For many North Americans, eating small oily fish several times a week is a stretch, whether because of taste preferences, access, cost, or habit. For that reason, supplementation can be a sensible adjunct. A high-quality fish oil provides concentrated, purified omega-3s without requiring major dietary overhaul. Readers can find the fish oil recommended by W. Gifford-Jones, MD, Certified Naturals Omega3X, in natural health food stores. It has earned the recommen-
dation because it delivers high levels of EPA and DHA in a purified form that is tested for contaminants and formulated to enhance absorption. None of these calls for dramatic change. It may simply mean replacing meaty meals with modest, more frequent servings of small fish. Imagine a tin of sardines on whole-grain toast, anchovies folded into pasta, or herring added to a salad. Frequency is better than occasional large portions. Tokyo’s markets do not advertise their bountiful fish sections with signs proclaiming “Eat fish. Lower the risk of death.” Would it be a crime to encourage people to think about their mortality when grocery shopping? Fresh or tinned, little whole fish are affordable, accessible, and ordinary. Perhaps that is the lesson. Healthful patterns tend to endure when they are woven quietly into daily life, rather than announced as resolutions.
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LIFE
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 21
Human history records violence first BY STEVEN KASZAB ANOTHER LOOK AT SOCIETY Human history reveals a troubling pattern. The earliest records humans left behind of‑ ten focus on conflict. From cave paintings to written chronicles, many of the first sto‑ ries humanity chose to preserve involved hunting, warfare, and survival. The record suggests something uncomfortable: hu‑ mans are creators, but we are also destroy‑ ers. Across centuries, innovations in tools and weapons have shaped the his‑ torical narrative. Archaeological evidence shows early humans crafting stone and bone weapons for hunting and protection. As metallurgy developed, societies began producing iron and steel weapons that dramatically increased their effectiveness in war. Each technological leap expanded both human capability and the potential for violence. Modern history illustrates this pat‑ tern clearly. In 1884, inventor Hiram Maxim developed the Maxim machine gun while working in Britain. It was the first fully au‑ tomatic machine gun and could fire hun‑ dreds of rounds per minute. This innova‑
tion changed warfare almost overnight. European colonial powers soon deployed the weapon during military campaigns across Africa in the late nineteenth century. In battles where colonial forces faced Afri‑ can armies equipped primarily with rifles or traditional weapons, the technological imbalance proved devastating. Military historians widely recog‑ nize the Maxim gun as a turning point in modern warfare. A small number of sol‑ diers armed with automatic weapons could overpower much larger forces. The weapon became a symbol of how technology could magnify the destructive power of war. Just over a decade later, another weapon gained prominence: the Lee‑En‑ field rifle, adopted by the British Army in 1895. The rifle became one of the most widely used military firearms of the twen‑ tieth century and served throughout both World War I and World War II. Millions of sol‑ diers carried the Lee-Enfield across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its reliability and rapid fir‑ ing capability made it a defining infantry weapon of its era. In the early twentieth century, the Thompson submachine gun entered public consciousness in a different way. Originally designed for military use, the
weapon gained notoriety during the Amer‑ ican Gangster Era of the 1920s and 1930s. Photographs and news stories from that period often showed criminals and lawenforcement officers carrying the weapon, cementing its place in popular culture as well as military history. These examples reveal a consis‑ tent theme. Weapons are developed in response to fear, conflict, or the perceived need for protection. They are tools cre‑ ated by human ingenuity but designed for harm. Another weapon often cited in discussions of global conflict is the AK‑47, designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the Soviet Union after the Second World War. Its durability, low cost, and ease of manu‑ facture, the rifle became one of the most widely distributed firearms in the world. Estimates vary widely, but researchers gen‑ erally agree that tens of millions of AK-pat‑ tern rifles exist globally. Weapons like the AK-47 illustrate how technology can spread far beyond its original context. Once a weapon becomes simple and inexpensive to produce, it can appear in conflicts across continents and generations. Yet, weapons alone do not de‑ termine history. Human decisions do.
Technology reflects the intentions of the societies that build and use it. A tool can serve different purposes depending on the context. Hunting tools can provide food. Military technology can be used for de‑ fense, but the same innovations can also fuel destruction. That raises an enduring question about human creativity. When people de‑ velop new technologies, do they first ask whether the invention should exist? Prog‑ ress often focuses on solving immediate problems: winning a battle, protecting a population, or gaining strategic advantage. Ethical reflection sometimes arrives later. The deeper issue may not be whether an object itself is good or evil. Objects rarely possess moral qualities on their own. The real question concerns hu‑ man choice: how tools are used, and for what purpose. History records both sides of humanity’s character. The same species capable of extraordinary creativity has re‑ peatedly invented tools that amplify vio‑ lence. Understanding that contradiction may be the first step toward changing the story future generations record.
FOOD
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 23
Jamaican Jerk Steak with Grilled Pineapple Salsa; Bringing bold Caribbean flavour to spring grilling Every year there comes a moment when you can feel the shift in the air. The snow begins to retreat, the days stretch a little longer, and suddenly people start talking about being outside again. In Canada, that usually means one thing — the grill is about to come out of winter storage. For many households, the first barbecue of the season is almost a small celebration. After months of heavy winter meals and indoor cooking, people crave something fresh, vibrant, and cooked over open flame. The smell of food on the grill drifting across a neighbourhood is often the first real signal that spring has arrived. Across the Caribbean, grilling outdoors isn’t limited to one season. It’s simply part of everyday life. Roadside vendors, beachside cookouts, family gatherings, and late-night food stands all revolve around the same basic idea: good food, cooked over fire, shared with good company. Few Caribbean cooking styles capture that spirit better than jerk cooking, a tradition that originated in Jamaica centuries ago and has since become one of the most recognizable flavour profiles in the world. While jerk seasoning is most commonly associated with chicken or pork, it also pairs beautifully with steak. The bold spices create a smoky crust on the outside of the meat, while the richness of the beef balances the heat and intensity of the seasoning. To round out the dish, we’re pairing the steak with a grilled pineapple salsa, bringing a sweet, fresh element that perfectly complements the smoky heat of jerk spices. It’s a dish that feels right at home as spring approaches — bold, colourful, and full of life. The History Behind Jerk Cooking Jerk cooking has deep historical roots in Jamaica that stretch back to the 17th century. The technique was developed by the Maroons, communities of formerly enslaved Africans who escaped into Jamaica’s mountainous interior to live freely. Living in remote regions and constantly needing to avoid detection by colonial forces, the Maroons developed cooking methods that allowed them to prepare and preserve meat while remaining hidden. Meat was seasoned heavily with spices and slowcooked over pits using wood from the pimento tree, the same tree that produces allspice berries. This method served two important purposes. First, the smoke from the wood infused the meat with incredible flavour while helping to preserve it. Second, the slow cooking process allowed tougher cuts of meat to become tender and rich. Over time, the seasoning blend used for this cooking method evolved into what we now recognize as jerk seasoning. The combination of allspice, thyme, garlic, scallions, ginger, and fiery Scotch bonnet peppers creates a flavour profile that is both powerful and balanced. Today, jerk cooking is one of Jamaica’s most famous culinary traditions. Roadside jerk stands across the island produce some of the most incredible aromas imagin-
able — smoke rising from large metal drums filled with seasoned meat cooking slowly over hot coals. Visitors often say they can smell a jerk stand long before they see it. The Flavours That Define Caribbean Cooking Caribbean cuisine is known for bold, layered flavours. Unlike some cooking styles that rely on subtle seasoning, Caribbean dishes often embrace vibrant combinations of herbs, spices, heat, and sweetness. The jerk seasoning used in this recipe captures many of those classic elements. Allspice, sometimes called pimento in the Caribbean, provides warmth and depth. Its flavour hints at cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove all at once. Fresh thyme brings an earthy herbal note that anchors the spice mixture. Garlic and scallions add savoury richness. And then there is the star of many Caribbean dishes — the Scotch bonnet pepper. This small, brightly coloured pepper is famous for its intense heat, but it also carries a distinct fruity sweetness that makes it very different from many other hot peppers. In Caribbean cooking, Scotch bonnet peppers are used carefully. They’re rarely meant to overwhelm a dish with heat alone. Instead, they add brightness and character that enhances the overall flavour. When balanced correctly, jerk seasoning delivers a taste experience that is smoky, spicy, slightly sweet, and deeply satisfying. Why Steak Works So Well with Jerk Most people immediately think of jerk chicken when they hear the word “jerk,” but the seasoning works beautifully with beef as well. Steak has a natural richness that can stand up to strong seasoning without losing its character. When jerk spices hit a hot grill, the natural sugars in the marinade begin to caramelize, creating a deeply flavoured crust on the outside of the meat. Inside, the steak remains juicy and tender, creating a perfect contrast between the smoky exterior and the rich interior. For this recipe, cuts like ribeye or striploin work particularly well because they contain enough marbling to stay juicy during grilling. The key is cooking the steak over high heat to develop that caramelized crust while keeping the inside tender. The Role of Pineapple in Caribbean Cuisine To balance the bold spices of jerk seasoning, this dish includes a grilled pineapple salsa. Pineapple has long been a staple ingredient in Caribbean cooking. Introduced through trade routes centuries ago, the fruit quickly became popular across the islands because it thrives in tropical climates and brings natural sweetness to many dishes. Grilling pineapple enhances its flavour even further. The heat caramelizes the fruit’s natural sugars, giving it a slightly smoky sweetness that pairs perfectly with
spicy foods. When combined with lime juice, fresh herbs, and a touch of heat, pineapple becomes the perfect counterpoint to jerk seasoning. The result is a salsa that is bright, fresh, and just slightly spicy — exactly what’s needed to balance the richness of grilled steak. Jamaican Jerk Steak with Grilled Pineapple Salsa Ingredients For the Jerk Steak • • • • • • • • • • • •
2 ribeye or striploin steaks (about 1 inch thick) 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 scallions, finely chopped 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon brown sugar ½ teaspoon ground ginger 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, finely chopped (adjust to taste) Juice of 1 lime Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Grilled Pineapple Salsa • • • • • •
1 cup fresh pineapple, diced ½ small red onion, finely chopped 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped Juice of 1 lime ½ Scotch bonnet pepper, finely minced (optional) Salt to taste
Preparing the Jerk Marinade In a bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, scallions, thyme, allspice, smoked paprika, brown sugar, ginger, Scotch bonnet pepper, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until the mixture forms a thick marinade. Rub the marinade generously over both sides of the steaks, making sure every surface is well coated. Allow the steaks to marinate for at least 30 minutes, though letting them sit for several hours in the refrigerator will deepen the flavour even further. Preparing the Pineapple Salsa Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Place slices of pineapple directly on the grill and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, just until grill marks appear and the sugars begin to caramelize. Remove the pineapple from the grill and allow it to cool slightly before dicing it into small pieces. In a bowl, combine the grilled pineapple, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, Scotch bonnet pepper, and a pinch of salt. Mix gently and set aside. The salsa should taste bright and slightly sweet with just a hint of heat. Grilling the Steak
Preheat the grill to high heat. Remove the steaks from the marinade and place them directly over the heat. Cook for approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, depending on the thickness of the steak. Adjust the cooking time if you prefer a different level of doneness. As the steaks cook, the spices and sugars in the marinade will caramelize, creating a rich, dark crust on the outside of the meat. Once cooked, remove the steaks from the grill and allow them to rest for about five minutes before slicing. Resting the meat allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the steak stays tender and flavourful. Serving the Dish Slice the steak against the grain and arrange it on a serving plate. Spoon the grilled pineapple salsa generously over the top. The sweet acidity of the pineapple balances the smoky heat of the jerk seasoning, creating a dish that is both bold and refreshing. This dish pairs beautifully with several Caribbean-inspired sides, including: • • • • •
Coconut rice Fried plantains Caribbean festival dumplings Mango salad Grilled vegetables
Even a simple green salad works well alongside the powerful flavours of jerk steak. Bringing Caribbean Spirit to the Grill One of the most beautiful aspects of Caribbean cuisine is the way it brings people together. Meals are rarely rushed. Food is meant to be shared, enjoyed slowly, and surrounded by laughter and conversation. Across Jamaica and much of the Caribbean, jerk cooking is often a social event. Friends gather around roadside stands, music plays in the background, and the smell of seasoned meat cooking over open flame fills the air. While we may be thousands of kilometres away from those island scenes, the flavours can still travel. A dish like jerk steak with grilled pineapple salsa captures a little bit of that Caribbean energy. It’s vibrant, bold, and perfectly suited for those evenings when the weather finally begins to cooperate and the backyard becomes the place everyone wants to be. As spring begins to make its presence known, it might be the perfect time to try something new on the grill. Fire up the barbecue, gather a few friends, and bring a little taste of the Caribbean into your backyard. Because sometimes the best way to welcome a new season is with good food, good company, and the unmistakable aroma of something delicious cooking over an open flame.
PAGE 24
LIFE
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Between the frost and the thaw BY GEORGE SHEPPARD A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE There are seasons that stretch you thin in ways words cannot quite describe. You are not where you were, but not where you are going either. You wake up every day in the middle, between endings that still echo and beginnings that have not yet shown their face. That’s what February/March feel like to me; that ache of. Almost spring. Almost warm. Almost enough light to believe again. Almost
done waiting. Almost okay. It is like the world’s half-awake, but too tired to get out of bed. The air cannot decide what it wants to be. The birds start singing too soon, like they did not get the memo. Your coat hangs over the same chair because you keep thinking, “I won’t need that tomorrow,” and then, tomorrow dumps fresh snow on your hopes. More delays to moving forward. That’s why this stretch of the year always feels both heavy and hopeful because most of the living happens right here, in the almosts. Not in the bright beginnings, or the
The controversial legacy of America’s Next Top Model BY SYDNEY WALCOTT VARIETY CORNER The reality show America’s Next Top Model may have been a hit during its run, but its legacy has not aged well. In 2002, former supermodel Tyra Banks conceived the idea for a reality television show to diversify the fashion industry and provide aspiring models with the experience they needed to break into the industry. Throughout each cycle’s run, 10 to 15 aspiring models would have the opportunity to compete in a series of photoshoots and challenges, with the chance to be crowned “America’s Next Top Model” and to launch their career in the industry through a contract with a cosmetic company, a magazine cover and spread and to be signed to a modelling agency. The show made its debut on the UPN in 2003 and ran for six seasons on the channel before it merged with The WB to become The CW and aired for 16 more seasons before its cancellation in 2015. The series was revived on VH1 and ran for two more seasons before concluding in 2018 after 24 seasons. Throughout its run, America’s Next Top Model had a cultural impact. The show helped transform reality television by introducing a mainstream audience to the world of elite fashion and introducing the viewers to terms such as “smize” (smiling with one’s eyes). The show was also praised for its diverse casting as we saw contestants of different colours, shapes and sexual orientations grace our screens. The show also had its downs. Some of those downs included: exploiting the contestants’ personal trauma, body-shaming critiques from some of the judges, turning a blind eye to contestants being sexually harassed/assaulted, subjecting the contestants to humiliating runway challenges and having controversial photoshoots involving blackface. Throughout the years, several contestants have shared that it was difficult for them to find work after their cycle ended because of the edit they received on the show, or an agency just didn’t want to be associated with anyone who appeared on the show. In 2020, the show received buzz again during the COVID-19 pandemic as people were rewatching the show while quarantining. However, the buzz was not positive. Reactions and commentary videos made during the period helped many realize how toxic the show really was. A controversial moment on the show that stood out to many at the time was when Banks wanted cycle six winner Danielle “Dani” Evans to close the gap in her teeth. Evans initially refused to close her gap, leading to Banks asking her if she thinks she can have a CoverGirl contract with a gap in her teeth before placing her pinky in between her two front teeth and saying this: “This is all people see, easy, breezy, beautiful CoverGirl. It’s not marketable.” Evans responded that she was okay with having her gap closed a little bit, but not all the way. “Well, I guess she just left the ‘gap’ wide open for another girl,” responded the runway coach and judge, Miss J. Alexander.
Nine cycles later, cycle 15 runner-up Chelsey Hersley was given a wider gap as part of her makeover, leading to people condemning Banks for forcing Evans to close her gap against her will. Banks responded to all the backlash in a now-deleted tweet saying the following, “Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs.” Banks’ response was not well-received, and with the release of the Netflix documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, six years later, it caused more people to side-eye the show. On February 16th, 2025, the three-part documentary premiered and addresses some of the show’s most controversial moments, along with what occurred behind the scenes. Banks, creative director Jay Manuel, photographer and judge Nigel Barker, Alexander, executive producer Ken Mok and season three and four judge Nolé Marin appeared in the documentary along with former contestants: Ebony Haith, Giselle Samson and runner-up Shannon Stewart from cycle one, Shandi Sullivan from cycle two, Keenyah Hill from cycle four, Bre Scullark from cycle five, runner-up Joanie Sprague and Evans from cycle six, Dionne Walters from cycle eight and winner Whitney Thompson from cycle 10. One thing that people noticed from the documentary was the lack of accountability from Banks and from Manuel, Barker and Alexander, who also played a role in the mistreatment of the contestants. “But you guys were demanding it, and so we kept pushing for more and more and more,” said Banks, who attempted to shift the blame onto the viewers for the show’s problematic moments. The show may have been geared towards young adults, but there were a handful of young girls (myself being one of them) and teenagers watching the show during its original run. None of the viewers, especially the children, demanded that people be bodyshamed, have their trauma exploited, or be sexually assaulted. The show may have had a cultural impact throughout the 2000s and has helped many contestants achieve success in the fashion industry, but we can’t overlook the longlasting trauma that the show inflicted on multiple contestants. With Banks announcing she would like to have a 25th cycle, it led to people jokingly saying she is “threatening” us with another cycle. Viewers are against seeing another cycle produced, considering what some of the contestants have endured. I may have enjoyed watching the show as a kid, but as I got older and viewed commentary and reaction videos along with the Netflix documentary on what took place throughout the show’s run, it makes me think that anyone who wants to participate in the show’s 25th cycle should do so at their own risk.
clean endings, but in the blurry middle where everything still looks a little unfinished. I used to think life worked in clean lines. Heartbreak then healing. Storm then calm. Loss then recovery, but life does not follow blueprints. It bleeds across the page. Grief overstays, and peace shows up late. You can be laughing yet hurting inside. You can be tired and still grateful. Brave and still afraid. You can be strong but uncertain simultaneously. Overwhelmed at the unexpected, but joyful of the impact. You may think you are finally okay, stable, lighter, and then, out of nowhere, a smell, a song, or a memory knocks the air out of you? That is the almost. That is the quiet ripple between what is ending and what is being born. That is what it feels like to be human: half-healed, always learning, and somehow, we keep showing up. We make the coffee that tastes like burnt hope. We feed the dog that demands cheese on her kibble like some kind of princess. We go to work, fold the laundry, and keep breathing through it all. That’s what faith really is, not something loud or glowing, but the daily, quiet decision to keep showing up anyway. That is what February/March feel like. Showing up anyway. The ground’s hard, the sky’s tired, and everything seems stuck, but underneath all that stillness, something is happening. Roots are moving. Soil is loosening. The quiet work has already begun; you just cannot always see it. That is us too. What feels like waiting is just the deep rearranging, the heart quietly shifting, learning how to open again. What looks frozen might just be the pause before the thaw. For a long time, I tried to rush these
seasons, desperate to skip to the part where things made sense again. I wanted the clarity, the after, the clean line. I wanted to point to a moment and say, “That’s when I made it through,” but healing does not happen like that, it happens slowly. It is not dramatic. It does not arrive with parades and announcements. It creeps in quietly like light through frost. You do not notice it right away. Then one morning, you feel a little stronger, your smile comes a little easier, and it grows. Almost is not standing still. It is motion you can’t yet see, but you feel it. Sometimes, I still feel my anchors; the old fears, the weights I once thought were keeping me stuck. I used to believe freedom meant cutting them loose, but now I see they have been teaching me how to stay steady when the waves get rough. Some anchors are not there to trap you; they exist to steady us until the sea is ready to carry us somewhere new. Not everything that keeps you still is holding you back. Some things ground you long enough to help you learn patience. The almosts are like that too, a quiet kind of anchoring. A pause that holds us just long enough for the world to turn beneath us, keeps us close enough to shore until we are ready to sail out and explore. If you find yourself in the “in-between” not who you were, not yet who you are becoming, but getting there, do not rush it. You are not behind. You are not broken. You are just in the part of the story that doesn’t have a map yet. It is the frost before the thaw. The thaw will come. The light will return. You will move again when the wind shifts. Almost isn’t empty. It is the breathing space before becoming. Keep waiting. Keep showing up. You are almost there.
LIFE
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 25
Chronic procrastination can actually rewire your brain BY SIMONE J. SMITH HUMAN SPECIALIST I have a confession to make, and I’m making it directly to you because I know you are tired of the same old lies. You have been told that you are lazy. You have been told you lack discipline. I told myself the same thing for years while I sat in the waiting room of my own life. I thought I was failing my community. I thought I was failing my ancestors, but then I looked into the folds of my own biology, and I realized I was in a state of neuro-chemical war. Here is the truth: procrastination may seem like a time-management problem; in actuality, it is an emotional regulation failure. I had to call myself out. I realized that every time I put off that strategic plan, or that difficult community dialogue, I told myself that I was waiting for the right moment. My limbic system, that ancient, emotional part of the brain, was actually sounding an alarm. It saw the task as a threat. It was trying to protect me from the anxiety, the self-doubt, and the fear of failure that comes with doing big things. I was choosing temporary relief over long-term power. I had a blindspot. It’s called temporal discounting. My brain was treating my future self like a stranger. I would offload the stress of today onto the me of next week, thinking she would be
more motivated, more rested, more capable, but she wasn’t a stranger. She was just me, but more stressed and out of time. Science calls this a cognitive bias. We think that doing a task later will be easier because we discount the effort required in the future more steeply than we discount the reward. I convinced myself that the struggle of tomorrow would be lighter than the struggle of today. I was lying to myself about the cost of my own dreams. Inside our brains, a region called the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) is constantly weighing these costs and rewards. In people like us, the procrastinators, this area signals that the effort scheduled for later is much less costly than it actually is. We are literally miscalculating reality. Chronic procrastination can actually rewire your brain, strengthening the pathways of avoidance and weakening your ability to implement control. It raises your cortisol, erodes your self-trust, and leaves you stuck in a survival mode that favours immediate escape over the structural change we need. Fortunately, we are human, and that means we are plastic. We can change. I started small. I used the Zeigarnik effect: I stopped trying to finish, and I just started. Momentum is neurochemical. I began to treat my future self with compassion instead of contempt. You are not a failure. You are a beautifully complicated machine
trying to navigate a world that demands your labour while ignoring your humanity. Stop fighting your biology and start working with it. Break the task into pieces that don’t trigger your motivation break. Forgive yourself for the delays of
yesterday. The community is waiting for you. Not the perfect you of next month. The you of right now. I’m done waiting. Are you?
It’s time to get involved BY HERBERT HILDEBRANDT POLITICAL PARLEY We have a general habit of giving all our attention to the biggest stages while the most practical decisions get made on the smallest ones. We follow federal politics like a sport, we debate premiers like they are celebrities, and we pour energy into national arguments that can feel a hundred miles away from the everyday rhythms of our lives. Meanwhile, the issues that shape your week: how your neighbourhood grows, how your taxes are spent, how your kids’ schools are governed, and how safe your streets feel, are decided locally, often by a surprisingly small number of engaged citizens on local municipal councils and school boards. This fall, on Monday, October 26th, 2026, Ontario holds municipal and school board elections. These are non-partisan by design and local by nature, and for many people they are the most realistic doorway into public service you will ever find. You do not need to be a career politician, and you do not need a party machine. In many
communities, you simply need to be the kind of person who cares, listens well, and is willing to do the work. Municipal councils decide on roads, transit, parks, zoning, housing approvals, local policing priorities, bylaw enforcement, budgets, and the long-term planning that determines whether a community becomes more livable, or more stressed. School board trustees help set direction and policy, oversee budgets, and provide governance that influences whether schools stay anchored in strong outcomes and healthy culture. These are not symbolic roles, they are practical, consequential, and close to home. When local governance is at its best, it is not flashy. It is competent and steady, the kind of leadership that makes a place quietly better year after year. The challenge, of course, is that local elections often run under the radar. In the 2022 municipal elections, average turnout across Ontario was about 32.9%, and 553 positions were filled by acclamation, meaning no contest at all. That data tells a simple story: many communities are being led by a small slice of the population, not
because others do not care, but because life is busy and local politics feels easy to postpone and even ignore. If you have ever volunteered at a school event, served on a church committee, coached a team, helped organize a fundraiser, sat on a board, built a business, or simply been the neighbour who shows up when someone needs a hand, you already understand the heart of local leadership: consistency, service, and responsibility. Municipal councils and school boards need more of that servant leadership energy. More stewardship and less performative politics. For those who assume running is complicated, it is often far simpler than expected. Nominations open May 1st, 2026, and close Friday, August 21st, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. In most places, the filing fee is $100 (and $200 for head of council), and in municipalities with more than 4,000 electors you need 25 endorsement signatures. In other words, the process is designed to be accessible to allow regular citizens to step forward. If you are honest, thoughtful, and willing to learn, you are exactly the kind
of person who should consider it. Local government does not need perfection; it just needs some passion and presence. It needs people who can listen, read a budget, ask good questions, and work with others - even those they disagree with - to make practical progress. It needs people who can keep the temperature down while keeping standards up. This matters across Ontario, and it particularly matters in communities that are typically underrepresented at these levels. Representation is not only about identity; it is about lived experience, priorities, and perspective. When more people from the full fabric of Ontario participate by voting, by attending meetings, by serving on committees, and yes, by running, public decisions will better serve the broader populace. Consider something bigger this year: running for school board or council or helping a suitable candidate knock on doors. A healthy province is built one municipality at a time, one school board at a time, one meeting at a time, by ordinary people who decide that their community is worth their attention.
LIFE
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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Mastering focus in the age of distraction BY DANIEL COLE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT One of the most illuminating metaphors for modern existence appears in the film In Time, directed by Andrew Niccol. In that imagined world, every person is born with a visible clock counting down the exact time they have left to live, and every action costs minutes or hours from that finite reserve. Currency is not gold or paper, but life itself. This fictional premise is less speculative than it appears. Time is already the fundamental currency of existence; it is simply invisible. Every notification opened, every video watched, every scroll undertaken is a transaction paid for in minutes that can never be recovered. The difference between fiction and reality is not the system, it is our awareness of it. Human civilization has produced more information in recent decades than in millennia prior. Yet cognitive science consistently shows that the human brain’s attentional bandwidth has not expanded alongside this informational explosion. Our neural architecture evolved for environments of scarcity, not abundance. The result is a structural mismatch: an infinite stream of stimuli competing for a biologically limited faculty. The late polymath Herbert A. Simon predicted this long before the digital age reached maturity. He observed that an abundance of information inevitably creates a scarcity of attention. This is not metaphorical. Attention behaves like a scarce resource because it is one.
Every stimulus that captures it deprives something else of it. Modern platforms are engineered around this principle. Their business models depend not on the production of content alone, but on the capture and retention of human focus. Notifications are rarely accidental defaults. They are behavioral hooks, subtle design decisions informed by psychology, behavioral economics, and machine learning. When you search for something on Google and immediately encounter related advertisements elsewhere, you are witnessing a marketplace operating exactly as designed: your curiosity has market value. Industrial economies extracted physical labour. Information economies extract data. Attention economies extract awareness itself. The defining feature of this era is systematic distraction. Digital systems are optimized to fragment concentration because fragmented attention increases engagement frequency. The more often you check, the more measurable interactions you generate, the more interactions, the more monetizable signals. This produces what psychologists call continuous partial attention: a state in which the mind is never fully engaged with one thing nor fully disengaged from others. Over time, this condition erodes deep work capacity, reduces memory consolidation, and increases subjective stress. People feel busy yet strangely unproductive because cognitive switching consumes enormous mental energy while producing little enduring output.
When algorithms learn what captures your interest, they gradually curate a world designed to hold it. The danger is not that information exists, but that it arrives pre-filtered to maximize emotional engagement rather than intellectual value. Outrage, novelty, fear, and spectacle outperform nuance, accuracy, and depth because they trigger faster neurological responses. The brain is drawn to urgency the way the eye is drawn to light. Thus, the greatest risk of the attention age is not ignorance, but misdirected awareness. Many people report feeling perpetually overwhelmed while simultaneously unsure what meaningful work consumed their day. This paradox arises because attention fragmentation mimics productivity. Responding to messages, scanning headlines, checking feeds, and multitasking all create the sensation of activity without the substance of accomplishment. In cognitive terms, shallow engagement produces stimulation but not satisfaction. Deep engagement produces satisfaction but requires uninterrupted focus, precisely the condition modern environments undermine. If attention is currency, then intentionality is financial literacy. Reclaiming control begins with redefining one’s relationship with it. The essential question is no longer What information is available, but what information deserves access to my mind?
Don’t be the face they blame BY ANYA NICOLA I try my best not to get caught up in celebrity drama. I don’t wake up looking for scandal, but occasionally, something happens that is bigger than gossip. Something that exposes how power really works. The public reckoning around Tyra Banks and the legacy of America’s Next Top Model is one of those moments. I have not watched the documentaries. I can’t. When those episodes originally aired, they were already triggering for me as a plus-size Black woman trying to find herself in a world that policed our bodies for sport. I don’t need to relive that through a new lens. I have watched the online discourse. I’ve watched Tyra be vilified as if she had built the machine alone. Let us be clear: she is not innocent, but she was also the face of a show run by Whiteowned corporations. The brand was bigger than her. The funding was bigger than her. The executives were bigger than her. Yet, when the dust settles, who is trending? Who is absorbing the bulk of the outrage? The Black woman. That part does not surprise me. What does surprise me is how quickly we forget how systems operate. We act like harm exists in a vacuum. Like power is evenly distributed. Like everyone in the room had the same leverage. They didn’t, and this is where the lesson hits home for me. You see, everything happening
to Tyra right now is exactly why I refuse to stay quiet when things do not add up or go against my values. I question everything, and because of that, I’ve been labelled the shit disturber more times than I can count. I would rather be called difficult than be used as a scapegoat. Here is the truth: if you are part of something and you see things that are not right, and you comply anyway just to keep your seat at the table, you are gambling with your integrity, and when things blow up? You will be the easiest one to sacrifice. I know this because I’ve lived it. Over two decades ago, I was part of a national sales team. My numbers were strong, but not everybody’s were. When our results were reported upward as a group, they didn’t make sense. I could see it. The math was mathing, just not honestly. I asked questions. I documented everything. I challenged narratives that didn’t sit right. When the scandal finally cracked open, it would have been so easy to pin it on me, the only Black woman on the team. The loud one. The one who asked too many questions. What saved me was this: I never blindly complied. I never signed off on what I knew was wrong. The manager above my direct supervisor eventually realized who had been fudging the numbers so the rest of the department could ride off my success, and the accountability went where it belonged. That manager and I are still in contact today. In fact, I’m reserving a
ticket for her at my graduation. We have not worked together in over twenty years, but she was watching from behind the scenes. She saw my integrity. She respected it. Integrity has a long memory. Here is what I want our community to understand: leadership is not about proximity to power. It is about courage in the presence of it. Do not be a yes-man. Do not be a follower. Do not stay silent just to be liked. If you see something that is off, say something, because when the system decides it needs a fall guy, the person who complied without question is often the easiest to frame. How will you feel knowing you knew better? This is not about saving Tyra Banks. It is about saving ourselves from the same trap. We live in a world where visibility can be weaponized, where the Black face at the front of the room can be both profitable and disposable. So, ask yourself: are you building something you believe in, or are you attaching your name to something that contradicts your values because it looks good on paper? The headlines around America’s Next Top Model are happening in Hollywood, but the lesson is universal. Speak up early. Document everything. Protect your integrity. Lead with your spine, not your ego, because at the end of the day, fame fades, corporations pivot, and public opinion shifts, but your name? That is the one thing you carry for life.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News
REAL ESTATE
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Thinking real estate? Be patient BY JAY BRIJPAUL REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST I ran into Janet in late January. A couple of years ago, she was priced out of the market, frustrated by bidding wars and properties selling for tens of thousands over asking. In late January, she noticed condos were staying on the market for weeks. I showed her some, and now the sellers’ realtors are calling me to say the sellers are willing to negotiate. This is the first time in many years that buyers can genuinely purchase the home they want without overextending themselves. What Janet experienced is not unique. Across the Greater Toronto Area, I’ve observed the same trend. Sales have declined sharply, inventory has increased, and homes that would have attracted bidding wars two years ago are now sitting unsold for weeks. Buyers aren’t rushing to waive inspections or offer large deposits just to stay competitive. They are taking their time, asking questions, and arranging proper financing. Investors are returning. One of them, Marcus, told me he’s seen condos drop 15%-25% from their peaks. “I’m not trying to flip,” he said. “I want something that will bring cash flow and appreciate over time.” He’s looking near transit, in neighbourhoods with strong fundamentals, not chasing hype. Buying an investment property isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, but for someone like Marcus, who is thinking long term, the numbers are starting to make sense again. If you are buying condos, choose the best location in older buildings with larger suites and good reserve funds. Just because prices have softened doesn’t mean everything suddenly becomes affordable. Know your budget and don’t stretch yourself to get through the door. Janet is taking her time. She’s comparing neighbourhoods, crunching the numbers, and not rushing simply because there is less competition. The market now rewards patience, not panic. Toronto’s market has cooled, and for buyers like Janet, that is a good opportunity. Carefully crafted deals now could create real wealth in the future. For the first time in years, buyers truly have a
chance to grab them. There are many excellent real estate deals available. If you’re an investor, look for homes in desirable neighbourhoods with spacious lots. Some of these properties require renovations and have been on the market for an extended period. Buyers can purchase them at a lower price, renovate them, and rent them out rather than sell. Once upgraded, the property’s appraised value will increase, which boosts your borrowing capacity. This way, you acquire both the property and the income it generates. Many sellers are opting to sell because affordability is a challenge. They prefer to stay in their local area and would rather sell their homes at a discount to investors who can keep them as tenants. Twenty years ago, I bought a property, and the previous owners became tenants. Today, the previous owner is still living there and paying rent. This creates a win-win situation for both parties. The previous owner used the proceeds to buy a business, and I secured a great deal with excellent tenants. Buyers can benefit from distressed properties, such as vacant homes, handyman specials, and properties from divorces and estate sales. Homeowners who are mortgage-free can also tap into their home equity to assist their children in buying a home. Recently, I met a family with four adult children. They have completed their education, secured employment, and are earning a good income. They wanted to buy a home but lacked the down payment. Their parents took out a $400,000 mortgage on the family home and gave each child $100,000. Each of the four children purchased a condo. Their parents told me that by doing this, they are helping their children to own property. Now that each child has financial responsibilities, they are more cautious with their spending. GTA is a diverse city with a large immigrant population, and its population is expected to continue growing. The demand for housing will remain strong. The market should bounce back in about five years, and anyone investing in real estate now is likely to see substantial profits.
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FUN
YOUR HOROSCOPE for the week of March 8 – March 14, 2026
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 11, 2026
CROSSWORDS
PUZZLE NO. 152
THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK: LEO, SAGITTARIUS, PISCES
ARIES: Momentum builds this week. You may step into a leadership role or move forward with plans you’ve been considering. Stay confident, but remember others move differently. TAURUS: This week calls for reflection. Stepping back may reveal opportunities, especially around finances or work. A thoughtful approach could lead to a smart decision. GEMINI: Conversations could open new doors this week. Pay attention to what people share — opportunities may come through simple discussions. CANCER: Balance matters this week. If you’ve been giving too much energy away, it may be time to step back and recharge. LEO: Your confidence stands out this week. People may look to you for direction, whether you expected it or not. VIRGO: You may feel the urge to organize or fix overlooked problems. Remember that progress matters more than perfection. LIBRA: Relationships take focus this week. A conversation could clear up a misunderstanding and strengthen an important connection. SCORPIO: Determination drives you this week. Once you focus on a goal, progress can come quickly. Remember you don’t have to handle everything alone. SAGITTARIUS: Curiosity leads the way this week. A new idea or opportunity may appear unexpectedly, so keep an open mind. CAPRICORN: Your steady work ethic keeps things moving forward. Even if progress feels slow, you’re building something that will pay off. AQUARIUS: Creative thinking works in your favor. Looking at things differently may help you find a solution others missed. PISCES: Trust your instincts this week. Your intuition may help guide an important decision or bring clarity.
PUZZLE NO. 862
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.
ACROSS 1. Rub clean 6. Cleanse 11. Hesitates 13. Presidential noes 14. Gone to bed 15. Narrow back streets 16. 20th letter 17. Celebration 19. Father 20. Injury memento 24. Bullfighter 27. Wood cutter 28. Froster 29. Pointed end 31. Animal pelt 32. Nothing 33. Most simple 35. Lazy 37. Fall bloomer 38. Northern region 40. Fitness club 43. Language 46. Trying experience
48. Mature people 49. Peaceful 50. Units of heredity 51. Kinds DOWN 1. Petty dispute 2. Federal ____ 3. Law 4. Take advantage of 5. Complained 6. Pants support 7. Book of maps 8. Shoe front 9. “____ Look Me Over” 10. Superman’s symbol 12. Faucet 13. Immense 18. Spookiest 19. Exclude 21. Wedding food 22. Rotation center
23. Lease 24. Skirt style 25. Sharp 26. Inform 30. Barbecue sites 31. Form of address 34. Clandestine 36. Bird of prey 37. One-spots 39. Furrows 40. Leak slowly 41. Window ache? 42. Heavy brews 43. Children’s game 44. Lyric poem 45. Convent resident 47. Desertlike
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