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Volume 11 • Issue 1

Wednesday, February 16 2022

“When I saw the news, I was like SIU messed up again. What I didn’t know is that it was my family that they had messed up on!””

FULL STORY - PAGE 8

PAGE 2

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

KELLY FYFFE-MARSHALL Pushing the boundaries as a Black woman!

“I’m a storyteller…. And like Oprah calls it...I had an ah-ha moment! I would make ripples where I was!”

As I watched the short film simply named “Haven” my eyes welled up with tears, and I was transported back to a time in my life that has always been hard for me to talk about. Child sexual abuse is a silent social problem that continues to be ignored in the Caribbean community, and somehow, this powerful film captured the pain, and trauma of this issue. The issues of complicity, silence, denial, and family loyalty when it comes to incidents of child sexual assault are allowed to perpetuate, often without intervention, and it is why art forms like film making, and storytelling are imperative to the make-up of our communities around the world.

While a certain amount of progress has been made with on-screen talent to tackle social issues, and although entertainment companies are making efforts towards diversity and inclusion, there is still an inequity that persists and is deeply entrenched across the film and television ecosystem. It is only as of late that we have begun to see the lived experiences of African/Caribbeans, and this charge has been led by the birth of a new generation of filmmakers, pioneers who are not afraid to share the stories of our past, present, and soon to be future.

It is why when I was introduced to Kelly Fyffe-Marshall, I knew that I had to tell her extraordinary story. This young African/Caribbean screenwriter, and director has fortified her position in the filmmaking industry, and in just ten years, she has achieved what to many in her cohort may seem impossible. In just the last four years she has pushed the boundaries of the industries as a Black woman, and her accomplishments tell the tale: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2018 - Best Short Film; The People’s Film Festival, NYC. 2018 - Speaker; TEDxYouth Toronto.

2018 - Audience Choice Award; TriForce Film Festival @ BAFTA. 2019 - Speaker; Elevate Tech Festival 2019 - Winner; Best Director (AD Team) x Canadian Screen Awards 2020 - Official Selection - Short Cuts; TIFF 20.

2020 - Nomination - Best Canadian Short; TIFF 20.

2020 - Winner - Shawn Mendes Foundation Change Maker Award; TIFF 20.

2020 - Top Ten Canadian Short Film; TIFF 20.

2021 - Winner - Jay Scott Prize; Toronto Film Critics Awards 2021 - Nomination - Best Short Film; Sundance 2021.

2021 - Official Selection - Short Film; Sundance 2021.

2021 – Official Selection - Short Film; Aspen Shortsfest 2021.

2021 - Nomination - Best Live Action Short; Canadian Academy of Film & TV

I had the chance to chat with Kelly, and she shared her story, which she calls a series of fortunate events.

“My mother is Jamaican, and my father is from Barbados,” Kelly shares with me. “My father’s side moved to Jamaica, and I was born in England and lived there for 10–12 years before moving to Canada. I guess you can call me fortunate because I grew up in the industry. My grandparents were in the industry, and I remember them being on the radio. I gravitated towards theatre arts, because it allowed me to be more like myself.”

Kelly pauses to chuckle, “My teachers said I have leadership skills, and my mom always said I was bossy. Either way, I was made for this life. When I was in elementary school, middle school, and going into high school, I became more intrigued with theatre arts, television and film.

At the age of fifteen, I was fortunate to be hired on as an intern at Rogers Television. True story! One of the women who had her own show for some reason was threatened by my hunger to learn and achieve, so she challenged me to try and produce her show and bring in higher numbers. Well not only did I kill it with the show, I did so well that I took it over. She works somewhere in Australia now, but it goes to show you; what is meant for you is for you. I was always bothered by the fact that she was threatened, and instead of helping and mentoring a young achieving woman, she chose to hate on me.”

Even though Kelly was excelling in this field, her mom reminded her about the importance of education, so Kelly ended up going to Seneca College, and then York University for TV Production.

“What sucked about it was the fact that after I graduated, the province was in a recession, and by the time we had gotten out of it, things had changed so much, so everything I learned became obsolete. I started doing music videos and content, I just didn’t enjoy it. I wanted to be able to have a very successful career, which meant doing more.

I volunteered to be on bigger sets, and I was hired as an Assistant Director. It was perfect because I was in my element; I was able to tell people what to do, but I took notice of the Director.

I realized that the Director was the silent boss. I realized that was where I needed to be. I used that job to study the sets, and I decided I wanted to be a Director, but there were no scripts that spoke to me, spoke to the causes I believed in. I decided to write my own stories.

I am a vessel, and messenger for the message. I wanted to use my art to share my activism. This is how Haven was born. We didn’t have any money, but we made it happen. Just being able to touch people and talk to people. It was definitely a way for me to push things out. I’ve realized that I start a lot of my movies, not with ideas, but with emotions. Something will happen and I’m like, ‘That would be interesting to write a movie around.’”

Kelly shared with me the difficulty she had navigating the film industry, and another

series of fortunate events happened when she connected with Photographer Jordan Oram, and Producer Tamar Bird.

“We were all working together, and Tamar and I were PA’s on the same set eight years ago. I remember that our eyes met, and we nodded at each other. We have been friends ever since.

In our communities, we’re taught the scarcity mentality and that only one [of us] can get [acclaim] at a time. It hasn’t been until the past four years that I’ve actually become friends with other Black female and non-binary directors. We were never put in the same room because we were competing against one another for work.”

The next big project that they worked on together was Black Bodies. It was the only film produced solely by Black women, and when it debuted at TIFF, the film won the festival’s inaugural Changemaker Award, and a $10,000 prize. It was one of only six Canadian films selected to be part of the United States’ largest indie film festival.

Fyffe-Marshall has voiced her frustrations around the lack of Canadian coverage of her film, Black Bodies, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

She shared this frustration in one of her tweets.

“We’re 1 of 6 Canadian projects in Sundance this year, out of the 118 films they selected, out of thousands that submitted — with an all-Black female production team. And there have been crickets in Canada, which is wild. This is why we [lose] so many of our artists to the US.” It wasn’t until a tweet from trailblazing filmmaker Ava DuVernay, the first Black woman to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Director, that Fyffe-Marshall says the success of Black Bodies felt fully validated. Now, we can all watch this award-winning film on CraveTV. Their next venture together is a set of feature films, When Morning Comes and Summer Of The Gun. The former is an immigration story about a young boy from Jamaica. The latter finds the same protagonist implicated in events during the 2005 summer in Toronto, when gun violence was at its peak.

“What makes me happy is that I will be able to create these films with the backdrop of the beautiful island of Jamaica. It will be my love letter to the island, to the people, to the captivating culture.”

Photo Credit: Yvonne Stanley

Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News

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NEWS

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 3

Our Government officials don’t seem to see how their mandates impact the supply of services to their citizens SIMONE SMITH

world, and the affects of this that are not being considered.

•

simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“People without a certificate like me, we’re not a part of society anymore.

We’re excluded. We’re like less valuable humans.”

Nicolas Rimoldi (Concerned Citizen) Countries around the world are faced with lingering pockets of vaccine hesitancy, or outright refusal, and because of this many nations are imposing stricter rules and restrictions on unvaccinated people, effectively making their lives more difficult in an effort to convince them to get their inoculation.

In doing so, they are testing the boundary between public health and civil liberties, as well as heightening division and tension between those who are vaccinated and those who are not.

Now, things have moved to another level; world leaders are threatening their citizens who refuse to comply, and mainstream media seems to enjoy propagating this message. Let’s take a quick look at what is happening around the

•

•

•

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton specifically said that the government will be discriminating in favour of those who are vaccinated, “The truth is if you take the time to protect yourself and others do not, then I believe you should enjoy more privileges and rights to certain activities over those who have decided not to do so.”

Trinidad and Tobago have a Safe Zone Policy, which states that store owners, operators and patrons must be vaccinated. If they are caught in breech of this three times, they are fined $25,000 per breech, and if a patron breeches, they are fined $5,000 and the owner/operator will also be fined $25,000.

Austria imposed Europe’s first lockdown for the unvaccinated and is scheduled to introduce mandatory shots from February 1st. They are also threatening to fine up to 3,600 euros for almost anyone over eighteen who refuses to take the inoculation.

Germany has banned unvaccinated people from most areas of public life, and the country’s Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, warned in December that: “without mandatory vaccination I do not see us managing further waves in the long term.”

•

•

• •

France’s President Emmanuel Macron last week told Le Parisien newspaper that he “really wants to piss off” the unvaccinated. “We’re going to keep doing it until the end,” he said. “This is the strategy.” In France, the vaccination pass is compulsory (with 3 doses) to be able to carry out everyday actions, such as taking your child to the doctor in the hospital.

In Canada, if you lose your job because you are not vaccinated, you’re ineligible to receive employment insurance, which technically is yours and cannot be restricted or kept from you.

Germany bans unvaccinated people from public and private facilities the government deems “unnecessary.”

Quebec requires the COVID-19 vaccine to attend religious services.

In countries like Italy, France, Poland, New Zealand, Canada, and Ukraine, some public sector workers are required to be vaccinated, but problems have arose from these mandates, and I have some questions for us to think about: What happens when there are not enough police available to protect citizens because the government requires vaccinations?

There will be more crime on the streets.

Or what happens when there are not enough fire fighters to put out fires?

homes.

More fires will endanger lives and

Or what happens when children can’t go to school because there are not enough teachers in the classrooms?

Their learning will be hindered and the economy will suffer because parents can’t work.

Clearly, our world leaders don’t think about the consequences of their decisions… Or they just don’t care.

Many countries are requiring health care workers to get vaccinated or lose their jobs at a time when we need MORE doctors and nurses – and then complain that the remaining health care staff are getting overrun.

Threatening health care workers who are fighting to help the sick because they refuse to comply with a government mandate that violates health freedom is the last thing we need.

That’s why it is so important to tell Prime Minister Trudeau to stop the vaccine mandates now!

World leaders are violating our personal liberty with vaccine mandates.

They threaten fines, loss of employment and exile from society for those who refuse to comply.

Your signature will go a long way toward increasing the pressure to repeal current mandates and stop future decrees in Canada. CitizenGo has put together a petition that will help get citizens’ thoughts in front of our world leaders.

Human Rights Project

Get Involved in Meaningful Change at Peel Regional Police

Peel Regional Police invites you to become a member of the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee (ARAC).

Apply from February 22 to March 5 at PeelPolice.ca/HumanRightsProject.

To join our information session on February 24, email ARAC@PeelPolice.ca.

NEWS

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 5

Photo Credit: John Bonnar

Remembering the legacy of visionary and selfless leader Owen Sankara Leach PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Many in the African Canadian community who knew him personally over the years will certainly feel the death of Hubert Owen Leach on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2022.

He was born on August 16th, 1936, in Barbados and migrated to Canada after moving to England to further his education in Constitutional Law at the University of Birmingham, UK. Norman Otis Richmond, political commentator and bluesiologist recalled the great contributions of Owen to the Black community in Toronto. This interview was held after the celebration of Owen’s 84th birthday at A Different Booklist Cultural Centre (ADBCC). Norman mentioned that Owen was involved in the struggles for African and human liberation movements in England, Montreal as well as in Toronto.

Norman stated that one word that could be used to describe Owen is “Selfless.”

There was discussion about the significance of the change in his name from Hubert to Sankera. In the obituary posted on February 10th, 2022, on necrocancada. com, it states, “Brother Sankara, honoured the memory of that first African president of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara (1983 -1987) ‘assassinated by mercenaries’ opposed to an independent Africa.”

The obituary notes, “Owen as someone loyal, astute, scholarly; a community-based, family-builder, and a fighter. As

cheerful as he was, he was fearless against injustice, for community, for the oppressed.

He had a real love for people.”

He will be remembered for being one of the founding members of the Black Action Defence Committee (BADC) in 1988 along with activist Dudley Laws and lawyer Charles Roach. He served as Director and Treasurer of BADC. In addition, he was a committed member for many years for the Organization of Parents of Black Children (OPBC) that was founded in 1985 as well as the Caribbean Cultural Committee (CCCCaribana).

Furthermore, he was one of the original organizers of the anti-apartheid movement in Toronto which was instrumental in the overthrow of apartheid in South Africa. There has been much outpouring of love from those who knew Brother Sankara in Toronto, which was expressed in the many glowing tributes to him on social media. Murphy Browne, radio broadcaster at Radio Regent wrote on February 4th, “He was an unsung hero, PanAfricanist, social justice activist, Civil Rights activist and active member of several organizations. He was a freedom fighter in the spirit/traditions of Bussa and Nanna Grigg.”

On February 5th. Kingsley Gilliam wrote on his Facebook’s page, “He was a passionate Pan Africanist, who worked and fought assiduously for the advancement of African Liberation, and against racism in all its forms.”

Owen leaves behind his two children, Marlon and Fayola; grandchildren Rizon and Asher Leach and sister Marjorie Leach. His funeral service was held at New Haven Chapel on Thursday, February 17th, 2022, at 4:00 pm. There is no doubt that Hubert Owen ‘Sankara’ Leach will be remembered for his selfless dedication to the betterment of all people.

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

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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

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Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News Photo Credit: CNC3

Dr. Gopeesingh gives Trinidad and Tobago Government an ultimatum: Release Coronavirus findings or be counted as jokers MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

According to Opposition Leader Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar S.C and Dr. Gopeesingh the present government of Trinidad and Tobago headed by Prime Minister Rowley is not doing a good job when it comes to managing the present health crisis on that Caribbean Island at all.

This present administration is said to be involved in what the opposition calls continued psychological assault on the grieving, traumatized, helpless families of the thousands of citizens who have tragically lost their lives to COVID-19 in the past twenty months.

Dr. Tim Gopeesingh is a Senior Gynecological Oncologist, Former MP, and Cabinet Minister on the Island and has described the sick and dead as, “Victims of the administration’s criminal negligence, pervasive incompetence and dangerous mismanagement of the Coronavirus pandemic.”

“COVID-19 hospitals have now become virtual killing fields as a result of the Rowley Government’s prolonged, medically negligent casualties. Daily, the population is inundated with reports of more and more dead bodies piling up in funeral homes, being left there for weeks, with relatives being forced to suffer the added indignity of inhumane final rites for their loved ones,” said Gopeesingh.

The government has set up a team to look into and report the findings of all the pandemic illnesses and deaths in one week, but now the team is requesting three more weeks before it can report the problem, and this is making the opposition very suspicious.

Initially, the ruling party had set a one-week deadline for these reports to be made available, but according to the opposition, that is impossible.

“Both Opposition Leader Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar S.C and I had pointed out that the initial seven day-timeframe given to complete this extensive probe was woefully insufficient. No committee could therefore possibly investigate and report on Rowley’s non-existent, non-functional, and disastrous and failed so-called parallel healthcare system in just one week,” said Gopeesingh.

Gopeesingh continued to paint a grim picture of a Trinidad and Tobago un-

der the Rowley’s leadership, “Yet, even as this Committee takes three more weeks to complete its probe, T&T continues to suffer an alarmingly high, inexplicable daily COVID-19 death rate, which ranks among the highest in the world.

Thus far, over 3,300 COVID-19 patients have tragically lost their lives since 2020, at a current average of 15 deaths per day, while the daily infection rate remains equally high.”

Here is a list of questions that the opposition says the ruling party should have answers to for the public as soon as possible.

Why does T&T rank among the worst COVID-19 mortality rate in the world?

What are the causative and preventative factors for the dangerous, unacceptable, and intolerable daily COVID-19 deaths?

Why is the mortality rate in the ICUs close to 100%?

Why has the Ministry of Health refused to provide the information on mortality and morbidity in HDUs and ICUs at the various hospitals?

Why are COVID-19 patients not afforded the relevant and necessary drug treatments to save their lives?

Why is there a paucity of senior medical and nursing personnel at the forefront of the COVID-19 medical care and management?

Why are there still insufficient or critical shortages of all medical, nursing, and paramedical staff for COVID-19 treatment?

Why are COVID-19 PCR test results still taking five to six days to obtain results?

What has the Government done in helping to manage the more than 16,000 Covid positive patients at home, many of whom are left to die without any supervision and management?

Why is there an acute shortage of ambulances for urgent transport of COVID-19 patients?

Meanwhile, Gopeesingh said that he has been “reliably informed” that the inspection committee has called some hospitals and given them a heads up as to the date and time of their visit so that they can clean up.

“They have reportedly instructed that the Accident and Emergency Departments, COVID-19 tents, High Dependency Units (HDUs) and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) be sanitized and populated with enough nurses, doctors, paramedical staff and equipment, so as to give a false impression of them being properly managed.”

Citizens are now mistrustful when it comes to going to the hospitals and now seek outside help for the Coronavirus.

NEWS

PAGE 7

NEWS

PAGE 8

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

A family’s search for answers surrounding the shooting of Moses Erhirhie enforcement officers are very similar to civilians working as employees in any company, and if they lack integrity and are aware of opportunities to personally gain from a situation, they may take this opportunity.

According to Abulnour, from January 1st, 1995 through December 31st, 2005 there were 322 incidents of corruption found within the national police forces in Canada. The most common type of corrupt behaviour was inappropriate use of police information followed by fraud, misuse of police officer status, theft and interference with the judicial process.

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“When I saw the news, I was like SIU messed up again. What I didn’t know is that it was my family that they had messed up on!”

Abby Erhirhie

Ontario was also found to have more cases of police misconduct than other provinces.

There are numerous media reports regarding corruption in law enforcement involving shootings and physical violence, and truly that could be by design. Mainstream media has been notorious for projecting an image of African Caribbeans that is not always positive. Think about how many times you have turned on the news only to see the face of a Black man either being handcuffed, or found dead.

For many of us, we are almost used to seeing this, and it has created a narrative that is troubling.

How did Moses Erhirhie die? No one knows! There are still many unanswered questions, and the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper has decided to take a look at the Ontario Police Force, and shine a light on indiscretions that have been overlooked and ignored. We are demanding that SIU provide answers to the Erhirhie family, and the African Caribbean community.

For years, members of the African Caribbean community have suffered at the hands of the Ontario Police force, but this is nothing new. For many years, Black people in Canada have had to deal with discrimination, harassment, and violence at the hands of the people who are supposed to serve and protect. The case of Moses Erhirhie unfortunately is not unique, but equally as devastating to the families who have lost their children unjustly due to police brutality and oversight.

Our trust and confidence as a community in law enforcement has been put to the ultimate test this year. It appears that once again, members of our police for can act or appear to act outside the boundaries of the criminal law, and it is even more pronounced for the African Caribbean community that has a history of strained relations and distrust of law enforcement. I am going to get into the Moses Erhirhie story, but first, I want to take a look at what has been researched, and discovered about the people who are supposed to protect and serve.

I happened to come upon a research paper prepared by Rand Abulnour titled, “Bribery & Corruption Within Law Enforcement in Canada.” Upon learning of Moses Erhirhie’s death, I decided that it was time to revisit issues that surround police and the African Caribbean community. I am doing this for the families who have lost loved ones, and the family of Moses Erhirhie.

What we have to come to understand is that like with any job, there is a chance of corruption. Corruption can occur when the oversight and internal controls are lacking or ineffective. Law RY 10TH

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Why? What was the interaction?

Where did it happen?

Would things have unfolded the same way had her brother not been Black?

Imagine if you can, not knowing what has happened to a loved one of yours, and facing resistance from the people who have the answers. They were even met with resistance when they wanted to see the body. It took days for the family to see him, and all they have wanted is answers, something to tell them what had happened to Moses.

Six days later, they were finally able to see his body. They had mummified the body so that they could not see him entirely. One of the sisters commented that when she saw him, his head was sunken in, and they kept the body covered. When the family asked the coroner for an answer, they were directed to York Regional Police, and the lead investigator still had no answers for them.

“Again, what was the interaction,” Abby asked painfully. “He was shot multiple times, and the police could give us no answers. They killed someone.”

Sadly, this is not the first member of the family that they have lost. They had another brother who also died, so they cherished Moses.

“Do the right thing: by acting professionally, with integrity, and without prejudice, even in the most challenging circumstances, when no one is watching, and on and off duty; holding others accountable to the same standards; challenging any inappropriate behavior; and asking ourselves, “Have I lived up to my word and values?”

Toronto Police Core Values Statement Ontario relies on the Special Investigations Unit (SIU.), a civilian law enforcement agency, to investigate and, where necessary, lay criminal charges against the police. Although the SIU. reports how often charges are laid, little is known about the nature of the offences committed; nor is there transparency or an understanding of the prosecution, trial process, and sentencing for police officers, and how this mechanism of police oversight functions in practice.

In the case of Moses Erhirhie The SIU has reportedly assigned four investi-

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On January 21st, 2022, thirty-five-year-old Moses Erhirhie was killed by York Regional Police in Markham, Ontario, just north of Toronto. Devastatingly, weeks later the Erhirhie family has been left wondering what happened on the night he was killed. His sister Abby sat down with Brandon Gonez, and shared the pain and trauma that her family has had to deal with.

She shares that her family didn’t learn of his death until 24 hours later when they were contacted by the police watchdog the Special Investigation Unit (SIU).

According to the SIU. a York Regional Police officer “came upon” Moses Erhirhie outside a vehicle in a shopping plaza at about 9:15 p.m. at Fairburn Drive and Highway 7.

They reported in an earlier news release that a woman in the vehicle was arrested at the scene. York Regional Police have said the woman was taken into custody in connection with firearms offences.

Abby shared that her family was told by the SIU. that police received a call about a suspicious person in the parking

Now, nearly two weeks later, the family is plagued with questions they say require answers. Among them are questions of:

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“When a police officer has committed a serious crime of violence by breaking the law which the officer is sworn to uphold it is the duty of the court to firmly denounce that conduct in an effort to repair and to affirm the trust that must exist between the community and the police” Justice Then (R v. Forcillo, 2016, para. 95)

lot, that there was an “interaction” with police, and that her brother had been shot and died in hospital. The vehicle was released to his girlfriend last week, but not before she had to pay $900 to retrieve it, and when she did, it was full of blood.

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gators and two forensic investigators. It has also designated twelve officers as witnesses. The SIU. is asking anyone with information about the case, including video or photos, to contact its lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. In a statement by SIU. spokesperson Kristy Denette, she outlined where the case was at, which once again has left the community in the dark.

“Thank you for your interest in this case. The circumstances of this death are currently what’s under investigation.

The investigators are currently in the process of gathering and assessing evidence, speculating or releasing preliminary evidence may jeopardize the integrity of the work underway. I am also limited from releasing info under the SIU Act.” The SIU is guided by legislation and Supreme Court of Canada rulings to make determinations on whether an officer has acted within the bounds of section 25(1). When the SIU charges an officer with assault, it has been determined that the officer has exceeded the amount of force that is proportionate to the circumstances and necessary for making a lawful arrest, keeping the peace, or to perform any other authorized police duties.

I found something interesting during my research that will not surprise members of our community. It was found that in over 25% of cases, the Crown withdraws charges against the police. For the cases that do proceed to trial, the most common outcome is an acquittal; and for officers who are convicted, they are typically sentenced to a conditional or absolute discharge.

Police officers are inherently advantaged by their status as criminal justice insiders. Understanding Charter legal rights is central to the daily duties of police officers, making them well positioned to protect their rights at all stages of the legal process compared with the average person. Additionally, prosecuted police officers have extra layers of support when compared with the average person charged with an offence. Police officers enjoy support from policing unions, who not only advocate and lobby for the due process interests of police officers as a population, but can also provide support to individually charged officers.

What does this all mean? It means that in order for the Erhirhie family to get the answers they need, and the justice for Moses, we as a community must stand together and force this investigation along.

Somehow, someway, the untimely, and unnecessary deaths of our Black men have to stop. No one is above the law, even if they are the so-called lawmakers.

My heart goes out to the Erhirhie family, and I hope that those reading this article will take the stand we need to and call out York Regional Police and the SIU.

NEWS

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 9

“Hey Google! Track all of my information!”

Understanding our creeping Surveillance State SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“They’re using new techniques of manipulation that have never existed before in human history and they are for the most part, subliminal … but they don’t produce tiny shifts.

They produce enormous shifts in people’s thinking, very rapidly. Some of the techniques I’ve discovered are among the largest behavioural effects ever discovered in the behavioural sciences.”

Robert Epstein Ph.D. “Hey Google; what is the weather like today?”

“Hey Google; turn off the lights.”

“Hey Google; do people know that you are tracking their every move?”

As a society, I don’t think we realize how or know why surveillance is bad and why we

should be wary of it. We’ve been able to live with such invasive measures because many of us are regulated to science fiction movies like “Enemy of the State,” and “Minority Report.”

Unfortunately, these warnings are no longer science fiction. Technology has revolutionized our daily lives, and has also found a way to detail every aspect of it. Although we do have laws that protect our privacy against government surveillance, there are secret government programs that cannot be challenged because many of us do not know about them. When we do find out, the laws that protect our privacy provide only minimal protection. Even if you wanted to bring your case to court, cases like this are frequently dismissed due to lack of standing, under the theory that surveillance creates no harm.

An important point to note is that our society lacks an understanding of why government surveillance is harmful. The attempts that have been made to explain and identify the dangers of surveillance are often unconvincing. Hell! I have written about the dangers of surveillance a few times in the last two years, and yet there are people who remain oblivious.

What I really want to warn you about today is our obsession with Google.

If you still haven’t ditched Google products

from your life (which include Android), now’s a good time to start. In early 2020, Robert Epstein, Ph.D. (who for the last decade has helped expose Google’s manipulative and deceptive practices) posed specific threats to our current society: •

•

•

•

They are a surveillance agency with significant yet hidden surveillance powers — The Google search engine, Google Wallet, Google Docs, Google Drive, Gmail, Google Chrome browser, YouTube, Android phones, Google home devices like Nest and Google wearable’s like Fitbit are all surveillance platforms that work together.

Android cell phones, for example, which are a Google-owned operating system, can track you even when you’re not connected to the internet, whether you have geo tracking enabled or not, and even if your phone is turned off.

Google is also tracking your movements online even if you’re not using their products, because most websites use Google Analytics, which tracks everything you do on a website. You have no way of knowing whether a website uses Google Analytics or not. The only way to protect you against this would be to use a VPN. They are a censoring agency — Google

•

•

has a unique ability to restrict or block access to websites across the internet, thus deciding what people can and cannot see. They even have the ability to block access to entire countries and the internet as a whole.

The most crushing problem with this kind of internet censorship is that if a certain type of information is removed from your search, and you don’t know it should exist somewhere, you’ll never go looking for it. When searching for information online, how would you know that certain websites or pages have been removed from the search results in the first place? The answer is you don’t.

They have the power to manipulate public opinion through search rankings and other means. In so doing, they have the ability to shape the opinions, beliefs, thoughts, attitudes, purchases, behaviour and votes of billions of people, all without anyone realizing they’re being manipulated.

Whether you want to believe it or not, living in a Surveillance State is dangerous not so much because it violates some standard of privacy, but because surveillance fuels control.

It is true life is still much better in Canada than in China, but for how long?

We should all be extremely concerned about our power grid problems STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

We live very busy lives with the added crisis of the pandemic and all it entails shaping our days, our employment, social and family interactions. We are realizing that most of us have taken much for granted, such as finding food on the shelves in our local grocery stores, being able to tank up at the gas station and buy necessary items whenever we wish. The pandemic and the protests that are happening throughout Canada have weakened our logistics capabilities, and our ability to provide much needed products and services to a wanting nation.

Do you ever think about our power grids, the systems that provide electricity when needed? We have taken for granted that when we switch on a light, electronic device or even go to fill up with gas that it will hap-

pen every time. Well think again. The last couple of years have shown that many large cities throughout North America, whose dependence upon their power grids for all things electrical, are in peril.

America’s electric grid is antiquated and often managed by private corporations unwilling to invest in new equipment, or new technology. They often rely upon a “BandAid” and wait and see approach. Remember the catastrophe that happened in the middle of a Texas winter. A confluence of extreme weather and systemic weaknesses resulted in much of Texas falling into an extreme cold front that did not pass quickly.

Many natural gas facilities (the largest source of electricity in Texas) were inadequately winterized and began to fail. The unexpected cold forced many Texans to heat their homes longer, thereby increasing demand. The disparity between demand and supply overwhelmed the system. To restore equilibrium ERCOT ordered “load shed”, or intentional blackouts for large sections of the state.

By the way, the Texas Legislature has not yet rectified the problems that caused this chaos. Winterization of the system seems to not fall into their priority listings.

North America’s culture rests upon a lifeline of electric wires. These power grids are

constantly challenged by natural and human elements. We should all be extremely concerned about our power grid problems: • • • •

•

The age of our power grids Increased blackouts from power grid failure The war on electricity (creating electricity using natural gas and coal are frowned upon) Possibility of cyber warfare. Every superpower has a cyber warfare division, and is capable of attacking their opponents power grid systems The use of an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) can fry our electric systems

National terrorists and others can use either attacks to bring our systems down temporarily or permanently. Using such attacks will be an attack upon our society’s management.

Imagine no electricity anywhere for a few days, weeks or months? Yes this can happen.

Have our governments carried out needed processes to protect us from these acts of war?

Can North Americans (Canada/Mexico/USA) rely upon the majority holders and managers of our various power grids? Can private firms spend the needed revenue to replace, repair and protect these essential services, or are our governments the more likely

reliable managers of power grids?

As we have seen in the USA government regulations can be enacted, but will private firms carry out these orders? Private firms rely upon profitability, and not necessarily public service. Our power grids are in fact truly essential to our nation’s stability and protection of our populations. Should our power grids come under the management of the military? In the US the maintenance and repair of dams fall under the engineers of the Marine Corp. These people care only about the task, and not profitability at any cost.

The Caribbean has huge challenges before it, having an antiquated power grid that seems to need repair each time a hurricane happens by. The question is do Caribbean islands have the necessary funds to build a system that is protected from Mother Nature?

Canada’s power grids are also old, but due to the challenges placed upon it by Canada’s weather, repairs and replacement of the system are coming along slowly. Protecting Canada’s power grids has fallen upon the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and The RCMP. It is time for the government to harden our systems against cyber/EPM attacks with a consistent goal.

NEWS

PAGE 10

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

You no longer have to be afraid; Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s (RNAO) and the Black Nurses Task Force (BNTF) release a ground-breaking report es’ Association of Ontario’s (RNAO) and the Black Nurses Task Force (BNTF) released a ground-breaking report. They unveiled recommendations to tackle structural racism within nursing organizations, regulatory bodies, associations and the broader health system.

The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses’ contribution to shaping the health system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public we serve.

The BNTF is made up of seventeen Black nurses and nursing students working in various sectors of the health system with a mandate to tackle systemic racism and discrimination within nursing.

In the report, “Acknowledging, Addressing and Tackling Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination Within the Nursing Profession,” It features nineteen recommendations along with information from a scoping review of the literature and results from an online survey of 205 Black nurses across Ontario.

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“For years, Black nurses have been afraid to speak out about the micro-aggressions, discrimination and racism they face within academic and workplace settings for fear of reprisal and the suppressive behaviours of managers. During Black History Month, we’re proud to release a report that sheds a light on the challenges and barriers Black nurses face and the solutions that will help us eliminate antiBlack racism and discrimination within the nursing profession.”

Dr Angela Cooper Brathwaite (BNTF cochair and RNAO Past-President) Any nurse of colour who is reading this article can probably recall times when they have faced discrimination and harassment in their jobs both from patients and from hospital administration. Whether it is a supervisor brushing off patient taunts, white counterparts doubting the accuracy of your patient charts, and straight out looking for mistakes, or being rudely bossed around by senior staff. I am sure that you can remember how hard it was to hold your tongue, wanting to say something, but knowing that you would be at risk of losing your job.

Thankfully, there is a group of nurses who have said, “Enough is enough!”

The report’s recommendations are: • Include racism and discrimination as a topic in nursing and inter-professional curriculums.

• Provide equitable and fair placements for Black nurses in all practice settings.

• Provide mentoring programs for nursing students to enhance academic achievements, reduce stress, anxiety and dropout rates and to empower Black students.

• Create educational and research grants/financial incentives/scholarships targeted specifically for Black applicants.

Toronto February 8th, 2022 On February 8th, 2022, the Registered Nurs-

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Develop and implement anti-racism, anti-oppression, cultural safety, and diversity, equity and inclusion training and orientation for staff at all levels in all workplace and academic settings.

Include diversity, equity and inclusion committees in all workplaces and academic settings to address racism and discrimination.

Hold all staff (professors, managers, health-care providers) accountable for addressing racial discrimination and develop specific strategies to combat it.

Acknowledge systemic racism and discrimination exists at individual, organization and policy levels. Non-Black nurses must self-identify and address their individual biases. They must be encouraged by their organization to continually engage in reflective practice and delve into their perceptions and experiences to assess inherent biases and values.

Create safe spaces for Black nurses to open up about the discrimination and oppression they face in professional settings.

Embed mentorship programs in workplaces for Black nurses to facilitate professional growth and development, and to improve retention and recruitment of Black employees.

Provide tools and resources to support Black nurses as they navigate difficult challenges when dealing with residents, patients or families who display racism.

Advocate for diversity in leadership, senior and/or administrative, education roles in the nursing profession as well as health sectors.

Increase access to mental health supports in the workplace and academic settings to address traumas related to racism.

•

• •

•

•

•

Develop and enforce policies on antiracism, such as zero tolerance of racism from staff, nursing leaders, patients and families.

Collect and disseminate race-based data.

Provide mandatory courses or workshops that include topics of cultural humility, anti-oppressive behaviors, anti-racism and trauma-informed care in orientation and continuing education programs.

Stand in solidarity through partnership with health-care associations and organizations; advocate diversifying their senior team and providing equitable opportunities for Black individuals at the senior executive/management level.

Advocate for the federal and provincial governments to address racism against Black Canadians and include Black History within the educational curriculum in Canada.

Advocate for the establishment of a commission similar to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate and address racism against Black Canadians.

In addition to these nineteen recommendations, RNAO developed specific actions to grow allyship and solidarity with Black nurses within its own organization. This includes a plan to integrate anti-racism and discrimination training for all staff during the on-boarding process, develop a human resources framework that promotes equitable hiring practices, stand in solidarity with organizations that are instituting advisory committees for marginalized nurses and encourage organizations in Ontario to have such committees.

Nurses of colour, you are not alone. Know that there are people out there speaking out on your behalf.

Toronto Community Housing Corporation introduces Scholarships for Students planning to go to College or University scholarships, students must be: •

PAUL JUNOR

• •

paul@carib101.com

•

TC REPORTER

The availability of scholarships sponsored by the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) will help residents interested in furthering their studies at college or university. The Investing in Our Diversity Scholarship (IIOD) Program will provide up to $4,000 to qualified students to help them defray their educational expenses. It will cover students’ first year expenses whether they decide to attend college, university, trade school or apprenticeship. In order to receive the IIOD RY 10TH

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•Youth who are attending postsecondary school in September 2022/Januart 2023 29 years old or younger (as of May 31, 2022) Not previous recipient of the IIOD Scholarship Toronto Community Housing tenants or a person living in the Scadding Court Center (SCCC) catchment area (Lake Ontario to the south, Bloor Street to the north, Yonge St. to the east, and Lansdowne Ave. to the west) Entering first year of postsecondary school Able to demonstrate a need for financial assistance Canadian citizen or permanent resident

McMurty LLP, and Kevin Lee, Former Executive Director of Scadding Court Community Centre founded it in 2001. It was in 2006 that TCHC became part of it. There have been 49 scholarships offered since 2001 to students who attend fifteen different colleges or universities not just in Ontario, Canada but the United States as well.

Jeff Sharma, President and Chief Executive Officer of the TCHC states in his congratulation to the 2021 recipients, “Everyone involved in this program is proud to support you in pursuing your educational and career goals. We know that the hardest work is yours: taking time from your studies and part-time job to volunteer and mentor youth in your communities, start support programs and encourage others through your leadership to stand up against racism and promote equity, diversity and fairness.”

In addition to the financial value of the scholarships, there are three additional benefits to the recipients:

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The deadline to apply is Friday, March 18th, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. An information session will be held on Wednesday, February 16th, 2022.

It is important that, ”Each recipient must have made a strong contribution to their communities in promoting diversity, equity and antiracism dialogue.”

Any student interested can check the TCHC’s website: www.torontohousing.ca or email youth@torontohousing.ca or call 647-456-9390.

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

NEWS

PAGE 11

Guidance for Loved Youth Foster Care is rising against all odds ing.

MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Guidance for Loved Youth Foster Care aka GFLY is a Black run organization that is dedicated to making sure that Black and Indigenous youth in the criminal justice system survives and soar in their efforts to realize their full potential.

One of the mottos of this organization is to make sure they give a familylike environment for these youth to flourish, but like lots of things in life, there are obstacles that this organization will have to jump over to reach their destination.

I spoke with the founder of this organization Shereen Callender about the organization’s plans, her courage in the face of adversity, and how God is front and center in all that her fraternity is do-

Callender, who started her career at the Toronto District School Board and worked her way up to Peel Children’s Aid, has been in the caring for youth business for over fifteen years told me, when her organization applied for help from Durham CAS “I was told on Zoom meeting with Michelle Watson there is no need for a program like this as Black and Indigenous youth are not the concern right now, and that there was a type of Police organization that was doing something similar already, so there was no need for another one.”

All this when it is public knowledge that Black children make up a large part of the population in the Children’s Aid Society here in this country.

Callender told me she also reached out to Toronto’s Mayor’s office in connection to set up a meeting but that too went dead, “I sent them the date and time as requested but never got a followup,” she said.

“Both the Mayors of Ajax and Brampton actually opened up my email and did not respond back to me.”

I asked Callender why folks who should have had these youths’ best interest at heart not reply to her request and she answered, “Because it is not on their agenda, it’s not their main focus, maybe it does not bring in the money that they need it to bring in.”

That said, Callender is a fighter and will not be discouraged in her efforts.

Her organization is currently hosting a staffing agency, supporting youths that are going through troubling times by creating programs for them.

GFLY is also partners with DKH Visionary, which is a Black organization that focuses on youth that are striving to be athletes but are dealing with mental health.

Together they put programs in place for youth: there is a co-op program, and a car dealership where youths can come in and work.

“We actually pay them,” Callender said, “We are also partners with Candy Apple Personal Trainer, who personally trains the youth to have that experience to get the physical aspects of their movement and we do counselling through working

out. We also have a mental health nurse attached to Guidance for Loved Youth who works with the youths on a one-toone basis with counselling.”

Callender said, “If any youth comes to Guidance for Loved Youth Foster Care there is always help.” Her fraternity is not all about money, “We go above and beyond for that youth, it’s about helping them and showing that someone actually loves them, some actually cares, someone actually wants to see them succeed.”

As for plans, she said, “We have already put in our application to become a foster care service. We can help Black and Indigenous youth that have been charged with criminal offenses, are living in halfway houses, going in and out of the jail system, they can be placed in homes with a family-like environment to give them what they were missing, which is the reason why they committed these crimes.”

“Guidance for Loved Youth is going to be a huge organization that is going to be a one-stop-shop in giving the support that is needed, where it is lacking,” Callender said.

Strategies to search, prepare, and apply for scholarships, awards and bursaries; Introducing the Black Foundation of Community Networks PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The Black Community of Community Networks (BFCN) has made a significant difference in the lives of parents, guardians, students, teachers and schools since it was founded in 2011.

According to its website: www. bfcn.ca, it is a non-profit organization located in Vaughan, Ontario. It provides, “Free and low-cost programs, advocacy and resources, and connects people with other local organizations and services.” As the brainchild of Cheryl Yarde, who serves as President shared, “I believe that together we can achieve success one student, one adult, and one family at a time. If I have learned anything, in these past ten years, it’s that the work is on going. It continues.

It changes. It transforms. And most importantly, it requires all of us working together.”

Initially, there were Friday focus events, which were gatherings of committed parents, teachers and volunteers that provided academic support in mathematics but has expanded to become a medium of information and knowledge.

In a testimonial from one of the parents, Roxanne St. Hill, she states, ”For me BCFN provides all elements of a family. They provide guidance to resources, support, a safe environment for growth, a fun time when there’s a gathering, understanding and scholarships (financial help)!”

On Friday, February 10th, 2022, BFCN held a Scholarship Application Workshop, a virtual presentation to parents, guardians, teachers and students about information regarding all the details involved in this process. Shanice Nicole Yarde and Cheryl Yarde hosted it between 7:00 pm 9:00 pm, and there was a question and answer period after the session. There were students in attendance from grade eight to grade twelve from all the school boards in the Greater Toronto Area.

Objectives were: • A workshop designed to support Black youth and their families who are navigating post-secondary education funding options • Goal is to share information and strategies to search, prepare, and apply for scholarships, awards and bursaries Information was shared about the BFCN Scholarship Directory, which can be accessed at the website: www,bfcn.ca. The directory provides a wealth of scholarship data such as: • Annual compilation of post-secondary scholarships, awards and bursaries for primarily Black students • Detailed easy-to use, accessible format and free • Runs on a calendar year and not an academic year In addition to the directory, BFCN provides community resources through its newsletter and anyone can subscribe to it at: bfcn. ca/contact . In the future, there will be the release of the BFCN Business directory.

Another important aspect of the work of

BFCN is community advocacy.

This includes the following four areas: • Partnership with community organizations to connect, build solidarity, and address concerns affecting local Black communities • Anti-Black racism working groups • Anti-Black racism steering committees • Connecting Black parents and community members with resources and support In addition, BFCN will be offering seven scholarships in 2022 and the deadline is July 31st. There will be five $1,000 scholarships offered to three undergraduate and two graduate Black youth pursuing post-secondary education. There will be 2 Aim 2 Achieve Awards as well. For anyone interested in the BFCN Scholarship Program it can be accessed at: https://bfcn. ca/schoarships.The BFCN Scholarship Directory can be accessed at: https://page. co/WRv3BS and the BFCN Scholarship Application Workshop slides at:https://bit.ly// BFCNScholarshipWorkshop. The BFCN can be contacted at the email: info@bfcn.ca.

Scientists have found a use for Artificial Intelligence; Helping the lonely STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

COVID-19’s influence upon us all has been at times horrific. We have been called upon to do one thing that North Americans are not truly familiar with, and that is to isolate, separate ourselves from our family, friends and community. Stay apart and be well. Well with these medical suggestions

made, a few symptoms of community health have risen. Depression, loneliness and separation anxiety have been experienced by many of us. These symptoms can actually be long lasting conditions, even when COVID-19 has left us.

What to do? Well, there are the traditional methods to assist those feeling lonely, forgotten, unattached to the rest of us. Our scientists have found a use for A.I. (Artificial Intelligence).

Once viewed as toys for the rich, robots have become tools of health and safety. Robots within a senior’s room or home can identify and interpret sounds and cues that may be communicated to listening/collection centers within a senior living home, or a private home telling a trained professional that a senior or youth

is in peril, and in need of attention and assistance. A.I. can identify an individual’s psychological presence, which is to say an individual is too noisy, too silent, not moving about. These robots have far greater abilities than that. Through someone’s speech patterns, the robot could evaluate the subject’s mind set, emotions and location.

Research has been going on in British Columbia studying the many uses of A.I. within senior living communities.

Smart algorithms are being developed to detect audio-visual cues, recognize emotions, and respond to program symptoms of anxiety and depression. These robots will have the ability to communicate with their subjects, because they will have programmed coping mechanisms.

The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) has identified that loneliness is a significant predictor of depression and anxiety in both older and younger adults, but this loneliness is significantly higher among the elderly. Youth aged 15-24 are more likely than the general population to report mental health due to COVID-19.

Our governmental agencies, industry, labour and scientific organizations need to partner together to create a movement of ultimate opportunity. Assist our citizens, create employment opportunities in high tech, move labour towards these high-tech positions and fully fund a domestic scientific lead industry here in North America.

NEWS

PAGE 12

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

The fight for equality both on and off the track; Premier of the CBC Special The Porter parts of the Caribbean disrupted the system, became instrumental in leading the fight for fair employment practices and anti-discriminatory laws.

Their fight for equality both on and off the track helped to shape the multicultural Canada we know today, and now, this generation has a chance to learn about these powerful advocates for change in a CBC and BET+ original series produced by Winnipeg-based Inferno Pictures and Sienna Films (a Sphere Media company).

The Porters is the brainchild of Arnold Pinnock, Executive Producer (Altered Carbon, Travelers) Co-executive Producer Bruce Ramsay (19-2, Cardinal), and Aubrey Nelson. They had a strong team to help bring the story to life, which includes:

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The setting: the end of the American Civil War, which ended in 1865. It was a time when Black enslaved people were set free, many of whom needed jobs. During this time George Pullman had modelled trains with sleeper cars, and decided to hire Black men to work as porters for his company. By the 1920’s, Pullman was the largest employer of Black men in the United States. When the sleeper cars were imported to Canada, Pullman’s ideas of Black servitude came along with it, and just like that porters were hired from cities with established Black communities, including: Africville in Halifax, Little Burgundy in Montreal and Toronto’s Bathurst and Bloor area.

Once hired, these porters had to deal with blatant racism, discrimination, sleepless nights, and living with the fear of losing their job if they even thought about standing up for themselves. There did come a time when enough was enough.

These men who were from America, and

• • • • • • • •

Jennifer Kawaja serves as Executive Producer for Sienna Films Ian Dimerman as Executive Producer for Inferno Pictures R.T. Thorne (Blindspot, Utopia Falls), Director and Executive Producer Charles Officer (Akilla’s Escape, Coroner), Director and Executive Producer Marsha Greene (Ten Days in The Valley, Mary Kills People), Writer Annmarie Morais (Killjoys, Ransom, American Soul), Writer Andrew Burrows-Trotman, Writer Priscilla White, Writer

THE PORTER is a gripping story of empowerment and idealism that highlights the moment when railway workers from both Canada and the United States joined together to give birth to the world’s first Black union. Set primarily in Montreal, Chicago and Detroit as the world rebuilds after the First World War, THE PORTER depicts the Black community in St. Antoine, Montreal - known, at the time, as the “Harlem of the North.”

I had a chance to interview Arnold Pinnock (who is also our Classic Man this edition), and he shared with me his passion for history, and why this project is so important to him.

“These men had come back from war,” Arnold tells me. “They were dealing with PTSD, and racism while fighting the war, and they came to Canada hoping to be seen as people, unfortunately they were not. I wanted their stories to be told.”

A theme that I noticed in the show was around mental health in the Black community. I asked him about the importance of that.

“When I think about us as a community, and the fact that we do not speak about mental health, I see now that it has become generational. We are fortunate to showcase how individually these characters had to live in the 1920’s. It was heavy.

They lived paycheck to paycheck. If you lost your job, you would be in the bread line.”

Arnold did his research on the Porters, and this is why he was able to bring out such emotion in the characters and from the story.

“My love of Black history started at a very young age. I would look for books on Black Canadians, the Loyalist, Underground Railroad, and 1000 Strong.

I would sit there, and I would read these stories to my parents. When I went down this road, the common denominator was these porters. When I found out that these porters came from the Southern States, and the Caribbean, it really drew my interest. They took on jobs that other people didn’t want, and they changed the policies. They helped to form the first and only Black Union.

It made me walk very tall. I hooked up with Bruce Ramsey, and I was able to do a short documentary on Little Burgundy. One of the things I found was a building The Negro Community Centre, where Black people were helping each other. The building was knocked down, but this empowered me. If you learn about our history, you will know that you have a stake in this game. This show is a love letter to us, and I know people will not only enjoy it, they will relate to it.”

You can watch the premier of The Porter Monday, February 21st 2022 at 9:00 pm (9:30 pm NT), on CBC and CBC Gem.

The government and ministry have not yet engaged directors on their plans to support children’s education post-pandemic nadian scan reveals large gaps in education recovery and renewal plans,” which calls for a federal task force and an education recovery fund. The press release revealed information that was truly very disturbing.

The Pan-Canadian scan, “Reveals a glaring reality; while all provinces and territories have detailed safety strategies for schools, few have articulated a vision or guidelines to manage, assess, or respond to the educational impact of COVID-19, and none have allocated the substantial funding true recovery and renewal will require.”

People for Education made several recommendations to facilitate recovery and renewal:

PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

As provinces and territories in Canada continue to deal with the effect of COVID-19, there is a call for drastic action to deal with the impact of this pandemic on education Since 1996, People for Education have been at the forefront of advocating for an equitable public education.

According to its website: https:// people for education, it is “A unique organization in Canada: independent, nonpartisan, and fuelled by a belief in the power and promise of public education.

We create evidence, instigate dialogue, and build links so that people can see-and act-on-the connection between the public and a fair and prosperous society.”

They released a report “Pan-CaRY 10TH

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Caroline Alphonso, Executive Director for PEP stated that the report “Has shown a huge gap in concrete plans for recovery and renewal. What we’re seeing in Ontario and what we’re hearing from other places is that individual schools, individual teachers and individual principles are working to try and make things okay.

We’re depending on those local heroes.”

The article noted that there are widespread concerns about “The achievement gaps in learning, as well as the social and emotional struggles of students,

2018

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The federal government should: • Establish a Federal Advisory Table on Public Education as recommended by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation.

• Expand its current funding to provinces, territories, and First Nations with a multi-billion-dollar, multi-year Education Recovery Fund to support planning, evidence-gathering, assessments, increased numbers of staff, and vital resources.

Provinces and territories working collaboratively with school boards and education stakeholders should: • Develop comprehensive recovery and renewal plans supported by data collection, sample-based evaluations of student progress, student surveys and well-being assessments.

• Ensure recovery and renewal plans include specific measurable goals for addressing the inequities, structural barriers and systemic racism exposed and amplified by the pandemic and that continue to prevent equal access to all students.

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especially those from marginalized students.”

Ms Kidder noted further, “The impact of the pandemic is going to be longterm. What researchers are already saying is that there is a bigger interventional need to deal with the effect.”

Tony Pontes, Executive Director of the Council of Ontario’s Director of Education stated that there has been no communication with the government with respect to what is required even though there was funding for summer programs and mental-health support. “The government and ministry have not yet engaged directors on their plans to support children’s education post-pandemic.”

Furthermore, Sam Hammond, president of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation stated, “Governments want to believe that everything is going to return to normal, or at least pre-pandemic normal, and that is not going to happen. Our education systems, teachers, support staff and students need a clear and sustainable path forward.”

NEWS

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 13

Author of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms speaks out against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his mandates confused, and concerned when our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the very man who should be upholding this charter, made a statement that clearly goes against everything the charter stands for:

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

“Regardless of the fact that we are attacking your fundamental rights or limiting your fundamental rights, and the charter says it’s wrong, we are still going to go ahead and do it. It’s basically a loophole that allows a majority to override the fundamental rights of a minority.”

TC REPORTER

“Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.”

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

According to CheckYourFact.Org Trudeau’s comments were taken out of context. I always find it interesting when the fact checking sites try to find a way to explain statements that are exactly as they appear. I also want to note here that in April 2019, Facebook partnered with CheckYourFact.com, the fact-checking offshoot of the Koch-funded news outlet The Daily Caller. The Daily Caller was founded by Fox News Political Analyst Tucker Carlson and is funded from both the Daily Caller and the Daily Caller News Foundation. Something to keep in mind, but I digress…

Yes! The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has been a beacon of hope during these troubled times. It enshrines our fundamental freedoms of conscience and religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression, press and communications, assembly and association, and our right to vote and elect our governments. It gives us our right to move freely in and out of Canada, and within Canada. That includes our right to work in any province.

The charter provides a clear explanation of our right to life, liberty and security; our protection against abuse within the legal system; our rights of equality; our French and English language rights; and our rights of educational choices and options.

It is why some Canadians were

In Section 1 of the Charter: “The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to

such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.”

This simply means that these rights are supreme and cannot be violated or superseded by the government without demonstrable justification. Up until this point, no government has demonstrated justification for their unlawful charter violating COVID-19 mandates that oppose our charter rights.

The charter guarantees these rights and freedoms for each individual; that includes you, all Canadians and me.

The rights of the individual are inviolate; they cannot be superseded or taken away for supposed interests of society.

They are your individual inalienable rights.

Majority of the restrictions, including the current travel restrictions are among many violations of our Charter rights. We have the right to travel across this country, as well as in and out of it.

Trudeau’s federal travel bans are a direct violation of our rights.

“No document is perfect, and there will be interpretation, but we have a say in how it is interpreted, and so we must put pressure on the political class, and that includes the judges, to know, that we know: you are trying to twist and put a round peg in a square hole and we are not going to stand for it. That’s

our best chance, through civil disobedience, and citizen education, and ongoing participation.”

Honourable Brian Peckford Brian Peckford served as Newfoundland’s premier for a decade (1979 to 1989). He is the sole surviving author of the Canadian Charter of Bill of Rights. This is part of our country’s constitution, and too few of us have read, or studied it. It is impossible to exercise and defend our rights without knowing them. It is time we study the Charter; and empower ourselves to live the freedoms that Peckford and the other authors enshrined in the highest laws of our land.

Peckford related how when the Charter, which is part of the Canadian Constitution, was written by him and his fellow politicians in 1982, they added a provision stating that the only way that these rights could be suspended even temporarily was through the democratic process in times of “war or insurrection.”

The Charter is the number one legal defence for your rights and freedoms. Please print it, study it, hang it on the wall, and carry a pocket version. Having the highest law in the land in your pocket can defend you against anyone including police imposing unjustifiable violations of your rights.

Doug Ford PC-Government ordered to pay $103 Million in damages for interference in ETFO Members bargaining rights education workers, revealed the good news in a press release on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022. The government was ordered to pay $103 million to the ETFO for damages that resulted from its interference in the collective bargaining process. ETFO as well as several education unions launched a challenge of Bill 115 claiming that it violated its members Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom as it “Substantially interfered with meaningful collective bargaining” that was going on between the different school boards and the bargaining representatives in the public education sectors.

In a press release, Justice Thomas R. Lederer noted that, “Bill 115 substantially interfered with collective bargaining contrary to s.2 (d) of the Charter.”

It notes further that, “The passage of the Putting Students First Act infringed on union members’ right to meaningful collective bargaining under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.” He also determined that the process that the government engaged in was “Fundamentally

PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The relationship between the four teachers’ unions and the Conservative government of Doug Ford have not been the best ever since he was elected in 2016.

The reduction in services, programs and elimination of specialized initiatives have been significant.

The imposition of Bill 115 in 2012 by the Ontario government is a response to a remedy by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruling in April 2016. One of the largest education unions, Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), which represents about 83,000 RY 10TH

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The announcement of this news will ensure that members of the ETFO who worked for the board between September 1st, 2012, and August 31st, 2014, as well as former workers will be able to obtain remunerations once they are satisfied with certain specific requirements.

Karen Brown, President of ETFO stated in the press release, “ETFO welcomes today’s decisions, but we recognize that it does not replace the loss of ETFO members’ bargaining rights, not the sick leave, gratuities, and salary ETFO members lose when the Ontario government-imposed Bill 115. We thank the court for recognizing our members’ constitutional rights were violated by a government who unjustly forced contracts on them, froze their pay and cut sick day provisions, as part of an austerity push. Justice Lederer’s decision serves as a reminder to the government that they must never interfere with collective bargaining rights.”

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ing applies to will find out in the coming days what they will be entitled to with respect to the amount of money that they will receive as part of the settlement. This is a serious blow to the PC-led government, which has faced adverse criticisms over the years from many advocacy groups, activist organizations and union officials for its disregard of the collective bargaining process in its attempts to enforce its austerity programs.

Justice Lederer’s decision will temper the government’s approach as it looks forward to upcoming negotiations among different sectors and the election in June 2022. President Brown observes, “Bill 115 blatantly interfered with lawful collective bargaining activities in the education sector for three years. It puts the actions of the government beyond the review of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, outside the reach of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and even above the courts. It should never have been introduced.”

PAGE 14

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Culturally responsive youth empowerment program provides creative and innovative education with a spin PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

It will be five years on March 20th, 2022, that Math Thru Music (MTM) has been making a difference in the lives of students in Canada and the United States. Joseph Khargie, who serves as the President of this innovative and creative program, founded it.

Joseph has received several awards over the years such as the 2016 Inspirational Award, 2017 Top 40 Under 40 Leadership Award and the 2020 Business Excellence Award. He worked for fifteen years with

youths in schools in the Greater Toronto Area and decided to launch MTM in order to capitalize on his love for music to change the lives of students.

According to the MTM website: www.MathThrumusic.com its mission is, “To excite, educate and empower students to gain understanding of numeracy, entrepreneurship, coding, physics and social justice using the art of DJing.” The vision of MTM is,” To put a turntable in every school that will be used to teach our unique, hands-on curriculum that builds innovators, leaders, mentors and passionate contributors to society.” The MTM program offers “Education with a spin,” and is intended to inculcate the following values: creativity, confidence, curiosity, collaboration, and connection.

In addition to President Khargie, the team that runs the MTM program includes Vice-President Suneil Matthew Baboolal, Program Coordinator Joshua Lalor, Director of Distribution Chester Bryan, Chief

Operations Officer Peter Karl Youngren and Northeast U.S. Representative Kendrick R. Tilghman.

The roots of the MTM program can be traced to Hip-Hop Culture, which originated in New York City in the 1970’s among the economically impoverished Black, Brown and Latino immigrants. The website states, “From a whole lot of nothing, and a whole lot of imagination, Hip-Hop took its form. Through decades of suffering, this art form blended and transcended to become a means for seeing, celebrating, experiencing, understanding, confronting, and commenting on life as a person of colour in the world.

Hip-Hop, in other words, is a way of living - a culture.”

I interviewed Joseph Khargie on Tuesday, February 8th, 2022, and he shared details about the MTM program. He told me that the focus of MTM is, “Excite, educate, empower.” He stated that it is important to excite the imagination of kids in order to tap

their natural talents, potential and curiosity.

The Math kit that is provided to students in schools is a tool that is used to provide the means to teach concepts from the grades 5 - 9 curriculum.

He mentioned that the four elements of Hip-Hop are DJing, Mcing (Emceeing), Breakdancing and Graffiti. DJing is used in order to empower students to mix creatively. The Math kit includes Pioneer DJ Turntable, Laptop with Rekordbox software preloaded, two DJ Headphones, whiteboard with marker, additional cords, and hardware and 35 lesson curriculum which are preloaded.

Joseph is a doer and has a passion for helping young people find their purpose. There are several testimonials from principals and teachers who can attest to the success of the MTM program with their students at the website.

Healthcare Workers WARNING: New research is showing a relationship between chronic stress and heart disease W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES TC HEALTH REPORTER

There has always been a lot of heart in the practice of medicine – literally and figuratively. Typically, the focus is on the beating heart of the patient, but has the pandemic, unlike any challenge to the medical profession before, impacted the hearts of front-line healthcare workers themselves?

Medicine is “A calling in which your heart will be exercised equally with your head.” These words of Sir William Osler, a founding figure of modern medicine, were a warning as much as a motivation. A contemporary of Osler, Dr Maude Abbott, a cardiac pathologist, was one of Canada’s earliest women in medicine. Her calling was challenged by refusal of entry to medical school.

She was barred from entrance to McGill’s medical program due to her gender. Bishop’s College graduated her in 1894, but she was driven to be a doctor.

Are would-be doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals so keenly motivated today? Medicine requires emotional and physical fortitude; that is understood, but is there now a price to be paid in heart health?

Miners know that even with the best safety equipment, they are often working in dangerous environments. Bus drivers know the sedentary nature of their jobs can place them at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Test pilots are probably most acutely aware that their jobs could kill them.

But do healthcare workers know the calculus? How are emerging trainees perceiving their future?

In 1945, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that “Physicians die of coronary-artery disease at the same age as the average person with the disease.” Since then, it would seem doctors got healthier.

In pre-pandemic 2019, JAMA Network published a study showing the “Incidence of

cardiovascular death was 52% lower among physicians than the general population.”

Medical careers have always involved long hours and stressful situations, but the pandemic has resulted in extreme exhaustion for many healthcare workers. According to Dr. Susan R. Bailey, the president of the American Medical Association. “A lot of physicians were hanging on by a thread from burnout before the pandemic even started.”

Now, new research is showing a relationship between chronic stress and heart disease. A study published last year in JAMA Psychiatry reported that people who suffered from four or more depressive symptoms were 20% more likely to experience cardiovascular disease or death.

What are some of these symptoms: Uncomfortable emotional stress that persists, situations that generate a sense of dread or anxiety, traumatic life experiences.

These may be the symptoms of patients with PTSD, anxiety disorders or depression, but they also read like the everyday work environment of our frontline healthcare workers.

Time will tell the outcome, but this

research suggests that pandemic-era workers in the health sector are at increased risk of heart disease.

Doctors should know the benefits of prevention, but they are trained in treatment.

So, a word of advice: for many, chronic stress is not going to evaporate anytime soon. In the interim, the best way to take care of the heart is to arm that most precious of muscles with the ingredients needed for long-term performance. That is, regular exercise and rest, balanced nutrition, and a daily maintenance routine.

Keep arteries clear of plaque build up. Vitamin C in high doses combined with lysine lowers cholesterol levels for a safe, natural defense force against heart disease and an alternative to drugs.

Next week, a refresher to readers about the Omega 3 Index, a way to measure your personal risk factors for heart disease, and later this month, a personal celebration of a quarter century since a life-threatening heart attack.

Who is teaching our children?

Concerns raised about unqualified people replacing sick teachers PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

There are unprecedented challenges that Ontario public schools face as they continue to deal with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ontario Ministry of Education has indicated in early January that it will allow retired teachers to work beyond the minimum of 50 days to 95 days as one way to ensure that there are qualified teachers. In addition, it has given school boards the option of rearranging classes so that students can be accommodated.

PressProgress reported on January

13th, 2022, in an article by Mtichell Thompson that Stephen Lewis Secondary School in the Peel District School Board (PDSB) indicated in an email to parents that it is looking for “Emergency temporary coverage school monitors,” to replace sick teachers. The email states, “We are currently hiring Emergency Temporary Coverage school monitors for SLSS. School monitors will be called upon to provide supervision coverage for classes through supply or in-school teachers.” The Ministry of Education has been given special permission under the Education Act, Emergency Regulation 298 for school boards to hire anyone with a high school or university diploma. The minimum criteria include: • •

Hold a post-secondary diploma or transcript confirming you are in the final year of a post-secondary program All out of provinces, but within Canada high school graduation diploma/postsecondary diploma/degree are automatically recognized

•

• •

Candidates who obtained their education outside of Canada, must provide proof of equivalency of their education to an Ontario high school diploma/ post-secondary diploma/degree If successful in the interview, must provide a criminal background check Section 22(1) of Regulation 298 prohibits the hiring of school monitors who have OCT (Ontario College of Teachers) qualified

PressProgress revealed that PDSB subsequently indicated that it is trying to find these individuals for “safety purposes” who must be older than eighteen-years-old with at least a high school diploma. Halton Catholic District School Board indicated on its website that it is paying $19.95 per hour for individuals who are not qualified teachers for emergency replacement supply positions.

Karen Littlewood, President of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Fed-

eration has expressed serious concerns about this policy. She states, “We want to get schools back in person because for students in-person learning is best. However, if a teacher is not teaching them, I’m not sure what purpose it’s serving. We’re seeing a collapse of the system that was already facing massive cuts before the pandemic and a plan that has not been through out beforehand. We have a teacher shortage and we have been saying this well before COVID-19.” She is concerned that there will not be enough time to do the criminal background check.

Laura Walton, President of CUPE’s school board council states, “The proposal to hire unqualified people as emergency temporary workers in schools isn’t a plan.

It’s proof that the government is panicking because it has no plan to replace education workers when they’re absent, and no plan to recruit qualified staff.”

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

NEWS

PAGE 15

Worried about your immigration status in Canada?

This article will ease your anxiety!

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

You have been waiting to hear back about your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), but you have been told that they are backlogged. You feel your anxiety rising because you don’t want this to hurt your chances of getting your permanent residence, so you call Canada Immigration and they tell you that they are backlogged. You are frustrated, and feel hopeless, but you are unsure of what to do.

Maybe you have a family member, who was supposed to come to Canada, but then COVID-19 changed the world, and now your family members are dealing with travel restrictions, and Canada’s public health measures are posing difficulties for newcomers looking to enter the country.

The onset of the coronavirus pandemic changed the course of Canada’s immigration system in 2020 and while things have stabilized, the pandemic caused IRCC to make major adjustments in 2021.

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced

measures to improve client experience and modernize the immigration system. These measures are part of a broader process to address key challenges faced by clients, and achieve the more predictable processing times that clients expect and deserve.

In the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021, the Government of Canada proposed $85 million in new funding to reduce application inventories. The investment will support additional staff, allowing them to welcome people who can help address labour shortages and to return to processing service standards in various programs by the end of this year, including for study permits, work permits and permanent resident card renewals. They are also working to reduce processing times for visitor visas and proof of citizenship.

Ruby Sahota, the Member of Parliament for Brampton North, has been advocating for better client support and faster processing times at Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada. “Immigration is the engine of the Canadian economy, helping to address labour shortages and keep our communities thriving,” said MP Sahota.

“While Canada welcomed the highest number of permanent residents in a single year in 2021 by processing a record number of applications, border restrictions and other pandemic-related factors have led to delays for many applicants, and long waits for application updates.”

These improvements will build on what Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Canada (IRCC) has already done to reduce wait times, such as hiring approximately 500 new processing staff, digitizing applications, and reallocating work among their offices around the world.

To help accelerate their processing work, they are expanding the use of advanced data analytics in helping officers sort and process visitor visa applications submitted from outside Canada. This system will improve client service by helping IRCC manage the increasing volume of visitor visa applications. IRCC made over half a million decisions on permanent resident applications in 2021.

They are further increasing processing capacity and plan to make 147,000 permanent residence final decisions in the first quarter of 2022, doubling what was done in the same period last year.

To further support permanent residence applicants, they will be expanding the digital application portal to include more clients in summer 2022. The transition to an online application process will minimize COVID-19-related delays associated with processing paper applications and will provide clients with immediate confirmation that their application was successfully submitted.

They are also introducing a new Permanent Residence Application Tracker this month for spouses and dependents, to allow clients to easily access their application information and status online.

To further address COVID-19-re-

lated challenges and expedite the process, IRCC has also developed a portal to allow permanent residence applicants in Canada to finalize their process and receive their permanent residency cards without any inperson interaction.

For citizenship applicants, IRCC has introduced online testing, developed an online application tracker, and launched virtual citizenship ceremonies. Over the last few months, they have hosted approximately 350 virtual ceremonies per month, and more than 170,000 new Canadians have been sworn in since April 1st, 2020. They are continuing to expand the use of virtual ceremonies.

Moving forward, they are exploring an option for those who wish to self-administer their Oath by signed attestation and celebrate their citizenship at a later date.

This would shorten the waiting time for those at the final stage of their citizenship process.

The IRCC remains dedicated to providing meaningful, timely, and transparent information to their clients. This includes updating their online processing times tool in the coming months to give clients more up-todate estimates of how long it will take to process their applications.

They are continuing to find ways to modernize how they deliver their programs and services, so Canada can continue to be a destination of choice for people all over the world.

Ontario Black History Society’s 34th Annual Black History Month Kick Off Celebrations; Recognizing the stories and achievements of Black Canadians PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The on-going work of the Ontario Black History Society continues to draw attention to the outstanding contributions of Black Canadians. It was fitting that it selected the theme for the year, “Home” to kick-off its 34th Annual Black History Month celebration on Sunday, January 30th, 2022. Its lead sponsor was the Toronto Dominion Bank as well as Cadillac Fairview, Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, SEIU Healthcare,

Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto, Uniform Durham Regional Police, UBC Store and CUPE-SCFP. Andrea Horwath, Ontario’s NDP leader in her greeting stated, “Congratulations to the Ontario Black History Society for your advocacy, community building, education and preservation of Black history. I am proud to join the OBHS in celebrating Black History Month, and offer heartfelt thanks to the OBHS members, volunteers, and sponsors who work so hard to make Black History Month and the Kick-Off Brunch a success, especially in these unique times.”

John Tory, Mayor of Toronto states, “This year the theme will reflect on why Black people call Canada home. Toronto stands as a benchmark of diversity, and we value the contributions made by all people that strengthen our city. As the most diverse city in the world, we strive to create a home for everyone, and my hope is that we continue

to push in creating a welcoming place for all.”

Natasha Henry, President of the OBHS focuses on the significance of “Home” in her greetings before the start of the program. She stated, “The word home conjures many different ideas and feelings- a sense of place, love, loss, acceptance, dispossession, togetherness, homeland, identity. This year we mark our 34th annual observance of Black History Month with virtual programming exploring the theme of home.

Home symbolizes many cultural, social, political, spiritual, and economic meanings for people of the African diaspora. We look forward to contemplating home for Black History Month 2022.”

The day’s event was hosted by Nathalie Newell and featured performances by singer Liberty Silver, the York University AMPD & Arizona State University Virtually Unite Gospel Choirs, R & B singer, Michael

Dunston and a dance by Rama Club. Ginelle Skerrit, CEO of York Regions Children’s Aid Society was the recipient of the Dr. Daniel G. Hill Award for community service and the keynote speaker. She reminisces about her journey over the years to the helm of the YRCAS. Educator, historian, author and activist Irene Moore Davis, Foydeen and CharlesFridal, co-founder member of TAIBU Community Health Care, received Harriet Tubman awards. Ivan Dawns received the Dr. Anderson Abbott Award, Candice Fung the Mary Matilda Winslow Award and Russel Grosee, the UN Decade for People of African Descent award.

OBHS has remarkable things planned for February 2022. It will feature the second annual Black History Month’s Speaker Series. There will be the launch of Lawrence Hill’s debut youth novel. Details can be seen on OBHS’s website: blackhistory.ca.

PAGE 16

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Introducing Pressto: Making journalism accessible and digestible for kids JANIECE CAMPBELL janiece@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

An educational technology company is on the rise, on a mission to help children become more thoughtful, unbiased writers.

The first of its kind, Pressto is a writing and micro-journalism platform targeted at students between grade three to grade eight.

The software teaches children to communicate more clearly while also teaching them to process and interpret information they see in the media. A fun and easy program to use, students are encouraged to do this by creating short magazines or newspapers on topics of their choice that can be printed out and folded into little books! Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, their very first placement was a high school in the community of North Preston, which has historical roots as the first African community in Canada and currently contains the highest concentration of Black people in

the country.

Born out of the mind of media creative Daniel Stedman, his goal is to train the next generation of future journalists to be media literate.

No stranger to writing, Daniel’s origins began in 2003, where he started a digest magazine with his brother in Brooklyn, New York. Later, he launched Brooklyn Magazine, where he spent ten years as a publisher. With a passion for getting the youth involved in journalism, he sought to volunteer at high schools throughout the city. However, he had found that many school newspaper programs had been abandoned. For this reason, alongside his efforts in helping his kindergarten-aged son to become a better writer, was enough inspiration to create Pressto.

“The experience of learning and teaching writing is dreadful. You can’t just throw Microsoft Word, a program created for middle aged people to write books, in front of nine-year-old and expect them to be inspired. My personal North Star here is to create a new generation of young people that have more of a healthy relationship with the content that they consume but also to think critically about the content that they create,” says Daniel.

Utilizing AI technology, the platform is designed for youth to be consciously aware

of what they put out into the world. With a sidebar containing a “positivity meter,” they are able to see visual feedback of how effective their writing is and how they can change it to become more powerful.

“There are billions of dollars being spent on combatting misinformation. We’re trying to do it through project-based learning.

It’s as simple as having a kid write an opinion piece, then having them write a fact-based journalism piece. It could be on the same subject, such as their opinion about the greatest basketball player of all time, then facts about Michael Jordan, for example. When we have kids do both, they get a first-hand understanding of the difference between fact and opinion, which is not that complicated,” Daniel says.

Pressto has partnered with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, esteemed radio talkshow host and current full-time professor Karen Hunter, who aims to bring the technology all over the world, especially in underprivileged communities. Leading a scholarship program to gift Pressto software to five schools across the African Diaspora, schools in Jamaica and Ghana have already been selected. Three more schools will be chosen in upcoming months, though she already has her eyes set on potential schools in Brazil and Panama.

“The more we engage young people in true facts, being able to discern truth and fact and put them in the role of actually disseminating it, the less likely it is for them to be susceptible to the manipulations of social media and propaganda. I teach my students to question everything and make sure their facts are right. If this is foundational, then on social media, every headline they see, they’re going to start questioning them. If we can get people asking those kinds of questions, I feel like the future is bright,” says Karen.

Still in its pre-launch era, Pressto is set to fully launch in September, just in time for the 2022-2023 school year. Until then, the team is continuing to carefully develop the app with eventual plans to create partnerships with well-regarded publishers, where students can get paid writing assignments through the program.

“We need young people to engage in discourse, storytelling, and facts. We need to train the next generation of journalists, but first, we have to get them excited about it.

Journalism is dying, Pressto is the defibrillator,” Karen says.

Though Pressto is not available to the public at this time, feel free to visit their website www.joinpressto.com for more information.

Rising Reggae artist Bittah Sosicka is a living testament EUGENE PITTER eugene@carib101.com

ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER

JAMAICA -- He drives along Utopia Parkway in Queens, New York, leading to Manhattan.

This is one of his daily destination routes.

You could even be one of his passengers in his rear seat hearing his latest song “Living Testament”; humming to Spragga Benz’s “Vaccination.” Possibly smiling over “Lauf Out Loud” by Amlak RedSquare, or just moving your head to Jahazeil’s “Left to Right.”

Question is, have you ever cared to ask, who is this Uber driver who takes you just about anywhere you are heading?

I have never lived in the U.S.; I’d rather stay afloat in shallow waters, but does the moniker Bittah Sosicka mean anything to you? One thing for sure, that name does remind me of “Bittah Cerasee”- a green-like me-

dicinal plant that grows wild in some tropical countries like Jamaica. This is traditionally known to ease bellyache and all sorts of other ailments.

Well, today I will introduce you to an entertainer known for producing lots of sweet lyrics.

He is Peter Cole, the same Uber (taxi) driver I have been talking about for some time , and the song you hear coming from his twin speaker-box is Living Testament, produced by Jet Set Music.

You are likely to hear it again and again because it is featured in the movie Second Chance; a big movie starring no other than reggae dancehall sensation Spragga Benz who also starred in another movie Shottas.

According to Bittah Sosicka, “In Second Chance the multi- talented Spragga Benz plays the part of a well- educated Rastafarian in search of a job among his peers. Rejected by the corporate world he linked up with some of his school friends and began a life of white-collar crime. A near- death situation led him to fall back on his religious and Rastafarian faith. This gave him a second chance in life.”

“I have always watched movies,

like James Bond’s Time To Die, and virtually dreamed of having one of my songs selected in a movie. This began to take shape when Spragga texted me to say my hopes will turn to reality.”

A week ago, Bittah Sosicka was on hand to pick up Spragga Benz from the John F. Kennedy airport, the name of a former US president who, like his younger brother Robert was assassinated.

Spragga Benz (who is celebrating twenty years of Shottas) wanted a scene similar to the movie, “The Book of Eli,” starring black actor and philanthropist, Denzel Washington.”

The first shoot was at Milford, Connecticut; the second in Queens, New York.

Apart from Spragga Benz, deejay Briggy Benz, who is featured in the song, takes an enviable spotlight in the music video.

Living Testament is one of 16-tracks on Bittah Sosicka’s album titled 83. These include: • • •

“Nah Learn,” ft. Amlak RedSquare “Your Ways, Real Quick,” Angel ft. Da Professor “Punji and Prettiest Rose,” ft. Cherry Rose

The deejay (Bittah Sosicka) expects Second Chance to broaden his fan-base, which is visible in parts of Africa, Canada, and the Caribbean and of course UK and the USA. “Spragga Benz has a huge fan-base and wherever this movie goes will make “Living Testament” a household name. Who could tell, I might just get that one-in-a-million call which turns my life into stardom. This would really give me the opportunity to help my struggling black brothers and sisters.

My community where I had lived before migrating is Red Hills. This is sandwiched by those who are rich and poor. I grew up with my brother after my mom left for Queens, New York where I joined her at a later date.

Music is everything to me.

I was introduced to Spragga Benz in 2010. He has become one of my greatest mentors. Spragga has taught me to be humble and forgiving and make whatever I do in music unforgettable.

With the big celebration of Reggae Month (February) in Jamaica, my mission is to turn around the lives of those who have lost their mission and to make this a Living Testament.”

Who is in control of the $66 million that BLM rose through donations to purchase the Wildseed Centre for Art and Activism?

PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Fanfare greeted the news that Black Lives Matter (BLM) Toronto had purchased a building in the heart of downtown Toronto in July 2021.

The building located at 24 Cecil Street was expected to be a central location of community activism and artistic endeavours.

Media attention focused on the fact that it cost $6.3 million, and it was reported that the funds were raised through different

sources. However, in an article in the New York Post on January 29th, 2022, questions have been raised about the lack of transparency involved in the purchase of the building. According to the article there was the involvement of a Toronto-based non-profit organization, M4BJ, which was the recipient of millions of dollars from the BLM located in the U.S. Janaya Khan, one of the founders of BLM Toronto, founded M4BJ. She is the spouse of Patrisse Khan-Cullors, one of the founders of Black Lives Matter Global Foundation Network (BMMGFN).

There have been questions raised about the finances of the U.S based organization. The New York Post revealed in a 2021 article that Khan-Cullors bought personal properties worth $3 million in California. There was media attention raised with respect to whether funds that were donated to the BLM were used in the purchase. Khan-Cullors denied that she used any of the BLM funds and it

was her own money that she earned independently. After Khan-Cullors resigned from BLM in May 2022 it was expected that two individuals would take over the financial management of the BLMGFN, but it never occurred as reported by the Washington Examiner.

There are a lot of questions about who is in control of the $66 million that BLM raised through donations. The Associated Press reported at the start of 2021 that BLM received approximately $90 million from financial contributions after the death of George Floyd in May 2021. No one is sure where all the funds have gone, as there seems to be a lack of financial accountability, transparency and clarity about this matter.

It appears that questions about the BLM Canada’s purchase of the Wildseed Centre has led to the resignation of two members.

Sahra Saudi and Sarah James’s tweet at @ SarahJama on January 19th, 2022 stated, “After over a year of struggling internally with

BLM-TO to improve internal processes and to continue the work that has been started, we finally left the group when, like many other people, we found out about Black Lives Matter Canada’s 8 million dollar purchase of the Wildseed Art and Activism Centre. We have written this because our many attempts to bring concerns were met with denial, gas lighting, and a refusal to acknowledge requests for accountability. We simply wish to share the truth of our experiences.”

The statement identifies original BLM-TO members: Rodney Diverlus, Syrus Marcus Ware, Sandy Hudson and Ravy Wngz as being part of BLM-Canada. The statement notes, “For BLM Canada to take money from BLM Global Network for a building without consulting the community was unethical. For BLM Canada to refuse to answer questions from young Black organizers goes against the spirit of movement-building.”

PAGE 18

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022 Photo Credit: Sharp Focus

EMBODY BY SANDY ANIN Embodying her entrepreneurial self SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

You get home after a long day, kick off your shoes, take off your jacket and thank God that the day is done. As you prepare to settle in for your evening at home, you remember that you opened a bottle of red wine yesterday; Embody Rose. You had heard good things about this wine, and to make it even better, it is the inspiration of a young Ghanaian woman, “Yes,” you think to yourself. “That is exactly what I need, a glass of wine.”

There are many occasions when Black businesses get left out of the narrative, and it is no different in the wine industry. In 2019, the LCBO sold $505 million in wine produced in Ontario, and in the same year VQA wines hit a recordbreaking $162 million in sales. Yet, despite record-breaking sales and obvious demand, the industry has broken little ground when it comes to representation at all levels of the winemaking process.

It is why when I happened upon Sandy Anin’s Embody, I was eager to speak with her about the experience of entering into an industry that does not have much African/Caribbean representation. What I learned about her was impressive; not only did she have her own wine; I learned she was a serial entrepreneur.

According to a study, Canada’s new entrepreneurial activity is changing the face of entrepreneurship, as more women, newcomers, younger Canadians and baby boomers are launching successful businesses. These great women and men have built innovative and globally competitive businesses and have become the driving force of Canada’s economy.

Sandy Anin is a business owner with higher skill levels, strong managerial and technical skills that has helped

with her entrepreneurial challenges. You can tell by the way she walks and carries herself that she is confident in her ability to take herself to that next level. In our short chat, she opened up about her life, her challenges, and why she is one of Toronto’s fastest rising entrepreneurs.

“My mom and dad are from Ghana, and I was born and raised in Jane and Finch. We aren’t rich, and we aren’t poor, but like other families, we had our struggles. My parents are both entrepreneurs, and it is because of them that I am so balanced. They helped me have a clear picture of life, and definitely saw something in me and nurtured what they saw.

I remember clearly that in one of my yearbooks, I said that I want to be a businesswoman.“ Sandy tells me that her first business venture was when she was nine years old. “I took paper, and wrote down ‘Need a Tutor, if anyone is looking for a tutor, I can tutor and I can babysit.’ I put the number and cut them up.” She took a minute to laugh at herself. “I got one client; a man called, and he wanted one for his daughter.

My mom told me that in kindergarten I was like, ‘I really don’t like school.

‘I then found a way to hurry up and get what I needed to get done. I didn’t like school because I was very hands on. I have to admit that I learned a lot from my mom. My mom’s nickname was business. I have always seen that exchange. I was like ‘Huh! I can do that too!’

I was always pushed into leadership roles in school. In high school, I was part of the program where my last year was my first year in university. I was attracted to the legal side of things.”

Sandy’s life dream was always to be a lawyer. In her environment, she didn’t see a lot of role models. For her it was about defending people who could not defend themselves. So, she did what she used to dread; she went to university and did the theory part of it, and then went to Sheridan College to finish her paralegal degree. All the while, Sandy was hustling, stepping up her entrepreneurial game.

“I used to MC and promote for every African event in Toronto. When you are in that lifestyle, the drinks are flowing, but when you get to an age, you don’t like that hangover. I started to speak with people who had a strong interest in wine.

Someone suggested that I make my own wine.

I had to do a lot of research. I had to do a lot of wine tasting. I was driving around a lot, because I had to do what I needed to do to learn the business. A lot of people have a business and can’t tell you about the business, and no way was that going to be me.

I have a best friend, and I mentioned my plans to him. I suggested some names to him, and he didn’t like any of them. The next day he came to me and said “Embody,” I am a voluptuous woman, and it just made sense to me. I love gold and black, and I wanted the label to represent what the wine was about.

He started designing the label, and there were a few of them that I didn’t like. I went back to the designer. I wanted sophistication, style, class, and that was what I was going to get Andinkra symbols are all over the label. The label is representative of my culture. I have to say Shout out to Tiffany Ford who helped me with my personal label. She told me that I needed to have a logo, something that set me apart from everyone. I listened; she was right. My name is my brand.”

Well, unfortunately, racism exists in every facet of society, and the wine industry is no exception. The wine industry is a white male dominated one, and Sandy has faced her barriers. Thankfully, there is currently an outpouring of support for Black winemakers, Black winery owners and Black wine professionals. Let’s hope this outpouring of support can be sustained, and is not just a moment, but also a momentum.

Diversify your taste buds, support vineyards and wineries of colour, and relax knowing you’re helping to make a difference.

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PAGE 20

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Photo Credit: UC Medical Biomedical Engineering

ARNOLD PINNOCK

Unapologetically sharing our stories of strength and resilience The Black experience is about love, joy, collective memory, and inclusion.

It is also about trauma, pain, and discrimination. February is Black History Month, and it’s a time to centre and reflect on the rich tapestry of experiences that make up the lives and stories of African Caribbean’s.

The truth is that the only way to fill the gaps in African Caribbean history is to be completely authentic.

We cannot shy away from the lived experiences that inform the way that stories are created and shared, the channels we engage with, and how the message resonates.

As a writer, I have to be honest; when interviewing my Classic Man, I had to come to terms with the parts of our history that I don’t know, and this step was harder and uncomfortable.

After our dialogue, I had to educate myself on a topic that I thought I was versed in, but it is all a part of the process. I sat back and listened, reflected on what mattered so that I could share this information with you.

I had the honour of sitting down with Arnold Pinnock, the Co-creator, Executive Producer, and writer behind the ground-breaking original series The Porters. Arnold plays the character “Glenford” in the country’s biggest Black-led television production that is inspired by real events. Set in the 1920’s, it presents untold stories of Black Canadians, including Black train porters and Black Cross Nurses, their dreams and ambitions, and their essential role in forming many Black communities across Canada.

Arnold began his career as a sketch comedian at Toronto’s Second City Mainstage. He has a burning passion for television and film, which has allowed him to build a career that spans over three decades. His acting credits include Exit Wounds (starring Steven Segal), Cold Pursuit (with Liam Neeson), and roles in TV series in-

cluding Altered Carbon (Netflix), and Baroness von Sketch Show (CBC). He has been heard as the voice of the air controller on Paw Patrol and is best known for his role as Paul Greebie on the Canadian sitcom Life with Derek.

He also has recurring roles on such series as The Listener and Billable Hours.

Born in an era of protests, the 1960s decade was dominated by the Vietnam War, Civil Rights Protests, Cuban Missile Crisis, and saw the assassinations of US President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. His parents were part of the ‘Windrush generation’ – people from the Caribbean were brought to the UK after WW2 to fill the shortages in the labour market, and they played an important role in rebuilding the country. The unfortunate part about it all is that they were faced with prejudice, racism and discrimination.

Arnold and I sat down to discuss his love of family, Black history, and storytelling, his story so passionate that it stirred emotions in both of us.

“My parents are from Clarendon, Jamaica, and they migrated to England,” Arnold shares with me. “My mother was a nurse and my father worked at a factory in Birmingham.

There were many trials and tribulations faced by Blacks during that time.

Race riots in the 1970s forced my parents to look for a better country for themselves and the five of us. I happen to be the youngest of five.

In 1975, we moved to Canada.

I was seven at the time. My parents moved to Scarborough, and we lived with my mother’s brother. They had four children, so it was a family of six, and we were a family of seven. If you can imagine a house full of kids, teenagers and adults – things got pretty crazy. We lived there until my parents eventually managed to afford to rent our own home.

There are some things about that time that I cannot forget, things that showed the strength and resilience of my family. I remember my mom telling a Caucasian woman off at a grocery story, because the woman was being disrespectful. To this day, I look up to my mother for that. I can’t forget my Uncle Papsi! Whenever you spent time with him, even if it was for a car ride, you never ended off the same way as you started when hanging with Uncle Papsi!”

Arnold speaks of his challenges moving from the UK to Canada. He spoke Brummie dialect, which as he explains, is sometimes hard for people from other parts of England to understand, and in Canada, it became an even more serious barrier to communicating with others. The family turned to each other for strength during these difficult times.

“We had to put money in the television (yes he took it there). We used to sit around it as a family. We were pretty poor,” he explains, “and we obviously had really difficult times, but when we sat around this little apparatus we called ‘the tele’ to watch comedy, sports, drama. It was our family moment, and it was when we felt happiest. I used to say I wanted to be on tele, because it made us laugh, it made us cheer, it just brought so many emotions to us.”

“After that I was drawn to the arts. I came from a lineage of storytellers. We would hear all these stories when we were younger, so when it came time, I really got into drama. I wrote a story about people emigrating from the islands to Canada and the community loved the show because it represented them. I unapologetically shared our stories and put it on stage.

This is my 36th year as an actor, and I have worked on many projects. When it comes to putting the lens on us, I was given the opportunity

to manifest. I have run into situations where racism is very real, but then I always think back to what my parents went through. That is the stock that I come from. I told myself that I would make my way through this, around this. Racism is not a barrier for me. I would not let down my parents. I refuse to let down what they sacrificed.”

When Arnold speaks of his family, he does it with such warmth, and although members of his family are no longer with us, he shares with me stories that will always remind him of his time with them.

“I remember bringing my mom, my dad, and my aunt and uncle to a show that I was doing. My mom asked me to bring them some tea, so I asked someone to get it for them. My mom brought me right back down to earth, You think you are too high and mighty to make your mother some tea!’ The director looked at me like, you’re on your own. I will never forget that day.”

Pinnock believes that telling these stories, stories like The Porters, will empower immigrants and their children, make them feel proud of their origins and inspire them to pursue their dreams.

“We come from a stock of strong people, and our younger generation needs to know that.”

Photo Credit: Sanj P Photography

Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News

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3/

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49 each

Serge Peanut Punch 250 ml

1

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99

Tim Horton’s Hot Chocolate 500 ml

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99

Titus Sardines in Soya Oil 125 g

each

¢

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3

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2/

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1

$

2/

1

99

Shavuot Peppermint or Cerasee Tea 24’s

25

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each

00

Eaton’s Jerk Seasoning 4 kg Assorted

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each

5

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2/

F (

1 F

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Palmolive Essential Clean Dish Liquid

Orange Tangerine Only 828 ml

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$

3/

Bedessee Carbolic Soap 125 g

2

$

3/

Dettol Liquid Antiseptic 500 ml

5

99 each

SAFE-U Alcohol 70% 400 ml

1

99 each

S

M S S

Delicious Jamaican Dish Best Quality Easy Cook Oxtail

8

$ 49 lb

Frozen or Previously Frozen

Frozen Headless Bangamary

3

$ 99 lb

Beef Shank

Burned Goat Head

Burned Goat Feet

2

9

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Fresh or Frozen

DON’T PAY FOR FAT!!

Jamaica’s Choice Double Smoked Ham

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99 $ 99 $ $ 49 $ 99 each lb bag lb

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Frozen Conch Meat

Frozen King Fish Steak 8-10 oz

13 Equal

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39

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with purchase of 2 cases or more Thursday to Sunday Only

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6

3

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Fresh Brazilian Strawberry Grouper 1 to 2 lb

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4

99 99 99 99 $ $ $ $ 99 $ lb as is lb as is lb as is lb as is lb as is

Fresh Chayote (Cho Cho)

2 1 2 Five Locations To Serve You Better 99

29

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49

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Fresh White Yams

Fresh Jamaican Cooking Bananas

Fresh Jamaican Sweet Potatoes

lb

lb

Store Hours

Monday-Friday 9 am to 9 pm Saturday 8 am to 9 pm Sunday 9 am to 7 pm

Store Hours

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Rutherford Rd. South .

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Cawtra Rd.

Roa

Danforth Food Market 651 Markam Rd. 416-439-6397

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ion

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Danforth Food Market 301 Silverstone Dr. A l b 416-740-9870

D r.

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Si lv er st on e

Finch Ave. W. Danforth Food Market 3701 Keele St. 416-398-8123

Kennedy Rd. Soith

Specials in Effect Thu. Feb. 17th until Wed., February 23th, 2022.

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Monday-Friday 9 am to 9 pm Saturday 8 am to 9 pm Sunday 9 am to 7 pm

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Three things to consider when planning a destination wedding Have you long dreamed about getting married on a tropical beach or at a countryside villa in Tuscany? Wherever you decide to tie the knot, here are a few things to consider when planning your destination wedding.

1. Hiring a co-ordinator will make things easier Weddings require extensive planning and if yours is out of town, the details can become overwhelming. Hire someone local to the destination — or someone from home with experience co-ordinating events in your chosen location — to avoid unnecessary headaches.

2. Destination weddings are multi-day affairs Be sure to show your guests you appreciate them travelling to be with you on your big

day by organizing a few group activities for them, either before or after the wedding.

You can plan a welcome breakfast, for example, or an excursion to take in the lo­ cal sights.

3. Not everyone you invite will make it Don’t be surprised if some of your loved ones can’t make it to your wedding. While it may not be a problem for all of your guests, it’s important to understand that a jaunt to Europe, a week-long all-inclusive trip to the tropics or even a weekend in the next town over isn’t in everyone’s budget.

In addition to the above, think about how you’ll transport wedding essentials to the destination. If you’re travelling by plane, it’s best to pack wedding attire, rings and gifts in your carry-on bag.

FEATURE

PAGE 25

Old, new, borrowed and blue: a fresh take on the long-held custom You’ve probably heard the 19th century bridal rhyme: “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” Are you thinking about incorporating the associated traditions into your wedding but want to do so in a modern way? Here are some fresh ideas.

Something old • Create a display of vintage photos of loved ones • Incorporate your grandmother’s pearl neck­lace into your hairdo • Create a broach bouquet from vintage broaches and jewelry to carry instead of flowers Something new • Find some cheeky lingerie to wear under your dress — it can be your little secret • If you’re not the type to wear jewelry, have rings tattooed on your fingers • Have a custom perfume blended just

for your special day Something borrowed • Rent a designer gown instead of buying a dress you’ll only wear once • Borrow your parents’ wedding song for your first dance • If a married friend has a similar style to you, ask to borrow her veil Something blue • Forget a French manicure and paint your nails bold blue • Wrap your bouquet with a blue handkerchief or ribbon • If you’re wearing a ball gown, add a layer of blue tulle Given how the rhyme ends, why not tape a quarter to the bottom of your shoe for extra luck? Be sure to choose one minted the year you’re getting married. Afterwards, you can save it as a memento and someday lend it to a loved one as their own something borrowed.

Live in love-caribbean news.pdf 1 2022-02-11 3:09:56 PM

Markham Rd

February 7th - March 13th, 2022 13th, 2022 7th_March February

Sheppard Ave E

SCARBOROUGH

See www.clorebeauty.com for the our COVID-19 Response

How do I blend carrier and essential oils?

For 8oz of carrier oil, you can use between 5 - 8 drops of essential oil.

Here’s a quick recipe to get you started: 1 bottle of IAmPure Jamaican Black Castor Oil 5 - 8 drops of eucalyptus essential oil Article written by Kayla Chin, (depending on your preferred scent level) Clore marketing & Communications Coordinator Blend the oils together, and store in a cool dry place

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Essential oils Lavender, tea tree, sweet orange, eucalyptus, and peppermint are examples of essential oils. Essential oils are concentrated extracts that also have the scent and sometimes colour of the plant that it is derived from. Essential oils are more potent than carrier oils, and therefore cannot be applied directly to the skin or hair.

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Have you ever considered creating a body oil specifically for your skin type? This is a fun project that allows you to customize your oil recipe to your routine. Let’s first break down the different types of oils and how they work: Carrier oils Olive, castor, argan, coconut, grapeseed, and vitamin e oil are all carrier oils. These oils are extracted from the seed of a certain plant. These oils can be used directly on your skin and hair. In light of its name, these oils “carry” or help to dilute essential oils, which we are going to talk about next.

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Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

HEALTH

PAGE 27

Do you have an inflammatory lifestyle?

W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES COMMON SENSE HEALTH

Chronic inflammation is unlike what happens with a cut or an invading germ when the immune system mounts a fight and then stands down. In such cases, inflammation is part of the healing response. But when lifestyle issues have the immune system active all the time, there may be no symptoms, but plenty of costs.

Dr. Erin Michos, Director of Women’s Cardiovascular Health at Johns Hopkins Medicine, explains, “Sustained low levels of inflammation irritate your blood vessels. Inflammation may promote the growth of plaques, loosen plaque in your arteries and trigger blood clots — the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes.”

Rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes involve chronic inflammation.

Immune cells and the antibodies they produce create swelling to help isolate the problem, but the problem is persistent, and inflammation remains constant, not temporary.

Doctors may suggest a range of new treatments to reduce this inflammation. Yet, a recent headline published by Harvard Medical School reads, “Doctors are learning that one of the best ways to reduce inflammation lies not in the medicine cabinet, but in the refrigerator.”

Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, says, “Many experimental studies have shown that components of foods or beverages may have anti-inflammatory effects.”

Tomatoes, olive oil, green veggies, nuts, blueberries, apples, and leafy greens are high in natural antioxidants and polyphenols—protective compounds found in plants. Coffee may protect against inflammation, as well.

But now there is compelling evidence that the extent to which omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like salmon and mackerel feature in the

diet is a reliable risk benchmark for cardiovascular disease.

Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that “A low Omega-3 index is as strong of a predictor of early death as smoking.”

The Omega-3 Index measures the amount of EPA and DHA, two types of Omega-3 essential fatty acids, through a simple blood test that can be done at home and mailed in for analysis. The results indicate Omega-3 status – with an optimal Omega-3 Index being 8% or higher, an intermediate being between 4% and 8%, and a low Omega-3 Index at 4% and below.

Researchers used data from the Framingham Study, an on-going, longitudinal study involving the collection of biological and lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular disease across multiple generations of participants.

They found that individuals with the highest Omega-3 Index were 33% less likely to succumb to heart disease during the follow-up period of their study compared with those with the lowest Omega-3 Index.

Dr Bill Harris, one of the lead

researchers, reports that the relative concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids in the blood is just as compelling a predictor of mortality as lipid levels, blood pressure, smoking, and diabetic status.

What to do? Make the modifications to lifestyle that will dramatically change the predicted outcome – some of which can reasonably be expected to add years of good life. Don’t smoke and reverse your course if you are prediabetic.

If you are interested in testing your Omega-3 status, as we did and wrote about in past columns, you can determine if you are, like most North Americans among the vast majority who are not in the healthy range.

The bottom line, it’s not easy to eat salmon and other Omega-3 rich foods or to get those oils absorbed sufficiently enough to balance out other fatty foods in the diet. On supplementation, be a smart consumer, as not all Omega-3 is the same. You should look for pre-digested Omega-3.

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Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

HEALTH

PAGE 29

Competitiveness and comparison; the world of being a personal trainer RACHEL MARY RILEY rachel@carib101.com

HEALTH & FITNESS

In today’s social media world there are so many upcoming fitness businesses, trainers and coaches. Sadly, we live in a world where there is so much competitiveness, which creates comparison.

The key to being successful in this industry is having knowledge, experience and being certified. When I first discovered my passion to be a personal trainer, it was when I was working at the gym as a front desk receptionist. I never realized how much sympathy I had for people that were just trying to stay fit and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

As I stepped out into the world of social media, to post workout videos, I was still working around being transparent, gaining my certifications, knowledge and clientele experience. It was challenging because there were so many people, especially women competing and comparing with me. It was challenging to get the support I needed, including clients that were consistent and willing to invest in my services without handing out freebies. I eventually decided to step out and separate myself from the world of social media.

The moment when I decided to be different and separate myself from the world of social media, after four failures and three years of delay, I got my certification as a canfitpro trainer. I kept on educating myself more, receiving practical and knowledgeable skills, gaining more certification and courses, becoming an expert as a fitness entrepreneur. I just wanted to be different and unique as a personal trainer and a fitness entrepreneur in my own lane.

Difference between certified and non-certified personal trainer Do you know that some people that say that they are trainers are not really certified especially in the world of social media? The trainers that are non-certified they know things, but it is safer to work with someone who is certified that can give you as the client the knowledge and the results that you need.

The purpose of a personal trainer and knowing the quality of the trainer Trusted resources stated that this case of “identity crisis,” coupled with the lack of regulation in the personal training world, is what causes personal trainers to take such liberties in areas where they should not be. The interesting part is that most people who focus on all areas of expertise, never actually become excellent information sources in any one area. Simply put, trying to become an expert or master at everything makes it difficult to become an expert at anything.

One must remember that the main job of the personal trainer is to help people with their exercise programming.

Personal trainers must also understand when they need to refer clients to other qualified healthcare professionals. Once a personal trainer understands the extent of their scope, the nature of the job can become clearer and uniquely different (Boyce, 2021).

For that reason, it is worth examining why the above phenomenon happens among personal trainers. A personal trainer’s role is to act as a navigator to help a client safely achieve fitness goals, including assessing, motivating, educating, and training clients. Under this umbrella, a personal trainer may have to be more encouraging and motivating for some clients than others. In other cases, the personal trainer may need to be the vigilant, cautionary voice of reason to let a client know when to scale intensity back in the name of health.

PAGE 30

LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

The five ingredients of happiness DANIEL COLE

daniel@carib101.com

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

There is no universal key to happiness; happiness is based on specific individual values.

It’s a byproduct, not a goal to be pursued.

However, there are certain factors or ingredients that largely influence or contribute to our happiness or the lack of it. When your experiences and your realities are consistent with your goals and expectations, and you are content with your situation, you feel happy. If, on the other hand, for any reason, your current situation is different from what you really want and expect, you will be discontented and unhappy.

A true and sustained happiness is not just a euphoric feeling that comes as a result

of meeting specific goals; the realities and events that brought you happiness and joy today may no longer be your reality tomorrow. For example, a person who is laid off from work, a loved one passing away, it is the ability to embrace the uncertainties and unpredictabilities of life and to look for the silver lining in certain situation, that is the hallmark of a happy life.

Here are the five ingredients that contribute to our happiness.

1. Good health: This is perhaps the most important element of a good life. We strive for it all our lives. It is only when you enjoy high levels of pain-free health and a continuous flow of energy that you feel truly happy. In many cases, health is a “deficiency need.” This means that we often don’t think about our health until we are deprived of it. For example, we often don’t think about our dental care until we have a toothache.

Staying healthy is a necessity to staying happy. Take good care of your health.

2. Happy relationships: Fully 85% of your happiness or the lack of it will come from your relationships with other people.

3.

4.

We are designed to function in society, working and living with other people at every stage of our lives. Your ability to keep and maintain high-quality relationships with your spouse, children, friends, colleagues, and others is the true measure of the quality of your personality and your level of mental health.

People with high levels of self-esteem and self-respect get along better with others and have much happier lives.

A meaningful and purposeful work: To be truly happy, you must be fully engaged with life. You must be doing something that gives you a sense of fulfillment and contribution. If you are making a living, you must be doing work that you enjoy, do well, and for which you are well paid. People are truly happy only when they feel they are making a contribution of some kind, that they are putting in more than they are taking out.

Financial independence: Some of the greatest fears we experience are those of loss, failure, and poverty. We fear being destitute, without funds, and dependent on others. One of your chief

5.

responsibilities to yourself is to work toward financial independence and financial freedom throughout your life. The happiest of all people are those who have reached the point at which they no longer worry about money. This is not something you can leave to chance, but rather something that requires deliberate, purposeful action and tremendous self-discipline to achieve.

Self-actualization. This is the feeling that you are becoming everything you are capable of becoming. This occurs when you feel that you are realizing more and more of your true potential.

Abraham Maslow is best known for his Hierarchy of Needs. He determined that people have both “deficiency needs” and “being needs.” People strive either to compensate for their deficiency or to realize their potentials. He concluded that you begin to evolve and develop to the highest levels possible for you only when your deficiency needs are first satisfied. Happiness comes when you have a sense of actualization.

LIFE

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 31

4 tips for healthy eyelashes What’s polyneuritis?

Polyneuritis is a neurological condi­ tion that’s characterized by nerve da­ mage to the body’s extremities such as the hands, feet and arms. This di­ sorder can be caused by underlying conditions like diabetes and kidney failure. However, it can also be trigge­ red by infection, medication, nutrient deficiency, exposure to toxic products, alcoholism and more.

Your eyelashes not only enhance the beauty of your eyes but also protect them from dirt and de­ bris. Here are a few tips for taking care of your lashes to ensure they stay healthy and beautiful.

1. Gently remove makeup Always remove your makeup before going to bed.

The best way to do so is to soak a cotton ball in makeup remover, hold it to your eyelid for a few seconds and then gently wipe away any residue.

2. Limit the use of waterproof mascara You must aggressively rub your eyelashes to re­ move waterproof mascara. Consequently, regular­ ly using this type of product can weaken your eye­ lashes and cause them to fall out.

Symptoms Polyneuritis can lead to sensory and motor disorders. On top of losing sensation in the affected limbs, you may also experience the following symptoms: • Muscle paralysis or weakness • Tingling or numbness in the extremities • Dry skin • Night cramps Moreover, many people with polyneu­ ritis lose their ability to sense tempe­ rature and pain.

TREATMENT If you think you may have polyneuri­ tis, your doctor will request a neuro­ logical evaluation. This will allow them

to determine the best course of ac­ tion. For example, you may be pres­ cribed medication like painkillers or immunosuppressants to help reduce or eliminate your symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend a sup­ port device or physiotherapy to strengthen your limbs. If the disease was triggered by alcohol abuse or a vitamin deficiency, you may be given alcoholism therapy or a course of B vitamins as part of your treatment.

If you think you may be experiencing the symptoms of polyneuritis, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

5 reasons to strengthen your pelvic floor The pelvic floor is an important group of muscles located at the base of the pelvis. Both men and women can bene­ fit from strengthening these muscles. Here are five rea­ sons to practise pelvic floor exercises.

1. Prevent incontinence Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can give you more control over your bladder and bowel and help prevent incontinence.

3. Use a moisturizing product You can prevent your lashes from drying out and becoming brittle by periodically applying a lash oil or serum.

4. Eat a healthy diet It’s a good idea to incorporate foods high in ome­ ga-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, B and E into your diet. These nutrients promote the growth of ful­ ler and longer lashes.

For personalized advice about caring for your la­ shes, talk to an experienced beautician.

2. Improve sexual sensitivity A healthy pelvic floor can increase sexual arousal and lubrication, ma­ king it easier to reach orgasm. Addi­ tionally, having strong pelvic mus­ cles can prevent painful intercourse.

3. Maintain good posture If your pelvic floor is too loose or too tight, you may experience lo­ wer back and sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy. Moreover, having a healthy pelvic floor can help speed up recovery after giving birth.

4. Recover quicker after surgery If you recently had a hysterectomy or prostatectomy, doing pelvic floor exercises can help ease a variety of post-operative symptoms, inclu­ ding loose abdominal muscles, or­ gan prolapse and urinary inconti­ nence.

5. Prevent pain Strong pelvic floor muscles can help reduce the discomfort associated with bladder pain syndrome (BPS) and consti­ pation. In addition, doing regular pelvic floor exercises can reduce tenderness and numbness while riding a bike.

Consult a perineal and pelvic rehabilitation physiothera­ pist to start a personalized exercise program.

PAGE 32

LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

I was about to discover what the rest of my life was going to look like; reliving my past Trauma SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

HUMAN SPECIALIST

I am not sure when I fell asleep, but when I woke up, it was still dark outside. The rising light was coming through a window that was at the end of the hall, and besides the thoughts running through my head, the hall was quiet.

The night before I had a chance to experience what it was like to sit in a correctional cell in Buffalo, and surprisingly, one of my first thoughts was, “I like it better in Panama.” Weird, I know, but in the brief time that I had been there, I had met some lovely people, people who to this day mean a lot to me. There was sunshine, and even though life was not what I was used

to, I at least had the chance to get outside, walk around, and feel the sun against my skin…

Here, it was cold because it was the middle of November in Buffalo, and everything seemed grey and dull. I wiggled my toes and fingers around; the cold, dry air had made them stiff, something else that I had not felt in Panama. I raised myself off the thin bed and stretched. What was my second day in this cold hell going to be like?

As I looked around the cell, I noticed a book peeking out from the under the bed. “Hmmm!” I thought to myself.

“Where did this come from?” I slowly pulled it out and discovered that it was an old school romance book, you know the ones with the impossible, good looking Caucasian man on the front, clutching a pale, but beautiful women in his arms. They looked passionately at each other, holding on to each other for dear life. I chuckled to myself because it had been such a long time since I had read one of these books. When I was younger, I would sneak these books

out of the library. I knew that I was probably too young to read them at the time, but I always got caught up in the romance, the seduction, the love making…

With nothing but time on my hands, I opened the book and began to read. I must have really been into the book, because when I heard a clang at the front of my cell, I was startled. A different correctional officer than the night before was standing there with a tray.

“It’s breakfast time,” he said as the gate slowly opened. I placed the book beside me and stood up to receive my breakfast.

“You have a visit from your lawyer in an hour, so eat up, and I will take you to the showers so you could clean up.”

I nodded and took the tray from him. He promptly shut the gate and walked away leaving me with a tray of food that I could not describe. I think I was looking at eggs and sausage, but after the last few weeks, I had become used to dealing with food that didn’t really look like food. There were two cups on the tray: one holding or-

ange juice and the other coffee. I decided that I was going to skip breakfast that day, so instead I sipped the lukewarm coffee, and then guzzled down the orange juice. It would have to do because I was not touching whatever it was on that plate.

Shortly after the officer returned.

He looked down at the tray, and then back at me. “The food is not good enough for you,” he asked with a smirk on his face. I tried hard not to say what was on my mind; I didn’t think that being a smart ass would help make my time here any smoother, so I simply replied, “Not very hungry this morning.”

“Up to you,” he said. He opened the gate. Come with me, you get shower time early because of your lawyer visit. I eased myself off the thin bed and followed him.

I was looking forward to meeting with my lawyer. Finally, I would have someone to talk to me about my case that spoke English. I was nervous because that also meant that I was about to discover what the rest of my life was going to look like.

LIFE

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 33

Ensuring diversity within the Canadian cannabis industry!

SEAN SEURATTAN sean@carib101.com

THE HEIGHTENED CHEF

Canadians today are blessed to see the wonder of something that the human race has not seen for generations! We bear witness to the birth of an industry with a tangible commodity: Cannabis.

Being just the second country in the world to legalize cannabis on a national scale places us as forefathers to this emerging industry and culture. The rest of the world will look to Canada as the role model, which all others should follow.

We must not take this mantle lightly. It is a huge responsibility to shape the cannabis landscape in a thoughtful, responsible, and ethical way.

The Heightened Chef recognized this from the start and made standard practice of placing diversity as a leading influence to making every decision. We hope to see the rest of the industry follow our lead as we are in the unique position to create a foundation that everything in the future will be built upon. It is critical we make that foundation accessible to everyone and reflec-

tive of all those involved both past and present.

Legalization is a complicated process, and it hasn’t been easy to enact.

Even before its inception in 2018, the government took many steps to research the manner in which cannabis should be legalized and how to implement this across the country. After finally creating a federal set of regulations by which each province would abide, they still left many decisions to be made provincially.

Much of those aspects had to do with the retail of cannabis and cannabis derived products.

Retail of cannabis, which is the driving force behind the industry, could look very differently from province to province. Some provinces choose open market privatization, which allows anyone to obtain a license to sell cannabis. Some provinces instead choose to try to monopolize the market with Crown corporations, and some provinces choose a combination of both. With advantages and disadvantages to all frameworks, we must realize that the best option has not been established yet.

This all matters to the racial and gender diversity of the Cannabis industry, because different frameworks tend to suit different groups more than others.

A balance must be found where most people can achieve equal opportunity to succeed regardless of race or gender.

The result will be that the leaders of innovation will look more like the population of consumers rather than just one group. Even now, there is great disparity that must be addressed as many questions are left unanswered. Don’t worry; we are still in this industry’s infancy.

Thankfully, we live in a society where we as individuals have a great amount of influence, even though it may not seem so sometimes. We can make conscious choices to affect both policy and commerce.

The Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation along with the University of Toronto recently conducted a study on the “Diversity of Canada’s Legal Cannabis Industry; Examining Race and Gender of its Executives and Directors.” It took into account 700 executives and directors from 222 organizations (166 Licensed Producers and 56 parent companies). It is important to note, five parent companies with the most stake owned 32% of parent companies and 19% of all licensed producers. Giving that much market share to such a small group is not a good starting point for a multibillion-dollar industry.

The study found that overall, 16% of all cannabis industry leaders were non-White with only 1% Black. In regard to gender, 14% were female with only 2% of that being non-White. BIPOC and women are vastly underrepresented in the leadership of Canada’s legal can-

nabis industry when compared to their representation in the general population. Conversely, White men are overrepresented. This is what almost every other industry on earth seemed to be unable to change until now.

Canada’s cannabis industry is still new enough where lasting structural changes can be made. Some companies have initiatives to promote diversity within leadership, but governmental regulation and programs for targeted entry would systemically ensure that racialized groups historically targeted and heavily punished during prohibition are not excluded now from one of the most lucrative industries in history. What was once the black market is now the legacy market and it must be included into the fold.

The legacy market is where we can find great wealth, cultural richness, and ethnic diversity.

We must choose as a community to make the cannabis industry different. We must choose with our minds and our dollars that diversity in Canadian cannabis leadership is the way to the brightest possible future. Choose to support causes that best represent us all.

Choose to spend with brands that reflect you and not patronize you. Choose to be the change and not wait for it. That choice will take us to wonders we’ve never seen.

Emptiness is an uncomfortable emotion; Managing and shaping the internal struggle STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com

INSIGHT TO SOCIETY

Ever feel like you are empty inside, or that there is a void or hole within that needs to be filled?

Psychologists speak of an empty feeling, a strange uncomfortable sensation that could be momentary, situational, or long lasting, a serious condition related to many things such as mental illness or related to substance abuse. It can be something as simple as a need for personal change and enlightenment.

Emptiness is an uncomfortable

emotion. Both psychological and physical sensations in your body can keep you from living your life the way you want. Feeling frightened yet? No need.

Most individuals suffer this emotion because they lack good emotional support systems in the past or present moment. Lacking this support, many people suppress their emotions to a point where they no longer feel them.

Feeling empty or numb can be extremely alarming, but you do have the ability to manage and shape this internal struggle.

Are you an unsatisfied consumer of products, food, drink, drugs, money, sex, social media and so on? Perhaps you are trying to fill a hole within you, a void that emits dissatisfaction, fatalism, fear, and hopelessness. Many of us fill this void through religiosity, our jobs, and our relationships. Being busy is thought to be fulfilling, but often the

void remains.

Some causes can be • Stressful or difficult situations • An unfulfilling occupation, marriage with unrealized goals • Anxiety followed by depression • Alcohol and drug abuse or addiction • Way too much media and social media (the affects there of ) How do you understand and combat this condition?

• Try journaling; it helps you to express yourself to yourself • Set life goals that establish personal life meaning • Make a conscious effort to acknowledge your feelings • Talk to support groups (provided by Church, public civil authority, A.A.) • Don’t avoid people and reach out to

those close to you Group therapy and simply talking with another person will help you to socialize, and communicate your feelings, needs and emotions in a safe, non-judgemental manner. Accept invitations from others to socialize; isolation is not beneficial. Often another person may need to point out visual symptoms to you and assist you in your efforts to realize and get the assistance you need in time.

Look at your efforts to overcome this emptiness as a life journey.

Writing about your feelings and thoughts, exploring your emotions with others will permit you to open yourself up to examination by others and yourself. Having a committed friend, family member or professional to join you on this journey will only benefit you and your life endeavour.

Talking to your kids about your financial struggles Talking to your children about money is important. From a young age, it’s essential to teach them that the neighborhood ATM is not a self-service piggy bank that somebody will keep topping up for them. But is it best to avoid the subject if you’re going through a precarious financial period and finding it difficult to make ends meet? The answer is no. You can discuss budgetary constraints with your children as long as

you can control your emotions.

Job loss, separation and illness are all stressful situations that can endanger or even shatter a family’s budget. You may have to cut expenses in order to restore some sort of balance.

Your children should be aware that these restrictions will contribute to the recovery of the family’s money situation.

Without going into intricate de-

tails you can make them understand, for example, that a meal at home is cheaper than eating at a restaurant. If you’re the parent of teenagers, don’t underestimate their ability to help with your financial difficulties. It could even be rewarding for them to participate in the effort to restore family finances.

Be cautious, however. Before talking about money with your children, make sure you’re able to do so wit-

hout putting the burden of your anxiety on their shoulders. Of course, having financial difficulties is stressful, but be reassuring and demonstrate your trust in the future. Remember that your attitude is key; if you’re proactive and positive, your children probably will be as well.

PAGE 34

LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

What’s greenwashing?

3 myths about recycling electronics There are many misconceptions about recycling electronics. Here’s what’s true and what’s not.

1. MYTH: DEVICES THAT NO LONGER WORK ARE WORTHLESS Fact: A number of parts found in old and broken electronics are valuable. Indeed, most of these products con­tain precious metals such as gold, silver and copper.

3. MYTH: RECYCLED MATERIALS ARE INFERIOR Fact: Many materials, including aluminum, glass and plastic, can be recycled over and over again without degrading. Consequently, recycling them re­duces greenhouse gas emissions.

Do you have old electronic devices you want to get rid of? If so, recycling them is easy. Simply bring them to your nearest drop-off location.

2. MYTH: RECYCLING COMPANIES STEAL DATA FROM THE DEVICES THEY COLLECT Fact: When recycling companies receive an old computer or cell phone, they promptly disassemble it to recover the various materials inside.

How­ever, it’s still a good idea to erase data from devices before drop­ping them off.

Almost all electronics can be recycled. This includes speakers, GPS devices and tape recorders as well as radios, fax machines, game controllers, scan­­ners and more.

The term greenwashing refers to the practice of advertising products or services as environmentally sound when in fact, they aren’t. Indeed, many companies make more effort to market their brands as eco-friendly than they do to minimize their environmental impact. Some manufacturers even go as far as creating fake green certification logos.

Unfortunately, greenwashing affects many industries, notably the fa­ shion, cosmetics and tourism sectors. Although this fraudulent practice is discouraged, it’s important to remain vigilant to avoid being fooled. Make sure you always do your research before buying a product or service that’s marketed as being green.

5 ways to make your business more eco-friendly Do you run a business? Would you like to minimize its eco footprint? If so, here are five things you can do to make your company more environmentally friendly.

1. Let staff work remotely Since it can help keep cars off the road, telecommuting is an effective way to re­ duce greenhouse gas emissions. It also allows you to downsize on office space,

which will reduce energy consumption.

2. Ban single-use products As much as possible, ban single-use products from your organization. If you have no choice but to use them for your every­day operations, find a way to give them a second life by upcycling them.

3. Work with green suppliers and partners Try to purchase your equipment, office supplies and raw materials from businesses that prioritize caring for the environment. When possible, negotiate con­tracts to be as green as possible.

4. Choose energy-efficient fixtures and appliances Replace your light bulbs, microwaves, cof­­­f ee machi­nes and other electronic items that consume a lot of energy with environmentally friendly options. In­ves­ ting in Energy Star certified appliances is a great place to start.

5. Encourage a green commute Install bike racks and electric car charging stations that are easy for your employees and clients to ac­cess. You can also introduce incentive programs to award your employees for carpooling or using public transit.

In addition, you can reduce your business’ ecological footprint by compos-

ting, using a thermostat to control heating and cooling, and setting computers to sleep after short periods of inactivity. If you’re truly committed to going green, there are many solutions available that you can investigate.

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

REAL ESTATE

PAGE 35

Unsustainable, uncertain, and unreal estate JAY BRIJPAUL brijpaul@carib101.com

REAL ESTATE PRO

Toronto’s real estate balloon seems to have infinite elasticity. A year ago, an average condo townhome in Brampton was selling for about $550,000 and now, it’s touching $800,000. A typical semi detach bungalow in Etobicoke that was selling for $750,000 last year is fetching $1.1 million. Supplies are rapidly drying up. At the end of January, there were only thirteen properties in Pickering under $1 million. With limited supply, prices are continuing to levitate.

This housing tsunami-like phenomenon is rumbling at super-sonic speed across small towns. North Bay, for example, saw a 40% increase in price in a year. Windsor, about 30%. Either the demand for housing is enormous or there are other pieces missing from this puzzle.

The virus is replicating in all aspects of our lives. Many families are still on lockdown. Builders and developers are having a rough ride recruiting trades people.

Some are offering three times the normal wages and are placed on waiting lists. Cost of building materials exploded. In addition to this, it takes longer to get building permits. Inflation is getting out of control and the fear of missing out is pushing first time buyers to hop on the run-a-way rocket. Any carriage would do for now - buy anything.

Investors are sopping up the flow of resale homes, leaving dribbles for others. Real

estate is lucrative. In what other investments can you pitch-in 5% to 25% of your own money and borrow the difference for sawed-off interest rates? Buying, renovating, and flipping homes are big businesses.

In the process, prices spiral upwards.

Government intervention can make a difference, but Canada is a social democracy, a perfect blend of Capitalist ideals with Socialistic policies. One cannot survive without the other. If we overtax investors, then they would move their money elsewhere. Tax revenues from real estate sales, for example, can subside other services such as health care.

The question is, how can we achieve a balance between owning a shelter and encouraging entrepreneurship?

To achieve that, taxation on short term investors and speculators would need to increase. Rising interest rates is another way to douse the housing inferno. I am certain that as the pandemic retreats, the economy will gather steam and interest rates will climb.

A gradual uptick in interest rates would prevent the market from crashing.

This would deter some buyers from buying.

Sellers, who are on the edge, would sell. A slight tilt in sales would cause investors and speculators to cash in their portfolios. Supply would increase and with a more balanced market, the current bidding fever would break. However, real estate prices are still expected to climb by around 12% for 2022.

We are fortunate to live in a world class city. Many around the globe yearn to settle here and are shoveling their wealth across. Large corporations are buying up residential properties. The forecast is that real estate will continue to appreciate in value. It is becoming exponentially difficult

for first time buyers to buy. For sustainability, we need to create more low-cost housing in GTA. Affordable housing can only be built if the city can provide land that already has all the infrastructures for utilities at dirt cheap prices. Vacant land in GTA is edging towards extinction. One brilliant idea is to allow garden suites. There are many properties in GTA with large backyards. The land has all the services and as such, there is no development fees. A garden suite is a separate building from the main house that can accommodate a family. It must satisfy safety and privacy codes set by the municipality. Since the suite cannot be deeded separated, it becomes a part of the property. Owners can choose to use it as a rental property or for a family member to occupy.

My opinion is that most of these suites can be manufactured in a factory and then assembled on sight. This would bring a high level of standardization to the process at an affordable cost. Garden suites would revolutionize the housing industry and with a few amendments to the bylaw, garden suites can fall under the condominium act, hence can be bought or sold separately from the main house.

We are living in uncertain times.

Cost of living is high. Families are dispensing more money for basic shelter and food.

Many are walking on thin ice and a rise in interest rates can be devastating. We know that the current situation is unsustainable, but we are uncertain as to which direction to take. The real estate market is unreal.

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PAGE 36

HOME

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

3 tips for installing recessed Lighting a basement can be a challenge, but recessed lights are a great option. They provide a widespread light source and tuck conveniently out of the way, making them ideal for low ceilings. Here are three tips for installing recessed lights in your basement.

1. Use the right placement Make sure you position your recessed lights evenly throughout the space to avoid creating dark spots. As a rule of thumb, divide your ceiling height by two to give you the space required between each light. For example, if your ceiling is 2.5 metres high, then position your lights 1.25 me­tres apart.

2. Opt for full brightness Basements are usually quite dark. Therefore, you should opt for recessed lights that produce at least 600 lumens. This will

ensure you have enough light to fully illuminate the space. If you want to be able to tone down the brightness for movie night, make certain to put the lights on a dimmer switch.

3. Consider colour temperature Don’t underestimate the importance of co­ lour temperature. For example, warmer tones make a room feel cosy and intimate, whereas cooler temperature hues make a space feel bright and energetic. To prevent your basement from feeling dark and dingy, lights that cast cooler temperatures are best.

Keep in mind that installing recessed lights can be a challenge. Therefore, it’s best to contact a professional to ensure this job is done right.

3 unique types of DIY shelves Do you need more shelf space? If so, here are several types of do-it-yourself shelving units that are both functional and stylish.

1. Rope These tiered shelves are the perfect accent piece for any home. All you need are a few planks of wood and rope of the appropriate thickness and length. Paint or stain the wood, cut the shelves to the desired size and drill two holes on each end.

Then, thread your rope through each shelf to create a tiered masterpiece.

2. Pegboard Purchase a large piece of fibreboard and a handful of wooden dowels from your local

hardware store. Drill uniform holes into the fibreboard, cut your wooden dowels down to size and place your shelves on top. The best part is that you can change the configuration anytime you like.

3. Drawer If you have an old dresser lying around, consider upcycling the drawers to create a unique shelving unit. Simply slap on a coat of paint or varnish and mount the drawers to the wall in an eye-catching arrangement.

If you need help finding the ma­terials you need for your project, speak to the staff at your local hardware store.

FUN

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 37

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 13 TO FEBRUARY 19, 2022

ARIES

The luckiest signs this week: LIBRA, SCORPIO AND SAGITTARIUS

You’re under a lot of pressure at work and may find it hard to close a deal or sign a contract. You’ll start wor­king out more consistently to im­prove your health.

TAURUS

You’ll spend a lot of time at work and your efforts won’t go unnoti­ ced. You’ll take up a new hobby or sport, which will be good for your social life.

PUZZLE NO. 755 ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 755

HOW TO PLAY :

GEMINI

You’ll be outspoken but may also face criticism. Try to be as tactful as possible in unfamilar situations. You’ll be more spontaneous in your love life.

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

CANCER

If you’re thinking about becoming a homeowner, by the end of the week you’ll come across an opportunity that’ill suit your budget and please the whole family. Be mindful of your finances.

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.

LEO

Whether it’s driving others around or running errands, you’ll be on the move this week. It may be a good idea to renew your cellphone contract to ensure you’re not overpaying.

VIRGO

PUZZLE NO. 45 54. Enlightener 56. “____ Done Him Wrong” 57. Pincer 58. Brood 59. A long time 60. Sacred song 61. British drinks DOWN

ACROSS

1. Hair lock 5. Part 9. Lily leaf 12. On the ocean 13. Take a taxi 14. Lounge 15. Courier 17. “____ to the West Wind”

18. Nosy one 19. Caged pet 21. Faded 23. Backdrop 24. Fruit drink 26. Woeful 28. Transfer 32. Talk wildly 34. Paddle 36. Sport played

on horseback 37. Tales 39. Limo, e.g.

41. Recent 42. Elevator directions 44. Amount owed 46. Ships 50. Excuse 53. Solid water

1. Tent city 2. Client 3. Neighbor 4. Beam type 5. Coffeepot 6. Near 7. Suggestions 8. Labeled 9. Story line 10. Military assistant 11. Doe or stag 16. Notable times 20. Phase 22. Obstruct 24. Furnish with weapons 25. Time period 27. Physician, for short 29. Go on 30. Pub order 31. Unworthy

33. In this way 35. Bankroll 38. Campaign address 40. Gather in 43. Cunningly 45. Made holy 46. Workbench jaws 47. Repeating sound 48. Glimpsed 49. Bed, as of coal

51. Actor Lugosi 52. Pesters 55. “To Each His ____”

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 45

The winter blues may hit you hard. But, moving your body more regu­ larly will help you feel better and maybe lose weight. At the very least, you’ll discover a new winter sport.

LIBRA

If you’re feeling fatigued, visit a mas­sage therapist or doctor. If you’re single, your love interests may lack common sense at times.

SCORPIO

You’ll feel overwhelmed and stres­sed. Make changes to your lifestyle to correct the situation. Don’t be afraid to be bold.

SAGITTARIUS

Your friends will invite you to go an adventure with them. Your love life will be filled with romance. If you’re single, you’ll connect with a new love interest after Valentine’s Day.

CAPRICORN

You deal with a full range of emo­tions this week. If you’re stressed about your finances, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. It’s easier than you think to get help.

AQUARIUS

A close friend may declare their love for you, which will leave you confu­sed. At work, you’ll organize a mee­ting or event that’ll bring together more people than you expected.

PISCES

You’ll take the time to finish certain things you started but were putting off. You’ll also discover something new that’ll improve your health and overall quality of life.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

the free

Classifieds Your destination to buy, sell and post!

LIST UP TO 30 WORDS FOR FREE! CALL 647-722-6298 *Some Restrictions May Apply - Subject To Space Availability

HELP WANTED • ITEMS FOR SALE • PERSONALS • ANNOUNCEMENTS • AND MUCH MORE! FOR SALE FOR SALE SHIRT JACKS: Shirt Jacks all sizes all colour call 416-474-3454

FOR SALE COMMUNITY ART GALLERY: Swiss-HaitianFinnish artist’s first solo show in North A ​ merica work prompted by the cultural and political activist campaign “Demounting Louis Agassiz”.Sasha Huber Feb 5 - May 1, 2022. THE POWER PLANT 231 Queens Quay West, www.thepowerplant.org ART GALLERY: Toronto-based Canadian artist transforms gallery space into an arboreal landscape with her new site-specific installation, referencing profound identity shifts that Caribbean immigrants experience when arriving in Canada. Sandra Brewster Feb 5 May 1, 2022. thepowerplant.org

FORWANTED SALE HELP GENERAL HELPER: Looking for a helper to do general labour, garden cleaning, landscaping, and winter snow removal. Cash paid weekly. Located at Morningside & Lawrence in Scarborough. Please call: (416)269-5174.

HIRING FOR CLEANING: Looking for experience people for general cleaning evenings and night.

Must speak English and can drive to areas in the GTA. Call or Text 647-239-4808. Seriou calls only

HELP WANTED PART TIME DELIVERY DRIVERS: Approximately 4-6 hours commitment every second Wednesday.

Drivers needed for: • Scarborough/Pickering/ Ajax • North York/Rexdale/ Malton • Brampton/Mississauga Driver must have SUV or Van. Call 647-722-6298 to apply.

FOR RENT FOR RENT: Furnished Room For Rent! Sharing Kitchen & Washroom. Located in Scarborough, Toronto, Morningside Avenue & Kingston Road. $850.00/month including utilities. Please call (416)459-6155.

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SALES REPS WANTED

FOR SALE WORSHIP SUNDAY SERVICE: Fountain of Truth Ministries Pastor: Reverend Maxine Campbell Worship Address: 2170 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke Percy Johnson School – Cafeteria Sundays: 10.am – 2. pm Teaching, Worship, Ministering For info call: 416 748 0211 MISSISSAUGA: Mississauga Missionary Baptist Church invites you to join us at 1620 Dundas St West, each Sunday at 10am for praise, worship and in-depth Bible teaching with Pastor Sean, 416-219-9137

We are in the process of expansion and constantly looking for the best of the best!

Dedicated salespeople; people interested in opportunities to help others while also being able to help themselves.

For more information, please contact Trish 647-722-6298 or trish@carib101.com

business

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PAGE 40

FINANCE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

The negatives and positives of Inflation, and how it affects your wealth CLEVE DeSOUZA cleve@carib101.com

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Most people have heard the term inflation but may not fully understand exactly what it means. Inflation is when there is a decline in buying power. In other words, it costs more to buy the same item than it did previously. But how does this affect your wealth and what do you need to know to protect against it?

Why inflation is suddenly such a big deal Inflation has been a thing as long as anyone can remember. Ask someone older than you about prices and they will reminisce to a time when gas, groceries, and houses cost a heck of a lot less than they do today. Inflation is part of life, so what is the big deal?

According to a recent Statistics Canada report, the big deal is that Canada’s inflation rate hit a thirty year high in 2021.

Gas prices, for example, rose over 30%, natural gas was up 16.1%, and vehicle costs went up 5.1%. Ontario, specifically, saw an overall annual inflation of about 3.5%.

Compare this to the much lower 0.7% overall inflation rate for 2020, and you can see why people might be giving inflation some new attention.

How inflation affects cash and fixed income investments Since buying power is decreased, liquid cash that has been saved suddenly loses some of its appeal. Even if your wealth is in an interest-bearing account, it likely won’t be able to keep up with high inflation. When you consider that many of the highest yield savings accounts in Canada are only paying out 1.5% or less in interest, it is easy to see how a 3.5% inflation rate wins all day long. Other fixed income investments, like bonds without inflation protection, also struggle when inflation is high because their value is largely tied to a long-term pay-out amount that was fixed at inception.

How inflation affects the stock market Unlike the bond market, most stocks carry a value associated with the price of the day, and not some long-term pay-out amount.

Because of this, wealth that is invested in the stock market is not as directly impacted by inflation. However, one of the keys to growing wealth with stocks is company and industry growth. When inflation is high, companies often experience lulls in their profitability, which can hurt their earnings and, in turn, stall or even lower stock prices.

How inflation affects real estate and housing Real estate is one of the few areas that can benefit from inflation. In fact, many investors have turned to real estate to hedge against inflation in other areas. When infla-

tion is high, real estate values typically rise, meaning that people who have used their wealth to buy property grow their equity faster. However, there can be a downside to this. Maintenance costs will likely increase, and any kind of remodel, repair, or general building project will cost more to complete. Additionally, if you lease a home instead of owning it, monthly rents may be raised over time, which can negatively affect your monthly cash flow.

How inflation affects salaries and paycheques Generally speaking, when there is high inflation, wages typically go up as well. This means that you might see a larger than average raise from your employer, or higher than normal pay scales if you are searching for a job. This can be a positive part of inflation, especially if you use this extra income to pay down debt, boost your retirement account balance, or invest in real estate.

Protecting your wealth against inflation There are many ways that you can protect your wealth and hedge against inflation, but it often means making a shift in investment strategies. By understanding how inflation affects various financial areas, it will be easier to know what to shift and when.

Financial advisors often recommend that you review your portfolios at least once or twice annually and make any adjustments that are needed to maximize your wealth building and minimize risks.

Preparing for a job interview Being on time and confident aren’t the only keys to a successful job interview. Good planning and preparation are essential when at­ tempting to make a good impression on po­ tential employers. Here are a few things you should think about before your interview: •

•

•

Choose your attire in advance.

Always dress according to the po­sition you’re interviewing for when picking out your clothes.

Know the route and the amount of time you’ll need to get to the interview.

Give yourself plenty of time in case you encounter any un­foreseen events, such as construction or traffic.

Prepare any documents you’ll need beforehand. These might include your cover letter, CV, a list of re­ferences and

•

•

•

copies of your diplomas or degrees.

Place them all in a folder to avoid appearing disorganized.

Research the company as much as possible before your interview. Learn about the products or services they provide, their target market, company objectives and mission statements, and new projects. Web­ sites, annual reports, specialized journals and press releases are great places to look when searching for information.

Reread the job listing and identify the key criteria relating to the position, such as the desired skills and qualifications, required training, duties and res­ponsibilities.

Analyze and memorize your CV. Determine and highlight any relevant

expe­rience, skills and as­sets, and education or training you’ll be bringing to the position. Try to identify any professional weaknesses you may have as well as how you overcame them or minimized their impact.

Finally, prepare some frequently asked questions and ask a friend or family member to interview you. You’ll be able to practise giving clear and concise answers, maintaining eye contact and using the appropriate language and terminology. Whatever you do, don’t me­mo­rize your answers: being yourself is crucial for a successful job interview.

Good luck!

PAGE 42

AUTOMOTIVE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 16, 2022

5 car myths debunked Car myths can be difficult to dispel. Here are five common beliefs about driving that simply aren’t true.

1. Myth: Premium gasoline is best Fact: Only certain vehicles require premium gasoline. If your owner’s manual doesn’t recommend using high octane fuel, there’s no point in wasting your money. Doing so won’t improve the performance of your vehicle.

How driving on empty can damage your car Driving with a depleted gas tank is risky. In addition to the possibility you’ll get stranded on the side of the road, you could potentially damage your vehicle. Here’s what you should know about driving on empty.

It can damage your fuel filter Dirt and debris will collect in your gas tank over time. If you drive while the fuel level is very low, there’s a risk this debris will get sucked into your fuel pump and clog the fuel filter.

It can damage your fuel pump Fuel pumps are designed to operate while submerged in gasoline. Plus, the fuel in your tank helps keep the pump cool. Running on empty will expose the fuel pump and cause it to overheat.

IT CAN CAUSE YOUR ENGINE TO MISFIRE If your gas tank gets too low, the fuel pump will suck in air, which can cause your en-

gine to misfire. Over time, multiple misfires may damage your engine.

It can damage the exhaust system If you run out of fuel, your car will sputter and stall, which can damage your catalytic converter, an expensive part of your vehicle’s exhaust system.

You can avoid these problems by al­ways having plenty of fuel in the tank. Make sure to start looking for a gas station when your tank is a quarter full.

HOW FAR CAN YOU GO ON AN EMPTY TANK? Your dashboard warning light will illuminate when seven to 11 litres of gasoline remain in the tank. How far you can travel depends on the type of vehicle you drive, road conditions, whether you’re driving uphill or downhill and if you’re cruising in town or on the highway.

2. Myth: You must warm up your car before driving it in the winter Fact: Most vehicles only need to warm up for about 30 seconds. In fact, idling your car for extended pe­riods of time can harm the engine by diluting the oil.

3. Myth: It’s illegal to drive in sandals Fact: Though it’s dangerous to wear sandals while driving, there aren’t any laws that

prevent you from doing so.

4. Myth: Drinking coffee or opening a window can get rid of fatigue Fact: There’s no quick cure for fatigue. Driving while sleepy can be just as dangerous as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

5. Myth: You can use your winter tires in summer Fact: Though it may seem like a way to save money, driving with winter tires in the summer can increase your fuel consumption and braking distance and cause you to hydroplane.

If you have any questions about driving or maintaining your car, con­ tact your local mechanic.