Guardia Angels 110117

VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 18 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST 2017

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GUARDIAN ANGELS

ALYSSA MAHADEO/TORONTO CARIBBEAN It is believed that guardian angels are assigned to protect us here on this Earth, to guide us and aide us through difficult times.

Now and again we notice signs or subtle hints of their presence, and sometimes they take on the form of individuals looking to lend a helping hand to those in need.

On Saturday, October 28th, the Caribbean Children’s Foundation (TCCF) hosted their 17th annual Angel Gala in fundraising efforts to assist critically ill children living in the Caribbean. Founded in 2000 TCCF was established to help children from the Caribbean who were suffering from life-threatening ailments.

For parents with children suffer-

ing from childhood illnesses life becomes challenging, precautions need to be taken, and sick children need constant care and attention the more severe the situation. It is a difficult and emotional time for many involved, as well as expensive to receive the treatment or surgeries they might need.

Many families in this situation cannot afford to pay for the treatment a child might need that could potentially save their life.

Imagine being a parent in this situation praying and hoping for a miracle to save your child’s life. Sixteen years ago, when a little girl from Trinidad by the name of Nirvana Garb was diagnosed with a brain tumor at The Hospital for Sick Kids in To-

ronto, her family saddened and desperate for hope did exactly that, prayed for a miracle, anything that could potentially save her life. Nirvana was in need of a very complicated brain surgery that cost $90,000, and her parents did not have the funds to cover the cost of something that could potentially save their daughter’s life. Fortunately for Nirvana, her Guardian Angels were watching over her. The Caribbean Community rallied together to raise the money for Nirvana’s surgery in one month. Nirvana was able to have a successful surgery and survived to celebrate her 16th Birthday.

Continued On Page 7

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Shakara Andem: Teaching Children the Importance of Faith and Perseverance Shakara Andem’s success story stands as a testament to the power of faith, persistence, and resilience. What most might have deemed as obstacles unable to overcome, she embraces as important life lessons that have shaped her successful path. With her first semi-autobiographical children’s book, she hopes that others will be inspired and motivated to strive for success despite adversity.

Andem who was born in Jamaica had a pretty rough childhood. At the tender age of one year old, she ended up in an orphanage after she was left on a doorstep by her mother who at the time was unable to take care of her. After a couple years of searching, Andem’s father was able to locate her and she was brought home at the age of six. What seemed like a long-awaited family reunion and finally a permanent home for her was cut short after her father was forced to return her to the children’s home after being told that having her in his care would only “bring more problems”. For the innocent six-year-old Andem, the life of isolation and abandonment had resumed as she moved from one children’s home to the next. It was not until she was eleven years old that she was finally able to return home, living with her grandmother in Bull Bay a community on the border between St Andrew and St Thomas in Jamaica. After years of being without a home and a family, she was finally able to live a normal childhood.

After the death of her father, she then migrated to Canada in 2001 to live with her mother who she was able to rekindle a close relationship with.

Now looking back at how far she has come and

all she had to overcome as a child, Andem has since learned that her childhood experience was a process that was meant to prepare her for a life of inspiring other young children. Her experiences have also taught her the importance of trusting God, even in moments when circumstances might seem hopeless. This has inspired her to write her first book titled There is a God based off of real life events to give hope to others and to teach children the importance of faith and prayer, something that she believes has brought her to where she is today.

“I knew based on the life that I lived that it was like a testimony,” she said in an interview. “At a young age you don’t really realize that purpose that is in your life but as I got to grow in Christ and found out who I am in Christ I gained that understanding that some of the things that you go through it’s not an easy practice for you but it’s just to take you to a place where God wants you.”

Andem says that the decision to write a children’s book was influenced by her background and her current profession of constantly working with kids. a line of work that she thoroughly enjoys. She also added that it was important for her to write a book that teaches children about the importance of faith while specifically centering children of color as main characters.

“Majority of the time when I look at books at different places that I go to I see a lot of books with all these other kids but I don’t see a lot of books that represent who I am and also children that I have worked with, “she said. “So, I want to be that driving force that brings out books for children especially telling them to hold on and

know that God will work it out.”

Andem says that this is especially essential for children of color; as a significant amount of research has documented the problem of racial and ethnic disproportionality and disparity in the child welfare system that shows the overrepresentation of black and indigenous children when compared with their representation in the general population. Her mission is to reach as many children as possible with her stories of optimism and perseverance. She also hopes to produce other books in the future with a specific focus on special needs.

“The thing that is different about my books is that I want them to be relatable to whether it be a special needs child or a child with behavioral issues or a child that feels like they don’t fit into the norm and even kids who are victims of abuse,” she said. “Just to bring it home to all kids so they know they are special no matter what the difficulties that you might face in life they can and will overcome.”

Written by Kabrena Robinson Toronto Caribbean News

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Wednesday, November 1, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

PAGE 3

Guyanese Contestant Crowned Miss West Indian Canadian 2017 Kabrena Robinson

kabrena@carib101.com

TC Reporter After an eventful and exciting evening of talent showcase, evening wear and question and answer segments at the Miss West Indian Canadian Pageant, Canadian-Guyanese contestant Alexsis Theodore came out on top and was crowned Miss WI Canadian 2017, taking on the title from last year’s winner Chanelle Lee.

The event hosted by prominent emcee Reneil Kistodial was held on Sunday, October 22nd at the Red Rose Convention Centre in Mississauga. With the beautiful sunny weather and a full action-packed day of dance competitions, fashion shows, expos and also a Little Miss WI Canadian pageant, community members and supporters were out in numbers indulging in the annual festivities. The Miss WI Pageant being the main event of the day was left for last and ended the evening on a celebratory note with a newly crowned winner and audience members walking away with special prizes and gift baskets donated by special sponsors.

Organizer and CEO of WI Canadian Julie Rambali a Guyanese-Canadian, started the organization in 2010 after she felt a need “to not only give back but take it to the next level and coordinate different opportunities for the West Indian Canadian community” here in Canada. Her goal going forward with the organization is to get more support from community businesses to continue the event.

The pageant was kick-started by an introduction from all seven radiant and talented contestants all hailing from various Caribbean backgrounds such as Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. The first contestant was Keisha Deoraj followed by Shelly-Ann Diptee, Shannon Green, Shivanie Mangal, Ivana Morrison, Shelly Nascimento and Alexsis Theodore.

Contestants later made their second appearance on stage for the talent segment dominated by mostly dance numbers with a few singing performances and a monologue. Contestant Shelly Nascimento was seemingly a crowd favourite with an energetic cultural dance performance.

They later returned wearing evening gowns. One after the other, they strutted across the stage inside the Red Rose Convention Centre, parading exquisite gowns that were met with excitement and awes from audience members. Up next was the most nerve-racking and suspenseful segment of any pageant, the question and answer section. Each contestant was presented with the question of what social issue they would focus on if they were to be crowned Miss WI Canadian.

All contestants were powerful and articulate in their responses as they highlighted topics such as racism, xenophobia, cancer awareness, mental health, love and unity. Winner Alexsis Theodore stated boldly that her platform would be working with organizations that empower young girls like herself.

After the question and answer segment and a short intermission, contestants made their final appearance on stage along with the Little Miss WI contestants and the 2016 winner Chanelle Lee who took her final walk across the stage to a recording of her heartfelt farewell speech.

Lee who is of Bajan heritage has been focusing on her platform of bringing awareness to anxiety disorder throughout her reign and was also able to work with Operation Smiles, a medical charity that provides free cleft surgeries for children. Lee also went on to compete in the Miss Universe Canada Pageant where she walked away

as a top ten finalist. Her advice to the new queen is to use the platform to the best of their ability.

After the final walk from the 2016 reigning queen, the top four contestants were announced. Third Runner-up was awarded to Keisha Deoraj, who also won the Miss Popularity Award based on online voting. Second runner-up was Ivana Morrison followed by first runner-up winner Shannon Green leaving Alexis Theodore triumphant.

In an interview with the extremely elated winner, she expressed that she is excited the most to get started with her platform of working with Canadian organizations that empower young girls. She also commended the organizers of the pageant for establishing a platform for young girls like herself to stay connected to their community and various cultural backgrounds.

“It’s so amazing that we have this pageant and all things that happened today just had me amazed,” she said. “I am looking forward to representing the West Indies everywhere and all the events also getting involved and helping out places in the Caribbean and all over the world.”

According to pageant organizer Julie Rambali, the winner’s reign will include attending various charitable and non-charitable events throughout the year and also the opportunity to pick a charity of her choice to work with and to build awareness for it in the community. Along with all the perks and bragging rights from the title, her special gift from WI Canadian involves a trip to Vegas.

Miss India Guyana Sangeeta Bahadur who was a special guest at the pageant and also a past contestant expressed in an interview that she hopes the new queen will use the title as a great opportunity to help the community.

“It is so important when you have a title and you are in a position of the public eye and so many people are looking up to you so you have to be that influence,” she said. “Use that to do something wonderful for your community and motivate and inspire youths to really go for what they want.”

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Youth Now On Track Awards Students At Annual Dinner Jelani Grant

jelani@carib101.com

TC Reporter Taking a night off from youth engagement and empowerment, Youth Now On Track Services awarded students at their Annual Student Award Dinner. The night of good food and music is taken as an opportunity for YNOT Services to acknowledge youth who are doing well in areas such as academics, volunteerism and demonstrating themselves as positive role models.

Beginning in 2003, YNOT Services emerged with the intention of acting as an organization that works to prevent and eliminate crime and violence amongst youth in the community.

Through workshops and seminars, they have worked with youth to reroute them from being involved in criminal activities to demonstrating behaviors of productive community members. YNOT Services counsels their youth by approaching specific areas such as anger management, substance abuse, crime prevention, resume writing & preparation, interview techniques and career planning. For youth already facing legal trouble, a YNOT representative is sent to courts to encourage youth to work with them.

YNOT has a number of programs they use to support youth. Programs include their Empower Children for a Greater Tomorrow (ECGT) program which specifically targets youth between the ages of 10 and 14 to take part in an after-school skills-building workshop and mentoring. As their newest program, ECGT assists the individual with everyday experiences by incorporating their parents, teachers and community leaders to help identify and address barriers. The goal is to make the individual become empowered to make positive choices in the future.

This program is willing to help whether the assistance is needed with homework, coping skills or behavioral issues. Also offered among their programs are the Defining Who You Are

Youth Program, Restorative Justice Youth Program, Spiritual Intervention Program, After School Program, YNOT Summer Camp and Learning Disability Support Program.

The DWYAY program is intended as an introduction to YNOT, giving youth a chance to refocus on their goals and future steps. The RJY program focuses on anyone between the ages of 12 and 23 in two phases. The offender and victim are meant to define and heal together if possible.

The after-school program simply provides youth with a structured space and individual mentor so they may receive guidance with social issues or academics. During all of these programs, the aim is to provide necessary support through workshops, strategy sessions, role-playing, homework, and one-on-one counseling to address issues every individual may be having.

Additionally, YNOT also runs an affordable summer camp in July and August. The camp gives youth, between the ages of 8 and 17, two months of outdoor activities, weekly field trips and stimulating workshops.

By working with YNOT’s staff and volunteers, youth are able to reflect on their past actions, in order to develop a well-thought-out action plan. This reflection motivates individuals to make changes in the way they view them and perceive their actions. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne praised YNOT and said, “I want to commend the directors, staff, and volunteers of YNOT for working to prevent and address youth violence and crime. Know that your commitment has helped many young people make new, more positive life choices.”

With more than 1,700 completed projects and a growing population of more than 500 volunteers, YNOT remains committed to youth crime prevention. However, YNOT does not exclusively make use of traditional empowerment methods such as educational supports, job empowerment, and setting individual goals in order to maintain a path towards a more positive life.

YNOT will be closing the year off with their Annual Family Day “The goal of the Family Day event is to bring families together, to create an atmosphere of community and togetherness,” said Executive Director Francis Ubah.

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Miss Diya Divas 2017 Leanne Benn

leanne@carib101.com

TC Reporter Rajmini Ramkumar never imagined that she would help bring the spirit, creativity, and festiveness of Diwali celebrations held by Hindu communities in the West Indies here to Canada. After working along with her daughter Chelsea, after a trip to Trinidad and Tobago, she was inspired to have a Toronto based celebration for a Miss Diwali pageant.

Now 2017 marks the third successful anniversary of a growing community showcase, the Miss Diya Divas Pageant.

The pageant was officially hosted on October 15 at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall in Etobicoke. There were over 500 guests that attended the almost five-hour celebration, that was not just about a traditional cultural pageant, but also about community

spirit and support.

The pageant serves as a time to get community youths involved in traditional Hindu religious activities and is an effort not just by the organizers but parents and heads of religious temples in the community as well. The pageant is the highlight the Hindu religious celebration of Diwali and serves as a chance for contestants to showcase Hindu culture in the form of exotic traditional wear, music, dance, and overall festive fun to mark an important event in cultural history.

Ramkumar serves as the official pageant director and is proud of the community support that helps to make the pageant bigger every year, including even musical guests from Trinidad and Tobago. Ramkumar is part of a team that trains the prospective pageant girls. The competitors are girls aged 16-20 with a cultural understanding of the Hindu background and will serve as a prominent face for the community temple.

The contestants were judged based on traditional talent, including song and dance, dress, attitude, intelligence and overall composure to carry on the crown and carry out representative duties as the pageant queen.

“The pageant looks very good for our temple, very good for our community

and shows that the temples are grooming their kids to get youths involved.”

The 2017 queen is Sarika Sasenarine, 1st runner-up Shalini Maharaj and 2nd runner-up Karishma Deoraj.

Ramkumar personally expressed thanks to Pandit Joe Jaglall,Pandit Ian Jagdeo Maharaj, Pandit Doobay Maharaj, Pandit Jai Tiwari, Pandit Vishnu Prasaud Misra, Pandit Samoooj Maharaj, pandit Harilal Sharma, Pandit Seelal, Pandit Krishna Harpal, Pandit Nandalall Mathura and Mr Bansingh of the Shiva Ganesh Mandir.

One of the most important aspects of the pageant is the community support and presence, including friends the judges and many sponsors who all helped to make the event spectacular. Miss Diya Divas is more than just a show as community vendors are starting to use the event time as a place to share traditional goods and encourage community closeness by setting up booths

In the future, the pageant hopes to continue expanding and to incorporate even more elements similar to Diwali showcases seen in certain places like Trinidad and Guyana. For more information on this pageant and for prospective queens reading this, contact, Rajmini Ramkumar at rajminiram@ gmail.com.

17th Annual Caribbean Children Foundation Gala Supports Critically-Ill Children From The Caribbean Alyssa Mahadeo

alyssa@carib101.com

TC Reporter Continued From Page 1 -- At the 17th Annual Angels Gala, people came out to show their support and offer their own pledges to the foundation working to help children like Nirvana suffering from life-threatening childhood illnesses. Attendees were encouraged to donate and were able to hear stories of other children who had been helped through the efforts of TCCF.

“Nine years ago I got involved in TCCF and during that time I took a simple sheet and I went around the office where I worked and started soliciting funds,” Robert Rupnarain, longtime supporter of TCCF shares. After retiring he wasn’t able to give back to the fund in the same way he had hoped, but in memory of his mother and father Dorothy and James Rupnarain, Robert Rupnarain donated $10,000 to TCCF the night of the Gala, a charity close to his heart and one of three that he hopes to give back to on his bucket list.

Other generous donations pledged at the evening’s gala included $10,340 from The Brij Team, led by President of TCCF Jay Brijpaul, $2,600 presented by Marian Bhim from Magna International, who had raised a total of $8,000 and a portion was donated to Sick Kids Hospital, and the Caribbean Chorale of Toronto with a donation of $1,000.

100% of all these proceeds donated goes straight to facilitating Caribbean Children in receiving the medical treatment they need as quickly as possible.

Since 2000 the TCCF has paid over $1.5 Million for surgeries, and the children assisted come from islands throughout the Caribbean like Antigua, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. They pride themselves on being transparent as they are man-

aged and run by reputable, established and trusted individuals. Individuals who donate to TCCF know exactly where their money is going, each donation is tax deductible, and there is no payroll; everyone from the CEO to the field workers is a volunteer and dedicates their time to the charity.

It was an evening of elegance, high spirits, and hope of a better future for Caribbean Children. Supporters were invited to attend the Annual Angels Gala, in hopes of raising awareness, giving back, and sharing in the TCCF’s mission to enable poor and critically ill Caribbean children to receive the specialized medical care they need, as quickly as possible. Guests were able to network and socialize while enjoying the vocal talents of songstress Jennifer Sohan enticing guests with timeless oldies to take a spin around the dance floor in celebration of the evening’s events.

Throughout the night there were many stories shared of the children helped

by TCCF including a slideshow of photos of some of the little angel’s lives who have been touched by the continued efforts of TCCF suffering from congenital heart disease, brain tumours, scoliosis and many other ailments. Another inspiring story of an angel touched through TCCF, was 16-yearold Roushan Able who noticed his ribcage expanding, and experienced excruciating pain in the middle of his back. Roushan was suffering from severe scoliosis, and his spine was curving inward into his ribcage, stunting his growth and causing him terrible back pain. Through the help and efforts of TCCF and SpineHope in Austin, Texas he was able to get the two surgeries he needed to correct and straighten his spine, allowing him to reach new heights and stand straight and proud.

“In the beginning it would cost us a lot more to provide these children with the help that they needed, having to bring them from the Caribbean to the hospitals where they could receive the surgeries or treatment they need.” shared Jay Brijpaul, President of TCCF. “It now costs us cheaper to have the ability to have these surgeries performed in the countries or the homes where these children live enabling the parents to get support from the family and take better care during recovery.”

TCCF has three international partners that include Herbie Foundation, International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF), BabyHeart, and SpineHope. They are currently in negotiations with another partner Gift of Life International (GOLI) for a treatment center in Jamaica.

“We’ve come very far in seventeen years, but we still have a long way to go,” Brijpaul said. “Every child has a story to tell and our vision is to remove all barriers, especially financial, between a critically ill Caribbean child and access to proper medical treatment and care.”

TCCF would like to thank all of those individuals who attended the annual Angels Gala for coming out showing their support and donating to the foundation. They are proud to have a community that stands behind them with many businesses and organizations that donate to the charity on a regular basis, as well as their numerous media partners spreading word of their cause.

The foundation would like to recognize their many volunteers who have so willingly dedicated their time to the organization as well as Inspire2Act the youth division of The Caribbean Children Foundation whose aim is to Educate, Engage, and Empower the next generation to connect with their communities and bring the vision and mission of TCCF to attention.

The continued efforts of the TCCF driven by the faith and hope shared by the critically ill children and their families. In seventeen years TCCF has paid for 180 surgeries and they are recognized internationally and through their major partners that include Sick Kids Hospital/Herbie Fund which is the largest pediatric and academic health science center in Canada; The International Children’s Heart Foundation, whose mission is to bring the skills, technology and knowledge to cure and care for children with congenital heart disease in developing nations and Spine Hope, whose goals are to help correct spinal deformities and to provide state of the art treatment for children.

A little goes a long way, pledge to be a critically ill child’s Guardian Angel today, and change their lives for the better.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Annual Gala Continues to Highlight the Importance of Mental Health Awareness Kabrena Robinson

kabrena@carib101.com

TC Reporter Conversations and awareness surrounding mental health have always been an area frequently shunned in society. Due to existing stigmas caused by lack of awareness, many individuals living with a mental illness are often reluctant to speak out and seek help.

However, with many charities and organizations centered around awareness and support, negative attitudes and stigmas attached to mental illnesses are gradually changing.

The Essence of Mind Outreach Program is one successful organization that has been an active agent catalyzing this change.

The charity is a public non-profit organization that provides families and individuals with essential support to getting treatment regarding mental illness by hosting fundraising events that are also aimed at spreading awareness of mental health.

The program was brought to life by Simone Walsh who had her own experience with anxiety and depression. During those moments, Walsh found that there were not enough outlets and resources made accessible for individuals like herself who struggled with a mental illness.

“I wanted to create that platform where we can come together and talk about it and just know that it is okay not to be okay,” Walsh said.

Statistics show that one in five Canadians experience a mental health or addiction problem. Mental illness can range from depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, intellectual disabilities to developmental disorders including autism. The effects of a mental illness on an individual are most times unique and undetectable to making it difficult to seek help.

Walsh hopes that with a charity like the Essence of Mind Outreach Program, that can be changed. A major part of their initiative is to raise funds and awareness and the hosting of their annual gala that is now in its seventh year.

The gala was held on Saturday October 29th at the Maple Banquet Hall Event

Centre and hosted by notable playwright and mental health and addiction specialist Colleen Taffe, who’s latest and upcoming work titled “Piece of Mind” highlights “the unforeseen world of mental illness and its damaging effects of stigma, quite tangible in the black community”.

Attendees and supporters who came out in numbers were also entertained with music by DJ Nigel and performances by poet Amoye Ree who captivated the audience with her powerful pieces themed around mental illness and soothing song selections from local artist Latoya Mullings. There was also a fashion show featuring designs by organizer Simone Walsh (Mo’knotic) and Phillip Clarke. The evening was a success, with the main highlights being an engaging and enlightening address from keynote speaker Michael A. Tibollo and a special guest appearance by Celina Caesar-Chavannes- MP for Whitby, who presented a plaque recognizing the work and contributions the charity has made to the community over the years.

Walsh says she hopes that attendees were able to take away a very important message from the gala.

“We wanted to get that message across that mental illness is something you can’t see. It does not discriminate and it does not pick who it will target,” she said. “We also wanted to encourage others to be supportive of a family member going through a mental illness and I think we accomplished that.”

Walsh also added that the next important step moving forward with the charity will be assisting individuals who have been incarcerated by creating support groups and mentorship programs.

“We find that the majority of these individuals do go through mental illness and sometimes they end up in that situation that they are in because of what they are going through,” she said. “We want to get to the root of that problem.”

“We also want to be there as somebody to help them get back on their feet after they have been released from prison and help to lead them in a right direction.”

Walsh mentioned that the charity is still growing and can use all the support they can get. The public can contribute in many ways through financial contributions, volunteering or even hosting an event or becoming an Essence of Mind partner organization.

More details can be found on their website at www.myessenceofmind.org.

PAGE 10

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Prison Officers in Sick-Out Action

TRINIDAD -- Prison Commissioner William Alexander says there was an increase in absenteeism at the nation’s prisons yesterday, in wake of a voice note circulating on social media that was alleged to have called for prison officers to take industrial action.

The social media threat came in the wake of the murder last Thursday of prison officer Glenford Gardner in Bagatelle in Diego Martin. Gardner was assigned to the Carrera Island Prison and was killed two weeks after another officer, Richard Sandy, was killed by an ex-convict at a Gasparillo bar.

But on Sunday evening, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, in a press release which highlighted the voice note was purported to have come from Prison Officers’ Association president Ceron Richards, appealed to prison officers to ignore any attempt by anyone to prevent them from lawfully carrying out their duties. Dillon added in the release that advice from the Office of the Attorney General on whether any legal action could be taken against those officers who engage in the industrial action alluded to in the voice note.

Yesterday, Alexander confirmed the nation’s prisons had been hit by the action as early as Sunday.

“There was some and it started from yesterday (Sunday), some absenteeism and we are grateful to the dedicated officers who are performing their duties notwithstanding the death of officer Gardener. He was a quiet man,” Alexander said.

Alexander said officers were being killed and it was distracting from the issues the service faced. He said he was not interested in taking disciplinary action against Richards, but admitted Richards should stand up and admit he sent the voice note.

“Let him be a man. We’re all grieving, we are making the situation worse by not showing up for duty. You putting hardship on the other officers and the inmates.

My attention is to keep the prison steady and stable and my major focus and I will not be sidetracked in talk. There is always room for discussion,” he said.

He said citizens were living in a violent society and we should be emphasising on bringing the murderers before the courts and not turning the current situation into a political football.

Contacted on the matter yesterday, however, Richards said the National Security Minister seemed more concerned about a voice note than the problems plaguing the Prison Service.

“The minister is doing a lot of talking rather than meeting and treating with the Prison Service. That is the only time I heard from him and his only concern is to ask me about a voice note. Thank God for a voice note, if it wasn’t then I wouldn’t hear anything,” Richards said.

He said on many occasions the association, along with the Fire Service Association, had attempted to meet Dillon on issues affecting their members.

“Over a year we haven’t met with

the minister and now he all of a sudden has gotten active. We thought that energy would be deployed then. Their (prison officers) families are afraid for them, all are running scared.”

He said the officers were being attacked and facing a lack of support from the state, noting there has been no word on whether their calls for legislation to protect prisons officers from attacks would be looked at.

On whether he organised the sickout, given that last week he had suggested such action could occur, Richards said: “I was predicting on the basis of how they feel that is all. I just stating my concern and that the powers that be, I just want to re-iterate that we (association) are not in support of any industrial action and we are responsible.

We demonstrated that. That is how they feel at this time.”

He said government had previously passed legislation years ago when kidnappings were rampant across the country.

“They did everything in the past to arrest it so it down to zero. Where is the same approach for prison officers?” he asked.

“Prison officers are looking at that and feeling worthless. That is the bigger issue and putting focus on it. We are not in support of industrial action and I don’t know what accusations the minister is making. The lack of action, government intervention and parliamentary response is not the issue. Ceron Richards is ...”

- Trinidad Guardian

Ganga: Kamla’s Leadership Unassailable

TRINIDAD -- Ganga Singh says Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s “political leadership is unassailable,” but he is maintaining his position that “there is need for constitutional propriety in the actions of the National Executive (Natex) to call the election of the Political Leader without her vacating the office.”

The national congress of the United National Congress meets today at 5 pm at Shiva Boys’ College in Penal when the decision of the Natex to call the election for the post of Political Leader a year before it is due will be discussed in light of a challenge from Singh that the decision is “ultra vires of Article 18 of the UNC Constitution.”

Singh wrote to the party’s general secretary Dave Tancoo last week challenging the decision, but the Natex sent a legal letter indicating that his interpretation was wrong.

Persad-Bissessar herself has told Singh that in her view the decision was “intra vires the party’s Constitution,” and was legal.

In the midst of the debate over whether the party’s constitution is being violated, former St Augustine MP Vasant Bharath announced his decision to challenge Persad-Bissessar for leadership of the party.

Bharath told the T&T Guardian last week that he had been getting support from “sitting UNC MPs and activists,” but UNC chairman David Lee challenged Bharath to “name the MPs who are supporting him.”

Lee said as chairman of the UNC “I do not believe there are any sitting MPs

supporting Bharath.”

When the T&T Guardian asked Singh if he was perhaps one of those referred to by Bharath, he said his issue had nothing to do with the leadership of the UNC. He said Persad-Bissessar’s “political leadership is unassailable. I don’t know what is Vasant’s intention in fighting because her position is unassailable I cannot fathom his intention.”

His position, he said, is that “there is need for constitutional propriety in the actions of the executive to call the election of the political leader without her vacating the office.”

Caroni East MP Dr Bhoe Tewarie said the constitutional issue raised by Singh “cannot just be brushed aside, it must be treated properly. There are options in the constitution.”

The manner in which the issue had evolved he said has “put the party under scrutiny and has placed it in a situation where it is going to be tested as a political party.”

He is hoping that at the end of today’s meeting “the UNC will emerge stronger than it is right now.”

But he warned that if things are “handled ineptly today then the party could end up being divided and fractured and incapable of inspiring.”

Tewarie said those who are managing the agenda must “appreciate the fact that they must begin with the end in mind.

That means we have to prepare and ready

TRINIDAD -- The body of an unidentified man was found in a river near Roodal Cemetery in San Fernando at around 8 am yesterday.

Game warden Rennie Lokpath, 60, said he was taking his 36-year-old son to the San Fernando General Hospital when he saw the body floating in the river.

“When we reach on the bridge my son said, ‘Daddy look I see a body inside the drain there,’” he said.

Lokpath said he was going to pull aside to assist but his son told him the person’s head was submerged in the river.

Lokpath said he dropped off his son at the nearby hospital and then returned to the

Body Found in River

the party to win an election whenever it is called. That means that we have to transform the party. It means you have to have a variety of attractive faces in the party with support from different sectors of Trinidad and Tobago.”

He said at the end of today’s meeting, the membership must feel “inspired,” and those who do not support the UNC must be able to say that the “UNC has managed its business well, it has conducted itself with dignity, and that its leaders have functioned with a level of maturity that is desirable.”

He said if those things are not achieved “we would have fallen short and it would be very difficult to justify ourselves as the alternative. The country deserves more and the people are entitled to more.”

Christine Newallo, who had previously said she was also concerned as to whether the processes of the party were being followed, said, “Both Persasd-Bissessar and Bharath are great people. I respect both.”

Newallo is yet to decide which of the two she will support. While she felt that both had strong points “and if a general election is called we need both,” she felt that neither of them had what it takes to “grow the UNC outside of the traditional base.”

Newallo-Hosein said she had not received an agenda for today’s meeting, but she said “based on what happens at the congress I will decide what’s next.”

- Trinidad Guardian

scene. He said the body was clad only in chequered short pants and there were a few one dollar bills not far from the body.

He called the police. Investigations are continuing.

- Trinidad Guardian

Wednesday, November 1, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

3 Challenge Duke in PSA Elections

TRINIDAD -- Public Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke will be challenged by three candidates in the union’s November 27 election.

However, the outspoken trade unionist who is leading his own slate in the polls, the Game Changers, is not concerned.

“None of these guys have a proven track record in representing workers. They have not even done anything to improve themselves and the workers after eight years or added one certificate to their name. They have done nothing to improve their personal capacity,” he told the T&T Guardian.

Duke said the union needs to be led by someone who is passionate and able to represent the workers.

“I want to appeal to the wider membership that when the government is cutting jobs, raising the cost of living and keeping salaries low, it is not the time to experiment with immature and incompetent persons. Rather it is time for those are tested and proven themselves to be result oriented. It is time for the Game Changers led by Watson Duke,” he said.

One of the challengers, Oral Saunders, of the United Public Officers, said his team wants a united front to unseat Duke.

He said: “The vast majority voted against Duke in 2013 and he was a minority president. There were seven teams who went against him,” he said as he appealed for the membership of the PSA to unite.

Saunders said he has approached

other leaders fielding slates in the election and started discussions.

“Our group comprises of former executive officers and activists. We have the most experience in industrial relations and the ability to build and restore the PSA and we are the only group that has that intellectual capacity,” he said.

Team Sentinel is led by Nixon Callender a former Duke ally, who said his team would focus on restructuring, social committees, training, wage negotiations, membership housing and public sector reform.

“Our team has a strategic plan for the PSA which we developed after interviewing the membership over the past four years. This plan was based on their response,” he said.

Although he is not a presidential candidate, Demetrius Harrison is vying for the post of industrial relations officer for Team Fixers, another group that is hoping to unseat Duke in the upcoming polls.

“I was successful against Duke in the High Court. I won that matter and was financially remunerated and was a former trustee,” he said.

“We are about a different type of negotiations than accustomed to where we negotiate for percentage increases and for the merchants move their prices.

We want to become more innovative to provide different commodities in terms of stocks and bonds on the open market that public officers can now become investors,” Harrison said.

- Trinidad Guardian

Late Salaries Upset Public Servants

TRINIDAD -- The Ministry of Finance says it made the necessary funds to pay salaries for the month of October 2017 available since last week. The ministry payments were made in accordance with Civil Service Regulation 39, which states that salaries should be paid on the day previous to the last full business day of the month, which was Monday.

The ministry’s claim came even as Trinidad and Tobago Registered Nurses Association president Hayden Stewart said this was the third month nurses employed by the regional health authorities (RHAs) had been paid late without any explanation or apology, adding the association’s attorneys are now looking at sending legal letters to the RHA CEOs and Ministry of Finance.

Stewart said as of midday Monday, “only one group of workers employed in the NCRHA had been paid through Royal Bank.”

He said the association had sought answers from Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh and he referred them to the Minister of Finance Colm Imbert, but all attempts to get answers from Imbert were unsuccessful.

Stewart said, “We have started speaking with our lawyers, because it is not a favour that they are doing, this is scripted in law. We want to ensure this does not continue and that nurses are paid as they are supposed to, two days

before the end of the month.”

Stewart said he could understand a one-off situation but it seemed it had become “a habit and we will take the necessary legal recourse. We want to make sure the ministry obeys the relevant guidelines.”

PSA president Watson Duke said Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex workers were furious they had not been paid.

He said late payment of salaries was in contravention of section 39 of the Public Service Act, adding salaries should have been in the bank either last week or by Monday morning.

Duke said these “scare tactics” will not force workers into believing that “things are really hard and our jobs are under threat. There is money and there is work. Pay us to do our work.”

TTUTA president Lyndsay Doodhai said his members also complained salaries were late. But he said he was assured by Ministry of Finance officials that teachers should be able to access them this week.

Fire Services Association president Leo Ramkissoon said they were told that “the Minister of Finance only released funding for payment on Friday and the information is between today and up until Wednesday fire officers will get their payments.”

- Trinidad Guardian

island news

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

island news

GUYANA -- Head of the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) under the National Industrial & Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Colvin Heath-London announced Monday that the selected tender for International Financial Services Provider had closed.

According to a release from the company, selected tenders were invited from PriceWaterHouse Cooopers, Ernst & Young, Delliote, and KPMG to provide services to the SPU as International Financial Services Provider (ISP).

The selected ISP will be conducting the valuation of all assets under the control of GuySuCo, in addition to providing other advisory and financial services.

When the tender closed on Monday, the SPU had received submissions from all four of the invited companies.

An award should be made within two weeks. It is expected that the valuation of the assets and the preparation of a prospectus would be completed by the end of January 2018.

Speaking about the approach

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Future Looks Sweet for GuySuCo

being taken by the SPU, Heath-London explained that he believed that “there is a future for sugar in Guyana, and that sugar production must be protected and remain part of the economic mix in the economy.” He hastened to add, “How sugar is protected depends on a combination of options for the existing assets involved in sugar production.”

In the mix of options being contemplated are privatisation and diversification. The SPU is interested in companies, both local and international, that could integrate the production of sugar into their existing operations and product mix.

According to Heath-London, “Companies that are in rum production, other beverage manufacturing, and food processing, for example, would be ideal as potential operators of some of the current GuySuCo assets.”

The position being taken by the SPU is that all of what are considered GuySuCo’s assets are really national assets vested in the control of GuySuCo. As such, while factories could be sold to

potential operators and investors, lands will not be sold, but could be leased so that they remain the property of the State.

Many persons are looking for the survival of sugar because of the fears of job loss in the sugar producing parts of the country, and some are romantic about our history with sugar. The approach being taken by the SPU seeks to tackle the economic problems of GuySuCo, while finding ways to defend the jobs in sugar, and to ensure that the culture and history of sugar in Guyana would be protected.

It should be noted that sugar lands and sugar factories are not the only assets under GuySuCo’s control. For decades, GuySuCo was tasked with providing and/or managing a wide range of other assets including community centres, sports ground and other recreational facilities, primary health care facilities, drainage and irrigation networks, and water conservancies.

These, for example, made GuySuCo critical to national drainage and irrigation activities and for agriculture and

for flood control.

All of these are important social, economic, and infrastructure obligations that were provided by GuySuCo, often at the expense of profitability. As an example, the fortunes of GuySuCo had an impact on cricket, horse racing, swimming, athletics and cycling. The effects were felt by entire communities and not just sugar workers’ families.

Notwithstanding the critical value of these other services, continuing to depend on GuySuCo to provide them is a bankrupt model that must be changed.

Many of these other properties will be either privatised, divested or otherwise placed under different management arrangements.

Advertisements have been placed for Expressions of Interest (EOI) in the sugar factories and estates. The deadline for the EOI has been extended from November 3 to November 24.

- Guyana Chronicle

GTU Calls Off Strike After Meeting With President

GUYANA -- An hour-long meeting between President David Granger and executives of the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) on Monday has ended on a positive note.

The good news is that the meeting ended with the union being persuaded to call off the two-day industrial action it had planned for later this week.

Following their meeting at State House with the President, the GTU announced that the exchange had borne fruit and will see results as soon as Wednesday, in the establishment of a high-level task force. Also involved in the parley was Minister of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry.

Executives have also agreed to accept salary increases between six and eight per cent until further negotiations are made at the level of the task force.

GTU General Secretary, Ms Coretta McDonald told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that the meeting with the president has brought some semblance of assurance to the negotiation between the government and the union.

The Task Force will hold its first meeting to establish timelines for its meetings and the completion of its work. The Union has agreed to provide a complete dossier of its financial and non-financial submissions by this Wednesday.

The president has proposed that the discussions take a holistic view of the improvements that have been made in the education sector, while the Task Force will also take into account the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the Education Sector in Guyana and other matters relating to the wellbeing of teachers and students.

In the meantime, teachers will enjoy an interim salary increase ranging from six to eight per cent, retroactive to January 1, 2017.

In a joint press statement on Monday, the Ministry of the Presidency confirmed that the President did meet with the GTU to discuss the way forward with regard to their negotiations, and that during the meeting, the two sides agreed to the establishment of a High-Level Task Force, comprising of representatives from the Ministries of Education, Finance, Communities, Public Service and Presidency and representatives from the Union.

According to the release, Minister Henry has consented to taking the issue of the composition of the Task Force to Cabinet today.

Last Friday, President Granger stepped in after a furor by the GTU about

its unfruitful meeting with Education Minister and her team last Thursday. Minister of State Joseph Harmon had met with the union’s executive and had expressed that the president was concerned about the state of affairs regarding the negotiations between the union and the government.

He had said that the meeting between the GTU and Minister of Education Nicolette Henry on Thursday was never intended to be the final position of the administration but an interim arrangement.

Minister Harmon in response alluded to his most recent pronouncement on the matter at his post Cabinet press briefing where he indicated that the issues regarding increased salaries for teachers were being considered by Government in the form of a Multi-Year Proposal submitted by the GTU. - Guyana Chronicle

Guyana, Venezuela Reaffirm Commitment to Good Offices Process

GUYANA -- Following a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Guyana and Venezuela in New York over the weekend to discuss the border controversy, the two have reaffirmed their commitment to the Good Offices process, and agreed to meet again.

“The parties agreed to meet again to continue discussions within this framework, and to explore options for the resolution of the border controversy,” a note from the United Nations Media Centre said Monday.

During the two-day meeting, the Foreign Ministers and their delegations exchanged views on issues related to the controversy, with the aim of exploring options for a full agreement for its solution.

The meeting was facilitated by Personal Representative of the SecretaryGeneral, Mr. Dag Nylander, and organised within the framework of the Good Offices mandate entrusted to the Secretary-General under the Geneva Agreement of 1966.

The two parties also reiterated

that their governments will remain actively engaged with the Personal Representative.

In 2015, the Government of Guyana lobbied the then United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to take steps toward a resolution of the controversy, using an option from the menu as stated in the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

Article IV of the 1966 Geneva Agreement says if the controversy is not resolved following the selection of one of the means of peaceful settlement, then “the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall choose another of the means stipulated in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations and so on until the controversy has been resolved, or until all the means of peaceful settlement there contemplated have been exhausted.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted that in 2016, as a consequence of a stalemate on the matter, outgoing United Nations Secretary-General Ban Kimoon agreed with his successor, António

Guterres, to continue to use the Good Offices Process until the end of 2017 as a means of arriving at a settlement.

According to the mandate of the Personal Representative, “If, by the end of 2017, the secretary-general concludes that no significant progress has been made toward arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy, he will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement, unless the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so.”

Since the appointment of Nylander on February 27, he has visited Guyana four times, holding talks with President David Granger and Foreign Minister Greenidge, among other Guyanese officials.

Additionally, in September, the Guyana delegation to the General Debate of 72nd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly met with the secretary-general as well as Nylander. Informal discussions were also held with the

Venezuelan counterparts.

In his address to the UN General Assembly this year, President Granger said Venezuela is increasingly becoming “more militaristic.”

“Four UN Secretaries-General have been seized of the Venezuelan claims.

The choice has become one between just and peaceful settlement, in accordance with international law, and a Venezuelan posture of attrition that is increasingly more blustering and militaristic.

“In this matter, protraction is the enemy of resolution, and the ally of sustained conflict,” he told the world leaders.

The present Good Offices Process has been conducted since 1990. Venezuela is contending that the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899 demarcating the border between Guyana (British Guiana at the time) and Venezuela is null and void.

Consequently, it continues to lay claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.

- Guyana Chronicle

PAGE 14

island news

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Director of Elections Fighting to Keep Job

JAMAICA -- HUGH Wildman, the attorney representing Director of Elections Orrette Fisher, is expected to return to the Supreme Court today to seek an injunction barring the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) from terminating Fisher’s one-year contract, which expires Tuesday.

Wildman, speaking with the Jamaica Observer Monday, explained that the Electoral Commission (Interim) Act mandates that any appointment to the Office of Director of Elections must be for seven years. The director is nominated by the eight commissioners of the ECJ, but only six — three selected and three nominated — have to be in agreement in order to effect his dismissal.

“He was initially given a seven-year appointment and then they made two one-year appointments, the second of which comes to an end tomorrow, and that is not permissible in law; the law is clear that you cannot appoint for less than seven years,” he said.

Wildman insisted that Fisher’s ac-

ceptance of those two one-year contracts was “irrelevant” and would not affect the case.

“The law is clear. That has nothing to do with him. The statute under which he was appointed makes it abundantly clear that he shall be appointed for seven years” he stated, adding that his client has a “good case”.

Justice Carolyn Tai, who heard the case Monday, adjourned the matter until today.

The court action unfolded on the same day of three by-elections held in St Mary South Eastern, St Andrew South Western, and St Andrew Southern.

When the Observer spoke with Fisher last week he assured that he would be in office for Monday’s by-elections, but said he could not at, that time, comment on the termination or renewal of his contract.

The director of elections recently clashed with Memeber of Parliament in Gordon House at a sitting of the Boundaries Committee of Parliament, which rejected the recommendations of the ECJ to make adjustments to

constituency boundaries to correct anomalies detected across 163 polling divisions. Fisher, who was unsuccessful in convincing the committee of the need to correct the anomalies, staunchly defended his office in an open letter to the committee a day later in which he said his staff had been left demoralised by the accusations levelled against them.

However, there was no indication that the issue in the House has anything to do with the director’s contract.

The ECJ comprises eight members — four nominated commissioners and four selected commissioners. The four selected commissioners are agreed on by the prime minister and the leader of the Opposition. The nominated commissioners include two members who are nominated by the prime minister and two by the Opposition leader.

- Jamaica Observer

Brown Burke Gives JLP Candidate a Good Hiding in St Andrew SW

JAMAICA -- THE People’s National Party’s (PNP) Angela Brown Burke, as expected, was Monday elected the new Member of Parliament for St Andrew South Western.

In what was largely a one-sided race, Brown Burke beat the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) three-time candidate Victor Hyde, getting 6,325 votes to Hyde’s 223.

The PNP’s Portia Simpson Miller, who resigned earlier this year, had held the seat from 1976 to 1983 and again from 1989 to 2017. The PNP had boycotted the 1983 snap election and was out of Parliament between 1983 and 1989.

The JLP had threatened that it was coming after the seat stronger than ever, saying that it was time to return the PNP stronghold to the ruling JLP, which has not won that seat in over 45 years. The former JLP stronghold was last held by that party from 1972 to 1976.

Polling activities Monday took on the aura of a Sunday evening stroll, with voters few and far between at most of the polling stations visited by our news team, but at the end of the day the figures tallied in favour of Brown Burke, whose candidacy was strongly endorsed by Simpson Miller over long-time councillor for the Payne Land Division Audrey Smith Facey

Over the years, Simpson Miller had won the seat with more than 10,000 votes, but Brown Burke told the Jamaica Observer that

the low voter turnout Monday was not unusual.

“It is not any different from the by-elections that we have had before. The numbers are always low [and] it has always been our challenge from day one to get people to understand that they need to come out. We went in always knowing that in some cases the turnout [would] not even as high as a local (government election) because you don’t have the hype around this election,” she said.

She also said the ongoing violence in sections of the constituency was another challenge which impacted voters. “All of this week four or five people have been killed, two houses have been burnt down, (but it is) absolutely not related to the elections. There is an ongoing feud between gangs in the community, and in the last week we have seen it continue; a lot of people have moved out, a lot of people feel unsafe. So those things have been affecting us,” she explained.

Brown Burke said there has been dialogue with the police and residents with the hope of easing tensions, not just for the election.

“I would also want to see the police doing more, because the names that are being called are known. I would have expected the police would have done their investigation already to pick out what is real, what is propaganda, and what is true. I’m also calling upon the faith-based community as well to get

involved,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Hyde said he had support from the constituency despite the low turnout which, like Brown Burke, he had anticipated.

He said there is a strong sense of frustration among the constituents.

“People don’t want any handouts; they want things to better themselves so that come tomorrow their son or daughter doesn’t have to worry where the next meal is coming from. You get that feeling from the people when you see them and the conditions in which they live,” said Hyde.

He described the conditions in the constituency as “heart-rending”, pointing out that better use needs to be made of money spent there to fix infrastructure and create employment opportunities. The now thrice defeated JLP candidate also noted the level of violence in the community.

Hyde made it clear that he intends to keep contesting the seat, drawing on his tenacity as a sportsman. After being nominated as candidate earlier this month, Hyde, who lost by 10,090 votes to Simpson Miller in the February 2016 General Elections, stated: “This constituency was the strongest JLP constituency; now is the time for it to come back home — simple”.

- Jamaica Observer

NEPA Targets Tourism Entities in Treasure Beach

JAMAICA -- The National Environment and Planning Agency’s (NEPA) mobile bus is set to roll into Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, on November 8 so owners of tourism entities in the area can access permits and licences.

In fact, a release from the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) said Monday that compliance level among the owners, particularly as it relates to beach licences, is low.

So next month, owners of Treasure Beach tourism entities will be able to gain additional information about licensing and permits and will also be able to submit applications through the NEPA mobile bus.

A partnership initiative between TPDCo and NEPA, both agencies recently hosted an intervention meeting to discuss the concerns with the owners at the Treasure Beach Sports complex.

According to the release, the owners attributed the low compliance to a difficulty in understanding licensing and permit processes, all of which were reportedly addressed at the meeting.

Also, the issue of security being a criterion for obtaining a Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) licence for accommodations was one of the primary concerns for the owners, as the JTB criteria states that a property’s security measures must be approved before a licence is distributed.

In an effort to eliminate the apparent misconception that an expensive security team is needed to pass the assessment, Deanne Keating Campbell, TPDCo’s director of product quality and training, advised the owners that a simple way to get an assessment done is through the community liaison police, which forms the Community Safety and Security Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

“The community liaison police are our partners,” Keating Campbell said during the meeting. “If they visit your respective entities and they pass it as safe, based on their expert point of view, a letter is then sent to TPDCo, and you won’t need any other form of security assessment.”

Meanwhile, Ruth-Ann Lacey Sherrard, manager of the Applications Secretariat

Branch for NEPA, highlighted licensing and permit requirements and addressed issues entity owners have encountered in obtaining permits and licenses.

NEPA’s approach at the meeting, according to the release, was to facilitate a discussion on issues as they strive for compliance which, they brlieved believes will, in the long run have a positive impact on the environment if the regulations are adhered to.

“We are looking at protecting Jamaica and as we celebrate Environment Year and Sustainable Tourism, it is fitting that we partner with TPDCo to provide information on how you can establish a business that is in keeping with laws and regulations,” she said.

Treasure Beach is known islandwide as the home of community tourism. According to the release, currently the community has approximately 50 tourist accommodations in the form of hotels, villas, guest houses, cottages, and home stays.

- Jamaica Observer

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feature

PAGE 17

Capturing Precious Moments With In Your Prime Photography The art and creative expression of photography has been showcased in the beautiful way photographers are able to capture, and freeze a fleeting moment in time. While we can never relive the same moment twice, the images captured through a lens allows for us to relive those memories, reminisce and share them for years to come.

Bruce Bachan Photographer and Founder of In Your Prime Photography understands the care and responsibility he has to his clients to capture their precious moments.

“In the beginning photography was more of a hobby for me, I had a passion for the arts, I took some crash courses that taught me the basics, but I never thought it would become more than that,” Bruce shares.

In recent years photography has become a much-respected art form, but this wasn’t always the case.

“My parents agreed,” Bruce admits. “They told me that this wasn’t going to be something that was going to be able to put food on the table.”

Born to Guyanese and Filipino parents, Bruce was raised here in Canada. Hailing from two vastly different backgrounds, his mixed heritage has allowed for him to experience the best of two worlds, to see the difference in culture, traditions, and customs.

“Coming from a Guyanese and Filipino background encouraged me to keep an open mind about culture, respecting and learning about the customs and traditions, with a better understanding for when I have to go out and shoot a wedding ceremony,” Bruce explains.

Originally on the path to becoming a civil engineer, Bruce soon realized it wasn’t something he enjoyed. “I hated it, I was investing time in something I didn’t want to do.” he shares.

His first camera was a hand me down film camera he received from his father, a Nikon DSLR that he would experiment with, taking photos wasting film at the time, nothing to be taken too seriously.

“I didn’t care too much about photography because I wasn’t sure where I was going to go with it, but I left it there on the backburner to revisit as a hobby,” Bruce shares.

“There was no inclination that I was going to go into photography as a kid, because the nagging question was always, who can make a career out of this type of thing?”

Fast forward a few years to Boxing Day 2009. Bruce purchased his own DSLR camera with plans to actually put it to use, but again it never took priority and began collecting dust for yet another year. A friend who had a lounge opening in the East end invited Bruce out to the grand opening where he finally managed to take his camera out of storage and captured some shots at the event. People at the party asked where they would be able to find their photos, and Bruce agreed to share them via email, or through Facebook.

On Facebook, the feedback and reception his photos received then prompted him to build his own website. The traffic on his website led to clients booking Bruce to cover their own corporate events, local weddings, and event destination weddings.

“Once I started taking photos, I realized how much I enjoyed it,” Bruce shares.

“One thing led to another until I considered the possibilities of translating this into a business after shooting a few weddings and corporate gigs.

For the past five years, Bruce has been working the photography scene almost 75% full-time. The exposure he has received from putting himself out there, branding himself well across social media and on his website has led to booking many more successful photography sessions. After hearing the words of encouragement and positive feedback from his clients he started to get more referrals and business just from shooting at various events.

“I thought to myself you know what, I can make a living out of this,” Bruce explains. “After they saw how well I was doing my parents too began pushing and supporting me as the years went on.”

In Your Prime Photography primarily caters to weddings and corporate/private events in the GTA. The name was developed from the idea of immortalizing ourselves still in our prime to capture moments and memories so we can remain forever young in timeless photographs.

“The first two years I have to admit were definitely a struggle for me because I was still very unsure of where this was going to take me,” Bruce admits.

“I would say that roughly 60% of my business comes from word of mouth, while the other 40% is definitely from social media,” he says.

“When you do weddings for 500800 people, guests see you, they notice you

and the work you’re putting in and they come ask for a business card which is how word of mouth really works and word gets around. When someone comes up to you and says I saw you at my cousin’s wedding, and you did an amazing job it’s great to hear that.”

In Your Prime Photography captures the important essence of a couple’s big day. Anyone with a camera can shoot a wedding but it’s all about how you shoot it. One thing Bruce prides himself most on is his level of experience, as well as the customer service he is able to deliver to each of his clients. “I always come with a smile,” Bruce explains. “I always try to offer something for them that fits their needs, get to know them through a personal consultation and identify their wants and needs so that everyone is happy with the final product on their big day.”

In Your Prime Photography puts great emphasis on attention to detail, they put in the extra effort to stay on top of current cutting-edge photography trends and work to capture your precious moments to be remembered for all time. Memories and moments are fleeting, they can be gone in the blink of an eye, and In Your Prime Photography understands this, shooting beautiful, creative and unique shots that highlight the most treasured moments in your life. They look forward to working with you, feel free to reach out and connect for a consultation and display your loves stories in the years to come.

Written by Alyssa Mahadeo Toronto Caribbean Reporter

entertainment

PAGE 18

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Making The Soundtrack For The City: T Major

Entertainment One of the city’s favorite producers, T Major is building the soundtrack for the city. Starting off as a producer, T Major has spent time working with artists such as Hype, Dusty Wallace, Dre Barrs and Gee Wunder to name a few. As his production reputation started growing, out of necessity T Major learned to DJ, which kicked open the doors for more major opportunities. The Founder of EME, Ether Muzik. T Major brings a wealth of skill and knowledge to the Toronto music scene. His experience has led him to create new paths and build on opportunities for up and coming artists in the city of Toronto.

As a producer, T Major has released a few beat tape projects, where he produces instrumentals to showcase his skills, and puts them up for sale. His previous productions include The World is Major, The world is Major 2, and Listening Session. With no signs of slowing down, T Major is constantly learning and upgrading his skills. When you talk to T Major you get to find out that he is really a people person, walking around the city with him makes you feel like you’re

Duffin Meadows Cemetery

Moves” is a play on our shared goals, and T Majors name.

Never one to shy away from pictures, T Major can often be found taking pictures and creating promo videos. An avid promoter, T Major constantly pushes and promotes his brand, ensuring that every artist, promoter, and venue knows who he is.

To keep in contact with T Major and see what he is working on next, or where he will be at his Contact info is @therealTMajor or tmajor.eme@gmail.com

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four tracks. During the process of creating the Major Moves EP, T Major and myself have also gone go karting, to a pool hall, and also to The Spaghetti Factory restaurant, and Eggsmart for some team brainstorming and food excursions. During the production phase, we would hold regular sessions at T Major’s production studio to create the music instrumentation that would become the Major Moves EP. It was an inspiring, yet eerie experience, as we were both often on the same page, and able to create a body of work that we are both proud of that we will be pushing and promoting very soon. “Major

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walking around with the Hood Mayor. T Major is very well known and very well respected around the city. Through his djing, he has been the on-call DJ for many promoters when popular celebrities come into the city.

T Major has also taken on the tumultuous task of now doing live productions at events. Meaning he produces an entire instrumental in front of a crowd. Often having a cipher after, where artists get the opportunity to be on the big stage and spit some bars over a T Major beat. When you go to an event that T Major is a part of, he is often an event onto himself. Usually having his photographer Keisha, or videographer CeeRistopher, besides having other DJ’s and artists, rolling with him. T Major is the Mr. Rogers of Toronto, everybody knows him, and it’s always a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

T Major is often found smiling, laughing and cracking jokes. Never one to take himself too seriously. You know when T Major is in the room because it looks like a presidential handshaking event, similar to the videos of former President Barack Obama. T Major takes the time to greet everyone as he passes through every event.

T Major is a hard worker and is always looking for the next opportunity to showcase his talents and abilities. I am happy to share that one of his upcoming projects is my EP entitled “Major Moves” a four track project that T Major produced, We recently went to 4 Sounds Recording Studio, to work with Mailman, to record all

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travel

Famous for its fine liqueur made from the sweetened peel of bitter oranges and for its sunny climate and secluded beaches, Curaçao has a rich and diverse history, which explains the international flavor of its culture and the curious mixture of Old and New World charm.

The people claim descent from over 50 different ethnic backgrounds, and the native language, Papiamentu, is a creole mixture of Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, English, French, African, and some Arawak Indian.

Curaçao’s strategic position at the base of the Caribbean has also made it an important crossroads for global commerce and connected the tiny island with many of the important persons and events in world affairs.

Amerigo Vespucci, Alonso de Ojeda, Peter Stuyvesant, the notorious Captain Bligh, Simon Bolivar were all drawn into Curaçao’s colorful past.

Today however, it is mainly the sun and the natural beauty that bring people here.

With an average rainfall of less than 22 inches a year, the weather is almost guaranteed to be

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Welcome to Curaçao

sunny all the time, and the constant tradewinds help to keep the island cool. There are 38 different beaches to choose from -- some that are sheltered by towering cliffs, others with deep caves created by the pounding surf, and still others with wide expanses and modern facilities.

Or for the more actively inclined, there are ample opportunities to experience the natural wonders up close. Curaçao has long been overlooked by diving enthusiasts, but the national Underwater Park is a 12.5 mile stretch of protected coral reef with many attractions for even the most experienced of divers and Klein Curaçao, a small uninhabited island off the eastern coast, is well worth exploring. The marlin, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo in the offshore waters provide excellent Deep Sea Fishing, and the wildlife in the preserve at Christoffel Park should be of interest to anyone who prefers to encounter nature on dry land.

Curaçao is also a great spot for bargain-hunters. The duty-free shopping makes

for some of the best deals in the Caribbean on imported electronic equipment, china, crystal, jewelry, linens, and perfume. The capital city of Willemstad has an active social life with music festivals all year long, dancing at the popular discotheques, and gambling in the hotel casinos.

more than 50 different ethnic backgrounds are represented here, and the people are very proud of the island’s international flavor.

The native language is Papiamentu, but Curaçaoans are multi-lingual, having learned to speak English, Dutch, and Spanish at school from the third grade on.

Location: The largest and most populous of the Netherlands Antilles, located in between Aruba and Bonaire, Curaçao lies some 35 miles off the northern coast of Venezuela and 800 miles north of the equator. The island is 38 miles long and varies between 2 and 8 miles in width. Spectacular beaches line the southwest, leeward coast. Geographically, it falls within the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, which is one hour ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time and the same as Eastern Daylight Time. Its capital city is Willemstad.

Climate: Curaçao lies well below the hurricane belt, so the climate is sunny and dry, averaging only 22 inches of rainfall per year.

The rainy season occurs in November and December. Despite the almost constant sunshine, the average year-round temperature is only 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 Celsius) due to the trade winds that keep the island cool all the time. A hilly island of volcanic origin, Curaçao supports a large variety of tropical flora and fauna, most of which may be found in Christoffel Park, a nature preserve located at the northern tip around the island’s highest point, Mt. Christoffel.

- Geographia

Size: The population numbers more than 170,000, most of whom are of African or mixed African and European descent. In all,

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food

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Creamy Jamaican Pumpkin & Carrot Soup Eartha Lowe

eartha@carib101.com

Green Healthy Eating There’s a famous reggae song titled “Hot Sexy Punkie” by international artist Sean Paul.

Should you know this “sweet” reggae song, raise your hand if each year at the beginning of harvest season, the lyrics start to loop in your head? Like many other people that I know, when this song was first released in 2002, we all thought Sean Paul was singing “Hot Sexy Pumpkin.” Harvest season means Thanksgiving, apple picking, an abundance of pumpkins (all types of pumpkins!), Jack-O-Lanterns, pumpkin patches, pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice recipes. You’ll love nothing more than

cooking up recipes inspired by fall’s bounty but with that, and the sight of pumpkins everywhere comes the remix.

ing vegetable stock is to roast the vegetables before simmering them. Browning the vegetables add body and flavor.

Soup-making: Soup-making may conjure up an image of huge pots containing hundreds of ingredients simmering all day long, but that need not be the case. A batch of soup can be made in the same amount of time it takes to make many other dinner dishes and is among the most satisfying of kitchen tasks. Making soup in many instances, is also not precise, which make the process easy and fun. There are, however, general rules and basic techniques to make soup better.

To make soup at its most basic, you start with water, add some means of making it taste better - usually meat, poultry, fish or aromatic vegetables, along with seasonings - and finish with more vegetables and/or grains. Is stock essential for every soup? No. Will it improve the taste of almost any soup? Yes. Even the simplest vegetable stock made with ingredients like onion, leek, carrot, celery and other scraps of vegetables, will make a difference in most soups. The one rule to follow when mak-

Preparing Foods for Soup: It doesn’t matter much how you cut vegetables if you plan to puree them to thicken the soup. However, uniform cutting will allow the foods to cook evenly. Cut vegetables about the same size so they’ll finish cooking at the same time.

You’ll need • 3 cups coconut oil • 3 cups pumpkins, diced • 2 large carrots, diced • 1 cup sweet potato, diced • 1 large onion, chopped • 3 - 4 cups vegetable broth • 1/4 cup coconut milk (optional) • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tablespoons green onion, finely chopped • 1 tablespoon ginger, finely grated • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions 1. Melt the coconut oil in a large saucepan

over medium heat. Add the pumpkin, carrot, sweet potato, onion and garlic and saute, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.

2. Add the stock and ginger, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes, or until carrot is tender. Add in the coconut milk and green onion.

3. Puree the soup using a blender.

4. Ladle the soup into bowls.

Tips Garnish with finely sliced green onion, fresh thyme leaves or chopped nuts (optional). Substitute the pumpkin with any other type of squash.

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Wednesday, November 1, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

food

Easy 1 Pot Meal!

Philip DeWar

philip@carib101.com

Caribbean Fused Cuisine For many of you, potlucks can be dreadful. If you’re not very skilled in the kitchen, often times resorting to a vegetable or fruit platter, or a box of doughnuts ends up being the only solution. For those of you who are culinarily inclined, some stale chocolate doughnuts aren’t exactly the highlight of the lunch table.

It doesn’t have to be so stressful! In

fact, you can put together an amazing dish right in just 1 pot! A few ingredients, just a few minutes - can’t beat that! Today we’ll talk about a simple one-pot pasta dish. This goes especially well for a potluck, as you won’t often see other pasta dishes. Reason being, they can be difficult to execute and keep fresh and warm. Not only will you really look like you know what you’re doing, but you’ll spend half the time cooking!

This is the one-pot roasted red pepper pasta.

What you’ll want: • 5 cups vegetable broth • 1lb fettuccine • 1 small onion, thinly sliced • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1 jar roasted red pepper • 1 can roasted diced tomatoes • 1/2 tbsp dried basil

• •

1/4 tsp chilli flakes Salt and freshly ground black pepper

What you’ll want to do with it: Again, the theme here is simplicity. In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic until they become translucent. Add the red pepper sliced, diced tomatoes, broth, chilli flakes and some black pepper. Stir everything together for a minute or two to let the flavors begin to come together.

Break the fettuccine in half and add it to the pot. Make sure all the noodles are sub-merged for even cooking.

Pop a lid on top and crank it up to high. When it reaches a boil, take the lid off and give everything a stir, preferably with a pasta spoon, as to prevent the noodles from sticking together in a big clump. Pop the lid back on and turn it down to simmer.

Give everything a stir every couple of minutes for 10-12 minutes, ensuring noth-

PAGE 27

ing sticks to the bottom. Note: Try not to keep the lid off for too long, as a lot of steam and heat will escape and will end up messing with your cooking time. Once the pasta is tender, remove it from the heat. There is a chance the liquid will simmer off too quickly - if this is the case, simply add some more water and continue cooking.

This last step is optional and will depend on how you want the finished product. If you want a creamy, cheesy pasta you can add about 4oz of cream cheese and stir in until melted. Serve nice and hot!

If you’re planning to make this in advance, to reheat simply add some sauce, cover with foil and put in the oven for about 15 minutes.. this will bring everything back to life!

DISTRACTED DRIVING

TEXTING • USING A CELL PHONE OR SMART PHONE • EATING AND DRINKING • TALKING TO PASSENGERS • GROOMING • READING, INCLUDING MAPS • USING A NAVIGATION SYSTEM • WATCHING A VIDEO • ADJUSTING A RADIO, CD PLAYER OR MP3 PLAYER Know what counts as distracted driving – and the penalties you could face for it – before you get behind the wheel.

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Wednesday, November 1, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

beauty

PAGE 29

Best Eyeshadow Palettes for Beginners Kizzy Courtney

kizzy@carib101.com

Beauty Tips

If you’re new to the realm of eyeshadow and want to add a bit more to the eyes than mascara we understand that picking out that first eyeshadow palette can be intimidating. With so many options out there, it’s hard to decide on which palette to go for, and what colors are easiest to wear for beginners. Here are a few palettes I believe are beginner friendly and very easy to work with.

NYX Ultimate Warm Neutrals Shadow Palette: When it comes to quality drugstore makeup, NYX takes the cake for having an array of quality products. For starters, it’s good

to have a palette that has a mix of matte and shimmer shades. NYX’s Ultimate Shadow Palette in Warm Neutrals offers just that. With 16 shades ranging from neutrals to plums, this palette makes a great first palette for you to have fun with! All NYX products can be found at most malls in their stand-alone NYX stores, the NYX website as well as drugstores like Shoppers Drug Mart.

The Comfort Zone by Wet and Wild: This palette is an amazing little palette that took everyone by surprise. Especially since the brand, it’s sold from is sold in drugstores, like Walmart. This is a small 6 shadow palette that boasts shades that are creamy, pigmented and easy to blend. This palette is very travelfriendly and, several beautiful eye looks are easily achievable.

The only downside of the palette is that even though the metallics and shimmers are pigmented and amazing, there aren’t any mattes in the palette. So, if you want to do a full look, you’d have to dip into other palettes.

Urban Decay Naked Palettes: Urban Decay

creates beautiful products and The Naked palettes definitely comes out on top. The Naked Palettes do not only offer some of the best quality, but also the best shade combinations that are essential for every occasion. For a first palette, I recommend the Naked 1 for having the best selection of shades. This palette can be found at Sephora, the Urban Decay website as well as the Beauty Boutique website from Shoppers Drug Mart.

The Chocolate Bar Palette by Too Faced Cosmetics: The chocolate bar palette has a great mix of warm tones, and cool tones shades with a variety of finishes to the shadows. With different matte browns shades for transitions and bright beautiful highlight shades for all over the lids, this palette has got it all. And best of all the packaging looks like a giant chocolate bar and the shades smell like chocolate too. You can get this palette from Sephora or the Too Faced website.

The Tartelette in Bloom Palette by Tarte Cosmetics: In comparison to the original Tartelette palette, Tarte’s Tartelette in Bloom

palette offers a better range of light to dark shades, from a very lovely bright white shade all the way to a brick brown/red with beautiful pinks and oranges in between. A variety of eye looks can be achieved with this one palette from bright natural looks to deep orange smoke. This palette would be good for you to have a go at blending your eyeshadow with different shades as transitions. This palette is an all-around palette that holds its own. This palette is sold at Sephora and the Tarte website.

While it’s important to understand the basics of eye contouring and age-appropriate style, you also need to find products that are easy for beginners to use but still allow room for experimentation. A quality eyeshadow selection is a must-have tool for all beginners and starters because it allows them to create the most popular looks and create looks that are uniquely theirs. And on days when you’re pressed for time, reaching for a neutral eyeshadow palette can help you create quick and simple looks that work no matter what you’re planning for the day.

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Wednesday, November 1, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

health

What Does It Mean To Be “Brain Dead”?

Allison Brown

allison@carib101.com

Health Care Over the last few weeks, we have heard about Taquisha McKitty, the 27-year-old mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, and friend who as a result of a drug overdose was deemed brain dead. Mr. Stanley Stewart and Alyson McKitty, Taquisha’s parents believe “she’s still alive,” according to an article written by Pam Douglas of the Brampton Guardian.

In order for the determination to be made according to a spokesperson for William Osler Health System, “there are a number of processes that physicians and care teams must adhere to so as to ensure that decisions are made appropriately and are in the best interest of the patient”. It was also stated in the Guardian article, that “the hospital follows a recognized standard of practice and criteria for neurological determination of death…all neurological death determinations are determined by two experienced physicians in this field according to Alineh Haidery spokesperson for the hospital.

The family has obtained a court injunction temporarily preventing the hospital from removing the respirator

(that is currently breathing for Taquisha) and is hoping to obtain a second opinion as to her “brain dead” status. This article will attempt to provide information about brain death.

According to webmd.com, “ brain death starts with some sort of devastating neurologic injury, that can include traumatic brain injury, a stroke caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain, or if the heart has stopped and the brain goes without oxygen and other nutrients it needs to survive for a long period of time. “…brain-stem reflexes are often the last to go. These reflexes include the dilation of pupils when someone shines a light in the eyes and coughing or gagging when the vocal chords are tickled. When there’s no evidence of higher brain function or brain-stem reflexes, and when other factors that could mimic brain death, such as drugs or low blood pressure … the need for a formal brain-death evaluation will occur.

A formal brain-death evaluation takes about twenty minutes. First, the doctor will check to see if the patient flinches in response to something that can cause pain, like pinching the skin. Next, the doctor will make sure that there are no brain stem reflexes. Finally, the doctor will disconnect the patient from the respirator and check to see whether rising carbon dioxide levels in the blood stimulate the brain. If none of these three findings is present, a second doctor is called to confirm brain death.

Today, with ventilators, blood-

pressure augmentation and hormones, the body of a brain-dead person could, in theory, be kept functioning for a long time, perhaps indefinitely, but with time, the body of a brain-dead person becomes increasingly difficult to maintain, and the tissue is at high risk for infection as per an article at www.livescience.com.

Being a healthcare professional for many years, this is a very tragic story and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. They wait for a decision by the Consent and Capacity Board, and they wait for another physician’s opinion. The family is doing what they can within the limits of what they can do and the hospital is following its processes. The question is, “how can the family advocate on behalf of Taquisa and come away feeling that the often challenging healthcare system worked with them and not against them”?

In this case, numerous stakeholders are involved. A bioethicist helps the hospital and the family to make some tough decisions. While Taquisa cannot make decisions for herself we trust the system and all those involved will make decisions based on Taquisa’s best interest. This article is dedicated to all of the healthcare professionals who have to work with challenging situations on a daily basis and to the Stewart and McKitty family who have been called to take this journey. Your faith is what will see you through…

Take Charge of Your Finances for Better Health

Every year, more of us struggle to meet our financial commitments. Many of us don’t even have access to basic emergency savings and carry high debt. In fact, Canadian households are devoting less of their disposable income to savings than ever before. Our debt-to-disposable income ratio is at an all-time high.

Whatever form debt takes — credit cards, student loans, mortgage, rent, line of credit or car payments — it can add a lot of stress.

Aside from the obvious worry and anxiety, high debt stress can also manifest itself physically, from ulcers

and digestive issues, to higher blood pressure and heart rate. It can even have an impact on your memory, sleep, mood, and immune system. Chronic financial stress can also result in higher reports of workplace absenteeism and diminished workplace performance, and can cause (or add to) anxiety and depression.

If you are one of the many Canadians struggling with debt, there are resources to help.

Before holiday spending starts, take charge of your finances so that you can reduce your day-to-day stress levels and live a healthier life.

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has information, tools and resources that help with achieving financial well-being, living within your means, managing money for student life, teaching children about money and knowing your financial rights and responsibilities.

You can also explore the Canadian Financial Literacy Database for resources and events in your community.

Learn more online at canada.ca/it-paysto-know.

- News Canada

Tips to Meet Your Health Goals

For many of us, staying or getting active and healthy tops our list of wellness goals. Working to be a healthier you can come in many forms, including joining a gym, changing your diet or proactively managing your health each day. But for those living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a simple resolution of physical activity may seem unachievable.

COPD affects over 750,000 Canadians and 200,000 Quebec residents.

It can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, chronic coughing and discharge of phlegm. Those living with this disease have difficulty breathing because less air is flowing into and out of the airways.

COPD can include emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Shortness of breath isn’t limited to strenuous activity. It can often happen when doing everyday activities like walking up the stairs or cleaning your house. This can cause people living with the disease to begin a cycle of inactivity and missing out on life’s joy.

When routine tasks make you huff and puff, perhaps it’s time to stop, reconsider, and break the cycle. If a lung attack or flare-up occurs, this could indicate the condition is worsening or a change in medication is needed. When your COPD is not effectively managed, it could lead to hospitalization. It is im-

portant that when these flare-ups happen, you speak with your doctor about management options.

If you are living with COPD and looking to become more active, try light exercises. For example, going for a walk is a great way to get moving without overdoing it. It is recommended people living with COPD eat fewer but more frequent meals that are fruit and vegetable rich.

Don’t let shortness of breath hold you back from living an active lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about taking control of your COPD. - News Canada

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yoga

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

What is Your Yoga?

Trisha Curling

trishacurling@carib101.com

Yoga Some of the best things that have happened to me since deciding to incorporate yoga into my life are actually the development of what has happened off the mat. Yes, it’s incredible to feel stronger and have less tension and pain in my body, but the way in which I experience the other parts of my life has changed too. I didn’t even know that would happen, it kind of snuck up on me. I used to

just look forward to going to class or practicing on my own at home. It was this way to escape everything else and spend blissful, stress-free time on my mat. My escape at the time was mostly from feeling the pain of the loss of my older brother. Something unexplainable happened one day where the feelings I had on the mat were the exact feelings I had off of it as well. I finally understood that if I chose to do more of what I loved, more than yoga, then this feeling was transferable and that it was also my yoga.

It wasn’t like a bright light burst through the clouds and washed over me or anything silly like that. It was like my inner thoughts and/or my intuition came to the forefront of my mind and told me that everything would be fine with the positive thoughts I choose through the course of each day. I became to understand that my yoga actually started with my daily affirmations.

It started with living in gratitude. This hap-

pened before I started going to classes. At first, I wrote even when I didn’t believe that I could ever feel good and grateful again after such a catastrophic loss, but I did it anyway.

It slowly started to turn around and I started to feel better. I noticed that I started to feel better. Writing, along with practicing made me feel this way more often.

I always enjoyed writing as a child, so it felt natural and comforting. It occurred to me that I was doing more of what I loved and those feelings of loss became fewer. I became more grateful for moments and opportunities like those. The time to write and to practice. The more grateful I became, the more opportunities presented themselves.

This allowed me the courage and willingness to find time for more of what I love.

The small joys of things like cooking, listening to music, and working out all became my yoga too. I found the ability to stop and take more time to appreciate the

small things so that when the challenges arise (as they do), there is a better perspective in which to approach them. It doesn’t mean that there is no more frustration, anger, or even sadness. It just means that I know with more truth and clarity, that everything will be fine at the end of it all.

My yoga became my life. Not practicing all day, but it became the thoughts I chose, it became how I chose to spend my time, doing more of what I love to do more often. Yoga teaches us to look within. It may look like just a bunch of crazy poses to some, but if we actually take the time to practice, look into ourselves, to take moments to quiet our minds and listen to what we truly need for our own happiness, we can find our yoga too. The beauty of it all is that our yoga is our own and does not look like anyone else’s. What is your yoga?

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Finally!! The one and only DJ Breadman bringing his talent to Caribbean coast, every Thursday @8pm. Come out enjoy some great food, drink & appetizers specials, great atmosphere and of course awesome music. It's open mic as well.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Using Trusts In Estate Planning

Valerie Dye

valerie@carib101.com

Legal Matters A trust may be described as a mechanism which allows property or other assets to be held in the name of one person but for the benefit of another. A trust may also occur where one person (the settlor) transfers assets to another person (the trustee) to be held in trust for another person (the beneficiary) until a specified time or until a particular event occurs.

Quite often it is not practical or possible for property or other assets to be

held in the name of the beneficial owner.

One way in which this may occur is where one may be in a financial position to purchase a home but for some reason may not qualify for a mortgage and therefore cannot purchase the property in his or her name. In such situations, it is common for the property to be purchased in the name of a third party with the intention that the property is merely being held in trust for the beneficial owner.

A trust may also be used for the purpose of protecting assets from future creditors in the event of lawsuits or any liabilities which may affect assets being held in one’s own name. For these purposes, the trustee does not have to be an individual but may be a corporation.

The illustrations given above relate to trusts created during the lifetime of the settlor (inter vivos trusts). In estate planning, one may also create a testamen-

tary trust which allows property left in a will for a trustee to be used for the benefit of (or held in trust for) various beneficiaries. A testamentary trust can be incorporated into a will or can be a separate document known as a declaration of trust. A testamentary trust will allow the testator to leave property in the name of a trustee for the benefit of his minor children.

The trust may stipulate that the property should be transferred to the children once they become adults.

Another form of testamentary trust is the Henson Trust which allows a testator to leave property in trust for a disabled dependent. Under the Ontario Disability Support programme, a disabled person will not be entitled to receive disability payments unless his assets are valued below a certain amount. This provision can be circumvented if property is left for the disabled person under a Hen-

Gimmie Your Shirt….. Please!!!

Kathy McDonald kathy@carib101.com

Education I know. What the heck do shirts have to do with education? Let me explain, please.

The shirt has everything to do with education, as right now, as you read this article thousands of children in Dominica have nowhere to go to research, collaborate, create and learn. I know I was supposed to deliver the part 2 of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) Test. However, in a future article, I will delve into details about the nitty gritty of the EQAO Test and what it means for your child, their school, the school board and the province. I had to change gears after hearing first hand of the dire straits that many of our “family members” are in. In this big Caribbean Village that many of us belong to as members of the diaspora, we probably are not truly fully aware of the level of desolation in the Caribbean islands that were impacted by Hurricane Maria last month. From an educational standpoint; there are hundreds of thousands of children

scattered all across the Caribbean that currently don’t have access to an education as a result of the devastation of their island’s infrastructure. In most cases, these island paradises have been literally obliterated.

So, as someone with a vested interest in education, I started to dig a little deeper to the current situation of these students. Quite simply put, technically, there are no students in these countries as they have nowhere to go to get an education. There are estimates that “over 95% of all buildings are destroyed in Dominica” Some islands have no government buildings that are still standing. I heard about a colleague’s relative that had to walk for three days to get insulin. For any diabetics out there you know that this is a life and death situation for people living with diabetes. Oh, by the way, this would have been a 45-minute drive into town before Hurricane Maria.

I would urge my readers to write your local member of parliament (MP) and ask them to advocate to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, the Honourable Ahmed D. Hussen to examine the current immigration policies and make special allowance for the peoples of the Caribbean that have family members in these affected areas. We as a community should also ask for humanitarian support similar to those extended to refugees. We need compassion for persons with no family members in Canada. After

Diane Leshuk 905-580-3757 | dleshuk@cogeco.ca

To View Products, visit: http://www.mydoterra.com/dianaleshuk | Facebook “Essential Knowledge for Natural Living”

all, these residents of the Caribbean may not be displaced by war or persecution but they have certainly been displaced due to catastrophic weather-related events. They are what I call natural disaster refugees and in my opinion deserve the same considerations. The stories of Maria’s victims have not been getting the airplay they deserve and it’s up to us as sons and daughters of the Caribbean to keep their stories alive.

At Churchville Public School some staff members got together to do raise awareness of the plight of the students of this island. Do you know that Dominica is the only island that has a Carib (Kalinago) reserve? These indigenous peoples of Dominica, the first peoples of the Caribbean (in fact that’s where the name Caribbean is derived from) also lost everything.

It is vital in my mind to help restore and preserve their way of life. There is so much culture, history, and archives that are in peril of being lost forever. On October 31st the entire staff and students at Churchville held a spooktacular event. The students brought in non-perishable food items or donations for the Dominican Relief. Kudos to the social justice committee for planning this event which involved “giving rather than getting”. What is even more impressive that the social justice committee student leaders championed this initiative.

They are even planning on giving a portion of the donations to a school in an economically depressed area of Brampton. This

life

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son Trust which will allow the assets to be left to a trustee for the benefit of the disabled person.

A trust may also be used in blended families where a testator has children from a previous marriage and wishes to ensure that property left to his current spouse will pass on to his children after the death of his spouse. In such a case, a spousal trust may be created in a will.

This allows the surviving spouse to enjoy the use of the property after the death of the husband while ensuring that after her death the property will not pass to her descendants or to a new husband if she remarries, but will instead pass on to the testator’s children.

While trusts are very beneficial in planning one’s estate one must also be aware that there are various tax implications to the use of trusts.

school has a family food kitchen. So, families right here in Brampton that need a little help to feed their children will also benefit.

These kind of initiatives that are studentled always warms my heart and renew my faith in this generation. With all the issues that may plague our society, I am always impressed by this generations a keen sense of social justice.

I am fully aware that a lot of us are suffering from donation fatigue and quite frankly have been inundated with requests for help. Please rethink your position and give to this relief effort for Dominica.

Think of this as an opportunity to clear out your closet and donate things that are in your homes and are not serving any useful purpose. Just imagine the difference these underutilized items in your house can make to your “Caribbean cousins”. If you are able to purchase an extra toiletry item, toothpaste, deodorant or soap please do so and drop it off. The island also needs school supplies so the children can still read, write and draw. The organizers have secured free shipping of goods. Please feel free to contact me at 905-796-8163 for more information on how and where you can bring any donations. I will be organizing an additional drop off sight. Please follow me on twitter @TrusteeMcdonald or visit my Facebook page ‘Kathy McDonald’ for the details. So, Walk Good. Belle Marché!

PAGE 36

community

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Mr. Jane and Finch; The Man with the Plan Simone Smith

simone@carib101.com

A Better Tomorrow “Alright, what the hell am I going to wear this time?” I thought to myself as I looked at the press release. I know; girly response you say, but it was one of the first thoughts that came to my mind. I had just been invited to another celebration event being hosted by Brand EQ, and I already knew what to expect. I am not sure if you all remember the Jean Augustine Experience; well, they were responsible for that. Their campaign strategies have shaped them as the marketing and communication company to go to in Toronto. Nadine Spencer, Brand EQ CEO, and Courtney Kazembe, with his team at Kazembe and Associates, are putting on a celebration honoring an amazing man. On Friday, November 10th, 2017, at 6:00 pm, there will be a celebration like no other, celebrating 80 years of a legend’s life. Going to one of their events is always an experience, and now that I am representing my community, it is important that I represent well.

Still didn’t have an outfit, but I re-

alized that it was time to get over that and start doing some research. Who is Mr. Jane and Finch, and how do I properly introduce him? To list of what I have learned, would take up more space then The Toronto Caribbean Newspaper allots me. The first thought of Mr. Winston LaRose when I looked him up was, “What a gentle looking man.” What I didn’t realize is that this gentle man, had single-handedly shaped the lives of many young people. Mr. Winston LaRose was born and raised in Guyana and had moved to Canada in 1964. We have all heard about the Underground Railroad and understand that living in Canada was far better than living in The United States of America, but what some of us don’t realize is that racism was alive and well right here in Ontario.

Like many other great African pioneers, Mr. LaRose had to deal with a level of covert and overt racism. He did so with a stoic grace and has become a patriarchal symbol in the Greater Toronto Area. I am still learning the extent of Mr. LaRose’s impact, but I thought I would share what I have found so far: • • •

In 1966, Mr. LaRose co-founded the Hamilton Guyanese Canadian Cultural Association He became a member of the Ontario Black History Society in the early 90’s and accepted a position as a board member of the Caribana Arts Group In 1994, Mr. LaRose joined the African Canadian Communication & Broadcast-

• • • • • • •

It is interesting; every time I research one of our pioneers, I am humbled by what I see.

With all that he has done, when I listen to him speak or read what has already been written about him, I am amazed at how much we all have to learn. Many of us, including me at some points, are eager to be recognized for the work that we are doing. What we don’t realize is that our work is speaking for itself.

We must be patient, keep at it, and focus on our purpose. I am honored to be attending this event because I know that I will learn about how to become a leader in my community. Now, I just have to decide on this outfit.

Sweetness In The Silent Colleen Lindberg

colleen@carib101.com

Personal Development There are moments in our life where we have access or we are in the middle of a moment of silence. Sometimes we think that the quietness needs to be filled but there is actually this sweetness inside of that quietness.

I don’t know if you’ve ever sat with yourself before and not talked to anybody, not had any music on, not had your phone nearby, and just be with yourself. It’s actually a really impactful and powerful exercise you can do in order to get connected with who you are.

With all of the instant gratification we have in the world these days, sometimes

we lose track of that self-connection, that alignment within ourselves. Sometimes I really feel that through the silence it will allow us to be able to reconnect. We talk about meditation and we hear about it a lot these days. Some people don’t really know what it is or they call it “fou fou” or “fluffy” but it’s actually taking some moments of silence in your day to just be with yourself. It’s not thinking about anything, it doesn’t have to be a visualizing meditation, but just to literally be.

There are some points in our day where breathing alone in our car brings in a quietness that will help us get through the rest of the day. Sometimes I feel we forget that inside of the quietness is that special little key piece that keeps us sane, grounded and clear about where we’re headed.

It’s important in our space to have that quietness. With everything moving around and so quickly these days, it’s hard to get.

So, I encourage you today, and every day moving forward to take a look at your life and to honor yourself that way and

ing Corporation and Executive Director of the Jane-Finch Concerned Citizens Organization (JFCCO) and became the President in 2013.

Introduced the Women on the Move Sewing Program in 1999 Harry Jerome Award for Community Service in 2010 Won awards at the Ontario Canadian Masters Championships in the following events: 100M, 200M, long jump, and high jump (2010) Spearheading the initiative to launch the first Caribana Festival in York region in 2011 Founding Chair of the Kiddies’ Carnival Received an award from the Afrocentric Alternative School Received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Celebrations in 2012

take those moments of silence. Whether it’s right before you go to bed at night, before you “hit the hay,” whether it’s first thing in the morning, whether it’s periodically throughout the day. Whatever that looks like for you, I highly encourage you to integrate that into your lifestyle and into your systems of self-care for yourself.

Through those moments you will find that once you start to get really connected inside of your space and the breathing starts to happen, you will be a lot more grounded. You might even get a lot more ideas on your movements forward or on your connection to self. It might increase your intuition and help you to reach out to certain relationships in your life in order to honor those relationships. It’s so impactful to see what happens and comes through when we take the time to just listen to ourselves.

Hope you are having a very great week, with quiet moments and thoughtful results. I also wish you much passion inside of what it is you are trying to achieve.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Situationships Kezia Royer-Buckett kezia@carib101.com

Loves, Likes & Shares Beyoncé’s song Upgrade You featuring Jay-Z popped into my head when I thought about a guy I dated aka had a situationship with. What is a situationship you ask? Well according to Urban Dictionary it is a relationship that has no label on it… like a friendship but more than a friendship but not quite a relationship. To me, a situationship is primarily a mechanism men use to scam women out of a relationship but still receive relationship benefits.

Last year just days before New Year’s Eve New Year I decided to reach out to a guy I had dated for almost two years but had known for ten years. I sent him a text to see if he had read the book I suggested he read which was the Alchemist (if you haven’t read it, it’s a must read). The guy I had the situationship with hadn’t read the book, he hadn’t even bought the book, and I was automatically turned off and remembered why I no longer wanted to be with him.

He said the same old stale lines to me, and that’s when the Beyoncé song Upgrade You melody started playing in my head. After looking up the song on YouTube and singing along and having a girl power moment I decided to look up the word upgrade so I could have a working definition for myself. The word upgrade means to raise something to a higher standard or to improve it, which is basically what the lyrics of Beyoncé’s song says she’s doing for Jay-Z and vice versa. By joining forces with someone with similar purpose and vision, it should lead to an automatic improvement. What I was doing with this guy and with many guys in my past was nothing but a situationship. I spent years dating and planning many lives with many men, and I was left still single. I realized that I hadn’t been in many real relationships in my life, but I had been a personal assistant, interest-free loan giver, life coach, driver, personal cheer-

leader, personal chef and on-call lover to many men. I realized me and millions of other people needed to comprehend the difference between a relationship which is meant to upgrade you as a person and a situationship which drains the people involved and leaves them with nothing to show after emotional and financial investments have been made.

It was clear to me at that moment the difference between relationships and the grey area that looks and feels like a relationship but is energy sucking and has no outcome of a relationship and gives no opportunity for improvement.

Typically, when you receive an upgrade at a resort or hotel you receive perks and benefits that you didn’t pay for, you are treated with extra care and attention. You feel like your presence is wanted and that you matter. But my situationship with this guy and other men in my past looked nothing like an upgrade and was quite far from Beyoncé’s version of an upgrade. I set a new standard for myself and refused to allow this new wave of dating to invade my life. I’m sure situationships are not a new trend, but it is a trend that I have seen more often recently than any other time in my dating life.

Some people are fans of situationships and feel like it works for their lifestyle, but I am probably not one of those people anymore. If I’m dating a guy and I feel like his presence in my life isn’t adding value or upgrading me in any way, the only logical thing for me to think that it is taking away from me. As soon as I feel talking to a guy is turning into a situationship I will automatically check out, with no chance of return, no positive Yelp or Google review and most likely no future contact. My #relationshipgoals are for me to upgrade my partner with everything I have to offer and for my partner to do the same for me.

Hey readers! Are any of you unsure if you are in a relationship or a situationship? Email me at Kezia@carib101.com and let me know the scenario so I can attempt to shed light on it. And let me know if situationships are ever ideal? Or any other questions or stories you may like to share about love and relationships. I look forward to hearing from you and sharing your questions and stories here in this column. Until then Love, Likes and Shares xo.

in the six

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technology

How Millennials are Changing Health Care Communication

Tech-savvy millennials live, work and study on their devices, and electronic messaging is the language they use and understand. So how can health care professionals best use technology to empower young people to take charge of their own health?

This is the question that organizations like Mississauga-Halton’s addiction treatment centre, Hope Place Centres, is addressing. The team is getting creative with a variety of digital tools to better connect with patients.

“Digital tools are the best way to ensure we stay connected and engaged with our millennial clients,” explains Deborah Gatenby, their chief executive officer.

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

“Most of our outpatient appointments and reminders are sent via text messaging. We use Facebook, YouTube and live chat for admissions and we’re setting up a bring your own device framework to accommodate our clients’ mobile devices.”

Organizations like Hope Place Centres, which is supported by Green Shield Canada, a not-for-profit that works to make health care accessible, are providing millennials with the services they need to take charge of their health. Young people now have access to quality health care support right at their fingertips.

- News Canada

High Tech Ways to Shop This Holiday Season

As technology continues to rapidly develop, it’s not only electronics users who are benefitting. More than ever, retailers are stepping up their game by offering a 21st century shopping experience to their customers.

Here are some futuristic ways companies are using technology to save you time and make your seasonal spending more convenient.

Amazon and the automatic payment system. Could this be the future of shopping? Last December, Amazon set up a prototype “smart” convenience store in Seattle. Dubbed “Amazon Go,” the store uses sophisticated technology to totally automate the retail experience – just walk in, pick up your items, walk out and pay without interacting with a store employee.

Virtual reality and augmented reality.

It’s a tale as old as the internet: a shopper finds an article of clothing online and orders it, only for it to fit incorrectly or just not meet expectations once it shows up.

Some online retailers, like Sephora and Ikea, are changing the way we shop by allowing us to try on makeup and test out furniture arrangements virtually.

Multiple POS systems. Gone are the days of clunky cash registers. Now, many modern establishments have turned to sleek, integrated payment systems that let customers choose from paying with cash, a credit or debit card, or with their mobile wallet. Companies like Elavon are leading the charge by offering businesses of all sizes a multitude of POS options, from tablets to online store solutions and mobile payment systems.

- News Canada

BOO BIRDS

Wednesday, November 1, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

TAURUS

You’ve been building up to it for a while.

Thursday’s sun/Jupiter and Friday’s Venus/ Pluto mark an especially lucrative timeis-ripe, go-for-it springboard. Sun/Jupiter greatly enhance your assets, resources, and motivation. Want more money, love, respect, control, et cetera? Put yourself into drive. All undertakings offer better-than-average potential for gain and reward. Sunday/Monday, it comes easily, runs smoothly.

Where are you heading? Where do you want to go? Is life on a good track or do you need a new plan? Thursday’s sun/Jupiter launches power-play time. Don’t go small; go all.

Take your best shot; give it everything you have; go the distance. Don’t let the tough stuff hold you back. Aim to break the glass ceiling. You have everything to gain.

CANCER

Upgrade your home; repair or replace what’s necessary. Change your job, your attitude, your diet or health regimen. Sun/Jupiter marks an optimum time to make fundamental change. Take on a renovation project; revamp your financial bottom line; hire a new agent or adviser; seek the advice of a specialist; do the recommended surgery. Do it now, gain later; gain for the long term.

Thursday’s sun/Jupiter could grab you by the heart chakra. Someone’s arrival, departure, or input may set up what comes next.

Something you witness, hear, or undertake can prove to be the start of so much more to come. Perhaps it’s the turnaround or lucky break you need. Take the plunge; go deeper; go further. Give it your all or move on.

LEO

VIRGO

Yes, sign up for it. Is a major move or home renovation already under way? Although the investment is hefty, Thursday’s sun/Jupiter shines on all start-over, clean-sweep, or improvement projects. Sun/Jupiter also supports major business and finance revamp or personal-growth initiatives. Get going now; get the hard stuff out of the way upfront and you’ll increase the potential of future profits.

Thursday gets you up and over the hump.

Running as an undercurrent or operating in a more obvious way, watch for sun/Jupiter to pack a punch, to replenish or revitalize you or it. You’ll tap from deeper insights, stronger/sharper intuition, greater desire, motivation, or cause. Nothing is small or insignificant; words and actions produce much greater impact. Sun/Jupiter also keeps it juicy and sexy.

July 22 - August 22

IN THE STANDS

June 21 - July 22

August 22 - September 22

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Mars and Venus in Libra keep you pumped up and going strong. Both also assist you to break it down and break through it, especially Thursday/Friday. Sun/Jupiter assists you to lock on to a better plan, option, or course.

A lucrative, replenishing, and refortifying duo, sun/Jupiter set an optimum backdrop for moving forward on a major investment of time, money, or heart.

Once a year, Jupiter and the sun join forces. Every 12 years, it happens in your sign.

Thursday is your bonus or gift day, especially so if it is also your birthday. Make your power play. Luck runs high. Rely on gut instincts, intuition, and your people smarts.

Your ability to attract and to create a significant impression or impact is also optimized.

September 22 - October 23

October 23 - November 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

Brewing or budding: Thursday’s sun/Jupiter enhances whatever is already on the go. Potentials now reveal their true worth or viability. How deep does it run? You can be profoundly drawn, moved, motivated, inspired, or affected. Sun/Jupiter helps you to see in the dark, peel back the layers, to tap from the wealth of inner knowing and creative resource.

A profitable or lucrative chapter begins now.

Sun/Jupiter can set your money, potentials, satisfaction, or reward on a positive growth curve. The duo can also launch a major overhaul regarding a goal, ambition, or involvement (professional, personal, or intimate).

Sunday through Tuesday, keep it loose; keep it simple; ease your way into it. Creative solutions generate best.

November 22 - December 21

December 21 - January 19

AQUARIUS

PISCES

It’s an auspicious time to launch a fresh-start initiative, especially one that helps you to reestablish your power base, your financial foothold, to reclaim a status or your rightful dues. Thursday’s sun/Jupiter supports or forces you to take charge and to create greater impact. A critical forge-ahead/gain cycle begins now.

Thursday is an ample-opportunity day. Big news, an announcement, a meet-up, or an event could launch you on your way. Sun/ Jupiter favours all deep-dive improvement initiatives. This planetary combo supports action-taking toward getting your body, mind, product, or life moving. Try your luck; seize all advantage; aim for maximum impact; reward yourself. Sunday begins a fulltilt week.

January 19 - February 18

PRINCESS

April 19 - May 20

GEMINI

May 20 - June 21

Down 1) Cat adjective (from Latin) 3) Cats’ bathroom 4) Famous Internet cat 7) Used to clean themselves 10) Warning sound 11) Fancy ____ 13) Usual prey 15) Unlucky colour?

16) Three-coloured cat

PAGE 39

ARIES

March 20 - April 19

Across 2) Group of cats 5) Baby cat 6) Where cats were worshipped 8) Sound of contentment 9) Short or no tail 12) Like human twins 14) Any cat with distinctive fur pattern 17) Can have five or six toes 18) Favourite herb

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February 18 - March 19

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real estate

PAGE 42

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

RRSP Mortgages

Jay Brijpaul

brijpaul@carib101.com

Real Estate Saving for retirement in an RRSP account is one of the few tax benefits remaining for Canadians. Most contributors do not manage their investment portfolios and rely on their financial institutions. Their savings are invested in mutual funds with high management fees associated with it. The high fees reduce the profit and slow the growth of their investments. Another strategy is to invest in an RRSP mortgage where the investor has more control.

An RRSP mortgage is like a bank mortgage where the bank lends the money and holds the property as security. In this

situation, the investor holds the mortgage on a specific property. This is called a private mortgage and the terms and conditions are negotiated by both the lender and the borrower. Since it is a private mortgage, investors must do their own due diligence.

First investors must find a financial institution that would allow this. Most financial institutions prefer to give a mortgage and to invest their clients RRSP. With an RRSP mortgage, the banks are losing profits from both sides. A few financial institutions such as Canadian Western Trust, Olympia Trust, and TD Waterhouse offer this service for a fee.

The first step is to open a self-directed RRSP with the company and transfer all the existing RRSP into it. This may take some time because the RRSP holder must liquidate the current portfolios and pool the money into one account. There are no tax penalties because the investor is simply transferring funds from one account to another.

Financial institutions will act as a trustee for the RRSP mortgages. The process

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of qualifying is the same as if the borrower is applying for a mortgage where income varification, credit search, and approval are required. To set up an RRSP mortgage, the cost involved is administrative cost, CMHC fees, and appraisal fees. The original set up fees can be a few thousand dollars and the monitoring costs a few hundred dollars every year.

Once the RRSP mortgage is set up, it operates just like a regular mortgage where the borrower makes regular monthly payments to the RRSP. The cash accumulated can be reinvested. If there is a default, the trustee is responsible to sell the property under power of sale.

With RRSP mortgages, the interest rate is the posted rate and not the discounted rate. As such, you will be paying a higher interest on your mortgage payment and a higher interest income will be going to the RRSP. There is a downside, however; let’s assume that you borrow from your RRSP at 4% and your rate of return is 6% then the spread is only 2%. However, if you borrow from the banks at a discounted rate of 3% and in-

vest at 6% then the spread or profit will be greater. It is not a vehicle to use for principal residence but an RRSP mortgage can be beneficial when purchasing a rental property.

The higher interest paid to the RRSP is a taxdeductible expense against personal income and higher interest earnings for the RRSP holder.

Most RRSP mortgages are second mortgages with returns between 12% to 14 % plus finder’s fees and lawyer fees. As a private lender, the investor must ensure that the investment is sound. It’s best to make sure that the borrower has about 15% of their own money invested in the property. This is called loan to value ratio or LTV. The higher the LTV, the greater the risk. For novice investors, it is advisable to seek expert advice from a mortgage broker, real estate broker and a lawyer.

RRSP mortgages are an innovative strategy where investors have full control of their investment portfolios and can avoid high mutual fund fees. With RRSP mortgages, the portfolio should be substantial, at least $50,000 and above to work.

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PAGE 44

finance

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Guaranteed Income For Life - Part One Fazaad Bacchus

fazaad@carib101.com

Finance Specialist One of the worse things that can happen to an elderly person or retiree is outliving their savings.

Many years ago it was common practice that if you worked for a company long enough, they would have a Defined Benefit Plan. During your working years it may be contributory or noncontributory plan, however, you the employee never had to worry about the investment choices. Upon retirement, your employer would pay you an income for as long as you live. So, if you added your CPP, your OAS, and your Defined Benefit all together, you were basically set with a guaranteed lifetime income.

Today the Defined Benefit Plan is quickly becoming a thing of the past as more and more, companies are opting to go

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the way of a Defined Contribution Plan. In this type of plan, the company matches your contribution and the money is invested in a financial institution and managed by fund managers. In a Defined Contribution Plan, you make the investment decisions regarding what type of funds you would like to invest in. Upon retirement you would be presented with your defined contribution lump sum which must now last you until you pass on, the company is not responsible for paying you a retirement benefit for the rest of your life.

This is now where careful options must be exercised if you want your money to last you for a very long time. At retirement, you have a few options.

1. Upon retirement, some retirees may need to take their first year in retirement in style, so they may wish to withdraw some of the money for a cruise or a trip of a lifetime etc. You can cash in part of your RRSP pay the CRA taxes in one lump sum and have the money now tax free to do as you wish. Some retires think of a gift that they would like to give either their children or grandchildren, if you take the money from your

RRSP, taxes have to be paid, so be very mindful of this. One thing that I would never recommend is a full withdrawal of all your lump sum in one year, as you will pay full taxes in that year.

2. Your next option is to reinvest the Defined Contribution lump sum until a time when you need it most. If you have another form of savings or you are still employed part-time, it might be better to let the money continue to grow. You should place in a less risky investment than when you were employed full time as this will be a major player in your retirement income. For example, if you retire at 63 with $150,000 in your lump sum and you invest it to age 71 at a rate of approximately 5% it will grow to $212,705. This is not bad considering that the lifespan for the average Canadian has now gone up, for males it is 79 and females 83. So, you may need a retirement income for 10 to 15 years depending on how long you live.

In next week’s article (Part Two), I will present you with three more options as well as how you can convert your lump sum to a guaranteed income.

Life Insurance with Autism & Disabilities Andrew Stewart

andrew@carib101.com

Family Advisor If you or a family member is living with autism it might seem like the condition would make qualifying for life insurance impossible. This isn’t true. Many applicants with these mental conditions are still able to qualify for life insurance.

Whether someone can qualify depends on a number of factors including the severity of their mental condition. There are several questions an applicant will need to answer about the condition. What is the applicant’s official diagnosis for autism?

Has the applicant been diagnosed with any psychiatric disorders or an intellectual disability? Does the applicant have physical impairments like Cerebral Palsy or a history of seizures? Does the applicant need assistance with activities of daily living (feeding, bathing, dressing, etc.)? They also consider an applicant’s age. Generally, it is better for someone to apply when they are fifteen or older.

A recent study from Sweden was groundbreaking – the first major research to determine that people with autism die at a much younger age than the general population. Loneliness, depression and other mental health problems are also common for autistic adults, who are often forced to live

without support. Those who have a ‘’highfunctioning’’ form of the condition and who can live and work autonomously despite their diagnosis are not excluded from these risks. Most people with autism take some sort of medication, either for mental health difficulties or to manage other symptoms or complications. Many of these treatments, especially when taken over the long term, have troubling and dangerous side effects that can lower life expectancy. Autism is not the kind of condition where someone is ‘’cured’’ at the age of eighteen.

Parents with a special needs child often insure themselves to provide for their child when they have died. When determining a life insurance amount there’s a formula that factors in a number of things such as, how long you want the coverage; how much money you contribute to the household now and how much money your spouse and family would need to live the same way if you died tomorrow. The question that gets missed is what are the additional costs of making sure a child would be cared for that may never be able to live independently or without a sibling at least, for the rest of her life if something happened.

A more complicated issue is whether the parents should consider purchasing life insurance on the life of their child to address the possibility that they will outlive their child or to protect the future insurability of the child. For some parents they will have to sacrifice their career development to provide care, this could have an adverse effect on their retirement savings and pension amounts. If the unthinkable were to happen, a life insurance policy is a way to help mediate that risk and replace lost wages and savings. Whole life insurance is for the

lifetime of the child, it guarantees continued coverage if health conditions deteriorate and accumulates a value over time referred to as the cash surrender value that the child could use in adult years to supplement income.

The insurance company will most certainly rate applicants. Here is a general underwriting guideline to help you predict a rating.

Standard: Best possible rating for an applicant with autism. The applicant would need to be high-functioning and alert despite the condition and not have any other physical or mental issues as a result of this condition. The applicant should also be at least fifteen years old and be in otherwise decent health to get a standard rating. Substandard: Most likely rating for applicants with autism provided they don’t have Rett Syndrome or childhood disintegrative disorder.

An applicant’s rating will depend on whether they have any other mental or physical conditions due to their autism, their overall mental function, and their overall physical health. Declines: Applicants that have Rett Syndrome or childhood disintegrative disorder are often denied coverage because these conditions typically lead to more serious problems. Also, applicants with serious mental or physical problems on top of their autism will also likely be denied coverage.

The mere fact that a person has a disability of any type may affects the premiums or terms of the life insurance policy, but is not necessarily a cause for denial. In addition, since there is no cost to applying for a policy, there is really nothing to lose in an attempt to obtain coverage. While qualifying for life insurance with autism is always a challenge, a good application can help.

PAGE 46

sports

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Relieved Gayle Wins Defamation Case Against Fairfax Media AUSTRALIA -- A Sydney court Monday ruled in favour of West Indies star Chris Gayle, in a widely publicised defamation case involving leading Australia media company, Fairfax Media.

Following the six-day trial, a four-member jury comprising one man and three women concluded in less than two hours that Fairfax Media had failed to prove that a series of articles it published about Gayle last year were true.

The court will decide on damages Tuesday. “I’m happy with the decision the jury has made. They actually made the right decision. I came this far, all the way from Jamaica, to defend myself and defend my name and

my character as well,” Gayle told reporters afterwards.

“At the end of the day I am very, very happy it has come to a close now. I’m glad the public actually got a chance to read into things and they could’ve heard what transpired in the courtroom as well. I am very thankful.

He added: “This is a serious thing and these things do happen around the world and to sportspeople as well.”

Fairfax Media, publisher of the Sydney Morning Herald, the Canberra Times and the Age, had reported that during the 2015 World Cup here, Gayle exposed his penis to team masseuse, Leanne Russell, on an occasion when she walked into the West

Indies dressing room.

“Is this what you’re looking for?” Gayle was alleged to have asked Russell in the dressing room at Drummoyne Oval while dropping his towel to reveal his penis.

Russell had given a tearful testimony during the trial, saying she was forced to shield her eyes when Gayle dropped his towel to expose himself, before walking out abruptly.

Gayle maintained the incident never occurred and was supported by former Windies teammate, Barbadian Dwayne Smith, who testified during the trial.

- Trinidad Guardian