Guyana’s Police Commissioner Greene quits GUYANA (DW) -- Guyana’s embattled Police Commissioner Henry Greene has offered to “retire” some four months after an allegation of rape was levelled against him.
President Donald Ramotar in a brief interview with Demerara Waves Online News Friday night confirmed that the Top Cop had signalled his willingness to depart. Greene, who joined the Force in 1974, took over responsibilities as Police Commissioner on July 24, 2006 when Winston Felix retired from the post. “He sent a letter offering his resignation and that was acceptable to me,” the president stated via telephone. He added that Greene’s offer was for an immediate resignation but noted that he is not yet in receipt of such a letter. The Office of the President subsequently issued a press statement on Greene’s offer to “retire” which is reproduced below. By letter dated April 19, 2012, addressed to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Mr. Henry Green, DSM, has offered to retire as the Commissioner of Police of Guyana. His Excellency Donald Ramotar, President of the Republic of Guyana has accepted his offer with immediate effect.
Guyana’s Police Commissioner Henry Greene offers retirement after many organizations requesting him to step down or be fired due to allegations of rape. Greene, 58, was accused of rape by a 34-year-old mother of two who had gone to him last November for assistance with another police matter in which she was involved. The woman came forward with her allegation in December. An investigation by local and Jamaican sleuths had recommended that the Commissioner be charged but Greene moved to the court and was successful in getting a ruling
blocking the charge. However, in his application for the order he admitted to having consensual sex with the woman who was being investigated for alleged extortion. His admission raised ethical questions and saw a number of organisations calling for him to step down or be fired. Continued On Page 5
PAGE 2 - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN
Parliament hacker warns: Get better security
TRINIDAD (TG) -- Hackers had a field day on Saturday night after they gained illicit access to the T&T Parliament website, temporarily replacing its home page with another page and posting a warning to the administrators. “Greatz to admin your website hacked due to security vulnerabilities, patch your website, keep it updated. Don’t worry all your files and your database are still here. This is a warning, what other hackers can do to your website. Keep it in mind...CoD3X.” Corporate communications manager, Jason Elcock, yesterday confirmed the attack and stated that information system technicians and the website’s service provider FLOW were currently working to determine how the perpetrator/s hacked the site. He said the site was back up and running around 4.30 pm yesterday.
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“What we are aware of is that our home page was replaced with another page and so persons visiting the site would not have been able to see our page. None of the data was affected, but we are doing the neces-
sary security checks to ensure that when we put it back up we won’t have a repeat of that problem,” he said. Elcock said he did not believe that the incident was “an inside job” but admitted that it brought to the fore the need for improved Internet security. “I think it’s someone externally who did this. It brought to our attention some vulnerabilities within the system. “I wouldn’t say it was lax but there are things we need to strengthen. Our website has been here for 13 years and it’s the first time this has happened. “We are were working to determine exactly what happened and how they were able to do what they did.” He added: “It is a serious thing. We are going to make sure the necessary protocols are strengthened.” When contacted for comment, Suzanne Salandy, corporate communications director, told the T&T Guardian that she was out of the country and was unaware of the situation. And attempts to reach House Speaker Wade Mark, yesterday, proved futile.
Benjai jolted by car accident in a state of sheer bewilderment and has prompted a lot of thought. Benjai, as he’s known in the soca fraternity, is no stranger to the limelight. In December 2010, however, Benjai had been involved in a serious car accident at the Maloney intersection along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway. His Mitsubishi Lancer had struck a pedestrian after a Nissan Almera motor vehicle had slammed into his car around 7.30 am on December 26. TRINIDAD (TG) -- His girlfriend had noticed smoke emanating from the front of the car he was driving, but he had shrugged it off as nothing significant. Rodney Le Blanc said it was only moments later that he’d found himself in a near death situation, one that has left him
Fast forward to 2012 and Benjai’s name appears in the news again for yet another car accident, this time after the season of revelry has ended. Continued On Page 5
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN - PAGE 3
Multimillion-dollar feeding frenzy at UTT hence the reason why attractive salaries were offered. All this, Manchoon said, contributed to UTT losing millions, with no benefits in return. Last year, Manchoon said, UTT faced a $67 million deficit, while its operating expenses were estimated in excess of $400 million. UTT, Manchoon said, has been operating on a deficit for a couple of years, stressing that it would take a while for it to come out of the red. TRINIDAD (TG) -- A forensic audit into the University of T&T (UTT) by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has unearthed a multimillion-dollar feeding frenzy among its staff and students at the expense of taxpayers. The findings of the audit, UTT chairman Curtis Manchoon said, has led to several job contracts being terminated to curb its growing expenses in the last few months. As much as UTT would like to review salaries for contracted workers, Manchoon said finding highly qualified staff was not easy,
Questioned if UTT was overstaffed, Manchoon replied: “I don’t know if to say that the place was overstaffed or the staff that was brought in was not properly utilised. You have to hold people accountable. It is taxpayers’ money you are using. The money is not falling from the sky.” Manchoon said some UTT workers did not know what they were doing, while others had outside jobs. “How it happened I don’t know. What I discovered was that people
could come to work when they want and go when they want...and nobody would ask them anything. They did not want their work time recorded. We attempted through the HR (Human Resource) manager to curtail that. There was huge resistance. The sense you get is everybody protecting one another.” Promising to tighten UTT’s belt and make it a viable state enterprise, Manchoon, a former accountant, with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and banker said that in his opinion people saw UTT as a “milking cow.” UTT forks out $300 million annually, Manchoon said, to pay its 1,200 staff at its nine campuses. He felt the $300 million was too much in terms of salary disbursements “if you compare it to what we are earning from an economic point of view.” He added: “It is up to this board to clean up this horrendous mess and put in place a proper accounting system.” Continued On Page 6
Man jumps from hotel in failed suicide bid GUYANA (DW) -- Ralph De Castro, a deportee from Canada,Friday morning jumped from the Ocean Spray Hotel in an apparent suicide bid but he only sustained neck and shoulder injuries. He was a guest at the hotel for the past three days. The man was seen on the balcony around 5:30 AM but he took at least an hour before he decided to jump from the second floor where his room was located. Fire fighters say he climbed on a steel chair before climbing over the rail. He hesitated
after a policeman tried persuading him not to jump but eventually he decided to do so. Eyewitnesses said he jumped and landed on his back on the tiled compound just in front of the gate. De Castro was rushed to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation by fire fighters where he received oxygen, fitted with a neck brace and treated for shoulder injuries. When Demerara Waves visited the hospital the man was said to be conscious but he was gasping for breath.
Media blocked from PM’s birthday celebration TRINIDAD (TE) -- The media were chased from the gates of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s house where she held a Hindu prayer service in celebration of her 60th birthday yesterday.
Media photographers who stood on the roadway outside the gates of the PersadBissessar’s residence at Phillipine, near San Fernando, were asked to leave by police officers. Acting Assistant Superintendant of Police of the Southern Division John DeGannes told Express photographer Dave Persad and others that the function being held at Prime Minister’s residence was a private one. De Gannes said the media were not allowed to stand outside the premises,
where there were “No Parking” and “No standing, stopping or waiting” signs.
Sharma was one of several guests who turned up at the function.
He told Persad and Ragoonath that their standing outside the gates was against the law, and it was his duty to secure the jurisdiction.
A member of the Sharma family carried into the house a large floral arrangement.
The Acting ASP also told the photographers that they should have gone through Persad-Bissessar’s protocol officer to acquire photographs of the function. The photographers left the area after their were advised by De Gannes. The Hindu prayer service, known as a puja, was scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at Persad-Bissessar’s residence. Local Government Minister Chandresh
Scores of vehicles were parked in the car park area, and decorated tables and chairs were placed in the porch area of the residence. Leader of Government Business Dr Roodal Moonilal, who attended a function at Naparima Bowl while Persad-Bissessar’s prayer service was being held, said he intended to attend the function at the Prime Minister’s residence later in the afternoon. “I will go for parasad (Hindu sweets which are blessed),” Moonilal said.
PAGE 4 - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN
Telecom boss on Alleyne broadcast: It’s a matter for the police
TRINIDAD (TG) -- Chairman of the Telecommunications Authority of T&T, Selby Wilson, yesterday declined to say whether TV6’s licence to broadcast could be revoked as a result of the company allowing the transmission of a videotape showing a minor being raped. Interviewed by the Guardian yesterday, Wilson said the authority wrote to TV6 and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions about the broadcast. “I imagine the penalities are spelt out in the Sexual Offences Act. “The police are likely to prosecute and we wrote the station and the DPP, indicating the Act was breached and that part is in the hands of the police.” Wilson said the authority had no power to prosecute. “We have no authority to prosecute but it was a likely offence,” he said. “We can say that is what we believe and we wrote the station about the programme and it is left up to the DPP if it is something they can prosecute.” When asked if TV6’s licence could be revoked or discontinued, he said: “I don’t want to speculate on that. “Mr Alleyne’s arrest had nothing to do with the licence. “We dealt with it as a possible offence and the police did their work.” The law states:
Benjai jolted
Continued From Page 2 -- He says he views it as mysterious and has chosen not to look at it as just another occurrence. “I really intend to do some serious soul searching right now,” he said. The artiste who in 2012 delivered the singles, People’s Champion, True Story and Kinky Wine, is tremendously thankful to the staff that had been on duty at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex on that morning. “It was really ironic that the same nurse who had attended to me when I was in the accident before, was there. They treated me really good and I observed that particular team with patients in the emergency ward that morning, and they were very professional in carrying out their duties,” admitted the soca star. Now as he recuperates from injuries sustained to his knees, right arm and right buttocks area, Benjai says physical therapy is required to get his right arm back on track.
Sexual Offences Act Chapter 11.28: 32. (1) Before or after a persons is accused of an offencer under this Act, no matter likely to lead members of the public to identify a person as the complainant in relation to that accusation shall either be published in Trinidad and Tobago in a written publication available to the public or be broadcast in Trinidad and Tobago except where, on the application of the complainant, the court directs that the effect of the restriction is to impose a substantial and unreasonable restriction on the reporting of proceedings and that it is in the public interest to remove the restriction in respect of the applicant. (2) A person who publishes or broadcasts any matter contrary to subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of $25,000 and to imprisonment for five years. (3) Subsection (2) refers to(a) in the case of a publication in a newspaper or periodical, any proprietor, any editor and public publisher of the newspapers or periodical; (b) in the case of any other publication, the person who publishes it; and (c) in the case of a broadcast, a body corporate, which transmits or provides the programme in which the broadcast is made and any person having functions in relation to the programme corresponding to those of an editor of a newspaper. (4) In subsection (1) “complainant” includes in relation to a person accused of an offence under this Act, the person against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed. TV 6 Crime Watch host Ian Alleyne’s attorney Om Lalla said yesterday that he would be taking legal action against the Police Service for the arrest of his client. Alleyne is expected to be charged under the Sexual Offences Act and with resisting arrest. He was taken into police custody last Thursday after a broadcast of the TV6 current affairs programme that he hosts on October 25 and
Preparing to travel to the US where he’ll stay with his mother while undergoing therapy, Benjai assures fans that his music has not been affected. In fact, the artiste said he’s currently working on a track for St Lucia’s Carnival as well as a brand new soca flavour, which he is convinced music lovers will enjoy. “I don’t want to let too much out just yet but I believe people will really like the new flavour I’m working on,” he said. Benjai also said he’d be working with Kernel Roberts on some new music and will continue his goal of perfecting his sound, rather than just giving fans good songs. He apologised to patrons who attended the China Beach event at the Heliport in Chaguaramas for being a no-show. “I really couldn’t make it out with the injuries. To all my fans, I extend my sincerest apologies,” he said. Benjai is thankful for life. The two accidents have made him cognisant of the fact that life should never be taken for granted.
26 last year.
prisoner or attorney know,” he said.
The dramatic prime-time arrest of Alleyne— which was broadcast live by TV6, owned by publicly listed One Caribbean Media— stemmed from a broadcast that showed the rape of a 13-year-old mentally-disabled girl. Alleyne could be charged under Section 32 (2) of the Sexual Offences Act.
“They have not served the prisoner or attorney. “We were told via the media and I have not been informed nor has he. “His employers were given a summons but you take out a warrant for him. “That is a demonstration of abuse,” Lalla added. He said the police wanted to embarrass his client.
On Thursday night, Alleyne was taken to Port-of-Spain General Hospital for medical assistance after he complained that he was feeling unwell. He was then transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex where he remained up to late yesterday. In an interview, Lalla said: “I am going to sue them. “It is illegal to arrest somebody and not tell them what they are under arrest for,” he said. “Some officers are committed to the work and now they do something like this? “They have not said if there were charges. “I have made a written request to the commissioner (Dwayne Gibbs) and gave a formal request in CID (Port-of-Spain) that was written in the station diary. “They are publicly informing the media and we are not aware of what is going on.” Lalla said he had been ignored by officers when he requested information on what ground they were holding Alleyne. “Nobody can’t answer me or have the courtesy or letting the
“This is the biggest mock up of the police... They decided they want to embarrass him and pappyshow him,” he said. “The publisher is responsible. What is he under arrest for? There are two police officers guarding him. If you want to interview him, why arrest him? They already had charges prepared.” When asked if TV6 should be responsible for the broadcast and not his client, Lalla said: “That is a legal issue for the court to decide.” Meanwhile, he said Alleyne’s condition was “as good as can be.” Senior officers, however, said the charges against Alleyne were already laid in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court. “There are arrest warrants but he is hospitalised and we can’t execute it,” an officer said. “Information was laid by the court when the warrants were taken out. “He is under guard because he is under our jurisdiction. “As soon as he is released from the hospital, the warrants will be executed.”
PoS mayor calls for compulsory national service TRINIDAD (TG) -- Port-of-Spain mayor Louis Lee Sing says those who “do nothing” to contribute to society should engage in compulsory national service. He said former prime minister Patrick Manning refused to implement it and he dared Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to do it.
Lee Sing was speaking at King George V Park, Port-of-Spain, yesterday after hundreds of participants came out to show support for the second annual Akiel Chambers Justice for Children March. The march was headed by the Jericho Project. Lee Sing said compulsory national service will stop the proliferation of gangs. “There are too many 13 year olds and 14 year olds running around the East-West Corridor and parts of South and Central and parts of the north-western peninsula with weapons in their waist and are shooting people at will,” he said. “We have got to find a way to ask people what do you wish of your life?” He urged parents to demand respect from their children and return to “the old days.” He said the march against sexual abuse of children should be held every week to sensitise the population. “I urge the Jericho (Project) people to never abandon the mission they have set for themselves because in essence, all that Phillip Alexander and Re-
nee Cummings (organisers) are calling for is a better mother Trinidad and Tobago,” Lee Sing said. “Let us give it to the children unborn.” Alexander, chairman of the Jericho Project, called on the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General to give the status of the Akiel Chambers case. On May 24, 1998, Chambers’ body was found in a pool in Haleland Park, Maraval. The case remains unsolved. An autopsy performed on the 11-year-old pupil of Blackman’s Private School, Maraval, showed that he was sexually molested before he died. In 2004, Coroner Sherman Mc Nicolls, who later became Chief Magistrate, ruled that Chambers’ death by drowning was not accidental and there were grounds to suspect that someone was responsible for his death. “Every child that dies this way scars this nation forever,” Alexander said. “We had an alarm when Akiel was brutally abused and murdered. “I am marching with 13 year olds and 14 year olds today who don’t even know who Akiel was. “And I want to blame us because we should have never let this pass. “We should have marched every single day until they bring them to justice.”
Henry Greene quits Continued From Page 1 -- The government had also stated that it was concerned about the ethical and moral considerations of the Commissioner’s actions and a decision was pending on his future in the top cop post.
Reacting to Friday night’s revelation after parliament the APNU’s Deborah Backer said it was “better late than never.” “I think APNU’s position on Mr. Greene is very well known, ew felt that he should have gone because by his own admission he admitted having sexual relations with a member of the public who went to him in his professional capacity and that is highly improper. Mr. Granger spoke earlier this week that we have lost confidence in him, it cannot help the Guyana Police Force to have at the head someone who is under such a great cloud,” she said.
Backer added that public officials must be held to a higher standard than a private citizen. “We felt that the government had the power to dismiss him because he’s on contract and they should have done it long ago.” Greene was asked by the Jagdeo government to continue as top cop upon attaining the retirement age of 55 and was placed on contract. The government has been coy on the length of that contract with Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon pointing out a few weeks ago that the extension could only be up to age 60. Assistant Commissioner Leroy Brumell has been acting as Commissioner since Greene proceeded on leave in late December to facilitate the investigation.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN - PAGE 5
PAGE 6 - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN
Sammy confident of winning final Test five-match One-Day and two-match Twenty International series which were both drawn, could extend to what has been a competitive Test rubber as well. “I know what we want to do. We want to win. We drew the T20 and ODI series and we are looking for nothing less than a win here. We are not going to accept a draw,” Sammy told reporters on the eve of the match at Windsor Park Stadium. “It would mean everything to us. Australia came here and everybody didn’t give us a chance but we have played a brand of cricket that we want to get used to. But with that said, we still got to get a victory. That’s what we are looking for. To level the series against Australia would be another stepping stone for us moving forward.”
TRINIDAD (TG) -- West Indies captain Darren Sammy has expressed optimism of a win which would level the Digicel series against Australia in the third and final Test starting here today. Despite inconsistent batting which led to a loss by three wickets in the opening Test in Barbados, Sammy reckoned that the fighting spirit exhibited by his team against the Australians in the
UTT Frenzy
Continued From Page 3 -- UTT has a student population of 8,000. Manchoon said if the board were to solve all the past problems, they would not be able to manage the university. Asked if there was a culture of greed at UTT, Manchoon said: “It would appear that there is evidence to suggest that this is true, but before our time.” Manchoon said his biggest task was to turn UTT into an entrepreneurial university, stating that this was vital to the economy. “We have to get everyone on board to go the extra mile.” Admitting that it would have been easier to join an organisation that was well-managed with proper systems in place, Manchoon said that nepotism was also prevalent in UTT with family members of staff working in its campuses. He spoke about two relatives working in one department, a couple and siblings, being employed at the university. “It is alleged the a mother hired a daughter. This is what we are trying to correct.” Former UTT vice provost, Abdel Mahmoud Sharaf recently stated that exorbitant sums of money were being spent through a facility which sees UTT staff, while on scholarship, being paid their full salaries plus benefits, as full-time postgraduate students studying abroad. The figures amount to as much as much as £1,000 or US$1,000 a month. Responding to the allegations, Manchoon said while the claims are true, it happened under the former People’s National Move-
Should West Indies win, it will be the first time since 1999 a Test series between the two sides has not been won by Australia, who have retained the Frank Worrell Trophy. Sammy described the pitch as “good” compared with that for the Test against India in July last year when West Indies battled to a draw, helped by fighting second centuries from Kirk Edwards on debut, and veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul. “I think they have given us a good wicket. Last year against India it was a bit dry but looking at the pitch, it looks like a good wicket. Some-
ment administration. “As a matter of fact, one of the things I discovered as chairman was that UTT was actually paying students $85,000 each year to do their master’s and PhD under the Gate programme, which provides 100 per cent cost to the students...but only 50 per cent at the master’s and PhD levels.” Manchoon said the board did not sanction the payments. He said an undergraduate who worked in a private enterprise for $12,000 salary was hired at UTT for $36,000. The audit revealed: • One staff member was paid $40,000 a month for three years and was never seen in UTT. This amounted to approximately $1.5 million in wages. • More than 50 per cent of 130 high-performing athlete students on scholarship dropped out. The students, representing 12 sporting disciplines, fell under the High Performance Sports Unit. This programme cost taxpayers $100 million each year to manage, with housing, meals and transportation provided. They also used the vehicles provided to visit nightclubs. • A lecturer collected a salary of close to $100,000. • An expatriate of India, who came to teach music, had no students in his class for three years. The teacher was also provided with a housing allowance. • One student was awarded a staggering $3.3 million scholarship.
thing in it for everybody. Good bounce and stuff and the pacers should get a little sideways movement, and on the fourth and fifth day spinners will get something so I think we are looking for a very exciting final Test match in Dominica,” Sammy asserted. Left-hander Chanderpaul remains an integral part of the West Indies batting with a hundred in Barbados and 94 in the rainhit second Test in Trinidad—he now needs 82 runs to reach 10,000 in Tests—but Kirk Edwards will miss his second straight Test because of a knee injury. There is also concern over the fitness of experienced fast bowler Fidel Edwards, who has complained of back soreness following the second Test. “We are still monitoring him. Fidel is still optimistic that he is going to play. We will speak to the physio and consult with Fidel and hopefully by tomorrow morning or tonight we should have a definite on his situation,” Sammy said. “Also the selectors will take into consideration that we have to keep our bowlers fresh especially Fidel, who had a long two-year break from the game and so far since he has been back he has been playing a lot of cricket. “We know we have Ravi Rampaul waiting in the wings. He was really good for us last year and I know he is itching to get an opportunity out there on the field so whatever we decide, whether Fidel or Ravi plays, I
know I am expecting the best.” Sammy said it was now a matter of his side playing to their full potential if a win is to be attained. “We know we have our plans and are looking to execute these plans. It would mean everything for me and the West Indies boys and all the fans who have turned out this series to watch us play. “So far we have been doing some good stuff and it is good to see that I am contributing to the team success as well and we are just looking to build and grow. As long as we continue on that path I can see us getting better and better.” Sammy also reckoned that there were positive similarities in the leadership styles of both himself and his opposite number Michael Clarke, which should lead to an exciting match. “Both teams are looking to be competitive. On the field of play, we both play hard. Michael Clarke is a positive captain and I think I am positive as well, and it’s all good for the game that we are trying to get results,” Sammy said. Clarke said: “I’m pretty sure all the boys will want to make this Test a good one for themselves personally and for the team because we’ve had a really good summer. We want to finish on a high before we get stuck into one-day cricket and the Twenty20 World Cup.”
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN - PAGE 7
Shipping boom by the Caribbean diaspora Geeta Maraj Contributor Gone are the days of migrating to North America and being disconnected from ones’ country of origin and culture. As technology excitingly advances in developing countries, people are naturally revisiting these grounds for opportunities that are more stimulating both to their pockets and their lifestyles. Such is the situation as members of the Caribbean Diaspora, having lived in North America since the 70s and 80s, are now returning to their countries of origin. They are seeking their homeland as either a vacation spot, to build their retirement homes or for business opportunities. With improvement in the shipping industry, these considerations are more efficiently accommodated when it comes to the shipping of cargo across the seas. Now the term “remigrant” has become a shipment terminology as customers seek companies like R & S Cargo Express Inc., to transport all their material possessions back to their original homeland. With the down
turn of the North American economy, baby boomers are finding their countries of origin proportionate to a more qualitative retirement lifestyle.
lavish retirement homes built to overlook the Atlantic Ocean, where balconies open to the welcoming ocean breeze is a luring thought for even the most skeptical.
Enhancements to the health sector and technological systems in countries like Guyana and Trinidad have created tremendous improvement in patient care over recent years. Some have even contrasted the efficient quality of patient care to that of Canada, where in Toronto waiting periods to see a physician can extend beyond an hour and a specialist beyond months.
But take heed, in the midst of the export business lies competition and an array of shipping companies aimed at offering the bottom dollar to ship your merchandise for you. The trick is, what you see is not always what you get in the long run - as customers become confused when receiving their goods at the other end, only to discover concealed costs for which they did not account.
Rai Singh, of R & S Cargo Express Inc., has seen this transition over the years, being the owner of a shipping company focusing mainly on exports to countries like Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica. He ships farming, industrial and commercial merchandise back to the Caribbean. He understands the advancement of one’s home country through the quality of merchandise being shipped. For instance, motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, boats and high-end vehicles are presently the norm being shipped to Guyana.
The catch however is seeking a shipping company where there are no hidden gimmicks. According to Rai Singh, when asked what sets his company apart from the competitors, he proudly states “my company’s policy is based on honesty and integrity, we take customer satisfaction seriously. Whatever the price we quote, you can be assured that is the price you pay with no hidden costs.”
Customers now ship their entire homes from tiles to the kitchen sink back to their homeland during remigration. Most times prior to this, they have secured a piece of land and built their own homes to suit their North American comforts. Customers speaking of
It has been an ongoing practice to send barrels of personal effects to loved ones back home, where scarce items are sent for consumption by relatives who are in dire need of certain commodities. Additionally, and more so, since the flood of 2005 in Guyana, many customers within our local community use this concept as a way of contributing to a
charitable cause by shipping barrels of used clothing and other personal effects items to orphanages, ashrams and poor villages. Rai Singh explained that his company gives an additional discount to such customers, as he personally was an advocate for the relief efforts in Guyana during the flood. No longer are there hindrances in sending barrels of personal items as gifts to relatives back home. According to Rai Singh his company offers a type of shipment referred to as “door to door” delivery in Guyana. This is where R & S Cargo would pick up the customers’ barrels from their homes in Canada and deliver it to the homes of the consignees in Guyana. As Caribbean countries continue to strive toward improvement socially and economically, it brings great pride in seeing that our communities now look towards these very countries for business prospects and to remigrate. Additionally, as we are further able to lend a charitable hand to various causes, one can be encouraged about the continued advances toward the development of these countries. The beckon of warm weather, a higher standard of living, fresh produce and the improvement of the shipping industry encourage the consideration of seeking one’s place in the sun.
EVERY FRIDAY!
EVERY SATURDAY!
PAGE 10 - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN
Geera Chicken Chris De La Rosa Contributor Ingredients 2 lb boneless chicken breast cubed 1 tablespoon ground roasted geera (cumin) 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 large onion 4 cloves garlic 1 Scotch Bonnet (habanero or any hot pepper you like) 2 heaping tablespoon of chopped cilantro (stems and everything) 4 sprigs thyme 2 scallions 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/2 lime or lemon for washing the chicken Cut the chicken into 1 inch cubes, then pour the lime or lemon juice over it. Give it a good stir, then rinse off with cool water and drain.
Season the chicken. In a large bowl, place the cubed chicken, salt, black pepper, diced scallions, chopped cilantro, chopped scotch bonnet and the thyme. Give it a good stir and allow to marinate for 1 hr. In a fairly deep saucepan, heat the vegetable oil on a med/high flame, then add the sliced onion and garlic. Turn down the heat so you can cook this without it burning. Stir and cook until the onion is soft.. about 4 minutes. Add the ground roasted geera to the pot and stir. it will go grainy and darker. Make sure the heat is down to low and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the pan and stir. This will coat all the pieces with the lovely paste we created and it will also pick up all the bits from the bottom of the pan (similar to deglazing). Have the heat at med/high with the pan covered. It will come to a boil and start releasing some natural juices. This is when you’ll turn down the heat and allow it to cook for about 10 minutes. Check occasionally and stir as well. If for some reason there’s no liquid, add a bit of water to allow the chicken to fully cook.
be almost fully cooked. Since we’re using chicken breast, we really don’t want to overcook this or risk it going dry. There should still be a bit of liquid in the pan, so it’s time to remove the lid and turn up the heat a bit. Burn off all that liquid and in doing so give the pieces of chicken a lovely coating of all the spice and seasoning we used. It should take about 3-4 minutes to completely burn off. You’re done!
After 10-12 minutes, the chicken should
If you’re having this as a snack while en-
joying some beverages with friends, it’s enough for about 4 people and could easily stretch for 5-6 people as a side dish with dinner. When cooking with hot peppers note that the main heat is in the seeds and surrounding area, so use accordingly. Traditionally this recipe is made with shado beni and not cilantro, but it’s an excellent alternative.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN - PAGE 11
Flax Seed - A Tiny Powerful Seed Nutritional Benefits Of Carrots
actually lead to night blindness. Wow, mom was right!
Flax seed is widely available and can be found in your local food store or health food stores. It does not matter if you get the yellow or brown variety as they are both similar in nutrition.
Trish Browning Contributor Flax Seed is a tiny smooth glossy brown seed that many of us probably overlook and do not realize how powerful it is. It comes in a few colors ranging from golden yellow to dark brown. It is a good source of dietary fiber, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. It is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are an excellent source of vitamin E, and it is packed with many important B-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates. Flax seed is also a rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. This tiny seed have the properties to help fight Cholesterol, Diabetes, Constipation, Inflammation, Menopausal Symptoms and Heart Disease. Flax is very high in lignans, which have anti-tumor properties and it is a natural compound that help prevent many types of cancer, such as breast, colon and prostate cancer.
Ground flax seed provides more nutritional benefits than the whole seed. It is better to grind them or crack them before consuming. Flax seeds are very hard, making them difficult to crack, even with careful chewing. Grinding the seeds breaks them up, making them easier to digest when eaten. The body can then profit from all the goodness that flax seed provides. When you bring the seeds home store them in a tightly seal container. If you decide to grind them store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can use a coffee grinder to create a nice fine mill. You can add flax to your everyday routine. Flax seed has a slightly nutty flavor but is not over powering. Mix it with yogurt, cottage or ricotta cheese and fruit. Add a couple of teaspoons to smoothies and shakes or mix it into pancake or muffin batter and other baked goods. I just add it to a cup of warm milk. If you let it sit for too long you will end up with a clump of slime that is not too appetizing. When consuming flax seed for the first time start with ½ - 1 teaspoon per day and work up to 2 to 4 per day. Make sure you consume lots of water since flax is high in fiber.
Cardio or strength training Monique Bartlett Contributor When it comes to losing weight, most people focus on either all cardio or all strength training. But the truth is, to lose weight and stay healthy you need to include both in your fitness plan. You probably already know that running, swimming, biking and other aerobic activities help you burn more calories. These activities boost your oxygen consumption (both during and after a workout), which causes a number of changes in the body increasing your metabolism. If you combine aerobic activity with strength training, you get additional calorie burning benefits. As you strengthen your body, you enable it to work at an even higher level aerobically, thus, increasing the number of calories you burn. The more muscle you have, the more calories you naturally burn. Often, when people start losing weight, they tend to lose a bit of muscle as well. The number on the scale may end up being lower, but you’re actually at a disadvantage from a weight-loss perspective because it takes the body more energy (or
calories) to maintain muscle tissue than fat. Basically, if you lose muscle, you’re losing vital calorie-burning tissue, and that’s where strength training comes in. It helps build new muscle mass and maintains existing muscle. Strength training also protects against aging by preventing the loss of muscle and bone density. Working with weights can be intimidating at first, but you don’t have to use complicated machines or even do that many exercises to see results. A simple set of dumbbells and some basic moves is all you need to get a complete workout. Besides working all the major muscle groups, strength training will help you lose body fat, improve your overall health, increase your muscular performance and enhance your overall appearance. Remember to check with your doctor before making any changes to your exercise routine. Begin with two or three sets per exercise, 10 to 12 repetitions per set, three times a week. You may find you can’t do 10 to 12 reps in the second set, but that just means that you’re working hard enough in the first set to produce changes in your muscles and, as your strength improves, you’ll eventually complete all the reps. Finally, don’t forget to track your progress, adding a set or two and/or adjusting your weight as the moves become easier. Eventually, you can add another day. Your ultimate goal: Three sets of each exercise, 10 to 12 reps, every other day.
Other than the obvious benfits to eyesight, carrots have many other exciting health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol and preventing heart attacks and cancer. All our lives we’ve been told to eat our carrots, they help improve your eyesight. Maybe you’ve wondered, what exactly is it about the carrot that is good for my eyes? That would be the beta-carotene. In addition to giving the carrot its name and orange color, it also converts to vitamin A in the body which helps improve vision. The vitamin A forms a purple pigment called rhodopsin the eye needs to see in dim light. Rhodopsin production is spurred by vitamin A, raising the effectiveness of the light-sensitive area of the retina. Not getting enough vitamin A can
But that’s not all that carrots can do for you. The beta-carotene in carrots is an anti-oxident combating the free radicals that contribute to conditions like cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration. Medical studies conducted in Texas and Chicago indicate that men with the high levels of beta-carotene and vitamin C had a 37% lower risk of cancer than the men with lower levels. Carrots also contain another anti-oxident called alpha-carotene. A study conducted in Bethesda, MD concluded that men who consume high amounts of alpha carotene have a lower incidence of lung cancer. Cooking carrots actually raises the nutritional benefits. The fiber in carrots can trap the beta carotene, making it difficult for your body to extract. By cooking them slightly, you free the beta-carotene, from the fiber, which allows your body to absorb it better. Eating only a half-cup serving per day will give you more than the recommended dosage of beta-carotene. Also when you buy carrots raw at the store, you must cut off the leafy tops before storing, or they will suck out all the vitamins. the best way to consume your daily dose is to add carrot to your favorite juice blends. This actually breaks apart the fibers allowing the beta-carotene direct acess to absorption. So be sure to eat your carrots every day!
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Over 300,000 federal skilled workers applications REFUSED Marva Kollar Contributor Federal Skilled Workers (FSWs) are selected by Canada’s immigration system based on a six selection factor including age, education, work experience, language ability, etc. Individuals must also demonstrate their ability to become economically established in Canada. Based on the FSW they are able to live in any Canadian province or territory except Quebec as this province has its unique selection criteria. Sue arrived in Canada approximately three years ago. She remained in close contact with her neighbor Jonathan. Both families FSW applications were submitted on February 26, 2008. Their Authorized
Representative had given them proof of submission. Together they received Acknowledgment of Receipt letters, Receipts from their local Canadian visa office for payment of the applications submitted and their individual unique file numbers.
Approximately two months later, they also received subsequent letters from their Authorized Representative. The local Canadian visa offices stated that their application would be processed in less than a year. On February 27, 2008, Canada announced changes to the Immigration Regulations (C-50). The selection criteria was the same; however, individuals with a certain skill set that falls within 29 occupations were given priority processing; queuejumpers. The older applications were warehoused. After four years of waiting, on March 29, 2012, Jonathan’s Authorized Representative advised him that the Government of
Canada announced a proposed transformation to the economic immigration program. Under Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) proposed legislation, over 300,000 FSW applications submitted to Canadian visa offices worldwide would now have their applications refused to eliminate the longstanding FSW backlog.
While Jonathan’s pre-February 2008 application will not have to wait until 2017 for a Decision, based on his age, neither he nor his Dependent children are no longer qualified to reapply. Similarly, CIC has proposed a refund of over $130 million (less interest), on nearly all FSW “stale-dated applications” as announced in the Economic Action Plan 2012. To be eligible for a refund, applicants must have applied under the FSW criteria that existed before February 27, 2008. Some applicants may not even receive a refund as prior to the new Regulation the Dear Entrepreneur, If you don’t have the same principals at the beginning of your enterprise, your enterprise will fail and you will lose your friendship and a lot of money.
Dear Suzie, I was cleaning my son’s bedroom last week and I found a hand gun wraped in his shirt in his beadroom. What Can I do about it? Signed, Scared & Concerned Dear Scared & Concerned, This must be very distressing for you. You don’t want your son to get arrested or get into trouble but what can you do about it. There are two options, you can contact a lawyer without giving your name and tell them that you would like to hand in a firearm. The lawyer will then contact the police and have them pick up the fire. You don’t have to give a name or contact information and you and your son will be safe and the gun will be off the street. The second option would be to call the police on their crimestoppers line or on their direct line. You don’t have to give your name or any of your information and you can call from a pay phone. Tell them that there is a firearm to be turned in and ask them for instructions on how to hand it in. There is no obligation on you whatsoever to provide any form of identification. This way you will get the firearm off the street.
You will have to deal with your son yourself. Explain to him what you have done and why you have done it. Your son needs to learn a lesson about the dangers of a firearm. Tell him this is the last time you will hand in a firearm anonymously, and that a firearm is not allowed in your home and he is not allow to have a fire without a fire acquisition certificate. Tell him the next time he does it, if he does it again you will give full information to the police. Tell him he will face years in jail and for nothing. Speak to your doctor or your church and arrange counseling for him. S. Dear Suzie, I want to go into business with a very close friend of mine. We want to set up a fast food chain. He has the money, I have the knowledge. The problem I am having is that we don’t have the same principals with the objective of the business. I know we can be very successful in our goal. But I am very concerned because we do not share the same principals. What should I do? Signed, Entreprenuer.
The principals is the foundation of a sucessful business. What you can do is as followed... Each of you should retain your own lawyer. Your lawyer can draw up a document setting out the principals and the objectives of the business. The document can also speak to who is responsible for which areas of the business.
pre-February 2008 applicants would only be eligible for a refund if the application were withdrawn. Many applicants sold properties and liquidated assets to show proof of settlement funds upon arrival in Canada while others wait in limbo. What blatant disregard for human beings! Has Canada gone morally bankrupt? More disturbingly, Canada faces losing over 300,000 of the brightest and best from the FSW backlog and future international talents as perspective immigration may steer away from Canada. The good news is: to implement this, the government’s Budget Implementation Act has to be passed by Parliament and come into force. Until then, FSWs commenced a class action lawsuit against CIC. Visit www.unfaircic.com. For statistics of CIC Quarterly Administrative Data Release visit, http://www. cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/datarelease/2011-Q2/index.asp
The document should also set out the mechanism for dispute resoulation. If you are unable to reach an agreement with respect to the principals and the objectives and the responsibilities of the business, you will know that the business cannot succeed and you should pull out. If you don’t follow this advise you could lose a lot of money and the friendship. It is better to deal with these issues head on rather than loosing money and a friendship. S.
Your Horoscope - May 2012 Aries Horoscope (March 21-April 20): Managing your hours and days, organizing your interactions, creating supportive assistance allows you time for what’s most important now - intelligent acquisition of new knowledge. This knowledge will become your future tool for success and provide you with the ability to master your goals. Don’t forget service to self and others. That’s the foundation.
Taurus Horoscope (April 21-May 21): You must begin to concentrate on your creative self identity. You also need some celebrations, more social interaction, leisure,entertainment, and a party . The fun in your life hasn’t seen the light of day in many years now it’s forgotten you exist. Fun and play actually assist in bringing our talents forth. Talents are Soul gifts. What are yours again? Gemini Horoscope (May 23-June 20): The New Moon provides new thought processes concerning home, dwellings, and what brings nurturance to you. There has been confusion of late about these issues. You seek community yet it is unmanifested. You seek a new state of spiritual cohesion yet the field isn’t prepared yet. Ask at New Moon time for the next step in your identification. Cancer Horoscope (June 21-July 20): You seek news of everything from everywhere. From neighbors, previous classmates, the mediaall having to do with community. One short tip. Don’t gossip. Just exchange information and retreat from the temptation to speak ill of others. You will gather and organize all information received and create a world order in your mind. Take in some historical landmarks. Leo Horoscope (July 21-Aug. 22): Notice that your personal values are very prominent and are making decisions that will affect your future. It’s important to be aware of this. Perhaps you can review what your values are and evaluate if they are concurrent with your needs. Are they well thought out? Do they still serve you? Our values either serve our self esteem or lessen it. Which is which for you? Virgo Horoscope (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Everything becomes new, if you yield to this. From your appearance to intelligence to your role in the world which means your social identity. It is important that our actions reflect who we are internally. If this is not so, then others experience us with cognitive dissonance. See
that a union occurs between inner and outer selves for the sake of synthesis. Libra Horoscope (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Your life is rather hidden these day and we continue to search for you but you’re nowhere to be found. A deep psychological change has caught you unawares. Important insights occur. Dreams are your guides. Therapy for some is good. For others the best medicine is serving those in need. An extraordinary housecleaning is in order, too. Scorpio Horoscope (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): What groups in the world do you admire? What organizations have the values you hope to have? What church, team, club, league or fraternity calls to you? What community (town, village, intentional) speaks your language? Investigate this. It’s your future. You’re not to be a loner anymore. Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov. 22-Dec. 20): Something true to your deepest ambitions may just come calling at your door. Most times only elephants sail into our living rooms and roost there much to our dismay. But things are shifting a bit and a communication quite desirous may knock gently. Watch and wait and listen. And write. Capricorn Horoscope (Dec. 21-Jan. 20): You distinguish the truth about yourself as separate from other people’s truths (about you). This is quite important but know that as others won’t recognize this truth you’ll have to all by yourself. A regeneration is occurring about who you are, why, how, where, and possibly when. Move that is. Seek assistance from others. Then be on the move. Aquarius Horoscope (Jan. 21-Feb. 18): There may be an examination of past and present wounds. They will harbor within till , unable to hold them any longer, you seek others who will listen compassionately. As you feel yourself and realities dissolving, new and better forms of self and resources emerge. Sensitivity is good. It’s information. Pisces Horoscope (Feb. 18-March 20): Energy for things new, uncluttered, organized, categorized, detailed, and thus in harmony occur to you in leaps and bounds because it’s time for expansion on every level of your life. You have a fine eye for inner detail. This leads to artistic endeavors. Capture them, bring them into form for beauty becomes you.
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Girls’ Night on the Town Sue Von Achten Contributor Braids in; nails on; small amount of material called a dress, squeezed into and bling, bling, bling all the way.
The tragedy with women is that we have forgotten that we are valuable. We are the mothers of the future with our own wants and needs and we have the right to assert them. It is only through peer pressure that
and successful because I am me.” It is so hard to be unique and independent when all around us we hear and read people telling us what we should be like, how we should think, what we should do. The result
Yes, you can enjoy a good time with these guys, but just because they are hot, sexy and cute tonight does not mean you need to be their baby mother for the rest of your life. You are valuable and unique. Take your time. Enter into a relationship because you want to, not because you need to. Choices you make today can and will affect the rest of your life; the quality of that life, where you want to be and how you want to live your life. The choice is yours.
Eight hours ago we started to get ready, now we’re goin’ clubbin’. Excited and high with anticipation as to what the night holds; walking tall swinging that butt like a honey pot for the bees saying “come see what I got.” With your friends in tow you are on a night out with the girls to have fun, but are you kidding yourself? You are on the hunt for a man. So many of us women need a man to show the world that we are loveable and sexy. Why is that? Why can’t we know that we are hot, desirable and intelligent ourselves? Why do we need a man to show the world who we are?
But let me remind you when you go out clubbin’ later on that there are a lot of hot guys out there tonight and no matter how cute and sexy they are, there is always someone somewhere who is sick of them. Don’t let that become you.
we have forgotten who we really are and try to be who we are not. The end result is loss of self-esteem and the confidence to stand up and say, “I am woman. I am beautiful
is that we calculate our value based on what other people say and how successful we are at pulling a hot, sexy guy.
Remember that inside every older woman is a younger woman wondering where the life went. See next edition “Night out with the Boys”
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN - PAGE 15
MTO’s Role in the 407 ETR’s Billing Nightmare Tammy Flores Contributor Many of you who have been reading my submissions already know that the group “Stop the 407 ETR’s Abuse of Power” has had a busy 2012 so far. Communications with the Ministry of Transportation continue to been ongoing. One major bone of contention we have found when trying to hold the Ministry of Transportation accountable for their role in the 407 ETR’s billing nightmare is their deferral of the issue to simply a billing matter between the 407 ETR, a private corporation, and the public. But is it a simple billing matter between the public and a private corporation? The short answer to that is no because the Ministry of Transportation is interfering with the public’s ability to negotiate a fair settlement with the 407 ETR by enforcing the “Plate Denial” process. The Ministry of Transportation is honoring the 407 ETR’s request to place people in “Plate Denial”, without proof that lawful charges exist and as a result, the 407 ETR is exploiting this bureaucratic glitch and is raping and pillaging the pockets of people for thousands and thousands in unlawful charges. The Ministry of Transportation has not offered any satisfactory solutions to this problem. To illustrate how we have not received any satisfactory solutions, we received and e-mail dated March 28th, 2012. Chris Conroy, the Ministry of Transportation’s Research Analyst, continues to try and paint the picture as if we are asking the Ministry of Transportation to intervene in a billing issue and says, “the Ministry is not an arbiter of billing matters, but is a monitor of 407 ETR’s compliance with the Highway 407 Act, 1998 (the “Act”), its regulations and the concession agreements.” He then goes on to say, “From the information YOU provided, 407 ETR appears to have complied with all of the legislated requirements in your case.” Herein lies the issue that the Ministry of Transportation is refusing to acknowledge and so therefore, in my opinion, is liable for the problem that exists with this private company. The Ministry of Transportation has no documentation from the 407 ETR that proves lawful charges exists. They want YOU to provide them with proof to defend against the 407 ETR’s claim. I thought we lived in a country where you are innocent until proven guilty. When it comes to the 407 ETR you are guilty until you can hound them for years, send books full of communications to them requesting proof of lawful charges and letters to
the Privacy Commissioner to compel the 407 ETR to provide the proof that lawful charges exists and still not receive the proof they are supposed to provide, but somehow, you are still guilty when there is no proof that lawful charges exists. Does that make sense to you? It doesn’t to us and we will not rest until this issue is fixed!
In past communications when we asked what documentation the Ministry of Transportation had from the 407 ETR that provides proof that lawful charges exists against someone, their answer was that they receive “a statement from the Chief Financial Officer at 407 ETR certifying that the 407 ETR has complied with the requirements of the Act in the issuance of notices”. We have come to realize that that statement the Ministry of Transportation receives is not worth the paper it’s written on. With the ability to deny a person from legally licensing a vehicle you would think there would be a fair standard in place, a regulation, to ensure that the 407 ETR is billing consumers correctly and providing proof of lawful charges and the methods of collection, with time limits that are fair, reasonable and easy for the public to understand prior to placing someone in “Plate Denial”. When we asked the Ministry of Transportation about this the answer we received was that “the Act and associated regulations task the toll operator with maintaining the safe and efficient operation of the highway. The Act provides for specific steps and responsibilities for the 407 ETR, including the delivery of various invoices and notices to be sent to customers where tolls are unpaid. It also provides a mechanism for customers to dispute charges with 407 ETR.” So we decided to push further on these specific steps and responsibilities as neither the 407 ETR nor the Ministry of Transportation seems to want to outline it to make it easy for the public to understand. We questioned the Ministry of Transportation about the timing around the specific steps and responsibilities the 407 ETR has to deliver invoices and notices. On February 16th, 2012, their answer was “the wording of the Act refers to interest accruing after the invoice of a toll or fee is ‘mailed, delivered by hand or sent by any other prescribed method’. The Act and the regulations go on to define a period of time in which a letter or notice is ‘deemed’ to have been received by the customer. Therefore the company need only send an invoice to be able to apply interest 35 days later under Section 15(2).” Our interpretation of that answer is that the Ministry of Transportation doesn’t seem to think there is anything wrong with the fact that people aren’t receiving invoices from the 407 ETR for up to 5 years and more, for thousands of dollars, with just a number on a bill and no documentation or proof behind what makes
up the charges the company is claiming. Ironically, on March 28th, 2012, Chris Conroy, MTO’s Research Analyst, said to me in an email “This office is responsible for listening to issues raised by customers, checking any details regarding that person’s registration records, and offering information relevant to their situation. We will also provide information or request documents from 407 ETR on the customer’s behalf, with their consent.” My response to that is really? On January 18th, 2012, Lou Politano, Regional Director with the Ministry of Transportation responded to my email requesting all documentation behind the investigation MTO was supposed to have conducted on my case for at least 16 months. He writes “In your e-mail, you … indicated you are dissatisfied with the information you received from the Ministry through the Freedom of Information process. The information you were provided was the information we have in our files. Telephone logs or minutes of discussions between the Ministry and 407ETR are not prepared for these types of discussions as they are considered routine business.” I can confirm that the Ministry of Transportation did not provide me with anything from the 407 ETR despite the fact that I have given
them permission twice to receive documents from the 407 ETR on my behalf. Let’s ask the question again. Is this problem the public has with the 407 ETR simply a billing matter between the public and a private corporation? Since the Ministry of Transportation is honoring the 407 ETR’s request to deny a person’s plate, it is their responsibility to make sure that they are doing their due diligence and that there are lawful charges against someone prior to placing them in “Plate Denial”. An acceptable standard has to be in place that outlines to the public, in a transparent way, what steps and responsibilities the 407 ETR must take to make sure invoices and notices are sent to people in a fair and timely manner with proof of what lawful charges the 407 ETR is claiming against people. We want to know the social/economic impact driving on this highway has had on you. Please write to Stop the 407 ETR’s Abuse of Power, 75 Bayly Street, PO Box 14524, Ajax, Ontario, L1S 7K7 or email us at 407AbuseofPower@hotmail.ca You can also find us at www.407etr-abuseofpower. com If you would like to keep up to date with what’s happening on a daily basis, please join our Facebook group “Stop the 407 ETR’s Abuse of Power” or you can follow us on Twitter @407AbuseofPower.