Brampton Celebrity Chef 032812

Brampton Celebrity Chef

By Trish Browning

BRAMPTON -- The heat was high as Saturday night’s competition went into full effect in Brampton as the United Achievers Club held their 16th annual Celebrity Chef-Men Who Can Cook Fundraiser.

The smell was to die for as twenty-nine chefs competed to show their skill in cooking with mouth-watering dishes that everyone couldn’t wait to get a taste of.

Some of the most well known names in the community attended to help raise funds for the evening. A portion of the funds raised were being donated to fund scholarships for eligible graduating high school students embarking on their first year of college/university in the fall of 2012.

In addition, 1/3 of the total amount raised is donated in support for the care of pediatric patients living with Sickle Cell Disease at the Brampton Civic Hospital (William Osler Health System).

Before the conclusion of the evening I had a chance to speak with last year’s champion William Carter who expressed he wasn’t sure how this year was going to turn out for him because the chefs had some strong dishes and he was right!

Dr Anthony Sterling wowed the judges with a tantalizing entree of beef rib and garlic mashed potato and took the title of People’s Choice 2012.

Karlos from Jamaica House Kitchen, ended up taking “Chef Of The Year” for 2012 with his curried Goat dish.

The United Achievers Club, who hosted the event, is a non-profit organization whose objective is to raise the profile and consciousness in the Black and Caribbean Community, providing

Men who can cook champions: Linden King “Best Soup/Salad”, Carl Thompson “Best Desert”, Courtney Guy “Best Appetizer”, Dr. Anthony Sterling “Best Entree”

Photo By Alpha King

effective and meaningful role models for youths and encourage greater participation in the community.

Results are as follows: Appetizer: 1st Place: Courtney Guy of C. G. Catering 2nd Place: Kenton Wyatt of Kendrum Afro Caribbean Music Institute 3rd Place: Chris De La Rosa of Caribbean Pot Entree: 1st Place: Dr. Anthony Sterling - Sterling Dental 2nd Place: William (Bill) Carter, President of

Gart Electric Inc. 3rd Place: Jason Bogle, Lawyer Dessert: 1st Place: Carl Thompson, Credit Manager 2nd Place: Steven McKane, Owner-Operator, On Point Catering 3rd Place: Raymond Sharpe, Lawyer Soup/Salad: 1st Place: Linden King, Operations Manager 2nd Place: William Smith, Aviation Consultant 3rd Place: Anthony Plummer, Host of Annual Jerk Festival View Photos On Page 8

PAGE 2 - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Unfair competition will lead to reduced investments, staff cuts on paper.

Come clean According to Mahadeo yesterday, Digicel is deliberately not making public its financials as the company is doing well, buoyed by international operations and would be unable to prove it is making losses.

GUYANA (KN) -- The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) has called for a level-playing field and yesterday criticised government’s move to unfairly introduce another fibre optic cable in yet unclear circumstances.

The US-owned company, in which government has a 20 percent share, also called on Digicel Guyana to come clean to Guyanese on its financials.

Yesterday, too, President Donald Ramotar disclosed that his administration has halted the sale of the 20 percent stake that government has in GT&T. The shares have been on the market for some time now.

During a media brunch yesterday at GT&T’s Head Office in Brickdam, Chief Executive Officer, Yog Mahadeo expressed worry over the company’s future which continues to be threatened by illegal international calls bypass and unfair competition coming from government. This may force the company to reduce the annual average of US$20M that it had been investing in Guyana.

Sharyn, born in Trinidad and raised in Brampton, ON - Sharyn has

been involved in modelling for the past 3 years, modeling for some of the top Caribana Mas Bands as well as other charitable and competitive modelling events. This beautiful, athletic young lady enjoys the outdoors and is studying to become an elementary school teacher.

You could be our next editions “TC Girl”! To enter, send your photo and a brief description to info@carib101.com

Over recent times, the company has plugged millions into the social sector, investing in local singing and dancing competitions, cricket and a host of other events which have become annual fixtures in the Guyanese calendar.

Insisting that GT&T over the past year has fundamentally transformed Guyana’s information and communications technology landscape, Mahadeo did not immediately rule out letting go of staff if the company continues on the same path.

“I have no plans to downscale. I may have plans to right size. Given the uncertainty that exists in the telecoms sector, we do not know. We cannot at this stage cast a three to five year plan in terms of right-sizing the company. What we can clearly say is that if the downward trend is to continue, then right-sizing would have to take place sooner rather than later.”

GT&T’s complaints have been publicised for some time now.

The CEO insisted that GT&T’s prices have consistently been lower than that of its competitor, Digicel, which has been urging for a liberalised sector. GT&T, since entering the Guyana market in the early 90’s has enjoyed a monopoly, something that the company has refuted saying it was only a monopoly

“Our local calling rates are lower; our local calling rates have been reduced while my competitor’s rate has increased four times over the past two years. My international rates to the US, Canada and other countries are lower than other countries where there is so called competition.”

GT&T this year is prepared to reveal that its net earnings has dropped an alarming 40 percent which may in the long run even affect the amount of contributions being made to sports and the social sector.

“This year we will disclose that our net earnings have declined by approximately 40 percent while our subscriber base on the comparable mobile front shows Digicel as being in the dominant role.

“In contrast, we have for years heard Digicel say (a) they are losing money or their profits are too small and (b) they have invested millions of dollars in the country.”

It is also unclear how much investment Digicel is making in Guyana. “One thing is certain, those profits do not all stay in Guyana through reinvestments or taxes, which may very well be why they refuse to share details with people of Guyana. When pressed on these matters, Digicel will only say this is private information and they are not required to report it. It is very convenient to be able to bemoan the profits or losses (whichever is convenient at the moment) with the assurance you will never have to quantify, or even prove one or the other.”

According to Mahadeo, a statistical count shows Digicel Guyana is making in excess of 100 percent of his company’s comparable mobile gross earnings.

Fibre optic Meanwhile, on the issue of government’s decision to bring its own fibre optic cable and another one for the Guyana Power and Light, Mahadeo hinted that the company may have erred in submitting its plans to deploy a Third Generation (3G) and Long Term Evolution (LTE) development to government a year ago. “GT&T can say we openly presented our plan to the Government of Guyana (GoG) for 3 G and LTE development in Guyana over a year ago. It is coincidental that GoG is launching its own LTE network and another competitor is building its 3G network while GT&T was locked and cast away in a corner to “wait”.”

Continued On Page 7

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN - PAGE 3

Jack is back as chairman - Voters stay away only 20 per cent turn out

Warner had won his position “comfortably.”

“We have won in Pointe-a-Pierre. We are leading in San Fernando, Siparia, Mayaro, Couva North/South, Oropouche East/West and in Fyzabad. We are very optimistic because at this point, it is looking like a clean sweep,” Moonilal said shortly before 9 pm.

Trailing behind were Generation Next supported by founder of the UNC Basdeo Panday and UNC Soldiers led by UNC activist Sunil Ramjitsingh. Meanwhile, thousands of voters stayed away from the polls, recording an all-time low turnout. Out of the approximately 81,000 registered voters listed to vote in the elections only 15,000 came out to vote, reports indicated around 7 pm yesterday.

TRINIDAD (TG) -- United National Congress (UNC) members came out in full support of incumbent chairman Jack Warner and resoundingly voted in his favour. The members have spoken, even though the voter turnout was low. Warner, who is back to serve as the party’s chairman for another term, whipped his lone rival attorney Ashvani Mahabir, claiming a landslide victory.

Mahabir was optimistic of unseating Warner and even questioned his leadership style up to Friday. Also making a clean sweep in yes-

terday’s internal elections was the Nationalists slate led by Dr Roodal Moonilal. San Fernando Mayor Marlene Coudray who vied for the position as one of three political leaders on the Nationalists slate also emerged victorious. Sixty-three candidates vied for 16 positions on the party’s national executive.

Moonilal last night confirmed with Sunday Guardian that his slate of 16 was in a comfortable position. He also confirmed that

Chairman of the elections committee Kemchand Ramdath confirmed with Sunday Guardian that around 20 per cent of the registered voters exercised their franchise. The preliminary voting list was published on February 28 at various district offices allowing voters an opportunity to see if they were eligible to vote. However, there were rampant reports of irregularities at various polling stations yesterday. In several instances, Sunday Guardian understands some voters claiming to be lifetime members of the UNC were turned away after their names were not on the voting list. At the Waterloo High School, many found that their names and that of their relatives were not on the list. Similar complaints were registered at the Aranguez Government Secondary School.

Guyana’s developmental thrust well on target The project at reference is a public/private investment of over US$50M to bring a major international brand to Guyana; create hundreds of jobs in the construction phase and beyond, when it becomes operational; and significantly raise the standards of the local hospitality industry. Government is merely acting as a catalyst.

GUYANA (GC) -- PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has said he is optimistic that with the implementation of Government’s plans to transform Guyana, the country has a bright future ahead of it.

He made the observation during a press conference Friday at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, here in the city.

He was at the time responding to queries about the proposed Marriott Hotel project in terms of how its coming on stream would affect occupancy rates here.

Carefully choosing his words, the President said: “Every time I go, I am always told there is full occupancy in most of these places.”

The project has an estimated capital cost of US$58M, and funding will be in the form of debt and equity, with Government’s contribution being one-third of the funding.

Under the terms of the design-build contract executed with Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), construction was began in early March 2012. Completion and start of commercial operations of the hotel and entertainment complex is expected two years thereafter, in February 2014.

In light of these and other developments, the President is encouraging each and every Guyanese to look ahead and on the bright side. “…look to the future,” he said. “Look to the possibilities that this country has; look at what will be happening in this country if we find oil, and I hope we will find oil.”

Noting all the possibilities ahead of us, the President said: “Should we only build for what we have at present? Should we not try to anticipate our future, and prepare for that?

That is what precisely we are doing.”

In terms of how he feels about the prospect of the finding of oil in commercial quantities here and the coming of Marriott and other spin-off activities, he said: “I myself am confident of the future; confident that we have a very bright future ahead of us; that we have a lot of gains to make in the future, and we have to have the infrastructure for them.”

“We have to have the infrastructure in this country to deal with what I anticipate would be a very bright future ahead of us, once we can implement all of our plans,” he iterated.

As to how he felt about recent statements made by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), President Ramotar declared: “Clearly, these people are trying to rewrite history; clearly, they are trying to hide from their past.”

He made the point that such pronouncements were strange coming from a party like APNU that helped destroy this country, and Continued On Page 4

PM’s sister receives taxpayers’ dollars

TRINIDAD (TG) -- The Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communications was caught off guard yesterday, expressing shock that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s sister Vidwati Newton has been listed as a payee to receive a government cheque.

Questioned yesterday as to how Newton’s name ended up in the advertisement by the ministry relating to uncashed cheques, Nicole Dyer-Griffith said: “I am not aware of the advertisement. I have not seen the listing. It was placed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communications? Even if I sourced the document, I am not in a position to speak or give any further information as to why she has an uncashed cheque.”

However, Dyer-Griffith contacted Sunday Guardian last night indicating that she had been advised that the uncashed cheque was a per diem. The advertisement was published by the ministry on March 23, informing payees that uncashed cheques for the period October 2010 to September 2011 become void after March 31. Newton’s name appeared on the list as a payee of an uncashed cheque issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.

The advertisement also listed payees with uncashed cheques from the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communications. However, payees who

have encashed the cheques were asked to disregard the notice. In an interview last year Persad-Bissessar said her sister was not paid at the expense of taxpayers.

However, following queries by the Opposition on whether Newton was paid a salary, Persad-Bissessar admitted that her sister was paid a per diem as her travel assistant. Commenting on the development yesterday, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley accused the Prime Minister of telling untruths regarding payments made to her sister.

“It is clear that the Prime Minister was being less than forthright and truthful when she went out of her way to explain to the nation that her sister was not accessing public money and she was sharing her money with her,” Rowley said. The Diego Martin West MP said the advertisements raised several questions that warranted immediate answers.

“The statement now has to be questioned given that it is clear that the cheque was made out to her sister. Someone gave instructions for her to get paid because she was on the payroll since 2010. These questions demand answers,” Rowley said. When Sunday Guardian contacted Newton yesterday, a woman who answered her cellular phone, said: “Ms Newton is indisposed and I do not know when you can call back.”

Maxi driver among two men shot dead TRINIDAD (TG) -- A 60-year-old maxitaxi driver and a Laventille man were both shot to death between Friday night and yesterday morning in Arouca and Port-of-Spain, respectively. The men have been identified as Raymond Maxine, a retired Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) mechanic, of Manzanilla, and Kareem Edwards, of Laventille.

Police reports stated that around 5.30 am, Maxine, who plies his 12-seater maxi-taxi from Sangre Grande to Port-of-Spain, was shot dead by a gunman posing as a passenger. The incident happened in the presence of ten passengers. Police said the suspect boarded Maxine’s vehicle at Maloney Junction in Arouca, and asked to drop off at the corner of Backaday Road and the Eastern Main Road, a short distance away.

Upon reaching the destination the suspect reportedly drew a firearm and shot Maxine several times in his head and upper body.

Maxine died on the scene. Eyewitnesses told investigators the suspect fired a couple of warning shots to scare the passengers before running off. Northern Division officers Superintendent Williams, Inspectors

Dale Ablack and Wayne Baptiste visited the scene.

Sgt Ganga Singh is leading the investigation.

Meanwhile, in an earlier shooting which occurred near the training ground at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain, Edwards was killed and two of his friends injured after a football game at the facility. Investigators said Edwards and his friends were walking near the facility after the game when a white Toyota station wagon pulled alongside them. The occupants of the vehicle opened fire on the group, wounding Edwards and his friends Anthony Belford, of Prizgar Lands, Laventille, and Brent Henry, also of Laventille.

Police were alerted and the trio was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where Edwards was pronounced dead on arrival, while Belford and Henry were treated. Up to late yesterday both men remained warded at the hospital. Investigators said an arrest is imminent as the licence plate number of the vehicle used in the shooting was recorded by eyewitnesses. Officers of the St James Police Station are continuing investigations.

Family held with submachine gun, ammo

TRINIDAD (TG) -- A Chaguanas couple and their 19-year-old daughter were yesterday arrested in connection with a submachine gun and a cache of ammunition. According to police, the family was arrested at their Longdenville home during a police anti-crime exercise led by Inspector Wayne Lawrence which began at 3 am and ended five hours later.

Police said while executing a search warrant at the home, an Israeli-made Uzi submachine gun loaded with 22 rounds of ammunition was found. The weapon along with seven

12-gauge shotgun cartridges was discovered in a custom-built safe. The 29-year-old fabricator, his 44-year-old wife, and his stepdaughter were detained by police for questioning.

Four other people were held by police in central Trinidad in connection with robberies and wounding incidents. The family is expected to appear before a Chaguanas magistrate this week. The exercise was co-ordinated by Senior Supt Deodath Doolarchan and included WP Sgt John and officers of the Chaguanas CID.

Guyana - Well on target Continued From Page 3 - “made us move from being the most developed country in this region in 1964, to the most backward country by 1992.”

Clearly incensed by APNU’s temerity, he said: “These people, who have the worst history of corruption, (are)… making accusations against this Government… Clearly, what they are trying to do now is to affect the progress that this country is making.”

Noting that among the advancements of which he spoke were the construction of a hydroelectric plant; completion of the road from the Coast to Lethem; a new deep-water harbour; and a proper hotel of international standards that would make

Guyana a destination for important conferences, he said: “This seems to be the target of these attacks that we are seeing today in the press.”

Asked how he felt about having been in office for more than 100 days, and what he’s achieved thus far, President Ramotar said: “I (would) say that we are on target. I campaigned in this election on continuity, particularly on some of the major projects, which, in my view, have the possibility of really transforming our country, and I am working strongly towards that.”

He concluded by saying: “I would say (that) generally, I am where I think we should be at this point in time.”

EVERY FRIDAY!

PAGE 4 - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN - PAGE 5

Trinidad and Tobago Association of Ontario to launch its first-ever “Mind Your Business Expo” TORONTO -- The Trinidad and Tobago Association of Ontario (TTAO) is launching its inaugural “Mind Your Business” Expo on Saturday, April 14 at the The Assembly Hall #1 Colonel Samuel Smith PK, Drive, Toronto,( Kipling / Lakeshore) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The TTAO is also embarking on its first-ever Mind Your Business Network (MYBN).

These forums will give business owners and service providers an opportunity to showcase their products or services, connect with other leaders and members of the community, exchange ideas, build synergy and develop business leads.

Representatives and community members can visit vendor booths, purchase goods and services, register for a membership in TTAO and

MYBN or simply make a donation, all in support of the TTAO’s many objectives. Participants can also enjoy guest speakers, entertainment and light refreshments at this free, family event.

People from Trinidad & Tobago started arriving in Canada in significant numbers during the 1960s. Their organizations and institutions focused on providing social opportunities and cultural expression. TTAO was and continues to be a leader in that support.

Trinidad & Tobago expatriates have flourished in Ontario, and are represented at all levels of the political realm, and across multiple industries and volunteer and charitable organizations.

They continue to make significant contributions to the socio-economic, cultural and political

Poverty a major problem in T&T TRINIDAD (TG) -- Poverty continues to be one of the major social ills plaguing T&T. This, according to the findings of a recent nationwide survey on current issues conducted by the ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre, University of the West Indies, St Augustine. Supervised by senior lecturer Dr Derek Chadee, the poll was conducted during the period April 13 to 16, 2011.

A random sample of 512 respondents comprising people 18 years and over—39 per cent Afro-Trinidadians, 42 per cent Indo-Trinidadians, 17 per cent Mixed and two per cent Other groups. The sample consisted of 52 per cent males. Respondents were selected using the Random Digit Dialing Method.

Questioned on whether poverty is a major problem in T&T, precisely 78 per cent said “yes,” 18 per cent “no” and four per cent “don’t know.” Marginal differences were observed among ethnic groups indicating that poverty is a major problem in this country.

Specifically, 79 per cent Afro-Trinidadians, 78 per cent Indo-Trinidadians and 76 per cent Mixed persons said “yes.” Persons stating “no” were 19 per cent Mixed, 18 per cent Indo-Trinidadians and 17 per cent Afro-Trinidadians. Four to five per cent of respondents stated “don’t know.”

With regards to sex, similar results were observed for males and females. Specifically, 79 per cent females and 77 per cent males said “yes,” while 19 per cent males and 17 per cent females said “no.” Four per cent of males and females stated “don’t know.” Re-

spondents by age showed a 10 per cent difference between the 51-plus age group and the 31-40 age group for the response “yes.”

Specifically, 80 per cent of the 18-30, 75 per cent 31-40, 79 per cent 41-50 and 85 per cent 51-plus indicated that poverty is a major problem in this country. Those stating “no” were 15 per cent of the 18-30, 16 per cent 3140, 20 per cent 41-50, and 14 per cent 51-plus age group. “Don’t know” was stated by five per cent of the 18-30, nine per cent 31-40, one per cent 41-50 and one per cent 51-plus age group.

Analysing responses by education showed that secondary- (83 per cent), and technical/ vocational- (80 per cent) educated persons were more likely than primary- (75 per cent) and tertiary- (74 per cent) educated persons to indicate poverty is a major problem. Secondary-educated persons were the least likely to state “no.” Precisely, 23 per cent primary-, 22 per cent tertiary-, 20 per cent technical/vocational- and 11 per cent secondary-educated persons said “no.”

Do you think that poverty is a major problem in this country?

Yes: 78% No: 18% Don’t Know: 4%

Do you think that poverty is a major problem in this country? (by ethnicity) Afro Yes: 79% No: 17% Don’t Know:

Indo 78% 18%

Mixed 76% 19% 4-5%

dynamics in Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and throughout the world.

As the next generation navigates their way through high schools across Ontario, these young people are faced with new challenges, unlike those of their parents or grandparents who retired after 30-40 years of dedicated service with a company or organization. Self employment opportunities and business development within this community is critical. TTAO continues to do its part to support this generation and those to follow by creating job opportunities and other support mechanisms.

TTAO is a non-profit organization that has been supporting the community for 36 years.

They understand and respond to the needs of

its growing community, small business owners and other self employment initiatives. They also help underprivileged families, empower youth in education through scholarship grants and business ventures, build relations, host special and fundraising events and support other cultural organizations -- all of which combine the rich Caribbean culture with that of the Canadian mosaic.

For more information about TTAO, volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, contact one of the TTAO board members (Tammy Cole, Treasurer, Executive Project Manager, 647-885-7641; Horace Thorne, Director, 905-454-4332; Jean Turner-Williams, Secretary, 416-836-5448; or Giselle Cole, Assistant, Treasurer, 416-5641988), visit www.tntao.com

PAGE 6 - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Narcissism and dancehall JAMAICA (JO) -- In the main, reggae music, musicians and artistes have had the commendable, unique characteristic, among all pop music genres, of not promoting or succumbing to narcissistic tendencies.

Reggae has thrived, penetrated numerous other world markets and cultures, and has sustained its worldwide popularity. At our core, Jamaicans are a cosmopolitan people, given the cross-fertilisation and ethnic assimilation, inherent in our cultural background and traditions as well as our geographical location, at the crossroads of world trade for over 500 years. This has bequeath us with a continuous window to the world and a constant pulse on global trends. We are famous for our ability to empathise with the struggles of peoples from far-flung countries with whom, traditionally, we have no direct cultural links. This world view has served us well, with an innate ability to interpret our national or personal lifechallenges and strife in such a way that it has a karmic connection with peoples and nations of all creeds, nations and religions.

At its dawn, the evolution of our modern reggae music was significantly influenced by other musical idioms which were current in that era, including mento, ska, jazz, rhythm and blues/soul, and rock and roll to a lesser

extent. Essentially, our songs highlighted concerns and even sought redress on issues such as national, class and race discrimination, prejudice and oppression. They became clarion calls for justice, peace, universal love, and harmony. Early dancehall music maintained this progressive formula and approach In the 80s, one of the international marketplaces that eventually came under the influence of reggae/dancehall’s militant anti-es-

Windies going for jugular

not only for the players, but also for the fans who come out and support us. “Hopefully on Sunday (today), we can go out there and do the job for each and every one of them. Their support means a lot to us.”

TRINIDAD (TG) -- Gros Islet–Already assured of at least a share of the spoils in the five-match series, West Indies say they will be going for the jugular against Australia when the final One-Day International bowls off here today. The Windies shocked the Aussies by 42 runs in Friday’s fourth ODI to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series, and are now focussed on pulling off their first series win over the visitors in 17 years. Since the sensational victory, the country has been abuzz with excitement over the prospects of a series win for the home team and not even intermittent mid-afternoon showers here yesterday could dampen the anticipation. And with self-belief in the squad soaring at the moment, batsman Kieron Pollard believes West Indies can climax the competitive series on a winning note. “We will try to win the series 3-1. We are already up 2-1 and we cannot lose the series but we want to finish with a win. We have worked really hard to get here and we want to go all the way. The job is not yet done,” said Pollard, whose 70ball 102 was the catalyst of the Windies’ victory on Friday. “A series win against a higher ranked team like Australia would be great,

West Indies have played before packed stadiums in the last three matches and it has made a huge difference. Having lost the first match at Arnos Vale in St Vincent by 64 runs, the Windies rebounded to win the second at the same venue last Sunday by five wickets.

The final ODI of the triple-header ended in a dramatic tie after the hosts came back from a near hopeless position. Pollard said West Indies were bracing for everything the Aussies would throw their way and planned to hit back just as hard. “The Australians have come pretty hard at us, but one good thing is that we have not backed down,” the bighitting Trinidadian said. “Every time they come at us we hit right back at them. The fans and the public are behind us, backing us, and when we show that we are not going to back down, no matter what, it shows that we have a strength in the team, a belief in ourselves and what we can do.” Meanwhile, Australia captain Shane Watson said his side needed to improve for the final match if they were to avoid a series defeat. The world’s top-ranked team, the Aussies have struggled against a generally disciplined West Indies attack while their bowling has wilted under determined batting from the home side.

Watson admitted that his bowlers had not bowled to plan against the Windies batsmen in the fourth ODI as the hosts rattled up a

In the 90s, as Jamaican dancehall acts began to obtain distribution contracts with American record companies, some A&R executives used undue influence to encourage our artistes to borrow from and infuse this hip-hop beat and lifestyle into their music. Before that, we did not call our women ‘ho’s and bitches’ nor did we call our bredrin ‘dawg’. What we are left with in Jamaica today is a poor imitation of hip-hop music as the soundtrack to what we still euphemistically call dancehall music.

tablishment stance was the alienated urban North American youth, who were experiencing the twin evils of racial and class stigmatisation and victimisation. Their collective self-worth, especially among young urban males, was very low. Therefore, when they began to interpret and adapt the music from their cultural perspective, hip hop was born with all its negative features such as narcissism, vulgarity, crudity and misogyny.

very competitive 294 for seven. “There was definitely a bit of individual brilliance from Kieron Pollard, there’s no doubt about that.

His striking was very impressive,” Watson lamented. “But there’s no doubt it’s not good enough for us. We didn’t execute enough, didn’t go to the plan to be able to make sure we were able to try and restrict him as much as we could.” He stressed: “We’ve got to sit down and make sure we get it right for the next game because we can’t afford to be in the position that we were and then let Kieron get away the way we did. “In the end it meant we were chasing a much bigger total than we should have been.” Australia will stick with their XI from the last ODI, with the Windies expected to also remain with their winning team. Both teams held final net sessions

The irony is that while our local media remains, to too large an extent, focused on this segment of the industry, internationally, from a marketing standpoint, dancehall music has seemingly reached a plateau, and therefore this has not been an effective long-term marketing strategy. In fact, what we are observing in the international market place is a resurgence of requests for overseas performances and tours by those dancehall acts who came to the fore during the 70s, 80s and early 90s.

Meanwhile, based on their publications and programming, our local media appear to be totally oblivious to these current trends. Their daily restrictive diet and corrupt payola practices continue to stifle local creativity, diversity and Jamaica’s once proud position of being the market leader in reggae music.

on Saturday at Beausejour Cricket Ground which has come in for high praise for the fast nature of the track and pristine outfield.

Squads WEST INDIES – Darren Sammy (captain), Johnson Charles, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Carlton Baugh, Andre Russell, Tino Best, Sunil Narine, Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach.

AUSTRALIA – Shane Watson (captain), George Bailey, Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Peter Forrest, Peter Nevill, Ben Hilfenhaus, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Nathan Lyon, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN - PAGE 7

Marriott owners (AHI) to pay $24,000 per month rent for 7 acres GUYANA (KN) -- The company which has leased the land to build the proposed Georgetown Marriott Hotel, Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), has been given the option to purchase 6.8 acres land from the National Industrial and Commercial Investment’s Limited for US$1M.

This is according to the “Agreement to Lease of Land…made and entered into this 28th day of January, 2010” between NICIL and Atlantic Hotel Inc.

The other condition which is attached to the lease and must be satisfied before effecting such sale is simply informing NICIL of the intention with three months notice in writing.

The agreement entered into between Marcia Nadir-Sharma and Brassington says that the

notice of any increase in rent.

AHI has also agreed with NICIL that the Government Holding Company will be paid annually the local rates and taxes for the plant of land and, “To pay to the appropriate authorities all property taxes, corporate taxes applicable

NICIL is headed by Winston Brassington but for the purposes of the Agreement which was recently made available after much public furor, the Holdings Company is represented by its Deputy Chief Executive officer/Company Secretary, Marcia Nadir-Sharma.

Nadir-Sharma is also the Company Secretary for AHI, which is also headed by Brassington and for the purposes of the agreement of lease, AHI was represented by Brassington.

In the agreement for the 6.8 acres of land which is located in the vicinity of the Pegasus Hotel Guyana and is considered beach front property, Brassington agrees that AHI will purchase the land from NICIL which Brassington also heads, “anytime after the commencement of the hotel operations of substantial completion of construction whichever is earlier.”

“They look remarkably similar to GT&T’s deployment plans. It is fair to assume that both current and potential investors are wondering whether the Government is about to become a competitor and how is it possible to compete with “Free!”

Regarding the announcing that GPL is laying its own fibre optic cable also, the CEO said that the company needs to be clear about its plans.

“The uncertainty created by the development of these networks and the ambiguity surrounding their purpose, ostensibly for E–governance but looking more like government-run retail facilities, risk chilling investments by third parties.”

Taxpayers’ Money The telecoms company also noted that the government through its fibre optic cable from Brazil is using tax payers’ money– without any oversight or regulation. “How can we compete with a system that takes our own money and our own plans to build to compete with us? This has been our position from the inception and from the inception they have assured us of the project being done for e-governance. We are learning from the streets that their definition of e-governance is much wider that one can assume.”

Government has announced that the Brazil cable will be used to allow internet for the 90,000 laptops it is distributing in the One Laptop Per

The ‘investor(s)’ who subsequently pulled out of the project were worried about the then existing network of sewerage pipelines.

Benn, however had been paid a substantial sum to purchase the pipes and to execute the project.

The foreign investor said that the substandard work was particularly related to the calibre of pipes being used by Courtney Benn.

The re-routing of the sewer lines was subsequently awarded to Adam Development/Urbahn Associates (ADUA).

company will pay rent an annual rent of $1 per square foot.

One acre is equal to 43,560 square feet which would see the total rental for the plot being amounting to $296,208 per annum or $24,684 per month.

The 99-year lease agreement indicates that after five years the rent may be subjected to a review but that AHI will be given six month

GT&T flays government on fibre optic cable Continued From Page 2 - More troubling for GT&T was the fact that government’s deployed fibre optic looks suspiciously similar to one the telephone company had submitted.

work was not being done to satisfactory standards that contract was pulled.

and payable from time to time.”

It must be noted also that several million dollars have already been expended by the Government preparing the land for the project when it had re-routed the sewerage system networked on the locale of the 6.8 acres land for the proposed Georgetown Marriott.

Courtney Benn Construction Company Limited was initially awarded the US$700,000 contract to reroute the sewer lines in Kingston but after objections by foreign investors that the

ADUA who had objected to the substandard works being done subsequently commenced to undertake the same project using the same quality of pipes that had been objected to.

When the contact was pulled from Courtney Benn, President Bharrat Jagdeo had said that Guyana had lost capacity as a country.

In May 2008, ADUA brought in a team to lay new sewerage lines to allow the site to be cleared for construction. Local engineers had questioned the integrity of the work done and some of it had to be redone.

Today the Marriott is still to become a reality but the government has already plugged millions of dollars preparing for the project.

Family project. GT&T is contending that it has the capabilities having spent US$60M with neighbouring Suriname to land its own cable.

The introduction of the Blackberry service is but part of the company’s plans being rolled out, despite GT&T’s disadvantage with its competitor, Digicel which has 24 telecoms properties in the Caribbean.

Over the past year, the company says that it has added over 14,000 new DSL subscribers. This was in the face of rampant vandalism.

The company has also added 13 new cell sites within the last few months across the country to improve voice and data connectivity.

Already, according to the CEO, the company has the capabilities of allowing internet connections for IPADs, I-Phones and products on demand.

Regarding the legislation tabled by government last year to liberalise the telecoms sector, Mahadeo insisted that it is deeply flawed and “we cannot support any plan that fails to bring about fair, free market competition and does not benefit consumers. Legislation that introduces heavy bureaucracy, inordinate ministerial discretion, higher costs and unfair burdens on GT&T or new entrants will not serve the best interest of Guyana.”

He noted that GT&T had demonstrated seriousness about reform, by offering specific analysis and comments on the provisions. The company insisted it has the money to invest.

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PAGE 10 - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Insight into Diabetes

Symptoms of low blood sugar can come along very quickly, and they can include cold sweats, fast heartbeat, hunger, light headedness, numbness of the tongue and lips, shakiness, anxiety and nausea.

Trish Browning Contributor Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar either because the body does not produce enough insulin or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced.

There are several types of diabetes. They are Type 1,Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes.

Type 1 is a result from the body’s failure to produce insulin, and presently requires the person to inject insulin. Type 1 diabetes can affect children or adults but was traditionally termed “juvenile diabetes” because it represents a majority of the diabetes cases in children.

Although some people have no symptoms, most people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes have the following signs and symptoms blurred vision, decreased mental sharpness, extreme thirst and hunger, feeling tired (fatigue), frequent need to urinate, frequent skin infections, weight loss despite having an increased appetite, slow-healing wounds.

Type 2 is a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly and Gestational diabetes is when pregnant women, who have never had diabetes before, have a high blood glucose level during pregnancy.

People with type 2 diabetes may not have symptoms for years or decades, but as the disease progresses and blood sugar levels rise, symptoms develop. People with type 2 diabetes may have the following signs and symptoms blurred sight, decreased sensation or numbness in the hands and feet, dry itchy skin, frequent bladder and vaginal infections, frequent need to urinate, increased thirst and hunger, male impotence (erectile dysfunction), slow healing of cuts or sores and tiredness.

People with diabetes are at greater risk for problems that involve damage to small blood vessels and nerves due to high levels of glucose in the blood. They are also at a greater risk of developing hardening of large arteries which can result in a heart attack, stroke, or poor blood flow to the legs.

the eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Damage to eyes, specifically the retina and is the leading cause of blindness. Damage to the kidneys can lead to kidney failure and the need for dialysis. Some people with diabetes who develop peripheral neuropathy (damage to the nerves in the legs) and have poor blood flow to the legs may eventually need an amputation.

Damage to small blood vessels can affect

If blood glucose levels become very high,

Diabetes Linked to Blood Vessel Inflammation

Increased expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in people with type 1 diabetes contributes to inflammation of blood vessels, the study authors said. Their finding is published in the online issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Researchers say they’ve identified a new pathway that increases a dangerous inflammation of blood vessels in people with diabetes.

A team at the University of California, Davis, Health System believes that good control of diabetes may reduce this inflammation and possibly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

They found that people with type 1 diabetes have increased expression and signaling of two key receptors within the innate immune system. These receptors (TLR2 and TLR4) are part of a family of patternrecognition receptors called Toll-like receptors (TLRs).

“It is not unreasonable to speculate that TLR2 and TLR4 promote (cardiovascular disease) by contributing to the proinflammatory state in type 1 diabetes,” lead author Ishwarlal Jialal, director of the Laboratory for Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Research, and professor of internal medicine at UC Davis, said in a prepared statement.

“Inflammation is central to heart disease, playing a pivotal role in plaque formation and stroke. We may well find that a serendipitous byproduct of controlling diabetes is the simultaneous control of this new pathway, leading to less inflammation and lower risk of heart problems,” Jialal said.

The researchers plan further studies to investigate the molecular mechanisms that cause increased TLR2 and TLR4 expression and how these receptors contribute to inflammation in people with diabetes.

especially when there are other stresses such as an infection, people with type 2 diabetes may become confused, dizzy, and have seizures. Fortunately the complications of diabetes can be prevented, delayed, or slowed by controlling blood glucose levels to as close to the normal range as possible.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please consult your doctor.

10 Tips To Healthy Eating Experts agree the key to healthy eating is the time-tested advice of balance, variety and moderation. In short, that means eating a wide variety of foods without getting too many calories or too much of any one nutrient. These 10 tips can help you follow that advice while still enjoying the foods you eat.

1 - Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods.

You need more than 40 different nutrients for good health, and no single food supplies them all. Your daily food selection should include bread and other whole-grain products; fruits; vegetables; dairy products; and meat, poultry, fish and other protein foods.

How much you should eat depends on your calorie needs. Use the Food Guide Pyramid and the Nutrition Facts panel on food labels as handy references.

2 - Enjoy plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Surveys show most Americans don’t eat enough of these foods. Do you eat 6-11 servings from the bread, rice, cereal and pasta group, 3 of which should be whole grains?

Do you eat 2-4 servings of fruit and 3-5 servings of vegetables? If you don’t enjoy some of these at first, give them another chance.

Look through cookbooks for tasty ways to prepare unfamiliar foods.

3 - Maintain a healthy weight.

The weight that’s right for you depends on

many factors including your sex, height, age and heredity. Excess body fat increases your chances for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancer and other illnesses. But being too thin can increase your risk for osteoporosis, menstrual irregularities and other health problems.

If you’re constantly losing and regaining weight, a registered dietitian can help you develop sensible eating habits for successful weight management. Regular exercise is also important to maintaining a healthy weight.

4 - Eat moderate portions.

If you keep portion sizes reasonable, it’s easier to eat the foods you want and stay healthy.

Did you know the recommended serving of cooked meat is 3 ounces, similar in size to a deck of playing cards? A medium piece of fruit is 1 serving and a cup of pasta equals 2 servings. A pint of ice cream contains 4 servings. Refer to the Food Guide Pyramid for information on recommended serving sizes.

5 - Eat regular meals.

Skipping meals can lead to out-of-control hunger, often resulting in overeating. When you’re very hungry, it’s also tempting to forget about good nutrition. Snacking between meals can help curb hunger, but don’t eat so much that your snack becomes an entire meal.

6 - Reduce, don’t eliminate certain foods.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN - PAGE 11

Most people eat for pleasure as well as nutrition. If your favorite foods are high in fat, salt or sugar, the key is moderating how much of these foods you eat and how often you eat them.

Identify major sources of these ingredients in your diet and make changes, if necessary. Adults who eat high-fat meats or whole-milk dairy products at every meal are probably eating too much fat. Use the Nutrition Facts panel on the food label to help balance your choices.

Choosing skim or low-fat dairy products and lean cuts of meat such as flank steak and beef round can reduce fat intake significantly.

If you love fried chicken, however, you don’t have to give it up. Just eat it less often. When dining out, share it with a friend, ask for a take-home bag or a smaller portion.

7 - Balance your food choices over time.

Not every food has to be “perfect.” When eating a food high in fat, salt or sugar, select other foods that are low in these ingredients.

If you miss out on any food group one day, make up for it the next. Your food choices over several days should fit together into a healthy pattern.

to know what’s wrong with them. Write down everything you eat for three days.

Then check your list according to the rest of these tips. Do you add a lot of butter, creamy sauces or salad dressings? Rather than eliminating these foods, just cut back your portions. Are you getting enough fruits and vegetables? If not, you may be missing out on vital nutrients.

9 - Make changes gradually.

Just as there are no “superfoods” or easy answers to a healthy diet, don’t expect to totally revamp your eating habits overnight.

Changing too much, too fast can get in the way of success. Begin to remedy excesses or deficiencies with modest changes that can add up to positive, lifelong eating habits. For instance, if you don’t like the taste of skim milk, try low-fat. Eventually you may find you like skim, too.

10 - Remember, foods are not good or bad.

Select foods based on your total eating patterns, not whether any individual food is “good” or “bad.” Don’t feel guilty if you love foods such as apple pie, potato chips, candy bars or ice cream. Eat them in moderation, and choose other foods to provide the balance and variety that are vital to good health.

8 - Know your diet pitfalls.

To improve your eating habits, you first have

Just a few minutes of daily exercise alters DNA to help prevent chronic disease Many people think the genes they inherited at birth are static and predetermine their fate for the remainder of their life. Extensive research into the science of epigenetics is providing startling evidence that this thought process is grossly outdated, and our individual DNA is dynamic and continually influenced by multiple lifestyle factors including diet, environment, stress and physical activity.

Researchers publishing the result of a study in the journal Cell Metabolism provide evidence that that when healthy but inactive men and women exercise for a matter of minutes, it produces a rather immediate change to their DNA. While we cannot change our core DNA code, exercise does influence the DNA molecules within our muscles. Scientists have found that DNA is chemically and structurally altered or expressed in very important ways that affect a myriad of metabolic processes that protect us from chronic disease.

The scientists found that DNA modifications signal precise genetic reprogramming in muscles that determine overall muscle strength as well as structural and metabolic benefits derived from physical activity. Study leader, Dr. Juleen Zierath noted “Our muscles are really plastic ... muscle adapts to what you do. If you don’t use it, you lose it, and this is one of the mechanisms that allows that to happen.”

Short bursts of moderate intensity exercise positively influences DNA expression

Epigenetic modifications involve the addition or deletion of chemical markers on the DNA strand that change rapidly based on environmental influences such as the nutritional composition of your last meal, pollutants in the environment or the intensity of an exercise workout. Researchers found that DNA within skeletal muscle examined after a short burst of exercise bore fewer chemical markers (specifically methyl groups) than it did before exercise.

The study team specifically determined that the DNA modifications occurred in stretches of DNA that are involved in expressing genes known to be important for muscular adaptation to exercise. This research clearly provides more evidence that our genetic constitution is continually evolving in an effort to protect us, and is positively influenced by short, moderately intense bursts of physical activity. These alterations allow us to adapt quickly to the changing environment that surrounds us.

Dr. Zierath concluded “Exercise is medicine ... and it seems the means to alter our genome for better health may be only a jog away.”

The finding of this study may explain recent

research showing that the best form of exercise works our musculature in short bursts of moderate to full intensity (as measured by attaining maximum heart rate for your age range) for several minutes in duration, fol-

lowed by a rest period and then another energy burst. Combining this evidence with an organic whole food diet will positively influence your genes toward optimal health.

Your Horoscope - April 2012 Aries Horoscope (March 21-April 20): It will show off your leadership qualities, all your drive and your will to do just about anything quickly. You could talk about your projects, too, the new things that interest you. Do make sure you look good, attempt to be efficient, and perhaps you could do with a new pair of shoes.

So the foot you put forward is new, too.

changes occurring in whatever environment you’re in. The importance here will be how and what you communicate in order for understanding to occur. The group is more important now than the individual. Try and support the greater good.

You won’t get lost. And don’t be critical.

Taurus Horoscope (April 21-May 21): Love seems to have taken on a new intensity.

I am not limiting the word love to a present intimacy. It’s the word and experience of love that is being defined for you now, providing an inward change to your existing life’s values. Something you have not been aware of is brought to light. Love is the instrument.

A psychological change is the outcome.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Your everyday ways of being, both personal and professional, probably need even more efficiency, which, last Month, I said you could do very well. This Month needs more awareness than usual of how you are helpful to others. Helping others in turn helps you which in turn creates more efficiency. This is the opposite of carelessness which would waste your vital time. And if you’re not helpful, then try to be. You’re very capable at this.

Gemini Horoscope (May 23-June 20): The group is very important but it’s the new group and less of the old. Your ability to bring love to humanity is probably the strongest in the zodiac, except for Pisces. The financial picture will soon shift from nothing to everything. I know this is your hope and wish. Try not being unpredictable. It ruffles you too much.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov. 22-Dec. 20): Try not to be harsh, withdrawn, and or neglectful of those you encounter daily, especially family, friends, colleagues and all who care for you.

It’s possible you’re caught up in financial responsibilities, desire for social activities, and extreme business concerns. You will battle to defend your values. Wear armor.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21-July 20): The work situation has captured your mind and heart and this will continue. You seek to maintain high ethics and balance everyone’s interests. This is noble.

Whereas some will not recognize you, others, in high ranking places will. Especially those Beings in spiritual realms who oversee our lives. To them you are a most important influence. You need this identity to continue.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec. 21-Jan. 20): Parents could be a concern or perhaps it’s your parenting that you’re concerned about. Which ever it is, they both need a lot of love. You need to love your parents and tell them so. And you need to know that no matter how you’ve parented, you’ve been doing it with the most love you can bring forth. Now discipline’s another situation entirely. Go slow on that one so as not to disrupt harmony and security of everyone.

Leo Horoscope (July 21-Aug. 22): It’s a New Year for you. The Sun will recharge and revivify you if you stand in it daily and long enough. You are to radiate yourself like a Sun into all environments.

Remember that your tending must be toward yourself. Everyone else comes next.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You feel the need to restore and revitalize yourself. This will occur in part if you change your schedule, find new sources of direction, and create a new health and fitness routine. Money and tax matters become great concerns. You’ll need to be resourceful with time because extra professional responsibilities may prove tiresome and tedious. Careful with distractions.

Libra Horoscope (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Establishing tranquility is your work for the month. Especially with loved ones but more so for yourself. There may be

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan. 21-Feb. 18): Contacting your siblings is important. If not by phone then by letter, card, or email.

It’s the time to do this no matter how you feel about it. Also, you need to consider education for either yourself or another.

And a walk around the neighborhood is a good idea, too. What I’m referring to in all these situations is connections, more information, and a deepening of affection and knowledge about everything. Big and small.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb. 18-March 20): Look at where your important papers are, review your monetary input and output, make investments if that’s what you do, and consider the value of your work and services. These and all financial situations are to be engaged in seriously. A new state of awareness of how you value yourself is also occurring. Be aware of this for from it your future emerges.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN - PAGE 13

PAGE 14 - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Immigration Matters: Spousal Sponsorship, or NOT Marva Kollar Contributor Our vacation in the Caribbean was splendid. Sea, sun, sand... it was love at first sight. We are now happily married and I will sponsor my spouse to Canada. The newlyweds said that sponsoring a spouse; is an easy process, as they can contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Call Centre to ask for advice.

An eligible sponsor must be either a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident (PR), married or living together for a period of 12 months as Common-law Partners. The sponsor must meet sponsorship requirements; provide basic necessities undertaken in the sponsorship agreement and all other terms and conditions.

The sponsored person also called a Member of the Family Class, is of opposite or same sex. They meet criminal, medical and other requirements but prior to March 2, 2012 had no obligations to the spouse/ partner after becoming a PR. The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism on March 2nd implemented a 5-year bar on spousal sponsorship. PR must wait 5 years to sponsor a new spouse/partner.

This is a new obligation for sponsors and sponsored persons but a sigh of relief for sponsors who have been on the hook for financial obligations after the sponsored person leaves to sponsor an old flame.

Also, on March 9, 2012, a new proposal required conditional PR status whereby a sponsored person must live with the Canadian Citizen/PR for 2 years after becoming a PR. Failure to comply could result in the PR’s status being revoked, removal or criminal charges may be imposed.

New regulation protects the integrity of Canada’s immigration system and places more accountability on the sponsored person. However, some fear this may increase domestic abuse.

The difference between using an Authorized Representative and calling CIC Call Centre Agents is: a) Agents are not Authorized Representatives therefore, unable to advise on immigration law; and b) Authorized Representatives have a professional obligation to advise clients truthfully according to Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

Furthermore, an Authorized Representa-

tive will advise that a spousal sponsorship of this nature where the spouses fell in love at first sight is quite possible but inability to prove a genuineness and bona fide marriage/relationship will result in a “Marriage of Convenience”.

themselves, which will contravene s.40 of IRPA. The sponsored person’s application will be refused and banned from travelling to Canada for 2-years. This will also remain permanently on their immigration record.

“Marriage of Convenience” is a marriage or common-law relationship where the sole purpose is for the sponsored person to immigrate to Canada. The Canadian Citizen/PR can face serious criminal charges and still have to meet the terms of the sponsor.

Victims of Abuse call: National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Sponsored person who seeks to circumvent Canada’s immigration law is not without fault, as they would have misrepresented

More Info: trish@carib101.com Contributor: Marva Yvonne Kollár, www.

WoodbridgeImmigration.com, Member ICCRC & Commissioner of Oaths, Ontario.

The Review of the Province’s Policy Statement and Highway 407’s Importance Tammy Flores Contributor The group “Stop the 407 ETR’s Abuse of Power” has been very busy in this first quarter of 2012. We have visited the 407 ETR’s offices and meet with Kevin Sack, VP of Communications and Government Relations. We also met with the Regional Director of the Ministry of Transportation, Lou Politano as well as other staff members in Strategic Highways at the Ministry of Transportation. We met with all 3 main political parties and provided them with evidence of wrong doing by the 407 ETR by way of invoice suppression and how lax the Ministry of Transportation has been in holding the 407 ETR accountable for their questionable billing practices.

Although we have nothing to announce at this moment, we feel very encouraged that we will have something positive to announce in the very near future. Going forward in the fight for accountability with the billing practices of the 407 ETR, our group has discovered other important public policy issues.

Gridlock is no secret in the GTA. Taken from the Provincial Government’s website “The Government of Ontario is undertaking a review of its land use planning policies contained in the Provincial Policy Statement, as required by the Planning Act... The Provincial Policy Statement recognizes the complex inter-relationships among economic, environmental and social factors in planning and embodies good planning principles. It provides

strong, clear policy direction on land use planning to promote strong communities, a clean and healthy environment and a strong economy. It includes policies on key issues that affect our communities, such as: the efficient use and management of land and infrastructure; protection of the environment and resources; and ensuring appropriate opportunities for employment and residential development, including support for a mix of uses. “ Please note an important aspect of the province’s policy is the efficient use and management of land and infrastructure.

Our highways are part of the province’s infrastructure and there is reason to question any claims that Highway 407’s model is a successful model to cope with the problems the Province has with traffic congestion. Charging drivers a toll on routes deemed highly congested is becoming increasingly popular. Does a free flowing toll highway prove that tolls are an effective way to lower traffic congestion?

What are some important facts, those that promote tolls as an effective way to lower traffic congestion, are missing? We will reveal our findings in the next article.

We want to know the social/economic impact that 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.407etrabuseofpower.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.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 - TORONTO CARIBBEAN - PAGE 15

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