Canada needs to reimagine its power structure, and end its massive federal overreach

STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com

TC REPORTER wanted much more, asking for 28 billion each year. The deal included an increase in the Canadian Health Transfer, which is an equal, per capita transfer to each province with limited strings attached. There would be a lot of face to face between individual provinces and the federal government. Whenever the federal government funds a program or project, Western Canada ends up footing a disproportionate share of the bill.

Individual provinces will now be responsible for their management of their healthcare budgets and the funds received from Ottawa. The problem is, the more we shift programs from provincial to federal jurisdiction, the greater the financial disparity, because the west is subsi- dized more and more. There is no fairness here. The fairest deal for the west isn’t for federal governments to spend more money on healthcare, but for the federal government to stop funding healthcare entirely. That way the federal government can cut taxes and return healthcare to the province’s jurisdiction, as it is in the constitution.

Provinces can collect their taxes from their citizens, and spend it as they see fit. Alberta sees this deal as a way for the federal government to bribe and manipulate each province to do what the federal government wishes. Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith said, “I know we have been passive for so long that the trend to forget that the constitution actually gives us sovereignty in the matters that are enumerated to us.”

There are Premiers who see this deal as a way for the federal government to walk all over the province’s jurisdiction. Premier Smith also said “We always lose when we go up against Ottawa. They take our money and they dribble it back with conditions attached, stealing the rest and use the other revenue to buy votes in Quebec and Atlantic Canada.”

Canada needs to reimagine its power structure, and end its massive federal overreach in almost every jurisdiction. The federal government often ignores our constitution, making new rules that favour federal politics and not the provinces.

Sierra Leone officially opens its first Honorary Consulate in Jamaica

Jamaican maroons from Cudjoe’s Town were deported to Nova Scotia after the Second Maroon War in 1796, and in 1800 to Sierra Leone. They settled in Freetown and the Colony of Sierra Leone in 1792 after it was established by the Sierra Leone Company.

Leone and Jamaica. Professor Hamilton brings tremendous capacity that will be of immense value in forging a deeper relationship between the people of Sierra Leone and Jamaica, especially in the areas of trade.”

The announcement in a press release on Wednesday, January 25th, 2023, that Sierra Leone will officially open its first Honorary Consulate in Jamaica is a positive move. At present, there is a Sierra Leone Embassy office in Jamaica, which is an office of communication between the Sierra Leone Government and Jamaica. It operates as the official representative of Sierra Leone in Jamaica.

The deep roots between Jamaica and Sierra Leone were documented in the book, “The Maroons In Jamaica,” written by Mavis Campbell in 1988. Less than 600

The official launch of the honorary consulate in Jamaica took place in the midst of a week of commemorative activities from February 6th to 11th, 2023. Professor Rosalea Hamilton was appointed by the President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Retired General Brigadier, Julius Maada Bioas as the first Honorary Consul for the Republic of Sierra Leone in Jamaica hosted the events.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sierra Leone commends Consular Hamilton on his appointment, “I am truly honoured and incredibly excited about this opportunity to contribute to deepening cultural ties and forging stronger trade and economic relationships between the peoples of Sierra

The official opening was held on Tuesday, February 7th, 2023, in Red Hills, St. Andrew. In attendance were Honourable Dr. Memunatu Pratt, Sierra Leone Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, and other government officials. The day was replete with Sierra Leonean music, food, and fashion.

On Wednesday, February 8th, 2023, Dr. Memunatu Pratt rang the opening bell of the Jamaica Stock Exchange war. Later that day, there was an AfricaCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum hosted by the P.J. Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy, University of the West Indies, Mona.

On Thursday, February 9th, 2023, there was a cultural exchange at the Institute of Jamaica, East Street, Kingston titled, “Jamaica-Sierra Leone Family Reunion: Flesh of my Flesh, Blood of my Blood.”

I interviewed Professor Hamilton on Friday, February 17th, 2023, and she provided me with additional information about the launch. She mentioned that the honorary consul is a non-paid volunteer position, but it serves a very practical and important function. She told me of two specific cases where she was able to intervene and help Sierra Leone nationals in Jamaica. In many ways she has been referred to as the first honorary consul of the Caribbean as there is none in other islands.

Professor Hamilton describes how the role of an honorary consulate is recognized under the Geneva Conventions. She expressed excitement about the work of the honorary consulate as it explores opportunities for trade, investment and tourism with the republic.